Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 110: Healing

Narinder slowly woke up to the sound of the cultist rooster crowing, announcing the dawn. The soft morning light filtered into the room, revealing the chaos and sweetness of the previous night. Lifting his face slightly, he noticed the small bite marks that spread across his body, a reminder of Lambert's gentle but insistent nibbles during the night. And, on his skin and fur, black ichor was impregnated in every corner, forming a slimy layer that to anyone else would have been repulsive. But to Narinder, those dark traces were proof of Lambert's closeness, and he watched them with a soft gleam in his eyes.

With infinite tenderness, he turned his face towards the zombie lamb lying beside him, still in that state between death and life. Lambert, though still holding the black eyes and purple pupils of his zombified form, looked peaceful, as if in his slumber he shared Narinder's feeling of calm. Feeling a warmth in his chest, Narinder smiled and leaned in to embrace him, wrapping his arms around him in a gesture filled with devotion and love. He knew Lambert was still a zombie, but that transformation hadn't changed the unwavering love he felt for him.

Narinder caressed his beloved's dark face, gently wiping a trail of ichor from his lips. Then, he slowly leaned in and gave him a soft, lingering kiss on the lips, ignoring the dark, bitter texture of the ichor. To him, there was nothing in this world that could make him doubt Lambert, not even his current condition. Pulling away just a little, he looked at his beloved with a warm smile and whispered, "Good morning, my treasure."

In response, Lambert let out a soft growl, as if on some level of his consciousness he recognized Narinder's voice. That small signal was enough for Narinder to feel that, somewhere deep within, his lamb was still there, present in that shadowy body.

The lamb was grunting, letting out a low, raspy sound, but in those growls could be sensed a trace of satisfaction, almost as if he was enjoying Narinder's closeness. As more, dark, thick ichor poured from his mouth, Lambert seemed to relax, and his expression, though limited by his zombie state, revealed a small spark of contentment. Narinder hugged him closer, pressing him to his chest as he stroked his darkened wool.

"You know," Narinder murmured, smiling as he toyed with the lamb's ear, "I know I should heal you... but, truth be told, you seemed so cute as a zombie that I couldn't resist." He enjoyed being able to talk like this, sharing his innermost thoughts without fear or reservation. While Lambert was in this state, he could say all the things he would normally keep to himself, whispered secrets that no one else would hear. Tenderly, Narinder placed a soft kiss on the lamb's forehead and laid him down beside him, holding him carefully and feeling his presence fill the void he had felt on the nights Lambert was gone.

Sighing, Narinder murmured, "In the end, the Great Trial was to fight another god of death..." Remembering that moment, and especially his opponent, made Narinder's chest tighten with unexpected nostalgia. As he thought about it, Lambert began to bite Narinder's arm with his sharp, zombie-like teeth, as if seeking attention, and Narinder let out a soft laugh.

"Who knows if he was from another universe or timeline...? That goat looked like you, but at the same time was so different," he said, his words tinged with thoughtfulness. "Though our interaction was fleeting... I don't think I'll ever forget that goat." Narinder, remembering this, felt a mixture of sorrow and gratitude. Despite everything, Goliath had helped him value Lambert more and that encounter had reinforced what he felt. He hugged Lambert tighter, holding him to his chest, as if by surrounding him he could prevent any other challenge from separating him from him.

Lambert, although he did not respond in words, growled softly and snuggled into Narinder's embrace, resting his head on his shoulder with an almost tender gesture, as if somewhere in his conscience he knew he was where he should be.