When the sun came up, the small family climbed aboard their Stormbird which had sat peacefully on its landing platform and waved farewell to Avad and Talanah before taking off and heading west. They passed over the giant river that nearly cut the continent in two and the arid, rocky landscape of Sundom’s west, the deserted city of Sunfall darkened by their shadow.

The air grew steadily colder and the peaks of the mountains came closer and closer until they were huddled together, staying warm against the chill.

“I can’t believe I rode on a Charger all on my own across this.” Aloy called to Kotallo.

It was a great relief to break free of the mountain range, dipping down a little into the Daunt. The lift was still in operation though rarely used. Only the settlement of Barren Light remained in the Daunt, Chainscrape nothing more than a few scattered stone blocks, abandoned after Nemesis attacked. Barren Light was no longer a fortress but rather a stopping point before entering the west, kept as a testimony to memory more than anything else.

“If you look to the right, you can see Plainsong.” Aloy pointed and Cassie peered through the clouds, spying the giant dishes that made up the Utaru settlement.

“Wow! Can we go there?”

“First we go to the base,” Kotallo said firmly, “we’re already a day late.”

Aloy’s body trembled with fear. She could feel the upheaval trying to jumpstart a shift and had to breathe through the emotion. Somehow Kotallo knew, his hand on her shoulder, steadying her mind.

The official entrance to the base was the same path that the Plowhorns had taken when entering the repair bay. The Utaru had considered the site sacred as they worshipped the machines that provided them with food as they cultivated the land but upon the discovery of their true heritage and the role of the machines in their world, not superior but rather, as helpmates, the Utaru had taken on a different role. Some still tended the fields, preferring gardening and cultivating but many were mechanics, learning from the repair bay and maintaining the Plowhorns.

The Stormbird landed at the mouth of the narrowing valley on a specially built platform. A herd of Chargers grazed nearby, ready to be called upon if needed. A single person waited, with Chargers already standing by her, green eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Aloy’s heart trembled. Kotallo got down first then helped the children down. Aloy licked her lips and swallowed, sliding from the back of the Stormbird, gazing at a face that was once like looking in a mirror.

“Beta…”

“Aloy!” Beta cried and lunged for her, arms wrapped around her tightly. “It’s so good to see you!” Aloy tensed, suddenly frightened. Beta pulled back. “What’s wrong?”

“FOCUS…” Aloy gestured to her temple.

“Oh sorry!” Beta shook her head. “Tomas asked me to give you this before I did anything else.” She held out the little case. “Sorry, I forgot.”

Aloy took the small case and opened it, a FOCUS lying against the black interior. “This…”

“He thinks he figured it out.” Beta nodded. “But the only way to know for sure…”

Aloy took the FOCUS out of the case, her hand shaking. She lifted it to her temple, feeling its natural pull to attach itself, her body jumping.

“Aloy…”

“I’m alright.” She reassured Kotallo. “It’s not doing anything yet.” She took a deep breath and tapped the FOCUS. Her stomach churned as the display popped up before her eyes, unseen for the past seven years. Aloy held her breath, waiting for the shift…which never came. “I…I think it’s working…”

“How?” Kotallo looked at Beta.

“Tomas was able to isolate the frequency that was causing the shifts,” Beta explained, “and designed a FOCUS that used a different one.”

“What about my FOCUS?” Kotallo asked warily. “I haven’t been able to wear mine because even secondary signals could cause a shift.”

“Tomas designed it to block anything other than its signal.” Beta smiled. “You can wear yours again.” As he took it out of his pouch, Beta turned to Aloy who was gazing at the world that was so familiar yet had been denied to her for so long. “It’s not going to be perfect but it should allow you to access everything you did before

Aloy tapped the FOCUS, feeling a slight sting of tears. “He’s…I owe Tomas…where is he?”

“Oh,” Beta shrugged, “he’s…in the rejuvenation capsule.” She saw their expressions and waved away their concerns. “There will be plenty of time to catch up. There are so many people who want to see you.” She blinked and looked at Cassie and Jay. “They’ve grown so much…Cassie, you look like your mother.”

“Are you Aunty Beta?” Cassie asked, wide eyed and awestruck.

Beta nodded. “I am.”

Jay cowered next to Kotallo’s legs. “He’s a little shy.” Kotallo said, patting him on the head.

“I know how that feels.” Beta winked at him. “Do I look like your mum, Jay?”

He stuck his thumb in his mouth and nodded mutely. Beta smiled and stood up straight.

“I don’t know about that,” Aloy mused, studying her ‘sister’, “you’re looking less and less like me and more like yourself every time I see you.”

Beta’s clothing choices tended towards more modern fabrics and styles as they were what she grew up with and what she saw others wearing on the media files she’d watched for a short time on board the Odyssey.

“We’ll load your cases on the Chargers and head to the base.” Beta signalled for several Chargers to come close and Kotallo and Aloy hitched their cases onto their backs.

“I’m surprised you use this entrance,” Aloy admitted as they followed Beta up the winding path towards the base, “this is for machines, isn’t it?”

“The other entrances still get used but they’re not as easily accessible.” Beta explained as they crossed a bridge. “Hephaestus helped us modify the interior so that we can avoid much of the repair bay facility and head straight up to the common room.” She glanced at Aloy. “You’d be hard pressed to recognise it. We’ve done quite a lot of work to it. It’s almost Zenith worthy.”

“I hope that means it’s good.” Aloy muttered.

“It is,” Beta promised, “and while others might still prefer their tribal way of life…”

“You and Tomas didn’t grow up that way.”

“Exactly.”

Aloy glanced over her shoulder and saw Kotallo bringing up the rear with the children. He nodded encouragingly at her, not worried at being left behind as their little legs struggled to match their stride.

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She was about to ask Beta something when she heard her name bellowed in a way only one man could do.

“Aloy!”

“Erend!” He hugged her so hard her spine nearly shattered. “My goodness! You’ve lost weight!”

“Ha, it’s that obvious, is it?” Erend chuckled, wearing something called ‘cargos’ and thick soled boots. He had a blue shirt on, rolled up sleeves and a vest that looked like it was made of animal skin. It was nothing like the Oseram get up he used to wear. “Maybe it’s just the clothes?”

“No, it’s not.” Aloy shook her head, stunned at the transformation. Erend’s hair had grown and he’d let it, tying it at the nape of his neck and his facial hair had been trimmed. “There’s just something…” Her eyes widened. “You don’t smell like ale!”

Erend nodded. “Ah…yeah well…a brush with death will do that to you.”

“I heard you weren’t well…”

“Turns out Oseram ale ain’t exactly good for you.” Erend shrugged. “I dunno…Zo’s got me on this green juice cocktail thing that tastes like I’m sucking on seaweed…but I gotta say, it’s nice to breathe without wheezing. Kotallo, put it there…” Kotallo grasped his hand then Erend looked at the children. “Look at what you two did.” Erend squatted down and beamed. “Do you remember me?”

Jay was still mute but Cassie nodded. “I do. You visited after Jay was born.”

“And you remember that?” Erend whistled. “You’ve got a memory like your mother.” He straightened and looked at Aloy. “You know, there were a lot of titles we used for you. Anointed, Saviour of Meridian, Strider Rider but parent was never one I thought you’d wear.”

“That’s rich coming from you.” She retorted as they walked together through the base entrance then took the path to an elevator.

“Hey, I always intended on having children,” Erend protested, “just never imagined it’d be with Zo. Honestly I think the only reason she deigns to kiss me is cause I don’t drink ale anymore.”

“How is she?” Aloy asked as the doors closed behind them and the lift rose.

“Very, very, very pregnant.” Erend grimaced. “Trust me to get her pregnant with twins…”

Aloy’s heart was very full. There was something indomitable about Erend’s spirit.

“It’s so good to see you.”

“You too, Aloy. Ah, here we are.” Erend gestured for someone to come forward. “Aran, it’s okay, you don’t have to be shy.”

A beautiful dark skinned boy peered out cautiously from behind his mother’s legs. Zo eyed Erend dryly. “Let them leave it first.” She raised her eyebrows and Erend chuckled. “Aloy…”

“Zo,” Aloy let herself be hugged, knowing it would happen a lot on the visit, “oh my goodness…” She could barely get close.

“I know, I look like I’ve swallowed a Rollerback.” Zo laughed, patting her belly. “Kotallo…oh Cassie, look how tall you are! And Jay, you look just like your father.”

Aloy marvelled at how easily Zo and Erend related to the children. They moved into the common room, barely taking in the surroundings, Aran remaining steadfast behind his mother’s legs. Aloy leaned down and looked at the young boy who was older than Cassie.

“You must be Aran,” she said, “I’m Aloy. I was a friend of your father.”

Aran frowned and glanced at Erend. Aloy paled, suddenly wondering if no one had told Aran that Varl was his father. With Zo’s dark skin, they could have hidden the truth.

Erend squatted down next to Aran. “Aloy is from the same tribe as Varl, your father,” he said easily and Aloy’s anxiety lessened, “he was my best friend and Aloy…she’s pretty amazing.”

Erend’s big hand rested on Aran’s shoulder and the young boy seemed to gain some confidence.

“Aran, could you show Cassie where we keep the FOCUSES?” Zo asked. “She’s going to need one.”

“Oh!” Cassie clapped her hands, her eyes brimming with excitement. “Can I? May I? I only get to wear them at school!” She grasped Aran’s hand, smaller and younger but matchless in her boldness and enthusiasm. “Show me!”

The adults watched the amusing pair hurry off.

“She’s…indomitable.” Zo remarked.

“I hope she doesn’t pull his arm out of his socket…”

“Aran’s tougher than he acts.” Erend put his arm around Zo’s shoulder. “He’s got a quiet strength about him…like his father.”

Zo smiled tenderly at Erend and Aloy marvelled at the change between them. They had been oil and water when they’d first met. Varl had been the peacemaker and, upon his death, somehow he ended up their matchmaker as well.

“Come in, come in and sit down.”

The common room of the base, indeed all of it, had undergone a significant facelift. When they’d first utilised the space, it had suffered rust, rot and more broken wires than an Oseram scrapheap. The scratched walls were replaced with smooth panels, displaying information or images from around the world. The discoloured metal floor was covered with tiles around the outside of the circle and on the inside was carpet. There were comfortable chairs and low tables for reclining and socialising. The kitchen sparkled with newness, the counter lined with stools and gadgets Aloy couldn’t identify.

It could have been quite spartan and cold, though modern and clean, except for the presence of plants and tribal wall hangings. There were planter boxes around the walls with artificial light helping the herbs and vegetables grow, hanging pots with tendrils of green, dotted with flowers from the ceiling and even in the kitchen there were clusters of herbs and vases of plants, even cases of harvested vegetables.

“It’s so different.” Aloy breathed, accepting her cup from Zo, looking around.

“Cleaner, more efficient…” Beta declared.

“But Zo made sure there were as many plants as possible inside.” Erend chuckled.

“Those plants make that green cocktail you can’t stand yet need to drink.” Zo eyed him sharply.

“Yes ma’am.” Erend winked at Aloy then looked at Zo, concerned as she grimaced. “Kicking?” Zo nodded, rubbing her belly. “You or each other?”

“At this point there’s so little room in there it doesn’t matter who is the target, I still feel it.” She sighed and stood up. “Better when I stand.”

“Kotallo,” Erend jerked his head, “how bout an ale?”

“Erend…”

“One isn’t going to kill me.” He eyed her and she conceded. “Come on, Kotallo. Let’s see if fatherhood hasn’t softened you up.”

Kotallo rolled his eyes and followed Erend. Aloy watched as Zo pulled a small box of wooden toys out.

“Jay, these are some of Aran’s old toys,” Zo showed him a couple and he pried himself from Aloy’s side to take them, “here, you sit and play.”

Aloy shook her head and smiled. “So…I want to hear everything.” She looked at Beta who beamed at her. “I want to hear it all…now that I can actually talk to you. I want to know about how you and Erend ended up together,” she eyed Zo then turned to Beta, “about how the work is going worldwide…”

“As long as you realise we want to hear it all too,” Zo leaned forward as best she could over her belly, “especially about you and Kotallo.”

Aloy blushed…hard. “Oh…well…”

“How often are you shifting into Ally?” Beta asked.

“Not nearly as often,” Aloy replied, relieved for the distracting question, “I mean, if I got too close to the Cradle facility or someone was wearing a FOCUS nearby and it received a signal…”

“I guess it’s a good thing the Nora have such strong guidelines about the use of FOCUSES.” Zo reclined as best she could.

“If you mean they’re still as stiff necked and unteachable…”

“They could have rejected Teb and Nakoa outright.” Zo argued. “That was the rule when made a Death Seeker. They should not have been allowed back into the Sacred Lands, let alone the Embrace.”

“After Nemesis razed so many settlements…I think the matriarchs realised they needed as many Nora as they could muster to keep the tribe from extinction.” Aloy shrugged. “Teb was understandably hesitant after being told All Mother mountain was for women all his life. It’s hard to overthrow such ingrained teachings. But from what I’m told, Nakoa marched right in and didn’t take no for an answer.” Aloy smiled at the thought. “When the Cradle accepted the upgraded information pack they brought and the voice welcomed male and female Nora in, the matriarchs couldn’t exactly refute it.”

“I was worried they might have a problem with Kotallo…” Zo admitted. “He arrived first, before Teb and Nakoa and while they knew he was your ally, he’d been marked the same as Erend and myself as never to enter the Sacred Lands again.”

Aloy looked down at her fingers. “It helped that he had me with him…”

Beta gazed at her. “Do you remember much?”

Aloy shook her head. “It’s all a blur. More emotions than memories…jagged and discontinuous…I couldn’t figure out where I was or what I was doing half the time.” She sighed. “When Teersa heard about my ‘condition’, an announcement was made to the Nora, that if they saw me wandering and looking lost, calling myself Ally, I was to be taken to Rost’s cabin.”

They were quiet for a long moment.

“I can’t imagine…” Zo whispered.

“As it is, Ally’s presence in my life has reduced to maybe once or twice a month.” Aloy cleared her throat, sitting upright, trying to make it seem like it wasn’t a big deal. “There’s no discernible reason for it. I might wake up one day and be Ally…especially during emotional moments.”

“Uh…” Beta glanced at Zo. “Like what?”

“Monthly cycle.” Aloy said with a wry grin. “No, not those emotional moments.”

They all laughed.

“That’s good because that would be extremely awkward.” Zo shifted on her chair. “How does Ally feel about you and Kotallo?”

“Kotallo says she’s fine,” Aloy leaned forward, “he thinks…and this is going to sound really weird…but Ally had a partner in her life, a man she fell deeply in love with. Nemesis used elements from my life to build a believable world for Ally to exist in. So when it gave Ally a love life…”

“It used Kotallo?”

“I think so.” Aloy nodded. “Ally’s greatest distress was being separated from him so I don’t think it was obvious that her lover was based on Kotallo. There was just something about his presence…and when she realised she’s with him here…”

“Making a life with him…having children?”

“That was interesting,” Aloy admitted, “but again, I never know what happens when I’m her.”

“How do Cassie and Jay handle it?”

“They’ve been told that sometimes I think I’m their Aunty Ally and if it happens to tell me all about their lives and to look after me and let Kotallo know as soon as possible.” Aloy glanced at Jay who played, happily distracted by the toys. “To them, it is normal.”

“Children are wonderful survivors and adaptors.”