So I got a lot of comments from people saying they weren't ready so ... guess I'll see you next Monday!

Love you all and stay safe!

Haha just kidding 😋

~~~~~

The shock in the air was almost palpable. The heat from Escanor's attack was fading quickly, the coolness of night rushing back in. A thick, dark smoke rose in columns from the still bodies of Drole and Gloxinia.

Without looking back, you stepped off your arena and landed at Drole's feet. You let your wings unfurl.

As Meliodas landed, he cracked the floor. Dust and chunks of rock flew into the air. Anger and anticipation were pounding through your body. It was yours. It was his. And under it all was a little bit of sadness.

Meliodas reached out a hand to you. You reached for him, but he didn't take your hand. Instead, he traced that pattern on your arm once more. And you couldn't ask about it because then Meliodas was talking.

'Let's get started,' he said. 'It's time for the real festival.'

It was quiet for a moment. Quiet and still in the way it was always quiet and still before a battle. When your heart beats faster and adrenaline fizzles through your veins. And the black flames began to flicker on your wrist.

Meliodas and Drole collided with a bang that shook the air. Drole was knocked back, right into your waiting fist. Your knuckles cracked against his jaw. But Drole recovered quickly enough, all four of his fists surrounding Meliodas. And Meliodas knocked them all back with such force it sent Drole reeling. You went high this time, pulling your wings and feet in to plummet straight into Drole's chest. A fountain of purplish blood burst from Drole's mouth.

With one strike from Lostvayne, two of Drole's arms were no longer attached. They fell. Drole did not.

Drole examined the wound in his chest. 'You anticipated this,' he said. It wasn't a question.

'Yeah. We've been waiting for this moment.' Meliodas kept his back to Drole. 'For the chance to catch you off guard and strike.'

You put one hand on your hip and looked Drole in the eye. 'If we attacked you head on, you'd have your guard up and be ready for us. Right? Under circumstances like that, there'd be no way we could win.'

'To get you to let your defences down, we came as people just looking to have a little fun with their friends,' Meliodas continued, back still turned. 'Of course, we never mentioned this plan to any of them.'

'That magic eye of yours would've seen through that right away,' you put in.

'Then all we had to do was wait for you guys to leave yourselves exposed.' Meliodas was completely still. 'Luckily, Escanor created the perfect opportunity.'

A strange humming noise filled the air. Behind Drole, Basquias had become the giant flower again. As you watched, a glowing droplet fell onto Gloxinia's unmoving body. He began to glow.

'I admit that it would have been a struggle for us too, if we'd been forced to battle you individually,' said Drole. 'However, you've made one fatal mistake.' He whirled his two remaining arms before clapping his hands together. 'I summon Gigant Embrace!'

The ground trembled again. You turned just in time to see the two massive stone hands rise, tossing all the festival's competitors into the air. Without really thinking about it, your vision narrowed in on Elizabeth. Would you make it? you asked yourself. To fly in and grab her and make it out in time? But she'd be safe in there with the others. Safer than out here.

And then it didn't matter anyway. Because the hands and your friends had disappeared beneath the earth.

'Now they're all my hostages,' Drole said darkly. 'If you resist then they'll die.'

You laughed once without humour. Drole blinked at you and you were in the air and this time it was Cosain's turn to flash through the air.

'As if we'd let that happen,' you shouted over the sound of Drole's arms hitting the ground.

Meliodas was at your side, slamming a fist into Drole's face.

Something was coming. Fast. You turned just a second too late and the next thing you saw was the ground rising fast. Rocks scraped your skin and your elbow hit the ground funny. You bit your tongue and tasted blood.

Hold on, said Meliodas.

And the power ripped through you so fast your head felt like it had done a somersault on your neck. The black flames reached up to your shoulder now. Black-red lightning writhed around Meliodas. Through the dust you saw him, the dark crest twisting down his forehead and cheek.

Up in the air, something glinted gold. You could see it through the clouds of dust, glowing faintly. It was Gloxinia, decked out in elaborate head-to-toe armour.

Meliodas swung Lostvayne and the armour shattered.

'Give it up,' said Meliodas. His voice was deeper and darker than ever. 'You two don't stand a chance.'

Gloxinia stared down at you. 'I remember the four of us each joining forces to defeat the Demon King and now we've become enemies.' He smiled wryly. 'Fate certainly has a twisted sense of humour, doesn't it?'

Grunting, Drole struggled to raise himself up. Gloxinia floated down to hover over his friend's head. His eyes met yours.

'I know you don't want to fight us, [Y/n],' said the First Fairy King. He turned his gaze to your husband. 'Do you, Meliodas? To the death?'

Meliodas began to walk to them. 'Of course I don't. Because I know why you both crossed over to that side and how you felt about it. Gloxinia, you were betrayed by the people you trusted and lost something you cared about more than your own life. Drole, you were a warrior who always wanted to be the best but then your pride was taken from you and ripped to shreds.'

'If you know all that then why do this?'

'That's simple.' Meliodas stopped. 'Once you switch sides, it's over.'

With a yell, Meliodas attacked. You were at his side in a blink, sword drawn.

Gloxinia drew a circle of glowing light in the air. 'Well that's too bad, isn't it?' From inside the circle came Basquias. At Gloxinia's command, it fired.

At the last second you held up a hand. Your own glowing light appeared. Gloxinia's attack broke around it, like a stone in a river. Meliodas just let the attack hit him. You rolled your eyes. The power pushed against you, but you didn't let yourself fall back. Your arm didn't shake.

When the light faded and Meliodas was nothing more than an explosion on the horizon, you let your hand fall. You rose slowly up to be at eye level with Gloxinia.

'Come on,' you said softly. You let your eyes turn back to their normal [y/e/c]. 'It's never too late to do the right thing, you know.'

For a moment, you thought it worked. Gloxinia's face turned slack. He wasn't smiling, but his mouth wasn't turned down at the corners anymore. You smiled and reached out a hand.

'Stop looking at me like that,' Gloxinia said jerkily.

'Huh?'

'I said stop it!'

A fist slammed into your jaw. Your head rocked back. And the sky was filled with more than stars. Basquias's power rained down. This time you weren't fast enough. It hit you full force. The light wasn't hot. It was like thousands of icy thorns digging into your body.

You hit the ground and bounced once. Everything was stiff and ached. You groaned and sat up slowly, holding your head.

Thank you for trying. Meliodas's voice was soft in your head even though it was still deep and dark.

It didn't work. You sighed and a single tear ran down your cheek. I failed them.

An answering growl.

You laughed once and scrubbed the tear away. Yeah, yeah. I know.

A resounding bang in the distance heralded Meliodas's return. Drole's arms were reattached. You got to your feet. The power still raced through your body. Every inch of your skin tingled like you were receiving multiple electric shocks. Your eyes shifted again.

Meliodas arrived faster than you thought he would. He burst through whatever it was Gloxinia had created with ease. Meliodas's fist hit Gloxinia's chest so hard you gasped. Blood fell from Gloxinia's lips.

'Old friend, it's goodbye.' Meliodas drew back his sword.

But Drole was there. He scooped up Gloxinia's limp body in one hand, the others rising to surround Meliodas. You cursed under your breath and flew up to block Drole's fists. But they didn't come.

Instead of a physical attack, Drole opted for a magical one. In spite of yourself, you couldn't help but be impressed. You hadn't expected that.

The rocks rose from the ground, each one surrounded by a purple light. One hurled into you. The speed. The force. You were being pushed into the rock, barely able to move.

Meliodas, on the other hand, was being tossed around. He glanced off a rock and span by you like a dancer.

'Giga Crush,' Drole shouted, louder than the crashing of the rocks. 'And Giga Fall!'

The rocks fell. It was like they were being sucked back into the ground. You felt yourself rising from the rock. The crushing weight lifted. You spread your wings and hung in the sky, watching as the rocks fell onto Meliodas below.

—

Elizabeth heard the bangs. Strange lights flashed on the horizon. And then the ground trembled. She stumbled slightly. Noises of shock came from her companions.

'That felt like some kind of earthquake,' said Howzer.

'Shockwaves from the battle in Vaizel have reached all the way over here,' said Gowther.

What had started as a pool of worry became a vast sea inside Elizabeth's stomach. The waves lapped at her heart and threatened to drag her down. People around her were talking, but their voices were indistinct.

'Please tell me—' the words burst from her before she knew '—how are [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas?'

'No way,' said the mage. Elizabeth's heart stopped. But then he continued, 'Meliodas and [Y/n] ... they have the upper hand. They're beating the Demons.'

Elizabeth's heart started again, beating double-time. She stared at the little orb in the mage's hand, watching the small shapes of [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas dart around the Giant. She stared so hard she imagined they would be able to feel her and know she was waiting for them to come back.

—

'One Thousand Divine Cuts!'

At Meliodas's shout, Drole was engulfed in flames. You could feel the heat from where you stood and felt immensely glad you had been knocked back by one of Drole's giant fists even if it did sting like a bitch.

The flames died out revealing – you growled in frustration – Drole still standing. His body had turned silver thanks to Heavy Metal. Even Gloxinia was safe in one giant hand.

'Yes,' crowed Gloxinia. 'Nice one.' He raised a hand. 'Moon Rose, Droplet of Life.'

The shining drop fell and Gloxinia was revived. Drole's spell faded and he fell to one knee, his body covered with gashes. At Gloxinia's gesture, another drop fell towards Drole.

You didn't linger to see Drole heal. Instead, you flew at top speed towards Gloxinia, fist drawn back and ready to punch. Gloxinia turned just in time and darted away, far from your reach. You saw his smirk and returned it with one of your own. Because Gloxinia had flown right to Meliodas.

Lostvayne cut through the air leaving trails of light. Gloxinia dodged each one, twisting gracefully over each strike. Meliodas used Gloxinia's distraction and appeared beside the fairy, knocking an elbow into his cheek. Gloxinia hit the ground so hard he bounced.

Your back had been aching for a while now, but you pushed it down and crouched, ready to fly to Meliodas. But a big blue palm slammed into your back. You were thrown forwards.

'Giga Bick,' Drole shouted.

A tower of purple crystal rose from the ground right where you were headed. It caught Meliodas and threw him into the air. You gritted your teeth and managed to stop right before you crashed into the crystal. Your feet hit it lightly and you pushed off with such force you left cracks on its surface.

Now you were speeding back the way you came. Back towards Drole. You span in the air and your foot collided with Drole's jaw. His head snapped back. Blood hung in the air. Drole was tossed away, landing heavily and carving a furrow into the rocks.

You landed lightly beside Meliodas and tried very hard not to smile.

—

'My goodness,' said Sir Escanor.

Elizabeth forced herself not to step closer to the mage. She watched [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas land together. The two Commandments they fought had just been knocked to the ground.

'This is incredible,' said Howzer.

Gilthunder leant forwards. 'Taking on two Commandments by themselves ... and they're not just holding their own. They're actually winning!'

For now. Elizabeth shook her head. She couldn't think like that. [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas were going to come back to her. They were going to win. Both of them. Together.

'Their strategy seems to be constantly rendering one Demon unable to fight thereby keeping the whole encounter a two-on-one battle,' Sir Gowther observed. 'Of course, it's a feat that can only be accomplished due to the captain and [Y/n]'s reclaimed abilities.'

'Yeah, you're right,' said Sir King. Elizabeth turned to look at him. He looked annoyed for some reason. 'Not only are they able to take the Commandments on with their normal powered restored, Meliodas also has that demonic power. It's overwhelming. And because of their rings, [Y/n] has an equal share of that power.'

'So why haven't they won yet?' Howzer frowned. 'All that power ... two-on-one ... it should be easy for them!'

Sir King narrowed his eyes and turned away. 'They're holding back. Seems like they know the enemy on a personal level.'

Elizabeth's mouth fell open.

'The Ten Commandments said it themselves,' said Sir Ban, glaring at the orb. 'They see the captain as a traitor to the Demon race. And they blame [Y/n] for his treachery.'

Everyone gasped.

'But [Y/n]'s not a Demon.' Gilthunder stepped towards Ban with anger in his voice and on his face.

'No.' Sir King floated down. 'She's a Goddess.'

More gasps.

'Doesn't matter,' said Sir Ban before anyone else could speak. 'The captain's still the captain. And [Y/n]'s still [Y/n].'

A warm feeling spread through Elizabeth's chest even as her head began to spin. It didn't matter what race they were from, she still held Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] deeply in her heart. And it didn't matter what race she was either. Wait. Why was she thinking that?

'Not sure what you mean by all that, but I do know Meliodas and [Y/n] are really sweet kids,' said Diane with a smile. 'I don't think they have dark hidden sides. They're just like you, Harlequin.'

Elizabeth turned back to the orb. '[Y/n], Sir Meliodas, please ...' She imagined her words travelling across the land. 'Promise me you'll come back safely.'

—

The battleground was silent. Drole and Gloxinia sat before you, heads bowed and covered in scrapes. On the other hand, you and Meliodas stood tall, watching them both with narrowed eyes. Meliodas's trousers were torn at the knees, his shirt long gone. Your own shirt had one sleeve missing, the other barely hanging on. As for your trousers, one leg had been torn higher than the other.

Gloxinia heaved himself to stand. It seemed to cost him a great effort. He managed it, but he hung forwards, ready to fall again. 'Meliodas, you're both as powerful and as naïve as ever. Why would you take the side of those pathetic humans when you have so much potential among the Demons?'

You bristled and gripped Cosain tighter.

'If you chose to pursue it, you have the ability to succeed the throne of the Demon King himself,' said Drole. He wiped at the blood trickling down his chin. 'But not on your current path. I can see the horrific end that's in store for you because you cling to sentimentality.'

One side of your lips curled up in a snarl. Meliodas didn't move. You took a step forward but stopped when Meliodas began to speak.

'If all that suffering has transformed you into what you are now—' he raised Lostvayne '—then why don't you let me put an end to it for you?'

Seven points of darkness in the sky. They fell like stars, crashing into the ground, surrounding you and Meliodas. The force blew back your hair and tattered clothes. Your heart beat faster and your eyes darted, trying to see through the clouds of dust. Meliodas's hand reached out and pulled you closer. He didn't say anything. Once more he drew those patterns on your arm.

And as the dust cleared and the faces of the Commandments became visible, you remembered what they meant.

—

'Demonic runes?' You leant towards Meliodas, eyes wide and mouth open.

He laughed slightly and rubbed the back of his head, leaning back against a tree trunk. 'Is it really that interesting?'

You nodded earnestly. 'Yeah! I want to know everything about you, Meliodas.' He made a noise of shock and your cheeks heated as you realised what you just said. 'I-I mean—'

Meliodas's face softened. He caught one of your flailing hands and pressed it to his lips. They were so soft and warm. Goosebumps ran up your arm and you shivered. Meliodas let go of your hand and grabbed a fallen twig. He started to draw shapes in the dirt.

'You Goddesses have your Holy Symbols, right?' he asked and you nodded. 'These are just like them but fuelled with Demonic power. There are thousands and thousands of Runes. I don't know them all yet. And each one has its own meaning and power. This one—' he pointed at the first rune he had drawn '—is for protection. And this one—' he pointed to another '—means home.'

'Woah.' You breathed out slowly. 'That's so cool.' You looked at all the Runes Meliodas had drawn. 'What's this one?' You pointed to one that looked like a swirly flower. But Meliodas didn't answer. You looked up at him and he was just staring at you. 'Is everything okay?'

He nodded but his face looked a little sad so you reached out to hold his hand. Meliodas looked deep into your eyes. His eyes weren't flat black to you anymore. They were dark and deep and made you feel like you were flying in the night sky.

Seeing that look in his eyes made you understand. 'You're thinking it again, aren't you? That you're some horrible monster that's going to corrupt me.'

Meliodas huffed a small, humourless laugh. 'Yeah.'

'Well stop it,' you said loudly and held his hand tighter. 'This is part of you, Meliodas. And you're a Demon and I love you.'

It was silent for a moment.

Meliodas looked at you slowly. One side of his lips pulled up in a smirk. It was kind of ... sexy. Your mind blanked.

'Did you just say you loved me?' Meliodas asked.

You could only blink. Did you? You couldn't remember. Meliodas was leaning closer and your heart was beating faster and then his lips were pressed against yours. Soft at first but then harder. Heat spread through your body and you clutched him tighter. One of his hands was on your waist. Yours were tangled in his hair.

Even when you parted, your heart was still racing. Your chest heaved. Meliodas kissed your cheek and leant in to whisper in your ear.

'I love you too,' he said lowly before pulling away and beaming. 'So I can teach you more about these Runes or—' his smile darkened '—I can teach you something else.'

—

Meliodas traced the Runes on your arms again and again. Protection. Home. But what was the last one? The one that twisted like vines, a swirling flower. It meant ... it meant ... oh no.

'Meliodas, no, wait!' You grabbed at his wrist, trying to stop him. 'You can't—'

But it was too late. Meliodas met your panicked eyes and said the word. The Runes activated.

And everything went dark.

When you could see again, Meliodas was gone. The Ten Commandments were gone. You could still feel their immense power, but it was far away. Something cold and heavy was on your wrists.

'[Y/n],' someone said loudly. There were gasps and suddenly faces all around you.

'Hey, everyone.' You tried to keep your voice light but, as you met Elizabeth's eyes, it wobbled. 'You were at Liones Castle, huh?'

'You ... but how did you get here?' said Gilthunder. 'Did you teleport like us?'

You shook your head. Ban spoke before you could.

'The captain did this,' he said. It wasn't a question. He kept his arms around Elaine. 'I don't know how he did, but it was him all right.'

Elizabeth stepped closer. She was staring at your arm. 'Those symbols on your arm ... is that how he did it? How he made these chains?'

The others shifted and muttered, 'Symbols? I can't see any symbols on her arm.'

The chains in question were a deep purple-black. They connected to manacles on your wrists and the ends plunged deep into the walls of the castle. They were the cold and heavy things you could feel.

'Yeah.' You tugged experimentally. The chains rattled but didn't give. 'He's such a prat.'

'But then,' said Diane quietly, 'does that mean there's no hope? That Meliodas sent you away to save you?'

Everyone gasped.

'Then we have to get you free,' Howzer shouted. He ran forward to yank the chains, but his hand passed through them like they were made of smoke. 'What the—?'

You sighed. 'It's all right. Meliodas said he was going to come back safely so we have to believe he will.'

They shared dubious looks, but everyone turned back to stare at a sizable orb in the mage's hand. You looked at it and saw it showed the battle. So, you smiled to yourself, they had been watching.

Meliodas stepped up to Zeldris. They glared at each other. The other Commandments formed a loose circle around them. A barrier.

I can't believe you did this, you said.

It's going to be all right, Meliodas replied. I don't plan on fighting them.

You frowned. So why did you send me away?

Meliodas stayed quiet for so long you thought he wasn't going to answer. I guess it's what you would call being overprotective.

As you watched, Meliodas swung Lostvayne. Blood flew through the air. A sharp pain in your arm. And Zeldris held Meliodas's severed arm. Your stomach turned. Strangled gasps. Meliodas's face didn't change. He kicked Zeldris and Zeldris was thrown back. A stream of darkness flowed from Meliodas's severed arm to his shoulder but before his arm could reconnect, Zeldris stepped on the wrist, stopping its return.

'Now do it,' said Zeldris.

Meliodas's eyes widened and he turned.

Grayroad loomed over them both. 'Binding Spell Grudge Chains.'

Dark purple chains wrapped around Meliodas's body. He strained against them but after a moment they faded from sight.

Your eyes narrowed and you tugged again at your own chains. The metal bit into your skin.

'What was that?' asked King, floating closer to the mage. You wished you could also get closer. 'An attack spell?'

'I have no idea,' said the mage. 'But it's a devastatingly potent force.'

Now free, Meliodas resumed his attack. He slammed a quick flurry of kicks into Zeldris's side but they had no effect. The kick to Zeldris's face worked better. You couldn't see if Zeldris was hurt (you doubted it, to be honest) but Meliodas used the force to push himself away.

The stream of darkness swirled and twisted through the air. This time Meliodas was able to reattach his arm. He twisted in mid-air and slammed a fist into the ground. Dust filled the air. It obscured the view in the orb too. But, at the mage's command, the angle changed. Now it showed outside the wall of dust, just in time for you to watch Meliodas burst through.

'All right,' said Gilthunder. 'He broke through their barricade.'

Relief spread through your chest for a moment. Only a moment. Because Meliodas faded from view and when he reappeared he was back in the circle of Commandments.

'No.' Your voice was so quiet you doubted anyone else could hear it. You pulled on the chains so hard your shoulders protested.

Meliodas was staring up at Grayroad, so you listened too.

'This is now inevitable,' said Grayroad in that many-layered voice that crept into your skull.

'No way,' Hawk whimpered. There were tears in his eyes. 'You've gotta be kidding, right? Now that he's been cursed he won't be able to get away? That means Meliodas will either kill the Ten Commandments or they're gonna kill him.'

'Hey,' Elizabeth said loudly. 'Enough of that, Hawk.'

'But ... but he ...'

'You may have been able to let [Y/n] get away, but the same will not be possible for you.' Zeldris walked closer to Meliodas. 'And know that when we do get our hands on her, her fate will be a thousand times more painful than yours.'

Meliodas's glare hardened.

Let me come back, you begged. Meliodas, come on. Please. I can help. I'll be there in no time. Just—

No. Didn't you hear what he just said?

What are you going to do then?

I'm thinking.

As he thought, Meliodas was pummelled by Derieri's fists. Each one rocked through you. You tried to take as much pain as Meliodas would let you. It wasn't a lot.

'Wait,' Hendrickson stammered. 'Something strange is happening.'

'It seems like her strength is increasing by the second,' said Howzer.

'It's Combo Star,' you said through gritted teeth. They turned to look at you. As you spoke, you didn't stop tugging on the chains. The manacles rubbed against the skin of your wrists. 'As long as Derieri lands those consecutive blows uninterrupted, the weight behind each one is increased.'

Meliodas used his arms to block. The hits kept getting stronger. His forearms turned mottled purple from bruises. His body was covered in scratches.

Got it. Meliodas's plan played through your head.

You shook your head. It'll work better if I'm there too. You know it will.

Doesn't matter, said Meliodas. You're not coming back. But I'll come back to you and Elizabeth. I promise.

Through all the darkness and the dust, you watched Meliodas's eyes turn back to green. The twisted crest on his face disappeared. The black flames on your arm disappeared. You swore you could see his power hanging in the air with your ring not there to absorb it.

'Fifty-four.' Derieri swung once more.

The punch threw Meliodas back into Monspeet's waiting arms.

'That's astounding,' said the moustachioed Commandment. 'You're only the second one to have withstood more than fifty rounds of Combo Star. But with both your arms pulverised, you won't be able to unleash Full Counter now.' Monspeet let Meliodas go and he fell. 'Hellfire Bird.'

The light of Monspeet's spell burned your eyes but you refused to look away. The bird of fire crashed into Meliodas and the light grew. The ground shook.

'Stop it,' Elizabeth shouted. 'That's enough!' Tears fell.

You wanted to go to her. To comfort her somehow. But even if the chains hadn't prevented you, you weren't sure you would have known what to say. You stared at your hands. Your skin under the manacles was turning red. It stung. You were sure it stung. But you couldn't feel it. Meliodas promised to come back. And even if ... your breath wobbled for a moment. He would come back even if it took a while. Meliodas had never broken a promise.

Meliodas burst from the fireball. Lostvayne was clutched in his teeth. He shot towards Monspeet and sliced through his neck. But, unable to slow his descent, Meliodas slammed into the ground.

Monspeet landed lightly. 'Gotta say I wasn't expecting that.' Dark blood burst from the cut on his neck.

Somehow Meliodas got to his feet. His limbs shook. Every move seemed to cause him pain. But he stood.

It hurt to watch. To see his battered body. His bruised arms. No matter how much you believed he would come back – no matter how much you knew he would come back – it hurt so much. There were tears in your eyes again. One fell.

'Please,' you found yourself saying. You didn't know who you were talking to or even what you were asking for. 'Please.'

Meliodas didn't stop glaring. He still held onto Lostvayne. His chest heaved with every breath. He swayed as he stood.

Gilthunder grabbed the mage's cape. 'Look, you've got to teleport me to where Meliodas is right now.'

'You won't stand a chance,' said the mage. 'You'll die.'

'That's fine by me.'

No. Wait.

The orb slipped from the mage's fingers. But Hawk managed to jump and save it, holding the little ball with his ears.

'Hey, Matrona, listen,' said Diane, turning to the blonde Giant at her side. 'I know these monsters have amazing powers – maybe even some that we haven't seen yet – but do you really think they'd save Zol and Della?'

Matrona didn't say anything.

'I must admit, Meliodas, you truly are a great sinner.' Fraudrin smirked and cocked his head smugly. 'You don't know how long I've waited for this moment to come. I can't forget my humiliating defeat in Danafall.' He began to walk up to Meliodas. 'Unfortunately, by not finishing me off when you had the chance, you've doomed yourself and those around you. Neither Dreyfus nor Hendrickson lives would've changed so drastically if you'd seized the opportunity.'

You took his words like a blow to the stomach. But Meliodas didn't respond. He took some of your power. Yes. More. Take more. Meliodas used it to try and speak to Dreyfus.

Fraudrin didn't stop smirking. 'I can assure you, trying to reach his spirit is an act of futility. Dreyfus could never hope to—'

It worked. Just for a moment, the mark faded.

'I hear you, Sir Meliodas,' said Dreyfus. Tears fell from his purple eyes.

Meliodas gasped.

'Stand down now,' said Fraudrin. 'Star Breaker.'

White white light. It tore into Meliodas. You tried not to throw up. This was too much. Too much pain. You tugged on the chains again.

'Oh no.' The tears were falling faster and faster from Elizabeth's eyes.

'You bastard,' Gilthunder shouted, shoving Howzer away. 'Meliodas!'

'Stop it.' Tears were streaming down Hendrickson's face too. 'Please, Dreyfus, end this madness.'

'My father would never do this,' said Baby Griamore.

'I know, Griamore.'

Gloxinia drew a circle of light in the air again and Basquias appeared at its centre. 'You brought this on yourself the moment you decided to stand with the humans.'

King's eyes widened. 'King Gloxinia, no. Don't do this.'

But Gloxinia didn't stop. Basquias raced towards Meliodas. Meliodas didn't move. The attack hit. On the horizon was a column of bright green light. Wind whipped across the Commandments. Meliodas was hidden.

I'll ... see you ... soon. Meliodas's voice in your head was so faint you almost didn't catch it.

You started. He must have enough power. It was going to be okay. You clenched your fists, ignoring the stinging.

The dust and the light faded and you could see Meliodas again. If you didn't know about his stupid plan, just the sight of him right now would have broken you. Blood poured from multiple wounds. One of his arms was missing, his shoulder just a ragged, bloody stump. Lostvayne had fallen to the ground.

Zeldris folded his arms. 'Elder brother, Meliodas, upon your death the first part of our revenge will be realised. If it hadn't been for you, we never would have been subjected to such humiliation. With the betrayal you carried out, the Demon race was set up to be casualties of war.'

Meliodas smiled. He grabbed Lostvayne. Power whipped around him and the Commandments. So fast. So much. You shivered. It tore up the ground, dust and rocks flying everywhere.

Ban stared. 'Captain!'

King took the air in shock. 'Huh? Wait, how did he—? What happened?'

'He deliberately feigned being overwhelmed by the attack,' said Gowther. 'An incredibly bold choice. He must've assumed this move was his only chance of defeating each of them. The amount of power he has stored is far greater than what he had during the battle for the royal capital. I'd say around thirty times greater.'

Yes. A vindictive smile spread across your face. Your toes curled in your shoes. This was it.

'Revenge Counter!' Meliodas swung his sword.

You leant forwards.

And with a metallic clang, everything stopped.

You froze.

Estarossa stopped Meliodas's attack with one hand. Meliodas fell. Lostvayne fell. You stumbled back.

'I'm sorry, Meliodas,' Estarossa said with a gentle smile. 'The truth is, I'd rather die than do something like this.' He put a foot on Meliodas's chest. 'You understand, don't you? It hurts me because I love you.'

The pain. Estarossa pressed down with his foot. The cracking. Your ribs felt like they were snapping, piercing your heart. But you couldn't feel it. All you could hear were Meliodas's screams. They were what tore into you. You wanted to move. To cry. To shout. But you were still frozen. And Meliodas screamed and screamed and screamed.

~~~~~

Lol did I trick anyone at the start? Hahaha sorry, I couldn't resist.

Can you believe this story is now over 200,000 words?! I can't. Amazing.

See you all in the next chapter!

Stay safe! 💕