A/N: And finally, we have the next chapter of the Sin of Vengeance Story. And this time, there would be a couple of special surprises; 1 in the middle of the 1st act and another near the end of the chapter in general. You'll just have to read it if you want to find out what they are. Enjoy. :)
The Seven Deadly Sins: Sin of Vengeance
Chapter 9: Light and Dark Pulse
Act I
Play DB Super Music: "An Antagonistic Battle"
First, it showed King raising his right arm before Elaine then got pierced by a spear from behind, much to Zarathos' horror as he gasped in shock with widened eyes as a dark flash erupted somewhat briefly in his point of view before Elaine turned to stone right before Zarathos grunted angrily before finally roaring, his dark energy exploding with rage, distorting the necropolis' very sky into a dark purple one, even making the crystals turn purple, his voice becoming more demonic by the second as King watched in horror as Zarathos glared angrily while roaring demonically, his hand over one of his eyes, which turned ghastly red in the sclera with his irises and pupils starting to crack apart as blood seeped down near it from where his fingers are on his forehead before Ban's spirit then kissed Elaine's petrified body, causing her to break free from stone, which stopped Zarathos in his tracks as he gasped before stopping his fists just short of its impact point, sending out a strong gust of wind instead which travelled upward from the crater, astonishing King as he was blown back some by it, the danger passing for now before Meliodas and Elizabeth caught up with the latter introducing herself.
Narrator: "In his furious rage, King attacked Elaine as revenge for the forest's death, which only fed the fires of Zarathos' own dark, demonic rage as it threatened to overtake him and everyone else around him. But before it could, Ban's spirit freed Elaine from King's fossilization spell, preventing what could've been a terrifying awakening."
Then, it showed Elaine introducing Ban to King, who was then shown the memories of the time she tried to give the water to Ban only to accidentally swallow it when the Red Demon stomped on the ground, inciting the now immortal fairy queen to untold rage as she slashed at the red demon and blew off the pieces that were slashed.
Narrator: "Then, the true circumstances of Elaine's failure were revealed and how Elaine fought to avenge the forest."
After that, Ban barely woke up to notice Elaine slashing at the red demon with vengeful abandon as she roared out, which was very rare.
"Who knew you were that cool…?", Past Ban groaned before closing his eyes again with it then showing Guila blocking Meliodas' broken sword with her rapier as Elizabeth's ark swords clashed with Gale's own weapon, her trusty blade, with Diane then grabbing Guila only for an explosion to start erupting, knocking Diane, Meliodas, Zarathos, and Elizabeth back with Gale barely able to get away before it could knock her back, too before then showing Elaine, Zarathos, Meliodas, and Elizabeth all dove in toward Guila, who only forced Elaine back with a flame wave and knocked the two brothers back by blinding them with smoke and kicking them back while clashing blades with Elizabeth only for the latter to get forced back before piercing he rapier right through Elaine's neck, making Gale gasp in slight horror as it was dishonorable in her book.
Narrator: "The Holy Knights Guila and Gale appeared and began their attack. Their battle raged on in the Necropolis where it was believed only the dead could enter."
"In the end, I suppose legends are mere fantasy, anyway.", Guila commented before Elaine was suddenly pierced through her back, which knocked Guila away.
"Guila!", Gale shouted before she went over to her just as Elaine turned to notice King on the other side.
"Hello, Elaine. Sorry for stabbing you in the back like this. Literally.", King apologized.
"Brother…! Why did you come? What was the reason?", Elaine spoke in surprise.
"Well, isn't it obvious? I'm here to save you.", King responded, making Elaine surprised again as she widened her eyes and smiled.
"Thank you…", Elaine thanked.
"Oh, think nothing of it. Anything for the Captain and Diane. And for you, too.", King responded making Elaine shed happy tears as she then gave a nod before Ban's spirit watched with a grin.
"I think I see why you like your brother so much in spite of everything that happened up to now.", Ban's spirit spoke before King glared at Guila and Gale, the former of which broke the crystals around them apart with her rapier, clearing a path for them.
"Get the heck away from my sister…!", King warned in a calm, yet, hushed and angered tone.
End DB Super Music: "An Antagonistic Battle"
Play To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Music: "Captain's Creed"
"It's true that your betrayal was not completely unexpected, yet, King the Grizzly Sin, we are rather disappointed.", Guila responded.
"Not as disappointed as the Grandmasters are going to be for you siding with your traitorous comrades.", Gale added a bit lividly.
"Well, that's an unexpected thing to say to me. I didn't swear I'd be your life-long partner in whatever your plans were. The realm wanted to defeat the Seven Deadly Sins and I had to teach Elaine a lesson. We had mutual interests for a while, but that's no longer the case.", King responded.
"Oh, thank goodness.", Elaine sighed in relief before Guila then prepared her attack.
"Poor King. An entirely predictable excuse.", Guila responded before she then created numerous fireballs and launched them.
"Shot bomb!", Guila shouted before King then maneuvered his sacred treasure past Elaine, making her gasp with a slight choke before the weapon then dispensed with the fireblasts, making them explode prematurely.
"Oink me! Crazy stuff going on down that way!", Hawk exclaimed while running before the fire cleared out with Chastifol slowing down.
"How magnificent. The Spirit Spear, Chastifol, forged form the holy tree located in the fairy realm. More durable than steel, possessing the awesome powers of the Holy Tree itself. Your magical ability can summon all those properties. Disaster.", Guila responded as Elaine wiped the blood off from her mouth with Chastifol then swinging over toward King and stopping next to him.
"This should make things a bit more interesting. Please feel free to attack me four on one.", Guila insisted, readying her rapier.
"No. Two on two will do. Me against you and Elaine against Gale.", King responded, puzzling the Holy Knights.
"What?", Gale puzzled.
"Seriously?", Guila puzzled before both Meliodas, Elizabeth, and Zarathos sat down.
"All right, King, go for it!", Meliodas shouted.
"You can do this, King!", Elizabeth shouted next.
"If you lose to them, I'm kicking your butts, you hear me?!", Zarathos warned.
"Understood!", Elaine shouted in slight surprise in response.
"As you wish. So, whenever you're…", Guila began just before Chastifol suddenly streaked past her, scratching her by the seek with blood seeping out of said cut, making Gale gasp in worry.
"No, that's no good. Try to dodge a little.", King suggested.
"Did I misread him?", Guila puzzled in thought just before looking up in time to see Chastifol descending down upon her and narrowly dodging the impact point, though not without getting blown back.
"His speed, his power, it's nothing like the other sins…!", Guila thought before Elaine spoke to Gale.
"Don't think I'm a pushover, either.", Elaine warned, bringing Gale's attention back to her.
"I never degrade my opponents that much.", Gale responded before she and Elaine dashed toward each other, clashing blades with each other as they both glared at each other before they clashed and swung swords again while Elizabeth came up with an idea after looking back at Ban's spirit.
"I think I have an idea.", Elizabeth spoke.
"Huh? For what?", Zarathos puzzled.
"I'm going to try and bring Ban back to life.", Elizabeth spoke, puzzling Ban in surprise.
"What? But how?", Diane puzzled.
"There's a ritual for something like this. Unfortunately, it requires someone's life energy to bring someone back from the dead and I need a volunteer for it. Even then, in order for it to work, there either has to be someone precious to Ban or someone equally precious to Elaine.", Elizabeth responded.
After a moment, Diane then realized something.
"Oh. But you could probably use mine, right? I might have more than enough to bring Ban back and keep fighting later.", Diane offered.
"Really? Are you sure?", Elizabeth asked.
"Yeah, you sure you can keep fighting after the ritual's said and done, assuming it's anything to go by, of course.", Ban added.
"Of course. Anything for Elaine.", Diane responded with a grin.
"Well…, if you're that sure… In that case, stretch out your hand toward him.", Elizabeth urged before Diane nodded and stretched out her hand toward him.
"Resurrection!", Elizabeth shouted before a mystical circle appeared below Diane and Ban's spirit, causing sparkles of light to emit from Diane and go toward Ban's spirit, whose body was glowing, much to the two's surprise.
Meanwhile, while Elaine was repeatedly clashing swords directly for one method and from afar with Elaine maneuvering it toward Gale as another method, King maneuvered Chastifol closer to Guila as well with the holy Knight barely able to dodge and repel the attacks before the spear spun like a saw headed towards her only for her hair to get cut by it before the spear hit the rock with Guila then resorting to blocking again, forcing Guila up to the top of the highest crystal just as Gale was brought up to the same spot by proxy right before both weapons headed right for them, only for Guila to counter them with her explosion, sending it crashing to the ground, although only by the tips just as meanwhile, the ritual was just finishing up with a glow on Ban's body ceasing with Ban no longer transparent, much to his surprise. However, Diane grew exhausted as she then nearly collapsed.
"Whoa, there. Are you okay?", Ban asked.
"Yeah. Just a little bit tired.", Diane grinned, tired as she is.
"Just try to rest up, Diane. You did more than enough for now.", Elizabeth grinned to the giant.
Back with King and Elaine, the two siblings only looked up just in time to see Gale and Guila preparing a bright fireball, certainly much stronger than the other ones while the former prepared a bright blue light form the tip of her own blade.
"Brilliant Detonation!", Guila shouted.
"Starburst Rainfall!", Gale shouted before Elizabeth, Ban, and the other Sins looked up in worry.
"Don't like that.", Ban spoke chalantly, yet worriedly before Guila and Gale then set off the Brilliant Detonation and Starburst Rainfall with many fireballs and star-like blasts raining down upon King and Elaine, who were more than ready for that.
"Chastifol, 5th configuration.", King spoke as the spear then spun around.
"Titania, 5th configuration!", Elaine shouted before her blade spun around as well before both weapons multiplied into about a hundred-fold (two-hundred-fold including Elaine's Titania).
"Dual Increase!", the two siblings spoke in unison before they snapped their fingers, sending out a barrage that destroyed the fireballs and star-like blasts in an explosion, much to Gale and Guila's shock and the other sins' amazement before Gale noticed the swords above her and Guila.
"Guila, look out behind you!", Gale shouted just before Guila then noticed said swords behind her like Gale said only for it to be too late as King and Elaine then sent the swords raining down upon the two, even destroying the crystal upon which they stood just as Hawk caught up with a trot.
"HEY! You were raising a ruckus!", Hawk shouted.
"Hey, Hawk. Glad to have you with us.", Zarathos grinned.
"We're all good. There's no need to worry.", Meliodas assured to Hawk with King and Elaine turning to the others with a grin before Elaine noticed something surprising.
"Ban…?! You're alive now?", Elaine asked in surprise.
"Of course, I am. Didn't you notice?", Ban responded jokingly, making Elaine give a warm giggle.
But when the smoke cleared, both Gale and Guila then stood up as best they could, surprised as they were.
"At a range as close as this, even the power of the spirit spear can't save you from me!", Guila shouted.
"That's enough!", Gale shouted before she then hit Guila in the back of her neck with the side of her blade, preferably the dull end, knocking her unconscious, surprising the sins.
"Okay, I'm confused. Why did you just do that?", Meliodas puzzled chalantly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I only did that because somebody had to know when to quit. As for you, Zarathos…", Gale began as she turned toward Zarathos, who calmy braced himself, serious as he is.
"I haven't begun to fight yet!", Gale shouted while charging at him in full power for a strike only for Zarathos to get out his chains and counter it with them, surprising her.
"Meliodas isn't the only one who can use Full Counter, you know.", Zarathos smirked before Gale gasped in shock before the Full Counter took effect and exploded on her, the explosion taking Guila with her.
End To the Abandoned Sacred Beasts Music: "Captain's Creed"
"I don't sense Guila or Gale anymore.", Diane puzzled.
"Well, that kind of impact must've blasted them all the way off Necropolis.", Ban guessed before everyone started glowing and/or fading away.
"Wah! Wah! My ears are disappearing!", Hawk exclaimed in worry.
"Oh, no, Hawk!", Elizabeth exclaimed in worry before noticing the same thing happening to her as well.
"Huh? Wait, now the same thing's happening to me.", Elizabeth puzzled.
"Me, too.", Zarathos spoke as he noticed his hand glowing as well just as Meliodas then went over to Elizabeth and groped her chest.
"Tell me, is it better after I do this?", Meliodas asked before a vein appeared on Zarathos' head as he growled angrily before he and Diane shouted in unison.
"HEY! You get your hands off her!", Zarathos and Diane shouted before the two then turned to each other and grew puzzled at the same time.
But that wasn't the only puzzling thing. Diane seemingly started to fade away as well.
"Now, I've got it!", Diane spoke.
"The Necropolis senses that you don't belong here, so now, it's beginning to push everyone out.", Luigi spoke before she and Helen stepped forward, puzzling the group in astonishment.
"That was great. You saw who you'd hoped to.", Luigi grinned.
"All that and more…", Elaine responded, turning to Ban.
"But what are the two of you doing here?", Ban asked.
"Hold it. Do you mean you two were from here the whole time?", King puzzled.
"The cooking you did for us was really yummy, Elaine. Thank you so much.", Helen grinned.
"Mm-hmm.", Elaine nodded before turning to Ban.
"Glad I get to have you back, Ban.", Elaine grinned before suddenly, a white flash then lit up, sending everyone back to the living world, the rainstorm still present, but now lightening up as the downpour was now half as strong as some time ago.
"It looks like we're back in our own world again.", Melioodas grinned.
"That place totally weirded me out.", Diane spoke.
"More so than the dark power Zarathos was releasing earlier?", Meliodas casually responded, making Diane blanch in fear.
"Why'd you have to go and bring that up?!", Diane exclaimed.
Then, Elizabeth turned to notice the unconscious Guila and Gale with the latter on top of each other.
"Look, its…", Elizabeth spoke.
"Looks like they were knocked out by my Full Counter.", Zarathos guessed.
"But doesn't that mean they're gonna be waking up soon?!", Hawk exclaimed in worry.
"Then, we'd better get away from here.", Elizabeth suggested.
"But we gotta do something about those two first.", Elaine spoke.
"I say we kill 'em while the killing's good.", Ban suggested.
"Not a good idea. One of those knights didn't seem all that bad and not just in fighting skill, either.", Zarathos argued.
"Take it easy. Just let me handle it, you guys.", Meliodas assured.
Later, a metallic voice spoke up seemingly from the darkness.
"Awaken. Awaken now, my apprentice.", a metallic voice spoke before the vision cleared and lit up, showing a sort of golden armored knight with an equally golden helmet, accompanied only by a knight in red-colored armor with a spike on each shoulder.
"What…? Where…? Sir Helbram.", Guila spoke.
"And Sir Dreyfus.", Gale added.
"I see that you both failed, Guila. You were not ready to engage the Seven Deadly Sins.", Helbram spoke.
"All the same, though, Gale, I am proud of you for trying your best against the sins. You could make a fine Grandmaster someday.", Dreyfus assured, making Gale grin in surprise.
"Really?", Gale asked.
"Really. Although, you might want to look into fixing that first, same as your sister.", Dreyfus commented, gesturing to her face, puzzling Gale befpre Gale then turned and saw Guila's face drawn on comically before tensing, getting an idea of how she looked as Helbram spoke, but not before chuckling a bit.
"It's…not half bad, actually.", Helbram spoke.
"What…?", Guila puzzled as Gale then shouted to the heavens.
"MELIODAAAAAAAAS!", Gale shouted, her shout echoing amongst the trees, sending some birds flying away from the sound.
Later, the storm clouds have cleared and the group were now near a sort of lake.
"Here, King. A whole crate of vegetables from the pantry. Good thing I remembered that you like some veggies especially with my memories coming back.", Diane spoke with a grin.
"And what do you mean by that?", King asked before Diane then surprised him with a kiss on his face.
"The memories of our time together, silly. What else would I mean Harlequin?", Diane asked, making King blush.
"Uh…, speaking of which, I haven't asked yet. So, you and this girl, just what is your relationship?", King asked before Meliodas shamelessly responded, groping her chest before then placing her hand on his chest a few times.
"The lover's kind. The grope-and-get-groped kind.", Meliodas responded as it happened only for Zarathos to have a vein bulging in his head before shouting.
"WILL YOU JUST CUT IT OUT ALREADY?!", Zarathos shouted.
"All right, buzzkill. Anyway, she's a Goddess.", Meliodas responded.
"No, really?', Elizabeth responded, pretending to disagree.
"And she's also the princess of the realm. You're the 3rd one, right?", Meliodas guessed.
"Yes.", Elizabeth responded.
"What?! You're a princess… and a Goddess?! You should've told me! If I'd known, I would've made myself more presentable.", King spoke before straining somewhat, puzzling Elizabeth.
"You don't have to…", Elizabeth assured just before King morphed into human form, looking quite large, fat, and more ragged, prompting both Ban and Elaine to spit their ale out in surprise.
"Wow. You changed your clothes.", Meliodas spoke in slightly feigned surprise.
"Look closer!", Ban shouted in response.
"It's his whole body that's changed!", Elaine added.
"You know, it takes a great deal of mental effort to change into this form.", King stated.
"What a pig.", Hawk commented before both Elaine and Ban grew puzzled over this.
"Hello, I am King, the Grizzly Sin of the Seven Deadly Sins. Glad to make your acquaintiance.", King bowed in introduction.
"The pleasure's all mine, I'm sure.", Elizabeth responded before King then continued.
"I didn't know you were royal. Please forgive my poor manners here in the Necropolis!", King pleaded.
"Think nothing of it. Also, please don't let yourself become stressed out. Feel free to relax and just be comfortable.", Elizabeth assured.
"If you insist, your majesty.", King responded before then reverting back to Fairy Form and landing on his pillow, which caught him just in time.
"That took a lot out of me.", King spoke.
"Whoa. His clothes changed back.", Meliodas spoke.
"Look closer, dang it!", Bane xclaimed.
"It's his whole body that's normal now!", Elaine added.
"I really must say, you and Elaine are a couple of powerful individuals, truly. On your own, you two took down opponents that Meliodas and the others had trouble with together.", Elizabeth grinned.
"Yeah, I guess we're pretty powerful. But any of you could've taken care of that Holy Knight if you just unleashed your true strength. Now, fess up. Where are your sacred treasures?", King asked before Diane and Meliodas blushed in embarrassment.
"I lost mine.", Diane responded, sticking out her tongue bashfully.
"Sold mine.", Meliodas responded.
"I… misplaced mine as well.", Zarathos responded hesitantly.
"Now that's not true. You got hammered a few years ago and then used it as a bet in a card ga…", Meliodas only responded bluntly before Zarathos bashed him in the head,
"Shut up, you jerk!", Zarathos exclaimed before King went back into his human form and snorted disapprovingly.
"Shame on you!", King spoke.
Act II
Meanwhile, a sort of enemy tribe was advancing as the chief held up a helmet, dripping with blood.
"Hear me, men! We'll continue south, eat our fill, and crush Britania!", the chieftain shouted before his army cheered only for a flash of lightning to strike down near them, revealing both Gilthunder and another knight named Howzer, the former of which drew his sword.
"What? Who the heck are they?", the chieftain puzzled.
"Wait. Chieftain. Those guys are Holy Knights!", one of the members spoke.
"They only sent two? They're dumber than I thought! Blood fest! Let the red carnage begin!", the chieftain ordered.
"Well, the truth is, we don't care for fests, do we, Gil?", Howzer asked.
"No. I really hate them.", Gilthunder responded.
"Mainly because I don't have time for them…", Gilthunder thought before drawing his sword, which then shot out lightning at the enemies, zapping them.
"You need to lighten up a little, but right now, it's time to finish this!", Howzer shouted as the bottom of his blade then started spinning at the tip like a saw before he dashed forward and blew a tornado, destroying their enemies almost instantly.
Later, Dreyfus was now speaking to all the Holy Knights present as Gale, Vivian, Lilia, and Hendricksen were on-stage with him.
"Though, the king can foresee the coming of the Holy War, he has ordered us to lay down our arms in hope of avoiding the conflict! But he was gravely mistaken! We are the blade defending the Kingdom of Liones! Holy Knights, duty demands you hone your skills! And this, I swear! We, your grandmasters shall lead the Holy Knights to victory and together, we shall save Liones!", Dreyfus shouted before the other Holy Knights, cheered, although only Gale gave an inspired grin.
"A little over the top, wasn't it, Dreyfus?", a man named Hendricksen asked.
"Always so critical, Hendricksen.", Dreyfus spoke before a soldier stepped forward toward him.
"Grandmaster. Sir Gilthunder and Sir Howzer have just returned from putting down the savages in the North.", the soldier reported.
"Good. Send them to my chambers.", Dreyfus grinned.
Then, later, Gilthunder and Howzer were now in Dreyfus' chambers.
"Well done, Howzer, Gilthunder.", Dreyfus grinned.
"Sir Grandmaster Dreyfus, when is this Holy War gonna happen, sir? 'Cause runnin' all these errands for you is kinda makin' me soft.", Howzer puzzled.
"Yes, when, indeed.", Dreyfus responded.
"You don't know. Not even who we'll be fighting against?", Howzer puzzled.
"You need to mind your tone, Howzer.", Gilthunder warned.
"It's all right. Now, what of the Seven Deadly Sins?", Dreyfus asked.
"Sir, King has turned his back on the realm and the sins are gathered 4 strong.", Gilthunder reported.
"Hold on just a minute. Are you saying the next Holy War is gonna be waged against the Seven Deadly Sins?", Howzer asked.
"That future remains clouded for now. However, there's one thing I'm quite certain about. The sins who have gathered, in particular, Meliodas the Dragon Sin and Zarathos the Demon Sin are threats to the realm and must be eliminated!", Dreyfus ordered.
"Yes, Grandmaster Dreyfus.", Howzer responded.
"I assume you're aware of Danafol, a kingdom that rivaled Liones itself in military power and might.", Dreyfus spoke.
"Well, wasn't it destroyed by some disaster?", Howzer asked before it then showed the back of Zarathos' head with his hair now flames before then zooming away to show a dark hole where the kingdom was.
"It was completely erased. At the hands of Zarathos who fell victim to his own wrath. And worst of all, his elder brother just stood back and did nothing to calm his brother's rage.", Dreyfus responded.
"You can't be serious. Even assuming that story is true, the realm's holy knights outnumber the sins dozens of times over. Plus, we've got the new generation now. So, they don't stand a chance.", Howzer grinned.
"Howzer, I think you're being… optimistic.", Gilthunder responded.
"And you're being too pessimistic. I got a prior engagement. If you'll excuse me.", Howzer spoke before taking his leave.
"The new generation, huh?", Dreyfus puzzled before Gilthunder stepped forward.
"There are reports that Hendricksen's faction has snared several apprentice Holy Knights and is working with them.", Gilthunder reported.
"I see.", Dreyfus responded.
Meanwhile, Meliodas and Zarathos grew puzzled about something.
"The New Generation?", Meliodas puzzled.
"What's that?", Zarathos asked.
"Apparently, there had been a few failed apprentices who had found a way to gain the full powers of a Holy Knight in the space of only one day. Guila for instance. She's the latest apprentice who's grown stronger overnight. Doesn't really seem right, does it?", King asked.
"She was?", Meliodas puzzled.
"Let's back up a minute. You took the sacred treasure that was bestowed upon you by King Liones himself and SOLD IT?!", King exclaimed.
"I needed seed money for the tavern.", Meliodas calmly responded.
"YOU TRADED IT?!", King exclaimed to Zarathos.
"The one time I get drunk and this happened!", Zarathos exclaimed before it then showed Diane, whose mouth was hidden away by her pigtails.
"Am I a bad girl?", Diane asked.
"If it got misplaced, then it's not your fault.", King assured.
"Hey, I don't understand why you're getting so upset, King. These guys do pretty well with what they got.", Hawk spoke up.
"Sir Pig.", King spoke.
"Uh, 'Sir Pig'?", Hawk puzzled.
"Now, let's say that this lake represents all the magic power used by one of the Seven Deadly Sins. How much water could you scoop out by using just your hands?", King asked.
"Hands?", Hawk puzzled, looking at his hooves.
"That's right. No matter how much magic there is, you're pretty limited by them. But if you have a weapon, especially a sacred treasure, you could draw out incredible amounts of magic.", King spoke while lifting up vast amounts of water from the lake, forming a big bowl of it.
"Sacred treasures are pretty awesome.", Meliodas grinned.
"That makes a lot of sense.", Hawk spoke before then throttling Meliodas.
"WHY THE HECK'D YOU GIVE YOURS UP, HAMHEAD?!", Hawk shouted.
"In any case, we're gonna have to get your sacred treasures back, assuming you're serious about saving the realm.", King decided before Elizabeth sat up.
"Excuse me.", Elizabeth spoke, puzzling King.
"But, King, before you joined us, were you working with somebody inside the castle?", Elizabeth asked.
"Hm, more or less.", King responded.
"Do you know what happened to them? My father and three sisters, the King and the other princesses.", Elizabeth asked.
"I'm afraid not. Sorry about that.", King apologized.
"Oh. I see.", Elizabeth responded.
Later, at night, King was sleeping outside next to Diane as Elaine spoke to Ban.
"It's been 20 years since we've been together last, Ban.", Elaine spoke.
"Well, from the looks of things, I'd say those 20 long years have been worth it, if you ask me.", Ban grinned as he and Elaine were seen together on a bed with the former cuddling the latter the way he first did on the Holy Tree, earning a giggle from her as Hawk looked on.
"Aw. I honestly don't know how, but they go great together.", Hawk grinned.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth, and Zarathos were in a different room when Meliodas knocked on the door and walked in.
"That's really pretty. Nice.", Meliodas grinned.
"Yes. I got it on my 15th birthday. It was a present from my big sister, Margaret. She's really thoughtful and kind like Emilia. She can be quite reserved and quiet, though.", Elizabeth responded.
"That's nice.", Zarathos grinned.
"Veronica, the 2nd princess, is a handful. I remember Father always having to scold her for being willful in playing with swords. Back then, Gilthunder would play with us, too. It was wonderful.", Elizabeth grinned.
"Well, don't you worry. We'll rescue your father, your sisters, and everyone else, too. That's one of the reasons we're on this quest.", Meliodas responded in assurance.
"And we'll make whoever framed us as criminals sorry!", Zarathos added.
"Yep. So, now…, let's get some sack time. You and me.", Meliodas spoke before Meliodas was suddenly tied up.
"You just never learn, do you, bacon brain?", Hawk commented.
Meanwhile, in the castle, as it showed side-by-side, while Jericho and Twigo were brought to a sort of underground chamber before the bags on their heads were lifted, Gilthunder and Margret were brought to a different chamber before the two saw Vivian and near the Horn of Cernunnos, much to Gilthunder's bafflement.
"Bloody guts! Why are you all here?", Twigo asked upon seeing Helbram and Guila.
"I'm under no obligation to answer you.", Guila responded.
"Conclusion: I will strangle you later.", Twigo responded.
"What is this? Where is Grandmaster Dreyfus?", Gilthunder asked.
"Right here. I'm just overseeing a little initiation. It's called the Ascension Ceremony of the Heavens.", Dreyfus responded.
"The what?", Gilthunder puzzled.
"It's something that would really give a new meaning to the rank, Holy Knight.", Dreyfus responded, making Gilthunder gasp a bit.
Meanwhile, Jericho was puzzled about something.
"I thought the sole purpose of our being brought out here was to speak with Grandmaster Hendricksen.", Jericho puzzled.
"It was, indeed.", Hendricksen responded before the two turned to notice him and someone else with him, a short woman with light skin, long black hair tied in two twin tails, dark pink eyes and a pair of glasses named Valenti as well as a young woman with light skin, dark purple eyes and short black hair reaching her shoulder named Lilia.
"I believe you would be Twigo and Jericho. Is that correct?", Hendricksen asked.
"What the..?!|, Jericho spoke first.
"Heck is that?!", Twigo finished upon he and Jericho seeing, much to their shock, a red demon's corpse.
"Welcome. Those who crave the power of the Holy Knights.", Valenti spoke before Hendricksen then sliced the corpse a bit by the arm, pouring a dark purple liquid with said liquid then getting collected in the 2 chalices.
"Here today, the two of you will be reborn. Drink it. This is the blood of the demon.", Lilia spoke.
The next morning, the sins arrived at a sort of village on the side of the mountain.
"That town there on the side of the mountain is called Vizel. It's a merchant town.", Meliodas stated.
"You think it's really there?", Hawk asked.
"It better be.", Zarathos responded.
"Point is, not too long ago, one of our customers said a hammer was brought in that was so big, nobody could wield it. Don't you remember?", Meliodas asked.
"So, nobody could handle it?", Elizabeth asked.
"It could be Diane's.", King guessed.
"Good thing I was able to make a new outfit.", Elaine grinned, now wearing a similar dress as the last one, but dark blue, not to mention that it is also a mix of that and a leather jacket and pants with metal studs sewn into both alongside shoes of a similar, yet darker color.
"I think it kinda suits you, Elaine.", Meliodas grinned before Diane groaned.
"What's wrong?", Elaine asked.
"Why do I have to stay and mind the bar?", Diane responded.
"Look, Diane. Ever since a giant went wild at their festival a few years ago, they've all been banned from town. But we'll come right back as soon as we see what's up.", Meliodas assured.
"It's gonna be boring!", Diane whined.
"You know, I think I'll stay behind, too.", Elizabeth offered.
"What? Really?", Diane puzzled.
"Me, too. It would be nice to have some girl time once in a while.", Elaine grinned.
"Yeah, just us girls.", Diane grinned before giggling.
"Okay. Let's hit it.", Meliodas grinned.
Then, later, Meliodas, Zarathos, King, Hawk, and Ban walked into the merchant town.
"Look. Quality blades from a skilled swordsman.", one of the merchants spoke.
"This fine specimen was found buried with an ancient king.", another stated about the music box.
"Captain, do we really have to look through all of this stuff?", Ban asked before he and the others then passed by someone with green hair.
"Let's go find an arms vendor.", Meliodas suggested just as that someone turned and noticed them.
"Great idea.", Zarathos responded.
At some point, though, a slightly drunk old man spoke up to Meliodas.
"Looking for something, son?", the old man asked before Meliodas looked up and saw him.
"Or are you planning on being a part of the festival?", the old man asked.
"Not really. We're just looking for something important. A really big hammer. We heard that it's somewhere in the market. We'll be out of your way when we get it.", Zarathos assured.
"Ah. Well, that's easy enough. Right there. Behind that rock.", the old man spoke, pointing toward the rock with a really big hammer ledged onto it.
"Look! It's Diane's Gideon!", King spoke.
"It was here all the time.", Meliodas grinned.
"Well, that didn't take long.", Zarathos added before a sort of small man in a hat spoke up.
"All right! It's time to begin the annual Vizel Fighting Festival now!", the small man shouted before the crowd cheered.
"Use of weapons strictly forbidden! Men who let their fists do the talking should hurry and sign up right away! The winner's gonna get 100 gold coins! But that's not all! You'll also take home this giant Warhammer!", the small man announced.
"What a barbaric gathering.", King spoke.
"Maybe, but other than cooking, I have a thing for those. Besides, it's the only way we know of that we can get that Warhammer back. And I', sure they'd agree.", Zarathos responded.
"We're gonna put our names in, aren't we?", Ban asked.
"Let's see who's got what it takes.", Meliodas grinned as King snorted in disbelief while in human form before Meliodas then grabbed King by the back of his shirt.
"Hey! Count us in!", Meliodas shouted.
"You can count me out!", King responded before Meliodas was suddenly lifted up by the front of his shirt by a big muscle man named Taizu.
"This ain't a festival for little kids. Get outta here.", Taizu spoke before Zarathos growled a bit angrily at what Taizu was doing as a vein appeared on his forehead while Meliodas only blinked his eyes once nonchalantly.
"Sorry, I don't see what the problem is.", Meliodas responded.
That was when Zarathos grabbed Taizu's free arm and twisted it to his back, shocking him.
"Hey! What are you..? Let me go!", Taizu shouted.
"Not until you let go of my brother and apologize!", Zarathos refused before Howzer reached his arm out and then placed his hand on Taizu's arm, prompting Zarathos to stop and relax, still holding his arm.
"Hey, there, friends. This is a festival, okay? Just relax. You two can settle whatever tension you have in the ring.", Howzer assured, puzzling Zarathos before he then let go as he responded.
"All right, fine.", Zarathos responded.
"Who do you…? You know that my name is Taizu, right? I've been the winner of this festival for 3 years in a row.", Taizu responded before walking away.
"Okay, then. Man, my job has gotten in the way every year until now. Yeah! My dream of fighting here is coming true at last! So, let's do this, you guys.", Howzer spoke before then walking away.
"I've seen him somewhere before.", King spoke.
"Yeah, me, too. I can't tell if I should see it as a good thing or not.", Zarathos responded.
Then, it showed everyone on top of the big rock with a ring on it.
"The fighting festival elimination round will now begin! Fighters into the ring!", the announcer shouted.
"That rotten little punk.", Taizu spoke before King got up to join Meliodas, Zarathos, and Ban.
"Man, I'd wish I'd stayed behind with Elaine and Diane.", King spoke.
Meanwhile, a few people named Veronica, Griamore, and Emilia were nearby.
"The Seven Deadly Sins. I thought they'd show up. Griamore.", Veronica spoke.
"Right.", Griamore agreed before stepping forward just as Emilia saw Zarathos nearby.
"Who is that, I wonder. And why is he looking at me like that?", Emilia puzzled.
"Now, let's get ready to take Diane's sacred treasure back.", Meliodas spoke.
Play SAO Alicization Music: "Coercive Power"
In Hendricksen's chamber, the demon blood in the cup was bubbling.
"The blood… of a demon?", Jericho puzzled.
"Strangely, the fairy forest is where it came to light when by all accounts, they've been sealed away forever after their defeat by the goddesses and the other races in the holy war. Know that after drinking this, if you prove compatible, you will be able to summon in control more magic than you ever have. Won't you, Guila?", Hendricksen asked, surprising the two knights.
"You do desire power?", Helbram asked.
"Yes, all of it.", Jericho responded, thinking back to when she failed to capture Elaine at Baste Prison.
"I want it!", Twigo added, thinking back on when Zarathos struck him in the cheek, causing a cut to appear on his cheek and his chest while a golden light shone blasting him back.
He was now standing away from where Meliodas and Zarathos stood and Elizabeth sat on the ground before Zarathos then charged in and dealt more blows, causing Twigo to reel on both fear and pain with each strike as he was even continuing in midair before Zarathos kicked Twigo upward before vanishing and reappearing behind him to smash him back down to the ground with a purple fireball with enough force to damage him enough for Twigo to be unable to stand for long as Zarathos caught up and landed while panting before Twigo struggled to get up, using his sword to try to get himself up, but nearly failed as he had to use his sword to keep himself standing only for Meliodas to later create a blast that sent him into the air via Full Counter, blasting all of his armor off him in pieces and sliced cuts all over his body.
Back at Dreyfus' chamber, Gilthunder spoke to Vivan.
"Tell me. How does it work?", Gilthunder asked.
"Simple. You just hold out your hands and I'll transfer that energy to you two. And with that, you'll be members of the goddess clan in no time. You will do that, won't you?", Vivian asked.
"We are happy to serve.", Margret responded.
"Meliodas, please…! Help us…! Stop Hendricksen, Dreyfus, and Vivian…!", Margaret thought on the inside.
"Very well. Let's begin.", Vivian spoke before then showing Jericho and Twigo drinking the demon blood before dropping the glasses and yelling in pain as Hendricksen grinned while Gilthunder and Margret would only be surprised as their body glowed brightly before suffering some discomfort at least as wings grew out form their backs and their eyes turned into Goddess Symbols.
"Congratulations, you two. You are now numbered among the true Holy Knights.", Dreyfus grinned.
As for Jericho and Twigo, they both spat out blood from their mouths and collapsed on the ground.
"Looks like both were compatible.", Hendricksen spoke.
"So, it would seem.", Helbram responded before the two stood up as best they could and opened their now black, sullen eyes with a hint of crimson red at the bottom.
"Welcome. Now, you two are one of us.", Guila grinned.
End SAO Alicization Music: "Coercive Power"
A/N: Okay, I know what you're thinking. "Why didn't you let Twigo explode?" Well, it may not be my idea, but it'd be best if Twigo gets what's coming to him much later than that. And in time, you'll see why. As for the other case with Gilthunder and Margret, pretty surprising that they'd become angels, isn't it? And what's more, Ban's been revived in the story. And thus, the stage is set for the Holy Knights' possible ambush on Vizel. Looks like this should be interesting. :)