Tick-tock.
The sound of the pendulum echoed through the room, measuring the morning moments. Outside the window, the first rays of sunlight pierced through dense clouds, painting the streets in a soft golden hue.
I slowly opened my eyes, feeling the weight of sleep still clinging to me. The cold air brushed against my skin, making me shiver.
— Renvel, are you getting up?
I turned my head. Santi, my younger brother, stood by the door, clutching a worn-out book.
— I'm coming, — I muttered, reluctantly sitting up.
My feet touched the wooden floor, and for a moment, I paused, listening to the sounds of the house. In the next room, something clattered — father must have been placing the kettle on the stove. From the street, muffled voices and the hum of machinery drifted in — the city was waking up.
Stretching, I walked to the washbasin. The cold water finally jolted me awake. In the reflection of the metal mirror, I saw my familiar features: light brown hair, blue eyes, and a face still creased from sleep.
— If you take any longer, you'll be late, — Santi scoffed.
— And where are you off to?
— The library.
I nodded. My brother was always a bookworm. Unlike me, he didn't have to wake up early and head to work.
A few minutes later, we entered the living room. Father was already seated at the table, scanning the morning newspaper. Donald, as always, looked impeccable: a dark suit, perfectly combed hair, and a stern gaze.
— Made it? — he asked without looking up.
— Yeah, — I answered, sitting down.
Breakfast was simple: bread, butter, and strong tea. The house smelled of wood and faint smoke from the stove.
— We have a test launch for the new engine today, — I mentioned, trying to keep the conversation going.
Father nodded. He rarely asked about my work, but he always listened attentively.
— Be careful, — he finally said.
I gave a short smile.
===
The city's air was thick with the scent of oil, steam, and metal. Tall buildings with copper pipes towered over the streets, while airships drifted lazily in the sky, casting long shadows below.
I walked toward the workshop, enjoying the morning bustle. People hurried about their business, mechanics tinkered with steam machines, and merchants called out their wares.
«Working with airships wasn't the easiest job, but I liked it. I had graduated from the Steam Engineering University three years ago and had been working at Air Technical Maintenance — Seon ever since. Today was an important day — the testing of a new engine.»
Climbing up the metal staircase, I stepped inside.
— Renvel! Late again, — a raspy voice called out.
I turned. Gredorik, our supervisor, stood by the workbench, arms crossed.
— Two minutes isn't a crime, — I smirked.
Gredorik just shook his head.
Inside, the usual chaos reigned: mechanics rushed around, the sound of tools clanking filled the air, and the scent of oil and metal was strong. In the center of the workshop stood the massive engine, its surface covered with a complex web of pipes and wires.
— Ready? — my colleague asked while securing the last details.
I nodded and walked to the control panel.
«Starting up these machines was always a risk, but that was part of the thrill.»
The mechanism hummed to life beneath my fingers. Gears started turning, steam hissed from the valves, and the engine began to accelerate.
And then, everything went wrong.
A sudden screech of metal, a sharp crack like shattered glass. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning.
— Shut it down! — someone shouted.
But it was too late.
A burst of white light consumed everything.
Pain.
Darkness.
«I'm falling…»