Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from The Seven Deadly Sins/ Nanatsu No Taizai. They all belong to the wonderful Nakaba Suzuki.

This story, however, belongs to me.

Okay first off I want to give thanks to fanficlove2014 for encouraging me to even go for this idea. She told me it would be complicated and tricky to pull off, but somehow I made it through. Which leads me to my next huge thank you to lickitysplit. This story would not be where it is today if not for your wonderful guidance and I thank you so much. You've become a really wonderful friend while beta reading my story and I'm really grateful for knowing you.

To all of you reading this story, you should know that there is a one shot I wrote, The Time We Share, that's important to read before starting this. Otherwise some things mentioned might be a little confusing. It's also important to know that a number of characters form the anime/manga will appear in this story, but their names are altered here. It should be obvious who they are when they appear however.

Anyways, on with the story!

~1~

-The Delicate Balance Fractures-

Explosions fill the atmosphere as weapons coated with magic clash and parry during the hostile evening. The night sky alights every so often in flames or the remnants of direct magic attacks. Battle cries sound fiercely as beings of different races collide. The blood of an enemy spilled is considered a high victory, especially if the fallen foe is that of the demon clan. This is what they're deeming the "Holy War", and all too quickly it's growing and escalating to levels of mass destruction.

Running swiftly through the heat of warfare, a single demon does his best to avoid confrontation as much as possible. "Damn Zeldris and Estarossa for dragging me into their scheme. They always lead to nothing but trouble," he mutters heavily under his breath as his green eyes scan the array of skirmishes encountering all about in search of the two aforementioned demons.

A particularly loud cry heading right towards him is the only warning that his efforts of staying out of the scuffle are coming to an end. Quickly spinning to his left, the sight of a burly giant heading straight for him forces him into a ready stance. The very ground beneath his feet thunders with each tumultuous step his opposition takes, until the male being slows to a stop a distance from him. Intense animosity fills the eyes of the giant as he raises his large hands gradually with obvious intent.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, the blond haired demon attempts to speak reason in hopes of avoiding the situation all together. "Look, I don't want any trouble."

An eyebrow raises at this before the giant lets loose a rumbling laugh. "Ha! And I'm as light as a feather!" His demeanor shifts into one of deadly intent. The giant's battle worn hands then arch towards the ground and cause the very dirt beneath their feet to rattle and vibrate violently. "Boulder Chaos!"

Sensing the massive influx in the giant's magical power, the demon springs back just as the sound of a deathly impact occurs right where he once stood. An explosion of rocks and dust fill the air as a result of the boulder embedded several feet into the ground.

The feeling of air displaced heavily once more alerts him to multiple rocks coming his way. "I guess I'll have to take this to the air!" With a bound the short demon with wayward locks meets the projectiles head on, with nothing but his fists as weapons and the sound of blood pounding in his ears due to adrenaline. Shattering rock after rock in quick succession, he spies one left and plans to use it as leverage to put a little distance between him and his opponent.

Noting the moon's journey through the sky he realizes he's most likely late to meeting his brothers because of this skirmish. With a roll of his eyes as he allows gravity to pull him towards the last boulder, he angles his boot clad feet just right in order to rebound off the rough cylinder. Feet now in place, his muscles bunch in preparation for the jump...

Except his senses go haywire.

Wind whipping against his face as gravity pulls the two towards the ground, his vibrant green eyes widen drastically whilst spinning in the direction of the oncoming attack. Flames so bright one might compare them to the likeness of the sun, nestled in an orb so large it'd be near impossible to dodge are fast approaching.

"Damn it!" Brows furrowed at the now obvious set up—of course they would know better than to think such a simple attack alone would defeat a demon—his hand hesitantly reaches for the simple sword he carries on his right hip. He doesn't really need one, and he never really liked to use them, but for instances such as these, it's necessary.

Only seconds from reaching the ground and with the burning heat of the flames licking at his skin, the demon draws his sword. Time seems to slow down as the impact draws near, and keen eyes take in the entire scene, from the smirking giant to the female human— no Holy Knight— who managed to conjure up such a feat. Air hisses between his teeth as he alters his counter at the last moment, choosing to leap from the shattering rock and instead raise his hand straight forward, palm flat with his thumb bent inward.

"Counter Vanish!" his yell is definitive as his power surges forward sending gales of wind harshly all around. Bits of fire rain through the air as the roar of flames presses forward unhindered and with a jolt he realizes his technique isn't working. The move being one he only just started refining, it was a foolish endeavor to use in the heat of battle.

Knowing it's far too late to pull off his Full Counter, he lets his eyes wander back to the giant then human past the blaze of the fire and offers a wide cheeky grin.

The sheer size of the blast at the unavoidable collision draws the attention of more than one group of characters, all watching with a growing sense of justice as they survey the bloodied and battered demon plummet to the earth, unconscious. Even fighting amongst themselves, they have one single thing in common: their hatred for demons.

~.~.~

"Get up, Meliodas," the voice commands sternly, followed by a rough nudge to his aching ribs. Coughing slightly as his fingers clench the rough textured dirt beneath him, Meliodas opens his eyes sluggishly to see the face of the person— or rather demon— standing over him. The two looked near identical, with the exception of the other's neat pitch black hair, bottomless black pools for eyes, and spiral marking above his left eye, the symbol of demonic powers.

Bracing his arms behind him as he sits up, the blond haired of the two gives a teasing smile as his mistake comes to mind. He may have taken the brunt of that attack, but at least no one had to lose their lives over it. "Guess I messed up big time, huh?"

The demon addressed gazes at him coolly, before peering around them with an eerie calm. "It's instances like this that show why the Demon King didn't choose you to be a part of his Ten Commandments, unlike me and Estarossa." He responds in answer before continuing composedly, "Despite your heavy failure at defending yourself against such weak opponents, Estarossa and I were able to use the opportunity to strike."

Blood running ice cold at those words, frantic green eyes actually take notice of his surroundings and grasp the utter devastation of the environment. The mangled bodies of humans, giants, and fairies alike lay scattered upon the lands that once solely bared the scars of war. Blood moistens the dirt like water as hundreds lay in deceased remains. Haunted green orbs stare into the unseeing eyes of the beings who only fought for survival, to stay alive. And all because of his mistake, so many had to pay.

Head bowed low as his eyes squeeze close against the image of so many lost, Meliodas utters a demand, "Why'd you do it?"

Crunching gravel is the only sign of his brother walking away. The sound of the younger's voice carrying clearly through the silent desolate air follows in answer. "You know very well why, brother. The Demon King wants this war won and standing around avoiding conflict won't achieve that. Your power is wasted, Meliodas. You're quickly on your way to becoming an accursed demon."

Without even realizing he had moved, Meliodas stands before his brother, face masked in anger. "Look, I don't care what you think of me, but when you use me as a means of killing innocent people… I can guarantee you I don't take it lightly, Zeldris." The revelation is stated lowly as the two glare at each other, eyes completely identical, demonic marks mirroring the other's.

The tension is dense as Meliodas' power wafts heavily in irritation, his hair flared and sharp, far more lethal in appearance than his usual easygoing form. The feeling of his brother's energy rising in response makes him all the more antagonized.

Zeldris' smirk is confident as he cocks his head to the side in amusement. "So what do you plan on doing about it, brother?"

Meliodas clenches his fists tightly, sensing the dancing of black flames along his hands as he fights to control his rising anger. Even though he knows what his brother is up to with his remark, he can't seem to get a grip over the clawing fury inside him. This is what Zeldris wants. To make him lose control and wreak havoc on a greater scale than this small massacre.

"Feeling in the fighting spirit now, are you?" the deep languid voice cuts in, giving the blond something else to focus on and dispel the flames he's conjured. His eyes turn past his little brother's disappointment at being thwarted and seek the face of their much taller brother, leaning against the crippled remains of what once was a tree.

"Hey Estarossa," is all he can muster, far beyond the capability to offer nice pleasantries.

"So what is it?" the grey haired male asks casually in his relaxed position, appearing like someone unwinding in their home, not surrounded by the dead corpses of hundreds.

"What are you talking about?" is his gruff response as his eyes stay locked on the elder of the three. He refuses to glance at his surroundings again for fear of his anger getting the best of him once more.

"You seem pretty eager to fight, Meliodas. Did you have a change of heart?" Hair just as messy as the blond demon's, Estarrossa casually swipes his bangs from his eyes in order to get a better view of the clear night sky.

Shaking his head at the utter ridiculousness of the idea, Meliodas turns on a heel, brushing past his younger brother as he takes his leave, for once with a clear head. "I'll see you guys later."

Dark eyes watch him leave in irritation before turning to the lazing demon reaming. "Why did you cut in? You clearly saw him at his wits end. We could have made a lot more progress tonight, Estarossa. The Demon King would have been proud."

He's completely unbothered by the subdued anger Zeldris emits and responds as though commenting on the cool evening air. "You know precisely how he gets when he loses control, Zeldris."

"That's the whole damn point!" His anger flares for a moment before calm reigns in, and he turns away from his oldest brother. He feels foolish for making such an outburst. That's no way for a leader to react.

It seems that his retort was of no consequence anyhow; Estarossa had deemed their conversation over after his statement.

~.~.~

After the scent of death is left far behind him, Meliodas slows his rapid pace to an unhurried gait, the only noises around being the crunching of the vegetation under his boots as he travels through the teeming life of a distant forest. As his hands push stray branches of thick leaves out of his path, his older brother's words continue to circle through his mind.

"A change of heart? Never." The words come out harsh against his throat as the thought of the senseless war invades his mind. 'This war has been raging on for far too long, taking the lives of too many for the sake of control. It's about time for it to come to a close.' The thoughts come firmly as his fists clench at his sides. "And I'm going to be the one to end it," he vows solemnly. Briefly, his mind summons the image of a silver haired blue eyed goddess, and his resolve thickens. He won't let her be another sacrifice in this volatile struggle for power. He'd stake his life on it.

Rushing water reaches his sensitive ears, bringing him out of his burdensome thoughts just as his eyes spot the thinning of trees and the sparkling clarity of a running creek. Ambling along to the stream's edge, he eases himself into a seated position and glances in the clear waters.

Piercing black eyes stare unflinchingly back at him, while the demonic spiral upon his forehead appears in stark contrast to his pale skin. Closing his eyes for a moment, he inhales deeply then releases it slowly, expelling the last of his demonic attributes from the surface. When next he opens his eyes, they're once more a startling green.

With the releasing of his powers, two things become apparent to the kind demon. First, the obvious change in his appearance, and second, the noticeable wounds he acquired. Gritting his teeth, his hands grip the soft earth near the water as he leans heavily forward in obvious strain. A breathless, humorless laugh sounds fleetingly while he looks at his battered reflection, "That really was… a stupid idea."

Trailing his eyes along his charred remains of clothing, he observes the angry inflammation of the skin along his arms, torso, and legs, the burn wounds oozing blood in places. He has a thoroughly beaten appearance. He knows if he wasn't as strong as he was, he most likely would have died from that attack.

His bangs cover his eyes for a moment as he recalls how useless his efforts in sparing lives turned out in the end. Placing the thought aside with his next exhale, he raises to stand on his mostly intact boots and decides it would be better to clean up some than walk around like a demon after a fresh bloodbath.

Crossing his arms in order to grasp the remains of his tattered navy tunic, he pulls it from his body in one go. Quickly following, he unlaces his leather arm bracers and discards them in a pile with his shirt. As his nimble fingers reach for the leather belt in his dark pants, a blinding golden light illuminates directly from the sky above him, catching his attention immediately.

Watching as first a pair of large exquisite luminescent wings gracefully form, Meliodas scrutinizes their slow fluttering in the night sky. The owner of the magnificent wings takes shape in a show of breathtaking splendor, quite literally moving through the sky like an angel from above. For a moment, the usually composed demon can't seem to find his next breath.

Landing before him and dispelling her mode of transportation in a short display of shimmering light, the cerulean eyed goddess gazes at the man before her in worry.

"Elizabeth you're…" Finding his voice and discovering it harder than it should be not to wrap his arms around his forbidden companion in order to pull her lips to his, he locates another reason he should be a bit wound up by her appearance. "Why are you here right now? As happy as I always am to see you, anyone could have seen that display there," he chooses to inform her while reigning in his intense emotions.

Blue eyes hardening in determination, the goddess, adorned in silver leather pants and flowing tunic, marches in his direction in knee-high matching boots. "Never mind that, Meliodas, you're hurt! And this time, it's clearly not a jest!" Her hands reach towards him when she's within reach, but he sidesteps her with a raised hand in protest.

"I'll be fine, Ellie, I promise. Besides, I'm not the one who really needs it. Because of me… hundreds are dead," he tells her seriously.

A strained expression appears on her visage at noticing his wish to not be touched, or rather comforted. She reaches forward anyway, to softly cup his injured cheek. "Did you..?" her soft question is incomplete, but he needn't hear the whole thing. Did he lose control? Looking into her caring, compassionate eyes, he sees no traces of fear of disgust at the idea of him doing such a thing. Just a swelling of empathy.

And he loves her all the more for it.

Meliodas raises his own rough hand to cover her soft warm one, then shakes his head in answer. "No, but my attempt at sparing lives pretty much led to it, thanks to my brothers."

"Oh Meliodas..." Not needing to hear more, the silverette draws him into her arms as she nuzzles her face next to his and allows her power to wash over him. She knows he had the best intentions that evening, but something evidently went wrong and lives were lost.

Breathing contently in the embrace of his goddess, he grants his arms permission to pull her closer to his form while he basks in her tantalizing scent, feeling the pain of his injuries wash away. His hands ever so eager leap at the opportunity to travel along her backside and finally grasp the soft swell there.

An embarrassed "Eep!" echoes in the small clearing, drawing a sly smile to the demon's lips. Nothing on beneath her pants either? His naughty Ellie will be the death of him.

"Me-Meliodas!" she exclaims in embarrassment while her hands come to rest on his newly healed chest as if to brace herself. Cheeks blossoming to the rosy hue he loves to see on her face so much, he watches as her eyes flicker to anywhere else but him, and her soft pink lips morph into an all-too-adorable pout.

Eyes zeroing in on her supple lips, he wonders for a moment if it would be okay to kiss her pout away…

His hands squeeze their catch a bit more hungrily, drinking in the way her eyes squeeze shut, and her legs rub together slowly. "Meliodas I-I…" The uncertainty in her voice is what brings him out of his desire filled trance. Breathing out heavily, he manages to dispel the heat that began to build inside him while moving his hands to grasp her thin waist instead.

"Elizabeth?" the blond demon calls softly, wanting to see her eyes as he offers a warm smile of reassurance before continuing, "You still haven't told me why you came tonight."

Face still carrying the remains of her blush, Elizabeth's countenance grows grave. "The goddesses have… Meliodas, the goddess think they've finally discovered a way to seal the demons away for good."

His smile dims a bit, but he nods in understanding. "It was going to happen sometime, Elizabeth, and like I told you before it's for the best."

"Don't say such things! You being sealed away for eternity is not okay, Meliodas!" Her outburst surprises him, but when he gazes into the stricken blue eyes brimmed with tears for his sake, his surprise melds into a soft knowing look as he gives the faintest of smiles.

"I'm a demon Ellie, and there's no looking past that in everyone's eyes. The realm will be much better off without demons around to cause havoc and destruction. Now," he moves to take one of her trembling hands gently into his own as he begins to lead her along the side of the softly flowing river, "tell me more about this plan you guys have come up with."

A quiet sniff follows before her pleasant voice offers him details. "Well, they've only just discovered the magic required to do such a feat today…"

He tilts his head to the side in thought while commenting, "So that's why there weren't any goddesses in battle…" It's a good thing, too. If Elizabeth had been one of the few to fall at his brothers' hands.…

The world would have been introduced to what true hell looked like.

"Yes. I've also been tasked to help with the seal." Hearing her somber tone, Meliodas turns his vibrant emerald eyes to her downtrodden face and raises a hand to her chin.

"And you will do so. No more frowning, okay?" The heat of his thumb as it caresses her cheek causes her to flush and look into his eyes with widened orbs. Her head nods in agreement, and she nearly swoons at the cheerful grin that spreads across his face. Even knowing of his possible fate, he still manages to smile in happiness.

He truly is amazing.

Their walking comes to a halt in front of a tall aged oak tree perched in soft green springy grass. Pulling her down to sit beside him in the cool greenery, the demon leans back on his hands to look at the sky and stares intently at the stars as if deciphering some hidden message only he can.

Feeling content to let her eyes stray along the lithe male beside her with a soft smile, she's not startled when he eventually voices whatever thoughts that swirl through his mysterious mind. "Elizabeth?"

"Yes?"

"You know you're really important to me, right?" It's stated so easily like the next passing breeze that she finds herself wondering if she actually heard those words uttered.

"W-what?" Now seeking his eyes for answers—his eyes always seem to tell her his deepest thoughts—she's flustered to find that he's still gazing at the sky with a look of what seems like peace etched into his visage.

"I'm really happy to have met you that day, Elizabeth. If you hadn't come into my life, I don't know where I would be right now," he continues softly, and she feels her heart twinge at the realization of what he's doing.

Keeping her word, she manages to mask her distraught as she grasps his hand beside her tightly as if that alone will help her hide away from reality. "I'm happy to have met you as well Meliodas. You mean a great deal to me."

He turns to her then with a caring smile, and she can see in his eyes what he tries to hide. A deep sadness mixed with heart wrenching longing all held together by an exhaustion someone his age shouldn't ever have to bear.

Moving her hands to his bare shoulders in order to guide his head to her lap, she proceeds to soothingly run her fingers through his mess of hair in hopes of helping him get some rest.

"Ellie, what're you…?"

"Shh… just sleep, Meliodas." She doesn't hear a protest, and after a time, she looks down to see him breathing deeply in slumber, completely serene. Gazing at the man in her lap as she continues to soothe him as best she can, she finally allows a few tears to escape, a few landing on the cheek of her noble demon, as the gloomy night journeys on.