The question of what it meant to be a king lingered in Achilles' mind as he and Rose floated toward the transparent crimson barrier of Neon.
Even though he carried a terrifying lineage, one that bore the very name Emperor King, a part of him couldn't help but feel like an imposter playing a role.
He had the bloodline. He had the power. But somewhere in the depths of his mind, something didn't fully accept that role.
And now, in this moment, he found himself confronted with two examples of what it meant to be a king.
The first was his father.
From the dreams he'd inherited, Achilles saw a man who ruled with immense, terrifying power—commanding thousands of powerful entities who bowed before him with reverence, as his empire stretched across the stars.
But his father had not been free of mistakes.
To defend his home, he eradicated countless lives. And because of that, he was betrayed by one of his closest confidants.
In the end—whether by their hands or someone else's—his father's existence had been crushed. He died slowly, though a whisper of him had managed to arrive in this world.
The second example came from the scattered memories Achilles was now receiving—from Zerrion Draal.
From the twisted mind of that judge, who obeyed a man even more terrifying, Achilles saw another type of king.
A vile man, by every account within those memories. A ruler who cared nothing for the masses of humans under his command.
They were pawns. Resources. Tools.
To him, it didn't matter if they lived or died—unless their existence furthered his aims.
He had ordered tens of thousands to be slaughtered, used in experiments, or subjected to horrors Achilles was only just beginning to comprehend. To the Lunaris Throne, it was all transactional.
Human lives—transactional.
As if people were a limited resource to be spent toward whatever goal he deemed worthy.
His throne and his power were built on a mountain of blood and bone.
Of mothers. Of fathers. Of daughters and sons.
Their lifeblood was interwoven with the countless others sacrificed for his gain.
This, too, was a king.
A selfish, brutal king.
When Achilles compared these two images in his mind, possibilities opened. He looked inward—then at Rose—and affirmed something quietly.
If he was going to do this… then he would do it wholeheartedly.
And maybe, with time, he'd learn what kind of king he was meant to become.
But if he was going to take it seriously, then it was time to play the part—for real. Because this moment was about more than power. It was about the kingdom he had just declared independent.
He ascended to the highest reaches of the sky, just meters from the transparent crimson barrier.
He could leave, whether it opened for him or not. But now, with Zerrion Draal's memories flowing through him, Achilles understood what lay beyond the walls of the Kingdom of Neon.
His kingdom now…wasn't it?
That claim sounded ludicrous when you truly thought about it. What gave him the right to stand in the sky and declare the lands of Neon below as his? To proclaim himself king?
He shook his head at the thought.
Maybe the role of a king still felt foreign to him… but he could begin by being a leader.
And today, more than ever, Neon needed one.
He said the word softly, the realization dawning.
The first quality of a king…was to lead.
And right now, Neon desperately needed someone to lead it. It had been abandoned by the one who should have protected it all along.
The thought filled his heart with calm.
He took Rose's hand and wrapped them both in the radiant energies of sun and moon, disappearing in the next moment as they teleported beyond Neon's dazzling barrier.
He needed to see the droves of beasts encircling this land—his land. And from the memories he'd gained, he now understood there was an architect behind the swarm.
Zerrion Draal had met this figure not long ago.
"The Clockwork Ancient One, Seraphelle the Eidolarch…"
His voice echoed out.
But those words weren't spoken by Achilles himself—not the version who had just vanished beyond Neon.
They were spoken by his Primordial Avatar, left behind in the skies of Neon, now gazing at the vessels of Overseers drawing near.
Behind him, draconic-humanoid hybrids hovered—terrifying monstrosities imbued with the regal beauty of dragons. Soldiers who could move with a thought.
The avatar's mind was linked directly to Achilles' own. And as it scanned the skies, his attention landed on the arrival of Luna—bringing with her a procession of Overseers from the former Colony City of Neon.
"King Primal, I've gathered all the Overseers. How do you wish to…?"
She trailed off. Even she didn't know how to proceed in the midst of all this.
Achilles' eyes swept over the group, his thoughts lingering briefly on Overseer Jackson and Dr. Shaw—faces he recognized.
The rest were strangers.
He looked at them all. Then he began to speak.
A Transcendent Human, known for his brilliance in robotics and research.
His ability factor made him formidable—formidable enough to become an Overseer of Neon.
Now, amidst this chaos, he stood still… watching change unfold in real time.
He was witnessing the most powerful advanced human he had ever met. And wondering—how would he manage the chaos?
Declaring independence was one thing.
Finding a future for it?
Anyone could make a grand declaration… but what came after mattered more.
How would he protect these people? Feed them? Care for them?
There were so many questions.
And at this moment, Dr. Shaw watched with cautious hope—wondering if Achilles Maxwell was the kind of man he could entrust his life's work to.
Even if it seemed like there was no other option… the way he supported him would depend on what happened next.
So, in silence, Dr. Shaw begged the man before him.
Please, do something to make me believe in you. Show me you have more than a declaration. Show me you have a plan.
The moment Luna and Nyxaria Moonveil Lunaris—another royal figure—brought the other Overseers forward…
Even his very presence was overwhelming. Dr. Shaw had to focus all his mental strength not to be swayed.
Achilles shone—his body radiant, golden, glowing with primordial energy.
He looked like a celestial being that spoke.
"You all have cameras that can broadcast across Neon, yes? Let me address both you and the people of Neon for the first time. This will also serve as my introduction to the world."
Dr. Shaw's eyes widened.
The first thing the man who had declared independence wanted to do… was speak directly to Neon.