Tainted Balance

A Bit Of Convincing

Jordan had stayed there, kneeling down in that patch of Tainted grass for what felt like an hour. Time never really had a place in the Forest, as the time never shifted from..well Twilight.

"Am..am I going insane?" He asked, mostly to himself. He wasn't expecting an answer.

"No Jordan, you are not insane."

He jumped and looked up, seeing the image of a person he hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Ianite..?"

It was definitely her. But she looked different. Her dress was in tatters and covered in Taint (as was most of her skin). Her hair seemed to move on its own, looking similar to the Tainted tentacles gently swaying. Her gaze was cold and calculating, far different from her normally warm and caring look.

"M-My lady!" He scrambled onto one knee, bowing his head respectfully. Even if she looked..odd, she was still his goddess! He had to show respect.

"Rise my follower. I must share something important with you."

"What is it?" He asked as he rose to a standing position.

"You've been out of sorts lately, haven't you? Hearing voices, acting out against your friends, becoming more..aggressive. Am I correct?"

Jordan nodded and felt elated. Ianite knew what was happening to him! She could help him! She could turn him back to normal!

"Y-yes, I have. How did you know?"

Ianite granted a small smile. "I must keep an eye on my most loyal follower, yes?"

Jordan's heart soared. He knew it already, but hearing Ianite call him her 'most loyal' or 'favorite' follower was uplifting to hear.

"Of course. So, you know what's wrong with me?"

"Yes. But Jordan, promise me you shall not judge me for what I am about to tell you."

"How could I judge you for anything? You're my goddess. You know what's best, right?"

Ianite's smile grew. "I'm glad to see you have such strong faith in me, Jordan. Now then. As for what is happening to you.."

Jordan leaned forward, eager to hear of what was wrong with him. Hopefully, it was curable; whatever it was.

"I suppose that, in a manner of speaking, it's my fault that you've recently been acting so strangely."

"Wh..what?" Ianite had done this to him? But..

"Why? Did I do something wrong? Is this punishment for something?"

Ianite shook her head. "No, Jordan. This is not a punishment. It's a reward if anything. A reward for showing me that your loyalties lie fully and completely in me and me alone."

"I.. I don't follow.."

"Fine then. Allow me to explain. Come, sit next to me. This shall take a while to explain." She lowers herself onto the Tainted grass, which seemed to curl towards her like plants to sunlight. He hesitantly went and sat down next to her. She gently reached out and laid his head in her lap, running a hand through his hair affectionately. It was..calming. His vision started to swirl and turn purple but he didn't fight it this time. It felt nice..

"Now, you recall Martha telling you that the Taint is my doing, correct?"

He nodded, recalling the first time he saw the Tainted statue.

"Well, she was correct. This type of Taint is not one that is natural. It is of my own creation. I made it specifically to target and attack the town. It would appear that you have gained its favor.."

"It's.. Favor?"

"The Taint is at least somewhat sentient. It has recognized that you are a follower of me and has.. Attached itself to you, in a sense. You hear it's whispers, right? You hear it calling for you."

He nodded once more.

"You make a perfect host for it. The Taint, I mean. See how it flocks towards you, like it does me?" She pointed a finger at the grass. He looked down and sure enough, the purple grass was attempting to wrap itself around his fingers, brushing against his skin gently. He raised the hand watching as the grass reached for it, attempting to wrap around his fingers again. It was.. Kind of cute.

"Do as the Taint says, my dear follower. It acts on my behalf. It will lead you to victory. The voices shall lead you."

"I.. I understand, my Lady."

"Good. Now, I have business to attend to elsewhere. We shall meet again soon, Jordan."

She stroked his hair a final time before vanishing. Jordan found himself laying on the Tainted grass, alone feeling the tiny blades curl towards and around him.

He sat up and smiled. A grim, dark smile. One completely different from his normal, meek and friendly one. His vision was completely purple now, everything varying from a pale lavender to a dark indigo, but he didn't mind. It looked pretty to him now, instead of sick and dizzying like before. His eyes had darkened from their normal bright blue to an indescribable color, one that went from light to dark in a manner of seconds. The voices were back, whispering ideas to him and for the first time, he listened; eager to hear what they had to say. After all, his Lady knew best, right? Jordan stood and walked towards the portal that would take him home. He brushed a hand against the trunk of an uninfected tree, leaving a purple handprint of taint that quickly spread on the dark wood. As the portal began to come into view, his grin widened. He had to take care of a few things..

In the back of his brain, the voices had started growing louder. Unknown to Jordan, Ianite had never appeared to him. It was nothing more than a hallucination, caused by the Taint. It wanted, no, needed Jordan on its side. He would do anything, even kill if it meant pleasing his goddess. So, if that was all it took, the hallucinations would defiantly help in recruiting him.

'It is done..'

'He has joined us..'

'Soon all of Dagrun shall fall.. At his hands none the less..'

'Soon..'

((Woo! I'm done! This one took me the longest time out of all the chapters. And yet I don't think this one is as good as yesterday's... Oh well! It's something, right? But yeah! I hope you enjoyed and I will see all you people in the next chapter! Later!))