Chapter 57: Fighting a Mountain

Chapter 57: Fighting a Mountain

Fighting a mountain on top of a mountain, Dallion thought, shooting bolts at the head of the giant colossus as quickly as the dartbow would let him. There had been a time, back on Earth, when he had wondered what it would be like playing the main character in Shadow of the Colossus. Now, he had his wish, and regretted it.

Size really wasnt considered a factor in the awakened state. Dallion had fought large creatures, enormous creatures, large creatures that could become enormous upon merging in a group, and nowgigantic creatures. The challenge limitation made so much more sense now. Without a ranged weapon there would be no way to defeat the guardian, although maybe Gloria might have a chance with her acrobatics skills.

If I dont get any new skills at the end of this combat, theres no justice in this world! Dallion shouted, in the hopes that the shrine would take note. That was a problem for another day, though. At present, he still had to actually defeat the colossus.

Bolt after bolt hit the giant head only to bounce off, or sink in the stone of the guardians face like a fashionable piercing.

According to the large white rectangle above the guardians head, the weak point was supposed to be ears, but so far Dallion had received no indication that to be the case. Maybe the goal was to shoot in the ears? That made sense, even if it complicated the task to the extreme.

Suddenly the guardian raised its upper left arm. A massive green cone surrounded Dallion, along with part of the mountain behind him. Immediately, he reacted by sprinting towards the ledge path that connected this part of the mountain to another peak. It was this complete lack of hesitation that saved Dallion from certain defeat.

With one strike, the giant hand sliced the mountain in two. Just because a creature was large didnt mean it was slow.

D-a-a-a-a-mn i-i-i-t! Dallion shouted, running along the ledge. He had no idea how he was keeping his balance, and he didnt care.

Red markers appeared as he ran, indicating the angle at which he had to hold the dartbow to hit his enemy. Dallion didnt even aim, matching the markers as best he could and squeezing the trigger. He was even tempted to throw his buckler, if he believed it would be of any use.

There was no way to defeat something like this! There wasnt even a way to reach a stalemate. Eventually Dallion would be left out of strengthor out of mountain peaks to run toand then the guardian would squish him like a bug. And to think that the sand dragon was considered a challenging threat.

How can I defeat a giant as tall as a mountain? Dallion asked out loud while running.

Surprisingly the answer came to him moments later. There was no guarantee that it was the right answer, or even a particularly good answer, but something told Dallion it was worth the risk. All he had to do was reach the next peak.

Youre not fighting fair, you know! Dallion shouted. How about some fair play? Take a handicap or something!

Maybe it was the adrenalin rushing through his veins, or maybe it was his imagination, but Dallion could have sworn that he saw the colossus shrug.

Overpowered, cheating jerk! he grumbled as he kept on running.

It didnt take him long to reach the next peak. The guardian had politely allowed Dallion to get there safely or maybe he was just toying with the boy. Either way, things were going to be different this time.

Personal awakening, Dallion thought, and put his left hand over his mouth.

A doorway emerged in the mountains face just ahead. This was what Dallion was waiting for. Linking awakening states might be bad, but when in an awakening shrine there was nothing to worry about.

How about this, you lump of rock? Dallion shouted as he jumped into his awakening room.