Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 37: Scars in the Eyes

Narinder exited the temple, his mind focused on a single goal. There was no turning back. He walked with steady steps toward the portal area, where the mystic trader awaited in his usual silence. They both knew that words were unnecessary at that moment.

Narinder extended the two Tears of God he had gathered, and as always, the roulette of that strange pact appeared before him. He watched intently as it spun slowly to a stop, revealing its rewards: a fragment of a talisman and a board of forgotten commandments. Powerful, yes, but nothing extraordinary for him.

With an impassive expression, Narinder stored the items in his cloak. He knew that what lay before him today was far more than objects or power. It was the confrontation with his fallen brother, Leshy, a fight that would change his destiny.

Without saying another word, he turned and walked straight toward the Darkwood portal. Each step resonated with the certainty of someone who had been waiting for this moment for a long time. Today was the day of the fight, and Narinder was ready for whatever Chaos would throw at him.

His gaze, firm and unwavering, aimed at the dark horizon of the forest that had once been his brother's realm. He knew it wasn't just about defeating Leshy, but about confronting the scars they had both carried for so long. With his scythe in hand and his mind clear, he was ready to mark the end of that dark chapter in his life.

The silence of Darkwood enveloped Narinder like a cloak. As he advanced, his steps were light but determined, softly echoing on the ground covered with dead leaves. The forest, known for being a place of chaos and violence, seemed to hold its breath, as if even the beasts and creatures inhabiting it understood the gravity of what was about to happen. No one dared approach him.

The only sound accompanying him was his own breathing, controlled, yet increasingly tense as he neared the center. The atmosphere was charged with a dense, palpable energy that seemed to increase with each step. His gaze was fixed on the dark and ominous structure that loomed before him: the Temple of Chaos.

Finally, Narinder stood before the imposing door that had been sealed for so long. The temple door, which seemed to have been forged from chaos itself, emitted a low and deep sound, like a whisper from the ancient gods, before slowly opening in his presence.

Without hesitation, Narinder entered. The air inside the temple was heavy, almost oppressive. A dense darkness covered every corner, but Narinder moved forward unwaveringly, his mind focused on the objective: Leshy.

Inside, he knew the true confrontation was about to begin. The Bishop of Chaos awaited him.

The darkness within the Temple of Chaos intensified, vibrating with an oppressive energy. Before Narinder, the corrupted figure of Leshy emerged, his body blackened by ichor, like a twisted version of his former self. The green worm that had once been feared by all now appeared even more grotesque, covered in withered leaves and twisted branches protruding from its head. Its eyes, hidden by a blindfold, conveyed a sense of despair and defeat, but the power emanating from it was undeniable.

Narinder stood firm, unblinking. He knew this confrontation was inevitable. He felt no fear, only a cold and calculated determination. This was the moment he had anticipated, the culmination of his crusade. However, a part of him felt a strange weight in his chest. This was his younger brother, corrupted, lost.

Leshy spoke with a broken voice, as if time in purgatory had worn away his soul. "It's time to put an end to this... frivolous facade... it's time to put an end..." he repeated, his voice an echo of pain and frustration.

Without further words, Leshy transformed. His body grew, unleashing a roar that shook the temple walls, and the battle began.

Narinder lunged forward as Leshy summoned leaping worms, roaring like a unleashed beast. It was his chance. With his scythe raised, Narinder struck several precise blows, taking advantage of his brother's brief moment of vulnerability. But Leshy, true to his nature, did not take long to react. He buried himself in the ground, disappearing in a random direction.

Immediately, a rain of glowing green spheres crossed the air. Narinder moved swiftly, dodging the attacks with precision while planning his next move. Every time Leshy emerged, he roared again, allowing Narinder to close in and strike. However, the cycle repeated: bury himself, spheres, bury himself again, and finally, the dangerous star-shaped spikes that covered the entire sand.

Narinder observed the patterns, attacking coldly when the opportunity arose. As Leshy weakened, the room grew more frantic, but Narinder remained calm, until he finally reduced him to almost half his energy.

Suddenly, Leshy changed. He roared once more, summoning a wave of pursuing worms that filled the room with a tangible threat. But this time, the attack pattern disintegrated. Leshy, corrupted by his desperation, abandoned his ordered sequence and began to attack at random, launching projectiles, diving underground, and summoning spikes from nowhere.

Narinder now faced a much more dangerous enemy. Every attack was unpredictable, and the opportunities to strike were shorter. The hordes of summoned worms kept pressing, forcing him to move constantly.

Narinder unleashed all his focus, striking at the precise moments. Every time Leshy emerged from the ground or paused to roar, Narinder hit him with pinpoint accuracy. Chaos surrounded both of them, but Narinder's will was unyielding.

Finally, after a series of precise moves and calculated attacks, Narinder managed to strike his brother in the heart, ending the battle once and for all.

Narinder delivered the final blow, and Leshy's supernatural form began to dissolve into a dark mist. Gradually, his brother returned to his mortal form, weak and defeated. The ichor faded from his body, leaving only the being that had once been a god of Chaos.

Leshy, completely exhausted, lay on the ground, barely able to move. His withered leaves crunched with each slight movement, and his voice was barely a whisper. Narinder observed him coldly, refusing to be swayed by remorse.

With a single wave of his hand, Narinder teleported him to the cult, knowing that a controlled fate awaited him there.

After his brother's disappearance, Narinder looked at the spot where Leshy had fallen. Three Tears of God shone on the ground, glowing with a divine light. He collected them calmly, feeling their power surge through his hands.

With nothing more to do in the temple, Narinder closed his eyes and, focusing, teleported back to the cult.