Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 26: Reflections of Power and Resentment

Narinder returned to the cult with his usual demeanor, neutral about the morning's progress. As always, he began his routine by visiting the youngest ones. He sat in front of them and, with his firm yet calm voice, spoke to them about the importance of resentment and hatred towards the old faith. He explained to them that these feelings were not something they should be ashamed of, but rather useful tools, fuel that would help them achieve their goals.

"Resentment is not weakness," Narinder said with an unsettling calm. It's strength. The Bishops tried to finish me off, and yet, here I am. And do you know why? Because I didn't forget. I didn't forgive. You shouldn't do it either.

The children looked at him with bright eyes, absorbing every word as if it were the purest truth they had ever heard. He was satisfied, at least that part of the day had been effective.

Then, Narinder walked towards the farms. There, calmly, he handed over the mushroom he had plucked from Sozo to the shrimp farmer. The mushroom was larger than average, which made it a potentially very useful plant. "Plant it," Narinder ordered him. "It might be more useful to us than you think."

Without waiting for a response, he picked up the fresh fruits of the day and took them directly to the kitchens, where he gave instructions for that day's recipes. He briefly thought about eating a plate of vegetables to revitalize himself, but he had no appetite. Something inside him still didn't feel at peace, and it wasn't because of hunger.

He decided to visit the construction of his statue. Upon arrival, he saw that only the final details were missing: his head and the sickle, the most distinctive elements. If everything continued as it had been, they would be finished by tomorrow. He smiled with a slight touch of pride, but something darker was also hidden in his gaze.

Narinder walked with a determined step towards the temple, his mind still heavy with the thoughts brought by his visit to the spore cave. However, now he had a duty to fulfill, and he knew how to channel those feelings into something that would benefit his cult. The importance of resentment was a lesson that his followers had to learn. Hatred, when properly directed, was a powerful tool, and Narinder was about to show them its value.

When he entered the temple, his followers were already waiting for him in silence. The air was filled with anticipation. The eyes of each one of them were fixed on her figure as she ascended the altar. He stood before them, his posture upright and firm, radiating authority. The dim light of the candles danced on the walls of the temple, casting long and grotesque shadows, which intensified the atmosphere of what was about to happen.

Narinder raised a hand, signaling that the sermon was about to begin.

"My faithful ones," he began with a deep and resonant voice. Today we will talk about resentment, that force which many fear, but which we must embrace with strength. Resentment is not weakness. Resentment is not poison. No, resentment is a weapon, a fuel for revenge and justice. It is an eternal flame that burns in the hearts of those who have been betrayed, and we, more than anyone, have been betrayed by the false bishops.

Narinder's words resonated with conviction, each one being absorbed by the audience, who listened with devotion.

—The bishops of the old faith treated them like pawns, like mere objects at their service. But today, when recalling their actions, we must not allow those memories to paralyze us with fear or pain. No, we must stoke them, turn them into our strength, into our purpose. Why should we forgive? Why forget? Only the weak forget the inflicted wounds. We are not weak. We remember. And we remember so that we are never betrayed again.

Narinder lowered his voice slightly, causing the temple to fall into a deep silence, which intensified the impact of his words.

—The resentment towards those who have harmed us, those who tried to destroy what we have built, is justified. They should not be afraid to use that hatred to shape the future. What fuel can be more powerful than the rage ignited by a betrayal? What motivation can surpass the desire to see those who harmed us fall under our power? None! —he exclaimed, raising his hand vehemently—. Resentment gives us direction, it gives us strength. It's not just an emotional burden, it's a sharp tool we use to forge our path to greatness.