Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow of the Colossus - Story Style ❯ Intro and First Colossi: Valus ( Chapter 1 )

Author’s comment:


Okay! I love this game, but it’s not exactly RPG so it lacks a bit of RPG oomph that I’m used to. I still love it though, best game ever! Because of this fact I thought I should try to do a replica of the game in story-line format. It gives a better view of how Wander (Wanda) is feeling, how treacherous his journey was and so forth. I have tried to stay true to the game, but my memory isn’t as great as I would like it, so speech IS NOT 100% accurate. I have also added bits, like feelings and parts before the bits you actually saw in-game.

Also: I’m taking this from my personal experience of playing the game, and I got lost A LOT ha-ha.

Enjoy!


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Travelling for such a long time; Wonder stopped for a moment, basking in the sunlight, letting his eyes rest on the long awaited temple’s beauty. He took a breath and looked forward, staring intently at the massive stone bridge before him. With a slight nod of the head, Wander accepted his task and gently kicked his horse to start him moving. They advanced slowly across the bride, not wanting to lose their precious cargo. Wander placed his hand on the cloak in front of him stroking it gently as his gaze followed the vast landscape before him; so much land, yet barren. Though there was life it seemed lifeless, it seemed dead to him. He could see many ruins and gorges, running along the spinal ridge of the bridge on which he was upon. His horse stopped just before halfway and reared its head. Wander patted its neck and it continued along the bridge. It didn’t take long before they had reached the other end of the bridge, Wander stood before the temple door, placing his hand upon it. It opened, slowly at first, but then it burst open. Wander grabbed his horse that was meekly trotting up some spiral stairs.

“This way Argo.” He commanded, jumping back into the saddle and giving him a small kick to start him. Argo neighed lightly and ventured through the entrance, looking around a bit before slowly and carefully making his way down the eternal spiral staircase. Argo had to rest once or twice, stopping for a few minutes before Wander gently prodded him to keep going. It had been a long and tiresome journey for the both of them, but they had come too far to just sit around, when the desired dream was only down a flight of stairs. On reaching the bottom; Argo veered to drink from a pool of water, but Wander tugged on his flak.

“Not now Argo, later. Go!” he said harshly, pulling on his flak to make him turn the other way. As they entered the main shrine centre, they were gazed upon by 16 statues on either side of them. Wander looked at each one briefly, staring at their faces. Argo came to a halt as he reached the alter. Wander jumped from his saddle and looked around himself, patting Argo’s face. He eased the body off of Argo and climbed the small bout of steps before reaching the alter, and gently placing the body down on it and whipping off the cloak. Throwing the cloak to the side, he leaned down to see the girl which he had placed there, a beautiful maiden who was clothed in a fair white gown. He touched her face gently; she was no longer with him, not in soul. Suddenly, a booming voice and a blinding light cascaded into the large hall.

“YOUNG WARROIR. WE DETECT THAT THOU HAVE THE SACRED SWORD IN THY POSSESSION.” Its voice was strange, seemingly two voices or more at once, speaking in unison. Strange though it was, Wander knew that this voice belonged to that of the Dormin; the being that he had been searching for.

“That is correct. I posses the sacred sword. I have heard that you can bring back souls from the afterlife, is this the truth?” he inquired, raising the sword for a moment.

“THOU ART CORRECT YOUNG WORRIOR. HOWEVER. OUR MIRICLE COMES AT A PRICE. A HEAVY PRICE THAT THY MAY HAVE TO BARE THE BURDEN OF.”

“I do not care…I do not care what happens to me. Tell me how I can revive the dead.”

“THERE IS…ONE WAY. ONCE AMOUNG THIS VAST BARREN LAND, THERE WERE COLLOSUS – GOD-LIKE BEINGS THAT ROAMED THE PLAINS. THEY CANNOT BE DESTROYED.” Wander gritted his teeth and looked from side to side in frustration.

“Isn’t there a way?!”

“NAY. THERE IS NO WAY TO DESTROY THE COLLOSUS. BUT…THERE IS A WAY. ROAMING NOW ON THE PLAINS IS COLLOSI. THEY REPRESENT THE COLLOSUS. IF THOU CAN DEFEAT THE 16 COLLOSI. WE WILL GRANT THY WISH.” Wander nodded his head eagerly.

“Tell me how.”

“THY FIRST OPPONANT IS RESIDING IN A CLEARING TO THE NORTH OF HERE. IF YOU ART TO LOSE THY WAY YOUNG WARRIOR. USE THY SWORD TO GUIDE THY WAY.”

Wander nodded and ran to the front of the temple, calling on Argo to follow. He raised his right arm high, letting the sunshine reflect on the sword and cause a glare, a stream of light to guide him to his destination.

“Come Argo, we have much to do.” He muttered climbing onto the horse. Argo reared as Wander dug his heels into his sides, and then galloped in the direction that the sword had revealed. Argo raced through the vast plain, and Wander occasionally raised his sword to make sure they were on the right track. It was then that Argo skidded to a halt. Wanda patted his neck and whispered to him.

“It is only a small cliff Argo, you can take it. Hurry.” With that, Wander dug his heels into Argo’s side sharply, causing him to rear and run forward, jumping off of the cliff and stumbling – though not falling. Before long, they had reached their destination. Wander jumped off of Argo and petted his face, before staring at the wall of moss in front of him. He jumped and grabbed a hold of the thick green plant, although it was a plant, it was sturdy and held his weight. He climbed slowly, struggling to climb over the top. He rested for a moment, looking down at Argo, who was looking up.

“I will return soon. Wait for me.” He said softly, standing, running over to a small cliff. He jumped up it with ease, but then was faced with a de-rooted tree blocking his path. He jumped, trying to grab onto it’s sharp, brittle branches. To no avail. He then knelt down to reveal that there was, in fact, a narrow hole that he could climb through. Once he had reached the top, he stood back an gasped at his opponent, strutting freely through it’s land. It was enormous; he had to crane his neck just to see its shoulders. It appeared to be made of stone. Slowly, Wander unsheathed his sword and walked out once it at past. He stared at it; he didn’t want to get too close to it in case it stood on him.

VALUS

The voice(s) of Dormin called. Wander figured that it was the name of his opponent, the first Colossi. Wander put away his sword and retrieved his bow and arrows, aiming at the beast and firing. But it did nothing, only alerted the beast of his presence. He fired one after the other, hitting various places, but never damaging it. Breathing harshly as it got nearer, he ran further back so he could figure out some way to defeat it. Apparently, he had put himself in striking distance, as Valus raised his arm high and with great speed and might, brought down his mallet. Wander was only saved by his quick reflexes, but he was still in danger, now finding that he was close to Valus’ feet, the feet of a bull. He noticed a patch of hair growth on the back of its leg and jumped on it, finding that it was easy enough to cling to. Then, he raised his sword high, held it, and brought it down into the beast’s leg. Black blood gushed from the newly formed wound. Wander didn’t have much time to think as the giant fell forward onto its knee. He let go of the rough fur and jumped onto another patch on its hip, wasting no time to get to its back as the beast started to rise. Resting for a moment on the platform on its back, he panted heavily, leaning against Valus’ back for support. Then something greatly disturbed him, the beast was warm, it felt…alive. Gulping, Wander reminded himself of why he was fighting it and started to climb its back, quickly, so that he was almost on its shoulders. It started shaking though and he almost lost his grip, falling down to the middle platform again, having to rest. Once he had mustered the strength to get to its head, he stopped, unsheathing his sword and watching glowing runes appear on its head. Kneeling, he grabbed the fur around it and raised his sword, bringing it down sharply. Black blood once again gushed from the wound, and even more as another blow followed, and another.

Finally, the battle was over. The colossi lost its glowing rune, groaning deafeningly until its limp, lifeless body hit the ground. Wander had jumped off a few seconds before it fell, to save himself from being crushed. He mourned the death of his opponent for a slight time, before noticing long tendrils coming from the beast’s head. Becoming away of this, Wander ran, trying to escape…but to no avail. He gasped as the black tendrils enetered his body, filling it with pain and anguish, destroying a part of his soul. He felt his breath leave him as he fell to the ground.

Darkness surrounded and engulfed him, but the pain soon faded.