Got my own angel,
Nobody but me,
I would never call her an enemy
She's the good god I need,
Holding me back,
Just when I need,
When I don't dream she's teaching me,
She's the good god I need
-WDL, Monster Vs. Angel
Part Two: The Ritual
The rules of the Tournament were simple, a no weapons, anything goes free-for-all. All competitors stood within a dirt rink; a larger area surrounding the area, marked off by a dark line was the "out zone". The goal was to either knock your opponent out or incapacitate them.
Meliodas was intrigued to see the inclusion of different races and gender's. Not that gender was of much importance to Goddesses – or demons for that matter.
The brawl began the second a referee gave the word, the fighter's clashing amongst each other. The fighting seemed to stretch on forever and by late noon, Meliodas' patience was wearing extremely thin. He had decided to go into this with as low as a profile as possible - the Goddesses were gullible, but not stupid. If he had knocked a few competitors out too quickly – or even killed a few – it may have set the wretched race off to his true intentions and his demon blood.
That didn't mean he had to be happy about it. All he could think about was he could have just stormed into the town and taken one of the goddesses captive, torturing them until they spilled their secrets. Perhaps the alcohol had inhibited him harder than he originally thought.
A group of humans who had been slowly picking off weaker, smaller competitors flanked Meliodas from all sides. He watched with little attention as one let out a signal scream and three men rushed towards him, no doubt attempting to knock him out of the ring.
He sidestepped between the three bodies with ease, tip toeing around gracefully as they stumbled and crashed into one another. Meliodas grabbed two of the men who were frantically trying to regain their baring's by the tail of their coats, tossing them outside the ring as if they weighed no more than an infant.
The third man scrambled to his feet, making a mad effort to retreat back to the other two human's that were watching on. Humans were so disloyal… The pact these men had made in shambles the second the odds seemed staked up against them.
As Meliodas' would be ambusher broke into a sprint to the direction opposite him, he reached out, grabbing him by the hair and yanking down hard. The man let out a garbled screech of pain as the wind was knocked from his chest upon impact with the ground. A sharp kick to his side had the man gasping, the unmistakable sound of a rib cracking like music to the demon's ears.
The two would-be-ambushers both tried to make tail, but Meliodas was faster. He was on their heels in moments, the fear reflected in the human's eyes stoking on his hunter instincts. He stuck out his leg, tripping one pf the men and making them crash into one another.
The men graveling at his feet watched in horror as Meliodas stalked over to them, slowly and intimidating. They had taken him as an easy out, and he would teach them that appearances weren't everything on the battlefield. Many of the deadliest demons in his father's army were unassuming in their casual appearance – save for a handful – yet feared as the deadliest of demons. It was time the humans got that through their thick skulls.
The stench of urine assaulted the demon's nose, a sick grin of satisfaction spreading across his face as one of the men sobbed for his mother under his breath. And these men wanted to face with the Goddesses? They couldn't even stand up to a weakened demon.
Meliodas looked up towards the large government building where a veiled goddess stood watch over the proceedings. Her wings shimmered in the setting sun, the breeze causing the gems and precious metals to catch the sun's rays in different ways. He had felt her presence since dawn, and helped serve as a constant reminder that he was to keep his control, her sickening aura a harsh slap each time his rage threatened to take hold.
"I'll give you five seconds to forfeit, or I break your ribs like your buddy over there." Meliodas said coolly, never once taking his eyes off the goddess as he heard the men cry out their withdrawal. Something seemed off about her. He had faced off against many of her kin, and each possessed some sickening degree of foreign power. But this goddess seemed different – even with his suppressed powers he could still sense that she lacked a certain aspect to her aura that all other goddesses had.
Was this what the ritual was about? Meliodas had known that the Goddesses were not shy from using humans and other races as pawns, disposing of them as soon as their worth had been expended. Be it possession, a practice that ate away at a vessels very body until it simply dropped dead from strain, removing sensations and sending their victims out into the battlefield and their certain demise or demanding tribute for their "blessings". Everything the goddesses ever had to offer came with a price – that price usually being death – and this was sure to be no different.
Meliodas returned to his previous spot near the edge of the ring, making sure that the goddess was always in his line of sight.
For hours she stood, only breaking her statuesque stance when she was brought food or drink by a small druid boy. This continued on until the Sun had set deep down to the west, bathing the world in the amber glow of Twilight.
It was at this time that the Goddess has finally left her perch, retreating inside the government building along with her helpers.
It was time for him to act now or risk having to stand around tomorrow as well.
Meliodas struggled to feel for the goddess energies inside the building, as well as his surrounding area. Once he was satisfied that they were all indeed tucked away and out of sight, he took a step forward…
And in the blink of an eye he was on top of a man. Meliodas spun around on his heel, kicking the man square in the gut. He let out a sharp rasp as the air was forced out of him, and he flew backwards landing flat on his back outside of the ring, the inhumane crunch of flesh and bone ringing satisfyingly in her ears.
Next was three men who had huddled together, wrestling fruitlessly against each other. As soon as Meliodas seemingly materialized behind them they all let out an emasculating screech. He grabbed one of the wrestling men's arms and fireman threw him over and out. The crowd roared at the action, turning their full attention towards the demon.
The two other men changed their targets from each other to their new threat, grabbing at his waist and locking him in a chokehold. Meliodas kneed the man in front of him hard, causing him to lose his grip around his waist. As the first man began to stumble backward, he jabbed his right elbow into the second man's ribs, the cartilage bending under the force.
With both men clutching at their abdomens and sputtering for air, Meliodas simply grabbed both by their shirt collars and threw them down to the ground and out of the rink.
The pattern continued, Meliodas mercilessly beating down men and women until he was the only one standing. When it was all over he stood over the final contestant pressed beneath his feet. The towering man with a mangled scar down his right cheek bruised and battered under his foot utterly defeated.
The crowd erupted in a crescendo of cheers and applause as an elderly human hopped over the fence. Though he wasn't focused on the man that approached him nor the countless spectators who were chanting at him. He was tuned into the government building, the one that the goddesses were currently residing inside. He could feel a goddess energy coming closer, or, more accurately the goddess who felt different from all the others.
The old human grabbed hold of Meliodas' left wrist, breaking him from his concentration and raised it high above his head.
"And the winner is!" He kneeled down into Meliodas' ear, "What's your name, sonny?"
He saw no reason to lie, "Meliodas."
"Meliodas!"
The crowd let out a thunderous roar, but none of it truly reached the demon's ears. She was there, hunched over the railing of her perch and panting slightly as if she had just been running. The veil was gone from her face and Meliodas could see her sky blue eyes even from where he stood.
Her energy brushed up against him again, a tinge of bittersweet fear mixed in with it. She was scared - as she should have been – but it was all too strange, too foreign. No goddess in the past had shown fear, even when facing down against the Ten Commandments.
What was with this woman?
"My lady Elizabeth!" Tristam, the druid boy, followed close behind Elizabeth onto the balcony, panting heavily. "What's wrong?!"
Elizabeth didn't answer, the cheers of the crowds below deafening in her already ringing ears. The winner, Meliodas, was maintaining eye contact with her, his eyes cold and frightening. All blood drained from her and she suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Elizabeth!" The goddess woman from the night before flew besides her, placing careful hands on Elizabeth's shoulders and spinning her around to look eye to eye.
"What happened, Elizabeth?! Speak to me?"
Elizabeth swallowed hard, steadying her breaths until she felt she was ready to speak. "Nothing." She said, surprising even herself with how sure the words sounded. "I guess it fully set in just now, what was happening."
The goddess woman looked passed Elizabeth and towards the boy standing in the center of the ring, his arm still raised signalling his victory.
"Oh, dear." The woman brought Elizabeth into a comforting embrace. The feeling was foreign but comforting. Normally, no one dare lay a hand on the daughter of the supreme Deity. Elizabeth had missed out on affection, or even simple contact lest her companions and care givers face the wrath of the Deity.
It had bothered her once when she was younger, but as she matured she simply accepted it as a part of life.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around the woman; that was what you did when you hugged someone, right? The feathery warmth of her fellow goddesses wings brushed against her finger tips as she gently brought her arms down against her back, the motion setting her senses ablaze. The gentle contact soothing her mind as if by magic.
"Thank you." She had to fight against the tears that threatened to fall. She could have never imagined such simple contact could have felt so good, so reassuring. She wondered if that was how a child and mother had felt in an embrace, a feeling she had missed out on growing up.
The goddess woman pressed Elizabeth closer into her, Elizabeth relishing in the contact. It was over much too soon, the warmth against her breast replaced by the cold, familiar cold of absentness. She looked passed their overlapping wings to the town below. The cheers of the crowds had died down, humans and various other races disappearing into the streets. Meliodas was gone, whisked away to prepare for the night.
"Come now, dear," the goddess spoke in a warm voice, her smile kind and motherly. "Let's get ready."
Meliodas was thrust between a flurry of bodies. Instructions that never truly reached his ears being spoken non-stop as he was prepped, some of it directed towards him (such as, "are you even listening boy?" To which if he didn't respond he would get a firm slap on the wrist), and some not (to which if he did respond he would get a firm pinch on the hand).
He was washed, perfumed, and dressed as if he was meeting with royalty. They had even managed to tame his wild locks, gelling the tresses flat against his head. He smelled sickeningly sweet, like peaches and musk and he looked just as gaudy. He was adorned in a lime green button down with starched white trousers.
He begrudgingly put up with the attention, a mixture of goddesses and druids nit picking every aspect of him.
He was finally given a moment to breathe, the countless hands retreating back to inspect their work. He loosened his collar only for his hand to be swatted away with a crisp slap! An array of voices raising to reprimand him for messing with their 'handiwork' and how they had 'made the pauper boy look like a prince' and they 'wouldn't stand to have him ruin it.'
"He's perfect." A druid girl said, a smile Meliodas would have loved to wipe clean off her face spreading from ear to ear on her round face,
"You're one lucky man." A second druid girl said, this one had an angular face and dark brown hair. He rose a questioning brow towards her, urging her to continue without words.
"This year Lady Elizabeth, the daughter of the Supreme Deity herself is undergoing the ritual." She clapped her hands together, her eyes starry. "Many would give their lives for this opportunity!"
The daughter of the Supreme Deity? Could it have been the girl on the balcony overseeing the tournament? That may explain why her aura felt so off. Though, why would someone like her have to do something as trivial as this?
With more grabbing arms he was being dragged down a long corridor. All around him large paintings depicting past wars, military generals and politicians adorned the walls. He smirked when he recognized a painting showing a war he had personally taken part in some 200 years ago. The paint dark with reds and blacks from the flames and smoke of battle, red, blue and grey demons all surrounded a group of Goddesses. A lone, blond demon with his back turned, sword in hand.
He hardly had enough time to appreciate his depiction before he was pulled sharply to the left. This corridor was shorter, the paintings and images on the walls showing Goddesses and passages from holy texts from the years. He could feel a burning itch under his skin. The area was enchanted no doubt; an attempt to keep out evil doers and undesirables.
If they only knew they were willingly bringing a demon into their holy grounds. And not just any demon, but Meliodas, the first born son of the Demon king, commander of the Ten Commandments and next in line for the title of Demon king. Goddesses really did lack brain cells where they needed it most.
He was brought before a grand door, the mahogany carved with various symbols Meliodas recognized as the goddess language. Large, swirling loops that had an air of mystery surrounding them. Of all the languages he knew, the Goddesses native tongue was the most unsavory to the ear. The hissing tones and breathy notes were meant in their very nature to oppose the demons tongue, a much more robust and fluid language. Much less grating on the ears, if Meliodas would say so himself.
The druid girl spoke an incantation, the symbols beginning to glow one by one until the entire door seemed to set ablaze. He brought his hand up to shield his eyes from the burning light, a loud thunk followed by the light dying down signifying it was time to enter.
The druids at his side motioned forward, urging him on without moving themselves. He squared his shoulders and strode passed the threshold, the door clicking shut behind him.
The room was large, yet dimly lit. Candelabras lined the perimeter, their flames licking against the stone walls. The scent of beeswax mixed with grapefruit in the air, the honey-sweet scent mingling with his own musky-peach and nearly driving him crazy.
The sickening push against his energy continued, as if someone out there was trying to invade his mind, influence him. Perhaps it was the enchantment that radiated off every wall of the room, or perhaps it was a goddess who had caught on to him.
His eyes lazily surveyed the room. The walls were draped over with silk drapes, the orange from the flames lighting the room making them look more yellow than the pure white they no doubt were. A slight breeze came into the space from the west where two open windows were, heavy curtains blocking out the twilight that threatened to peak through. There was a table to his right, a silver pitcher and tea pot set up with two porcelain tea cups besides it. There were a pair of arm chairs, their overstuffed cushions slightly faded from years of use.
In the center of the room was a single, large round bed, Solid gold drapes cascading around it. More goddess symbols were etched into the floor leading to and around the bed, forming a perfect circle that extended to the four walls of the room.
Meliodas was alone, no energies, goddess or otherwise could be detected. For a moment he wondered if they were on to him, if this was just some elaborate ruse to capture him. He walked over to the bed, feeling the velvet of the golden drapes and getting a good look at the bed. Egyptian cotton and down pillows were arranged flawlessly. Surely, if they suspected him they wouldn't lead him to a chamber fit for a king.
The door clicked open once more, Meliodas whipped his head around to see the intruder. Her energy hit her before the sight of her did. It was the goddess from the balcony. The daughter of the supreme Deity.
She was veiled, as she was before. The light fabric swaying in and out with her breaths. Her wings still adorned the variety of stones as she had before, though she had replaced her loose fitting dress for one much less modest. Golden robes clung to her form, outlining everything she had to offer. It was a clear attempt to seduce him. If he had been anyone else, it may have worked – but he was used to being around such displays. Demon's has little use for clothing, the fabric simply got in the way. Hardly any woman, man or otherwise in the demon clan bothered to cover up, instead opting to wrap their Hellblaze around more sensitive areas.
Her hair was let down loose, the silver locks bouncing with each step she took. She played with a stray lock absentmindedly, turning her head towards the table which held the tea pot instead of facing him.
"U-um. May I offer you a drink?"
Elizabeth felt absolutely ridiculous. Never before in all of her years had she dressed so provocatively. A princess, the heir to the throne of the Goddess realm had no need for anything other than practicality, and that included their dress.
The golden fabric hung to her breasts tightly, parting down the middle to expose her midsection slightly. Fabric caught on her hips, rubbing her in places fabric should never be able to reach. She wanted nothing more than to change back into the dress from before, the loose fitting white gown was much less degrading to her person than this.
She was barefoot, a single golden anklet bouncing off her heel as she walked down the corridor. The goddess woman followed close behind her, offering quiet comfort. This was it. The be all or end all. She could do it, thousands of goddesses had done so before and came out unharmed, this would be no different for her.
She had a duty to her people and to all of Britannia to succeed. She would succeed.
She repeated her mantra as she approached the large wooden door. The goddess woman behind her patting her on the back one last time. "Break the ice. Offer him a drink, it'll help. Trust me."
And with that, Elizabeth was alone once again, the goddess woman having stepped back. Elizabeth reached out a hand, the writing of the Goddesses reacting to her presence and clicking open.
She entered, trying to square her shoulders and look more confident than she felt, though she couldn't help but bring her hand up to fiddle with her hair anxiously – an annoying habit she only had when she was extremely nervous - when she saw him.
He was shorter than her, she could tell even from the short distance between them. He was standing in front of the large bed, one hand thumbing the drape and the other stiff at his side. He was looking at her, his green eyes piercing through any shield of bravery she had built in the past hour.
You can do this! Elizabeth repeated her mantra, turning her gaze to the side, to anywhere that wasn't what she was sure the human's had called "bedroom eyes."
"U-um." Elizabeth cursed her stutter, "May I offer you something to drink?" She turned her gaze to the table where she could find the refreshments. Looking anywhere but at him was all she could do at the moment to maintain a shred of sanity. Just so long as he didn't come too close, she would be okay.
He didn't respond, save for his attention turning towards the same point hers was. The break in his gaze set Elizabeth slightly at ease. Taking his silence as a 'yes' Elizabeth walked over to the table, grabbing hold of the pot and pouring two cups of tea.
She brought the steaming liquid to her nose, inhaling the calming scent of lavender and sage – calming herbs, herbs of confidence, she smiled, imagining the goddess woman brewing the pot with her anxiety in mind. She raised her veil just as Meliodas came to stand beside her.
Every fibre of her was on alert. She was acutely aware of his presence. The way his eyes set on her, the way his arm flexed as he grabbed the cup, the way his eyelids seemed to flutter shut, his long eyelashes kissing his toned cheeks as he brought the object up to his mouth.
She brought the cool porcelain to her lips, parting them slightly as he opened his own.
"Don't drink that." He said, his tone level and commanding. Elizabeth paused, unsure of what exactly was happening. "Why not?" She asked.
He turned to face her as he splashed the contents of his cup onto the ground. "It's been spiked."
Elizabeth blinked in confusion. "Spiked?"
"Some kind of drug. I can tell."
Elizabeth stood bewildered. "I'm sure you're mistaken."
Meliodas raised the pitcher to his nose as well, sniffing it thoughtfully before walking over to the window and dumping its contents outside. "What are you doing?!" Elizabeth set her cup down all the same as she watched him shake the pitcher until he was satisfied it was empty.
He stepped back over to the table, placing the empty pitcher down and grabbing Elizabeth's cup.
Something washed over her then, though she wasn't exactly sure what. Be it confusion or offense, it caused her to grab Meliodas by the wrist, stilling his arm and her heart. "Wait!" She called out, his eyes piercing into hers. "We would never drug someone during this important ritual! It's – It's against what we stand for as Goddesses!"
That was right. The Goddess clan was there to serve Britannia and those who lived there. Whatever baseless accusations this human was making were blatantly false – some ploy to tarnish her bloodlines legacy and nothing more.
"Oh?" Meliodas raised an eyebrow towards her, straightening his back as he took a step closer to her. Even though he was easily a foot shorter than her, his air of superiority kept Elizabeth frozen in place. "And what do you stand for, goddess?"
Elizabeth tensed, clenching her fists and lowering her eyes to stare directly into his. For the first time the action didn't bring with it a shiver of dread, but rather a burning agitation from her morals being brought to question.
"I stand for my people and for all the people of Britannia." Elizabeth said confidently, a firmness to her voice that shut down any questions to the truth of her words, "And I swear on my Holy name that we would never do anything to harm you."
Meliodas seemed to mull over her words for a moment, staring deeply into her eyes. She didn't falter under his harsh gaze, holding her ground and extending her wings slightly in a display to make her look more authoritative.
"That's not what I see." Meliodas finally spoke, a tinge of something Elizabeth couldn't understand in his tone. "From where I stand I see a race who would use whatever means necessary to meet an ends."
"You're wrong." Elizabeth spoke just as firmly. "The Goddesses protect you humans. We're doing everything we can to keep you safe."
"Last I checked," Meliodas lowered his gaze to Elizabeth's tea cup, "that didn't involve drugging people."
"We wouldn't." Elizabeth said, a little less certain this time, a small voice questioning if his words did hold a shred of truth. Meliodas grabbed hold of the cup and held it out for her.
"You can purify it, can't you? If it's spiked you'll notice it. If it isn't then you're right."
Elizabeth gingerly took hold of the cup. She let her power seep outwards, feeling the warmth of the purification run down from her heart to her fingertips and into the cup. The liquid began glowing softly, a sulfuric steam rising from the contents within.
The tea had been purified. She felt the taint leave the liquid, leaving nothing but cooling water and lavender behind. I was such a small amount she would have never even noticed it.
"You didn't know, did you?" Meliodas asked, his voice cold. The shocked look on Elizabeth's face gave him his answer without her saying it. They had drugged the tea. But why would they do such a thing?
"I had heard rumours of this ritual." Meliodas continued, though he wasn't entirely sure why he felt the need to level with the goddess, "of men leaving with no memories of what had taken place here, gold and treasures lining their pockets afterwards."
Elizabeth swallowed hard but did not interrupt him. "I had heard something else from a Mage who attends this ritual each year. That the men and women who take part die six months later."
Elizabeth's blood ran cold. He had to be lying. There was no way that was true. The goddesses were sworn to protect Britannia under the command of her own mother. There had to be some kind of mistake.
And yet, he was right about the tea, he was right that the goddesses wiped the participant's memories, the goddess woman from earlier had told her so herself. Just what was she doing here?
Meliodas took another step closer to her. She could feel his hot breath against her neck as he looked up at her, the heat making every hair stand on end. "You all act so high and mighty, yet you use the very people who you claim to protect. You're no better than the least of the demons."
He stepped away from her and she collapsed, his words piercing into her heart with each syllable. Her wings trembled behind her, her knees scrapped against the stone beneath her, but she couldn't feel any of it. Suddenly she was too heavy, not just from the gold and jewels, but from her title, from her crown. She had no right to claim any of it if this was how the goddesses treated the Britannians.
Wrapping her wings around herself she ripped at the jewels sending them clattering to the ground in a grand display. Feathers and gold littered the ground by the time she was done, all her adornments discarded around her.
Meliodas watched bemused as she broke down, trembling as she took the veil from her head, the last of her luxurious garb to be removed. Her wings shook, small beads of blood staining the white from where feathers had broken off. Everything about this goddess was different, unfamiliar. It stoked a flame within Meliodas that he hasn't felt before – the mystery of her, the curiosity that emanated off of her entire being completely enthralling to the demon.
"You're right." Elizabeth breathed out, her voice hitching as she tried to hold back tears. "I do not deserve any of this."
"You don't." Meliodas spat out, slightly less cold than he had intended. He had it on the tip of his tongue to reprimand her, to blame her for the death of thousands of demon children, thousands of his kin just for the sake of appearances with the Humans and other Britannian races. He wanted to chastise her for claiming to be holy and mighty while in actuality they were worse than the "Demons" they claimed were the enemy.
But something stilled his tongue. Something about her trembling form stopped him, made his hearts ache. She was a pawn to her blood just as he once was – still was. Truth was, no matter how hard he tried to gain his freedom from his father, he was constantly under his watchful eye. He could never escape. Hundreds of years of rebellion had taught him it was all in vain – that it was better to simply lay down and do as you were told without protest.
He moved towards the window, drawing the heavy curtain back and bathing the dim room in the orange glow of twilight. He could hear Elizabeth rasping behind him, feel the uncertainty from her aura. In a way, he pitied her. He had been there once when he had begun having his doubts about his father. Something many called his teenage rebellion, though his doubts still weighed heavily in his mind to this day.
A flicker off to the distance caught his eye. A flame off to the distance, the faint sound of screaming and chanting. What was happening?
Meliodas leaned against the edge of the window trying to get a better look. He strained his ears, trying to catch what they were saying.
That's when he heard it, the cries and shouts of "Demon! Demon! Chase out the Demon Child!"
That couldn't be right. The Ten Commandments would have been off to the East by now having been issued orders before Meliodas left to raze Cornwall. The only person he could think of that they may be -the only person who was dumb enough to go looking for him -
Estarossa.
"Fuck!" Meliodas was at the door in seconds. Elizabeth raised her head, watching him as he pounded against the wood to no avail. "Open god dammit!"
"What's wrong?" Elizabeth stood, her wings limp behind her. Meliodas continued to pound against the door. "I won't let you bastards touch him!" He screamed at no one, his fists turning bloody with each successive hit.
The desperation in his voice made Elizabeth's heart race in her chest. The raw anger and fear genuine and raw.
She placed a hand against the wood, the symbols responding instantly. The door swung open, Meliodas looking at her incredulously, questioning her with his gaze.
"Whatever you want to protect, I'll help." She said, her eyes locked with his. She watched as his expression softened for a split second, she was almost sure she imagined it. He gave her a small nod before rushing down the corridor, Elizabeth close behind.
Perhaps it was his words, or perhaps it was her own self-doubt, but Elizabeth felt like she had to prove herself to Meliodas. She couldn't speak for her mother, or for the other goddesses, but she could speak for herself. And she refused to be a person who used others for their own gain.
Meliodas took off at full sprint, Elizabeth hovering closely behind as he maneuvered through the empty city streets. Papers and streamers lay discarded everywhere. Meals, still steaming left on tables with no one around to eat them. It was as if the entire town had been deserted at the drop of a hat.
But she could hear it, the mob chants towards the direction Meliodas was headed.
"Kill the boy!"
"Get him before he gets us!"
"Kill him!"
"Kill the demon!"
Demon? Why was she rushing towards the aid of a demon with a man she had just met?
She didn't have time to dwell over it when they turned another sharp corner, fire and pitchforks raised high as the cities inhabitants surrounded around one central point.
Meliodas crashed into the bodies of the mob while Elizabeth opted to fly higher for an aerial view. She could see the mop of blond as it pushed through bodies slowly, towards the boy in question at the center of the crowd.
He was young, his grey hair tossed and bloody, soot from where a flame had undoubtedly caught. His eyes were pitch black, the tell-tale mark above his left brow showing his heritage clearly. Yet, he didn't fight back, didn't make any moves as the crowds stomped, punched and prodded at him. He had a nasty gash on his left forearm and was bleeding steadily, his coat in tatters. The sounds of his cries pierced through the roars of the mob before abruptly dying out as he lost consciousness.
"You all act so high and mighty, yet you use the very people who you claim to protect," Meliodas' words rang loudly through her head. Who had she sworn to protect? The humans? The citizens of Britannia? Or was it really that she swore to protect those who couldn't protect themselves?
"You're no better than the least of the demons."
Elizabeth swooped down, fanning out her wings as a show of power. The mob stilled, taking a step back to allow the goddess to dispatch the demon once and for all.
Instead, Elizabeth took the boy into her arms, tears threatening to fall. All around her she could hear the outraged cries to fell him, to land the fatal blow. Meliodas finally broke through to the front of the crowd, his eyes frantically moving between Elizabeth to the boy in her arms, an unthinkable burning rage in his eyes clouding over the emerald.
A man screamed, throwing a rock at them. It hit Elizabeth just above the temple, but she did not falter. She took the boy closer into her arms, brushing his hair back and out of his face as a second human tossed a stone towards her.
It landed against Elizabeth's arm, the red spot from the impact clear against her milky skin. A trail of blood began to seep down her temple, the crimson soaking into a loose lock of silvery hair.
"Be well." Meliodas heard her say, bringing his brother closer still, pressing her forehead against his own – her body being pelted with stones and various objects.
Estarossa stirred in her arms, his black eyes fluttering open. Panic was clear on his face when he noticed where he was – who he was nearest. Meliodas rushed up towards his brother, catching a few stones that had flown his way.
Elizabeth gave a weak smile towards Meliodas, blood dripping down her chin and onto Estarossa's coat. She handed the boy over to Meliodas carefully once he had fully regained consciousness, nothing but the tatters of his clothes left of his injuries.
Elizabeth raised to her full height unsteadily, the world around her spinning dangerously. Once she was sure she had her footing she spread her wings out to their full length, allowing the awe of her form to overtake the crowds.
"What do you think you're doing?!" She yelled out, all the screaming around her ceasing in a second. "Against a child? Against someone who can't even fight back?!"
Meliodas watched Elizabeth in awe. She was defending his brother, healed him – a demon. She had taken direct fire for her actions, a few stones still flying towards her. He watched as she wobbled unsteadily on her feet, though she stubbornly held her ground as she continued.
"Shame on you all! I had expected better from you!" She chastised, her voice booming through the crowd, each syllable being absorbed by the crowd. Her aura pulsed outwards, stable and sure. Her back was turned towards the setting sun, outlining her in a burning outline that amplified her radiance.
Meliodas brought his brother to his feet, supporting his weight over his shoulder. The mob had begun to scatter, resentful eyes turning back towards the demons and goddess as they went. Elizabeth held her ground, unmoving until they were alone.
She stumbled as she slowly turned to face the two demons, a faint smile on her lips, blood drying in her hair, the sun hitting her face in a way that made her very being seem to glow. His hearts swelled, a feeling completely foreign to him – though not entirely unpleasant.
She wobbled, her azure eyes losing focus just as her legs gave out beneath her. Meliodas skidded on his knees, no doubt staining his trousers as he caught her.
Elizabeth blinked, fighting to maintain her focus, her eyes falling lazily towards Estarossa. "You… Okay?"
The younger demon blushed furiously, nodding his head violently. Estarossa had always been an open book, a trait Meliodas had belittled in the past – though in this moment he found himself envying his younger brothers, understanding why they held on to their childish emotions for the first time.
"I'm glad." Elizabeth's whole face lit up as she smiled. She had done it, she had protected the child – demon or otherwise. She was not a goddess who would discriminate as her kin had, she would lead the goddesses down a different path.
Meliodas brushed Elizabeth's bangs from her face, her dried blood flaking off with strands of hair that had been glued down. Fucking human's hit her right on the pressure point. It was a miracle she even maintained consciousness as long as she had. Her tenacity struck Meliodas, his respect for her gaining hold.
He reached as deep down as he could into his energy, grasping for any shred of his power he could get hold of. Once he located it, he brought his energy outwards, a small purple band materializing over his left arm and hand. It was faint, but it would do.
He pressed his palm against her temple, allowing his power to ease away her injury. The effort should have been effortless, but the suppressant potion still coursing through his veins made him fight just to hold that small amount of his power.
Once her eyes started to open he removed his hand from her soft skin, the silk of her hair streaming though his fingers. "Estarossa."
"Y-yes, big brother?" The younger demon stood at full attention.
"Go home."
"B-but –"
"Go home." He was stern, unrelenting. Estarossa flinched back slightly before reluctantly turning and sauntering away, his head hung low.
Meliodas took Elizabeth into his arms, her wings brushing against his strong arms and sending a shiver down his spine. Her eyes moved beneath her lids, her eyelashes flittering over her flushed cheeks and her lips slightly parted.
"Why would you protect a demon child?" Meliodas asked earnestly. "Any other goddess would have slain him on sight."
"Because." Elizabeth opened one eye, gazing up at him tiredly, "He couldn't protect himself."
"But he can grow." Meliodas continued, the human's words echoing in his mind and causing him to grit his teeth. "He can come back stronger and slaughter the town."
"Perhaps." Elizabeth said softly, breathy, "But perhaps if he had been shown kindness instead of resentment he wouldn't have grown to despise the other races."
"He's a demon!" Meliodas struggled to control his anger, she was tricking him, she had to be. There was no way a goddess would –
"If I've learned anything today, it's that your blood doesn't mean you're good or bad."
The sun lowered behind the horizon, bathing the world in a dim darkness. Even now she seemed to radiate a warmth Meliodas had never experienced before. Even as his eyes adjusted to the darkness she could still make out her pale white wings, the silver shine of her hair - the life in her eyes. Her breaths were even and steady as she rested, Meliodas' suppressed power not enough to fully recover her but enough that a short rest should see her off well.
This Goddess challenged everything he had known, everything he had come to understand. His hearts swelled with that same unfamiliar feeling as she scanned over her form, taking in every detail he could, his legs carrying him towards his destination on their own.
Elizabeth woke up on a plush surface, a silky warmth surrounding her. Her head throbbed slightly above her temple, though it was fading away quickly. She rose, allowing the blanket to fall on top her lap and letting her wings stretch out.
She was back in the ritual room, the golden drapes obscuring her view to the room around her. She shimmied to the edge of the bed, gently gliding out.
"Hey." Meliodas was seated on one of the off white arm chairs, a porcelain cup in his right hand.
"How long was I asleep?" Elizabeth asked awkwardly. He had brought her back after she had collapsed from her head injury. 'Some goddess I am'
"15 minutes." He said as he stood up, the cup firmly held between his hands as he seemed to study it. "What you did out there…" He began, cutting himself short and leaving a pregnant silence between them.
"…You're from the demon clan, aren't you?" Elizabeth finally asked, her curiosity getting the best of her. "You seemed familiar with that demon child back there, so I just figured…"
"Yes." Meliodas responded cutting her off, his eyes continuing to study the tea cup thoughtfully. "I am."
"I meant what I said." Elizabeth continued, taking a step towards Meliodas and placing a hand over the cup. "Earlier, I mean. About your blood not defining who you are. After all, I've met two demon's today who were nothing like the tales I've been raised on."
"Well, I could say the same about you, goddess." He smirked softly, almost conflicted. His expression sent a pang through her heart, not just for her sake, but for his. The conflict between them has been long and pointless – a war based on ancient bad blood and corrupt ideals.
Elizabeth grabbed hold of both Meliodas' hands, cupping them within her own. The hard callouses rubbed against her own smooth, unworked hands. She splayed her fingers over his, drawing soft circles over his hard flesh. He rose his attention from the cup to her eyes, looking up at her like he was seeing her – truly seeing her, and not through her – for the first time.
The green of his eyes seemed to swirl, the light from the flickering candles and starlight mixing to add orange and blue specks in his emerald. It was hypnotizing to watch, the way his pupils dilated and quivered, the small blossoms of light igniting in his gaze.
She felt heavy under his observation. Was he seeing her as she was seeing him? All mystifying and curious, beauty yet to be explored? She unconsciously licked her lips, wetting the dry flesh. He watched her every movement, his eyes following the move of her tongue like a predator watching its prey.
She repeated the motion and he swallowed hard, a slight blush tinting his cheeks. His hands tensed under her own, but he made no move to remove them, and neither did she.
The thoughts swirling around in Meliodas' head wouldn't cease, his hearts were beating rapidly in his chest. He felt warm and cold at the same time, like he was breathing yet suffocating simultaneously. Each stroke of her fingers over his own sent sparks through him entire being. What was she doing to him?
And so he moved in, allowing his instincts to take control rather than his clouded head. Closer, closer, until the space between them was nothing but a breath away. She was leaning back slightly against the bed making her eye level with him. Her sweet breath warmed his lips and he parted his lips to taste it, he wanted to taste her, to see if her lips were as sweet as her scent, as firm as her gaze into his own.
Their noses brushed against each other's, her eyes closing part way, her eyelashes masking the darkening storm that was brewing in her azure blues. She licked her lips again, her breath hitching in her throat as he watched the movement – slow and delicious.
The distance between them was closed, their eyes fluttering shut in ecstasy from the contact. Their lips melded together, dancing awkwardly at first until they had established a comfortable pace. Meliodas took her cheek into his right hand, pressing her forward to sit her down as he angled her head backwards for better access.
Every nerve in his body was alight, his mind was in overdrive. He drank in her small whines and gasps hungrily, instinct taking over his being. She broke away gasping for air, her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. He could hear her hearts beating loud in his ears. He placed his free hand on her chin, gently tilting her upwards again and locking lips again, unsatisfied with just a short kiss.
Meliodas growled low in his throat when their lips collided again, the guttural sound causing Elizabeth's toes to curl. Her core was suddenly feeling very hot. She tried to rub her thighs together to relieve the budding pressure, only to be stopped by one of Meliodas' legs lining up between hers. She moaned her disappointment, the vibration evoking a purr from the man slowly inching his way over her form.
Elizabeth splayed her wings out against the bed as she lost her balance, her head bouncing off the plush mattress and her hair falling in a messy halo around her head. The gold curtains over her seemed to shimmer in the breeze coming in. The space between them was agonizing as Meliodas climbed over her, shaking lightly.
She gently ran her palms over either side of his face, relishing in the softness of him. She softly brushed his bangs out of his eyes, wanting to see the stormy green as she pulled him in once more, the kiss deep and needy. He swiped his tongue against her lower lip, nipping at the soft flesh and eliciting a sigh from the goddess.
He dipped his tongue into her mouth, exploring hungrily. Elizabeth moved her own tongue awkwardly, dancing around his own sloppily. She could feel his arms shaking as he cupped her face in his arms, his chest laying almost flat with her own. If she was a bad kisser he didn't give any indication of it, his mouth melding against her own with hot desire.
She gripped at his hair as he shifted his weight to one side. He carefully brought one hand down to caress her face, passed her jaw, down her neck, her shoulder, her ribs…
She let out a breathy moan, a sound Meliodas was growing addicted to. Her lips were sweet, her mouth hot, skin unbearably soft. He fought to maintain control, his suppressed nature clawing for any grip it could get. His hands continued to lazily glide over her form, her knees pressing firmly against his waist. Her chest heaved heavily, her breathing growing erratic as her own hands began exploring his body. She traced over his shoulder blades, his arms, moving down to his chest and stomach.
He broke from the kiss panting for air. He drunk in the dishevelled look of her, her eyes lidded and dark, her lips pink and swollen, hair tangled above her head.
"M-meliodas." She panted, each syllable of his name making the growing tightness in his pants worse. "What was that…?"
He lowered down to her cheek, giving her a soft peck. "You don't know what a kiss is?"
"No, I-I do. But that was –" He trailed his lips up to her ear, blowing lightly against the flesh. He felt her shutter beneath him. "I've never – You're shaking…"
He nibbled at her ear, drawing a breathy moan as she squirmed. Her arms held him tight against her. "Don't worry about me." He commanded. She nodded and set back to his ministrations.
He licked the curve of her ear slowly, committing its shape to memory. Each deep breath or moan she released only serving to stoke his instinctual desire to take her.
Her body was hot against his fingertips as he trailed them upwards from her hips to her ribs, then inwards. She shook lightly as her brushed over the bare skin just below her breasts, his teeth pulling at her ear lobe as he slowly adjusted himself downwards.
He trailed kisses from her mouth down to her neck, suckling softly at the sensitive flesh as he explored the shape of her with his wandering fingers. He sucked hard just above her collarbone, nipping at the flesh every now and then. He released her with a soft, wet pop and he licked at the mark, soothing the injury and inspecting his handiwork before continuing downwards.
Her own hands began exploring his chest, having snaked their way up and under his shirt that was suddenly much too confining. Without removing his breaking contact he hastily unbuttoned the invading fabric, tossing it carelessly off the edge of the bed in one fluid motion. Elizabeth's hands set to work straight away, dancing over the hills and valleys of his sculpted figure.
Meliodas reached the golden fabric that obstructed him on his path. Nipping at her skin again he pushed the garb aside. Elizabeth moaned as cool air touched her bare chest, her nipples hardening under Meliodas' hungry glance. Her head was spinning and all she could tangibly think about was the man on top of her and what he was doing to her.
She opened her eyes to see him glide his hands upwards, his head dipping down to kiss at the space between her mounds. He pinched at her peaks, the sensation making her groan loudly as static electricity shot down to her core. "M-meliodas!"
He growled into her chest and she wrapped her arms around his solid back, his muscles taught. He kissed his way around her breasts, pinching and pulling at her hardened peaks in a way that had Elizabeth squirming and gasping out his name. His mouth descended down onto her nipple, his tongue swirling around the sensitive organ with a purpose. The both moaned, the vibration from Meliodas' mouth making her scratch at his back in mind blowing pleasure.
He moved from one breast to the other, giving it the same attention as he had given before. He bit the flesh sharply making Elizabeth nearly scream from the sensation. The burning pressure between her legs was becoming more and more unbearable as time went on and she desperately tried to grind against anything to relieve it.
She brought her hips up, finding release from Meliodas' leg still pressed between her. The contact sparked a groan from the demon who promptly released Elizabeth's moistened peak.
She whined in protest, her mind hazed over entirely. Meliodas was just as worn down as she was, panting heavily, his face flushed and his chest beading with sweat. He cupped her face again, bringing her in for a wet kiss.
"If you want to stop tell me now." He struggled to get the words out. Never before had he been so ready and so afraid at the same time. He was scared of losing control, of hurting her. He was scared he would break her just as he had seemed to break everything else good in his life. "I don't think I'll be able to stop if we go any further."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him down for her own needy kiss. He let her take the lead, allowing her tongue to flick over his lips and enter into his mouth lazily. "It's okay." She said between kisses. "I want this."
And she did. Not just for the ritual, in all truth she couldn't care less about it anymore – but because she wanted what she wanted for once in her life. She wanted to break free, to release herself from the shackles of her station, or her crown. Meliodas had made her feel like her for the first time in her life, not just some puppet of her mother. In the short time they had known each other he had broken her down and built her up, made her realize what she hadn't seen so plainly in front of her before.
His hands trailed down her side, tracing the rise and fall of her heaving breasts down to the valley of her stomach and the cliff of her hips. He touched her like she was fine china about to break, each lingering brush against her skin gentle and calculated. He thumbed at the fabric clinging over her core, stretching the material and letting it snap back against her. He groaned into her mouth as she grinded against his leg again, his fingers digging into her hips.
"Gods, Elizabeth." He breathed out in an almost animalistic hiss, his mouth returning to her neck as his hands began moving down her thighs. She twitched and squirmed under his touch, each inch of skin he touched set ablaze in a pure fire.
He continued downwards, kissing over her breasts and down her ribs, his hands splaying across the inside of her thighs. He kissed down to her belly button, stopping at the landmark to lick around the small opening. The moan that escaped past her lips made Meliodas' member twitch with need. Each reaction he got from her was like a prize. He dipped his tongue into the crevice of her belly, her hands shooting to grip at his hair, her moans like the finest composition to his ears.
He licked his way down to her hip bones, suckling the flesh as he moved his hands to her core. Even through the fabric he could feel the heat of her, sweet and wet. She bucked at the contact, desperate for the pressure. He nipped at her hip as punishment. "Patience is a virtue, goddess."
Elizabeth groaned her disapproval as Meliodas continued his slow assault against her, his fingers gently skirting over her womanhood. "Gods, you're so wet."
"W-wha-AH!" Elizabeth yelled as Meliodas brought his mouth down over her core without warning. The sweet heat from his panting breath lighting her on fire. He licked at her wetness that stained her cloth, satisfied at the taste of her essence.
Her fingers worked at his scalp, pulling at his tussled tresses as he ripped the barrier between him and her core. Elizabeth gave a breathy gasp at the sudden rush of cool air against her exposed womanhood, the burning warmth of Meliodas' mouth quickly replacing the icy cold of the room.
She was sweating, her heart was pounding loudly in her ears. Meliodas lapped slowly against her womanhood, stopping to pay extra attention to a bundle of nerves that had her back arching off the bed and wailing uncontrollably. Each lick against her brought the cord in her center dangerously close to snapping, each passing moment making her slowly lose all control.
He removed his mouth from her suddenly, the cold returning and making her shiver. She gazed up towards the demon who had a finger in his mouth, wetting the digit thoroughly.
"W-what are you doing?" Elizabeth asked earnestly, her words slurred from her pleasure high.
He gave her a devilish smirk, his middle finger popping out of her mouth wetly before he returned to his previous task, giving her one long lick before lining up his finger and entering her slowly.
She clenched around him making it near impossible to insert his finger in all the way. She was so tight around him, his own member twitching painfully in anticipation, begging to get any form of attention. He pumped in and out of her purposefully. Each short thrust making her hips raise off the bed to meet his movements.
When he felt her relax he inserted a second finger into her, her back arching from the fullness she was experiencing. He continued to lap away at her sweet bundle, taking it into his mouth and humming her name against her. She moaned loudly, bordering on a scream. He repeated the action, spelling out her name into the organ as he pumped into her on time with his hums.
Elizabeth was seeing stars. She was vaguely aware she screamed out his name, her back raising fully off the bed and pressing into his face as she tightened around his fingers. Her cord finally snapping in one grand release, her sweet essence exploding onto his hand and mouth.
Elizabeth lay panting, a thin layer of sweat clinging to her form despite the chill of the night. Meliodas licked her release off his digits, swiping the nectar into his mouth greedily. She was sweeter than honey, more intoxicating than the finest ales – it was addicting.
As Elizabeth came down from her high he kicked off his trousers, finally letting his straining member free. Elizabeth watched through glazed eyes as his cock twitched anxiously, pearls of pre-cum already forming at the head.
Suddenly her anxiety returned. Would he even fit? That was a ridiculous question, right? Of course it would fit! It had to!
But he was so large. That couldn't have been normal. Maybe it was a demon trait? Elizabeth found herself licking her lips all the same in anxious anticipation. She gingerly reach out, stroking the hot flesh with her finger tips.
Meliodas froze, taken off guard. He hissed out a curse as Elizabeth grew braver, running her finger against his length from the tip to the base. He shuddered against her touch but otherwise didn't move, allowing her free reign to experiment.
She took the whole of his manhood into her hand, giving an experimental squeeze as another pearl of pre-cum beaded at the head. She thumbed the hot liquid, swirling it around as Meliodas purred and bucked in her grip.
"Fuck Elizabeth." He gasped as she stroked him softly at first, then picked up speed. "That feels so good."
She shifted her weight so she was on her knees and crawled towards Meliodas, his cock firmly in the palm of her hand. Feeling emboldened by his reactions she gave the head a soft kiss. His member jerked in response and he hissed out a low curse in the demon tongue. Elizabeth licked her lips and kissed him again, his hands flying to her scalp and stroking her hair.
Carefully, she took him into her mouth. The moisture and heat nearly making him lose himself then and there. She popped him out before taking him back into her mouth, licking around the tip lightly as she stroked him.
Meliodas pushed her backwards, raising her off her knees and throwing her against the pile of silk pillows towards the head of the bed. She panted out his name as he lined himself up with her. He couldn't wait anymore, he needed some release now or he would lose whatever delicate control he had left in him.
Feeling her opening against his tip, he steadied himself with his forearms on either side of her face. He kissed her as he gave a slow push. He could feel her entrance push against him, fighting against his penetration but he kept up the assault, kissing her as he gave more pressure.
He felt her give under him, his head slipping into her slick tightness. They both sighed deeply into each other's mouths. Meliodas raised himself slightly to watch her expression as he continued to push into her.
"Open your eyes." He said huskily, "I want to see you."
She obliged, opening her azure eyes to meet his emeralds. Tears formed in the corner of her eyes which Meliodas promptly kissed away. Finally, he felt resistance. He returned to her lips as he gave one last push, fully burying himself inside her. She groaned into his mouth, he stroked her cheek, wiping away the stray tears that fell.
"You okay?" He asked between kisses, his touch against her damp cheeks comforting.
"It hurts a little but… I'm okay." She panted heavily, the tears slowly ceasing. Regardless, he gave her a moment to get adjusted to him. She pulsed around him, massaging him with her maddening tightness.
Elizabeth could feel something foreign and exciting blossom inside her, with each passing moment the dull ache in her core turned into hot need instead. The warmth of his member inside her slowly driving her to the edge of madness.
Meliodas pulled out slowly, watching Elizabeth's expressions. Once he was nearly all the way out he slowly thrust back in, a heady moan escaping from Elizabeth's lips.
He picked up the pace slowly, kissing Elizabeth and monitoring her reactions for any discomfort. His instincts screaming to claim and protect simultaneously. She shook under him, her hips slowly raising to meet his thrusts as he picked up speed. Her eyes had begun to flutter shut again as he kissed her passionately.
He cupped her face in his arms, kissing her lips, chin, jaw and eyes as he pounded into her. Her moans and the slap of flesh against flesh a growing crescendo that seemed to bounce off the walls around them. He could feel her tightening around him, her breaths becoming sporadic.
He leaned back, pulling her up with him still inside her. She let out a sharp gasp, her chest bouncing seductively from the sudden motion. Her wings trembled behind her as she sighed from the position she found herself in. He had reached so much deeper than before like this, hitting a spot that had her seeing white.
Meliodas kept a tight grip against her hips, his fingers digging into her flesh. ahae began rocking her back and forth. A delicious friction erupting inside of Elizabeth, the spot from before making her lose control. She rocked against him on her own, his hands moving to give her neglected breasts some much needed attention.
Elizabeth grinded against his core, yelping out in satisfaction as she felt her stomach clenching violently in mind blowing pleasure. Meliodas could feel his own end coming quick, the tightly help rope inside him seconds away from snapping.
He thrust upwards, hitting Elizabeth even deeper than he had before and making her scream to new levels. One more thrust and he could feel her clamping down around him, his name like a prayer on her lips.
He rode her out until he reached his own released three thrusts later, his hot seed painting her insides. Elizabeth collapsed on top of him, panting heavily into his ear as he rode out his own high, her slickness continuing to milk him for all he was worth.
He stayed inside her until he had gone limp, opting to pull and pull her into his arms. He could see the love marks he had left all over her skin, a sense of pride washing over him. She nuzzled into the crook between his arm and torso, resting her head against his breast.
"You know, you can join me." She breathed sleepily into his chest. He could barely hear her over the sound of his own pounding hearts.
"Hmm?" he responded, fighting to stay awake.
But she was already asleep by his side, her soft, even breaths steady in his ears, lulling him off to his own slumber moments later.