Ron and Finian ate quietly, the clatter of cutlery the only sound between them.
Suddenly, Ron's phone vibrated in his pocket.
He took it out, and a faint, instinctive smile touched his lips.
Kai and Finian immediately noticed.
Without a word, Ron stepped outside to answer.
Kai leaned toward Finian. "Hey… who's Ron talking to?"
Finian smirked. "Who else? His wife."
"Oh." Kai nodded, then looked at the door… then slowly back at Finian.
"What?" Finian asked.
"Are you married?" Kai said.
Finian gave a calm nod.
Kai's eyes widened. "How? Teach me the technique so I can at least get one woman."
Finian chuckled. "Kai, true love comes at its perfect time."
Kai rolled his eyes. "That's not a technique."
Finian leaned back. "When I was little, I went to a gathering ceremony with my father. That's where I first saw her. Years later, when I turned eighteen—the age when hormones are at their peak—I met her again. That's when I realized I wanted to marry her. But…"
"But what?" Kai asked, already grabbing popcorn from the table.
"Her father didn't like me."
Kai tossed a piece into his mouth. "Let me guess. He rejected you?"
"A few times," Finian admitted.
"And then?"
"I was sitting alone in the rain one day… and she came to me." His voice softened. "My wife."
Kai sniffed dramatically, wiping fake tears. "What a sad story."
Finian laughed. "What I mean is—everything has its perfect timing."
Kai studied him. "You're wiser than you look."
"Haha. Everyone calls me dumb. I act outgoing, but I used to be serious. I didn't get along with anyone… before I met him."
"Him?" Kai raised a brow. "Who's him?"
"The one who just walked outside."
"What did he do?"
Finian's smile faded slightly. "I don't know. But something happened… and it changed me."
Kai was about to press further when the door opened and Ron stepped back in.
"Kai, can you show me around?" Ron asked.
Kai gave a thumbs-up. "Sure. But what about you, Finian?"
"I'll pass. You two go."
Ron stood. "Then it's decided. Kai will show me around, and you—" he pointed at Finian, "—don't cause any trouble."
Finian nodded obediently.
As Ron walked toward the door, Kai looked back at Finian with a playful smirk. "Don't steal anything." He pointed two fingers at his eyes, then at Finian, and followed Ron out.
Finian smiled faintly, sinking back into the couch.
"I really liked those times… when me, Locki, Liora, and Ron were together," he murmured before standing and heading outside.
Meanwhile, Ron and Kai walked through the streets of the Colony.
"This place is bigger than you think," Kai said. "Don't judge it by the name."
Ron nodded silently.
"In the time I've spent here, I've noticed countless secret routes. Eclipse uses them to keep an eye on people—especially newcomers like you and Finian."
"What about you?" Ron asked.
"They're watching me too," Kai replied calmly. "They're everywhere. Shopkeepers. Kids. Ordinary people. If something odd happens involving you two, I'll be questioned. Because I'm the one showing you around."
"Kai," Ron said evenly, "work with me. I'll cover your expenses, give you a stable job, a good package. Security."
Kai shrugged. "I know. I was just giving a hypothetical scenario."
Ron corrected him automatically. "Hypothetical."
"Yes, yes. Hypothetical."
They walked in silence for a moment.
"If you want full details," Kai added, "you'll need to befriend a spy."
"That won't be necessary," Ron said calmly. "Someone perfect for that role is already here."
"Really?" Kai blinked. "Sorry I'm not much help."
"Don't worry about it. Show me the main mansion."
Kai nodded. "Follow me."
Elsewhere,
Finian sat on a bench in a nearby park.
He took out his phone.
"I need every detail about this colony," he said quietly. "All routes. Information about the water of immortality. Any secret equipment known only to higher-ups."
There was a pause.
"We'll move tonight," Liora's voice replied.
"Tonight?" Finian frowned.
"Yes. We're exhausted. Ava's already asleep."
"Alright."
"Finian… I need to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"The mansion. You told me to stay there in Atliop City."
"Oh. That one? It's the best mansion in the world."
"It's also creepy," Liora said softly.
Finian's expression sharpened. "What do you mean?"
"We found something beneath a loose tile. A hidden lab. Strange instruments… equipment I've never seen before."
She took a deep breath.
"There was also a notice board. Threads and pins connecting several photos. All the threads led to one picture in the center."
Finian's grip on the phone tightened. "What was written?"
"The Biggest Obstacle."
Silence.
"And the photo?" he asked quietly.
"It was of big brother Locki."
"…Foster," Finian murmured under his breath.
"What? What did you say?" Liora asked.
"Nothing."
"Finian… who did that mansion belong to?"
"To Ron," he replied calmly.
There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end.
"Ron?"