The shadow nodded and shadow child Akihiko stepped closer still to the real Akihiko. He put out his hand in preparation to accept the ring when the shadow finally got Akihiko to hand it over.

"And you'll have it," the shadow said. "I'll keep it for you. We wouldn't want to lose it when we go upstairs to confront the captain. He's going to take some more persuading to be friends with us, after all."

The spell was going to wear off soon, and the shadow was starting to get desperate. This was its only chance and it was quickly coming to an end. It stepped up level with the fake Akihiko, towering over the two of them. "Just Hand it over, Akihiko, it'll all be fine."