~~~><Twelve years ago><~~~

"C'mon Captain, what's the big deal? Just show me your sword." Ban continued insisting, as he had for the past hour.

"Why are you so interested in looking at this hunk of junk?" Meliodas asked, tone a bit annoyed as he sipped from his stein.

"I'm curious as to why the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins walks around with a sword like that. Why wouldn't I be curious?" Ban said, standing up from his seat. He walked to the Captain and gripped the handle of his sword, trying to take it out of tis sheath. "C'mon just let me have a little peek."

I sighed heavily. "Cut it out Ban. We're trying to sleep you know?" I groaned at them from the place where I had curled up beside the fire. We had been hard at work killing a big creature that was terrorizing the town as a mission, and we really all wanted to sleep. Although to be honest I didn't sleep that much, but you know, it's the sentiment that counts.

"Let go, Ban." The Captain's voice sharpened, as he dropped his ale and grabbed the handle of the sword, keeping Ban from unsheathing it.

Diane stirred behind me at the commotion and sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Hey you two, you're still up?"

I groaned dragging my hand over my face. "Guess what? They've been at it for an hour. It's like they keep forgetting that I have good hearing, you know!" I replied, the last bit said with sharp sarcasm as I glared at the two.

"Just step away Ban, you don't want to make me angry." Meliodas said, keeping his voice sharp but his expression steely.

I groaned in annoyance, curling up more into myself. Ugh that's not good. But I'm too tired to deal with this.

"Angry? You? You and me have been together for a long time and in all that time I've never seen you get mad once." Ban wondered, voice tilting as always in its sing-song way. "That reminds me; I'm also curious as to why you are called the Dragon Sin of Wrath."

I sighed in resignation, sitting up slightly. "And for good reason. Just let it go Ban."

Diane, having awakened more blinked and her eyes widened. "Ban, just what do you think you are doing?"

"If this means that I get to see what you're like when you're angry then I want to see it even more. No, I want to steal it!" Ban said.

I grimaced. That was not the right thing to say. That sword is a reminder.... of our failure at Danafor.

In a second Meliodas stood and with the broken sword slashed at Ban's neck. Ban jumped back, blood spurting from his neck.

He laughed, licking away at the blood on his cheek. "I discovered a hidden side of you Captain." He poked.

I stiffened at the smell and sight, but reined in my instincts easily, as it had been barely a month since the last feeding. Well, you bothered him, you got payback.

"I'm sorry Ban, this sword is... my burden. The only way to atone; I'll never let go of it for as long as I live." Meliodas spoke, head slightly lowered so his hair would cover his eyes.

I sighed, getting up and dragging Ban back to his seat, by his ear, making sure to pinch it.
"Hey hey what the-?"

"You will sit your ass down Ban or I will cut your legs off. Now stop your yapping, let me bandage that wound and go to sleep." I ordered him, (E/C) eyes glaring at him, daring him to challenge me.

Ban gulped and sat down. "Fine fine."

Diane rolled her eyes. "Boys." She glanced at me as she laid back down. "Goodnight Captain, (Y/N)."

"Goodnight Diane. Don't worry, I'll make sure these idiots stay quiet."

I took out the bandages from our supplies and quickly dressed his wound. Then I pushed Ban down on the ground and stared at him, expecting him to fall asleep. He squirmed slightly and opened his mouth to protest.

"(Y/N), my dear lady friend, I can't fall asleep with you staring at me like that.~" Ban said, slightly sweating.

I rolled my eyes, unfazed. "If you don't go to sleep now, I'm knocking you out so you don't bother anyone."

"W-what you can't do that!"

I rolled my eyes again and quickly chopped his neck and he fainted right where he was. I covered him with a blanket, not that heartless. "I did warn you."

I turned back to go back to my spot but found Meliodas staring at me, sipping at the tiny remainder of his ale.

"What? Do I have Ban's blood on me or something?" I asked confused as to why he was staring at me, cheeks tinting slightly pink.

Meliodas shook his head, closing his eyes. "Just thinking. Thank you, (Y/N)."

"For what?" I asked, furrowing my brow. I had only put down Ban, but that was for everyone's sakes. King had miraculously stayed asleep, snoring loudly beside Gowther, as Merlin stayed in her magical tent in the corner, with Escanor curled outside. Above all, I didn't want to wake up King; he had the tendency to wake up in a very annoying mood after he drank himself to sleep and would surely start drunkenly challenging Ban to a duel for Diane.

"Just you."

~~~~~~><><><~~~~~~

We had been running to Baste Prison and I had teased Diane with being in love with King and Ban (again, just a joke, at least the Ban part), when suddenly her face had twisted into an angry scowl and she had skidded to a stop, turning to punch me.

I almost didn't dodge in time because I was so surprised, but I managed to jump away at the last second as she made a grab for me. Why is she suddenly attacking me?! Was the joke that bad?!

She had been fighting me for several minutes, or more like trying to hit me for a while now, but I had managed to dodge every single attack (it wasn't hard, being a vampire and smaller than her). I tried to stop her, but there was suddenly a loud ringing in my ears .

I froze mid step, as the ringing got louder and louder and then lower again, becoming like the sound of rain or water in the back of my mind, a constant background sound.

I felt as if a veil had just covered my eyes, and there was a slight sense in the back of my mind that something was wrong. But it was like being in a trance, I couldn't stop my body and suddenly I was fighting with a Holy Knight called Ruin.

I scowled and gritted my teeth at the bastard with the weird helmet and growled low in my throat, as my nails formed into claws and I slashed at his chest, trying to shatter his armor. My magic power gathered in my hands, as I attempted to crack his armor or at least take off that ridiculous helmet of his.
"Let me see your face bastard!"

The knight laughed deep and then suddenly he was running away and I chased after him furious and annoyed.

And then there he was again, but there was someone else there. Mist covered my mind and I struggled to squint through it.

"Hey you are here too! What are you two doing here?"

And then Meliodas was standing right there on his own two feet as if nothing was wrong, wound apparently closed and hair as messy as ever. Elizabeth stood beside him, clothes seemingly dirtier than before, but unharmed with Hawk by her side.

I blinked in confusion, sudden clarity hitting me. What the hell just happened?
I was.. fighting.
And then...
What??

I looked at Meliodas and sighed in relief at the sight of our Captain, unharmed and safe. I sniffed discreetly and smiled. At least the wound's healed. He's fine. Meliodas glanced at me and grinned.
"Hey!"

Diane unfroze beside me unfreeze and she blinked at them, suddenly seeing them. "Captain! What are you doing out here? You are supposed to be in bed resting!" She exclaimed, furrowing her brows in concern and leaning down slightly to look at him more closely.

I shrugged my shoulders, pinching my nose. "Same question I have."
I shook my head, looking back at Meliodas, slightly narrowing my eyes. "You know, closed wound or not, you should still be in bed Captain."

Meliodas blinked at us, unbothered. "I'm fine! I was more worried about you guys."

I blushed slightly, huffing and crossing my arms. "P-pff, we're fine."

A light blush dusted Diane's cheeks, as she frowned. "You were worried about me?"

Hawk nodded, looking at us. "You crushed all those insects in Dalmally and then ran off to Baste, don't you remember?" He exclaimed.

Diane and I glanced at each other. I felt a slight sense of mist fogging my mind and I frowned in thought. "Did we really Diane?"

Diane held her chin in thought, humming in confusion and furrowing her brows. "I don't... recall."

"Yes, you did." Elizabeth repeated, looking at us worried.

Meliodas glanced at the two of us, holding his chin in thought and looking away. "Something strange is going on here." He muttered. Bright emerald eyes turned to me and frowned. "You sure you are okay (Y/N)?"

I frowned at him, blushing a bit at the attention but confused too. There definitely was something wrong. It seemed like my instincts were trying to scream at me about something but had been muted. "I..."

"We're just a bit dizzy, that's all." Diane reassured, a bit blankly, as she stood up straight and fiddled with her brown hair.

I nodded in agreement, "Yeah yeah, it's okay, it's just nausea."

And then there was loud ringing again, and the veil settled over my eyes once again. And then everyone had disappeared and there was that Holy Knight Ruin in front of me again, laughing.

I growled at the man in that blue gray armor, golden face sculpted on the helmet. "Where did they go?!"

Ruin laughed in his throat and my annoyance just increased, as suddenly it was no longer one Ruin, but two. I smirked and snickered loudly at him. "Ha! Illusion magic! You think I'm stupid?!"

I went for both of them, but the knights ran in opposite directions and then I was chasing after them furiously with my claws out and hands tempted to reach for Valhalla. But even I wasn't cruel enough to demolish them like that.

In the back of my mind, the alarms were ringing but I couldn't pay attention to them or hear them. My head was underwater; I couldn't see or hear clearly, everything had been muted.
I'd probably be super embarrassed later for this. How could I have let myself be spelled so easily!

I continued to fight with both versions of Ruin, as they flew at me and tried to attack me with that stupid staff they held, running at me, punching me, trying to kick me.

A few times one landed a hit and there was a searing pain in that spot. It just made me more furious and retaliate with more strength, claws sharper and aim sure.

I growled in my throat as the knight laughed. I wish I could just punch your stupid face! Why don't you show me your face huh!

I raised a hand, claws elongating some more as I brought them down to slash at his chest. But then the ringing stopped.

That loud ringing that had become like the rain in the background of my mind had stopped, suddenly. Immeaditely I froze mid-slash, panting and breath hitching as I saw just how close I was to Meliodas.

Just centimeters away from slashing his chest; from wounding him again. I stumbled back in a hurry as if I had been burned, claws retracting and wide eyed.

My heart hammed in my chest and I frowned in horror. Did I just..! Did I almost harm Meliodas?!

Meliodas seemed just as confused and surprised, blinking repeatedly as he had stopped his hand from stabbing me with the broken sword.
A sudden flash of pain flared in his eyes and he pursed his lips, immeaditely lowering his sword and looking around with a scowl. "Sorry (Y/N)."

I gulped still, swallowing. The dizziness had decreased, but now my stomach just seemed fond of the idea of throwing up our breakfast. I can't believe I almost attacked Meliodas! And with my claws! Like an animal! I deflated in shame and looked around, following Meliodas' furious gaze.
Someone had hypnotized us and made us see illusions clearly, and we had almost injured each other severely. I wanted payback.

Our eyes landed on the familiar knight. But this one was clearly the real version. I could actually smell him, hear him, sense him. I growled.
Oh that guy's screwed.
The knight stood over a fallen Elizabeth furious, hitting and kicking her. "You stupid princess, you knew it from the start! How dare you! Now you've made me angry!"

Meliodas' eyes darkened immeaditely and he was over there in a flash, stopping his fist from hitting her face again. "No bastard, you've made me angry!"

I was beside them in an instant, growling in my throat as Meliodas clenched so hard on the guy's armor that it bent and warped under his grip. I bared my fangs at the bastard, furious. "You know, I've been wanting to punch your stupid face for a while!" I yelled, getting in between them and sending a right hook straight to his face, the stupid helmet warping.

Ruin gasped and groaned in pain scrambling away, hands outstretched as if to defend himself. "The spell's been broken?!"

Meliodas sat beside Elizabeth in an instant, caressing her cheek softly. "Elizabeth... You were so brave. I understand now how far you'll go." He said softly, as if caressing an old lover.

I turned away at the sight, turning my anger and frustration to Ruin. It's this stupid guy's fault! I can't believe I fell for some stupid hypnosis spell! I snarled at the guy, furious. "You made us fight each other and harmed a friend! You are so screwed bastard!"

Not only that, but I think Meliodas actually managed to hit me a few times. I've been feeling something in my ribs for a bit.

Before I could make a move at him the guy was running at Meliodas' crouching form with his staff, angry and hitting him. "Damn you, don't ignore me! Fight me!"

Hawk, who was apparently right there too and bruised gasped and yelled, "Meliodas!"

I could only growl and still my feet as Ruin laughed at Meliodas' form, right before Meliodas sent him flying straight to Baste's wall with a good punch. I held back a snicker as I watched, a large smirk of satisfaction on my face.
Now that's better. Kick his ego down a notch. Guy really thought he was stronger than us. It's quite easy to think that when you hide behind illusion magic.

I looked at Elizabeth and crouched beside her, feeling for her pulse and feeling grateful that the bleeding was minimal. She's just passed out, tired and a bit beaten up. The guy didn't have a blade, so no lacerations. She just needs some rest. I sighed, glaring at her a bit, but gaze softening as I scowled and looked away. The worst thing is I can't even hate her. She's just too nice and pure. Without her, it would have taken us longer to break that stupid spell.

I sighed, taking out the bandages I kept in my pockets. "Come here Hawk, help me hold this!"

I can at least bandage her. I just wished Meliodas cared about me that much.

~~><><~~

Third P.O.V.
"What was that?!"

"Something huge just flew past us!"

"Yes! This is exactly what I wanted; to fight the Dragon of Wrath!"

"Is that the Eight Deadly Sins Captain?!"

Meliodas paid no mind to the voices, walking towards Ruin and punching him straight in his stomach with all of his strength into it. The scratched armor burst like a balloon under his touch, metal flying everywhere.

Ruin croaked in pain, trembling a bit. "Impossible, how could you shatter my armor in one hit?!" He exclaimed. But then he laughed, huge abs shaking with it. "Well done... But we're not done yet fool!"

Ruin suddenly perked up, raising his arms and clenching his chest muscles, abs suddenly bursting forth and turning dark. "This armor is no more than a thin membrane! My true armor is my own flesh, harder than steel!"

Meliodas glared angrily at the Holy Knight, patience thinned. Anger was bursting in his chest like flames and his face twisted with it, fists clenched. He had seen the bleeding spots that were not healing on (Y/N)'s body. They might no be deep. But he had hit her just the same. He had injured her. He had sworn long ago to never hurt her.
That bastard had kicked Elizabeth, hit her, hurt her. She was scratched and beaten up. They say hell hath no fury like a wronged lover.

This bastard!

"Now what will you-?!"

Meliodas' patience snapped and he punched his stomach with all his strength, supposedly hard skin feeling like putty in his hands.

Ruin croaked and choked, blood bursting from his helmet in spurts, as his whole body trembled.

"You are asking? You left me no choice. You hurt someone who's precious to me." Meliodas glared at him angrily, retracting his fist and letting Ruin fall right to the ground on his face. "That was your sin."

The guards gasped and trembled in their boots, stumbling back. "A Holy Knight with o-one blow!"
"I-it's true! He must be one of the Eight Deadly Sins!"

"Run!"

Meliodas dusted off his clothes and glared still at Ruin, frowning. You went too far. Making the two of us fight.

Poor unlucky bastard. Should have paired them up with Diane.

~~><><~~

Your P.O.V.

"Diane, that's enough." I sighed.

The knight gave a squeak of pain, like an insect as Diane lifted her foot from her twitching body. Diane glared coldly, unbothered, dusting off her hands. She turned to us, glancing at Elizabeth.

I had put bandages on the slashes and scratches she had, but had no ointment, or well anything to disinfect them. Hawk cried beside her, sniffing.
"I'm sorry Elizabeth, if I was a stronger pig.."

Diane crouched in front of us, frowning. "She's pretty messed up. We have to get her back to town."

I nodded, looking at Elizabeth who pursed her lips weakly. "We should. We need to clean those wounds, they must sting a lot under the bandages."

Elizabeth tried to shake her head at us, "Wait please.. Take me with you... to Meliodas and Ban."

"Don't say that, you're wounded!" Hawk squeaked in protest, teary eyed.

Elizabeth smiled softly, glancing at Diane and I. "I made a promise...That I would keep fighting to protect the kingdom and its people."

Diane's hard look softened a bit and I smiled. Seems like she's starting to like her a bit. Good. Can't have both of my female friends fighting at every moment.

"Sorry, but that's not going to happen." Diane denied, lips pursed as if scolding a sweet child. "We're going to Baste Prison, where the enemy is waiting for us. You won't be able to do anything, not in the shape you're in."

Elizabeth seemed about ready to pull out all her stops and tricks to protest, frowning. "I suppose not. I admit I don't have any real power. I can't fight a Holy Knight or resist attacks. But even so, I decided I would follow Meliodas and the rest until the end. I have to keep my promise."

I smiled slightly at Elizabeth, nudging Diane's foot. "Come on Diane. Nothing will happen if the four of us are there. And it's not like she's gonna bleed out."
Diane seemed to give up, sighing and smiling slightly with a soft look. "But don't start crying now."

"Okay." Elizabeth said softly with a smile.

Diane smiled softly, grabbing her backpack and putting it down, zipping it open. "If you agree, I'll put you in my backpack. It'll be a bumpy ride though. It might aggravate your wounds. You still sure?"

Elizabeth's eyes lit up and she sent me a grateful look, smiling. "I'm sure."

"You'll be just fine Elizabeth. We'll take care of our enemies quickly and get you to a doctor, promise." I reassured her with a wink, as Diane prepared the backpack for her.

Hawk sniffed and turned back, spotting a suspicious man wearing a trench-coat trying to scurry away. "Hey you! You are Baste soldier right?!"

The guy shook in his boots, shaking his head. "N-no, I was just coerced by the Holy Knight!"

"Then you know where they're holding the Sin and the doctor's daughter, don't you?!" Hawk interrogated furiously, huffing at him.

The man trembled, brown hat almost falling off his head. "W-wait! If I tell you, you have no idea what they'll do to me!"

I was next to the man in an instant, gripping his shoulder with a clawed hand and a dark sweet smile. "Well would you prefer facing us or the Holy Knights?"

I almost snorted when the guy's legs shook and he gulped, raising his hat with a nervous look as Diane towered above him. I smirked at him, claws retracting and patting his shoulder.

"That's better. Now tell me, where is Ban? Oh and don't even think about lying, I'll know."

Ban better have my money. I want it paid with interests.

"