As the Holy Knights and Heroes of Wilderness arrived at their first stop, it became clear the Pope had given the Holy Knights other instructions. The first stop was a Beast folk Village, it wasn't big nor did it have much in the way of resistance to the holy Knights.
"What's going on?"
"Why are the Holy Knights here?"
The Beast folk had been rounded up in the center of the village and panic was taking hold.
"YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE! By decree of the Pope of the Church of Humanity, this village is non-compliant with the Doctrine of Humanity. You will submit or become servants to the Church." Said Head Knight Salore
The villagers murmured amongst themselves fearfully before Polaris spoke.
"I am Polaris, Celestial Hero and Leader of the Wilderness Initiative. I know all of you are scared, but there is a third option the Head Holy Knight failed to mention. I am offering asylum in the Fort Wilderness Domain Territory. I know this upsets a lot of you. I tried my best with my troops to get a better deal, but there wasn't anything other than this the Pope and Church would agree to. You are all welcome in the Wilderness Domain Territory."
The panic seems to settle with Polaris's option, much to the displeasure of the Holy Knights.
"You have five minutes to decide!" Said Head Knight Salore. The villagers spoke softly amongst themselves. Meanwhile, the Head Knight pulled Polaris aside.
"You can't be serious."
"What do you mean?"
"Offering these... these lesser creatures a place near your sacred fort."
"Believe me, I am serious. There will be no mass genocides today. Not while I'm around."
"Yeah, well, you can't be everywhere at once. These savages will pay in blood. Maybe not while I'm stuck with you, but one will act out, and I'll have blood to spill."
"Draw your sword while I'm present and I'll use it to cut down your men in front of you, then deliver your head to the Pope."
Salore cursed under his breath as the Village Chief made his way over to them.
"What have you decided old man?"
"We have chosen to take up the Celestial Hero's offer."
"That's.... Great." Growled Salore through his teeth.
"Excellent, Hexxit, lead them back home. Use the Gate spell to arrive at our next destination one they've been handed off to Archimedes."
"Yes sir."
This trend continued was they made their way to the Dragonkin Marsh, Golem Forest, and Spirit Dwelling. However, once they reached the Lycanthropes and the Lizardmen, many of them wanted to fight, rather than take any of the three options. The Lycanthropes especially weren't fond of Salore's tone nor his message. The Clan-Lord of the Lycanthropes was much more level-headed, but that didn't stop a small group from attempting to attack the Holy Knights, who promptly cut them down.
"You ignorant beasts! YOU UNGRATEFUL PESTS! WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? WE WIELD THE AUTHORITY OF GOD! KNIGHTS! SWORDS READY! CUT THEM ALL DOWN!"
"BELAY THAT! Clan-Lord Ra-Gin, do you accept the Wilderness Clause?"
"Well..."
"YES OR NO! They'll kill you all if you refuse!"
"YES! YES WE ACCEPT!"
"POLARIS! You will not issue command to my men."
"Salore, you will not slaughter an entire village or clan based on the actions of a few. End of story. Don't like it? Go home and cry to the Pope."
"You continue to undermine my efforts for the Pope! What the hell am I to do?"
"I suggest we split up. We have another what, eight, nine villages to hit? Let's see who get the job done faster."
"Ha! You could never beat me in such nonsense. By the end of this, I'll have blood coating my armor, victorious. Holy Knights! Mount up!"
"We shall see. Wilderness, standby at each village to escort them back. Terra Carne, that goes for you too."
With no hesitation, the two teams raced. One looking to slaughter, the other looking to save. As Polaris made his way to the first village, smoke was rising over the village. Screams of terrified of Dryads and Pixies filled the air as Polaris marched into the village, glow with the embers of houses.
Polaris blocked one of the Holy Knights' blades from striking down a pair of Dryads.
"Get to the front of the village. I have troops standing by. QUICKLY!"
As the refugees ran, Polaris warped over to the next village, only to find a massacre.
"I-I have to be faster.... Lightspeed footsteps."
Polaris looked up to see Salore hovering above him, angelic wings outstretched, a murderous grin plastered across his face, as the two raced to the next village.
"Face reality Polaris. In the eyes of God, these so-called people are degenerates, thieves and should be put to death."
"As long as I draw breath, I shall defend everyone's right to a life!"
Meanwhile.....
In the deep darkest parts of the Forest, the suffering, pain, gnashing of teeth, had summoned far deadlier. A group of Holy Knights had cornered a Harpy. She shook in fear as they ripped her clothing, screaming for someone to help.
"Someone keep her quiet."
"Yea... Listen up feathers, consider this a....."
"Favor from God...." Growled an unfamiliar voice.
The Holy Knights turned around to see a man in what appeared to be a dirty, tattered uniform, hands balled in a tight fist, veins running along the surface of his skin.
"Such depravity. You claim to be Knights of God, yet attempt to defile this HARPY!?"
The man rushed them with nothing but a staff. Like lightning he killed the Knights. The Harpy opened her eyes to the gray-eyed man hold out his hand.
She took it and stood up.
"You are safe....."
"You eyes.... they are sad. Why?"
"They have seen far too much to show happiness anymore. Come, we must hurry away from here."
As the two walked, a blurred fusion of angelic light and solar light slammed down in front of them.
"Stay back miss! I'll....."
Polaris and Salore were entangled in a battle, each at the others throat. However, Salore's men were slamming Polaris with their holy magic. While it had no real damaging effects on him, it weakened his strength with each spell that landed.
"You two, stay back! It's not safe!"
"I shall spill the blood of millions by days end, and no-one will stand in my way!"
"Suddenly the air became very heavy and still. "No-one will stand in your way?" How cute and coy." Echoed a voice. Everyone in the area was filled with an overwhelming sense of dread and fear. As the being approached everyone feel to a knee, everyone that is, except Polaris who gather what little strength he had and turned to face the source.
Standing atop the ridgeline, was a man. His clothes were tattered, his veins ready to erupt through his skin, his eyes bloodshot, his aura consumed everything except the weakened aura of Polaris.
"I-I know this feeling..." Said the staff-wielder.
"As you should... For you are MY SON."
Atrocity stepped forwards causing the Angel Salore to vomit in fear. The Holy Knights trembled in fear as the walking nightmare made his way to Polaris.
"So..... This is my great-grandson. Unafraid to stand to me. Aura maybe weakened, but that's holy magic at work."
"Who are you?"
"Who am I? I could tell you.... but proving a historically accurate demonstration should do the trick."
With a swift motion of his fist, Atrocity punched a hole through Salore's wing. Salore screamed in pain as he was unable to regenerate.
"No.... It was said.... you died...."
"Astotle Winters, such little faith...."
"POLARIS GET AWAY FROM HIM! NOW!"
Atrocity locked everyone in place with Blood Intimidation, a unique skill he'd learned in his exile. However, he found himself unable to move as Polaris was using his own unique skill, Gravity Well. The older man looked back at the younger hero.
Well, this is unexpected. I suppose I should clarify. Atrocity point to the staff-wielder. That is my son. Astotle Winters. I am not here to kill everyone, just those causing trouble.
You went insane Atrocity! I will not let you fool him!
Atrocity sighed and looked at Astotle then back to Polaris.
"If you haven't figured it out by now.... That is your Grandpa, and I'm your Great-Grandpa..... by family name alone as you aren't genetically like us. You are a Celestial."
"How do you know this? His birth was hidden from you!"
"Anastasia Winters. A witch who lifted my curse. That bloody insanity curse is what caused this whole mess in the first place. We can talk all that later, right now, we have holy rollers who need to be.... PACIFIED."
All three Winters turned their attention to Salore and his men.
"Retreat! Everyone retreat to the Holy Kingdom!"
As they ran, Polaris's aura returned all at once as fired a massive solar flare to give chase. In the split second before he fired..... Atrocity felt true fear for the first time.