The room was dark. Only a thin line of light slipped through a crack above. The ship creaked as waves crashed outside. No one slept.
Kichy sat near the door, restless. Miku listened carefully to every sound. Peggy was deep in thought. Chikku stood still, his eyes glowing faint blue in the darkness.
After some time… a soft sound came from the wall.
Clink… clink…
Kichy turned quickly. "Did you hear that?"
It came again.
Miku moved closer and pressed his hand against the wooden wall. One panel felt loose. He pushed it gently.
Crack…
A small opening appeared.
From the other side, a whisper came. "Hey… don't make noise!"
Peggy leaned closer. "Who are you?"
A small face appeared in the gap. A boy… but not like them. His hair moved like water, his eyes shimmered like the sea, and behind him a tiny tail flicked nervously.
"A seahorse…?" Kichy whispered.
The boy gave a small smile. "Half," he said. "I work in the kitchen."
They widened the gap carefully and helped him crawl inside.
"My name is Lumo," he said softly. "I heard everything. You want the medicine back."
Peggy nodded. "Can you help us?"
Lumo looked around, nervous, then nodded. "I don't like them. They took me too."
Miku stepped forward. "Do you know anything about the boss?"
Lumo hesitated. Then he whispered, "He is afraid of one thing."
Everyone leaned closer.
"The Lagoon."
Kichy frowned. "What do you mean?"
Lumo swallowed. "Long ago, he tried to take power from the Lagoon. But it rejected him. If he touches the true Lagoon… he dies."
Silence filled the room.
Peggy spoke slowly. "The Lagoon… like Sandy Island?"
Lumo shook his head. "Not a place. A being."
Slowly, all eyes turned toward Chikku.
He stood still. The blue glow in his eyes grew brighter. The air in the room felt heavier, like the sea itself had entered.
Miku whispered, "Chikku…?"
Kichy stepped back slightly. "What is he saying…?"
Peggy looked straight at him. "You knew… didn't you?"
Chikku looked at his hands. A soft ripple of light moved across his skin, like water flowing without being wet.
"I didn't know before," he said quietly. "But now… I remember."
The glow grew stronger.
"I am not from the island," he said.
He lifted his eyes. They shone deep blue, endless like the ocean.
"I am the Lagoon."
No one spoke.
Lumo stepped back in shock. "It's true… I can feel it…"
The ship groaned as a large wave hit outside, but inside the room, everything felt still.
Peggy took a deep breath. Then she smiled, calm and sure.
"Then we don't need to fight him," she said. "We just need him to touch you."
A small smile appeared on Chikku's face.
"For the first time…" he said softly, "I agree."
Outside, thunder rolled across the sea. The pirate ship sailed forward, unaware.
Inside the dark room, a plan had begun.