Chapter 67: The Light Begins
Morning sunlight touched the rooftops of the village as Caelen stepped outside, rubbing his eyes. Today was the day. The electricity project had taken almost a week. Everyone worked hard—Garin dug with the kids, Borin carved wood and stone, Dorgrim shaped copper wires, and Zira helped wherever she could.
Now... it was time to test it.
Caelen walked to the river where Borin and Dorgrim were already waiting. The wooden waterwheel stood proudly, half-submerged in the stream. It turned slowly from the gentle current.
"Morning," Caelen said, smiling.
Borin yawned. "You better pray this works, boy. I didn't carve that thing just for it to spin like a toy."
Dorgrim laughed. "We've got the wires ready. Coils are in place."
Caelen nodded, then walked to the small box made of stone and wood where the coil and magnet system had been hidden. He checked everything again, just in case.
"Alright. Let's try."
He gave a signal. Borin opened a wooden gate, letting more water rush to the wheel. The wheel spun faster. The shaft inside turned, spinning the copper coils around magnets. Nothing exploded. Good sign.
Dorgrim ran inside the small shed where the wires led. He stared at the metal rod stuck into the ground and the small metal bulb above it.
Caelen held his breath. "Anything?"