There's a time and a place for marvelling at the wonder of the brain. It's not when you're flying over a city that's being attacked while searching for someone you love who was taken by a half-demon asshole. But that's what you were doing. Because, as your eyes scanned the ground for any sign of Elizabeth and Hendrickson, you were busy thinking about the black flames tearing up and down your arm and the words spoken in Ban's voice that were bouncing around inside your head.

'Hey, Captain. So I've had this suspicion for a while and I've done my damndest not to ask, but I think that now's the time. You're from the demon race, aren't ya?'

But you blocked it out because you'd found her. And someone you weren't expecting to see.

You landed lightly behind Dreyfus, watching both former Grand Masters with narrowed eyes and doing your best not to listen to what was happening to Meliodas.

'So, you found us already?' said Hendrickson with a slightly mocking tone that you did not care for.

'[Y/n].' Elizabeth gasped.

Without taking your eyes off the knights, you reached out your hand behind you. 'Give it to me.' As soon as Elizabeth placed the dagger in your hands, you flung it away. 'What were you thinking?' you whispered.

'Lady [Y/n].' Dreyfus's deep voice caught your attention. 'I know you don't trust me and I don't blame you, but please leave Hendrickson to me.'

You scoffed and opened your mouth to say something scathing, but you felt a tugging on your shirt. Elizabeth was grasping the tattered material and trying to pull you backwards. So you rolled your eyes and let her. But you did draw your sword.

'What do you think you're doing?' said Hendrickson.

'Hendrickson, I'm the one to blame for changing you so drastically and for bringing this unimaginable chaos to the kingdom. Therefore, I will atone for these wrongs here and now by righting them myself.' Dreyfus ended his little speech by shifting into an attacking stance.

The black markings on Hendrickson's skin began to writhe. 'Do you honestly believe you have the power to stop me?' Hendrickson lifted his sword too.

You pushed Elizabeth further behind you, noticing as you did that the flames on your left arm had flickered out. But, as much as you wanted to check in on your husband, you didn't let your attention waver.

'Yes,' said Dreyfus. 'I will defeat you no matter the cost. I vow as a Holy Knight of Liones and I give you my word as your friend.'

They began to fight. Hendrickson dodged Dreyfus's first swing and ducked under his guard to knock an elbow into Dreyfus's jaw. Dreyfus didn't even flinch, instead ramming the butt of his sword into Hendrickson's chest.

You stayed back, only shifting as the two fighters moved, making sure you were always between them and Elizabeth. She let out little gasps every now and then as blows landed and you wanted to comfort her somehow but didn't know how.

You found Elizabeth right? Meliodas's voice in your head was exhausted.

Yes.

Tell me where you are.

I have no idea.

Meliodas groaned.

Look, you said, everything is in ruins and I'm kind of preoccupied.

Yeah yeah. Hawk will find you guys.

I think we're at the Magical Research Build – oh. He had fallen asleep.

The ground rumbled and you looked around wildly. Dreyfus and Hendrickson were still fighting. Their swords clashed, sparks flying. Over the sound of screeching metal, you heard Hendrickson laughing. Dreyfus grunted and knocked Hendrickson back.

'Silken Skewer,' Dreyfus shouted. A beam of light shot from his sword. Hendrickson dodged and the attack hit the stones behind him. Dreyfus gasped.

Hendrickson jumped and attacked from behind. 'Acid Down.'

A giant purple dome of some sort formed over Dreyfus. It burned your eyes and your throat.

'Grand Master Dreyfus,' said Elizabeth. She stepped forwards but you forced her back.

Up in the air, Hendrickson sniggered. But it wasn't a very long snigger because something tore through his chest. Coughing up blood, Hendrickson fell back to the ground with a grunt.

'Have you forgotten, Hendrickson?' Dreyfus's voice spoke from inside the purple dome. 'Just like my will, my body won't tarnish, decay, nor will it perish. Even with all the force of your magical powers.' Through the wall of Hendrickson's magical power, the shape of Dreyfus walking closer rippled before solidifying.

Hendrickson got to his feet with a groan. 'Impressive as ever, Dreyfus. It really is a shame.' He spread his arms wide. The hole in his chest knitted itself back together. 'I wanted to have you as a friend until the very end.'

When he finished speaking, it was like Hendrickson had never been injured. Elizabeth gasped. You narrowed your eyes.

'That ability to regenerate,' said Dreyfus, now free from the spell. 'Your strange appearance ... Using the power of an unnatural existence, are we? How far you've fallen, Hendrickson.' Dreyfus sword began to glow again, crackling with power. You pushed Elizabeth back a few steps. 'Now die! Star Breaker!'

The light grew brighter. You lifted a hand to shield your eyes.

'No, I don't think so,' said Hendrickson. He reached out a hand. A dark sphere formed in his palm. 'From where I sit, humans are less significant than insects scurrying in the dirt.'

The sphere grew. The light grew.

And, with defiant yells, Dreyfus and Hendrickson launched their attacks.

They tore through the ground.

And collided.

Light. Light. Light.

A tiny gasp.

BOOM.

There was something moving on your head. You reached up to brush it away and flinched as a sharp pain cut through you. In front of you was a red blob. You blinked. It was your hand, covered in blood. Blood from a wound on your head. Strange. You blinked again and everything around you began to focus.

There was dust in the air, slowly clearing. And Elizabeth was ... Elizabeth was ... Where was Elizabeth?

Shallow panting reached your ears. You turned quickly, ignoring the protests of you head. Elizabeth was on the floor. She was bleeding. Wait. What?

As you watched, the red stain on her stomach grew. It pooled onto the floor. Her eyes weren't bright. Her breaths were too ragged. You had to do something. Quick.

You dragged yourself to her side. Come on. Do something.

'Use this,' said a voice and then something was being pressed into your hands. Dreyfus. A handkerchief.

You pressed the material to Elizabeth's wound. It was turning red. Soaking up blood. Your hands were becoming sticky from it. You applied more pressure. Elizabeth sucked in a breath through her teeth.

Sorry. Blood. Sorry. Red. Sorry.

'Don't,' said Dreyfus. 'I'm the one who should be apologising.'

You blinked. Had you been saying that out loud? You realised you still were and pressed your lips together.

'My, what a pity,' said another voice. A cold voice. 'I better take her away before that blood dries up, huh?'

Take her away? No. No. He can't. We just got back together. She can't go yet. It was supposed to be different this time.

'It's over, Hendrickson.' Dreyfus's shout rattled your skull.

His presence was gone from your side. You barely noticed. The red was still spreading. You had to heal her.

But you can't, said a snide little voice.

I have to try, you said back.

A light began to glow on your fingers. And then disappeared. You tried again. It disappeared. You threw the blood-soaked rag to one side with a frustrated shout and held both your hands over Elizabeth's wound. You gritted your teeth.

The light flickered on your finger. Come on. It began to grow. That's it. The blood on Elizabeth was fading. Her hand twitched.

Something collided with your side. The light disappeared. The sky and ground switched places once, twice, three times before you skidded to a stop. You coughed and sat up slowly, your head spinning again.

Hendrickson was standing over Elizabeth.

'Don't,' you tried to shout, but your voice wasn't working.

'Dirty Goddess,' said Hendrickson with a look of disgust. 'I'm going to kill you next. But first there's something you need to see.' He walked over to Dreyfus who was lying on the ground twitching feebly. Hendrickson hauled Dreyfus to his feel and placed a hand on Dreyfus's chest. 'Now melt away.'

Heat waves distorted the air around them. But not enough. Because you could still see Dreyfus. You saw the pain in his eyes. You saw his skin dry into flakes before drifting into the air. You saw Hendrickson's soft smile. And you saw Dreyfus's armour fall to the ground empty. Bile rose in your throat.

'Piggy trot, piggy trot, piggy trot.' A familiar voice grew louder and louder.

You blinked and Hawk had appeared. Meliodas was on his back.

'Oh,' you said quietly with no idea who you were speaking to. 'Meliodas is here now.'

Meliodas climbed off Hawk slowly. He was covered with blood and his clothes were barely hanging together. In one hand he still held Liz's sword. You watched blankly as he surveyed the scene.

'Dreyfus,' said Meliodas when he spotted the former Grand Master's still-smoking armour. His eyes met yours and widened slightly. You tried to remember how to greet someone you loved. You blinked at him. No, that's not right. Then Meliodas spotted Elizabeth and gasped.

'Elizabeth!' Hawk shouted.

Meliodas began to walk forwards. Hendrickson walked to meet him.

'I was born a sage of the forest,' said Hendrickson, 'a Druid who worships nature and the Goddesses and despises the Demons. From the moment I laid eyes upon you, I vaguely sensed it. There was an intense, ominous magical power writhing deep inside you. I could sense [Y/n]'s power too, of course. The complete opposite of yours, just as strong but lighter. I often wondered how she could stand to be around you, to love you as she did. But then I knew. She admired your power as I do and feared it too. As I did. Because now I have the same abilities you have!'

Meliodas blurred. In a blink he had dodged around Hendrickson and scooped up Elizabeth. Another blink and he had carried her back to Hawk.

'Elizabeth,' he murmured. 'I'll end this fast. And when it's over, we can run the tavern again, okay?' And then he said louder, 'Hawk, can you take her with you?'

'Right,' said Hawk as Meliodas carefully draped Elizabeth over Hawk's back.

'What are you planning?' said Hendrickson, watching Meliodas with narrowed eyes.

But Meliodas ignored him again. You blinked and Meliodas was in front of you, cupping your cheek in his hand.

'She's alive, [Y/n],' he said. 'You saved her.'

You blinked. 'I did?'

'Yeah. So stand up. We need to fulfil our promises.'

His eyes were burning with a strong, righteous light. It made you wonder what your eyes looked like. You wanted them to be strong like his. So you nodded. And you stood.

You turned to look at Elizabeth and saw, even though she was unconscious, her chest was rising and falling steadily. This wasn't like last time.

'Please look after her, Hawk,' you said to the pig.

'I'll be as speedy and safe as possible,' was Hawk's reply. It made you smile.

'Now get going,' said Meliodas.

And, with a clatter of trotters on stone, Hawk and Elizabeth were gone.

Hendrickson scoffed. 'As if I'd let you leave.' He raised his hand.

And suddenly his arm was no longer attached.

Meliodas had leapt and cut it off. Hendrickson's eyes widened as his blood splattered. Before he could do anything, you were there, kicking him in the jaw. Hendrickson grunted and stumbled. You smiled again.

Hendrickson turned, quickly recovered, swiping his sword in a wide arc. Meliodas deflected it and retaliated with a knee to Hendrickson's face. You went at Hendrickson with your sword, attacking fast. He parried and dodged and then Meliodas was attacking too. You both fought Hendrickson, switching position easily, with no visible indication as to who would be attacking where. It was almost like you had been fighting together for more than three thousand years. Hendrickson was still managing to evade your attacks. Most of them. Little cuts opened on his body. He hissed every time a sword nicked him.

You were pushed back and, just before you re-joined the battle, movement caught your eye.

Hendrickson's severed arm was moving. Its fingers contracted, black flames flickering. Before it could launch them after Elizabeth and Hawk, you flung a wave of light. Your power hit the arm and it flew up up into the air, spinning slightly.

Something struck your face.

You reeled back and Hendrickson stood over you, glaring.

'You little bitch,' he snarled. 'I should've killed you long since.'

You spat out blood and smiled up at him. 'You really should've.'

He raised his sword and you stabbed at his leg. Hendrickson stomped on your blade but then stumbled forwards as Meliodas slammed into his back. You rolled out the way.

'You shouldn't underestimate me,' said Hendrickson with a smirk as, once again, the three of you were locked in a flurry of blows and counters.

'Well I could say the same to you too,' said Meliodas calmly.

You saw them again, the black flames, speeding in the same direction Hawk had run. But this time you couldn't do anything. Or rather, this time you didn't have to do anything. Because they were coming.

You heard Hawk scream. Then there was a clang. And a giant boom.

The next thing you knew, there was a warm arm wrapped around your waist. You opened your eyes and blinked groggily. Ban was smiling at you.

'Oh, thanks, Ban,' you mumbled, wondering when the ground had started spinning and hoping it would stop soon.

Ban smirked. And looked down. You followed his line of sight. Ban had caught Meliodas by the ankle and your husband was dangling over an enormous hole that had opened in the ground. As you watched, Meliodas groaned and opened his eyes.

'Wassup, Captain?' said Ban, still smirking. 'You all right?'

Meliodas grinned.

Ban put you down gently and dumped Meliodas on the floor.

'Where's Hendrickson gone?' you asked, looking around.

'He's down there,' said King, pointing to the ground far below. You stared down, seeing a jagged fissure carved through the rock and assumed that Hendrickson's journey to the ground had not been a pleasant one. Good.

'He's still alive, though,' said Gowther. 'In fact, I estimate he should be regaining consciousness any second now.'

'Then we'd better get down there,' said Meliodas.

The six of you jumped.

We need a solid plan to defeat him, said Meliodas as you fell.

It would be useful.

You know that would work, right?

You shot him a look. And you know I hate your plans, right?

Meliodas snickered.

We're gonna need Gowther so we can coordinate, you said thoughtfully.

So we are doing my plan?

You rolled your eyes. I'm never telling you this again so listen closely. You're list of plans that have worked is longer than the one of plans that have failed.

Meliodas laughed aloud. Ban, Diane and King looked at him like he was crazy.

You all landed just in front of where Hendrickson was stirring among the rubble. True to Gowther's prediction, the former Grand Master was just trying to get up.

'The Seven Deadly Sins,' Hendrickson said. He leant forwards a bit. 'Well, I must admit I'm extremely honoured and humbled that the legendary Sins have graced me with their presence.' He stood up and sneered. 'And more.'

He looked far too happy to be surrounded by every able Holy Knight. Gilthunder was there, as was Guila, Howzer, the knights you recognised as the Roars of Dawn and plenty others besides. Hendrickson was cornered. And still he smirked.

'These are the Holy Knights of Liones,' said Meliodas with his own grin. 'But they're not after any of us this time. They're here to stop you from escaping.'

'We've wiped out all the demons from the capital too.' You detected a hint of smugness in King's voice as he said that.

A mad smile twisted Hendrickson's face. And he laughed. It raised the hairs on the back of your neck. Hendrickson's eyes were deranged, his cackle unhinged. 'Well if you didn't, what fun would this be? I'm not sure how you managed to rid the city of all that scum in such a short amount of time, but excellent all the same, Seven Deadly Sins. However' –Hendrickson's severed arm came out of nowhere and reattached itself– 'you can't defeat me.'

The only sound was a metallic swish. And then a wet thud. Meliodas had chopped Hendrickson's arm off again.

'Oh yeah?' said Meliodas. He wasn't smiling anymore.

Hendrickson's arm reattached and he slammed a punch into Meliodas's jaw. Meliodas used the force to spin, his sword cutting into Hendrickson's torso. For a moment, Hendrickson was cut open, three wide gashes on his chest and stomach, but then the wounds closed. The darkness shifted and twisted over Hendrickson's body.

'Try again,' said Hendrickson.

Meliodas stepped back and jumped just as Hendrickson swung.

'No you don't,' Hendrickson snarled, whirling to look up at Meliodas. But what he saw instead was King and all the daggers of Chastiefol pointed straight at him.

The daggers flew and landed, each one piercing Hendrickson. As you watched, they burrowed deeper, one digging straight into his eye. Your stomach turned.

'Let yourself be killed at least four times,' said King, surveying Hendrickson with cold eyes. 'If you don't, he'll rip me a new one.'

Hendrickson strained. Veins rose. He started to yell and, as the furious sound reached its crescendo, the daggers were all flung free. They were pushed back, twinkling like metal rain. King flew back too, looking vaguely affronted.

'I'm invincible in this state,' said Hendrickson with a sneer.

The ground heaved like something was tunnelling underneath it. With huge bangs, two hands burst free of the ground. They were giant and made of dirt and stone.

'Wait, what's this?' asked Hendrickson, looking around. You were pleased to see he finally looked worried.

'Invincible or not, I'm never gonna rest until I can take you out once and for all,' Diane shouted. She gritted her teeth and spun Gideon behind her so fast clouds of dust started to rise. And then she swung. 'Double Hammer!'

The hands moved, smashing into Hendrickson. He was crushed between them. Or you thought he was.

As the dust cleared, you could see Hendrickson forcing the hands back. He was (still) smirking, but his arms were trembling from the strength of Diane's attack.

He's weakening, you pointed out.

Oh yeah.

'A girl whose only asset is size,' said Hendrickson. 'You didn't actually expect that move to work on me, did you?'

The smirk slid off Hendrickson's face like it was melting. His arms faltered and the giant hands squeezed tighter.

'What the –?' Hendrickson grunted as he was slowly crushed.

'Since you're new, think maybe I should fill you in on a little something,' said Meliodas, watching the scene with a hard face. 'It's true that demonic power has the ability to heal wounds, but unless you're immortal, you retain the damage.' Meliodas leapt. He sped through the air at Hendrickson, his sword at the ready. Hendrickson's eyes widened. 'How many times now have you regenerated yourself?'

Meliodas swung. His sword cut through the hands, reducing them to rubble. And he cut through Hendrickson as well.

'Combined attack. Metal Crush!'

You dragged your eyes away from the battle and tugged on Gowther's sleeve. He looked at you and you beckoned him down. Gowther bent a little and you began to whisper in his ear. It didn't take long to explain what needed to be explained. Gowther nodded and stood up straight once again.

'Geez,' said Ban as he appeared at your side. 'Looks like those two are totally fired up, aren't they?'

'And conversely, you're totally nonchalant, huh, Ban?' Gowther pointed out.

You giggled. 'Not as much as you are, Gowther.'

'What she said.' Ban rolled his eyes. 'But, now that you mention it, even you're acting suspiciously indifferent, [Y/n].'

You grinned at him. 'I'm just having a little chat with my buddy.' And you wrapped your arms around Gowther.

Ban scowled.

'Jealous, Ban?' asked Gowther blandly.

'As if.' Ban scoffed. 'Now it may be the fact that I'm a teensy bit late to the party, but how the hell did Hendrickson get that kind of power all of a sudden?'

You frowned. You had reservations about how much you should tell Ban.

'Based on what I learned from Guila, he's been studying and experimenting with demon corpses for several years now,' said Gowther, who had no such reservations.

Ban narrowed his eyes. 'You've gotta be kidding me.'

Hendrickson was suddenly flying towards you after being kicked by Meliodas. It was an effective way to stop the conversation. Especially as Ban didn't dodge in time and was struck by Hendrickson. Ban hit the rocky wall behind you with an earth-shaking crash.

'Glancing away during a battle could be your undoing, Ban,' said Gowther in (what you hoped was, but gave no indication as to being) a friendly manner.

Ban was now just a pair of legs. They twitched slightly.

You flew up and poked one cautiously. 'You good, Ban?'

With a spray of rock, Ban pulled his head free. You gasped. His eyes were wild. Pain. Fear. Sorrow. And then they glazed over. Ban hitched a lazy smile onto his face and hopped back down to the ground. But he hadn't hidden it well. You had seen the deep anger burning in the back of his eyes.

So, as Ban confronted Hendrickson, you looked through the jagged hole Ban's head had made.

You fell a few feet.

What is it, [Y/n]? Meliodas's voice was urgent.

But you couldn't say. You didn't want to say. And then you didn't have to.

Because something that looked like Hendrickson was thrown through the air and collided with the rock. The wall fell. A great crash. And, as the dust cleared, everyone could see what Hendrickson had been hiding.

It was a face you hadn't seen in years. A face you'd never forget, with skin a deep, blood red. Even in death, its lips were curved in a sinister smile, revealing rows of jagged teeth. Its eyes were empty, black holes carved into its face.

Hendrickson began to laugh, a sinister chucklethat crept across the ground. He got to his feet. 'This creature here is thesource of it all.'