Countdown Clank

I popped free from the wire whisk and marched straight toward a round chrome kitchen timer parked beside the cookbooks! It sat on the wooden shelf like an armored silver dome stamped with black numbers. Mechanism challenge accepted! I planted my boots firmly on the shelf, wrapped both hands around the knurled metal dial, and hauled clockwise with all my strength. Click-click-whir! The internal spring wound tight, and a rapid, hollow tick-tick-tick buzzed straight through the wood. I stepped back, resting my pixel sword against my hip as the dial crept. Then—DING! The bell struck with a sharp, ringing chime that vibrated right under my soles. Pure mechanical power!