A few edits have been made to make Dharen's decision to court the Nulzans a little clearer. They are notated here so you don't have to go back and search for them. Unfortunately, I have no beta readers and this is essentially a rough draft - so some things simply do not go from my head to the page. Hopefully, these edits fix a few things.
Added material is bolded and underlined.
Ch 30 - Degeneration:
Even so, he couldn’t help but look back at the majesty of the passing Viator with a certain admiration. Having witnessed its majesty and relative placidity, he had always thought that there was more room for coexistence than the Church led humanity to believe. It was true that the vast majority of monsters were exceedingly dangerous, but it was also a fact that humans could be as well.
After all, even the Del were clearly some form of monster. Intelligent, perhaps. But monsters, certainly. Yet, they were not primitive savages, driven only by instincts and the desire for destruction as the Church claimed all monsters were. Based on the journal that he had found, not only could they read and write, but they had created a full civilization before their demise.
Ch 34 - To The Victor, The Spoils:
“Soon, we are bound to receive a special quest to eradicate the Awakened tribe. In response to these special notices, each Alliance customarily sends their own party to seize the extremely high rewards that come along with them. And each time, things regrettably devolve into violence between the Alliances. The Vezian Alliance has many eyes, and many friends that support us - even from within the ranks of the other Alliances. From the information they have provided, and having seen each of you fine warriors in action, I have utmost faith that you will be able to succeed where others have failed before you. You have the ability to secure the greatest rewards for the Vezian Alliance and for the good of all. And if any of the other Alliances choose to prove difficult…”
Duende paused, a hard glint in his eyes. “Kill them.”
Ch 38 - Special Notice:
“One more thing. To prevent the Alliances from drowning one another in endless troops and conducting a massacre, this teleporter functions slightly differently. Once you transport in, you will each be keyed to the teleporter through which you enter. Should any of you die, I will not be able to send another to replace you. But in the same way, the other Alliances will not send replacements either.”
“Based on the information provided by our informants within the other Alliances, they have not been able to prepare teams in advance for this moment as we have. Their teams will not be sent in fully prepared. With their lack of preparation, the trust their members hold for them would likely fall notably if something were to befall their chosen warriors. Already, we have begun recruitment efforts within their ranks. Give them more room to doubt their Alliance, and many of their members will choose to align themselves with us, instead. We must make them realize the errors of their ways. Only aligned under a single banner will we be able to become the shield and sword that humanity so desperately needs.”
With grim and determined expressions, the party of six made their way to the teleporter, activating it and disappearing in a flash of light.
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Ch 42 - Nulzan, Death In Motion:
Forced by the innumerable number of enemies, Riell activated her Field of Uncertainty. A nearby Nulzan shifted in place, finding itself suddenly obstructing the path of one of its brethren. However, unlike the Feyul, the Nulzan possessed the wits and the agility to adapt somewhat. The affected Nulzan made an urgent clicking noise, and rather than tumbling into the teleported Nulzan, the incoming creature twisted adroitly, slipping past his fellow while incomprehensibly maintaining its speed.
Dharen’s eyes widened. As he listened to the chatter that spread around the field of battle, he had a realization: the Nulzan were truly able to communicate to one another. They weren’t just producing random clicking noises, they were talking. In response to the chatter from each other, they organized themselves in an attempt to defeat Dharen and his allies.
Ch 45 - Preparations and Confrontations:
As night fell, he finally exited the Market district. His eavesdropping of Duende and Ledan had allowed him the knowledge that the others would not be challenging the jungle while under cover of darkness. Thus, he set out to find them. Fortunately, the group had been meeting together at a tavern for drinks over the previous few days - he knew just where to find them.
He had considered going to another Alliance for aid. However, he found himself hesitant to do so. With Duende’s abilities, along with the remarks that he had made regarding having ‘friends’ and ‘eyes’ among the other Alliances, he had no real way of distinguishing friend from foe. While, yes, the Alliance heads would almost certainly be free from Duende’s control, anyone below that position presented a sizable risk. And with the large number of individuals within the organizations, he had little doubt that word would soon reach Duende. He had no wish to find himself murdered by one of his supposed allies in his sleep.
However, he did need allies. And if he was going to take a risk with humans that were possibly under Duende’s influence, he’d rather do so with known variables - that way, he would not be surprised if things went sour. Not to mention, he did feel a certain kinship with his former party. Though they had been brought together by Duende, he still liked them. He had no wish for them to remain under another’s thrall.
Ch 48 - Negotiations:
He moved a ways into the distance and returned to the ground. Quietly, Dharen dug through the soil, his high strength allowing him to create a sizable hole easily with his hands alone. Once it had been widened to his liking, he removed his pack from his shoulders and placed it inside. Though he had one cubic meter of space in his Spatial Ring, he had managed to fill most of it during the previous night, leaving him unable to conveniently store all of his things. For now, a burial would have to suffice. He covered the pack with soil, smoothing it out before hiding the evidence.
Should things truly go awry, he would have to run, and unfortunately the awkwardly cumbersome pack might slow him down. He’d simply have to return for it during the daylight hours should the need arise.
While it would be difficult, if he broke enough distance and tread carefully, he would still be able to grow his strength alone in the jungle. Given enough time, he could return to the City strong enough to act.
He grimaced at the thought. Still, he would prefer to not have to do that. It would be far slower than working among allies.
Nicking a nearby tree’s surface lightly in a recognizable pattern to help him find the pack once again, Dharen climbed once more. He resumed his watch of the Nulzan tribe, listening and mentally practicing his communication. He also noted the various mannerisms that could be used to portray certain ideas, keeping them in mind.
Eventually, Dharen found himself approaching the village while cursing his foolhardiness. He was deathly aware that only 48 hours prior, he had been running for his life from these same monsters. Still, he continued on. Duende had a veritable army; he would need his own. One that he could be sure wasn’t infiltrated by Duende’s influence.
After all, surely they would have no need for duplicity. If they wanted to kill him, they would simply attack him - in which case he would run. As difficult as it had been, he knew from his recent experience that he was fast enough to make his escape. Either way, it was preferable to the dagger in his sleep that he might receive while under the protection of a human Alliance.