Dark Crow Rising

Putting my hands together, I squeeze them tight and sigh into the gap my thumbs have made. The hot air quickly feels wet and I let go to put my palms on the wood of my desk. Looking around at everything, I try to avoid the map. I fail.

Our reworked battle line is about to enter firing range and we shall soon see if we have the means to win. We've been getting somewhere with our changes to the bombs and shells used. But, still, the giant is continuing to march ahead without interruption. I have committed all the soldiers, guns and aircraft I can to this operation and if it doesn't...

Shaking my head and wincing at the tightness accompanying my next breath, I get up. Moving to the map, I narrow my gaze towards the steady change of its features. The icon representing the giant moves a bit and the ground ahead is gone. All gone.

I guess, in a way, I should be thankful that we know how this aura seems to work these days. Our traditional means of setting up fortifications doesn't matter, the stakes and walls will crumble. However, now we have the chance to try something new. Casted magic lasts longer than what is internal, so, we've been stocking up on shield projectors and other similar technologies.

I've managed to scramble some guild witches also to provide additional magic power to these defences. With any luck and if the worst comes to pass, we can get our guns right up against the giant. I also have to consider the possibility of maybe using the Gnomon's weapon again. If the giant pays mind to the soldiers more, I may be able to deliver a killing blow.

A heavy sigh parts my lips and my eyes depress with my shoulders. But at what cost would such a move bring? The Gnomon is a weapon that can wipe out an individual mountain-state and even the largest armies. If I fire the Gnomon so close to the men under my command then I will just end up wiping them out.

Forming a fist with my left hand, I take the index of my right and rake the knuckles. The finger rises above my head and I shake the hand like a warrior would roar with his axe. I sigh again, unassured that Waionr heard my prayer. I'm not even sure if he will be able to find the dead, there's nothing to find once the giant has walked over them.

The door to my office opens and I flinch at the surprise noise. My secretary peeks in and straightens up once she catches sight of me. Putting my attention on her, I try to sort out my mood. She gives me a slight smile that I fail to return.

"It appears to be time, Grandguard Inerish." she explains and I take one final look at the map.

"So it would seem." I mutter, watching the giant's icon cross over into the limits of our longest-ranged guns. Though I am exposed to no noise, I can still hear the thousands of batteries open up with electric howls. Even with wind magic as their main source of strength, even whistles can sound energetic.

"Good luck, Grandguard Inerish." my secretary wishes as I start to walk. Reaching the rim of my office, my chest tightens again and I look back at her.

"Save the luck for those currently manning the guns. They need it more than I do." I tell her and a hand grabs my shoulder.

"Do not be so short-sighted. Now, go save our country." she says, smiling with all she has and I manage to get one out. Nodding a final time, I take in a deep breath and get to walking. The front of my office bids farewell with the motion and noise of the door. Those outside offer me their salutes and I march ahead.

Reaching the command centre faster than I can blink, my eyes set themselves in firm stone. I go down into my chair and start putting in the commands needed to give me a total view of the ongoing battle. Surveillance craft are currently following along at the giant's side so we can see how deep our efforts are going. There are so many shells in the air that it's as clear as watching the rain on a windy day.

Flocks of bombers grander than any bird migration roar above, their power falling through the sky. The bombs hit the edge of the giant's aura and go deep, sinking like a brick in a pond. Fire blooms too early and is quickly eaten up by the aura. Some shots start to strike at the rear of the giant, our earlier probing attacks now in position.

The men and women around me carry commands and updates about so those in the field are in the know. Their words disrupt the noise of the screens and I lean back into my chair slightly. I watch one bomb make it further than the others, its magic shining bright. So close, it makes it so close, almost to the giant's knee as it makes one more step.

It explodes just short.

I relax my body out of the enthrallment it was just in and dull my senses with the sight of failing volleys. I type in a few commands and get some warships to circle around and fire from there. Other aircraft are ordered to transport some witches to provide them with fewer variables to account for with their spellfire.

The giant doesn't care, it pays us no mind and another step shakes the earth. I can't help but lose myself in the dunes it leaves in its wake. The magic in the air rushes back into this voidious land and the magic ignites. The wind loses its elemental gift and almost turns into pure raw magic.

It settles down into being an inferno at just the rim of the desert, one that I hope in time will receed.

"Next artillery line, move into position and open fire." I order, snapping out of the trance.