A/N: Ok so during these two weeks I was sick for half of it. Due to that I had extra time to write this as well as go over it, so hopefully this chapter's ok as usual. Also thanks for the kind and engaging reviews from last chapter, I'm glad the backstory was well received. I was stressing about it being really bad, but it seems like it was ok.

Silver - The next backstory isn't actually too far away (it's the next chapter). But I guess it's kinda a half one, however I think you'll enjoy it as it reveals some of King's. Anyway, I'm glad Merlin's backstory was ok. As for Elizabeth's reaction you'll find out right now ;)

Matt2620 - King's backstory is definitely one of my favourites! Some of it will be revealed in the next backstory so look out for it. That point about Elizabeth not getting injured or hit in the face was true as well. It more or less reminded me of the recurring theme. As for Elizabeth's reaction to Merlin's story, that'll be told now.

Till next time,

D.L.D

*Warning* - There is a scene where someone is forcing themselves upon someone else, so if you're uncomfortable with such things I'll leave a marker so you can skip over it. Though nothing extreme or graphic happens.


Elizabeth's (normal) P.O.V

"I'd think before choosing a side in this, princess," Merlin looked at me, her expression serious instead of testing. Her usual cat-like smirk was gone, her hazel eyes clouded in a mist of recollection. "Both of those people are extremely influential and therefore extremely dangerous. Crossing both of them only brings sure disaster and destruction."

I swallow thickly at her words, remembering the sight of the burning city of Belialuin. Buildings that had once been architectural wonders had been reduced to piles of rubble and ash, along with its builders and owners. No-one had survived that day - it was only Merlin who had walked out unscathed and even she had sustained injuries. But those injuries seemed to run deeper than her body, they ran into her mind. Each cut and scar had damaged her mentality until her brain was nothing more than a sponge for knowledge and human emotion.

The Merlin that sat before me was nothing but a vengeful child; her development halted with the destruction of her people and all of their knowledge.

"I understand Merlin," I nod as my nerves are finally at ease.

I release a sigh. Each event and emotion tied to my racing thoughts seems to melt away, the problems tied with them fading into an abyss. After such a long day, I had finally unwound and found a way to let everything loose. To let all I know slip and feel no regret. And it felt great.

However...Merlin's talk has now opened a new set of problems. Problems that I'm not sure I want to face yet; they tie into my past and my past is somewhere I'm not willing to visit again. They're a darkened corridor in my mind, a place I don't enter unless necessary. Not to mention sympathy for Merlin had a hold over me. Sympathy for things she hadn't told me of before. Things that were kept hidden despite our sisterly bond.

"I'm sure you do," Merlin hummed slightly, a grin tugging at the edge of her lips. "Now, don't you have a meeting to get to? I'm sure Jen and Zee wouldn't want to be kept waiting."

"How did you know?!" I jump up in surprise, eyes wide as Merlin begins to laugh.

The noise fills my ears, the pleasant sound drowning out the small but raging storm of worries within me. It'd only be a matter of time before they come back to plague me, to break me down, and so I relish in the sound of something joyful. Something nice before the true trouble begins.

"Oh, not much gets past me, dear," She chuckled, clicking her tongue as she waved a hand. "I know quite a bit about the world and what goes on in it. So I suggest you leave before they think you won't show."

"That I'll definitely do," I nodded as I grabbed my things and bid Merlin goodbye.

The mage simply nodded, a small smile on her face as she picked up a book. She seemed to be over whatever had a hold over her a few moments ago. In fact she seemed to just snap out of it, like a well trained puppy. A trait that everyone who goes here seems to possess it seems.

But that would mean I have it too...

I shiver slightly. Perhaps that is true, I have been suppressing a lot of things recently. Emotions that were once so easy are now difficult, with new ones taking over and holding my thoughts captive. But I can think of that issue later. Right now I have a meeting to attend.

Shaking my head, I exit Merlin's dorm and begin to race down the hall. Lockers and doors passed by, a blur of blues and reds and glass. My wings threaten to burst forth from my back, the familiar feeling urging me to let it pass, to let them stretch for once and carry me away. But I hold it back knowing that going by foot would be sensible. More efficient. Plus the wings would make me all the more suspicious to any watching Commandments, they were my secret after all.

I sigh as I slow my pace and begin to jog, knowing it would make the urge to fly lessen. Hopefully Jen and Zee hadn't left already. I have a feeling the two Druid Club leaders know something that may help me. That they knew more than just the average person. They might even try to help me sort out the jumble of thoughts in my head as Merlin had. They did say they were former students of the Celestial Schools so maybe they could relate. After all Merlin was right, if you were on both sides or displeased both higher powers your fate is sealed. I had seen it once and did not want to live through it twice.

A repeat of Belialuin was not on my mind.


Elaine's P.O.V

"I bumped into her," I say the words quietly as I manage to catch Ban in the hall.

Luckily he was already headed towards the Boar Hat, so all I had to do was wait until he came along and stop him. He had looked a little bothered, his face distracted as he passed but I had to make my choice today. I had to make a change in my fate. I feel as if I have to tell Ban about what's going on now. Before it's too late. After all things had escalated pretty far recently and I'm certain that it won't end well. Not with Melascula seemingly looming around wherever I am. I've seen her plenty of times throughout the day and have only managed to lose her in the Fairy Gardens because of how well I knew the paths and plants. Soon I'd have nowhere to run and I'll simply fall into her plans, willingly or not.

"Are you sure?" Ban looked at me, concerned yet still skeptical. He scratched the top of his head. "It might just be paranoia. I mean the Commandments are here but -"

"No I'm certain," I let out a sigh before worrying my bottom lip. I'm growing desperate. He has to believe me. "Ban she's up to something and I don't like it. I think it has something to do with me."

A silence settles between us as a few students pass, all at random and in groups that couldn't be predicted. They just passed as usual, like water in a river, their gaze lingering on us for only a split second before leaving and focusing on something more important. After all Ban and I were infamous for our relationship.

Let's just say it's been a couple of times that we've been told about PDA (much to King's disappointment and scolding) and we were rarely in an argument over anything. So no-one bothered us. Whatever we were up to wasn't important to them and so we were passed by like everyday objects. I'm thankful for that now. It wouldn't be ideal for any of the other students to hear any of this.

"Are you hearing her voice again?" Ban looks at me, his voice quiet as he leans against the lockers. Although his tone is quiet, there's a hint of something else in there. Something more violent or even angry brewing. I look him over and try to decipher what it is only to get little result. It was only then that I noticed Ban had two backpacks. I'll have to ask him where he got the second one from.

"Yeah..." I trail off, floating beside him.

He curses and I can't help but sigh. This would only lead to one fuss and then another eventually getting my brother involved, and once he knows everything'll blow up. Like an atomic bomb. No-one would be safe once King is alerted about this issue. Like Ban he has a hatred towards Her. One that was much more unstable - or maybe even deathly.

"Can you not tell King?" I ask, my voice quiet as I almost plead. I look down at my shoes, the white material of my socks now more interesting than they'd ever been. "I don't want him to worry about me anymore."

"Yeah, I won't tell him," Ban sniffed, shifting slightly. He remained silent for a second, red eyes thoughtful before the thought is gone. "I'll catch ya later, I have something to do."

"Ban?" I look at him confused, almost fearing what he would do next.

I knew what he had in mind, I just didn't think he would be hotheaded enough to go through with it. Doing - no thinking of doing such a thing is suicidal alone. If Ban goes through with it then - I have to stop him before he does. That's if Ban is going to do what I think he is...

My eyes widen, my heart thumping as I watch him sink further and further away. He's drifting. I know he is. He's going to try and - he can't. She'll - she'll take his soul and - I have to stop it.

"Ban!"

I rush after his figure, hoping - praying - that he wasn't going to do what I think he is.


Elizabeth's (normal) P.O.V

"The Druid Clubroom is on the North of the campus. Just follow the main streets to the rock pillars and arches."

I remember the directions and instructions well, the kind student's words sticking into my mind as I walk across the darkened pathways of the campus. Evening was coming, the twilit sky casting a warm glow over the slowly calming school. It was a time for rest, a time for slumber and yet I was out breaking that rule. Usually I was busy within the Boar Hat, serving customers and enjoying the evening with the Sins. However now I was out and travelling. Alone. At the cusp between day and night.

A time when both dark and light exist.

Few students were out now, many taking refuge from the dark hours in their dorms. Lights shone from paned and stained glass windows, the warm, soft, colourful glow adding to the ambiance of the evening. Laughs, singing and even just normal conversations filled my ears as I made my way from the South of the school to the North. The chattering similar to birds readying to nest. Although Liones is not particularly large, the walk from one end to the other can be rather endless - especially when you find yourself enjoying and taking in your surroundings for the first time. Green hedges, black iron street lamps with warm orange flames of light and even the white brick accents of the buildings added to the scene of a cozy evening. The type where you could snuggle inside with a blanket and a good book or movie and fall asleep without worrying about anything. The type that only seem to exist in stories and fairy tales with redbrick houses and idyllic settings.

How I wish it could last forever...

I continue to walk, paying little mind to anything around me. Not the slowly thinning out students or the way the lights begin to flicker. Instead I'm in my own world, relishing the peace of mind I'd so easily found. So easily escaped to, slowly sinking and submerging into it. The silence in my head was so soothing, refreshing, that I didn't want it to dissipate immediately, to never return. I didn't want to wake up into reality to find out that everything was falling apart again. So I drowned in the silence. Like an ocean.

Instead of remaining vigilant like I said I would, I drifted into thought. Ideas of an alternate universe begin to fill my brain, the images so real that they were almost tangible. The very concept of those scenes being half solids - a sort of plasma I could grasp but not hold. So deep into these thoughts I'd drifted, that I didn't hear the footsteps behind me. Or sense the sinister aura often accompanied with the owner. I felt no staring soulless eyes or the creeping smirk he often wore. I saw no red flags or even thought anything was off. I only realised trouble was heading my way when one arm wrapped around my torso and the other covered my mouth.

"E- "

I squeaked immediately thrashing, kicking and biting at them - Veronica's self-defense lessons kicking in as if they were a natural instinct. I wriggled and squirmed, twisted and gnashed, my body attempting to escape their deathlike grip, but it was futile. A firm arm was still wrapped around my waist and their hand remained over my mouth, muffling my cries. They were winning, dragging me away.

Tears filled my eyes, my heart drumming as scenarios began to fill my brain. Corpses, crying and broken versions of me, echoed in my mind. There was one who was butchered, her body severed into parts; Another was in a dark room, her situation hopeless as yet another man comes in to take advantage of her; A third was dying, slowly being taken from the world through a choke hold on her throat. Each Elizabeth that flashed by was wrecked beyond innocence or repair. Purity is stripped and only ugly remains; no not ugly a bad ending. After all, that is what happened to pretty girls when they are kidnapped right? They were used, abused, exploited. Death only came to the lucky and with my streak I wouldn't be found until impregnated or ruined beyond redemption. I'd be left to rot with the rest of the abandoned. A lost cause. I didn't want to end up like them.

I will though.

The person is ready to drag me away, they're already part of the way. However something bright sparks within me, something that is not ready to die down. Something that won't be snuffed as long as I have a chance. A chance to escape or fight back.

But what would happen if I fight? Just a little more. Would I be captured? Punished? Doesn't perseverance and hope often save those from unfortunate situations like these? What would people think if they knew I gave up? If I was too scared to fight back. At least if I die or shatter someone will know I fought until the end.

My wings burst forth, the anger, confliction and desperation in me fueling their appearance. It startles my attacker, them trying to reclaim a hold on me, but it is loose enough for me to escape. I wriggle free, my wings fluttering to cause more chaos and confusion. They bat and blind my attacker the way a bird's does when they're captured. Now my attempt to escape is almost complete, I can feel the sky welcoming me and telling me I'd make it out ok. I'll be safe and warm and when I tell the Sins, and my sisters, and Meliodas -

A rough hand forcefully latches onto my ankle, the owner dragging me harshly back down to the ground. My heart sinks as my escape is thwarted, the force of the tug pulling me back down. I fall, landing on my knees in front of my attacker. My wings are now bent, the action jerking them in the wrong direction and most probably spraining them. I grit my teeth, my ankle throbbing and leg stinging from scraping across the path. Tears gather in my eyes but I shake them away. They will not see me cry. Not see me break. I'll continue to fight.

My wings ache, tired and injured, but I'm not done. I know I still have some fight left in me and I'll use it all before submitting. I'll continue to try and escape. I'm sure someone who can help is not too far away.

I go to scream, to call out. My mouth is open and my voice is about to speak - however my attacker is too fast. Too determined. They too are not leaving without their prize. They jerk me up, the rough grasp on my wrist shooting signals of pain throughout me, doubled with my injured wings. The wind moves them slightly, sending signals of pain throughout me. I think they're more than sprained now. Nevertheless, I continue to kick and thrash, spitting and hissing in a most unladylike manner. I even utter curses I'd heard Ban and Meliodas use when they thought no-one was listening, but nothing worked. I was inevitably pulled into a nearby alley, thrown against the wall.

I gasp at the contact of the solid material with my damaged and already fragile wings. The pain was inexplicable; unimaginable. But I manage to push it back, gritting my teeth and ignoring the presence looming over me. Mustering a glare at my attacker, I look into their eyes. I still had a chance. I'll still fight back. I may be a princess but that doesn't mean I'll go down easier. It just means you'll have to try harder; a lot harder.

My wings were still out, the feathered limbs ready to help me escape or fight back, seriously injured or not. I know that they would try, maybe even get me as far as the nearest main building before giving out. I know that I can escape, I just have to outsmart the attacker. However once I caught sight of who had stopped me, all my courage seems to dissipate. Like a wisp of flame in the wind, it vanishes. All that is left is fear and disgust.

Dark eyes met my own and my soul seemed to dampen with it. Of course it was him. Why wouldn't it be him? He just couldn't leave me alone.


*Insert for the warning. I'll say when to read on if you're uncomfortable*


"It seems my little bird wanted to escape."

My face contorts with disgust as he holds my face with a heavy hand. He roughly squeezes my cheeks, causing my brows to furrow as I think to bite him for doing such a thing. My senses tingle, the urge to wriggle and squirm away greater than ever. The thought of him touching me alone, makes me want to scrub my skin for hours. Everything about him seems to disgust me.

"I'm not your little bird," I spit, the name earning extra venom as I viciously swat his hand away. My left wing moves slightly, the poor thing damaged too badly to fly. It hurt as I moved, the gesture causing me to flinch as the breeze parted a few feathers.

"It seems you're hurt," He looks at my wings, his hand reaching towards the left one. He grasps it, his touch too rough and firm to be caring. They seem to be searching for something, hurriedly parting the feathers before grasping onto the firmer edge. The edge that could be harmed the most.

"You wouldn't," I challenge, a fire burning within me as I dare him to do anything to my wing. He knows if he does then he won't just have my sisters and the entire squadron of Holy knights on his ass, but his brother and the Sins too.

"Wouldn't what?" He smiles innocently as he easily snaps the end. Like a person snapping a chicken bone.

The sound is sickening, a mixture of snap and crunch as the pain begins to register within me. My back involuntarily arches, a scream escaping me as the pain shoots towards my shoulders in a red hot flash. Blood is now colouring my once white wings and the mangled feathers were becoming loose.

"That should stop any running away," He smirked at his work, proud of the blood that was now staining my wings and covering the ground. "You've been a bad girl little bird."

"Oh have I?" I ask dryly, remembering that he's using the very name my mother gave to me. Little bird. Fitting since I was a pretty bird within a large and gilded cage throughout my childhood at Celestial Prep. No wonder my mother was always comparing me to one. All I ever did was wait in my cage and sing, hoping that I would escape.

I scowl as I ignore the pain, shifting beneath the figure. "Who put you up to this? Was it my mother? Ludociel?"

"Who says anyone did," His chuckles vibrated within his chest and I squirmed as I could feel his breathe on my face. It was scented with lust, longing and a dash of something unknown - maybe some ale mixed in too. Such a shame someone would allow an obsession to degrade them this much. To morph them into a literal and figurative monster.

He leans his face closer to mine, his nose just about brushing against mine as a dark smile made its way onto his face. He looks directly into my eyes as if living on the emotions that were racing through me. My eyes are wide, fear and adrenaline pumping within me. My brain was still scheming of ways to escape, to trick him, but none of them seemed to work without playing along and there was no way I'm doing that.

That is just as bad as agreeing.

So instead I find myself feeling pity. Scolding myself for not being so vigilant. For not taking anyone seriously when they were concerned for me at lunch. I should've paid more attention when walking down the street. I should've just gone straight to Jen and Zee. I shouldn't have lied to Meliodas earlier. I should've asked Merlin if she could accompany me. I should've -

My own self pity seems to end as the fear and reality sinks in. I should'ves are all nice but what about now? What about the present? I wouldn't be magically swooped out of this predicament. I wouldn't be saved and have everything go back to normal. I was now all alone, the attacker looming over me and my own wits as company and defense. My left wing was now broken and the other most likely fractured or severely sprained; My spirits are rapidly diminishing and my wellbeing is at risk.

Judging by the situation, I know what to expect next. I know what would end up scarring me. The only thing I don't know how to do is to fight back and prevent it from happening. To keep him at bay until I could find some form of help. But what made this worse was that it wasn't just some random hormone crazed teen, it was that it was a stalkerish, dangerous, hormone crazed teen that had me backed against a wall in an alley. And of course the person to do it would be Estarossa. The person who seems obsessed with stalking me.

"What's with the fear in your eyes!" He cried out, clearly hysterical. His head lolled back and he came to face me, his tone back to normal and smirk in place. "You're about to have the best night of your life."

"I'd rather die," I spit at him, knowing it was all I could do right now. Even if all it did was make me appear vulgar and impolite, at least it'll piss him off and show him that I'll fight until the end. The end for me would be death.

"Is that so?"

I shiver, backing against the wall as I try to make as much space as possible between us as he leans closer. I can feel his chest pressed against mine, his arm resting beside my face as I continue to glare at him. The urge to look away is compelling, welcoming even, but I'm willing to stare him down. To win this battle. I'm going to find a way out of this.

"Yes," I say firmly, brow pinching as I resist the urge squirm from his touch. I shouldn't show weakness. If I show I'm strong, I'll become strong and no-one will think to try this again. "Don't touch me."

He simply chuckles, his mind clearly wondering into his own delusions as I sense his hand moving from my waist. I smile slightly at this, glad that he is not touching me, however his presence still being here deters me. Estarossa clearly isn't thinking straight, it's clear in the way his eyes are cloudy and the way he seems to be half here and half not. Something was going on within his mind and maybe I could use that to my advantage.

"Care to share?" I ask, trying my luck at playing the naive princess. I even tilt my head, my hair spilling over my shoulder to appear more angelic. Kind. Maybe I can convince him to leave me alone if I act enough.

"What about?" He asks gruffly, a kind of curiosity clearly catching his attention.

"Why you're deciding to do this," I say simply, a frown on my face. "You know it isn't nice to pinch someone off the street when they have places to go. I had an important meeting too."

"Well it seems this way is the only way to get you to listen," Estarossa sighs, leaning on his arm. This allows me a little more space from him, making me smile slightly but not completely. He may have forgotten about his former plans for now, but I wasn't out of the woods. One wrong move and I'll be in a worse position. "You're always too busy chasing after my brother."

"I wouldn't say chasing," I flush red, a slight wave of anger and embarrassment taking over. He must've been watching me for a while to know I'm often with the Sins and Meliodas. Or maybe he just knew a lot from before I came here. It seems he does as his obsession couldn't have been born over a few days.

"Ok, 'blindly stumbling'," Estarossa says the words, clearly envious. He rolls his eyes. "It's like you've forgotten the old days."

"The old days?" I raise a brow, confused. I had never really interacted with Estarossa back in Celestial Prep. Of course I had seen him on occasion, often while on a visit to the Demon Schools to suggest a possible peace treaty or an alliance between the schools, but I had never interacted with him personally. Or even on a conversational level. So of course his actions confused me.

"You don't remember do you?" Sadness seems to come from him, his eyes hooded as he looks away.

"No, I don't," I glance away, my brain blank from thinking about when he may have spoken to me. To when I would've known him enough for him to develop a weird obsession on me. However nothing comes to mind, only recent events.

"Well I'll have to make you then," The anger and forcefulness returns, something else coming over him entirely. In fact it was like a whole new identity. Like he had two sides and they were constantly battling for dominance.

"Wait don't - "

I'm cut off by his lips crashing aggressively onto mine, hands reaching into my hair. I freeze, not returning it at all. In fact I'm panicking, struggling. My arms are frantically pushing at him, trying to get his weight off me so I can run far away from here. So I can stop what is happening. My legs are now joining, pushing at him. Tears bubble in my eyes and overflow as emotions take over, my efforts becoming more desperate and worried. I don't dare open my mouth, I don't scream or talk, I just mumble incoherent things. Weird squeals and screams leaving my sealed mouth.

This is my first kiss. A nightmare of a first kiss.

I always imagined it differently. That it'd be with someone I wanted to share it with. I always imagined it as being something amazing, life changing - something that would open a new chapter in my life. Margaret and Veronica had told me all sorts of amazing tales about their first kisses and what they led to. From those I always looked forward to the idea of one. But instead I'm here in an alleyway, trying to get this person off me and now crying profusely, odd chokes and warbles escaping my clamped shut mouth. Right now I just want to disappear, to just fade away and not face what is going to happen next. This clearly isn't going to end at just this.

I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to see anything else happen. Not wanting to know it was actually real. Tears still escape, heavy and thick as I continue to fight back. But the weight is gone. There's no person looming over me. No rough hands in my hair and no overwhelming feeling of drowning under water. Instead I slowly open my eyes and see Estarossa on the ground, clearly knocked out and a pissed looking Meliodas.


*End of warning*


"Elizabeth..." His face seems to darken as he spots my expression, tears welling in my eyes.

No words escape me as I crumple into him, arms wrapping around his neck as sobs escape me. My thoughts kept spiraling towards how close I was to being taken advantage of. To having my innocence and untraumatized mind corrupted and ruined. How I was so close to having my mind break and shatter. I should've never gone by myself. I should've known this would've happened; I was aware of the stalker problem after all. I knew that I was being watched by a group of dangerous students and yet I continued along as normal. I made it easy for them to strike.

"I'm sorry," Meliodas breathes as he returns my hold, his hand running through my hair. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you."

"Don't apologise!" I choke out, shaking my head. "It's my fault, I should've just listened. If I didn't go alone then - "

A silence washed over us, my tears eventually stopping as I recollect myself and begin to calm. I was close to it, but I avoided the worst. Somehow.

"What were you doing out here?" He seems concerned, golden hair falling into his eyes as he tilts his head slightly. I feel as if I should answer, despite what my thoughts were telling me, and so I do. But I don't reveal much.

"I had to go meet someone," I sigh as I think about how I didn't notice any red flags and how I should be at the meeting already. It was only then that I remembered I was probably really late for the meeting with Jen and Zee. They may have even left. "I've probably kept them waiting for hours."

"Where have you got to go?" The question was intentional, a way of telling me that I'm not going there by myself now. Not after what Meliodas had just stopped.

"The Druid Clubroom," I answer. I'm still shaken, in disbelief, but I have to go. It was the main reason why I was even out this late. If I didn't have to go there I'd probably be in my dorm or at the Boar Hat. Maybe even stuffing my face with ice-cream while Diane tried to ask me what was wrong. But I wouldn't be here. This wouldn't have happened.

"Well I'll take you then," He grinned, the words easily leaving his mouth.

"What? No - you don't have to!" I blink, a blush covering my features as I shake my head. "I've caused you enough trouble and- "

"You didn't cause any trouble, he did," Meliodas frowned as he glanced over at Estarossa before giving me a sheepish grin. "Plus I'd feel better knowing you got there safely."

I frown, biting my bottom lip as I think. As much as I'd want to deny it, I would feel safer going with someone. After what just happened, I think I'll be avoiding walking alone at the twilight for a while.

"Ok then," I respond, slightly uncertain but knowing I'd be safe with Meliodas. Even with all the evidence stacked against him, Meliodas seems to prove that he's not on the side people perceive him to be. In fact I think all of that might just be circumstantial. But I guess Jen and Zee would prove if that's correct. They both seem to be in the same position as me, outcast by the Goddesses but not favored by the Demons. They wouldn't be biased with their judgement.

And so we left the alley, my mind still spinning and thoughts hoping that Jen and Zee would prove my theory correct.