The second evening of the Grand Ball had transformed the Imperial Palace into something approaching pure magic. As midnight approached and the world prepared to welcome 2048, the celebration had reached a crescendo that would be remembered for decades. Every surface gleamed with enchanted lighting that shifted through spectrums of color, while the music and laughter of hundreds of international dignitaries created an atmosphere of genuine joy despite the underlying political tensions.
I stood on one of the palace's grand terraces with my five girlfriends, watching as fireworks began to paint the sky above Avalon City in brilliant displays of light and color. The temperature control systems maintained perfect comfort despite the December date, allowing us to enjoy the outdoor spectacle without any of winter's usual inconveniences.
"Ten minutes until midnight," Rose observed, checking the elegant timepiece that had been a gift from her father. "Are we ready for this?"
