The crowd shivered, glancing at me as if they had seen a ghost. I could understand why—because even Luthor, who told me about the empire, referred to their leader as "Emperor." It was either he purposely tried to deceive me or he didn't know who their ruler truly was.
"Step aside," the aged voice rang from behind.
The people glanced over their shoulders at first, seemingly reluctant, but they eventually succumbed and stepped aside.
Empress Althea stood still, gazing at me with unnatural intensity.
If it were anyone else, they might be perplexed by the sheer weight of her gaze—but I was not a normal person.
I had argued with the heavens, refusing to do their bidding.
I had looked the abyss in the eyes and rejected its empty promises.
Would it be rational that my confidence falters now?
Gazing at a woman a few years away from the grave was the least intimidating thing I had done in this life. I could not be moved by it.
