Chapter Text
Deep within the lands of the Old Faith laid the fungal swamps of Anura, desert of any Divine ruler since a few years now. Although, one could have heard the croaks of its old master if they had paid enough attention.
Heket slayed the last demon in the area, under her young brother’s unimpressed gaze.
"- You are quite slow, sister.
-Shut it, Narinder, signed Heket, wiping blood off her face. You simply wish you could take more than one enemy at the same time!"
Narinder opened his mouth to say something, but a weak voice echoed to them.
"-It must be the follower the Lamb told us about, said the feline.
-Thank you for such relevant remark, brother!"
The cat ignored her, choosing to go towards the voice. Despite her sister’s acerbic behavior, he couldn’t help but smile upon seeing her sign the last word. It had taken so many efforts and trials to at least tolerate each other, one of them including their eldest almost dying.
He finally reached the altar where a supposed sacrifice to his sister was tied down.
"-Heket? You should go see that…"
The toad rolled her eyes, but quickly widened them as she realized the nature of the being in front of them: it was a Mushroomoo.
"-I beg you, have mercy…
-We are not going to sacrifice you, sighed Narinder. Heket, help me cut the ropes."
The heretics of Anura had no reason to make sacrifices anymore, but it was in the nature of Mortals to worship some kind of higher being, tangible or not. “Just as Crowns guide through Divinity, Divinity shall guide through Mortality.” Shamura had told them a dozen of centuries ago.
"-Do you remember your name, mortal? Inquired Narinder, massing his sore wrists.
- Niesi, sir… what are you going to do with me?
-Nothing, signed Heket. I suppose you know about the Cult of The Lamb?
-Oh yes! Our old vessel Sozo knew about its leader. I would be delighted to accompany you there, but I have to go. A great change is happening in Anura, friends!
-You do not seem able to defend yourself, remarked Narinder. Besides, we have been missioned to bring you back."
Niesi seemed to consider their options for a moment.
"-I suppose I could stop by, the spore Grotto has been troubled since the disappearance of Sozo."
Heket silently injected the other two to follow her; the road was dangerous to anyone not familiar with the ever changing lands of Anura, and Narinder categorically refused to lead the way in fear of getting wet.
"-Say, Niesi, began Narinder, did you ever get in trouble for following the Red Crown? I suppose you are aware of the numerous steles scattered across Anura… such as this one."
He pointed towards a grossly carved stone, a three-pointed Crown at the top.
"-I was not aware Sozonius and his followers had started to worship the Red Crown, signed Heket. I must have died before it happened, she added, squinting her four eyes at her brother.
-Died? How is that possible? asked the Mushroomoo. Unless I did indeed die, and you two are my guides to the afterlife…"
Heket stopped in her tracks, and turned to Niesi; despite being shorter than Narinder, both were equally intimidating to the rescued fungus.
"-I suppose we did not properly introduce ourselves, brother, remarked Heket, a vicious smile forming on her lips. My name is Heket, previous ruler of Anura and Bishop of Famine.
-And I am Narinder, old bearer of the Red Crown, although I am better known under the name of the One Who Waits, added the cat, graciously bowing."
They noticed Niesi trying to make themselves as small as possible, terrified by the identity of their saviors. The old Deities exchanged complicit glances, before Narinder let a chuckle out:
"-I missed making that impression on Mortals. It feels nice.
-Stop messing around, or your partner will wonder what is taking so long, complained his sister.
-Oh they will know, hissed Narinder. It is no secret you jump on any opportunity to get away from the Cult!"
As the siblings kept bickering, Niesi discreetly tried to get away, walking slower and slower. Heket caught their arm without even turning her head.
"-I wonder how Sozonius is going to react, remarked Narinder. The mere sight of red and white is enough to give him war flashbacks.
-Exactly, Narinder. This ant managed to make the literal incarnation of War enamored with him. I doubt dealing with a fungus is outside of his power.
-Excuse me, interrupted Niesi, as pale as the Lamb’s wool, did you say Sozonius? Is the vessel… alive?"
Without waiting for an answer, the Mushroomoo raised their arms in sign of worship:
"-Praise the Lamb, for the return of Sozo! Praise the Bishops of the Old Faith, for guiding me back to him!"
***
The Sun was starting to decline on the Cult grounds, bathing a game of knucklebones in a golden light:
"-Andre, can you tell me what number I made?
-A five, Leshy."
The Old Bishop of Chaos grumbled under his bandages, covered by Kallamar’s victory cries:
"-HA! I told you so, unbeaten since the era of Tursas!"
Shamura and the Lamb were observing the game, sat on a nearby bench; while amused, the spider was starting to fall asleep on the bench.
"-Tursas? I never heard of that name, remarked the Lamb. Shamura, do you know anything about tha-
-My siblings are back."
The Leader did not quite understand how the old Bishops could detect each other’s presence as mortals, even better than they themselves could do with their own Followers. But both were surprised to only see Narinder running to them:
"-Lamb, I think you should see who we brought."
Heket was holding Niesi by the arm, her four eyes assuring Sozonius did not go anywhere near them.
"-Ah.
-We found them in Anura, began Heket. Unless you wish to lose your Divinity, I advise against letting them see Sozonius.
-Praise the Lamb! Exclaimed Niesi. For they allowed us to reach back the vessel!
-What vessel? Asked the Leader. I you are speaking of Sozonius, he is no longer under that mushroom’s influence, and I doubt anyone wishes to do so…"
The Mushroomoo seemed disappointed by their answer, their red cap hiding their eyes.
"-Well, what shall we do with you now… murmured the Lamb, scratching the back of their ear."
They looked at Heket, who drew a finger across her neck. Not very convincing, thought the Leader. They looked at Narinder, who proceeded to silently approve his sister's decision.
"-How about… I ask one of my Followers to welcome you into their shelter, and I accompany you back to the spore grotto tomorrow? I am sure you are tired from these last few days, and no doubt my missionaries here must have been a little… rough with you, said the Lamb with an accusatory stare towards the old Bishops.
-I do wish to see Sozo before going back, insisted Niesi. Since his disappearance, my peers have been searching across the lands for a new master; finding the previous one back from the dead is more than what we could ever ask for!
-I understand that, answered the Lamb. But he does not wish to return to Anura, and doubt he will change his opinion anytime soon… Heket, Narinder, please do not tell Shamura about it. They might slip up and tell Sozonius.
-I was going to bed anyways, signed Heket, dropping Niesi’s arm. Do not bother waking me up tomorrow.
-I am asking if I may go as well, added Narinder.
-Of course, Nari. Although, could you make sure Sozonius is either at his house, or the medical bay first, please? I wish to avoid any incident…"
The cat nodded, before catching Witness Allocer’s sight and leaving the entrance of the Cult; as the years progressed, it went from half-destroyed pillars to rows of crystal lamps and colorful pennants floating in the sky, thanks to Kallamar’s repeated requests to “give this wicked place the barebones of what we call elegance”. The Lamb chuckled at the memory, before turning to Anura’s rescue:
"-Welcome to the Cult, Niesi!"