[kotolla/aloy] The Sharpest Point
This contains spoilers for Horizon: Forbidden West
Summary: Having agreed to lead as the representative for The Tenakth clans in Hekarro’s and Avad’s second attempt at an Embassy, Kotallo reflects on his own feelings of devotion and how all roads seem to lead him back to a certain flame-haired huntress.
Read now on AO3: The Sharpest Point
If there was one thing that Kotallo had come to understand and quickly, it was that wherever Aloy went, so did the eyes of all who encountered her.
Like now.
In this moment.
Sat in a quiet corner of a lively feasting hall deep within Meridian’s palace, while surrounded by all manner of new and familiar faces. Each telling tales of adventure, and commiserating over stories of the lost and remembered, their joy and infectious relief permeating every available inch of space- yet amongst it all Kotallo found himself watching.
His gaze trained steadily on the figure of a man he might’ve killed given different circumstances- the Usurper, the Sun King, a Carja. He had been introduced by so many names of influence and yet Aloy simply called him, “Avad.” Something so commonly familiar it was a privilege that any could see was reserved for her alone.
Hekarro had seen her potential. Her prowess as a warrior and perhaps more, and it stood… well… stands, to reason that of course Aloy should know yet another man of such significance and claim his respect. Because simply put, she was Aloy. The Champion of the Tenakth, the Savior of Meridian, the Anointed of her own people.
But Kotallo knew she didn't care for the titles. He saw clearly how uncomfortable she appeared under the weight they placed on her shoulders. How she hesitated anytime she was treated with exception. Always preferring to say, "Just Aloy," but tonight she didn't correct anyone for their use of it.
"Perhaps for the sake of the Embassy," he mused.
He took a quick swig from the flagon that Erend had come by with, asking about a game of Strike after the feast. And he had agreed in a way that by anyone else would have appeared dismissive, but Erend had taken it in stride. He too seemingly preoccupied with escaping the hall and Kotallo had not missed the way the Vanguardsmens eyes had flicked in the direction of his King as he strode out and away. It was his gaze that had led his own to follow, his thoughts swirling as he took in the scene unfolding before him.
Even a blind man could see the way that the newest Carja King held only Aloy in his gaze.
Like a dying Tenakth in the abandoned desert discovering a wellspring.
“Savior” he would call her- though he said it jokingly, it was not lost on anyone all the weight that it carried as it slipped reverently out of his mouth. Practically a pet name. One so full of depth and longing it was like the yearning song the Utaru would weave for their Land Gods praying for return.
And despite all manner of differences, ill-history, and general distrust, Kotallo felt some kind of bizarre kinship with the man.
Because before them both stood Aloy. Wreathed in the sway of her flame-like hair. The air around her heavy with potentialities incomprehensible to men like them made ordinary in her presence.
Somehow right within reach but each too in awe to grasp.
Avad saw Aloy in a way that was more than a King grateful to the hero of his kingdom. He saw his savior, and more than that, Kotallo knew, Avad saw his own hopes contained within her. Freedoms, a life he must imagine beyond the shackles of being King all tucked secretively away in the curve of that knowing grin she so often wore.
And Kotallo saw… he saw… well, what didn’t he see?
A huntress? Certainly.
A marvel? To behold.
A miracle? Without question.
And he was drawn to her, like so many others it would seem as if it were by some universal design, an inevitability that he was helpless to deny.
Y’all got me wilding out here folks. HFW, the HFW tag and @elialys posting “On the Wings of the Ten” has had me so unbelievably inspired in a way that I haven’t been about a ship in easily a decade. And it’s been even longer still since I had even written anything as tribute. Yet, here I am not even finished with the game and practically burning alive with ideas.
I don’t have an AO3 account but if there’s enough interest I could definitely be convinced 😅.
EDIT: I have been convinced- AO3 account is LIVE! Woo!
Read now on AO3: The Sharpest Point
If you haven’t yet, PLEASE go read “On the Wings of the Ten” you absolutely won’t regret it. @elialys does a phenomenal job weaving together a quick snippet of intimacy between Kotallo and Aloy. I’ve read it like 4 times now. Seriously. Obsessed.
Also, since I have posted this, the Horizon Forbidden West tag on AO3 has grown! Which is incredible news because it means so many of us are being compelled to create at lightening speed. If you haven’t already, please go give the other fics some love! Every piece of content is truly such a gift!
Seriously it’s been damn-near overnight and the tag has grown this much:
Shelter From the Storm
Forbidden Miracles
USER: ALVA [SELECTED DATA] <-- so clever I love how this was formatted as a data point
red earth dirt
Where the Blade Cuts the Deepest