Elsewhere,
In front of the floor-to-ceiling window of a skyscraper, Rio stood gazing out at the city below. Cars sped along the highway, their headlights streaking like flowing rivers of light.
A knock echoed through the room.
"Come in."
A figure stood behind Rio.
It was Ross.
The door opened, and a man entered.
"Sir Ross, we have confirmed that Ron, Xentan, Carter, and several other higher-ups have been invited. What are your orders?" the man asked.
"Orders? We simply watch," Ross replied calmly.
"The Eclipse members will also be there. There's no need to worry. Inform the others not to make a move."
The man nodded and left.
Ross stepped outside and headed toward his room.
"Should I go or not?" Rio murmured, glancing to his right.
"What do you think?" he asked.
In the dark corner of the room, a figure sat in a chair, face concealed in shadow, head tilted toward the ceiling.
Suddenly—
A device placed at the center of the table began to glow. A projection of Ross appeared.
"Listen carefully, all heads and senior members of the Foster Organization. We are to stay put, no matter what happens. Soon, a guest will be visiting us. Show proper respect."
The projection vanished.
Rio smiled. "We're having a special visitor. Want to meet them?" he asked, looking toward the shadowed figure.
Meanwhile, in Atliop City—
The day passed without incident.
After touring the city, Ron returned to his hotel and headed straight to his room to rest. He stepped into the elevator. When it stopped, he walked into the hallway—
—and froze.
A creature stood there.
Ron had already realized these creatures did not harm humans.
He stopped in front of it.
The creature noticed him.
"Can you see me?" it asked.
Ron smiled faintly.
"He can't see me," the creature muttered. "What strange beings."
The creature looked at Ron—
—and suddenly saw a punch flying toward it.
Darkness swallowed its vision.
When it opened its eyes again, it looked around in confusion.
"Where am I?"
It soon realized it was bound by ropes woven from Black Sorcery.
Ron sat in a chair before it—fast asleep.
"Black Sorcery? Can this human use Black Sorcery? That explains how he could see me…" the creature muttered.
"RELEASE ME, HUMAN!" it roared.
Ron stirred awake.
"Hey, don't shout. People are sleeping," Ron said lazily.
"They cannot hear or see me. But you can. You dare bind me? I will devour you, human!" the creature snarled.
"You're not in any position to threaten anyone," Ron replied calmly. "If anything, I'll be the one devouring you. These ropes are proof—you're from the World of Dark Souls."
"How? How do you know of the World of Dark Souls? I won't let you live!" the creature shouted.
"Relax. Old man Wulkranoth sent me here to retrieve one of his research volumes… I think," Ron said casually.
Wulkranoth? How does he know about the other half of the King? And the research volumes? He even called my King 'old man'… Are they acquainted? the creature thought in shock.
"…but I'll deal with that after the wedding," Ron finished.
"How do you know all this? Who are you?" the creature demanded.
"I'm Ron."
"Ron? You are Ron?" The creature began trembling.
Ron noticed.
This guy knows me? And he's trembling just from hearing my name? Am I really that dangerous? he thought with a faint smile.
"Master Ron, please forgive me. I did not realize it was you," the creature said hurriedly.
"No worries," Ron replied. "But how do you know me?"
"Everyone knows of you. Though few have seen you. You are known as the First Human to work with our King and visit our world. And you are married to Princess Dream."
Ron nodded.
"I'm your biggest fan! May I have an autograph?" the creature asked eagerly.
"Sure."
Ron grabbed a pen and paper from a drawer, signed it, and handed it over.
"Thank you! But… why did you capture me?" the creature asked.
"I needed answers. What are you and the others doing here? And why am I seeing graveyards everywhere?" Ron asked seriously.
The creature hesitated… then explained everything.
As it spoke, Ron's eyes widened in shock.
When it finished, Ron silently released it.
The night had almost passed. The sun had barely risen.
The day of the wedding arrived.
Ron checked his watch.
"9:30 PM… Still plenty of time to sleep," he muttered before lying back down.