Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 98: Golden Bell

After a few minutes that felt like hours to both Lambert and Narinder, they broke away from the embrace to look at each other. Lambert, a mix of confusion and wonder in his eyes, asked, "What was it... that happened?"

Narinder felt his heart pound, as if trying to escape from his chest. "Long story short, when I stepped out of the veil, I lost most of my powers. I sacrificed some adepts... the mystic appeared, and I had to face the bishops. I sealed them in the veil, and... the mystic gave me a gift for taking care of my brothers. That gift... was you."

Lambert took in the weight of each word, his mind spinning as he tried to comprehend what it meant. "How long was I dead?" he asked, his voice a whisper.

"I really don't know... Two months at most, I'd say," Narinder replied, trying to downplay the enormity of the situation.

"Wow, you only did all that two months? It took me almost two centuries to defeat Shamura and get to you!" Lambert exclaimed, disbelief marking his tone.

Narinder couldn't help but smile as he hugged his lamb again. "But I didn't have to start a cult from scratch," he said with a playful glint in his voice. The warmth of the hug seemed to absorb some of the pent-up tension, and Lambert's smile was a beacon in the midst of the storm.

Narinder pulled away from the hug and turned to Lambert, who was dressed in ragged clothes.

"How about we go to the cult?" Narinder proposed with a smile. "Many will be glad to see you."

Lambert smiled, his expression lighting up with a spark of hope. "We still have a lot to talk about," he replied, and the two began walking towards the cult.

In the distance, the mystic cleared his throat and said, "Um, and about the test... don't you want to hear what it's about?" But Narinder was already gone, lost in the joy of reunion.

As he entered the cult, the atmosphere instantly changed. The cultists, who had previously been absorbed in their tasks, looked up at the sight of the lamb. "The lamb is back! Our lord brought it!" they shouted excitedly, their voices echoing in the air like a song of joy. The animal cultists began to gather around Lambert, their eyes shining with excitement and admiration.

Narinder stepped back slightly, giving them the space they needed to celebrate the presence of their lamb. He watched as the cultists came closer, some even jumping for joy, as they shared stories and memories of times spent with Lambert. The vibrant energy of the cult filled him with warmth; it felt like a family reunited after a long absence.

Meanwhile, Narinder headed home, a mix of excitement and anticipation bubbling inside him. He opened the drawer where he had kept the red gift box, a gift he had lovingly created. Although he hadn't made it specifically to give as a gift, he now felt grateful that he had created it.

Narinder said, "How about we have a celebration?" he suggested, smiling. "We could get everyone together for a big dinner and a show. It would be a great way to bond and enjoy what we've accomplished."

The starfish beamed with excitement. "I love that idea! We can have everyone bring a dish. That way we'll have an amazing variety."

The shrimp nodded, clapping his claws. "And we could include some of the plays we've created. Everyone would have a lot of fun."

Narinder felt the joy of his followers was contagious. "So, you are allowed to do whatever you want. We will begin planning the celebration. It will be a great opportunity to heal and strengthen our community."

The festive atmosphere resonated throughout the cult; the cultists, excited by the idea of ​​a celebration, were hard at work, cooking and decorating. The energy was almost tangible: they had their leader back and their god was pleased. For them, this moment represented more than just a party; it was a symbol of rebirth and hope.

Already in the calm of the night, when everyone was busy, Narinder, with the gift box in his hands, looked for Lambert. Seeing him, Lambert looked at him with an intensity that almost disarmed him. "Can we go somewhere more private?" Lambert asked with a touch of nervousness, and Narinder, infected by his enthusiasm, nodded.

They both entered the temple, and Narinder closed the doors with a gentle push. At that instant, Lambert approached and, without saying anything, enveloped him in a firm and deep kiss. Narinder felt the heat of Lambert's lips, and for a moment, everything around them vanished, leaving only the warmth and intensity of that contact. It was as if time had stopped for them.

As they separated, Lambert held his gaze and, in a soft but determined voice, confessed: "Narinder... I have always loved you. I have had wives and husbands, and of course I loved them, but you... you have always been here." His voice trembled a little. "I have regretted not telling you this before, not showing you how important you are to me. All this time, I have wanted to be by your side, in good times and bad, because you are what I truly desire."

Narinder felt a blush rise to his cheeks, her words touching him deeply. "Lambert, I..." he began, trying to find the right words. "I know I used you to break my chains and free myself, but... there was something else. I was always afraid to idealize you, to see you as something you are not. But now that you are here, I see that you are better than I ever imagined. You make me feel... that maybe there is something beyond all the pain and revenge."

Narinder approached Lambert with a serene smile and held out the box wrapped in red cloth and gold ribbons. His voice was almost a whisper, as if revealing an unexpected secret. "I think I had a prophetic dream by accident, and I prepared this on a whim of mine..."

Lambert took the box curiously and examined it for a moment before opening it. His eyes sparkled as he discovered inside a red cloak and a golden bell, exactly the same as the ones he had worn in his days as Narinder's vessel. In a moment of pure happiness, Lambert began to bleat with joy, his voice filling the air with a sound that was a mixture of laughter and nostalgia.

Without a word, Lambert removed his rags and put on his red cloak with an almost ceremonial bow, adjusting the bell around his neck with trembling hands. He stood before Narinder, who watched him with a mixture of pride and a soft glint in his eyes. Before him, Lambert seemed a living reflection of his memories, an image brought to life from those dark days in the veil.

He was just like the image Narinder held of him in his memory, but now he saw him in a new light. Lambert was no longer just his vessel; he was his companion in this world, free and brave and happy.

Lambert dug through the box, and finding small piles of white cotton, he looked at it with a suppressed laugh. "And this?"

Narinder let out a light laugh and replied with a touch of humor, "It's just stuffing, for the decoration of the gift." Lambert laughed too, and they both shared a knowing look, as if they were sharing a silent joke that only they understood.

The air was filled with joy and relief, a respite after so many dark nights. Being there, in that moment of peace and happiness with Lambert, was something Narinder had not thought possible.

Narinder took Lambert's hand, feeling how the warmth of that simple gesture pierced the barriers he himself had built for so long. Their intertwined fingers felt strong and safe, and they both exchanged a look full of emotions that few words could express.

Narinder steeled himself, with a blush on his cheeks and his gaze fixed on Lambert, he said, "I want us to get married today."

Lambert, surprised and blushing, smiled widely. "And what is the reason for such a sudden decision, my lord?"

Narinder, in an attempt to control his own elation, replied softly, "Because you are worthy enough to be by my side. And you no longer need to call me 'my lord', Lambert. I see you as an equal."

Lambert nodded, overjoyed, and tenderly kissed his cheek. The two of them, with obvious happiness, left the temple together. Outside, the cult was working on preparations for the celebration, and the two of them stood watching everyone's enthusiasm.

"But still, we have many things to talk about after the party," Narinder said, with a calm smile, feeling more and more at peace with his decision.

Lambert nodded, happy, knowing that this union would bring about the change they both longed for.