Shadow Of The Colossus- Taming The Beasts

Chapter 5- Gaius

Quadratus and Valus roamed around the valley, without Aiko. The third light had already shot down, and she wanted to see if she could do this without their help. She skipped across the sand, observing her surroundings. The ravine leading towards a strange, circular platform balanced on rocks and chains, above a misty canopy. A poorly built bridge leading to the plate. 

Aiko prepared herself, reaching in her bag and feeling around for what she had. Half the fruit, and art materials. She stepped on something..Hard and squishy. She looked down to see a large, black and blue lizard squeaking and trying to get its foot free. It squealed and wriggled around, tiny feet patting the dirt. Aiko smiled a bit and lifted her foot up, letting it go. 

She made her way to the platform, not expecting the bridge to be halfway submerged in the water. 

"...Fffffuck me." 

Heaving a sigh, she untied the bag and held it in her arms. Wadding her way into the lake. God, it was freezing and murky. Shuddering as she swam, Aiko held the bag over her head as she struggled to keep herself above the surface. Eventually, she reached the bridge, the ice cold water making her shiver once she made contact with the freezing air. But, she had to proceed. 

Skipping across the steep bridge, she found herself forced at a halt. The bridge cut off, a stone platform in front of her. She would have to jump to get to it. Aiko backed up, tying the bag around her waist. Then, she ran. Leaping across the bridge, she hooked onto a slab in the platform, seeing loose rocks crumble and fall into the water a hundred feet below.

Aiko heaved a sigh, staring at the nearby arena. She managed to climb sideways so she would be able to jump to it. She landed harshly, stumbling back and almost falling off.

Making her way up the single flight of overgrown stairs, she came face to face with another giant...this one odd looking. It had a large, stone sword stuck to its right hand. And its left wasn't even a hand- it was just a nub with small stone fragments jutting out. Its head was odd too-resembling a broken animal mask with stone, koala-like ears. It was very lanky, and its circular-designed legs  were decorated with patterns. Aiko began to approach him, prepared for it to wake up and freak out.

He was already awake.

Gaius jumped up, startling the girl approaching him. He slammed his sword down onto the ground, forcing himself upwards. The smallest movements caused Aiko to trip and fall from the vibrations he cast through the platform. He growled and rumbled threateningly as he stood, only to let out a wail and hold his stomach with his left arm. Arrows were lodged into his body, especially near his belly. She could tell the poor knight was in pain. Yet, he was still scared. Gaius slammed his sword down near Aiko, but that resulted in another surge of pain shocking his body, making him groan. 

"WOAH-"

Aiko slipped and yelped, getting the attention of Gaius...Watching her back up and raise her hands. He peered at the little stranger...She didn't look dangerous. The child didn't even wield a weapon. She looked nothing like the human who had painfully slain him so many years back...Hell, he even felt parental instincts kick in. 

"...Do you need help..?" Aiko squeaked at the giant creature. 

The knight gently kneeled down, offering his left "hand." He flinched a bit watching the child climb his arm, being reminded of the past. A couple of comforting pets relieved his senses, though. He sighed, easing himself so he wasn't so tense. Aiko hopped onto the platform around Gaius' waist, observing the beast's belly. Around 13 arrows were lodged into his stomach. She gripped one and began to pull.

"RRAHHGH!" 

Gaius bellowed and roared in pain, swatting around and hissing in pain and fear. 

"Woah, WOAH- CALM YOURSELF!!"

The shaking flew her around and almost made her fall off. Aiko began quickly pulling out the arrows out of panic. The poor knight was groaning, trying to pull himself together. Eventually, all the arrows were out, and with a couple of rubs, the pain went away. 

"Are you okay now?"

Gaius sighed in relief, allowing Aiko to climb down his arm and onto the ground. Aiko stumbled a bit and tripped upon contact, Gaius chuckling a bit watching her. He sat down onto the metal plate, using his sword to balance himself as he rested. His eyes glowed a gentle blue, feeling a sense of care for this small child. He didn't even know her name. He should get to that. A low bellow came from his throat, trying his best to point at her. Tilting his head inquisitively. 

"...Aiko."

Like Valus, he began writing in the dirt. "Gaius". 

Aiko reached into her back, pulling out rough paper and ink. The paper itself was like a scroll, needing actual effort to bend and destroy. The ink pen was a metal quill, designed to look like a miniature peacock feather. She looked up at Gaius, and then back down. He watched her hand go quickly across the paper, only peering up for the details she missed. The quill from this angle looked like it was in a hurricane with how fast and erratic the movements were.

She set aside the quill and turned the paper around...It was  a drawing of Gaius. Quite realistic with some stylization. Gaius' eyes widened; impressed! He gently grasped it with his stubby fingers and observed it...a delighted, laugh-like rumble escaping him. Not wanting to accidentally damage it, he returned the paper to her. Aiko had a big, dorky grin on her face as she placed the paper back inside the sack. She skipped right up to the knight and hugged his hand, feeling totally safe around this one hundred foot tall creature...Gaius' eyes curved, imitating a smile. Using the small stubs to try and "hug" Aiko back. It didn't really work out, but the effort was appreciated.