Oneshots!

#105 He's A What!? [P4] (Finale)

"Human... hurt me. Grrrrr head... hurts again. Made... it hurt..."

Well, he sounds pissed. I think I've bought Merlin all of the time I can. The Cap'n has completely lost control. Shit, shit, SHIT!

The last curse was followed by him getting pinned by the demon who must've broken free from his chains. It occurred to him now how much stronger Meliodas really was, and that all of his "defeats" against Ban were really just him pulling his punches, because he was having to use the full extent of his fox hunt ability just to keep the demon from crushing his windpipe.

"C-Cap'n... please... get ahold of yourself..."

His strength was fading, this wasn't at all how he wanted to die, especially since the demon eating his soul would prevent him from ever seeing Elaine again, but there was nothing else he could do at the moment. He couldn't see, he couldn't move, this was it. It had to be.

"C-Ca-"

"CAPTAIN!"

That was Diane's voice. Ban had no idea what the hell she was doing down here, but he hoped it was with the cure. Meliodas' grip loosened slightly as he seemed to be able to see much better in this darkness than himself, because his eyes turned towards the voice immediately, as if... confused, but alert.

"G... Giant?... Grrrrlll.... no, food."

The tone of the question was drastically different from the answer. Like a moment of hesitancy and recognition flickered in from his more humane side before the demonic one shut it down. It wasn't a moment after the words were said that the demon let go of Ban and rushed towards the girl.

"S-Sorry, Meliodas!"

That guilty cry was definitely Harlequin, soon confirmed by the glow of chastifol as it shifted to Sunflower. When had he come down here? Were they all here? And more importantly, did one of them have the cure with them for their little visit?

If Meliodas was still trying to fight against these instincts taking over, it wasn't showing. Not with the roar of outrage he let out at the attack and the way he soon reciprocated by launching King out of the building with one throw.

There wasn't any doubt in Ban's mind that this would be a one-sided battle if his moment being pinned was any indication, so what the hell were the sins doing down here? He still couldn't see much from the debris and dust flying around at the moment, but the darkness had eased some with the new hole in the wall driving it back. And among the blurred shapes moving around, he didn't see a vile or potion among any of the blobs.

Do they just have a death wish? They aren't even giving it their all! Are they conflicted about what to do like I am? Well, that's certainly a nice thought, but even if it's true, there's not even the slightest chance of them winning without something to distract him or contain him. So, what are they-

"S-Sir Meliodas!"

As if taking the cue from his thoughts, the princesses' voice echoed throughout the room as all five heads turned.

Ah, so that's their plan. Well, it's definitely a distraction. Let's hope it's one that works, because if it doesn't... I don't think any of us will forgive ourselves if she dies, Cap'n included.

"E-lis-za-beth..."

It came out so broken, so strained. Like a hand was around the demon's neck and he was fighting to breathe past its pressure. This was only a flicker of control, however even that was impressive considering the blond's condition. But impressive didn't mean stable. The Captain's hold would only last a moment; yet the girl didn't look deterred. In fact, as she walked down the stairs with grace and poise, Ban thought that she had never seemed so confident before in all of the time he had known her. He just hoped that confidence was there because she knew what she was doing...