Dragon of Wrath

Chapter 14: Confrontations

I watched as Sir Meliodas left the room, hearing him stumble slightly as he walked. I wiped away my tears, feeling so stupid. Sir Meliodas didn't care about me and probably didn't want me crying over him, but still...I couldn't help myself. Seeing him in so much pain and then to see tears flowing down his face...he was so strong, but he was still only human and he felt pain just as much as any. So, when I saw it, from someone I loved, I couldn't help but cry for him.

When his footsteps had faded away, Lady Zaneri addressed me. "Now for your trial." I turned back towards her, straightening my back, squaring my shoulders, and raising my chin. Sir Meliodas went through so much to get stronger–I could do no less. "Yes!" I exclaimed. "I'm ready!" She handed me a cup of dirt. "There's a seed in this cup. It's blighted with disease and no matter how much care it receives, it will never grow. As a Druidess, your main power it that to heal. Heal this seed of its disease. If you can't do this, you'll have no luck as a Druidess."

I took and cradled the cup in my hand, staring intently at it. Wait for me, Sir Meliodas. I will be able to help you protect this kingdom!

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"God, my back is killing me," Howzer groaned, collapsing on the ground outside the caves. Gilthunder plopped down next to him. "How many times is that stupid fat lizard going to get the best of us?" Gilthunder scowled. "We must be doing something wrong," he muttered thoughtfully. "Besides getting killed over and over again?" Howzer asked. "We need a plan," Gilthunder decided, ignoring Howzer's sarcastic comment.

"Yo! Little Gil, Howzer!" Gilthunder's head popped up and he smiled at the sight of Sir Meliodas coming down the trail. Maybe he'll have some advice! He thought. Howzer lifted his hand and waved lazily, too tired to get up and properly greet the Sin.

As Sir Meliodas drew closer, his eyebrow shot up. "Well, well, well, what happened to you?" He drawled. "A clay dragon," Gilthunder told him. "It's been a very tough opponent." Sir Meliodas nodded. "Hmmm." "Do you have any advice?" Gilthunder asked, leaning forward. Sir Meliodas thought about it. "We~ll..." he pointed at them, a hand on his hip. "You need to be more flexible!" "Huh?" Gilthunder asked, confused.

Sir Meliodas lowered his hand and smiled in fond exasperation at him. "Do you remember what I told you back when I was training you? I said that it was all well and good to learn how to properly wield a sword, but if you're not capable of adapting to your situation, it will be very easy for someone to launch a surprise attack and catch you off guard. You need to be more flexible."

Howzer snorted, still lying there on the ground. "Yeah, Gil, you're more straight-laced than Lord Denzel is and that's saying something." Gilthunder turned to scowl at him, but before he could say anything, Sir Meliodas beat him to it. "You have the opposite problem, Howzer," he said. "You don't have enough discipline. Rushing in without knowledge or a plan will lead to being blindsided by your enemy." Howzer lifted his head off the ground. "Isn't that what you and the Sins do, though?"

Gilthunder sputtered. "Howzer! That's–" "Yep!" Sir Meliodas said cheerfully. "But our complete lack of planning, discipline, and teamwork is our strength!" Both Holy Knights stared at him, shocked that he actually admitted that. "Now then, I'm going to be joining the others, so good luck, Little Gil, Howzer." He walked away, waving at them as he entered the cave. "I can't believe he actually admitted that," Howzer muttered. Gilthunder nodded. "Yeah..."

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"Meliodas!" Jenna's disembodied voice exclaimed as I walked into the cave. "Have you finished your trial?" I nodded. "Yeah!" "Okay, then," she said, a bit shocked. I took off my shirt and picked up the magic-enforced stick. "Hey, could you drop me in with Kilgharrah?" I asked. "Sure." There was a falling sensation, then I was standing beside a pissed-off Dragon King. He was fighting...were those... "Really?" I asked sardonically. "Tyrant Dragons?" Kil snarled. "Can I please kill that stupid Goddess bitch now?!"