After the War's End

Chapter 24

The Nora grasped his healthy hand tightly to give him the final push. He had to jump onto two more fins after climbing that ladder. Finally, he was up there. His legs were trembling, and he was quite scared. As soon as he stepped onto the metal, he could feel the massive metal base of the giant moving with each step he took beneath his feet, so he fell to his knees in terror. He tightly closed his eyes and tried to calm himself as sweat droplets bathed his forehead. She sat beside him for support.

"Don't think about where you are. Look outside rather than up at the head, and you'll feel much more stable." Aloy said, placing a hand on his shoulder. Avad sat on the metal base and leaned closer to the huntress to feel safer. Then he gazed at the forest. The treetops were starting to take on a slightly orange hue, a reflection of the crepuscular sunlight. In the background, the mountains and the Spire were visible, diffused by mist and pink clouds, adorned with a flock of birds soaring through the sky at that very moment. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, and the real magic of the sunset was still a while away. Gradually, he calmed down, realizing he was still in one piece.

"I can't believe I'm up here!" he exclaimed, euphoric and barely believing it. Aloy smiled, seeing him so happy.

"I told you it was really worth it. Since I climbed my first Tallneck, it's become one of my favorite activities. From up here, you can see the surroundings very well, and the view is... different from anything I'd seen before." she explained "I wanted to share it with you." Aloy admitted shyly. He smiled, and they sat in silence for a few minutes, admiring the landscape.

Aloy sighed. It was time to talk to him. She had debated with herself for a while about whether or not to open up to Avad. After all the situations and rejection she had experienced since childhood, she never showed vulnerability and didn't trust anyone enough to reveal her deepest feelings and convictions. But the journey through the Forbidden West had changed her. She had stopped viewing her feelings as a hindrance, something that separated her from her duty, just as she had initially felt that being a Nora would be more of a burden than a help. She had been rejected from a young age and had always appeared invulnerable to everyone. It was a way to protect herself. She sighed. Despite all that, she felt a strong need to show Avad who she really was, to step out of that role of an invincible warrior she had been forced into. After carrying the weight of her mission alone for so long, even to the point of collapsing, she had relied on her friends, all those people she had met during her journey, and whose help had been crucial. Since she had first set foot in the palace, she had felt a connection with the monarch, which had only intensified over time with each encounter. Moreover, since she had woken up there again, they had spent so much time together and faced grave dangers, that the bonds that connected them had become truly profound. Finally, she turned towards the Sun-King and gently placed her hand on his. Avad, feeling it, interlaced his fingers with hers and held her hand.

"Avad..." she called to him "I... would like to talk with you." she said, fearful, feeling a shiver of anxiety shake her entire body.

"I'm here." he replied, tearing his amazed gaze away from the scenery to look at her with a friendly smile, which Aloy returned before turning her gaze away. She sighed again, visibly nervous, causing him to instantly realize that she had something serious to tell him.

"This morning, when we were with the Striders, you asked if something was bothering me, and... I told you it wasn't the right time..."

"Yes, I remember. Is there something that's bothering you?" he asked, concerned, seeing sadness in her eyes. She took a moment to respond.