What kind of door could only be opened from one side, anyway?
Tarnished had really had enough of these Lands Between!
Morgott remained completely oblivious to Tarnished's mounting resentment and frustration. He lowered his head to study the hastily drawn map in his hands and analyzed it earnestly. "According to what Lansseax saw from the air, there is indeed an enormous area beyond Belurat, Tower Settlement-the 'Spiral Tower' that Hornsent mentioned just now. But this door blocks our way-"
He raised his head and traced a long arc across the map with his finger. "We should first turn back, head north through the Black City, then climb westward into the mountains to reach the other side of the door and pull the mechanism. Only then can we open this gate..."
"Ugh." Tarnished tilted his head back and sighed at the sky, the sound steeped in profound despair at this unreasonable world.
Morgott looked up from the map. Assuming his companion was worried about the difficult road ahead, he offered some kindly reassurance. "We would have to cross almost the entire northern region of the Land of Shadow. It will likely be a long adventure. One can only imagine how many powerful enemies and unimaginable hardships we will encounter along the way. But-" His voice grew impassioned. "I believe that great accomplishments inevitably involve setbacks, and every hardship will only make our ultimate achievement more glorious! United as one, we shall claim final victory! Even the gods will sincerely yearn for the great epic we write with our own hands!"
Tarnished: "..." All this just to open one lousy door? You're turning it into an epic adventure across half the map?
But Jerren and Tanith already wore expressions of rapturous longing. After all, this was how heroes were made.
"Let's get