Just a short Foreword:

I have been feeling inspired recently. So inspired in fact, that I actually decided to write something! Which I've been meaning to do for a long time, but have just put it off until now. Shadow of the Colossus and Ico have always been great inspirations to me, no matter what Im doing, so I thought it would be a good idea to use that game to draw from to create a story with a similar world, and story. Its kind of half way between Fan fiction, and an original work.

I would just like to add that all reviews are greatly appreciated. Even if they are only a few words of thought. =]

Chani and the Wanderer

Morning. I desperately cling on to the final shards of my sleep, pulling myself as far in to the trance as I dare. It is better here. Secure in my own sub-concious, no threats, with only my dreams to haunt me. I let go, through nothing other than necessity, I'm not strong enough. I can feel myself steadily slipping back to reality. Slowly and reluctantly, I open my eyes, subjecting them to the ever harsh glow of the dawn. My real world quickly coming into unforgiving focus. I wish I could stay like that forever. Peaceful. But alas, many a good man's wishes have previously gone unheard, what reason is there to believe my fortune will be any different? I wait a short time until the last remnants of my slumber ebb away, my body slowly adjusting. I sweep my Auburn hair from in front of my eyes with a weak motion of my hand. Through my thoughts I listen to the birds flap their wings, battling their way through the sweltering heat of these lands, singing songs that could soothe any poor fellows tormented soul; for now mine would have to do. This was refreshed as I was going to get. Unfortunately.

Time to face the day.

Mind now fully focused on the task at hand, I stand shakily. The harsh stone ground upon which I had slept was certainly not an ideal place to rest for the night. Sleeping rough is not something I am used to, consequently I often wake with many sores and pains which I always feverishly attempt to remedy with rest and support, all to no avail, since the next night the unmerciful cycle begins over again. An unavoidable annoyance, which means I have to go about my travels in something less than that of good stature. Not ideal. Especially considering that with my current situation as it is, I will not be receiving any medical attention any time soon.

I gather my things together, being sure to stay a safe distance from the ominous cliff next to which I had set up camp. Starting towards the charred remains of my camp fire, I notice there was still perfectly good wood left there, peeking out from underneath the deadly black ash. It must have rained through the night, and with nothing to cover my belongings, that was not a good prospect. I stumble over to my roughly sewn satchel in which I keep most of my things, and examine it for water damage. It's fine, even despite the bag lying carelessly open on the ground, nothing was damaged. In a moment of shaky panic I grabbed for my journal, which must have fallen out when I hastily set my bag down last night.

My journal was the only personal artefact that I had decided to bring with me. I thought it best to travel lightly. In it I had recorded almost everything of note that had occurred over my journey. Saving a page or two each day to write out things that I deemed especially important. Things I didn't want to forget about my past, the people that meant a lot to me. They were all recorded in this small book, and so, it was the only thing keeping me sane, as I drove forward into the unknown. Deeper and deeper each day. The thought of my only outlet surrendering its delicate pages to the pounding rain was enough to worry me beyond that of any quest I could have been entrusted with. Feeling my hearts beat become ever more uneasy as the seconds drip away, I desperately scramble in an attempt to find it. Tossing my other things aside I quickly catch it from the corner of my eye. With an uneasy breath I reach out and stroke my hand tenderly across the brown leather binding, the familiar texture immediately relaxing me. As I cautiously flick through the pages, my sigh of relief is only cut short by the peculiar sensation of wonderment that overcomes me as I realise the book is bone dry. I don't stop to realise just how strange that is. I'm too relieved. Closing my eyes and pulling the book close to my heart, I feel its metal capped corners dig into my chest and myself calming down. I have already had more than enough excitement for one day, and a part of me wants to just rest until dusk. But today is important. There is no time to waste, I would write these strange events in my journal while I walk. It is dangerous to stay in one place too long, when in the wild. This camp was no different to the rest I had scraped together in the past, there was no reason to stay.

Hurriedly stuffing everything back where it belongs, I gather the final objects of the night, strewn around my rather measly camp-site. Satisfied that I have left nothing behind, I grab my bow, being sure to strap it securely to my belt. It is the only weapon at my disposal, and fortunately, as of yet I have only had to use it for hunting the few animals that roam these desolate plains. Hauling my satchel over my shoulder I begin travelling north, leaving the cliff upon which I had spent the night. There is a wood ahead of here that I'm going to have to traverse if I am to reach my destination. A place which the likes of mortal men's feet rarely touch the cursed soil. But I am brave, I must go there, for it is the only place I can be saved. I pull back my hair and tie it up with a strip of dirty brown cloth that I had ripped from my shirt a few days back, (I cant concentrate with my hair in my eyes) and set off.

Wading through the thick undergrowth leading into the darkened woods ahead. I check my compass to reassure myself that I'm heading in the right direction. As long as I keep north I would be on the right track. Although that may be a problem, If I were to continue in this direction there is a good chance there may be a river or stream ahead. Seeing as I had no means of crossing water, and swimming across would be nothing less than foolish, I may have to-

I quickly turn on my heel, spinning around, batting the weeds out of my eyes with a swift flick of my hand. There was no doubt about it. I had just heard something lurking in the foliage behind me. I had been away from civilisation for far too long, but my hearing was one of my senses that had not suffered. Glaring through the trees I notice I have already travelled fairly deep into the woods. It was too late to run now. I would have to face my foe, despite my clear disadvantage. Another sound caught my attention, I stayed as still as I could, drawing my breath with more care and precision even than necessary. Branches cracked, then something rustled. Suddenly, a loud snap, ripped through the air and echoed into my ears! Something came bounding fiercely towards me! I don't have any time to react, before I can even move it is upon me, I flail my arms around wildly in a desperate plea to defend myself. Clenching my hand into a fist I pound the thing with considerable force, apparently this was enough to dissuade my attacker, it moved backwards with a disjointed bolt and let out a staggering cry. No, not a cry, a muffled and snorting whinny! It wasn't an attack, it's a horse...

...My horse?

I stumble backwards in utter disbelief, how- what the...I feel my jaw quiver and my fist relaxes, falling backwards into the grass, I land on a pile of thorny plants and yelp in pain. The rough thicket of spikes fiercely digs into my back and legs, forcing a gasp out from my dry lips. I waste no time in rolling over away from the thorns, wincing as I feel the barbs slip out of my flesh. What was going on? I had....I had hit a horse? My horse? I try through the pain to raise my hand in a peace offering to him. Holding my palms towards him I mutter my condolences through gritted teeth. I cant stand up properly, Just as a manage to get my footing my legs give way and I jerk back down to the leafy earth again. Taking this as a sign that I was unable to harm him, the bewildered animal trots over with another snort, the greenery crunching under his hooves, and nudges me delicately with his nose.

Of course, I hadn't walked all the way here. This was my horse! He had been with me ever since I was a child, when I used to ride him around the town, circling the huts made of sticks and mud that the commoners- us- lived in. For a long time he was my only true friend, as I battled my own personal war against the cruel world, Chani was always there for me. I had loved him and cared for him, and now I remember, I had brought him with me! I pull on his reigns to lift myself off the ground. With a little struggle I manage to stand, slowly, on my wounded legs. Chani gives me a delicate nuzzle. Looks like he's forgiven me, but that's not what I'm thinking about. Instead my mind is focused solely on two questions. "How could I have forgotten about my horse?" and more importantly:

What is happening to me?

2

"All this time... I've been played for a fool."

...

"Are you even listening to me? I can't believe you. I should have known better than to think you could handle this. Its always the same with you."

...

"Not this time. Second chances don't ever matter. People never change....You want to know the worst thing? I thought you loved me. I actually believed you. Heh...can you believe it?"

...

"No. Not again. I'm done with you. For real."

**