Chapter 161: The Battle of Shadows and Flames

A few days ago, Lilith Nocturna obliterated an entire kingdom simply to rescue the rogue agent known as "The Slayer of God," Raiden Kazama. This event shattered the tranquility of the Academy of the Gods, where all the major deities could not remain silent in the face of this provocation. They had no choice but to respond to the representative of the Underworld.

Utakami no Kami, the divine tasked with demonstrating to the forces from the Underworld that the gods were not easy targets for bullying or threats, knew this well.

In the Youkai World stood a fortress built from the toughest stone of the realm. Within its walls lay a legion of Draugr, numerous beyond measure, serving their master, the God of Shadows, Kurogami no Kami. Today, however, perhaps these Draugr would not serve their nefarious master any longer. Perhaps today marked the twilight of the cunning deity, Kurogami no Kami!

Inside the fortress, the heat was rising rapidly, both outside and within, in a manner inexplicably sudden and intense.

Outside the fortress, Utakami no Kami commanded a vast swarm of Aitvaras - Ember Drake Roosters, too numerous to count. They besieged the fortress of the deceitful god, Kurogami no Kami, with a ferocity and determination that defied ordinary description.

Kurogami no Kami felt a twinge of concern in his mind. (His end had come, yet he only felt a slight unease! Perhaps he was just another arrogant villain attempting to carve his name among the dissatisfied, fools who tried in vain to destroy the forces of righteousness. Yet these villains failed to recognize their futility, blinded by their arrogance, which greatly diminished their supernatural powers. How ironic that they believed themselves clever when they signed their death warrants, imagining they signed a will that would lead them to untold wealth and ultimate power!)

Kurogami no Kami ordered his grotesque Draugr army to open the fortress gates and charge out to engage their adversaries, instead of maintaining a defensive stance within the fortress. (Truly a foolish and indefensible decision from one who always prided himself on his purported intelligence! Perhaps Kurogami no Kami had underestimated the combat prowess of Utakami no Kami and his mystical creatures!)

The ensuing battle between the two armies of mystical creatures, commanded by former academy peers, was swift and tense, beyond flowery words to fully depict.

Draugr poured out of the fortress, their ghastly forms illuminated by the roaring flames from the tails of the Aitvaras - Ember Drake Roosters. These undead warriors, with their hollow yet glaring eyes, once guardians of treasure in deep tombs, now emerged to defend their master, Kurogami no Kami, in a fateful battle.

The Draugr possessed extraordinary strength far surpassing humans, able to change size and weight at will. Some giants among them transformed into swirling black smoke, enveloping the battlefield in darkness and fear. Others morphed into grotesque creatures: giant seals, humpbacked horses, or prowling giant cats, plunging the battlefield into chaos. They charged at the Aitvaras with savage ferocity.

Yet the Aitvaras proved formidable opponents. Fire dragons, imbued with the powerful essence of fire, their eyes glowing like burning coals, their fiery tails tracing bright arcs in the night sky. Under Utakami no Kami's command, the Aitvaras attacked like a raging inferno, their roars echoing, flames swirling like living torches, driving the enemy back.

A colossal Draugr, sensing death's cold embrace in its wrath, leaped to seize an Aitvaras. Immediately, it was engulfed in a rain of fire from the surrounding dragons. The flames consumed the undead warrior, reducing it to ash in an instant. From his command post, Kurogami no Kami witnessed his Draugr forces faltering, a creeping unease replacing his arrogance.

"Who are you to defy us, bearers of sacred light and eloquence?" Utakami no Kami's voice rang out amidst the battle, carrying the weight of divine authority, resonating within each Draugr, unsettling them.

Seeing the tide turning against him, Kurogami no Kami decided to join the fray himself. Summoning darkness from the depths of his soul, he forged black swords that sliced through the fiery lights. But Utakami no Kami remained composed and confident, akin to a poet facing empty challenges. The sacred flames of the Aitvaras enveloped him like invincible armor.

Kurogami lunged forth, yet each strike was met with searing flames. His arrogance, once blinding, gave way to despair. Eventually, he fell before the unstoppable might of Utakami and the Aitvaras.

"Will you choose glory in death, or cowardice in flight?" Utakami asked, his voice resolute and authoritative.

Unable to endure the shame, Kurogami drew his black blade and plunged it into his own heart. A black flame erupted, then vanished into nothingness. The battle ended with a spectacular victory for Utakami no Kami and the Aitvaras. The once-dark fortress now blazed brightly, the dawn of righteousness arriving to dispel Kurogami no Kami's eternal shadow.

Utakami no Kami stood amidst the fiery glow of the burning fortress, his gaze distant towards the horizon where the night was slowly yielding to the first rays of dawn. The Aitvaras' flames still burned fiercely, creating golden circles of light in the sky, hymns of triumph sent back to the Academy of the Gods.

"Dawn has truly arrived, but will this light endure?" Utakami no Kami pondered, his voice solemn yet steadfast. In the faint light of early morning, he appeared like an unyielding statue, impervious to life's storms.

Snow Sky-Dog approached, his puppy eyes sparkling with humor yet also with admiration.

"You're truly remarkable! I thought you only knew poetry!" Snow remarked, his tone gentle like a passing breeze but sincere.

Utakami no Kami chuckled softly, his eyes warming.

"Poetry and battle both require a strong soul and deep understanding of life's essence. Perhaps we are both warriors, in our ways."

Snow nodded, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Yes, you're a poet of war, a bard in the dance of light and shadow. But this battle is only the beginning! We've conquered Kurogami's darkness, but can we face the challenges ahead?"

Utakami didn't reply immediately. He turned to look at the now-ruined fortress, remnants of destruction hanging in the air like painful memories.

"We've seen the cost of arrogance and greed. Each battle leaves its mark, and we must grow stronger from those scars."

Snow stood silently, reflecting on his companion's words.

"So, what's our next move?" he asked, his voice full of anticipation.

Utakami closed his eyes as if listening to a call from fate deep within his soul.

"We will return to the Academy, but our journey doesn't end here. Lilith Nocturna and Raiden Kazama still lurk, shadows from the Underworld. The Academy of the Gods will never be safe unless we confront them."

Utakami's words rang out like a prophecy, signaling new challenges awaiting them. They looked at each other, realizing they wouldn't be alone on this arduous path.

From afar, the calls of the Aitvaras echoed, a reminder that the battle was far from over. Snow Sky-Dog smiled, determination shining in his eyes.

"Then, we'll fight, not just against external enemies, but against the shadows within ourselves!"

Utakami nodded, his eyes blazing with unwavering faith.

"We will fight, and we will never retreat!"

With newfound determination and the sacred fire burning in their hearts, they turned, facing towards the radiant horizon, where light and darkness intertwined, a reminder of destiny's endless journey.