After stepping into the infamous land of Wirelia, the two-man gang lifted their heads, but all they saw was fog—thick, endless, suffocating. Both Carter and Locki kept their guard high. This was the very place Ron had described from his dream. Before entering, Ron had texted them every detail, but by the time the message reached them, it was already too late—they were inside Wirelia.
They moved forward, yet nothing greeted them but the boundless flatland, stretching forever beneath the choking mist.
Carter paused, staring down at the shifting ground.
"Maybe this world itself is made of the fog we see," he murmured.
Before Locki could answer, a voice cut through the silence.
"Come here."
Weapons raised, the two followed the voice's direction. It led them to a peculiar plant—the very same plant Ron had seen.
"Do you have any wishes?" the plant asked.
The sight froze Carter. This was no ordinary plant; it was the same accursed growth that Akira had been turning into, the same infection that spread like a plague.
Lowering his voice but not his authority, Carter demanded,
"What are you?"
"I am the Plant of Miracles. I grant wishes to whoever finds me."
The plant's form revealed itself fully: crystal-shaped leaves shimmering in unnatural light, three thorned stems twisting like serpents, and an aura so vile that the word evil seemed too small to contain it.
"Plant of Miracles?" Locki scoffed. "Who do you think you're fooling?"
"I am not fooling anyone. If you doubt me, make a wish and shake my hand."
One of the crystalline leaves reshaped into a grotesque hand, reaching toward them. Inches away from Locki's face, Carter's blade flashed. He severed it before it touched.
Locki frowned and leapt back beside him.
"Akira spreads infection through touch. You were watching through him, and yet you thought we'd fall for this?" Carter's lips curled into a knowing smile.
The plant shuddered, then exploded outward. The plant's false body cracked apart, and its monstrous form towered above them—thorns like spears, roots writhing like serpents.
Locki drew his weapon, his face pale but resolute. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Stay sharp," Carter warned, eyes fixed on the shifting mass. "This thing isn't here to grant wishes—it's here to devour us."
The ground quaked as the plant roared, an unearthly sound that shook the fog itself. Crystal shards splintered from its leaves and rained down like knives. Carter slashed one mid-air, sparks flying; Locki barely rolled aside before another stabbed into the earth where he had stood.
Their blades gleamed in the mist as they prepared to fight. Neither knew what the plant was capable of—nor if Wirelia itself was bending to its will.
Meanwhile, far away, Ron searched tirelessly searched every corner of Town for his friends. Hours passed in vain until he slumped onto a bench in a park.
"Ron?"
He looked up. Standing before him was Future Lia.
He rose immediately. "Do you know where Carter is?"
She hesitated, thinking. "They mentioned heading to some… strange graveyard. Why? Did something happen?"
"Graveyard? Thanks, Future Lia."
Without another word, Ron shot into the air.
"Wait—" she began, but he was already gone. With a weary sigh, she whispered to herself, "You should've told him everything… about the graveyard, about Carter."
Ron descended upon the cemetery. At first, it was invisible, shrouded in illusion, but as he stepped closer the graveyard revealed itself. Inside, among crumbling tombstones, he spotted a wounded man—the same figure who had once fought the shadow and directed Carter and Locki here.
"Who are you, sir?" Ron called out.
The man's gaze lingered on him. This cemetery was hidden… so how did he enter? Don't tell me it revealed itself only for him…
"Hey, dude, I asked you a question. Who are you?" Ron pressed, his tone dismissive.
The man stayed silent, bandaging his wounds. Ron frowned, then continued, half-joking:
"Fine, forget it. Just tell me if you've seen Carter. Tall guy, big build, strong, handsome. Looks like the type who could steal your girl with just one glance." He waved his hands as if painting Carter's image in the air.
The man ignored his antics, fastening his medkits. Then, without warning, he struck.
A kick whipped toward Ron's head. Ron leaned right, dodging, and countered with his own strike toward the man's forehead. The stranger blocked with his forearm, the impact echoing like a thunderclap.
The man lowered his guard, impressed.
"Amazing. You don't look like someone who can fight."
Ron eased back as well. "So, who are you?"
"I'll answer after you. Tell me about yourself first."
"My name's Ron. Now, your turn."
"My name is Rocky."
"Rocky? Never heard of you. What's your purpose?"
"My purpose is the same as yours—stopping the Plant of Miracles."
Ron blinked. "Plant of Miracles? What?"
Rocky pointed toward a nearby portal. "Your friends went through that doorway. They're facing the plant right now. And once it matures, it will unleash its infected across this entire town."
"Then let's go after them." Ron stepped forward, but Rocky's hand gripped his shoulder.
"No. First, we save Hero Town. I have the cure. If we find Akira and cure him, everyone will return to normal."
Ron narrowed his eyes. "And how can I trust you?"
"Test my cure. On someone infected."
Ron smirked. "I know just the person—me."
Rocky froze. He's infected? Then how is he in control? He's thinking, speaking, fighting like a normal man… Who is this guy? Something's wrong with this guy The cemetery became visible when this guy came. I could sense it becoming visible.
Ron waved a hand in front of his face. "Hey, don't overthink it. I trust you. You're like Carter—secretive and hard to read." He gave a genuine smile.
Rocky hesitated, then pushed his doubts aside. He extended his hand.
"Are you in?"
Ron grasped it firmly. "Yes."