Shadow Of The Colossus- Taming The Beasts

Chapter 8- Worries

Snow fell upon the mountain, coating everything with heavy powder. With each breath came a sting to the lungs, the wind screaming and howling in the ears of the guards that surrounded the prison. Backs straight, crossbows loaded, spears hoisted. Masked men marched in almost perfect unison around the temple walls, looking down at the subject of interest from time to time. Chains led downwards, ending with a shackle attached to a wrist. With each gaze downward came an ill-omened aura heavily shagging on the gazer. Everyone who looked upon this...thing immediately turned away, as something within them told them to keep their glances to a minimum. Why though? The creatures arms were laced with chained shackles, with each chain holding a boulder to keep it from moving. It's legs were tied to the ground and it's back was laced with strange, cyan contraptions. It kept its back soft, severing any movement. 

A bell rang, calling the men. The bell's noise was not like a pleasant church bell, harmonious and calming. It was a brash, alarming noise, alerting the men to attend someone. The bell itself was a dark gold, with scratches and cracks, suspended on a cord attached to the wood. Each painful ring made the chains vibrate. The shackled individual gazed up, piercing blue eyes staring at the huge bell swaying back and forth.

Aiko woke with a start, finding herself on the ground. She kicked about, still half asleep. The bell's ringing still in her head. Dirt flung everywhere from her kicking, resulting in a startled snort from a nearby creature. She began to come to, her vision clearing. The creature was Gaius, who was leaning down, presumably to see if she was okay. A strange noise escaped him, sounding like a sneeze. The other colossi loomed nearby, gazing at Aiko worriedly. Gaius tilted his head like a wondered animal, leaning a bit closer.

"..What? What's going on?" She questioned tiredly, gently petting Gaius as she asked. She had never pet him in an affectionate way before, previous pats were for calming only. Gaius' eyes widened and glowed intensely, a deep rumbling noise coming from his throat. He was like a giant cat! He enjoyed being petted and stroked, even nudging a bit closer. But he gained himself and sat upright.

"..Well?"

The four colossi looked each other, their expressions worrisome and tired. Valus looked at the others for some intel, as he was just as lost as the small child before them. Quadratus rumbled and lifted a hoof, gesturing at Aiko.

"..Me? What did I do? I promise I can make up for it! I-"

Gaius interrupted her with a soft bellow, fatherly instincts kicking in. Using his left hand, he slowly lifted it towards Aiko, using the small, stubby fingers to very gently lift her arm. She had tribal patterns all alongside it, dark black and inky. Gaius tapped the arm with his "thumb", making sure not to arm Aiko. He gently and slowly pulled away once she got the hint.

"The patterns..? W-What about them?"

Phaedra lifted a spiked leg, digging into the dirt below. Her movements were quick for something her size and weight. She was writing, although with some difficulty. Her handwriting was messy, but Aiko managed to figure it out nonetheless.

The message was "glow".

"...'Glow'? My markings glowed?"

They nodded in unison.

"...Odd. Never happened before. Did any of you get hurt? Did anything for that matter?"

After grunting and bellowing to each other, they all shook their head no.

"So it..shouldn't be that concerning from here on out. If it isn't hurting anyone, I don't mind...Things like this aren't all uncommon."

The guardians looked at one another with concern...why was she so dismissive about it? She..didn't seem all that worried. And they were her markings, likes of which they've never seen. So they had to take her word for it. 

A rumble growled throughout the land.  The colossi and Aiko's attention were diverted to the source: another light beam. Near the misty lake temple, shrouded by cliffs, the fifth pillar fell to its owner. Phaedra's head tilted in curiosity.

"Hey, Phaedra!"

The horse turned to the child, bending down to meet her.

"Do you want to go to the colossus with me? They might need help!"