The House Of Crows And Wolves

Chapter Thirty-One: The Dark Gods Emerge

Talon Nightshade stood at the edge of an ancient, crumbling temple, deep within the shadowy heart of the jungle. Beside him, his remaining allies-Derek of the Jackals, Kimi of the Cats, Soraya of the Coyotes, Zephyr of the Foxes, Rax of the Crocodiles, and the outcasts of the Sharks and Swordfishes-gathered, their expressions a mix of anticipation and dread.

"Are we ready?" Talon asked, his voice barely masking the desperation beneath his composed facade.

Kimi nodded, holding the final artifact for Yoruba. "We have everything. Now, we can begin the summoning."

The outcasts of the Sharks and Swordfishes, now revealed as Kaida and Darius respectively, positioned themselves at the corners of the summoning circle. Derek, Soraya, Zephyr, and Rax stood in the center, each holding one of the artifacts for Apophis and Sobek.

Talon took a deep breath and began the incantation, his voice echoing through the temple ruins. Dark energy crackled in the air, swirling around the artifacts. The ground trembled, and the sky darkened as an ominous power surged forth.

In a blinding flash, the god of darkness Set, the god of chaos Apophis, the dark god of the seas Yoruba, and the dark god of the Nile Sobek materialized before them. Their presence was overwhelming, a suffocating aura of malevolence and power.

Talon fell to his knees, awestruck and terrified. "Great gods of darkness, I have summoned you as promised. Now, grant me your power!"

Set, towering and menacing, looked down at Talon with disdain. "You, mortal, have failed to summon us in our full might."

Apophis, a serpentine figure with eyes like burning coals, hissed, "Your efforts are pathetic, Talon Nightshade."

Yoruba, the dark god of the seas, roared with laughter. "You sought to control us, yet you cannot even bring us forth completely."

Sobek, the dark god of the Nile, bared his fangs. "Your ambition is commendable, but your execution is laughable."

Without warning, the dark gods unleashed their wrath. In an instant, Derek, Kimi, Soraya, Zephyr, Rax, Kaida, and Darius were incinerated, their screams cut short by the searing flames of divine fury. Talon could only watch in horror as his allies were reduced to ashes.

Set stepped forward, his voice a thunderous boom. "If you wish to fully summon us and unleash true chaos upon this world, you must find the dragons. Seek out the dragon of darkness, 悪と混沌のダークドラゴン, the Dragon of Evil and Chaos. Only then can we be fully summoned and reign supreme."

Talon, now alone and trembling, looked up at the dark gods. "I will do it. I will find the dragon."

Apophis sneered. "You have one chance, Talon Nightshade. Do not fail us again."

Yoruba's voice was a chilling whisper. "Find the dragon, and only then shall we bring about the end of this world."

Sobek's eyes glinted with cruel amusement. "Remember, mortal, you are but a tool. Your life is insignificant compared to our plans."

With that, the dark gods vanished, leaving Talon in the smoldering ruins of the temple, surrounded by the ashes of his former allies. He clenched his fists, his resolve hardening.

"I will find the dragon," he muttered to himself, determination burning in his eyes. "I will summon 悪と混沌のダークドラゴン, and I will bring forth the ultimate darkness."

As Talon Nightshade disappeared into the shadows, a new chapter of his dark quest began, one that would bring him face-to-face with the most fearsome creature of legend and test the very limits of his ambition and sanity.