《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

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> 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)

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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)

“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.

“------------------------” (Dorri)

As soon as I start forcing my mana into it, I hear a low groan-like voice coming from the very depths of the earth while a dome of pure-white light forms around me. Enuri and Umph are already in position to support me, huh?

“------------------------” (Dorri)

I could really use that pint right about now.

“------------------------” (Dorri)

Ack, I’m getting distracted! Focus on the image, Dorri! You can do this!

“------------------------” (Dorri)

It is alive. A living thing that has been my people’s ally since time immemorial. I know all about it. It’s literally in my blood!

“------------------------” (Dorri)

Remember the smell. The weight. The color. The touch. The taste.

“------------------------” (Dorri)

What I have here is its ancestor. Therefore, all I need to do is imagine it giving birth. Forcing it to advance to the next step!

“------------------------” (Dorri)

This time, it will succeed. I will not lose it again! Not when it’s within reach! I simply need to stretch my hand out and grasp it!

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“------------------------” (Dorri)

Come forth! From across worlds, I summon you!

“[Grand Transmutation]” (Dorri)

*RRRUMBLE*

The ground starts shaking vigorously! A blinding light shines from within the gold-covered crack in the mountainside in front of me, forcing me to shut my eyes! The light is so intense it passes through my eyelids, making my vision red instead of dark!

“Haah, haah, haah.” (Dorri)

Once the light, the rumbling and the earthen groan all settle down, all that’s left is the sound of my belabored breathing. It’s exactly like the last two times. I think it failed. No good, I don’t think I can muster another try today.

Hmm? What’s this… warm sensation on my fingers? I open my eyes and warily stare at the gold vein. My vision becomes blurry almost immediately.

“Hyuck! *Sniffle* Hak!” (Dorri)

The tears came out on their own. I tenderly stroke the former gold vein. This brilliant luster and nostalgic sensation on my skin overwhelm me.

“Hello old friend. *Sniffle* I’ve missed you so.” (Dorri)

“So… this is the thing you were trying to create?” (Enuri)

“Yes. *Sniffle* The lifeblood of the dwarves from my former world. Huaaaaah-aah-aah! I’m so glad to see you my old friend!” (Dorri)

When I was first dragged here, I was filled with hope! A new world! A fresh start! An unreasonable amount of mana to play around with! Until I learned that none of the metals so near and dear to my heart existed in this world!

“Waahaa haa haa! How do you like me know ya bloody bastards! Showed you cunts a thing or two, didn’t I!?” (Dorri)

I raise a triumphant roar to the skies! ‘Can’t be done’ they said! ‘Such a spell doesn’t exist’ they told me! Well who’s laughing now!? I just created the world’s first Mithril vein! Take that ya bloody wankers!

I turn my head around to question the living pile of stone on the ground!

“Oy Umph, did it work!?” (Dorri)

“Indeed. I felt it resonate with de other gold deposits deep in de ground. With some luck, it should have covered de entire continent.” (Umph)

“Yes! YES! Haa haa haa!.” (Dorri)

Making a single deposit is pointless! That’s why I needed Umph and Enuri’s help! Enuri’s the best at making living things and Umph’s quite impressive at large-scale handling of rock and soil. So while not quite the same thing, these two helped spread the living metal known as White Gold as far as they could! I’m a bit disappointed it was limited to just this continent, but I’ll take it!

What next? It’s older brother Orichalcum? Or maybe the ultimate in toughness that is Adamantite?!

Ack! My vision went dark! Did I pass out from excitement? What’s going on!?

Gaia has accepted thy Tribute. (Voice)

Huh? Ah, hello? Hello? Is this thing on? Can you hear me over there? (Voice)

… Y-yes?

Oh! Good! For a moment there I was afraid I didn’t get through! It happens sometimes. (Voice)

Uhm… okay?! Just to double check, you’re really there, right? I’m not simply going senile in my old age, am I?

Yes, I’m quite real, thank you. Anyway as I was saying, your application to become a Lesser Titan has been accepted and is pending review. The mere fact you can now understand me is a sign your soul has taken a step forward. You are now capable of completing the second interv- I mean, the second Trial. (Voice)

Th-thanks, I guess.

You’re very welcome. But this Mithril stuff, huh? Very good, I am thoroughly impressed! I have high hopes for you so do not disappoint! (Voice)

I’ll… do my best?

That’s the spirit! Now then, off you go! You wanna finish this up before you kick the bucket for real, right? (Voice)

Yes, that’s true, but... that second one...

Ah don’t worry about it! Ever since Skittles showed up the second trial is a breeze for you Lesser Titan applicants! She’s taking a really long nap right now, but Enuri will wake her up when you get there, so there are no further problems. (Voice)

Wait, there are ranks within the titans? And how come I’m becoming a Lesser one!?

You got help. You showed ability, but you cheated by getting assistance from two of them. One of them is even part of the Big Three! (Voice)

So… these Big Three are?

Greater Titans. They passed the Trials completely on their own, so they are trusted with more power in return. They’re all quite exceptional. That Skittles especially! She completed them without realizing she was doing them! Okay, maybe accepting that weird body of hers as the Tribute to Gaia was bending the rules a bit, but it truly is a work of art! Besides, I really wanted her as the Soulforger. (Voice)

Right. And who are you supposed to be?!

The Voice of the World. (Voice)

And what sort of person are you, mister Voice of the World.

Oh, but I’m not actually a person. (Voice)

You sure sound like one, though.

What you ‘hear’ is actually your inner self trying to interpret my will. Because that is what I am - the manifested will of this little corner of reality we call home. (Voice)

Uh-huh. You sure you aren’t some deranged wizard trying to pull a fast one on me? Because I know quite a few guys like that.

I’m not. My existence closer to a defense mechanism. There’s barely a ‘me’ in the first place, so something like deceiving people is beyond my abilities. (Voice)

Okay, let’s say I believe you. Then what is your goal, exactly?!

My purpose is to find and raise titans like yourselves as vanguards against the entity known as the Calling. It is your duty to prevent it from dragging us all to our doom. (Voice)

What?! I had no idea! I just wanted to selfishly recreate the people and metals from my memories, you know! Such a thing like defending the world is a little above my pay grade!

Ah, but those acts in and by themselves strengthen the world. As long as you and your kin remain, it will help to stave off the Calling. (Voice)

… Is that okay!? Simply sticking around is enough?! Hey, is this world really going to be okay with just this much!?

It will be. You will understand as you finish your other trials and complete your transformation. It’s pointless to think about that sort of stuff at this point. Believe me when I say this, Draglael the Steelmother. (Voice)

It’s your loss if you mind it.

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