Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 71

I ran faster in the woods, knowing I was being hunted. I looked to my left and I looked to my right. There were machines running in and out of the plants, only showing a few seconds of themselves. I knew what they were and I knew where they were heading. I needed to get them as far away as possible. But I also needed them for parts. I pulled out my bow and shot at them, missing by a few inches. I reloaded and shot once more, finally hitting its weak spots, causing them to fall over one another. Seizing this opportunity, I grabbed my spear and threw it at the machine that fell over its comrade. It lodged into its weak point and I grabbed my spear while running after the others, continuing the game of hunt or be hunted. I threw it once more, getting one of the machines in the leg.

I grabbed my bow and another arrow, loading it up and shooting at the machine, causing it to fall over. I stopped and reloaded, knowing there was one more around. I scanned the area, searching for where it was going to come out of. Jumping from behind me was a Scrounger. I turned and was going to shoot at it, but an arrow from nearby lodged into the machine and it fell onto the ground. I looked over to see it was one of my mothers. I sighed and got up, grabbing my spear before making my way over to her.

"Not bad, but needs improvement," I said.

She nodded.

"You're getting better, Lis. Don't worry about your skills. And you certainly can't compare them to your mother's," I said.

"But I want to be just like mom," Lis said. "Both you and her."

"I know, Lis. I know, but within time you will get there. It needs time and practice. Did you think your mother became the best huntress in the Forbidden West and in the East overnight?"

"No."

"Exactly. But you are certainly getting farther than we have expected. You're growing stronger, Lis. And one day," I knelt down beside her, looking into her green eyes. Another physical trait she inherited from Aloy. "You will be stronger."

"But I want to be stronger now."

"In time, Lis. In time."

"You always say that! So does mom. Why can't I become stronger now?"

"Because you need to build up your strength and your experience. Right now you're inexperienced. But you will become experienced one day. I promise you, Lis."

She nodded, "Yes, mommy."

"Come now, your mother and aunt are probably waiting. Or they're just getting back."

"Where were they going?"

"They had to deal with some pest issues."

"The Utaru?"

"Yeah. Seems there are more killer machines coming from the mountain beside them. We really need to work on making that mountain a safer place."

"Can I help?"

"Maybe when you're older, Lis," I said.

It has been about ten years since Lis was brought into this world. Everyday was a challenge with her, but there were days where it was better than others. I was just grateful that Aloy and Beta were around when I needed some extra hands. And Aloy was the one to give her training when she was old enough. She didn't force it on her. She brought her along when Aloy had to clear out some machines. And Lis had been enthralled by the idea of being like her. She looked up to Aloy in a way that only reminds me of myself when I watched her when I was younger. When we were walking towards the house, Aloy and Beta were walking back. Lis caught sight of her mother and she ran off, calling for her. I smiled, looking over to see a wide smile appear on Aloy's face. She knelt down and embraced Lis as she jumped into her arms.

"Hey, Lis. How are you doing?" Aloy asked.

"Alright."

"Did you do better today?"

"Yeah. I almost got it, but the end nearly got me."

"That's better than the last time you did that training exercise. What did mommy say?" Aloy asked.

It was weird at first for her to call me that, but it grew on both of us to be mothers now. 

"She said I did better."

"And she is right. You did do better."

"We got you something from the Utaru, Lis," Beta said.

She pulled out a small woven little Burrower. She handed it to Lis and she smiled, remembering the last little woven machine she had received from Zo. Zo had even give her a seed pouch when she first saw her. She didn't tell her what the seed pouch meant, but she informed Lis that she fills the pouch with her favorite flower seeds. In which she did as soon as she was told she could. We didn't mind Zo giving it to her since we knew it was part of the Utaru ways. Kotallo and Erend stopped by when they could to finally meet Lis. Kotallo had given her a feathered cloak, ones that resembled some that the Tenakth wore. And Erend had given her a piece of Oseram armor for her to add to hers when she grew older. Alva came around when she was able to to give Lis a proper Quen garment from her homeland. We were all thankful for them coming to the house, especially Alva since her homeland is across the Pacific. 

"I'll have to put it where my Tallneck is," Lis smiled.

I had whittled her a Tallneck, since that was her first machine she was fascinated by. I couldn't blame her since the Tallneck was one of Aloy's favorites. 

"How was clearing out the machines?" I asked Aloy as we were heading into the house.

"There were quite a few of them. Thankfully Beta was there to lend a hand. And thank you, Y/N, for training Lis today. I know you have your ways of training."

"I didn't mind at all, Aloy. Besides, I think Lis is teaching me things I never would have known. She definitely has your intellect."

She chuckled, "She's got a lot from both of us, not just that."

We watched her as she was running around the front of the house with Beta. Beta had a huge smile on her face and so did Lis. I leaned against Aloy and she rested her head against mine.

"I could get used to this," Aloy said.