'This kid's one of the Seven Deadly Sins?' asked Slader, his voice thick with disbelief.

'I can't believe it,' said the silver-haired knight next to Meliodas.

'I know,' said another voice, getting closer. Meliodas didn't turn to see who it was. 'But he stopped my fully-charged arrow with his bare hands. I just can't imagine some ordinary kid would be able to pull off a stunt like that.'

'That is correct,' said Gowther in the monotone voice Meliodas remembered from all those years ago. 'There can be no doubt. I am indeed Gowther the Goat Sin.'

The only sound was falling rain. Until Ban hopped in in the most Ban-like way possible.

'Woah.' Ban stopped right in front of Gowther and began to circle him. 'So back then you were wearing that armour, huh? Guess I always figured it was some giant old man who was stuffed inside there.'

'Given your posture, gait, tone of voice, attitude as well as that scar, I presume that you're Ban the Undead,' said Gowther.

Ban laughed. 'Now that's the Gowther I remember.'

The Roars of Dawn's confusion was funny, and so was their dawning realisation as they began to understand just who they were up against. But Meliodas kept his face blank.

'And that young boy who appears just as I remember him from years ago must be ...' Gowther trailed off.

Meliodas smiled. 'You got it. I'm Captain Meliodas all right.'

'Hold on,' said the silver-haired knight loudly, getting right in Meliodas's face. 'This little squirt is the leader of the Seven Deadly Sins?'

Meliodas turned to him. 'Yeah,' he said calmly. 'Surprised?'

'It's astonishing,' said Gowther with no sign he was astonished.

'You saying you can't tell from his face?' asked Ban. 'Then what do you think of that guy?' Ban pointed to where King was floating, still wrapped in the lightning ropes. 'Ready for this one? That's King.'

'No, that's someone else. Bone structure, voice and body odour – it all indicates another person, not King.'

Meliodas bit back a laugh.

'Odour?' asked Ban, eyes wide.

King frowned and transformed into his human form. The lightning ropes snapped. Well, that's one way to break free.

'It is him then,' said Gowther with no change in tone. 'Undoubtedly.'

Ban laughed. 'Wow, way to backtrack.'

Someone clapped, drawing Meliodas's attention. It was Slader.

'Wonderful,' said the leader of the Roars of Dawn. 'To meet not only Gowther but three of the Seven Deadly Sins? So happy.' Slader was almost singing. He struck a pose.

Meliodas watched the weird knight over his shoulder as he walked to stand beside Ban and Gowther. King drifted down to join them.

'Given the chance, I would love to challenge you,' Slader continued, 'but it's such a pity. In the very end, our mission today is solely to return home with that Armour Giant's head.'

Meliodas blinked and looked at Gowther. 'By the way, who's inside of that armour?'

'Well, I'm not really sure.' Gowther turned to look up at the giant figure that hadn't moved this whole time.

'Huh?'

'Now then,' said Slader, once again gaining Meliodas's attention, and brandishing his unnecessarily-large serrated sword, 'time to get to work.'

Gowther faced the five Holy Knights calmly. 'I'd actually prefer it if you left him alone. Would you?'

'What's going on, Gowther?' said Ban. 'Just let those guys do what they want.'

'Yeah,' said King. 'The fact is, the only reason we tried to protect him in the first place is because we thought it was you.'

'Right.' Meliodas nodded.

The Armour Giant roared. Power burst from it, shattering the armour over its chest, exposing a mottled torso too large to belong to a human. Tiny arms sprouted from its shoulders. It had a dark aura. Meliodas could feel it as the power wave washed over him, pushing his hair back.

'You felt this magical power first hand. Still think you can defeat him?' Gowther watched the Armour giant convulse. Meliodas swallowed thickly.

'That's right,' said Slader grimly. 'I'll admit that two of us – no, make that one – will surely die, but we'll surely claim this one's head, too.'

'A cool-headed assessment,' said Gowther. 'I have no choice then.' He raised a hand. Slader shifted his stance and Meliodas tensed.

But Gowther's attack, when it came, didn't go towards anyone in front of him. Instead it sliced through the thick neck of the giant behind him. Its large head fell in a shower of blood to the floor at Gowther's feet. Meliodas stared, shock making his mind blank.

The Armour Giant fell slowly like an ancient tree, with lots of creaking of armour. It shook the ground. Gowther picked up its severed head and held it out.

'Take it with you,' he said, offering the gruesome trophy to Slader.

It was impossible to see any emotion behind Slader's metal mask, but his voice held confusion. 'What are you doing?'

Gowther walked towards the Holy Knight, still balancing the large head on one hand. 'It's the most peaceful way of resolving this. If a three-way battle were to occur between us now, the aftermath would mean the inevitable annihilation of Ordan's villagers below. And this way, the knights who perished wouldn't have died in vain.'

There was a tense silence for a moment until Slader nodded. 'Hm. I accept your offer.' And he took the head.

The silver-haired knight protested, but Slader shut him down. 'Silence. I like you, Gowther the Goat Sin. So, out of respect for your legend, we'll withdraw.' Slader shot a sidelong glance at Gowther. 'But if by chance we're given the order to after your heads one day, when that time comes ... well. Tata.'

And Slader bounded off into the forest with the rest of the Roars of Dawn following.

'Yes, tata.' Gowther waved them off. Meliodas, Ban and King shared a bemused look.

'I'm surprised,' said King. 'It looked like you had some sympathy for this monster.'

'Oh, really?' Gowther cocked his head. 'Was I sympathising with him?'

Meliodas blinked and turned to look at the huge headless body. 'He was wearing your armour, wasn't he? Was he like your stand-in or something?'

'Stand-in? No, though he effectively became one. After all, you did mistake him for me.'

'Yeah, well, it's not like we've ever seen your real face,' Ban pointed out.

'I see. In other words, my disguise was unnecessary.' Gowther plucked at a lock of his hot pink hair pensively.

Meliodas walked to the hand of the body. As he got closer, he could see its fingers ended in hands with fingers of their own. 'Still, I've never seen a monster like this before.'

'There's a faint odour wafting from the very depths of his magical power,' said Gowther. 'He was very likely human once.'

'Huh?'

King gasped. 'Human?'

One of the monster's fingers twitched. Then its hand moved. Meliodas watched as the headless monster stood up.

'Well then, let's try to contain him, the four of us,' said Gowther.

'Hold on,' said Meliodas. 'What's going on here?'

'As I said, the chaos would've been extreme if we'd clashed in a three-way battle.'

'You – you chopped off his head but he's still alive,' King cried.

Four misshapen lumps protruded from the giant's chest. They moved, pulsing, as if something below the skin was trying to surface. Its hands were waving in the air, flexing and tensing. It stank of rotten meat and something wet and, the whole time, its unnerving aura pressed against Meliodas's head like a pillow made of hammers.

'Yes,' said Gowther, blank as ever as he looked at the monster before him. 'It was already ornamental anyway.'

'What part of it was once human then?' King demanded. 'This is really weird.'

'Naturally he was no ordinary human. That's the shell of a former Holy Knight.'

After Gowther's extraordinary pronouncement, the monster roared. The four lumps had turned into four heads, four eyeless heads with four slavering mouths. And, strangely enough, there was a fifth head right in centre of the torso. But this head was that of a human, looking out of place and all the more disturbing as it was, surrounded by something so inhuman. Meliodas's stomach rolled, but he forced himself to look. Because that human seemed familiar somehow ...

'A shell of a Holy Knight?' asked King.

'I'm sure you sense it,' said Gowther. 'Drifting along the torrent of evil magical power is the great power of a Holy Knight. In order to suppress this incredibly evil force, I had him wear my armour. But, after repeated damage to it, the seal was broken.'

'So that's what's going on,' said Meliodas. He raised his fists. 'Well he doesn't exactly seem like the kind of guy you can reason with.'

The monster roared again. It lifted its great, tree-like arms and brought them smashing down. Meliodas and the others scattered.

'Let's do this!' shouted Meliodas.

'Right,' said Ban at his side.

Together they attacked, both going after the monster's heads, pummelling it and forcing it back. The damage was immense and clear to see, but, as Meliodas and Ban watched, the wounds and swollen flesh disappeared. The monster gritted its teeth and charged. It punched, catching Meliodas and Ban with the same fist. They flew back fast and hit something soft. King's Chastiefol had caught them. It had transformed into a giant bear.

King snickered. 'Come on, guys. When you go into battle you should wait to see how your opponent strikes first.'

'Ah shut up, King.' Ban did a rude hand gesture.

Meliodas patted the bear's arm that was wrapped around him. 'It's so fluffy.'

'Spirit Spear Chastiefol Second Form: Guardian!' King bobbed in the air, evidently pleased with himself. The monster approached. 'To protect against external enemies, the Holy Tree's own moss is given shape and sent into battle. Made of moss, its body can parry any attack, and with its high concentration of water, it's highly resistant to fire.'

With a flick of his wrist, King sent the Guardian to attack. It leapt at the rapidly approaching monster. The monster roared icy breath that froze the Guardian in mid-air. The monster punched and the Guardian was shattered.

'But it isn't so great against the cold,' said Meliodas. Ban snickered.

'No!' King wailed.

Meliodas ignored him. 'Hey, Gowther, it's your turn next!'

Gowther ignored him. 'My glasses clouded over.' He took them off and walked away from the battle. 'You three hold him off for a little while.'

'Eh?' Meliodas watched him go, but a thundering yell quickly reminded him they were in the middle of a battle. He turned just in time to dodge the monster's fist.

'Man, what a pain,' said Ban with a scowl. 'Fighting him bare handed's gonna be tough, Captain.'

Meliodas narrowed his eyes. 'Guess we can't be too choosey about weapons then. I'll take these.' He snatched up a sword and shield from one of the fallen knights and charged the monster. He jumped. The monster spewed green acid and Meliodas blocked it with the shield. He focussed and purple-black flames covered the blade of the sword.

'Enchant Hell Blaze,' Meliodas shouted. He swung. A huge gash opened on the side of the monster spewing the same flames that still flickered on the sword. The monster bellowed.

Meliodas heard his comrade's shock. But there was nothing he could do. He needed this extra power fighting such a monster. And he couldn't risk [Y/n] or Elizabeth coming near it. He needed to focus.

'Captain,' called Ban, 'do it in one shot!'

'Right.' And, with a furious yell, Meliodas jumped. He drew back his sword for the final kill but ‒

'Don't ... do this,' said the human in a choked whisper. 'Please ...'

Meliodas gasped. He froze mid-jump not ready to attack, not ready to defend. He felt like he was hanging in the air, suspended by disbelief and horror and a sick kind of fascination.

'Hurry up and finish him off!' Ban's voice was furious.

One of the monster's tongues shot out. It wrapped around Meliodas like a warm slimy arm.

'Crap. This is bad,' he said. And gross.

'Dumbass.'

But something happened that made the monster stop. It roared.

'A light arrow?' said King. 'This is your chance, Ban!'

And now something else was wrapped around Meliodas, something that wasn't warm and fleshy. It tugged and Meliodas was pulled backwards through the air into Ban's arms

'What's the matter, Captain?' Ban said in Meliodas's ear. 'You could've destroyed it.'

Meliodas frowned. 'I just heard him say something. It must have been the Holy Knight.'

Ban shoved Meliodas away from him. 'Like that really matters. Just kill him already.'

'He's still alive in there.'

'Stop being so naïve!'

Meliodas glared.

'What's up?' It was Gowther, back with his bland voice and expression and now with a bow made of pink light. 'Are you two fighting?'

'Gowther,' breathed King. 'He stopped moving. Did you take him down?'

The monster stood there, its mouths open gormlessly. It was kind of slumped, like it very much wanted to collapse but something was keeping it pinned up. In its centre, in the human's torso, was a streak of pure white light. Even from a distance Meliodas could smell the monster, rot and death, and wrinkled his nose.

'No,' said Gowther. 'He's trapped in an illusion. That's my magical power: Invasion. Right now, he's inside an illusion of the distant days he most wanted to return to.'

'You're still the same annoying freak you always were,' said Ban. 'Now stop yapping and kill him already.'

'I'm incapable of killing him.'

'Huh?'

'It isn't as if he made the choice to be born this way. Therefore I cannot kill him.'

Ban scoffed. 'Like there's anyone in this world who gets a say in how they're born. Move it – I'll kill that thing.'

And he raised an arm ready to do just that. But Meliodas grabbed Ban's wrist, holding on tightly.

'Back off,' said Meliodas, warning clear in his voice, glaring up at Ban. 'There's still a part of him that's human inside that thing.'

They glared at each other, neither backing down. A tiny part of Meliodas's mind wondered why [Y/n] wasn't weighing in. He was sure she'd be on his side and yet he hadn't heard anything from her in ages. His ring wasn't cold but there was something odd going on. Like she was determinedly not thinking of anything. But now wasn't the time to think about that.

¾

You were back on your perch, balancing on the very tip of the Boar Hat's roof. The floor, tables and bar hadn't been cleaned, the shelves were as unorganised as they had been at the start of the day and no food preparation had been started. You knew all this and yet you didn't move. You scanned the sea of trees in front of you, searching for any coming threats and for a glimpse of your husband but, even with your eyesight, you couldn't see through solid tree trunks. You sighed.

'Captain sure is late.' Diane's voice drifted up to you. She, too, was staring into the distance. She hugged her knees and you bit your lip. Maybe you should've told her and Elizabeth what was going on.

'Maybe that means he ended up catching something really awesome,' said Hawk.

Your eyes scanned the forest continuously, so focussed that a loud knocking at the door below you made you jump. Drawing your sword, you crouched, ready to descend on the threat. But then you saw who was at the door and smiled. Not the face you most wanted to see, but a welcome one nevertheless.

'Hello! Are you open?' called Cain. 'Every other place seems to be closed for some reason.'

Elizabeth opened the door just as you landed behind Cain.

'Welcome, sir,' said Elizabeth and her eyes widened in recognition. 'You're Cain, aren't you? You and Sir Meliodas fought in Vaizel, isn't that right?'

Just as you opened your mouth to greet your old comrade, Cain said something that made your words and your heart stop.

'My word. Could I be dreaming right now? Liz!'

'Huh?'

Swallowing back the lump in your throat, you laughed. 'Old age finally catching up to you, Barzard?'

The old man jumped and turned to look at you. There were tears at the corners of his eyes and his eyebrows and moustache were trembling. '[Y/n]? You – but what -? Surely you see -?'

'Don't stand in the doorway,' you scolded, pleased to hear your voice wasn't cracking. 'Come inside and have something to drink. That is why you're here, right?'

'Well, yes, but -'

You pushed Cain over the threshold, ignoring his continued stammers. Elizabeth watched with a bemused smile as you guided Cain over to the bar and onto a stool. 'Can you take his drink order for me, Elizabeth? I really should get some food started.'

'Oh, of course,' said Elizabeth and hurried over.

With one last smile, you ducked into the kitchen. Your heart was beating too fast and your palms were sweating. You had to focus. Meliodas couldn't know anything was wrong, not while he was in the middle of such a battle. You could handle this.

¾

'It's said that close friends often fight. Is that the case here?' No matter his questions, Gowther always managed to sound disinterested in the answer.

'I don't think it's a fight,' said King.

'It's said that friendship is a beautiful thing. Is it?'

'Excuse me?'

Meliodas gripped Ban's wrist tighter and didn't let up his glare.

Ban huffed an unamused laugh. The weapon held in the hand Meliodas wasn't disarming began to glow. 'Don't go ordering me around.'

With a flick of his wrist, Ban sent his weapon to the monster. It buried itself into the human's chest and emerged in a spray of blood. In its grip was the man's heart.

Meliodas gasped.

¾

'I see, so Meliodas survived? I'm so glad to hear that.'

You listened to Elizabeth and Cain's conversation from the kitchen. Your hands were only shaking a little bit and you knew no one would notice the slight tremble if you emerged now, but you stayed to chop up some carrots so as to not arouse suspicion. One more. Then you'd go out.

'Here,' said Elizabeth. There was a dull thunk as she served Cain his drink.

'I'm sorry about this. I hate to trouble you, Princess.'

'It's fine.'

There was a moment of silence as Cain drank. You wiped your hands on a cloth and walked out to the bar, stopping just in the doorway and leaning on the frame. There was a strange sense of déjà vu as you watched Elizabeth and Cain talk.

'Still, I was surprised when I saw you,' said Cain. 'Your noble features and soft voice are so like hers. I really thought that Liz had come back to life.'

'There's not many things in this world that are impossible,' you said, stepping forwards and drawing the attention of the two people in front of you, 'but seeing the Liz that you knew might be one of them.'

'I'm sorry, [Y/n], I didn't know you could hear. We can talk about something else if you'd like.'

You smiled wanly and hopped up onto the counter. 'Nah, it's fine. It's nice to talk about Liz with someone who knew her.'

Cain returned you smile with a gentle one of his own. 'If that girl were still alive, she'd be a woman in her prime by now.'

Yes, she would. You looked down at your hands and pictured it. Your Liz all grown up.

'Oh, was she your daughter by any chance?' Elizabeth's voice cut through your thoughts. You looked up quickly but she was looking at Cain.

Cain shook his head. 'Liz was her nickname. She had the same name as you – Elizabeth.'

'What?'

'She was always with [Y/n] and Meliodas. The three of them were a family. Even though she was taller and looked older it was like ... it was like Liz was their daughter.'

Elizabeth gasped. She looked at you, meeting your eye. You licked your lips and spoke. 'Liz was a knight from an enemy nation who bungled a night raid on Danafall. She was captured and sentenced to death.'

You could imagine it all so clearly in your head. Liz's defiant glare, the curled lips of the Holy Knights who surrounded her.

Seeming to notice you couldn't go on, Cain picked up the story. 'And the one who came to her rescue was none other than Meliodas, who was the captain of Danafall's Holy Knights then. Naturally, the others shouted out their objections.'

'"If so, then that makes all of you my enemy",' you imitated Meliodas's perky voice and shook your head. 'That's what he said.'

'You were there, [Y/n]?' Elizabeth's voice was soft.

'No.' You shook your head. 'I wasn't on duty that day. I was at the market. Lucky I stocked up because when I got home there was an extra mouth to feed.'

¾

There was a strange feeling in the air. You tried to ignore it as you weaved through the busy market, picking up the food you needed. Meliodas said he wanted to cook tonight so you made sure to get extra as he would inevitably ruin everything he got his hands on. Even though you weren't in uniform – hooray for days off – everyone treated you respectfully. They knew who you were. And they knew who your boyfriend was.

Finally you couldn't fit anything more into your baskets. So you set off back home. The strange feeling grew stronger. It couldn't be ... You began to walk faster, your superior reflexes the only thing that managed to save the potatoes from falling.

'Oi, Meliodas,' you shouted upon reaching the front door. 'Get the door, would you?'

In the time it took you to blink, the door was open. Meliodas looked at you and there was all that emotion swirling in his eyes. Your emotions were bubbling inside you like a stew that had been left on the stove too long and you had to stop yourself from dropping all the food on the floor and leaping into your house.

'Welcome home.' Meliodas leaned in and kissed your cheek before taking one of the baskets. 'We have a guest.'

'Oh?' You followed him in. 'Who's that then?'

And then you saw her. She was standing awkwardly in the corner, a scowl on her face. Her hair was red and short, but everything else was the same. She was wearing armour you recognised as being from one of Danafall's enemy.

'[Y/n] meet Elizabeth. Elizabeth this is [Y/n], my girlfriend,' said Meliodas, waving a hand between you two.

'I told you not to call me that – wait. Did you say girlfriend?' said Liz. 'How did a shorty like you get a girlfriend?'

You laughed as Meliodas pouted. 'What would you like to be called then?'

The girl folded her arms and looked off to the side. You thought she wasn't going to say anything but then she said quietly, 'Liz.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you, Liz.' You smiled gently as Liz glanced at you then away again quickly. 'There's a spare room if you want to take that heavy armour off. I assume you're staying for dinner?'

'Of course she's staying for dinner,' Meliodas butted in before Liz could answer.

'Then you're not cooking.'

'What?'

'She'll never stay if she has to eat your food on the first night.'

'You're so mean.'

You turned and Liz was still there, watching you and Meliodas with a slightly cocked head. 'Oh, I'm sorry. Here, let me show you the way.'

You beckoned and Liz followed you up the stairs, still looking around warily. Your chest tightened and you felt the urge to find whoever had made her feel this way and give them a good smack with a sword but fought it down with the knowledge that she was here at last.

'Um, how long have you and Meliodas been together?' Liz asked so quietly you thought you'd imagined it. 'If you don't mind me asking.'

'Sometimes it feels like thousands of years.' You laughed and walked into the spare room. Liz didn't follow, hovering uncomfortably in the doorway. You sat on the bed and smiled softly. 'And sometimes it feels like no time at all.'

It was quiet for a moment before you stood up suddenly. 'I'd better get back down there,' you said, 'otherwise he'll do something irreversible to the food.' You paused on your way out the room and looked back at Liz who was now staring at the room in wonder. 'I hope you will be happy here, Liz.'

And she smiled a tiny smile.

'You are so naïve.' Liz was arguing with Meliodas.

'You think so?' asked Meliodas as he put the plates of food on the table. You wiped the kitchen counters down before heading to your seat at the table.

'Don't give me that! I'm still not convinced you didn't do this just to get my body,' said Liz. 'Touch me and I'll beat you to death.'

Meliodas smirked. 'Don't get so worked up. The only woman I touch is this one.'

Your fork stopped halfway to your mouth. He was touching you. He was touching your chest. In front of Liz. You smacked his hands away.

'Idiot,' you shouted. 'There's a time and a place.'

A laugh burst from Liz's mouth. She stopped it quickly and it sounded as if she hadn't laughed much before. But it was a lovely laugh.

Acting like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened, Meliodas sat down and picked up his fork. 'Let's have dinner.'

¾

Sometime during your and Cain's story, Elizabeth had sat down on the stool next to Cain.

'It turned out that Liz had been sold as a slave to that enemy nation,' said Cain. 'Because of that, she didn't trust anyone but herself. But maybe that's what you'd call a fateful encounter. Even as she complained bitterly that he was a naïve man, Liz gradually grew more comfortable around everyone, especially Meliodas and [Y/n]. She was a girl who had an uncommon charm herself. And the rest of us began opening up to her. Of course, that was from a time long past.'

As Cain spoke, the memories drifted across your mind like clouds across the sky. It was bittersweet as you remembered Liz laughing with the guards, messing with Meliodas and doing all the drills. And smiling.

'I can't believe she thought he was naïve,' said Elizabeth. 'Sir Meliodas is just very ... very kind, that's all.'

You imagined what look he would have on his face would be if Meliodas had heard that and huffed out a laugh. Cain laughed too, but probably for a different reason because he said, 'Do you know the reason why he won't carry a decent sword around with him?'

Elizabeth shook her head.

'He's too powerful. No one who's crossed swords with him has lived to tell the tale – apart from [Y/n] of course – and he doesn't like to put himself in that position. At the same time, though, I also think that he can be too gentle a soul.' Cain rummaged in his cloak and pulled out -

You choked. 'That sword!' You jumped up and reached for it with a trembling hand. 'How did you -? I though it -?'

Elizabeth looked at you and then at the sword. You tried to imagine it from her eyes, just an object, just another weapon that was perhaps shorter than most, its scabbard tastefully decorated. You couldn't. This wasn't just a sword.

'What is that?' asked Elizabeth, eyes flitting between you, Cain and the sword that Cain had placed on the counter.

'It's something Liz once tried to give Meliodas as a gift,' said Cain.

¾

'I want to do something nice for Meliodas,' said Liz suddenly one day.

You looked up at her from the armour you were polishing. 'Huh? Why?'

Liz blushed. 'Well, to say sorry for how I treated him at first and to say thank you for everything and ... I dunno ... I feel like it's the right time to give him a present, you know?'

You watched the girl fidget and smiled. 'Do you need any help?'

'You don't think it's weird?' she asked. 'Most people are getting their father's presents around this time of year but I don't have a father. I don't have anyone, really, apart from you and Meliodas. That's weird, right?'

'It's not weird at all,' you said. 'So, what can I do to help? Do you have anything in mind?'

'Well, yes, but,' Liz stammered, fidgeting again and blushing. 'Can you distract him for me? So it's a proper surprise?'

You beamed. 'No problem.'

'[Y/n]! [Y/n], wait!'

You turned and saw Liz hurrying towards you, something clutched behind her back.

'Ooo, is that the present?' you asked.

Liz's head bobbed up and down in a nervous nod. 'Do you mind if I show you? Just in case you think he'll hate it?'

'Sure.'

And, with a flourish, Liz revealed what she was holding. It was a sword. You stared at it blankly.

'Meliodas never has a sword. And the man at the stand said this was a really good one. And you're not saying anything. It's terrible, isn't it? I'll just go and return it.'

You snagged Liz's sleeve as she turned. 'It's beautiful, Liz. I'm sure he's going to love it.'

She smiled.

It was the big day. Liz asked you to come along. 'I wouldn't miss it for the world,' you said.

So now here you were, peeking out from behind a wall as Liz waited for Meliodas to turn up. You were too far away to hear what they were saying, but you could see perfectly. And what you saw was Meliodas turning away from Liz, not accepting the sword. You saw Liz's puzzled, hurt face.

You knew there was a chance this would happen.

Meliodas walked off in one direction. Liz stood still for a moment and you started towards her but then she ran, clutching the sword to her chest.

¾

Guess she must've run to Cain, you thought.

'So I accepted it for him,' said Cain, proving your hypothesis true. 'And I've been holding onto it ever since.'

Your thoughts shifted to Meliodas. He was still fighting but he wasn't in trouble. You hoped your thoughts were still guarded. They must be, seeing as he hasn't burst into the room.

¾

The monster fell to its knees. Ban jerked his wrist from Meliodas's grasp and Meliodas let him go.

'Ban, why'd you have to kill him?' Meliodas glared at his best friend.

'All I did was bring the curtain down on the crappy life of some guy who turned into a monster,' said Ban. 'Trust me, I did him a favour.'

'WHAT?'

His anger rushed through him so fast and so suddenly, Meliodas managed to break through [Y/n]'s careful block. But, distracted as he was by his rage and Ban and what was happening in front of him, Meliodas only had time to notice her shock and one word before [Y/n] had blocked him out again.

Liz.

Now thoroughly distracted in more ways than one, it was King's shout that brought Meliodas back to the matter at hand.

'Both of you, look!'

Meliodas's head whipped around and he gasped. The human's mouth was moving, quiet garbled noises barely reaching Meliodas's ears.

'I think he's whispering something,' said King.

'Even though his heart's been gouged out, he's still seeing the illusion that I gave him,' said Gowther.

The man mumbled to himself for a few more seconds and then stopped. His head lolled forwards, lifeless. The monster roared. The force of its yell whipped around Meliodas and the others, pushing back their hair and clothes. Meliodas watched grimly.

'What the hell is this?' Ban's eyes were wide. 'I know I ripped his heart out ... damn it! So he's a demon too?'

¾

Still reeling from Meliodas's sudden burst of anger, the wave of magical power took you completely by surprise. You knew what it was, of course, but still. Now you understood why Meliodas didn't want Elizabeth anywhere near it.

'What was that?' Diane's voice reached your ears.

'I can sense an unbelievable amount of magical power,' said Cain. He hopped off his stool and sped out the door. 'I'm stepping out for a look. You wait here, princess! [Y/n] will protect you.'

You tutted as the door slammed. It was obvious you would protect Elizabeth. Wherever she was, whatever she decided to do, you would be by her side. So what would she decide to do?

Elizabeth was staring at the sword with a blank, faraway look in her eye. 'What should we do?'

'Well, what do you want to do?' You put a hand on your hip and fixed Elizabeth with the hardest gaze you could manage.

She returned it and nodded once before grabbing the sword off the counter. You snatched up your own sword and followed her out of the bar.

Outside, everything was crazy. Animals poured out of the forest like a river. Herds of deer stampeded across the ground. Flocks of birds filled the sky. But you and Elizabeth ignored all of that. You ignored Diane and Cain and Hawk as well.

'[Y/n], can you give me a lift?' asked Elizabeth, clutching Liz's sword with both hands to her chest.

You smirked. 'Thought you'd never ask.' You wrapped your arms around Elizabeth's waist and, in the time it took to blink, you were in the sky.

By the time Diane, Hawk and Cain's cries of shock registered in your brain, you and Elizabeth were far over the trees. You scanned the forest for any sign of where Meliodas and the others could be, using the clear path of the birds to guide your way.

'Don't worry,' you heard Elizabeth whisper, 'we're on our way.'

¾

The monster had four arms, which, in Meliodas's opinion, was a reasonable amount. Perhaps the two stumpy ones on its shoulders wouldn't count in most people's eyes but, as its two other arms split and transformed into two more arms, Meliodas decided that six arms were far too many for anyone's tastes. The monster laughed. Its four heads merged into one but it still had four noses (which was definitely worse that six arms in Meliodas's opinion).

'Why'd a Holy Knight turn into a demon?' Ban decided to ask the question on everybody's mind. 'What's going on?'

The monster's cackle rumbled on and Meliodas finally snagged down an errant thought that had been bugging him for a while now.

'I know him,' he said grimly. 'It's Dale. He became a Holy Knight about ten years ago.'

'Yeah, he was a father,' said King. 'And he always said he wanted to be just like us so his daughter could be proud of him. How'd he end up like this?'

'He's coming,' said Gowther and that was all the warning they got.

The monster charged, its hands balled into fists. It was headed straight for Meliodas, still doing that awful laugh. Meliodas didn't move.

'Hey, Dale,' he shouted, 'you remember me, right? Wake up! Dale!'

The monster drew back a giant fist but Meliodas refused to move. At least until a foot connected to his cheek.

'What are you doing, dumbass?' shouted Ban before he was hit by the fist meant for Meliodas. Ban's torso exploded in a shower of blood and Meliodas gritted his teeth.

'Ban,' Meliodas cried, but before he could get up, King was there.

'Stay down, Captain.' King drew his fingers through the air. 'Let's do this. Fight Fire With Fire!' In its form of hundreds of daggers, Chastiefol sped at the monster. The daggers glowed and they hit dead on but, as the light faded, it became clear they hadn't worked. 'Huh? They didn't get through?'

The monster strained and every dagger fell harmlessly to the floor. It was completely fine.

King scowled and drew back an arm. 'In that case -'

'Stop it, King,' Meliodas shouted up to the fairy.

King faltered. 'But, Captain -'

In the split second of distraction, the monster attacked. It spat a huge green globule right at King. It hit him dead on. King was knocked out of the sky, crying in shock and pain.

'Watch out!' Meliodas cried, far too late to be of any help. He turned to the monster. 'Dale, cut it out, now!'

'There's only one guy who ought to cut it out,' said Ban who had reformed without anyone noticing, 'and that would be you.' And he punched Meliodas square in the face.

'Ban just struck the captain.' Gowther's monotone voice cut through the ringing in Meliodas's ears. 'Why is that?'

Meliodas closed his eyes tightly and tried to stop the world from spinning. He watched as Ban walked up to the monster – to Dale.

'If you're not into this, get the hell out of here,' said Ban without looking at Meliodas. 'A half-assed softy can't save jack. You'll only get us all killed.'

Before anything more could happen, the battle was interrupted by the most unlikely of sources.

'Sir Meliodas!'

¾

Your eyes zeroed in on where Meliodas, Ban, King and Gowther were fighting a grotesque monster. You pushed yourself faster, thankful your procrastination flight had come in useful as a warm-up.

'Elizabeth,' you said, gritting your teeth, 'we're nearly there. I'll drop you as close as I can and then you get the sword to Meliodas. Do you understand?'

'But [Y/n], shouldn't you be the one to give it to him?' she said.

You shook your head and smiled even though she couldn't see. 'Sometimes what makes all the difference is who's giving the present. The right words, the right face, can be the difference between accepting and rejecting.'

'I'm not sure I understand.'

You hummed but couldn't reply because now you were directly over the battle ground. The stench of the monster assaulted your nose even from all the way up in the sky and you coughed. Things weren't looking so good. King was down. Gowther was hanging back, either unwilling or unable to fight, you couldn't tell. There was a strange sort of aura around Ban and Meliodas that couldn't mean anything good.

'You ready?' you asked Elizabeth, chest heaving with anticipation.

She nodded. 'Yes!'

So you drew your wings in tight and plummeted, landing on a cliff overlooking the battlefield. As soon as her feet touched the floor, Elizabeth was running. You followed close behind. You kept your wings ready to shield or fly. But this was Elizabeth's time to shine.

'Sir Meliodas!' she shouted.

Meliodas turned. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of Elizabeth and you winked at him, chest heaving.

'Elizabeth,' he said.

Elizabeth threw the sword. 'Take this!'

It span through the air. You knew he recognised it. The block you had made in your thoughts came crashing down as you and Meliodas watched Liz's sword leave Elizabeth's hands.

'Sir Meliodas, it's not that Liz wanted you to fight, it's that she wanted you to live,' Elizabeth shouted. 'Don't you understand? You're someone who stands up for what he believes in and if that's your sin, then I'll carry that burden with you!'

Tears pricked the corners of your eyes as emotions crashed into your heart like waves. Meliodas stood completely still. You couldn't see his eyes but you could see the colour on his cheeks, the way his lips were slightly parted.

Ban started to say something that was no doubt teasing in nature but Meliodas jumped. He caught the sword in mid-air easily. You sighed in relief and pushed Elizabeth back from the edge, drawing your own sword just in case.

'I hope you can forgive me,' said Meliodas to somebody. He swung the sword so quickly it left trails of light, afterimages burnt into your eyes.

Meliodas landed. The monster groaned and cracked into little pieces. Gross. You shuddered, relieved that, for some reason, the monster seemed to have dried out so it wasn't chunks of wobbly flesh. It just looked like a sculpture made by a really bad sculptor had fallen apart.

Meliodas sheathed his sword and smiled up at you. You let your wings fade away, sheathing you own sword, and felt Elizabeth step up to your side. The two of you grinned down at Meliodas and the others.

Don't think you're off the hook. Meliodas's voice in your head made you jump.

You did tell me to stay with her.

His answering growl was at odds with the cheerful sparkle in his eyes so you knew you weren't in trouble.

'That was amazing, Captain,' said King who was being carried by Gowther.

'Impressive,' said Gowther.

Meliodas's smile slipped from his face. 'Hey, King ... sorry, man.'

King smiled. 'No problem; I can take it.'

'Yeah, I knew you could pull it off, Captain.' You could see Ban's smirk from all the way up on the cliff. Then he noticed something.

You looked down at what had caught his attention and your stomach lurched. In the chunks of monster was the torso of a human man. There was a hole in his chest where his heart should have been and a strange growth just below that. Ban picked up the little thing and surveyed it with blank eyes.

'Gross.' You shuddered and looked at Elizabeth. 'Want to go and take a look?'

'Ah, not really,' said Elizabeth.

You laughed and turned away, ready to find a way off the cliff that didn't involve flying or falling, when a strange zinging noise made you look back. Gowther had shot the thing in Ban's hand with a light arrow to read its thoughts.

Hendrickson. Meliodas's voice was cold.

You gasped and stumbled. Elizabeth turned to you, concerned, so you hitched a smile onto your face. There was a wet squishing noise and you knew Ban must have killed the thing.

'I'm getting hungry. Let's head back.' You heard Ban say as you followed Elizabeth through the trees.

It wasn't long before you found the way down. Meliodas and Ban walked up to you and Elizabeth, King bobbing along in their wake.

'Thanks to you two, my mind's clear,' saidMeliodas. 'Let's go! We've got a battle to fight.'