Chapter 11 : Pent-Up Feelings

"Now, now. Weapons are prohibited." Love Helm stopped Meliodas from going further up the ring. The blond turned his face to look at his sword and smiled.
"Oh, this ?" He pulled the handle out of its holder and showed it to the host. "It's just for show."
"Oh," The host seemed almost disappointed by the revelation. "in that case, I'll allow it." Meliodas put the sword back in its place and placed himself in front of Ban.

"Standing five feet tall and weighing in at one hundred and ten pounds, Meliodaf ! And standing seed feet eleven inches tall and weighing in at one hundred seventy pounds, Baaaan !"
"Okay, shall we get down to business ?" Ban stretched his neck, cracking his bones.
Meliodas imitated him and cracked the bones on his hands. "You got it !" He said excitedly.

"Capt- I mean Meliodaf ! Hang tough !" Cheered Diane from below the ring.
"Baaaan ! If you lose in disgrace, I'll eat you out to Elaine." King threatened the tall man that was still stretching his neck with his eyes fixated on his Captain.
"Oh, right !" Diane removed the bow that was hiding her cleavage, surprising King who stared at her with wide eyes and a deep blush on his face. "Cheer them on, girls ! It'll be okay, no one will spot you !"
"Um, okay..." You hesitated, not wanting to ruin her fun.
"Without further ado, let the fight begin !"

"I'd prefer to have more room to move around in." Meliodas giggled and stopped stretching his shoulders. "What's with the laughing ?" Ban leaned down to stare at the blond eye to eye. "You looking forward to fighting me that much ?" He cracked his knuckles with a chuckle.

"I just remembered the old days. We had about this much space then, too."
"The old days ? Refresh my memory."
"Oh, you'll remember soon enough !" And just like that Meliodas was in front of Ban, sending a punch straight to his left cheek. Blood fell to the ground, shocking the spectators who all groaned as they imagined the pain Ban must be going through. "I remember now !" The Fox laughed.

"Wow, this place is built like a fortress." Complained Meliodas, looking around the dirty walls.
"Of course ! After all he's the criminal who burned down the Fairy King's Forest four years ago." The knight that was leading the way explained.
"But, isn't he still alive in spite of being executed thirty three times?"
"That's right ! We've tried everything from beheading to burning !" The knight shuddered in disgust. "That man simply isn't human !"
"What a coincidence." Meliodas quietly mumbled. "Open it." He encouraged after the knight had turned around to look at him.
A man with long blue hair and a long same colored beard sat on the ground with his arms behind his head, relaxing. "Execution time again ? What a hassle. I'm not budging. If you want to do it, do it here." The doors closed, finally making the man notice Meliodas who was standing right in front of him. "Uh ? You're just a kid."
"Undead Ban. Come out." He ordered even if his voice sounded kind and welcoming.
"Did you hear me kid ?" He removed his arms from behind his head and slammed his hands on the ground.
"I guess I'll have to throw you out." The "kid" simply concluded.
"Let's see you try. Just because you're a kid-" Meliodas kicked him in the chin, sending him flying into the wall behind him which crumbled completely at the force of the impact. The criminal laughed groggily. "Well I'll be ! You really threw me out !"
"Round one goes to me, looks like." Ban sat up quickly, now excited for some action.
"Let's do that again !"
Meliodas wiped his now dirty coat and looked up to the man. "If you want more, leave this place and join me."
Ban laughed with red cheeks and gave the smallest nod one could muster.

"The fight's been decided with one blow !" Ban stopped right before the end of the limited area and grabbed his Captain by the waist, throwing him against the ground. Meliodas put his hands out to avoid hitting the rocks and head locked Ban with his legs, sending him to the ground. The Fox took hold of Meliodas' ankles and threw him in the air before jumping to throw dozens of punches at him. "Let's do this !"

"That was nothing !" The blonde kicked his friend back to the fighting ring, a crack forming in the cliff the festival had been organized.

This is a tale of ancient times... an era before the human and non-human worlds were forever divided. When the Holy Knights defended the realm wielding their magical powers, they were feared and highly respected. But among them, a group emerged that betrayed the kingdom and become mortal enemies to all Holy Knights. They were known throughout the land...as "The Seven Deadly Sins".

Meliodas landed on his two feet and looked straight ahead of him, waiting for his opponent to jump at him.
"That Baaaan guy has to be dead, right ?"
"Does this even qualify as a fight ?"
Ban sat up, not a scratch in sight. "He's perfectly fine !" People were all amazed, either because of how horrendously the two men were fighting each other or simply from their strength. The two continued throwing punches and kicks, not minding the crown. Meliodas punched Ban particularly hard in the stomach, making him cough blood and took advantage of the situation to send him flying. The blond didn't even have the time to smile before he fell to his knees.
"Oh no ! Both fighters are down !"
Ban was still laying down except he had raised his arm, after a few seconds, he sat up with a smirk on his face.
"Okay, now you've done it..." Meliodas realized, still on the ground.
"Up we go !" The Fox laughed and got up almost robotically.
"Wh-What's going on ?!" Asked Love Helm, flustered with the fight. "Baaaan's injuries have vanished completely !"

He started running towards Meliodas, who raised his fist to land a punch at him, but ended up behind him, confusing the blond.
"These guys are nuts !" One man said just as Ban punched his Captain so hard he left an indent in the ground.
Hawk didn't seem to mind the fight and kept promoting his drinks. "The ale is going fast !"

Ban laughed and fake punched the air around him, jumping in place. "I feel light as a feather-" He was interrupted by Meliodas elbowing him in the jaw. "Ow, you knocked out a tooth !" He opened his mouth and lifted his top lip with a finger. "Just kidding." He headbutted Meliodas who had attempted to jump on his face.

Back in the crowd, the four of you were still watching intently, worry slowly seeping in your mind. "Say, King..."
"Yeah, Diane. The Captain's steadily losing his ability to follow Ban's movements." The Fairy explained.
"His stamina's running out, you mean ?" Elizabeth asked from below Diane's face.
"Right after the Captain's movements slowed down, Ban's agility shot up !"
"What does that mean ?" You joined the conversation, confused.
"Ban's magical ability, Snatch, is able to sap physical abilities such as speed and power." Ban landed on punch under Meliodas' chin who quickly grabbed his arm and flipped him over.
"Meliodaf has turned the tables ! He's beating Baaaan like a rug ! Can you believe this power ?!" The Fox's arms got bigger, allowing him to remove himself from the Captain's grip.
"This feeling as your strength flows into me... What a rush ! Let me check to see how much of your power I took, Captain !"

Despite Ban's claims, the blonde's punch shattered his hand and ended in his stomach, almost sending out of the ring. "Seriously ? How bottomless are your reserves, Captain ?" He chuckled and straightened his posture. "Okay, I've made up my mind."
"To throw in the towel ?"
"It doesn't look like I can wrap this up by nibbling away at your speed and power. So I'll take it all." He extended his arms towards Meliodas who had moved in front of him so quickly and was now plummeting him with punches.
"Finish him off all at once !" Yelled Diane with raised fists.
"If Ban steals his strength, he'll win. If the Captain can put him down before then, HE wins." Just as King explained his theory, Meliodas' punches slowed until they came to a full stop. He fell to the ground, visibly exhausted, with only one eye opened.
"That was delicious, Captain !" Ban was standing over the Dragon Sin with his arms out and a purple aura surrounding him.
"And what do we have here ?! Meliodaf, who had been plummeting Baaaan mercilessly, has run out of strength !"

"Sir King, what has happened to Sir Meliodas ?" You asked, coming out from between Diane's breasts.

"Ban has sapped away all of the Captain's physical abilities."
"It's time to put an end to our pleasant little tussle, Captain. What to do, what to do ?" He teased.
"Ban !" Diane screamed from the crowd. "If you do anything more to the Captain, I'm going ti let you have it !" She scolded waving her arms in the air, ignoring King who was trying to hold her back with his Sacred Treasure. "We'll be quits as friends !"
"No comments from the peanut gallery." Ban quieted her. "I'm the one who won the fight."
"Are you punch drunk or something ?" Meliodas chuckled, still laying flat on the ground. "I'm the one who won."
The taller man giggled and cracked his knuckles. "You and I are just the perfect match, Captain ! Well, I'm gonna get one last hit in if you don't mind."
"Stop, Sir Ban !" You realized he couldn't hear you, and probably wouldn't stop even if he could so you turned to Diane. "If we don't do something, Meliodas is going to-"
"The Captain's won the fight." She announced confidently.
"Yeah ?" Elizabeth was intrigued as to how Meliodas was going to pull himself out of this without giving everyone a scare.
"The Captain's gonna play dead and reflect Ban's all-out punch back in his face using his Full Counter."
"That won't work. I'm sorry, Diane." He apologized when she gasped out of shock and confusion. "The Captain's magical ability is only able to reflect direct magical attacks. So it'll be powerless against an ordinary punch."
"No way ! Then what's the Captain trying to do ?!" You both panicked while Elizabeth remained calm, she took your hand in hers and squeezed in to reassure you.
"I don't know, either !" King deadpanned.

Ban raised his fist in the air. "If you survive, give me your impressions afterwards." He chuckled. Your eyes widened, they were friends, you wondered why Ban would say such things to someone he's known for years, someone he's risked his life for. "Let me know how a punch fueled by both our power felt !"
"Sir Meliodas !" You screamed as Ban gathered momentum to throw his punch, his fist landing in the middle of Meliodas' abdomen.

"He really finished him off ! Aren't they on the same team ?!" Someone yelled from the crowd. Everyone was now covering the faces from the dust and the rocks that were being spread around due to the impact of the hit.
"Oh, no... Sir Meliodas ? Sir Meliodas !" You cried out, hoping the whole scene you had just witnessed was some awful nightmare. You had been successful in your quest so far, you'd found four Sins, and you had learned so much, it couldn't all stop now because of something as trivial as a festival.

"___, don't ruin it." Meliodas appeared from behind the fog, a finger in front of his smile to tell you to mind how you called him in front of everyone else. Gasps of confusions escaped everyone in the crowd, Ban was now nowhere in sight.
"Oh ? Meliodaf is standing alone in the ring ! Where has Baaaan gone ?!"
"See ?" He pointed his finger to a pillar about a hundred meters away from the ring. "He's over there."
Ban's body was covered in holes, blood staining his hair, skin and clothes. "How can this be ?! But this means..."
"I win." Meliodas laughed.
"Victor, Meliodaf !" Love Helm was joined by every spectator as he cheered on the blonde.
"Yes ! I sold out before the semifinals !" Hawk's pouch was now full of coins as he carried it tightly around his shoulders. "Way to go me ! I'm the greatest !" He flapped his ears excitedly.

"Diane ?" She nodded, eyes stuck on her Captain. "It was over in a flash, but I think I saw something strange."
"I saw it, plain as day. Ban landed a blow with all his strength, all right. But at that same instant, the Captain crushed Ban's wrist. And then, in the next instant, Ban's body was sent flying." Diane looked down at you and your sister. "I've seen the Captain look like that before. What do you suppose it is ? It makes me really nervous..." Elizabeth stuck herself deeper in Diane's cleavage, hiding herself, while you listened carefully, Diane's description reminding you of the events of Dalmally.

"Hey guys ! What's with all the gloomy faces ?" Meliodas joined you, clothes all ripped up and face covered in scratches.
"Are you feeling okay ?" You asked.
"Take a look." He stretched his shoulder. "Once I belted Ban, I felt good as new."

"Then how did he move like that before he beat Ban ?" The Serpent Sin mumbled thinking no one could hear her.
"What's wrong, Diane ? Are you stressing out ? Well, your next opponent does look pretty tough." The Captain leaned closer to her, making her blush and shake her head quickly. "Oh no ! I have to go !" She turned away from her friends and unbuttoned her blouse to remove you and Elizabeth from her cleavage, shocking the men she was absentmindedly facing.
"Here, Captain !" She handed him the blue cloth she had shoved you both in. Elizabeth, not wanting anyone to see her naked, pulled on the cloth, accidentally pulling it down and almost revealing your torso. Meliodas took off his tie and wrapped you up in it before handing Elizabeth to King with a straight face. He turned back to you and let out a sheepish giggle, now holding you closer to his face. You felt your face get flushed and brought the red tissue all the way up to your chin.

"You can do it, Matrona !" King, who has turned into his old form, cheered as Diane walked on the ring.
"Diane, don't do anything crazy !" Yelled Elizabeth from King's Chastiefol.
The giant turned around to send your group a smile but it quickly turned into a scowl as Meliodas lifted his tie up to take a peek at your behind. "Meliodaf !"

"Let the first pairing of the semifinals begin !" Diane and Howzer exchanged looks before the latter looked away and pointed at her cleavage.
"That Howzer, such a gentleman !" Praised the host. "He has tactfully indicated to Matrona that her button is undone ! But this has earned fierce boos from the crowd !"
"I can't fight if I have to keep averting my eyes !" He blushed.
"Is Howzer pure of heart in spite of his looks ?!"
"No, Howzer isn't that type of man, he's so sweet." You giggled at his flustered face.
"Yeah, remember that time he picked flowers from the garden to cheer us up and got scolded for it ?" Elizabeth laughed, everything truly was better when you were kids, when you were at peace. Meliodas tilted his head to look at your sister and raised a brow at her, she shrugged her shoulders with a smile and looked back at the ring.
"Sheesh, I'm usually showing this much cleavage..." Diane buttoned up her blouse and got in a fighting stance.
Howzer charged for her and raised his fist, but the woman felt no punch coming for her. "Rising Tornado !"
"If I take that full-on, we're talking torn to shreds !"
"I'm glad you know what you're up against ! But ! Just lie back and let it happen ! It'll feel great !" He insisted when she kept dodging his attacks. "You'll love it, it'll feel like you're flying !"

"He's incredible !" Meliodas gasped, holding you tightly. "He's letting fly with a flurry of innuendo !"
The Holy Knight face planted. "Th-That's not what I-"
"It wasn't ?" Diane covered her chest, flustered.
"Not in the slightest !" He defended himself, cheeks now a deep red. "I just don't like hurting women, that's all ! No matter how tough they are !" You cooed and put a hand on your cheek at how sweet he sounded. It was rare in your days to find men that had this mindset. Meliodas brought you closer to his chest but kept watching the fight and didn't say anything.
"Oh my ! Matrona is being kept on the defensive !"
"If that's how you want it ! I didn't want to back a woman into a corner !" He threw two punches in the air, creating two tornadoes and sending flying towards Diane.
"Tornadoes have formed on both sides of Matrona ! And she can't back up ! She's totally cornered!"
"This is bad !" King started getting nervous, clutching onto the edge of the fighting ring.
"If you jump high or burrow in the ground, my tornadoes will gouge out the ground and climb into the sky !" Diane let out a cry. "Checkmate !" He started raising his fist, wanting to send the finishing blow but Diane simply stopped him by putting her hand on top of his. The crowd, as well as the Holy Knigh, gasped. "No way ! You said a direct hit would tear you to shreds !" She slapped him and put her hand on her chest.
"I didn't want this loaner outfit to get ruined ! Jerk !"
"Interesting..." Howzer muttered, still down on the hard rocks. "Looks like I'll be able to cut loose for once against this one." He sat up and got ready to fight. "If you don't want to die, start running. Whirl Shock !" He sent a tornado larger than all the previous one that hit Diane straight in the front, ruining the outfit and leaving her in something that was more similar to underwear.
"That caught me off guard." She deadpanned, not moving at all.