REDUX Text:

K, here's the first redux chapter. I took out where Dormin spoke of Wander as Their pawn, and as I write this I am planning to rewrite the entire fight scene with Quadratus. I hope you enjoy it.

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Wahoo! I'm on a roll!

I'm pleased to say that I've just gotten my first review(s). Thank you!

Now then, we've got a real fight on our hands! Let's see how Wander handles Quadratus, shall we?

I own nothing!

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Dormin's Speech

Sound Effects

Thinking

Chapter 3 (Redux)

The Bull

Faintly, and very dimly, Wander was aware of someone standing next to him. But when he opened his eyes, he couldn't see anyone. Slowly he heaved himself to his feet, and heard the distant rumble that signaled Dormin's speech.

At last, thou hath awoken! We were beginning to think that thy wish would be over before thee had begun.

"Lord Dormin?" he asked weakly, shielding his eyes from the light. A whinny reached his ears, and he turned to see Agro running to him.

Aye, brave adventurer. Valus took his toll on thee, did he not? But thy effort is in plain sight. Behold!

The rays of light coming from above focused on one of the idols. At least, what remained of an idol. The idol that had represented Valus had crumbled, and Wander felt like the familiarity he had with the room was gone with just the collapse of Valus's statue. So the Colossus really was gone. "Lord Dormin, I am honored to complete your task if it means Mono will return." he said.

There was a pause, then the rumbling returned.

Thy eager nature may prove to be thy downfall. Very well. Thy next foe is...in the seaside cave...it moves slowly...raise thy courage to defeat it...

Wander waited for some indication as to where he should start looking, but it seemed like Dormin was done. With a sigh he mounted Agro and kicked the horse's sides, making his way out of the Shrine of Worship.

ONE HOUR LATER...

Seaside cave, seaside cave... Wander thought, glancing around at the countryside. He took out the Ancient's Sword yet again, but it kept pointing to a gorge. Sighing, he sheathed it and set Agro into a canter, heading down the ramp to the beach below. He suddenly felt the same evil, dark feeling he'd gotten when Valus was near him. He made Agro trot to a giant stone door, not seeing the Colossus anywhere. "Where is this thing?" he asked himself.

Rrmblrrrmmbblrmbl

"What the--?!" Wander whirled around, unable to locate the source of the sound. But it was nearby...

THUMP

THUMP

THUMP

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

With a mighty crash the stone door exploded outward, the pieces flying everywhere. Wander ducked to avoid one such piece, which embedded itself deeply into the sand behind him. He looked up and gasped. Two shining blue eyes stared out at him from a dark cave; the ground shook as a hoofed foot extended from the blackness and impacted on the sand. Another foot, then the massive horned head of a bull.

The colossus slowly emerged, and Wander gazed in horror. Its legs were encased in stone, and fur covered its sides and back. The colossus shook itself before turning its head to face him. Its eyes flashed red, and Wander nearly fell over; how could he defeat this?!

"AGRO!" He yelled. Agro whinnied and raced forward; Wander leapt atop his steed's back as Agro ran and climbed into the saddle; he looked back to see the mighty bull slowly following them. It may have been massive, but it moved slowly. Wander took out his bow and nocked an arrow, then let it fly. It sailed through the air and clinked uselessly on the bull's head armor. Its eyes turned red.

Fight, Warrior!

"Hyah!" Wander cried, pulling on the reins. Agro wheeled around with a neigh and charged straight at the bull. Wander unsheathed his sword. If I can time it just right, maybe...! he thought. The bull leaned down, then reared back. Its shadow fell over Wander as Agro halted. "No--!" he began.

SPPPPLLLSSHHHH

The ground shook and every sand on the beach quivered as the colossus' feet came back to earth; Agro bucked Wander off and raced for the ramp as the warrior wearily got to his feet again. "This is impossible..." he murmured.

To scale Quadratus, attack that which supports the Colossus.

"Attack that which..." Wander repeated, then saw Quadratus lean forward again. "Oh sh--" he began, then noticed the flesh on the bottom of Quadratus' hooves was very pink and squishy. Quickly taking his bow, he fired an arrow. It hit the flesh on the bottom of the Colossus' hoof and Quadratus bellowed. It swung its leg before bending it as it leaned down, causing its leg to hit the sand. Wander saw that the fur on Quadratus' leg could now be jumped to.

He raced to it eagerly and leaped; his hand caught hold of the moss-like fur and he twisted it to get a better hold.

ROOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU

With an echoing moan Quadratus stood once more, shaking the leg that had been injured. Wander climbed higher--with some difficulty--and grabbed hold of a ledge which protruded from the colossus' leg. Resting for a moment atop the platform, he examined the colossus from this angle. He couldn't get to its back from where he was, but he could crawl along Quadratus' ribcage and climb up from there. Grinning, he leaped forward and grabbed the fur on the bull's ribcage. He swung forward again and grabbed another handful of the fur, hoisting himself up to the back. He took out the Ancient's Sword and found the beams focused in two places; Quadratus' back side and its head.

He turned and stabbed its back side; the Colossus roared and shook itself. But Wander was unaffected, and stabbed again. Another bellow met this, and with a third stab Wander got no reaction from the Colossus; this area was done. Turning, he raced down Quadratus' back, leaping over the bony spines protruding from its...well...spine.

Reaching its head, Wander was nearly thrown off as Quadratus swung its head violently to the side. Regaining his balance, Wander stabbed its head. The loudest roar to yet come from the colossus nearly shattered his eardrum, and the bull colossus shook its head again. Wander was thrown back, the Ancient's Sword still embedded in its head.

He jumped forward and grabbed it, pulled it out, and stabbed again. It was done; with a moan, Quadratus shuddered, then fell to the side with a mighty boom. Its body was covered in shadow, and as Wander slid from its head he was impaled by the black tentacles.

REDUX Text: Definitely longer, but I hope it was better too.

Before you ask, yes, I took the symbols out. I thought it was stupid there'd be a gleaming mark on its vitals! Anyway, read and review please.