The moment Aym exited his Domain, he released a tightly held breath. His body began to tremble, and he ran a hand through the fur on his head. He was petrified. He had never seen Narinder behave that way with them. With his enemies, yes, but not with him and his brother. His brother was on the other side of the white Doorway at that very moment, surely being punished. How severely would Narinder punish him? They had completed their mission successfully, it had only taken a bit longer than expected. He wouldn't be too hard on him, right? The trio had practically been friends, Narinder had confided in them as friends, they laughed together as friends. Why this sudden shift, what happened? Aym did not want to see Mir̃alai, he was forbidden to tell her about Narinder's change and she would definitely ask if she saw the state he was in. He planned to spend his week of independence in the woods surrounding the Land of Old Faith, gathering his thoughts. As luck would have it though, the Lamb had already spotted him.
"Aym...!" She called out to him, her voice filled with excitement. Aym looked back at her, stealing himself as well as he could. He had to hide his anxiety, that was the only thing to be done. He smiled at her as she ran to him, and held out his arms. She jumped at him, hugging him tightly around his shoulders. Aym slipped his arms around her waist, supporting her weight in a squeezing embrace. "I missed you..." She nuzzled against his cheek.
"I missed you too..." He purred before setting back down on her feet.
"I was starting to worry, I know you said you would be busy... But for weeks at a time?"
"We were on a crusade."
"Oh, how is Baal?" She asked, looking a little concerned at his absence. "Is he still upset?"
"Yes..." That much was true. "He is beginning to come around." Aym assured her, reaching down to take her hand and walk back towards the cult with her. His stomach was in knots, his fear for his brother mounting behind his stoic expression.
"Good..." Mir̃alai smiled a little, squeezing his hand. "I was worried about both of you, Narinder and I had another argument. I suppose he probably told you that though." Aym looked at her, this could be the trigger for his Master's drastic change in personality.
"He did not..."
"That is typical." She sighed, "Yes, I was rather harsh with him this time. I am just tired of him toying with my emotions. He tried to make me doubt our relationship so I'd leave you. I was not going to let him do it though, I told him off." She said with a certain fire, clenching her unoccupied fist.
"I see..." Aym considered this a moment, "Did he take it well?"
"I suppose so." she shrugged, "He left without arguing anyway. I hope this means he's finally gotten the message. He has no control over me anymore." This was definitely the cause for Narinder's sudden shift in behavior, it was a bid for control. "I was worried he wouldn't let you see me again, I'm glad he isn't taking this out on you two." Aym nodded absently, as he did not wish to lie to her if he could help it. Once they were within the grounds, Mir̃alai walked with him to the temple. As he expected, all the Followers have retired for the day. She let him into her bedroom and sat down on the bed, unfastening her fleece. He rested his moon staff against the dresser and sat down beside her in silence. By this point, his bottled anxieties were causing him to feel ill. Mir̃alai looked at him before she finished taking her fleece off. "Aym?"
"Hm?" He snapped back to reality, looking at her.
"Are you alright? You seem..." She paused, searching for the right word, "Stressed."
"I am fine... Only tired from our crusade." He assured her as he began disrobing. She took hold of his wrist, stopping him.
"There is something else, what happened?"
"Mir̃alai..." Aym sighed, "I cannot say. Please do not press the matter."
"Narinder did take it out on you two, didn't he? Where is Baal?" She asked with a glare.
"Heed me, you will only make things worse if you interfere." He warned.
"If you do not tell me, Aym, I will go and find out for myself." She gave the ultimatum, standing up to prove she meant it. A spark of panic shot through Aym with these words, and he instinctively grabbed the Lamb by the arm, holding her firmly.
"You cannot go, Mir̃alai." There was a note of desperation in his voice. She stared at him, her expression softening. Mir̃alai moved to stand before him, and rested her hand against his cheek. He hadn't even realized his eyes were welled with tears until she wiped them away.
"What did he do to Baal?" Her voice was gentle.
"I... I don't know. He ordered me to leave before he gave his punishment." Aym's ears lowered in fear, "I cannot say anything more. Please do not get involved."
"He is only throwing a tantrum, Aym. I understand you and Baal cannot do anything against him, but I can. I'll get him to stop whatever it is he's trying to do."
"You do not understand...!" Aym stood, taking her cheeks in his hands. "He has already become just as powerful as he once was, perhaps more so. Nothing good will come of your interference. I am telling you, Mir̃alai, if you get involved, it will make matters worse for my brother and me. He does not want you in his Domain, that is why he forbade me to speak of it. I have already said too much, and he will be furious if he finds out."
"I defeated him before, and I will do it again if I must. But you cannot expect me to sit here knowing Baal is in trouble. That is against everything I stand for." She took his hands, lowering them. "I will go and talk to him, and if he asks, I will say I simply guessed something was wrong. I won't tell him you said anything."
" Mir̃alai, please..."
"Do not fret, hun." She leaned up and kissed his cheek, "You may stay here if you'd prefer to, but I am going to get Baal." Mir̃alai left the room without giving Aym time to argue again. The servant stood in silence, terrified of what was to come. As afraid as he was to appear before Narinder again, he knew he needed to accompany Mir̃alai, he could not let her walk into such danger on her own. Aym rushed out of the temple to catch up to the Lamb, walking on by her side.
Aym entered through the large, white doorway with Mir̃alai. Once on the other side, the Lamb stopped walking, a look of surprise on her face at the mass of Followers all gathered around the towering shrine. The thirty creatures were all wearing black robes, and white masks. Their identities, and even species, were completely hidden. They did not look up to see who had arrived as Mir̃alai's Followers would have. They did not dare stop their fervent prayers. Beyond the shrine was Narinder. The God sat contently on his ebony throne as he waited for the shrine to fill once more. He sat up a bit, his red eyes falling onto Aym and Mir̃alai. A grin spread across his face from beneath his threaded veil.
"Aym... back so soon?" He asked threateningly. The two approached him, and Aym kneeled down silently. "And you've brought the Lamb..." He chuckled and stood, his scythe appearing in his hand. "You are no longer welcome here, Mir̃alai."
"Where is Baal?" She asked sternly as she looked up at Narinder. The Bishop towered over her by more than three feet now, yet she showed no sign of fear. Narinder raised a brow, his attention pulling back to Aym.
"You disobeyed me, how disappointing. It would seem the Lamb has a knack for corruption."
"Narinder! Where is Baal?" Mir̃alai demanded, stepping forward.
"He is here..." Narinder grinned evilly and tapped his scythe against the ground. Both Mir̃alai and Aym looked up as they heard the sound of jingling chains from above. There, Baal was hanging upside down. Shackles were clamped around his ankles, and a length of chain wrapped around his body not unlike the way Narinder had been confined. He seemed to be unconscious, deep crimson stains evident against his white robes. The warm blood trickled off his form, landing in great drops upon Mir̃alai and Aym. Aym's eyes widened in horror and he dropped his staff to clasp his hands together, bowing his head.
"Release him, Master, I beg of you!"
"He is still serving his punishment." Narinder purred. "Speaking of which..." He tapped his scythe against the ground, and chains shot down from the void above. Before either had time to react, Aym's feet were ripped out from under him as he was swiftly hoisted into the air. "You have also disobeyed me. For it, your punishment shall be the same as that of your kin." Another chain snaked its way around Aym's body, constricting him tightly. The cat yelled and struggled pointless in the air.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Mir̃alai yelled, her crown shifting to a sword in her hand. "Release them!"
"What I do with my servants is none of your concern, Lamb." Narinder chuckled, tapping his scythe again. Aym screamed in pain, blood splattering down onto the pearly white floor. Numerous stinging gashes had instantly ripped across his skin over his body.
"You bastard!" Mir̃alai growled, her eyes glowing red. Narinder laughed.
"Ha! You think you can defeat again?!" With these words, there was a commotion behind Mir̃alai. Several Followers had all armed themselves with daggers. Each stabbing themselves in the gut and ripping the blade to the side, disemboweling themselves. Along with the blood and innards that poured from these Followers, devotion gushed forth. The white wisps shot into Narinder, and his eyes began to glow a brilliant white. "Do your worst, sniveling beast!" Mir̃alai floated into the air and released a powerful knockback curse, but Narinder did not budge. He only laughed harder, slamming his scythe against the ground with such a force, the white stone cracked. Chains shot towards her from every angle, they seized her small body, lifting her into the air. Narinder raised his scythe. "How I have dreamt of this day..." He said lowly, his eyes narrowing. A flash of golden light interrupted him just as he was about to swing. Nykka had appeared at last. The Goddess had undergone quite a change of her own. She matched Narinder's towering height, and her eyes had a golden glow to them. She glared from behind a white thread veil.
"Stop this!" She yelled, raising her hand. A wall of thick vines erupted through the white, stone floors between Narinder and Mir̃alai in protection of the lamb. Nykka approached Narinder who seemed shocked by this unlikely interruption. With a sweep of her hand, more vines shot from the ground, grabbing his torso tightly, holding him still. "You will not harm them, Narinder." She glared.
"Release me!" He snarled. Nykka did not, instead she pressed her hand against his chest. Narinder winced, trying to fight off her abilities through willpower alone. It did no good, the calm overtook him as she intended.
"Let them go, Narinder..." She spoke in a warning tone, keeping her hand firmly against his heart. It seemed the cruel God could not withstand it any longer. The chains he had summoned released their prey. Nykka lifted her free hand, and two plants with massive leaves sprouted in an instant, cushioning Aym and Baal's fall. The moment Aym was on the ground, he rushed to his brother, disregarding his own injuries. Nykka kept her gaze on Narinder who glared at her in return. "Take them back to your cult, Mir̃alai." She instructed the Lamb. Aym picked up his brother's unconscious body and did not hesitate to run out of the Domain with the Lamb at his side. He was sure Narinder would punish him in the future for such treason, but he did not care. His only concern was Baal's well being.
Once back in the safety of Mir̃alai's cult, Aym carried Baal to the medical tents. He laid his brother down on one of the beds gingerly.
"I'll summon Aurelia." Mir̃alai said as she lifted a hand. A red orb had appeared over her palm then zipped out of the tent. In the meantime, the two worked together to carefully remove Baal's robes. His wounds were far more extensive than Aym's. While he had received ten lacerations at the hands of their Master, Baal had upwards of fifty. It seemed Narinder had been ruthless in the torture of his brother. Aurelia bustled in minutes later and gasped at the sight. Not wasting time on inquiries, she got to work trying to clean the many wounds. Aym sat heavily in a chair and leaned forward, gripping his brother's hand. He trembled at the sight of him.
"He is so cold..." He muttered vacantly, tears spilling down his cheeks. Mir̃alai did not reply as she stood by helplessly, picking at her nails in anxiety. The Lamb looked up as Nykka entered the tent, pushing the curtains aside, her jaw set in a stoic expression.
"Excuse me." Nykka said, resting a hand on Aurelia's shoulder to gently usher her away. The doe did not hesitate to stand aside, relieved that the pressure was no longer on her. The Bishop leaned down, and swept her hand over Baal's torso. Her hand was shimmering with golden light, and they could see his wounds closing as if by magic. Mir̃alai leaned over Aym's shoulder to watch.
"Will he be alright?" She asked tentatively, both looking up at Nykka with hopeful expressions.
"I cannot promise anything." Nykka sighed, pulling her hand away once all the wounds were closed. "His life force is weak, he has lost a lot of blood..."
"You cannot heal him?" Aym asked in a weak voice.
"I can only do so much, I can heal his wounds, yes. But that does heal the damage that has already been done. I cannot reverse death, nor can I halt imminent death."
"But Narinder can." Mir̃alai insisted, "If Baal..." She hesitated, glancing at Aym a moment before continuing. "If Baal dies, Narinder could send him back to his body. He's done so for me numerous times." Nykka tightened her lips, looking sympathetic.
"I know... But, he cannot do it for Baal. He can only do so for you as it is a part of the deal you struck."
"So, we strike another deal." Mir̃alai's voice raised in determination.
"It would be an abuse of his Crown. His duty is to ferry souls onto the afterlife, if he sends them back to their body, his Crown will reject him."
"I don't understand, what is the difference? A deal is a deal, between whom hardly matters."
"He has already made such a deal with you. He cannot make it again, not with anyone." Mir̃alai nearly argued, but Aym spoke up to their surprise.
"He would not do it even if he could... Baal will have to survive this on his own." There was a certain finality in his voice that stopped Mir̃alai from arguing with him. Nykka stepped away from Baal's bedside, and rested a hand on the Lamb's back, leading her out of the tent. Aym's ears twitched as he heard them speaking on the other side.
"What happened after we left?"
"I calmed him down, and we made a deal."
"What deal?" The lamb asked incredulously
"He agreed not to harm you, your followers, or the twins. I, in exchange, agreed not to interfere with anything else he does in his quest to regain power."
"As if he will stick to that. I know you love him, Nykka, but he is evil."
"He is not evil..." Nykka insisted, "Misguided, sometimes delusional, but not evil. I know you saw that in him too."
"I was foolish. He has proven time and time again that he is selfish, and cruel. He cares only for himself."
"That is not true... You cannot see him as I can see him."
"How can you say that? He nearly killed me, he might have killed Baal, and he was going to kill Aym too. All over petty jealousy and a bruised ego." Nykka sighed.
"We will have to agree to disagree, dear. All that matters is he will no longer seek to harm you or the ones you care for."
"For now, but mark my words, Nykka. He will find a way to break that deal. Especially if you allow him to grow his power."
"If he tries to break our deal, I will stop him as I did today." Mir̃alai did not argue, it sounded as if it were a pointless effort anyway. "Aym could use your support. I shall take my leave for now. If you need me, I will be in my Domain."
Aym sat loyally by his brother's side for hours, not once did he move from his place. He held Baal's hand tightly, both in love and in fear his weak pulse would cease. Mir̃alai had sat with him in silent support for most of that time, though she did leave when day broke so she could tend to her Followers and inform them of the situation during her usual morning sermon. It was nearly noon when she re-entered the medical tent, a bowl of stew in her hands.
"Are you hungry, Aym?" Aym shook his head. Mir̃alai did not seem surprised, she set the bowl on the bedside table before taking her seat beside him once more. "Has anything happened?"
"No..." He muttered. "I should not have left him, I knew he would be punished..."
"You were only following orders." Mir̃alai rested a hand against his back to comfort him, "You did not know Narinder would go this far. It is not your fault, Aym..." He shook his head again, his eyes cast down in heavy sorrow.
"I cannot lose him, my brother is everything to me. I have never gone a day without seeing him... We are all we have."
"You needn't grieve yet, hun..." She leaned up to kiss his cheek. As she sat back in her chair, looking upon Baal, she noticed his ears twitch. "Aym, did you-"
"Baal?" Aym said urgently, standing up from his chair to lean over the bed. He finally released his brother's hand, and instead took his cheeks in his hands. "Baal...!" The cat's brows furrowed as he started to come around. His red eyes fluttered open to vaguely look up at his twin.
"Aym...?" He murmured in a barely audible, raspy voice. Aym's face lit up, a grin over his face as much happier tears slipped down his cheeks. He let go of Baal's face, and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I love you, brother..." He huffed, squeezing him close. Baal hugged Aym in return, though with a fraction of the vigor.
"I love you too." He muttered, "How- How long have I been asleep?" Aym released him, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I am unsure, you have been here for half a day. Though, you were already unconscious when we got you."
"Oh..." Baal rubbed his head, wincing a little. Aurelia had popped into the tent to see what the commotion had been about, she sighed in relief seeing Baal awake. It seemed she had assumed the worst. Mir̃alai looked at the doe.
"Will you get Baal water, and something to eat?"
"Of course, leader." She smiled, leaving just as quickly as she had arrived.
"Wait, it... it hasn't been a week yet, has it? You were supposed to be gone for a week."
"No, I returned the same night I left. Mir̃alai insisted that we check on you, and I am grateful she convinced me, otherwise-"
"You disobeyed an order." Baal's brow furrowed, looking disappointed. "You were forbidden to tell Mir̃alai anything." Both Aym and Mir̃alai were taken aback by this accusation. True as it may have been, it was hardly the point of concern.
"Does that matter, Baal? If we hadn't come when we did, you would have died. You very nearly did."
"Master would not have let me die..."
"He was going to." Mir̃alai insisted, "He was going to kill all three of us."
"You should not have returned for me, Aym." Baal seemed to have disregarded what Mir̃alai said entirely. "We pledged eternal servitude. You must repent."
"I-... Of course, brother."
"What?" The Lamb looked between them, "You are not seriously going back to him, Aym." She took her lover's arm.
"We have to..." Aym explained, "Baal is right, we pledged to serve him. We cannot abandon him..." He noticed the concerned expression on her face, and added, "As Nykka said, he will not harm us. There is no reason we should not go back to him."
"He betrayed both of you, that is reason enough."
"It is not... You do not understand, Mir̃alai. It does not matter what he has, or has not done. We are in a binding agreement."
"You were children, he cannot expect–"
"He can, and he does..." Baal interjected. "Our very lives are in his hands, should he choose to end them, then he has a right to do so. We cannot break our vow."
"I broke my deal with him, I did not let him kill me. I did not give up the Red Crown as I had originally promised."
"We are aware..." Baal said plainly. "We were there. Our deal was made under different circumstances. We were torn from our mother's arms, and sacrificed in his name for the sole purpose of becoming his servants. We vowed to serve him until our death. We must do so."
"Honor aside, what exactly is stopping you from breaking your vow?" Mir̃alai asked in exasperation.
"Mir̃alai... I explained this to you. Our Master is my priority." Aym sighed, "I am loyal to him before anyone else, and, unfortunately, that includes you."
"That does not answer my question..."
"There is nothing else to stop us." Baal spoke again, "Only honor and loyalty. You may not understand this, as you crossed him so easily... We take our vow seriously, our honor is everything. You made your deal out of desperation for your own life. We made our deal with no regard for our lives, but for him. To serve him as our mother served him. As soon as I have recovered, we shall return to him." Mir̃alai shook her head, defeated and angry. Aym watched as she left the medical tent then looked at his brother.
"You did not have to be so callous, Baal..."
"I know..." Baal huffed, rubbing his head. "But, I knew you would not be stern with her, and it is the only way she will understand. I will apologize to her later after the message has sunk in."
"I suppose you have a point." Aym leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. Stewing in his thoughts. Baal watched him for a while, and spoke.
"Aym...? Do you... do you not wish to go back?"
"Hm?" Aym looked back at him, and shook his head. "Of course I want to go back to him, it is our duty-" Baal waved a hand to cut him off.
"That is not what I am asking, brother..."
"I am conflicted. It feels wrong to leave her again." Aym admitted. "I want to go back to fulfill my duty, but to leave her alone?" He shook his head, "It isn't right."
"You entered this relationship knowing that your loyalty lay elsewhere. I care for Mir̃alai too, you know I do. It pains me to see her this way, but, Aym, you cannot abandon your duty. If you truly cannot stand to see her in this state, perhaps it would be best to break things off now."
"No." Aym said plainly. "I will not leave her, she has been left alone too many times. I cannot do that to her. It would be dishonorable, and cowardly."
"Then what will you do?"
"The best I can..."
