Chapter 10
Meliodas arrived at the demon realm after parting ways with Elizabeth. He was a little anxious about letting her leave on her own. Both to deal with that stuck up goddess, Ludociel, and to travel back home after her life had been threatened.
That moment when he'd smelled her blood, made all the muscles in his body feel ice cold. But nothing could compare to the moment he saw her being held by the neck, covered in wounds, about to be blood-drained. That ice that had invaded his body melted, turning into a boiling fuming anger that shook him to his very core. Meliodas always had an anger issue. He was, after all, the devil's spawn and a very spoiled one at that. He'd kill his own troop commanders for any word of disrespect in the past. Hell, he'd killed for less. A daring look. A lighting fast scowl. A silent huff. Any of those actions had bequeathed a swift death, or sometimes, if he was in a mood, a slow torturous one.
Gaining leadership over the Ten Commandments had been a blessing in disguise. He eventually began to consider them his comrades, not just his troop. Also, they were hard to kill. Even if he became angry with them, they wouldn't simply disintegrate from a packed punch. They could all thank the demon king's power for that.
The Ten Commandments… his army, his troop, his friends… He was now on his way to meet them. He knew he was going to face some discontent for canceling all village raids. Explanations were in order… and he had none.
"Taking it from the ass, if you're gonna to make us wait, then why don't you move the meeting till later, captain?"
"Derieri… watch your mouth. A lady shouldn't speak like that." Corrected Monspiet.
"Oh shove it!" Replied Derieri, causing a smile from the later demon.
"Captain… glad you could make it. There's some concerns to discuss." Wheezed Grayroad.
"Keh! Concerns?" said Galand, "That's putting it lightly? Captain what the fuck is up with the stand down order? I'm on edge and I'm not even allowed a fucking solo trip to torture some fairies. They are weak, unnecessary creatures I-"
"Enough. Galand we said we'd discuss this calmly, not just start blubbering whatever comes to mind. The captain will have your head for your disrespect." Said Monspiet, always the voice of reason.
"Hmm… maybe our captain's gone soft. He smells like a good old summer basket." Purred Aranak in his sultry malicious tone.
"Baah! You're just going crazy 'cause your weird dungeon thing is empty and you can't get new toys." Melascula said venomously.
"Hey! Watch it snake girl!" Defended Zeno.
"Sate, sate, sate, aren't we all a little rowdy today?" Meliodas said cheerfully, chiming in for the first time. Yes. His mood would not be easily ruined after waking up next to Elizabeth.
The rest of the Commandments did not see eye to eye with him. His cheerful demeanor increased their discomfort on the pressing matters of the demon army.
It seemed as though their heads grew 5 sizes as they all began shouting at the same time about what a lousy captain he was, and how he was never around anymore, someone even complained about not being in the loop on his plans when they were supposed to be the elite team directly under the demon king. Meliodas appeared unfazed by their outrage. His small figure flailing as if he were a rag doll against the wind their screams created. But his face stayed in a complete calm: rosy cheeks and a smile. It was a rather amusing scene.
Gowther's voice suddenly cut through the screams, "I believe the captain has an agenda you all are not aware of. He has been preparing the field to begin a new era for the demon clan. He's made me aware of this plans, since he needed my magical help, but even I don't know the details."
"My oh my captain, aren't you full of surprises." Lulled Aranak.
"Ya' could've said something about it instead of lettin' us freak the fuck out, you bastard" added Derieri.
"Well! Spit it out! What is it?" Galand cried, desperate for information.
"Hmm... what was it now? Stealing all the panties in the realm!"
"HUH?!" exclaimed the whole group collectively.
"Kidding!"
They all sighed.
"We will fondle all the breasts in the land!"
"WHAT?!"
"Kidding!"
"Enough captain!" Whinned Melascula.
"Could it be that you can't discuss the details of your plan as of yet?" Wondered Monspiet.
"Maybe!"
"Hmm… fine we shall await your command then. And refrain from attacking Earth till then." Concluded Monspiet.
Galand, as always, was not having it, "WHAT!? No way! I need my fun!"
"I agree. This is preposterous." One could almost see Aranak trembling with rage. Almost.
"Captain. You don't expect us to do nothing forever." Added Zeno. Always acting as a shadow to Aranak.
"Nope! I don't! I can't have a useless bunch of higher-level demons lying around. You'll all train the new recruits! YES! Galand, that may give you some people to punch. Just don't kill them. Ah! And Aranak, no more torture dungeons for you! Gowther, don't use them as lab rats! Monspiet, make sure Derieri behaves. Grayroad, no soul stealing. And everyone: no activating your commandments on them, got it? I don't need the paperwork."
"No instruction for me, captain?" Melascula said while batting her eyelashes.
"Nope! You're good to go! Meeting adjourned! Gowther, a word?"
They headed towards Gowther's place, since Meliodas wanted to talk to the real Gowther through the viewing portal.
"Yo! Gowther! Long time no see."
"Ah… captain, I had begun to think you'd forgotten me. You only come by for Merlin lately. Speaking of which…"
A pitter-patter could be heard, growing in volume.
"Meliodas! You're here!" Little Merlin cried excitedly.
"Hi Merlin!" Meliodas said while patting her head, which seemed to annoy the girl.
"~Stop! Don't treat me like a child."
"Why, Merlin, you are a child." Said Gowther from the portal display.
"Sorry Merlin. I'm not here to play with you today. It's Gowther who I need to talk to, but I have a surprise for you! I'll pick you up in three days. There's someone I gotta introduce you to."
"Someone…?"
"It's a surprise! Dress to impress, 'kay? Off you go, this is an important discussion. Not one for 'a child'." He emphasized.
"Fine... ppft!"
And with that she was gone.
"So, what's the matter captain? You rarely come to me directly."
"It's Elizabeth. She was attacked by a vampire. It wasn't a random act, there was a hit placed on her. I have to figure out who did it."
"A vampire… but that means…"
"It means someone knows. Someone in the demon realm."
"I see… and since I'm the only one who's supposed to know, you suspect me."
"Should I?"
"Captain…you know as well as I do, that I would never hire a mercenary and even less to kill a goddess. A goddess who could pave the way for peace."
"So that's what you meant… when your doll told the Commandments I had a plan. You want me to be a bridge for peace."
"Hmm… that's up to you to decide. But if you wish to continue your relationship with the goddess, you must know that is the only way to protect her."
"My father would never have it."
"You'll be demon king at some point."
A long silence passed while Meliodas thought of that.
"That's a matter for another day. Right now I need to figure out who is after Elizabeth. I need to protect her."
"Captain… I can see how shaken you are about this. No matter the enormity of a threat we've faced before you've never held a worried look, but now… Captain, do you love her?"
Meliodas smiled, "I do…with all my being. She- I have to protect her."
Gowther held a misty look of far off wonderment, probably recalling his old lover who he'd lost.
"Very well, I'll help you then. And with no price since the student you brought me is beyond my wildest expectations. She is a natural and a prodigy."
"That's nice to hear for little Merlin."
"Sure. Now, do you have anything from that vampire that attacked your girl? A name? A piece of cloth?"
"No… I went all out and disintegrated him… couldn't get any answers from the bastard."
"Hmm… then all I can do for you is give you my intuition and, Meliodas… you won't like this." Meliodas braced himself. It wasn't common for Gowther to use his name instead of calling him 'captain'. He listen closely to his next words, "The person who ordered the kill, must be someone close to you to notice your absences. Also, if a vampire was hired for the kill, I believe that means the one who placed the hit is someone in close contact with them. I can only think of one person who matches this description…"
"Zeldris…" Gowther didn't get a chance to add anything more as Meliodas's demon marked appeared on his forehead. He sprouted his dark wings and took off, leaving behind him a trail of murderous intent.