A/N: Here's the next update! Thanks for all the get well soons, they're making me feel a little better about the finger pain :) This chapter definitely was a doozy to get done, but I think it's kinda nice. Anyway, let me get on to answering reviews, which were all lovely as always.

Silver - The curse is kinda permanent but not completely. It's like they believe that they are kids and forget that they're actually older, but if they know someone else they could reverse the spell for them. The memories thing I'm kinda uncertain of, but it'll involve Diane remembering everything.

Ashley - I relate to the car door thing. It sounds extremely painful. I caught my finger in an automatic gate once (it didn't break but I still have the scar XD). But fingers are just so easy to injure when you're clumsy! It's such a crime and something I need to make Elizabeth do in one of my stories (she's a clumsy one too after all UwU). However as you said, enough about hurting fingers. I'm glad that you found the Gowther scene funny - and you forgot about Slader... XD The cure is something I'll just leave open for now. *Nervous chuckles* You are correct about Diane remembering, though I can't say it's all sunshine and smiles and wham bam yes ma'am, Diane and King are together. I'm gonna add some tension UwU. Sorry about the cliffhanger though, I have some weird thing where I have to leave it like that. Just for tension/drama I guess. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Darkjuliet444 - King and Diane finding the cave is good and bad. Ok now to answer the questions! (Which are never bad things). When Escanor does begin to revert, he'll most likely lose control of Sunshine. I've planned that for most of the Sins. They'll be able to use their powers, but unless they were trained from children or born knowing how to use it, they'd make goofs and sometimes even serious accidents occur. Ban'll most likely think back to Kila and that being the reason why he cooks is actually a good one. (I'm gonna add it in now). But it's also given me an idea that I won't share right now. Finally, King and Diane. I think they would most likely cling to each other as they slowly forget who they are. But even then, they'll start to forget each other (which is what the enemy is aiming for). So...I'll have to put some of those answers on hold (if there are any left) and weave them into the web of this story.

Till next time,

D.L.D

"Elizabeth, can we talk?" Diane bit her lip as she glanced at the princess, hand automatically buried in her chestnut pigtails. As usual her fingers were twirling the ends of her hair - a nervous trait of the giantess.

Elizabeth noticed this immediately, seeming to sense the anxiety and uncertainty within her friend. Especially from the constant twirling of hair between fingers. As a result she nodded, following the brunette towards the door.

"Yeah, sure," Elizabeth shot Diane a smile, the expression warm and kind. A usual for the princess.

Soothing the brunette, the expression caused a similar one in return. However it was a little more shaky and anxious, only putting Elizabeth in a position of more concern for her friend. After all it wasn't normal for the loud, bubbly Diane to be so nervous and anxious. To act like a shy person thrust into a hustling, bustling crowd. She was usually one of the most positive and outgoing among the group, but now she seemed like the opposite. A complete opposite.

The two sat just outside the Boar Hat, the day having cleared up nicely. The weather was a lot better than it was that morning, with the air being warm and a nice breeze passing by every now a then. A huge contrast to the bitterly cool chill that had been present during previous days. But not only that was much better - the sky had even cleared up to a clear ocean blue with barely any clouds blocking the warm sunlight from the people down below. A beautiful day for being outside.

"Do you remember anything strange?" Diane broke the silence, knees tucked to her chest. "Like lost memories."

This caused the princess' brows to furrow, thoughts coming to life from that one simple question. A question that could mean anything, but Elizabeth took as meaning memories of something you don't think happened, but must've happened. You wouldn't be able to remember them so well if they didn't. Plus the memories were so vivid and close, like something that you knew you had to have done and seen; but then they would suddenly be dreamlike and fuzzy. Then they would suddenly disappear before you only to reappear again, but more vivid and striking. Then the cycle continued and you began to wonder if anything you remembered was true or not.

"Strange?" Elizabeth tilted her head, deciding to inquire more about what the giantess meant. "Do you mean like past memories?"

At this the brunette nodded, a small grin spreading across her features.

"Exactly!" Diane beamed before allowing a sigh to escape her. She seemed to deflate with that, her eyes trained to a daisy she had plucked. She was now twirling it between her fingers, the petals blending into a white blur. "I keep getting these strange dreamlike memories. They started off small but now they're getting bigger and bigger and won't fade away."

Elizabeth frowned, unknowing of what to do but understanding slightly. The princess herself had caught glimpses of a past. A past where there was a girl with two sets of wings, her smile bright and wide and she seemed so happy. She had learned more about this girl through the glimpses, the first few taking her to the girl's childhood and the rest slowly progressing steadily through her life. The girl was the daughter of someone important, her name being Elizabeth. Soon the princess had learned much about this girl. About what she enjoyed, what she was like and how she had been raised.

But soon a change occurred and the story of the happy girl seemed to be derailed from there. By the time the girl was around fourteen, a war had begun and her people were fighting against a darkness. A race that they believed to be soulless monsters. Murders. Killers. They had named the enemy as Demons, saying that their kind had done something so wrong, so despicable, that they all had to eradicated.

As a result, after the news of this war had spread, the girl had decided to get involved - much to her mother's dismay. But the girl had joined regardless and soon she had found her way into a battle on the front lines. Something that seemed to be yet another life-changing event in this winged Elizabeth's life. Then the memories skipped from there to the girl, now a teen nearing young womanhood, pleading with someone. Someone that they called an Archangel. He was named something beginning with an L. Lionell? Leon? No, Ludociel. His name was Ludociel and he had some sort of association with someone the winged girl had known.

But that was as much as the princess knew about the mystery winged girl also named Elizabeth. The memories had only taken the princess that far - no further, no less. All she knew was based off those memories and they only came to her in dreams. That meant that she had to wait until tonight to get closer to finishing this story about the winged girl.

But the princess couldn't help but wonder why she was getting these dreams and glimpses at a girl with her name. Were they connected? Was she from another reality? But surely that meant she would've met the Sins by then? Elizabeth just didn't know what to think of it and so she put it to rest, deciding to focus on Diane. After all she had thought she was the only one getting these memories, but it seemed Diane was also getting glimpses at a past that seemed so real and yet so dreamlike.

"What are the memories about?" Elizabeth raised a brow, looking at the brunette.

She was still twirling the daisy, intently watching the flower with deep eyes.

"Well, they were about a time I could barely remember as my normal self," Diane grimaced as she stopped twirling the flower. "I had lived alone for a while when I was younger, but after a while I headed back to the Giants. It was between then that I can't remember, but recently I've been getting glimpses of back then."

It was then the flower began to twirl again, the stem coiling as the giantess twisted it more and more.

"I remember having a lot of nice moments," Diane smiled slightly, distantly. Like she was recalling something warm and lovely. "With someone that I'd loved a lot. Like a lot. But I could only remember that I'd found him one day by a river bank and he was called Harlequin..."

Elizabeth frowned at this, knowing that it would be hard to identify this 'Harlequin' without knowing what he looked like. Let alone if he was still alive or anything. But that had to be what was bothering Diane and so Elizabeth would help in any way she could. Even if it meant following Diane on this crazy search.

"Do you know anything specific about him?" Elizabeth asked, her features filled with thought. Perhaps the memories had filled in a few blanks like they had with herself. Then it'd be clearer and easier to find this Harlequin.

Diane nodded in response, humming in a positive answer.

"Yep," She beamed, but then it dampened as she remembered what it was. "But that's why I wanted to talk to you. Today King and I found a cave and I was really interested about it, but it triggered something..."

Diane paused and the princess' eyes widened with understanding as she realised what the giant meant. The cave must've been linked to the memories Diane was experiencing and therefore it could've made some things that were fuzzy clear up. Things like the identity of this Harlequin stranger. Maybe even what had happened to him.

"So you know who Harlequin is?" Elizabeth spoke, a small smile on her face. Well that was good. That meant that Diane would be able to be reunited with the person she had cared immensely for in her past. But something about the brunette's hesitation told Elizabeth otherwise.

"Yeah, I know," Diane sighed, slipping the daisy into her hair as she rested her chin on her knees. The same flower that had been used. "But I don't think he wants me to know who he is."

"Why not?" Elizabeth tilted her head, confused.

Why would a person who knew how much Diane cared for them not want to be known? They should know that Diane is a very well-intentioned person. In fact for all the times she is a handful, it's usually because she means well. So for someone not to want her to know who they are would be highly unlikely. Right?

"It's King," Diane let the words out quietly, face buried in her knees. She was trying to become small. Invisible. Small enough so that no-one would notice her and that nothing could ever affect her at all. Something she'd wished for years now. Just to be smaller. Maybe that's where it had originated from. From when Diane was abandoned and as a result she had subconsciously projected that into wanting to be small. "And in all the years we've known each other, before and now, he hasn't said a thing..."

She was in despair. It was evident. Diane was visibly upset because she felt that if King cared that much he would've told her about their past. Maybe even tried to have made her remember. But he didn't. He just sat on idly by as she remembered things incorrectly. Falsely.

Elizabeth sighed, nibbling her lip as she placed a hand on the brunette's shoulder. Clearly she had to sort this out. This was all just a huge misunderstanding and terrible timing on many things' parts.

"Well...maybe he wanted to but couldn't," The princess took a chance with this, knowing that King did care immensely for Diane. It was evident from how everyone mocked and teased him about it. Plus he would always steal glances at the brunette when he thought no-one was looking. "Try talking to him about it. I'm sure he'll be reasonable."

Diane seemed reluctant, but nodded. A small smile and sniffle escaping her.

"Fine..." Diane seemed wobbly in her resolve, "But only because you said so."

"That's fine by me," Elizabeth smiled before her expression grew serious. "But give Sir King a chance. I'm sure he has a good reason for this."

And the princess thoroughly believed that.

A blonde and ginger sat side by side, both quiet and solemn as they wandered into their own minds. Minds that were filled with thoughts that were grave and on some part depressing, however neither would give a hint to it as they both passed the time by eating the leftover burnt cookies. A meager substitute for the ales they usually would've been downing. Downing to replace the swirl of emotions and fears within their minds.

"Ok, you two need to let off some steam," Hawk frowned as he looked at the pair.

Gowther had vacated the area, taking a small walk and the pig had been watching them intently since. Both had been oddly quiet, pensive expressions worn as they seemed to mirror each other. Looks of acting as if they didn't hear or didn't care about what the pig was saying. But Hawk could tell that something was bugging the pair and as the most responsible of the leftover group he took it upon himself to resolve it.

"Talk for crying out loud!" Hawk huffed, a trotter connecting to the floor with a harsh thud. "You can't be so stubborn all the time or you'll end up exploding from it."

Both turned to face him, questioning looks on their faces.

"Talk about what?" Meliodas took another bite of his latest cookie.

"Yeah, there's nothing going on between us Hawk," King agreed, thought still in his eyes.

Hawk sighed at this, knowing that they were just being a pair of stubborn assholes. Something that both seemed to be skilled at when they had something to hide. Something that led to their inner workings and reasons for thinking the way they do. But unluckily for them, Hawk was experienced in the art of dealing with such people.

"I never said there was," The pig turned his back on them, the equivalent of a smug grin on his face. "But clearly there's something bothering the both of you. So talk it out or I'll make sure Ban stops making those cookies!"

The reaction was a shrug and a mock gasp. Then a cookie fell to the floor for 'drama' but really was just them signifying that they didn't really care about the cookies. They were just a replacement for the booze while they were kids after all. Nothing was too amazing about the slightly overcooked treats.

"I'll make Merlin gets rid of the alcohol stocks then!" Hawk challenged, a dignified look on his face as he took in their reactions.

Meliodas seemed to give Hawk an 'I dare you' look, while King settled for yet another shrug. Fitting for the fairy as he was known to be a lightweight. Plus his experience with the stocks last time wasn't too pleasant. He'd had a headache for what seemed like years and even sleeping hadn't driven away the pain.

"You do it and I'm making roast hog," Meliodas spoke simply, but the dark edge to it was unmistakable.

The pig let out a small eep, but managed to stay firm.

"Just talk it out before I'm back or I will tell Merlin," Hawk sighed, acting as if the comment meant nothing as he trotted towards the door.

The pig then left the building, the sound of the door closing echoing around the empty space. Both Sins returned to their cookie eating, going through the things like chain smokers a joint. It was silent, peaceful and eventually too much for them both. The knowledge of knowing that they were both bothered by something became too much.

"You wanna talk about it?" Meliodas spoke voice, his tone simple.

"Yeah, let's talk about it," King sighed, seeming to know that it was better than holding it in. "So what's bugging you Captain? You seemed fine earlier today."

The blonde gave a sheepish smile, hand coming to the back of his head.

"Just had some bad luck in a fight is all," He answered breezily. That wouldn't be odd for him to be so stroppy about as a kid, especially since he still had a few bumps and bruises leftover. Yep that was the perfect cover up. No-one would know it was hiding anything else - except King didn't seem to accept it, in fact he studied the blonde beside him. Amber eyes narrowed on the blonde, the owner highly skeptical.

"That's not what happened at all is it?" The fairy chuckled.

Meliodas joined his laughter, before sighing.

"Ok you caught me," The blonde frowned as he took to focusing on the cookies. There weren't many left now, the supply quickly diminished by the pair. "It's just that some odd stuff's been happening recently."

King nodded at this, understanding as he was going through something similar. Diane had been acting strange ever since their weird detour at the cave. After checking the place out she had grown pretty silent. In fact she seemed to want to shy away from him, something that King had never wanted. Nor did he like it. Plus it wasn't like Diane to act like that. To just ignore someone or grow oddly quite. She might be a little prickly at times, like she was at first with Elizabeth, but she was never so distant. It was as if the Diane he knew had just switched.

"Yeah, a lot has changed," King sighed as he joined the blonde in cookie eating. "Everyone seems so different now that we're kids and Diane's been acting funny."

This time was Meliodas' turn to nod, the blonde knowing completely what that felt like. Elizabeth was acting a little strangely recently, sometimes doing odd quirks or things that linked directly to one of her past incarnations. Things that were alarming and distressing for the blonde. Plus Elizabeth had somehow managed to tap into her healing powers today. Something that meant the curse was beginning to kick in. Something that was extremely taxing for Meliodas to even think about, let alone go through again.

That added with the pressure of the situation they were in were beginning to get to the Captain. Especially when things just seemed to be getting worse and worse.

"So has Elizabeth," The words slip out easily, somehow like when someone was intoxicated. However both had to be sober as they were only eating cookies.

"I noticed that too," King noted as he took another bite of a cookie, only to stop midway.

Both boys seemed to notice that these cookies had strange effects. It seemed like these things were like a child equivalent of ale, or perhaps even liquor, as it wasn't like either to let things like that out with a sober mind. Only when they were drunk, well and truly hammered too, that they would make slip ups like that.

"What the hell are in these cookies?" Meliodas frowned as he studied one.

It looked normal, some chocolate chips being thrown into the ingredient list. But they didn't really taste normal now that he thought about it. They were a bit bitter and maybe that burning taste and look wasn't due to the cookies being overdone.

"I don't know, but I feel a bit sick..." King seemed to turn a shade of green. He then got up, floating scatteredly towards a bathroom. The next noises weren't the best to hear.

"Yup, these were spiked," Meliodas let out a chuckle, knowing that it was Merlin, before groaning as a headache hit him at full force.

Damn that mage for knowing they'd used a substitute.