Shadow Of The Colossus- Taming The Beasts

Chapter 19- Phalanx

The desert wind clouded the air in a shroud of sand. It would be difficult for a human to even breathe while standing within its grasp, but Dirge was a creature adapted to the harsh desert climate. Her eyes were wide and her long body whipped around in elegant motions as she traversed the desert looking for her long lost friend. 

To say that Phalanx was a gigantic beast would be a severe understatement. She was nearly six hundred feet long, from snout to tail. Not the largest colossus to exist, but the largest one to live in The Forbidden Lands. Twice the length of Dirge and even Hydrus, her size was something to be considered by even the vilest of colossi. But an odd thing to mention was her pacifism; even if being attacked, she will never fight back. Some assume it to be a pride thing, thinking she's too big to be harmed, but those who knew her well acknowledged the truth about her nature. Phalanx certainly held the power to slay others, but she chose not to because of one reason. Her overwhelming empathy. For even if she had harmed someone who had nearly killed her, the thought of taking a life was too much for her to bear. Contrary to her colossi brethren. Most colossi are passive at first, but once they feel threatened, they're a force to be reckoned with. Creatures like Malus who are supportive, kind, and understanding have a violent, animalistic side. Malus wasn't feared for no reason. While he was mostly a passive pushover, hurt his loved ones and you'll be kneeling before him without your head.

Dirge paused to catch her breath and take in the scenery. Hills of golden sand lay before her, shining like snow from the sun gleaming its eternal light down upon the lands. It had just occurred to Dirge that it had not snowed in The Forbidden Lands in years. Not since Dormin had been sealed off. She hated winter, for she was cold-blooded, and weak to ice, but a change of landscape would be nice. They had to deal with the sun out for countless years, the time of day or seasons never changing. It kept the colossi depressed and in need of some sort of adventure. When the Wanderer came in, it left them all in a panic, having to watch their kin be slain one by one. Knowing they were next. But upon their death and revival, the colossi noticed that the sun moved throughout the sky once again. They did not know how, but they didn't care.

She felt a tap on her furry back. It was gentle, not worth turning over with ferocity. Dirge tilted her head to witness Aiko sitting next to her, facing the ruins and the pillar of light. Waiting. Her eyes remained a weary yellow, but even then, Dirge felt somewhat at peace.

"Do you miss your friends?" Aiko asked, ignoring the fact that colossi could not speak back.

Dirge wanted to share her empathy, so she nodded.

"I never had friends until now," Aiko squeaked, standing up to face the great demonic serpent, "You're a great friend, snake!" 

There was something about her that gave Dirge hope. It was odd to see her so gentle, especially with a human, but she could not help it. Aiko reminded her of someone long lost. To where a stone hedge was built in his honor. 

Their conversation was interrupted by the rumblings of sand. Immediately, the ball of light soared down to the corpse of the great beast and erupted in a show of violent light. Dirge had to close her eyes, but instinctively coiled around Aiko to shield her. When the dust settled and the light cleared, something was blocking out the blazing sun. Something big and flying.

Phalanx.

A soft call sang throughout the air as her long, dragon-like body soared through the sky like an arrow from a bow. She was like something Aiko had never seen. Her thoughts consisted of riding her back and seeing the sights of these lands or getting to see her up close. Something to get to know her. But as she went to stand up, something in her body refused to work. Her markings had begun to fade on the tips of her hands and feet, and she felt...weak. Not sick, but just not nearly as strong as before. She tried to resist her body's pleas for rest, only to be greeted with a faceful of sand as she tumbled down the hill and towards Phalanx. She hit her head hard on a loose piece of rubble, splattering blood from a cut. Almost immediately, Dirge dug underneath the sands and gently lifted Aiko up on her snout. Phalanx halted her flying and began resting upon the sands, heading towards Dirge. Aiko gave her a reassuring pat, but it was a lie. She felt awful.

"Dirge, it is a pleasure to meet you again. How are things?"

"You seem awfully calm for someone who's latest memory is being stabbed to death." Dirge chuckled, her tail wagging without her knowledge.

"I'm always calm," Phalanx purred, nudging closer.

"Because you're high."

"Was that a pun, Dirgy?" Phalanx poked.

"Wh-Oh, damn it," Dirge sighed with a slight grin, "Also don't call me Dirgy, it's embarrassing."

Phalanx giggled a little before focusing on Aiko.

"Oh, who is  this little one?" Phalanx said, getting close to Aiko and Dirge's snout.

Aiko could now make out the details. Phalanx had an odd face, resembling a bird of some kind. She had three eyes, two on the left side and one on the right. It looked like she had lost one somehow. Without thinking, Aiko reached out and touched Phalanx's beak. Earning a small, pleasant roar from the dragon.

"She's adorable." Phalanx giggled. "...It seems like she's bleeding, though."

"She just hit her head on a rock, a little cut is all."

"If you say so."

The three stayed there for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company and resting within the calm warmth of the desert. Dirge's eyes flashed blue once more, only returning to yellow upon a blink. They seemed calm by each other, something that Aiko noted. It was odd. Phalanx, the calmest and most passive of all the colossi, enjoying the company of Dirge, the most aggressive and easily angered. She guessed that "opposites attract" was a true statement. Phalanx was the yin to Dirge's yang.

They hardly noticed the 14th light go down and the panicked shriekings of the colossi rushing towards it.