All of the Sins surrounded the mage, whose name I learned was Gilfrost. Both Elaine and Ellie were with us as well, staring into the orb, where we watched Meli's fight as it was happening. He was faring well on his own, rendering either of them immobile at a time so it remained as I one-on-one fight. It was smart, especially considering he was against two of the Ten Commandments.

We had all been silent, but Gowther broke the tense air.

"The captain is using a formidable strategy," He thought out loud, "Although considering his reestablished power, it is the best way to play to his strengths."

"I don't think so," King said, "He's got his power and he's in that demon form. He should be overwhelming! The way he's fighting is almost sloppy. It's like he's cutting corners."

That's because he is. I don't know why, but he's stalling.

"Either way, it seems he knows those Commandments well," Escanor mumbled.

"They said it themselves, didn't they? That one Commandment called Cap'n the backstabber of the demons." Ban added.

"Well, I suggest you don't talk of things you don't know about," I said, "Meli is still Meli, what has happened in the past doesn't change that. Even if it's coming back to bite us in the ass right now."

"I agree!" Diane chimed, "I don't know him very well, but that Meliodas guy seems really nice! Just like Harlequin!"

She doesn't know him very well..? Huh? And what's with calling him Harlequin?

"Well, as they say, the enemy of our enemy is our friend!" Gowther said, holding up his signature peace sign.

"Meli is our friend no matter the context," I spat, glaring at him. He cocked his head to the side.

"You seem upset by my statement. Did it offend you?"

"You offend me."

"I don't believe that's was an answer to my question."

"Ugh, whatever," I grumbled, turning away from the group and turning around and running a hand through my hair. I walked to the edge of the roof we were atop of, sitting on it. I stared out, making sure to pay as much attention as I could to the magical presences of Meli and the Commandments

It wasn't difficult to pinpoint them. They were three powerhouses in one location, all extremely strong and going at each other to the best of their abilities. I payed attention of the presences, watching to see who died or got severely injured.

"Hey, hey, how you doing?" I heard as someone sat next to me. I found Hauser, grinning as he got situated. "It's your favorite cute idiot."

"Oh, come on, you know I didn't mean the idiot part," I snorted, leaning my elbow on my thigh.

"But you did mean the cute part?" He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. I simply winked in response, and he laughed. "You got pretty worked up back there."

"Yeah, I guess," I sighed, looking out over the kingdom, which was almost completely rebuilt. "I just don't like when they talked about that stuff."

"I get it," He said, "I don't like when Gil talks about my hair gel."

I rolled my eyes, "You know that's not what I mean."

"Yeah, you're just prettier when you smile," he said, and I laughed, nudging him with my arm.

"Oh, my, I'm swooning already," I grinned, leaning my head on his shoulder. I sighed, closing my eyes and humming. "Don't get too comfy, though, I come with a lot of baggage."

"Good thing I've got these guns," He joked, throwing up and flexing the arm on the opposite I was leaning on.

"Definitely meant the cute part," I laughed, looking out over the kingdom.

We both just sat there in silence for a few moments, staring out over the kingdom. It was prettier than I remembered- a lot bigger too. The people were so happy- almost as happy as they were twenty years ago. They deserved it. It's such a shame that the Commandments showed up when things were just starting to get back to normal.

"Hey, Hauser." I mumbled, "Why did you become a Holy Knight?"

"That's a weird question," he laughed, before looking out as I was. "I've always been second best to Gil. I wanted to be a Knight before he did, but he decided because of the Princess. I wanted to be good at something. And I knew I could be good at this."

"Wow," I smiled, "you're actually a little bit cool too."

"Oh really?" I could practically hear his smirk.

"Don't get too cocky, little man," I warned, lifting my head from his shoulder and smiling at him.

"Alright, alright," He grinned, now nudging me with his arm. "Well now you gotta tell me. How'd you get to be one of the Sins? Into the Holy Knight scene?"

I smiled, looking over the kingdom. I stayed silent for a while, looking up at the stars. "I've made a lot of mistakes. I got locked up here, actually. But Meli let me out, he helped me get back to myself. I don't think I'll ever be the same. I've seen to much," I turned at him and smiled. He was staring at me, his usual smile wiped away and replaced with a content look of curiosity. "But being a Holy Knight gave me a shot at being a good person again. And the Sins accepted me when nobody else did. That's probably why I freaked out about what they said too."

He stayed silent, continuing to look at me. My content smile remained- I was used to that reaction. However, that quickly changed when he grinned super wide.

"Wow, and you said I'm cool?" He laughed, "You're as cool as it gets."

My cheeks burned red, and I smiled wider. I nudged him with my knee, "Oh, shut up, Mr. Gunshow."

"Hey, why not flaunt what you got?" He laughed flexing his arms. I rolled my eyes, standing up from where I was sitting. I bent down at my waist.

"Thanks, Hauser, I needed that," I pressed a light kiss against his temple before turning around and heading back to the group.

Ban was glaring at me, not unusual. Ellie and Hawk were staring at me. He was wiggling his eyebrows while she was just smiling knowingly. I narrowed my eyes.

"I will dropkick the both of y-"

A sudden wave of magical energy flooded over the group. All of the Sins turned their heads sharply to the orb. There was Meli, surrounded by smoke. I recognized that presence- it was all too familiar.

I stared down at the orb, bottom lip shaking and eyes wide in alert fear. He didn't seemed fazed, but everyone here was.

"He needs to get out of there... get him out of there!" Ban yelled at the mage, but it was no use.

I watched as the smoke faded away and the Ten Commandments came into view, all their gazes settling on Meli. I couldn't hear myself think over the blood pounding in my ears. Other people were talking, but I didn't even recognize who it was or what they were talking.

You knew that this was going to happen.

There was that little demonic voice probing the back of my head.

You said it from the beginning, and you knew it would happen. In fact, you accepted it as soon as you heard the Commandments were back.

You were ready to die for these people, and now you have to live up to that promise.

Are you really prepared?

Are you ready to face your past?

To give your life that has the potential to mean nothing?

You already are nothing, though. You say it everyday. You tell yourself in the mirror and when you wake up. When you make a mistake. When you dream. When you look at Ban.

You are always the failure.

Ahhh, that's what this is.

You want to mean something.

Because you are nothing. You are less than nothing.

Why not let me out? Give it my all? Let me protect them? You could never win.

Being a Holy Knight wasn't good enough.

You have to die to finally be good.

Well it seems you are about to get your wish.

And you'll be taking me with you.

"Please!" Ellie's voice snapped me out of my haze. "Teleport us to Sir Meliodas!"

The mage looked worriedly at Ellie, but didn't answer, and returned his gaze to the orb. Everyone was staring, their interest returning. The Holy Knights had returned, and Hauser had defaulted to my side.

"Wait, what was that? What just happened?" Ban demanded, staring at the mage.

"I don't know... they're using forbidden magic. It's extremely powerful," He replied, staring down in slight fear.

"The Cursed Chains of Emity," I said, and everyone turned to me. I watched as he tried to escape from his boxed-in position, only to be teleported back. "He can't leave until he or Graylord dies."

"What?" They asked in unison.

"He is trapped there for eternity unless one of them ceases to exist."

"Teleport me to his side this instant!" Gilthunder growled, grabbing the mage by the collar. "Now, Gilfrost!"

"No! You'll only die in vein!" He shouted back.

"Then let me go!" King shouted, "I can help him!"

"What? No!" Diane shouted.

"I can heal him, please just send me!" Ellie pleaded.

"I've saved Meliodas's ass more times than I can count!" Hawk huffed, "I should go!"

"Let me!" Arthur shouted.

"I am the cause of this," Hendrickson said calmly, "If anyone is going to die, it will be me."

I heard Ban start to say his goodbyes to Elaine.

"Objectively, I do believe Hendrickson is deserving," Gowther spoke.

"Let Gil and I go!" Hauser demanded, "A team is the best way to beat a team."

"If that's the case, then the Sins should go!" King growled, "You Knights are not at all strong enough to beat these Commandments!"

Ban stood behind me, but I outstretched my arm, stopping him. He looked down at me, glaring. I smiled sadly, and it took him a moment to realize what I was implying. His eyes widened and he growled, "What? No, you can't! You're too impo-"

"Ban."

That's all I said, I didn't change from my sad smile, and then I walked forward. I took my cloak off, slipping it onto the floor so that my long-sleeved button-up and black shorts were all I was wearing. I turned to face the group, who were all staring at me.

"I know the Commandments better than all of you. I know their abilities and how they fight. Not only that, but I've fought them before. With Meli. I am a demon. None of you measure up to me right now. I am the one who would be the most effective."

"What?!" King demanded, "No, no way!"

"(Y/N), you can't!" Ellie begged.

"What are you talking about?" Arthur asked, "Just because you know them doesn't mean you're the one who should go!"

"You're too valuable to everyone!" Hauser added.

Escanor and I made eye contact, and I looked up at Elaine and smiled. She looked so upset, and I could see in her eyes that she knew. She knew whoever went was going to die. I was almost asking her if she was ready to lose Ban again.

"I think (y/n) should go," Elaine spoke out, "She is the most qualified."

"You don't even know he-" King started, but Escanor cut him off.

"But I do. I agree. (Y/N) should most definitely go," He nodded, smiling sadly at me.

"I thank you all, but this isn't a suggestion. I'm not asking for your permission. I'm going."

Ban walked silently up to me, and looked down at me. He looked on the brink of tears. He rasped, "(y/n), please..."

"Ban, you've got a girl to take care of," I smiled, resting a hand on his shoulder. I pressed a kiss on his forehead.

I turned around and walked toward the mage. I hesitated, because even he looked uncertain. I turned and looked at the group, but my eyes locked on Ban. I grinned widely, "I love you."

I then looked at the mage, eyes glinting. "Send me in."

He asked me once if I was sure, and I nodded. He waved his hand in front of me and the bright light flashed. I closed my eyes, preventing his magic from blinding me. When I opened my eyes again, the Commandments were crowded in front of me. I watched as Estarossa stepped on Meli's chest, and Melascula began to summon his soul.

Demon magic flared around me, my pupils going dark purple as the demonic markings appeared across my body. The symbol appeared streaking over my eye. I grinned sadly.

"Well, let the show begin!"