Ascension of the Nephilim

The endless armies had begun to rush forward with all their might.

The army consisted of high-leveled creatures that even some were at the max of level 20 and only needed a class change to breach the bottleneck of cultivation. But even then, these creatures that would bring down an army could not even advance at the defense of several humans.

Mezal, Diana, Branze, and Aron stood their ground at the advancing creatures of all races.

Yet, the front lines could not advance any further as the four held their ground and defended..

"What if they run out of Force Energy?" Demerus asked.

"They are primarily borrowing the Holy energy being emitted out by Holy Beam. So if they continue this pace, they could keep that up for twenty more minutes. This strategy that Grandfather placed is a show of strength that might force the enemy to reveal more of their aces. This is also why I am having you guys fly at the top. It is a display that tells the enemy. I haven't used all my aces yet. I'm sure that in terms of creating massive destruction, you can do better than my family."

"... Yes. We will definitely lose against your grandfather in a one-on-one match. But based on their current display, we still outmatch them in destructive capabilities."

"Good. I am relieved. Then at least, my bluff has some truth in them." Kyros smiled.

"Lord Kyros. I have to ask. How strong are you?" Stellya asked with a slightly shy expression.

"That is a very vague question." Kyros deflected.

"As a reference, he saved my life." Aron laughed as he was fighting.

"Mine as well." Diana and Martha answered together.

"Oh, don't listen to them. They are just proud of me." Kyros laughed.

"In any case... It seems that we have to launch an attack. Grandfather, Uncle, Father. I'll need your best men to join you as well. Coven, hear my words." Kyros ordered.

"Yes, Lord Kyros." The Coven answered.

"We are to initiate an attack. The attack is intended to break the front lines, but it also divides attention and focus. Several Champion Siege Cultivators are approaching."

"Siege Cultivators?!" Faye shouted.

"Where? I don't sense any mages!" Demerus frowned.

"It's not mages. Only the Lowlands have such weak foundations that they can't afford such job classes. In truth, Siege Cultivators are preferably Force users in most cases. The Midlands have such. They have a specific job class for that. In some countries, like the country of Reptilia, they Siege Beasts. But the ones that are approaching are Siege Beasts that became cultivators."

Reptilia and Gojirrah was amazed.

"How extravagant..." Reptilia was amazed.

"Siege Beast that became cultivators? That takes a lot of resources! And a genius alchemist to give sentience to the beast!"

"It's not that difficult. These aren't cultivators. These are Shadow beings. They are a calamity of darkness. Not even the Netherlands commands these creatures. These beings were born from Kyriachos and his descendants."

"A Calamity of darkness? But we've encountered a few of these creatures in our journeys in the Lowlands." Mezal revealed.

"Yes. That is because in the many wars long ago, a remnant of these forces may live on. Especially when a Fallen dies, and while they have scattered and have been tamed by vampires or necromancers, their true power lies if that there is a Fallen controlling them."

"You mean to say we are fighting a Fallen?"

"Not exactly. The sword I have used to belong to a Fallen called Azerret. So we might be fighting a remnant of their souls. But the point is still there. While commanding a few is already horrifying, controlling all these dark souls is even scarier. The more creatures they absorb, the stronger they become because they can form cultivators. Those champions that we killed we creatures they killed and have turned into their own."

"So that's why you agreed to have us fight in the front lines. Most of our men can't harm them."

"What? We can't?" One of the soldiers exclaimed.

"It's not exactly that you can't harm them, but unless you have powers and abilities like ours that can kill the soul, those souls will just return to their master and be summoned again," Branze revealed.

"An endless horde..." Faye realized the implications of such a powerful army.

"Yes. But don't worry. Only a Fallen commands them. Not even the Eldrich can unless they have a Saint-level cultivator. But you can imagine what an army like this can do if it attacks the Lowlands. Can any kingdom handle them? What if they attack the world you were in, Reptilia? Can your kingdom fight back?" Kyros asked.

The Emberdon Champions knew that what Kyros said was right. These shadow creatures would be the end of the Lowlands. There were too few cultivators that could harm and kill the souls. Most fighters would be useless fighting these shadow creatures.

"The plan is simple. We need to push forward and kill the Shadow Siege Cultivator. Since the Coven is the only one that can kill them through Dark Consumer, we will lead the way."

"Can't you just fly and attack it?" Mezal asked.

"There is a Commander somewhere in there. Aunt Martha's appearance might have attracted it. And it can fly. I don't want to fight against it prematurely." Kyros explained.

"A Commander among them? This is bad!" Ressi exclaimed. While the Champions performed marvelously, a Commander would mean that one or two among them would be likely to die even with their current strength.

"A Commander with either a Cardinal or a Crown's Potential. So flying directly over it will be a problem. Our hope is to ambush it. That's where Aunt Martha and I come into play. We lead the charge in divided groups, and we have to advance. If that Commander attacks, then me and Aunt Martha, I will ambush him. But we might be forced into a battle. Be ready to face Commanders."

"Lord Kyros? You will ambush him?! That's insane! What if we prepare an attack and shoot at that darkness? With our collective power, we can bring down those numbers and kill the Seige Cultivator!"

"No. I'm sure they have something prepared to stop that. It's too easy for Destiny. We save your attacks until we are sure they are effective.:

"I have another proposal. Let me lead the charge. That way, all five of you could be grouped together. I think I can handle a Commander's blow." Branze spoke.

Everyone was surprised at Branze's claim.

Mezal and Aron only smiled.

"Oh? Dad is finally showing off?" Kyros teased.

"I never got the chance to. Just tell everyone to prepare. Even if there is a Commander among them, they haven't yet pushed us to the point that requires you to fight personally, son." Branze ordered.

Kyros began to give out the orders, and everyone began to take their positions.

Kyros stood behind Branze and Diana. The fighting continued to continue as the endless hordes began to employ the use of archers to shoot them down.

It was finally the time for the Champion mages to attack by casting special magic barriers above, which blocked the volley of arrows. Suddenly, the charge stopped as the group waited from afar.

"We have to move now. The Siege Cutlviators are getting ready." Kyros instructed.

"Mardock. See if the current me could fight against the Prime you." Branze spoke with a confident expression.

"My wife... Please follow behind me. I will show you the power of a Force Paladin. Father's form is one that has focused on both offense and defense. But this one is an improvement of what a real Paladin could be." Branze revealed.

Suddenly, a strange power appeared over Branze. It was unlike anything that Mezal and the Champions of experience have ever witnessed from a Knight class.

Kyros was stunned as he saw the application.

"What is this? True Cut changed in form?!" Kyros was amazed.

"This proves it. He really is the reincarnation of that man." Calaminus saw it and finally concluded. He was now able to understand the many mysteries that brought them into this predicament.

"I get it now! It's him! The son of Hyperion! This is why the marriage caused this! I get it now!" Calaminus exclaimed.

"What? What are you talking about?" Kyros asked immediately.

Branze began to walk, and each step brought about a massive ripple of power that kept on condensing the power of Force. Unlike the essence of True Cut, the force was gentler. It wasn't like a sharp blade pointing and slicing but a strange pushing force.

The moment Branze released it, a Wall much stronger than what Mezal did appear.

And what was shocking was that while the Wall had no elemental energy or even traces of Holiness, it could push the shadows.

"Because Hyperion appeared before us, I remembered who he is and recalled the stories of his sons and daughters. The most prominent one was the most necessary. After Hyperion severed the universe, the power of cutting kept on occurring. And because of that, all of creation was being sliced apart constantly. True Cut kept severing everything. There had to be a force that could withstand the power of Cut. And so, his son used that cut and refined it." Calaminus began.

"He used that power he refined to stop the Cut." Kyros guessed.

"Yes! The power he created was the very force that stopped the constant ravaging of Cut. Hyperion helped him, but this son was quite a genius. He thickened and spread the force energy that severed and created Push. The very concept is forcibly moving things. If Bow was the God who gave birth to innate motion, this God created the power of moving. But Push was not enough. The harnessed power of Push became the birth of defenses. When harnessed not to push, but to obstruct, it gives birth to..."

"Block." Kyros watched as his father drew out the power.

Branze raised his shield.

"What a powerful shield expert..." Reptilia was amazed. Even in her status, be it her current status or the previous nobility and sights that she saw, none could compare to the form of this perfect defender.

"Follow my lead. We will be crossing the distance almost immediately." Branze declared.

"[Divine Paladin's Charge]!" Branze shouted as he ran.

The power of the shield created a strange force that repelled. As Branze charged with great haste, the army in front of him was being repelled and thrown back.