Hitman with a Badass System - #1153 - 1153 Gala of the gods

As the sun slowly rose over the Celestial Valley, the first rays of light bathed the landscape in a warm, golden hue. The valley, a hidden gem of nature and magic, awakened to the new day. Birds, their songs a melodious chorus, flitted between the trees, and magical creatures, unique to this enchanted land, stirred from their slumber, adding to the valley’s otherworldly beauty. The air was filled with the fresh, rejuvenating scent of morning dew and the lingering traces of the night’s dramatic events.

Michael, standing at the mouth of the cave, turned his gaze towards the colossal skeleton of the centipede. 

“Let’s go collect our prize,” he said, a tone of determination in his voice.

With Vedora perched securely on his shoulder, Michael took to the skies, flying towards the giant skeleton. As he approached the remains of the centipede, his figure seemed tiny in comparison to the vastness of the beast’s skeletal structure.

The skeleton itself was a remarkable sight. Towering and sprawling, it spanned a significant portion of the landscape. Its massive ribcage arched towards the sky, and the long, segmented spine trailed across the ground like the remnants of an ancient beast. Each bone was enormous, a testament to the size and power the centipede once possessed.

Ayag, looking at the skeleton, couldn’t help but comment, 

“This thing was truly a monster. It’s hard to believe something this big ever walked this realm.”

Their awe at the sight of the skeleton was mixed with a sense of accomplishment. They had overcome a formidable challenge, and now the next phase of their mission awaited.

In his mind, Michael queried the system, asking which specific bone was needed to forge a weapon potent enough to kill Rainar. Almost immediately, a part of the skeleton, near where the centipede’s neck once was, began to glow with a subtle, otherworldly light.

Michael, recognizing the sign, swiftly flew towards the glowing bone and landed gracefully upon the giant structure. The bone, even up close, was immense, dwarfing him in size.

“So, what’s the plan now?” As they settled on the bone, Ayag looked around curiously. 

Michael looked at the bone with a focused gaze. “Now, we cut a piece of this bone and forge a weapon from it,” he declared.

He unsheathed his dark sword, the blade glinting ominously in the morning light. With a fluid motion, he coated the blade with dark flames, imbuing it with a power that seemed to hum through the air.

Carefully, he positioned the sword against the bone and began to carve out a large chunk. The process was slow and methodical, each cut precise and calculated. The dark flames on his sword seemed to ease the task, slicing through the tough, ancient bone with a surprising efficiency.

As Michael worked, the bone yielded under the combination of his strength and the sword’s enhanced capabilities. Slowly, a sizeable piece of bone began to separate from the main structure, the first step in creating a weapon of immense power.

Once he had successfully carved out a substantial chunk of the centipede’s bone, Michael held it up for a moment, inspecting his handiwork. Satisfied, he then stored it in his system storage. The bone chunk vanished from his hand, safely secured within his virtual arsenal.

Ayag’s attention was drawn to several large pieces of chitin-like armor scattered on the ground. These remnants of the centipede’s armor were fortuitously left behind by the swarm, which had devoured everything but the bones of the creature.

Noticing the potential of these materials, Michael jumped down from the skeleton and landed beside the armor pieces. He approached one of the smaller fragments, yet even this piece was almost as tall as he was. With considerable effort, he lifted it, feeling its weight and studying its structure.

Cain, observing the scene, remarked, “With the panther’s invisibility fur and these pieces of the centipede’s armor, we could forge some impressive armor in the future.”

Michael nodded in agreement, already envisioning the possibilities. The combination of the mystical properties of the panther’s fur and the resilience of the centipede’s armor held great potential for creating armor that was both protective and imbued with unique abilities.

As he contemplated the future uses of these materials, the early morning light continued to illuminate the Celestial Valley, casting long shadows and highlighting the aftermath of the night’s epic battle.

*********************************

In a serene valley nestled between lush, rolling mountain hills, the grand glass dome of Goddess Fortuna’s gala stood majestically. The dome, a marvel of architectural beauty, overlooked a tranquil lake, its surface mirroring the clear blue sky above. Around the dome, angels with delicate, feathery wings fluttered gracefully, adding to the ethereal atmosphere of the setting.

A red-haired youngster, his eyes bright with a mix of excitement and nervousness, approached the dome. As he drew closer, he was greeted by the sight of an exceptionally beautiful woman with striking blue hair that cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall of sapphires. This was Goddess Fortuna, the Goddess of Luck. She possessed an angelic appearance, her body emanating a graceful and divine aura. Her skin glowed with a soft radiance, and her presence seemed to fill the air with a sense of serendipity and enchantment.

The youngster, slightly awestruck by her presence, mustered his confidence and addressed her. 

“Goddess Fortuna, the preparations for the gala are coming along nicely. However, we’re a bit behind schedule with the beverages and food.”

Fortuna, with a gentle and understanding smile, nodded at the young man’s report. Her celestial beauty and the calm authority in her demeanor spoke volumes of her divine status, as the caretaker of chance and fortune.

“Thank you for the update,” she replied in a voice that was melodious and soothing. 

“I trust we’ll manage to catch up. This gala is important, not just as a celebration, but as a gathering of influential beings from across realms.”

As the preparations for the gala continued, a new figure made his way towards the grand glass dome. He was neither too tall nor too short, his posture exuding a casual confidence. His hair was jet black, crowning his head with a uniquely fox-shaped crown, a symbol of cunning and wit. His eyes, one green and one blue, sparkled with a mischievous glint, giving away his penchant for trickery and playful deceit.

Fortuna greeted him with a knowing grin, fully aware of his notorious reputation. 

“Welcome, Lathander, God of Mischief. I trust your journey here was as eventful as always.”

Lathander’s lips curled into a sly smile, his eyes dancing with amusement. 

“Oh, you know me, Fortuna. I can’t resist a bit of fun along the way. I may have convinced a couple of minor deities that they were heading in the wrong direction. Harmless fun!”

His voice was light, yet there was a sharpness to his words, a reminder of his cleverness and unpredictability. As he spoke, he casually flicked his wrist, and a small fireworks display erupted in the air above them, bursting into shapes of mischievous foxes and grinning faces.

Fortuna, accustomed to Lathander’s antics, laughed softly. 

“Always the prankster. Just remember, this gala is a gathering of the entire pantheon. Let’s keep the mischief within… manageable limits.”

“As you wish, Goddess of Luck. But where’s the fun in a gathering of gods without a little unpredictability?” Lathander bowed theatrically. 

His presence, a blend of charm and roguishness, added an extra layer of excitement to the gala preparations. Even among gods, the God of Mischief stood out, his antics a source of both amusement and mild consternation.

As the preparations for the gala continued under the watchful eyes of Fortuna and Lathander, the clear sky above the grand glass dome unexpectedly began to darken. Storm clouds gathered rapidly, swirling in a dramatic display of nature’s power. Deep blue lightning streaks illuminated the sky, casting a spectral glow over the valley.

Lathander watched with a mix of awe and amusement. 

“Seems like Kranar is making an entrance,” he said, his voice laced with mischievous delight.

Without warning, a bolt of lightning struck down from the sky, aimed directly at the glass dome. However, instead of shattering the glass, the lightning seemed to merge with it, creating a dazzling light show. From the heart of the lightning bolt, a tall, muscular man with various tattoos emerged. A distinctive lightning bolt tattoo adorned his forehead, marking him unmistakably as Kranar, the God of Lightning.

His blue-gray hair fluttered back as he stepped out of the lightning, his presence commanding and powerful. Despite the dramatic entrance, there was a calmness about him, a controlled mastery of the storm he wielded.

Fortuna greeted him with a warm smile, unfazed by his thunderous arrival. 

“Welcome, Kranar. Your entrances never cease to amaze.”

The storm clouds began to dissipate as Kranar made his presence known, the sky clearing as if in deference to his power.

Lathander, ever the embodiment of mischief, greeted Kranar in his own unique style. With a sly grin, he bowed slightly and said, 

“Kranar, your entrance is as electrifying as ever. It’s shocking, really.”

Kranar, however, seemed less amused. His expression was stern, and a hint of anger flickered in his eyes. 

“Where is Rainar?” he growled, his voice resonating with barely contained power.

Fortuna, maintaining her composure and her ever-present smile, responded gracefully. 

“Kranar, this gala is a celebration, not a battleground. I expect all gods to set aside their differences for the duration of their stay here.”

Lathander, unable to resist adding his own twist, chimed in playfully. 

“And soon, my dear gods, we’ll all be restricted from using our powers. So, enjoy these moments of omnipotence while they last.”

His words hinted at a magical aspect of the gala, one that would level the playing field among the gods, ensuring a peaceful and enjoyable event for all attendees.

Fortuna’s and Lathander’s comments served as a gentle reminder of the purpose of the gala – a rare opportunity for deities from various realms to gather, interact, and celebrate in a harmonious setting, free from conflicts and power struggles.