Love Me Diabolically || Meliodas

Chapter 19: The Reckoning

It was cold.

Meliodas could barely process it wasn't the calm before the storm he was feeling. As he collapsed in on himself, he didn't even register who had helped him out of his painful trance as he was only given a second before a pained wail left his bloodied lips.

He studied the world around him, full of acres of life that he had ended in his fit of sorrow. Trees were set ablaze, and the scent of burning wood and rain had done nothing but take over his senses in what seemed like a desperate plea from nature to calm his hostility. His eyes trailed to his frightened team members, who stood back afraid that if they were to stand too close they would his wrath.

The sins knew nothing they could do would help him, and Elizabeth was left in pain, blaming herself in an act of selfishness. They just retraced their steps with the eagerness of a woman pulling the plug of her dying mother. It was almost ironic, seeing as not even a full day has passed since many of them believed things would go to normal.

It took a full hour to reach him again at their pace, but he was only just beginning to release the pain set in his heart. It was heart wrenching to everyone who wasn't acquainted and worse for those who were closer. Not even the knights could say anything to help ease the deep haze that had settled over their features, the rain that started up again only adding to the disbelief that was so clear on their Captain's face.

"She left... she's really gone..." He said, almost in a faded tired whisper. His broken voice broke the hearts of his team members, like a cry of an injured wolf. His tears blending with the soft droplets of rain that were cascading down his cheeks.

"I let her go... I couldn't even fight back... What right did I e-even have to try?" He mumbled just under his breath, the sins watching with their own anguish at the whole ordeal, but Ban taking it a whole different way. His fists were clenched as he held back a seething rage at the idiotic actions the Captain had taken.

Ban had every right to be upset with the Captain. Skylar was the best thing that happened to the team, the only thing keeping them together when their fights got just a bit too serious. Now that she was gone, they were back at square one. Sky's absence being the first thing on everyone's mind, and their next step being the last thing they wanted to think about.

It wasn't fair that they too had lost a family member over what happened in the past. Ban approached Meliodas, anger bubbling in him as he reeled back his arm and slamming a well-deserved punch to the blonde's face, a harshly spoken

"Damn right you don't!" pushed out in response to the Captain's previous ramblings. Everyone gasped at his sudden outburst, flinching at his harshness.

"You never even deserved her, she was too damn good for you. For all of us! So don't you dare act like you cared for one second!" He paused for a second, hands flying around in incoherent motions as he tried to explain his rage.

"Hell! When you pushed her off the damn platform you kept it a fucking secret!" Ban hesitated for a second, looking back at Elaine only to receive a nod of understanding and an urge to continue.

"We all loved her, and you better believe I'm blaming your ass for this mess. So you are going to pick your ass off this ground right now and go running back to her with all these apologies you decided to keep quiet about!" He started to calm down, his hands falling to his sides as he turned his back on meliodas, opting to face the surprised faces of his teammates.

With a crack in his voice, he finished his tirade of anger powered words.

"And you better believe I am helping you as much as possible. She's my best friend after all, and unlike you we don't just leave each other behind."

And into the now stunned silence, Meliodas gave a small whimper as he watched Elizabeth stepped forward to add with a raspy voice and tear stained cheeks, her eyes hardened with a determination that meliodas had once chosen over sky.

"You can count on us as well, Sir Ban, don't forget that we loved her too."

...

The room was quiet, as Sky eyed her new betrothed. His voice was deep and raspy as if he had just woken up a few minutes prior, and it sent chills shooting through her body whenever he even made an attempt to utter her name. After their introduction, Skylar was given a chamber to sleep in and some spare clothes which, to her displeasement, were all dresses...

"Mistress Desteria, your bath is ready." The butler murmured to her. She snapped her attention to the handsome butler, who bore eyes, not dissimilar to hers. She hummed a response, placing the book she had been reading next to her.

"Thank you, Sebastian. Please don't call me Mistress, it makes me feel...dated." She explained. The butler chuckled at the irony in that statement, nodding at her knowingly.

"As you wish, Desteria." He bowed, he moved towards her closet presumingly getting her more clothing. Sky walked to the bathroom, a large porcelain bathtub filled with piping hot water as steam rose to the top.

Removing her clothes, she stepped into the tub, letting the heat alone redden her skin. Goosebump rose as her muscles relaxed. Her silver hair thrown up into a messy bun, stray strands clinging to her skin. She sighed, as she sunk herself in deeper.

"You seem to be enjoying the bath." A gruff voice ushered, Sky yelped as she covered herself with her hands. The waves from her sudden movements prompting a startled laugh from the males lips as he was clearly enjoying this.

"Damn it, Adrien! You scared the shit out of me!" She breathed out, the man chuckled as he leaned against the doorway. Suddenly his eyes hardened, the imperfections had come to his attention. Scars, similar to his, were scattered around her skin, embellishing her permanently.

Sky had noticed his gaze had settled on her skin, causing panic to erupt through her senses. She whimpered at the memories of her torture, tucking her knees underneath her chin. Trembles broke out within her, tears streaming down her face. Her breaths came out sharp and terse, she closed her eyes trying to calm herself but to no avail.

Suddenly she felt the water shift, a gasp left Sky's lips when a sudden embrace engulfed her. She looked to see a fully clothed Adrien inside the tub with her, hugging her but not looking at her bare body.

"It is not my place to ask, but know when you are ready to talk, I'll be open to your story, my queen."

...

The sins had begun to plan their next course of action. They only had one goal and that was to bring Sky back. But they forgot to consider the fact that the only one with enough power to even get close to Sky was the one man they knew shouldn't be sent into that demonic realm alone.

It was clear that this may be the only thing they could do, but they ignored that possibility for the more pleasing thought that they could all be there. No matter how long it may take, they were going to see Sky again.

...