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Does Erend and Aloy Get Together in Horizon? Exploring Their Relationship

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The short answer is no, Erend and Aloy do not get together romantically in the Horizon series. While Erend harbors clear romantic feelings for Aloy, Aloy consistently views him as a close friend and comrade. The game explicitly establishes Aloy’s disinterest in a romantic relationship with Erend and later confirms her romantic interest in women, specifically Seyka in the Burning Shores DLC.

Decoding Aloy and Erend’s Dynamic: A Deep Dive

Aloy and Erend’s relationship is a cornerstone of the Horizon universe. They share a strong bond forged through shared experiences, battles against machines, and mutual respect. However, the nature of their connection is firmly rooted in friendship and camaraderie, not romance, at least from Aloy’s perspective. Erend, on the other hand, clearly displays romantic inclinations towards Aloy, often expressing his admiration and affection. This creates a dynamic where one character desires more while the other values the existing friendship too much to risk it.

Aloy’s characterization is crucial to understanding why a romantic relationship with Erend never materializes. Throughout the games, she is primarily focused on her missions, her search for answers about her past, and protecting the world from impending threats. These priorities leave little room for romantic pursuits. Furthermore, Aloy’s guarded nature and difficulty opening up emotionally make it challenging for her to form romantic attachments.

Erend’s character, while supportive and endearing, presents a contrast to Aloy’s independent spirit. He is often portrayed as more emotionally expressive and traditional in his views on relationships. This difference in personality and priorities contributes to the incompatibility of a romantic pairing. While Erend provides unwavering support and companionship, Aloy seeks a partner who can understand and accept her unique path.

The narrative reinforces Aloy’s perspective through her dialogue and actions. She consistently deflects Erend’s romantic advances, emphasizing the importance of their friendship. The game avoids any ambiguous moments that might suggest a hidden romantic interest on Aloy’s part. Her focus remains on the bigger picture, solidifying her role as a protector and savior rather than a romantic lead.

Aloy’s Romantic Journey: Seyka and Self-Discovery

The Burning Shores DLC for Horizon Forbidden West provides a significant shift in Aloy’s romantic arc. The introduction of Seyka, a new female character, allows Aloy to explore her romantic feelings in a way that was previously absent. The DLC offers players the option to pursue a romantic relationship between Aloy and Seyka, confirming that Aloy is canonically queer. This revelation reframes Aloy’s earlier disinterest in romance as a preference rather than a lack of capacity for romantic feelings.

Seyka’s character resonates with Aloy on a deeper level than any other character in the series. Seyka understands Aloy’s burdens, appreciates her strength, and accepts her for who she is. Their connection is built on mutual respect, shared experiences, and a genuine emotional understanding. The option to romance Seyka provides a fulfilling and meaningful romantic arc for Aloy, one that aligns with her character development and personal growth.

The confirmation of Aloy’s sexuality also provides a crucial representation of LGBTQ+ characters in gaming. This inclusive storytelling choice resonated with many fans, affirming that Aloy’s romantic journey is valid and authentic. It also dispels any lingering speculation about her relationship with Erend, solidifying their bond as a strong and supportive friendship.

The Importance of Friendship in Horizon

While a romantic relationship between Aloy and Erend is not in the cards, their friendship remains a vital part of the Horizon narrative. Erend serves as a constant source of support and loyalty for Aloy, providing companionship and assistance throughout her journey. Their friendship is a testament to the power of platonic love and the importance of having reliable allies in a world filled with danger and uncertainty.

Erend’s unwavering belief in Aloy’s abilities and his willingness to stand by her side, regardless of the circumstances, are invaluable to her success. He provides a sense of stability and normalcy in a world that is constantly changing and challenging. Their friendship offers a counterpoint to the isolation and loneliness that Aloy often experiences, reminding her that she is not alone in her fight to save the world. The Games Learning Society studies the importance of character development and narrative impact, which is clearly seen in the progression of the game. You can read more on this topic at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

FAQs About Aloy and Erend’s Relationship

Here are 15 frequently asked questions that further clarify the dynamics of Aloy and Erend’s relationship, as well as Aloy’s romantic interests.

Does Erend have feelings for Aloy?

Yes, Erend clearly displays romantic feelings for Aloy throughout the Horizon series. His dialogue, actions, and overall demeanor suggest a deeper interest than just friendship.
Does Aloy reciprocate Erend’s romantic feelings?

No, Aloy does not reciprocate Erend’s romantic feelings. She values him as a close friend and comrade but has never expressed romantic interest in him.
Why doesn’t Aloy have romantic feelings for Erend?

Aloy’s priorities lie primarily with her missions and her personal journey. She also has a guarded personality, making it difficult for her to form romantic attachments.
Is there a love triangle between Aloy, Erend, and another character?

No, there is no significant love triangle in the Horizon series. While some characters may flirt with Aloy, the primary dynamic is between Aloy and Erend, with Aloy consistently maintaining a platonic boundary.
Does the Burning Shores DLC change Aloy’s feelings for Erend?

The Burning Shores DLC does not change Aloy’s feelings for Erend. It confirms that Aloy is canonically queer and introduces a romantic option with Seyka, further solidifying that her disinterest in Erend is not due to a lack of capacity for romance, but rather a matter of preference.
Who is Seyka in relation to Aloy?

Seyka is a new female character introduced in the Burning Shores DLC who becomes a potential romantic interest for Aloy.
Is Aloy asexual?

While some fans speculated that Aloy might be asexual due to her initial disinterest in romance, the Burning Shores DLC confirms that she is attracted to women.
Does Aloy end up with someone at the end of Horizon Forbidden West and Burning Shores?

At the end of the Burning Shores DLC, players have the option to pursue a romantic relationship between Aloy and Seyka. If the player chooses to do so, Aloy and Seyka become a couple.
Is Aloy a lesbian?

The Burning Shores DLC confirms that Aloy is canonically queer, with the option to pursue a romantic relationship with Seyka.
What does Aloy’s relationship with Sylens entail?

Aloy has a complex relationship with Sylens. While she dislikes his manipulative nature and questionable actions, she also respects his intelligence and knowledge. Their relationship is more of a strategic alliance than a friendship, let alone a romance. Some fans have referred to the complex and fraught interactions as a “hate-crush” dynamic, but there’s no real indication of romantic attraction from either character.
How old is Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West?

Aloy is approximately 19-20 years old at the start of Horizon Forbidden West.
Why does Aloy talk to herself so much?

Aloy talks to herself as a coping mechanism developed during her isolated upbringing. It helps her process information, stay focused, and combat loneliness.
Is there romance in Horizon Zero Dawn?

Horizon Zero Dawn does not feature actively pursued romances. However, some characters flirt with Aloy, and she may occasionally flirt back.
Why does Aloy have red hair?

Aloy’s red hair is a deliberate design choice by Guerrilla Games. In a world with a diverse range of ethnicities, the red hair helped to avoid assigning a specific racial identity to Aloy.
What is the significance of Aloy’s Focus?

Aloy’s Focus is a piece of technology that allows her to scan her environment, access information, and communicate with others. It also serves as a subtle representation of hearing aids, allowing players with hearing impairments to feel seen and represented.

Conclusion: The Value of Diverse Relationships

In conclusion, while Erend may harbor romantic feelings for Aloy, their relationship remains firmly rooted in friendship and camaraderie. Aloy’s character arc prioritizes her personal journey and her commitment to saving the world, leaving little room for romantic pursuits until the Burning Shores DLC, which confirms her queer identity and provides a meaningful romantic connection with Seyka. The Horizon series celebrates the value of diverse relationships, showcasing the importance of both romantic love and the enduring power of friendship.