Fractal Noise (Fractalverse, #0)

by Christopher Paolini

Suffering was its own form of absolution.

“What make this work?” “PFM.” At the geologist’s odd look, Riedemann laughed. “Pure fucking magic. That’s how.

There was no real protection against the dangers of life, he thought. You could try, but there were always unknown forces and events that were so unexpected—

The expedition had given him a goal, and the goal had given him a reason to keep moving. He recognized that now. As long as he had a destination in mind, he could keep putting one foot in front of the other. It didn’t mean life would be easy or pleasant, but maybe it could be bearable.