The light had disappeared. Elizabeth stared at the unmoving bodies of [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas and tried not to freak out too much. Every now and then, their faces would twitch. But their eyes remained closed. Elizabeth knew if she tried to talk to them, they wouldn't answer. They wouldn't even hear her call. The thought made her shiver.

'Lady Zaneri,' Elizabeth said, 'I don't understand. Why are they acting so strangely?'

'This is the Tower of Trials,' said Lady Zaneri.

Elizabeth stared at her. 'The Tower of Trials? Is this the one to find out if they can get their power back?'

Lady Zaneri nodded. 'Right now, both Meliodas and [Y/n] are being tested to see if their souls are worthy of receiving the power taken from them.'

'Oh I see.' Elizabeth had faith they would pass the tests, but what if ...? She hurried closer to Lady Zaneri. 'Is it hard to restore someone's power once it's been removed?'

'Not really,' said Lady Zaneri, putting a hand on her hip. 'The issue is what happens after it's restored.'

Oh. Was Lady Zaneri scared of what Sir Meliodas would do? Or perhaps [Y/n]? Elizabeth's frown deepened.

Another light began to glow. This one was not as bright as the one that had taken Sir Meliodas and [Y/n], and it faded quicker. A golden goblet landed in Lady Zaneri's palm with a light metallic clink that rang in the open space. The Druid Chief brought it over to Elizabeth. Elizabeth just stared at it.

'Elizabeth, I'm giving you this as your trial,' said Lady Zaneri, holding out the goblet.

'It's just a goblet.'

'Not exactly. It's what's in the goblet. A diseased flower seed has been planted in this soil. Neither water nor light can make it bud now.'

Elizabeth reached out and took the goblet. It was cold. She stared at the soil blankly.

'Try to make it bloom.'

'Are you serious?' Elizabeth stammered.

Lady Zaneri looked as impassive as ever. 'It should be rather simple. If druid blood flows within you veins, they you should definitely have the power to heal. If you can't even do this, then you'll never hold you own in battle.'

Even though the Druid Chief's face remained blank, her eyes staring into Elizabeth's were cold. There was a challenge in them. And something akin to disdain.

Elizabeth gripped the goblet tighter. 'I accept and I'll do my best.'

—

The streets of Danafall were just like you remembered. Even the smells in the air and the sound of three pairs of feet on the cobblestones were overwhelmingly familiar. Zaneri had really done a good job.

Meliodas walked calmly on the other side of Liz with his arms behind his head. He looked completely nonchalant. You didn't have your ring to rely on to know his thoughts or feelings, but you didn't need it. You could see the tightness of his eyes and the tenseness in his shoulders. The corners of his lips were turned down ever so slightly.

Your eyes flickered from Meliodas to Liz and your throat started to close up. As you walked, you linked your arm with hers. She was so warm. Your eyes started to prickle.

'What's up?' said Liz, looking down at you. 'You're being weirdly clingy.'

You laughed lightly but didn't let her go. 'I guess I just missed you.'

Liz rolled her eyes. 'I saw you this morning.'

'Yeah, [Y/n],' said Meliodas with a cheeky grin that didn't reach his eyes.

You stuck your tongue out at him before mumbling softly to yourself, 'She feels so real.'

'What?' Liz stopped abruptly. 'Did you say I feel real?'

'Er.' Whoops. 'No?'

Liz unhooked her arm from yours (you didn't want to let go) and folded them across her chest. 'Okay, you're being really weird.'

'Ha ha,' Meliodas taunted.

'You too, Meliodas.' Liz turned to him. 'What's going on?'

An unexpected saviour came in the form of a large parrot with a necklace in its mouth.

'Ah, hi, Wandle.' You waved as he landed on Meliodas's head.

Wandle squawked. 'Meliodas is a moron.' And, before Meliodas could respond, 'Got anything shiny?'

You caught Liz's eye and grinned. But even as you let out a small giggle, the vice gripping your heart squeezed tighter.

'All right, no more fooling around,' said Liz, still smiling. 'Let's go home.'

Home. Meliodas's face softened slightly and he smiled at you. 'Right,' he said.

And you walked through the streets of Danafall with Wandle leading the way. The three of you. Together.

What's the point in an illusion like this? you wondered as you set a bowl of salad on the table. Don't know how they pulled it off, but it really does feel like I'm back. You breathed in the smell of fresh cooked food and ran your fingers along the smooth wooden grain of the table. Incredibly realistic.

A warm hand covered your own. You looked into Meliodas's eyes. That feeling had never changed. Not in over three thousand years. His face was soft again, content. You tangled your fingers with his, leant your head on his shoulder and watched Liz joke with Wandle as she finished cooking the stew.

Time passed. Smiles and laughter and conversation. Wandle eating noisily. All of you together. As it should be. The warm feeling grew and the tightness in your chest lessened. Maybe Liones and the Ten Commandments' revival was the illusion. Because how could it be this? When you hugged Liz, drew her in close, you could feel her heartbeat, solid and steady. When Meliodas wrapped his arms around the both of you, you could feel his hearts too. And Liz smelt the same. And the rain was the same.

Wait. Rain?

The pain in your chest was back. Sharper. You pulled back from Liz to look down and saw a ragged hole just under and to the left of your sternum. Oh. In your arms, Liz became limp. Her breath in your ears was unsteady. Or maybe that was yours. You tried to hold her tighter, to get a grip on the cold metal armour, but your arms didn't seem to be working anymore. The air smelt like blood.

You felt more than heard Meliodas gasp. His hold on you loosened.

'Hey, Liz?' he said quietly. Liz didn't say anything. '[Y/n]?' Meliodas's voice became more frantic.

You met his eyes. They were like green beacons in the darkness encroaching on your vision. There were crashes in the distance, but the loudest sounds for you were Meliodas's trembling breaths and Liz's slowing heartbeat.

And then, more than the pain and the cold and the sadness, you felt angry. The anger burnt through your veins, tearing up your insides. You watched the darkness cover Meliodas's face and turn his eyes flat black and imagined that was happening to you too. Black flames. You lay back and let them consume you.

Power. Darkness. Meliodas's cry.

But wait. Meliodas's voice became clearer. The cold hardness beneath you wasn't the smooth metal of armour, but rather rough like stone. There were no raindrops on your face and no pain in your chest. You opened your eyes.

The sky was blue. Meliodas was standing over you, his face screwed up in agony, panting heavily. And you were lying on stone. On the street, to be precise, in front of a vegetable stand. You sat up slowly, fingers probing your chest. But there was no wound.

'Hey, are you okay?' said a familiar voice over rushing footsteps.

Meliodas's eyes flew open. They were wild. You could only imagine yours were the same. He turned around slowly. You peered around his legs.

Liz bent down, her face worried. 'You look like you've seen a ghost.'

No. This can't be the test. Why, Zaneri?

—

[Y/n] and Sir Meliodas's breathing, which had been steady the whole time, started to hitch. Elizabeth watched worriedly. Sweat started to bead on Sir Meliodas's face. [Y/n]'s eyebrows began to twist. Elizabeth held the goblet tighter.

Sir Meliodas screamed. The sound bounced around the dark room.

'Sir Meliodas.' Elizabeth ran forward but was stopped by an arm flung in her path.

'You have your own test now,' said Lady Zaneri, the owner of the arm. 'It's not time to be worrying about others.'

Even as she spoke, Sir Meliodas continued to scream. [Y/n]'s whole face had screwed up tighter, her breaths becoming shallow. Elizabeth ached to help them.

'Right, I get that.' Elizabeth tore her eyes from [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas. 'But, Lady Zaneri, listen. I've seen Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] go through a lot, but I've never seen them in such pain. Just what kind of horrible test are you putting them through exactly?'

Lady Zaneri's expression didn't change. 'A living hell.'

Elizabeth gasped. The goblet slipped in her hands. She caught it. Lady Zaneri didn't seem to notice, her impassive gaze locked on Sir Meliodas and [Y/n].

'The tranquil days and the cruel ones spent parting from the person they loved as their own child. They're repeating them hundreds, if not thousands, of times. With each instance, Meliodas is consumed by wrath, loses control and destroys everything around him. And each time, [Y/n] lets it happen, her own rage spurring him on.'

Elizabeth realised her mouth was open and closed it. Her fingers were cold. [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas continued to twitch, teeth and fists clenched.

'But that's ...' Elizabeth leant forwards, Lady Zaneri's arm unmoving.

'Seems cruel, but this is a test that will erase – no – kill off their emotions completely,' Lady Zaneri continued. 'We can't simply return their power if they're going to berserk, letting their emotions dictate their actions.' Her face turned sad. 'There'd be no point in doing so.'

—

You opened your eyes. You were in a forest, the grassy floor dappled with sunlight. Meliodas was by your side. All around were the battle cries of knights as they ran by.

And a familiar voice over them calling out, 'Hey, you two.'

There she was, her hair brighter against the green, slowing down to glare at you.

'Stop standing around,' said Liz. 'We're in the middle of a mission here.'

So you ran.

And then the rain and the hurt and the anger and the flames.

You opened your eyes. You were back in your house, the smell of herbs and the heat of a fire in the air. Meliodas was by your side. Standing at the stove and stirring a pot was Liz.

She spoke as if in the middle of a conversation. 'What was with that drill today? It might boost morale, but it'll run up the drinking bill and they'll yell at us. Try to rein it in, Meliodas. Right, [Y/n]?' She turned to smile at you.

You blinked and you were outside again, sitting on a stone wall. There was laughter below you, and you looked down to see Liz running, Meliodas in pursuit. A gentle breeze played with your hair. Something squawked beside you and you placed your hand on Wandle's feathery head.

'Wait for me, Liz,' said Meliodas, reaching out to catch her. But Liz didn't slow. She laughed harder, your own giggle joining hers. You swung your legs and beamed.

And then the rain and the hurt and the anger and the flames.

The sun was setting, the sky washed with orange. There was a book in your hands and one of Meliodas's hands in your hair. You looked away from the words to follow Meliodas's line of sight and saw the kingdom of Danafall glowing in the fiery light.

Something shifted on your legs and you looked down to see Liz, her head in your lap and the dying sunlight in her hair.

'Hey,' she said softly, turning to look at you. 'Can we stay like this forever?'

You put down the book and took one of Liz's hands and one of Meliodas's.

'Yeah,' you both said at the same time. 'Forever.'

And then the rain and the hurt and the anger and the flames.

You ran through the streets. Alone. You would make it in time.

Liz messing about with Wandle.

The rain fell faster. Your heart beat faster. You had to make it in time.

Liz cheered and raised her stein.

You saw her. She was still alive. You had made it. But what was that looming over her?

Raucous laughter bounced down the street. You rolled your eyes and got up to open the door, pausing to stroke Wandle. The light from the house spilled out onto the cobblestones, your shadow stretched towards the owners of the loud voices.

Meliodas and Liz came into view. Meliodas was being carried on Liz's back. You leant against the doorframe and folded your arms.

When they saw you, Meliodas and Liz waved. 'We're home.'

You shook your head but didn't stop smiling. 'Welcome home.'

And then the rain and the hurt and the anger and the flames.

—

[Y/n] and Sir Meliodas screamed at the same time. The noise was discordant and jarring. It made the back of Elizabeth's neck prickle and goosebumps raise on her arms. The sweat on their faces stood out in the dim light.

Lady Zaneri reached out and touched Sir Meliodas and [Y/n]'s foreheads. She said a single word and their eyes opened. Relief spread through Elizabeth's body.

—

You opened your eyes with a gasp. The sudden darkness freaked you out, but then you saw Elizabeth and Zaneri. And Meliodas, always beside you.

'We're ... back?' you said slowly, looking around. Your hands began to shake. You could feel Meliodas in your head again. Even as your heart beat faster, you found his presence comforting.

Meliodas whipped his head around. He was panting heavily. 'Why did you pull us out of there?' His shout echoed.

'Isn't it obvious?' said Zaneri. 'You're still unable to suppress your wrath. Repeating the cycle of mayhem and destruction over and over. If this continues, rather than emotions, your spirit is what will die.'

No. Your knees gave out. You didn't fight it, sinking to the floor. There were tears of frustration and sadness in your eyes, so you covered your face with your hands. You didn't want Zaneri to see you cry. Or Elizabeth.

'Damn it!' Meliodas's shout didn't make you jump. Neither did the loud crash as he punched to ground.

Soft footsteps and a soft voice. 'It's all right.'

You peered through your fingers to see Elizabeth crouching in front of you and Meliodas. There was a large golden goblet in her hands for some reason. She smiled softly at you. You raised your head more.

'Nobody's blaming you for anything,' Elizabeth continued. 'No matter how many times the odds were stacked against you, you always risked your lives to fight for us. See?'

The frantic thoughts bouncing in your head settled. Your hands weren't shaking anymore. You took a deep breath and heard Meliodas do the same.

'Enough of this,' Zaneri shouted. 'You need to focus on your own test.'

'Ah, right. Sorry.' Elizabeth stood up quickly.

Right, you said softly, getting to your feet.

We made a promise, said Meliodas, following you.

Forever. The word echoed in your minds.

'Zaneri,' said Meliodas aloud, 'please send us back.'

You clenched your fist and looked into her eyes. 'One more time.'

Zaneri raised a hand. 'What? That's insane. Look, not even you two could possibly withstand any more of this stress.'

Meliodas grabbed your hand. Your eyes flickered to him. He didn't look away from Zaneri. 'It's not a problem,' he said. 'We can keep going.'

We have to become stronger for the ones we need to protect.

'Please don't ask me to do that.' There was actual emotion in Zaneri's voice. Concern. You briefly wondered if it was just for Meliodas. 'If this continues, it might really break your spirit.' Her eyes flickered to yours. 'Both of you ... One false move and you could lose your lives.'

'We can't move forward until we pass this test, so put us back,' Meliodas shouted, his grip on your hand tightening.

Zaneri was the first to break eye contact. 'All right,' she said. 'I'll do it. But promise me you'll both come back safely.'

You blinked and smiled. 'Right.'

Meliodas nodded. 'We promise.'

The bright light began to shine again.

—

Meliodas held [Y/n]'s hand. Liz was a few steps in front of them, gazing in awe at the scenery, turning back and beaming. Meliodas knew what he had to do. He tugged [Y/n] to the edge of the cliff. Together they watched the sunlight glitter on the water.

To gain full control of their power, they both had to let go of their emotions. When Liz smiled at him, Meliodas didn't smile back. No problem. Right?

Each time Liz called out his name or [Y/n]'s name, Meliodas let the sound wash over him. There was no need for such a thing to cause him peace at all anymore. Right? He just had to forget all about Liz.

The rain began to fall. Meliodas looked at Liz's body for longer than he had before. The blood on her chin. The jagged hole in her armour. And draped across her lap was [Y/n]. Two pairs of dull eyes. Meliodas made himself keep looking. He just had to get used to her dying.

'No problem at all. Right, Meliodas?' he told himself. He even swore he could see a slight smile on [Y/n]'s face.

Meliodas let his head fall back. The rain felt soothing. It wasn't a big deal. Seeing them both dead. At the same time.

The darkness came faster than ever.

'No way I can do that!'

—

They were screaming again. Both [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas.

'I can't watch anymore of this,' said Lady Zaneri, raising a hand. 'I'm pulling them both out of there.'

Before the Druid Chief could do anything, Elizabeth ran. She stood between Lady Zaneri and [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas, throwing her arms out wide. Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] kept screaming.

'Lady Zaneri, please wait.'

'Get out of my way. At this rate they're going to –'

—

You stood at the edge of what once had been Danafall with Meliodas by your side. You didn't know how, but you knew Meliodas was thinking the same thing as you. You just couldn't do it. Forgetting about Liz was impossible. Get used to losing her? No way.

'Hey, you,' said a voice.

You turned and you were back home again. There was a pot of food in Meliodas's hands, a ladle in yours. And Liz was glaring at Meliodas. There was dirt on her face and she was wearing an old lumpy red jumper.

'Why did you save me back there?' said Liz. 'Damn do-gooder.'

You caught Meliodas's eye and smiled. Each time you repeated meeting and saying goodbye her, your love grew so strong you couldn't contain it. There were tears in Liz's eyes that her pride wouldn't let fall.

The rain fell again. You were outside. A massive hulking shape loomed above you, one giant claw piercing your chest. You dismissed the hope this time. You knew Liz was dead. There was no point in pretending. No point in trying to contain your wrath.

It was impossible.

—

'Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] will come back no matter what,' said Elizabeth, staring hard at Lady Zaneri. 'They promised they would do that for you, remember?'

Lady Zaneri grit her teeth and glared harder. But Elizabeth didn't let up.

—

The wind blew petals across the field. Liz leant her head on your shoulder. Meliodas wasn't far away, just a couple of steps to your right.

'Once in a while, it crosses my mind that if I'd never met you, these completely ordinary days we share would never make me feel so happy,' said Liz. 'It wouldn't be the same.'

You smiled and rested your head atop hers.

'I feel exactly the same way,' said Meliodas.

And the rain was falling again. The pain in your chest felt different this time. It was muted. There was something stronger. It was ... hope. You frowned. You knew Liz was dead. There shouldn't be hope. But it was undeniable. You watched Meliodas walk closer and it grew.

You didn't want to see this again. The tears in Meliodas's eyes. The emptiness in Liz's. Oh. You reached out to Meliodas. So that was what the hope was for.

—

'You have to have faith in them,' Elizabeth shouted. She didn't relax her stance.

Lady Zaneri's scowl deepened. 'You don't know what you're talking about, girl.' But then her eyes focussed on something behind Elizabeth and she gasped.

Elizabeth span. It couldn't be.

—

Meliodas grasped your hand. You wondered if he could feel the hope too. Warm tears began to stream down your face. You took a deep breath, barely feeling any pain.

'Never again,' you said, your voice stronger than you thought it would be.

There were tears on Meliodas's face too. They dripped from his chin onto your hand.

'No matter what,' he said.

You opened your eyes. There was a face right in front of you. You blinked and it became Elizabeth. She was crying. You realised that you were crying too. And, as you looked to your right, you saw tears on Meliodas's face as well.

Your lips twitched.

'Yo,' said Meliodas, raising an easy hand. 'We came back, just like we promised.' He turned to you with a cheeky grin. 'Looks like I won.'

You gasped and folded your arms. 'Nuh uh. We totally finished at the same time.' The wobble in your voice was barely audible even to you, but Meliodas gave your hand a squeeze as he walked closer to Elizabeth.

'Woah, Elizabeth,' he said. 'What's all this crying about?'

Elizabeth started. 'Oh, sorry. When I saw your tears, they just started flowing.'

Meliodas wiped his face faster than a blink. 'What? I don't know what you mean.'

You laughed slightly and wiped your own tears away on your sleeve.

'Meliodas. [Y/n].' Zaneri's voice was breathless. 'If you overcame that trial, does that mean you really abandoned your emotions?'

'Huh? What are you talking about?' Meliodas pointed to his chest. 'Everything that's important to me is right here.' He reached out a hand to you. 'And everything important to [Y/n] is right –'

You knocked him on the head. 'Don't even think about it.' You turned your gaze to Zaneri. 'But he is right.'

Zaneri blinked. 'Hold on. Then how did you ...?'

Meliodas's voice turned hard. 'Since we passed the test as you requested, we'll be taking our power back.'