Tainted Balance

Beginning of the End

Jordan was at the edge of the forest in a matter of minuets. His new wings faster than his old ones could ever even hope to be. He looked around, searching for a sign of Ianite.

'Hello again Jordan.' Ianite's voice called out. The air in front of him seemed to distort for a second before a hazy, purple tinted image of his goddess appeared before him. Bowing his head, he knelt down in front of her.

"Lady Ianite, I came as soon as I could."

'I see. You are positive you were not followed, correct?'

"Yes my Lady. I flew as fast as I could to get To- the Dianitee off my trail."

Ianite smirked and nodded. 'Good. You did that correctly at the very least.'

Jordan flinched a bit. He remembered all his past attempts at resisting his Lady's orders.. He didn't remember why he tried to in the first place. His Lady knew what was best for him after all. Hopefully, by obeying now he would make up for those past mistakes.

'Now then. I have a very important mission for you, my dear follower. But before I give it to you, you must promise me one thing.'

"What is it, my Lady?"

'Promise me.. Your life. Promise that you will serve me, and no one but me for as long as you live. Even at the cost of your life, you will serve me. Is that clear?'

"Yes Lady Ianite. I will serve you till the end of my days."

Ianite's image chuckled before laying a hand on Jordan's head, gently stroking his hair. He leaned into her hand, sighing. His Lady was so kind to him. Even after all he had done to defy her.

'Good. Now then. About your mission, dear follower. There is a book that contains rather.. /sensitive/ information about me. If found by a certain person or /God/" she spat the word out as though it were poison, "it could result in my permanent destruction. And I'm sure you wouldn't wish for me to die, would you my dear?'

Jordan shook his head frantically. "No! Of course not my Lady!" He needed his Lady. She was his goddess, the only one he could rely on now. She smiled and pet his hair again, seeming pleased.

'Good. Now then.. Your assignment is to locate this book and bring it back to me. I shall tell you where it is, so do not worry about finding it. The main problem is its.. Guardian, let's call them. You recall the wizard whom you used to associate with, dear follower?'

Jordan narrowed his eyes, his new tail whipping back and forth in aggravation at the mention of Wag. "Yes, I do my Lady. Is he the one protecting the book?"

'I am afraid so. This is the second part of your mission. You are to kill Waglington. You may use any method you deem fit, but I want him dead. You are to bring me a piece of his cloak as proof. Should you fail to do this, the consequences shall be.. Most unpleasant for you.' Her gentle petting turned into a tight grip on his hair and a flash of intense pain ripped through his brain, forcing him to cry out. It left as quickly as it came, leaving Jordan slightly disoriented.

'That is but a taste of the punishment you shall receive if you do not complete this task. Are we clear?'

He nodded, wincing as his head throbbed with aftershocks. He deserved that, he thought. He had disobeyed his Lady in the past and he deserved much worse than that. But his Lady was kind and forgiving. He would preform this task without failure, he had to restore his Lady's faith in him.

"Yes my Lady.. I understand."

Her image smiled again, her hand resuming its gentle petting and chasing away the last throbs of pain.