A/N: Here's the next update! You guys are giving me so many ideas through reviews. Thank you so much! I swear when they come in I get so motivated to write, but then I remember things called responsibilities and have to get them done first. *Sigh* Why can't I just write all day? That'd be heaven for me really, oh and being able to read all day. I'm a huge bookworm. I was actually reading a great book called Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman and I was getting forbidden lovers vibes (cause it was XD). Oh and inspiration for a new story~

But I'll stop being a book nerd and will instead respond to reviews! UwU

Silver - King losing control of Disaster would be disastrous! (Unintentional pun) But I think I might not make his powers go completely out of control. I think some of the Sins will still be able to use their powers, but as kids it's a bit weaker and they might 'misuse' them at times. Ban's reaction will be funny though. Then of course there's where the Sins stopped for Merlin's 'detour'. I can actually see King and Diane discovering that cave too and Diane getting some trigger memories - I've added it in now. Last, but not least, Ellie's healing powers and Meliodas fighting. The healing thing will definitely stir some drama and Merlin is definitely going to be disappointed when returning to the Boar Hat. I'll also include that idea with the story telling, though it'll be later on in the story.

Ashley - Well...Merlin isn't looking for Arthur. That was a good guess though as he would be useful in the situation, but I've thought of another source (oddly). You have also predicted the disaster that the Boar Hat will be in. I actually found the last part of your review funny, but then again I laugh at everything :'D Anyway thanks for saying the buddy system was a good idea and I'm glad you liked the newest chapter.

Till next time,

D.L.D

Note: I kinda injured/fractured my little finger playing sports and now have it strapped to my ring finger. The story of how is actually really funny and kinda stupid (I was catching a ball and my finger ended up getting bent with the force XD). So now it's immobile for a few weeks...Clumsiness sucks TvT

Silence filled the area as two small children wandered across the path rarely traveled. Trees and thick plants grew over the once bustling and busy path that marked the way towards Merlin's surprise destination. A path that not many knew the existence of, let alone went through, but was needed for the mage and her rare meetings with her acquaintance. Someone she knew she could trust but was still uncertain of.

"Could I ask where we're going Miss Merlin?" Escanor piped up from behind the ravenette.

The two had been walking through the woods for some time now, often going off the more traveled track and weaving into the thick underbrush beside it. Leaves, twigs and even the occasional wild animal had been their only company as they trekked through the woods towards the unknown goal. Well unknown to Escanor as Merlin wasn't willing to let any of it slip out. However that seemed to nerve him even more as they disappeared deeper and deeper within the wild. A place where no-one can hear you scream.

"You'll find out soon enough Escanor," Merlin responded, her tone simple and self-explanatory.

The male couldn't help but sigh at this. Sure he was glad that Merlin had trusted him to assist her with this highly secretive and important task, a task that she had requested him for, but he was also quite peeved that she wasn't sharing what it was about. After all trust was about knowing that you could tell the other person anything. Escanor sure did show his trust for the tricky mage plenty of times, someone who most people would think twice about trusting, but Merlin seemed to keep herself as a semi-open book. When you felt you understood her, or got close enough to, she'd change completely and shut herself off. Something that made it difficult for him to get through to her.

The two children continued in a comfortable silence, sometimes talking and sometimes finding it better to just look at their surroundings. Not that their surroundings were the most interesting, as a maze of trees can only be so fascinating, but it was an excuse not to speak as well as a reason not to address the large elephant in the room. An elephant that both were extremely gifted at ignoring.

"We're going to get a cure for this," Merlin finally spoke, her voice loud in the quiet area. She was desperate to just get it out with instead of dealing with another elephant that she ignored quite well too. One that was often staring Merlin in the face and reminding her that the pain of an aching heart is one of the worst. She would know after all, as she's had one for countless years.

Nevertheless the mage simply shot Escanor a smile, an indication that she did indeed trust him. It hinted to nothing else. Nothing at all.

Yet Escanor couldn't help but smile back. Even if it didn't seem like it he was making progress on the tricky and thorny Merlin - a rose that seemed to guard herself from the whole world in a means of protection. But from what the boy had no idea. How could he? Merlin was clearly a woman, well girl, of many mysteries. But one day he would solve her and show her what he felt.

He promised that.

"Well, I hope it is successful," Escanor responded, his tone slightly lighter. Perhaps it was because of the level of trust Merlin had displayed to him, or maybe it was because he just felt better now, but the male definitely felt happier. Much happier within the silent, overgrown woods.

A short silence followed this, the pair's footsteps filling the empty space. The crunch of fallen twigs and leaves sounded under their shoes as the continued across the overgrown track, the wind seeming to be absent from the air. But then the still broke, the ravenette pausing in her steps as she sighed.

"Me too Escanor," Merlin spoke, her voice seeming more concerned than usual. She seemed to have taken his words differently, a frown forming. "We need it to."

Then she continued to walk forwards, not glancing back or letting the male spot that she wasn't too sure about this detour either.

"Captain of Scraps Disposal?" Gowther addressed the pig as he always did, holding a level of respect for the talking animal. After all it wasn't everyday that an animal could hold a civilised and reasonable conversation with a person. Many of them were just about capable of being trained. However Hawk did test that theory a lot, especially with how gullible or thick he could be at times.

"What question have you got for me Gowther?" Hawk looked at the doll, happy that someone actually listened to him for once.

For most of the day, the doll had been asking about all sorts of things that Hawk had supplied perfect answers to. Wise answers for. Like why people smiled and why they cried. Like what friends were and why Hawk loved scraps more than anything. In fact Hawk was beginning to enjoy the company of child version Gowther. Much more than most actually; Not once did the doll even step out of line like that bastard Meliodas. In fact Gowther even seemed to respect women from half the questions he asked, and didn't seem like the type to get involved in the antics the Captain of the Sins did. Something Hawk commended.

"Well, I was wondering why you always stop the Captain when he greets Elizabeth," Gowther titled his head as he thought about it.

This issue had been affecting him for the past couple of days really. Mainly it was because such activity had stopped once they had all reverted into children. At first the doll had theorised it was because the princess was lacking the bust she usually had, but then he dismissed it. After all what greeting would be useful if it was not universal? Surely Elizabeth greeted the Captain in the same manner. She most likely did it in private is all.

"That's an easy answer!" Hawk snorted, a look of triumph on his face, "Guys like him shouldn't be touching girls like that, especially not princesses."

And right was the pig. Males shouldn't be groping females like that, but that still hadn't answered Gowther's question. The doll was still wondering why it was wrong for someone to grope a woman's chest. In fact he still believed it was a greeting. A normal one at that. As a result he voiced those beliefs, in his typical Gowther way.

"But isn't groping a woman's chest a greeting?" Gowther furrowed his brows, clearly confused. His finger tapped his chin in thought. "That is why the Captain does it, is it not?"

Hawk sighed at this rolling his eyes. Gowther sure had a lot to learn about the world and the acceptable greetings for it. Such as not groping a woman to say hello. If he were to do that, the doll would most likely get a backhand and then some.

"You have a lot to learn my friend," The pig shook his head, well in a piggy way. "People don't do that for a greeting. They do it when...uh..."

Hawk paused, unsure of how to word this for Gowther. It was complicated explaining the inner workings of desire and things that are closeted from the innocent. Things such as death, murder and sex. You just don't explain those things to kids, and so it didn't help that Gowther looked like a child. Exactly like a curious chidler waiting for an answer to something uncomfortable for an adult to explain. Oh so innocent to the discomfort of cleaning the explanation out for their ears.

"Are you uncertain, Captain of Scraps Disposal?" Gowther blinked, looking at the pig intently.

Hawk quickly shook his head, chuckling slightly.

"No, no it's just - " The pig frowned. "I can't tell you what it means when people do that. You're just a kid after all."

Gowther became confused at this, but then seemed to understand as he nodded slightly. He then looked the pig in the eyes, supplying his answer as if reciting a written piece of text.

"Oh but I'm not, I'm older than any current living human," Gowther answered automatically, "I just look this way."

"That's not the point!" Hawk huffed as he stomped. His trotter made a small click sound as it connected with the floor. "It's to do with creating kids. You know? The birds and the bees?"

"Oh...procreation," Gowther nodded, understanding clouding his eyes. "So the Captain wants to procreate with Elizabeth."

Hawk's mouth fell open at this, disbelief coming over him at the doll's conclusion. The doll's oh so funny and odd conclusion.

"I - Ask someone else!" Hawk evacuated the room, calling for his mother.

The room became still almost immediately, Gowther still seated at his place and turning to look outside of the window. He could see the petrified Ban outside of it, a white substance that looked an awful lot like bird droppings on his shoulder. Oh, he would definitely be pissed when returned back to normal.

The doll turned away from the window, heading towards the bookshelf as he went over what Hawk had told him. The pig had definitely cleared up some confusion with the whole greeting thing, though he had left some unanswered questions. Questions such as if the Captain did want to procreate with Elizabeth. Or if the princess and Captain had a mutual agreement on that. if so then he'd have to dig deeper into that. Into those big questions.

Such fascinating questions...

"Perhaps this will help me," Gowther removed his glasses, cleaning them as he simultaneously got a book to read. Perhaps it will give him more answers than Hawk had, or at least give him an idea on why groping busts is not a greeting.

After all he should know. As had Hawk said, he had a lot to learn.

Merlin recollected herself as she looked at the paper and sack in her hands. The mage had gotten it from a crate left for her by her acquaintance, Slader. Right in the clearing that they had decoded upon earlier. The two had organised this exchange between themselves, Slader wanting to help the person he looked up to as an older sister, when Merlin had sent news of the Sins' situation. In fact he had done more than enough to help her by finding a lot of substantial research and equipment, however the main thing needed was missing.

A clue to what the cure was...

Of course Merlin knew that Slader wasn't gifted in the area that the cure was in. In fact she was uncertain of whether he would actually come through with a result, but the mage had put a lot of faith and hope into that. She had been positive that perhaps he would find a clue or perhaps even an ingredient or component to reversing the spell. But all she got was a note. The same note that was crumpled in her hands now.

"I'm guessing there wasn't a cure?" Escanor raised a brow as he checked the empty crate once more.

Once again he found nothing within it. Not surprising really. All that was in there was the sack, some ingredients for shrinking pills and a note, the note explaining that Slader had come up unsuccessful when looking for a cure. However he said that he was going to keep looking. That he would not let his Big Sis down and would find a way to help her.

"No..." Merlin's voice was quiet - worried. She chewed her lip as she thought of what they could do next. Of how to help their situation before it was too late to do anything. After all it was starting to affect King, one of the three left unaffected. How long would it be until it got her and Escanor too?

If that were to happen then everything would unravel. All of the Sins would become an uncontrollable haggle of kids, travelling around on a giant green pig, and in possession of a lot of alcohol and weapons. Not to mention that they're memories were slowly being wiped, each one getting further and further away the longer they were like this. Merlin could barely remember her earliest experiences, the things being so fuzzy and foreign like trying to recall being a baby.

What would happen once they all forgot everything?

Chaos. Pure chaos.

"Merlin?" Escanor placed a hand on her shoulder, brow crinkling with concern. He had been watching the made, her expression plain as she seemed to panic inside. In fact he had grown concerned as she hadn't blinked in a while, well that and that they were still in the middle of the woods. As kids too. "I think we should head back. The woods are no place for children."

His words snapped the mage out of her thoughts, a smile forming on her lips.

"You're right, we should head back," Merlin nodded, glad that she hadn't gone by herself to get the crate. If she had she would've most likely spent ages trying to figure out what would happen next. That would leave all of the Sins unattended for way too long. Her expression softened at the ginger, her smile warm and genuine. "Thank you Escanor."

The male smiled at this, the expression genuinely returned as well as his mood.

"Don't mention it, Miss Merlin. I'd do anything for you."

And she smiled in response to that.

"It's a cave!" Diane seemed awed as she spotted the natural structure of rock. Something that she would've called home within the Giant Clan as they found to easiest to live inside structures of rock and earth. Building houses and even bothering to make clothes out of nothing more than animal skins wasn't on the top of their priority list. No, instead it was fighting. A bloody and gruesome sport that they glorified and praised. Things like art and building buildings and structures were pushed aside in favour of that.

"Yeah...I wonder how we managed to stumble across it," King murmured, more to himself than anyone.

He had a weird feeling that he recognised this particular cave. In fact he was certain something important had occurred there. Something that helped shaped him into who he was today. But he couldn't really pinpoint it as he was too busy making sure Diane didn't run off again. Something she had found a love for while they were in town.

"Well I say we explore it!" Diane placed both hands on her hips, striking an explorer-themed pose as she pointed towards the cave. "We could find something cool in there or even a new hiding spot if Merlin has us here for a few days."

"I don't know Diane..." King hesitated as he looked at the cave, the interior looking a little gloomy despite the afternoon sunlight. "Something feels off about this place."

Diane tsked at this, rolling her eyes as she grabbed the fairy by the arm.

"Like it or not, we're going in there," She spoke, determined, as she marched towards the cave.

King immediately began to protest at this, trying to pull himself from the brunette's firm grasp, but she only laughed at his attempts. One of the many perks of being a giant, meant that while she was a kid she still had insane strength. She could still smash Ban's face in after all. Not to mention create a crater in the ground! And so King didn't have a chance of escaping Diane's grasp, no matter how much he protested. Plus she could always play her hidden cards if he still refused to go into the cave.

After all Diane wanted to see why this cave in particular had caught her attention. Being a giant, she had seen a bunch throughout her lifetime and lived within one with Matrona and Dolores. Plus caves and rocks were the norm for the Giant race: it was like seeing the sky. So why did she get this weird feeling when looking at this cave? Why did it cause her brain to feel so light? So happy and fuzzy, but distant and just out of reach.

"Diane, I don't think we should be here," King's protests had stopped, a weird silence coming over him.

"Why not?" Diane tilted her head, stopping her pulling as well as her walking. "It's just a cave right?"

At this King paused, his brows creasing. He seemed to be considering something as he took in the landscape, critical eyes swiftly assessing the scene before he nodded. The answer came too quickly.

"Yeah it's just a cave. That's why we'll find nothing special inside."

Diane clocked his head with her fist for that, pouting as she continued to drag him.

"Liar," She huffed as she stopped outside of the mouth of the cave. "Now we're definitely going in here."

King groaned at this, a look of protest and reluctance coming to his features once again.

"Do we have to?"

"Yep, there's no going against it."

She then pushed him inside, making sure that he couldn't escape as they made their way inside.