3rd Pov
Meliodas and the others had just been rescued from Monspiet's attack by Hawk's Mom
Hawk: Oh man, I came this close to being turned into a whole roast there!
Meliodas: But seriously, you're unbelievable, Hawk's Mom! To swallow that intense magical power in a single gulp!
King: Maybe a little too unbelievable, don't you think?
Merlin seemed to be thinking about something, then spoke
Merlin: Captain, I would advise a change of direction.
King: Hold on, Merlin! That's not what I agreed to! If you don't want to look for Diane, I'm going off on my own!
Merlin: I understand how you feel, but calm down, King. But Diane's presence has faded, along with whoever was facing the Ten Commandments. And right before we were attacked, too. Most likely, they're both safe. But if we were to recklessy approach them now, we would put Diane in danger.
King was frustrated but Meliodas reassured him
Meliodas: We're definitely going to rescue Diane! All of us together, okay?
King: Captain...
Meliodas: Anyway, Merlin, a change of direction means you have somewhere else in mind, right?
Merlin: Right now, our top priority is to power up so we can fight the Ten Commandments. And to start...
Hawk: We'll have a meal, right?
Merlin: I'm going to give you back the power I stole from you, Captain.
Everyone was shocked and Meliodas looked serious
Elizabeth: Sir Meliodas' power?
Merlin: I did so because the captain's power was too overwhelming and dangerous. That's why the captain had to constantly keep his emotions in check so his powers wouldn't run rampant.
Hawk: But it's not like he hasn't gone berserk more than once before, right?
Merlin: Those times? In terms of his true power, what you saw was merely the dregs.
Hawk: Merely the dregs, she said!
Meliodas: well, excuse me.
Merlin: Ten years ago, In the midst of the drama surrounding our exile, when a certain young girl was seriously injured trying to help us, the captain started to lose control.
I'm sorry, Captain
Merlin: The moment he let down his guard, I separate his strength from him.
King: I can't believe something like that happened.
Meliodas: Oh, I completely forgot about that.
Merlin: We're going to need that power to battle the Ten Commandments.
Meliodas: So, where is it now?
Merlin showed a map of Britannia
Merlin: The location isn't that far from here. The Holy Land of the Druids, the sages of the forest... Istar.
Timeskip
After some time, Meliodas and the others arrived at Istar
Elizabeth: So this is Istar, the Druids' Holy Land, right?
Meliodas: Yep, I think it's been about ten years since I was here.
Elizabeth: Sir Meliodas, are you familiar with the druids?
Meliodas: A little, because of one of the Seven Deadly Sins' missions.
Elizabeth: Still, there's nothing but stones as far as the eye can see, and there doesn't seem to be anyone around.
Suddenly Elizabeth saw the stone pillars forming an entrance and crossing them she found herself in a new place.
Elizabeth: Sir Meliodas! What is this?
Meliodas: What do you know, the entrance was already open?
Hawk: What are you talk-- Whoa! This is amazing!
Slader: How exactly does this work?
Merlin: It's a special type of gate that protect this place. However, to pass through it, you need the spell caster's permission.
Slader: By that logic, if the gate's open, then...
Hawk: Look over there.
Everyone looked ahead and saw 3 people
???: That's correct! We were aware of your arrival.
Slader: Who's that?
King: The Druid chiefs.
Hawk: You sure are humongus, Chief! I'm Hawk! The star and master of the Seven Deadly Sins!
Suddenly one of the girls put a stick in Hawk's nose
Jenna: I'm the chief! Lady Jenna and this is my younger sister, Zaneri!
Hawk: Y-You mean these two youngster are the Druid chiefs? Then who's this old guy?
Suddenly the big man spoke in a very childish voice
Theo: I'm the priest in charge of protecting our chiefs. My name is Theo!
Hawk: How old are you, anyway?
Meliodas: Yo, theo! You really bulked up, huh?
Theo: Yes, Sir Meliodas. I'm 15 now, after all!
Hawk: You are 15 !?
Elizabeth noticed that Zaneri was staring at her so she started the conversation
Elizabeth: It's nice to meet you, I'm the Kingdom of Liones' third princess--
But Zaneri ignored her and turned to Meliodas
Meliodas: Yo, Zaneri! We're still a couple of shorties, aren't we?
Suddenly Zaneri took Meliodas' hand and placed it on her chest
Zaneri: Meliodas, I'm happy to see you again.
Elizabeth turned her head, but Meliodas withdrew his hand without hesitation.
Meliodas: Okay that's enough greetings. The reason we came here today--
Jenna: We know your purpose for coming to the Holy Land.
(A/N: DEUS VULT !!!)
Merlin: That's makes things easier. I'd expect no less of the Druid chief.
Jenna: By the way Merlin, Are the people just standing over there your comrades?
Merlin: Yes.
Arthur and Gowther stood apart from the others
Gowther: Arthur, aren't you going?
Arthur: What about you, Sir Gowther? Shouldn't you go?
Gowther: Right now, I'm in the process of reading the room.
After that Zaneri pointed to one of the towers
Zaneri: Now then, Meliodas, let's go to the tower on the right.
Meliodas: Okay!
Zaneri: And you, as well.
Elizabeth: Me? What for?
As they walk towards the tower Elizabeth noticed Zaneri's behavior with Meliodas
Elizabeth: Could it be that Lady Zaneri has feelings for Sir Meliodas?
Meliodas: Elizabeth! Are you all right?
Elizabeth: Y-Yes!
Then they come to a dark place with no light
Elizabeth: It's so dark.
Meliodas: My power is inside this place?
Zaneri: Yes, and at this point you're gonna go through a trial now, Meliodas.
Returning you're power will depend on the result.
Meliodas: Oh? In short, I just have to complete this trial, right?
Zaneri: It will be very painful and difficult for you. i'm very worried about whether or not you can take it.
Elizabeth: If she's going so far as to tell Sir Meliodas that.... What could it be?
Meliodas: Shishishi! When you say that it motivates me even more! I'll gladly face any sort of trial!
Zaneri had a sad look and began a magical incantation, then an immense light engulfed Meliodas, he then opened his eyes and saw that he was elsewhere
Meliodas: Where am I?
Suddenly someone pushed him
Villager: Whoops. Sorry about that, kid. Huh! How rude of me, Captain of the Order of the Holy Knights!
Meliodas: Huh?
Meliodas looked at himself and saw that he was wearing clothes that he wore a long time ago.
Meliodas: This outfit... No way! That crest! Is this...
Meliodas: Danafor?
???: Hey Meliodas! I've been looking for you.
Meliodas: I know that voice...
Meliodas turns around and freezes when he sees the person in front of him
Meliodas: Liz...
Meanwile
In the mountains Zeref was on his knees and held his head and his eyes flashed between red and black
Zeref: My head hurt so much... Please kill me now... No, I kill you all by my very own hand!
Suddenly several images flashed in Zeref's head, millions of corpses of different races, several people who looked at him with horror, Zeldris, Meliodas and especially the image of a girl.
Zeref: I'm sorry, that should never have happened... No they deserved it! But that's because you were weak... HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!!!
Suddenly Zeref's eyes turned blue, but he passed out and his eyes turned black again.
The last thing he saw was a man wearing glasses
Timeskip
Zeref opened his eyes and saw that he was lying on a bench he got up and saw that he was in a bar which seems to be built in a cave.
Zeref: Where am I ?
???: Oh you are finally awake!
Zeref turned to the voice and saw a man who seemed to be stressed
???: We... Welcome... to the "Sweet Gluttony".
Zeref: How did i get here?
???: Oh! I found you unconscious on the road, luckily I went out to get some supplies and then i brought you here.
Zeref: I see, thank you mister.
Zeref lowered his head and Escanor seemed embarrassed
???: Oh no need to thank me! It's normal, but what was a young man like you doing in these mountains?
Zeref: Well mister....
Escanor: Escanor.
Zeref: Me It's Zeref, and I was walking without a goal.
Escanor: Ah I see, a traveler or a nomad, but you are rather young, isn't that dangerous.
Zeref: Don't worry, I can defend myself.
Zeref looked sad and Escanor noticed
Escanor: Tell me, do you drink?
Several minutes later, Zeref was sitting in front of the bar and Escanor was drinking with him, and they were talking about several things
Escanor: So you are a wizard!
Zeref: Yes.
Escanor: How fascinating, I'm sure Merlin would be interested in meeting you.
Zeref was surprised when he heard this name
Zeref: You know Merlin?
Escanor: Of course! We were comrades, but it's been 10 years since I saw her...
Zeref noticed the look Escanor had when he spoke of Merlin
Zeref: Are you in love with her?
Escanor H-Huh. W-Well...
Escanor blushed strongly and Zeref was amused but suddenly had a serious look.
Zeref: Merlin is a friend I have known for a long time, tell me, why do you love her?
Escanor had a look of passion
Escanor: A long time ago I was lost, I thought that nothing had meaning in my life anymore. But one day I met Merlin and my life changed, she saved me, she became my sun. But...
Escanor now had a sad look
Escanor: But every time I see her, I notice that trace of sadness and pain in her eyes, I want to replace that with joy and happiness. This is my dream.
Zeref smiled and looked at Escanor kindly
Zeref: If you've been successful noticed this then I know you can do it, I know you can bring her happiness.
Escanor: *Smile Thank you Zeref. But how long have vou known Merlin? You look young.
Zeref: For a very long time, and for your other question, Magic.
Escanor: Oh okay, tell me, would you like to tell me what you think of a poem I did for her?
Zeref: A poem? Okay.
Escanor got up and started
Escanor: Hair with the color of blackberry
Lips with the color of a wildberry
A perfect harmony of sweet aroma
That makes any nose merry
Wild and yet rational
A mystery you are
The greatest sorceress
In all of Britannia.
Escanor seemed proud of himself and Zeref was silent
Escanor: So? What do you think ?
But Escanor was surprised to see Zeref shaking
Escanor: Zeref! are you ok?
Zeref: Yes... It was a beautiful poem...
Escanor: What's the matter ?
Zeref: It reminded me of something that I did.
Escanor: Do you regret this thing that you did?
Zeref: Yes, Because I shouldn't have...
Zeref tremble and a single tear fell
Zeref: I shouldn't have fallen in love...