Finally, an update! Redux chapters will remain scattered around the story, but for now, I'll get on with the second part of the tale. I own everything in part 2 except for Dormin, the old Colossi, Agro and the Forbidden Lands.

Dormin's Speech

Sound Effects

Thoughts

Chapter 1

Lexus

"Lexus! C'mon, Lexus, get up!" "Huuuh...?" the girl yawned and scratched her head, then cracked an eye open to see her friend, Eolly, standing over her and tapping his foot. "The elder wants to see you! Did you forget?"

"Forget what, exactly...?" Lexus murmured, starting to drift off into peaceful slumber...

With a yell she sprang to her feet, cradling her sore hand; Eolly had stomped on it. "You moron! My poor hand..." she whined. "My, my. Who would've thought that a little crybaby like you would inherit the Ancient's Sword?" Eolly snickered. "Shut up!"

"Eolly! Lexus! Get over here!" a voice bellowed, and they winced. "Dad." Lexus muttered as a man with a scar over his right eye and a white robe approached. Ombane was a holy man at the Shrine of Worship, and he, along with the elder, was to present the sword to Lexus.

"Sorry, Dad! I was coming!" Lexus ran to him, closely followed by Eolly, who looked wary as the man's stern look passed over him. "Hurry up, the Elder is waiting." he snapped, then turned and walked towards the shrine in the distance. Followed by Eolly and Lexus, he made his way to the massive right staircase.

The humans were gathered in the grand hall, and next to the Altar of Spirits was Elder Agekale. "Get your ceremonial clothing, and hurry." Ombane ordered before going to stand next to the mask-wearing elder. Lexus ran to the pile of rubble at the end of the hall and picked up a cloak, slipping it on as she looked at the gathered crowd. "All this for me...?" she wondered.

Approaching the Altar of Spirits, she knelt before Elder Agekale. The aged woman turned and gently lifted the Ancient's Sword from the altar and held it to Lexus. "Here, Lexus is chosen as the warrior who guides the People of the Colossi, and as the peacemaker to whom the Colossi communicate. Lexus Enthwar, I, Thirteenth Elder of the People of the Colossi, present you with the Ancient's Sword, a symbol of your position among us, and a reminder of your duty to all living things."

Lexus extended a hand to the hilt, touching it with a single finger. She then rose and Elder Agekale held it to her. She turned to face the crowd in the grand hall, holding the Ancient's Sword above her. "I, Lexus Enthwar, accept this great responsibility, and I will honor my responsibilities. I will not let you down--any of you."

A cheer rose at her words, and she sighed in relief. She'd done it. She'd really--

RRRRMMBLRMMMMBL

A mighty wind blasted through the hall, its origin unknown. The crowd screamed as one and Elder Agekale moaned as she was blown back. Ombane caught her, holding the old woman protectively, as the gale howled. "The sword, Lexus!" a voice cried. Eolly's.

Lexus unsheathed the Ancient's Sword and held it up, the blade gleaming on the setting sun. In an instant the wind had quelled and silence fell across the land. Then a voice spoke, sounding as if it was not one, but two.

Warrior who possesses the sword, thou art acknowledged by Our supreme wisdom.

"What is this?" Lexus asked, then shielded her eyes as a bright light shone from the hole in the ceiling. "Dormin!" Elder Agekale cried, standing shakily and glaring at the light.

We have returned from Our silence to bring a message; this land is doomed. Unless the sword-bearer can complete Our task.

"Don't listen, Lexus! His words are poison!" Elder Agekale shouted. Lexus glanced back at her, then at the light again. "I am not swayed by you, Dormin the Deceiver. Begone from here."

If We art to go, the land goes with Us. Already, the fell wind of the Colossus God strikes; thou have all felt it.

"Fell wind?" Lexus repeated, looking to Elder Agekale. The old woman met her gaze and shook her head slightly. "We know from legend that you are the Colossus God, Dormin the Deceiver." Elder Agekale declared, stepping towards the light. The crowd turned their eyes from it to her. "If your wind is to destroy us, the sword-bearer will destroy you."

We art a God, this is true. But We art not the Colossus God; that title remains with another. And the wind of the Colossus God will tear thine land apart if not quelled. Only the sword-bearer can defeat it.

"All of the Colossi have no intent to destroy us. You lie." Ombane growled.

Thou knows only of sixteen. There are more.

"Impossible! Wander was informed by none other than you that only sixteen existed!" Lexus cried.

We were incorrect. More are scattered in a land linked to this one by a bridge. The Bridge of Anguish. And this bridge lies in the misty pass.

"You are asking me to send my daughter into that unholy place?" Ombane shouted. "This is an outrage! This is ridiculous! This is--"

Thine only option.

"Dormin, if I were to destroy the remaining Colossi, would our land be spared?" Lexus asked the light. There was silence, then They spoke again.

Yes.

"Could you tell me how many there are?" she pressed.

No.

"Why not?" Lexus huffed, crossing her arms.

It is unclear to Us; We know of only seventeen. Whether there are more, that is for thee to discover.

Lexus began to pace, aware that all eyes were on her. Finally, she turned to the light. "How do I know you are not lying?" she narrowed her eyes.

Silence overtook the shrine. Ombane let loose a bark of laughter. "See? Their lies are revealed--!"

Turn and face Runtus, young sword-bearer.

"Runtus?" Lexus repeated, raising an eyebrow. She then turned. "Oh...damn..."

In the field, between Valus Cliff and the Shrine of Worship, was a giant rat Colossus. Stone armor covered its jaws, the front of its head, its stomach, and its claws. Fur lined its back, its forehead, and its tail. And its blue eyes were focused on Lexus.

Chapter 1 of Part 2, complete! Read and review, please!