The Gray Tower (Being Rewritten as The Erstwhile Druid)

Chapter 29.1: Obsidian Rodeo

Mayday stood on the spire of the Chamber of Commerce. Clouds swept past her, puffs of white cotton chased by streaks of gray. She closed her eyes and listened.

Cries.

Shouts.

Wings.

Dragons.

"Five..." Mayday whispered. The wind howled in reply.

Gales threatened to rip her azure cowl away, sneaking into the creases of her robe.The cloth rippled and flowed like a snake searching for its prey. She would teach the wyrms a lesson, one that they wouldn't have the opportunity to regret. There's always a greater predator. It's an eat or be eaten world.

It just so happened that she was hungry.

The tell-tale stench of cinder and ash dirtied the air. Mr. Air, it will all be fine soon. She snapped her fingers. Air curled around her right thumb, whimsical gusts spinning in miniature cyclones. Wound tendrils stacked on top of each other, multiplying exponentially in size.

She flinched. The wind tore against her will, probing for its freedom. It moaned, a low-toned dirge echoing through the cavernous skies. Wings beat in the distance, cutting through it's ephemeral form. The wind snapped and bit, longing to remove the interloper from its endless territory.

Her stomach growled. I should've eaten breakfast. She sighed, red tresses weaving in the wind. Beads of sweat dripped down her forehead.

The outlines of the five dragons grew. In seconds they would be blotting out the horizon. Grimacing, her hand shook, wind growing wilder. A few more minutes and she'd have to set the element free.

Mayday shook her staff. "Obsi, how long are you going to sleep?"

Shut up, mortal. The black orb on her staff rippled, transforming into a mouth. It sneered, teeth blackened. Yawning,  it burped, a puff of black smoke dissipating into the air.

"Twelve hours, and you're still sleeping. I destroyed an entire tribe of ice giants a hundred times until you managed to drop. If you're going to be asleep all day, I'm going to freeze you and toss you back into the Frozen Flats." Mayday flicked the orb, removing a swath of black gel. The gel fell, then was sucked back into the orb with a slurp.

Why do you interrupt the great Obsidian's slumber, mortal? I will rip you apart with my... my... The black orb stretched then compacted, becoming a tiny figurine. It pointed at her face. Ugh.

"Threats from a foot-tall person..." Mayday shuddered. "I'm quaking in my boots."

Yeah, yeah. Mortals and their sarcasm. The figure solidified, features becoming more distinct. It remained black, but its eyes were the color of fresh violets. Sneering, it hopped onto Mayday's shoulder.

"Obsi, I need your help."

No. Obsidian does not bow to the whims of a human girl.

Mayday coughed, clearing her throat. "Let me rephrase: you are helping."

The figure crossed its arms and thrust out its chin. No. Where is the sacrifice? You must offer a treasure, an object or memory you hold dear. Only then will I —

"This is not a negotiation, you stupid twit." The sorceror flicked the figure's head. "Now, hurry up before I squish your brains and turn you to ash."

Quieted, the figure's shoulders wracked with sobs. So mean... I think you gave me a concussion.

"We have thirty more seconds before both of us are turned to ash."

Fine. You win. The figure ran and jumped toward Mayday's hair. Melting to its orb form, it splashed, seeping into her.

She peered up, catching a glance of black hair, her red tresses stained ebony. Magic flowed through veins, oozing from her very pores. I feel so alive...

You have three minutes before the fusion becomes permanent, Obsidian said.

"Yeah, yeah..." Mayday raised her staff, tapping it lightly against the roof. A hum echoed through the air. "Let's slice these dragons to bits."

The sorceror focused her mind, filing away memories, feelings, thoughts. She would become one. She had to become one. The wind did not bend to another's will. To control its powers, she'd have to exist within its realm. Follow its rules. Let the corruption have free reign.

The weave spoke to her, and she replied.

The sprites called to her, and she cooed back.

Mayday beckoned the wind, and air itself responded. Her staff twirled. The gust channeling around her right hand wrapped around the staff. Within its silver body the rage of a hurricane resided.

She aimed her staff at the dragons. "Amplify. Tempest."

A huge gust propelled her backwards, hurtling her off the roof. She grunted as she hit the ground, black ooze seeking from her body. "Thanks for the save, Obsi."

Wouldn't know what to do with myself if you died, girl. The black ooze reformed into a orb, retaking its place above the sorceror's staff.

She turned to the sky. Three of the dragons plummeted to earth, cut to ribbons by the wind blades she'd unleashed. Two remained, roaring at their companions' demise. Fire sprayed from their mouths, incinerating a row of unfortunate houses.

They were reduced to ash within seconds.

Next, the dragons turned their fury to the Chamber of Commerce. Streams of flame erupted, engulfing the building in hues of orange and red.

The fire faded, slogging off an invisible barrier.

The Chamber of Commerce remained standing, none worse for the wear.

"Forward thinking." Mayday struggled to her feet. "Good thing I left a few Blue Riders there."

You were blessed with brains, but your height? Not so much. Sadly, brains can't make up for a lack of physical traits —

"Shut up." Mayday flicked the orb. "The rest is up to the merry band of three."

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Hello! Thanks for reading as always. I've been away recently due to moving, and finding a new job. I'll have more time to write soon hopefully, but I'll be trying to update weekly. Also, here's a picture of Madeleine drawn by the awesome @myepic. She's awesome!

Best,

Peter