A/N: Ok so double update today! I'm actually managing time quite well for once XD

Anydoodles, here's the latest chapter,

D.L.D

"What was that?" Diane seemed to frown as she noticed the ground rumble slightly.

The group had just entered an area that wasn't too far from the Capital of Liones. In fact Merlin said they were around an hour away and could definitely make the city by sundown, however Diane didn't remember Liones being so shaky. Yes, the brunette was certain of that. She was certain that it wasn't shaky and not even close to the sort of rumbling she was feeling within her. Beneath her feet. Yet no-one else seemed to notice it aside her, as the other kids were continuing what they were doing.

Well all of them except the Captain and King. However King looked solemn and Diane figured that Meliodas already knew what was going on. The Captain had a knack for that after all, and for some reason the giantess believed it was a trait from childhood.

"It was probably just a giant passing by," Ban waved off as he finished tying Elizabeth's hair.

The Fox Sin had insisted that she have her hair in a ponytail, a style that he said she often wore. In fact he said that she often had a little braid with it too, but that thing was too damn complicated for him to do. So instead he tied it all up and noted that she had gotten a little older, taller and definitely had longer hair. Much longer hair. Maybe even lighter than he remembered too. A lot more silvery too, though he blamed it on the light.

"Oh shush, no-one values your drunken thoughts. Giants don't even come close to here," Diane huffed, rolling her eyes at Ban. Ever since he had that stupid allowance he's been making no sense, especially when treating Elizabeth like a little sister and protecting her from Meliodas. Something that was odd, but also oddly welcomed. Funny since you'd think Meliodas would give him an earful about taking his job, but Ban got none of it. Instead he was simply allowed to continue.

"You guys can feel it too though, right?" Diane continued, frowning as the rumbling seemed to be a little stronger now. She glanced at the two who she knew were feeling it too. "Captain? King?"

Both seemed to perk up at this, one grinning and the other seeming to sink into deeper thought as he drifted towards a window. The glass was clear today, no sign of frost or mist as it displayed the views for as far as the eye could see. Splendid views if not for the lingering dread in his gut.

"Yeah, I can feel it," King spoke, voice soft as he glanced outside behind them. He could feel the presence of something powerful. Something really powerful by normal standards, and a tinge unfamiliar and yet familiar. Contradictory, but making sense. Somehow making sense. "Something's following us."

"Well I could've told you that," Meliodas shrugged as he continued to take his share of goodies from Ban's latest batch of food. A habit that all had welcomed after his whole 'Kilia being Elizabeth' thing. It seemed Ban was always making food for Elizabeth these days.

King turned to look at the blonde, incredulous. How could he be so calm, so nonchalant, when there was something following them?! A group of kids that could just about run a tavern! But even that seemed like a stretch as the previous night had nearly ended in a brawl. Only Merlin's quick thinking, and perhaps intimidating nature, was the reason why they had even managed to drive away the adults. If Merlin hadn't been there to save their asses, then who knows what could've happened.

"Then what is it?" Diane answered for King, stepping between the blonde and fairy, glancing a warning look. She wore a smile that could be confused for curiosity, but instead it masked that she was stopping King from exploding at the blonde.

"A red demon," Meliodas noted as he took a bite from a pastry.

It was then that a crash was heard and all was shaken.

"Are you all alright?" Merlin appeared almost instantly, her features flushed with worry and anxiety.

Luckily for the kids the red demon had missed its mark, however it had struck pretty close and was no doubt rearing for another attack. An attack that the kids would have to counter if they wanted to make it out alive.

"Yes we're fine!"

"Yep."

Diane and King popped out from a corner, both seeming to hide underneath Chastiefol from the motion of the blast. The brunette seemed cheery, a smile on her features, while King was more somber and had a grim expression as he helped the giantess to her feet. Something that seemed to announce their changed status among the group.

"Hey looks like they're finally dating!~" Ban teased from his corner of the room, before frowning as he spotted Elizabeth being helped up by Meliodas. An act that was normally harmless, and arguably usual, for the blonde to do for the clumsy princess. In fact it was normal for that to happen every once in a while and Elizabeth would always react the same way, thanking Meliodas profusely before turning crimson at something else he did. Just a standard event after all.

However Ban didn't take it greatly, in fact he seemed a little offended, and angrily barged into the middle of it.

"Whoa, back off," He stood in front of Elizabeth, frowning at the blonde. "You should know better than aiming for my sister, Cap'n."

The remark cleared up a lot of perplexity, especially as to who Kilia was, but it also caused a confusion between the princess and the Sins. Especially as to why Elizabeth was mistaken as Ban's sister of all people. She lacked the blood red eyes and her hair was definitely a lot more silver than whitish-blue. Plus her features were too soft and rounded, opposed to Ban's sharp and hardened ones. So how could she be a relative of his?

"Your sister?" Meliodas blinked, seeming to be confused for a moment, before smiling and snapping his fingers. An idea struck him immediately one that could be a lot of fun if he went along with it. "Well then I guess I should apologise...and aim to win her anyway."

The look of fury on the Fox Sin's face was both hilarious and oddly intimidating. A glare was fixed on his eyes, as he clenched a fist and grit his teeth. Said fist was raised to the blonde, Ban's fixed expression saying it all.

"Wi-in me?" Elizabeth reddened, brain seeming to tangle into what that could possibly mean. Was she a prize? Or maybe Sir Meliodas was talking about how he was usually the one who saved her from danger?

"Yep," The blonde grinned, a fire seeming to be set in his green depths. "No doubt about it."

'But I don't even have a brother...' Elizabeth's brows furrowed at this, eyes glancing from the blonde and then to her older 'brother' before darting back again. 'Surely Sir Meliodas knows of this. So why go along with the act?'

Diane and King were watching this scene: Ban looking as if he were ready to roast Meliodas alive and Elizabeth looking as if she were pondering something serious. Something really serious. It was only Hawk, Escanor, Gowther and Merlin who seemed to be fixed on the red demon following them. Something that was evident in the mage's look of disapproval and whispering of instructions to her three ready recruits.

"Ok kids, listen up!" Merlin frowned, annoyed that they had grown distracted so easily when a lethal obstacle was following their movement. A pot and wooden spoon floated beside her, the objects clearly having been used to gather their attention. "I need you all focused or we can forget about making it out of here alive."

Ban scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"I'm sure as hell focused," He growled, shooting a dark look at the sheepish Meliodas as he distanced Elizabeth away from him.

"Hey! Leave anything else for later!" Merlin snapped, though she was laughing mentally. It was amusing, to see Ban so mad at Meliodas, especially when they seemed to get along the best; but right now they were in a life and death situation and humor had to be second to fear and survival. "I need all of you to pay attention to this red demon following us. After all it's a matter of life and death - and I'd prefer if we all live."

Mutters of agreement went around the group, and soon they had formed a plan. A plan that they would put into practice immediately.

"Good luck guys!" Diane sent the group a salute as she waited at the doorway of the Boar Hat with Elizabeth.

Merlin and Escanor had already left to deal with the issue of the demon, buying some time for the others to get a safe distance away before joining her to help. The only people staying behind would be Elizabeth and Diane.

Since she was shrunken, and also the only one who could be most trusted with guarding Elizabeth without affecting the results, Diane was left in charge of the Boar Hat. A job that Merlin had assigned especially for the giantess and warned her to take seriously. However that also meant Diane had to let everyone else go off to face that 'scary monster' as she put it, while Elizabeth and herself were safe inside. Something that seemed entirely unfair and really mean to the giantess, but necessary.

"Thanks."

"Like we need it. I've killed one of those before."

"I'll promise we'll make it back in one piece Diane..."

King was the last to speak, the meaning of his promise evident in his softened expression as he turned to the brunette. Similarities between a distant past seemed to flicker in the situation but Diane simply shook her head, offering her best smile.

"I know you guys will," Diane nodded, before nudging the princess to her side. "Right Elizabeth?"

The princess blushed slightly at the mention of her name, but she nodded.

"Yes, I know you'll all be fine," Elizabeth smiled, agreeing completely. But she was really certain as she had discovered something. Something that could help the situation if anything dire should happen, and also something that linked her to the Elizabeth she was seeing in her dreams.

Farewells given, the trio begun to head off and the princess and giant were left alone. Both went inside and Elizabeth took a deep breath, knowing that what she was about to reveal would cause a big fuss. A real huge fuss, but she needed some input.

"Diane?"

"Yeah, Elizabeth?"

"I have something to tell you..."

"Ok we've nearly taken it down, we just need to keep going!" Merlin frowned as she observed from above.

Thanks to her observations, the child Sins had done extremely well with taking down the red demon. It was actually a pleasant surprise to see that despite their lower power levels, the Sins had done well to counter when they could and had successfully removed two of three hearts. Merlin considered this as their prime tactic to use - a way to slowly take down the enemy without getting too close.

After all, by utilizing Meliodas' knowledge of Full Counter, Ban's Snatch and even some of Gowther and King's techniques, the small group of kids had nearly done what most Holy knights had struggled to do. But that may be because these kids weren't normal kids, nor were they really normal people. They were all able to utilize what they have for the best advantages and clearly they'd managed to stick with them in these childlike forms.

'Quite an interesting thing, really,' Merlin smirked from inside her Perfect Cube. 'That the spell would allow for us to maintain our knowledge of certain techniques, while still lowering our power levels.'

Clearly the enemy had been aiming to use the kid Sins for something. That was made clear as day from the conclusion of this battle, and Merlin couldn't deny that this accidental event had actually proven to work in their favor. But how long would that favor last?

"Only one more heart to go," Meliodas grinned as he gripped his stick. Yes...a stick. What happened to his sword, only the sky knows but even that would be uncertain. This guy was always losing his swords.

King floated beside him, Chastiefol at the ready and somber expression seeming to soften into a slight smile. He had been scolding Meliodas about his sword for a while now, despite the blonde performing well enough with a stick. But those sticks did keep breaking...

"That's great!" King smiled before quickly dodging an attack from the demon, a giant arm seeming to come between the two.

Claws went first, skimming the hair on the fairy's head as he moved away from the lethal things. Meliodas had followed, the blonde having moved a bit quicker than the fairy and shooting a smile at him when seeing that he'd made it out in time.

"Man, it coulda hit on of you," Ban sighed, landing a blow on the demon but missing the mark of its heart. The Fox Sin sucked his teeth at this, grimace apparent as he quickly moved to dodge another attack. They were like mosquitoes to this giant thing, a nuisance that was slowly sucking away it its life source.

"Hey, that's not very nice to say," Meliodas tsked, laughing as he struck but didn't go for the heart. There was no opening to, but he knew that he could make one.

The beast stumbled backwards, protecting its face from the blonde's furious attacks. King moved from its path, preparing to look for somewhere to strike; Ban on the other hand had already caught on and was following the creatures steps backwards. Red eyes scanned the thing critically, already knowing where the third heart would be.

"Well I said it anyway," Ban chuckled, smirking as he spotted an opening. Right as the thing reached two hands up to grab Meliodas.

It was a damn good thing that the Captain has caused the demon back up, otherwise Ban might not have caught on in time. Now all he had to do was take out that last heart and victory would be theirs. Acting fast, the Fox Sin struck just as the demon caught Meliodas between its large hands.

"I hate these things," Ban scowled, spitting on the grass as the giant creature fell to the ground.

"What was that?" Jericho turned, frowning as she heard a large thud not too far off.

"I don't know..." Guila frowned, attention caught by the sound as well. She then unsheathed her weapon, expression firm. "Let's check it out."

Nodding, Jericho followed suit and the two knights rushed towards the sound. It was usual to hear such things recently, especially since the posters had begun to be issued. Posters talking about a group of kids that were wanted by the Ten Commandments. No-one really knew what that was about, but the knights figured that whatever it was, it wasn't good. That was evident from all of the demons they'd sent to patrol areas and even feed off the people.

Too many had become victims. Too many. But there wasn't much the knights could do aside from patrols and protecting the perimeters of Liones, after all things had reached to a dire situation. One so bad that many were uncertain of whether the Seven Deadly Sins were alive. No-one had sighted them or the princess for a while now and hope was running thin.

The knights were now nearing the area in which they'd believed the sound had come from. A place that was often frequented by the very things they kept from the Capital. In fact it was marked as a zone that they needed to protect often for any travelers coming towards Liones. However what they found made them both freeze in their tracks, eyes wide and senses unbelieving.

"The Seven Deadly Sins?" Guila raised a brow, confused as she looked at each of the children.

They were all there. Each had the identifiable features of a member, and the princess stuck out clear as day. Especially since the palace was littered with family portraits of the princesses when they were small children. King Baltra valued those things way more than gold and often remarked that he would love to go back to those days. The days when his daughters were so darling and innocent.

However the two knights weren't expecting to see a child version of Princess Elizabeth during their patrol. Nor were they expecting any of the Sins. However this occurrence did make a lot of recent events fall into place and soon they had a picture of what had happened.

"Guila, Jericho!" Elizabeth smiled as she spotted the two knights. Faces that would most certainly mean help and safety. "We would really appreciate some help."

"We can see that," Jericho grimaced as she spotted each of the injured children.

They had definitely taken quite a beating, however she had expected them to look a lot worse. Way worse. It was a miracle that these kids could even hold their own against a red demon. Especially when they were in such a weak state. But then again this was the Seven Deadly Sins they were talking about...

"Sup Jheri curl," Ban gave her a wave and the female squeaked, caught off guard by his sudden boyish charm. A very cute look, although the knight would not admit it herself, especially with the scruffy spiked hair.

"Well we'd be happy to help you guys get into the Capital," Guila smiled at each of the children, their ages reminding her of her own little brother. "I imagine it must've been really tough to make it this fair."

All of the children seemed to give her a 'well duh' look, despite the several disfigurations and injuries to their forms. Something that could be described as comically childlike yet still mature.

"Oh it was," Merlin sighed as she looked over her comrades. "But they've done well."

"We have?" Diane perked up at the sound of that.

"Yes, you have," Merlin nodded, a smile on her face. "You all have."

What followed can be described as a group hug. It was literally a cluster of the small children, getting together into one big heap to surround the mage with hugs and smiles and all sorts of kind and sweet things. However it meant so much more than that. So much more than being a simple childish gesture to amp up the cute-meter. No it was a way of them saying thanks, although too proud to say thanks, to Merlin for being their mother duck for all this time. After all they were a tough group to deal with and they were certain most babysitters would've quit on the first day.

"They're so adorable~" Jericho seeming to coo over the group.

"What was that, Jericho?" Guila chuckled as she noticed the moment of femininity within her friend.

"Oh - um...nothing!" Jericho fixed herself immediately, shaking her head as she turned away from the group. A pout was fixed onto her face, but you could see the small smile threatening to break out on it.

"Well we'd better get going," Guila cut the moment short, addressing the small group of kids. "It gets dark pretty quickly and those hours aren't the best."

No-one protesting the group head back into the Boar Hat, all tired and more than ready to arrive in Liones.