Three Days Later

The streets of Meridian were flooded with Carja and Oseram alike, who lined them to see Aloy, clad in her Hunter's Lodge armor, make her way towards the bridge leading to the Palace of the Sun. Her exposed midriff was covered with scars sustained in the battles she had in the Embrace of the Mosaic. Aloy walked up to the guards who were guarding the bridge, and stopped. The guards moved their polearms and allowed her to pass. The crowds watched as Aloy made her way across the bridge. Once Aloy made it across the bridge, she looked to her right to see Blameless Marad, holding a sword. Before her was the fourteenth Sun-King of the Carja, Raidiant Avad, and behind him was an elegant suit of armor. A beaming smile was on Avad's face. The crowd was let across the bridge to watch. Aloy knelt before Avad, in full luminesce of the sun.

"Greetings all!" Avad shouted. "Today we are gathered here to honour the brave actions of Aloy from the Sacred Lands!"

The crowd roared with enthusiasm. Avad held his arm up high to command silence. As the crowd died down, Avad received the sword from Marad. He looked down to Aloy.

"Aloy." He began, the smile still beaming. "For bravery shown during the Battle of Meridian, and bringing our beloved Sunhawk back to Meridian, it is with great honour that I call you Aloy, Champion of the Sun!"

The crowd roared with excitement, as Avad touched the Sowrd of Araman on each of Aloy's shoulders. Aloy rose, as Avad approached the armor.

"Here is your new armor, Aloy." Avad said, as he picked up the armor from the table, and handed it to Aloy. "Thank you, for everything you have done for Meridian and the Carja people."

Aloy nodded her head, and shook Avad's hand.

"Thank you, your Raidiance." Aloy replied, with a bow of her head. "It is an honour to call this city my home."

Marad approached.

"Your new apartment is awaiting you."

Aloy bowed her head towards Marad, who led her to her new apartment on Palace grounds. Once Aloy and Marad arrived, he opened the door, and allowed Aloy to enter and change into her Champion's armor. After taking a few moments to change, Aloy emerged from her quarters, dressed in the elegant Carja Champion armor. Avad, who was standing beside Marad, smiled approvingly as Aloy examines the armor.

"Looking good, Aloy." Avad stated, as Aloy approached him. "Come. We have much to discuss."

Aloy nodded her head, and followed Avad to his throne overlooking the glorious city of Meridian.

Saskwani groaned, and sat up. After taking a deep breath, he pulled the three arrows of his chest, and threw them to the side. Clutching his stomach in pain, he got to his legs, and walked over to the cage Talanah was imprisoned in. He crouched down to his knee to examine the blood trail Aloy, his other prisoner, left behind. He growled harshly, and walked over to the edge of the balcony. To his horror, he saw several corpses scattered around the arena, next to the carcass of a dead Thunderjaw.

"NOOOOO!" Saskwani shouted, holding his hands to the side of his head. He let out a snarl. "Aloy and the Carja will pay for their sins!"

Saskwani slammed his closed fist into the railing of the balcony. He was suddenly diverted by a voice coming from behind him.

"I can help you with that."

Saskwani noticed his Focus activate, to reveal the hologram of a dark skinned man with machine wires interwoven through his skin. He looked like a lone traveller.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" Saskwani spat.

"You want to know my name, hm?" The man questioned. "I am called Sylens. What is yours?"

"My name is Saskwani. How did you find me?" Saskwani demanded. Sylens simply pointed to the Focus at the side of his head.

"I created this Focus Network, so all of them are linked to mine, including Aloy's. Now, I couldn't help but notice to hear that you want Aloy and the Carja defeated." He stated. "I need Aloy defeated, but alive for personal reasons. I can help you gain revenge against the girl who massacred your people."

Saskwani paced in front of the hologram of Sylens. "How would you be able to help me?"

"I have a powerful ally who can help." Sylens replied, flashing a rare half smirk. "Make your way to the Forbidden West, beyond Sunfall. I will tell you everything, Saskwani."

Before Saskwani could ask any questions, Sylens disappeared. He took a deep breath, and walked over to the ledge. He looked down, and rappelled down the side of the arena. Upon landing on the ground, Saskwani began the long journey towards the Forbidden West to meet this mysterious man who promised him revenge for all who had fallen in the Embrace of the Mosaic.