*This story is on a timeline right after Hendrickson's defeat and Meliodas' acceptance into Camelot as a Great Holy Knight. The final sin, Escanor is still MIA and the sins and company are on their way to Camelot.*

In King Arthur's absence, the kingdom of Camelot suffered multiple attacks from what appear to be demons. Our heroes arrive on the outskirts of a village that has been decimated by a massive fire. King Arthur is so devastated by the loss of some of his closest subjects that he becomes catatonic and unresponsive. King is also stricken by the sight of the charred village as it brings back memories of his sister, Elaine.

"Who could have done such a thing?" Elizabeth whimpered as she reached for a scorched doll on the ground.

"Isn't it obvious?" Ban scoffed.

"Sir Ban, you don't think a demon could have done this, do you?"

"I don't recall a demon ever making it this far." Gowther chimed in.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand." Elizabeth looked puzzled.

"Centuries ago, Camelot was established by two of the strongest Knights in history. The two Knights were born with amazing fighting abilities and often times caused unnatural earthquakes while dueling each other. It was rumored that they both shared demon ancestry since no other demon dared to enter their land for fear of an embarrassing defeat. The two of them were so powerful together that their mother decided to try and 'split' both of them up in attempt to salvage what was left of this land. One was to remain in Camelot and the other was scattered into oblivion, never to find a way home."

"Wow, Gowther, you sure do know a lot about this stuff," Gowther nodded as Meliodas chimed in.

"Before humans inhabited Camelot, it was a baron wasteland. Nothing but craters and dry, charred soil. Nothing grew, nothing lived, it was like hell on earth," King weighed in.

"It's kinda looking that way now," Ban added.

King Arthur fell to his knees and banged his fist on the ground. He knew if he would have left without Merlin he would have died in the battle with Hendrickson. But his guilt at leaving his subjects defenseless made him weep. He looked ahead into the distance at his castle still gleaming tall and proud in the horizon of total decimation.

"What if it was just a bad accident, these things do happen," Diane said hopefully.

"Since when do houses accidently burn down all at the same time?" Ban asked blankly.

"My Lord, I think we should make our way to the castle. It is possible that the villagers escaped and took refuge," Merlin suggested.

King Arthur did not acknowledge Merlin's suggestion nor did he remark about anything anyone else said. His eyes were dull and his face had grown pale. As he stood to march toward the castle his voice called out in a hushed voice.

"What's he saying?" Diane asked.

"My Lord, what's the matt—"

Merlin was cut off by King Arthur's left hand attempting to strike her across the cheek. The attempt was blocked by Meliodas who took the full force of the blow.

"That hurt. You really shouldn't hit girls."

"Sir Meliodas! Are you alright?" Elizabeth shouted.

"You know, I don't think so. It hurt so bad, I think I need you to kiss it," Meliodas attempted as he pretended to faint into Elizabeth's arms.

King grew annoyed with the captain's disinterest in what had happened to the village and stormed off. Diane noticed and chased after him.

"King! Wait! I'm coming with you! What's wrong?"

"ENOUGH of this! What the hell is going on?" Ban shouted. His frustration was seeded in the same thoughts as King's.

"You know, you really shouldn't raise your voice, it's bad for your health," Gowther muttered.

"What did you say to me, dictionary?" Ban clenched his fist in Gowther's face.

"Hm. I see. There is some powerful magic at work here," Gowther mentioned as he looked to Merlin.

"You've sensed it too, then?" Merlin acknowledged.

"Oh, gosh, I am so confused!" Elizabeth clutched her ears and began sobbing as Meliodas retuned to an upright position.

"Captain, you seem unaffected. How is your mood?" Gowther asked.

"She feels fine," Meliodas said as he groped Elizabeth.

"You dirty leech!" Hawk squealed.

"Captain, please," Merlin grimaced.

King Arthur had taken a knee after the Meliodas took the hit for Merlin. He now sat hunched over mumbling to himself. Gowther took notice of him and completely ignored Ban's attempts. Arthur's mumbling was a familiar language but Gowther could not quite place it.

"It seems that I cannot see into the King's mind. My attempts are clouded by a pitch black flame. Seeing as how King Arthur is human and the current condition he is in, I assume that he has been poisoned. In fact, we have all been poisoned," Gowther concluded.

"What? That's terrible! What's going to happen to us?" Elizabeth cried.

"Don't worry, Princess. You'll be fine. Your mind is a lot stronger than you think. If I am correct, the demon we are so worried about isn't actually a demon at all. This black stuff everywhere is actually poison," Meliodas pointed out.

"That still doesn't make everything okay, captain," Ban groaned.

"We need to get to the castle," Merlin suggested.

"Merlin, wasn't this a substance you used in one of our previous battles?" Gowther asked.

Merlin narrowed her eyes on King Arthur as he still sat hunched like a sick animal. She grimaced as the king vomited and slumped all the way to the ground. Her mind raced with the amount of antidote she would need to cure the fever and sickness that would soon follow. But most of all she wondered who might have gotten into her stash of potions. Clearly, someone in the kingdom had betrayed her trust.

"There isn't much time to explain. Arthur will die if we do not move him away from this. Where is Diane? I need her to carry the king to the castle."


Meanwhile, Diane had been chasing after King who stormed off in a huff against Meliodas' lack of concern for the village far behind them. She knew that he was upset but it wasn't just because of Meliodas. Diane knew it had something to do with his late sister, Elaine.

"King, wait! Talk to me, would ya?"

King realized that Diane had been following him for some time and decided to come to a stop at the edge of a riverbank located deep in the surrounding woods. Small, friendly creatures began to make their way toward him in response to his erratic emotions. He had almost forgotten about his connection to the forest and was humbled by their presence. The rushing river and mist of a nearby waterfall aided the forest in its attempt to ease the fairy king's despair.

"I have been having dreams about her. More so than usual," King finally spoke.

"Oh," Diane whispered.

"In my dreams she is always smiling and giggling. I loved the way we were when we were young. So unburdened by our responsibilities. I wish I had been there to stop that demon! But it was Ban that got the glory! It was Ban that got to hold her last! I will never forgive myself!" King began to weep.

Diane moved in closer to King and reached out her hands as he fell into her massive palms.

"King, you can't be so hard on yourself. If you carry this burden around forever you'll never be able to move on. Sure, Ban isn't my favorite person either, but you gotta admit, not letting your sister die alone was kind of a brave thing. Anyone else would have run away from that demon and left her all alone and defenseless. Ban is probably the only other person in this world that loves your sister as much as you do," Diane said kindly.

King rubbed the tears from his eyes as he looked up at Diane. She was so smart and kind without even trying. He wanted to be more like that. He wanted to forgive Ban but was at a loss for how to do so.

"How about we go back and see what we can do to help in the village?" Diane asked sweetly.

"Sure thing. I'll bet everyone is wondering where we—"

King's eyes suddenly darted to the waterfall several yards away. A metallic gleam caught his attention and he quickly hovered over to the edge of the riverbank. King noticed that many of the forest creatures that had come to comfort him hand began to gather in front of the waterfall. They were in distress at whatever was behind the rushing water. King hovered just inches away from the heavy stream and used his chastiefol to part the water.

"Is that, a girl? In chains?"

"No, it's a phoenix."


To be continued... Please review! Thanks!