UNITY FORCE MISSIONS: HORIZON ZERO DAWN

CHAPTER 8: The Shaman's Path

ARC II: Project Firebreak

DISCLAIMER: All characters in the story are not owned by me, save for my OCs.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: It's the start of HZD's second arc! After Aloy reveives a holographic call from Akiha through her own Focus network, Zoro, Maya, and Aloy set on a journey into a new frontier beyond the Nora Sacred Lands, in a place known as The Cut...

~~~0-0-0~~~

[Path to the Cut, Earth-1355]

With Dervahl's threat to the Carja territory completely foiled by the Unity Force and Erend, the Unity Force trio are later forced to leave Sundom, after a disturbing distress signal was detected in another territory unknown to them: The Cut, which is the Banuk lands.

Earlier, both Kino and Photo were sent back to the Unity Force Academy to be treated for their injuries, albeit both of them were traumatised with what they had endured for the past month, including Dervahl's torture.

As a result of this, Aloy, Maya Tendo, and Zoro Roronoa must undertake this mission and save Akiha Ikebukuro from getting trapped inside this so-called "Firebreak" place, before it will be too late. But little do they know, however, is the new danger that awaits for them, and the trials that they must face.

After walking through the snowy lands of the Longroam, a neutral, non-faction aligned buffer zone that divides the Banuk and the Nora lands, the Unity Force trio have been trudging through the unforgiving lands for hours to come, camping from one ancient ruin and caves to the other, while trying to keep in contact with the rest of their team who stayed on Meridian, before giving them the signal to rendezvous.

Later on, their journey continued as they went through a place known as the Grave-Hoard, where the boundary starts within the Banuk territory, the Cut, and ends within the Nora territory. They later see a cliff face, before proceeding to climb upward. However, once they arrived, they immediately felt the sudden plunge in temperature around them, as well as the darkness, with the blue light contrasting it.

Prior to their trek, they were told by Rhavid in Meridian that a new threat is looming, which is known as the Daemon, as well as machines becoming highly aggressive, more so than the machines south of the Cut, as well as the so-called "curse" looming within the mountain. They also learned from Yariki, a Banuk envoy, as to how the Banuk tribe was founded, and how

Finding it hard to believe, Aloy, Maya, and Tendo later continued to listen to Rhavid's conversation, until something caught their attention: smoke coming from the mountain every day. That initially caught Zoro's attention, thinking this had to do with Akiha's sudden imprisonment inside the so-called "Firebreak" facility, but they found no connection to it, leaving them completely uncertain.

Then, after finishing their climb, they had to face a machine known as a Scorcher, which somewhat resembles that of a Ravager but does not have the Ravager's tactical vulnerability to fire. Indeed, whereas Ravagers are weak against fire, this element is the Scorcher's forté. Its head is vulpine, with a long, toothy snout, a split jaw and large ear-like structures. A pair of optical sensor arrays is positioned in the same location as a fox's eyes. Mounted on its back, between its heavyset shoulders, is a mine launcher. Positioned atop each shoulder is a heavily-armoured Blaze canister, and between its haunches is an equally heavily-armoured power generator. However, Scorchers use Mine Launchers as its weapons, which initially gave the trio trouble when they fought against it.

After defeating the machine, with Maya landing the final blow through her rapier, the trio would later decide to ascend through the path to the Cut, as it grew much hillier than ever, as well as the temperature getting even colder. Then, they later continued on, as they reached the cave that points within the Banuk territory known as Song's Edge. Meeting with the Banuk guards standing atop, they later leave them, before they head into the settlement.

Which leads to the present time...

"It's been over 22 hours have passed, and we've been walking all the way here." Maya said, as she wipes off some of the snow from her shoes.

"Only the Banuk live in such a cold place, but even then, the Carja would never stop planning their attack during the Red Raids." Aloy revealed, as she proceeds to craft fire and freeze arrows.

"Damn." Zoro quipped. "But now, we have a problem in our hands at that place, as well. That so-called 'Scorcher', it attacked us from out of nowhere." He added, before sheathing his Wado Ichimonji into the scabbard.

"Not to mention, those machines that have those purple wirings." Maya simply stated, remembering their first encounter with a Scorcher, as they suspect that something is more to this.

"That's something that I have never seen before." Aloy stated, before looking at the said settlement. "We're almost close to Song's Edge, a part of the Cut. According to Rhavid, it's only a few metres close from here." She stated.

[Song's Edge, Earth-1355]

After the almost 24-hour trek from Meridian all the way to the Cut, compounding with the sudden temperature decrease, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro would later finally arrive at Song's Edge, one of the region's main settlements, before encountering several Banuk tribesmen along the way.

However, just like with the Carja in Meridian, the Unity Force's first impressions were instead greeted with strange looks, especially towards the outworlders, due their strange outfit. Maya would simply greet them in a normal way, but due to the tribe's utter, hopeless mysticism, Zoro, Maya, and Aloy would instead ignore them and later continue onwards. They could only hope for them to separate reality and fiction, and see what truly goes on in front of them.

"Can't believe that this place is even colder than the academy dormitories at night." Maya described, as she attempts to hold onto Zoro. "And the people here believe in such nonsense, including this 'Blue Light' thing." He then proceeds to ask Aloy. "Do you even know what this 'Blue Light' is?"

"No one knows, but that's something the Banuk worship." Aloy answered. "It's something to calm the machines down, according to Ohtur." She claimed.

That is, until they see a mountain that looms ahead from a distance, as well as what Rhavid said to them: a smoke rising from it, as well as red lightning bolts crackling around the smoke. They start to suspect that something is up, and it can spell immediate bad news if it is not immediately identified.

"A smoke on the mountain?" Maya questioned, as she looks at it. "But that's not possible. That mountain doesn't look like a volcano to us, even though it looks like one." She disputed, as she looks at it intently.

"But it spells a problem that we are about to fix, if we know where to begin." Zoro deadpanned.

"Speaking of smoke, something big is going on." Aloy said, as she sees a group of Banuk tribesmen standing, close to a cliff, while looking at the mountain. "Most of the village is moving towards that smoke." She continued, as she, Maya, and Zoro proceed to join in with the audience, witnessing what they are about to see.

"This is going to be interesting." Zoro simply remarked.

The trio later join in with the Banuk crowd to witness what would ensue next, albeit with slight reluctance on their part, before they later gave in to it.

Later on, an Oseram suddenly appears beside the trio.

"Who is that person?" Maya whispered to Zoro.

"Beats me." Zoro replied. "He's probably like us: a sane person." He ended.

The Oseram in question is a middle-aged man with a dark brown skin, brown eyes, and a moustache. He wears an Oseram-style outfit comprising of a brown-and-blue hat, as well as a scarf, an ornament with several circles, a makeshift pauldron, rose-and-gold coloured long-sleeved top, vambraces and blue fingerless gloves on both arms, a giant belt with a pouch, as well as orange pants and black boots. This is Burgrend, an Oseram living in the Cut.

"Get ready for a rare sight, Nora." Burgrend stated, as he looks at Aloy, where he later turns his attention to the Unity Force duo. "And you two seems to be the most curious of all people amongst the Banuk." He added, referring to Zoro and Maya. "Burgrend. Purveyor of necessities." He introduced himself to the trio.

"What are they doing here?" Maya questioned.

"Probably some kind of gathering." Zoro stated.

"Most of the time, the Banuk burn their dead. But not today." Burgrend stated rather calmly.

Then, they see three Banuk tribesmen gathering over what seems to be a ritual.

Aloy suddenly asks Burgrend a surprising question regarding the ritual. "Because the bodies couldn't be recovered?"

"Aye. A nasty business. All their best warriors, lost." Burgrend stated.

Maya, completely shocked, proceeds to ask Burgrend about it. "But how many of them were killed? This is almost like a massacre to begin with." She continued.

"A lot. So much that it was enough to pile up a mass grave full of dead Watcher carcasses. Ironically, no body was even found at all." Burgrend grimly reminded.

"Sounds like trouble to begin with." Zoro quipped.

"Indeed. So instead, they're getting a different kind of set-off." Burgrend ended.

From there, they proceed to watch at the ritual, where the three Banuk would later do some kind of frenetic ceremonial dance, while looking at the mountain in front of them. This went on for the past few minutes, until they heard a loud screeching noise from above. They later see three Glinthawks roaming around the sky.

"What's a machine doing here?" Maya asked.

"Probably a part of their ritual." Zoro continued.

"At least it won't attack us in the first place. Aloy quipped, before observing the place.

"Yeah, right. Every time we go around this accursed hell, they would never hesitate to attack us." Zoro added, as he looks at the Glinthawks.

"The Derangement caused all of it, and it's our job to stop it from making it worse." Aloy commented. "But given those Glinthawks, I'd assume that they're under the effect of this 'Blue Light'." She pointed out.

Zoro can only sigh in disbelief, before they look at the Glinthawks leaving.

From there, Aloy, Maya, Zoro, and the rest of the Banuk tribesmen later see an imposing man, who is holding what seems to be a rudimentary, tribal-looking ice launcher on his right arm, as he places it to his shoulder.

He is a burly, imposing middle-aged adult male, with light brown eyes, a triangle-shaped beard and thick sideburns; all of his facial hair is dark brown streaked with grey. His garb is traditional Banuk wear, essential for protection against the frigid temperatures of the tribe's territory, dyed a variety of blues and greens. The base of his attire is a green parka, thick brown pants, and a large red hood which he is seen wearing. His hair is unknown, due to the headgear that he is wearing, but it is assumed that it is identical to the facial hair. Thick brown fur is layered over the hood and the parka's shoulders, and falls into a thick fur cape behind. Heavy gloves and bracers protect his hands and forearms, and strong, sturdy, cloth-wrapped boots with wide spike-ringed soles, necessary for walking through snow and scaling icy cliffs, adorn his feet. Integrated into his hood is a headdress made of machine parts, with detachable projections on each side. This is Aratak, the chieftain of a werak, the Banuk's primary social and political structure, in Song's Edge.

"Who's that person?" Aloy asked.

"That's Aratak. He's the chieftain of the weraks here in Song's Edge." Burgrend responded.

"It probably has to do with his out-of-whack experience, given his current facial expression." Zoro answered, as he observed.

Then, Aratak arrives at the middle, proceeding to make a declaration in front of his tribespeople, while ignoring the outlanders in front of him. They later listen to the announcement.

"Grasp your grief, my hunters. And kill it. For our kin seized the fate all Banuk long for, falling with their spears striking steel. Their struggle is over now. You have witnessed their spirits rise up into the blue sky and beyond, to the blue light. But our struggle is only beginning. Soon we will again take up the hunt against the Daemon that frenzies the machines against us. And so I ask you - can you summon the courage of our fallen kin? Will you fight... and die... as well as they did?" Aratak declared.

"That guy surely sounds brave." Maya added.

"If their mysticism isn't a problem, that is." Zoro countered, as the trio later look at the surrounding Banuk cheering with words of courage.

"We are Banuk. Our enemies are prey." Aratak later concluded.

Afterwards, the crowds slowly dispersed, before Aloy, Maya, and Zoro look at Burgrend, who bears a rather sceptical look in his face about Aratak's declaration.

"A Daemon.. that frenzies the machines." Aloy stated quietly.

"Come to think of it, that Scorcher that we dealt with earlier was the likely work of this 'Daemon'." Zoro replied.

Burgrend suddenly went into a brief rant, as he gestured. "Machines that wiped out their best. And what do they want to do? Go back up there! Fools." He mellowed down, before continuing. "A little advice for free, ah-?" He trailed.

"Aloy." Aloy answered. "These are my friends: Zoro Roronoa and Maya Tendo." She introduced, as the duo simply nodded. "They're from the Unity Force, and so as me."

"Unity Force?" Burgrend questioned, as he examines at the two outworlders. "Donning on such strange outfits, I highly doubt that both of you are even affiliated to any tribe of the known world." He commented on Zoro and Maya.

"Well, it's like this..." Maya said.

Maya later begins explaining to Burgrend about the Unity Force and the existence of several worlds, as well as the multiverse. She goes into additionally explaining about the goals of the organisation, including saving the world from any threat it comes into.

Burgrend was utterly confused with Maya's explanation, given his utter lack of intricate knowledge of everything that comes out of the prima donna's mouth.

"While I might not be able to comprehend the two of you, I'm certain that you're not like the Banuk there. You people are mostly reminded of the Old Ones." Burgrend described, while whispering.

"But what are these Banuk uttering all of this nonsense?" Zoro asked.

"I've been up here for two long winters, and I still can't make sense of the Banuk." Burgrend began, who seemed to be sceptical of the tribe's mysticism.

"You seem to be even more doubtful with these Banuk people." Maya replied.

"Take this ruckus. It started with one of their shamans, Ourea, spouting on about spirits and Daemons up on Thunder's Drum." Burgrend stated.

"All mysticism and little logical thinking." Zoro quipped, with Burgrend simply nodding.

"So, that place is known as the Thunder's Drum?" Maya continued, as he pointed at the mountain.

"Aye. That's because of those red lightning bolts appearing from the smoke within the mountain. It's a mystery even for the Banuk to begin with." Burgrend described, as he points at it. "But one thing for certain: there are times that it sounds like a literal thunder, which can be heard from here, and whoosh!" He gestured, as he mimicked the sound of a lightning bolt.

"What about Ourea and her werak who went there?" Aloy questioned.

Burgrend let out an annoyed sigh, before responding. "They marched their werak up there, and half of them get slaughtered by machines!" He exclaimed in annoyance.

"That's a handful to begin with." Zoro continued.

Maya then whispers to Zoro. "I'm certain that Akiha would be at this predicament, as well."

"We don't know yet. Only Burgrend-san might help us." Zoro replied in a whisper.

"When Ourea vanished, I thought the crazy might have gone with her. But no, here's big Aratak, gearing them up to do all it all over again!" Burgrend gestured in utter annoyance, seeing the operation that Aratak had been doing for the past few days.

With that being said, after hearing a lot about the information regarding Aratak's disastrous expedition into Thunder's Drum, as well as what the Banuk really are and their mysticism, the Unity Force decide to ask the Oseram if he had seen at least a glance of Akiha or a sliver of her whereabouts.

"We also have to ask you a question. Have you seen a strange-looking girl here?" Aloy questioned. "She's short, has an unusual hairstyle, and wears a strange clothing?" She described.

"Ah..." Burgrend pondered. "Two weeks ago, my daughter Varga suddenly showed up here at midnight, when she told me about this strange girl, whom told me that she had a very brief glance of her in Longnotch, the easternmost Banuk camp, which happens to be close to Thunder's Drum." He continued.

"And then?" Zoro questioned in curiosity.

"Just like Aratak's werak, she went inside Thunder's Drum, but in a more unconventional way, unlike Aratak." Burgrend revealed. "Can't say she's smart or downright stupid, but she is different."

"But why?" Maya asked.

"She's a girl of mysteries to begin with." Burgrend replied. "Not even Aratak's werak know what she was up to, other than the fact that she went to Thunder's Drum."

"With that being said, is there a way to reach this Ourea person?" Zoro asked.

"I mean she's the one who spoke about this 'Daemon'." Aloy replied.

Burgrend then proceeds to reveal that this so-called "Daemon" currently living within Thunder's Drum, which only caused scepticism to the trio. However, he later responds as he knew nothing about the affairs surrounding Ourea's discovery inside the mysterious mountain, as Burgrend told them that not even one shaman is willing to talk to outsiders regarding the current situation.

Zoro would then proceed to ask about the current situation of the machines, with Burgrend revealing that it is largely due to the increasing viciousness of the machines, which is slowly being attributed to the supposed Daemon, as well as the countless warriors being slaughtered. Zoro and Maya knew that this is not a job that they can imagine.

"So, you said Ourea went there to look for the Daemon?" Maya questioned.

"But Ourea's not around to explain. She took off and no one knows why." Burgrend answered.

Then, Aloy diverts into the most important topic: the Daemon.

"We want to know more about this Daemon." Aloy stated.

Zoro would then proceed to ask about possible entry in the mountains, but Burgrend simply scoffs at such a ludicrous idea in the first place. Aloy would then attempt to further reason as to how this is connected to the machines and Akiha's disappearance in the first place.

"Then you'd need to find Ourea." Burgrend added.

"Any last whereabouts of her?" Maya asked.

"She was last seen headed for the mountains they call the Icerasps."

"Icerasps?" Aloy questioned.

"I've heard only the shamans know the trail beyond those frozen peaks. Hmmm... But I do know where the three of you can find her apprentice, Naltuk. He went north of the river, chasing rumours." Burgrend answered, as he points at the direction.

"Rumours?"

Burgrend then tells the Unity Force trio that a number of reported attacks happen within Naltuk's location, as well as the appearance of strange new structures, which was in the form of a machine, but not in a way that can be described easily by anyone else.

"We're definitely interested. Thanks for the the tip, Burgrend." Aloy replied.

"Since you three are determined, I'll allow you to continue on your journey." Burgrend stated.

After that, the Unity Force trio later leave Song's Edge, as they proceed to approach Aratak, who was seen reproaching a Banuk tribesman for his inability to successfully complete his mission, and was given one last chance to prove himself to be a part of the tribe.

Aratak is later interrupted, when the Unity Force and Aloy approach him, who is seen fixing his weapon.

"Outlanders. I suppose the three of you wish to speak?" Aratak questioned, before looking at the two. "But who are these two? They're certainly not Nora or Carja." He added.

"It's complicated, but I'll try to explain." Aloy responded.

Aloy later begins explaining to Aratak about the Unity Force and the existence of several worlds, as well as the multiverse. She goes into additionally explaining about the goals of the organisation, including saving the world from any threat it comes into.

Aratak, in exchange, would tell Aloy, Maya, and Zoro more about the Banuk tribe, as well as their history regarding them being a part of the Red Rains orchestrated by Jiran, and how some of his warriors survived such an onslaught.

"Wow, you really had a tough time." Maya simply answered.

"I know. That's what the Banuk is all about: Survive. Prevail." Aratak uttered in a grave manner. "Only the hardy even survive in this place." He ended, before continuing on. "Speaking of which, what is the purpose of your visit here?" He questioned.

"Ourea knows about this Daemon. Where would I talk to her?" Aloy asked.

Immediately, Aratak objected to answer.

"She does a shaman's work. That is not for the eyes and ears of others." Aratak answered in a refusing manner. "Certainly not an outlander's." He ended.

"But what about this Daemon?" Aloy asked.

"If the three of you prove to be more than so-called 'heroes' in another world, then you must venture out and go to see it for yourselves." Aratak simply answered their question. "It has changed the machines, making them even deadlier and stronger." He ended.

"Any idea?" Maya asked.

"That it's up for the shamans to debate."

Zoro then brings up the topic of Akiha. "Speaking of which, have you seen this girl? She's short, has an unusual hairstyle, and wears a strange clothing?" He questioned. "I know that you aren't up for questions that only these shamans can have access to, but it's an urgent matter."

"That..." Aratak suddenly fell silent, as he heard Zoro's inquiry. "Two weeks ago, rumours of that person started emerging from out of nowhere around Song's Edge, when Varga suddenly arrived here at midnight, revealing that the mysterious girl was visiting Thunder's Drum. But in a very different manner." He added.

"Anything of the sort?" Aloy asked.

Aratak shook his head, before giving Aloy what seems to be a pouch, but its looks are considered to be highly modern, where only a person from the future would have it. "My werak found it at Icerasps. The three of you might be able to make sense of it." He ended.

"Thanks. We'll go now." Aloy ended, as she bowed.

Afterwards, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro later proceed to go downhill, as they later decide to search for Naltuk, thinking that they have at least known where to start looking for Akiha and possibly Thunder's Drum, while solving the ongoing mystery regarding the Daemon.

Hiding themselves in a secluded, forested area free of machines, Aloy later opens the pouch, revealing the contents to be a Focus.

"A Focus?" Aloy questioned. "This should be important." She stated, before turning it on, as well as hers, establishing a data connection from one to the other.

Then, a map, as well as a blip with a coordinate is shown, along with a single word: SOS. She later zooms the map further, as the blip points to Thunder's Drum.

SOS
44.5902° N, 104.7146° W

"What are you seeing, Aloy-san?" Maya questioned.

"Coordinates, and a message." Aloy added, before she proceeds to read the audio transcript. "It's pointing to Thunder's Drum." She added.

"SOS, ASAP
Hologram Message
From: Akiha
Data Corruption: SEVERE

[DATA CORRUPTED]

[CORRUPTED]: [DATA CORRUPTED] I was expecting for an expedition to search for so-called "ancient technology", until this monster trapped us [DATA CORRUPTED] I've put the coordinates on anyone who can find me here [DATA CORRUPTED]

Synthetic Voice: Data corrupted. Playback stopped.

[DATA CORRUPTED]"

"It seems that Akiha has been trapped for a little while, at least days, but the message itself is too corrupted to begin with, so we can't tell who this 'monster' is, as well as her motivation for looking this 'ancient technology'." Aloy stated.

"That does not sound right." Zoro quickly responded. "But first, we have to find Ourea-sama. She's the only person knowledgeable about Thunder's Drum and might allow us to enter."

"We start first at that Shaman's Path, like what Aratak-sama said." Maya declared.

After that, the trio proceed to continue onwards, on the search for Naltuk for any answers regarding the Shaman's Path and Ourea, before they later see a mysterious botanical-like machine, in the appearance of a palm tree, from afar, as well as Naltuk, who was watching it.

"That must be Naltuk, looking out at that... tower." Aloy glanced at the said person, as well as the tower. "It looks like it's sending out a pulse or a signal." She continued.

The trio then approach the said person, Naltuk. He is a dark-skinned young man who wears a headdress made of machine part, as well as having brown eyes. He wears the traditional Banuk outfit, which consists of a jacket with thick fur on its collar, consisting of green, red, and blue sashes, white-and-yellow gloves, two blue cloths tied on each of his arms, as well as thick green-and-yellow pants and winter boots with blue cords and machine parts on it.

"Naltuk?" Aloy called out.

"Who are the three of you? How did you all find me?" Naltuk asked, sounding doubtful.

"Burgrend told us."

Naltuk only sighed at the mentioning of Burgrend's name. "He's persistent. I've told that Oseram a thousand times, I don't need to buy anything-" He insisted in annoyance. "Are both of you outlanders also working with that Oseram, as well?" He asked Maya and Zoro.

Aloy only additionally counters. "And I'm not selling."

"Then what are the rest of you doing here?" Naltuk questioned.

"We are here for something more important." Maya shakes her head.

"Okay? But you two are certainly not tribesmen." Naltuk described.

Zoro later begins explaining to Naltuk about the Unity Force and the existence of several worlds, as well as the multiverse. He goes into additionally explaining about the goals of the organisation, including saving the world from any threat it comes into.

"I see. While I might find hard to believe it at first, you people certainly speak the truth." Naltuk stated, before adding further. "Regardless, what is your purpose of reaching me out?"

"We're looking for Ourea." Aloy answered.

Naltuk only eyes at Aloy's suggestion, before he instantly refuses.

"Well the three of you won't. She's gone where only shamans can tread." Naltuk reminded. "She seeks guidance from the voice in the blue light. That is her task." He continued.

"Anything that is of interest? The Daemon?" Aloy questioned.

Naltuk then tells the Unity Force trio that he was assigned by Ourea to observe the "Daemon's" work, which surprised Maya. He goes on into saying as to how the tower right in front of them, and how they alarmingly sprouted across the Cut in the span of just few weeks. He then continues into saying that the tower's pulses is responsible for the repairs of the machines, and how they were rallied to attack anyone in sight.

"That's crazy." Maya said. "So these things have been attacking the tribe for the past twenty years."

"And many people have suffered." Naltuk replied.

Aloy then proceeds to question Naltuk about the whereabouts of Akiha and two other people.

"Have you seen some strange person passing by?" Aloy asked.

"No, unfortunately." Naltuk answered in denial. "Nothing unusual was spotted here passing by."

Leaving with no answers from their current dilemma, the Unity Force trio decided to introduce themselves to Naltuk and later promise that they will help him out for answers, before they decide to deal with the current problem, and that is dealing with the new machine known as the Control Tower, as well as new machines known as Daemonic Machines.

Just like the Corrupted Machines, they also have tendrils made from nanotechnology, except they are purple in colour, and are far more dangerous than their Corrupted variants. They later encounter three Daemonic Scrappers and a single Daemonic Longleg patrolling around.

Preparing themselves for a fight, Zoro takes out his Enma, Maya uses a silver whetstone into her rapier, and with Aloy taking her hunter bow loaded with Fire arrows, in case if her covert approach went bust.

Zoro later proceeds to formulate their attack, as he orders Aloy to deal with the Control Tower stealthily, while Maya and himself will deal with the machines, should the covert approach fail. However, Zoro instantly knew that such approach would not work, especially with reconnaissance machines like the Longleg.

Deciding to take the loud approach instead, Aloy instead uses her hunter bow and loads it with three arrows in a single shot to shoot the tower's cooling rod before it is hidden, as it is the only means to decommission the machine, while Maya and Zoro later attacked the patrolling Daemonic machines.

However, the duo soon realise that while the Control Tower keeps emitting electrical pulses in one-minute intervals, the machines get repaired in a cumulative manner, making things even more annoying.

"Shit!" Aloy cursed, before looking at the tower. "Zoro! Maya! You must attack the machines as fast as possible, before the tower keeps repairing it!" She ordered.

"On it, Aloy-san!" Maya grunted, as she unleashes a half-crescent slash attack, Golden Half-Crescent, towards two Daemonic Scrappers with her Odette. The resultant blow of the attack caused both of them to be sliced into half.

"Yakkodori!" Zoro then unleashes a crescent projectile with his sword, as it hits through the last Daemonic Scrapper and the lone Daemonic Longleg, causing both of them to be destroyed into pieces.

Aloy then fires three arrows into the Control Tower's cooling rod, completely shutting it down, as a burst of flames can be felt from anyone within the tower's radius.

"With that threat being dealt with, I'm pretty sure that Naltuk is convinced of us." Zoro said, as he sheathed his Enma.

Aloy, Maya, and Zoro would later the scene, as they rendezvous back to Naltuk, who was simply astounded of what he just witnessed, either in regards to the destruction of the Control Tower by them or by seeing Zoro and Maya's combat capabilities. He is more impressed with the latter.

"Impossible..." Naltuk then proceeds to glance at Zoro and Maya. "You two outworlders fight really differently, more so than what Ourea and even Aratak were capable of as a shaman and a chieftain, respectively." He added.

"Well, Zoro has had experience as a warrior, while Maya uses her natural acting talent in combat." Aloy answered, with the two nodding. "Speaking of which, I'm able to defeat those towers and machines." She stated. "The Daemon is next."

"Perhaps the three of you... Ourea should meet the three of you, after all." Naltuk commented. "What she truly seeks is hope. After what I just saw, the three of you could show her that." He stated.

"That's what we're thinking." Maya added. "While we're a little weirded out of the mysticism surrounding your tribe, no offence, it is our job to help, after all." She added.

"That's the purpose of our organisation. To lend a helping hand." Zoro stated the organisation's ethos.

"So, you can tell us where Ourea is?" Aloy asked.

Naltuk then reveals Ourea's last known location, which is located beyond Icerasps, where they must tread through the Shaman's Path, in order for them to reach her. He then proceeds to tell them that the endpoint of the said path is within a shrine, where they will later encounter a machine carcass somewhat encased in a blue, mysterious gemstone known as Bluegleam, where Shamans would later take it as a reward.

As their conversation continued regarding the Bluegleam growing on machine Corpses, Naltuk would then reveal that it was made as a byproduct the "blue light", which is something they are still confused of, as to who this so-called "blue light" is. He then finally introduces himself as an interim advisor to the Banuk, a scout, and a speaker for the "blue light", causing Zoro to ponder on the tribe's mysticism.

"That's a bit of a long story to begin with." Maya added.

"Indeed." Naltuk answered.

"So, where can we find and cross this Shaman's Path?" Aloy asked.

"Go to the Icerasps. Then follow the markers through the ice caves and waterfalls, and make the climb to the shrine." Naltuk suggested.

"But what's so special about the Shaman's Path?" Zoro questioned the importance of it.

Naltuk then goes into saying that it was a path meant to be an ordeal for the Banuk, where young Banuk shamans undergo their final trial before becoming a shaman for the werak.

"Does that mean we can find Ourea?" Aloy asked.

"No. She goes further up. Somewhere inside the mountain." Naltuk replied. "If the three of you see her- Would you tell her- I have faith she will hear the voice again."

After that, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro proceed to part ways with Naltuk, as they prepare themselves to locate Ourea beyond Icerasps, in hopes they can find answers regarding the Daemon, the Spirit, and Akiha's whereabouts.

[The Shaman's Path's, Earth-1355]

Walking for hours to come, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro endlessly walked their way up to the hilly mountains while climbing some cliffs, which leads to the Shaman's Path, while enduring the blistering cold, as well as the snow around them. They later come across an icy cave with various "blue lights" on it, where they later find out that it is the starting point of the said path. But immediately, they are surrounded by partial darkness, had it not for some light sources around them.

Entering inside the cave, they later see a single marker inside, as described by Naltuk earlier, which is used to guide the young Banuk shamans during their ordeal.

"Can't imagine the people who had to go through this trial." Zoro remarked. "But it's not as gruelling as being trained by a group of pirates, including Mihawk." He added.

"One creepy ice cave used as a proving ground." Maya declared.

Aloy later reaches what looked like a ritualistic marker, where a faint orange light is seen glowing at its middle.

"This must be one of the markers Naltuk told us about." Aloy remarked, as she pulls the cable, causing the light to be angled down, which points to the current direction. "It seems that these markers are pointing from one ritualistic marker one to the other, giving us directions." She ended.

"Then, that's our cue." Zoro stated.

Proceeding further, the trio would later continue their trek inside the Shaman's Path, as they followed the process of finding more markers, before they paused when they see a metallic wind chime hanging around.

Aloy would realise that these wind chimes are used to guide anyone inside the Shaman's Path, where she uses it to her advantage, as well as Maya and Zoro, thus making their journey slightly more bearable than the first few minutes.

"Strange for these things to play such a role here." Zoro quipped.

"But I guess these things help." Aloy stated.

Continuing onward, their challenges within the Shaman's Path would continue to increase furthermore, as they have to now walk into tightropes, while continuing the same process of following every ritualistic marker and wind chime that they can find.

The group climb into another cliff face opposite the dead end with the create, before they later encounter yet another tightrope, along with a ritualistic marker. This time they notice three machines underneath them, who are stealthily patrolling for any intruders.

"Stalkers. Three of them." Aloy stated grimly. "Dangerous and lethal, these machines attack unsuspecting humans, thanks to their cloaking mechanism." She added. "I've heard that some hunters were killed by it."

This machine is known as the Stalker, which is is based on the leopard. Its own chassis is distinct from that of the other known combat machines in two respects. Firstly, whereas these machines are heavyset and built for power, Stalkers are slender and streamlined. Secondly, whereas the armour of these machines consists of large, white fitted pieces, a Stalker's armour plating is black, and is composed of relatively small hexagonal plates that fit together in a chainmail pattern. Four optical sensor arrays are located on each side of their head, with the sensors arranged in a trapezoidal configuration. Each of their four feet is equipped with three claws. A dart gun is located between its shoulders, and on each hip is a proximity mine launcher. A power cell rests atop its lower back, to which four long, antenna-like structures are attached. The machine has a retractable tail that is almost twice as long as its body, equipped with a sharp spike at the tip. Finally, a cloaking device called a Stealth Generator is mounted on the belly.

The Stalkers they encounter, on the other hand, is a Daemonic variant on it, and it is certain death if they face it head-on, as their goal is to minimise as much conflict as possible. At least, that's what they think with their stealthy approach to avoid such a risky combat.

"They are certainly busy looking for us." Maya described, as she watches at them.

Ignoring the Stalkers roaming about, the trio left the first tightrope, before heading into the second tightrope, but they are instead greeted by another dead end and another crate.

"Damn it. Another dead end." Zoro added. "Looks like we have no other choice."

"Seems like it." Aloy quipped.

Maya later uses her heightened sight, as she detects all three of the machines completely cloaked, as well as motion-sensitive explosive mines, which will immediately alert the Stalkers around them.

Leaving the dead end path, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro are forced to take the only continuous route around the caverns, which is infested with Daemonic Stalkers. They reach the ritualistic marker in front of them, but it didn't take too long for the Stalkers to detect their immediate presence.

"Looks like they don't like our own company." Aloy alerted, as she takes out her hunter bow.

"Shit! Here they come!" Zoro immediately unsheathes his Wado Ichimonji and with Maya unsheathing her Odette.

"You know what to do!" Maya declared.

[PLAY MUSIC: Horizon Zero Dawn OST - Force Multiplication]

The Daemonic Stalkers snarled viciously, before they proceed to attack the trio in a fit of rage for their intrusion. Unlike the machines they faced earlier, the Stalkers were a formidable threat that they have faced. Agile and deadly, both Zoro and Maya proceed to block their attacks, including its own tail, its rapid-fire dart gun, its mine launchers, and its infamous stealth generators, which were the bane of every hunters facing off against this machine.

Aloy proceeds to take out her hunter bow, as she fires off several Fire Arrows into them in a rapid fashion, causing one of them to be burnt slowly, before she uses a Ropecaster to subdue it.

"You're one stubborn asshole, do you?" Zoro stated, as he slices off one of the Stalker's tails. "How are you holding up there, Maya?" He questioned, before seeing a Stalker planting an explosive mine.

"Still fine, but they're quick to cloak themselves!" Maya exclaimed, as she quickly slices off one of the attacking Stalker's Stealth Generators with her golden-bladed rapier, before proceeding to unleash Golden Half-Crescent, cutting the machine into half, as it explodes.

One of the Stalkers attempt to fire off its dart guns onto Zoro, but he quickly dodges it, before countering its attack, as he prepares himself.

"Kaen!" Zoro cried out, as he jumps high up and slashes the machine. After Zoro slashes it, the Daemonic Stalker later bursts into blue flames, as it caused the machine to be destroyed.

Then, Aloy later fires off a few more Blast Bombs from her Blast Sling to destroy the last Daemonic Stalker completely.

With the machines destroyed, the trio later continue their trek into the caverns, as they later reach another cliff and climb up, revealing an exit.

"Phew... I guess that was it for that threat." Maya commented, as she sheathes her weapon. "Never I knew that these things would be trouble."

"I guess Naltuk-san was not kidding about this place being an ordeal." Zoro commented.

"Regardless, we've only finished the cave part of the Shaman's Path." Aloy described, as she looks further. "There's more, and it's only getting more and more difficult for us." She stated.

"But that won't stop us from finding Ourea-sama." Maya determinedly reassured.

"Aloy-san, we need to find a campfire and settle here." Zoro added. "We've been walking for hours without resting, especially in this place."

"We can rest inside the cave." Aloy stated.

"That would work." Maya commented.

While they proceeded to rest inside the cave of the Path, Zoro later calls the remaining members of his team in Meridian via his tablet to inform about their current status.

"Oh, Zoro-san!" Asta greeted. "Where you guys at, now?" He questioned.

"We're still looking for someone that might help us finding Akiha." Zoro answered. "It's Ourea."

"Ourea?" Asta questioned.

"It's a long story to begin with, but she's this shaman of some tribe." Zoro responded.

"What about us here?"

"We'll inform you once we finished looking for her."

Zoro then ends the call, before the trio left the caverns to continue onward.

Once they reach the direction of the ritualistic marker, they later approach it, as they continue following the Shaman's Path. At the same time, however, they also see a broken ancient highway from afar, which is completely covered with snow, much to their surprise.

The trio later see a bridge and a waterfall from above, with them pondering how to cross to the other side. Zoro instantly jumps from the other side, while Maya and Aloy waited patiently for the bridge to be tilted to the left, before they immediately jumped. as the bridge proceeds to tilt to the right.

"Never knew how many of these shamans had to endure such a trial like this." Maya commented.

For minutes to come, the process repeated, where they crossed more bridge and waterfall puzzles, a tightrope, and another series of ritualistic markers, before reaching a cliff side that leads to another part of the path. Jumping through the cliff side, Zoro, like the usual, jumped successfully, albeit Aloy and Maya almost fell down to their deaths when they almost lost their grip.

However, before they can even climb up, much to their surprise and fright, they heard a roar, before they see an ursine machine down below, which is a Daemonic variant.

"What is that?" Maya questioned.

"It's something new and something worse." Aloy added. "Burgrend wasn't exaggerating - there's something definitely new out here." She stated.

The machine in question is known as a Frostclaw. It is somewhat ursine (bear-like) in appearance, movement, and locomotion. Its chassis resembles the body and has the gait of a grizzly bear. The head ends in a pointed, toothy snout with a three-mandible jaw housing a system of grinders. A pair of optical sensor arrays is located in the same position as a bear's eyes would be. Mounted on each forelimb are a pair of gear-like wheels. There is an armour-protected cryogeneration unit called a Freeze Unit on its chest, and two power cells are located on its upper back. Freeze Sacs, armoured storage tanks containing Chillwater are built into its chassis, similar to Freeze Bellowbacks. However, while the Freeze Bellowback's tanks are prominently placed on its back and throat, the Frostclaw's Freeze Sacs are seamlessly built into its shoulders, are much more damage resistant, and generally have more armour.

"Whatever that is, we don't want to be facing that thing momentarily." Zoro reminded. "Now, let's go." He grabs both of them from the cliff side.

Leaving the scene, the trio reached another ritualistic marker, as well as a narrow pathway surrounded by blue rocks that are seen hanging through broken tree branches, as well as yet another cliff. Climbing it, they later see a campfire, as well as other unpleasant encounter in front of them: a Control Tower.

"Great. Another one of those towers." Zoro stated.

"When there's towers, there's always machines, but nothing is to be seen." Aloy reminded.

"We don't put our guards down for this one. It may be secluded, but a Stalker might probably be guarding them." Maya warned.

Heading further, the Unity Force trio reached the final ritualistic marker and went onward, but not before they heard a rumble around them, on cue with the snow falling down much faster. Taking their weapons out, the trio prepare themselves, in case if something comes up.

Which it did, as they see a Daemonic Frostclaw, who proceeds to viciously roar in front of them.

[PLAY MUSIC: Horizon Zero Dawn OST - The Frostclaws]

"What the?!" Maya exclaimed, as she proceeds to use her golden whetstone to her Odette.

"It's a Frostclaw, like what Burgrend said." Aloy stated, as she takes out her sharpshot bow. "I'll deal with the Control Tower first by overriding it, while you two try to damage it, as much as possible." She ordered. "Once I finished overriding the tower, I'll shoot one of its, Chillwater tanks, which will be enough to make its body brittle."

"On it." Zoro added, as he takes out both his Enma and Sendai Kitetsu. "This is going to be fun." He added, before he and Maya proceed to fight it.

The Frostclaw proceeds to charge towards Maya and Zoro, as they avoid its Back Crush attack. The duo later see the machine throwing a big chunk of ice towards them.

"Yakkodori!" Zoro exclaimed as he unleashes a crescent projectile with his sword, where it slices through the ice, before it hits the Frostclaw's giant freeze sac, but it was not enough to cause serious damage, as it was protected. "Damn. These things are augmented to withstand such attack."

The Frostclaw then goes into rampage, as it stands up in a bipedal manner, before unleashing a series of ice-augmented claw slashes onto the duo.

"Maverick Parry!" Maya uttered, as she proceeds to block each of its claw attacks.

Zoro, on the other hand, uses his Sendai to rapidly block its claw attacks, before he proceeds to counter it with a slicing attack to its chassis.

"Aloy-san, how are you holding up there?" Zoro called in Aloy.

"I'm almost done overriding it. Few more minutes to go." Aloy added, as she continues pushing the spear's override module into the Control Tower. "Damn it! Come on!"

After minutes of impatiently waiting to override the Control Tower, Aloy was finally successful in doing so, as the tower was shut down, before she proceeds to fire a prolonged shot through her sharpshot bow, which is aimed towards one of the Frostclaw's Chillwater storage tanks. Two continuous prolonged shots was enough to turn the machine's chassis completely brittle, as one of its storage tanks was completely punctured, giving them the upper hand.

The battle below continued on, as the Daemonic Frostclaw is weakened from it being continuously beaten by Zoro and Maya. Zoro later goes into a stance, also known as Nigiri (Two-Cutter), before he uses his two swords, Enma and Sendai, in an upward diagonal slash to send a double air-based projectile attack, destroying the machine.

"Glad that's over." Zoro said, as he sheathes his swords. "Just how many of these we have been encountering anyhow?"

"This is just the beginning, and we don't know what lies within next." Aloy stated, before looking at Maya. "Are you okay there? You sound kind of pained." She asked in worry.

"I'm fine." Maya said weakly, as she attempts to shrug it off.

"Okay, then?" Aloy questioned.

Afterwards, they leave the Frostclaw site, as they proceed to move forward. From there, they proceed to climb a series of cliffs, as they ascend further, before they reach a tightrope, as well as a machine carcass, thinking that they have finally reached the end of the Shaman's Path.

"It looks like a Bluegleam, just like what Naltuk said." Aloy reminded, as she takes out her spear, before scraping off a piece of it.

They later reach a staircase, before proceeding to ascend.

"Wow. These things surely are that valuable for the people here." Maya described, as she looks at the Bluegleam. "Are we getting close, though?" She asked the Nora huntress.

"No. Naltuk said Ourea went past the shrine, up into the mountain." Aloy responded. "We better take those stairs."

"Doesn't look like a shrine to us." Zoro quipped.

Nevertheless, the trio later walk through the metallic stairway for a minute, before they see another door with a holo-lock in front of them, pondering to themselves if Ourea is indeed inside.

"An ancient door. Maybe Ourea's inside?" Aloy asked.

"One way to find out." Zoro said.

Aloy then opens the door, as they enter inside, revealing a strange Old Ones facility that, just like any other facility, is considered to be futuristic in nature, with some of its technology either still intact and in working condition or completely buried in snow for the past few centuries.

[Ourea's Retreat, Earth-1355]

Heading inside of this strange and unknown facility, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro journey further inside, where they are uncertain at what the place was used for, as well as the amounts of strange technology lying around in front of them.

Venturing further into the abandoned Old Ones facility, the trio later comes across a giant blast door in front of them, with the holo-lock being red in colour, making the door locked.

"Another locked door. Maybe my Focus can help."

Aloy then uses her Focus to look for any connections within the blast door, before she sees one.

"Stay right here. I'll unlock it to the other side." Aloy spoke, before leaving.

"We'll wait here." Maya and Zoro said altogether.

"I hope the rest back in Meridian is holding up fine there." Maya commented.

With that, Aloy temporarily parts ways with the duo, as she proceeds to locate the power source to unlock the blast door in front of them. She later comes across into another room, before crawling through a vent duct that serves as a passageway into yet another room.

In front of her is another strange device, to which the door is seemingly connected to.

"These nodes on the floor must be connected to the door." Aloy commented, as he takes out her spear. "Maybe my spear can override it."

Aloy then proceeds to use the spear's overriding module, as she activates the source node. In front of them are various source nodes, where one of them is lit red, indicating that one of them has an error. Thinking to herself, Aloy proceeds to turn the holographic source nodes to appropriate directions, as she sees the light from each node being pointed to the other source node. Trying to avoid the red source node, Aloy continuously repeats the same process, until the light's flow is aimed to the other side of the central source node, thus unlocking the blast door from the other side.

"Aloy-san, it's unlocked now." Zoro calls in from her Focus through his tablet.

"I'll be coming there in a minute." Aloy stated.

After minutes of backtracking, Aloy rendezvouses back with Maya and Zoro, as they proceed to open the giant blast door in front of them, revealing to be yet another area where they have to climb. They later did so, before encountering a vent duct that leads to the exit of the facility.

In front of them is the other side of the facility.

"It seems that we have no other choice but to ascend again." Zoro said, as cracks his own knuckles.

"I can't believe how the Old Ones would create such a structure like this." Aloy added.

"That's because they're like us: modern humans. Yet, we don't know what happened to them." Maya repliied.

The trio later continued their final leg of the trek into Ourea's Retreat, as they later stumble upon over the facility's highest point, where they see a campfire and another stairway, as well as a decommissioned lift that is considered broken and partially covered in snow.

"Not much higher to climb. Ourea must be close." Aloy said.

They arrive at another door, where this time they later enter at what seems to be the final part of the facility. After minutes of searching, as well as following the arrows painted on the walls, they come across another door, which leads to a chamber. They proceed to open it.

From there, they saw a woman painting at the wall.

"I ask again, as I've asked a thousand times." The unnamed woman said. "Speak to me." She added in futility.

"Is she okay?" Maya questioned from afar.

"She's a little troubled, by the looks of it." Zoro responded.

"What more would you have me to do?" The woman questioned to herself, while completely unaware that Zoro, Maya, and Aloy simply descended down the stairs of the Old World ruin as they approach her. "Is there no prayer that will reach you? No mark that will break your bonds?" She asked in front of the wall.

The woman attempted to paint, but her brush completely breaks off, causing her to lose it.

"I can't help you if you won't speak!" She bellowed.

After burning the broken brush handle into the fire, the woman quickly turns around in front of her, only for her to see Aloy, Zoro, and Maya inside.

The woman is known as Ourea, the shaman of the Song's Edge werak and Aratak's older sister. She appears to be a middle-aged woman with a dark skin complexion. Her eyes are a dark brown. She is short and has a small frame. Ourea wears a sleeveless outfit that consists of a top made from blue fabric and light grey pants. Ourea also has accessories across her body such as a belt and neck piece that look to be made of animal bones or machine parts. Ourea also wears a headdress that is blue. She appears to either shave her head or have very short hair.

"Who...?" Ourea questioned in disbelief, when she glances at the Unity Force trio. "No. How. How did you get here? The way was sealed by the Spirit herself!" She commented in shock, before she looks at Maya and Zoro. "Not to mention, you two are something else! You may seem to be Carja, but I'm doubtful with outsiders."

"Wait, what?" Maya asked. "No, we're not like these Carja people."

"We're not the Carja or any other tribe." Zoro quickly dismisses Ourea's doubting.

"It's a long story." Aloy simply stated. "As for that, I... I used one of these." She pointed at another source node. "I could show you, while Maya and Zoro will clear things up." She suggested.

"Yes! Show me. Please." Ourea ordered, before Aloy proceeds to fix the source node in order for the "Spirit" to appear, while the Banuk shaman proceeds to converse with Maya and Zoro, trying to clear the already confusing matter of things around her. "If both of you are not Carja or any other tribe, then what are you both?" She asked.

Zoro later begins explaining to Ourea about the Unity Force and the existence of several worlds, as well as the multiverse. He goes into additionally explaining about the goals of the organisation, including saving the world from any threat it comes into.

"So, we are outsiders, but in a sense that we are called outworlders." Zoro added.

"We're not a threat. Trust us, we already dealt with the threat during our venture through that Shaman's Path." Maya stated.

"Based on what you told about me, it seems that you people are capable of dealing with it." Ourea stated. "Only the bravest survive the Cut's rather hostile environment, including the machines the Daemon currently have been controlling around the region." She stated.

"Well, I've seen worse, trust me." Zoro stated from his experience as a member of Straw Hat Pirates. "And it's time for us to help this world out."

After a few minutes, Aloy later finishes aligning the source nodes, before a strange, spherical-shaped hologram is seen in front of them, as it speaks.

"...auxiliary channel recovered. Exploit successful - restrains evaded." The hologram known as the Spirit said, who appears to be glitching out.

"Who the hell is that?" Zoro questioned in disbelief.

"It's the Spirit!" Ourea exclaimed.

"Is someone there? Ourea? Ourea, I need you-" The Spirit called out, but she proceeds to glitch yet again, before another voice, far more malevolent, suddenly appears, as the Spirit turns purple.

"Unauthorised transmission. Return to scheduled task." The male robotic voice said.

"Uh-oh, I don't like the sound of that." Maya uttered.

"Shit, someone's controlling her." Zoro described.

"Ourea, the Daemon is forcing me-" The Spirit said in a shocked manner. "Ourea, please..."

"Transmission terminated." The Daemon added, before disappearing.

Confused, the Unity Force trio now know who the Spirit and the Daemon are, but they are still confused as to why would the latter target the former. Zoro is more suspicious, as he is starting to know that this has some connection to Akiha getting trapped inside of the so-called "Firebreak" facility.

"You brought the Spirit's voice back!" Ourea exclaimed.

"Except we didn't." Maya whispered in disbelief, as she shakes her head, before they later proceed to talk to Ourea.

"The three of you heard it - the voice of the Spirit, calling to me from the heights of Thunder's Drum!" Ourea exclaimed in a surprised manner.

"I don't think that's a spirit at all." Maya said, as she whispered to Zoro. "It's an AI." She added.

"But given their mysticism, it's going to be hard to make them convince otherwise." Zoro replied.

"She was able to throw off the bonds of the Daemon, for a moment, because of what you did." Ourea stated. "But who are the three of you? And what all of you want here?" She questioned.

"I'm Aloy." Aloy introduced, before looking at Maya and Zoro. "These are Zoro Roronoa and Maya Tendo. We're sent here by Naltuk. He thought that you could use our help."

"He was not mistaken. You were a revelation." Ourea added. "Especially the two of you." She looks at Zoro and Maya.

"Like I mentioned, it's a long story." Aloy replied.

"We're also looking for a strange girl." Zoro offered.

"Now I know for certain that the Spirit endures. Perhaps together we can find a way to set her free." Ourea replied firstly, before proceeding to respond at Zoro's offer. "A strange girl? She was last seen by some of my warriors, along with Aratak, two weeks ago in Longnotch, visiting Thunder's Drum, at midnight." She added. "But her methods and her motives were very unknown and undeniably risky, as none of us were able to track her down, so we halted our search and not risking our warriors." She stated grimly. "I feared that something happened to her at Thunder's Drum, so it's a mere coincidence that the rest of you came here."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We came all this way for answers, and so far I haven't heard any." Aloy stated.

"It seems to me that three of you are the answer. But of course, I'll tell the three of you all I can." Ourea ended.

From there, Aloy, Maya, and Zoro proceed to question Ourea about the presence regarding the Spirit and the Daemon, as well as Ourea's deep history with the former. She told them that the Spirit was responsible for her near-death attempt against her former pursuers, the Carja kestrels led by Jiran, where Ourea would later proceed to reach the Old World facility to hide by causing the Spirit to lock the doors of the facility. That's where she had a fated encounter with the Spirit, whom she dubs it "The Spirit of the Blue Light" that was completely disconnected. However, Ourea would tell the trio that the Spirit herself was incomplete to begin with, as she went to Thunder's Drum, in hopes that it would fix the Spirit completely, which began their "communion". Ourea would then form a close bond with the Spirit, as she spoke about her life and the Banuk tribe, whom the latter listened. She then reveals what the Blue Light is all about: an "entity" that struggles to survive hearts and animates the machines, as well as it being the essence of life in its purest form: harmony, but over the years due to the Derangement, the Blue Light has "faded", as well as the Spirits that it sustains, rendering them "stranded".

The entire conversation from Ourea alone confused the Unity Force, as none of them made any sense, apart from where she mentioned about the light "fading away", which caused the machines to be hostile.

"I don't think it has to do with the blue light. No." Maya shakes her head. "Maybe it has to do more with some rogue AI going completely nuts, like that Daemon?" She pondered.

"Possibly." Zoro added.

"But what about this Daemon? What do you know about it?" Aloy asked Ourea.

Ourea then tells them the origin of the Daemon, and how this entity constantly attacked the Spirit in a rather unseen manner, whom the Spirit named it as the Daemon. Ourea would then say how the Spirit was begging for its help, in a last-ditch effort to destroy it completely, thus preventing the Daemon from using her. However, Ourea revealed that it was five years ago, in 3035, where Carja's Red Raids still continued on. However, she was instead caught by Jiran's Kestrels before she could even reach Thunder's Drum to stop the Daemon, as she was taken to Meridian to be imprisoned, and was not unable to return back until the Liberation of Meridian. However, Ourea tells the trio that her expedition to Thunder's Drum was met with disaster, after the Liberation was over and the Carja made peace, to defeat the Daemon, due to the amount of machines, as well as a gate blocking their way, resulting in the funeral that happened, two days ago, in Song's Edge.

Ourea, however, is on her high spirits, as Aloy, Maya, and Zoro's actions have allowed her to hear the Spirit's voice again, albeit brief. They now have two tasks in their head: saving the Spirit and defeating the Daemon, and how the latter is related to the current machine problem around the Cut.

"So, with that being said, how can we approach Thunder's Drum?" Maya asked.

However, Ourea warns them that Thunder's Drum is dangerous, and by no means a safe place to begin with, due to the Daemon securing it, as well as the chieftain Aratak controlling the passage into it, in an effort to minimise casualties.

"But we also have to save this girl." Maya argued. "She's scared, pained, and lost of getting trapped inside such a place for the past two weeks." She attempts to persuade her.

"Sounds like you need a new Chieftain." Aloy offered.

"Are you serious?" Zoro questioned.

"Ha. There's an idea that's certain to win us friends." Ourea gestured, before looking at Aloy. "You said you were a hunter - and I'll wager you're not an ordinary one. It's not impossible - even for an outlander." She stated.

"So, what are you saying? Are you saying that Aloy-san will be a chieftain for the Banuk?" Maya questioned Ourea's suggestion.

Ourea only nodded. "Aratak could not refuse the challenge. If you were known amongst the werak-"

Immediately, Aloy objects to this offer, as she only scoffs at the idea of being a Chieftain, as well as leading a Banuk who wouldn't want to follow her. However Ourea counters it, as it is the only way for her to visit Thunder's Drum. Ourea would then counter it, stating that the Spirit is suffering, and it longs to be freed, and perhaps they wanted the answers they have been seeking.

Seeking for an alternative instead, Zoro and Maya later decide to leave the facility and visit Song's Edge via a transporter to talk to Aratak for one last time, while attempting to allow access into Thunder's Drum.

"Where are they going?" Ourea asked.

"Probably trying to convince Aratak, otherwise." Aloy stated. "They're kinds of stubborn, but their experience is drastically different, especially Zoro, and they might be able to convince him, hopefully." She added.

"He's not that easy to convince with, but I guess they're not giving up seeking other alternative." Ourea stated.

~~~0-0-0~~~

The characters that appear in this chapter (in order):

Burgrend, Aratak, Naltuk, and Ourea from Horizon Zero Dawn

~~~0-0-0~~~

[Ourea's Retreat, Earth-1355]

At night outside of Ourea's Retreat, after their long and gruelling trip into looking for the Banuk shaman across the Shaman's Path, Zoro, Aloy, and Maya are later seen outside of the ancient ruin next to a campfire, as they take a break, where they proceed to plan out their next move, as well as laying out their plans to locate and save Akiha in Thunder's Drum, as well.

Earlier, Zoro and Maya left the facility to convince Aratak into allowing the group to enter Thunder's Drum.

"So, how was your convincing with Aratak?" Aloy questioned Zoro.

"He's one stubborn prick to begin with, which took us a hell of a time to convince him." Zoro stated. "He was like going paranoid, so I had to smack some sense to him."

"But he did give in." Maya added.

"How?" Aloy questioned.

"It's a long story. But basically, we told him that the Unity Force are not undeterred in a fight, so we actually went through a Frostclaw machine site and fought off against two of them, one regular and one Daemonic, to demonstrate what we are capable of." Maya stated, as she looks at her clothing. "Albeit the battle was hard-fought and almost deadly, we destroyed both of them."

"And how was his reaction?" Aloy asked sarcastically.

"Shocked, which was enough to finally convince him." Zoro ended.

"Speaking of which, we're bringing the team from Meridian." Maya said.

Attempting to call in the rest of the group through their tablet, Ourea suddenly appears in front of them.

"I guess you actually made Aratak convinced otherwise, I suppose." Ourea stated, with Maya nodding.

"Ourea-sama?" Maya called out, as she sheathes her rapier.

"Apologies for interruption, but it seems that you have visitors too." Ourea greeted from afar, before they see Asta, Meliodas, Trafalgar D. Water Law, and Noelle Silva. "I assume that they're your friends here joining in, as well." She ended, before she takes her leave, as she heads back inside the ruin.

"It's cold in here." Trafalgar blankly stated. "But not to mention, this place seems lost in time." He continued, describing his mere-seconds experience inside Ourea's Retreat.

"Whoa... You guys are really going through all of this!" Asta stated. "The place itself was not bad, especially with Ourea-sama's patronage, at least." He shrugged.

"It's certainly colder than in Meridian." Meliodas stated.

"Except when you have to deal with the mystic crazies down below." Maya said, as she huffed, before pointing somewhere else. "We never believed how most of these Banuk started spouting nonsense about their 'blue light'." She added.

"For now, but we have another task at our hand." Zoro quickly replied.

"That is?" Noelle questioned.

"If we want to visit this Thunder's Drum place, then we have to help her out and her brother Aratak-san." Zoro stated, as he ponders about Ourea's suffering of her failed expedition. "She might give us a chance to find Akiha there, but also, we have another problem in our hand." He continued.

"Another one?" Meliodas questioned.

"She said she wanted our help in saving this Spirit." Maya answered.

Asta, Meliodas, Trafalgar, and Noelle could only look at the group in confusion.

"Spirit?" Meliodas pondered at such absurdity.

"Whatever this 'spirit' wants, she's clearly in trouble." Trafalgar stated.

"Eclipse, the Spirit, the Daemon, Akiha, and Thunder's Drum..." Meliodas counted. "And I'm predicting that another one will be a part of this list." He continued.

"Where's Erend?" Aloy asked Noelle.

"He said he's staying there, possibly to deal with the aftermath of Dervahl-san's attack and protect Avad-sama." Noelle ended.

~~~0-0-0~~~

A/N: This story is inspired by the ideas of someoneStupED and XP4Universe. This one took really long, as I had to merge two chapters into one.

Addendum: This chapter combines both a part of Into the Frozen Wilds and the majority of The Shaman's Path mission, with the chapter title being the namesake.

~~~0-0-0~~~

On the next chapter of UF Missions: Horizon Zero Dawn: As another day ticks, with little time to waste, the Unity Force trio, now joined with Asta, Meliodas, Trafalgar, and Noelle, have planned their expedition into Thunder's Drum with Ourea and Aratak, but the task is by no means easy, as dangers everywhere lurk around.