You watched your friends' faces as Merlin's words rang through the air. Your respect and love for these people grew even more as they accepted everything they had just heard. With all the new knowledge they had been forced to carry over the past few days, part of you kept expecting them to say it was too much or too weird. After all, you'd had over three thousand years to process what was happening and still got overwhelmed. But they had stuck by you.

'The Holy Sword Excalibur,' said Hawk. The pig was currently being held in Escanor's arms the same way King hugged pillow-Chastiefol. 'A blade filled with the souls of so many human heroes. And now Arthur has been chosen as the next in line.' His little summary over, Hawk looked to Merlin. 'Hey, Merlin, you think once he gets his hands on that thing, Arthur can take down Meliodas and the rest of 'em all by himself?'

You looked away from the others before they could see the answer written on your face.

'Reality isn't always that simple,' was all Merlin said.

Before anyone could say anything more, a strangely familiar voice echoed in your head. 'Arthur is about to die,' it said.

Somewhat stupidly, you looked around for who had spoken. It sounded like Cath. But Cath wasn't anywhere close.

Merlin gave a strangled gasp and you turned to her instead. Her eyes were wide, her breaths shallow.

Diane reached out a hand. 'Merlin, what—'

'Wait.' You leapt to Merlin. 'Take me with you!'

But your hand closed around empty air. Merlin had disappeared.

—

A brief pang of guilt shot through Merlin as she ignored [Y/n]'s shout. But it was very brief. Especially as she heard Cusack's voice.

'As a favour, I'll simply crush your one heart and that will be the end of it.'

'Before you try it,' said Merlin, fighting to keep her voice steady, 'he's coming with me.'

She blinked and the Demons appeared in front of her. She heard Arthur's tiny gasp. And with a well-placed flick of a finger, Cusack was fully encased in a giant wall of ice. Merlin stopped the ice from spreading across all of Camelot but she did make sure to partially trap Chandler, Zeldris and ... Meliodas too. Pleased with her entrance, Merlin smiled.

No one else was smiling.

'I know you,' Chandler shouted, his face full of accusation.

Merlin ignored him. Instead, she knelt to pick Arthur up into her arms. Blood seeped through his clothes and he leant on her heavily, but his heart was still beating. 'You did well to survive this, Arthur.' She spoke softly, still fighting to keep her emotions in check.

A small, battered cat bounced over.

'You sent that telepathic message, right?' Merlin looked down at Cath. 'I owe you.'

'Merlin.'

That harsh voice made Merlin's body freeze. She turned stiffly to look at Meliodas. His eyes were sharp. He didn't smile.

'Enough of your games,' her former captain continued. 'Give me the Commandment of Faith right now.'

Pushing down her sadness, Merlin forced her eyes and voice to become cold. 'I know what you're trying to do. You're focussed on becoming the Demon King to save [Y/n] and Elizabeth, but don't forget about your friends. Because we're focussed on going out and risking our lives in an effort to save you, Meliodas.'

He didn't say anything. Didn't even move.

Just before Cusack could break the ice, Merlin held Arthur tighter and teleported back to the Boar Hat.

—

'Merlin?'

'Where'd she go?'

You cursed under your breath.

'Mum?' Elizabeth was looking at you with wide eyes. 'Is everything okay?'

'Stop panicking, guys,' said Hawk. 'I bet she's just rummaging through the scraps.'

Just as the words left his mouth, Hawk was squashed by Merlin, Arthur and Cath as they appeared out of thin air.

'Hey, she's back,' said Diane.

'Who's that with her?' said King.

'King Arthur?' Diane's eyes grew round. 'Woah. So you really did barge into Camelot!'

Arthur's clothes were stained with blood. He was still clinging to Excalibur. At his side, Cath didn't look much better, with tattered fur and scratches.

You heaved a sigh of relief and opened your mouth, either to scold Merlin for worrying you or to ask about Meliodas, but she beat you to it.

'I know,' she said without meeting your eyes, 'but please, heal him first.'

Pursing your lips, you just nodded and knelt beside Arthur. 'It's so good to see you, Artie,' you said softly.

He didn't look at you. There were tears in his eyes and he was shaking. You chewed your bottom lip, unsure of what to say.

A horrible feeling crawled up your spine. Confused, you watched Arthur stand, his mouth open and eyes staring at nothing.

'Sir Arthur?' Elizabeth stepped forward.

Arthur raised Excalibur high and, without a word, plunged the blade through his chest.

You fell back with a cry of shock, watching fresh blood seep through his coat. Arthur fell slowly, heavily, resolute and final. More blood spread across the floor, growing bigger. Too big. Your heart was beating faster. Too fast.

'Arthur, no!' Merlin's shout made you jump. You tore your eyes from Arthur's body but looking at Merlin's stricken face was almost as bad. 'Stop it. Let go of that sword! [Y/n], hurry! Heal his wound. Arthur, look at me!'

Slowly, ever so slowly, you inched to Arthur's side. You were kneeling in the blood. It wasn't until a warm hand covered your own that you realised you were shaking. You looked up at Elizabeth.

'It's okay, Mum.' Her gaze was steady. You allowed her to pull you back and watched blankly as she took charge. 'Merlin, I can't do anything until the sword is removed. Help me.'

Together they tried to pull Arthur's hand from Excalibur's hilt. He wouldn't budge.

'Please, Arthur,' Merlin cried. 'Let go! Listen to me, Arthur. Arthur!'

But his eyes were closing. Elizabeth didn't stop tugging at his hand. Until Arthur's body went limp and Merlin's anguished cry shattered the air.

It was quiet and still, the silence pressing in on your head. You clung to Elizabeth, trying to ignore the disgusting feeling that at least her heart was still beating ... that it could be worse. Merlin had moved Arthur's body to her room and you watched it hover in the air. Excalibur was still buried in Arthur's chest in some grotesque parody. Who would be the one to remove it now?

'I'm sorry, Merlin,' you said, voice thick with unshed tears. 'I should've been faster. I—'

Elizabeth squeezed your hand. 'It's not your fault.'

You bit your lip but didn't say anything more.

Merlin hadn't moved since you had got to her room and she still didn't look away from Arthur as she spoke. 'He was a boy of immeasurable talent and unknown amounts of magical power. Back when I first met him, I could sense that it was a matter of fate.' She took a deep breath that shook slightly at the end. 'In the end, I was never able to draw out his hidden potential.' Stepping forward, Merlin carefully brushed her hand against Arthur's cheek. 'Arthur, we had plans together. I was so looking forward to you showing me that unknown world.'

Elizabeth looked at you, a question in her eyes. But you just shrugged your shoulders. Even after all those years, there were still times Merlin puzzled you. Whatever unknown world she was talking about, it wasn't something she had shared before.

'So where is your soul at this moment?' Merlin kept talking, her voice sounding like glass in the moment before it breaks. 'Has it travelled far away? Or is it still inside you? Or maybe your soul and blood have been absorbed by the Holy Sword just like all those other heroes before you and it's already preparing to choose its next master.'

Her musings finished, Merlin stepped back and slumped in a chair. Elizabeth walked over and placed a soothing hand on Merlin's shoulder. You stared at the sword sticking out of Arthur's chest. Whatever Merlin had done to him had made the blood stop flowing. It didn't drip down the blade onto the floor.

'So for you, Sir Arthur was someone you could never even begin to replace,' Elizabeth said. 'Like Mum and Dad?'

You glanced over your shoulder at Merlin, but she didn't raise her head. You couldn't see her face at all beneath her hair.

'I'm at a loss here,' she spoke to her knees. 'Humans simply aren't meant to live in this world as long as I have. What should the look on my face be at a time like this? And what about the state of my emotions? I've completely forgotten. All that I see is darkness enveloping everything.'

Ah. Your heart squeezed. You knew that feeling. Those times when everything swamped you and just once you wanted to sink beneath the waves, to give up and let the others win. But whenever you did feel like that, Meliodas was always there.

—

'Merlin, I found you!' Elizabeth ran up to her sister but stopped when she saw Merlin's face. 'What happened? Why are you crying all alone?'

Merlin looked up and wiped at the tears still streaming down her cheeks. 'Big Sis ...'

Elizabeth knelt and pulled Merlin into her arms. This is what her mama did when she cried and it always made her feel better so it should help Merlin too. And if it didn't, well, Elizabeth would go find her mama to make it all better again.

—

You blinked in surprise as Elizabeth pulled Merlin into her arms. Both girls seemed to relax. Merlin even managed a smile. Your own lips lifted in automatic response. There was always some light.

'Please forgive me,' Elizabeth said quietly.

You nodded even though no one could see you. 'Wish we could've helped you.'

Merlin shook her head and pulled free of Elizabeth's hug. 'This takes me back. No matter how lonely I felt, being with you always soothed my heart.' Something glinted on Merlin's cheeks. She touched them, shocked by her own tears. 'Now that's a surprise. It's been over four hundred years.'

Elizabeth stared. 'What?'

'The last time this happened to me, was when I tried Meliodas's original Demon Toad liver cake.'

A bubble of laughter burst from your mouth. That was one memory you could do without. Elizabeth giggled too.

'All right, then.' Merlin got to her feet. 'Let's head to the castle. We can't afford to lose focus now for any reason.' She was quiet for a moment. 'I'm no match for you.'

You caught Elizabeth's eye and shrugged.

Merlin continued without clarifying who she was talking about. 'I'm not even affected by the Goddess race's brainwashing spells and yet ...'

'Just don't overdo it,' you said. Seeing Merlin like this was unsettling to say the least. 'Okay?'

'Not a chance.' Merlin turned to face you and her gaze was hard, some sort of passionate flames in her eyes. 'I'm going all out. We're going to reverse the curses and stop Meliodas from becoming the Demon King. If something happened and I lost another precious thing in my life, I could never forgive myself.'

The room chosen for the strategic meeting was one of the castle's nicer ones. The window was large, sunlight streaming through stained glass. Someone had found a map of Britannia almost the same size as the table. Sariel, Tarmiel and Ludociel sat on one side, their cold power spreading though the room. Griamore, Dreyfus and Howzer sat opposite them. Yourself and Merlin were at the head of the table with Escanor standing off to the side, arms folded and shirtless for some reason.

'All right,' said Merlin, raising Aldan, 'let's go over the plan.'

'Sorry for interrupting.' You gave Merlin an apologetic smile, ignored Ludociel's not-so-quiet tut and raised your voice to say, 'Would you rather come in and sit down or just lurk outside, Elizabeth?'

There was a moment's pause before the door opened somewhat sheepishly.

'Are you sure it's okay?' she asked, stepping in and looking at everyone.

'Of course you should be here,' Ludociel said before you could. You glared at him. He beamed and spread his arms wide. 'Come. Sit.'

Elizabeth looked to you. You rolled your eyes but beckoned her over and she sat by your side.

Merlin's smile grew a little wider. 'Okay. First, there's the defensive force which will defend our base in Liones at all costs. Second is the search and destroy force, which will advance to Camelot and mow down the Demon fighters. Finally, we have the assault force which will attack Camelot directly.' As she spoke, the map lit up with arrows, illustrating what she said.

'On the defensive force, I will be manning the south gate,' said Dreyfus. 'Griamore will take east. Hendrickson will take the north. Jericho has the west.'

Howzer pointed to himself. 'Gilthunder and I will each head up the search and destroy force.'

'For the Goddesses, both Tarmiel and Sariel will lead the search and destroy force too,' said Ludociel. 'Also, I hear we'll be joined by allies from the Giants' homeland as well as the Fairy King's Forest.'

'And as for Escanor, Ludociel and myself,' said Merlin, 'we'll lead the assault force, headed straight for Camelot.'

Ludociel's smile turned sly. 'But wait, I was certain [Y/n] would be joining the rest of us on the assault force.'

You smiled back and only imagined punching him. 'The Seven Deadly Sins and I joined the search and destroy force.'

'Oh, I get it now.' A mocking laugh. 'I guess you can't bear to see that evil lover of yours killed before your eyes, can you?'

'I'd like to see you try, you half-baked toilet shrimp.'

'Back off, Ludociel,' Sariel's calming voice spoke before Ludociel could rub his two braincells together and come up with something else stupid to say.

Tarmiel smiled. 'There are still the other Commandments. It's just as important to keep searching for the ones that remain unclaimed and keep them out of enemy hands.'

'Right. And to do that, we're going to need [Y/n]'s help. And Princess Elizabeth's, who will remain at her side.'

Your smile felt more real. 'You have my word.'

Ludociel frowned before his stupid smile came back. 'Well that being so, I'd like to request a change. I want to have Hendrickson accompany me as my guard.'

As Dreyfus got to his feet spluttering, 'That's absurd!' you tried to figure out what Ludociel was thinking. Or if he was thinking. You doubted it.

'Oh really?' Ludociel didn't flinch at Dreyfus's outburst. 'Hendrickson himself requested it.'

Your eyes flickered to Sariel and Tarmiel. They thought something was up too. You could see it on their faces.

Dreyfus clenched his fists. 'Damned idiot.'

The door creaked open.

'I'm going too,' said Gilthunder, the one who had opened the door. You peered at Elizabeth but she avoided your eye. Gilthunder ignored the shock caused by his arrival, only looking at ... well, you supposed he was looking at Margaret. 'Ludociel, Hendrickson is joining you for protection, isn't he? Well, in that case, I'm going to protect Margaret.'

The next time you looked at Ludociel, you saw Margaret. But then you blinked and it was just Ludociel sitting there, his smile almost sinister.

'Needless to say,' he said, 'I'd welcome that. As allies, we should all be fighting side by side.'

Allies. It was your fault Ludociel could say that. Damn.

You felt it. In that moment when they joined, you felt everything. It was like there was something beneath your skin, a hot hot light trying to force its way out. The world stretched and snapped and shattered over and over. The power spiked in your head and your skull felt too tight.

He had done it. Meliodas had actually done it.

Merlin knew. You knew she knew. She hand-delivered your new clothes she had made. You were sure that everyone else had simply woken up to new clothes on their dressers, but Merlin actually came to your door and knocked. You smiled at her anyway. She just nodded.

As you pulled the long-sleeved shirt over your head, a voice spoke.

'Wow, Merlin. You always make the sexiest clothes for [Y/n], huh?'

It was Meliodas. it wasn't Meliodas. Somehow you managed to dress yourself properly.

'Really, Gowther?' You even managed to smile. 'That's what you think Meliodas would say if he were here right now?'

Gowther stood in the doorway all put together again and smiled too. 'Of course he would. Whatever Merlin had made you, that's what he would have said.'

'Breath of Bless, huh?'

Sariel and Tarmiel turned to you. Below, the people of Liones cheered as the knights paraded through the streets. But you could also hear the knights as they chanted ominously for the coming battle and bloodshed.

'It really did a number on them, didn't it?' Sariel said.

'I'm sure that he's only being thorough,' said Tarmiel. 'He needs competent pawns, ones that will reverently obey his every order.'

Sariel looked at you like he was wondering if he should say what he wanted before evidently deciding he could. 'Okay, but if that's the case, why did he choose someone who isn't under his spell to serve by his side?'

You sighed. 'You two know him better than I do. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about.' They both turned, confused, and you smiled. 'I just wanted to say it was nice to see you again. I didn't get a chance to the other night and back at the maze I couldn't figure out who you were but ... I'm glad it's you.'

Sariel tilted his head to one side. 'You really mean that, don't you?'

'Huh?' You blinked. 'Of course I do.'

'Even after everything?' said Tarmiel.

Oh. You shrugged lightly. 'I haven't forgotten. I mean, I did forget but then I remembered again. Meliodas would say the same, you know. But maybe he'd say it a bit more eloquently.'

Sariel and Tarmiel laughed. You frowned at them.

'Sorry,' said Sariel. 'It's just ... you seemed so different. We expected you to be different.'

'And you are a bit,' said Tarmiel, his smile wide, 'but you're still [Y/n].'

'And we're happy to see you again too.'

You landed on the roof of the Boar Hat and everyone turned to smile at you. Hawk's mum carried you all into battle, the knight of Liones spread out on either side like a sea of sharp, pointy metal. No one was speaking. There were only the sounds of Hawk's mum's trottersteps booming, the horses clip-clopping and the occasional rattle of armour. Elizabeth gripped your hand tightly.

As one, the army stopped. Far above, Ludociel turned and unsheathed his sword with a flourish.

'And now,' he said, 'after three thousand years, the Holy War begins again. I'm sure there must be people dear to you, friends and family who can't be replaced. No one wants to suffer any further loss or bloodshed through conflict. Indeed, this is the core fervent desire of every living race.' He raised his sword higher. 'Brave members of Stigma, I promise you we will win this Holy War. The Hands of Light will sever the Bloodline of Darkness and will guide your swords and spears to save Britannia!'

A resounding cheer rose from the knights but you just rolled your eyes.

'Mum.' Elizabeth tugged on your hand. 'He didn't mean that, right?'

Your lips pressed together in a hard line. 'I'm afraid he did. But—' the corners lifted into a smirk '—we won't let him.'

And finally, finally, they appeared. Their shapes loomed through clouds of dust raised by heavy feet. Thousands of Albions marched, red eyes gleaming. And in the sky, red and grey Demons flew on wings of darkness. You barely heard Howzer's voice but you heard his battle cry repeated by every knight as they charged forwards, swords raised. 

~~~~~

Everyone! I missed you so much! Like actually I wasn't expecting to miss writing this as much as I did.

And I'm sorry it's so far into December and, like, maybe the chapter isn't as good? It took a while to get back in the ✨zone✨ you know? I still don't think I'm all the way there yet lol

But here we are! Yay!

oh, i just wanted to add i have a lot of comments that i don't think wattpad will let me see them all so if i miss one tonight, i'll find it eventually to reply to! i'll do my best 💪

stay safe 💕💕💕