Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 43: The Courage of Narinder

Narinder surveyed the landscape of Anura, a vast and dark autumn forest that seemed to vibrate with latent energy. The air was heavy with humidity, and the constant croaking of frogs echoed all around. The ground he walked on sank slightly, and the stench of mushrooms surrounded him, but his mind was focused on a single thought: his sister Heket was waiting for him at the end. However, he knew that before facing her, he would have to get past three followers who still worshipped her.

With his crown transformed into a sharp blade, Narinder strode determinedly down the dark, winding paths. It wasn't long before Heket's followers began to appear. They were deformed creatures, mutated by the power of his sister. Giant frogs with fangs and glowing eyes lurked in the shadows, surrounded by green smoke that gave them a toxic and supernatural air.

Narinder raised his crown in a gesture of defiance. "Keep fighting for her if you wish," he murmured with disdain. "Heket's fate is already sealed, and so is yours."

With a flick of his wrist, he launched his first offensive. The creatures leaped toward him, but Narinder was agile and lethal. With each swing of his blade, the beasts fell to the ground with cries of pain. But with every enemy he took down, more and more emerged from the mist, as if the forest itself was determined to halt his progress.

Despite the growing number of enemies, Narinder remained relentless. Blow after blow, he pushed deeper into Anura, his thoughts oscillating between the fury of what his sister had done and the inevitable confrontation awaiting them. "Heket was always the most stubborn," he thought as he sliced through a horde of followers. "But even she will fall before me."

The terrain began to shift, becoming more treacherous, and the darkness thickened. Narinder knew this was just the beginning. Many paths lay ahead before reaching his sister, but each step brought him closer to the final confrontation, and victory seemed nearer with every passing second.

Narinder moved forward, his steady footsteps echoing on the silent path to Heket's temple. He was close; he could feel it. However, just as he was about to cross one of the last areas before reaching the temple, a dark presence blocked his way. From the shadows of the forest emerged a figure far more imposing than the other followers he had faced so far: Gusion.

The demonic creature that loomed before Narinder was massive, its dark green skin oozing corrupt ichor that dripped with each movement. Gusion's limbs were grotesque, overly muscular and covered with a leafy texture that made it look like a creature of the very earth it walked upon. Gusion's eyes, two black spheres with red cross-shaped pupils, stared at him with wild fury, while a wide, grotesque mouth, like that of a pumpkin with sharp blades, stretched from ear to ear, displaying razor-sharp teeth.

Narinder halted, quickly assessing his opponent. He knew, however, that this battle would be more complicated than the previous ones.

Gusion wasted no time and, with a growl that resonated throughout the swamp, leaped into the air, launching himself at Narinder with tremendous force. The impact of his landing shook the ground, sending up large amounts of mud and muck, forcing Narinder to move swiftly to avoid being crushed. Narinder's crown instantly transformed into a sharp blade as he rolled to the side, quickly rising to counterattack.

The battle was fierce. Gusion moved with surprising agility for his size, jumping from side to side and striking the ground with a force that created small shockwaves rippling through the terrain. Narinder dodged the attacks, maintaining distance as Gusion came crashing down on him, delivering precise cuts with his crown. Each time his strikes landed, a portion of Gusion's corrupt ichor spilled forth, but the demon seemed unstoppable, quickly regenerating.

At one moment, Gusion launched an especially high leap, and Narinder seized the instant of vulnerability. With a quick motion, he conjured a wave of dark energy in his scythe, unleashing it just as Gusion was about to land. The attack impacted the creature's chest, causing an explosion of ichor that splattered everywhere. Gusion roared in pain but did not stop.