POV Narrator:

In the darkness of the ocean abyss, the two mermen are nearly paralysed with shock. Near the periphery of their emergency lights’ shine, a being, akin to a mountain, stands while exuding an indescribably ancient aura. Only the lower half of its body is illuminated by the emergency lights. Before the mermen can process the situation, the creature begins to move.

The water surrounding the mermen violently shakes as it’s rapidly displaced by the being’s movements. Two loud crashing noises, in fairly rapid succession, break the two mermen out of their stupor and forces them to cover their ears. Quickly as the noises came, silence returns to the abyss.

Dazed, Merrick manages to gather his wits and scans the surroundings with his light. Less than twenty meters in front of him, a giant granite wall looms. Slowly, Merrick angles his light up. “AAH!” Merrick shouts in shock along with the merman next to him. Illuminated by the emergency light, an enormous face with piercing white, granite eyes stare down.

“Hello, tiny elemental, I’m sorry about the light. It’s an unfortunate casualty, but I’m glad to say that the dust has finally retreated! Now, that bigger elemental can at least have a nice nap without being bothered by the light keeping it awake.” The Colossus says in a deep voice, not knowing that the two mermen heard nothing that he said.

Beneath him, Merrick floats silently as a deep frown etches itself on his forehead. Still wounded from the octopus attack, a plethora of questions race through his mind. A minute of silence passes. The Colossus’ giant eyes stare at two mermen and Merrick finally breaks the silence, tactfully trying not to anger the Colossus, and asks, “What happened to the portal?”. “The what?” the Colossus responds naively. “Uhm… The ball of light.” Merrick clarifies.

A look of guilt flashes on the Colossus’ face, but he manages to harden his resolve and responds, “Well, in my great battle against the wretched dust, I accidentally hit the portal and it suddenly collapsed into itself. It was an unfortunate sacrifice.”. “Impossible!” Merrick responds, “No one has ever been able to close any of the demon portals ever since they first appeared!”.

“What’s on the other side of the portals?” the Colossus asks curiously. “The demon plane.” Merrick says, “It’s the birthplace of all the demons that have terrorised us for generations.” A pained look appears on his face as memories of lost comrades resurface, but it’s soon replaced by a grim resolve.

“I have a favour to ask. I know we just met, but the fact that I’m still alive and talking means that you aren’t evil. This is a desperate situation that requires desperate measures.” Merrick pleads. “I’m on my way to cross the ocean but I can maybe spare some time.” The Colossus answers kindly.

An incredulous look plasters itself on Merrick’s face as he explains, “I want you to close the other portals except the one in our last city, they are littered across the abyss floor up to the other side. This means that you barely have to go out of your way to help us.”. The Colossus contemplates for a couple of seconds, wondering why these tiny elementals wanted to get rid of the pretty lights, but seeing that there is no reason not to help, he agrees, “Okay, but it’s your loss.”.

The smile on Merrick’s face grows even larger because of the Colossus’ agreement, but before he can celebrate, a huge granite hand swoops in from the darkness and gently grabs the two mermen. “What!” The other merman shouts, his wounded body acing from the sudden movement. “Put us down,” Merrick demands, his body also acing in pain.

“This will be faster.” The Colossus states as he gently places both mermen on his shoulder, “Hold on tightly, I don’t want you to float away; it’s hard to find anything in this darkness. Now, which way should we go.”. Unable to argue with the Colossus’ logic but still irritated by his new predicament, Merrick points his hand and says, “In that direction, there is a portal nearby.”.

“Okay, hold on tight” the Colossus responds blandly. Without much time to prepare, Merrick quickly grabs hold of one of the numerous grooves lining the Colossus’ granite body. The same loud noise assaults his ears as the Colossus’ takes its first step, but this time it’s at least a bit softer because they’re at least a hundred meters away from the Colossus’ feet impacting the ocean bed.

Concern fills Merrick’s thought as he contemplates, “I’m grateful that this walking mountain agreed to my selfish request, but I’m worried how this is going to turn out. Whatever happens, we must close the portals; despite our best efforts, we are losing this war for survival, every day more demons are clawing their way out and every day we lose more people. Sooner or later, there won’t be anyone left to fight. I just hope everyone will agree with my actions. The biggest concern right now is how they will react when they see him.”.

The Colossus’ deep voice breaks Merrick’s contemplation as he says, “Hey, look. I think this is the right place. Wow, some of the bigger elementals are already dancing around the light, how fun.”. Merrick’s eyes widen in horror at the sight off in the distance; tens of mutated sea monster swim around the glowing portal as they massacre the mermen warriors guarding it. “We have to hurry. They need our help!” Merrick urges, panic flashing in his eyes.