Grand Magister Lucian stood at the expansive window of his opulent office, gazing down at the bustling city below. From this lofty vantage point, the citizens appeared as tiny, insignificant specks scurrying about their daily lives.

Lucian's attire was as extravagant as his surroundings. He wore an elaborate ensemble, tailored to perfection. A deep maroon frock coat adorned with golden embroidery billowed around him, its long tails nearly grazing the floor. Beneath the coat, a pristine white waistcoat contrasted sharply with the dark fabric. A cravat of the finest silk was meticulously tied around his neck.

There has been something on his mind lately. In the past few weeks, a series of murders have been conducted in the dead of night. At first, it was believed to be unconnected but murder has been conducted in the same brutal fashion. A cut on each arm, their eyes removed, and finally disemboweled. It was a most perplexing case with bodies found across the city. A curfew had been enacted but the miscreants and criminals of the city could not be leashed that easily.

A brisk, efficient knock on his office door disrupted his musings, and he turned to see the Commissioner of the Gear Gate Police Force. Commissioner Bergen was a man he could trust to lead his police force. He was loyal to the law and most importantly loyal to him.

"Grand Magister," the Commissioner began, his voice steady and respectful, "I have further developments in the ongoing investigation into the serial killer."

Lucian's icy blue eyes bore into the Commissioner "Speak," he said, his voice measured and authoritative.

The Commissioner, his face etched with gravity, hesitated for a brief moment before shaking his head. "Words won't suffice, Grand Magister. Allow me to present the evidence."

Without waiting for consent, he slid a file across Lucian's immaculate desk, the ornate woodwork gleaming under the soft glow of chandeliers.

Lucian opened the file, his gloved fingers sifting through the contents with deliberate care. His eyes settled on a photograph and looked away in disgust. “The body was found near the Church of the Goddess of Light. The priests are demanding compensation for desecrating holy grounds” Commissioner Bering informed. “They threatened to cease the revivals of souls if they are not repaid in full”

The Grand Magister rubbed his temple and flipped to the next page. “The doings of a madman are not the responsibility of the city. The Clergy themselves must be mad if they expect us to cave into their demands. They are nothing but a bunch of coin-grubbing greedy taint-faced bastards!” His voice grew louder and louder with each passing word until he finally ended it with a bang of his fist on the desk. “Fine give them what they want but they will not expect a second chance”

“Very well sir, I will inform the treasury when I depart” the Comissioner saluted and began to walk out before stopping. “Before I forget there is also another issue”

Lucian was handed another file and his brow furrowed with confusion. "Who is this man?" he inquired.

The Commissioner's response was succinct, "Edmund Reiner, a criminal charged with the abduction of Princess Alexia Giradin of the Felucia Kingdom. Our intelligence suggests that he and the princess are currently within Gear Gate's borders."

"I have no interest in the affairs of common criminals," he stated flatly. "Take whatever action you deem necessary, Commissioner."

As the Commissioner retreated, taking the file with him, Lucian's thoughts resumed their course. There was little room in his mind for trivial matters, for he considered himself a grand conductor orchestrating the symphony of Gear Gate's progress. Was he not the man who invented Galarium, the very thing that powered this city? The March of Progress stops for no man, and certainly not for a killer or a kidnapper.

~~~

Ed stood by the window in the cozy room he'd spent the night in, his eyes fixed on the bustling streets of Gear Gate below. From his vantage point, he could see the city's residents going about their morning routines, each one a unique character in the grand narrative of life.

Some hurried along the cobbled streets, as they embarked on a new day's work. Others lingered by the street vendors, savoring the aroma of freshly baked bread or engaging in lively conversations. Laughter, stern expressions, and moments of quiet contemplation filled the canvas of his view.

As he continued to observe, a gentle knock came on his bedroom door. Ed turned, the corners of his lips curving into a warm smile as the door creaked open to reveal a young girl with a shock of golden hair and bright blue eyes. Her half-mechanical body pulsed gently in the sunlight.

"Good morning," she greeted him, her voice soft and cheerful, like the first rays of the sun breaking through the clouds.

Ed's smile broadened as he responded, "Good morning to you too."

The girl, Emily, entered the room, her small frame moving with grace and confidence beyond her years. She wore a simple dress that was impeccably clean, a contrast to the chaos of Ed's travel-worn attire.

Emily's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she examined Ed. "You must be the one Daddy brought home last night, I wanted to speak with you but Daddy said I had to sleep," she remarked innocently

Ed nodded, charmed by her straightforwardness. "That's right. I'm Ed. Nice to meet you, Emily."

She returned the greeting with a shy smile, her fingers lightly tugging at the hem of her dress. "Daddy said you're an Adventurer," she said, her voice tinged with awe.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ed chuckled softly. "Well, I've had my fair share of battles, but I'm not as fearsome as your imagination might make me out to be."

Emily's curiosity got the better of her, and she asked, "Do you have any cool stories about your adventures?"

Ed leaned down, as if sharing a secret, and whispered, "I might have a few stories up my sleeve. But how about we save those for later? Right now, I think we have a delicious breakfast waiting for us."

As Ed and Emily descended the creaking wooden stairs, the tantalizing aroma of breakfast greeted their senses. The rich scent of sizzling bacon mingled with the comforting fragrance of freshly baked bread, and beneath it all was a hint of herbs and spices that promised a flavorful meal.

Alexia sat at a sturdy wooden table, her posture regal even as she waited for breakfast. She offered Ed a nod of acknowledgment as he joined her.

Clayton, the man responsible for their warm welcome, was in the midst of culinary efforts. He moved with practiced efficiency around the small kitchen, his sleeves rolled up as he expertly flipped pancakes and tended to the sizzling bacon in a well-seasoned skillet.

With a flourish, Clayton presented the morning's feast: a hearty breakfast that included golden-brown pancakes drizzled with maple syrup, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs infused with herbs, and slices of freshly baked bread slathered in butter. The meal was completed with a bowl of mixed fruits.

"Here you go, folks," Clayton said cheerfully, placing hot plates in front of them. "Dig in."

The sight and aroma of the meal were irresistible, and Ed didn't waste any time. He dug into his plate with enthusiasm, savoring the delicious flavors. Alexia was slightly perturbed at the animal beside her. He wasn’t like this while on the road. At least Emily displayed manners her father had likely instilled in her.

As they ate, Ed broached the topic he had been considering. "Clayton, I was wondering if you'd be willing to show me around the city later today."

Clayton paused, considering the request, before a thoughtful look crossed his face. "I'd be happy to, Ed. But I also have another proposition."

Alexia, her gaze lifting from her plate, looked inquisitively at Clayton, while Emily's eyes were wide with anticipation.

"As you know I'm a bounty hunter," Clayton explained, "I track down individuals with bounties on their heads, typically criminals or those who've crossed the wrong people like yourselves. Perhaps you can join me on one of my contracts"

Ed's brow furrowed as he considered the offer, and Alexia was quick to voice her concerns. "Bounty hunting can be incredibly dangerous, Ed. We've already faced our fair share of danger on this journey."

Clayton nodded in understanding but continued to address Ed. "It's true, it's not without risk. But it's also an opportunity to get stronger, to become a formidable warrior and earn some coins along the way."

Ed's gaze drifted to his plate, and he remembered the harrowing encounter with the winged bear. He knew, deep down, that he needed to grow stronger to protect those he cared about.

After a moment of contemplation, he looked up, meeting Clayton's gaze with determination. "I'll do it. I want to learn, and I want to become stronger. Besides I’ve been reading the book that we bought and I would like to practice those moves out in the field"

Alexia hesitated, opening her mouth, likely to object again, but then something in Ed's gaze seemed to sway her opinion.

With a sigh, she relented. "Very well, Ed. But promise me you'll be cautious."

Clayton offered a nod of gratitude to both Ed and Alexia. "You won't regret this decision, Ed. We'll start right now"

As Ed prepared to depart with Clayton, Alexia halted him. "Ed, could you hand me your spear for a moment?"

Ed, somewhat surprised, unsheathed his spear and handed it to her. Alexia closed her eyes briefly, focusing her energy on the weapon. She mumbled incantations under her breath, her fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air around the spear. A soft, ethereal glow enveloped the weapon for a moment.

"There," Alexia said, returning the enchanted spear to Ed. "I've added a minor enchantment to it. You can call it back to you by simply willing it to return. But be careful; it can only do this three times before the enchantment fades. It’s something I learned a while back but enchantments are not my area of expertise"

Ed nodded in gratitude, genuinely touched by her gesture. "Thank you, Alexia. This will be incredibly useful."

"Today's contract is relatively straightforward," Clayton began, now walking beside Ed on the streets. "We're tracking down a rogue airship captain who's been operating outside the city's regulations. He's causing a ruckus in the skies, and the authorities want him brought in."

Towering spires of metal and glass reached for the sky, their surfaces adorned with intricate designs and the ever-present hum of machinery. Steam billowed from pipes that crisscrossed between buildings, wires hanging everywhere you could find.

As Ed and Clayton walked through the bustling streets, they passed vendors peddling all manner of goods, from mechanical trinkets to exotic street food. The air was filled with the clanking of gears and the occasional hiss of steam.

As they strolled, Ed began to inquire about their destination. "So, how do we get to the air docks, Clayton? I assume it's quite high above the city."

Clayton nodded, his gaze directed toward a distant point in the sky where airships soared. "You're right, Ed. The air docks are suspended above the city, connected by a network of walkways and platforms. We'll need to climb a set of stairs to reach them."

Their conversation shifted, and Ed's thoughts turned to Emily. "By the way, Clayton, I couldn't help but notice that Emily seems to be quite fond of you. Your profession is quite dangerous you know, will she be alright if you’re gone especially in her condition?"

Before Clayton could respond, their trek brought them to the base of a towering structure that led to the air docks. A seemingly endless staircase spiraled upward, disappearing into the heights above.

Clayton glanced at Ed and, with a wry smile, said, "Best not to waste your breath talking, my friend. We've got a climb ahead of us. Follow me."

The climb to the top of the seemingly endless staircase had left Ed and Clayton winded and weighed down by their heavy equipment. Ed had begun to question the wisdom of this adventure, especially as exhaustion crept over him. Regret seeped into his mind.

Finally, they reached the top of the staircase, and the wind whipped against their faces as they stepped onto the platform. Clayton wasted no time and approached an engineer who was overseeing the airship docks.

"Excuse me," Clayton began, "we're looking for this man. Do you know where we might find him?" He showed him the bounty poster.

The engineer, a bespectacled man with grease-stained overalls, pointed toward a distinctive airship moored nearby. "That's the one you're looking for, the Iron Raven. But I reckon she's been empty for a while now."

Ed and Clayton approached the Iron Raven, and Ed couldn't help but admire its unique design. This was his first time seeing an airship up close. The airship was a blend of metal and wood, with a sleek and streamlined hull. A pair of propellers jutted out from either side, and the ship seemed ready to take flight at any moment.

Clayton, however, had a different idea. He began to climb onto the airship, and Ed, confused and concerned, called out to him. "Clayton, what are you doing? This isn't a good idea!"

But Clayton was determined. He scrambled onto the Iron Raven's deck, and Ed reluctantly followed him. As they stood on top of the airship, Ed's heart pounded in his chest. He grabbed Clayton's arm and asked, panic in his voice, "Why did you do this? We should get down!"

Clayton's eyes were fixed on something, and he seemed unperturbed by Ed's concerns. "If we draw attention to ourselves, the rogue Captain might show himself," he explained.

Clayton's response was cut short as the airship suddenly rumbled to life. The propellers began to turn, and Ed's panic turned into sheer terror. "Clayton, what have you done? We're moving!"

As the Iron Raven slowly began to lift off the platform, they began to hang on for dear life. Somebody must have been on board but they couldn’t see them. As the airship lifted into the open sky, defying gravity itself, Ed could feel his breakfast coming up.

He was really starting to regret this now