Meliodas launched himself at the Demon King and punched him without hesitation, but he was able to avoid the blow by flying up into the air at the last moment.

"You have truly been a disappointment; you say the world has no need for even one Demon King?" he said, looking down at Meliodas. "So what now? Do you intend to wipe out your father and little brother along with yourself in this dire situation?"

"Not at all; it's enough that I alone disappear from this world," said Meliodas. "I am going to save Zeldris, no matter what. You're the one who's going to die here!"

The Demon King looked at him furiously. "I think not!"

He then swung his hand and sent a bolt of dark magic at Meliodas, but when the steam from the evaporated water from the lake dissipated, he was completely unaffected. However, the Demon King used this opportunity to get behind Ruby holding her hostage.

"If you're considering a move, I would advise against it," the Demon King advised. "It was a mistake bringing her along, knowing that she could be used against you. With your troublesome lover as my shield, you won't raise a finger against me."

Meliodas just remained silent, glaring at him.

"Easy now, nice and slow," Demon King smiled. Ruby then laughed, causing him to look down at her. "What's so funny?"

"You couldn't be more wrong," she said.

"Huh?" he said, confused.

"If you think that I came here to be used dead weight against him, you're quite mistaken," she said, looking at him with a defiant look. "I came to defeat you. Ark!"

The Demon King then suddenly found himself trapped within the light, but he wasn't worried in the slightest. "A foolish move. Do you honestly think this petty attack of yours can defeat me?"

"Chase!" said Ruby blasting him away with incredible power, causing him to skip across the lake.

"I'd take her seriously if I were you," Meliodas advised. "Those that didn't came to regret it."

"Now, Fury!" Ruby yelled.

The Ark then exploded, sending the Demon King flying into the air.

"Why you?" the Demon King glared. "You'll pay, hussy!"

"As the king of the Demon Realm, you must have heard what they called her thereby now," said Meliodas. "Blood Ruby."

Meanwhile, the Seven Deadly Sins were busy trying to eradicate Indura's spawn. The only problem was there were so high that the only ones who could attack them with those with long-range attacks and with the ability to fly.

"Bumblebee!" Fishlegs yelled, slicing the spawn with his spear in its original form.

"Exterminate Ray!" Ragnar yelled, blasting them with a beam of magic.

Hiccup and Astrid were flying through the air and sliced them to pieces with their weapons, but there were just too many for them to attack.

"They're too high up," said Heather. "My attacks would never reach them. Keep it up, you guys."

Skull then landed on her shoulder. "If all of Indura's spawn spread out throughout the entire continent, it will be a disaster."

"But there's just too many of them for us to kill," said Astrid.

"Our only hope is to destroy them in one failed swoop before they get out of range," said Hiccup.

"I've no choice," said Fishlegs. "I'll just have to destroy them all with Sunflower!"

"No, you can't, Fishlegs," said Heather. "If you do, all the humans and animals nearby are going to get hurt too!"

"I don't want that, but there's no other way!"

"Relax, leave it to the Snot," said Snotlout cracking his neck.

"Snotlout, here, use this!" Ragnar yelled as a mace appeared before him, and he tossed it at him. "You should be able to draw out more than its maximum potential now!"

"I had a feeling you had it on you," Snotlout smiled as he grabbed the mace.

Astrid blinked. "Isn't that?"

"The Holy Mace… Morning Star," Ragnar nodded. "Of all the Sacred Treasures, it's the one most capable of speeding attacks. With Snotlout as he is now, it has the capacity to unleash a tremendous force with incredible range and speed. Morning Star has a special ability that will raise those qualities to the highest level of accuracy… Super Concentration."

Hiccup looked at him. "And you didn't give it back to him because…"

"…because I was only just able to locate it," Ragnar admitted. "With everything going on at, barely had time to track it down when it got confiscated by when he got captured."

Snotlout was higher than the air gripping the mace as he concentrated on everything around him.

"Sacred Treasure… Release!" he yelled.

He then began swinging it with blinding speed, and the hilt suddenly extended. He began hitting every single one of the spawns he could see, crushing them instantly. Within seconds, all those within sight have been completely smashed to pieces.

"Thousands of them just suddenly vanquished," said Astrid looking rather impressed. "I can't believe I'm saying this; Snotlout was impressive."

"It would seem as if Snotlout has gone completely beyond human," said Ragnar. "As if his inflated ego was not large enough."

"I believe he has the right, considering that none of us were able to do it," said Hiccup.

"So, did he destroy all of them?" Heather asked.

Snotlout hit the ground. "It's been so long that my senses have dulled. One of them headed in the direction of Berk."

"We need to do something; even one is a threat," said Fishlegs.

"Unfortunately, we've got other problems," said Hiccup.

He wasn't wrong as Indura was beginning to move, no doubt quite angry that they had just killed most of its spawn.

"Ground Gladiolus!" Heather yelled, slamming her hammer into the ground and the sword made of stone shot out of the ground piercing Indura.

Astrid then held out her battleaxe. "Valkyrie Fury!"

She then began swinging her axe sending powerful slashes at it.

"Shock Stinger!" Ragnar yelled, pointing his staff at the creature blasting it.

"Spear of Judgement!" Fishlegs yelled, plunging his spear into it.

"Assault Hunt!" Snotlout yelled strikingly repeatedly with his mace.

"Dragon Onslaught!" Hiccup yelled, pelting the creature with of sword strikes.

Meanwhile, at Berk, the Demon spawn had landed at the gates of Berk. The Dragon Knights immediately engaged it, but they were completely outmatched.

"What is this monster?"

"Stand down; leave this to us. Withdraw!" Ake ordered.

"But Inquisitor?"

"That's an order!" Ake baked.

"Yes, sir!"

The Dragon Knights then immediately retreated, leaving Ake alone with Gael and Gilthunder.

"I've never seen a Demon like this one before," said Gilthunder as the Demon approached them.

"Me neither," said Ake. "Get it with everything you've got!"

"Trinity Attack!" Gael yelled and made a cage around the Demon with his magical power.

"Hexagonal…" said Ake clutching his lance.

"…Graveyard!" Gilthunder roared, raising his sword.

They then unleashed a combo attack of wind and lightning which began to pelt the Demon inside its cage. The three of them used all the power they had in order to wipe it out, but it wasn't enough. The Demon broke through its cage by simply swinging its tongue like a whip striking the three of them instantly.

"Damn," Gilthunder groaned. "It's too strong."

"If we don't do something, it'll kill us," said Ake.

"If only the Seven Deadly Sins were here to help," Gael groaned.

"No, don't talk like that," said Gilthunder as he rose to his feet. "We need to stand our ground, with or without them."

He then raised his sword, pointing it directly at the Demon as it slowly advanced towards them. It then suddenly stuck its tongue out like a spear at Gilthunder.

"Gil!" Ake yelled.

"Watch out!" Gael yelled.

But there was no time to dodge; the Demon's attack was just too fast. Gilthunder braced himself, but nothing happened. When he opened his eyes, he was completely shocked to see Eret standing in front of him, blocking the attack.

Eret was wearing leather armour and was wielding a simple short sword and shield. Even despite blocking the attack, the time had managed to pierce his shield and strike his stomach.

"Sir Eret!" Gitlhunder gasped.

"Just in the nick of time," Eret winced.

"What are you doing here?" Gilthunder asked.

"That's a silly question to save all of you, of course."

The Demon then pulled back its tongue.

"I heard that you lost your magic of Sunshine!" said Ake. "You can't defeat the monster as the way you are now!"

"Sorry this comes off as impotent, but I won't back down," said Eret looking at them. "I'm not about to cower and hide to save my skin!"

He then winced and coughed out some blood, and the wound on his stomach looked pretty severe.

"You will hurt shielding us," Gilthunder noticed.

"Don't worry, it's all right," Eret assured them. "I don't have much time left anyway, but that's not true for you youngsters. I feel that you all have a bright and shining future ahead of you. It's my job as an old soldier to protect that possibility."

He then drew his sword and took up a fighting stance against the Demon. "The Seven Deadly Sins! Sin of Gluttony, Eret! Here I come! Take this, Holy Sword Eret!"

He then charged with the Demon with sword held high, but it merely flipped its tongue at him, slicing through the shield and cutting through his shoulder.

"Thunder Emperor Purge!" Gilthunder roared, shooting lightning at the Demon.

However, it had no effect, and instead, the Demon struck its time across his face knocking him to the ground. It then began swinging its tongue at him, but Eret jumped in the way, blocked it with his body and the tongue pierced through his shoulder.

"I'm the one you're fighting, Demon; focus on me!" Eret yelled.

The Demon then pulled back its tongue, and Eret nearly collapsed due to the pain, but he merely got back up.

"Now that is a make any sense," said Ake. "How can he still be standing when he is injured worse than we are?"

"Tell me something, have you guys ever been on the receiving end of Sir Hiccup's attacks?" Eret asked.

"Why did you bring that up now?" Gilthunder asked.

"I certainly have; it hurts so bad that it felt that I might die. Of course, when I did, I was in my Proud Form during broad daylight. I will never forget that excruciating pain. Compared to what I took from Sir Hiccup, this pain is little more than a bug bite. So I'll be your shield. Get out of here, even if you must crawl!"

All three of them stared at him, and Gilthunder burst into tears.

Eret then charged at the Demon once more, which then struck him with its tongue again and again.

'How embarrassing,' said Eret as he was hit. 'If the other saw me in this pathetic state, taking a thrashing, left and right, I'm sure they'd all laugh.'

However, he then realised that none of them would do such a thing. 'Wait, no, none of them would laugh at me. Those amazing people count on me and consider me one of their own. Even when meritless and powerless, they treat me the same, whether in daylight or darkness. They are also very strong and kind, I stood side-by-side and fought alongside them, and I'm quite proud of that. The proof of all the battles I fought with them lives in my heart. So even if it's only in spirit, I want to be with them to the very end…'

Eret was so beaten up that the only thing he could do was stand. His armour was ripped to shreds, and he was covered in his own blood. However, despite his sorry state, he remained strong and definite as the Demon approached him.

"I am the Seven Deadly Sins, Sin of Gluttony… Eret the Lion," said Eret.

"Don't do it!" Gilthunder pleaded.

The Demon was now face-to-face with Eret and opened its mouth, ready to devour him. However, lights then shone down from the heavens, and the Demon was instantly destroyed.

"Be well," said a voice.

Eret then suddenly found all his wounds healed, and when he looked up, he saw standing before him was Mael.

"Eret, I have heard your prayer, and I am here to answer it," he said.

"Sir Mael, you really did come; thank you so much," said Eret graciously.

"Of course, but I don't know if I can meet your expectations."

"Huh?" Eret frowned.

"I will expend every effort if it means saving the people from the dangers that approach this land. However, when it comes to fighting the Demon King, that is another story. It is impossible for me; that sounds shocking, especially from an Archangel, but that's exactly how powerful the Demon King is."

"I'm afraid you've got it all wrong," said Eret, much to Mael's confusion. "Allow me to explain; I certainly didn't call you down here to fight the Demon King yourself, Sir Mael."

"Then why did you call?" Mael frowned.

"I was hoping that you would lend me back the power of Sunshine."

"Eret, you are to know better than anyone what that means."

"I know; even with the power back, it doesn't mean that I can suddenly rival the Demon King."

"It's not that! Your body is already at its limit from the way the Grace of Sunshine placed upon it. Even if you could fight, it would only be once. After that, you would, without a doubt, perish; you would only be throwing your life away."

"And I am all right with that," said Eret with a smile.

Everyone stared at him, shocked.

"Sir Eret, please, you mustn't," Gilthunder pleaded.

"I won't be throwing it away; I'll be risking it for the sake of my dear friends," said Eret. "If they are going to risk their lives fighting for others, then I want to risk my life fighting for them, no matter the cost or outcome."

"This still time," said Mael as he extended his hand. "It's not quite noon."

"Yes, you're right," said Eret taking his hand.

They then shook, and then suddenly, Eret entered his proud form.

Meanwhile, the Demon King was still facing off against Meliodas and Ruby.

"Your concern for your little brother is holding you back," said the Demon King. "And while you toil in that predicament, my powers are rapidly recovering, thanks to the grace of this lake. There was only one conclusion…" He then began to transform and became even larger. "…victory is mine."

"I forget; when was it that you were trying to tell me something?" Meliodas asked as he walked towards him. "It didn't just happen once, but many times and back then, all I could think about back then was of the father's orders. I didn't have any spare time to listen to you, and then one day, you stopped trying to tell me anything."

He then launched himself at the Demon King. "Fight Zeldris, don't let him take over!"

He then swung his fist at the Demon King, but it hit a barrier surrounding him.

"It's no use," said the Demon King. "Zeldris' consciousness is lost in the sweet illusions he so desired. He'll eventually vanish into nothingness, and I think you should vanish along with him!"

Demon King then began pelting Meliodas with powerful blows, hitting him straight into the lake. Ruby was about to jump in to assist, but Meliodas shot out of the lake and dealt a powerful uppercut.

"I'm not giving up on you; I'll call out to you as many times as it takes for you to respond!" Meliodas yelled. "Zeldris!"

In Zeldris' mind, he could hear Meliodas' faint voice and opened his eyes.

"I had a dream," he said.

"Oh," said the illusion of Gelda. "Tell me about it."

"It was from long ago, I would try to speak to my older brother time after time, but I get too scared and stop."

"You feared Meliodas that much?"

"No, I feared my father. In hindsight, I wish I had spoken with my brother more. Not about how to wield the sword or how to kill an enemy or things like how to hunt or what he liked to drink and about you or what kind of girl you were. Just bonding and shooting the breeze."

"How pointless."

Zeldris then looked up at Gelda.

"Prison Gate Saber!" the Demon King yelled as he wielded a massive sword of darkness.

"Now, Enchant Ark!" Ruby yelled, unleashing a powerful beam of light.

"Thousand God Slayer!" Meliodas roared, raising his sword.

Ruby's attack then merged with Meliodas' sword just as the Demon King swung his blade of darkness towards them.

"Combo Move! God Eater!" Meliodas yelled. His blade of light then began cutting through the Demon King's attack striking him. "Don't give in to him, Zel! Don't do just as father says!"

In his mind, Zeldris began to realise that something was wrong with Gelda.

"Why is it pointless?" Zeldris asked.

"Those things are meaningless," said the illusion of Gelda. "Who cares about that anyway? You must be tired, my love."

The Demon King's armour had been completely destroyed, and he landed in like completely exhausted.

'Zel, can you hear my voice,' said Meliodas. 'Answer me! Zel, fight!'

Zeldris could hear Meliodas' voice in his mind, but it was very faint.

"Sleep now; rest easy in my arms," said the fake Gelda.

"I suppose you're right; it's all over and gone now," said Zeldris and slowly closed his eyes. "All of it, everything."

The Demon King then suddenly got a power boost as lightning rained down upon the lake.

"Oh no," said Ruby. "At this rate, he'll—"

"Fight it, Zel!" Meliodas pleaded. "You have to fight back!"

He was then pushed back by a large wave as a tornado had formed in the centre of the lake surrounding the Demon King. When you disappeared, they found standing there was a giant man with a long black beard in demonic armour and a sword strapped to his waist.

"Oh no," said Meliodas.

"Except my gratitude, Zeldris," said the Demon King. "My finest form is far more suitable, thanks to you. The power that I once knew has returned to me. No, the flesh and power of my younger days is mine again."

"Zeldris!" Meliodas cried.

"Argh, give it up," said the Demon King looking down at him. "The little brother you should have saved is gone forever."

"You're wrong; Zel isn't gone. I'll save him no matter what," Meliodas vowed and harnessed his demonic power and launched himself at the Demon King.

"Save him?" said the Demon King as he drew his sword. "Do you propose to do that all on your own?"

The two of them then clashed and probably a few seconds, and that is if they were evenly matched. Meliodas, however, had it disengaged to avoid a punch from the Demon King, who quickly closed in on him.

"Or will you call in some reinforcements? Maybe the Seven Deadly Sins?" he saidtt and slammed his sword into the lake.

Meliodas had just landed on the lake when he was quickly blown away by the people of water and found himself being pulled into a fearsome current. Ruby was also caught in the current and was nearly washed away.

"Meliodas!" she cried.

Meliodas then suddenly shot out of the water directly in front of the Demon King. "That's none of your damn business!"

He then swung his sword directly down upon the Demon King and, when he touched the lake, immediately struck another blow.

"I already own them, more than I can ever hope to repay!" he yelled.

"Then you actually propose to defeat me on your own," said the Demon King healing himself. "Don't be so conceited."

"I made my brother promise, but I will reunite him with Gelda!" Meliodas yelled as he charged in once more.

He then began to strike the Demon King with more sword strikes but quickly had to jump back to avoid getting struck by the Demon King's fist. He then quickly engaged the Demon King sword against sword.

"Be careful, don't get in so close!" said Ruby. "Let's back off and reassess!"

"No!" Meliodas yelled stubbornly. "I can't abandon my brother for a third time!"

"Yes, I know, but still!"

"If I don't do it, who else is going to save him?"

He then swung his sword, creating a series of explosions in front of the Demon King before landing directly behind. However, the Demon King was completely unaffected by his attacks; in fact, it looked as if he had absorbed them.

"Did he just absorb all that magic?" Ruby gasped. "Is this the full power of the Ruler?"

"Just as I suspected from the man I once chose to be my vessel," said the Demon King turning his head. "You make a worthwhile subject to test my might on."

Then suddenly, they sensed something powerful heading towards them.

"What that?" said the Demon King.

They quickly jumped out of the way just as something landed in the lake. Meliodas immediately realised what it was.

"But why?" he said.

"Come now, you really don't know?" said Ruby. "They came here for you."

Standing on the sliced-up body of Indura were the Seven Deadly Sins, minus Eret.

"We can't seem to leave you alone for five minutes, can we?" said Astrid.

"Yeah, sneaking away after we leave, that wasn't very nice of you," said Heather, who was human–size.

"She's right, you know; we are destined comrades, are we not?" said Fishlegs.

"Did you honestly think we wouldn't notice?" said Ragnar.

"You really can be surprised that we hear; after all, we all consider you a member of the Seven Deadly Sins," said Hiccup.

"And the Seven Deadly Sins 7th rule clearly states that we all have to work together," said Snotlout.