Disclaimer: This is a hobby and I make no money from this. (Wish I could)

Authors Note: I'm so sorry for how long it's been since I updated. Even worse news I have no idea when the rest of this story will be finished. Between lack of inspiration for this story, inspiration for other stories work, school, and a new puppy I don't what's making it harder to write.

I also doesn't help that I rereading the previous chapters and finding mistakes everywhere that I want to fix so badly! I will try to get this story finished by the anniversary of when I started it, but no promises.

Anyway enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 8 aka Gowthor Got Your Goat?

~Outside Village~

"All right everyone we're stopping for the day!" Meliodas announces as Mama Hawk buries herself in the dirt. "Let's try to drum up some business. Elizabeth and I will put up some fliers in the nearby village. Diane and Hawk will watch the bar and make sure things are set up for a crowd." He points to Ban and King. "While you two go hunt us up some grub. Most impressive catch wins."

Ban and King smirk.

"I'm totally going to win." Ban says confidently.

King scoffs. "No you're not."

Meliodas gets between them. "This isn't an excuse to fight. Now go."

"Yes Captain." They both go out the doors and into the forest, bickering all the way.

Meliodas, after shaking his head in fond exasperation, turns to Elizabeth. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes!" She grabs a basket full of fliers and intertwines her arm with his as they head toward the village. "We'll be back soon!" She calls out to Diane and Hawk.

Diane yells back. "Everything will be ready when you return!"

~Forest~

"So, you ready to lose, King?"

King waves a hand, dismissing the idea. "Why would I lose when being compared to you?"

"Hey!" A crash resounds a ways away. The boys go from teasing to serious.

Ban frowns. "What was that?"

"I don't know, but I sense a lot of magic. Let's go."

"Right."

They rush through the forest, quickly coming across a clearing covered in the bodies of beaten knights.

Ban whistles in disbelief. "Something really slaughtered these guys."

King hears a groan.

"Ban!" He flies over to a knight leaning against a tree. "This one's still alive!" The fairy turns back to the dying man as Ban approaches. "What happened? Who did this?"

The man coughs up a glob of blood. "It was," Gasp "the armored giant." Wheeze "He came… out of… nowhere." Cough "He wouldn't stop." He weakly grabs King's jacket. "Run… run…" The man exhales one last time and his grip loosens.

Ban and King exchange a look, "Gowther." then run further into the forest.

~Village~

Meliodas and Elizabeth are walking around hanging fliers around town. Elizabeth points out a wall with other posters hanging on it.

"How about over here?"

"Sure."

He hands her a flyer, which she nails to the wall. Elizabeth takes his hand as they continue walking down the street.

"Isn't this nice Meliodas? Just walking around and taking in the sights."

The demon kisses her hand. "You know I enjoy going anywhere and doing anything with you."

She smiles brightly at him. Her smile turns to a look of worry.

"What's wrong?" Meliodas looks at her with concern. She simply points behind him. He turns around and sees a poster. It's a wanted poster of Elizabeth. "That's not good." He rips down the poster and stashes it in his pocket. "We should get back to the bar, before anyone recognizes you." He grabs her hand and gently pulls her back in the direction of the bar.

She sniffs. "What's happening to the kingdom? My father would never do this."

"It'll be alright, my love. We'll deal with this. Everything'll be alright." He gives her a hug. "Now let's go back and warn the others about this." They make sure not to draw attention to themselves as they leave town.

~Forest~

"I can sense a strong magical presence up ahead." King says from atop Chastiefol as Ban runs beside him.

"Let's hope this is worth it."

They come upon a clearing where they see five knights standing in front of what looks to be Gowther.

"Gowther!" The fighting stops as Ban and King stand between the knights and their friend. "Stop this!"

The knights stop to examine the newcomers in silence.

"Who are you?" King demands, pointing Chastiefol at their potential enemies.

The apparent leader takes them in a longer moment before answering. "We are The Roars of Dawn. We have been sent to recover this armored giant's head. Now who are y-?"

"There you are." An unexpected voice sounds from behind them all. It's coming from a boy with green hair and glasses, who seems to be oblivious to the tension. "You weren't in the cave I left you in. Why'd you leave?"

The leader of The Roars of Dawn is bewildered by this random boy's presence. "Who are you and why are you here? No matter, you should get out of here." Slader points his sword at the giant. "We have to kill this monster."

The boy tilts his head. "Why? Does he need to die?" The innocent sounding question is delivered completely deadpan, which further confuses the others.

Ban just looks at the kid. "Why don't you just stand back. We'll deal with this."

Slader immediately dashes forward, immobilizing Ban for a second, whilst the rest deliver a single wave of slashes onto their target. As they begin preparing for the second strike, King quickly enters the battle, petrifying Hugo's arm.

"I'm sorry about-"

Simon cuts off Hugo's arm to stop the petrification to the shock of King, who is suddenly caught by Jillian's surprise attack, which binds both his arms together. Slader heads off to deliver his strike, with Simon staying behind to keep Ban busy, but is swiftly thrown away by the Fox Sin. King easily escapes his confinement and slashes at Hugo and Jillian forcing them to retreat.

Moving swiftly to dodge the Armor Giant's punches, Slader lifts his gigantic saw blade and cuts its armor apart. Meanwhile, Ban discovers Weinheidt preparing to fire an arrow at the giant and instantaneously attacks him, only to realize that it was only an illusion.

Appearing under a pile of dead bodies of knights, Weinheidt launches a powerful charge arrow towards the giant. "One shot is all I need."

Ban watches the arrow fly. "No!"

When something shocking happens...

The kid from before steps in front of the giant and catches the arrow without a scratch. "For breaking the seal. You shall pay the price."

"Seal." Slader says confused, while King narrows his eyes.

"Wait a second! You sound familiar! You're…"

The boy lowers his arm, arrow in hand. "Yes. I am not who I look like. My true form is," His hair lengthens to his shoulders and turns pink. "One of The Seven Deadly Sins. The Goat Sin of Lust. My name is Gowther and you shall not harm this poor creature."

~Boar Hat~

"So you're saying we need to be even more careful." Hawk summarizes.

"Yep. Especially considering Elizabeth's picture is more recent than our owns."

Elizabeth hangs her head. "I'm so sorry I brought you all into this. I-" Meliodas silences her with chaste kiss.

"This isn't your fault. It's the Holy Knights who need to account for their actions." His sympathetic look transforms into a look of mischief. "Besides the kingdom is terrified at the idea of hunting down The Seven Deadly Sins. We'll be fine."

Elizabeth giggles as Hawk rolls his eyes. "Oh brother."

A knock sounds from the door, startling the occupants inside.

"Oh, a customer! I'll go let them in." Elizabeth goes and opens the door. "Welcome to the Boar Hat!" The old man in front of her goes teary eyed. "Sir?"

"Is-? Is that really you?" The old man sniffs. "Liz!"

Elizabeth tilts her head, while Meliodas comes up from behind. "Can we help you?" The old man sees the Sin of Wrath standing beside her and glares at him.

"You!" He points a finger at him. "How dare you be in her presence!" He throws a stream of fire at Meliodas who blocks it before pushing the inevitable fight outside.

"What are you talking about Old Man?"

"I'm talking about Danafor you traitor!" The old man whips off his cloak revealing a Danafor Knights uniform. Meliodas gazes at the crest in shock.

Turning to Elizabeth he shouts. "Elizabeth, stay back!" He examines the old man. "I know who this is."

"I'm talking about when you betrayed our country!" The old man grazes Meliodas with a fire stream. "Our friends! Everything a knight stands for!" He throws a ball of fire.

Meliodas dodges the attack which explodes behind him. 'It's him. It's Barzaard.' Barzaard launches another fireball sending Meliodas back.

"The woman you loved!" Meliodas just bows his head as the words hurt more than the attack as Barzaard unleashes a bigger inferno than before.

"I'm so sorry, Barzaard." The old man flinches at the sound of his name. "I did betray them. I always seem to betray everyone." The demon prince looks up. "But I will never betray Elizabeth!" He points his right index and middle finger at the fireball. "Counter Vanish." The attack disappears like it was never there. He stares at his old friend. "With my very last breath I will protect her."

~Forest~

"It is you!" King flies up to the now revealed Gowther as Ban circles him.

"So it was you underneath all that armor? I always thought it was some stuffy old man." Gowther looks at him.

"Judging by stature, tone of voice and that scar; I conclude you're Ban the Undead."

Ban smiles. "Yep it's Gowther!" He turns to King. "Can you believe we found him? I thought it would be a lot harder!" The doll turns to the fairy, then to Ban.

"Are you sure that is King? He does not look like how I remember him." King huffs then turns to his other form. "Nevermind. That's him."

King turns back to normal. "If you want a surprise, the Captain hasn't changed a bit."

"Really? That seems strange."

Ban chortles. "You've no idea what you've missed."

Slader looks between the men in front of him, getting more excited by the second. "I'm in the presence of three of The Seven Deadly Sins! It's a dream come true!" He turns serious. "I'm sorry. I'd love to fight you. Maybe get an autograph or two, but we have our orders. We cannot leave without the armored giant's head."

The Goat Sin looks between the giant and the Roars of Dawn. " A battle of the magnitude you face is surely to dangerous for you to undertake. Would you please leave him be?" Ban and King give him strange looks as Slader examines the beast once more.

"Why do you want to save it?" King questions. "We were only helping because we thought it was you."

Ban looks at the armored giant. "Yeah. Who's in there?"

Gowther looks at it. "I'm not really sure."

The giant roars sending a shockwave of sound and magic power throughout the forest. The force causes the spectators to briefly turn away. Gowther just continues to watch the giant. "You have now witnessed its magic power first hand. Do you still believe you could win in a fight against him?

Slader hmmms in agreement. "It's true that it's dangerous mission, and I estimate at least one of us will surely die, but at least we will have fulfilled our duty by claiming it's head."

Gowther once again looks between the knights and the giant. "A cool headed assessment. I have no choice then." Everyone tenses as he raises his hand. Wariness changes to shock as he cuts off the giant's head and presents it to Slader without a backwards glance. "Take it with you." Behind him the body falls to the ground with a resounding thud. "You can have your prize. Take it and leave us in peace." Ban and King look at Gowther in bewilderment.

Slader looks contemplative. "What are you doing? This isn't normal behavior in a confrontation such as this."

Gowther continues to hold out the head. "It's the most peaceful way of resolving this. A three way battle between us would result in potential collateral damage and this way we may honor the knights who gave their lives to stop this giant.

"Very well. I accept your offer." Slader takes the head against Simon's protests.

"But what about-?" He silences at a look from Slader, who turns back to the Sins.

"I like you, Gowther the Goat Sin. Out of respect for your reputation we will withdraw. But if our orders come in to take you down well... watch your backs. I hope we meet again." With those parting words The Roars of Dawn leave the Seven Deadly Sins behind them.

King shakes off the sensation of confusion left behind by the interaction. "So what do we do with the body?"

Gowther tears off the unnecessary layers of his disguise. "We back away from it." He throws the rags to the side. "And prepare for a fight."

"What are yo-?" Ban is interrupted by the body slowly getting off the ground.

King yelps. "You cut off his head, but he's still alive! How is that possible?!"

"The head was mostly ornamental anyway." Gowther deadpans. "Now let's work together to try to contain him."

~Boar Hat~

Barzaard growls until Elizabeth steps in between them. "Stop this!" She looks at Meliodas, then to Barzaard. "This is pointless. You two are friends! There is no need to fight." The old knight looks at her in dismay.

"How can you say that after everything!? Do you even understand what's wrong?" His tone goes soft. "What he did to you Liz?"

The Goddess sighs. "Come with me." She grabs Barzaard by the arm, before motioning Meliodas to follow. "Both of you." She drags both of the knights into the bar. She sits them at a table and puts mugs of Vanya ale in front of both of them. She sits beside them. "You see Barzaard, you're right. I am Liz from Danafor. But that's not all. My name is Elizabeth. I am of the Goddess Clan." She grabs Meliodas's hand. "Meliodas and I have been together for over 3,000 years. Suffering, fighting… and loving each other every step of the way."

She further explains the curse and how it all started. The former knight turns to Meliodas.

"Then why did you betray everyone? Why wipe out Danafor?" Meliodas looks away for a moment. Picturing the once beautiful city in ruins, rain pouring down, the body of Liz, leaning dead against a pillar, her murderer looming behind him.

"I didn't mean to betray Danafor. A demon had laid waste to the city. It killed everyone with no warning." He takes a shaky breathe. "It killed Liz." He clenches his eyes shut for a moment. "I couldn't control my grief. My power became unleashed. I destroyed everything and everyone with my rage. There was nothing by the time I regained control. Just a crater where the city once stood. It's a sin I will always be guilty of and will never truly repent for."

Barzaard wipes his teary eyes before bringing Meliodas in for a hug. The demon hesitates before returning the embrace. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you've had to suffer for so long." They pull back enough that Barzaard can put his hands on Meliodas's shoulders in a firm hold. "I wish I knew when we were serving together. I would've done anything I could to help for as long as I was able to." Meliodas smiles at his old comrade in arms.

"It wasn't your burden to carry. Besides," He turns to Elizabeth. "The curse is finally broken. Elizabeth and I can fully and truly be together. In life and in death." She smiles at him, which causes Barzaard to smile.

"That reminds me!" He reaches into his satchel. "I've been carrying this for a long time." He pulls out a cloth covered bundle. "I kept it as a reminder of my quest to avenge Danafor." He huffs a laugh. "Now that I know the truth it seems kinda silly. Anyway! It belongs to you." He puts the object into a skeptical Meliodas's hands reverently.

"What is it?" He pulls on the ties holding the cloth together, unwrapping it to reveal...

"That's the sword I had forged for you!" Elizabeth leans over to see it better. Meliodas shakes his head in denial.

"No way. I looked for this for weeks after everything in Danafor." He looks up at Barzaard. "Why did you have it? I gave this back to Liz." The old man shrugs.

"Liz wanted me to keep a hold of it in case you changed your mind. You and I trained together all the time. She hoped one day you would want it. By habit I had it with me when I left for the mission in the nearby mountains. I still had it after the kingdom fell. I almost got rid of it, but it was all I had left of two of the best people I ever knew. It was only after I found out what happened to the city, that the reasons I kept it changed. I never got rid of it."

Meliodas gazes at the sword nostalgically. "I still don't know if I can take this. I don't want to kill anybody accidentally." Elizabeth stands from her seat abruptly, which shocks the knights.

"That wasn't what the sword was for Meliodas!" She looks him in the eye. "Why would you think that?!" He stands from his seat.

"Why else would you give me a sword?"

"Why?" She hits the table. "I gave you that sword as a reminder to live! It wasn't about fighting! It wasn't about death! It was about life!" She grabs his chin so he's looking her directly in the eyes. "I wanted you to live! I love you with every fiber of my soul. The thought of you not coming back tears me apart. I wanted you to have every means of making it back to me! I gave you that sword to protect you! You and I both know about our greatest flaw." She gentles her hold to cup his jaw. "We both fight to protect everyone. I knew even without my memories that you would do everything you could to protect everyone. I just wanted you to have the means to make it back safely." She chokes on a sob, which brings Meliodas out of his adoring gaze. He brings her face closer to his.

"I will always come back to you." He then brings her into a loving kiss. The kiss expresses every ounce of adoration her has for her and his dedication to coming back to her.

They separate just gazing at each other for minute before Hawk clears his throat. "That's enough you two!" They whip their heads toward their audience. "We don't need to see that all the time." 'Geez! It's like living in a soap opera!'

Barzaard just smiles at the couple, who blushes in embarrassment. "I'll leave you two love birds alone." He gets up from his seat. "I wish you both luck. Just remember to invite me to the wedding!" With those parting words he shuts the door behind him. The ancient couple look at the door and then each other before chuckling, wearing matching blushes.

"Barzaard always was a sucker for romance."

Elizabeth lightly smacks his arm.

"You were too! Who was always planning our dates?"

The demon smiles shyly. "I wanted them to be perfect for you."

She kisses his on the cheek.

"As long as we were together, it was always perfect." Then an explosion thunders in the distance. "What's going on?!"

"I don't know!" Meliodas grabs his sword as they race out the doors.

They find Diane looking off into the forest. "I sense a dark magic." She looks at the couple. "It's similar to yours, Captain." Another explosion booms through the air as animals scatter.

Meliodas looks to the giant. "Diane guard the bar! I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to find out." He starts running only to notice Elizabeth on his heels. "What are you doing? Go back!"

"No! I'm coming with you!" She starts flying ahead of him. "You can't stop me!" He just shakes his head in exasperation and makes wings out of his magic to catch up to her.

"Stubborn as always."

"You wouldn't have me any other way."

"True."

~Forest~

Ban throws another punch at the giant. "What is this thing?!"

"Based on a faint odor. I would say that he was human once."

"Human?!" King shouts at he tries to petrify the creature.

"What part of this thing was human?! The extra head or the extra limbs." Ban snarks as he ducks a wildly thrown arm.

Gowther just continues to watch the battle. "This is but a shell of a Holy Knight. His being has been infected with evil magical power. This has completely taken over his body and his mind. I tried to help him by having him wear my armor. But after damage from temperamental outbursts and the knights attacks it has been damaged. It can no longer contain him."

King releases a slow breath. "Okay. So he's obviously beyond reason. We have to stop him."

"No duh!" Ban charges the creature, throwing punches and kicks that don't make a dent. "This isn't working!" He yells as he's thrown back, only to be caught by Chastiefol.

King leans back in the air. "This is why you need to study your opponents before attacking."

"Oh shut up." Ban huffs in annoyance as Gowther just observes. "Why aren't you trying to kill him?"

"Because I am incapable of killing him. I am not sure why, but the idea of ending his life displeases me."

King looks at him in sympathy. "Is there anything you can do to at least stop him?"

Gowther seems to think about this. He then pulls his arm back like he's pulling back a bow and arrow. In his arms one made of light appears. "Invasion." He releases the arrow, which lodges in the Holy Knight within the demon body. "He will now be trapped in an illusion of what he most wishes to see."

Ban cracks his knuckles. "I'll use my power on him. Rip out his heart."

"Ban no!"

Ban ignores King, extending his hand.

"STOP!" The Sins turn to see their Captain and Elizabeth flying towards them.

"What are you doing here Cap'n?"

Meliodas hovers between his knights and the demon.

"Stopping you from killing an innocent."

Ban snorts. "What innocent? This thing has killed a lot of people. It's a demon." Meliodas crosses his arms and raises a brow. 'Damn! That wasn't what I meant!' "I mean it's a bad demon Cap'n."

Meliodas gazes behind himself briefly. "Can't you sense the human inside it?"

"There's nothing we can do about it."

"We can start by helping him."

Ban throws his hands up in exasperation. "How are you going help this thing without killing it?!"

"By distracting you."

"Huh?" He looks around Meliodas to see Elizabeth, wings spread wide, glowing brightly.

"I will fix this! I swear it!" Her hands light up as her power builds.

"Let me save this innocent who has been used as a weapon.

Let me save this man who meant no harm.

Let me save this human who deserves to be saved.

Healing Light!"

She unleashes a bright beam of light blinding all who see it. The light pierces the demon's body and singles out the infection; removing it. It then repairs the body of injuries and strains. When the light fades, what stands before them is a Holy Knight a little dazed, but whole.

As Elizabeth settles on the ground and into Meliodas's arms, Ban walks over to the source of the infection. It looks like a purple bag with an evil face on it. It starts wiggling in Ban's hand before he crushes it ruthlessly and throws it aside.

Gowthor walks over with a tired King on his back. "Is she alright?" Meliodas looks over.

"Yeah Gowther she's alright." He looks back at Elizabeth before doing a double take. "Wait! Gowther! When did you show up?" Ban smacks the Captain on the shoulder.

"Boy have we got a story for you Cap'n!" He starts escorting them towards the bar. Before remembering the Holy Knight and yelling over his shoulder. "You coming or what!" The Knight startles before following them sluggishly.

~Boar Hat~

Everyone settles in at a table loaded with food and drinks, before explaining the day's events and telling Dale what's been going on since he turned into a demon.

Hawk interrupts, "How exactly did you turn into that creature anyway?"

Dale sighs. "I had been looking into ways to get stronger to make my family proud. To be strong enough to protect them from any dangers. One day, Hendrickson approached me and told me he knew a way to make me stronger. Like a fool I agreed to try it. He and I met in an old cavern beneath the castle. He gave me a goblet of what looked like thick wine to drink. At first I was fine, but then it felt like my insides were boiling and my last thought was I'll never see my children again."

Dale looks away in shame as Meliodas gets a look of deep thought on his face, which does not go unnoticed.

"What is it Meliodas?" Elizabeth puts a hand on his arm, causing him to look up.

"What did the liquid look like?"

Dale thinks for a moment. "It was a dark purple-red color, warm, and fairly thick. It wasn't honey thick, but it was thicker than any wine I'd ever seen."

The ex-prince's expression is blank. "I think I know what you drank." Meliodas stands up from the table. "I'll be right back." The table watches as he goes to the kitchen.

Hawk breaks the silence. "So… this liquid made you into a monster... I wonder what would happen if I drank it."

"Hawk no!" Elizabeth scolds, which gets a laugh from the others as Meliodas comes back to the table with a goblet. "What's that?"

The Captain put the cup on the table. Inside is a thick, dark red-purple substance. "It's what I think Dale drank to become what he did." He pushes the cup towards Dale. "Does it seem similar? It may be a little different."

Dale takes the cup and examines it. "It smells the same. It almost looks the same. The color is right, but this seems a little thinner, though not by much." He sets the cup down, pushing it away. "What is it?" The whole table looks at Meliodas, who seems reluctant to answer.

"It's…" He sighs. "It's demon blood." Ban examines the cups contents curiously as King, Hawk, Diane, and Dale cringe, and Gowther just stares at the cup. Elizabeth gasps in concern before examining Meliodas for an injury.

"Are you alright? What did you do?!" She spots the bandage on his wrist. "You idiot!" She grabs his wrist with a glowing hand and heals him quickly. "You didn't have to do that."

"I did." He kisses her hand. "I had to know if I was right. I suspected he might have ingested demon blood based on the symptoms." This catches the tables attention. "Demons have thicker blood due to the exposure to the demon realm. Something in the air changes its composition. That's also the reason why my blood is thinner. I haven't been in that realm in over 3,000 years, the exposure has worn off a little. Our blood also, tends to run hotter the more powerful we are. The more powerful the demon, the hotter the blood. My guess is the blood came from either an old grey demon or an old red demon. Strong enough to have an affect, but still weak enough to potentially survive the process of assimilation."

Ban breaks the silence this time.

"So what would happen with your blood?"

The demon prince deadpans. "It would melt the marrow in your bones and turn you into a puddle within seconds of ingesting it." He shrugs at the shocked looks. "I was… 'or am I still… whatever,' one of the most powerful demons in the realm. Second only to the Demon King and possibly Zeldris, depending on if he's acting as "The Executioner" or not." He physically waves away the thought. "Not important. Point is, Hendrickson has access to demon blood and is feeding it to those who want more power."

"The new generation."

"Exactly. That's how they got so powerful so quickly. They drink the blood and their power gets a major boost."

"That's not good I take it." Gowther deadpans.

Ban shrugs. "So how do we fix it?"

"We stop Hendrickson and cure the new generation. Despite the fact they survived the assimilation, demon blood is not something to be ingested by humans." Meliodas looks around the table with a determined look. "So who's with me?"

The table goes silent before Ban grabs his tankard, drinks it dry and slams it on the table. "Well you know I'm in."

This action gets a giggle from Elizabeth. King and Diane agree with a loud, "We're in!"

"I would like to help as well." Gowther joins in. The Sins all laugh. Elizabeth looks at them all with a hopeful expression.

"What are going to do now Dale?" Hawk asks the despondent knight, who looks at the pig with a new look of determination.

"I must repent for my actions as that monster. I will do whatever it takes, for however long it takes."

Elizabeth gently smiles at him. "You weren't in control. You have nothing to repent for, but since I know you're determined to make up for it, I have the perfect job for you.

Dale kneels before her. "What would you have me do, your Highness?"

"I would like for you to find Princess Veronica and help her on her journey to help the people of the kingdom. She's going to put a stop to the wrongful actions of the knights within the villages. I think she would benefit from having another knight around. If she complains, tell her I sent you. She won't turn you away."

He bows to her. "I will do as you command. I shall leave as soon as I acquire provisions." Ban claps him on the shoulder as he pulls him to his feet.

"This way man." He pushes the knight toward the kitchen.

~Later Outside The Boar Hat~

The Sins, Elizabeth and Hawk are all outside drinking ale and enjoying an evening outside after having seen Dale off, when Meliodas asks.

"So who won the hunting competition?"

"I did!" Ban and King say simultaneously, before glaring at each other.

"I did!"

"No I did!"

"It was totally me!"

"Okay fine. If you're so confident you won, let's do a rematch at the next stop!"

"You're on!"

Elizabeth stands between them. "Why don't we all just celebrate the fact that we found Gowther and drink to being reunited."

"Great idea Elizabeth." Meliodas raises his tankard. "To being there for each other. To the very end."

"To the very end." They all take a drink from their glasses.

"Alright." Ban claps his hands. "Enough being downers! Let's party."

"Yeah!"

~Later~

The drink is now heavy in their systems. King, Diane and Ban are rosy cheeked and laughing at nothing. Elizabeth and Meliodas are just sitting together reminiscing. Hawk was asleep inside (to get away from the potential lunacy). Gowther… well he was just observing his friends.

"Captain." Meliodas looks at the normally silent Sin. "Have you ever noticed that none of us are from the same species?" The demon looks around.

"I guess you're right." He laughs watching as King floats around Diane's head and Ban drinks more than should surviveable. "When you've been around as long as I have you tend to not notice." He glances at Gowther before looking back to the others. "Hey Gowther… do you remember what happened ten years ago at the-"

Gowther interrupts with a mini light arrow. Meliodas watches him. "I can read from your memories that you are trying to find out who assaulted you when we split up."

"Do you know who did it?"

"Yes. It was Merlin, the Boar Sin of Gluttony."

Meliodas nods. "That makes sense. Do you know why?"

Gowther tilts his head. "I would need to examine her memories to know for sure. There are rumors, but those don't mean much. Anytime I tried to find her after that day she would vanish."

Their conversation is disrupted by Ban grabbing Gowther by the shoulder and pulling him to stand beside him. "It's great to have you back, Gowther. Even with all your weird tendencies."

Elizabeth turns to the drunk immortal. "Weird tendencies?"

King answers. "Yeah. He's always using his mind reading powers at the wrong time."

"Mind reading powers?"

Gowther seems to take this as an invitation and sends light arrows to everyone outside. "Diane claims to be 29 feet tall, when she's actually 30 feet."

Diane starts to pummel him into the ground. "What's wrong with you! You should never reveal a girl's information like that!"

As Diane backs off, Gowther just lays in the hole she made. "Ban, during the battle with the Vampires in Edinburgh 12 years ago you got rather intoxicated."

Ban belches in reply before drinking more from his tankard. "That's right. So what?"

"You used Physical Hunt to steal King and Diane's power. You also never apologized for laughing at them as they struggled." Ban gulps nervously as King and Diane loom over him.

"That's why I felt so weak. I could've gotten killed."

"It was you!"

Ban waves his hand desperately in front of him. "Wait a second guys! If I thought you were seriously in danger I would have helped out."

Gowther acknowledges this. "That is true. He knew you two could handle it."

Meliodas gets between them all. "See. Now why don't we all settle down." He turns to the doll. "There's no need to reveal all our secrets. We're all entitled to our privacy."

King agrees vehemently. "That's right!" Before turning to the Captain hastily. "Not that I don't trust you all! I just like to keep some things to myself."

Meliodas pats his shoulder comfortingly. "No judgement here. I've been keeping secrets for a long time. I've been more honest with you guys than almost everyone I've met in 3,000 years." The Sins all look at him sympathetically, except Gowther.

"Who are Drole and Gloxinia? And who is Zeldris?" Meliodas goes pale for a second, before his eyes lose focus and he takes in a few deep breaths. Elizabeth rushes to his side as the Sins watch him in concern.

"Meliodas? Are you alright, my love?" The Goddess gently turns his head to face her. "What's wrong?" His emerald eyes come back into focus to the sight of her blue ones.

"Nothing. I just wasn't expecting to hear those names. I got lost in some memories is all." He turns to the concerned Sins. "Drole and Gloxinia were our best friends before the curse. Drole was King of the Giant Clan and Gloxinia was King of the Fairy Clan, the first in fact. Oh, the battles we fought together. The times we defended each other on and off the battlefield." He smirks mischievously at Elizabeth. "The times we starved."

She smacks him on the arm. "Just because you're a better cook than me doesn't mean you should be rude!"

"You burned water! 4 times!" He teases her as she blushes.

The Sins exchange looks of horror at the idea of a worse cook than the Captain.

Meliodas stops laughing to look at King. "Do you remember what I told you when we met?" The fairy nods.

"You told me I was a good king."

"Well I meant it." Harlequin gives him a look of skepticism. "Gloxinia and you are a lot alike. You both have younger sisters you wish to protect. You both had doubts about your leadership skills. You're both loyal to your cause and what you believe in. Above all else you never give up." Meliodas smirks at him. "Though I will say you think about your actions more than Gloxinia, which is a very good thing. The guy may have been a good King, but he was kinda impulsive." The demon thinks on this a moment. "That might have been why we were such good friends…" The Fairy King looks at Meliodas in gratitude.

"Thanks Captain."

Meliodas shrugs. "Just telling the truth."

Diane waves a hand around to get his attention. "Captain! What was King Drole like? I've only ever heard about him from old stories, but you actually knew him."

Elizabeth giggles. "He was so funny. He tried to play jokes on Meliodas all the time... though he wasn't very good at it. Gloxinia was always funnier. Drole was very graceful in battle though. When he was really fighting with everything he had he looked like he was dancing across the battlefield and Earth was his dance partner. It was beautiful. He had his struggles when he was younger due to his looks and his way of viewing the world, but he persevered. He showed them all what he was made of and they made him their king."

"Wow." Diane says in awe.

Ban interrupts. "I hate to bring down the happy, but I'm still wondering who Zeldris is?"

Meliodas looks away briefly. "Zeldris is the King's Executioner, one of The Ten Commandments, the Commandment of Piety…"

Elizabeth squeezes his hand reassuringly. "He's Meliodas's younger brother."

Ban snaps his fingers. "Oh right! You mentioned him before we went into the Necropolis and saved Elaine."

"Yeah. We used to be partners in crime. Before the war started we would do everything together. We had so much fun. Then our father declared war on the other races. For the longest time we were on the same side. We watched each other's backs." He turns to the Goddess beside him. "Then I met Elizabeth. Things changed. I saw the world differently. I deserted the Demon army to join Stigma. You know what pretty much happened from there. The last time I saw him, he told me I was a traitor and deserved whatever was coming to me."

Elizabeth looks around at her loves captive audience and sees they're all depressed at the story's conclusion (except Gowther, but he doesn't really do emotions).

"Alright!" They all look startled at her. "Who wants to hear about the time of Meliodas and a waterfall?" Meliodas goes red, which interests the Sins.

"You told me you wouldn't tell anyone that story!" She smiles at him teasingly. "What do I have to do to get you to not tell that story?" The Goddess looks mock contemplative as the Sins laugh at their tough Captain being controlled by a deceptively dainty and sweet girl.

They continue to laugh as he continues to beg her to tell a different story only for her to tell them of the time he, Gloxinia and Drole got turned into girls for a day because they lost a bet with Elizabeth.

See you when I see you!