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Bloodborne belongs to FromSoftware, Horizon Zero Dawn belongs to Guerrilla Games

Chapter 4: Attempting Understanding

LOG: The End: Data Corruption moderate:

Cyrus Bishop: It's the end of the world, Doll.

Doll: How do you mean, Good Hunter?

Cyrus Bishop: Faro's Chariot beasts. A swarm went rogue, they tried to hide it. Now it's too late. They replicate faster than I can kill them. If I had known I might have been able to stop it.

Doll: Good Hunter, then why do you still hunt?

Cyrus Bishop: What else can I do? I can't hide in the dream forever, Doll.

Doll: Very well, Good Hunter, I pray your Hunt goes well.

…/…

"So," Aloy said as they rode west. "How did you survive that explosion?"

Cyrus hesitated. "Found some cover. It bore the brunt of the blast."

Aloy glanced towards the Hunter. She could recognize the lie for what it was.

"Really?" She asked, skeptically. "Because that boom took down the wall behind it."

Cyrus smirked. "I know, but you aren't ready for the truth. For now, you'll accept the lie."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aloy questioned.

"Well, would you believe it if someone told you that the sky was green?" Cyrus asked.

"No. Obviously not." Aloy said.

"How about if someone told you that the sky was green and was able to show you?" Cyrus continued.

"Then…" Aloy began. "What's your point?"

"The truth is… wrong." Cyrus said. "Without direct evidence to support it, there is no way you'd ever believe what I tell you."

"So, when will you tell me the truth?" Aloy asked.

"In time." Cyrus answered. "You told me you wanted the insight to see beyond the veil; to see reality as it is and not what you think it is. I've learned that world shattering revelations must be given in small doses. I could tell you everything now, and you wouldn't believe me. If possible, I could just grant you all the insight you need to see the truth, but it'd likely drive you insane. There is an order to these things. Small doses and certain order. Perchance, once you've learned some of my secrets, I'll lend you some of my own data points. They should prove… enlightening."

"You could have just said you didn't want to talk about it." Aloy snarked.

"I could have." Cyrus conceded. "But the truth is that you wouldn't let it lie. I can recognize that same hunger for knowledge that I once had."

Aloy didn't respond as they began their ascent of the mountain that bordered the Nora lands. Snow began falling as they crested the path just outside the Carja gate of Daytower. They heard the sounds of fighting. Rounding the bend, they could see a single Scarab and a few striders.

"Do you want to take this, or shall I?" Cyrus asked.

"I'll take down the Corruptor. You get the striders." Aloy answered.

Cyrus grinned and dismounted his own strider. Aloy rode hers in while Cyrus unsheathed the Burial Blade. He transformed the weapon into its scythe form before joining the fray.

"Outlanders!" One of the Carja guards yelled. "Back away, these things will kill you!"

Cyrus rolled his eyes as he beheaded one of the Striders in a single stroke. He glanced up at the guards. They had fallen silent as the two worked. Another Strider reared to kick him. Cyrus decapitated it just as easily. The third Strider died as the blade sliced through its back.

Aloy was doing just fine with the single Corruptor. She had already shot off its grenade and spike launchers, a few arrows were sticking out of its legs, and flames licked at the wiring inside. The machine shuddered to a quick stop. The fire had exposed the Scarab's exhaust core. A weak point that Aloy put two arrows into and the machine fell dead.

"Any chance we would be granted passage through?" Cyrus asked.

"Open the gate!" One of the Carja soldiers ordered.

The fort of Daytower was decently impressive. Soldiers and civilians meandered about the fort. Several of the bulkier men and women, Oseram as Aloy had told him, were selling their wares. It was actually rather odd feeling like an outsider. The Carja soldiers were garbed in their metal armors and wielded both halberds and swords. Even the Oseram had various plates of metal and hardened leather on their outfits.

"There are other places to sell, you know?" Cyrus heard one of the Oseram say.

"Bah, the Carja only want fineries and silks. Besides, no self-respecting Oseram would leave the Cut untapped. I've heard rumors of many possible delves that could yield great treasures." Another Oseram replied.

"Yeah, I've also heard rumors floating from the Cut of more dangerous machines that attack on sight." the first Oseram replied.

Cyrus made his way over.

"Like that's anything new." The second man said.

"Pardon me, gents," Cyrus interrupted. "What's this I hear about a worthy hunt?"

"The new machines in the Cut?" The first Oseram asked.

"Yes." Cyrus answered.

"Well, they're more dangerous than what we see out here." The Oseram said. "Unfortunately, that's about all I know."

"I've heard that they glow purple." The second Oseram said.

"And where might they be found?" Cyrus said. "I'm… new to the area."

"The Cut. It's Banuk territory up north in the snowcapped mountains. It's behind an old-world ruin we call The Grave-Hoard." The first Oseram said. "Personally, I think you're both crazy for wanting to head there."

"Thank you, gentlemen." Cyrus said. "I shall endeavor to investigate the territory in the future."

Cyrus left the two Oseram to their own devices. He was ready to move on from the tower. He walked out the other side and waited. The view out over the landscape was calming. He recognized the desert and mesas that made up much of the Utah landscape.

A massive bird-like machine flew in circles over part of the area. It appeared disinterested in the Carja fortress. Cyrus just watched as it flew in rather lazy circles.

"You ready to leave?" Aloy asked, joining him suddenly.

"Yep." Cyrus said. "Where'd you wander off to?"

"Spoke with the captain of this fort and one of his prefects. Balahn seems good. He told me of the way to Meridian." Aloy answered.

"And the prefect?" Cyrus prodded, turning to the Nora Seeker.

"Zaid. Apparently, a Nora girl came through a few days ago. She was after Zaid. He says he let her go after 'misguided attack' on him, but something seems off." Aloy answered.

"And you want to investigate?" Cyrus queried.

"Yes." Aloy answered. "Apparently, there's a Carja outpost on the way to Meridian."

"I'm not going to stop you." Cyrus said.

"You're not going to help?" Aloy asked as they mounted their Striders.

"I wasn't planning on it." Cyrus replied. "You seem to be under this impression that I'm a rather… altruistic, help everyone kind of guy. This makes you rather naive to my nature."

"You don't make it easy to like you." Aloy said.

"Aloy, I'm only helping you for two reasons. One: your quest for knowledge. Two: Someone is raising ancient war machines." Cyrus explained. "Other than that, you're on your own."

"Then why did you help me with War Chief Sona?" Aloy asked, with a smirk.

"Reason two, Aloy. Reason two." Cyrus replied. "Helping Sona also helped me determine who was raising the ancient machines, and we destroyed a few more. Stopping them is my top priority right now. Imagine what would happen if they brought a Horus back to life."

"A Horus?" Aloy asked.

"Yes, the giant machines like the one on that mountain where you first saw me destroy some Scarabs." Cyrus answered.

"We call them Metal Devils." Aloy stated.

"Rather uncreative name, if you ask me." Cyrus muttered.

"Why do you call them Scarabs, and Horuses?" Aloy questioned.

"Because that is what they are called." Cyrus replied. "Why do you call our mounts 'Striders'? Or the Bellowbacks, 'Bellowbacks'? These are their names."

"Fair enough, I suppose, but where did you get their names?" Aloy prodded.

"That is what the ancients called them." Cyrus replied. "You can learn a lot from the ancients. Though, I doubt they would know what you call the giant flying machine circling above us."

"It's a Stormbird." Aloy answered.

They lapsed into silence. A look of concentration passed over Aloy's face. Cyrus smirked as he watched her puzzle through her thoughts.

"I don't get you Cyrus." Aloy finally spoke up.

"Then ask away. Mayhaps I can help you understand a little better." Cyrus replied.

"Are you from this world?" Aloy asked.

"I'm afraid you're going to have to elaborate." Cyrus replied with an easy smile.

"Ok. You don't know much of this world, yet you claim to be a nomad of sorts. Until a couple of days ago, no one had even heard of you until you suddenly showed up at Mother's Watch. I don't know anyone else with two names like you. And that style of dress is simultaneously foreign and archaic." Aloy explained. "I've seen the holograms of the people from the old world. Most of what they wear is either single plain colors or armor. Your clothes are far too complicated for that."

"You… are on the right track." Cyrus confirmed, "I'm not from off planet, per se, but it would be a lie for me to say that I am not alien to your world."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aloy asked.

"Well… let me ask you this. When you look around, what do you see?" Cyrus countered.

Aloy looked around.

"Machines, a desert, mountains, the occasional ruin." Aloy responded. "What does that have to do with my question?"

"Because that's not what I see." Cyrus said. "I look around and see the end. Stories that ended far too soon. Stories that never started. Stories that have been going on for far too long. Stories that people have forgotten."

"You still haven't answered my question." Aloy stated.

"I'm sure you can figure it out." Cyrus replied. "Now, do you want to go find your missing Nora? I will wait for you outside Meridian."

"Do you know how to get there?" Aloy asked, putting a pin in the conversation.

"Some of the soldiers called it the Way of Broken Stones." Cyrus replied. "I'm sure I can figure it out."

"Fine. This conversation isn't over." Aloy said.

"Didn't expect it to be." Cyrus responded as he rode off down the road.

ERROR-DATA_CORRUPTION-BEGIN_FILE_RECOVERY…/…

Data Log TEH-004

Apologies for the week of radio silence. It has been a long and hectic week. Last weekend the internet was down for some reason. The following week I was just swamped with work then my sister gave birth two days ago. It's been a long week. That combined with how I've outlined this story has led to a late and shorter chapter than usual.

Thank you to all who read this, your feedback and views are much appreciated.

Goodbye viewer; Fare thee well.

End Log S.T.K.