The light of King's power washed over you. It soothed your aching head and muscles and made the air smell like a forest in spring. The light faded quickly even though the power didn't. Now you could see Chastiefol in its Guardian form. Well, not exactly how you remembered.

It was still a bear, but buff somehow. Less cute. It faced off against Drole's golem, almost the same height. You watched them exchange blows.

Beside you, Gilthunder made a noise of awe. 'Incredible.'

You laughed quietly to yourself, feeling proud even though you weren't doing anything. But that was going to change. You broke free of your icy prison, shattering it like glass, and shook out your arms.

'What?' said the mage, dodging a swipe from your partner. 'Did my power weaken somehow?'

'Nah.' You blew on your hands. 'I was just getting cold. So come on, Little Gil.' You smirked at him. 'Help me warm up.'

Gilthunder returned your smile and charged. The two of you fought for a while. You punched his jaw and stomped on his foot. He swept your feet from under you and slammed an elbow into your gut. It was quite fun really. If you managed to forget what exactly was happening.

'Ice Passage,' the mage shouted from somewhere.

With a great cracking sound, fingers of ice started to spread across the ground. You breathed out slowly, impressed. Your arena was now covered in a layer of ice, much the same as, well, icing on a cake.

Gilthunder attacked with a shout, his foot aiming low. You were unprepared and, though you managed to jump over his foot, you landed poorly and slipped. You head smacked into the ground. Ouch.

You sat up slowly, spitting blood out your mouth. Diane's voice sounded like it was coming from everywhere. She cheered on Meliodas and Elizabeth and then you. You tried to focus on where she was coming from and saw what looked like a giant stone statue of yourself kicking the knees of Drole's golem. Huh.

A hand wobbled blurrily into existence in front of you. It was attached to Gilthunder. You took it and he pulled you to your feet.

'Don't help her,' said the mage through gritted teeth. 'She's our opponent.'

'Perhaps,' said Gilthunder, 'but she's my friend too.'

The mage growled and now he was attacking you instead of your partner. You stumbled slightly but managed to avoid his attacks. Jagged pillars of ice materialised around you, but you wove around them. Sometimes you came so close to being hit that you could see your reflection in the ice. But no attack made contact.

'Awesome,' said Gilthunder from wherever he was.

With an outraged cry, the mage's attacks changed. Raindrops of ice began to fall, harder and harder. It would've been so easy to block them with a barrier of light, but you forced yourself not to waste your power. So instead you dodged as best you could. A drop hit your arm. Another cut into your cheek.

'Stop! Why are you doing this?' Gilthunder called up to the mage.

'To receive my wish,' said the mage. His hair wasn't so tidy anymore, his face not as blank. 'And if that means I have to kill this girl ... then so be it.'

And he raised his hands. The biggest shard of ice yet began to form. Your chest heaved. The blood running down your cheek tickled. It was warm. And the mage threw the ice spear.

It happened in slow motion.

You saw the ice begin to fall. You saw your partner leap out of nowhere and collide with the mage. They both fell out of sight. You saw Gilthunder's eyes widen as he ran to you, a hand outstretched. You saw Elizabeth, her mouth open in terror. And you saw Meliodas.

Cosain was in your hand before you fully realised. You pointed it at the ice.

And they collided.

The sound was a roar in your ears. A thousand plates smashing. A thousand waves crashing to shore. All you could see was whitish blue as the ice exploded around you. Your hand holding Cosain didn't shake. Of course, you could feel the power and force of the mage and his ice spear, but it wasn't strong enough to push you back even a step. Not even half a step.

Two giant shards of ice fell on either side of you. Cut perfectly in half.

'[Y/n], are you okay?' Gilthunder called. He was still running to you, but his face had turned to one of relief. 'That was so cool.'

You huffed a laugh. 'I'm fine.'

And again, it happened in slow motion.

Gilthunder was so close to you. His foot hit a chunk of ice, shrapnel from the giant one you had cut down. His ankle rolled. And Gilthunder fell.

Just like yours had done before, Gilthunder's head smacked against the icy ground. The sickening crack echoed in your ears. Unlike you, Gilthunder didn't get up. His momentum ... he was headed right for the edge.

Cosain fell out of your hand with a clatter. You barely noticed.

'Gil, no!' The mage's shout. Or was it someone else? It sounded almost like ...

You dove.

Gilthunder slipped off the edge of the arena.

You caught him. One hand knotted in the collar of his shirt. The other digging into the edge of the arena. The ice cracked under your fingers. Footsteps. Two faces peering down at you. You gritted your teeth and heaved Gilthunder back to solid ground. The mage's face disappeared.

Your partner reached out a hand. You stared at it. Honestly, it would've been no trouble to hoist yourself back up, but you let the armoured person help. Their armour was cold in your hand.

'Thanks.' You smiled at them.

They inclined their head to you again.

—

The familiar presence of Vizzy at his should reassured Deathpierce even as the air around him got heavier. Everyone was stunned at his report and Deathpierce himself wasn't taking the news too well either. It wasn't that he doubted what Vizzy had said, oh no, but rather the idea of Demons – Demons! – being in Britannia. And not just that but taking over Camelot as well. It made his stomach turn.

'And yet,' said Sir Denzel darkly, 'I have worse news than that. There's another commandment in this country now.' There were noises of shock, but Sir Denzel didn't stop. 'He was able to infiltrate Liones without raising suspicion.'

'Who is this Demon?' asked Guila.

Sir Denzel straightened, fixing his steely gaze at the knights gathered before him. 'Holy Knight Guila, return to the kingdom of Liones at once to notify the king and the entire Order of Holy Knights. As of now, we are launching a campaign to defeat the Demon race's Ten Commandments as well as the Seven Deadly Sins' Sin of Lust, Goat Sin Gowther.'

Guila's mouth dropped open but she nodded and turned to leave without another word.

Deathpierce and his fellow member of the Pleiades (minus Deldry, of course) stared at Sir Denzel, but their commander didn't say anything more. Being at his right shoulder, Deathpierce had a clear view of Sir Denzel's fists. And how they were clenched so tightly they were shaking.

Arden opened his mouth, but Waillo quickly stepped on his foot. Sir Denzel must have a reason for not revealing the rest of Drey– Fraudrin's information and they would have to trust him.

But perhaps, Deathpierce thought as an image of [Y/n] smiling appeared in his mind, his reason could be simple.

—

The glow faded from your hand and Gilthunder stirred, opening his eyes and blinking.

'What – um ... thanks, [Y/n], but ...' said Gilthunder.

You patted his shoulder but didn't say anything. Instead, you got to your feet and stood between your teammate, Gil and the mage and the Commandments. You had seen what they did to Elizabeth's opponents after she saved them. Would the same happened here? You tensed slightly. But, thankfully, Drole and Gloxinia were absorbed in another fight.

Following their gaze, you saw Gowther and Jericho facing off against Escanor and Hawk. It may have been the ice littering your arena, but your whole body was gripped by a chill. No matter who won here, you would lose.

—

Gloxinia laughed without mirth, his gaze never leaving the disgusting human. 'To be willing to anything no matter how cruel for the sake of one's own selfish wish. You humans have always been a vile, repugnant race, haven't you?'

Even from a distance, Gloxinia could see the human tremble. How delightful.

'Captain,' the human called, 'what am I supposed to do?' Even his voice trembled.

No one answered.

'Captain?' Gloxinia asked.

As ever, Drole replied. 'Apparently, that man and Meliodas are old friends.'

'Huh.' Gloxinia shifted slightly to look at Meliodas. 'You know, that look on his face is every bit unreadable as it ever was.'

'It's not just his expression. Even with my Magical Eye, trying with all my might, I can't see what's in his mind.'

Gloxinia huffed with taste, looking away from Meliodas and to someone else. [Y/n] met his eyes. Gloxinia fell a few centimetres. Those eyes. He blinked and he could still see them. 'And her?'

It was quiet for a moment before Drole gasped. 'She's trying to use her powers.'

'Tch. I thought as much.' Gloxinia forced himself to look away. 'This is all her fault anyway. It didn't have to be this way.'

—

As soon as Gloxinia looked away, you sighed. But you didn't know if it was from relief or disappointment. Drole and Gloxinia focussed on the fight once again, so you did the same.

Gowther took out Jericho with a harsh kick. ( 'His own teammate.' Gilthunder gasped.) Hawk was taken care of just as easily. That left only Escanor.

A shimmery pink light danced on Gowther's fingertip. 'Jack.'

The light flew at Escanor, encasing him in the glow. At Gowther's command, Escanor walked closer jerkily.

'Please don't do this, Gowther,' said Escanor as he walked. 'I don't want to fight you.'

Too late. Gowther reached out with glowing hands and placed them on either side of Escanor's head. 'Nightmare Teller.'

A heavy feeling of dread washed over you.

'This feeling,' said the mage.

'What has Sir Gowther done?' said Gilthunder.

After a moment, Gowther let go of Escanor. 'Now your mind will never return from this state of eternal darkness and despair.'

'I'm well aware of that, Miss Merlin,' said a soft voice. 'But I'm fine with it.'

You gasped. That was Escanor's voice. But how?

Gowther's eyes widened slightly. 'You are?'

'You aren't the person who should be walking at my side,' Escanor continued to speak, his voice softer than usual and untethered somehow, as if he was dreaming. 'Because, to me, you are the sun itself. The light illuminating my life of darkness. Gowther—' Escanor's voice changed. His clothes ripped. His muscles bulged. '—what you've placed upon me isn't despair. It's a shimmering ray of hope.'

Behind you, your companions began to freak out. Well, except your partner. Or maybe they were. It was impossible to tell.

Even from where you stood, you could feel the heat emanating from Escanor. You could even see it, the waves rising from his very skin. It was a welcome change from the cold of the mage. But not for long. And you knew it would only get hotter.

'Now I'll allow you to atone with your flesh,' said Escanor, 'for the great sin of toying with others' hearts.'

'This is an unexpected result,' said Gowther, cocking his head. 'Who would have known that the images he saw in an artificial mental world would have such an impact in the physical one?'

You tore your eyes from the battle. Drole and Gloxinia were staring, enraptured. Your gaze swept over Meliodas quickly even though, distracted as they were, Gloxinia and Drole wouldn't notice. Anticipation started to rise in your body.

Steady, said Meliodas, the first word he had said to you since you emerged from the maze.

'Power Level twenty-eight thousand eight hundred?' Hawk's squeal bounced over to you.

Gilthunder leant forwards. 'Cool!'

'I see,' said Gowther. 'You've only quasi-transformed so you're nowhere near your true level.'

'What?!'

'And you won't be able to maintain that form for long.' Gowther hopped backwards quickly. But not quickly enough.

One of your feet began to tap on the ground. You tried to stop it but now it was your finger tapping against your leg.

'Have some Gatling Jack,' Gowther shouted. The light flew from his fingers like deadly raindrops. None of them hit Escanor. Gowther's aim was off. So off, in fact, that a few stray shots headed your way.

'Crap. Get down,' you said, reaching back to tug on Gilthunder's sleeve and the mage's cape. A clanking let you know your partner had also ducked.

Escanor leapt clear. He hung on pause in mid-air, the full moon behind him. 'Hear me and obey my will, Divine Axe Rhitta.'

You felt it before you saw it. Another point of heat and power, speeding towards you. It span through the sky like a shard of the sun, heading straight for Escanor's outstretched hand. And Escanor caught Rhitta. And Escanor became stronger.

No one else was fighting anymore. All eyes were on Escanor and Gowther. The ice that had covered your arena had melted away. Not even water remained.

Escanor was still in the air. 'Sacred Treasure, release.'

A new sun began to glow. It grew from Escanor's hand. You blinked the dots from your eyes and watched everyone's shadows grow and stretch. The heat was even more intense now, heavy on your skin like too many blankets. The air scorched your lungs.

'This is incredible,' said the mage quietly.

Gilthunder nodded dumbly before gasping. 'But if he attacks with this much power ... forget Gowther, we'll all be incinerated!'

'Aw, come on, Little Gil,' you said with a smile that only moved your mouth. 'We gotta trust Escanor.'

'For the great sin of toying with others' hearts, you will now atone with your flesh.' Escanor's deep voice boomed over the land.

And Escanor swung his axe.

And the sun fell.

The force pushed your hair back, whipping it around your face. You could've sworn the heat got stronger. There were cries of shock from all sides. Hawk was screaming somewhere. You watched in silence as Escanor's attack hit its target. An enormous bang.

Smoke billowed everywhere. It was all you could see. The smell of burning was in the air; it sat in the back of your throat. And through the smoke you could see Gloxinia and Drole's fallen, charred bodies.

Are you ready? said Meliodas, his voice hard.

You narrowed your eyes. Yeah.