Request from ChaosDancer12, Much like Jack, I love Shadow of the Colossus a lot. This was a little complex to write and the backstory beginning part is all my own but the main part of the story is from the game of course -- I hope you all like it. 

THIS STORY CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE GAME SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS. READ WITH CAUTION OR AVOID IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS, THANK YOU.

'In this fallen land, destroyed world - I would do anything for you.'

Jack grew up in a small almost barn like home, woolen clothes clad as it was always cold the bricks smooth and rough under the touch. It was usually just his father and him at home with their chickens in the little pen at the back. Jack had always dreamed about being a warrior and his father would smile and chuckle at him; maybe one day, son. Maybe one day indeed.

Mark was the model boy of the family; a heir to a king - the precious prince everybody admired. He had led a rather suffocating life due to that, everything in his daily routine being calculated so when it became time for a new king, he'd be ready. But after the majority of his life, it got boring. He spends more time riding his horse and looking over the horizon somewhere beyond the kingdom than in a training room or in education learning about what to do in the events of war. He'd run away one day. He does not want to carry the weight of a king.

Besides, nothing could prepare a wannabe warrior nor a to-be king nevermind anyone else, for what really would happen in future.

;

Jack as he grew up, began to be less and less of the farmer boy and train more - learn combat and use a crossbow and a sword (sword, it was more sticks and some other things.) His father would always tell him to stop trying to battle thin air and see to the chickens. He'd huff and haw, but eventually he would do so.

Meanwhile Mark was preparing his escape plan, a written note left on the dining table for his father and step mother; an apology and not so.

'This isn't what I want to be. Someone will play the role better than I. Hope to be reunited one day, sorry I could not be what you wanted.' And then, hes off into the night, riding across the horizon to some place better. Some place where he can be a nobody.

When the pair first met, it was because Marks horse needed rest and it was the nearest village possible for sleeping too. Jack was sneaking about, trying to be as quiet as he could be, his father did not take well to strangers. Marks horse barely fit in beside Jacks, Agro gave a little huff but Jack told her to get over it. Jack explained that Mark would have to sleep out with the chickens and if he wasn't as tired as he is he'd laugh at the cute whirlwind of a boy in front of him. The chicken coop is actually rather comfortable, and they settle eventually. Marks expecting to be woken up at the crack of down by clucking, though.

Instead hes woken up by a rather threatening looking man he presumes his Jacks father and he panics, luckily the stressed out boy from last night comes running up to tell him that Jack had let him sleep there and hes not here to steal anything. The man grumbles before getting out of Marks space and he can hear his heart racing in his ears. The boy helps him out of the pen as he wipes some straw and mixtures of hay out of his hair, he slept surprisingly well - maybe its because he has a clear conscience whatever it is, he thanks the boy in front of him for putting his neck on the line.

The boy agrees to even make him breakfast whilst Mark sees to his horse.

;

Mark takes part in chores around the place with the boy and promised to give something shiny or two to the man who threaten him this morning in exchange for a few nights stay. The boy and him get speaking - and they share a lot in common; they even have a mini battle outside the chicken coop and Marks sadly to say he did get an ass handing by the boy. It was pretty impressive and oddly attractive to witness, Jack is passionate in his fighting and he seemingly has experience with how he handled his improvised sword.

Mark is a fair match however, as hes cunning and quick on his feet, good at making on the spot decisions regardless if they work in his favor or not. Whereas Jack is slightly more calculated and all will. Mark never really fought with fair matches, all the people basically kissing his feet as he was the next heir. Speaking of which, he knows there will be a manhunt on its way. Hes happy he got to meet Jack at least and thinks he'd make a better king than Mark ever would; Mark was molded into it and Jacks a natural.

"You'd make a good king." Mark laughs, out of breath slightly and the boy looks flushed. Maybe its the sweat and exhaustion from all the fighting or maybe the boy doesn't get much praise but Mark likes how he flushes under his gaze.

He likes Jack, knows that if he was a trainee knight or some other place in the kingdom he'd try to court the man or get on his good side. Hes attractive that's for sure.

God dammit Mark, you're supposed to be just passing with no attachments.

;

Yet, he ends up overstaying and its been weeks. He basically lives with Jack and his father now. Given, Jacks father still complains about another mouth to feed and especially a mouth which isn't from here but the old fart is warming up to Mark. Besides, he seems to be making Jack happy. Jack hasn't stopped talking about Mark and his battle skills and how they have lessons in the back everyday. [Yes dad, I fed the chickens before we battled.]

The pair have became quite close but not close enough for Mark to tell Jack hes an ex-to be king on the run because honestly, he'd rather skip out on that detail for as long as he can -- doesn't want anyone to rat him out. Especially not the pretty blue eyed boy with surprisingly good fighting skills.

They're in the chicken coop awfully close (not that there's much room to breathe in there, it wasn't built for humans never mind two.) When Marks makes one of those split second decisions and leans in, close close close and suddenly lips connect and somehow someplace the world finally feels right with Mark. As if he wasn't running from the past and present.

The sweet sheltered boy with blue eyes takes a moment before he returns - Jack grew up around girls but was more interested in the chickens than them although never met a boy he'd wanted to get close too and then Mark literally turns up at his door step, or rather in his chicken coop and everything changed.

Mark likes how Jack doesn't treat him different, likes how he doesn't know Mark could be and perhaps should be ruling a kingdom soon. To Jack, Marks just a lost boy with good weaponry skills.

;

That is, until the knights start sniffing around the place and seeing as who they're looking for fits Marks description of course Jacks father almost rats him out - that is until Jack, the savior, jumps in and sends that Mark passed the village weeks ago and never said where he was going, which - given. he should have done. Its enough to get them to back off but his dad tells him to get Mark away from here and that hes too old for such troubles on his doorstep. It ends in arguments and Jack protesting but Mark for once agrees with the older man, he wasn't even meant to be stopping this long but goddamn his soft spot for pretty boys with even prettier eyes.

What Mark did not expect was the farmer boy to yell at him and give him a shove or two.

"I'm coming with you and on our journey you can explain all of this and why knights are looking for you." He utters, huffing.

"Jack, no." Mak response is a simple one but he already knows there's no stopping Jack once hes made his mind up, all be dammned.

;

By night they're off much to Marks dismay - travelling, running. They take their horses and ride alongside one and other and it takes awhile but by the time the moon is up Mark explains everything. Jack listens in perhaps a stunned silence and when Mark finishes his story the man nods, softly.

"I would have run too. All I've ever wanted is to be warrior, a hero. Not some farm boy."

"I wanted to just wanted to be left alone, I was never the model son my parents wished me to be." Mark sighs - he does miss his parents of course but, this is what he chose.

Maybe they'll go on adventures and Jack will get his chance to save the day.

;

He does but not in the way expected. His chance to play hero comes when he loses his companion of a few months. Its when they're wondering through a desert and the man in question falls off his horse and his breathing is labored. Jack panics and Marks fading in and out of life it seems, Jacks not sure what brought this on maybe this lifestyle has caught up to him. Mark is here, dying in front of him. This can't be how it ends. If anything the man should die by his own clumsiness not by heat stroke or whatever is happening now. Jacks attached to him, of course he is, they've shared so many moments together - so many moonlight talks, so many close quarters together.

Jack loves him, even. Marks still drifting and Jack helps him up onto Agro, commanding Marks horse to follow them. Jack doesn't know where he's going but he wants to find something that can help him.

They're still running from those knights, too.

Jack does find a large open temple like building and there's a large slab in the center and a bunch of statues around it. They look like mythical beasts and Jack has never seen anything like it before. He rests Mark on the slab, the horses and such surrounding them.

"I love you. Hang in there Mark, please." He finds water in a pit and brings it to Mark whose breathing is barely heard. Jack makes him drink the water and the man stutters and coughs.

"Jack, Jack, I'm dying. Let me go. I love you, be the hero I know you are."

No, no, no! Jack is crying now onto Marks chest and uttering a phrase over and over again, please don't go, please don't go, please.

;

"What would you do for those you love?" Comes a... voice, which wakes Jack up. There's no immediate source of it so Jack is alert; grabbing his sword just in case, the voice sounds muffled, like a thousand people are speaking at once. Maybe this is a dream, Mark is still laying there and Jack wipes his eyes. He hopes its a dream. There's a laugh that certainly cannot be trusted that follows.

"Poor, innocent, boy. I can bring your love back from the dead, for a price." The voice seems to be above him and Jack is nervous, looking around the now turned creepy temple. Yet that voice is oddly convincing.

"Show yourself." Jack utters to retrieve another laugh.

"Fool. I'm not human." Jacks shaking now - if this is a dream, its becoming a nightmare.

"You can really bring him back?" Jacks grief is speaking for him, but hes desperate. God knows anyone would go through such lengths if even for a moment with a lost loved one.

"Yes. The price is high but if you can slay these beasts along these walls - I will bring your boy back."

This could be his chance he decides, sword drawn; as if he was chosen for this. Grief dictates all, and he agrees. Agro gives a huff beside him. A torn map falls in front him and the beasts are located there.

;

He leaps on Agro and leaves Marks horse to stay by his side, before he leaves the temple he utters a soft promise to the man.

"I'll save you."

And hes riding off past the vast location and Agro seems to be huffing at him more than usual, Jack knows its because he doesn't want to do this but Jacks lost without Mark and he cant just leave him and return home with his tail behind his legs. If he did so, Marks parents would hold him responsible and he'd never hear the end of it from his dad. He can basically hear the lecture now. But this is his chance to be the hero, and maybe defeating these beasts will help others too, maybe the voice can help bring others back. Jack has to do this, these beasts have to fall - he has to separate himself from this, for Mark. Mark has his whole life ahead of him and he needs to be here so he can do great things and make stuff right.

All Jacks done is play hero, now's his chance to be the hero.

The environment makes him feel oddly alive and Jacks only coping mechanism right now is to be treating like this as some weird and messed up dream. Hes riding through a grassy field like place, the desert no longer visible as he remembers the map which is flapping away in his back pocket.

He arrives at the first beast and takes a deep breath, he feels numb - and pretends he doesn't feel a thing. He leaves Agro outside, the horse has been through enough and doesn't need to see this.

Jack knows he has a challenge ahead of him but all that's on his mind is Mark, he is, was - fit to be a king regardless of how he felt about things.

;

Once the beast finally falls, Jacks sweating and he collapses beside the fallen beast and tendrils emerge from the creature and before Jack has time to react they catch up with him and suddenly everything's as black as Agro's fur. He awakes in the temple and the statue similar to the beast Jack had taken on is shattered and Mark is still motionless and the voice returns, sounding like a reminder that its still there, haunting him.

Although he does feel gulity, its washed away when he sees Mark still motionless and remembers what he said before he had ridden off.

'I'll save you.' It was a promise to be kept. A battle to fight.

;

From there, everything is a blur of battles and blackness. Beast after beast falls in front of him and the more they do, the less he feels. The less he feels emotion and like himself. His memories are sort of a blur and adrenaline are constantly rushing through his veins, the tendrils seem to have had an impact on him physically as his arms look almost like hes marked with oil.

The only time he does feel something is when hes at the final stage and hes being chased by knights, perhaps the same knights trying to catch Mark - he doesn't remember but the bridge is collapsing and Jack doesn't know if he can make it, he has too.

Yet its too close, so close that Agro is running as fast as her legs can but its not enough and they're right at the end when the bridge falls, Jacks heart is racing, this is really how it ends; right before the last fight.

But it isn't because Agro the poor girl, bucks Jack off and he manages to land at the end. He screams into the pit shes fallen in below, on his knees.

"Agro!" After everything she still did something like that for him and now hes angry and sad - and it prepares him for the fight.

He's won battle after battle yet feels like hes losing.

;

Sword drawn, Agro and Mark in his heart - he goes fourth. One last stab and the final battle falls in front him and he too, collapses with the beast - an almost ritual he does every time one of them is slain. Hes crying, hes tired and just wants to go see Mark, he misses Agro.

The tendrils capture him and he rises yet again in the temple, all the statues have been shattered, rubble scattered everywhere and its a mess. Jack is laying beside Mark and the voice is back but its louder. The knights have arrived on their horses and Jack thinks he'll go with them after Mark wakes up.

"What have you done?!" Comes the panicked shout from behind, its the tallest knight of them all with curlier hair than the rest. Jack isn't in the mood to explain, his bones ache and his lungs feel clogged. Suddenly there's a beast unlike the rest risen from god knows where with the voice he's heard for so long, its taunting as usual but more intimidating and Jack doesn't get a chance to reach for his sword before the thing takes a step forward.

The knights behind him scatter like chess pieces being shoved from the board and Jack thinks that the very thing which he did so much for will be the death of him, hell, hes not even sure if Mark will wake up.

The knights open something within the world, like a huge black whole and the beasts attacking them as the force from the hole is too much for Jack to be able to grip onto and he loses it, just as he spots the mans eyes open; the sweet and pure hazel eyes he never got enough time to stare into.

As the demon he unleashed falls into the depths; he does too. He doesn't feel anything, this is how it ends for him; plummeting into wherever is next with a demon he created - a demon he was.

He had kept his promise and this was the price he paid for another. Jack thinks even as he falls, he'd do it again.

;

Agro comes limping back into the temple shes so familiar with, there's no Jack, but Mark is awake and disorientated but he glances at Agro as if he knows. Before the horses and him can leave the temple he hears crying similar to a baby's and he sees the barely born child laying at the end of the temple. He doesn't know who or why the child is there but he decides to pick it up and cradle it as he leaves the temple he doesn't remember getting too.

When the world loses a hero, they gain a new one.

;

Mark returns home to his worried sick parents he doesn't quite remember what happens but they tell him he ran away in rebellion and hes still fit for royalty. Mark at last, takes on the role of Prince. Jacks father was alerted of the news of his passing by the knights.

"We tried to warn him, he would not listen. Grief is a terrible thing." His father sighs. The baby, the perhaps newest hero - stays with his father. He'll be brought up just like Jack was but with more caution so he won't make the same mistakes Jack fell too.

"I thought I had taught him better but he always wanted to play the hero. I wish things hadn't ended this way but he gave his life for another and regardless, that is what a hero does. My son is my hero." He utters and he wished he could have swayed Jack from the very path that destroyed him. Yet, the legacy will carry on - even if he nearly did take the world with him unintentionally.

Jack is not the first hero to pay such prices for another, nor will he be the last.

But, he was a true hero. He had gone through such lengths for a love and perhaps that is what being a hero and loving somebody is.