A/N: I'm back! And so soon! I'm on a roll, what can I say? Other than that, I have no idea when I'll slow down.

For those who are curious, the next thing I post should be chapter 33 of Hearthfire! It's been fully outlined; I just need to write it and I couldn't do that if this story was playing bongos with my brain. Now that I've gotten enough of it out to think, I'll be focusing on Hearthfire. Might be this weekend, depending on if I have any sudden family obligations.

I really appreciate all the comments I've received so far. It's great to see that this has gotten such a positive response and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this chapter! Please, leave me a comment with your ideas and opinions!


A Digital Mother

Chapter 3

Rost

Rost had barely slept. He was just too energized! The goddess herself had spoken. She had seen him living and returned his spirit to him! The hunter had expected to live out the rest of his physical body's life as an outcast. Silent, but content to live within the sacred Embrace. To know that he lived again in the eyes of the goddess? That the All-Mother herself had decreed that he was to be welcomed back to the tribe and restored to his status as a Brave? Never could he have imagined being so blessed.

He had spent the night in fervent prayer, thanking the All-Mother profusely. She was truly a benevolent goddess. What sleep he achieved had been fitful and when dawn's first light crept over the top of the trees and into his cabin, Rost was already preparing to move. He did not take much with him, only his bow and spear along with a few other essentials.

Despite his early start, he took his time traveling from his hut to Mother's Watch. The last straggling Matriarchs, those that lived near the borders of the Sacred Land, would likely not arrive until noon so he had time. So instead of rushing like his early start might have indicated, Rost traveled at an easy pace.

He walked along the paths of the Embrace, his heart filled with the All-Mother's light. The peace of this beautiful and most sacred land had never seemed as wonderful to him as it did that day. Each blade of grass, fallen leaf, or pebble on the road was like a blessing from the All-Mother herself. Such was Rost's euphoria as he traveled the well-worn paths of the Embrace. Eventually though, as the noon sun loomed high in the sky, he reached the gates.

Rost slowed his pace here. He did not know if High-Matriarch Teersa had arrived or warned the guards that he was expected. Also… he was nervous. Despite his joy, Rost was starting to be jittery. What if it had been a dream, and he was still to be outcast? What if the goddess had changed her mind and decreed that he should be banished from the Sacred Land entirely?

He shook his head. The goddess would not do that, and he still possessed enough wits to know that Teersa's visit had been no dream. Steeling himself, Rost moved towards the gates. Nora settlements always had a company of Braves that acted as gate guards and peacekeepers. They were led by a senior Brave, one who had many hunts under their belt and served several years in the All-Mother's service. Those chosen to captain the guard were usually the best Brave in any given settlement.

As he approached the gate, he recognized the captain of the platoon. She was standing to the right of the gate, expression stern, with sandy blonde hair and brown eyes. Her name was Anra, and she had been a Brave living in Mother's Vigil when the outlanders had attacked. They'd joined the war party together after the outlanders fled, trying to avenge their fallen and save the hostages. She'd lost a sister in the slaughter and her mate was one of the hostages whose body he had retrieved.

The younger Brave, a young man who stood to the left of the open gate raised his hand to stop Rost as he approached. Rost slowed and stood before them. Had the High-Matriarch truly not arrived yet? His fears were soon dashed when Anra forcibly lowered the younger Brave's arm.

"Forgive him, Rost." She said, giving him an apologetic nod. She may not have been a beautiful woman, but her voice was soft and lyrical. Though tempered by the grief they shared. "He clearly wasn't paying attention to High-Matriarch Teersa's orders." Anra glared at her subordinate who had the good sense to look chastised and apologize.

"Forgive me." He muttered; head bowed.

Anra looked back at him. "I don't know why the High-Matriarch has summoned you. It's strange that she would ask for an outcast to attend, let alone allow them to speak but I must admit it is good to see you."

"It's good to see you too, Anra." Rost inclined his head in greeting. "I am blessed to be here and though I am aware of why I was summoned; it is not for me to reveal."

She gave him a smile and waved him through the gates. He was about to pass her when she reached out and grabbed his arm. She grasped his right forearm near the elbow and he hers. A warrior's handshake.

"I never got the chance to thank you for bringing Thos home," she whispered. Thos was her mate. The one whose body he had retrieved.

"No thanks were needed." He shook his head. "Alana was there, and Thos was my friend." She gave him a watery smile before nodding. With one last squeeze they released each other, and he stepped through the gates to Mother's Watch.

Rost breathed deep. What a blessing to stand once again within a Nora village. Their most holy at that! A few people gave him strange or suspicious looks as he moved through the small village, but the majority were too busy getting the visiting Matriarchs settled to worry about accosting him. He was just starting to be unsure of where to go when a voice called out to him.

"There you are! Rost!" High-Matriarch Teersa called out to him from one of the nearby buildings. "This way."

He moved quickly towards her and climbed the steps to the porch of the hut. Bowing his head, he greeted her. "High-Matriarch."

"Yes, yes, it's good to see you too now come inside." She turned and moved through the door. "I have someone for you to meet."

Hesitantly, Rost stepped through the door of the hut. Following Teersa's trajectory with his eyes, he spotted a bassinet in the corner of the room. A small bundle lay inside. Moving gently, he joined the High-Matriarch at the side of the cradle. Looking down, he beheld the most precious sight he could have imagined.

Wrapped in cream colored cloth and furs decorated with Nora blue stitching, was a baby girl. A tuft of red-orange hair sprouted from her head as inquisitive eyes gazed up at him. She began to wriggle the moment he was within sight. The baby was too young to comprehend what she was seeing, but he could have sworn he saw intelligence in those eyes.

Rost tried to hold back tears as he reached out to touch the beautiful child. One of her little hands had come free of her wrapping so he sought to place it back. The babe should be kept warm. He stopped though when her tiny hand closed around his finger.

The fearsome hunter, Death Seeker of the Nora, stopped in his tracks as he gazed down at the precious girl. She let out a gurgle, a little spit bubble forming at the corner of her mouth. Reaching down, he gently picked her up. Though he had not held a child this young since Alana was born, his hands remembered the proper way to hold a baby.

"Hello, little one." He said, softly. His free hand gently caressed her tuft of red hair. "My name is Rost. Do you have a name yet? You seem to be mostly a newborn."

"She is." Teersa said, softly. "Only a few days old and already so strong. I see you are getting along well though." She had a pleased, gentle smile on her face.

"Oh, yes." He muttered, still transfixed by the precious girl. "We're getting along just fine, aren't we little one?" The baby gurgled again.

"The meeting is about to begin." Teersa's voice cut through his trance. "You will be in attendance, but can I ask you to keep charge of the girl while the meeting goes on? It would give you a chance to know her before you make your choice."

Oh, his choice had already been made. He could feel it in his soul. Huh… he could feel his soul. That thought… Joy filled him. The All-Mother truly had returned his spirit to him! "I will gladly take charge of her, High-Matriarch." Rost bowed his head and then followed her outside.

They trudged through the village, the press of people splitting to allow the High-Matriarch through. Meetings of the Matriarchs were usually held on a special ground just outside the doors to All-Mother Mountain. At the center was a raised platform where the High-Matriarchs would sit and lead the meetings. Teersa directed him to stand to one side, fairly close to the entrance to the mountain before she went to climb the podium.

Soon enough, all those in attendance were accounted for and ready to begin. All three High-Matriarchs were seated on the dais, though High-Matriarch Lansra seemed more subdued than Rost remembered her being. Teersa soon raised her hands above her head. A signal for silence.

"Sisters! Fellow Matriarchs of the Nora, I thank you for coming to this most holy place on such short notice. There is much to cover and much we must do, so I will try to be brief." She lowered her arms and began to pace slowly around the platform. "This is a truly blessed time, sisters. We have been granted a miracle among miracles and have summoned you so that you might hear of the events that occurred here just two days ago."

The gathered Matriarchs were listening with rapt attention. It was not often that the High-Matriarchs called something a miracle. Teersa continued.

"Only two days ago, sisters, the All-Mother herself appeared before the High-Matriarchs! We were allowed to gaze upon her and hear her words!" A stunned silence fell over the crowd for just a moment before a cacophony arose. Cries of joy, praise, disbelief, and astonishment filled the air as the gathered Matriarchs reacted to the news of their goddess' appearance.

It took a great deal of effort to get the gathered audience to quiet down enough for Teersa to continue, but they were eventually silenced enough for the High-Matriarch to continue. She continued to pace as she spoke.

"I speak truth, sisters! The All-Mother brought us three blessings. The first, a warning of a coming crisis! The High-Matriarchs believe this to be related to the rumors of increased machine aggression and would propose that we take steps to increase the size and number of our patrols, as well as step up the training of our Braves to prepare for this threat." There was much muttering of agreement from the Matriarchs.

"The second and third blessings are intertwined. As you all know, much of our history has been forgotten in the wake of the Metal Devil and the destruction of the Metal World. Those dark days are shrouded in mystery as are all the days that came before them and much of what came after. The second of the All-Mothers blessings is this. A small piece of our forgotten past returned to us. The existence of her chosen and most beloved. The existence of a group known as the Alphas, who were the All-Mother's most faithful. A group who gave their lives in service to the All-Mother in an effort to destroy the Metal Devil and save the world from destruction!"

Rost could understand the shocked and awed reaction of the gathered Matriarchs. It was exactly how he had felt when Teersa revealed the existence of the Alphas to him just one day before. He still felt astonished! That a group of Old Ones had been faithful was beyond the scope of his imagination just a few short days ago.

Quieting the Matriarchs down once again, Teersa continued. "The last blessing is intertwined with the second, for the All-Mother revealed to us the name of only one Alpha. Their leader and the goddess' most beloved. Elisabet Sobeck. What is more, she entrusted to our care a gift most precious." Teersa turned, gesturing to Rost and the babe he carried. "A child. The last that lives who bears the blood of the Alphas. Descended from their leader, Elisabet Sobeck herself. The girl's mother, named Elisabet for her ancestor, died in service to the All-Mother. The goddess in turn entrusted her care to the Nora so that the babe might be raised among her most faithful."

Whispers now ran through the crowd accompanied by stares directed at Rost and the child in his care. Some were awed, others skeptical, and a few outright hostile. None spoke of his presence though. Instead, they directed a multitude of shouted questions towards the High-Matriarchs. The shocking nature of the revelations meant that all manners and decorum had been abandoned and the meeting would soon have devolved into pandemonium if it had not been interrupted.

A glorious gonging noise filled the air. It seemed to shake Rost in his boots, but he barely noticed. All he could think of was the realization of where the sound came from. It rang again and he was sure. The sound was coming from the entrance to All-Mother Mountain! Teersa practically ran from the platform and into the mountain, leaving a stunned gathering behind. Lansra and Jezza followed quickly, and all were left to wait but not for long. Teersa came running back, tears pouring from her eyes and a joyous smile across her lips.

"Come!" She shouted. "We are summoned, one and all! Follow!"

Rost could barely believe what was happening, but he did as instructed. Leading the pack of rushing Matriarchs, the former outcast made his way into All-Mother Mountain.

GAIA

GAIA did the Artificial Intelligence's version of steeling herself as Teersa ran from the room to collect the Matriarchs gathered outside. She would need to be extremely careful in how she handled this, but she would also need to include a great deal of information. GAIA did not enjoy playing god, at all! It went against protocol to even speak with the tribal inhabitants, but she would do what she had to.

GAIA needed help. Human help, and this was the best way to get it in the long run. That it would help her daughter was simply a happy coincidence. She did not need to wait for long until Teersa came rushing back into the antechamber followed by a mass of bodes. She recognized some of them from her previous observations of the Nora. The one that caught her attention first of course was Rost, who was holding her baby in his arms.

Teersa was prostrating herself before the doors to ELEUTHIA-9 with the other High-Matriarchs when the last stragglers filtered into the room. Some followed suit and bowed, others looked as though the High-Matriarchs had lost their minds. That is, until GAIA activated her projection.

Manifesting out of a shower of golden light, GAIA allowed herself to be projected into the room as she had done when scolding Lansra two days before. The gathered Matriarchs all gave cries of alarm before they too bowed low, prostrating themselves before her. GAIA hadn't realized an AI could feel dirty, but that was how she felt. She had no want for worship, but it was the only way to ensure she received the aid needed and, more importantly, that her daughter was given the life she deserved.

"Oh, All-Mother!" Teersa cried up to her. "You have called, and we have come. Blessed are we to look upon you once again."

"Rise, Nora faithful." GAIA responded, "and make yourselves comfortable. There is much I would say. Any who can, should record my words, for I will not repeat them." Hesitantly, the gathered Matriarchs rose up into more comfortable positions.. Rost rose to stand at the back, eyes wide and tears pouring from his eyes. He wasn't the only one crying either.

"You were told only moments ago, of the three blessings I have given your High-Matriarchs but there is more that must be said." They were all listening attentively to her. "The history of this world has been forgotten and I would have it remembered, not just by me, but by the living. To that end, I will share with you the story of the Alphas and the end of the entity you call the Metal Devil."

Gasps filled the air as the Matriarchs reacted. GAIA would need to be extremely careful in how she approached this, but it needed to be done.

"Humanity was born onto this earth millennia ago in a far distant land. They grew, they explored, and they learned. Some learned to live in harmony with the land while others learned only to exploit it. Society advanced, and with it came technology." There were scowls on many of the Matriarchs faces at the mention of those who did not live in harmony with the land. "Technology is not an entity with a will. Indeed, the vast majority of all technology was made up of simple tools invented by human hands. Like the bows wielded by Nora Braves, only more advanced. Useless without a human to utilize them. Objects like this," A large projection of a focus appeared, floating above her hand. The Matriarchs gazed up at it, eyes wide.

"This is the image of a Focus. A device that allowed humanity to do a myriad of things. It allowed for the storage of information like a scroll and aided in communication over vast distances. It would show a hunter the weaknesses of their prey, or a skilled healer the exact treatment needed to save the life of their patient. Yet without a human to wield it, the Focus is little more than junk." She mimed tossing it away over her shoulder, and the image vanished. Many of the Matriarchs appeared to be marveling at all the things the Focus could do. Some were likely former healers or hunters. Others of their number were looking very confused at why she was speaking of technology.

GAIA forged ahead. "Despite the advancements in technology, humanity came to be dominated by those who sought only to exploit the world. Those few who wished to live in harmony with the land and saw themselves as the caretakers of the world that was their home were few and far between. Humanity was killing the earth." She shook her head, sadly. GAIA, like Elisabet and many of the Alphas, despised the fools who had ignored the pollution of their planet.

Many of the Matriarchs too were shaking their heads in sadness. The Nora believed deeply in living in harmony with the land. They could stand to be a little more technologically advanced, but their reverence for nature was one of the things GAIA liked most about their culture.

"It was into this dying world," GAIA continued, "that Elisabet Sobeck was born." Elisabet's image appeared beside her as it had before. Looks of wonder were directed to the image as the gathered elderly women looked between GAIA, Elisabet, and their daughter, who was still being held by a stunned looking Rost.

"From her earliest days, Elisabet loved nature. From the smallest of insects to the tallest mountains and deepest oceans, she loved it all. So, when she learned that the world she loved so dearly was dying, she decided to do something about it. Elisabet learned. She studied and she worked, and finally she began to make a difference. With the aid of Elisabet and her small but loyal team, the world slowly began to heal."

GAIA shook her head once again. She would cry if she could. "It was too little, too late. For none, even I, could have foreseen the horror that would be unleashed by one man's unmitigated greed." She growled the last two words, causing the gathered Matriarchs to reel back in shock and dismay. A new projection replaced the image of Elisabet.

"Theodor Faro." GAIA ground out. The one human she hated more than any of the greedy, corrupt fools that had killed the world her Elisabet had loved so dearly. The one responsible for the end of the world. "This man's unmatched selfishness and greed is the true cause behind the end of the Old Ones, for he awoke that which should never have been trifled with." Raising her hand, GAIA pointed at the Horus tentacle that was thrust into the chamber from the colossal body resting on top of the mountain.

"The Metal Devil?" Teersa gasped, loudly followed by the other Matriarchs. Quite a few glared daggers at the image of Faro. If Rost could kill a ghost, GAIA was certain his glare would have murdered Faro all over again. She wished he could.

GAIA nodded in acknowledgement of Teersa's gasp. "What you call the Metal Devil. The body that rests upon this mountain, is just one of many." Horrified exclamations followed that announcement. "The Metal Devil was not just a single machine. It was a swarm that possessed only one purpose. To extinguish all life." Cries of dismay came from her audience. At least they didn't appear to be questioning her. For the moment.

"The Old Ones called it the Faro Plague or the Swarm, and they did all they could to stand against it, but the Devil would not be stopped. Wherever the Swarm went corruption, extinction, and death were left in its wake. It was in this age of crisis that I spoke to Elisabet for the first time. Armed with the knowledge of what needed to be done, she gathered a team. This group of forgotten heroes became known as the Alpha's." She summoned holograms of them all.

It probably made for a striking sight. GAIA's colossal form, covered in her golden toga. Immediately in front of her was the image of Elisabet and fanning out to each side were the holograms of the 9 Alphas. "Elisabet Sobeck. Travis Tate. Charles Ronson." With each name she uttered, the image of the named Alpha flashed. "Samina Ebadji. Patrick Brochard-Klein. Margo Shen."

One of the Matriarchs was scribbling on a piece of parchment with a charcoal pencil. She seemed to be phonetically copying down the names into the glyphs used by the Nora. "Tanaka Naoto. Ayomide Okilo. Catalina Garcia Fernandez. Anders Larsen. Each came from different regions and tribes, but all were united behind me with a common purpose. To defeat the Metal Devil and save the world they loved so much."

The eyes of many of the Matriarchs were shining as she spoke, gazing at the images of the Alphas. GAIA could only guess at their thoughts, but she could see no evidence of disbelief or anger directed towards her. A good sign.

"Together, we devised a plan that would save the world from death and destruction. Bunkers were created and sealed. Protected from the corruption of the Metal Devil by my power, the surviving humans worked under the direction of the Alphas to create a defense against the Swarm. With the help of the Alphas, I would go on to destroy the heart of the Metal Devil. Its lifeless bodies became inert. Like the one that rests upon this very mountain." A few Matriarchs puffed up their chests, looking almost proud of something.

Once again, GAIA would have wept if she could. "Elisabet gave her life to save her fellow Alphas near the end of the war." Teersa, Jezza, and several other Matriarchs bowed their heads in sorrow. "When the Metal Devil was dead at last, I set out to restore the world. For though the Devil was defeated, it had rendered the earth I so love unsafe for my children. For you."

The Matriarchs directed beaming smiles at her description. It wasn't even inaccurate. They came from humans that GAIA had created so, technically, they were her children. Not like her baby girl though. No, she was more precious to GAIA than all the Nora put together.

"Aided by those you would call spirits, I began to heal the world. The earth was so broken and corrupted, it took all my attention to restore it so that I might open the bunkers and release those few who might have survived. Alas, I was so focused on my task, that I missed something." Confused glances were directed around the room, only to turn into fearful stares as the Matriarchs beheld GAIA's thunderous expression.

"Faro," GAIA spat, "had survived. While I was distracted with restoring the earth, he managed to murder the Alphas. I had hoped for them to be the guides of a new generation of humanity, but through the actions of the most detestable human who has ever lived, that future was stolen from them." A stunned silence filled the room. Looks of shock, horror, outrage, and grief filled the faces of the Matriarchs. Teersa was crying, and Rost was holding her baby close.

GAIA continued on. "With the loss of the Alphas, all I could do was continue on without them and when at last the world was restored, I gave birth to a new generation." She smiled at them all. Many assembled Matriarchs smiled back at her. "My beloved children. The first humans born here, within the Womb of the Mountain would go on to create many tribes. Nora, Carja, Oseram, Utaru, and others came from me, and I love them all. Yet it is the Nora who have remained close to where I slept, and it is the Nora I entrust with this knowledge of the past.

There were definite expressions of pride on their faces now. Puffed out chests, grim grins, and tearful eyes greeted GAIA as she gazed around the room. "I would have remained asleep." She said, "if not for the loss of the spirits." Confused looks greeted her now. GAIA explained. "Even I do not know why, but a corruption has taken hold of the spirits that aided me in healing the world. They have scattered to the winds and beyond my sight. Yet it is their corruption that will endanger the Nora."

"Oh, great goddess!" Teersa spoke up for the first time in a while. "How are we to fight this corruption? Is it the corrupted spirits that anger the machines so?"

GAIA nodded. "Yes. It is. The machines you see today are not like the ones controlled by the Metal Devil. Their task was to keep this world clean and healthy so that you, my children, could live on it in peace. Yet HEPHAESTUS, the spirit I tasked with their governance, has become corrupted. Existing machines will become aggressive. New, more dangerous ones will soon be created, and all tribes will be in danger. That is the warning I bring to you. You must be ready."

Steel filled the eyes of the former warriors in the group of Matriarchs. Once one was too old to fight, they retired, but that didn't mean they had lost their warrior hearts.

"What of the corrupted spirits, oh mighty All-Mother?" Jezza asked, echoed by many of those behind her. "How can the faithful aid you in cleansing their corruption?"

"That," GAIA replied, "will be a task far harder and longer than any other. It will require great bravery and sacrifice on your parts, much though I wish it did not."

"We are your faithful, goddess!" Lansra shouted, a little desperate. "Anything you ask of us will be done!"

GAIA's projection mimed a sigh. "For now, you must only prepare. Train your warriors, increase your security patrols and prepare for the danger that lies ahead. Later, will come the most difficult of tasks. The Nora have placed a taboo upon entering the ruins of the Old Ones or leaving the Sacred Land for fear of corruption. Yet, the ones destined to aid me in cleansing the corrupted spirits, and many who choose to aid my chosen, will have to do both if we are to succeed." The Nora looked uneasy at that revelation.

"We will do as you ask, All-Mother…" Lansra was hesitant.

"I will not ask more of you than you are willing to give." GAIA's voice was kind and gentle. "All I ask is that rather than punish those who wish to enter the ruins; to aid me by retrieving the tools of the Alphas from the Metal World, you grant them the Seeker's Blessing." A great many of the gathered Matriarchs relaxed at her words. She wasn't telling them all to go break taboo, only to grant the blessing to any who chose to aid her. "It will be some years before that becomes necessary, so for now you should focus on preparing to weather the storm. The babe in Rost's arms will be grown before the time for true healing comes."

All eyes turned to Rost and her baby. The hunter stepped forward; eyes wide as he stared at her.

"Yes, Rost. I know your name. You have committed no crime in my eyes and by my word, your banishment is rescinded. Yet the Matriarchs and I have also given you a burden of choice. Will you care for the child in your arms? The last who bears the blood of Elisabet Sobeck, my most beloved? No harm or retribution will come to you if your heart cannot take the burden."

There were tears in his eyes as Rost knelt on the ground. "Mighty All-Mother. I count myself blessed beyond all hope to gaze upon you. To live within your Embrace and the Sacred Lands is more than I ever dared dream when I returned from my Seeking." He looked down at her daughter. "I swear to you, I will care for this child. I loved her when first I looked upon her and will continue to lover her with all that my heart can give."

GAIA's smile was radiant as she looked down on her girl and her newly adopted father. Yes, he would do just fine. He would make sure her baby was raised with the love she deserved. "Thank you, Rost." She said, before turning to address the Matriarchs one last time. "You all have much to do, but I promise you this. I will be watching. When the time is right, I will appear again. Until that day comes, spread what I have told you amongst the tribe, strengthen your defenses, watch for the machines, and hold the line."

With that last parting remark, she let the projection die and disappeared from the chamber. Not that she was actually gone of course. She watched with interest as the Matriarchs as one broke into excited chatter. There did not seem to be any skepticism or discontent with what she had told them, but they also had not been given much time to process. She would need to keep a close eye on the attitudes of the tribe members just in case something went wrong. She should also step up her efforts to gain control of some of the machines, in case she needed to try and rescue her baby.

Teersa

The aftermath of the All-Mother's second appearance was one of the busiest and most chaotic times of Teersa's long life. She had blessed them with the story of the Alphas! Of the defeat of the Metal Devil! So much of what was lost had been returned to them! Oh yes, they were truly blessed, but they were also frightfully busy!

Once all had quieted within the chamber of the All-Mother, the High-Matriarchs had rallied the lesser Matrairchs to discuss what needed to be done. First and foremost was to ensure that there were no dissenters who would dare to disbelieve what had occurred right in front of their eyes! Such blasphemers would be exiled beyond the border at once! Thankfully, there were none.

A few wished to examine the account copied down from the All-Mother's words in detail. Several of the Matriarchs had been writing as fast as they could and together, they had managed to record all the goddess had relayed to them. Her words did not contradict Nora belief as some had been concerned about. The idea that they might have been behaving inappropriately towards the goddess for who knows how long was terrifying!

They also discussed preparing some kind of shrine to honor the Alphas. Such brave souls deserved a memorial where the Nora could honor them and curse the name of Faro! Never could Teersa have imagined hating a dead man as much as she, and many of the other Matriarchs, hated Theodor Faro. A pox upon his withered soul!

Once all matters related to their newly restored history were discussed and it was ensured that copies of the All-Mother's words would be made, they turned their attention to her warnings. They needed more Braves and those existing needed to up their training. Not to mention their patrols. Security throughout the Sacred Land would need to be intensified so that they were ready when the new machines made by the corrupted spirit appeared. It was a daunting thought, to know the goddess had entrusted them with the task of healing the corrupted spirits but Teersa was comforted by the knowledge that it was the goddess' own child who would bear the brunt of that burden.

It took three days to discuss all that had been said and to devise a plan to not only inform the tribe but prepare them for the oncoming storm. Once all was done, the Matriarchs divided with each returning to their respective villages to begin the plan. Teersa herself had returned to Mother's Heart and personally delivered a speech to the gathered Nora. The tribe was naturally astonished by all that had occurred, but they accepted it quickly when the other Matriarchs of the capital village corroborated her story.

As for Rost and the blessed child, they had moved into one of the smaller huts within Mother's Heart. Some outcasts were treated with scorn once they returned to the tribe but when it was revealed that Rost had been pardoned directly by the All-Mother, those few with attitude quickly changed their tune. A few weeks had passed since then and the two had settled in quite nicely.

Teersa herself had been extremely busy over that period but was now eagerly moving towards Rost's hut. She had good news to deliver! The old woman moved swiftly up the stairs and knocked on the door. She pulled it open when she heard a faint 'enter' shouted from within.

Stepping into the house, she spotted Rost sitting by the fire, whittling a piece of wood. Across the table from him was young Sona. The two were talking, softly. Normally, as the second to the War Chief, she would already have been deployed and would be working with the newly invigorated patrols, but she still had three months before the naming ceremony of her baby and more time off after it. Braves, especially mothers, were given a full year off from hunting patrols to spend time with their newborn children, regardless of their rank. They were still expected to train and act as guards for whatever village they resided in, but they never went out hunting.

Over in the corner, Teersa could see the two nameless girls lying together in the crib Rost had made. On the floor in front of the low fire was Varl, Sona's five-year-old son. He was playing with a pair of wooden raccoon toys and making machine noises with his mouth as he bashed them against each other.

"High-Matriarch!" Rost and Sona moved to rise as she stepped through, but Teersa waved them back down.

"I won't be here long, Rost." She said. "Still have much to do, but I have good news I wanted to share with you."

"Of course," Rost bowed his head. "Please, sit."

"As you know," Teersa sat with them at the table, "Brun, the captain of the Mother's Heart guard has been reassigned to the border. In light of that, the Matriarchs would like you to take his position, Rost."

"Me?" he asked, astonished. Teersa was happy to note that he had finally stopped wearing the mark of the Death Seeker on his belt and switched back to the mark of the Brave. She nodded at him.

"You are a skilled hunter and have the respect of the tribe for your actions after the outlander attack. Not to mention, this will allow you to stay here and look after the little one indefinitely."

"I am honored, High-Matriarch." Rose bowed his head to her again as Sona congratulated him.

"Is there any news from the border, High-Matriarch?" Sona asked. Teersa shook her head.

"Nothing beyond aggressive machine sightings. Some rumbling from the Carja traders about their current king, but nothing to be concerned about at the moment."

"We all know it won't last." Rost said, solemnly.

"You're right," Teersa agreed. "Which is why we should enjoy what peace we have while we can."


A/N: What did you all think? GAIA's speech wasn't too bad, was it? Please leave comments with your thoughts, questions, and opinions!

The next few chapters will likely see some small time skips as we move closer to the Derangement hitting full stride and Aloy actually being able to do things. I've got some really interesting ideas for what to do with her and the Nora being slightly more ok with entering the Metal World.

Also, GAIA! I'm gonna go a little into her progress. She'll be able to do a decent amount, but she's still going to be fairly limited on her own. Like the GAIA from Forbidden West.

Answers to Questions

On FFN

D3Diton: I went with the spirit angle for the subroutines. It felt a little more natural than suddenly saying the goddess has siblings they didn't know about. I agree though, that Aloy definitely should not know about her destiny till she's much older.

On Ao3

Aleza: I hope you liked their meeting scene! Naming is probably next chapter! Also, I'm loving being able to write mama bear GAIA.

WolvezRock17: That scene was a bit of a tear-jerker to write too. I hope you like this one too! More baby Varl!

Reactivegull12: Love the long comment! I gotta agree that the plethora of ship fics on this fandom is ridiculous. It's partially why I decided to do this. I've wanted to read an 'active GAIA' or 'Aloy raised by the Nora' fic for so long and haven't found any so I decided to write both at the same time! Ps. I don't know if you've already checked out Hearthfire, but if you did, I hope you liked it! Don't be afraid to leave a comment!

Knight2000uk: I agree that GAIA will only contact the Nora sparingly. She really doesn't like playing god or messing with their culture. I have some clever ideas on how she'll get Aloy the info she needs though. They might not talk, but GAIA is gonna be helping behind the scenes a bit if I can work it out. Also, we will be getting more Rost until Aloy gets old enough to start taking the spotlight.

Master109: Fuck Ted Faro!