A/N: Sorry this chapter's way later than usual (a full two months later). Real life just loves getting in the way and I had to cram for exams. My head hurts just thinking about it...

Anyway, as a result I had major writers' block and my inspiration just...vanished. I spent ages just staring at my computer screen, mind knowing what I wanted to write but my fingers not typing. I think quarantine's finally getting to me... *Sigh* Good thing it's slowly lifting now, I think that news has renewed me. That being said, I shouldn't be burdening you all with this. You're here to read not listen to me ramble on.

This chapter'll be one of the last, if not the last, Liones chapter. For it I have one big story (that'll probably be split into multiple chapters) which follows each of the kid Sins in their little adventures of the final day. To make sure I didn't miss anything out, I've reread the whole story. I have to say I had a bunch of fun writing this chapter up (despite the constant blank mind and writers' block) so I hope you guys enjoy it just as much.

That being said, don't forget to vote for who should go with the Kid Sins to find Vivian! It's on my profile so just check it out :I

Anyway, as always, thanks a bunch for the support. The count's at 31 Faves, 33 Follows and 44 Reviews. Plus over 5K total views. Let's keep it going! :)

Vi-Violence - Thanks for reviewing again! I'm glad you're enjoying the story :)

CarBarrier - I'm glad you're enjoying the story! I can't deny the babysitter chapters are the best to write, so I'm glad you're enjoying the dynamic. Absolute Cancel kinda was forgotten...heh. But to fix that loophole let's just say it won't work, kinda like the curse Elizabeth and Meliodas have. Like you said it does defeat the whole purpose :I

Darkjuliet444 - Yet another spectacular review! Also no prob for the chapter. Once again I've put it all into points! Point 1: Gowther can't see the memories clearly. Like you said they're mixing and melding, so everything's a jumble within the kid Sins' heads. He can see them and try to piece them together, but some fragments are missing so he can't see everything. Point 2: I'm gonna have Escanor and Merlin go through some stuff, but yeah it's great that Merlin found Vivian's spot. I'm already plotting the events. Point 3: The Kilia thing will lead to a lot. But Ban finding out that Kilia's dead is gonna be really emotional. Point 4: Everything about Howzer was correct. Point 5: I'm actually in the middle of weaving the uncles concept into the plot. I'll definitely use some of your suggestions. Point 6: The rest will be revealed as the story progress.

Make sure to stay safe and well everyone.

Till next time,

D.L.D

Small note: Should I have I name I address my readers as? If so what should it be?

"As you all know, we're not here for a vacation," Merlin's voice seemed to echo around the room as she addressed her fellow Sins.

After many days of research the girl had discovered Vivian's location, as well as a possible lead to a solution for their current predicament. As a result she was sending the kids away with the hopes of them defeating or capturing her ex-apprentice and returning with Gilthunder. After all, the knight was needed back here in Liones.

Despite the people's current ease, things had actually grown quite dire. Extremely dire. People had been reported missing, trade seized and all sorts of other misfortunes had occurred. It was only the upkeep of morale that made things seem so normal. The people of Liones were true special in the way they upheld morale in even the worst of times.

However the safety and well being of Liones wasn't entirely why Merlin was sending the Sins on this assignment. Her reasoning for this, was to mostly keep the kids all occupied rather than to send them to find Gilthunder. Finding Gil was just a plus in this scenario. After all, the kid Sins were causing quite a lot of unneeded trouble for the Holy Knights. As much as people would deny it, the group were a handful. A really big handful. That was evident from the daily antics and ideas they all had.

Merlin knew that from experience. As a result she thought sending the group on an errand would help to sort them out.

Maybe even enlighten them slightly.

"Therefore I have an assignment for you all," Hazel eyes scanned over each of the children's forms, jet black strands falling into them.

As usual, Merlin's cryptic words caught the group's attention immediately. Even though they were still quite childish in thought, most of the child Sins understood that she was being serious - really serious. After all, Merlin was the 'mother duck' of their little group. She was their impromptu decision maker of sorts. The Boar Sin took on the role of the most responsible and mature child, and due to that she was taken seriously by all the kidified Sins. She was respected (to a degree) by the child Sins.

Even those that tried to test the boundaries were soon put in line.

Therefore none of the kids really dared to disobey Merlin or took her words lightheartedly. The worst of the bunch only challenging her authority through small acts of defiance. But even those small acts were more to poke fun than actual defiance against her. It was just the way things were within the group. The way things were set after they all woke up one day as kids.

"An assignment?" Diane blinked, releasing the killer grip she'd had on Ban's neck. "Like a mission?"

The Fox Sin had been teasing her about something, the subject of it being very sensitive to the miniature giantess. As a result she grew frustrated with him. Very frustrated. Knowing that Ban couldn't die, Diane enacted her little revenge, threatening to kill him over and over if she had to.

But now the brunette was uninterested; So uninterested that she dropped the boy to the ground. Roughly might I add. But Diane didn't mind. After all the girl figured she could beat Ban up at any other time - plus assignments didn't come too often these days. Especially now that they were kids again. The last time Diane had done something exciting like a mission felt like ages ago now...

In fact it felt like that for all of the Sins. The past few days of endless games to play and acting like actual kids was taking its toll on them all. It was beginning to grow tedious and demeaning. Therefore majority of the Sins were itching to do something like a mission again. Something that would make them feel 'normal' and not so childish and irresponsible. They wanted to do something that was 'worthwhile'.

"Yes, you could say that," Merlin shrugged slightly in response. Her tone seemed nonchalant, yet laced with exhaustion as she folded her arms and let out a sigh. Brushing loose strands from her eyes, the child spoke again. "It's to do with Vivian."

"What about her?" Ban was the one to say this, his expression not too happy as he got up off the floor.

That conniving snake was the reason why the boy was always getting in trouble these days. Not to mention her little 'spell' had some weird kind of side effects.

Between Diane and Jericho, Ban had gotten his fair share of scolding over the past few days. Shouts, threats and all sorts of harassment had been thrown his way; Might Ban add for things he saw as entirely acceptable too. That fact alone made it seem like the Fox Sin had had enough scolding to last a whole lifetime - and that's saying something since he's immortal. Not to mention all the memories of his shitty childhood were returning, creating more and more things to worry about.

Those things were messing with the steady plan he'd set out in his head. As a result Ban definitely had a score to settle with Vivian because of that.

"I've found out where she's hiding."

Words had once again caught the kids' attention, but this time from expectation. Those looks paired with Merlin's expression was enough to show that all the Sins were now actually listening. It was like a switch had been flipped for the group, child mode deactivating and their actual normal ages shining through. Faces that were so innocent and inquisitive, now seemed hardened and thoughtful. All signs of childish behaviours and antics were no longer visible within the group, maturity and duty seeming to replace that. Maturity and duty that spoke of their true ages. Ages that contrasted a lot with their youthful appearances. Appearances that they'd matched with behaviours they'd displayed over the past few days.

That was an odd observation Merlin had noted through the updates she'd been given. The behaviours the Sins took on as children were odd. After all, Merlin knew why the Sins were reverting, but she found it weird that all their usual behaviours seemed to fade when they were having 'episodes'. Not all their present day memories were gone at this point after all, so they should all still retain some of their normal behaviours.

However it seemed no-one did except herself, King and Escanor. The rest all succumbing to the call of childhood. Despite all her research, the reason for this was still a mystery to Merlin. But the Boar Sin had an inkling that it had to do with their pasts.

After all, there were events that happened that could explain her own lack of reverting. Events like why she was considered the greatest magician in Britannia. There were also events in Escanor's past as well. But King on the other hand was a special case.

Merlin didn't know much on the fairy king's past. King liked to keep it hushed and cryptic, not saying too much and never revealing more than a little. As a result no-one really knew much about it, but Merlin knew that it was highly unlikely to involve something similar to herself or Escanor.

But then again unlikely can be likely...

Silence hung, thick and heavy, as each of the children sunk into their own thoughts. Their own deep, troubling thoughts. It was a well known fact that it was presently dangerous all over Britannia. In the big outside more threats than usual were around, especially since the Sins were all minors now. That meant they were all easier targets than ever before - the wanted posted issued by the Commandments not helping much either.

Thanks to those posters, the group's faces (along with Elizabeth's) were everywhere to be seen, an enticing bait to people who were reaching desperation. The prices for capturing the Sins were pretty persuading too, with immunity from being sacrifices being one of the best rewards. So travelling with the posters up was difficult enough - not to mention all of the other threats lurking out there. Sending kids out into that - you'll be lucky if they come back alive.

Therefore, those cold, hard facts alone meant that leaving the safety of Liones would be equivalent to walking straight into a lion's den. These kids would then have to survive this lion's den, while simultaneously trying to not act so childish.

Seems simple right, but at the same time is it really?

"Where is it?" Meliodas broke the silence, brow raised as he tried to calculate the outcomes.

So far not much of it was positive, but he knew that if it wasn't too far away they'd be able to manage. Much worse had happened to the Seven Deadly Sins after all. Going to track down Vivian for a few days couldn't go too badly. Plus they needed to find her to get back to normal.

"I've marked the location for you already, Captain," Merlin smiled slightly, the expression fading as she glanced at him. "You should know it well enough."

Confusion was raised here at the girl's cryptic words, the others in the group having no idea what Merlin could be hinting towards. Of course the rest of the Sins did know that Merlin and Meliodas went way back, arguably knowing each other the longest out of all the Sins. They knew that the two had their own little inside jokes and such. However something about the girl's choice of words unsettled the children, an ominous feeling seeming to take over.

"Wait, so you guys have been there before?" King frowned as he studied the two, head raised from Chastiefol.

Skepticism was high for the fairy king. He may be slowly reverting, but he still had enough sense to not completely trust Merlin with this. She's had a habit of going on a few whims recently. Just like the time she left them all alone for a day only to come back empty handed. Not to mention that she allowed Ban to drink alcohol and then hallucinate that Elizabeth was his younger sister. Recent choices of the kidified Merlin were definitely odd. Irresponsible even. As a result King couldn't deny that some of Merlin's decisions had been highly questionable. Don't even get him started on highly unwise too.

So what's to say that this one isn't either?

"You could say that..." Merlin glanced at King, hazel eyes challenging him. She knew that he was still competent enough to know that it was extremely dangerous to send them all to find Vivian, but at the same time that risk was necessary. They needed to go and capture her so that they could reverse this. Not to mention that taking Holy Knights away from Liones could lead to worse results. Therefore the only option was to send the Sins. "But that's not important right now."

"Yes, what's important is that we get to Vivian as swiftly as possible," Gowther butt in, adjusting his glasses as he closed his book. The doll had been quiet, as usual, his mind occupied by a single book. However he was oddly savouring this one, eyes slowly skimming the pages. The Goat Sin was reading through it gradually, delicately, treating the book almost like a delicate piece of fine china. A peculiar thing for the monotonous Gowther.

"We do want to be normal again, don't we?"

The doll's words said it all. They spoke of the exact goal of the Sins going to find Vivian. It spoke of the Sins' desire of wanting to go back to their normal ages. But oddly the children found themselves disagreeing slightly. Perhaps it was from all the weird memories they'd made, or the fact that they'd gotten used to being kids again, but all of them felt some sort of sadness towards being normal again. Towards being an adult again and not being a child.

After all childhood is a time we all miss and wished we'd spent longer enjoying...

"Why don't we celebrate our last few days as kids with a game!" Diane grinned, her voice filling the room. Triumph seemed to radiate from her as the brunette realised that her planning had made the perfect distraction for this situation.

Thanks to Howzer and Merlin, the mini giantess had created a small town of sorts. She made sure that they included everything she'd asked for, instructions being followed to the every letter and completed that very morning. Nothing had been left out. As a result Diane was confident that her game would cheer everyone up. She had been planning to unveil it this afternoon anyway, so not much harm could be done showing them all now. It was only a couple hours earlier than expected.

"A game?" Escanor actually spoke for once, the boy looking nervous as he adjusted his glasses.

Merlin took note of this, eyes seeming to narrow as she focused on the boy. All day he had been a little more skittish than usual, often dashing away when he spotted castle staff or any knights. In fact once she found Escanor had hidden within a closet, him saying that he was looking for a broom. But Merlin knew it was a lie. As a result, she decided to keep an eye on him. Escanor wasn't usually this nervous after all, even if he could be a coward...

"Yeah, it's totally fun too!" Diane beamed, pigtails swishing as she seemed to bounce with delight. "It's basically based around house. I had Merlin and Howzer build me a mini town especially for it! You know what, I might as well show you it myself!"

Grabbing the skittish Escanor, Diane led the way for the other children. It wasn't long after that when they were leaving the room, following a chattering Diane as she continued to talk about her ingenious game.

"So I just pick a paper?" Elizabeth tilted her head slightly, silver hair spilling as Diane offered her a hat filled with folded papers.

After the meeting with Merlin, Diane had decided to get Elizabeth involved in her game too. After all, the princess was a part of their team and adventures - not to mention that she was also a victim of this kid situation. As a result Elizabeth was just as valid as anyone else to the game. Plus the princess was in the same boat as the rest of them. Therefore the shrunken giantess had to include Elizabeth in the game. It was only fair and polite.

Plus a lot of fun things were bound to happen with the addition of the folded papers.

The urge to laugh with what she had planned was almost uncontrollable as Diane thrust the paper-filled hat in the other girl's face. These scraps of paper held the key to today's events. After all, Diane's schemes for this 'simple game' were certified to cause just the right reactions. Just the right reactions indeed.

"Yep," The giantess nodded, an innocent smile forming on her face. A smile that was too innocent and bubbly for the forward girl.

Diane knew a lot about things that most kids wouldn't even have a clue about. Her little 'wedding' was a sign of that, the Serpent Sin turning the game into a full-blown play. But even that was a thin line between reality and pretend with Diane... Poor Howzer thought he was commissioning a real child wedding that day. The poor soul still hadn't gotten over it completely. Just ask his growing gut for crepes and booze for that. He's been drowning his stress and dismay in those for a while now...

No wonder he was given the day off today.

Therefore when Diane said she wanted to play house, Elizabeth agreed thinking it wouldn't be too bad (although she knew there would be potential for it to go the other way). The giantess had suggested games before that were fun, so this time couldn't be too different for Elizabeth. She had hope that Diane would make the game normal for once. However the naive princess soon came to regret her agreement as Diane urged her to pick a paper from the hat.

Well Diane's urging was more like pressuring than urging, the brunette excitedly shoving the hat in front of Elizabeth in an attempt to speed the process up. It was due to that excitement that the girl was hesitant. Cautious. After all, Diane's twists to her 'games' often led to kid situations suddenly becoming adult.

"Ok..." Elizabeth gingerly reached into the hat, getting out a paper. "It says...Mrs Green."

The princess raised a brow at the result, her senses trying to figure out why she'd gotten such a role. It seemed odd for a children's game to have such a role after all, and really odd if someone else was to have that role. So why did Diane have them as options?

"Yay! You got a good one!" Diane beamed as she clapped her hands, throwing the rest of the papers onto the floor. They fell like fresh snow, white slips covering the area around the brunette, as well as her hair. Elizabeth was about to point this out, but Diane had already moved on. The giantess' grin was wide as she continued, excitement laced in her tone. "It means that we're next door neighbours!"

"But why does it say Mrs?" Elizabeth blinked, truly concerned and confused as she puzzled over that one detail. It was an odd and truly specific detail, but with Diane she had to ask. These past few days had made her a lot more aware of adult concepts - more specifically human adult concepts.

"Cause you're married, silly," Diane rolled her eyes, giggling as she nudged the other girl. "Every 'family' in the game has a colour for a surname."

"What?!"

Elizabeth was frozen in place, shock and expectation mixing into one. Of course the princess had expected a spin like this on the simple game, but Diane announcing that she was 'married' gave it a whole new meaning. Marriage was life-long after all so to do that...

"Yep," Diane smiled simply, hands on her hips. "The game starts soon, so you'd better be there!"

With that the giantess left, the door closing behind her and leaving a stunned Elizabeth.

Seven adults and one child filled the room, business being the centre of their gathering as they all made themselves comfortable. The room they were located within was a study of sorts, the space furbished for that purpose but having room for much more than a few people. It used to be an old meeting room when the previous King of Liones was reigning, but now it had been left to be forgotten. Instead it was used on occasion for mass private meetings such as the one being held now.

"So...you're planning on sending the Sins to find Vivian?" Margaret eyed Merlin, warm brown eyes narrowed. They contrasted with her folded hands and calm demeanor, elegance masking something else. "Wouldn't that be dangerous Merlin?"

The Boar Sin couldn't help but grin slightly at that, hazel eyes filling with amusement at the princess. Like King she was skeptical of the plan to send the Sins away, also seeing it as risky and reckless. However none could seem to see the bigger picture. They couldn't see how sending someone else to do this task could backfire and perhaps even cause a worse outcome. After all, Liones was backed into a corner, forced to use majority of their manpower just to protect the Capital alone. Sending out knights to do something as simple as tracking Vivian wouldn't be wise.

As a result, Merlin knew she had to send the Sins. Even if the tactic seemed reckless and unwise, stupid and dangerous, it was really the best bet they all had. Plus the child Sins weren't entirely helpless. Even if they were children, they still seemed to retain some of their former power levels. Therefore they could handle themselves to an extent. That extent was all Merlin needed and with a backup power, such as they're babysitters, the kid Sins would be set.

That's why she needed to call this meeting with the adults. To discuss the arrangements for sending the kids to find Vivian, with the added protection of some mature adults. After all, the Sins couldn't be trusted alone right now. They were all too unpredictable - too reckless. Sending them alone would be like signing their death wish.

"Well yes, but everything comes with a risk," Merlin turned to the princess, a finger tapping her cheek as she continued to grin. "You can't win a war without losing lives."

Those words sealed the sort of situation they were in. The sort of dire choices they had to make in order to stand a chance against the Ten Commandments. The dormant Ten Commandments. It was only a matter of time before they acted after all. They needed to make sure they had a counter-attack ready for when they did act. For the best results, they'd have to try and make sure the Sins were back to their normal ages - as well as Elizabeth.

"Even so, can't we do something safer?" Guila frowned slightly, mood darkened by imagining the group of kids out there. It was a miracle that they'd managed to get to Liones all alone. How could they possibly get to wherever Vivian was located, defeat her and come back? It seemed impossible for a group of kids to do something like that.

"I'm afraid not," Merlin shook her head, features grim as she prepared to go through her meticulous planning. "But I've tried to lower the risk as much as possible."

Attention was now caught, adults interested in hearing about how the risk could be lowered. After all, unaccompanied kids could get up to anything without adult supervision. Even with adults around, the kid Sins had gotten up to all sorts. So them being left alone already made the risk high, so imagine trusting them to go and deal with Vivian? Lowering the risk involved would be near impossible, unless someone was to go with the kids.

"And this solution is?" Veronica grimaced slightly, unsure of whether she'd let Elizabeth go with the Sins this time. It seems like every time she went with the group, her younger sister would come back somehow changed. Add the detail of Elizabeth now being a child and Veronica had every reason to be wary of sending her sister with the Sins this time. After all, Elizabeth was safer here given the circumstances. Sending her this time might result in the worst happening.

"That we send adult supervision with them," Merlin answered almost immediately, tone simple and nonchalant. "That way the kids can't get into too much trouble. Plus the additional power would improve the rate of success."

Words sure do talk, but logic always trumped it - that was shown by Merlin's solution. It made perfect sense to all of adults, some of the risk removed by the presence of adults during the assignment. That would make it possible to know that the Sins were probably safe and that things were running smoothly. Plus it would help to complete things a lot quicker, adults being able to help out in ways that the children couldn't.

It was a good solution, albeit not perfect.

"But who would be going with the kids?" Jericho was the one to ask this question, the young woman hoping that she had been selected for the task. "We can't just send anyone with them."

As much as she would deny it, Jericho had enjoyed her small time of looking after Ban. She couldn't hide the fact that children had a weird affect on her (despite her constant complaining about them) and that she wouldn't mind looking after the Sins for this task. In fact Jericho would volunteer for it, but of course things like life tend to get in the way. As a result the young woman would only go if she was told she had to, after all she had things to do...

"Yes, sending just anyone wouldn't wise," Baltra agreed, head nodding solemnly. "That's why Merlin and myself discussed sending you all with them."

Different reactions were registered among the group. Hidden surprise, joy and uncertainty were mixed within the reactions, each person wearing their own unique expression at the abrupt news. The very abrupt news.

"You want to send us all?" Howzer had actually stopped eating his crepe, cream spilled around his mouth. "You're joking right?"

Both the child and king shook their heads, both agreeing on the prospect.

"Since I won't be there I'll need someone I can trust," Merlin looked them all directly in the eye.

"And I need to make sure nothing tragic occurs," The King joined the child in her explanation. "You're all the perfect candidates considering how you've been coping over the past few days."

A stunned silence filled the room, the knights and princesses reduced to listen and not say anything. They couldn't say anything. This choice was too big and definitely sprung upon them at random, as a result they didn't know what to say. What could they say?

"Give us time to consider it," Griamore broke the silence, his expression a little more certain than the others. "This news is...quite unexpected."

Once again the child and King gave a nod, agreeing with the wishes of the babysitters. Both wanted to make sure that they had all of the adults accompanying the children, and if that meant waiting for an answer then they would do just that.

"You have until the end of the day," Baltra gave the deadline, his voice clear and precise, indicating the end of the discussion.

As a result it came to no surprise as the adults began to leave the room, each with heavy thoughts as they pondered on their options. Their oh-so-important options...

A/N: Now for the also long-awaited extra mini chapter! (Believe it or not this was written way before the actual chapter :I). Anyway enjoy the read and hopefully the next chapter won't take as long as this one...

Innocent Insolence

Tears of rage and frustration form as I march towards the room that Ludociel was known to frequent after meetings. After four years of serving my people, of healing the wounded and thinking that the demons were heartless and cruel monsters, I had found out the truth. I had uncovered the prejudice that my mother and others had formed to fuel this war, and had discovered that the demon race wasn't as heartless as all the other Goddesses made them out to be.

It had taken years of careful movement. Years of patience and kindness. Years of sneaking out to heal those left in the aftermath. But now I knew the truth. The cold, hard, plain truth that had been buried for far too long due to misinformation and prejudice. The truth of the demon race not being animalistic and berserk beings who had no control over themselves. In fact I had been thanked and praised when they woke to see themselves fully healed.

I had been heralded as a mystery maiden.

Although most were distant shouts, as I had taken off before I could be seen, but I was sure that they were grateful. Happy. Indebted. I had years of experience to prove this.

But that didn't matter - no not really. What mattered was that we could call off this war and negotiate with the demons to find some sort of balance. Surely since they aren't the cold monsters they're made out to be, we could make an arrangement? Perhaps even stop future wars from breaking out. We could have a future where there was no need for war. No need for conflict or bloodshed.

So why did everyone else tell me that I was deluded for believing in such a thing?

So many had laughed when I told them of what I'd witnessed. What I'd heard. In fact they labelled me as so innocent and pure that I was blind to the evil of the world. Blind to the things that stain and tarnish our otherwise perfect existence. I was simply seen as even more pure and kind than I should be. I was seen as someone who was so forgiving that I couldn't see the evil within anyone. That I couldn't even discern evil at all. I was simply the lovely and gracious Lady Elizabeth, an example of an Goddess created so perfectly she saw no flaws in others.

As a result I chose to direct my appeal towards the leader of them all: Ludociel.

If I could get Ludociel to listen, then perhaps everyone else would too. I know that my mother would be harder to sway, but with Ludociel's logic and the people's belief on my side, I'm sure she'll come around to the truth. In fact I know she will. I just have to convince Ludociel to get closer to peace. He was the key to it all. I have to speak to Ludociel to get this whole thing started.

"Elizabeth wait!" Mael caught up with me, his expression weary as we passed through the corridors.

Mael was Ludociel's younger brother and we had formed a strong friendship as children. When we were younger, he was teased about being a coward who was incapable of killing an insect, but he had built upon it and was now one of the most powerful among us. However despite his duties, Mael had followed me all the way, as true a friend as ever, yet he also told me that my claims were a bit wild. In fact he was trying to persuade me from talking to his brother.

"I have to do this, Mael," I shake my head as I arrive at the room. Instead of knocking like I usually would, I throw the doors right open and approach Ludociel. He was looking out of a window, surveying what looked like the gardens surrounding the building. Flowers bloomed close to here, the sweet scent permeating the air from the window. "Ludociel you have to stop this! Surely you'd listen to me."

"Lady Elizabeth," He addresses me in a calm manner, cordial as always. "Mael. Now, what have you just barged into my office for? Has something happened?"

He loomed over the both of us, features as entitled and powerful as ever. Things like that were what I needed for my argument to be heard. For my digging to finally be seen as the real truth, and not the lies that were spread about the demon race. I go to move, but Mael beats me to it.

He's always protecting me.

"No, I was just showing Elizabeth out - " He tone was a bit nervous, blocking the distance between myself and Ludociel, only for me to interrupt. I know he was trying to save me from scolding, but I was going to get my opinion out this time. There was no way I was going to just sit by and watch this happen like I usually do. Like I always do.

This time I'll act and be the leader everyone sees me as.

"No, something has happened!" I dodge past Mael and look Ludociel right in the eye. He looks intrigued, curiosity and interest piqued as he witnesses my unusual behaviour. Behaviour I usually reserve for when there isn't an audience. Clasping my hands tightly together, I find myself nearly begging, pleading for someone to believe me. "You have to help me call off this war, Ludociel. The demon race aren't complete monsters and - "

"You must be confused, Lady Elizabeth," The Archangel shook his head, a simple frown on his features. He then looked down to inspect me, critical gaze seeming concerned as he scanned me. A hand brushed away my now grown out bangs, brows furrowing even more at the skin below. "Perhaps you've injured yourself more than we thought," Ludociel then turns to Mael, a completely professional look on his face. "Please take Lady Elizabeth to be checked over. I believe she may be slightly confused from a sustained head injury."

The younger brother seemed a bit startled, and yet soon found himself back into a normal state. A rigid stance was taken and I knew that there was no reasoning with either due to my 'condition'. Ludociel was supreme after all, so Mael had no argument against it.

"I'll do it right away," Mael nodded and soon I was being dragged out of Ludociel's office, still ranting and raving about how the demon race weren't enemies. About how they were people and not the soulless things we were taught to believe them to be.

However it all fell upon deaf ears as I was dragged further and further away.

"Ludociel you have to believe me! Please!" Tears are running down my cheeks now, face reddened with effort as I see my dreams crumble to dust. As I can see my effort to stop this bloodshed merely becoming a flicker in the wind. A dying flame within an ocean of despair.

And the one solution to fix it was fading away, a smirk evident as he watched me disappear down the corridor. As he saw my form retreat.

"Such innocent insolence," Ludociel's voice echoed as I heard his office door close. "Such naive purity."