Chapter 19: Doran

Max and Leo exchanged a glance, their eyes alight with curiosity as they followed Black Flame deeper into the heart of his enigmatic island. Every step seemed to pull them further from the ordinary and into a world veiled in mystery.

"Lily, come!" Max called out.

"Coming!" Little Lily chirped, still playing on the beach with their dog, Rhoades, her small shoe prints dotting the powdery sand. The two of them ran up, Lily's laughter mingling with the gentle crash of waves, as they quickly caught up with her brothers.

"Brother, where are we going?" Lily asked, her eyes wide with excitement.

"We're following Flame," Leo said, glancing back at her.

"Really? To where?" Little Lily's curiosity was insatiable.

"His home," Max replied, uncertainty lacing his words. "We'll see when we get there."

"Okay!" Lily skipped along, her enthusiasm never waning.

Meanwhile, Max and Leo's minds churned with silent thoughts. 

'I didn't want to do this, but...' Max mused as he stole a glance at Lily. 

'I hope he doesn't mind,' Leo thought, his brow furrowing. They shared the same concern—inviting their little sister to tag along might offend Black Flame, especially if he revealed something personal. But her safety was their top priority, and in a world plagued by hidden dangers, they couldn't take any chances, even on this seemingly serene island.

As they ventured further, the landscape began to shift. The dense foliage revealed a sprawling mansion, gleaming in the warm afternoon light. Its sleek, metallic exterior caught the sun's rays, reflecting the ocean's shimmer. The structure loomed large—a three-story behemoth of advanced architecture that seemed to rise seamlessly from the island's earth, as though the island had shaped the mansion.

"Hmm? Is that your house, Flame?" Max asked, eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yes," Black Flame replied curtly.

Max couldn't help but gawk.

 'He's got strength, advanced technology, his island... and now this massive mansion?' Max thought, marveling at Black Flame's resources.

'What kind of life did this guy live before?' Meanwhile, Leo's mind wandered elsewhere.

'Why risk your life-fighting zombies when you've got all this? Leo wondered. There has to be more to it...'

As they approached the mansion's towering doors, they swung open with a low creak, revealing a figure standing in the entryway. Two glowing blue eyes pierced through the dim interior—a robot clad in a black butler's uniform, its silver head gleaming in the filtered sunlight.

"Good morning, Master Flame," the robot intoned, its metallic voice smooth and oddly formal.

"Good morning, Doran," Black Flame replied with a nod.

The robot, Doran, moved with effortless grace despite its metal frame. Its eyes flickered as it turned to greet the group. "Hello there, young sirs and little miss," Doran said with a polite bow.

"Bark!" Rhoades barked excitedly, bouncing on his paws as if eager to make his presence known.

"Of course, you too, strong sir," Doran said, his robotic eyes shifting toward the dog.

"Bark!" Rhoades responded, clearly pleased with the recognition.

Black Flame gestured toward Doran. "These are my guests," he said. "Introduce yourselves."

Max and Leo, still in shock, stared at the robot for a moment longer than necessary.

"Hi, Mister Doran! I'm Lily Cromwell!" Little Lily said enthusiastically, breaking the spell.

"Uh—hello, Mister Doran. I'm Max, the eldest," Max said, awkwardly shifting his weight.

"I-I'm Leo. Uh, how are you?" Leo asked, still processing the fact that he was speaking to a robot.

"I am well, sir. Thank you for asking," Doran replied with another bow.

"Doran, tell Klade to prepare something organic for them. ASAP," Black Flame commanded.

"As you wish, Master Flame," Doran said smoothly, already moving to carry out the order.

Black Flame turned back to the group. "Come inside."

The siblings hesitated for a moment, exchanging nervous glances. "Um, are you sure? We're kinda dirty," Max said, gesturing to their travel-worn clothes. Heck, they couldn't even be called clothes anymore as they were no different than rags.

"Just shut up and come in. I don't like repeating myself," Black Flame said, already walking into the house.

Max sighed. "Alright, let's go."

The mansion's interior was as sleek and imposing as its exterior. They climbed a grand, spiral staircase to the second floor, the metallic steps echoing with each footfall. Finally, Black Flame stopped in front of a set of polished steel doors.

"This will be your room," he said, swinging the doors open with ease.

The room was a sanctuary of modern design. Soft light spilled in through a massive window that spanned the entire far wall, offering a stunning view of the island and the ocean beyond. The walls were painted in soothing tones of gray and cream, creating a peaceful atmosphere. A plush, modular sofa sat in the middle of the room, its clean lines inviting them to sit and relax. In front of it, a glass table sparkled in the light, its surface reflecting the room's understated elegance.

In one corner, a sleek oak desk offered a space for work, paired with an ergonomic chair that seemed to promise both comfort and style. Recessed ceiling lights bathed the room in a soft glow, enhancing the sense of calm and luxury that filled the space.

"Wow, it's so pretty!" Little Lily exclaimed, running into the room.

"This is amazing," Max muttered, still taking in the room's beauty.

"It's beautiful," Leo added, equally awestruck.

"Freshen up and then come down to the dining hall. First floor." Black Flame said before he walked out of the room.

"Flame!" Max called out, running after him.

Black Flame stopped and turned.

"Thank you. For everything," Max said, bowing deeply.

For a moment, Black Flame stood in silence, the weight of the moment hanging in the air. Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "Stop being so formal. And don't think I'm giving you all this for free. I'll work you to the bone. Be prepared."

With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

Max straightened up, a smile tugging at his lips. "I'll do my best!" he shouted after him, before heading back to the room to join the others.