Checking Up

"Alrighty, I've got some things I need to go check up on!" Fabian stated. "I'll see you later, Maimai!" Fabian waved at Matias, as he ran off. Matias sighed, a small smile on his face. He turned around, assessing the damage of the town. It wasn't... pretty but it wasn't terrible. Sure, there was a decent amount to be fixed, but it didn't seem like anyone was killed or anything. That's good. Matias decided to check in on the buildings that had been affected.

The first one he walked into was that of a tavern. There were still people sitting around, eating and drinking despite the hole in the wall. Matias blinked, a little confused. People really don't care that there's a gaping hole in the wall? The person running the bar place waved at him, Matias waving back. He walked further into the building, looking around. He sat down, speaking up. "Hey, what happened here?"

"Hm? You don't know?" The bartender leaned down at the counter.

Matias nodded. "Yeah, I was out adventuring, and came across this town. I was just wondering what happened…."

The tender sighed. "Well, we just got slightly unfortunate. God showed up, and attacked us." They turned around, cleaning up one of the used glasses. "It'd be nice to know the reasoning. It just started happening lately, without explanation." They turned back to look at Matias. "Do you have any ideas?"

Matias shook his head. "No… I don't. I haven't really experienced any of this, so I can't really be sure of anything…."

"That's fine." The bartender smiled. "Well, would you like anything to drink?"

"Just water is fine." The bartender left, going to get some water. Matias sighed, laying his head down on the counter in front of him. I can't believe I got away with lying like that. Fabian would have called me out immediately. Matias was surprisingly a good liar. However, Fabian was just a much better one, which made him easily spot lies himself. Matias tapped his fingers on the counter, feeling a little impatient. Do I even need water? I never asked Fabian about that. Matias sighed, when the water was placed in front of him. "Ah, thank you."

"You okay?" The bartender asked. "You seem a bit down."

Matias sat up, shaking his head. "No, just feeling a little tired. I'm here with my friend. They ran off somewhere, telling me to go look around." Matias thought for a moment. "Are there any good places to look around?"

The bartender thought for a moment. "I mean, sure. There are lots of good places to eat, they're still open I'm pretty sure. Most of the other places are closed. There's a church with a rather eccentric follower there. If you want to have a good rant, you can go talk to her."

Matias nodded. "Sure. I'll go there. I'd like to make some new friends."

"Careful though. You insult God or anything, she'll go off on you." The bartender warned him. Matias smiled softly. I don't think I'd really be able to insult Fabian that much. He shook his head.

"No, I think I'll be fine." He stood up, bowing his head. "Thank you very much."

"No prob." The bartender waved at him, Matias waving back as he walked out of the building. I wonder who that person is. I'd like to meet someone who doesn't think too badly about Fabian. Matias walked around the town aimlessly, rather lost. Wow, here comes my terrible sense of direction. He sighed, rubbing his forehead. Curses.

"Yoohoo! You seem lost!" A woman waved at him. "Would you like to stop by here? I promise I won't mug you!" Matias looked at her. She had silver hair, tied up with a bright red bow to make a side ponytail. She was a little short, taller than Fabian though, having bright blue eyes. She wore a long cream jacket with red highlights, and a navy colored undershirt. There was a small, purple button that was placed on the left side of her jacket.

Matias nodded, staring at the button with slight curiosity. There's only one, I wonder what it's for. "S-Sure." The woman grinned, waving him inside of a nearby building. The moment he entered, he could definitely recognize it as a church. There were tall, stained glass windows, and rows of pews. There was a small alleyway in the middle, heading towards the back of the room. Matias looked around, taking the whole place in before turning back to Layla, recognizing her position. "Oh! So you're the one who's following God so insistently?"

She nodded. "Mhm! My name is Layla! Nice to meet you in person, Matias!" Layla stuck her hand out for a handshake, Matias taking her hand a little hesitantly. That was when he remembered that he hadn't introduced himself.

His eyes widened, as he took a step back. "W-Wait! How do you know my name?!"

Layla grinned. "I'm not telling you~!" She laughed, prancing around the room. Matias felt slightly uneasy, wondering how this woman knew his name "Nahaha! You must be incredibly frightened now, aren't you? Well, you see… God told me!"

Matias had a hard time believing that, still feeling a little nervous. "U-Um, really?"

Layla nodded her head. "Of course! I am his faithful follower, after all!" She smiled at Matias, not realizing just how frightened she had made him. "Anyways, I want to ask you you're opinion of him! How do you perceive him?"

Matias blinked, pulling himself out of his thoughts. "O-Oh, um… well…." Matias thought about Fabian for a moment, trying to distract himself from his earlier shock. "He's, an asshole." Layla stared at him strangely. "B-But, I mean, that's not negative. It makes him kinda funny, to be honest. Always teasing people on the daily, making the weirdest comments. It makes me a little happy to see him playing around." Matias then caught himself, realizing just how personal he was talking. "U-Uh, sorry if that sounds weird. That's, just how I think he is."

Layla laughed, placing her hands on her hips. "Well, funny you should say that! I have the exact same perception of him!"

"You do…?" Matias raised an eyebrow, more questions running through his head. Who is this person? Why does she have the exact same perception of Fabian as me? Has he seen him before? Does she know who Fabian is?

"Yeah!" Layla beamed. "You like him, don't you?"

"W-What?!" Matias shouted. "What do you- what do you mean by that?!"

Layla snickered, poking Matias in the chest. "C'mon, you two have been friends for years, haven't you? You can't expect me to not think that you two have some type of relationship."

Matias blinked, feeling a little overwhelmed. "W-Wait, I don't-"

The door suddenly slammed open, the two inside whipping around to see the newcomer.

Fabian stared at them, wide eyed. He seemed a little nervous, tilting his head to the side. "Oh…." Fabian started. "Am I interrupting something?"

Matias ran over to him. "F-Fabian, I don't know who this person is. She… knows about you and such."

Fabian blinked, before he burst into laughter. This surprised Matias a little, as Fabian looked over his shoulder at Layla. "Layla, did you scare him?'

Layla hummed, tapping her lip. "I may have! He seemed surprised when I asked about you twos' relationship~." Fabian stared at her, puffing out his cheeks and huffing.

"S-Shut up!" He said to her, crossing his arms. "We're not like that!"

"I wouldn't mind…." Matias admitted. Fabian froze on the spot, before he let out a nervous laugh.

"H-Haha, I… um… anyways!" He cleared his throat, looking over to Layla. "S-So, you two have met already, right? No need for me to introduce you?"

Matias shook his head. "She already did that… and she already knew my name."

Fabian nodded with a smile. "Yeah, that's because I told her."

Matias hesitated, before he walked up next to Fabian.. "Why would you tell her that?" He paused, realizing that something was still bothering him. "Wait a minute, why are you talking to Layla in the first place?"

"Why, that's just rude!" Layla placed her hands on her hips, a smile still adorned on her face. Matias blushed, feeling embarrassed.

"S-Sorry!" He admitted.

Fabian sighed, bonking him on the head. "C'mon, Maimai! Stop being so shy around my friend!"

"I-It doesn't help when you use that nickname!" Matias retorted, crossing his arms. Fabian stuck his tongue out, getting a laugh from Layla.

"You two really are an interesting pair!" She giggled. "No wonder you're best friends! Or I mean, y'know-"

"Shut up!" Fabian screamed. "We're nothing like that, Layla!"

Layla snickered. "I beg to differ~!"

Matias nodded, feeling a little nervous. "Well, I mean, I've been stuck with him for way too long…."

"Mhm!" Fabian smiled, immediately forgetting his previous anger. "I guess I wouldn't mind either, to be honest. Wouldn't be opposed to doing it."

Matias looked at him, confused. "Wha…?"

Fabian snickered. "Kidding, kidding. Anyways, I'm glad you two met!" He walked over to Layla. "This'll make some stuff easier, later on." Fabian nodded. "So Matias, I'll explain a little to you. Layla knows, if you couldn't tell.."

"Wait… she does?" Matias asked, trying to make sure he heard it right. "I mean, I guess that makes sense."

Layla nodded. "Mhm! You're an angel, Fabian's God." Matias blinked, a little surprised. He didn't think that Fabian of all people would go tell someone all his personal information to someone he barely knows. Unless, he has known her for a while. Similar to how I was, maybe. But then, that just begs the question….

"If Layla knows, how come you haven't made her an angel?" Fabian seemed to stiffen slightly, as did Layla. Matias felt a little awkward suddenly, avoiding eye contact. "S-Sorry, that could have been personal. I shouldn't have asked…."

"No no, it's fine, Matias!" Fabian's smile returned. "It's just that Layla is definitely a very loyal follower, so I would prefer if she could spread word, rather than do an angel's job. If she's an angel, that's a bit harder, since they have to be more secretive." Fabian glanced at her for a moment, before turning back to Matias. "Also, with my whole, 'I'm destroying everything' stuff right now, I kinda need someone to make sure that people don't come after me? Like, to make it so that they don't completely despise me." That doesn't seem right. If he wanted to do that, wouldn't he just have had Lucas or me do that? Matias thought to himself. Fabian shrugged. "But… I don't know how well it's working. No one's come to kill me yet, so that's good."

Matias hesitated, Miracle coming to mind. I wonder… is she coming to kill Fabian? That had been on his mind recently, but he's pushed it away for a while. She has the God Slaying Sword. Should I… kill her…? He shook his head furiously. No, no. That's not a good idea. I hope it won't come to that…. He pushed the thoughts away, focusing back on Fabian and Layla. Fabian glanced at him curiously. "You good there, Matias?"

Matias nodded. "Yeah, I was just thinking a little bit…." He turned around. "I'm going to go look around a bit more. Make sure there isn't anything I need to help with."

Fabian grinned, waving at him. "Alrighty, Matias! Make sure not to get killed out there!" He laughed a little, making Matias smile softly. He waved back, exiting the building. The moment he left, he let himself be consumed by his thoughts. That Layla character, she's hiding something. I know it. There was something… odd about her. There was this, weird familiar feeling I got from her. Something similar to Fabian.

He sighed, shaking his head. I'll think about this later…. He walked down the streets, a strange feeling building up in his chest. Is that, dread? How come? What's going to happen? Matias stopped in the middle of the road, going through multiple different options. We'll be getting into something dangerous. Miracle, is probably going to come and try to kill Fabian. He looked back at where he had come from. Should I tell him about her? Should I tell him about who the 'Godslayer' is? Matias shook his head. No, I'll keep that to myself for now. I don't want him to feel betrayed… but… what am I going to be doing? I'll have to participate in some way, but. Matias sighed. Why am I even asking myself this question? I know exactly what I'm going to do.

Matias walked forwards, a new determination filling him. I already left Fabian once, I'm not doing it again. I'll keep him protected, as his angel.

~~~~~~~

Fabian sighed. "Well, I've done it here now." He turned to Layla. "What should I do next?"

"Hm, I dunno!" Layla shrugged. "Why don't you figure that out, God?"

Fabian frowned. "Layla, please don't call me that. It doesn't feel right."

Layla snickered, patting Fabian on the head. "I know, I know! Just wanting to poke a little fun, Fabian!" Fabian huffed, a small smile appearing on his face.

"Hmph! You're mean!" He protested. Fabian stepped back, looking out one of the large glass windows. He paused, staring out at the destruction he'd caused outside. "Do you happen to know if this plan's working yet? I'm not quite sure."

Layla shrugged. "I can't be sure! But, I think so! Do you happen to remember that group of three you met when you attacked this place?"

Fabian nodded. "Oh, those rainy people! Wonder if they did catch a cold." He shook his head. "Agh, I can't be thinking like this right now. I already know that I have to act like this in order to keep people safe, but I can't stop feeling so terrible."

Layla sighed, walking up behind him. She placed her hand on Fabian's shoulder, making him flinch. Fabian looked at her, a confused expression on her face. Layla gave him a comforting smile. "Listen, Fabian. I can tell you that you're doing a good job! I'm not losing my faith in you, and I assure you this'll work!"

Fabian blinked, before he laughed. "Hehehe, thanks, Layla." Fabian gently removed her hand from his shoulder. "Well, I'll be checking in with you a bit later! I've gotta go catch up with Matias! We need to be heading back up into the clouds soon!" Fabian ran towards the door, grinning. "Bye bye, Layla!"

Layla smiled. "Sayonara, Fabian!" Fabian ran out of the door, closing it behind him. Layla paused for a moment, taking in the silence of the room once again. She sighed, smiling softly. "Thanks for trying so hard, Fabian. I'm glad I was able to find you…." She thought aloud. Layla stood up, stretching out her back, letting out a relieved sigh when she finished. Well, I should probably start getting ready for what's going to be coming. This is going to be a tough fight, probably.

Layla hesitated, standing in front of a rather large door with her hand outstretched to the door handle. She shook her head, turning away from it. No, probably not. I'm going to go out of town to see if I can find Naomi or Victoria. See if they've found the Godslayer yet. Layla opened the door to the outside open, the sun shining in her eyes. She blocked the sun with her hand, making her way out into the street. No, they probably wouldn't tell me. They hardly know me, anyways.

Layla grinned, as she made her way across town. She was getting some rather odd looks from the people around her, as she was known as the crazy person around here. She didn't mind it, though, since she was hardly normal. Well, at least I'll be seeing one of my old friends later on. She thought to herself.

Layla stopped in the middle of the street, tilting her head up to look at the sky. She spotted some clouds, seeing two figures flying up there. Looks like Matias and Fabian have left already. She smiled softly, turning her attention back to walking, her friend coming back to mind. Just you wait. I'll have a long talk with you when we see each other again, Harper.