Softness and warmth were the first things to ease me back into consciousness. Blinking rapidly, one eye opened and then the other to see a giant face staring back at me. If I had gone back in time and it was my first time seeing Trico in person, I would have shrieked and jumped backwards. Instead I just laughed, reaching out my hands toward him.
"Hey, buddy. I'm glad to see you, too," I said gently, stroking the tip of his nose. In the back of my mind, I couldn't help but notice how weird it was that he didn't have his mask or battle armour on any longer; had they just disappeared when I'd used my Bond Energy?
He helped me up onto two feet, allowing me to grab the feathers on his front legs for support. I almost stumbled back to the floor, but he leaned his right wing downwards to stop me from falling.
Wait...his right wing? My gaze shot up, eyes bulging in surprise.
"Your wing! It's back!" I exclaimed, staring in complete shock at the returned appendage. There was his wing good as new, like Trico Boy had never ripped it off. Had my Bond Energy healed his wing, as well? It just wasn't possible, but I had to remind myself that anything was possible in this world. No more questions!
Trico snorted as if pleased that I'd noticed, raising his newly grown right wing to show it off. I laughed again, then stopped short. I finally took notice of another large shape beside us—the female Trico. She stood by my Trico's side and much to my amusement, he nuzzled her on the cheek. It was only until she nuzzled him back did I realize that she must remember Trico from the game and that he remembered her, as Trico had remembered the boy. It was love at (second?) sight, and just like they had been programmed to meet each other and fall in love, it was no different in real life, in another universe. The two were absolutely meant for each other, and I smiled warmly at the idea of Trico babies running about.
The female Trico huffed, positioning herself to lay down near the edge of the tower that looked out towards the entirety of the Nest. Trico lay beside her, stretching his head to the right so he could rest it on her neck, and she rumbled quietly in satisfaction.
It was only then did I realize that we were back on the white tower. It wasn't crumbling! Though we had defeated the Master, my Bond Energy must have kept it upright. It was still standing! My focus turned to the other Tricos still around us that finally caught my attention. They were still standing, too. They hadn't fallen off of the tower! Those that had fallen when the Master had ripped their Bond Energies apart were good as new, soaring blissfully in circles around the tower. The closer I looked, the more I noticed that their masks and battle armour had come off, as well. They were free Tricos now, shock and confusion no longer muddling their minds. When it came to the children who had sadly been sacrificed by their Companions to the bird feeders, the Companions who had participated in the act just stared blindly ahead at the sky, their gazes far away.
They were saddened, horrified and guilt-ridden by what they'd done to their kids, but it wasn't enough to send them tumbling over the tower—along with the help of my Bond Energy, they had regained their minds enough to take control of themselves. They were mourning, unsure of what to do next and lost without their Chosen Ones. A pang of guilt shot through me, the Master's cruel words that I had been the cause of the Nest's downfall shaking my very core. What he had told me about creating mind control and taking over the Companions to try and keep myself alive...was it true? I guessed that I would never know, suddenly wishing I had taken up the three Chosen Ones' offer to regain my memory of my supposed past life. But the Chosen Ones had said that the Queen was kind and wise who ruled with just, and I trusted them more than the Master.
But amongst the sadness of the Tricos who had lost their Chosen Ones...there was hope. The Master was gone and he would never hurt anyone ever again.
"We did it, boy," I said, pressing my face against Trico's chest feathers as he lay next to his mate to admire the view; it was the most relaxed and content I think I'd ever seen him. He had reached his destination, his instincts fulfilled. "I told you we'd get up here." Just like I'd promised when we had stood at the edge of the Nest before I'd walked along the narrow ridge.
It was the second most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my entire life—right after watching the Chosen Ones ascend, of course. The golden sun and orange sky merged together to create the perfect painting, a sunset unlike any other. Our peace didn't last for long, however, when the female Trico's ears perked up at a slight disturbance—a shuffling sound from nearby. Trico lifted his head from her neck and growled slightly, but soon stopped when a smaller shape made itself known. I followed his gaze, my stomach tying into a knot when a familiar child came into view from his apparent hiding spot behind a Trico that wouldn't stay still, curious about the little form next to him and trying to sniff at his dark hair.
It was the boy; he was back to normal, black and white robe identical to mine and all. If it hadn't been for our different hair and eye colors, we might have been twins. I must have used more Bond Energy than I'd thought if I had managed to change him back into his human form, robe good as new just like Trico's wing. I got up from my position against Trico's chest, taking a slow step towards him. He flinched. At first I thought he would take a step back, but he remained in place.
"Boy, am I glad to see you...boy. Sorry, I don't know your name," I began, my eyes hardly believing what they were seeing. I was finally meeting the boy in person, the main character of The Last Guardian that players controlled! The character who was us! I've never met a celebrity before, but I bet it felt a lot like this. I had to stop myself from staring, choosing instead to look down awkwardly at my feet that were just as bare as ever.
The boy stared back for a few moments, assessing my robe and giving a questioning look as to why I was wearing the exact same clothing as him, but dismissed it. Then he opened his mouth to give a quick answer, but just as quickly stopped, his innocent face scrunched up in thought.
"I can't remember my name..." he answered honestly, his eyes widening in panic.
"Don't worry, I'm sure it will come back to you soon," I comforted, glancing back up. This was the boy. The character you could control in The Last Guardian, but here he was standing in front of me as his own person with his own free will just like Trico had now.
The boy glanced down at his own feet before his gaze could meet mine. "I hope so..." he said, unsure. He glanced back up just as quick; I knew what was coming next.
"What's your name?" He questioned, curious. I still couldn't believe that I was able to understand him like I had understood the Chosen Ones and the Master. He was speaking an entirely different language unique to The Last Guardian world, yet I could still understand what he was saying crystal clear. How he or the others had understood me was a whole other phenomenon...I came to the conclusion that it must have something to do with me being the First Chosen One. The boy didn't seem at all confused that I was speaking English, completely unaware like I had been that we were able to understand each other with no problems.
I opened my mouth to give a quick answer...or at least, I tried. For some reason, my name just wouldn't come to me...it was on the tip of my tongue, but I just couldn't grasp it. Why couldn't I remember my own name?!
"Sorry, I can't remember mine, either..." I confessed after a long, awkward pause.
Weird. All this time and I'd never noticed that I couldn't remember my own name. For some reason, it wasn't as alarming to me that I had forgotten something so important; who I was—my identity.
"I'm sure you'll remember soon, too," the boy reassured me, his voice quiet and nervous when my Trico leaned his head down to ask for a snuggle.
"He wants you to pet him," I said, giving a light chuckle as Trico chirped his excitement that the boy was back to normal at last, that they were finally together again just as it should be. I had to wonder if the boy remembered Trico like the giant dog bird clearly remembered him. "You used to pet him like that all the time," I explained. All the while, the female Trico watched contentedly from her laying position near the edge of the tower. That is, until she decided to get up and copy Trico's actions, pawing at the boy's newly restored robe with her talons. The boy hesitated but couldn't hold in his laughter, losing his footing and falling, completely at the mercy of the two Tricos. It didn't help when the boy's laughter attracted the attention of the other Tricos on the tower.
A group of five came to see what all the commotion was, unmasked heads tilting almost at the same time in confusion as they watched the tickle fight between the boy and the two Tricos. I had to shake my head in exasperation; one of the first things they see with new eyes upon breaking free from the Master's control and it was the total opposite of a Trico attacking a young child! My Trico and the female ceased their actions when they sensed company, their heads shooting up and ears perking forward at the sight of the other five Tricos. Almost instantly they stopped their play session with the boy, as if they'd been caught stealing cookies from the counter. The boy picked himself back up, staring on in complete awe at the feathered giants surrounding us and sitting like innocent puppies; creatures who had once been so evil and dangerous just like the Master...but now they were exactly the opposite.
What happened next completely took us off guard—took me off guard, to be more specific. The five new Tricos locked eyes with me, and I half expected them to light up like Trico's did when the mirror had activated our Bond. But their eyes remained dark and placed on me, lowering their heads into a bowing position.
...They were bowing?!
Even my Trico and the female followed suit, mimicking their movements and kneeling so their heads were practically resting on the white surface of the tower.
I had absolutely no idea what to do. What should I say in response? What should I do in response? I may have been a Queen in my past life, but I certainly wasn't one now!
"I think they're waiting for something..." the boy whispered. He was just as stunned and confused as I, probably wondering just why the Tricos were bowing for me of all people. I doubted he knew about the First Chosen One unless the elder in his village had told stories about her like he had told stories about the Tricos, but even if he had, the boy would never in a million years guess that the First Chosen One herself was standing right next to him in a different body. A different life.
The boy was right. The Tricos were waiting for something. But what were they waiting for? ...My approval to leave? It made sense. None of the other Tricos were trying to go anywhere yet, still circling around the tower like they were afraid to step foot out of the Nest, the place where they had been mind controlled for who knew how long; I didn't blame them that they might be hesitant to leave the one place they had known for practically their entire lives.
My expression softened to let them know that I was genuine, that I meant the two words I said next and that they could soar to their heart's content wherever they desired.
"You're free."
The five Tricos lifted their heads from the ground, two shaking themselves and ruffling their feathers to prepare for the long journey ahead. The other three set their sights to the open sky filled with the other Tricos and then ran, launching from the edge of the tower with massive wings spread. The two left behind snorted, glancing back at me for the last time. I nodded, and they finally worked up the courage to follow the others.
"Where are they going?" The boy asked as the entire flock of Tricos took flight into the orange sunset, some going one way and others going another to try and find a new purpose without their Chosen Ones who had been lost to the Master—maybe even to find new children to take under their wing, to love and care for...to form a Bond with. Some even parted from the group to take on the newest adventure of their lives on their own to find the ones they had unknowingly been yearning for while under the Master's command.
I watched, the familiar warm and pleasant feeling spreading and soothing my soul like a nice, cozy blanket.
"To meet the ones they have chosen," I answered. "Now that they are free from the Master's control, they will never bring harm to any of their children ever again under his command." Maybe the Nest would even return to its former glory...
A quiet rumble sounded from behind me. A rumble I that I had come to know so well and adored with all my heart...
My Trico and the female were still on the tower with us—the only two Tricos left. They sat together, unsure of what to do next, but I had already come up with a plan. Though the Trico species was saved, they still wanted to be together. He could leave with the boy and take her with them to help convince the villagers that the Tricos were kind and gentle creatures.
My mind was made up. Glancing about the tower every which way until my gaze landed on a bright, shining object, I moved to pick up the mirror from where it had been knocked out of my hands by the Master. The boy looked on, a small hint of recognition flickering across his face.
Trico stood up from his sitting position to move next to me and sniff the recovered mirror. Our Bond Energy intensified sharply for a moment, and I could feel Trico's reluctance when he sensed what was coming.
"You're free too, buddy..." I whispered, somehow managing to hold back tears that threatened to break loose. That is...until Trico decided to let out a sorrowful mooooo, nuzzling my cheek with his nose.
You're not mine. I couldn't bear to say the words out loud to him, but he definitely heard them through our Bond Energy loud and clear, his dark eyes brimming with tears of his own. I held out my left hand with the mirror to the boy.
"This belongs to you."
The boy's eyes widened. "N-not really," he sputtered anxiously. "I just borrowed it for awhile..."
I couldn't help but grin, remembering how the boy's older self had said that he'd decided to 'borrow' the mirror after finding it on the statue.
"Trust me, it's yours now," I reassured him. My grin faded when the situation at hand came rushing back full force.
"What can you remember?" I had to ask. I had to know.
The boy's eyes grew hazy, far away and unseeing as he recalled past events.
"I remember...Trico. My best friend," he started. Trico's ears twitched at the mention of his name. So the boy did remember Trico like the giant could remember him.
"I remember meeting for the first time after waking up in the cave, and going on an amazing journey together. We defeated the Master of the Valley who was controlling all the Tricos. And then...then..."
His eyes fluttered like he was trying to hold back tears.
"I remember my tribe. They had spears, and they hurt Trico with them. Then I had to send him away. I grew up without him...I don't want to send him away again! I never found out if he...if he was..."
If he was still alive.
A horrible realization crossed my mind that it hadn't just been the Master who had repeated the game over and over in the Real World while he was locked away. The Queen had to lock everyone else away, as well...all the Tricos and all the villagers. They'd had to repeat everything over and over and over in the game alongside the Master, and the thought made me sick that innocent people had to endure the same pain and loss as the Master himself—and that they were aware of it. I would go crazy! (Not that I hadn't gone crazy already.)
The boy continued.
"Then I remember the Master breaking free. He turned me into a Trico and I tried to hurt you and...I ripped off his wing...oh Trico, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it!" The boy's tears got the better of him and he sobbed, pushing his face into Trico's feathers so I couldn't see. The beast didn't seem to mind one bit, allowing the boy to use his feathers as a kleenex.
"Trico lived," I comforted the boy softly to distract his thoughts from his Trico form. His head shot back up and he blinked in surprise at the sudden revelation, relief soon smoothing his stressed features. "He survived and came back to the Nest," I went on, "then he and this Trico had a baby of their own. He felt you calling him with the mirror."
The female Trico nodded her head as if she'd understood, her eyes brightening at the mention of her baby that would soon come to be if she indeed stayed with my (with his) Trico.
"But how...how do you know all that?" The boy asked, wiping tears away with his robe.
I grinned again, shrugging. "I just do."
The boy frowned, obviously not happy that I hadn't come up with a better explanation. What was I supposed to say? That I was the First Chosen One, that I had trapped the Master of the Valley into a Playstation 4 console in another universe, and that he had been trapped inside along with the Master too, forced to repeat losing Trico over and over? I doubted he would like such an explanation, that I was the cause of his emotional turmoil. Speaking of another universe, how was I going to get back home now? The game was over, wasn't it? Everything had turned out for the better just as I'd hoped it would.
Just as soon as I had thought it, the world swayed suddenly, spinning. I nearly lost my footing, wobbling dangerously close to the edge of the tower. Trico chirped, grabbing me by my robe to lift me back up and prevent me from tumbling over the edge.
"Are...are you alright?" The boy questioned hesitantly, reaching out an arm as if to try and stop me from falling...but it was no use. "You're fading!" He exclaimed in shock.
I lifted my hands to see that the boy was right, that I was fading from existence as I had almost done inside of the blue doors before the Chosen Ones had stopped me. I wasn't turning into a Lost One this time, thankfully.
It felt as if someone had punched me right in the gut. The wind was knocked out of me and I fell to my knees, the rest of my body following suit soon after until I was curled in on myself. My chest heaved sharply and I breathed in and out to try and regain control, eyes suddenly feeling like thousand pound weights.
"T-Trico," I gasped sorrowfully, realization washing over me like the force of a deadly tsunami, a wave the size of the beast crashing mercilessly onto shore. He whined, alarmed at my sudden fall and inching closer to make sure I was alright, pressing his nose against my face. The female Trico simply watched, bemused at the child disappearing before her. My tattoos flickered, beginning to fade like the rest of my body.
This was it. The game was over...I had done what I was supposed to do. The boy was back to normal, and he was back with Trico. They were supposed to be together...he wasn't my Companion anymore. We had formed a Bond stronger and more powerful than anything I'd ever felt and would feel...but it just wasn't meant to be.
By using my Bond Energy, everything had been restored...including the Real World that was no longer attached to The Last Guardian universe. They were two separate worlds again and it was time to go home, the one thing I had wanted most since arriving in the game.
While my desire to go home wasn't as strong as it had first been, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to stay or go—I didn't have a choice in the matter. I was being called back to where I really belonged. I may have been the Queen in this universe in a past life, but not anymore. I was an entirely different person who belonged in an entirely different universe, now.
I stared up at Trico, refusing to let sadness take over. We had seen and done so much together, surviving the impossible despite the odds stacked against us. He purred as I stroked his head, and I smiled.
"Trico, I...I..."
What more was there to say? Everything had already been said before I'd faced the Master for the first time. I could say it all again, but it wouldn't stall or stop the inevitable...and I was horrible at goodbyes.
I love you, too, a voice in the back of my mind replied without hesitation. My smile grew ten times wider, and I blinked in a pitiful attempt to stop the tears from pouring.
"Take care of each other..." I whispered so faintly I was afraid they wouldn't hear, the words draining weakly out of my mouth.
"We will. We promise," the boy confirmed, taking my disappearing hand gently into his own before it could fade away completely. I smiled ever wider at his kindness to a complete stranger that he didn't even know. But just from my interactions with Trico, he could see that we had gone on the same adventure as the two of them had, that I had formed a Bond with Trico just as strong as his.
"I won't let the village hurt him again...we'll show them that the Tricos are friendly. We'll make a better life for everyone."
The thought of Tricos living with the villagers who had forced the boy to send his Trico away in the first place was too good to be true. He and the boy together, no one to tear them apart—the way it should have been. The happy ending of the game that every player wanted.
I only wished that I could have been there to see it.