Horizon before dawn

While Albedo was busy preparing for the ritual and trials, I sat on my bed, watching the whole thing unfold. I couldn't help but wince as she tore into the guards. Even for me, that was painful to watch. And then there was Lansra, that old crone who had outcast me.

'Glad she didn't go overboard before the trials. Otherwise, they might reject her request out of spite.'

I decided to prepare a nice meal to enjoy while continuing to watch the show. As I was cooking, I heard something or someone outside my house.

'Sounds like... a kid? Aloy?'

Sure enough, an angry child was , kicking rocks and anything else in sight. She didn't even notice my house or the ladder leading down. Instead, she stormed straight into the rabbit hole of the old ruins.

'Well, that's some protagonist level plot right there. No matter what, Aloy was destined to fall into that cave. Good thing I left the Focus in the same place. The girl deserves a happy birthday.'

I stopped streaming Albedo's trial and climbed down to follow her. There were weapons and other things in those ruins I didn't want her messing with. Besides, I wanted her to see me as someone reliable, someone she could trust. After making sure she got the Focus and figured out how to use it, I revealed myself.

"Hey there, little girl. That was quite the fall you took. You okay?"

"Ahhh!" she screamed, startled by my sudden appearance. She fell on her butt, wide eyed.

"You... You're talking to me?" Aloy's innocent face looked more surprised that someone was addressing her than by the fact I was there at all.

"Of course, I'm talking to you. No one else is around. But you didn't answer my question, are you hurt?"

"No, I'm fine. What is this place? Who are you? Did you see the dead bodies? And the lights? Can you see them? Can you?" She fired off question after question with the boundless curiosity only a child could muster.

"All right, all right. Calm down. I'll answer all your questions, but let's head topside first. It might be dangerous to stay here." I didn't want her stumbling across my weapons just yet.

"Okay, I'll follow you," she said with a smile, clearly just happy someone was talking to her instead of shunning her like everyone else.

Once we reached my home, I gave her some water and motioned for her to sit. I wanted her to feel comfortable. My house was nothing like the other Nora homes. It was filled with trinkets, old tech, and a layout designed more for comfort than practicality. Aloy's eyes scanned everything, her curiosity palpable.

"I'm Noir," I began. "This is my home. That place you fell into? It's an old ruin left by our ancestors. And yes, I can see the lights and much more."

"How? Why? What does it mean? Ancestors? And... why are you talking to me? I'm motherless..." Her voice trailed off, her eyes sad and pleading.

"With this device," I said, holding up a Focus. "It's an artifact from the old world. It lets you see the unseen and learn from the Old Ones. I'm curious about the past, and I want to learn everything I can about our ancestors."

I paused, meeting her gaze. "I don't care about the old laws or the Matriarchs. Of course, you have a mother. Everyone does, you just don't know who she is. And since I'm an outcast too, I'll talk to you as much as you want." I smiled warmly.

She looked confused, still processing my words, but I could see the happiness in her eyes. When I mentioned her mother, she lit up.

"I have a mother?" she whispered, her voice filled with fragile hope.

"Do you know her? Please tell me!" she pleaded, her eyes brimming with desperation.

"Sorry, kid. I don't know her. Only the Matriarchs know that."

"The Matriarchs..." she growled, frustration evident in her voice.

'Good. Hate them all you want. I'll use that hate later. With your protagonist aura, they'll fall one by one.'

"Aloy! Aloy!" A voice called out, frantic and desperate.

"Rost!" Aloy exclaimed, jumping up and running toward her guardian. I followed behind, keeping my distance.

"Aloy, that was dangerous! You can't run off like that! Are you hurt? You're covered in bruises!" Rost scolded her, his worry laced with frustration.

"I'm fine. I just fell out there, but Noir helped me out of the ruins. Sorry."

Rost finally noticed me and tensed, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

"Aloy, those places belong to the Metal Devils. They're cursed and unsafe. And you shouldn't talk to him, he's an outcast."

"No! He talked to me and was nice. I don't care about stupid rules or stupid Matriarchs!" Aloy yelled, defiant.

Rost glared at me, but I simply sat cross legged on the ground, clasped my hands, and began to pray.

"All-Mother, thank you for your many blessings and the friends you send our way. May we, your children, grow strong and wise to better serve you. Bless the little ones with patience and courage for the future."

I winked at Aloy, and she quickly caught on.

"All-Mother, thank you for the friends we make and for showing us the path," she echoed, winking back at me.

Rost grumbled in frustration but said nothing.

"Come, Aloy. Let's go home," he said, leading her away.

I waved goodbye to my new friend, who now seemed much happier than before.

'Let the games begin.'

POV Aloy 

After the encounter with Noir, Aloy found herself unable to shake the thoughts that had surfaced in the depths of the ruins. The questions swirling in her mind felt like an endless maze, the truth of her origins, the identity of her mother, the purpose of the mysterious Focus, and what lay beyond the familiar lands of the Nora tribe. Every answer led to more questions.

Rost's warnings about the dangers of the world outside their small, isolated corner of the Nora territory echoed in her mind, but she couldn't help but feel a pull to leave. The world beyond the Nora's borders was vast, and she knew that she would never truly understand who she was if she remained hidden away in their judgmental society. The allure of the ruins, the secrets of the Old Ones, and the possibility of finding her mother were too strong. 

But for now all she could do was traini, she would win the Proving and demand answers from the matriarchs. 

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