I stayed seated on top of the small room. Waiting for over a month, slowly fixing my energy. I would occasionally eat, drink, and relieve myself. While I could draw in energy from the air to sustain myself, doing that for a long time caused damage to my body and would make it harder to mix the issues that Champion Michael had left on me.

Another month and I would be completely healed from the curse damage that had been driven into my flesh. It was tiring to fix every bit of energy in my body, but it was a useful skill and technique to counter long term damage.

I also felt that waiting on top of this tower was good for my soul. To let me look out over the world and focus my mind. I had been too hasty in the past. I needed to be ready for whenever a person emerged from the tower. No matter what, I could not let them win or hurt me.

There was a shift in energy below. I heard movement. I immediately stood up and stretched slightly. The time had finally come for our final battle. There would be no escape from the top of this tower, only death.

My Kung-Fu, was the strongest it had ever been. While my body was not fully healed, I was confident in crushing either Michael or the Astrologer, even both at the same time. I lightly kicked off the roof, landing in front of the golden pillar.

Looking through the one way gate, my breathing sped up for a moment. The Astrologer had both Michael and my son. How?! He advanced out of the tower, confident and unafraid. I looked at Qi Ji Long, and he appeared all right. His energy was stable, but I would need to check carefully once he was freed. The Astrologer most likely trapped his body.

“Divine Empress,” the Astrologer said. I looked at him. Checking to see if he was a Homunculus. It was not, but his energy was occluded in a weird way. Champion Michael was real, and he looked worn down, standing there limply. Perhaps a disagreement, between the two. The most important thing was my son.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Astrologer. Champion Michael. Qi Ji Long, my son. How do you have him?” Was he moved into the tower earlier? If so, then it was a bold move. The Astrologer and Michael had been working together for a long time to trap me. There clearly was a plan.

“He was hidden in the tower with a group, inside a saferoom. The one place impossible for you to check. I must admit, Champion Michael is quite clever, or perhaps the Avatar he mentioned.” Everyone was colluding against me. No matter, they would all die.

“Let him go Astrologer,” I demanded. If he dared to harm my son, I would kill him.

“So, you can kill me. I think not Divine Empress. Let me plant a tumor in your brain, then you can have him back.” So that was his plan. It was a stupid plan. I would never allow it. If my son died, then he died, but then I would make sure he died as well.

“No.” I took a step forward. “If you want to kill him or plan to torture him, go ahead. I will kill you no matter what. You are weak Astrologer, and I will not let your recover.” I was not going to engage in foolish games. My son screamed, and I froze. It was heart wrenching.

“So quick. If you plan to strike me, I will move him in front of your attack, whatever it is, so you kill your own child.” I hated the Astrologer.

“I will not let you go. If he dies, he dies, but I will make you regret it.” What could I do. It was one thing when my child wasn’t there, but now he was right in front of me. For the first time in forever indecision gripped me.

“Regret, I am past the point of regret, Divine Empress. Far past that point. What can you offer me for your child?” The silence stretched out as the tension increased. What could I do? I had no doubt the Astrologer had put a bomb in my child.

I would need to purge him of that bomb as quickly as possible. Could I make it to my son before the Astrologer broke or crushed his neck? No. With his hand on my child’s neck, there was nothing I could easily do.

It was just the four of us up here. There was no where to run or escape to, unless the golden pillar was used. But they would not have time to reach it. No, the Astrologer clearly planned to kill me in some way.

I needed to act. I couldn’t let things drag out. I needed to save my son. No matter what happened, I needed to save him. I just needed an opening to act. If there was no opening, then I would make one. If my son died, then that was fate. I would do everything I could to save him, but I would never let anyone control me ever again.

I am sorry my child. Sorry your mother was so weak. I will avenge you no matter what happens. I took a step forward. That was when my son acted.