I spend my Christmas in an odd mood. I am still a bit bashful about my morning situation but now I am a little ticked. My morning consisted of nothing but picking up trash and cleaning up some messes, pretty normal for after a party but it feels a bit excessive for a group of three people to do. After I clean up I do my daily routine, albeit a little later than usual.

Life goes on for a few months in a cycle of daily routines and being bored out of my mind. Genevieve comes over every now and then to just say hi and seemingly right herself every now and then. No big hard talks or anything, just a reset from whatever she was doing otherwise. That ginger dick didn't come around the entire time which is fine with me, I really don't want to deal with him.

As time ticks by eventually, I get the message that Wendigo has been fully repaired and will be delivered. From the same email, I am told there are no major upgrades or tweaks, any changes are like minor software updates and other things that improve quality of life, but overall could go completely unnoticed if you weren't looking. To be honest I wish they would give me some sort of win button but I'm basically piloting a modified mass production model AMS. I'm not allowed to have too nice of things.

On top of Wendigo being repaired, classes will begin soon which is nice, at least I won't be bored, it sucks because I am still owed some form of video game device from the girls and I have yet to receive it. I wonder if the class schedule will be changed due to the last years' events? Will they continue the tournament for the underclassmen? I guess those answers will be well answered soon. I get an email saying two days before classes start, aka in three days there will be an address given by the school president and also the empress herself. I wonder what it could be about? I hope it doesn't end with something stupid or annoying.

Who am I kidding? I know its gonna be super annoying, possibly directed personally at me. Who knows, all I know is that my gut tells me that I will be screwed over one way or another.

Just three days of nothing I guess. Today I think I will go for a walk. It's still dead of winter so the temperature isn't exactly warm, but at the same time, it by no means is cold. At least to a midwesterner or a person who was literally frozen. I put on a pair of running shoes and my usual workout gear and decide to walk along the water.

The day is slightly overcast, not gloomy but there is no blue of the sky making the pacific black and seemingly endless. To be honest this view is as pretty as it would on a sunny day, just a different kind of beauty. Maybe not to most folks but it's enough for me, a dark endless sea with a light gray sky while the wind blows bringing both warmth and a chill at the same time.

As I am walking and am in my own little world I am suddenly startled to reality by some familiar uniforms. It's those royal guards. Probably gonna be another royal pain in my ass. I continue on my path and hope they're just hanging around and will let me pass on by unmolested. Sadly this is not the case. One of them says to me as I pass,

"Hey, you. Have you seen the Empress around? She managed to escape our sight and we are looking for her. If you happen to see her find us or tell her to return. She is under our protection."

I reply,

"Some guards... Now, why would you tell me that she is unescorted? That doesn't make sense for a lot of reasons, but yeah, I'll send her your way if I see her."

I shake my head as I walk off baffled by the stupidity of these guards. Honestly, your one job is to watch a golden-haired empress who usually wears a very obvious uniform. I think a bunch of blind and deaf people could do a better job if they were dedicated. I just continue my walk and start heading upwards towards a raised section of the island. It's similar to what a natural forming cliff should look like, except rather than stone made over millions of years it's a cobblestone looking construct in the shape of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Still has a great view though. In my opinion, it needs a lighthouse to be complete but it does have a little maintenance shed on it for some reason.

The building looks dilapidated even though this island is less than two decades old. I guess ocean wind and being ignored make for a very run-down look. As I get near the cliff edge the sight I see is wonderful. The clouds begin to break in the distance allowing the sun to trickle through in golden beams of light across the waves. I just stand there as the overcast day slowly breaks up for the next hour or so, it doesn't fully clear of course in that time, but the day lightened up way more than before, and now despite the clouds, I wouldn't consider it overcast anymore, just a nice day.

I pass the shed to get a seat closer to the cliff and as I pass it I notice movement from the corner of my eye. Without thinking my head snaps to attention and I look directly at the source. Because I had not thought as I looked at the movement it takes me a moment to truly see what it is that caught my attention. To my utter surprise, it's Seraphina. I give an awkward small wave barely raising my arm above my chest.

She is sitting against the shed wall staring out over the water no doubt. The view is wonderful and if she is from the Solar Empire, they don't have oceans to look at ever. She looks distraught, not sure if it's about my presence or if from something else. Judging by where she is I do not think snitching to her guards is the right thing to do. It's clear she is wanting time to think. I stammer out,

"Sorry to interrupt your alone time, it's just a mighty fine view and I had to get a look myself."

She just nods and quietly responds,

"I see... I'm sure you aren't cooperating with my guards from my past experiences with you...I can't hog up all the view...I am only empress of the space outside of earth and within our sun's light. So do as you please..."

I exhale a little sharply at the statement but realize that's probably what's bothering her. I won't openly say anything but my best guess is that either something is up with her seat of power, or that the crown is getting heavy on top of her head. I keep quiet though, I have nothing to say, nor is it my place to say anything. I'm sure there are people that know exactly what is going on that can give actual advice.

I just stand where I am, with hands in my pockets as I just stare out across the horizon. I don't know how long I stand but eventually, the white light from the sun peeking through the clouds slowly turns more gold as the clouds clear and the sun starts its downward path. Suddenly Seraphina asks out of nowhere,

"Mike... I have a question. If you were being overwhelmed with difficult choices, ones that could harm or ruin many... how would you deal with it?"

I think about it for a second. It is an interesting question, what would I do? I usually don't think about it and just do what I feel is right, but I doubt that is the answer she needs or is looking for. I brainstorm for another thought or two and reply,

" I would... I would take some time and ask what decision would I sleep at night with. By that, I mean which decision would weigh the least on my mind after I make it. I dunno what keeps you up at night. For me, it's failing those I wish to protect, and failure even after trying my best. My choice would be the one that protects the most, for the least cost. I don't know though. All my tough decisions have been made in a second without hesitation because I know what I want. I know what I think is right. At least I did. Not so sure anymore, but that's beside the point.

My advice, ask yourself what makes you feel as if you helped the most people or the most people you give a shit about. "

There is quiet for a moment and she then asks,

"What if there are people trying to stop you? What if they want you to make the choice that only benefits their personal goals and greed? What if they have the ability to harm the people you wish to protect if you don't make the choice they want you to?"

I clench my fist and raise it up to shoulder height and say in a stern voice,

"Then break them... There are choices in life where people will always get in your way, for this reason, or that. Always. No matter what you do or say someone will hate your guts for it. Sometimes that person is powerful, but you yourself must become more so. If they're stronger, then become stronger. If they're more brutal, show them what the true meaning of brutality is. In the end, the choice is yours. Choose what you think and believe is right and cast anyone who tries to get in your way to the side. Of course, listen to their point of view first, don't make a decision blind, but if you feel your choice is right, don't hesitate, don't regret it, and don't back down.

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If anyone stands in your way knock them down. Hell, you are the empress. Act like it. Exert your will upon those who go against you, just how I, a simple white trash soldier stood against you. Unflinching, and unyielding. Give them no quarter and they can do nothing if they make moves against you or those you wish to protect, break them."

I lower my arm and unclench my fist. I don't know if what I was attempting to explain got through or even if it made sense. I don't know exactly what her choices are, but I assume they are heavy, and rarely does anything good come from that. I stand in silence for a moment as the warm glow of the sun slowly begins to become a wondrous gold that coats everything as the clouds part. The dark ocean now shimmering as if it were made of liquid gold. Eventually, I hear Seraphina speak,

"What would you do if my choice results in a new war against the earth? Would you regret giving me the advice to make a choice? Why not push for stalling? What if the decision is against you completely? What if we the wrath of the sun comes down on you?"

I step in front of her, standing between her and the setting sun casting a long shadow that covers her. I turn around and face her and say steel in my voice and ice in my eyes,

"Then I shall make my own choice, free of regret, and that, would be the choice to black out the sun."

I see her stare up at me wide-eyed at my gaze which cuts through her. I didn't know I had this murderous aura in me. Yet, what I said was true, if I am to be pushed, I will push back, plain and simple. Aside from her AMS nearly killing her I can tell Seraphina has never stared down death before. In front of her, the figure eclipsing the sun from its divinity-made flesh is me, and at the moment, as far as she can tell, the embodiment of death.

She shudders and says to me in fear,

"Would you stop me from making a choice? Would you try to force me to go back against your earlier words?"

I shake my head and reply,

"No. The choice is yours. How I react and respond is my choice. Like I said earlier, my choice will be to protect people and myself. Take that how you wish. I don't care what you choose, I don't know what options you have, all I can do is react and make my own. "

She continues to stare as the light fades and the shadow slowly disappears. My point has been made. I will be steadfast in my choices, my principles, and what I hoped she would pick up is to do the same. IF it is against mine, I will fight and I will win.

I finally step away and sit on the edge of the cliff overlooking the ocean as the clouds completely disappear from the sky. The sky is no longer a golden sheet, but instead a rainbow of purples and reds fading into an inky black. a pleasant breeze comes off the Pacific as waves crash against the rock face down below. I stay seated enjoying the view and let out a long breath relaxing my shoulders. I lean back and support myself with my hands behind me giving me a nice position to sit.

I gaze across the seemingly endless horizon as I hear soft footfalls approach me then step to my right side. Seraphina walks to the cliff edge and sits as well, two feet away from me. She stares across the darkening horizon as the red sun is about to disappear. I break the silence and say this,

"I dunno if you've ever heard this before. An old saying goes, the higher the throne the heavier the crown, or something like that. How right am I?"

She shakes her head and replies,

"Its heavy is the head that wears the crown... and I'm inclined to believe that statement. Yours is probably more correct, the higher up you are, the more responsibility weighs down on you..."

I nod listening. She stops her sentence and we continue the quiet. She then says growing exasperated,

"I hate this... I may be covered in gold, but what others don't see is that my bracelets are shackles and my necklaces are collars... I have the power of a space-fairing empire, yet I cannot live a human life. I'm God for my sake! I gotta be divine in front of my followers, it nearly caused a heresy when I lost to you! I don't want to be like this! I want to be a girl, I want to be human. Why did my father leave! I don't know what to do! I'm not strong enough to carry the burden he left behind! What do I do!"

She shouts this clearly out to the ocean and I keep quiet. Her eyes become watery as emotions begin to take her over. To be honest I feel like shit. Being a princess is probably fine, just some social graces you gotta follow but overall you can do what you pretty much wish, divine empress, well that probably comes with a lot of rules to follow. That and she doesn't have a guide. She is the second empress of the Solar Empire. She can only look to her deceased father for help and he wasn't divine emperor for more than five years, on top of that, I the one sitting next to her, am the one who killed him.

From memory, I was justified, but justification means nothing to a grieving family. I keep my silence, it's good for her to yell out her frustrations, sometimes it's needed. Especially if you have to choke down everything you feel to convince other people you are divine. I jerk my head to the right past her where I thought I saw movement for a second. I can't see anything so I go back to looking over the waves. She begins quietly sobbing to herself, not crying just the muscle contractions. After a bit, this calms down too and she says to me,

"To be honest... I don't want to be the empress any more. I can't abandon everyone either. You said to take advice and not to go in blind. I'm tired of hearing what upper crust people want me to do. You have little to gain from anything I do after this. What is your advice?"

I shake my head and say,

"I can't say what you need to do and you're right, I only benefit if your choices don't hurt me. In my opinion, I think you should grow a spine. I get it, you don't see yourself as infallible, what you should do is accept that. Go and enjoy yourself sometimes. If anyone has a problem just tell them you want to do this. Hell, as you said, you're the empress of a big empire, just sometimes get away and do your thing. Vacation, party, or do anything you think is fun. Look back at Rome or any other past empire, you think their emperors and empresses just sat around being pushed around by ministers? No, they did whatever the hell they wanted when they wanted. From what I can tell that's what your father did, from a historical point of view. The only right thing to do is what you choose. You're God remember? I'm sure your people would support you over some old fucks who are only driven by greed. So my advice, stick up for yourself."

She nods with a smile at what is effectively repeated advice and says happily,

"Thank you for that Mike, I think I've been too caught up in trying to be perfect. I agree that my father probably didn't only live as a leader, he also at some point must have been a person too sometimes. I gotta take care of myself to take care of others, and yeah, I'm the divine. Those other leaders mean nothing to the people of the empire. Thank you again, I just needed someone to set me straight and not confuse me."

I sorta smile and nod not sure if that's exactly what I wanted her to get but if she is happy and doesn't order my arrest or war against the earth I am perfectly fine. Whatever goes on in space is not my problem.

Then the movement catches my eye again and I look over and see a man walk out of the nearby wooded patch. He is absolutely glowing, without him getting close I can tell he is some kind of secrete service or other government agents. For who? I'll have to see.

He approaches with a smug grin and Seraphina stands up. I do the same to greet the well-dressed man. I give a small wave and he returns the gesture. He gets closer and pulls out a tablet of some kind and when he is close he says to Seraphina,

"Empress! We have been looking all over for you. His excellency is wanting an answer to his question right now and will not accept any more stalling. I am here to get that answer... or well find a way to convince you otherwise."

His smile makes me sick. Seraphina clenches her fists by her sides and is shaking. I don't know what this is about but I am sure it is some horrible political shenanigans. I slowly step forward towards him looking as if I am trying to leave the situation. Then Seraphina speaks,

"Tell him no. I will not be coerced to that man's whims. If he even tries to harm anyone I hold dear I will have him strung up by his genitals. Tell him that exactly."

The man looks truly sorry and shakes his head before drawing a pistol. He then says,

"It's a damn shame, the earth-born Mike killed the empress in cold blood right in front of me. There was nothing I could do to save her, Although thankfully the prime minister of the Solar Empire is here to declare a just war against the earth in retribution."

Time seems to slow for me as I sidestep quickly as he pulls the trigger. I am close enough to the man where my hand is able to hit the gun. The shot goes wild and I follow up with a punch with my free hand. The hit connects and he staggers back and lines a shot up on me. I push forward and he shoots again. There is a searing pain in my torso but I get close. I manage to kick him in the right leg and my heavy foot inverts his knee causing him to collapse in extreme pain. I manage to get the gun away after prying his fingers off it. I take the gun and aim it at his head as he lies on the ground yelling in pain. I say to Seraphina,

" I'll give you a second decision today. What should I do."

I look back at her and she looks shocked, but after my question, her eyes harden and she says in a flat voice,

"Kill the messenger."

Without feeling, I pull the trigger and the handgun jumps and the man ends. I put my hand where I got shot and there is a lot of blood. I got hit somewhere near my guts, but it seems I am not hit lethally, but oh my God it hurts. I pretend to be tough and stay standing as I see the royal guard running up the hill alerted by the gunshots.

When they arrive they raise their rifles at me and Seraphina orders them to stand down but then the head one says,

"Sorry, ma'am we cannot do that. We have been ordered to return you to titan. You are under arrest my empress, order of the prime minister. Mike Richardson has also been ordered for death... regardless of international law."

I raise the pistol and let out a long breath. Looks like this is the end of the line for little ol me...