Into the Sacred Land

-Chapter 11: Into the Sacred Land-

"Well, it looks like were here". Meliodas exclaimed as he carried Elizabeth down with him.

"Uwah! There's so many rocks!" A red hair fairy said in excitement. Who else could it be other than the ardent Seraphina.

Everyone smiled fondly at the energetic little fairies reaction. During the journey here, they realised that she was the curious type.

On the other hand, her big sister was quietly sitting on her papa's shoulder while curiously looking around.

"Do you also want to fly around, Lazuli?" Zephyr asked.

"No. I'll stay with papa". Lazuli answered, with her normal flat expression.

Zephyr smiled and patted her head, "Alright, but if you want to know play, you can go whenever you want".

"Mmm". Lazuli barely spoke, but she was still adorable.

"It seems like you're an expert in handling children". Merlin who was on the side commented.

"What can I say big sis? It comes naturally just like breathing". Zephyr chuckled as he gave a side glance to Merlin who he had started calling big sis, since a while ago.

Why you may ask? It's because he doesn't want to get cursed into perpetual reincarnation. He instinctively knew that Merlin would probably want to experiment once she removed the curse on her physical body. And to prove him correct, a system message appeared.

[The skill 'Instinct' has levelled up!]

Merlin just rolled her eyes in response, "Let's go, it seems like the gate is already open".

Zephyr silently followed while he inwardly thought, 'I really need to get out of this world quick!'

Zephyr walked through a stone pillar and was greeted by a beautiful view. A long rocky path, with a lake to its side, and in the distance was a land mass with a towering pointed rock.

Zephyr admired the scenery while listening to Merlin who was explaining. However, he suddenly remembered something and quickly leaned to the lake.

"Little brother! You're going to full inside if you are that close". Slader called out, which in turn made the others look.

Zephyr ignored him as he finally got a good look at his own appearance. And what he saw made his lips twitch. 'This is more unreasonable then Gowther's appearance! At least with him you can see the faint masculinity. As for me, even I'm starting to fall in love with my self'.

[Narcissist.] Luna chimed.

'Aren't I right though? Look at this smooth and unblemished skin. The long emerald green hair, jade coloured eyes, long eyelashes and rosy lips. Even my physique is slim and I don't have any abs!' Zephyr explained.

[Have you ever seen a muscular fairy?] Luna inquired.

'No. But shouldn't it be possible with the help of the Yato bloodline?'

[I don't know. Even though you have the bloodline it doesn't mean that you're at the level of Housen, Kamui or Umibozu. You need to train and get actual fighting experience to make full use of the Yato bloodline.]

'I see, thanks for the explanation'. Zephyr said before turning to the path just to see everyone staring at him weirdly. "Ahem! My bad. It's been a while since I've seen my appearance, as there is no mirrors in the Fairy King's forest".

The others just nodded in understanding even if some of them found it hard to believe and continued walking to the the three figures who were waiting at the end of the path.

"It's been a long time". Said a a short girl that has long blonde hair in a single braid. She wore a red dress with yellow flower designs on the chest.

"Seven Deadly Sins". Greeted, a young girl who wore a white shirt-gown combination, cut off at the shoulders. She has long dark hair, tied in a braid.

"Who are they?" Slader questioned.

"Heads of the druids". King replied.

"The heads, huh? The names Hawk! Sworn ally of the Seven Deadly Sins and-!"

"And Emergency food". Zephyr added, interrupting Hawk's arrogant introduction.

"Yeah! W-wait! Who are you calling emergency food?!" Hawk roared as he glared at Zephyr.

Zephyr chuckled and said, "You of course". Hearing the mockery, Hawk was about to explode once again, however he was caught off guard by Zephyr's sudden shift to a serious expression.

"However, make no mistake, being emergency food is a position you should be proud of".

"It is?" Hawk doubtfully questioned, while deciding to hear our Zephyr as this was the first time he had seen him serious since he joined them.

"Indeed it is". Zephyr said with a sagely nod

"But how?" Hawk asked still feeling confused. Doesn't emergency food mean he would be eaten?

"Let me enlighten you. Imagine your allies have been fighting a war, they are tired, low on stamina and are hungry. The enemies would take this opportunity since everyone's morale is low, however you suddenly appear before your allies.

A delicious and fresh pig, that can be cooked and styled in many different ways, so they would then think in their minds 'if we win this battle wouldn't we be able to eat this sweet looking pig'.

And so their morale increases all because they want to eat you. But when they win the battle and return, instead of eating you they would praise you as a hero, since with your presence alone they were able to come out with a victory. So do you know see the greatness of being emergency food?" Zephyr said, spouting the first thing that came to his mind, without knowing whether it made sense or not.

"Wow! You're right!" Hawk said in realisation before turning to the Druid heads, "The names Hawk! Sworn ally of the Seven Deadly Sins, Captain of the Order of Scraps Disposal and the greatest Emergency Food!"

Almost everyone who was listening tried their best to stifle their laughter. They couldn't believe that Hawk actually bought that nonsense! The reason why it was almost everyone was because one certain girl didn't even try hold her laugh.

"Hahaha! Meliodas, it seems like you brought a fun bunch with you this time". The blonde Druid said as she poked her staff in Hawk's nose.

"It's good see you Jenna". Meliodas said to the blonde. "And you too Zaneri, though your as tiny as always". He continued as he looked to the dark haired girl.

"I'm priest Theo, and I protect the heads". A large hulking young man wearing loose pants and few articles of clothes in his upper right body introduced.

"Well that's enough for the reunion greeting". Meliodas commented.

"We already know why you're here. So Meliodas follow Zaneri to the tower". Jenna explained.

"And you too". Zaneri added as she looked to Elizabeth.

"Eh? Me? Yes?" Elizabeth was confused but still followed along.

"So, Merlin are the ones standing over there and this beautiful one here with you". Jenna asked as she looked to Seraphina who was flying around then to Gowther, Arthur, and then intently at Zephyr.

"Yes they are".

"When did Meliodas find himself such a beauty". Jenna commented as she moved closer to Zephyr.

With an amused smile Merlin said, "He's a man, or at least that's what he claims to be".

"Eh? Really?" Jenna questioned in surprise, which was no longer surprising to Zephyr.

Instead his turned head to Merlin who just doubted his gender, "Old-cough! Big sis, if you really do doubt my gender then you are free to check".

Merlin's lips twitched when she heard he was about to call her old lady.

"And you woman. Haven't you seen enough already. My appearance isn't as weird as you are". Zephyr said getting both Jenna and Merlin's attention.

"What do you mean by weird?" Jenna asked curiously.

Zephyr looked around a bit saw that it was only him, Lazuli, Merlin and Jenna in the area. Since he was confident that Lazuli wouldn't say anything he let her stay, he then moved his index finger and poked between Jenna's breasts, "It's your soul".

"Oh? How do you know?" It was Merlin who asked, though Jenna also wanted to know.

"Let's just say that my eyes are a bit special". Zephyr said with a mysterious smile.

"You…" Merlin muttered in annoyance.

"But Jenna isn't the only one. Zaneri, Elizabeth and Meliodas. Their souls are also the same. While the former three's soul's are bright or holy, Meliodas' is dark". Zephyr further commented with a profound smile.

"What an interesting person you are!" Jenna said as she patted his shoulders.

Zephyr was surprised at her reaction and couldn't help but ask, "Are you mentally sick?"

"Who are you calling sick!" Jenna shouted as she head-locked him.

"Flat". Zephyr unconsciously muttered, however it was loud enough for even Merlin to hear let alone Jenna who was head-locking him.

"Did you say something?"

"Of course not. Even big sis can vouch for me". Zephyr said as he looked to Merlin.

Merlin was about deny his claim since she believed that this brat deserved it for his previous disrespect. However when she saw his lips moving and understood what he insinuated, she decided to help him out.

"Jenna, I'm sure you misheard or Zephyr was thinking about something else". Merlin explained without even putting any effort.

Jenna just rolled her eyes in response. How could she not see the exchange they had. But in the end she decided to let it go.

****