Chains of Vengeance

Chapter 141: Awakening

Narinder moved quickly, plucking Darkwood flowers with the force of his sickle, almost as if his irritation was channeled into each blow he made to the ground. His robes fluttered with each movement, and his tail beat the air impatiently. Although the act seemed aggressive, in reality his thoughts were far from that gloomy forest.

He imagined returning home. Lambert, with his warm wool that gave off that delicate scent of camellias, always ready to offer him a refuge of tenderness. And Goliath, with his firm and manly presence, his rough but comforting fur, a contrast that Narinder longed to feel against his skin. The image of being surrounded by both of them in the intimacy of his bed filled him with longing, wishing that those moments of peace would erase any trace of the tiredness and annoyance of the day.

He stabbed the sickle hard into the ground once more, but this time he stopped when he heard a familiar voice say,
"Master."

Narinder turned quickly, his sharp pupils expanding slightly, and his tail stopped moving aggressively to gently sway back and forth. Before him stood two figures he hadn't seen in a while: Baal and Aym, the twins he had raised in the Veil.

Baal, in his white and red clothing contrasting with his black fur, looked excited to see him.
"How amazing to find you here!" he exclaimed with a sincere smile.

Aym, in his black and red clothing, more reserved, stood firm and bowed respectfully.
"Master, how have you been doing?" he asked, though his tone had a hint of forced formality.

Narinder let a slight smile curve his lips. Seeing the twins, so healthy and happy, completely dispelled the bad mood that had accompanied him on that task.

Narinder cleared his throat, trying to hide the excitement of the reunion. His normally imposing voice took on a softer tone as he asked,
"What are you doing here at this time of night?"

Baal, always enthusiastic, replied with a wide smile that lit up his face,
"Aym and I have decided to travel around the world. We have seen many places and learned a lot!"

Aym, more reserved, crossed his arms as he calmly explained,
"I prefer to travel at night. It's quieter, less hustle and bustle, and the darkness has its charm."

Narinder felt a special warmth seeing the twins so united and happy. He couldn't help but tilt his ears slightly forward, an involuntary gesture that betrayed his affection for them.

"And how long will you be in Darkwood?" he asked, tilting his head slightly in interest.

Baal, full of energy, quickly replied:
"Possibly a week. We just arrived! But the forest has so much to offer, we will surely learn even more."

Aym, with a spark of curiosity in his eyes, added:
"I want to go see the master's cult. I want to know what it is like after so much time."

Narinder thought for a moment. Finally, with a slight smile on his lips, he confessed:
"Truth be told... taking advantage of this meeting, I must say that I have plans for you two. But I still need a little time to prepare them. Would you like to wait a couple of days in Darkwood while I finalize the details?"

Without waiting for a reply, he stepped forward and embraced them, wrapping his dark cloak around the twins. Although he was normally reserved, in that instant he let his affection come out. He considered them as his own children, a special bond he had formed in the long days of confinement in the Veil. Aym, although a little stiff at first, yielded to the gesture and rested his head against Narinder's chest. Baal, for his part, returned the embrace with joy, clinging tightly.

For a moment, the dark forest fell silent, as if respecting this reunion full of affection.

Narinder released the twins and, with his voice full of authority and confidence, proclaimed:
"You two have a great future ahead of you. And I say this because I am the greatest god of all time. Just wait for my call, and you will be part of something that will transform the destiny of this world."