CHAPTER 362: WHY WAIT?! I

Why wait for his enemies to come?

Achilles whispered the words in the silence between breaths, in the stillness only shared between blood and bond.

The embrace was warm- his arms wrapped tightly around Rose and the small body of his daughter, Arya.

Neither questioned him. Not about the weight in his voice. They simply accepted his promise.

He would take care of it.

Rose leaned into his chest with trust, her fingers curling around his waist as her cheek pressed to his shoulder. Arya’s small hands gripped his robes, her silver-laced hair gently shifting with the morning breeze. And yet, inside Achilles, the storm raged louder than ever.

His mind buzzed with countless paths. Infinite threads of carnage, vengeance, prevention, possibilities, and destiny. It wasn’t merely the instinct of a ruler-no, it was the ache of a father, the fury of a man who actually had to watch the first memory of his daughter...be worry for the future!

His daughter should not have to be worried for the future.

It was his job to make sure of this!

He opened his eyes brightly.

A golden pane of light unfurled before him, ethereal runes spinning across its surface until it revealed the intricacies of his being- his [Status Panel], the reflection of what he had become.

He had to understand how strong he was in order to be capable of moving into the Star Seas with ease!

[Achilles Adrastia Maxwell]

[Assimilation]

Adrastia Imperium Vitae Ascension Codex (Null Echelon – Diluted Record) Unlocked Qualities: Basic Adrastia Bloodline Refinement Current Level of Refinement: 1 – Imperial Embers Initiation (Imperial Vitalis Surge and Aetherium Pulse unlocked) Progress to Next Stage: 93% – Emperor’s Genome Alignment Locked Qualities: Unknown.

Organic and Inorganic Terrestrial Planetary Body – Echelon 6 (35%) Qualities: Planetary Forcefield V, Gravitational Field Manipulation V, World Healing V, Limited Astronomical Physiology V, Ecological Empathy V, Territorial Domain V, Planetary Chains V, Planetary Core Detonation V

NEW – [Corebirth Orbit Annihilation V]: You condense orbiting planetary cores around your body like moons. With time and energy, each orbit becomes a destructible satellite- once detonated, each one produces a miniature planetary implosion, collapsing space and gravity within its radius.

Nirvana of the Sun and Moon – Echelon 5 (21%) Qualities: Ascendant Solar and Lunar Generation IV, Ascendant Nirvanic Teleportation IV, Mythical Star Beast Aura IV, Ascendant Lunar and Solar Constructs IV, Nirvanic Rebirth IV, Nirvanic Regeneration IV, Water Saint IV, Ascendant Size Alteration IV, Nirvanic Phoenix’s Healing Flames IV, Descent of the Nirvanic Sun Moon Phoenix IV, Dual Solar-Lunar Cataclysm IV

NEW – [Celestial Waypoint Cascade V]: You may now establish Waypoint Anchors across planetary bodies and cosmic regions. Once placed, you can freely traverse between them via radiant lunar-solar threads. Enables rapid escape, pursuit, and repositioning in interstellar space.

Organic Starlight Core – Echelon 4 (0%) Qualities: Stellar Blood IV, Luminal Pulse IV, Nebular Sheen IV, Orbit Field IV, Supernova Thread IV, Starbrand Genesis IV

NEW – [Starlight Continuum IV]: You attune yourself to the cycles of stars. Each star you absorb light from grants you increasing synchronization. After absorbing from three different stars, you may call upon the [Starlight Continuum]- a state of accelerated perception, movement, and energy generation that persists for one hour.

Organic Crystal (Evolutius Crystal) – Echelon 6 (89%)

Qualities:

Regeneration VI, Energy Conversion VI, Flexibility VI, Light Manipulation VI, Biological Nurturing VI, Crystal Manipulation VI, Crystal Vault VI, Evolutius Core VI, Aeonic Empowerment VI, Hand of Evolution VI

Primordial Energy Source – Echelon 6 (97%) Qualities:

Primordial Energy Generation VI, Peak Foundation Physiology VI, Accelerated Growth VI, Atavism VI, Primal Energy Control VI, Primordial Avatar VI, Primordial Core VI, Ancient Empowerment VI, Primeval Epoch Bloom VI

Organic Phanerogam Lifeform – Echelon 6 (95%) Qualities: Dermal Armor VI, Regeneration VI, Photosynthetic VI, Lightning Physiology VI, Abnormal Endurance VI, Vine Generation VI, Pheromone Generation VI, Fruit Generation VI, Forest Generation VI, Verdant Celest Realm VI

Organic Ancient Forgestone – Echelon 5 (99%) Qualities: Mineral Manipulation V, Forge Physiology V, Craftsmanship Magic V, Elemental-Mechanical Physiology V, Primordial Forgemind V, Titan Physiology V, Supernatural Artisan V, Soulforged Armament V

Organic Life Spring – Echelon 4 (95%) Qualities: Spring Generation IV, Purification IV, Nature Spirit Physiology IV, Energy Concentration IV, Youth Manipulation IV, Nature Spirit Descent IV, Renewal IV, Spring Celest Core IV

Organic Heart of Thalassara – Inheritance Echelon (Unique) Qualities: Underwater Empire, Shield of Thalassara, Drums of War, Thalassara’s Lineage Awakening

Cataclysmic Star Forge – Echelon Unique Qualities: Living Forge Physiology, Primordial Smithing Essence, Adaptive Material Assimilation, Abyssal Tempering Flames, Weapon Soul Genesis

Organic Planar Regulation – Destiny Echelon 3 (99%) Qualities: Thread of Inevitability III, Fatebound Authority III, Destined Regression III, Weight of Chosen Paths III, Destiny Perception III, Probability Manipulation III

Electromagnetic Radiation – Obsidian Gamma – Echelon III (88%) Qualities: Obsidian Pulse III, Stellar Decay Field III, Penetration Overload III, Gamma Bloom Ignition III

Organic Spatial Regulation – TIME Echelon 1 (71%) Qualities: Chronofold Pulse I, Time Vision I, Temporal Fracture I, Clockshard Horizon I

Organic Terrestrial Lifeforms – Echelon 6 (35%) Qualities: Terrestrial Sovereign Core VI, Draconian Pathogenicity: Absolute VI, Widow’s Genesis Domain VI, Bloodborne Titan Physiology VI, Dragon King’s Authority VI, Predator’s Astral Instinct VI, Celestial Exoskeleton VI, Evolution Requiem VI, Breath of the Devouring World VI, Parasitic Haki Vein VI

[Complexity]: Above Average Terrestrial Lifeform

...!

The panel faded, each ability pulsing behind his closed lids. And still, his arms never left the two he loved most.

The sun had risen higher by now, its rays golden with a violet hue as it filtered through the sea below their feet.

Arya stirred in his grasp, her silver moon-gown fluttering softly. She looked up with curious eyes.

Achilles exhaled. His hand gently stroked Arya’s soft hair and reached around Rose’s shoulder, drawing them both closer.

He would go outside this Plane of Existence to hunt down enemies long before they came!

But not for long.

Not for vengeance alone.

He was going to erase the very thought of Adrastia being touched by dread.

He would ensure that even the stars remembered to kneel before this name of Adrastia!

And before he took another breath- he began planning the execution of his enemies!