The sun hung low in the sky, casting an amber glow across the churning ocean as the massive tree golem loomed above the group.
Its wooden frame creaked under its own weight, and its roots dug deep into the sand, preparing to take on the heavy task ahead. The sea around it was eerily still, a calm before the inevitable storm.
Altan and Lady Vaqal stood at the base of the golem, checking their gear and preparing for the journey.
A few of the stronger survivors, including the seasoned sailors, joined them. The urgency of the situation was felt by all, yet a heavy silence weighed over the group.
"Stay safe, everyone," Vaqal called out, her voice steady despite the tumultuous thoughts racing through her mind.
She offered a reassuring smile, but her eyes betrayed her — they were wide with worry, glinting in the waning light.
The titan is moving. We're racing against time. If we fail to warn the Archon and prepare the islands, it could be too late. But what if we're too late anyway?
Altan checked the ropes securing his pack. He knew this task was dangerous, but he couldn't let fear cloud his judgment now.
"We'll make it there in time," he muttered under his breath, even though doubt lingered at the edge of his mind.
I can't afford to fail them. If anything happens to Vaqal or the others, I don't know what I'll do... but if I don't act, it could mean the end of all of us.
With a deep breath, Altan secured his footing and climbed onto the back of the golem, followed by Vaqal and the others.
The golem's giant limbs shifted, muscle-like structures rippling beneath its bark-like skin as it shifted into motion.
A soft rumble resonated through the ground as the creature began to move, slowly at first, its massive wooden legs splashing through the water with surprising grace.
"Take care of yourselves, and keep safe," Vaqal called out once more, her gaze lingering on the horizon where the storm clouds were beginning to gather. She looked to Elliot, her expression grim but filled with quiet resolve.
"Good luck," Elliot replied, his voice heavy with concern. "We'll be counting on you both to keep things together. Don't let anything stop you."
"We'll make sure you get reinforcements in time," Vaqal responded, her voice more assured now, despite the nerves gnawing at her. She nodded to them one last time before turning back to the massive golem.
As the golem began to swim into the distance, Elliot, Amiyan, and Wuxian turned their attention back to the task ahead.
The towering figure of the colossus loomed on the horizon, its massive frame barely moving, yet steadily creeping forward.
It was a colossal beast — a walking mountain with the ominous, steady pace of a predator closing in on its prey.
The golem, fully grown, was as large as a ship.
As Elliot watched the golem's wooden body sway and ripple through the water, the gravity of their mission settled deeper into his chest.
We've faced dangers before, but this... this is different. We need to figure out what's controlling that titan and stop it before it's too late.
*Can't say I've ever ridden a giant tree creature before," Wuxian joked, breaking the heavy silence.
He grinned, though his eyes were shadowed with concern. "A giant floating golem and a collosal turtle dragon? I swear this day just keeps getting weirder."
Elliot gave a strained smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. He could feel the pull of the citadel growing stronger with every passing second.
It gnawed at him, tugging on his very soul like an invisible force drawing him forward.
"We need to be careful," he said, his voice tight. "We have no idea what the titan is capable of."
Amiyan exchanged a glance with Wuxian, both of them catching the distant look in Elliot's eyes.
They could tell he wasn't fully present — that something else, some force beyond their understanding, was pulling at him. They both felt a pang of concern. Whatever was calling to Elliot, it wasn't natural.
Elliot's always been driven, but this... obsession with that citadel? What's happening to him?
The golem's massive frame creaked as it swam forward, splashing gently against the surface of the water.
The massive titan, a looming behemoth on the horizon, steadily grew larger with each passing moment.
As they climbed onto the golem's back, Elliot's mind wandered again, his thoughts drawn to the strange calling from the citadel.
It was louder now, almost unbearable, like a voice pulling at him, commanding him to come closer. His fingers clenched at the wooden surface beneath him, a shiver running down his spine.
What is it? Why are you calling me?
"Are you sure about this?" Amiyan asked, her voice full of quiet concern. "We don't know what we're walking into. That colossus... I can feel its power from here."
Elliot glanced back at her, a mixture of determination and unease in his gaze. "We have no choice. The titan is too dangerous, and I can feel it — whatever is controlling it... it's connected to me. I need to understand it."
The golem splashed forward, the steady pulse of its legs moving them ever closer to the colossus.
Its massive, lumbering form grew nearer by the second, and the air around them began to crackle with an ancient, unsettling energy. The titan moved slowly but steadily, like an unstoppable force.
Amiyan gazed at the growing figure, worry creasing her brow. "I don't like this. We need to be careful. We don't even know what's controlling it or why it's here."
Elliot felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders as the golem pressed forward.
He could feel it now, deep in his gut: this was his fight, one he had been drawn into since the moment he arrived in this world. Whatever this titan was, it would not go unanswered.
But as they neared the titan's colossal frame, the sense of foreboding grew stronger. The very air seemed to shimmer with power, as if the world itself was holding its breath.
The titan was almost upon them.