Hi everyone! I hope you're doing fine! :D
I am veeeery, very, VERY, sorry for the long wait! .
It was a very busy summer, and, well.. it was summer "^^
But I didn't forget about Escalin and my stories :D I love them too much! 3
I worked hard these last weeks, and I can tell you now that this story is finished! There are only 3 chapters left, this included. I have already finished the 8th chapter long ago, and the 7th is almost finished!
But this 6th chapter gave me hell! I had a really difficult time finishing this, it was a difficult part of their story to write..
I hope I was able to give it, and them, justice!
I decided to use the dialogues of the manga, word for word, or almost word for word, so that it didn't lose the profound meaning of the scene. I changed some things, obviously, particularly at the end (like Escanor's poem T_T).
Thanks a lot to everyone who read, commented and liked my fics!
Thank you again for your patience! "^^
Please, follow me on twitter if you like! I'll appreciate it ^^
( /RoryWild4)
And Bertaz too! (She draws Escalin sooooo well! She's an inspiration and a huge help every time!)
( /BertazHead)
I also recommend reading the stories of: sailingskye and Wolly! They are totally gold! *.*
CHAPTER 6: Time
Merlin's party arrived just in the nick of time.
They had defeated the Indura, and had landed right beside Meliodas and the Demon King, who was using Zeldris' body now, ready to help their Captain; they had a rule to work as a team every now and then, and they had notice right away the battle that was being fought a good distance away from them.
Merlin was worried, if Meliodas had been here then protecting Liones from the Indura's offspring would have been a real hassle for the Knights left there.
She couldn't really make sure that everything was alright, she just hoped that Escanor was safe.
She shook herself mentally, she had to concentrate, they had to fight a very powerful enemy, she needed all her wits about her and in top form.
They began fighting the Demon King, but weren't able to resist without Meliodas, so taking him inside his brother's mind, with Gowther's help, wasn't possible. If only they had just another fighter to help them keep their opponent busy enough…
Then suddenly, an attack directed at the Captain was blocked by none other than Escanor's hand.
Everyone was shocked to see him in his day form, but Merlin and Meliodas were also very worried for him.
The Captain tried to convince him to stop, he seemed aware of the younger man's condition, while Merlin couldn't speak, she was relieved to have him there with them, he was safe and would be the greatest and best help they could have asked for, but she was also worried out of her mind, she knew very well how bad his health was, they had talked about it, and seeing him there, with Sunshine again, knowing the strain that that was putting on his body… the weight she felt in her chest constricted her heart even more.
They couldn't even talk at all, the Demon King didn't give them a chance to, they had to fight.
He and Escanor exchanged some powerful blows, and then…
"Killing a God. Such is the only way that this fire within me will die out."
The Lion's words hit her harder than any of his previous attacks on the Demon King.
No.
She couldn't believe it.
Had he really chosen to leave them all like this?
To leave her like this?!
...they really didn't have any more time.
The feeling of foredoom she had was right...and she could do nothing, absolutely nothing..!
The others were confused, but the battle started up again, this time Ban and King went to help Escanor, giving Gowther and Meliodas the time to try and enter the Demon King's and Zeldris' minds.
Merlin had to do her part, creating a perfect cube around the non fighters, protecting them, while her eyes never strayed from the battle in front of her.
She was only just aware that, after a little time, Gowther had returned from the spirit world alone, and soon after that, even Gelda appeared, biting the Demon King so that she could go and help Zeldris inside his mind.
In the meantime they had to take care of her body too, while Escanor, Ban and King went on fighting their enemy.
They weren't faring well, they had sustained a lot of damage.
Merlin could only watch, clenching her fists and teeth, powerless.
Suddenly Elizabeth asked her to take down the barrier, she wanted to help the fighters and she couldn't do anything from Inside it. The Mage was torn, her Big Sis-Sis was in danger because of the Demon King's curse still on her, if she took down her cube, anything could have happened to her; on the other hand, their comrades needed help, Escanor needed help!
In the end she decided to free the goddess and the others from her defensive magic, and immediately Elizabeth casted a healing magic towards the three fighters, who started again to keep their enemy busy.
The Boar was very worried, the lake was replenishing the Demon King with magic power constantly and if that fight dragged on for too long all Britannia would be destroyed. She said as much out loud, but they didn't have the chance to talk further because a sudden twister hit them, blocking them and lifting Elizabeth up towards the sky, her and Diane's shouts were useless, the princess was going to be struck by lightning.
But she wasn't.
The hit was countered towards the Demon King, and everyone could see that Meliodas had returned.
Now, with everyone here and ready, they would give him real hell!
The Mage couldn't help looking again towards her lover, he seemed to be avoiding her and her gaze, she knew why, she knew the moment their eyes met their resolve would crumble, they would be distracted, but it was making her sadder.
She mentally shook herself, she had to stay focused.
It was Diane's turn to show the Demon King what she got, and her 'Mother Creation' helped in separating him from the magic lake, effectively cutting his source to replenish his powers.
The Mage couldn't help a bitter smile to form on her face when King asked the giantess to marry him in the middle of her attack; she was happy for them, but could also feel the weight of one other thing that she couldn't have, that they could never have.
They didn't have time.
It was almost ironic how she, blessed with 'Infinity', who had stopped her own aging, didn't have enough time to stay with the man she had discovered she loved.
How bitterly ironic.
"And as of just now, one more piece of bad news has been added to your situation."
She didn't have to look at him to know what was coming.
"It's high noon."
It was 'The One' time now, and she didn't know how to feel about that; sure, the Mage in her was grateful and knew that this would probably be their trump card, but the woman in her just wanted to have a little more time with the man that she loved.
"The time has finally come…"
He was so imposing and fascinating, she had always admired him.
"... Escanor…"
She couldn't help it, his name just escaped her lips, almost as a plea, and she was sure that he had heard her because she saw him flinch slightly, even in this form she could affect him. She didn't know what she wanted to say, not really, there wasn't time, they weren't safe, no one was, and he was risking his life for them.
Escanor in his 'The One' form and the Demon King began trading punches, the power of their blows was outstanding, the Lion Sin was matching his opponent in brutal force and power, all the others were astonished by that; but when the minute would pass, what would happen then?
The Demon King was aware of that, and waited until the end of it to punch Escanor right in the stomach, sure of his victory.
But no one there had taken into account Escanor's will and pure determination.
After one minute had passed, the fire surrounding him vanished, signaling the end of his all-powerful form, but suddenly new and greater flames began surrounding him, stronger and brighter than ever.
He had gone over his limit and reached 'The One Ultimate' form.
It would have been a moment to cheer and to resume beating up their enemy with newfound determination, if not for the fact that Escanor wasn't using only the power of the Grace anymore…
...he was using his own life force to fuel Sunshine and his powers, to go over the limit, to find even greater power than the one of Mael's Grace.
Everything to save them, to save her.
"That's not the power of 'Sunshine'... Escanor is converting his own life force into magic power. He… intends to completely burn out his own life!"
Meliodas' words were like a death sentence to her ears, and they really were.
She was frozen solid in horror and desperation.
The others were shocked and talking about how to stop him, and quickly the Captain, Ban and King went to help him fend off the Demon King.
'The One' didn't take their intrusion well, he didn't want the help of anyone, he told them as much, but Meliodas was ready to counter his argument, putting himself in front of him, blocking his way.
"I didn't invite you to join the Seven Deadly Sins just to let you go and pull something like this!"
Escanor stood there, taking in the angry resolve of his Captain.
Then began talking again, reminding him of the times when he was younger and hadn't known how to control his daily rage, and how Meliodas had beat him up every single time into submission, helping him to begin controlling his tremendous powers, never giving up on him.
"You gave me, who was lost in loneliness and solitude, a place to be… somewhere I belonged… Do you have any idea, just what kind of happiness that gave me?"
The Sins were silent, everyone could relate to his words, every one of them had found a place to call their own within the Seven Deadly Sins, and later on they had even found a family.
Merlin was having a hard time not crying.
She had had her own agenda for helping Meliodas create their knighthood, and she had never thought about how important that had become for every single one of them, even for her. She would have never thought to finally be able to find what she had been craving for all her life, to be loved by such a wonderful man!
...and to lose him along the way towards her own selfish goals…
She had never desired so much to have the power to turn back time!
They didn't have time to say more, the Demon King began attacking them again, and Escanor immediately sprang into action.
"I swore an oath to myself that day… and have kept it ever since! That this life which I had once tried to abandon I would now stake for you… and for my friends, the Seven Deadly Sins…!"
Merlin felt sick, she had to close her eyes.
She had no idea.
She wasn't okay with this, and the others shared her sentiment.
They couldn't, and wouldn't let him do this alone! Meliodas said it to him too, flying with him towards the monster that the Demon King had summoned.
"If you're going to put your life on the line for us, then it's only right that we put our lives on the line for you as well...!"
Everyone agreed, following them towards their foes, and she could spy the surprised glint in his eyes, he was touched by that.
Together they annihilated the monster in a matter of seconds, leaving the Demon King totally shocked.
But that didn't change anything for them.
Escanor called every one of their names, their attention again on him.
She felt his voice tremble when he said her name, the emotions clear in it, and she could only look at him through her fringe, unable to make eye contact.
"Forgive me… it's too late for me to back out now. So instead I'm handing down everyone an order!... Please… allow me the honor of fighting alongside you all."
Seeing that expression on his face now, that gentle smile, that care in his gaze… she wanted to hug him and never let him go.
But it seemed that time was their real enemy today.
They had to defeat the Demon King, and quickly!
The Seven Deadly Sins attacked him with everything they got, and Zeldris was evidently fighting back inside his own mind, so that when Gelda's spirit returned in her body, everyone could see that the commandments were being forcefully pushed out from the demon's body, and finally they left him completely.
The Demon King tried to take Zeldris' body back, but Ban was faster and snatched him before their enemy could, throwing him in Gelda's waiting arms.
The lovers and brothers' reunion was very short lived, because their father had just another ace in his sleeve.
Or so he thought.
Making the land of Britannia his new vessel didn't work in his favour, or better said, he wasn't a threat anymore for all the Seven Deadly Sins' powers united, they had come too far, and their determination won against his hunger for power.
They put everything in that last attack and finally defeated the Demon King.
They were all exhausted.
Merlin was looking at the magic lake, now floating in front of her, with an indecipherable expression.
She should be on cloud nine right now, but she just couldn't feel the satisfaction that she thought she would just a few days ago.
Her final goal was right here in front of her, after 3000 years she had done it.
Then why wasn't she feeling happy or full of pride about her achievement?
Diane's shout about the commandments being still there on the ground brought her back from her thoughts, just to give a little push to Meliodas to get rid of them once and for all.
After that the two brothers chatted briefly and then they all said their goodbyes to Zeldris and Gelda.
That is when things went horribly wrong once again.
Merlin had numbed her emotions before, to be able to concentrate on finishing their battle, and win against their powerful enemy, but now, looking at everyone from the back, she could feel the desperation climbing back to constrict her heart and block her throat, painfully.
"It's about time we all go as well. Everyone is waiting for us."
Hearing him say that just made it all the more painful.
The air around all of them had sombered up, and slowly everyone turned to look at the Lion Sin of Pride's form, his body still on fire, but his expression showed that he had resigned to his fate.
"I'm sorry… I can't even move my body anymore. It seems… this is it for me. Regardless… I have no regrets in my life. Thank you all… for getting to know me… for letting me get to know you…"
He then went on saying his goodbyes to every single one of the people present there: Gowther, King, Diane, Elizabeth, Mael, who had accompanied him here and watched over their battle, Ban, and Meliodas. He gave his farewells to everyone, and then…
Then it was her turn.
She felt she was still keeping together her pieces only just, her insides were about to crumble just like his body was.
When their eyes met, briefly, she could only tighten her arms around herself, wishing it was him hugging her.
"Merlin…"
Just hearing her name from his lips was enough for her body to begin shivering.
"I've always loved you… and it wasn't just because you reminded me of Rosa… but because you really looked at me… spoke to me… connected to me without any prejudice or discrimination."
His words were making her feel sick.
"...I may have only ever been watching you as a subject of study…"
Why was she doing this? Why was she trying to push him away now? After all the things they went through, after everything they experienced together…
...but the tone of her voice and her totally heartbroken expression gave her away immediately.
Escanor smiled in amusement at what she was trying to do.
"That's more than enough for me to be happy with… as long as I was able to exist in some corner of your heart somewhere…"
His reply was just a way to try and amuse her, almost a joke, they both knew very well that she felt so much more for him.
Enough!
"What bullshit…"
She gritted her teeth and then exploded, lifting her head and looking at him right in the eyes for the first time since they had been here.
"You know you own all of my heart! You know…!"
Tears were streaming down her face freely now, her arms rigidly down her sides and her hands closed tight, her voice hoarse from the emotions running through her, shouting them at the top of her lungs, the desperation clear in her eyes, as was her love.
"...you know I love you…"
She finished in a feeble whisper, closing her eyes and trying to rein in the sobs coursing through her body, shivering.
She felt so guilty, so ashamed…
...she had been a fool thinking she had ever had any right, that she could find love… she had never been worthy of love.
Probably, if…
"...if you hadn't loved me probably you would have survived, you would have lived a longer and happier life…"
It was useless to say such things now, she knew it very well, but she was being swallowed by the grief.
Escanor was looking at her, seeing her suffering like this was making him sick, but he wanted to reassure her, to say goodbye to her so that she could still go on living her life to the fullest, he wanted to give her everything he could… but he too was grieving inside, he had lied before, he had some regrets… he had wanted to stay more, to live a long life with her, to see all her future achievements, and to create a family with her.
He hadn't wanted to leave her alone.
So now he was trying his best to encourage her and leave part of him with her, so that she would never feel alone and empty.
"If I hadn't loved you and cared about our friends, if you hadn't captivated me when I first laid my eyes on you, I probably would have led a very sad and lonely life."
She sniffed slightly, forcing herself to meet his eyes again, she felt ashamed, but she would feel even worse if she wasn't able to look at him and ingrain his form, his words, his eyes, in her mind.
"You saved me, in so many different ways! Loving you has been the best part of my life, and knowing that you love me back made me the happiest man in the whole world. If I could go back and be given the right to decide, I would always choose to love you, again and again!"
This time she couldn't stop the sob that escaped her lips.
She really didn't deserve him…
...but she wouldn't have minded trying to improve herself for the rest of her life, just to have the right to stay with him forever.
"...too late… it's too late… for anything... for everything… some things just can't be taken back."
She bit her lower lip, trying to stifle her trembling mouth.
"Escanor… I wish you would have found me sooner… if possible… 3000 years sooner…"
She tried to convey everything that she wasn't saying to him, through her eyes.
He just kept looking at her, his heart hurting for her, but smiling gently and lovingly her way.
He didn't need for her to say anything else, he knew, they already told each other this.
"Remember, no matter what happens, what decisions you've made, no matter what crimes or sins you bear, I'm always on your side."
The fire around him intensified, he knew he didn't have much more time.
Through the flames he could see only her, taking all of her in for the last time, filling his eyes, mind and heart with her beautiful form.
That is when he noticed it.
He didn't know if it was thanks to Sunshine or because his life was at its end, or because someone had granted his wish, but he couldn't be wrong, he didn't know how or why but he was sure of what he was seeing.
Suddenly he was smiling brightly, almost crying, and Merlin was taken aback by this sudden turn of events.
"I didn't want to leave you without love in your life, without someone who loved you and that you loved back… but I see that my wish was granted, in the best possible way."
She was confused by his words, and tried to rein in her tears and emotions to understand what was happening.
"Escanor…?"
"I can see it, somehow, I can see a clear little light inside you… it's just at its beginning... I'm so happy…"
His heartfelt words made her heart skip a beat, his gaze was so intense and was fixed on…
...her stomach...
...her stomach…!
She gasped, and wasn't the only one to express shock, they had both forgotten about the other Sins and goddesses there who could hear everything they were saying, but they didn't care.
Slowly she put a trembling hand on her belly, and then looked back at him, as if in confirmation, and his nod was enough for her to feel another huge wave of emotions hitting her and making tears flow down her golden eyes.
She didn't know how he could be sure, and at the same time she didn't know why she believed he was right, she just did.
The flames were beginning to dance more viciously around him, and he said his farewells again.
It wasn't enough for her, she couldn't let everything go like this.
On instinct she began walking, faster and faster, towards him, until she was running, and jumped at him, through the flames, unconcerned about herself but being careful not to take any damage near the stomach.
She needed this last contact, this last kiss.
She had thrown herself at him, stopping just a breath away from his body, her hands on his cheeks, cradling his face gently, and her lips seeking out his, kissing him with all the warmth and love she felt for him.
He wanted to embrace her, hug her tightly, but he restrained himself, he couldn't and wouldn't harm her more, she was already doing that.
When she stopped the kiss and leaned back, the bottom half of her face was covered in burned marks, and she was smiling lovely at him.
"I never thought possible to care about someone this much…"
She was regarding him with a gaze full of love, she was a mess from all her crying, but she had never been more beautiful to him, and the little life he could see sparkling from her belly, made her even more gorgeous.
"Escanor, I love you so much!"
She was slowly drifting away from him.
"As proof of your life, as proof you existed… I'll take these burns upon my body… as a symbol of the one man who ever loved me... and as a reminder for myself."
She looked very determined now.
"I will find you! I will find a way to have you back with me! I promise you!"
Escanor couldn't stop the tears at the corner of his eyes anymore, letting them flow down his cheeks, and evaporate almost immediately, due to the high temperature of the flames surrounding and devouring him.
"The finest of wines, able to lull the heart into the sweetest intoxication… that is your lonely love. Regrettably, I wasn't able to become a cup durable enough to hold it more. But if you could grant me one wish, god… it would be for this cup, able to hold that love… to one day find its way back home."
He had wanted to let her go, to say his farewells so that she could go on living without the weight of his existence on her mind and heart… but it seemed he just couldn't give her up, he couldn't give up on that selfish wish.
The flames and fire began swirling quickly around him, his body crumbling completely and becoming ashes that flew one last time around his companions and his lover.
Merlin had landed just a little distance away from him, looking at him until the end, her gaze devastated but never wavering away from him. She followed his ashes around her, and then up to the sky, where they seemed to vanish in a brilliant display of light and fire.
At least she felt a faint whisper in the wind, one that made her slowly fall down to her knees, clasping one hand on her mouth, to stifle her sudden sobs, and putting her other arm around her stomach, to protect it and take comfort from it.
The others arrived at her side, worried and sad, but they let her have her space, only Elizabeth allowed herself to put her arms around the Mage, in comfort.
Merlin continued to grieve, as silently as she could, hugging her stomach tightly.
"I'll find my way back to you again, I promise."
Now do you understand why this was hell to write?! .
I hope you liked it! Please, leave a comment so that I know what you think! ^^
Don't worry! I'll be posting the last two chapters next week!
I hope you will forgive me for the long wait :)
P.s.: yes Pau! You guessed it from the very beginning! XD darn! You read my mind or what?! XDD ;D 3