The flickering gas lamps cast an eerie light on the dark alleys, accompanied by the constant whirring of cogs and gears. I leaned against a cold brick wall, watching the holographic news broadcast projected onto the side of a nearby building.

The woman spoke in Mechanish, but I understood every word. "In a stunning victory, the valiant efforts of the Mechinte Hero League have finally put an end to the six-year reign of terror orchestrated by the notorious villain, known as the Brass Baron. Authorities confirm that his body was found at the scene, marking the end of an era of fear and chaos." Her voice fell flat as her big purple eyes stared blankly into the steam-powered projector. She didnt care to share another narrative only spewing whatever propaganda she believed in like all the other Mechnites.

I chuckled, sliding to the floor. “Why would she care?” 

Though my body felt like it had been pulled inside out, it was nothing in comparison to the horrors on the screen. I felt like hurling seeing the image of my lifeless figure sprawled across the ground. The Brass Baron is what they call me. Leader of The Clockwork Shadows. Once feared and revered, now reduced to nothing but a corpse on the evening news. The gruesome vision of my chest impaled while my severed head lay lifeless on the ground sent shivers down my spine.

“They say the Brass Baron’s accomplices have been captured or scattered, unable to continue their nefarious deeds without their leader," she resumed.

Accomplices, I smiled sarcastically. That word stung more than the lash on my back. They weren’t just accomplices; they were my family, my comrades in arms. My hands crushed together, my veins seething with bitterness, yet I felt so broken I didnt have the strength to move.

I hid my face from the broadcast, the weight of defeat heavy on my shoulders. Hatred was my only constant companion. The more I tried to fight for my people — the more I tried to care, the more I always lost. That day, a singular tear slid down my face. It was humiliating hadn't shed tears since the government murdered my sister.. I even held it together when Farah died. She was a hardworking fool, even during her pregnancy she worked for the rebellion, yet in the end, she died during a bombing attack on the hospital as a warning for the Steamfolk to stay in line. It wasn’t the first time a childhood friend was taken from me. it didnt matter how hard the Steamfolk worked and fought. They were always meant to lose. Because in the end, we are always the villains. 

As I examined my wounds, I realized the handsome Steamfolken man was no more. My body seemed to be transforming to that of Mechanite traits. While most of my features remained unchanged, streaks of platinum silk ran through my raven hair. My skin had blotches of pale skin no longer matching my tailored blue coat with copper cogs. Though I suppose the blood already ruined the color scheme. 

I wanted to rip my skin off. To an outsider, Mehcnites were beautiful people but to turn into the being that took everything away from you, how could you not hate yourself? I bit my lip when I thought those words. I knew it wasn't only my body I was talking about. I had done horrible things while being a leader. I loathed to think about the guilt that weighed on my mind.  Quickly, I searched for my pocket watch to focus on something else. It was my only treasure left. my bloodied fingers traced over the engraved letters A.K. on the back, it was my sister’s writing. “Asim the protector, Khalil the friend, that means helping others right?” I remember getting smacked for ignoring her as I tried to sneak away.

My thoughts shifted to my throbbing spine. It was as if I had been sliced open and something had fused to my back, I knew that from the lacerations. I could feel its energy inside of me. A slowly glowing ruby red pulsed into my veins. It had a voice that boomed into my soul, “You must live on.”

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I didnt have the will to live, but my body had the strength. Half-passing out, I hid the watch in my coat and forced myself off the cracked pavement. I needed to find Amir, my closest companion. I stumbled through the dark alleyways hiding from any soldiers or flying scanner-bots. I had to make it past the border to the Steamfolken ghettos.

My body ached as I dragged myself forward, “One more step, One more step, JUST ONE MO-” and I collapsed. My top hat had fallen and my eyes hazed as I stared at the bronze bell tower, it felt so close yet far at the same time. On my stomach, I reached my arm towards the shining bell, “One more ste-” 

I had come to. My surroundings were completely different from the alleyway. I had been snuck into some kind of makeshift apartment room. It reminded me of home by how awful it looked: old and sketchy yet filled with warmth. Surprisingly, there was a fireplace next to an old woman sleeping on a tattered wooden cot with her baby. They were both platinum-haired.

 I stiffened, “ I have to get out of here”. I grunted.

 A little girl’s voice rose as I tried to get up. “Don’t move, you’ll open your wounds!” 

I swerved my head in her direction, she was a dusty amethyst girl wearing the most plain clothes. She pointed to my arm and chest which were tightly bandaged, hushing me to calm down. “I’m Bloem. Mum is blind, so don't worry about being seen, I won’t let anyone find you.”

I stared in shock. I snapped barely managing any words, “Get away from me, Mechanite!” It's not what I wanted to say but I didn't know what else to do. She simply smiled in response, gently like my sisters’. She was much smaller than me, but she acted quite mature.

“Have this rose”, she spoke. It was made of copper wires. As she lay it beside me, I caught a glimpse of her chapped hands. She must have made many.

Metal flowers were an old artisanal craft of Steamfolk. “ How do you-?” She grinned this time.

“My father taught me, he was a Mechanite artisan, not very common but he learned from your people. Beautiful, isn’t it? It reminds me of the legends of when the world was green.” She checked on my wounds and shared about herself. Bloem was part of a lower-class family in Coghaven, where life was a constant struggle to make ends meet. Her father, once a skilled Mechanite artisan, died in an accident and her mother had become sick. Her mannerisms and actions mirrored those of an adult, reminiscent of my people who were deprived of their childhood.

She stared at me quietly, as if wanting to comfort me. “Whenever I feel lost I remember what my papa used to say. When you feel like you're drowning in a sea of chaos, remember that even the smallest ripple can lead you to calmer waters." She looked me in my eyes, past the window, and into my soul. I knew what she meant. I nodded.

——————————————————————————

It had been what seemed like weeks, I wasn't fully healed but I was well enough to move. Bloem never asked any questions, she simply smiled and chatted with me while she worked on making her coppered-flowers. She would sell them on the streets for extra change. My blotches had gotten bigger and my hair was less dark. Somehow along the way, the madness of my mind and the evil of this world were washed away when I would see her face. We had differences in culture and differences in features but she shared every emotion a Steamfolken had, she laughed, she cried, she pouted and she worked hard. Despite my desire for emptiness and hatred, her presence had crept in like a beacon of light.

One afternoon, I opened my weekly newspaper to find that the Clockwork Shadows were planning a new attack. It was a last-ditch effort after the loss of their leader.

“This is something Amir would do.” I furrowed my brows as I read deeper however Bloem grew shaken by the news.

“Are you scared of us?” I asked.

She turned to me and spoke again, “I only fear another battle breaking out,” her voice was filled with concern for the innocent lives at stake. “I hate this, why do we always have to live in discontent with each other?”

 I knew she wasn’t asking, but she made me realize Steamfolken aren’t the only ones who want the Mechinite’s occupation to end. Something had to be done. I remembered Bloem’s father’s words, if I wanted to know more about myself, to uncover how I’m still alive and slowly changing, I had to make the change for myself and everyone else.

“Tomorrow night, sneak me past the bell tower. Leave this to me.” Bloem looked shocked at first but understood what I needed to do. 

She gave me a huge squeeze and nodded, “I’ll take you to the border.”

The patrol was dangerous that night but we managed to slip through many alleys to reach the tower. She showed me a hidden tree that helped me climb over the metal wall. 

“Someone over there!” A soldier yelled. I froze, but Bloem yelled to me as quietly as she could. “GO! You can do this, I’ve got this from here.” As I scrambled up the tree, I glanced back at Bloem, she smiled reassuringly at me, though her eyes were filled with fear. With one last nod, I climbed over the wall and disappeared into the night, leaving Bloem behind but carrying her courage with me. 

“I'm sorry Bloem, thank you." I didn't want to leave her alone, but with her faith as my guide, I vanished into the night, determined to end the cycle of conflict and suffering. No longer a puppet of vengeance, I was finally free.

(End of one-shot! Hoped you enjoyed, maybe It will become a longer story with more of the world and narrative explored.)