A/N: Ok back to the normal routine, although I have some good news! I finished one of my longest running stories so now I have more time to update this one and my other Seven Deadly Sins story! That being said I had a bit more time to revise over this and such. Also thanks for all the kind reviews, they brightened up my day when I spotted them :)

Silver - Thank you for the review as always! You've given me a bunch of ideas and so I'll add them in. I did steal some moments from scenes from the anime and such, like when Elizabeth climbs the tree. King petrifying Ban sounds like a good thing to add in and Howzer looking after Diane and King while King makes his job harder...perfect! XD And Merlin's surprise detour...well you'll have to read on to find out.

Ashley - Thank goodness that weird update issue has ended! (I was close to losing it when I couldn't read or update). And I had to add Ellie climbing a tree, especially because of her thoughts about having wings in a past life *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*. Anyway, thank you for the kind review I hope you enjoy this chapter too.

Darkjuliet4444 - Thank you for the kind review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story and think it's good. The idea about the Sins ending up shrunken is really good too (I'll try to add that in somehow). All the other ideas are great too and I can definitely see them happening. The Liones chapters are definitely going to be entertaining now.

Till next time,

D.L.D

"Captain, may we have a word?"

Meliodas raised a brow as the ravenette turned to him, confused as to why Merlin would ask to talk to him of all people. It's been a few days since she had asked Meliodas anything, mainly operating as the person in charge since she was the 'mother' of the group. Something that had happened naturally over the course of the past few days and that the blonde hadn't objected to. After all he knew that something was happening to him. Something was clearly happening to all of them.

The blonde didn't know how to describe it, but Meliodas could feel it in the way that he couldn't remember things that he could usually know instantly. Things that he knew that didn't occur as recently as his mind wanted him to think. But every time he tried to think of it differently, his mind would close up. All sorts of other thoughts and ideas would take over and cloud the memory he was trying to figure out. The memory he was trying to remember correctly. It was like his past experiences were being automatically deleted or something. Like his mind was altering his memories. They were always so fuzzy these days.

But when they chose to pop up they would be clear as day. As vivid as a raging inferno. It just seemed that whenever Meliodas decided to dwell on the subject something even stranger would happen. His mind would just go blank and he would have the impulse to act like a kid. No, really like a real kid. The blonde had had a couple of those episodes and luckily none of his powers seemed to go out of control yet. But that was away the fear that it would, like how Diane's were beginning to sway out of control. After all if that were to happen to Meliodas it would be disastrous. Perhaps even catastrophic.

Granted the situation was weird, maybe even odd, but Meliodas knew he wasn't the only one going through this. Most of the Sins had been having these random fits and it explained why they were all acting differently from how they usually were. Why they all seemed like completely different people weighed down by completely different problems.

It was simply an effect of the spell.

"Sure," The blonde shrugged nonchalantly, hopping from his seat and following Merlin outside.

Once the door had closed and Merlin was sure that no-one was eavesdropping, she released a sigh a hand running through her hair. It seemed to be frazzled from this, more strands than usual framing her face. The mage had known that giving Meliodas the news she had would change things drastically, maybe even cause a lot of risks, but she had to do it. She had to if she wanted a chance at visiting that acquaintance of hers and perhaps find a way to nullify the spell. Merlin frowned as she turned to the Captain, a serious look in her eyes.

"I've decided to let you reopen the Boar Hat," The words left the ravenette in an exhale, sounding reluctant but seeming to have an intention tied to them. "But only for the detour."

"Why?" Meliodas quirked a brow.

He knew that they had all agreed that it was too dangerous to remain open if they were all children. An open risk to them all if someone saw it as weakness or weapon they could use against the Sins. However Merlin was now giving the clear to reopen. When things seemed to be getting worse rather than better. In fact they were even more vulnerable as they were now than a few days ago. Plus the main intent behind this seemed to be her planned detour. Clearly the detour was important. But what was that about?

Meliodas narrowed his gaze at the ravenette, trying to think of why they would need a detour, when she supplied an answer. Though the answer could've been anything within itself.

"Because I need to make sure you're all occupied while I gather some...intel," Merlin responded coolly, folding her arms as she glanced away from the blonde. Her eyes focused on the treeline in the distance, amber irises golden in the early morning light. It was too early to explain what she was doing, let alone trust the kidified Captain with that information. No-one needed to know where she was going and that was how she was going to keep it.

"Fine by me," Meliodas shrugged, a grin forming as he decided that having that reason was better than none. "Any rules?"

Merlin pursed her lips at this, thinking. She knew that some of the Sins tended to get carried away, and without her there they would most likely become a rowdy bunch. A really rowdy bunch. She could see them all taking the chance to indulge in things that she wouldn't allow. Things that she had stopped for their own health and safety.

"No drinking," The mage enforced after a moment, a hard look going to the blonde. Even if he couldn't die, she didn't want anyone going near the stuff. After all, it would only distract them and possibly make them all more vulnerable. "And make sure that everyone has an assigned buddy for the night. If anyone goes missing I'll make sure to have your ass for it Meliodas."

The blonde chuckled at this, "I'll make sure to follow them all."

"You'd better," Merlin warned, before deciding to get back to her detour.

So with that the ravenette left, her mind already planning for her own business.

"We've arrived," Merlin found herself grinning as she spotted the town not too far away, the roofs and what appeared to be a giant arena sticking out the most.

Most of the Sins cheered at this, glad to have something new to do. They had all grown pretty bored of being indoors and seeing the same things. Doing the same things. They all wanted a bit of change, even if it was just to see new customers pour into the Boar Hat. At least then they could listen to some gossip or old folks tales.

"King," The ravenette gestured to the fairy, who immediately perked up at the sound of his name. He then floated towards her, a sleepy look on his face suggesting that he had been napping not too long ago. A past time that had become common between the group.

"Yeah Merlin?" He suppressed a yawn, instead opting to rub his eyes.

The mage frowned slightly at this, but not too noticeably. No she hid it well, instead making it seem as if she were thinking about something. A common way to disguise worry. However that didn't get rid of the concern she felt regarding the fairy since he was now displaying symptoms of being affected by the spell.

"I need you to petrify Ban," Her head tilted in the direction of the sleeping Ban. Once again he had drunk a large, but not as big as the day before's, amount of alcohol. Luckily he was immortal or Ban would've been dead as a fish on land after drinking the amount he did. An amount that probably affected him twice as badly now that he was a kid. "I don't want him causing trouble while I'm gone."

King understood where Merlin was coming from knowing that Ban had been the most challenging out of them all. In fact Ban had stirred up his fair share of trouble while Merlin was researching, often resulting in a squabble or competition between the kidified Sins. As a result, the Fox Sin was labelled as the most unruly of the bunch followed close second by Meliodas. But the Captain seemed to have a better control over himself.

"I'll do it," The fairy nodded, floating over towards Ban. He then asked Diane to help him, to which the brunette agreed, before taking the sleeping Ban outside. The lush was still passed out, seeming unaffected by the brunette literally dragging him through the door.

Merlin released a sigh at this, knowing that at least with Ban unable to move she'd be able to worry less about the Sins. Something that was occurring more frequently these days.

The group in question, were actually doing well right now. Each of the tiny people were focusing on a task, working peacefully and diligently, although showing some signs of being children. Gowther had tried to make Elizabeth and Meliodas promise themselves to each other, with Hawk as the witness to the whole thing. As expected it ended terribly and was awarded a knock on the head. However the calm and peaceful atmosphere of the Boar Hat had returned soothing Merlin and making her feel a little better at leaving the group alone to visit her acquaintance.

"Come on Escanor," Merlin nodded towards the boy."We're going."

He nodded at this, confused as to where they were going but not saying a word. After all he would go through Hell and back to make sure Merlin remained safe and well, especially if this 'detour' of hers involved something dangerous or risky. That wouldn't be surprising either as their situation was one to easily take advantage of. As a result Escanor followed Merlin like an obedient puppy, heading further away from the Boar Hat and closer to the thicket of trees.

"Would you believe we were trusted with shopping!" Diane beamed as she held the basket, marveling at most of the things on display. Since she rarely had the chance to go into villages and towns, the brunette always made the most of her rare and often enjoyable visits. There was always something new when she returned to places that she hadn't seen in a while and spotting those differences were always fun. "This has got to be the best day ever!"

"Definitely," King nodded, though his reasons were a little different. They mainly revolved around the fact that he had the whole day alone with Diane, not to mention that she was slowly remembering what had been erased. "But we should focus on getting everything for Captain before getting carried away."

Diane nodded at this, a determined smile on her face.

"I won't let anyone down!" She said it so cheerily and easily, as if she were on a mission of sorts.

And so the day of shopping began. The pair visited all sorts of stores and stands, getting items that were needed and picking up a few that they thought would come in handy. Soon it had reached lunch time and the pair had decided to get something to eat.

They sat on the edge of the fountain in the centre of the town, enjoying the food they'd bought from a local vendor. Of course it didn't live up to Ban's cooking, but that was kinda impossible with the Fox Sin stuck as a stone statue, so they made do with the bought lunch. One that definitely wasn't a waste of what they'd paid for it.

The fountain they stopped at was something the people of the town took pride in, the stone freshly polished and statues lacking any signs of age or animal waste. Effort and care seemed to emanate from the stone creation, the details and polished appearance alone giving away how well looked after it was. In fact it looked almost new, the water crystalline in the light of the sun. Quite a few families had gathered by the fountain too, children splashing around on the other side while parents watched, talking to each other.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Diane gazed at the fountain, transfixed by the way water seemed to defy gravity as it spouted out the top. The giants didn't have much of these things when she had grown up, in fact they still lacked them when the brunette had left. All they were interested in back then was fighting and the glory of it. Other things weren't taken as seriously and as a result not too many giants thought to pursue other things besides fighting.

"Yeah, it must've taken ages to build," King agreed as he took in the ornate details etched into the stone. A lot of people must've taken the time to make the fountain look as magnificent as it did, not to mention installing it. The thing looked like it would weigh a tonne.

"Well that's the beauty of art," An old man chuckled from beside them, taking a bite from his sandwich. "Excuse me for intruding, I've just been so fascinated by you two kids. I haven't seen a pair like you around so I gathered that you must be travelers."

"Yeah, we are," King answered for the both of them, knowing that Diane would most likely say something incriminating in her current state.

"I'm Diane and that's King," The giantess smiled brightly, earning a sigh from King.

She always spoke before she thought. As a kid, as an adult, it didn't make any difference. Diane was a person driven by emotions and options, but that wasn't a bad thing. No it was a good and honest virtue, something that many people aspire to have, but in this situation it wasn't too helpful.

"Diane, you can't just tell people our names!" King frowned, he had flushed realising that he had done the same by addressing her.

This caused Diane to bite her lip, feeling guilty although wanting to laugh at King for being so ridiculous. After all would could anyone learn from a couple of names? Who you were, what you looked like - maybe the meaning of said name - but nothing else would really be supplied to them. Nevertheless she found herself apologising.

"Oops, sorry King! It's just everyone's so friendly here," Diane flashed him a sheepish smile, finger curling her pigtail as a blush bloomed over her cheeks.

"I know, but that's not the point," King shook his head, before sighing, "We're kids and so it's a bit more dangerous than usual."

"Oh ok, I'll try not to do it again!" Diane sent him a smile. The same one she had given at the beginning of the day. "I'd hate for anything bad to happen to you after all."

This earned a reaction from people nearby, some having warm smiles and saying that it was adorable that two kids were acting like a married couple. The old man had been one of them, chuckling as he played with his beard.

"You two sure are an odd pair," The man smiled slightly, his dark eyes twinkling. "Like a giantess and fairy one of my relatives told me about. He said his friend heard of them and had a relative who knew them. But I consider it a folk tale."

the man had another thoughtful chuckle at that before getting up. He then bid the pair goodbye, heading off into the streets and leaving the pair at the fountain.

Both were a blushing mess.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Elizabeth frowned as she watched Meliodas head towards the ring.

Since getting the chance, the blonde had found his way towards the fights. They weren't hard to find as quite a few people were crowded around the area, betting on certain fighters or waiting for the next contender to come on. Each fight had been bloody and amazing, the hits and overall events being similar to what had occurred at Byzel. As a result Meliodas was itching to get involved, despite his current state, and so had managed to sign himself up.

"Positive," He flashed the nervous Elizabeth a grin, but it didn't calm her completely.

The princess knew that Meliodas could hold his own against people triple the strength of some of these men, but in his current state it was kinda uncertain. After all none of them knew if they had retained the power levels of their chronological ages over the past few days. Plus the spell had been doing strange things to all of their minds, Elizabeth knew as she had been getting glimpses of a girl with four wings. Wings that only the Goddesses were said to possess.

"If you say so..." She agreed shakily, clutching her hands to her chest as she watched the blonde prep for his opponent.

As if trying to make Elizabeth feel worse, the opponent was one of the strongest contenders so far. The man was a tall height, his form being filled out with muscles that seemed to be extremely pronounced. His hands alone seemed to be the size of Meliodas' head, let alone what power they must hold behind them in a punch.

Elizabeth found herself chewing her bottom lip as she watched the two interact slightly. The man seemed to be amused at the tiny blonde, saying that he should probably leave the ring before actually getting hurt. That resulted in Meliodas simply shrugging and saying that he might surprise the guy. Of course he did...

"Please be careful," Elizabeth whispered into nothingness just as the fight began.

Meliodas had gotten the first hit, easily giving the man a bloody nose. A sign that he was either holding back or was weakened. The latter seemed to be the most likely as he seemed a little confused at the result of his blow. However the audience saw it as incredible.

"Whoa did you see that kid's swing!"

"I know insane strength!"

"That kid can't be human..."

This made the opponent snap out of his daze, the man deciding not to go easy on the kid. After all he had to have some sort of power if he can punch like that! A sort of insane or perhaps even inhuman power as someone in the audience had suggested.

Wiping his nose, the man snarled at the blonde who grinned back at him. So far Meliodas hadn't alerted anyone to the fact that he didn't have as much power behind him as he usually did. Granted that he had held himself back there, only aiming to knock the guy out or maybe knock a tooth out, the blonde couldn't help but notice that he was weaker than usual. Much weaker. Which is extremely concerning as he put himself into this dangerous and potentially lethal situation.

However he couldn't back out now. Not after giving the first hit. No he had to keep going and just hope that he didn't end up visiting his version of death. Him being resurrected would most likely scare Elizabeth to death and he couldn't have that happening. (Geez death was used so much here).

Elizabeth frowned as the fight continued, both seeming to exchange blows despite the outcome seeming so obvious in the beginning. In fact people were certain that the muscled giant would overpower the tiny child, but now it looked like the opposite. They could see it from how the kid had a lot more energy to keep going than the man who was panting and trying to keep his eyes open. However both seemed to be suffering from the same amount of injuries.

Black eyes, split lips, bruises and even blows to the stomach and ribs had been received on both ends. Neither side had evaded injury and yet the winner seemed to be obvious. So it wasn't a surprise when the man dropped down, face planting into the ground.

"And the blonde kid wins!" A screechy voice announces the winner and people cheer all around, gossip being mixed in.

However Elizabeth is not too pleased. Sure she's happy that Meliodas had won, but she wasn't happy that he had thrown himself into danger so easily. In fact she was even more annoyed that he had tried to mask it from her, but unfortunately for him she had seen it.

"That was really reckless of you," Elizabeth frowned as she spotted the grinning blonde. Not thinking, she placed a hand over his eye. A soft, glowing light then formed healing the injury. The princess quickly moved her hand back, looking at it in disbelief. "How did I..."

Meliodas frowned slightly at this, knowing that it was only the beginning of something that would lead to trouble. A lot of trouble that he didn't want or need right now and neither should anyone else. However he quickly exchange the frown for a smile, deciding to distract Elizabeth with something.

"Well I won didn't I?" The blonde tried to seem smug, acting as if what Elizabeth had just done was nothing.

The princess sighed at this.

"That's not the point Sir Meliodas," She frowned slightly as she looked at him. "You could've been seriously hurt or maybe even worse. What would've happened then?"

The blonde let out a chuckle at that, his laughter seeming light and careless when really he carried a lot on his shoulders.

"That would never happen Elizabeth," His tone was serious, contrasting with the laughter. "I promise."

Chewing on her lip, Elizabeth nodded accepting his words but not satisfied. After all no-one can evade death it comes to us all eventually...