The two guards were clutching their spears, looking uneasy as Aloy dismounted her strider, as if they feared the machine would attack them the moment Aloy let go of it. Instead the strider just stood there, peacefully, seemingly unaware of the people around it. Aloy smiled briefly at the guards, trying to ease their minds; since Aloy had defeated Hades, a lot of the machines had become less dangerous, but many people still feared them.

Aloy looked up to take in the city before her. It had been many seasons since she had been to Meridian, and it felt almost new to her again. As did many things. Already there seemed to be new plants growing, and animals had been spotted no one had seen before. Aloy was still unsure of exactly how Gaia worked, but she could see her effects everywhere she travelled. The Nora themselves had taken to worshipping Gaia, Aloy had tried to explain the truth, but whether they didn't understand because they hadn't seen for themselves, or whether they simply wanted to believe, they refused to listen to her.

Aloy slowly made her way through the colourful streets of Meridian. She was no longer the only Nora who frequented the city, though there were still only a handful of them who left the embrace or the sacred lands. Even though it was now permitted, and though they had now formed a kind of alliance with the Sun-king of Meridian.

Avad had kept his word and was slowly trying to dismantle the system that had been in place since before his father took the throne. The people still saw him as a divine ruler, but he was trying to change that. He had already started with making the city more equal, providing for its poorest citizens even as many of the nobles disagreed with it.

Aloy eventually reached the palace, it still looked as it had the last time she was here, saying goodbye to Avad before setting out to find Elisabeth's grave, and then join the Nora in rebuilding. Even if she felt little connection to the Nora, she knew Rost had, and it was more in honour of his memory than for herself that she had participated in the rebuilding of their homes. Aided by the resources sent not only by Avad himself but also the Osram, who appreciated what the Aloy had done.

Aloy had expected to find Avad on his throne, overseeing the land, but instead she only found Blameless Marad.

"Aloy," his warm voice greeted her. "How nice to see you again. You look well."

"Thank you," Aloy answered, "it's good to see you as well."

Marad smiled at her, a knowing smile that made Aloy slightly self-conscious. "He's waiting for you over there"he simply said, gesturing to the comfortable seating area just out of sight.

Aloy nodded, smiling shyly, and turned around.

Now that she was so close, Aloy could feel her heart fluttering nervously at the though of seeing Avad again.

Aloy saw Avad before he noticed her. He was sitting on one of the sofas, dressed in ceremonial clothing as always. He seemed lost in thought, studying his hands. Aloy must have made a noise when approaching him because he suddenly looked up.

"Aloy!" he exclaimed, and immediately got up. He quickly approached her, arms almost reaching out, it looked for a moment like he wanted to embrace her, but then seemed to think better of it, quickly dropping his arms again. "You arrived sooner than I expected," he mumbled, looking as nervous as Aloy felt as he fidgeted with his clothes.

"I... err," Aloy couldn't find the words to say what she wanted to say.

"I'm glad to see you," Avad suddenly said, composed again, and smiled.

"And I am glad to see you," Aloy said, glad for his initiative.

They both awkwardly looked at their feet as if suddenly they had became strangers rather than two people who had experienced a war together, and at the very least could call each other friends.

"Please, sit," Avad eventually said.

Aloy sat down at his suggestion and Avad sat down next to her. "I am no longer the only Nora here, it seems," Aloy said.

Avad laughed. "Yes, to the dismay of some of the nobles."

"Really?"

"Yes, but I think they'll find there will be more changes coming they will like even less," Avad said with a smile.

"I've already heard of some changes you've made while I was away," Aloy said.

"And do they have your approval?"

"Yes," Aloy said, "I suppose I just wasn't sure whether you would really... well - "

"You weren't certain I would really do what I said I would, when we first met?" Avad offered.

"Yes," Aloy said shyly, wondering whether Avad would take offence.

But Avad only smiled. "I can understand why you would have your doubts," he said. "But I have wanted these changes since before I took the throne, I would implement all of them sooner if I could. But traditions aren't changed so easily."

"I know," Aloy said, thinking back to the Nora, still worshipping in All Mother mountain, even after all the revelations.

"Perhaps one day you might even find me here without this," Avad said, gesturing to his clothes.

"You mean to give up your throne?" Aloy asked.

For the first time since arriving, Aloy could see some sadness in his face. "Perhaps, but to be able to abdicate, I would first have to become a king, not a sun-god." He said, mocking the term.

"You wouldn't want to rule?"

"I would want the choice, and I would want the choice to be the people's. My father proved that birth should not be what determines who will rule. Blood does not grant you the ability to lead a people. And no man should be considered a god."

Aloy thought back to how her friends had looked at her, back when they had witnessed her defeat Hades, how she had become more than just Aloy, more than just an outcast. How she had railed against their adulation, but had found herself trapped by it back home. "I understand," she said.

Avad looked up at her, "I suppose you do.". They smiled at each other, and thneAvad took her hands in his. "I've missed you," he said warmly.

"Sun-King," Marad's voice suddenly called. Aloy pulled her hands from Avad's, suddenly feeling self-aware. "Jamman is here, he is looking for an audience with the Sun-King."

"Ah, of course," Avad said, getting up. "Excuse me," he said, turning to Aloy, "I will speak to you later," he offered her his hand to help her up, "I hope," he added, truly seeming unsure whether Aloy would remain in Meridian long enough to see him again. "I have asked my workers to ready Olin's old apartment for you, it's yours if you decide to stay in the city."

"I... thank you," Aloy said. Avad nodded at her and turned to leave, followed by Marad who looked back at Aloy for a moment before following his king.