She was frozen in place as she saw the girl, although looking the exact same, the only difference was that the normally snow white dress she wore was now black as coal. Although even with the menacing looking attire she still looked so soft and sweet.
"I'm sorry how bad the timing is of our reunion, but we need to get moving. Ban's outburst will have likely attracted attention and there's no time to talk if we're to get away!"
Brown, thick, dried but sharp looking thorns formed into a carriage type shape with a soft pillow on the inside to add cushioning.
"The vines here are deadened and weaker, so this will only hold for maybe ten minutes or so, however it'll allow us to get a quick getaway. Hurry! Get in!"
The two complied as the carriage immediately sped off as they did so. And although it was the bumped ride in her life, Elizabeth couldn't deny it's speed.
Well, its speed until they hit a rock and the magic holding everything together seemed to disintegrate.
Letting out a yell of alarm the three went toppling over to the ground before slowly each regained their bearings.
"Y-You two alright?"
"No Elaine, I'm horrible."
"What about you Ellie?"
"J-Just a little stunned, that's all. And.. confused. I-I don't understand? How are you here? I thought Demons killed fairies?"
Her golden eyes grew sad as she answered.
"Turns out they pick and choose who they kill and who they turn."
"W-What?"
"You know how my magic used to be protective oriented? Well... just as it changes your cores, it changed mine."
A demon mark appeared on her hand showing the word sacrifice, causing Elizabeth's stomachs to flip into knots.
"Oh Elaine.. I'm so sorry."
"It's alright. It's nobody's fault and what's in the past can't be changed. So we just have to move forward! Starting with getting to the falls. How much did you fill Elizabeth in on, Ban?"
"Not that we're rebels or going to the falls."
"Ah I see. Well, to elaborate further for you Ellie, we're going to the falls for a reason. Yes it is our campsite for demons who don't want to follow the orders given to them, however it's also home to a wizard named Gowther. He's neither demon nor goddess so don't worry. However we're going to see him because he has the ability to access memories. And... we were hoping those of Meliodas could be found to discover what exactly his full mission is by bringing you here. We already know about the scroll, but there's more to it that we think will help when inevitably... we go to aid the war."
"But.. why haven't you looked into them until now?"
"Because we didn't have you."
"Pardon?"
"Gowther can access memories of anyone in the realms, however only those that orient around someone he's with. We don't have knowledge of what Meliodas's mission is for or why he's doing it, just parts of what it is. Therefore, having all three of us should fill in all of the gaps since the mission involved you and his... usement, of you."
Her heart felt like it was squeezed tightly at that, she didn't know if she could do this. Watch herself get used again. Watch the real twisted thoughts he had behind the facade of goodwill he gave her.
"I-I... can't... I can't watch that. I-I'm sorry."
"Ellie, I know this'll be tough. But you're the only one who can do this. Don't you want to end this war?"
"I already tried to end this war and that's ehat got me here in the first place. I-I can't do this."
"Elizabeth. You're gonna give up because one thing didn't go right? I mean, sure you're still a goddess but that's the opposite of the girl I knew if I've ever seen one."
Ban winced as he once again told the truth, showing Elizabeth his arm to prove it.
"I know how difficult this is.... but everyone will be sealed if we don't do something! My brother, will be killed..."
Elaine's voice broke, revealing her real feelings behind the graceful front she put up.
Please Ellie.. I need your help. Everyone needs your help.."
Torn apart by the words as Elizabeth thought in agony, Meliodas's final message to her played on repeat as she made up her mind to honor it.
Have hope.
"Alright... I-I'll do it. But... I can't guarantee I'll be able to stand much, alright?"
"We understand Elizabeth."
Walking over to the goddess and hugging her tightly, Elaine whispered a thank you before they kept moving.
"Okay, the carriage sped up our trip slightly, but it'll still take over a day to get there. Unless...."
"Unless what Elaine?"
"I could make a basket for Ban and I stable enough to last if you'd be willing to carry us? If I do it right, it shouldn't strain you at all. Would that be alright?"
"She totally didn't break her wings."
Ban said, causing Elizabeth to feel slightly foolish as even she had forgotten that fact from the events that happened after. Although, the throbbing pain should've been a giveaway.
"Oh I see! Here, I have some medicine that'll help with that. It's infused with goddess magic so it should heal you right away."
Taking it gratefully, Elizabeth winced as she felt her wounds shift before closing entirely.
Giving herself a moment as she took a deep breath, she answered Elaine's previous question after thanking the fairy for her help.
I'm happy to carry you. Let's do whatever works."
_________________________________________
Elaine had luckily managed to successfully take off a lot of the strain, however still flying for a day straight really was challenging on the wings. So although the flight was smooth, the landing was about as rocky as the carriage.
"Everyone alive?"
"No, I'm dead."
"I-I'm fine."
Elizabeth sighed in relief at that as they once again stood shakily, some helping others.
"Thank you, Elizabeth. We made great time! I wish we could catch up more without having to deal with all of this however we unfortunately need to be fast."
"I understand.. I just.... I'm honestly just glad you're alive."
The blond smiled before nodding.
"Me too."
"Alright you two, we definitely can stay here all day now that we haven't arrived at Demon Falls."
"Ban is right! Elizabeth, welcome! We have at least a few minutes to show you around. What about it, would you like a tour?"
