Chapter 1062 Smiting the angels
The leader angel's demand hung heavily in the tense air, causing the tavern's patrons to shrink back in fear and silence. None dared to utter a word. With measured precision, the angel positioned his sword menacingly between Michael and the customer seated next to him.
Michael's thoughts raced as he grappled with the angel's words. "What is he talking about?" he muttered to himself, bewildered by the situation.
"Reveal the portals' location and I shall grant you swift death," the leading angel commanded. Michael's heavy sigh underscored his mounting frustration. He had hoped to find the divine portals, but this encounter revealed that the situation was far more complex. Someone had indeed concealed the portals, likely the very agra worshipper this angel sought. Michael's mind raced to understand the how and why of it.
The angel's voice grew sterner. "No answer, then?" He looked piercingly at Michael.
A golden light began to envelop the angel's sword, and Michael braced himself for the confrontation. He intended to defend himself and counterattack, though he knew it would complicate his plan to gather more knowledge before engaging in battles.
Unexpectedly, the hooded figure at Michael's side sprang into action, his voice an exasperated growl. A crimson red beam shot forth, striking the angel's chest and sending him hurtling through the crowd. The turn of events surprised Michael, as the other angels scrambled to respond.
"Kill the agra worshipper!" they cried in unison, launching themselves toward the hooded figure.
"Come with me if you want to live," the hooded figure's voice resonated in Michael's mind.
As the other angels closed in from all sides, the hooded figure deftly retrieved an object from his pocket, tossing it to the ground. The resulting explosion enveloped them in a thick red smoke. Within the swirling haze, a hand landed on Michael's shoulder, and the world around him seemed to warp and twist.
In the span of an instant, the tavern scene and its cacophony vanished, replaced by the barren desert as Michael found himself alongside the hooded figure. A puzzled furrow settled on Michael's brow.
"Did he just pull us into his mess?" Ayag's voice, emanating from Michael's pocket, was tinged with concern.
Michael wasted no time. "Who are you?" he inquired.
The hooded figure gradually revealed himself, fiery red hair cascading from beneath the hood, and crimson eyes locking onto Michael's gaze. A small flame mark adorned his forehead, marking his allegiance to the god Agra.
But the figure wasn't done. "The real question is, who are you?" he retorted.
Michael maintained his composure as the hooded individual pressed on.
"Your reaction to the angel's sword was intriguing. Or rather, your lack of reaction. Only a seasoned killer would face that sword without fear. It's a rarity in this world. You didn't even flinch. So, who are you?" The figure's keen observation skills took Michael aback.
"I might just be someone who didn't want to be caught in your troubles," Michael shot back, folding his arms.
The figure shook his head. "No, you're someone in search of the divine portals. Your curiosity was evident when the angel mentioned them. The glimmer in your eyes gave you away."
The depth of the figure's insight left Michael genuinely surprised.
"We can be allies," the agra worshipper suggested.
Michael's skepticism was palpable. "And why should I believe you can be of any assistance, let alone that I'd willingly step into your mess with the angels?" he countered.
"Because there's something different about you," the agra worshipper replied.
Before Michael could reply, he sensed a distortion in the air around him. "They're coming," Sarba whispered through their mental link, detecting an impending teleportation.
True to Sarba's premonition, a portal materialized next to Michael and the agra worshipper. The cerulean whirlpool shimmered as the angels who had stormed the tavern emerged from its depths.
"An agra worshipper and his follower," the lead angel sneered, the mask and helmet still obscuring his face, though his contempt for the worshipper was evident.
"You didn't strike me as the devotee of such a vile god," the lead angel remarked, his gaze shifting to Michael.
"Because I'm not," Michael replied calmly.
"Intriguing," the angel mused, stroking his chin. He then redirected his attention back to the red-haired agra worshipper.
The angels behind the leader sprang into motion, materializing behind Michael and the agra worshipper. Swift kicks to their knees forced both of them down onto the sand, rendering them defenseless.
"Your feeble attempt to evade us is laughable. A mere teleportation portal won't shield you from our grasp. It wounds me that you believed you could elude us," the lead angel sneered as he approached the agra worshipper, delivering a resounding slap across his face.
"Theo, we shall escort these two to His Grace Rainar's temple and purify their souls," another angel, firmly gripping the agra worshipper's shoulder, suggested.
"Agreed. However, we must first extract the whereabouts of the divine portals from him. His Grace desires their location," Theo, the lead angel, concurred.
"I won't utter a word," the agra worshipper retorted defiantly.
"Yes, I am aware. Followers of Agra can withstand any torment inflicted upon them—a unique trait of serving that vile god. But what about your companion here?" Theo's gaze shifted to Michael, his tone calculated.
"I've never seen him before in my life," Michael maintained, irritation simmering beneath his surface due to the angels and the agra worshipper.
"Stay strong, buddy. We'll get through this. Don't let these jerks intimidate you," the agra worshipper reassured Michael, employing a cunning ploy to mislead the angels into believing they were allies.
"Unbelievable," Ayag hissed, her vexation evident. Michael caught onto the agra worshipper's ruse and his sly grin, but when Theo turned his attention back to Michael, the grin faded, replaced by a counterfeit rage.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on him!" the agra worshipper erupted.
Theo's fa?ade shifted from anger to amusement with a devilish chuckle. "Which part of your 'friend' do you cherish most? Personally, I'm quite fond of cutting what lies between his legs. But let's begin with his fingers," he remarked, exuding a sinister demeanor.
"Take a look at him. Does he really seem like my friend?" Michael interjected, realizing the crafty maneuver the agra worshipper was attempting. As Theo turned to scrutinize Michael, the smile melted away, quickly replaced by a veneer of faux anger.
"Don't think for a second you can manipulate us," Theo hissed under his breath.
"Fucking idiots," Ayag whispered, her frustration palpable.
Theo advanced slowly toward Michael, while the angel behind him seized Michael's hand and elevated it.
"Agra is watching all of this, you bastard. He will come to my aid. Remember the might of the god Agra!" the agra worshipper exclaimed defiantly.
"No, he won't," the angel retorted, producing a golden orb with a deft motion. With a toss, the orb settled onto the sandy ground, forming a shimmering golden dome around them.
"You're now severed from teleportation and barred from utilizing any powers granted by your loathsome god. Agra can offer you nothing," Theo taunted.
"In truth, no deity can provide refuge," Theo added with a mocking laugh. Meanwhile, Michael hastily instructed his analyzer to evaluate the golden orb.
[This item is an energy disruptor. It will obstruct all surveillance and halt energy flow through its barrier. It can also conceal your divine aura if you choose to employ your powers. However, this item has a one-time use limit], the system analyzer conveyed to Michael.
Unbeknownst to the angels and Theo, they had unwittingly encased themselves with a god. Their intention was to isolate the agra worshipper and thwart any intervention from the deity Agra.
"We shall commence with his pinky, savoring the process," Theo remarked, positioning a dagger over Michael's pinky finger.
"I always seem to find myself in trouble when I attempt to avoid it," Michael sighed. Theo was taken aback, expecting Michael to scream and plead for help. Instead, Michael appeared composed and sighed.
"Just so you know, I was being truthful. I had never met him before," Michael stated calmly.
"Stay strong, brother!" the agra worshipper shouted, maintaining the pretense of camaraderie between himself and Michael.
"You don't need to pretend any longer," Michael remarked.
"I've had enough of this," Theo snickered, thrusting his dagger at Michael's pinky. However, the dagger chipped upon failing to pierce Michael's skin.
The angels and Theo were stunned. But before they could react, the golden dome began to darken.
"What in the hell?" the angel restraining Michael grumbled as Michael defied the force on his shoulder, rising to his feet despite the angel's efforts.
In an instant, Michael seized Theo by the neck, crushing it and shattering Theo's metal mask. But before Michael could finish Theo, the two angels behind him attempted to stab him with their holy swords.
Swiftly, Michael hurled Theo aside and evaded the attacking angels. With fluid motion, he drew two dark swords from behind and severed the angels' hands in a matter of seconds, causing them to scream in agony.
Without hesitation, Michael lunged forward, beheading the angels. Disregarding the system notifications, he dispatched the two celestial beings in the blink of an eye.
As Michael turned, blood splattered across his face, leaving an ominous stain. The agra worshipper and Theo finally comprehended that Michael was neither a mere killer nor a mortal, but a god.
"You... you're... a god..." Theo mumbled in absolute shock.
The remaining four angels promptly materialized behind Theo, positioning themselves against Michael. They released the agra worshipper from their grip, recognizing the greater threat at hand.
"I thought angels were supposed to embody goodness and kindness," Michael snickered, using his wrist to wipe the blood off his face.
"Guess I was mistaken," Michael commented.
"How can a god be present here? What god are you?!" Theo's voice rang out.
"That's a question whose answer you won't discover in this lifetime," Michael responded calmly. Simultaneously, within the golden dome, darkness engulfed the space, rendering it pitch black. The agra worshipper inched away, horrified by the angels' screams and the cacophony of blades slicing through both metal and flesh. The sickening sounds of blood spraying and the metallic tang of the scent filled the air, overwhelming his senses.
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