They had reached the end of a corridor and had stopped in front of another open doorway. The room within did not seem very particular, as they walked in Naruto decided to check the place out till he walked beyond a mossy metal table where his attention was grabbed by another doorway that had yet another decomposed body laying there, when Naruto tapped onto his temple as the purple appeared, just then a vaguely circle-shaped light was hovering above the dead man's head caught his attention.

"Hey Naruto look, this dead person has a device same as us." Aloy stated, when she also tapped onto her Focus the two scanned the man as they were greeted by a hologram.

"You think I want it this way? It's the best I can do, he's right behind you."

Naruto jolted back in surprise as he held his chest, turning around to see no one. "Woah!" he shouted as he saw Aloy who just giggled at Naruto who turned red due to embarrassment.

"Hi!"

The hologram caught the two's attention. "Is he talking to us?" Aloy asked Naruto who shrugged since he also couldn't answer the question.

"Happy birthday Isaac! Daddy sure does love his little big man. Look Daddy even got you a new Focus! Now you can look cool as Daddy."

The man held a familiar box which caught Naruto's attention, gasping Naruto held his Focus. "The device." Naruto muttered since it made sense now why it had a tutorial since it was new in the first place.

"Look, Daddy can't be there with you and mom, but... We can still have a party, right? Sure we can."

The man wore a party hat and blew into a party wrapper as he chuckled. Aloy chuckled at the noise "Show me, again." she stated as she and Naruto watched the message once more. Naruto was actually getting entertained by the man's pipe, it's sound was pretty funny so say the least. But when Aloy wanted to see it for the tenth time he had to say that was enough.

"Oh come on Naruto just one more time." she begged "We need to get out of here Aloy, before I don't know that machine back in the water finds us." Naruto replied as the girl's sighed in sadness since it was pretty nice to see the man's welcoming smile, it made her feel safe, cared for and most fully loved. But as much as she wanted to see the message once more they had to get out of the ruins.

As they walked she literally recited the man's message "Happy birthday Isaac. Daddy sure loves his little big man." she stated as she followed Naruto as they squeezed past a shut down door.

"Hey Naruto what do you think is a birthday?" Aloy asked her blond friend who shrugged "I'm not sure but I think it's a day which you were born on since birth is something we all go through and day...well it's the day." Naruto tried to explain the term which Aloy kind of understood "So how did they know it was that person's birthday?"

"That I'm not sure of." Naruto replied.

As they wondered deeper into the ruins. They arrived into a place that was different from the one's they passed. The place was enormous and it contained dozens of metal tables and boxes with contraptions they could not imagine the purpose of. Besides the metal tables, there were several chairs, along with several metal boxes which Naruto noticed they looked similar to the chests his dad stored food. Naruto could wonder if these cases had been used for the same purpose.

"I wonder if this is where the Old Ones lived." Naruto went to touch one of the beds that had a dead body on and damn was the thing cold.

"Maybe they did." Aloy replied as a question seeped out of her mouth "Why did they die here?" she wondered as she placed a hand on her temple. When her device turned on she scanned the body of the person Naruto was close to.

The device you are paired on has found a datapoint. It will now be sent to you and saved into your Info Book.

Next thing Naruto knew after reading the message from his now active Focus was he heard a new voice.

"... I saw them lining up in the community room... like cattle in a slaughterhouse, but smiling at each other. Chana handing out meds like being alive is just some kind of pain to be eased. Well, not me. I don't want to go quiet. I don't want to trail off. I want a period at the end of my life sentence, not an ellipses. Hell, an exclamation mark. So if that upsets whoever finds this, too bad. I don't owe anyone anything anymore."

Just then the next thing Naruto heard was a crack and a thump. "What the?" was all Naruto could think off "Did you hear that?" Aloy asked Naruto who turned around and nodded "What was that sound?" Aloy asked but Naruto couldn't answer since he was sure that the man killed himself and the last thing he needed was to scare his young friend. As they continued they found another datapoint.

Datapoint: Voice Log- Jackson Frye
Data Corruption: Severe

Naruto read the words as the message began.

"...and pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our debt, I mean death. Sorry it's been awhile and hoo, these meds Chana gave us are really something. So..." the man paused for a second as he took in a deep breath "Okay. From the top kids. hail Mary, full of grace..."

The message cut there and the two kids could only wonder what he would have said next. Moving up they went to the next body.

Datapoint: Voice Log- Ella Pontes
Data Corruption: Severe

"And maybe that's all I need, you know? The moment the door opened and you were standing there wearing that retro-weave dress and the way you smiled. I had to look away or you were going to see. On my face. What had just... blossomed inside me, you know? Ha. It was just an instant, but I knew. I knew it we'd be forever."

When the message finished both kids just felt sad for the woman she couldn't be there with her mate in her last hours. When Naruto went to like touch the lady's hand it just broke same time falling onto the floor much to the shook of the kid. "Naruto! What did you do!" Aloy shouted as the boy jolted up. "Sorry, sorry, sorry." Naruto shouted panicking as he picked up the hand as he placed it onto the woman's skeleton. "Sorry." Naruto told the woman as he cringed. Luckily this embarrasing moment was finished quickly when Naruto noticed a purple shaped figure just beyond the walls of the ruins, confused squinted his eyes as he was sure that the shape really looked familiar "Hey Aloy is it me or does that thing look familiar." the girl also redirected her attention and sure enough it did.

"Yeah! It looks like on of those machines a run past by." Naruto stated as then his Focus scanned the machine.

New Machine Discovered
-Strider

-Cauldron- PSI Overrides

These are herd machines that will bolt when disturbed so they must be dealt with silently or quickly. But be warned if they noticed that you're being a pest they will be a pest to you too!

-Weaknesses: None
-Strengths: None
-Machine Components: (2)
Body and Blaze Canister

Hard outer casing to protect synthetic muscle and operational systems

"Wait so that machine is called a Strider...huh." Naruto mussed at the word "What did you call them before you found out the name." Aloy questioned "Horses." Naruto replied as Aloy chuckled at the name "I think...Strider works best for them."

"You're just saying that because my name sounds funny." Naruto replied back, after their little detour was passed they went back to listening to the Old Ones.

Datapoint: Voice Log- Mia Sayied
Data Corruption: Severe

"The earth shall soon dissolve like the snow...the sun forbear to shine...but God, who called me here below...will be forever mine."

The message was pretty short but it was received. On to the next body.

Datapoint: Voice Log- Skylar Rivera
Data Corruption: Severe

"And Macchu Picchu. Always wanted to see that. Never did. Why didn't I go with Owen when he asked? Stupid I should have gone. Well."

Another cut message for the kids, wow these severe connections sure know how to make some one's day.

Datapoint: Voice Log- Connor Chasson
Data Corruption: Severe

"...I mean, seriously 'record our thoughts for posterity?' Great idea, Director Evans. Like I haven't done enough for posterity already? Like I wouldn't be...here...like this...if not for posterity? I'm done with posterity. Posterity can go fuc-..."

"Sheesh well he was really angry with the word." Naruto mussed "What was that he wanted to say at the end?" Aly questioned "Doesn't matter probably was going to be a very mean thing to say anyway."

"Why did they die here?" Aloy brought up the same question she asked from earlier as she examined the skeleton of Connor Chasson with horrified fascination. "What happened to them?" Aloy looked up from the skeleton to Naruto who just walked out the room. "I'm not sure but whatever happened to them might as well be a mystery."

"Why do you think that man hated posterity for?"

"Don't know...maybe the word was just a joke to him or something." Naruto replied as before Aloy could process the answer her name broke through the silent ruin. "Aloy! Are you down there? Aloy!"

The redhead whipped her head in the direction she heard the familiar voice as she had a smile of glee. "He found me! Rost found me!" she stated excitedly, moving towards the source of sound.

"Down here, I'm coming! I'm coming!" Aloy paused from walking as she turned towards Naruto as she gestured for him to follow. Naruto hesitated since this meant he would get in trouble. Since his dad said he shouldn't try to speak to any of the tribe or else he would get in trouble.

'Wait did she say Rost...isn't that the name of the man she said took care of her.' Naruto thought and yep it was 'So he's probably an outcast as well.' Naruto thought so as he let a small sigh he followed the girl.

"All-Mother be praised..." Rost paused as he looked beyond Aloy to see Naruto. He paused for a second as he was broken out of thought when Aloy stood infront of him. "Come girl! Take my hand!" Aloy hesitated as she took her guardian's hand, Naruto noticed the girl glancing back into the ruin they had just gotten out of as Naruto remembered about the massive machine hand from earlier. Glancing back he remembered it it was on the other side.

"You don't belong down there!" Rost snapped Aloy out of her thoughts as well as Naruto. "Come!" Aloy gave the run down place a last look as she was pulled out of the place. When Naruto waited for the man to give him a hand it didn't as he pulled the girl away. 'Really?' Naruto sweat dropped as he was left hanging. So climbing out of the ruin, Naruto waved Aloy a good bye as the girl waved back. When Rost looked in the direction she was waving too Naruto's eyes met with the man and well he skedaddled out of there seeing how serious they were.

"Who was that boy?" Rost asked Aloy "He's my friend, his name is Naruto." she told the man. "Such places are forbidden Aloy." Rost stated.

"I fell in." The girl replied,

"Aloy..." Another sigh left the large man. "We've talked about this. They are of the Metal world, and those ruins are dangerous. Anything could have happened to you. And we're outcasts, Aloy. It's forbidden for us to speak to anyone, even that boy."

"But...he's an outcast like me." she protested "Like I told you even as outcasts we must abide to the tribe's rules."

There was silence as Rost sighed "Tell me how did you meet this boy?"

"Well we bumped into each other and that caused us to talk to each other. After that we met again when we fell into the hole. He then saved me from this machine hand."

"Machine hand? Are you hurt?" Rost asked sternly

"No, Naruto was able to untangle me before it was too late." Sighing in relief Rost took a breather as he noticed the device on Aloy's temple. "What is that?" and we all know how that went down.

Trel rubbed his eyebrow trying to ease the pain that was coming up his head. He'd been searching for his son the whole day and yet he couldn't find the blondie. He'd been to the edge of Mother's Heart, he searched the Searcher's Course River hopping to see a blond child wearing outcast clothing rock skipping. But to no avail.

When he had returned home he found his son there alone sitting on the porch of the house. "Naruto!" he said with concern as he ran to the young lad wrapping him into a deep hug. "You will be the death of me! You know that!" Trel shouted as Naruto chuckled "Sorry I just needed to clear my head."

"Well..." Trel was about to speak when he noticed the device on his temple. "Naruto what is that on your head?" Uh oh. Quickly getting out of the hug Naruto covered his Focus with his hand.

"It's nothing." Naruto stated but Trel wasn't buying it. "If it's nothing then why are you hiding it? Where did you even get that?"

"Well...today I kind of had a crazy adventure." Naruto told his dad everything that had happened from the moment he ran away to explore.

"WHAT! Naruto give me that thing this instant!" Trel shouted in concern "No." Naruto replied as Trel tried to grab Naruto's hand but the boy was too fast for the man as he took a few steps back. "No dad it's not a bad thing."

"It's not a bad thing? Naruto that thing is from the Metal World! It's a dangerous thing! It could hurt you give it to me before it does any damage." Trel tried again but Naruto moved back, being fed up Trel raced after Naruto catching him as he took the device off his forehead. Trel was about to crush it when Naruto spoke up.

"No dad! It's not bad! It never did anything! Please don't do it!" Naruto tried to reason with the man. "Naruto don't you understand these things belonged to those of the Old Ones it could get you killed!" Trel tried to reason "No dad it won't...please don't destroy it...I beg of you." Naruto was now at a stage of crying, seeing this Trel had to battle with himself as he now had to either side with the laws of his tribe or his son's emotions. Aargh hard decisions. But luckily Trel was a softie for Naruto.

"Alright take your play thingie." Naruto was filled with joy as he took back the device "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Naruto raced as he put the device on his temple. When he began seeing the purple lights the device scanned his dad.

Trel
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Hostility: Friendly

He was taken out of thought when Trel spoke. "Since for some reason you like running away a lot. I think it's time I began teaching you how to survive in the wild." Trel stated as he went inside the house as he came back with a small bow and a pouch of arrows. Hoisting the pouch behind Naruto's back, Trel handed the kid his bow.

A set of words appeared above the weapon. "Bow?" Naruto stated as the words changed green. "Now, come." Naruto followed Trel to the back of the house as a training dummy was found. "I shall teach you how to use a bows and arrow, that way if you end up in trouble you can protect yourself. Now take an arrow and place it on the bow." Naruto did so, "Now pull back the string without letting it go." Trel spoke as Naruto did so, he began to struggle a bit since the force he was pulling the bow with was begging to be released.

"Now think of nothing then that yellow dot there in the middle." he pointed at the bullseye on the side of the dummy. Naruto took aim as he let go of the arrow, the weapon just hit the side of the dummy and it wasn't even close to the bullseye.

"I think it's too early for you let's just do the basics then. But it will have to wait for tomorrow."

Naruto and Trel walked back to the front of the house as Trel turned on the torches that were outside the house. When they entered their home they began eating dinner. When they had finished Naruto laid on his bed bored as he was twiddling with his Focux

Would you like to talk to your paired device?

This made the kid raise an eyebrow. 'Paired device?...oh! Aloy!' Naruto came to the conclusion. "Yes." he stated back, as then a weird symbol with a line appeared (a recorder symbol)

Please say something

'Umm okay.' Naruto thought as he tested the thing. "Hey Aloy it's Naruto." After Naruto finished he heard a ting sound as a new symbol appeared (the send symbol). Pressing it, next thing he knew he saw a new set of words.

Message sent, please wait shortly.

Naruto waited for awhile but next thing he knew he received a ting.

Message received! Playing it now!

"Hey Naruto. How did you do this? *Rost's voice is heard* Aloy who are you talking too? *Aloy speaks* I'm speaking to Naruto *Rost speaks confused* With that play thing? *Aloy speaks* Yeah! I'm also surprised of this. *Attention changes to message* Anyway hey Naruto how did you do this?

When the message ended Naruto chuckled "What are you laughing about?" Trel asked as he was sitting on a chair as he took in the fire from the fire place.

"I'm talking to Aloy and...well it's pretty funny what's going on." Naruto tried to explain "Don't explain more whatever that play thing does will only confuse me more." Trel replied as Naruto shrugged taking his attention back to the message. "Well Aloy remember when that box that guy had in his hand when the device was showing us the pictures..." Naruto continued to explain as he and Aloy spoke the entire night with their newly formed, network.