Luna, quite literally, bore the inheritance of the Daughter of the Moon.
The Non-Luminous Moon Light assimilation was considered a perfect fit for her, but it was not a heavy or powerful assimilation when compared to others.
Between the truly formidable Organic and Inorganic Terrestrial Planetary Body Assimilation, there was also another option — the Primordial Energy Source.
Achilles himself held vast reserves of Primordial Energy, and he could use this as the point of assimilation for Luna.
This was also an opportunity for experimentation. If everything worked well for her, it was possible that he could use Primordial Energy, which coursed through the bodies of Ancient Ones, to raise his own small army of Ancient Beings.
After contemplating for a moment, Achilles made his decision.
His hand pulsed with a brilliant golden light as waves of Primordial Energy began to course through him, flowing into Luna's small body.
But he did more than just infuse her with Primordial Energy.
He assimilated her with it.
The golden sea of flaming energy surged forth, and even as he infused it into her, Achilles sensed that barely a fraction of his reserves was being used.
His reserves were that vast.
But as the assimilation took effect, Luna's body trembled violently, glowing with a mesmerizing mixture of silver and golden brilliance.
The Primordial Energy resonated with the inheritance of the Daughter of the Moon, creating an unknown reaction that spread through her body.
Above her head, the number of stars surged rapidly.
The count, which had been drastically reduced before, climbed at an alarming rate from six to nine in mere moments.
The percentage of assimilation that was only visible to Achilles' eyes, was skyrocketing.
By the time the assimilation of the Primordial Energy Source within Luna reached fifty percent, the nine dazzling illusory moons above her had already begun to spin and were attempting to converge!
The radiant light of the moon pulsed from her body, painting the garden in resplendent silver and gold hues.
Nearby, Rose stood with her verdant flames dancing around her, watching closely with quiet care.
It took only a few seconds of rapid energy infusion before a dazzling, solidified moon materialized above Luna.
So solid was this moon that it looked as though a genuine celestial body floated above her head.
Another few seconds passed, and with each surge of golden brilliance gushing into her body, the moon grew even more radiant.
Finally, Achilles lifted his hand from her head.
[The First Echelon of the Primordial Energy Source has been reached by the Assimilation Subject, Daughter of the Moon.]
[The level of Existence Corruption of the target, Daughter of the Moon, has reached a point where no further assimilation is recommended at this moment.]
These were the same messages Achilles had received before, but now, they referred to Luna.
Luna's eyes fluttered open immediately.
She didn't need to glance above her to know the immense power coursing through her Meridians and Physiology.
She had ascended to the Apex.
And all it took was for Achilles to raise his hand and place it above her head.
Her emotions surged within her chest, tumultuous and overwhelming.
Still kneeling, she raised her hand towards him, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with awe and incredulity!
"Just…who are you, Primal Ancient?"
He was too impossibly powerful. What he had just done defied reason!
As her hand reached toward him, however, another hand emerged from the side, stopping her inches away.
Her expression was calm, but her voice carried the weight of authority as she enunciated every word with care.
"Who he is might not matter…" She paused for emphasis, her tone turning firm. "But what he is… is taken. He is taken."
The atmosphere shifted.
"Whether intentionally or unintentionally," she continued, her gaze steady as her grip on Luna's hand tightened, "I would appreciate it if, from now on and in the future, you or any other woman helped by him refrained from displaying any inappropriate behavior. Is that clear?"
Her face held a serene smile, but the intensity behind her words was undeniable.
Luna's hand trembled in Rose's grip. Wisps of smoke curled from where Rose's hand touched hers.
Her expression shifted, and she quickly nodded, her head bobbing up and down as she responded softly.
"I assure you that any emotions I feel toward the Primal Ancient are purely out of respect."
Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes, something suppressed.
"In ancient times, there were kings with many followers and close aides. The most I wish to be is an aide to King Primal — an Advisor, a Chancellor… anything of that nature. All the information and access I have from the Lunaris Colony Overseers and everything else at my disposal is his to command, Ancient Phoenix."
Her words were filled with conviction, but Achilles, standing nearby, noticed the faint flicker of something hidden within her heart.
A flicker… that he chose to ignore.
Achilles sighed softly to himself.
In his life, there would only ever be one woman for him.
She seemed to be a little hot-tempered and overly protective.
Rose finally released her grip on Luna's hand, her smile returning to one of warmth.
Where her hand had been, a faint red mark remained on Luna's skin. But it was quickly healed as the silver light of the moon coursed through her.
"Yes, Miss Rose," Luna responded lightly before turning her gaze back to Achilles.
Her voice was composed once more as she asked a critical question.
"The power coursing through me feels like an overabundance of Primordial Energy. Will you be doing a direct empowerment for everyone we've gathered, or will it be something similar to what I received before?"
Achilles had already anticipated this question as he knew exactly what he intended to do.
"For Major David and a few others, they'll receive an empowerment similar to yours," Achilles replied calmly. "For those I have yet to meet, I will create Fruits imbued with power, something they can consume to gain strength as they don't need to know my direct involvement."
His gaze turned towards the distance, outside this isolated garden, as he continued.
"We'll start with David first and go from there. After the empowerment, prepare a debrief for me. I want all the pertinent information regarding the Colony City of Neon and the nearby Colony Cities under the Lunaris Colony Overseers. I need to understand the full scope of the situation before we move forward."
The next phase…was about to begin!