Sorry for the wait everyone!
I had some trouble at the end here, and had to rewrite it a couple of times before it came out nicely.
This is a shorter chapter for this fic, but I wanted to end the Necropolis Arc cleanly. This ending of this chapter is sweet, and it gave me the most trouble because I didn't want to feel like I was pushing or forcing things to come together. But, I also didn't want to leave it unresolved. So, this chapter is going to focus on a bit of Cat's knowledge, some of her father's and revealing to the group what is going on in the Kingdom, just from her interaction with Guila. There's some light-hearted parts and some not so light-hearted parts, but at the end, as I mentioned earlier, is a sweet Cat/Ban moment.
As you might have guessed, I want to show the easy-going nature of Ban and Hecate's relationship. It isn't quick nor is it simple. Both of these characters come with baggage, let's face it, but as I've done with the previous memories of them together, I enjoy showing you guys that what they have is simple and natural without trying to rush the romance. They'll always be affectionate towards each other, even in the simplest ways, but that's just how they are.
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, it's a cute one!
Thank you, guys, for your feedback! I'm really glad you're liking this fic! And honestly, I do love hearing from everyone!, I know I don't respond to them, but I truly do appreciate them!
See you next update!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Seven Deadly Sins, not that I wouldn't love to have the rights to have Ban... I own Hecate, her ability and any other characters not part of the anime.
Rated M for suggestive themes, strong language and potential explicit scenes later on.
King spared little breath as he began berating everyone, aside from Diane, about their Sacred Treasures. He was appalled and couldn't believe they were so reckless with them. While he couldn't fully blame Diane or Cat about theirs… he truly couldn't blame a woman he adored after all, and he knew Cat's situation was delicate and understood that her weapons were unusual in itself since they pertained her what she was… He saw that the other two had no real excuse for their lack of attention or care for their treasures. While he knew there was truly little that he could do about the situation, he was still irritated that it had come to this. He saw their irresponsibility as a reflection on the group now and feared that nothing would be taken seriously anymore. Not that it was ever truly a serious group before, but it truly didn't seem to matter now.
After running out of steam, King resigned himself to the fact that the group was not too overly concerned about their lack of Sacred Treasures anymore. Hecate did feel a bit of pity for her friend, but she knew that the group was just as concerned about stuff like that anymore, if they ever were. Ten years had changed all of them, in some way or form. While ten years did not seem like a lot of time, which was true for a few of them, it did have an impact on them, whether they realized it or not.
Once King had calmed down enough to no longer be bothered by their lack of Sacred Treasures, the rest of the group ate, finishing up the fish that Hecate had caught earlier. The sun went down, but it was still early before anyone would head to bed. Hecate was nursing another mug of ale, leaning against Ban again, but not really focusing on anything as she stared up at the sky, watching as the stars twinkled above them.
"Have you heard what's been going on in the Kingdom lately?" Meliodas asked, the question open for anyone to answer.
He was staring down into his mug, trying to let the frown that tugged at his face to show. He was bothered by Guila, and the way Little Gil had acted earlier. Something was wrong in the land, and he was determined to find out what it was. He knew his friends would help him, that was just the kind of people they were, and he was grateful for them, even if all but two knew about his true nature. He looked up when he noticed King shift slightly and heard the faerie sigh.
"There's this new faction…" King began, causing everyone to look over to him. "They're called 'The New Generation'."
"The 'New Generation'? What's that?" the question came from Meliodas, who was taking interest in the topic, along Cat.
"Apparently there have been some failed apprentices who have gained powers like those of a Holy Knight overnight." King replied as he leaned against his large pillow. "Guila, for instance. She was a Holy Knight apprentice until just the other day." He pointed out before looking over at the group. "Can you believe that?" he asked with a scoff, looking unimpressed at the ease in which she had gain power.
"Her?" Meliodas questioned, surprised at the revelation.
"So… that's how they're doing it…" Hecate murmured, catching the interest of the others. This was why she never believed in coincidences because they always turned out to be true, and this was the worst one yet, in her opinion.
"What do you by that, Cat?" Diane was the one to question the halfling as she stared into her mug with a frown.
"Hm?" Hecate looked up, blinking at her friend.
"What did you mean when you said, 'So that's how they're doing it"?" Meliodas reiterated, watching as the woman's mouth formed an 'O' shape in realization that she had actually spoken out loud.
"Oh… that…" Hecate shifted slightly in her spot next to Ban, realizing that she had the attention of everyone around her. "I… know how these apprentices are getting their power… and why they appear so powerful…"
"And?" Ban was the one to speak as he looked down at her expectantly.
He didn't like how his Kitten seemed to shy away from his eyes, her own downcast, tinted with pain and horror. She turned away from him before he could get her to speak so he could drink some more. He was beginning to sober up again, but he felt as if he was going to need to drink more afterwards.
"What is it, Cat?" Meliodas asked this time, watching as the woman sighed heavily.
"…It's Demon blood…" the halfling finally told them with a regretful sigh.
The group fell silent, shock encompassing them as they took in her words. They stared at the halfling who refused to meet anyone's eye, trying to wrap their mind around it. Ban tensed, growing rigid with shock and fury. King and Diane froze, eyes wide with fear and disbelief as they shared a look with one another, they could hardly believe what they were hearing. Elizabeth could only stare in worry and shock, covering her mouth with her hands as she quickly turned to Meliodas. The blonde was the only one who remained calm, but if anyone saw straight into his eyes, they would know he was conflicted.
"You can't be serious, Cat, Demons?" Diane squeaked, becoming more worried about what they were about to face in the future.
"Sadly, I am…" the blue-haired woman admitted, sighing softly as she rested a hand over her face. "I can't get the smell out of my system…" she murmured more to herself than to the others, "even after twenty years…" she shook her head. "The moment I went to taste Guila's blood to control her… that scent… it was like she was a demon, only in human form with very little human left inside…"
The group listened as Hecate spoke, replaying what she smelt earlier in the day. They felt a chill run through them at the sinister implications that were left unsaid by the halfling. If all of these members of the New Generation had the blood of Demons inside them, they would all be in trouble. Aside from King, who was able to defeat Guila, the rest of them had a hell of a time doing so.
"What can you tell us about Demon's blood, Cat?" Meliodas asked curiously, breaking the tension around them.
"Not much, I'm afraid…" Hecate admitted with a soft sigh. "Just what my father wrote in his journals." She shrugged a little. "He wrote that, 'If a person or being is compatible with the blood of a Demon, they will gain extraordinary power beyond their wildest dreams. But they will no longer be complete, they will live as mindless beings to be controlled at will by their new master. For Vampires, we gain near immortality, able to survive the deadliest of blows that would normally eradicate us. We keep our sanity and our self-awareness; we do not lose ourselves to the Demon's blood like others tend to do. And for those incompatible, a gruesome death awaits, far more torturous than anyone could imagine.' And that's all I know, honestly."
The group took in her words, thinking on them for a bit. Ban shifted a little and wrapped an arm around his Kitten, pulling her closer to him than before and rested his head on top of hers. He felt her lean into him, relaxing a little as she placed a hand over his arm. That small motion spoke volumes to him, and he knew things would become more challenging in the future.
"In spite of this mess we're in," King spoke up after a few moments, causing others to turn to him as irritation rose into his voice as he focused on Meliodas with fury in his eyes. "you took the sacred treasure King Liones bestowed on the Seven Deadly Sins when it was founded and sold it?!"
The tension in the group before seemed to break at that as Hecate did her best to muffle her amusement with her mug. Behind her, Ban was much more open to showing his amusement after he downed his drink and went after Cat's for more, grinning at the flack their Captain was facing from the Faerie. The others seemed to share weak smiles, Elizabeth being the one who was still getting used to all the different personalities of the Sins. Never had she imagined the Sins to have such personalities or be, at times, eccentric as she had already witnessed. Nor did she expect them to freely shout of their Captain so freely either. She looked at Meliodas, watching as the blonde man rub the back of his head sheepishly, as if he had been waiting for this happen.
"I needed seed money for the tavern." The Dragon Sin admitted, still sheepish but unapologetic.
"Yours was stolen?!" King turned his focus onto Ban was now locked in a struggle with Cat, who was trying to push the man off her, causing him to fall on top of Hawk, who had been passing by.
"When I was thrown into prison." Ban laughed; his tone airy from all the booze he had drank.
"How did yours even break?!" King turned to Cat who merely shrugged.
"I haven't exactly been feeding properly… and I lost the note Merlin gave me on how to fix them." she mumbled, about to take a gulp from her drink when she was sent flying into Ban as he tried grabbing her drink again. "Damn it! Get your own!" she batted the immortal away.
"But I'm thirsty, Kitten!" Ban whined.
King huffed at the two, shaking his head at the oddity of their relationship and turned to Diane, who was giving him watery eyes as she hid her face partially behind her hair. He couldn't be mad at her; it was an impossible feat for him.
"Um, am I a bad girl?" Diane asked him shyly.
"W-well, if you misplaced it, no one's to blame!" King stuttered, doing his hardest to fight off the urge to blush at how adorable the giantess was.
Ban snickered from his spot wrapped around Hecate with a new mug in his hand, while she somehow kept a hold of hers. He was about to open his mouth when his Kitten nudged him with a roll of her eyes, causing the immortal to roll his back at her, and instead, tossed back his drink.
"Don't be in such a huff, King." Hawk stated as he walked towards the faerie. "These guys do pretty well barehanded."
That caused Hecate to snort in amusement as she looked over at Hawk and King, smirking a little at the description. Oh, yes, they were all decent enough barehanded, but most of the people they fought or interacted with, were normal people. Not Demon-charged beings.
"Good Sir Pig." King spoke in a deadpanned voice as he turned to the pig.
"S-Sir Pig?" Hawk stuttered, taken back by the formality of being addressed.
"Let's say that this lake represents the mana of one of the Sins." King spoke, motioning to the lake next to them.
"And here we go…" Hecate murmured to Ban, causing the man to snort, and nudged her in amusement, the two sharing a look of amusement.
"How much of the lake's water could you scoop out using your hands?" King asked Hawk, ignoring the others so he could prove a point.
"Hands?" Hawk responded as he held up a hoof.
"Right." King stated, "No matter ho much mana there is, your hands limit you." He pointed out. "But if they used a weapon, especially their sacred treasures," King raised a hand towards the lake where water began pooling together and rising from the lake. "they could draw forth vastly greater amounts of mana." He explained as the water separated from the lake into a large bubble.
"Sacred treasure sure are awesome, huh?" Their Captain pointed out with a grin as he watched the show King was displaying.
"Oh, it all makes sense!" Hawk explained, looking, and sounding impressed before turning towards Meliodas. "Why the hell did you give yours up?!" he demanded as he shot towards the blonde and began shaking him as King released the water, causing it to crash back down into the lake.
"In any case, we will need to locate your sacred treasures and find someone to repair Cat's." King stated as he held his arms out as if he was going to shrug. "Assuming that you're serious about saving the realm."
"Still conceited…" Ban muttered so only Hecate could hear him, and the woman nudged him a bit, raising an eyebrow at his words. "You know it's true." He pointed out, watching as the woman merely shook her head at him.
"Excuse me…" Elizabeth spoke up after standing, causing King's composure to change a bit. "Sir King, you were working with someone inside the castle, weren't you?" she asked, her voice quiet and filled with worry.
"Yes, more or less." King confirmed as he floated down to be the same height as Elizabeth.
"Do you know what became of my father and sisters?" she asked him, causing the others to sober a little, knowing how much Elizabeth worried about her family. "The King and the other princesses?"
"No, I'm sorry." King supplied softly, his face softening at Elizabeth's worry.
"Oh… I see…" Elizabeth's disappointment wasn't hard to hear as the princess' hand dropped from her chest.
"It's going to be okay, Elizabeth." Hecate spoke up with a soft voice, causing the teen to turn to her. "We'll find out what happened to them, but I'm sure they're alright. I doubt they would harm the royal family without there being any repercussions."
Hecate knew her words would do little to assure the princess of her troubles, but it was all she could do to try and help her relax. Elizabeth gave her a smile, but there was a touch of sadness to it that reached her eyes. It was an expression the halfling was quite familiar with, she had worn it every day after the loss of Dante and Elaine. But Elizabeth wasn't alone, she had people here to help keep her mood up, at least until they knew what happened with her family.
It wasn't long after that, that people started to yawn from the days excursions and headed inside the tavern to get some rest. Hecate was forced to help Ban up the stairs when he started falling asleep while walking, causing the halfling to curse the man's drunken stupor. Like many times before, the moment Ban was in bed, he immediately grabbed someone to cuddle with, and like usual, Hecate was trapped in his grip. There was a smile on his face as he rubbed his face into her hair, and Hecate mumbled something about forcefully sobering him up if he didn't let her go. King decided to sleep outside with Diane, who propped herself up against Hawk's Mom for the night as she usually did, so he wouldn't be forced to share a room with Hecate and Ban.
Hecate stayed awake, unable to sleep as she listened to the sounds of the tavern and the immediate area around her. The moment she knew everyone had fallen asleep, she managed to get out of Ban's grip, as soon as the man rolled over in his sleep. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at the immortal, watching him sleep blissfully. Raising a hand, she lightly pushed some of his hair back from his face and watching as the man's lips curled up into a content smile before nuzzling her hand happily. Ban soon rolled onto his side, a snore rumbled from his mouth.
Stifling a laugh, Hecate stood from the bed and took off her boots, not wanting to wake anyone while she was up and about. She left her room and walked out of the tavern, relishing the cool night. Jumping off Hawk's Mom, the halfling made her way over to the lake, some ways from the others and laid down, letting her feet dip into the cold water. She sat there for a few moments, just staring out into the calm water, letting her mind race with everything that had happened that day. The people who she got to see that day.
"I still can't believe I got to see you, Dante…" she murmured out loud. "After so long… I never thought I'd be able to face you like that…" she felt her eyes prick with tears, causing her to rub her eyes with the heel of her hand as she sighed. "And as much as I want to let you sleep until we returned Elaine to life… I can't…"
Hecate flopped onto her back, allowing herself to stare up into the partially cloudy sky, watching as stars twinkled above her. She knew what she had to do, but she was hesitant in waking her twin from Stasis. If she were to ask the others to let her go to him now, she didn't now how long it would take for her to return the group or what could happen to them while she was gone. She was torn between her loyalty to the Sins and her knowledge that they would need Dante in the upcoming battle.
"So, this is where you disappeared off to, huh?" Ban drawled out as he walked towards the woman.
Ban stared at his Kitten with a slight frown as she sat up in surprise, still irritated that she had disappeared on him again while he had slept. When he woke a few moments ago, he had blindly reached out to his Kitten, as he often did, but when he felt nothing but empty bed, he shot up in panic. He didn't like not knowing where his Kitten was, especially when he was sober, like he now was. Just as he got out of bed, he managed to trip over her boots, which were just laying in the middle of the room, much to his amusement as he stared at them. Knowing that she wouldn't just leave her boots laying around, he relaxed some and went to find her.
"I was restless…" Hecate told him with a shrug, relaxing now that she knew who had snuck up on her.
"So?" he scoffed at her, causing her to roll her eyes at him. "You still usually wait till I wake up." He pointed out, pointing a finger at her now.
"That was then," she shook her head, "Now when I'm restless, I seek nature." She sighed heavily at his irritation, this was not how she wanted their talk to go... "Ten years, Ban… I had to find other ways to comfort myself after you left me…"
Those words struck something in the immortal as he stared down at her, clenching his jaw. As much as he knew she was right, it didn't help him relax any. "Whatever you say, Kitten." He sighed heavily, trying to relax himself enough to not explode on her.
"If you're going to join me, then join me instead of looming over me with that brooding look on your face." The halfling rolled her eyes at him as she laid back down on the grass, completely at ease.
"I'm not brooding!" Ban responded instinctively, only to pause and mumbled something under his breath as he walked closer to her and plopped onto the ground when she snorted.
"Sure, you're not." She nodded, completely unconvinced.
The two fell silent after that, losing themselves into their thoughts that seemed to run rampant for no apparent reason. Hecate on her conflicting choices; Ban on what he spoke to Elaine about. There was so much that troubled the two, and though they normally freely expressed their troubles, they were silent to one another.
"So, why'd you come out here for?" Ban asked after a few moments of staring out into the lake.
"To think…" Hecate murmured with a sigh, folding her arms behind her head. "To contemplate…"
"…about…?" Ban prompted, looking over at her now in curiosity.
"Bringing Dante back…"
The words came out so quiet that Ban had to struggle to hear them, but the gravity of her words did nothing to lessen the odd feeling that suddenly welled up in his chest.
"Are you… leaving?" he asked hesitantly, fearing the worst.
There was something in Ban's voice that caused Hecate to tense as she slowly turned to him, rolling onto her side. He was staring at her intensely, waiting for her answer as his ruby eyes searched her own pink ones for it. But she was conflicted, it was the reason why she hesitated and why she didn't know if she could answer him. He wasn't just asking if she was leaving the group, he was asking a much deeper question.
Are you leaving me?
There was weight to Ban's unspoken words, a weight that made her uneasy, yet it filled her with some hope that he didn't want her gone. But she was still torn between answers, there was so much that she could say to him, yet she struggled to find the correct words.
"I don't know…"
There was uncertainty in her words as Ban's face pinched in confusion. He could tell that his Kitten was conflicted, torn between duty, loyalty, and something else he couldn't pick up on. While it wasn't a definitive answer, it gave the immortal some hope that he could get her to stay. As much as he'd love for her to bring Dante back, he was selfish and greedy.
Without saying anything, Ban reached out and pulled his Kitten into him, securely wrapping his arms around her. She reacted instantly, curling into him with her chilled hands pressing against his back in comfort. This was where she belonged, not anywhere else, and that was when something came to him.
"When you want to get Dante, tell me, and we'll get him together." He told her simply, feeling quite pleased with his idea.
"You don't know when we'd be able to return to the others." Hecate spoke softly, knowing that right now it was just speculation when she would leave.
"Doesn't matter, we can always meet up with them later." Ban responded carelessly, smiling softly when he heard her chuckle. "Besides, you've mentioned that you're going to need a lot of blood to get him back, what better way to have that without going out and draining a few hundred animals." He teased.
Hecate snorted as she looked up at him and lightly swatted at his chest. "Oh, behave you!" she smiled softly at his ridiculousness.
"I don't know when I'll go and get him… I know we're going to need him in the future, but right now, I think protecting the Kingdom should come first." Hecate murmured after sobering up from her laughter. "I don't want to leave everyone just yet."
Ban found himself relaxing, finally getting the answer he wanted to hear from her. He smiled down at her, knowing her decision wasn't the easiest to make, but he was a selfish man, and it pleased him to know she would be staying there, with him.
"Then, when you're ready, we'll head out together, and bring your bother back." Ban nodded his head, happy with that plan, but he paused slightly in thought. "Why were you thinking about that anyway?" he asked, looking down at her as she gave him a knowing smile.
"Because, when I disappeared on you there, Elaine took me to Dante." Hecate responded softly, watching as Ban's face morphed into surprise and realization. "He was encased inside a crystal within a clearing surrounded by crystals… he was there, in the Necropolis, but also not there, thanks to Statis…" she explained to him softly, and the man could only nod.
"No wonder you seemed so different after I joined the battle… seeing him must have liberating for you…" he murmured softly, watching as her face softened.
"It was," she admitted as she curled closer to Ban, seeking his natural warmth that contrasted against her natural coolness. "It also reminded me that I can't hide everything forever, no matter how much I may want to…"
Ban felt his brows pinch at that, not understanding what his Kitten was trying to say until he felt one of her cool hands on his cheek and her lips pressing softly, and tenderly against his own. Ban tangled a hand into her loose hair, keeping her in place as he returned the kiss, pressing the woman against him securely. Neither deepening the kiss or pulling away, the two stayed as they were, embracing each other and relishing this moment of expression.
It was only moments later when they slowly retreated, and Ban watched as his Kitten's face flushed a wonderful pink that almost matched her sparkling eyes and shy smile. His heart felt lighter than it ever had before and knew that this moment between them was long-time coming. He just never expected his Kitten to be making the first move like that.
Hecate couldn't but take in Ban's pink-tinged face and warm, vibrant eyes. The smile on his face was light and knowing as he stared down at her as if he couldn't look away without missing something. Her heart had swelled when he kissed her back, not even hesitating a second when he reacted. He still had her encased in his arms, the hand in his tucked in her hair as he pulled her to him again. Not for another kiss, but to just hold her closer, tucking her into him.
"You know… I thought it was the guy who was supposed to make the first move." He whispered into her ear teasingly, causing her to giggle as she snuggled into him.
"Tough shit. You were to slow." She teased back, and Ban chuckled at her gull.
"You're mine, Kitten. You realize that, right?" he looked down at her, half teasing, half serious as she leaned up and lightly nuzzled her nose against his.
"I wouldn't have anyone else, Ban." She murmured, watching as he smirked down at her and pressed his lips to her forehead.
"Good." He responded with a not, quite pleased with that. "Was there anything else you wanted to talk about tonight?" he asked her now, remembering that they had planned on speaking that night.
"No, that was everything." Hecate responded and found herself closing her eyes as Ban began running his hand through her hair.
Ban couldn't help but smirk as a soft purr escaped his Kitten while she relaxed against him. "Then it's time we both get some sleep." He declared and when she didn't receive an answer, he laughed.
Looking down, he smirked, seeing as his Kitten was fast asleep against him, perfectly content where she was. Shaking his head, Ban carefully adjusted her and stood up, holding his Kitten close as she snuggled into him. He carried her back to Hawk's Mom and up to their room where he set her in beg before joining her. Ban watched her for a moment and lightly brushed some hair from her face before pressing his lips against her forehead once more.
"No one is taking you away from me…" he murmured to her, wrapping an arm around her. "Never again…"
With that he fell asleep, knowing when morning came, nothing would change between the two. They would just be closer now, like they always had been.