Ascension of the Nephilim

During the past two days, Kyros had immersed himself in studying and reading through the books in his library. His focus was on the books about magic, elements, Force, and even the soul. Kyros was trying to improve his control of the Celestial Code. With Kyros's intelligence, the knowledge he acquired pushed Kyros to a state where he could already match the theories of those in the Highlands.

And when Kyros felt that he had reached this stage, Kyros had focused his attention on blacksmithing to apply all the knowledge he had learned. Books on blacksmithing and magic enchanting were also called out.

The many books in the Library of the Nephilim were hovering all over Kyros when he began to create weapons and as he hammered through and crafted these weapons. The sight was amazing, even for Hunter and the rest. The lizardmen that were blacksmiths were also called to explain and introduce certain principles that Kyros had questions about. His progress in his control over the elements even made changes to his job titles. His acquired job class as an Earth Artificer disappeared, and it was replaced with Celestial Artificer.

This job allowed him to harness Earth, Fire, Lightning, Wind, Water, and Ice and wield it to make weapons and armors.

Needless to say, the blacksmiths that were helping Kyros had become obsessed and decided to be loyal servants. As they had seen the peak of blacksmithing, they knew staying with the Nephilim's Crackhead army. They would even surpass the blacksmiths at home!

Kyros could easily craft weapons on the same level of weapons that the Balefire Butcher once had with his weapon. And that was to give special abilities to the weapons and armors he was creating. Only a Commander level mages or Force users could harness and contain an ability in order to craft a weapon. And so, these types of weapons and armors were scarce. It would take a Commander a few days to complete this process. But which Commander had the free time to do that in the Lowlands?

And yet, Kyros was able to utilize the power of the Temple to harness the energy and shape these mighty weapons. First, Kyros had crafted the armors and weapons he made for himself. After that, he designed an armor for Mechiel that would also be used as a weapon. And when he was satisfied with it, he turned his attention to creating helmets, greaves, and even a tail guard armor for Gojirrah and Reptilia. And with the experience in creating these weapons, he ordered the lizardmen to continue creating more and more weapons.

His ability and control over the elements allowed Kyros to instill weapons on the armor that had rare abilities. Most Commander-level equipment with such ability would have basic abilities such as [Elemental Enchanting] or [Force Resonance] as the Commanders would only allow a weapon or armor to 'release' elemental magic or Force. But Kyros's amazing talent and knowledge allowed him to instill power and magic in the armor and weapons Kyros crafted.

There was numerous blacksmiths' equipment within Heralcus's Space ring. And all of this was placed on a certain side of the Temple, which was now being manned by several captured lizardman that was constantly forging weapons for the growing army of the Crackheads.

Mechiel and Kyros left the Temple and went outside wearing the set Kyros created.

Kyros went out with his full set prepared. First, he took in a Champion armor that he wore over the Wings of Darkness suit.

He had a sword and shield, which was among the many spoils of their acquired weapons. All in all, Kyros looked like a knight wearing dark armor. The sword and shield also had a dark tint as Kyros forged dark energy over them with his Dark Artificer skill.

"I guess this makes me look like a Dark-Dependent knight. If Paladins are knights of heroic chivalry, then dark dependent knights ought to be those who avenge their enemies. So I'll name this specific class, Avenger of Blood." Kyros chuckle.

---

Avenger of Blood Job Acquired.

---

The notification rang out, and Kyros was not even surprised. To his side was Mechiel, whose appearance had also greatly changed.

Her figure has greatly changed over these past two days. Her powers as a Vampire and the power of blood had changed right after they absorbed the energy of Heralcus and their men. Kyros had allowed Mechiel to explore the power that Eredus had. She even wielded the Water Core of the Okto-Kefali as the Blood Calamity also had the affinity of water.

Mechiel's vampiric appearance had caused her to grow even more beautiful. But because of her control over blood, Mechiel no longer had pale-white skin, but it had a healthy light pink glow. Her eyes had dark red rings, and her wings had formed. But Mechiel would hide her wings through the attire that Kyros made for her,

Kyros had taken the broken of Neteri's broken armor and Eredus's armor and knitted it together with his Dark Artificer and Celestial Artificer jobs. But instead of armor, Kyros crafted a beautiful red and black dress that had frightening defenses.

The dress itself could merge with Mechiel, and the powers of the Blood Calamity could move through it freely.

Kyros had to order the deaths of a hundred captains in order to shape the blood needed for this dress.

It was a horrific dress that even Mechiel was hesitant to wear at first, but Kyros assured her that it was appropriate given her standing as a future Vampire queen.

"You'll be marrying me, a Nephilim. I can be the light that will blaze and the darkness that will devour. Don't worry about it!" Kyros would encourage.

But as the dress was completed, Mechiel's heart raced.

The dress didn't reveal much of Mechiel's skin, and it even had a long sleeve that minimized the amount of skin that she would be showing. But hiding her appearance was important given Mechiel's standing as a succubus.

Kyros named the armor the Bloodstained Dress, and Mechiel could feel its powers. Kyros didn't even give her a weapon but had taught her how to create Blood weapons.

At her level, the weapons she could create in number would even be stronger due to the quantity and Mechiel's free wielding of these weapons.

Together, the pair had moved out at night and observed the marching forces of lizardmen.

As they continued to scout, Kyros saw powerful lizard creatures with such a potent life force that they were stronger than the Commanders that the Lowland planes had sent. In fact, since Kyros had seen the best of what the Lowlands had to offer, he knew for sure that these mighty lizard creatures could easily defeat the Commanders of the Lowlands.

"The Lizard Lords. So this is one of Fate's challenges that she was planning to use against us! They have the power of Commanders but should have the strength of Cardinals shortly..." Kyros assessed.

"If that's the case, then Hunter and the rest won't be able to defeat them."

"Not in close combat. Not even Gojirrah or Reptilia could defeat them by strength alone. But this is what it means to challenge Fate. But it seems that even Fate's preparations had been halted." Kyros smiled.

"Why so?"

"The Challenge of the Lizard Lords was something that Fate had activated or enabled so long ago. It happened right after our first challenge against Fate. To counter this, I made my plans to send more humans to the Golem City so that we won't fight them alone. But now, the battle in Middle is complicated. Apart from the humans led by father and grandfather, we have the Crackheads moving in. To the lizardkins of Middle, it would seem that a traitorous group has appeared and formed its own kingdom and taken advantage of the chaos. That's why we have yet to be attacked even after all the attacks and raids we made."

"And what of the battles further to the east and north? I sense the blood of many lizards being spilled.

"That's because of the Undying lands. The lizard kingdoms face attacks on many fronts, just as I planned. It's up to Hunter and aunt Reptilia how they take advantage of this. They have to grow stronger in Fate. Even if Foresight has disappeared."

Suddenly, Mechiel felt her blood ripple out.

"Lord Kyros." Mechiel spoke, and fear unconsciously leaked out.

"I know. I feel it too." Kyros turned over to the trees above and saw a peculiar silhouette looking at them.

"My... What a treat. I went in so deep into these Scaled Kingdoms, and never would I imagine that I would meet vampires of such lineage. And you! To think that I would meet a human who has harnessed such darkness! You even wield darkness purer than those Necro Commanders. Forgive me, Dark Dependent. I've been looking for someone delicious to eat." The enchanting laugh of a woman was heard.

Kyros saw the woman and cursed. Never did he imagine that Fate would silence herself so that those of the True Neutral alignment would be able to move without drawing attention.

"Lord Kyros... She's... strong!" Mechiel called out once more.

The woman was about to move when Kyros called out to her.

"Princess! I know you!"

The woman was surprised.

"You know me? Then you are not from this planet? Are you from the Lowlands?" The woman asked.

"We are not from the Planesworld but are those in the Dark Sea. Princess Lea Olethros. Daughter of Necron Olethros. We are your humble servants!" Kyros bowed.