Roman's phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the tense silence that had settled over the group. He glanced at the screen, recognizing the number.
"Stay inside. I'm going out to answer this," Roman instructed, his voice flat.
Neato perked up. "Want me to accompany you?"
Roman shook his head. "No."
With a heavy sigh, Roman stepped outside the bunker and answered the call. A familiar female voice greeted him, cold and authoritative.
"Roman, my dear, your mission has changed. Eliminate the people you are gathering at once."
Roman's heart skipped a beat. "Why?"
"Because it's an order, Roman. Or did you forget what our main mission is?"
Roman clenched his fist. "No."
"Good."
Roman looked up at the vast desert sky, his expression one of deep sorrow. "They always do this to me. Just why? Why am I the only one who suffers? Why must I carry humanity on my back?"
Taking a deep breath, Roman steeled himself and re-entered the bunker. Nayan greeted him with a sardonic grin. "Look who's back."
Without a word, Roman drew his gun and fired a single bullet into Nayan's head. Nayan's body crumpled to the floor.
Kael sprang up, shock and anger on his face. "Why did you-"
Before he could finish, Roman's blade flashed, and Kael's head fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.
Neato, wide-eyed and panicking, drew his guns and fired at Roman. The bullets were useless against the tech embedded in Roman's body. He approached Neato methodically, blocking every shot.
"Why are you doing this?" Neato shouted, desperation in his voice.
Roman's face remained emotionless. "What did you expect? Did you think we were friends?"
With a swift motion, Roman slashed Neato's left eye, then severed his left arm. Neato fell to the ground, writhing in pain. Roman climbed on top of him, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and resolve.
"I'm sorry, Neato. It was fun while it lasted, but this is for humanity."
Roman drove his sword straight into Neato's chest. Blood gushed from Neato's mouth as his body went limp. Neato coughed up blood, his breaths shallow and labored. With a trembling hand, he reached up and gently touched Roman's face.
"Why, Roman? I... I loved you, Rom...an..." Neato's voice trailed off as he took his last breath, his hand slipping away.
Roman stood up, pulling his sword free, and walked outside. He felt his phone buzz again and answered.
"Good job, Roman. Now go to Eden Altora and find Nina," the female voice commanded.
Roman looked back at the bunker, now a tomb for his fallen comrades. He walked away, leaving behind the bodies of Neato, Nayan, and Kael. The mission continued, but at a cost that weighed heavily on his soul.
The chapter ended with the once lively and dynamic group reduced to silence, their journey abruptly and violently cut short. The desolate desert stretched out before Roman as he marched towards his next destination, Eden Altora.
END OF CHAPTER 24
NOTE THAT THIS IS THE END OF SEASON 1 OF THE NOVEL. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE NOVEL BECAUSE THE IS MORE ON THE WAY.