Ascension of the Nephilim

The strange castle allowed a bridge to materialize out of nothing and then, a strange slime with powerful time magic radiating out of it appeared.

"Is it a slime? Why does it feel like a Time/Space Core?" One of the Champions wondered.

"It's both." The Champion Angelica answered. She took a step forward.

"Both?" Commander frowned as he approached and drew his massive hammer.

"It's a Slime that grew so strong it's an elemental core. I heard that there is an ancient art that allowed cultivators to grow so strong they could create elemental cores that were alive."

"Should we attack it?" Another Champion asked.

"Attack it? It's a Time/Space core! We must capture it!" Commander Tyrs insisted.

"Try if you can, Commander. There is great magic in this castle. The entire space is being controlled by that Slime." Angelica answered.

Suddenly, strange magic appeared around the place that even the camp where some of the warriors were was affected and a strange barrier was erected.

"Everyone! Move closer! We have been pulled inside this place!" Commander Tyrs spoke.

An archer frowned and shot an arrow at the barrier.

"Fool! Don't!"

But it was too late.

FWIP!

The arrow was released and as it struck the barrier, dark magic shot back and attacked the archer!

STAB!

A large dark blade materialized and slew the archer.

"Idiot! That barrier is strong! It's harnessing powerful energy from inside of that castle!" The Commander cursed and called all men.

"We have no choice but to press onwards." Another Commander spoke.

The group turned towards the bridge where the slime stood on the path.

"Let's go! Don't do anything stupid! This place could kill us anytime! We are alive for a reason! Await the commands of your Commanders and Champions!" Tyrs wielded his hammer and led the team.

The entire platoon slowly moved closer. Even those at the camps quickly followed as they feared the magic attack them.

"Welcome to Fortressvania! I couldn't use 'castle' in the name since I'd probably get in trouble with Konami." The Slime spoke.

"It can talk?!" Tyrs exclaimed.

"That lady dracanae just explained it, didn't she? I'm alive. Obviously, I can speak." The slime answered.

Angelica was shocked when she heard the slime's words. How did the slime know of her real identity?!

The Commander that was secretly a necromancer was also stunned. The term 'dracanae', was not known in the Midlands. Very few lived across the universe because of the many curses that befell the dragon races. And not only did the slime know of this, it easily discerned the bloodline of Angelica!

While many were confused at the term, dracanae, no one paid attention to it since the oddity of the slime was right in front of them.

"Who are you?"

"I'm a vampire's assistant... So I guess my name is Ygor? Hmm... That doesn't sound right. I don't think my name is Ygor. Err... About this... It's all very vague. From what I can tell, I just woke up from a long sleep and have resurrected this castle. Well, technically, this is a mansion that I turned into a castle. Wait! That's it! A scary mansion.... I could be Luigi! Alright! It's settled! I'm Luigi!"

???

Everyone had bizarre expressions as they gazed at the slime.

"Anyway, this castle holds great power! The power of an Ancient Vampire lies buried within! Seek in the castle the great powers and take control of the Elemental Hydra! Who shall be the successor of the great Vampire Ancient, Nightwing Devilmourne?" The Slime asked.

"A Hydra?! An Ancient Vampire?!" The Commander exclaimed.

More amazed was the Necromancer Commander.

"An Ancient Vampire? Only such a person could control an Elemental Hydra. Is it an Okto-Khefali of legends? I must inform my lord!" The Necromancer Commander decided and reached for his message talisman. But as he grabbed it, he realized that his talisman had lost power.

"Oops. I can't have you guys do that." The Slime chuckled and the power of time and space rippled.

Small explosions occurred as all talismans and compasses suddenly began to break. Numerous devices that harnessed the power of spactial magic also began to break.

Many others also noticed as they were about to report to their respective lords.

"My talisman!" A Champion explained.

"This place is designed to be a testing ground. It was meant to pass on the legacy of Nightwing Devilmourne. As such, your kingdoms, and political affiliations mean nothing here. Only the strong shall inherit this place. Time and Space are locked. All talismans have lost function. Be it a message talisman, warp talisman, signal compass, or the stronger Life Compass, I destroyed them all. But don't worry! If you win this, you get the bastion of darkness that my master has built for you!" The Slime explained.

Everyone had a wary expression as they saw the devices that could teleport them out lose power.

"Wait! Among these men are people who are too weak for this challenge! If Commanders can die, then those who are not even Captains should be allowed to leave!" A Champion spoke. He turned to his team of untrained individuals who had just begun their careers as soldiers.

"I am programmed to receive. I cannot do anything but lead you all into the depths of this castle. The castle shall test all of you. There are dark beasts inside that you must face. Those who survive to the end will be given this power." The slime answered.

Many ugly expressions were revealed. Those who were wise wanted out of this terrifying nightmare.

But as the rest worried, the Necromancer Commander was doing his best to hide his smile.

"Good! I was bound to serve my master and give them any information of such power. But now... I cannot deliver this information to them and the best thing that I can do is fight to claim this power myself!" The Necromancer chuckled. He was bound in service and could not betray his master. But now, he would have the means to do so. Gaining the power of a Vampire Ancient could help him be free from the clutches of the Eldrich!

The Slime suddenly vanished as a strange portal opened before them.

The more they saw the portal magic, the more they were shocked by the advanced technology and power of the castle.

"This place has magic that can match the Highland kingdoms!" Commander Tyrs exclaimed.

"Step inside, and go to the heart of the castle." The voice of the slime echoed from around them.

"Wait! It could be a trap!" A Champion frowned.

"Well, you guys can stay here if you want. But the Hydra is quite hungry." The slime chuckled.

Suddenly, seven massive serpent-like heads rose up on both sides of the bridge they were in.

"ROAR!"

Seven large mouths quickly bit down. The speed of its charging maw was so fast that the captains were smashed to smithereens at the force of the tackle and didn't even die from the bite!

Blood and gore exploded all around the area and panic ensued.

"Formations!" Commander Tyrs shouted as he saw the attacks of the Hydra.

He charged towards one of the heads and smashed his hammer on the beast.

BANG!

The head of the Hydra was pushed back and the Hydra roared.

The Champions and Commanders all began to deflect the heads of the beasts.

"Everyone! Move into the portal!" Commander Tyrs shouted as he could sense the terrifying power of the Hydra.

The damage he inflicted had already vanished as the bruises healed.

Angelica fought against one head and used her wings to fly and strike the Hydra with her fist.

An explosion of fire erupted as her armed gloves released tremendous force energy that caused the Hydra to be pushed back.

But as the group was fighting, an Eight head appeared. The head was like a pillar of pure darkness condensed and only the red eyes gave away its form. It opened its mouth and darkness began to eat and spread out the entire area.

The crowd could no longer see anything beyond the darkness as they were enveloped inside.

"AHHH!"

The sounds of screams echoed out as the other heads used their darkness to feast on the dead.

"Get everyone inside!" Tyrs shouted as he quickly fought off the heads.

The Champions and Commanders formed an encirclement around the portal to let the rest of the men move inside. But suddenly, the portal began to close!

"Go!" Tyrs shouted as he fend off two heads at the same time and made the Champions move inside.

Soon, only Tyrs and Angelica were left as they were the only ones who could deal with the maws of the heads.

"Angelica! Go ahead!" Tyrs shouted as he summoned his might and swung his hammer on one of the heads that mawed at him.

BANG!

Angelica rushed inside to the closing portal and Tyrs quickly ran towards it.

But as he was about to approach, a shadow stood in front of him and punched out!

BANG!

Tyrs was thrown back and several heads rushed at him and bit on his limbs.

"AHHH!" Tyrs shouted but kept his Force energy to resist the attacks. He then saw the entrance of the portal and could see a shadowy figure. He recognized it! It was one of his Commanders!

"You...!"

"Commander Tyrs... You are quite strong. I admit, even I can't defeat you! So I'll ask these Hydra's to help. A necromancer is a worthy heir to this castle, don't you think?"

"You! Commander Menks! You are Necromancer?!"

The shadow dispersed and moved into the small hole of the portal and vanished without sight.