*Update: I added a new little tidbit. There will be more flashbacks throughout so eventually the whole story of Elisabet's past will be told.*

A/N: Sooooo sorry for the long update guys. I was on an archaeological dig for a bit. I recently got back into the Mass Effect series and will more than likely be beginning a story shortly (for the original trilogy, don't get me started on Andromeda). I added a quote from the series in here, see if you can find it, though it is edited a bit. The new story will be Femshep/Liara based so if that interests any of you, please stick around. Will also be updating this story as well. Also, gonna take this time to answer some FAQS I've received in comments and PMs

1. Are Aloy and Elisabet going to be romantically involved?

-NO. Just...no. D:

2. Is Aloy going to have a romantic partner?

-No. I never saw Aloy as the type to be in a relationship. She's too wild to be tamed. It's not going to stop the flirting, though. ;)

3 What kind of plot will this fic contain?

-There is quite a bit of foreshadowing in this particular chapter, but it will be like a sequel to the game. The events, I don't think, will be far fetched or hard to imagine. Will there be fluff? Yes. Will there be character death? Yes. It's not going to be happy go lucky all the time, I may even end up changing the rating depending on how dark I take things. Or rather, how graphic I am in my writing. There will be ups and downs, happiness and sadness, humor and seriousness. I won't divulge too much on the events themselves. ;)

4. Will familiar characters be making an appearance?

-Hellz yeah. If you've read their names in my fic, they're probably coming back. To an extent. :)

5. Are you going to make Aloy gay?

-She isn't going to be gay or straight, she's just going to be Aloy. :)

That concludes the FAQs, hope that helped or answered some questions. I'm liking some of these suggestions in the comments, will definitely be including some of them. As always, thank you for reading. :)

"So...Free Heap...?"

"What about it?" Aloy asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Will you take me?"

Aloy rubbed the back of her neck with apprehension and sighed, "I suppose."

"What's the problem?" Elisabet asked, noting the young huntress's concern.

"Well, safety for one thing. You aren't exactly an aspiring warrior" Aloy replied, pointing at the older woman's civilian garb.

Elisabet scoffed with a smirk, "I'm sorry, I didn't have time to become an expert huntress. I was too busy trying to save the world."

Aloy relented, "You know what I mean" she answered apologetically.

"Then teach me" she said simply.

"What?" Aloy asked flatly.

"Teach me to fight, teach me how to protect myself."

Aloy backed up with her hands raised but Elisabet merely followed her forward.

"I'm not exactly teacher material" Aloy hesitated, trying to come up with an excuse as she continued to back up but Elisabet wasn't going to budge.

"I'm sure you'll do fine" she defended, as Aloy finally backed herself up against a tree, "I'm a quick learner. Besides, I can always try and teach myself but I think we both know how that would end up. I can see it now, me shooting an arrow that happens to hit a Thunderjaw and then that Thunderjaw uproariously charging at me and right before it eats me for dinner, I would think to myself: 'If only Aloy would have properly taught me how to use this thing, maybe I would have survived.'"

Aloy sagged her shoulders with another sigh, "Fine", she glared, "I'll teach you."

Elisabet smiled and patted her on the cheek.

Aloy pointed a stern finger at her before relinquishing her position at the tree, "but no firing at anything, least of all a Thunderjaw."

"Deal."

The two of them set off for free Free Heap that next morning, taking flight on the friendly Stormbird that had patiently and loyally waited for them outside the city gates. It had covered itself beneath its massive wings and was exuding a high metallic chirping noise that Aloy could only assume was meant to be snoring. The various denizens of Meridian would sometimes approach it with apprehension, which was understandable, but when they understood that the large machine was in fact docile and meant them no harm, many would often bring food for it in the form of whatever they had available, or more likely, whatever they didn't want or could no longer use. Nevertheless, the Stormbird seemed appreciative and after finishing its meal, would then continue its slumber.

Aloy placed her hand gently on the bird's back then slowly retreated as it began to stir and uncurled its body. Elisabet watched in awe as the Stormbird stood to its full grandeur, but not before stretching each of its legs. With a shake of its wings and head, it turned to the two women and instinctively lowered itself, allowing the two of them to clamber onto its back.

"I think you've found yourself a pet, Aloy" the older woman mused, wrapping her arms around her daughter's waist as the young huntress adjusted position.

"Did your dog ever try to kill you?"

"No, can't say he did."

"Then I don't think this constitutes as a pet" Aloy smirked.

The Stormbird chirped in response before taking a running start and ascending into the air. After a few moments, it had become accustomed once more to flight and began to glide effortlessly through the air only stopping to occasionally flap its wings.

"I think you should give it a name" said Elisabet, after things had quieted down.

"What is it with you and naming things?"

"Humor me."

"Alright, how about 'machine'?" she answered sarcastically.

Elisabet lightly smacked her on the shoulder, "I said humor me"

"You know these things don't respond to names, right?" she asked.

"Have you ever tried calling one by a name?"

"Yes, usually by 'uh oh' or 'this isn't good' or even the occasional 'oh shit', but I think my favorite is probably 'that's gonna leave a mark in the morning'."

"Oh, har har" Elisabet mocked. In front of her, Aloy smirked as she was met by another light smack.

"You're good at names, you do it."

"I had a dog named Robo, do we really want to get into this again?"

"Humor me" Aloy teased, glancing over her shoulder.

"You tamed it, you get the honor of naming it."

"I already suggested machine and you shot it down."

"That's too impersonal...and too obvious."

"Fine, fine. How about...bird?"

"You're terrible at this."

"I don't see you giving me any ideas" Aloy grumbled

"It would be helpful to know what sex it is"

"I...don't think that's a thing with these."

"It is. Ted was very...thorough... in his designs."

"Why?"

"It's Ted, do you really need to ask?"

"How would you...check for that? Because I'm not sticking my hand anywhere near...that" Aloy grimaced.

"I suppose like anything else. I'll do it when we land, I'm curious now."

"You go right ahead" Aloy muttered.

The flight to Free Heap was a relatively calm one and for a while, the two of them rode in silence simply enjoying the scenery and fresh air. Despite growing up in the outdoors among the frigid landscape with the Nora, or rather lack thereof, Aloy would always find comfort in nature and there was something freeing about being up in the air away from the crowded cities and people who always wanted her attention. She was in the one place they would never be able to reach her. Elisabet sat quietly behind her, looking out over the countryside. The change did not sadden her, but it was not altogether welcoming and she clung tighter to Aloy as the only familiarity that she currently had.

They stopped in a clearing near a small stream for a time to stretch. Normally Aloy would have kept going, distance didn't usually bother her as she was used to rougher terrain and longer periods of travel. Being hunted usually achieved little break time. But for Elisabet's sake, though she never complained, Aloy ordered the Stormbird to land.

"Why are we stopping?" Elisabet asked as Aloy hopped down from its back.

"Figured you could use a break" she shrugged, throwing her pack to the ground.

"I'm old, but I'm not that old" she teased.

"You're sassy today" Aloy playfully chided.

"I seem to recall you once telling me that you were the 'hardest of the asses', where do you think you get it from?" she smiled.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Elisabet wondered if she shouldn't have said them. Was that too soon? Her smile began to slowly fade; Aloy could be hard to read at times, another gift she had passed onto her. But Aloy was also curious like herself and she cocked her head at Elisabet and chuckled causing the smile to once more return.

"I think..." Aloy began, picking up her bow, "that it's a perfect time for you to practice with one of these."

"Really?" Elisabet's eyes lit up as she strode to her daughter. Aloy nodded and held it out for her. Elisabet eyed it before looking up at her but when Aloy nodded with a smile, she carefully took it from her and held it as if it were made of glass.

"You won't break it" she said, amused, "trust me."

"But it's your bow. I was expecting some cheap beginner's bow, what if I...do something to it?" she asked with trepidation.

"It's just a bow" she assured her, "You'll be fine."

Elisabet sighed and nodded as Aloy stepped in behind her. She positioned the bow between Elisabet's hands, lightly drawing her into a proper stance before stepping off to the side, "Fingers here and here" she said gently pointing at the strings as Elisabet followed suit.

"Good, now wait there."

Aloy rummaged in her pack and drew out an apple and using a few rocks beside the stream bed, stacked them together to form a makeshift pedestal. Placing the apple on top, she resumed her position beside her mother.

"I'm starting to wonder if you have a vendetta against fruit" the older woman joked.

"I pulled a tooth out on of these things when I was a kid, never forgave them for that" she answered simply.

From the quiver she always kept on her back, Aloy proceeded to pull an arrow from it and handed it to Elisabet who proceeded to nock it without much difficulty.

"Not bad. Now, just pull it back."

Elisabet's arms shook at the bow's give and Aloy covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. After a few seconds, she finally managed to pull it all the way back and looked to Aloy for further instruction.

"Let go" she nodded, placing her hands on her knees as she knelt down to watch.

Elisabet drew a breath and focused her sights on the apple, not blinking, not even breathing. She let the arrow fly watching her target all the while. But, the apple stayed where it would and the arrow flew far left of its mark and pierced the ground behind it. Elisabet cocked her head and pouted before turning back to her daughter for her input.

"It takes practice, no hunter or huntress for that matter ever became an expert in a day."

"But you will teach me?"

"I will teach you" she affirmed, "but you're going to need a lot more than just bow practice. We have to build your upper body strength first. Rost wouldn't even let me touch a bow until he knew I could pull the strings back without give. It won't be easy, but if you want to learn, I'll teach you all I know."

Elisabet nodded and smiled before handing her back the bow with a genuine "Thank you."

Before stowing it behind her shoulder in its normal location, Aloy frowned at the apple and after retrieving her arrow from the ground, sent it flying straight through the fruit's core and caused it to repel off its pedestal with a soft thud. Elisabet eyed her quizzically.

"I hate apples" she shrugged, before pulling her arrow free.

Rather than continue their flight to Free Heap, Elisabet suggested they camp out instead. Evening would be upon them in a few hours and she hadn't seen the night sky lit up with stars since her days on the farm, of which there were few and far between of as she got older. Aloy was all too happy to agree, sleeping under a roof wasn't the norm for her. So the young huntress busied herself with unloading her gear as the Stormbird stayed faithfully by her side, all the while watching her intently as she began to set up camp.

"I gotta ask..." Aloy began, unraveling two bed rolls, "Why do you want to learn all this stuff? Don't get me wrong, I have no qualms about teaching you, but there are plenty of people who don't know how to fight or hunt or do any of the things I do and they get along fine."

Elisabet pondered, thinking carefully about how to respond as she set an armful of firewood down. 'Because you're my daughter and this is the only way I know how to relate to you' she thought, then shook said thought away before answering with, "Well if there's another cataclysmic event that happens on this poor planet, at least I'll know how to properly defend myself this time instead of hiding away in a bunker." She said it jokingly, but she meant it.

Aloy looked taken aback, "You weren't hiding, you were helping."

"I was locked away in safety while everyone on the outside kept throwing themselves at those damn machines just to buy me time for a weapon they believed would save everyone...a weapon that would never come. It never existed but I still feel like I failed them."

Elisabet closed her eyes and sighed, trying to fight back the anger and sadness. Aloy placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and Elisabet looked into her daughter's eyes.

"It's not your fault" she said quietly, "You did everything you could and there's honor in that."

Elisabet pulled away from her more sharply than she had intended, "I stood in the ashes of a billion souls and asked the ghosts if honor mattered" she glowered, "The silence was my answer."

Aloy opened her mouth to speak but had no words to say.

"I didn't do enough" Elisabet whispered, more to herself than Aloy, "I would have done anything to save them."

Aloy knelt beside her, "I know" she nodded.

Elisabet looked up at her, her eyes watering. "I"m sorry, I didn't mean to- I-"

Without hesitation, Aloy pulled her into a hug. She was surprised by her own affection but something about it just felt...right. She had unfrozen this woman from a 900 year slumber, introduced her to an entirely different world with entirely different rules with nothing and no one that was familiar to her out of the selfish need for some type of motherly figure that she wasn't even sure Elisabet wanted. And now it was all crashing down on her, it was all becoming real, and it was a lot for her to handle.

Aloy wrapped her arms tightly around her and Elisabet blinked in surprise, forgetting her sadness for a few seconds. And as Aloy held on tighter, refusing to let go, Elisabet slowly brought her arms up as well and clasped them around her daughter squeezing her eyes shut as she gripped her tighter, trying to fight back tears. Aloy could feel her body clench as she held them back, refusing to let her guard down, refusing to appear weak. In her time, she was used to being a leader, a figure that people looked to for answers and for hope. She staved off the fear that kept everyone else around her bolted down. Back then she had only been filled with rage, the only thing she could turn to to keep that same fear hidden. It was more than just saving those on the outside, it was about destroying the things that had caused them so much pain and it was only enhanced by the realization that she couldn't do a damn thing to help them.

But now? Now there was only sorrow and it was hitting her all at once.

"It's okay" Aloy soothed.

Such simple words, but enough to break her barrier. She couldn't hold it back anymore and Aloy held her tight as her body wracked with sobs. Elisabet clung to her, the only semblance of her past life she still had left. But for now, it was enough.

Aloy remained where she was as Elisabet began to slow her breathing back down to normal. She gently pulled away from her and sniffed, wiping stray tears from her eyes.

"I'm sorry" she said, sounding embarrassed. Or was it shame?

"You don't have anything to be sorry for. I understand what it's like to want to save someone that you can't."

" I shouldn't have taken it out on you, either."

"I've been told worse" she lightly smiled.

"It's just- it's a lot. I should have expected to feel overwhelmed by now but-"

Aloy held up a hand, "I know" she assured her, "If anything, I should be the one apologizing. I didn't stop to think whether you'd actually want to be woken up. I'm sorry I never...asked is the wrong word, but-"

"No" Elisabet said, cutting her off, "I wanted to. I was meant to. I had a mission...have a mission and I have to see it through."

"What is it?"

"It's extremely important to me"

"You can't tell me?" she asked trying not to sound hurt.

"Not right now" she said quietly, "Please understand."

"I do."

"I will one day when I've seen it through, I promise."

"Alright. Let me know if I can do anything to help."

Elisabet smiled, "You already have."

It was less of a mission and more of a journey.

Year 2064

"Elisabet are you positive you want to proceed?"

"Yes, GAIA. This is something I know in my heart I have to do."

"But you risk the possibility of never waking up."

"I know. But I also know you and I trust you."

GAIA looked at her sadly and pursed her lips as Elisabet walked to her and held up her palm. GAIA followed in her direction and there they stood saying their last goodbyes in silence.

"Elisabet-"

"I'll be fine, GAIA. And if I'm not...then it wasn't meant to be."

"You are placing a high amount of trust in an individual who does not yet even exist. The probability is-"

She gently broke her off, "The probability doesn't matter" she answered softly.

"But you could die" the sorrow in her voice creeping in.

Elisabet smiled, "I'm going to die anyway, whether it's out there or in here. At least through this, I might get the chance to meet her. And if I don't, if she doesn't find me, if she...can't...then I'll never know and I'll be none the wiser."

"If you are sure"

"I am."

"Then have finished preparations" she said quietly, "only your genetic construct will be able to open this door."

"Not my genetic construct, more than that" she said proudly.

GAIA paused, trying to find her words carefully and Elisabet could see her searching her data banks for the correct term, "Your...daughter...will only be able to open this door."

Elisabet smiled instantly, "Daughter" she murmured, the word strange on her tongue, "I always wanted a daughter."

She began lowering herself in the stasis tube and GAIA sensed her heart rate picking up, her nerves become tangled. Trying to comfort her in the best way she knew how, she stayed on topic and asked her: "What would you want her to be like?"

Elisabet swallowed trying to steady her breathing, "I would want her to be curious...willful...and compassionate" she finished softly.

"That is not unlike yourself."

"She won't be exactly like me and I don't want her to be. She's her own person."

"Your DNA will be in her, she will not be completely identical" GAIA paused a second time before saying, "But she will be yours."

Elisabet quickly wiped a stray tear away before fully laying down. GAIA looked to her for approval and when she nodded to proceed, GAIA closed her eyes. The tube's lid began to slowly lower itself, sealing her in with a hiss as she tried to remain calm. A few seconds later she could feel her body grow tired and her eyes struggled to stay open as her skin began to grow cold. The feeling reminded her of a deep anesthetic and she could no longer fight it off. Her breathing returned to normal and her vitals, to GAIA's standards, were level.

In the sealed chamber of Thebes, the last known bunker of humankind, Elisabet lay in silence. GAIA kept watch, shutting down her non critical functions before joining her in a deep sleep of constant vigil. And for the 903 years she would remain there keeping guard over the woman who had given her life, she would stay loyally by her side.

They camped under the stars that night and for the first time in a long time, Elisabet finally felt at ease. The sky looked no different than it had during her childhood, even though she knew it bore scars that would likely never heal. Aloy had long past fallen asleep and Elisabet smiled over at her every time she twitched or made little huffs of breath in her sleep. Beside them, the Stormbird could be heard resuming its metallic snoring beneath its wings. Between the sights and sounds, Elisabet felt like she was back home on the farm. She could carve out a life here, it wouldn't be the same, but that didn't have to be a bad thing.

...

...

Aloy awoke that morning to the sounds of more metallic chirping. She opened one eye. Elisabet was stroking the Stormbird, rubbing the side of its face like a horse and though it was the complete opposite, it seemed to enjoy it. It was even a bit taken aback when the older woman stopped and nudged her hand for her to continue.

"I think it would be safer to say that you have a pet" Aloy yawned, stretching her arms to the sky, "That thing likes you far more than it likes it me."

"Maybe because I give it attention" she playfully scolded.

"I stuck a spear in its back, I don't think it wants anymore attention from me."

"Speaking of which, I think it's time we figure out what we're working with here. Come here."

Aloy eyed her with suspicion, "Why?"

"Just come over here" she repeated.

Aloy did as she was told.

"While I've got it relaxed, look beneath and see what sex it is."

Aloy frowned at her.

"Aren't you curious even in the slightest? Yesterday you didn't even know they had a sex."

Aloy blinked and continued to frown, unfazed.

"If you won't, I will."

At that she sighed and held up a hand for her not to move. Aloy had a lot more experience with these machines. She also didn't want Elisabet to get hurt and no matter how friendly this Stormbird appeared to be now that it was docile, Aloy still treated it with caution. She had been in her fair share of scrimmages with them to know what they were capable of and more importantly to never fully trust one even if it was tamed.

Aloy knelt beside it and looked up underneath, "What exactly am I supposed to be looking for?"

"I guess if you see anything dangling, you'll know."

"Lovely..."

After a few quick peaks from a few different angles, Aloy resigned in her inspections. She had fought machines, destroyed machines, even tamed machines, but sexing a machine was something she never thought she'd be adding to her list. There really wasn't that much to see except a slight indent made of a slightly different shade of metal where one would expect such appendages to be.

"Well?" Elisabet asked when Aloy had finished.

"Well I didn't see anything...obvious..." she paused.

"Well then, it looks like we can stop calling it 'it' and start calling her, 'she'"

"If you say so" Aloy shrugged.

"I thought of a name, by the way. I stayed up last night looking at the stars, thinking back to my time in college. I took a class in world religions once in my early years there. Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, many religions in my time were at an end. But to learn of so many beliefs and thought processes from different cultures always fascinated me. My professor once spoke of a Hindu god associated with storms and lightning. I believe it's fitting considering our friend here" she said, patting it on the beak.

"What was the god's name?"

"Indra."

"I like it."

"Then Indra it is."

They arrived in Free Heap that afternoon although the war had taken its toll on many aspects Free Heap was a strong and formidable village and the Oseram who called it home were even stronger. Bred from iron and steel, the Oseram had rebuilt that which was broken in a matter of days and Free Heap looked no worse for wear. On the contrary, under Petra's command, it seemed even more sound and sturdy than it had before. Around the exterior of the village, there was now a wall of concrete and stone that stretched all the way down to the river bed and surrounded Free Heap on every side. It was no longer open to public access and was under constant surveillance by numerous Oseram guards who patrolled its border. On each corner of the wall erupted a guard tower and housed in each tower was a mounted cannon. Aloy shuddered at the thought of having to use one of them again. The last few times had nearly dislocated her shoulder.

Aloy flew over the wall's confines and landed in an open area away from most of the public, though the sudden appearance of a giant Stormbird clanking to a halt, like the Carja, sent a majority of the Oseram scurrying in a different direction. A few remained behind with their halberds raised, but upon realizing that Aloy was controlling it, they immediately lowered them and proceeded to wave at her with smiles.

"Stay here...Indra" said Aloy, the idea of calling a machine by a name would take some getting used to. Indra chirped in response, though whether it was because she understood she was being talked to or it was out of habit, Aloy didn't know. Before she could take two steps she was lifted into the air by Erend who proceeded to sling her over his shoulder and spin around a few times before setting her back down.

"Aloy!" he cried, holding her out at arms length, his hands on both her shoulders, "You're here! How are are you!"

"I'm good, Erend" she chuckled as he shook her roughly with his excitement, "How are things?"

"Good, good. Take a look around, we've done a lot of remodeling" he said motioning at the wall.

"I saw, it's a nice touch."

"If it keeps the damn Eclipse out, it'll be more than that."

"You're still having problems with them?"

"No, they haven't showed their sorry hides since you destroyed HADES but I'm sure there's still a few stragglers around somewhere. Course, it helps with the raiders and Glinthawks too but they haven't been around in awhile either. Not that I'm complaining, mind you."

Erend caught sight Elisabet out of the corner of his eye. She was standing cautiously behind Aloy. He looked to Elisabet then to Aloy then back to Elisabet then back to Aloy again before taking a step back to reassess what he was seeing.

"Either I drank a lot more ale than I thought I did or I'm going crazy, because either is possible, but I'm seeing two of you."

"It's a long story" said Aloy as she gently pulled the older woman in front of her, "This is Dr. Elisabet Sobeck. Dr. Sobeck, this is my good friend, Erend."

Erend bowed politely in front of her before extending his hand, "Any friend of Aloy's is a friend of mine."

Elisabet shook his hand and smiled, "It's nice to meet you, I've heard stories about you."

"Well that's a scary thought" he chuckled, "hopefully they weren't too traumatizing."

"She told me how you helped defeat HADES, it was very brave."

"Ahh, that was all Aloy. We were mainly the distraction" he said with a wave of his hand.

"Don't sell yourself short, Erend. I couldn't have done it without you" she said patting him on the shoulder.

"Well, thanks. Glad I could help" he nodded with a smile.

"Is Petra around? I got her letter, she said she had something for me."

"Yeah, she's over at the forge. Go on over, I'll catch up with you later. I just remembered something I have to do, but I expect a drink from you before you leave. I still owe you for helping me with Ersa."

"You paid me back with HADES."

"Well then I owe you for keeping me alive" he suggested, "Just have a drink with me."

"Alright, alright."

He smiled at them both before running to catch up with his fellow guardsmen. Aloy motioned for Elisabet to follow as they walked upstairs to Petra's forge. As per usual she was busy working on it, though what she was possibly conjuring up this time, Aloy wasn't sure she wanted to know. In her letter, Petra had assured her that her new toy was less dangerous, but her definition of dangerous and Aloy's definition of dangerous were entirely different.

"Petra?" Aloy called, not wanting to disturb her. Petra turned and grinned and then immediately looked confused.

"Damn...they must have spiked that ale hard today."

"You're not seeing double, she's real."

"No kidding?" she gaped, looking Elisabet up and down before reaching out to poke her on the forehead, causing the older woman to jump, "Well, damn. You two are practically twins. Is this your long lost sister or something because honestly, nothing surprises me around here anymore."

"Uhh...something like that" Aloy stammered.

"You got a name or am I gonna have to call you Aloy two?" she asked.

"Elisabet...Lis" she answered.

"Well, hello, Lis. You can call me Petra."

"And as for you" she said, turning back to Aloy, "I see you got my letter."

"Yes, it crashed through my window one night while I was asleep" she frowned.

"Agh, sorry, I had to use one of the stupid ones. All my good messenger geese were in use."

"You trained a goose to carry messages?" Lis asked.

"Well I figure if Aloy can train a machine, I could train a goose. Though, it would probably be a lot easier if my hunters would stop eating them" she said with annoyance, "At least you got my message, didn't think it would get to you. I have a new toy for you."

"So I hear."

"Now. I know what you're thinking-"

"Will it explode?" she asked sternly.

"Define 'explode'"

"Petra..."

"It won't explode...per se."

"Per se?"

"Wait here."

Petra strode behind her forge and began rummaging through a bin of her previous inventions. She was completely hidden from view but every now and then Aloy would see her throw something over her shoulder. It would soar through the air before landing harshly on the ground. After about three or four of her "toys" found themselves on the ground, Petra returned. She twirled an arrow between her fingers and handed it to Aloy, "Know what that is?" she asked.

"...I would hope" the huntress replied.

"Prototype design, think I finally got all the kinks out."

"What does it do?"

"I'll show you. KAELUF, COME HERE!"

Lis and Aloy jumped as Petra called over the forge's edge. A few moments later, Kaeluf slumped up the stairs and sighed, "Please tell me you aren't gonna-" he began, too quiet for anyone to hear.

"Just the man I was looking for" Petra grinned, wrapping her arm roughly around his shoulder, "I need you to test out my arrow again."

He closed his eyes and grimaced, "I still haven't got feeling back in my-"

"I aimed a bit low that time, I'm sorry, but I worked all the kinks out this time. Should work like a charm."

"You said that last time" he groaned.

"And last time I was right. Those were old kinks, these are new ones."

"Can't you ask Rasgrund to do it?"

"Rasgrund didn't run off in the middle of the night, shirking his guard duties to go drinking, now did he?"

"It was one time!"

"Two times! You think I don't know everything that goes on around here? Now go stand over there and hush."

He sagged forward and did as commanded as Petra motioned for Aloy to draw her bow. She hesitantly nocked the arrow and looked at Petra with dread, but Petra merely looked at Kaeluf and sweetly smiled before saying to Aloy "Go ahead, shoot him."

"Wait-what?" she asked.

"You won't hurt him" she dismissed, waving her hands.

"Nothing except my pride" he groaned.

"Zip it!"

"Petra..."

"I've tested it on him before, he'll be fiiiiine."

"You shot him with an arrow?" she asked sternly.

"Only twice."

"It's fine, Aloy",sighed Kaeluf, "They only-"

"Don't tell her, you'll ruin the surprise!"

"Just do it" he winced, covering his groin.

Aloy hesitated but Petra kept nodding for her to continue. Finally she fired it but rather than piercing his skin, the tip of the arrow that Aloy hadn't realized had actually been coated in rubber, let out a tremendous jolt of electricity that caused Kaeluf to seize up and fall back in paralysis.

"YES!" Petra cheered, "Finally got that damn thing to work right!"

"Kaeluf, are you okay!" Aloy cried as Lis covered her mouth.

"He's fine!" she answered for him as he held up a shaky thumbs up before allowing his arm to fall back to the ground, "Though he probably won't be moving much for the next 24 hours."

"Let me guess, stun arrows?"

"Precisely. Sometimes you may not want to kill someone that's annoying you, or for that matter, not annoying you. Either way, one hit with this and they'll be completely but temporarily" she emphasized knowing Aloy would appreciate it more, "paralyzed".

"How did you even make this?"

"It involved a lot of alcohol."

Aloy cocked her head.

"I don't remember" Petra said.

"Well, they would be useful."

"I was hoping you'd say that. I already made about fifty of them."

"What would you have done if I said no?" she asked quizzically.

"Probably throw em' at whoever annoyed me the most."

"I'll take them."

The forgewoman beamed before returning to gather the rest of them.

"And Petra" she called before she ran off, "Thank you."