Back at home, Aly was still worried, and Ryker hadn't returned yet, as he was still at work.

She sat in one of the chairs, looking out the window.

"...." she was silent, pondering what she was to do now.

What was Eke doing?

Should she be worried?

What if something happened?

But she trusted Eke, and wondered how long he would be gone.

"...I hope he gets back before Ryker does..." she whispered.

Just then, Eke heard someone.

"....little one, you have come where you shouldn't have... and done what you oughtn't have." he heard.

"Little whelps need to learn not to mess with things beyond their comprehension." it went on.

"But you are here now." the voice continued.

"I had a feeling it would only be a matter of time..."

The voice just chuckled.

"I can tell that you think you're going crazy." it said.

"But I am not a part of you. Not really." it went on. "We merely have a mental connection, thanks to what you just did to yourself." it went on.

"Though I suppose that counts. Regardless, semantics." it reasoned.

"Tell me... why were you so foolish to come here alone again?"

"....call me whatever you want." the voice replied.

"I am no more than a mere servant." he told him.

"One that has dominion over life and death, but a servant nonetheless." he added with a dark chuckle.

"...and... you father?" he then asked.

"That dragon is your FATHER!?" he exclaimed.

"Oh! The irony is DELICIOUS!"

Again, the voice laughed.

"I am the necromancer of which you speak!" he declared.

"How fortuitous that your foolish actions have brought you to me." he went on.

"Mistress will be most pleased." he said further, before pausing.

"She's been SO sad about her naughty runaway child."

"And where are YOU going?" the voice asked.

"Stay." it said.

"As a matter of fact, I'm sending your father to come pick you up." it then told her.

"Come on, stick around for a family reunion." it offered.

"All three of you."

"All right...." he then heard.

"I'll send Daddy to pick you up soon..." was all he heard last, before the voice just seemed to cut out. Seemingly permanently.

As he walked through the city, he suddenly stopped when he saw someone in a car dealership... someone that looked like they were finalising something with the salesperson.

Someone that looked like Ryker.

Ryker and the gentleman shook hands, and after a little more, Eke saw him going over towards a car. With keys in his hand.

Ryker had finally gotten a car. And it looked spacious and comfortable. Something Eke desperately needed right now.

Ryker then stopped and seemed look around, as though searching for something. When he apparently didn't find it, he shrugged and started to get the vehicle ready to drive off the lot.

Just as he sat down, the door opened.

"....uh-huh." Ryker said when he saw him.

"So my partner WAS right. He DID See you." he commented.

"And you look and sound like absolute garbage." he then said. "Come on in before you catch your death of cold or worse." he said further, stepping aside.

"Come on." he urged.

"Aly's been extremely worried about you, and seeing the condition you're in, methinks it might have been justified."

".........long walk." Ryker responded.

"Anyway, get inside." he told him.

"NOW." he said.

"You need to see Aly." he went on. "As her fiancee, you need to show her you're doing all right, and as your live-in nurse, she needs to see you're NOT doing all right." he continued.

"So go on, before you die of flu." he added with a wry chuckle.