Ascension of the Nephilim

Night had fallen outside the mountain. Kyros and the group continued to analyze their gains and made plans since they were healed.

The knights were all encouraged and motivated to fight. After hours of confirming their new strength, the group began to organize what they now had and discussed what they should do next.

Kyros, Branze, and Aron discussed the temple, the golems, and the mountain itself.

"So the Temple can bestow items based on the creatures that we offer it?" Aron asked.

"Yes." Kyros revealed. He knew that with what happened, he couldn't hide the power of the temple. But Kyros tweaked the truth, and that he explained, he now has these in his head after succeeding to challenge Fate.

"Aside from all-out gains, the monsters that we have sacrificed have been absorbed to the temple and can bestow us with some rewards. But as I said, I refused to take it." Kyros explained.

"You believe that if we accept all of its rewards, it will draw us closer to another tribulation?" Branze confirmed.

"Yes, Father."

"And abandoning our Nobility will draw us further away from the Tribulation?"

"That's what I am theorizing. You have to inform Grandfather of this decision and have their head here at once. You can tell him what Fate has done. Since Grandfather felt it, then it should be easier to convince them. If we gather all our men in one place, we can protect each other more. I believe that since the Success Limiter is upon us, Fate will do everything in its power to send us opposition that would rob us of our current successes." 

"That does make sense. We have to get stronger, just as Kyros said. It'll be impossible, but impossible has always been our goal, right brother?" Aron laughed.

"A Force Paladin like you should have a shot at doing that. But we need to create a totally different class if we want to make it as strong as Champions."

"There is a way." Kyros explained.

"The Temple has some requirements that we can use. One of which is to build a Library that holds the knowledge of the world."

"A library?" Branze grew interested.

"Yes, Father. From what I can sense, that library ought to have some ancient knowledge that we could use to solidify it!"

"That's interesting. If I can grab hold of that... we should be able to make something good out of it! I can study the arts and have Aron test it." Branze began to ponder.

"So we're finally combining brains and bronze, eh? Or is it Aron and Branze?" Aron laughed.

Kyros gazed at the two and couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

His father and uncle were two different warriors who walked on a different path. Aron was a man of incredible skill, talent, and instinct. Even as an invalid, he managed to teach Kyros and bestow amazing insights on how Kyros unlocked his fighting potential. And after seeing it first hand, Kyros could tell that his uncle was amazing.

In their mock battles, Kyros never managed to gain an advantage. Although the level gap was mainly the issue, Kyros had incredible dexterity and a lifetime's worth of battle experience that eclipsed his uncle's several times over!

Kyros even believed that his rounds of fighting with his uncle stimulated the awakening of his warrior's instinct.

His father was the opposite. He didn't have talent like Aron, but he had brains. Intellect and fortitude that could analyze practically everything. It was Branze who created the theoretical means to be a Paladin without requiring the Holy Element. And his analysis was spot on. The theories he discussed with Aron on one of their drunken parties made Aron interested to try it.

And so, the impossible occurred the next day. The theories that Branze couldn't put into application happened when the genius Aron picked up his sword.

The two together solidified the path, and even Branze managed to use that power and later mastered it.

"I guess this is the right path. It's a good thing that you already have a plan in mind, son. You're very smart!" Branze laughed.

"He really is! I wouldn't have survived without his quick thinking! I really should invest in knowledge! That battle earlier was an eye-opening experience!" 

"With my son here to teach you and me, you could be a lot smarter, brother. I was never a good teacher. Since my son is smarter than me, he could tutor you better!" Branze laughed.

Kyros could only smile and look fondly at his father.

"Calamius, you saw my memories right. That man before you was how I managed to grow a lot smarter in my past life." Kyros couldn't help but brag.

"I saw. He taught you tactics, planning, analysis, and all those stuff. Who knows? Your intelligence should have been sealed. It must have been him that helped you break that seal and acquire a lot of intelligence anyway."

"I will have to draft what to say to father. Brother, what do you suggest?" Branze turned towards Aron.

The two began to discuss what the content of the message to their Grandfather would be. Since the message they could send had a limited amount, the pair had to limit the words they could say.

"Hey, Kyros." Calaminus called out again.

"You sure about this? Although Ancient Fate is dead, we haven't managed to outsmart the laws she designed for you. Are you sure with your plan to give up your nobility?"

"It's worth a shot. Land, prestige, and power ought to be within Fate's calculation. We have to keep trying to find a way to outsmart Fate. Even that powerful being who knew you and claimed to be my mother stated that Fate's powers have their limits. So I decided to cut off all those useless things. Those things are useless given our current situation. But those things are of real value, and we really will be giving them up. It's not like I am fooling Fate by changing my name."

"...But do you think you should try it?"

"Changing my name? Wouldn't that be pointless?"

"Well, Destiny has set your Ancient and Fallen name on those curses. But what if Fate can be outsmarted. Ever since you've been awake, you've been living as Kyros. Why not try to change it? Besides, you have Fate Comprehension that's actively running in your Soul console. And since it's up a level, what if forcibly changing your name will give you a clearer sense of how Fate works?"

"I guess you're right."

"And try to make the name a woman."

"Why?"

"Maybe it'll confuse Fate. Regardless, we need to see how Fate reacts. So the change has to be drastic."

"Fine." Kyros sighed and suddenly stood up.

It drew the attention of Aron and Branze, who were in the middle of drafting the short message which would convince their father to give up the nobility.

The other knights and vampires who were discussing various things also noticed Kyros's serious expression.

"Gentlemen, from this day forward... You will all refer to me the name Becky."

Odd stares fell on him.

"Isn't... Isn't Becky a woman's name?" One of the knights secretly asked his companion.

Kyros tried to pierce through the workings of Fate but found nothing happening.

"Nope. No responses. Never mind, guys. I just was trying something with regards to Fate." Kyros sat back down.

Everyone still had confused looks but decided to carry on with their many discussions.

"That was a waste of time."

"Did you at least feel anything?" Calaminus asked.

"No. If there were any changes, I should have felt it. I know that Fate is working. Ever since I got the Challenger of Fate status, I could roughly sense its intentions."

"Oh? Like what?" 

"It should be finding a way to bring more enemies here. The issue is that the success I got from overcoming the Success Limiter trial is being targeted by Fate. I wouldn't be surprised that humans and orcs will begin to target and zero in on our family. But I have to ascertain it by going out of this mountain and to the nearby towns."

"So this is what we are reduced to? We will constantly be testing the parameters of Fate?"

"Yes. We have to understand how she works so we can find a way to fight back. I arrogantly believed I was outsmarting her back there, but I was being toyed by her. So even this plan to strengthen the skill of my knights without trying to rise to a level is yet another test. Since Fate is pushing me to grow stronger, I doubt that it is level-dependent. I just have to be stronger."

"Then you plan to focus on teaching the knights?"

"Yes. My Oration skill is very overpowered. I noticed how strong it is in battle, and I'm sure it will be outside of battle. I need to train archers, fighters, mages, and the like. It's a good thing that fathers here. With him around, I think it's possible for the two of us to figure out how to pass on that status."

"The Fate Challenger status?"

"Yes. You've seen it. The vision that Destiny showed me was pushed back. That is the key. I have to find a way to give that all to them... What's that?" Kyros then felt a strange feeling. 

"Fate?" Calaminus could feel it.

"That was fast. It's already acting to send people here! I have to hurry!" Kyros stood up and suddenly wrote a series of commands in a small parchment.

"Kyros?" Branze wondered.

"Fate Challenger has revealed to me a bit of Fate's intentions. I have to act now." He then handed Branze the small parchment.

"Father, I live you in charge. Feel free to train the knights in the lizard's nest. Please ask the Golems to help you retrieve these items if possible. Always train in groups. Every time you venture to fight, know that Fate is after you."

Branze's expression turned serious. 

"Alright. You can count on me. If you managed to save your uncle and men out of that hell, then I'm sure you know what you are doing."

Kyros nodded.

"I won't be alone. Vampire Coven!" He called out.

The six vampires suddenly stood up.

"Follow me. We're going to visit the nearby towns."

"What are we going to do in the nearby towns, my lord?" One of the Knight-turned-vampire asked.

"Kill people and drink their blood," Kyros answered as he walked towards the exit.