You were scared. Your heart was beating so fast it was almost a constant thrum. Everything was shaking. Your throat was dry. And still you stared into Chandler's eyes.

'He's turned into some kind of hideous beast,' said Elizabeth, her voice almost breathless.

Somehow you managed to reach for Meliodas, pulling him close against your chest. Just a little bit, barely noticeably, your heart calmed.

'This is bad,' said Hawk, using his snout to lift Gowther. 'We're getting out of here, guys.'

But how? Chandler would follow. It felt like the coldness of the rocky floor was creeping up your legs and turning them to stone.

Chandler raised his cane. But it wasn't a cane anymore. Or rather, it hadn't been a cane this whole time. Chandler unsheathed his sword and your head span. Your chest felt tight.

Gripping Diane tight in one hand, King used the other to attack Chandler. 'Increase!'

The daggers flew through the air, a swarm of pointy insects that surrounded the Pacifier Demon. Dust obscured him. All you could see of the battle were occasional flashes of light. There was no way to know ... You couldn't tell if Chandler was being hurt. Of course he wasn't.

'I'm gonna stay right here and buy you some time,' said King. 'All right? So you take the others and run, Ban.'

No words. There were no words in your mind.

'Are you crazy?' Ban snapped. 'I can't leave you here all by yourself.'

'You'll only get in my way, so just go.'

Elizabeth took a step forward. 'But—'

'Lady Elizabeth,' King cut her off, 'take Diane.' He threw tiny Diane in her direction without looking. Elizabeth caught her.

'No way!' Diane leant forwards on Elizabeth's palm. 'I'm going to stay here and fight with you.'

That was right. You took a deep breath, pushing down the screaming voice telling you to grab Meliodas and Elizabeth and just run. It was very loud. But your love for these people was louder.

'I'm sorry,' said King. His voice was soft. 'Not this time. I may be a lame excuse for a king but even if it's only at the end, all I want is to protect you and the others.'

There were tears in the air, sparkling like stars.

Diane screwed up her face. 'No, you can't. Please no!'

'I'm begging you. Just get out of here!'

With King's shout, his attack got stronger. The metallic sounds got faster.

And a shard of light, brighter and sharper than King's, rose into the sky. Chandler brought his sword down. It was headed straight for you. You were frozen. A clang. Through the light, you could see Chastiefol shatter.

And then there was nothing.

When you could see again, you were sure you were dreaming. Or maybe Chandler's strike had knocked you silly. Because there's no way Hawk's mum could really be flying ... right? She was using a giant yellow flower like a magic carpet. It carried her back to the ground gently before disappearing in a flurry of petals.

It was then you realised the ground wasn't hard and rocky anymore. Neither were your legs. Instead, you and all your friends were being held in a giant blue palm. The owner of the giant hand's giant face looked down on you, his friend hovering by his shoulder.

'Always trying to carry the whole burden alone,' said Gloxinia, folding his arms. 'Kings can lean on people too. There's no shame in doing that from time to time.'

Your chin trembled and you pushed your bottom lip up, trying to hold in the tears that bubbled in your eyes.

King stared. 'It's King Gloxinia and King Drole.'

'I can't believe they came here to help us out,' said Diane.

Drole's face was quite blank but his deep voice rumbled with emotion. 'The future of Britannia ... we're leaving it to you, the Seven Deadly Sins. Additionally, they're our oldest and most cherished friends so please protect [Y/n] and Meliodas.'

You opened your mouth but no words came out.

Ever so gently, Drole lowered his hand to just above Hawk's mum's back. Everyone disembarked. Your legs shook but you managed it somehow.

'All right then,' said Gloxinia. 'Let's do this.'

'We kings of a bygone age are proud to set the groundwork for the future.'

The Fairy and Giant stared down Chandler. He glared back, teeth bared in some sort of evil grin. Elizabeth wasn't behind you. She was too far away.

'Well well, the Pacifier Demon Chandler.' Gloxinia raised his hands. 'I'm excited to find out just how powerful you truly are.'

'You're Gloxinia and Drole. How fascinating.' Chandler's face and voice betrayed none of his fascination. 'Now tell me, why did you two rescue the Seven Deadly Sins?'

'I don't think we have to answer any of your questions,' Gloxinia said coldly.

You could imagine Drole's eye narrowing. 'While that may be true, we're still dealing with quite a powerful Demon.'

They both moved their hands in similar, well-practiced motions. 'Combo Skill: Ore Tree Orudora.'

The ground beneath Chandler's feet erupted and extended, covering the Demon's body. Over the crashing of rocks, you could hear Chandler's outraged cry even as he was quickly hidden from view. Even from where you sat, safe on Hawk's mum, the ground shook. And still the rocks grew, reaching into the starry sky until it was almost four times Drole's height. The greyish greenish tower was still.

For about thirty seconds.

The whole structure began to wave like a single stalk of wheat in a ferocious wind. From inside, resounding crashes let you know Chandler was working furiously to be free.

Drole turned. 'You can just leave Chandler to the two of us.'

Gloxinia smiled and waved a hand. 'Now's your chance to make run for it.'

King rose to their level. 'No. I'm going to fight with you guys. That monster ... he's too strong.'

'Then count me in too,' said Diane from where she was still perched on King's shoulder. 'And there's nothing you can do to stop me. You got that?'

Your fingers were so cold. You pressed them against Meliodas's bare chest and he mumbled something incoherently.

'Ban, do you think you can take care of the others for me?'

'Sure. No problem.' Ban's voice was impressively steady.

Elizabeth ran to the edge of Hawk's mum's back. 'Gloxinia, Drole, you can't!'

The sounds coming from inside the Ore Tree got faster.

'Nothing you can say will change our minds,' said Gloxinia, shrugging.

Drole didn't turn this time. 'This is our opportunity to atone for betraying you. At the fighting festival, I assumed the resemblance was coincidental and simply ignored it.'

'However, that magic power we both remember so well made it clear to us.' Gloxinia smiled. 'It's true, right? You are that Elizabeth. So take good care of your parents for us, okay?'

Elizabeth shook her head. 'But—'

'Remember your training,' said Drole. He still didn't turn. You saw his massive shoulders shake. 'Use your opponent's strength against them. And don't forget to look behind you. You always used to—'

'Now now, Drole,' said Gloxinia, waving one hand. 'She remembers.'

'Yes,' said Elizabeth, her voice thick with unshed tears. 'I remember.'

Gloxinia looked straight into your eyes, his smile turning a little sad. 'Say goodbye to Meliodas for us.'

Your mouth opened. You were determined to say something this time.

'You must leave here,' said Drole. 'Now!'

'You heard him, mum,' Hawk cried. 'Giddy-up!'

And with that, Hawk's mum turned away from Drole, Gloxinia and the Ore Tree. The sound of Chandler's escape attempts were fading, hidden under the sound of Hawk's mum's footsteps. You were frozen, blinking images of Drole and Gloxinia from your mind.

A warm hand on your shoulder. You looked up at Ban. 'Come on,' he said. 'We should get inside.'

With what looked like great difficulty, Elizabeth tore her eyes from the horizon and led the way into the Boar Hat. You carried Meliodas, tucking his head into the crook of your neck and using him to hide your face as you let a few tears free.

Inside, the damage wasn't as bad as you feared. The floor was littered with bottles, papers, plates and other bits and pieces. Most of the chairs and tables had been knocked over. But everything was more or less easy to fix.

Escanor was just coming round, sitting up slowly and holding his head in his hands. 'What happened?'

Elizabeth hurried to his side. Ban slunk off somewhere. You took the time to set Meliodas down and wipe your face before joining Elizabeth.

'How are you feeling, Escanor?' Your voice didn't sound normal but at least it was steady.

The further you got from Chandler, the more the light outside the window changed. Escanor was growing before your eyes.

'No need to worry about me,' he said, patting his still-expanding muscles. 'But I can't see Miss Merlin anywhere. Is she all right?'

You bit your lip and looked around. Outside one window, you could see flashes on the horizon. But you tore your eyes away.

'Ah! There she is.' Elizabeth left Escanor and instead hastened to Merlin who was still a little girl and quite unconscious. Escanor followed and you were relieved to see he didn't stumble.

Just as you were about to follow, there was a crash from upstairs. But you weren't worried. King and Diane's magical power was coming from that direction too. Drole and Gloxinia must have sent them. Your chest ached. You didn't say goodbye.

—

Gloxinia looked up at the night sky. He couldn't see the stars. Every breath hurt. But he held on. Held on. There were still words in his heart. Could Goddesses hear the souls of others? He couldn't remember. But someone would hear these words. Someone would care.

[Y/n], said Drole from somewhere, his deep voice reverberating in Gloxinia's head, ever since that day when we fell into the depths of Hell, for three thousand long years, you and Meliodas have never wavered, continuing to carry out your will.

Somehow, Gloxinia felt his lips lift into a smile. It might have only been for the tiny family you created, but no one else will ever be able to pull that off. I'm glad we were able to see you two again with Elizabeth at your side. And I hope ...

... that one day ...

... all the pain and suffering you've endured will pay off.

His eyes closed and all Gloxinia could see was darkness. He knew, somewhere, [Y/n] was crying. So was Elizabeth, King and Diane. And Gerheade. So as the pain left and the coldness crept in, Gloxinia still smiled. How comforting to know that there were people who would cry for him even now.

—

Soft sunlight fell through the windows. Hawk's mum didn't slow down though, and your heart was still beating faster than normal. Your eyes were aching and itchy but you'd somehow managed to stop your tears.

Elizabeth knelt on the floor, holding Merlin in her arms. 'Merlin, hang in there. Merlin?'

You looked around just as Merlin's eyes opened. 'Big Sis,' she said slowly.

'Oh you've finally come to.' Elizabeth beamed.

'What in the world happened?'

Tears were still streaming down Escanor's cheeks. 'You were knocked out cold, I'm afraid.'

'Now I can remember.' Merlin frowned slightly. 'That's right. I was trying to retrieve something. My crystal orb for the Absolute Cancel spell. I couldn't withstand the blow that hit the tavern and I was slammed against the wall.' She stood up with a gasp. 'Was that mage defeated?'

Only silence answered. But it was enough. Meliodas and Gowther were both unresponsive. King sat on Chastiefol's pillow form, his shoulders slumped. Diane was still tiny. Not to mention the tavern still bore scars of the attack.

'No,' said Elizabeth eventually, her voice ringing like a bell through the heavy air. 'But the two kings ... died trying.'

For a moment, Merlin didn't say anything. You wondered what was going on inside her head. Her eyes flickered to yours. 'Is that so?' She folded her arms. 'It seems his power was even more terrifying than I imagined.'

'That's not all either,' Hawk interjected loudly. 'He really did a number of poor Gowther over there.'

Merlin surveyed Gowther's unmoving body. 'So he actually defied Absolute Order by force? What a risky move. If he were a human, he would have died instantly.' She turned. 'And I can see that he's put you through hell too, Diane.'

Hawk trotted up to the tiny Giant. 'Bet even I could take you out right now.' He snorted but was immediately proven wrong as Diane sent him flying with a single punch to the snout. 'Oh pork chops!'

'Never mind me, what about you, Merlin?' said Diane. 'I mean, never in a million years would I have assumed your true form was such a cute little girl.'

'I know. It's so humiliating.' Merlin smiled slightly. 'So before I do anything else, I definitely need to recover my sealed magic power.'

'Aw what? You're changing back already?' You tried to tease Merlin but it just sounded sad. Everyone turned to look at you with varying shades of pity so you cleared your throat and looked at Meliodas instead.

Escanor caused a helpful distraction by coughing heavily.

'It sounds to me like you're still not feeling well,' said Elizabeth. She walked up to Escanor and held a glowing palm over him. 'I'll cast Invigorate.'

Escanor stopped coughing straight away. 'Sorry for being such a burden.'

'Come to think of it, I'm actually feeling kinda sick myself,' said Diane, also coughing slightly.

'Yeah, you're right,' said King. 'The air feels so stagnant. Hawk, is it affecting you at all?'

'Me?' Hawk paused in thought. 'If anything, I just feel kinda hungry.'

'Probably shoulda known that would be your answer.'

'I think the cause is rather obvious,' said Merlin. You looked up and saw her eyes narrow. 'The miasma in Meliodas's body. Its negative energy is growing stronger by the second and is seeping into us.'

As Merlin spoke, it was like you could see it. A dark, writhing cloud that covered Meliodas, getting bigger every second.

'No,' Elizabeth shouted before you could. 'None of this is his fault.'

'It's okay, Elizabeth.' You smiled softly and bent to pick Meliodas up again. 'I'll take him outside for some air.'

'Then I'll—'

'Could you stay inside, Elizabeth?' You spoke without turning. 'Keep an eye on Escanor and the others for me.'

'... Right.'

You carried Meliodas across Hawk's mum's back and settled down to watch the last of the sunset. If his power was getting stronger, then it couldn't be much longer now. Anticipation and apprehension swirled in your stomach.

—

Elizabeth watched her parents leave the Boar Hat with a frown.

'A bit worrisome, isn't it?' said Escanor, voicing Elizabeth's thoughts aloud.

Merlin sighed and closed her eyes. 'Your condition isn't much better though. Right, Big Sis?'

Before Elizabeth could speak, Escanor stammered, 'Huh? Oh, well I ...' He laughed and posed. 'Come now, all I did was cough a little. As you can see, I'm still capable of fighting. My power is meagre since it's dusk now, but it isn't as if that means I'm unable to be of any use.'

Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

'Whatever you say, dude,' said Hawk.

'Is that so?' Merlin still hadn't opened her eyes.

'If I may make a suggestion,' said Escanor, changing the topic, 'our first order of business should be getting your magic power back.'

'Hold on. Does anyone know why Ban isn't here?'

'Isn't that obvious?' Elizabeth caught King's eye smiled a tiny smile. 'He's with Elaine.'

They travelled on. Her parents were still outside, but Elizabeth managed to keep herself busy. She watched in awe as Merlin turned back onto the Merlin from before (the one that was taller than her). She helped Diane carry Gowther up to his bedroom. She thought about tidying and decided not to.

Aldan hummed slightly, hovering over Merlin's palm. 'Now then,' she said, 'thankfully I was able to find the Aldan and revert back to normal. But ... will this even help?'

They had all gathered in Gowther's room. Well, all except Ban, Elaine and Elizabeth's parents.

King clenched his fists. 'We barely made it out last time. Chandler's power in that form is mind-blowing.'

'And what's worse,' said Merlin, 'he's such a monster he even made sure we fought in darkness. When it comes to Chandler, not even Escanor stands a chance.'

Escanor hummed in embarrassment and scratched his cheek.

Elizabeth looked round at all of them. Helplessness and uncertainty were thick in the air. She clenched her fists. They had to do something.

'We've got to come up with a way to defeat him,' she said, a little louder than she had intended. 'As soon as possible.'

'Yeah ...' said Diane slowly. 'But don't you think we should get you somewhere safe first?'

It was like all of Elizabeth's insides sank to her feet. She had almost forgotten. It was less than three days now.

'You're right.' King nodded firmly. 'Luckily, I think it will be a little while before he catches up to us.'

About ten seconds. That was apparently how long a little while was. The sky dimmed. The dark magic power was racing towards them.

Merlin looked up. 'He's coming.'

King and Diane gasped.

Escanor shrank.

Hawk screamed. 'This was a really bad time for Escanor to go wimpy.'

Elizabeth froze. 'Mum and Dad ...'

Diane eyes widened. 'They're still outside!'

A rush to the door. A stampede on the stairs. Ban appeared from nowhere, running alongside them. Elizabeth's heart was in her throat. Faster. Faster.

They burst through the front door. The night air was cold on Elizabeth's arms. But there was something burning hot nearby. She looked up. And her mouth fell open.

Her father was awake. He hovered in the sky, his face flat and cold. Two black jagged wings had sprouted from his back. They were the complete opposite of her mother's wings. One of his arms was wrapped around her mother's waist, fingers resting on her hip. Elizabeth blinked slowly. That look in her father's eyes ... she had never seen it before.

Chandler was nearby, kneeling and sobbing. Everyone ignored him.

Merlin stepped up beside Elizabeth. 'This is the worst possible time he could have awakened.'

'Wait,' said Hawk. 'The form he's in now ... that's the Meliodas of the Ten Commandments.'

Her father looked down on them. There was no recognition in his eyes. No smile. 'Elizabeth,' he said, voice so deep and dark. 'Come here.'

Elizabeth didn't know if she could move. She looked to her mother, but her mother didn't say anything, only held out a hand. Elizabeth didn't take it.

'Snap out of it!' Ban's shout made Elizabeth jump. 'You're Meliodas. The Seven Deadly Sins' captain! The Dragon Sin!'

For a moment, it was quiet.

'Ban, there's no use telling me what I already know.' His voice raised goosebumps on Elizabeth's arms. 'So don't worry. I remember that all of you were my good friends.'

'What do you mean by "were"?' said Escanor, his voice trembling.

Everyone gasped as the past tense registered in their minds.

'Mum.' Elizabeth could barely whisper. She licked her lips and tried again. 'Mum, please—'

'Elizabeth,' her father said again, 'I told you to come here. I won't ask again.'

Slowly, jerkily, like her joints were made of brittle wood, Elizabeth walked to her parents. Her mother reached down silently and Elizabeth took her hand. She was pulled into the sky. They weren't that high up, but her friends already felt so far away.

'Chandler, take us over to see Zeldris.' Her father turned to the prostrating Demon.

'Young Master.' Chandler raised his head, cheeks still wet with tears. 'Surely you don't mean to bring that woman along?'

Elizabeth looked to her mother. But there was no anger on her face, no retaliation on her lips. Elizabeth frowned.

'Know your place,' said her father. If it was possible, his voice dropped even deeper. 'Of course I'm bringing her.'

'Hold on,' said Merlin loudly. 'What exactly are you planning to do?'

'Elizabeth doesn't have much time left now. if I take this path to save her, then I know I can do it without fail.'

Diane leant forwards. 'Well, if you wanna make sure that Elizabeth stays alive, let all of us try and help you and then we—'

'That's enough.' He didn't raise his voice but silence fell anyway. 'Just stay away. I won't kill you unless you make me.'

'Wait. You would never do that.' King faltered slightly. 'Would you?'

'Come on, man! What the hell are you saying?' Ban gritted his teeth. '[Y/n], you better knock him straight before I do.'

But still Elizabeth's mother said nothing.

'Hey,' said Diane. 'You're not really serious, right?'

'What do you mean when you say you can rescue Elizabeth without fail?' Merlin's voice was the steadiest out of everyone's but Elizabeth could detect the worry it held.

Elizabeth looked from Merlin to her father with wide eyes. 'Surely you don't mean that, do you?'

'It's exactly what you're thinking,' her father said. 'I'm gonna become the Demon King.'

'No!' Elizabeth tried to pull away but her mother's grip was too strong. 'Mum, you can't let him do this!'

They were interrupted by an angry pig. 'That's enough,' said Hawk, chomping on one of his magical blocks. 'You need to wake up, Meliodas.' Now transformed, Hawk flew up to stare Elizabeth's father in the eye. '"Become the Demon King" my stinking butt! Listen here. You're the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins, who are the most powerful fighters of them all. And you're also the owner of the Boar Hat Inn, where you make your wife cook the food otherwise it'd serve the worst meals anyone's ever tasted.'

Elizabeth watched Hawk and the tightness in her chest eased a bit. She wanted to go to him, but her mother held her back.

Her father hummed a dark laugh. 'Tell me, did you think that you were clever enough to fool me this whole time?' He grabbed Hawk's chin so tightly the pig made a weird 'gwah' sound. 'So have you enjoyed spying on us, Demon King, as we kept suffering day in and day out?'

Hawk whimpered. Elizabeth just stared in confusion. How on earth could Hawk be the Demon King? But there was no time to think about that just now. Her father had tossed Hawk back down to the others. Elizabeth gasped but thankfully Ban was able to catch the pig.

Her father straightened up. 'Be sure to tell Gowther for me. The time spent with you wasn't all that bad.'

'Please, Dad, don't do this!' Elizabeth tried to pull herself free again. It didn't work. 'I don't want you making choices like this because of me. Mum, come on! You can't be okay with this!'

They both ignored her.

'It's time to go, Chandler.'

At some point, Chandler had turned back into his kind old man form. 'Yes, Young Master. With pleasure.' He flew up to join them.

Her father looked back at the others. 'From this moment forward, the Seven Deadly Sins are over.'

And with that, he turned and flew away. Elizabeth was pulled along with her parents but she twisted around for one last look at her friends. This wasn't goodbye. She would make sure to see them again before three days passed.

~~~~~

hehe i'm on time 💪

have a wonderful week and stay safe 💕💕💕