A/N: I'm back with another update! I'm sorry it took so long to get out, summer break finished and so update times were sadly pushed back... I also have serious exams to prepare for from this year! But the good news is that chapters won't take as long to write as the mini chapters finish after this update! That's right, the final showdown has arrived!
Anywho, this story is a year old now! I know that I've posted much later than its actual birth date/creation day, but I've still tried to make this chapter extra-special to celebrate the fact that it's been ongoing for a year now! But in the past year this fic's progressed a bunch, especially because of everyone who's bothered to read, review or favourite and follow this story. So thanks a bunch everyone!
CarBarrier - Thanks for the lovely review! I'm glad you liked the chapter and Guila, Zeal and Gowther are honestly the most calm group. They're more or less the most 'normal' ones actually. I mainly base them off when I see my younger sisters :/
Darkjuliet444 - Thanks for all your kind words! I'm glad my writings have brightened your day and I'm glad to have provided my time and effort over the year. Point 1: Lil Escanor truly is a badass and Merlin really needs a cuddle right now. Also your point about how which is funnier is true! I ended up laughing my ass off trying to think of which would be: a buff lil kid with a cute face or a giant armoured demon getting his ass handed to him by said child. Point 2: The mystery of the books shall be revealed soon ;) Point 3: There is so much factoring into who is involved. It would be a mess to explain, so I'll just let you read and find out.
Till next time,
D.L.D
It was quiet. Yeah it had to be quiet.
Everything seemed still, calm, like the sudden stillness before a storm or the type of silence that caused tension within horror movies. Nothing seemed to stir, nor try to cause any sort of noise, the thin but also dense cover of the foliage absorbing all possible sounds. The towering trees which stood firmly and proudly, their leaves and branches extending further than any single person's power ever could, made the perfect cover for this silence. They made the perfect cage for this sort of silent torture, their similar appearances and looming natures only setting the scene all the more.
But oddly it didn't stun the small child standing among them.
It didn't startle him at all.
Meliodas could hear all the steady thrums of his hearts, the sounds of the world seeming to be nonexistent to his ears. The draw of each breath, the small but more or less whispering crunch of the odd twig or leaf beneath his boots: he could only hear what he was doing, what noises he was creating. Everything else seemed to be drowned out, blocked out, for the moment.
And yet it all suddenly became real, all suddenly exploded. The constant rushing of water, the gentle rustle of leaves and even the slight chirps of crickets suddenly flooded his hearing, the sound of his heartbeats drowning in these new sounds. These new intrusions.
But that wasn't the only thing that seemed to be different. No...something else was off.
Perhaps it was the ominous sense of being watched, the sense of having a set of familiar darkened depths watching from the shadows of the trees. The same darkened depths of which Meliodas had once owned and worn proudly. The ones that were the source of his demonic power, his monstrous and survival first nature, and yet were also the burden of his very long lifetime. The watcher seemed very familiar after all, their presence seeming to alert something within the blonde's system. Stir up a darkness he had a very tight leash on.
But maybe that wasn't the only thing that was off. Perhaps it was that Meliodas didn't feel anything at the moment. He felt separate, detached, as if he wasn't really here and that everything he saw now wasn't really real. Or at least not of any importance to seem real to him. No particular emotion seemed to course through his veins. No signs of joy, sadness or even the familiar fog of his oldest friend wrath. Well at least right now.
Everything just seemed...surreal.
"Hey Cap'n!"
Meliodas turns to see the familiar face of Ban, the spiky haired boy proudly brandishing a bird he managed to catch. It was a pheasant, its vibrant colouring betraying the fact that it was no plain chicken or duck. The feathered creature hung limp in Ban's hold, its neck seeming slack, and not even trying to claw away at the small hands which were wrapped around it.
But the jovial show of what he had caught seemed to wear off quickly for Ban, the boy raising a brow at the huge catch the tiny captain had managed to bring in. Or rather how brutally the thing had seemed to be caught.
It was a pretty large catch for a kid as small as Meliodas, the creature's body most likely being triple if not quintuple his size. It was a sword wolf, the creature's identity not being able to be mistaken due to the two gleaming fangs that protruded from its mouth. It was huge and doglike, suggesting it had a vicious bite without the added danger of the blade-like fangs. Add in the russet fur and white underside that was was stained red and Ban had to whistle out of appreciation as well as slight concern.
Now of course when hunting a bigger catch, some bloodshed could be involved. But this, the sheer amount that seemed to be displayed as well as the creature that received it, it appeared as if what had occurred was carnal, feral. It was nothing like what the blonde midget had ever done before, and Ban's concern could only grow as he spotted the dark mark that was spread on his friend's forehead.
Ban frowned a little as he looked at the captain and then the dead animal. "Cap are you alright?"
"Yep," Meliodas gave a grin, the mark that once decorated his forehead now fully erased. His green eyes then fixed onto the bird in Ban's hold, playing characteristically well into his role. "Hey you got a pretty good catch!"
Ban blinked at those words, having forgotten about his prize, but soon nodded and grinned widely. It was a pretty good catch, sure it was nothing to top the Captain's, but it was something. Especially since he'd been reduced to this shitty childish existence. That made it all the harder to get something simple like a pheasant. Plus Ban was pretty much glad that he could still hunt at all, his power as well as skill being reduced in this state.
And so the Fox Sin began to prattle about his catch, the pair making their way back to the spot in which Veronica and Griamore would most likely be waiting for them. All the while Meliodas continued to act as normal, ignoring the lingering feeling of the eyes that seemed to follow him everywhere he went. The familiar sensation of the people he had betrayed.
Once the subject of Ban's sudden silence and Meliodas' odd behaviour seemed to have been forgotten, the blonde released a sigh.
That was close. Too close.
But the blonde captain knew that it happened for a reason. He knew why the dragon in him was slowly coming back.
The battle had been drawing on for some time, the sky clearing up to display the blazing, golden star that we call the sun. A few puffy white clouds were scattered about the blue plains, all of them clear and lacking the threat of rain or storm clouds. The sun was even allowing its light to radiate onto the shattered and crumbled district of Camelot, catching on the red armour of the Commandment of Truth and the golden axe of the Lion Sin.
They clashed in turn, their weapons always colliding to cause sparks and never moving to penetrate. Only small and petty hits had really been traded, the punch dent from earlier on still visible in the helmet of the Commandment. The fine imprint of the boy's small fist was fixed into the metal item, squashing up the facial features and ruining the perfect symmetry of the helmet.
However that didn't mean that Escanor was unmarked either. In fact it was quite the contrary, his face suffering a particularly nasty black eye and shifted nose from where the demon's weapon had caught him in a dodge that proved too slow.
The battle, in all honestly, was a magnificent show of raw strength and power, both participants causing sparks to fly and dust to climb into the air. The only thing ruining this pure show of strength, of power, was the dust that flared up into the air every time one of the participants were thrown into a building or piles of debris. Long ago had the knights stopped themselves from interfering, many of them deciding to secure the perimeter for if Sir Escanor did fail to beat Galand. However that seemed to be something that appeared to be impossible, as the battle was far from dying down and while Galand was growing tired, Escanor grew in size and strength.
Sadly the demon did not seem to notice as such.
"I was clearly mistaken in thinking you'd be yet another easy battle," Galand chuckled dryly, his halberd being gripped for a sure swing that would certainly finish this all. He had to as this was drawing on for an embarrassingly long time. He was a Commandment after all, one of the elite of the demon race, and for a human child to stand a chance against him was terribly embarrassing. "You are different from all the many humans who have challenged me."
"Am I?" The Lion Sin was not fazed by this, his voice only leaving in a dry tone as he prepared for Galand to strike.
Another amused chuckle left the demon, the challenge that this child presented being something which he had not seen in a long time. It was also something that his allies lacked, their power and personalities being ok, but often supplying drab and very macabre situations. None of them really lived a little, many (if not all) of the Commandments frowning upon Galand's joy in including a little risk in his battles.
In fact if Melascula was still around, she would most certainly frown upon him making a deal with Escanor. Who was he fooling? Galand knew for a fact that she would and then she would bitch and moan about how he was taking too long to simply kill the child. Something which he was now understanding to be very true and very well needed.
Melascula did say his games will very well be the end of him.
"You are indeed," Galand nodded, his voice leaving in a jeering hum as he prepared his muscles to coil and pounce upon the child. "Galand of Truth never lies. Although it is a shame that I must kill you now, you would've been an excellent ally."
The child only blinked in response, his body already reacting to an attack that had yet to happen.
"I'm sure I would have," Escanor answered simply.
Then, just as the sun was slipping into its perfect position of midday, Galand decided to end this battle. In one swift movement, he had sprung on his feet and rushed towards the child, the halberd held in a position to quickly take his head off in one simple swing.
However that swing had ultimately failed, Escanor somehow growing in strength as the air around him seemed to become unbearably hot. Sparks blistered around his very being, glowing like drops of the sun itself, as the boy easily blocked and pushed the demon away with as little effort as swatting a fly.
However he no longer looked like a little boy. How could he with such huge muscles and a presence that seemed to be as glaring as the blazing sun itself? His blue eyes seemed to be filled with a fire in which they had lacked before, the corded muscles of his form only gathering to swallow each other in a great show of strength and masculinity. In his one arm was the short-stemmed axe, the child carrying it as if it were a mere wooden sword.
And yet it seemed as if it belonged right there.
Galand quivered as Escanor approached him, pure fear and regret overwhelming his senses as he realised just what was going to happen next. As he realised the grave mistake he made in not finishing this battle sooner. For if he had, if he had noticed that the child was gradually growing stronger by the hour earlier on, he may have been able to avoid this. He may have been able to avoid his death.
"You have been a worthy opponent Galand of Truth," Escanor spoke, his voice owning a more deep timbre. He held his axe, the gleaming blade facing directly at the demon's chest - where a human heart would lie. "But now I'm afraid that I must kill you."
The demon could only freeze in response, a gulp slipping down his throat as he blinked at the child. What would happen next was inevitable. There was no way to avoid an untimely end as the battle was a contract that must end in death. It was something only death could break.
So taking a deep breath, Galand looked at the axe before entering fight or flight, his halberd being kicked up into his hold. A hold that appeared to be in defense, the demon ready to brave out the inevitable and meet his untimely end due to his 'games'. As Melascula had always been right: Galand's games were to be the death of him.
"Cruel sun."
The whole world seemed to heat up at the child's words, the power of his hit and the intense heat of his special ability making the move doubly lethal. A giant golden spark gathered as the sacred treasure moved with certain accuracy, dust and a soaring wave of heat following as it surged towards the quivering Commandment. However the impressive move proved ultimately useless, the golden spark of Escanor's cruel sun revealing the stone statue of the Commandment of Truth himself. The demon being too much of a coward to eve face the death of a warrior - of a true martyr.
His dented helmet seemed dull now that it was unpolished stone, the sharpness of its horns being dulled to simple butter knife sharpness. The screaming knee pads of his armour were now a representation of the face that Galand most likely wore, the fixed position of his arms and legs betraying his cowardice and fear. Even the purple that gem that sat in the middle of his chest plate had not been spared of the Commandment of Truth's power, the once beautiful peace now a grayed and gritty circle.
"And to think he said he never lies..."
Escanor looked down at the statue in contempt, his blue eyes being entirely the same to the goddess race that loathed the demons so.
"So...what do you think you're gonna say?"
Diane stares intently at her friend, the shrunken giantess truly intrigued as to what could be going in within the princess' mind. Recovering lost memories was not an easy process, especially when they included more questions than answers.
When she had found out about King, Diane had been half hysterical and half skeptical. At first she had doubted that the memories linked to the bashful fairy who always seemed to watch out for her, but then, after thinking about it, after experiencing and seeing more, the brunette learned that perhaps it could be true. She began to see how King could be that mystery person she had spent so many years of her childhood with. She could see the connections between her real memories and those removed ones.
And something told Diane that Elizabeth was going through something similar. She could see it in how the princess was extremely cautious with the subject, her cheeks always flushing pink whenever it was brought up; her words would turn into stutters and her hair would become a shield between her face and Diane's studying gaze. Elizabeth had also taken to talking to the tiny captain alone a lot more often now, always seeming like she was going to tell him about the dream memory thing, but then she wouldn't.
Now that part perplexed Diane: Elizabeth hadn't told Meliodas yet. An odd action for the princess who never really liked to keep secrets such as those to herself. She hated having to hide.
"I don't know Diane," Elizabeth gave a sigh in response, absentmindedly chewing on the corner of her lip. "It's something personal and- "
"But you have a right to know Elizabeth!" Diane intercepted, her purple gaze keen as she leans forward on her little elbows. Her brows strain. "If Captain knows something about your past you have to confront him about it! Don't leave it too late or it could get messy like with me and King."
At those words Elizabeth pushes away from the table, shaking her head as she turns away from the brunette, "It's already messy."
Diane disagrees with this reaction, her head already bobbing with a shake. Her pigtails swing with vigour as she tuts and crosses her arms over her tiny chest, getting ready to admonish Elizabeth for her terrible foresight. Sure, the situation did seem messy. Many could call it a huge heaping pile of mess, but Diane knew differently. The brunette knew that this stage, this beginning stage where it would be best to divulge all information, was not at all messy. It did seem complicated, entangled and intertwined, but it was really at the simplest stage of how jumbled it could all get.
The giantess knew for a fact that if Elizabeth kept this news to herself, learned things herself, she might get the wrong impression of everything. She might think of Meliodas in a completely different way than she would have if she'd told him about this. And vice versa. Meliodas could also think differently of Elizabeth. He could fear her reaction or worse take it the wrong way.
It had happened with Diane when she had first learned about King, and it was difficult for her to make sense of it by herself. King also hadn't helped as he'd feared what would happen if she had learned of his actions. Diane didn't want that happening to Elizabeth nor Meliodas. None of them deserved that.
"Right now, this all may seem messy but it's not unsalvageable," Diane speaks in a guiding tone, her little hand reaching over to hold Elizabeth's. "Take it from me. I know first hand."
"What's not unsalvageable?" Jericho pops into view, the knight frowning as she looks at the pair. Both girls had sat pin-straight, screeching at the intrusion.
To Jericho, it was a little odd to see Diane looking a little like a guidance councilor while Elizabeth seemed a little more thoughtful than usual. It gave Jericho the impression that something odd may be happening, or perhaps even something that the adults had been blind to previously. The Sins and princess were not actual children after all, they could know how to hide things and pass it off as small trifles or scuffles. They could learn very upsetting news and take it maturely, discreetly, without every involving anyone.
That fact, the knowledge that these kids could be hiding something, had Jericho on edge. It had her spine straightened like a wire rod as a shiver ran through it and she studied the girls.
"Oh just girl talk," Diane waved a hand absentmindedly, flashing an innocent smile. "You know flowers and hair braiding."
"Sure..." The knight responded reluctantly, her tone highly skeptical. Her brown eyes narrowed with accusation, her stare making both children only smile sheepishly in response. However it was difficult to keep up such a smile in an oddly silent room.
"Veronica are you sure we need this much?!"
The sound of Margaret's shock was enough to draw the others outside, the suspicion of Jericho forgotten in the urge to see what had caused the eldest princess' shock. It had to be something ridiculous, or perhaps even a little impractical, to raise such a tone in Margaret's voice. Perhaps it would even be comical.
The group all head outside to come to face to face with the abundant haul of the quartet who had left earlier on in the day. And what a haul it was indeed!
To say that they had not done well would be a large miscalculation. A very large miscalculation. There was game, deer, anything you could name the group had caught it. Perhaps it was because they needed something to take their frustration out on, maybe it was because the group got a little carried away - whatever the reasons was they had done well. A little too well if I were to say. Birds had been gathered in sackfuls, while bigger prizes were hauled by Griamore and the ever-so-stubborn Veronica. Plus who could forget the impressive catches of the sword wolf and a most elusive breed of lizard.
Quite a bit of had been found, both alarming and concerning Margaret as she knew that it was all a little unnecessary. A little too exaggerated.
"Well, we've got a lot of mouths to feed," Veronica responded coolly to Margaret's outburst, shrugging as everyone else took in the pile. She sniffed as she wiped a little mud from her cheek. "I say we got a pretty good amount."
"I suppose it was practical to get this much..." Margaret trailed off, her cinnamon eyes creasing with thought as she hummed. "But where would we store it all?"
"We'll find somewhere," Veronica assured, grinning as she slung an arm around her sister's shoulder.
At that the hubbub rose once again, the group all marveling at the small bit of excitement they had received for the day. Not much had happened back at the Boar Hat after all, the tavern more or less being calm and peaceful as the girls (and Howzer) had amicably gotten along with some errands and enjoyed the peace and quiet. Of course Howzer wasn't happy that he was left behind - he was itching to do something useful - but even so he was still impressed.
Especially with the sword wolf.
Right now Elizabeth was talking with Jericho, assuring her that nothing at all was wrong, but then she caught Diane looking at her. Staring at her with that gaze that revealed exactly what she wanted the princess to do. She didn't even have to speak.
"Talk to him," Diane silently urged, her hands planted firmly on her hips as she nodded towards the tiny captain.
Elizabeth shook her head.
"I'll do it later," Elizabeth signaled back, her silver hair bouncing.
And she would tell him. When she felt comfortable she would. After all, she had a feeling that Goddess Elizabeth was tied to her through something much more meaningful than these strange dreams. Something much more meaningful indeed.
"We're back!"
Zeal cheerfully calls out as he rushes ahead, a huge grin plastered on his small features as he hoists a heavy basket with ease. Gowther follows closely behind, his tiny button nose buried in the thick pages of a book that appeared suspiciously new. Guila was the last to enter the now lively atmosphere of the Boar Hat, the knight in question bringing back the list of items and a smile that betrayed the rather jovial plans she had for the evening.
But even so that didn't seem so obvious to everyone else. Instead they thought she was fawning over her younger sibling, Zeal's softspot in Guila's heart being something every knew of and exploited at certain times.
"Ah they're back," Margaret stops in her tracks, smiling warmly whilst holding a steaming pie between her hands. "Hopefully they've managed to find those books."
"Books?" Elaine raises a brow, the fairy looking a little better than usual. Her skin tone had evened out into its usual snowy complexion, the darkened circles of fatigue having faded a little. Her golden eyes had lost their glassy and sheenless edge and her blonde hair had gained a little bounce. Plus she even mustered a little energy to float about at times, mainly directing her attentions towards the children who believed she was one of those ancient 'fairy godmothers' of her little story.
Right then she had been reading a story to an inquisitive Elizabeth, the princess having enjoyed the petite fairy's dramatic story time. Over time, a few of the children had joined, but many of them made themselves handy. They thought it was a little babyish to be listening to a story.
"Yes, they're going to be used to catalog each child," Margaret nodded, carefully adjusting her hold of the piping pie. Her cinnamon eyes crease with thought. "It's like a diary of sorts, I suppose. Merlin wanted each adult to keep one of each child to note the changes."
"I see," Elaine nods in response, adjusting the little princess in her lap. She had thought of another use for the books, a much more creative and productive use, but it could wait. Right now the health and well being of the children went before any fun and potentially insightful activity ideas.
"Well Ban's clearly the same as he was a few weeks ago," Jericho snorted a little, her own eyes fixed on the little gremlin.
He had been full of energy, too much energy, and even though the knight had asked if he was getting tired Ban would always say he could go on for days. In fact he never let himself drift to sleep. Even when he had heavy bags and was slowly nodding and losing concentration, Ban would startle himself awake.
It was like he was scared to sleep.
Jericho frowned as she watched the Fox Sin, her thoughts mixed with increasing concern for both him and the rest of the children. The side effects of this spell seem to be endless, perhaps even more damaging than any of them had ever anticipated.
"That might just be your stubborn nature talking," Howzer nudged the female knight, teasing lightly as he jilted her thoughts. It was awarded with a small huff and glare from Jericho. However it didn't dampen the blonde knight's pride, Howzer puffing his chest as he watched Diane and King assist Zeal. "I for one can say that Diane and King have certainly changed."
"Many of the children have," Griamore joined the conversation, his constant guard never wavering. "Subtly but most certainly."
"Definitely most certainly," Veronica nodded in agreement, her cheeks flaring with effort as she dropped a box.
The group them proceeded to watch the children all crowd about Guila, each of the jumping with joy and excitement as she handed them each something. It looked a little like a candied apple, maybe some sort of sugary sweet, but then again it ignited too much excitement - it caused too much joy to be just a simple treat. Each child seemed to be desperately clinging on to Guila's words, their little eyes and ears fixed to her voice.
Then all of a sudden they're all bouncing and rushing up to the group of watching adults, brandishing the treasures Guila had awarded them with. Little voices mixed into a cacophony of pleas and cries, their tiny hands waving and clinging onto the legs and arms of the unprepared adults.
"Can we go?" Ban had managed to scale Griamore, sitting on his shoulders and bashing on his head as he protested about seeing glittering lights.
"I really wanna see if it's true!" Diane was now wailing, hugging onto Jericho's leg as she pointed outside.
"We never do anything fun anymore!" Meliodas moped, pulling off the perfect strop.
"Wait! Wait!" Veronica snapped, calling all attention towards her. "What do you all want to do?"
"Go to the festival today!"
"Well - "
"Please," Elizabeth stepped forwards, her hands clasped and placed over her dear little heart. She looked so saint-like, so angelic, as she pleaded, her blue eyes wide with hope. "Everyone is so excited about it and we all promise to behave!"
All of the children chime in with their agreements, playing along with the pure innocence of Elizabeth's lamb-like nature. Each set of eyes looked on with childlike hope and expectation, leaving the adults to loathe themselves for having to the be the ones to crush them - to let them down. After all, nothing is as damaging as seeing the pure disappointment and sadness of an innocent and excited child, their wonder and awe crushed by the all time grouchiest word of 'no'.
So of course they couldn't say no; not with the power of seven puppy-eyed children.
"Fine..." Veronica relented, rolling her eyes as she groaned. "But only for an hour! We have a tavern to run you know!"
A series of groans filled the room, none of the children at all amused at the idea of bar work. After all, it was pretty boring for stubby-legged kids - mentally adult-aged stubby-legged kids.
A/N: The final mini chapter! It's kinda the reason why this came out so late (sorry). It's longer than usual for sure (like double length). This one is definitely a doozy and while writing it up I honestly cried. (More for the moment it signified I guess than actual sad points. I don't think it's particularly heart-wrenching but it's a opinion :I) God the waterworks are starting up again... Just read it and enjoy it, cause after the story is going to take a WILD turn.
Punishing Parents
It had been a long couple of days.
No, it had been eventful not long.
Long would describe days that stretch into oblivion, the hours never seeming to tick by fast enough for you to understand anything that went on. Long is when you're bored and have no-one to console nor fill your day with happiness and company. Long is what you'd use to describe a boring event and not something that could change the path of your entire life as well as that of the one you love. Long would mean that I want time to pass by, that I want tomorrow to come by faster - and I do not want that.
I want anything but that right now, my nerves feeling as if they were racing about whenever I even considered what was coming closer and closer. What was inevitably going to decide the fate of both myself and Meliodas.
I'm sure he can sense it. I'm certain he read it as clear as day, my emotions and thoughts always being something he could read better than myself sometimes. I'm sure Meliodas can sense the trepidation behind my smiles; he can spot the quaking panic that builds the closer we get; but most importantly he can see the determination that's weaved between the nerves and fear, my resolve not at all changed due to my skittish nature towards facing my mother once more.
It would never be wavered by something like that.
However I did ahem reason to fear facing my mother once more. I had not seen her for a while now: we had left on pretty terrible terms and she'd surely not be happy to know what I have done. Yes, she'll be distraught to learn that I've joined hands with a demon. Utterly disappointed and filled with disbelief.
But then again, that was the point of us doing this. We were meant to annoy what was essentially our gods - our omnipotent rulers. We had to rile them up, cause a stir, in some way. It was the only method to really get a reaction, to gain their actual attention.
But then, did it warrant doing this?
"You do know that doing this will only piss them off further," Gloxinia admonished, the fairy king frowning. He glanced purposely at both of us, 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 towards us. "Isn't that right?"
Despite having been gone for some time, both kings had returned to assist us - or rather enable us 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 I would begin to attempt the impossible. We wouldn't be helping each other as allies this time.
"Well..." I begin, but my mind goes blank. I can't really think with the lingering memories of my 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 my tongue ties and knees lock. I haven't even seen her yet and everything is shutting down. Everything is failing to function how it usually would.
What would it be like when I see her?
"Partially," Meliodas picks up on my mental stumble, his hand twisting with mine. His thumb traces light circles on the back of my hand, most likely a habit he'd picked up from myself, and I smile a little. This action is like a silent way of reminding me that I'm not at alone. A way to kind of chase away the looming dread in my gut. "But there's another reason."
"There's another reason why we're doing this?" I blink innocently, trying to find my words despite the knot in my tongue. But that's not the only thing ruining my logic. I can feel my mind slipping with each complete circle he traces on the back of my hand. But unlike with the thoughts of my mother, this sensation is more warm, hopeful, not at all filled with dread and anxiety.
"Yep," Meliodas responds more lightly than myself, more calm, and I 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, my lip was still locked between my teeth - probably bruised - and I'm sure everyone noticed it. But no-one asked why and so I didn't mention it.
However I had never asked what that mysterious other reason was, my naturally bashful demeanour restricting me from such feelings and wondering; but I had an inkling of what other motive may have went towards this. Perhaps I even knew deep down what was the true reason for it was. Deep, deep down I must know why. I wouldn't have willingly agreed to doing it just to annoy my mother: I could do that in many other ways. But instead I had agreed to do this. I - I had agreed to marry Meliodas.
I feel my face heat up at the thought.
What was I thinking?!
Have I really gone crazy?
I'm aware of the weight and gravity such an act could hold. Through my lifetime, I'd seen countless humans go through the process and marriage and dedicating their lives to one another. I'd seen humans build a family, a home, and base it all on the foundation of marriage. But races with long lifetimes, races like the goddesses and demons, do not partake in such things. We see such events as frivolous and silly, the idea of spending all of your life with a single person seeming absurd.
And yet I had done just that.
I had now done two things that my race would laugh or frown upon: joining forces with the enemy and then marrying them. Betraying my own people was one lethal act of its own, but then turning my back on them and doing something as foolish as getting married was only dragging myself further through the mud.
Meliodas had been right to say that doing this would take away all of chances of ever being forgiven. He was right to say that deciding to do this, wanting to go against everything I've ever known, would result in a series of events that neither of us would really be able to get over nor forget. We'd never be able to turn back.
But I don't think I'd ever want to now. Not now when I've seen reality of what my former beliefs, my upbringing, really is.
All of the fighting, all of the unnecessary bloodshed, is something I cannot take anymore. It's something I cannot stand to be a part of anymore nor simply watch and ignore from a safety that many could wish for.
I had to something about it. Something. And that something led all the way to the top, all the way to my mother, and to me ultimately planning to overthrow or convince her to give up. But I'm sure everyone is aware that my mother would not give up willingly.
Why would she?
"You're biting that lip of yours again," Meliodas speaks, a teasing grin on his features. I know that look. I know it all too well. "What's on your mind?"
"N-nothing!" I manage to get the words out, stumbling a little. My face heats up a little more. "I'm just - I'm nervous about seeing my mother again..."
His grin falls at my response, a serious look setting into his eyes. It's a look I've seen a couple of times over the past few days, a look I have known to be his 'Dragon mask'. I call it the 'Dragon mask' because Meliodas tended to gain that look when he was plotting, thinking, his mind working away at a plan that could effectively protect or gain all he desired. That look was one he'd had when I had first met him, one that became rare the closer I got to him, and one that I could recognise in an instant.
Due to that, I knew what was coming next. I knew what could be going through his head.
"You know, we don't have to do this," Meliodas offers the option of just sinking into the shadows once more. He always did. Or at least, he always encouraged me towards it because it was a lot safer for me. Not for him, but for me. It was what he'd rather do, even though he knew we had to do this and couldn't stand looking like a coward, because it assured a better possibility of success. It assured better chances of survival.
That's what his more autonomous side prioritized: survival and gain. But I can't do that. Not without trying to stand my ground and do what's right first.
"No!" The response comes out instantly, certainly, my mind already set on what I wanted to do. On what I needed to do. "That's the last thing I want! I want to do this."
"Are you sure?" He asks the question once more, concern painted on his features as he stares at me. It's no longer the thoughtful compliance nor the dutiful worry. It's more of a 'I'll do it without you just to keep you safe' look. The type of look that has my stomach twisting once more, my cheeks warming a little as my curiosity urges me to ask for that other reason. That other reason as to why we're doing this.
"I'm as sure as I've ever been," I nod surely, certainly, banishing the wiggling feeling that comes to my gut. Instead, I take in a deep breath and place him in the hot seat. "But what about you? Do you want to do this, Meliodas?"
"This isn't about me," Meliodas shakes his head, dismissing my question. His eyes harden slightly, darkening.
"It is," I push, knowing that if I did just enough I'd break through. My fingers easily lace with his, the sensation of his battle-worn hand as familiar as breathing. "Just as much as it's about me. So I'll ask again, do you want to do this?"
Thought then clouds his features, but unlike before it takes less time to come out. His response is more easily formed, more easily given, and I can tell it's coming from him and not something else.
"I want to," Meliodas finally answers, honestly answers, his gaze locking with mine. "But if you don't want to, I won't force you to."
That's all that needed to be exchanged. All that needed to be said as a final confirmation.
Closing all possibilities of turning back, we began to make our way up the ridge, knowing that we'd be meeting the equivalent of gods in a battle we'd ultimately lose.
The mountain air was thin. Wispy.
The higher you went, the harder it was to get enough to fill your lungs. As a result, you should be prepared to go somewhere so dangerous - you should know how to acclimate to it. If you cannot breathe, then you cannot hope to climb much further than the base. However thin air was something I knew how to breathe from having owned a pair of wings for as long as I can remember.
But overall mountains weren't strange to me.
I knew of their snowy peaks; I knew of the ones that didn't have snow; I knew how hard it was to trek up their rocky slopes. I had a hundred and one ways to find an alternative route upwards. I knew of a million routines and drills that had been ingrained into my mind from a very young age. I could name the wildlife that was most likely to pop up. I could recognise what plants would flourish and whether a particular mountain could perhaps be an extinct volcano.
I had practically been raised among the sloping sides of such cavernous structures. They were my playgrounds growing up and so I knew the mountains as well as an old friend.
But that reassurance, that familiarity, didn't seem so comforting now.
"Elizabeth!"
My mother's aura surrounds me, the sweet and fragrant scent of flowers, sunlight and fresh afternoons stuffing my nose. However it doesn't feel pleasant like all those things; it seems cold and icy like freshly dredged water from the freezing ocean. The blinding light of her pureness burns my eyes instead of guiding them; and I'm sure my spine is straightened to a snapping point, the gnawing of my lip confirming the anxiety swimming in my veins.
However even so, I still find myself stepping closer to her. I find myself staring right into her pure blue eyes, gulping as I trace the triskele symbol of our race within her pupils. Inwardly trembling as I think of the power she holds beneath her fingertips.
"I'm so glad you're fine and safe my sweet, sweet bird," My mother seems joyful, glad, her voice carrying sweet and melodious in the thin mountain air. She lowers a hand, expecting me to clamber upon it as I used to do. "I was so worried that the foul creature had done something to you."
"How mature of you to assume it may not have been the opposite," The Demon King coughs, his voice much more authoritative and grainy than my mother's. The Demon King was a being just as gigantic as my mother, his looming frame being shrouded with darkness just like how my mother was clouded with light. He was aged, perhaps from being within purgatory, and seemed to live within his armour. I can now see why Meliodas was so callous when I had first met him: it was all he had ever known. "That Goddess has made my finest general leave."
"And your general has spirited my daughter away," My mother counters, her voice extremely clipped. She shoots a look towards the Demon King before turning to me, her brows creasing softly, evenly, with concern. "Dearest, whatever has he done to make you disobey Ludociel? Rather, what has he done to make you turn down all the respectable men that come your way! Surely you would not want to spend eternity with...that."
I stiffen at the increasing venom of which my mother address Meliodas with, each utter making something itch and burn within my veins. For years I have tolerated her little comments. I have listened and ignored the condescension hidden within her omnipotence; I have seen and ignored the small evils that she passed on as good deeds; I have also felt and ignored the pain and negativity she could bring when angered.
But over the years, I have done nothing. I have not used my knowledge to help those who have no chance. I have not done what I am meant to do as a figurehead of my people. I have not even tried to do one act of pure defiance against her, my mind always wrapped around her fingers.
But now I'm ready to do something. I'm ready to rebel for once, the little mist of doubt my mother had conjured removed through experience and cold, harsh truths. The same truths that Meliodas had told me about, at first causing distress but soon growing into a sense of gratitude.
And I am sure I've changed him in some way as well.
"Meliodas didn't so anything to me, mother," I shake my head, speaking calmly as I glance at him.
He seems ready, terse, not displaying any intent but also not relaxing completely either. I can see it in the slight twinge of his jaw, the way he's made sure to make it seem as if his hands are occupied with anything but the thought of drawing his weapon. But even with his doubts, even with my mother's subtle taunts, I can tell that Meliodas isn't going to charge in yet. Not when there's a chance of using words instead of violence.
Not because of the outcome for him, but rather the outcome for me.
My mother seems to notice this too as she recoils in disgust, "Surely he - "
"I willingly did it!" I get my response out before she can continue any further, squeezing my eyes shut as I clench my fists. I know I shouldn't feel like this, but I feel exactly as I did those many distant years ago. I can see myself, now and then, shaking and anticipating my mother's icy wrath for pushing too far for something trivial. I can see myself becoming that young goddess once more, scared of the punishment even though I believe I am right.
"I willingly joined hands with a demon," I continue, ignore the growing tautness of my gut. "No-one forced me to."
I can feel the shift in the air before I see it, the potent sweetness of the flowers fading to the dull scent of dew. The dazzling light that surrounds her feels white-hot and dangerous, feeling like its flashing in perilous pulses but remaining constant to my eyes.
"You've - joined hands..." My mother's voice wavers, drops, her once relieved gaze turning into frozen ice. A hand tightly grasps at her clothed chest. "With a demon?"
"Yes mothe- "
"Do not call me such!" The blow is quick, unexpected, a surge of wind causing my hair to fly in all directions as my mother moves her hand to catch my cheek. I should move, do what I have practiced and trained to do, but every muscle and joint within me freezes up. I can't will myself to move at all - I can only squeeze me eyes tighter closed, hoping that she'll be a little more gentle this time than the many others previous.
However I don't feel the crisp sting of yet another slap. It doesn't hit me, it hits someone else.
"Meliodas!" The healing kicks in before I can even think about it, a gentle hand resting on his cheek. It causes the stiffness of my muscles to loosen up, the natural heat of my powers pushing away the gelid anxiety that filled my veins. However it doesn't stop the concern that forms. "Does it hurt?"
"I've felt worse," He responds simply, factually, both of us knowing that it was probably true. My mother was soft compared to her counterpart. "But she'll regret doing that."
My mother only sniffs in response, the sky beginning to darken around her sparkling halo. Her arms fold across her full chest, betraying the anger that she hides so well behind her shining veil. Perfect blue bleeds into a stormy grey screen, the once clear sky gaining full clouds that looked ready to burst with pelting rain. The warmth in the air dropped a little, the wind growing stronger. A soft rumble sounded in the distance.
I instinctively flinch.
That can only mean one thing...
"Meliodas..." The Demon King's dark gaze fixes onto us, his voice deep and rumbling like the earth itself. He doesn't show any affection like my mother, his gaze dark, unfeeling. "I see you've also become a disappointment."
"You're not exactly a great role model, either," Meliodas grimaces a little, already reaching for the hilt of his broadsword. He doesn't seem like he wants to make peace this time round. I don't entirely blame him either. It seems our parents are set on the idea of perpetual war and are too prided to even consider anything else.
Shaking my head, I begin to feel the familiar thrum of adrenaline pumping through my veins. I can feel my the light dancing at my fingertips, ready to be used to fight for the chance of peace and not war. It had been a while since I had actually fought, my time at Stigma and meeting Meliodas filled with more memories of talking and passive actions rather than brute force. I had also sworn to never partake in extreme violence ever again, but if I must for the sake of peace then I will. I would fight once more and defeat my own mother if it meant I could gain peace for all.
After all, the thought of a war-stricken future was much more grim than facing my mother's icy fury. I wasn't alone this time either.
"This is your final chance," The Demon King warns, the atmosphere once again thickening with the drop of his facade. The darkness of the sky seems to grow, the temperature also dropping suddenly to an icy plummet. "You can both stop...whatever foolishness this is and return to your rightful places or - "
"None of us are going back," Meliodas interjects, the firmness of his tone directly countering that of both gods'. He glances at me and I nod in return, solemnizing my final choice. I was going to do this. "We chose our sides when we left."
"Very well."
The storm clouds began to swirl, the skies darkening as the two leaders towered above us. It seems we may face the same fate as Belialuin.
My breath comes out in quick pants as I try to dodge the many attacks thrown at me, the discombobulation the thunder gave me still being potent. The world spins as I dance over little rocks, trying my best not to trip, while also trying to keep my mother's attention away from Meliodas. It wouldn't help him to have both focused entirely on him, especially since we were both in a pretty weakened state.
I aim an attack at my mother, knowing that this particular one would break through her usually impenetrable skill set. Sweat is clinging to my brow as I watch her reaction, blood causing my hair to stick to my forehead. Little cuts sting my arms and legs, my mind not entirely focused on healing as I need to get my aim just right. However even with the distractions, the intense aching of my muscles and throbbing of my head, I spot the damage I'd caused.
I spot the annoyed look my mother wears. Her eyes fix onto me and I give a smile - no a smirk - already moving to avoid yet another strike of thunder.
It actually worked!
Ok, now all I have to do it keep it up.
You have to keep it up, Elizabeth, or everything will fail.
You can't fall behind or -
I end up falling face-first, the exhaustion and anxiety mixing into the perfect catalyst for my clumsiness. Meliodas notices my stumble, he calls out to me but I can't hear anything.
Move? Why do I need to -
I scramble back up just as he gets pushed back into me, both of us falling to the rocky ground. Somehow I had ended up falling on Meliodas, even though he'd been pushed back into me. I sigh, shaking my head as I manage to summon enough strength to heal as much as I can as quickly as I can. But sadly that was only a few superficial wounds, most of them healing halfway or not even beginning to heal at all.
It causes me to frown.
At this rate, we're going to lose.
"Give up, you impotent fools!" More thunder rains down around us, this time joined by a wave of darkness. It's overpowering, overwhelming, for us both. We're too tired and ill-equipped to survive something of this scale, the sheer power of just one of the gods alone being too much for any of us to counter. Pair it with both of them teaming up and we were surely just lambs walking right into a slaughterhouse.
But as always there was hope. Small pieces of hope that were scattered but there.
It was evident from how we were both still standing there, positioned to fight, even though we knew we were more likely to lose than win. Both gods knew that too. They knew we were going to lose, but naturally they wanted to punish us first. They wanted us to know what crossing them meant.
So naturally the battle dragged on for longer than necessary, the time waning on as the exhaustion grew larger and larger, until finally we were falling, gravity dragging us right to our inevitable deaths.
It hurt all over. My body ached. It stung. A lot. It was like a million tiny pins were stabbing into me each second, their thinned points and sharp precision striking deep and lasting as they prodded again and again. Yet even with all this pain, all of these terrible sensations of aching and stinging, I somehow had the strength to open my weighted eyelids. I somehow managed to give a strained glance at what was around me, only to have my gaze fall upon Meliodas.
Oh Meliodas...
Tears bubbled to my eyes as I could only think of this all being my fault. All of my fault.
The damage of the battle was still evident, the many injuries and contusions gained from the conflict littering his bare torso. He was still, too still, and yet I couldn't sense death - not yet. I could spot a darkening bruise, a large gash that seemed particularly nasty: everything just seemed brutal, like overkill, despite us both having done the ultimate misdeed. Despite us both willingly knowing that this was most likely a suicide mission.
Above us I could make out muttering of some sorts. It was something about a curse. Something about a punishment in which I would forever reincarnate and Meliodas would live forever. A punishment where I would perpetually fall in love with him every time we cross paths, only to die if I should know the truth.
If I should know about our fated past...
I should do something about this. I should get up and try to stop what's happening, and yet I can't. Staying awake is becoming too hard: my eyelids feel so heavy, so weighted, and it's tempting to just slip into an eternal sleep and never look back. To just rest here and see what becomes of fate. To leave this all behind and just watch what happens next. To maybe become a part of what happens next. I'm sure it would better than feeling this pain, than being in this cursed situation.
It must be inevitable for me to meet Meliodas once more. That muttering about curses has to be true and they must be nearing the end. It's been going on for a while, or just repeating in my mind, and knowing the Supreme Deity and the Demon King they wouldn't let us go unpunished for this. Turning against them was sentencing yourself to suffering for eternity - even if you were their own flesh and bone.
Shakily I extend a hand, just enough to enclose Meliodas' tightly with my own. Cold, dying, soft fingers meet his own warm, live and rough ones, the sensation of some heat settling my nerves as tears continue to slip from my eyes.
"I'm sorry for breaking my promise..."
The words leave softly, solemnly, a sort of guilt and sadness mixing as I knew that I couldn't keep that promise anymore. Even if I knew that one day I'd die, that I won't always be by his side - I wouldn't want to be there now. Not when I would cause him so much pain and anguish as I went through each new lifetime, only to die when I learned the truth or when the natural spark of life had been snuffed out. I couldn't stand to be there when I had made him sacrifice so much for what is essentially nothing but eternal damnation.
"I bless thee Meliodas."
I place a gentle kiss to his forehead, allowing the last remaining drops of my power to drain away. The signs of life are still there, the gradual rise and fall of his chest and the steady thrum of his hearts showing me that he'd be fine. That he'd live and survive. Not just for himself but for the both of us.
The both of us.
He'll live for us both.
Another solemn smile finds itself on my lips, my thoughts darkening with that single revelation. The same one that is broken as my eyelids flutter, the misty haze of sleep seeming to wrap around me as everything seems to drain out of me. It's like water draining down a whirlpool, swirling and falling until all of it dries up. Until all of it is gone. As more and more energy leaves my body, the sleepy weight of stilling becomes too much for me. It pulls too much and the world collapses while my senses and vision vanish.
I take my final breath, my heart falling still in the silent air.