Ron lived in a place called Hero Town.
He had been there for over a decade — long enough to build a life, make allies, and amass considerable wealth. Now, his days were mostly routine: overseeing his businesses, refining his abilities, and maintaining the peace he had helped create.
It was during one of these ordinary days, as he walked through the familiar streets, that he saw someone he never expected to see again.
He stopped in his tracks.
Wardy.
Ron's eyes widened as recognition hit him. A slow grin spread across his face as he approached.
"Hey! Long time no see! Where have you been? And how's Carter?" Ron called out.
The man turned to face him — but instead of relief or familiarity, his expression was pure shock.
"Who are you?" he asked slowly. "And… how can you see me?"
Ron frowned, confused. "What do you mean? Of course I can see you — I have eyes, don't I? And don't tell me you forgot me. We've met plenty of times."
The man tilted his head, studying Ron carefully, as if trying to solve a puzzle.
"Normal people can't see me," he said. "But you can… interesting."
A pause.
"My name is Yardy."
Ron blinked. "Ron. Nice to meet you… again?"
A strange unease settled in his chest.
(Normal people can't see him? What does that even mean?)
He crossed his arms, his tone more serious now. "Alright, Yardy. Explain. What did you mean when you said people can't see you?"
Yardy stared at him for a long moment before finally speaking.
"I come from the World of Dark Souls. I'm here on a mission — to retrieve something for my master, the King of that world."
Ron let out a short, skeptical laugh. "The World of Dark Souls? A king? You expect me to believe that?"
Yardy smirked slightly. "Then how about seeing it for yourself?"
Ron hesitated. "And what would your king think about that?"
"He would welcome you," Yardy replied confidently.
Ron considered it. He had never been one to shy away from the unknown.
Finally, he nodded.
"Alright. I'll go."
Yardy placed a hand on Ron's shoulder.
In an instant, the world twisted.
When Ron opened his eyes again, he was no longer in Hero Town.
They stood in a ruined realm — broken houses, cracked roads, and pillars of smoke rising into a corrupted sky. The air was heavy, suffocating, filled with an unnatural energy that made his skin crawl.
Above them, the sky shimmered with unnatural hues of purple and gray, swirling like a living storm. Lightning of different colors — red, blue, and green — split through the clouds.
Patches of dark purple mist seeped from the ground, radiating a chilling presence that seemed to whisper against Ron's very soul.
"Now do you believe me?" Yardy asked calmly.
Ron looked around, stunned. "So… places like this really exist."
Yardy gestured forward. "Come. I'll take you to the King of this Realm."
They walked through the desolate landscape until they reached an enormous graveyard surrounded by towering iron gates. One gate stood open, the other tightly sealed.
Inside, a skeletal figure stood perfectly still.
He wore ancient armor from head to toe, except for his exposed skull — which glowed faintly with an eerie light. A crushing aura rolled off him, cold and merciless.
Yardy immediately dropped to one knee.
Ron leaned toward him. "Is that… the King?"
Yardy shook his head. "No. That is the Gatekeeper — one of the oldest and most powerful beings our King ever created."
At that moment, the skeleton slowly turned his head toward Ron.
His hollow eyes bore into him, sending a chill down his spine.
"Who is this?" the Gatekeeper demanded, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "How has a mortal entered this world?"
The air grew unbearably heavy. Ron felt his breath stolen from his lungs. Yardy collapsed beside him, struggling under the pressure.
"The King… wishes to meet him," Yardy forced out.
The Gatekeeper was silent for a moment.
"…If my master commands it, then so be it."
From the void, he summoned a blade — dark purple energy pulsing along its edge. It looked like a simple sword, yet its presence felt ancient, deadly, and alive.
He pointed it at Ron's throat.
"Enter," he said coldly. "But know this — if you attempt anything foolish, you will never leave this place alive."
Then, the sword vanished.
As they passed through the gate, Yardy turned to Ron. "Wait here. I'll go find it."
Ron glanced back at the Gatekeeper, who stood unmoving like a statue of death itself.
(Just how powerful is he? His aura alone feels lethal…)
Moments later, Yardy called out.
"Ron — let's go. I've found it."
They approached an unmarked grave. The stone lid slowly slid open.
And without warning —
Yardy shoved Ron.
The ground disappeared beneath him.
Ron fell — fast — the world above fading into darkness as he plunged deeper and deeper into the unknown.