Chapter 32 - The Truth
Love. It surely is something special. It's the strongest emotion of all. It has the power to destroy you but also to heal you, no matter how broken you feel. It can make your day shine the brightest a day has ever shone. It can bond you to people and makes you do the craziest things.
There's nothing greater than love.
But what makes it the most special is that true love comes only once in a lifetime. There's just one special someone you belong to and who changes and completes you.
At least, that's what they say. And I used to believe so, too. Just like everyone, I believed that there's just one person you love truely and deeply. That one person that means more to you than anyone else and that holds your heart, no matter what they do or what happens.
But right now, at this moment, I stand right in front of Zeldris, his strong arms are wrapped around me and his beautiful, new, green eyes look at me all lovingly and I can see how much he loves and cares about me. And I know that this whole 'one true love'-thing isn't true. Because right in this moment, where I look deep into his eyes and am finally able to see through them right into his soul, my hearts should be filled with joy, love and happiness. And they are. But I also feel incomplete. Right now, when I look into these beautiful green eyes, I know that there's another pair of green eyes I'll never be able to live without.
No matter how much I love Zeldris, my heart belongs to Meliodas just as well.
I sigh and place a kiss on Zeldris' right cheek. "I'm sorry but I have to go."
Zeldris also sighs and rests his forehead against mine whilst carresing the skin of my arms. "I really wish I could make you stay."
"Zel..." I whisper saddened and inhale his scent as if it's going to be the last time I'm going to be so close to him.
"We're different, Yami. Because the Demon race's very existence is considered an outsider to the world. Why do you want to go back to them and fight for them? I'm sure those humans would be nothing but scared of you if they'd know who you really are. They'd try to kill you, just like they would kill Meliodas."
I look to the ground in sadness because he's probably right. "They're only scared because they don't understand. They didn't even know demons were a real thing until you guys came back and straight went to attack them. Don't you ever wonder why we're the outsiders? Demons never caused anything but trouble. Maybe it's not who we are but what we do that makes us the outsiders. But things have changed, Zel. Because there are people who do understand and accept us. And that's reason enough for me to fight for them."
Zeldris just sighs and moves his hand through my hair, not knowing what to say. "You know, if we'd rule, we wouldn't be outsiders anymore. We could rule this world. Together."
"I have lived in different kingdoms for so many years. A true king and a real kingdom are built on so much more than fear. If it's led with love and kindness, everyone can be happy. That's a world I want to live in. The Ten Commandments can't give me that."
I'm already close to the tavern, when I see a pair of dark wings flying fastly past me, right underneath me, without recognizing me. I don't have to look twice to recognize who these wings belong to. I would recognize Meliodas everywhere and anytime. My hearts jump in excitement and my whole body fills with love. The fight we had is already forgotten and I am more than happy to see him. But since he hasn't recognized me, I have to turn around and hurry up to him.
"Hey Meliodas!" I shout once I'm close enough to him. His head moves up to my direction and within seconds, he rushes towards me and the next thing I feel is how I'm pinned down to the ground. I screw up my eyes in surprise and when I open them again, Meliodas' arms are wrapped around me and I'm pressed against his chest. His head is hidden in my neck and I can feel his fast heartbeat.
"What's going on?" I ask surprised and return his strong hug. For a brief moment, I enjoy his near and close my eyes to enjoy it some more.
Finally, he lets go of me and looks into my eyes, whilst whiping away his tears. "You're back."
"Meliodas... You have been crying?" I say in shock and my heart races as I don't know what's going on.
"Of course I have! I thought you've ran away!" he scolds but then wraps his arms around me again.
I pull him even closer and for a while we just stand there and hold each other. When I let go of him again, I smile at him encouraging. My hearts are full of love and I know I belong to Meliodas' side. "I'd never leave you, Melio. You're my best friend."
"Then please don't scare me like that ever again. I can't bear the thought of loosing you."
"Oh, Meliodas. You won't get ride of me that easily" I chuckle and pat his shoulder. "Now, should we go back or are we going to talk things out at first?"
"But why are you back?" asks me Meliodas once I have explained to him why I left in first place.
"Because my place is right by your side, Meliodas. I didn't lie when I said I'm going to stand by your side. This fight concerns us all."
Meliodas nods and thinks about my words for a while. "So he's really going to pull this off, hm?" he thinks out loud and I nod.
"Guess so" I say and push myself onto my feet before reaching out my hand to him. "Come on now, I'm sure the others are waiting for us." With a smile, Meliodas grabs my hand and pulls himself up. "Hey, Meliodas. There's something else I need to do when we get back."
"Now, what's this?" he asks in confusion.
"I'm going to tell them everything. You were right. They're my friends as well and this morning was proof enough that there's no room for secrets anymore."
Meliodas looks at me shocked.
"Y-Yami, are you sure?" he asks and I nod. He gesticulates his comprehension by nodding as well and takes my hand to make our way back to the Boar Hat together.
When we are back, I stop right in front of the building and look at it with a smile. It's weird how much this place feels like home already. But right now, I know that this place and the people inside are where I belong to.
"Are you ready?" Meliodas asks me and I nod. He squeezes my hand and then opens the door to the tavern and I everyone move up their heads to see who just walked inside. I look into the face of all my friends, including the Holy Knights.
"You found her!" I hear Diane say happily and see how Meliodas shakes his head.
"Actually, she found me" he giggles whilst I look at the Holy Knights in confusion.
"What are you all doing here?" I ask.
"They're all here because of you, Yami" says Meliodas quietly and I feel my heartbeat begin to fasten. Can this really be true that they care so much about me? And that it's not only the Seven Deadly Sins but Howzer, Gilthunder, Hendrickson and even Dreyfus, too?
"Are you okay?" asks Diane worriedly. "You're more pale than usual."
"I'm fine" I say quickly and focus on everyone else in the room. "But it's good that you're all here because there's something I need to tell you. Meliodas, mind giving us something to drink? I think I'll need it."
Now, I can see how everyone else in the room begins to look even more worried than before and all of their eyes are on me. Meliodas is already behind the bar and fills the mugs with ale that Hawk helps to place on the tables, right in front of everyone. He brings me a mug as well and I empty it within seconds just to place it down on Hawk again. "Mind bringing me another one?" I ask him softly and he already walks back to Meliodas, without saying a word, as if he could sense that I'm not in the mood for any kind of comment.
"Now, what do you want to tell us?" asks Hendrickson right after everyone is served.
I can see Meliodas' nervous and worried look as he stands right next to Elizabeth who holds his hand softly.
"I have to be completely honest with you guys. Because the final of this war is coming closer. I'm sure about it. And if we want to stand a real chance against the Commandments, we need to trust each other to 100%. And I don't want you to find out about it in any other way than hearing it from me" I begin and inhale to calm down from my nervousness.
"I do not only know the Ten Commandments but Meliodas and I used to live together with two of them. His brothers Estarossa and Zeldris. And..." I take another deep breath. "His brother Zeldris and I have a very special bond. I'm... in love with him. But that doesn't mean I'm going to switch sides or let you down. I'll still fight right by your side until this whole war is over. We're in this together. But only as long as you all still trust me. I'm here to fight with you and protect this world. But if you have any doubts now..." I mumble and stop when I don't know what to say anymore.
The room is filled with silence as everyone but Meliodas and Elizabeth look at me in surprise and shock. Looks like Meliodas has told Elizabeth everything already...
Finally, a movement breaks the silence and I see Hendrickson get up from his seat. "Lady Yami, you've already fought for this kingdom and Sir Meliodas so hard. You did support us in many ways and were the first one to put your trust in us. My faith in you can't be broken by any news you share with us. I'll be grateful to fight by your side and protect the kingdom."
Touched by his words, a single tear forms in the corner of my eyes when I look at Hendrickson gratefully. "Thank you for your kind words, Hendrickson. "
Nervously, I let my eyes wander along the others in the room, waiting for a reaction. What if they disagree with Hendricksons opinion and don't trust me anymore?
"Hendrickson is right" I hear Diane say, which gets up from her seat, just like Hendrickson did. "I trust you, Yami. No matter what" she says with an encouraging smile.
"Yes" agrees King. "You have my faith."
I look at my friends thankfully whilst the others join and agree with Hendrickson and Diane. The warmths that flows through my body is indescribable and it takes all my self-controll to not cry in front of my friends. "Thank you" I choke out.
1920 words.