Allam and Aloy arrived in Meridian an hour ago. Both decided to make a stop at the city market, with the intention of resupplying.

Allam did not have his helmet on or the hood of his poncho on. His armor and his rifle were covered by the poncho as usual.

Allam knew very well that if someone saw his equipment they would start asking a lot of questions and he didn't want to risk people knowing that he was someone from the past, he wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible. The only ones who knew who he really was were Erend and Aloy; and he preferred to keep it that way.

Speaking of the redhead, Aloy was chatting with a very strange merchant, who wanted old-fashioned mugs.

Allam was talking to an Oseram blacksmith about his blade and hook. He knew that these humans already worked with mechanical hooks, as he saw some Carja hunters a few days ago, using a heavy spear-throwing weapon with rope to tie up a Trampler. The soldier kept out details of the provenance of the armor he was wearing.

Allam: So, do you want 200 shards for the safety of the blade and 1000 shards plus a Longlegs heart for the hook? -Asked the soldier, being sure that he heard what the man said correctly.

Blacksmith: That's right. I'll have your blade ready for the next hour, but the hook won't be ready until tomorrow or the day after -said the man with crossed arms.

Allam nodded and rummaged through his bag for the metal shards and handed them to him, along with the core of the machine he requested. He took off both Ultrawave bracers and gave them to the man.

Blacksmith: Well, see you in an hour friend -he said as she went back to his place of work.

Allam looked around for Aloy and found her talking to a shopkeeper as she brought some skewers in her hands. Her bag contained what appeared to be other clothing, but he could not identify it. The Nora huntress noticed that the ancient soldier was looking at her, Allam just smiled and greeted him playfully from afar, but the huntress blushed and looked away, earning Allam's confused look.

Allam: What's wrong with that one? -the soldier asked himself confused while arching an eyebrow.

Aloy was blushing and with her heart beating faster than normal, since she finally understood what was happening with Allam; she was in love with him.

Aloy learned about crushes after she read it in her focus and for the last two days she has been acting really weird around Allam, like blushing out of the blue and stuttering sometimes, things that weren't normal for her. When she was younger, Rost told her the basics of how to treat each other in a love relationship, but she never fully understood it.

She took a deep breath to calm herself and returned to the ancient soldier, chicken skewers in hand. She handed him one and he thanked her with a smile and a nod.

They both sat on chairs under a tree and they began to eat, enjoying their food in comforting silence. Allam decided to strike up a conversation.

Allam: The blacksmith told me that he can give me back my blade in an hour, but I'll have to wait until the day after tomorrow to receive the hook...what a bother -the soldier told her finishing chewing, he didn't like to talk with a full mouth.

Aloy: It doesn't sound so bad, you'll have your blade in an hour at least -the redhead replied, her mouth half full.

Aloy: I spoke with a merchant obsessed with your civilization, his name is Pallas, he wants me to bring him ancient vessels but what makes me laugh about the whole thing is that he will only accept them in sets- the young woman told him while she remembered the strange conversation with the man.

Allam: Vessels? What do you mean with that? -asked the man not understanding much what she wanted to say.

Aloy: You know, those ceramic pots that have words and designs that you loved so much -she said as she took an old white mug that said MIRIAM out of her bag, Allam recognized the object and the name of the company when he saw it .

Allam: That's a cup Aloy, we used them to drink -the man replied, trying not to sound too rude while he looked wistfully at the old cup.

Aloy: Aha! I knew it! -she exclaimed happily and with a triumphant smile on her face, the man blushed a little when he saw the huntress's smile but at the same time, he looked at her strangely, something that did not go unnoticed by the redhead.

Aloy: It's just that Palas thinks you used them to shave or for religious rituals, or something like that -she explained to the man, to which he nodded, already understanding where the conversation was going.

Allam: To tell the truth, he is not so wrong, there were people who put their toothpaste and brushes inside cups, but in the case of religions, they were special cups, usually made of gold or ivory -explained the man without much importance, but the young Nora looked at him in surprise and with her mouth open to the floor.

Aloy: Tell me more please! - Asked the woman with stars in her eyes as she brought her face closer to Allam's, making the man blush a little because of the unexpected closeness of the redhead.

Allam: Well, that's what we used them for sometimes, there were people who collected them. My sisters collected cups like crazy, I still remember that they begged me for some cups from California when I visited with some friends -the man told the woman, who never got tired of listening to what he said.

Aloy: Collect them? Why? -asked the hunter Nora curiously.

Allam: To tell the truth, I'm not sure why they did it, you can ask them when we thaw them -the man answered, remembering his younger sisters who were still frozen.

Allam: Hey Aloy, also, what do you have in your bag? -he asked her with curiosity as he looked at the bag.

Aloy: It's clothes... to tell you the truth I don't even know why I bought it but it looked so good, although it didn't matter much because we always end up getting dirty -said the huntress with an embarrassed expression, but the smile never left her face her.

Allam just smiled at the thought that Aloy had decided to buy clothes. She was a strong person and a survivor, but he also had to remember that she was a lady and the temptation of new clothes is very strong for them, according to his mother.

Allam finished eating her skewer and drank some water from his canteen.

Aloy: Hey Al, how advanced were you guys? -asked the woman curiously, Allam smiled wide, but tried to keep his eyes on Aloy's face.

Allam: Well, we went to the moon -he said calmly, but Aloy had a very surprised expression on her face.

Aloy: What?! Are you serious?! -she exclaimed very surprised and with stars in her eyes.

But before the Ancient could answer, some guards stood in front of them.

Allam: Do you need anything gentlemen? -the man asked as he arched an eyebrow at the men in front of him.

Guard: The Sun King has requested your presence immediately -exclaimed the guard, generating confused looks between both young people.

They both looked at each other and decided to follow the escort to the bridge that would take them to the royal palace. On the other side of the bridge, a dark-haired man was waiting for them, he had brown eyes, his hair was tied in a ponytail and he had a piece of metal on his forehead, he was wearing a purple tunic mixed with black.

Marad: Ah, you must be the foreigners Erend spoke of. The hunter Nora and the Ancient man -the man greeted them both, but at the same time generating astonishment on the part of the soldier and some annoyance, since Erend could not help being an old gossip.

Marad: I'm known as Marad the Flawless, but just call me Marad. I am the counselor and confidant of the Sun King Avad, his illuminance is waiting for you -the man introduced himself, Aloy and Allam introduced themselves respectively and followed by this, Marad ordered them to follow him up some stairs.

Allam: Hey, I swear that when I see Erend I'm going to knock his teeth out for not knowing how to close his mouth -threatened the soldier in a low voice, Aloy elbowed him in the side as a sign for him to control himself. Allam would reluctantly try it, but only because Aloy asked him to and he didn't want to appear like a brute in front of her.

There was a long line of nobles waiting to speak with the king, and apparently they weren't too happy about two newly arrived outsiders going first. But there was one noblewoman who stood out from the crowd.

Noblewoman: What the hell Marad? I've been waiting all day to talk to the Sun King; some strangers arrive and they go first? -said the indignant woman throwing daggers through her eyes towards Allam and Aloy. Several nobles seconded her, but Marad was undeterred by the noblewoman's words.

Noble Woman: Do you see that people? A wild Nora without class and a mysterious foreigner are more important to the king than his own citizens -said the woman attacking both travelers, which disgusted them both.

Marad was going to shut her up, but Allam made a dismissive comment, loud enough for her to hear.

Allam: If they're entitled bitches like you, then I wouldn't want to see them either -the soldier commented to himself, making the woman see him offended by his words.

Noblewoman: What did you call me? Do you know who I am? -Asked the woman offended by what he said; Allam, knowing that she heard him, decided not to give in or hold back.

Allam: Oh, forgive me your bloody majesty, but who are you? -The man replied with a noticeable sarcasm in his voice.

Noblewoman: I am -the woman was going to say but Allam interrupted her.

Allam: A pig who talks and thinks he is above others for having money, that's what you are, the saddest person in this world, who has to come to bitch to the king for the most insignificant bullshit -he said to the woman with a mischievous smirk on his face.

The woman was in a fury, she was so upset that she turned red and her words did not come out.

Marad led them away from the woman and they continued walking towards where Avad was. Aloy walked up to Allam and she didn't look very happy.

Aloy: Allam, what was that back there? You are insane? -She scolded the ancient soldier softly.

Allam: She was being rude without any need, I just put her in her place. It's not like I've done any harm to that witch either -the man replied in his defense.

Aloy: It's true that what she said was wrong, but there was no need to make such a fuss. Maybe that woman was desperate to talk to this Sun King about an important matter -Aloy refuted him, still annoyed by the previous scene.

Allam: Oh, please Aloy, she was part of the nobility, the nobles go to the King to complain about any nonsense they don't like -he replied to the huntress. Aloy was going to answer him, but Marad turned and looked at them both.

Marad: The king awaits you -said the man as he pointed to what was a balcony that had views towards all of Meridian.

Both began to walk towards the balcony where Avad was, Aloy gave the ancient soldier a cold look, ordering him to behave; and he felt how his blood ran cold with terror, he had already seen first hand how Aloy can be when she gets upset, but he knew that this time he screwed up.

They both arrived and saw the King. He was a dark-haired man with straight black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a kind of white veil with gold details and a large crown made of metal beads. He was also wearing some ceremonial makeup under his eyes. He was a young man, about Allam's age. It could be said that they were almost the same size.

Marad: the enlightenment of him, Aloy and Allam have arrived -said Marad making present the presence of both young people. The man looked surprised by us.

Avad: Aloy of the Nora, tamer of machines, the one who sees the invisible -the King greeted the young Nora, kissing her hand in the process, which earned her a small blush for it. Allam saw that and in that instant, there was something itching at the back of his head. It was jealousy.

Avad: Allam, the man of the metal world, the machine killer -the King greeted him cordially, Allam simply nodded with a forced smile.

Avad: Erend told me what happened at Dim Bones and we made a discovery. Erend, explain to them -ordered the king to the captain.

Erend: Sure, you were right Aloy, that's not Esra's corpse, she didn't have the scar below her knee... I did it when we were kids -said the Oseram soldier.

Allam: Well, that means that she is alive, but now we have to figure out who took her and where she is -answered the ancient soldier.

Marad: I might have an idea who could have ambushed Esra: Dervahl -said the man joining the conversation.

Erend: Derval? But that is impossible, all the clans of the Conquest want him dead! -He should be dead by now! The man replied, surprised by the counselor's assumption.

Marad: But who else could it be but him? Dervahl is a cunning and persistent man, it is also worth mentioning that he already had a vendetta with Esra -the counselor replied to the man and to tell the truth, the argument was quite solid.

Allam/Aloy: Who the hell is Dervahl?/Dervahl? -asked both travelers confused about what the men were talking about.

Avad: Dervahl is a radical Oseram, he hates me and Meridian to the core. He is not in favor of the peace that the Carja and the Oseram have -Avad explained to them, to which they both nodded in understanding.

Marad: I have an informant near the border between the Sundom and the Conquest, in a settlement called Pitchcliff -the man said.

Avad: If what Marad says is true, then I can't send the guard without provoking the Oseram, but maybe I can send Erend's Vanguard, a skilled Nora and an Old One -said Avad, making Aloy give a small blush at the compliment.

Allam was not very happy to say. Besides that his jealousy seemed to grow, as did his odd irritation with Avad.

Avad: Marad, Erend and Allam, could you leave us alone, I need to talk to Aloy in private -the man asked, Erend and Marad nodded and left, but Allam just crossed his arms and didn't move.

Avad noticed this and could see that Allam's expression was not the friendliest of all, Aloy turned to talk to him and she could see the expression of annoyance and discomfort.

Allam: Why are you looking at me? -Asked the ancient soldier not moving from his position.

Aloy: Well, why does the Sun King want to talk to me about something in private? -answered the redhead looking at him.

Allam: And it has to be alone? -asked the soldier still with the same unfriendly expression as before

Aloy was starting to get fed up with Allam's bad attitude, but the last thing he said to her was what really upset her.

Aloy: What are you insinuating, Allam? -Asked the Nora huntress in a challenging way while she looked him in the eye. She was pretty sure Allam was implying something, knowing his nature to talk about things with double meanings.

Allam: Me? Nothing -the soldier replied while he raised his hands in surrender.

Allam: I'm just saying that whatever he's going to tell you, he can say it in front of me, it's not like it's a top secret mission that if it's known the world will end and the earth will split in two -the man replied with slight sarcasm in his voice.

Avad: Allam, I need to discuss some matters with Aloy, so please, I ask you to leave us alone, you are not her bodyguard -repressed the sovereign to the soldier, rising from his throne.

Allam: I just don't understand why it's so secret -said the man raising his arms in a shrug.

Avad: I ordered you as King to go -Avad ordered him with the most serious face and tone he could put on.

Allam: Look who grew a pair-the soldier answered with sarcasm in his voice.

Before things could escalate, Aloy decided to intervene in the only way possible.

*SLAP*

The red mark of a hand was embedded in the cheek of the ancient soldier, who was surprised by the action of the young huntress; and he wasn't the only one, Avad was also surprised, one could even say that the blow gave him goosebumps.

Aloy: I don't know what's happening to you today, you're acting like a huge asshole. I don't need you, get the fuck out of my sight! -the redhead shouted furiously at the soldier, he simply turned around and with a double jump left the site, falling into the courtyard of the palace and continue walking to the bridge.

Avad was surprised, not only to see the Old One "fly", but also by the tremendous slap she gave him.

With Allam...

Allam was walking through the streets of Meridian, with his hood pulled over his head. He was really upset, but at the same time emotionally hurt. The woman he loved had slapped him in the face and expelled him from the palace.

Allam: That fucking Avad...he's so undesirable and annoying. And he even talks as if he were going to cry -the ancient soldier cursed the Sun King under his breath.

Allam: We were so good, but nooooo...Avad's fagot ass had to come and fuck everything up -the soldier cursed.

Allam saw that there was some kind of bar or canteen and decided to go in for a beer or something, that might help him a bit.

Allam entered the site and saw that the place was cheap. He approached the counter and sat on a stool until the manager came.

Manager: What do you want young man? -the man asked.

Allam: A bottle of beer or a glass of whiskey, whatever you have lying around -the man ordered, leaving a few metal shards on the counter, the man counted them and came back with a glass of whiskey.

Allam began to drink the glass in silence, he put some music in his focus to entertain himself. From one moment to another he began to sing under his breath.

Allam: No one knows what is like... to be the bad man... to be the sad man... behind blue eyes -the soldier sang softly as he continued to drink his drink.

Allam Pov

If I'm honest...I don't even know what's wrong with me...but it's so fucking frustrating when you like a woman, the whole fucking world likes her too. It is as if no one had ever seen a beautiful woman in his life. I wish I could kill them all sometimes, you bunch of assholes...nah I shouldn't be saying that...it's not a human thing to do.

Still, Aloy will be busy with that fucking cheap ass Tutankhamun. What makes me laugh is that she doesn't realize that that animal was flirting with her. I bet you 50,000 dollars that the bastard liked Erend's sister and now that he knows that she is dead, he is looking for fresh meat to mourn the loss and what better than a Nora woman who has lived isolated from society for 18 years.

I sighed and took another sip of my drink, the hot alcohol going down my throat. What I wouldn't give for a few ice cubes or a soda to go with the whisky.

Me: I'll stay here for a while...I haven't had a drink in a long time, and it would be nice to be alone with my thoughts -I said to myself as I began to lose myself in the song that was in my Focus.

A little while later...

Allam was sitting on the stool inside the bar, already on his sixth glass of whiskey. He was drunk to death, with music to keep him in the mood. So much so that he was already saying everything he had on his mind.

Allam: That... damn Avad... he's such an asshole... his girlfriend dies and he's already looking for the first pretty woman he sees -said the soldier talking to the bottle of Whiskey that was nearby. the side of him.

Allam: It's just... I don't get it, how the hell... Aloy doesn't realize that he's just... using her to try to repeat... what he had with Erned's sister? -said the drunken soldier.

Allam: But you do understand me, right Dorothy? -Said the soldier while he hugged the bottle of Whiskey.

???: I see you don't like Avad, traveler -said a hooded man as he sat down next to Allam.

Allam: And who the hell are you? -asked the soldier looking at the man.

???: Someone who doesn't like Avad either, he's a bastard and has a very big ego, right? -Said the voice with a smile, the low lighting leaving his face visible.

Allam: Yeeee...he has an ego so...but so big...that he can stick it all the way up his ass and even then, it would only be the tip -said the soldier as he drank the rest of his glass in one shot .

Allam: I don't even know that she can see how cute that good... asshole fagot... all he has to do is keep his dirty wanker hands away from Aloy... From MY Aloy -said the soldier as he opened the bottle and drank a mouthful of alcohol from it.

Allam: Wao...how toxic I sound...Hey, do you think I'm toxic because I want a girl all to myself? the soldier asked the man as he put a hand on the stranger's shoulder.

???: No... You're not being for wanting to protect your girl from men like Avad... Because of that damn bastard I lost my family, I understand what you mean -the man said with false sympathy to the soldier.

Laughter rang out and both men turned to see a waitress being harassed by drunken men at a table. Allam was not very comfortable with the situation and approached the table.

Allam: Hey girl, your boss is calling you at the bar -said the soldier, the woman was uncomfortable with the men, but Allam winked at her and she understood and thanks to the distraction she was able to get away from the men.

Allam retreated to his seat again. He poured more whiskey into his own glass and sipped from it in silence. With the music entering his ears.

The men approached Allam and did not look friendly at all.

Man: Hey asshole, what's your fucking problem? -Asked one of the men, but he didn't get any response from the soldier.

Man: Hey, I'm talking to you punk -said the man again.

Allam was already upset, he just needed a spark to start a chain reaction. He finished drinking the drink and sighed at him. The mysterious stranger was no longer by his side.

I hope you are at minute 4:48 of the song.

The man put his hand on his shoulder and automatically Allam slammed the glass into his face. The man cried out in pain and Allam punched him in the face so hard he sent him flying into another table, breaking it in the process. Getting more men to join the fight.

Another guy tried to punch him but Allam kicked him in the stomach to get him away and, on the next guy, he slammed his head into a wooden post so hard he left a bloodstain. Another of the man's friends grabbed him from behind trying to choke him, but Allam elbowed him in the stomach and slammed him to the ground, stomping on his testicles on the way.

Allam saw the guy he kicked out of the corner of his eye and quickly grabbed a stool and hit him in the face with it, breaking it and knocking him out in the process. The one on the ground steadied himself as he held on to the bar, but Allam caught him in the face with one of the stool legs, causing him to fall and then kicked him, slamming his face into the bar.

Two men grabbed him by the arms and one began punching him in the stomach. He kicked the one in front of him in the face, threw himself back and the other two fell with him, losing their hold on him.

Allam got up quickly and charged at the man in front of him. He gave him a right hook, a left hook, then a knee to the stomach and a punch to the throat. He spun him around and slammed his face into the bar several times.

Allam saw someone behind him and moved out of the way, grabbed a bottle and smashed it over his attacker's head, then stabbed the broken part of the bottle into his eye and kicked him, causing him to collide with his other friend. Allam gave a roundhouse kick to the one he had almost knocked out on the bar, finally finishing him off.

The guy with the bottle was screaming in pain. Allam ripped the bottle out of his eye and stomped on his testicles.

The other friend was getting up and quickly kneed him in the face, knocking him out.

A chair flew past behind Allam and Allam sent the bottle flying in the direction the chair came from. Someone charged at Allam and threw him onto a table. Allam was punching the guy in the ribs to get him to loosen up, without much success, he saw that there was a knife next to him and he started to stab the guy and he quickly released him.

Allam stood up, grabbed the man's arm and plunged the knife into his hand, the man screamed in pain, but Allam landed a punch that knocked him out.

Another guy was coming towards Allam, but he moved out of the way and using the man's momentum, he slammed him into the table and ended up breaking it. Allam took the knife and began to cut his way through the fighting men. Someone punched him in the face, which consequently makes him plunge the knife into his leg. He would power kick someone who was coming, causing them to collide with two other fighters.

Allam grabbed the knife and plunged it into someone else's eye. Allam punched the one who hit him, knocking out several teeth. He grabbed him by the shoulders and hurled him toward the bar, colliding with the liquor bottles.

The guy with the knife in his eye was screaming in pain. Allam took out the knife with the eye included and threw the knife to another part of the bar, hitting someone somewhere not very pleasant. Allam grabbed the guy and threw him out a window, out into the street.

The entire bar was in a huge fight and Allam had the most casualties. His armor was stained with blood and his knuckles were bloody.

Someone hit him from behind with a chair, causing him to fall to the ground and then someone tried to stab him, but Allam overpowered him and made him stab himself in the shoulder. Allam brushed him off and grabbed his arm, then snapped it.

Allam grabbed someone by the neck to hang him and threw him to the ground. He grabbed a chair and slammed it into someone's head.

The guards entered the bar and found the rampage. They tried to separate people, but this ended up beating them too. One of the guards noticed Allam and saw that he was kicking the living shit out of anyone who came near him or was in range of his vision.

Allam: You guys thought I couldn't kick ass? Well, here I am you sons of bitches! -The man yelled as he kicked someone with both feet and sent him into a barrel, breaking it in the process and dousing himself with alcohol.

A guard collided with Allam and sent him flying, smashing him into a wall. Allam got up and didn't look happy at all.

Outside...

Aloy and Erend had been looking for Allam all over Meridian for an hour and a half and still couldn't find him. Erend was almost giving up, but a guard came running towards him and looked agitated.

Guard: Captain, we have a situation -said the guard panting.

Erend: What's wrong? -asked the dismayed captain.

Guard: A bar fight, it got out of hand. There's a guy in there who's kicking everyone's ass, he fights like no one I've ever seen -said the soldier worried about his companions.

Aloy's eyes widened and she knew who was the only person who could take out the entire guard if he wanted to.

Aloy: It's Allam, we have to go there now! the huntress yelled as she started to follow the guard.

With Allam...

Allam had a hanging lamp in his hands and was using it as a ball with chain to fight.

Allam hit someone behind the knee and then in the face using the lamp, then smashed someone in the face with it, blinding them due to the ashes from the lamp. Allam grabbed the blind guy and pushed him aside.

Someone hit him with a chair and Allam covered himself with his arms to cushion the damage. He fell to the ground and saw a wooden tray on the ground and avoided someone sticking a knife in his face.

This caused the attacker to stick the knife into the tray, causing him to lose his grip on the knife, and then hit him with the tray into the nuts. He did the same to someone nearby, then drew the knife and slashed someone across the torso. He saw someone else fighting and stabbed him in the shoulder, then plunged the dagger into the eye of the guy who tried to stab him in the first place. To later kick him causing him to break a table. He threw the tray like a frisbee and hit someone in the head.

A tall man grabbed Allam by the neck and sent him flying through a window, causing him to fall outside the bar. The man who threw it stepped outside, where Allam got a better look at who he was. He was 6'6, white and nailed, not wearing a jersey. He seemed to be an Oseram from the few clothes he wore.

Allam: Let me guess, your name is Goliath or something stupid like that -said the soldier drunk and panting from fighting so much.

Goliath: Let's see if you laugh so much pretty boy -said the man as he squared off to fight.

Allam: Pretty boy? You have to be fucking with me, I'm going to show you that he makes a pretty boy -said the soldier while he threw a right hook to his face, but he dodged it.

Allam attempted to throw a left hook but the man blocked it, punched and kneed the soldier to the ground. Allam got up but Goliath grabbed him by the neck and threw him aside, causing him to roll on the ground. A crowd had formed to watch the fight.

Allam got up and punched him in the face, in the stomach and kicked him.

???: Allam, what the hell are you doing? -A female voice yelled and when Allam turned around she saw Aloy looking at him all concerned and annoyed at the same time. The distraction gave Goliath time to get up and choke Allam from behind.

Allam was lifted off the ground and began punching Goliath in the ribs to get him to loosen him up, which he eventually succeeded in but Goliath spun him around and began choking. Allam kicked him in the balls. Causing him to drop it and bend over in pain. Allam spotted an old cup nearby and smashed it into the gigantic man's head causing him to fall to the ground. Allam climbed on top of him and began to hit him hard, then began to choke him with his bare hands.

Aloy: Allam is enough, you're going to kill him! -said the redhead but he turned a deaf ear.

A retinue of guards tackled him and took him to the ground. Allam punched a few guards, but eventually one of them punched him so hard he knocked him out. Before losing consciousness he noticed Aloy and her sad face, in her eyes you could only see how she saw a stranger... or maybe... just maybe... who was Allam Blake really.

Several hours later...

I started to open my eyes and felt a horrible headache. On top of that, my knuckles were sore and my face was a little sore. I'm in a dark room, the only light that seemed to come in was through some sort of window. Judging by the lighting, I'd say it's already night, how many drinks did I have?

I woke up with difficulty and with a hell of a hangover.

???: Ah, sleeping beauty is awake -said a voice behind me and I see that it was a guard.

Me: where the hell am I? -I asked the soldier.

Guard: You are in the dungeon of the castle -said the man as if it were the most normal thing in the world

Me: Dungeon? But why? -I asked very confused.

Guard: Don't you remember? What am I saying, of course you're not going to remember, you were drunken to death -said the soldier mockingly.

Me: what happened? I asked the guard, who was approaching the door of my cell.

Guard: I don't know all the details, but I do know about 20 people badly hurt and a bar destroyed. From what I heard, they had to find 10 guards to stop you -the guard told me as he opened the door of my cell.

20 people? Goddamn

Guard: Come on, someone asked you to be released, now get out of here and don't hurt anyone else or break anything -said the soldier, which confused me, who will have paid my bail?

I started to follow the guard towards the exit. I noticed that I was in the courtyard of the royal palace and in front of me was the person I least wanted to see, Tutankhamun and his faithful lapdog.

Me: Avad? -I said with some confusion.

Avad: King Avad to you, Old One -answered the man with an authoritative tone.

Me: Well someone got up with the wrong foot this morning -I said sarcastically looking at the sovereign.

Marad: Watch your words Old One, you're lucky Nora defended you, otherwise you'd still be down there for a while -said the man contemptuously.

Me: Now hold up, pigtails, what does Aloy have to do with this? -I asked the man, more than clear that I wasn't very pleased with his presence.

Avad: Aloy asked me to let you go the moment you wake up... you're lucky that she appreciates you so much, after your behavior, Esra would have let you rot in there as punishment -explained the sovereign to the man.

Aloy asked to be released? Has she ever seen me drunk like this?

Me: Look, I appreciate you letting me go, but don't compare Esra with Aloy, they're not the same person -I reluctantly thanked her, but in the end I had to make that clear to her. I'm still surprised Aloy stood up for me, after what I did.

I know that this is going to be charged to me with some favor that I owe him.

Me: Where is Aloy? -I asked the man, I need to talk to her and apologize.

Avad: She is not in Meridian, she went with Erend and several members of the Vanguard to look for Dervahl, if all goes well, I would say that everyone will return tomorrow afternoon -explained the sovereign.

I sighed in defeat. I don't know where she is and even if I did, I wouldn't reach her in time. I said goodbye to both men and returned to the city, ready to find a motel to spend the night.

I walked past the bar where I went this morning and saw it in a mess. Broken windows, and tables and chairs were smashed inside. I see the owner of the bar outside piling up some debris and when he saw me he got very upset.

Manager: Get the hell out of here, look what you did to my precious business, it was all I had! -The man yelled at me with hatred and venom.

I felt sorry for the man, the whole place was trashed and it was my fault. I kept walking until I finally found another tavern. I went inside the establishment to see if they had available beds and luckily they had one. I paid the required shards and went to the room to rest.

Me: What a fucking day, this has to have been one of the worst day of my life -I said as I put some music in my focus and let the tiredness take over my body.