After meeting again, Allam and Aloy arrived at the eastern ridge of the village, to review the city's defenses against Helis's forces. On their way they met Teb, leaving some supplies under some blue flags.

Aloy: Teb, you came! -The redhead greeted with a smile.

Teb: Aloy, I told you I was coming! -The young man greeted the redhead and the ancient soldier.

Aloy: And your wound? -the huntress asked.

Teb: I'll be fine, I'll be here leaving supplies on these poles with blue flags. Look for them when you're in battle -explained the young man to the redhead.

Teb: Also, the Carja made me an honorary quartermaster, whatever that is. But it sounds good- said the young Nora with a smile.

Allam walked away a bit and found Vanasha and Uthid talking.

Vanasha: Did you really polish... your armor? -said the dark-skinned woman with some mockery.

Uthid: Yes, so what? -asked the confused man.

Vanasha: No nothing, nothing, it's just that it's...very shinny-said the brunette looking at the soldier from head to toe.

Allam: Hey -the ancient soldier greeted.

Vanasha: Hello again Old One, I came here as you wanted -the brunette greeted when she saw the old soldier.

Allam: Ready to fight? -Asked the soldier with a half-smile on his face.

Vanasha: Fight? I thought you came to have tea and talk. Will you see a battle? I wasn't informed of that -said the woman with a false innocence, the dark-haired man just smiled following the game.

Allam: That can't be possible, you're always informed about everything -the soldier replied, playing along.

Vanasha: Oh, we've only met a few times and you still know me so well -said the woman with a smile.

Allam: Not as much as you think -answered the soldier.

Vanasha: Can I tell you a secret? -the woman asked, and the soldier just nodded.

Vanasha: I've waited my whole life for this moment. The enemy we face today was the same one that turned Meridian into a slave pit and Sunfall into a bloodbath. Zealots who massacred entire families, children included, all because it was "the will of the Sun." I hatethem...all of them. I have these marks on my back and today is the day that everything will end.... I came here in part for you, but the truth is that I came here for them. No one will escape alive from here -said the woman with venom in her voice, venom of a pain that for years had been eating away at her insides.

Allam: You are not the only one who feels this way Vanasha. None of those bastards will get out of here alive -the soldier replied, sympathizing with the woman.

Vanasha: So be it Allam. We will fight for a better tomorrow -said the spy.

Uthid put a hand in his shoulder to Vanasha, to reassure her.

Uthid: Allam - greeted the man with a military salute, which Allam copied.

Allam: Uthid, I'm glad you're here. Meridian would greatly benefit from your military experience in this battle. I'm glad you're on our side -said the ancient soldier with a smile.

Uthid: The honor is mine Allam, you saved me from my epitaph saying "A great soldier but a foolish man" -said the soldier with a small smile.

Allam: And I hope you don't need any for now -said the soldier to the man.

Uthid: As the Sun wishes. When you found me, I was looking for a glorious death, but now...a glorious life is more preferable -said the soldier as he looked at Vanasha.

It didn't take long for the ancient soldier to put the pieces of the puzzle together and see what was happening. The soldier just smiled.

Uthid: Seeing Itamen play in the castle gardens, even though he's surrounded by a bunch of guards...it brought me happiness. What you did for them...was something exceptional -said the man, grateful to the soldier.

Vanasha nodded next to him.

Uthid: Although... I can't get this rogue off my back. She boasts charging me like waves of cheeky colors before a Behemoth -said the man with a small smile on his face.

Allam: Do you want me to tell her to stop? -he asked with a half-smile at the old soldier.

Uthid: Nah, I accepted it -said the man, then looked at Vanasha and they both smiled.

Uthid: W-Well, I'll see you in combat Old One. Meridian will rise and the Shadow will fall. I swear it -the man said, before making a military salute.

Allam responded with a salute as well.

Allam: The drinks go to me when this is over -I said and went to look for Aloy.

Allam Pov

Aloy: Hey, where were you? -she asked me curiously.

Me: Talking to Vanasha and Uthid. You know, the ones who helped me in Eclipse territory -I explained to her and she understood, knowing what she was talking about.

Aloy: Oh yeah... That woman didn't do anything to you, right? She didn't grope you or anything? -she asked as she looked me up and down.

Aloy had gone into jealous mode because of her.

Me: No honey, we just talk. Also, I think she likes them older -I said as I raised my hands while she looked at me.

Aloy narrowed her eyes and brought her face close to mine, standing on tiptoe to try to catch up with me. She gave me a small kiss that brought a smile to my face.

As we walked, she told me that she met Elida, who was helping collect flowers and medicinal roots for Teb. We continue checking the defenses and we find an Oseram testing some kind of cannon. The woman had short black hair with a sweatband on her head. She has white skin and brown eyes.

Aloy: Petra! -said the hunter with a smile, drawing the attention of the engineer Oseram.

Pertra: Well, well, well. Look who decided to show up, the fiery hair huntrress -said the woman greeting my girlfriend with a smile.

Petra: I was going to come back after the next sandstorm, but Marad told me what was going to happen, and I decided to check out the old canyons. I cleaned them and now they roar like never before -said the girl with a smile, but then she noticed my presence behind Aloy.

Petra: Huh. You must be the famous Allam. I see why Aloy talked about you so much...I wish there were more of you -said the woman standing in front of me...too close I would say.

Me: More... of me? -I asked her, not understanding much of what she was talking about.

Petra: Yes. Thick, I guess. You are like a gear wheel, and you have fewer curls. Don't get me wrong, you look bigger and...thicker... than any Oseram...rawr ~ -said the girl as she approached me dangerously.

Aloy: Really Petra? And is it that all Oseram flirt at the worst times? -said the hunter somewhat annoyed by the actions of the Oseram.

Petra: Bad timing? Says who, the battle hasn't even started. Besides, it's not my fault that you're walking around with this pound cake, and you haven't eaten it yet -said the engineer looking at me with a seductive smile.

This girl is crazy... crazy horny. Goddammit. I feel a blush form on my face.

Aloy: Petra, that's my boyfriend -said the redhead with her arms crossed with a not so friendly look on her face.

Petra: And who said we can't share? -she said teasingly to my girlfriend. I swear I can see a murderous aura around her.

Moments later...

General Pov

Allam and Aloy were walking through the streets of Meridian village. They were heading towards the Spire to speak with the allies who had come to assist in the battle.

They went up the stairs and were in the square of the Spire and there they saw the Noras, Allam's sisters, Tanalah and Erend's Vanguard. Everyone was on their own, preparing for battle in their own way.

Sarah and Janet were talking to the Noras, they heard footsteps and saw our protagonists.

Sarah/Janet: Al! -both girls said when they saw their brother. They hugged him tightly, Allam laughed a little at his sister's actions.

Sarah: Aloy! -the teenager greeted giving the Anointed a hug, who returned the hug.

Both girls were wearing their Ultrawave armors without their helmets on. With pistols in the holsters on their waists and spears on their backs.

The Anointed of the Nora went to speak with her tribe while Allam resolved the situation with his sisters.

Allam: Girls, what are you doing in Merdian? It's very dangerous for you to be here -his brother told them with crossed arms while he looked at his sisters.

Janet: Well, we wanted to help everyone as much as we can. We can also fight-said the black-haired woman with a determined look.

Allam: It's not that you guys don't know how to fight. My problem is that you are in the line of fire -said the ancient soldier looking at his sisters.

Sarah: Come on Allam, you can't do all of this alone. We are a family and the family must be united. Whether it's to laugh or to fight -said the brunette decisively to her brother.

Allam knew very well that he would not convince them to leave or not fight, in fact, they were already here.

Allam: Fine, you can stay. But stay out of the fight as long as you need to. Protect each other, was I clear? -Ordered his older brother to the girls. Both nodded and gave his older brother a hug, he returned it and kissed each of them on the forehead.

Allam let his sisters get ready and he went to talk to the Noras, who were surrounding Sona and Aloy. The warriors made way for the ancient general to see what was happening.

Aloy had blue war paint. She had various sets of stripes on her forehead and cheek, with blue paint under her eyelids.

Aloy: How do I look? asked the redhead with a smile. The ancient soldier was blushing furiously and was stuttering.

Allam: Y-Y-Y-You look h-beautiful Aloy -said the soldier with a blush and embarrassment on his face.

The girl just giggled a little and the ancient general headed towards the Braves.

Allam: I really appreciate that you have decided to come, you do not know the immense help you are giving us -the man thanked the Nora Braves.

Sona: Don't thank us General Blake, we came for you and the Anointed... I'm eager to return to the Sacred Lands, to tell the truth -said the war chief with her usual authoritarian tone.

The dark-skinned woman was really uncomfortable being there, but she had to swallow her discomfort and comply with the orders of the most important people in her tribe.

The pair said their goodbyes to the Noras and went to speak with Erend and his Vanguard.

Erend: Hey, they are my favorite foreigners. How are you guys? -Erend said hugging Allam and Aloy at the same time.

Erend: Once again we join in battle, but this time it seems that the enemies have more firepower -said the Oseram looking at us.

Aloy: And we have an Old One -said the redhead with a smile, eliciting a laugh from the captain of the vanguard.

Erend: Ha, you're right about that -said the man with a smile, but it vanished as quickly as he appeared.

Erend: What are we up against? -asked the man somewhat concerned.

Allam: To machines of my time and to a group of religious fanatics. If they get past our defenses, not only will Meridian fall, but the entire world will also fall -the ancient soldier replied to the man.

Erend: Wao...that's...big -said the captain with surprise, his expression changed and he addressed his men.

Erend: Sounds like our kind of fight, doesn't it guys? Where does the vanguard go?! -Erend shouted to motivate his troops.

Vanguard: Front of the line! -the troops shouted.

Erend: And why? -cried the man

Vanguard: Steel before iron! -said the men.

Erend: And what are we going to do? -the man shouted again.

Vanguard: Hit them like a hammer until they can't hit anymore! -the soldiers shouted

Erend: You're goddamn right. You, see? No one will go through the Vanguard. You can be sure of that-said the man with a confident smile.

They both thanked the Oseram for their efforts and approached Talanah. Allam let his girlfriend and the Sunhawk of the Meridian Hunter Lodge talk, while he went to Olin's apartment to prepare his mind, weapons and equipment.

Later...

Allam was sitting on the bed, while he polished his blade with a whetstone that was left in the house for him. Allam wasn't wearing the exo or anything. He was shirtless and only had his pants on.

Aloy entered the house and greeted the man. She began to remove her armor to get into her underwear.

Aloy: Hey Allam...Do you think we can win? -the redhead asked the brunette.

Allam: To tell you the truth... I think we have a chance. Besides... I've been thinking about something -said the soldier and the huntress turned to look at him curiously.

Allam: It's about something Sylens said. He mentioned that trust was not a good basis for a partnership, but after seeing all the people we helped...them being here with us, helping us fight...it speaks volumes about how different we are from Sylens. While he used people to get what he wanted, we helped them without asking for anything in return, and at the end of the day, he was left alone, and we are surrounded by friends and allies -he told her as he put his blade on the nightstand.

Allam lay down on the bed and covered himself with the covers. Aloy came over and snuggled up to him. The ancient soldier tried to calm down to consolidate sleep.

Aloy: You know...I wondered how Elizabeth coped with this pressure. It's so...overwhelming -the redhead said, Allam kissed her head and she looked at him.

Allam: No one said that she didn't feel the pressure or if she even slept well. You are not alone love. You have me -said the soldier with a smile to the redhead.

Aloy: Allam...whatever happens...I want you to know that I love you -said the woman to the soldier, she was worried that one of them would die.

Allam: Aloy, we are not going to die love. I love you too, until the end of the world -said the soldier to her while he kissed her on the lips.

Aloy was falling asleep, but before she fell asleep, Allam asked her for a favor.

Allam: Aloy, please don't throw the spear directly at HADES. She uses the master control as if you were training a machine -the soldier told her and she just nodded and she fell asleep.

A few minutes later Allam was able to sleep, with his girlfriend in his arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A loud explosion woke up both protagonists and a guard entered the door.

Guard: Sir and Madam, they are here -said the soldier and both young men looked at each other.

They put on their robes as quickly as possible, grabbed their weapons and ran at full speed towards the Palace of the Sun.

On their way, they saw the Kopesh in the mountains. Falling and launching missiles.

Allam: This is... the end of the game -said the soldier as he watched the great war machines attack

Aloy: We are on the verge of extinction -said the redhead determinedly.