Allam Pov

I started to wake up and felt like my head was spinning. I tried to get up and felt a strong pain in my left side. I put my hand there and I see that I have blood there, making me remember what happened before they knocked me out...the Eclipses...Aloy...Helis...that son of a bitch is going to regret it , if they did something to her they will find out who they should be scared of.

I barely started to get up and walked to where I had seen Aloy lying on the ground, she was not there as expected, but the only thing that remained was her spear, I took it and decided to use it as a cane.

I started to leave the Zero Dawn facility, I saw an open ventilation shaft and I started to go out through it. I walked for a few minutes until I finally started to see a light. I reached the exit, but it was covered by a grille, which I knocked down without any problem and I notice that I am in an empty room. I walked over to the door and it was closed, but I knocked her over with my shoulder, falling to the ground.

I see that I am somewhere inside the palace. I start to pick up the pace, I need to get out of here and find Aloy. I pulled up my hood and started to run away. There weren't that many guards, that surprised me... Where the hell did they all go? I tried to contact Aloy's focus but the signal was dead. Has something happened to her Focus?

Me: If those damned ones even touched a hair on her body... I swear to God I'm going to find the closest nuclear silo and I'm going to blow them all up -I threatened in a low voice as I left the Citadel and reached the Refugee camp.

My body feels tired and weak from blood loss, my head is starting to spin and I feel dizzy. I see a green tent and I see the woman from before giving some food to some children, she sees me and is amazed, I raise my hand to ask her for help.

Me: H-Help me -I said and then collapsed to the ground and fell unconscious.

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I start to open my eyes and the first thing I see is a ceiling made of a green fabric. I started to slowly get up from the bed and I see that I have my exo on, but my armor is off. Besides that I am shirtless and have bandages around my abdomen. I sit up and notice that I am on some kind of straw stretcher.

I touch my head and I feel like I have bandages around it.

I hear some curtains open and see the dark-skinned woman from the palace.

??: Ah, I see that you have already woken up, tell me, how do you feel? -the woman asked me.

Me: I'm fine... a little sore in the chest but nothing serious -I replied to the woman while she checked my wounds.

??: I'm glad to hear that. We haven't formally introduced ourselves, my name is Vanasha and I already know who you are, Allam the Old One -the woman introduced herself, but I was surprised that she knew who she was.

Vanasha: Don't worry, I work for Marad the Flawless, he told me about you, sweetie -she said, which calmed me down a bit. She sat on a stool in front of me.

Vanasha: You know, your little girlfriend knows how to make an impression, when I didn't see you in the arena I assumed that they had killed you, but I'm glad to know that I was wrong -she commented, what caught my attention was the mention of Aloy.

Me: where is she? She okay? How long was I asleep? -I asked her panicked.

Vanasha: Let's slow down honey, first, I have no idea, yesterday she was fighting in the coliseum and then someone came and rescued her. Second, you showed up after the redhead left and you were unconscious until now, it's like 10 in the morning -the woman replied, but she was just leaving me with more questions than answers.

Me: Who rescued her from here? -I asked the dark-skinned woman.

Vanasha: A bald, dark-skinned man riding a Strider -she said as she remembered what little she saw of the man.

That was Sylens...it had to be him, there would be no one else who fit that description. But why come out of hiding now? Did he have some compassion for Aloy and he wanted to save her from certain death? I doubt it. He possibly saved her to continue using her.

Me: Do you know where they went? -I asked but the woman shook her head. I sighed in defeat, I'm hurt, Aloy is lost and I'm in enemy territory, can it get any worse?

Me: Vanasha, I appreciate your help, but I need to get out of here and find Aloy -I said as I got up from the bed, but Vanasha got in my way.

Vanasha: Stop right there, cutie, the roads are full of Shadow Carja patrols, and unless you want to cross the desert full of machines that want to tear you apart, there's no way out of the Shadow Domain, besides, you don't know where your girl is -The woman told me and she was right, but I don't care.

Me: I don't give a damn. If I have to lift every stone in the desert and kill half an Eclipse army to get to it, then I'm more than happy with that...those bastards won't make it to Hanukkah when I'm done with them -I told her as I got up and I started to change.

Vanasha: You know... maybe you can help me with something, remember what I told you in the palace about Uthid's innocence, well maybe we still have time. You help me with that and maybe I can get you out of the territory and save you a trip to Meridian from days to hours -the woman told me with a smile, I really don't have time for this.

Me: Vanasha, as I told you, I thank you for healing me, but I can't help you, I have to find my girl -I told her, the woman just let out a sigh and lowered her head.

Vanasha: Allam... if you don't help me, I'll call the guard and you don't want that to happen, right? - the woman released with a cold tone, she meant it.

I try to activate my blade but realize I don't have my bracers.

Vanasha: Marad warned me about you, cutie...you're a very dangerous man Allam...One man against a full bar and coming out on top, that's dangerous honey...besides...Did you really think I wouldn't disarm you? -said the woman with a confident smile, who the hell is this woman?

Vanasha: Listen, what I'm asking of you is something much more important than you think. Uthid is an important piece in Avad's ability to win the civil war, and if you prove yourself functional, I can look up some information on your redhead. What do you think? -said the woman with a confident smile. Even if I have strength thanks to exo... I can't hit a lady.

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I was riding on a Strider to the place that Vanasha had indicated; my Broadhead was disarmed in parts and my things were stolen, so I had to train one with Aloy's spear...only these things happen to me.

That bitch made me help her, I'm not a fucking mercenary. I just hope that she fulfills her part of the deal and looks for information about Aloy or where she went, because if not, woman or not, I will rip her head off.

Vanasha explained to me that Uthid was a military strategist and that on a hill he had fended off three waves of raiders...I don't know how accurate the story is but I'll have to take her word for it. I was climbing the mountain where Uthid was hiding and to tell you the truth, I was pissed off about this, I don't want to climb.

An arrow passed me by the side and I took cover. On a ridge I saw a man in his 40s in Dark Carja armor. That should be Uthid.

Me: Hey calm down, I'm not here to kill you friend, I'm here to help you. I know you're innocent Uthid -I told the man and I saw that he under his bow. I came out of my cover with my hands up.

Uthid: Why did you come here boy? -the man asked me curiously.

Me: Look, they forced me to come, I don't care what you've done, whatever it is I've done worse, but we need to go -I told him but a war cry was heard over the mountain and I saw some mercenaries with Oseram armor going down the mountain.

Me: Damn my luck -I cursed as I prepared an arrow and started shooting at the mercenaries.

I killed two mercenaries, but there were still several left and the bows were slower, but my rifle was faster. I grabbed my rifle and started shooting at the mercenaries. They fell like flies.

Uthid: What weapon is that? -the man asked me in astonishment.

Me: It's an assault rifle, an ancient weapon, we have to continue, your position is compromised -I said as we began to continue advancing up the mountain. Encountering different groups of mercenaries along the way, none of them lasted long.

But there was one in particular that really pissed me off. One of the members threw a firebomb at me and almost roasted me. She left my armor dirty and me hot.

I double jumped and with the grappling hook I got closer to her. The woman tried to run away, but I caught her while I was in the air, grabbed her helmet and cut her head off with my blade.

Her two companions looked at me with astonishment and terror. I kicked her head like a soccer ball and lunged with my blade at the other mercenaries. I gave the first a cut in the chest and the other a kick; I put the blade away and started throwing hooks, when we were close enough to the edge, I grabbed him by the neck and threw him off the cliff.

His friend hit me on the head with the bow, but I barely felt the blow. I grabbed the bow and smashed it in his face. The guy tried to punch me, but I caught his arm and with all the strength of my exo I ripped his arm off. The man screamed in pain and then cut his throat with the blade. I gave the body a small push so that it fell.

We ended up with what seemed to be the last group. We started to keep walking up the mountain until the Eclipse priest, Bahavas along with two Krestels, intercepted us.

Bahavas: Uthid, so here you are. It's time for you to pay for your crimes -said the priest, while he signaled both soldiers to attack us.

Me: I'm sick of all this...take care of Bahavas, I'll deal with his lapdogs -I commanded the man, I grabbed Aloy's spear and threw that shit as hard as if it were a javelin, killing one of the Eclipse troopers impaling the spear through his chest.

I threw my grappling hook and it slammed into the other Eclipse Trooper's armor and I brought him towards me.

Me: Come here bitch -I said as I pulled the man to my position and kicked him in the face. When he was on the ground I stomped on his testicles. The soldier gave a cry as high-pitched as a child.

I climbed on top of the soldier and started beating him fast and fierce. I grabbed a nearby stone and slammed it into his face, knocking off his helmet in the process. Maybe I can get some information out of that bastard.

Me: Where is Helis? What happened to the redhead you captured? She was a Nora -I questioned the man who was barely conscious.

Krestel: I-I'm not going to tell you anything, you damned bastard -the soldier replied.

I grabbed the guy's hand and with my blade cut him, he screamed in pain and started hitting him with his own arm.

Me: Speak -I demanded while I pointed at his with his severed hand.

Krestel: S-She s-escaped...we...la-launched a s-attack...against the Nora -said the soldier. He already knew where they were going, to attack the Sacred Lands.

Me: Now where the fuck is Helis' fussy ass? -I asked the soldier, who shook his head.

Me: No what, you damn animal. Aren't you a fucking man? Where the hell is Helis? And this time you speak, idiot -I threatened him while he broke his nose with a punch.

Krestel: I don't know! -said the soldier in agony, I saw that he was telling the truth.

Me: I'm going to give you a message, tell Helis that I'm going for his pitiful ass and that he better watch his back, you're going to tell that to the bastard -I told the man and he nodded.

I threw my hand out there and knocked him out with the stone from before. I grabbed his handkerchief and closed the wound on his arm.

Uthid approached me, panting and surprised at the same time.

Uthid: Hey boy, I think that was too much, but still, I appreciate the initiative and I owe you one -said the man to which I nodded.

Vanasha: You're right Uthid, that was very excessive, he's a dangerous man for a reason -said the brunette appearing behind us.

Uthid tried to talk to Vanasha, but the woman told him to wait his turn.

Me: Were you watching all this time? -I asked the woman indignantly.

Vanasha: Yes, I had to make sure that what was said about you was true. A man from the past, ruthless, strong, without remorse and who doesn't care about human lives -said the woman as she looked at me from head to toe, noticing all the blood I had on my armor.

Me: And I don't care about your expectations, I did what you asked me, now take me to Meridian -I told her aggressively.

Vanasha: Calm down savage, don't you want to know about your girl? -the woman asked me, but I imagine that she will know the same as me.

Me: I already know. The Eclipses are going to Nora lands, and I have to get there before them -I told the woman, the woman didn't look surprised, but she looked at the Krestel without a hand and knocked out.

Vanasha: Well, what was promised is debt, I'll take you to Meridian in hours -the woman told me, but I feel that something is wrong.

Vanasha: I have a contact a few miles south. Near the shore of the Great Lake of Dawn. It is the largest water source in the Sundom. My contact is called Huavid. I'll see you there at nightfall and I'll explain what we're going to do -the woman told me and I looked at her with some confusion, is she talking about Lake Powell? Also, why at night?

Vanasha left my sight and went to talk to Uthid. And since I know she won't answer me or pay attention to me, I have no choice but to go to the place where her contact is. I swear that between that woman and Sylens, I don't know who is going to drive me more crazy.

Speaking of the bald man, I haven't talked to him in a long time. I'm starting to miss his irritating voice. Could it be that he also thinks I'm dead... or he just doesn't want to talk to me.

Coming down the mountain, I decided to mark the area where Vanasha told me his contact would be. During the journey I did not encounter many problems, one or another very curious machine and an Eclipse patrol. The look of terror on their faces was what made me laugh the most. They didn't know what to do against a dead man, they looked like headless chickens.

At sunset, I arrive at the place that Vanasha had indicated to me and I see a lit fire and a human silhouette.

I dismounted from the Strider and approached the figure, which was a man in his mid-30s, fair-skinned with brown hair and eyes of the same color.

Me: Hey, you must be Huavid, right? Vanasha sends me -I greeted the man, who was a little scared when he saw me, but then he regained his composure.

Huavid: That witch sent you? -the man asked me and he looked somewhat annoyed with the mention of the woman's name, also now that I look closely, he looks...hurt?

Me: Yes... And what happened to you? -I asked, something is wrong.

Huavid: What do you think? I fell under the charms of a curvaceous brunette and that cost my team their lives -said the man, annoyed.

Me: Wait, were there more? What were y'all doing out here? -I asked curiously, this was very strange.

Huavid: Well, our associate sent me and my men to clear the route for the royal family, but that...I don't know what it was, but it came out of the ground and massacred all my men...I miraculously survived -I the man said, but that didn't make sense, he was the one she told me would take me to Meridian, but this is one more mercenary of the bunch.

Me: The Royal Family? But she told me that she should come here and that I will meet you, that later she would give me instructions -I told him, the man let out a small laugh.

Huavid: Heh, well my friend, you have been deceived by the dark-skinned beauty... I understand, she is irresistible and for us to be dumbstruck with her beauty, she makes us do stupid things -said the man as he leaned back .

I was furious, I swear that when I see her I'm going to rip her legs off and leave her at the mercy of a Snapmaw.

Me: THAT DAMN LYING BITCH! -I shouted with poison to the four winds.

I let out a loud sigh of irritation. I swear I'm going to make mincemeat out of her.

Me: Well, we were both deceived... What royal family was she talking about? -I asked the man.

The man sighed as he began to remember.

Huavid: Well... the Sun King of the Dark Ones and his mother -the man explained to me, which surprised me.

I started to remember the moment we met, what she had said to me.

Flashback

Me: He's just a kid...bastards -I said quietly in disgust as I watched the kid cling to his mother in terror.

Vanasha: They look more like prisoners than royalty, don't they? -said the woman next to me

End of Flashback:

That's it! She planned to get the royal family out of the area. I'm still upset about her lying to me and to tell the truth, I'll only help for the little boy, the others can suck me off.

Me: Well...stay here, I'll take care of the machine. Where was it that you saw her for the last time? -I asked the man and he showed me where she was. It was a mole.

I've faced these bastards before. As long as I stay on high ground, I'm safe from attacks from below or stone spitting at me.

I thanked him and started shooting Shieldbreaker arrows at the machine's legs, preventing it from being able to go underground.

Me: It's over Anakin, I have the high ground -I joked at the machine, which roared back. He seemed to be preparing to throw stones at me.

Me: Don't try it, Anakin -I replied to the robot, still joking, while preparing an incendiary bomb for the grenade launcher.

The mole roared and I threw the bomb at him. The stones did not reach my position and the grenade exploded in his mouth, destroying it and exploding him from the inside.

Me: I think this is the easiest fight I've had since I woke up -I said to myself as he went back to the man.

Me: It's already destroyed, the way is clear. If you want, you can go look -I told him as he sat me on the other side of the fire.

Huavid went to check and just hearing his gasp brought a smile to my face. He was just too dumb, and he didn't attack from above.

The man came back and sat next to me.

Huavid: Well... now that you've taken care of the beast, we'll have to wait until the brunette comes with the royal family-he said looking at the fire.

I take off my helmet and see that it has dried blood stains on it, along with desert dust and engine oil. My armor was covered in dirt and dried blood, giving me a murkier and more sinister look. I took out my blade and saw that it was encased in dried blood. Huavid noticed that I was looking at my bloody gear.

Huavid: I know it's not my business, but curiosity kills me. How many people did you kill today? You have more blood in your body than the Carjas on their hands -the man asked me, to tell the truth, I don't even know how many people I've killed today. It is as if I had been in a trance while fighting, as if everything I saw in front of me was my enemy.

Me: Curiosity killed the cat Huavid... I don't think you want to join your companions -I told him while I moved my blade in a threatening way.

The man swallowed hard and fell silent, leaving us in an awkward silence. I opened my canteen and took a drink of water, then took some smoked meat out of my overnight bag.

While I was waiting for Vanasha to show up, I decided to watch the video my mom made for me. I opened the file and there she was, the woman who had given me life and the best possible childhood, Lenora Maribel Blake.

Her dark brown hair, her brown eyes and the smile that she always made me happy to see as a child.

Mom: Hello Allam, I hope you are well my love... you are going to see the new world, honey... one of the few who will be able to see the world we fight for -said the woman with a wistful smile on her face. her.

Mom: I still remember when I held you in my arms for the first time, it was the happiest day of my whole life...you were so small and adorable, then you grew up and became chubbier and more adorable...you raised your little sisters with so much love and you always went through life helping everyone. My little melon heart... you have become so big -said the woman with a sad smile and her eyes were watery, almost on the verge of crying.

Mom: When you told me you wanted to join the Army...I was so worried, because no matter how many times I try to change your mind...I knew you wouldn't listen to me and I'm glad you didn't. Do you know how many lives you saved son? You were a hero, a father figure for your sisters and above all, a great son -said the lady, while her voice trembled.

My eyes were watering, it was a great load of emotions. I hadn't heard my mother's voice in so long... I needed to hear it.

Mom: When I saw you again in Colorado Springs, I saw a man changed by the war, your eyes told me love...you saw things that not all of us could bear....I hope you are not suffering from post-traumatic stress , dear, and if you are... do not hesitate to go to Janet and Sarah, you understand? Janet has the training and experience to deal with those problems honey...don't bottle up your problems, you don't need to carry the world's problems on your own, you still have your family who loves you and supports you -the woman asked me, almost as a plea...I'll talk to them when I wake them up.

Mom: I'm with your aunt Elizabeth all the time, maybe if you find her, you'll find me... don't forget who you are Allam, never forget your origins and don't change your way of being for anyone. ..if you feel that you will fall into the abyss, remember that you have your family to help and support you...I don't know what kind of world you will wake up in, but I hope it will be in one of peace and free of wars, where you can have that life that you always spoke to me when you were passing through Colorado at the beginning of the Faro Plague attack... Do you remember? A house, a wife and one or two children...follow your dreams Al-bear...thank you for letting me be your mother...Take care my love, I love you very much and we will see you on the other side dear -she said goodbye in tears the woman and the recording ended.

I had several silent tears running down my cheeks. I was crying silently...Lenora Blake was the best woman in the world.

Me: Thank you for letting me be your son, mom -I said in a flood of tears.

I walked away from Huavid, who had been asleep for a while, and went to a higher point on the cliff where we were. I grabbed the picture I took of my house, kissed it and held it up to the orange sky.

Me: Thanks Mom...Thanks Aunt Elizabeth...I promise I won't let you down...I promise I'll take care of my sisters...I promise I'll help Aloy as much as I can and I promise...I'll never use nuclear weapons...under no circumstances-I said to the air while looking at the horizon.

I decided to get down from the cliff and lie down near the camp, while I was falling asleep, my last thought was in the faces of my relatives and Aloy.

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I woke at the sound of Vanasha's voice and I find her in a Shadow Carja armor, accompanied by the Royal family.

Me: There you are, you lying bitch -I said venomously when I saw the brunette.

We got up and reluctantly continued with the mission.

It was not long before we reached the shore of the lake, perhaps if we could do this without problems and without more confrontations. We heard screams in the distance, it was the Eclipse.

As I imagined, the Eclipse weren't happy about their king being taken.

Vanasha: Take the prince and his mother, the Old One and I will take care of the Shadowy Carja -ordered the dark-skinned woman to her squad, who nodded.

Me: It will be good if we could set some traps, we could ambush them with them and finish off the ones that are left -I said as I took cover behind a rock, preparing my bow.

The woman handed me a bag, I opened it strangely and saw that it was full of booby traps.

Me: Yippe ki-yay motherfuckers -I said with a smile as I started setting the traps for the cultists.

We hid behind some rocks and heard footsteps approaching, suddenly explosions and human screams were heard, I ready my bow and arrow and shoot at any cultist or corrupt machine that was in my way.

Two other Eclipse squadrons appeared, but soon met the same fate as their compatriots.

After fighting for a while, Vanasha and I came out of our cover, I think that was the last group. Vanasha came over to talk to me.

Vanasha: Hey, you don't know how much I appreciate that you're still here -she told me, I just looked at her with some annoyance.

Me: I had no choice... you lied to me and you used me -I answered her with annoyance.

Vanasha: And you still stayed, why? -the woman asked me.

Me: Because of the child... and because maybe this is the only way I can return to Meridian in a short time -I replied as we continued walking.

A loud metallic roar was heard several meters ahead of us, whatever made that noise was big, too big I'd say. Two Carja guards appeared behind us.

Guard: Madam, the prince and his mother are in the boat. We have to go now -said the man and Vanasha nodded.

Me: what the hell was that? -I said as we started running towards the boat.

And there I saw it, it was a large metallic Tyrannosaurus. He was three stories tall, wearing white armor and a kind of cannon on his back and on his face.

Me: What the hell is that thing!? -I screamed scared to death while we were running, I had seen impressive machines, but this shit was retarded, why the hell would GAIA even make such machine?

Vanasha: It's a Thunderjaw, a combat machine -the woman told me.

We reached the boat and started it, starting to move away from the shore. The Thunderjaw and the eclipses came ashore and we were already far enough away from them. They didn't look happy at all. I let out a sigh that I had saved and felt like I would pass out at any moment. Never again in my life do I want to see that damn thing again. It's going to give me nightmares just thinking about it.

Vanasha came over and put her hand on my shoulder, which made me look at her.

Vanasha: Hey, thanks for helping me...I know I used you most of the time, but it was for a greater cause...no hard feelings, right? -she told me and to tell the truth, I had every right in the world to be upset with her... but for some strange reason I wasn't as upset as before.

Me: Why didn't you tell me that you wanted my help to get Itamen out? -I asked her, although I already imagined her answer.

Vanasha: I didn't know if I could trust you. Marad told me you were a dangerous and unpredictable man, so I had to take precautions -the woman explained.

To tell the truth, what Marad said was not so far from the truth. It is true that I am a dangerous man for them... well, for anyone to tell the truth.

Me: You're right, not everything is true, but there is some truth in what Marad told you -I replied to her.

Vanasha: You know, when Marad told me about you, he mentioned something about your being disturbed...I think he was somewhat right...I've never seen anyone fight as aggressive as you...a man from the past is more wild than one of the present -she told me, I just looked at her with surprise. Apparently he didn't make the best impression on Marad...or he saw something others didn't.

Me: Disturbed? -I asked the woman curiously and she nodded, somewhat surprised that I didn't explode in her face because of what she said.

Vanasha: Yes, he told me that the only person capable of controlling you was the redhead, but by not being here, you are acting erratic and looking for her like a lunatic... Can I be honest? Women don't like crazy people -she told me, but who did she think she was? Talking to me like I was a lapdog.

Vanasha: Somehow you are here now Old One, among us, but something tells me that you suffered before coming to our time, the question is, what brought you here and what happened to you? -The woman said as she looked me over from head to toe.

The captain of the ship announced that we would enter the port in a few minutes. Vanasha went to attend to Itamen's mother, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Moments later...

We led the nobles to where Avad was. The Sun King spoke for a bit with his younger brother and then headed towards me.

Avad: Allam, you do not know how much I appreciate what you have done for me and my family. You have rendered a great service to Meridian and I will be grateful to you for the rest of my life -the man thanked me, I just nodded.

Me: Don't worry Avad, I would do it a million times if it were about my sisters, I know what it feels like not knowing how your siblings are doing, knowing if they're safe or eating well -I answered him. He noticed that he was looking for something with his eyes, or rather someone.

Avad: Where...is Aloy? -asked the ruler curiously. I have to tell Avad about the Eclipses.

Me: Avad, I need you to listen carefully to what I am going to tell you. The Shadow Carjas have launched an attack on the Holy Lands and Aloy is on her way as we speak. I need to get there before they do, or at least help stop the invasion -I explained to the man.

Me: I recommend that you reinforce the border with the Shadow Chars and send Scouts to their territory. They have great war machines from my time, machines that can destroy Meridian and its surroundings without any problem -I explained to the man and seeing the serious expression on my face, he understood how serious the situation is.

Avad: I see...then let me send a Vanguard detachment with you to help you -said the man but I shook my head.

Me: No, Avad I need you to have as many men available here in Meridian and on the border, don't worry about me. I would like to stay and chat more but I have to go, if I don't come back or send a letter in a week, assume the worst and prepare for a massive attack by the Shadowed Ones -I informed him as I started to walk away from him.

I left the settlement and started looking for a Strider to hack. It didn't take long to find one and I quickly made my way back to the Sacred Lands, which if I remember correctly, Aloy mentioned was south of where she had found me.