'Capta - I mean, Meliodith! Go get him!'

'Hey, Ba'an! If you screw up and lose this match, I'm gonna tell Elaine!'

You listened to King and Diane cheer and smiled. They were really getting into it. Another wave of pins and needles washed over you and you shuddered. But you didn't grow this time.

'Oh, that's right.' Diane moved her shirt so Elizabeth's tiny face was barely visible. 'You can cheer too, Elizabeth. You don't have to worry; nobody's gonna see you.'

King's eyes bugged out his head again.

'Time for the match to get underway,' said Love Helm to deafening cheers.

You slipped your ring onto your finger. It was way too big, but it should still work.

No cheating, okay?

Meliodas caught your eye and grinned. Who, me?

You rolled your eyes.

'Sure would be nice if we had more room to move around,' Ban said, still limbering up. Meliodas laughed. 'So what's with the laughing? You really looking forward to fighting with me that much, Captain?'

'I was thinking back to the old days. We had about this much space then, didn't we?' said Meliodas.

'It's been a while. Which time are you talking about?'

Meliodas put up his hands. 'Don't worry, 'cause you'll remember it soon enough.'

And the fight began. Meliodas blurred into action. In the blink of an eye he'd punched Ban across the face. Ban grunted. Blood splattered. The crowd gasped.

'Oh yeah.' There was a huge grin on Ban's face even though his voice was muffled by the huge swelling on his cheek. 'I think I remember now.'

¾

You stood outside the prison and tried not to worry. Meliodas said he wouldn't be long and he was usually right about these things but, well, it was in your nature to worry. And this "undead" guy sounded a bit ... off. Maybe you should've gone in too.

No sooner had the thought crossed your mind, the walls of the prison began to shake. Well that had to be Meliodas.

You were right.

With an enormous bang, a man came flying through one of the walls. You ran over to see if he was okay, but he was laughing. You slowed and stared down at the strange man before looking through the giant hole in the wall. Meliodas waved at you.

'You really did throw me out,' said the strange man. He sounded delighted by the fact.

'It looks like round one goes to me, right?' said Meliodas.

The man, who you realised must be Undead Ban, sat up. 'I say we do this again.'

Meliodas brushed dirt off his jacket. 'If you want a rematch, you'll have to leave this place and join me.'

'There was meant to be a please in there,' you said and offered a hand to Ban.

'I never agreed to that.'

Ban looked at your hand then up at your face. 'Who're you?'

'I'm [Y/n].' He put his hand in yours and you pulled him up easily. 'It's a pleasure to meet you, Ban.'

¾

'The fight's been decided with one punch,' Love Helm screeched. You rolled your eyes.

Just as he was about to leave the ring, Ban's feet found the floor. He skidded back a little but stopped just at the edge. Ban grabbed Meliodas around the waist and launched him headfirst into the ground. But Meliodas caught himself on his hands, locked his legs around Ban's neck, and now Ban was the one being launched headfirst into the ground. The ring, already cracked, broke more, pieces of rubble breaking off with the force of Meliodas's attack.

Ban, still on the ground, snagged Meliodas's ankles and flipped, kicking Meliodas away in the process. Ban leapt, following Meliodas into the sky. The crowd oohed and aahed. Ban unleashed a flurry of ferocious punches. You could vaguely feel the impact but, as you said, you weren't cheating and didn't take any of the pain. The pair was getting higher in the sky.

'That's nothing,' you heard Meliodas shout. Ban was a streak of red as he fell back to the ground. He slammed into the ring so hard it felt like the whole rock split in two. The floor shook and a huge cloud of dust rose into the air.

If you hadn't spent the last however many years watching these two idiots fight, you would've been worried. The people in the crowd were worried. Meliodas landed lightly in the ring and, as you predicted, Ban emerged from the dust looking like he hadn't been hit once.

As everyone around you marvelled at Ban, another wave of pins and needles hit you. You grimaced and clenched your fists, barely noticing your ring slipping of your too tiny finger. When the pain passed, you huffed. They were getting on your nerves. Plus, you were still no higher than Diane's knee. You didn't bother to put your ring back on.

The sounds of strikes and blocks filled the air and you looked up to see Meliodas and Ban going at it again. They were exchanging blows so fast it was hard to keep up. It was impossible to tell who was winning. The Meliodas slammed a fist into Ban's stomach. Ban choked and coughed up blood. Meliodas followed with a strike to Ban's jaw. Ban went flying again and landed heavily.

A ringing vibration shivered through your body. It wasn't the pins and needles. It was coming from your ring. You looked down at it and up again just in time to see Meliodas stumble and fall to the ground on his hands and knees. So Ban wanted to play like that, did he? Well he still wouldn't win.

'Oh no, looks like both fighters are down,' said Love Helm. He was wrong again. Ban sat up with a groan.

'You jerk,' said Meliodas, still on his knees. 'You've gone and done it now.'

Ban laughed. He stood up like a he was being pulled by an invisible thread. 'And up we go.'

Love Helm spluttered. 'What's going on? All of Ba'an's injuries are completely gone now.'

Ban ran over to Meliodas fast. Meliodas raised a fist but Ban wasn't there. You looked at Meliodas's face and winced as Ban slammed a punch into your husband's back.

Laughing, Ban hopped up and down on the spot. 'I'm floating like a butterfly now.'

But it was a short-lived victory. Meliodas slammed an elbow into Ban's face, knocking the taller man back a few paces. Ban grunted.

An involuntary shudder ran through your body and you grew an inch. You groaned and resisted stamping your foot.

'You see that King?' Diane's voice caught your attention. You looked up and them (God was it embarrassing to have to look up at King (when he wasn't floating, that is)) and saw King nod.

'It's getting harder for the captain to follow Ban's movements now,' said King.

'So you think his stamina's starting to run out then?'

'Once the captain started to slow down, then Ban's agility shot through the roof.'

Diane gasped.

'What are you trying to say?' asked Elizabeth.

'Ban's magical ability, Snatch, is able to sap an opponent's physical skills like speed and power,' said King.

In the ring, Ban hurled a fist into Meliodas's jaw. Meliodas flipped but grabbed Ban's hand and started to slam Ban into the ground repeatedly.

'Meliodith has turned the tables. He's beating Ba'an like a rug,' exclaimed a delighted Love Helm. 'Look at that raw power!'

The same ringing vibration shook your ring again and you saw Meliodas's face slacken a bit. Ban burst free of Meliodas's grip. The material covering Ban's arms stretched as his muscles bulged. Meliodas just managed to block the punch to his face but was pushed back.

'This feeling as that strength of yours flows from you into me. Oh man, this is such a rush,' said Ban, leaning back as he absorbed more and more of Meliodas's power.

You spared Ban a glance and then turned to Meliodas. His hands were shaking. You bit your lip. He was fine. He was fine. He was fine. There was no way Meliodas could lose.

'I wonder how much power I ended up taking.' Ban leapt into the air. 'Time to find out!'

And he punched. Meliodas met Ban's fist with one of his own. Ban's fingers crumbled as the met Meliodas's fist and now Meliodas had a clear path to thrust his punch into Ban's abdomen. Blood poured from Ban's lips as he was sent skidding back, almost out of the ring.

With gross cracking sounds, Ban's bones began to fix. 'This has gotta be some kind of joke or something. Just how bottomless is your power, Captain?' Ban laughed as he straightened up, all traces of injuries gone. 'I've made up my mind.'

'Given up?' said Meliodas. The two men walked to the centre of the ring.

'I've just been chipping away at your speed and power up 'til now, but I'll need to do a little more than that if I wanna wrap this thing up.' Ban leant forwards and extended his arms. He licked his lips in anticipation. 'So I'll just take it all.'

Meliodas's face set. He charged, slamming blow after blow into Ban.

'Hurry up and finish him off already,' shouted Diane, her face screwed up.

King frowned. 'If Ban steals all his strength then he'll win. So the captain's gonna have to take him down before that.'

They looked at you but you just shrugged, keeping your eyes on the match. In your hand, your ring was vibrating so much it almost fell. You wrapped your fist around it and tried to stop your hand from shaking. Meliodas's punches were slowing. Now they'd stopped, his fist just brushing Ban's cheek. Meliodas fell.

'That was delicious, Captain.' A strange aura was coming from Ban.

'It looks like things have turned around, folks,' said Love Helm. 'Meliodith, who was pretty much pounding on Ba'an the whole round, has just run out of steam!'

'Um, Sir King, what's going on with Sir Meliodas?' asked Elizabeth.

'Ban sapped his physical abilities,' said King. 'Now he doesn't have anything left.' His eyes flickered to you but, when you ignored him, looked back to the ring.

Ban sauntered over to Meliodas who was lying spread-eagled on the floor. 'Well looks like you and I are finally coming to the end of this little scuffle of ours, doesn't it, Captain? What should I do now?'

'Ban!' Diane's cry made you jump. 'If you do anything more to the captain, I'm never gonna forgive you. Friendship over, understand?'

'Just butt out, will ya?' Ban caught your eye. You kept your face blank even though your fist was still clenched around your ring. He looked back at Diane who was being restrained by King. 'I won this fight, so don't go telling me what to do.'

Meliodas laughed. Ban raised an eyebrow.

'So, looks to me like you're a little punch drunk 'cause I'm the one who's winning,' said Meliodas with a grin. His voice was strained. You closed your eyes.

Ban grinned. 'I guess you and me really are the perfect match, aren't we, Captain?' He raised a fist into the air. 'Well, I think I'm gonna deliver the final blow now if you don't mind.'

'Stop, Sir Ban,' called Elizabeth. 'Or Sir Meliodas will-'

'No question about it, this match is gonna go to the captain,' said Diane.

'It will?'

'I can see it now. He's obviously playing dead so he can reflect Ban's all out punch right back at him using Full Counter.'

You shook your head.

'That won't work,' said King as if reading your thoughts. Diane turned to him. 'I'm sorry, Diane, but the captain's magical ability is only able to reflect direct magical attacks, so it'll be powerless against an ordinary punch.'

'No way,' Diane cried. 'Then what's he doing out there?'

'Honestly, I have no idea. [Y/n]?'

You turned. Diane and King were staring at you, one with clenched fists and the other with furrowed brows. 'Hm?'

'Don't "hm",' shouted Diane and she took a step towards you. 'Your husband is about to get wrecked. Aren't you gonna do something?'

You looked back at the ring. 'This isn't my fight.'

'If you survive this, make sure to tell me how it felt afterwards,' Ban was saying. 'The taste of a punch that's got both your power as well as mine behind it.' He drew his fist back.

'Sir Meliodas, look out!' Elizabeth shouted. You sucked a deep breath in.

Ban's fist flew. It tore through the air like a meteor, a meteor heading straight for Meliodas. The sickening sound of impact split the air. And then there was a boom. A huge cloud of dust rose into the air, obscuring Meliodas and Ban. You were grateful for the distraction as the black flames curled around your fist. It was only for a second, but it was better no one saw. The ground shook.

'Oh no,' said Elizabeth. 'He actually attacked him. Sir Meliodas!'

'Careful there, Elizabeth,' you said with a smile. 'We are undercover.'

The princess stared at you. 'But [Y/n], Sir Meliodas-'

'He's fine.' You pointed to the ring. 'Look.'

She and everyone else gasped as one. The dust cleared and there was Meliodas, standing alone and perfectly fine in the ring.

'Yo,' said Meliodas, raising a hand.

'Look at that,' cried Love Helm. 'Meliodith is standing all alone in the ring. Where is Ba'an?'

Meliodas pointed. 'He's right over there.'

The crowd turned as one but you kept looking at Meliodas. He winked at you and you smiled.

Love Helm was flabbergasted. 'This is incredible. It can only mean...'

'I'm the winner.' Meliodas laughed and raised a victorious fist into the air. The crowd roared.

'Meliodith's onto the next round!'

Making sure the shirt was covering every inch of your body, you walked over to the ring. You looked up at Meliodas. 'Guess you won then.'

'Looks that way.' He hopped down and stared at you. 'Were you worried?'

You look away. 'No.' His face appears right next to yours and you feel your face heat up. 'Maybe a little.'

Suddenly you were in the air. You squealed and Meliodas laughed as he wrapped his arms around your waist.

'Put me down!'

'No way.'

'Hey, guys,' Meliodas called. You twisted around from where you hung over his shoulder and waved at Diane, King and Elizabeth. 'Is something wrong? What's with the gloomy looks on your faces?'

You tensed. The pins and needles were back worse than ever. You closed your eyes and gritted your teeth.

'[Y/n]?' Meliodas's voice was right in your ear, low and urgent. 'What's wrong?'

'Put me down, put me down quick,' you panted. He did. You ran over to the pile of clothes and pulled on your pants and Elizabeth's skirt just in time. In the blink of an eye, you were taller. All the clothes were still too big, but now you came up to Meliodas's shoulder. You sighed in relief as the pain passed and slipped your ring back on (it was still a little big, but whatever).

'Huh,' said Meliodas.

'So how are you holding up?' King asked Meliodas.

Meliodas flexed. 'See for yourself. Once I clobbered Ban, I felt good as new.'

Diane frowned. 'But how the heck was he able to move like that before he beat him?'

'Something bothering you, Diane?' asked Meliodas, getting right in her face. 'It's not like you to stress out over stuff. The guy you're fighting next does look pretty tough, though.'

You looked over at Howzer. His gaze was focussed, his fists clenched. If you recalled correctly, he was a Holy Knight.

'Oh no, I better hurry.' Diane turned and fiddled with something and then she was thrusting Elizabeth and her purple scarf thing into your hands. 'Hang on to this.' And with that, Diane was gone.

'How you holding up, Elizabeth?' you asked, looking down at the pocket-sized princess. Meliodas wrapped one arm around your waist, leant his head on your shoulder and peered down at Elizabeth too.

The princess nodded. 'I'm all right. My heartbeat is returning to normal.' She threw a pointed glance at Meliodas.

'You can tell him off if you want,' you said. 'He'll probably listen to you. He never listens to me.'

Meliodas snickered and pressed a kiss to your temple.

The crowd cheered. Howzer and Diane were walking into the ring, glaring at each other. They faced off across the new crack that split the ring in two.

'I know you can do it, Matrona!' King shouted. You lifted Elizabeth up so she could watch.

'Diane, try not to do anything crazy, okay?' the princess called.

You felt your pants slipping but, with both hands holding Elizabeth, you had no way to stop them. You hoped no one was watching.

Diane turned around and smiled but then she was glaring. What was she glaring at? You turned around. The men behind you were staring at your ankles. You looked down and your face burst into flame. Your pants were pooled around your shoes.

Quick as a flash, Meliodas had each man unconscious. He even replaced your pants for you.

Thanks, you mumbled.

Not at all, said Meliodas, his hand lingering up your skirt.

You could feel his anger. It was like waves pounding against rocks. Carefully balancing Elizabeth in one hand, you reached out the other and gripped Meliodas's hand tight. He looked down at you. You could see his anger. It flickered in his eyes like a forest fire. But then he smiled. The anger ebbed.

'Let the first match of the semi-finals begin!' Love Helm shouted to tumultuous applause.

But it didn't begin. Howzer told Diane her shirt was unbuttoned instead.

'Aw, what a gentleman,' you said.

'No he's not,' King said loudly, whirling to face you.

You smirked. 'Well you didn't tell her, lover boy.'

King blushed.

Howzer ran to Diane, his fists covered with miniature whirlwinds. 'Rising Tornado.'

Diane dodged. 'Woah. If that hits me full force, there won't be anything left.'

'Well I'm glad you get what you're up against, but-' Howzer sent another tornado after Diane who dodged yet again '-just lie back and leave everything to my magic hands. I promise it won't hurt. I'm gonna make it feel like you're flying.'

He sent attack after attack after Diane. She jumped back, narrowly dodging each one.

'That guy's amazing,' said Meliodas. 'Everything he says is sexual.'

Howzer fell over. 'No – no it's not!'

'Really?' Diane covered her chest.

'You've got it all wrong,' Howzer protested, blushing furiously. 'I'm just trying to get this over with because I don't like hurting girls, no matter how tough they are.'

He went after Diane again. Diane's evasive manoeuvres were quite impressive.

'Look at that,' called a delighted Love Helm. 'Matrona's still on the defensive.'

'Got no choice,' Howzer muttered to himself. 'I really wish I didn't have to back a woman into a corner like this.'

He punched twice in quick succession, two enormous tornadoes forming on either side of Diane. She gasped.

'Tornadoes have formed on both Matrona's right and left. And there's no more space behind her,' shouted Love Helm. 'She's been cornered!'

King gripped the side of the ring. 'Not good.'

Howzer ran to Diane. 'Whether you jump up or dive down, my tornadoes will cut into the ground or climb up into the sky,' he said. Diane screamed. 'Looks like this is check mate.'

But Diane stopped his fist with one hand. Howzer choked. The crowd gasped.

'Impossible,' said Howzer. 'You said there'd be nothing left if my tornadoes hit you full force.'

Diane slapped him in the face. Hard. You cheered.

'I meant that I didn't want to ruin these clothes I borrowed, jerk,' said Diane. Her clothes – or rather, your clothes – were completely torn to shreds after being hit by Howzer's attacks. But you didn't care. As long as Diane was okay, that's all that mattered.

Howzer got to his feet. 'This is getting interesting. Been a long time since I've been able to really bring it.' He brought his hands together. A huge wall of wind formed. 'You better run if you don't wanna die.' And he opened his arms. The wind wall sped towards Diane. 'Whirl Shock!'

It hit Diane full force. You heard the impact and a scream.

'Diane, no!' King leant forwards.

The dust cleared. Diane was still standing. She was quite battered, her hair a tangled mess, her eyes wide like she was still trying to comprehend what had just happened.

'Didn't expect that,' she said.

'It ain't over yet,' shouted Howzer, evidently hoping to take advantage of the still shell-shocked Diane. He slammed his hands to the floor. The biggest tornado yet began to form. It covered the whole ring. You shielded Elizabeth with a hand, feeling your hair whip against your cheeks.

'What the heck is going on? I'm outta here!' You heard Love Helm's screech over the roaring of the wind.

'What do you think of the most powerful storm I can make?' Howzer's triumphant shout rang out from the centre of the tornado.

'This is amazing,' said Meliodas. 'I can't even see inside it.'

'I think Diane's in big trouble,' said King.

You nodded. 'If one of her feet leaves the ground, it's all over.'

'It's time to fly,' said Howzer in a threatening voice. Then there was nothing except the roar of the wind. But then - 'Victory is mine!'

You frowned. It couldn't be.

Diane's screamed, the sound piercing your ears. King started forwards but then you heard Diane shout, 'Heavy Metal!'

There was an enormous bang. The ground shook.

'What happened?' Love Helm stammered, looking around in bewilderment. The dust cleared revealing Diane standing over a very-knocked-out Howzer. 'It looks like Howzer's out cold. Our winner for the first round of the semi-finals is Matrona!'

King's cheers joined the cheers of the crowd. Elizabeth turned to grin at you and you smiled back. Meliodas just folded his arms and nodded.

In the ring, Diane ran over to help Howzer sit up. King bristled.

'Think there's romance in the air,' Meliodas observed with a cheeky grin to King.

But King wasn't looking at Meliodas. Instead, he was glaring furiously at Howzer. 'Hey, Diane, you get away from that guy right this minute!' He slammed a hand down onto the ring.

Diane left Howzer and jogged over to you and the others, but not before apologising to Howzer.

'Looks like you've got some competition there, bud.' You elbowed King in the side.

'Don't say that, [Y/n],' he wailed.

'And right now it's time for the second match of the semi-finals.' Love Helm appeared to have regained his old confidence. 'Meliodith versus Cain!'

'Do your best out there, Captain,' said Diane.

'Please be careful,' said Diane.

'Just leave it to me.' Meliodas looked at you. 'A kiss for good luck?'

You rolled your eyes. 'I'll give you a kiss if you win.'

'Promise you'll avenge me, okay?' asked King.

Meliodas turned away and walked into the ring. 'Do it yourself.'

You put a comforting hand on King's arm, but couldn't stop your shoulders shaking with laughter. You hoped King didn't notice.

Don't forget your promise, said Meliodas.

I don't think I promised anything.

Oh, it was definitely a promise.

'I have to say, you really are the spitting image of him,' said Cain as he walked to the centre of the ring. It was split into four now. 'I had my suspicions the second that I saw your face, but when I heard that your name was Meliodith, I knew my hunch just had to be right.'

You frowned. What was he saying? Did that old man know Meliodas?

'The truth is you're Meliodas's son. That is the case now, isn't it?' Cain asked as he stopped walking.

Wait, what?

'Actually, I'm Meliodas if you wanna know,' said Meliodas, pointing unnecessarily to himself.

Why did you tell him that?

He was gonna find out sooner or later. Besides, there's something familiar about him.

You narrowed your eyes and looked closer at the old man Meliodas was facing down. Something familiar?

Cain's eyes bugged out of his head. His moustache almost flew away in shock. 'You're talking nonsense. There's no way Meliodas could be a whippersnapper like you.'

'Shh.' Meliodas scooted up to Cain. 'It's a long story, but I'm using another name.'

'If Meliodas was alive today, he ought to be a young man, an adult in his thirties or so,' Cain protested.

Meliodas visibly wilted. 'Why doesn't anyone ever believe me?'

'The fact that you don't even remember me makes it hard to believe your story.'

'Uh, yeah, sorry about that,' said Meliodas.

'If it's true that you really are the same Meliodas I used to know all those years ago-' Cain attacked without warning. Meliodas blocked each blow. Cain whipped off his cape. '-I swear I'll never forgive what you've done.'

Your mouth dropped open. That crest! It's-

-Danafall's, Meliodas finished grimly.

Meliodas relaxed his stance. 'Old man, are you-?' But he didn't get to ask his question.

Fire danced in Cain's hand. 'What possessed you to destroy the whole kingdom?' He launched the fire at Meliodas, but it deflected around him.

'Direct hit,' gasped King.

'Captain!' cried Diane.

Your hand holding Elizabeth started to shake. She looked up at you, but you didn't meet her worried gaze, keeping your eyes fixed on the battle.

'What possessed you to kill all my people?' Cain shouted, blasting Meliodas with more fire. This one hit. You felt the heat. It mixed with the turmoil swirling in your stomach. Meliodas took the pain. And you took the pain, too. Guilt. So much guilt.

'Just look at that, folks.' Love Helm's high pitched voice sounded tinny, like it was coming from the end of a long tunnel. 'Meliodith can't counter Cain's strange techniques.'

'Come on,' Diane shouted, 'what are you doing? You've gotta fight back now!'

'He hasn't fully recovered from fighting Ban yet,' said King.

'That isn't it.' Ban's voice came from right behind you, but you didn't turn. 'It's all on purpose. He's always pulling stupid crap.'

'Ban, what's that supposed to mean?' said Diane.

'How should I know?'

'Let him go, Diane,' you said quietly, still not looking at either of them. She started to protest but stopped with a sigh.

Flames still engulfed Meliodas. There were tears at the corners of Cain's eyes. 'What possessed you to kill Liz? Didn't you love her?'

You sucked in a breath. You felt Meliodas's thoughts darken and your head reeled.

The flames stopped covering Meliodas and instead formed a giant ball over Cain's head. 'What possessed you to betray every one of us?' And he flung the ball of fire to Meliodas.

It got closer and closer. Meliodas didn't move. You could hear Diane and King shouting.

'I tried to save all of them,' said Meliodas. 'I wanted to protect everything. But I ... I failed.' An image of Liz, dead, swam through both your minds. 'And that is the sin I bear. The sin we bear. So this time, I won't let that happen!'

Meliodas raised a hand. The fireball reached him. And disappeared. The crowd murmured, impressed.

'The Counter Vanish technique,' said Cain, 'the ability that can nullify any offensive magic that's pointed in your direction. Without a doubt, you're the same Meliodas I knew, all right.'

'And I remember you, Cain Barzard, though it took me a while,' said Meliodas. You heaved a sigh and smiled.

'You finally remembered, huh?'

'Yeah, back when you were with the Holy Knights you used to go by the name of Barzard the Flame. You were always wearing a full suit of armour, too.'

'That so? I don't recall that.' Cain walked up to Meliodas and looked him in the eye. 'Meliodas, can I really trust what you said before? You didn't betray us? You didn't betray all of Danafall?'

'No.'

Tears started to run down Cain's wizened cheeks. He burst out sobbing and threw his arms around Meliodas. 'I'm so glad that you didn't turn on us. I wanted to hear you say those exact words for so long.'

'Really?' asked Meliodas, hugging the old man back.

'When I came back to the kingdom after finishing my mission, everything was gone and there were these rumours flying around about you and [Y/n] destroying Danafall. But somewhere deep down I always wanted to believe they were lies.'

'What's going on here?' asked Diane.

'Beats me.' King shrugged.

You pushed Elizabeth into Diane's hands and, ignoring her questions, hopped into the ring.

'Well, you were right,' you said. Meliodas turned to smile at you as you walked to his side. Cain gasped and now he was hugging you.

'It really is a huge relief,' said Cain, pulling away. 'I'm glad I ran into some comrades-in-arms from the old days who're still alive.'

'Um, 'scuse me.' You all turned to look at Love Helm. 'What about the fight?'

'I'll be forfeiting the match,' said Cain.

'Huh? What's this? Cain just admitted his own defeat. The winner of the festival's second semi-final match is Meliodith!'

'Are you sure?' asked Meliodas with a hand on his hip.

'Of course I am,' said Cain. 'You're the same old softy as ever, aren't you? You could've reflected my techniques back at me whenever you wanted to.'

'If I had and then you ended up dying, it would've all been for nothing.'

'Who said he would've died?' You winked at Cain.

'That's right,' he said, turning to leave. 'I'm not some frail old man. But I suppose I'll just take things easy now and see what happens in the finals.' He waved to you both over his shoulder.

Meliodas hummed and wrapped an arm around your waist. You walked back to Elizabeth, Ban, Diane and King.

'So about that kiss,' said Meliodas once you were out of the ring.

'You didn't win, Captain,' said Diane, before you could say anything.

Elizabeth nodded. 'Cain forfeited.'

'That's right,' King said.

You covered your mouth with a hand, muffling your giggles.

'I have no idea what's going on, but I'm with them,' said Ban, pointing at Elizabeth, King and Diane.

Meliodas glared at them.

'It's time for the final round of the Vaizel Fighting Festival,' Love Helm announced. 'It's been a parade of unbelievable fighters this year and this final match will feature the very best of the best.'

'We probably ought to do something about the way Elizabeth's dressed before anything else,' said Hawk, who had randomly appeared. 'Guess I'll do it. Elizabeth, I'm gonna need you to hold your arms up for a second.'

Hawk got to work. You couldn't see exactly what was going on, but in no time, Elizabeth was wearing a lovely dress made with the purple scarf thing.

'Woah,' you gasped.

'Thank you so much, Hawk,' said Elizabeth.

'That pig's one amazing tailor,' said a wide-eyed King.

'All right fighters, time to step into the ring, if you please,' said Love Helm.

Meliodas and Diane stood in the ring. They were both looking a bit worse for wear, and so was the ring itself.

'Well, we'll get your Sacred Treasure no matter who wins this,' said Meliodas, turning to Diane. 'Want to just half-ass this to the end?'

Diane went to reply but, before she could, there was a commotion in the crowd. You turned and saw a trio of scantily dressed women calling to Meliodas. You rolled your eyes. Like Diane would fall for that.

Diane punched Meliodas into the ground. 'You filthy womanizer!'

You blinked. Guess she did fall for it.