Exploring Legacy in Breaking Colossus: Roth’s Journey of Self-Discovery

Essay

Jun 14

As the stars die and are reborn, so too are the legacies we inherit. The burden of legacy is not easily borne; it can elevate us to greatness or drag us into the abyss of our own fears.

“What happened?” Roth said. Then he softened his voice, so it didn’t sound so much like a demand. “Can—can you tell me what happened to my father? Please?”

Atonal’s eyes held sadness inside, like a guarded wound. He gazed at Roth as if to gauge whether he was ready. “It’s a hard tale to tell,” he said. “It wasn’t the—it wasn’t our finest hour. It wasn’t Grey’s either. I’ll tell you everything.”

— Breaking Colossus

Growing up, I was fascinated by the stories of heroic figures—both historical and fictional—who left indelible marks on the world. Their lives, true or embellishment, became stories. And those stories became legends. As I crafted the story of Stars Reach, I found myself reflecting on how the legacies of these figures influenced their descendants. This reflection, subconsciously, gave birth to the character of Roth Soleis, a young man grappling with the immense shadow cast by his father, Grey Soleis.

In Breaking Colossus, Roth’s journey is not just about navigating the vastness of space and the perils of interstellar conflict. It’s also about his internal struggle to live up to a legacy that seems both a beacon and a burden. This struggle is something many of us can relate to, whether it’s the expectations of our families, the pressures of societal norms, or the personal goals we set for ourselves.

As we explore the theme of legacy together, I hope you'll find not only a deeper understanding of Roth's character but also insights into your own experiences. Let's embark on this journey through the stars and into the heart of what it means to inherit a legacy.

Spoiler Warning: this essay contains spoilers for Breaking Colossus.

What is Legacy?

At its core, a legacy is something handed down from one generation to the next. This can take many forms—familial, cultural, personal—and it carries with it the weight of history, tradition, and expectation. In Breaking Colossus, I wanted legacy to be a key driver of the narrative, influencing the choices and actions of my characters.

In the context of familial legacy, we often find ourselves bearing the weight of our ancestors' achievements and failures. Cultural legacy, on the other hand, encompasses the traditions, values, and knowledge passed down within a community. Personal legacy is what we strive to leave behind through our own actions and accomplishments.

Living up to an existing legacy can be a daunting task. The expectations that come with it can inspire greatness but also lead to immense pressure and self-doubt. When we look at historical and literary figures who have grappled with legacy, we see a recurring theme of individuals striving to balance the admiration and burdens they inherit.

Consider the likes of Telemachus in Homer's Odyssey (Roth is loosely based on him). He grows up in the shadow of his father, Odysseus, whom he’d never met before. He is depicted as emotionally immature and indecisive about his mother’s suiters. I feel like Telemachus' journey was cut too short in the epic tale. I asked myself, “What if his story wasn’t only about finding his father but also about stepping out of his shadow and carving his own identity?”

Legacy is not just about living up to the past, it's about navigating the present and building the future. It's about understanding the weight of expectations and finding the strength to either carry them or set them down.

Legacy in Breaking Colossus

In Breaking Colossus, Roth Soleis stands at the crossroads of duty and identity, caught between the towering legacy of his father, Grey Soleis, and his own aspirations. From the moment we meet Roth as a lowly intelligence officer in the Ascendancy military, it’s clear that he’s not just battling external forces but also the weight of expectation that his father’s legacy imposes.

Roth’s journey is marked by the constant pressure to live up to Grey’s heroic reputation. As the son of a legendary war hero, Roth feels the burden to embody the same strength, courage, and leadership qualities that defines his father. Yet, this burden is not just about matching his father’s achievements; it’s about navigating the personal and emotional toll that such a legacy brings.

Throughout the story, Roth's internal conflict is a central theme. He struggles with feelings of inadequacy, constantly questioning whether he can ever live up to Grey's legend. This struggle is poignantly illustrated in moments where Roth’s actions are compared to his father's, both by those around him and in his own mind. When a subordinate questions him, he lashes out in anger to assert dominance. Instead of respect, he receives hate and punishment. But what might his father have done in that situation? The expectations placed upon him are immense, and they shape his decisions, relationships, and sense of self.

Grey Soleis is more than just a father to Roth; he is a symbol of unparalleled heroism and sacrifice. His legendary status is a double-edged sword, providing both inspiration and a seemingly unattainable standard. Even though the war has been raging for Roth’s entire life, and Grey has been gone for all of it, Grey’s shadow looms over Roth’s entire life, influencing how he perceives his own worth and his place in the universe.

As Roth grapples with his father’s shadow, he also begins to uncover deeper truths about Grey’s past and the realities of his heroism. These revelations force Roth to confront the complexities of legacy and the human flaws that often accompany legendary status. It’s through this journey that Roth begins to find his own identity, separate from the one imposed upon him.

I wanted to explore Grey’s past and the mythic qualities attributed to him through the stories of those who knew and saw him. Grey’s accomplishments in the war agains the Dominion are well-documented and celebrated, but they are stories told from the lens of a beholder. For Roth, this creates a complex dynamic where his father is simultaneously a role model, an unattainable ideal, and a monster.

Who is the real Grey Soleis? The answer is more complicated than Roth knows.

The Psychological Impact

“It didn’t take long. Both officers were dead before Roth had taken five breaths.

His muscles stiffened, and his hands shook at the implications of what had just happened. Someone had sent these soldiers to kill him—someone in the military. Somehow, he’d survived, but he would be dead soon anyway if they found him with these bodies.

Weak in the legs, Roth found his mach’s holster and attached it to his waist. He blinked and swallowed repeatedly, feeling the tension in his stomach as if he would either vomit or pass out. He stepped over the bodies and rushed out his door. It shut behind him.

“Oh, stars…” he muttered over and over.

As he strode away, Roth recognized the symptoms of shock and trauma: the trembling, the erratic steps he took, his clouded mind, and racing heart. His insides had turned to ice. He’d never killed anyone before in his life, and, logically, it made sense to experience these emotions. But it was one thing to label them and quite another to deal with them.”

— Breaking Colossus

The emotional and psychological toll of living up to a legacy is a central theme that drives Roth Soleis’s journey. The burden of being the son of Grey Soleis is not just a matter of public perception but a deeply personal struggle. This struggle manifests in Roth’s internal battles with self-doubt, fear, and the constant pressure to meet the expectations set by his father’s legendary status.

I tried to make Roth’s emotional burdens palpable throughout the story. He feels the weight of his father’s legacy in every decision he makes, every action he takes. Even when, in self-defense, he ends up killing two Ascendancy soldiers, Roth learns that violence leaves a mark. In his mind, his father wouldn’t have blinked if two soldiers tried to kill him. But he’s not his father. He’s a lowly intelligence officer. The expectations placed upon him by society and by his own family create a sense of inadequacy that Roth finds difficult to shake. This emotional weight is something many of us can relate to.

One of the most poignant aspects of Roth’s journey, I think, is how he navigates these emotional burdens. (I talk about him as though he were a real person and to me, he is.) There are moments where Roth’s internal conflict becomes almost overwhelming, pushing him to the brink. He grapples with feelings of isolation, believing that no one truly understands the pressures he faces. I wanted these moments of vulnerability to reveal the human side of Roth, and make him as relatable and sympathetic as possible.

Overcoming the Burden

“Roth was right. I’m not the war—and I refuse to be.”

— Breaking Colossus

Overcoming the burden of his father’s legacy is no small feat, but Roth’s determination to carve out his own path is a central theme that drives the narrative forward.

Throughout the story, Roth faces numerous challenges that test his resolve and character. These challenges are not only physical but also deeply psychological. One of the pivotal moments in Roth’s journey is his realization that his identity need not intertwine with his father’s perceived legendary persona. Likewise, he learns that the war should no longer be connected with his father’s identity as well. This is a turning point for Roth, allowing him to step out of Grey’s shadow and begin to forge his own identity.

In the heart of battle and in the quiet moments of introspection, Roth grapples with the expectations placed upon him and the reality of who he is. He learns that his value is not determined by his father’s achievements but by his own actions and decisions. This journey of self-acceptance is both inspiring and empowering, showing readers that they, too, can overcome the burdens of their own legacies.

Roth’s growth is illustrated in key scenes where he faces his fears head-on and makes decisions that reflect his true self. Whether it’s leading his team through a perilous mission or standing up for his beliefs against overwhelming odds, Roth’s actions speak to his inner strength and emerging confidence. These moments of triumph are not just personal victories for Roth but also serve as milestones in his broader journey towards self-realization.

I hope Roth’s story inspires you to embrace your own journey and to recognize the unique legacy you are capable of creating.

Legacy Beyond Breaking Colossus

The theme of legacy is not confined to one book; it will permeate the entire Stars Reach series, influencing the paths of various characters and shaping the broader narrative. Roth Soleis’s journey is just the beginning of an epic saga where the burden and blessing of legacy play crucial roles in the unfolding events.

In future books like Revenant’s War, we will continue to explore how Roth’s evolving understanding of his own legacy impacts his decisions and relationships. As Roth grows, he encounters new challenges that test his resolve and force him to reassess what it means to carry his father’s legacy. These experiences will deepen his character and provide readers with a more nuanced perspective on the interplay between legacy and identity.

Moreover, other characters in the Stars Reach series will face their own legacies, each offering unique insights into the ways legacy can influence, inspire, or constrain. Characters like Alora Soleis, Roth’s mother, will grapple with her own burdens as a leader and the expectations placed upon her by her heritage and her people. Trin will confront the legacies of the Arrows and the prejudices they face, adding layers of complexity to her story.

These interconnected narratives will weave a tapestry that reflects the multifaceted nature of legacy, showing how it can both hinder and empower individuals. By delving into these stories, readers will gain a deeper understanding of the diverse ways legacy shapes lives and destinies in the Stars Reach universe.

Broader Reflections

The exploration of legacy in the Stars Reach series resonates with real-world experiences, offering readers a lens through which to examine their own lives. The themes of expectation, identity, and self-worth are universal, and Roth’s journey mirrors the struggles many of us face in our own quests for self-definition and fulfillment.

In today’s rapidly changing world, the concept of legacy is more pertinent than ever. Whether it’s the legacy of our families, the cultural and societal norms we inherit, or the personal goals we strive to achieve, we all navigate the delicate balance between honoring the past and forging our own futures. The Stars Reach series invites readers to reflect on these themes and consider how they apply to their own lives.

Legacy can be a source of inspiration and strength, but it can also be a heavy burden. Roth’s story illustrates that while we cannot escape the legacies we inherit, we have the power to shape how they influence our lives. By embracing our unique identities and making conscious choices, we can honor the past while creating our own paths forward.

As you continue to journey through the Stars Reach series, I hope you will find inspiration in the characters’ struggles and triumphs. Their stories are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring quest for self-discovery and fulfillment. Whether you are facing your own legacy or supporting someone else on their journey, remember that you have the strength to shape your own destiny.

Conclusion

Thank you for joining me in this exploration of the theme of legacy in Breaking Colossus. Roth Soleis’s journey is just one thread in the tapestry of the Stars Reach series, and I am excited to share more stories and insights with you as the series continues.

I hope Roth’s story has resonated with you and encouraged you to reflect on your own experiences. The burden of legacy can be heavy, but it can also be a source of great strength and inspiration. As we navigate our own paths, let us remember that we have the power to shape our destinies and create legacies that reflect our true selves.

Stay tuned for more adventures and reflections from the Stars Reach universe. Together, we will explore new worlds, confront new challenges, and uncover the deeper truths that lie within us all. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the future.

Until next time, keep reaching for the stars.