Fractured God

“Hmm?” Tina said as she examined the unconscious man's face.

Bailey walked from her side and bent down to get a closer look at his face.

“He's familiar, isn't he?” She asked.

“Wha- are you saying that I know this guy? What the hell are you trying to-” She complained before being interrupted.

“Shhhh, I recognize him too. I just don't remember where.” She answered, as she rubbed her forehead trying to recall. “Are you sure we can't just call some other adventurers to come help? There are probably still a lot still left in town.”

“Tch, if it's someone Tibaut would struggle with then those fuckers are worthless. And if it isn't he'll deal with them before those bastards are any help. (Besides it looked like that guy with the black cloak, ran in a different direction, so he should be fine.)” She replied in a dismissive tone.

“I guess if he isn’t even here it wouldn't be too useful,” Bailey said, trying to reassure herself this wasn't a bad move. “But seriously where is this guy from? I feel like it's on the back of my tongue. Was he a student at the university?”

“University?” Tina asked.

She shook her head. “(It can't be that if we both recognise him. Wait a minute, who'd be a person we'd both recognise?) Is he a farmer?”

“Maybe, wait a second, did you even come with us when were doing commissions?”

“Sometimes, I think?” She said unsure.

“This is getting nowhere, let's just wait until the fucker wakes up.” She said as she sat down next to Lily, pushing her away to get more space. This startled the little Lily and she jerked away before falling off the couch. Tina chuckled before greeting her.

“Enjoy the nap, princess?” She asked before softly kicking her back.

“Ugh, why the hell are we still here?”

Tina pointed in front of her and Lily's gaze turned to the man in the chair. Lily blankly stared at him for a few moments and scratched her head.

“Oh, it's him. What's he doing here?” Lily asked.

Bailey ran over and Tina grabbed her under her shoulders and turned her around. With both women in her face they loudly asked:

“You know this guy!?”

Lily looked taken aback, with her eyes shot open and meekly answered.

“Geez, what'd he do? Don’t you recognise him he's…”

She paused before looking back at him. “What the hell? How's he still alive?”

“Lily,” Bailey said somewhat pleadingly.

“Oh right, that's Maffew. He was Agatha’s boyfriend but he went missing when the cultist attacks happened. I think we all just assumed he died… What the hell is he doing here? Don't tell me this guy was playing hooky all this time.” Lily said as she examined him more. “Wait so, why'd you guys tie him up if you didn't know him?”

Tina sighed before beginning to explain the situation. But before she could she noticed something by the door. If it weren't for their hand, she wouldn't have noticed. They looked to have opened the door ever so slightly and used a mirror to peer inside.

“Alright both of you, don't make any sudden movements but I see another one outside.” She silently said.

“Another wha-” Lily paused herself. “Oh, whatever, I'll follow your leads since you guys know what's going on,” Lily said as she tried to fight off the aftereffects of the alcohol.

“What do think he's trying to do?” Bailey asked.

“Probably trying to rescue their buddy. Actually…”

After watching them for over five minutes it looked like that big pink-haired annoyance had gone to another room to discuss something with the manager of the establishment. She always did think she was cut out to be a leader for whatever reason. What did Ezekiel see in such a crass woman? After four more minutes, the one with glasses grew more uncomfortable as the little one slowly dozed off. It seemed she couldn't take it anymore and began looking around, holding her skirt while slightly crouched over. The observer knew the feeling, after one too many drinks on a Saturday, she'd be praying she could find a restroom in time.

After looking around for another minute, with her footsteps becoming more frantic, the girl in glasses seemed to have swallowed her pride and picked up a wine glass before running into a nearby room.

The observer applauded her bravery and quick thinking, though she was fond of back alleys since you'd have to hide the evidence anyway.

“But now…” She looked into the room with bated breath.

All that was between her and ensuring that idiot didn't spill the beans was the sleeping beauty in the lobby.

(“This may be my only opportunity to get him outside. God, of all the people you had to run into, it just had to be Tina. At least do this shit when he's around!”)

She took a deep breath in and opened the door before making her way towards Maffew as silently as possible. She thanked the owner for having a tile floor instead of a creaky wooden floor or else she felt she would buckle under the pressure.

Just as she reached him she felt her knees give out and lost her sense of balance. “This is- shit it's a trap.”

She tried to turn around to run away but she instead tripped over her own legs and fell to the floor. She resorted to crawling but quickly felt a weight on her back.

“It sucks, doesn't it? Her magic always disorientates anyone in her radius, including us. Ugfh... I feel like I'm gonna puke.”

They desperately tried to fight Lily off her back and as soon the magic wore off, she tried to run away with the little gremlin on her back. But this initial distraction was enough for something important.

She felt a blow to her side and buckled to her knees. Lily got off her back and she looked up to see Tina.

Tina pulped her mask off and…