Sana stood at the front of the barracks, addressing her team under the golden glow of the morning sun. The light danced off her determined eyes as she held a rolled-up blueprint in her hand, radiating confidence and purpose.
"Today, we move forward with two critical projects: the crane and the vehicle," she announced, her voice firm and filled with conviction. "These machines will redefine how we manage logistics and transportation within the walls. To make this happen, I've brought in someone whose skills are unmatched."
Behind her, a tall man stepped forward, his soot-streaked hands and confident stance exuding a quiet authority. His name was Hudson, a renowned blacksmith from the underground. Tales of his mastery—creating durable alloys and crafting intricate mechanisms—had reached even the furthest corners of the city.
"This is Hudson," Sana introduced him. "He's the reason many of the underground's tools and mechanisms function as smoothly as they do. With his expertise, we'll achieve the efficiency we need to make these projects a success."
Hudson gave a curt nod, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs of the team. "I'm here to work. Just tell me what you need, and it'll be done."
Farlan smirked, crossing his arms. "Straight to the point. I like him already."
Sana smiled and laid out her plan. The last project she worked on—an induction motor for a submersible pump—had been a technical marvel. The submersible pump's intricate design allowed it to operate efficiently underwater, making it invaluable for deep-water applications like bore wells, firefighting, and oil extraction. Sana explained its mechanisms to inspire her team: the centrifugal impeller system, the pressure-boosting multiple impellers, and the motor's innovative cooling system.
"This time," Sana said, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, "we're aiming even higher. The barracks and noble houses are getting ready for water supply, and the crane and vehicle will set the foundation for transforming transportation and agriculture."
The team split into smaller groups, each tackling the initial stages of the projects.
For the crane, simplicity was the key. Sana sketched a framework with a rotating base and a hydraulically operated boom. "Hudson, the main challenge is the alloy for the boom and cables. We need strength without adding too much weight."
Hudson examined her detailed drawing, his eyes narrowing in focus. "Leave it to me," he said, already envisioning the materials he would forge.
Meanwhile, the vehicle design focused on utility. It was to be an oil-powered car with a sturdy chassis and a basic steering mechanism. The metal tires meant low speeds for now, but Sana had long-term plans to develop rubber suitable for faster vehicles. These vehicles would eventually transport cargo, agricultural produce, and even passengers.
"Alisa, focus on the engine," Sana instructed. "It doesn't need to be fast, just reliable."
Alisa grinned. "I'll get it running like clockwork. Your designs are pure genius, Sana-san."
The team buzzed with energy. Farlan and others assisted Hudson in crafting gears and joints while refining the welding for structural integrity. The barracks echoed with the rhythmic clang of metal and the hum of innovation.
Progress was steady but not without setbacks. The first crane test ended with the boom buckling under weight due to a miscalculation in stress distribution.
"We need more support at the base," Franz observed, his frustration evident.
Sana nodded, her resolve unshaken. "Back to the drawing board. Hudson, can you reinforce the base with thicker plating?"
"Already on it," he replied, hammering away at the forge.
The vehicle faced its own challenges. During its first trial, the engine overheated, causing a smoky, dramatic halt.
"We'll need better heat dissipation," Alisa muttered, frowning at the faulty engine.
"Let's line the pipes with copper," Farlan suggested. "It conducts heat better."
Sana smiled at the collaborative spirit. "Good idea. Let's make it happen."
---
Months of relentless effort paid off. One crisp morning, the team gathered for the final test of the crane. The boom stood tall, its reinforced frame gleaming in the sunlight. A heavy crate was secured onto the hook, and Farlan turned the crank. The pulley creaked, but the crate rose steadily off the ground.
"It's holding!" Alisa exclaimed, clapping her hands.
Sana grinned. "Now let's rotate it."
Franz activated the mechanism, and the boom smoothly swung the load to the side. The team erupted in cheers, their collective pride evident.
The vehicle's triumph came a week later. The car rolled forward, its simple yet robust design a testament to their ingenuity. Layina and Isabel giggled from inside as the vehicle moved. Levi watched from the sidelines, arms crossed but with a faint smile.
"Looks like you've built something useful," he said as Sana approached.
"Just useful?" she teased.
Levi smirked. "Fine. Impressive."
--
Later that evening, as the team celebrated, Levi found Sana sitting outside the barracks, a cup of tea warming her hands.
"You should be inside," he said, sitting beside her. "They're celebrating you."
"They're celebrating us," Sana corrected, her voice soft. "It wasn't just me."
Levi's gaze softened. "You bring out the best in people. Even in a place like this."
Sana met his eyes, her expression steady. "And you keep me grounded. Even when things feel impossible."
"You know," she added with a light laugh, "I've been working on a secret communication project alongside all this. It's top-secret, but I can't wait to show you."
Levi reached for her hand, his thumb brushing her knuckles. "We've got a long way to go, but you make it easier to believe we'll get there."
Sana leaned her head against his shoulder. "Together, Levi. We'll get there together."
Later that evening, as the sounds of laughter and celebration drifted from the barracks, Levi found Sana sitting alone under a sprawling oak tree. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea.
"You should be inside," Levi said as he approached, his voice gentler than usual. He stood beside her, his posture relaxed but his eyes watchful.
"They're celebrating us," she said with a small smile, not turning her gaze from the stars. "It wasn't just me."
Levi studied her face, tilted slightly downward toward her. Even sitting down, her presence felt strong and steady, her posture radiating grace. "Sana, you bring out the best in everyone. Even me."
Sana finally turned to him, her brows knitting slightly. "And you keep me grounded, Levi. You're my constant." She laughed softly, her voice laced with a hint of nervousness. "You know, I've been working on a secret communication project all this time. It's top secret, but… I couldn't resist sharing it with you."
Levi smirked, his usual stoicism tempered by warmth. "I'm not surprised. You never stop, do you?"
Her laughter faded as she noticed his serious expression. "Levi, what's on your mind?"
He hesitated, his breath catching in his chest. Then, slowly, he stood, turning to face her fully. Sana's heart quickened as he knelt before her, looking up slightly to meet her gaze. His hands, steady on the battlefield but now trembling, reached out to take hers.
"Sana," he began, his voice quiet but laden with emotion, "I've faced a thousand battles, stared death in the eye more times than I can count. But this… This is the hardest thing I've ever done."
"Levi…" Sana's voice was barely a whisper, her breath hitching.
"I've wanted to tell you for so long, but I kept finding reasons to wait. The world we live in… it's cruel, unpredictable. I've seen it take away too much, too soon." His grip on her hands tightened slightly as he looked up, his silver eyes glistening. "But you… you're the one thing in this world that gives me hope. You're the one person who makes me believe there's something worth fighting for beyond survival."
Tears filled her eyes as she squeezed his hands, her voice trembling. "Levi…"
"I don't know what tomorrow holds," he continued, his voice breaking slightly. "But I know I don't want to face it without you. I want you by my side, Sana, in every battle, every quiet moment, every sunrise and sunset. Will you marry me?"
Sana's world seemed to stop. Her chest ached with the weight of her emotions, and the tears she'd been holding back spilled over. A soft laugh escaped her, shaky but filled with joy.
"Yes," she said, her voice unwavering despite her tears. "Yes, Levi. A thousand times, yes."
Levi let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. A rare, genuine smile broke across his face as he rose. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as though she were the anchor keeping him steady. His head tilted, resting gently against her as her embrace surrounded him with warmth, a perfect haven in the chaos of their world.
"I can't believe this is real," she whispered, her voice muffled against his hair.
Levi pulled back just enough to cup her face in his hands, brushing away her tears with his thumbs. "It's real, Sana. And I promise you, no matter what happens, I'll protect this. I'll protect us."
Their foreheads touched, and for a moment, there was nothing but them—their shared breaths, their intertwined hearts.
"I love you," she murmured, her voice trembling with sincerity.
"And I love you," Levi replied, his voice steady, the words carrying all the weight of his feelings.
Then he kissed her, slow and deliberate, pouring into it everything he couldn't express in words. The world around them faded away, leaving only the warmth of their love and the promise of a future they would face together.
When they finally broke apart, Levi rested his forehead against hers, a soft smile playing on his lips.
"We'll keep this between us for now," he said. "But one day, everyone will know. I'll make sure of it."
Sana nodded, her smile mirroring his. "As long as we have each other, that's all that matters."
They sat together under the moonlight, their hands clasped tightly, the weight of the world momentarily forgotten in the strength of their love.