Dark Crow Rising

Minding the crowd, I slip away to an open spot of the hangar and watch the cranes work. An old ride is being brought out to ferry us across the distance. This time, I don't think I will try what I did back then. Or, maybe I will be forced to this time?

Exceptional House has certainly turned out for this event. I think anyone even remotely involved with combative magic is here. Perhaps this is in relation to that contract the Gnomon put out way back when? Suhurlodst was quick to stamp down on any involvement when too many people weren't coming home.

Guild jobs are such an easy way to find true experience as a witch, the danger teaches much.

Maybe their reasons are personal, maybe they're egotistical and glory-minded. Either way, many of these people aren't outcasts like me. They have someone waiting for them. Despite Liadanann's words, I doubt this is anything but a show. She's still here, but first chance she gets and I am sure she will disappear. This isn't her fight and I am not worth looking after. Yet, she is.

Seigunfrei approaches, his body doing a fairly good job of hiding any anxiousness. I'm not sure if this is in line with how he usually is, but I know he's risked his life before in order to play the hero. He tried it all those years ago during the Inter-House with Rose. He stuck by me as my sparring partner with Smiling Jhurack. Man's eyes are just set on the Orbital-Halo and its heights.

"I take it you are here to be more than just a chaperone?" my friend asks and I nod once and firm. If need be, and if it can be achieved, I will be all that needs to fight. I can see Larishazza again... This lot can all see their families again. The home they save will have people within that need a son or daughter to hold with crying joy.

What better pride can a father have in his son than to greet a hero? Daddy's little girl will come back as the fighter he always knew her to be. Mother will kiss all the small wounds and treat them with endless favourite meals. For a time, she will even tuck them back into bed again, whispering, 'My brave little hero...'

"I am here to take responsibility." I say, getting some of this accursed knowledge out of my head. Whatever is motivating the giant, I can't help but feel I am related to it. At least, I know I am the one responsible for breaking the glass. One more reason for Liadanann to stay away. She does not deserve to die for my mistake.

"Strange way to put it." Seigunfrei goes, kicking up a spot on a nearby crate. Quiet between us takes root, and it almost blossoms into noise. I mind the many people being guided up into the airship.

"Does Lorreabry know?" I finally ask, and he shakes at the mention of her name.

"She does. She's argued right viciously to me about it, too." he tries to laugh out but it all turns to awkward curdle. Not quite the wine he hoped, I don't think.

"You should have listened to her." I point out, and he shakes his head.

"No, I'm doing right by the gods and my conscience by doing this," he explains, his brow setting and arms crossing.

"Why?" I question and his expression, posture, it all remains the same. Surely there's more to this than that short-lived speech he gave?

"Many reasons. One of which is to do with you. I have the experience when it comes to fighting you. She doesn't." he goes and I focus in on the end. He's not talking about his girlfriend, that's for sure.

"Liadanann asked this of you?" I ask him.

"No, she's only spilt her heart out to me about what happened before you got back from that exciting spiral-train ride." he goes, his glare hurting more than it normally does. Guess I've really been out of the loop as to what has been going on with old involvements.

"It is of no concern to you." I point out.

"It has been since I said I would help her. You're a slippery roach, Nin." he goes and I match his harsh stare with one of my own. Oh, a bug reference, haven't heard one of them from him in some time, haven't I? Last time he did it as well, I'm pretty sure I left that fight victorious. Every other fight since then, too.

The ground scrapes and my feet thud. He matches my stance and backs down not one inch as I lean towards him with a growl. His head shakes and his final direction entices me to follow. A woman with red skin and pinkish coloured hair waits nervously in a world of her own.

"Whatever is going on with you needs to end now. Before you try anything and I know full well you will. If you can so viciously chase someone for five years straight because of what he did, you're damn right I believe you'll be an idiot of the utmost, finest kind." he goes, referencing that which she shouldn't.

"Larishazza is the only woman I will ever love. The only idiotic thing I did was try and make a promise to her! One that meant letting go of her..." I nearly roar down his face with my mask off. Yet, before I can, my emotions die and go flat. I look at the floor and then to my claws. My tired and exhausted body.

"If you love her, you will keep that promise. Do not spite it. Stop chasing the dead." he all but orders and I can't help but laugh with all I have. It's so silly. Such a silly concept. So many eyes are on us now.

"Why? I've been dead before. It's a ship sailing in a cavern that circles the world. On board is a family you could never even dream of, but they're all so memorable and engaging. Amusements we could never think up are there, entrances to worlds from way before. So little is different from being alive. It only takes one accident for Undwote to not be able to do his job. One little accident for me to see her again... Not just anyone, the one who saved my life. The one who took pity on a crying bug in a dark corner with a broken knife at his... A silly little insect going through the motions. One day after another, closer to his execution." I let out with a hiss and his expression reflects what he knows.

He knows very well his part in all of this.

"ALL THAT REMAIN, PLEASE BOARD THE AIRSHIP!" a man calls through a turned up speaker and I shrug my shoulders with a snort. Guess I'm riding outside again, regardless. My magic snakes around the aircraft's hull with experience's temperance. Tight enough to keep me secure, loose enough to keep the vehicle unscathed.