"It was all... fake."
Ban said, as his eyes grew teary and another mark appeared on his arm.
As memories flashed by and showed Meliodas bright, cheerful, and happy, there were still those marks on his arms and bad thoughts in his head that he tried to repress. Each one proving more and more that all of those moments weren't real. He wasn't really this invincible, cheerful, optimist they had all known. He was just acting that way because of the pressure he felt to do so. By his mark, by everyone who looked up at him, and ashamedly, even they themselves as his friends.
Without even knowing it, they had heavily relied on him when things seemed hopeless or bad, they made him feel like he had to be strong when they couldn't. Although maybe that was just truly part of his pure nature making him feel that way.
"I don't.. I don't know what to say."
Elaine added as she watched every moment with heartbreak in her eyes.
It was obvious when looking at these memories. Every time they overwhelmed him by asking him what to do in tough situations, the fear and alarm that would appear in his eyes as he struggled to think of something. All of the times one of them was upset or angry and went to him for advice without any thought of if he was feeling okay himself..
They all felt horrible, but Elizabeth felt some of the worst of it as her mindset was changed in that moment.
It wasn't being turned that killed Meliodas... he had started hurting long ago, but just... hid it. For our sake. Him being corrupt was just the last straw. I should've noticed more. I could've helped! I was his best friend- he was MY best friend! I should've noticed! I should have done something instead of selfishly rely on him any time I was hurting. I was never there when the roles were reversed..
Tears slid down her face as example after example played of every missed opportunity of when they all could have helped him, could have noticed him. The REAL him.
Until finally? The memory she herself replayed regularly came into view. Meliodas sacrificing everything to save Elizabeth and King, and leaving himself behind in the process.
There's so many of them! We're completely surrounded and they.... they just got Elaine. King is breaking down, Elizabeth is trying to keep him from getting turned, how am I supposed to get them both out by myself?
Even the voice speaking only in his head was panicked as he used his sword's light to keep back demons from him and the others.
I don't know what to do! I have to think of something. I can't let them get changed too! I won't let that happen! But what can I do on my own- wait... It will work but.... no. I have to do it, for her, for King, for everyone. It's the only thing I CAN do.
Reciting the same words she remembered by heart, Elizabeth watched in anguish as the thoughts running through his head only added to the horrible moment.
Elizabeth.. please do this for me. I'm so sorry I'm tricking you, but it's my job to protect you. I HAVE to protect you. Call me selfish or horrible... but I can't lose you, even if I put you through agony by doing this.
The conversation continued as his smile seemed even sadder than she remembered, and his eyes looked heartbroken.
This is the only way I can keep you both safe. I'm so sorry Ellie...
She flew up like before as he asked while he made the enchantment that saved the two. However as they went put of view, darkness began climbing up his arm while he smiled and allowed it.
They got away. They're both safe now. That's all I needed to see.. I can stop fighting now.
He didn't even move as the darkness began surrounding him slowly, aiding in his submission to the darkness around him. However even as it continued to rise up higher and higher to eventually reach his shoulders, he found his spark once again at the sight of Elaine not killed, but unconscious.
T.. They haven't ripped her apart yet! She's still alive! I... I have to get to her!
Trying as hard as he could to move through the dark purple and black sludge swirling around him, he was going at a snails pace as the large quantity and injuries on him kept him slow. However Elaine was getting closer and closer to death the longer he took to reach her while the darkness chanted its promise of death and corruption the whole time.
Starting to falter as everyone watched with bated breath, Meliodas did the only thing he could think of as he held out his arm shakily.
"I-I SUMMOM THEE!"
The item he requested flew through the sky to reach his hand, obeying its master as the Sword Of Purity. Knowing that it would take a minute to reach his hand as it zoomed by, Meliodas timed his summon perfectly as the blade took the strike from the powerful clump of darkness and shielded Elaine from it in the process. However the action seemed to take the last of his strength as the blade absorbed the darkness, and Meliodas cried out in pain before crumbling himself while darkness dragged him down further.
The memory took very little time in stopping as both Elizabeth and Ban who had been immersed looked over at the fairy still looking at the dark visual.
She had tears running down her face as all sorts of emotions covered it.
"H-He.... He... saved me."
I hope you all like the chapter as this is it for Arc three!
