Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 31: A determined walk

Narinder, after hearing the words of the fisherman, rose silently and walked away from the water. No further words were needed between them. His decision was already made, as clear in his mind as the reflection of the moon on the sea. With a single thought, he teleported back to the cult.

The night still wrapped the place in its dark mantle. The stars flickered above, but Narinder felt no fatigue. Not that night. His footsteps were soft on the temple floor as he stepped outside, with a clear purpose, one he no longer doubted.

With unexpected calm, he made his way toward the portals.

The mystical merchant was still there, watching with his impenetrable gaze, as if he already knew what Narinder's next move would be. Without saying a word, he simply let him pass, as if the moment were sacred, beyond any transaction or comment.

With firm and determined steps, Narinder approached the portal of Darwood, the only one left open, its connection to the lands of Chaos, the domain of Leshy, his younger brother. Every move he made was methodical, every breath measured, but he did not hesitate. Entering the lands of Chaos was not an easy decision, but Narinder had made many hard choices before, and this would be the most important.

As he crossed the portal, a wave of dark energy enveloped him. He felt a shiver run down his spine, but it wasn't fear, not anymore. It was a reminder of what was to come. In those lands, where Leshy awaited—his younger brother, the most chaotic of the ancient faith—Narinder felt the weight of his emotions as he took another step into that hostile realm.

The Forest of Chaos spread out before him: twisted trees, vines that seemed to have a life of their own, and shadows moving in the corners. It was as if the very land had adopted the wild and violent nature of Leshy. Narinder remained unfazed. With his sharp scythe in hand, he advanced with courage and determination.

Every blade of grass he cut, every branch he pushed aside, brought him closer to his destination. His gait was sure, almost imposing, as if the very darkness could not touch him. The echoes of the creatures of that place resounded in the distance, but none dared approach. They knew who he was and didn't dare interfere. Narinder was no longer the same divine being who had been sealed away; now he was something else. Something reborn from hatred, betrayal, and lost time.

Narinder radiated an aura of death so dense that it seemed to envelop everything around him in a dark veil. It was a cold and suffocating energy, which charged the air with an invisible but undeniable weight. The lesser beings and minor enemies, upon feeling his presence, were consumed by a primal terror, an instinct of survival that urged them to flee before even seeing him. It was as if the very essence of life was drained from them, a menacing shadow that warned of imminent danger. However, maintaining this constant aura was mentally exhausting for Narinder. His mind, always alert, worked at a relentless pace, but he forced himself to stay physically fresh, ready for any unexpected fight. The most important battle was yet to come, and he couldn't afford fatigue.

With each step, Narinder felt a mix of emotions: the courage to face what had once broken him, the calm of knowing he was in control. He knew the encounter with Leshy would not be easy, but he did not fear it. This confrontation was inevitable, and Narinder was ready.

Finally, he arrived at the heart of the lands of Chaos. He knew Leshy was nearby, waiting, as he had done for millennia. But this time, there would be no seal, no betrayal. This time, Narinder had come to claim what was rightfully his.

With a final breath of calm, Narinder raised his scythe and moved toward his destiny, ready to face his younger brother, with the courage of one who no longer feared the past or the darkness that had once trapped him.

Narinder looked with surprise at Amducias instead of Leshy, observing the monstrous being closely. Amducias was no longer the creature Narinder had once known; his body was distorted and corrupted, dripping black ichor that spread like poison on the ground. "You... bearer... red... crown..." Amducias growled, his voice distorted and broken. Without warning, he lunged at Narinder with unnatural speed.

Narinder barely had time to dodge, feeling the air slice from the missed attack. Quickly, he activated his relic, confident that his death claw would consume the impure being, but when he cast it, the power dissipated in the air, having no effect. The bewildering failure of his relic left him vulnerable, and before he could react, Amducias struck again, hitting Narinder squarely on his side.

The blow was brutal. Narinder felt a sharp stab of pain run through his body, but there was no time to succumb to the pain. With a mix of fury and determination, he unsheathed his scythe, his eyes glowing with renewed resolve. If his divine power wouldn't work, he would do it the old-fashioned way.

Amducias attacked once more, but this time Narinder was ready. Dodging more precisely, he spun on his heels, swinging his scythe in a sweep that tore through Amducias's corrupt flesh, leaving a deep mark. The monster growled in fury, throwing itself at Narinder with overwhelming strength. Each strike was wilder than the last, and Narinder countered each one with a dance of fluid, precise movements, his scythe cutting through the air with skill.

The fight dragged on for what felt like endless minutes, with the sound of metal clashing and claws tearing at the earth. Sweat beaded on Narinder's forehead, but his mind remained clear. He could not afford to fail. Amducias, despite his immense strength, began to show signs of exhaustion, his black ichor dripping more heavily with each move, leaving a dark trail on the battlefield.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of fighting, Narinder saw an opening. With a battle cry, he charged at Amducias, his scythe gleaming in the dim light. A single, precise strike. The blade pierced the monster's chest, and with one final growl, Amducias collapsed, his body crumbling into a cloud of dark dust. The air stilled, the tension suddenly vanishing.

On the ground, where Amducias had fallen, a white object remained, bright and strange. Narinder, still recovering from the battle, approached, observing the object cautiously.

Breathing heavily, Narinder knelt and examined the object left behind by Amducias. As he touched it, the crown glowed with a celestial radiance, and its essence unleashed a surge of information that resonated in his mind. "God's Tear" presented itself before him, a name that evoked both hope and tragedy. However, as he gazed at it, a weight settled over his heart, reminding him that every gift came with a price.

With the God's Tear in his possession, Narinder turned his gaze toward the door of the Temple of Chaos. A bright light began to emanate from it, illuminating the dark surroundings as if a new dawn were rising. "I see I have to follow the same path the Lamb did," he reflected, feeling the weight of responsibility and history on his shoulders.

At that moment, his mind filled with memories of Lambert, his former vessel and liberator. Lambert had been a formidable warrior, but Narinder knew that defeating Leshy's first follower had cost the Lamb years of effort and sacrifice. Lambert had always lacked the innate aggression that Narinder had cultivated throughout his life; the Lamb possessed natural talent, but his inexperience in combat had always kept him one step behind. Narinder had never reproached him for his slowness; he understood that everyone had their own path, and experience couldn't be forced.

With a deep sigh, Narinder realized that his journey would also be long and difficult. He would have to face two more of Leshy's followers. He stood still for a moment, feeling the weight of responsibility envelop him.

Resolute, he took hold of the God's Tear firmly, feeling its energy flow through him. With renewed determination, he closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing on his goal, and as he opened them, he teleported back to the cult.

The fresh afternoon air greeted him. Narinder knew that what was to come would define not only his future but that of all his brothers. His quest was only beginning, and he was ready to face what destiny had in store.