Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 113: Talk on a Rainy Day

Goliath shook himself gently, squeezing the drops from his purple cloak, while the metallic sound of the bell filled the air between them with a faint, melodic tinkling. The scar on his chest, visible under the movement of the cloth, caught Narinder's gaze for an instant. It was a mark that seemed a permanent reminder of the goat's life in his world.

The journey to the cult was silent, but it was not an uncomfortable awkwardness, but rather a shared respect for what each represented to the other. Goliath observed the surroundings with attentive, surprised eyes. Despite the heavy rain that covered the place, the cultists continued to work diligently, some carrying tools or food from one side to the other, others singing to give themselves encouragement. It seemed incredible that devotion and joy persisted even on such a gray day. Goliath, accustomed to seeing in his own world an atmosphere of struggle and authority, found something captivating in this unexpected harmony.

When Narinder led him to a hut next to his own house, Goliath recognized in it a warmth and simplicity that seemed strange to him. Once inside, Narinder waved his hand, and the umbrella transformed back into the elegant crown that rested on his head. Goliath let his gaze fall on the room, and Narinder, visibly nervous, explained:

"This was a house I built for Aym and Baal. But they are now living with their mother, so... it has two beds, and you can stay here if you want."

Goliath nodded silently, walked over to one of the beds and dropped onto it. It was fluffy, comfortable, and once again, the contrast with his former existence made him doubt.

"Why did you revive me?" he finally asked, his words laden with a doubt that he could not quite hide.

Narinder sat on the other bed, looking at him. He seemed to be searching for something in his own thoughts, something he wasn't ready to admit out loud yet.

"I... it didn't seem right to just leave you for dead," he murmured, his voice somewhat hesitant but sincere.

They both looked at each other in silence, not knowing what else to say, but certain that there was something deeper behind each unspoken word.

Narinder, his heart still pounding, debated whether to speak or remain silent. The fight had been intense and final, but it had also allowed him to see something in Goliath that few would understand: a mix of pride and vulnerability, an indomitable will and a strange acceptance that made him fascinating. There was something deep and heartbreaking in the way the two had faced each other, and perhaps that had planted an unexpected connection in Narinder. But he didn't dare put those emotions into words... not yet.

Goliath broke the silence with a question that sounded more like distrust than genuine interest, and Narinder felt a slight chill of discomfort.

"So... I'm just here as some kind of trophy? Now I have to work for you and serve you?" Goliath asked, his sharp gaze scanning Narinder as if he were trying to read him deeply.

Narinder hesitated, searching for the right words but failing to get out of his own nervousness.

"No... well, not if you don't want to," he quickly replied. "You can work if you want, or if you need a distraction... but, really, you have no obligation. You can stay here and laze around all day, no one will force you to do anything. You will receive respect, you can eat whatever you want and... well, if someone bothers you, you can even hit or kill them. Just... not me or the lamb," he added, with a small, nervous smile.

The mention of the lamb piqued Goliath's curiosity, and he raised an eyebrow in intrigue.

"The lamb is alive? Well, it would be interesting to meet my counterpart," he said, relaxing a little in the bed, as if the comment had made him lower his defenses for a moment.