POV Zohn

“Ugh,” I groan, my mind feels a little fuzzy. I rub my eyes, trying to get rid of my lingering need to sleep; maybe I should just go back to sleep, just five more minutes? It feels like I’ve forgotten something… “Ah!” I shout, suddenly realising what I was missing. No one can blame me for feeling a bit forgetful after nine hundred years of evolution slumber.

Right, how could I momentarily forget entering the evolution slumber? It feels like I was awake just yesterday, but a full nine hundred years have passed. Is this how Col feels each time? No wonder he seems unaffected each time, to him, it probably felt like no time had passed at all!

Well, I’ve slept enough, it’s time to get up. As I stand up from my bed, a status screen pops up in front of my vision.

Evolution Your race has evolved from Goliath to a unique race, Spirit Guardian Goliath. Eternal Champion

This special title grants the holder immortality while being near the designated companion. If the holder ever moves too far away from the companion, then the effects of the title cease to apply.

This special title allows the user perfect manipulation of the elemental essence created by the designated companion and allows free movement on and around the designated companion.

This evolution sleep is too strong! I didn’t earn for these powers, they’ve just been handed to me. No wonder Col strengthens himself so rapidly. Well, I won’t complain about a free gift and these have their limitations. Besides, even without these extra powers, I’d still protect Col with all my might, now it’s just a little easier.

My eyes scan the room looking for my spear, but it’s nowhere to be found. I’m sure I went to sleep with it… “Wait, it can’t be.” I blurt out as a sudden realisation hits me. I close my eyes and try to concentrate on every part of my being.

Inside I sense a strange energy and I pull on it. As I open my eyes, I wonder at the object in my hands. In my hands, my spear rests, except its form has changed somewhat. Now, it looks like a piece of art, delicate to the touch. The spear has changed into crystal metal, made from some unknown energy; it feels as light as a feather but strong enough to shatter mountains.

This evolution sleep, the gift that keeps on giving. I can’t help but feel that there is more to this than a mere evolution sleep, but I can’t be certain about anything. My clothes have withered considerably, a testament to the damages of time.

I might as well take full advantage of my newfound powers. In an instant, my clothes turn to dust; I better clean this up, else Col won’t be happy when he wakes up and finds dust lying around. I manipulate the essence around me, willing it to form pure, almost impossibly white robes, around my body.

In front of a mirror, I observe my appearance; My robe, combined with the white beard hanging down my face, looks perfect. Now that I’m properly dressed, I summon the spear to my hands and I use it as a walking staff as I roam my house. This place hasn’t changed at all since I’ve gone to sleep…

Eventually, I reach the front gate. It’s still securely locked. I wonder how Col’s body looks right now? That reminds me, I can feel that Col is still undergoing his evolution. Mine probably ended earlier, but I don’t mind waiting for him to finish. It’s going to be lonely without him, but it won’t be nearly as bad as last time.

I take a deep breath and unlock the gate. Suddenly, I feel the elemental essence of the island flowing around rapidly, what's going on? Without further delay, I start to pull the huge gate, at over two meters taller than me, open. The gate gives a loud screech as I pull on it.

Damn this sound is irritating! This first thing on my priority list is to oil this gate’s hinges, else I won’t be able to handle this screeching sound. Slowly, the gate opens. Even with my strength, it’s still a struggle to open this gate. Truly a testament to its strength; Col built me a proper home.

Finally, the door opens, and I’m stunned by the sight in front of me. I was expecting a desert or a wild jungle around the house, but this is crazy! A field of flowers stretches out, surrounding my house. It looks like a celestial garden, did someone plant this? In front of me, on the bridge in front of my house, I spot a small creature, just two meters tall, with bird-like wings on his back. Was it him?

I’ll ask him later, there’s another problem I must solve first. I look at the darkness surrounding the island and I know it isn’t natural, it should be day right now. I look the strange gas surrounding Col, if I didn’t know any better, I would assume we were stuck underground. At least Col seems to be naturally driving the gas away, but it isn’t enough.

Don’t worry Col, I’ll get the sunlight back. I take my spear into both hands and I gather the elemental essence around me into it. I can feel the spear filling up with power until it’s full to the brim. In one swift motion I lift the spear up and I slam its back-end into the ground in front of me.

The gas in the sky splits open like an egg. All around the island, sunshine bombards everything with a wave of light. This is much better, but my job isn’t done yet. I force the essence into the ocean below and towards the gas’ source. I crystalize the remaining essence over the breach and seal it. That should hold for a while.

I take a sigh of victory, congratulating myself on a job well done. In the back of my mind, I can’t help but feels like I’ve done something I shouldn’t have. Well, it doesn’t matter, I’ll protect Col, no matter what shows up.

Right, now onto the other business. I decide as I direct my gaze towards the strange bird creature, looking at me with his mouth hanging open and eyes as round as apples.