Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 107: The Goat

Narinder watched Goliath with a mixture of wonder and curiosity as the goat advanced to the center of the room. His steps were sure, and every movement reflected a premeditated calm. Without haste, Goliath dropped down on a large stone on the floor, crossing his legs in a relaxed manner as he bowed his head, his imposing horns jutting out in the dim light of the room. His eyes were like two glowing embers on his face, and as he opened his mouth, his sharp teeth were exposed in a playful, almost defiant smile.

"Hey, this will be the last time we see each other, why don't we chat a little first?" he said, his tone mocking but calm.

Narinder, without taking his eyes off him, felt the atmosphere fill with an almost tangible tension. With a determined movement, he transformed his sickle into his crown as he took a seat in front of Goliath. Despite the goat's latent power, Narinder sensed no immediate murderous intent in it. It was almost as if the two of them were in a silent agreement of mutual respect in the wake of the inevitable.

"True," Narinder replied, his voice calm, but with a restrained intensity. "One of us will die right here. I don't see why the winner shouldn't have more information about the other."

Goliath nodded with a spark of interest in his eyes, his fingers fiddling with the edge of the stone he sat on. "Exactly. After all, we are more than just pieces on a board of fate, aren't we?" he commented, with the same wry smile and his fangs glinting in the light.

The two of them stared at each other in silence for a moment, measuring each breath, each gesture, as the tension built up like a storm about to break.

Goliath, his face marked by a mocking, defiant expression, was the first to break the tense silence, pointing disdainfully at the scars on Narinder's wrists. "You were chained by the bishops, weren't you?" His tone was a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

Narinder, still calm, looked at him seriously and nodded. "That's right," he replied in a firm voice. "I was betrayed and sealed away. From the context of your question, I assume your 'Narinder' has certain similarities to me. And since you are not a mere vessel of a god, but a true god... tell me, what happened to your 'Narinder'?"

Goliath's grin widened, his expression laden with malice. "After defeating the four bishops and devouring their hearts, I went to free my 'Narinder', as you call it." His eyes gleamed with dark pleasure as he continued. "But, let's say I preferred to keep the crown and... I killed him." He reveled in his revelation, hoping perhaps to see some reaction from Narinder, some sign of annoyance.

But Narinder remained unmoved. "You think that bothers me?" he asked, his tone devoid of emotion. "I am not him. Right now, from your manners with me, you are in a neutral state... bordering on acceptable."

Goliath's laughter was deep and disturbing, an echo of his inner darkness. "Wow! You are indeed evil. You have no interest in a possible counterpart to yourself!" he exclaimed, letting out a breathy growl, almost a bleat, that echoed through the room.

Narinder regarded him coldly. The goat's presence was like a twisted shadow, a dark reflection of what the lamb might have been. "The difference between us," Narinder said, staring into the goat's eyes, "is that I am someone superior."

Goliath's laughter faded for an instant, and a mixture of incomprehension and resentment appeared on his face. Although the atmosphere was still thick with tension, it was clear that Goliath did not find Narinder to be the predictable adversary he had expected.

The atmosphere between Narinder and Goliath seemed charged, a latent tension floating between them, but they were strangely in an unexpected calm, as if they were measuring each other at that moment. However, this calm had something of a challenge in their gazes, as if each knew that there was something dark and powerful shared in their history.