Ascension of the Nephilim

Martha and the slaves were finally out of the cave as they managed to follow the path upwards.

Martha was worried about her sister and feared that Destiny would once more draw its fangs and harm her. The group still wasn't able to use their powers to communicate at great distances. And so the group quickly moved with them.

Puff had entered the dimensional space of Martha. The powers of darkness that Separate was more potent to which he could resist it, but it also became an important training ground. It was also through this that he could constantly sense and see what Martha was seeing and, at the same time, hid the enormous power of his soul. 

Martha managed to quickly use the instructions of Puff to hide her dragonic form.

He was using the darkness of this small Separated Realm also to help him hide and contain the leaking power of his Code.

The group soon officially reached out of the entrance and was met with Diana and her team. With them was Myas.

"Martha!" Scarlet was the first to shout and rushed at Martha as they came to view. She was even faster than Myas.

She jumped and gave Martha a hug.

"I... was so worried." Scarlet sobbed.

"It's good to see you guys." Martha smiled.

"Sister...." Myas was crying, but she couldn't even move as Avary and Gregory carried them.

The rest of Diana's team approached. Along with them were some orc ghouls, which the group turned, and Mechiel.

"She rushed so fast that when she got here, she was so exhausted," Diana spoke as she approached Martha. She then gave a look at Hunter.

"You must be proud of your brothers." Diana gave a warm smile.

"Indeed, I am Lady Diana. It seems there are more troubles for Hemsey as we can resurrect him." Hunter smiled.

"Is it true?!" Avary was stunned.

"Yes. Let's move. I'll explain along the way. Lord Kyros managed to contact us when our lines got disconnected. A lot happened down there. And not just about Destiny, but also about Fate. But what I can tell you is that Fate only works for the brave."

"The brave?" Scarlet asked again.

"Yes. It only works if you are brave. That's who it works. I understood more of it when I was down there. I will tell you of the bravery of the knights which allowed Fate to help us win that impossible battle. I will also tell you of the bravery of the mighty slaves we have." Martha smiled.

Diana gave the surviving slaves a warm smile. She could not imagine what these slaves had been through but knew that whatever it was, these surviving slaves would be given great honor for their sacrifices.

"Let's hurry!" Martha called out. She then gave a bow to the new addition to Diana's team.

"Mechiel Swordcrest. I was acquainted with your father. We shall talk more about the life and legacy of your father and celebrate his rest when we have the chance. For now, we have to go back." Martha bowed.

"I gladly await that moment." Mechiel smiled.

The group began to move.

"What about Grugnyr?" Hunter asked.

"We will be ambushing a patrol headed towards the Orc kingdoms. Grugnyr is among them."

"How many soldiers?"

"About a hundred." Diana answered without any change in her emotion.

"Good." Martha answered.

"I have to see how strong I am."

"It's good that you are excited. We'll capture some horses for the slaves to use. Scarlet. You stay behind and guard the slaves. Find a nice hiding spot for them but constantly be on the move so that you won't be a great distance from us." Diana ordered.

"Yes, Lady Diana." Scarlet nodded, and she began to move towards the remaining slaves to direct them.

"For now, let's talk about all that I have acquired, the mysteries that I found about Lord Kyros's bloodline, and of Fate and Destiny."

"Lady Martha. I don't think its wise to talk about my son's lineage even to the Coven."

"It's necessary. They have to know of this and what their bloodline is capable of. Lord Kyros might have hidden it, but with our recent clash with Destiny that cost the lives of two Coven, I'm sure Lord Kyros would want all of us to grow stronger." Martha explained.

"Martha... Before you do..." Diana interrupted. She was slightly worried that Martha would say something in front of Mechiel, who had a questionable identity.

"Relax. She's not an enemy. I have a Saint-level Dragon soul. And he doesn't sense anything from her. I already asked." Martha answered.

Diana was surprised at Martha's confirmation.

"Then I guess that settles it." Diana sighed in relief.

"Settles it?" Mechiel was confused. The pair were talking about her, which made her curious.

"Lady Diana still held some suspicion regarding your real identity. I don't blame her. I was suspicious of you too and had to make the Dragon confirm." Martha answered.

Diana sighed and kept quiet.

The group continued to move.

Mechiel quickly followed, still wearing a confused expression.

She then blinked her eye, and her right eye had a subtle color change.

"A Saint Dragon! I guess I have to be careful and not appear as often as I have to. But how did that girl hide the Dragon soul so well! Even I can't detect it. I'll have to wait for Destiny to guide me."

Mechiel blinked again, and her eyes changed back as she continuously followed the group.

Inside Martha's Separated Realm...

"Lady Martha. Why did you say that?" Puff was confused. He just confirmed that there is a strange soul parasite within Mechiel's soul!

"A trap, of course. The main concern is to make sure that that soul parasite doesn't leave Mechiel's body. If she senses that we are suspicious, she might leave. That's why I brought up her father. This would make that soul parasite think that I am biased towards Mechiel. That will make the Soul Parasite stay long enough until we can meet with Lord Kyros. For now. We make her think she knows everything about us. Whatever I plan to reveal should be already known to her, and I will only add a few details and will make up some more. Diana and the rest will notice it when I begin to share. But for now, I have to see her in combat and make it look like that I'm giving her the harshest trial to be among the Steele family. Such a test should make the soul parasite of that Blood Calamity lower her guard more."

"I understand. You show her favor because of her father, but show your loyalty to Kyros and will give her a challenging trial. That would make the Blood Calamity see that this Mechiel has favor but at the same time is not given any preferential favor. It would be too suspicious if she became the center of attention. Who would have thought that you would be so cunning, Master!" Puff laughed.

"It's because of your soul."

"My soul? It made you cunning?"

"It helped me acquire my Lord's cunning."

Martha began to tell all about her experiences inside Airom Logat.

Meanwhile, back in the peak of Airom Vagat...

A wounded Mezal was rushing fast as he entered the cave.

"Champion Mezal. Please slow down! Allow us to protect you! You haven't fully recovered yet!" Champion Ordeus chastised.

"Then catch up! I'm worried! With the appearance of this magic that is so strange and powerful that it actually blocked everyone from using message talismans, who knows what dangers my son has encountered."

"It shouldn't be related to whatever force attacking your children! That power is the power of Gods and Saints!"

"Then it's even more frightening!" Mezal didn't listen and began to run faster.

The rest of the Steele family followed quickly.

The Viscounts and Barons following all began to rush faster to chase Mezal.

But as they began to move...

"Father!" A voice cried out.

"Branze?!" Mezal exclaimed as he heard his son's voice.

Soon, several wounded knights appeared. The knights carried the body of Aron, who was covered in blood.

"ARON!" Mezal shouted in great worry. He knew that Branze would intentionally wound themselves, but he needed to put on a show.

"Father! He is alive! He just needs treatment and rest. He exhausted himself." Branze answered.

"Quick! Heal him!" Mezal shouted at the nearby priest.

"There seem to have various cuts that dug deep in his body. It isn't critical, but it could pose a problem later. I'll heal him." Champion Faye Emberdon approached as she rode her vacuum cleaner nearby.

"I thank Champion Faye for healing him!"

"What happened?" Mezal turned to Branze.

"Grandfather! There are Necromancer worshipers, Eldrich spies, and other traitors among Barons and Viscounts! We were chased by Viscount Gradier Conquistar, the Spear Master of Jericho Kingdom! Aron fought against Querk Stonefist and Esmeralda Toro! All of them chased after us but failed. We survived by fleeing inside this mountain!"

"Do not worry. We've already dealt with that." Mezal smiled.

"But that isn't the important thing. I am requesting all knights to send their forces inside this mountain. This mountain has strange magic! The more you walk inside, the larger it becomes! It's like an entire continent is hidden within! And certain horrors lie within this mountain!"

"Certain horrors?" Mezal asked.

"Horrors and terrors that can threaten all of the Lowlands! Knights show them!" Branze ordered.

The knights began to move in and dropped several large creatures.

The champions were stunned. There were Char Vermillion Lizards, Man-Gators, and Lizardman. But what stunned them was the last creature that was dropped.

Through various identifying magic, many of the Champions identified the last one.

It was a Lizardman Captain.