The Atlantian Commander wore a mask of barely-contained panic.
He knew exactly what kind of power and status this woman held.
She wasn't just anyone.
She was the daughter of one of the foremost Tribe Kings, allowed on this mission only due to her unmatched mind and her rare, inherited power.
And now… she intended to walk directly into the enemy's domain?
"Princess Atlana… we saw what he did to that High Orc. He turned it into something… loyal. A beast that obeys him. He has an ability that infects and controls. Why risk yourself by getting close to that kind of threat?!"
He feared the outcome. If he returned alone to the Thalassphere Arx, there was no guarantee he'd be allowed to leave again.
But Princess Atlana merely shook her head.
"I'm not afraid of danger. And I choose this path. The only way to understand our enemy is from within. Besides, I've already recovered enough to embed starlight back into my bones. No external energy will corrupt my mind, and my neural pathways still retain echoes of my former Neuronova Ascension from before the Long Slumber. I'll collect all the intelligence needed and relay it back to the Thalassphere Arx."
She turned to both the commander and the Phoenix. "You two will continue to observe from afar and report back. I won't be reckless. If something goes wrong, I'll signal for extraction."
Her decision was final.
The Atlantian Commander could only sigh and nod in reluctant acceptance.
Then, Princess Atlana began to move.
She drifted backward, separating herself from the others, before darting into the distant skies. Her path curved wide, masking the direction of her eventual approach.
Blue-gold blood still stained her- a luminous stream trailing across her half-human, half-mermaid form. The weight of her power and the sheer pressure of her royal lineage pressed outward like a tidal wave.
Her mind blazed with clarity and ambition as she finally unveiled herself, diving toward the massive floating continent.
She wore the expression of someone wounded and desperate, as if being pursued by a terrifying predator.
Achilles hovered high above, his gaze locked onto the seamlessly merged landmasses.
The Colony City of Green had joined the Kingdom of Neon.
The Living Scripts that encased the massive dome fused together with effortless synchronicity, glowing with layered complexity.
Gravity played a crucial role. Despite the growing mass, the gravitational burden was nullified through intricate design.
The continent now moved at the fastest speed the skies would allow- toward the remaining colony cities of the Thornveil Dynasty.
But Achilles' Primordial Avatar still had one final city to raise- this one belonging to the Magitech Dynasty. Only then could all floating continents align with Neon.
He had to split himself.
One body to defend the Kingdom of Neon.
The other- heading out at breakneck speed toward the Thornveil cities that needed him most.
He couldn't abandon Neon yet. The Ancient Impenetrable Titanwall Dome and the Shield of Thalassara had not yet been tested in real battle.
Beside him floated Dr. Shaw, Nyxaria Moonveil Lunaris, and Luna- fresh from the Lunar Dreadnought, each displaying the shimmering blue wings of the Sacred Pools of Thalassara.
Rose remained behind in the Colony City of Green, using World Healing to tend to anyone overlooked.
Achilles spoke to those gathered around him, his voice firm as his gaze swept over the glowing seams of the newly joined lands.
"I can't leave Neon unattended. My other body needs another hour before it's free. Some of you must head out now- split into teams. Save who you can. The Colony Capital of the Thornveil Dynasty with potential Astral Core Ascension Ancient Ones… I'll handle that myself. Avoid it."
The words came easily now.
He was getting used to command.
And he wasn't finished.
"If you encounter any Astral Core Ascension beings, your Primordium Evolutius Magitech Suits will buy you time and protection. Their defenses are unmatched. Use that time to retreat if needed."
He nodded at the radiant purple-gold suits designed by his own hand, protective beyond compare.
Nyxaria's eyes gleamed with complex thoughts.
Luna crossed her arms and gave him a reverent King's Respect.
Achilles turned toward the vast army of Draconic Hybrids, his hand rising.
His power pulsed, and the hybrids instantly divided.
Three units of 100,000 soldiers each.
"Three teams," he said. "Each escorted by a legion of Draconic Hybrids. Seraphelle and the Phoenix Legion will join the first group- two of my Lunar and Solar Constructs will support them. The second team will have four Constructs. And the third…"
"…will be escorted by the Draconic Orc Hybrid."
Each group was led by beings nearly equal to Astral Core Ascension entities.
And the final team held a true Luminblood Stage Ascendant.
He didn't expect any casualties. Not this time.
Seraphelle and the Phoenix Legion responded first, their voices echoing across the skies as if they wanted to prove themselves.
The Draconic Hybrids remained silent, their presence alone speaking volumes.
Luna and the others followed.
Their eyes blazed with purpose.
Days ago, none of them would've dreamed of this.
With orders clear, they boarded their Warships and the Lunar Dreadnought, preparing to depart.
And just as they began…
His Ecological Empathy IV flared to life- detecting a searing aura of power.
Someone was approaching.
Astral Core Ascension-level.
His troops froze, readying for combat, but before panic could set in, his voice rang out again.
"You all continue with your missions. I'll handle this."
Time was bleeding away.
More humans from the Thornveil Dynasty were suffering with each passing moment.
There was no time to waste.
His soldiers turned toward one another briefly.
Then nodded, and flew.
Leaving the skies of the Kingdom of Neon.
They, too, could sense the terrifying entity drawing near.
But if King Primal said he'd handle it...
They believed him. Without question!
They boarded their vessels and began to leave as they were escorted by tens of thousands of Draconic Hybrids per group, with one group being led by four Lunar and Solar Constructs, another being led by two of such Constructs, and the third by a massive Draconic Orc Hybrid!
They shot out in three different directions as they went to aid the Colony Cities of the Thornveil Dynasty!
And Achilles? He stared straight ahead where the figure of an injured woman… No, an Ancient One that looked like a mermaid!