The cultist's swing went wild trying to hunt Maria down for a strike, but not managing to cause her any harm the cultist shrieked in anger just as Maria's own motion left her foot hitting the snake-head. The man's body was tough, but the kick could feel something break under it and the snake-head screamed in pain and grimaced, holding his ribs. He shuddered, grasping tight on the dagger and trying to focus upon it there it seemed, to call upon its power.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">Interrupt!</div><div class="spoiler_body">The use of the dagger with the shard is an action that provokes attack of opportunity and he doesn't have the chance to back away from Maria's range this time around, so Maria gets a free attack of opportunity in I believe.</div></div><br/>The dagger began to shine as he sought to draw healing power from it to himself, the woman on the altar trying to pull herself free, the blasts of magic striking out heard from the distance. Lissu was in the fight still at least.