The House Of Crows And Wolves

Chapter Seventy-Five: Wishes and Consequences

Tezcatlipoca, eager to exploit the newfound power of the Djinns, approached their leader with a sense of impatience. "I have three wishes," he declared, eyes gleaming with ambition. The leader of the Djinn, an imposing figure with eyes like burning embers, nodded solemnly.

"State your first wish," the Djinn leader intoned.

Tezcatlipoca smirked. "I wish for an army of invincible warriors that will serve only me and Set." The Djinn leader raised his hands, and with a swirl of energy, an army of ethereal, powerful beings materialized.

However, Tezcatlipoca soon realized the folly of his wish. The warriors were invincible, but their minds were wild, uncontrollable, and chaotic. They wreaked havoc indiscriminately, putting even Tezcatlipoca at risk.

"Fix this!" Tezcatlipoca shouted. "I wish for my army to be loyal and obedient!"

The Djinn leader nodded and, with another wave of his hand, calmed the warriors, making them fiercely loyal to Tezcatlipoca and Set. Yet, there was still a spark of dissatisfaction in Tezcatlipoca's eyes.

"My final wish," he began, "is for an army that only serves Set and me."

The Djinn leader, with an inscrutable expression, granted the wish. The army shimmered and transformed, now exuding a disciplined and focused aura. Tezcatlipoca felt a surge of triumph-until he noticed the Djinn leader's sinister smile.

"As payment for your greed," the Djinn leader said, raising a hand, "you shall be trapped in this ruby for eternity."

Before Tezcatlipoca could react, a bright light enveloped him. He felt himself being drawn into a crimson gemstone, his consciousness fading as he was sealed within. The ruby glowed ominously, a testament to his hubris.

Set, watching from the shadows, seethed with frustration. Despite gaining an army, he had lost a powerful ally. The Djinn leader turned to Set, bowing. "Your wishes, Master?"

Set's mind raced with the possibilities, aware that any misstep could lead to his own downfall. But with the Djinn army at his disposal, he felt a renewed sense of power and determination to crush his enemies and achieve his dark ambitions.

Set, his eyes glinting with malevolence, regarded the army that Tezcatlipoca had wished for. Though powerful, their origins from a wish made them a potential threat. He turned to the leader of the Djinns.

"Destroy that army," Set commanded, his voice icy and unwavering. "They are a liability."

The Djinn leader bowed deeply. "As you wish, Master."

With a swift motion, the Djinn leader raised his hands, summoning a whirlwind of energy that surged towards the wish-born warriors. The air crackled with power as the Djinns unleashed their might. The army of invincible warriors faltered, their ethereal forms wavering under the assault. One by one, they were consumed by the destructive energy, dissipating into nothingness.

Set watched with a sense of satisfaction as the last of the wish-born warriors vanished. The Djinn leader turned back to him, eyes glowing with a fierce loyalty.

"It is done," the Djinn leader said.

Set nodded, his mind already turning to the next steps. With the rogue army eliminated, he now had a force of Djinns at his command, untainted by the chaotic influence of Tezcatlipoca's wishes. He felt a surge of power, knowing that with this loyal and potent army, his path to domination was clearer than ever.

"Prepare the Djinn army for our next move," Set ordered. "We will strike against Lyra Ravenshadow and her allies with all our might."

The Djinn leader bowed once more, then turned to relay Set's orders. Set's eyes gleamed with anticipation. The time for a decisive battle was nearing, and he intended to crush any opposition that stood in his way.