Way of the Knights

---

Nearly a year after the Ancient Elysium's Sect announcement of their seclusion, something occurred on the sect which surprised everybody. 

It happened during one of Raven's Law Discussion Session, as soon as he finished creating the barrier to isolate the participants this time, he felt strong yet foreign fluctuations coming off of somewhere. 

Alarm bell rung on his head as he sharply looked around him in search of the source. It was then that he saw the beam of light piercing through the skies somewhere south from the Storm Dweller's Peak. Raven frowned as he instinctually flew towards the light, he was an deep thought as he travelled. He thought to himself, what could this be and a sudden idea struck him and left him anticipating. 

He accelerated his flight and shortly after he arrived at the spot where the beam of light was. When he arrived, he saw a crowd forming around it and the other War Gods were already there. In fact, even the Sect Master and Grand Elder were there. 

Raven landed nearby and nodded to them upon making eye contact. Then he waited in anticipation for the group of people who will emerge out of this beam of light.

A strong fluctuation was released once again. Then, a few silhouettes emerged from the beam of light carrying dreadful auras that could make even devils cry. 

The first one to arrive was a winged-man, he had a head full of platinum colored hair, a rather petite body and he wore a dark-golden armor which shone in resplendence. His expression was tranquil and his beast-like irises were hypnotizing. His brown wings covered in golden aura were folded behind him. This man was none other than the Captain of the War Gods, King Roc War Gods - Levi. 

Beside him was a 9 meter tall man with an outrageously buff body. He had a black hair that's cleanly shaven on the sides. He also has a pair of large horns which curved around his head. He was wearing a golden armor that only covered a few major areas on his body, letting his absurdly large physique shine. He's carrying a large totem filled with tribal marks over his shoulders, his grin looked foolish yet also savage at the same time. This guy, is Paolo - the Taotie War God.

On the opposite side, there's a woman with freakishly wicked allure. Her braided long hair rested on her shoulders. She was wearing a skin tight robes on-top of a pink armor which is filled with briars. There's thorn whip attached to her hips and her expression appeared detached, cold even. This is Celestine - the Dominatrix War Goddess. 

Beside her was a woman who could be described in a complete opposite. She was like a cute fairy or a shrine maiden, carrying a wooden stump which held her zither inside. She was wearing a loose white gown, covered most of her body revealing only her feet, hands and a small portion of her chest. She radiated a calm and peaceful aura which could cheer up everyone around her. This is none other than Jessamine - the Zither War Goddess. 

And the final one to arrive was another woman. Her long silver hair covered with aurora lights fell mystically behind her. She wore a long sleeveless gown which fluttered along with the wind, releasing snowflakes as it goes. She was bare footed and her silver irises glanced at her surroundings while her lips formed a thin smile. This was none other than Julia - the Winter War Goddess.

"Yo! What's up! It's good to be back home!" Paolo's loud voice shook their surroundings, waking up everybody from their stupor and earning a smack from Levi.

Seeing this, Raven and the rest laughed as he commented: "Some things, never change. Welcome back, everyone." 

Julia stepped forward and smiled: "Greetings, Sect Master, Grand Elder...Young Lord." She bowed, giving Raven a teasing look as she did so causing the latter to smile wryly. 

Levi and the rest did the same and greeted everyone including Raven as well. 

Looking around the sect, Levi sighed as he commented: "It seems that what we saw in there was true. The Sect really did enter seclusion. I apologize, I should've been here to help."

Raven was surprised but he managed to adjust to this and reply: "It's fine. It all ended according to the plan anyway. And you guys are already here so everything will be fine." 

"We were anxious to return as soon as possible." Celestine sighed, "Especially that guy. He thought that it was his fault for being in too much of hurry. He blamed himself since many things occurred after we were gone."

"That's true you know." Jessamine added with a chuckle. "Unfortunately, no matter how much of hurry he's in, we were stuck in there. It took a while for him to calm down and that's only when we saw that the Sect entered seclusion. The funny thing is, after he calmed down, the process hastened by a great deal."

"Yeah, you should've seen his face. It was priceless I'll tell you." Paolo added which grinning like a fool. 

"Shut it, you guys!" Levi's face reddened as he protested. He then felt an arm wrapping around him and saw that it was Logan.

"Heh? What's this? Did I just hear our Captain having no faith in us? I'm seriously hurt." 

"That's right. I'm hurt too." Theo dramatically joined in. "Boohoo, our Captain thought the world revolves around him. Oh! How my heart aches."

"Stop it you!" Levi unfolded a wing and pointed it against Theo's chin. 

"Okay, the lot of you. Stop causing a ruckus. You're juniors are looking at you strangely." The Grand Elder reprimanded. "Let's talk somewhere else." 

"The Grand Elder's right." The Sect Master added, "I'm glad to have you guys back. But we need to change locations for a bit." 

The Sect Master then looked at Raven and said: "Are the disciples still on the Storm Dweller's Peak?" 

"Yes, Sect Master. I formed a barrier around them in order to isolate them from the commotion outside." 

"Well, even with that, our aura's might disturb them..." Charles commented. 

"Then let's go to my place..."

---

"...that's so unfair!!" - Theo

"Yeah, downright bullshit!" - Logan

"The effects are that absurd?" - Henry

"Man, you guys are making me want to go as well." - Charles

It's been a few hours since the group arrived at Raven's pocket dimension. After confirming a few things, the Sect Master and the Grand Elder excused themselves as they have other matters to attend to, leaving the War Gods plus Raven to discuss and catch-up themselves. 

Of course, Raven and his group began interviewing the War Gods who just arrived from the Celestial Ascension Platform with great interest. They want to know what it's like inside since they were hesitant to ask the Sect Master and Grand Elder about it. 

What really shocked them the most is that, every single one of them here are now Peak-stage Empyrean Knights. This was completely absurd considering the fact that they left two or more years ago and they weren't even close to that when they left. 

What's even more ridiculous is that, despite their quick advancement in their cultivation, their foundations remained as solid as before and they could even attempt to break through to Divinity Realm in the near future. 

This shocked Raven as well. It had to be known within the time they were gone, he only managed to increase his cultivation by a mere sub-stage, and that's already fast to anyone's eyes. Their progress was just outright ridiculous. 

"We were shocked too, you know." Jessamine giggled as she rested her head on Henry's shoulders. "However it would make sense considering how maddening the trials we have to face inside."

"It's amazing and also incredibly aggravating at the same time." Levi commented as he took a sip of his tea. 

"The trials we faced were life-threatening, but the rewards we receive after each task was incredibly worth the effort. You guys should plan to go as well." Julia encouraged. 

"Well, that'd be kind of hard." Theo smiled wryly. "Despite what it looks like, we're swamped with work here. It's already difficult for us to have some rest. Especially that guy over there, he's busiest out of us here."

Theo pointed his chin towards Raven who's calmly enjoying his warm cup of tea. Raven smiled wryly as well at his comment. 

"It's because your smart, that's why you're busy." Paolo cackled. "Look at me, I'm an idiot and free. Living like this is more fun." 

"Yeah, must be fucking nice." Logan snorted. 

"Pot calling the kettle black." Henry snorted at the side. 

"Y-you!"

"Okay, stop." Charles pulled Logan and Henry away from each other and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Seriously, stop acting like kids. You guys are embarrassing." 

"Anyways..." Levi sighed and looked at Raven with imploring eyes. "Share the burden with us. We watched you worked hard while we're trapped in there and it irked me since I can't help. Now that we're out of there, allow us to help okay?"

Raven observe the people around him and seeing as they all felt the same, he chuckled and said: "Sure, I never planned on doing everything on my own anyway."