Fractured God

After a walk of several hours through the forest that surrounded the dungeon, the group soon made it back to their caravan and immediately got some proper rest.

They got sleep at the dungeon but it wasn't anywhere near as comfortable as sleeping somewhere they knew was truly safe.

“So the carriages were here the entire time?” Tibaut asked.

“Would you notice anything that happened in the dungeon if it wasn't involving life and death?” Elizabeth asked.

“Eh?”

“I left the dungeon to meet up with one of the coachmen who walked out here by himself. The other carriages were waiting in a nearby town to see if we were still alive.” Lily responded. “It's nice to see if I go missing, you won't be too concerned.” She sarcastically remarked while shrugging her shoulders.

“Come on, we were exploring for hours in different parts of the dungeon, how was I supposed to know?” Tibaut asked.

The group was gathered around a campfire, with the night sky above them. Lily, Elizabeth, Tibaut and Agnes, sat on one side of the flame with Tina comfortably resting on the other side.

Lily glanced at the sleeping Tina and sighed.

“But seriously I wished this whole thing was a dream,” Lily commented, sounding oddly sombre. “I worked up the courage to come with you guys and the bastard ran back home. Then I get taken out of the fight with the only guy worth a damn in minutes.”

“...”

“...”

“Uh, guys, this is usually the part where you say something encouraging.” She weakly responded to the cold reception.

Both Tibaut and Elizabeth seemed like they struggled for a response.

“Oh, well, uh…” Tibaut looked like he responded before his mind had put together anything worthwhile. It seemed he hoped his mouth would do the heavy lifting and spout something encouraging.

“C-come on, there must be something you can say right!?” She said as she walked over and grabbed his collar.

“Calm down Lily, as long as you're alive you can keep training and eventually that man will be in your grasp,” Elizabeth answered.

“So can I train with you? I heard Tina say she would trai-”

“Tibaut should be fine for now.”

After sulking for an unspecified amount of time, the chirps of the birds soon started to be heard and Elizabeth had fallen asleep, with Tina now waking up.

“So, where are you from exactly, Agnes?”

“Oh, uh, Lochdale.” She answered.

Tibaut was currently sweating bullets. Why might you ask? All of a sudden, Tina began asking her questions about her life before being taken by the cult. And considering the fact she was never kidnapped plus her quite frankly, weak personality, it wouldn't surprise if she cracked easily.

However…

“What was your life like before all this, ya know?”

“I worked as a seamstress for my village though I'm out of practice currently. Frankly, given what happened to me, I'm not sure I could even face them if I ever go back home...”

She said in a nervous and jittery tone.

Tina laid off the questions after seeing her reaction. “Don't worry I'm sure that bastard is getting his balls crushed as we speak.” She responded.

“Is that very encouraging, Tina? I mean you're essentially just saying the guy's still alive.” Lily chimed.

As the two got into an argument, Tibaut leaned into her and started whispering. “That response was actually sorta smooth.”

“Oh, I knew someone who came into the cult through that manner but… she disappeared one day.” She said, not looking particularly upset about it.

“Really?”

“Yeah, she had blonde hair and was about my age. I think she used to complain about her old village and said anywhere would be better than that old shithole.”

“Huh, I think this is the first I've heard you talk about anyone with any sort of fondness. She must have been a good friend.”

“Huh!? Uh, I mean, sure. (As if. Sure she could be reasonable sometimes but she could also be a massive bitch! I swear, if the priest didn't ask for her, I probably would have ended her myself!)”

(“She must not have realised how important she was to her until now.”) Tibaut thought blissfully ignorant.

The journey back home had started as soon as everyone awoke. There was no urgency in their actions. Although it left a sour taste in their mouth, they had essentially confirmed nothing else in the dungeon to be a threat, so some proper rest couldn't hurt.

After several days of travel, the scenery was finally looking familiar to some on board.

“Finally, we're home~” Lily exhaustedly stated, looking outside the carriage.

“And you did nothing but sleep that whole time,” Tina remarked.

“Oh screw off, I'll train as soon as we get back. Besides, all you've done is train by yourself, were you too afraid to train with Elizabeth, like you said you were gonna?”

“Wha- I'm just taking Elizabeth's health into consideration. Although she looks healthy she hasn't fully healed yet. A victory like that would mean nothing.”

“Yeah right, Pinky!”

The two began arguing.

“Are they always like this?” Agnes asked. She assumed they were just on edge for the journey.

“Yep,” Tibaut responded. “I guess this would be the point where we say our goodbyes.”

“Huh? Oh, right. (Damnit where the hell am I gonna find a place to live?)”

“Are you having second thoughts?”

“Huh? (As long as I'm close enough to visit you dear, I'd live in even a mudhole.) No, here is probably a good point to leave, but, uh, I don't mind visiting where you live first before heading off.”

“Hmm, I guess that should be fine, right Elizabeth?”

“Fine by me.” She answered.