Fractured God

He couldn't help but smirk, finally being able to kill this troublesome woman.

He brought his blade down but she blocked his arm from going further with her own. He slid his arm down against hers and managed to leave a nasty cut on her forearm. It didn't show bone but it was deep enough to fit a whole fingernail.

Just as he was to bring the blade down he looked up to see someone approach.

His momentary lapse in judgement allowed Elizabeth to send him flying, throwing him into the air like a sack of potatoes.

It sent him closer to the new figure and he scrambled to get to his feet. They offered their hand and he quickly got back up.

He couldn't speak and could only nod his head to their cooperation.

Elizabeth slowly turned around and saw the figure standing next to him. Tina was now on the floor, with Ruby holding her in her arms looking up at him. She gritted her and writhed in pain while looking at him.

“YOU FUCKING BASTARD WHAT ARE DOING!?” Ruby shouted.

Elizabeth wondered if this was an illusion but based on Ruby's reaction, they all appeared to be seeing the same thing. It was Tibaut standing next to him.

(“A God that isn't any of the known four wanting to be revived… how'd I not put the dots together.”) She weakly thought while attempting to get back to her feet. Her vision darkened as she tried to get up. Was the adrenaline running thin or did the sight of him as an enemy drain all the strength she had left?

She saw what this current version of Tibaut could do. Did she stand a chance against him with those here?

(“I'm sorry lady Gabriel, I have a feeling I'll be meeting you quite soon. I can only hope you allow me to ret… urn….quickly enough to save anyone here.”)

Her head slowly went down as she looked to be fighting tiredness, before slamming face-first into the ground.

The hearts of everyone else watching sank. Elizabeth was down. And it looked like Tibaut had joined up with the priest. What the hell was going on here?

But even in such dire circumstances everyone, except Ruby, kept their mouths shut if it that they'd get to live even a moment longer.

Father Daniel quickly turned behind when he heard footsteps approaching and almost began laughing at what he saw. It was two of those women who had become closer to his lord. It seemed they had an interest in the red-headed boy and followed him around.

The red-headed man took a step forward but he stopped him with a gesture. He looked back to see what the issue was. He could tell there was palpable disgust on his face.

(“Uwah, it seems I'll have to really sell him on these girls.”)

He wanted to communicate “Please don't kill the blonde, I'd very much like to see the result she produces when I drain her mana and give her some of the divine powder.” But his throat wasn't going to be delivering anything of that length for the next few hours at least. He dreaded to think what would become of him when the powder's effects ran out but with the redhead here, he prayed he'd at least bring him back to the homeland to explain his actions if he did pass out.

He pointed to Elizabeth and shook his head and turned the man to Ruby, who was still screaming expletives at him on the floor.

He turned to Daniel and tapped his shoulder. He felt a heat build up on his shoulder and quickly tried to push his hand away.

(“Is that fool really so foolish to attempt something like with around!?”)

He wasn't quick enough. Tibaut created a fireball over his hand and reduced his blade hand to mere decoration.

He managed to nick Tibaut’s hand but the bastard kept his hand moving and managed to throw a punch through the dust of the explosion sending him to the floor.

He had stopped him but a fireball flying into his back told him otherwise. He quickly looked up to see him still motionless.

Another fireball assaulted his back, burning the remnants of the rags he wore.

(“I forgot he could attack with my magic active!”)

Each time he tried to pull himself up his back would wracked with another fireball. It also didn't help that his current position on the floor didn't allow him to see him. Worst of all, he was sure the ones he slowed down the boy would detonate with other fireballs, rendering his efforts useless.

Through Tibaut’s onslaught, he charred the priest's back and even had parts of his rib showing.

(“I am not going to die here by the likes of a parasite like you!!! I have gone through too much to be stopped here. My lord has blessed me today and I shall not let those blessings go to waste!!”)

As the fireballs assaulted his back he gritted his teeth and persevered through the pain of his flesh being used as a cinder, to get up.

Tibaut aimed one at his head and the little priest managed to move his head out of the way and swung the blade in his other hand towards Tibaut. He had swapped hands while grounded.

“Huh? What the hell do you mean you're not supposed to come in with me?”

Tibaut asked with an arm dragging on Kevin. They were currently outside a large room and even from the distance they were standing, the sounds of combat and screaming could be heard. He hadn't taken a look inside but he didn't imagine it would be pretty.

“I'm saying it'd be better for you to go in by yourself!” Kevin responded, trying to keep his voice down. “I don't why, but it seems like it'd be the best move for you alone to go in!” He insisted.

“Stop fucking around and follow me, you're useful in a fight I don't see why you're getting cold feet now.”

The light provided by Kevin's eyes slowly changed from blue to greenish blue.

“Just go in, trust me on this!” He said before attempting to push Tibaut.

Tibaut sighed deeply. “Is it related to your mag-”

“Yes, it is, now go!! I'm not sure what's gonna happen if we delay!”

“Oh shit, it's time-based!? Why didn't you just say that.” He quickly turned around and ran into the room.

Kevin breathed a sigh and leaned against a nearby wall to catch his breath.

(“I don't know why but whenever I approach that room it turns red. What the hell is going on in there and why is Tibaut required to go through it alone?”)