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Ever since the Grove, Aloy had been thinking about what Ivvira had said to her, how the new marks on her body looked like Tenakth tattoos. It had been a stubborn thought, growing back over and over again no matter how much she clipped it off. She sharpened her spear, her reflection glittering back at her as she did so, and she couldn’t help the thought racing through her mind.
“Aloy! Aloy!” Vaza cried, running towards her excitedly. At nearly five seasons, she was growing faster every day, like a weed Zo had said.
“What are you doing sprout?” Aloy asked, sweeping the little girl up onto her lap, placing the spear out of her reach. Vaza had become obsessed with weapons recently, wanting to copy her mother desperately. She’d have to start learning soon, but with a blunted end. They didn’t need her poking her eye out before she even turned seven.
“Mom said you were doing stuff with your spear, can I watch?” The little girl asked, hands clasped together tightly in hope, eyes wide and twinkling. Goddess, this girl had her wrapped around her finger.
“Of course you can Vaza,” Aloy said, settling the girl down softly on the floor, “Though you cannot touch, understood?”
Vaza nodded excitedly, and Aloy resumed her work, explaining the different techniques that came with sharpening, showing the glittering point to the girl, whose eyes widened as they took in the spear. They stayed like that for a while, Aloy working on the upkeep of her weapons at a slower pace than usual, but it was worth it watching Vaza’s eyes follow her hands with nothing short of awe. There was an old ache that seeped out whenever she taught Vaza any of the skills that came with hunting, every nerve aware that this should have been Varl’s role.
Goddess, Varl would have loved to do this with his daughter. She could see it now, Vaza on his knee, grasping at his furs, her wide eyes following his gentle hands. He’d guide Vaza’s tiny fingers, carefully cleaning the spear point with her, showing her how to tie the knots needed to keep it on the shaft.
She glanced down at the girl, a soft smile on her face. Vaza would learn to become a brave like her father (if she wished it), and Aloy would make sure she stayed alive. It was her promise.
It was the least she could do for her oldest friend, a man she now considered a brother.
“Aloy! Vaza!” Zo’s voice rang out, “Alva and Federa are here!”
Vaza scrambled upwards, running out the door with Aloy chuckling behind her. Alva had left shortly after Mirria’s birth because Federa had decided to make the journey across the ocean to come to be with Alva in the now-permanent city that was Legacy’s Landfall. The journey had been significantly shortened with the technological advances they’d made in the six years since the defeat of the Zeniths, but it was still a long and arduous journey. The waves of the Great Water were still dangerous even with technology from beyond the skies.
“Aloy!” Alva cried as she entered the common room, getting swept up into a tight hug by the diviner, “It’s so good to see you!”
Aloy smiled into the hug, returning it, “It’s good to see you too Alva.” She pulled back, eyes flickering around the room, “Is there someone you want me to meet?”
Alva gasped, hands clapping together, “Yes! Federa! Come meet Aloy!”
Federa came around the corner, eyes nervous but filled with resolve. She was taller than Alva and Aloy, and her build spoke of a warrior despite her status as a Diviner. Her hair was cropped short, intricate braids wrapping around the top of her head. Her focus glittered on her temple, the same shells Alva wore decorating the crown of her hair and the back of her neck.
“It’s nice to finally meet you,” Zo said politely, smiling at the woman.
“I’ve heard much about all of you,” Federa said, voice deeper than Aloy anticipated, “You have my greatest thanks for helping Alva save our families and the world.”
Alva blushed a bright red, grasping her girlfriend’s hand in hers. “Federa, this is Zo and Aloy, and the little one is Zo’s daughter, Vaza.”
Federa kneeled, stretching her hand out to the girl, “It’s nice to meet you Vaza.” For her part, Vaza didn’t look too confused about taking her hand to shake, but her eyes stared upwards at the new woman, and Aloy could practically see the questions about to erupt out of the girl.
“Aloy,” Federa said, standing slowly, “It’s nice to meet you,” she gave a quick nod of her head and Aloy was thankful for Alva at that very moment, knowing her thoughts on touch from people she didn’t know. “You have my thanks for everything you’ve done for this world.” A beat passed, “But by the Ancestors, I thought I was ready to see a living Ancestor but wow, I was not.”
Aloy chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck, “Yeah, I get it. Felt kind of the same when I found out about it myself.”
At that moment, Beta came up from the basement, which she had taken over as her lab, freezing at the scene in front of them. “I didn’t know you were back already Alva,” she said slowly, taking in the new person in front of them.
For her part, Federa didn’t react, instead blinking slowly at the identical face of Aloy’s in the room, eyes flickering between the two sisters. “You really are the same,” she breathed out.
Beta giggled nervously, “Yeah, we’re the same.” She took a deep breath, “Federa right? It’s nice to meet you.” She stuck out her hand stiffly, an obvious unpracticed movement, but Federa took it in greeting anyway.
“Well!” Alva said, breaking the tension, “You can meet everyone later, we should probably get you moved in and rested, its been a long journey.”
Zo nodded, “That’s a good idea Alva, let Federa get used to the Base, it can be an adjustment. I’ll make some lunch in a bit.”
Alva all but pulled Federa out of the common room, and Aloy didn’t let out a breath until their room door closed. “That was awkward right?” she asked the room.
“Oh hush Aloy, it was bound to be,” Zo said, “She knows Alva cares about all of us and doesn’t want to mess it up.” She scooped Vaza up onto her hip, “It’s not easy seeing two people who look the exact same wearing the face of one of your Ancestors.”
Aloy snorted, “Tell me about it.” She glanced towards their room, “Alva seems happy though.”
Zo smiled softly, “That she is. Though, I wouldn’t disturb them for a while.”
Aloy grinned devilishly at her friend, “Why’s that Zo?”
“Oh hush, you can’t get me with that one again, you have a kid.”
Beta cackled, “That was the best prank! Poor Kotallo looked like he was going to have a heart attack.”
“That was because you pulled that right after they got together,” Zo said, grinning. “The poor man.”
Aloy let out a bark of a laugh, “Erend was my favorite, I’ve never seen him get so red.”
The three of them settled into a casual conversation, Aloy entertaining Vaza as Zo and Beta started preparing a quick lunch. As Beta had learned new skills, she’d fallen in love with cooking, and quickly became a skilled cook, trying out new recipes from the days of the Old Ones whenever she could. She and Zo had struck up a friendship that way, in learning and sharing new things with each other. Zo had learned from her parents, and had taken in great delight to teaching Beta, especially as her own daughter had little patience for cooking and baking. Beta had been thrilled to see how food was basically science but edible.
“It smells delicious in here,” Kotallo said as he walked in, Mirria on his side. The baby was wrapped in furs, the cool air of the coming winter starting to hit the Base more and more these days. Kotallo was clad in his armor, a sheen of sweat glittering on his skin, his paint slightly smudged from his training. Most mornings, he took the babe outside while he trained, having crafted a safe spot for her to rest and get some good mountain air. Aloy had had her reservations about it, anxiety thrumming in her veins at the idea of her baby being out of her sight, but she trusted Kotallo intimately. And alone time, man that was something she’d missed dearly. He came over to where Aloy was tossing a ball back and forth with Vaza, sending the girl running every now and then, and gave her a quick peck on the lips.
“How was your training?” She asked, taking the baby from his arm. Mirria babbled at her, and Aloy pressed a soft kiss to her peach-fuzzed head.
“Delightful. Did you have a good climb this morning?” Kotallo rubbed her shoulder, gentle massaging her muscles as Aloy relaxed into his touch.
Aloy grinned, “Fought some sunwings on the way up, the usual. The air burned my lungs today.”
“It is getting colder out there,” Kotallo said, snagging some nuts from a bowl when Zo wasn’t looking, ignoring the sign that plainly stated ‘No touching! For pie’. “I hear Alva and Federa are here.”
“They are!” Vaza said excitedly, running up to the man. Kotallo scooped her up, causing the little girl to let out a peel of laughter. He looked massive compared to Vaza, a hulking mountain of a man, yet his features were soft with care. It made her belly swoop seeing how gentle he was, a buzz of excitement and love knowing he was like that with their own daughter.
“They’re settling into their room,” Zo said in response, “I wouldn’t expect them until dinner.”
Kotallo nodded at that, setting Vaza down to run around the base. He joined Zo in the kitchen, chopping vegetables at her instruction. While Kotallo was a decent cook, they had quickly learned he was the best when it came to knife skills. Aloy watched in amusement as he chopped onion into perfect cubes, the pin they’d crafted to keep the vegetable still as he chopped one of Erend’s most prized inventions.
Mirria let out a noise, babbling before rooting around at her chest and she sighed, moving her shirt so the babe could eat. “Demanding little thing aren’t you,” she teased. Mirria only mouthed around her nipple, and Aloy grinned at the sight. The babe had been speaking more and more sounds to them, along with gaining a personality that made her heart swell.
“Lunch!” Zo called out, and Kotallo came towards her, plates in hand. Everyone settled around the common room, chattering as they ate, and Aloy couldn’t help but feel immense relief at this feeling of peace they had curated. It was so…normal, so at ease, she hardly could believe it. At some point, Erend came in, shaking sand from his armor as he walked, smiling wide as he saw the crew. He set himself down with a thunk, grabbed a plate from Beta, and dug in, captivating Vaza with his stories from Hidden Ember.
Beta leaned back in her chair, popping vegetables in her mouth as she read, eyes scanning the air in front of her, fingers scrolling. She looked perfectly content, and Aloy couldn’t help but smile softly at the sight, a far cry from the scared girl she had been in the Base all those years ago. Zo and Kotallo were in intense conversation, something about ‘parkour’ runs. Kotallo’s eyes glimmered with that dangerous glint, a look she knew meant he was desperate to try it. Zo was enthusiastically explaining what she had read, and Aloy narrowed her eyes, watching the knowing smirk cross the woman’s face. She knew exactly what she was doing, her eyes catching Aloy’s, winking.
To her surprise, Alva and Federa came later for lunch, Kotallo and Erend having finished their meals, the former now reminding Beta to eat her food while she read. They sat down by Erend, leaning into each other, Alva striking up a conversation as they ate. Mirria had finished feeding, and Aloy settled her on her lap, eating around her head from the plate Kotallo had set in front of her. The babe’s eyes followed the food with a bright look, she was always curious now in her surroundings.
“Can I hold Mirria?” Alva asked suddenly, directed towards Aloy.
Aloy wordlessly passed the babe over, watching Alva’s face light up in greeting her daughter, who laughed loudly, a sound that caused everyone to smile when they heard it. She didn’t think she could ever get tired of her daughter’s laugh. By the Ten, she felt softer at the edges every passing day. Federa was watching Alva with a look Aloy was far too familiar with, deep want and longing. She glanced at Kotallo, who nodded, a sense of knowing passing between them.
That thought came snaking up again, and Aloy was hit with the sudden realization that this was what she needed to get done. This family, the one she’d fought with, the one that had stayed by her side even when she pushed them away. The ones who fought against the stars with her. Though she’d never had the desire to get such deeds commemorated, as Kotallo joked, he didn’t think she had enough skin to ink all of them, there was the sudden need to mark her family in her skin. To make it permanent, as if that would make it real.
***
Later that night, she stood in the showers, eyeing the body she now had. The marks on her sides, the ones Ivvira had noticed, and sparked this whole train of thought, sat boldly against her skin, the residual bump against her hips still there. It was strange, she thought, how different her body looked now, at the new shape of her stomach, the marks on her skin, how she had changed in molded in a way that was different than before. Gone was her youth and teenage features that had seen war far too young. Scars from her battles littered her skin, interwoven with the marks made from her pregnancy, a tapestry of her life. Her fingers brushed her stomach, no longer the flat abs she’d always had, the muscle now beneath a slight pouch on her hips. Aloy took a deep breath, staring hard at herself, seeing her eyes stare back at her in the mirror. She would get this tattoo, and it would be here, wrapping around her back. A celebration of the new body she now inhabited, but also the support of her family, carrying her upwards like her spine. She’d survived.
It was decided then, that she would head out to Scalding Spear tomorrow morning. It would be good to take Mirria out of the Base as well, get her some fresh air. She nodded to herself before finishing her shower quickly, determination set.
***
The next morning was already hot as she descended the mountain, despite the coming winter. Kotallo had simply nodded, giving them both a kiss before stating he would fly out to the Grove to check in with Hekarro, and would probably be gone a couple of days. It was perfect then, she would be able to heal even slightly before revealing her surprise. She promised to be safe before putting on her armor, wrapping Mirria tightly onto her back, her head pressed between her shoulder blades. It was interesting getting her tied up under the modified armor, bow settled on top of her, but there was little she could do.
When she’d first had Mirria, Zo and Alva had ended up explaining how people wore their children when it came to armor and the machines, explaining the quick release to wiggle the child out of the armor, running before fighting, and so many other things Aloy had never thought of. Until Mirria could walk, she would have to be confined to a carrier, for it was too dangerous not to. It was incredible how quickly her life had changed with the presence of one person.
She waved to Rukka as she descended the mountain towards a charger herd, the distance to Scalding Spear not worth getting a sunwing, Kotallo having taken hers after using his as a weapon against an errant machine. The wind these days was getting chilly, and she was getting more and more worried about Mirria getting too cold, despite Zo’s reassurances, an anxiety that refused to leave her mind. Before Mirria, she’d never thought so hard and so consistently about another’s wellbeing, if they were hungry, tired, happy, cold. She’d never had to in the detail that motherhood required, and it was unnerving, she wasn’t sure she’d ever get over being responsible for someone so small.
In her darkest nights, it only made the anger towards the Nora hotter, at how small and innocent she’d been when deemed a monster, a threat, a violation; twisting emotions of memories and pain in a complicated spiral.
Overriding a charger was easy work, and Mirria did not wake at the ride, long accustomed to the jostling movements of a charger. She was comfortable with the machines in a way probably few others were in this world, having known them since but a few weeks old, the whirring of their machinery like a lullaby.
The winding road down from the mountain that held the Base towards Scalding Spear was always one of her favorites. The bare, increasingly snow-covered stones turned greener and scrubbier, a bounding edge between the shifting sands and sun-scorched earth of the desert. Packed within a morning’s ride the landscape shifted from cool, bitter air to a beating heat and gritty wind.
She slowed as she reached Scalding Spear, shouts of her arrival rising as she got closer. The city was by far her most visited these days, by virtue of its proximity. She tied up the charger, Mirria still fast asleep, when Drakka came bounding out of the settlement.
“Desert Flame!” Drakka called loudly.
Aloy rounded on him, finger held to her mouth. Drakka froze, eyes wide, suddenly realizing she’d brought Mirria along.
“Sorry!” He whispered, comically tip-toeing towards her, grasping her forearm in greeting. “How's the little one?”
“Sleeping. I’d like her to stay that way.”
“Gotcha.” They started towards the settlement, “What’s got you out in the desert today?”
Aloy glanced up at the Desert Clan commander, “Well, it’s a bit of a surprise for Kotallo. I’d like to get a tattoo.”
Drakka’s eyebrows nearly shot off his head. “Really?” He buzzed with excitement, “Oh man after all these years you’re finally getting one? What for? Where? The other clans are going to be so jealous that we gave you your first tattoo.”
“You know as well as I do that I have a pledging tattoo,” Aloy chuckled, “And I brought my own stain colors, so you’re not marking me as Desert Clan.”
Drakka nodded, “Kotallo would actually murder me. Zokkah is going to be thrilled to ink you though, with the first tattoo of your achievements ,” he stressed, grinning wildly.
They wove through the settlement, making their way towards the inker’s hut. There were far more children running around than when Aloy had first arrived here, back when Yarra was still around, a testament to not only the peace they’d created but the stability of their resources.
“Zokkah! I bring you a bare canvas!”
The inker turned, his questions dying on his lips as he realized Aloy stood before him. Her bare skin beyond the ink over her heart was nearly as infamous as herself these days.
“Champion!” His eyes were wide, “It’s an honor.”
“Zokkah, call me Aloy.” She settled down at the seat next to the chair, slipping Mirria out of her wrap and into her arms as she started to fuss.
“What are you looking to have done,” he paused, “Aloy.”
Aloy grinned, he was obviously uncomfortable without her title, but it pleased her all the same to hear her own name. “I’d like to commemorate the peace brought with my family.”
Zokkah nodded thoughtfully, “A shortened story of your wins yes?” He studied her carefully, “You would not have enough skin to give all of your accomplishments the honor they deserve.”
Aloy chuckled, “Kotallo said the same. I’d like it on my back and sides-”
Mirria let out a hungry wail, demanding to be fed. Without thinking, she slid up her shirt to feed the babe and continued talking to Zokkah, who didn’t even blink. Drakka on the other hand turned bright red and whipped around, stoutly facing the wall.
“Drakka what are you doing?”
He refused to look at her, “Giving you privacy.”
Aloy blinked at him slowly, “Surely you’ve seen babes fed before.”
He nodded sharply, still staring at the wall as if it was a rouge machine, “You’d be correct.”
“Then what is the problem?”
Drakka spared her a glance. When she didn’t flinch, he turned slowly to look at her. “Well, you’ve always been private Desert Flame. Figured you’d want some of that privacy now.”
Aloy flushed, “I appreciate the sentiment Drakka, but if I wanted privacy, I would have taken it.” She glanced down at the babe, “Besides, she’s got to eat. She’s very demanding.”
“Wonder where she got that from.”
She leveled him with a glare, which just caused him to cackle. “I’ll leave you now!” He called out, spinning out of the room.
Aloy rolled her eyes at his antics, turning back to the inker. “Shall we begin?”
***
Her back itched something fierce. Goddess, why did she do this when Kotallo was in the Grove? Mirria was down for the night in her bassinet, and she was trying to reach her back and apply the salve Zokkah had given her, but it was proving fruitless. Maybe Beta was awake, she usually was at this time, a ‘night owl’ she’d taken to calling herself.
The door to her room slid open with a quiet hiss and Aloy whipped around, all too aware she was in her sleep shorts and chest wrap. Her protest died in her throat as she realized Kotallo was standing there, home a day before planned, mouth open, staring at her back. Suddenly, nerves flared within her, desperate to know his thoughts.
Silence languished between them, Kotallo’s eyes roaming the new tattoo. The moment between them stretched longer and longer, so much so that she moved to cover it, feeling an awful nausea of embarrassment well in her.
“Don’t,” Kotallo ground out, voice raspy, eyes blown wide. She froze, Kotallo walking over slowly as if she were a skittish rabbit, settling to his knees just out of reach, his hand reaching towards the ink, pausing, searching her face for permission.
She nodded, and carefully his fingertips skimmed over the still-healing tattoo, causing goosebumps to erupt over her skin. His breathing grew heavy, his gaze consumed by her lower back. Aloy watched him swallow hard before looking up at her, tears glistening in the corners of his eyes.
“You got a tattoo,” he said softly, reverently.
Aloy nodded, clutching the salve tighter between her hands.
He shook his head, staring back down at the tattoo. “By the Ten,” he breathed out, “I am the luckiest man in the world.”
“Do you like it?” Her voice came out far more fragile than she’d wanted, suddenly desperate for his approval in a way that would have disgusted her even a couple of years ago.
“Like it?” He glanced up at her, “Aloy, you are reverent.” He scooted closer, taking her hands in his own, “Will you tell me of it?”
She flushed, “If you apply this salve?”
Kotallo grinned cheekily, “As my Commander wishes.” He took the container out of her hands, gently scooping a dollop of the paste onto his fingers and starting to rub it into the tattoo.
“The markings at the base of my spine are for our family,” she started, “The tattoo reads inwards, events coming together in the culmination of our victory.”
Kotallo hummed thoughtfully, “All ending with the defeat of NEMESIS? These stars are magnificent.”
Aloy nodded, “And for the future yes.” She felt his fingers trace her left side, “I added a memento to the Bulwark there.”
“Finally, my pledged, destroyer of mountains finally marks her most accomplished feat.”
“Oh shut up,” she teased.
“You’ve marked feats you did with our family, rather than just your own accomplishments,” Kotallo noted.
“I have limited skin, as you say,” she said softly, “But I’ve learned I am the strongest with my family.” She glanced back at him, “I take them everywhere with me now.”
Kotallo caught her gaze, and she could see the pride and desire pooling deep within them. She turned back around, content to let him explore the markings, relaxing into the comfort of his touch. He worked the salve more effectively into her skin than she’d been able to do in days, working her sore skin in a way that should have hurt, but instead just brought relief.
His fingers stilled on her hips, tracing the small lines that arched from her back towards her stomach, enunciating the silvery lines that now joined her scars.
“You got the Mother’s Mark,” he said softly, voice thick.
She spun to look at her pledged, whose eyes were now thick with tears. “Kotallo I-”
She didn’t finish her sentence, suddenly consumed by his body, mouth to his mouth, passion and desire flooding through him into her. His arm cradled her back, pressed against the markings, holding her close to him. Aloy moaned into the kiss, giving him space to consume her fully, flushing with heat, feeling his own come off him in waves. He pulled back, panting, eyes blown wide, and pressed his forehead against her own.
“Every day,” he started softly, “Every day I fall more in love with you.”
“You like it?”
He grinned, “To see you display your accomplishments so truthfully? To wield your strength for the world to see. I
more
than like it.” He pressed another kiss against her lips, “My pledged, mother of our child,” he growled, “I am consumed by you.”