Chapter 435: 50th Floor (3) – Power Plays

Chapter 435: 50th Floor (3) – Power Plays

I chose to remain seated against the golden pillar. If the Avatar acted against me, then I needed to conserve my energy and I was hoping they would not target the pillar with long range attacks. The airship matched the descent of the tower and hover in front of me.

Well it was more of an air boat with its small size and I counted six people on the deck and the Avatar, upright on a metal table of some kind, where she was strapped down on, so she didn’t have to remain seated.

Why it mattered with her eyes removed and limbless, no clue? But it was probably so she didn’t look weak and frail to her people. “Champion Michael.”

I could sense the minute vibrations of energy that caused her words to reach me. The Astrologer had explained it was a minor trick, using energy imbued with words and then lobbed at another person. That also confirmed she controlled who she spoke to.

“Avatar. Come to finish me off?” I asked. There was silence at that.

“I have come to discuss the future.” It was hard to contain my hatred for this woman. Plot after plot, centered on me. Well, she could die in the void for all I cared. I had to work to bury my anger. You show up now? After all the battles are over?

“What is the vote for?” I asked. If I was going to have to suffer the Avatar I might as well get some useful information out of her.

“There are several things that can be voted on.” That was not helpful in the slightest, but I didn’t expect anything and rolled my eyes a bit at the non-answer. Well, it was kind of useful. There was more than one thing that could be voted on, but it was still a terrible answer.

I saw the landscape behind the airship as we all continued to descend. “Well, get on with it,” I said. Might as well hear what she has to say. I didn’t want to fight right now, and I didn’t trust her to get on the airship in the slightest.

“Three cities. You leave the Fifth Caliphate alone and I won’t act against you,” the Avatar said. Oh, now that was interesting. She was bargaining for her people. They were up there on my list now, of people to kill.

“You would trust my word?” I asked her. Because I wouldn’t trust me either.

“Just as you much trust me. Acting against you, while annoying, I am not an easy opponent.” That was very true. The Avatar was the worst. I couldn’t kill her, but I could try and capture her. But she was not going to leave that airboat, I could tell.

It was an interesting request. “And a lift back to the city of Heaven to the West. You can have your three cities. You and your people don’t interfere with me or my Empire, and we won’t interfere with you. We can each appoint one ambassador with ten guards to the other’s capital. Also, you cannot help, aid, or speak with the Astrologer if he leaves.”

I let go of my hate. It was hard. Probably the hardest thing I had ever done. Even harder than climbing up this stupid tower. But it needed to be done. I could give up three cities, but no more. It was fine in my mind. Also having a hostile power, would be good to put the pressure on my soldiers and a reason for my existence as a deterrent.

The first part of the request was simply the fact that I didn’t want to drag myself back to a city a second time. I could do it and would do it. But I didn’t want to do it. Also, it meant the Avatar had to allow me on the air boat. A huge risk and it felt good to put the ball into her court.

If she refused, that clearly showed she didn’t trust me and there could be no peace. If she accepted, then she was taking a big risk. I honestly didn’t know if I would betray her and kill the people off on her airboat, but I was considering it.

I had a single die in my shorts pocket. The others had fallen out and had been lost, but I had one left. I would roll it to decide what I should do in case she could predict the future or read my mind. Well two rolls. One to decide the criteria for my decision and the second roll to determine the outcome.

The part about the Astrologer at the end of my request, was to see how she would respond. Was he still alive? The fact that the Astrologer had said he had talked to the Avatar and knew how Qi Ji Long looked like, clearly showed she had been meddling.

The air boat took off at high speeds. Now this was traveling. “That was your plan all along. To have the Astrologer use the appearance of the Divine Empress’s child?” I asked.

“Yes. A complex plan, but it came together, and you won in the end.”

“No claiming the vote for yourself or your followers?” I asked.

“I cannot. Nor can I aid anyone. One of the benefits of my position is that monsters don’t bother me.”

“Then what are you trying to accomplish?” I asked. I didn’t understand her in the slightest and planned never to meet or speak with her again if I could help it. Now that I was committed to not betraying her on this ride, I would hear her out.

“Saving lives. It is not simple. People are selfish, greedy, cruel, and filled with hate. Our position is incredibly fragile. Even my own.”

“Not manipulating the Russians and Indians?” I asked, probing for information.

“They are on the other side of the Rift to the West. Crossing that is much harder than crossing a smaller void gap. Even for me there are risks involved with traveling and seeing the other side of the Systemic Lands.” That was interesting to know.

“You are being quite forthcoming,” I replied.

“These are things the Divine Empress forced out of me. The risk of sharing that information no longer exists. While we are no allies or friends, I hope we can converse in the future if need be.” I shook my head at this.

“You manipulated me. You are still manipulating me. I don’t know why or for what purpose. You say saving lives, but I don’t believe that,” I replied.

“That is your choice. But I will not apologize again. The Divine Empress had to die. The risk she posed was too great.” I wouldn’t be surprised if you also wanted some personal vengeance. I know I would if someone turned me into a human nugget.

“And the Astrologer?” I asked out of curiosity. “You, his lover?”

“No. The man is a pig. But I will tell you something for free. He lives and I will stay out of the battle between both of you. Neither hindering nor helping.”

“You couldn’t have finished him off while coming to visit me?” I asked.

“I would prefer to remain neutral and for my people to do the same.” And taking three cities would give you a power base to work with. I would have refused anything more, but she already had two and probably wanted a third. Also, that comment about being neutral was nonsense. I noted she said that she preferred to be neutral, not that she actually was.

In the end, it was a matter of picking my battles and not gaining enemies all over the place. I had just finished off the Divine Empress and the Astrologer was still out there. I would need to finish him off as well. The Avatar could wait as I recovered and built up my strength.

I didn’t like it, but I could live with the outcome. “What day is it?” I asked as we continued to soar across the sky.