A/N: Okie, another week means another chapter (sorry this one's a little later than usual). Anydoodles, I wanted to just ask you guys to check out my other story for Seven Deadly Sins (though I'll say I need to tweak it a bit). It's titled 'I Thought I Knew You' and is set in a boarding school Au, where Elizabeth has transferred from the elite Celestial Prep *Plays dramatic music*. That is all I will reveal for now, so if you're interested please take the time to read it.

Aside from that I just wanted to thank you guys for reviewing, favoriting and following this story! The count is 22 Faves, 26 Follows and 29 reviews (with over 2k views so thanks so much!) - let's keep it going! UwU

Ashley - Oh don't think letting Ban drink doesn't have any pros for Merlin, she has something planned for that. Also making Elizabeth seem like Kilia to Ban came around when I thought of how their hair colours were similar after a prompt from one of my other readers. Completely random I know :P But that whole theory of Kilia being an incarnation Meliodas didn't meet is actually a good one. I wonder if that's really what happened... Oh and the dream thing - Elizabeth hasn't met Demon Prince Meliodas yet. Sorry to disappoint but not yet, I have something planned for when she gets to that point. Right now you could say Elizabeth Liones is at the point where Goddess Elizabeth is realising that things aren't right, while also healing people from both sides. Hence the connection. I'm totally gonna leave the remembering being a good or bad thing as an open thing too - sorry. But I'd love to hear your thoughts on what you think will happen. Yep, the Liones chapters have officially begun! I'm gonna have fun writing these next few chapters, from the scenarios I have planned to the characters themselves.

Till next time,

D.L.D

"The Seven Deadly Sins have arrived," Guila approached the King, bowing to show her respects.

As usual the royal family were gathered in the throne room, the two eldest daughters and their father, awaiting reports on the latest circumstances of their situation. For around a week now, things had been slowly going downhill with the sudden disappearance of the former outlaws - The Seven Deadly Sins. Killings, patrols and even attacks were just a part of daily life now, and time seemed to have stilled in a constant blur as the kingdom awaited news that could lead to salvation. To victory. To a chance of survival.

"That's excellent news!" Baltra couldn't help but smile as he knew he could depend on the knights. They were some of the most trustworthy people he'd come across and he had placed unaccountable trust in them when Princess Elizabeth had left. In fact he believed that the Sins were just what the kingdom of Liones needed to try and fix this terrible predicament. A beacon of hope in these dark times. "Please bring them in."

"Ah but - " Guila began, but Jericho shook her head.

She sidestepped in front of her partner, a dutiful expression on her face.

"They'll be here in a moment," Jericho spoke promptly, a sheepish grin on her face as she turned away from the King.

She then grabbed Guila by the wrist, promptly marching past the other knights stood on guard. Frowning as the door came to a heavy close behind them, Jericho led her partner out of the room. Almost instantly, the knights were confronted with a group of eight children and a pig. Well it was more of a heap than a group, especially due to them all having been leaning against the door to hear all they could. But Jericho shook it off and instead simply entered 'mama-mode' and looked at each of the kids sternly.

"You really shouldn't eavesdrop you know," She huffed, placing hands on her hips as she towered over them. Her foot tapped as she frowned at them all. "Don't you know what happens to nosy brats?"

The reaction was mixed, some of the kids blinking in confusion and a small minority laughing at her remark. Of course, Ban was one of the laughers.

"What? You'll chop our ears off?" The Fox Sin snickered, rolling his eyes as he shoved past the knight. He even poked her to prove how much he cared. "That's a load of bullcrap ya'know. Just an old wives' tale to scare us 'kids'."

Jericho tensed at this, features seeming to be fixed in a permanent scowl as a slight tinge of red spread across her cheeks. It deepened at the realisation of it being there, brown eyes hardening as she glared at the Fox Sin. That damned boy was way too mouthy for his age, but then again Ban always was a talker wasn't he? Always the one to gloat and blabber before actually getting anything done. Explains why he's always getting his ass drunk as an adult...

"Do they really chop your ears off?" Elizabeth tugged on Jericho's arm, tears forming but not falling in her crystal blue eyes. The princess wore a uncertain expression, fearful yet guarded as she regarded the knight.

"Well - " Jericho began, features softening.

"I don't want to lose my ears!" Diane's eyes widened, hands instinctively reaching for her ears. Amethyst eyes enlarged, tears threatened to tumble as she ran towards Jericho. She captured the knight in a hug, arms wrapping around her midsection. "Please don't make them chop them off, Jericho! I promise I won't do anything like that again! I didn't mean to eavesdrop..."

Jericho sighed, rolling her eyes as Diane's squealing and pleading set off two of the other kids. A huge annoyance and earache in her opinion. It was like a chain reaction with these lot after all. You set one of the brats off, the others follow suit and soon they're all crying and asking you to assure them of things. Well most of them do except the four most quiet ones: Merlin, King, Gowther and Meliodas. Ban was just a plain pain in the ass.

Those four kids however, never seemed to cry and had eyes that told of an age way older than their child bodies displayed. In fact they were still quite mature, though way more likely to do small mischievous things, and often went off to think a lot. They also seemed to be the most aware of what was going on. Those four were always seeming to know much more than the eye could see after all. Aware of things that even the pair of knights were unsure of.

"Now, now, don't cry," Guila cooed as she pat both Elizabeth and Diane on the heads. She sent a soft smile to both children. "I'll make sure that you won't get your ears chopped off."

Both girls seemed relieved by this, sniffling as they looked at the knight in awe and disbelief. Credible disbelief.

"Really?" Both seemed to ask this at the same time.

"Mhm, really," Guila nodded and that was all that was needed to calm the crying kids.

Soon they were all back to their happy selves, all seeming excited to be in a castle. They marveled at everything from the walls to the old paintings on them; Well all of them did except Elizabeth, who had grown up inside of these walls and known them better than most. She was actually the most knowledgeable of the group when it came to this place. Perhaps knowing even more than her sisters as they were rumored to have known the place really well as kids. No-one could ever find the princesses when they played a game of hide-and-seek after all.

"Well, let's get this meeting over and done with," Jericho grumbled, pouting as she noticed how easily the kids clung to Guila. The black-haired knight always had a knack for kids. In fact she treated them all so well and showed them such kindness that it was a bold contrast to how silent and deadly she could be. But perhaps that was because of Zeal, her younger brother. He must be around the child Sins' age after all, and therefore she saw her brother within them.

"Yes, of course," Guila cleared her throat, distancing herself from the children. Her smile was replaced with a grim expression. "We have urgent matters to discuss after all."

"Elizabeth?"

"Ellie!"

Veronica was the first of the royals to get to the child Elizabeth, eyes wide and frown in place as she scooped up her literal kid sister. Critical eyes seemed to scour over the tiny princess' entire being as the second princess of Liones inspected her sister for damage and all sorts, despite the younger's protests. All sorts of checks were proceeded: including lifting her sister's arms and legs, and even asking her to turn around in a full circle. However no damage was found, Elizabeth's appearance being fine apart from the revelation that she was now a child. A very young child from the looks of it - only appearing to be around six to eight years old.

But that wasn't satisfactory for the second princess of Liones. Oh no, she was determined to know what had happened.

"What did you do?!" Veronica set the child Elizabeth down and towered over the kid Sins. Being much taller than them all now, Veronica seemed a lot more menacing than before. Brown eyes seemed to narrow to glowing slits as she glared at the group, scowl in place.

"Nothing," Meliodas answered simply, simple shrug matching simple tone.

"What do you mean nothing!" Veronica snapped, picking the child up by the collar of their clothing. "My sister was not a child the last time I saw her!"

"That could have been eight years ago," Ban chuckled, amused at the sight.

"Why you - "

"Veronica!" Margaret frowned, upset by the fact that her sister was being so violent towards the children. The eldest princess sighed, shaking her head. "Please put Sir Meliodas down and then we can get to the bottom of this...situation. Right father?"

Margaret turned to her father, ready for an answer, only to see that he wasn't quite with them at the moment. In fact Baltra was too busy thinking of past times that seemed so distantly in the past - and yet they had come back in the form of his youngest daughter being a child again. Oh he could recall those past memories so well. Memories of times that he had missed greatly and often reminisced when faced with the boredom and disaster of present times. Put into more simple words *cough* the King realised he could relive those glory days. (Geez I got there eventually).

"Father?" Margaret frowned slightly, tapping him lightly on the shoulder. "Do you agree that we should catch the Sins up on everything that has occurred recently?"

Baltra blinked, having been snapped out of his thoughts. A sheepish smile formed.

"Yes I believe this would be the best course of action," Baltra nodded curtly, agreeing with his daughter's every word. "Too much has happened in the course of this past week and I believe that soon it may take a turn for the worse."

"You couldn't be more right, your majesty," Merlin grinned slightly, arms folded across her chest. She watched amused as Veronica set their tiny Captain down, expression still warranting anger. "We're all simply running on borrowed time."

"What?!"

Shock had filled most of the occupants of the room, except for Merlin and the few she had let the truth slip to. After all, the ravenette had kept it pretty hush that they all didn't have much time until things got much worse than they were already. In fact she had chosen to omit that small truth to those most affected by the spell, knowing that their reactions would cause something that she couldn't control. A small choice to make in the grand scheme of things - but one she had to.

"I'm afraid that time isn't on our side for this one," Merlin smiled wearily at the group. It then grew into a grin as she turned towards the royal family. "But given the right resources, I should be able to find a solution in time."

"What do you need?" Veronica was the first to speak, clearly irked by the whole situation.

"Just a babysitter for the kids," The mage answered simply, gesturing towards the now distracted kids. All of them were now talking about something, perhaps planning to do something childlike and reckless. Oh well, she could deal with that later. Right now she had to get this out of the way. "I need to know that they're safe while I work."

"Well if that's all then - "

"I also need a full report of what has happened over the past week," Merlin pushed, hair falling into her eyes as she looked to the ground. A finger tapped against her cheek, painted nail on display as she thought. "Preferably now would be ideal, but if not then I understand. However I believe that sharing now may benefit the Sins, I feel as if -"

Crash!

...clatter.

The sound filled the room immediately, causing all adults (well mature people) to turn towards the source. Diane and Meliodas sat at the base of the armor, the brunette rubbing her head and the blonde recollecting himself from his fall. King on the other hand had just managed to duck out of the way on Chastiefol, while Ban was trying to pry the helmet off his head. Only Gowther and Escanor had delayed, both advising against messing with the suit of armor - but of course no-one had listened.

Merlin sighed at this, knowing that a lot more was to follow this one event.

Good thing she asked for babysitters.

"You guys need to listen to this, because it's really important," Merlin frowned, easily slipping into the role of mother duck as she stepped towards the kids. They instantly looked guilty, each wearing their own expression for the Boar Sin's scolding.

"Sorry Merlin..."

"We didn't mean to be so loud."

"Yeah, we were just -"

"Meh who cares about this dumb meeting. Just help me get this off my head!"

The mage sighed at the last remark, knowing that it belonged to the most troublesome of the group. The one that always had a smart ass comment, even when he was losing or being proven wrong.

"Fine," Merlin snapped her fingers and the helmet came off easily. "Now are you all going to listen?"

"Yes Merlin," All of the children responded, their tones seeming genuine along with their expressions.

"Good," She grinned as she turned towards the King, "Now do you agree to the terms, your majesty?"

"This is really bad," Diane frowned as she and King waited for their 'assigned babysitter'.

After being filled in on recent events, each of the Sins had been given someone to attend to their needs. Well by attend to their needs, everyone knew that they were simply being given babysitters. People that would be able to keep the child Sins under control and out of trouble. Someone that could be responsible for them because Merlin was clearly sick of it.

"Yeah it is," King agreed, hugging Chastiefol tightly beneath him. He'd been doing that a lot more recently, becoming a lot more clingy towards the subject of his pillow. However the news been given wasn't exactly the best, so maybe that was why.

According to the monarchy of Liones the Ten Commandments had shown up out of nowhere, slowly taking their hold over Britannia through the past week. It had started off as random attacks at villages that were furthest away from the Capitals, before slowly edging inwards towards the Capitals themselves. Each kingdom had taken its own precautions for protecting its people from demons, but things were beginning to get worse.

Holy Knights weren't coming back from patrols; Dreyfus and Hendrickson were nowhere to be seen; and bodies were beginning to rise from the dead. Rumors had sprouted among the people everywhere, fear and hostility rising in the short span of just a week. Many had theories that the missing knights were all dead too - taken to become sacrifices - while others simply mourned and began to accept that they were going to die. That everyone was going to die.

Plus the posters didn't help. Posters that were hung up for the Seven Deadly Sins for the price of keeping your life - a very persuading offer. However, no-one knew why the poster had sketches of kids instead of the Sins are their normal ages. After all none of the Sins were children, they all had quite grown appearances and lacked the faces of typical young children. So the matter of children being in the place of the Sins' actual faces, was a mystery to all until they'd shown up at Liones. It was only through talking to Baltra today that the Sins and kingdom had managed to piece a few things together.

But still a lot was missing.

"I just hope that we can find a way to fix this," Diane smiled slightly, a little bit of hope still burning within her. "Merlin did say that she was working on a solution right?"

"That's what she said," King nodded, but a smile couldn't form. Not yet. The future of whether Merlin's research would pay off was still foggy. After all, most of her previous attempts had turned up with naught and now King himself was starting to revert. "...But what if Merlin can't find a cure?"

The brunette's smile faded at this, causing her to shake her head furiously.

"Don't say something like that! I'm sure Merlin will find something," Diane huffed slightly, before sighing. "Plus being a kid's not so bad. I got to remember us right?"

She tilted her head, face suddenly inches away from the fairy's. A light smile was on her face, eyes closed.

Tomato. That's the shade of the fairy's face after suddenly being in such close proximity to the giant. The shade of a ripe tomato in the sun, then being shone on with a red lamp. Yes, he was that red.

"D-Diane I - "

"Whoa, so I'm babysitting you guys right?" Howzer raised a brow at the two kids, suddenly way too close for his comfort. Yes, very close. Were they about to do something? No way! Kids don't know about that stuff, right? But then again these kids weren't 'normal kids'.

Frowning slightly, but mainly confused at what he should do, Howzer pushed the kids apart. A smile made it's way onto his face as he addressed them once again.

"Ok, try not to be so close next time..." He glanced between the two children, expressions polar opposites.

King wore a glare that seemed like to could kill, eyes narrowed and lips spread in a frown; Diane on the other hand was the personification of childlike innocence, smile in place and expression sweet as ever. It made the knight feel a little better about the fairy looking at him as if he was preparing a murder - but not completely better.

"Hey Howzer!" Diane waved at him, beaming. "I'm so glad that we have a cool babysitter and not a boring one. I heard Captain got stuck with Griamore."

"Yeah he did," The knight nodded, agreeing, before his eyes widened and a smile grew. "Wait did you say cool?"

"Mhm," Diane hummed. much to King's chagrin. "I'm sure these next few days are gonna be awesome!"

All thought of King's murderous glare seemed to be erased with the happy-go-lucky mood of Diane and Howzer actually found himself to be excited about babysitting a Sin. At first he had thought it'd be a pain, especially if he was landed with one of the mouthier kids, but somehow he had lucked out and gotten Diane and King. Albeit King was being grumpy, Diane made up for it with her peppy spirit and bright demeanour, which in turn made Howzer feel a little better.

"Right you are," He grinned in response, pulling two finger guns. "So...what do you kids wanna do first?"

"Ooh, ooh, I have an idea!"

Diane excitedly jumped on the spot, hand raised as if answering a question in class, while King grimaced. He was once again hugging Chastiefol tightly, his glare softened slightly but mood stood dampened. Howzer was their babysitter. The same Howzer that likes Diane. This was definitely going to be a long next few days.