"I've lost. Just kill me."

A deathly silence fell over the group- shock, anger, and disappointment rippling throughout the room in waves. The majority of the Sins were staring down at Dreyfus with distaste, including me. He killed his brother because of his own stupid agenda- and threw in some of the kingdom's greatest protectors and turned them to fugitives. It's not that I don't understand- it was just the wrong move to make. Then there was the King, who was, not angered or shocked, but just entirely disappointed- like he had known all along, but wished it hadn't been true. The most emotional were the Holy Knights and princesses. Gilthunder looked livid, and Guila looked shocked and hurt. Princess Margaret looked on the brink of tears, upset over the entire thing, and Ellie looked shocked, but somewhat understanding. Tears fell from Hauser's eyes as he stared up at his mentor, hurt, shocked, angry, betrayed. He seemed to be feeling every bad emotion there was to feel- I felt bad for him.

"Why..?" He mumbled, trembling as he looked up at the man he once dreamed to be like. His voice grew to a desperate shout, "Why?!"

"After... after that," Dreyfus swallowed thickly, looking at the floor, ashamed. "Hendrickson's personality changed drastically... I didn't know why, and I certainly didn't expect it to come as far as him wanting to resurrect the demon realm. The rift between us became a chasm quicker than I would care to admit, and to put me in my place, he killed my son... though, I suppose that is my fault too, though... I don't understand- all I wanted to be was a good father to my son..."

His face scrunched up in pain as he stared at the floor, clearly trying desperately not to cry. But his tears began to flow unceasingly after Ellie spoke up.

"Holy Knight Griamore," the Princess said, "Is still alive."

The man started crying hysterically- tears of regret or happiness, I don't know. His fists clenched painfully by his side as crocodile tears seeped down his cheeks. I smiled softly, despite what a jackass he was. He told it how it was- all he wanted to do was be a good dad. He thought he failed his son- and maybe he did- but at least it didn't cost the person he cared for most their life. I wonder... is that how mine felt...?

"Don't worry about it, Dreyfus!" Meli cheered brightly, making the attention turn to him. The sad and dreary mood of the room lifted slightly at his voice- he always had a weird way of making everything much better than it really was. "All's well that ends well!"

Everyone grinned and the mood seemed to lighten a bit. The Dawn Roar people moved to imprison Dreyfus- while he had been quite the admirable father and Holy Knight (kind-of), he was still one of the true betrayers of the kingdom, and they couldn't let that go unpunished. Hauser has stopped crying and shared a few remorseful words with his mentor. The Sins grouped off, talking mindlessly with others, and Guila stood next to Jericho and... a kid.

When did he get here?

I bounced over to Guila, giving her a wide grin as I did. She returned it with a small smile, and when I reached her, she spoke, "Hello, (y/n)," she then bowed respectfully, "I wish to offer you my fullest apologies for what I have done to you in the past. My actions were-"

"Entirely just and not in any way, shape, or form evil," I interrupted, grabbing her shoulder and making her stand up. She was about the same height as I was. I grinned at her, "I would've done the same thing in your position, so I completely understand what you were doing. It's not your fault. You were just going by what your higher-ups has told you," I laughed, beaming at her, "So there's no hard feelings."

She smiled, "It seems you truly are the most merciful of the Sins."

"I get that a lot," I chuckled brightly, then turned to the kid. "Who's this little guy?"

"I'm not little!" He huffed, puffing his cheeks out.

I grinned, holding up my hands as a sort of surrender. "Wow, my bad. I didn't realize what a tough guy I was talking to."

He grinned broadly, grabbing Guila's hand, who was smiling fondly at him. She answered me, "This is my little brother, Zeal. Diane protected him when I couldn't."

"Wow, you're her little brother?!" I asked with exuberant surprise, "Did you know that your older sister is one of the strongest Holy Knights I know?"

"I-I wouldn't go that far..." Guila protested quietly.

"I know! Guila's gonna be the strongest Holy Knight Grandmaster ever soon!" He beamed, speaking proudly.

"I know, she fought me like it was nothing- and I'm one of the Eight Deadly Sins!" I grinned, throwing a wink at Guila.

"Wow, really, big sis?!" He asked excitedly, looking up at the Holy Knight beside him.

"I... suppose so," she caved, smiling at him. "But I'm sure she was holding ba-"

"Don't do that," I said, and she looked at me questioningly. "You're powerful- don't underplay that. Comparing yourself to me- or any of the other Sins- isn't fair to you. You're smarter than half of us and you know your strengths. That's something you should take pride in." I swatted her playfully across the head, "So chill the fuck out and give yourself some credit!" My eyes widened in realization as soon as I said it, flickering down to her little brother. "I-I mEaN... chill the HECK out! Yes, chill the heck out, Guila! Not what I said before! That's a naughty word and I shouldn't have said it!"

She gave a quiet laugh, "Don't worry, he's not listening anymore," she pointed down at him, and I realized he was poking Jericho repeatedly in the cheek. "And thank you, (y/n). You're words hold more value than you know."

"Don't sweat it! I wasn't lying, so there's no need to wor-"

A loud gasp came from beside us, and I raised my hands up in shock, holding them in what I call my 'defensive position'. My leg was bent in front of my crotch, and my hands were held at a weird angle. One straight upward by my face and the other bent in front of my neck.

I looked for the source, finding Jericho sitting on the ground looking around the room in a daze. She finally rested her gaze on the two of us as I returned to a normal standing pose, sighing in relief as I realized wasn't some weird alien creature coming to eat my face and plant it's eggs in my stomach. Her eyes widened in shock.

"Guila?!" She shrieked, staring at me. "Why is she here?!"

"Great, you're awake," she said simply from beside me, "(y/n) is no longer our foe."

"The hell?!" She demanded, struggling to stand. "How dare you... I'm gonna kill you!"

"No!" Demanded a cute voice, making our heads turn down toward it. Zeal stood in front of Guila, arms outstretched like a barrier as he puffed out his cheeks and halted at Jericho.

"Who... who's this brat?" She asked, staring at him, unimpressed.

"This is Zeal, my younger brother."

"Where are we?" She continued to spout questions, "How did we get here? What about the fight? Where are the Eight Deadly Sins?"

"(Y/N)," Guila smiled, turning to me. "I believe I have some explaining to do, and I'm sure it would benefit you more to return to your immediate comrades."

"Sure," I grinned, then winked at Jericho before turning to Zeal. "Protect her for me, go it, big man?"

He nodded happily and I grinned back, turning around and seeing the rest go the Sins grouped up with Ellie and Arthur. I approached them, stepping between the two royals. I put my elbows on each of their shoulder, grinning at Arthur.

"Hey cutie," I grinned at the amber-haired boy, "How've you been?"

"Fine, thank you!" He grinned, and I turned to Ellie.

"How 'bout you?" I asked, "They didn't hurt you or anything, right? 'Cause if they did I'll kill that witch la-"

"They didn't harm me, don't worry," she sweatdropped, grinning shyly.

"Good," I grinned, then turned to King Bartra, who was standing slightly off to the side. "I haven't seen you in ages."

"It has been a while, yes," he chuckled as I approached him. Arthur followed behind me. "It's been a while since I've seen you, Arthur. You've grown."

"Not by much," he chuckled, scratching his neck sheepishly. "I still have a long way to go."

King Bartra smiled fondly, then closed his eyes in pain as he raised his hand to his mouth. He coughed violently, blood spurting from his mouth. Both mine and Arthur's eyes widened in shock.

"Your majesty?!" We both shouted, approaching him in alarm.

"Father, are you okay?" Elizabeth asked, rushing over to join us. I caught the old King around my shoulder, allowing him to rest in me as I carefully set him down on the floor, allowing him to sit.

"There's no need to worry," Merlin came up behind me, standing between all three of us and the King. She raised her hand in front of him, "He is severely weakened. I should take him back to my lab in Camelot- I can begin his treatment there."

"Lady Merlin!" Ellie cried, "Please help him!"

"Do not fret, Princess, I will do everything in my power to save him," she glanced to the side, "Arthur?"

"Oh, yes! Just give me a moment!" He turned toward Meli, rushing and grasping his hand sighing his own. "Sir Meliodas! It was fate that you and I were brought together today! Please, do me the honor of lending your power to Camelot and becoming my Holy Knight Grandmaster!"

My eyes widened in surprise, as did everyone else's as a shocked silence washed over the room. I'm hurt, Arthur... why didn't you ask me? I would've certainly came~

Geez, (y/n), stop being a perv for once in your life.

"Sure! If you're fine with a criminal like me!" Grinned Meli, and my eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, just as everyone else's did. I wasn't expecting him to say yes...

"Wow, really?!" Arthur gushed, eyes shining with joy and a wide grin on his lips. I looked over at Ellie, who's eyes were shocked and bleak- almost dead-looking.

"Yeah, I mean we already saved Elizabeth and the kingdom from the Holy Knights," he shrugged, looking back at Slader. "And there's more than a few people qualified to take that position here."

I chuckled, unable to hold it in. The captain can be hilariously jerky sometimes.

"Then lets make our way ba-" Arthur started, but Meli cut him off with a cheeky grin.

"When I feel like it."

"Huh?" Arthur deadpanned, staring at the Dragon Sin in confusion.

"I mean, we have to help restore the city and I still have to man the Boar Hat, so..." I didn't miss the playful wink he sent in Ellie's direction. FUCK I SHIP IT SO HARD.

"Looks like he dodged you well," chuckled Merlin as Arthur approached her.

"It's a promise, then!" The violet-eyed king grinned, and Meli nodded, turning to the Boar Sin.

"You aren't going to rejoin the Sins?" He asked and she grinned in response, slyly beginning to teleport away.

"When I feel like it."

He laughed at her response as she disappeared, turning to face the large group of us that had been observing the scene. "She got me good."

"And just when we were reunited..." Diane frowned, "Merlin is so dry..."

"Well she most certainly isn't wet," Gowther mumbled in response.

"Hey, Captain, weren't you going to ask about ten years ago?" King asked curiously, and the Dragon Sin huffed.

"Oh," he turned them jabbed King repeatedly in the forehead, "why didn't you say something sooner?"

"Hey, its not my fault!" The fairy screeched, floating backward and covering his red forehead with his hands.

"Sir Meliodas..?" Elizabeth asked, and he turned toward her. "Will you really be leaving someda-"

Just then the entire building shook with enormous ferocity, and the walls and floor crumbled around us. I pulled out my whip, lashing it around Hauser, Guila, and Zeal and pulling them closer to me. King's Chasteifol turned into its Guardian form and grabbed ahold of all of them, unable to reach me before my form began to fall. The entire building was beginning to collapse, all of us falling in tandem and screams and loud crashes echoed all around us. My mind whirled as we fell- both with questions of what I should do and what in the world caused this.

We all crashed into the ground, those of us not immediately protected by King's Guardian thumping harshly against the cement floor. A block of rubble stabbed through my chest, and I grimaced as I pulled myself off of it, demon markings appearing and healing it.

I stood up, eyes wide in alarm as I heard loud screaming. I scanned the area, finding both Jericho and Guila writhing on the ground, screaming in immense pain. I sensed waves of dark magical energy surging off of them, growing more powerful each time they let out a pained howl or arched their back further. I let out strings of curses as I hopped over rubble, running over to the both of them. Demonic marking appeared on my hands as I placed them on both of their foreheads. Their screams died down, but I couldn't pinpoint what was harming them until a burst of pain shot through me, pulsating my entire body with agony. I let out a small groan, realizing what was going on.

They were New Generation Knights- Holy Knight apprentices infused with demon's blood to awaken their power. Essentially, there was a bit of a demon locked within them.

And someone was awakening the demon race.