The Systemic Lands

Chapter LXII – Day 863 (2) – My Son’s Embrace

Chapter LXII – Day 863 (2) – My Son’s Embrace

My son struck out and hit the Astrologer in the groin. He stumbled back and ran forward. I didn’t hesitate as I dashed forward and focused, barriers leaping up between my son and the Astrologer. That was when my child collapsed screaming, blood pouring out of him.

No! This was not going to happen. “Undo what you have done to him. Or else!” I looked at the Astrologer.

“It hurts!” my son said, and my heart broke for him. I couldn’t let him die. No matter what happened. I knew I had vowed to let him go, but my heart refused to listen. I carefully watched as the Astrologer waved his hand without a word and my son stopped screaming and bleeding.

I carefully looked between the two. There was some sort of energy connection. I could see that. My breathing grew heavy, and my eyes narrowed. I looked at Champion Michael, but he was still standing there listlessly. Whatever had been done to him seemed to have removed all fight from his body.

Looking down at my son, I carefully bent down next to him while keeping an eye on the Astrologer. I could not afford to make a mistake here. I looked at the connection, wondering if I should try to break it. First, let me see what horrors he has done to my child.

I put a hand on my son’s head and picked up his left wrist. My eyes snapped towards his body. Something was off. I tried to understand and prepared to pulse my energy through him. When he spiked his energy into me.

Trying to defend myself, I spiked my energy back. “Ahh!” I let out a short scream, as I stumbled back, my energy inside me in disarray. My son shattered, which may have contributed to my scream. What?! “Imbue Life.”

It was the Astrologer! A trap! It wasn’t my son at all. How dare he! I thrust out my hand calling upon my skill to vaporize him. But my skill failed. How was that even possible?! “Imbue Life.” I felt it. Pulsating tumors inside of me, disrupting my energy.

“Null Refraction!” The energy in front of me warped and twisted, it was hard to see. Then my left eye exploded as the energy inside of it was ripped from my body. “Null Refraction!” I brought up my arm to block the attack as I tried to think what to do. My clothing and some of my flesh was ripped away.

It was obvious, I was going to kill them all. My son wasn’t here. There was no need to hold back any longer. “DIE!” I roared and rushed forward, no longer hesitating. I struck at the Astrologer, aiming to crush his head. His short stature being a hinderance.

That was when I saw it. He was distorting space in front of him. Weakening the barrier between layers. Was he trying to do a short hop or disappear? If so, then he would regret it. I was already quickly purging my body of his interference, it would be gone shortly.

I struck out. The energy polluted my body. The amount of energy being used was immense. He was channeling directly from the tower! He was trying to completely overwrite me. I still didn’t hesitate. My right arm struck the Astrologer, burst into a shower of gore. It was unable to hold together.

But I had expected that. But it was a necessary sacrifice to get close. I could see him drawing up energy through his feet. Whatever he had learned, the tower was clearly empowering him. I spun and kicked out, striking the Astrologer. “DIE!”

There was a brief moment of surprise on his face and he tried to use energy to anchor himself. But it was useless in the face of my Dragon’s Talon Kung-Fu! “NOOOOOO!” He screamed as I sent him flying off the tower. I saw his illusion break apart and he was just a sack of rotting meat. How he had fallen.

I spun as I sensed danger. Champion Michael was moving in. Curse that dog! Acid struck me, and it burned, melting my flesh. But I had endured worse. I could fight with my eyes missing. He was going to die as well this day, no matter what.

He collided with me as I tried to move, and I went tumbling. More attacks struck me. I felt my energy being ripped apart, by an annihilation attack. NO! I raced forward, striking out with my energy, Dragon’s Talon Piercing the Void! Hoping to kill Champion Michael. I think I got him.

That was when my legs gave out, the flesh too melted to support me any longer. I refused to die. I would not die. Death had no power over me. I had come too far. My thoughts went to my son. I am sorry Qi Ji Long, I have failed you. I was a foolish mother. I wanted to hug him and tell him that I loved him one more time. I wanted to teach him Kung-Fu.

He was still so young and had so much left to learn. I refused to cry. Even as I felt more acid hit me, my body slowly succumbed to the horrid attack. The pain was immense, but I would not cry out. I refused to give anyone the satisfaction of listening to me beg. I tried to draw on energy from my surroundings to heal me, but it was all acid and another person’s energy.

It was too late. If I had rolled off the tower, I might have been able to save myself. But I had been blinded by my bloodlust. To be killed by a dog. At least the Astrologer was dead. That brought me a small bit of comfort in my final moment. My greatest enemy would not outlive me. The Heavens refused my call for aid, but I had failed them. I had been fooled and had been an idiot.

I was Divine Empress Hei Long! I was a grandmaster of the Dragon’s Style Kung Fu! I was a mother of the most precious son under the Heavens!