Chapter 19

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  The Sun-King’s Throne Room

  Aloy stepped into the grand hall of the Pace, the golden light filtering through the tticework above, casting intricate shadows along the polished floors. At the far end, Sun-King Avad sat atop his throne, fnked by advisors and nobles in rich garments.

  To the right of the throne, Ersa stood, arms crossed, her sharp gaze locking onto Aloy the moment she entered. Beside her, Erend shifted on his feet, giving Aloy a half-smirk.

  “Aloy,” Avad greeted, his voice carrying through the hall. “Your reputation precedes you. You’ve done much already to unravel the Eclipse’s pns. Tell me, what brings you to my court?”

  Aloy didn’t waste time. “I need to find Olin.”

  The mention of the name made Erend stiffen. Avad hesitated, then sighed. “Olin has not been seen for days. The st we heard, he was spotted near a dig site on the outskirts of the city, but since then, nothing.”

  Ersa cut in. “If he’s involved in something again, I’d like to handle it personally.”

  “I can handle it,” Aloy replied, firm.

  Erend rubbed his chin. “You sure? I know you like to do things solo, but I could—”

  “No.” Aloy shook her head. “This is something I need to follow myself.”

  Avad nodded, though concern flickered in his expression. “Very well. If you need anything, know that Meridian owes you a great debt.”

  With that, Aloy turned and left the throne room, the whispers of nobles following her out.

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  The Call – Sylens and Adal

  As she stepped out into the sunlight of Meridian’s upper levels, Aloy’s Focus pinged. A holographic interface blinked to life before her eyes.

  Two figures flickered into view—Sylens and Adal, standing side by side.

  Aloy folded her arms, surprised to see them together. “Well, this is new.”

  Sylens didn’t waste time. “Finally, you’re in position. Olin’s trail doesn’t end in Meridian—it leads to an excavation site west of the city.”

  Adal’s voice was calmer, more measured. “You’ll find remnants of the Old World there. That pce is… important.”

  Aloy narrowed her eyes. “Important how?”

  Sylens avoided answering. “You’ll see when you get there.”

  Aloy exhaled sharply. “Right. More riddles.”

  Before the call ended, she looked at Adal. “How’s Ana?”

  Adal smirked. “She’s adapting.”

  Sylens scoffed, crossing his arms. “Adapting? You took her from her home.”

  Adal shrugged. “And I gave her something better.” He reached for something off-screen—Ana’s Focus flickered to life.

  “Aloy?” came the young girl’s voice, hesitant but clear.

  Aloy felt a breath of relief. “Ana… are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Adal—” The signal cut off as Adal deactivated her transmission.

  Aloy gred at him. “You just cut her off.”

  Adal’s smirk lingered. “We’ll talk again soon.”

  The transmission ended.

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  The Descent – Meridian Watches

  Aloy stood at the edge of the city’s outer wall, looking down at the vast expanse below. The city sprawled beneath her, with winding paths and watchtowers stretching toward the distant nds beyond.

  Several Carja nobles and merchants stood nearby, watching curiously.

  Instead of taking the usual routes, Aloy leaped onto a wooden beam, then onto a nearby ledge. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

  “What is she doing?” one merchant whispered.

  Aloy didn’t stop. She vaulted from the ledge, grabbing onto a low-hanging banner, and swung forward, nding on a lower balcony. A few Carja children cheered, while some nobles shook their heads in disapproval.

  “She’s reckless,” a noble muttered.

  “She’s brilliant,” another countered.

  Aloy continued downward, hopping between beams, sliding down scaffolding, and using the city’s architecture like a pyground.

  Finally, she reached the lower levels, rolling as she hit the ground. She dusted herself off, unfazed.

  A nearby merchant chuckled. “That one will either change the world or burn it down.”

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  Onward to Olin’s Trail

  Aloy secured her mount, her mind racing with everything she had just learned.

  Olin’s past. Adal’s cryptic words. Ana’s fate.

  As she rode westward, the setting sun bathed the nd in amber light.

  In the distance, the ruins of the Old World loomed, half-buried and waiting.

  The hunt continued.

  AN: Calm short chapter less than 1000 words . Just bridging the st Arc to the new one

  As always keep showing please keep showing support like the chapter add the story to your reading list and so on ??. So next chapter coming in 12 hrs or more depending on when I finish editing it