Ascension of the Nephilim

Everyone was stunned when they heard Kyros's declaration.

"Everyone?" Gregory asked.

"Yes. Everyone. You can't feel it now, but Heralcus cursed us. We were exposed to the [Body of Death]. I can feel it creeping around. Everyone probably thinks that they are just tired, but their levels are dropping. The Body of Death or that skill [Somatos Ous Thanatou] is a wicked and dark Corruption. And even though we evaded his decaying attacks thanks to Scarlet, the power of the Body of Death attacks those who are under the protection of this same Corruption. So when he released it, I already felt the death energy infiltrate everyone's body. You see, Destiny did that so that we would die if we used the Temple as a defense and went through a regular battle with sieges, walls, and so on. And yet, I manipulated our battle to be in such a way where it would be finished at the shortest possible time." Kyros explained.

"So... everyone's going to get weaker?"

" While most in this circle are immune to that power, those who are strong used powerful techniques that sacrificed our soul, making us weak. The Coven even sacrificed some of their Blood essences in this fight."

"Oh, cruel Fate." Aron laughed.

"Can't the Temple restore it?"

"Yes. But I don't plan to. Not only does it cost a lot, I knew this was part of Fate's plan, and I allowed it to happen. It is necessary for us to return to the real world and in the real timeline. If we go out now and retain the strength that we managed to develop, the gods and fallen would feel a shift of power."

"A shift of power?"

"Calaminus told me about this. Gods and fallens can sense the increase of power in every realm and planet. While it is very irrelevant for those under Cherubim and Celestial, it still suspicious, and the minions of Destiny might sense it."

"I thought Destiny can't make any moves now that we drained it and forced it to throw everything here?" Avary asked.

"Yes. But Destiny will not have done something so reckless without preparing the present time in case we win. I believe that in the real world, his powers reached the place and is now creating an upheaval to force the gods and fallen to hasten the war of the gods and fallen."

"What war?"

"The war that led Calaminus to me. The gods and fallen of our present time are moving to battle. The Eldrich and the attacks of the orcs and the plot of the Netherworlds to wage war on the Highlands are but ripples of the real war between the gods and fallen."

"So the minions of Destiny will still seek us out."

"Yes. That is why I made grandfather go to that fort and reveal those traitors. I'm trying to delay the war. If we don't act, the Lowlands will be in utter ruin in a few years if we don't act. And that's why we had to be weak! If we all leave this place with the powers to fight a Commander and Champions for our men, that would be an increase of two whole ranks for everyone! Since it's not just one or two men, the power that they will feel would be too noticeable. It's one thing if the balance of powers lessens. It only means a lot of people die. But if it increases, then it means many people cultivated and grew stronger all at once. Doesn't that seem suspicious?"

"Indeed..." Branze nodded.

"And that will draw the attention of our enemies. So I allowed the Body of Death to remain and won't make the Temple heal it." Kyros laughed.

Everyone began to groan and sigh.

"Welp... There goes my power."

"Relax, everyone. This battle should have opened your eyes. Unfortunately, our strength is not at our level. Even now, I'm sure everyone here will confidently challenge the Commanders of our world!"

"Yes! The Lowland Commanders are... utterly weak." Demerus laughed.

"And while we have returned to a lesser level of power, the experience, the knowledge, and training is something we continue to carry. We are still miles and miles stronger than who we were before this. Anyway, we'll talk about that next time! For now, it's time for me to give a victory speech!" Kyros moved out towards the entrance of the Temple.

Soon, all the warriors and servants and those who had joined Kyros in the last battle stood before the Temple.

They were all tired and weary from the mental toll of the dangers they had faced.

Kyros stood up before everyone and smiled.

"We won!" It was a simple statement, and Kyros was almost laughing.

The crowds cheered, and some were even laughing, still unable to believe what they had just pulled off.

"We won against an enemy that far exceeded us in numbers, strengths, powers, abilities, and so on. But we still won." Kyros added.

"Tonight, we honor those who have fallen! Be it in this battle or in the past. Let us remember all the sacrifices of our friends, allies, and companions who gave their lives to help us push forward. Be it be the Steele family, the Emberdons, those kingdoms who resisted and persisted in fighting against Herlacus in this world, let us celebrate them! They have been the ladders that helped us push forward! Honor them as heroes, for because of them, we now have the power to conquer Cardinals and even Conquerors!" Kyros declared.

The crowd cheered again.

"For the fallen Steele!"

"For the Emberdon allies who lost their lives and families!"

"For the people of Middle that struggled that others may live!"

Many cheers and offerings were made!

"But everyone, this was but the first of many battles. And while our victory now has very few deaths, do not expect our future battles to be this easy." Kyros suddenly warned them.

"You have seen the threat that we face. And right now, you now know the battle that is taking place. It's not just here. In the Middle, more will come. This battle is not just for Middle. It will echo out through all timelines, even the ones back home. Even your hometowns of whichever worlds that you live in won't escape it. The Planesworld will fall into a great battle. The Eldrich is one of the harbingers of this war. So don't think that the worst is over!" Kyros warned.

Everyone fell silent at the words of Kyros.

"And now, the curse of the Body of Death is making you all weaker. Weaker in level to make it harder for you to win the next missions! You must have felt it!"

"He's right!"

"So it's true..."

Everyone felt the changes and had horrified looks.

"But such is the Heroes of Fate! We will always conquer those that seem unconquerable! That is who we should be at the bare minimum! Has anyone seen such things? A mere captain-ranked being killing a Cardinal with the powers that equal a Conqueror? How can Champions defeat Commanders of horror? And how can you fight against those Champions and yet remain victorious? Become the Heroes of Fate! Become the ones who shall fight to the End! Tonight, we not only celebrate our victory, but we toast to our future!"

Kyros willed it and brought out all the items and food that they had collected in numerous places. In addition, the precious wine and drinks that the various settlements have stocked were also brought out.

And among the stockpile were various food and drinks that didn't belong to the things they collected.

Huge barrels of wine and various massive slabs of meats began to appear.

Kyros held out a strange ring.

"What is that?" Mezal was amazed at the item.

"This is a Dimensional Storage Ring. Its quality is very high as it utilized Void Beast's eyes as its source! And Heralcus has quite a huge stock in his person."

"A Dimensional Storage Ring! That's an item of legends!" Faye was amazed.

The food continued to be released and placed all over the place and was arranged properly.

The cheers were deafening as the people saw the massive amount of food!

Puff's mouth began to water as he saw a huge slab of meat.

"Okto-Khefali meat! That's one of the most delicious meat ever!" Puff was amazed.

"Today marks the day that the Steele Family will rise. Today marks the day when the Army of Nephilim is formed, and we will begin our crusade all across the galaxies and even across time! We will rise in Middle! We will rise in Planesworld and rise to fight gods and fallen! We will rise to fight to the End! And we will win!" Kyros declared.

The power of Fate emerged in Middle as the Army of the Nephilim celebrated that night.

But as the celebrations continued, the dark tower that guarded the Crossroads felt a great weakening.

Pergos could no longer see Middle as the power of Fate covered it.

"That idiot Heralcus! Middle is lost! The timeline of Middle has changed! I just hope that the Nephilim cannot find the secrets it has!"