Just A Memory

The Cursed Child

Meliodas knelt in front of yet another grave. He was now into double digits of Elizabeth's reincarnation and was still no closer to breaking the curse placed upon them.
"Brought you some wildflowers tonight. I know what you are going to ask. I am not okay. If I am to be completely honest with you, I am lost without you. I know I can't give up, As much as I want to. I can just hear you tell me to do so. I know you would want me to stop putting myself through this, To end the suffering. Like you have tried to tell me so many times in the past. Don't worry, Elizabeth. I will break this stupid curse like I promised" Meliodas placed the flowers against the wooden cross "This never gets any easier. But, like you said, At least we get to see each other again" Meliodas lifted his fingers to his lips, then lowered his hand lightly to the cross "Till our path cross again, My love" Meliodas went to move away but stopped in his tracks as soon as he heard the rustle of the bushes. He clenched his muscles, Waiting for the person to attack.

With each passing second, The rustle got louder and louder. Meliodas decided that he had enough and spun on his heel, Facing the mystery opponent. His fists raised by his face.
"Who goes there?!" He demands. He is taken back as he spots a young lady cowing, Her body hunched over.
"No sir, Please. I didn't mean to frighten you" The lady shouts. Meliodas lowers his fists. Though his muscles still clenched.
"What do you want?" Meliodas snapped. Turning back to the cross.
"I was heading to my old man's grave. He passed last week" The woman straightened up. Holding a small bundle in her arms.
"Sorry to hear that" Meliodas soften.
"Who was this one to you" The woman is now standing next to Meliodas.
"My love. A few days ago" Meliodas sniffed.
"Sorry to hear that" The lady spoke. Meliodas thanked the lady.
*Baby Cry*
Meliodas head spun to the lady as she tried to soothe her child.
"Shush little one. I thought you were sleeping" The lady hushed. She looked at Meliodas apologetic "Sorry if her crying bothers you. Normal, She is a good little girl"
"Don't be. She can't help it" Meliodas lowered his head, trying to look at the child "How old is she?"
"5 days. Keeps me up all hours of the night. Still wouldn't change her for the world" The lady explains as the baby squirmed in her mother's arms. Meliodas looked on with curiosity as the baby's hand reached out to Meliodas "Think she wants to say hello"
"Think so too" Meliodas smiled. he lifted his hand. Waving the index finger at the little one. The baby instantly grabbed it. Taking Meliodas by surprise "Hello... I'm sorry what is her name?"
"Elizabeth," The lady says as she pulled the blanket away from the child. Meliodas did everything he could not to collapse as she stared into her blue eyes.
"Hey, Elizabeth" Meliodas whispered "She's a cutie" Meliodas pulled his hand away and Elizabeth complained.
"She seems to like you"
"Can't imagine why?" Meliodas chuckled as he gave his hand back to Elizabeth. The lady looked between the pair. Not wanting to split them up as this was the first time that her daughter had been quiet.
"Oh, where are my manners. I'm Jasmine" the lady nodded as she smiled softly at Meliodas.
"I'm Meliodas" Meliodas spoke after a minute or so. He wasn't sure he should use another name. Most people have a bad response to his name.
"Meliodas? Where have I heard that before" Jasmine pondered. Trying to rack her brain. Meliodas was getting ready to leave. He didn't want people to know of him "Oh I can't remember for the life of me" Jasmine waved her hand around. Melidoas let out a breath "Anyway, I have to ask as you seem lost. Do you have anywhere to go?"
"Go?" Meliodas mumbled. Truth is that he didn't. The curse would have brought him and Elizabeth together again. Though he never excepted it to be so soon "I have nowhere"
"Would you like to come back to our village?"
"I don't know. Everywhere I go, Trouble follows me" Meliodas admitted.
"You can't be all bad. They say that babies are an excellent judge of character. If you were bad, This one would hate you"
"I highly doubt that," Meliodas thought as Elizabeth gripped his hand tighter. Meliodas signed, He knew that he wouldn't be able to walk away now. The pull was too strong "I guess I could"
"Great. Here you take this monkey and I will go pay respect to my old man" Jasmine passed Elizabeth to Meliodas and walked off.

Meliodas stared down at the small bundle in his arms as her mother walked off. Elizabeth was still attached to his hand.
"Well, Elizabeth. Here we go again" He mumbled. He didn't know how much he could say. He still wasn't sure on what triggers the curse or whether it was completely random "I'll keep my promise" He thought to himself. He stared at Elizabeth. Would the curse affect the small bundle? Did it only come into effect when she was an adult?
"Wish I had your gift of keeping her quiet" Jasmine spoke as she returned, Making Meliodas jump a little. Meliodas didn't know what to say "Come. Let us head back to the village" Jasmine waved her arm behind her. Meliodas nodded as he reluctantly gave Elizabeth back.

Over the next 8 years, Elizabeth grew strong and healthy. She was a little bit of a mischievous little girl. Always getting into trouble. Not that she minded. For wherever she went, Meliodas was never far behind. He was the only one that Jasmine trusted to look after her daughter. Meliodas never minded as he and Jasmine became the best of friends. He was even part of Jasmine wedding to some oaf named Jack. This was around Elizabeth's 6th year. There are some days where Meliodas wanted to punch Jack. He is not a good man.

It was a warm summers day. Jasmine and Meliodas were in the infirmary. Elizabeth had become ill over the last week and Meliodas was worried. She had gained a high fever overnight.
"How are you possibly the calm one now?" Meliodas asked, pacing across the infirmary. Jasmine shrugged, careful not to jostle her 1-year-old Daughter Zoe, who was sleeping against her shoulder.
"Because we are here every other week. Either with Elizabeth, Zoe or with you" Jasmine said, softly "She is in good hand Meliodas"
"Still," said Meliodas "And I ain't here every week" Jasmine ignored him "You need to chill. You're gonna wear a hole in the floor. The Doctor knows what she is doing"
"But she's sick and miserable and there's nothing we can do" Meliodas ran his hand over his hair.
"Yes, there is, and we're doing it. The town's new Doctor will give her some herbs and she will be fine. She's pretty healthy for a little kid and she's got both of us looking after her"
"True" Meliodas sighed as he slowed the pace down "What is the doctor's name?"
"Doctor O'Malley"
"O'Malley?" Meliodas head snapped to the door. That was a name he had not to heard in a long time "First name Merlin by any chance?"
"Why yes. Do you know her?" Jasmine crossed her legs.
"We go way back?"
"Old girlfriend?"
"Hell no!" Meliodas immediately stated, Making Jasmine jump "Sorry. It's just the thought of me and Merlin. Eww no!" Meliodas shuddered. Jasmine laughed at this action.
"So how do you know her?"
"She was on the run from her town for some reason. I never bothered to ask and I saved her" Meliodas sighed as he glanced at the door. If he knew Merlin, Which he did, She would be trying to experiment on Elizabeth.
"Knight in shining armour? It's no wonder the ladies around here love you" Jasmine sighed "You got your ain't got your eye on any of them?"
"Can't say that any of them have caught my eye" Meliodas scratched the back of his head."Must be someone"
"You've known me 8 years now. Ever known me to have a girl?" Meliodas raised an eyebrow.
"Good point" Jasmine nodded as the door to the doctor's office opened. Merlin stepped back into the room, carrying a small infirmary tray.
"Ah, Meliodas. Good to see you" Merlin nodded once. Meliodas returned the gesture.
"How is my baby?" Jasmine carefully rose off the wooden bench.
"The results have come back, and it looks like she's got a touch of the flu" Merlin placed the tray down.
"Flu?" Jasmine muttered.
"It's like a cold. Only it knocks you off our feet"
"But she's gonna be okay?" Meliodas pressed.
"Yes, Elizabeth will be just fine" replied Merlin "Few days rest and she'll be better in no time"
"Thank you, doctor" Jasmine smiled "Can I see my daughter?"
"Of course. Through that door" Merlin pointed behind her. Jasmine smiled, Looked at Meliodas and walked off. Meliodas had half a mind to follow her but Merlin stopped him "I see there has been no change in breaking the curse?"
"Oh really?" Meliodas responded with sarcasm. He walked over to the bay window and placed his head on it "I don't even know where to start"
"All I know on the curse is that you need someone of equal power to break the curses" Merlin floated behind Meliodas.
"Equal power? Where am I gonna find someone like that?" Meliodas mumbled.
"If I recall you were equal to the Demon King" Merlin stated.
"That was many lifetimes ago" Meliodas recalled "And I wasn't equal. If I was, I wouldn't have lost against the bastard. Elizabeth and I would not be cursed. And Elizabeth would..." Meliodas trailed off.
"And Elizabeth would still be alive" Merlin finished Meliodas's sentence. Meliodas didn't move "I will keep looking. We will find a way"
"I know" Meliodas sniffed. he then straightened up and lent his shoulder on the glass pane "Change of subject. How have you been? The last I saw of you was when some stuck up Queen was hunting me and Elizabeth"
"Village burned to the ground in the end. Since then, Been travelling the world. Been home a few times. Learning this and that" Merlin wiggled her head side to side.
"The usual then" Meliodas chuckled.
"You should go see Elizabeth. While examining her, All she did was talk about you" Merlin looked back at the room.
"I dread to think what she said," Meliodas rolled his eyes as he pushed away from the window.
"Only bad stuff" Merlin smiled. She patted his shoulder as she walked away "See you next time"
"Laters Merlin" Meliodas sighed as he walked towards the sleeping child.

It took a month but Elizabeth recovered from the flu. The whole time, She wanted just Meliodas. No one seemed to mind this. All they knew was that Elizabeth had grown fondly over Meliodas. No one seemed to question, Though many were afraid of Meliodas.
"If only they knew the truth" Meliodas mumbled as he watched Elizabeth chase a butterfly. He watched for glee as Elizabeth laughed and smiled. Jasmine brought a tray of drinks over. Jack was sitting under a tree, Drinking his day away. He was glaring at Elizabeth "Wish I was a fairy, Could do with reading his mind"
"Do fairies even exist anymore?" Jasmine spoke as she sat next to Meliodas. Jasmine knew that Meliodas was a Demon. He had told her everything. She didn't seem to mind. Though she didn't know about the curse.
"I have no idea. It's been so long since I was last in that area" Meliodas huffed "The Fairy Kingdom used to be only an hour ride from my home"
"You ever thought about going home?" Jasmine sighed as she watched her other daughter Zoe run down the garden path.
"Nothing there for me anymore" Meliodas ran his thumb over his left ring finger. Jasmine noticed this.
"What was your wife like?" Jasmine sighed. Meliodas gulped "I know that I have never asked but it is normally this time of year that you get all gloomy"
"She was kind and caring. Her eyes were as blue as the sapphire gem. She was beautiful. She also happened to be a Goddess"
"A Goddess and A Demon? How does that work?" Jasmine grinned.
"Race never mattered. Still doesn't. It's who you love and that should be it. Whether it's Girls, Boys, Fairies, Giants, Humans, Goddesses, Demons and everything else in-between"
"Wish everyone thought like you" Jasmine agreed "What was it like for you and The Goddess?"
"Secretive. We couldn't let anyone know about us. Our parents would have killed us" Meliodas looked up at the sky "Still, It was amazing. We were able to be ourselves. Our love was born from hate. That was until we got caught"
"By who?"
"My younger brother, Estarossa" Meliodas sighed "He told everyone. At first, no one believed him. Till he got another Demon involved that could detect lies. I had no choice but to tell them everything"
"What happened then?" Jasmine asked. Meliodas looked Jasmine dead in the face.
"I killed two members of my race. I fought to survive. All I remember from that day, Was being confronted by my little brother, Zeldris. I told him I was leaving the Demon realm to be with my Goddess"
"Take it that didn't go down very well"
"As well as can be expected. From what was said among the other races, My Father believed that I had betrayed the Demon Race when really, I think he was hurting that I had found a reason to be happy. He never saw the plus side of our alliance. To bring the two races together. Be stronger together than apart"
"Your father must have been blind. Did he not care about you or your brothers?"
"Not really" Meliodas scratched his ear "Only when we did as we were told"
"Which I take was not very often"
"Nope. Nothing changes really" Meliodas chuckled.
"What happened to you and your Goddess?"
"It was about 6 months after I did a runner, We were on a mountain when our parents turned up. Angry that we had tainted the bloodline" Meliodas raised his hand to his mouth and bit his index finger.
"Tainted the bloodline?" Jasmine spoke, All confused.
"Yeah, Me and the Goddess got married in secret 2 months prior and -"
"She was pregnant" Jasmine finished the sentence.
"Yeah, I heard its heartbeat after her mother shouted at her. I was so happy that tears flowed down my face. As did the Goddess" Meliodas held his ring finger once more "They were still yelling at us so I told them to shut up as I was trying to have a happy moment with my wife. That's when they snapped"
"They battered you?"
"Oh yes. We had to fight. They were gonna kill us. I told the Goddess to run but she was stubborn. She reminded me that we were a team. We fought together and we will die together" Meliodas closed his eyes. He had to tell Jasmine the truth now "We died that day. our hands entwined together. But I woke up"
"Well I gathered that as you are here but if you died, Then how are you here?"
"We were cursed. I was cursed with Immortality" Meliodas pointed at himself with his thumb "And she was cursed with Perpetual Reincarnation"
"So what do your curses mean or even do?" Jasmine sighed.
"The Goddess's curse means is a durable curse that causes the victim to reincarnate when they die and forget everything they did in their past lives. If the victim is given enough information regarding their true identity, their original race's traits and fragments of their memories will slowly come back. Once all their memories are restored, the victim will unavoidably die in three days in some way. If used on a Goddess, it causes them to reincarnate as a human but retaining their original power" Meliodas explained "my curse revives the victim without fail regardless of the means of death, including suicide or getting killed, no matter how many times they die. It additionally prevents the victim from dying of old age. In exchange for the infinite number of revivals, the victim's emotions are slowly drained to nourish the user"
"Nourish the user? English please" Jasmine tilted his head. She heard a sound and looked to her right. She groaned. Meliodas looked in the direction she was looking. Jack's walking this way.
"Every time I die. Through battle or me being stupid, My emotions allowed The Demon King to gain back some power" Meliodas pulled his knees up to his chest.
"He literarily drains your soul. wow, Father of the year much"
"Oh, I think Jack gives him a ran for his money" Meliodas joked as he stood up. Stretching his back.
"Thank you for telling me. Even if it has taken 8 years" Jasmine patted Meliodas's arm "I have to ask this though, Is my daughter your wife's reincarnation?"
"Yeah" Meliodas finally admitted. He expected Jasmine to fly off the handle. But when he looked at her. She was calm.
"Thought so. Her eye gives it away"
"Her eye?"
"Her left one is Golden orange with a white triskle. It is the symbol of the Gods" Jasmine pointed to her eye "How long till the curses activate?"
"Mine is already in play and the Goddess's, I don't know. It can at any point" Meliodas stated as Jasmine nodded "How are you so calm?!" Meliodas spoke in a whisper.
"It is something I needed to speak to you when he ain't listening" Jasmine placed a finger on her lips. Meliodas went to question it but Jack pushed past the Demon. Meliodas scoffed at the guy.
"Try using manners" Meliodas spoke. Jack looked over his shoulder.
"When you grow an extra foot in height. Midget" Jack snarled. Meliodas normally would have argued back but Jasmine shook her head.
"I'm going for a walk" Meliodas huffed. He left the decking and walked to the forest. H was angry and need to punch something. It may as well be a piece of rock than a human. Even if he hated the man.

A year or so later, Jasmine and Meliodas were sat in the kitchen. They had just received word from Elizabeth's teacher that she was skipping school.
"So she's been skipping school" Meliodas read a letter from Elizabeth's teacher "More importantly, How did we not notice?"
"I don't know. Either one of us drop her off and speak to her teacher" Jasmine huffed.
"Well, we need to ask her" Meliodas lent back in his chair.
"You're right" Jasmine nodded. She walked to the door "Elizabeth, can you come here for a minute sweetie?"
"Yes, mama..." Elizabeth smiled as she came running.
"I heard that you've been skipping school" Jasmine put her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry" Elizabeth stuttered.
"Why did you do it?" Meliodas sighed. He hated telling Elizabeth off. Especially when she stared at him with her blue eyes.
"I like learning stuff from doctor Merlin then going to school"
"Elizabeth, I understand how you feel. You find school classes boring, and you like learning magic. But, would Miss Merlin have skipped school when she was your age?"
"...No" Elizabeth spoke after thinking about her answer.
"Sweetheart, I know that you are capable of becoming a doctor or an Adventurer or even a shopkeeper. You are capable of doing anything you want to. But whatever you become, you need to learn the things school provides you to help your journey ahead. Is that clear?" Jasmine knelt by her daugter's side.
"Yes, Mama!" Elizabeth cheered.
"Yes, I'm glad you understood" Jasmine cupped her daughter's face "okay. Go play with your sister"
"Yes, Mama" Elizabeth cheered as she ran to the door. She then turned on her heel "Meliodas, Can we go pick flowers?" Elizabeth tilted her head. Meliodas smiled.
"Sure thing. I'll be right behind you" Elizabeth's face lit up as she ran out the door "The way she acts, I almost forgot that she is 9"
"Soon to be 10. Do you still remember our deal?" Jasmine asked as she looked around the door. Keeping an eye out for Jack.
"Yeah, I do," Meliodas said sternly. Last year, Jasmine confided in him that Jack had called out Elizabeth's name in a moment of passion. After several arguments, Jack admitted that he wanted Elizabeth and Zoe but was gonna wait till one of the girls hit double digits. The second Meliodas heard this, His blood boiled. This man made his father look like a saint (that is saying something). So he and Jasmine formed a plan that he would take Zoe and Elizabeth and run to another town. Jasmine would join them after a few days.
"And you're fine with it making you look like a monster?" Jasmine asked. Meliodas looked at her.
"I'm a Demon. Everyone already hates us so might as well use it to my advantage" Meliodas grinned as he shrugged.
"You may be hunted down and killed" Jasmine reminded him. This time, Meliodas pokerfaced her.
"Jas, It will be fine" He put his hand over hers "Right I better go and pick flowers"

Elizabeth squealed as she leads Meliodas to the mountainside. She was so excited to gather them.
"What was mama and you talking about when I left the room?" Elizabeth quizzed as she skipped alongside Meliodas.
"You skipping school. The Oaf Jack" Meliodas shrugged.
"He creeps me out" Elizabeth shuddered. Meliodas slowed down their pace.
"He does?"
"Yeah, He keeps looking at me and Zoe. He has this creepy grin on his face" Elizabeth stops. Meliodas kneels to see her face. He sees that she looks scared. She looks down at the floor.
"Hey, Elizabeth, Look at me" Meliodas lifted her chin up "I will never let that man hurt you, your sister or your mama"
"Promise?"
"I promise" Meliodas nodded as he held his pinky out "Pinky swear" Elizabeth smiled as she hooked her pinky around his "Now, Come on. Let's go pick flowers.

After an hour of picking flowers, Meliodas was tired. However, Elizabeth was not. She was still running around so Meliodas found a small rock in the Sun, Sat down and pulled out a book that Merlin had given him. For the first time, he was at peace with the world. But that was all about to change.
"Hey, Meliodas!" Elizabeth cheered as she ran over to him. He looked up and smiled as she got closer.
"Huh?" Meliodas sat up. Elizabeth handed him a bunch of flowers and ran off to get more but then stopped in her tracks. Meliodas looked confused as he stood up "What's the matter, Elizabeth?"
"So the curse still hasn't been lifted" Elizabeth turned slowly to face the Demon. Meliodas dropped the flowers "Looks like we can't escape it"

Meliodas was now sitting in Jasmine's front room. His head hung low as he looked at the wooden floor.
"Meliodas, What happened?" Jasmine sat next to her best friend. Placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't stop this" Meliodas cried.
"Stop what?"
"Her curse activated" Meliodas mumbled as he pulled at his head and started rocking.
"What?"
"We were sat in the field, Elizabeth handed me flowers. Ran off to get more. Stopped, Turned around and both eyes were orange" Jasmine fell back against the sofa.
"And there is no chance of breaking it?"
"I've been reading every book that Merlin gave me. Unless I go to purgatory and pleaded with my dad to break the curse. There is nothing"
"Well. That ain't happening" Jasmine huffed "You can't give him the satisfaction of seeing you break"
"Mama is right, Meliodas" A voice spoke from the door. Both of the adults head shot up to see Elizabeth standing there"
"Elizabeth" Jasmine smiled as he held her hand for Elizabeth. Once Elizabeth's hand was in hers, Jasmine pulled her into a tight hug "I'm so sorry"
"This isn't your fault mama" Elizabeth insisted as she pulled away.
"No, It's mine" Meliodas spoke. Both Elizabeth and Jasmine tried to deny this fact "It is. If I hadn't agreed to meet you again in the ruins or the forest then we would never have fallen in love and you wouldn't be cursed"
"Meliodas, will you stop for one minute" Elizabeth placed a hand over his mouth "I choose to meet you that day. I do not regret what happened and never will"
"Were you two always like this?" Jasmine looked between the pair.
"Yeah, Pretty much" "Of course"
"Oh okay. Wanted to make sure" Jasmine laughed. she pulled both Meliodas and Elizabeth into a hug "Right now, I don't wanna think about how much time I have left with you"
"Then let us enjoy these next few days"

No one knew how it started. All they knew was the heat of the flames and dense smoke.
"Where are Elizabeth and Zoe?!" Meliodas shouted as the flames grew higher. No one knew. He spotted Jasmien by a nearby wall. He ran over to Jasmine. Grabbing her by the shoulders.
"I don't know. Meliodas I can't find either of the girls" Jasmine panicked "What if Jack has them?" Meliodas spun around looking for the oaf. He spotted him up against a wall, Cradling something. Meliodas stormed over to him, Pushing past the villagers.
"Elizabeth! Zoe!" He shouted. He ran over to Jack "Are they okay?!"
"Who?" Jack slurred. As Meliodas got closer she saw the bundle wasn't child shape.
"Elizabeth and Zoe. Where are they?"
"I got my baby out" Jack slurred as he slumped against the ground. Singing cheerfully to himself. Meliodas took a closer look at the bundle to find that it was a large bottle of ale.
"Fuck you! Bastard!" Meliodas grunted as he ran back over to Jasmine.

"Is the girls okay?" She said franticly. Meliodas shook his head. He was about to speak when part of the house collapsed. Forcing him to cover his face "Where are my daughters?!" Meliodas was about to answer but his mouth flapped open like a fish.
"Mummy!" A voice cried. Meliodas and Jasmine spun to see Zoe running down the path "Mummy!"
"Zoe!" Jasmine cried as she scooped her daughter into her arms "Where have you been?"
"I was with the cows. I thought they would be scared of the fire" Zoe cried. She then looked around "Where Elizabeth?"
"Sweetie, We can't find her" Jasmine sobbed.
"Meliodas, Can you find her" Zoe begged "You always find her"
"I don't know but I can try" Meliodas finally admitted. Jasmine started screaming her name. Meliodas closed his eyes. There was one advantage to this curse, he could sense where she is. He zoned out, Blanking anyone that spoke to him. To the outside world, he would have looked in shock but in his head. He was scanning. All he could this was scan. His nose burned as the smoke got thicker "Come on Elizabeth" He spoke in his head.

He had almost given up hope when he heard her. His eye shot open as he looked back at the house. Despite the thick black smoke, He found her. Fighting to get out of the house.
"Jasmine, Get Zoe out of here. Think Elizabeth is in the house" Meliodas shouted as he ran to the house. He made it to the front door, only to get knocked back by a fallen beam. He was slightly dazed. He could just make out the voices of the villagers "I have to go back"
"No son, It's too dangerous," One person said.
"She's still in there"
"No one can get past the flames. They are out of control!"
"ELIZABETH!" Meliodas screamed as he fought against the hands that held him.
"Meliodas! No! it's too late!" The head of the village said as he held Meliodas back. Meliodas could do nothing but watch Elizabeth burn. She tried to escape the fire but as she got to an opening the floor above her collapsed.