'Well, that is a mighty good fucking start!'
Dr. Shaw smiled brilliantly at those words. He was the first to step forward, snapping his fingers as three Andromeda Sentinels flew over—one hovering above, one to his left, one to his right. He spoke clearly.
"These three Sentinels of mine have been recording and broadcasting this feed to every screen across Neon. The Command Center of the Colony Capital of Virelux Ascendria sent down a remote shutdown protocol through the servers to disable our power plants, which run on Evolutius Crystals, Evolutius Beast cores, and other sources to cut off electricity and more. But I've overridden the command. Everything is still running smoothly."
All eyes turned to Dr. Shaw as he stepped forward, his voice commanding attention.
He even felt the regal and terrifying gaze of Achilles settle on him—but he held it without flinching.
He needed to understand this being. To face him head-on and attempt to grasp the depths of who, and what, Achilles Maxwell truly was.
"Then we owe you thanks…for now. I'll speak with you more later," Achilles replied. "But for now—let me know when this feed is displaying across all of Neon."
Dr. Shaw nodded toward the Sentinels. Their eyes began to glow crimson, the ultra-high-definition lenses powered by Evolutius Energy pulsing as they captured every moment—broadcasting it across the entire city.
In the slums where the poor resided.
In the towering skyscrapers of the wealthy.
In the high-rises of the Noblesse, the Golden Trading Company, even Titan Industries—corporations with branches across multiple Colony Cities, now caught in uncertainty.
What did this declaration of independence mean for them?
No one had the answers. But right now, on every screen—on building banners, inside homes, in glowing displays across streets and within every Colony Bunker—an image flickered to life.
It showed a man surrounded by golden brilliance.
A man who looked human… and at the same time, something more. Even his skin shimmered with a radiant gold.
Dr. Shaw confirmed with his Sentinels that the feed was live, and gave a thumbs-up to Achilles.
Then, like everyone else, he waited with bated breath to hear what this being would say.
The figure looked straight into the central Sentinel—the one capturing his image—and began to speak in a grand and mesmerizing voice.
"Many of you may not know me, but I was born and raised in Neon… just like many of you."
His words weren't just for the Overseers—they were for every citizen of Neon. Human or advanced.
"I was raised here, and now I find myself having to rise… because those who once protected this place have discarded it."
He raised his hand. A golden shimmer spread through the air beside him—and an illusory screen appeared.
Projected in vivid detail was the interior of a Nanofold Shelter Tent. Within it, a hologram flickered to life—revealing none other than the Lunaris Throne, regal and imposing, speaking to the late Zerrion Draal.
Temperature and others gasped. Even Nyxaria Moonveil Lunaris stared in shock.
How could the memories of a dead being not only be known… but recreated with such detail that it felt as if they were right there in the room?
But there was no time to dwell on it.
Because the figure of the Lunaris Throne spoke.
"I am at a critical point in my research. I need an infusion of a large number of bodies… The Colony City of Neon—how important is it to the surrounding regions?"
Horrific words from a king whose callousness turned Dr. Shaw and others pale.
Then came Zerrion Draal's reply.
"In the grand scheme of things… not too important. If it has use for the Throne…"
"Okay. Neon shall be designated as a Resource Farming Ground from now on. The Clockwork Ancient One, Seraphelle the Eidolarch, has one of her working bodies near you, correct? Utilize her. Have her take the Hordes of Evolutius Beasts from the Cenotaph Wild Lands surrounding Neon and start an assault. You and your forces are to begin collection of Experimental Subjects during this period. Load them onto Transporter Warships…"
A horrifying plan. A betrayal unveiled in full detail.
And it was Achilles who had brought it forward for all to see.
The Sentinels captured every second, every word, broadcasting it in crystal clarity.
Across every screen in the city—on buildings, in homes, in markets—people watched in stunned silence.
As the memory faded, Achilles brought the focus back to himself. The illusory screen dissolved.
"I rose and declared the independence of Neon… not out of greed. Not to rule. I rose out of necessity. Because a man who claimed to be a judge falsely labeled Neon's defenders as heretics. And now, as you've seen for yourselves… this so-called judge, and the one he served, allied with Ancient Ones. They sought to turn Neon into a farming ground. To use its people as fodder for beasts and experiments."
His voice darkened with conviction.
"That is why I declared independence. Because Neon had lost its protector. And with no one else to defend it… I chose to be that someone."
He stood there—a golden figure of raw power and radiant intent.
His voice was flawless. It reverberated across every corner of Neon, searing itself into the hearts of those who heard it.
"I am Achilles Maxwell. Some of you know me as King Primal. Call me what you wish. But from today forward, I will—out of necessity—act as Neon's protector and leader. I called it a Kingdom when I declared its independence. Because nothing…nothing, should ever be called a Farming Ground."
"I was born here. I was raised here. And I will make damn sure this place does not become a wasteland crawling with beasts."
"I say this not only for the people of Neon, but also for the Thirteen Colony Dynasties who will inevitably hear this. Neon is no longer yours. It has a new protector. And to anyone who threatens it…"
He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't have to.
The weight of his silence said it all.
Achilles turned his golden gaze toward the Sentinel, the camera capturing his form as if he were staring into the soul of every viewer.
"Our world is changing. Ancient Ones are rising. Beasts are returning. Monsters, human and beast alike will grow more common. And the Kingdom of Neon will endure it all. Even thrive."
His voice grew soft—but not weak.
"If any of you ever feel hopeless in the terrifying times ahead, just look up. There will be those who abandon their people. Who feed on them for power. And then… there will be someone like me."
"I'm no ancient powerhouse. I'm no saint either. I'm just a Human. A Human with something to protect. And now, you know who I am. Maybe one day, I'll get to know some of you. But for now… I have a swarm of Evolutius Beasts, summoned by the Lunaris Throne to disperse."
"Stay strong. This time… no one will be abandoned."
His final words rang out like a vow.
Dr. Shaw, still stunned, snapped his fingers. The feed cut off.
Achilles Maxwell—King Primal—vanished from every screen.
But his message and introduction had already spread.
Not just through Neon… but beyond.
Because many organizations in Neon had branches across other Colony Cities.
The message, and the damning memory of the Lunaris Throne's command, had been recorded, preserved—and now, it would ripple outward.
In this age of breathtaking technological advancement, word spread fast.
And this word traveled far.
Across Aerial Warships above the Cenotaph Wild Lands.
Across Colony Cities.
Across distant Dynasties.