"And you're telling me that - now!?"

"Well, you know.. that doesn't even have to be true. I just heard rumors about it."

"That can be my only chance, Ryuk. If that's really possible then we'll go right there."

"What about your family?"

Light paused. If he gets his legs, and become a human, he will no longer be able to see his family. He began to feel sad even though he didn't yet know for sure if he would really leave them forever. He was so obsessed with his fantasy, that he didn't even think about his family.

"You're right..."

"Think carefully before you decide. Lest you regret it later."

Light had a sad look on his face while he stared into the distance as he thought about it. He began to doubt whether to follow his dream or stay with his family. But he was bored there anyway, and his desire for a change was strong.

"Come with me, Ryuk."

He returned to the castle and found a piece of paper they could use underwater. He wrote a letter, and gave it to his friend. "Ryuk, if my dream comes true, and I really manage to get legs, without being able to go back and say goodbye to my parents and sister, give them this letter, let them know where I am, and tell them that they don't need to worry about me."

Ryuk sighed, "so, after all you decided to leave your world?"

"Yes."

"Your father will kill me when he finds out." Ryuk stated worriedly.

"Don't worry. I've already old enough to make my own decisions."

"I know, but being an adult doesn't mean you can do reckless things, Light."

"That's not reckless!" Light crossed his arms and glared.

Ryuk knew that look.

The black fish rolled his eyes. He realized that there was no point in trying to change merman's mind, since he had known him since he was a kid. "Fine. But I warned yo-"

"Yes!"

Ryuk groaned, and lazily followed after him.

...

They approached the cave and watched only from afar first.

It was half-dark inside, but when their eyes got used to the lack of light, they managed to see what is inside the cave. They saw a young octopus making some potions. Two golden-colored fish were helping him.

The skin on his upper half body was pale, and from the waist down, his skin was dark gray with eight tentacles coming out from it. His hair was wild and dark like coal, but from that angle Light couldn't see his face.

Light met him a couple of times, but he never made any contact with him, and didn't particularly remember his appearance. The octopus always seemed weird and strange to him, that's all he remembered about him. He hadn't seen him leave his cave often, and he had never shown any interest in him because everyone was saying that he is a cheater and that he is evil, and everyone avoided him, just like Light.

"L Lawliet, you said?"

"Yes, that's his name."

"Strange. Just like him."

"Yeah... be careful."

"Don't worry. I have a lot of gold and jewels, that doesn't bother me. It should be enough in exchange for legs and transformation."

"Who says he'll ask gold?"

"Huh..?" Light looked at Ryuk confused.

"I'm just saying... because many say that in return for his services he is looking for something that is more valuable to them than gold. Gold he almost never sought." Ryuk explained.

"And what does he ask for in return?"

"Well, if someone is a good singer, then in exchange for a favor he will ask for his voice. Or, if someone has the talent to do something, then in return he will ask for one of their hands. Of course you don't have to accept it, until you sign a contract. Many have given up because of it, angry at him."

"What can he ask from me? I don't have any special talents, and the only thing that is dear to me is my family and our friendship."

"Well, you're going to give up your family anyway, but I'm sure he'll be looking for something personal. That's why I'm telling you to be careful."

"Okay. I will try my best, I will negotiate if it will be possible."

"I really hope so, Light."

"I'll go now, wait for me here."

Ryuk nodded and watched after Light as he made his way toward the cave.

Light slowly approached the entrance to the cave. He was very nervous and tried to hide it as best he could. He watched the octopus and hoped that he would notice his presence. Since that wasn't happening, Light cleared his throat and called in a slightly raised tone, "hello! Excuse me..."

The octopus turned to him, visibly irritated that he had been interrupted in his work. But when he realized who was standing in his cave, on his face appeared confused expression. "Yes?"

"My name is Light. I heard you are working with magic, so I thought maybe you could help me..."

"Oh, come in, please." L then turned his attention to the young merman and swam towards him.

He paused in front of him when Light was close enough. He couldn't believe the merman came after him to ask him for a favor.

He wondered what it could be what Light wanted.

L knew about him a long time ago. Whenever he met him, he secretly watched him from afar, but he never dared to approach him for his own shy nature.

At first, when they were both younger, L hoped that one day he might get lucky, and befriend him. But he always saw him with someone and Light would always ignore him when they met.

Later, when he was older, his fascination with the merman grew into something else, and L realized the reason why had he always been so attracted to him.

Since then, it has been even harder for him to approach and start even ordinary conversation with the merman. So, he decided, that he will forget about him, because he realized that what he wanted from him was in fact impossible.

He suffered for years, and decided to devote himself primarily to things that interested him so that his mind would be preoccupied with something else.

Magic has always interested him. In addition, he explored the life underwater, and wanted to go ashore once, and continue his exploration there and maybw start a new life. His parents died long ago, and he only had two helpers who were with him most of the time, but he had no connection with other creatures. For the most part, everyone ignored and avoided him. And when someone came to him, it was always just about the 'business'.

But... there was one problem.

Light lived underwater. That was the only thing that kept L Lawliet at the bottom of the ocean.

And now, Light was in front of him with a plea, of course like everyone else, and L was curious.

"I'm listening. Why did you come?" He tried to look neutral. He buried his emotions instantly, with a thick layer of indifference. He acted as if Light was just an ordinary client like everyone else.

And Light...

Light became nervous, but managed to control his feelings. He was uncomfortable as the octopus looked at him with his big, dark, piercing eyes. He shook slightly and began to speak: "I need legs. I want to become human. Is it possible to achieve that?"

L blinked his eyes, surprised by that statement. 'Light wants to become human? Interesting.'

"Of course it is possible, but if I may ask why you made that decision? Are you absolutely sure you want to, because that is not a simple process. And it requires a lot of waivers."

"Of course I'm sure of that! I need legs to be with the girl I fell in love with," Light said proudly and acted offended because L doubted his decision.

'So he found someone and wants to go to her. Well, that could be expected.'

"Oh, I see. It's okay, that's just the part of my job, to ask," retorted L, trying to hide his disappointment. He instinctively clenched and released his fists. The ache in his heart he ignored, and continued to speak, "if you are sure of your decision, I should also let you know the conditions."

"Yes, you should. How much will it cost, and when will I have my legs?"

"You see, you won't be able to pay for this with gold or jewels..."

"With what, then?"

"If you want to become a human, you have to give me your virginity in return."