Oneshots!

#74 Going Back (Part 3)

Meliodas barely recognized himself in his old clothes. It felt like he was staring at a stranger and an old friend all at once. Although regardless of how he felt about it, he knew he would have to adjust and get used to it. After all, this was his life again now. Only this time... he wasn't happy about it.

Before, he had deluded himself into thinking he enjoyed all of this. He had been programmed to be by his father and other demons, and yet now... he had seen what it was like to live differently. He had felt what it was like to love and to truly be happy, even if all of it was gone now.

The sins, Elizabeth, hell.. he even missed Hawke! And it was only the first hour here. Oh well... he already made his choice, and there wasn't any going back now. He should at least try to get used to it. Maybe he'd even be able to convince himself he was happy again. Although knowing what happiness truly felt like... he doubted it.
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It felt like time had stopped for Zeldris as Estarossa said a few simple sentences explaining certain events he had missed.

Due to a separate mission needing to be done, he was split from the others while they were supposed to deal with Melidodas. However he had no idea that they were going to bring him back for good. Surely it couldn't be that easy. Surely it was a trick.

After all, why would he come back when his "true love" was elsewhere? It was too easy. Sure when everything had first happened, he had longed for his brother, had fantasized about him coming home and them being a family again, but now? It felt weird, it felt wrong, and it felt like his world was crashing down.

Trying desperately to keep his composure before he could get away to clear clear head, Zeldris listened to the necessary parts that required his attention before gracefully slipping away after. Luckily none of the others had seen his distress as they were all quite busy celebrating, the demon decided to walk outside for awhile in no direction in particular to try to rid these rising emotions and thoughts clouding his mind.

I don't understand... what changed!? Is he trying to trick us? And if so, for what? What could he possibly need in the demon realm? Estarossa mentioned something about how he was brought back but my thoughts had already drifted by that point. Something about using drastic measures... But how could we ever get him to willingly come back? He may be weaker than before however his mind is still as strong as it was then, torture or mind control wouldn't be able to work. So what could have? Surely he didn't just have a change of hearts.. unless-

It hitting him like a ton of bricks the one weakness of the blond that could be used to get him to return, the realization was had just in time for his hearts to stop at seeing the same boy staring off in the bleak distance with a very depressed air about him.

So... it must have been it. They used her to get him back. It has to be it, especially with that look on his face. He seems.... defeated. I've never seen him look so... weak before.

Feeling happy to see Meliodas back in his old outfit, Zeldris had another feeling clawing at him at seeing the broken down look in those crimson eyes, proving just how different now was.

He... really isn't who he used to be. Back then, he never would've had that expression in his eyes. He would never have shown such weakness! So why... or how could that goddess change him so much?

Pushing the thought down as the emotions faded after a moment, his composure returned as he used one thought to keep it that way.

It doesn't matter. The feelings will fade with time and we'll get our leader back eventually. We'll just put everything behind us and things will slowly go back to normal. After all, he can't leave if she's being used against him. So this will pass right? Surely it will..

How wrong he was. Because even with all of the dark magic, missions, and training to distract the blond, Zeldris didn't realize how strong the bonds of love were as he himself had never experienced them...

And he had no idea how changed his brother had become because of it, nor how incomplete he felt without the source of that love near..
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Elizabeth had an air of determination and confidence the others had never seen in her before, proving Merlin's explanation of everything about her. It had been a shock and a heartbreak when hearing about the curse her and their beloved captain had, but none could focus on it for too long. They were in new and dangerous territory filled with the enemy in order to get back their friend, and they couldn't afford to mess anything up.

"Alright Merlin, where do we need to go?"

"The castle is north of here containing the royal family and likely the captian as well. It will take quite a walk, however I've already casted a spell to disguise ourselves as demon guards, therefore we should be able to infiltrate the place with minimum complications if we do this right."

All feeling nervous and unsure, they were shocked to see Elizabeth walk out of the area they were hiding in first.

"Very well, then let's go. I'm not waiting here another second more than I have to. We're getting Meliodas back."

All nodding in agreement and slight shock at seeing her seriousness, the group began their trek to save the captian, having no idea how this one simple mission would affect them all...

Finally finished this! I hope you like the chapter and it'll probably have one or two more parts. Feel free to comment your thoughts on it!

1012 words.