“They have reached the door of the throne room, my Sentinel. This is my final dance.”Empress Elara Alaric's voice was calm. So calm, like the center of a storm, that even the thud of Vexxos's sledgehammer against the bronze door echoed throughout the marble-floored chamber.Outside, the Annual Gear Festival had transformed from a celebration of industrial progress into a whirlwind of screams and mass slaughter. Thick, jet-black smoke billowed from the park pavilions, carrying the ozone smell of energy weapons and the coppery tang of blood.“This door will hold for another 7.4 minutes, Your Majesty,” Grimbolt reported.Its three-meter-tall chassis glinted in the light of the crystal chandelier. It stood between the throne and the door like a motionless fortress of steel and bronze. Its yellow optics scanned every corner while its machine's processors raced inside.“The evacuation protocols have been activated,” Grimbolt said again. “Prince Valerius is safe in the chamber behind the th

“Again,” Grimbolt growled.He attacked once more with all three tons of weight pushed by pistons powered by desperation and promise.This time, a sharp cracking sound was heard. One of the giant hinges at the top snapped, sending a shower of rust dust down. The gate tilted slightly, creating a small gap on one side.“He broke through!” the Vexxos team shouted again.Grimbolt didn't stop. He struck again a third time, hitting the exact same spot. A painful metallic screech, and finally, the second hinge broke.The giant gate fell, crashing into the tunnel on the other side with a deafening crash. The impact even created a makeshift bridge over the deep sewer.Meanwhile, Valerius remained hunched over, closing his eyes and holding his head to prevent the rain of rust dust from hitting him.Grimbolt stumbled forward with smoke billowing from his dented shoulder.“Continue,” Grimbolt ordered Valerius.Valerius raised his head. The fallen gate opened before him.“We move,” Grimbolt said ag

“I told you. You’re just a dinosaur waiting to die,” Jax said again. This time he smiled cruelly. “And I’m the meteor.”Jax's triumphant voice echoed through the damp valve junction. He raised his vibrating dagger, the pale blue blade reflecting in his hate-filled eyes.Beneath his feet, the dying Grimbolt's optics flickered. And its light dimmed rapidly, almost to the point of extinction.“An overblown metaphor,” Cogs squealed from Grimbolt’s grasp, his voice hoarse with fear but still sharp. “Meteors are blind and stupid things. At least it suits you.”Cogs's words reminded Valerius of Elara. The bird's words seemed to be something Elara would say when she didn't like something. It either amused him or made him even sadder. He couldn't decide how he felt at the moment.Jax ignored the mechanical bird's words. The man savored the moment of victory over a legend.“I’ll tell Commander Kael that you fought bravely,” he said to the still-defenseless Grimbolt. A moment later, he chuckled

“Don't even think about taking him,” Valerius whispered breathlessly.A sudden thought occurred to him, and it was all he could do. He grabbed Jax's second vibrating dagger from the floor, which the man had thrown earlier, activated it, and threw it like a spear at the unstable pile of pipes above Jax's head.It was a weak throw, but enough. The trembling blade struck a fragile support pipe, and another section of the ceiling collapsed. This time, it landed directly in front of Jax, temporarily cutting off his path.“Now, Cogs!” Valerius ordered.Inside the workshop, Cogs used all his strength to try and peck at the lever labeled “Crane.” A loud buzzing sound was heard. The crane sprang to life and began moving along its tracks toward the door.Valerius frantically hooked the giant crane hook onto one of Grimbolt's shoulder plates.“Pick it up, Cogs!” he ordered again.The crane tensed. Its motor roared in protest. Slowly, inch by inch, the crane began to lift Grimbolt's body off the

“For now,” Grimbolt said. He tried to stand, and this time with great effort, he managed to rise and lean heavily against the workbench. “But he’ll definitely be back. And he’ll bring more friends.”Valerius stared at the shattered door. They had won the battle, but they had turned the fortress into a marked target. The peace only lasted a few minutes.“So, what do we do now?” Valerius asked. He felt more tired than before and thirsty.“Now,” Grimbolt replied. His optics scanned the damage to his own leg. “You’re learning to be a mechanic. And you’ll learn fast.”“Me?” Valerius replied, his voice choked with shock. “I’m a prince, not a mechanic. I don’t even know how to change a light bulb.”Valerius looked at the still-sitting Grimbolt and then at the shattered door. The reality of the situation hit him with renewed force. They weren't safe for long, and they were only buying time.“A plain and sad fact,” Cogs screeched from his perch atop the control lever. He then flew down and lan