Three weeks had passed since the battle with King Larthur.
Carter had been discharged from the hospital, but was strictly banned from taking on any missions. Future Lia, still present in this timeline, came to visit him.
Carter, staring at her for a moment, finally asked the question that had been weighing on him.
"What were we... in your timeline?"
Lia smiled faintly, though her eyes trembled.
"We were married," she said softly. "And we had a son. Those were the best times of my life."
Carter took a breath. "Can you tell me what happened in that future?"
Tears began to slide down her cheeks.
"We lived many happy years together... but one day, everything changed. An enemy appeared—so powerful, not even we could hurt him. In that timeline, we were strong—strong enough to rival the Beyonders. But we couldn't even scratch him."
"What happened after that?" Carter asked, voice low.
"Everyone died… except me and Dream. I woke up later, in a completely different dimension."
Carter hesitated, then asked carefully, "What about Ron?"
"Ron?" she repeated. "Who's Ron? Is he your friend?"
Carter froze. He stared at her in disbelief.
"Ron... Dream's husband?"
"Dream's husband?" Lia echoed, confused. "Ron... I don't remember. In the end times, Dream didn't have a husband. Her husband died long ago, along with their two daughters. She never married again... Why?"
Carter couldn't process her words. His heart pounded.
A sudden knock broke the silence. It was DA.
Future Lia invited him in. Carter looked at DA, then turned to Lia.
"I want to speak to him in private."
Lia nodded and left the room.
Carter opened his mouth, but DA raised a hand, face serious.
"I know what you're about to ask. But now isn't the time. Focus on healing. We'll begin training once you recover."
"Training? Why?"
"You'll find out soon," DA said, then turned and walked away.
---
Elsewhere in the Universe
A man sat alone in an office, working tirelessly. He finally leaned back to relax when he felt hands gently rest on his shoulders.
"Work's done. Why don't we grab lunch?" the voice said.
It was a memory—an old one. Mr. Gonzalez sat with his eyes closed, recalling that moment from the past.
Gravo entered the room and saw his father lost in thought. He had come to ask something important, but seeing the peaceful look on his father's face, he decided to come back later.
---
Gravo traveled to another planet across the galaxy. He entered a restaurant and ordered lunch. After eating, he stepped outside and walked a few paces before noticing someone.
A tall figure with an intimidating build was approaching.
The man stopped in front of him and smiled.
"My little brother," he said warmly, then hugged Gravo.
Gravo frowned. "Who are you?"
"Oh, right," the man laughed. "You don't know me yet."
Gravo grabbed his collar. "Mister, you're messing with the wrong guy."
The man caught Gravo's hand with ease, lifted him effortlessly, and gave him a light shove—sending Gravo flying toward the clouds. Gravo flipped and landed on his feet, stunned.
"Someone strong enough to toss me that easily?" he thought.
The man walked closer.
"Allow me to introduce myself: I am Gudango Gonzalez—your big brother."
Gravo's eyes widened.
I have a big brother? Why didn't Father ever mention him?
"You expect me to believe that?" Gravo snapped. "Get lost if you value your life."
Gudango smiled. "You live in the bottom layer with Father—Mr. Gonzalez."
He then spoke in a language only the Gonzalez family understood.
He stepped forward and gently patted Gravo's head.
"So, Gravo Gonzalez... I want you to hand over all the stones."
Gravo's voice trembled. "What stones?"
"You know which ones," Gudango said, exhaling. "The stones that lead to the Watcher of the Universe."
"I... I have a list. It has all the locations," Gravo stammered.
Gudango knew he was lying but smirked. "Hmm. That'll do."
Gravo handed over the list. Gudango walked a few steps away, then turned and waved.
"Bye-bye. Take care, little brother. And don't mention me to Father."
---
Hero Town
Ron sat on the sofa, staring at the Black Heart Diary. DA's words echoed in his mind.
> "Black Heart is the same race as you. You're both from the Land of Bermuda. His parents left shortly after he was born—just like yours.
I met Black Heart during the Great Separation—the war between Dr. Thomas and the Watcher of the Universe.
Dr. Thomas lost, of course, but he took everything from the Watcher—his wife, his kingdom—and sealed the Watcher's powers into seven stones, scattering them across the universe."
Ron blinked. "What exactly is the Watcher?"
DA responded, "A Watcher is a being who oversees and balances the universe. If a universe spirals out of control, the Watcher is held accountable. This system was created by the Council of Beyonders."
"Where is the Watcher now?" Ron asked.
"He's sealed in his own dimension for billions of years. He can't escape, can't watch over the universe, and he can't revive his people or rebuild his kingdom."
"Damn that Thomas bastard..." Ron muttered.
DA stared at him. "If you look at it from Thomas's point of view, he had every right."
"Why?"
"Not now," DA said. "But know this: for revenge... he needs power.
Your power.
When he first met you in Bermuda—remember the girl you used to play with?"
Ron nodded slowly. "Yeah... She liked writing stories."
"She's his daughter.
Your wife. Dream."
Ron's mind blanked. He could only stare at DA in shock.
"You're saying... he used his daughter?"
"Yes... and no.
Dream met you by chance. She wasn't allowed to speak to anyone, but she liked you. So she'd sneak out, just to talk, to play. When Thomas found out, he recognized your potential.
He saw an opportunity. But your bond with Dream? That was real. He just... used it to his advantage."
Ron looked down, stunned.
"And Lia?" he whispered.
"Her twin sister."
DA stood and turned to leave.
Ron suddenly said, "Wait.
Dream once told me... she split herself into three.
I've only met two versions.
Where's the original Dream?"
DA paused.
"To tell you the truth... I don't know.
But you—" he pointed at Ron—
"You know.
And one more thing, you remind me of someone."
Ron asked, "who?"
DA didn't reply and then walked away.