Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 48

We headed out of the Zenith base and got onto the Sunwings, flying back to the base. We landed and headed inside to see that everyone was working on their own things. I looked over to see that Zo was helping my mother learn how to use a Focus. She was struggling a bit, but I think with the right amount of help, she can learn it in no time.

"I think you should teach your mom how to use a Focus," Aloy nudged my side a bit.

"I'm still learning a few things here and there," I said. "I don't nearly have enough experience as you do. I think she should learn from the master."

"I think that title goes to Sylens."

"You think I trust Sylens to teach my mom how to use it?"

"That's true," she chuckled. "I'm going to go talk to GAIA real quick. I'll see you in the room. You look pretty tired after doing all that researching."

"My eyes hurt," I chuckled. "I see words floating in the air as we speak."

"That'll happen. You'll get used to it," she said and walked to where GAIA was, Beta following behind her.

I walked into our room and sat down on the edge of the bed. I rubbed my eyes, still seeing floating words in my vision. I chuckled, but sighed, falling down onto the bed. Was I ready for another life threatening adventure to start? What if this isn't the last threat and there was something bigger than Nemesis? What is bigger than Nemesis out there? Who knows. All these worries I had in my head were troubling me since I just wanted to settle down and have a nice, peaceful life with Aloy. We all need some peace back in our lives. Especially Zo since she has had a lot of peace in her life. But as for the others, they possibly had comfortable lives before we knew one another. 

"You ok?"

I opened my eyes and looked up at my mom. I sat up and sighed, shaking my head slightly.

"Not really."

"What's the matter?"

"What if we can't defeat Nemesis?"

"Can't defeat? Y/N, do you know who you're with?"

"I know I'm with Aloy and the others, but look at what Aloy accomplished and the enemies she was up against. She had to get the master override for HADES and had to get Sylens' help to get the Zeniths' shields down. It was something that they could ascertain. When Tilda talked about Nemesis, she said it was impossible for them to defeat. It took over a highly technological advanced civilization in a matter of hours. With how we are living right now, Nemesis will wipe us out in a matter of seconds. What are we going to do? Do we even stand a chance against it?"

"Y/N, what do you think Aloy thought when she was up against HADES and the Zeniths before they found a way to get rid of their shields?"

"She probably thought the same thing I am thinking right now with Nemesis."

"You're more than likely correct. But look what she accomplished. She was able to defeat HADES and the Zeniths with the help of the information she gained and the friends she brought along the way. I am sure there is a way for us to stop Nemesis. If there's a will, there's a way. And there is more than just one person's will here. There are many. Speaking of many, Sona and her group have arrived when you guys were out at the base. They're right now on the lower level."

"Does Aloy know?"

"I think GAIA will tell her. Look, if you still have these concerns, I'm sure talking to Aloy about them will help ease your mind."

"I hope so," I said. "I just don't want the possibility of losing her another time. I almost lost her so many times that I don't want it to come true."

"Aloy will always come out on top. And if she doesn't, she'll always be a part of you no matter what happens."

I breathed in and let out a sigh, "I want to start a life with her. A life that doesn't consist of fighting machines and fighting things that are of higher rank. I just want a house in the woods where we can't be bothered by anyone or anything."

"Would you start a family with her?"

"Start a family? How would that happen?"

"Like how Aloy was made: by a machine. You have GAIA and the rest of her subordinate functions leaving out HEPHAESTUS and HADES. You could take the DNA from the both of you, merge it together, and create a fetus in the machine."

"That's a possibility. But I don't know if Aloy would want a family. She wasn't really given one."

"She might not have had one from birth, but look," she pointed out to the others who were enjoying one another's company. "She was given a family of friends. They can be considered her family that she chose. And look at Beta. Beta is her sister. So she has part of her family right there. And technically Elisabet is their 'mother' and Rost was a father figure in her life. Even if she wasn't given a family like you, Y/N, she has a family she created. Which is stronger than anything."

I nodded my head.

"And she has you. I'm sure if she's not ready to start a family, you'll be there for her when she's ready."

"I'm always going to be there for her. I care for her too much."

The door opened up and Aloy walked in, "Evening."

"I should get going. I'll see you guys tomorrow morning," my mom said and got up, walking out of the room.

"You ok?" Aloy asked, seeing the distraught look on my face.

"I'm a little worried about the whole Nemesis thing."

She walked over and sat beside me, "I think we all are, but we're going to pull through. I know we will."

"Did GAIA give you anything on what you might be able to do?"

"She thinks that HEPHAESTUS might be the key to getting the upper hand on Nemesis. If Nemesis was able to take control of all the machines on Sirius, then it could possibly take control of the machines here. It would be the Faro Plague all over again."

I nodded my head, "Yeah, we can avoid that probably."

"Right now," she reached down and grabbed my hand. "I wouldn't worry about it. Tomorrow if you want, we can do something tomorrow to help get your mind off of things for now. What do you say?"

I looked at her and smiled, "You always know I want to spend time with you."

She smiled and pressed a light kiss to my cheek, "Let's get some rest."