The grey steel walls of Melronia loomed ahead as Roman, Neato, and Kael approached the city's gates. The guards, sleek, metallic robots with glowing red eyes, moved to intercept them.
"ID, please," one of the robots demanded in a mechanical voice.
Roman handed over his ID without a word. The robots scanned it, their eyes flickering before they stepped aside and allowed them to enter.
Inside, the city was eerily quiet. People hurried through the streets, their eyes darting nervously. Windows were shuttered, and doors were closed tightly.
"What's wrong here?" Neato asked, looking around with a frown.
"I guess they're wary of new people," Kael suggested, glancing at the nervous townsfolk.
Roman's eyes scanned the area. "Let's find ourselves a hotel."
They walked through the silent streets, eventually finding a modest hotel. They checked in and made their way to their room, which contained two beds, a small kitchen, and a bathroom.
Neato rushed into the room and leaped onto one of the beds. "Roman, wanna share a bed?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
Roman's face darkened with anger. Before he could respond, Neato turned to Kael. "What about you, Kael? I don't mind showing you my other side."
Kael's expression turned murderous. "I think we should kill him," he said to Roman.
Roman held up a hand. "No, it's not the time yet." He turned to leave. "I'm going out. I'll be back with Nayan. Don't go anywhere, okay?"
Neato sighed dramatically but nodded. Kael simply watched Roman leave with a mix of curiosity and irritation.
As Roman stepped out into the quiet streets of Melronia, he couldn't help but feel the weight of their mission pressing down on him.
END OF CHAPTER 14