Aloy, after being exiled from her own clan, was able to rejoin them, only to lose the father-like figure she had. To find out why they were targeted, she set out on a journey. Along the way, she learned many things, including how she fits into the larger civilization of her world.
As Aloy ventured deeper into the mysteries surrounding her origins, she uncovered remnants of the Old World—advanced technology, hidden facilities, and long-lost AIs that once governed humanity's fate. Each discovery brought her closer to the truth, but also revealed the dangers lurking in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Max continued observing her progress through the hacked Focus network. He admired her determination but remained cautious, ensuring that his own plans remained hidden. With Heart constantly evolving, his control over AI technology had surpassed even the creators of Zero Dawn.
"But damn, there's still two or three years until Nemesis comes back to Earth," Max mumbled as he lay on the couch in thought. "Surely, I can't afford to wait that long," he muttered to himself.
"Well, those guys also have Apollo, the data bank AI. That's the main AI I need," Max mumbled as he stood up. "Hmph, not much left in this world, but it's sure hell is beautiful."
With that, he activated a few vacant mode protocols, letting Heart and the other AIs manage things in his absence. Taking a few Titan bodyguards with him to ensure no rogue machines attacked, he set out to tour this beautiful world until Nemesis arrives.
Max stepped outside the towering metallic fortress that had become his base of operations, greeted by a breathtaking landscape that seemed almost untouched by time. The world around him was a striking blend of nature's beauty and the remnants of the old world—lush green forests stretched endlessly, their canopies swaying with the wind, while ancient skyscrapers, half-consumed by ivy and moss, stood like forgotten giants in the distance.
The rivers sparkled under the golden sun, flowing with crystal-clear water, reflecting the sky like a polished mirror. Rolling hills dotted with vibrant wildflowers painted the land with splashes of red, yellow, and violet, contrasting against the distant ruins of human civilization. Towering mountains loomed on the horizon, their peaks dusted with snow, standing as silent witnesses to the world's transformation.
Mechanical creatures, remnants of a bygone era, roamed the land like the new apex predators. Tallnecks marched through the plains, their massive disc-shaped heads scanning the environment like living satellites. Thunderjaws, armed to the teeth with deadly weaponry, prowled the valleys, their metallic forms gleaming under the sun.
Max took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs. "Even after the fall of mankind, this world is still alive… in a different way," he mused, watching a flock of synthetic birds soar through the sky, their metallic wings glinting in the sunlight.
He moved forward, his Titan bodyguards following closely behind, their heavy steps crushing fallen leaves and twigs. He had spent so much time buried in research, building, and upgrading that he hadn't taken a moment to appreciate the world he had been reborn into.
"Beautiful… and deadly," Max muttered as he spotted a pack of Stalkers camouflaged within the nearby underbrush, their glowing red eyes barely visible through the dense foliage. He smirked. "Let's see what this world has to offer before I leave it behind."
As Max ventured deeper into the untamed wilderness, he marveled at how nature had reclaimed the ruins of the old world. Towering trees had grown through the skeletal remains of skyscrapers, their roots splitting open cracked concrete roads. Vines draped over rusted vehicles, turning them into moss-covered relics of a forgotten era. The scent of earth and blooming flowers filled the air, mixing with the faint metallic tang of machine oil from the wandering automatons.
His Titan bodyguards moved in sync, their heavy footfalls shaking the ground slightly, but Max paid them little mind. His focus was on the distant horizon, where a massive spire-like ruin jutted out from a canyon. It was a structure he had marked long ago, believing it to be one of the key sites that might still house Apollo—the AI database containing all of humanity's lost knowledge.
Max activated his visor, scanning the surroundings as data streamed in. [Lifeforms detected: Multiple Stalkers, two Thunderjaws, and one unknown large entity.] His eyes narrowed at the last entry. "Unknown? That's new," he muttered. Heart processed the information and responded instantly.
[The entity does not match any cataloged machines. Recommend caution.]
Max smirked. "Caution? Where's the fun in that?"
He moved swiftly, his enhanced physique allowing him to traverse rough terrain with ease. Climbing over fallen buildings and making his way through a dense forest, he finally reached a cliffside that gave him a perfect vantage point over the ruin.
Below, he could see a massive, ancient complex partially buried under rockslides and overgrowth. Large metallic doors, covered in moss and dirt, stood as the only visible entrance. But what caught Max's attention wasn't the ruin itself—it was the creature guarding it.
Standing nearly as large as a Stormbird, the unknown machine resembled a fusion of a dragon and a panther, its sleek, obsidian-colored body adorned with glowing crimson lines. It had long, blade-like appendages protruding from its back, and a tail tipped with what looked like a high-frequency energy blade.
Max whistled. "Damn… whatever this thing is, it's new."
Heart immediately scanned the creature. [No records found. This machine is not a known Far Zenith or Hephaestus creation. Possible evolution or unknown design.]
Max grinned, excitement sparking in his eyes. "Well, then… time for a field test."
Max took a deep breath, letting the anticipation settle. His Titan bodyguards, towering mechanical giants armed with cutting-edge weaponry, shifted into formation around him. Their glowing optics scanned the unknown machine, assessing its threat level.
[Threat Level: Extreme. High-speed combat capabilities detected. Possible adaptive AI behavior.]
Heart's warning only made Max's smirk widen. "Perfect. A good fight before cracking open this ruin sounds fun."
***
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