《Duality Dissonance》Chapter 3.3 Distractions
Advertisement
They continue down the street as Pride descends and lands among them at an intersection. Pride starts talking to the group but Gluttony becomes distracted as he focuses on the ground. He is used to seeing cavities and various empty spaces around them as they travel but he isn’t comfortable finding one under their feet. “Ugh, guys,” he interjects. The others stop talking and look over to see the concerned expression on his face. “I’m not sure what this is but there’s an enormous chasm underneath us.”
“Probably just an old sewer system,” Pride says.
“No,” Gluttony replies, shaking his head. “I’ve seen those drains along the way. This is something way—way different.” He points at the intersecting street that they just arrived at. “It runs along this street. It’s too deep for me to see the bottom and I can’t see either end.”
Pride looks in each direction. “Well, back to your left is some kind of spring and back that other way—that just dead-ends at a river. I don’t think an underground chasm is going to be relevant. Let’s head down and see what’s going on with this spring. I didn’t see the Yoi but it’s bound to be there somewhere.”
The party follows Pride and soon arrives at a large opening among the commercial buildings. Gluttony continued to be unnerved as they walk the length of the open space below them. He bumps into the back of Greed as the rest of them stop. “Oh, sorry,” he manages, before walking over to a nearby sidewalk.
“Are you alright,” EV asks him.
“O-of course,” he says, forcing a smile. “One of you smells bad, is all. So I needed to get to some fresh air.” He turns his head away but still notices EV looking over at him. It’s always difficult having wings and also a fear of heights. He tries to focus on the opening ahead of them now that he is no longer standing over the chasm.
Advertisement
The space ahead of them is a spring of sorts. There is undoubtedly water feeding into it some place but it is flowing in a closed loop. There is some sort of protrusion out towards its center and the water passes around it.
“What is this,” Greed asks.
“I honestly don’t know,” Pride says. “All the springs I’ve encountered, all flow away from the Yoi. I’ve never heard of one flowing in a circle like this.”
“Maybe it’s grown into a nearby building and the spring only surfaces out here?”
“We’ll just have to search the area. If we try to guess it into existence, we’ll be out here all night.”
“The chasm extends under the water,” Gluttony interjects. The others look over to him and he just nods. “For as far out as I can see, there’s just nothing under the water.”
“You think it could be below the spring somewhere,” Greed asks.
“We’re still just guessing,” Pride says. “I’m not here to speculate. I’m here to kill the Yoi. Let’s just get in there and figure it out from there.” Pride turns back to the group to meet everyone’s gaze. “This is something new so we can’t know what we’ll find out there. That platform in the center is obviously not large enough to hold everyone. If you can’t make it out there, just wait here. Take cover in a nearby building if you encounter any trouble, though I doubt it will come to that. Remember, don’t worry about fighting the guardian. Just flee if you get it’s attention.”
Pride ascends into the air with Greed and Lust following right after. EV begins to jog after them but Gluttony steps forward and takes hold of his wing. Gluttony hangs his head as EV turns back to see what is the matter. “Please, don’t leave me,” Gluttony asks, earnestly. EV turns to look back out across the water, the currents churning as they pass around the enclosed waterway. He sees the other three land out towards the center and nods before turning back to Gluttony.
Advertisement
“What seems to be the problem,” Sloth asks.
“He can’t fly,” EV responds.
“Oh—well that sucks. What about swimming?”
Gluttony points something of a glare at Sloth. “Yes, I can swim but -that’s- not swimmable.” Gluttony gestures back at the rapids passing next to them. Sloth looks over and seems to consider giving it a try. He then looks along the surface as white capping waves break as they collide with single rock protrusions along the waterway.
Sloth nods sagely. “Good call.” Sloth looks out to see the other three at the center and looking back at them. “Hey!” He waves a single arm over his head as if to get their attention. He then points his thumb down to himself, gestures to the ground, and then points at EV and Gluttony.
“What are you doing,” EV finally asks.
“I’m just letting them know that I’m staying here and that I’ll keep an eye on you two.”
“I seriously doubt they got that from you waving your arms like a crazy person. I’m also sure they would feel better about -us- watching -you-.”
“Why aren’t you going with them,” Gluttony asks.
“What? And let you two do all the slacking? Ha! Not on my watch.”
Gluttony smiles then. “Thank you,” he says, bowing his head.
Sloth waves his hand. “Eh, let’s just have a look around. Maybe they’ll keep that monster away from us.”
“Oooh,” EV says. “You’re ju—
“Hey— is that a sporting goods?” Sloth starts to cross the street before EV can continue. “I always wanted to see one of those.”
Advertisement
- In Serial10 Chapters
Path of the Thunderbird: Darkening Skies
A boy abandoned at an ancient school of warrior arts. A princess bartered away as a treaty bride. A lurking evil with the power to topple the world. Ji Yu Raijin is happy to live out his life serving his school, cultivating his life force, and learning the Path of Darkening Skies, an ancient and noble warrior art—until the day comes when he has to choose: remain true to the teachings of his path and allow his art to die out or commit an unforgivable sin and save the world. Second princess Shyong San Koida was born the only cripple in a dynasty of powerful warriors. With a broken life force, the only way Koida can contribute to her family’s empire is by sealing a strategic alliance to a barbarian leader with her hand in marriage. But hidden forces within the court conspire to stop the union and obliterate the Shyong San dynasty at all costs. At the intersection of the servant boy and the princess’s stories lies a secret, malignant art bent on destroying not only them, but the entire world. Darkening Skies is the first novel in the Path of the Thunderbird series, for fans of wuxia, xanxia, cultivation novels, demon beasts, and all styles of martial arts. Darkening Skies is written by eden Hudson, enthusiastic but terrible martial arts student and best-selling sci-fi and fantasy author of Rogue Dungeon and Jubal Van Zandt. Hey guys, eden/elfshanx here! I'm a huge fan of wuxia and xianxia, and a lifelong lover of martial arts and fantasy. This is my first attempt at putting them all together in one package. I hope it goes well! Thanks for reading!eden
8 159 - In Serial20 Chapters
The Fat Prince Volume 2: A Hero Among Thieves
Prince Cyrus Coates was once living in the lap of luxury, casting pixie dust to bring him food and write letters to his beloved Princess Trinity; but now he's out on the road trying to save his true love from a mishap he made. Joined by his magician-jester companion, Archibald and Princess Trinity's diguised femaled knight, Vanessa Montero, he vanquished the wicked Everblood singer Rosemary, but new troubles have arisen in her place. Cyrus has arrived in Thieves' Town, a district in Scum County where his royal parents have used their power to make the residents toil in mines for the prince's precious pixie dust. Unbeknowest to Cyrus, while he lounged at home, carelessly casting pixie dust for all his needs, common folk worked from dawn until dusk providing him with his luxury. Cyrus is forced to not only discover the truth about his decadent life style, but save the town of rogues from the forces of darkness that threaten to overtake the whole kingdom! Can Cyrus right his parents' grave moral wrongs against Thieves' Town and become a hero among thieves? Or will the Everblood menace triumph? Find out in this thrilling second volume!
8 181 - In Serial13 Chapters
Avenging Rohit (OR, the ICT exacts revenge on Sofia Hayat)
"You touch one of us, you touch all of us."Sofia Hayat is an utterly disgraceful woman who has been trying to defame Rohit for a long time. Finally, Virat decides that enough is enough, and the ICT has to act.Sofia Hayat doesn't have any idea about what has hit her.She doesn't know... there's NOTHING our team can't do when they stand together 😂😂
8 137 - In Serial64 Chapters
My Amber Flower
A story of a younge trainer just starting out to become a top coordinator and league champion!Amber is a new trainer in the horn region she starts off with picking her partner..Treeko and goes off with a friend of hers, Harley till the next town.What'll happen on her journey? Let's find out
8 364 - In Serial83 Chapters
Infinity || Dan Smith
Dan is playing a superhero for a new movie. It might come to a shock to the system for old Bastille fans, but he's genuinely happy acting instead of singing. Everyone wishes him well...except for the ones who don't. They're people who think the worst of him because of a past tragedy. After all, the man with many talents, is very familiar with heroes and villains in his own life. This superhero flick called 'Illusion' suits Dan better than his characters suit!
8 99 - In Serial66 Chapters
Amphigory
"Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings; it takes its origin from emotions recollected in tranquility." -William WordsworthAn amateur collection of my dark poetry, spoken word, and deep late-night thoughts.***{ONGOING}***warning: many of these pieces cover topics such as depression, anxiety, suicide, abuse, rape, and others which may be considered triggering to some. Read at your own discretion.
8 123

