This is a story that has been floating through my mind for years and years and years. Ever since I played Shadow of the Colossus, I kept wondering what the people might have been like and I analysed bits and pieces of the story and came up with some conclusions about Dormin at least. Based on his reactions when he first meets Wander, I was able to pick up some bitter feelings for mortals and an ironic laugh when Wander asks him to revive Mono. That laugh made it clear that revival was a common practice before and it was bittersweet to revisit that memory.

Note: when I use the term "Dorumin" I'm simply using the exact Japanese pronunciation. I use this for the singular reference of the god. When I use "Dormin" or "the Dormin" I'm referring to the entire entity as a sort of plural. If you have any questions, please ask!

Also, when I put Dorumin's words into quotation marks, it's being spoken aloud for anyone to hear. When it's italicized, it's only in the main character's mind.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shadow of the Colossus. But if I did... Well.

I hope you enjoy! It may take me a while to update, but I wanted to add this first chapter to see what you think of it. Please let me know!

"I need you to bring back her soul," He pleaded, staring up into the empty hole.

The entity laughed. He laughed, despite the mortal's troubles and the boy gaped at the light in horror. "That maiden's soul? Souls that are once lost cannot be reclaimed… Is that not the law of mortals?" There was a bitter tone to his voice. Perhaps it was sarcasm. Wander's heart sank for a moment, but he didn't have time to think about it much, for the voices spoke again. "With that sword however… it may not be impossible."

"Really?!" He gasped, taking a step forward even though it did no good. The voice was above him.

"That is, of course, if thou manage to accomplish what we askest."

A large structure stood towering over the land. The various levels staggered up the height of the building in a beautifully arranged array of misfited balconies, archways and doors. The structure was made of some type of stone and seemed to glow brighter in the sunlight than anywhere else in all the land. The bottom level hosted an open entry way with the entire front wall consisting of only a few pillars, an altar, and a stair case on both ends leading up to it. The only thing on ground level was a small structure which looked like a minimalist version of the large temple itself. It contained a square of stone with words carved into it.
Senra knew these words well and didn't even bother to read them. She gulped down a fresh lungful of air before dipping her head low in respect. Pressing her bare feet to the stone of the small shrine, she felt the indents of the letters beneath her toes.

The words came to her lips easily as she whispered them to her Lord and Lady. The air around her seemed to resonate with different sounds. There was the rolling of large stones, crunching and grinding together as if there were some far off avalanche echoing in her ears. Then there were the echoes of faint chime notes hitting her ears unnaturally. The experience made her feel like she was spinning in an empty room with nothing but those sounds and a feeling of rushing towards something important. After a short while, a voice whispered softly to her, "Welcome back, Lady Sen."

Her heart skipped a beat like it always did. She smiled and straightened to a standing position again, like she always did, and looked up into the large door near the tall roof of the temple. There was nothing there, but she could almost feel… something. Her white dress flowed around her knees for a moment in a soft breeze.

When she averted her gaze and turned towards the staircase to her left, she noticed Drelle watching her. The High Priest. A smile spread across his face and he offered a small bow. With a flick of his wrist, he beckoned for her to join him on the balcony six feet above where she stood.

Giggling, she trotted up the stairs, pulling up the hem of her dress as she did so. When she met the High Priest, she dipped her head in respect for the briefest of seconds, allowing her black hair to tumble over her shoulders. She straightened and gave him a wide grin.

"How did you find your travels?" He asked lightly, leading her down the long corridor. Large statues of strange creatures lined either side of the hall. They were supposedly different dominating aspects of the Dormin, different parts of Dorumin, but she'd never felt any connection with them. She glanced at the large hole in the ceiling as they passed under it. Light flitted downward and a soft rolling of rocks and bell chimes echoed towards the pair.

Drelle witnessed this unspoken exchange between the god and the girl and looked ahead without saying anything.

After a moment, they reached the end of the hall and a small pool of water and a spiraling stair case greeted them. It was always so dark in here.

"I wanted to speak with you," Drelle announced as they mounted the stairs. "But it can wait until dinner." Another silence passed between them. "I did want to warn you, however, King Atzul is here."

Senra clenched her jaw angrily but inhaled and exhaled slowly before speaking. "Why is he here?"

"You'll find out during dinner, but for now, let's just be civil." His amber eyes met hers in a calculated fashion.

She nodded, keeping her brown eyes fixed on his, waiting for him to say anything else.

He did not for a time and broke the eye contact uncomfortably. Once they had reached the top of the stairs, and turned to climb the slope to the gardens, he finally spoke again. "You never did answer my question."

Her eyes met his again, confusion passing over them.

"How were your travels?" His expression was soft and a smile curled over his features.

She returned the smile. "It was… peaceful. The lands are so quiet. I've never known anything like it. Every time I've had the opportunity to explore, I've always been with other people. But this… It was nice. After visiting each shrine, I feel more connected to Dorumin."

"I'm glad." Drelle clapped a hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly before letting go. They walked again in silence. Drelle cleared his throat a few times awkwardly.

"What does King Atzul want?" She finally asked, clutching his arm and pulling him to a stop. Worry swam in her irises as she stared at him expectantly.

"I told you that you'd know at dinner…" He wrapped his fingers around hers, pulling her hand off his bicep. His hand dwarfed hers.

"Could you please give me a hint?" She begged. "You know how I feel."

He sighed, and wrapped her hand in both of his. "He wants you to go with him to the High Palace."

Her eyes widened and she curled her fingers tightly around his.

"I think that… He thinks that because he knows you, he can get you on his side and you would be an ideal candidate to convince the High King to trust everything he's going to say."

"What exactly does he want me to convince the High King of?"

"I'm not sure, but all I know is that he hopes that the High King will see you as a powerful figure of the temple, next to me, and that your word will serve as law…"

"If he thinks that I'm going to go against Dorumin then he's-"

"Shhh, don't worry. Whatever you tell King Geru is up to you. Chances are, you'll be a High Priestess some day. King Atzul cannot control you." He gave her hand a firm squeeze. "You wanted me to give you a hint, that's all you're getting."

Sighing, she hung her head and bit her lip, worry seeping into her bones. Her trip had been peaceful, but now she felt stressed again.

"Come on, you still haven't rested." Drelle tugged her along by the hand and they finally made their way up to the gardens.

Later that evening, everyone sat on the raised platform that overlooked the gardens. A large wooden table had been laid out with chairs completely surrounding it. Everyone had gathered in the seats and enormous plates of food filled the table space.

King Atzul had brought a few musicians to play their instruments quietly in the background. He and his servants had claimed a post at the head of the table, next to her and Drelle. Every time she muttered something under her breath at something he said or clenched her fist or made a face, Drelle would promptly kick her in the shin. His face said he was not in the mood for her to be a child today.

She shot a glare at Drelle and distanced herself from everything for a moment, staring at the trees in the garden and the slowly flowing waters. She took a deep breath.

"Everything okay, m'lady?" Atzul leaned forward and spoke so only she could hear.

She was tempted to cringe away from him and sneer in disgust. Instead she nodded and maintained a false calm. "There's a lot going on around me, I'm not used to this kind of gathering." She smiled. "It's overwhelming. I have no idea how you do it."

Atzul smiled and it was as if he still saw her as his loyal soldier. "You never were one to partake in social gatherings."

"I prefer the quiet."

He nodded then paused a moment, and continued. "After your coronation ceremony, you'll be right alongside High Priest Drelle and these social gatherings will be somewhat mandatory."

She blanched. "What?"

"I understand that the two of you aren't getting married, or have any romantic affiliations, and I won't judge you for that, but you'll both be leaders here, and those things come with the job."

She held back her shocked reaction. "I-" She spun in her seat to face Drelle who nodded. She widened her eyes in shock. This was too soon.

"You seem surprised, Lady Senra."

She scrunched her face. "Yeah. But I didn't think you had an interest in the affairs of the Shrine of Worship. I didn't assume you'd care about a coronation ceremony for me."

Atzul laughed. "Why else would I be here?"

She sighed. "I figured you just wanted something." She met his eyes. "I know you do."

"I was hoping to take you to meet the High King myself. He would very much like to meet the new High Priestess. There has been talk of things falling out of balance with only one High Priest and I'm sure King Geru will be relieved."

She nodded, absently and turned to Drelle. She gave him a pleading look but he didn't seem to understand.

Her head was reeling. "I think I need to be excused." She stood, shoving her chair outward. Everyone looked at her. Right. This was supposed to be her feast. She hesitated for a moment before turning on heel and striding towards the stairs leading up to yet another large balcony.

She sat in the cool night air and let the taste of the wind fill her mind. Pressing her back to the cold stone wall, she let herself relaxing.

Then she heard footsteps.

She considered climbing higher and hiding somewhere else in the temple, but ended up staying put. She pulled her knees up to her chest.

"Senra," Drelle murmured seating himself right next to her so that their legs touched. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you, but I thought you would be excited."

"This was sprung on me. I find that quite rude." Her voice was almost a hiss. "And I'm supposed to leave soon and go see the High King and make an impression? I am not ready. I'm not some game piece to just be pushed into the fray in your place."

"No, you're not. And I'm not sending you in my place, I just believe that you are ready." He placed his hand on her bare knee.

She almost knocked his hand away, but decided to calm down instead.

He sat there at a loss for words or actions. His face looked pained. Then he pressed his lips into a fine line. "There's going to be more soon."

She looked up in confusion.

"King Atzul wants you to talk to the King, yes, but there's even more that he'll tell you when you get to the palace. I hope you're ready, because I don't even know what it might be. I don't know what he's planning, but you know him better than I do. I don't trust him, but I trust you."

She sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder. He stiffened but then relaxed. "I'll be down soon, okay?"

He nodded, straightening up to a standing position.

She stayed only for a few minutes before her thoughts were interrupted.

Senra, whispered Dorumin. It's time for your coronation.

She sighed and stood up, flexing her muscles slightly. If Dorumin was telling her, then he clearly wanted her to go. If he had allowed everyone to go through this, then he clearly wanted her to serve him as a High Priestess. It wouldn't really be so bad, would it?

She lifted her dress and swept herself down the stairs quickly.

When she returned, everyone had finished eating and the food was being carried away by Atzul's servants.

Drelle and Atzul were standing and talking. After a while, they noticed her standing there. She met Drelle's eyes for a moment and then met Atzul's.

She stepped forward to meet them.