After napping and then getting ready, the group found themselves at Dr. Dana's house where a spread of food awaited them. Monroe, who was sitting on the floor in front of where Elizabeth lay, was definitely hungry, but before they could eat a few other things needed to be done.

"Well, Elizabeth," He began. "It's time for me to officially introduce you. This is Ban. He's the Fox Sin of Greed."

"Hey." Ban greeted who was sitting on top of a barrel. "Don't bother getting up."

Well, it wasn't like Elizabeth could in the first place considering her injuries and all. Meliodas then looked at Ban curiously with his head tilted.

"Whoa, where'd you get that suit?" Meliodas asked.

"I can't very well parade around naked in front of a princess." Ban said.

Monroe noticed how Ban didn't really answer Meliodas's question, and she could guess that however he managed to get the clothes that it wasn't legally.

"How'd you get clothes without any money?" Meliodas asked.

"I kind of stumbled across them." Ban said. "It was a total fluke."

Monroe snorted at the obvious lie while Diane was rolling her eyes. They both knew that was a lie even if Meliodas took it as the truth. Or he just didn't care either way. Monroe was banking on the latter.

"Anyway," Ban began as he got to his feet. "It's good to see you, Diane."

"I would have been perfectly happy going a hundred years without seeing you again." Diane said as she looked to the side.

Ban just grinned not seeming bothered by Diane's words as he walked over towards Elizabeth.

"I'm Elizabeth." Elizabeth introduced herself formally. "Please forgive me for not rising to greet you."

"Oh, your Highness, no worries at all." Ban said then gave a slight bow with his hand over his heart. "We're not big on ceremony, so let's just be friends, the five of us."

Elizabeth smiled thinking she would like that very much. It was nice to have people she could call friends in times like this. And Monroe was right when she said Ban was a nice man even if he did look a bit intimidating.

"You mean the six of us." Hawk said as he trotted over to where Monroe sat on the ground.

Ban blinked as he straightened his poster before glancing down at Meliodas who he was beside.

"Uh, Captain, you need glasses?" Ban asked grinning. "There's five of us here."

Monroe chuckled thinking Ban was going to get quite the surprise when he realized just who was talking.

"Um, there are six of us." Hawk corrected again. "Are you sure you haven't gotten a couple of screws loose?"

Ban went "huh?" in confusion as he started to look around for the person who was speaking right now.

"Who said that?" Ban asked before his eyes happened to fall on Hawk.

"I did." Hawk said to answer Ban's question.

Ban was silent for a moment as he stared down at Hawk who was staring at him in return.

"There's a talking pig here!" He exclaimed as in shock as he jumped back.

He landed a few feet away from Hawk who didn't seem too pleased with Ban's reaction at all.

"You're just noticing that?!" Hawk demanded.

He huffed in annoyance then turned to Monroe as she patted his side to try and calm down the upset swine.

"I'd just let it go." Monroe said.

Hawk grumbled though nodded his head as Monroe continued to pat him on his side.

"Oh, no way." Ban said. "A pig talking like a person?! That is more than I can handle, man. Hold on, that's it! You're King, right? Of course, you were cursed and turned into an actual pig!"

Monroe and Diane both deadpanned at Ban's bizarre conclusion. Even without King present, Ban liked to make his jabs at the Sin of Sloth.

"Guess again." Diane said.

"I heard that King's dead." Meliodas said. "Least that's the rumor."

A rumor that Monroe didn't believe. She just couldn't believe that someone or even multiple someones were able to take down King. Though she was confused as to why he'd be hanging around the Necropolis. Many living things avoided the place.

"Oh." Ban said not seeming to care in any way.

"I warn you now," Hawk spoke up. "I am no ordinary pig. I am Sir Hawk—Captain of the Order of Scrap Disposal."

Monroe smiled in amusement when seeing how proud Hawk seemed to be about that statement as Ban looked impressed.

"Wow, I never heard of that order before." Ban said.

Maybe because it didn't really exist. Of course, Monroe wasn't going to say that out loud since it would crush not only Hawk, but probably Ban as well.

"Well, are you finished with the introductions?" Dr. Dana, the host of their party, asked. "Come. You need to eat up before your dinner gets cold."

The boys didn't have to be told twice, and quickly ran over to start stuffing their faces. Sennett then walked over to the girls with a tray of food.

"And there's yours, you three." She said smiling kindly.

After Monroe thanked the older woman, she took the cabob Sennett held out. As the older woman, was helping Elizabeth eat, Diane took the large cabob made especially for her.

"Does it bother you to stand here by yourself?" Sennett asked Diane in worry.

"Nu-huh," Diane said as she shook her head. "I'm just happy for the chance to eat with everybody for a change. I haven't gotten to do this since we all lived at Monroe's family estate. Lady Cordelia made the best food and Asthore really knew how to throw a party."

Monroe smiled remembering those times. It had always been fun whenever her parents had a large dinner. Not only would the Sins be there with them, but so would her uncles and cousins.

—FLASHBACK—

Monroe stood beside her mother watching with a smile as the Sins were celebrating another victory against another foe. Ban was partially lit already due to the alcohol he's consumed and while Meliodas seemed to consume just as much, he didn't even seem a bit flushed. They were both laughing though at something silly.

"Why does this happen every time they return from a mission?" Cordelia asked as she watched the partying going on in her garden. "Those two are trouble enough when they're sober."

Monroe just giggled then ran out into the garden to join everyone. Her father was even out there and he was sitting with Merlin and Escanor off to the side near the large oak tree in their garden. Diane was sitting cross-legged by their table while enjoying a large barrel of ale. King floated next to her on his pillow while offering her something to eat. Gowther was even there, but he sat away from the festivities seeming perfectly content looking at the moon being reflected off the water in the fountain. At her approach, Asthore looked up while smiling down at his eldest child.

"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping, little knight?" He asked her.

"I couldn't sleep." Monroe said as she stopped at the table. "I want to have fun with everyone else!"

Merlin chuckled while reaching out to stroke the girl's soft silver locks while even moving her bangs from her face.

"I see no problem in that, Asthore." Merlin said as she rested her hand on Monroe's head. "Perhaps even Ban will behave himself if she's here."

Asthore nearly seemed to snort at that, but considering she's never heard her father snort, she wasn't surprised he repressed the action.

"I doubt that." Asthore said. "But I won't send her off to bed, I suppose."

Monroe smiled up at her father when he said that before she decided to try to climb up into Diane's lap for a better look at the party. Diane smiled at Monroe as she struggled before she reached down to help the little girl. Diane gently picked up Monroe to place on her shoulder.

"There," Diane said. "Is that better?"

"Uh-huh." Monroe said nodding as her smile widened. "I love sitting on your shoulder. I can see so far from up here!"

She giggled as she said this, and Diane's smile widened as well as she carefully placed her cheek on top of Monroe's head while not applying any real weight.

"Diane, can it stay like this forever?" Monroe asked.

"What do you mean?" Diane asked curiously.

"Can all of us stay together forever?" Monroe specified. "If we're all together, we'll always be happy, right?"

—END OF FLASHBACK—

Monroe's smile turned into an almost saddened one. She had been so naïve back then. Thinking they could all stay together forever. What a joke. But Diane had humored her and said they could. Barely two years later they were gone from her life and two more years after that…well, it just seemed to get worse.

But…she had to remind herself that she was going to bring them all back together again. The Seven Deadly Sins—a band of misfits, but also a sort of family. Not many understood them, but they always had each other. And they were a bunch of misfits Monroe loved. Even if the happy moments like this don't last forever, Monroe was happy to have them while she could.

"Those were fun times," Monroe said out loud as she turned to Diane. "Remember the time Ban and Melly got into the eating contest?"

Diane laughed while nodding her head. Cordelia had scolded them for their horrible table manners and for teaching them to Feoras. Those stains never did fully come out of his clothes and they had been new at the time too.

"I never saw Ban and the captain so afraid before." Diane said between laughter. "Oh, oh, and what about the time you and Gilthunder did that dance for all of us?"

Monroe blushed while remembering that. As being into noble houses, she and her cousin were taught a lot of etiquette and other high-class things like dancing. While Gilthunder excelled at it—something that used to rub Monroe the wrong way since he seemed to be perfect at everything—Monroe goofed off a lot and came up with her own dances. She and Gilthunder, who she convinced to lighten up, had fun showing a bit of what they learned from class and what she came up with. It wasn't exactly anything good. Just two kids goofing off.

"That was a bit embarrassing." Monroe confessed.

"I wish I could have seen it," Elizabeth said giggling. "Perhaps there will be a time for dancing once everything is over."

The party continued with Meliodas bringing the girls over some fruit from the table. Monroe took an apple off the tray as Meliodas went to hand feed Elizabeth grapes. Monroe was kind of surprised Diane didn't get wildly jealous, but just shrugged it off as she took a bite from her apple.

When Diane asked for Meliodas to hand feed her fruit too, Monroe laughed while sure that wouldn't end well. Meliodas agreed even if he looked unsure, and as Diane opened her mouth waiting for the fruit, there was a sudden squeal behind Monroe that had her whirling around to see a very drunk Ban riding a very irate Hawk like a horse.

"Ban, don't do that to Hawk." Monroe scolded as she got up.

As she went to get Ban off of Hawk, Meliodas who had been startled by the noise ended up falling into Diane's open mouth. Since the giant girl's eyes were closed, she ended up closing her mouth on Meliodas.

"Ah, Lady Diane!" Elizabeth exclaimed trying to get the giant to realize what she was doing.

Monroe, who managed to jerk Ban off of Hawk, sighed as she looked to Diane and Meliodas.

"Diane, spit Melly out." Monroe said. "You have no idea where that little pervert has been."

Diane's eyes snapped open as Monroe's words sunk in. She quickly spit out Meliodas who looked okay considering he was just halfway in a giant's mouth. Monroe shook her head then looked to Ban when he leaned back into her chest to look up at her face. She narrowed her eyes down at him when seeing his flushed face.

"I can't believe you're already drunk." Monroe said. "Gees."

"Hehe, ah, Mo, you know you love me anyway," Ban said chuckling. "Despite all my faults."

As she stared down into his happy face, she felt her own relax as a small smile stretched across her face.

"Yeah, I guess I do." Monroe said as she stroked his hair. "Just try to behave, okay?"

"Kay~" Ban sang.

Once she got him straightened out, she stood up while dusting off her hands. She supposed she could leave him alone now. The party continued on without any further incident, and even though it was passed midnight, everyone continued to enjoy themselves. Well, everyone but Hawk who had Ban hanging all over him. Looks like Ban really took a liking to him.

"Come on," Ban said. "Don't hold out on me. Please, Captain Hawk. Teach me what you know, Master."

"Would someone please get this guy off my back?" Hawk pleaded.

Monroe shook her head though did get off Elizabeth's bed to go get Ban off Hawk for the second time tonight.

"Ban, try not to overdo it, okay?" Diane suggested.

"Too late for that I believe." Monroe said as she was tugging Ban off of Hawk.

Monroe managed to remove Ban from Hawk and the pig didn't hesitate to get as far away from the Sin of Greed as fast as possible. Monroe dragged Ban over out at the way as Diane and Elizabeth spoke quietly together. As she sat Ban leaning against a wall, she looked up see Diane and Elizabeth smiling at each other. This made her smile as well. Looked as if Diane thawed towards the princess after all. Monroe knew it was only a matter of time. Monroe then squeaked in surprise when Ban wrapped his arms around her to bring her to his chest. She blushed crimson as he practically used her as a teddy bear.

"Haha, looks like you're stuck for the rest of the night, Roe," Meliodas teased.

Monroe went to tell him to shove it when a streaking light in the sky caught her attention. The others looked up as well as more streaks flew across the sky. They were shooting stars and they were streaking across each other in the form of crosses.

"Father, see that?" Sennett asked her father.

Dr. Dana looked up as well and instead of being awed by the sight. He seemed rather worried.

"Remarkable," He said. "It's like a passage from one of Britannia's old fables."

Monroe watched the stars with the others as she subconsciously leaned into Ban. The lanky man rested his chin on her head in return as he tightened his hold around her.

"When shooting stars fill the night sky in form of crosses, Britannia will face her most desperate hour," Dr. Dana recited. "This is a trial—preordained since ancient times and will herald the beginning of a Holy War between the guiding hand of the light and the bloodline of the darkness."

And so, it's begun. The day Mors had foretold all his Apostles about was finally here. Monroe was sure the others were watching this very scene from wherever they are. She wondered just how they felt about it. The first sign of the impending war to come.

As the stars shot across the night sky in the form of crosses, three figures watched from the remains of an old castle.

"So, it's time," A feminine voice spoke.

The woman was tall with a slim build. Her skin pale and like her hair, her lashes were fair as well. Her eyes were dark gray—almost black in color. She had an aristocratic look about her from the angular features of her face to her way of dress. She almost looked like a porcelain doll, fragile—innocent. The perfect façade to hide behind for a creature such as herself.

"Finally," A voice eagerly from beside her. "I needed something to do. All this waiting was boring me."

The one who spoke was a muscular man who towered over the woman next to him. He had scruffy white hair that stood out against his tanned skin. He had a noticeable scar across his face going from one cheek to the other and across his nose as well. His eyes were a sharp golden color, and they seemed as if they belonged to an animal than a human. He grinned with sharp canines being revealed.

"Only a barbarian like you would want a war, Filtiarn." The woman spoke coldly.

"Don't be that way, Adrasteia." Filtiarn said to the woman as his grin widened. "You know you've been itching for the war to return to. So, you can see that demon prince. Besides, I'm sure Gwydion is excited too. Right?"

Adrasteia's glared turned even darker, but she said nothing as the third member of their group chuckled. The owner of the chuckle was dark of hair with orangish colored eyes. He was pale of skin as well and had a tall, lanky figure. A pair of circular glasses sat upon his nose, and he wore dark robes. His dark hair was also pulled back into a messy ponytail with many strands still falling into his face.

"Yes, I am a bit excited," The mage agreed. "I'm interested to see what kind of corpses I'll be getting to study this time."

Adrasteia frowned as she cursed her luck for getting stuck with these two idiots. She would much rather be with any of the others.

Near the edge of the continent—at a cliff overlooking the ocean, sat a rather reptilian looking man. He had no hair to speak off on top his head or anywhere on his body for that matter. The scales covering his body were a dark grayish green with black here and there as well. His eyes were a reddish color with diamond shaped-pupils that narrowed into slits as he stared up at the sky above.

"Tch, and just when I was getting used to the whole undead thing, the next hurtle has appeared." He hissed in aggravation.

As he continued to stare at the shooting stars, he felt a small breeze behind him as the sound of wings flapping entered his ears. He did not turn his head, however, even though his fellow Apostle—Lyvete had arrived.

"Shesha! Ne, Shesha!" She called while prodding him with the end of her wing.

He continued to ignore her though it was proving difficult since she continued to call to him. After the twentieth or so poke, the Naga finally had enough as he turned to glare at Lyvete. The young Harpy immediately stopped her poking when seeing the annoyance in Shesha's eyes.

Like all Harpy, Lyvete's lower half was that of a bird and she had long wings to match her brownish-gold feathered bird legs. She had a slim physique and mousy, short brown hair. That coupled with her dark, doe-like eyes, gave the Harpy a skittish looking appearance, which matched her gentle yet jumpy personality.

"What is it, Lyvete?!" Shesha hissed at the Harpy, which displayed his long, need-like fangs.

Before the Harpy could answer more flapping could be heard, and Shesha cursed his luck as he turned his head to see the other two arrivals. One of the those who arrived was a curvy woman of average height. She had blonde hair that was woven into elegant braids and she had eyes as green as emeralds. The second was another female with a petite, slim figure. Her hair was a shade of green and her eyes a golden brown with the mark of the goddess clan shining in them. She was paler than the other woman and wore mostly white while the other woman wore mostly black.

"Now, now, Shesha, there's no reason to be mean to Lyvete." The first woman said. "She just wanted your attention. Besides, now isn't the time to be fighting with each other."

She looked up at the sky as she spoke as a somber expression fell across her face.

"So, this means that it's almost time, right, Relias?" The second woman asked.

"That's right, Cassiel." Relias replied. "The Holy War is coming and very soon."

"Do you see it, Elaine?" A lanky, redhaired figure asked. "The prophecy has begun. It won't be much longer now."

The one who spoke was a tall, slim male with hair as red as a rose and eyes as blue as the open sky. He was pale in complexion and his ears came to a point at the ends. He turned to the body of his wife who laid gently against the flowers at the base of the growing Sacred Tree. He knelt down while brushing some of her hair back from her face.

"Elénaril, we can't linger here for long," Harmonia reminded him as she floated behind him.

Harmonia was a bit different than her fairy brethren. She was about the size of a petite woman—rather than taking on the form of a child. She still had youthful features, however, her eyes—which are dark blue in color—told a different story as they showed a creature that has lived many, many lifetimes. Her hair was a bright pink and cut in a slanted bob that fell just above her shoulders.

"Aye, she be right, lad," A much deeper voice seconded.

The man who spoke was muscular and compact. He had dark, unruly brown hair and a long beard that had many breads woven in it. His eyes were grayish-black and seemed to pierce through whatever they gazed upon. His skin dark tan and several pale scars could be seen along his hands and up to his elbows. He wore mostly leather and furs and there was a belt holding tools around his waist.

"Right, of course, Ketzad," Elénaril said with a sigh as he stood. "Raskos, we're prepared to leave."

As the words left his mouth, a tall looming figure stepped up with his footsteps making the ground shaking slightly. He had to be over thirty feet tall, which was about average for those of the giant race. His shoulder length brown hair was swept back to fall against his neck, but several strands did as they pleased. He was tan of skin and unlike his brethren, he wore clothes that looked as if they belonged to the humans and light leather armor made for him by the Elven Clan.

The giant Raskos knelt down while holding out his hand to the former Elven King and Dwarf Craftsman as Harmonia flew up to sit on his shoulder. Elénaril, who cast one last look at Elaine, and Ketzad stepped into Raskos' awaiting palm to be lifted up to the giant's shoulder.

"There's a lot to prepare for before the war," Raskos said as he started walking off.

"That's true," Elénaril agreed. "And once it's all over I'll be able to fulfill my promise to Elaine. Let's just hope that stubborn fox doesn't do anything stupid before that."

He said this with a fond chuckle as he remembered the man who came into the forest all those years ago and changed his and Elaine's lives.