Binary Soul

> First Day - Harhal Darkhand PoV <

Now that was a rousing speech! As expected of a titan! Oh! Now he’s standing face-to-face with the statue of Draglael. Or is it, the actual Draglael? Ah, doesn’t matter!

It’s just a shame they had to flatten all the crops in the area. I understand  though, those tall plants would only limit our vision. Ahhh, but the Senate will probably have to ration the ale out until the next harvest… Wait, now isn’t the time for that!

I tighten the grip on my warhammer. It’s not a weapon I’m used to, but I’m grateful for it. Since every Darkhand in Ecebis demanded to be included in this little scuffle, those Senate boys let us arm ourselves with leftover weapons and armor reserved for the Legion.

Leftovers they called them! This thing is leagues beyond the old warhammer I used back in the day. It’s well balanced and the business end is plated with Adamantite!  I’m looking forward to crushing a few things. No, make that many things!

*HUMMMMMMM*

*RRRUMBLE*

A low, steady hum comes out of the very ground, followed by the ground shaking and rumbling. This is the Awakening ceremony they were talking about, huh?

*Clang clang*

Almost immediately I hear sounds of metal-on-metal. Looks like the fight’s started nearby, but it’s quiet where I’m standing.

“Company left! We have targets coming! Watch your footing and take ten-pillar formations!” (Sergeant)

A sergeant person starts ordering the legion around. Like some sort of dance recital, they group up in a circular formation - 6 shield bearers form a circle around two marksmen, one medic and one mage. There’s at least 7 or 8 of these groups around me.

Well, most of us Darkhands aren’t legionnaires so we don’t know all those tactics and formations. Best we can do is fill in the gaps between them and stay out of each other’s way!

*RRRRRUMBBBLE*

The grounds shakes even more violently and I finally see my first Figment. It rises from beneath the earth's surface as if walking out from under a lake! It’s a dwarf-shaped suit of armor that moves on its own. Looks to be made of bronze and is using a spear and shield.

“HEEYAH!” (Harhal)

I swing my shiny new warhammer sideways from the right. The Figment in front of me raises a shield and blocks it with a heavy thud. Looks like I left a heavy dent in it, but it’s not enough. It counter-attacks with a spear, but I easily avoid it by sidestepping to the left with a spin. I use the momentum to swing the warhammer with additional force, slamming it into the Figment’s exposed shoulder.

There’s a satisfying cracking sound as it crumples like paper and the arm completely falls off. Now that it’s disarmed, it has no choice but to swing its shield at me.

Heh, disarmed.

I block the shield using the hammer’s haft. It’s a heavy blow that knocks me back a few steps. Suddenly, there’s a sharp pain in the back of my left leg!

“RRGH!” (Harhal)

I let out a pained groan, then almost reflexively spin around on my uninjured leg, swinging the warhammer down onto the ground! It hits a Figment that hasn’t fully risen from the dirt! I instinctively aimed for the head, crushing the helmet into its body and collapsing it into the torso. Looks like it slashed at my leg with its sword as it was emerging from the ground - only the waist was sticking out of it the soil.

However, I look over my shoulder to see the first Fragment already coming in for another attack. I ignore the pain in my leg and do a half-turn while swinging the warhammer sideways again. This time I catch it in the waist and it folds over in two, crumbling to bits as it falls down. The second Figment is still trying to get itself out of the ground, so I finish it off with another overhead swing. It also crumbles to nothing.

This is bad, we barely started and I’m already injured and bleeding quite a bit. I should’ve put on the plate armor like my son said. I take out an old healing potion and chug it. It tastes like disappointment with a hint of strawberries. It's effective though, the pain is soothed and the gash in my leg is closing up. Another pair of Figments appear nearby while I’m still recovering.

Right, that’s a good enough warm up! Let’s have at those bastards!

> Second Day - Sergeant Emma Darkhand PoV <

“Copperhead! Breakbolt! We got incoming on the right!” (Emma)

“On it Sarge!” (Copperhead)

Corporal Copperhead guides SG-114 to attack the incoming group of Figments. The 10-meter tall dwarf-shaped pile of stone stomps in the middle of them, flattening 3 out of the 5. Lieutenant Breakbolt blocks the remaining two with his great-shield and mace.

The golems are powerful, but clumsy. They’re meant to tackle soft targets their own size rather than these small metal things. Iron-class and tougher Figments can easily cause damage to the legs, either by hitting them or getting stepped on.

Out of the 800 or so Soldier Golems (or SGs for short) we brought along, about a quarter are already out of commission. And that's just from escort duty with minimal fighting! They wouldn't last long against these endless numbersThe rest of the Engineering Corps are working desperately to get even a few of them up and running.

I return my focus to my own troubles. The TG-114 I’m standing on seems to be almost full and there’s 10 more injured and tired dwarves out here that need to board it.

“Abandon weapons and shields! We’re over capacity!” (Emma)

“Yes, Sergeant!” (Legionnaires)

*CLANK CLANK CLANK*

The 50 or so passengers toss any disposable gear they had out of the golem. With the extra room and weight allowance, we’re just able enough to squeeze everyone into the 15-meter long tube-shaped Transport Golem. The hollow shell is packed full of dwarves, threatening to overflow through the small windows on the sides.

“Alrigh! Hang tight, this won’t be comfortable! Come on TG-114, up you go!” (Emma)

I command the golem to stand up. Six pairs of centipede-like legs lift its elongated body as it rises up a few meters off the ground.

“Breakbolt! Appreciate the assist!” (Emma)

“Anytime, Darkhand!” (Breakbolt)

Breakbolt shouts back before plunging his squad against another group of Figments.

“Copperhead, take point!” (Emma)

“Got it Sarge!” (Copperhead)

The corporal brings SG-114 around and slowly breaks into a full sprint. He’s strapped in place inside the golem’s head, allowing him to focus entirely on his [Golem Link]. TG-114 follows him immediately after. We’re headed back to the field hospital set up well away from the battlefield. It should take about 10 minutes to get there.

SG-114 goes down the 'highway' of trampled ground that has formed through the battlefield. We pass by a dozen or so other Engineering Corps units on our way out.

At some point those Figments started amassing further and further away from the battle, forming ranks and battle lines of their own. In return, there seem to be less of them appearing in the middle of our formations.

I guess they learned that they’re sitting ducks with half their bodies buried in the ground and have started to give up on that ‘surprise’ attack strategy. The fact that Figments can learn is worrying. Hmm, now that I think about it, if they're truly endless then there's no reason for the 'surprise' attacks to slow down right? Could there be a limit to how many can be made at once?

That could work in our favor, actually! I need to talk this over with the Major! It’s almost time for his check-in at the forward command base, so I should be able to catch him!

> Third Day - Krom Darkhand PoV <

I double check my quiver - 23 of those special arrows left. I’ll need to make a re-supply run soon.

“Krom! That one’s yours!” (Harhal)

I turn my attention to where dad’s pointing at with his warhammer. Yep, that dark-gray color and weighty footsteps definitely belong to an Adamantite Figment. I nock two arrows onto my shortbow and let them fly.

One gets blocked by its shield while the other lands near the Figment’s feet. The glass-like arrowheads shatter, causing the living suit of armor to shudder and shake. The shield disappears into dust, but the rest of it is still standing. I fire a third arrow right into its forehead, making the whole Figment crumble.

“Nice shot m’boy!” (Harhal)

“Aye, he’s a lot better than you are!” (Dougan)

“Shut it Dougan! Even I’d hit these things from that vantage point!” (Harhal)

Ah there they go again. Dad and uncle Dougan never did get along. I guess since the area is safe for the moment they can relax a little. Also this isn’t a ‘vantage point’ it’s a titan you know! That’s disrespectful! Ah, but I’m standing on its feathery head, so maybe I’m no better? Well he doesn’t seem to mind, what with this constant low hum and standing perfectly still.

Thing is, from up here I can see all angles those Figments can approach from. It lets the three of us cover for Kelly while she’s off resting. I can easily spot approaching groups of enemies and take out the tough ones. Then dad and uncle can disable the rest.

Brand’s new strategy is certainly amazing - knock them over and seal their movements, but don’t finish them. It seems there’s a limit to how many of these things the Calling can bring out, so if we just do that then the number of enemies that can fight gets reduced.

That’s easier said than done though. It’s a fine line between ‘crippled’ and ‘dust’ with these things. Also they seem to disappear on their own after about an hour, but the overall number of active enemies on the field was still cut down by half!

“Harhal, Dougan, Krom! How’s the situation!” (Brand)

Brand swings by on his gryphon. Kelly is with him, holding a dinner-plate sized Magic Stone with her one arm.

“We’re fine up here, Major. Your plan was super effective.” (Krom)

“Not mine, thank Emma from the Engineering Corps for the idea.” (Brand)

The gryphon lands on the ground near the titan’s feet. Kelly climbs off and silently moves to where she left her armor. A rather impressive creation, to say the least. She said she got the idea from trying to make those soldier golems the legions use into a smaller, tougher form. I certainly can’t argue with the results.

“Here, Kelly let me-” (Dougan)

“Piss off, Dougan! I can do it myself!” (Kelly)

She brushes off Dougan and proceeds to change out her armor’s Magic Stone. It’s impressive she can do all that with just the one arm, it looks like finicky work. She then climbs inside the thing and starts it up with a [Golem Link]. The armor plates on the back unfold to seal her inside.

“Dougan, Harhal, I got the ground, so go make yourselves useful elsewhere! Krom! I’m gonna need you to keep an eye out for me for a while longer!” (Kelly)

“Can’t go on for too long, only have 20 arrows left!” (Krom)

“Over here lad!” (Brand)

Brand flies close by on his gryphon and drops a quiver of 100 special arrows for me. I gingerly catch them and wave back at him.

“Thanks Major! Alright Kelly, I’ll be watching your back for as long as I’m able!” (Krom)

“Appreciate it!” (Kelly)

I’m glad they made these specially for me. The rapid-fire shortbow is much more useful in this situation than crossbows, but I’m one of the few people down here that is any good at it. I used to be a huntsman before, so it’s a good thing we-

*UUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO*

“Brand!” (Kelly)

“I hear it!” (Brand)

Brand flies up rapidly and activates the magic tool on his collar.

“To all legions! Situation is changing, details unknown! Be on your guard and prepare for ambush!” (Brand)

> Kelly PoV <

Brand’s warning goes out across the battlefield. The constant hum changed. It became deeper and louder, more like a groan. I’m not sure what’s going on. Either Umph’s wrapping things up or things are about to get worse.

“Kelly! All the Figments are disappearing! Every last one of them!” (Krom)

Krom shouts down at me from Umph’s head. That’s good. Right? Hah, no way. Something terrible’s about to happen, I just know it!

“Do not let your guards down! The Awakening is still not over!” (Brand)

Brand’s orders echo across the now silent battlefield. There are still golems ferrying injured dwarves all over the place, but the only thing heard is Umph’s ritual noises.

*RRRRRUMBLE*

The ground shakes more violently than it has until now.

*CRRRRRRACK* *BANG*

What’s that noise? It sounded like-

“Attention! The ground is splitting open to the north of the Sunstone! It’s forming what appears to be a new entrance to the Depths! Third, Fourth and Fifth legions - form ranks and establish a perimeter around the titan! Sixth Legion - prepare to move out and repel any invasion! All other legions - maintain current positions and await further orders!” (Brand)

Glad to see Brand is on point. Less than glad that my terrible hunch was equally on point.

“Kelly! Over there! You wanna see this!” (Krom)

Krom’s pointing to the other side of Umph. I run around him and feel the blood drain from my face.

In the distance, well beyond where the Sunstone is shining down, is a huge chasm that wasn't there a while ago. What comes out of it isn’t a horde of monsters as expected though. It’s just one monster.

Just. One. Giant. Spider.

Eight long, slender legs pull up an ominous-looking spider’s body from the hole. Just the body seems to almost rival that Elder Dragon. With the legs factored in, it’s a few times larger than that!

It slowly but surely emerges out of the Depths, but instead of heading for us or any cities, it turns away and starts walking towards the cavern wall further to the north. Brand flies back to us on his gryphon while we’re staring in mute horror at that walking calamity.

“Kelly! What’s going on!?” (Brand)

“No idea, but this is no coincidence. It’s trying to do something. I have no plans of letting it try though! Can that gryphon carry Scrappy?” (Kelly)

“Not sure. Shull, try lifting her!” (Brand)

“Kraaw.” (Shull)

Shull replies with a squawk-like noise and grabs scrappy by the shoulders using his talons. Slowly but surely he’s gaining altitude.

“Kraaa! Kraa kraaa!” (Shull)

“Okay, he says he’s got you! What now?” (Brand)

“Bring me closer to that thing! I have to confirm something with my own eyes!” (Kelly)

“You heard the lady, Shull! Off we go!” (Brand)

We steadily gain speed and altitude. It’s a really, really terrifying trip, but not nearly as bad as that thing in the distance! That spider has started climbing up the side of the grand cavern's wall. It’s actually able to do that?

Now that we’re out of the sunlight sky, my eyes adjust to the darkness and I can make out its shape more clearly! It's not a uniform color, seems oddly reflective and black tendrils peek out from its joints.

“Brand! I think that’s a super-sized Figment of Draglael!” (Kelly)

“You sure? Those things don’t appear in the shape of monsters!” (Brand)

“It may be a combined Figment! Think about it! Shadows inside the hollow metal! Anything’s possible with this bloody Calling crap!” (Kelly)

I can't be sure about it, but I'll be damned if I let it do as it pleases! It keeps climbing up and reached the ceiling. Now it's headed... for us?

“It’s headed toward the Sunstone, isn’t it?” (Brand)

Oh no… if it destroys that Sunstone, we’re majorly, totally, completely and royally screwed!

“Get me close! Put me on top of it! Under it! Just-” (Kelly)

“I got it!” (Brand)

“Kraaaa!” (Shull)

Shull flies up and goes in the gap between the abdomen and the stone ceiling. He drops me down and I land on the upside-down spider. The skin is definitely metallic. Looks to be a mix of all those things on the ground. It’s surprisingly stable, so I don’t have any problems with my balance. I glance at Brand, looks like he’s already retreated.

I take a stance with my feet aligned with my shoulders. The spider’s front is to my right, and its rear is to my left.

*Tak tak tak tak*

The chest plate opens, revealing a silver colored stick-shaped object. One end of it has that Mountain Sapphire embedded into it. It’s just long enough to allow me to grip it with both of Scrappy’s hands, like a sword handle. Which is exactly what I do. I start channeling mana into it.

“-------------” (Kelly)

I keep pouring in a whole Magic Stone’s worth of mana! I’m not holding back! Sod the consequences! At this rate it’s going to reach the Sunstone and everything will go to shit! But I won’t let you do what you want, you worthless sack of piss!

“-------------” (Kelly)

This weapon is the product of my knowledge, Nano’s insight, Red’s mana and Ellie’s dreams! There’s no way it can fail in its duty! I’m going to teach you what it means to stand against the combined might of [Black Flame]!

“-------------” (Kelly)

Scrappy’s hands glow with an awesome power!

“-------------” (Kelly)

This burning grip tells me to defeat you!

“-------------” (Kelly)

Take this! My love, my anger, and all of my sorrows!

“[Star Sword]” (Kelly)

An impossibly long blade made out of pure white light expands out of the handle in an instant! I swing it down sideways in a full circle, painting the whole area in a flash of white! The heat from it is so intense that the handle melts within seconds, fusing Scrappy’s hands together and wrecking the weapon.

*SQUUEAAAAAAAAAAAAAEEEE*

A high pitched wail nearly deafens me! The surface of it the giant body I’m standing on now has a single unbroken line of molten metal across it. After being sliced cleanly in two, the newly-created left and right half of it lose all strength and part ways.

Having run completely out of mana, Scrappy plummets through the newly opened gap underneath, falling helplessly to the ground below.

With me inside it.