CHAPTER 1: Prologue 1/3

Horizon Zero Dawn, has been one of the most incredible games I've played for quite some time. The story, character design, concept and more. It truly lived up to my expectation to the point where the urge to write my own take regarding a character I imagined and how he may have an impact on the world itself. Now let it be known that this story takes place along side the main storyline but does not however interact with it directly (at least not yet).

Disclaimer

I do not own Horizon Zero Dawn. Any Quotes, Plotlines used (inspiration from other shows or games) within the story will be given credit and as I've said before I do not own any of it.

The purpose of my stories is to entertain those who are willing to read my own take of something I've enjoyed playing or watching's.


In the Heart of the wilderness, on the peak of the highest mountain range, the first ray of sunlight began to shimmer across the valley like golden silk, casting a warm glow that illuminated the lush foliage and rugged terrain beneath the towering mountains, animals that lived in the forest rouse from their slumber, humanity waking up from their homes made in a harmonious blend of towering trees, gleaming and rusting metal structures and intricate stonework built upon the ruins of a forgotten city.

Humanities wakes up to greet a new day and so did the…. Machines!

The ground shook as a giant metal foot stomped heavily on the earth, sending tremors throughout the forest. A few small animals scurried away, alarmed by the sudden intrusion. However, what emerged from the unfolding event was not a creature of flesh and blood, but a colossal elephant-shaped machine that was now roaming before their eyes.

The elephant's body was made entirely of gleaming metal, with intricate hydraulic systems visible throughout its frame and weapons one can only imagine the damage it may cause. Its eyes blinked to life, revealing a piercing blue glow that glinted in the sunlight as it surveyed the surrounding forest, and its enormous tusks of metal clearing the path of all that stood in its way leaving behind flattened earth and bent trees in their wake. A smaller pack of worm-like machines scurried around its feet, each one resembling a metallic centipede with one glowing blue eye and two legs that quickly synchronized with the giant machine's movements.

As the giant beast began to move, its metal feet thudding heavily on the ground, the smaller machines followed it like a swarm of loyal followers. Their worm-like appearance looked almost comical in comparison to the massive beast, but they moved through the underbrush with impressive speed and agility. Together, they roamed across the forest, moving like an unstoppable entourage. The elephant machine trumpeted a great metallic roar that echoed through the valley, signaling to the smaller machines that it was time to move on and to other metallic beasts that they were here.

This was the world that existed now, the world after ruin and the start of something new, A world were its denizens were left with the splendors of creation with beasts of air, water, earth… and steel.

Every great tale starts somewhere, this one starts in the depths of an old ruin….


"Kairos! Kairos, where are you?"

The voice shouted in the distance above, its urgency growing with each passing moment, The person in question didn't seem to care, as his attention lay somewhere else. The scavenger climbed carefully down his hands and feet finding purchase on the rough concrete and rusted metal of an old-world building that had collapsed into the earth, creating a sinkhole and crater where it once stood.

He felt worried, anxiousness coursed through his body as he went down further to reach the darkness underneath it, wondering if the destruction They caused was worth it.

"Kairos, dammit, answer me! we've done enough searching for the day let's get you back up!" the voice shouted louder for his companion to hear, and Kairos could tell from the sound of his tone, his friend was clearly about to shit himself.

Kairos chuckled at the thought.

"Yeah, yeah. No need to cry about it. I'll be up in a bit; I just need to investigate abet more down here." Kairos replied, his voice muffled under the scarf that was wrapped around his mouth making sure he didn't inhale any of the dust or black smoke that was coming out of the hole.

Kairos stopped for a moment seeing his reflection on the side of a metal post that was once a part of the building and is now embedded within the ground, making him wonder if he was at least prepared to face whatever challenges laid underneath this rubble. Most of his face was covered by his scarf with the only thing visible being his old greying messy hair and brown eyes with visible wrinkles on his forehead.

The brown leather jacket he was wearing with a few ornate metal pieces stitched intricately on the shoulders, forearms, and back would stop whatever object or machine from hurting him, along with the paneled leather black pants that had some metal plates stitched to his upper and lower thighs and joints. The footwear was brownish like boots made from some animal's hide and had been held together with metal plates and machine wires to protect his sole, bottom sole and heel.

Kairos also had his bow, arrows tucked in the quiver that was strapped to his left and a few closer quarter weapons he stashed away in his pack. He adjusted the cable around his waist, knowing that if things went south all he had to do was call out for help and his companions would pull him back up immediately.

"Alright. No turning back now, Violet did say she wanted a souvenir went I get back" Kairos mumbled to himself thinking about his mate who was waiting for him back home. He took a deep breath and steeled his resolve. Kairos leaped off the edge he was on and started jumping off each ledge he could find in the terrain, allowing him to delve deeper within the ground. Hoping that whatever laid underneath better had some value to sell.

"This isn't so ba- "his line of thought gets cut as a small slip on the landing caused him to slip off the ledge, his arms flared up holding on to whatever rugged edge of ground and metal he could find for dear life. Suddenly a large tremor occurred underneath and the screeching sound of the building that had been plunged into the hole began to sink.

"Oh shit, Kairos you need to get out of there, now!" another voice shouted this time resembling that of a woman.

"Get the hell out of here before this hole drags you two in here!" Kairos shouted. Hoping they would hear him. With gritted teeth, he took a quick glance at what was happening. Whatever was left of the building was slowly collapsing, and with the sinkhole expanding, he knew going up would be pointless.

"Oh, Old ones"

As rumble began to come crashing dawn, metal scraps flew off the rusted building nearby and the cries of his companions began to fade into the background, all Kairos could see and hear was everything going south. Suddenly a blinding blue light emerged underneath the darkness of the sinkhole, and the sound of something opening got his attention, Kairos blinked, unsettled by what he had just witnessed but quickly got out of his stupor realizing that whatever that was could be his best chance of survival,

Noticing a strand of wires dangling close to him as it slowly sunk, Kairos took a knife strapped to his side and cut the wire wrapped around him before climbing on top of the ledge he was one, He toes rising to find some manner of footing.

"Come on, come on, come on!" he mumbled patiently, timing his leap.

Adrenaline pumped through his veins and in a daring act, he lunged towards the cable, instinctively using all his strength to hold on to it for dear life, heart racing further and the wind rushing all over him. Using the momentum of his leap, he swung across multiple cables hoping to get as close to the side of the pit as possible. With one final swing remaining, Kairos flung himself as far as the cable could and managed to crash into the wall of pit.

"Hopefully the fall won't kill me!" he shouted to himself as he slid down the ground, his gloved hands tried to slow his descent to the center of the hole, feeling the ground began to follow.

Kairos closed his eyes the moment he fell, feeling the wind blow through his felt his entire frame as he braced himself for the inevitable impact that was to occur with only one thing on his mind.

"Violet…my beloved, I couldn't find anything good to bring back. I'm sorry".