Hitman with a Badass System

The next day, Michael and Gaya found themselves back in Seshat's garden. This time, a round, marble table had been set up near the waterfall, laden with a steaming pot of tea and delicate porcelain cups.

Michael and Gaya sat, waiting. Gaya, never one for patience, poured herself a cup, then one for Michael. She took a sip, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Not bad," she murmured, taking another sip. "You know, Seshat, if this whole Goddess of Wisdom gig doesn't work out you could always open a tea shop."

Seshat simply smiled, a serene, enigmatic expression that made Gaya want to throw something at her.

"And where is Zorian?" Michael asked, breaking the silence.

"He will come," Seshat replied calmly.

And as if on cue, a brilliant orb of light, brighter than the sun itself, appeared in the garden. A figure stepped out of the light, his form solidifying, his features godlike.

It was Zorian.

He looked like a god, every inch the part. Tall, powerfully built, with long, flowing white hair and a beard that reached his chest. He looked like those Greek god statues Michael had seen in museums back on Earth. He was like Zeus but with a tan.

He stood there for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Michael and Gaya, a flicker of something in his eyes. It had been a long time. Five thousand years, to be exact. The last time he'd seen them they'd been different. The previous Dark Lord and the previous Goddess of Monsters.

Finally, he approached the table and took a seat opposite them as his gaze was fixed on Michael.

"Shall we begin?" Seshat asked, pouring a cup of tea for Zorian.

Michael and Zorian nodded.

"So," Zorian began, his voice a low, resonant rumble that seemed to vibrate the very air around them. "I hear you killed Agra. Drowned him in the Pond of Tranquility. Poetic justice, wouldn't you say?"

Michael chuckled. "You could say that."

"More like fucked up justice," Gaya added, her lips curling into a smirk. "But justice nonetheless."

Zorian didn't press the issue. He wasn't here to rehash the past. He was here to forge an alliance. A fragile, uneasy alliance, but an alliance nonetheless.

Sensing the shift in the conversation, Seshat interjected, her voice smooth, calming.

"Perhaps," she said, her gaze sweeping over the three of them, "we should focus on the matter at hand. Shall we?"

Both Michael and Gaya nodded in agreement. Despite her aversion to authority and rules, Gaya understood the necessity of this alliance. She didn't like the idea of making a deal with the holier-than-thou pricks of the Pantheon, but their survival, their ability to operate freely, depended on it. Michael had explained it to her, patiently, logically. They couldn't grow stronger, couldn't amass power, if they were constantly looking over their shoulders, dodging Raphael and Pantheon enforcers. This alliance, this truce would buy them breathing room. And besides, it wasn't like they were going to become best friends with the Pantheon. This was a strategic alliance, a temporary truce was a way to level the playing field. And maybe, just maybe, they could use this arrangement to get their hands on some goodies like resources, information and other things they needed.

"So," Zorian began, his gaze fixed on Michael. "Why did you agree to this meeting? I have a feeling you two don't particularly enjoy answering to anyone."

Michael nodded, a slow, deliberate movement.

"It's true," he said, his voice a low rumble. "We like our freedom. But desperate times, Zorian. Desperate measures. We like our freedom but it's not freedom if we're constantly looking over our shoulders. For Raphael and his dogs." ɽ₳Ŋо₿Εş

When he heard Raphael's name, Zorian smiled. It had been his order, after all, that had sent Raphael after the God of Darkness. He had to admit, he'd underestimated Michael. He'd expected the capture to be swift and decisive. But he also understood the God of Darkness's annoyance. Raphael was persistent and a bloodhound. Once he caught your scent, he wouldn't rest until he'd apprehended his target.

"So," Zorian said, leaning forward.. "You expect the Pantheon to call off the dogs in exchange for your help?"

Michael grinned, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"You haven't said what you need help with, Zorian," he pointed out. "We both know you have an Andohr problem. But how big of a problem is he? Really?"

But before Zorian could answer, Seshat interjected.

"Andohr is your common enemy. He is not someone who can be easily dealt with."

"Oh, I agree," Michael said, his smile widening. "He's a slippery bastard. Like a bad penny. Always turning up when you least expect it. And always surviving,"

"He's like a fucking cockroach," Gaya added, snorting in derision.

Seshat smiled, unfazed by Gaya's colorful language.

"Then you understand. You need each other. Use this animosity towards Andohr as common ground."

Seeing the logic and the wisdom in her words, Michael nodded and turned to Zorian.

"Let's put our differences aside, Zorian. For now. Focus on Andohr. He's only as strong as his allies. We can't take him down. Not yet. He's the fucking God of Time and Space, after all. But we can weaken him. I help you eliminate his allies and in exchange, you call off your dogs. And assist us when we need it. A partnership." Continue your adventure at empire

"And what things do you have in mind?" Zorian asked, his brow furrowed.

"Oh, you know," Gaya said, waving her hand dismissively. "Little things. Here and there. Nothing that'll hurt your righteous ass. Too much."

Despite his reservations about the two of them, Zoriantrusted Seshat's judgment. And besides, he was desperate. He would take help where he could get it, even if it came from the God of Darkness. He would prefer to have an enemy he could see coming. And as much as he distrusted Michael and Gaya they were enemies. Andohr, on the other hand, was a traitor, a snake who'd betrayed them all.

"And what kind of help are you willing to lend?" Zorian asked, his gaze fixed on the God of Darkness.

Michael chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that sent a shiver down Zorian's spine.

"The kind of help you need, Zorian," he said, his voice a soft purr. "The kind of help that will clean up the Pantheon. I can help you get rid of trash. Gods who abuse their power. Gods who hurt the mortals."

He leaned forward, his gaze intense.

"We both know Rainar and Agra weren't exactly model gods, were they? One was a dictator. The other a fucking psychopath. I did you a favor, Zorian. The Pantheon is losing the faith of the people. You need to purge the corruption. Clean house. And I can help you do that. Become worthy of your titles again."

As much as Zorian disliked the idea of allying himself with the God of Darkness, he had to admit that Michael had a point. Rainar, with his tyrannical rule over Nimbosia, Agra, with his chaos, they had been liabilities. They'd given the Pantheon a bad name. And there were others, too. Gods who'd grown complacent, corrupt and forgotten what it meant to be a god.

And perhaps… perhaps having the God of Darkness cull the herd wasn't such a bad idea. He could use the God of Darkness's talents to cleanse the Pantheon. And then he could claim the credit. Portray himself as the savior of the realm of the Gods, the one who had restored order. The mortals would love it. He could manipulate the narrative, turn the God of Darkness into a hero and a secret member of the Pantheon, working from the shadows.

His worship energy reserves would skyrocket.

"And what's in it for you?" Zorian asked, his voice laced with suspicion. "Why help us?"

"Let's just say I have my own reasons," Michael said with a shrug. "And a few enemies of my own. Enemies who've made a habit of interfering in my affairs. Enemies who happen to be allied with Andohr."

After a long moment of silence, Zorian nodded slowly with a thoughtful look on his face

"Very well," he said, his voice firm. "We have a deal. But I expect results. I expect loyalty. And I expect you to deal with Andohr's allies. One way or another."

Michael simply nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. He didn't have to explain his motivations. Killing gods was beneficial to him because each god-killing quest came with a hefty reward like experience points, badass points, and a reduction in the number of obstacles standing in his path.

"As for our first order of business," Zorian continued, his gaze hardening. "There's a data center in Luxor. Belonging to Seraphene. I want you to destroy it. Consider it… a test of your commitment."

Michael smiled. It was a perfect chance to weaken Seraphene, disrupt her information network, and acquire some valuable intel for Pink to analyze. It was a win-win.

"Consider it done," he said, his voice a low purr.

"I will contact you when the task is complete," Zorian said, his gaze lingering on Michael for a moment. Then, with a flash of golden light, he was gone.

After Zorian disappeared, Michael stood up, stretching his limbs with a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.

"Well, that went better than expected," he said, turning to Gaya. "Ready to get your upgraded armor? And then we have a bow to retrieve. And a certain Princess of Murder to deal with."

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