Senko watched the three. Maira carefully waved her arms in front of her as she tried to find the door. Zachary shot to the floor, hugging his legs. Dane grunted as he tried to attack Senko. Senko approached Maira, spreading the caltrops on the ground. He paused in front of her for a second. Then, he gave a hook. His shadowy arm splattered liquid along the wall. Her body had turned into water, splashing down. He didn't question it. He went on to his next target.

"Don't worry guys!" She spoke through the crack between the doors. "It's just a little dark, that's all."

"Shut up!" Dane's muffled voice from the shadow. A yelp came after. He stepped on another caltrop.

"And Zachary I suggest you don't use your legs! There are traps on the floors!"

Zachary didn't respond. He was preoccupied with his fear, fear of the dark. A fear that was developed when he almost drowned at night. In his memories, there was only cold, darkness, and a shadowy hand. Though huddled and shook with fright, he kept his calm. His allies were near. But his enemy is all around. Slowly, he could feel his heart race. Each pounding increased his anxiety. He began to when he heard Dane growl within the dark.

"Are you that weak?" Dane roared as he flailed his arms around. "Face me in your human form."

Zachary patted the floors checking for the caltrops. Finally, his hand touched someone's shoe. He was relieved. He smiled. It kicked him.

"Yay! Dane! I found you!" Zachary cried, calming his distress. He got up and gave a hug.

"Founjya!" Dane grunted while he swung a fist.

Dane's fist whacked a thick cloud. His skin could feel it dispersed.

Zachary felt a chill down his spine. His arms opened as he took a step back. The person who he thought was Dane glared at him in the lightless room. Before Zachary could speak, Senko pushed him. Zachary stumbled onto a caltrop. He hissed at the sting. He then fell. His back slammed onto the spiked floor. He gasped from the scourging pangs. And right after, he turned into water.

His ability, Hydrophilic, was similar to Senko's. Instead of a black cloud, he turned into a body of water.

Zachary expanded, pushing away the dark entity and encasing Dane into his body. He led Dane to the door. As Dane unlocked it, Zachary swirled about, wrapping himself around Senko's body. Senko understood what Zachary was trying to do, and played along. He condensed his shadow. Dane winced at the reappearing lights. Even Maira was slightly stunned.

Dane got the door open. Once he was outside, he turned around. He and Maira watched Zachary and Senko spinning across the room in their liquid and gaseous bodies. They were enthralled by the black and blue spiral.

Senko engulfed Zachary. Zachary broke through like an exploding water balloon. He tried to encase Senko. Senko slit Zachary in half, and escaped. Back and forth, they tried to restrict the other. Again and again, the others managed to free themselves. Senko flew into the vents. Zachary tailed right behind as if he was glued to Senko.

Maira stepped forward. Dane threw his arm across her chest. Her body sprung back upon impact. "Wh-" She puffed. Her eyes dropped to the floor. She saw the laid out carpet of caltrops. The forgotten stinging pain came running up her leg.

"Should we do something?" Maira asked Dane without diverting her eyes.

"You can if you want," Dane replied, "But I am useless if he is not in his physical body."

Within the vents, the two fluid bodies travelled around the building. However, Senko's gauge was about to deplete.

"Do you have any idea what you are doing?" Senko spoke.

"I-I don't know what you mean," Zachary replied with hesitation. "I just know I must win."

"Your ignorance will cost every-" Senko changed back to normal and began to choke in Zachary's water body.

"I have to win," thought Zachary as Senko blew out his last breath. "I need to-" The air bubbles triggered a memory.

There was nothing. It was simply pitch black. And hard to breathe. Only when Zachary let go of his breath did he realize he was underwater. He was drowning. Like the bubbles he knew he released, he wanted to reach the surface. But how far was it? He reached out his hand. Nothing. Just pure darkness. Then, he felt hands wrapped around his neck. He choked. Struggling, he let out all his air. Suddenly, he surfaced.

Zachary snapped back to his senses. He had already returned to his physical form, laying upon Senko. Zachary instantly got up, only to bump his head against the metal vent, and then plummeting back down to Senko's chest. Senko groaned and coughed with pain.

"Why did you turn back?" Senko asked after clearing his throat. He tried to adjust himself as his buckles, chains and belt dug into him as Zachary pressed against them.

Zachary gripped Senko's shirt. Tears welled in his eyes. "I... I don't know," he lied. "I just... wanted answers... I guess."

"Let me ask you something first," Senko started. "Why do we have the powers that we have?"

Zachary's eyes shot open. It never occurred to him to wonder about that. He thought it was random. Luck of the draw. Even thinking for a bit, he still thought that was so.

"I don't know," he finally answered.

"Let me ask another question: What are you afraid of?"

Outside, Maira was getting tired of waiting again in the cold rain. Her hat no longer kept the water out of her hair. Dane, on the other hand, bit his fingernail in disappointment. He still can't believe the three of them couldn't get one guy.

"Ha," he scoffed. "If it weren't for his misty body, I would've gotten him already."

"Yes, of course. That was why," Maira commented as she tried to hold her annoyed tone.

From the side, a newcomer spoke, "How about testing those skills on me?"

They turned to see Clary. Rain streamed down the pairs of claws. Eight rivers, one for each prong of both hands.