Fractured God

“But what I'm more concerned about is your magic, Kevin.”

Kevin stepped back and began clearly jittering. He reached his hand out and began pleading.

“C-come on, Elizabeth i-i-its- isn't that serious right? (Oh come on, I wanted this to be the last time I did any adventuring. The only reason I came out here today was to tell them I quit and I couldn't even do that!)”

“It is. Without you finding Tibaut in the dungeon I'm not sure what would have happened to the rest of us.”

“Tch, come on, the guy shows up at the last second, knocks me out while I'm still in fighting shape and suddenly he's our saviour?”

“Tina, I told you what happened, give him credit where it was due. If anyone else entered the room, no one would have gotten as close to the priest as him.”

She rolled her eyes and turned her head. The only reason she held on to this point was…

(“Bastard chokes me out and suddenly he's a hero? Of course, I know what he did, but couldn't have done anything else? What if he managed to kill me or I fought ba-”)

As she continued to complain in her head it was obvious she was still feeling a bit sore about being knocked out by Tibaut.

“As I was saying, your act helped us in an especially dire moment, which is all the more reason we should know what your magic does,” Elizabeth stated, walking closer to him.

“I know what you're saying but… I'm sorry I can't.” He responded. “After all-”

Elizabeth pulled out her sword but his eyes didn't alert him to any danger.

“E-Elizabeth!?” He exclaimed. (“Ah shit, I always did hear Ezekiel describe her as scary. Dammit! Why do I have to deal with this after barely escaping with my life!? I even heard Ezekiel call her a princess. I'm not sure if that's true or not but if it is, she's exactly the person I can't reveal the details of my magic to!”)

He turned around and immediately ducked down when a spear went flying over his head.

“Tina, I can handle this myself. And please be more careful if you're going to attack an ally.”

“Wha- I thought you found him suspicious?” Tina asked.

Tina turned to Elizabeth but she had already closed the distance between herself and Kevin. She held him by his collar, having picked him up like a kitten. He had attempted to run away. His eyes hadn't shown him anything other than to duck the spear heading his way, but running away from a distracted enemy was always a surefire way to lose someone. Not Elizabeth, however.

“....Am I in trouble?” He meekly asked.

“Kevin, I'm not going to pull your teeth out. I just want to know what your magic does.”

“And if I don't say?”

“Ezekiel has said you were especially slippery and I've seen some of your training with Furor. If you don't feel like telling me then I'll have to ascertain it through my own means.” She answered. She tapped her sword afterwards and although he couldn't see it from where it was held, he had a pretty good idea of what it was.

She let him go and pulled her sword out. The fact his eyes hadn't in any way shape or form shown her as red, really made him lose some faith in them.

He held his head in his hands, deep in thought.

(“I'm screwed, aren't I? I could try to run away but none of the routes I can see are blue. Plus even if I did manage, I can't imagine she wouldn't stalk my house…”)

He took a deep breath and looked around him. Tina seemed ready to jump on but Elizabeth held her hand up as soon as she heard her footsteps.

“I won't kill you but I do need to know how your magic wor-”

“Fine.” He said, defeated. He walked up to a tree and leaned against it, with Elizabeth making sure to follow him.

He felt his heart was going to come outside of his chest from how hard it was beating. He felt as though he was back in the dungeon staring down at the pale woman.

He took a few moments to compose himself.

“Can she leave at least? I'm not sure I'd want to…”

She turned back to Tina and almost immediately, even without any words spoken, he could see the shock on her face.

A few moments later the words exited her mouth.

“You heard him Tina, leave.”

She was surprisingly obedient and walked off.

“T-thanks.” He responded as he walked closer. “Do we really have to do it here? This feels like something you'd have to sit down for…”

“Here shall do finely.” She answered. “Now, Kevin, I wouldn't mind an explanation.”

Elizabeth stood before him in shock. She slowly walked over and patted his shoulder.

“I- Well, I can see why you would keep this to yourself. (A magic that involves choices? No, disregarding that, it gives correct choices? How would it do that? I've heard of many magics but I think this is the most perplexing.)”

“Ye-yeah.” He weakly responded as he looked at the floor.

“You don't gamble, do you?” She asked.

“Wha- No. Besides I wouldn't have a use for so much money.” He answered.

“(It seems he's telling the truth. I was hoping I could have him procure funds for the branch building but that can wait until later. Based on his face he’d likely be against the idea. Maybe I should get him used to using his power for benefit instead of necessity.) Well, it's fortunate to have such a person within our ranks, but it is probably best you keep that to yourself. You can go home now, though I am interested in discussing this matter further.”