As soon as they stepped into the city, countless eyes locked onto them. Silent, unblinking stares followed their every move.

  William shifted uncomfortably. “This isn’t what I expected at all…” he muttered. “It doesn’t feel safe.”

  “Stand tall and keep your head up,” Marvin said firmly. “Do not let their eyes weaken you.”

  They walked through the narrow streets, ignoring the piercing gazes. The tension in the air was thick, making each step feel heavier.

  Then, a figure stepped forward. A B-Bot.

  “What are you here for?” it asked in a dull, robotic voice. “This city does not welcome outsiders.”

  “We didn’t know that,” Marvin replied calmly.

  The B-Bot hesitated, then nodded. “Come with me. You’ll be safe.”

  Marvin glanced at William before answering. “Yes.”

  The B-Bot turned to the onlookers. “Do not worry, citizens. They are with me.”

  The stares slowly faded, and the three of them continued down the dimly lit street.

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  “What’s your name?” Marvin asked.

  The B-Bot shook its head. “I do not share my name with outsiders.”

  Marvin narrowed his eyes.

  “I have done you a favor,” the B-Bot continued. “I helped you escape those death stares. Now, leave this place before they decide to capture you.”

  William opened his mouth to protest. “But we need to find a warrior—”

  “Enough,” Marvin cut him off. “This city has no answers for us.”

  He turned to leave, and William followed.

  “Wait—wait!” the B-Bot called out. “You said a warrior, right?”

  Marvin and William stopped.

  “I know of someone who came to this city,” the B-Bot said. “A warrior.”

  William’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

  The B-Bot nodded. “Yes. He arrived just like you did—being watched, judged.”

  A pause.

  “I had to lie to them for him, too.”

  Marvin’s gaze sharpened. “Is he still here?”

  The B-Bot hesitated. “Not… at the moment.”

  Marvin’s expression darkened. “What do you mean?”

  “He told me not to say anything.”

  “Tell me,” Marvin ordered.

  The B-Bot stammered. “But—I—I—”

  Marvin took a step closer. His presence was suddenly overwhelming. “I said… tell me.”

  The B-Bot trembled. “He is—uh…”

  Silence.

  “…I was lying. I don’t know of any warrior.”

  Marvin and William both stared at the B-Bot, their patience running thin.

  “But,” the B-Bot continued quickly, “I do know where you might find him.”

  Marvin folded his arms. “Where?”

  “The Valley of Truth,” the B-Bot answered.

  Marvin raised an eyebrow. “The Valley of Truth?”

  William tilted his head. “What is that?”

  “It’s a valley hidden deep in the Forest of Resurrection,” the B-Bot explained. “It may sound simple, but finding it is no easy task.”

  Marvin glanced at the axe on his back. “How do we get there?”

  The B-Bot pointed at the weapon. “That axe… it came from the warrior, didn’t it?”

  “Yes,” Marvin confirmed.

  “Does it have some kind of tracking system?”

  Marvin nodded. “It glows when facing the right direction… and flickers when I’m close.”

  “Good,” the B-Bot said. Then, after a brief pause, it added, “There’s one more thing you need to know.”

  Marvin’s eyes narrowed. “What is it?”

  The B-Bot’s tone became almost ominous.

  “This place does not belong to the earth… it resides in the skies.”

  William frowned. “its in the sky?”

  The B-Bot only shook its head. “You’ll soon find out.”

  Marvin turned to William. “Let’s go. We will find this Valley of Truth… and there, we will learn the truth.”

  Without another word, they walked away, leaving the mysterious city behind.