Eight months have passed since Ron and Carter visited Sami's House. While Carter immersed himself in missions, Ron trained and quietly unlocked new abilities.
Present Day
For the last eight months, Carter been buried in missions. But today, he decided to take a break and grab something good to eat. He was scrolling through restaurants when a text popped up from Ron:
"Meet me here. You'll want to hear this."
He dropped a location pin. Curious, Carter grabbed his car keys and headed out.
The place was a top-tier restaurant—polished marble floors, velvet chairs, the works. As Carter walked in, a woman at the front desk looked up and
Carter asked,
"Is Ron here?"
She asked, "Are you Carter?"
He nodded.
"Yeah, that's me." Carter said, respectfully.
She smiled and escorted him to table 26. There sat Ron, flashing that familiar grin.
Carter sat down and asked, "Why'd you call me here? Fancy place for a casual talk."
Ron chuckled. "You know how rich I am. But I didn't bring you here just for food. I heard something—something your department is trying to hide."
Carter narrowed my eyes. "You're well-informed as usual... Fine. I trust you."
Ron leaned in.
"A team was sent to the southwest mountains of Hero Town. Only one guy made it back... barely. He's traumatized, keeps muttering about an Ancient Mill. Rumor has it the place is real." He said.
Ron's eyes lit up. "Another mystery. I knew asking you was the right call. So—what else do you know about this 'Ancient Mill'? Why don't we check it out?"
Carter sighed, knowing where this was going.
"A few days after the survivor's return, we sent a second crew. What they found was... horrifying. Human bones. Our doctors confirmed—they belonged to the first team." Carter said.
Ron's smile faded. "What kind of monster did that?"
Carter looked him in the eye.
"They weren't killed. The doctors say the crew aged to death. Literally. Turned to bones in days... maybe even hours."
Ron's expression shifted. That was the first time Carter saw Ron genuinely stunned.
"Aging? You mean they just... decayed into skeletons?" he asked quietly.
"Exactly."
Then, true to form, Ron grinned. "Then we have to see it for ourselves."
After the meeting, the second Carter left Ron opened a gate, through magnifying glass, to the World of Dark Souls. Ron needed answers—and only one person or rather, being could help.
Ron landed in the bone-paved pathway. In the middle of the graveyard, where a skeleton warrior stood, he glared at Ron like he was ready to chop Ron in half.
"Is Dr. Thomas here?" Ron asked.
The skeleton studied Ron, then growled, "No. He's not. What do you want, you damn human?"
Ron smirked. "Easy, you damn fossil. Watch your mouth or I'll punch you back into the grave you came from."
The skeleton's bony hand reached for his weapon.
"You looking for a fight?"
"I'm always ready," Ron shot back.
Just as he was about to strike, Yardy stepped between them.
"Calm down sir and you too Ron." he said, shaking his head. Yardy turned to Ron. "What brings you here?"
Ron explained—well, most of it. Ron left out Carter and the mission details, told them it was about a group of hikers who mysteriously died in the southwest mountains.
The skeleton listened in silence... then laughed—a dry, hollow sound.
"You're talking about the Ancient Mill, aren't you?" he said. "Many monsters across the universe originate from that cursed place. Fifty levels deep Mill. Death or a curse at every turn. But the people didn't die because they are weak and can't fight strong monsters. No. The Mill protects itself with invisible aging gas. The moment you enter, time turns against you. The deeper you go, the stronger the monsters... and the faster you age."
Rom clenched his fists.
"Then I'll clear that Mill."
The skeleton laughed even harder. "You? Clear it? I've heard of you, Ron—but this is suicide. I can see you never returnimg alive. Because once you enter, you're not coming out. "
Ron looked at the skeleton.
"You should ask 'him' for help." Yardy said.
"Who?" Ron asked
"DA." Yardy replied, "This is the address." Yardy handed him a paper.
Then,
When Ron returned, he gathered his gear. Carter, Lia, and Ron made their decision.
They're going in.
Ron drove with Carter and Lia toward the western edge of Hero Town. There, nestled among the cliffs, was a weathered cottage. Dirt covered most of the door, but after a quick swipe, the words revealed themselves
"Welcome to DA's House"
Ron knocked.
A grumpy voice answered.
"Who the hell knocks this early? Go away."
Ron knocked again, louder this time.
The door creaked open. An man, like he was in his late 30s stood there—white hair like wild lightning, eyes that had seen too much.
"Are you... DA" Ron asked.
He narrowed his eyes. "What do you want, kid? I don't hand out candy."
Ron blinked.
This was the legendary DA? He seemed more dumb than legendry.
Ron thought.
Carter and Lia gave Ron that look. The look that said you dragged us here for this?
DA glanced at them, then back at Ron.
"You gonna tell me why you're here or just stand there breathing?"
Ron cleared my throat.
"DA... we're planning to raid the Ancient Mill. We need your help."
He stared at Ron. Then suddenly burst out laughing.
"You kids? Raid that place? Don't make me laugh—The mill have buried stronger men than you."
"Sir Carter, I think we should revise our plan." Lia said , looking at DA.
Then he paused. "Wait... Carter ? Carter Klein and you are Lia? Ohhh, now I get it. You must be Ron. Heard a lot about you."
Lia looked at Carter, thn stepped forward, respectful.
"Sir, will you help us?"
DA didn't answer. His gaze drifted, lost in thought. Carter finally shook him.
"It's the last time we're asking, old man. You in or not?"
DA blinked, then chuckled. "If it's the great Carter Klein asking, how can I refuse? My apologies. Let's not waste time."
All of them loaded up. The Mill was waiting.