Chapter five : Even If You Should Die

"Princess ___, I have to take you home." Golgius put his hand out for you to hold.
"Hold it ! You'll have to get through Hawk, captain of the Order of Scraps Disposal !"
The knight kicked Hawk in the stomach, sending him flying across the room, and ricochet on the walls.
"Oh, and..." He pulled down the blanket that laid on Meliodas and took his broken handle in his hand. "There is no point in you keeping this sword. I shall take it back." He pulled on it, but Meliodas' hand didn't falter. Surprised, Golgius looked up to check if he was awake, but no, the blond was still sound asleep.

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".

Twelve years ago

"C'mon captain... what's the big deal ?" Ban nagged Meliodas. "Let me take a look at your sword."
"Why're you so interested in this piece of junk ?"
"I'm simply just curious as to why the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins carries around a sword like that." Ban stood up and slowly walked towards his friend. "How could I not be curious ?" He grabbed Meliodas' sword with one hand, while the other laid on his shoulder. "Okay ? Give me a peek." The blond dropped the stein he was drinking from and tightly held onto the broken handle.
"Let go, Ban."
Diane woke up from her slumber and looked at the two curiously. "The two of you are still up ?
"Let go, Ban. Don't make me angry."
"Angry ? You ?" He teased. "I've served with you for years, but not once have I seen you get angry."
"Let go." Meliodas tightened his grip and stared at the fire creaking.
"Oh, right. I'm also interested in why you're called the Dragon Sin of Wrath."
"Ban, why're you provoking the Captain ?"
The Fox Sin put both of his hands on the handle, but didn't move. "If it means I'll get to see you angry, I want to see this sword even more. No ! I want to steal it."
Just when he was about to pull the sword out of its scabbard. Meliodas stood up and struck his friend with the sword. Ban jumped a few meters back and chuckled, feeling the blood seeping from his wound with his fingers.
"Looks like I found the captain's hidden side."
"I'm sorry Ban, this sword is jus-"

"Stop that ! What do you think you're doing with him ?" You tried to stop the Holy Knight from hurting Meliodas.
"Oh, now I understand. It's this sword." In a flash, Meliodas had stood up from the bed and had his sword back in his hand.
"That's impossible ! No one could survive the poison I gave him !" Doctor Dana exclaimed.
"You do not know when to die... let go of this sword !" Golgius, and everyone in the room started feeling uneasy, for a reason they couldn't explain.
"Even if I should die, I won't let go of this sword. It's the only way I can stone for my sin !"
"Meliodas !"
Golgius laughed, and pulled harder on the sword. "Spout all the nonsense you wish, both the Princess and the sword will be mine !" Meliodas raised his head to look at the Holy Knight, whose whole body shook when he saw the glare in the Sin's eyes. You noticed his usual bright green eyes were now a deep purple, almost black, and he had a crest of the same color on his forehead. Abruptly, Golgius threw himself out of the window and ran away into the village.

"Um, Meliodas, is it you ?" Elizabeth poked his shoulders.
"Yo ! ___, Ellie, and Porky!" His face was back to normal, and he was smiling brightly like nothing had happened to you just brushed it off.
"Oh thank goodness, you're back to your usual self !"
"Yeah, but, he called me Porky ?" Hawk deadpanned.
"By the way, where are we ?"
"Right at Baste Prison'a doorstep, the town of Dalmally."

"And who was that weird guy just now ?"
"A Holy Knight named Golgius. He's after ___ and that broken sword of yours." Elizabeth explained, hoping Meliodas would understand what she had already concluded. "Oh, and the quack doctor was in cahoots with him."
"Let's go after them !" Hawk tried trotting off, but you pinched his ear to stop him before he could get too far.
"Wait ! Meliodas' wounds aren't healed yet !" The last time you ignored his wounds, he fainted, so you couldn't risk it again.
"___... that hurts !"
Meliodas hummed before unwrapping the bandages around his torso. "Looks pretty healed to me."
"That's not possible... no way !" You out your hands on his shoulder and checked the now healed wound, which had just left a scar.
"What's up ? You're awfully assertive today." Your hands were off of him in a second, as you apologized over and over. "Oh, go on, feel me up ! Please, be my guest !"
"I couldn't possibly..."
Hawk cut you off, wanting to go after Golgius. "Whatever ! Hurry up and get dressed !"
You walked outside the building, and quickly found the Holy Knight, talking to himself about Meliodas.

"There !"
"Uh-oh ! They've found me !"
"Yeah ! Don't underestimate a nose that can detect scraps from a mile away !" Hawk exhaled smoke out of his nose and prepared himself to charge at Golgius.
"Damn, can it really ?" Elizabeth asked amidst the uncomfortable atmosphere.
"Yep ! That got your attention ?"
"You're gonna tell me who ordered you to steal my sword and the Princess. Otherwise, I'll beat you senseless right where you stand." Golgius straightened his posture and raised his hands in the air.
"Of course ! I surrender ! I was never a really brave bloke, I don't care for brawling. Especially when the opponent is the captain of the Seven Deadly Sins." Meliodas moved his sword to block two metal pieces from hitting you. "I threw those hidden weapons when I raised my hands. You noticed that, didn't you ?"
"Don't underestimate a pair of eyes that can catch a flash of panties a mile away." He imitated Hawk's way of speaking.
"Can they really ?" You asked, scared of the answer.
"Only yours." He said seriously, while still looking at Golgius.

"Sir Golgius ! I found you !" You turned around and saw Doctor Dana. Hawk insulted him, but the doctor continued calling the Holy Knight. "I failed to kill the boy, but I poisoned him just as I was told ! Now, please, release my daughter like you promised !"
Behind you, the Holy Knight disappeared, almost like he faded away. "He vanished ?"
"___, stay close !" Elizabeth took your hand in hers, and you stepped closer to Meliodas.
"Come to think of it, he appeared out of thin air earlier, too." Hawk remember when you'd first seen him in the room.
"There is no need to cause such ruckus. I shall send your daughter to join you." Golgius spoke with the same voice he had earlier when he hadn't appeared yet.
"Thank you !"
"Hey ! Get away from there !" Meliodas screamed at the doctor. Golgius reappeared, this time, behind the doctor.
"I shall send her to joint you in the afterlife very soon." He didn't have time to say anything because Golgius' sword had been plunged so deep inside his torso, it went fully through. The sight made you gasp, and almost puke from seeing someone get killed right before your eyes. "We can't have you slandering the good name of the Holy Knights by saying we ordered you to poison a boy, can we ?" You let go of Elizabeth's hand and ran towards the older man.
"___ !"

"Doctor Dana ! Hold on !" You turned him on his back, so you could look at him.

"___, it's not safe here ! There's no telling when or where he'll appear next !"
You held tightly onto the Doctor's body. "But we can't just leave him here to die !" You looked up when you noticed a shadow on the ground, and saw Golgius, with his sword now covered in blood hovering over you.
"Now I have you !" You turned your head in hopes you'd be able to avoid him, but Meliodas had gotten here in time, and had stopped Golgius's weapon with his own. The Knight disappeared once again.
"He vanished again ! Is this guy teleporting ?" Hawk ran in circles around you.
"Haha ! You've figured it out. But sadly, your strength is useless against my teleportation. " He appeared behind you again, and Meliodas started blocking every strike he threw your way. Meliodas grabbed your hand and pulled you up with him.

"For now, we run !" With every attack Golgius tried, Meliodas carried you in different position, on his shoulders, under his arm, holding your waist.
"Crap ! He's leaving a metallic scent trail, but he's not giving me enough time to try it."
"A scent trail ?" Elizabeth pondered. Teleportation would leave a scent trail, and if she trusted Hawk's smell, that would mean it wasn't Golgius' power. Meliodas kicked Golgius meters away, and ran, still holding your hand.
"No matter where you run or hide, I'll always find you !"

You had found an empty inn, and ran to hide in it for the time being. Hawk looked around the walls hesitatingly. "Why are we hiding in this run-down building ?"
"Hawk, do you want the townspeople to get caught up in this ?" Meliodas walked inside a room, and noticed the floor creaking under his heel. "Let's wait him out in here for now."
"This place is so musty I'm surprised it's still standing... ugh."
You and Elizabeth sat on the ground patting it for Hawk to join you. Meliodas turned to face the door, and with rapid speed, moved his sword around.
"What're you doing ?" Hawk looked at him suspiciously.
"It's a little spell to stop him from coming in here."
""A little spell" my ass, you can't use magic."
"Are you sure about that ?" He smiled cheekily at the pig.
"Are you ? We're on the top floor of a cramped, old building. There's nowhere to run, at least close the door."
"What good is a door against a teleporter, Hawk ?" Elizabeth asked him, trying to be rational.

"Yeah, he might suddenly appear right between us." The blond pointed to the center of the room.
Right when he said that, Golgius reappeared, but behind him. "Close ! Behind you." Meliodas smiled at him and turned his face to tease the Holy Knight.
"Close, beneath you !" Suddenly, Golgius fell down the multiple floors of the inn. You all got closer to the hole that was now on the ground, and that's when you understood what the spell was about.
"It's so run down that he fell straight to the bottom."
"That's not it, it's that "spell" from earlier. You cut up the floor so that when he'd appear, he'd fall right away !" Meliodas nodded, and jumped into the hole and straight to Golgius. From then on, they started talking, but you couldn't make out anything. So you carefully walked out of the room, and down the stairs of each floor, to catch up to Meliodas.

"Now, now, Golgius. Tell me, who was it that ordered to you take ___ and my sword." You ran up to him, relieved he wasn't injured any further.
"Sir Meliodas !"
"You had us worried for a minute, you swine !" You watched as Golgius disappeared once again.
"Uh-oh, he ran away." Hawk shrieked, worrying you, so you looked into the same direction as him and saw a horse that looked like it was being ridden, but had no one sitting on it. "That commotion must've spooked it. What a weird, cowardly animal."
"That must be him." The Holy Knight became visible, turns out he was the one riding the horse. "Looks like that horse is headed towards Baste Prison."

Your mind went to the doctor, whom you had left to die, alone, and in pain. You could go to the prison, but not before trying to save him. You ran towards the center of the town, where you had left him, ignoring your group's calls for you to come back. When you finally found the doctor, he was laying on the ground, and hadn't noticeably moved from where you had left him.
"Doctor ! Doctor Dana ! Hang on ! Why did you do this..." A few small tears fell out of your eyes and onto the doctor's face. His eyes opened slowly, and he opened his mouth shakily.
"Why... are you crying ? I'm sorry. I did it... to save my daughter. My dear Sennett... I couldn't keep you safe..." His body went limp in your arms, so you put your hand on his face to close his eyes, and hopefully allow him to rest peacefully.

"This is all my fault..."
"What are you saying ? It was Golgius who killed him."

"If we hadn't come to this town, he wouldn't be dead, and his daughter wouldn't have been taken hostage. Aren't I right ?"
"___..." Elizabeth tried to get closer to you but stopped when you cried harder.
"If we had found another idea to save the kingdom, if I hadn't insisted on finding the Seven Deadly Sins, nothing would have happened. You wouldn't have been hurt in that fight against Gilthunder, and Ellie, you wouldn't have nearly been killed by Golgius' scheme !"
"I understand why you want to cry. But, is a tear or two enough to make you give up on wanting to protect your people from the Holy Knights ? I'm committed to seeking out the Seven Deadly Sins with you and stopping the Holy Knights." He walked to you, and brought his face so close to yours you could feel his breathing. "Even if you should die... I'll keep my promise to you !"
"Meliodas..." Elizabeth also had tears in her eyes by now, she wasn't aware that you were blaming yourself for so much. But hearing Meliodas comfort you brought her great joy.
"Everyone has to die someday. But what they stood for will never fade away as long as someone protects it. Once you've resolved to take on those principles, no matter how much blood and tears you shed, you follow through with it !" Meliodas now had his back facing you, and even for Elizabeth, it was difficult to see because his bangs were hiding his eyes. "That's what makes you a knight."

He turned back, but didn't look at you, he put his hands under the doctor's body and carried him all the way to his clinic. Once he had done that, he and Hawk left without another word, and while you thought Elizabeth was going to go too, she sat down on a stool next to you, wrapped her arm around your shoulder, and put her head on top of yours. "I want to be able to fight. To protect the kingdom, and you. I really do, but this..." You looked at the doctor's body. "I'm not sure I'm made for it."
"You don't have to be made for it, and fighting, doesn't mean killing. You can fight by being by your loved ones' side, and supporting them. You're strong, ___, no matter what you think of yourself, you're strong, and you can fight."
"We can't fight from here though, can we ?" You sighed, wiped your tears, set on following your group to Baste Prison. Elizabeth followed you up and held out her hand. "C'mon." Before going, you remembered to grab the scabbard you had seen back up for Meliodas. Once you had it, you stepped out and ran with your sister to catch up with your friends.

You sped up your pace when you saw Meliodas and Hawk bickering on a bridge. "Sir Meliodas !" They stopped their banter and twisted in your direction.
"Why'd you run out to meet us ?"
"Here. I patched this up while you were sleeping." You handed him the scabbard. "It's not exactly professional work, but it should hold up fine."
Hawk started tearing up at your gesture. "You're so sweet !" Meliodas put it on and set his sword back in it.
"Thanks, ___."
"I'm glad we caught up." You turned to Elizabeth to wave your hand, showing her you were walking forward. "Let's go !" You could feel Meliodas' eyes on you, so you stopped for a moment. "I'm far from being a knight, or being as strong as you and your comrades. But I'm going to keep fighting to protect the kingdom along with its people. Even if you had died back there !"
"Yo! Don't kill me off."
"S-sorry !"
"What about me ? What if I died ?" Hawk expectantly looked up at you and your sister
"I'd grieve for a very long time, but I'd make sure you have the best funeral, with amazing scraps in your honor."
"I'd hang in there." You both answered at the same time, although Hawk seemed more pleased with your answer.
"Girls... these answers are like light and day..."
Meliodas caught up to the conversation and nudged your sister with his shoulder. "Don't worry, Hawk. We won't let your meat go to waste. Right, Elizabeth ?"
"Hell yeah !"

"Now, let's go to Baste Prison."
"Right ! Let's go save Sir Ban !"
"Nope, not him." You looked at him in confusion.
"What was her name ? Sennett ? We have to rescue Doctor Dana's daughter first." You smiled and gaze at Elizabeth to see her already smiling at you.
"But, what about Ban ?" She asks concerned about the Sin's safety.
"As soon as he knows we're headed his way, he'll bust himself out." You were going to question Meliodas about his friend, when unexpectedly, something landed on the ground in front of you, blowing wind and dust in your faces. Meliodas was in front of you with his sword ready to be drawn, but when the fog cleared, you realized it wasn't an attack, but your friend, Diane.

"Diane ! What're you doing out here ?" He asked loudly.
"Captain ? Captain ?! You should still be in bed ! What do you think you're doing ?"
"I'm fine, I'm more worried about you !"
"Worried about me ?" She wondered.
"After you squashed those bugs in Dalmally, you charged full-tilt toward Baste Prison !" Hawk cleared up the situation, because the giant seemed confused.
"I did ?" She put her hand on her head and tried to remember, to no