Guardian Demon (A Nanatsu No Taizai Fanfic)

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend

Meliodas POV

I hadn't gone far from the tavern, and I could already feel the cool sweat trickle down my forehead. If Zeldris was here, I thought, his friends are probably around here too. My eyes zipped around trying to make sure no one was sneaking up on me. I could only hear the echo of the breeze and the rustling of the leaves. I wasn't scared about me, but Elizabeth. I know I hid her, but she still looked worried when I left. I didn't want to leave her by herself. Who knows how long I might be away?

My heels sank into the damp grass as I saw a large gaping hole planted in the ground. It was probably where Zeldris fell, but my mind made me think otherwise. Busy thoughts whizzed around my head as I though of everything that could go wrong. 

What if Zeldris DID bring his friends and he told them Elizabeth was in the tavern using magic?

What if something happens to me, and I can't save Elizabeth from danger?

What happens if she's following me in secret?

Those thoughts were trashed, and I kept telling myself that everything was going to be okay. Elizabeth is going to be safe; I've already checked to see if anyone is following me, and the answer is no. She is safe.

I had no room left in my head to think about myself. I was after all, partially immortal. Not like Ban, I do die. But when I'm standing around in Purgatory, I am sent back to the human world to finish my journey....a journey sewn together by promises, debts, and determination. Otherwise, I would have never met Elizabeth. I would have never met almost any of the Sins. My life wouldn't be as miraculous as it is now...

My thoughts were interrupted when I saw the shadow of my brother creep out of the woods beside me. He snickered, only whispering, "Hello, brother....."

I stepped back, activating my mark, and getting ready for any attack. 

"Oh, getting scared, brother? You usually are confident. You're scared about Elizabeth, aren't you?" Zeldris snickered. My jaw tightened, clenched in an angry position. He knew I was angry, and he fed off of this anger. His grin grew, and he walked around me in circles. 

"Elizabeth........Elizabeth.......Elizabeth........" He sneered.

"Stop it." I said. I was trying to make him stop, truly. 

"I love it when you're like this....." 

"Zeldris, stop this."

"Why? This is fun!"

I was silent. He wanted so badly for me to explode in my anger, but I wouldn't feed his bloodlust. He walked up to me, his eyes squinted into slits, and his menacing smile stretching across his ghost-white face. He lifted his finger, and stroked my nose. I flinched, trying to stop the urge to grab him and chuck him into a tree. 

"Is this not fun to you?" Zeldris whined. "It takes two to have some fun..."

I lifted my hand, and the darkness consumed my arm, resulting in a huge axe. I was ready to fight. He realized where I was going, and he pulled out his sword and enchanted it. 

I pushed off of my left foot, catapulting me into the nearby tree, but Zeldris followed me. I leapt off of the tree, trying to insnare Zeldris into a trap he couldn't escape. I smashed my dark hand into the ground, missing him because of his agile dodge. 

"Darn it..." I grunted. I went in for another attack. Zeldris leaped back and forth, side to side, dodging my attacks again and again. My anger diminished and was built into frustration, as I aimlessly swiped around for him. 

"You've lost your stamina, brother. Pity...I wanted to battle you, not make fun of you....."

"Well...." He paused. "That too, I guess."

I turned both of my arms into dark claws, my clueless look hiding any fury in me. I chased him, landing one hit on his shoulder. He used his demon mark as well, protecting his arm from my attack. I had landed one attack within ten minutes, only for it to be ineffective. 

As I was about to scream out in anger, I heard the bushes rustling underneath us, and I stopped to take a look. Out of the bushes leaped Ban, King, small Diane, Merlin, and Gowther. They all looked ready for some fighting, but when Zeldris took one look at them, he walked away.

"Sorry! I'm only dealing with Meliodas."

"OH YEA? WELL IS IT BECAUSE YOU'RE SCARED?" Ban shouted. 

My head snapped around to him, our eyes meeting. Ban had probably provoked Zeldris, possibly putting Elizabeth in harm's way. I slowly shook my head, and I felt a hand clench down on my shoulder. 

"No, I just don't care about you guys. I just want Brother."

"We'll continue this later," He whispered in my ear, "Have fun with Elizabeth. If she's still around.."  

Zeldris walked away, waving, and I wanted so badly to sprint after him, but all I could do was worry.