"Hey bitches," I called, cracking my knuckles as I addressed the two Holy Knights. They both turned to see me relatively unharmed, and their expressions contorted into ones of surprise. It seemed as though they thought I was out of commission when they saw me healing Ban. "I don't think you know what your talking about."

"Shaddup~" Ban's voice came from behind me. He was stumbling up, nearly collapsing as he appeared at my side. "Let's just kick their asses."

"You should be resting!" I growled, puffing out my cheeks as I repeatedly knocked my fist against his head. I was careful to be extremely gentle with the playful attack. "You aren't completely regenerated yet!"

"Ban, you bastard!" Jericho's voice was seething, "Those wounds I gave you shouldn't have healed!"

"I healed 'em, jackass," I retorted, not looking away from the Fox Sin by my side. "I swear, I am like your babysitter!"

"Pretty sure it's the other way around," he snorted, then turned to the two girls, who were preparing to attack. He flicked my fist away, leaving me to cross my arms and roll my eyes at his seemingly never ending stupidity. "Now let's kill these assholes so we can go back to the tavern and drink."

"Is alcohol all you ever think about?" I huffed, turning to face them as well.

"Mmmm, pretty much."

I laughed, then snapped my fingers, glaring in the direction of our previous assailants. "Playtime's over, Knights. Blaze Storm."

I made sure to hold back on the overall power, since I didn't want to kill them yet. Ellie, Griamore, Hawk, and Princess Veronica were all still here, not to mention I have no idea where Meli is and Ban's not doing so hot on the energy part of this fight. In case one of my attacks was too widespread, I didn't want to kill anyone who didn't deserve it, even though I wouldn't mind if I accidentally hit Ban right now.

The small fireballs rammed into the girls, sending them flying backward at an impressive speed before they even knew the attack was coming. They flew into the ground, their armor steaming and their visible hair and skin singed. Ellie was sobbing hysterically, calling out for Meli as she clutched Veronica's barely alive form.

Damnit, damnit, damnit!

I can't leave Ban to deal with them, cause he'll get his ass kicked again. He can't heal the wounds they inflict on him either, which is a major problem, especially since his trump card is usually his immortality. Veronica needs healing too, though, and everyone else needs protection. I'm the only capable fighter here- well, the only person who can fight off these two for an extended period of time.

"Ban," I spoke, firmly deciding that I needed to make sure the princess and Griamore don't die. "Hold 'em o-AGH!"

My sentence was cut off by a loud explosion. My initial instinct was Guila, but I didn't feel a fluctuation in her magical power. It was a different type of power. An ominous power.

A demonic power.

I whirled toward the overwhelming magical presence was, finding Meli, standing in his demon form. He stood in front of the two princesses, staring blankly out across the clearing where we all stood. His expression was unwavering, and his eyes were now a deep purple that matched Jericho's. Purple demon markings wrapped half way around his bare torso and face.

"Ban..." I growled, taking a defensive step back. He was still behind me, and I could tell without looking that he was looking at our captain as well.

"I know," he muttered back, not moving his gaze.

There was a movement, and I immediately stepped protectively in front of the Fox Sin. Meli was still in his place, but now held a dismembered hand, which held his broken sword. There was a scream; it was Guila. He had taken her hand. He tossed it to the side, and my eyes widened as he raised his arm upward, preparing to strike.

I darted behind me, tackling Ban so that we barreled out of his trajectory. I could feel the wind rushing by me from the speed and force of the attack; we had just barely dodged it.

My eyes were wide and alert, darting every which was until it landed on Ban. I breathed a quiet sigh of relief, seeing that he was below me, looking up with a smirk. My hands rested on either of his bare pectoral muscles, and I sat comfortably on a particularly.... impure part of his lower half. My face heated up as I realized the situation I had forced us into.

"Well?" He questioned, causing my face to flush harder as he smirked. I raised my hands and rested them on my face, looking away in sheer embarrassment. "You gonna get up, or are you hoping to get something out of this?"

My eyes widened at the innuendo, and I quickly scrambled off of him. I stood and brushed myself off as he raised himself, grunting quietly. I raised my hood over my head to cover my heavily flushed face, muttering, "Now's not the time to flirt..."

"Who said I was flirting?" He teased, causing me to kick a rock, which made direct contact with his skull. His head snapped to the side, followed by several loud cracks, signaling I had broken his neck in several places. "Ouch. I'm hurt (y/n)~"

"Shut up," I huffed, hearing his neck snap back. "There are more important things to deal with right now."

"You're no fun~" he pouted.

"And you're a massive asshole."

"Ouch, my pride."

"You're not Escanor, so shut up."

He chuckled, amused at my childish responses. Turning toward Guila and Jericho, who had a Hyper Recovery Spell surrounding them, he sighed. "We should probably get them out of here."

"Let them die," I spoke, "They've caused us enough trouble as it is."

"And I thought you were the nice one."

"Haven't I said to shut it, tree legs?"

"Yup. I'm just ignoring you, short stack."

"Oh, joy," I spoke sarcastically as he darted off to get some healing from the Hyper Recovery Circle and help the two Holy Knights. I turned back to face Meli. "And now you've left me to deal with him... Thanks, asswipe."

The demon in the form of our captain began walking toward the two Holy Knights. I slowly stepped in his path, holding my hands up in a gesture that signaled a surrender.

"Hey, Meli," I spoke, my eyes darting back and forth between him and the three people behind me, who I was stalling for. "It's (y/n). Calm down. We're good."

He tilted his head to the side, his eyes creepy and unblinking as his mouth hung slightly open. His head turned toward the whip on my side, then back up to me. He tilted his upper body to look at the people behind me, then moved forward in a flash, much faster than he moved in his human form.

I barely made it out of his way, yelping in surprise as his broken sword made contact with my stomach and shoved me to the side. I crashed against the ground, whimpering as I came to a stop. One thing that sucks about demons- you can't fully heal what another one has done to you. Well, that's how it is for me at least.

I shakily stood, hissing slightly from the pain coming from my abdomen. Demon markings appeared around it, but they couldn't close the wound all the way. There was still a gash in my side, leaking blood down my left hip and leg.

I walked forward, stumbling every once in a while, to find the people I was trying to protect sprawled across the ground. Guila and Jericho were laying, unmoving, and their breathing was raspy. Ban's body had been split in half, and was currently healing itself. Griamore sat untouched, clutching Veronica and trying not to sob. Ellie....

There was a large moat around where she was sitting, but without water. Only a small bit of earth stuck up from the crater, where she and Hawk sat, looking very confused. Several explosions sounded from behind us- Meli was fighting a very powerful Holy Knight. He was probably going to lose. I could feel Diane's power reasserting itself- looks like she's back in the game. I'll need to go help her.

"Ban!" I shouted, causing the Fox Sin to look over at me. He had run off to grab King when he healed fully, and was now standing to the side of the crater, seeming ready grab the princess and Hawk. "Get them out of here."

"You need to leave too, (y/n)," he growled, "If the captain lost in that form then you don't stand a cha-"

"How many times do I have to say shut up?" I asked, but it wasn't harsh or mean. A small smile graced my features as I said it, my voice soft. I could see Ban visibly contemplating. "I'm okay. I'll be okay. I'll kick some ass for the both of us."

He stood there for a moment, looking at me from across the crater while he held King and Ellie in either of his arms. I couldn't read his expression, but he seemed apprehensive. It took a while, but he finally made a decision.

"No. You're coming with us."

"Ban, I can take care of myself. Diane will need he-"

"Shut the hell up, (y/n)," he growled, seeming especially irked. My eyes widened in surprise. "You're getting out of here with us. So help me carry these two assholes so we can get to safety."

"I can't just leave them!" I shouted, my fists involuntarily clenching. "They need help!"

"You know who else needs help? King. He's knocked out and injured, and you could heal him so we could bring the team back up to it's original strength. Princess here needs help too. Her sister just died in her arms and she can't protect herself. Even Master needs help!" He gestured toward Hawk. I forgot that's what he called the pig. "He's burnt to a crisp. But no! The captain and Diane matter more, right?"

You stood, motionless across the crater from Ban. You glared at the floor, knowing internally that he was right. You would be more useful helping King and Elizabeth get to safety. You just wanted to help more; you wanted to be useful for a change.

For a change. I guess I am pretty useless most of the time... Especially in comparison to the other Sins...

Ban glared at you, his eyes baring painfully into the top of your skull. He wanted you to be safe. After all this bullshit, you healed him and tried to protect the Holy Knights. You stalled and were merciful. He knew you'd get hurt bad if you went to help Diane- and he wasn't sure why, but his chest ached at the thought.

"Fine," the agreement was quiet and harsh, but it was an agreement all the same. "I'll go. But we're coming back to help once they're safe and healed."

"We'll see, short stack," Ban smirked, and a small smile tugged at your lips. You couldn't help it. The atmosphere had been tense and aggressive. The use of the stupid nickname was so inappropriate, you couldn't help but smile.

You jumped up, lightly landing on the central platform of the crater next to Ban, then looked down at Elizabeth and smiled. "Wanna ride with me?"

She furrowed her brows, "No! (Y/N), you must understand, we need to rescue Sir Meliodas and help Lady Diane!"

"And we will. We just need to get you and King to safety," You smiled, "And besides, Meli's got Diane to help him, and she has her sacred treasure. Don't worry. They'll be fine."

She was still troubled, but your short pep talk put her at slight ease. She felt like you and her were friends, more-so than she was with King or Ban, maybe even Diane. Elizabeth trusted you with her life, so, at the moment, she had to trust you with Meliodas's.

She nodded, stepping out of Ban's grasp and climbing onto your back. You were careful to hold her so that she wasn't showing off her lady business to any bystanders, which was somewhat difficult due to the coat that she was wearing, which barely went to her upper thigh. Once she was secured, you looked over at Ban, then nodded, grinning widely.

You both began running, speeding forward and causing small craters to form under each of your footfalls. Hawk's roasted form followed you, him muttering 'Piggy Trot' and snorting as he did so. He kept up with you surprisingly well, and you were mildly impressed with the speed of the swine.

As you ran, large explosions and crashes could be heard. There was no doubt in your mind that it was Diane's doing- she was probably pissed at the Holy Knight for hurting Meliodas.

Ah, young love, You thought, a small smirk making its way to your lips. Too bad she and King were meant to be.

"What the hell is that?!" Hawk shouted, snapping you out of your small fangirl moment and back into reality. Dust clouds and after shocks from her attacks were traveling behind you, just barely behind your heels.

"Stop talking and keep churning your hooves!" Ban shouted over the loud crashes and booms, picking up the speed. You met the speed easily, keeping by his side as Elizabeth held tightly to your shoulders and Hawk ran beside you.

After a few more moments of running, the clouds calmed and the crashing ceased. You and Ban kept running, knowing perfectly well that Diane had used her ability Mother Catastrophe and brought up the large section of land, and was going to send it crashing down again.

Hawk, however, was unaware of this fact.

He stopped, turning around. "Is... is it over?"

"No, you dumbass!" You shouted, stopping as you frantically tried to warn him to keep going. "Now keep running!"

He squealed, following your words with extreme haste at the sight of the giant rock hovering in the sky. The three of you began running faster than before, booking it as the rock slammed downward.

The crash was deafening, and you took shelter behind a large rock formation, panting lightly. Even after the sound ceased and the dust clouds disappeared, you stayed behind the rock for a good minute to make sure it was safe.

After you were convinced, you, Ban, Hawk, and Elizabeth heaved yourselves up onto the rock formation. You sat leaning with your back against Ban's arm, and Elizabeth sat to the left of him. Hawk lay on your right and King lay unconscious behind the small group.

"I told you it was too dangerous," Ban muttered, staring out at the large rock, which had crashed down and practically decimated the surrounding terrain.

"Yeah," You replied quietly, eyes dropping tiredly as your head nodded to the side, lightly resting against his shoulder. It had been a long day. "I guess you were right."