I hadn't slept for three days. A heavy vein throbbed in my temples. Through Lumon, I felt the city like my own nervous system. It was convenient for work, but damn tiring for the mind.
The metallic taste of ozone had become my constant companion. It was everywhere: in the water, in the bread, in the very air. I wiped my hands, soiled with graphite grease, on the edge of a greasy apron and looked up.
Twilight was gathering over Dornheim. A soft azure glow flowed along the copper veins laid along the cornices. It looked beautiful, if you didn't know what a monstrous amount of energy was now roaming through these thin threads.
"Master Iron, are you still here?" Darwin's voice came from somewhere below.
I stood at the very top, on narrow scaffolding, blown by a cold wind. We were turning the old bell tower into the "Thundermaker," though in the blueprints the project was listed as "Resonance Focusing Array No. 1."
"Where else would I be, Darwin?" I responded. "Did you secure the high-pressure valve on the third circuit?"
"Secured it," the boy climbed up to me, breathing heavily. "But the pressure gauge is still dancing. Elyria is afraid the roots won't withstand such a load."
"Tell her not to spare the nutrient mixture. The plants are our only chance to cool the lens."
I looked at the "Thundermaker" again. The huge construction of polished bronze and purified crystals resembled a giant eye directed at the sky. Its task was to catch magical disturbances in the ether, amplify them through the Heart of the city, and send them back as a "mirrored" impulse.
An hour later, we went down to the meeting hall. Wayland was already waiting for us, leaning over a map that Walter had covered with marks. Noah, as usual, was found in the darkest corner, propping up the wall.
"Stein has gone to the border," Wayland began without preamble. "But my men saw signal fires in the mountains. They already know about the failure of the sabotage."
"They know," Noah spoke up. "The punitive fleet of the College of Mages left the Capital three days ago. Twelve ships of the line on ether crystals. Plus landing barges with the inquisition."
Walter swore, striking his fist against the table. "Twelve? That's an entire army. Our militia holds the walls well, but against flying fortresses, we are powerless."
"The mages have one weakness," I approached the table and ran a finger along the line indicating the operational radius of the "Thundermaker." "Their ships stay in the air due to resonance with the magical field. If we create a zone of 'white noise' at this point, their crystals will simply burst."
"If it works," Noah noted dryly. "The mages are bringing 'Silencers' with them. Stationary suppression artifacts. They plan to turn off the Heart even before they enter the danger zone."
"Are you sure they can?" I said, smirking. "The Heart works on frequencies they don't even know how to measure."
After the council, I lingered in the workshop. My shoulder ached—the old scar at the junction of the prosthesis and flesh was inflamed from the constant tension.
"Hey, don't move," a strict voice rang out.
I turned around. Albert stood in the doorway with his eternal bag. He made me sit on a stool and began to unbuckle my straps.
"You'll drive yourself into the grave before the mages arrive, Iron," he grumbled, applying some smelly but cool ointment to the inflamed skin. "Do you eat? Sleep?"
"I don't have time for rest. I need to finish the synchronization of the lens."
"Thanks for the ointment."
I returned to the tower of the Town Hall. The night was cold, but a noticeable warmth emanated from the mechanisms of the "Thundermaker." Darwin and Elyria were waiting for me at the main distributor.
"Ready for the test impulse?" I asked.
"It's scary," Darwin honestly confessed. "What if we burn out the cables in the eastern district?"
"We'll know the insulation there is crap," I placed my hands on the control panel.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Activation.
[WARNING: ENERGY FLOW EXCEEDS ESTIMATED BY 15%. SYNCHRONIZATION: 89%... 94%... 100%]
"Impulse!" I shouted.
The top of the Town Hall shuddered. A thin, bright beam of sky-blue color struck the zenith, cutting through the clouds.
The beam lasted for only a second, but that was enough.
I let go of the panel and collapsed to my knees, heavily catching my breath.
"Iron!" Elyria flew up to me, holding me with magic. "Are you alright?"
I shook my head, trying to come to my senses. Gradually, my vision returned, and the throbbing in my temples subsided.
"Alright. Just... a small overload."
I forced myself to get up and walked to the parapet. Red dots on the horizon became a bit brighter.
"They are here," Darwin said quietly, standing next to me.
"Yes," I looked at the "Thundermaker," which was now humming in standby mode.
"Go rest," I ordered Darwin and Elyria. "Tomorrow we will need all our strength."
"And you?" Elyria looked at me with anxiety.
"I'll check our blueprints once more," I replied. "An error of three percent has crept in somewhere in the calculations."
"Forgive the lie, in reality I am afraid to close my eyes and see again the endless blueness that beckoned me from the depths of the Heart," I uttered mentally.
Exhaling, I sat down next to the "Thundermaker."
“Well then, Thundermaker… the tower’s finished. Guess all that’s left now is Elyria’s fountain.” I uttered, looking at the stars.
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