Chapter Text
Nil couldn't believe what he was hearing. How did all of these happen below the noses of the Sun King and the Spymaster? It made no sense. Fashav looked like he was about to snap. Relieving these memories while he recounted them was clearly taking its toll on the General. Fashav looked torn, as if he didn't know if he should scream, hit something, or try to continue as best he could.
'I'm tired. Aloy can tell you the rest later,' Fashav said, standing up and avoiding looking at Nil's face.
Nil's jaw went slack with displeased surprise.
'If you are trying to be funny, General, you have failed. Aloy can't speak , or did you already forget? Besides, you can't just stop at the best part. Go on.'
Fashav abruptly turned, lifted Nil by his vest, and slammed him on the nearest wall.
"Don't insult me or her, assassin. She tells me you are a friend, so act like one. You already caused me enough problems, so don't add to the list." Fashav growled, red-hot rage sparking from his eyes. He slammed Nil one last time to make sure his message was understood.
Nil stood there where Fashav left him, looking more confused than repentant.
"I apologize; I did not intend to insult you or Aloy. But I must admit I am at a loss. What problems have I caused you before? I haven't seen you in years? It's not jealousy, is it? You can't be jealous of what has never been." Nil shrugged.
Fashav sighed. "Forget it. The Sun is about to set, and Aloy returns to her true self when the moon rises. That's how she will be able to tell you the rest. Let me be, as it is my turn to endure my curse."
Aloy flew softly through the ruins and landed on Fashav's shoulder as if summoned by her name.
Fashav stroked her head longingly. "I live my cursed form from sundown to sunrise. I don't like asking for favors, but if you can, ensure she stays safe." He kissed her soft feathers lightly.
"I will retreat with her behind that wall while we change. It's not a spectacle for witnesses. Besides, she will want to get dressed before seeing you". Fashav explained and abruptly walked away to the proffered wall.
****
Nil's head was spinning. There was too much information to process and still so much to understand. He looked up through the crevices on the ruin's ceiling and saw the full moon shining through it. He was outraged for Aloy that someone had done this to her, but he was equally relieved that she was alive and that he would get to see her again any minute now.
Soft footsteps led him to the direction where Fashav had exited earlier, and there she was, looking tired and a bit thinner but still the fierce warrior he remembered.
'Nil.' Aloy said, eyes downcast. She looked subdued, with dark circles below her eyes. She stared at him as if she didn't know what to say. Nil's heart hurt for her, the greatest huntress he had ever witnessed brought down by some strange power he couldn't even fathom. How do you even fight it?
She looked so lost that he couldn't stop himself. He approached her slowly and opened his arms in a silent invitation. Aloy's eyes shot up and locked with his; after a beat of hesitation, she ran to him and accepted his embrace. She sobbed in his arms as he held her.
"Shhh, Aloy, it's okay. Let it out. I'm here." Nil said, gently stroking her hair until suddenly his inner alarm bells sounded; he could feel eyes on him. Without hesitation, he reached out to Voice of Our Teeth, ready for whatever was coming at them.
'No, Nil, don't. It's Fash. Please don't hurt him.' Aloy begged, tears still rolling down her cheeks, like a damn that's been broken and couldn't be stopped.
A giant black beast strolled towards them, slowly but purposefully. Nil had thought that Fashav would also become a Hawk, but it seemed he had a different fate. Nil didn't know what to say; he needed a minute to process everything.
'You both must be hungry. I will go to Morlund's inn to get some food for us and return; it won't be long. Wait for me here, please.' He said, gently disentangling himself from Aloy.
Aloy grabbed Nil's arm anxiously. 'You can't tell anyone we're here—not Morlund, not the racers, not anyone,' Aloy begged. We are vulnerable in these cursed animal forms, small and unable to use weapons. One arrow is all it takes if word gets out. Please , Nil.'
Nil nodded. "Don't worry, I understand. I will not betray your trust. I'll be back shortly.'
***
The three of them sat silently, eating the meat, vegetables, and water Nil had brought back. His loyalty was to Aloy, but seeing a mighty Carja general reduced to a beast -beautiful and dangerous looking- but a beast nonetheless. It was jarring. He was at a loss for words, but he could at least address the things he could help with. It was clear that both Aloy and Fashav were exhausted.
'When did you last sleep? You look tired. Both of you do.' Nil asked Aloy, not unkindly.
'A few minutes here and there during the day. I can't waste the night sleeping when it's the only time I have to try to find a solution with my focus. It's the same for Fash.'
'What do you mean, a few minutes? How long has it been since this started?' Nil asked, gesturing at Fashav's form.
'It's been two weeks.' Aloy sighed. Fashav growled softly beside her.
'Two weeks. No sleep for two weeks? No wonder you both are on edge.' Nil combed his hand through his head, his brain spinning, but he continued.
'I propose this: you two are going to sleep. Now. I will keep watch.' Aloy was about to protest, but Nil interrupted her with a raised hand.
'I know you don't want to 'waste' time sleeping, but you need it. You will think better in the morning. It is worth it, trust me.'
Nil could see in Aloy's eyes that she was tempted. She stood up, reached for a pouch stored safely in one of the ruins' niches, took a small triangular-shaped device like hers and Fashav's, and returned. She extended her hand to him and offered the small object in her palm.
'You're right. It would be foolish not to take your offer.' Aloy gave Nil a small smile of thanks, to which he was grateful. It wasn't much, but it was better than tears.
'You want to know what happened. The focus recorded everything. Every word. You can watch the recording. 'Gaia? Can you send Nil the video recording and help him with the focus while Fashav and I sleep?'
'It's good to hear your voice, Aloy. Certainly, I will tutor Nil on the use of the focus. Rest well.' Gaia confirmed.
'Thanks, Gaia'.
Nil brought the focus to his temple in the same position he saw on Aloy's. The device attached itself to his skin, and many lights and images startled him.
'I know it's a lot, but you'll get used to it. Aloy said. 'And don't worry, we don't expect you to be our bodyguard. I know you have your life to return to, and I appreciate you doing this for us tonight. Thank you, Nil.'
'Let's worry about tomorrow when tomorrow comes, shall we? I will keep myself entertained while you two rest. Go on,' Nil reassured her.
Strangely enough, he wasn't bothered by the interruption of his routine. Aloy was more than worthy of his time and energy. He owed her that much.
Aloy set up two bedrolls in a corner and lay down. Fashav curled on Aloy's left side while Nil sat down on her right, closer to the room's entrance, where he could control any movements around them.
'Hello Nil. Are you ready to start watching the recordings? I can play them whenever you wish. A polite feminine voice rang inside his head, and it took all his restraint not to jump.
'Yes, if you will.' Nil replied and braced himself for what was to come.
***
Aloy and Fashav entered the ominous room with weapons drawn, ready for anything. The space was strangely empty; only two cloaked figures stood at the altar, their backs turned to them. They were chanting strange prayer-sounding words, but not loud enough for them to understand.
'Why did you call us here, Sun-traitors? Stop your mumbling and show yourselves.' Fashav's voice rang clear, echoing in the ample space.
The Priests turned and lowered their hoods, finally showing their faces.
'There is no fight for you here today, General Fashav. It is over. We are faithful Carjan servants who devoted our lives to the Sun.' The Priest paused to cough several times, a line of blood trickling down his mouth through his chin.
'What is going on here? Explain yourselves before we kill you and get this charade over with.' Aloy shouted.
'Do not worry, Nora huntress. You will find out soon enough. Sundown is upon us, with it, the first part of the reckoning. We might not have an army or strength to kill you, but we can ensure the damaging influence you caused on our Sun king and the Sun faith ends here.' More coughing echoed as the frail-looking Priests tried to stay standing.
'You will not even be granted the satisfaction of killing us, heathen. The poison we ingested will take us to meet our Holy Sun soon enough, and we take with us your lives as you know it. May the rays of the Sun scorch you like you deserve when the Sun rises.'
Aloy looked at Fashav, confusion reflected on their faces. The Priest's mouths were frothing, indicating they must have told the truth about the poison.
'Whatever it was they took, it must have been potent.' Aloy said.
The Priests convulsed and fell to the ground, spasms creating a grotesque sight.
Fashav screamed.
'Aloy! Something's wrong. My body is…vibrating.'
Aloy ran to his side, horrified and helpless as Fashav's form shortened. A weird mass of fur and claws unfolded until he became something she recognized from her focus's explorations of the old world fauna: a wolf.
'Fashav,’she cried.
Erend, Marad, and Avad ran to her, alarmed by the shouting.
'What is the meaning of this?' Avad asked no one in particular, his usually calm and soothing voice ringing with horror and incredulity.
'I don't know! They said something about sundown and sunrise reckoning. I do not understand,' Aloy sobbed, holding Fashav. Thankfully, this animal version of him seemed tame and unthreatening to them, whining softly at Aloy's distress.
***
'Can you stop the recording, please?' Nil asked.
'Certainly.' Gaia replied.
'Is there a way to find out from this recording what the Priests were chanting when Aloy and Fashav arrived?'
'Yes. I'll send you a copy of the curse text. Aloy and Fashav have them as well and have been studying it since. Without success, I'm afraid,' Gaia informed.
Nil opened the text and read through the 6 paragraphs. This curse, as the woman in the focus called it, resembled the Carjan poetry he was forced to study as a child. He read through it again two more times, intrigued. The solution to their predicament seemed rather apparent to him. He would have to discuss it with Fashav in the morning.
Nil tried to move but failed. At some point, while he was engrossed in the focus, Aloy and Fashav changed positions. Nil was now in the middle, a warm fur head resting on his stomach while Aloy slept soundly on his opposite side, her hair spread on his arm and shoulder.
It was not how he envisioned the night would go, but it was not unpleasant. He was warm and satisfied that he could contribute something to help them with their predicament.
Fashav rumbled and snuggled closer. Nil grinned. He would enjoy teasing the General about that in the morning.