Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
13/END UP IN THIS PLACE where i couldn't get away
✹
The town was a battlefield, reduced to smoldering chaos by the sudden attack of the Holy Knights. Everywhere, smoke curled into the sky and cries echoed off the stone walls. In the midst of the turmoil, I found myself beside Ban, the two of us navigating through the debris-strewn streets, searching for the others. My muscles ached from the fighting festival, each step a reminder of the energy I'd expended. Sleep tugged at the corners of my mind, a tempting escape from this endless chaos. But I knew that luxury was out of reach-chaos clung to Meliodas and his band of misfits like a dark shadow.
"Hey, wake up," Ban's hand landed on my back with a force that nearly sent me sprawling face-first into the dirt.
"I am awake," I sighed, shooting him a glare.
"Yeah, yeah." He chuckled, unfazed, as we continued our search in silence.
After a while, he cleared his throat, and the unusual seriousness in his voice immediately grabbed my attention. "Hey, Numi?" He spoke slowly, his gaze drilling into mine. "What's that mark on your neck?"
The question hit me like a punch to the gut. My eyes widened in shock. I'd forgotten all about the mark being exposed when Meliodas had yanked off my scarf during the fight.
"Oh. It's just a tattoo," I lied, my voice betraying an uneasy tremor. I laughed awkwardly, praying he'd let it go.
"Really?" Ban's laughter was light, almost playful, but there was an edge to it. "That's interesting."
"Mhm." I nodded, my gaze fixed ahead. I hated lying to him. I hated the sinking feeling that came with it.
"What? Aren't you curious why I find it interesting?" Ban nudged me, his grin annoyingly persistent.
"Fine, Ban. Why is it interesting?"
"'Cause Cap'n has the same mark," Ban stated bluntly, his eyes boring into me. "Except on his chest."
Blood drained from my face, leaving me cold and clammy. I swallowed hard, desperately trying to maintain my composure, but my mind was a whirlwind of confusion and dread.
"Ba—," I started, but Ban cut me off.
"I don't think it's a tattoo either."
"This is a conversation for you and your captain to have." I huffed. I refused to meet his gaze, my focus pinned to the path ahead.
"Why not us? We're friends, aren't we?" Ban leaned down, attempting to catch my eye. But I turned away, avoiding his probing look.
"Of course we're friends." I sighed, the words heavy in my chest. "But—" My sentence was abruptly cut off when Ban stretched his arm out, halting both of us in our tracks.
