"RON!"
"RON, wake up… come on…"
"RON!"
Ron's eyes snapped open.
The first thing he saw was the most beautiful woman in the world.
Dream had fallen asleep on his thigh, her breathing soft and steady. Strands of hair rested across her cheek. Gently, Ron brushed them aside and let his fingers rest against the side of her face.
Ines was asleep nearby, curled peacefully.
Who was calling my name in my sleep? Ron wondered.
He reached for his phone.
3:00 A.M.
Several messages blinked on the screen — from Jake Jacobs.
Ron, can we meet at my base?
Ron replied with a thumbs-up.
Another message came instantly.
Come anytime you want.
Ron sent another thumbs-up, then typed:
I'll visit later. I'm in the middle of something.
Jake responded with a final thumbs-up.
Ron locked his phone and looked back at Dream.
"I want to spend a little more time with you," he whispered.
Carefully, he eased her onto the bed and rested his hand gently on her head.
Meanwhile — Jake's Base
Jake sat in his chair, phone now face-down on the desk. He turned back to his computer just as Aldrio entered.
"Sir, I've dug up everything I could about Ms. Ava," Aldrio said.
"What does it say?" Jake asked without looking up.
"I've sent it to your device. It's under the name Carter's Sister."
Jake opened the file.
His eyes widened.
Slowly, he looked up at Aldrio.
Aldrio gave a slight nod.
"Yes, sir. She's one of Eclipse's highest-level assassins. Code name: Aex."
Jake leaned back.
"So she's a highly skilled operative… Unbelievable. A doctor… and not just any assassin — Aex. The most versatile after Rex."
"What will you do, sir?" Aldrio asked.
"Maybe I should speak to her brother."
Aldrio hesitated.
"That could put Ms. Ava at risk."
Jake exhaled slowly. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Speak to Ms. Ava directly. If that fails… then approach her brother."
Jake nodded.
"I'm going after Eclipse," he said quietly. "But if she stands in my way… I won't have a choice."
Aldrio's voice was calm.
"Sir… a new life always carries the risk of death."
Jake's expression hardened.
"Ron will be here soon."
Aldrio nodded once.
Elsewhere — Mountain Forge
Finian sat on the sofa when Ellen entered.
"Honey, where's Liora?" she asked.
"She went to her friend's place."
"Oh."
"Did you need something?" Finian asked.
"I wanted to ask her about Atliop City."
"I sho—"
"Don't worry," Ellen interrupted gently. "I'll ask her when she returns."
Finian smiled faintly.
"How can I not worry about my beautiful wife?"
He pulled out his phone. After a few seconds, he put it away.
"Check your phone."
Ellen did.
A message from Finian, a video titled.
TOUR OF ATLIOP CITY
She looked up. Finian was grinning.
Ellen smiled softly and went to her room.
The moment she left, Finian's expression changed.
Liora… try not to die.
Hours Later
"Hey… wake up. Your turn."
Liora shook Ava's shoulder.
Ava opened her eyes.
They switched seats. Ava took the driver's seat.
The car moved toward the shore — then its wheels retracted, and it sped toward the location where the tracker had been destroyed.
But a massive mountain pass blocked the way.
Liora had fully woken.
"We're exhausted," Ava said. "Let's rest for today."
Liora agreed.
They drove into a remote area — no signal, no internet. Cut off from the outside world.
In front of them stood a hotel.
Glory Hotel.
A cleaner entered first. Ava and Liora followed.
They booked a room on the fourth floor — Room 157.
Tonight, they would rest.
Meanwhile — Jake's Mansion
Ron stood outside Jake's mansion.
The massive doors opened.
Aldrio gestured him inside.
"Greetings, Sir Ron."
"Greetings, Mr. Aldrio."
"How have you been? And the little one? And Mrs. Ron?"
"All well. I hope you're doing fine too."
"Quite well, thank you. Please, follow me."
Aldrio led him to a closet.
He pushed the back panel.
The entire cupboard slid open, revealing a hidden lift.
Nice. Jake's still as clever as ever, Ron thought.
They descended deep underground.
When the doors opened, Ron saw it —
A vast underground cave filled with advanced prison cells, futuristic technology, strange devices, and experimental prototypes he couldn't even identify.
Jake stood waiting.
"Ron. It's been a long time."
He walked straight into a hug — a tight one. Ron's back cracked audibly.
Jake finally let go.
"Carter was here. He left a few hours ago."
Good, Ron thought.
"Oh? Then I should've come sooner," Ron replied lightly.
Jake's expression shifted.
"There's something I need to ask you."
They stared at each other.
Ron blinked. Jake blinked.
Ron touched his jaw. Jake mirrored him.
Ron took a breath. Jake did the same.
Ron ran a hand through his hair. Jake copied.
Ron cleared his throat. Jake cleared his.
Ron opened his mouth—
Jake interrupted with a sigh.
"Let's sit."
Ron nodded.
They took seats opposite each other.
Jake leaned forward.
"Ron… why were you with Xentan?"