Back at base, Kotallo had to regale Aloy’s ‘squad’ with the story of her, almost singlehanded, conquest of Regalla’s rebels.

“And you were worried!” Erend shot at him.

“You were drunk.” Kotallo retorted.

“I can’t believe she actually flew!” Alva cried. “Oh…how I would have loved to have seen it!”

“It was…extraordinary.” Kotallo recalled softly. “Even now, I still have trouble believing it.”

“When we get Gaia back, we’ll load what you saw onto the dome’s surface and we can all witness it.” Zo suggested.

“When you’re done glorifying Aloy’s short-sighted accomplishments like a bunch of sycophants…”

They turned and saw a man with skin as dark as the earth in the Daunt, blue cords threaded through his skin, no hair on his head and no kindness in his eyes, standing at the entrance, a large device strapped to his back.

“What the hell…” Kotallo’s eyes narrowed.

“Before you run him through,” Erend stepped forward, “I’m pretty sure this is Sylens.”

“You’ve heard of me.”

“Enough to make me want to punch you in the face.”

Sylens rolled his eyes. “I think you’ll find I’m here as per Aloy’s invitation…”

“She might have invited you, but I’m not convinced.” Erend muttered. “Go wait in her room.”

“Happily.” Sylens turned and went in the direction that Erend pointed. When the door closed behind him Alva blew out.

“Was it just me…or did he look…down on us?”

“From what Aloy told me, Sylens is about as cold blooded as you can get.” Erend muttered. “Jerk put Aloy’s life in danger several times, including arming a civil war in both the Sundom with the Carja and now in the west with the Tenakth rebels.”

“And Aloy let him come here?” Alva wrung her fingers together.

“She must have had a good reason…” Zo mused.

“Perhaps we can put Regalla in the same room as Sylens when she arrives.” Kotallo said with dark humour.

“Uh…say that again?”

To say that they were all a little concerned about Regalla’s being allowed to travel on her own to the base to aid them in their attack on the Zeniths was an understatement. It was also decided that Sylens and Regalla ought not to be in the same room and when she did arrive, Kotallo escorted her down to the basement.

She looked at him with scorn on her face. “What is this? A prison?”

“A place to wait and sharpen your blade.” He said darkly.

“It’s sharp enough.” She glowered at him.

“If it was, you’d be in the Grove right now…on Hekarro’s throne.” Her lip curled in disdain but he walked away, not wanting to give her any more time than he absolutely had to. He was relieved that the door locked behind him.

As he went upstairs, Erend caught his gaze. “Aloy just arrived.”

“Where is she?”

“Having a word with Sylens.” Erend shuddered. “That man would make the Banuk look warm and inviting…uh…Zo…who is that?”

They turned and saw a woman crossing the common room floor, her body glimmering with a suit of white shining light, hexagons of gold across the exposed skin of her neck and hands, her hair was colourless as her expression while her eyebrows were as dark as Kotallo’s sinking mood.

“Is that…a Zenith?”

Kotallo grasped his blade.

“Stand down, Tenakth.” She said, waving her hand. “I am here at Aloy’s request.”

“I’ll let her know you’re here.” Erend tapped his FOCUS. “Uh Aloy…your other guest is here. She’s…coming to you.” He nodded then looked at the woman. “That room.”

She gave him something of a condescending look and drifting past him, heading to Aloy’s room. Erend looked at Kotallo and pulled a face. Kotallo frowned and glanced at Alva who shrugged and turned to Zo.

“We have to trust Aloy.” The Utaru said gently.

“Yeah…I need a drink.”

Kotallo returned to the room he studied in. It was hard to concentrate knowing there were so many enemies, or at least, unfriendly people in the base. He’d come to like it for its secrecy and its safety. Training seemed the best way to take his mind off everything…including matters of the heart.

Zo brought him some food for which he was grateful.

“I should have helped make some of this.”

“I needed the distraction.” She insisted.

Kotallo bit into the bread, appeasing the beast in his belly and continued to work.

He glanced up as a figure entered his space. Even without looking at her directly, Kotallo knew it was Aloy.

“Hey Kotallo,” she greeted and he deactivated his FOCUS, “haven’t spoken with you since the battle at the Grove…how are you holding up?”

How was he holding up?

What ought to have been a cakewalk for the rebels, the most crushing, one sided defeat in all of Tenakth history had turned around to be the greatest triumph, worthy of the finest inking imaginable…and she was worried about him?

“I saw you fly…on the Wings of the Ten,” he closed his eyes and breathed, “and paralyse Regalla’s army with lightening.” He met her gaze. “I would say that I am…inspired.”

“Thank you.” She looked a little awkward at the praise.

“It is I who should be thanking you.”

She seemed to be smiling less than before.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Given the loss of her tribal friend, Kotallo could understand why.

“Things will get ugly once the Zeniths realise we’re in their base. We’ll need every trick you ever learned.”

“I would have it no other way.” He assured her. “Many soldiers died in the old world to make sure we stood here today. We will endure on their behalf…although I am curious how you intend to defeat the Zenith’s defences without an army of our own.”

“Leave that to me. Just make sure you’re ready to fight.”

“As you say,” Kotallo bowed, “you have more than earned my trust.”

She cleared her throat. “Look…I know you’re probably not happy about keeping Regalla around.”

“It is more than she deserves,” Kotallo said strongly, his honest opinion and emotions unable to be fully curved when he considered the lives Regalla had cost, “even so I will not question your judgement.”

Aloy closed her eyes and nodded. “Thank you, Kotallo.”

He would follow her to the ends of the earth, into the very gates of hell, if she said they had even a flicker of a chance of success. He had questioned her much when they first met. He would lend her his full strength now and not keep any for himself.

“Did you meet Tilda?”

Immediately Kotallo felt his spine recoil, even at her name. “There is something…unnatural about her.” He admitted. “I wouldn’t be surprised if my sword went through her and she didn’t bleed at all.”

“Honestly, with her, nothing would surprise me.” Aloy seemed as uncomfortable as he. “Well, I should check on everyone…”

“Aloy…”

“Yes?” She looked at him with her pale green eyes.

Kotallo faltered for a moment. “We…the Tenakth…we revere the deeds of the Ten, the way they flew on metal wings and leapt into battle from the sky. It…is what we aspire to, why we leap into the Arena during the Kulrut,” she nodded, listening to him, “and now…you have done it…like the deeds of the Ten themselves, it will never be forgotten.” He leaned forward. “I must know…how did it feel?”

He managed to invoke a smile from her. “I won’t lie. It was…pretty good.”

“I can only imagine.” He said, recalling what he’d seen in his mind.

“I…need to go but I’ll be briefing everyone on the plan before we head out.”

“I await your orders.” Kotallo bowed and let her go without further questions.

It did not take long for the call to assemble in the room where Gaia had been situated. They stood in a line before Aloy, Tilda standing apart from them, watching Aloy with her soulless eyes.

“Okay everyone,” Aloy began, “we all know what’s at stake. Beta…Gaia…not to mention life on earth. Now it might seem like the Zeniths are invincible but they’re not. We’ve got what it takes to break into their base and defeat them.” She glanced at Tilda who had been watching Aloy with a gaze that made Kotallo’s hackles go up. There was something…predatory in her manner. “We even have one of them on our side. Tilda,” the predatory look in her gaze vanished as attention was on her, “show us the base.”

The Zenith stepped forward and waved her hands, a vision of the Zenith base appearing in the air.

“It is constructed atop the ruins of an ancient military facility on an island to the south west. I can get us inside to this location, undetected.” She said with cold superiority.

“How exactly?” Sylens’ question was terse.

“You’ll know when you need to. Once inside our goal will be this structure, the launch tower. Gaia and Beta are being held at the top. But along the way we will face overwhelming resistance, most importantly from Gerad, Erik and the others…”

“Once I take away their shield we should be able to deal with them,” Sylens interrupted her then looked around, “but it’ll be easier to deploy the device if someone else is carrying it. I’ll need a strong back.” His gaze immediately fell on Erend.

“Carry stuff? Yeah, I can do that.” The Oseram huffed.

“Even if your device works, there will still be spectre drones, scores of them.” Tilda said with an element of scorn in her voice.

Sylens almost rolled his eyes. “If only we had an army to fight them.” He said, his eyes looking at Aloy as if blaming her for every problem he ever faced.

To her credit, Aloy wasn’t the least bit disconcerted. “I’ve got that under control.” Sylens’ fingers twitched with barely concealed frustration. “You’ll know when you need to.” She added then turned to face all of them. “Alright we’ll meet up again just before we go in. Where the best place to rendezvous?” She asked Tilda.

“On the coast just across from the island. Once there I’ll show you the way.”

“Okay, I’ll let you know when I arrive at the rendezvous point. Then you can join me. In the meantime, do whatever you need to, to prepare. Understood?”

They all gave their indications of understanding before filing off and leaving the room.

“Kotallo. Alva. A minute?” Kotallo looked at Alva who seemed as surprised as he as they turned back to Aloy. She looked pointedly at Tilda who took the hint that she was not wanted and left the room. Only when the door closed behind her did Aloy come close and speak urgently with them. “Tilda helped me get in touch with Beta and she told me something important. There’s an installation inside the base. It’s called a regulator.” She brought up the map of the base and pointed to a spot on it. “Here. Once we’re inside I need you two to split off from everyone else and destroy it. You’ll need to bring explosives. This will help stop the drones. Everything depends on it. You with me?” Kotallo nodded while Alva looked a little confused. After all, Kotallo could handle such a task on his own. “After that I want you to find a way to infiltrate the Zenith network.”

Alva faltered. “How?”

Aloy stepped even closer. “Go over all the data that Beta left behind. She knew how to do it, I’m sure of it.” She insisted.

“Alright,” Alva frowned, “but why?” She closed her eyes and rephrased her question. “What am I trying to do?”

“Find information about the Zeniths. Anything Tilda’s not telling us. Sylens is right about one thing. There’s no way we can take her on her word.”

Aloy was no fool. She knew better than a thousand year old woman that didn’t even stink of death or decay. She was as human as Kotallo’s artificial arm.

“I’ll do my best.” Alva vowed.

Aloy turned to him and put her hand on his arm. “Keep her safe, okay?” She asked gently.

“On my life.” Kotallo vowed before looking at Alva.

“Can I let you handle the explosives part of this?”

“I was just about to suggest that.” He said. “I’ll bring the explosives, you bring your tenacious Quen mind.”

“Don’t forget your arm.” Alva urged and he nodded.

“Naturally.”

He had his arm attached early and used it to help him build the explosives. He had the schematics and information on how to do so in his FOCUS as part of their collective knowledge.

After which, he decided to head outside for a little fresh air although he decided not to climb to the Sunwing nest, preferring to stay close to the base in case he was needed to subdue Regalla. Not that she’d been any trouble. She just sat in the basement, sharpening her blade and brooding.

Kotallo smiled and shook his head.

Yes, his people were unfortunately the broody type.

He paused and glanced over at where Varl rested. Now that there was no one to hear his inarticulate farewell, he decided to sit with his fallen comrade for a time.

“I know I am not good with words,” Kotallo said softly in the dying light, “and it is probably little comfort to you…but if you were Tenakth, your bravery would have earned you sacred burial at the Grove for your deeds, not only at GEMINI, but in standing with Aloy in her mission. When we succeed, I will have your mark inked on my skin so that what you have done will live on.” He breathed in and out, seeing the sky turn orange, strewn with clouds, the first stars starting to sparkle overhead.

A light scuffing noise caught his attention and he turned, getting up on his knees.

“Please…don’t let me disturb you.” Aloy insisted, backing away.

“You do not…are not…” Kotallo sighed then gestured to the mat Zo had woven. “Please…”

Aloy crossed the woven strands. Kotallo went to stand up but she put her hand on his shoulder and pressed him back down before sitting beside him.

“Stay…if you like.”

Kotallo couldn’t imagine anywhere else he’d rather be.

They sat as the sun began to sink beyond the mountains behind them, its final rays setting the clouds on fire, reds, oranges and purples burning together, scorching the sky…and yet it was snowing. The snowflakes fell gently, lightly dusting the gravestones of Varl’s final resting place. Kotallo and Aloy sat in silence as the mountains finally blocked the last of the sunlight and the sky turned a luminous deep blue, adorned with countless stars. The world was quiet and at peace.

Kotallo looked at the grave and swallowed. “I wanted to pay my respects…”

“I wanted to thank him,” Aloy nodded, “for never giving up on me…”

“I know he counted it an honour and a privilege to stand with you.”

“Chasing me is more like.” Aloy sighed. “I tried so hard to do this on my own…” She cleared her throat. “So…how are you feeling about the mission?”

“I do not know everything that you have planned,” Kotallo admitted, “but it doesn’t matter. All that remains is to follow you to the end,” he looked at her sitting beside him and she met his gaze, “whatever that will be.”

“Thank you, Kotallo,” Aloy looked slightly shy, “I’m glad all this…brought us together.”

“You brought us together,” Kotallo insisted, “and I am grateful too.”

She smiled, a light blush on her rosy cheeks.

Kotallo’s heart twisted in his chest.

No, it was not a fickle inclination…

…he had fallen in love with Aloy.

He wanted to laugh at himself, mock himself for the presumption that he might be worthy of her attention.

He would never ask for it.

As he sat beside her, silently watching the sunset, Kotallo vowed he would never say it and never ask anything of her.

He knew his love could only be one sided.

But he wouldn’t begrudge her the place in his heart.

It would be his guiding light.