A/N: I had a bunch of time this week, so ya know I got this chapter finished early :P

Also thank you for 30 follows and 21 favourites too! I'm glad to know you guys are enjoying this.

Anyway a note on this chapter, it is actually made up of quite a few different POVS (which I most likely butchered Xd) all before we get back Elizabeth's. That being said a backstory is due for next chapter! (I believe it is anyway, unless my brain comes up with more filler POVS that add to the plot. The characters have seemed to have taken life the more I type. There's always random scenarios popping up that I didn't plan for, but manage to put into the story anyway XD. But yeah another backstory and a different-ish vibe with this overall chapter. I'm sure you'll all enjoy it.

Silver - Yep Ban does drink the fountain (the story of which will be in the next backstory). And the reasons for Zaneri - I'm done are you writing this with me?! Do you have any notes about it? Because it's like you're reading my mind! I'm honestly speechless... But thank you for the kind review. I honestly got excited when I saw it pop up in my emails. :)

Well till next time,

D.L.D


Meliodas' P.O.V

"Whoa you're really knocking 'em back today Cap'n," Ban chuckled taking a long sip from his cup. He then turned to me, a grin on his face. "So what's got you down?"

I don't know how but I ended up back at the Boar Hat. I think it might be weight of everything that's happening finally crashing down me, but I can't be certain anymore. Over the past few days chaos just seemed to follow everywhere I went creating problem after problem to solve. From the arrival of the Commandments to the strange behaviour of Elizabeth, everything just seemed to working against me recently. It was honestly frustrating - not to mention challenging - and so I found myself at the bar, downing cup after cup of ale. Subconsciously hoping that I'd get drunk enough to ignore everything going on for once.

But it wasn't working and I knew it wouldn't.

"What makes you say that?" I tilt my head, curious as to what he was leaning towards.

Ban wasn't the sort to pick these things out, even when he was teetering on the edge of being well and truly hammered. He usually avoided talking about feelings and stuff, deflecting the topic like a plague at times. But I guess it's something we have in common. I mean I'm not the most open person when it comes to my past and the actions it's caused, let alone the emotions tied to it, and I like to think Ban has some skeletons in his closet too. Dark things that he's done and can never forgive himself for to this day. A sin that can never be erased. After all there has to be reason why he's always getting to the blackout drunk phase most nights.

"I just know," Ban answered, taking another gulp from his mug.

"Plus we're worried about you, Captain," King slid into the conversation, sighing as he placed back a bottle. He had been on bar duty today, leaving Ban and myself free while he closed up. "Today seems like it's been eventful."

The fairy couldn't be more right. In the few short hours that made up after school a bunch of things happened. First was meeting my brothers, who were still trying to convince me to come back; next was bumping into an awkward Elizabeth and the third was stopping Estarossa from violating Elizabeth. The last event was still imprinted too. The image fresh in my mind, even if some would argue that it wasn't that bad. That it had stopped before it had happened. But that was the scary part. I knew exactly what it was leading to.

Elizabeth was fighting against it, it was obvious, but he kept going. The fear was there, it was almost tangible. She was crying and fighting and trying and all I remember was seeing enough and reacting. I didn't want to even think of what would've happened if I wasn't there to stop it in time, but I knew all too well what it was. So for once I let the anger consume me, reacting before even thinking about it. The next thing I knew Estarossa was knocked out and Elizabeth was crying. But she was more relieved than anything. Relieved and safe. Yet that didn't stop her from blaming herself over the whole situation. Over a situation she was forced into. Elizabeth had been such a wreck after that, but had somehow still recollected herself and focused on what she had needed to do. Once again she didn't put herself first: she put others. Something I've been telling her not to do for years now.

But that wasn't what dragged me to the bar was it? What told me to try and forget it all.

No, it was the feeling of failing her. Again. I was meant to make sure there wouldn't be another chance for Elizabeth to encounter him. It had already happened once with bad results and it shouldn't have happened twice. It shouldn't have happened at all. But it did. And I had failed miserably at protecting her. The one thing I had vowed to do for her, even if she didn't want me to. Without fail. But I had, not once but twice now. Just like I had failed her all those years ago...

Wetness forms at my eyes and I swipe it away. Shaking my head I clear my mind of those memories, leaving them for a later time. For when I can openly cry and shout to the skies about it. I'm not letting them come back now, not when I'm in the wrong situation and even worse state. The last thing I need is for anyone to really know where I came from. To know that I'm not as harmless as they all think I am. All they know about me and my past is Danafor and that's all anyone else needs to know.

"You know you can't blank us forever Cap'n," Ban chuckled as he ruffled my hair, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.

I simply shrug at that, knowing that if I wanted to I probably could. Forever didn't seem that long in the grand scheme of things. I've had to have lived for ages now anyway. Even if time worked differently here, I'd probably still be able to do it. Plus with things like this, I'd opt for ignoring Ban and King.

Both Sins seemed to study me in silence, sharing a sigh as they knew that they weren't getting through. None of them knew what to do with me. Neither did I.

"Well, someone on the grapevine told me what happened," King sighed, pausing from packing away. He seemed careful with his wording, somehow revising it before saying it. His brows furrowed as he recalled something, before he shook his head and looked at me. "Personally I would've done worse than knock him out."

I guess news does travel fast in this school. Didn't that happen around an hour ago? I mean I couldn't have been that long since I left Elizabeth at her meeting spot. Her meeting - I left her again. I know that she'd be fine with Jenna and Zaneri, but that wasn't what had me worried. What had me panicking - It was what could happen after. What if Elizabeth decides to walk back alone? She's always been fearless in her strive for independence and not being a burden. (Things that I value greatly) But if she's alone that's another chance for that bastard brother of mine to strike again... I should've just told her to call me or the Sins once it ended. At least then I'd know she'd got back safe and unharmed.

I frowned as I thought, not really paying much attention to the two Sins beside me. So instead they continued their conversation as if I wasn't there.

"The day that happens is the day pigs fly!" Ban let out a laugh at King's words, causing the fairy to fume.

"Hey, I'm close to figuring it out!" Hawk's voice cut in. "I just gotta figure out how that elephant guy did it." (A/N: Dumbo reference :P)

This earned another chuckle from the drunken Ban. He seemed to be the most buzzed out of us, with me barely feeling anything despite drinking stronger stuff and King deciding to stay sober for the night.

"Then what would you do Ban?" King glanced at the Fox Sin, a smirk on his face.

Ban scoffed at this, rolling his eyes.

"I'd do what any idiot would do," He responded, his tone completely casual. "I'd castrate the guy so he can never stick it in anything again."

I raise a brow at this, my attention caught. That's exactly what I'd been close to doing. To just losing it and doing something that would harm Estarossa as much as he'd done to Elizabeth. But all that bubbling wrath seemed to dissipate as soon as I knew that she was ok. As soon as I knew that Elizabeth was fine and that Estarossa wasn't much of a threat anymore, I decided to just leave it be. But that didn't mean I was done with him. I still have to make sure the message got through this time.

"...That's actually fair," King nodded, a look of satisfaction on his face. "Maybe my sister wasn't wrong choosing you."

"Aww don't get all sentimental on me," Ban spat as he glanced into his nearly empty mug. "Gimme a refill."

"You stink of booze already," King groaned, but he took the mug and filled it nonetheless. "I take back what I said."

"Damn right you do," Ban laughed as he gulped down his now full cup.

I simply sighed as the two continued to bicker, the anger inside me simmering but not completely gone.


Melascula's P.O.V

"I can't believe I'm stuck at this school," I scowl as I sit in my dorm living room, frowning as I wait for the others to arrive.

Zeldris had decided to call on an emergency meeting about something or other. I couldn't really care less at this moment. He wasn't exactly leading us right now, in fact daddy dearest was calling the shots. It's no secret that when Zeldris kept talking about how we have to get Meliodas back and that without him we wouldn't stand a chance, that his father was pulling the strings. The only reason I really complied was because if I didn't I'd find myself expelled from the schools. Without them I'd be nothing and no-one. I needed to be someone. I had to have some sort of power.

But all of this talk about getting the traitor back has got me thinking. It has me concerned over the subject of the Demon King seeming so desperate to get his eldest son back. Or more precisely why. The Goddesses had gone into hiding, barely claiming any schools by force anymore, and the rest of the races and schools were barely an issue. They were like ants waiting to be squashed. We can easily get rid of places like Liones where all of the races of any region in Britannia can attend.

Bleurgh. The very thing it stands for disgusts me. That's why we often name Danafor as an example for other schools that try to do this. That try to give the other races power that they shouldn't have. After all Danafor was easily removed by a single Demon. Yes, a single Demon. Not a group or an army, just one. They managed to erase it in one giant explosion. One so grand that it goes as a warning to other schools like Danafor. A warning of what the Demon race is capable of.

However that threat didn't hold much worth anymore and I'm sure they have all realised it too. Meliodas is gone from the Demon Schools and so is his power. With that knowledge they've all tried to recruit the traitor, but he chose to settle here in Liones. His power gone to waste.

His power.

A smirk breaks onto my face as I realise why this was so important now. No wonder why the Demon King wanted him back! The traitor is actually a useful asset. Too bad he's too driven to join us again. Not that too many of us would trust him, Meliodas crossed that line when he wanted to join with that Goddess girl of his. Oh that wench, she ruined all my plans! What was her name again? Eleanor? Evelyn? Ellie? No, it was Elizabeth. Her name was Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

She was always meddling with things and trying to get the two schools from feuding, when that is just as likely as the ground becoming the sky.

I often like to think that she is simple minded enough to think that it's possible, however I know that she's intelligent. That she had a plan that made a lot of sense. Otherwise she wouldn't have gotten the traitor to side with her. That Goddess, Elizabeth, knows what she's aiming for and although it's failed I know she'll try again. She always had that habit of trying again. It was such an annoying trait of hers. I think it had to be at least ten times she approached me about Stigma and stopping the whole school fiasco.

But I was comfortable in the top school in the country. One that was way better than the Goddess filled one she attended. And with it I would make my name and prove to everyone that my family was not one of frauds. Fakes. The snakes that we've been labelled as and forced to use as a family emblem. I've worked for years to make my place in the Demon schools and no spoiled Goddess was going to ruin my one chance at proving everyone wrong.

I instinctively scowl at this, my mood souring with the thought. Goddess girl had to go.

"Meh, It's not that bad," Derieri shrugged, not focused on anything in particular as she responded to my earlier statement. "This place is pretty decent."

I'd forgotten that she was in the room. She'd been so silent and thoughtful, as always, and without Monspeet there to voice her Derieri was sort of nonexistent in a way. Not that she didn't matter to the plan, but she was just so silent. So still. It would creep me to no ends if I wasn't surrounded by those types all the time. The types who watched and got what was needed done. Plus she didn't exactly have many reasons to be cheery and talk. Not after losing her sister.

"Thanks for dealing with that scum earlier," I say, her presence reminding me of the incident. I frown at the thought of how much trouble it had caused.

Ban, a student who many have named the Fox Sin or the Sin of Greed (and Ban the Undead), had decided to barge in on me followed by his little fairy companion. Of course I had refused to even give up the time to fight him, let alone with all the things I have to plan and prepare for since Zeldris is busy trying to get Meliodas on our side. However he kept on persisting and was getting really close to pissing me off. Thankfully Derieri had been itching to let out her anger on something and Ban happened to be the receiver of it. I heard she even caused a injury, which was rare for the supposed Ban the Undead.

"Mmm," She turned away from me, arms folded across her chest. She was done talking for now.

I just let out sigh, knowing that I wasn't going to get much out of her now. Derieri was a hard one to get information out of, let alone a decent conversation. So instead I focused on my plans for Elaine and how I could use them in favor of our cause. After all that grasp I still had on her soul may come in handy...


Zeldris' P.O.V

"Have you convinced your brother yet?"

I frown as I hear my father's voice through my phone. It's been around a week since he's sent us here and he expects immediate results. Results that I can't get since my two brothers are feuding over the Goddess. The same one who has caused all of this mess.

I scowl as I look over to Estarossa, his form still unconscious from the blow he received. Odd since I thought living among humans would've weakened my brother's strength. Yet as always, he's proven me wrong.

"Not yet," I answer my father, a hand running through my hair. "I need a few more days. He's not letting up."

Silence seemed to fill the other end as my father sunk into thought. He was most likely thinking of a way to rope his eldest child back in. To get the true first heir back before anyone could say that his claim was null and void. A wasteful decision if you ask me. Meliodas has proven himself to not have the Academy's best interests at heart. He had displayed it by abandoning it for that Goddess once and I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again.

"Then we'll move onto plan B," He answered simply.

I can't help but mentally sigh as I hear the words. Plan B? Plan B! The plan that we had saved for if Meliodas was reluctant to go. The plan that I knew would most likely happen because I knew he wasn't going to come back so easily. However my father and brother seem to ignore that. They seem to forget that Meliodas is not the same person he was all those years ago. After he made that choice, blatantly chose to betray us, he had changed.

"Fine," I scowl, loathing every action that I would do from now on. Now I would have to try and act as if I have forgiven him. As if I wanted him to return and that I was looking out for him. That the Goddess he had given so much up for, was really just like everyone else. "I'll see what I can do."

"Good, I expect to see him here by the next term," And with that the call ended.

I groaned as the call ended, a hand rubbing at my temple as I tuck my phone away. Great. Now I had to get to that meeting and tell the other Commandments about the plan change, not to mention try and find a way to get Meliodas to come back. That was going to be the tough part. Getting my brother to stop being so stubborn and come back. But I'm sure I can find something.

Glancing over at Estarossa, an idea strikes me. One that involves using the famed Goddess who caused this mess.

"Get up," I kick his shin, knowing that it would gain a reaction.

He seems to wake instantly, groggily opening his eyes and sitting up. A large bump had formed on the back of his head, but I knew it was nothing too worrying. Plus if it was a quick visit to the school nurse and he'd be healed instantly. That was one thing I actually liked about this place. That the staff could actually do their jobs.

"Let's go, we're late," I gesture towards the door, already heading towards it.

"For what?" Estarossa rose, rubbing his head as he followed. "Fuck, my head hurts."

I ignore his second comment and continue on my way. Serves him right for going on whatever rampage ended with him getting knocked out. It took me an hour to find him passed out in some alley, blood flecked on the walls. The scene was definitely interesting, suggesting a fight or perhaps a violent encounter, but I can't be bothered to ask which. After all my big-mouthed brother loved to stir up trouble and not think of the consequences.

It was no doubt Meliodas who gave the knockout blow and I bet it was over the Goddess.

"Let's just get to the meeting," I speak, the sound of our footsteps filling the empty space. "The sooner the better."

Estarossa seemed to notice my snappy tone as he quickened his pace. However he also wore a smirk as he glanced at me, a curious look in his eye. That made me scowl again. Can't he just put the jokes aside for once and focus on why we're here in the first place? It seems like since we've been here I've been doing the heavy lifting and he's been going around doing whatever he fancies. I've become so used to finding him somewhere that he shouldn't be that I don't even bother to look anymore.

"What, is dad up our asses about Meliodas again?" He asked the question to be playful, however it comes out nervous. Shaky.

"What do you think?" I say as we stop outside of Melascula's dorm.

We don't even need to knock before it opens, Galand greeting us with his usual echoey voice before disappearing inside. I can already hear the rest of the Commandments, all of them seeming to be engaged in some sort of conversation. They all spoke in the same sort of tone, seeming to express the same opinion on the matter. From what I could catch it was about the Goddess and the Seven Deadly Sins.

I had forgotten about that group. The seven students who were labelled as dangerous and more powerful than most Holy Knights. However I don't believe they'll be much of a threat. After all they're just a small obstacle in the grand scheme of things. The scheme that will get the Demon Schools back on top.

"Not a word of this gets to the others," I look at Estarossa, my gaze serious and hard. None of the other Commandments need to know about my father's constant orders and inquiries into Meliodas coming back. They only need to know that we're moving onto Plan B and nothing more.

"I get it, not a word," Estarossa placed his hands up innocently, a smirk on his face. He'd better not.

Sighing, I step inside the dorm and join the rest of the Commandments. After this meeting and getting Meliodas back, I'll have to focus on contacting Gelda. I've been pushing it aside for too long but now I was going to do it. It's been a while since I've been able to and I can't go much longer without doing so.


Elizabeth's (normal P.O.V)

"Liz?" Elaine is confused when she spots me at her doorstep.

I probably looked a wreck, my wings in a cast and face tear-streaked from crying on my way here. I don't even remember running, I just recall endless thoughts and tears pouring out of me as I fled the Druid club room. Zaneri had called after me, her voice ringing down the corridors and saying that I shouldn't run off by myself but she didn't follow. She left me to think about this myself, for all the news to sink in and change me. Change who I can associate with.

At first I had ran towards my dorm, wanting to just fall asleep or find some comfort in this tumultuous day. However I had stopped midway knowing that coming back like this would only make things worse. Diane would only escalate it all, storming over to Estarossa about the assault and then taking on Jenna and Zaneri for telling me what they had gathered. I couldn't be the cause of something like that. To cause so much trouble and violence over something as small as tears.

And so I ran to Elaine. I thought it'd be best to go to her for comfort and advice, as Merlin was too close to what I was trying to avoid and Elaine had hinted to going through similar things. Elaine had often spoke about feuding with King over Ban, as well as feeling hopeless and helpless in situations like these. I felt that she would be the best person to turn to, especially when I was so vulnerable mentally and emotionally. She wouldn't be biased or try to change my opinion, she would just listen and advise. Be the supportive shoulder I needed right now.

"Can I come in?" I somehow find my voice and it comes out scratched and hoarse. Like I had been shouting for hours on end. Only I don't remember doing that. I don't recall shouting at anyone or anything, just running away and willing my mind to just stop. Stop, stop, stop -

"Elizabeth, you're shouting..." Elaine looks at me, confusion and concern mixed into her amber eyes. She reaches out to me, her brows furrowed. "What...happened?"

"I - " My voice trembles then cracks, the emotions becoming too much. Tears clustered in my eyes, everything threatening to just break out as Elaine gently guides me inside. Her concern doesn't waver as she sits me down in the living room and returns with two slices of cake. Lip wobbling, I can sense my resolve trembling to hold back tears as she passes me a slice smiling as I accept it. The fairy then silently, kindly, waits for me to answer. The same smile still on her face.

"Take your time," Elaine spoke, her voice soft, "I'm sure you went through a lot."

I nod deciding to fill my emptiness with something, even if it was cake. Soon I'd finished the dessert, my mind slightly happier from the sweet treat but still warring inside. I shouldn't be getting Elaine involved in this. King and Ban have expressed it so many times that they wanted her to be innocent. They wanted her left out of the picture and out of harm's way. Yet I feel like that would be worse than including her on what was going on.

The Demons and Goddesses seemed to be targeting everyone at the moment. They had even gone as far as contacting former students who had left. Students that they had warned the consequences of ever returning to the schools or associating with anything to do with them. If they were doing that, then they were getting other people from different races or regions to join too. They had to be. There was no way they wouldn't be if they would turn to me for help.

"I can't talk to him anymore..." I say the words quietly, allowing them to slip out as I train my eyes to my lap. Hair sways over my shoulders, blocking my face from Elaine and hers from me. However I can sense the expression she's wearing. The look of thought and concern.

"Do you mean Meliodas?" She asks, her tone serious although soft.

I nod in response, knowing that I couldn't speak or even say the words. I think it would end my already struggling mind as well as the heart behind it. Since coming back to Liones I'd been feeling something. Something that I had ignored and as a result bloomed even more just to show me it existed. That those feelings existed. That all those thoughts and emotions I had tied back to Meliodas were all tied to something bigger. All those light fluttering feelings, moments where I couldn't stop blushing or even just when I noticed small things about him, they had all built up to something. Something that had caused me to trust him so blindly and follow him anywhere.

But now I wasn't certain if I could do that anymore. Even if my heart protested against it with all of its willpower, my mind screamed that it was safer to isolate myself. To stay away until I truly knew what was going on.

"Liz...I'm sure it's a misunderstanding," Elaine was by my side, tucking my hair behind my shoulders. Her touch was motherly, caring. The sort that could console you on the worst of days, however I could find no comfort in it. Instead I was screaming inside. Burning. I was crying, cursing, pleading with myself about why it had to be me. Why I of all people had to be the one who had to go through this. Through this dreadful feeling of...breaking?

No, it wasn't that. I couldn't even name it properly. It was like my mind and heart had separated into two different Elizabeths. One was willing to follow Meliodas and ignore all of the evidence that had been shoved in front of her, but the other was more cautious and careful. She was aware of the new feelings, of the thing that was slowly forming over time, but she chose to sacrifice it over her own safety. She chose to believe the facts and figures over her own heart.

And I found myself agreeing with her. Meliodas had always told me to think of myself more often. To stop being so selfless and putting myself in danger. So maybe by staying away I was following my heart more than remaining by his side would. I would be taking his advice for once if I was. Something he'd want me to do.

"No, don't think that way," Elaine brushed away a few stray tears, her face now twisted into even more concern. She shook her head vigorously. "Don't you ever do that Elizabeth! You may think it's better off, but it won't be. Shielding away your heart only breaks it more. Trust me I've been through it."

I blink, confused at to how Elaine knew what I was thinking. She smiled slightly at my reaction, a giggle forming but quickly ending.

"I can read hearts," She explained, glad that I was startled from my thoughts. "I heard it all and I don't think you should do it."

I open my mouth to protest, but the fairy stops me.

"No, you shouldn't listen to me just because I said that," She says the words confidently, shaking her head as she goes to sit back down. "Or argue with it. So I'm going to tell you a story. One that should help you decide."