Elsewhere
"William is gone," the Seventh Head said, his voice heavy with finality.
He turned his gaze toward Rio.
Rain poured in sheets beyond the glass, turning the distant skyline into a blurred smear of gray. Rio stood motionless, eyes fixed on the storm as if reading something hidden within it.
"What will you do now?" the Seventh Head asked.
"I will watch," Rio replied.
The answer came without hesitation.
The Seventh Head studied him, frowning slightly. "Do you truly believe William can pull this off?"
A faint smile touched Rio's lips, though his eyes never left the rain.
"Don't worry," he said. "He isn't alone."
"Perhaps," the Seventh Head murmured, nodding slowly. "But what if reinforcements arrive… from His side?"
Rio's smile deepened—subtle, almost imperceptible.
"As I said, don't worry. He is elsewhere."
There was a shift in his voice now—lower, heavier.
"He has entered a conceptual dimension… the Infinite Lights."
The Seventh Head's brows drew together. "And you're certain of this?"
Rio exhaled softly.
"Before, he couldn't find a way in," he said. "But you know him. He always finds a way."
A pause.
"This time… the gates opened for him."
The rain struck harder against the glass.
"Right now," Rio continued quietly, "he's busy orchestrating a massacre."
Silence stretched between them.
"And if something unexpected happens?" the Seventh Head asked at last.
Rio finally turned.
His expression was unreadable.
"You think too much," he said. "I told you—don't worry."
Carter's House
The smell of breakfast lingered in the air as Carter stepped away from the stove.
He wiped his hands and made his way down the hall, stopping outside Kevin's room. The door was shut, as usual.
The space inside had been getting more and more cramped lately—piled high with books Kevin had suddenly taken an intense interest in.
Carter knocked.
"Breakfast is ready. Come on out."
"Coming!" Kevin's voice called from inside.
Carter returned to the table and sat down, pulling out his phone. A notification blinked on the screen.
A message from his mother.
I've arrived safely. Rest assured.
A small smile formed on his lips.
Okay. Love you, Mom, he typed back.
He had just locked his screen when the door creaked open and Kevin stepped out.
They sat together and began eating in silence.
Then—
Something felt off.
It wasn't anything obvious. Nothing he could point to. But the feeling settled deep in Carter's chest, cold and persistent.
Different.
He glanced at Kevin.
"How is Mr. Ron?" Kevin asked, breaking the silence.
"He's fine," Carter replied.
Kevin nodded once and continued eating.
No further questions.
No small talk.
Just silence.
When he finished, Kevin stood and returned to his room without another word.
Carter watched him go.
The moment the door shut, the warmth in his expression faded—replaced by something sharper. Colder.
More calculating.
A sudden vibration broke the stillness.
Carter slipped his phone from his pocket.
A single message glowed on the screen.
It's about to begin.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Inside his room, Kevin sat at his desk.
A faint smile spread across his face as he typed out a reply.
Across the city, Liora gave Finian a final nod before turning toward the exit.
As she walked, she pulled out her phone.
Ya free? she texted.
The reply came almost instantly.
Yes, what's up?
Come to my place. We need to look into something.
Ava responded with a thumbs-up.
She lifted her gaze toward Ron, who immediately noticed the shift in her expression.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
"My friend wants to meet up," Ava said.
"You should go," Ron replied easily, holding up his phone. "I was just about to head out myself.
Ava nodded.
Ron showed her a message.
Brian texted—everyone's showing up. Sami, Rad, Akira… the whole gang."
"Alright," Ava said, heading to the bedroom to grab her purse.
Ron texted Brian, "I will come. Send me the time and location."
The reply came instantly, "Okay, first let me confirm it with the homies."
"Alright." Ron texted. Ron looked at the room door and smiled,
Soon,
When Ava returned, Ron was already on his feet.
"Want a lift?"
She shook her head. "No, Liora's picking me up."
"Fair enough." He smiled. "Tell Finian I said hi."
He stepped forward, pressing a light kiss to her forehead before resting his hand briefly against her hair.
"Stay safe," he said softly. "See you when you get back."
Ava's cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
She nodded quickly—then hurried out the door.
Ron chuckled under his breath and dropped back onto the couch.
Pulling out his phone, he opened Finian's contact and texted.
Ron: DEAD OR ALIVE?
The reply came instantly.
Finian: Almost dead.
Ron: Hahaha. Don't worry, we'll give you a nice eulogy.
Finian: Laugh it up. I honestly thought I was a goner.
Ron: Why? What happened? Did your wife catch you with another woman?
Finian: Please. I'm not like you—marrying into a crowd. I'm loyal to my one and only.
Ron: Bro, you know the deal. Carter was in a jam and wanted his sister safe. Marrying her was the only way to protect her.
Finian: Oh! I knew that.
Ron: Anyway, what happened?
Finian: Fought some freak with a crazy ability. First he jacked my bike, then almost made a crater in my chest.
Ron: Seriously? Where are you?
Finian: Hero Town General Hospital.
Ron: The boys are getting together today. We'll stop by and annoy you.
Finian: No. Don't you dare.
Ron: Thanks for the invite. We'll definitely be there now.
Finian: I'm going to sleep. Bye.
Ron shook his head with a grin and slipped his phone back into his pocket.
A second later, it buzzed again.
It was text from Brian, "Ron, meet us at..."
It was location and time for the meetup.
So, it will take some time for me to reach there. I better get ready now. Ron thought.
Ron tapped a quick thumbs-up and stood up to get ready.
"I never knew this meetup would change my life."