Year 3040
Sacred lands
Near Devil's Thirst (Old Colorado Springs)

Aloy POV

First of all, I must get to Meridian and then I have to find Olin, he knows who attacked me in the Proving and he knows who is responsible for Rost's death...

Rost... every time I think of him... the loss of him hurts more and more... I will bring his killer to justice if it is the last thing I do.

I was riding my Strider and I was getting close to Devil's Thirst. The Nora don't like the ruins of the Ancients, they say they are cursed and that if we go inside, we stain ourselves with the sins they committed, as I was always an outcast, I never believed in anything they said, what's more, it seemed to me something ridiculous.

I always wondered what their civilization was like, how they dressed, how they talked, what they ate, how they lived, but above all, I want to know what really led them to extinction. I would give anything to meet an Old One or at least talk to one. My Focus started beeping and seemed to pick up a signal a few 'miles away' as my Focus called it.

I followed the sign until I entered the forest. I left my Strider and approached towards the signal, leading me to some sort of metal hole, through which I had to go down. I descended carefully until I reached solid ground. When reached the bottom I saw a gigantic door on my way, I used my Focus to open the big door, which let out a strong wind current that nearly made me fall down.

I walked around the facility for a while, gathering information about the former inhabitants with my Focus. On my tour of the ruin, I saw some kind of armor, it was completely made of metal.

Me: It's an armor from the Metal Age...of the Old Ones-I said amazed and excited, thinking about how magnificent that piece of technology looked.

I wanted to get a closer look at it, so I started looking for the front door to the room and when I found it, I tried to open the lock with my Focus, but I didn't have the 'authorization' to access it, whatever that means.

I kept walking and exploring the ruins until I saw a room that had a sign with a very strange word on it.

Me: Cryogenics?-I asked not very sure reading the strange word.

Me: Wao, the dialect of the Old Ones was very strange-I commented on the air while thinking about the meaning of the word.

I opened the lock with my Focus and upon entering I saw many round shaped beds with a glass on them, which apparently had ice on it. I got closer and saw the words.

Me: Name: Riley Jenkins, Status: Deceased-I read aloud as I read the inscriptions, with my hand I moved a bit of the outer ice and saw that it was the corpse of an Old One, perfectly preserved.

My eyes widened, I was surprised and somewhat excited, maybe there is an Ancient alive here, but it seemed strange to me at the same time, why would they freeze their dead?

General Pov

Aloy checked each of the cryogenic beds, each one said the same thing, the patient had died, until she came to one that was different.

Aloy: Name: Al-lam J. Blake, Status: Alive, well another...wait a minute-said the redhead when she saw that her eyes did not fail her and that in truth the machine said that he was alive, Aloy did not know could believe, she found a living Old One. She was jumping with happiness and had little stars in her eyes, finding an Old One has been the only good thing that has happened to her since what happened with Rost.

Aloy searched and found the button to defrost it, but the button did not work and asked to contact the administration, not knowing what it was talking about. The redhead saw a panel that had a hand shaped on it, and when she placed her hand, a green light appeared under her hand and the capsule began to open. She didn't understand how that happened, but she decided not to pay attention to it, since her mind was focused on the Old One that she had defrosted. She watched the man move and breathe, an Old One from the Metal Age, alive and well.

As the man opened his eyes, Aloy saw that they were a very dark brown and that looked straight at her, making her blush a little. She observed that he still was very cold and decided to take him out of his frozen grave and put him in a safe place. Aloy was quite strong thanks to the training she received from Rost, but she had to admit that the man was too heavy even for her, so it was somewhat difficult to get him out of there. After successfully getting the man out of bed, Aloy built a fire with some arrows she had and helped the Old One to warm up.

Aloy realized that the Old One fell asleep and she decided to let him rest. She checked the other capsules finding two more capsules, what intrigued her is that those were also alive, but they shared the name with the Old One that she woke up, so she realized that she discovered an entire family. Aloy thought that it would be better to leave them there for a while and she decided to focus on the one that she just took out. She left the ruins to look for wood for the fire and to hunt something to eat, she hoped that the Old One would wake up in a few hours.

Several hours later...

Allam was waking up and saw that in front of him there was a fire with a roasting fox. Allam saw the red-haired woman who took him out of the cryo pod, sitting cross-legged in front of the fire. He realized that the woman was young, between 17 or 19 years old, her hair was disheveled, adorned with braids decorating her hair, she had green eyes, as if they were leaves, fair skin and pretty freckles that danced on her beautiful face. He could notice certain scars on her body, showing that she was someone who knew how to defend herself and not underestimate.

Allam coughed to get the attention of the young woman, who was almost asleep, but after seeing him awake, she received a small pulse of energy as if she had drunk a coffee. The girl was as alert as a hawk.

Allam: H-Hey-said the soldier, somewhat nervous when he saw how fast her reaction was.

Aloy: You're awake! How you feel? Are you hungry? - Asked the seeker Nora with stars in her eyes and emotion in her voice, leaving the ancient soldier somewhat surprised by her enthusiasm.

Allam: I'm cold and hungry-he said and at the moment of mentioning his hunger, his stomach growled as if he hadn't been fed in centuries.

Aloy: That's what I hear-she said passing the man a fox skewer, he thanked her and began to devour the meat like a beast. The soldier thought the meat tasted like a strange combination of chicken and beef.

He ate half the animal in 20 minutes. The young private ate everything in front of him without any problem or concern, all in view of the Anointed, who looked at him with surprise at the speed and amount of meat he ate.

Allam: Thanks for the food, miss, what's your name? - asked the soldier finishing chewing the last piece of meat.

Aloy: My name is Aloy, I already know yours, it's Al-lam, right? -Asked the young Nora to the man, who looked at her strangely, since he didn't know how she knew who hers was.

Allam: It's actually Allam, the first L doesn't sound, but even more importantly, how do you know my name?- corrected the soldier, making the redhead nod in understanding.

Aloy: Your resting place had your name on it, i just used my Focus to read it-she said as she pointed to the capsule from which the ancient soldier had come out, and then turned her head and showed the Focus she had on her face. temper of him.

Allam Pov

Hello? What a strange name. She took me out of the cryo pod? I wonder how. Also, how long has it been since I fell asleep? It seems that centuries have passed from how the place looks.

Aloy: Hey, Al-lam-the redhead called me snapping me out of my thoughts, mispronouncing my name even though I just explained it to her.

Aloy: Do you know the people who are in those metal beds? -The young woman asked me, and I saw where she was pointing... my sisters' capsules.

My eyes widened and I tried to run towards the capsules, but my legs were still too weak to get up and I collapsed to the ground, Aloy got up to try to help me, but I started to crawl towards the capsules.

Me: They have to be alive, they have to be, they can't die-I said while he dragged me towards his capsules with despair and fear of seeing the worst.

Aloy followed behind me to help me up.

I reached the capsules, but I couldn't see anything, I needed my Focus to be able to see the status of my sisters.

Me: I need my Focus...Aloy, when you came you didn't see a room with equipment or anything, there should be one in these facilities-I asked her as she shook my hand and helped me up, but I must have leaned on her to not fall to the ground again.

Aloy: Huh? Yes, I saw a room with an ancient armor inside it-the redhead told me as we walked to the room she said.

Aloy: Here it is, she asks me for an 'authorization'-she said, and I noticed the Focus on her temple.

Me: Do you see a board with numbers?-I asked her and she nodded.

Me: Okay, write the following there: 03562-AB24-I told her my authorization code, knowing Aunt Eli, she must have put my military ID as the password.

The doors opened revealing the secret room, Aloy was shocked as we entered the room.

I started to feel my legs getting their strength back, so I let go of Aloy's support (which was quite strong to be honest) and slowly walked towards the armor, which was tucked into a security rack.

I got to the control panel and saw that it had a biological lock, I put my hand and the lock opened, removing the security barrier and taking out my armor.

I started taking the pieces and started putting on the combat armor. After gearing up, I put my helmet on and turned it on and checked the systems, everything was working as it should.

I took off my helmet and saw a metal shelf with another biological panel. I put my hand and the unlocking shelf, pulling my Focus out of there and putting it on my temple. What I read from my focus left me surprised.

April 25, 3040

Last time activated: November 30, 2066

Me: I was asleep...for almost a thousand years-I said without being able to believe it, was I asleep for so long? It was unreal... that explains why the base looks so messed up, it's been almost a damn millennium. I'll be able to think about this later, for now I have to check that my sisters are okay.

Inside the rack I also found 7.72mm and 10mm ammo cartridges and put as much ammo as I could into the armor vest compartments. You may have to check each bullet to see if the powder has been damaged or expired.

I saw some barrels on the other side of the room and when I opened them, I saw that they were full of oil, I kicked them and saw an AR-M56 assault rifle and an N99.7 pistol come out of the oil trail.

I grabbed both weapons and put them on a nearby table and searched the room for a rag to dry the weapons.

General Pov

Allam: I can clean these up later, I have to make sure that my sisters are alive, said the soldier talking to himself as he began to organize his thoughts and the things he had to do.

While Allam was doing all this, Aloy looked at him in surprise and speechless, she never thought of meeting an Old One in her life, but apparently, she met a warrior, which for her would be a Brave Nora.

She watched as the Ancient approached her and saw how her height increased a bit due to her armor.

Aloy: Isn't that armor very heavy? How did you fight with that? -Aloy said with a sarcastic tone, but the great curiosity she felt was obvious.

Allam: Not so much, it's bearable-he replied while he watched the redhead.

They both left the room and were on their way to the cryogenic room. Allam approached the capsule of his sisters and with his Focus he examined the capsules and showed them alive, Allam heaved a very big sigh of relief, one that was well kept inside his body.

Me: They're fine, thank God-said the soldier as he began to laugh, but it was a laugh full of happiness and relief.

The soldier thought of waking up his younger sisters but quickly remembered that they had been asleep for 900 years, so he didn't know what dangers were out there. Although it hurt him, he didn't know what he would face out there and he didn't want to expose his sisters to unknown danger.

He walked away from the capsule and as much as it hurt him, he knew it was the best option.

The soldier turned on his heels and walked back to the campfire, much to Aloy's surprise. She walked over to the campfire and sat down across from him.

Aloy: Aren't you going to take them out?-asked the redhead curiously.

Allam: No-sighed the soldier, wondering if he made the right decision.

Allam: Aloy, I've been asleep for 900 years, I don't know what things are out there, what kind of people are up there. I know that not everyone will be as kind as you-explained the man thinking of a thousand and one possibilities.

Allam: You know, I didn't thank you for helping me and getting me out of the capsule, I owe you one-the man thanked the young Nora huntress.

Aloy: It's okay, I imagined you needed help-said the redhead with some mockery, to which the soldier laughed.

Aloy: Hey, can I ask you a few questions? There are so many things you should know about the Metal Age, things that I don't know and would like to know, if you don't mind, of course this one -said the young redhead, the young man nodded.

Allam: When you talk about the "Metal Age", do you mean my civilization?-asked the confused man, to which she nodded.

Allam: Do you wonder what the world was like before? -I asked her to try to guess her question, I saw her eyes light up and she nodded quickly.

Allam began to tell Aloy about what the world was like in the past, about its culture and food. The soldier was somewhat amused by how naive Aloy was regarding Allam's culture knowledge, she admired even the smallest thing. But at the same time, she was someone intelligent, showing that she could understand certain concepts if she was explained well. When I showed her the photo of a panda that was saved in my Focus, Aloy adored it like crazy, saying it was the cutest thing he had ever seen, but explaining that he had never seen such a big animal.

Inside Aloy's head, she debated whether she should ask him the real question plaguing her mind, but at the same time, she knew the man had just come out of his long slumber and he was no longer in the world he knew.

Aloy: Al-lam, I have a somewhat sensitive question... If you're comfortable, of course -asked the red-haired girl to the man, warning him beforehand that he might not like the question.

Allam: Sure, don't worry -the soldier replied confidently

Aloy: How did you become extinct? - she asked the soldier, this step from being happy to sad and melancholic, something that did not go unnoticed by Aloy.

Aloy: N-you don't have to tell me if you don't want to, I'm sorry it was a stupid question, and this is not the most appropriate time-she apologized but the soldier raised her hand to signal her to stop and she was silent.

Allam: It was because of the FaroPlague... those damned robots... they dragged us and the rest of the planet to extinction -said the man with resentment and venom in his voice, remembering the numerous combat missions of which he participated.

Aloy listened to Allam's story about the machines and the destruction the machines caused, but that only left Aloy with more questions to answer.

Aloy: But... we're here and there's still life, the robots destroyed everything and we're still here. Maybe the robots didn't destroy everything?-she asked confused.

Allam: No, 98% of life was removed. Something happened, but I don't know what-he replied to her, trying to remember the last conversation he had with his aunt, but nothing came to his mind.

Both remained silent thinking about the unknowns that they still had to discover...or remember in this case.

Allam: Hey Aloy, tell me about yourself, we've been talking all day about me, what about you? -asked the soldier to the young woman.

Aloy began by telling her about her life as an Outcast, about the Nora tribe, what happened in the Proving, the death of her caretaker, and how she was on her way to a city called Meridian, outside of the Sacred Lands.

Allam: Shit, that's fucked up. I'm sorry for your loss-said the ancient soldier to the young woman, who appreciated the gesture.

Aloy: I just have to get to Meridian and make Olin give me the answers I want, whatever it takes-said the woman with determination and you could see a fire in her green eyes.

After hearing her story, Allam had an idea. As he needed to explore this world to get to know it and know what dangers were out there, and Aloy was going to track down the people who killed her father and those who tried to kill her, he thought that he could travel with her .

Allam: Aloy, can I ask you a question? -The man asked the young redhead, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Aloy: Sure, Al-lam, what do you need?-asked the redhead eating a skewer.

Allam: How about I travel with you and help you find those responsible for the death of your caretaker? I need to go out and see the world, and what better guide than you, besides, you could use a hand when you face those guys again and what better help than a soldier from the past-said the soldier looking into her eyes, with a smile imprinted on his face.

Aloy thought about it for a bit, after thinking about it for a few minutes, she nodded with a smile.

Aloy: Sure why not, I could use the company on the road-said the girl with a smile.

Allam: Hell yeah, thanks Aloy, you're the best!" The soldier said excitedly and flashed her a smile, which made Aloy blush, since she wasn't used to receiving compliments.

Allam: Well, I'm going to prepare a few things and we'll leave here tomorrow morning-said the man to which she nodded, while he searched for something in her bag.

Allam made his way to the room where he found her armor and began cleaning the weapons, making sure they were in working order and checking the ammunition.

This was a new world, where he would test his military training again, against unknown enemies.