Embrace the End (A Narilamb CoTL fanfic)

Hallowed Hostage

An ear-piercing shriek suddenly steals the Lamb and Narinder's attention.

"HELPPPP!"

The two snap their heads in the direction of the scream. It sounds like a distressed cultist.
The Lamb and Narinder exchange nervous glances before the Lamb barks an order at him.

"To your hut. Now."

Their tone is firm and the look on their face is uncharacteristically serious. Under any other circumstances, Narinder would stand his ground and refuse their demands, but the cultist's cry for help left him uneasy. He turns his heel and books it toward the followers' housing without another word.

He yanks open the door to his hut and throws himself inside, slamming the door behind him. He stumbles to his feet and takes a moment to regain composure before turning back to face the window.  Another shrill cry for help.  What in the world is going on out there?

Once Narinder is secure inside his hut, the Lamb spots him trying to peek out the window. They give him a stern look and gesture for him to close the curtains. He begrudgingly obeys, to their surprise.

They then begin approaching the temple, where the shouting seems to be coming from. Sweat rolls down the side of their face and they wipe it away, trying to ignore the shivers running down their spine.

They shove open the temple doors with vigor, standing tall as they survey the scene before them.

Their unbeating heart drops when they see one of their followers in tears, sobbing and mumbling unintelligibly as they claw at the arm holding them in a headlock.  A hooded heretic holds a dagger to their cheek.

"What the hell is going on in here?!" The lamb demands, their brows furrowing and their fists clenching with rage as they glare at the being holding their follower hostage.

"Oh, glorious leader," the heretic sneers beneath the shadow of his cloak, "you've finally come to play!"

"Let them go," The lamb speaks through clenched teeth.

"Or what? You're outnumbered! Surrender or I'll spill their filthy blood all over the floorboards."

A flash of rage passes through the Lamb's eyes, and in an instant, they lunge at the heretic with near impossible speed, striking his arm with impeccable aim and precision as both the terrified follower and the dagger fly in the opposite direction. The Lamb positions themself between the heretic and the cultist.

"Get out of here!" They command loudly, and the follower obeys without a second thought, scurrying out of the temple.

Meanwhile, Narinder paces anxiously in his hut. He can't shake the feeling that something devastating is occurring outside.  Another shriek beckons him to peer out the window, and he can't resist its temptation.  His eyes widen as through the glass, he sees a hooded figure approaching his hut.

There's a crashing behind him, and he quickly whirls around to see another has kicked his door wide open. The piercing sound of shattering glass indicates the other has broken in through the window.

"One, two, three eyes," one hisses. "Found you."
Before he can react, they swarm him, binding his hands and muffling his protests.

"You idiots don't know what you're doing-" he manages to snarl before a gloved palm is slapped over his mouth, his voice lost in the chaos as he's torn from his hut.

They suddenly freeze as it sounds like something is being slammed about in the temple. Their grip not loosening, one whispers, "Conan."

"No time," the other shakes her head curtly. "He will find us later, he can handle himself."