World of Dark Souls
The sky was not blue.
It was purple — bruised and torn — streaked with lightning of unnatural colors. Bolts of crimson, emerald, and violet split the heavens, crashing into the ground and shaking the world with violent tremors.
Below, the earth was ruined.
No people.
No life.
Only shattered buildings, cracked highways, dried rivers of blood, and the distant roars of monstrous creatures roaming freely through the devastation.
High above it all, Dr. Thomas floated.
Silent. Untouched.
Watching.
A faint smile curved his lips.
Then his voice echoed — not through air, but through minds.
"Skeltor… where are you?"
In less than a femtosecond, a figure appeared behind him.
"My liege," Skelly said, bowing his head.
"Where were you going?" Dr. Thomas asked without turning.
"I had something that required my attention."
"I heard you met Ron recently."
Skelly paused.
Behind him, a massive creature stood — towering, grotesque, its jaws wide open, rows of serrated teeth glistening.
If I say something wrong… I will be devoured.
"I believe… he time-traveled," Skelly said carefully.
Dr. Thomas smiled faintly.
"I know. The present Ron is training… preparing to face the Dead Titan."
Skelly nodded slowly.
"My liege… may I take my leave?"
Dr. Thomas turned away, gazing once more at the ruined world.
"You may."
Skelly was about to vanish when—
"Skeltor."
He froze.
"Do not even think about betraying me."
A wave of invisible pressure crushed the air around him.
Skelly kept his voice steady. "I have done nothing, my liege."
"I know," Dr. Thomas replied calmly. "I am simply reminding you."
"…Yes, my liege."
Skelly vanished.
Dr. Thomas remained alone in the sky.
Judging from Ron's expression… the future he came from suggests I am winning.
His smile widened.
"The Watcher… I am coming for you."
Lightning struck behind him.
"For now… I shall observe the Infinite Lights."
Meanwhile, at the Eclipse's Colony
"I am Kai," the cleaner said.
Finian's eyes widened.
Ron stiffened slightly.
"Oh—Kai! What are you doing here? It's been a while," Ron said smoothly.
Kai extended his hand. "Good to see you. I'm here for work."
Ron shook his hand. Finian followed.
"Sorry, man. Didn't recognize you," Finian said, patting Kai's shoulder.
"No problem."
"So," Ron continued, "what kind of work? Businessman?"
"No."
"Teacher?" Finian asked.
"No."
Ron examined him. "A strong guy like you… construction worker?"
"No."
"Plumber?"
Kai shook his head.
"Chef?"
Again, no.
"Then what?" Ron asked.
Kai smiled.
"I'm a cleaner."
Ron and Finian nodded slowly.
"It pays very well," Kai continued calmly. "Although… I haven't received my salary lately."
Suddenly—
BAM.
Kai punched Finian.
Finian flew through the air and crashed into a nearby ramen shop.
Bowls shattered.
The old shop owner screamed, hurling curses.
"I'm sorry, sir! I'll pay!" Finian groaned, pulling out his bank card.
Ron turned back to Kai. "Why does a cleaner get paid so well?"
"Yeah," Finian added from inside the wreckage. "Cleaners don't usually earn much."
Kai smiled faintly.
"Why don't you visit my workplace?"
He sat on his bicycle.
Ron casually hopped onto the back seat.
As Kai pedaled forward, he said:
"My pay is good because I am the cleaner of the Main Mansion."
Main Mansion…
That's what Jake mentioned.
Ron's eyes sharpened.
"Tell me about it," Ron said.
"Well," Kai replied, "it has more than three hundred rooms. The floors are divided by clearance levels—"
"HEY! WAIT FOR ME!" Finian screamed, running behind them.
"RON! GRIZZLY BEAR! STOP!"
They ignored him.
Finian spotted a man sleeping on the grass nearby. A motorcycle stood next to him — keys still in the ignition.
Finian grinned.
He jumped on it.
Started it.
And sped toward them.
The owner woke up and shouted, "STOP!"
But it was too late.
The man sighed… then smiled.
"The brakes don't work."
Finian accelerated.
As he neared Ron and Kai, he gently pressed the brake.
Nothing.
"Oh no…"
"INCOMING!" Finian screamed.
Kai was mid-sentence.
"The soldier's uniform will be in the—"
CRASH.
The motorcycle slammed into the bicycle.
All three of them flew straight into another ramen shop.
Wood shattered.
Noodles exploded everywhere.
"No! My shop!" the old owner, of this ramen shop, screamed.
Ron groaned. "Do you not have eyes?!"
"The brakes failed!" Finian protested.
Kai laughed.
"I was hoping the bike would throw you into the sewers."
"Nah," Finian replied, standing up. "Sewers smell bad."
A shadow fell over him.
Finian slowly looked up.
An old man stood before him.
Cane in hand.
Veins bulging.
Expression murderous.
"You children… are finished."
"Sir," Finian said quickly, pointing behind him, "it wasn't just me. They were involved too."
I'm dragging you both into this mess.
The old man frowned.
"I see no one behind you."
Finian blinked.
He turned around.
Ron and Kai were gone.
"…Damn it."
The old man raised his cane.
And swung it toward Finian's head.