Achilles' thoughts continued racing, and a storm of calculation occurred behind his calm facade while he maintained the appearance ruler accepting expected deference.
'If just my passive presence can make an Overseer kneel...'
He imagined the possibilities that his elevated appearance completely concealed.
If he could bend the wills of powerful Living Lives with such ease, if the distinction of Noble Living Life granted authority so overwhelming that even those with significant personal power submitted instinctively...
'I can do anything,' he realized, and the thought bloomed like a dark flower in the garden of his consciousness…beautiful and terrible in equal measure.
Achilles looked at the kneeling Mycelle with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
