Meliodas's strike landed and both he and Zeldris were obscured in a huge cloud of dust. You leant forwards, balancing on the balls of your feet, ignoring the dark flames that covered your left arm. Debris flew, almost reaching back to where you stood with the other Sins. Making up your mind, you left them and flew to Meliodas instead.

You landed just in time to watch Zeldris's broken body turn to bones.

'Thought so,' said Meliodas, his voice deep and dark. 'It wasn't real.' He glanced at you. 'You should go back to the others.'

'Oh come on.' You tried to smile. 'It's better when we're together.'

Meliodas's frown didn't leave, but something behind his eyes softened.

'To strike at him knowing it was a trap,' said a disembodied voice that slithered through the air like cobweb worms. 'My, my. You must really be furious at Zeldris, aren't you, Sir Meliodas?'

That voice was Melascula. But where was she? Your head whipped from side to side, but she was nowhere to be seen.

'Cocoon of Darkness.'

Instead of Melascula appearing, the darkness came instead. It surrounded you with tentacles like bars on a cage. Through them, you could just see Ban running, his lips pulled back in a snarl, one hand reaching. And then there was nothing.

—

They didn't make it in time. King watched the giant black orb float away and gritted his teeth.

'Damn! She got them.' Ban clenched his fists.

'What are we gonna do?' said Diane. 'It's like they just vanished.'

Gowther shook his head. 'Don't worry. They haven't gone very far.' He pointed somewhere to the left. 'I can sense their power in the centre of the village.'

King led the way, floating through the streets with Chastiefol at his side. Coland was empty. Cold and silent. The buildings might have been grand once but not anymore. Their brick walls were crumbling and blackened by soot and age. King shivered. He felt like they weren't alone. Something not living still called Coland home.

Pushing the thought from his mind, King let the presence of his friends calm his heart. Diane was here. He wasn't alone. He fell back slightly to join the group. They pressed on.

'Over there, right?' said Diane, her head turning instinctively.

King sped up a little.

'Harlequin.' Helbram's voice was short and harsh. 'Look below you.'

So he did. King's mouth fell open. His face twisted. 'What are those?'

They covered the ground, off-white and cracked, covered with dust and dirt. All flesh had long since wasted away. These were just bones. Ribs and spines. Skulls with grinning jaws and empty eye sockets that stared at him. Hundreds of them. An ice-cold finger ran up King's back.

Hawk screeched. 'The place is covered in creepy skeletons.'

'How unsettling,' said Escanor. His knees must've given out. 'Don't tell me they belong to the massacred residents of Coland.'

King's throat was dry. There was dust in his mouth. He didn't think he could say anything.

'There's at least a thousand of them,' said Gowther with only detached interest despite his newly regained emotions.

One of the skeletons began to move. First its jaw. Then an arm. And then all the skeletons were rising to their feet. As they moved, they groaned. Their bones knocked together with an empty, hollow rattle.

King forced his hands to stop shaking by clutching Chastiefol to his chest. 'They're moving around.'

'So are these things kind of like my golems?' asked Diane.

'Not them,' said Gowther. 'And unlike most other ones, these beings are one hundred per cent hostile.'

Merlin frowned. 'It's a technique using the dead's grudges. The Vengeful Soul Resurrection Law.'

The horde of skeletons attacked. Despite their general creepiness, they were certainly lacking in speed. And strength, apparently. One punched Ban, its fist colliding with his cheek. Ban didn't look hurt. If anything, he looked annoyed.

Ban grunted. 'Come on. Does she really think she can hold off the Seven Deadly Sins with weak little scrubs like these?'

So the Sins attacked. King flew higher, letting go of Chastiefol and screwing up his face in concentration. 'Now, Increase!'

The pillow dissolved into daggers, each on falling from the sky and tearing through a skeleton. They crumbled. King took a moment to watch Diane kick a few skeletons into nothing and felt his lips turn up at the corners.

Ban's shout rose up from the battlefield. 'Where are you, Captain? [Y/n]?'

—

To be honest, you had no idea where you were. Meliodas was silently fuming just to your left and Melascula's presence was all around. Apart from that, there was only dark. It wasn't like night-time darkness or even like Meliodas's darkness. This darkness seeped under your skin and made your head spin. It didn't help that Meliodas's anger kept rampaging in your mind or your own worry that flooded your stomach.

'Hellblaze!' With Meliodas's shout, the dark got darker. And hotter. The flames didn't last long and didn't really do anything.

Melascula laughed. 'Your Hellblaze is a dark power, remember? It'll have zero effect in here. Well—' she giggled again '—maybe one.'

You gritted your teeth and stood closer to Meliodas, trying to calm yourself down.

'Still, what a delicious surprise.' A hazy image of an enormous Melascula floated in the air. 'Being brought back to life an losing your emotions every time is one hell of a curse to be given.' She giggled. 'And the look on your face right now ... it's priceless.' Her face got closer to yours. 'But I have to say, I enjoy your face even more.' Her smile turned to a sneer. 'Finding the darkness hard to handle, Goddess?'

Meliodas swung his sword and Melascula was cut in two. Unfortunately, she kept talking.

'Listen, since it's just us three here, how about we do something to pass the time?'

You blinked hard, swaying slightly, wishing for some fresh air. Meliodas said nothing.

'Oh, I know. How about a riddle?' Melascula's voice reverberated in your head. 'The destructive force spilling out from your entire body. All of that negative energy is being absorbed by the Cocoon of Darkness and it's about to be converted into something. So, what do you think that something could be? If you manage to guess right, I'll reward you by releasing you three days after Elizabeth regains every one of her memories.'

No. You couldn't tell if Melascula's continued laughter was real or just your mind playing tricks. The darkness grew. Your breaths go shallower.

'Although,' said Melascula, 'I don't think your little pet will last that long.'

Meliodas turned to you, anger twisting the crest on his forehead. He looked like a mirage in the desert.

'And if she dies, she'll have to leave you again.' The glee in Melascula's voice grew. 'Maybe she won't remember you at all this time. Maybe she won't come back at all. Wouldn't that be delightful?'

Somehow, Meliodas laughed. 'If you think your power is enough to take [Y/n] out, then the only delusional one here is you, Melascula.' He looked back at you. 'Get us out of here.'

You nodded. You nodded again. You shook out your hands and took a deep breath. Light started to glow on your fingertips. You frowned and concentrated harder. The light got bigger. Brighter. With a shout, you drew your hands down in a flash, leaving a streak of light in the darkness. Every time you blinked, its shape was imprinted on your eyelids. Behind it was the outside world. Coland was visible – you appeared to be in the middle of the town – and you could hear the Sins fighting.

'Ha.' Meliodas grabbed your hand and pulled you to the tear you had made. 'Well, be seeing you, Melascula. Or not.'

But before either of you could leave, the power snapped. You stumbled back. The light disappeared, taking Coland and the clashing with it.

Meliodas looked at you. '[Y/n]?'

'I'm sorry. I don't know what ...' You pressed your lips together. 'Let me try again.'

Melascula's laugh crawled through the air. 'You can if you like. It won't do you any good.'

Meliodas growled. 'What have you done?'

'Oh my. Are you saying you're not going to even try and solve the riddle? You're really no fun at all anymore, Meliodas.' She sighed. 'It's simple, really. Your negative energy is being transferred to them. This is the Dead Soul Enhancement Law, Carnage Grudge.'

'I meant what have you done to [Y/n]?'

'Oh, that's just a bonus. The high concentration of your power is creating a most unsuitable environment for a Goddess. They really are such pitifully weak creatures. Imagine. She claims to love you and yet she can't even spend a few minutes by your side when you're being yourself.'

You took an unsteady step. 'Liar. I've spent over three thousand years with Meliodas and his power. It doesn't hurt me.'

And to prove your point, you flung a wave of light. Coland. Fresh air. But it was gone in a blink.

Melascula's voice was a hiss. 'Stupid girl.'

'No. No, I ...' You turned to Meliodas. 'It's not true.'

Melascula began to laugh again. 'Not only are you destroying your friends, Meliodas, you're also killing your wife.'

—

The skeletons stopped. Merlin frowned, certain she could see a glowing purple aura around them and feel a power condensing. She watched spikes of bones burst from their skulls and hummed slightly.

'Interesting.' Merlin couldn't help but smile. 'Their offence, defence and resistance to magic. Those powers have surged.'

The battle began again and Merlin saw the skeletons prove what she had just said. Ban was actually knocked back. But then again, Merlin laughed to herself, what did it matter in the end? She rose up higher into the air, better to observe.

'Time for Jack,' said Gowther from below. A rain of pink bullets fired from his fingers and wedged themselves into the bones of the attacking skeletons. 'You will stop in your tracks. Come no further.'

Merlin frowned. That wouldn't work. Sure enough, the skeletons didn't stop. They didn't even slow. Gowther was forced to retreat.

'Gowther, get down!' Merlin landed behind him and extended her arms. A ball of light stretched into a deadly laser that sliced through the attackers, making them fall.

'My attack didn't work,' said Gowther, looking to Merlin. 'I couldn't control them.'

'Your spell was for nerve manipulation,' Merlin explained. 'These spirits are driven by grudges. And from what I can tell, the source of their power is an overwhelming negative energy emanating from the centre of this town.' She glanced in the direction. 'It must be our abducted Captain.' Merlin turned back in time to see the skeletons rise again. Their bones were more cracked than ever, some missing most of their skulls. Her eyes narrowed. 'Which means, they're now more than mere annoyances.'

And, Merlin thought to herself with a frown, it meant [Y/n] was in trouble too.

—

'Wha— what just happened?' Melascula's face screwed up in confusion. 'Those spirits are being fuelled by Meliodas's negative energy.'

Meliodas laughed. Even [Y/n] giggled weakly at his side. 'So that's how it works, huh? Well that's just too bad. The Seven Deadly Sins were brought together by fate to destroy you Ten Commandments. To underestimate us would be a big mistake!'

Melascula ground her teeth before calming herself. 'Well, I'm not so sure about that.'

[Y/n]'s fingers clutched his arm so Meliodas turned to her instead. Her face was pale, standing out against the darkness. There was sweat beading on her forehead, but her eyes still shone with determination.

I think, she said, voice barely a whisper, that I've nearly stored enough power to get you out.

Meliodas frowned. Me?

She nodded. You go help the others. As Melascula keeps me here, I'll recharge the power and free myself too. If I go and leave you, you'll be trapped.

You've been planning this all along, haven't you?

Of course. [Y/n] smiled and tilted her head. Melascula talks too much.

Meliodas smiled an actual genuine smile. It didn't last long and, really, he was surprised it had come at all. His demonic powers were in full swing, which meant most of what he felt was anger. But she had made him smile. Somehow she managed to give him hope.

'What are you two doing down there?' said Melascula. 'Don't you want to watch?'

An image other than Melascula's face hovered before them. It was of Coland. The Sins were clustered together staring at something in horror. It towered above the buildings, a colossal skeleton with a ribcage large enough to host a village, houses and all.

Melascula started to laugh again. 'What's wrong, Meliodas? 'Cause you're looking a little pale.'

Meliodas said nothing. Neither did [Y/n]. They didn't need to. Because the giant skeleton cracked. It crumbled. It became fragments of bone and then nothing but dust.

Melascula's eyes became serving plates. No, even bigger. Two moons in her head. Her jaw dropped to her chest.

'What's wrong, Melascula?' Meliodas smirked. 'You look kinda gross.'

'Almost,' [Y/n] whispered. 'Almost.'

—

King couldn't help but smile. He crossed his arms and looked down on what remained of their attackers. Diane was safe too. Now all that was left was to retrieve the captain and [Y/n]. Simple.

Well, it should have been.

'Listen,' Merlin shouted. 'Keep your minds in check or it will possess your souls.'

Keep his mind in check? King frowned. How? But the urgency in Merlin's voice, the fear on her face, meant he had to try. The air turned sharp and jagged. It squeezed his head. King squeezed his eyes shut. Just think about Diane.

'This is bad,' said Helbram. King turned instinctively, but his friend hadn't appeared. 'The disembodied spirits' mind cluster ...'

Helbram didn't finish. King didn't get to ask why.

'Hey, you guys,' came Diane's voice. But it didn't sound like Diane. The usual warmth and life had been replaced by something sinister and rotten. King turned and fell a foot. Diane's skin was so pale. Her beautiful eyes were black with red pupils and blood fell from them like tears, leaving streaks on her cheeks and dripping from her chin. 'Is it okay if I kill you?'

Diane giggled madly and King's heart broke.

—

'What have you done to Diane?' [Y/n] glared at Melascula.

'Who, me? Why nothing at all,' said Melascula with a smile. 'She did this to herself.'

[Y/n] growled and took a step forward but her legs shook. Meliodas wrapped an arm around her waist. She was so much colder than usual. Even if she managed to free him, could she survive long enough to free herself? He held her tighter. This was all his fault.

Melascula giggled. 'How delightful. As they kill each other out there, I get to watch you kill [Y/n] in here. It's been a while since I've seen a Goddess die.'

Meliodas longed to reach Melascula. He wouldn't use his sword to kill her. He would use his bare hands.

[Y/n]'s head lolled against his shoulder and Meliodas panicked for a moment. But she was just using it as a ruse to hide her face from Melascula.

'Okay,' she said. Her mouth was so close to his ear he could hear her lips brushing together. 'Ready.'

Yes. Meliodas clenched his fists. He was ready too. He chuckled lowly, looking at his feet.

'Why are you laughing?' Melascula frowned.

Meliodas laughed louder. 'You think I would hurt [Y/n]?' He looked Melascula in the eye. 'Never.'

And [Y/n] stood up perfectly straight. Her whole body shone. Through the light, Meliodas could see her face. She was beautiful. In one fluid motion, she swept her arms wide. The darkness began to tear. Melascula wailed in anguish.

'Go. Hurry,' said [Y/n] through gritted teeth.

Meliodas smiled. 'Come back quickly, okay?'

'What are you talking about?'

He scooped her up in his arms, holding her close for a second. Not long enough. Her eyes widened. She shook her head.

And Meliodas tossed [Y/n] out of the cocoon.

He caught one last look of her face before the darkness knitted back together. And then Meliodas was alone.

—

You idiot. That's what you thought as you fell. And also god I love you. The split was pretty even between the two, but you felt it leant slightly more towards the idiot side at the moment.

The darkness covered Meliodas's face and still you fell. The decrepit buildings rose. Fresh air filled your lungs. The sounds of battle covered everything. Somehow you got your feet beneath you and managed to land lightly in the street. The cocoon hovered ominously above your head, it's exterior betraying nothing of what was happening inside.

You tried to reach Meliodas through your ring. Nothing. You frowned and tried again. There was only a trace of feelings, like he was so very far away. But that shouldn't be possible. No matter the physical distance between you, Meliodas always felt nearby when you wore your rings. Was it because of the cocoon?

A loud crash made you blink. Right. Save Diane. Rescue Meliodas. Then it wouldn't matter that the rings couldn't connect through Melascula's stupid spell.

'I'll be right back,' you said even though Meliodas couldn't hear and took off to find the others.

—

Gowther helped King stand and watched Diane fight Escanor. Something wasn't right. Fighting wasn't the way to help Diane right now. King swayed and Gowther gripped him tighter. He needed to think.

A large amount of familiar power was approaching fast. Gowther turned with a gasp. It was [Y/n]. She sped through the air, eyes fixed on Diane. Cosain was still in its sheath. Meliodas wasn't with her.

'[Y/n], what are you doing?' King cried out, making Gowther jump slightly. 'Don't hurt her.'

[Y/n] paused in midair. Her eyes found King and she smiled. 'Don't worry. I know what's going on. I can save her.'

And Gideon collided with her side. Gowther dropped King. Diane laughed. [Y/n] was knocked aside like she was nothing more than an insect and fell out of the sky. She landed a few blocks away, a cloud of dust rising above the buildings.

'Shit,' said Ban, his whole face screwed up as he watched [Y/n]'s trajectory.

Escanor sat up in the rubble at Diane's feet. 'To take on another opponent in the middle of a battle. How presumptuous of you. Very well then.' He got into a fighting stance. 'Why don't we let our fists do the talking until we're completely satisfied?'

'Hold on for just a moment,' Gowther called. He walked up to Escanor and Diane, leaving King out of danger's reach. 'I believe King is right. It won't solve the problem to hurt Diane. That's what [Y/n] was trying too. So I'll do it.' He raised his hands to the sky. 'I'll rescue her.'

Diane charged. Gowther's spell landed.

'Invasion.'

It was cold. Gowther was grateful for the coat he wore. Its fluffy hood tickled his ears. Everywhere was blanketed in a layer of clouds and it was silent except for his footsteps. A shallow layer of water covered the ground. It rippled as he walked.

'Diane, where are you?' His voice echoed. 'Show yourself to me.' No answer. 'I'm sure you already realise this, but King is beside himself. He's worried sick about you.' Gowther was also worried, but he kept his voice calm. 'Come on now. Answer me.'

Crying. Such heartbroken sobs. 'King.'

Gowther followed the sound and found Diane kneeling on the ground. She was shaking, her face hidden in her hands. The water was deeper here.

'I'm no good,' Diane said, her voice broken and wobbly. 'I felt so happy that King and I finally made a connection that I did a terrible thing to Elizabeth.'

'It's okay.'

Diane threw her head back. The tears fell faster. 'Everything happening to her is my fault. What will I do if she ends up dying?'

'Poor Diane.' Gowther waded to her side but didn't touch her. He didn't know if he should. 'They've exploited the wounds in your heart.' Diane only cried. Gowther knelt. His hand shook as he reached for her, but he placed it lightly on her arm. 'Come on. Let's go back, all right? King's waiting for you.'

'Gowther.' Diane turned to look at him. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. 'I— I just—'

'No.' A deep dark voice rattled the air. Gowther turned but there was no one. 'This body belongs to us.'

The water heaved and Gowther was pulled under. He heard Diane scream and fought to break the surface. When he did, Gowther could see her being pulled away by a stream of water wrapped around her body. He fought harder. The water was strong.

'You're not getting it back.'

Gowther ignored the voice and reached for Diane. 'Take my hand!'

'Gowther, help,' Diane screamed.

But she was too far. Diane was dragged away into the darkness.

—

Melascula cackled. 'Isn't watching friends turn on each other simply the best? Speaking of, who would have ever thought that traitor Gowther would end up as one of the Seven Deadly Sins?'

'What's going on out there?' Meliodas shouted. His voice and body trembled with rage. 'Where's [Y/n]?'

'Would you like to see?' There was something in Melascula's voice Meliodas didn't trust. She was too excited. 'Here.'

She waved her hand and a new image appeared. Meliodas gasped.

[Y/n] was sprawled on the ground. Her face was hidden. Blood covered her body, stained her clothes. Her wings were dirty. And she wasn't moving. Meliodas swallowed. He couldn't even tell if she was bleeding.

'Looks like she's in trouble, huh?' Melascula tapped her chin and smiled. 'If only you were there to help her.'

—

It was sunset, the sky an orange sea. Meliodas held your hand. Elizabeth was playing in the field, twirling and giggling. It was peaceful.

'Mama.' Elizabeth ran up to you. Her smile disappeared. 'Wake up.'

'Huh?' You reached out to touch her, but she was too far away. 'What are you saying, Elizabeth?'

'Wake up. Come on, mum.'

You frowned. Everything was fading. You wanted to stay.

'Is she okay?' That was someone else's voice. You knew that voice.

'She should be. I don't understand,' said Elizabeth's voice. Warm hands on your arm. 'Mama, please.'

Your eyes flew open. It wasn't sunset. You weren't in a field. Meliodas wasn't there. But someone was.

Elizabeth smiled and sat back on her heels. 'Thank goodness.'

'Elizabeth?' Your voice was raspy. 'Elaine?' You sat up with a groan. Your body was stiff but didn't hurt. 'What's going—? Wait.' Your breath caught in your throat. Elizabeth called you ... Elizabeth called you ...

'Mum, can you stand? We need to help Diane.'

There. She said it again. You blinked.

'[Y/n]?' said Elaine. She crouched at your side. 'Elizabeth healed you. She has a plan to save Diane.'

You licked your lips. You swallowed. 'She does?'

'Right.' Elizabeth nodded and stood up. Her mismatched eyes shone. 'Just like we did in the Fairy King's Forest. It was called "Let There Be Light" if I remember correctly.'

Remember correctly. Your head span.

Elizabeth smiled. 'And then we'll save Dad.'

Somehow you were on your feet. You pulled Elizabeth into your arms, held her tight against your body. Her arms wrapped around you as well. This was right. After all these years, she was back. You bit your lips and choked back a sob. This wasn't right at all.

'Okay,' you said, letting Elizabeth go and nodding. 'Let's go.'

You turned and led the way to where the Sins still fought.

'Um,' said Elaine. 'Are you okay?'

You beamed and shook your head. 'Not at all. But there'll be time for that later.'

'There are still some souls that aren't willing to leave,' said Gowther loudly, his eyes fixed on Diane. Since you had last seen him, his armour had been badly broken. Most of the upper half had been torn away.

Diane squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight from the inside. She threw her head back and screamed, spinning Gideon in her hands.

'Imperial Wrath of the Golden Wind,' Elaine shouted at your side.

The gust of wind didn't knock Diane down but it made her stop.

'Ready, mum?' Elizabeth smiled at you.

You took a deep breath and nodded.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and held out her hands. They started to flicker with that strangely beautiful lavender light. 'You can rest in peace now.'

And just like last time, you stood by her side. 'Let There Be Light.'

The beam of light collided with Diane's chest and she grunted. It didn't take as long as it had done for Monspeet and Derieri. The darkness left Diane and broke down to nothing.

Diane's eyes were her own again. She looked down at the three of you, tears welling up. 'I don't get it. Why would ... why would you do all that for me?'

One corner of your lips pulled up and you shook your head slightly. 'Come on, Diane.'

'We care about you,' said Elizabeth. Her power faded from her hands, but her eyes remained in their half-and-half state. 'Isn't that enough?'

~~~~~

thanks for you patience omg that break was totally unplanned 😬

anyway, i'm back now 😊✌️

and i have a new song out too! you don't have to listen to it AT ALL, but i'll link it in case you're curious 💕

https://youtu.be/Fa4eV7vUhBc

okay 👌

hope you like the chapter and stay safe 💕💕💕