Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 40

We returned back home with our small haul we had. I was carrying the deer on my shoulder while Aloy had the two rabbits. When we were within distance of the house, I could hear my father was yelling at my mother.

"Are you really going to support her?"

"She's our daughter! I am going to support her no matter what."

"So that's it? You're going to allow your daughter to be with an outcast?"

"She is no longer an outcast now. She has proven herself to the tribe. And so it is within the tribe that we respect it. Anyone who wins The Proving, Nora or outcast, they are deemed a Nora. Wrap that around your thick head."

"And are you going to help her with this Nemesis thing? Do you even believe that?"

"They've seen so much than we could ever have achieved in our lifetime. I am going to believe it because who else is going to believe them? If at least one of us in the tribe is going to believe, I will be the first to believe. And I will be the first to fight alongside them. I wasn't there much for Y/N when she fell from the mountain when they were attacked. You did the hard work and dragged her out of there. I just was in here making sure she was cared for. So I want to do what is right as not only as her mother, but as a Nora. And not only that, do what is right as potentially Aloy's mother-in-law."

"You think she's going to stay together with that outcast?"

"Don't you see how bright and warm Y/N becomes when Aloy is around her? Her eyes light up and such a wide smile appears on her face. Aloy has done something to our daughter that I can't help but admire. She wasn't really happy here, but with Aloy, she has found her light. Her path. I am not sure if they're going to stay together long enough to get married or what not, but even if they don't, I will always welcome Aloy into this house. Whether you like it or not."

"Then you best find some other place to live."

"No. You should find some place to--"

I ran towards the house and Aloy was right behind me. I dropped the deer onto the porch and Aloy dropped the rabbits. We both pulled out our bows and we barged into the house. My mother was on the ground holding her throat, coughing, and my dad was looming over her. Our bows were pointed right at my dad.

"You're not going to win if you fight us," I said.

"What, like you and this outcast can be better than me?" he asked. "I was the leader of the hunt."

"Until you were replaced by someone else," I said, remembering how distraught he was when he heard that news. "All because you couldn't hit animals in the vital spots."

"I'm still the best."

"From what I've seen," I looked over at Aloy. "She can take you down with one arrow to the neck."

"Alright, then do it, outcast."

"You've given me a lot of reasons to shoot you. But not a strong enough one. Not even when you had your hand around Y/N's neck."

"And what if I did this," he brought out his spear and walked up to me, placing the tip against my stomach, but it didn't penetrate. "Is this a strong enough reason?"

"You're pushing your limits here. Besides, she's still healing from a wound. Do you really want to be the reason your daughter dies?"

"I'd rather her die than spend the rest of her days with someone like you."

I clenched my jaw, not wanting to release my arrow. But when he took the spear away from me and walked up to Aloy, putting it by her throat, I knew he was going too far.

"Rather, I'd get rid of the problem right here and right now."

"That's enough," I sneered.

My dad turned his head and held the spear closer to her neck, some blood trickling down, "Whoops, my hand slipped."

"Take that spear away from her neck," I said.

"Make me."

I looked at Aloy. She slowly nodded her head and then looked down at the hand that was holding the spear. I don't know what was going to become of this, but it was worth a shot. I shot the arrow in my dad's hand. He pulled the spear back and dropped it. I kicked it out of the way and Aloy pulled back her arrow and pointed it right at his head. I reloaded and pulled it back, pointing right at his neck.

"Leave and never return," I said.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked. "I am your dad!"

"Was. You're no father of mine if you can't even support your daughter doing one simple thing."

"I trained you. I gave you everything before The Proving."

"And now you have given me nothing. You're the outcast here, not Aloy."

My dad looked over at my mother who was getting up now. She grabbed his spear and looked at him sternly.

"You heard her. Leave."

My dad, looking angered and disappointed, walked towards the front door.

"But know this, outcast," my dad said and pointed at Aloy. "You will never be accepted by the tribe."

"Are you trying to insult me? Try a little harder but I don't think you can without causing some steam to come out of your ears."

My mother and I both tried to hold back our laughter as my dad stormed out of the house. When he was gone we finally let out our laughter.

"That was a good one," my mom said.

"We came back with more than just a rabbit," I said and we walked out onto the porch.

"A deer? You managed to get a deer?"

"Yeah," I said.

"What a wonderful hunt. Thank you, both of you. Dinner will be ready soon. Go and relax. You need it after what just happened."

We walked into my room and I closed the door.

"Oh, I forgot to give this back to you," I said and handed Aloy her Focus back.

"Thanks," she said and placed it back on her head.

"Was it weird not having it there?"

"A bit, but it was a good way to reconnect with the senses."

I smiled and we both sat down beside one another on the bed.

"I'm sorry about your dad."

"Don't be. He was being an ass to you. Besides, he's the true outcast here, not you."

She smiled and pressed a small kiss to the side of my head. 

A/N: Just wanted to let you all know, we are now at the halfway point of this story. Buckle up for another 40 more chapters!