Aloy grunted as she landed on the mossy ground. Swiping the dirt off her trousers she made way to the man heading straight for the gates. She knew her skills far exceeded his, but she also knew any information from him could provide useful.

"Halt."

The man grudgingly turned over and with the most dull tone in his voice he spoke, "Yes Huntress?"

Not wavering over his demeanor Aloy jabbed a thumb behind her, "Was there anything exciting or suspicious about the Tenakth?"

"No."

Taken aback by the sudden answer Aloy pierced her eyebrows together. "No?"

The man let out an exasperated sigh as he threw an arm over her shoulder and swung the both of them in the direction of the jungle.

Throwing his palm in front of her eyes he pointed straight, "They spend most of their time fighting each other, fucking, and killing only trespassers."

The weight of his body weight lessened as he made way towards the gate. Parting with the words, "What else would you expect from an uncivilized tribe."

With a groan of frustration Aloy twirled her spear and slammed it on the wet ground besides her. Crouching down Aloy stared at the jungle that stretched for miles upon miles. The noise of lights clicking on and off, the hooves of the machines pouncing on the ground and the screeches of metal.

She would remain there as she came up with a decision. The overflowing green of the jungle seemingly surrounding her, the trees stretching as if they were miles high above her. Would the Tenakth expect her?

The dancing flames from the candlelight looked as if they were cheering Nil on as his chest touched the floor of the tent. A bead of sweat falling down his temple, ever so slowly did it fall between the slit of his lips.

The bitterness of it dwelling on his tongue.

With another agonizing push up, Nil pushed himself up and against the bed frame. The wound on his arm still felt fresh, but bled much more less.

The light of a new day showed itself to Nil as the flaps of the tent was pulled back and a woman came in with a tray filled with food.

Taking in his shirtless form the women hesitated and turned quickly back. The tray trembled in response to her nervousness as her face tinted with red.

"I apologize, I didn't real-"

"Bring the food here."

Nil beckoned for her to come over, and patted the ground. Composing herself she sat down besides him and set the tray on the ground. "It's bone broth filled with herbs, meat and what not, oh and there's also bread!"

Nil thanked her as he tore a piece of bread and dunked it into the broth. He almost hummed in delight at the warmth it gave him.

Noticing her still there he motioned to the food. "Are you wanting to eat some of it?"

The woman blinked in confusion and practically threw herself upwards, "No."

Before she slipped through the tent she was stopped by Nil asking for her name.

With a smile the woman's eyes gleamed in delight, "Yonna."

As the light dissipated, Nil continued to eat in silence. Finishing the bread first then on the the meat. After everything was done he conquered the broth by bringing the bowl towards his lips and drinking the contents. The warmth of the liquid searing down his throat.

Grabbing the tray he sat it next to the candle light. The bed creaked ever so slightly as he sat down. Reaching for his vest he slowly put it on, his wound aching from the small workout. He would only spend a day here he told himself.

He secured his quiver behind his back and leaned over to sheathed his dagger, the cold hilt of it pressing against his abdomen. Grabbing onto his bow he latched her behind his back.

He ran his rough hand through his hair. Pulling back any loose strands and attached his headdress. The bright red feathers making him feel at home.

Looking towards the candle, he was reminded of the encounter in the bar. The light dancing along his skin only seemed to be taunting him on his next move.

With a calm demeanor Nil pinched the root of the flame and watched as the room was drained from all color. The sizzle from the fire only delighted his fingertips.

The flaps of the tent was opened and Nil was faced with the bustling of the small village. His eyes catching on Yonna. He wasn't oblivious to her likeness of him.

Heading outwards, Nil made way towards the jungle. Another heart to be broken as he kept in mind to never return.

The tribe of the Tenakth showed no regret in any aspect of their life. Aloy tapped her focus and was met with the familiar purple that covered her vision. Highlighting the tribesmen and scanning the surrounding area of any machines.

She always wondered what their aspect on them were, did they feel fear? Was that the one thing they felt fear from, or did they attack anything on sight like the man said.

Smiling to herself she noted that it could be the reason of no machines in the range of her focus.

Her smile would soon morph into a frown as she noted the children running around with partially no clothing. No protection to the humidity in the jungle.

Although Aloy can understand the feeling of wanting to strip down to a bare minimum in the temperature. Turning off her focus she decided to observe the tribe with her own eyes.

Living as an outcast still was not enough to provide her with the information of the outside world. Since venturing she had no knowledge of the Tenakth or the Utaru. They were truly a league of their own.

Her leg dangled from the abandoned outpost. There really was nothing pinning them to the murders. She really didn't have a reason to not believe the spy. Avad trusted him enough to go on his own.

Her motive wasn't clear enough. She told herself she would find out if no one else did. Was she trying so hard to prove to Avad?

Her finger trailed the upper limb of her bow. Eyes solely focused on the two men below. A fight had broken out over a woman. Who seemed too much excited over the brawl aimed for her.

A side of Aloy wanted to sit and watch to see who the victor was. An arrow was pulled out of her quiver as she watched a spear imbed itself into one of the men as the woman stood up and cheered.

Throwing the herself to the victor without checking upon his rival. Oblivious to the any of them Aloy drew back the arrow and aimed it at the man with a spear carved deep into his side.

Her hand wavered as she watched in horror as he gritted his teeth with a bloodied smile and rip it from his side, aiming it at the mans neck.

"A battle to the death."

Murmured Aloy as she lowered her bow and turned her face from the upcoming blow. She could now see how it was possible for one Tenakth tribesmen to take out multiple Carja soldiers.

Standing up, she threw her arrow back into the quiver. She needed answers. She waited for them to pull the corpses away. Knowing fully well that spear man would still have some seconds ticking by before he perished.

On cue she stabbed the bow on the zip line and pushed her body from the outpost. She had to act fast. As she let go of the zip line she tumbled into a patch of red grass.

Her legs froze in place as she barely took into recognition of a guard in his outpost. Biting her lip Aloy felt her stomach drop as the man bled out.

"Fuck."

Pressured by time running out Aloy ripped an arrow from her quiver without hesitation and drew it back. The arrow pulled back the skin of her cheek as she steadied her hand.

Her ears felt warm as she let go of the arrow and felt the feathers touch her cheek before sticking itself deep into the mans skull. A satisfying thunk as his form fell from the outpost and away from her vision.

Quickly she dashed to the now unconscious form. Aloy cursed as she slapped him and shook him. To no avail would he ever wake up. Hastily she put her finger below his nose. Slapping the ground Aloy cried out in frustration.

It was all for naught. "Are you shitting me."

Her senses froze as she felt a sting from her cheek. In the far distance she could hear the thump of an arrow carving into a tree.

Rolling away she looked back to see yet another arrow pierce itself into the dead mans forehead. Looking on in horror she saw what seemed to be the whole village with arrows pointed directly in her direction. She felt as vulnerable as a wild boar.

Agile on her feet Aloy made a mad dash to the abandoned outpost. Unbeknown to the Tenakth that lay dead on the misty grass. Where colorful arrows lay deep inside their skulls. Where an eye drained from color followed her form retreat from the grasp of the jungle.