Dark Crow Rising

"Alright, be careful. Get these sacks into the pods as quickly as possible!" a hired hand orders, his arms directing the rest about. Their groans fill the air as they move the filled capture-sacks into the pods. Hissing, then thudding, the steely-grey-rimmed tubes seal up. Further noises escape the devices as they decontaminate themselves on any corrupting magic. Looking through the thick, blue-tinted glass of one, I look at the shadow of the captured blank within.

Walking away, I run my right paw along the tube, flicking it off once I reach the end. My musket rattles behind me and I carry on walking towards the edge of the canyon. Glancing at the topside of my homeland, I grow impatient about our return. It's just over this gap, just get over there and go back to Suhurlodst and we can be on our way.

Looking down, it's only darkness and looking across, it's the near-endless mountain ranges of Jherikra.

I pull my musket around from my back and throw it up gently. Catching it by the stock, I let it fall forwards and catch the barrel in my open paw. Looking into the scope, I try to spot some towns or villages or, at the very least, signs of them. But, I really should be keeping an eye on the canyon...

Adjusting my view, I look out for our pickup as it is supposed to be coming up out of these dark depths. I just need to spot even the slightest tint of luminescent energy, which, given the utter blackness of the canyon... It should be easy. But, taking into account the two superpowers and their war, our partners need to be creative.

If it didn't make my job as lookout harder, I'd be willing to commend them for it. But it does. I couldn't care less about their troubles, only how it affects mine. Thankfully for my patience, I spot a small, seemingly distant light down in the canyon.

"There we aaare." I comment as I lower my musket. Smiling at the growing speck of green, I start to step away from the steep canyon edge. Placing a paw over my brow, I prepare to feel the blasting winds. The noise of the engines hits me first, and it grows.

Then, blowing up a cloud of dust, the machine flies overhead on a flowing trail of windy light. I can't even find the strength to complain about it. It's been so long since I have felt a nice breeze. These wastelands have nothing going for them, despite housing the God of Thunder's blessed mountain. How does the God of Storms not even have the slightest of gusts going across that damned place?

Whatever the reason is for the Thunderstricken Wastes to be like that, Jherikra has lots of it. The home of the Wind-Mountain will give me all the relaxing breezes I want. It fills me with eagerness and I start to rush back to Paps and the hired hands. That machine's going to carry us out of this wasteland of nought but still gravel and redstone at the end!

However, as I come closer, I spot what looks like an argument happening at one of the pods, "Why aren't you sealing it!?"

"It's picking up magic in this one. I can't get rid of it!" the man by the pod answers as he presents the assigned tablet.

"How does that even work? By Undwote's freezing grip... They all have the ankle bracelets on! That means no magic. They are blank!"

"It just seems to be an insect, if we just op-"

"We don't have the equipment to open them up again!" the lead one growls.

"Paps..." I mutter as I approach him. Tugging at his clothes, I end his preoccupation and knock my head in the direction of the problem. He doesn't seem to be bothered by it, though, he just checks his tablet instead.

"Problem indeed," he eventually tuts as he hands off the tablet to someone else. Staying where I am, I watch as he paces about the pod before he glances up at our crane. The hiss of metal comes at us from behind.

"Paps, they've laaanded!" I call out to him as the Academy's airship blows up the grey and red dust in the distance. Paps keeps his focus on the pod and he knocks his knuckles against it.

"In middle. It'll hide," he tells the crew before he gestures out to the crane operators. The lengthy machine gets to work, placing the faulty pod into the thick of the acceptable ones. Entombing it under the others discreetly as if it is just a part of our normal procedures. Paps returns with a straight, calm expression.

"The Aaacaaadaaamites cauld maaaybe pick it up an their sensars." I remind him, but he shakes his head. A slight, confident smirk on his lips as he does so.

"Make sure done," he tells me as he pats me on the shoulder before he heads out to meet the approaching inspectors. Sighing, I do as asked and I briefly watch over the crews as they work in contrast to Paps' unbreakable calm.

"Does someone need to look out for the boss?" one of the hired hands asks as I climb up onto the crane.

"Keep warking." I answer as I look down the scope of my musket so I can get a better view of the deal. Despite our honest transactions with the Academy, they still feel the need to do everything heavily armed. Thankfully, or not, these are not professional soldiers of any sort. But that's just the problem as well...

Our payday-saving facade would go along a lot better with those trained not to poke around. The Acadamites will be doing that themselves, sure, but the lack of discipline could rile up our nervous hired hands. A chaotic gunfight is never the kind you want. I snarl in anticipation of any trouble.

Whoever they have brought along, Thrurstradtur's State-Guard is out of the question. This umbrella does not cover Suhurlodst's private security, and its status as a school limits its ability to be excessively armed. Either these are guild pickups or estate-guards. Promises of quick and easy pay and bored young men who want to see the world beyond their homes.

But, depending on how they play their cards, a bit of adventure could hurt everyone here...

I go over each and every single one of them. Checking how they hold their gun and how they stand. Many are relaxed and looking about at the utter nothing, but a few are far too pushy for my liking. They're boys who have never been in a position of intimidation and they're looking for a cheap way into it. They seem to think they have Paps anxious or scared. The naivety is honestly quite hilarious.

But, I breathe a sigh of relief as Paps turns around. Lowering my gun, I shoulder it once again and hop down from the crane. The initial part of this part of the deal is going over without issue. Now, to see if Paps's plan work so I can either laugh about it later or fear for my patience.

Sticking to the corner of the representative's eye, I smirk as I look his clothes over. I understand that Thrurstradtur is a city built on and about a bafflingly large sundial. But the theme is almost excessive with everything this man is wearing. Copper, brass and dark browns like the polished oak on grandfather clocks. Patterns and motifs of a similar kind as well, decorate him completely.

Apparently, there is such a thing as too much pride for one's home.

Slinking away to the edge of the loading platform, I watch them as they go over everything. The crew back away as some of Suhurlodst's security sniffs about and the inspector checks the tubes. His device beeps again and again as he goes through the tubes and he starts to get nosy with the interior ones. Looking about, he nods in support of our use of the space on the platform.

Paps' plan has worked, and the inspector leaves a happy man with his guards. Or, well, as happy as these uptight professionals can be. Now all we have to do is hook ourselves up to the airship and we can be on our way. Though, I am dreading a little at how packed this thing is going to be.

All of these filled pods, our equipment and transportation, the crews to handle it all and the mamulers to pull it... It's going to be cramped. So, I make my way to a wagon quickly and claim it for me and Paps. They aren't the best and frankly; I am sick of sitting on one, but a seat's a seat at the moment.

If I could have my way, I'd like to be closer to the edge so I can dangle my legs over it. I could watch as the world just goes on by below me. But, Paps would never allow such a thing, too dangerous in his eyes. Just like how having some privacy is considered too dangerous in his eyes...

"Safe." he tells me as he runs a paw down my spines. Suddenly, a loud click fills my ears and he backs away, smiling, a chain in his hands.

"Ane af these daaays... Ane af these daaays..." I grumble as I tug at the proof of his overprotective nature. I stare angrily at him as he leans into his seat to get some shut-eye. I want to mangle him... We are not even near the edge of the platform!

Stupid old hegge...

Though it doesn't seem like I could dangle my legs over the edge either, there are no cables picking us up. Some kind of magic-based scoop picks us up instead with none of the usual hassle. It walls us in on four sides and everyone starts to move closer, away from the power. All this oppressive magic and so few places to go...

"Hey, make some room." a hired hand tells another as he immediately gets sick of the arcane pressure.

"No, stay there, keep me safe," the other answers as he hunkers behind his meat shield.

"Roll down a mountain..." the complainer swears as we cross the Redstone Canyon. Endless mountains and rising forests become our view and I am glad to be rid of the wasteland. It's repetitive in much the same ways, but I'd rather look at trees than endless grey gravel. Greenery-filled valleys broken up by dark grey rock are everywhere now.

It's so much nicer than a ceaseless field of dusty gravel. However, I am quite surprised by the lack of settlements thus far in our journey. No fortresses, castles, lonely buildings or ravineer settlements. Our path is quite the quiet one.

Turning my gaze to the sound of shaking bars, the oxfuine catches my attention. Paps seems to have heard it as well, but he otherwise doesn't care. I roll my eyes at him and hop over the wagon's side carefully. Sneering at the chain as it gets caught on it.

"Gat na file." I remind it as I am forced to lean against the wagon, the tool in question probably somewhere in my kit. However, looking closer at her, I realise that I am wrong about her intentions. She's not trying to escape from her cage, not entirely anyway. She's picked up on something that we and the technology of the Acadamites haven't.

Whatever it is, she won't stop whimpering, and she's clearly paranoid about it. I want to shut her up as it is getting annoying. But respecting instincts like these is what keeps me and Paps alive... I want to know -what- is bothering her.

At the very least, I understand that something has upset her and I want to guess that it's the surrounding magic. Even for me, Paps and our hired help, talking or not, it is uncomfortable to be around. Unlike us, though, we made a point of weakening her before she then spent quite some time in magic-blank lands.

But her eyes are not showing discomfort, they're showing fear.

Is she worried about low the airship is flying? We are flying under the snow-belt after all, an admittedly strange choice, but I understand the benefits. It keeps us out of sight of Union airships, omniships and most other kinds of aircraft. Her focus, however, is on one of the mountains.

Well, as best as her focus on it can be, anyway.

Leaning over and grabbing my musket, I jab at my father with it, "Paps."

"Trouble?" he asks, calmly rising from the light slumber. His spike-gun makes its distinct, heavy snap, and he steps up onto the wagon's edge. However, it's hard to see beyond the immediate, tightly packed crowd and the magic wall around us after them. But a loud crunch gathers everyone's attention.

"Shhhh!" someone lets out as quiet overtakes the packed platform...

Suddenly, the airship starts to shake and I stagger against the wagon as hisses and groans cover the platform. It happens again and screams join the mix along with groaning metal. The airship jostles in an instant to the right and I fall to the ground. Chaos erupts across the platform, and it nearly tramples me.

Escaping the beast-backed stampede somewhat, I notice how I am slowly sliding across the platform... The airship's being turned over!?

"HEIYA!" Paps snaps as his harness proves itself to be ironically named. Hopping down, he reaches for me and I start to move even faster on the ground.

"PAPS!" I scream as the wagon pulls me with it. Knocking down the men or throwing them overboard, I try to break the chain. Paps grabs my musket and he slides down to me with a set brow. Reaching up for him, I struggle to take my focus off the wagon as it teeters overboard.

"STAY CLOSE!" he shouts as he takes me up and fires his weapon. Shattering the chain, I scramble into his arms just as the wooden transport vanishes into the forest. Nearly everyone else and the cargo have already fallen off. Thankfully, Paps saved my gun and I take it into my tight-grip hands.

He holds onto me and we slide down the platform as the magic scoop fails. I focus on his calm expression and I try to emulate it. But, holding Paps tightly, I close my eyes as the air pushes against us. We lose contact with the ground and I try to brace myself.

Paps barks in pain as I am forced down against him.

"Paps..." I groan as the rest of the cargo rains around us.

"OSIBINDAH!" someone cries as mania spreads among us survivors.

"Paps!" I let out as I scramble out of his protective roll. Throwing aside my gun, I grab his underarm and pull as hard as I can. I can't see what's going on out there, but I can hear it. These roars, the call just now, an army of bugs are bearing down on us!

Gunshots go off all around the forest, but they're dying off quickly. Screams and roars replace them with growing speed. Some of the humans are just staggering about with concussions before giant arrows staple them into place. Everywhere is the same, even the left over Acadamites are being overrun.

My only chance is to run with Paps!

"Paps, if yau caaan staaand, pleaaase!" I beg him, as what could've only been a ballista bolt shoots past me. It shatters and the shrapnel lashes against my back. Warmth spreads across it.

"Go! Find safe!" he snaps as he gets up and shoves me back. Firing his gun for a moment, a piece of tumbling debris knocks him down.

"PAPS!" I scream, "I'm nat leaaaving yau!" I tell him as I drag him once again.

Thankfully, I manage to catch a glimpse of light in the distance. There's a safe passage that way. If not, we can at least hide beyond it. Grabbing Paps' belts and buckles, I drag him with increased fervour. The roars grow louder and I feel like they are now surrounding us!

I have to get us out of here; I have to... I have to! I have to!

"Pleaaase be akaaay, Paps!" I cry as we reach the hole. Taking a final glance out at the forest, I spot large shadows coming into view. Taking Paps' gun, I point it up at them. Going down by his neck, I keep one arm around it and I pull.

My foot suddenly goes overboard and I counterbalance myself with him!

Snapping my gaze around, I spot the sudden drop. We only have a thin, small platform to hide on. But the roars are getting closer, funnelled closer by the stubby tunnel. Heaving him through the gap, I place him near the edge and drop to his side.

I keep his gun pointed at the hole as all the noises just become those of the osibindah...

Tears flow down my face as my weapon grip shakes dangerously. However, as it gets quiet, I realise how loud I am being. Biting my arm, I huddle closer to Paps, hoping he'll somehow wake up. Shadows block out the daylight, but I refuse to look away from the hole.

At least, until my peripheral catches a glimpse of something... Circle-faced and cylindrical, a clutch of stone, serpentine things move about the air. The gun snaps into the direction of one of them, but jangling metal stops me from firing. Shaking and trembling, I stare at the flat face of the manipulated rock.

An earthy, rusty smell comes through the hole along with a three-clawed limb... Armoured completely in crushed, rusted helms, the insidious claws start to pat the platform. If I shoot at this arm or these constructs... We die... All I can do is keep my gun pointed at the arm and hope nothing happens.

It knows we are here? Does it know we are here? I've heard stories of these serpents, how they can see even with no eyes... Does it know we are here!?

No...

The limb pulls away, and the constructs follow its departure. But, my heartbeat isn't going down and my eyes are not drying even as the forest turns quiet. Letting my arm out of my mouth, I drop the gun. Panting, the tears flow more openly and I look at Paps as he lies motionless on my right.

The osibindah are pulling back. Our hired hands, beasts, and the airship crew are all dead... But, even then, there's noise in that forest. The howls of Undwote's Pack of Seven await us beyond the hole...

"P-Paps..." I cry as I hug him to the sound of the inquisitive God of Death.