POV Narrator:
On each soldiers’ wrinkled face, a grim expression looms. When they volunteered for this mission, they didn’t expect to return. They knew that facing the Colossus was practically suicide, but they volunteered regardless. They formed this convoy of old men, with one goal in mind. To allow their people to escape, at any costs.
Now, they stand obstructed and confused. In front of them, Zohn stands with his white robe fluttering in the wind and with a kind smile brimming through his long, white beard. In his right hand, his legendary spear rests. To the soldiers, Zohn looked no different than a divine saint that fell from the heavens.
“It was him!” the old General shouts in shock, his eyes locking onto Zohn’s spear. Seeing the others soldiers’ confusion, the general continues, “He’s the hero who slew the wyvern, all those years ago. Did you all suddenly forget that desperate battle, when we were still young men?”. With the General’s explanation, sudden realisation dawns on each soldier. Seeing these events transpire, Zohn’s smile turns warm.
“Hmmm.” the Colossus wonders absentmindedly, his eyes staring intently at the soldiers below, still struggling to discern the difference between Goliaths and Humans. “I need to get a closer look.” The Colossus decides. Without warning, the Colossus digs his hand into the ground, under the convoy, and lifts everyone up in one motion.
“Col, what are you doing!?” Zohn shouts in shock. Seemingly deaf, the Colossus continues to lift the entire convoy. The Colossus’ hand stops right next to his face. His two giant eyes, each bigger than a fully grown human, studies the group intently. “Maybe Zohn's eyes are damaged?” the Colossus, still in disbelief, mumbles under his breath.
“Col?” Zohn asks, still recovering from the Colossus’ sudden actions. The Colossus, breaking out of the sudden trance, looks at Zohn. “Something wrong?” the Colossus asks innocently, absentmindedly redirecting his eyes back towards the convoy. “Why did you pick everyone up? Are you trying to kill them!?” Zohn shouts in accusation.
In the Colossus’ hand, the soldiers huddle up around Dawkin and his wife. An ugly expression line each of their faces. Dawkin, realising the futility of their initial plan, addresses his men “We’ve done all that we can. Whether we live or die, it’s not up to us anymore. We can only hope, that we’ve done enough.”. Dawkin, gripping his wife’s trembling hand, looks towards Zohn.
“Dear, why is Zohn provoking this giant thing? He saved us all those years ago, but now he’s only quickening our death.” Dawkin’s wife asks, still visibly shaken by the sudden events. “Zohn is our last hope, our only option is to place our trust in him.” Dawkin, trying to reassure his wife, answers. Contradictory to this statement, dread fills his eyes.
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A deep silence grips the surroundings, the atmosphere growing tenser each second. Unease wells in Dawkin’s heart, his eyes observing the Colossus’ almost brooding expression. “Zohn has angered this stone behemoth, there’s truly no way out…” Dawkin’s thoughts grow increasingly darker.
The Colossus’ eyes lock onto Zohn standing outside of the huddled group. As the tension reaches an absolute peak, the Colossus asks in a serious tone, “Zohn, have you slept enough while I was gone? Did someone damage your eyes?”. Zohn’s mouth hangs open, disbelief fills his mind. “What does that have to do with anything!?” Zohn shouts in frustration.
“Zohn must have hurt his eyes, it’s the only explanation. Why else would he believe there’s a difference between Goliaths and these so-called ‘humans’.”. The Colossus confidently concludes. “Don’t worry Zohn, we’ll find a way to fix you.” The Colossus says, trying to reassure Zohn.
Zohn heaves a sigh of defeat, his face growing visibly older. “We’ll do that later, just don’t drop us, please,” Zohn says to the Colossus, as he turns towards the spooked convoy. “This went much better in my head,” Zohn mumbles, as he approaches the huddled group. Slowly, from within the group, Dawkin and his wife emerge.
“I apologize, this was meant to be a cheerful reunion, but I guess it was not meant to be,” Zohn says as he shoots a glare towards the oblivious Colossus. Dawkin, quick to adapt, answers, “No need, it was our mistake to approach without warning.”. “So, what’s the reason for this reunion?” Zohn asks, fully realising the stupidity of his question.
“Well, we were hoping to stop our city’s destruction,” Dawkin answers, his voice turning serious. Zohn, with a guilty expression peaks at the giant crack splitting the plain below. “Yeah, that was an accident…” Zohn says, his voice trailing off. “Col was trying to dig himself out of the ground, and one thing led to another.” Zohn continues, his voice growing softer with each word.
“I guess it’s impossible to avoid the city’s destruction?” Dawkin dejectedly asks. “Unfortunately not,” Zohn confirms his fears. Dawkin shuts his eyes tightly, a deep frown streaking across his forehead. Suddenly, Dawkin opens his eyes and asks in a serious voice, “Can you give us one year to relocate the city?”.
Seeing the reasonable request, Zohn asks the Colossus, “One year won’t be a problem, right Col?”. “Sure, a year’s rest will help you recover.” The Colossus agrees easily. Finally achieving a path of salvation for his people, a bright smile forms on Dawkins wrinkled face. “Col, can you please put everyone down?” Zohn asks.
On the dust-covered plain, a giant granite hand gently lowers the convoy. “I wish you the best of luck.” Zohn bid the convoy farewell. As the convoy prepares to depart, Dawkin turns towards Zohn, his old master, and takes a deep bow. With a tear streaming down his wrinkled face, Dawkin gives his last goodbye, “Thank you, Zohn… For everything.”.
Back on the Colossus’ shoulder, Zohn watches the convoy, as it marches back towards the city. “Such a strange group of Goliaths.” The Colossus states in his deep voice. “Oh right! Zohn, I’ve been meaning to ask, what’s this?” The Colossus asks, pointing towards the forest on his shoulders and back. “I’ll explain everything later. After all, we have a whole year to rest.” Zohn states in a tired voice, as he slowly makes his way towards his house and soft bed.