In the 22nd year of the Glorious Era, tensions mount as the first pilots vanish one by one. Dr Gloria Vain seemingly laughs as worlds burn and a young man finds that his gifts place him at the forefront of the coming conflict. Can the drums of war that beat at the heart of progress be stopped? Can love truly bloom on the battlefield? Is pride in one’s legacy enough? Or is this all just Vain Glory?  [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]