The seven or so black-cloaked enemies that were surrounding Elizabeth seemed to all be intact. No missing limbs, no visible slashes and none dead. Tibaut knew it hadn't been long, but he was sure at least one of them would be on the floor during his scuffle with their leader.

But the thing that stood out to him the most was Elizabeth. He didn't know what happened but as he watched her, she seemed unnaturally sluggish. While it wasn't enough for those surrounding to have a clear advantage, there was equilibrium between them. Neither side was dominating the other.

"What the hell are you doing, Elizabeth!?" He asked almost on instinct due to the sight before him.

She was breathing heavily as she held them off and only seemed to get a sentence off while she focused on her.

"It should wear off soon, just hold on!" She said as she blocked with her blade and landed a kick on another.

("Wear off soon? Did they hit her with some sort of spell?") He thought to himself as he watched what was happening in front.

He was soon interrupted by his opponent and had to block his knife by grabbing his hand.

The man in black slowly pushed the stiletto into his face as Tibaut struggled to stop him. He tried for a low blow with his knee but the man in black stopped it with his own. The two with their hands preoccupied, started kneeing each other trying to push the situation in their favor. Tibaut soon managed to raise both their arms and hit the man with a headbutt, then soon after backing away and launching multiple attacks. He fired a fireball and a few fire lances. He lost sight of him and quickly noticed the stiletto aimed for his side. He managed to stop it by using his hand as a shield and was soon thankful he did.

("He was going for a liver blow with that?")

The man pulled the blade out and kicked him away. He tried to make his way towards Elizabeth but Tibaut fired off another fireball.

"Who said we were done?"

Even though it wasn't loud, Tibaut clearly heard him mutter "Damnit" under his breath after he looked to his side and jumped through a nearby window.

When he looked in the direction the man in black had, the lackeys occupied with Elizabeth seemed to be in way worse shape than he had seen them in earlier and followed their leader by jumping out nearby windows as well.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"Tch, they must be running away," Elizabeth said as she looked outside one of the windows.

"What are we waiting for? Let's chase them!" Tibaut responded while climbing through one of the windows.

Elizabeth quickly grabbed him and pulled him back inside. He looked offended but she paid it no mind as she healed him.

"It'd be pointless at this point, especially considering your current condition."

"What are…you..."

Tibaut leaned against a nearby wall and slowly slid down. He held his hand against his head while mumbling.

"While I can heal your wounds, your stamina is another matter. Besides, if I chase them down, I might end up somewhere they can fight on their own terms. Still, how did those bastards know that'd work on me?"

Tibaut wanted to ask what she meant by this but he was out of it. Yet took all the energy he still had keeping his eyes open.

Elizabeth picked him up and threw him over her shoulder.

"Though it isn't ideal to lose you before I can confirm they've truly left, Tina and Lily should make for a viable substitute in the meantime."

He tried to respond but at this point, his eyes were closed. A moment later she could hear snoring.

"I might have to go easier on him if this is something we're gonna have to worry about." She looked at him while lugging him, "why don't you take better care of yourself? Your hair's already reaching your knees and your nails are unclipped. You're not a wildman anymore, geez."

The night passed with no more incidents and day soon arrived.

"Are you serious, that's what all that noise was about?" Asked Vanessa, seeing Elizabeth off at the front door.

"These cultists are getting more brazen by the day." Said Elizabeth. She was checking a bag on her side to ensure she had the papers she needed on her.

Vanessa curiously pulled one out and looked at the figure drawn on it.

"So it was him?"

"What I remember of him anyway. I drew it an hour after he left so it might not be the most accurate, but we need something to give the others that isn't just a description."

Elizabeth took the paper back from her hands and placed it in her bag.

"Enough time should have passed. Wake Tibaut up and have him, Tina and Lily watch the place"

"Ugh, Lily isn't doing too good so I'm not too happy with that idea. Can't Bayley do it?"

"No. She isn't too useful in a fight and her magic makes it difficult to work with others. The best thing she can do right now is investigate the mansion with Merrill to see if they can find anything to trace us to them."

"Fine, just let her take breaks every now and again."

"What do you take me for? They all can take breaks if they want, just tell them to keep an eye open for anything suspicious."

Vaneesa's face looked relieved when she heard this.

"Well, be careful out there, Liz. They must have been something for none of them to be dead after facing you."

Elizabeth had a pained expression on her face after hearing this.

"I suppose you're not wrong."

She soon closed her bag and went on her way.

Vanessa closed the door and soon stopped at the stairs of the mansion.

"Man, I've been busy with Lily lately. I wonder how Tibaut's doing. He looked like he really hit it off with Ezekiel." She looked up the stairs and slapped her cheeks (the ones on her face), "Alright, let's cheer him up!"