Dark Crow Rising

The crowd roars back at me with all they have, utter malice can be found in every word. Nearly every seat finds itself empty of a pair of buttocks just so they can clench in the air. If it weren't for the armed guard in this already crowded chamber, I have a feeling I'd be assailed by all manner of debris. Even then...

Lighting the fire in my heart first, my magic reaches out to all corners of this room, "SILENCE!"

As I want, it is mine. Everyone slowly moves back into place, a shivering shimmer in their eyes. Quaking bones and raised, hairy skin. Any other time and I'd be delighted, but not now, not when these quaking bones can be attributed to...

One of the lights wobble ever so slightly and I narrow my gaze at it. Forcing my magic into the source. It dies. Many more follow suit until I am fully enshrined in the light of the podium.

"As many of you are undoubtedly aware, this giant is coming here to destroy us." I begin again with, restarting my briefing without all the fuss this time. Baltanthan and his friend come to mind, and while I owe them many thanks, now is not the time. I'm sure he'd prefer a quieter endorsement, anyhow. Yet, despite my hopes, we have to wait for this truth to be proven.

It is all still the words of a dead girl and a reckless young man, after all.

"This giant, is a being known as Atarifuge. If that name sounds familiar, which it should, then you will know it is the name of a member of the Pack of Seven. Undwote's soul-seeking beasts. This giant, this machine, it is an artefact of the gods and goddesses. Mortal-made power cannot harm it." I explain and my eyes happen to pass over the glint of lenses. Nin is oddly piqued at the word of the divine and he clutches what made Smiling Jhurack tightly.

Perhaps he thinks he has the means? No matter... I have been guided towards our means, we will see its strength levied and power shown. Our world shakes under one divine giant's footfalls. Let it hear those of another. One that will defend us.

Screens flash up around me, repeating for a full loop, "See your enemy and what you will face. Now, see what you will turn on its form."

Segaansallis' kneeling form coming up elicits all kinds of talk and gossip.

"We know of this once-thought statue known more commonly as the Sword-Faced Giant. We know it to be divine in make, a fellow machine of similar purpose called Segaansallis. We do not have the time to properly go out there and test things, but we are trying. I have men out there in Segaansallis right now mapping and marking its machinations. Now, we need pilots for it, people who are powerful and strong in magic. You are here, for you are those kinds of people." I explain as best as I can to more mutterings.

A student rises, one with a gelled and curling quiff the colour of peridot, "You ask of us to defend our home?"

"Yes." I answer quickly to keep my mind off of any snark.

"You would ask this of students rather than soldiers?" a girl asks with the brush of her opal locks.

"I ask this of witches." I tell them sternly, minding the many who are now rising. All marked by the higher shades of magic influence on their bodies. A door at the far end of the chamber bursts open and a familiar face knocks aside my guard. Tempting the idea of taking up my weapon, I match Seigunfrei's stare. My arm rising is all that stops the rest of my men from attacking.

"AND WHAT SAYS EXCEPTIONAL HOUSE?" he calls with all he has, a small army following in after him. My eyes shift to the Suhurlodst staff members present and they panic. More and more students are joining in, all Suhurlodst's best. Each one cries their willingness, cheers on the call, and pushes for its goals.

"You do know what I am asking of you, to be clear?" I make sure to ask, more so on behalf of the faculty.

"Our home is in danger. It has been for months now. This is a problem that started within our jurisdiction. It is our duty to put an end to it. Besides, many of those you have called up anyway are our former classmates. Former dorm companions. Many of us are training to be great witches for the sake of battle and adventure anyway," Seigunfrei explains, and, minding the crowd's enthusiasm, I have a feeling this has been talked through. In private, if the faculty interfering means anything.

"All who will join willingly, head to the Gnomon. A way has already been cleared for your arrival and you will be escorted to the hangar. As for the rest of you, if you found yourselves shaking away in fear, rejoice, you're no longer conscripted." I explain, and the gap between those with brave hearts and cowardly spines widens. It's all so plain to see now.

The chamber empties quicker than I was expecting and I wave the security to head off too. All that remains in short order is a single lone figure, wrapped in bandages and cloaked in dark cloth. The Dark Crow vanishes from view. I turn to face him as he walks up the steps I will be heading down now.

"Are you sure this will work?" he asks, and my professional sternness vanishes. I choke on my words and my eyes burn all around their rims.

"I... I don't know..." I answer truthfully, for I am at my wit's end. Everything I have tried up until now has failed. The Prince has failed. All we have is the ramblings of a dead girl and her studies. Her obsession to learn, my obsession to defeat.

"Is there anything you have failed to mention?" Nin asks, stepping closer too.

"The Union is willing to contribute one final assault to aid in the giant's delay. I will be observing that from the Gnomon along with your progress." I tell him and he lets out a long noise of thought. It chitters loudly and ends in a quick snap of the jaw.

"And the final contingency?" he asks, and I turn inwards, my expression meek.

"We do not have one... This is our last chance to stop Atarifuge." I say, and he starts to walk away. He looks back to me, beak over the shoulder.

"You can count on me, just like last time," he says, departing with a starting hop. Blinking and holding a hand close to my tireless heart, I think on his words. Oddly enough, they seem to linger in my head. Not the end, the beginning.

'You can count on me.'

"You won't be able to do this yourself...?" I point out, not that he can now hear me. My body straightens out at the sound of doors slamming on the walls with denting force and I glance up. Magic comes back to me and a slew of angry teachers moves for me. My gaze hardens and I move to meet them in this hysterical debate.