The once-great continent of Zanthia has fallen to the sands of time. The Roaring plains and Eternal forests are no more. Volcanic eruptions fill the land, scorching the earth. The surface is nothing more than a wasteland of volcanic rock and rivers of lave. Around the base of a long-forgotten ancient lake, the ground begins to crack.
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POV Narrator:
Slowly, the slumbering Colossus opens his giant eyes. A familiar blue screen fills his vision.
Duration 1000 years
Evolution Status Complete.
“I feel different, I wonder what has changed?” he ponders. The earth around him cracks and tears as he breaks free from his earthen coffin.
Evolution Growth, 50 meters. Total height, 150 meters.
Granite composition acquired.
Improved durability.
“HAHA!” he laughs in surprise, almost losing balance on the unstable ground. “I've grown! This is a kindness I can't easily repay, thank you Mr. blue screen,” he exclaims with happiness. A tear threatens to leak from his white, granite eyes. Life has never been kind to him and kindness of this scale is completely foreign to him.
His granite figure bursts through the surface. His gaze wanders, observing the new surroundings. The smile on his face fades, the surrounding sights throwing cold water on his mood. Around him, the earth smoulders and smokes with volcanic fumes. The previously lush, green grass is now merely a thick layer of black volcanic rock, casting a sharp contrast to his white, granite figure.
A thought comes to his mind, “Where did those tiny elementals go? Maybe, they've also decided to take a nice nap underground”. “Well, I can't blame them, it's comfortable down there. It'll be rude to disturb their sleep, I'll try to leave quietly.” He decides naively, seemingly oblivious to the destruction he's caused.
“I can't stand the sight of this barren wasteland, it brings back too many old memories,” he mumbles softly, making sure to keep his voice low. “I'll find a more suitable place to go and contemplate these 'requirements' that I need to advance, someplace greener,” He decides.
Cautiously, the Colossus takes his second step, trying to be as gentle as possible. A ridiculous notion of trying to let the ‘Sleeping elementals’ below rest for just a little while longer. “I wonder which direction I should set off to,” he ponders, realising that it didn’t matter. Choosing a direction at random, he sets off ready to explore to unknown land ahead.
The black, volcanic earth cracks under his enormous weight as he steadily walks forward. Scenes of the past flash in his thoughts, but they're swiftly crushed. "I seem to be the tallest elemental around, what happened to the others?" Concern fils his mind, but he can't seem to come to a satisfying conclusion. Rhythmically, he takes one step after the other.
As his left foot touches the ground, under his weight, a small hill collapses inward. “Why is there a hole in the ground!” he shouts in surprise, quickly taking his foot out of the cave chamber that he has stepped into. The chamber barely has enough space to fit his whole foot. Little did the colossus know that this place isn't some random cave system.
POV Xikshu, Legendary Naga Guardian of the Cunning Burrows Dungeon:
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In the depths of the Cunning Burrows Dungeon's final boss room, a giant naga stands. Measuring 5 meters in height covered in hard scales, he's the final boss of this old unconquered dungeon. “None have ever made their way far enough to be worthy of facing me,” Xikshu says proudly, the hollow chamber around him echoing.
“It is a shame no one seems to challenge the great dungeon anymore,” he sighs dejectedly. “It’s as if those above have forgotten about the treasures I guard. How many years has it been? A hundred, no, it might be closer to five hundred years. I crave a glorious fight, is that too much to ask for?” he says, inspecting the spear in his hand.
The dungeon chamber starts to shake, a ghastly crack snaking its way across the ceiling. “This dungeon used to be over a hundred meters underground, but because of all the seismic activity, it has been pushed up close to the surface. I just hope these troublesome tremors stop soon,” he says solemnly, his eyes darting around the room.
The tremors keep intensifying, the cracks spreading further. A loud snap deafens Xikshu. His eyes lock onto the ceiling. To his horror, piece by piece, the ceiling falls apart. “What's going on!” he shouts in fear. As if the sky was falling, Xikshu can only stare upwards. Paralyzed with fear, he's unable to move. His vision fills with the sight of a giant, white foot descending upon him.
His instincts take over. With mechanical precision, Xikshu lifts his prized weapon, the Legendary Spear. Standing ready, this calamity approaches him mercilessly.
POV Narrator:
The Colossus’ left foot breaks through the dungeon ceiling. His foot, unbeknownst to him, was crushing everything in the dungeon room, like some poor flower being trampled next to the roadside.
The great Naga boss of the Cunning Burrows dungeon did not stand a chance, the only action it took was to ultimately lodge his legendary spear into the side of the Colossus’ granite foot. The Colossus didn't even notice this occurring. The Colossus only felt a hint of annoyance from having to take his foot out of, what he assumes, is just an old lava tube.
After this brief excitement, the Colossus's monotonous journey continued uneventfully, with no real end in sight. The only colour the landscaped holds is black, scorched volcanic stone, with a light dash of grey volcanic ash thrown into the mix. “How exciting,” he remarks sarcastically. “I swear I’ll die of boredom before I see anything green,” he says to himself, a long sigh escaping his lips.
Out of the corner of his large eyes, he spots something new, a strange flying creature moving away from him. “Maybe that’s some new type of tiny wind elemental?” he ponders enthusiastically, a small amount of vigour finally filling his steps. At this point he was ready to do practically anything for a change of scenery, even following this strange and tiny ‘Wind elemental'.
His journey continues for over a thousand kilometres. Steadily, the ground around the Colossus changes, the usual brittle volcanic rock becomes more refined coarse dirt. Step by step, the Colossus continuously follows the strange flying creature, more commonly known as a bird. The ground no longer crunches under his feet. Instead, it's becoming softer.
Over the horizon, he sees signs of something blue, a sharp contrast to the usual black and grey landscape. While approaching, his excitement starts to build. His long and steady strides shorten, his pace increasing. The casual walk transforms into a jog. His feet begin to dig deeper into the ground with each step, a trail of destruction is left in his wake. Where ever his feet land a hole, comparable to a meteor strike, is left behind.
His pace keeps increasing. The coarse ground starts to transform into soft beach sand. With a final, heavy step, he reaches his destination. Both of his feet are stuck way over twenty meters in the soft beach sand, but he didn’t care. “I've finally reached the ocean!” he exclaims with unbridled excitement.
In front of him, a giant blue sea stretches out. At the edge of his vision, he can barely make out the shape of another continent on the other side of the ocean. “Maybe that's my next destination, but if I want to get over there I'll have to cross this ocean,” he contemplates, deep in thought.
“I’ve got it!” he announces in excitement, striking both of his giant, granite hands together. “I’ll just walk across the ocean floor to the other continent,” a crazy idea forms in his mind. With confidence, the Colossus takes his next step, digging his feet out of the destroyed beach. Meter by meter, his figure descends into the deep blue ocean, only his head is still above water.
The Colossus looks up at the bright sky. “I’m going to miss the feeling of the sun's light on my back,” he says, a small sigh escaping his lips. Taking the final steps, his entire body submerges below the ocean surface. The only evidence that he was ever there is the warzone of destruction that he has left behind.