Shout out to Fanficlove2014. If you aren't already, go read her fic, Destiny. You won't regret it!


Elizabeth sighed. She was once again in the first cavern she had found herself in but this time there was a table and two chairs. Nualla was nowhere to be seen, that was a blessing. Her back still hurt from the whippings. She dreaded to think of what fresh new torture they were cooking up for her.

And Merlin. Poor, sweet, dear Merlin was dead. They hadn't known each other very long but the Mage had always been kind to her and now she was gone. How on earth would she be able to tell Sir Meliodas and the others? A tear slid unbidden down the cheek of the silver haired girl.

The princess was so lost in her musings that she failed to see the child stood before her. Kyangie cleared his throat to gain her attention after he had been waiting a short time.

"Oh!" startled Elizabeth. "Lord Kyangie, forgive me. I was lost in thought and did not see you." Even through the discomfort, the pain, the knowledge that this boy was responsible for her position, Elizabeth remained polite and hopeful that he would realise his mistake and let her go.

"That's all right, you've much to think about I'm sure. Like telling me what I want to know." Kyangie was congenial, they could have been friends sipping tea together instead of kidnapper and hostage, torturer and victim. "Please sit." He indicated towards a chair.

Elizabeth sat but remained silent, her hands in her lap, twisting together nervously. Kyangie sighed. "Look Elizabeth. We know who you are. There's no way you know nothing. You are the third princess of the kingdom of Liones. An influential political position in itself but Liones' standing is unparalleled at this moment. You have been surrounded by Holy Knights your entire life. You are a Druid priestess. Powerful in your own right and apostle of the goddesses. You are the key to the coffin of eternal darkness. You know something. Even if you don't think you do, I know there is something buried. A whisper of a conversation half heard, a forgotten dream, a past life bleeding through to this one."

Elizabeth raised her eyes from her entwined hands. "How do you expect me to remember something from a past life? Or that if I do remember something, that it would be accurate?" Her voice was quiet. Kyangie, small boy though he was, scared her but she had to ask.

"Nualla has a talent for getting the truth from people. It's why I keep her around. She's proven very useful in the past."

"May I ask another question?" Kyangie inclined his head to tell the princess to proceed. "How do you know I'm a Druid priestess? I mean, I know I've done some things but the Druids are all but extinct. I was from Danafor and adopted by the King of Liones. I don't believe Danafor was known to have Druids." Elizabeth had almost forgotten who she was speaking to in her effort to deny her heritage. Maybe she could convince Lord Kyangie that he had the wrong person.

Kyangie grinned evilly at the princess. "And why do you think he adopted you? He wanted you close, keep an eye on you. Watch your progress and your growth into your powers."

"No! My father loves me and I him! My sisters as well!"

Kyangie shrugged. "I'm sure he does. Your sisters too. But he had ulterior motives in the beginning. And as to how I know?" His eyes narrowed. "Blood doesn't lie princess. I can smell it in you. This big stinking cloud surrounds you and announces it to me. That's how I know what you are. That's how I know that you know something. And you will tell me."

"Why do you need this information? You opened a portal to bring me here..." Elizabeth's voice started strong but trailed off. She lowered her eyes as she remembered who she was talking to and how impertinent she sounded.

"Knowledge is power Elizabeth, and I like power. Power is what has kept me alive so long." Elizabeth glanced up at him skeptically. Kyangie laughed out loud. It sent chills up Elizabeth's spine. "I'm a lot older than I appear princess. I choose this look because my opponents tend to underestimate me. They don't live long enough to regret it though. What is that human adage...? Ah yes... Don't judge a book by its cover. You are right to fear me princess. Trust your instincts." Kyangie stood and took her hand. He pressed his mouth to the back of it. "I'll leave you to think it over." With a swirl of his blood coloured coat, he was gone.

Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as she was once again left alone and her hand prickled where he had kissed her.


Having picked up their pace after the battle, the sins found themselves at the foot of the mountain.

Merlin turned to the others. "My contact is a bit peculiar. He will test each and every one of us before he will offer his help."

"A test? What sort of test?" King huffed. "Wasn't walking here test enough?"

"For you maybe. You should put some thought into building up your stamina. Could come in handy in the future." Ban winked at the fairy. King's face flushed bright red and he quickly glanced at Diane. Luckily for the men she was focused on Merlin, not listening to their quiet exchange.

Merlin continued. "It could be as simple as a question. Him asking you to do something for him or show him an ability. I just don't know. Just don't panic. You're all capable of anything he might want and we're doing this for Elizabeth!"

"I'm starting to feel like you don't know what you're doing Merlin," growled Meliodas. "We just need to find Elizabeth, kill the bastards who took her and get back to the tavern."

"And to do that, captain, you need to impress my contact. Feel free to look for her on your own but believe me, this is the fastest way. Come on. We're here now."

Merlin led the way up a rocky path and into the mouth of a cave. It was not a deep cave but was large enough that even Diane fit comfortably inside. It had no discernible exits and a curiously sandy floor. Merlin made her way to the back and sat on the ground. She snapped her fingers and a fire appeared.

"Get comfy guys. We wait here until the tests begin." Merlin shot the captain a dark look, daring him to say something. Meliodas returned the look but said nothing and sat down beside her.

Diane stretched out on the floor with King snuggled into Chastiefol beside her. Ban propped himself up against a wall and Gowther examined the cave closely.

"Captain, I belie... " Gowther was interrupted with a crackle and the fire extinguished itself. Everything went dark. "Hmmmm interesting. I seem to have lost my vision." The last words the sins heard before they lost all their senses.