Between a man and a woman cloaked in a veil of awe and darkness, a deal was made for the head of one of the Thirteen Thrones that reigned at the very peak of the Dynasties of this world.
Achilles wore a thoughtful expression as he asked Nyxaria.
"What is the so-called treasure that even Dharma Manifestation and Astral Core Ascension entities would fight over?"
He was asking about something critical, something she had mentioned at the start of their deal.
Her expression, filled with hope for the future and the dream she'd carried in her heart for years, remained bright as she spoke.
"There is a bound Ancient One, ensnared in countless Aeonic Chains. Its domain has risen and become unveiled within the Cenotaph Wild Lands as it appears to be a Remnant Holy Land from ancient times. It's still slumbering in its sleep as its power, or something about it, scared me away from getting too close. But I can confirm it's at the Dharma Manifestation level. A chained Dharma Manifestation Ancient One…protecting a Remnant Ancient Site that nobody's excavated. This is something even the Thirteen Thrones would want to explore."
She said it all in one breath as Achilles studied her calmly.
"So it's not some freebie you're handing over, but a dangerous location with a possible opportunity. Mmm…"
He tapped his chin thoughtfully, running through his current plans, then asked.
"I assume you know about the Holy Hyacinthus Mountain Flower. Is this Remnant Ancient Site in the same direction?"
But Nyxaria's eyes widened in surprise before she nodded firmly.
"I only discovered that place while scouting the Cenotaph Wild Lands near the Holy Hyacinthus Mountain Flower as per the directions of the Lunaris Throne. He sent a few of his forces to keep track of this place as I simply did not report my findings. This Remnant Site might likely be connected to it considering the proximity and timing."
Her reply couldn't have been better for Achilles or their plans. It felt like heading toward a distant trophy, only to be told, "Hey, there's another one right along the way!"
His thoughts buzzed with ideas and possibilities. The path he had laid out shifted slightly as he nodded.
"Okay. We'll handle this isolated Remnant Site first, then head to the Holy Hyacinthus Mountain Flower nearby. There should be powerful Apex Ethereal Physiology Masters and, as you mentioned, that slumbering Dharma Manifestation Stage Ancient One…or multiple Ancient Ones. If we can overcome them, then we'll start thinking about the Lunaris Throne."
His heart still felt stifled at the thought of the hundreds of thousands massacred and likely still being massacred even now. A burning flame stirred within him at such a horror.
But he wouldn't let that drive him into recklessness. Not when his opponent had experimented with Evolutius and Primordial Energy and was even an Astral Core Ascension being.
From the scattered memories he'd gotten from Bixi and the recently fallen Skyflame Tyrant, Dharma Manifestation entities alone were terrifying. And the Ancient Elders who reached Astral Core Ascension? They ruled entire landmasses of Ancient Ones as to take one down; immense preparation and power were key.
He laid out his plan clearly, and Nyxaria Moonveil Lunaris gave a light nod before replying.
"His royal guards will likely surround the Holy Hyacinthus Mountain Flower once the Dynasties who've noticed its emergence begin their assault. Their mission won't be to claim treasure deep within, but to ambush and steal the bodies of the fallen or injured Advanced Humans caught in the chaos. His power and influence can start to crumble even before we reach his high tower in the Colony Capital of Virelux Ascendria."
Her hatred for him was immeasurable. After all the atrocities he committed and the torture she endured, she had spent years plotting how to hurt him. She'd mapped out his forces, their positions, and how dismantling them would weaken him.
"Crippling his little soldiers- the ones he sends to kidnap men, women, and children…will stop his supply of bodies for experiments. Everything else can fall into place after that…"
She was practically buzzing with plans and possibilities. Achilles waved a hand in her direction.
"You've clearly thought this through. So, we'll map out the logistics and our movements from the Colony City of Neon, our path through the Cenotaph Wild Lands filled with Evolutius Beasts, and how to reach both sites. But first…you need to take this veil down. I don't think I can hold back the Phoenix outside much longer."
He couldn't hold the phoenix back.
To anyone else, those words wouldn't have made much sense. But Nyxaria knew exactly what he meant. Sweat formed on her brow from the intense heat radiating from above- the heat of a certain woman maintaining the illusory form of a phoenix in the sky. Verdant flames danced and rained gently down on the dark veil.
Nyxaria Moonveil Lunaris gave a light nod, waving her hands as the tides of darkness forming the veil around them began to recede.
Her expression cooled, even softened into a smile, the same smile she wore when they first met.
The broken woman who had been tortured and experimented on faded away.
The regal aura of the Last Daughter of the Lunaris Throne returned.
She looked upward, sensing the immense heat of the Phoenix. A part of her wanted to apologize to the woman in the sky, but—
The flaming green phoenix still hovered in the air, but the young woman inside it was no longer there.
Where could she have-…?!
Her gaze sharpened, instincts kicking in.
A sudden burst of heat erupted behind her.
She reacted quickly, her speed honed by her power, but she hadn't sensed when or how it happened.
But…Rose was behind her.
Her presence simmered with waves of heat as she whispered words only Nyxaria Moonveil Lunaris could hear.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't lock my man in a cage for a private conversation next time. There are some crazy people out there, and you really wouldn't want to end up on their bad side."