She thanked the Holy System for his safe return and their souls seemed to reconnect in an instant.

They embraced tightly, the warmth of their love and longing enveloping them like a comforting blanket.

"You're back! Bless the Holy System, my lord. You're back!" she hugged him tightly, and let him inside.

She fell into tears.

And showed Conrad his son, sleeping soundly. They woke Dante up and he recognized his father.

He made his way back to his family after a year-long absence of diverting the enemy's attention and traveling far and wide hunting down the enemies that were after Dante's life.

Marvia had been receiving news of Conrad from their allies, but she had to keep it a secret even from her son.

The shadows of doubt and worry that had plagued Marvia and Dante's hearts were lifted as they were together again.

Dante, his eyes wide with joy, rushed into his father's arms, his laughter echoing through the room.

Hours passed in blissful bonding as the family caught up on the moments they had missed in each other's lives.

Laughter and stories filled the air, creating a bubble of happiness that shielded them from the outside world. For a brief moment, all was well.

In the depths of the night, as the moon's soft glow illuminated their home, Conrad's instincts twitched, sensing a presence he couldn't quite pinpoint.

With Dante tucked safely in bed, Conrad ventured outside, his heart pounding in his chest.

Unbeknownst to the family, however, an enemy had arrived outside their hiding place in their wake.

A Nephilim Warrior had followed Conrad discreetly, hailing from the ranks of the Angelicca Religion.

Nephilim Warriors were humans who had a bloodline that descended from when Angels came down to earth.

Nephilim were the products of angels and the human's union. They possessed extraordinary strength, agility, and celestial abilities.

These powerful warriors wield celestial weapons forged by artisans with angelic blessings, allowing them to channel divine energy in battle.

The King of Fontaire, an ally of the Angelicca Religion, had woven a web of deceit and betrayal, plotting to extinguish the light that Conrad, Dante, and Marvia represented.

A sudden glint of silver pierced the darkness, catching Conrad's attention.

With lightning reflexes, he evaded a swift strike from the Nephilim Warrior, their blades clashing in a dance of lethal precision.

The air crackled with energy as they engaged in a battle of wills and skill.

The Nephilim Warrior was strong.

Maybe even too strong for Conrad who was exhausted, weakened, and skinny after traveling the Burning Cross without much food and water.

Even so, Conrad used all his might and pushed back the enemy that drew a glowing sword against him.

"State your name, Murderer!" Conrad said.

"Do not blaspheme the Angels, Conrad de Monfort. Angelic Wrath is not murder. It is pure and blessed. Death is but a portal that reveals one's true form. My name is Oris."

"Oris? You? You are Oris Valonbrelis? A Nephilim Murderer then."

Conrad opened his scriptures that are attached by a leather binding to his wrist. As is normal combat for those who are blessed by their faith with special abilities.

"Blessed be the Holy System, imbue our blades with the essence of shadows. Let darkness dance upon our weapons, rending through defenses and striking fear into the hearts of our foes!"

[Shadowsong Blade Granted]

Conrad's sword is infused with holy shadows, causing additional damage and negating the effects of enchanted weaponry.

"You are a murderer are you not? Come on! Slash! Kill! Take my life! You murdering Nephilim!"

"I AM NOT A MURDERER!" The Nephilim Warrior raised his sword, his arms increased in power through his Angelic Wrath and slashed against Conrad. But Conrad was able to parry the blow, and he followed the direction of the swing to lessen its weight.

"The Nephilim are Celestial Beings. We are not like you humans. You sin. And you blaspheme. And you pray to non-sentients. Idolators!"

Dante wakes up from the noise outside.

Marvia had gone to the Merchant Ship to bring Trela there safely because the night was already dark.

And the city had gone to sleep.

The Nephilim Warrior knew this and waited for the right time to have Conrad alone at their house.

Dante runs downstairs and opens the door.

"Papa!" Dante screams, concerned for his father, and remembers the same scenario.

But now Dante knew that the man Conrad was facing was not an evil demon.

Or a wild beast. This opponent was something else entirely, and Conrad recognized this aura.

An aura of benevolence and sanctity came from the man holding a glowing sword clad in shining heavenly armor that had strong shoulder, elbow, and knee padding like some Mecha soldier.

Conrad says aloud, "Boy! Go back to your home. Tell your mother and father, thank you for the food that they had you delivered to my house. Quickly!"

Oris Valobrelis noticed the boy. He turned to the next page of his Scriptures that was attached to the armor on his left arm.

And he prayed, "Beyond the veil, I seek your guidance true, Open my eyes to the unseen, reveal what is due."

[Divine Insight Granted]

Oris was granted Divine Insight by the Angels so that he could see beyond the physical real, perceive hidden truths, and detect illusions.

When Oris looked at Dante he received Insight from the Archangel Uriel.

Oris Valonbrelis the Nephilim Warrior filled with more Angelic Rage.

"CONRAD! You did not tell me your son has the advocacy of an Archangel!"

"Run, Dante! He will not harm you! Run to your mother!"

Dante feeling the anger of the dangerous man facing his father, couldn't help but feel helpless, as even now he could not be of help to his father.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

The little boy ran away and Oris Valonbrelis ignored him.

"Oh, so it's my fault now, Murderer. That is what's wrong with you Nephilim. Always with your anger. It is true. My son has the advocacy of the Archangel Uriel. That means you angel-worshiping folks cannot harm him. The Angelicca Religion should support our cause. Especially, you Oris. It is not too late for forgiveness. Even for a murdering Nephilim."

Oris walked closer toward Conrad to lessen the distance.

He stabs at Conrad, but Conrad's swift movement matches up to the speed of the Nephilim's sword.

But the Holy Elder Knight Conrad who had been traveling and facing demons and enemies while he was away, had hidden injuries that could not be healed entirely.

"The Archangels are mysterious, Conrad. The Angeliccan Faith is the one true faith. And you system worshipers are already close to extinction. That is proof of your religion's falsehood. And a mere Holy Knight like you would never understand the ways of us Angels. If I cannot place my Angelic Wrath on your son, then I shall focus them solely on you. As is the will of the Archangel Uriel. Now die!"

Conrad's years of training and unwavering determination gave him an advantage, allowing him to hold his ground against the formidable warrior.

Blow after blow was exchanged, each strike resounding like thunder.

In a moment of desperate resolve, Conrad unleashed a flurry of attacks, overpowering his adversary.

Oris sees an opportunity with Divine Insight to strike Conrad at a vulnerable point where he was injured before.

SLASH!

Blood floats in the air, as the Nephilim's sword leaves a glowing wound on Conrad's waist that cannot be healed.

Conrad smiles, and says, "It's Holy Elder Knight, murderer. Do not underestimate me!"

Conrad traps his opponent's sword between his arm and body and slashes Oris' right arm off.

"AAAAARRGGHH!"

Both of them back away from each other.

But the glowing wound on Conrad's waist grows more painful by the second.

"AHHHH! Nooo- Ruunn, Da-" Conrad faints.

Oris sees his enemy falter against the effects of his sword's wounds.

"Wounds received from an Angeliccan Sword cannot be healed.

And once received, they will cause the greatest of pains until the injured falls into madne-"

Unbeknownst to Oris Valonbrelis, the little boy Dante, had returned for his father and brought back Marvia.

Marvia prayed, "Holy System, unleash your celestial might, Engulf the darkness, purify with radiant light.

Let enemies tremble, banish their blight, With angelic nova, restore goodness to our sight"

[Angelic Nova Granted]

The Scripture on Marvia's hand unleashes a powerful burst of celestial energy.

The celestial energy is enormous, and the whole city awakens to see gigantic bursts of light, explode from a distance.

The powerful burst crushed Oris Valonbrelis to the ground, destroying his Angeliccan armor.

"An Angelic... Nova? " Oris said with shock. "That is a Greater Censer-Tier Invocation?"

Oris stands up. His Nephilim biology allows him immense durability against celestial energies.

Marvia turns the page of her scriptures and prays again, "Holy System, channel the fury of the archangels, Unleash their righteous beams, fierce and bright.

Condemn the wicked, the darkness that entangles, With searing judgment, vanquish their unholy plight."

[Searing Judgment Granted]

Marvia channels the righteous fury of the Archangels, releasing a focused beam of divine energy that smites Oris with overwhelming force.

BLAST! BLAST!

Oris is blown away by the house and destroys the whole building.

Letting it crumble over the Nephilim.

Oris is stripped naked by the sheer power of Marvia's offensive attacks.

He smashes his way out of the debris of the house that fell over him.

He stops his shoulder from bleeding as he is now one-armed due to Conrad removing his right arm.

"Searing Judgment? Another Greater Censer-Tier Invocation?"

He walks toward Marvia with Dante standing behind her.

"You! How is it that you can cast two Greater Censer-Tier Invocations? State your name!"

Marvia turns another page in her scriptures.

"I am Marvia de Monfort! A Ward of the Archangel Uriel! Now, half-ling... Will you harm the one that is the ward of the Archangel Uriel? The Illuminator of Divine Wisdom, the Keeper of Cosmic Knowledge, the Herald of Enlightenment, the Flamebearer of Truth, the Guiding Light in the Celestial Hierarchy!"

Oris Valonbrelis falls to his knees.

His face lost expression.

His eyes were empty and remorseful.

His face slowly devolves into ultimate despair and shame.

As he looks upon Marvia whose Halo shone brighter than the sun itself.

The Nephilim who are descended of both angels and humans, had dreamed to be of service to their ancestors.

They had never truly seen nor interacted with their forefathers who dwell in the Seventh Heaven.

And though, Nephilim lived immortal lives, that only meant torture for them as they longed to be with the angels after their death.

Oris fell face forward.

And his face roughed up against the pebbles of the ground.

His Angelic Wrath diminished into nothing, hence losing its effects and reducing his power into a normal human being.

"WHAT HAVE I DONE!" the Nephilim cried in shame.

"I AM HUMILIATION! I AM SHAME! I AM NEPHILIM!"

The Nephilim believed themselves to still be Celestial Beings.

Yet they do not understand why they are trapped in the world of humans.

Their only desire is to be with the angels yet their immortality prevents them from this, as such they strive with great rage to achieve the Piety of angels.

And Archangel's Wards are humans who reached this.

And to harm or even show hostility to an Archangel's Ward meant pure blasphemy for the Nephilim.

Dante saw all this, and he looked up to his mother Marvia.

And she was beautiful. Shining in heavenly glory and purity.

"Mom! Kill him! He attacked father. He wants to kill all of us. Quickly!"

He urged her greatly.

Marvia whose whole aura resonated with the whole city.

And it was as if the Liberty's Reach was already at noon, even though it was supposed to be still the dead of night.

"I've never seen my mother that way before.

I never understood what a Ward was. I've heard it before.

But I never understood its true significance.

My mother Marvia was an Archangel's Ward.

And I treated her rudely sometimes.

And even disobeyed her especially when she would not tell me everything.

This is when I realized what it meant to be faithful to the Holy System."

Marvia walked to Oris Valonbrelis.

She could have killed him right then and there.

He could have murdered my father Conrad with only one slight mistake.

But Marvia reached out to the Nephilim's face and wiped off the little pebbles that were stuck.

And she turned him faceward.

And she knelt before him.

Marvia began to sing.

♬Holy System, we sing our hymn to thee,

Your divine presence, our solace, and glee.

Through trials and triumphs, forever we'll stand,

With angelic might, guided by your hand.♫

Marvia's Scripture glowed warmer and softer.

♬Grant us celestial boons and blessings pure,

Illuminate our path, make our spirits sure.

With heavenly guidance, the battles we'll win,

In your embrace, strength and hope begin.♫

"Mom... What are you doing?" Dante exclaimed.

♬Holy System, open gates to realms above,

Where angels gather in celestial love.

With heavenly legions, our foes we'll smite,

Cloaked in divine power, victory in sight.♫

[Heaven's Gate Granted]

Oris felt the warmth and love of the Archangel Uriel through Marvia. And a portal to the Seventh Heaven appears before them. Oris is blinded by the sheer holiness emanating from the celestial space portal. "This can't be... This... is the Seventh Heaven?"

Marvia whispers. "It is indeed. Sir Valonbrelis. It is what you have been looking for. All your life."

"Heaven's Gate? That is a Harp-Tier Invocation... No one has been able to do that in thousand years since The Shattering. Who are you, my Lady? Why do you open the gates of heaven for a Humiliation such as I?"

Marvia responds, "The Holy System sees no fault in you for being a Nephilim, Sir Valonbrelis. Do you not think the angels yearn to be with their descendants who suffer and struggle here in the dark world of Gomorrah? They love you and wish to be with you 7 times as much as you seek them."

"Then why must we stay here? Why must they abandon us?"

Marvia responds, "Have faith in the Holy System, Sir Valonbrelis. That is the only thing It asks of you. Have faith in the angels who hold themselves back, waiting for the appointed time. For you have a purpose here in this world. And you must have faith to see it through."

Oris fell into tears on Marvia's lap.

"Forgive me, Oh Holy System. I am a Murderer. I have killed those that Angelicca has commanded me to kill. I have used Angelic Wrath to justify my actions. As Angelic Wrath can be used against any who are imperfect. Yet, I did not see the full picture. I believe in the Holy System."

Marvia smiles and a tear of joy falls on the Nephilim.

"Close the gate, my Lady."

"Are you sure?"

"I am sure. I will fulfill my purpose here in this world and have faith to see it through to the end."

Dante watches everything unfold. Not knowing what to do.

As Dante recites the '12 Phases Poem' to his mother and Trela, the door opens and Conrad enters the room.

"Marvia, look we are ne-"

"SSSHHH!" the two girls silence him.

"Oh sorry!" He sits down next to Marvia and wraps his arm around her while making taking care of his injuries.

Dante continues his recital.

"Harvestmoon, bountiful glow, nature's grand parade.

Frostfall, icy touch, winter's grip takes hold.

Snowdrift, white blankets spread, transforming the cold.

Icemist, mystical haze, secrets in whispers concealed.

Hearthglow, fireside warmth, memories unconcealed.

The year is ended, and a new year is revealed."

They all clap and are enchanted by Dante's eloquence at such a young age.

And even with Trela who Conrad and Marvia have now treated like their own daughter.

They all fell asleep on the bed.

Taking comfort in each other's love and care.

The next morning, Dante wakes up before the two.

He pushes a chair towards the closed window.

Opens it.

And sees clear warm open skies.

And the rising sun's hope shines on Dante's prayerful face.

As the ship sailed into the unknown, Dante clung to the promise he had made to his father.

The weight of Conrad's final wish bore down upon him, but he knew that within him, the strength of a warrior and the love of a father burned brightly.

Dante set his sights on a future where his actions would honor his father's sacrifice and lead him to true happiness.

And he recites with a whisper as he stares into the rising sun peeking behind the shores of the nation of Sylvanalia.

"Dawnbloom, golden dawn awakens nature's bloom. And I'm still here."