The father made his way up the stairs while dusting off the flakes of ice still on his robes.

“Phew That was close, I could have damaged my legs if I stayed there any longer minutes.”

He looked at the stairs before him. The walls around him had embers so the staircase led to the second floor. He made no effort to stop and continued walking.

(“They will have come by here if they want to leave, so I suppose there's no harm waiting on the second floor.”)

He looked at his hand. “It will be a bother but I'll have to get it wrapped. Hopefully, they won't make too much of a fuss. That boy was quite something. He's nearly a quarter my age in appearance and so far my concoction isn't a public matter, so I can only assume he is in his twenties, more or less. I'm glad the church has a good-looking new generation but he is quite the thorn currently.”

He continued slowly moving his head from side to side, musing the matter until he reached the second floor. There several men were waiting by the entrance. He scoffed as he saw but didn't slow his approach.

“Might I ask your reasons for being here?” He asked from the shadows of the stairway.

The men all jumped back but quickly regained their composure.

One pushed another forward and the priest looked unimpressed. (“If you have something to say, get on with it. Ah man, maybe I should head back down, I can't imagine whatever this is being all that interesting.”) He said, staring blankly at the man pushed forward.

“Father Daniel, um, I-” The man was taken over by his nerves.

“Yes, yes, get on with it, you're that man that hangs amongst Brother Leo yes?”

“Correct.” He took a deep breath and continued. He proceeded to relay the information Brother Leo wanted.

“Ah.” He said to himself. “So that's why Agnes was with him. Maybe he promised her life if she cooperated?”

“Um, father?” The man asked.

“Look in my office on this floor.” He quickly commanded. “Take as many of the five detection stones as you need and ask Leo to set them up. I'll leave the rest to him.” He turned around and sat in the lotus position, in front of the stairway.

“Um, father, then are we not under attack?” He asked.

The priest didn't even turn around to face him. “I have a good idea of where they are. But tell Leo to keep an eye out. (Eh, who am I kidding, if another intruder of his level were here none other than myself would stand a chance. But I can't just take my subordinates dying lying down even if he was ordered to do so. Which is why, I hope his master won't mind if I take him as my own. Considering the talent I lost when he broke in, I hope they'll take my viewpoint and see this as a fair trade. After all, it wouldn't be a good look for even a bishop if they got my men killed.)”

“Really? That's the priest for you. I'll inform him right away.” He quickly ran off and the other men soon dispersed.

(“But now that I think about it, a man with red hair and the control of flames… there was that man from the motherland wasn't there? What am I saying? He's been dead for about five years now.”)

He continued sitting with his eyes closed musing about the redhead.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

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On the final floor of this dungeon, sat two individuals with only a few centimetres of space between them. One with blue hair and the other with red.

(“So it's not automatic… damn now that you mention it's pretty obvious.”) Tibaut thought.

After all, he had been hit by a few of Tibaut’s moves and as far as he knew, they weren't slowed down.

(“There one point you're wrong about.”) She quickly added.

(“Which is?”)

(“The dust explosion you created as he punched you. For that one, it seemed he wasn't quick to stop the flames before they touched his hands.”)

(“Huh, what are you talking about? Shouldn't he be able to slow down my flames only.”)

(“The flames of the explosion were caused by your magic, yes but they are just that. Regular flames that were created in the combustion of the dust.”)

(“Seriously? I guess that makes sense. With what you're saying, he did that to make sure he could stop it. Oh! So that's why he didn't get burned.”)

(“I must say, it was quite amazing watching you endure those blasts. I think I might try it on you as a pastime whenever I feel idle.”)

Tibaut could sense it wasn't a joke and decided not addressing was the best course of action.

(“But how'd he stop me?”)

(“You have mana flowing through you, though no were near as dense as the fireball. But if he focuses he can stop even someone like you if for a moment. I suppose it could be looked at as time-related but it should be fine.”)

(“What was that last part?”)

(“Nothing you should be concerned with. Au revoir.”)

The voice instantly vanished like a line had been cut. For most of the conversation, he could hear the occasional breathing but now there was nothing.

He sighed after hearing that but there was one more question in his head. (“That wasn't my question though… I was asking how he stopped me if he didn't touch me.”)

He got no response and knowing the voice, this was intentional.

He could not see but he could hear Agnes was shivering in her britches. It wasn't difficult to see why. He couldn't imagine the consequences of betrayal would be light.

(“Hmm, that father Daniel guy thought I was another priest for some reason. Maybe that bastard in black is already here but he hadn't seen him for himself.”) He clenched his fist. (“That father Daniel can wait. I'm killing you first you bastard!”)

He heard giggling but based on Agnes's lack of reaction, he already had a likely suspect.

(“Laugh all you want but I'll give Elizabeth a present before I head back to the others. Sorry Tina, but I don't think I'm gonna wait on you to help me kill that bastard.”)

He created a flame and Agnes did her best to try and swat it.

“Careful, Agnes, you might burn yourself.”

“Wh-wh-what are YOu doing? (Oh no, did he already sense Father Daniel nearby, shit I can't imagine he'll let me off easy.)” She said with a crack in her voice. She looked around the room like she was expecting an assassin and got up to try to escape.

Tibaut grabbed her shirt and slid forward when she fell backwards.

In his arms and with her face so close to his, she felt she could endure even the apocalypse.

“(I should probably explain.) Uh, I can tell he isn't that close.”

She stared at him blankly with a smile on her face. Not one word entered her ear.

He let her go and she snapped out of it. “Huh, oh that's good.” She turned around to hide her now burning cheeks.