Chapter 9 : Dark Pulse

Guila got kicked back meters away from the strength with which the Fairy King's spear hit her. Ban was confused, but then turned around to look at his comrade.
"Yo, Ban."
"Hey, what's the big idea, King." He said after spitting out some blood.
"Can't you tell. I'm here to save you."
"Save me, huh ?" He chuckled. "Thank you ever so much."
King stayed imparable. "You're quite welcome. It's to help the Captain and Diane."
"It's not for me ?" The Fox Sin teased.
"I guess not. It's for my sister, who cares for you." Please... keep Ban safe. Elaine's plead rang through King's mind, and as unhappy as it made him, he was going to protect him.

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".

"Hey ! Wow, you guys are really going at it !" Hawk yelled as soon as he got close enough to see your friends.
"You aren't hurt, are you ?" You asked loud enough so the could hear.
"Hi !" Meliodas waved at you. "We're all fine !"
"Oh, thank god." King turned to the crystal rumble, which Guila was now moving from. She sat up and with her head down, bolted towards him. "At this close range, even the spirit spear's defends won't save you !" She threw an explosive attack at him, expecting it to hit him, but Meliodas swiftly placed himself between the two. "Right back at you."
"Drat ! Full Counter !" The Holy Knight's body was now nowhere to be seen, having gotten blown away by the explosion.

"I don't sense her anymore." Said Diane with a serious expression.
"The force of the blast most likely returned her to the living world." And sweet, but unknown voice explained. "You came here in your own flesh and blood, but she was only here in spirit."
"M-My ears are gone !" Hawk shrieked as the tips of his ears started to shine and disappear.
"Hawk ! Oh, it's happening to me too ! What's going on, it feels so gross !" You complained, checking your arms.
"Let's feel something better, then !" Meliodas snuck up to you and took your breasts in his hand to fondle them.
"Meliodas !" Elizabeth was about to hit him, but her hand had fully turned to light.

"You guys don't belong here." The children from earlier's voice was now the one talking. "So the Necropolis is starting to reject you. That's great." The boy turned to Ban. "You met the person you wanted to see."
"What are you two doing here ?" He asked.
"Wait, you were residents of this world this whole time ?"
The girl smiled up and Ban. "Your cooking was really yummy. Thank you very much."
"Sure thing." He smiled back at her before turning to face Elaine.
"I'm glad I got to see you Ban." She shyly said, staring in his eyes.
"'Till next time, Elaine."
"Thank you, brother. For protecting him."
"Elaine !" King attempted to take a look et his sister's face once again, but just as he turned, you were all ejected from the Necropolis.

"Looks like we're back to our own world."
"That was so weird." Diane sighed in relief, feeling her limbs were now back to normal. You noticed a shadow so you looked up to its owner, and to your horror, there stood Guila with her hand deep in her chest.
"That's-"
"So this is how she got into the Necropolis, by putting herself into a state of near death." Concluded Elizabeth.
Hawk's ears raised on his head and sweat started forming on his face. "Doesn't that mean she's gonna wake up soon ?!"
"We should probably get away, then !"
"Let's kill her while the killing's good." Ban offered with his hands in his pockets.

"Don't be barbaric. Let's petrify her." Said King.
Meliodas walked up to her and raised his head high and proud. "Nah, let me handle this." He took out a marker from his pocket and drew a funny face on her own; wide open eyes, flushed cheeks and an open mouth with the tongue out. Once he was satisfied with his work, you all headed back towards the tavern.

Hawk's mom walked until you reached a small lake, from which you ended up fishing enough to feed everyone. Then, Ban started a fire to cook the fishes while everyone sat down on logs around the fire.
"Here Captain, din-din's ready ! Open wide !" Diane jabbed the huge fish on her friend's face.
"That's way too big." He said while chugging down some beer.
"Say "Ah"" She insisted.
King flew up to her to check on her. "Diane ? Are your injuries really okay now ?" She blushed and hid behind her fish, muttering out a yes.
"Dumbass ! She pretended to be hurt to her the Captain to fawn over her !" A very drunk Ban admitted.
"Diane's not that kind of girl !" The Fairy King defended, but Diane still turned away to hide her face, which was now red from embarrassment.
"Calm down, you two." The Captain scolded.

"Speaking of girls, I never asked." King stopped between you and Meliodas. "What is your relationship with this girl, Captain ?"
The Dragon Sin smirked and groped your left boob. "The "lovers" kind ?"
"No !"
He then opened his shirt and put your hand on his chest, allowing you to feel his muscles. "The "grope and be groped" kind ?"
"Sir Meliodas ! Hey, don't-"
"She's a Princess of the realm. The fourth, right ?" He verified.
"Yes, and Elizabeth is the third." You smiled kindly at King.

"P-Princesses ? You should have said so ! If I had known I would have made myself presentable !"
"That's all right, don't-" Cutting Elizabeth, King had turned into an older version of himself.
"Hey, your clothes changed !"
"Look closer !" Ban screamed at his captain.
"It requires mental effort to change into this form." He placed his hand on his chest, adjusting the jewels on his shirt.
"What a pig." Hawk said between bites of his scraps.
"I am King, the Grizzly Sin of the Seven Deadly Sins." He bowed to you and your sister. "I am glad to make your acquaintance."
"O-Of course, the pleasure is all ours." Elizabeth stuttered, a bit surprised by the sudden change in appearance.
"I was unaware you were both princesses !Please pardon my animalistic manners in the Necropolis."
"Think nothing of it !" You waved off. "Please don't be so stressed out. Feel free to relax."
"Yes, we're all friends after all." Elizabeth added kindly.
"Oh. Well, if you insist." He turned back into a kid from and plopped down on his green pillow with a sigh. "I'm out of practice; that's was exhausting !"
"His clothes changed back !"
"Look closer, damn it !" Ban slapped the back of Meliodas' neck.

You ignored their bickering and put your attention back on King. "I have to say, you sure are powerful, Sir King."
"Yeah, you mopped the floor with an opponent that Meliodas and the others were struggling with, and that all by yourself." Elizabeth complimented.
"True, I'm fairly powerful." He said while rocking himself on his pillow. "But you guys should have beaten that Holy Knight, if you'd been able to unleash your real power. Fees up, you three. Where are your sacred treasure ?"
"I lost mine." Diane admitted with a wink.

"I sold mine !"
"Mine got stolen !" Cheered the bandit.
The shock must've been too much for King to handle, because as soon as they'd all admitted what happened to their weapons he turned back to his older form. "Unthinkable !"

You all spent the afternoon around the fire, King explained to you that he'd been working with the kingdom to gather information, and told you what was happening in the inside.
"The "New Generation" ? What's that ?" The captain asked.
"Apparently, there have been some failed apprentices who gained powers exactly like those of a Holy Knight overnight. Guila, for instance. She was a Holy Knight apprentice until just the other day. Can you believe that ?"
"Her ?"
"In spite of this mess we're in, you took the sacred treasure King Liones bestowed on the Seven Deadly Sins when it was founded and sold it ?!" King scolded his captain, still dumbfounded by the fact.
"I needed some money for the tavern." He sheepishly answered, making an okay sign with his hand.
King then turned to Ban. "Yours was stolen ?!"
"When I was thrown in prison..." He slurred while resting on Hawk's back. King was about to scold Diane as well, but one look at her flushed face was all it took for him to abandon the idea.
"Um, am I a bad girl ?" She asked, hiding behind her pigtails.
"W-Well, if you misplaced it, it's no one's fault !" He reassured.

"Don't be in such a huff, King. These guys do pretty well barehanded."
"Good Sir Pig." He faced Hawk with a serious expression on his face.
"S-Sir Pig ?"
"Let's say that this lake represents the mana of one of the Sins. How much of the lake's water could you scoop out with your hands ?"
"Hands ?" Hawk muttered, checking out his hooves.
"Right. No matter how much mana there is, your hands limit you. But if they used a weapon, especially their Sacred Treasures, they could draw forth vastly greater amounts of mana." As he explained how the weapons worked, he raised his hands towards the lake, extracting some of the water from it.
"Sacred Treasures sure are awesome, huh ?" Meliodas chuckled, bear mug still in his hand.
"Yeah, it all makes sense !" Hawk grabbed Meliodas by the neck and shook him around. "Why the hell did you give yours up !"
"In any case, we will need to locate your sacred treasures. Assuming that you're serious about saving the kingdom, that is."

You followed Elizabeth when she stood up from the log and raised her voice. "Excuse me, King, you were working with someone inside the castle, weren't you ?"
"Yes, more or less."
"Do you know what became of our father and sisters ? The king and the other princesses ?" You asked.
"No, I'm sorry."
"Oh... thank you still." Elizabeth wrapped an arm around you and rubbed your back to bring you comfort, but nothing could get rid of the feeling of worry you'd been feeling ever since you left. Soon enough, the night had came, and it was time for everyone to go to bed.

"Why am I in this room ?!" King yelled at the pig.
"'Cause there isn't space elsewhere !"
"I'll rough it up outside, then. At least, I'll be with Diane-" Ban grabbed the fairy by his hood and pulled him to the bed, forcing him to spend the night here in spite of his complaints.
"Swap successful !"

You were sitting on the bed, and fiddling with the necklace you were wearing.
"That's really pretty." Meliodas complimented after knocking gently on the wooden door.
"Thank you. It was a gift from my big sister, Margaret, for my fifteenth birthday." You showed the blue pendant that matched Elizabeth's. Meliodas took a seat next to you and leaned closer to listen. "She's very serene and kind. Veronica, she's a tomboy, constantly getting scolded by Father for being willful and playing with swords with Ellie. Gilthunder also played with us. It was wonderful." You looked down, remembering the great time you had with the people you loved.
"Don't you worry ! We'll rescue your sisters and your dad, along with everyone else !" The blond promised cheerfully. "That's partly why we're on this trip."
"Sir Meliodas..." You smiled happily.

"Now, let's call it a day and hit the sack ! Join me !" He laid down and put out his arm for you to rest on.
"You never really learn, do you ?!" Hawk was suddenly putting the rope around Meliodas's torso, veins popping out of his forehead.

The night had passed, everyone had rested comfortably, even Meliodas, who started to get used to the restraints, and you were now stopped in front of a village.
"That town clinging to the side of the mountain is Vaizel. It's a merchant town." Meliodas explained.
"Is it really here ?" Hawk asked incredulously.
"Well, that customer a while ago mentioned that a hammer was brought in. Said it was so large no one could wield it. Remember ?"
"No one can wield it ?" You said, surprised such a big weapons could exist.
"Could it be Diane's G-"
"Screw that, so something about my clothes !" Ban whined at his blond friend.
"Cover up with an apron." The captain deadpanned.

"That's nos important !" Screamed Diane as she punched the ground, making all of you fly into the air. "Why am I being left behind to mind the tavern ?!" She cried.
"We have to. Ever since a Giant went wild at their festival a few years back, they've been banned from town. We'll come right back after we see what's what." Meliodas reassured, taking a few steps back in case she decided to hit him.
"No!" She shook her head, her pigtails following the movement. "It'll be so boring !"
"Um... I'll stay here too." You said looking at the giant, you felt bad for her, you know you wouldn't want to be left alone c and it was a good chance to get close.
"Are you sure ?" She bent down to look at your face.
"Sure, and Ellie could stay here too, we'll have a girl's day !" You excitedly planned, staring at Elizabeth who agreed with a big smile on her face.
"A girl's day..." Diane giggled and hid her red face behind her hair.
"Okay, we'll be off, then !" The boys waved at you and left for town along with Hawk.

"Just get whatever can be cooked up into a good meal." Elizabeth had answered when you asked if there was anything you should be specifically looking for. Diane and you nodded and headed in different directions to find ingredients. After a few minutes of searching, your basket was filled with a handful of herbs, but nothing more, that's when you landed in front of a nest of small mushrooms.
"Oh, how great !" You exclaimed before you noticed a large shadow above you. You raised your head and fell down with a scream at the sight of the giant mushroom.
"___ ! What happened !" Asked Elizabeth as her and Diane ran to you.
Diane leaned down and knocked on the top of the purple creature's head. "Ingredient located and captured !"
What you weren't expecting was for the plant to release a cloud of pink smoke. "Aw, what the heck ?" You opened your eyes and looked in shock at Elizabeth who was carrying her, now huge, earring in her arms, standing in the middle of your clothes.
"What the hell ?!"
"We turned small !"
You all decided that Diane would go to town and join the boys in the search for her weapon, but hesitated as to where you and your sister should stay. Much to Elizabeth's dismay, the only place you had to hide was Diane's top.

Now, you were holding your sister's hand tightly while being blinded by the pink fabric Diane was wearing, but you could make out a high pitched voice.
"Now, let the annual Vaizel Fighting Festival begin ! The use of weapons is strictly forbidden ! Men who let their fists do the talking are welcome to sign up right away ! The winner gets a hundred gold coins, as well as this Giant's war hammer as a bonus !" After a few very long minutes, the voice started again. "The Fighting Festival elimination round will now begin ! Fighters, step into the ring !"

In the meantime, Liones Capital.

"Demon's blood ?" Jericho asked as she watched the purple liquid boil in the glass.
"It remains unclear why a being supposedly sealed away forever after being defeated by the Goddesses in the Ancient War was found in the Fairy Forest." The Grand Master Hendrickon explained with a full face, standing before a huge red demon's corpse. "But if you drink this and you prove compatible, you will be able to summon and control vastly more mana than you ever were. Just as Guila does." The slow footsteps behind them made Twigo and Jericho turn around in a hurry, before sighing in relief at the sight of their friend.
"You desire power, don't you ?" A knight,m who was standing with Guila asked.
"Power..." Memories of what happened in Baste Prison surged through Jericho's mind the same was memories of his fight with Meliodas did in Twigo's. They both took a deep inhale and chugged down the deep purple liquid, letting the cups fall and break on the ground. The knights screamed in pain as the blood spread through their bodies, but only one of them fell, spitting more blood.
"Oh, it seems only one was compatible then." Chuckled Hendrickson.
"What... is this sensation I've never felt before ?" Wondered Twigo, feeling a wave of power come over him. "C-Conclusion ! I've acquired explosive powe-" Suddenly, his body started doubling, and tripling in size, growing until it finally exploded. Jericho stopped coughing, and hardly stood up with an empty look on her face.
Guila walked up to her and grabbed her chin with her gloved hand. "Welcome. You're now one of us."