Chapter 2299 Faith

Chapter 2299 Faith

Aside from the three main Nephilim families—Azazel, Amarhikss, and Aztebas—there were 32 other noble families and 182 subsidiary factions within the Nephilim hierarchy. Among these subsidiaries was the Earth faction, a small presence within the vast Nephilim faction.

As Emery and Annara walked down the main streets of the Sky City, the influence of the Nephilim became increasingly apparent.

The streets were lined with magus and Grand Magus, many of whom were affiliated with different branches of the Nephilim. Some wore their family emblems proudly, displayed prominently on their robes or armor. Others were less obvious, identified only through subtle signs and the assistance of VIA.

Soon enough, the grand temple came into view—a structure more magnificent than anything they had seen so far. The temple complex stretched across a massive courtyard, its expanse filled with multiple grand buildings that radiated authority and reverence. The centerpiece was a spectacular dome, gleaming under the sunlight, surrounded by towering statues that stood over 100 meters tall, their wings outstretched, gazing down upon the city with watchful eyes.

The air grew more solemn as they approached the temple gate. Emery could feel the weight of the place, the quiet power that seemed to hum in the air around them. This was the spiritual and political heart of the Nephilim faction, where their highest authorities convened and their sacred rites were performed.

Before they could step through the gates, a group of Seraph guards clad in radiant silver armor blocked their path, their expressions neutral but vigilant. One of them, a tall figure with golden eyes, stepped forward and addressed them politely, asking their reason for the visit.

Emery responded with a prepared reason. "We've come to pay our respects to the three Principalities."

The words Emery spoke garnered a respectful reaction from the Seraph guards. Their demeanor shifted subtly, acknowledging the weight of his request.

"You may follow me," the lead Seraph said, gesturing for Emery and Annara to accompany him.

They were led through the vast temple courtyard, passing beneath towering arches and intricate stonework, until they reached one of the smaller buildings on the edge of the grounds.

Despite having little direct connection to the Azteban family, Emery felt a deeper resonance with the statue of Archseraph Raphael compared to the other two. At the same time, the Azteban family was known to be the most influential in the Alpha Quadrant and Seraph City,

The moment the crystal made contact, its light began to flicker—gentle at first, like a candle caught in a breeze, then faster, until the light completely faded, replaced by a small rune mark on his palm. The sight of this ritual was both awe-inspiring and unnerving, a clear sign that his offering had been acknowledged.

This simple declaration allowed Emery and Annara access to the inner temple grounds. The tension that had built up in the atmosphere dissipated, but it lingered enough to remind them they were still in the heart of the Nephilim's most sacred space.

Annara let out a quiet sigh of relief. "<Wow... that was tense,>" she whispered, walking beside Emery. Her usual nonchalance was replaced with a hint of awe as they crossed the threshold into the temple's main courtyard.

The courtyard was expansive, with lush greenery meticulously arranged to accentuate the temple's sacred beauty. Hundreds of priestesses moved gracefully about the grounds. Though mortal, each priestess radiated a soft glow of light, a testament to the spiritual connection they maintained within this holy space. They carried bowls of incense or held delicate staffs, symbols of their dedication to the Nephilim faith.

Noticing his lingering gaze, Annara gave him a sideways glance, her voice tinged with curiosity. <Are you really planning to acquire hundreds of these priestesses? What for?>

Emery's expression was thoughtful as he clarified his motives. "<No... I just want to understand how valuable these priestesses truly are to the Nephilim.>"

It was no secret that the Nephilim's power came from their connection to divine power. Emery had already witnessed how the Amarhiks family harnessed the energy of suns, this time, he observed how they cultivated another type of power—the power of faith.

The massive statues and ornate architecture were not just symbols of worship; they were conduits. The faith of billions, spread across dozens of planets, flowed through these sacred spaces, their devotion channeled by the priestesses who performed their duties meticulously.

The temple itself was a machine—an intricate, ethereal system designed to convert raw belief into tangible, usable power. The priestesses, were integral to this process, guiding the energy of faith, some into crystal vessels—faith crystals. Annara, walking beside him, couldn't hide her concern. Her usual playful tone had turned serious. "<If you're thinking about stealing those crystals, don't! If one of their supreme beings gets involved, it will be disastrous!!>"

Emery nodded absently, already shifting his focus. "Let's just check out this Trial of Faith events," he said, steering them toward one of the more secured buildings.