Ascension of the Nephilim

Beyond the orders of Kyros and how everyone went on their way to accomplish the plans that Kyros set, Scarlet plotted something else.

There was a reason why she urged the group to move and delay their journeys. For her powers of Zelah had awakened. Using that and Scarlet's impressive powers of Foresight, the mysterious power of Solas, Wish was accomplished.

But unlike the Wish that the Princess of the Planeworld did to find Lea Olethros, which manifested changes directly to reality, what Scarlet has was a movement that could somehow alter Fate. The zeal, jealousy, and desires of Zelah were too strong that they could make Fate's power shift.

And so, Scarlet followed her heart and plotted this delay. She was not going against any of her commands of Kyros. The laws of the Coven were very lax, and Kyros trusted them. And Scarlet wanted to protect Kyros and everyone that Kyros loved. But she did not want Mechiel to hold the heart of Kyros.

Now, the very person that could grant her wish was here.

Scarlet had actually revealed herself when this woman stepped forward.

Aron had long sensed the powerful warrior hidden among the regiment of soldiers that arrived in Airom.

He was actually sent here by Martha to delay the entrance of this team as she feared that they would massacre the orcs without discrimination giving Grugnyr fewer allies to recruit.

Scarlet was the backup that Aron would need should the battle become chaotic and if the team needed to retreat or make a sneaky attack.

But Scarlet revealed herself even when no fight had happened.

Her demonic beauty caused the Commander and her force to stop the moment she appeared.

"That... That... A succubus?!" The Commander saw the form of Scarlet.

"No... Not quite. This power... It's holy. It's not a Corruption but a Code!" The woman in white had a curious expression.

"As expected. You know." Scarlet smiled.

The woman had a strange expression.

"You there! Swordsman! Stop these foolish fighting! Is this demon your ally?" One of the retainers of the woman called out.

"Demon? Your master just said that she has a Code and not a Corruption. Fallen has Corruption, and Gods have Code. Don't you know the basics?" Aron laughed.

"Shut up! How dare a lowly fighter as you mock me! I hold more authority than the kings of Lowlands! I am a retainer to the Princess of the Planesworld! This woman before you is Listrel Protos Endoxos! Daughter and heiress to the throne of the Planesworld!"

Aron sneered. He had a lineage more shocking than this girl. So what if she's the Princess? Aron was a god! But he knew that he would cause trouble if he acted on his pride.

"Greetings, your highness! I am Aron Steele! Eldest son of Mezal Steele."

"You're pretty strong. And you seem to know a lot about Gods and Fallen."

"What? That basic knowledge? It's quite common for people here to distinguish between Corruption and Code."

"Actually, no. It's not basic knowledge. In most cases, some kingdoms will parade a Corruption and claim it's a Code." Listrel chuckled.

"But I'm not talking about that. Aside from this girl, you nearly sheathed your sword. I could sense it. You should have at least three blessings from Sword Gods. Correct?" Listrel smiled.

Aron was stunned. While Listrel still failed to sense it, the scary part was how she was able to sense the power even before Aron channeled it.

"I seem to have made a fool of myself in front of you, your highness. Forgive me!" Aron was used to lowering his head in his days when Fate chased and tried to kill him. So Aron folded.

"Oh? And here I thought you would be the arrogant type."

"I am confident. But I won't dare be arrogant. May you have heard of the Olander clan and my Steele Family's troubles? I can't afford to be arrogant."

"Good to know. And this young lady? Isn't she a vampire? How strange."

"I have the blessing of Zelah Solas. A goddess who harnessed the power of Wish. I feel that you too have that power." Scarlet smiled.

"Wish...? That's right. What an interesting power! Do you have a wish as well? Is this why the Steele family is so strong?" The woman asked.

"Not really. But that which you wish to find is inside the mysterious mountain that leads to the world called Middle." Scarlet revealed.

At that moment, Aron had a strange expression.

"Now, why would you do that, Scarlet?" Aron asked. Scarlet had revealed crucial information! Kyros's exact location was revealed!

"Lord Aron, you know my vows."

"I do. You're not breaking it... But you are not honoring the intention of the vows either." Aron frowned.

"I am simply doing what the powers of that I am blessed with desires. I don't want my man to be taken from me."

"So you send a beautiful and powerful lady to be with them as Kyros has commanded you that you cannot join them?"

"Yes." Scarlet chuckled.

"Whatever. I don't want to get involved with that." Aron shrugged.

"Your highness. Please do not harm my ally. She is a vampire, but as you can see, it's a complicated power. I now take my leave as whatever powers called you to her has to do with something I have no right being a part of. Orcs, follow me!" Aron jumped off the rock, refusing to take part in the secret plot of Scarlet. The orcs followed.

The woman watched as Aron left.

"That guy seemed strong. Too strong for someone in this place." The woman chuckled.

"And who would you be?" The woman asked Scarlet.

"I am called Scarlet Steele. But as I bear the same power, it would be appropriate to call me Scarlet Zelah Steele."

"Code of Zeal? You have that lost Code?" The woman was even more intrigued.

"Princess. Go in Middle and seek out my master and Lord Aron's nephew. It's all connected. Whatever it is your wishing to find is also in there." Scarlet answered.

"What I'm seeking is in there? Is this why Wish led me here... So I really will find Lea in there... While a portal to another world is quite amazing, it's not like it's the only one here. So I decided looking for the remnants of Lea's soul would be more important. But it seems she is also headed there..." Listrel smiled.

"She?" Scarlet was surprised.

"Yes. The one I'm looking for is a she. Is something amiss?"

"No. I'm just surprised at the length Fate has to move to keep my Lord and that lady from progressing in their relationship.." Scarlet was shocked. She then could sense something.

"Neutral?" Scarlet muttered.

"What?"

"No-nothing. Pay no more heed to my words. But please believe my words."

"Why should I? What are your intentions of sending me in there."

"There is a man I love. And he loves another."

"Oh? You wished for the man you love to remain untainted? What a very wasteful use of such power."

"It's not wasteful, your highness. This is the only way my power of wish can work. If you go, you will learn many things. One of which is my Code. You will understand why I have this power. Please meet with my master."

"And you talk about Fate and Destiny as if you know about it. Will I learn something about that in there?"

"Yes. I can see that Fate is with you and that you are meeting him as part of Fate's plans all along."

Listrel observed Scarlet for a time. And she could see her sincerity.

"This man must be very special to have your heart like that. Are you not afraid that my heart will be swayed and I would try to steal him from you?"

"His heart is not easily swayed. The truth is, my Wish led you here because only by clouding his heart could I have the chance to steal his."

"Preposterous!" The retainer shouted.

"You there imply that Princess Listrel will take a liking to your master?!" Merik shouted.

"She will. That is the plan. I can't win this war of love since his love for her is that strong. Princess Listrel will be my ally."

Listrel smiled.

"Princess! Let's leave this insane rambling!"

"No. I'm very intrigued. I shall go and journey to Middle.."

"Princess! This woman is clearly a succubus! She is lying!" One of the retainers urged.

"Merik. Please stop your fanaticism. This woman threatens you, for she holds power inconsistent with what you have been taught. See how Code and Corruption merge as one! A devil, yet that of a god! That alone is grounds for us to seek out her master! Leave her alone. And let's go!" Listrel rebuked.

She then turned to her elven retainer.

"Tathar. Control your urges." Listrel gave a light slap.

Tathar was startled.

"Princess...! I..."

"It's alright. This Scarlet is very beautiful. Let's go meet her master. I'm curious to meet someone who what kind can resist such beauty. And I'm curious to meet someone who can claim my heart!"

Deep inside Middle, Kyros felt the changing of Fate and opened his eyes.

He was deep inside the Temple meditating and felt all forms of Foresight left him.

"What the...? This is new."