Chapter 1165 Firing the killing shot
Michael carefully extracted a crossbow bolt, meticulously crafted from the centipede's collarbone, and locked it into the crossbow. He steadied his breathing, focusing on the task at hand.
"Diddle...Diddle...We are so little..." he murmured a mantra to calm his nerves under his breath.
With precision, he then adjusted the crossbow slightly to the side, a seemingly odd angle away from Rainar. This adjustment caught Ayag's attention, prompting her to question his actions.
"Why are you moving the crossbow like that? It looks like you're aiming away from Rainar," she asked, puzzled by his strategy.
Michael, maintaining his focus, explained his reasoning.
"It's about compensating for external factors. The wind direction, the distance, even the slightest atmospheric changes can affect the trajectory of the bolt," he said, his eyes still on the target.
"At this distance, even a small miscalculation can result in a miss. I need to account for wind speed and direction, as well as the bolt's drop over this range. It's all about finding the perfect angle for the shot." He said with a steady voice.
Ayag listened, gaining a deeper appreciation for the complexity and skill involved in long-range sniping. Michael's meticulous preparation and attention to detail were evident in his every move.
Adjusting his stance, Rainar stepped forward to address Zorian, his expression one of justification. Kranar followed suit, his demeanor equally resolute. The tension between them was palpable as they began to explain the root of their conflict.
"Zorian, the war started when Kranar encroached on my domain, Nimbosia. He began building a base of worshippers there," Rainar said, his voice firm, portraying himself as the aggrieved party.
"And in retaliation, you sent your angels and zealots to convert my followers, expanding your influence unrighteously." Kranar countered.
Their words painted a picture of escalating tensions, a battle for power and followers between two gods.
Valorius, the God of Valor, known for his heroism and bravery, interjected with a tone of reason.
"But such actions bring more strife than resolution. Is this war truly in the best interest of your domains?"
Before Rainar could respond, Lathander chimed in, his voice light yet carrying a note of seriousness.
"And let's not forget the artifact Rainar commissioned. It is designed to absorb Kranar's angels' lightning bolts and fire them back. It turned the tide of the war in Rainar's favor." said Lathander.
His statement revealed a deeper layer of strategy and betrayal in the ongoing conflict. The gods present absorbed this information, their expressions ranging from concern to intrigue.
Zorian, his voice tinged with rebuke, addressed the gods gathered before him.
"This war reflects poorly on the entire pantheon. It's true, as some believe," he glanced momentarily at Seshat, "that we are slowly losing our way."
His gaze then shifted back to Rainar and Kranar, his expression stern and authoritative.
"Disputes like this serve only to weaken us, to distract us from greater threats," he continued, his words resonating with a sense of impending danger.
"Dagon, the Fallen God, ruler of Hell, is amassing his forces. He waits for opportunities just like this," Zorian warned, his tone grave.
"While we squabble over worshippers and domains, he plots to harm the realm of gods, to exploit our divisions," said Zorian.
The solemnity of Zorian's words hung in the air, casting a shadow over the gala.
Sarba, utilizing his enhanced hearing, relayed the conversation among the gods to Michael and his siblings.
"Zorian is chastising Rainar and Kranar. He's warning them about Dagon's growing power in Hell and how their conflict is weakening the pantheon," he informed them, his voice low but clear.
Ayag, upon hearing Sarba's update, couldn't help but snicker.
"They have no idea, do they? Dagon can't even hold a torch against the threat we pose," she said, her chuckle carrying a dark undertone.
Her comment underscored the confidence and potential danger their group represented, especially considering their current mission. While the gods were preoccupied with their internal squabbles and external threats like Dagon, they remained oblivious to the imminent threat posed by Michael and his team.
Michael, focused on his objective, listened intently to Sarba's account. The information was vital, offering insight into the state of mind and preoccupations of the gods, particularly their target, Rainar.
Suddenly, Lathander, ever the showman, strolled up to Rainar with his usual flair. As he positioned himself before Rainar, he inadvertently blocked Michael's line of sight. From his vantage point, Michael watched through the scope, his target now obscured by the God of Mischief.
"Lathander is blocking my line of sight," Michael growled coldly, his frustration evident in his voice. The timing couldn't have been more inconvenient, and the interruption was clearly unwelcome.
"That son of a bitch…" Ayag, never one to mince words, let out a string of curses directed at Lathander. Her annoyance at the god's untimely intervention was palpable, echoing Michael's sentiment.
Just then, Pink's voice came through the earpiece, her tone calm and rational.
"Be patient. Wait for Lathander to move. You'll get your chance," she advised.
Michael took a deep breath, steadying his emotions and refocusing on the task at hand. The importance of patience in such a high-stakes situation was not lost on him. Despite the setback, he remained ready, knowing that the opportunity to take his shot could present itself at any moment.
As Lathander continued to obstruct his view, Michael adjusted the scope, taking the opportunity to scan the other gods present at the gala. While surveying the scene, he was surprised to see Seshat glance in his direction once again, as if she somehow sensed his distant gaze. With a composed demeanor, she gracefully made her way toward Lathander.
Upon reaching Lathander, Seshat addressed him with a cryptic yet wise quote, her voice calm and poised.
"True wisdom often lies in knowing when to step aside," she said softly. Then, with a gentle touch, she subtly pulled Lathander aside, clearing Michael's line of sight.
From his sniper nest, Michael watched this unexpected development with a mix of surprise and curiosity. It seemed as if Seshat was indirectly aiding him, although her motives remained unclear.
Sarba, witnessing Michael's reaction, quickly relayed the incident to Ayag and Cain, who couldn't see what was happening through the scope.
"Seshat just moved Lathander out of Michael's line of sight," he explained, his tone one of disbelief.
Ayag, surprised by this turn of events, couldn't help but express her appreciation for Seshat's intervention.
"Well, that's some divine intervention I can get behind," she remarked, a hint of admiration in her voice.
Delving deeper into the conflict, Zorian turned the conversation towards a more sensitive topic, addressing Kranar and Rainar directly.
"I am aware of the assassins you both sent to the Blacksmith Guild," he said, his voice steady but carrying an undertone of disapproval. The revelation visibly shocked both Kranar and Rainar, neither expecting their covert actions to be so transparent to one of the elder gods.
Rainar had sent assassins to eliminate the blacksmiths who forged the artifact, aiming to prevent replication and tie up loose ends. Kranar, on the other hand, had dispatched his own assassins to recover the artifacts and eliminate those who had crafted a tool that could weaken his power.
Valorius, listening intently, joined the conversation with a comment that reflected his role as the God of Valor.
"This war between you two has crossed lines. Rainar, forcing your people to worship through fear, flooding them as punishment for producing less worship energy. It is unbecoming of a god," he said, his voice firm and filled with a sense of justice and morality.
The exchange laid bare the extent of the strife between Kranar and Rainar, revealing the desperate measures they had taken in their battle for supremacy. Zorian's knowledge and Valorius's remarks highlighted the deteriorating situation within the pantheon and the need for a resolution.
On the other hand, amidst the tension unfolding at the gala, Pink's voice came through the communication device, breaking into Michael's focus.
"Is your line of sight clear now?" she inquired, her tone laced with urgency.
"Yes," Michael responded, his voice steady as he took a deep breath, steadying his nerves for the critical moment.
"Take the shot, Michael," Pink urged, her words echoing the gravity of the situation.
Ayag, who had been silently observing, took a deep breath and whispered,
"This is it." The air was thick with anticipation, the significance of their action hanging heavily over them.
Michael, with practiced precision, adjusted his aim, accounting for all the variables he had meticulously calculated. His finger gently rested on the trigger, the crossbow bolt poised and ready.
The world seemed to slow down as he exhaled and gently squeezed the trigger. The crossbow bolt, a deadly projectile crafted from the ancient centipede's collarbone, launched from the crossbow with a quiet whoosh, cutting through the air towards its target.
The bolt flew with lethal precision, the distance closing rapidly between it and Rainar. The moment was a culmination of planning, skill, and determination – the first assassination attempt of a god in known history.
As the bolt neared its target, the outcome of Michael's shot hung in the balance, reaching a heart-stopping moment of suspense.
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