Constructing the arm was a considerable challenge. Even with the components retrieved and Gaia’s help, Kotallo struggled with the finesse of the work that was required. Fortunately there were devices in the base that helped hold the arm in place while he used his right to make any alterations required. The main piece had a thumb and three fingers. One did not work due to degradation of the arm, however, it would not greatly reduce the arm’s effectiveness.

When it was starting to take shape, Kotallo made a special visit to Stone Crest where an inker provided him with some colours of paint. The arm was grey with a slight mix of colours due to the different components used. However, Kotallo didn’t want the arm to just function as his own. He wanted it to appear like his, marked and inked…an artificial arm but in a Tenakth design.

The others were naturally curious but Kotallo declined to involve them in the process. For him, it was personal and something he wanted to achieve on his own, to know that he could.

To appease their frustration at wanting to peek at his work, Kotallo played Strike with Erend and discussed tribal differences between the Tenakth and the Nora with Varl. After speaking with Aloy, finding out that the Nora had ejected the Carja from their lands and that the Carja hadn’t even managed to penetrate the Embrace, Kotallo was eager to swap stories. Varl’s mother was the War Chief and so, he had many stories to share and Kotallo marvelled all the more that Aloy could have risen to be all that she could, even before finding out about her intended purpose, in such a stifling environment where even the accidental trespass into old world ruins was enough to suffer exile, albeit a temporary one.

“We extol the old ones and their victories over the machines during the war while the Nora see their inevitable deaths as punishment for their lifestyle…”

“And if you were really honest, neither tribe was fully right or fully wrong in their interpretation.” Kotallo looked at Varl sharply at this. “Hear me out,” Varl insisted, leaning forward, “the old world was languishing in selfishness, war and environmental collapse. It was inevitable, really, that someone like Ted Faro would make a mistake that would cost the earth everything. Millions…billions of innocents died because of a society that produced him.” Kotallo thought about this as Varl continued. “However, the aversion the Nora have to the past means that they can’t see the future clearly and miss out on what could be. In their fear of becoming like the old, they’ve lost the new and continue to do as they’ve always done…survive.”

“And how is that comparable to the Tenakth?” Kotallo asked. “We praise the efforts of the Ten and the Marshals for their sacrifice against the machines that is depicted in the Grove. We are not afraid of their technology though I admit, we are baffled by it.”

“Yeah…but the Tenakth slaughtered each other for decades simply for control of it…until Hekarro found the one vision that advocated for peace and for Marshals to be peacekeepers.” Varl pointed out and Kotallo paused. “All those deaths…the Carja and the Mad Sun-King with his sacrifices in the Sun-Ring, the Tenakth killing each other for supremacy…the Nora and their exile of innocents because they’re afraid…”

“I…concede to your point.” Kotallo said at length.

“I wasn’t trying to devalue the Tenakth,” Varl insisted, “they’re…you’re one of the strongest, most terrifying tribes and people I’ve ever met and despite all the stories of blood drinking, back stabbing tainted defilement, that’s my mother speaking right there…I’m so pleased you’re here.”

“I am not sure any of us would be here if not for Aloy,” Kotallo pointed out, “and, that being said…I think she would continue to stand against the enemy, both seen and unseen, on her own…if not for you.”

“Here, here!” Erend called out as Zo came over.

“Kotallo makes a very valid point.” She insisted in her smooth, strong way. “Every time she ran, you chased her, determined not to let her face the world alone.”

“Sometimes I can’t tell if she’s grateful or resentful.” Varl shrugged.

“She’s grateful,” Erend refilled his stein with ale, “don’t mistake her awkwardness around people for resentment…it’s just…growing up on her own and learning about everything that happened and what she has to do…it’s any wonder she can’t let her guard down.”

“That’s remarkably insightful of you, Erend.” Zo remarked.

“One ale, happy. Two ales, insightful. Three ales…”

“Snores like a Bristleback rooting for salvage.” Kotallo muttered.

“I do not!”

“We can hear you and we’re not even in the same room!”

“Bah!” Erend waved his hand. “In all seriousness though, it’d be nice to do something for Aloy. I’ve been reading up on this thing called a surprise party. Food, drink…gifts and silly hats make up the most of it. Oh and music…”

“Oh no…” Varl moaned.

“If you’re going to listen to that death metal, you do it outside.” Zo ordered.

“I’m just saying, maybe we should surprise Aloy with a party.”

“Erend…would you like a party?”

The Oseram blinked. “Hell, yeah! Especially if there was drinking involved!”

“Now remove yourself from the picture and be honest…would Aloy like a party?” Varl leaned forward. “And remember, she didn’t stick around for the after party, that was in her honour, at Meridian.”

Erend blustered and grimaced before rolling his eyes. “Fine…fine…I see your point.”

“The best thing we can do for Aloy is look after Beta, get her the parts to build the pulse generators, keep her supply chest stocked and get ourselves ready, both mentally and physically, for the upcoming challenges.” Zo announced and they all had to agree on that.

Although Kotallo still thought it was not enough. Yet he could not fathom anything he could do for Aloy that would be remotely comparable to what she had done for all of them…especially himself.

News came of another team member to be joining them. A Quen of all things.

“She’s going to have to cross through a lot of Tenakth territory to get here,” Varl looked at Kotallo, “I think she could use a Marshal escort.”

“That might be wise.”

“Uh…” Zo approached him. “When you meet her…try to smile.”

Kotallo gave her a deathless look. “Why?”

“Because you’re bloody terrifying! That’s why!” Erend grouched.

“I am Tenakth.” Kotallo saw Varl and Zo’s looks and sighed. “I will…be pleasant.”

“Yeah, let us know how that goes.” Erend chuckled. “I’m off to Barren Light to try to track down these Sons of Prometheus.”

Aloy had shown Zo how to override machines and they’d even constructed their own device so that they could do so without needing Aloy and her spear. There were always a couple of Bristlebacks on the western base exit that were useful mounts.

“What is that?” Zo demanded as Kotallo heaved a fur and several tanned hides over the first Bristleback while she held onto the second.

“A saddle.” Kotallo looked at her. “I refuse to walk like a cripple when I get off this thing.”

“A saddle? Huh…I like the idea. Maybe I could come up with a couple of woven designs.” Zo nodded. “Now, the Quen’s name is Alva…”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I have her image in my FOCUS.” Kotallo reassured her.

“See you in a couple of days.”

If not for the Bristlebacks, the journey to the coast, there and back, would have taken at least a week. However, the machines moved constantly, never tiring or needing food. Knowing that the Lowland Clan would attack the Quen on sight, Kotallo refused to listen to his rumbling stomach or aching backside.

When he arrived at the beach where Aloy had indicated the Quen would arrive, he was prepared to meet a warrior. The Quen had been the strangers the Lowland Clan had encountered. None of the Tenakth had survived. Clearly the Quen were competent in battle.

However, Kotallo was somewhat disappointed in Alva.

When he couldn’t see anyone at the appointed location, Kotallo tapped his FOCUS and spied a figure hiding behind a rock. Glyphs appeared above her head and he was able to read them, thanks to Gaia, Varl and Zo’s instruction.

“Alva?” He said.

“Uh…please don’t spear me! I’m a friend…of Aloy’s!”

“As am I.”

A round face with black hair and strange circular adornments peeked out at him. Her eyes went wide.

“Oh…you’re…Tenakth?”

“I am.” He said strongly. “I am Kotallo, formerly of the Sky Clan and of Hekarro’s Marshals. Now I am aligned with Aloy and her mission.”

Alva licked her lips. “I…I’m very sorry about the way my people dealt with yours, Kotallo,” she trembled, “they attacked them without warning, calling them infidels and unworthy…”

Kotallo’s eyes sharpened. “Do you think we are infidels and unworthy?”

“No!” She exclaimed. “And if you think I’m lying, kill me now. I…the Quen…a lot of what we knew…we have misinterpreted in the Legacy. I want to learn the truth…even if it’s uncomfortable or contradictory.”

Kotallo lifted his chin. “Do you pledge yourself to the mission Aloy is on? To come when she calls and to work with her against her enemies?”

Alva’s eyes were wide. “Yes…of course!”

“Then you have nothing to fear from me,” Kotallo studied her, “although I would not roam about in Tenakth territory alone.”

“That’s why I was hiding…” She trembled.

Kotallo looked at the sky. “We should go. We could get out of the Lowland Clan’s territory before nightfall. I don’t think your people ventured far enough east to irritate the Desert Clan.”

“You…have more than one clan in your tribe?”

“We have three. Lowland, Sky and Desert.”

“And Hekarro is the Chief?”

“Of all three clans for when Hekarro took the Grove, he ended war within the Tenakth and advocated for peace.”

“What’s the Grove? Were the Tenakth killing each other? Why did Hekarro ask for peace?”

Her questions were endless and even as Kotallo introduced her to the beast she was to ride, they only increased.

“You can override machines like Aloy? Did she teach you this or is it something those in the east know how to do? Will the override last or does their original programming kick back in?” She was able to mount the Bristleback on her own then looked down at it helplessly. “How do I get it to go?”

“Kick its flank.” Kotallo jammed his heels in and the Bristleback snorted and began to move away.

“Ah…I’m not getting it to go anywhere!”

He rolled his eye and came back for her, watching her bang her heels lightly against the Bristleback.

“Harder.” He ordered. “It does not feel pain.”

“I do. My shoes aren’t made for this.” She wore sandals which didn’t appear to be at all strong or solid. Kotallo sighed and used some rope to tether the two Bristlebacks together.

“When I ride, you’ll follow. Hang on.”

He hoped the ride would silence some of her questions and they did…for about fifteen minutes until she got the hang of the rhythm and her curiosity overrode her fear.

“Aloy said you have a base where I can be of some help to you. Is it far? Is it in Tenakth territory? Your saddle looks much more comfortable than bare back riding. Is that a Thunderjaw? A Tenakth outpost! Please don’t spear me!”

Her chatter was constant. He answered with short sentences that addressed her questions succinctly but without excess. If he thought he would reach the bottom of the well of her questions, he was sadly mistaken.

In fact, he was so desperate for a reprieve, he opted to continue to ride at night in order to get her back to the base as quickly as possible, arriving after midnight. They entered with Alva looking around eagerly. Zo and Varl were understandably surprised to see them.

“We did not think you would be back until tomorrow.” Zo said reproachfully.

“I am sorry to cut into your domestic bliss,” Kotallo said tersely, “but we made good time from the beach.”

“Hello,” Alva waved with a smile, “I’m Alva.”

“Zo and this is Varl,” Zo gestured and Varl nodded, “welcome to the base.”

“I am so excited and honoured to be here…and frightened…quite a bit, actually.”

“Kotallo,” Varl eyed him, “we told you to be friendly.”

He was sure he was about to get a mouthful from both Zo and Varl when Alva surprisingly leapt to his defence.

“Kotallo has been a very gracious host and travelling companion. He has answered all my questions…and there were a lot…and he didn’t spear me or threaten me when we met.” She wrung her fingers together. “I…Diviners, which is what I am, are always to travel with a contingent of Quen soldiers and are not to go into uncharted territory without adequate protection or even permission.” Alva shrugged. “This is all very new to me. I’m very grateful that you are allowing me to be here.”

“First thing’s first,” Varl handed her a FOCUS, “Aloy said you’d need an updated FOCUS.”

Alva stared at him. “You’re…giving this to me?”

“Well…yeah. How else will you be able to access all the data in the base?”

“I…” She looked genuinely stunned as she took the FOCUS. Kotallo was a little miffed that she knew exactly how to attach it and was not at all frightened as it activated. Her eyes widened and she gasped in delight. “Oh…I can already tell, it’s so much better!”

“Don’t forget to upload all data from your old FOCUS to this one.” Varl pointed out.

“Duly noted.” She nodded and did exactly that.

Kotallo sighed. He had hoped he would not feel like the newcomer with Alva’s addition to the base but as she almost took Zo on a tour of the base and was not at all unnerved by Gaia or even of Beta, he realised that Alva’s talents were greatly superior to his own…at least when it came to old world technology.

He continued to work on his arm until Gaia said it was ready to try out. Once on, Gaia talked him through how to use his FOCUS to send information to the arm. It utilised the same technology and she assured him that the FOCUS was attuned to his physiology and could let the arm know exactly what it needed to make the connections to his body.

It was an awkward and strange sensation when the connections were made. Kotallo had to fight the urge to rip the arm off until, like the FOCUS net dissolving, the stinging eased. He was as still as a statue, frightened to move.

“Try to make a fist with your fingers.” Gaia urged him.

Kotallo swallowed and focussed on the hand now attached to his arm. He was shaking. “I…” He couldn’t say it. He couldn’t say he was afraid…but he was.

And he’d gotten used to not using his left arm. He was wary of it now.

“It will take time for the arm to learn the connections.”

Kotallo licked his lips and breathed out. “Come on,” he willed his left arm and closed his eyes, “move…”

Kotallo imagined his hand closing, becoming a fist shape. When he opened his eyes, he saw that the metal fingers and thumb had curled together. He let out a gasp of astonishment and touched the metal. His metal hand could not feel his flesh hand. He opened and closed his fingers several times until he could do so with ease.

“Well done, Kotallo. The arm is adapting to your body.”

“It is a far cry from what I want it to be able to accomplish,” Kotallo admitted then paused, “however…it is more than I ever thought I could do.”

“You should be very proud of your achievement.”

“Without your help, it would not have been possible.”

“I concur, however, I cannot take full credit. You overcame many obstacles, physical ones as well as mental and emotional. You walk in victory today.”

Kotallo removed the arm and put it on the table. “I cannot claim true victory until I have the opportunity to test it against a worthy adversary.” He mused, a target coming to mind and he wondered if Aloy would like to join him.

He didn’t have much chance to speak to her when she came back from the Isle of Spires. From Alva’s account, Aloy had been successful in retrieving something called Omega Clearance from the Thebes bunker where Ted Faro had hidden after the world ended. Kotallo had looked up information on Ted Faro and his ‘peacekeeping’ machines that devoured the world, wanting to know more about the man.

Though Alva said Aloy had actually discovered Ted alive in Thebes…but…changed because he tried to outlast his natural lifespan, none of them could actually believe it. Alva said Aloy had seen him but Aloy had not provided the data on the encounter and when she arrived at the base with a haunted look in her eyes, she had been immediately summoned by Gaia with a critical problem that was going to sabotage their efforts to capture Hephaestus, after which, she went to the basement and confronted Beta.

Their argument was not subtle and the walls were not thick enough to contain their conversation. Though the words were unintelligible, the anger in them was clear. Beta argued with Aloy, Aloy argued back…and then there was a long period of silence before Varl called everyone into the common room.

“Beta has agreed to come with us to Gemini,” he explained, “and capture Hephaestus.”

“Agreed?” Erend raised his eyebrows and Kotallo wondered the same thing.

“Actually,” Aloy said from behind them and they turned, “Beta insisted…and it was incredibly brave of her to do so.”

Kotallo could not shake the feeling that there was something wrong with Aloy.

“So, when we’re ready to go, we’ll all leave the base and capture Hephaestus, using the pulse generators as decoys to keep the Zeniths away.” Varl looked around at them all. “Zo, Kotallo, Alva and Erend, you’ve got the cauldrons you’ll need to travel to and set off the pulse generators at. Bear in mind, this means you might be targeted by Spectres or even Zeniths should they show up to find out what’s causing the surge.”

“Ah…what should we do…if they do show up?” Alva asked nervously.

“Having fought Spectres, my advice to you is to run.” Kotallo said darkly.

“Oh…okay.”

“Do we know when we’re to go?” Zo asked.

“Beta needs time to study the merge information so that we can make it as quick as possible,” Varl explained, “so we’re not racing off tomorrow…this is just a warning that we need to get it together.”

“We’ll be ready.” Erend vowed.

Kotallo thought of his artificial arm and tried not to grimace. He had really wanted to test it properly before going into battle against the Zeniths and their vicious Spectres…but he reasoned, it was a good way to test it if he had no choice.