The Grand Exhibition Hall of Aethelburg was a cathedral of progress. Its ceiling was a vast dome of crystal and brass, and the air buzzed with excited chatter from the city's most important people. Artificers in their finest robes, wealthy patrons in shimmering silk, and high-ranking Magi all gathered to witness the future. In the center of the hall, on a raised platform, stood the main attraction.
The Aetherium Regulator was a masterpiece. It was a tower of spinning brass rings, glowing crystal tubes, and intricate clockwork mechanisms. A sphere of pure, stable Aetherium energy pulsed at its core, a tiny, man-made sun. It was beautiful, and it was a lie.
Master Corvus stood beside the machine, his chest puffed out with pride. He wore his ceremonial white and gold robes, looking every bit the visionary leader. He smiled and waved to the applauding crowd. He was at the peak of his life, the most respected inventor in the city.
Hidden in the shadows of the upper maintenance catwalks, Valerius and Elara watched. Dressed in the dark uniforms of the stage crew, they were invisible to the crowd below. From their high position, they could see everything: the arrogant smile on Corvus's face, the admiring looks of the audience, and the quiet, steady glow of the stolen machine. Valerius felt a surge of cold, focused rage.
"It's almost time," Elara whispered, her eyes on the grand clock at the far end of the hall.
Below, the master of ceremonies stepped up to the podium. "And now," his voice echoed through the hall, "it is with great honor that I present the man who has single-handedly redefined our future! The master of modern artifice, Lord Corvus!"
The crowd roared with applause. Corvus stepped forward, basking in the adoration. He raised his hands, and the crowd fell silent. "My friends, my colleagues," he began, his voice smooth and confident. "For years, we have dreamed of limitless energy. We have dreamed of a future where our city knows no bounds. Today, that dream becomes a reality!"
He placed a hand on his creation. "I give you, the Corvus Regulator!" he declared. As if on cue, he signaled to his technicians. The machine began to hum louder. The rings spun faster, and the central sphere of energy grew brighter, filling the hall with a warm, beautiful light. The crowd gasped in wonder.
High above, Valerius looked at Elara and nodded. It was time. While Corvus was receiving his applause, they slipped away from the catwalk and headed towards the service tunnels below. The grand performance was about to have a new, unexpected ending.