Scene 1
I had succeeded in saving Akira and giving justice to Bruce's family.
The next day, Carter, Akira, and I returned to Hero Town. Soon after, I visited Dr. Thomas's dimension.
"Hyyyyaa, everyone," I greeted.
Skelly tilted his head. "Ron, you've caught the attention of the Beyonders."
"So what?" I asked casually.
His bony face was unreadable. "Don't take it lightly. The Castle of Wulkeria was one of the hardest challenges even for people like me and Dr. Thomas. No one can use their abilities inside."
"But I could," I said, frowning. "So… can you tell me about these 'Beyonders'?"
Skelly froze for a moment. "That's… shocking. No one has ever used an ability inside the Castle. As for the Beyonders—they exist beyond this dimension."
Before I could press further, Yardy appeared.
"What do you mean by that?" I asked.
"Ron, Dr. Thomas is waiting for you," Yardy said. "I'll explain on the way."
(Yardy's explanation)
"They're beings that live in the outer layers of reality—immensely powerful. But they have rivals: The Outers. Both reside beyond this dimension, and both are enemies to each other. 99% of them don't even know we exist, and it's best to keep it that way.
"They can create and destroy infinite timelines… even concepts that defy logic, like a squared circle. In known history, no one has stood against either side.
"The outer layers are… think of it like how we watch cartoons and action shows—they're fiction to us. Whatever happens there has nothing to do with our reality. It's the same for them looking at us. This reality is the first layer. We're fiction to the second layer, and they're fiction to the third, and so on.
"What happens in the other layers doesn't affect this one—and we can't travel to them anyway. Best to stay in our lane."
We arrived at the grave. I stepped inside and handed Dr. Thomas the sample he'd asked for from the Castle of Wulkeria.
"What are you going to do with this?" I asked.
"I need it to make something… something very important," he replied.
"Hey Doc," I said, "you ever heard of someone named DA?"
Dr. Thomas froze. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
DA? How? Ron shouldn't have met him this early. My intel must be wrong. If DA appeared… then why hasn't Ron changed? Did DA keep quiet? But why? What are you planning, DA? I'll have to move my plans forward…
(Dr. Thomas's thoughts)
"DA? Can't say I have. Why? Is there a problem?" he asked with forced calm.
"Nothing. Just asking. I'll leave now."
Scene 2
I returned to the human world and stepped into my house. Dream stood in the doorway.
"Welcome home," she said with a smile.
I stared at her. "Who are you?"
Her smile faltered. "You're asking that now? Well, thanks to a certain someone's lie, I'm stuck being his wife."
"Sorry… it was the only way to save you," I said.
"Lia and the others always ask me how we met, how we fell in love, who proposed… Don't worry, I tell them we're childhood friends."
"Childhood friends? Not bad," I said. "But… there's something I need to tell you."
She folded her arms. "I'm listening."
"I want you to leave," I said.
She blinked. "Oh? And why's that?"
"I found out my real wife—the one I married before my slumber—is alive. I need to find her. You should go."
"This must be that DA. If he told you that… why didn't he tell you the truth?" she muttered.
"What truth? Do you know about DA?"
"You're the dullest man in the universe," she said. "Fine. I'll leave so you can be happy with your precious wife." She turned away, whispering, "Stupid Ron," before slamming her door.
Why is she angry? And why do I feel… this? I wondered.
Hours later, dinner time arrived. Dream had cooked for me every day since she came here. The house had felt more alive with her in it. Now, knowing she might leave, the silence felt heavier. I went to her room and knocked—no answer.
"I'm sorry if I made you angry," I said through the door. "You can stay here until I find my original wife."
The door opened. "I wasn't going to leave even then. But thanks. I'll take care of the house… and I'll help you find her."
As I walked away, I thought, Why do I feel relieved? Am I… falling for her? No, no. That's cheating. I'm just letting her stay here because she has nowhere else to go. That's it. I don't like her.
(Ron vs his thoughts: Round 1—Ron's victory)
Still, I found myself restless around her. I couldn't sleep. Every time she smiled, my heart beat faster. I started spending more time outside. Then, one day, my phone buzzed—a message from Carter:
Bruce invited you and your wife to a party. Lia and I are going too. Police might be there.