POV Narrator:

The slumbering Colossus opens his white granite eyes. Almost blocking his sight, a familiar, blue screen hovers in the air.

Duration 1000 years Evolution Status Complete.

“Seems like my evolution is complete. I wonder what changed?” the Colossus ponders, standing up. While excavating himself from the soft beach sand, only a crater-sized hole is left.

Evolution Growth, 150 meters. Total height, 300 meters.

Water elemental composition acquired.

Improved durability and stability.

“Ha-ha, now I'm one step closer!” the Colossus excitedly proclaims. Opening his status screen, for the second time since its induction, he sees.

Name: *Unnamed Race: Primordial Elemental Titles: Primordial, Earth Shaper, Ocean Treader Unique Trait: Colossal Dream

“I sense the progress that I've made, albeit unexpectedly, towards my dream. I wonder what other strange things my path has in store for me. Will trees grow on my back? Maybe, I'll make a friend?” The Colossus ponders absentmindedly. The negative thoughts clouding his weary mind, thin out with each wild speculation. “I need to keep moving forward and seize my fate,” the Colossus promises himself, his gaze drifting across the sunny horizon.

Twenty meters from the Colossus' feet, Zohn stands frozen in place. Haggard and confused, his thoughts run wild, "What is this towering monstrosity in front of me? I’m too old for this. I only desired to retire to a quiet life next to the spear, but now my house is perched on, what looks to be, the shoulder of a giant, moss-covered, granite creature! Worst of all, the creature is leaking water everywhere.".

Managing to recover a little, he tries to get a clearer look at the creature, "I can barely make out its face from down here. I spot a wide, malicious looking grin on its face. It seems fixated on the horizon, but I can't only speculate its gruesome thoughts. I pray it's benevolent. If it threatens the village, then I'll have no choice but to make my final stand.".

Zohn's thoughts turn grim, but he suddenly remembers the spear, "Hold on, isn't the spear stuck inside the creature's body? Maybe it’s the spear's true guardian, and I’m merely an imposter… If he’s the guardian then things might develop in a more peaceful direction. I'll try communicating, it might be friendly. Let's see if the lonely old me can make a good impression.".

"Greetings, great Guardian of the mighty spear, can you hear me?” Zohn shouts from down below at the absentminded Colossus. “Someone’s trying to talk to me; I don’t see anyone around me? Wait, these days, elementals are all small things, maybe it's below me?” the Colossus decides after hearing Zohn's shout.

Slowly, the moss-covered Colossus bends down to the ground. Miraculously, the house on his shoulder remains properly anchored to his body. Making sure not to crush anything important, the Colossus bends down on his knees. His head is merely a hundred meters above the ground. The Colossus finally sees Zohn, who's standing five meters tall.

“Are you the one who called out to me, little elemental?” the Colossus curiously asks Zohn, his granite eyes radiating unseen pressure. “Yes, great Guardian, it was me,” Zohn replies, sweat trickling down his forehead. A grateful sigh escapes his lips. He's feeling relief that the Colossus didn't immediately appear to be inherently evil.

“Strange, he calls me a guardian? It’s probably just a way elementals address each other around here,” the Colossus naively assumes. He absentmindedly makes assumptions about Zohn, as he stares, “I swear these elementals are shrinking with each new place I visit. It can’t be because I’m growing larger, yeah they’re probably just getting smaller”.

“Great guardian, I have a selfish request to make,” Zohn implores the Colossus, desperately managing to build up enough courage to ask. “Go ahead tiny elemental,” the Colossus says with a small smile on his face. He's always willing to help if he's able to. “It looks friendly enough, and it does not deny that it’s the spears guardian. This could be my only chance to do something extraordinary, something that no one could ever dream of,” Zohn makes up his mind and asks, “May I accompany you, great Guardian?”.

“Why would you want to travel with me? I’m only a small elemental, fated to remain unnoticed and alone,” the Colossus replies, a hint of anticipation in his tone. “How can he be considered small?! Wait, that doesn’t matter right now, I just need him to agree,” Zohn removes the doubts from his thoughts and replies, “There are two reasons, great Guardian. First, it's because you protect the great spear and I can't stand to part with it and second, it's because my house is currently stuck on your shoulder.”.

“Ah, that explains this strange thing on my shoulder. If I'm carrying your house, then it's understandable that you want to travel with me. That'll be great, I'll finally have someone company!” the Colossus agrees to Zohn’s request, unwittingly ignoring the first of Zohn’s two reasons for travelling with him.