Our First Fall (Melizabeth)

37. Mission

In the middle of our two-day trip, flying low over the trees, we stopped for the night. I was expecting Meliodas to revert into his commander personality as he had with the demon troop, but he turned to Lion to lead. The other three knew Lion and everyone seemed more comfortable going to him. Meliodas seemed to prefer it that way.

Our mission was volunteer only, as apparently protecting humans came low priority, which I figured was why Ludociel allowed me to come. A show of me doing something in the war effort after years of me being against it and it got Meliodas off campus. Last night Meliodas had outlined the duties of our mission. Ludociel told him from the beginning, when I'd been dying before him, that he'd be sent to fight often and as far away as possible.

I told Meliodas he had been too useful to Ludociel and not to do that anymore. Meliodas laughed, eyes dancing and he'd kissed me on the bare shoulder before I said, "It's what I do, give him barely enough so he doesn't push. Ludociel is trying to get peace, so we are on the same side but he's... war hungry. Sacrificing others for his end means very little to him, he thinks it's justified. The cost isn't worth the end if no one is left." Meliodas listened, somber but agreed.

The town we were going to seemed on the trajectory of the attacks, it was our job to set up an escape route and hold off the demons long enough for the others to escape if it came to that. The six of us were adequate for the task. We were halfway in our journey when we stopped to set up camp. The lot of us were tired from the journey out, having flown ourselves quite a distance.

Two of the fighters went off into the woods to hunt for a meal and Meliodas started a fire. I wanted to be useful, so went in search of some fruit or mushrooms so we could skewer them. Meliodas smiled when I told him, Lion though frowned before Meliodas came to my defense with, "She can take on anything she comes across in these woods," and I flushed with the small praise. Most people coddled me, but not Meliodas. With my ocean of power just under the surface, I really could handle myself and it was nice to be on my own in the forest.

A little farther than I probably should be, I heard bubbling water in the distance. I followed the noise, not having found anything edible thus far. The trees grew lusher, green growth amidst the dark ground as it grew springy under my feet rather than firm. It was easier to find food walking, but I rose to a glide, creeping between the trees to find the source of the noise.

I found an oval spring. It bubbled in the center, about the size of my bedroom at the temple. The sides were rocks. As if the earth opened up here and water rose from its depths. Steam played in little swirls over the clear water and I rose over it, looking down. It was so clear you could see the rocky sides all the way to the bottom. In the deep distance of the water, I could spot green stringy plants and stones. With a fingers touch, I felt the temperature. Just under hot.

"Oh, that's nice," I whispered to no one.

I've flown all day... I refreshed myself and Meliodas, but soaking would be wonderful.

Maybe I should go back and tell them? No, Meliodas would just peek or try to join me and then it would turn into something more. We had troops with us, including Lion. Meliodas had to keep his hands to himself. I stripped, planning on a short dip, finding the appeal of soaking irresistible. With my dress and pants folded, I put the flower on top and glided over and then down into the water.

"Ahhh." I sighed in ease as I floated, weightless with the bubbles played at my wings, back, hair and thighs as I spun slowly in place from the movements of the water. Tears welled and fell into the water, glowing slightly but I let them trickle away. I'd been pushing down my sadness for Meliodas' sake, he had enough to deal with and I didn't want to add my problems to his when he shouldered so much right now.