Chapter 1: Warm-Up

/

Nacho's P.O.V.

"Looks like people are still getting by the streets are mostly intact," I took careful observations of my surroundings as the people look at me with horror. Some I recognize as animal folks and humans of my world. Others are wyverians, Felynes from the monster hunter world. The ones I could not recognize are the large brutish looking individuals that look ready for a fight paired up with some dinofolk giving me the evil eye. Clearly, they did not like me being here and were probably the local guards.

"I would step carefully brudda. Last thing you need to do is cause trouble," Baron commented as he walked behind me. A pip to his step walking to an unheard rhythm.

I nodded my head as I made my way to the large temple-like building that upon getting closer, I realized was new to the surrounding land. It was like it was placed here some time ago. Armored guards outside, wearing modernized Hoplite armor. Looking like a mix of metal plates with Kevlar from the looks of it. The helmets have full visors so I couldn't see their faces but also provide protection for said mugs. The main color scheme is a mix of red and gold.

"Halt! What business you have here?" One of the guards shouted as he took up a defensive stance.

"I have business with Ares and Dionysus. Hades sent me to meet them to give my aid in the war-effort against Typhon," I pulled out the token and show it to them. One of them cautiously walked towards me to verify. Pulling out a device that scanned the token. A green light bleeped on it and in turn he put the device away.

"Checks out, you are free to go in. However, we have our eyes on you, our lords shall be informed of your arrival."

"Thank you, keep up the good work," he was a little surprised at my politeness as I moved on into the main base building. Immediately after entering I was met with the various troops and workers coming by. Not a lot in uniform save for what I assume to be the main soldier force which even then only a handful seem to be wearing the more mystical armor. At best I can assume they are the elites of the army. Humans, Hunters, Dinofolks and I can only assume Orcs now walking around. Many in discussion with one another and marching off to different areas. Though some stopped when they noticed my presence along with the Baron. No doubt they could smell the death reeking off me right now.

I asked for directions to Ares and Dionysus. They told me to follow the signs and to head towards the war room as they are currently discussing tactics now. So, I did just that and eventually I found the double doors that lead into it. Listening closely, I can hear the discourse inside.

"Me thinks we should introduce ourselves. Whadda you say?" Baron said with a smile.

"Nothing flashy, let's just our presence speak for themselves."

His smile faded, "Spoil sport. I expect at least one flashy entrance during our partnership."

I paused for a moment, "Fine, I'll let you know when though."

"Trust me brudda you won't regret this."

I mentally rolled my eyes as I opened the doors into the war room. The discourse that once took place stopped as I walked into the room. From what I can see, chieftains, warlords, and other leaders at the table with two much larger figures in the far end of the table. A man decked out in mystical armor a glow with the fires of war. It looked like the guard armor I saw outside but even more elaborate. His crimson red clashed with the somewhat tarnished gold plates in the shape of muscles. His tattered cape hung behind him and his helmet covered all but his mouth. On him I could see ammo pouches for firearms and even bandoliers across his chest.

Dionysus who sat next to him in contrast wasn't wearing any armor, but rather a simple drape over violet toga over his well sculpted body. He wore a crown made of grapevines and grapes sprouting off them which blended well with his brown hair. In his hand he held a chalice filled with wine, which would explain the somewhat drunken look on his face.

Ares stood up, "You must be the help that my uncle sent our way. Chimeralis, the Beast of Calamity himself. I expected you taller than this."

Silence fell as I raised an unseen brow. He must be calling me by my 'official' name. Judging by the reactions of others staring at me I can already tell I am unpopular with these folks, "That would be me, lots have happened, but know I fight now to help the world."

"Funny, didn't know you can tell jokes. In all seriousness, I welcome the extra help. With the pending aid of the U.F.C. we may be able to push Typhon's forces away from encroaching on our borders. However, I am not one to blindly take people at their word. I expect results and as such I need proof that you're capable of helping us."

Dionysus piped up, "Ooh ooh! Why don't we have him prove himself by wiping out those enemy camps that have been reported to be built near our border? At least *hic* I think it's a good idea. Saves troops plus they won't see it coming."

"*Sigh* I suppose that is a good way to test his mettle. Why must most of your good ideas come while you are drunk?"

"Just how I am, you should know this already…hehehe."

Ares gave a sigh as he looked back to me, "Beast, going along with my brother's idea. You shall be tested on your effectiveness in dealing with three major enemy encampments. I care not how but I care that they're destroyed, and the enemy forces are routed."

"Okay so an elimination mission. I can do that, so do you have their locations?"

"Yes, we do," he pulled up a magic display of the border wall and the three encampment sites. They seem to be spread out focusing on different sections of the walls, "Here, here, and here. Two in forested areas while one stands out in the open plains leading to the wildlands. Reports say that this is where they relay information off more inland. Despite this, this is a low-risk mission. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do, what kind of enemies I should be expecting?"

"Nothing you can't handle, but for reference. Typhon's army is made up of his children and other races that went to his side. Willingly or not."

"Okay then, just show me the way."

Ares smiled as he ordered some guards to escort me to the border.

/

Outside again I was brought onto the wall of the border and the Guard reminded me where the camps are. Nodding I jumped off the high wall and spread my wings into flight. Heading into the entrance of the forested area. The trees are too high for a stealthy flight, or at least one that would allow me to get close enough before causing trouble. So, on foot it is from here on out. The baron not too far behind, he seemed to be teleporting all over the place as I walked through the greens.

This prowling stirs the depths of my soul again, but it wasn't strong enough to cause anything profound. Just a feeling of passing nostalgia, thoughts of hunting prey. Speaking of prey, I picked up a scent. It's familiar to what I hunted back in the underworld; minotaurs, harpies, nagas, and the distinct smell of a hyena. Odd, but nothing I can't handle. Slowly I followed the scent, and I found the camp. A small army's worth of enemy forces here. Ten minotaurs, seven harpies, five magic wielding nagas and at least twenty hyena men sharpening their swords and arrows. They seem to be using some primal weapons blessed with magic. Not sure what, but I can imagine something to keep up with the armies in Athens. Despite that I don't believe they stand any sort of chance. Best to see who is willing to walk away.

I stepped into the open, making my presence known. They all immediately stood alert with weapons drawn. The minotaur speaking, "Who are you?! A fool?" he carefully looks around, "Must be, I only see you. You either must be brave or foolish, but I bet the latter."

He was a good foot and a half taller than me and obviously built like a brick house, "I came to see if you're reasonable people and offer you a chance to surrender peacefully without harm."

"Surrender?" The minotaur began laughing as the others did the same, "I assumed correctly then. You are a fool, look around you! What is one man to a small army?"

"Trust me, you are gonna wish you accepted the surrender."

"Ah shut up!" The minotaur raised his club weapon to smash me down as I simply raised a hand. With full force he brought it down, the force of it created a wind blast that spread around the area. However, despite the power, the only thing that hurt was the ground which cracked as I stopped the force.

The minotaur looked with surprise as I stared back at him as my wings unfolded and gripped the club. With my free hand I wagged my finger slowly, "My turn…" In one swift motion I ripped the club out of the monster's hands and immediately caved his skull in with the weapon. A small spray of blood shot out as I removed the club from the now headless monster which slumped over dead.

I looked around and noticed the looks of fear. The Harpies stared in shock, the minotaurs lost for words, the Hyenas almost ready to run and the nagas horrified, "Last chance, those who wish to surrender now lay down your arms. If you choose to fight, then I will slaughter you without hesitation."

There was a warcry from one of the minotaurs as they all charged at me. Many of the enemy forces chose to attack me at once. I sighed as I threw the club into the crowd of hyenas before focusing my attention on the remaining minotaurs. My fists may not be explosive now, but they prove to be strong regardless. Dodging their club strikes as I closed in and delivered devastating punches that had much of them on their knees. Just before finishing them off with my bladed tail as I impaled two through the heart.

Arrows whizzed pass me, some making contact but bouncing off the armor and my scaly flesh. At best some got stuck on my scales and worst some would just break immediately. Looking towards the skies I saw the harpies pelting me with the projectiles while trying to maintain a safe distance. However, nowhere was safe from me as I leapt off the dead minotaur body and took flight. The first harpy was already snatched out of the air as I crushed her neck and tossed her corpse at one of her flying allies, knocking another out of the air. I darted around the sky and took out three more. Confirmed dead when I threw them into the ground headfirst. The remaining two couldn't handle the pressure and simply passed out.

More arrows flew my way from the remaining hyena army. Only ten were fighting back, about 5 of them ran off and the other five are dead from the tossed club. The nagas were firing fireballs that immediately got absorbed by my armor. Charging up stored power without them realizing it. Activating the armor's ability, I summoned chains of Tartarus to ensnare the nagas, and a couple of minotaurs. Unleashing the stored fire magic, I blasted them all with scorching heat that burned most of them into a crisp. One naga barely survived and laid motionless as I released the chains and continued my onslaught.

The remaining minotaurs were killed save for one, who dropped their weapon and bow their head. I stomped on their weapon, destroying it before chaining him up. The Hyenas well what remained ran like cowards. With only two frozen in fear and staring at me for mercy. I counted who was left. One minotaur, two hyenas, one naga, and three harpies. I gathered them up and looked at them. I treated the Naga's burns with some medicine and potions in my bag, some gifts from Hades, she only looked at me confused as I checked on the rest of them.

"W-What are y-you? Why sp-spare us?" She inquired.

"There was no need for more bloodshed. Either you were defeated, surrendered, or killed. As for who I am…" I debated using my real name. The last thing I want is for these guys to trace who I am and find anybody associated with me. So, I had one other option, "My name is Chimeralis. The beast of calamity. Remember it well because next time I will not hesitate to kill you should you stay my enemy."

The color drained from her face as she became speechless. The minotaur would later speak up, "What is to become of us?"

"Simple, you are to be taken in as prisoners. Probed for questioning of course."

"If it's your wish then it shall be done. I have no objections to a being much stronger than us."

I smiled as I looked up and noticed the bodies were gone. Instead, I see a whistling Baron just finishing up packing dirt into the ground, "Uh what are you doing? Where are the bodies?"

"Oh that? Buried brudda. It's sort of my thing, you know? The dead must be buried after all. Do not worry though, I buried them in their homeland."

"Okay…you work fast."

"This is the baron you talk to. I am the best at what I do. Your one-man clean-up crew," he gave a cheeky smile as he finished patting the dirt. Turning his shovel back into his cane and making a tombstone pop up on the grave, "I'll make sure your prisoners arrive safe, just handle those other camps so we can get back in a flash."

I shrugged as I recalled the chains and let Baron Samedi take the prisoners away. Leaving me to focus on the task at hand.

/

The next forested camp met a similar fate as the last one. High number of casualties because they didn't take me seriously. Almost left no prisoners this time around, but a handful did survive and surrendered. The last camp though was a bit trickier as some of the enemy forces escaped to here to warn them of me. As such their security has been improved, not that it would help them. Deciding to test out the invisibility function of the armor to sneak in. It was more well-built compared to other bases. Also, a lot more variety of monsters walking about. I can only assume some of these are Typhon spawn as they look different from the other Greek monsters. A mix of reptilian and one other animal like an eagle, lion and even an elephant. They seem only somewhat stronger than the minotaurs. Must be on the lower end of the power scaling.

Still, I will give them a chance to surrender. Doing so by stepping into the middle of the camp and then speaking, "All of you, it is I Chimeralis. I have destroyed two of your camps already and decimated your forces in both. Those of you who value your lives lay down your arms and surrender. Those who don't and choose to fight me shall be struck down."

I heard the clacking of discarded weapons from some of the runaways from the camps as their peers looked at them in confusion. Unaware of my might. One of the reptile mixed monsters walked up to me.

"Who are you to ask surrender from our forces?" The creature was at least around my height and is a mix of eagle and snake like features, "You may have scared the weaklings, but we, the children of Typhon will happily remind these whelps which race is the strongest around!"

"Then I propose a challenge. To spare the lives of your soldiers, how about I fight you and your siblings here. If I win, then this camp is mine and your forces will surrender."

"And when we win, we'll happily parade your corpse around the enemy walls before turning you into our dinner!"

"Alrighty then," I shrugged with a smile, "When do we start?"

*NOW!*

They all shouted swinging swords at me. The blades were blocked when I manifested a shield and blocked their attacks. The classic sword and shield never failed and though not my preferred weapon set, it works as I pushed away their blades. Knocking them off balance, I followed up by grabbing the lion reptile looking monster and introducing them to the sharp end of my sword. Stabbing his heart and twisting the blade as I pulled my weapon out, causing dark purple blood to leak out. Immediately I turned to the elephant one behind me, and swung my tail horizontally, bisecting him from his waist. Despawning my weapons I quickly ran up to the monster and grabbed his upper half and pulled it off from his now useless legs. Bringing out my tentacles I repeatedly stabbed him until he died and threw the body to the side.

Despite being unarmored my tentacles still had stabbing power, but incredibility vulnerable. I recalled them back into my body before returning to the fight as the remaining monsters attacked me with their weapons. I decided to pull out an old favorite as I parried their weapons with my bracers. Creating two blades of equal length, I smiled as my blades clashed with theirs. My strength was greater than theirs as I pushed them back and sliced off their hands. Along with the movement of my bladed tail, I sliced the monsters to ribbons. When I was done, they lay strewn about as pieces of meat.

/

The rest of the monsters surrendered without complaint. After binding them, I personally marched them myself back to Athens. Much to the surprise of the wall guards and civilians as I walked them to prison. I proved my worth to Ares and Dionysus as I entered the war room once again. Having conquered the camps easily and bringing in so many prisoners.

"Astounding, you single handedly took over three camps in short order and put great fear in the enemy, making them surrender. Your power is true but incomplete as you say?" Ares looked at me intensely at this new information.

"Yes sir, I'm not at my full strength. However, I can still do what I can as you can see."

"I see, well its disappointing to not have the full might of the beast aiding us, but then this war with Typhon would have been over already. Regardless, you proved your worth so welcome aboard."

Dionysus piped up, "Oh by shesh way, there was a man who wanted to shpeck with yah. Probably nothing…but hey…"

His drunken stupor had Ares sighing as he looked over to me, "Yes, there is a person outside. They seem to be looking for you specifically. They should be outside this building, so best to see what they want before getting back to business."

"Uh what do they look like if you don't mind me asking?"

"He called himself a hunter, it's not hard to see him. He seems to be wearing mystical armor of some kind. Not to mention he has an imp floating around him."

"I see, I'll go check it out what this guy wants."

"You do that, then come back here so we can settle some arrangements."

I nodded as I left the room and eventually the building. The Baron has not said a thing which has me on guard a bit. This isn't the kind of guy you want to hear go silent, what's on his mind?

"Don't look now brudda, but me thinks the hunter fellow is watching you from a distance," He pointed southwest of our position and like he said there was a man in mystical white knight like armor. However, I can tell the monster material used in it belongs to a valstrax, a type of elder dragon, but seems to be different somehow.

"Looks like the guy asking for us. Let's see what he wants," I headed towards the mysterious man.

As I got closer, I noticed the weapons he was wielding two blades marked in mystical runes. I can feel an unearthly amount of magical energy stored in them. Same going for his armor which prevented me from seeing his physical features. What I can tell though is that he is five feet and eleven inches tall. Physique wise, he is decently well built as I have seen many hunters back in my old profession.

"Hello, are you the hunter that Ares told me about?"

The man chuckled at me, "You must be Chimeralis, the beast of calamity."

I raised a brow suspiciously. Nobody save for those I told should know who I am, "Did Ares tell you?"

"Yes, don't be too surprised though. The U.F.C. knows everything about you, we been anticipating your arrival," he then gestured behind him, and four figures walked out from the darkness. One was a figure dressed in what I can describe as beautiful mystical robes lightly armored with plates. I can barely see a white snout peaking under the hood and tail coming from behind her. The other two are dressed in medium sci-fi like armor that reminded me of an armor project that was worked on by I.G.M.A.D.A. back in the day. Though clearly both figures are easy to figure out despite being covered in armor. One being a five-foot-high squirrel man using a sword and shield empowered with mystical runes. The cat woman stood five foot six and was carrying a large backpack with unknown mystical compounds. They looked ready to fight at any moment as they looked up at me.

The last figure though was different from the rest. Floating into view a small imp wearing a weird smiling mask. She was all black with ethereal yellow glow lines on her small featureless nude body. Her hair reached down to her shoulders and retained that glowing yellow color. I see tiny wings and a long demon tail to finish off the look. Despite being a magical creature, I couldn't feel her magic power, that is odd. Why though? Why hide your magical power?

"I see you're not alone. Should I be concerned?" Staying cool, I weighed my options as I waited for a response.

"No, unless you make this difficult. My name is Accelcious, and well I want to test you. Care for a fight Beast? I just want to see how strong you really are."

"Is that it? Hate to break it to you but this is an unfair fight. I could easily break your body if I'm not careful."

"Hah! You got that right. Accel here will wreck you!" The imp cut in annoyingly.

Accelcious sighed, "Please forgive my familiar, she likes to trash talk. Imps am I right? Now then, shall we get started?"

/

His eyes sparked with crimson energy as he snapped his fingers. I saw the hooded companion chant a spell before everything went white before my eyes. Before I knew it, I was standing in the middle of an open magic arena that seemed to be surrounded by empty space, but the walls and ceilings were marked by magic circles. I heard a call to arms from him as he readied his swords as they erupted in a magic glow.

"Well, if you're going through the trouble," smashing my fists together and cracking the knuckles on my rip claws, "Let's see what you got hunter."

He let out a small chuckle, "Trust me when I say I'm not like the other hunters of the area."

The metaphorical bell rang as we started circling one another. I wanted to keep my soul weapons a secret, so I am staying bare handed for now. Taking a defensive stance as Accel charged at me suddenly with shocking speed, I didn't expect from him. Still, I acted as fast as I could blocking one of the sword slashes with my bracer, but the other still hit my body. Feeling no pain, I assume it just barely scratched my hide. This guy is fast with his swords, I couldn't react to the second sword swing in time. It was like fighting a wild jet engine with his wild yet precise movements. Dealing a few strikes before jumping back and changing his angle of attack. Thankfully my hide was tougher, but this is not an excuse to be reckless.

Taking my chance, I delivered a strong punch to his stomach with my free hand which did send him some distance away, but he did not fall. Still, I can tell he felt the punch as he was trying to recover from the blow. Not wasting an opportunity, I grabbed him with my rip claws to hold him in place. I reared up another punch before suddenly my fist met nothing but air. Frowning I looked to the side to see the hunter a fair distance away.

"Slow old friend, you need to be quicker to keep up with me," He then stabbed the ground with his blades and revved the handles as his body glowed with crimson magical embers. His swords also erupting with the same bright crimson fire, "This is only going to get harder."

With the same speed he used to escape my grasp. Accel's armor erupted from the back like a jet as he closed the distance between us and delivered a swift kick to my gut. I felt the air get knocked out of me as the strength was surprisingly stronger than even the minotaurs I faced earlier. This guy is not human, no human could hit that hard. To leave me reeling as he went for a follow up with his swords that I quickly blocked. The crimson flames tickled my flesh but also activated the energy absorption of my armor.

When the heat of the moment passed, I used my crush claws and tentacles to grab and push the man off me. My strength overpowering his through more limbs, but it didn't matter as once we were standing again, he simply vanished from my grip again and delivered a round house kick. Clearly that move is going to prevent me from getting my hands on him for long. Picking myself off the ground I locked my eyes onto his body and felt my inner fire grow a bit, the sparks of primal defiance.

I cracked my neck as I took a more offensive stance and focused on my opponent. Brayden played with his sword a bit before creating a big slash of fire that had more range than possible. However, I am fireproof, and I charged through it much to his surprise and tackled him into the ground. My crush claws keeping his arms down and before he could vanish again, I butted my head into his before unleashing a flurry of punches into his helmet. I swear I used more force than necessary and dented his facial covering.

Of course, he retaliated, by head butting back and blasting me off with a magic push. Once he was back on his feet his swords seemed to vibrate as if magical energy was making them volatile somehow.

"That is more like it, but these aren't normal blades my friend. These blades can cut through almost everything."

Using a similar trick as he did before, he swung his sword to create a large slash wave of magical energy. The range and speed were too fast to dodge as I tried to block it, but the attack cut through my skin and armor. I growled as I weighed my current options. I still have the stored energy and the chains and my soul weapons. Once the tricks I have come out then he will adapt, I got to make it count then and try to end this quickly. Meet blade to blade it is then.

Choosing my opportunity in the attack pattern I manifested one of my swords and clashed with his quick strike which surprised him for a moment as we started clashing blades. Dual swords on dual swords, but his slashes came fast. Because of that I took many hits from his accelerated swords.

"Grrr…you're just full of surprises, aren't you?" I growled as we got into another blade clash.

"And I'm still waiting for your old friend. Or are you telling me this is all the beast can do?"

Not my fault I lost most of my powers. Really limiting me right now, but I still have my other tricks. Activating the armor's abilities, I unleashed the stored up magical power into a blast that blew him back. Following up with the chains of Tartarus to keep him in place. Surprisingly he was unable to just vanish away and now I got my opening. Steadying my feet in front of him I unleashed a flurry of punches on his body shared by both my normal arms and crush claws. By the time the chains wore off I grabbed him by the head and slammed him into the ground before tossing him into the wall.

It was great getting so many hits in, but I kept my guard up. A fight is never over until it can be confirmed, and the laughter that came after proved it wasn't over just yet.

"That's more like it! Show me more what you can do!" he dug his blades into the ground again as a burning crimson aura began to flow around him, "You'll regret it if you don't step it up friend!"

That last question was followed up by a blinking fast punch to the chest that knocked me straight into the wall. I think I tasted my own blood, but I couldn't check as I was blasted with powerful magical blasts. As far as I can tell it wasn't even the advanced spells, just the low tier kind. Bracing against the barrage, pushing forward with gritted teeth. My endurance proved handy as I tried to see through the magic. I felt my instincts claw back in and my focus improve. Just in time as I saw a magically glowing kick coming my way.

Reacting to it, I felt the attack made an impact with my reactive defensive block. The power was there but now I understand it's not his true physical strength. Keeping on the offensive I shot out tentacles to grab his leg before tossing him to the side, "So that's how you're doing it. Using magic to enhance your strength!"

He quickly recovered to his feet, "Funny you're only finding out this out now. This is the natural skill developed by a hunter of Mythcia!"

Quickly again he closed the distance between us, and we engaged in hand-to-hand combat. His speed once again outpaced mine. For every punch that clashed between us, I felt two extra hits into my chest. It didn't matter that I was using all four of my limbs, other times he would completely avoid a strike and blast my face with a dragon element blast. The frustration of losing this fight was getting to me, not helped that he vanished again, but I couldn't find him around me.

"Hey up here!" I looked and saw Accel doing a handstand on my horns. Swiftly he gave me another kick that sent me into the dirt. Clenching my fists, I felt my anger grow as I tried to focus. Staring at the broken-up ground in front of me something within me felt unchained. Stalwart earth and raging flames, something just clicked as I felt connected to earth in some way. The fires of rage I can feel igniting inside and flowing into my hands. Before I knew it my main hands burst into crackling flames with an orange glow.

"Argh…this feeling…this power…" I growled as I stood up and stomped the ground causing a wall of earth to pop up before I promptly punched it to pieces with a fierce strike that exploded on impact, "Not all the same…"

"Tch starting to feel like your old self, Nacho?" Accel asked me as I did my best to avoid being overwhelmed by an old sensation, I have not felt in five years.

"Yes…*breathes* you knew this was going to happen did you, Lavi?"

"I see you recognize me now old friend, how are you? Can you still fight?"

"Urgh…no. My body feels heavy…" I fell to the ground onto my knee as I breathed heavily, my body still adjusting to the surge of power that returned to my body. It was like running a marathon without stretching, hopefully this won't be a continuous problem to expect in the future.

Lavi looked me over, "Yeah, I can see you reached your limit. That's it for now." He snapped his fingers again and light blinded me again. I was back in Athen's kneeling in front of the same group of people like I had never left.

/

"Whoa, what happened? Both of you look terrible," the female imp said with a head tilt.

"The battle was inconclusive Hakna, the beast is not at his best. Despite that though, he still has the fire burning within him," he removed his helmet with some effort and proceeded to spit out a bit of blood, "I felt it for sure when he got some shots in." His bruised face did not hide the fact it was the face of my old friend Lavi. He certainly has changed in the five years.

"Really now? Huh, that can't be good, oofie," the imp looked at me before floating back next to Lavi.

Baron laughed behind me as the three other figures visibly relaxed. Both the white wolf and the armored cat female got up to him to treat his bruising and small injuries, "You really know how to get beaten up don't you love?" spoke the wolf woman in a gentle voice.

"Here I thought Nacho held the record for the most injuries sustained on a hunt," spoke the armored cat girl.

Lavi whispered to the wolf woman to which I focused my hearing to hear what he was saying, "He's much stronger than previous records mentioned. This might put the heads on edge."

This developed some questions in my head, but I held off from saying anything as I was able to stand back up. The Baron already noticing my increased strength, "It would seem you gotten stronger brudda. I can see it in your soul as it grown a bit brighter."

"Heh, that's good. Still got a way to go, though," I stood up and cracked my joints stretching.

"In due time brudda, for now let's start wrapping things up. The true party has yet to begun."

After dusting myself off and exchanging pleasantries we walked together back to the war room in the main base. I swear I saw Ares smile as we walked in. A summary of the events that took place was explained to them and Dionysus couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Sounds like a fwwne ol time," he said with a smile, taking another sip from his goblet.

"Also productive, some of your original powers have returned to you. This is promising, maybe one day we will see the full might of the beast once again. Anyways, Beast, we been collaborating with the U.F.C. for some time. As such they are lending their aid in this war. You just met one of their strike groups."

Lavi smiled as he took over the conversation, "Special Ops, code name: Mystic Storm. We specialize in sabotage, assault, and monster missions. I am the leader of this squad, of course we report to somebody higher. You might know her, but…I'm not allowed to say."

I raised my brow at him. I can guess Ankha based on that context clue of 'her', but that is only an assumption, "Well way to be cryptic. Anyways what is the U.F.C.? What does it stand for?"

"The United Front Coalition, best known as the Coalition, formed after I.G.M.A.D.A. decided that it would be best to unite races to fight against the evil beings that taken over large lands and became their ruler. Typhon is one of these, set free by Apep. Our main objective is freeing lands from these oppressive rulers."

"And it just so happens our goals aligned," Ares interrupted, "Typhon took the throne of Olympus and rules over this fused land with an iron fist as the strong rule the weak. Though much of the Greek Gods are gone and others in seclusion. I couldn't stand the thought of my homeland in the hands of that monster. Dionysus shared similar sentiments, but most importantly for both of us. Our birthright, the throne of Olympus."

"Fasssher is gone, so by our r-rules…I sho get the throne…" Dionysus managed to shake out as he took a big swing of his wine. He might be a bit more drunk than normal and judging by his tone of voice a hint of sadness.

"It may be the traditions back then, but the world has changed brother. When the smoke clears after Typhon's dead a strong leader must sit on the throne and lead the people of Greece and other lost souls to a stronger future here."

"Here you go again…pssh pwase, if father was here, he would have chosen me!"

"Father isn't here! He's gone! So is mother! And so…many…" Ares sighed as he took a deep breath, "Apologies, anyways I have a task for your squad before you return to the Sphinx. We received intel of an enemy transports out there in the wild lands. Containing enemy supplies such as food, water, weapons and even prisoners. Data points out that they are heading towards an enemy base in a location best described as Misty peaks fused with Mystic Swampland. Intercept that transport and if possible, take it for us. If not, destroying them works as well. Just remember to let the prisoners out first. They will be there within five days so get there as soon as possible."

Lavi saluted, "Roger, one enemy transport good as gone. Let's go everyone, that means you too beast. For now, you are a temporary member of Mystic Storm."

"Heh, not like I have a choice, but sure let's cause some trouble," I shook hands with Lavi as Ares gave us the coordinates of the path the supply transports.

Lavi and his squad revealed to me their surprisingly high-tech ride in the form of a large combat transport. Standard camouflage and enough room for four, though I can fly I figured it would be best to stick with the group and maybe hope to get to learn more about them. Didn't have to worry about the Baron since he said he would meet us there, somehow. Thankfully it was big enough for me, but I guess it had to for the more armored female. As I was getting settled in, Lavi's imp Hakna floated over and made herself comfortable on my lap.

"Uh…can I help you?" asking as I raised a brow before flushing red as she adjusted her butt.

"You're in my seat skippy. So, you're going to be my new seat now," she emphasized this by giving me a small glare and slamming her butt down. Good thing I am wearing armor or else that would have been an awkward situation.

I sighed as I adjusted my tail to be hanging out the window. Looking outside and wondering how my loved ones are doing. Ankha, Isabelle, friends, and family, feel like I stepped into a new world as a new person. Chimeralis…this is my name to the world that doesn't know me. In a weird way, that's fine by me. Let only those who know me know my true name.