Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 59

The hologram cut out and I looked up at GAIA, tears streaming down my face.

"Thank you, GAIA."

"There is something she wished to inform you about, but has told me to tell you when the time is right."

"When the time is right?"

"Yes. She had a plan before going out there to sacrifice herself."

"And she didn't tell me?"

"She wanted this. Before she left, she called this a restart."

"A restart?"

"Yes. You will know in all due time. When the time has come, I will inform you on her plan."

"Thank you, GAIA. I think we should also focus on getting HEPHAESTUS merged with you once again."

"Indeed. It would be good to have the other subordinate functions with me."

"We'll think of something. Until then, GAIA."

"Until then."

I slowly walked out of the room and headed back to my room. I think it was best for me to heal a little bit before going to where I would bury her seed bag. These arrow wounds weren't going to heal for a long time. Until I can at least walk without my legs screaming in pain would be nice. 

About a couple of months have passed since the whole thing at the Zenith base transpired. My legs were healing as fast as they could, but I was able to walk without using my spear to help me get around. I woke up in the morning to find myself sleeping alone once more. I let out a sigh before getting up and walking into the main part of the base. Everyone who knew about her death was very sympathetic. Sona gave me back their Focuses they were using and headed back to the tribe. Her mother was staying with us for the time being, but was eventually going to head back to the tribe. Sona sent the others back and stayed behind until Y/N's mom was ready to head back. They both talked about losing a loved one since they had both lost their children. 

"Before you go," I said to her mother. "Do you want to see where she will be laid to rest?"

"Yes," her mother said and stood up. "Please, show me."

I walked out into the main part to find Zo. She was about five months along in her pregnancy. Since she was unable to directly show me, she gave me the coordinates, which was on top of the base. Her mother and I walked up to the top of the base to see there was a little flattened area. There was a rock shrine that had some flowers already growing. There was a large bag by the front of the rock shrine. Her mother and I walked towards it and I sat down, her sitting beside me. I reached into my pocket and pulled out her seed bag. I placed it in and covered it up.

"There we are, Y/N," I said.

"I hope you're resting well up there," her mother said and looked in the sky. "May the Goddess guide and take care of you."

We sat in silence for a bit before her mother stood up.

"I'm going to stay here for a bit."

"I'm going to head back to the tribe with Sona. There's nothing here that I can do."

"You'd rather go back to the tribe and have a constant reminder of your husband and daughter being dead?"

"In there, it's already a constant reminder. Seeing your room empty and me having her room, I can't bear it anymore, Aloy. I'd rather go back to the tribe and try to occupy myself."

I stood up and hugged her, "Have a safe journey back. If need be, I can override some Sunwings for you."

"I think Sona already has a way for us to get back. But thank you, Aloy."

She was about to take off her Focus, but I stopped her.

"If you ever need to get into contact with me, keep it."

"I want to, but it just reminds me too much of her."

I tapped my Focus and an image of her popped up.

"It does as well, but it helps me at times when I am lonely. Keep it. There might be some memories you made out here that you want to keep."

"Thank you, Aloy."

She headed back down to the base and I sat back down, looking out at most of the Forbidden West. It was the highest point on this mountain that wasn't right on the peak. I looked out to see some machines like a Tallneck and a Thunderjaw.

"I'm sure you're enjoying the sight more than I am," I said. "You get to see everything while I can't really see much."

A small gust of wind flew in.

"I know you're always going to be here. Always going to be watching. I-I can't express this enough, Y/N, but I miss being with you. I miss you being here in the base and with the others. The others agree. There was something about you that they enjoyed. They enjoyed being around your laughter, your warmth, and your kindess.

"Sylens left, no surprise there. But he might be back. Beta misses having you around for when I leave, she would always have someone to talk to. Zo is due in about four months. Erend is out in Hidden Ember with some Oseram delvers I befriended. And Kotallo is still with the tribe. Alva went back to her homeland with the Quen. I hope she returns. 

"I hope you're resting well up there. I haven't been able to sleep well since that day. I keep waking up and hoping that you'll be there and it was just a bad dream, but I find your spot empty beside me. It really reminds me of how life is so easy to be taken. I didn't want to start a relationship with you in fear of this happening. And when I thought we would be fine with the relationship we were working on, this happens. I don't blame you for anything of what happened. I do forgive you, but I can't forgive myself for not stopping you better."

Another gust of wind flew in before everything was still.

"I miss you, Y/N," I said. "I'll always love you."