The Last Bell
In a world where time was a currency, the lives of people were dictated by how much time they had left. This was a world that existed in parallel to ours, but the rules were uniquely their own. The name of this world was Horologium, a kingdom where each newborn was given a 70-year time allowance inscribed on a brass ring. As they grew older, they could earn or lose time based on their deeds. Thus, the inevitable inequality emerged; the rich could buy time, while the impoverished fell victim to time poverty.
In the heart of Horologium lived a man named Elden, he had always been a simple, righteous man, and over the course of his humble life, he had come to own but a sliver of his original allowance. As an old man, Elden had but three days left when his granddaughter, Lila, was born. Dreading the thought of never seeing her grow up, he worked tirelessly to earn just a few more seconds.
Lila, despite their time disparity, adored her grandfather. Elden enchanted her, recounting stories of ancient legends and forgotten folk tales. But as time wore on, Lila grew distressed, realizing that soon, she would wake up to a world without her beloved grandpa. Desperate to save Elden's life, she concocted a plan.
The aged King of Horologium owned the largest time reserve in the land. Legend said that he had procured an ageless clock that would ring only once more, on the day of the kingdom's end. The Last Bell, they called it. If she could find it, Lila believed she could trade it for her grandfather's life.
Emboldened by her love for her dying grandfather, Lila embarked on her quest. Journeying through the kingdom, she met many others suffering from the unjust system that had ruled them. Their stories fuelled her perseverance. With each passing day, Elden grew closer to his end, but Lila refused to give up.
Her search led her to hidden ruins, treacherous mountains, and deadly forests. After several weeks, Lila found herself standing in front of an ancient hidden cave. Inside, she discovered the King’s colossal vault filled with stacks of bells, each representing the lives of the kingdom’s wealthiest. Hidden among these piles, she found the time-bound Last Bell.
As the Bell's resonant sound broke the silence, time seemed to halt momentarily within Horologium. Lila, cradling the Bell in her arms, emerged from the cave, her spirit vibrant with victory. But as she ran home through the frozen city, she felt a pang of sadness for the many faces etched with despair over their fleeting lives.
Upon reaching the king's palace, Lila offered him the Last Bell. The king, shocked by her audacity and her daring journey, admired her bravery. But instead of offering to buy the Bell, he proposed an alternative: if Lila rang the Last Bell at the center of Horologium, ending the kingdom’s reign, he would ensure every citizen would be given equal time distribution, including Elden.
With her heart pounding in her chest, Lila accepted the King's offer and rang the Last Bell for all of Horologium to hear. Its deep sound echoed through the streets and alleys, creating ripples of change within this time-bound kingdom.
As the Bell’s toll faded, time started moving again. Only this time, things were different. The brass rings of every citizen glowed anew, including Elden's. And as promised, the engraving on each ring was equal, providing every citizen the opportunity to live without the fear of scarcity of time.
As Elden embraced his granddaughter, tears welled up in his eyes, not due to his age but because of the immense pride he felt. Lila had not only saved his life but had also revitalized Horologium, thus giving hope to lives that had been suppressed under the chains of time.
The tale of Lila and Elden went down in the annals of history as a beacon of hope. Life in Horologium continued, and time eventually became a companion rather than an ominous ticking clock. Lila’s story is a timeless reminder that courage, determination, and love are the most potent forces against any tyranny.