Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 2: **The Return of Narinder**

Narinder rose with a laughter that resonated in the depths of the Velo, a laugh of genuine happiness that soared towards the dark sky. For the first time in a thousand years, he did not feel the oppressive weight of the chains that his brothers had imposed upon him. Freedom was finally his. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the sensation of lightness that filled him, as if the very pain had been banished from his being. The crown he now wore on his head fit perfectly, claiming its place as the final piece of his power.

Nearby, Aim and Baal watched in silence. The two cats, faithful guardians, stood still, attentive yet respectful, not uttering a word. Although Narinder had been freed, his nature had not changed. They remained his servants, ready to carry out any command given to them.

Narinder stopped gazing at the sky and looked down at the motionless body of Lambert, the lamb who had been his devoted servant and had liberated him at the cost of his own life. A malicious smile spread across his face as an idea began to form in his mind. The lamb still had a role to fulfill.

"Baal," Narinder called, with a deep and powerful voice. "Carry the lamb's body. We will take him to the world of the living."

Baal, without hesitation, approached Lambert's inert body and lifted it with ease. Aim, for his part, remained on guard, watching with curious eyes but in silence, asking no questions. They knew that Narinder always had a plan, and it was not their place to question it.

Narinder extended one of his claws and traced a portal in the air. The rift between the Velo and the world of the living opened, a whirlwind of energy that seemed to draw them in. However, as he crossed over, Narinder felt a pull inside him. Gravity hit him with an unknown force. He had not felt physical weight in a millennium, and now his body, though freed, was weakened by his prolonged imprisonment. The power that once flowed effortlessly through him now felt distant, almost extinguished. His divine form had diminished, leaving only a fraction of what he once was.

As he set foot in the world of the living, Narinder immediately noticed something was wrong. He turned, expecting to see Aim and Baal behind him, but the portal snapped shut before they could cross.

"NO!" Narinder roared, his frustration exploding. The mountains resonated with his fury, the echo of his voice bouncing across the plains. For a moment, his rage consumed him, but he quickly forced himself to calm down. He took a deep breath, letting the fresh air fill his lungs. "It doesn't matter," he told himself, trying to maintain his composure. "I will find a solution. There is always a solution."

Narinder closed his eyes and let the wind caress his face. He had not felt something so soft and natural in a thousand years. The scent of fresh grass, the whisper of leaves rustling in the breeze... he had forgotten what it was like to feel nature in its purest state. He stood at the top of the stairs leading to the entrance of the cult, the place that once rightfully belonged to him. Vivid, bright colors filled the landscape before him, something he had not seen since his imprisonment.

The emotional impact was so great that he felt a solitary tear escape from one of his three eyes, slowly sliding down his cheek. In that moment, a memory buried deep in his mind surged forth with strength, taking him back to a time long before his imprisonment.

A flashback began to take shape.