Merlin only reared her head once we were preparing to leave the following morning. She said she was checking up on somebody important, and left it at that. Taking my one chance, I managed to pull her aside.

"I have a favour to ask..." I started, keeping my eyes open for any eavesdroppers. "I'm asking you as an old friend, so I hope you'll actually listen to what I have to say..." She crossed her arms across her bucksome chest and nodded once.
"Of course I'll listen. If you recall, there's only been one time that I've shut you down."

Yeah...the most important time...

Taking a deep breath, I cast my eyes to the ground.
"Once we get Carnificare back...before my duel with Meliodas begins...I want you to teleport me as far away as possible." I requested sternly, and I inwardly flinched when I heard that short, amused chuckle of hers.
"You know very well that I won't go against the captain's orders, (Y/N). Not unless there is an iron clad reason."

"This is iron clad! I can't be around him! I don't want to fight, and I don't want to be a part of this...whatever it is! There's just-"
"No point..?" Merlin cut me off, causing me to snap my head up and witness her dark, knowing smirk. " You're still a prisoner of your own sin, aren't you? I honestly thought that, maybe after all this time, you could have overcome that."

I should have known it was pointless trying to request Merlin's help. She had once been like family to me, but when all was said and done, her loyalty always belonged to the Captain.
"How could I overcome something that wasn't my fault to begin with?!" I hissed, clenching my fists so tight that I began to feel the skin break. "Why do I have to get dragged back into this again?!"

I should have just left when I had the chance..! There's no way I can beat Meliodas...I know what he is...and I know I'm no match...It's...pointless...

"Listen, for now, just focus on retrieving Carnificare, and giving that monster who used you a fitting end. After that, we shall speak to the Captain, together, and try to lay grudges to rest." The way she could speak so calmly, and so casually, about the issues I had with Meliodas made me burn with anger, but I just couldn't bring myself to unleash it upon her. I owed her too much, and it wasn't like I had any chance against her, either.

"Whatever...Just please don't breathe a word of this to anyone...At least give me that..." I muttered sourly, trying to regain control over my breathing, which had grown shaky and uneven. I wasn't just on edge about the impending duel. I was terrified to come face to face with what I had subjected myself to.
"That...I can guarantee." Merlin smiled, turning her gaze towards the window. "Now, come. Everybody is waiting on you."

I followed her downstairs and out of the Boar Hat, lingering back when she joined up with the others.
"Hey...how are you feeling, (Y/N)..? You look like you're seriously upset..." For once, I didn't jump when King came to hover in front of me from above. I just gave him a small shrug and kicked at a loose pebble on the ground.

"Nothing important...Just got a lot on my mind right now..." I sighed, trying to hide the fact that I desperately wanted to cry. The smaller ginger didn't look very convinced, and he landed on the ground and took a place at my side.
"I can imagine...but we're all here for you! I mean...I don't know you, but I guess I get this weird urge to protect you...All of us seem to be having it...Ban, especially...He's been chomping at the bit to lay into that Warren guy..."

Why? Why are you all so stupid? But...

It wasn't often that such a warm feeling spread through my chest. It usually felt cold and barren, but as the twerpy little fairy spoke to me, it was as though it was filling with something that wasn't so painful, especially when Ban's name was mentioned.

Don't think about him...I know what that's all about, and there's no way I'm gonna let that, of all things, happen...

"That really is weird...Just, don't go getting yourself hurt over this, King. This...fight...is my responsibility...I was careless enough to get my dumb ass dragged into that world...so, if things get messy...you should get out of there." For some strange reason, my body acted on its own accord, and my hand came down to gently pat his ginger tufts. He stiffened for a good moment before his eyes widened.

"JUST HOW STRONG IS THIS WARREN JERK, ANYWAY?!" He cried out, true to the usual little fairy I had seen over severe days. What did surprise me, though, was when his expression turned stern, and he met my eyes with passionate amber. "Whatever happened that resulted in you getting taken by him...don't say it was your own fault, okay? He's an evil person...and he hurt you...That will never be your fault...so...don't think for a second you cant depend on us!"

How dare you think you have the right to be so pure and selfless, you little shit! That's just not fair!

"He's right, ya know?" I looked up to see Ban, along with the others, and he slapped his red-clad shoulder. "Don't be scared to lean on this, 'Kay?~" My emotions were bubbling up my throat, and I felt my lip begin to wobble.
"Yup! Don't think we're gonna let you face this all alone!" Diane added with a wink and a smile.

This is too wholesome...I can't...My heart is gonna squeeze out my ass like toothpaste..!

"Guys...I..." I didn't want to feel so emotional over such a trivial thing as kindness. I needed a wakeup call, and, thankfully, I was given it almost immediately.
"Us sins are all like family, right?~" Meliodas' voice grabbed that strange, airy feeling and popped it like a bubble. My shoulders tensed, and my jaw clicked into a tight press.
"Let's just get this over with..."

I could tell everyone was dismayed by my sudden switch in mood, but I didn't pay much attention. Walking through the lot of them, I started heading towards the town, but a soft, melodic call of my name made me slow down.
"I wish you the best of luck, (Y/N)!" Elizabeth hollered, standing outside the  bar with both Hawk and Gowther, who were staying behind with her.

Elizabeth...you've always been so bright...How did I not put two and two together when I met you again..?

Shaking my head, I didn't respond, and just kept on the gritty path, focusing on what was dead ahead.

I'm coming, Carnificare...

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***It's way too early in the morning to be writing but here I am***