Side Story - The journey of a thousand miles may begin with a single step, but nobody said it had to be done alone_Binary Soul

Side Story - The journey of a thousand miles may begin with a single step, but nobody said it had to be done alone

> Dorri Flintsprocket PoV <

I stare intently at the cliff wall. The exposed gold vein glistens teasingly in the sunlight, taunting me. Mocking me. What a cunt.

“You sure it will work this time?” (Dorri)

“I have no doubts whatsoever that we shall succeed!” (Enuri)

“But we already failed twice…” (Dorri)

“So? Dis one simply may takes more den one try. There is no rush.” (Umph)

Not for you maybe, but I’m at the end of my rope here! These titan blokes are way too carefree! Ah, technically speaking I’m trying to become one of them now, so I should probably stop belittling them inside my head.

“Fear not! For I am here!” (Enuri)

“Yes, yes, so you keep saying, mate.” (Dorri)

I gaze up at the direction the voice is coming from. I don’t know why though. I can’t even see him. I get it that he’s this ‘Lightbinder’ and all, but that doesn’t mean he gets to be invisible all the time! I can only tell where he is by the sound of his voice, it’s incredibly awkward! Not to mention that endless optimism of his is really starting to really rustle my Jimmies!

“Aaaargh I need a pint! Or fifteen!” (Dorri)

“Short One, if dis is really dat much of a bother, perhaps you should be making this tribute all on your own, hmm?” (Umph)

Gah! As if I need that blockhead to get smart with me! But still, he has a point. I can’t actually do it on my own. That’s why I had to ask the both of them for this favor in the first place!

“Sorry mate. I appreciate the help, I really do. I just don’t like failing like that.” (Dorri)

“Worry not. Not a single one of us has succeeded in their first attempt at a Tribute to Gaia, but it is an important step towards fully understanding what it means to be a titan.” (Enuri)

“Is that right? Even you had problems?” (Dorri)

“Yes, of course! Well, technically speaking the sun still turned out a little bit wonky in the end.” (Enuri)

“Right…” (Dorri)

I get why he made it that way, the intention there is clear. Rather than suffer the randomness of Mana Storms, you store that excess energy and release it all at once at set intervals. If you knew a Mana Storm was coming you could prepare for the freaky weather and ride it out, rather than be caught off guard by a sudden Tri-Tornado.

The wonkiness he’s talking about is how the sun seems to go through two phases around here. It’s not all bad, though. Keeps things interesting.

“How come you can’t have another go at that, though?” (Dorri)

“Honestly, even making it this good was more or less dumb luck.” (Enuri)

“Dat’s putting it mildly, Shiny One. De Dark One claimed your first attempt at it failed miserably and simply turned de sun purple. He was rolling around laughing de entire time while telling me dat.” (Umph)

“Haaaah, that brother of mine still has the worst personality...” (Enuri)

“The Dark One?! Hold on a sec, there! I know Umph talks funny, but that sounds more than a little bit ominous!” (Dorri)

“He is simply referring to Khamis the Shadowspinner. He’s a titan like us, though he completely hates my guts. Do not worry, though. He is a professional and will fulfill his part for your second Trial of Creation later on, even if he grumbles about it.” (Enuri)

Right, the three trials. I don’t get why, but apparently you don’t get to go full titan without passing them. Something about becoming one with the world’s heartbeat? I really shouldn’t have asked Umph to explain! I fell asleep during the latter half of that! Well, it should be fine as long as I just roll with it.

Not to mention a necessary step if I am to see my dream come true. My soul may be ready to advance to the next stage, but the rest of me - which is to say my ‘vessel’ - is falling apart. I’ve managed to make it last for several hundred years, but it’s reaching its limit.

“Say, what was your Tribute to Gaia, Umph?” (Dorri)

“Dis northern continent.” (Umph)

“You focken what mate?!” (Dorri)

“Ah, it’s not as impressive as you might think. He just cooperated with Nora the Waterbearer to raise the ocean floor a little bit. It’s big in scale, but not nearly as creative as what you want to do.” (Enuri)

“Uh-huh. And this Nora made all the oceans for her first trial?” (Dorri)

“No, that’s not it. She was born in those waters so there’s no way she made them, you know? Anyway, her Tribute to Gaia is on the ocean floor somewhere between the three continents. It’s too dark for my liking so I never went to see it.” (Enuri)

So just like the surface is too bright for Khamis, the depths are too dark for Enuri? Seems to be a matter of preference though. Honestly, I don’t like the sound of this Khamis. Judging from the way he’s spoken of he’s a bit of a prick. But if my plans are to succeed I think we’ll have to become neighbours at some point.

“Okay, I think I’ve recovered enough for another try.” (Dorri)

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Very well. Then let us begin.” (Enuri)

Umph walks back over and sits down behind me with a thud that shook the ground. He may be just a 4 meter tall stone statue that’s vaguely human-shaped, but he’s still impossibly heavy. I think his butt left a small crater just now...

“Ready.” (Umph)

“After you, Dorri.” (Enuri)

“Okay, here I go! Hrng!” (Dorri)

I stand back up with a groan. Just moving my body around is making my bones creak, I really don’t have much time left in me. For now, I place my hands on the gold vein in front of me.