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Chapter 4 – The Way We Live
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About 3.000 years ago after she cooperated with Demon King to punish and curse their children, when her underlings of her brethren asked how did she feel about her daughter after she put such cruel curse as punishment to her own daughter, Supreme Deity simply told them with her cold, venomous tones "I have no daughter".
His underlings flinched and cowered, for them afraid of her wrath. Suddenly, Supreme Deity felt strange flickers of magic power from certain someone. Calculating from the direction, Supreme Deity knew it had come from where Meliodas and Elizabeth's corpses lying with intertwined hands on that plateau.
Spreading her wings, she told her underlings to stay "I need to check on something".
When she arrived there, nothing was wrong neither something changed, except the fact that something moved in between Elizabeth's thighs. Supreme Deity crouched to lift the fabric of her daughter's skirt that covered whatever wriggling under it. Supreme Deity's eyes widened and a startled gasp escaped her mouth when she saw a baby.
Wait, what?!
Undoubtedly, it was a baby, a girl to be more precise. Supreme Deity could say that she was just like the perfect combination of her parents. Demon and Goddess bloods flew through her body. She was also fulfilled by magic power from both her parents. Her eyes and her hair too...
Supreme Deity frowned. She reached out her hand to her with intention to just send her to follow her parents but strange thing happened when the baby started wailing loudly.
Suddenly, six wings sprouted out of her back along with the red mark on her back, Supreme Deity gasped in shock "what in the world?".
This familiar red mark in shape of a sword with six wings around it appeared on the baby's back, right in between her shoulders-back under her nape. Supreme Deity knew what exactly this mark because the familiar mark had appeared on her son's body when he was born "it can't be... she's a Seraphim too?".
Seraphim was known as the strongest of her brethen. Despite who her father was, even her mother was not born as Seraphim, this baby was born as a Seraphim?
Interesting.
Supreme Deity reached out her hand to wrap the baby within an orb and someone landed behind her.
"wait", silver-haired man with six dark-feathered wings from his back straightened his body "what do you want to do with Elizabeth's child?".
"oh, so you finally show yourself, huh?", Supreme Deity glanced backwards with a glare "what do you want, Lucifer?".
"don't answer my question with question. You haven't told me yet about what you're planning", lifting his head up, Lucifer's eyes gleamed in red "what do you want to do with Elizabeth's child?".
Supreme Deity smirked, challenging "I believe you should have known me better than anyone, son".
"I hope you don't plan to raise her in order to make her the weapon of our Clan like how you did to me and Elizabeth", Lucifer turned paler when he saw the sparks of his mother's eyes "...you did".
"and? What you're gonna do now, with knowing what I'm planning with this child?".
Lucifer knew he wouldn't stand a chance against his mother, but looking straight, he saw Meliodas and Elizabeth's corpses who holding each other's hand "...for the sake of my little sister, I can't let you do it".
When his son prepared his weapon and activated his magic power to attack her, Supreme Deity sighed and reached out her hand "...idiot".
Obviously Lucifer lost and he fell from the heaven as the fallen angel he was.
That day on the Celestial Realm, one of her underlings barged into her den "Supreme Deity!".
Supreme Deity snapped "what? Don't you see, I'm rather busy now? Mention your business, quick".
"my apologize, but we have to report this to you immediately", the superior of her scientists, the Head Scientist, Dr. Mercy kneeled "the Seraphim... she's awake".
Listening to the Doctor and Head Scientist's remarks, Supreme Deity and her underlings immediately went to the main laboratory where they had put the Seraphim, Meliodas and Elizabeth's daughter. They barged into the laboratory and found the Seraphim who looked like a human child in 3-4 years old. She was still inside the tube where they had placed her within the tube fulfilled with water just like mother's womb. Slowly, she opened her eyes. After looking around, the glass of the tube which had confined her, shattered into pieces before she floated down to the floor. After she landed on the ground, she tried to walk with her frail and wobbly legs but ended up failed.
Looking around, she blinked "...Mommy? Daddy?".
Green-eyed man with long straight peach-haired that tied into half bun and cladded in doctor-like white robe, Dr. Mercy was the first one who approached her and he greeted cheerfully "good morning, how do you feel?".
She merely blinked innocently when Dr. Mercy wrapped his white robe around her and picked her on his arms "who are you? Who am I? Are you my father?".
"you sure talkative like your mother", Dr. Mercy chuckled sheepishly before he introduced himself "I am Dr. Mercy, you can tell that I'm a doctor who work in your family for generations".
A name, huh? Sure, she would need it.
Realizing Dr. Mercy's questioning looks, Supreme Deity sighed and shrunk her size before she reached out her hand "let me carry her, Dr. Mercy".
Not only Dr. Mercy, even her underlings blinked warily to her. Please, it was not like she would kill her or something in front of them.
Carefully and hesitantly, Dr. Mercy handed the Seraphim to her "sure, Your Majesty".
Looking up to the previously-huge-figure-who-shrunk-herself to the point she could carry her, after Dr. Mercy handed her to her, Seraphim tilted her head and blinked innocently "are you my mother?".
"no, I am Supreme Deity. Your mother, Elizabeth is my daughter and you are her daughter so I am your grandmother", snapped her finger, Dr. Mercy's white robe turned into beautiful white dress that wrapped around the newly-awakened Seraphim. Supreme Deity maybe didn't realize it, but little smile with fond on her eyes appeared as she gave her name "your name is Seraphina".
When Supreme Deity decided to raise Seraphina and trained her, her underlings murmured to each other about what was the Supreme Deity planning.
After Seraphina was brought by several maids to clean her up and got her new dress, Dr. Mercy was the first to ask her "Your Majesty, do you intend to make her as your successor... or should I say, living weapon of our clan just like Lord Lucifer or Lady Elizabeth?".
Mercy's subordinates gasped, some called his name or even questioning their superior's sanity.
Supreme Deity simply answered "everything is fair in love and war, Dr. Mercy. I'll do whatever needed to be done for the sake of our clan. If that child can be the key of our clan's victory and glory, then I will raise her into powerful warrior despite who is her father".
Dr. Mercy gritted his teeth before crossing one hand before his chest and bowing his body "allow me to be her personal doctor. It's no problem at all, is it not?".
Supreme Deity stared down to him dubiously "...let me make sure about one thing, Dr. Mercy. Your decision this time, does it because of your mercy or empathy? Considering you are the one who raised my children...".
Dr. Mercy lowered his head further and closed his eyes, hopefully his voice didn't betray him "no, it's simply because of my obligation as a doctor. Little Lady's condition is still unstable and fragile. She is still too delicate compared to Lady Elizabeth and Lord Lucifer. You will need her to be healthy if you want to raise her into a powerful warrior of our clan like Lady Elizabeth and Lord Lucifer, am I right?".
Supreme Deity trailed off but in the end, she gave the permission "...very well. I think unlike Lucifer, Seraphina is far more like her mother. Let's just hope she will not end up as 'Fallen Angel' like Lucifer, 'Cursed Goddes' like Elizabeth or 'Angra Mainyu' like Faust".
Ever since that day, Seraphina kept following Supreme Deity. Wherever Supreme Deity was, she would be seen with her just like a mother hen with its chicks (along with Dr. Mercy in tow).
That day, Supreme Deity felt irritated and told her to get lost out of her sight "just go away. I don't like children".
Seraphina who reached out her hands to her, froze at her place.
Dr. Mercy was about to protest that she was gone too far with her words, to say it to a child like her... but next second, Seraphina did something unexpectable (but not too surprising, considering her mental state as a child).
She did what a kid would do when they were rejected by an adult they thought of as their parent-figure or protector.
Seraphina cried, loudly bawling, even throwing tantrum. Terribly.
If you thought it would be like how human child throwing tantrum, you were entirely wrong.
At first, Seraphina only sat on the floor and started crying. However as she was crying, the magic power was emanating from her body. Several fire ball appeared on the air, burning whatever or whoever came near it. Thunder came out of her body and struck everywhere randomly, even collapsing nearby pillar in the process. Storm and strong wind blew several of Supreme Deity's subordinates who tried to come closer to Seraphina in order to stop her, but ended up flying somewhere outside of the castle.
"Mercy, calm her down!".
"princess, please don't cry!".
Once the tantrum was over, Supreme Deity ordered her advisor to make sure they had to repair these place. Seraphina was still crying, but only sobbing.
Dr. Mercy carried her, swaying her in his arms "there, there, no need to cry again, princess. The Lady didn't really mean it".
Seraphina bawled loudly "but grandmother said she doesn't like me!".
Supreme Deity sighed heavily. Lucifer and Elizabeth were timid and calm when they were children, so she wondered from where Seraphina got her temper? Must be her father. Supreme Deity had a feeling that Meliodas would protest about how could it be his fault.
Earning the collective stares from Dr. Mercy and the others, Supreme Deity snatched Seraphina from Dr. Mercy and carried her, grumbling slightly as she swaying her on her arms "stop crying already. I didn't really mean it".
Sniffling, Seraphina looked up with hopeful eyes "...really? so grandmother didn't hate me?".
"that's what she's worried about?", Supreme Deity ruffled her head "of course. If I hate you, I will not raise you, right?".
With innocence of a child, Seraphina smiled brightly and wrapped her arms around her shoulder to hug her, surprising Supreme Deity. Thinking it couldn't be helped at all, Supreme Deity sighed and patted her head.
That day, when she just finished her works and about to check on Seraphina, Supreme Deity overheard the conversation between Seraphina and Dr. Mercy on Seraphina's chamber.
"...Dr. Mercy, do you have parents?".
"of course I do, princess. Every people in this world have parents".
"then why did I not have father and mother?".
"no, princess. You have parents. Your mother and your father are still alive".
On this, Seraphina sounded like she was about to cry "then where are they? Why did they not stay with me, or even come to see me? Do they hate me or do they not want me at all? That's why, I have to stay here and live with grandmother, you and everyone who work here? That's why, I've been confined here and not allowed to go outside at all?".
"princess...", Dr. Mercy sounded unsure but he tried to convince her "trust me, princess. Your parents will never abandon or neglect you. They never hate you, ever. Have I ever lied to you?".
Supreme Deity leaned her head and back on the wall before walking away. She narrowed her eyes slightly "Elizabeth... Lucifer... actually, why should we turn into like this?".
After Elizabeth died again for the 106th times, Supreme Deity covered her eyes with her palm. She truly regretted it after 3.000 years passed. Too blinded by her anger to her daughter, Supreme Deity did put the curse on, even agreed to cooperate with Demon King to curse their children. What should she tell to Seraphina about her evil deeds to her parent? How she would react over it?
Supreme Deity covered her eyes and laughed bitterly.
It was obvious, right? Obviously, Seraphina would hate her. However, this was something Seraphina needed to know and she should hear about it from Supreme Deity, not from other person. After asking Dr. Mercy to leave them alone, Supreme Deity inspected Seraphina. When the 106th Elizabeth died, Seraphina physically was just like 9-years-old child but mentally, she was far more mature, thanks to Dr. Mercy's educations. After Supreme Deity told Seraphina about her biological parents and the curses, Seraphina's magic power exploded. Thankfully, Seraphina could control her emotions and magic power better now so it wasn't like when she was throwing tantrum, though the impact of her outburst was still enough to severely devastate half of this residence.
"...is that you?", Seraphina asked, demanded Supreme Deity to not lie and tell the truth "you cursed my parents?".
Supreme Deity didn't deny it "...yes, cooperated with Demon King".
"you're the evilest in the world! Evil! How could you do it to my parents!?", Seraphina started crying and reached out her hands, her magic power emanating from her body "you separated me with my parents and you raised me with intention to use me, take advantage of me! How could you?".
Supreme Deity lifted her hand to her subordinates who gathered in front of Seraphina's chamber door, gesturing them to wait outside before she snapped her fingers to make the door closed "whatever you want to say, your anger and hatred, I will receive it. You have every right to hate me and angry to me, Seraphina".
Seraphina gritted her teeth and cried silently. Surprisingly, she stopped her magic power before walking forward and cupping Supreme Deity's cheeks "...but you regret it, right? I do feel angry and I want to hate you for what you did to my parents, but I can't... I can't, because grandmother is the one who raise me... I know you, you are my grandmother and I can't hate you... so I forgive you...".
Supreme Deity blinked away her tears. She truly didn't deserve her forgiveness. However, perhaps deep down in her heart, she felt relieved because Seraphina didn't hate her and chose to forgive her instead. True, she wanted to raise her just to make her as a weapon at first but as the time passed by, she had grown fond of her.
Pulling Seraphina into her embrace, silent sobs wracked her body. When her grandmother hugged her tightly with her trembling body and apologized to her, Seraphina was crying as well. Covering her eyes, Supreme Deity had decided as she cried for how the impact of her evil deeds did to her children and her grandchildren. She made up her minds already, she had to repent her sins.
"you are an idiot, Elizabeth. Had you listened to me and just broke up with that filth Demon Prince, you wouldn't have to suffer like this", Supreme Deity appeared in front of Elizabeth before she reincarnated for the 107 times "why should it be him?".
"because only when I'm with him, I'm happy! When I'm with him, I feel alive! He saved me from my clan, he saved me from you, he risked his life and gave up everything for me, so why not him? It has to be him!", Elizabeth cried out loud her frustration, sadness and grieves over these 3.000 years. Not for herself, but for Meliodas "are you satisfied, mother? Are you satisified to see our suffering? In the end... just like Lucifer, I am only your tool, right?!".
Looking down to how distressed her crying daughter, Supreme Deity said in downcast "...I apologize".
Elizabeth snapped her head upwards "...eh?".
"before a goddess and princess of our Clan, you are still my daughter. You stole all that's left from me after I lost your brother. That's why, I couldn't control my wrath and I sprang all my frustration to you as the outlet", Supreme Deity cupped her cheeks "I know, after what I've done... I'm no longer deserve to call myself as your mother, but at least, let me try to fix it for you".
Elizabeth blinked her eyes, did she hear it right? did she just imagine this? "...mother?".
"Elizabeth".
Elizabeth blinked her tears away and opened her eyes slowly as she felt someone's hand cupped her cheeks. Looking up, she saw Meliodas looking down with his concerned eyes "...Meliodas?".
"what's wrong?", Meliodas wiped her tears that streaming down her face "why are you crying?".
Elizabeth told him she couldn't really remember her dream, but she indeed remembered the latest part of her dream where she conversed with her mother before she reincarnated for 107 times "Meliodas, do you think... my mother sincerely regretted her choice?".
Meliodas pulled her into his embrace, leaning her head to lie down on his bare-chest "well, honestly, Elizabeth... I can say nothing about her for sure but do you think... did she really mean it?".
Well, Meliodas had a point. After all, this was Supreme Deity they were speaking about. One of two petty cunning Gods who had been putting the curses on them.
"...I don't know, I'm not sure either about what has moved my mother's heart or she truly meant it when she apologized to me and said that she would lend her aide and give us the second chance", Elizabeth sighed in content, hearing to his heartbeat never failed to soothe her "I wonder what make my mother changed her mind, actually? If she truly changed her mind, ever".
"but if it's true, isn't it good?", running his fingers on her hair, Meliodas kissed her forehead "spill it out".
Puzzled, Elizabeth looked up "huh?".
"spill it out. I know you still have something on your mind".
"well... it's about the Sins. Merlin has been a close friend, a family for us. However, you think we have to tell the Sins about the curses?".
"how about we just figure it out later—", Meliodas pushed her down to the bed "—and let's continue to cuddle against each other?".
Elizabeth laughed brightly, patting his bare back "Meliodas! I'm serious!".
Suddenly, Hawk kicked the door and sighed exasperatedly "yo, lover there. We're about to arrive on our destination. Don't make my Mom waiting, okay? And don't blame us if you get injured on the lips due to the impact of my Mom's movement when you kiss each other like that".
With threatening smile, Meliodas pulled out his belt, swinging it as if it was a whip "oh, how about we roast you as our breakfast?".
Hawk cowered in fright "sorry! I just wanted to tell you that it's better if you two quickly prepared yourself for the day already!".
Elizabeth covered her breast with the edge of the blanket before she put both hands on his shoulders, shaking her head "don't be, Meliodas... I also will not want to get stomachache. How about you clean yourself up first while I tidy up this bed?".
Sighing heavily, Meliodas agreed this time. He touched her chin and gave a light peck on her cheek "I understand. Take your time, sweetheart".
After Meliodas went to bathroom, Hawk looked up with sparkling eyes to Elizabeth "Elizabeth, you are really a goddess... eh? Wait...".
Came to think of it, Meliodas only wore his short and Elizabeth was naked. They shared the same bed and if Hawk remembered, the pink pig indeed heard the woman's moaning and man's grunts.
Lifting its shaking hand, Hawk stuttered "Elizabeth, don't tell me you and him last night...".
When Elizabeth blushed furiously and covered her face with the blanket, Hawk collapsed before cried "NO! My Oasis is defiled!".
Meliodas opened the bathroom's door and threw the brush to Hawk "noisy, piggy. It's normal for us, so you should just get used with it".
After Meliodas and Elizabeth were done with clean-up, they went to the village nearby. Elizabeth asked in wonder "say, Meliodas. Actually, to where we will go?".
Meliodas grinned broadly "of course, to the village which produce the best ale. Bernia village".
A/N :
In case you wondered it, yes, I took Dr. Roman from Fate/Grand Order as a model for Dr. Mercy here~ (I'm so attached to Fate Series lately, other than the Seven Deadly Sins).