Chapter 58 - CH 57 - The Anvil of the Past

The white-hot arc of the TIG welder was more than just a tool; it became the metronome of their new existence. The slow, deliberate construction of the Chimera's frame was a meditation in steel, a daily practice that demanded absolute focus and patience. Each morning, Adrian would begin by meticulously cleaning the shop, a ritual of preparation that bordered on the sacred. The tools were laid out in their specific order, the floor around the jig was swept clean of any debris that could contaminate a weld, and the air compressor was drained of moisture. This order was his bulwark against the chaos of ambition and the ever-present specter of failure.