The next Monday, silence struck the Sugawara household. Quite a contradictory term as the residents weren't a rowdy bunch, including the peculiar Mr. Takahashi Ono himself. If you'd ask any of his close colleagues 'airhead' or 'goofy' would come up if they were to describe him. But he was in no way robust or loud. Nonetheless, the apartment was hauntingly quiet. You could say the silence was unbarring, unnatural. That was how Takahashi felt.

With Kagami's sudden departure, Shujin also left the apartment. His anger at Takahashi's 'reasonings' for Kagami's departure hasn't simmered down and with the little respect he had for his elder, he left to Kinkaede not desiring any tension or unneeded arguments between the two.

In the 2 days without Kagami, Takahashi spent his time on the sofa, contemplating for hours on end, occasionally glancing at Kagami's bedroom door now tightly locked. This was now his daily routine.

Unbeknownst to Takahashi, on that Monday, he'd have an unknown visitor. A small sparrow enters the apartment complex through one of the open windows in the kitchen. Landing on the kitchen counters, he glares at Mr. Ono with dark pearls for eyes.

A fixedly timed knocking breaks Takahashi from his new daily routine. The man himself doesn't react the least bit surprised, expecting the knocking. Reflecting his old age or his injury from 2 days ago, he struggles to get up from the sofa, wincing at the sharp pain from his left rib.

'My body's too old to push down the pain.' He thinks to himself, ambling his way to the front door. The doctors said the injury wasn't life-threatening, he'll take their word for it.

With a twist of a lock and a swing of the door, Takahashi is face to face with someone he's never met before.

Porcelain white skin and a short blond bob cut, each hair strand precisely cut to the same length, the woman staring right back at Takahashi looked like a doll. Her gaze was intimidating. He could tell by just her gaze alone she knew more about him and the world than he would. And it frankly churned his stomach, almost wanting to regurgitate his breakfast he ate 2 hours ago.

Takahashi diverts his eyes. Throwing up all over her would be a terrible first impression. Given the looks on this woman, she probably wouldn't be offended or angered if he did so.

His eyes catch her briefcase in her hand.

EDEN

Takahashi loosens up, recalling that name. "I see Lady G responded to my letter."

The sparrow watching the two then springs from the counter all the way to the mysterious woman's shoulder. "I'm here in Lady G's stead." The visitor speaks in a rhythmic monotone. "Your request has been accepted and Lady G has facilitated a location. Unfortunately, due to short notice, we couldn't prepare everything that you've asked in your letter. However, we've bought a suitable replacement."

"And what would that 'suitable replacement' be?"

"Bathtubs."

Takahashi paused for a minute. He wasn't quite expecting something cheap from Lady G but as the mysterious woman puts it, he did contact them in short notice, just yesterday if you were to be exact. They have their own limitations. He shrugged his shoulders. Bathtubs will do.

"Since we'll be working together, may I get your name?" Takahashi can't be calling her 'mysterious woman' in his head forever plus it'd be nice for them to break the ice a little.

"Eliza."

"Eliza …?"

"Just Eliza." The woman now named Eliza says curtly. "It's best you refrain from asking too many questions about me. For Lady G's sake."

Perhaps she's right. She did come from EDEN and EDEN does handle some weird classified stuff. Takahashi's privileged enough to be on good terms with them, let alone know about these things.

"Okay Eliza, we'll be doing something really dangerous today and I'll need all the help I can get."

"That's what I'm here for. Rest assured I wouldn't be at your doorstep if Lady G didn't have complete faith in me."

Eliza makes her way into the apartment resting her briefcase near one of the sofas in the seating area. "We have much to discuss, not only about the plan, but also the current situation regarding your granddaughter and this supposed new threat. Lady G is rather intrigued by the contents of your letter."

Takahashi scoffs. Lady G couldn't let this one go.

"Pardon my intrusion into your living space but this will be a long discussion," Eliza states already sitting on a sofa.

Discussion wouldn't be the right word. An interrogation would be more fitting.

Kagami pokes at the surface of a lava pool. It didn't hurt. Kagami quietly chastises herself for thinking it'd hurt. She's a lava gormiti now, what did she think would happen?

After her introduction to the lord of evil and his cronies, Vestalt had brought her to an empty cavern in Volcano Mountain. Red taints the room and the only thing that captured her interest was the lava pool at its centre. Kagami was left to Anchor and Flamma, Vestalt stating she had other things to attend to and would be back shortly. Immediately succumbed by utter boredom, Kagami decided to amuse herself with the lava pool.

She dumps a handful into the pool. It felt like warm water, nothing unusual for her. But for any regular person, say sayonara to your hand. And that was unusual and lowkey exhilarating for Kagami. She wasn't the norm, at least not on Earth. But she isn't on Earth.

Anchor couldn't stop throwing awkward looks Kagami's way. She's too embroiled with the pool to notice. "It's just a lava pool. There's nothing to be amused by." Anchor scoffs.

"It's her first time in Gorm, Anchor. Let her have some fun." Flamma comments back.

Their conversation is interrupted before it could start, Vestalt storms back in.

"I've got a new mission for you."

Kagami's horns perk up. A mission. Her first mission. Kagami was almost palpitating with excitement. She would get to see the Gorm for the first time. No more bedtime stories, this was the real thing and she would be a part of it.

Vestalt turns to Anchor. "You'll be tagging alongside Obscurio in recapturing the lose beast. Keep an eye on him, he may be planning something unexpected."

Anchor pumps his fist to his chest with great pride. "As you wish commander!"

"And Flamma." Vestalt turns to Flamma, causing her to flinch ever so slightly at the call of her name. "I want you to find as much info as you can on where the old sage is keeping our little pet. Your camouflage abilities should prove usefully."

"Y-yes commander…" Flamma mumbles, her shoulders hunched. "I hate solo missions."

Kagami looks to Vestalt, it'd be her turn next unable to control the waging of her horns. She hasn't gotten used to this form yet, has she? However, it seems Vestalt had other plans or none, Kagami couldn't tell.

The group dispersed, signalling the end of the conversation. Flamma and Anchor left, presumably going off to prepare for their individual missions. Vestalt didn't have anything to say to Kagami.

Her horns stop waging.

"Vestalt?"

"Yes?"

"Are you forgetting something?"

"No."

Kagami's tightens her fist. "You're not assigning me a mission?"

"Technically, I am. Your mission is to stay here to be trained by me."

Kagami breathes out a laugh. Not that she found the situation funny, that wasn't the case whatsoever. She's shocked. "Excuse me?"

"You're staying here to train. Did I not make myself clear?" Vestalt says. She's perturbed but doesn't allow it to show.

"I don't need any training! You saw how I stopped Anchor's flames; you'll need my power out there!"

"And I know that Kagami. Your power is tremendous." The spell – Kagami should've been completely obedient to Vestalt but she's retaliating. The spell didn't do it's intended purpose, that's for sure. "Regardless, I'm not sending an inexperienced fighter out on the battlefield."

Kagami scowls. "So, I came all this way just to be locked in another dungeon?" Kagami did not throw her entire life away just to be locked up again. A silent resolution but she vowed to never let anyone make her feel small, weak, controlled again. Not even Vestalt. No one.

Vestalt puts a hand on Kagami's shoulder. "This is not a dungeon. Unlike the others, I show no biases. Anchor and Flamma went through the same processes before they were let out. There's much more you need to learn before I can let you out there."

Kagami shakes Vestalt's hand off. Still angry over being stifled. "I don't have to help you, you know. I can walk out right now, and I have the power to do just that!"

'Shit!' Vestalt swore in her head. She was never one to panic, her mentor thought her that. However, Kagami is an important asset and she needed the fire lord on her side. She couldn't lose her to Magor, Obscurio or the lords of nature. Vestalt had to convince Kagami to stay and quick.

"Kagami! Wait!" Vestalt let the panic show in her voice. This was fine. She knew that'd it makes Kagami feel in charge of the situation, and she wanted exactly that.

"What?" Kagami says bluntly, clearly looking down on Vestalt. Good.

"You need to understand, Kagami, you're a fire gormiti. A lord, but still a fire gormiti. Other gormiti don't take kindly to us, you must've known that already before you came here."

"Yes, I knew the consequences of my decision. Just as what I'm doing now!" Though what she's been exposed to about the Gorm from her grandfather was little. The fire nation atrocities were one that he didn't shy away from.

"Please listen to my words. My intention isn't to trap you. If you leave not only will you be against the fire nation, but the other nations as well. The entirety of the Gorm is will be a constant target at your back."

Sensing Kagami's anger dying down, Vestalt felt safe to approach her without Kagami blowing the whole place up in flames. She's inexperienced but she is powerful, Vestalt won't doubt that. "I can't let you out there yet but trust me your time will come. When that time comes, nobody can stop you. I'll guarantee it."

Kagami finally relents. "Fine, I'll trust you." It wasn't like Kagami had anyone else. Vestalt is right, she is a fire gormiti and the fire gormiti are the bad guys. She had no place in Gorm but Volcano Mountain. And she has no one else to trust but Vestalt. "I don't know what exactly you are planning but I just want one thing."

"And what is that?" Vestalt asks.

"Power."

Stuffing notebooks and pages into her bag, Jessica bounds out of English class. Yet again, after an excruciating 8 hours of classes, add on another hour of a boring assembly, she's off dealing with another aneurysm-inducing nightmare. Okay maybe comparing saving the world to an aneurysm inducing nightmare is a stretch, but she'd be busy nonetheless after an already busy day. Doing what Mr. Ono asked, Jessica spent the whole Sunday mediating. Given the time to think in peace (something she couldn't get these days) she's made her decision. Jessica would be going through with the plan and the guys and herself were to meet after school finished up.

Jessica reaches her locker, fiddling with the padlock and immediately throws the books and notes she doesn't need into her locker. Jessica didn't want to doubt her actions and Mr. Ono did say they had a choice, but Jessica couldn't bring herself to believe him.

Nick's dead set on saving Kagami. There was no doubt he'd throw his humanity away for her. Toby, anything that brings adventure to his life, he'd take it. Lucas is bravest out of all of them and has a high sense of justice. He wouldn't stand around and do nothing if he had the ability to do something. And then there's Jessica.

If she didn't do it, she'd be the sore thumb and it'd look bad. Toby would be mad too and coerce her to do it anyways. Plus, Nick would hate her for abandoning Kagami.

In the end, she had no choice from the get-go.

It wasn't Mr. Ono's fault, really, this was all in her head and she knows it.

"Jessica!"

Gina calls out as Jessica makes her way from the school courtyard.

"Hey, Gina!" Jessica greets. She couldn't see the guys anywhere, maybe she was early. Good enough time to make some small talk with Gina.

However, Gina wasn't keen on doing small talk.

"Don't tell me you were heading home by yourself?" Gina poses with a hint of venom, throwing Jessica off.

"Uh… no? I'm going out with the guys." Jessica didn't need to clarify who 'the guys' were, and Gina knew she wasn't referring to Ivan, Cyrus and Mark.

"You forgot." Gina accuses though mostly to herself.

"Forgot what?" Jessica asks racking her brain to find out what she forgot that made Gina upset.

"Do I have to explain it to you?! We were supposed to go shopping together, just the two of us! Mark has dance practice and the others were busy, so this was the only opportunity for us to be together!"

Oh.

Jessica does believe Gina, but she had no clue about this. She was so wrapped up with Gorm she forgot about her friends and other responsibilities. That one day of rest was great but would it be selfish of Jessica to ask for another?

"Gina, I'm so, so sorry. A lot came up last weekend and – I swear I'll make it up to you somehow."

Gina crosses her arms. How many times has Jessica said she'd make it up to her? It's the same song and dance! What made it worse was that Gina knew this wasn't going to get resolved, the guys were approaching ready to escort Jessica away before Gina could lash out again.

"We've all made up our minds?" Toby asks completely ignoring Gina's presence, unknowingly switching the subject. Gina's anger festers into a fit of rage. That didn't stop her from keeping a calm composure. Her crush is here.

Jessica smiled quaintly at Gina. Keeping secrets from your best friends is hard, especially with the fate of the goddamn world in your hands, literally. But hopefully, Gina would let it slide for today, at least that was what Jessica hoped. "I've got to go but I promise I'll make it up to you."

Jessica heads off with the boys, leaving Gina by herself in the courtyard.

"…I doubt you could make it up to me if you tried." Gina mumbles to herself. Her only plans for the day flushed to the depths of her non-existent toilet, Gina heads in the direction to her house. A solo study session sounds nice. Mr. O' Brian did say he's holding a history quiz on Wednesday.

Like a sudden lightning flash, Gina's hit with a memory.

Jessica promising to shop with Gina wasn't the only promise she'd break today. Jessica also promised to study with Mark when he's done with his dance practice. Gina wasn't one to immediately assume the worst. Jessica could very well be done with whatever she's doing with the boys and be in time to study with Mark. But previous experiences with Jessica proves that possibility is frankly doubtful. Jessica remembering her promise to Mark also proves doubtful to Gina. Too busy pondering on endless timelines, Gina couldn't ask Jessica if she did in fact remember. She and the guys were nowhere in sight.

Now, Gina (still angry mind you) is presented with 2 options. A) Be petty and not tell Mark. B) Tell Mark anyways.

Either way, Mark wouldn't be pleased. Either option wouldn't matter in the long run.

Gina sighs. Her anger is at Jessica and not Mark. He at least deserves to know that his 'study' session might not happen tonight. She whips out her phone. How would she put this lightly to him?

Mr. Ono showing up to the school grounds with his old jeep, though a shock, wasn't really a shock? Kagami's place is quite far from the school but they could've walked there. They're capable healthy-bodied teens. Regardless it didn't faze them too much, better to get there faster and done with. Then the car ride lasted longer than it would've taken to get to Shinzuku. Looking closer, they weren't taking the route to Shinzuku.

"Um…excuse my manners but why are we going outside of town?" Jessica hesitates to ask from the backside. Sitting by the right (Nick at the middle, Lucas on the left and Toby in the front seat beside Mr. Ono) she saw them pass a 'Welcome to Venture Falls' sign and instantly gulped. Mr. Ono is Kagami's grandfather and he does seem nice but still, a 60 something old man she barely knows driving 4 teens outside of the city to wherever? That's creepy.

"We can't proceed in Shinzuku if that's what you're wondering. My library is too cramped and I'm not the only one living there."

'He's talking about the crazy Japanese guy.' Toby thinks to himself, glad he doesn't have to associate with the man.

Jessica couldn't help but ponder on the words 'too cramped'. What did he mean by too cramped?

Mr. Ono takes a right turn off the main road and into the forest.

"That doesn't explain why we're going outside of town." Nick is quick to add in, further fuelling Jessica's suspicions.

Mr. Ono sighs, "There's a lot that needs to be done and discretely too. This was my only option."

Jessica wouldn't admit, but she's scared. Any opportunity to turn back is void. Smeared with fear from head to toe, Jessica's mind blanked at an excuse to convince Mr. Ono to turn back. Lucas, too, was concerned over what Mr. Ono meant. The only ones unbothered were Nick and Toby.

That wasn't the worst of it. The long bumpy car ride remains silent. The situation itself isn't a fun happy camping trip but some dialogue would've eased Jessica's nerves. But no one had anything to say or rather they couldn't come up with anything to say. Any heartfelt, fun conversation is stifled by the impending unknown about to hit them.

Once the car stopped at their destination, Jessica storms out the car, tolerance to the silence, claustrophobia and tension reaching an all-time low. The fresh cold calming air and the scenic look at the lake from the top of the hill they stopped at was a needed change of pace. Too bad they couldn't stay and take in the environment. They had business to do.

Inside the cabin wasn't as breath-taking, unfortunately. Mr. Ono said the library is cramped but the cabin wasn't any different. There is just one large room, the windows were boarded up. The only light source is from one single light bulb. It's a surprise there's electricity available in such a place far from the city. But that wasn't the weirdest part of it all. Nor was the old sage and razzle being here with another person.

It was the bathtubs, four to be exact. All lined up filled with water. Their mysterious visitor was busy filled the last tub with a large pack of salt before tossing away the bag.

"Don't tell me you want us to get in there," Jessica says, then looks down at her clothing. Why didn't they tell them sooner? She would've brought a swimsuit.

"I'm assuming you haven't been filled in in exactly what's going on?" The mysterious woman asks the group. All proceed to shake their heads.

"We haven't been informed but I think I have an idea about what you're doing. These are supposed to imitate isolation tanks?" Nick asks.

"A what tank?" Toby probes back and Nick sighs having to explain to his brother.

"An isolation tank. The salt allows you to float, that combined with the darkness and silence puts the brain into a deeply relaxed state." A faint blush appears on Nick's cheeks. "Usually you're supposed to enter nude -"

"Excuse me but I never agreed to strip down!" Jessica rebukes, subconsciously hugging herself. One room with only one woman? What the hell were they expecting?!

"That would be unnecessary." The woman voices. Just like everyone else, she too caught on that they weren't expecting another party. "I apologise for my lack of manners, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Elisa. I've been requested by Mr. Takahashi Ono to help."

Mr. Ono has more secrets, color Jessica surprised.

"Are you sure it's safe to bring more people into this?" Lucas asks the older man. He's not trying to seem rude to Mr. Ono or Elisa, but the less people to know about the Gorm, the better.

"Don't worry Lucas. She's trustworthy. She wouldn't be involved if she weren't."

The Old sage cuts Mr. Ono off. "More importantly we should proceed with the plan." At that, behind the Old sage were the four broken orbs.

Elisa takes it to begin her explanation. "You see the purpose of these bathtubs as Mr. Tripp said is to emulate a sensory deprecation tank." Nick twitches at the sound of his name. Elisa continues. "We couldn't get the real thing but an emulation is enough. As I've been informed, the orbs will render you unconscious, but a smoother transition to the unconscious is more ideal."

'That doesn't sound too pleasing.' Jessica thinks but Mr. Ono telling them to relax yesterday at least makes more sense now.

"Keeping your bodies in a relaxed state is important. However there is no need to worry, I'll be monitoring your bodies around the clock. I've got a degree in medicine if that'll relieve your concerns."

To Toby, it wasn't her inadequacy or lack thereof that made him feel iffy. The woman's a robot. The prime definition of resting bitch face 'looking after' his unconscious body isn't such an ideal way to spend the day.

"Concerning Ms. Herleins' question, whether you strip down or not is none of my concern." Elisa directs at Jessica, earning a blush from the girl. "Do whatever you feel comfortable with. A reminder that we're not trying to emulate an isolation tank to the precision."

'Yeah, but my clothes will be wet…' Jessica complains in her mind.

Mr. Ono speaks up. "What we're dealing with is serious business. Those of us on the outside wouldn't know what's going on inside once the old sage merges your bodies with your orbs. You won't be able to contact us. Unlike Kagami's orb, yours are infected by dark magic. If anything deeply concerning happens to your bodies, the old sage will pull out the orb. Other than that, you should be fine."

"If there are no other questions, then we'll proceed," Elisa says.

And they didn't have questions, so the only thing left is to get into those bathtubs.

Jessica removes her jacket, neatly folding it up before placing it down on the wooden cabin floor. About to slide her boots and socks off, she peeks over at the boys and blanches. They were stripping too.

Jacket cascaded on the floor; Toby exposes his abdomen as he pulls his shirt upwards, unbeknownst of the wide blue eyes staring down at his flesh. Lucas too follows suit to Toby's motion. Jessica quickly diverts her attention to her own clothes. Should she remove her tights? On second thought, no. She trusts the guys, obviously but she doesn't trust that they wouldn't gawk intensely at her assets. She's not even that comfortable showing Mark, her boyfriend that much. Honestly, why didn't Mr. Ono notify them beforehand? Toby and Lucas at least saved her from the second-hand embarrassment of seeing them in their boxers. Or do they wear briefs? Uh…that doesn't need an answer.

Nick was the most modest of them all. Removing his jumper but keeping his shirt and trousers on. Nick winks at her, showing his decision was deliberate. He caught on to her mortified expression. She mouths a thank you.

They all make their way to the tubs, Jessica picking the one farthest to the right with Toby taking the one beside her. Dipping her feet into the waters first, Jessica's caught off guard by how warm it is. She was expecting the water to be a lot colder, but it may have something to do with the tank stuff Nick and Elisa were on about. Jessica puts herself into a sitting position before laying back, letting her body float. The pounding of her heart was madly ever-present throughout her entire body. She tries to calm down by taking deep breathes and closing her eyes.

With the stretch of a hand from the old sage, the orbs zoom to the 4 lords. Jessica and the rest keep their eyes shut, but the presence of their orbs was at it's strongest.

"May luck be on your side, Lords of nature." They are the last words Jessica hears as her orb plunges deep into her chest.

Her eyes bulge at the intensity of the attack, only to be staring out at a vast ocean blue horizon.

A/N: Here's the full chapter! Ya'll weren't expecting it so soon weren't you? We're starting on a new mini arc or whatever you'd call it. Again apologises for the slow updates. Life is being a pain in the ass and getting chapters out quickly is hard at the moment. But more chapters will come. In fact, the next chapter is already written (still need time to fix a lot from it cause it's terrible at the moment) so here's an out of context preview (that's subject to change) of the next chapter :

'Air!' were his first thoughts, taking huge leaps of his salvation. He places a hand on his chest, calming his racing heart. He freezes.

"You don't know? Well I guess it can't be helped, it's your first time."

"You're the previous lord of the earth?"

"Anyways, at the rate you are in now, you're definitely not going back to the real world."

Almost forgot, thanks to finalfanaticgorm for beta reading for me.