Dawn broke with a pale light filtering through the shop’s dusty windows. Elias, Finn, and Clara gathered around the ancient clock, their faces marked with determination. Elias had spent the night mapping out their journey, tracing the locations of the other clocks based on old records and his own knowledge.
"The first clock," Elias began, "is in an old monastery, hidden deep in the mountains. It’s well-protected, but it hasn’t been accessed in centuries. We must assume it’s been left undisturbed—though we can’t be sure."
Clara, still digesting the revelations of the night before, nodded. "If we’re retrieving these clocks, how do we protect them once we have them?"
Elias looked at her with a serious expression. "We can’t simply retrieve them. Each clock must be kept in a place where its influence on time can be managed. Moving them too much can cause more harm than good. Our goal is to secure them, ensure they aren’t tampered with, and, if necessary, lock them away where no one can reach."
Finn, who had been silent, finally spoke. "What about the people who might already be searching for them? How do we stop them?"
Elias glanced at Finn, his eyes shadowed with worry. "We don’t know who they are yet, but make no mistake—they’ll be powerful and well-prepared. Our advantage is that we have the knowledge of the clocks’ true nature, and we know what’s at stake."
As they prepared to leave, Elias handed each of them a small, intricately crafted pocket watch. "These are more than just timepieces. They’re linked to the ancient clock here. If you’re in danger or need to return, these will guide you back to this shop, no matter where you are."
Clara slipped the watch into her coat, feeling its reassuring weight. Finn did the same, though his mind was already racing ahead, imagining the dangers they might face.
As they stepped out of the shop, the early morning air was crisp, filled with the scent of dew and the promise of a long journey. The town was still asleep, unaware of the mission that had just begun.
The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: the safety of time itself now rested in their hands. And they had no choice but to succeed.
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