Just A Memory

Alone

"That's when it all went to hell" Meliodas lent on his left hand. Elizabeth gripped the other.
"English version is that you died" Lancelot rested his head on his hands.
"Lancelot! There is no need to be so blunt about it!" Elaine snapped.
"Elaine, The boy is just speaking the truth. It's fine" Elizabeth smiled.
"The Princess is right. Can't bollock him for everything" Ban agreed. He lent back in his chair. Elaine rolled her eyes and used her wind power to pull the chair out from under Ban "Ah shit!" Ban yelled as he hit the ground. He scrambled up onto his feet "Let's not do that again"
"Hey Dad, Was there ever a time when the curse had reactivated without you being there?" Tristan asked as he twirled a fork between his fingers.
"I don't think so" Meliodas frowned as he looked at Elizabeth "Darling, Was there a time I wasn't there?" Meliodas asked softly. Elizbeth didn't hold anyone's gaze as she got up and went to the window.
"Mum?" "Ellie" "Princess?" "Elizabeth?" Everyone tilted their heads.
"I'm fine" She whispered. Ban clicked his fingers at Meliodas and Tristan. He pointed to Elizabeth. Shoving his chin at her. Both boys ran over to her. Tristan pulled a chair to his mother's side, Climbed up it and hugged Elizabeth around the neck. Meliodas didn't have to say anything. He just hugged her waist. He figured he would talk to her later.
"I didn't mean to make you sad mum" Tristan mumbled.
"Oh baby, It wasn't you" Elizabeth hugged her son tightly with one hand and ran her spare hand through Meliodas's hair "It was just a memory"
"You said yesterday that you were sometimes reincarnated somewhere else but you always found your way to Meliodas" Elaine clicked her fingers "You didn't get upset then so why now?"
"I kept up a good front" Elizabeth wiped her face.
"So what's the story?" Ban quizzed as sat back on the chair.

{Flash-Back}
- Elizabeth's Pov -

Mother is sending me away. She says my future is in Britannia and not with her in the new world. Tomorrow as the sun rises over the eastern mountain, I am to board a ship that will take me across the sea. I don't want to go. This is my home. But deep down I know that she is right. I feel a pull towards that way. Still, I was angry that my mother was sending me away. was there something she was hiding?

It was an uncharacteristically hushed evening in the harbour when I decided that night I would spend my last few hours with my closest friends. I still hadn't told them that I was leaving in the morning.
"So why the eagerness of meeting? Not like you to hang out with folk like us at night" My oldest friend Tom had spoken. He was part of the thieves guild and not someone to be messed with.
"Yeah, Spill the beans" My other best friend Mavis spoke up.
"I got bored sitting at home with my mother" I shrugged as I sipped my water. I never cared for the taste of ale.
"Well, that I can understand. But I feel like there is something you are hiding from us" Wilson replied. He and my mother have never got on.
"Yeah, You seem off. Come on Liz, What's going on?" Jones quizzed as he pushed his chair back.
"Nothing" I lied.
"Girl, we know you are lying" Jones's girlfriend, Marie scoffed. I drummed my fingers on the wooden tables. I glanced around the room. Corsairs, smugglers, and other patrons of slightly less identities huddled around their tables.
"Alright" I wipe my nose. I place my elbows on the table "I am leaving town"
"What?" "When?" "Why?" The guys raised their voices at me. The girls stayed quiet.
"She said that my place isn't here. That I should travel to Britannia"
"Where's that again?" Wilson scratched his head.
"Other side of the sea" Jones rolled his eyes. He looked at everyone and they nodded "When are you leaving?"
"First light. Why?" I sighed as I looked at the wooden table. Tom was the first to stand up. He looked among the faces of the tavern and smiled once he saw who he was looking for "What are you guys planning?"
"We will tell you when he works the finer details" Mavis pointed to Tom who had made his way to the drunken man.
"You guys are coming with me, Ain't you?" I rolled my eyes. Mavis grinned.
"Damn straight. You're my ride or die. Now shut it. I wanna hear what happens"

The group watched as Tom pushed a mug of ale across the table. Quivering hands received it appreciatively, and the drunk took a long sip, closing his eyes as he savoured the ale.
"Tell me, what can I do for you to deserve such kindness?" Lowering the mug, the drunk asked. Tom stared intently, his own drink untouched.
"My friends and I find ourselves stranded here. Have been for a while. Now, word out there is that you are travelling to Britannia tomorrow at first light"
"What of it?" The drunk took one more sip from his mug.
"I think we could be of help to each other"
"You'll have to keep the wine coming through"
"We want passage" Tom replied.
"Why? The sea is a dangerous lad. Especially this time of year where the sea is full of hurricanes"
"Come now Captain Bradford. We all know that a little danger is something that doesn't worry you" Tom leant back in his chair and put one foot on the table "What's the price?"
"Depends on the size of you and your friends"
"5. 3 lads and two girls"
"They say women are a curse to the sea lovers" The captain downed his ale "Bad enough I already have to charter one woman to Britania but another two. Cost is great"
"100 gold coins" Tom offered. The Captain went to decline but Tom smiled "Each" The Captain licked his lip as Tom threw a pouch on the table "250 now and another 250 went we reach Britania" The Captain considered the offer "You won't find anyone else with the offer"
"Deal" The captain took the coins "Be at my ship for first light" The captain put his coins into his pockets, Got up and walked out of the bar. Tom grinned and walked back to the group.

"How do you manage to talk your way into anything and everything" Mavis quizzed as she tilted her head.
"Well, I wouldn't make a very good thief if I couldn't talk my way out of sticky situations" Tom downed his ale "Speaking of which I better go and sort out my affairs before we leave in the morning"
"You guys really wanna come with me?" I started to well up.
"Honestly, What type of friends would we be if we let you do this by yourself" Wilson patted my back. Jones gave me a tissue.
"I wanna say normal ones" I spoke through a tissue. I quickly blew my nose.
"We are hardly a normal bunch, You can heal people. I can melt things. Mavis is a mind reader. Wilson is a decent cook. And Jones, Is well Jones" Tom joked.
"Well me being me makes me the most normal out of all of us" Jones beamed "But Tom is right, We need to set our affairs in order. See you guys at the docks just before first light"
"Thank you my friends" I whispered as we all stood up.
"I think my mum is gonna kill me" Wilson joked as we all walked out the tavern.

I walked back to my house and noticed that my mother was in the kitchen. I took a moment to remember what she looked like. I wasn't sure when I would see her again. If that was ever going to be possible. She looked so happy. Would she even miss me? Or even notice that I was gone?

I paced around the little garden that my mother used to work on. I remember when spring would roll in, I would sit next to her as she tended to the roses.
"Wish things would go back to those times. Things seemed so easy back then" I sighed. I heard a distant rumble and knew that a storm was on the way so I chose to go back in "Hello mother"
"Hello, Elizabeth. did you have a nice time with your friends?" Mother smiled at me.
"Yeah. I did" I nodded as I sat at the kitchen table.
"Did you tell them that you were leaving tomorrow?" Mother turned her back to me and started to dry the mugs.
"Yes. They weren't happy about it"
"They will get over it" Mother shrugged. I drummed my fingers on the table.
"Mother, Can I ask you something?" I braced myself for the answer.
"Sure"
"Why are you sending me away?"
"I told you. Your future lies in Britannia. Not here, In the new world," Mother continued to wash the mugs "Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering. I should go to my room, I need to go prepare for the journey" I smiled as I got up and walked off.

It didn't take long to pack. I had hardly any possessions. Pretty much fit into a little canvas bag. I laid down on my bed and stared at the wooden beams. I wasn't going to be able to sleep. Maybe I could sleep on the ship. But if Tom and Wilson were going, I wouldn't be able to sleep. For two reasons. One, They snore and two, there will be drinking. I pushed myself up into a sitting position and looked out the window. There was only an hour till the first light. I may as well get dressed and head to the docks. Mother wasn't going to see me off so there was little point in saying bye.

After changing, I tiptoed through the house. I left a note on the table saying goodbye to mother and that one day our paths will cross again. I took one last glance around the room. I ran my fingers along the sofa's blanket. Part of me was sad that I was leaving but deep down, I knew it was the right call.*Whistle*My head snapped to the outside. I looked out the window and saw Tom and Mavis waiting for me. I smiled as I looked back at the front room.
"Bye house" I opened the front door and gently closed it behind me "Are you guys certain about this?" I said as I flung my bag over my shoulder.
"Yes, We are. I wouldn't have paid 250 coins to go for shits and giggles" Tom huffed. He never did like his motives being questioned.
"How did you get the money?" Mavis tilted her head as we walked down the road.
"I have my ways" Tom grinned.
"Who did you steal it from?"
"Steal? I'll have you know that I am a man of honour" Tom acted all offended. Me and Mavis had to stop walking for a moment. For we had descended to fits of giggles "Okay, okay. Stole it from the governor"
"Oh that's why you need to get out of town" I pouted as I wiped my eyes.
"Yeah, of course. Nothing to do with the fact that I ain't letting one my dearest friend in the unknown without me" Tom rolled his eyes "Come on. We better grab the others"

Apart from Jones, Everyone was all set to go. No one knew where he was. Another round of thunder could be heard. Only this time it was closer than before.
"I swear he does this" Marie huffed as she sat on a wall. Wilson sat next to her.
"Being late is his thing" Tom lent against a crate They could hear whistling from behind them. The group craned their necks behind them and saw the drunk Captain making his way to the ship "How is he even a Captain?"
"Isn't it a pirate thing to be drunk and sail a ship?" Wilson picked a rock up and threw it into the sea. We all agreed as the Captain walked to the group.
"Miss Elizabeth. I hope you enjoy the sail with us" The Captain bowed. He then looked at Tom "You better have my money ready"
"When we get to Britania, You will have it" Tom looked at the man in the eyes "And no trying to steal it from me in the middle of the night"
"Wouldn't dream of it" The Captain held his hands up and stumbled off. He started singing a sea shanty.
"We need to find Jones and stay together. I don't trust that Captain" Tom kept his eye on the drunk.
"Why do you need to find me?" Jones spoke as he stuck his head over the crates. Causing everyone to scream and stumble around. Everyone started yelling at him "Whoa chill guys. I got here an hour ago and was tired and decided to take a nap"
"In the crate?" I pointed to the crate that was behind us. Jones nodded.
"Slept in worst place" Jones shrugged as flung his bag over his shoulder "Right, Are we doing this or what?"
"Why are you rushing darling?" Marie hugged her man.
"I pissed my old man off last night. He thinks I am still in my room after he banned me from doing this" Jones explained.
"Dude, Is it wise to piss him off?" Wilson tilted his head as he walked up the plank.
"What do I care? I ain't gonna be here" Jones shrugged. The Captain shouted that we were going to be casting off "Why is he so loud?"
"Must be a Captain thing" Tom spoke as we put our bags on the deck. As the sailors pulled up the plank to shore, I took one last look at the place I called home.
"You okay?" Mavis asked as she and Marie stood next to me.
"Yeah, Just saying Goodbye" I smiled. I closed my eyes as the boat started moving.
"ERIC JONES!" My eyes snapped open. I looked towards the sound "Oh dear"
"Is that?" Mavis quizzed.
"Yep" I nodded "Urm Jones!"
"Yeah?" Jones walked over to us. Tom and Wilson are behind him.
"What would you do if your old man was heading this way" I pointed to the docks. The colour drained from his face.
"Hide below deck" Jones went to run away but Tom grabbed him by the collar "Dude, The hell?"
"In case you haven't noticed. We are 15feet from shore. Even your old man cannot jump that far" Tom stated. Jones looked over the starboard side.
"I didn't even know we had moved" Jones rubbed the back of his neck and me and girls faced planted. Jones then started waving "BYE DAD!"
"I SWEAR TO GOD ERIC! YOU GET OFF THAT BOAT THIS INSTANT!" Mr Jones stamped his foot down.
"I CAN'T HEAR YOU!" Jones cupped his ear.
"GET OFF THE DAMN BOAT!" Mr Jones bellowed.
"WHAT?!" Jones taunted.
"GET OFF THE DAMN BOAT!"
"I CAN'T!" Jones shook his head.
"WHY?"
"I CAN'T SWIM!" Jones proclaimed. Tom and Wilson burst into laughter.
"GET OFF THE DAMN BOAT!" Mr Jones bellowed once more.
"FUCK NO!" Jones waved once again before turning his back on his dad. He slunk down amongst the crates. We all sat with him. Marie hugged up him.
"Your name is Eric?" Tom quizzed as Jones glared at him. We all laughed. Tom then dived into his back and pulled 6 bottles of ale out "To our new journey" We all clinked and then we drink.

We have been at sea for 3 hours now and I have never felt so rough in my life. I was never the greatest of travelling companions. Wilson was worse than me, he was forever clinging to the ships port side.
"I'm starting to wish that I never came along on this trip" Wilson groaned as he wiped his mouth "I'm lying, I don't mean that"
"I know" I nodded as I looked around. I had to make sure that no one was around for what I was about to do. I placed my hand on Wilson's back and channelled my healing power. Though this time, It felt stronger than before.
"Damn, Thanks girl" Wilson groaned as relief washed through him "I needed that"
"I think at least once a day for however long we are on here"
"Yes, doctor" Wilson saluted with one finger. We both looked at the ocean. We could see some dark clouds forming ahead of us "I don't like the look of those clouds"
"Me neither"
"So, What do you think waits for you in Britania?" Wilson asked. I really thought about my answer.
"Something good. Something passionate. Something... Dark" I replied as I felt a pain in my head. As soon as my eyes closed, I saw a blond figure, Waiting on a hillside that overlooked the sea.
"I miss you Elizabeth" The voice whispered as he threw a rose into the sea. Wilson notice me wince.
"You okay?" He ran a hand up and down my arm.
"I think so" I assured "My normal eye hurts" Wilson looked at me with confusion. He told me to look at him. So I did. His mouth dropped.
"Stay here. I'm going to get the guys. Be right back"
"Okay," I said all woozy. Wilson patted my head. And that was the last thing I remember before I blacked out.

"I'm telling you. We were talking about Britania and she did her healing thingy. Said her eye hurt. I looked at it, Thinking she had something in it and both her eyes were orange" Wilson insisted.
"Then what?" Tom asked as I felt two hands on either side of my head "I don't think she has hit her head"
"I came and found you guys" Wilson sighed.
"Why has her other eye turned orange?" Marie quizzed.
"I'm starting to think she ain't human" Tom sighed as he removed his hands.
"There are other races?" Jones said.
"Did you even go to school?" Mavis asked. I presume Jones shook his head "Erugh. In there beginning, There was Chaos. They created The Goddesses, The Demons, The Fairy tree, The Giants and The Humans"
"Wasn't there a war between these realms?" Wilson clicked his fingers.
"The Holy war. It was pretty much everyone against The Demon clan" Mavis replied "But the Demons and Goddesses haven't been seen in over 200 years. So who won?"
"Those that remain. unless we can find a living breathing Demon or Goddess, Then we will never know any different than what our teachers tell us" Tom sighed as I felt a thud next to me. I think he sat down. Someone started poking my face "Wake up" I groaned as I opened my eyes.
"About time. Gave us a scare"
"You okay?" Mavis helped me into a sitting position. I nodded weakly.
"Girl, What happened?" Marie spoke.
"I felt dizzy and blacked out" I shrugged "How long was I out?"
"Not long" Wilson scrunched his nose up "Your eyes are blue"
"Ain't they always?"
"Elz, Wilson said that your eyes were orange. Both eyes" Jones sat on his knees.
"No idea. I need to go lie down" I spoke "My head still feels funny"
"Elizabeth, What race are you?" Wilson wanted to know. I hate this, I had to lie to my friends.
"Human" I spoke too quickly. Tom frowned at me. I took two steps forward and stumbled. Tom caught me and supported me.
"You guys chill out up here, Though get inside before the rain comes. I'll get Elizabeth back to the cabin" Tom ordered as he walked with me.
"Thank you, Tom"
"Keep moving" Tom spat in my ear "Goddess"

Once out of sight, Tom grabbed my upper arm. I was still in shock that he knew my race.
"We are gonna have a little chat" Tom was in his thief mode. He hated being lied to. He was the only one who I would have to tell. But I had to make sure he didn't tell the others "Why are you lying to them?" Tom snapped as he dragged me down to the stairs "If there is someone that has taken over Elizabeth, I order you to leave her body at once"
"What are you talking about. I'm still Elizabeth" I insisted as I stumbled through a door.
"No, You're different. My Elizabeth doesn't lie to people"
"I am still Elizabeth, Just a little different" I wiggled my head.
"How so"
"I'm the cursed Goddess Elizabeth"
"The one that the Gods hate?" Tom frowned at me. I nodded "You better start talking. Start from the beginning" Tom demanded as I took a deep breath.
"Alright but I need you to promise that the others will never find out" I held my hands out in front of me.
"Depends on what you tell me" Tom folded his arms "Now, Talk"

After explaining my story and some of my past lives, Tom started pacing up and down. I was unsure of what my friend will do, I stood in the corner. I was feeling a little sick as the boat rocked this way and that way.
"I need to tell the others"
"Tom, The others can not know" I pleaded.
"They are our closest friends! They have a right to know if you are to die any day now!" Tom yelled at me.
"I can't. I'm still getting used to this whole thing myself. I can't even begin to imagine how Meliodas is coping with it all"
"Why should you worry about him? He ain't here" Tom paced up and down. I felt a drip on my forehead. But I never thought anything of it.
"That is hardly his fault. He is in Britannia. Waiting for me"
"'Your future lies in Britania' that is what your mother said. How did she know?"
"She has a power called future sight. She can see possible futures. but that one was always clear"
"Because of this curse?"
"Yes. I will forever be drawn to Melidoas, Where ever he is and he the same" I sat down a barrel. I was sick of being dripped on "And I am destined to fall in love with him, Every single life"
"That sucks" Tom sat next to me "Are you sure you are going to die?"
"Yes, why?"
"Well, You said that you are to die before his eyes. Every single time right?"
"Yes"
"Then you have a chance to live. He ain't here" Tom's grinned as his head kept ducking "What is with the water. They swabbing the decks or something?"
"No idea" I looked up. I could hear shouting and yelling "It sounds like there is a battle going out there" Tom was about to reply when we heard running. We looked to the stairs. Jones ran down them. He was dripping wet.
"Urm, we have a problem" He panted.
"And would that be?" I pinched my nose.
"The wanker of Captain sailed us into a Hurricane"

Lightning strikes and thunderous booms. He hears the shouts and screams of his fellow sailors as the bow begins to tip. With every tug, I see death flash before my eyes again. I spluttered as another wave crashes down upon me, soaking me further in icy water. I cling to debris from their wrecked ship while the terrible storm blows them apart. My teeth chatter. I could hear the howl of the wind, the breaking of wood and the snapping of the masts. The waves crash into me. Wilson, Mavis and Jones have been taken by the waves while Marie was crushed under a snapped mast. Only me and Tom were alive.
"Well, This is not how I picture dying" Tom cowered as wood flew past.
"Me neither but I have had worse" I ducked as wood flew at me.
"Still there is no one I would rather die next to than you Elizabeth" Tom gripped my hand and kissed the knuckles.
"And I you, Tom" We gripped each other's hand as another wave crashed down upon us.

I don't know how it happened but I let go of Tom's hand. I latched onto a piece of debris as waved swarmed us. Pulling us deeper into the unknown. I could feel my body is slowly freezing, numbness soaking through me like the cloak of death. My hair is plastered to my head and my clothes were heavy.

I could just make out the Captain. I see that he is going down with this ship, and nothing is going to save him from it. He fights with himself not to lay his cheek against the salt-water roughened boards beneath him, but it's no use. His grip is slipping. He closes his eyes.

Fear ripples through me for a moment. I see the sky disappear as the waves take me under. My vision is now a green-blue underwater blur. It feels as if someone is dragging to the seafloor by the hand. I can't breathe. Not that there is any point. My mind is instantly drawn to Meliodas and I pray that he was here. At least I would not be alone. My body was heavy as I feel the air escape my lungs. For the first time in days, the ocean is whisper-quiet. I feel no pain. I feel nothing. It's like a dream.

If I could scream, the water would muffle it, I just know it. My throat should feel raw from the saltwater, from choking on the waves, but it doesn't. As my vision fades to blackness, I think only of Meliodas and how we will be together soon.