After the War's End

Epilogue

Final scene of the Horizon saga

Will it be one of the possible options to give an (open) ending to Aloy's Adventures?

Avad was lost in his thoughts, leaning on the balcony after a grueling day of work. He sighed exhaustedly, his face buried in his hands, and his elbows on the wall. This was his first quiet moment of the day. Finally away from the city's hustle and bustle, paperwork, and the nobles with their appearances, formalities, criticisms, and requests, he lifted his gaze, scanning the landscape illuminated by the twilight, gracefully swaying from side to side through the trees of the forest until, as if feeling an impulse from within, he looked up, surprised to glimpse a figure in the air high above the sky. A majestic flying creature that he had only seen once in his entire life, and upon which the Redeemer had departed months ago to complete her mission, was approaching him. Then, the unmistakable figure of Aloy dropped from the sunwing, unfurling her shieldwing to land gracefully before his eyes, as if she were an apparition. Her tiara, the one he himself had made for her, adorned her red hair, which billowed in the wind like a blazing flame. She was beautiful, seeming like an angel fallen from the sky. Indeed, at that moment he could not distinguish whether he was dreaming, or if what was happening was real. Aloy approached the astonished Sun-King, admiring how his robes reflected golden flashes around him. A beautiful smile gradually formed on her face, revealing her perfectly aligned white teeth, contrasting with her caramel skin. She was radiant, in every sense of the word. They remained several moments staring into each other's eyes, as if unable to believe that their reunion was finally happening. Avad took her hands as if to reassure himself that she was real, and slowly ran his arms until he held her face, placing his hands gently on her skin.

"You're... here." he whispered. Unable to contain himself any longer, he exclaimed with joy and embraced the huntress with all his might. He wrapped her in his arms with such eagerness that he lifted her feet off the ground, while he closed his eyes tightly, tears of joy escaping from between his eyelids. He spun around, then landed her back on the ground. Suddenly, the exhaustion of the day vanished as he lost himself in the Nora's gaze upon making eye contact with her again after so long. Her emerald eyes, although vivid, emanated a peace he had never seen reflected in them before, and her smile described exactly what she felt. Finally, after so much struggle, Aloy was free of burdens. Embraced, they could feel each other. Their touch, their scent, their warmth, that dreamlike moment was simply perfect. For a moment, Avad feared that this might be a dream, and that upon waking up he would find himself alone in his room again, but no, it was really happening. Finally, they were in each other's arms, after what had seemed like an endless wait.

"It's done, it's all over." he expressed before pressing his lips against the Sun-King's, standing on tiptoe to reach him better. He slid his hand through the huntress's braided hair, savoring every moment. Time seemed to stand still as they showed each other their love, surviving distance and hardships.

"I told you I would always welcome you with open arms," he cried, pressing his forehead against hers. "I... I can't believe you're finally here."

"At last, we're safe. At last, you're safe." she said, unable to contain her joy, feeling drops of jubilation escaping from her eyes. Avad gently wiped away her tears, slowly sliding his thumbs across her sun-kissed cheeks as he held the face of his Redeemer.

"I never doubted that you would make it, not for a single minute."

Aloy and Avad. Two souls destined to find each other and remain together in the face of life's adversities. Shortly before sunset they had bid farewell, and at the same hour they were reunited, illuminated by the last lights of the day. They did not know what adventures the future held for them, but one thing was clear. Whatever it was, they would face it together.