A/N: I apologise in advance for this entry. I just had to do it cause 'till death do we part'. DEATH. Death is key to Melizabeth and unfortunately I like toying with the idea of death, love and perpetual suffering. Angst is just more fun to write for me. It's just the way it is...

Till next time,

D.L.D


Human concepts were always considered the most frivolous and unwise of all the different race's. Due to their short life spans and their limited time offered by the gods, they never had the real opportunity to question and experiment with their own traditions and theories. All they did is accept that those traditions and theories were faith - were the absolute truth. From the moment they are able to grasp information in their primitive brains, they cling onto it, they take it to heart and carry it too carefully, too warily, becoming too emotional to even question if the truth - the lie - they had been told was truly something else wrapped within a pretty cloak of deception.

Being a goddess, Elizabeth was always taught to humour human concepts. Only humour human concepts. Goddesses were above stooping to the childish and frivolous behaviours of actually participating and mingling with the half-baked ideas of the fickle human race. Being gifted with long and wisdom-filled lives, goddesses knew that their ideas would only result in living a life restricted by promises, contracts and obligations. Duties.

But Elizabeth was always different in that regard: she lacked the pompous nature of her fellow kinsmen. Sure, being a goddess meant that Elizabeth had time to think through human concepts and traditions. Sure, being a goddess meant that Elizabeth shouldn't find the many festivals, faiths and rituals of the simple-minded humans so fascinating. But, all because she was a goddess didn't mean that Elizabeth couldn't be willing to see if these concepts really did work. All because she was a goddess didn't mean that Elizabeth couldn't partially desire to see what was so great about it.

Elizabeth was always different toward the subject of humans. Elizabeth was always different toward the subject of demons. Elizabeth was always different toward the subject of war. Elizabeth was always different.

Maybe that is why she is willing to anger a god.

Purposely disobeying direct orders was never anything new to Elizabeth. Many times - too many times - she had found loopholes and small little opportunities to shirk her supposed duties in favour of studying and learning more about humans and their mysterious cultures. Their juxtaposing beliefs.

Constantly, Jelamet would berate her for being so naive and fickle toward the dangers of sneaking away and taking on the guise of an unknowing village girl. Constantly, her mother would pressure her toward the path of following in her grand footsteps, ascending to become a brilliant and dazzling pillar of light - a true god to her clan and race. Constantly, Elizabeth ignored and ran away from it.

Ever since the war began, ever since the goddesses and demons had set to rip each other apart, Elizabeth had decided that this life she was destined to have - her promised godhood - was something she did not want.

At first, she had believed that it was the constant conflict that jarred her concentration. Strengthening her power just to eradicate another race did not settle well with her - not back then and definitely not now. But now, after another hundred years of rejecting her promised destiny, Elizabeth had grown wiser and realised what she truly desired.

That fickle, simple-minded security of a human life.

Oddly, the realisation had emerged when she had first shown Meliodas what she found so amazing about humans and their quaint, entertaining lives. As she went prattling on and on about the importance of their festivals and their societies and their rituals, she found herself expressing her own desire to carry them out. She found herself expressing her own wish to ditch the intricacy of being a destined god to instead live a simple, happy life.

Somehow, someway, that wish - that distant, childlike dream - had formed into an idea that had seemed rather silly at first. But, after thinking about it carefully, after exchanging it again and again for better-sounding ones, Elizabeth found that it was the only way she could truly anger a god. Elizabeth believed that it was the only way she could truly get a small piece of that simple, human life she craved.

"You do know that doing this will only piss them both off further," Gloxinia admonished, the fairy king frowning deeply. He glanced purposely at both Elizabeth and Meliodas, severity lacing his tone. "That's kinda unwise to do in your position."

"I think the goal is to piss the supreme rulers off," Drole responded, chuckling a little. His darkened eyes glanced downward, also settling on the pair. "Isn't that right?"

Despite having been gone for some time, both kings had returned to assist the pair - or rather enable them to take away the strain of both gods' ever-watching gaze. It was their last favor, or rather a debt to repay, and after this all ties would be severed. They would take their place wherever they may find it and Meliodas and Elizabeth would begin to attempt the impossible. They wouldn't be helping each other as allies this time; this was all just business.

"Well..." Elizabeth begins, but her mind goes blank. She can't really think with the lingering memories of her mother, or rather her icy neglect and cruel gaze that could look so motherly yet dangerous. Add that in with the thought of seeing her angrier than she's ever been before and the goddess' tongue immediately ties and her knees frigidly lock. She hasn't even seen her mother yet and everything is shutting down. Everything is failing to function how it usually would.

What would it be like when she sees her?

No doubt, she would be mad. Severely and utterly enraged. Doing this alone - not to mention the other secret Elizabeth carries with her - will no doubt summon a rage that will threaten to challenge the power of a god's origins itself.

"Partially," Meliodas picks up on Elizabeth's mental stumble, his hand twisting with hers. His thumb traces light circles on the back of her hand, most likely a habit he'd picked up from the goddess herself, and she smiles a little. This action is like a silent way of reminding her that she's not at alone. A way to kind of chase away the looming dread in her gut. "But there's another reason."

"There's another reason?" Elizabeth blinks innocently, trying to find her words despite the knot in her tongue. But that's not the only thing ruining her logic. She can feel her mind slipping with each complete circle he traces on the back of her hand. But unlike with the thoughts of her mother, this sensation is more warm and hopeful, not at all filled with dread and anxiety.

"Yep," Meliodas responds more lightly than the goddess, more calm, and she felt everything loosening up a little once more - if only a little.

He had that sort of effect these days, this sort of magic ability that helped to shake the fear away if only by a tiny, minuscule piece. But even with his presence, his voice and smile being close, Elizabeth's lip was still locked between her teeth - probably bruised - and she was sure everyone noticed it. But no-one asked why and so she didn't mention it.

Everything about this life was always so complicated and intertwined. Each thread and line of string connecting every facet of everyone's lives always tangled and jumbled into an impossible web. Elizabeth won't miss this. If she truly does die in the confrontation that follows this, she won't miss the careful steps she must take in moments like these.

"Ah, so that's why she's so nervous!" Gloxinia grins, snapping his fingers as he looks at Elizabeth. An excited light fills his eyes, igniting with a brilliant passion they had been missing. "You're carrying new life."

"You can sense that?!" Elizabeth reddens, her voice leaving in a panicked squeak as she wraps her arms tightly around herself. She feels naked, exposed, like a bare wall illuminated by a candle's flame. Not many knew about her pregnancy. Not many knew that she her chastity was not that anymore.

"I'm a fairy," Gloxinia chuckles, throwing his arms out to gesture at the flourishing plant life surrounding the area. "Life and nature is part of what I do. Of course I can sense it."

"There's not much you can hide from him," Drole admits, humming in agreement. Acting as the sole witness, his job wasn't as major as Gloxinia's but carried a similar weight. A similar burden of solemness and resigned fate. "But if it's obvious to Gloxinia, that means the gods are not far behind."

"That's why we're doing this now," Meliodas speaks, an arm protectively wound around Elizabeth's waist. He can sense her distress, her growing anxiety, and it unsettles him. Jars him. It doesn't help that his own apprehension is getting worse too. "Before they find out."

"Of course," Drole agrees once more. His voice travels in the earth beneath them. "No doubt they will be infuriated when they learn the truth of what has transpired. Even worse if Elizabeth was not- "

"We get the idea!" Elizabeth interjects, her cheeks reddened with embarrassment and shyness. Already she was regretting suggesting this idea. Already she was regretting her silly, human wishes. "Can we just do this before I change my mind?"

"Well, since you're in such a hurry, why don't we just skip to the good part!" Gloxinia continues to laugh, rubbing his hands in glee. His excitement is not at all hidden as he smiles. "I've been waiting for months to do this!"

This moment was one Elizabeth had witnessed many times. Time and time again, she'd stood there, on the outskirts, watching as a couple bound themselves together until time demanded that they must split. Over centuries, decades, she had watched a revolving door of blushing brides and grinning grooms get showered in rice grains and confetti, sugared almonds in between.

At first, it had been a fascination. She had been wondering how someone could so willingly obligate their whole life to another, knowing they will never stray away nor grow tired of their company. But now, many years later, many human lifetimes after, Elizabeth found she understood why. Even if her time with Meliodas would be short. Even if she'd never completely get that simple human life she wanted. She understood why.

Tightly holding Meliodas' hand in her own, her heart hammering in her chest, her blood bursting with adrenaline, Elizabeth spoke the sealing words, the final promise.

"Till death do we part."

Only, death would not be far behind. Death would follow not a day later.