Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 135: Tired

Time passed without Narinder noticing. Lost in the sensations around him—the firmness of the ground beneath his body, the roughness of the tree trunk against his back, and the soft, steady caress of the wind—he allowed his mind to quiet down. There were no intrusive thoughts, no divine concerns. Only the here and now, a rare moment of respite for a god who was always planning and plotting.

When he finally opened his eyes, he was surprised to notice that the sunlight had already changed. The shadows lengthened, and the air began to cool slightly. The sky announced the arrival of evening, tinged with orange and gold hues. He stretched slowly, letting out a soft sigh. He hadn't slept, but that pause had been almost as invigorating.

"Well... I guess it's time to move," he muttered to himself, standing gracefully. He lightly shook out his robes to rid them of any stray leaves or dust, and began walking toward the center of the cult.

As he moved forward, the sound of wood clashing against wood caught his attention. His steps led him to a small esplanade where two familiar figures were engaged in a sparring duel. Goliath and Lambert, each wielding a wooden sword, moved with surprising grace and speed.

Lambert, with his small but agile frame, dodged Goliath's attacks with calculated movements, turning and shifting with the lightness of a dancer. His eyes were focused, shining with determination, and his blows, while precise, were strong, capable of driving his opponent back.

Goliath, on the other hand, used his size and strength to his advantage. His movements were heavier, but no less lethal. Each blow he threw with his sword echoed in the air, and while Lambert managed to dodge most, he was sometimes forced back by the sheer power of the attacks. The goat smiled in amusement, showing that he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge.

The clash of swords filled the space with an almost hypnotic rhythm, and the ground beneath them was marked by the constant twists and steps of battle. Despite the intensity of the duel, both were completely immersed, with no trace of tiredness. It was a sight to behold.

Narinder crossed his arms, watching them from a distance with a slight smile. "Impressive," he muttered to himself. Though he knew the skills of both, watching them face off was proof of how far they had come. Lambert, the little lamb who had been a vessel, now fought like a true warrior. And Goliath, with centuries of experience, demonstrated why he had defeated the bishops of his world.

At one point, Lambert made an unexpected leap, spinning in the air to dodge a downward blow from Goliath. Taking advantage of the opening, he launched a direct attack at the goat's flank. But Goliath, anticipating the move, blocked the blow with ease and counterattacked, forcing Lambert back again.

"You're getting better, Lamb," Goliath said with a smile, his tone filled with respect and a hint of mockery. "But you still have to be faster if you want to beat me."

Lambert, without losing his focus, replied, "I may not win today, but don't underestimate someone who always finds a way."

Narinder let out a soft laugh upon hearing that. "Those two... Always competing. Though, I must admit, it is an entertaining sight." He decided to stay a few more minutes, enjoying the scene before returning to his own business.

After a while of watching the practice fight, Narinder walked slowly towards his house, feeling the weight of a tiredness that was more than just physical. His steps, normally confident and determined, were now heavier. Although he maintained his haughty posture in case some cultist saw him, deep down he knew he had lost more energy than he was willing to admit. "Tomorrow will be the same or worse," he thought with resignation, sighing as he opened the door to his home.

Once inside, he let his robe fall with a lazy movement, leaving only his slightly disheveled black fur. With a sigh of relief, he lay down on the bed, feeling exhaustion envelop him.