Zeldris x Reader: Yearning

Ch. 21 The Final Confrontation

(Y/n)'s POV

As the night wore on, the atmosphere in the dining hall remained lively, filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. I felt a sense of belonging that I had longed for, surrounded by friends who had become family.

"Alright, let's hear some stories!" Diane suggested, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I want to know about the craziest battle you've ever been in!"

"Or the most embarrassing moment!" Meliodas chimed in, a mischievous grin on his face. "I'm sure we all have a few of those."

The group erupted into laughter, and I felt a warmth spread through me. It was moments like these that reminded me of the strength of our bonds.

"I'll go first!" Arthur said, leaning forward with a grin. "There was this one time during a training session when I accidentally tripped over my own sword and fell flat on my face in front of everyone. I was so embarrassed!"

The table erupted in laughter, and I couldn't help but join in. "That's classic, Arthur! I can just picture it!"

"Okay, okay, my turn!" Meliodas said, raising his hand dramatically. "There was a time when I was trying to impress a certain someone—" he shot a teasing glance at Diane, "—and I ended up getting my sword stuck in a tree. I had to climb up to get it, and let's just say it didn't go as smoothly as I planned."

Diane burst into laughter, shaking her head. "I remember that! You looked so ridiculous up there!"

As the stories continued, I felt a sense of joy and camaraderie enveloping us. Each tale brought us closer together, reinforcing the bonds we had forged through our shared experiences.

Finally, it was my turn. "Alright, I have a story," I said, a playful smile on my lips. "There was a time when I was practicing my magic, and I accidentally summoned a flock of birds instead of a protective barrier. They flew all over the training grounds, and I spent the next hour trying to get them to leave!"

The group erupted in laughter, and I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Sharing these moments made the weight of our upcoming battles feel a little lighter.

As the night continued, we shared more stories, laughter, and even a few songs. The warmth of friendship filled the room, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for each person around the table.

Eventually, the laughter began to fade, and the conversation turned more serious. "We need to stay focused," Zeldris said, his tone shifting. "The goddesses and archangels won't wait for us to be ready. We need to prepare ourselves mentally and physically for what's to come."

"Right," I agreed, feeling the weight of his words. "We can't let our guard down. We need to strategize and ensure we're ready for any surprises."

Arthur nodded, his expression serious. "We should also consider gathering more information about our enemies. The more we know, the better prepared we'll be."

"Agreed," Zeldris said, his gaze steady. "We can split up into teams and scout the surrounding areas. We need to be aware of any movements or changes in their plans."

As we discussed our strategy, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. We were a team, and together we would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After the meeting, we decided to call it a night. As I made my way to my chamber, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. I knew that with Zeldris by my side, I could face anything.

The next morning, I woke up early, the sun just beginning to rise. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, feeling the weight of the day ahead. We had a lot to prepare for, and I wanted to ensure that I was ready.