A.N. A lot of Nora lore was screwed up for this chapter, I sincerely apologize. There's also a decent amount of humor in this chapter. I hope you enjoy. Happy Reading.

Chapter 7

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They headed back to the hovel with the evening sun at their backs. Two shadows lie cast on the ground, one towering over the other.

"The black fox is rare, strong, and ceaselessly hunted for its value. It faces many surmounting odds in the wild but does not stray from its focus. It is quick, quiet, and dan—"

"And cute!" Aloy pet the black fox resting in her arms. A bandage still wrapped around its leg, where a poacher's arrow had taken it down.

"Don't be fooled by its sweet face. The black fox is a cunning master of its enemies. It is the only animal a Nora hunter will never kill."

"Why?"

"The tribe consider it bad luck."

"Why?"

"Tradition."

"What tradition?"

"Honor of the black fox encourages a plentiful harvest and prosperity through winter. The tribe catch one every year and bring it back to Mother's Heart."

"Why?"

"The fox is a messenger of peace to All-Mother."

"What do the Nora do to it?"

"The matriarch's chant prayers of gratitude to All-Mother and blessed beads are hung around the fox's neck. It is fed well and stays however long it chooses. The longer it stays, the more fruitful the year."

"Does the fox remember the Nora?"

"Rarely, but sometimes, yes."

"Does it ever returnon its own?"

"There are only a few instances of a fox's return in Nora history. It is a warning of something to come."

"I want to be like the fox." Aloy said with naïve jubilance.

"Then start by asking fewer questions. Remember what I said, the black fox is quiet." Rost ruffled her hair with his hand. "Follow." He said gently and she jogged to keep up with his long strides.

Present—Rost's Hovel

The marking. For years she watched Rost mix a darker shade for the lines he drew on his face, never knowing their true meaning. She played with the paint as a kid, drawing blue patterns down and across her face like a Tenakth. Rost explained the marks of the braves and seekers, but never his own.

The afternoon sun shone through the hovel's window, and in a small wooden bowl, Aloy mixed the blue paint. Tilda watched her, as one would if they were idle with nothing better to do.

"What's that for?"

Aloy stuck a finger in the paint and moved to where Tilda rested with her hip pressed to the edge of Rost's workbench. One glance at her approaching form and Tilda uncrossed her arms, trying to read the situation as Aloy stopped close and lifted a blue tipped finger from the bowl.

Tilda leaned away, eyeing the fingertip level with her face.

"Stay still."

Tilda's gaze warmed her skin but Aloy kept her eyes focused on the task. She didn't dare look into Tilda's eyes. That deep gaze carried too much weight, and made her think too many things.

With easy, careful strokes Aloy drew the pattern along Tilda's right eye. "There. Now you're a Brave."

"Someone important to your tribe?"

Aloy looked down and set the bowl on the workbench. "Braves work under the War Chiefs to protect Nora boundaries." Aloy stepped back and a chill ran down her spine at how the marking exacerbated the cold look in Tilda's eyes. She could've sparred with Sona and lived to tell about it; Tilda hailed as a great Nora warrior. Now that'd be a fight worth seeing.

"There's not much I can tell you…I wasn't part of the tribe for long." Aloy turned her back to Tilda and wandered away.

"And you're sure they won't know I don't belong?"

"They shouldn't. And if someone does, I'll just say the Anointed appointed you. No one will argue with that."

"Who's the Anointed?"

"…you'll see soon."

The Embrace

Red and orange leaves fell from withering trees. Tilda held her chastely and hadn't said much since they left Rost's place, but her silent ruminations saturated their air.

So close to Tilda, Aloy's indifference waned. It wasn't easy to stay mad when the object of her anger stayed latched to her the entire trip. She stole a few glances to the delicate hands clasped loosely around her waist. They tensed when she re-adjusted in the seat, like Tilda was waiting to thwart her escape. One that would never come. She wouldn't run from Tilda when they shared a mutual interest. Tilda was her key to Elisabet.

An hour's ride and their charger stopped at the foot of the gate to Mother's Heart. The sounds of life beyond widened her smile, just a little.

Aloy turned an ear over her shoulder. "Just…follow my lead."

"It's Aloy! She's returned! Tell the Matriarch's! Open the gate!" A Nora lookout yelled down to another from his perched post.

Strange…to suddenly be welcomed so hastily, and hosted like an honored guest.

The massive gate to Mother's Heart opened and on the other side the village teemed with life. Makeshift scaffolding surrounded some structures as carpenters worked, still repairing what the Eclipse destroyed months prior, and they were almost finished. The Embrace was returning to its glory, becoming something greater than its former self in the process.

Aloy hopped off the charger and started inside, Tilda following, as a Brave in servitude to the Anointed. It was a far lie to cast. The Zenith, with all her pride, served no one, and carried herself as such, but the important thing was that her disguise convinced.

Aloy sighed to abate the apprehensive stir in her chest. Hopefully Tilda knew how to play the game.

"Is that a…fox?"

In front of them, pedestaled in the middle of the common grounds, an oversized wooden carving of a sitting fox, painted black for the occasion. At the pedestal's base, a brightly colored shrine of food and offerings on silver plates. Around the statue's neck, thick strings of blue beads.

The Harvest. She'd forgotten about it.

It was a boisterous month-long festival before the winter storms snowed them in. And by the looks of things, it was just beginning. The shrine was still modest and small. It would grow in the coming weeks as celebration increased.

This was only the second time she'd seen the Harvest from inside Mother's Heart. The first was during The Proving.

Echoes of unseen celebration would beckon them from the other side of the settlement's gates, as music and song filled the air. Her and Rost would hear it when they passed on their way back to the hovel. The last week of celebration was always the loudest. She used to imagine joyous, dancing villagers, and the copious amounts of food they shared.

Rost celebrated the tradition with pious reflection and silent prayers to All-Mother. For him, that was enough. After his day of prayer he made his biggest feast. She always anticipated that with joy. It wasn't the grand Nora banquet, but it was theirs.

Aloy looked down, remembering Tilda's question about the fox. "It's for the new season—"

"Praise the Anointed!"

Barely a foot inside the gate, and it started. One after another the villagers stopped and acknowledged her, some softly with ginger smiles, and some loudly, bouncing on their toes like they were her number one fan.

Aloy inwardly cringed but maintained her composure and managed a tight smile as a large crowd gathered in adoration.

"Aloy!"

Her focus darted to the merchant stalls at that familiar voice. The gathering of onlookers stared at her but she looked past them, inching up on her toes to catch the wave from the back of the crowd.

"Teb?" She said to herself with a bright grin and beelined to the stalls; the crowd parting at her every step forward, as his kind face and soft smile emerged at the other end.

"Aloy."

She hugged him and promptly let go when he stiffened in her arms.

"I…uh…didn't expect that."

She looked down with a nervous smile. She hadn't expected it either. It was just good to see his face after so long. "It's great to see you."

"Passing through?" He glanced between her and Tilda.

"Yeah."

"You look well equipped. Are the forbidden lands as tainted as they say?" He lowered his voice, keeping the conversation between them, and she stared into his eyes with confusion mustering in her own as her brow creased.

Tainted? Oh, right. The west was technically forbidden under Nora law, and speaking about it was ill-advised. She'd forgotten, but his ignorance broke her heart.

The Forbidden West was no different than the Nora's Embrace, just land in another place. And the Nora were just another tribe. But they denied themselves knowledge in favor of stubborn beliefs. It was unfortunate.

To the rest of the world they were the outcasts. They'd segregated themselves, looking down on the ways of other tribes and those who fully embraced the freedom to explore. If they only opened their minds, maybe a new generation wouldn't have to grow up in solitude, believing nothing but death waited for them beyond the walls of the Embrace.

The west was beautiful, expansive and exciting. New sights to be seen and new things to learn along every uncharted path she discovered. She would tell them if she could, about how the sun shined in different ways the further she rode. About how the desert air thickened with dusty sand swept from a sea of golden dunes. And how there were other people just as kind in every corner. But asking the Nora to look beyond themselves was a fruitless task. If they didn't want it that was fine, but she'd never regret meeting the people she met and seeing what she saw. Those experiences were more precious than anything.

"So…is it a tortured wasteland?" Teb eagerly waited for her answer.

"…no." She chose her words wisely but answered honestly. She couldn't betray his curiosity. "It's beautiful."

His eyes brightened with longing and she softly smiled.

"Maybe I'll take you out there one day."

Teb's eyes darted up and about, searching around to see if anyone heard them. "Aloy, careful what you say." He leaned in close and kept his voice low.

"I know." Aloy said and dug into a pouch at her hip. "I found something you might like. Another shiny thing to add to your collection."

She pulled out a dull silver object, the links of its band scratched and tarnished. Under its glass face, trapped water sloshed, sparkling iridescent colors in the sunlight. It was a chance find on the shore at Land's Fall. It glimmered slightly in the sand and successfully tempted her curiosity. She'd seen the tiny gears under the numbered face before; the mechanism puzzling them both the first time Teb cracked one open.

"Everything's so small. I wonder what it did."

She watched him pick apart the relic with his tools, herself waiting eagerly to see it do something. It never did. Some were so degraded and withered by time; the insides nothing but crumbling rust at their touch. As a kid she scoured every inch of the Embrace to alleviate her boredom, and each relic she found she gave to him the next time he made his unsanctioned visit outside the village walls.

Now, Teb had a whole box of ancient relics. He focused on shining and repairing what he could, then set them on display in his shop, hoping to garner some interest.

"A bracelet of the Old Ones." Teb took it in awe and Tilda looked away.

"I've been hanging onto it for a while."

"Thank you, Alo—" His gaze shot over Aloy's shoulder and he shrunk, suddenly quiet as he looked to his feet and bowed at the waist. "I am humbled by your gift, Anointed."

Aloy raised a brow. She didn't see the person, but she heard their steps.

"Our Anointed returns…" That voice filled her with joy and relief. She turned to it with a smile, the villagers' chants fading to silence as Teersa neared. "…victorious, I hope."

"For now."

Teersa squeezed her in a big hug and Aloy grinned over the matriarch's shoulder. The warmth of a person who always treated her with unconditional love. After all they'd endured, it brought tears to her eyes, but she contained them.

Teersa pulled away but her grasp on Aloy's shoulders stayed. "You look taller."

"You say that every time you see me Teersa."

"Glad you're back."

"The Anointed has returned."

The not-so-quiet whispers started again as the villagers watched them.

"What has she brought from All-Mother?"

"Is that a Brave with her?"

Her hand on Aloy's shoulder Teersa turned to the villagers. "Pay your respects, our Anointed has return."

"Praise the Anointed!" Someone yelled and Aloy's stomach dropped at the villagers' subsequent uproar. Some began to kneel—

"No!" Aloy pointed to those in half-kneels and the villagers quieted their chants. "No kneeling. The Anointed…forbids it."

Gasps sounded in the crowd and the kneeling villagers readily stood. With a hand on her hip, Aloy turned her back to Teersa, fleetingly locking gazes with Tilda as she shielded her embarrassment with a hand at her brow.

"And so we meet..." Tilda said with an amused smile, keeping her voice between them as Aloy stepped close to find refuge from the spotlight. Tilda glanced to Teersa, who watched them with a curious look. "I think she wants your attention."

Aloy turned. "It's good to see the Nora still on their feet."

"And we have you to thank." Teersa said.

"I had a lot of help." She paused. "Where are Lansra and Jezza?"

"Awaiting your arrival. Come." Teersa said and started up the dirt path.

Quickly, Aloy turned to Teb and put her hand on his shoulder with a squeeze to get his attention. "Just Aloy, Teb. Please."

He glanced to Teersa then to her.

"I'll come see you again before I leave."

He gave her a small nod and she stepped away. Before her Tilda gestured with a sly smile and an open hand to the space in front of her.

"You first…Anointed."

Aloy's brow furrowed. "Don't." She said just between them and stepped in front of Tilda, feeling the Zenith's smile at her back. "Have the hunters found a fox for the festival?"

They followed Teersa.

"Not yet, but we remain hopeful."

Music faded and conversations muttered to a stop as they trekked up the path. Everything halting just for her.

"It's her."

"She's returned."

More whispers. She climbed the steep, narrow path, trying to ignore the villagers who stopped and stared, some bowing as they passed.

"Everyone is glad to see you."

"No surprise ceremonies, I hope." Aloy muttered.

"Aloy…" Teersa said her name with the warning tone a mother would give a defiant child. "Honor the ways in which the tribe show their gratitude." Teersa said as she took the path's winding turns with grace.

"Your Brave is quiet." Teersa's words jolted Aloy from her ruminations; Aloy's heart thumping at the sudden attention on Tilda.

"Oh—Uh—Right…she's quiet, very quiet." Aloy glanced back in time to see Tilda roll her eyes.

"Those who walk an honorable path typically are."

Aloy grumbled an agreement.

"You haven't returned for a while. All-Mother must have you on an important journey."

"Right."

"Will you stay for awhile?"

"I…hadn't planned to."

"You're busy, I see. Focus on your priorities, there will be time for celebration later."

Aloy hesitated to tarnish their reunion, when around them there was so much joy, but she had to. "Teersa…" Sadness colored her words as she started carefully.

"Yes."

"Is Sona here?"

"The war party left days ago to deal with bandits at our northern border—"

"Do they need help?"

"The Eclipse attack weakened our defenses, but the war party has been victorious on each occasion. They should return tomorrow." Teersa stopped and turned to her. "Is something wrong?"

"Can you let me know when she gets back? I need to speak to her."

Concern creased Teersa's brow.

"Actually." Aloy dug into a small satchel at her waist and pulled out a spare focus. "This will help you get in contact with me."

"What is it?"

"A relic from the Old World." Aloy went to place it against Teersa's temple, but the elderly matriarch stepped back.

"Aloy…we don't—"

"Just trust me." Aloy moved close and set the focus in place, the matriarch reaching to touch it, cautiously.

"It stays, but how?"

"I haven't figured that out yet." Aloy glanced to Tilda who looked down with a subtle shake of her head. Right, she couldn't explain anyway. An explanation would give away too much. "When Sona returns, let me know. Just press and speak."

"And you will hear me?"

"Yes. The Old Ones used these to make communication easier."

"Is that so…" Teersa looked down in thought. "The Old Ones may have been foolish in their ways…but they were smart."

"Thank goodness for that—"

Aloy drowned Tilda's murmur with a well-timed, loud clear of her throat.

"Their story beyond the Embrace, I admit I have wondered how much it could tell us." Teersa paused, nostalgic regret gentle in her eyes. She met Aloy's gaze and placed a hand on the huntress' shoulder. "But those answers are for you to seek. When Sona arrives, I'll let you know." She ended with a soft nod and a glance to Tilda that lingered.

They resumed the trek up. Out of the many villagers, most kindly paid their respects, but a narrowed gaze stood out in the crowd. A woman with a scrunched furrow watched them ascend, and two other villagers stood at her side with similar scowls, but her seething gaze was the worst among them.

'Just ignore her Aloy. Not everyone has to like you.'

Aloy passed, a simmer charging the air as those scrutinizing, dark gazes followed her.

"Once an outcast always an outcast."

"What did you say?"

Aloy whipped around at Tilda's voice. It sent a bad chill down her spine. The plan was working, the disguise fooled, and they were so close to Eleuthia. Everything had been going well.

Tilda's focus locked onto the woman, and she looked down at her from where she stood further up the incline.

"An anointed outcast is a joke." The woman said louder and Tilda moved down with nonchalant ease. She stepped into the woman's personal space, standing a hair taller with her shoulders back, watching her cold eyes. This woman was nothing to her. No threat. Not even worth her respect.

"And you, what have you done? Nothing, while she risks her life to solve your problems. How convenient."

That was enough. She had to stop it before Tilda flicked the woman into the next century. Aloy hurried down as Tilda's gaze narrowed.

"Those on the sidelines are better off quiet."

The woman's fists clenched and Tilda leaned into the woman's space but Aloy grabbed Tilda's shoulder. She held her back, but Tilda didn't budge.

"Enough." Aloy said. The dark threat in Tilda's gaze stilled her for a moment. She didn't know whether to be angry or grateful. Tilda said what she always wanted to say.

Rost always said be the bigger person, but it was never easy to turn away every time they called her outcast, or made fun of her for being motherless. It added up over the years. That look in Tilda's eyes, it spoke to the lonely outcast she used to be, the one who cried then screamed when the isolation became too much. But that turmoil fueled her training, pushed her to out-class even the tribe's greatest hunters.

"You should listen to your master."

Tilda smirked at the woman's snide remark and took a step forward, pushing into Aloy's hand as Aloy tried to hold her at bay. "You—"

"Enough." Aloy said, stepping between them fully, her and Tilda eye to eye. "What's gotten into you?" She asked, keeping her voice between them as onlookers stared; Tilda's eyes harboring a vendetta. "Not everyone has to agree. Not everyone will." Aloy said measured and calm, but Tilda lingered. She was used to getting her way. Backing down wasn't something she did, and another moment passed before Tilda stepped back. She said nothing, her passive expression resetting with a lift of her chin and a raise of her brow, as though nothing happened.

Aloy turned to the other woman and nodded a half-assed apology. That was all she'd get. Tilda was right, she'd done so much for these people. If it weren't for her the Embrace would've burned down when the Eclipse struck. Not to mention what Nemesis would do if she failed. She didn't want to think about that.

Her and Tilda met Teersa, where the matriarch waited further up, watching them with a concerned look. Hopefully she wouldn't ask questions.

"Sorry." Aloy looked down.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, just someone who's not a fan of the Anointed."

"I see." Teersa said and set a hand on Aloy's shoulder. "You are the closest thing we have to All-Mother. In all our years, you are the first to hold such a high seat. It will take time for some to understand, and there will be those that never come around."

"I know."

"Rest assured that most of the Nora look in your favor." Teersa squeezed her arm and turned, facing the path, more than half the mountain visible as it towered so close and near.

The crowds thinned the further they climbed, and music resumed in the distance as they reached the apex of the path. So far, no questions about Tilda. Good.

Just outside the mountain Teersa stopped and Aloy nearly stumbled into her.

"Why are we stopping here?" Aloy questioned the odd choice, but at least they were the only ones in sight.

"Your Brave…" Teersa stepped down, examining Tilda with a close gaze; the Zenith leaning away as Teersa sized her then searched her face. Aloy held her breath behind a clenched jaw; tightness creeping into her chest the longer they sat in silence. "…is not Nora, is she?"

Aloy's eyes widened but Teersa was too focused on Tilda to notice.

"Aloy…"

She forced herself to take a breath as Teersa turned to her.

"This old matriarch has encountered many Nora over the years. My eyesight might not be what it was but I can still sense one of our own."

Damage control. She had to think quick.

"I know how the Nora are with outsiders Teersa. But I need her, and I couldn't take that chance."

"So you—our Anointed—"

"Please don't call me that—"

"—smuggle this woman through our gates and dress her in our clothes, directly breaking Nora sacred laws."

Stunned silent, Aloy stood with her gaze locked to Teersa's before she looked away. Teersa's disappointment always stung.

"When you put it that way it sounds a lot worse."

"Nora have died under the mark of the Brave, Aloy. If the sisters found out—"

"Which they won't…right? Teersa please, trust me."

Teersa searched her gaze. "You're here for something, aren't you?"

"Yes and we need to get into the mountain."

"Aloy, an outsider cannot enter our mountain."

Great, now she had to get a lecture about All-Mother's "curse". But there were outsiders who sought the mountain's refuge during the battle with Eclipse, and the sacred lands were still fruitful, the Nora were still thriving. The Embrace wasn't reduced to the apocalyptic wasteland the matriarch's preached it would be if All-Mother's wishes were disobeyed. Surely Teersa saw that.

Hands on her hips, Aloy paced. "Not that long ago I was an outsider too—"

"You were always Nora—"

"No one else seemed to think so."

Another silent pause hung in the air.

"What is it you hope to find Aloy?" Teersa asked and Aloy sighed.

She couldn't say anything about the memoryware file. "Answers, more answers…f-from All-Mother…" She stumbled at All-Mother's mention. "…about who I am." Aloy looked into Teersa's eyes, hoping her explanation was convincing enough to melt the matriarch's suspicion. "You told me you felt there was something I was meant to do, and I believe that too. I need to get inside All-Mother Teersa." She paused. "Can't you tell the others the Anointed…anoints her?"

"It does not work that way Aloy."

Aloy huffed, pacing once more, this time more impatient. "Then I'll have to find another entrance—make another entrance—"

"You will not."

Aloy stopped and locked eyes with Teersa.

"Our Anointed cannot break in and destroy the mountain."

"You're not giving me much choice."

Teersa looked to Tilda before she turned her back to them and continued up. "…there is a way…come."

In silence they entered the mountain, following the long, icy Zero Dawn corridor turned cave; the Old World ruin amber-lit by flanking rows of candlelight.

"I don't have a good feeling about this." Beside Aloy Tilda whispered.

"Neither do I." Aloy answered with a grumble as their hall opened to the sanctuary, Eleuthia's foyer, now enshrouded in stalagmites and crusted with everlasting ice. Tilda glanced around but said nothing, maintaining an expressionless face in the presence of a place she once had to know. They stopped in the middle of the room, but Teersa continued to where Lansra and Jezza spoke next to the altar.

"The Anointed has chosen a mate!"

The air struck out of Aloy and she coughed, choking on her own spit as a dizzying rush clouded the forefront of her mind at Teersa's feigned jubilance. There was no way this was happening. Her heart pounded in her ears; Tilda's hand on her shoulder the only thing steadying her weak knees.

"What?" Lansra and Jezza turned in unison with wide gazes, both wading across the candlelit sanctuary in their heavy robes.

"Is this true?" Jezza looked at her but Aloy couldn't meet her gaze as she cleared her narrowing throat. If it tightened anymore she'd choke.

"We must tell the tribe of this auspicious event—"

"No!" That managed to punch out of her throat. The world closed in on her and a surge of heat burned under her skin, but Aloy pushed back. "No. The Anointed demands that this be kept private."

Lansra stepped forward, ready for a challenge. "The tribe must know—"

"Sisters." Teersa saved her, placating the opposition with a calm tone. "She is our Anointed. She is right. Allow them to enter All-Mother…so they may fulfill their sacred duties—"

"Yeah, I'm going to be sick." Aloy turned her back to the matriarchs; one hand on her hip, the other shielding her face as she hung her head hoping to hide her flushed cheeks. 'Breathe, Breathe, Breathe…'

"We must prepare the hymn for the affirmation."

A little groan came from Aloy as her stomach knotted and its sourness stirred at Jezza's words.

"They should enter now." Teersa tried.

"The affirmation first Teersa—"

"Jezza's right. This tribe has already suffered enough blasphemy."

Teersa walked to Aloy, turning the huntress to her. "Go now. I'll deal with them."

"You could've warned me."

"You wouldn't have liked the outcome either way. Now go."

Aloy passed the matriarchs briskly with Tilda in tow. Lansra scoffed behind them as they stepped on the altar and waited—eagerly—for Eleuthia to begin the scan. A glowing beam of light emerged from the door, and behind them silence befell the matriarch's who watched in awe.

"The goddess awakens to the Anointed." Jezza's calm, pious reason sounded amidst Lansra's feeble grumbles as the matriarchs knelt.

Tilda glanced over her shoulder, double-taking at the sight before she turned back.

"They're kneeling, aren't they?"

"Yes."

Aloy inwardly groaned and Tilda smirked.

"If they only knew the truth."

"I doubt that'd make it better." Aloy said with a harsh whisper. No, if the matriarch's learned the truth of their relation to one another, they'd turn them into worshipped deities with an auspicious bond. A relationship to be penned into legend and worshipped above all else…the last thing they needed. "Any day would be great Eleuthia."

Eleuthia scanned her first, then passed to Tilda and Aloy's jaw clenched.

"Additional personnel detected. Refreshing identi-scan. Biosignature detected. Welcome back Dr. Van Der Meer."

Gasps sounded behind them as the door opened.

"Uh-oh." Aloy grabbed Tilda's wrist and hurried them inside.

"A second Anointed?"

Lansra and Jezza looked at each other.

"How is this possible?"

Teersa watched the door to Eleuthia in awe. "I don't know sisters. I am as baffled as you by All-Mother's decision."