Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 19

"We're just outside of Barren Light," Aloy said as we were taking a break from riding.

The two of us were stretching since riding on the Chargers was numbing, epsecially for the ass. But it was much faster than walking from Meridian to Barren Light. And with the amount of new machines, it was much easier to ride right past them instead of fighting all of them. 

"We're far from Meridian now," I said and looked in the direction of where Meridian would be. "Wonder if Varl has woken up by now."

"He probably has and seen that I left. We left," Aloy corrected herself.

"You really thought you would get out of there by yourself," I chuckled. "You should know by now, Aloy, that I have great hearing."

"I sometimes forget you can hear things that others can't."

"You have your Focus to see what others can't and I got the hearing that other's don't. We make a great team," I chuckled once more. 

"We've always made a great team. Especially when we were fighting that Slitherfang. I definitely wouldn't have been able to take it down as quickly if you weren't there."

I smiled, "I'm not used to the Focus yet and I still have a lot to learn. I never would have known to scan the Slitherfang if you weren't there to point out its weak points."

"Every machine has their weak points," she said and scanned one of the Chargers. "Scan the Charger real quick."

I turned and scanned it, seeing some parts glow.

"See that orangish glow to it?"

"Yeah."

"Those are the weak points."

"Never would have known that."

"It'll be helpful when we have to fight the new machines we've never come across before."

After we took our break, we got onto the Chargers and started to head towards Barren Light. We headed up another mountain to find someone sitting next to a carrier that would bring people down from the high mountain. We got off of the Chargers and the man stood up, greeting us.

"I have never seen someone actually ride one of those," he admired.

"Is this the way to get to Barren Light?"

"Yes, it is, but no one is allowed down."

"Why's that?"

"The valley is infested with Bristlebacks. I cannot let anyone pass until I hear the horn for the all clear."

Aloy looked down at the valley before looking over at me, "Think you can take on a couple of Bristlebacks?"

"Why not," I said and moved my shoulders a bit, moving my head from side to side. "Get's my blood pumping."

"Take us down," Aloy said to the man. "We'll deal with the Bristlebacks."

The man nodded and we got into the carrier. He cranked us down to the platform and we walked off only to be met by a Sun Priest and one of the Oseram.

"Ah, there he is. You need to get me back up there," the Sun Priest said, but Aloy closed the door.

"He's not allowed to move anyone until the valley is clear. Isn't that right?"

I chuckled as the Sun Priest looked apalled by what Aloy had done.

"Excuse me, but I am not going to be sitting here in this death valley. I need to be up there where it's safe."

"You'll be safe, once we clear out the valley."

"You think you can do such a thing, outcast?"

"Um, excuse me, sir," the Oseram said.

"What is it?"

"That's Aloy. You know, the Savior of Meridian."

"The Savior," he turned back to face Aloy. 

"Do you know how to clear out the valley?" Aloy asked the Oseram.

"The head of the guard went down to see if he could clear it with a few of the other Oseram."

I looked over at the Sun Priest as he opened up his scroll and read something from it.

"Hey, shh," Aloy looked over at him.

I couldn't help myself but laugh as he got what he deserved.

"What are you chuckling at?" he asked.

"It's just Aloy. She doesn't let anyone get in her way."

"Is she always like that?"

"Yeah," I said. "It's admirable."

"Sometimes it can be too much if you ask me."

"Well you didn't think you would be pushed around by someone like Aloy. Let alone be someone who once used to be an outcast."

"Let alone a woman," he muttered.

"Hey," I said and pulled out my spear. "You're here because a woman had you. And a woman can take you out of this world."

He looked at my spear and then took a few steps away from me, "That's what I thought."

"Come on, Y/N. We're going to head into the valley and get the Bristlebacks out of there," Aloy said.

I looked at the Sun Priest before waving to him. When Aloy wasn't looking, I gave him the middle finger and walked beside her.

"What were you saying to the Sun Priest?" Aloy asked.

"He was surprised that he was being pushed around by you," I chuckled.

She laughed as well, "Well, I don't like flaunting around my status, but sometimes it comes in handy when neccessary."

"Status or not, he deserved to be shushed since he was spouting something from a scroll. You're more for action and a little less writing."

She nodded her head, "You got me there."

We walked into the valley to find Erend was being pinned by some Bristlebacks. We hurried to aid him and grabbed the attention of the Bristlebacks.

"Aloy! Y/N!" he yelled when we came to help him.

"Stay there, Erend," I yelled and we took down the Bristlebacks with ease.

"You two are something," he said and walked over to us. 

"We were just talking about how we make a great team," I smiled.

"There are more Bristlebacks not too far from here. Once they're all cleared, we can go to Barren Light. Where's Varl?"

"Back at Meridian."

"How come Y/N is here?" he asked.

"She caught me just as I was about to leave. I had to let her come," Aloy said and looked over at me. "Besides, she made the journey out here more entertaining."

"That's what I do best," I said and walked in the direction where Erend pointed. "Come on, let's get going. We need to get to Barren Light for that embassy."

Aloy nodded and followed after me.