The blood fell from Escanor's mouth with a sickening splatter. Elizabeth watched her father's lips twist into a cruel sneer. In her mind, she could see his warm smile – the correct smile – but it didn't help to imagine. So Elizabeth turned to her mother.

As they had walked to where the battle was taking place, the chilling air around her mother had lessened. But it wasn't replaced by warmth. Instead, Elizabeth saw her mother's mouth turn down at the corners and her once-proud shoulders slump. But, as she watched her father fight, Elizabeth's mother tilted her head.

'What is it, Mum?' Elizabeth asked, reaching for her mother's hand. 'Do you recognise him?'

Her mother frowned, biting her lip. 'It's just ... he's kind of ... cute.'

Elizabeth gasped and turned to Merlin with a wide smile. Merlin didn't smile back, but Elizabeth wasn't going to give up hope. Even if she was going to die in three days, she'd make sure her parents were back together.

—

You watched the human and Demon Prince blankly. The last thing you remembered was having an argument with your mother. You screwed up your face, trying to remember more. You had flown to Nerobasta, that was it.

'What's the point?' you had said, sitting on the banks of a river and watching its waters run. 'Isn't there more to life than killing Demons?'

Nerobasta had frowned. 'More to life than winning? [Y/n], we are the saviours of this world. The other races worship us.'

'The Demons don't.'

'They hardly count,' Nerobasta had scoffed.

You had drawn your knees to your chest. 'They're alive too, Nerobasta.'

And then ...

And then ...

And then you woke up with that Fairy asking if you were okay with such a kind voice. You looked at him over your shoulder. His face was still kind and full of worry. All of these people around were kind. You could feel it in their life forces. And you had treated them so coldly, especially that strange human and the Fairy girl who clung to his arm. You blinked and had a strange vision of these people laughing together around a table. It was gone as quickly as it came and made the back of your throat burn.

An uncomfortable, thorny feeling travelled to your stomach so you turned away from them, back to that battle. The Demon Prince would help you focus. There was no way you'd have any feeling other than disgust for him. For him and his muscular arms. For him and his pretty hair. For him and his—

'What is it, Mum?' said the girl who claimed to be your daughter. 'Do you recognise him?'

No. The word was automatic in your mouth but you bit your lips to hold it back. 'It's just ... he's kind of ...' Hot. Pretty. Gorgeous. 'Cute.'

The oddly strong human reached out and grabbed Meliodas's head in one hand. But Meliodas just smiled. Your heart flipped.

'Don't you touch me, human,' Meliodas said in a deep, dark voice.

That voice. You knew that voice.

The forest was noisy. The life surrounded you. As you walked, all that noise and life just kept reminding you how empty you were. These plants and animals all had something that you didn't and you didn't even know what that something was.

A spark of anger raced through your veins. You caught it before it could disappear. So your mother didn't want to tell you anything. So Nerobasta, Ludociel, Sarmiel and Tarmiel couldn't be bothered to ask. You clenched your fists and raised your head.

You'd find it yourself.

Days came and went. Still you searched. It was all becoming endlessly similar, just like before. The emptiness smothered you. It was kind of relaxing. No. You shook your head. Shook it again. You wouldn't let the others win.

There was a power on the horizon. It was strong, you realised as you flew towards it. Strong and dark. A Demon. You should turn around. But it was also the warmest thing you had ever felt before. As you got closer and closer, the strength of the power kept growing and growing. There was no doubt who it belonged to. But you still didn't stop.

You would ask the Demon Prince Meliodas if he felt the same as you. If there was a point to all the killing and fighting.

And if he just kills you? said a cold voice not unlike your mother's.

Then at least I'll have done something with my life.

He was standing in a field, his back to you. He was smaller than you would have guessed, about your height. Apart from the massive amount of power radiating from his body, there wasn't much to connect him to the terrified voices that whispered about the evil Demon Prince.

You descended in the direction he was looking. After all, you thought, you wouldn't have liked it if a Demon suddenly appeared behind you and started talking. As you sank lower, your heart beat faster. No matter how brave you had acted before, the reality of the situation was starting to sink in.

But you stopped, hovering just above the Demon Prince's head. His expression was familiar. Kind of ... lost. His face was also prettier than you had been expecting. You realised your mouth was open and shut it quickly.

'Well, Goddess?' said the Demon Prince, his voice deep and dark and empty somehow. 'Have you come to kill me?'

'No.' You landed and took a shaky step forward.

'Then why are you here?'

You took a deep breath. 'I'm ...' You frowned. 'I'm looking for something.'

To your surprise, the Demon Prince smiled. He huffed a small laugh and looked down. 'Me too.'

That smile. It wasn't the kind of smile you were used to seeing from Demons. There was no anger, hate or spite. It was a sad smile. And his eyes weren't lit with the harsh fire you had come to expect. They were soft.

'We could go together.' The words left your mouth before you could fully register what you were saying.

His head snapped up. 'What?'

You tried to shrug like it was no big deal even as your heart tried to escape. 'Why not? It's easier to find something with more people looking.'

The Demon Prince narrowed his eyes. 'Are you stupid?'

A wild laugh burst from your lips. 'Maybe.'

'It doesn't bother you that I'm a Demon? That I'm ... evil?' There was something new in his voice. Hurt.

'I'm starting to think it might be more complicated than that.' You smiled softly as he met your eyes. He was definitely pretty. You coughed and looked away, feeling your cheeks get hot. 'After all, I've done bad things too.'

The Demon Prince laughed a proper laugh. You watched. So pretty. 'That's the first time I've heard a Goddess admit they were wrong.'

Your smile came back. 'So, what do you say, Meliodas?' You held out a hand to him. 'Come with me.'

You blinked and the vision snapped. The strong human keeled over at Meliodas's feet with an impressive crash. What you had just seen ... was it real? You looked at your hand and imagined Meliodas holding it. You shivered.

This Meliodas below you wasn't the Meliodas you knew. There was no loneliness, just rage and murderous intent. Exactly how you had expected him to be. What had happened? Where was your Meliodas?

—

Escanor fell with a thud and Elizabeth clutched her hands to her heart. She felt it beating too fast. Escanor was the strongest of the Seven Deadly Sins. Wasn't that what her mother and father had said? And now he was defeated.

Diane gasped. 'No way.'

'Did Escanor actually lose?' said King.

Elizabeth's eyes flickered to her mother and away again. While they waited for her mother to regain her memories, there had to be something Elizabeth herself could do. So she clenched her fists and turned to Merlin. 'Please, Merlin. I need you to undo that spell and I'll find some way to help.'

But Merlin just turned away. 'Sorry. No.'

Elizabeth faltered.

'Meliodas is unhinged,' Merlin continued. 'He's unable to supress his dark power. His mind and memories have been completely eroded. If I were to release him from the confines of the Perfect Cube, he wouldn't think twice about killing every last one of us.'

'Thank you for offering, Elizabeth,' said a soft voice.

Diane gasped again. 'Did you just say ...?'

King's voice was loud. 'She did!'

Elizabeth whirled to her mother. 'Mum, Mum, you said my name. Do you remember me?'

Her mother frowned. 'Of course I remember you, Elizabeth. Honestly why would I forget something—' Her eyes widened and she stumbled back.

'Mum?' Elizabeth reached out. 'Are you okay?'

'Run,' her mother whispered. She clutched her head in both hands, fingers digging in, before throwing her head back and screaming. 'Elizabeth, please, you have to run! Meliodas! Meliodas, where are you? They're too strong. I can't—'

Elizabeth froze for a second. Those words. Those exact words. She remembered her mother saying them about three thousand years ago as they fought ... That meant her mother was remembering, which was good, but it also meant she had to remember all that pain again too.

'Merlin, what's happening?' said Diane.

Merlin's voice was tight. 'Her memories are returning. This one must be especially painful.'

King landed. 'Isn't there something you can do?'

'Please, Merlin.' Elizabeth grasped Merlin's hand. 'If we can't help Dad because he's too dangerous at the moment, can we help Mum? She's hurting because of me.'

Merlin exhaled an almost-laugh through her nose. 'I don't think she'd see it like that. But—' she walked up to Elizabeth's mother '—let me try this.'

Merlin's finger started to glow with a pretty purple light. Elizabeth watched with wide eyes. Merlin tapped Elizabeth's mother on the forehead and the screaming stopped.

Her mother's eyes fluttered open. 'Mer ... lin?' she croaked. 'When did you get so tall?'

Diane crouched. 'Amazing! So [Y/n] remembers us again?'

Everyone turned to look at Elizabeth's mother. She shuffled awkwardly and rubbed the back of her head. 'Um sorry. I know Elizabeth, Merlin and Gowther, but apart from that, I—' She cut herself off with a gasp. 'Ban? You're all grown up too, huh? Zhivago must be proud.'

Ban's grimace deepened and he looked away. 'Yeah.'

Elizabeth's mother frowned but didn't press the subject. Instead, she turned back to Merlin. 'What you were saying before ... Elizabeth wouldn't be able to stop Meliodas? He'd kill her and ... and me too?'

'I'm afraid so,' said Merlin, pursing her lips.

Hawk snorted. 'That's just a bunch of baloney. There's gotta be some way to stop him.'

Merlin pointed upwards. 'It's almost noon.'

—

Seeing Meliodas's face all hard and humourless made your heart ache in a way you couldn't remember it aching before. You wanted to hear him laugh again. You wanted him to ask to hold your hand again, blushing and stammering. And, you lifted a trembling hand to your mouth, you wanted him to kiss you again, uncertain and sure and soft and warm.

'Please, Merlin,' said the girl who was apparently your and Meliodas's daughter. 'I need you to undo that spell and I'll find some way to help.'

You wanted to remember. If you and Meliodas really had had a daughter. Her face was soft and pretty. Looking closer, you could see her nose was similar to Meliodas's. And her hands were like yours. She wasn't as warm as Meliodas, but she was warmer than you. When you closed your eyes, you could see her life with light and dark all swirled together so beautifully. You had the strange urge to hold it. To protect it.

Oh.

'She's so tiny.'

You huffed a laugh. 'Of course she is. She's a baby.'

Meliodas didn't look away from Elizabeth who was fast asleep in his arms. 'Yeah, but ... I never imagined she would be this small.' He pushed the blanket back from her face.

At his touch, Elizabeth wriggled a little. You watched closely, but she didn't wake so you settled back with a sigh and closed your eyes.

'You all right?'

When you cracked open an eye, Meliodas was watching you. 'Yeah,' you said, closing your eye again. 'Just tired.'

Meliodas hummed softly. 'You sleep. I'll watch Elizabeth.'

'And you'll wake me if anything happens, right?'

'Yeah.' Something warm pressed against your forehead. 'Just sleep now.'

Voices. You woke up to soft voices. Or rather, one voice. And you weren't really sure if you were awake. The fog of sleep still swirled in your mind and you couldn't seem to open your eyes for some reason.

'We have to be quiet, okay?' the voice whispered. It was Meliodas. 'Mama's sleeping.'

Something shifted and Elizabeth burbled.

'That's right,' said Meliodas. 'That beautiful woman over there is your mama. Amazing right?'

Your lips tugged up at the corners and you forced your eyes to open. They protested but you insisted and they reluctantly opened a sliver. Everything was kind of blurry with the sleep that still clung to you, but you spotted the shape of Meliodas. Elizabeth was still in his arms. Her own arms had come free of her blankets and were waving in the air. Meliodas shifted her to one arm and reached down. Elizabeth caught one of his fingers in her hand.

'I won't let anything bad happen to you ever.' Meliodas's voice was still quiet, but there was a hard ring of truth behind it. 'I promise.'

'I'm scared.' Elizabeth teetered on the edge of the cliff. The wind was stronger up here, tugging at her hair and clothes.

'It's okay.' You stepped up beside her. 'We're right beside you.'

Elizabeth grabbed your hand and you felt hers shaking. 'Papa too,' she said, reaching back.

Meliodas stepped forwards too and caught her hand in his. 'Of course. We'll go together.'

The three of you stood together on top of the world. Below, the lands stretched to the horizon in a wide carpet of green dotted with trees and rocks and cut with a river.

'Ready?' you said. Elizabeth nodded. 'One.'

'Two,' said Meliodas.

Elizabeth took a deep breath. 'Three.'

And you stepped into nothing.

The wind brushed against your face with soft fingers and your lungs filled deeper than before. You smiled, stretching your wings and sighing with pleasure. The sky was free and open and you could never get tired of flying. You laughed, the sound getting snatched away.

Elizabeth's hand held yours tighter. You looked back. Her eyes were shut so tightly her face was all screwed up.

You met Meliodas's eye and grinned. 'It sure looks beautiful, don't you think?'

Meliodas returned your smile. 'It really does. You're missing out, Elizabeth.'

Elizabeth's face got less scrunched. She pursed her lips and seemed to make a decision. One of her eyes opened and the other followed suit quickly. Even her mouth fell open.

You whooped loudly, the sound bouncing around. Meliodas laughed and, after a second, Elizabeth joined in. And together you flew to the horizon.

'Remember to watch where you're going,' you said, fussing with the sleeve of Elizabeth's dress. 'Don't go too high. Or too low. And watch out for birds. And bees. And—'

'I know, Mama,' Elizabeth interrupted, taking your hand in hers. 'I'll be fine.'

'Yeah, stop worrying so much,' Meliodas shouted up from where he stood at the bottom of the tree. 'You'll get wrinkles.'

You gasped and glared down at him. 'You shut up.' You turned back to Elizabeth. 'Are you sure you don't want to go from a lower branch?'

Elizabeth shook her head, eyes hardening with determination.

'Okay.' You sighed but couldn't help smiling too. 'I'll be right behind you.'

It was quiet for a moment. Elizabeth shuffled to the edge of the branch, holding her arms out for balance. You watched closely, fists clenched. Her wings unfurled and stretched. She only had two, like Meliodas, and their black edges caught the sunlight like a crow's.

'Papa?'

'Yeah?'

Elizabeth faltered for a second. 'You won't let me fall, right?'

Meliodas's answer was immediate. 'Never.'

For some reason, you had the urge to cry. Elizabeth wasn't a baby anymore. It was like you had blinked and she had grown up.

'Okay,' said Elizabeth. 'Okay.' And with one last deep breath, Elizabeth stepped off the branch.

'Sorry. No.' Merlin's voice swam through your foggy mind. The red light registered in your mind and you saw Meliodas still looking all hard and angry. Elizabeth was by your side, her eyebrows twisting. There were other people as well, but you didn't recognise them. 'Meliodas is unhinged,' Merlin continued. 'He's unable to supress his dark power. His mind and memories have been completely eroded. If I were to release him from the confines of the Perfect Cube, he wouldn't think twice about killing every last one of us.'

Elizabeth's face fell further and your heart squeezed. So you said, 'Thanks for offering, Elizabeth.'

She span to look at you, her face changing to one of cautious hope. Odd.

The Giant girl gasped. 'Did she just say...?'

'She did,' said the Fairy at her side loudly.

You looked at them thoughtfully. The way they acted around each other was quite tender and they looked back at you with kind, worried eyes. But you still had no idea who they were. You scanned the group, looking for any familiar faces and gasped. Gowther (doll version) was there. He was watching you carefully, his eyes warmer than you remembered.

'Mum,' said Elizabeth and you turned back to her. 'Mum, you just said my name. Do you remember me?'

Now that was definitely a strange question. You could never forget Elizabeth. It would be like forgetting Meliodas. Unthinkable. 'Of course I remember you, Elizabeth. Honestly why would I forget something—'

And, once again, everything disappeared.

Thunder. Rumble. Roar. Dark sky. Lightning snapped. Flash. Every breath you took burned the back of your throat. Your sword was heavy in your hand and there was something warm and sticky running down the side of your face. The ground was hard and cold, rocks digging into your palm and thighs.

When did it all go so wrong? Although tense, it had started cordially enough. Your mother and Meliodas's father sat before you on their giant thrones. Elizabeth had been polite, her usual charming self. You and Meliodas had been more than generous, in your opinion, presenting Elizabeth to them both despite all the shit they'd put you through. Oh. That was it. They blamed Elizabeth for the War, blamed you and Meliodas. Forced Elizabeth to choose. So you had turned to leave. And the first strike exploded the world.

'Mum!' Elizabeth knelt at your side. She had a shallow cut on her left cheek and a deeper one on her left arm. 'Are you okay?'

Wincing, you got to your feet. 'Thought we told you to run.'

Elizabeth sniffed. 'And I thought I told you, I'm not leaving.'

You turned to roll your eyes at her. But you didn't get the chance. Something dark and jagged fell from the sky, headed straight for Elizabeth. You shoved her out the way and it struck you instead, wrapping around your body like thorny vines. It squeezed tighter. Tighter. The thorns dug in, piercing your skin all over. Arms. Legs. Chest. Stomach. Neck. A scream ripped from your mouth.

'Mama!'

Your eyes flew open. Elizabeth was there, a few metres in front of you. Bars of light rained down, destroying the ground at her feet. Elizabeth dodged as best she could, but they were just getting faster. Bigger.

Gritting your teeth, you twitched your hand. The pain spiked. You moved your hand again, swallowing your scream. A barrier of light appeared over Elizabeth's head. Her eyes met yours. And the thorns got even tighter. They were ripping you apart and holding you together so they could rip you apart again and again and again.

'Run! Elizabeth, please, you have to run!' You didn't even know if she was there anymore. You just wanted the pain to stop. 'Meliodas!' He would save you. He always saved you. 'Meliodas, where are you?'

A purple light began to flicker behind your eyelids. It was soft. It stopped the thorns. Meliodas had come for you.

Your eyes opened. It wasn't Meliodas. 'Mer ... lin?' Your voice was rough. 'When did you get so tall?'

But it really was Merlin. That cunning light behind her eyes was exactly the same. She smiled at you softly.

To your right was a Giant with battered armour. She crouched, a wide smile on her pretty face. 'Amazing! So [Y/n] remembers us again?'

Suddenly there were multiple pairs of eyes focussed on you. You shifted, uncomfortable, and rubbed the back of your head. Elizabeth was there and Merlin, but you didn't recognise any of the others even though they seemed to know you. 'Um sorry. I know Elizabeth, Merlin and Gowther, but apart from that, I—'

You frowned, your gaze narrowing in on a young man at the edge of the group. A Fairy girl you didn't recognise clung to his chest, but there was something about the man's eyes that made you falter. You blinked and he became a scrappy young boy with tattered clothes and hard, untrusting eyes.

'Ban?' When you said his name, he stiffened. You tried to smile. 'You're all grown up too, huh? Zhivago must be proud.'

To your surprise, Ban didn't smile back. He looked away from you. 'Yeah.'

Realising Ban must not be comfortable to show his feelings in front of strangers, you didn't press the subject. Didn't stop you from frowning, though. Turning to Merlin, you said, 'What you were saying before ... Elizabeth wouldn't be able to stop Meliodas? He'd kill her and ... and me too?'

There was no way. You waited for Merlin to prove you right. You didn't even cross your fingers or hope. This was a certainty. Meliodas would never hurt you or Elizabeth.

'I'm afraid so,' said Merlin.

No. You shook your head. You didn't believe her. But before you could say anything, you heard a pig snort. You stared at the pig blankly. Who had thought to bring a pig to a battle? And why?

For some reason, the pig began to speak. 'That's just a bunch of baloney. There's gotta be some way to stop him.'

Merlin pointed to the sky. 'It's almost noon.'

'What?'

The clouds parted and everything was brighter. An almost familiar heat crept over the ground, climbing up your legs to smother you. Down below, the so-called Escanor sizzled as he lay at Meliodas's feet. But then, in one swift motion, he leapt to his feet. You raised an eyebrow.

'I'm warning you,' said Meliodas. 'Come at me like that again and you'll suffer.'

Escanor looked down at the hole in his stomach. 'Well I hate to admit it, but you're absolutely right.' Before your very eyes, he began to grow, the wound closing, his muscles building. 'You are quite powerful. I'd say you're second only to me.'

The power. The heat. It grew with Escanor's body. But if felt so familiar. You couldn't figure out why, like there was a memory just out of reach. It didn't help that Gowther was still staring at you, only looking at Meliodas and Escanor when you caught him.

The ground at Escanor's feet cracked as he walked. Meliodas didn't move as Escanor got closer, only stared down the giant man with the same dark look. And still Escanor got closer. He was so much bigger than Meliodas it was almost funny. The two stared each other down.

'How about we pick up where we left off?' said Escanor. And it was like he turned in the sun, light radiating from his chest. He raised his axe high. 'Super Slash.'

Light. Heat. Light. Heat. Power. The Perfect Cube filled with dust. The ground trembled. Elizabeth whimpered at your side, covering her ears. You knew you should comfort her somehow, but this Escanor's power kept messing with your head. You remembered the curse, you remembered most of your memories would be gone, but something about this one felt different to the others.

A fist broke through the dust. It collided with Escanor's chest, the muscle caving in around it. Escanor fell. Meliodas smiled. He ground his foot into Escanor's face.

'It seems that only changed the way you talk,' Meliodas said, voice smug.

Escanor shook, blood dripping from his lips. Worry fluttered in the base of your stomach. You frowned. That was worry for Escanor. But why? You didn't know him. this was the first time you had seen the man.

The pig squealed. 'Oh man. Not even a big lug like Escanor can defeat him?'

Gowther frowned. 'Looks that way. It appears his current Power Level is one hundred and fourteen thousand whereas the captain is even more of a raging beast now. He's at one hundred and forty-two thousand. It's a matter of time before he kills Escanor.'

That couldn't be right. You opened your mouth to say so, but something made you stop. The look in Meliodas's eyes made you shiver.

'Even though he powered up like crazy, the captain's still able to dominate him?' asked the Giant.

'This is the old Meliodas,' said Merlin grimly, 'back when he was considered to be the hero of the Demon race and the one-time leader of the Ten Commandments.'

If you had met this Meliodas all those years ago ... he would have killed you. He would have killed you and laughed as your blood fell. You wanted to throw up.

Somehow, Escanor got to his feet. He and Meliodas began trading blows, their weapons moving faster than you could keep up with. Sparks fell. Meliodas stopped Escanor's axe with one hand even as the force made him sink through the solid ground.

'Cruel Sun.' Power condensed in Escanor's palm and fell towards Meliodas.

But Meliodas just kept smiling. 'Try Full Counter.'

The smaller sun bounced back. Escanor managed to dodge and instead it hit the corner of the Perfect Cube. Meliodas and Escanor were hidden among dust again.

At your side, Merlin turned as if she heard someone. She didn't speak back and avoided your gaze so you didn't push her. It couldn't have been that important.

The sound of a heavy blow and the dust cleared. Meliodas swung his sword and it disappeared from his hand. You blinked. The blade had gotten stuck in Escanor's side after barely going in two inches. Escanor removed it like he was plucking an apple from a tree. Your mouth fell open. After tossing the sword aside, Escanor slammed a fist into Meliodas's jaw. Meliodas retaliated with a punch straight to Escanor's eye. The human was sent ricocheting around the Cube while Meliodas only spat some blood. Still impressive, though.

Once Escanor's painful journey had come to a stop, Meliodas smiled. 'That was kind of fun,' he said. 'Probably the most fun I've had since facing off with my brother.'

Escanor grunted.

'Pretty impressive for a human. Too bad I have to kill you.'

'Damn it,' Ban growled.

'How are we supposed to stop the captain when he's like this?' said the Giant.

Merlin didn't move. 'He only has about a minute left to go.'

'Huh?'

'Escanor's power increases through the day along with the sunrise,' Merlin explained, 'reaching its peak potential at exactly high noon. For one minute, he'll be the manifestation of invincibility. He then becomes The One.'

That missing memory started to wriggle again, an itch that you couldn't reach. The power coming from the Perfect Cube below rose to a higher frequency, a high-pitched keening in your head. Escanor had grown even more, a burning light flickering like fire surrounded his whole body. He didn't have to make a sun anymore. He was a sun.

And Meliodas still smiled. 'You still had that up your sleeve, huh?'

Dark flames began to twist around Meliodas's body, an opposite image of Escanor's. Meliodas crouched and, in a blink, appeared behind Escanor. 'One Thousand Divine Cuts.'

Escanor didn't flinch. 'That almost tickles.'

You were frozen. Your heart thundered in your chest. Your fists shook.

'Holy Sword Escanor.'

Meliodas ran right into the attack. His dark flames were extinguished. A deep cut appeared on his body running from shoulder to waist. Blood seemed to hang on pause in the air. Elizabeth clutched your shoulder. And Meliodas fell.

Escanor marched over, still glowing, and stared down at Meliodas.

'You bastard,' said Meliodas, blood dripping from his chin, his body hunched over.

'Demon, god or whatever you may be,' said Escanor, 'how does it feel to be looked down upon by a human.'

This time when Meliodas fell, he did not get back up.

The air felt so empty without the sounds of battle. Elizabeth's fingers were still knotted in your sleeve and she pulled you along as she started to run down to Meliodas and Escanor. You stumbled once before getting your feet beneath you. Footsteps of varying volumes let you know the others were following. Merlin must have undone her spell because the Perfect Cube vanished. Dust, now free, spilled into the sky.

Meliodas was lying face down, his blood pooling on the ground. His body was hot to touch, hotter than usual. Elizabeth knelt at your side.

'Hey, Merlin, what happened to the dimensional distortion that was surrounding Camelot?' asked the Giant.

'It's already been extinguished,' said Merlin. 'It went down when Melascula was defeated. Maybe they were connected.'

Gowther was standing a few feet away. 'Then that means we can infiltrate Camelot now, right?'

'Camelot,' you echoed slowly, frowning. 'Why are we going there? Too much dark magical power. Zeldris is there, right?'

The Fairy boy looked at you with sad eyes before turning to Gowther. 'With [Y/n] and the captain like this, that may not be such a good idea.'

'Rude.' You sat back on your heels and folded your arms. 'I can still fight.'

'Yes, but do you know why you're fighting? Our plans? Our names?'

You opened your mouth and shut it again. Your eyes flickered down to Meliodas and across to Elizabeth. 'I'm fighting for Elizabeth. That wouldn't have changed. And okay, yes, I don't know your names, but I feel like I should. I've remembered my curse so I understand why I don't remember, but I want to.'

'Until you remember, we're retreating,' said Merlin. You turned to look at her but she avoided your gaze. She raised a hand and Meliodas rose with it, his limp body floating in the air.

Elizabeth squeezed your hand before saying, 'Merlin, hold on. Let me see if I can try and heal Meliodas's wounds first.'

'No. If you did, he'd attack you immediately. Who would be able to hold him back then?'

The answer that you would, of course you would, died on your lips. Meliodas's voice echoed in your mind, soft and kind. He said he'd never hurt you. Never. But your body trembled. You were scared.

A deep laugh. 'Don't you worry,' said the man called Escanor. 'I'll be happy to keep looking after him as long as it takes.'

You stopped listening. Elizabeth wasn't at your side anymore, having left, you assumed, to go be with her friends. Instead, you stared at Meliodas. At the blood covering his body. You had forgotten him, forgotten Elizabeth. When he woke up ... would he ever forgive you? Your bottom lip trembled. Your eyes burned. If he didn't, you wouldn't blame him. If he wanted to leave, you prayed you'd have the strength to let him go.

—

Elaine watched the others gather around the fallen Meliodas. Ban's arm around her was warm and comforting, but she could also feel the tension rolling off him. his jaw was clenched, his eyes tight. When everyone had clambered out of the massive hole, Meliodas floating and Escanor carried by Diane, Ban didn't say anything. Elaine frowned and fiddled with her hands.

[Y/n] was trailing behind the others. Her head was bowed, only watching her feet, but she looked up as they walked through the streets of Coland. Elaine flinched, preparing herself for the harsh coldness, but then she blinked. [Y/n]'s eyes weren't cold anymore. They were just sad. So incredibly sad. And, when they looked at Elaine, there was also a flicker of recognition.

Elaine reached out a hand. '[Y/n], are you—' But she stopped herself. Of course [Y/n] wasn't okay and it seemed insensitive to ask.

'I'm sorry for what I said.' [Y/n] looked Elaine in the eye. 'Before, I mean. When you asked for help.'

'It's all right.' Elaine shook her head and smiled. 'It wasn't—'

'That's no excuse,' [Y/n] interrupted, face hard. 'I shouldn't have treated you that way. You or Ban. I'm really so very sorry, Elaine.'

Elaine froze. [Y/n] was all scrunched up, her face and body, hands clenched and shaking. Unshed tears glittered like shards of glass in her eyes. Elaine's heart panged. There were times when she thought her own life was hard, but now, as she watched [Y/n] try and hold herself together, Elaine resolved to never complain again.

Ban walked up and, without saying anything, put a hand on [Y/n]'s head. A calmness started to grow from where they stood. Elaine watched with a small smile. [Y/n]'s shaking slowed until it stopped all together. Elaine flew over and took one of [Y/n]'s hands in both of hers.

'I really don't blame you, [Y/n],' she said, keeping her voice gentle. 'Nobody here does. Okay?'

[Y/n] looked up to Elaine and then to Ban. 'I owe you two. So much. Thank you.'

Ban stiffened, but [Y/n] didn't seem to realise. She gave them a tiny smile before hurrying off to catch up with the others.

'What a joke,' Ban said so quietly Elaine didn't know whether to pretend she hadn't heard. They were on the bridge outside the city at this point, the Boar Hat in sight. Ban still hadn't moved since [Y/n] left, so Elaine flew to his side.

'Hey,' she said quietly. 'What's the matter? Come on. Let's catch up to the others.'

No reply.

'Ban?'

'I ... I couldn't do a thing.' He didn't look at Elaine. 'I was helpless. And just stood there. And now [Y/n]'s saying she owes me? Ha.' Ban's laugh was harsh as he crushed part of the bridge wall.

Elaine covered his hand with her own. 'Stop it. There's no way he'd ever see it that way. You know that, don't you?' She got closer, reaching up to cup his cheeks. Ban leant into her touch. '[Y/n] doesn't either. I think the fact that you're here is a comfort to her.' Ban looked up, mouth open to protest but Elaine beat him to it. 'You remind her of the happy times. Not to mention you're super strong and Meliodas's best friend. She needs you.'

Ban blinked before touching his forehead to hers. 'You're amazing. You know that right?'

'Yeah.' Elaine smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. 'I know.'

—

You sat on the counter, hands clasped in front of you and staring at nothing in particular. Memories swirled in your mind like ingredients in soup. They weren't all back, but you were more complete than you had been in centuries. Merlin had magicked two beds into the bar. Meliodas was on one and Escanor on the other. Escanor was so giant, his hands and feet hung off the edge. Someone had put stools from the bar under them. Elizabeth ran her glowing hands over Escanor's body with a slight frown. Merlin, Gowther, Diane and King watched with sombre expressions. Ban had taken Elaine upstairs and hadn't re-emerged.

'To be honest with you,' said Merlin, drawing your attention, 'this is a grave situation.'

'Right.' Elizabeth nodded, getting to her feet. The glow faded from her hands. 'Escanor has critical injuries. It's more than that fight with Dad. Something inside of him is wearing away.'

'Sunshine is too potent as a Magic Power. He must have exacted the toll that's been building up for years all at once.'

You shivered slightly. Even the name of Escanor's power made your head spin. But you didn't say anything.

Merlin continued. 'And the captain's condition is even more dire. Because his emotions were taken away by the Demon King, he's reverting back to the Meliodas he used to be. Ironically, that comes with a power boost as well.'

Meliodas sat up. Power whipped around him. Elizabeth gasped, her hands reaching towards him even as she stepped back. You leant forwards, hands gripping the bar.

But before you could do anything, Merlin flicked her fingers. 'Shock Stinger.'

The purple light knocked Meliodas unconscious again and he fell. Somehow, you caught him before he could hit the floor.

'Dad!' Elizabeth turned to Merlin. 'Please. No more.'

Merlin ignored her. 'There's only one thing to do. I'll lock him up in a Perfect Cube.'

'No.' You laid Meliodas back on the bed and stood, facing the others. But you kept your eyes locked on Merlin. 'There's another way.'

Merlin's face paled. 'You can't be serious. Absolutely not.'

'It's the only way to stop his power going out of control,' you said calmly, even as your heart tried to escape. 'You know I'm right, Merlin.' You could see it in her eyes. Even as she shook her head, you could see her mind calculating the different outcomes. 'If you won't help, I can do it myself.'

Elizabeth looked between you and Merlin, her forehead creased as she tried to understand. You knew when she did because she gasped. 'No. Mum, no. You can't!'

'Hold on. Can we go back a step?' Diane raised her hand. 'What are you talking about?'

'It doesn't matter,' Elizabeth said before you could. 'We're not doing it.'

'Doing what?' said King.

Merlin just shook her head.

'A sure way to erase the captain's power and make him less of a threat,' said Gowther jerkily. All eyes turned to him. 'Simple really. [Y/n] just has to die.'

Instant uproar.

'No!'

'No!'

'How could you even think that?'

'We're not doing that.'

Your heart softened as you looked around at their indignant faces. If there was any way to protect them, you would take it. 'It will be okay.'

'But—'

'It's too risky,' Merlin interrupted. 'Meliodas was gone for a month. What if you're gone for even longer? Not to mention, once you come back your memories will be gone again. And there's the matter of your added condition of absence. Even if you come back quickly, you'll still have to leave Meliodas and Elizabeth for at least a week.'

'That's right!' Elizabeth took your hand. 'I have less than three days left. Don't leave me now.'

You faltered as you looked in her eyes but quickly steeled yourself again. 'Everyone here will protect you, Elizabeth. When your dad wakes up and calms down, he'll help. Now—' you stepped away from the others '—I don't want to make any of you do this, so I'll do it myself.'

Everyone was frozen. You conjured a light on one hand, willing it to become hard and sharp. The light flickered as your hand shook and you hoped no one noticed.

'Don't look so sad,' you said, trying to smile. 'I'll see you all again soon.'

Tears streamed down Elizabeth's cheeks. 'Please, Mama.'

You met her eyes. 'I love you.'

And you closed your eyes.

And something pulled your hand away from your chest.

Your eyes flew open to see Ban at the foot of the stairs, his hand reaching towards you, face bored.

'Ban,' you said, pulling against his power. 'What are you doing?'

'What are you doing?' he said, walking closer, not lowering his hand.

'The only thing I can!'

'Don't give me that bullcrap.' His bored expression turned to one of anger. 'You're just running away.'

You stiffened. The light on your hand flickered out. 'I'm not. I— I'm doing this for Elizabeth. You don't understand. I have to—'

Ban was right in front of you now, eyes glaring into yours. 'For Elizabeth? Don't make me laugh. If it's really for her, then why don't we give her a choice, huh? Hey, Elizabeth. Is this what you want?'

'No.' Elizabeth's voice was thick with tears. 'I don't want this.'

'See?'

'But—' Your voice broke and you swallowed. 'I don't know what else to do.'

Ban barked a laugh and grinned down at you. 'That's easy. You fight.'

'Easy?' And incredulous laugh bubbled from your throat. You wiped at the tears on your cheeks but more just took their place. 'If fighting was easy, I wouldn't have been doing it for three thousand years.'

'Well—' Ban walked over to the others and folded his arms '—you didn't have us then.'

It hadn't been hard to convince Merlin to let you stay with Meliodas in the Perfect Cube. Maybe it was because your voice shook as you asked. Maybe it was the tears still wet on your cheeks. Or maybe it was because everyone else was on your side. Even Ban gave his vote in your favour as he slipped back upstairs with a smirk. But then again, you thought as you ran your fingers through Meliodas's hair, Merlin might have been planning this all along.

'So if [Y/n] and the captain can't fight with us,' said Diane slowly, 'what are we supposed to do now?'

'We're still heading to Camelot as scheduled,' said Merlin, hands on her hips. 'Our plan's the same. Liberate the kingdom from the Ten Commandments' rule followed by rescuing the captured citizens of Liones. Above all, now that Elizabeth's regained the memories of her former life, she only has three days left. There's no time to waste. We should reach Camelot in two days.' Merlin folded her arms and turned to look at Escanor. 'While Escanor's recovering, I need to come up with a way to restore the captain back to his former self. In the meantime, it's entirely possible that Zeldris and his demonic minions could attack us. So King, Gowther and Diane ... you're the only ones we have to rely on.'

Elizabeth cleared her throat. 'I'm here too. I'll fight.'

'Excuse me?' Your head snapped up. 'You'll do no such thing.'

'How are you going to stop me?'

'I'll break down this Perfect Cube.'

Merlin smirked. 'I'd like to see you try.'

'We saw you fight in the Holy War, Elizabeth,' said Diane with a smile. 'Having you with us will be a big help.'

King met your eye and smiled cheekily. 'Not to mention you've had training with Drole and Gloxinia.'

'With her powers fully awakened, Elizabeth will indeed be a great asset,' said Gowther knowledgably.

You growled. 'I can't believe you're all ganging up on me.'

Elizabeth poked her tongue out at you. 'Dad would be on my side.'

'Suppose I can't argue with that.' 

~~~~~

yeah, so after i wrote that update, my week sort of went downhill

or rather, it plummeted off a cliff

if anyone can share anything happy (big or small) that happened to them recently, it would be much appreciated 🤲 

but! a new week has begun and we can't focus on the past!

hope you're all doing well and staying safe 💕💕💕