Ron stood up, walked outside, and pulled out his phone. He dialed a familiar number. "It's me, Ron. I need your help..."
After ending the call, he began to wander. He looked around the skyline of Hero Town—also known as Heronics. What a strange place, Ron thought, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his pocket. A message had arrived: the coordinates for Judge Edward. Ron's smirk widened. In a flicker of light, he teleported.
The Present
"What do you mean?" Ron asked, his eyes fixed on the man across from him.
The man took a shaky breath. "He died ten years ago. No one knows how. I was away at college in another city; I only came back after graduation. I found my father lying on the ground right in front of the door."
Ron nodded slowly. So, his father died a decade ago. But Ava insisted he was working for Carter recently, he mused. "Tell me more about him," Ron said aloud. "Perhaps we can deduce the cause of death based on his history."
"He worked for the Space Agency," the man replied.
"Under Carter Klein?"
"Yes. I'm not entirely certain, but I heard the name Klein once. After the agency, he became a judge."
"You shouldn't blame yourself for not knowing more," Ron said smoothly. "The Space Agency's missions are classified. They have many enemies."
The man nodded solemnly. Ron pulled out his phone again. "What if your father is still alive?" He turned the screen to show a video.
The man's eyes widened as he watched. "He... he looks like my father, but I don't think it's him."
Ron paused the video, waiting.
The man continued, "My father had a twin brother. He was also a judge."
"And where can I find this uncle of yours?"
"He's out of the country. China."
Ron stood up, offering a respectful nod. "Thanks for your time. I'm sorry for forcing you to relive that pain." He turned to leave, walking toward the exit with a casual wave.
"Wait!" the man called out. "Can you at least tell me your name?"
Ron glanced back over his shoulder. "Ron."
Elsewhere,
Night had fallen, and the clouds poured forth a heavy rain. The streets were deserted. Eirene walked along the sidewalk, holding an umbrella low against the wind. Suddenly, she felt a chill—a strange, familiar presence.
Is he here? she wondered.
A man in a heavy coat, face mask, and glasses brushed past her. Eirene froze, recognizing him instantly. The man stopped too.
"Fifth Head," he muttered.
Eirene turned slowly. "So, it really is you, William."
He nodded, his voice urgent. "Eirene, I need your help. Take me to the other Heads. I have something to share—the location of the Scars Envelope."
William paused, stunned, as Eirene cut him off. "How did yo—"
"That's not important," she said dismissively. "If you have the location, that's good news. We'll help you in return. Follow me."
She flicked a bracelet on her wrist. It began to glow with an ethereal light, enveloping them both. In an instant, the rain-slicked street vanished. They stood in a dark, high-ceilinged room where nine chairs surrounded a massive table. Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the storm continued to rage.
"Wait here," she commanded, stepping through the door.
Left alone, William's hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. He stared at his reflection in the dark glass. "Ron, you're a dead man," he hissed.
Suddenly, a heavy hand dropped onto his shoulder. William lunged to retaliate, but froze when he saw the glowing green eyes reflecting in the windowpane.
"Second Head?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
"Long time no see, William," Rio said, his voice like grinding velvet. He pulled his hand away. "There is something you want."
William nodded frantically. "I want the power to defeat Ron."
Rio smiled. "And if I grant this wish?"
"I will give you the Scars Envelope. It contains a formula capable of destroying six-dimensional constructs."
Rio's smile didn't waver, but his eyes grew cold. "If that were the case, why didn't you take that power for yourself? You could have crushed Ron with a single hand."
William stammered, his excuses failing him.
"You're lying," Rio interrupted. "The only thing you know is the location."
"How... how did you know?" William gasped.
"I will help you deal with Ron," Rio said, ignoring the question. "But in exchange, there is something I want you to retrieve for me after he is defeated."
"What is it?"
"I will tell you when the job is done."
"I won't just defeat him," William spat. "I'll kill him. Especially with your help, I can kill anyone."
Rio's smile widened unnervingly. "You can't."
"Why not?"
"Ron has a mysterious backer," Rio explained. "I don't know who or what it is. They are often referred to only as"???"'. They are Ron's Supporter."
William's face went pale. "A mysterious force supporting him? Why? What's so special about Ron?"
"He is not the first," Rio said, taking a deep breath as he looked out at the rain. "Long ago, there was another who had a backer. That entity had many names: The Forgotten One, The Dreamer, The Narrator, The Writer, The Thinker, The Author... and many more."
William stood in stunned silence. Someone like that actually existed? and now there's another, someone like Ron? He thought.