Work Text:
Zeldris walked away from Meliodas, furious.
Don't look back.
He never expected such acts from his older brother. Through clenched fists, he wouldn't dare turn back to the very same person who turned against his own sibling.
His own blood.
The demon's footsteps echoed through the silent realm as Meliodas' energy slowly decreased in size until there was nothing left to perceive at all. Zeldris' sense of sound caught up to the shortness of breath he emitted, his brain gradually putting together the pieces of what just occurred.
Without realizing it, he finally looked up and arrived at the demon king's castle. Stepping inside, Cusack quickly appeared next to Zeldris as he wondered where his student ran off to.
The demon pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling the swirl of conflicted emotions barging their way through, like a person trying their best to force a closed gate open. It felt as though this sensation was going to burst and give him a headache.
Cusack was not helping.
Preoccupied and without the current patience to answer, Zeldris gave his mentor a curt dismissal as he continued to head upstairs to his chamber. Once at his designated location, he swung open the doors and slammed them shut.
Zeldris paced around his room, replaying the scene of what just transpired moments ago.
"Do you think Father would permit such behavior?"
"I'm not asking for anybody's permission."
The demon rubbed his temples as his breath seemed to be playing a race against his own heartbeat to see who was faster.
"I just know that eventually these hands of mine will wind up hurting Elizabeth."
"Abandoning the demon race and your own brother, how could you?"
Trying to stay grounded, Zeldris encased himself in his arms, acting as a protective barrier against something he couldn't quite comprehend, an unknown force, doing his best to maintain a steady rhythm, soothing himself.
"Go ahead, you traitor."
The air in his lungs became shallow, like nothing could no longer be expelled as he held his hand out and inspected it. Zeldris' body trembled, making him appear smaller than what his rank portrayed.
"From here on, I no longer consider you my brother!"
Akin to a complete puzzle breaking and shattering, the fog that clouded his head remained until tears broke through, dissipating the haze. The demon could feel his heart aching, pleading for him to resolve the issue.
But healing something he couldn't see was harder than bone.
In the moment, he felt like an animal that had been thrown to the curb, disoriented and with a loss of presumed trust; it left a horrid taste in his palate.
Zeldris was unable to fathom how a person, who stood at their side through youth to watch their achievements, would forsake that bond, like throwing a fish back into a pond once you're done with it. Not only that, to his entire race, no less. The very core of his being.
For even the sun isn't cruel enough to leave its shadows behind.
His back met the room's wall as he slid down and plopped himself on the floor. The demon's head fell back with a soft thunk, face stained with sorrow, contemplating. Letting out a defeated exhale, from his sitting position, Zeldris looked at his sword that he had placed down, unbeknownst to him, due to the mental turmoil.
Getting up, the demon walked towards his blade, unsheathing to expose its cold skin, shining ever so bright, his reflection displayed onto the clean steel.
"Next time we meet will be as enemies."
Knowing it will be up to him to continue to uphold the demon clan and his father's reputation, Zeldris would reel in everything he was taught by that blonde.
To become the leader they need.
To take the reins of imparting the terror he once placed.
They always say the youth learn from their older kin, so why shouldn't Zeldris regard that renegade with no remorse too?
There was no time for a prince to wallow when his kingdom just took a harsh blow. After all, his love still needed him, and he needed her. Perhaps once he pays a visit to Gelda, he will bring forth a way to disclose the news of his desertion.
Meliodas' vacant spot.