Oneshots!

#68 Darkened Powers But Never Heart (Part 5)

Oh this was bad. Very very bad.

Just as King had expected, he woke up with only Elizabeth and himself to be seen. Meliodas was gone.

Scorning himself over his carelessness and brief moment of trusting the demon, Harelquin forced himself to his feet and grabbed Chastifol that was nearby when hearing rustling in the bushes.

I knew I shouldn't have trusted him! That cursed blanket made me fall asleep!! It was a trick so he could lead others to us! I have to be ready for anything. With just me and Elizabeth out here, it might be difficult taking on too many! I can't believe I agreed to this stupid mission! It was all a ploy!

Gritting his teeth as the rustling got louder, the fairy braced himself for the ambush...

For Elaine, for Elizabeth... for my fallen friend twisted into this monster... and for my kingdom!

Preparing to rush at the bushes full force, he was shocked when he saw the blond come back into sight with a bucket.

"Oh hey Harelquin. Is Elizabeth awake too? What's with Chastifol? Did you think I was a bear or something because no offense, but you might want to get your eyes checked."

Blinking as the fairy realized the boy was alone and acting completely casual, King didn't know if he felt foolish or on guard at how quickly he had come to a conclusion and how quickly a battle had almost broke out.

Sitting back down, he tried to glance at whatever Meliodas had in the bucket he was carrying and kept a close eye on the boy relighting the fire.

"You know I can see you staring at me right? I mean, I'm flattered but I don't swing that way King."

The fairy blushed in indignity as he began stuttering a response while Meliodas simply smiled cheekily.

"I'm just kidding ya know. You get worked up so easily! Hahaha! Well, now that I've gotten to see that hilarious face for today, I'm gonna go find some fish to cook these berries with. I'll be right back. Oh, also in case you think I'm trying to poison you or something ridiculous like that, I'll let you look the plants over since you're an expert to seen for yourself what they are."

Once again feeling foolish and slightly surprised at how well Meliodas could read the fairy, he waited for the demon to leave before doing exactly what Meliodas had expected and looking over the berries.

Although he was confident the demon wasn't trying to poison them, the boy had been right when saying King was the expert and therefore could make sure nothing was harmful.

It was an hour before the demon came back with the fish- although Harelquin didn't panic this time when he did return- and in that time he had looked over the berries and had woken up Elizabeth who decided to help by getting some clean water for them to cook and eat with.

They all worked like a well oiled machine just as they used to, and for the first time in a very long time.. King felt calm and at peace. Happy to have a moment like this again.

As king during a war, he had been forced to learn to suspect everything and everyone. To expect the worst of people and to constantly prepare and overprepare for everything that could go wrong for the sake of keeping his kingdom safe. But now, with someone else looking after it and with nothing going on to put him on edge- even though the habit died hard- he could finally relax for a moment and live in said moment rather then having to prepare for the next catastrophic event.

It was nice getting a moment to breath.

However after chatting and eating for awhile, the sun came fully overhead and it was time to get moving again, following Meliodas's lead a little more comfortably as his trust was being earned little by little and the fairy was starting to understand more and more what Elizabeth had meant when saying the demon hadn't changed...
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Elizabeth was ecstatic to have the morning with the others that she had. Seeing Harelquin and Meliodas finally start to get along and seeing her stressed and burdened friend finally relax some was something that nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Especially when before Meliodas came back into her life, she didn't think she'd have that again. King drowned himself in his work, as did her other friends who mourned and grieved in their own way. While she was left alone. Sure she had duties as the Supreme Diety's daughter, but not as many as the others who had become leaders of their realms or soldiers to defend it. And with her closest friend gone, the one person who could've helped her through this.. she felt completely and utterly alone.

Stuck in the same place of grief and heartache as when the event first happened. All while trying to make sure she kept her center protected.

Compassion.

It was becoming weaker in days like this as people grew harder and more bitter. Betraying others, stealing, lying, cheating, yelling, fighting, these were getting so much more common now as anyone who did hold onto compassion and tried to see good in others was quickly scorned. Meaning she slowly grew out of place in this new world with her purpose slowly dying out, only adding to her feeling of isolation and misery.

Oh how she wished Meliodas was there. She would never know how he managed to keep his center alive and never buckled under pressure when it started to die. He always found a way to revive hope, how she wished she knew how to do the same.

But then, at the height of her anguish and pain, he came back. He brought back her light and her hope, and he saved her from that isolation she had feared she would suffer for the rest of her life.

And now, they were on their way to find a way to end this war and suffering once and for all. Something that relit the fire in Elizabeth as determination to end this filled her.

Although part of her was scared out of her mind as she knew... what the price of doing so would be.

Forcing herself to go back to that isolation... as Meliodas would be sealed along with the rest, gone forever.

The thought making her lose concentration as the group was climbing the base of the mountain, she lost her grip and nearly fell before Meliodas grabbed her hand and pulled her up.

"That was pretty close. You okay Ellie?"

She nodded, a little shaken up by the close call.

The three out of breath, they took a quick break on a small ledge that luckily fit them all.

"How.. much further... to the... top?"

King managed to get out. A fair question since they'd been climbing for an hour.

"Oh we have a long ways to go. This mountain will take days to get up by foot."

"What?! There... has to be... some faster way up..."

Meliodas shook his head.

"Not unless you guys fly up, then we'd be up there in a matter of hours."

"Great! Then why.. don't we... do that..?"

The blond pointed behind him, the exhausted pair confused until they realized he didn't have wings anymore. Feeling foolish about asking in the first place as they had nearly forgotten one of the best flyers could no longer fly, there was an awkward silence for a moment until Elizabeth got an idea.

"Well... what if... I... carry you..?"

Emerald eyes blinked in suprise.

"Would that really be okay? I mean, it's at least a two hour flight and I know how tiring it would be carrying someone."

"Of course it's okay! It'll still be a lot shorter of a trip and I know how to carry someone and fly. I promise, it won't be any trouble at all."

"Well okay, if you insist. Just let me know if you get tired alright? We can always take a moment to stop."

She nodded, appreciating the concern. Hovering off the ground as her wings carried her while flapping gracefully, she held her hands out for the boy to take and told him to hold on. Preparing for the journey ahead...

Sorry for the lame ending but the next part will be pretty good! >:D

1417 words.