Ascension of the Nephilim

Back in the Temple...

"Retreat!" Branze issued the order, and she and Diana created a massive wall that blocked the entire path and allowed the army to retreat.

Ever since Branze and Diana began to lead the army into attacking, they had ventured and retreated three times.

The first attempt was a disaster as the knights and servants were moving out. While the servants were required to train in archery and sword fighting, they had yet to experience a full battle. Previously, only the knights held the ground on the front lines, and so the first attempt to attack brought out many servants who were trembling.

The Coven did most of the work and made their attacks.

The tactics of Branze were also changing as Branze began to instruct archers on how to use Foresight to shoot the mages and archers to stop the ranged fighters from attacking first. Since the shadow army had no organized form, they were all just acting according to their instincts and would when able.

This scenario was both harder and easier. Easier because the attacks were not united and would shoot out one at a time from these ranged attackers. But it was also more challenging because the group had no means of aiming their attacks at the ranks of the mages as they were all over the battlefield.

Stellya, the only Emberdon mage to say, didn't use her magic to blow away everyone but kept shooting small beams of attacks to target the other mages within the army. She knew that if she failed, there would be deaths among their teams. So she began to harness the energy and shoot it out on two scepters. The first was her own, while the other one was the one bestowed by the Temple.

The Coven also worked and used their ability, at times charging and braving the enemy's ranks to kill someone. Slowly, the Fate Challenger skills improved as they kept asking, 'how do I protect my allies'? 

The second attempt was much better. They could step and push the forces out of the wall and hold their ground for nearly four minutes. But they had to retreat and rely on the Coven to save them. The third attempt had a similar effect, and the armies managed to push four steps further from their previous attack and hold the ground for a few more minutes than their previous charge.

They were now on their fourth attempt and had reached twice the distance of their steps.

Branze and Diana were both doing the most important roles and creating defenses when needed, and Branze would begin to instruct the person where he made a mistake.

The orders continued to ring out, but those that Branze corrected felt as if they were instinctively learning.

Diana marveled at the power of Branze.

"If Branze is that very god who created the power of push... Then, is this one application?" Diana wondered.

The powers of Branze's clear orders were allowing the knight and servants to fight better.

Suddenly, Branze felt it.

"Retreat!" Branze ordered.

The group made their retreat and moved into the Temple. Booms of magic and arrows suddenly fell, and the first volley would have struck them if not for Branze and Diana's wall.

"An organized shot?" Gojirrah was stunned.

"Destiny! It's making them smarter!" Gregory cursed.

The wild rush of the mindless shadow creatures at the death of the Dragon Commander suddenly formed ranks.

The servants were all being harassed, and the Coven had to move and save them as many were suddenly in great peril.

"[Force Wall]!" Branze created a wall that bore the weight of an entire row of enemies.

"Organize yourself!" Branze commanded.

"Troublesome..." Avary cursed in frustration.

"Avary! Be quiet! Everyone here doesn't have our advantage or our training to fight!" Scarlet rebuked as she helped a servant nearby.

"That's not what I meant! I'm sure you've felt it. Lord Kyros and everyone else is facing grave threats! I meant that it's hard that we can't move now and save them!"

"How do you want us to attack? Only a few of us can fight and kill those shadows?"

Avary was silent. He couldn't understand why Branze wanted to charge and fight in this scenario.

Mechiel and Myas were among the team. Mechiel had nearly died several times in this battle and was frustrated as she couldn't keep up with the fight.

"Hey... Blood Calamity. If you are in me, better help me fight!" Mechiel thought to herself.

But no reply was heard.

"Don't worry or be agitated. Fight and learn according to your capacity. You are among monsters and geniuses." Myas spoke.

"Thank you." Mechiel nodded.

"From what I understand, you should be able to learn Fate Challenger. It'll be harder since you have the Blood Calamity in you. But as a Fated ally, you should have the talent for it." Gregory encouraged.

"Regroup!" Branze made the order.

The group organized themselves.

Reptilia gathered her force and made a mighty leap, and reached the skies.

"[Dragon Pounce]!" She shouted as her spear gathered a massive amount of Force Energy. The Temple's Holy energy merged with it.

The Force energy of a Champion covered her, and she fell with the spear aiming at the ground.

BOOM!

More than thirty creatures died at the attack and gave the team the ability to rush forward. It was the first time Reptilia revealed her power.

"Relax." Reptilia called out to the Coven.

"I know you're worried that our connection with Lord Kyros has disappeared. But that means that whatever is beyond that portal is far from this place. It could even be a different planet! But do not underestimate the Shield Experts who are with us. I admired Lord Mezal for his teaching, but Lord Branze is two- no... three times more superior in that area. He knows what he's doing. There are many things that he must know regarding the art of training and molding us into fighters."

"Lady Reptilia is right. Once Lord Kyros drinks the blood of someone strong, we will get stronger. It's true that Lord Kyros needs our help... But come on. Let's be reasonable. The truth is, Lord Kyros, will be the one who will help us help him." Grugnyr chuckled.

"isn't that right, my lady?" Grugnyr smiled at Reptilia.

BOOM!

A massive attack and a forcing figure of a large lizard appeared to the side.

"Gojirrah. Don't get reckless! Fall back in line." Diana ordered.

"Yes, my lady." Gojirrah retreated but gave Grugnyr a dangerous glance.

"Easy there, slick. We got a battle to fight." Hunter shook his head.

"Oh? Scarlet? Do you feel it?" Hunter asked.

"Yes." Scarlet nodded.

"Lord Branze. We should retreat?" Hunter then realized it.

"Very good, Hunter. Your Path of Foresight has become astounding. Indeed. Retreat!" Branze ordered.

Diana charged forward and released a powerful Holy attack.

"[Grand Cross]!"

As the Holy light exploded, a strange power began to absorb the many scattering souls.

Diana trembled as she felt it. She was distracted for a few seconds as the scenes of many sad, pitiful and painful sorrows appeared on her.

"[Force Wall]!" Branze acted and created a wall to push the enemy back.

The attack of Diana allowed the group to kill those nearby and retreat. 

The group ran quickly as the attack of Diana had attacked the creeping darkness that aided the charge of the enemies.

"Are you alright?" Branze asked as they retreated.

"It's starting to appear. What a strange Code I have."

"You just don't understand it yet. Whatever burdens your forced to carry in this like, I will still be your shield."

Diana smiled.

"Thank you."

The group was now in the Temple when the Temple lit up.

Several massive-sized creatures suddenly appeared, and the Temple was absorbing them.

Giants of all forms were appearing and suddenly disappearing as they were being absorbed.

Hidden among them was the upper torso of a certain dead Crab creature.

The Temple absorbed it, and everyone received a massive boost in strength.

There were a few who were critically wounded were healed suddenly.

"So this is why... Avary. I hope your fears are averted." Hunter observed.

Avary sighed. 

"I..."

"Relax. I'm scared that someone will die too. I know how you feel." Hunter smiled.

"It won't be the same."

"Why?"

"Because we're stronger, and we can make others strong. So buckle up, and focus on building your Molding." Hunter smiled.

With the energy-returning, Branze summoned a powerful wall and pushed it to the charging creeps.

"Those creatures that were sent it. All of them are captain-level and have gigantic forms. And all of those will soon be common enemies. But do not worry, they are not common enemies that you will face! But each one of you will have the ability to fight and kill them as if they are weak, common enemies that aren't even special for your blade, ax, dagger, and bow to kill!" Branze shouted.

"Feel the flow of battle! You are all Steele! You are all Fate Challengers! You can do it! We'll try this again! Assume formation!" Branze encouraged as he issued the attack and the group began to push back.

The Steele servants and knights took their respective position.

"Coven! Take charge of those next to you! I won't be attacking this time so show me what you got!" Branze declared.

"Is it alright?" Diana asked.

"Relax. My eyes are on all of them." Branze closed his eyes when the Temple dispersed the energy, a certain skill awakened in Branze.

[Eyes of the Supreme Commander skill acquired.]

Just like Kyros, Branze now had the power to see the battlefield from a bird's-eye view.