I Can Assimilate Everything

Clouds rolled like silver rivers across the Triarcan Range, the skies above unnaturally still.

Selamira hovered alone, suspended in the high atmosphere where the light of stars could bleed directly into the world.

Her hair fluttered in the windless void. The mountains beneath her, the towering peaks of the Keep, stood useless- no signs, no traces. The Vessel of Adrastia, and the one she wanted by extension…had vanished.

Frustration flickered across her gorgeous features.

Her gaze swept across the horizon where many Ancient Ones continued their search, yet none had found anything.

She clenched her fists.

She would not allow this blasphemous human to escape. She did not want to, but at this moment, she knew that she may have to rely on his power!

Closing her eyes, Selamira exhaled reverently.

Then, without a word, she raised her left hand high. The Atlanteans behind her paused, puzzled- until they saw her right hand reach into her chest.

Crack…

A thin fracture formed across her sternum- not of flesh or bone, but of Primordial Essence, splitting open to reveal a flickering darkness that writhed like a living abyss. Her blood did not flow. Instead, echoes escaped her body.

Then came the ritual.

Selamira extended both arms outward, and a blackened sphere rose above her palms. She spoke a phrase in a language none but a few knew- a sound not meant to exist!

Her voice split the sky.

And her thoughts buzzed.

'By the blood writ in endless Eclipse, by the pact sealed in the Silence before Silence- O Revered One, illuminate me through your Darkness!'

HUUM!

The clouds above spiraled inward violently. A vast shadow formed, blotting out the stars, and from it descended a single sliver of dark light- vibrating, unstable, ancient.

The Atlanteans behind her stumbled back, their gills tightening with instinctual fear. They had seen rituals before. They had never seen this.

"Master, I seek your aid in finding the one I seek."

…!

Selamira's voice echoed out.

And there was initially silence.

A heavy silence!

And then, a voice came from the sliver of dark light.

Velvety. Slow. Calm. With a weight that crushed thought.

|Ah, my dear Selamira... always so earnest. It's endearing, really.|

The voice coiled around her like silk and poison.

|You've lost what you seek. But…such is the way of destiny. Unfolding, unfurling, chaotic, wonderful.|

The Primordial Light of Darkness, his presence was more than Authority.

It was power, true and genuine! His voice carried riddles shaped like blades.

When she heard it, Selamira bowed down somberly as she only listened!

|You see, my dear, destiny is not a leash. It's not a chain. It is a... tide. You can swim against it. You can even pretend to stand still. But in the end, it carries all things forward, even Kings. The one you have just become entangled with…carries a great deal of Destiny, so getting a hold of him is easy…|

The dark light condensed, and from the spiraling storm above, a single object descended.

A golden marker.

Simple. Elegant. Shaped like a compass needle, its center held a miniature golden eye glowing with soft luminance. The needle twitched ever so slightly, always pulling toward a distant unseen point.

Selamira caught it, her hand trembling slightly from reverence. She knelt in midair, bowing her head.

"Your guidance honors me, Master."

|Mmm, now go. There is much to be done…|

The darkness vanished with a chuckle.

Selamira rose with unshakable resolve.

"All forces- gather around me! King Primal is found!"

WAA!

—

Far away, on the drifting Vessel of Adrastia, flames of white still licked gently.

The stars overhead twinkled quietly. But Achilles did not look at them.

He sat alone at the forefront, his fingers pressed against the radiant tree nearby as his eyes narrowed.

A whisper moved through him through Destiny.

It was clearer now. Simpler. The more Planar Destiny he assimilated, the more naturally it bent to reveal its threads. It no longer spoke in riddles.

And now, there came a message.

He watched the golden lines of destiny weave themselves in front of him, forming a single sentence.

[You have been marked. Many approach your throne.]

…!

It wss extremely clear and simple through Destiny Perception III!

It showed how terrifying Destiny was as ot was akin to him…being able to see the future and what it could be!

It was a terrifying advantage over others.

Achilles did not move.

He closed his eyes and sensed more of the destiny.

Another thread pulsed with soft crimson gold.

Opportunity.

A hidden note in the weave of destiny- subtle, but radiant.

Alongside the certainty of a coming battle, came a possibility. A possibility or power and assimilations.

Achilles exhaled slowly, eyes opening as the lines of Destiny faded.

"…okay." he whispered lightly as if preparing himself.

His gaze turned toward the horizon, toward the direction of those who would come.

He did not fear them, but he would take certain measures.

His main body here was marked.

No matter where he ran, they would follow. No matter where he stood, they would come.

But only for him.

There was no reason to endanger the others here!

He opened his eyes and turned.

Dr. Shaw, Luna, Aliya…and Rose, were all gathered behind him, tension building as they sensed the storm nearing.

Achilles looked at them all, his expression unreadable. His gaze fell on each of them.

Then he spoke, his voice low and resolute.

"My main body has been marked. No matter where I go, they'll find me. I will send you all back for now. If you remain… it will only bring unnecessary danger closer to you."

WAA!

The words were calm. Inevitable!

Dr. Shaw stepped forward first, pushing up his glasses as he asked with quiet urgency, "Would it not be wiser if we stayed together and fought? Or at the very least… retreated?"

A valid question. One that Achilles shook his head at.

Rose stepped forward quickly, her voice buzzing. "Then let us fight together. Let me fight with you."

Her hands were clenched. Her flaming green hair fluttered in the wind. "We faced many things together. Why not this?"

Achilles didn't respond right away.

Instead, he stepped forward, close enough to gently pull her into his arms!