*Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read this story so far! It's my first fiction. I know it seems a little slow, but the setup is necessary to develop the story the way I have planned. I'm trying to skip as much of the dialogue and gameplay as I can, and create more backstory. Let me know what you think!*

She had given him hope.

Then, it had died in his arms. Aloy thought that she had seen Erend at his lowest that night on the bridge into the city. But she was wrong. Ersa had looked so strong, but she couldn't withstand what Dervahl had put her through. She watched as Erend lost his sister, listened to him sob as she went through Dervahl's things, trying to figure out where he would strike. She had gone back up the stairs to wait for him, shaking her head at his men as they looked at her with eyes full of questions. Erend emerged some time late, carrying Ersa's body in his arms. His men were already working on putting together a makeshift stretcher to carry her back to the city on. She watched as they worlessley completed their task, laying down blankets and furs to pad the rough wood they had collected. The whole time Erend held Ersa in his arms, never making a sound. As he laid her body down gently, she saw a tear snake its way down his dirt covered face. As he turned to warm himself up by a fire another Vanguard had built, she made her way quietly outside of camp to a patch of tall grass. Once she was sure she was out of range of Erend and his men, she sunk to ground and cried.

She heard her name in the camp nearly an hour later. She patted her face with some chillwater to hide the after effects of her tears and walked back into the camp, being directed to Erend by his men. She found him crouched by the fire, missing the heavy fur he had worn earlier. As she approached, she saw that the fur had been placed over Ersa's body, shielding her from the bite in the air. Aloy swallowed, despite the lump in her throat.

"We won't make it all the way back to Meridian tonight," he said. Aloy nodded, taking a seat next to him on the ground. The fire was warm, but she knew it was doing nothing to help the hole in Erend. She was familiar with the feeling, and had learned that nothing could fill the void.

"There's a high ground between here and the city," she said quietly. We can clear it out and make camp there for the night. Erend looked up at her, eyes bloodshot.

"We?" he asked. "You'll stay?" She looked down at the ground, her harsh words replaying in her head from the night they stood in Olin's home.

"Of course. I can't just leave you now. Two of your men won't be able to help fight on the road back. And I'm good at clearing machines. Besides, I have business back in the city. Doesn't make sense for us to -"

"Thank you, Aloy." Erend interrupted her, sensing her obvious discomfort. "For everything."

"Erend, I -"

"Let's move out, men," he said. He stood, not giving her time to apologize. He began to walk towards the gate, but paused for a brief moment to place a hand on her shoulder. She reached up, touching his fingertips lightly with her own. He shut his eyes, breathing out slowly. He withdrew his hand and walked silently towards the gate.

Camp had been easy to clear. Just a few stray watchers and a herd of grazers prowled the land. A few blast traps had taken them all out quickly, and Aloy scavenged the downed machines as the men set up camp. Erend watched her, leaning up against a tree the entire time. When she dropped the last machine heart into the bag at her waist, she drew her bow again, setting her sights on several boars, rabbits, and one turkey. She made two trips to carry the hunt back to camp, making sure she had enough to feed everyone. Erend wordlessly cleaned the kills, and the men set sticks full of meat to roast over the large campfire they had built in the center of the camp. One by one, they disappeared as the day grew later, until it was only Erend and Aloy left around the fire.

"The earlier we move out, the less likely we are to be caught in machine territory on the way back," she said quietly. Erend nodded once.

"Guess I better try and sleep then," he said. He stood, stretching his arms towards the sky before turning towards a tent. He turned around to wish Aloy goodnight, finding her curled up on the ground next to the fire. "Where's your tent?" he asked. Aloy sat up and turned to him, shrugging.

"I told Kip to set it up and to put Ersa in there for the night," she said quietly. Erend's breath hitched in his chest. "I'll just stay by the fire. I've slept in much worse conditions than this."

"No," he said firmly. "You'll use my tent." Aloy frowned.

"No, I won't. You'll be using it. You need the rest more than I do. He pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, sighing slightly.

"Aloy, I'm not in the mood to argue."

"Then don't. Simple solution," she huffed, laying back down on the cold ground.

"Aloy, please," he said, exasperated. "No one needs to sleep outside. Just come share the tent with me." She sat up, looking at Erend quizzically. "No big deal, nothing funny, just sleeping out of the snow." He offered her a hand and pulled her to her feet. Without thinking, she pressed himself against his chest, trying to wrap her arms around him for a hug. She felt him shudder, trying to keep himself from crying. "Thank you for putting the bod - letting Ersa stay in your tent," he whispered. Aloy nodded, gently taking his hand and walking towards his tent.

I wish you could have known her he thought. I wish I could get to know you, too.