Promotion

"So why, pray tell, is the deed not finished?"

"I-... Ah-..." Your voice doesn't seem to be working properly. Strain though you might, you can't get more than a syllable out.

"Is the sword I gave you not sharp enough? Do its flames not burn bright and hot?" His voice is like an avalanche, like a flood, like a thunderclap reverberating through a volcano. "Do your wings not catch the wind beneath their feathers?"

"N-no, the-" You swallow painfully. He's really furious. If you can't do better than this for Him, you'll never earn your halo. "They do, s-sir."

"Is your body not strong and fit? Can it not carry you to the ends of the earth and back in service to Me?" You manage a nod, nothing further. "Then WHAT HAPPENED? ANSWER!"

You're struggling to blink back tears. "It was… fast… faster than expected, faster than should've been possible… some kind of new afterburner, it-"

"ENOUGH! Enough of your excuses! Leave My sight, and take your pathetic tears with you!" You hurry off back to your chamber, a few strangled sobs escaping your lips before you manage to get inside and close the door. You throw your sheath down and rush to the bathroom, intent on losing your tears in the cold water. You catch a glimpse of gold as you lower your face toward the sink. What the hell? Slowly, you look back up, half-expecting to see some stealthy intruder poised to strike, but instead, you see… yourself. Reflected in the mirror. And…above you… mostly translucent, emitting the dimmest of glows… a newly formed halo. You straighten up, utterly dumbfounded at its appearance. Why now? After your latest failure, after He just chewed you out for your inadequacy? Whatever the reason, you can already feel it working. It feels… not exactly good, but… resolute. You have a renewed energy. You leave the bathroom, pick up your sword, and take off out the window. You're sure you can catch it this time.