POV Zohn:

The day has just started and it’s not meant to be wasted. I turn my back towards the cliff and I cast my gaze upon the beautiful mountaintop. It feels almost like paradise. Walking through the wondrous trees and dense foliage always brings, my old heart, a small bit of pride.

At the start, cultivating this mountaintop was incredibly difficult. The harsh winds and frigid temperatures turned the soil barren and inhospitable. It was only through Col’s indirect help that any of this is even possible. The constant heat that emanates from this suppressed volcano was enough to fend off the cold mountaintop climate, but the true help came from the water that Col consistently exudes.

With this water and a monumental amount of effort on my part, I managed to cultivate plants and trees. As I walk, the soft sound of tree leaves rustling in the wind, confirms that my labour wasn’t in vain. Another purpose of the trees, besides their beauty, is to conceal Col’s face from observation.

As far as I know, Dawkin never saw Col. Also, I never really explained my true purpose for staying on this mountaintop. Dawkin never really asked my reason for being here. Maybe he was content with the little that I revealed to him, or maybe he thought it wasn’t his place to ask. Either way, it doesn’t matter. I only worry about protecting Col until he awakens.

I lengthen my strides and finally come to a stop in front of Col’s giant, vine-covered, head. My eyes linger on Col’s soft sleeping expression. Can a granite face even be described as soft? Ha-ha, I can’t help but laugh. Still, I think it suits him. You don’t have to worry my old friend; my resolve is as firm as ever. We’re companions, now and forever. You’re in safe hands.

I turn around. A deep breath of cool air fills my lungs as I inhale. I bottle up all my emotions, of doubt and uncertainty, then I let out a deep breath. Slowly I regain my inner peace. “The area surrounding our peaceful mountain might become a bit chaotic in the next couple of months, I hope you don’t mind,” I say, with my head turned to look at Col’s sleeping face. I know he can’t hear me, but it’s the thought that counts. A bit of action might be nice for a change.

The months pass by and the season changes. It’s already been four months since Dawkin departed and I haven’t seen any sign of him or his people. I hope he’s alright. Even if some sort of tragedy struck him in his journey home, there’s little that I can do. I have this inexplicable feeling that he’s coming closer to the mountain, but it’s accompanied by an ever-present sense of foreboding.

The sun’s almost completing its descent and I'm growing increasingly restless. I should call it quits for today, it seems that he won’t arrive today. I stand up and make my way home. The sense of foreboding increases with the passing of each hour. I’ll go and sleep early today, maybe it’ll calm my nerves.

I wake up early in the morning, the sun is still enjoying its sleep. I head into my storage room and I retrieve my old training spears. I haven’t used them in years, so a bit of caretaking is needed to avoid potential degradation. I’m waiting every day, so I might as well be productive. I bundle up the twenty-odd spears under my arm and I head outside.

Wandering my way through the dense foliage, I arrive at my usual spot. I’m just in time for the sunrise. The sight of day’s first sun rays streaking across the landscape below never ceases to leave me breathless. Finding a place to sit, I look down at the pile of spears next to me and I casually grab one. These spears are only made from iron and their sizes are a bit small, but their quality is impeccable. With my goal set, I slowly start the meticulous restoring process.

Halfway through the pile, a loud sound interrupts my work. A loud roar echoes over the landscape. Near the edge of my vision, I spot a large flying creature soaring through the sky.

Why is there a flying creature out in the daytime? They usually only hunt at night. Finding this peculiar, I try to take a closer look. Squinting my eyes, I barely make out a group of people fleeing from the flying creature. They seem to be making a straight line towards this mountain. Maybe it’s Dawkin’s people? Even if it isn’t I won’t just stand idly by and watch this happen.

The only problem is, how can I help? I can’t leave Col undefended and alone. I look down towards the spears next to me and an interesting idea starts to form in my mind. Maybe I can use these spears as javelins? I’ve practised throwing the spears before, but not at this distance. The problem is, the last time I practised spear throwing was five hundred years ago.

I must try something at least. Indiscriminately picking up a spear, I align my shot and I throw the spear. Soaring through the sky, the spear launches directly towards the flying creature, but the spear falls short at just over half of the needed distance. It looks like I’m going to need to use all my strength for this to work.

I take off my shirt, exposing my chest to the cool mountain air. I grab another spear. Focusing my strength into my right arm, my biceps flex with power. My white hair may make me look old, but my body is way stronger than it was nine hundred years ago. With my target in sight, I throw the spear with all my might. The spear travels, through the air, almost faster than my eye can follow. Leaving a small explosion of air in its wake.