Dream stood in front of Ron, who was sitting on the floor playing with Ines.
"Dream? Is everything alright?" Ron asked, looking up at her.
"I'm going somewhere this evening," Dream said calmly. "And you're coming with me."
Ron straightened dramatically. "Yes… Boss. It will be an honor."
He was about to stand, but Dream raised a hand.
"Not now. In the evening."
Ron nodded and sat back down, continuing to play with Ines. Dream joined them.
Suddenly Ron flinched, remembering something.
"Dream, I'll be back in a second."
Before she could reply, he bolted outside.
Dream blinked, then looked down at Ines, who was staring up at her with wide eyes.
"Strange father?" Dream teased gently.
"Ma… ma…" Ines babbled.
"Yes, my beautiful Ines," Dream said in a playful tone.
"I lo… ve o…"
Dream froze.
"…Did she just say 'I love you'?"
Ines giggled.
Dream's eyes softened instantly. "I love you too. And your father loves you very much, sweetie."
They spent a few peaceful minutes together before Ron rushed back inside, breathing heavily.
"Where did you go?" Dream asked.
Ron scratched the back of his head. "I wanted to buy something for you."
Dream smiled.
Ron felt his heart race.
She's more beautiful than anyone in any world…
He handed her a book.
Dream looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"Well… you're studying English Literature. I thought you might want this."
Her smile deepened. "Thank you very much."
"Don't worry about it," Ron said confidently. "I'm your biggest cheerleader."
He paused.
"Anyway, Dream, I need to meet a friend. I'll be back soon."
"Okay," she replied softly.
Ron stepped outside…
And teleported.
World of Dark Souls
A strange chamber materialized around him. A single door stood ahead.
Where am I? I teleported to Wulkranoth's world…
"Walk through the door."
Wulkranoth's voice echoed through the void.
Ron stepped forward.
The door opened into an infinite dark-purple space. Endless. Silent.
Then—
Footsteps.
A suffocating presence crushed the atmosphere.
Ron immediately drew his sword.
That power… it's not Wulkranoth. I know his Ki. That's not him.
His heartbeat quickened.
Why am I this scared? I wasn't this afraid in the Forbidden Region. Not even when I faced the King of Outers…
Something moved behind him.
A horrifying aura.
Ron turned slowly.
Two glowing purple eyes burned in the distance.
Tentacles. Horns. Claws. Twisted shadows writhed around the figure. For a brief second, the purple eyes flashed gold… then returned to violet.
The monstrous illusions faded.
The figure stepped forward.
Black eyes. Calm face.
Dr. Thomas.
Ron exhaled sharply. "Damn. You scared the hell out of me."
Dr. Thomas smiled faintly.
"What were you doing?" Ron asked.
"Experimenting."
The Dead Titan… Ron thought.
"You could've at least greeted me," Ron muttered.
Dr. Thomas ignored that. "Did you get the Research Volume?"
Ron shook his head. "No. The target escaped."
Dr. Thomas' eyes narrowed… then relaxed.
"Very well. Try another method. Why are you here?"
"I want to know what's inside those Volumes."
Without warning, reality shifted.
They now stood in a graveyard beneath a crimson sky.
The World of Dark Souls.
"Listen carefully, Ron," Dr. Thomas said coldly. "Some questions bring regret."
Ron frowned. "Huh?"
"Follow me."
They walked past a massive dark mansion and reached an open cliff.
Ron's eyes widened.
There it was.
The Dead Titan.
Its colossal corpse lay embedded in stone while countless vortexes spiraled into its body.
"What is this?" Ron whispered.
Dr. Thomas didn't answer immediately.
"I trained you for years. I taught you to master the Blade of Vengeance."
"So?" Ron asked.
Dr. Thomas exhaled slowly.
"Today… you will learn something greater."
Ron's eyes sharpened. "What?"
"The Authority." Dr. Thomas spoke
Silence.
"What's that?" Ron asked.
"Have you heard of balance? Yin and Yang?"
"No."
Dr. Thomas stared at him for a long moment.
"Opposites are two sides of the same coin. Good exists within evil. Evil exists within good. Yin represents darkness, mystery, deception. Yang represents light, order, honesty."
He stepped closer.
"A very small number of beings possess Authority — control over a concept itself."
Ron absorbed that.
"What's my Authority?"
"How would I know?" Dr. Thomas replied calmly. "Even I cannot know if someone has or not."
"Do you have one?" Ron asked.
Dr. Thomas smirked.
"What do you think?"
Ron hesitated. "I… don't know."
"If I had none… how could I have hunted that?"
He pointed toward the Dead Titan.
"How many Authorities do you have?"
Dr. Thomas only smiled.
"How does someone gain one?"
"Slow down," Dr. Thomas said. "First bring me the Volume. Then perhaps I will tell you."
"You said you'd teach me!"
"I have," he replied. "You now know the Concept of Authority. That knowledge alone is dangerous."
Ron clenched his fist. "I need a new ability."
Dr. Thomas sighed softly.
"You are the same… in every era." Dr. Thomas murmured
"What?" Ron said.
"Nothing."
He extended his hand.
Ron grabbed it.
Energy surged through him.
[You have gained a new ability: Phasing]
[You have gained a new ability: Profile]
Ron jumped in excitement. "Yes! That's my man!"
Dr. Thomas watched him quietly.
"Phasing once belonged to Axzeroth. I granted it to him ten billion years ago."
Ron grinned. "Thanks. You're a good man."
He vanished.
Dr. Thomas stood alone in the purple void.
"…Good?" he murmured.
"You don't know the real me."
He flicked his wrist.
The dark plane consumed everything once more.