It was a beautiful morning in the city of Meridian, the birds were singing and the merchants were opening the doors of their shops. In a room of a tavern was a young couple sleeping, these were Aloy and Allam.

Allam began to wake up and felt something heavy on his chest, he leaned over a little and found the redhead sleeping peacefully, using him as a pillow. The ancient soldier only managed a smile as he watched the woman sleep peacefully next to him.

Allam observed all the features of her beautiful face, from her well-defined lips to the freckles that decorated her face that he loved so much. he opened the interface of his Focus and saw that it was 8 in the morning, time to get up.

Allam began to give short kisses to the face of the huntress, earning a smile from her. She opened her beautiful green eyes and met his brown ones with a wide smile.

Allam: Good morning, Sleeping Beauty -said the soldier with a smile.

Aloy: Good morning to you too handsome-she replied with a blush on her face, giving him a short kiss on her lips.

Aloy tried to get up, but the arms of a certain man would not let her go. Aloy looked amused at the soldier, who spoke with a funny voice.

Allam: Let's stay together for a little while longer -said the soldier with a funny voice while he hugged Aloy's waist.

Aloy: If I kiss you, will you let me go? The redhead asked as she lightly bit her lower lip.

Allam: ~Perhaps~ -he replied playfully to the woman. Aloy kissed him and Allam released her.

They both got out of bed and began to prepare for the day and the trip ahead.

Aloy thought it was funny that someone as brave, strong and tough as Allam was so cuddly and cloying next to her. Allam thought the same of Aloy.

Both young men left the tavern and went to the market, where they bought breakfast and supplies for the trip. Like beef jerky and potions.

They were both leaving the city. Aloy had several questions about what couples did, she was clear that kissing was part of it, but at the same time she didn't have the slightest idea. The only person she knew was Allam... her personal encyclopedia of hers.

Aloy: Hey Al, what do couples do apart from kissing? - asked the redhead curiously.

Allam: Well, now that we're dating and you're my girlfriend, usually people go out and enjoy time with their partner, go out to eat, watch movies, go to parties or explore, but since certain of those things no longer exist, we We'll figure it out," the soldier said as he remembered how little he knew about what couples did, having never had one growing up.

Aloy: Girlfriend? the huntress asked curiously, having never heard the word.

Allam: Yep, that's what two people who are romantically together are called. For example, you and I are boyfriends, while Erend and Avad are friends-explained the soldier to avoid confusion and prevent Aloy from calling anyone she liked her girlfriend or boyfriend.

The huntress nodded in understanding. She's got to thinking about what Allam said and she's got an idea.

Aloy: Allam, do couples have picnics? -asked the redhead, he nodded and that gave her an idea.

Aloy: How about when we get this all over with, you and me have a picnic? Hunter Nora asked, taking the soldier by surprise and making him blush.

Allam: Sure, any day you want, princess -said the soldier with a smile, making Aloy blush at what he said.

They left the city and searched for their machines, which were hidden, and began their journey towards the Grave-hoard.

The trip will take them a day and a half, if they don't get distracted or lost like they did last time.

During the drive, Aloy asked more questions about dating. Like what else did they do and how were the courtships of the past.

At noon, they decided to take a break and eat some of the beef jerky they bought at Meridian. Aloy kept asking about dating.

Aloy: So... you're telling me that couples used nicknames for each other? -The redhead asked gracefully as she ate.

Allam: Yep, people were called baby, love, cutie, precious, etc. A whole handful of other things, for example, when we usually talk I call you beautiful, it's a complement and at the same time it's a nickname -the man explained to the woman, who seemed to drop her eyes in surprise, so much so that she has opened them since they started talking about it.

Aloy: That sounds kind of ridiculous -said the redhead.

Allam: People liked to do that before, not everyone, but the vast majority -the soldier explained.

Aloy walked over to Allam and put her hands on his cheeks, squeezing them a little, making him blush a lot. She had a concentrated expression as she saw the face of a very confused Allam.

Aloy: I'll start calling you baby -said the hunter Nora, Allam turned to blush, but from embarrassment.

Allam: Aloy no -said the embarrassed soldier, trying to convince his girlfriend of him.

Aloy: Aloy yes -replied the huntress with a smile on her face, not caring what her boyfriend says.

At dusk...

The young couple were at their camp eating some roast rabbit. Both left the desert a little less than an hour ago and decided to continue their journey tomorrow morning.

Aloy continued with the dating questions and Allam was pretty sure they weren't going to end.

Aloy: So Allam, what comes after the courtship? -asked the intrigued hunter, Allam looked at her with a blush and swallowed.

Allam: Well... after courtship... comes something called marriage -she explained to the huntress and she nodded.

Aloy: I know what marriage is, the Noras practice it when a couple decides to join for life. I spied a few weddings when I was an outcast, but they don't have that date thing, they usually present the couple to the parents and ask for their blessing, then they get married, it's something instantaneous -explained the redhead, which did surprise the Old One.

Allam: Nora's celebrate marriage? I didn't know that... Do they know about the steps? -asked the man curiously, Aloy looked at him strangely.

Aloy: The steps? -asked the redhead curiously.

Allam: Yes, there was an old belief in my time, that a love relationship was like a ladder. They are 15 in total. It starts at step 1 with knowing each other and ends at 15 -explained the soldier remembering when he was still in high school and his classmates asked his friends with a love partner about what step they were on.

Aloy: Oh, I understand... And what step are we on? -the young woman asked with interest. The soldier thought.

Allam: I would say in the fifth, which is kissing and hugging, but it could also be that we are in the sixth or seventh, since we sleep together -said the soldier very subtly while he thought.

Aloy: And what about step 15? -she asked innocently, but Allam's eyes widened and he blushed furiously.

Allam: Get away from there, Satan -said the soldier while he put his hands in the shape of a cross, confusing Aloy, who wondered who this "Satan" was and why was that her boyfriend's reaction.

Allam: I'd rather you don't know which step is 15, for now Aloy -said the soldier with a blush on his face and some embarrassment in his voice, fearing for Aloy's innocence.

But let's just say life isn't always fair...

Sylens: It's sex Aloy, I guess you know what it is -said the man through the Focus, Aloy blushed as red as his hair and bowed her head in embarrassment.

Rost had already told her about the story of the flowers and the bees when she was 14 years old. She didn't understand why she was embarrassed to talk about it, I mean, it was natural, right?

Aloy began to get unhealthy thoughts with Allam and made her blush even more, just thinking that he and she might one day do it.

Allam was very flushed with embarrassment, but at the same time he was trying not to think of anything obscene regarding Aloy, but as we know, that is impossible.

It is true that Allam loves Aloy for her personality and the way she is, as well as how pretty she is, but her slender and athletic body left the poor soldier unfocused, if you know what I mean .

Sylens: You two are like little children, it was so obvious that you liked each other from the beginning and you had to wait so long to tell them, people were already getting desperate -said the man in a mocking way towards both young people, who were starting to get fed up with the little voice of man screwing up their patience.

Sylens: Admit it, you two have such a high sexual tension that you could short-circuit a Thunderjaw -said the man, mocking, annoying both travelers more and more.

Sylens: And as you can see, neither of you will say it, so I'll do you a favor and help you with that -said the man still mocking, but knowing where he was going with this, Allam decided to interrupt him in the best way he knew .

Allam: Listen to me, you piece of shit, son of a cannonade of syphilitic cocks, who the fuck do you think you talking to with that raspy and crusty ass voice of yours? Why don't you stick your Focus up your ass and use it as a dildo? Cause' nobody wants to hear nor see your ugly ass trying to be ominous the entire fucking time you fucking wannabe hacker. They made you for not wasting semen, get the fuck out of here with that dumb dumb looking ass of yours -the old soldier insulted Sylens, who in his hiding place only listened with open eyes to the explosion of insults that came to him. That he was surprised was putting it soft.

Aloy was dying of laughter, so much that she could hardly breathe.

Allam: And I hope you stay quiet for the rest of the trip if you know what's good for you, you bald fucking bastard, I have many more where did those come from -said the soldier with a half smile, seeing that Sylens had left.

Allam: Yes... I thought so, run away you fussy little bitch -said the soldier laughing a little at his insult.

Aloy walked over to where her boyfriend was sitting and she snuggled up next to him, then kissed him on the cheek.

Aloy: Language-said the redhead with an amused smile. Allam looked at her amused.

Allam: Really? Language? You know I can't control my tongue with that guy, princess, he drives me crazy -said the soldier as he looked the huntress in her eyes.

Aloy: You don't control her for anyone, honey -said the redhead as she got closer to Allam's face.

Allam: Well, for you, I control her... you are my Achilles' heel -said the soldier before kissing her.

Aloy: Who is Achilles? she asked between kisses with a smile.

Allam let out a small laugh.

Allam: Tomorrow I'll tell you, beautiful, but now I only want you -said the soldier while they continued kissing and cuddling with her.

Several hours later...

The sound of something metallic and heavy woke Allam. He rubbed his eyes and got up slowly and walked over to some bushes and saw a shell-walker convoy enter a mountain. It was a cauldron.

The place was being watched by lookouts and scavengers, not difficult at all, compared to the cauldron that had a Stalker waiting for him at the door.

Allam checked his Focus and saw that it was 4:50 am. Perhaps they could check the cauldron and then go to the Grave-hoard. Or just go to the Grave-hoard and then to the cauldron.

Allam decided on the second option and returned to the camp and lay down next to Aloy, who was cuddling with him unconsciously. Allam was having trouble going back to sleep, but he was finally getting it and he closed his eyes.

Aloy: Allam, wake up, we have to continue, maybe we can reach the Grave-hoard at dawn -said the huntress, who was fully awake and almost ready to go.

Allam: Fuck my life -the Old One cursed under his breath, feeling more tired than usual.

Aloy: I heard you -said the hunter as she prepared her saddlebags.

7:00 am

At last they reached the Grave-hoard, the great dead Horus looking imposing.

Aloy: The Grave-hoard...in the shadow of a metal devil -the huntress said as she stared at the great machine in awe.

Allam: Metal Devil? That name fits. Those were some devils -said the soldier remembering the great machines that penetrated the Californian coastline.

Both began to walk along the old destroyed road. Aloy was shocked looking at every ruin of the old world. They both passed a tank and Aloy was looking at it in amazement.

Allam: That's a tank -said the soldier realizing what Aloy was seeing.

Aloy: A tank? What were they? -asked the hunter curiously.

Allam: Well, to put it simply, it was a big machine that the humans controlled, do you see those fat, wide tubes in the head of the tank? Those are the cannons. They could take down a Beetle with one shot. I had a friend who drove tanks -the soldier replied.

Aloy: What happened to your friend? -Asked the hunter Nora, although she already imagined her fate, her answer still surprised her.

Allam: He died...in combat -said the soldier while he lowered his head remembering his old compatriot, Terry "TL" Lawrence.

Aloy: Oh, Allam I didn't know... I'm sorry for your loss -said the huntress, but Allam said it didn't matter and that he was over it.

They continued up the road until they reached the entrance to the ruin, where there was an Eclipse guard and a corrupted Watcher. Aloy shot him in the head and Allam killed the Watcher with the blade.

They both looked at the area and there were the remains of Corruptors, tanks and corpses of ancient soldiers. Allam could see at the end of the corridor the holograms that said Operation: Enduring Victory.

Allam began to scan one of the soldiers and quickly recognized who they were.

Allam: Damn it...they're from the 8th Mechanical Response Brigade, 35th Mechanical Response Company -said the surprised soldier, feeling a lump in his throat at the sight of those dead soldiers.

He took off his helmet and knelt down, made a small prayer in silence and when he got up he made a military salute. Aloy noticed that Allam's eyes were teary, and she moved closer to the man, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Allam: Homo apparatus versus, numquam desistas, it una victoria -recited the soldier in Latin, but Aloy looked at him confused, since she didn't understand what he said.

Aloy: What did you say? -asked the huntress curiously.

Allam: The motto of the MRB, Man against machine, we will never give up, together towards victory -explained the ancient soldier with melancholy.

Aloy: MRB? -asked the redhead.

Allam: Mechanical Response Brigade. I was part of the 24th Mechanic Assault Company, 105th Infantry Battalion, 8th Mechanical Response Brigade -explained the soldier.

Allam sighed and they decided to continue deeper into the ruins. They had to go down some tubes as if it were a railing. Aloy went down first and Allam used his grappling hook to go down behind her.

They both reached the barracks. The place had a strong musty and rusty smell. The mattresses of the beds were no longer there, only their metal bases remained.

Aloy: This was where the soldiers slept...just like the ones in Mother's Crown," Aloy said as he scanned dataports and looked around the area.

Allam went through the drawers and lockers looking for anything that might work.

Aloy: How did you sleep here? All these beds are made of metal -the huntress asked her boyfriend.

Allam: Well...the beds had mattresses before, they were made of cotton and springs, they weren't very comfortable but it was better than sleeping in a guard post -said the man, surprising the hunter.

Aloy: Cotton? We use straw, perhaps the Carja use cotton -commented the huntress.

They kept walking and going further down the ruins of the place. Aloy noticed that Allam was so distracted with the place that he nearly fell down a hole. Maybe being here was a bad idea for him.

They were both walking through the facility and they both heard a noise up ahead. Allam put a hand in front of Aloy and decided to investigate the sound. He simply took a few steps and the entire floor collapsed under him.

Aloy: Allam! -She cried worried, seeing where the soldier fell.

Allam scrambled to his feet and brushed the debris off himself.

Aloy: Are you okay?! You are injured?! -the huntress asked scared.

Allam: Y-Yes, I'm fine Aloy -said the soldier while he saw the fall, it was about 5 floors. He won't hit either double jump or grappling hook.

Allam: Aloy...I need you to continue, I'll catch up with you. Find out what you can about Zero Dawn -said the soldier, the woman nodded not very sure of the idea.

Aloy: Okay...be very careful, ok? -The young woman said with concern in her voice.

Allam: I'll have it... I love you -said the soldier to continue entering the ruins.

Aloy: I love you too -she answered in a whisper, ready to follow her path.

Allam Pov

I had never been to the Robotic Command Center, the last thing I heard from this place was that a big wave of Faro robots was coming towards the place and that they sent the 8th and 9th brigade to defend it, but I see that they did not stand a chance.

The place was a mess, humid and full of stalactites everywhere. I got to the end of the hall and saw that the entrance was blocked by debris, I decided to enter one of the rooms and saw that this one had a big hole. Inside the room I saw that there was an audio recording. I scanned it and saw whose recording it was...no...it was impossible...were they here?

J.Doe: Sergeant Jhonatan Doe's Log, today is... I have no fucking idea anymore... The superiors wanted us to come here to support the 9th Mechanized Response Brigade. I was happy to be back fighting alongside one of my comrades...but Blake isn't here. We asked everyone in the ninth and they have never heard anything about a certain "Allam Blake" or a transfer. Could it be that he deserted? or did he die on the way here? I think I'll never know, but...Allam if you ever hear this, it means I died in combat and maybe Zero Dawn worked. If you survive the apocalypse, I want you to go and have a life, have your own American dream...for all of us. God bless you, Sergeant Doe out -said the recording of my former platoon leader.

I had tears in my eyes, there were so many emotions...everyone I knew is already dead...they came here and fought...their corpses may be here, somewhere in the ruins.

I went out through the hole in the wall and continued walking through the ruins. I walked around for a bit until I saw an old sign pointing to the armory.

Me: Maybe there I can find more bullets -I said as I started walking towards the ruins of the armory.

A few minutes later, I arrived at the armory and started to check the ammunition containers, but they were empty. It shouldn't even surprise me. I left the armory and continued exploring the place, I still haven't found any Eclipse troopers, maybe they've never been to this part of the ruins.

I saw that I had a door in front of me and it seemed to have energy. I opened the door and stepped out into a torchlit corridor. I heard footsteps approaching and saw Aloy pointing his bow at me. I raised my hands in defense and she finally recognized me.

Aloy: Allam? -asked the huntress.

Me: The same one who sings and dances -I said jokingly, she came over and gave me a hug, clinging to me like a Koala.

Me: Hello you -I said to her with a smile, she just smiled back at me.

Aloy: Hey -she said with a smile.

Aloy has two personalities, that of a strong and independent amazon queen and that of a Koala, and only I have seen the Koala one.

We hear sounds of hammers and saws. I took her down and we decided to walk to another door and when we got there, we could see the Eclipse mechanizing with the Horus.

Me: What are those idiots planning to do? -I said watching the soldiers mechanize with the machine.

We saw how a Koepesh came out and these guys activated it.

Aloy: Another Kopesh, and this one can move -said the redhead with some concern in her voice, while she prepared her bow.

Me: Don't worry, we'll destroy it -I told her as I flashed a smile at her to reassure her.

I put on my helmet and activated my augmented visor to see the defenses.

Me: Well... let's dance you son of a bitch -I said while he readied my arrows and loaded my grenade launcher.