Ascension of the Nephilim

Scarlet had a dream.

In her dream, she saw herself as a goddess. She was the personification of passion. She was the desire to pursue and devote one's self to a cause.

The light and the devout desires of justice were born and the power of Zelah urged all creation to have passions for that which they love or cling to.

In that vision, the passion of this goddess became devoted to a man. Zelah fell in love with another god of great power. Scarlet saw the world through the eyes of Zelah who made this man the peak of priorities. Even when numerous powers that gave birth to all emotions appeared, this man still stayed at the top of Zelah's heart. She was zealous for her man.

The two traveled over the entire universe and while many wars were waged between the Fallen and the Ancients, the two lived in a paradise of their own.

But then... she appeared.

First, the goddess who manifested beauty was born as a daughter of the goddess of the bow, Thema Veiyos was a gift to all creation. Beauty was for everyone to admire.

Even with such supreme beauty before them, none of those gods and fallen who had their respective partners were ever envious or desired lust to Thema. For the beauty of Thema was for all to see, and all to enjoy.

But then, a daughter of Phaulos appeared and attacked Thema! She had the immense fixation to be remembered, and this foul desire of extreme selfishness allowed her to take away a portion of Thema's beauty.

Thus, the power of the Charmed Fallen, Xermolipi Phaulos, was born. And in it, the desire for selfishness that relates to beauty exploded out.

Many divine couples were faced and affected. The lust that Xermolipi birthed was tremendous. It quaked the heavens and the earth.

And there, the love of Zelah departed as he chased after the beauty of Xermolipi that he could never forget.

The pain in Zelah's heart grew immense. And she made a wish. And it was the first of it's kind. It was a dark wish. A being of such light should never have desired wicked things. But her zeal and passion allowed it to come true. The Wish became the first stage of corruption. The First Undivine was Kyriachos. The first being that transformed from being an Ancient into a Fallen. But Zelah was the second one!

Her rage and zeal created a ripple that all beings would now have their own agendas, their own zeals, passions, and their own wishes to pursue.

Scarlet felt the anger and resentment that Zelah had.

She then saw a strange light appear as Zelah's original form appeared.

"In your pursuit for the one that you love, do not be like me. I sought to become the Charmed Fallen. But I failed. You cannot 'become' her. You should become something that can defeat her. Seek out the power, not of the darkness but of the light. You who are my descendant and have the blood of the Nephilim, you may become just like the Nephilim! Acquire the power of the Light and Shade! Only by this can you defeat the Charmed Fallen! Seek the true beauty, the beauty of Thema!"

Suddenly, Scarlet woke up.

She found herself in the Enlightenment Chamber in the Temple.

She stood up, and she felt a strange conflict within her.

"Ugh… What is this?" She frowned.

"Your done, huh? Not bad. Half living and half dead. And not just any living, you seem to have the power of light!" Martha welcomed her and pulled her out.

As she left, the entire area around her was sealed with many magics.

"What's this? Where are we?" Scarlet asked.

"This is the Temple. Or should I say the fortress? But since it was your turn, Kyros decided to shield the place and seal it in case your awakened form will go out of control. Surprisingly, your beauty is now more refined."

"Refined?" Scarlet was confused.

"Well, previously, you had this strange beauty like that of the Charmed Fallen. But now, while you are jaw-droppingly beautiful, it's as if…"

"It's aimed… towards someone," Scarlet answered as she could feel the powers coursing through her.

"Amazing. You really are going to be a great rival to Mechiel! With this, it should be safe to open the seals in this place. You took a few days in that Chamber, Scarlet." Martha laughed and waved her hand.

The power of the Fortress surged and the seal was undone.

"Wow! How did you do that?"

"We now have access to a portion of Kyros's Soul Console. And he somehow set it up to be linked with the Temple. Anyway, let's go! You're the only member of the Coven who has not yet awakened. Everyone else is gearing up!" Martha led Scarlet out of the room.

Outside, the Temple, the fortress was bustling with life and action.

People were running around the area. Many were training and sparring at the arena in the center. All forms of battles were being used. Some were even fighting against golems!

The hospital wing was full of people who were wounded in the training. Many of those in the hospital wing had deep wounds and were resting.

"Those people! Where we in a battle?!" Scarlet asked.

"No. They just finished my training. It's Aron's turn to train them. You guys will soon train men of your own too. And of course, we will all have these weekly… contests." Martha chuckled.

BOOM!

A massive explosion occurred in the alchemy labs.

"Water mages! We need water mages! Put out the fire!" Demerus shouted in panic.

"Damn you, Demerus! Emberdons! Stop destroying the alchemy room! Do you know how many monsters we need to sacrifice to pay for pay the damages you caused?!" Branze erupted from the middle of the training arena.

"Shut up, shield man! Focus on your tasks and we will focus on ours! We are trying to create another Elemental Core!" Demerus roared back.

"Can you guys keep it down?!" Mezal roared from the library. Behind him were three beautiful maidens who were carrying a few books.

"Shut up you old pervert!" Branze shouted back.

SLASH!

The entire arena suddenly had a huge cut that slashed through the ground.

"Eh? That strong?" Aron was amazed at his own strength.

"ARON!" Branze roared in anger.

"It-it's not my fault! Your wife was supposed to block that!" Aron argued.

"Like hell, I'm going to block that! What are you trying to do?! Kill your sister-in-law! All of my Foresight was telling me to get out of the way!" Diana cursed.

Hunter, Reptilia, and Gojirrah were also at the side as they evaded it. But the fear in their hearts remained.

"ARON! YOU NEARLY KILLED ME! YOUR SISTER!" Reptilia raged.

"My sister, your butt! Adopted sister!" Aron argued.

"Get him!" Reptilia charged and the rest of the Coven, including Hems, charged forward.

The battle raged and more sword slashes were erupting.

"Everyone! If you die, blame your weakness for failing to evade the extension of my sword! This is part of your training!" Aron roared.

Some of those around the arena began to flee for their lives.

But as the rest saw those fleeing were the ones with Foresight, the rest followed as they knew staying around would be their death.

Aron, the Coven, and Diana began to fight.

Scarlet watched and could not help but chuckle.

"Lady Martha…" Scarlet then turned to Martha as she managed to use her blood power to seek 'him.'

"Kyros isn't here," Martha answered.

"He took Mechiel and they went somewhere."

Scarlet frowned when she heard this.

"Where?"

Meanwhile…

Deep in the underground region of Middle, Kyros, and Mechiel had continued to walk through the labyrinth of darkness. Shades and all forms of dark-dependent creatures were moving.

Leading the way was a Lizardman Champion that had been recruited into their fold.

He had led them into a strange stairway that led downwards. There was terrifying darkness that enveloped the stairs.

"This is the region which we do not pass, Lord Kyros. Beyond this… lies a great evil that brings shivers down the spines of Commanders. No one has ever succeeded in taking five steps down the staircase." The lizardman champion explained.

"The Darkness of Kyriachos lies here. No wonder." Kyros smiled and moved ahead.

"Mechiel. Stay here. It'll be too much even for you. But try to take as many steps as you can. This will be great training. Call the core team and tell them to also do this. I hope I won't take long. With such darkness, my enemy ought to restore itself." Kyros began his descent down the stairs.

Each step down caused the powers of darkness to invade Kyros. But Kyros easily resisted it.

TAP! TAP! TAP! TAP!

Kyros moved four steps and paused.

"Hmm… No effect, huh? Oh well. Kyriachos is my name…" Kyros sighed.

"Are you sure about this? Won't this cause Oblivion to sense something?" Mechiel asked.

"No. The world has forgotten him. The Okto-Khefali that Heralcus killed and harvested for his own in that future Middle has been forgotten by everyone because of Oblivion's power. The present time Okto-Khefali meeting his future Elemental Cores will not cause a reaction in the universe. Don't worry. I'll be back."

Kyros moved down the stairway and disappeared into the darkness.

Mechiel was silent but watched the steps down.

"Show off…" Mechiel sneered and took one step down.

Instantly, the powers of darkness attacked her body and mind.

"I see… The darkness of Kyriachos demands separation. This is good training. If I master this, my powers in darkness will increase. I could even use this to create a Dark Elemental core!" Mechiel decided.

"Go and call the rest of the Core members of the Nephilim. Tell them to divide their time and have some be sent here." Mechiel ordered and the Lizardman champion bowed and went back.

Down the depths of the darkness, a massive creature with several heads could sense it.

"Oh? Someone is challenging the steps? Perfect! With each step he takes, the power that separates and binds me here will weaken! I should be free soon!" The massive creature laughed.

"I, Eugene, the Okto-Khefali shall be free!"