Chapter 2
Oh...my...gosh…
I cannot has english now.
What?! How...why...ok hold up.
*Takes a deep breath*
Ok, i'm coherent now. For the most part.
So, it seems that people really like the story idea. I'm honestly really shocked with how well this was taken. Only a week after posting it and already, the favorites and follows are in the double digits! What, are you kidding me?
Is somebody playin ya boy?!
Apparently not.
So then, I guess we get into the part that everybody really wants...Blake starts the first chapter. I'll be honest, I am kinda scared with how this might come out. I've never tried to novelize anything so this is my first time trying. And it couldn't be anything easy, no it's freakin Shadow of The Colossus! Man, I hope I get this right, God help me.
Before anything I wanna say thank to all those who favorited and followed and reviewed and are gonna put there faith in me to give em a good read, I promise I won't let you down.
And please! Understand that in order for this to work, some parts have to be stretched, compressed, and at some points but not too many, added in! Please give me the benefit of the doubt on this!
Disclaimer:RWBY is owned and created by Rooster Teeth and Shadow of the Colossus is owned and made by Sony and Team ICO.
'Normal Speech'
'Thoughts'
'Reading'
X.x.X.x.X.x.X
Last time
Resting against her headboard she lay snug in her sheets and with her knees pulled close to her chest and grabbed the black book to rest it against her legs.
She took a moment to admire the simple yet beautiful book once more before flipping open the cover.
She came upon a blank white page with the author's name and publisher.
Written by ICO
Published and edited by Sony.
"Strange names,"She thought.
And with that last thought she turned to page one.
X.x.X.x.X.x.X
Prolouge
That place...began from the resonance of intersecting points…
They are memories replaced by ens and naught and etched into stone. Blood, young sprouts, sky-and the one with the ability to control beings created from light.
In that world, it is said that if one should wish it, one can bring back the souls of the dead…
Blake blinked in surprise.
'Bring back the dead?'She thought as she continued.
But to trespass on that land is strictly forbidden.
'Interesting start.'She noted as she turned the page.
Chapter 1:Dormin
For as far as the eye could see, the sky was black. Dark clouds shrouded the land and hid it from the light, a sign of the coming storms.
Amongst the black clouds, a lone falcon soared through the air, quickly seeking shelter from the soon coming weather.
Riding the winds, the brown feathered bird descended down into the mountains, flying alongside the quiet rocks to find a place to land and find cover from the rain.
The predator of the sky rounded a cliff, flying beside a narrow path along the side of the mountain, and as it started to ascend, for a split second, it's dark eyes locked with the stare of dull steel colored gray, and the raptor was amongst the sky again.
Blake felt a slight shiver on her neck at the mental image.
The owner of the gray eyes stopped his horse and watched the majestic bird soar into the heavens, it's form becoming smaller and smaller before it was inevitably lost to his sight.
Turning back to the path he lightly kicked the horse's sides and they were moving onward again.
His cloak flapped in the wind and the chill in air sunk into his bones. But even as the frigid temperature caused bumps to form along his arms he stayed focused and didn't relent to the harsh conditions.
'Obviously the protagonist,'Blake realized with a nod of her head,'Strong, determined, and he even has a horse. No real hero can NOThave a horse.'
She chuckled quietly.
Soon the mountains started to sink lower and lower until he was at ground level once more. The rocky terrain was replaced with wood and plant as he had made his way through a green and shadowy forest. The sounds of bird and insect alike singing softly as his horse silently stepped through the mud and dirt of the damp woods.
Through the thick foliage above, trails of sunlight poked through the leaves and branches. And with this, the young man had realized that he had been traveling all night and the sun was beginning to climb into the sky to replace the night with morning.
Seeing a pond up ahead, the boy pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted, being careful to keep the blanket wrapped object from tipping over.
Blake's mind started to ponder on this. What could be in the bundle? It'll obviously be revealed later but she still couldn't help but be curious now.
Stepping up to the water he bent to his knees and cupped his hands in the water and brought it up to his mouth to drink.
The water was cool and crisp as it traveled down his throat, the sensation causing him to sigh in bliss. Refreshing.
Blake licked her lips, her mouth suddenly feeling dry. She might need a drink of water after she was done.
A splash to his left made him turn his head.
Agro, his horse, was eagerly and loudly lapping up the water, likely very thirsty from their non-stop traveling.
His horse turned to him for a second, snorted and went back to drinking. He shook his head at his long time companion.
Turning back to the water he scooped up more in his hands and splashed it into his face. The biting cold helping to wipe away some of his exhaustion.
He did this several more times before wiping his eyes and looking back at his rippling reflection in the pond.
His eyes were starting to get dark circles underneath them, a result from his long journey. His auburn hair dripping water back into the pond, further distorting his image.
'Finally a description!'Blake thought in as she slowly started to build his image in her head.
However, despite his fatigue, he had to keep moving. No matter how much his body protested against his unwillingness to rest, he couldn't afford to sleep. He'd just be wasting time.
'I can understand that.'She thought in sympathy as she remembered nights where she couldn't sleep with thoughts similar along those lines.
Remounting Agro, he steered his horse away from the water and back onto their set path. Although he could tell his companion wished to rest a bit more. He couldn't blame him.
They didn't get too far out of the woods before the clouds returned, the smell of rain heavy in the air. It wasn't long before the rain started to sprinkle, and only a few seconds later, start coming down in waves.
He had led Agro under a small hill where they could be temporarily safe from the vicious downpour.
His cloak, once light, was now weighted and soaked from the rain, and his tunic and pants now stuck uncomfortably to his body.
Agro shook out his wet mane and snorted in displeasure at the cold rain.
Blake smiled slightly, Agro seemed just about as human as the boy was.
The young wanderer cast a glance up to the black sky and sighed while shifting the sword around his waist. It seemed that it was gonna stay like this for a while. And seeing how he didn't wanna get any more soaked than he already was, he had no choice but to wait it out.
Slumping in his saddle he felt his muscles start to relax as the low rumble of thunder sounded off in the distance. This with the sound of the rain worked to slowly ease his mind to sleep. Yawning into his hand he blinked as his eyelids became heavier by the second.
Blake suppressed her own yawn and had to blink her eyelids as well. This book was getting a little too descriptive. She just started, she can't go to bed yet!
Laying his head against Agro's neck he felt the rest of his will leave him and soon he was asleep.
The boy screamed in his prison, his eyes locked on the church through the window of his cell. He heard their chants, they grew stronger as the ritual was coming to an end. As she was coming to her end. He started to pound at the door. He couldn't fail her, he couldn't break his promise! But the noise halted. The chants stopped just like his heart. Dread filled his body and made him physically ill. It was over, which only meant...huffing and snarling in rage, all in the village heard as he furiously roared her name.
"Mono!"
He started awake.
Blake actually jumped back a little. Her tiredness forgotten, she felt her heart pound in her chest from the few sentences. She had gotten so into those few lines that she had actually started to lean forward into the book.
Whoa, it was starting to get intense. She continued reading.
Eyes wide and breathing deeply he tightened his fists around the reigns until his knuckles turned white. The fire in his heart reignited and with a scowl on his face, he steered Agro out into the pelting rain.
'A memory. Definitely a memory,'She determined,'It looks like it's what's driving him into doing...whatever he's doing.'
His gray eyes set sternly in front of him, he ignored how the rain poured onto him, soaking him to the bone and causing goosebumps to rise on his skin. Agro let his displeasure of the circumstances known with a few aggravated whinnies and head shakes. He ignored him.
It was about an hour into the storm and the aimless wandering that the rain started to lighten as did the clouds, their ink black color softening into a light gray.
He was thoroughly soaked now, as was Agro, much to the horse's dismay. Continuing south had lead them into a large grass plain. The dirt had long since been turned into deep and slimy mud. Agro struggled to lift his legs as the wet ground failed to offer the horse any form of support to walk on and the feeling of the mud getting stuck in his hooves made walking uncomfortable.
The wanderer made a note to clean out Agro's hooves later.
'At least he cares for his horse.'Blake thought. She didn't really like how the boy was doing all this at the expense of his horse to be honest. But seeing that he at least cared for what happened to him a little made her feel slightly better.
They continued through the wet plains for another hour before the rain finally stopped. The clouds dispersed and the sun was able to shine it's light on the world again. The grassland receded into an old beaten stone path, finally giving them a chance on stable ground. With the mud gone, the Wanderer took the time to clean out whatever he could from under Agro's hooves. The journey wouldn't go well with him getting soft feet or infection from the mud.
They were going again as soon as he was finished.
'You couldn't spare just a few minutes to rest?'She frowned in annoyance. Poor Agro.
Following the path, the duo was greeted with a profound silence. Through most of the journey, they had heard the sounds of birds, insects, and wind. But as they got further down the road, the noise slowly started to quiet down until the silence was basically non-existent. He didn't question it, for in the distance he saw it; the end of his journey.
Blake raised a brow in question. Surely it couldn't be over so soon.
It stood out in the vast landscape, sticking up in the distance to act as a beacon in the deserted plain.
The structure grew taller and taller as they got closer and soon the path had led them to a tall stone gate: it's shadow cast over them in a grand veil of darkness. A narrow passage between the two pillars seeming to be the only way through as the rest of the gate was surrounded by rock that spread for miles on each side.
Blake could see it in her head, the gate was mysterious and held an aura of quiet awe to its tall frame.
Guiding Agro through the narrow pathway, he felt his heart start to pound in anticipation. Reaching the end of the passage, he was temporarily blinded by the sun before his vision was restored and he beheld the scene in front of him. From the ledge of the cliff, stretching into the canyon was a long narrow ivory bridge, for almost an entire mile it reached out into a large stone structure in the center of the canyon. His heart pounding even harder he took a sharp breath in at realizing that his destination was right in front of him. He was so close.
'Now i'm even more curious as to what his mission is.'Blake thought.
Agro's hooves made a soft clack after every step on the smooth rock bridge, the noise being a nice distraction from the deafening silence that seemed to surround the entire area. It took them about half an hour before they had started to get close to the giant structure at the end of the bridge. Around the giant rock that seemed to graze the sky itself, multiple falcons flew gently in the breeze. And the young man idly wondered if one of them was the one he had seen earlier.
'The falcons seem important for some reason,'Blake thought,'I wonder if they have any meaning to the story.'
Finally arriving to the grand structure, he could see more clearly the simple yet intricate designs and architect carved into the rock. And he could tell instantly by the markings that it was once a grand temple in it's prime. But now, the old rock was weathered and broken off in some areas. The marks and drawings heavily faded away. It was a ghost of it's former self.
Stepping off the bridge, the young man and his horse stood immediately in front of a doorway blocked by a thick slab of stone with multiple carvings along it's face. He looked around but could not see a way to open or go around the door.
The boy swore in his head. Now what?
But as Agro took a few more steps forward, the stone slab suddenly shook, startling the two, and the rock actually started to rise up into the doorway and the path was clear to them.
'I've read enough horror to know this doesn't usually end well,'Blake thought apprehensively. Hopefully that wasn't the case here.
A descending staircase into darkness was what was on the other side. Agro, seeing the dark void, started to stomp and whinnie his protest at going down the steps.
'If the animal doesn't wanna go, then that's when you know that this is probably a bad idea,'Blake surmised as she felt herself start to get nervous for the upcoming events.
Even though he felt a bubble of uncertainty grow in his stomach, the boy tightened and pulled the reins to get Agro under control, and once the horse was calmed down he flicked the reins and they were moving forward again.
'This is not gonna be good.'
As they started to descend the steps, the boy kept his eyes forward in search of a light at the end of the stairway, but he turned his head around when he heard the grinding of stone and saw that the stone door was lowering again. When it touched the floor, he was in complete and total darkness.
'Knew it.'
He felt Agro shift and stomp, softly neighing in distress of the situation. While calmly stroking his companion's neck he whispered calmly to the horse. He was able to soothe the horse for now and felt him settle down slightly. Though he could still hear Agro's heavy breathing. Grabbing the reins, he gently eased his horse down the steps, as to not have him trip and injure himself. All the while, he strengthened his grip around the cloth wrapped bundle.
'And were back to the bundle. What could it be?'
It didn't take long for them to find light again. At the end of the stairwell they were lead into a room with a downward spiraling path. Letting Agro take his time, they slowly started down the path. When they reached the bottom, the young wanderer took notice of a circular pool of strange silver liquid. While unusual, he didn't have time for the strange phenomenon and decided to ignore it for now.
Agro continued forward into what he assumed was the main hall, making their way in, he was momentarily stunned.
Along the walls, on both sides, stood eight tall idols, each depicting a different animal or beast of legend. He cast a glance at each one as he passed them, an unnerving feeling coming onto him as he looked at them. It almost felt as if they were alive, and more frighteningly so, as if they were watching him.
'Well...this suddenly just got a little eerie.'Blake noted as she leaned forward a little in her bed.
Shaking away his fear, the young man steeled his features and ignored the statues. There was no possible way that these could be alive. They were just rocks, nothing to fear.
When they reached the end of the hallway, he pulled the reins and forced Agro to a halt. Dismounting his steed, the young man then carefully reached for the sheet wrapped bundle and pulled it off of the saddle and into his arms.
Blake started at this as she felt her excitement start to kick in. It seems that she was finally gonna know what was in the bundle!
Walking forward he started up the fifteen steps until he reached the stone altar at the peak of the small staircase and gently laid the bundle atop the stone.
Then with a grand flourish, he grabbed the brown sheet in his fist and yanked the blanket away and released it to fall to the ground.
The shining white of her dress was the first thing he saw.
Blake's eyes widened and she gasped in surprise. What?!
His metal gray eyes looked upon her still form. Her chest unmoving and her skin, pale and cold. He remembered when her cheeks were rosy and vibrant, when her pailing lips were supple and pink. But all that remained was the dark ebony of her hair, and the slim and delicate features she was blessed with. She was the epitome of beauty, no other woman compared to her in his eyes.
And now here she lays, quiet and unmoving. Touched by the kiss of death.
'Wait!'Blake thought incredulously,'So...it was her this whole time. He was carrying her this whole time. But why would he bring her there?'
Suddenly, Blake remembered the prologue and it's mysterious text,
If one should wish it, one can bring back the souls of the dead.
'This must be what he's there for...to bring her back.'She realized. With her sudden epiphany she continued on.
His eyes hardened as he stared at her. A constricting feeling in his chest erupted as his anger started to spark. Anger at his failure.
He gripped the sword strapped to his waist in a white knuckled grip as he watched the wind ruffle her hair and the sun shine softly on her face.
"Run Mono, Run!"
"Please…"
"You bastards, come on, I'll kill you all!"
"Please stop…"
"If you wanna take her, you'll have to kill me first!"
"No! Stop! I'll go with you, just don't hurt him!"
He grit his teeth and cursed himself. He was weak, and because of that...she payed for it. And he couldn't do anything about it!
Blake felt her heart ache at the young man's pain. She even had to blink back tears with how genuine his anguish sounded. If what she read was true, then she could understand why he was going through all this. He felt as if he needed to make up for his mistakes…and she knew more about that then most people.
His internal seething was interrupted when he heard a frightened whinny from Agro. He spun around as his right hand gripped his sword. He narrowed his eyes at the sight.
Shadows.
That was the only word that could be used to describe the man shaped beings rising from the ground before him. Humanoid blobs of darkness rose up from the ground slowly, a disgusting slimy sound emanating from them as they forced themselves out of the floor.
Blake's heart started beat faster.'What are these things? They're not grimm, even grim have defining features, these don't seem to have any.'She thought.
His eyes sharpened as he beheld the five forms in front of him. He watched as they stumbled around the floor attempting to walk closer. Agro neighing in distress as he backed away.
He stared the living shadows down with a hard, piercing stare, his gaze unwavering as he gripped his sword's handle and slowly drew it from its sheath.
The blade sung as it was unleashed, it's dark gray metal appearing almost black as the sword caught the light of the sun and illuminating the sword in an ethereal and otherworldly glow.
He pointed his blade threateningly towards the sluggish figures and the light from his blade shined onto them.
With a pained whisper, the beings dissolved into a black vapor before disappearing.
A bright light burned from the ceiling and he temporarily shielded his eyes from the blaze. Outside he could suddenly hear the rumbling of the storms as a heavy feeling seemed to settle within the room. As if something had appeared, something ancient...and powerful.
Turning his eyes to the light once more he let his eyes be captured by the brilliant radiance, his eyes encaptured by its beauty.
That's when he heard it.
The voice.
"Hmm? Thou possess the Ancient Sword? So thou art mortal…"
It sounded off everywhere, the voice seemed to touch every part of the temple. His head ringed as it seemed to resounded even in his mind. A combination of male and female, the voice was deep and soothing. Menacing and gentle. His heart pounded and a cold sweat dripped from his brow. This was who he searched for.
Blake's could hear her heart in her ears, she clasped the edges of the book in her hands tightly. Something about this...it didn't seem right.
Steeling his heart and pushing aside his fear he spoke out to the voice.
"Are you Dormin?"He called calmly,"I was told that in this place, at the ends of the world-"
He sheathed his sword.
"-there exists a being who can control the souls of the dead."
There was a brief pause.
"Thou art correct…"It said."We are the one known as Dormin…"
Feeling a spark of hope in his heart he continued.
"She was sacrificed, for she had a cursed fate."He said. He turned to look back at the dead girl and his eyes softened again.
His voice almost desperate, he pleaded,"Please...I need you to bring back her soul…"
Blake's heart stopped. It couldn't be that easy.
He turned back around as he heard a chuckle. One that managed to sound both mocking and comforting at the same time.
"That maiden's soul?"Dormin asked almost coyly."Souls that are once lost cannot be reclaimed...is that not the law of mortals?"
His eyes closed as he felt the hope inside his heart start to crumble. Tilting his head down he felt the full weight of his guilt start to bare down on him. The added weight making his shoulders sag in defeat. It couldn't end like this...not after everything…
"With that sword however…"
His head shot up as his eyes widened. Hope swelling in his chest again.
"It may not be impossible."
'How much more satirical can you get?'Blake wondered in annoyance. Seriously, she could feel her brow start to twitch at the amount of playful ridicule. This Dormin was seeming more and more suspicious with each page.
"Really?!"He asked with joy almost bursting into his voice.
"That is, of course,"Dormin clarified,"If though manage to accomplish what we asketh."
With his resolve rekindled he asked strongly,"What do I have to do?"
Blake idly wondered, if this is what being caught in a spider's web felt like.
"Behold the idols that stand along the wall…"He announced,"Thou art to destroy all of them."
With that proclamation he looked upon the stone figures that had greeted him upon entrance to the shrine.
"But those idols cannot be destroyed by the mere hands of a mortal…"He warned.
"Then what am I to do?"He asked in confusion.
"In this land,"He told,"There exists colossi that are the incarnations of those idols."
"If thou defeat those colossi…"
The boys eyes fell on one statue, one shaped to that of a bull.
"...the idols shall fall."
He nodded his head.
"I understand."He said determinedly.
"But heed this,"Dormin cautioned,"The price you pay may be heavy indeed."
"It doesn't matter."He retorted. He was already paying a heavy price for what happened. He needed to do this.
'I wonder, does he need to, or does he think it will ease his conscious?'Blake thought.
Dormin paused, as if considering if his answer was what he wanted.
He felt a slight pinch of worry until he spoke again.
"Very well…"He had no face...yet his voice somehow betrayed a smile.
"Raise thy sword by the light…"He instructed."And head to the place where the sword's light gathers…"
The boy felt the smile in Dormin's voice return.
"There, thou shalt find the colossi thou art to defeat."
He turned around and cast a look to the landscape outside of the temple. He felt his brow furrow in determination before turning his eyes down and seeing the still form of the young woman.
"I didn't protect you,"He whispered morosely,"I promised I wouldn't let you die. But I was too weak."
Taking a deep breath he stood straighter and spoke louder."But now, I have a chance to fix this. To right my wrong. I won't fail again!"He promised resoloutely.
Calming himself he spoke softly again,"I'll understand if you never want to speak to me after I let you down the first time. And I kinda hope you do, I don't deserve your kindness anymore. If I have to do one last thing for you, then let this be it. And afterwards I promise...you'll never have to deal with me again."
Blake felt her heart crack.
Turning away solemnly he made his way down the steps and over to Agro and mounted his steed.
"Now, be on thy way."Dormin commanded. The boy nodded.
'Nothing will stop me from doing this.'He thought furiously. His eyes burned with passion as he commanded Agro out of the temple.
'I will bring you back Mono...no matter what the cost!'
Chapter 2:Valus
The bolded print of the next chapter greeted her as she turned the page. Blake turned her eyes to the digital clock on top of the dresser and bit her lip in seeing that it was almost 11:30. She had been reading for about an hour, and it barely felt like ten minutes!
Blake swore softly as she was greeted with a familiar problem. Keep going or save her spot and go to bed.
She had classes in the morning and she couldn't afford to sleep during Oobleck's lectures, the man always sprung a pop quiz out of nowhere!
She looked between the book and the clock before huffing in frustration. Screw it she'd keep reading!
One flunked test didn't equal immediate expulsion...plus she was just too interested to stop now. So with her slightly misplaced determination, she began chapter 2.
Descending the temple steps atop Agro the young man remembered the mysterious entity's instructions and drew his sword. Raising it above his head he let the blade catch the light of the sun.
The wanderer watched in amazement as the light gathered in his blade and traveled to the tip of his sword, from there the light split into eight different beams before converging back into a single ray of light that shined to the south towards a row of cliffs that were easily in sight.
Dropping his sword back down he gazed at the cliffs and nodded.
"That way."
'That's a pretty handy piece to have.'Blake supposed.'It'd certainly make finding lost objects easier.'
With a kick to the side, Agro was off in a quick gallop to the cliffs. Hanging onto the reins with one hand, the boy was sure to continuously raise the sword every once in a while to make sure they continued down the right path.
He turned his head and watched as the shrine got smaller the farther away he traveled, his worry growing all the same. He knew he had no real reason to be afraid but still...he hoped nothing happened to Mono's body.
'He must have really loved her.'Blake thought sadly,'Even though she's dead he still cares…'
Blake could only imagine the pain he was feeling at having lost her.
The journey didn't take long, almost a half an hour at most, but he was too focused to care, they had arrived.
He pulled Agro to a stop in front of a pair of steps. Some other ruined rocks that lay in pieces around him was enough for him to understand that this cliff once held another temple. Walking up the steps they stopped in front of the cliff face and the boy gazed up at the weathered rock ledges still attached to the cliff side. Now all he needed was to find a way up. A glance to his right allowed him to see that a thick tangle of vines had grown on the rock, it looked sturdy enough to climb. It'd have to do.
Dismounting he made sure to grab the bow and arrows he kept under Agro's saddle. Slinging the bow around his left shoulder and his bushel of arrows around his right hip he made to begin his climb.
A slight push from behind made him stumble.
He turned around and was met with Agro's coal black eyes.
'Aww he's worried,'She internally gushed. If all horses were like Agro, then she definitely needed to invest in one.
Agro let out a soft whinny and moved his muzzle closer to the boys face. Sighing, he ran his hands up and along the horse's head. His eyes focused on the large white diamond shaped hair on the horse's head. It was for this sole reason he had picked the little colt to be his all those years ago.
While all the other boys looked to see which of the crop of was seemingly the strongest, he looked for something that stood out about at least one. While all the horses hair were a solid color of their own, he was immediately taken in when he saw a pitch black horse with a little white diamond on his head. Others called it an imperfection to the little horse, he called it a trademark. Something that made him special...and for the little boy, that was all he needed.
'How can it be possible to be emotionally invested in a horse?'Blake thought incredulously.'If something happens to Agro...Ozpin better watch his back for giving me this.'
The young man whispered and clicked softly, trying to ease the horse's apparent worries. Agro shook his mane and snorted to let his displeasure be known to him.
"Be calm Agro,"He whispered softly,"I have to do this, it's the only way to get Mono back. Don't you want to see her again?"
At the mention of her name, the horse seemed to wilt, seemingly very saddened to hear her name.
"You miss her too don't you?"He asked dishearteningly.
He could recall the times when Mono would sneak in and feed his horse carrots in the stables, and how much Agro seemed to enjoy her company. Her gentle hands stroking through his mane and laying soft kisses on his nose. She even sang to him. Now, unless he could finish his mission, Agro would never have her back either. And he'd have failed both of the ones closest to him.
'Poor Agro…'Blake thought for the second time tonight. She started to tear up at the fond memories being shared and instantly felt herself start to root for the boy. She hoped he got what he asked for, he seemed to be suffering a lot. Wiping her eyes to clear her vision she continued.
"I'll return,"He promised."You will see me again."And with one last pat he turned to the vines. Testing their strength and making sure they were strong he began to climb.
Scaling the vines were easier than expected, it was traversing the ledges that proved to be more difficult. Not all of them were the sturdiest, and there were gaps in between each one that he had to constantly jump. He even had to duck under a fallen tree on one of them. After having scaled the last one, he was forced to jump onto a ledge and shimmy to the other side at the expense of his fingers.
As he dangled from the ledge he turned and saw a small path he would have to leap to from his prone position.
So he braced his feet against the pillar of rock and turned his body, one hand still holding on and the other reached out and ready to grab.
Counting down from three he pushed himself off with all his strength flew to the side, immediately grabbing and hauling himself up onto the path.
Taking a moment to breath from the physically exhausting task, the young man massaged his fingers to ease to soreness of supporting his body.
Flexing his fingers he suddenly froze.
Warning signs went off in Blake's head as her heart started to beat faster.
He felt something. Waiting a few seconds he felt it again. And again.
Systematically...he felt the ground start to tremor.
One, two, three-rumble. One, two, three-rumble
It was strange, it was almost like it could be compared to...footsteps.
'Oh no.'
Gulping nervously, the young boy stood up and made his way up the path. The closer he got up the path, the louder the steps became. The harder the ground shook. And the more his weariness grew.
Just before he rounded the cliff side the biggest quake made him freeze.
His eyes widened when he felt how close it was. And the deep grunt afterwards made his heart stop.
Toes curling underneath the sheets, Blake's own heart seemed to stop as well.
Pressing against the side of the rock he felt his heart beat wildly in his chest as he listened to more of the loud stomps from behind the rock. Gathering what courage he had, he leaned his head over from behind the rock to look at the source of the giant steps.
What he saw will haunt him for the rest of his days.
The first thing he saw was it's leg...followed immediately by the swing of it's massive armored arm.
His eyes widened in as he beheld the giant that walked passed him. His heart hammered in fear and he felt himself start to tremble. From his spot on the ground, all he could make out was fur, stone armor...and a giant club that could squish him like an insect.
Literally frozen in fear, he could only watch as the great being walked past him, easily not noticing something as miniscule as he was to such a creature.
He snapped out of his stupor a second later with a shake of his head. He had no time to gawk at whatever that thing was. He still had a mission to complete and he couldn't waste time with this monster...unless.
Feeling his heart be grasped by a cold hard terror, the young man unsheathed his blade and held it up to catch the light. He watched as the light converged into one beam and point itself directly at the giant being, confirming his theory to his dread and horror.
That thing was what he was looking for. A colossi...the very thing he had to slay.
Blake's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates and her jaw dropped in disbelief. No...way, that's what he was up against?
'How is he gonna be able to kill that?!'
How was he supposed to kill that?!
Blake laughed slightly.
His heart pounded against his chest as he watched the beast stomp down the canyon, it's steps leaving tremors and breaking the ground.
His grip on his sword tightened and his teeth grit in frustration as he trembled.
There was no way.
He couldn't kill that thing...there was just no way.
Any attempt would be suicide. He would die before he even saw an opportunity to strike.
He took a step back and hid himself behind the rock again.
His grip on his sword loosened until the black blade fell to the dirt. In his helplessness he felt his eyes start to sting and soon tears slid down his face.
"I can't do it...I can't do it…"He whispered brokenly.
He collapsed to his knees.
'No, don't give up,'Blake urged. He had come so far, he couldn't let himself give up yet.
Listening as the steps grew fainter, he cried.
He cried for his fear.
He cried for his weakness.
He cried for his cowardice.
He opened his eyes to stare at his reflection in the sword.
A teary eyed crying child was all he saw.
"Pathetic,"He scoffed.
All his talk, all his promises, and yet he can't even bring himself to forsake his fear. He wasn't strong, he was nowhere close!
He'd never complete his mission now...he'd never have Mono back.
'Mono'
Her name gave him nothing but guilt and heartache now. And that's how it would always be now. Because he couldn't force himself to be strong! To fight!
'Mono'
No! He couldn't curl up now! He was done being weak, he needed to be strong now, for her...and for himself.
Glaring at his image in the sword he snarled and snatched the sword into his hands.
He won't lose, not here, not ever again.
'Whoever wrote this could make it as a motivational speaker.'Blake thought as she felt her own spirits being lifted by the wanderer's determination.
Gathering his courage he stepped out slowly from around the rock and walked out into the open. He stared heatedly at the beast's back as it started to reach the end of the canyon.
With his fists clenched he poured all his anger and anguish into one loud furious shout.
"HEY!"
The scream echoed off the canyon walls as the giant paused in its steps.
Blake paused too, her own heart stopping.
The colossi stood completely still, showing no sign of moving at all. He watched the massive beasts carefully, looking for any signs of aggression from it. Then, slowly and with careful deliberate steps, the giant started to turn. And he finally saw it's face.
'Minotaurus,'He thought in amazement.
The face of the beast of legend stared back at him from a distance.
The enormous creature stood almost as tall as the canyon walls surrounding them and looked every bit the part it did in it's stories.
The head of a bull, the body of a man, it's giant hooves protected by some sort of stone armor, as were other parts of it's body. Any part not covered by armor was instead covered by a thick coat of brown fur. The massive club it wielded only reinforced his belief that this was the very beast that was told to him in his bedside stories.
Blake felt herself start to worry more about the young hero's chances. If this was truly a minotaur he was about to fight, then he was in more trouble than she first thought.
The first colossi stared down at him from it's spot from across the canyon, it's eyes solely fixated on the little being that had entered its stomping grounds.
He stared back resolutely even as he felt his fear scratch at his heart and demand he run away. Everything about the beast was terrifying, yet it's eyes…
They were glowing pools of swirling blue, the color seeming to fluctuate and change to every tint and shade on the color spectrum as they regarded him almost curiously.
And back into them he could honestly say he felt mesmerised by the beautiful colors. And even a bit...peaceful.
The spell was broken however, when the colossi started to move.
'Here we go!'
He stepped back when the colossus started to walk towards him and his fear returned with a vengeance.
'Run Run Run!'it seemed to scream.
But he ignored it. He could run anymore, he had to face it head on!
With his eyes blazing, he let out a bellowing war cry and charged.
Not having any real plan of attack he went for whatever he could reach. The legs!
When he was just before the beast's furry leg he brought the sword back and swung it in a wide arc across the beast's right leg.
The large creature stumbled back in surprise as the blade actually stung it's leg.
Seeing his attack actually doing something, he pressed on. When the leg dropped back down he lunged forward and stabbed the tip into it's skin making the colossi grunt and stumble back again.
Had to keep going!
'He's actually doing it!'Blake thought in surprise. Go wanderer!
With another cry he raced to continue his assault but was unprepared when the giant hoof rose from the ground and shot forward to smacked him right in the chest.
Blake winced. Gonna feel that in the morning.
He felt all the air get knocked out of him as he was tossed back from the kick. He rolled on the ground a few times before skidding to a halt on his chest.
Wincing painfully, he held his chest as he coughed and wheezed.
That...hurt.
And he could tell, the giant didn't even use a lot of it's strength in the hit. Of anything, the kick probably served more as a gentle push or shove to get him away from it.
That didn't bode well.
"Now...what?"He grunted in pain.
Turning his eyes to the minotaur, he saw that the beast had not moved from it's spot. Taking the time to watch and observe him, this time a bit more cautiously.
'This thing is pretty smart.'Blake realized,'It knows that he can hurt him and now it's actually being careful. Whatever these colossi are, if they're anything like this one, then they aren't simple and mindless like the grimm.'
Using the sword as a crutch he lifted himself onto his feet and glared defiantly at the monster.
He knew this wasn't gonna be easy but damn it!
Even though he could tell that he was hurting the beast, it just wasn't enough to do any real damage. He had lost the element of surprise, now the giant knew he could hurt it, he wouldn't let him get so close now.
'What am I supposed to do? I can't kill it like this!'He thought in frustration.
As if answering his call, he suddenly felt an eerie tingle go up and down his spine and a heavy feeling set itself in his stomach.
In his head he could hear the haunting and soothing voice of Dormin whisper to him.
"Hold up thy sword to reflect the light onto the colossus. It's vitals shall be revealed…"
When the feeling passed him by he shuddered and felt his stomach lurch. Having Dormin in his head was not a pleasant experience.
'I'll bet,'Blake shuddered at having somebody like Dormin being able to speak to her telepathically.
But still, that was important to know.
So he raised his sword to the sun and watched as the light shone off his blade and onto the colossus. The light traveled down it's chest across it's hip and landed on it's right leg.
His brow scrunched in confusion.
He already attacked the right leg and it barely did anything. Hmm, maybe it wasn't the front he was supposed to attack but behind it. Well, it was the only plan he had.
Sheathing his sword he charged forward again and watched as the giant lifted it's foot to kick him away again. As the large hoof swung towards him he dove and rolled to the side to dodge and hastily climbed to his feet to rush the leg as it touched the ground again. He jumped up and latched onto the side of it's leg, his hands gripping clumps of fur in a vice grip.
'Be careful!'Blake pleaded in her head.
He hastily climbed to the back of the leg and unsheathed his sword. Flipping it in his hand to stab he raised the blade above his head and drove the tip into the beast's hamstring.
The minotaur let out a surprised and pained roar before stumbling and falling forward onto one knee. It's empty fist being used to support its upper body.
'So far so good,'Blake thought worriedly,'Don't let up!'
He made to stab again but the light on the sword suddenly shined away from the leg and traveled it's way up it's back and onto the head.
'Oh come on,'He griped. Why couldn't this be any easier?
'It'd be a pretty boring story if this was easy.'Blake teased.
Internally grumbling, he sheathed his sword again and began to climb up it's kneeled over form.
Just as he reached it's hip the colossus suddenly stood on it's feet again and he held on for dear life as he was now dangling above the ground.
'Oh Gods!'He swore. Looking down his eyes widened as he saw the height he was hanging from. It might not kill him, but it would definitely hurt or potentially break something.
Looking up again he continued his climb once more. The colossus, seemingly having lost track of him continued to stalk it's way along the canyon in search of the little pest to disturb and harm it.
Reaching a wide piece of armor that acted more like a ledge he climbed atop and fell onto his back to rest for a minute.
Blake raised a brow questioningly. Strange place to take a break. And almost a little too convenient.
He could only take a few breaths before he had to grab ahold of the beast's fur again when it started to shake it's back to fling him off.
Apparently it knew where he was after all.
When it stopped he hastily began to climb again, his progress only being impeded when the giant try to fling him from it's back every few seconds.
Reaching the base of it's neck he saw dulled spikes poking out of it's fur and quickly used them to climb up the rest of the way to the head.
Crouching down he lifted the blade to the sun to find the spot to strike and the blade flashed before a glowing symbol appeared on the top of the beast's head. Crawling over to the spot he raised his sword and stabbed the glowing mark, his sword sinking into it.
'Yes!'Blake cheered. He was gonna make it!
The beast seized and roared in agony at the piercing sting of the blade, it's head shaking wildly to dislodge the boy.
He pulled the sword out and shielded his face when a black mist started to steam out of the punctured wound. He didn't dwell on it however and simply went for another strike. But the colossus suddenly lowered its head and flung it back up making him lose his loose grip and soar into the air.
Blake gasped. Oh no!
Flailing his arms in panic the boy was soon grabbed by gravity and started to fall back down.
She held her breath, waiting for the inevitable. It didn't look like he was gonna make it!
His flailing arms reached out, looking for anything to grab, when suddenly his free hand latched onto the furry brow of the colossus.
He was left to dangle in front of the giant's eye.
Blake sighed in relief.
His breathing stopped.
The calming and peaceful blue that the creature held was gone, the mesmerizing color now replaced with a malicious and angry orange. The color reminding him of a blazing inferno, those eyes locked onto him and shone with an incomprehensible wrath that seemed to sink into and corrupt his very soul.
Blake remembered the first time she ever saw a grimm. She was afraid and intimidated like all huntsman in training were when they first encountered one. She was disturbed by the black fur and sharp jagged bone spikes protruding from it's body of course but she was the most afraid of it's eyes. There was nothing but pure hatred in it's eyes when it looked at her, they were filled with an unholy malice that wanted nothing but her ripped to pieces. That's what it felt like to stare into a grimm's eyes. But to stare into the eyes of a colossus it seemed...so much worse.
But for all the rage in it's eyes, he matched it's glare with one of his own, his eyes brimming with determination. A drive to see this thing dead. And he wouldn't stop until then.
Climbing back up it's head he raised the sword again and drove the sword half way into the glowing mark.
The colossus roared once more, the bite of the ancient sword coursing through every part of it's body.
Feeling the beast start to totter on it's feet he knew he just needed one more hit, he could do it!
Yanking the sword out and ignoring the black smoke that sprayed from the wound he raised the sword in his grip for one last downward strike.
This ends now!
With a loud cry he struck.
The beast lurched back and tottered on its hooves, seeming to try to hold onto the last vestiges of life, but it's attempts were all in vain.
Dropping it's club the giant dropped onto it's knees before it leaned over to it's right and collapsed onto it's side. It's last breaths leaving it in a few painful snorts.
The boy pulled his sword out and fell to the ground.
He stepped back and held his blade at the ready just in case the beast tried anything else.
He stared into it's wide orange eyes as the flames inside them started to dim and they reverted back to their calming blue. They eyes looked back at him intensely, as if the dying beast was trying to convey a message with its rapidly dimming eyes. A message he couldn't understand. With one final breath the light in the giant's eyes dimmed completely and left nothing but an empty black void.
And just like that, the great Minotaur was dead.
Blake felt herself start to breathe normally as the deed was finally done. He had triumphed. Normally she would feel happy or proud of the character for having succeeded against their first obstacle, but she actually felt kinda sad. The colossus...she could honestly say that it didn't really deserve what happened, and she felt actual sympathy for the great beast. But it needed to be done it seemed...that somehow made her feel worse.
The boy watched the unmoving form of the giant bull and waited for any signs of movement to be aware of, but sighed in relief when he saw none.
Falling back on his rear he huffed in exhaustion from the battle.
He did it...he really did it. He won.
Feeling a smile start to grow on his face he let out a laugh at the astonishing victory.
He defeated the Minotaur, he beat the colossus!
He almost couldn't believe it, his bruises and fatigue were enough to tell him he wasn't dreaming, and the giant body was proof enough to tell him it actually happened.
"I did it,"He whispered in astonishment,"I really did it. Mono, i'm one step closer now. Just hold on a little longer, i'll see you soon."
A strange sound caught his attention. He looked up.
From the top of the dead colossus's head, where the mark was, darkness started to spread over the body, seeming to turn the entire body to shadow, and from the same point, black tendrils shot out and up into the sky.
He watched curiously as the tendrils swirled and danced in the air until they suddenly dove down.
His eyes widened when he noticed they were coming to him.
He barely got a himself up before the tendrils struck him in the chest.
He gasped, eyes dilating, and sweat forming along his brow as he opened his mouth wide in a silent scream. An agony unlike any he'd ever felt before flared all over his body. Grasping and clawing at his chest he tried to block the tendrils from entering him, but they passed right through and sunk into his flesh.
Blake's eyes widened. What's happening?
When the last strand of darkness had passed into him, he collapsed onto his knees, the pain being too much for his body, and fell forward, his face meeting the dirt.
Darkness crept around his vision as his mind started to lose consciousness. He didn't even fight it if it meant he could be free from this pain. He let his eyes close as darkness claimed everything.
Blake flipped to the next page and saw that the next chapter began.
Turning to the clock her eyes shot open and she gaped in shock.
It was 12:48! Almost one! And she was still up! On a school night!
Just like the first chapter, it barely even felt like an hour. She couldn't let herself read anymore or else she'd be up all night.
She hated leaving on a cliffhanger however, it always made sleeping difficult, well, even more difficult. But she really didn't have a choice on this one.
Internally grumbling she bent the page's corner to save her spot and slid the book under her bed.
Slipping under the blankets, Blake couldn't help but think on what she read so far. There was so much to think about!
What happened to Mono?
Who is Dormin?
What are the colossus?
And more urgently, what just happened to the boy?
Blake vaguely realized that the book never actually gave him a name. The closest thing she recognized was repeatedly calling him wanderer.
So, she guessed that would have to be her name for him. Though she'd probably just change it to Wander to make it sound better.
Feeling a heavy yawn escape her, Blake turned to her side and let her head rest against her pillow. Her last few thoughts going back to the mysterious book handed to her by the headmaster.
'Maybe if I wake up early enough, I can get a few pages in before class,'She thought tiredly.'Maybe…'Her lashes fluttered until they closed for the night and Blake was sleeping soundly along her team.
X.x.X.x.X
Woo!
That's a wrap people! I'll be honest. This came out better than I thought it would, I hope you guys liked it.
Before we end however, let's acknowledge the few people reviewed!
Oyster11,ultima-owner,kyro2009,Cheeked, and SonataShinonome. Thank you all for giving me the drive to keep going, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Alright guys, it's time for me to mosey on outta here.
Like alway people, Review, I NEED feedback. Especially on this one.
Til next time-GhostAngel14