Hitman with a Badass System

Despite Nithroel's suggestions, Michael had another risky plan in mind - to ally himself with Dagon, the ruler of hell. Why? Because Dagon held a deep-seated hatred for the pantheon, making him a potential ally against their common enemy.

"Do you have any worshippers in the realm of gods?" Gaya inquired.

Nithroel let out a heavy sigh in response. "It has been thousands of years since I set foot in the realm of gods. I doubt I still have any worshippers there. Even if they remained, it would be futile since I cannot hear their prayers. Other gods may have already poached them. Nevertheless, they might find some solace in serving my name," she explained.

The idea of amassing worshippers seemed to weigh heavily on Michael's mind after hearing Nithroel's words. While he had the assistance of the system to grow stronger, he recognized the importance of building his own worshippers for the future.

"Is there anything else you can tell me about the pantheon?" Michael inquired.

As Michael inquired about the pantheon, Nithroel warned him, "They are like the Skyhall of the realm of gods, overseeing and controlling everything. Any god who dares to defy them will face severe consequences. Trust me when I say this, you don't want to be on the bad side of the pantheon."

"But whatever you do, stay away from gods like Rudra. They don't come out of their kingdoms often, but when they do, only death and destruction will follow them," Nithroel's warning about Rudra, the God of War, echoed in Michael's mind.

He knew firsthand the destructive power of Rudra, as a mere orc possessed by a fragment of his strength had overwhelmed him in battle. The memory of that defeat fueled a deep desire for vengeance against the War God. However, Michael chose to remain silent for now, knowing that facing Rudra would require careful planning and immense power. He understood the gravity of Nithroel's words and the need to tread cautiously in the realm of gods, especially when dealing with beings of such immense strength and ruthlessness.

Throughout their conversation, Nithroel shared valuable insights about the realm of gods and offered suggestions on how to navigate it once Michael arrived there. After bidding farewell to the couple, Nithroel left them alone.

With their preparations complete, Michael and Gaya set off for the Celestial Gardens, a hidden pocket dimension accessible only to those with knowledge of its existence. Nestled above Nagaland, the gardens remained invisible to the people, serving as a perfect getaway for the couple.

"Let's go," Michael said, surprising Gaya with his sudden decision.

"What now?" she asked.

"Let's leave now. I fear something might come up if we stay here any longer. So I am taking my lovely wife with me," Michael said with a mischievous smile as he swooped Gaya into his arms.

"To the honeymoon you truly deserve," he added, his eyes reflecting affection and passion for his beloved wife.

Without wasting a second in the safehouse, Michael and Gaya teleported themselves to the nearest runic teleportation spot near Nagaland. As they ascended through the clouds, they swiftly changed their armor to disguise themselves from any prying eyes.

Gaya, her heart brimming with excitement and anticipation, couldn't help but share her carefully crafted plans for their honeymoon. "Michael, you won't believe the places I've researched for our honeymoon! The Celestial Gardens will be the perfect starting point for our journey. It's said to be a realm of unimaginable beauty, filled with enchanting flora and fauna, and captivating landscapes that will leave us in awe."

As they flew closer to the opening of the pocket dimension leading to the Celestial Gardens, Gaya's voice turned slightly melancholic. "I can't believe we only have a week together before you must venture to the realm of gods. I wish you could stay with me longer."

Michael gently squeezed her hand and spoke tenderly, "I wish I could too. But dealing with the pantheon and growing stronger is crucial for our future together. I promise, once I return, we'll have all the time in the world to be together."

While Michael and Gaya soared through the sky, a breathtaking panorama unfolded before them. Fluffy, cotton-like clouds floated gently beneath their feet, casting shadows on the land below. The warm rays of the sun bathed them in a golden glow, while the vast expanse of the blue sky stretched endlessly above, dotted with wisps of white. The wind embraced them like a gentle caress, carrying their laughter and whispers through the open air.

As Michael and Gaya approached the distortion in space, Gaya's excitement grew. She gestured for him to stop, and as they hovered in the empty sky, she produced a peculiar snake-shaped key from her space ring. To Michael's surprise, the key floated in mid-air before them.

"A key to the celestial gardens? I didn't know you had it," Michael said, his eyes filled with curiosity.

"I didn't. Mom gave it to me last week," Gaya beamed with joy.

"So you and your mom planned this all along. Sneaky," Michael chuckled, feeling grateful for their thoughtful gesture.

"Be grateful Mom didn't kick your butt for not taking me on a honeymoon sooner. Even now, we only have one week together. You're lucky to have such a caring and lovely wife," Gaya teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she restrained her laughter.

With the key hovering before them, they both reached out and touched it simultaneously. As they did, the distortion in space began to grow, revealing a hidden portal to the celestial gardens. Hand in hand, they stepped through the shimmering portal, leaving behind the mortal realm.

As Michael stepped through the shimmering portal, he found himself in a breathtaking world unlike anything he had ever seen before. The Celestial Gardens stretched out before him, a realm of floating islands adorned with vibrant flowers that glowed in the soft moonlight. Each island seemed to emanate a gentle aura, creating a mesmerizing sight that captured his heart.

The air was filled with the sweet fragrance of the blossoms, and a gentle breeze caressed his face, carrying a sense of tranquility and peace. The sky above was a mesmerizing tapestry of stars, twinkling like precious gems against a backdrop of deep indigo. It felt as if time had stopped in this ethereal place, and Michael couldn't help but be in awe of its beauty.

Looking around, he noticed the islands were interconnected by delicate, luminescent bridges that seemed to weave through the air like delicate spiderwebs. Crystal-clear waterfalls cascaded down from some of the islands, creating small streams that meandered through the floating landscape.

Hovering in the sky, Michael spread his senses throughout the celestial gardens and found no life signs. With a devilish grin, he ordered the system to lock down the entrance to the gardens.

"How much will it cost to lock the palace down?" he asked.

[Free. Consider this my wedding gift to you, host.] the system replied, surprising Michael.

"Wow, that's a first time," he chuckled.

As the system closed down the celestial gardens, Michael turned to Gaya with a loving smile. "After you, snakey," he gestured for her to move forward and enjoy the sight before her as much as she wanted.

Gaya shook her head playfully. "Not without you," she said, pulling him close and kissing him passionately. Finally, after being with her for almost three years, Michael felt their love reach new heights. The following hours in the celestial gardens were filled with their deep affection and intimacy, their bond growing even stronger amidst the magical beauty of the floating islands and glowing flowers.

As the hours passed, Michael and Gaya found themselves lying on a floating mountain above the soft grassland, wrapped in a soft fluffy bedsheet, and gazing at the sky above.

Gaya rested her head on Michael's chest, her eyes filled with love and contentment. "I don't want to sound silly like most girls do, but I'm so in love with you, you bastard," she playfully pinched Michael's cheek. He couldn't help but smile, cherishing these peaceful moments with his wife.

"You don't sound silly at all, Gaya. You sound like the beautiful woman I married. I promise you, we will spend the rest of our godly lives like this," Michael reassured her.

"With little Michaels and Gayas," Gaya added, her voice hopeful, as she looked at him, silently asking if he shared the same desire.

Michael held her gaze, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Why not?" he finally said with a playful smile. Although he had reservations about having kids, he loved Gaya so deeply that he couldn't bear to deny her the joy of having a family. He wanted to make her happy and see her dreams come true.

Gaya was stunned and overjoyed by Michael's response. A wide grin spread across her face, and she couldn't contain her excitement. She showered him with kisses, expressing her happiness in each loving touch.

"Really? You mean it?" she asked, her eyes shimmering with joy.

"Of course. I may not have considered it before, but seeing how much you want it, I can't resist," Michael replied, brushing her hair affectionately.

Gaya chuckled playfully, "So, how many kids are we going to have then?"

Michael pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm, let's see. We have eternity ahead of us, right? So why not enough to populate a kingdom?" he teased, his eyes filled with affection.

Gaya's laughter filled the air, and she hugged him tightly. "I love you so much," she whispered.

"And I love you more," Michael replied, kissing her forehead. They lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, cherishing the moment and the promise of a future together, filled with love, laughter, and the pitter-patter of little feet.

( a calm before the storm chapter)