Buch lesen: «Journey to the Emerald Era. Science fiction story»

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ISBN 978-5-0064-5407-1

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Chapter 1. The Mysterious Painting

1:1 Overloaded city. An old Subaru Forester, lightly dusted and with scratches on its body, moved slowly along a busy city highway. It was quiet inside the car, but chaos reigned outside its windows: honking car horns, shouting street vendors, roaring mopeds – all this mixed into one cacophony that was hard to ignore. Inside the car, an electronic clock was burning, showing 17:22 on the dashboard, September 19, 2024.

The city with its noisy, rhythmic bustle was gradually left behind, giving way to quieter suburban areas. The monotonous noise of cars began to weaken, and the air, saturated with exhaust fumes, became cleaner. The car turned onto a narrow road leading to the outskirts of the city, where life flowed more measuredly. Here the space was more open, and the air was fresh, filled with the aromas of green fields and forests.

The car slowly shifted to a smooth speed, moving along smooth asphalt, surrounded by green expanses. Ahead, on the horizon, the contours of the Zailiyskiy Alatau mountains began to appear, barely noticeable in the haze of city dust. Their snow-capped peaks, as if absorbing the last rays of the setting sun, sparkled with snow-white sparks.

In the back seat of the car, fastened with a seat belt, sat a girl. In her hands was a drawing album, but now she was only thoughtfully looking out the window. Her gaze was riveted to the clouds slowly floating over the mountains; they seemed to her like fragments of a fairy-tale world, where unseen creatures lived and exciting adventures unfolded.

The car moved further and further away from the bustle of the city, plunging into the world of nature, where silence and tranquility reigned. Soon the road became even narrower, surrounded by tall trees, whose thick crowns formed a green tunnel through which the last rays of the passing day broke through.

The countryside landscape seemed to absorb the car, erasing the boundaries between reality and dream, and gradually filling the space with a sense of comfort and safety. Each new movement of the car seemed like a step deeper into this peaceful world, where everything is subject to the rhythm of nature, and life flows measuredly and calmly.

1:2 House in the garden. The Subaru Forester slowly turned onto the narrow road leading to the house, immersing itself in the natural world that was in stark contrast to the bustling cityscape it had left behind. Beyond the windshield, a panorama of the surrounding area began to open up: green expanses stretching to the horizon, creating an impression of boundless peace and solitude. The road wound through dense thickets of trees, their branches gently swaying in the wind, casting shadows on the ground. Ahead, through the dense foliage, a garden full of well-tended apple trees began to emerge. The crowns of the trees were thickly strewn with fruit, red and yellow apples standing out as bright spots against the greenery. There were so many of them that the garden seemed filled with hundreds of glowing lights, quietly flickering in the warm light of the fading day. This landscape seemed to invite one to forget about all worries and immerse oneself in a world of harmony and peace. The car continued on its way, smoothly moving along a narrow path paved with cobblestones. The closer they got, the more clearly the house, hidden among the trees, appeared. Its bright green roof, made in the shape of a pyramid, seemed to flash in the sun, like a huge emerald sparkling in the center of this paradise. The sun’s rays played softly on its surface, creating a feeling of coziness and completeness.

The garden opened up more and more before their eyes, embracing the house and making it a part of this picturesque landscape. The car slowly moved between the trees, barely touching the asphalt, until it reached the end of its path. The whole scene around was flooded with the warm golden light of the setting sun, which softly fell on the green grass and leaves of the trees, adding a special glow to them.

When the car finally stopped, there was absolute silence all around, broken only by the sounds of nature: the rustling of leaves, the singing of birds and the light noise of the wind. All this immersed us in a feeling of calm and peace, as if time slowed down, allowing us to enjoy every moment of this beautiful evening. The garden, the house and nature merged into one, creating an ideal picture of coziness and harmony, where dreams of a house, a garden and a family seemed to come true. This moment was full of promises, filling the heart with a warm feeling of satisfaction and peace.

1:3 Father and daughter. The Subaru Forester slowed smoothly, slowly turning into the driveway in front of the house. Pulling up to the house, the car carefully drove under the carport, hiding under the shadow of the roof. The engine died down, and a sudden silence filled the surrounding space, a sharp contrast to the noise of the bustle of the city, which was left far behind. Only the light rustling of leaves and distant birdsong disturbed this moment of peace.

– Wow, we’re finally here, there were big traffic jams today, we can get out, – the driver said, turning off the ignition and looking back at his daughter in the back seat.

In the silence, the girl’s clear voice rang out:

– Dad, dad, I’m out of paint and canvas!

The driver, her father, turned to his daughter and with a warm smile reassured her:

– Honey, no problem, we’ll buy it. Mm… come on, Zhaniya, you’ll find everything you need in the Kaspi online store, send me the links, and I’ll buy them and pick them up at the parcel terminal.

A sly smile appeared on the girl’s face, and she, trying to hide her excitement, added:

– Dad, thank you, and I’ll make you an apple pie.

The father laughed, as he could not help but be happy with such offers from his daughter. He loved everything she did, and each of her creative projects was a small miracle for him.

They both got out of the car, and the evening air greeted them with a light, refreshing breeze that pleasantly cooled their skin after a long day. Dad stretched and took his backpack from the back seat, carefully zipping it up. Zhaniya, following his example, put on her small backpack and ran towards the house, full of energy and enthusiasm.

The steps on the cobblestones were clearly audible in the silence of the garden that surrounded them. Each step seemed to echo, mixing with the sound of a light breeze rustling the leaves of the trees. The house, with its green pyramidal roof, looked as if it was welcoming them, beckoning them inside with its cozy, warm walls. The bright green roof, sparkling in the rays of the setting sun, added a special feeling of coziness and completeness to the scene.

As they approached, the father paused for a moment, enjoying the peace and quiet that surrounded their home. He looked at the well-groomed apple trees, the branches of which were bending under the weight of the fruit, and felt his heart fill with pride for the space he had created, which had become a real oasis for his family.

The girl, not paying attention to this silence, was already running to the door, almost jumping with joy. Her little boots rhythmically tapped on the stone path, and her eyes shone with joy and anticipation – after all, she had so much interesting things ahead of her: new paints, a canvas, and, of course, the opportunity to spend the evening with her beloved father. Together they climbed the steps to the door, and at that moment, her father felt how all the worries and worries of the day faded into the background, leaving only a feeling of deep satisfaction and happiness. The sun was still shining, filling the evening hours with a soft, warm light, which slowly faded, giving way to a cool evening.

1:4 Apple juice. The father and daughter entered the spacious house, which immediately surrounded them with warmth and comfort. Large windows let in soft evening light into the rooms, painting everything around in golden shades. High ceilings created a feeling of spaciousness, and the walls, decorated with Zhaniya’s paintings, gave the house an individual character. Each picture, lovingly signed by the girl, told its own little story, be it bright meadows with flowers, or quiet winter landscapes captured by her childish hands.

– I have things to do! – Zhaniya shouted cheerfully, barely crossing the threshold. She threw her backpack on the floor in the hallway, immediately rushed to take off her shoes, deftly and quickly freeing herself from them. Then, like a small whirlwind, she disappeared on the stairs leading to the second floor. Her light steps sounded quieter and quieter until they finally died away behind the closed door of her room.

Erlan smiled, watching his daughter, and headed to the kitchen. Everything in this house exuded peace and happiness, every small movement and sound seemed to be harmoniously woven into its rhythm. Finding himself in the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator door, where he was met by a cool breeze of freshness. Erlan took out a decanter of apple juice, which he had recently made himself from apples picked in his garden.

Having poured himself a full glass, he took a sip, feeling how the refreshing taste of the drink filled his body with a pleasant coolness. The juice was exactly the way he liked it: a little sour, with a light sweet aftertaste. These moments, when he could relax in silence and enjoy the fruits of his labor, were especially valuable to him.

However, his thoughts were interrupted by the vibrating signal of his mobile phone lying on the kitchen table. The phone, as always, was nearby, because Erlan often received calls for work or other reasons. Seeing the name of Ruslan, his old friend, on the screen, Erlan happily answered the call.

– Hi, Yerlan. How are you? – Ruslan’s cheerful voice rang out, which always sounded cheerful, even when talking about serious things.

– Hi, Ruslan. You always feel when I’m about to call you, – Yerlan answered with a slight smile, continuing to slowly walk around the house, holding the phone in one hand and a glass of juice in the other. – I just got home from work. Here, I’m enjoying the juice from my apples. This year’s harvest was great. And how are you?

– I’m fine, like any other person, – Ruslan chuckled. – I just wanted to know how your inventions are doing. Everything is ordinary and boring here in Astana, and you’re in Almaty, the city of creativity. I miss you and want to come to you. Well, tell me.

Yerlan stopped in front of one of the paintings on the wall, depicting a starry sky illuminated by soft moonlight. Taking a deep breath, he felt excitement rising inside him. He was ready to share his latest successes and hopes with his friend.

– Yes, Ruslan, I have one serious thing, – Yerlan began, feeling excitement rising inside him. – I recently developed a completely new closed system that can extract colossal energy from air under high pressure. Imagine a small disk half a meter high that has enormous lifting force. I called this invention DAG – Disk of Anti-Gravitation. Ruslan paused for a second, digesting what he had just heard, before his voice rang out again, slightly surprised:

– Wait, Erlan, what could this be used for? – Ruslan interrupted him sharply. – Of course, it sounds amazing! But you know, I’m not an engineer like you. So what is this, what did you call it, LHC for?

Erlan couldn’t help but smile at this persistent mispronunciation.

– No, it’s called D-A-G, DAG, – he corrected his friend, continuing to explain. – So far, I only see two main applications: aircraft and power plants. Although, perhaps, other options will appear, I don’t know yet.

Ruslan thought about it, his voice became more serious:

– And how much fuel will your planes and stations consume?

– That’s the point, my friend, that no fuel is needed, – Erlan answered, his voice was surprised, as if he himself did not yet fully believe it. – Everything works on clean energy, which this system can extract directly from the air. I myself do not believe it, but the calculations confirm it.

There was silence on the other end of the line for a few seconds before Ruslan spoke again:

– Hello, Ruslan, can you hear me?

– Yes, yes, I hear you well. I was just thinking, – answered Ruslan. – I know you, Erlan, everything you do is always very serious. Have you made a prototype yet?

– Not yet, – admitted Erlan, looking around at the pictures on the wall. – I am working on improving and simplifying the design. But you know, it will all come down to funding. Without investors, I will not be able to bring it to the end. Sometimes my hands just drop.

Ruslan thought for a moment before speaking again:

– Hold on, Erlan. I am sure that the investments will come. A little patience and persistence – and everything will work out.

At that moment, a horn of an approaching car was heard outside the window. Erlan looked towards the window, his attention was distracted.

– It seems that Aida and Sanzhar are back, – he said, heading for the door. – We need to go. Let’s call later?

– Of course, I’m in touch, – Ruslan answered, and Erlan heard short beeps on the line.

Erlan put the phone on the table and headed for the exit, anticipating a meeting with his wife and son. Evening family joys awaited him ahead, and he was ready to dive into them head first.

1:5 Mother and son. The door of the house swung open softly, letting Aida and Sanzhar into the spacious hallway. The aroma of freshly cooked pizza instantly burst inside, awakening the appetite even of those who, it would seem, were not hungry. Aida, with a slight tiredness on her face, but with sincere joy in her eyes, was holding several boxes of pizza in her hands, as if she were bringing a small holiday into the house. Next to her, beaming with a wide smile, Sanzhar proudly held a Forbes magazine, solemnly raising it above his head, as if showing the world his family achievement.

– Congratulate me! – Aida joyfully exclaimed, crossing the threshold and feeling how home comfort instantly envelops her.

Before she could finish speaking, Zhaniya ran down the stairs with a light clatter. Her eyes shone with joy when she saw her mother and brother. Suddenly everything in the room came to life, filled with children’s laughter and a sense of celebration.

– Hooray, it’s a party! – Zhaniya screamed, running up to her mother and brother, her ringing voice echoing throughout the house.

Yerlan, hearing the noise, came out of the kitchen, holding a still unfinished glass of apple juice in his hand. His face lit up with a smile when he saw that his entire family, gathered at that moment, was overflowing with joy. He watched with interest as the children gathered around Aida, as if she had brought not only pizza, but also something much more – a feeling of happiness and peace.

– Dad, look! – Sanzhar exclaimed, quickly running up to his father and proudly showing off the magazine. – Mom was published in Forbes!

Yerlan took the magazine from his son’s hands and, smiling as he flipped through its pages, saw the flashing faces of famous businessmen, politicians and public figures. On one of the spreads, his gaze lingered on an article whose title read: “Modern Neurology: Standards and Challenges.” An approving smile appeared on Erlan’s face.

– This is great, and I thought that only big businessmen and politicians were published here, – he said, continuing to leaf through the magazine.

– And now big scientists, – Aida added with a smile, watching how her success pleased her family.

– Well, I didn’t even notice how big you became, – Erlan joked, slightly raising one eyebrow.

– Now you’ll get it from me, – Aida responded with a playful threat, pretending to swing the magazine.

The family scene filled with laughter when Erlan pretended to defend himself from an imaginary attack, and Sanzhar and Zhaniya giggled, watching their parents’ cheerful squabble.

– Dad, why didn’t they publish you? – Zhaniya suddenly asked curiously, turning to her father.

Yerlan looked thoughtfully at his daughter and then, with a soft smile, said:

– When our Sanzhar finishes his studies with flying colors and becomes a famous journalist, he will publish me in Forbes. Sanzhar, will you publish about dad? – Yerlan asked with a smile, turning to his son.

– And me, publish me in Forbes too, Sanzhar! – Zhaniya exclaimed, jumping up and down.

Sanzhar grinned, imagining his little sister appearing on the cover of a magazine with a sly smile, and answered:

– No, I’d rather go into the film business or create a YouTube channel, – Sanzhar said thoughtfully, as if already imagining his future.

Yerlan laughed quietly, understanding that each of his children had their own dreams and ambitions, but added admonishingly:

– Wherever you go, children, the main thing is to have an excellent basic education. Study well, and then you will become as smart as your mother, and you will be published in Forbes.

Zhaniya frowned, suddenly changing her mind:

– I don’t want to anymore, don’t publish me in Forbes, – she said, crossing her arms over her chest and frowning.

Sanzhar noticed this and, laughing, suggested:

– Dad, do you want me to publish about you in our university magazine KIMEP Times?

Yerlan shook his head with a smile:

– Oh… no, don’t publish me in the university magazine, – he said, smiling slightly. – This is too great an honor for me.

Sanzhar giggled and teased his father:

– Dad, you’re like Zhaniya – sometimes you want it, sometimes you don’t.

Zhaniya frowned slightly, feeling that her brother was joking about her, but she did not fully understand what exactly he meant, and so she remained silent.

– Actually, let’s publish one article in your magazine, – said Erlan, looking thoughtfully at his son. – But only when I finish my invention.

At that moment, Aida, having laid out the pizza on the table, called everyone to dinner:

– Everyone to the table! It’s time for dinner!

The family headed to the kitchen, once again feeling the coziness and warmth that always accompanied such moments. The evening was just beginning, but it was already felt that something special was waiting for them ahead, something that would forever remain in the memory of each of them.

1:6 The appearance of a mysterious picture. The family dinner was coming to an end. The table was set, the pizza was almost eaten, and in the center stood a carafe of apple juice, a reminder of this year’s bountiful harvest. A quiet, calm evening, when each family member enjoyed the moment together, created an atmosphere of coziness and warmth.

Yerlan, raising a glass of apple juice, looked around the people gathered around the table.

“The pizza was wonderful,” he began, smiling slightly. “I want to make a toast in honor of our wonderful mother, who today proved to the whole world that science is power, and that behind every great achievement there is a person who is not afraid of challenges.”

“Hurray! Our mother is great!” Zhaniya cheerfully supported, clapping her hands.

Aida, playfully bowing her head, added:

“This won’t do, I want a gift, I want a gift!”

Zhaniya suddenly remembered her surprise and joyfully exclaimed:

“I have one!” – She suddenly jumped up from her chair and quickly ran to her room.

Aida, looking at her daughter with curiosity, turned to the others:

– Well, you see, where are your gifts?

Sanjar, grinning, offered:

– I can show you a trick.

Yerlan, slightly confused, found himself:

– And I… Ah… Well… You know, I love you so much that all words lose their meaning.

Aida just shook her head, still smiling, and quietly added:

– Okay, you’re always like this. I’m kidding, don’t worry.

At that moment, Zhaniya ran into the room, holding a painting in her hands. Her eyes shone with pride as she handed her creation to Aida.

– Wow, how beautiful! What is this, daughter? – Aida asked with admiration, carefully examining the work.

– It’s a city! – Zhaniya answered proudly.

Aida looked at the picture with admiration, then handed it to Erlan:

– Look, your daughter painted it!

Erlan took the picture and, looking at it, smiled broadly.

– Wow! It’s a flying city! – he said with surprise and admiration.

– That’s right, dad, it’s a flying city! – Zhaniya confirmed, raising her hands up, as if trying to reach the imaginary sky.

– Beautiful, very beautiful, as always. You’re doing great, daughter. I think we need to hang this somewhere in a prominent place. Maybe in your room, Sanzhar? – Erlan suggested, handing the picture to his son.

Sanzhar looked at the picture, and his face lit up with a smile.

– Ha-ha, flying cities, flying cows! – he joked, slightly mocking his sister’s work.

Zhaniya immediately frowned and her eyes filled with tears. She snatched the painting from Sanzhar, clutching it in her hands, and without saying a word, ran out of the room.

Aida, observing the situation, smiled softly, trying to defuse the situation:

– Okay, don’t worry, don’t pay attention. This is adolescence, the girl is growing, a normal physiological process.

Erlan, still looking in the direction where Zhaniya had run off to, sighed with slight regret:

– All the same, Sanzhar, you are already an adult, five years older than your sister. You need to be a little gentler with her.

Sanzhar nodded, realizing his mistake, and quietly replied:

– Okay, dad, I realized my mistake. I think I’ll go to my room.

Erlan smiled at his son with approval:

– Come on, be a good boy.

Sanzhar got up from the table and slowly walked to his room, thinking about what had happened. Aida and Erlan remained at the table, continuing to discuss the past day. The warm evening, filled with mixed feelings and thoughts, was coming to an end, leaving behind a feeling of satisfaction and anticipation of something new.

1:7 Computer game. Sanzhar, leaving his parents in the kitchen, slowly walked up the stairs to his room. His thoughts were still wandering around the recent dinner and Zhaniya’s resentment. He realized that he had done wrong, and now this thought weighed on him. Opening the door to his room, he plunged into the familiar world of technology and games, where every element was carefully selected and configured for productive work and rest.

Sanzhar’s room was filled with coziness and an atmosphere of creativity. On the table there were two monitors, which softly glowed with multi-colored lights, reflected in the keyboard with a bright backlight. A poster on the wall with the logo of their joint game Unity of War reminded him of the current project, which he and Lesha had been working on for several months. This corner was a place for Sanzhar where he could immerse himself in a world created by his own imagination and technical skills.

Sanzhar sat down at the computer and quickly checked which of his friends were online. As soon as he opened the game, a message from Lesha appeared on the screen: “Hi! Let’s test the new version?” Sanzhar typed back: “Come on! How are you doing, by the way?”

Unity of War loaded quickly, and their characters found themselves in the center of a virtual world filled with dynamic battles and intense strategies. It was a complex project that required both of them not only technical knowledge, but also creative thinking. While they fought other players, the dialogue between the friends continued.

“How are your studies?” Sanzhar asked, dodging an attack from an enemy who unexpectedly jumped out from around the corner.

“Fine, I’m continuing to delve into programming,” Lyosha answered, his voice sounding focused. “They give a lot of homework at KBTU, but it’s interesting. How are you?”

“Everything’s fine with me,” Sanzhar answered, pushing his way through enemy lines. “By the way, our game is almost ready for testing. How’s the programming going?”

“It’s going well, but sometimes there are bugs,” Lyosha admitted. “And now I’ll need to fix a few things. Lags at the most inopportune moment…

Sanjar heard the disappointment in his friend’s voice as the game suddenly slowed down, and then a “lag” appeared on the screen, freezing the characters in place.

– There, you see? That problem again. I’ll have to dig into the code again, – Lesha sighed heavily.

– Yeah, – Sanjar felt his friend’s annoyance. – Okay, don’t worry. You’ll cope, as always.

– I hope so, – Lesha sounded a little upset. – Okay, I need to go figure this out. Then we’ll discuss how to improve the graphics and sound.

– Okay, let’s go. Good luck, – Sanjar said, exiting the game.

The room was filled with silence again, interrupted only by the noise of the fans in the computer. Left alone, Sanjar immersed himself in his thoughts. Zhaniya’s grievances and the tension in his relationship with his sister suddenly seemed more important than the bugs in the game. Deciding it was time to apologize, Sanjar stood up and headed for the door to go to his sister and make peace.

1:8 Reconciliation with the younger sister. Sanjar quietly approached the door of Zhaniya’s room and knocked, trying not to be too loud, but not too quiet. There was no answer. He waited a few seconds, then knocked again, this time a little more insistently. From behind the door came the muffled, slightly capricious voice of his sister:

– What do you want?

Sanjar thought for a moment about how to best reconcile with his sister, then smiled slyly and suggested:

– Let me show you a new trick?

Quick footsteps were heard behind the door, and a few seconds later Zhaniya ran out into the living room, her face glowing with anticipation. She always adored tricks, especially when Sanjar showed them. She sat down on the ottoman, ready for a new magic show, her eyes literally shining with anticipation.

Sanjar, pleased that he had attracted her attention, stood opposite his young spectator. He began to manipulate the cards, deftly shuffling them in his hands so that they seemed alive, then took several other props out of his pocket – small balls, handkerchiefs, coins. Zhaniya did not take her eyes off him, her attention was riveted to every movement of her brother.

With each passing moment, the trick became more and more impressive. The cards magically disappeared and reappeared, the coins unexpectedly turned into multi-colored balls, and the handkerchiefs tied themselves into knots. Zhaniya sat, holding her breath, with a wide smile on her face.

However, their passion for magic was interrupted when Aida’s voice was heard from the kitchen:

– Children, you have to get up early tomorrow! Get ready for bed, tomorrow is work, university and school!

Zhaniya, although she sighed, her face still glowed with a smile. She looked at Sanzhar and said with sincere gratitude:

– Thank you, Sanzhar, it was great.

Sanzhar, feeling that the moment had come to finally settle the relationship, extended his hand to his sister and, smiling, said: “Peace?”

Zhaniya, still smiling, nodded vigorously and shook her brother’s hand firmly. It was their little reconciliation, a gesture that meant more to both of them than any words.

– I have a favor to ask of you, – Sanjar began, slightly nervous. – Can I hang your painting of the flying city in my room? I really liked it.

Zhaniya narrowed her eyes, her gaze became sly, but there was not a drop of offense in it:

– Okay, take my painting… but only if you play chess with me.

Sanjar raised his eyebrows in surprise, knowing that chess was not his favorite game, but quickly agreed:

– Okay, for such a beautiful painting I am ready to play a game with you. Let’s do it tomorrow.

Zhaniya happily jumped up from the ottoman and ran to her room. A moment later she returned, holding the painting in her hands. She handed it to her brother with special trepidation, as if she were handing over something precious, and then, saying “Good night,” she ran back again. Sanzhar turned the painting over in his hands, admiring its details once more, and, with a slight smile on his face, went to his room. He felt that he had taken the right step by making peace with his sister, and with each step toward his room, this thought brought him inner peace and satisfaction.

1:9 Falling asleep. Sanzhar carefully closed the door to his room, leaving the evening bustle of the house behind it. Silence reigned inside, broken only by the muffled sounds of the night garden outside the window. The room was immersed in semi-darkness, which was barely dispelled by the light from the street lamps breaking through the curtains. Sanzhar put Zhaniya’s painting on the table and looked at it thoughtfully. The flying city depicted by his sister seemed simple and surprisingly complex at the same time, reflecting Sanzhar’s own inner world at that moment – full of contradictions and hidden meanings.

He slowly approached the bed and sat down on the edge, feeling how the softness of the mattress pleasantly gave in under his weight. Thoughts about the past day swirled in his head: his mother’s success, an awkward moment with Zhaniya, the technical difficulties of the project with Lesha. All this intertwined, forming a complex picture, like threads in thick fabric.

Sanzhar remembered his father’s words that the future depends on the efforts and diligence of each. These words, although simple, had a deep meaning that was only now beginning to reach him. He had always wanted to create something meaningful, to leave his mark on the world, to prove to himself and others that he was capable of more. The project with Lesha had ceased to be just a game – it had become the embodiment of his desire for self-realization. His gaze returned to the painting. “A flying city…” Sanzhar thought. There was something attractive in this image, something that made him think about the future. Perhaps Zhaniya’s childhood fantasy contained a metaphor for their shared dreams – a desire for more, for a world where they could realize themselves completely.