The torrential rain had not ceased. It had even shown signs of intensifying. The frenzied winds, carrying the cold rain, lashed against the towering outer walls of the Deep Sea Cathedral and its stained-glass doors and windows, as if mimicking the City-State's dense and chaotic heartbeat.
In the square before the City-State, steam walkers and steam tanks had already completed their assembly. The fully armed guardians were silently sealing off all the roads.
Atop the bell tower at the rear of the cathedral, a special fire basin had been lit. Refined whale blubber mixed with shavings of Sea Breath Wood burned fiercely in the basin, the flames in the storm shining like a beacon guiding ships home. Enhanced by a special focusing mirror, this bright flame was even clearly visible across a good part of the City-State.