'Elizabeth.' [Y/n] poked her head around the kitchen door. 'What kind of soup is it supposed to be?'

Elizabeth looked at Hawk. Hawk looked at Elizabeth.

'Um,' said Elizabeth, stirring the soup. 'Parsnip.'

[Y/n] gave her a little smile and disappeared again.

'You put one parsnip in it,' said Hawk as he licked up a spilt drop. 'Maybe you should just call it "Disaster Soup" and be done with it.'

Elizabeth gasped. 'Hawk!'

The sounds of customers started to fill the kitchen so Elizabeth washed her hands and headed up to the bar. [Y/n] was already in full work-mode, taking orders and pouring drinks. Elizabeth hurried over to the nearest table to take their order. As she walked, she caught a glance of the specials board. Right at the top was "Sort-Of Parsnip Soup".

Time passed. Customers came and went. As they left, they looked considerably happier. Elizabeth smiled to herself and served a tray of food. It felt good to be finally helping someone.

'Don't forget about your pie in the oven, Elizabeth,' [Y/n] said as she poured wine into a glass. 'It should be done by now.'

'Right!' Elizabeth whipped around to the kitchen before skidding to a stop. 'I'll just serve those drinks and then—'

[Y/n] shook her head. 'I've got this. You save your pie.'

'If it can be saved,' Hawk muttered as he walked by.

Elizabeth laughed nervously and hurried to the kitchen. Just as [Y/n] predicted, the pie was finished cooking. It smelt pretty good this time. The pastry was golden. Elizabeth set it on a plate and beamed. Perhaps this pie would taste good. Her excitement rising, Elizabeth ran out of the kitchen.

'I've got a hot Apple-ish Pie for our guests at table number three,' she said. 'Thank you so much for waiting.'

And then her foot hit the floor weird and her perfect pie was flying. It landed with a splat right on the customers' heads. Elizabeth stared at the filling dripping slowly down their noses and the pastry crumbs in their hair.

'It's okay,' said the first customer, wiping their face with a handkerchief. 'These things happen.'

'We're fine, so just do your best,' said the other.

Elizabeth got to her feet and brushed off her knees. 'Right! Thank you so much!'

'You all right, Elizabeth?' [Y/n] appeared with a couple of napkins. 'Looks like only the pie got hurt.'

'I'm fine.' Elizabeth laughed lightly, feeling her heart rise when [Y/n] smiled back. 'I'll get started on another pie right away.'

Well, that was the plan at least. Because just as Elizabeth was turning around, Hawk said something that made her stop.

'You finally woke up, huh?' Hawk was looking towards the base of the stairs.

The man standing on the stairs grimaced. It was Golgius, looking much better after his sleep. Elizabeth beamed at the Holy Knight.

'It looks like you're feeling a lot better.' She waved to him.

'It does,' said Hawk.

Golgius hesitated a moment longer before walking down the last of the stairs. As he did, the last of the customers left, some supported on their friends' shoulders and calling thanks.

'Thank you,' [Y/n] called from the doorway. 'Come again soon.' She shut the door with a snap.

'Um.' Golgius stepped up behind Elizabeth. He smiled at her. 'Thank you so much for helping me. I'm really grateful. This may seem abrupt, but I should get going—' He was interrupted by his own stomach rumbling.

Elizabeth smiled softly and met [Y/n]'s eye. [Y/n] nodded so Elizabeth hurried to the kitchen once more. As she left, she heard [Y/n] behind her, chastising Golgius for not looking after himself and making him sit down.

This time Elizabeth didn't run and was able to successfully serve a bowl of Sort-Of Parsnip Soup to Golgius.

'Thanks.' Golgius did not look excited. 'I appreciate it.'

As Golgius raised the spoon to his lips, [Y/n] sidled around the table until she was next to Elizabeth. Only Hawk remained opposite. Elizabeth winced slightly. That was probably for the best.

Indeed, no sooner had the soup touched his tongue that Golgius spat it back out with a gurgled yell.

[Y/n] laughed. Actually laughed. 'Just like Meliodas.' She put a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and smiled fondly.

'While they may use different techniques in the kitchen, Elizabeth's a natural when it comes to making food that tastes like real crapola,' said Hawk knowledgeably.

Despite her joy of making [Y/n] laugh, Elizabeth drooped. 'Sorry. Don't worry about finishing it, okay?'

'Oh no, it just caught me off-guard,' Golgius reassured. 'Now that I know what it tastes like, it's not so bad that I can't keep it down.'

Hawk licked up the spilt soup. 'Worst compliment ever.' He paused in cleaning for a second. 'Hey, lemme ask you something, Golgius—'

Once again, Golgius spit out his soup. He leapt to his feet, knocking over the stool he was sitting on, one hand flying to hover over the hilt of his sword. Elizabeth watched with wide eyes. [Y/n]'s gaze never wavered from his hand at his sword.

'Look, sucker, don't you spit in my face,' shouted Hawk.

'So you recognise who I am,' said Golgius, a glare replacing his pleasant smile.

'Once I catch a whiff, I can't forget someone's scent,' Hawk boasted. 'Hehe.'

Golgius held his sword but didn't draw it. [Y/n] tensed.

'Then why'd you save me?' Golgius growled. 'I'm your enemy. Tell me the truth. And don't give me some nonsense about helping everyone in need, whether they're adversaries or not.'

Elizabeth hid her blush with her serving tray. [Y/n] folded her arms and rolled her eyes, but her face softened.

'Just wanted to help, dude,' said Hawk.

'You what?' Golgius fell over. From shock or disbelief, Elizabeth couldn't tell. He got back to his feet, still not letting go of his sword.

'That's just who we are,' Elizabeth said. 'Sir Meliodas would've done the same, right?' She met [Y/n]'s eye.

'That's right.' [Y/n] nodded.

Golgius grunted. 'You wasted your time saving me. All roads in my life lead to a bad end.' His hand began to shake. 'Don't you see? The Demons have won. There's nothing more we can do.'

'A waste of time?' [Y/n] went very still. 'Perhaps. I could've been teaching Elizabeth or cooking or getting the tavern ready. I could've been sitting with Meliodas. I could've been training or eating or sleeping. And yet—' she fixed Golgius with a hard stare '—I chose to save you. So maybe ... maybe this isn't a bad end. Maybe it's a good beginning.' Her lower lip trembled. Golgius opened his mouth but [Y/n] turned on her heel and hurried to the stairs. She paused with one foot on the bottom step. 'But that's up to you.' And she was gone.

Elizabeth watched her go sadly before turning back to Golgius. 'As long as you're alive, not only can you keep on fighting to protect someone, you can also be there to share that someone's suffering when things get rough.'

'Such sentimentality is ridiculous,' Golgius scoffed. But he let go of his sword. 'You and I have completely different ways of seeing the world we live in.' He walked to the door. 'The meal wasn't appetising, but thanks anyway.' Golgius turned back once more, looking towards the stairs where [Y/n] had disappeared, but opened the door. 'Farewell. I'm sure we won't meet again.'

And with that, Golgius was gone.

Leaving Hawk to start the cleaning, Elizabeth walked up the stairs slowly. She stopped at the door to [Y/n] and Meliodas's room and listened. The soft murmur of [Y/n]'s voice drifted through the air as she recounted what just happened for Meliodas. Elizabeth felt her heart squeeze. She opened the door.

[Y/n] was sitting cross-legged at the end of the bed, her eyes red. But she smiled at Elizabeth. 'Golgius left, huh?'

Elizabeth nodded.

'Sorry about leaving so suddenly. I was just—'

'—wondering why you could save him but not Sir Meliodas,' Elizabeth finished. 'Right?'

[Y/n] blinked. 'Right. But, um, I also wanted to thank you, Elizabeth. You've been so patient and kind with me. You've been working so hard with your cooking and training and just trying to keep everything together. But you know ... you're allowed to be sad too.'

Elizabeth froze. Her response died on her lips. That it was the least she could do to help [Y/n] and the Boar Hat. That she was sorry she couldn't do more. Instead, Elizabeth turned her eyes to Sir Meliodas. His mouth slightly open. His chest unmoving.

The tears came without warning. Her shoulders began to shake. [Y/n] opened her arms and, without thinking, Elizabeth dived in. Even though she was sixteen and almost an adult. Even though [Y/n] wasn't her mother and had no reason to do so. Even though [Y/n] had way more right to be the one crying right now. Despite all that, Elizabeth sat on [Y/n]'s lap and bawled her eyes out. [Y/n] rocked back and forth gently, stroking Elizabeth's hair.

'I want him to come back,' Elizabeth sobbed into [Y/n]'s shirt. 'I just want him to come back.'

'I know,' [Y/n] said. 'I know.'

The sound of the door creaking open downstairs reached Elizabeth's ears and she lifted her head from [Y/n]'s shoulder.

'I wonder who it is,' [Y/n] said, looking to the bedroom door.

'IT'S HERE!' Hawk's screech pierced the air. [Y/n] was up and moving before Elizabeth could blink, sword drawn. She followed [Y/n] down the stairs, the clatter of their footsteps hidden in Hawk's wail of 'The Ghost Knight's come here to murder me!'

'Hawk, what is—? Oh.' [Y/n] skidded to a halt. Elizabeth almost ran into her. 'Hello again.'

'It is wonderful to see you again, [Y/n],' said the armour-clad person in the doorway. At the sound of his voice, [Y/n] froze. Elizabeth frowned. It was vaguely familiar. 'And you, Lady Elizabeth. Look how you've grown.'

'Um,' said Elizabeth. 'You were [Y/n]'s partner in Vaizel, right?'

'That's right.' The person inclined their head. 'I apologise for not greeting either of you then. I'm sure you'll understand that the circumstances were quite ... odd.' And with that, they took off their helmet. Long silver-grey hair tumbled free. Sir Zaratras smiled. 'After all, we haven't seen each other in ten years.'

Elizabeth gasped. 'No way ... it can't be ... Are you Grand Master Zaratras?'

'Why you little—' [Y/n] cut herself off. 'That's been bugging me for days! I knew your power felt familiar. And your fighting style.' She jabbed her finger at Sir Zaratras. 'I knew it.'

Sir Zaratras laughed lightly. 'It's good to see you both again.' He gave [Y/n] a knowing smile. 'You must be proud. Elizabeth's become such a lovely young woman.'

[Y/n] rolled her eyes even as one corner of her mouth twitched. Under her shock, Elizabeth felt her heart rise.

'Zaratras?' Hawk squeaked, voice and body trembling. 'The former Grand Master who got skewered like a pincushion by the other Grand Masters ten years ago?'

'Indeed,' said Sir Zaratras calmly. Before throwing his head back and crying, 'Yes, the very same. That fish pie – oh, if only Hendy hadn't offered it to me as a snack! It was piping hot. So rich and flaky and fresh out of the oven. How could I ignore it on an empty stomach after a night shift?' His face flushed and his eyes sparkled. 'I am only human. No one would have suspected that this delicious pie from the Yawning Black Cat Tavern was poisoned, right?' He stepped forward and narrowed his eyes. 'Grand Masters get hungry too, you know!'

Elizabeth stared, [Y/n] raised an eyebrow and Hawk said, 'Huh?'

Sir Zaratras loomed over [Y/n], gripping her shoulders. 'You understand, don't you, [Y/n]? That feeling when you come off a long shift and your stomach feels so empty you could eat anything?'

'Er ... sure,' [Y/n] said.

'And that pie in particular ...' Sir Zaratras groaned and whirled to Elizabeth. 'Lady Elizabeth, are you familiar with the Black Cat fish pies also?'

Elizabeth leant back slightly. 'Yes I am. They taste delicious and they're my father and sister's favourite food too.'

'Of course they are.' Sir Zaratras's silly smile was back.

'This guy's gotta be an imposter,' Hawk muttered, snorting.

'What?'

'Afraid not,' [Y/n] said with a small smile. 'This is definitely the real Zaratras.'

Elizabeth beamed back. 'And he really hasn't changed at all.'

'Seriously?' Hawk shouted.

'That pie was the biggest blunder of my life,' Sir Zaratras lamented, clenching his fists and trembling. 'If only I hadn't been so tempted, I could've been there for them. I could've saved Dreyfus and Hendy from the darkness.'

'A lot of that going around, huh?' [Y/n]'s voice was light but that emptiness was back in her eyes.

Elizabeth frowned before clenching her fists. 'Let me make you some tea, Sir Zaratras. You must be thirsty.'

Without waiting for an answer, Elizabeth bustled off to the kitchen. Seeing Sir Zaratras had changed something in [Y/n] and she was not going to let it go away or be something bad.

Once the tea was ready, Elizabeth brought it out with a cup and saucer. Sir Zaratras had moved to sit at the bar, his armour removed and left at a table. [Y/n] was sitting on the bar. They were talking again, Elizabeth couldn't make out exactly what, but [Y/n]'s smile was back. Heart warming once again, Elizabeth set the cup and saucer in front of Sir Zaratras and poured him tea.

'There you go,' she said with a smile.

Sir Zaratras nodded to her. 'I appreciate it.' His smile faded and he clasped his hands in front of him, staring into the cup of tea as if it held the answers to all his troubles. 'Well, as you can see, I've somehow been resurrected. For now, anyway.'

Oh. Elizabeth gasped. Him too? From Melascula's magic? Then that meant ... Elaine might be ...

Still invested in his tea, Sir Zaratras kept talking. 'Such an incredible ability ... bestowing a grudge and a physical body on souls that have regrets in this world then resurrecting them ...'

[Y/n] sniffed and turned up her nose. 'Not that incredible.'

'Huh?' said Hawk. 'Wait. Now hold on a second. Does that mean you were revived just so you could get revenge on the two Grand Masters who killed you?'

The air around Sir Zaratras became chilly. He turned in his seat to glare at Hawk. 'Yes, exactly.'

Hawk screeched.

The chill faded and regular Sir Zaratras was back, complete with gracious smile. 'If that were true, things would be much easier. In all honesty, I think the only real grudge I have is toward myself for not seeing Dreyfus and Hendy were being controlled by a Demon. That's my lingering regret for this world. Sometimes I feel so pathetic I can barely stand myself.' Sir Zaratras finished his cheerful sentence with a sip of tea.

Hawk glared, his ears twisting up to become approximations of fists. 'Please let me punch him.'

'Oh, give him a break, Hawk,' [Y/n] said, still smiling.

'Yeah, he's a lot more dignified when he's working,' said Elizabeth. 'Does Gil know that you've come back?'

Sir Zaratras turned with a smile. And suddenly tears were streaming from his eyes. 'What could I say to him after everything that's happened? If he sees his dead father all of a sudden then he'll be more than just shocked. And what if, by chance, he's forgotten what I even look like?'

'Come on now.' [Y/n] rolled her eyes again. 'As if—'

'It's possible! After all, I was never my son's favourite. Gil was always more attached to Sir Meliodas than me.'

[Y/n] laughed. Again. That was twice in one day.

'Don't laugh at me,' Sir Zaratras wailed before calming down. 'The more I think about that, the angrier I get. So take me to see Meliodas. I'd like to give him a piece of my mind.'

Elizabeth's eyes immediately moved to [Y/n]. She had become immensely still, her smile twisted into a grimace. Elizabeth looked towards Zaratras's tea instead. After all, if it had held the answers for him, perhaps it could tell her how to handle such a situation.

Before the tea could offer any wisdom, [Y/n] slid off the counter in the manner of ice cream falling out of its cone. 'Come on then. He's upstairs.'

Getting to his feet, Sir Zaratras shook his head and tutted. 'Still asleep at this hour?'

Elizabeth hurried after them. 'No, wait, Sir Zaratras—'

'He's dead,' [Y/n] said without turning.

Sir Zaratras faltered on the stairs. 'He what?' He turned to Elizabeth. 'What does she mean?'

Elizabeth couldn't meet his eyes. 'Sir Meliodas was killed by the Ten Commandments about a month ago.'

That walk up the stairs was the longest it had ever been, silence weighing on Elizabeth's shoulders. [Y/n] led the way, opening the door to her and Sir Meliodas's bedroom and stepping to the side to let them by. Sir Zaratras walked straight over to the bed and gazed down at Sir Meliodas's body. The sheets were drawn back and the seven scars on his chest were visible.

Hawk rested his front two trotters on the foot of the bed. 'Looks really good, doesn't he?'

'You've healed him to perfection,' said Sir Zaratras, all traces of humour gone from his voice. 'No ordinary Druid could've done it.'

'Elizabeth did,' [Y/n] said, her eyes not leaving Sir Meliodas. Despite everything, there was a hint of pride in her voice. 'She did it perfectly.'

Elizabeth's fists began to shake. 'How can you say that? This power is absolutely useless.' Tears swam in her eyes. 'All of his hearts are still completely stopped. I'll never see him smile again. What should I do?'

[Y/n]'s cold hand wrapped around her own and squeezed tightly. Elizabeth squeezed back.

Sir Zaratras's hand on Elizabeth's shoulder was warm and so was his smile. 'How about this: why not simply ask Sir Meliodas directly?'

The tears on Elizabeth's cheeks stopped. She stared at Sir Zaratras. 'Huh?'

'Can't we just trust Meliodas?' [Y/n] shot Sir Zaratras a look out the corner of her eye. 'This isn't exactly—'

'Please, [Y/n].' Elizabeth grabbed [Y/n]'s hand in both of hers. 'It's been almost a month. And I know you have an unwavering faith and I—' she took a deep breath '—I just want to be like you.'

The tears in [Y/n]'s eyes disappeared when she blinked, which Elizabeth was grateful for. 'Okay,' she said quietly. And then louder, 'Take Zaratras down to the kitchen. Everything we need should be there. I'll—' she swallowed thickly before her eyes hardened with determination '—I'll get Meliodas ready.'

Although she had no idea what it was that Sir Zaratras needed from the kitchen, Elizabeth led the way out the room. She could feel Sir Zaratras behind her, big and warm and comforting. Together they gathered a range of strange ingredients, including a handful of peppercorns and three sticks of cinnamon. Sir Zaratras even disappeared outside for a second before returning with a few purple flowers shaped like stars. They carried the ingredients back upstairs.

During their absence, [Y/n] had laid two sheets on the ground. Sir Meliodas was on one, a pillow beneath his head. The other was for the ingredients in Elizabeth and Sir Zaratras's arms. Sir Zaratras got to work combining the ingredients and grinding them to make some sort of paste. It was almost colourless but smelt like a forest after rain. Elizabeth watched with fascination as Sir Zaratras used the paste to draw symbols on Sir Meliodas's forehead and chest.

As he worked, Sir Zaratras spoke. 'As I'm sure you'll agree, Lady Elizabeth, Sir Meliodas was a truly mysterious man. He and [Y/n] often baffled the rest of us with what they said and how they acted.'

[Y/n] pursed her lips but didn't say anything.

'At the time,' Sir Zaratras continued, 'the true meaning of his words and thoughts, they escaped me. I couldn't begin to understand. When he'd uttered those perplexing things, it was like he was living far in the past while grieving over the distant future. Surprisingly, many of the strange things he said now make perfect sense to me. They come up again and again.' Sir Zaratras knelt at Sir Meliodas's head and reached out a hand to Elizabeth. 'Lady Elizabeth, please take my hand.'

She did so.

Sir Zaratras held out his other hand to [Y/n], but she hesitated.

'I still don't know about this,' she said.

'Don't be scared, [Y/n]. It will be all right.' Elizabeth smiled. 'After all, we're going to see Sir Meliodas again.'

[Y/n]'s breath hitched a little before her face softened into a smile. 'Suppose you're right.' And she took Sir Zaratras's hand. [Y/n] held out her other hand. 'C'mon, Hawk.'

With a snort, Hawk put a trotter in [Y/n]'s hand.

Sir Zaratras closed his eyes, bowed his head and recited a spell.

The air fizzled. The bedroom dissolved into white. Elizabeth gasped and held onto Sir Zaratras's hand tighter. It sounded like glass rain was falling all around. The sound faded.

'We've succeeded,' said Sir Zaratras in the sudden silence.

Elizabeth opened her eyes. The Boar Hat had completely vanished. So had Sir Meliodas. It was just herself, [Y/n], Hawk and Zaratras outside in a grassy field. The four of them were surrounded by a glowing light.

'Where are we?' Elizabeth asked.

'Weren't we at the Boar Hat just a sec – woah!' Hawk cut himself off with a squeal. It wasn't hard to see why.

Half of the otherwise idyllic landscape was covered with a truly tremendous cloud of black smoke. It completely covered the ground and sky in front of them.

Hawk was still screaming. 'What is that?'

'That's ... that's Danafall,' [Y/n] said, letting go of Sir Zaratras and taking an unsteady step.

Sir Zaratras nodded grimly. 'Right after it was destroyed.'

'That's where you and Sir Meliodas lived with Miss Liz, right, [Y/n]?' Elizabeth asked.

[Y/n] nodded once. She was staring transfixed at the smoke, like she was waiting for something to appear from it.

'This is horrific,' said a deep voice. 'I can't believe my eyes.'

Elizabeth turned. She knew that voice. Sure enough, there was her father upon a white horse. Sir Zaratras was there as well, riding his own steed.

'That's my father.' Elizabeth stared. 'And you, Sir Zaratras.'

'It's a memory of the past,' Sir Zaratras said, also looking at his past self. 'No one that we may encounter will be able to hear or see us.'

Elizabeth looked over her shoulder. [Y/n] was still staring at the smoke. Elizabeth felt that, if [Y/n] still had her powers, her eyes would be orange right now.

'But what's the point in all of this?' said Hawk. 'I still don't know what we're doing here in the first place.'

Sir Zaratras frowned. 'Likely because this is where it began. This is where Sir Meliodas, [Y/n], Lady Elizabeth and I first came into contact.'

Elizabeth's hands trembled a little. 'What are you talking about? I've never been out here before.'

'Over there.' Past Sir Zaratras butted into the conversation. He pointed at something behind Elizabeth. 'Look a young boy and girl.'

No way. It couldn't be. Elizabeth's knees shook as she turned to look.

'Hey, what in the world happened in this country?'

But it was. They walked out of the smoke slowly. The girl leant heavily on the boy, cradling what looked like a bundle of cloth in her arms. The boy had one arm around her, the other holding a very familiar dragon-shaped object.

[Y/n] made a weird choked sound.

'Now you see,' said Sir Zaratras. 'That's you as an infant with Sir Meliodas and [Y/n].'

Past Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] were looking distinctly battered. Both were covered in dirt and had tears streaming down their cheeks. Past Sir Meliodas's clothes were tattered and ripped, his skin covered in scrapes. Past [Y/n]'s armour had a massive, jagged hole in the breastplate, but, in contrast to Sir Meliodas, there were no cuts on her skin. What Elizabeth had thought was just cloth was actually a baby – herself if Sir Zaratras was to be believed. And Elizabeth did believe him. But ...

'Why would I have been with them as a baby?' Elizabeth murmured to herself.

'I don't know.' Sir Zaratras had heard the question. 'In all these years, I don't recall either of them ever speaking a single word to me about it.'

Past Sir Zaratras dismounted and made his way over to Past Sir Meliodas and [Y/n]. 'Hey,' he said again reaching out a hand, 'those are serious injuries. Maybe you should lie down for a bit. Let me take the little one.'

In a blink, Past Sir Meliodas had pushed Past [Y/n] behind him and slapped Past Sir Zaratras's hand away.

'Don't touch her,' snapped Past Sir Meliodas, pointing the dragon-shaped hilt at Past Sir Zaratras like a sword.

'I just—'

'Keep away from my family, understand me?'

'Meliodas,' said a tiny voice. It was Past [Y/n] who, without Past Sir Meliodas's support, had paled considerably. 'I can't ...' She sank to the floor, still holding Baby Elizabeth tightly.

'Look.' Past Sir Zaratras tried again. 'I really think I can help—'

Past Sir Meliodas growled. 'I said stay back.' The dragon hilt didn't waver from Past Sir Zaratras's face as Past Sir Meliodas knelt. 'Give her to me, [Y/n].' His voice became soft. 'It's okay now.'

'No.' Past [Y/n] held Baby Elizabeth tighter. Elizabeth didn't know if she was refusing to give up the baby or disagreeing with what Meliodas had said. 'No.'

Elizabeth stared at [Y/n]. A single tear ran down her face.

'What's going on?' Elizabeth asked nobody in particular.

The scene dissolved just like the Boar Hat had. The bright light and glass rain didn't last as long this time and reality reformed into a room Elizabeth recognised as being part of Liones Castle. Past Sir Zaratras was seated at a table with a glass of wine. Past Sir Meliodas stood at his side in fresh clothes, the dragon hilt tucked in his back pocket. Past [Y/n] was nowhere to be seen.

'The king has Vision,' Past Sir Zaratras was saying, 'a magical power which allows him to see the future. The other day he saw an omen concerning the child [Y/n] was holding. He believes this baby from Danafall is destined to become his third daughter.'

Past Sir Meliodas froze for a second before saying slowly, 'In other words, you're telling me the king wants to adopt Elizabeth, right?'

Past Sir Zaratras nodded. 'Yes.'

'No way.' Past [Y/n] burst into the room, glaring at Past Sir Zaratras. 'There's no way. You hear me, Zaratras, you mouldy old worm? In fact, I'll say that to the king myself. Where is he?'

Just before she could storm off, Past Sir Meliodas caught her in his arms. 'Excuse us for a moment,' he said to Past Sir Zaratras with a grin and tugged Past [Y/n] to a corner as she continued to shout obscenities.

Past Sir Zaratras blinked. 'Um, sure.'

Elizabeth might've laughed at the stunned look on Past Sir Zaratras's face, but instead she followed Past Sir Meliodas and [Y/n]. it was like her legs were moving by themselves.

'This isn't my memory anymore,' said Sir Zaratras, following behind.

'It's mine,' said [Y/n].

Past [Y/n] kept shaking her head vehemently. 'No. She's a baby, Meliodas. How long has it been since – since –?' Her voice broke. 'I don't care if every king in the land said it was destiny, this is not happening. How can you even—?' She broke off with a gasp.

There were tears in Past Sir Meliodas's eyes. 'Please,' he said softly. 'She'll be safe here as we look for ways to break the curse. And even if she makes a new one, we'll always be her family. It's hard. God, [Y/n], I know it's hard, but I think this is the best option we have.' He laughed once. 'She'll be a princess.'

Past [Y/n] returned his smile with a weak one of her own. 'She already was.'

They walked back over to Past Sir Zaratras, who had been watching the exchange with wide eyes. Past Sir Meliodas was smiling cheekily again, but Past [Y/n] glared.

'Okay then,' said Past Sir Meliodas, 'but only on the condition that he gives us jobs in exchange.'

'Sorry.' Past Sir Zaratras faltered a little. 'But we don't really need new babysitters.'

'You've got the wrong idea. We mean as Holy Knights.'

Past Sir Zaratras gasped before laughing heartily.

He wasn't laughing for long, though. In no time at all, Past Sir Meliodas had Past Sir Zaratras on the floor, a sword cleaving through the stone floor so close to Past Sir Zaratras's face it made Elizabeth flinch.

'Wait, very well.' Past Sir Zaratras surrendered.

Elizabeth gasped softly.

Past [Y/n] grinned a little evilly. 'My turn.'

'No, that's all right,' said Past Sir Zaratras quickly.

'I could sense their true essence,' said Sir Zaratras. 'Meliodas had a demonic, murderous intent. But there wasn't a hint of evil in his eyes. And though [Y/n] glared at me like that, her heart only held compassion. And even though it was cold, there was a light around her brighter than any I had seen before.'

'Oh, stop it, Zaratras. You're gonna make me blush.' The light playfulness in [Y/n]'s voice didn't reach her eyes.

'On my recommendation they were appointed to the royal family. Or to be more precise about it, they were appointed to you, Lady Elizabeth, as Holy Knights.'

'Um, can we go back for a second?' said Hawk. 'Meliodas said he and [Y/n] were breaking a curse, didn't they? Well, what does that mean?'

'Just watch,' said Sir Zaratras.

[Y/n] sighed.

The bright light was back. Just like last time, it didn't stay for long. When their surroundings reformed, they were outside again, this time in the castle courtyard. Past Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] were crouching a few meters away from each other, bright smiles on their faces. Past Elizabeth, now a small child, tottered from Past [Y/n] into Past Sir Meliodas's waiting arms.

'I'm sure you don't remember, but when you were a child, you were very attached to both of them,' said Sir Zaratras.

Elizabeth blinked. 'Really? I was?'

[Y/n] smiled a little. 'Is that so hard to believe?'

Elizabeth looked back in time to watch her younger self press a clumsy kiss to Past Sir Meliodas's cheek.

Past Sir Meliodas laughed. 'Why thank you. What was that for?'

'[Y/n] got one so you should get one too,' said Past Elizabeth.

'No fair,' Past [Y/n] called with an exaggerated pout. 'I want another one.'

Past Elizabeth giggled as Past Sir Meliodas held her tighter.

'Nuh uh,' he said, poking his tongue out. 'She's all mine now.'

'Guess I'll come to you then.' Past [Y/n] got to her feet, smiling wider.

'Oh no. We've got to escape, Elizabeth.' Past Sir Meliodas got up too, hoisting Past Elizabeth over one shoulder and started to run.

But just as she was about to chase, Past [Y/n] stopped abruptly. Her eyes went blank and her head turned as if someone had called her name. But there was no one there. Before anyone but Elizabeth noticed, Past [Y/n] shook herself, hitched her smile back on her face and took off after Past Sir Meliodas and Elizabeth.

As the scene faded once more, the sound of their laughter echoed in Elizabeth's ears.

'It was right after that,' said Sir Zaratras as the castle's throne room materialised around them. Her father sat on his throne as Past Sir Zaratras, Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] stood before him.

'What did you say?' Past Sir Zaratras took a step forward. 'The Kingdom of Liones is destined to be under the protection of seven sinners? How could something so ludicrous even be possible?'

Without any of them realising, someone else had entered the throne room. Elizabeth watched with wide eyes as the Merlin of the past made her way to the others.

'Please rest assured,' she said as she drew near, 'regarding that premonition, I've already handled the research and selection process.'

Past [Y/n] smiled and waved. Past Sir Meliodas just watched. And Past Sir Zaratras and King Bartra looked frightened, their alarm easy to see in their eyes.

'Who are you?' said Past Sir Zaratras.

Past Merlin ignored him. 'The king's omen has proven to be quite impressive, hasn't it? Without it, I'd venture to say that locating the five of them would've been close to impossible.'

'Wait, five?' Past [Y/n] frowned.

'The remaining two are ...' Past Sir Meliodas looked between Past [Y/n] and Merlin slowly.

Finally, Past Merlin stopped. She placed a hand on her hip, familiar smirk on her lips. 'It's me and you, Meliodas.'

Past [Y/n]'s frown deepened. She opened her mouth but was cut off by Past Sir Meliodas.

'All right,' he said. 'Then let's gather everyone right away.' He clenched a fist and a victorious smile spread across his face. 'The Sins will destroy the Commandments forever.'

Elizabeth couldn't look away from the hard smile on Past Sir Meliodas's face. 'You mean that was the plan all along? It couldn't be.'

'It was exactly that, Lady Elizabeth,' said Sir Zaratras. 'The Seven Deadly Sins were specifically chosen and gathered to defeat the Ten Commandments.'

'But ... but what about you, [Y/n]? Why weren't you a Sin?'

[Y/n] smiled. 'The sins I committed are not so easily defined.' Then she sighed. 'Or something.'

The throne room disappeared into white light. But just before it did, Elizabeth noticed Past [Y/n] go blank again, her head tilted as if listening to someone. That was all she managed to see because their surroundings reformed into some sort of rowdy tavern.

Past Sir Meliodas and Sir Zaratras were sitting opposite each other at a table, each with a stein and flushed cheeks. Elizabeth looked around and spotted Past [Y/n] perched on a windowsill nearby looking at the moon.

'You shouldn't sit there,' Past Sir Meliodas said as he finished his drink.

Past [Y/n] laughed lightly. 'I'm not drunk. Not as much as him anyway.' She nodded her head towards Past Sir Zaratras whose face was becoming slowly redder as he drank.

Past Sir Meliodas didn't return her smile. 'That's not what I meant.'

'Oh.' Past [Y/n] turned serious and hopped off the sill. She grabbed a free chair and dragged it over. 'You're right.'

'Ha, your face is red,' Past Sir Zaratras slurred. 'Seen you drink but I've never seen you drunk before.' With his energy apparently all used up, Past Sir Zaratras slumped on the table.

Past [Y/n] giggled.

'How much did you have anyway?' Hawk shouted.

Finishing his long draught, Past Sir Meliodas smiled somewhat sadly and said, 'After three thousand years, you learn when to celebrate. And if I'm this happy still waiting on that curse to be lifted, I'd say it's time.'

'I'll drink to that,' Past [Y/n] said and downed the rest of her drink.

'Oh.' Elizabeth brought her hand to her chest. 'The curse from before?'

Past Sir Zaratras came back to life ... sort of. His eyes were unfocussed and there was drool running down his chin. 'Three thousand years, huh? How can a human live that long? No one in the Fairy race or Giant race ever has. Not the Goddess race nor Demon race either.' He got to his feet impressively steady. 'Three thousand years, yeah right.'

'Oh you are so wasted,' said Hawk.

Sir Zaratras just laughed.

Continuing on his drunken adventure, Past Sir Zaratras had made his way behind Past Sir Meliodas and was messing with his hair. 'If that's really true and you're that old, then you're astounding, Sir Meliodas. I mean, if it were me, I don't think I'd be able to stand it. I'd have to kill myself or have someone kill me, you know?'

The sad smile was back on Past Sir Meliodas. He reached out to hold Past [Y/n]'s hand. 'Oh, we've tried everything.'

Elizabeth gasped softly. No. He couldn't mean ... She looked to [Y/n] so she could deny it. But [Y/n] didn't. Her chin trembled.

'But—' the sad smile was replaced by a glare '—the curse won't allow that to happen.'

Hawk turned to Sir Zaratras. 'What's he talking about?'

Sir Zaratras placed a hand on his chin. 'Perhaps they have a curse that won't let them die. I'm not sure.'

'Never dying,' said [Y/n] softly. 'No matter what.'

Elizabeth hated it. The "no matter what". It made her think that [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas had tried ... had tried to ... No. how could they even think it? How could she even think it now?'

Past Sir Meliodas wandered to the window Past [Y/n] had been sitting on. 'A storm's coming.'

This time Elizabeth barely noticed the transition. The light had faded and they were standing on the steps to the castle, but she only realised when the repeated shouts of '[Y/n]' got louder.

Past [Y/n] was walking down the steps slowly, almost as if she were asleep. But her eyes were open. They were open and looking at nothing. Or rather at nothing Elizabeth could see.

'[Y/n]!' Past Sir Zaratras clattered out of the doors and down the steps. 'Where are you going? What's the matter?'

Past [Y/n] didn't stop. She didn't look at Past Sir Zaratras. 'I can hear him,' she whispered. 'Calling me. I have to go.'

'What are you talking about? Come back inside.' Past Sir Zaratras grabbed Past [Y/n]'s arm, but [Y/n] tugged herself free with such force that Zaratras stumbled down two steps.

'What's all this noise about?' Past Sir Meliodas appeared at the top of the steps.

'Sir Meliodas,' said Past Sir Zaratras. 'There's something wrong with [Y/n]. She's not—'

But he didn't get to finish. Past Sir Meliodas's gaze had narrowed in on Past [Y/n], who was already at the bottom of the steps, and he was at her side in a blink. He held her hand and, when [Y/n] couldn't pull herself free, she finally stopped.

Past [Y/n] blinked and looked around. 'Where are we? Oh no!' Her eyes widened. 'Did I—?'

'Hey, it's okay,' Past Sir Meliodas soothed. 'I've got you. You're still in Liones.'

'Oh thank goodness.' Past [Y/n] relaxed. The two of them walked back up to the castle. When they got to Past Sir Zaratras, Past [Y/n] smiled and said, 'Sorry for worrying you, Zaratras.'

'Um, it was nothing,' Past Sir Zaratras stammered.

Past [Y/n] squeezed his hand and continued into the castle.

'I still think you should just go and get it over with,' Past Sir Meliodas said as they walked through the door.

Past [Y/n]'s humourless laugh bounced down the stairs. 'Not while we're with Elizabeth.'

Everything vanished into white.

'What the heck was that?' said Hawk, echoing Elizabeth's thoughts.

When the light faded, they were inside one of the castle's many hallways. Light streamed in through the high windows, hanging in the air like curtains.

'What's wrong, Elizabeth?' Past Sir Meliodas's voice came from behind. 'Can't sleep?'

Elizabeth turned with a gasp. Sir Meliodas was looking right at her, walking forwards with a gentle smile. He could see her.

But there was a cold hand on her wrist. Elizabeth met [Y/n]'s eyes. As the other girl shook her head and smiled sadly, Elizabeth's heart sank. Of course not.

So she turned once again to watch her past self.

Past Elizabeth was wearing a little pink nightgown, one arm wrapped around a teddy and her other hand holding Past [Y/n]'s.

'Elizabeth has something she wants to ask you,' said Past [Y/n]. She nudged Past Elizabeth forwards with an encouraging smile. 'Go on.'

Past Sir Meliodas knelt and patted Past Elizabeth's head. 'What's up?'

'[Y/n] says you're going away to work tomorrow. Is that right, Meliodas?' asked Past Elizabeth.

'Uh huh.'

Past Elizabeth held her teddy closer. 'Do you think you'll be able to come back to me right away?'

'Come on now, is that what you were worrying about?' Past Sir Meliodas laughed lightly. 'What did [Y/n] say?'

'She promised to come back.' Past Elizabeth looked at the ground and then into Past Sir Meliodas's eyes. 'But I want you to promise too.'

'Okay.' Past Sir Meliodas stood, lifting Past Elizabeth in his arms and walking to stand beside Past [Y/n]. 'No matter where I might be, I'll always come back to you alive.'

'Promise?'

Past [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas smiled. 'We promise.'

'Promise,' [Y/n] echoed a little behind.

White light and glass rain. As it rained down, Elizabeth wrapped [Y/n] in her arms. [Y/n] didn't even hesitate to hug Elizabeth back.

'He'll come back,' Elizabeth whispered. 'Someday. Somehow. Just like you said.'

[Y/n] pulled back and smiled the brightest smile Elizabeth had seen from her in weeks. 'Promise,' she said again.

'Hang on a second.' Sir Zaratras's voice caught their attention. 'What's going on?' He looked around in confusion. 'This isn't my memory. I thought we'd be back by now.'

'Oh.' [Y/n] walked away from Elizabeth. 'This is my memory.'

Elizabeth looked around. They were in the tavern of the Boar Hat. Rain lashed against the windowpanes. Thunder rumbled through the air. Past [Y/n] was standing in the middle of the tables, frozen, her eyes wide and unfocussed, a forgotten bottle of ale in one hand. Past Sir Meliodas was at her side, tugging desperately at her arm, but [Y/n] was unresponsive.

With one particularly loud crack of thunder, Past [Y/n] jumped. The glass shattered in her hand. Blood dripped down her fingers to the floor. She started to cough, deep wracking coughs. More blood fell from her lips, mixing on the floor with the blood from her palm.

Past Sir Meliodas sighed and helped Past [Y/n] into a chair. He pressed a handkerchief in her hands. It turned red quickly.

'[Y/n],' he said, voice soft but with an undertone of pain. 'Just go. Please. I hate seeing you like this. We were run out of the kingdom five years ago. That means you've been ignoring this for ten years. Elizabeth isn't here. You have no reason to stay and put yourself through this.'

'But,' said Past [Y/n], pressing the handkerchief to her mouth with shaking hands, 'I do have reasons. I do,' she said again when Past Sir Meliodas scoffed. 'I have to help with the Boar Hat. And what if Elizabeth comes? And ... and ... and I don't want to leave you.' She started to sob quietly.

Past Sir Meliodas held her close, careful not to jolt her injured hand. 'Listen to me.' Past [Y/n] looked at him with watery eyes. Past Meliodas's gaze hardened. 'There is nowhere you can go that I won't be with you.' He touched the ring on Past [Y/n]'s hand, then over her heart before resting his palm on her cheek. Past [Y/n] leant into his touch. 'Nowhere.'

Lightning flashed with a bright white light that filled the tavern and dissolved the scene. When the light faded, they were back in [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas's bedroom. Elizabeth felt the floor hard beneath her knees. Sir Meliodas's motionless body lay before them, still with the symbols Sir Zaratras had drawn. For the first time, seeing his lifeless body didn't make Elizabeth feel empty. Instead, she smiled.

'Looks like we made it back where we started,' said Hawk.

'Will you be all right, Lady Elizabeth?' said Sir Zaratras.

'I'm fine.' Elizabeth smiled at [Y/n] and [Y/n] returned it. 'Sir Meliodas is definitely coming back. He promised.'

—

Somewhere far far away, Meliodas stood by himself in the darkness. Rocks loomed overhead. The air was full of thorns.

'How does it feel to be back in Purgatory?' A deep cold voice vibrated through the air. 'You were beaten spectacularly this time, Meliodas.'

Meliodas put his hands on his hips and kept his voice light. 'Peeping in on me to pass the time, huh? That a hobby of yours?'

An eerie light grew. It illuminated the area, showing a barren landscape with nothing around but pointed rocks and whatever was speaking.

'Oh please,' said the voice. 'Don't flatter yourself. My loyal Eye showed me everything, that's all.'

'Is that right?'

'Even you were rendered helpless before the Commandments of Piety and Benevolence. Now you stand before me once again to await your death.'

Meliodas began to walk, his footsteps echoing in the vast emptiness. 'Yeah, but because of that the Commandments were lifted.'

'There are only two ways to dispel the Commandments I created: either defeat the ones on whom they were first bestowed or die.'

'Well, thanks to the curse you gave me, I just keep on coming back to life over and over.' Meliodas smiled. 'It's pretty ironic, huh?' He laughed.

'Enough with the bravado,' the voice snapped. 'Is it fear or rage? You cannot hide the fact that you're trembling. It's clear to me.'

Meliodas kept walking, clenching his fists tighter even as his smile remained. How about both? But he couldn't say that. 'Come on, are you kidding me? What are you talking about?'

'Still full of bluster. Look at you. The Demon once renowned as the Ultimate Evil.' Purple flames began to grow from a crack in the floor. 'Not only did you fail to end my life, you've squandered yours away. For the past three thousand years you've been a useless shell thanks to that woman. And to think, all you had to do was hand over that abomination you created and none of this would've happened. Who do you have to thank for being returned to your current state?'

As the voice continued to speak, Meliodas's anger kept rising. He glared at the flames as they billowed and twisted.

'Yes, that's right.' The voice was almost crooning. 'Each time you've chosen death and made your way to Purgatory, I've fed on those budding emotions of yours. Now,' the voice was back to booming, 'it's time for you to satiate my hunger and thirst once again.' The flames rose, forming the shape of an enormous man. 'I can use the nutrients of your emotions to build up my lost power while you can draw closer to becoming the most powerful Demon of all. Isn't this a joyous occasion, my son?'

Meliodas smirked. 'If you think you can.'

'Or—' his father's voice became sticky, like poisoned syrup '—you can bring her to me. The abomination. My granddaughter. Do that, and all this will end. The pain. The suffering. All you have to do is give her to me.'

That was it. Anger consumed Meliodas. He wasn't smirking anymore. 'As if I'd ever do that, you bastard.' And he attacked.

~~~~~

Happy Valentine's Day 💕💕💕