Chapter 11: Call of the Veil

Author's note: Another chapter and it a bit longer than I wanted it to. Still though plenty of stuff happens here that I cannot say without spoiling. I am not going to cover all base and city fights, but only ones relevant to the story plot at hand. Simply too much to go over and not enough ways I can think of to make it interesting. Still though I am doing my best, so this is TheFoolOfTheNoon signing off.

/

Nacho's P.O.V.

"Another outpost, should I just walk up there or do some of your men want to take a shot at it?" I looked over to Freya who looked a bit bored. The path to the city we were assigned to had plenty of outposts along the way. However, due to their low numbers they were easily overcome with the army we brought. Must have been left to keep eyes on the road.

"It's better to save on the ammo. You take care of it, uff da."

"Right, off I go," I got up and swiftly flew to the outpost. Breathing fire to set the outpost alight. Causing surprisingly only a few monsters to pop out in panic. This caused me to cease trying to kill them and instead land before them. Causing the lizard men to fall over shaking, "Well aren't you all not worth any effort. However, I have a question…and I want some answers."

They nodded in understanding as Kranaf appeared from my back, "Your best chance to live yes."

"Are the rest of your friends waiting for us in Kandanos?" They nodded, "Were you left behind to distract us, so they can gather more forces?" They nodded again, "I see, got any idea how their defenses are going to be set up?"

They shook their heads. They didn't know, just set up to be the proverbial sacrificial lambs. Kranaf gave me a puzzled look, "Well they don't know much…so what think now?"

"Well…" I was considering letting them go since they are freaked out for their lives. I doubt they will try to attack us after this display of power. At least I thought so until I heard one of the lizard men scream and attempted to slash at me with his sword. I stood unfazed as the weapon met my armor and left no scratch, "Well…that wasn't smart."

I grabbed the sword in his hand, by the blade. Most likely a steel blade and easily I heated up my hand and melted the metal. The act causing the lizard man to fall backwards in terror.

("M-Mercy…please!")

"Alright, well now you know how unwise that was. I don't see a reason to keep you here. You're free to go."

("R…Really?! I-I don't know what to say!")

"You are very welcome. Now scamper off and if you show up as an enemy again I will not show the same courtesy twice."

("Understood, lets go, come on let's go!") The lizard man picked up what allies he has, and they ran off into the unknown. Hopefully this experience is enough to make them stay away from this war for good.

"You show mercy…possible followers?"

"Not exactly, there is no point in killing them here. Also seeing how powerful I am should keep them out of the war. If they come around to help, well that's just a bonus for us."

I flew back to the front of the army and landed next to Freya who was just shooting me a look along with Crackerjack, "Any reason why you let the enemy go?" The pink wolf said with crossed arms.

"They were nothing but a distraction. Their own comrades left them as sacrificial lambs to be killed. There was no point in killing them."

"That is not your call to make. The least you could have done let us take them prisoner," I tried to respond, but found myself unable to form a response. Because hindsight it was probably the better option, "I see you can't defend your actions. What's done is done, but next time you consult the rest of us."

"Yes ma'am…"

"Let's keep going, also you will tell us what you learned from them along the way."

"Don't worry, though you might want to keep your expectations low. There wasn't much to gleam from them."

So, I explained to Freya what I learned and was disappointed to learn there wasn't much. Other than just knowing that they are expecting us. However, without any visual on their defenses it would be hard to plan around it. So, we just relayed the info to the scouts ahead of us and kept to the path. It would be some time before anything else significant would happen.

"I have question though, Kanados was a town before. How did it become a city?" Honestly the question has been burning in my mind for a while since I last heard it. Has it changed in the years that passed?

"It was an up-and-coming city. Since the original town didn't survive the cataclysm. It became a center of rebuilding and trade as it tried to get back on its feet. However, Typhon invaded and now here we are. It didn't take long for them to turn it into their own."

"Damn, a lot can happen in five years…"

/

Another day or so of traveling, we got word back from the scouts. They found the gate erected blocking access to the city and region of land. Requiring us to destroy it to retake the city after it. So, it will be a two-part assault to deal with it. Since going out on my lonesome is out of the question. I have to be a team player and not a loose cannon. That way I don't recklessly endanger lives. Freya would send a drone to get a topical map of the gate and the city beyond it. Even scanning the guard shift which as the Lizard men said, they were building up their defenses in preparation for our arrival. Well, more specifically my arrival as they're more scared of me than this whole army.

Crackerjack spoke first, "Those walls are more reinforced than normal. Seems they added an enchantment to make them sturdier. Ballista's, flaming catapults, archers, cannons, and might as well include the kitchen sink. I don't doubt our ability to break through, but behind them is still the city and its walls. Just as fortified, perhaps even more so than the gate. We simply cannot go around the gate as the bastards created large trenches that makes it impossible for our vehicles to advance. Long story short, we are going through that gate one way or another."

"We will be burning resources too quickly if we try to take them head on. They are definitely trying to prepare for you, Nacho," Freya looked over to me and I sheepishly shrugged.

"Uh…sorry. I didn't think I would be scarier than…our entire force."

"It's alright, we shouldn't be surprised frankly. However, we could use that to our advantage."

"How so ma'am?" Crackerjack asked.

"Our enemy expects the beast to be their worst threat. Then we shall give them the beast."

"Oh oh! I know this trick! I used to do it in monster hunts! Aggro control, main threat focuses on one guy while the rest plan an attack and strike while they are distracted," I did this quite a lot when hunting with others. Usually taunting and baiting monsters to focus on me to lead them into traps. It was silly, but it was quite effective.

"Ah, I guess that means you have no problem being the bait then Nacho?"

"Heh, you can say I was a professional at it. Alright then, I go in solo and draw their fire. Also cause some damage in the process while the rest of you attack them while they are distracted."

"Well, I think there is a more sophisticated way to say our part, but they will wizen up when we start attacking. So, Nacho, I want you to cause as much trouble as possible and weaken them enough so we can blast those gates open. Once we get through though, the real fight begins. Nacho, I have faith in your strength and durability, so I need you to be their immediate threat. This will not only save our resources but lower our possible casualties."

"You can count on me. As I told Crackjack before, try not to accidently shoot me while I am in there. Not that I think it would significantly hurt me, but you know, courtesy."

Freya just smirked, "I don't shoot allies. You'll be fine, spread word among the troops and get ready to moblize. If we are lucky, we can win this before the day ends."

There was a collective 'yes ma'am!' from our fellows and very soon it was relayed to the entire army and everyone got moving. We mobilized to close enough range of the large structure. Freya held her troops back and so did Crackerjack, "Alrighty, just wait until they're all targeting me and then start firing on their artillery. As for me, I am going to get that gate open one way or another. Don't make any unnecessary actions until you are told otherwise. Now sit back and watch the fireworks."

I flashed a smile as I let Kranaf down and took off into the air and launched myself at the gate. I only smiled as I saw their alarms go off and immediately opened fire on me with what they had. Despite giving me the works, I aimed myself at one of the catapults and straight on dive crash into it. Destroying it and part of the area around it. There I let loose as many of their warriors rushed to stop me as I started dismantling the wall of their infrastructure. Blood flew and some were burnt by my crimson fire. Chains popped out and ensnared some while the rest of my natural weapons took care of others. Slashing some into ribbons, however there were some that didn't go down easily. As some minotaur folk managed to shield check my face with an audible clang. However, that only seemed to shoot some adrenaline into my brain as I ripped the shield off the nearest minotaur and returned the favor.

I turned things up a noch as I grabbed the nearest monster and slammed him headfirst into a wall. Following that I began dragging him across it, along with me bulldozing any monster that was in the way. I felt my hand's grip loosen as I noticed I was no longer dragging anything. Instead, I just had a bloodied hand and bear witnessed a headless corpse laying in the middle of the carnage.

"Well…note to self, minotaur skulls aren't as tough as they look."

Continuing my rampage, I in a short amount of time managed to kill a good amount of the defensive forces on the gate. Blood and viscera everywhere, but unlike the army I fought way back. They didn't plan on running away and a part of me was enjoying that fighting spirit of those who took me on. Still, it was only a matter of time before this gate fell as the sounds of artillery flew and crashed into the gate. Freya arrived with her artillery as planned. Sending the monsters into a panicked frenzy as their gate weapons were blown up. Their attention is now divided between me and the army. A no win situation as I continue to smash up the area I was in and moved onto the next. Weakening the structure further as the mayhem grew too much for the monsters. Causing them to retreat in a scramble as I leapt to front the large gate door and smiled at the damage done. With a heavy kick the large blockade gave way as the door fell over and the rest of the stones holding it together fell apart.

"I'm moving on ahead! I'll meet you in the city center!"

I ran off into the fray as I saw the fleeing monsters and the large city wall blocking entry. Running with all I can, I closed the distance between me and the wall while their defenses struggling to hit me. Easily I was within range and leapt into the air. With support of my wings I reached the top of the wall and surprised the monsters waiting there. Another onslaught would take place as more monsters fell to me and their wall defenses would be crushed by my power. Seeing a chance to aid my army allies as well. I readied a punch and slammed it into the part I was standing on. All at once the section fell apart in destructive glory before I repeated it a couple more times. Maximizing the openings for the vehicles to get in. Turning around I looked at the city before me. It looked rough but was coming together all things considered. If it wasn't for the Typhon banners scattered about.

"To think a city could rise from the ashes of a town. Then again, I guess it wasn't the first time it had to rebuild. I wonder what happened to the civilians. Some of them still must be around here."

I took off again and began scanning the city for points of interest. Occasionally stopping to kill opposing forces that would attack me. I nearly got shot by a ballista a few times, but narrowly avoided them when I can. The stone works buildings giving them adequate cover to come out and surprise me. Still though the entire experience of invading a territory like this and fighting against so many enemies is stirring my soul more. However, I need to focus, the civilians, they got to be here somewhere. Most likely as slaves and perhaps one of these monsters would know something. As I was looking for a possible soldier that may know something before, I felt a boulder slam into me and send me crashing into the ground.

Despite the size I was able to push it off easily and walk away with a slightly scrambled brain, "Okay…now who did that?" My answer came with a loud crash as now a large rhino like Typhon whelp was staring at me down while holding another large boulder.

"Beast fall from sky, not immune from boulder!"

I rolled my eyes as this pea brain obviously has more brawn than brains, "Fun fact, neither are you."

I stomped on the ground and a trail of earth spiked in a straight light. First small before reaching the whelp and launching spires of sharp rocks to penetrate his left leg. The monster cried in pain as he dropped his weapon to hold his leg. I followed up by ripping out my own boulder from the ground. I gave it a little toss into the air before giving it a solid kick that delivered enough force to separate the whelp from his leg. I shook my head as I walked over to the whelp who was in a daze.

"I would ask you who's in charge of this city, but I get the distinct feeling you don't know anything."

"Uh…what?"

"I thought so," I reached and grabbed him by the horn. Increasing my gravity back to near my normal weight to use as an anchor. And in a switft motion I forcibly twist the monster's neck and break it. With a sigh I reduced my personal gravity back to my human weight again and flew off to continue breaking the enemy ranks. All to search who is in charge and find possible slaves to rescue. Time is lost on me as I moved to section and section of the city and finding some resistance with each area. The small fry becomes more inconvenient with each time they rear their heads. I lost track how many bodies were in my wake and cursing myself for forgetting to ask them for info before killing them.

My luck changed as I managed to pin a p'orc in more important looking attire, "Hey, where do you keep your prisoners?"

The pig like monster was already freaking out under my foot and sputtered out what I needed to hear, "*Pig noises* the holds! One for each qua-quadrent of the city!"

"Thank you," I grabbed him by the cuff of his boney armor and with a short spin I threw him far from this location. I honestly wasn't paying attention to how far though as he cleared the city walls. I gave a quick update to Freya with this new information while she told me that our forces are making their way through the city. The plan remains the same, but with us heading towards the city quadrants to find the holds. With me heading towards the south quadrant post haste and with the damage I was doing. It frankly didn't take long for me to find it after leaving a trail of bodies in my wake. The people feared me initially, but I was able to convince them I was here to help. I broke them free and escorted them a fair bit until they can find a safe place to hide from the citywide battle taking place.

From there I headed to the west quadrant. I was feeling a bit tired from all my rampaging and gave myself a short break as I took in my surroundings. Which thankfully seem to be enemy free for the time being, "Whew…this is really starting to become a workout. I should have packed a lunch or something because I am starting to get hungry."

Before I knew it, the images of the monsters I killed drifted into my mind. They are fresh meat technically…no no no. I don't need to do that, I did it for survival back in Tartarus. I don't need to eat these monsters anymore. I just need to hold out until the battle is over. Just need something to drink to take my mind off it for a bit. I looked around, however was disappointed to find nothing. Then again, this is a battlefield, where the heck I am going to find water on short notice?

I sighed and decided to just suck it up for now. However, after a few steps I heard a voice…not in the open but in my head.

"This way"

Somehow, I can feel the direction where this voice is coming from. It was from the southwest, so I headed that way. The voice is male, yet I am still scratching my head on how I just knew which way to go. It had a pull that felt connected to me in some way.

"Relax, it will be revealed in a short time. But first you must save those prisoners, right? I'm just helping speed things along. Hurry now."

I sped along in the direction I felt the pull and not long after I found the area's prisoner hold. Once again, I found myself receiving one hell of a welcome when the monsters saw me. I rampaged through the building, killing the monsters who attempted to stop me. Those who lost their courage to face me, wisely retreated and ran for their very lives. Like the last prisoners, they were fearful of me initially. Until I told them I was part of the coalition and they relaxed. I, however, felt that same feeling I felt earlier. It was like a nagging sensation hitting my head, but I pushed it to the side as I help escort these people to a safer part of the city possible.

I breathed a sigh of relief when eventually I found a secure place and hurried people inside. All except for a few who stood in front of me. A rabbit, a frog, and a dog villager. The frog in doctor garb stepped forward and bowed, "Hello Nacho."

I shot him a confused look, "Have you heard of me? Because I don't know you."

"Sorry, I'm jumping ahead. My name is Raddle, this is Susan and Mordcai. As you can probably guess. We aren't like the others."

Hearing his voice I slowly connected the dots to the voice I heard in my head earlier, "Wait…that voice I heard in my head. Was that you?"

"Needed to get you to us fast somehow. I figured supplanting ourselves among prisoners and calling you would be effective. As I thought it was quite effective."

"Okay but why did you need my attention? As you can see there is a wider battle going on here. Not exactly a safe place for meetings."

"So you say, but to us this is the perfect time to contact you. You see there is a special someone that wanted to meet you in person. We been tasked to bring you to him as per his request."

"Okay but where though?"

"Where else? Your domain Nacho, the Veil."

I paused as I gave the froggy scientist a flabbergasted expression, "The veil? You came from the veil?! How? I been told all scouts who went into the one here never returned?"

"That is true, but that is because they were outsiders and refused our offer. Our…leader detests outsiders and well…you can already guess what became of the scouts."

"What do you mean by offer? Just…who is this guy or gal or whatever is?"

"If you want to know more. Then I suggest you follow us as we can reveal everything to you. And your mark upon this world that many do not understand."

"I see you're being cryptic now, but that veil thing has been bothering me for a while. Still, I can't just leave my friends out to dry. I have got to make sure the mission here is going to go smoothly for everyone else. I am supposed to join them in the center of the city. If I am gone for too long, they are going to wonder where I have been."

Raddle sighed and rolled his eyes, "We aren't supposed to get the attention of the outsiders. But we can lighten the burden if that's what you want."

"You can do that?"

"With only a snap and your command."

Morbid curiosity was eating at me. Wondering if it was that easy, I had a small debate in my mind before something in me told me to do it, "You got my permission."

Raddle nodded as he snapped his finger. I felt a rumble nearby as the ground nearby discolored. Turning blood red before darkening into near black as fleshlike substance as it grew over the ground. The substance covered more and more ground until stopping when it covered a square block. I raised a brow as the center twitched and opened to reveal a large maw that opened up and these skittering little creatures crawled out of it.

"A few hundred will suffice…" I heard Raddle mutter as a small smirk appeared on his face, "Are you satisfied? They should be enough to cover your work while you are gone."

"Um…what ARE they exactly?"

"Pureborn, worker class. Can we head off now?"

"I guess so…"

"That's wonderful, let's make haste then. Through the dark earth we go."

He snapped his finger and very quickly I found myself sucked into the fleshy ground nearly instantly. It was like I was being pushed through a high-speed slide. However, it felt natural and in the middle of it I was able to control how I was going through it.

/

A few seconds later I felt myself surfacing and entering a completely different world. Looking around I saw crimson skies with a discolored sun beaming down, ahead of me a large tower that seemed to go up beyond the sky, and around me many curious denizens. All looking like hybrids or evolved animals. Some sharing traits from one another and others having traits that appeared to be augmented in some way. There was much muttering between them until a look of realization appeared on their faces.

"The progenitor! The progenitor!"

They chanted this repeatedly much to my bewilderment. Looking over to Raddle and his company they shed their normal looks for ones that match the people around me. Only Raddle is the one I see retain a normal like appearance. He moved his doctor mask down and shot me a smile.

"Welcome to your home away from home, sir."

I wanted to get a word out but was stopped when I felt the ground shake. It was a rumble that grew as I felt something large heading our way. Something I feel a connection with…

"Ah…the progenitor…how I long awaited this moment…"

/

Past the town the ground erupted as all the inhabitants took a knee. A towering wormlike creature rose out of the dark earth. Reaching sufficient length, it looked down on me and only then I was able to get a good look at it. A dark crimson carapace lined its body all the way to the ground and likely beyond. Three pairs of orange eyes looked at me as its mouth showcased two layers of jaws. Four sickle like appendages were contrasted with two humanoid looking arms on its side. It's like some kind of twisted worm dragon, very alien as far as I can imagine it to be. I hunted large monsters in my time, but this guy certainly made those look small in comparison.

Despite all that, I cannot deny there was a connection between me and the creature. I simply shouted, "Who are you!"

The creature looked at me. Observing me, analyzing me, and examining my very being, "Progenitor, I expected you to be far larger than this. Hmm…something is not right."

"Hey I asked you a question! Who and what are you?!"

The creature smiled, "Ah but your spirit is there. Forgive my…rudeness. I am simply a bit…ecstatic to finally meet my creator. My progenitor as I simply identified you as. As for me, I am simply your humble servant. The name I gave myself is Zenith, I am a wyrm so to speak. I am the guardian of this veil. As you designed it, progenitor."

"Designed it? I…don't remember doing anything like that. Unless…"

"Don't think about it too hard. It's simply something I determined based on my abilities. I rule this veil in your stead and even converted the inhabitants to our side. In addition, I was hard at work with my research to improve our army of pure borns."

"You been…hard at work. I'm sorry this is all coming fast for me. I need time to process this."

Zenith examined me closer, "I understand progenitor. I shall make it simple for you. I and the many pure borns are by products of your presence on the world. Our purpose is simple as well. To take over and become the dominant race on this planet. You were supposed to lead this…at least that is what I assume, but your lack of enthusiasm is worrying."

"Zenith, understand this. I am not that beast you perceive me to be. I'm not trying to be that kind of beast. Not after everything I been through so far."

Zenith fell silent for a moment as his gaze burned into me. I can feel some kind of probing in my mind as if somebody was sifting through my memories. After a moment the wyrm sighed, "Hmm…it appears you hold onto those…inferior beings fondly. Or perhaps it's your mates that keep your humanity intact. Yes…perhaps that's it, but another problem. Your form, you are supposed to be much grander than this and more powerful than what I sense from you."

"Well, I lost much of my original power after spending some time in Greek hell. It's slowly been coming back, but it's been slow to say the least."

"Is that so? Hmm…I need a bio scan of your body progenitor. Down to your genetics…please hold still."

Zenith clapped his hands together and very quickly a pod erupted under me and closed on me. I didn't sense any danger coming from the pod as I let it enclose me. The fleshy inside held me in place as I felt a light shine around me and the sensation of needles poking into various points of my body. After that the pod opened and it was with over with quickly. Zenith looked on with interest as I checked my own body for anything strange.

"That was it? At least it wasn't as personal as Petri's examination."

"I have no idea who that is, but I assure you they cannot match my expertise. As I already know what abilities you are missing. Hmm…fascinating, you fought against yourself and in turned locked the beast inside away. It's only now that you are allowing some of it to leak through is how you are regaining strength. Your last major fight with the three headed mongrel pushed your limit at the time. That is good, the beast inside thrives on such fights. Adversity is the catalyst to evolution. However, it is a waste of time to regain old abilities from this method rather than earning new ones."

"New ones? Is that how I got that crimson fire?"

"Indeed, you were fortunate that power was awakened from your battle. Rather than your original fire from the Rathalos and Volcannondon creatures you assimilated DNA from. It is far superior I assure you. However, some of your old abilities need to be restored as they are key components for further evolution."

"They are? Never thought of it that way…just what else is my body capable of? Also how do you know this? Just how much do you know Zenith?"

"It is simply my field, progenitor. Genes, traits, and paths of evolution are among the fields I can openly explore so easily. Your body is capable of wonderous things that not even I can truly predict. Time, trials, and tribulations will reveal more of your power, but I truly believe your potential has no end point. That is the nature of evolution after all, but unlike the inferior life forms outside the veil. We can only go forward."

"I see…" I look at my own two hands while pondering Zenith's words. I honestly thought this was the end point of my physical changes. I…can change further? I don't like the sound of that. Endless potential…is this why the beast is feared? I shook the thoughts from my mind for now as I stared into Zenith's eyes, "Well whatever the case. I'm still me and nothing else. I won't be anything else."

"So you say progenitor, but evolution cannot be stopped. Progress will come and you will come to realize that you don't belong with those inferior beings. Your home is with the veil, progenitor. The inferiors outside will grow to fear your strength as it accumulates. Sooner or later, they will plot against you. If they haven't done so already."

"Not if I give them a reason to trust me. Actions speak louder than words after all. So far I like to think I am doing well."

Zenith simply chuckled, "Give it time, I know how these inferior beings think. But that is a problem of another time. Back to your powers, I can restore your old abilities however it will take time. I must study your genome carefully to find the right activation points. This is delicate work, but I shall inform you when its ready."

"I…guess I can't say no to that. It would certainly help against the warlords in the long run."

"Good, then I believe our business is concluded for now. The inferiors will get suspicious if you are away for too long. It's time to send you back, but we will meet again. I will make sure we do."

"Just like that? Aren't you worried that I might tell the others about this interaction?"

"Oh I know you won't progenitor. Such things will create more problems than you need right now. In time your…Coalition will be made aware of our existence. I however do not mind if you share with your mates. They are after all the queens to the veils because of their connection to you."

"Uh…right. I'll see myself out, I got a feel how this works."

"Hehe, as you should progenitor."

I awkwardly waved as I took a deep breath and quickly sank into the dark earth at my feet. The familiar sliding tunnel came back into view as I mentally pictured my last location.

/

As quickly as I went in. I popped back out of the last location I was in. Back in the war zone and standing on Dark Earth where the pureborn workers spawned from. I stretched a bit before I got a call from my communicator. I already got a feeling who it was from, before I answered it. I witnessed the workers returning to the area they spawned from, must have been recalled by Zenith now that I am here.

"Hello?"

("Nacho, you there? How are things going?") said Freya with a stern voice.

"It's been…eventful to say the least. I say I caused as much damage as I can do here. In addition to helping the prisoners. How are things on your end?"

("We faced our shares of resistance, but it looks like they are relenting. You must have done a lot of damage to get them to consider retreating.")

"Just doing my part for the war effort. I'm going to head to the city center as planned. If I see any stragglers, I'll make sure to clean them up. See you there."

("Roger, over.")

/

Freya's P.O.V.

After ending the call, I sighed as Crackerjack looked at me with unsure eyes, "Are you sure you didn't want to ask him?"

"Not now, uff da," I said sternly as I stared at the squished creature in front of me. A bug-like monster that earlier was attacking Typhon's forces before being crushed. An odd crimson hue on the carapace told me all I needed to know, "We can't confirm anything yet, but old reports mentioned this creature in the veil in Greece."

"But the veil is nowhere near here…how did these things get here?"

"I don't know, but the Coalition needs to hear about this. If Nacho has made contact with the veil here. Then he may know things we don't know from it. However, until we can confirm this, we don't confront him."

"Yes, Ma'am," Crackerjack saluted as he walked off and organized the troops.

I intensely looked into the dead creature's eyes and only thought of what else could be in that veil, "Nacho…did you find something? Or…possibly…did it find you?"