The Seven Deadly Sins: Battle of Knights
Chapter 4: Taste Of The Brew
WARNING: I own none of these characters sides from my OC(s). All rights go to their respective owners and properties.
This is nothing more than well a fanfic, a story made up by a fan for entertainment and knowledge.
Everything in this fic is not canon and is only meant to give the audience a new idea of the works of each of the franchises in this story.
So please support me, my work and have some fun. Now enjoy the story. ^w^
Knights! Warriors of the sword and shield. They serve the people and protect all. Several orders have been made to help create many knights.
But... there is one group. A group so notoriously known. That the mere mention of their name will scare both angels and devils alike.
They are known as The Seven Deadly Sins! These seven individuals have incredible skill and abilities. But one day they killed the King of Britannia and they have all either perished, captured or simply disappeared.
And... as this new era begins, a new threat emerges that even frightens Holy Knights. Knights who have power gifted by God himself. If the Holy Knights themselves are scared of this new threat who shall save everyone?
That is where our tale begins... A tale involving a new hero. One with strange powers never seen before.
This Warrior... This Knight... This... Rider... is known as Baron!
Out past a new town, several people were doing their duties. This town was that of a Brewery. They worked and made Ale as much as they could, and so far, they are the self proclaimed, 'Best Ale Makers in Britannia as they and others say.
But on this very day, things appear to be getting interesting. As there appears to be some sort of zipper opening wide to show the landscape of the, dreaded, Helheim Forest. Though oddly enough, no Inves came out, instead were a few people as they carried loads of Helheim Fruit in their arms and buckets, bringing it over to the brewery, spite the warnings of the other people and others.
"This looks like enough Fruit to help us get ready for the feast in a few weeks. Keep it going men!" The Brew Master shouted.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, boss? I mean the rumors from certain people say about this fruit doesn't sound good." One the Brewers said, nervously.
"Fruit is fruit. We even used deadly or rotten ones and they comes out of our brewery likes the nectar of the Goddess's…." He said, huffing about these 'rumors'. "Just keep loading them in, and we'll have what we need. Maybe even get those lousy Holy Knights to remove the sword before we run out of water here?"
At the mention of that, many of the workers started looking in the distance, seeing many people trying to pull the sword out of the ground. But, unfortunately, to no avail. "I know you're all worried… But if we can make the best brew ever, maybe we can have them lift the sword off and maybe even give us some more profit so that we won't have to fear them anymore!" The master said, trying to cheer them up.
Some of the workers smiled at the man's hopefulness. But the rest still have trouble believing it. Regardless, they continued onward with their Helheim fruit supply, bringing it towards the town. And as some worked, one of the new comer employes was already on break right now. He was working hard to fulfil his grandfather's wishes to being in a brewery, though it was a lot more work than he thought?
As he rested, he reached into his pocket and brought out one of the Helheim fruits, while he knew this could get him fired… The smell of this fruit was to intoxicating… He needed a taste. He looked around to see if the cost was clear? And once done, he snuck out of the back and licked his lips from it. He leaned down and began to devour the fruit, almost like if it was his last meal as he swallowed every inch of the fruit. Once done he sighed with relief, knowing that it was delicious as it smelled… Though… that was the last thought he had as it was soon replaced by unyielding pain as his body began to glow, vines covered him as the only thing left was some animalistic growl.
(Insert Opening - Never Surrender by Yutaka Kobayashi)
The song starts off with a few keys notes before a guitar riff and solo starts playing as the music begins to build up. As it plays it shows Baron's emblem then from the shadows Cody appears from it holding the BanaSpear as it then shifts to Meliodas' Dragon Sin Symbol as Melodias appears from the shadows as well holding his broken handle blade.
Then it shows all the other Seven Deadly Sins's emblems spinning in a circle with them being hidden by their shadowy silhouettes, holding their respective weapons. It then slowly shows the kingdom of Britannia including several other locations as the camera flies across them all slowly until the title card shows up.
(Butsukaru tabi ni Ignition, hisoka kokoro moyasu, ippo datte shinai ze Back Step)
It then shows Cody walking along a trail as he looks down at the ground as he walks as several flashing memories and pictures pass by behind him. Until he slowly looks up at the sky as several birds fly above him.
(Ikari no me ga Turn Me On, ugoki midare teru ze, kanzen kakutei… Look, I'm A Winner)
It then pans to the Pig Hat as it shows Meliodas and Elizabeth enjoying their time. The screen then pauses as it first shows Elizabeth's memories behind her.
Then as it turns to Melodias it shows some more painful memories as well as him either fighting along with allies or him getting angry and wiping out the town.
Time begins to flow as Hawk comes in and slips onto the floor.
(Kachi tsudzukeru mono dake ga)
The screen the turns white as it shows several Holy Knights along with the Ten Commandments as well as Mars, Savior, Tyrant, and Duke stand there grinning maliciously. As well as a shadowed Rider figure stands above them, eyes glowing as the rider looks down on the world.
(Kono sekai shihai... suru no sa!)
As the screen pans around Cody and Melodias they both are looking down. Until then they look upward with determined faces as the screen turns white one more time.
(Dare ni mo watasanai dare ni mo yuzuranai, Shinji rareru no wa jibun dake)
Cody then dons on Baron Banana Arms as he and Melodias charges into battle clashing and slicing through many enemy knights and Inves along the way.
Along the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins as they all charge in as well.
(Top kiwameru made)
Cody then looks up as he changes from Banana Arms to Mango Arms, to Lemon Energy, and finally Ringo Arms.
(Dare mo ga shitagai dare mo ga hirefusu, saikyou no kajitsu kono te de)
The Holy Knights and the Dark Knight Riders then join in the fray as they clash against the Seven Deadly Sins and Cody. With Cody against Mars and Melodias against Hendricksen as they clash and hold against each other.
(Tsukamu made Never Surrender)
Cody then jumps up as he flies at the enemies with a rider kick before the screen goes white one last time to show the title card as the song ends.
A few days past as Cody and Elizabeth finally met their first member of the Seven Deadly Sins, and it was the leader no less! As they traveled through Britania, they were riding on top of a very large pig as they went from city to city, collecting as much information as they can get, although each one has been the same…. "The Sins are evil", "Baron is a myth", "My Cabbages", and so much more. So far they weren't getting any new info.
And today they stopped by another town as they were serving up another round to the thirsty customers. While Meliodas was still managing the bar, Elizabeth became the waitress. Handing out the drinks and food to them all, though as clumsy as she can as once and awhile she would drop it on the floor or on the customers, but due to her charm they brushed it off.
While in the back, Cody was being the cook of the place, spite him rather being behind the bar counter instead. He made as many dishes that he could come up with, but while they seemed to like his cooking, he just had a sneaky suspicion that Meliodas just wanted to keep the young rider away from Elizabeth?
"Cody. I need an order of seasoned steak, mashed potatoes, and a bit of corn." Elizabeth called out.
"On it!" He replied to her, getting to work on the food as he got the ingredients ready.
"How is it so far?" She asked, right near the kitchen door.
"Almost got it." He smiles, "You know, you don't have to carry all of those trays all out at once right?" He said to her.
"I know, but I don't want to mess up." She said, slightly feeling embarrassed.
"Heh, I understand. But if you keep taking all of that at once, you'll keep falling. Try two trays at a time alright?" He suggested to her.
"Um... Okay." The princess nodded.
"Oi, where's my bloody meal!" A customer shouted.
Cody sighed, "Even here, customers are always jerks…." He said to himself, finishing the meal and handing Elizabeth the plates.
Elizabeth then went to the hungry customer, but this time she didn't fall over, and then gave it to him.
"About time, doll. What took you so long?" The guy asked. She was about to answer before he interrupted her. "Never mind. I do not wish to know. Kids these days, where is that bloody Walnut Clown when you need him?" He grumbled, muttering that last part.
"R~ight here!" Melodias said, placing his drink next to the plate.
"Not you, you fool! The Walnut Brawler!" He yelled.
"The Walnut Brawler? Who is that, sir?" Elizabeth asked, confused by the term. The customer grinned, wrapping his arm around her waist and bringing her in closer, spite her confusion by this.
"Listen, luv. There have been rumors of a lad who's armor looks like that of a knight, but compared to those fools with swords and plain armor. His armor resembles a walnut, and packs a hell of a punch." He details. "But sides from those rumors about him…. I want to know a bit more about you, doll?"
In the back an audible, snap can be heard. The young rider, oddly enough snapping one of the knives for cutting food, into two pieces. Cody walks out of the back, glaring at the customer, "I suggest you get your hands off of her…" He warned.
"Oi, oi, easy, lad. I was just trying to have a conversation." He reasoned with Cody.
"While having your groping hands around her waist?" He pointed out.
"I was not going to do anything." He stated. "Look, if you don't want me near your lass. I'll leave her alone, I was getting hungry anyway." He said putting his hands up, then started eating his meal and enjoying his drink.
"Hey, if she's not having any problem with it then there shouldn't be a problem right?" He questioned, squeezing his hands around her as they start to venture… downward, until Meliodas placed his hand on the customer, an odd smile on his face as some menacing aura is produced.
"I think I agree with Mr Banana Cook here…. I think you should leave before your arms become detached…." He threatened.
The man sighed, knowing his luck, he wasn't gonna eat peacefully, so he chose to leave calmly. "Bloody pricks, telling me they'll chop my arse up. I miss that kid already." He grumbled.
Cody sighed slightly, glad that was resolved as he turned to the still confused Elizabeth, "You alright? He didn't' try anything?" He asked her.
"I'm fine." She replied, confusingly. "But what was that he said about a Walnut Brawler?" The princess questioned.
"Oh him? I've heard the rumors about him as well. Though, no proof on the matter…. Probably some folktale thing." Meliodas said, as he started walking back behind the bar.
"Are you sure?" She asked. "He could be quite like Cody." Elizabeth pointed out. "They say Baron was just some folklore. But you already know the results."
Cody pondered about this too, "While you maybe right Elizabeth… But for once I agree with him. As far as I can remember… I'm the only one this this belt… Though…." He recalled what Twigo used, "Him using those is starting to change my opinion…. How did he get those? Those kind of Lockseeds can only be changed by a Sengoku Driver… And he didn't clearly have one…"
"Maybe the Holy Knights has a trick up their sleeve." The Dragon Sin said. "Or perhaps used a type of unknown magic to summon those creatures, without that thing you mentioned."
Cody shook his head. "I don't think magic can change them into a Lockseed like that…. I don't remember the full details on how its made… But I'm sure magic can't do something like that." He denied, still unsure that magic was the cause.
Elizabeth started looking down with her hand on her forehead. Then an imaginary light bulb popped up and then turned to two men. "I heard from my father and some soldiers say something about a group of Holy Knights with strange powers, wielding a bow, without arrows." The princess stated.
"Knights who wield bows but no arrows? That's kind strange…." Cody noted. "We can maybe check it out later?" He smiled softly to her.
While the conversation was going on Meliodas went near the counter to check on the drinks, which was empty. "While we're at it, we should probably head to a nearby town and get some drinks and some ale." The Sin's leader said.
"Hmm…" Cody brought out his map, "I think there's one a few miles to the west. I heard they make the best ale out there. I believe it's called, Bernia?" He informed.
"Well then, to Bernia, here we come!" Meliodas announced.
Later on in the night, Elizabeth moved around her bed, or should we say, their bed? So far, it seemed there was only two rooms in the entire Boar Hat. One for Meliodas, and the one she was staying in. And since there were only two beds, she had to also share it with Cody as well. But tonight, she quickly noticed he wasn't in the bed as she woke up and rub her eyes. She then noticed the window was open as she took a peek, outside to see the young rider, now outside looking up at the stars.
"...Cody?" She said gaining his attention.
The young rider flinched, rubbing his eyes as he turns to her and puts on a smile, "Oh, hey Elizabeth. Didn't mean to wake you up…. What's going on?" He asked her.
"What are doing out there?" She asked. "Do you... Do you remember something?"
"Heh…. You… Could say that.." He said, reaching into his pocket and bringing out some small black box in his hand, "Found out I still had this one…"
"What's that?" The princess asked, curiously.
"This… is a cell phone. It's a device that allows communication between people, from either close range, or even on the other side of the world." He explained to her. "It can also store info, pictures, and even record things."
"Woah!" She uttered out, softly. "That sounds rather interesting, Cody."
"Heh.. It is…. And…" He activated it as he swiped through some pictures, showing a younger version of him, a man who looks like him, but scruffier, and has black hair, a young girl next to them and an older woman with bright blonde hair. "Just found out about who my family was…"
"What's their names?" She asked, looking at the photos closely.
"Well… My father's name is Alexander. Mother is Janet, and my sister, Allyson Aurora." He said, pointing to them one by one.
"Where are they now?"
Cody frowned slightly, lowering his head as he clicks it once again, showing a tombstone. "After… seeing this… I remembered it all… They're…. No longer with me.." He sighed heavily, his body trembling lightly from the memories. "I thought I had some hope in returning home…. But now… I only realize there's nothing left for me there…"
Elizabeth looks at Cody sadly, she then places her hand on his shoulder, gently stroking it. "You're not alone." She said to the Rider. "You have me, Hawk, and Sir Meliodas by your side. I know it does not mean much, but it's true." She continued with a gentle smile.
The young rider turns before she gives him a warm, comforting hug, "So please… don't be sad Cody…. I'm here for you…." She said softly.
Cody felt a few tears running down as he hugged her back, gently. "Thank you Elizabeth… I-I…. I needed that…." He said to her softly.
"Just know, if you need me to be by your side I'll be there for you." Said Elizabeth.
He nods, wiping a few tears away as he smiles at her, "Do you… wanna watch the stars with me for a bit?" He asked her.
She blushed, lightly, from that request, but she didn't mind it much. "Of course." The princess answered. She sat next to him as they both leaned back, gazing at the clear night sky to see the several stars above them all. Each one sparkling in the night, to show off that the universe is still young and still kicking.
The next day arrives as they finally reach the town of Bernia. The pig, known introduced by Meliodas as Mama Hawk, stops as it burrows into the ground, giving off the impression that this hill and bar was always here. "Wow… that is actually really smart, Meliodas." Cody said, impressed.
"Thank you very much." Meliodas said, smugly. "But it's too bad I can't cook, like I could cook anything other than pig." He sighed.
"Hey!" Hawk yelled at the Sin for that comment.
"Well, let's get stocked up alright? If we wanna keep up this ruse and find some information." Cody stated as they began to walk into town, but as they do, they notice a very large group of people huddling around one area. Upon getting closer, they notice they were trying to pull something out from the ground.
"...Come on!... Out... With..." One of the civilians grunted, trying to pull the object out. But then sighed and laid down on the floor exhausted.
"So what's with the party?" Cody asked, one of the villagers turning towards the group.
"Party!? Boy can't you see we are in the middle of a crisis here?!" The villager yelled.
"What happened?" Elizabeth asked.
He then turned and pointed at the problem. "A Holy Knight has placed a sword into the ground, blocking the water from flowing here." He explains to the four. "And what's worse is that if we don't make Ale for the men responsible, we will be put out of business."
"Don't fret!" They turned their heads to see the latest Brew Master walk in with a smile on his face, "As I've told you all, just accept my brewery and we won't have to suffer! You know as good as I do that I'm the only one left who can make Ale."
The villagers lowered their head, before the elder walks up and sighs, "My boy…. I know you're heart is in the right place…. But ever since you found those… 'fruits'... things have changed. Those creatures keep coming back. As Ale Makers, we all have different styles to make this ale. If we just submit and go with one style… Our Brew would be stale…. And we will die off faster than this." The elder explained.
"Fruits?" The princess questioned.
"It's nothing… Just some weird fruit they found…" The elder sighed.
"Well… what about these 'creatures' you're talking about? If you need some pest being taken care of, I'm sure we could help?" Cody offered, spite the jab by Meliodas.
"No. We do not want anymore trouble than we already have." The elder said, dismissively.
"Please..." Elizabeth pleaded, placing her hand on the elder. "Allow us to help…"
The elder looked at the princess, her friends, and the villagers. With no other options, he sighed. "... Fine. Do as you wish." He said.
She smiles and bows, "Thank you.." She thanked him before turning back to the others.
"When do these creatures show up?"
"Usually around the middle of the night….. But I'm not sure you can do anything, not even our strongest warriors here and fight them off…" The elder sighed.
"Nothing we can handle." Meliodas said confidently.
Night fell as the trio stayed near by, waiting for the creatures to appear. But as hours passed, it felt like they weren't going to show up. Elizabeth tired from waiting while Cody and Meliodas were still wide awake. "Bet ya 10 pieces that it's some bugs." Cody betted.
"I'd win." Said the Sin's leader.
"Oh really? What do you think these creatures are then?" Cody huffed.
"You'd be surprised from what I've learned over the years, Banana Breath." He said, jokingly.
"Sure thing Short Stack." Cody smirked. "So then, if you know what it is, let's make a bet." He offered.
"Alright then. I win… You and me switch places with sleeping next to Elizabeth." He offered, before Cody smacked his head.
"What kind of bet is that?!" He retorted.
"One which you got no chance in hell in beating me in." Meliodas said, bluntly.
"Very well then. If I win, we…." Pointing to himself and Elizabeth, "We get your bed."
"What?!" He shouted. "Why MY room?! I can't ju-..." He then growls. "Fine. Deal." They shook hands, accepting it.
"So, if you don't think it's bugs, what do you think it is?" Cody asked, wanting to know.
"I don't know. But whatever it is, it's smells funny." He says sniffing the air.
"Oh come on! I gave you my guess, you can at least give me yours, you cheater!" Cody frowned.
"Don't bother…. This egghead won't tell you till the last minute…" Hawk said, walking out with some warm tea for the group.
Meliodas grabbed his cup and gulped some. But the scent however still lingers around his nostrils. "Do you guys even smell that?" He asked.
They took a few sniffs, "Yeah. I smell something…" Hawk replied, while Cody and Elizabeth shook their heads.
"Only the night air." He responded.
"No I mean, I smell something. It actually...smells..." Before Meliodas could finish that sentence he and Hawk started, feel there minds grow foggy and then started swaying left and right.
"Sir Meliodas?" Elizabeth asked, as both her and Cody looked at the two, confused.
"Hey? You don't look so good." The young rider frowned.
"I...feel...hungry." Both Sin leader and pig said. And just like that they started running to the North-east.
Cody and Elizabeth's eyes widen, they both know what that meant as they chase after the two. "Great…. To think there's a Helheim Gate here…" Cody growled. "And maybe these creatures are Inves trying to kill or eat more fruit?"
"Are they alright?" Elizabeth asked, worried.
"As long as we can snap them out of it, we'll be fine… Just as long as they don't eat any Helheim fruit." Cody stated.
"I just hope it's not too late." She said, worriedly.
As they continue to follow the two hypnotized friends, they reach a very large brewery as they see Meliodas cut his way into the building. They follow them in until they reach an area where it shows several rows of Helheim fruit, including some Inves, and partially turned Inves. Cody though was in shock and anger upon seeing this… He turns to see the two about to dig in before slamming their heads together and giving them one large slap across the face.
"WAKE UP YOU TWO IDIOTS!" He shouted to them.
"Ow! HEY WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA!?" Hawk yelled. Until he turned around, looking at the spot they're standing in. "Huh? We are we?"
"Ugh. That's what I want to know." Meliodas groaned.
"Apparently… Seems this Brewery is using Helheim fruits in its Ale…." He said, pointing to the group of Inves and people who have partially turned into Inves.
"They WHAT?!" The formally hypnotized duo exclaimed.
'I thought that death place was sealed away…' Meliodas growled in his thoughts.
"What… do we do now?" Elizabeth asked, catching up with them.
Cody looked as he sighed and frowned, taking out his Driver and straps it on, drawing out his Musou Saber. "Simple… We… kill them…" He said to them, gritting that he had to say such a thing.
"Why?" She asked, wondering why he sounds frustrated about the monsters.
"Cause as I said before Elizabeth…. There is no cure for when you eat a Helheim Fruit… Once you eat it… you become an Inves… And there is no way to reverse or even stop it.." Cody frowned, walking towards the group eating the deadly fruit.
"S-so... They..." She tried to say.
"They're nothing but animals now…" He said, as he walked up to one who looked like just a kid, but his face had scales, his arm was now replaced by a lizards and even growing a tail. "I'm sorry…." he apologized, raising his blade but before he could, he feels someone holding him back, he looks around to see Elizabeth holding him back with all of her strength.
"No Cody!" The princess yelled. "Please... There has to be another way! There has to be!" With all of her strength she was sobbing through the whole situation.
Cody had his eyes closed, wanting to wish there was, but he knew otherwise… "Elizabeth… Believe me… I wish there was a way… But if there is one memory I still know by heart… It's this…." He turns to her, a frown on his face, "Once you eat those fruits…. Death would be the only way to save them…."
"Y-you... You don't know that!" She said, still refusing to believe the sad truth.
"Elizabeth…. I'm sorry… But it's this… or they live their lives, as mindless monsters who only want to eat that stuff…. Even I wouldn't want to put this on an enemy or person who has done the unthinkable…" Cody argued.
She looked down, dropped to her knees and started crying. "I-I...I...can't..."
Cody turned to her, sad that about this just as much as she is before turning back to the group, but before he could, this time Meliodas stood in front of him, "Really? You too?" He sighed.
He didn't say anything. All he did was grab his weapon out of the hilt and walked towards the Inves, very slowly. Then the Sin of Wrath charged towards the monsters, with a massive battle cry. Then with one quick swing of his fragmented sword, all of the Inves hollard, then died.
Meliodas sighed, turning his head to the young rider. "You're…. Still far too young to have blood on your hands…." He said to the young rider, and with another swing, he made a small crater next to him, placing the bodies in along with the Helheim fruit before setting it on fire, giving them a proper burial. "But he is right, Elizabeth…. Once you eat those fruits… you can never go back to normal…."
No response. She still stood there crying, refusing to believe it all. The young rider frowned, kneeling down and helping her up. "But there is one way we can avenge them…. Finding the man who tried to use these things as Ale to sell to the people…" Cody said to her, hoping this could cheer her up?
But yet again, no response from the princess. But for now, they believe tonight was enough for some mystery as they head back to the Barkeep, once back in, Elizabeth quickly took her to her room, locking it and keeping Cody away from her. The young rider sighed, walking downstairs as Meliodas is sipping some reserved ale for emergency. "Mind letting me have a sip? I could use something to drown in…" He asked.
He didn't say much but placed a mug on the counter. But what he got instead, was water. Cody takes the mug and chugs down some water, knowing it was better than nothing. "It never gets easy….. Does it?" He asked the Sin.
"...No...It doesn't..." He, bluntly, said.
Cody has his head lowered, feeling awful for making her see that, as well as cry. "Will she even forgive us for that? I'm… worried she'll just leave us…" He questioned.
"What else did you expect she'd do?" He said, rudely. "Kiss someone and then then, poof, they're good as new?! This isn't a fairy tale, Cody. People come and go, that's how it's been for the past few centuries that I breathed into this world." He stated, slipping something out unintentionally of his mouth.
Cody sighed heavily, "I know that… I know the world isn't all sunshine and rainbows…. But it doesn't mean that it gets easier with me…" He said, knowing full well what the world is like before gripping his mug, "I know one thing though… whoever owns that Brewery… is in deep trouble…"
"YOU'RE DAMN RIGHT THEY ARE?!" The Dragon Sin yelled, destroying his mug out of anger. Then he started marching out of the bar, ready to give those villagers a little 'chat'.
Cody sighed, remaining inside, unsure what to do next. While he was angry about what happened, the more bigger questions of this remain…. Why would someone continue after noticing what happened to those people? People turning into monsters due to some fruit is something that shouldn't be looked over with…. The only options left were either they were bribed….. "Or threatened…." Cody got out, realizing what's happened.
In the Brewery's head office, the owner was fiddling around, nervous on what could happen if he was found out? He knew of the dangers and the threats, but he still felt horrible that he had to do this. He only wanted to help the town out, it was his home and he now had the means to help them.
But if he hadn't done what he did... He did not want to imagine what HE and his fellow Holy Knights would do if they didn't give them what they want. He sighed heavily, hoping the nightmare would end soon, and in a second the door slammed open as the owner turns and sees a very angry Meliodas walking in. "And who are you, bursting into my Brewery?!" He questioned.
What the owner got as a result was pretty rough push that sent his back against the wall. "And who are YOU, feeding those people that DAMNED fruit?!" The Dragon Sin yelled, demanding an explanation.
The owner's eyes widen with surprise from this, "Y-You found out? Where are they?" He asked.
"Burned down to ground, all because of YOU!" Meliodas spat. "Every last one them!"
"I…. I never meant for them to drink it… Those kids broke in and stole a few vials…. I had no choice but to put them and their infected family in there… to make sure they don't escape and harms others…" The owner admitted. "I never thought the legends of that forest were true… But…. Now…"
Meliodas then came up to him and brought his fragmented sword near the man's abdomen. "Well that makes things better now doesn't it?!" He said bitterly. "You should have listen to the FOOLS you spoke of, when you had the chance!"
But before he could try anything, Cody rushes in and grabs his arm, "Stop! He was threatened!" Cody exclaimed, surprising the owner.
"How.. did you know about that?" He asked.
"A hunch..." he answered. "It's easy to tell that everyone looks after one another here…. So if one person here does something like this, it's either they got too greedy…. Or they were threatened…"
"And you expect me to believe something like that?!" The Wrath Sin, bitterly, denied what the young Rider claimed.
"What else do we have? We literally have no other evidence that shows him being guilty!" Cody argued. "Sides, do you want to make Elizabeth cry more than right now?!"
For a moment he looked down. Meliodas is beyond pissed off for what the brewers have did to their own people. But the fact that someone plotted this, made this more frustrating than it's supposed to. With a heavy sigh the Sin's leader sheathed his weapon. "Be glad that boy was there to save you." He growled.
Once he let go of the owner, the young rider walked up to him, "Sir… Please.. We're not here to kill you for you sin… We just want to know… Who threatened your life to keep doing this when you knew the truth?" He asked the man, now trying to regain his bearings from that trauma.
"I-if I told you, well lose everything! Maybe bloodshed would be involved!" The owner exclaimed. "You don't understand, he's a madman!"
"If you don't, then more people will suffer from what you have created…. Maybe even your town will feel its effects… And with those people now turned and dead, they will want answers and before you know it, they'll find out about this… And they will not forgive unlike me… So please. Tell us who did this?" Cody pleaded, knowing the dangers but knows that it would be worse keeping it a secret.
The owner of the brewery knew he can't keep quiet about any longer and the fact that he had poisoned some of those people made things worse for the old man. "...Duke." He uttered out, lowly.
"Duke?" Cody turned to a confused Meliodas, "Name ring any bells for you?"
"None that I have heard about." Meliodas said.
"A Holy Knight... A very sadistic one... His power is beyond what we know of... And that bow he wields... I have never seen such magic come from that man's weapon." The Brewery owner detailed.
"Hmm… Guess we'll need to be on the lookout for this… 'Duke' guy?" Cody frowned, and in a second, a Helheim Gate appears, slowly lowering down to reveal the deadly forest as a few Inves popped out, roaring at the freedom. The young rider glared, strapping on his Driver, "Meliodas… Get him out of here and make sure no more Inves get out of this place… I can handle them."
"Got it!" He said. "Come on, let's get out of here!" He told the owner, both leaving the room.
"Guess it's time to clean up some pests... " He sighed, clicking his Lockseed ready for a fight.
BANANA!
He twirled it once before locking it in place, once done, the Inves charge ahead, trying to strike and infect the young rider but he was able to dodged and move out of the way from their swipes.
LOCK ON!
Once the trumpet tune plays, the metallic banana appears before flying in, defending the rider as it struck the Inves, pushing them back enough to give him enough time to cut the lockseed and don his armor.
COME ON! BANANA ARMS!
KNIGHT OF SPEAR~!
The Rider Visor and Gem shines, finishing the transformation before he twirls his spear and jabs them through the window and onto the Brewery floor. "Come on! Show me what you got…." He taunted them.
The first one roared, jumping towards the Rider, getting ready to kill it's prey. Only to be impaled by the Banaspear before he tossed it into the ground near by, he quickly brings out the Musou Saber as he pulls the hammer and begins firing a few rounds at the few other Inves, pushing them back and giving him some breathing room.
Another came in charging at the Rider, swinging it's arms wildly, like the animal that it is. It managed to get some good hits, causing Cody's suit spark up. He got back at it by slashing it three or four times, before it collapsed.
"Grr…. Can't you just be dumb like the others?" He questioned, slicing the Lockseed 3 times as the Musou Saber and Banana Spear lite up.
COME ON! BANANA SPARKING!
With one slash with the Saber, the last bit of Inves were surrounded by yellow energy in the form of a Banana, while he thrusts his spear, impaling the others as they explode from the attack. The young rider sighed, thinking it was done before a cold feeling can be felt, he dodges in the knick of time as he turns around.
Standing there, now appearing from a different kind of Helheim Gate, appeared a Knight. Is was blue, with silver bites on it, with the designs on the silver bits resembling sharpen motifs. He had on yellow armor on his chest, small, yet seemed sturdy enough, while on the chest, resembled that of a Lemon. The helmet though, looked fierce, like that of a High Grade knight, with yellow visor on the inside, on the back of the helmet was a large piece that looked like some Pope hat, while in his hand was a Rapier, and finally on his waist was that of a Sengoku Driver, with a cut Lockseed, showing a Lemon and the weapon.
"Who…. are you?" Cody asked, getting into a stance.
"Hehehe! It appears that the old fool has yet to have given you the FULL slip." The lemon knight chuckled. He then started swinging and slashing at the young Rider, who was forced back from the knights swift movement. "Watch quietly and learn." He said.
Cody growled, standing back up, "You… You must be Duke then?" He panted, "Why do this to these people? Why try making them turn into monsters?" He questioned, wanting to know.
"Wouldn't you like to know... Baron." He said, calmly.
The young rider growled, charging at him once again and began to duel against this mysterious knight. They clashed, but Cody was shown to be clearly out matched. Sparks flew off his armor as he tried to counter, but this knight was stronger than he realized.
"You are, pathetically, predictable." Duke stated. "Stand up. So that way I can take you down once more!" He demanded.
"I… rather distract you…" He gritted, holding up the Ichigo Lockseed. But unfortunately he didn't have enough time to see the unknown knight pointing his rapier where his heart would be. "I would not recommend doing that, my friend." Duke said, as he cut his Lockseed once.
COME ON!
LEMON SQUASH!
The tip of the Rapier glowed as he held back and began to strike him several times, rapidly hitting him as Cody's armor began to spark off every second as he yelled in pain from it before one last strike, impaled through the armor, hitting his side as he was cast out of his armor and back into his civilian form. His body now in cuts and bruises as he screamed in pain as he griped the rapier, trying to pull it out, spite the Knight keeping it there.
"You call that a challenge?" Duke scoffed. "Well it will not matter any longer once you are dead. Now, where is Princess Elizabeth?" He questioned, twisting his rapier deeper into Cody, causing him to yell in pain. "Tell me, unless you want her dead?"
Cody growled, glaring at the Duke, "You should know my answer…. I rather die then hand her to someone like you…." He answered, feeling the rapier dig deeper until it pierced through the stone floor below.
"That's what I thought you would say." The sadistic knight said. "Full of pride... Yet through these eyes, you cannot comprehend what I'll will do to you or the girl... Maybe if I find the 'Dragon', he will be just as cooperative as you will be soon enough." He said, somewhat cryptically.
Cody growled yet again, gripping the rapier as he slowly pulls it out, swinging it but missed the Knight, "You… will stay away from them…." He panted, though quickly realizing his power isn't healing him. "What… what did you do?" He gritted, holding his wound.
"Ever wonder what happens to a spell when it is nullified?" He questioned. "... The same way death brings destruction." Duke chuckled, quickly grabbing the rapier and striking the young Rider more times before kicking him into the ground. "Well that was fun while it lasted…" He then reached down as he cut the rapier twice, ready to end the injured Rider.
COME ON!
LEMON AU LAIT!
The Rapier glowed once more as it began to spark off, but as soon as he made the swing, a blur wizzed back, striking it as the energy it produced was sent back, tossing Duke through the Brewery building and outside. His armor steamed off as he looked up to a glaring Meliodas.
"Ah…. And the Leader of The Sins has arrived…." He stood up before bowing.
"I take it you're Duke? The sadistic Holy Knight that some people spoke off?" The Sin's leader stated, glaring at the madman.
"Hehe, That I am… but you may refer to me as Armor Rider Duke…" He said, bowing once again, "Now.. I shall ask you the same thing…. Where is Princess Elizabeth?" He questioned, pointing the rapier at the Sin.
Meliodas didn't say a word, only glaring at one of man's monsters. Then he swung his fragmented sword at the Holy Knight. Duke tried to block it but as soon as their blades meet, he was quickly shot away, sending the sadistic Knight far from the two. His armor sparking and his arm twisted but soon quickly repairs itself.
"So… this is the power you possess? Heh… It's more than what they said it was…." Duke said, as the unknown Gate opened up behind him, "A word of warning, Dragon Sin Meliodas…. Your battle from eons ago… Will return..." He said, cryptically before disappearing in the gate as it closed up.
"What?..." Meliodas said, confused by that riddle.
"Ugh.. is… he gone?" Cody asked, slowly walking out before collapsing on the ground, bleeding out from his wound.
"Oh boy." The Dragon Sin said. He came up to the Rider, inspecting his wounds. "You're bleeding out a lot blood. I'd better get you back home, buddy."
"He… somehow nullified my magic... Can't... Heal properly" He responded, his face flushed.
"Nullification spell." He said, knowing what the Rider is talking about. He then lifted him up to his shoulders to leave the area ASAP. "Come on. Let's go, before he comes back for more."
Back at the Boar's Hat, Elizabeth was sitting back at the bar, finally calm down as she waits for her friends to come back. She was still angry with them doing such a thing, but after thinking it through, she did realize that they were in the right, and she hoped she could apologize to Cody.
And a few minutes she quickly heard the door open, some relief came over her as she turned, but it soon faded and replaced by fear as Meliodas came in with an injured Cody. The young rider passed out as a very bad wrapping is around his body as she rushed over to help out, "Is he alright?!" She asked, worried.
"He's bleeding out! Help me with him!" He exclaimed. "Hawk where are you?!"
Hawk walked out before quickly rushing towards the two, "What happened?" He asked him, just as worried as the princess.
"Just get some gauze and alcohol NOW!" Hawk quickly nodded as he rushed in the back and came out with a small bag, filled with what he needed as Meliodas placed the injured Cody on the ground as he began to work.
"Elizabeth, apply some pressure here, while I put this on him!" He ordered.
She nodded, kneeling down as puts some pressure on the wound, spite hearing his groans of pain. "How did this happen?" She asked.
"You remember those Holy Knights you heard about?" He questioned, as applied the gauze near his shoulder, causing a louder groan from Cody. "Well, we just met one of them. He calls himself Duke... And you can already see the results."
"But…. if that's the case… Why didn't his healing magic work?" She questioned.
"He knew a spell that could nullify his fast healing." Meliodas said.
Elizabeth frowned, she knew something was wrong and now cause that Cody is staring at death's door right now. "I…. Should've been there… I should've helped…." she said softly, tears in her eyes.
"Hey!... You're being too hard on yourself, there was no way we could ever know this was gonna happen. Don't blame yourself, Elizabeth." Meliodas said, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Uh…. shouldn't you two try to pay attention and save him?" Hawk pointed out.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know." The Sin's leader said. "Alright apply pressure where his ribs are, carefully. Don't want to cause more harm than good." He told, the princess. "Hawk go on and grab some more gauze." Hawk nodded as he went back to grab more, while the princess put more pressure on his wounds, hoping they can save him in time.
"Just a few more and we should be good." He said. Hawk came in with some more gauze. After a couple of minutes they managed to put as much bandages on the injured Rider and the blood from flowing out. "That should do it." The Dragon Sin said.
Elizabeth sighed with some relief, knowing his life is safe now, though still feels guilty about earlier, until she felt Meliodas place his hand on her. "Hey, don't blame yourself." He said. "For now we should wait for him to wake up."
She smiles and nods as she gently picks up the Rider and carries him to their room, much to Meliodas' displease. Once inside she gently places him on the bed before sitting next to him, a frown on her face, "Sir Cody… If you can hear me… I'm sorry… I know your heart was in the right place…. I shouldn't have been angry at you two for doing your job… I… guess I was scared that you'll turn out like the other Knights… And won't care for the people…" She said to him, hoping he could hear her.
What she got was a groan from the Rider, he started moving slowly back up but still felt some slight tugs from his wounds. "Sir Cody?" Elizabeth said, hoping that he's fine.
He weakly opens his eyes as he pats her head slowly, "You… have nothing… to be sorry about…" He said weakly, "You…. were just looking…. out for the people…"
She started to feel her eyes tear up until she hugged the young Rider. "Cody!" She cried.
"Geh! Still injured Elizabeth…" He gritted in pain.
"Well can you blame her? She had it worse than you did." The voice of Meliodas said. Which of course he and Hawk, were right by the doorstep smiling, lightly.
Cody though gritted a bit more as he felt Elizabeth lighten her hold, but was still clinged to him. "Hey… thanks for the save man..." He thanked Meliodas. "If… you weren't inside by then… I would've lost…."
"Don't mention it." He replied.
"Though… what are we gonna do with the Brewery Owner? The town will notice the battle scars and will ask questions…. Plus that sword…" Cody pointed out.
"Well seeing that this... 'Duke' is here, so are the Holy Knights." Meliodas stated. "If anything they are gonna show up in the morning."
"But… that sword-"
"Oh? This you mean?" Meliodas smirked, holding the sword that was stuck in the ground, as it casted off a few electrical sparks. "Let's just say, they'll be having a good morning soon."
Cody sighed, patting Elizabeth who was still clinging to him, "Well.. then I guess we have no other choice but to keep moving then…." He sighed.
The Sin's leader pondered on something until an idea came to mind. "You know, I actually can think of one place we can go to." He said. "Rumors say that there are monsters in that place, but it's our only way to the next town."
"Seems like we have no other choice then…" Cody sighed, "Alright. Let's go there then."
"I don't about you, but I'm bushed." Hawk said, yawning. "You guys should probably get some sleep."
"I'll probably fall asleep soon enough as it is." Cody said as the two walked out, he then looked down to see Elizabeth already fast asleep, a soft chuckle came out as he gently laid her down before covering her with the blankets. 'Though… I am concerned…. How did Duke get a Sengoku Driver?' Cody thought to himself.
A/N: And with that done, Duke has now been revealed... Now, I know what you're all thinking, "Why is he only using Lemon Arms?" Well, my answer to that is, he has yet to decide to use it, knowing that this Baron is unlike that of Kaito, so therefore, no need to use it. Alright?
Now I know these last few chaps haven't been.. much unlike my others, but me and Pyro are new to writing together, and if Shadow can hurry up, then we got more quality than before. ^^; but Pyro is trying his best and I'm glad he's helping. Just give it time alright?
until next time, later minna!