Jordan's POV

The day had arrived. We had been preparing for this non stop, barely stopping to eat and sleep as the cursed deadline approached. Lining up in between the nether portal and the Mianite temple, we took stock of everything we had. Every person had a sword, bow and armor as well as countless stacks of ender pearls to escape the fighting if it got too rough. Notch apples had just finished being created, everyone with half a stack each - exhausting our once massive gold supply. Faces contained mixed emotions, some of fear and others of determination. We had no real idea of what to expect, whether it'd be Mianite fighting us alone or if he'd have shadow minions of his own to help defeat us. I knew that the gods would not fight with us, my lady's idea of fate and intervention had given me that knowledge.

On the dawn of our final day, we all slept next to our gear in case our warning had been wrong - and knowing Mianite it was quite likely to be inaccurate. Nobody could really sleep, it was more a lot of tossing and turning in their makeshift beds. Everyone had agreed to sleep together in the court house, so they'd know if anything was going on outside whilst others slept but nobody really wanted to be there. The court house had always been an eerie place and it had been one of Caitlin's common residences, meaning that Tucker generally refused to go anywhere near it.

The clouds fully covered the land, blocking out the sun and the stars. Darkness covered all of us, shadows dancing and mocking us wherever we looked. With the darkness came the nerves and with the nerves came the fear. Some of us paced, others clutched one another seeking comfort and others merely sat in place, staring around at the world that may soon come to end - lost in their own thoughts. Small inches of light seeped through the dense clouds, throwing streaks of light onto random objects and causing us all to jump away in fear. Sonja had set up lanterns within the boarders of the force field that surrounded us, giving us vision but not enough to reassure us of the lack of evil presences that surely were surrounding us as we rested. Nobody was really at one another's throats, dark glances were shared between all - a constant reminder of the oncoming storm.

A bolt of lightning flashed in the distance and pierced the coarse earth, causing us all to jump up and raise our swords in unison. Nobody spoke, the earpieces remaining untouched and the tension in the air so thick that you couldn't cut it with a knife. A small fire blazed on the block where the lightning struck it, illuminating our faces momentarily as we awaited some foul creature to leap from the fire and hack through us. Nothing came until we looked at the horizon.

The sun was meant to be rising now, giving us a brief glimpse of light and its rays of hope but we were not greeted by such a spectacle. The light of the sun was blocked out by thousands of shadowy beings, their forms twisting and morphing constantly with a menacing slicing sound. In the center of them, stood a glowing form. It was Mianite. His once kind eyes were filled with darkness and rage, glowing a vicious amber and causing the shadows to growl in unison, their tendrils snapping in place in their thirst for blood. The once holy robes were tattered and shredded, splattered with blood and the shadowy liquid. The stench of death emanated off of him, causing us all to gag momentarily as it wafted our direction. Tucker, Sonja and Lisette were silent. All reminders of their once peaceful god were gone and they had no idea where to turn to now. To fight your own god must be an experience that cuts you to the core, something that you could never truly recover from.

We turned our formation around, forming a semi circle that faced the army head on, leaving no gaps in our defense, every fighter placing their life on the line to fulfill the events that were to come to pass. I understand my role in today's battle, with every part of me praying that it would not come to that. Hindsight was something that I had constantly hoped for yet was coming to regret possessing. In my mind was a constant turmoil that was searching for a way out of this spider web called fate that I was encased in.

A dark, rattling voice boomed across the makeshift battlefield - resonating in our skulls as we prepared for a fight. Mianite's voice haunted me, the once kind god I had known and respected, despite my lack of loyalties to him, was gone. Only this shell of a being remained and it was filled with darkness.

"Ah mortals. I knew you would be here. Your little god Mianite tried to delay my coming but sadly his mind was too weak. I know who you all are, I've seen you all in his memories and some of you, I've had a bit more of a ... personal introduction to."

Caitlin's mouth twisted into a grimace, obviously remembering her close encounters with Mianite, that we as a group were wholly clueless about. Pain and loss danced across her expression, her sometimes gentle eyes steely with emotions, not letting anyone see her broken self.

"In front of me are my enemies, those of Dianite's brood. Your powers will be weak against my might and your god is nowhere to be seen. He will not help you, my dear brother Dianite was always such a coward. Choosing to have his warriors fight his own battles instead of facing the danger on his own. Risking others lives, always his specialty."

Tom and Nyx's faces twisted with rage, restraining the urge to lunge at the god who was badmouthing their beliefs. None of us had any real idea of how to defeat a god, but we all knew charging at him alone was probably the worst possible idea if we all wanted to survive. Their knuckles were white and clenched over their swords, their bones threatening to burst through the skin.

"Others are my dearest followers. Those who I believe should fight with me, instead of standing against me. No matter what form I come in, I am still Mianite and you will obey me. Come to me my loyal subjects, stand by my side and eradicate those who will not follow our path to victory."

Tucker, Sonja and Lisette's faces suddenly lost all traces of emotion and defiance, becoming similar to that of a robot's. Their arms hung limp by their sides as their legs moved simultaneously to bring them closer and closer to Mianite's side. Our attempts to keep them still were thwarted by a wave of Mianite's hand, causing his brain washed followers to lash out with the butts of their swords and smack those restraining them across the head. Cries of pain mingled with Mianite's deep chuckle.

"That's better. Now those remaining. Two followers of my oh so dear sister, Ianite. You two chose balance and order over me. Your reasons remain a mystery to me but even if you had good intentions, you are still betrayers. You will perish for your crimes against my absolute authority. My sisters beliefs may ring true in the hearts of many mortals but her love of justice is what makes her week. She will never strike the first blow and that is where my advantage shall play in. You only had a small chance at coming out of this battle alive and sadly you have run out of lives."

Chelcie looked at me, a look of fear dancing across her face as she realized how doomed we were. We had lost three fighters, who would be against us and Mianite's aim was clear. We were all to die, painfully. However Mianite wasn't done talking, his sinister gaze focusing on myself and Tom, we were standing side by side.

"Tom. Jordan. Two heroes who I once believed were no threat to my grand plan. Yet you two insisted to continue meddling with my plans, threatening to derail them all together. First with the discovery of the Ianite temple, next with the riddle and again with this unified force against me. I've seen you training, teaching your soldiers how to defeat my shadows. I hate to disappoint but I doubt your method will work.

Thomas. You have been a thorn in my side since this land began and I will take great joy in eradicating you from existence.

Jordan. You know what your role is today, you know exactly how this is going to end and I hope you will accept my extended hand of forgiveness. The chosen one is someone that I would prefer not to have against me. If you survive today, I will claim you as my prize. Do not stray from the riddle."

I gritted my teeth, restraining the urge to spit in the direction of this conceited god. I had stood by Ianite since she was imprisoned and my belief in her had brought her back from the brink of darkness. She was my lady and I was her follower. As a follower of justice there was only one thing I could do to tame this insane farce of a god. Fight for my justice.

I took a step forward and began to speak, praying my words would bring back our stolen warriors and that it would make clear where I stood in this day, my role in history.

"When I first came to this realm, I was commanded to choose between two sides. One good, one evil. Yet I did not fit in either place, my thirst for justice made me a cast out from the Mianite followers and my lack of bloodlust made me too 'weak' to be a Dianite follower. So I found my lady and my purpose in this realm. I am the oncoming storm Mianite, I am your great and powerful enemy only because I fight for justice and I fight until my last breath. I don't run, or hide or cheat. I follow the ways of my lady and they have led me here. They led us all here. We have a common enemy, a god to save from himself and an army to conquer. I cannot do this alone. But if I am alone, then I will ensure I take down as many of your soldiers as I can before I perish Mianite. Because I would rather be dead then following a god whose twisted desires may kill us all."

"I am the chosen one. I am the bringer of justice and peace. I am the dark horse, the silent sword and your worst nightmare. I will fulfill my lady's riddle on my own terms and bring about the end of this darkness."

With that speech, I drew my sword and charged, fueled by the battle cries of my friends and the hope of a better tomorrow, brought about by us.

A/N

The fighting is next chapter!

We are about 4/5 chapters till the end of this Mianite journey :'(

Lets finish it with a bang.