Fishlegs floated there, looking at Mael in confusion.
"What is this? Why does Estarossa of the Demon Clan have wings?" Fishlegs asked.
"That's because Estarossa of the Demon Clan never existed, to begin with," Astrid answered.
Fishlegs stared at her. "Astrid?"
"What are you seeing? It is true appearance," Astrid explained.
Mael landed on the ground clutching his head with a head-splitting headache. "What is this? Who am I? Why can't I?"
"He's one of the Four Archangels… Mael," said Astrid.
"No way," said Sariel.
"You're really Mael?" said Tarmiel stunned.
"W-was I having some kind of nightmare?" said Mael.
He then began to think back as his true memories began to return. He changed his hairstyle to match that of his brothers and showed everyone else.
"Oh my, you look just like Ludociel now," said Tarmiel.
"Simply copying his hairstyle isn't going to make you any braver," said Sariel. "Besides, yours is curly."
"Come on, don't pick on him," said Tarmiel.
"I was just saying."
"I think it suits him quite well, actually," said Ruby smiling at him.
Mael felt his face turning bright pink.
From then on, he trained as hard as he could, taking down as many demons as he could.
"Just from what I expect of my younger brother," said Ludociel looking at all the slain demons.
"One day, if I keep working hard. Will I be as strong as you?" Mael asked.
Ludociel looked back at him and smiled. "I can guarantee it. I have no doubt that you will become a man then even surpasses me."
Mael beamed at him with admiration and took his words to heart.
'It was brother who taught me killing those of the Demon Clan is not a sin. That I was simply carrying out justice, saving the soul trapped in an impure cage. That virtual pasta down to me is why I killed countless demons, and before I knew it, I grew to be feared by the Demon Clan and known as the Angel of Death, the strongest of the Four Archangels.
I could tell how incredibly proud brother was of me, and that brought me such joy. And yet you, Ruby, you took no notice of me and instead chose Meliodas of the impure Demon Clan. I cannot express to you how excruciating it was for me.'
Mael was absolutely furious. He had half a mind to confront them, but then suddenly, he was hit by a strange sensation and found himself unable to move.
'What is this?' said Mael confused.
"My name is… Estarossa," said Mael.
Mael was completely stunned. 'What am I saying?'
Mael then smiled as the false memories started to take hold. "Yes, I am…"
He then made his way to a secluded spot and began stomping his ground with his foot as if he was crushing a body.
"What a hideous site this is," he laughed. "At least I defeated you for good, Angel of Death Mael. Thank you, father; this is because of your guidance. I dedicate this victory to you!"
His eyes then started to turn pale, and he looked at his long hair. "What's with this awful hair? It's irritating." He then tore his hair and altered it so that it would resemble Meliodas'. "That's much better. Now it matches Meliodas."
His angel wings then started to disintegrate as if they had never existed in the first place.
He then made his way to the Demon Realm, where the Demon King was towards him for killing Mael.
"You have done well, Estarossa," said the Demon King. "I've always thought of you as my idiot son, but I will grant you this as a reward."
The Commandment of Love then floated down towards Estarossa.
"Father, could that be… the Commandment of Love?" said Estarossa excitedly. "The one that brother left behind!"
He then took the Commandment without hesitation, and the power of darkness began to flow with his body.
"This is the greatest! I feel awesome!" he yelled ecstatically. "So this is my new power? This is the best!"
Mael remembered all the memories had when he believed that he was Estarossa. Slaughtering his own brethren and nearly killing the woman he loved.
"This is a nightmare! This couldn't be real!" he said, shaking uncontrollably. "But it is; this is real. It's not just a bad dream. I can still feel it in my hands, the cessation of slaughtering thousands of my brethren. How it felt to burn each and every one of those innocent people! Who did this? Who would do such an awful thing?"
"I believe I can enlighten you," said Astrid. "The one who altered your memories was Gowther, and I helped."
Mael slowly turned towards him with tears in his eyes; in his right eye was the eye of an angel, but his left was still demonic. "I know you, your Astrid Hofferson, Hiccup Haddock's lover."
"Actually, I'm his wife, or I was," she said as she walked down the steps. "Though I understand that marriage is a foreign concept to other races."
"And you said that you had a hand in my suffering?" said Mael.
"Astrid, do you realise what you're saying?" Fishlegs cried. "Don't be ridiculous!"
"I'm afraid it's all true, and I think he at least deserves to know the truth," she said.
Mael then suddenly shot forwards and slammed her into the ground. "You made me despise the brother that I deeply respected and then cherish an impure demon in his place!" He then began punching her. "You even took away my Grace and my justice!" He then continued to pummel her and then pulled her face towards him. "A truly unforgivable sin."
He then tossed her into a nearby pillar as hard as he possibly could.
"Astrid, no!" Fislhegs cried, flying towards her.
Astrid was lying down on the rubble when Mael slammed on top of her, standing on her chest.
"You will atome with your life, but first, you must answer my question," he demanded. "I will accept nothing but the truth. Why did you do this? Out of everyone, you could have used? Why did it have to be me?"
"Back when the Holy War started 3,000 years ago, the balance of power between the Demon and Angel Clans collapsed. This was caused by Meliodas betraying the Demon Clan and siding with the Angel Clan. So in order to correct this imbalance, a warrior with power equal to that of Meliodas must have forcibly returned to the Demon Clan side. It had to be you, Mael.
The Angel Clan lost Mael, and the Demon Clan gained Estarossa; that is how the balance was maintained. But once the Holy War began, it did not stop, and as a result, the Angel Clan was left with no choice but to activate the Coffin of Eternal Darkness, and with that, the holy War ended."
"So I was just a puzzle piece; that's how you're justifying what you did," said Mael. "Putting me through an unfathomable amount of suffering and humiliation."
"Thousands of people were being slaughtered on both sides in a never-ending war," said Astrid. "If one man's suffering was the only consequence of ending all that needless bloodshed, then I would do it again. Also, your suffering is nothing compared to the suffering that Hiccup went through."
"Be quiet!" Mael growled furiously.
Astrid continued to look at him with an unwavering look. "Earlier, you mentioned how you were manipulated, but in truth, you share the same feelings no matter which side you are on, and you still killed many innocent; you didn't even take a good look at those you killed. Meliodas and Zeldris were, at the very least, killing in the name of duty, or you were doing was trying to gain admiration and recognition from your brother."
"I said quiet!" Mael roared, slamming his foot on her hand and crushing it. "I'm gonna make you suffer the same way I suffered—" He then stopped when she saw Astrid's mechanical hand. "Your body is…"
"I know," said Astrid. "I was killed during the Holy War, but Hiccup couldn't let me go. He had Ragnar save my soul before it could move on and then implanted it in this body."
Mael then grabbed her throat and pulled him towards him. "You're kidding; how can I exact revenge on a lifeless doll that can't even feel pain?"
Astrid gave a small chuckle.
"You find this funny?"
"No, this just reminds me of the last time we met."
"What are you talking about?" Mael glared. "We only met the one time, and that was during a War Council."
Then suddenly, Chastiefol, in its guardian form then, punched Mael, sending him crashing right through a stone pillar.
"Fishlegs, stay out of this," said Astrid as she picked herself up. "I don't want anyone else involved in this. I can resolve this issue by myself."
"The seven laws of the of the Deadly Sins Law Number Four: If a member is in crisis, we do everything in our power to save them," Fishlegs reminded her. "Remember?"
"A friend of Astrid's, perfect timing," said Mael's voice. "If she can't feel any physical pain, then I'll have to inflict emotional pain, and even if it's not real, I strongly hope that you possess a heart."
"Stop!" Astrid yelled.
Mael suddenly appeared behind Fishlegs and swung his hand down towards him, but Chastiefol blocked his attack.
"Increase! Now!" Fishlegs yelled.
Chastiefol then transformed into its Increase form and began pelting Mael with a sea of daggers. However, a bullet of light shot through the onslaught of daggers and struck Fishlegs in the shoulder.
"Arrow of Salvation!" said Mael.
Fishlegs then hit the ground and could feel a massive flop of pain coming from the wound he had just received.
"Fishlegs!" Astrid cried, rushing over to him.
"The Arrow of Salvation, it is meant to be merciful power that gently guides Demons to their death without them ever feeling a thing," Mael explained. "However, if it hits someone who isn't a demon, they will suffer unbearable pain instead. Poor thing!"
Astrid looked at him furiously. "You really enjoy causing me great pain, don't you?"
Mael merely smiled. "You have no one to blame but yourself for the pain your friend is going through. Destroying you would never come close to revenge, but this…"
"True Spirit SpearChastiefol! Form One: Chastiefol!" Fishlegs yelled.
Mael looked up and saw a giant spear directly overhead.
"Spear of Judgement!"
The spear then plunged down towards Mael, but he was able to hold it back with just one hand.
"The more you struggle with your imminent death, the longer I can get to keep tormenting Astrid," said Mael. "So keep it up, fairy."
Fishlegs rose to his feet despite the amount of pain he was suffering. "Don't you dare underestimate the Fairy King!"
Both Sariel and Tarmiel just watch the confrontation.
"That boy, how dare he do that to Mael," said Tarmiel.
"Tarmiel, we should go," said Sairel.
"Of course, we've got to give Mael some backup."
Sairel shook his head. "No, we don't; we must save the Seven Deadly Sins."
"S-seriously? But the person responsible for turning Mael into Estarossa is Astrid, right? Mael is one of us and our most advisable ally."
"That is correct; it's also true that he has lost his Grace Sunshine, but now that he has become aware that he is one of the Four Archangels, he has full control and a solid grasp of the Commandment's power. Such a feat is only possible for the strongest of us. However, in the end, it is a dark power that conflicts with the Angel Clan. Every time he uses that power, darkness devours his heart.
As Sariel spoke, the wings on Mael's left side began turning black.
"So what are we going to do?" Tarmiel asked. "I can't-I can't fight him; I still see him as one of us."
Sariel then flew into his face. "Because of that, we will save him."
Toothless flew down towards Ruby and Dereri, who was kneeling next to her.
"Ruby!" said Toothless.
Dereri lifted Ruby up towards her. "Ruby, wake up."
Ruby opened her eyes and saw Dereri looking down at her. "Dereri? What shall we do now? Estarossa was really Mael all this time. How can we see? Is it still possible for his heart to be salvaged?"
Dereri said nothing and will be remembered that Mael had killed Monspeet in front of her. "I'm sorry, Dereri. It was Mael that took someone important away from you, and I said I wanted to save him."
"No, let's do it," said Dereri. "Let's save him. After all, you did the same for us in the past."
Fishlegs was still trying to fend off Mael, but he was unbelievably strong.
"Fishlegs, this is between me and him; you don't have to get involved," said Astrid.
"You're just as stubborn as Hiccup," said Fishlegs.
"What?"
Fishlegs then had Chastiefol transform into its guardian form, and then a punched Mael sent him flying across the air.
Fishlegs looked back at Astrid. "Hiccup always believed that he had a shoulder the burden of his case all on his own, but all he needed were a friend to lean on. You are doing the exact same thing with Mael when you can make your life easy by just asking for help."
Astrid gave a small smile. "Guess we were always a perfect match."
Mael then suddenly reappeared above them. "This is starting to get fun. Why don't you come at me together next?"
"How about the four of us?" Sariel suggested as he and Tarmiel appeared behind him.
"Sariel… Tarmiel… hello," said Mael.
"M-Mael, I'm so glad I get the chance to see you again," said Tarmiel.
"I wish I could be happier, but it saddens me that you are in such a state," Sariel admitted.
Mael narrowed his eyes at them. "Why do you harbour such hostility towards me? Tell me why would you defend the sinner who took everything away from me. Is it not our sworn duty to eradicate the Demon Clan? We are the Four Archangels."
"I-I understand where you are coming from and how you feel, but you must be levelheaded," said Tarmiel. "Please, be patient. I'm sure you can find a way to regain the timing lost."
Mael looked at him furiously. "You understand how I feel, do you? That's all I lost was some time? There's no way you'll understand! Not in a million years!"
"Stop, Mael, you are thinking straight!" Sariel pleaded. "You need to release the Commandment you absorbed."
"As long as it's still dwells within you, your Grace of Sunshine will never return," said Tarmiel.
"This is most unfortunate," said Mael. "After losing my Grace, the Commandment that I held became the only source of hope for me. If you intend to take away that hope in exchange, I will grant you this… despair."
He then spread his arms wide and formed above his head with a combination of light and darkness.
"You want to save Mael?" said Ruby shocked.
"While it is true that he killed Monspeet, he didn't have a choice," Dereri admitted. "Fate had already planned for them to fight each other; the truth of the matter is that Monspeet and I should have died 3,000 years ago. But instead, you and Hiccup came and saved us. We never once questioned what we did.
It was our job to fight and kill the Angel Clan and any others; we always believed it was just the way it had to be. Even after you saved us, we didn't even think about trying to stop fighting. I mocked Meliodas, saying that he was stupid for running to you, but I was the stupid one. And I only wish I could have realised that sooner.
I'm never going to know how Monspeet felt about me, but what's important now is how I feel about him. What you said made me think about him and how he was my precious partner. We complemented each other so well. All I wanted was for him to keep living. This meaningless fight needs to end once and for all. The first step of which is to stop Mael, right?"
"Dereri, it is, but the problem is that I'm unable to take the Commandment from him with my powers," said Ruby.
"Then maybe I can offer some assistance," said a voice.
They turned and saw flying towards them was Skull, who then perched on top of Toothless' head.
Ruby's eyes widened upon seeing him. "Skull, what are you doing here? I thought Ragnar had you look after Hiccup's body?"
"When my memories of Mael returned, I figured that you might need my help," said Skull.
Dereri looked at Ruby. "You know this bird?"
Ruby nodded. "He's Ragnar's family."
"And I have the ability to probe into other people's minds, but Mael is too strong for me to probe," said Skull. "If he was weak and I might be able to penetrate his mind."
"I have an idea on how to do that," said Dereri and looked at Ruby. "You just wait here for now."
Dereri then flew off, and Skull followed close behind.
Mael was now attacking both Sariel and Tarmiel hitting them with a combination of dark and light magic. Fishlegs tried to offer them some assistance, but he was just too powerful for the three of them even working together.
Astrid could only watch helplessly from the ground. "If only I had my old body, I would be able to assist them."
"Astrid!" said Dereri as he flew down towards her. "I have a plan, but I'm going to need your help."
"Tell me what to do," said Astrid.
Dereri looked at Skull. "I needed to transmit my forts to everyone except Mael."
Soon everyone except for Mael were linked together thanks to Skull's telepathic abilities.
"Think fast!" said Mael creating a pair of blades of light and darkness and flew straight towards Astrid.
"As if I'll let you!" Fishlegs yelled, blasting him with Chastiefol's Increase Form.
Mael quickly flew out of the barrage of daggers. "You're such an irritating fly."
'Frist, the Fairy King, will provoke Mael with Astrid's help,' said Dereri. 'Once he's distracted, Sariel and Tarmiel pin him from both sides.'
"It's irritating being ordered around by one of the Ten Commandments, but—" said Sariel as he created a whirlwind.
"—If it's to save Mael, then I'll do whatever is asked of me!" said Tarmeil creating a tornado of water.
Both of their attacks trapped Mael's arms, leaving him completely helpless.
'Then I'll come and hammer him with attacked what he right on the verge of death,' said Dereri.
Dereri then appeared right in front of Mael. "Combo Star!"
She then began unleashing a barrage of punches at Mael.
'Skull, you're going to find how to retrieve the Commandment.'
Skull then looked directly into Mael's eyes and probed his mind.
Dereri continued to pelt Mael with an onslaught of punches, but Sariel and Tarmiel were having difficulties keeping Mael trapped.
"Come on, hurry up!" said Sariel.
"You need to endure just for a little bit longer, Mael," said Tarmiel. "This is all to save you, you'll see."
Skull was desperately trying to find the Commandment. 'Come on, where are you?'
"Tarmiel, how could you?" Mael yelled as he was being punched.
"Where is it?" said Skull.
"I'm always the one who gets treated like trash," said Mael.
'How much longer?' said Dereri.
"Please, help me!" Mael pleaded.
Skull found it. "I've found it!"
Unfortunately, at that exact time, Tarmiel had released his hold on Mael, freeing his right arm.
Mael smiled with his face covered in blood. "Thank you, my brethren."
He then pierced Dereri's last heart with his Arrow of Salvation.
Everyone just stared in horror.
"You should be grateful, the Angel of Death; show you mercy," said Mael and then began speaking in an ancient tongue.
"Dereri?!" Ruby cried, rushing towards her as she hit the ground.
Everyone else, meanwhile, noticed that Mael had extracted Dereri's Commandment. You once again began speaking in the ancient tongue.
"He tried to take in the fourth Commandment?" Fishlegs stared.
"Mael! If you take in any more Commandments, there's no going back! You could lose yourself forever!" Sariel warned.
"I'm begging you, stop this!" Tarmiel pleaded.
Mael, however, ignored them and fused with the Commandment and moments later, there was a blinding flash of light. It was so powerful that everyone was completely blown backwards.
Dereri opened her eyes, but instead of finding herself in the Sky Temple, she found herself in a village in the Demon Realm.
"If I remember correctly, I failed to stop Mael," she said, looking at her chest and discovering there was no wound. It didn't take long to figure out what had happened. "I see, so I ended up dying for it."
She wandered around the village but couldn't see a single soul.
"But still, this surely is a familiar sight; it almost looked exactly like Hell."
"It would appear the rumour about Meliodas escaping Hell with the captives from the Angel Clan was true after all," said a familiar voice behind her.
Dereri stopped right in her tracks and slowly turned around and saw standing there was none other than Monspeet.
"Impossible, but how?" Dereri stared.
"Oh well, he's a leader of the Ten Commandments; he'll do as he pleases," said Monspeet fiddling with his moustache. "Nothing we can do."
"Wait, a minute! Meliodas has been the leader of the Ten Commandments for a long time!" said Dereri, confused.
"This is bullshit!" said an angry voice, and Dereri turned on her, the youngest version of herself, standing there looking frustrated. "Whether he's a leader or not, a betrayal is still a betrayal! I'll never forgive him! We're going to capture him!"
Dereri then realised that this was a memory from the past. 'It's me… then this must be Hell from 3,000 years ago.'
"You know Dereri, the two of us could always try following his example instead," Monspeet suggested.
"What? This isn't the time to be spewing nonsense!" her younger self snapped.
"Please, I was just joking around," said Monspeet. "Unless I meant it."
Dereri looked at Monspeet, she remembered this, but she was so angry at Meliodas that she had realised his feelings.
"You coming, or are you just going to rot here, huh?" her younger self yelled as she took off. "I'm going by myself!"
"Don't get so mad; of course, I'm coming," said Monspeet and followed her. "You should know by now I'll never leave you alone."
Dereri just watched as Monspeet and her younger self flew off. 'You actually did tell me how you felt, didn't you? This whole time I just didn't allow myself to realise it. Thank you, Monspeet. Thank you, Ruby.'
Ruby tried her best to heal Dereri, but there was nothing she could do.
"Dereri, sleep peacefully and leave everything else to me," she said. "I promise those feelings won't go to waste. The Holy War and Mael… I'll find a way to stop them."
She then brushed away her tears and turned to face Mael. 'And Meliodas, no matter what, I will save you.'