Ascension of the Nephilim

As Aron was concentrating, the Emberdons were now back to their research.

"The curse seems to be increasing the blockages that block the movement of magic from our brain..." Faye assessed.

"In our case, since we sacrificed our flesh to create a pseudo-elemental core in our bones, it's more difficult to search out where the decrease occurs."

"Then what's the common denominator? Both of us have different forms, and yet the curse seems to be affecting us in a similar way."

"It could be the soul. After all, while magic is the work of the mind, from where do we get that power now that we don't have a brain? We have to redefine our understanding of what these books say about 'mind.'" Triona guessed.

"This other book, Sources of Power, seemed to be referring to mind as Spirit. It talks about the three forms of power. The power of the Body is clearly Force energy. With our current forms as Liches, I am guessing that the spell we did change our body to empower the source of our Magic. But what would it be now that we don't have a mind?" Demerus pointed out.

Faye and Stellya realized this fact and were confused.

"But do you still harness your energy into your head?" Stellya asked.

"No. The magic swirls all around us. If we are going with brother Demerus's claims, it's no longer our brain that holds power."

"If I may, Lord Emberdons." The Lowly lich stepped forth.

"I, Devian, am inferior and is not worth mentioning before your great wisdom, much more with the power of Lord Nephilim. But our kingdom has a deeper knowledge as to how the skeleton, or that spell you accidentally used, happened. The bindings that you have are not to purge the body and attach it to a body. The process of becoming skeletons burn every bit of your body, including the bones."

"Including the bones?!" The three Emberdons exclaimed.

"Yes. That is what I heard. But sadly, it's only up to here that I can help you."

"Devian! You have done well! Everyone, feel free to speak your ideas!" Demerus urged.

"If that is true, then I'm guessing that the form of power responsible for turning whatever Force Energy we have into a pseudo Magic form should be our soul! After all, even the Liches and Skeletons imply this! Without a body, what is making these bones? Could it be, the soul?" Ressi asked.

"Perhaps our mind is the third form of power. Spirit! Our body is bone. This form of bones we have is a manifestation both of soul and spirit!" 

"Spirit as Mind energy... It does make sense. I couldn't understand it at first, but what if we are still able to think as we can even though we don't have a brain because the [Over Mana] spell sacrificed body to strengthen Spirit. If our brain was the body part that contained Spirit, and right now we have no brain, then it means Spirit has taken form through the help of our Soul." Demerus muttered.

"It would explain the strange hardness of these bones. If these bones are not our original bones, but a physical manifestation of our soul and spirit itself, then is it possible to change the forms of our skeletons!" Triona spoke again.

"That's possible! We could rebuild our body and resume human form again, but not be made of the body! Then we will work with this framework in mind. Lord Kyros is now wielding the energy once again! And as you have seen, Lord Kyros has been able to bring out the elements beyond his body. He could be using his soul!" Demerus realized.

At that point, Kyros smiled and opened his eyes.

"Now that you mention it, I do have a power called [Soul Over Mana]." Kyros revealed.

"This is how I am able to wield my Force energy as Magic and Magic as Force. Maybe that is why the seal I was and am bound with seals Force, Magic, and even my Soul. This could also be the reason why I have an easier path in wielding the different elements!"

"So this could be the right Path!" Demerus shouted excitedly.

"Now I understand why I could tell the [De-Magic] curse is weaker on us than on Faye! It's because our magic is using both Spirit and Soul!"

"Then we can compare both our data. We don't have the soul. You have it. If we can simplify the process and teach everyone how to link the Spirit and the Soul, we would somehow be stronger as magic wielders! You have the soul and can teach us how to wield both soul and body. Once you teach us that..." Stellya began to explore the possibilities.

"We can teach the rest how to combine both Soul and Magic!"

"That's an interesting theory. I am unlearned in the theories of magic. I am using Soul and Force as Magic. But if you do that, then I can learn how to use Force and Soul to empower Magic!" Kyros smiled.

"Father. This means that the soul can also empower Force if we learn how to combine it. Our path as Force Paladin has already started that." Branze spoke to his father.

"Yes. I believe this will also benefit us. I have already made progress in this, but if we explore it alongside the Emberdons, we could find a way to merge Force, Soul, and Spirit just like Kyros can. We are descendants of a god, after all. We should be capable of that!" Mezal smiled.

"Interesting! Lord Mezal's insights in the soul with his power and training from a shaman will definitely help!" Faye praised.

"We'll let's get this party started, then. First, I'll help you analyze how to combine soul and magic. My experience in theories in Force should have at least a common ground." Mezal then began to reveal his Force Paladin energy which incorporated Holy.

"Of course! The way of the Force Paladin should help foster the foundation of how to merge things to the soul! The only difference is the energy source, but merging it to the soul should be similar!"

"Interesting..." Demerus was watching the Force Paladin energy.

"Look at it! It's increasing the Force energy! If we understand how to control mana with our soul, then even with the [De-Magic] curse, we should be able to release a power greater than before!" Stellya exclaimed.

"Not only that, we could understand the Code that Lord Kyros is releasing! This surely involves the soul! Maybe that's why we can't understand it!" Faye added.

"It seems we have our specific fields of study then. Brother is already doing something amazing." Branze observed that the wind around Aron was actually moving as the Force energy he was showing was slowly growing stronger and stronger.

As Kyros and the group had found their inspiration, they began to work. Hours passed, and another round of the same contest occurred. And soon, a whole day passed with this cycle of work and the game with only a few hours of sleep happening in between.

As the day passed, another five hours passed in the real world. The armies of Destiny had finally completed their resurrection spell.

Eredus awakened and roared angrily.

"That damned swordsman!" Eredus shouted as his memories returned.

The Crab Commander Shellcross was the next to arise.

"I'll kill them!" He shouted as he began to transform into his gigantic crab form.

The Grendelor Lucas and the Skeleton Faust awakened at the same time.

"This power!" Faust exclaimed as he sensed the great elements surging around him.

"Arise, my Commanders! The Decree of Destiny has pronounced death on our enemies and new life on ourselves! Arise now, stronger than you were, and we shall conquer!" Heralcus declared.

"Each of your battles against them was near victories if not for the ambushes and tricks of the Nephilim! But now they are cursed, and we are blessed! Prepare the army! We shall conquer now!"

The fallen Champions also woke up.

Some of the mightier Champions woke up, sensing overwhelming energy.

The newly resurrected Commanders now had a Crown's potential! Most of them had High Cardinal potentials, and only Pyrestarter, the dragon Commander, had the greatest potential. But now, they all had the same power.

"Let's kill him!" Shellcross raged as he recalled his embarrassing defeat. He had lost against the cunning of Kyros and his team.

"Patience, Shellcross. We have already lost Pyrestarter forever. We will be attacking them in the Crossroads, so a simple mistake could lead to more losses. We wait. Pergos shall tear a rip in space that will allow us to attack the Temple. Ready the armies. I want all mages to aid in Pergos. Once we open the ripple, we launch our attacks!"

"Yes, Cardinal!" All the Commanders chorused.

Pergos watched as the army was revived. The power that resurrected army of Heralcus had was nearly double the strength of the original army.

"Victory is sure!" Heralcus called out to Pergos.

"So it seems.. I shall start tearing the void. In a day's time, we shall report the news of our victory to Lord Destiny! May his decree become a reality!"