Dark Crow Rising

"Alright... So I just need to? Ah, ok, thank you." I tell the mute helping me become acquainted with the firing controls of the Gnomon's main gun. Or Thrurstradtur's, rather.

I look to my right and then my left, at the two screens showing me two parts of the world. One's a full image of the city itself along with officially hidden mechanisms within it. The other, the Guider of the Gnomon who has received the honour of being the one to aim the blast at the giant.

Ornately armoured in almost useless, ceremonial armour, the proud visage contradicts their reality. The Guiders of the Gnomon are a secret to all but the highest within the very source of their name. They're a group that is mere rumour to everyone else and they are all sworn to secrecy and effectively, the hermit's life. Each spot of isolation is a key strategic point in the pathing of the weapon.

Conduits that let us aim at any incoming army or threat and wipe it out.

I quickly glance at the tall tower on the knight-like figure's back and return my view to the city itself. Per the instructions I was given, I had to order the complete lockdown of the city and the grounding of all air traffic. No witch or airship is allowed to be in the air and in a rare case of compliance, Suhurlodst is doing as asked without contention.

Even that Union Prince's airship has detached itself from its moorings and headed to a designated safe spot. Now, we just need that final call to come in. I've heard enough about the civilian population being 'up in arms' about the sudden daytime curfew, but... Rather that than they be staring up at that giant.

I drum my hand on the edge of the weapon's gilded console. The process I need to turn it on goes through my head and I come to a stop at a sudden discrepancy. The instructions the mute has given me, it's only been for turning the weapon on. What do I need to do to fire it, then? Not a clear button to push here, it's all in ancient script.

"Grandguard Inerish, this is Gnomon Command, the lockdowns are almost complete." a voice calls from the sound system we brought in. I can't reply, the Guiders won't allow it. There's barely anything in this chamber that will allow me to communicate with the rest of my forces. Rather oddly, as well, they apparently do not fall under my authority, even with emergency powers.

The Guiders of the Gnomon are a completely independent group with a pretty clear failsafe. Although I have done no wrong, all of their guards within this chamber have their weapons ready to fire on me. I want to ignore the speartip jabbing into my back. So dense with magic that it's turned the steel a minty green.

I was already privy to the kind of power the city's weapon has, as the Grandguard, I need to know. But, when it has all this protection and exclusive privilege for the wardens, I have to wonder how much I know. Maybe my imagination is not good enough, what I was told was downplayed. A weapon like this could surely destroy more than just the giant if I turned my eyes upon other targets.

"Lockdown procedures have been-" one of my men start to say before a Guider shuts off the speaker.

"Commence." the one responsible orders, his left arm covered in a fabulous cloth and at an angle over his abdomen.

"Very well... Goodbye, Mr. Giant." I click, going through the process the mute shows me. A heavy metal thunk thunders throughout the chamber. I can almost hear the echoes of alarms going off all throughout the city. More locks snap open.

Shaking a little and grabbing the console, we start to move. My stomach clarifies our upwards direction and I can't help but gulp. I lock my gaze onto the holographic depiction of the city and it widens. Lips part.

Entire skyscrapers are sinking underground and the walls are sending out some kind of skyline cover. Smaller buildings are bringing down their shutters and the Gnomon is splitting apart. Pieces of it I once thought to be decorative or mere structural supports find new purpose as magic and machines remake the building. Halolight breaks through and burns me of my sight.

"Ow..." I grumble, blinking the issue away while my hair catches on the howling wind. Moving around slightly, the walls of the chamber break away and I shrivel up. I can feel it coursing through the metal... Every whisper of the city's magic supply is at our beck and call.

The mute brings my focus back to the console and he starts to show me the rest of what I need to do. Following his instructions, the floor starts to glow and the Guiders set aside their weapons. As if they're caught in a religious trance, they drop to their knees, seemingly praying. Armour glows and its flow passes on to the next part.

The entire city is an arcane lance and these men have to direct such grand power. I gulp again, the mere presence of all of this already causing me to suffer. The mute takes my hand and he guides it to the firing button. Eyes I paid no mind to earlier stare me down and I try to back away.

His mouth opens, "Fire."

"Fire." I repeat, pushing the final button and giving birth to stars once more. The magic swells and pumps, going through the Guiders and building up into some kind of sphere. I check the holographic depiction of the unrecognisable city and spot a lone figure focusing it all. They rise into the air, hands raised above their head while the orange and yellow energy swirls.

The sphere reverses course and contracts. The Guider starts to hold it within the palm of both of their hands. They come to their side and their legs spread. Their palms thrust forward and all of the sky splits open.

Another Guider catches it and sends it further and then another and another...

I smirk in anticipation, my eyes southward.