The Other Huntress (Kotallo/OC)

Chapter Two: The Daunt

Fair warning, this chapter is PRETTY long. I thought about splitting the chapter into two parts, but there really wasn't a good cutoff point, so you're just getting one really long chapter. Also, sorry for the long wait in between chapters. I was in the D.C. area this week and I didn't have my computer on me, but normally updates will be a bit faster. Anyway, obviously I don't own any of this and please enjoy!

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Orea's boots crunched underneath the snow as she dismounted, crystal-clear flurries floating up to cling to her lashes. Two days of hard riding had brought the sisters to the entrance of the Daunt, a vast canyon reachable only by cable car. A single Oseram stood watch at the car station-its operator, Orea assumed.

"I guess this is where we part ways," Orea told her mount, removing her equipment from its back and offering the Charger a final pat on the head. "See you around girl."

"Sparks to steel!" the Oseram gasped, rising from his seat. "Ha! Never seen anyone use one of those to get around!"

"Is that how we get to Barren Light?" Aloy asked, pointing to the massive car, its bulk held aloft by two thick chains.

"Uh, yes-I mean usually! But not today! Not yet!" The operator protested nervously as Aloy approached, hands in the air.

"Why's that?" Orea asked, raising a brow.

"Well," he began, "the Daunt-the whole valley-is infested with machines!" Orea walked to the edge of the station, noticing the telltale fire from machine blaze flashing and sparking in the valley below. He's not wrong; this place is chalk-full of machines.

"We can handle machines," Aloy said, moving again toward the wooden gate blocking off the car.

"I-I'm sure you can!" the Oseram stuttered. "But I'm under strict orders not to operate until the whistle down at Chainscrape blows the all-clear!" Aloy rolled her eyes, sighing.

"Look, we didn't come all this way just to stand around and wait. I'll crank that car down myself if I have to."

"I'd listen to her," Orea advised, trying to save the Oseram from a fight he couldn't win. Orea knew from first-hand experience that nothing could stop Aloy once she'd set her sights on a goal. "She means it."

"Well, but then who would crank it back up?" Aloy gave the operator a sardonic glance before pushing forward anyway, Orea following behind her.

"Fine! Fine!" He conceded, lifting the gate and ushering the sisters forward with a single braced arm, clearly none too pleased with the outcome of the conversation. Sorry friend, you don't seem like a half-bad fellow, but nothing's getting in our way.

"If anyone asks though, it might be best to say you forced me." With a grumble, he began cranking the wheel, the cart sliding peacefully down the rail. Orea took in the sight before her: the Daunt truly was breathtaking, wisps of cloud floating between the jagged canyons, masking the bright colors of the valley. Further below, smoke rose toward the sky. The work of machines, maybe?

"I see smoke, but not a lot going on," she observed.

"The smoke's probably coming from something the machines wrecked. As for the quiet, well, there's a work stoppage in effect because of all the fuss."

"What kind of machines are we talking about?"

"Nasty ones, that's what. Lots of 'em too. They're called Bristlebacks."

"Bristlebacks, huh?" Orea shrugged. "Can't say I've ever heard of them."

"I'm not surprised: they're not native to the Daunt or the Sundom. Just showed up all of a sudden."