A soldier with a purple and gold emblem on his shoulder plate approached them as they neared the town square. "State your names and purpose."
"Tiberius Frantoch, lord of the city Frantoch and the surrounding region." As the soldier immediately dropped to one knee, the lord continued, "This is Amma, member of the Emor Council, and a survivor of the attack."
"Let them through already!" A shout rang out from the town center. "Long time no see, Tiberius!"
Bewildered, Lord Frantoch drew his long sword and took a defensive stance. Though he was shocked to hear that voice, his reflexes were fast enough to respond to what was certainly coming next.
A flicker of lightning flashed past the kneeling soldier, stunning both the soldier and Amma. But another flash of lightning appeared beside Amma as well.
CLANG!
"Oh? So you haven't gone soft on me?" A chuckle rang out as the bolts of lightning clashed and faded.
Two figures were now standing there, one being Lord Frantoch with his blade blocking a massive greatsword.
The other stood at two and a half bromes with purple and gold robes about him and buzzed blonde hair. Purple electricity was rampantly flying out of the man's deep purple eyes, contrasted by his tiny pupils which were almost entirely overtaken by the cloudly white rings in his eyes. That bulky, massive man laughed again, "Good! You've still got your wits!"
"If you're done testing me, then let's talk peacefully," Tiberius remarked, parrying the greatsword and sheathing his blade. "Now tell me, why has the Briston Emperor entered Frihet unannounced?"
"Ohhh, you're no fun anymore!" Still laughing, the heavy greatsword disappeared from the robed man's hand. He towered over Tiberius and the others, grinning like a mad man. "Tell me, where are you hiding him!"
"Huh? Who are you talking about?"
"BIL! Where are you hiding him!?" demanded the man.
The kneeling soldier, realizing the political meaning behind that encounter, prostrated himself between the two leading figures, "Emperor Falix, Lord Frantoch, please forgive us! We've yet to locate the god, despite killing the fleeing angels!"
"Fleeing angels? What do you mean by that statement?" questioned Tiberius.
Nodding, the soldier graciously answered, "We've discovered the veita trail most likely belonging to the god, but it ends abruptly in the nearby mountains. One possible conclusion, based on this, is that the god was done in and the angels were left without a commander and eventually fled. Another possibility is–"
"SEE!" Emperor Falix roared in hysteria. "Now, TELL ME WHERE BIL IS!!"
"Please, forgive his highness for his bluntness," pled the soldier. "As a military commander, I can assure you that he's not always like this. He's–"
Shaking his head, Tiberius replied, "You don't need to explain anything. I already know Falix well enough…"
"Do I need to show you the evidence before you admit to hiding him?! Then come, and don't make me wait!" Falix became the embodiment of lightning as he took off through the sky, zipping through the air and heading straight for the mountain ridge southwest of Emor.
"This is the last thing I was expecting…" Unshaken, Tiberius sighed and looked at the commander on the ground, "Please stand. It's easier to hear you that way. Now, you can confirm that you've slain the fleeing angels? And don't bother telling me, I'll be fine letting Falix wait a little longer."
"Yes, Lord Frantoch!" Glad to see Lord Frantoch act so calmly despite the emperor's lack of etiquette, the commander waved to the soldiers in the distance behind him. In a couple of minutes, a dozen bodies were laid out before them. "These are the angels that have been killed. There are currently three undergoing questioning with our general."
"So Falix brought himself and a Deman General, despite only reporting that he'd send a few battalions to aid the situation?"
"Y-yes, sir! And it was–"
"It was all under Falix's orders, so you couldn't inform us properly." Sighing again, Tiberius patted the commander on the shoulder. "Thank you for not letting his highness explore the area personally. I'm sure it was hard, but you have my gratitude."
"THANK YOU, LORD FRANTOCH!" Bowing deeply, the commander felt the burden on his shoulders disappear.
"Now, he's waited long enough." Tiberius shrugged and held out a hand toward Amma. "Forgive me, but please allow me to carry you. Though I don't mind keeping that oaf waiting, we can't let the veita trail fade any further."
"Y-yes! That'll be fine!" Unsure how to properly respond, Amma bowed and took his hand.
Tiberius effortlessly picked her up, one arm under her knees and one arm under her middle back. A shroud of lightning covered them as Tiberius flashed through Emor's remains and leaped over the burnt-down wall. He zoomed between the trees of the forest and reached the mountain in a few dozen seconds. Scaling the mountain was no problem, even while carrying Amma.
Finally, about a minute after lifting her, Tiberius put Amma back down once they had reached an empty campsite on the cliffside.