Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 95: The Purple Chain

Stepping out of the hut, Narinder took a deep breath, enjoying the warm sunlight filtering through the leaves of the trees. The cool breeze caressed his fur, and the pure air of his cult seemed to purify his thoughts, easing the heavy burden he had carried in his heart. It was a new day of freedom, a time to leave the shadows behind.

Seeking a distraction, he decided to head to the farm. Upon arrival, he found the starfish and the shrimp working on the pumpkin patch. The sight was cheerful and vibrant, full of life and energy.

"Hello, my lord!" greeted the shrimp, looking up from his work.

"Yesterday's work, although short, was sensational," commented the starfish, his tone full of enthusiasm.

Narinder couldn't help but smile at the joy on their faces. The contagious energy of these two beings filled him with good humor. "It certainly was! "Maybe we'll do more soon," he suggested, feeling that the idea of ​​more performances might bring them a renewed sense of community and hope.

"Of course! More things to enjoy in this paradise!" the shrimp exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.

Narinder happily began to gather the fruits and vegetables that had grown on the farm. As he filled his basket, he thought about how these small moments of happiness were the ones that really mattered, although he knew that deep down he was lying to himself.

Narinder arrived at the kitchen with a mixture of trepidation and resignation, knowing that the calm of those moments was fleeting. For the first time in a long time, he stopped to watch his followers cook, something he had always overlooked. Everything around him was permeated with a simple and pure energy, which contrasted painfully with the dark weight he felt in his heart. The aromas of fresh ingredients filled the air, and Narinder let himself be enveloped by the smell of freshly picked herbs and vegetables.

A snail-shaped follower delicately sliced ​​radishes, concentrating on the task. Upon noticing Narinder's presence, his expression changed to one of surprise and excitement, as if the mere presence of his god gave him a purpose beyond the everyday. "My lord!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with a mixture of admiration and pride. "Do you wish to try something special?"

Narinder smiled slightly, watching intently as the snail sliced ​​the radishes into thin, perfect slices. "Today I just want to see how you all work. To put myself in your hands and those of the others... To trust you."

The snail blushed, continuing his task with more precision than before, wanting to impress him. Another follower, a mouse in a small apron, stirred a steaming pot filled with a thick, fragrant stew, while a bull approached with freshly chopped carrots, adding them to the stew with great care. The scene was a silent dance, each follower in perfect harmony, as if they were performing a sacred ritual in his name.

Narinder felt an unexpected warmth in his chest. At that moment, his followers' daily routine seemed to have a beauty of its own, an almost religious dedication in each cut, in each turn of the wooden spoons, in each suppressed laugh as they worked together. He knew that, before long, he would have to seal his brother, but for a few moments he allowed himself to forget, to lose himself in the simplicity of that act.

The starfish, who had also arrived in the kitchen, was carefully placing fresh herbs on a plate. "Here, in this paradise, every dish is a masterpiece!" he exclaimed, laughing. The shrimp played along, waving its tail and greeting Narinder enthusiastically. "It is a pleasure to serve such a... present god," he said respectfully.

Narinder nodded, grateful for those few moments of peace. The calm of the place, the simplicity of his actions, the dedication of his followers... It all stood in such stark contrast to the dark duty he would soon have to carry out that it almost hurt him to breathe. But now, surrounded by his people and the humble kitchen of his cult, he felt a spark of hope, a reminder of why he was doing all of this.