Hey guys.
Sorry it took so long to release this, school has been, as the Carja would call it, a great shadow over my head. Kinda bummed there weren't as many reviews as last time, but oh well.
Chapter 5: Sacred Lands, Savaged Lands
"Home at last," Sona mused.
By the grace of All-Mother, the Nora's made it back without much struggle...aside from a close call with a Thunderjaw. They had been gone for merely two weeks, enough for Sona to realize how much she had taken the Sacred Lands for granted. The cool air, familiar foliage, the constant presence of nature... the sight of an oak nearly caused the exhausted and sore War-Chief to break down in tears.
Control yourself, she thought. Be the example for Nora to follow.
But even Sona could not resist a pause before Mother's Crown. She closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of pine, savoring the chill against her skin. All-Mother was welcoming her home, and for a moment, the world and its struggles disappeared.
The sight of the Sacred Mountain had revitalized the Braves. A few more steps, and they could be with All-Mother once more. Yet, their eagerness was mixed with uncertainty. The Embrace still bore the scars of the latest attack: Mother's Cradle was now a pile of torn lumber, much like the fallen trees littering the ground, and the gates which had been the pride of the Nora. Mother's Watch was little more than a pile of cinders. No longer did the Embrace provide the security and safety that the Nora had taken for granted. For the Braves, an additional challenge loomed over their heads, a question they dreaded answering: how would they tell the tribe about the Anointed? What could they tell the tribe?
"Deathbringer!"
Immediately, the Braves scrambled into the grass, hoping that the demon hadn't noticed them. As they looked forward, their panic turned into confusion. The machine wasn't moving: in fact, it was slumped forward, as if asleep. Was it...
Slowly, they approached the Deathbringer, which continued to show no signs of life. It seemed that the demon was dead, but how? There were no corpses nearby, hardly any rubble, no signs of damage on the machine. It was as if it had died on its own accord.
"A strange omen,"
"What is this?"
"How did-"
"Continue!" Sona barked, ending all whispers.
"They've returned!"
"The War-Party has returned!"
"All-Mother be praised!"
Nakoa nearly dropped her spear when she saw a group of Braves coming out of the Sacred Mountain.
"At ease," War-Chief Sona replied once the Braves were in speaking distance. "Have there been any more attacks since our departure?"
While the Braves busied themselves with reporting, Nakoa looked around for the man who helped her into the Lodge. What was his name again? Ted? No, that wasn't it...there he is.
"The High Matriarchs are allowing people inside the mountain?" she whispered.
He nodded in reply. "During the attack on the Embrace, they decided it was the safest choice,"
Nakoa chose against asking further: best not to draw attention.
Entering the Sacred Mountain should have felt like a blessing, a reward for a hard-fought battle. Instead, Varl felt his burden growing heavier and heavier with every second.
He did his best to shut out the whispers of the tribe, only focusing on his next step until his mother's arms stopped him from walking into the High Matriarchs.
"War-Chief. Braves. Welcome home," Jezza announced. Varl held back a smirk: even here, Sona's need for formalities was remembered.
"We assume that you were victorious?" Lansra asked.
"You assume correctly, High Matriarch Lansra," Sona replied. "The threat to our tribe is no more,"
"Well, that is wonderful news!" Teersa proclaimed. "And as you have no doubt seen, the demons of the Metal Devil have fallen without the strength of their master."
Dread roared in Varl's ears, overwhelming the cheers of the Nora echoing inside the chamber.
"Where is the Anointed?"
And there it is.
By a stroke of bad luck, none of the Braves noticed Aloy's absence outside. Now, instead of telling a few exhausted Nora, they would have to shatter the hope of the entire tribe. Varl glanced to Sona.
"The Anointed...did not return with us to the Sacred Lands. All-Mother has given her another task," Sona replied. Varl nearly dropped his bow in shock. War-Chief Sona lying to the tribe? Sona, whose favorite sentence since the Proving had been "our tribe needs strength, not sentiment"?
The High Matriarchs stood silent for a moment before exchanging crestfallen nods. The energy in the Mountain had dimmed, but not to the extent that it had in the Lodge.
"I see," Teersa replied, the joyous ring gone from her voice.
"There is something else," Sona continued. "The Sun-King has a matter that he wishes to discuss with the three of you. The details have been entrusted to Varl to share,"
Suddenly, all eyes were facing the young Brave. Varl wondered if this was how Aloy felt after leaving All-Mother.
"...Sun-King Avad asked that we speak of this in private," said Varl, hoping that none of his panic reached his voice.
"For what reason should this be kept a secret?" Lansra sneered.
"It's...a sensitive matter," Varl answered.
"We will honor the Sun-King's request," said Teersa, giving a pointed glare to Lansra.
"If only you loved the Nora wit-"
"Sisters," Jezza interrupted, a firm warning to her fellow Matriarchs. She led the three of them to an alcove, away from prying ears.
"I'm glad to see you are safe," Jezza said to Varl.
"Thank you, Hi-"
"Oh come, child. No need for such formalities with me," she interrupted, her eyes filled with maternal warmth and arms raised for a hug. Varl couldn't help but smile as he returned the gesture.
"I missed you, grandmother," he said as the two separated.
"Have you been taking care of your mother, Varl?"
"As much as she'll let me," Varl grumbled, causing Jezza to shake her head knowingly.
"So, what message did the Sun-King have for us?"
Varl exhaled, trying to calm his nerves. "...Sun-King Avad is offering to help the Nora rebuild after the recent attacks."
Lansra scoffed, while Teersa looked up in interest. "Did he now?"
"Accept his help? Have you forgotten what happened the last time we allowed one of those bloodthirsty Carja into our Sacred Lands?"
"What happened at the Proving was not their fault!"
"Sisters," Jezza warned, before turning back to Varl. "Did the Sun-King ask for anything in return?"
"He...no, nothing. He said that it was to repay us...well, mainly Aloy,"
"For defeating the Metal Devil?"
"That's part of it...I forgot exactly what he said, but it sounds like Aloy's done a lot for the Carja...something about stopping a plot on the Sun-King's life,"
The High Matriarchs looked to each other, curious with this new bit of information.
"Sisters...do you think it wise to trust the Carja? How do we know there is nothing else behind his generosity?" Lansra asked.
"Lansra-"
"She does have a point, Teersa. We should know the terms of this aid before we accept it,"
"I fully agree. However, is it wise for us to wait? The dark times may be over, but our tribe is still weak,"
"Ummm..." Varl interjected.
"We will discuss this matter further," Jezza replied. "Is there anything else, Varl?"
Suddenly, the Focus felt like a boulder in Varl's pouch.
This is my only chance to keep my Seeker blessing.
"Yes. Before Al..before we left, Aloy..." What do I say? "Aloy asked me to do something for her. She told me that I would have to enter the Metal World to do it,"
All three of the High Matriarchs froze.
"What did she ask?"
"She...she didn't say exactly, only that I would understand once I did it." Varl half-lied. "...I ask that I be allowed to keep my Seeker blessing until I complete this task,"
Lansra looked at him suspiciously. "How do we know you are telling the truth?"
"Sisters, I ask for a moment alone with Varl," Teersa interjected. Lansra and Jezza looked at each other, but saw no reason to argue.
"Uh...High Matriarch Teersa?" Varl asked uncertainly. Teersa didn't answer until the door was shut firmly behind her two fellow Matriarchs.
"I apologize for the secrecy, but I believe I know what Aloy is speaking about,"
"Y-y-you do?"
Teersa nodded. "Shortly before Aloy left Mother's Watch, she told me something that has troubled me for ages. Apparently, she went inside a ruin once, and it greatly resembled All-Mother."
Varl blinked in shock. How could the Metal World look like the goddess?
Teersa nodded, as if sensing Varl's bewilderment. "I did not believe it when she told me, but she insisted it was so. I admit that this is a matter beyond even my understanding. Perhaps Aloy has uncovered something she did not have time to probe further. If that is the case, then I can believe that she would ask for your help. Sona told us that you seem to share a special bond with Aloy,"
"Dammit, mother," Varl grumbled under his breath, his face burning in embarrassment. Teersa smiled warmly at the sight.
"Did she say anything else about this matter?"
Varl hesitated. "No," he answered, deciding not to speak about the Focus. What point in bringing it up if he didn't understand it himself?
"I see. I will speak to my sister Matriarchs about this affair. In the meantime, keep this to yourself, and get some rest. I can imagine that you are exhausted after your journey home,"
Varl nodded. "Thank you, High Matriarch Teersa,"
Well, here we are again.
As to why Jezza is Varl's grandmother rather than his great-grandmother: Teersa and Lansra have been High Matriarchs for at least 18 years, and it just doesn't make sense for three women to be great-grandmothers for that long. It also gives Jezza a more active role in the universe, something she was missing in the game. Speaking of Teersa and Lansra, those two argue like the politicians in Washington (for the record, I'm not picking sides).
Man, this chapter was hard to write. I know it feels like filler, but I hope that it does a good job of setting up for what's to come. As always, let me know what you thought in the reviews. Any questions, comments, ideas for improvement, etc.