Natlan: The Nation of Modern Warfare

Chapter 1 - Arrival in Natlan

Natlan

After his journey in Fontaine was over, Aether, along with his ever-present companion Paimon, finally made it to Natlan, the nation of fire, ruled by the Pyro Archon, and the land of dragons, as Neuvillette had called it.

The Hydro Sovereign Dragon had also talked of Natlan's struggle against the Abyss and their advancement in the last several years, though even he wasn't sure about the scope of it.

It started weirdly enough, with him saving an egg from Abyss monsters and naming the little creature that hatched, but he was finally reaching a settlement built into a gorge, with massive metal foundries producing smoke constantly.

Which is where things got weirder.

Large and tanky-looking Abyssal monsters, the kind he had never seen before, were assaulting the settlement. That in itself wouldn't surprise him that much, except for the shape of the monsters, but the tribe's response to the monsters was what took the cake.

A giant armored vehicle on two tracks rolled out of the gorge, turning its turret towards the monsters, and the world exploded into orange as it launched a glowing ball that annihilated several monsters in one shot. More of those vehicles rolled out, firing their own turrets, with Natlanese warriors wearing white armor and carrying rifles that looked far more advanced than what he had seen in Fontaine following behind the vehicles, firing smaller but no less deadly orange lights.

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After convincing them he was not a threat, Aether made his way to the other side of the gorge by passing through the tribe, and what he saw further shocked him.

It was pure and unadulterated war.

Abyss monsters, looking like giant turtles with shells thick enough Aether would have a hard time piercing through that fired black, destructive beams, were met with orange fire from robots that reminded him of the Ruin Graders, only in shape though.

It was a type of armored suit standing on two legs. One of its arms featured a rotating weapon that fired orange beams at a rate far exceeding the other guns he had encountered. Meanwhile, the other arm, ending in a hand, swatted an Abyss Hound aside, causing it to dissipate.

Another Abyss monster came flying down with its six wings and opened its draconic mouth to fire a beam before the suit he had seen screamed in anger. "That abomination is mine!" It ripped out a rock from the ground that was way larger than it was and launched it at the Abyss monster. "In the name of the Children of Echoes, I cast you down."

The rock flew through the air, smacking the Abyss Monster out of the air and crushing it.

Hordes of monsters, hounds, turtles, and ones that had the shape of humans approached, and the robot turned to fire, joined by more of its kind that had different weapons. One of the robots took a direct hit from an Abyss Monster, only for it to harmlessly dispel over an orange energy shield.

A shadow covered the field, and Aether and Paimon looked up, their mouths open in disbelief.

An impossibly large flying platform stood way up in the sky before hundreds of tiny orange missiles were launched from its underbelly, slamming into the horde that outnumbered the Natlanese warriors severely.

The world glowed orange once again, this time bright enough to blind, and all that was left of the horde were burnt craters.

The robots pushed forward as if it was an everyday occurrence, looking for more enemies to fight.

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The land surrounding the Children of Echoes was cleared with a speed Aether did not think anyone short of an Archon would be capable of, and the forces pushed forward to assist another tribe, who were under heavy aerial assault if the chatter he heard was to be believed.

And it was.

Near the seaside, the People of the Springs were assaulted by flying Abyssal creatures that took the shape of birds, wyverns, and eyes with wings. There were enough to blot out the sun, but they were being pushed back.

On the ground, vehicles with rotary cannons, beam weapons, and missile launchers, as well as warriors that carried out large tubes firing orange orbs that seemed to track the enemy before exploding, were tearing through the sky. In the air, flying vehicles were launching rockets and firing their weapons to burn away the flying nightmare of a horde, with that large flying ship launching more vehicles.

Towers that were filled to the brim with the same weapons were also assisting, each shot piercing through the horde.

The sky was clearing out extremely fast, but Abyss was not done yet.

The sea bubbled, and a creature with a size that could match a Khaenri'ahn Ruin Golem burst out of the water. It looked serpentine, standing on two feet with spines on its back and a large tail that could sweep anything Natlan had aside, and roared in challenge.

The belly of the flying ship opened once more, this time two cannons taller than the Anemo Archon's statue revealing themselves.

The Abyss launched a beam at the ship, one that could destroy a small mountain, and was met with two equally large orange beams from the ship. The beams clashed, sending out a shockwave, but the Abyss Monster was slowly pushed back before the beams intensified and overpowered the creature, leaving a hole through its chest and burning away its head with no difficulty.

After the defeat of the monster, Abyss Monsters were cleared out in a very quick fashion.

Aether had no idea what was going on.


I had this idea on my mind for a while and had to write a short and quick prompt after the trailer revealing the Shades and Nod Krai. Depending on the reception, I'll write more.