While those moments at the end of the fight had been quite dark, the mood lightened dramatically upon arriving back at the tavern. Ban - being him - immediately started drinking. In fact, he had wandered off at some point during the trip back, and had reappeared with a new set of clothes. I really hadn't the slightest clue as to how he somehow always managed to find a new set of the same outfit in the same size every time that his were destroyed, but I didn't feel like asking about it. Of course, as soon as we got back Hawk started pleading for food, causing Zephyr to glare at him and Diane to scold him for bad manners. This, in turn, caused Elizabeth to tell Diane how her sitting cross-legged was also bad manners.

I sighed and closed my eyes, shaking my head lightly. It may have been a little thing, but I enjoyed sitting cross-legged back when I was younger and my usual outfit included a pair of poofy pants. This tiny skirt that was a part of the uniform that Meliodas made me wear didn't allow for that, and in fact often made me uncomfortable flying any distance above the ground if I was near people. Perhaps my next outfit would include pants again. Then I would sit cross-legged all I wanted, no matter what the princess might say.

"NO?!"

The chorus of many voices snapped me out of my reverie. I looked up from the table that I was leaning against, seeing that everyone - excluding Meliodas and Zephyr - was gathered around Gowther on the other side of the small clearing in front of the tavern. Other than Gowther, they all appeared distressed.

"This is not our first time 'meeting' each other. We've met before, when you were very young." Gowther stood stock-still as he spoke, his head tilted slightly downward to accommodate Elizabeth's height.

Hmm? What's going on? I hopped up from the stool I was sitting on and wandered closer to the others, and Zephyranthes shadowed me, staying directly behind me.

"He's got a point," Ban murmured thoughtfully. "She probably spent a lot of time by the king's side as a tiny squirt~ That must explain it~"

Diane, however, just gave a short, uncertain laugh. "I don't really remember…"

Harlequin didn't seem to be paying attention to that, though. He was floating right next to Gowther, and held his hand in front of his mouth as though whispering something, but I didn't quite catch it. It was probably something about the way he had spoken to Elizabeth, as a second later Gowther spoke to her again. "Pardon me, 'Your Highness.'"

She didn't seem bothered by anything he might have said, and instead asked a question. "Did I… meet Meliodas-sama back then, too…?"

"...Maybe." Meliodas answered for Gowther as he approached. He had just been speaking to Cain - the old man that he had fought in the fighting festival in Vaizel, and who had apparently arrived at the Boar's hat only shortly after I had left earlier. Actually, I was pretty sure that Cain wasn't his real name, but I had never heard anyone say what it was. Now, though, the small old man was nowhere in sight. He must have left.

Meliodas now turned to Gowther. "Well, Gowther? What's your answer?"

"I accept. It was the kingdom who appointed me one of the Seven Deadly Sins. If the princes requests it of me, I have no reason to decline."

At this everyone perked up, joy lighting their features. I wondered if their earlier concern had something to do with the idea of Gowther not coming with, seeing as how their earlier fear seemed to have evaporated at his statement.

"All right!" Meliodas declared. "We've already got five of the Seven Deadly Sins together, so let's drink in celebration!"

This, of course, was met by cheers from the likes of Ban and Hawk. While Hawk wouldn't be drinking, there were always plenty of dropped scraps to go around whenever the group decided to drink.

Harlequin's response to the excitement, however, was pretty monotone. "But we drink practically everyday as it is…" And my thoughts were along similar lines.

"I think I'll sit this one out. I don't really care for alcohol." I held my hand up and sighed before starting to make my way back to my seat. While it was pretty fun when everyone was drinking, it could get overwhelming with it happening almost everyday. "What about you, Zephyr? Do you want to join?"

The fox shade shook his head decidedly. No. If I got even slightly drunk and decided to try to go into any shadows, who knows where I'd end up. I could pop up on the other side of the world and never be able to return for all I know, so I'd rather not.

"Hmm," I smiled jokingly. "Perhaps once things have calmed down we could do that; you just have to remember to take me with you. It might be fun!"

He grinned slightly. While that sounds like fun, it's probably not the best idea, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

"Not only the pig, but the fox can speak, too." I hadn't even heard Gowther's approach. "How can an animal speak human language?" He was gazing intently at Zephyr.

While I was a little surprised by him, I smiled up at the pinkette. "Oh, come on, Gowther. I'm sure you've seen a fox shade before. Or at least heard of them? The last time I saw you, they were still somewhat common." My recent contentedness with my company must have made me more relaxed with what I was willing to say, for me to admit that I already knew someone here, I realized. But now, even if I wanted to take it back, it was too late. Even Zephyr shot me a surprised look. But then again, now that I thought about it, he hadn't known that I knew Gowther…

Gowther tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing a minuscule amount. "How do you know me? I appear to have no memories of you."

"Wh-what? You forgot about me…? C'mon, I'm Zinnia… We're friends..." I drooped. Now that I had revealed that I knew him, I had at least hoped for some kind of recognition. "Well, I guess it's been quite a long time…" I admitted.

"I do not forget-"

"Say Gowther…" Meliodas approached from behind me, making me jump. He had two mugs of ale in his hands, and when he stepped next to Gowther, he set the second one on the table in front of me. I simply glared at him and pushed the drink away. "About that incident ten years back, when we Deadly Sins were accused of wanting to overthrow the kingdom and we all got split up. There's something I want to ask you-"

Gowther stopped him by reaching a hand forward and shooting a small bolt of purplish light into his captain's neck. "I know what you want to ask. The images and voices are hazy, but when we were escaping, the one who attacked you and wiped clear your memory was the Boar Sin of Gluttony, Merlin."

Wait, what was that? What did he just do? While I did know Gowther, I had never seen him use any abilities. Judging by his words, something to do with memories…?

Meliodas stood up straighter, sloshing his drink a little in the process. "Merlin?! But why…?"

"I do not know her reasons." Gowther didn't seem phased by the revelation.

"Gowther, since the incident, have you and Merlin-"

"I have not seen her, though I have heard numerous rumours about her. All information pertaining to her is ambiguous. It vanishes before any facts can be confirmed."

"Gowther, come over here!~" Ban's slurred call ended their discussion. When Gowther approached, he continued. "Everyooone!~ Listen to this! Apparently Gowther here could tell it was King by his 'body odor'!" I could tell by the blush across his face - not to mention the bottle in his hand - that Ban was very drunk. This didn't mean that I wasn't curious, however.

I stood from my seat again and floated over in time to hear Gowther add "That and his framework and tone."

But I, along with everyone else, was stuck on the first fact. "Body odor?" I paused, though, when everyone went to sniff the other fairy. It was like they were smelling a flower. I was the only one who wasn't drunk, so I was sure I couldn't get away with it. Not that I'd want to…! Now embarrassed at having gotten up, I glanced back to my seat, where Zephyr sat comfortably, snickering at the entire situation.

"Mm, sugary!~"

"Smells like a flower."

"That's the king of the fairies for you!"

"Something about it reminds me of the old days."

The group's voices made me look back to the group, who surrounded the brightly blushing fairy. Now I was curious - I could have probably joined in and no one would have noticed or cared… I started forward, but stopped when Harlequin shouted.

"S… stop it, guys! If you keep doing that, I'll get all nervous and-"

There was a loud poof and a cloud of smoke, and he was suddenly in his oversized human form, sweating profusely.

Being as drunk as they were, the whole group sniffed again, which I would have recommended against just by looking at him.

"It suddenly smells rank~"

"Stinks of sweat!"

"P… probably because of my appearance…" Harlequin interjected.

"Such a nostalgic smell."

"Don't worry about it," Ban and Hawk both told him, while Elizabeth said "K… King-sama… Don't give up!"

"No fair ganging up only on me!" Harlequin stomped like a child, fuming, causing me to chuckle.

"Did I do something wrong?" Gowther asked him.

"Hell yeah you did! Do something about this awkward situation!"

"Understood." Gowther held up his hand "Search Light." The same purple light as he has used on Meliodas earlier now shot out of the tip of his index finger, accompanied by a little zapping sound, and consecutively pierced Diane, Ban, and me in the neck. It felt almost like a mosquito bite, only harder.

"Wait, why me too?!"

"Diane, you lie about your thirty-foot height, saying it is twenty-nine feet." When Gowther casually pointed at her and said this, Diane squealed, clutching her fists beside her bright red cheeks. "On the subject of your weight-"

With a boom, the boy was suddenly crushed beneath the giant's fist. "Mean! Mean! Stupid Gowther!" At this point, she was continuously pounding Gowther into the ground, shouting her anger at the top of her lungs. I even noticed that Harlequin was floating about her. I was pretty certain that his smiling face was laughing quietly, but it was impossible to hear over Diane's shouts. "I can't believe you'd announce a young girl's secrets to the world!"

When she finally calmed down, Gowther just slowly started to crawl out of the hole he was now in. His glasses were now bent, and his clothes were covered in dust; I was actually surprised that his clothes weren't torn. "...Ouch. As for you, Ban. Twelve years ago, you became completely inebriated while on duty to battle the vampire gang in Edinburgh."

"I remember that." Diane squinted at Ban suspiciously.

Ban didn't even seem bothered as he tipped a fresh bottle of beer to his lips. "Right, that time I got so drunk I didn't take part, right? I already said I was sorry for that~"

But Gowther wasn't finished with him. "After that, you used 'physical hunt' to rob strength from King and Diane, then had a good laugh to yourself as you watched them struggling to fight."

This got him. Ban immediately spewed his drink, spraying it everywhere. I was just glad that I wasn't right in front of him.

The pinkette wasn't done yet. "And after you did one hundred thousand push-ups with that stolen strength, you completely crashed out."

"Hmmmm. I was wondering why I couldn't muster up any strength even though I was feeling fine…" Diane leaned over him menacingly.

Harlequin floated at her side, his increased Chastiefol surrounding him and pointed toward the fox sin. "So that explains it."

Ban tilted his head toward them, hiccuping. "That was twelve years ago, okay? Don't get your panties in a twist~"

Diane grabbed him, squishing him in her fist and squirting the immortal's blood everywhere.

I couldn't help but laugh. I had no idea what they were talking about, but it certainly sounded like something Ban would do. Just watching their antics made me clutch my stomach with laughter. Tears started to stream down my face.

But I had forgotten that Gowther had zapped me, too.

Gowther was squinting and clutching his glasses when he spoke again. "And Zinnia, you should be almost strong enough to rival King." Most everyone turned to me in surprise, and I stepped back. I really didn't want to hear this… "But, you are too scared to learn to use your powers."

I blanched. I reached up to tuck some hair behind my ear, but stopped, instead summoning my cloak from where I had left it on the table and holding it tightly to my chest.

"Hmmm…? You're actually strong, Zinnia-chan?" Diane's drunkenly-blushed face now settled into an expression of curiosity. She leaned over to get a closer look at me. "Why are you scared?"

But I just stepped back more and shook my head. "It's not exactly like that…" I mumbled, feeling my wings flicker nervously. Why did that have to be what Gowther had said? I wasn't scared to learn how to better use my spirit spear - it was my demon side that scared me. Well, I was a little scared to learn to use my spirit spear - but not much! That's why I always more of wanted to support others, rather than being center-stage.

Harlequin floated down from his place above everyone and gently set his feet on the ground in front of me. He faced me, concern etching his features. "Weren't you saying in the fight that you were going to ask me to train you to use your spirit spear? Is this why you didn't ask?" He probably took my eyes widening as a yes. "You don't have to be scared of it - it can only help you to learn. I could teach you, if you want."

You better take up this offer, Zinnia, Zephyr stated from behind me. I glanced back to find that his laughter from earlier had vanished. It would be stupid of you not to.

Looking back it the fairy king, I gulped, but nodded. "O-okay…"

I guess that Ban didn't hear any of this, as he had still been clutched in Diane's fist, and now was the moment he finally wrenched himself free. "DAAAAAAH! Now we're the ones having it hard!~"

"Understood." Gowther had been ignoring the exchange between Harlequin and me, choosing instead to attempt to fix his glasses. Now, though, he shot another light at the unaware Harlequin.

"W… w-wait! Gowther, stop!" the other fairy demanded.

In the distraction, I scurried back to the table. Upon my approach, the fox shade languidly stretched and stepped out of my chair. I instantly plopped back into the seat, pulling the ale that Meliodas had previously set there towards me.

Really? The question wasn't judging; it was almost a statement.

"Yes, really." I held the tankard to my lips, downing its contents.

(Many, many years ago, not far from the Fairy King's Forest)

Only a small amount of sunshine pierced the overcast sky, and the strong winds were whipping the clouds across it, making it look like a roiling sea. The branches of the forest lashed wildly, but deep underneath, on the forest floor, the air was almost still. The orange-tinged leaves of early autumn littered the ground, and the crisp air was devoid of the sounds of wildlife. It was almost as though the forest was holding its breath in anticipation of the coming storm.

This was where two young girls stood - one with red hair, the other with black. A small black fox sat next to the redhead, leaning protectively against her leg. The girl with black hair was across from her, leaning aloofly against a tree.

"Tch," the second girl sighed. "Why does Otou-sama insist on making us spend time together?"

The first girl tried a smile. "I think he just wants us to get along. Isn't that right, Zephyr-kun?"

The little fox nodded somberly.

"I don't care what he wants. I want to be helping with the war! And we're on opposite sides of that war." She pushed herself off of the tree and began to walk away, deeper into the forest.

"Fausse-onee-sama! Wait up!" The redhead jumped up, flying after her sister. Zephyr simply slipped into her shadow. "Otou-chan said to stay here and wait for him to come back!"

"Dear Zinnia," Fausse's voice held strong traces of sarcasm and contempt as she threw it over her shoulder. "My sweet little Imouto-chan listens so well to Otou-sama. Why don't you just stay here, if you care so much about what he wants? I don't want you and your pet following me, anyway."

Zinnia faltered for a moment before continuing to follow. "No, it's better for us to stick together. And Zephyr-kun's not a pet!" She sped up so that she was step in step with her sister.

As the two sisters walked side by side, their differences became more apparent. Zinnia was short with slightly wavy, waist-length red hair and emerald eyes. Fausse was taller and while her hair was also long, it reached all the way to her knees and was straight and jet-black, and she had dark purple eyes. Zinnia's outfit consisted of a long, lighter red vest that was almost reached her knees in the back, but was short enough to show her belly button in the front, and very poofy, light pink pants, along with a pair of flats that were only a slightly darker red than her vest. Fausse was wearing black tights with a slightly ragged, dark purple dress overtop, which was a few shades darker than her eyes. She was also barefoot. While Zinnia looked crisp and clean, her skin unmarred, Fausse has a few thin scars along her arms and a thin layer of dirt dusted her hands and feet. And, even though both looked young, Zinnia had the rounder, softer features of a child, and Fausse's features were sharper, giving her an older look.

Fausse gave a slight smile, revealing short fangs. "Do you hear that?"

Zinnia paused, listening to the still forest. She could just barely make out the sound of numerous screams in the distance. As soon as she heard it, though, she became worried and fearful. "Has the war reached all the way here? We aren't far from the Fairy King's Forest!"

"I'm not certain that it's the war itself. It may just be bandits." Fausse's grin grew mischievous. "Why don't we go check it out?"

"But didn't Otou-chan say-"

"What he doesn't know can't hurt him." She brushed off the younger girl's complaint. "Now are you just going to be a whiny little fairy and sit here doing nothing while you wait for Otou-sama to return? Or are you going to come with me and have some fun?" She didn't even wait for a response, continuing to walk in the direction of the noise. If anything, she lengthened her stride.

"I'm not whiny! I'm coming." Zinnia sped up, flying to keep up with Fausse now, as her shorter legs would have difficulty keeping up.

I'm not sure this is a good idea, Zinnia-sama… Zephyr's young voice seemed to echo quietly through the air, though it made no actual noise.

"And tell your dog to be quiet if you want to come with." The black haired girl shook her head. "I don't see why you insist on taking that thing everywhere with you."

"He's a fox shade, not a dog," was all Zinnia said. She really didn't get what Fausse's problem was. She was always like this; she seemed to constantly be trying to pick a fight and couldn't seem to stop being mean to those around her.

"Whatever."

The two girls continued on through the forest, slipping quietly through the underbrush. Before long, the noises they had heard grew louder, and the voices became more distinct. Specific words begging for help could be picked out, but it was mostly just wordless screaming. The tangy scent of blood tainted the air.

"F-Fausse-onee-sama, can we go back now? I think this is far enough…" Zinnia slowed, nervously tucking some hair behind her ear. "W-what if we get caught up in something?"

"That's the fun part!" Fausse's smile stretched from ear to ear, and she rushed on ahead, heedless of her sister's words.

Don't-

But Zinnia was already running after her. "Onee-sama! Wait!" In order to catch up to Fausse, who had already disappeared from her sight, Zinnia flew above the brambles and foliage that littered the forest floor. Within moments of increasing her speed, she broke through the edge of the forest, into the sunlight. Into a bloodbath.

It wasn't a large opening in the trees, just wide enough for a thin road to wind through the woods. At the far edge of the road, a wagon sat empty. Its horse was missing - probably spooked from the commotion - and the reins that had held it were cut. Blood stained the edges of the waon, along with patches of the road around screaming had died down, to where now there were only a couple of voices that made up the noise. This was probably due to the six or seven bodies that lined the road, both bandit and traveler alike. The remaining voices were coming from the far side of the road, where the wagon blocked Zinnia's view.

Where's Fausse-onee-san? Zinnia wondered. Has she not arrived yet? Terror gripped her at the sight in front of her, but she couldn't stand by. Even though the fairy didn't even have a weapon, she thought that perhaps she could lead whatever bandits remained away long enough for the survivors to escape.

As soon as she rounded the wagon, though, she realized that this was not the case. It wasn't a bandit that loomed over the cowering humans, but Fausse. Blood stained her hands, and darkness tipped her fingers in sharp claws. Her smile, which had not left her face since she had left Zinnia, was now filled with bloodlust. Dark marks edged the right side of her face, matching her black eyes. She now had a long, dark, whip-like tail, tapering to a dangerous-looking spike. She seemed unbothered by the specks of blood that looked like bright red freckles across her face, and flicked her tail back and forth like a cat.

"Fausse…" She trailed off. She could barely comprehend what she was seeing. It wasn't just the travelers that were cowering in front of her, but two armed bandits as well. "What are you doing…?"

"Zinnia-chan, decided to join the fun, have you?" Fausse's eyes glinted with pure, unbridled joy. If it weren't for the blood covering her and the menace that filled her voice, Zinnia might have thought that she was happy to see her. "Would you like to help with these ones?" She gestured toward the four remaining humans, who were now dead silent in fear. "I know you don't like hurting innocents, so I left some bandits for you."

Zinnia fell backwards, landing with a hard thump on the ground. "No… Why would you do this…?" Fear filled her trembling voice. "I might have understood the bandits, but the others…? Why?"

Fausse casually wiped some of the blood from around her mouth, leaving thin streaks behind. She frowned slightly at Zinnia's words. "Because I wanted to. Why else? Those with power do as they please, while those without live to serve those that are stronger than them." She looked at her hand and clenched her fist, her smile returning. "That's why I've made it my goal to become one of the strongest demons. Soon enough, I'll pass Otou-sama, and when it's time, I'll take my place as one of the Ten Commandments." She looked back up, towards her sister. She held out one blood-stained hand. "What do you say, Imouto? Will you join me? I'm certain that I'll be able to find a place for you when the time comes."

Zinnia was frozen, her breath coming in short gasps. Her fear was causing thin wisps of darkness to edge her face, and her eyes had turned black. This, in turn, caused Fausse's grin to widen and the humans' terror to deepen.

"Come on, don't let your weak fairy half hold you back. Abandon that overprotective fox pup and come with me."

These were the words that finally got through to the fairy girl. She took a breath and, trembling, got to her feet. "No. I won't abandon Zephyr-kun, and I certainly won't go with you. Just because someone is strong, it doesn't mean they are right. It doesn't mean that they are better than everyone else!"

Fausse's eyes darkened. "Fine then." Her arm dropped to her side. "Be that way. Remain weak and ignorant forever for all I care. Die for all I care! Just know that, when given the choice, you chose the weaker side - the losing side!" She glanced back at her prisoners, her smile returning once again. "See what one with power can do."

"Wait- Fausse-onee-"

Before Zinnia could even finish the word, Fausse whipped out her tail, swiftly piercing the humans through their hearts one by one. It happened so fast that the last one didn't even get the chance to scream. "Remember, Imouto-chan - even if you don't want to admit it, your demon half will always crave this violence. You will forever crave the taste of powerful souls." As though to punctuate this, she plucked the glowing light off the end of her tail, which had appeared as soon as she had pulled it from the final man's body, and easily stuck it in her mouth. "Even if that traitor Meliodas says otherwise. The more you fight, the more powerful you become, and the more powerful you become, the more others will seek you out to fight you. It's a beautiful, perfect circle." She smiled maniacally, then softened and continued in a whispered voice. "Tell me, dear, dear Imouto-chan: how long will you be able to survive in this war-strewn world as the weak fairy you are now?"

But Zinnia's face was filled with shock. Blood from the newly-dead humans flecked her face and clothes. Her sister's words sounded in her head, but all she could see was her killing the men, over and over again. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know what to say. Is this really what power brings? Was all she thought. Death?

Zinnia-sama! Zephyr's words pounded in her skull. Zinnia-sama, run!

And she was running. She was running faster than her legs had ever taken her. She allowed herself to lift off the ground, her wingless self not being as fast as other fairies, but still faster than running. But her sister wasn't following her. The last thing she heard was her sister's laughter and her parting words echoing through the trees.

"You'll realize it someday, Zinnia-chan! You'll realize the hunger for power that runs through your veins!"

(A/N)

Just so you know, Imouto means little sister. Adding -chan to it is condescending. Older siblings don't usually call their younger siblings this when talking to them, and rather call them by name, but Fausse likes to be condescending. (Sorry if this confused you, I just felt it fit well. Also, sorry if I did this incorrectly.)