Li Mei and Prince Zhao entered the Pavilion of Eternal Spring as the full moon reached its highest point in the sky. The Imperial Gardens were filled with the smell of blood and lavender. The Empress Dowager sat on a golden throne in the center of the pavilion. She was surrounded by a military unit of fifty lunar warriors who were in their transformed states. These creatures had silver fur and long claws that glittered in the moonlight. The Empress looked at the intruders with an expression of calm authority. This was a classic confrontation between a protagonist and an antagonist who was very wealthy and powerful.
"You have arrived at the peak of my life's work," the Empress Dowager said. Her voice was smooth and clear. "I have created a force that will ensure the survival of the Tang Dynasty through this apocalypse".
Prince Zhao stepped forward. He stood between Li Mei and the Empress. He was an invincible warrior with dark eyes that showed his mental strength. He held his sword tightly. He was the hero of the empire and his purpose was to stop this threat.
"You have not created a force for the empire," Zhao said. "You have created a situation that destroys human nature".
Li Mei used her golden finger to analyze the air. She identified the scent of the arsenic trigger inside the tea vats near the throne. She knew this was a time limited crisis because the moon was at its zenith. She held the ceramic jars containing the neutralizing compound. She was a woman of rationality and empathy who wanted to save the people.
"Your upgrade system is flawed," Mei said. She spoke with confidence. "The medicine my father created will return these men to their human forms".
The Empress Dowager stood up. She signaled for the lunar warriors to attack. This was the climax of the plot where the protagonist must overcome the highest level of difficulty. The warriors lunged at Prince Zhao. Zhao used his supernatural strength to intercept the first three enemies. The sound of clashing steel and bestial roars filled the gardens.
"Destroy them all," the Empress ordered. She was a complex antagonist who did not care about the lives of others.
Mei moved toward the tea vats. She had to act quickly to end this apocalypse. She realized that the opponent was strong because she had access to resources the protagonist did not have. However Mei had the knowledge of her father's journal and her own skills. She poured the neutralizing compound into the vats. The liquid began to steam and release a minty aroma that fought the scent of arsenic.
"Stop the alchemist!" the Empress screamed.
A lunar warrior turned toward Mei. Zhao threw his sword to distract the beast. This was a moment of mutual trust and assistance among companions. The warrior fell to the ground as the minty vapor reached its lungs. The silver fur began to recede. The creature turned back into a man who was confused and weak.
The imperial bells began to ring. The sound was meant to trigger the final transformation. But the air was now filled with the antidote. The warriors across the gardens were collapsing as their meridians were stabilized.
The Empress Dowager looked at the scene with horror. Her kingdom building project was failing. She realized that the protagonist had used her abilities to solve the problem. The moon began to move away from the zenith.
"This is not the end," the Empress whispered. She moved toward the secret exit behind the throne.
Zhao and Mei stood together. They had won this battle but they knew the journey was still long. They had saved the city from the first wave of the apocalypse. They were now ready to pursue the Empress and finish their mission.