"So what do you say?" Meliodas asked his younger brother.

"You only care about the curse laid upon your little princess" said Zeldris and looked at his brother in disgust. He was too mad at his older brother for everything he had done. Ever since Yami came into their life, Meliodas cared more about her than about his younger brother. And he was too blind to see what was really going on. The only reason Zeldris had become this way was to protect the people he cared about. He only fought against all those races and people to make it seem like he doesn't care about anything else so everyone else would be safe. He had to take Meliodas' place in order to protect those he loved. And if Meliodas would've cared more about his family than about some angel he fell in love with, then he would've noticed the danger Yami really was in and how much Zeldris tried to protect them. But the more time had passed, the less the two brothers talked until Meliodas disappeared for good before Zeldris found out which side he was fighting on from then on.

"There's so much more I care about. And so do you. I know you don't want this war. You want her."

"How'd you know what I want?"

"'Cause she told me everything. You wouldn't have come just to see her if I'd be wrong." Meliodas noticed that Zeldris was hesitating after his last words. Another time, Meliodas put his hand on his brothers shoulder. "If I'm right and you really love Yami, this war can't be what you really want. You want to be with her. Right?"

Ashamed, Zeldris looked at the ground because he didn't know what else to do. He was angry with his brother and his trust in him was broken. And yet Meliodas was still able to see through his little brother. That only made Zeldris angrier. But Meliodas was right. No matter how hard Zeldris tried to deny it, since he could remember Yami again, the war and the revenge on the other races had become more and more indifferent to him. Every day it was more about being with her and protecting her, which is why it was so easy for him to lie to his comrades in order to delay the attack on the kingdom of Liones. If he thought about it now, he had betrayed his comrades, too.

"I know I let you down back then. But we can end it now. Together" said Meliodas.

Zeldris gritted his teeth again, but this time from tension as he struggled with himself. Then he turned his focus back to his brother. "Well, what's your plan?"

♦♦♦

"Yami would never let us do that" Zeldris said after Meliodas told him his plan.

"That's why she mustn't find out."

"You want to lie to her?" Zeldris asked implausibly and still had to grin slightly. Yami would tear him to pieces if she finds out.

"Want? No. But we have no other choice. I fear that otherwise she would only let us go if she accompanied us."

"I wouldn't let that happen" Zeldris pressed out angrily. The very idea that his father would lend a hand to her made him mad already.

"Then we finally agree!" grinned Meliodas thoughtfully. It had taken a long time to get through to his brother, but it finally seemed to work. "I know someone who can take us to Purtagory. But-"

"But the other commandments wouldn't let me go. I would be a traitor too then."

"And they would not follow a traitor. Even if he were the next king of the demons" said Meliodas. And he knew his younger brother believed him, for Meliodas had lost interest in the throne a long time ago.

"I suppose you have a plan for this too."

"Indeed. What if nobody found out that we were working together?"

"And how exactly do you imagine that?" asked Zeldris and crossed his arms. Meliodas had by no means forgotten his urge for drama.

Meliodas grinned broadly at his younger brother. "How good are you at acting?"

"Acting?" asked Zeldris with raised eyebrows and couldn't understand his brothers amusement.

"Acting. Like we used to lie to the servants when you were little to get extra dessert. We'll just make it look like it's all my idea." Meliodas paused and shrugged. "After all, they can't stand me anymore anyway."

"Let's say your absurd plan works. What do you get if I take the throne?"

Again Meliodas put his hand on his brother's shoulder and looked deep into his eyes. "I believe that you will change everything."

Yamis POV

The fight between me and Estarossa has been going on for a while now and my friends are still not back. Merlin had locked Elizabeth in perfect cubes to protect her, but she insisted on not having to sit and watch, so that the two of them went into the battle too. But as quickly as the fight between Derieri and her began, just as quickly it subsided a short time later.

Meanwhile I feel how my strength slowly runs out the longer Estarossa attacks me. I have to admit that he has become a lot stronger than I would like. He hits me with his sword again but this time I lose my balance while avoiding the attack and land roughly on the ground, hitting a stone with my back. For a brief moment, I lose my orientation and hear a muffled scream from Ban calling my name. When my senses start working again, the last thing I see is the glimmer of Estarossa's silver sword just inches above me and the only thing I can do is squint while I wait for the final blow.

But instead of feeling the blow and pain, I only hear the clanking sound of another sword, as if someone had blocked the attack. I open my eyes carefully but can't believe what I'm seeing. Zeldris, with his back facing me, his sword firmly in his hands, while he presses against Estarossa's.

"You are back ..." I whisper, still a little stunned.

"Enough!" Zeldris growls angrily towards Estarossa and pushes his sword back a little further.

Estarossa stares wide-eyed at Zeldris, also surprised by the sudden return of his brothers. "You're back ..." Estarossa says in astonishment and looks back and forth between Zeldris and me. "And you defend her?"

"Not only that, you idiot!" Derieri scolds as she steps closer to Estarossa. "Don't you feel it?"

"Feel it? Feel what?"

Meanwhile, Zeldris had turned away from his brother and turned to me. He holds out his hand to help me up. I take it trembling. I also feel this new aura that surrounds my beloved one and it is full of power. It seems frightening to me and yet I would like to wrap my arms around him, I'm so glad that he and Meliodas are fine. "You held up bravely" says Zeldris with a gentle, but also proud, voice and gives me a warm smile.

"I'm glad you're okay!" I reply and notice that the sky above us is brightening. The countless demons have turned around and are flying back the way they came from. Suddenly, the rest of the Seven Deadly Sins appear to my right and Merlin grins happily at their deed, while Derieri continues to discuss with Estarossa. Her voice is full of awe.

"Don't you feel it, you idiot?"

"You should still be very familiar with this power that surrounds him" Monspeet now also joins the conversation. "After all, it is the power that gave us our commandments many years ago."

"So I was right" I mumble to myself and look up at Zeldris, unsure of what to feel.

"Yes, you are right" Zeldris says and now turns to his remaining comrades. "The old demon king, my father, has been defeated. Defeated by me. This means..."

"That means you are the new king of the demons" I mumble and take a step aside. I hadn't doubted that Meliodas and Zeldris could defeat their father, but fighting him was never an option in my eyes, so I never thought about the outcome. I don't feel any fear around him. It's more of a deep, natural, respect.

Zeldris, who had only glanced at me, turns again to his comrades. "The times of hatred and suffering have come to an end now. For too long the demon king has let us wage wars that have brought us nothing but suffering. He was not interested in a solution because he was not interested in any other life besides his own. It was never about our well-being! For the well-being of his own race! It was always for his own benefit! But this hierarchy has now come to an end. I am your new king! And I say it's enough!" Zeldris spreads his hand and lets it pass the Seven Deadly Sins and his comrades. "That's what's left after 3.000 years. I ask you - is it worth it? How many more years do we want to continue a war that will not bring back our beloved comrades anyway? I, as your new king, propose to leave the past behind and look ahead. Only if we end this war here and now, once and for all, will we have the opportunity to be happy and free. We have already suffered enough losses and no matter how the fight ends today, it would only lead to another war. Is that what you want? A life full of war? I promise you that as your new king, I will make sure that we never have to suffer again without having to fight all the time."

Silence surrounds the battlefield we stand on as Zeldris' speech sinks in. I let my eyes wander along my friends who stand there with their eyes wide open. Only Meliodas stands aside, smiling widely, holding Elizabeth in his right arm. He looks so proud right now and my heart fills with joy about the new bond between the two brothers.

"You may have some nerves" Estarossa breaks the silence. "I don't know what offends me more. That you kicked our old mans ass without me or that you really think I'm going to band together with these people lead by the brother that betrayed us."

"What do you think you're going to do, stupid?" Derieri complains and walks closer to Zeldris. "He's our new leader!"

"Well, if I'm right, I'm older than him and should've been the next one to take the throne."

"You know I was supposed to become the next king anyway, Estarossa" Zeldris says angrily. "This war is over."

Estarossa watches as the leftover Commandments switch from his side and walk closer to Zeldris to show their support. Estarossas eyes widen and he shakes his head in disbelief. "What are you doing?" he hisses.

"What do you think?" Monspeet answers him and goes to stand next to Derieri. "We have moved on."

"Now, brother. What abou you?" Zeldris says and reaches out his hand to him.

"No way" hisses Estarossa and pats Zeldris' hand away.

"What do you think you're doing?" Derieri asks him as they're the last three Commandments, as Ban had defeated Melascula and Merlin locked away her true form that looks like a snake. "You can't fight against all of us. It's over."

Estarossa grits his teeth is anger, his whole body is tensed up and I clinch onto Zeldris' arm in tension, afraid of what could happen next. Even Meliodas has let go of Elizabeth and walks closer to us, ready to fight against his brother. Eventually, his body moves and I intensify my grip on Zeldris' arm but then see how Estarossa turns around, spreads his wings and takes off. I let go of Zeldris and spread my wings, ready to follow him and Meliodas does the same but Zeldris blocks our way with his arm. "Leave him alone. He's outraged."

"But Zel" I say. "His powers. He's still got his commandment."

"Yes but he can't do much harm with it. Our father never gave him a very strong one. And he's alone. We'll look out for him some other time."

My heart warms up at his words and I fold in my wings. He's so kind and wise and even trusts his brother that would do anything to betray him. I look up at Zeldris with loving eyes and he returns my gaze with the same look, a soft smile is on his lips. But since we're still surrounded by the others, that is all we're doing for now.

"Derieri, Monspeet" I say and turn to the left Commandments. "Thank you for choosing the good side."

"Would've done it some earlier" Monspeet says and lets his eyes wander over to Derieri. "But she's a stubborn one."

Derieri instantly punches him with her strong fist and sends him a few meters away, causing everyone around to laugh about this action. "You didn't attack us, when we were sleeping that night. You... You really never wanted to fight?"

"Not against the two of you. After all, we belong to the same race, don't we?"

Derieri nods as she finally understands my actions and knows how lucky she can be to be one of the few Commandments that survived. "Thank you."

"There's someone else you should thank" says King and comes closer to us. "I have seen it with my own eyes. When you two transformed into Indura, it was Elizabeth who saved you."

"How'd you know about Indura?" Derieri asks with a mixture of surprise in anger in her voice.

"Doesn't matter for now" is all King answers her.

"Hate to admit it but he's right" Meliodas speaks up. "I'm sorry for giving up on you so early but Elizabeth never did. She knew she could save you."

"Is that true?" Derieri asks Elizabeth as they slowly walk closer to each other.

"It is. But I had no options. There we so many victims that night already. I couldn't watch you two killing yourself."

Unexpectedly for all of us, Derieri wraps her arms around Elizabeth and hugs her tightly. "Thank you" she breathes us.

"Hey Zeldris. Do we need to name you 'Our King' now?" asks Monspeet amused and for the very first time in years, his comraded hear Zeldris laugh and this moment is the sweetest thing ever. Zeldris is finally freed from all his problems and worries and can be who he really is towards the other demons. Not to mention how surprised not just them, but the Seven Deadly Sins, look at him.

"Of course not" says Zeldris and goes to shake hands with him.

"Fine. Because there's something I'd like to do."

"That is?"

"I want to give back my commandment and be finally able to do what I wasn't capable for so many years." Another time, his gaze wanders over to Derieri and Zeldris nods as he understands.

"Why would you do that?" Derieri asks confused and I can feel that she's worried about the upcoming. I wonder how she was never able to realize what Monspeet really felt for her? Everyone can see how much he loves her and he was never able to tell her because of his own commandment. It must have been really hard for him to keep this to himself for such a long time.

"I'm sure we don't need it anymore" he simply says and Derieri nods.

"Then I want to give back mine as well."

"Are you sure?" Zeldris asks her and Derieri nods again. He takes a few steps back and we all watch in awe what's happening next. "Wozun Meihen Ka. Ishuma No Jimeu" Zeldris says and moves his hands. A bright light lights up around Zeldris and Monspeet and then a purple ball with the black demon sign of his commandment leaves his body and hovers over Monspeets body before it moves over to Zeldris. "Tohiko" he says and the commandments disappears in his hand.

"Are you still sure you want this, Derieri?" Zeldris asks him but Derieri nods slightly with confidence. Again Zeldris says these words I've never heard before and the light shows up again before her commandment wanders over to Zeldris as well and he locks it away with the word "Tohiko".

Silence surrounds us another time as this whole scenario was all new to us. I guess no one knew about this spell except from Meliodas and Zeldris. "Okay everyone" I break the silence to leave Derieri and Monspeet some space because I know they'll need it. "I guess this war is over."

"If that doesn't shout for a drink!" Meliodas exclaims loudly and enters loud cheers from his comrades. He turns around, ready to head home, when Zeldris grabs him by his arm.

"Wait a moment" he says loud enough for everyone to hear.

"What's wrong little brother?" Meliodas asks as we all turn to look at them in confusion.

"I want to make sure that nothing like this reign ever exists again. It were two powerful creatures that thought they should rule the different worlds. Let's make sure that no more sorrow like that happens again."

"I trust in you that you'll do everything that's possible."

"And I trust in you to help me with that" Zeldris says. My eyes widen as I can guess what he's talking about.

"You don't mean-" Meliodas starts.

"I do" Zeldris says and smirks and I have to admit, it still feels weird to see him that happy around everyone else after all the years he had to hide his true feelings.

"What are they talking about, Yami?" Diane whispers from beside me.

"I think Zeldris is going to share the demon kings power with Meliodas" I answer quietly, not moving my eyes away from him.

"He's what?!" she exclaims but Zeldris and Meliodas are already working on something.

"Merlin, what are they doing?" King asks more loudly than Diane asked me just a few seconds later when Zeldris reveals the commandments, includings his own one.

"It looks like they're going to destroy them" Merlin simply states.

"They're what?!" we all shout together.

"How is that possible?" King asks shocked.

"Well, it's the demon king that used some of his power to create the commandments, so he's also able to destroy them" Merlin explains.

"What about those powers? Do they just go back to the demon king... Uhm, Zeldris or are they..." Escanor wonders loudly.

"If they destroy the commandments, it'll destroy the power they're created from" Merlin states as we watch the two brothers saying some words that I don't understand and suddenly the commandments that were hovering over them, are gone.

"Now... that was unexpected" Ban sums todays events but then laughs and pats his best friend on the shoulder. "Now, what about some ale dude?"

"You always know how to make me happy, Ban" Meliodas laughs and once again turns to head home. While everyone starts heading towards Britania, Derieri, Monspeet and Zeldris stay behind.

I grab Meliodas' hand and stop walking and he's forced to wait. I turn around to face the three demons and nod my head towards us. "You don't wanna join? I think there's a lot to celebrate!"

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