As the mysterious portal opened, a cloaked figure stepped out. Ken stood frozen as the figure spoke in a deep but familiar voice, "Ken... do you remember me? I'm your father's friend—Professor Rex. We met long ago when you were very young, just before your father and I left for our research expedition."
Ken, still a bit confused, replied, "Yes... I think I remember. But where have you been all these years? And why did you suddenly appear out of nowhere?"
Professor Rex sighed and began to explain everything.
"Ken," he said solemnly, "your father and I were researchers, deeply fascinated by ancient artifacts and forgotten legends. One day, during our exploration, we discovered a hidden temple buried deep within a forbidden forest. As we began to study it, we were suddenly attacked by mysterious creatures unlike anything we had ever seen."
"Your father... he saved me. He fought with incredible bravery, giving me a chance to escape. In that moment of danger, a bright light emerged near his hand—a radiant ring. The light spoke to him, saying, 'You are brave. You chose to save your friend's life rather than your own.'"
"That ring... it was no ordinary artifact. Just as your father tried to wear it, a portal cracked open, releasing a surge of dark energy. From it emerged the Dark Dragon. It came straight for the ring, determined to take its power. But before it could reach him, the ring suddenly teleported away."
"There was a violent clash between the dragon's dark energy and the ring's power. The explosion created a rift in space and time... and I was trapped in it. For years, I wandered through the time loop, lost between dimensions, unable to return."
"But now, after all this time, I've finally found a way out—and I've come to find you, Ken. Because I know where your father is."