A/N: Good Evening!

I'm sowwy… I thought Estarossa was a blonde. But he's got silver hair. Woops. 'Lake Virtue', the setting of this chapter and the last, was inspired by Lake Matheson in New Zealand. I'm also sorry for this chapter being super late. I'm packed down with schoolwork and some shit's going on with my folks again.

AND ALSO—due to this chapter's length, it will be split into two parts like last time. I know, I know, I'm a terribly unreliable author.

But I love it.

Warnings for chapter: Violence and Character Death (kinda).

"To know your enemy, you must become your enemy." – Sun Tzu, Art of War


Escanor stood at the edge of the cliff. It was nearing dusk, so his strength and his pride waned along with the sun. However, he knew this was the worst time to become weak. His love for Merlin kept a decent amount of his strength left.

Escanor began to contemplate his reasons for going to Lake Virtue. It wasn't that Escanor was selfish, or worried for his life, it was that he feared for Merlin's safety.

Three days ago, Escanor received a letter at his bar, My Sweet Gluttony. The letter smelled like Merlin. It had her handwriting. But even though Escanor was overjoyed that his one true love had found him, and even sent a letter his way, he had too much disquiet in his system to be happy. Fear for Merlin filled his chest and head, and Escanor did not hesitate to call for Rhitta, pack a bag, and head straight for Lake Virtue.

Escanor looked down at said letter that he'd read countless times. Narrowing his blue eyes, he crumbles it in his fists. As his breath began to get shakier as sunlight declined, Escanor's anxiety levels rose. He reopened the slip of paper and began to reread the letter for the hundredth time.

My Dearest Escanor,

I know we have been apart for ten years prior. I can only blame myself for that unforgivable act. But please heed my words when I pen that I had no other choice but to call for you now.

I am writing you due to a very desperate matter. Though hard to believe, I have been taken hostage by an old enemy of mine. She has imprisoned me, left me vulnerable, and disrobed me of my honor and pride. I plea to you, Escanor, my love. I cry out for you now, to answer my solicitation and of our peoples'.

Our enemy is no substandard horror, and is a powerful foe. She goes by the name Morgan le Fay, High Priestess of Cambria. Be wary of her unstable madness and insanity, my dear. She is not a force to be taken lightly. Morgan has outdone even the likes of me. She has mantled the country in an atrocious and terrible plague. Children stand by, helpless and sick, and watch as their families and cities get massacred.

I am subjugated to her torture as well, my love. No a day has gone by where I am not groveling at her feet or wailing out in agony. My pride has been stripped from me, and you are now my only hope.

Do not ask me how it is possible, for she is magical like myself. Morgan has impregnated me with your seed. She believes it will gain leverage over you. I am expecting four boys, but only if you rescue me now. I would appreciate it most if you came in three days, right at sunset.

Please, my love, save me from my cage. Listen to me now that it is not only our unborn sons and I that I ask help for. Morgan has overpowered Meliodas and the others as well. Our beloved Captain has been beaten into a hapless wretch, and the others are no better off.

I beg of you now, my love. Help us. Stop Morgan and her army of demons. I am chained within her home of torture, a cave at Lake Virtue, five miles east-west of Camelot. Please, my love, come to me now and stop Morgan's enslavement of Britannia.

You are our only hope.

~ Merlin

Escanor felt sick to his stomach. This was Merlin's signature. No mistaking that.

Escanor not only had to save his love, his captain, his crew, but four unborn sons as well. He was going to be a father.

"Well, I better start moving faster… Goddesses willing, I will be at Lake Virtue by an hour or two," Escanor whispered into the universe, shuffling forward. He tucked Merlin's letter back into his breast pocket and continued on.

Hold on, Merlin. I'll be there soon!


Betrayal. It's a crazy thing, no? You think you know a guy… and then they stab you in the back. It's something that really gets under my skin— besides Elizabeth getting hurt, that it. So it's safe to say that I'm pretty upset with Morgan right now. But, I guess I should have seen this coming.

I'm struggling against hell and high waters to break free. Estarossa's ability is to deflect all those who feel hatred towards him. He's the Commandment of Love.

Damn it all!

"Hush, now, brother-mine. The more you struggle, the worse this will be. But, I suppose that is better for us," Estarossa says, smiling with sticky sweetness. I all but growl at my brother, my brow furrowed with my deadliest of expressions.

"Bastard!" I roared, lunging forward, sideways, doing anything possible to get out of his hold. Though, that was only weakening me, as my disgust and hate towards him grew.

This was my fucking limit. This is where I'm ready to blow my fucking top.

Learning my crazy daughter's back from the grave? Fine. I'll get over it.

Letting Elizabeth get hurt by my own hands? It'll take a while to heal my heart and soul's wounds, but Elizabeth and I will quickly mend our bond.

Discovering I have a granddaughter, who's mother I believed to be evil but actually had a noble cause, who's dying of kidney cancer? I'm not going to hesitate on helping them, but I'll do my best to handle it.

Getting betrayed by said daughter the second I gain some trust for her? That very same daughter who goes out of her way to summon my fucking brothers who want to kill me, Elizabeth, and everything I've strived for?

Like hell I'll handle that civilly. That's it. I'm done.

No more Mr. Nice Guy.

"Estarossa," I seethe, "Let me go so we can fight like men!"

My brother, keeping me still, pinned my back against his chest. With his hold tight and his armored fingers grasping my bare arms, Estarossa forced me to watch the scene unfold before me.

Glatisant held Morgan in a vice-like grip with his tail, looking posh and victorious all at once. She bore an expression I knew well; her mouth pouted and her eyes staring off intently with heated, angered passion. Fidgeting only slightly, Morgan stayed perfectly still despite her obvious discomfort. My other brother, Zeldris, was clutching the youngest among us in his arms. Poor little Mordred, unconscious and still weak, mewled feebly as her uncle jostled her about.

Elizabeth lay motionless on her side at Glatisant's hooves. Her long silver-white hair lay around her head in a large, wild halo. Her lips were parted, face gently flushed, her eyes closed.

Morgan, her spiny golden hair tussled as she was held in the air like some rag doll, mumbled darkly as she watched Zeldris roughly handle her daughter. "Will you put me down, now? I brought Meliodas to you. I even have Elizabeth. That was our deal and more. Now, let up."

"Go on and put our niece down, Beast Glatisant," Estarossa says, kindly nodding his head. His black eyes held a frightening amount of gentleness. "She's not our main concern at the moment."

Glatisant's left brow twitched, but his tail unwounded. Once the beast's scaly tail unleashed her, Morgan scrambled to Mordred's side.

"Don't jostle her around," Morgan snapped. "She's still healing—"

"Morgan, dearest, do not pretend that you actually care. We'll start the transition soon," Estarossa said.

"And who said I don't care?"

"You did, you incompetent wretch," Zeldris grumbled, the silver of his arms' armor shining in the bright candlelight. Metal clanking, he stood up straight with a tight expression.

"Zeldris has a point," Estarossa mused, "You did indeed state that you wanted nothing more but the destruction of Britannia and your father."

"And Glatisant to be killed!" She declared, where the beast behind her grumbled in amusement.

"Well, see here, darling… Glatisant has offered us something that I fear is much, much more valuable than helping you."

Morgan visibly twitched, and her green-eyed gaze grew dark as she turned her head toward Estarossa. She didn't meet my eyes. "I agreed to help you take over Britannia and Meliodas, just as long as you kill this thing—" she said viciously, pointing at Glatisant, "and insure my daughter has—"

Estarossa cuts her off. "You never told us your daughter was of Pendragon blood."

"Or that she is the one everyone in the supernatural realm has gossiped about," Zeldris added.

"I would think it would be clear as to why I never mentioned it," Morgan hissed. "Turning your back is something you go against, isn't it, Zeldris? Why are you allowing this?"

Zeldris's face hardened and he shifted from foot to foot, but never took his gaze of Morgan's. "In our deal, we agreed to take Britannia, Meliodas, and kill Glatisant, so you could protect your daughter. It is in your own fault and stupidity, Morgan, that we are here. You did not specify whether or not to kill Glatisant now or later—"

"You swore to me that you lot would protect Mordre—"

"No, no we did not promise to protect her from harm. Just make it so that she would not die. All we will be doing is taking her to our Father. No pure harm will be coming toward her."

"But Glatisant—"

"Morgana, love, you're ssstill ssslow in the head," Glatisant, slithering up to Zeldris's side, says as he nears, "Leave thisss to the adultsss, and let usss finissh thisss."

"Adults?" Morgan barked, backing away like some frightened animal. Upon nearing Elizabeth, she threw the ends of her skirts over her like a blanket, as if to protect her. "None of you have the testicles to man up and take control like I do."

"Such vanity, Morgana—"

"It's Morgan," she corrected harshly.

"Ahh, all the same minus one letter. See, my dear, you fail to see that we're not loyal to you. All we wanted is Britannia and our traitorous brother … When Glatisant told us about your lovely child here, we knew we had to assist him. You know we are only loyal to our father. This is what he wants," Estarossa said.

I looked over at Mordred. What part did she play in this? She was too young. However, the Druids' words came back to me.

Mordred was destined to destroy Britannia. But, what did Zeldris and Estarossa gain by deceiving Morgan? What would our father want with Mordred?

"You promised me you'd protect Mordred! Not throw her into the pits of hell! You all should have been turned to stone the second you lied to me! Galand was there!"

Estarossa shook his head and placed his chin upon my crown. I growled, but still remain helpless. "Morgana, you left out that Mordred is rather pivotal to us. We are not deceiving you in any way. Mordred will live, and Glatisant will not harm her. You never specified if anyone else could harm her, either."

Morgan's entire aura dropped like a brick. She stared, disbelieved, at her uncles as they shuffled about the cave. Glatisant returned to her side, and licked her cheek. She didn't move, and continued to stay frozen.

"No… we… we had a dead. You can't just—" Morgan was held back by the beast as Zeldris began to tie Mordred up with rope. The raven-haired girl began to gain consciousness, and meekly opened her eyes to stare at the ceiling.

"You bastards—" Morgan snapped, aiming her staff toward the threats around her. "You knew that by gaining Glatisant's allegiance you'd be able to keep me at bay for you to sacrifice Mordred. You planned this."

"Ah, ah," the beast cooed, "I am pleasssed you've connected the dotsss… Mordred will be the sssavior of the dark agess, yet you have power to ssstop usss from affirming that. With me dealing with you, love, they can carry on their way. The Demon King will gift me tremendousssly when we sssacrifice your spawn to him."

"You—? You're not able to hurt her, not anymore," Morgan reminded.

"I informed them of Mordred'sss identity. If you had given her to me on an earlier date, we would not be here, and I would not have to ssshare my winningsss with demonsss."

"Y—"

"Mama—" Mordred began to wake up more. She looked up from the ropes being tied around her to her mother, who stood horrified beside Glatisant. "What's g-going on…?"

"Mordred—" Morgan started to sooth her daughter, looking terrified and lost. She's interrupted by Estarossa.

"Aww, how touching. Mother and child, being torn apart again. Why are you so saddened, niece-mine? Didn't you give up another child of yours before?"

Morgan seethed. "That was different—"

"How?" Zeldris butted in. "How is abandoned your own son different? I hope you feel lucky that you've been loyal to us till now, or I'd run you through because of that act."

"You told them?" Morgan snapped, turning toward Glatisant. The beast smirked.

I'm lost for words.

Morgan has a son as well?

"Let my daughter go! We had a deal!" Morgan begged, dropping to her knees. My daughter trembled, and tell-tell signs of guilt, worry, and terror flashed across her eyes. As Glatisant turned back to Zeldris, Morgan made a quick surprise attack. She shoot a blaze of her fire at Zeldris, who, upon contact with her Heavenly Fire, burst into flames. He yelled in shock and pain. He dropped Mordred in a flash and threw his hands to his face. Glatisant was unaffected by it, and it blazed across his matted fur as harmless as ever. He made a laugh-like sound, but did nothing to help Zeldris.

Mordred cried for her mother, but Morgan was smart enough not to get her right away- or so I thought. Glatisant curled is body across Mordred like a fence, showing his fangs in a smirk. Zeldris dropped onto the ground and desperately tried to get the fire off him. Estarossa sighed and reached out to grab Morgan himself, but only then does my daughter lunge to get Mordred.

As expected, Glatisant opened his maw and captured Morgan in his mouth. Immediately yowling in frustration, Morgan sprawled in his grip with fury and hate. "Damnit! We had a deal! Fucking hurt her and I'll stake you all!" Zeldris growled at this, finally getting the fire off. He looked bewildered, but shook it off best he could. Burn marks on his face, he regained composer and marched toward Morgan with new-found intent.

"Kill Morgan along with the goddess-whore. They are of no use to us," Zeldris commanded.

"NO!" I protested, struggling even more. Estarossa had me weak, however.

"Watch as your family is torn apart, brother-mine," my bastard brother whispered in my ear, his sharp-silver hair falling in my face.

I watch, tears running down my face, as Morgan is thrown onto the ground beside her unconscious mother. She fights back, flailing like a hurt bird, but her attempts are useless as Glatisant forces his weight on her.

"MAMA!" Mordred screamed, watching Zeldris unsheathe his sword and march over towards the two women. No no no no no no no no stop it, fucking stop

"This is for turning our brother against us," Zeldris darkly whispered, raising his sword into the air over Elizabeth—

I'm sorry, I silently tell my family, I'm not strong enough to save you—

"I demand that you put that sword down, sir!"

Everyone froze.

Heads turn like coin flips, breaths are held in surprise.

"Escanor?" I gasp. Joy suddenly fills my lungs and shock falls away with relief. Help had come.

"Greetings, Captain! Forgive me for being so late to the battle. I came as quickly as possible."

"It's cool! You're not too late! What are you doing here, though?" I asked, happy despite being confused. Escanor, holding onto a bit of his pride strength left, stood at the entrance. Rhitta was simi-dragged behind him, and he was on the verge of dropping it altogether.

"Merlin sent for me. She said there was a fiend here by the name of Morgan—"

"That would be me."

Escanor's blue eyes shined with acknowledgment. He marched inside and looked Morgan down, who was pinned to the ground on her belly, Glatisant holding her down. She didn't look amused – or surprised – to see Escanor here. Just annoyed.

"Are you the woman who hurt my beloved, Merlin?"

"And what if I am?"

"Then you must die," Escanor said lightly, his blue eyes shining pity for Morgan. "However, I will not be in this form for long. If it wasn't for my love for Merlin, I would already be unable to fight you until morning. I suppose having a cup of tea to discuss your execution will suffice for now? I also demand that you inform me of Merlin's whereabouts."

"Merlin's with the rest of the Sins. I'd love to have tea, but I'm currently in the middle of something at the moment. How about we talk later? I'll tell you everything once I am able. This man," Morgan suddenly stated, motioning toward Estarossa and I, "is more or less keeping me back. I'd appreciate it if you'd have a word with him first. He – and his brother – are intent on killing Meliodas, but because of his power, Meliodas is unable to fight back."

"I will comply with your simple request, Morgan le Fay. But, what of this child?" Escanor said as he turned his gaze toward Mordred, looking worried for the tiny girl bound in rope. Mordred sniffled as she wormed around.

"Leave her to me. She is my daughter."

"Very well," Escanor starts, satisfied, and then turns toward Estarossa. "Who are you, and why are you hurting my Captain?"

"This does not concern you, human," Estarossa said, tilting his head in serious thought. "Meliodas is my brother… We have old business to settle, so I highly suggest you to leave, or die."

Escanor shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I may not be at my best at the moment, but I insist you come with me so I may get to Morgan le Fay!"

Escanor was a good match to Estarossa, that much I knew. He would be unable to hate him. So, we're finally safe…

"Common now, don't tell me ya' started the party without us~!" butted in a voice I knew all too well. I grin from ear to ear. So there is hope, afterall.

"Who is it now!?" Zeldris groaned, gripping his sword harder. Ban, King, Gowther, and Diane, all stood at the doorframe, holding their chosen weapons. Diane, in her larger form, reached inside and grabbed Morgan quicker than lightning – therefor, grabbing Glatisant as well – and took them outside.

"I'm gonna wish you never came here, Morgana!"

"My name is Morgan!"

"Don't have all the fun now~! I gotta bone to pick with her, too!" Ban growled gleefully, bloodlust on his face as he exited the cave in favor of Diane and my daughter.

"Hey- wait! Let me fight her as well, D-Diane! She hurt you, too!" King flew after, with Gowther shrugging and following along.

"She has offended and threatened my comrades. I shall assist you in defeating her," Gowther said before leaving.

"Was that Gowther…?" Estarossa mumbled. I ignore that statement.

"LET ME GO YOU SSSCOUNDRELSSS!" Glatisant, squished between Morgan and Diane's hand, hissed loudly as he was squeezed nearly half to death. Morgan, despite all the death-threats from my friends, remained surprisingly calm. I would laugh, knowing Morgan could fight all of them easily, but my pre-smile vanishes as I hear the on come of more people.

The other Ten Commandments.

As they began to confront one another outside, Estarossa dropped me to my feet. Though holding onto my collar with one hand, he prowled up to Escanor with an equally pitying frown. Escanor, however, was beginning to loose power.

"Do not think you can defeat me, human. I am the Commandment of Love."

Escanor gave a well-humored laugh, albet shaky. "Hehe, love? Can you help me get to Merlin, then?"

"Wa- no, mortal, not like that. Anyone that holds resentment towards me will loose their power. I will not be affected by your attempts at defeating me."

"Then I suppose you won't mind me doing this~?" Spoke another new voice.

"Merlin!" I smiled, as a magical attack came barreling towards us. As my brothers are blinded by a fog of smoke, and Estarossa's grip is loosened, I jump forward and head for Elizabeth. Scooping her up onto my arms, I head next for Mordred. Estarossa's presence leaves the cave, along with Escanor's and Merlin's. Now it was only Elizabeth, Mordred, Zeldris, and myself.

"Grandfather!" Mordred cried for me, struggling against her bounds. I sooth her as best I can as I hoist her up with Elizabeth—

"Not so fast, brother," Zeldris said, finding me in the thick fog.

"S'up, little bro," I greet quietly, hand protectively held over Mordred. Zeldris narrowed his black eyes in hate, and the demonic symbol above his left eye dances across his skin.

"Give the girl to me," he spat, holding out his hand. I shake my head firmly, flexing my bare biceps.

"Then we end this now," he said. He's fast, and I feel a sad spark of pride for him. He's gotten stronger, but that's not something I should feel proud about right now. Sending a small apology toward Elizabeth and Mordred, I jostled Elizabeth over my shoulder and hold Mordred by her ropes. I pulled out Lostvayne and lunge. As Zeldris's sword loudly clanks against mine, we meet halfway in a clash of fury.

"You abandoned us! You abandoned your clan! And it was all for that wretch?" He said viciously, smoothing fighting along with me as I battled one-armed. He flits again, managing to steal Mordred from me. It leaves me dazed for a split second. I grit my teeth, but continue on. Both of us fought with a girl over a shoulder.

Mordred cried out for her mother again, and the commotion from outside began to change. The fight in the valley grew louder. As for my other brother, and Escanor, they had taken their battle somewhere else. Merlin must have joined them. Commandments, Sins, Knights— I wasn't too sure who was outside, now.

Elizabeth started to regain consciousness, and I felt her sluggishly squirm in the dip of my neck and shoulder. Her hands come up to paw my lower back for support. I patted her rump reassuringly. This is not a place I can guarantee her safety. I'll end this soon, Elizabeth, Mordred.

"Fuck it all," Morgan, making a sudden surprise return to the cave, mumbled as she used her wings to beat back the magic fog. As our vision cleared, the priestess speed-walked in and grabbed my shoulder, jerking me sideways. She leaned beside me, suddenly pressing against me as if trying to urgently tell me something important, but pulled away rather quickly. She abruptly snapped her fingers at Zeldris to get his attention. I half expected something to happen, but nothing did. Zeldris narrowed his eyes. "You," Morgan, aimed toward Zeldris, says while sounding authoritative and high. "Glatisant isn't available now to stop me anymore. So, fight us both, you die. Fight me, you die. Fight only my father, you just might get what you came for," Morgan informed him lowly. "Leave Mordred and company here; it is for theit safekeeping. So unless you wish to kill Mordred accidently while fighting Meliodas, let me take her along with Elizabeth: she's just dead weight. They are of no use to anyone right now."

"Do not jest me," Zeldris growled. "I know you will try escaping from this. Your schemes—"

A blackish-yellowish hue flashed over Morgan's eyes. She cut Zeldris off with an annoyed scoff, like what a queen might do when looking upon some arrogant peasant. "Schemes? I may be the bastard child of both your enemies, but I never asked for that fate. I am still your family, and I have not betrayed you in any way. You represent Piety, so attempting to kill me would kill you."

Zeldris glared at the taller one, looking pissed off by having to take commands from his partial enemy. "I may have sworn to protect my family and clan, excluding those to turn their back, but that does not mean I like you."

Morgan eyes Zeldris with clouded vision, raising her staff as a warning, glaring as if to imply, "I double-dog dare you to try stopping me,". Zeldris, loyal to his Commandmen, did not move to attack her. He listened and set Mordred down. Immediately upon touching the ground, the girl clumsily ran into her mother in a frightened mess of whines. Morgan snapped Mordred's ropes off, despite the awkward silence between us all. Sounds of war and clashing of swords grew like a raising tide from outside.

As Morgan and Zeldris argued over something that lost my interest, I felt Elizabeth squirm again. I quickly set her down as well and help balance her. Her gaze was off, and I knew on sight she'd have a concussion. While tucking hair behind her ear, she reached out with her free hand and grabbed mine. "Sir Meliodas," the princess started, but I gently cut her off.

"I'm here, Elizabeth. Wait for me, alright?" I say, grinning. I'd feel better to hear her say she'd be waiting for me once this nonsense was over, and that we'd run the Boar Hat together and get married and—

"Meliodas," she interrupted in a low, serious tone. I blinked, poker-facing. "Please, hold on a moment—It is about Morgana, you need to hear this—" Elizabeth took a deep breath, lost her balance if not for my supporting hand, and continued on. "Meliodas, listen to our—your daughter. Please."

"W—"

"She's good, Meliodas," Elizabeth insisted, pressing against me. She placed her hands over my bare shoulders and leaned in, lowering her voice as if not to attract attention. I try to pay more attention on her words than the feel of her skin touching my skin, and how she's drunk with sleep and seriousness. Like bedroom eyes—damnit, me, stop it. "We've talked—before you came, that is, sir—Morgana has a good soul. I've seen it—I, I just know she is someone to trust. She is our ally."

"Elizabeth, I think you might have a concussion," I tell her softly, not wanting to offend her and her sudden dizzy spell, rather, to gentle press that she needed to seek medical help. Elizabeth regarded me with a half-glare, stepping back to take all of me in. "Morgan is on dangerous grounds with me, so unless she can go back in time and erase this mess from ever happening, I'm not trusting her yet."

"Morgana's good," she insisted again, tilting her head down with a furrow of her eyes. "I am not delusional, Sir Meliodas. I know, she seems harsh, and- but- just trust her. Please."

I glance over Elizabeth, and watch Zeldris and Morgan get on the verge of an argument. Mordred kneeled behind her mother, burring her face within her parent's skirts cupped in her hands. I can't tell if she's crying or praying.

I had a family to look after, now. Not only Elizabeth, but Mordred, too. Elizabeth's powers, while strong and much appreciated, aren't of any use right now. We were at war, not rescue support; that much was clear! And Mordred's much too young for this right now. She was also recovering from being terribly ill. Elizabeth and Mordred were beloved innocents, and had to be taken to safety. Like, right now.

As for Morgan, I still had no idea what to think of her. She was no longer my main goal. My main 'goal' was her, the demon clan, and that snake-guy. Plus, I knew she was strong and skilled enough to be independent and non-worried over in battle.

"Take the girls, now," I told Morgan, who tilted her head sideways towards me. Her expression said: I'm grumpy but tired. She almost seemed lusty, but not in a sexual way. Morgan murmured her last 'warning' toward Zeldris before moving from her spot. He stood stiff as a board. Morgan nods to me and transformed her staff into a tiny cube, which she clicked onto her golden belts. Zeldris seemed extremely displeased at letting the girls go.

Morgan plucked Mordred up like she was a sack of potatoes. She motioned for Elizabeth with a quick wave, but the princess gripped my hand harder. I smiled and gripped hers back. "I'll be okay," I say. After all, even if I get killed, I'll come back—no. There wouldn't be enough time to save everyone, then. Poo, I'll have to really notch it up this time.

Morgan gave me one final look before picking up Elizabeth as well. Being an inch or so taller than her mother, they fumbled awkwardly around with the other until Elizabeth could be held securely by Morgan, and Morgan have the ability to fly, still. Elizabeth was her kind concerning self, but the winged priestess seemed to want nothing to do with her besides grunt in response to something. Yet, Morgan held Elizabeth tight.

I'm beginning to think Morgan may have borderline syndrome.

I watch them catapult themselves out of the cave and into a wave of clashing metal and bodies.

Shit, I thought to myself, running outside. Zeldris did not hold onto civil formalities like he did with Morgan once she left. Rather, he was back to being vengeful baby brother.

Zeldris is fast, and I am not too cowardly to admit that he is indeed faster than I. I'm not going nowhere, either.

The peace that Lake Virtue once held was gone, I note as I watch the scene before me once I step outside. It had all been replaced by pure madness. It was not only my crew, and my brothers' crew, but members of the demon clan outside of the Ten Commandments, and Holy Knights from every city I've ever known. I even spot Gilthunder and Howzer, but neither where in a position to have a nice chat. Diane and Drole where not the only giant warriors, and King and Gloxinia were not the only fairies.

This was indeed a Holy War. But, how had they all come here so quickly?

Zeldris gave me no time to contemplate more. "Brother," he grumbled, before ramming into my back like a ram, sending me flying over the mountain range.


I gasp as another heart of mine is ripped out of my chest.

Zeldris seems to be my match. Upon the moment he'd taken us to a 'private' area to spar, he'd taken me completely off-guard and cut my right arm off. Ouch.

This fight was nothing compared to Morgan's and mine's earlier spat. This was a fight-to-the-death battle, winner-takes-all, deal. My baby bro, little Zeldris, once the sweetest-darn-thing I'd ever met (before Elizabeth), had transformed into a man of hard-work, honor, and loyalty. Our fight had been brutal. He'd gotten stronger than I could ever imagine.

I'd used my clones from Lostvayne until I literally could take no more energy from myself, and reasoned with one-on-one combat. That sucky action, albeit necessary, was in Zeldris's favor. I knew upon our first clash of swords that he had grown stronger. And faster. And smarter.

Zeldris's loyalties, once upon a time, use to rely solely on me. Now he's all against me. He was in full allegiance to his clan—his family. Him, being the Commandment of Piety, could overpower anyone who turned his back on him. On his part, if he turned his back on anyone, I'm sure the result would be fatal to him. Zeldris had given his word to the Demon King – the demon clan – so that had given Morgan that leverage earlier. Since she hadn't 'betrayed' them, he could do nothing to her.

Welp, I suppose I'm no longer family to him, then.

Zeldris had ended up ripping five of my hearts out. With his bare hands.

I'm honestly saddened by this. Morgan, while being my daughter, had implied that she wanted to kill me. Yet I think I knew all along that my inner demon would not let me hurt her seriously. Or vise-versa. Now that I think of it, every attack I initiated towards her was a hit (which proved futile), and I had countered all of her own attacks (again, futile). Even she hadn't tried her best for long. It was actually… nice to brawl with Morgan like that.

Zeldris and I are on a whole different level. He honestly wanted me dead.

"You, brother, are a traitor, a liar, and a cheat," he accused vivaciously; slamming me into rock. Pain flared across each and every nerve I owned with each brute punch into my gut. I forced myself to suppress the whimpers within my throat. They threatened to fall out at any moment, but I refuse to look wimpish within my brother's eyes. I'll take my beating like a goddessdamn man. "How does it feel to be overpowered by someone you care about, huh? Get kicked around like you're sac of dog shit—" he shoved me down onto the ground, where he then violently jammed his boot into my crotch. Stars filled my vision. He remained calculative, slowly walking close towards my face. "Or get pulverized into crap like rotten meat," he added, then kicking my face. I jerked, feeling a tooth or two come loose. He then leaned down and grabbing my collar. I meekly glare at him, gasping as he tosses me aside like a pebble. I spat blood off to the side, my body too busy shaking like a leaf in a storm to do much else.

I'm getting an odd since of déjà vu.

"Look here, now! It's Meliodas—Or, in the modern Britannian tongue, I suppose it would be translated as 'Eater of Virgin Hearts'. Hmm. How far you have fallen, my brother… I use to believe we were the best of friends, as well as brothers. I looked up to you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Zeldris bitch-slapped me point-blank. "No, you're not sorry. Be glad I'm not Galand, or you would be stone by now."

I chuckle humorlessly. He booted my side again, causing me to spit up a chunk of blood and whatever acidic fluid that remain in my stomach. Coughing, I squirm in frustration with it all. Again, he kicks me in the stomach, like how a tamer would scold a very bad dog.

Zeldris let me finish being sick before hoisting me up again. "Do you have any last words, brother?" my brother asked quietly, his eyes blacker than a raven's wing. He pulls me close but then shoves me up again, slamming me against the rather vertical mountain wall.

"Yeah," I mumble through bloody, bitten lips. Licking a teardrop away, I gaze down at my brother as he shoves me up into a stranglehold. "Why are you doing this?" I wheeze, "Zeldris, this doesn't—"

"'Doesn't have to happen'?" He offered, sarcastically, despite naturally speaking low and seriously. "Revenge, brother, is something I have wanted for a very long time."

I cough just before a high-pitched whine leaves me as Zeldris throws me down again. Although ragged, bleeding, and struggling to beat the demon blood within my body with only two hearts, I manage to ignore my pain. My mind was solely focused on saving my family and my friends. Blood dribbled down my swollen bottom lip, and I couldn't do much else than gaze wearily at Zeldris through my eyelashes. I was littered in scabs, scrapes, wounds, broken bones—Zeldris had indeed defeated me. And I still can't believe it. I was the strongest of all demons, it seemed. But someone had beaten me at that. Zeldris's actually worn me out bone-tired. To my utter surprise, he had actually managed to rip past my power level by nearly a thousand points. This was an actual, fair, fight. No tricks like Estarossa's. Zeldris possessed true, unadulterated strength.

Zeldris pointed his curved sword against my neck, threatening to break the skin, as if it already hasn't. I rose my right shoulder, the stub of what was left of my arm bleeding and trying to keep me alive. My demonic symbols, while powerful all on their own, could only do so much. I'm on two hearts. I was as good as dead by now. I'm sorry, family.

"Do you know why we are here, Meliodas?" he asked, picking me up again, doing the usual slamming of me against the rock. He barely had to move besides bend up and down. "Morgan invited us here."

"N-No—"

"Still believe she's your ally? I will have you know, that she came to us, on her own, seeking our assistance."

"To… To kill Glatisant… right? Why?"

"Your daughter has powers of both demon and goddess alike," Zeldris said with a sigh, turning his head to look at the sky. Dawn was coming. He turns his face back to me and continues. At least he has the decency to tell me what's going on. "Sometime long ago, Morgan had used her magic on a crippled babe of an incestuous relationship. Obviously, she had no idea in hell of what she was doing then. Glatisant was that result. As you have noticed, he's an Ancient One like us, so he can't be killed unless it's with a Sacred Weapon. Morgan can create Ancient Ones without using illegal means or bending the laws of physics too far. The catch is that anything living she makes will be completely immune to every offensive attack she makes, with or without a Sacred Weapon. Against Glatisant, Morgan is vulnerable to all offensive attacks from him."

Pinching my eyes closed for a brief second, I let the information take place. So, if this Glatisant guy wanted to hurt Morgan, he could easily do so by hurting Mordred. He had said something about taking her earlier… Poor Morgan would have no chance of saving her daughter. No wonder she cried out for help.

"Why… why do you want Mordred?"

Zeldris's nose flared, but his expression stayed stoned. "Pendragons had an ability to nullify all offensive attacks against them. This is why Arthur has risen to power so quicky. However, Morgan is powerful through physical and spiritual means as well—not just magical. Their union formed Mordred, and that baby has a price on its head wilder than any imagination. Glatisant has desired that reward as well."

"So… Mordred is gonna be powerful?"

"How would we know?" he growled lowly. "Prophets and Priests alike have foretold of a child born from a mother of both darkness and light, half-sister to the Once and Future King of Britannia, who will end the reign of peace and bring darkness back to the four corners of the earth. What Mordred is meant to do or why she will do it is unknown. Father has personally asked me for this child. Who would have thought that that blasted imp of yours was still alive, and the mother to the very same child."

"Every living thing she makes could hurt her… does that include her children? Y-You said she had a son. Tell me. Tell me about her son," I rasp. I let out a weak breath, feeling cold and numb. My fingers – the remaining ones, that is – tingle with ice nips.

"I do not know much. She had a son with King Urien in Hibernia seventy years prior. From what we have learned from Glatisant, Morgan left him right after killing the father in favor of return to Britannia to open a damn bar."

I frown harder upon learning the new information feebly. Gosh. This grandson was an old man by now (assuming he was more human than not). "What are you planning on doing to Mordred?"

"Father gave me this," Zeldris pulled out a long black knife from his belt and presented it to me. "It's an enchanted demon blade, that sends whatever it stabs into the demon realm, directly to father, while their still alive and breathing. It does not kill, just transports. But it will only work once, and if pierced through the heart. Father wants Mordred under his wing."

"…What was the deal Morgan made with you?"

"She wanted us to kill Glatisant and insure her daughter will live, and in return, she would tell us of your whereabouts and assist us in taking over Britannia by keeping goddesses away."

"But… isn't that betraying her?"

"I always keep my word," Zeldris gloomed. "I plan on killing him after we send Mordred to our father. Stabbing her with the enchanted demon blade will not kill her, so I never lied. Besides, once this is over Morgan will want nothing to do with us. She will be betraying me then by not helping us. She already hates us, hence the weakness back at the cave with Estarossa's Commandment."

You son of a bitch, I growled inwardly. "You—!"

Zeldris suddenly snapped his hand down, quickly as if reflex when slapping a fly. Instead, she shattered my left kneecap like a nutcracker doing what it does best. "MMM!" I clench my teeth together, an involuntary tear rolling down my bloodied cheeks, as pain flares up my leg and hip. Fuck, that hurt.

"Enough talk. It is time we head back. I promised Estarossa that we would kill you together. If possible, that is."

Before I knew it, he had scooped me up like a child and flitted off back toward the main valley.

The war had grown. There were knights here whom I could not identify. How they all got here so fast, I didn't know. With the sun peeking, I immediately looked for Escanor, but saw no signs of him or Estarossa. I did see, however, Morgan. And Glatisant. And Mordred. And Elizabeth. Shit! How did he get to her in this crowd!?

Zeldris landed beside Glatisant via making a crater in the ground. The beast swayed his big fat head to the side, a barely surprised look on his snake-y face. He held Morgan up by her staff, pressing it against her neck and forcing her up against the cliffs. "Zeldrisss," he hissed greeting, his hooves clopping against rock as he lets Morgan go and stands back on all fours. Morgan fell to the ground in a loud 'humph!', her wings twitching and twisted awkwardly. She didn't move.

"Where is Estarossa?"

"Once the sssun rossse, that pessky human grew twice his sssize. Thisss place could not contain their fight, ssso they took it elsewhere."

Zeldris glared. He looked toward the two younger females by the beast.

Elizabeth and Mordred had been tied up again. They sat back-to-back upon a mound of flat earth. Elizabeth was out-cold again, with a blood trail dripping down the side of her temple. Mordred cried loudly once she saw me, clearly traumatized by what was taking place. I'd give her a thumbs up to tell her it's all fine, but I'm not fine, and I can't guarantee this situation will win in my favor. I couldn't even smile at her to calm her down. Rasping, I squirm like some worm as I try to move.

"I don't have time to wait for him. Beast, leave my niece alone and untie the child. I will send her to father now."

Morgan perked up at this. Beaten into a pulp, just like me, the once gloriously beautifully mad priestess I call daughter lifted her shaking head up and whined a weak, "N-No—".

"Ah, I will, I will… First, one more thing," Glatisant said, trotted backwards, then jumping on Morgan's back. She didn't even scream, just froze with her torso and legs arching upward, fingers spread apart in nerve-wracking pain. A whine left her gasping mouth.

Glatisant leaned down to her ear, head waving back and forth hypnotically, and whispered, "I always told you, my love, that I would have you back as mine someday. This time, you won't leave."

Glatisant's fangs extended, his maw opened, and he bit down on Morgan's right wing. And I can't do anything to stop it.

Morgan starts screaming now. It even caused some fighters to stop in shock. Zeldris glanced away. Glatisant pulled his head back like he was playing tug-of-war with her wing, and the snapping of muscles and tendons and bone was sickeningly audible.

As my shock and horror drains the remaining color in my face, my head fogged up and muffled the sounds around me. Mordred's shaky, panicky, and mortified cries and petrified whines were like white-sound in my ears.

Morgan's blood-curdling cry was nothing like Ban's. This was mixed with sadness, and emotional pain—not only physical pain. Tears streaked her bruised and reddened face as Glatisant tugged her wing off her back like he was plucking a wing off a cooked chicken. He did it excruciatingly slow, dislocating the bone and tearing the tendons delicately. Pulling it out nice and slow. Blood spurted and both Morgan and Glatisant were drenched in crimson splatters, muscle popping and squelching and feathers falling. When the last tendon was snapped between her and her wing, Glatisant kicked his head back and threw the detatched limb into the sky. It, once a majestically grand wing belonging to a majesticlly beautiful person, dropped heavily with a loud flop in dead weight.

"That was rather dramatic," Zeldris stated, turning back.

"It will grow back," Glatisant explained heartlessly, blood dotting his green-brown scales. "Believe me, I have ssseen it done countlesss timesss."

Oh, dear Goddesses. He's done that before.

Morgan went limp in defeat, whining and worming on the ground like a dying fish on land, not knowing what to do with her body. She only had one wing, now.

"Now, Mordred…" Glatisant went on, and trotted off toward the other females. Mordred was too traumatized to say or do anything.

Mordred's going to be scared for life by this.

"And you, brother," Zeldris said, bending down to me, "Aren't going anywhere." He went on to ripping my other heart out. Upon plucking it from my chest cavity, he squeezed it in his fist. Zeldris then wiped the remains of my second-to-last heart on his pants leg as if it was dirt.

One left, I thought with worry. My brother walked off to Glatisant, leaving me to die slowly.

As I'm waiting to die, using the tiny bit of consciousness left in me to pray for a miracle, I hear a whisper.

"Meliodas."

I peek an eye open, sprawled on the ground helplessly. My eyes, black and swollen, could barely let me see.

"Meliodas," she said again. Morgan, by the goddesses, wasn't out cold yet. To my utter shock, she's rather awake. Blood painted across her back, detached wing laying nearby forgotten, while her remaining wing folded outward beside her. "Give me Lostvayne."

"…Hm?" I have a hard time even making sound.

"Give me your sword," she whispered, bucking her chin as best she could to my sword. I just tiredly blink at her. Seeing I was as good as dead, she whimpered woefully. "Fine," she rasps, as if deciding something. Morgan lifted an arm and pointed her finger at me. A soft light of magic glowed from her finger, and it trailed and spun in the air toward me.

As it hit me, I felt my pain subside and a heavenly feeling of numb pleasure washed in its place. Spirits soaring, I believed she had healed me. Yet as I try standing, I find it hard to move. Awfully so. Whatever she did had given me a bit of strength—

though small, it was still strength.

"Get me Lostvayne," she repeated. I'm all for ignoring her statement and going up to Zeldris like an idiot and attempt killing him. But that would be a suicide mission. As I decide what to do, Elizabeth's words come back to mind. Listen to your daughter.

I looked at Elizabeth— unconscious yet still beautiful.

I used the tiny bit of energy Morgan had given me and tossed Lostvayne over to her.

Morgan didn't smile nor thank me, but took it and placed her hands over the blade. Panting in great discomfort and effort, magic danced around her hands and my sword.

When she lifted her hands back up, she showed me what she had made. It's a replica of the enchanted demon blade.

"Replace it with the real one," Morgan instructed, tossing it back.

What? Did she think killing Mordred instead of having her sent to the Demon King was better? What about all that careful planning she had done in order to heal Mordred?

"I can't do it. I'd be betraying Zeldris."

I blink, too depressed and lost at this point to resist. I do as she asked. Both of them occupied, it was easy to sneak behind Zeldris and Glatisant. I replaced the reshaped Lostvayne with the enchanted blade, and rolled back over to Morgan. I sat the real enchanted blade beside my daughter. I settled next to her. The bit of strength she gave me quickly left.

"Morgana, sweetie, I—" I rasp, dropping my head on her shoulder. I still wasn't sure what to think of her, but I did know one thing.

She was my daughter. She was Elizabeth's daughter. She had lived a long, hard life. I loved her, and there was no changing that. I may not like her choice of actions, like leaving a son so she could run a tavern, but I still loved her.

"It's Morgan—ah, to hell with it. Call me whatever," she whispered meekly, energy seemingly gone from her.

I sighed a heavy sigh, my body numbing with loss of blood. "Why… why did you change your name?"

She took a second to answer. "Morgana was killed by her father. I am Morgan, and you are not my father."

It hurts to hear this, but I accept it. "Morgan…"

"…Hm?"

"I love you."

"I know." 'You would have already killed me if you didn't.'

"…Meliodas?"

"Hm?"

"I'm sorry. I forgive you."

"I know. I'm sorry, I forgive you, too."

We went silent, but a tiny piece of peace settled in my chest.

Mordred was untied and separated from Elizabeth, and set aside by Glatisant. Mordred was so shell-shocked, pale and frozen, that she didn't even resist. Zeldris was speaking to Glatisant, but I couldn't hear them. As Zeldris unsheathed his knife, a movement formed at the corner of my eye.

Elizabeth was stirring again.

Elizabeth was strong. Yes, she was physically weak in this current form of hers, but Elizabeth had the determination of an army of wildebeests. She was groggy upon waking up, but once her eyes settled on Zeldris raising the knife to Mordred, she sobered up immediately.

No. No no no no no Elizabeth, don't you bloody dare, not again— "E-Eliza—"

"MORDRED!"

"MOTHER!"

Then Zeldris was spattered with blood.


"Please, make them stop," Elizabeth cried against my neck. I hugged her close, burying my fingers in her soft hair.

I didn't like this either. But Morgana was being sacrificed in favor of the Coffin of Eternal Darkness. The greater good. She was, after all, not… well. I loved my little girl as much as my mate did, but nothing could stop this from happening.

I fought back tears of my own as I watched the goddesses set the little girl down on the keys of the coffin. She was too innocent – or too dumb – to know what was happening. A butterfly flew by, and she reached out to grab it. She was successful, and crushed it in her fist. Upon examining it, Morgana eats it.

"It's for the best," I whispered into Elizabeth's skin.

"She's my baby," she rasped.

"Mine too…"

"I- I- I can't watch."

"Then don't."

"Meliodas, please—"

"…Elizabeth. There's nothing we can do."

Naturally, Elizabeth could not be swayed from the visibly rising rebellion in her. She had left her life of spirituality for one of mundane domestic romance, which quickly turned into oddly charming domestic family fluff. Elizabeth was a mother as well as my mate.

There was nothing Morgana could do that would make Elizabeth stop loving her. I knew that. But I wasn't sure if I felt the same. Morgana had ended our blissful life together. I've heard terrible stories from Elizabeth's friends that it wasn't unusual for couples to separate over the death of a child.

"I won't let them hurt her."

"Elizabeth. She killed your Mother Goddess without a care in the world."

"I don't care. Morgana's my daughter."

"Elizabeth," I tried again, but my mate tensed up even harder as we watched the goddesses prepare to kill Morgana—

"MORGANA!" Elizabeth tried, ripping out of my arms and bolting forward, unable to stop herself.

I couldn't process what happened too clearly, just that Elizabeth was in my arms one minute, and the next, she was gone.

There wasn't enough time. There wasn't enough sanity. I was too slow or too stunned; both hindered me from stopping this.

Elizabeth just couldn't stand by and watch our daughter play the part of the sacrificial lamb. No mother would.

I was just a bad father, it seems.

When the execution power went upon my pretty, doe-eyed, four-winged mate, I saw red as I watched the red spill from Elizabeth.

I grabbed Excalibur and took my anger out on everything else.


Merlin obviously wasn't going to get involved in the battle. She wasn't any more powerful than a wimpy mage's apprentice at the moment. Instead, Merlin had spent the entire night with Escanor, hidden in a tiny secret cave. When the man's power vanished once he saw she was okay, and the sun at officially fallen, he was useless to the Big Plan. So, using the tiny bit of power she had left, Merlin stole him away before he got killed.

When Escanor saw she was fine, Merlin explained some things to him. He was informed that the letter he had received was actually written by Morgan herself, not Merlin. Merlin had never been 'tortured' by Morgan in any way. She then told him what Morgan's plans where, and how it affected everyone else. After, they talked about baby stuff.

"H-How is it that Morgan, um, ah, impregnated you, without me being w-with y-you?" he had asked her, small and shy. She was fond of the night's Escanor. But then again, she was also fond of the day's Escanor. Merlin didn't have a preference over which form Escanor took. Both of his forms were sweet to her.

"Simple, actually," she explained, pressed up beside him. "She could have easily given you a wet-dream and collected the remains while you slept. I think you understand the rest, darling~?"

Escanor blushed, knowing exactly what 'wet-dream' Merlin had unknowingly implied. Embarrassed, he rubbed the back of his neck. "M-May I ask why she did it? If Morgan's actually helping us, why would she impregnate you? I would have come with or without knowing you were with child."

"I know, love. But that's between her and myself, I'm afraid," Merlin says with a finger to her lips. Escanor nodded, respecting her privacy. He always had.

"Is it true you're expecting four boys?"

"We are expecting," she corrected. "And yes, it's quadruplets," she pats her belly. Before long, she'll be round and fat. She'd have to say goodbye to her booty shorts for the meanwhile. Drat.

"…What about n-names?"

"Names~?" Merlin perked up. She hadn't thought of that, yet.

"Well, hehe, I've always liked the name Gawain."

"Hmm… I take a liking to the name Agravain."

"What about Gaheris?"

"Ah, don't forget Gareth~"

They decided those were all perfect names, and agreed on it.

As they waited for morning, they talked some more and bonded. Both agreed on fixing up an estate in the country once this war was all over. They would marry, and raise their sons there.

"Ah, right, and one more thing~" she cooed as the sun began peeking. As Escanor's power levels began rising again, Merlin stopped him before he left to fight Estarossa. "Promise me this. If anything is to happen to both you and I, I want Morgan to be the godmother of our children."

Escanor blinked, but understood Merlin's reasoning. "Yes, of course, darling."

Merlin smiled and relaxed, recrossing her legs. Escanor smiled lovingly at her before going on his way.

"Long live the king," Merlin chuckled to herself as Escanor left.