Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 60: Between Clouds and Wool

Narinder finally closed his eyes, exhaustion dragging him into a deep sleep. At first, it was a peaceful sleep, like a gentle breeze rocking him. But soon, the sleep began to gather strength, and Narinder found himself soaring high in the sky, with a sense of power he had not felt in a long time.

He soared above the clouds, beyond the mountains, beyond the reach of any living thing. The sky was his, vast and endless, and the horizon stretched out before him like an eternal promise. From above, all creatures, great and small, bowed their heads in reverence. They worshipped him as the one true god. He could feel their devotion, their prayers, like a current of energy filling him. Narinder smiled, a smile that radiated satisfaction and triumph.

In this dream, he was the supreme being, above all. There were no more chains, no enemies to fear, no painful decisions to make. Just him, in his heavenly presence, being revered by all. Narinder was complete. He felt like he had finally achieved the divinity he had always longed for, that position he had once lost, but which now, in this dream, was rightfully his.

Floating in the sky, he found an especially large and welcoming cloud, as if it were waiting for him. He lay down on it, allowing himself to relax completely. The cloud was warm and soft, much more so than he had imagined. He closed his eyes, feeling like everything was in its place, that the universe itself was bending in his favor.

But then, something changed. The softness of the cloud reminded him of something... it wasn't just a cloud, it was different. He opened his eyes slowly, and as he touched it, he realized it wasn't just vapor or heavenly cotton. It was... wool. Lamb's wool.

Narinder stood still, the cloud, which had previously made him feel invincible, now reminded him of something deep. The familiar scent filled the air again, enveloping him. His mind took him back to Lambert, to the lamb that had given him everything. The lamb he had sacrificed to free him, the lamb that had, in some ways, been both his salvation and his downfall.

The weight of that memory began to creep into his perfect sleep. As he rested in the lamb's wool, his divinity felt incomplete. A pang of nostalgia and sadness began to grow within him, a feeling that did not fit with the absolute power he dreamed of having. Narinder looked at the sky, the creatures that worshipped him were still there, but now, something felt off. Could he really be the supreme god if what he valued most right now was the memory of someone who was no longer there?

Sleep, which had at first been a haven of peace, was beginning to feel more like a trap. The lamb's wool that had calmed him now filled him with an overwhelming melancholy, reminding him that no matter how high he flew, no matter how powerful he became, there would always be a void within him.

Narinder closed his eyes, trying to hold on to the feeling of triumph, but that cloud of wool, that lingering memory of Lambert, wouldn't leave him alone. Even in his dreams, he couldn't escape the lamb.

The rooster's crow echoed in the stillness of the morning, and Narinder slowly opened his eyes, his mind still caught in the echoes of his dream. He didn't know if it had been a sweet rest or the prelude to a nightmare, but the clarity of dawn brought him a strange relief. He was grateful to be awake, though the heavy feeling in his chest didn't go away.

He got out of bed, his body still tense, and walked to his small mirror. As he combed his black fur, his thoughts were far away. Today was the day. Despite what that meant, he couldn't allow himself to hesitate. His destiny was calling him, and with it, a decision he had made: the time to part from the twins had come. The pain settled in his chest every time he thought about it, but he knew he had to do it.

He stepped out of his house, the cool morning air brushing his face. With a simple snap of his fingers, he called out to the pig who worked tirelessly for him.

"I have some work to do. I'll go straight to Anchordeep," he said firmly. "I don't want to be disturbed."

The pig, always obedient, bowed to him respectfully and quietly retreated to continue his tasks. Narinder watched him for a moment, before turning his attention back to the twins' house.

With silent steps, he entered the house, barely illuminated by the first rays of the sun. There they were, Aym and Baal, sleeping soundly in their new beds. Narinder stood still in the doorway, watching them. They both looked so peaceful, so oblivious to the weight he carried on his shoulders. The twins' loyalty had always been unquestionable, but Narinder felt like he had tied them to a destiny he was no longer sure of.

Something inside him broke at the sight of them like that. He knew what he was going to do, he knew it was necessary, but he couldn't ignore the pain it caused him. Narinder clenched his fists, trying to control the lump in his throat. He had been their teacher, their guide, their creator in a way, but now he had to let them go, or at least, let them follow their own path.

He barely breathed, afraid of waking them up too soon. The thought of facing them with the news tore at him inside. He had spent the whole night convincing himself it was the right thing to do, but now, seeing their serene faces, his resolve wavered. Was he really prepared for what was coming?

Narinder stood there a few moments longer, watching them, letting the pain wash through him. He knew it was inevitable. In a few hours, everything would change.

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