Monroe looked around the village after she had left the flyers Meliodas gave her behind. She saw no point in hanging them up. There was no one here to read them.

'There's no sign of the others,' Monroe thought as she continued looking around. 'I suppose I've lucked out.'

Though at the same time she felt a bit of unease. There was always at least one of them here. Unless they were out and about preparing for what was to come. The shooting stars from the other night did mark the beginning of the war to come.

'So many of the others have been dreading this day,' Monroe thought somberly. 'And I'm not much looking forward to it myself.'

Monroe then sighed as she paused in her walk. She was thinking of turning around right now and heading back. However, there was still a certain missing fox she needed to find.

—FLASHBACK—

"Ban took off?" Monroe questioned as she came down the stairs to see Meliodas behind the bar and frowning.

"Yeah," he said. "He came inside for a few minutes so I thought he was actually going to listen to me. But when we came in, he was gone and the back door was wide open."

Meliodas then continued his grumbling as Elizabeth tried to pacify him. Monroe just tilted her head. She wasn't too surprised Ban made a run for it. Though she had to wonder…wonder if he was the person she had been sensing earlier when she was changing.

—END OF FLASHBACK—

The thought that Ban might have seen her incident had her cheeks heating up. It was embarrassing to think the man she had feelings for might have seen her in the nude. He was older than her that was obvious, but Monroe's feelings for the man had started out as a crush when she was younger. And even when apart, those feelings had only seemed to grow even more. It was hard to explain, but she knew what she felt.

'Though he'd never feel the same way,' Monroe thought as she continued walking. 'I'm probably still just a kid in his eyes.'

Besides, she really didn't have the time to be thinking about romance. There was so much to do and so little time. She needed to find the other Sins and take back the capital away from that demon possessing her uncle and influencing her former master. Once the kingdom and the people were safe from that evil, Monroe then would have to prepare for the war alongside the other Apostles. There wasn't any time for things like love.

'I have to find the others,' Monroe reminded herself. 'And the rumor is that King is here. Though I find it unlikely, I best look around thoroughly.'

She continued walking while thinking about paying Ellen and Luigi a visit. The two little ghosts did like to hang around this village. Perhaps they've seen the fairy. Just as she was thinking that she heard the sound of screaming. She whirled around in that direction and saw Ellen and Luigi fleeing from the house they used as their own. She hurried in their direction and at the sight of her they seemed relieved.

"Lady Monroe!" They both called.

Monroe reached the two and crouched down while placing her hands on her shoulders.

"What's going on?" She asked.

"There are two guys fighting back there!" Luigi told her.

"Uh-huh, one of them is tall with red eyes," Ellen added.

Monroe frowned. Looks as if Ban found himself in some trouble. Not that she was surprised.

"Okay," she said. "I want the two of you to go and hide until I come and find you, understand?"

Luigi nodded before taking his sister's hand. The two ran off while Monroe stood up and watched as Ban punched a large whole in the stone fence around the kids' home. The person he attacked managed to dodge his attack. Ban landed on his feet looking ready for a fight, but paused when realizing his opponent had somehow gotten behind him. Monroe, who launched herself up into the air and swung upside down, moved swiftly behind the attacker with the intent to kill rolling off of her as she went to break the neck of the attacker.

However, when the attacker turned his head, her eyes widened in recognition. Her moves softened to wrap around the boy's body instead and she took him with her as she rolled across the ground before landing gently on her backside. The boy looked up at her in surprise as a smile pulled across her face.

"King!" She said as she recognized the fairy. "You really were out here like Gil said."

King's eyes widened as he stared up at the young woman's happy expression. Ban looked shocked as well as he wasn't expecting her in the first place. And also because of what she called the little creep who had been attacking him.

"Mo, there's no way in hell that's King!" Ban said. "Now get away from the little bastard."

Monroe looked up at Ban in confusion since she thought he'd recognize the guy he always picked fights with.

"Ban, this is King," Monroe insisted. "And I know you two don't get along, but can you at least try not to fight this once?"

Ban just frowned while not wanting Monroe near the guy trying to kill him. King just continued to stare up at Monroe as the girl continued to hold him.

'It's really her,' King realized. 'And she's all grown up.'

King had heard about the tragedy that befell Monroe and her family. He remembers crying himself to sleep the first few nights. The pain of losing more people that he cared about all too much to bear. King then stiffened when Monroe was suddenly gone. He turned his head seeing that Ban had a hold of her by the back of her shirt. Anger burned through him when seeing that.

"I told you to get away from him," Ban said as he sat Monroe down. "He's trying to pick a fight and I don't want you hurt."

He reached out to brush her hair back as he spoke, but he didn't get the chance as King sent Chastiefol between them, which forced Ban back away from Monroe.

"Don't you dare lay your hands on her," King said as his hands clenched into fists at his side. "After what you did to the Holy Woman guarding the Fountain of Youth, you have no right to be near someone as pure as Monroe."

Ban turned to glare at King while really starting to get annoyed with him. Ban held out his hand to him, and Monroe's eyes widened when realizing what he was doing.

"You are really pissing me off." Ban said. "Now who the hell are you?!"

Before Ban could attack though, Meliodas, who appeared suddenly interfered.

"Bad Ban," he said while hitting Ban over the head with a mug.

Monroe wasn't sure why Meliodas was here, or why he had a mug with him, but she was glad he intervened.

"Hey, Captain, could you butt out?" Ban asked. "I'm a bit busy here."

"What's the matter with you?" Meliodas asked. "Picking fights."

"What's the matter with me?" Ban asked disbelievingly. "Some little punk came out of nowhere and started a fight. Look what he did to my new threads?"

Ban gestured to his ripped jacket as Monroe turned her head towards Diane who was approaching.

"Alright, someone better tell me what all this commotion is about." Diane said. "Roe?"

She looked down at the younger woman while knowing Monroe would answer her.

"Well, good news is that we found King," Monroe began.

"King?" Diane and Meliodas asked at the same time.

As the two looked up to who Monroe was pointing at, Ban sighed not sure why Monroe was insisting that flying punk could be King.

"Mo, I think you need to get your eyes checked." Ban said. "That's not—!"

"King!" Meliodas and Diane exclaimed in unison.

Ban looked at them wondering if they had gone crazy or something. Or maybe they all needed glasses.

"Tell me how that tiny creep is supposed to be King?!" Ban asked Meliodas while pointing up at King.

"Well, maybe he lost a little weight." Meliodas suggested.

"A little weight?!" Ban demanded. "That ain't even the main issue here!"

Diane ignored Ban's shouting as she smiled at King who had an unreadable expression on his face.

"King, we came to look for you, and now you're here!" Diane said. "This is incredible! I'm so happy to see you again."

King just turned to float away silently with Chastiefol flying away with him. Monroe called out to him, but he kept going on. Monroe frowned as she clenched her hand in front of her chest.

'Why did he seem so angry?' Monroe wondered. 'He mentioned the Holy Woman guarding the Fountain of Youth.'

Monroe knew of the woman. Or rather of the fairy. Elénaril the Apostle of Benevolence talks a lot about her. He mentioned she had died alongside him but won't go into the details. Monroe did know that the elf loved her very much though.

—FLASHBACK—

"She's the love of my life," Elénaril told the young woman. "I will never love another like I do her, and after all this is over, I'll be reunited with her again. Even if only in death."

Elénaril then showed Monroe a picture of the woman that he spoke about. It was one he had painted himself and kept within one of his cloak pockets. The woman had a childlike appearance as most fairies do. Her skin was fair and her hair as well. Then her eyes were a beautiful shade of gold. Monroe was almost in awe at how pretty she was.

"Her name is Elaine," Elénaril told Monroe who was sitting with him underneath a large tree. "We met when I ran away from the guard who was posted to watch over me. I had been a bit mischievous in my youth."

He chuckled as he spoke and Monroe found herself smiling as she watched the elf stroke the picture lovingly.

"Our love had grown fast," Elénaril continued. "And it wasn't long before we wed in secret. My kinsmen had long since isolated themselves from the rest of the world and it was frowned upon to leave our borders for long periods of time let alone interact with those outside of them. But I was determined to be with her. I could not deny myself of her and we spent many stolen and precious moments together."

"Wasn't it hard though?" Monroe asked. "Having to love in secret?"

Elénaril looked at the young girl of thirteen as she looked up at him curiously.

"Yes," The elf replied. "But it was worth it if it meant being with her. One day, you'll understand this. You'll find someone who will mean as much to you as Elaine means to me."

—END OF FLASHBACK—

As she came from her thoughts, Monroe looked to Ban who had a bothered look on his face.

'Who is she to Ban?' Monroe asked herself as she continued to stare at the man. 'Elénaril never mentioned him before in his stories. But did they know each other?'

Though when Ban's eyes turned towards her, she looked away before she could be caught staring. She then cleared her throat as she remembered two certain little children.

"Melly, I'll be right back." Monroe told the blonde. "I saw some children fleeing earlier. Perhaps they could tell us more about King being here and the area."

"Sounds good." Meliodas said. "We'll had back to the bar then."

Monroe nodded her head before walking away and not looking back even when she felt Ban's eyes on her.

'What is this tension?' She wondered. 'He's acting different.'

After finding the two kids and asking them to pretend not to know her, Monroe, who was back in her regular outfit and had her sword back at her side, took them back to the bar. When arriving the pleasant smell of something cooking had reached their noses. Apparently, Ban had decided to cook while Monroe was away. Getting food ready for their guests.

"Okay, everybody." Ban said as he sat the food down in front of Ellen and Luigi. "Dig in."

The two kids looked at the food in amazement as Hawk was drooling pools and pools of drool. Meliodas had to keep him held back, and even though Monroe already ate, she wouldn't mind eating more. However, she resisted.

"That smells amazing." Elizabeth said.

"Ban's cooking is the best." Monroe said with stars practically in her eyes.

Meliodas chuckled at her words as he continued to keep Hawk away from the food.

"It's great," Luigi said. "But we don't…"

"If you won't eat, I'm just going to give it all to the pig," Ban warned.

"We're eating!" The two said in unison.

Their reply had Hawk wailing in despair, which had Monroe giving the pig a look of amusement. Though she also felt sympathetic when seeing how upset Hawk was.

"It's wonderful." Ellen said happily.

"Come on, I need a taste," Hawk whined.

He then winced when Meliodas pulled him back even farther, so he wouldn't bother the kids.

"It's the best I ever had!" Luigi complimented. "Thank you so much!"

"It's time for some give and take, alright?" Ban asked as he sat down in front of the kids.

Said kids looked at him curiously as they paused in stuffing their faces with his delicious cooking.

"Alright, so tell me everything you know about this Necropolis place." Ban said.

Monroe frowned slightly. She didn't understand why Ban was so insistent about learning about the Necropolis. It worried her to say the least. It was too close to comfort to discovering her secret.

"What are you doing, Ban?" Meliodas asked. "Finding King was our mission, so there's no reason to go there anymore, right?"

"No way in hell that little punk is King," Ban denied.

"Trust me, that's him." Meliodas insisted.

"I think he's a fake." Ban said.

"No, it's really him." Meliodas said.

"He's a fake!" Ban retorted.

Before the fighting could continue, Monroe got between the two men and pushed them apart.

"Why do you wish to go there so badly?" Monroe asked Ban. "This has nothing to do with King. You have another reason for wanting to reach that place."

Ban shifted at her words, which meant she was right. He had his own agenda concerning the Necropolis. Meaning taking King and moving on wasn't going to be an option.

"Yeah, I have my own reason, but it's my business." Ban told her with an edge to his tone. "So, drop it, alright?"

Monroe almost flinched at his tone, but considering she's dealt with people with more bite, she wasn't too taken back. Though him directing such a tone at her was definitely new. It was tense for a moment as the two merely stared at each other. Though Monroe soon let out a sigh.

"Fine," Monroe said as she narrowed her eyes at him. "Don't tell me. As you said, it's your business, so I'll leave you to it."

Monroe gestured for Luigi to speak as the boy was looking unsure as he looked between her and Ban. Said man looked troubled as he watched Monroe head for the door.

"So, you want to get into the Necropolis the same as that boy." Luigi said getting the other's attention. "He's asked us a lot of questions about it too. And he told me he had to find it no matter what."

"King said that, huh?" Meliodas murmured.

"He told us he'd been looking a long time too." Luigi continued.

Though he paused a moment to glance at the slightly cracked open window where he could see Monroe's back as she stood on the porch. The glance went unnoticed by many in the room except for Ban who narrowed his eyes.

"So, it's actually here in this rundown place?" Hawk asked.

"No," Luigi said. "But it's not far away."

Monroe, who could still hear the conversation from her spot on the porch, almost snorted. That was an understatement. The entrance was very close by indeed.

"Then where is it exactly?" Diane asked.

"The entrance to the Necropolis can be found here in this hamlet." Luigi told them. "But it's not a place you can reach just because you want to."

Elizabeth and Diane exchanged looks of confusion because that didn't help them at all.

"Look, kid, riddles have never been my thing." Ban said.

"Oh, I get it," Meliodas said then grabbed some rope, a pole, and plate of Ban's cooking. "So, what you're say is, something like this."

He gestured to Hawk who he had tied the pole too then put the plate of food on the other end of the pole just out of the poor pig's reach.

"I don't think that's it," Elizabeth said as she sweat-dropped.

Meliodas just smiled at her before turning his attention back onto the kids in front of them.

"So, it's like grave that's normally hidden," Meliodas said. "Right?"

"It's not a grave at all," Luigi corrected. "It's a land onto itself. A place where you'll find the spirits of those who died."

Monroe, who had her arms crossed over her chest, felt her hand grip her upper arm tightly. The land of green crystals came to mind as did the king who ruled over it.

"Are you talking about the afterlife?" Meliodas asked.

"How could we reach a place like that?" Elizabeth inquired.

"How can I reach this plate right here?" Hawk asked his own question, which was far more important to him than the current conversation.

He continued trying to grab the plate, but didn't even get close with his short, little pig legs.

"It's said the place it also guarded." Luigi continued.

"Guarded?" Elizabeth repeated.

"Yes, by the 12 Apostles." Luigi answered causing Monroe to stiffen. "The Apostles of Death. 12 beings chosen by Death to be brought back to life to protect the Necropolis."

Monroe wasn't the only one to become uneased at the mention of the Apostles. Meliodas shifted as well with a small frown pulling at his lips.

"Brought back to life?" Diane asked.

It sounded kind of spooky to her. It was like the Apostles were zombies or something.

"It's said if Death is impressed by how a person lived their lives and he sees them as worthy, he'll offer them a chance at continuing their lives." Luigi said. "But in exchange, they are bound to Death and must do his bidding. It's an everlasting contract. Even if they die a second time or decline the offer, they end up in Death's hold in the end either way. One of their duties is ensuring the safety of the Necropolis from anyone who isn't supposed to be there and could cause harm to those who live there."

"So, you think these Apostles or whatever they are, might try to pick a fight with us if we try to enter that place?" Ban asked.

Luigi tilted his head as if he was unsure how to answer. Or as if he didn't wish to answer. Ban noticed the boy take another quick glance at Monroe who was still standing outside on the porch. This had the older male's brow quirking.

"As long as you don't mean harm and share you precious memories with the dead, they will show you where you need to go and the Apostles will leave you in peace." Ellen spoke up. "The man next door used to say that to us all the time. I'm sorry, but that's all I know."

Ban didn't seem upset as he reached out to gently ruffle the girl's hair in an affectionate gesture.

"Well, that tip just paid for your meal and then some." Ban told her. "Seriously, well done. Thanks a lot, Elaine."

Monroe's eyes widened when hearing the fairy woman's name leave Ban's lips. He really did know her.

'Did he…were they…Maybe Elénaril isn't the only one in love with Elaine,' Monroe thought with a pain entering her chest.

A pain she had never felt before, but it was growing and becoming harder to bear. Monroe shook her head not understanding it. But what she did know is that she couldn't just stand around here.

"Um…my…my name is Ellen," the girl shyly corrected as Monroe slipped away.

"Oh, right, I'm sorry about that, Ellen." Ban apologized.

He then gently reminded her to eat the rest of her food before he looked at the window to see Monroe was gone. He sighed.

'I didn't mean to be so snippy with her earlier,' Ban thought. 'I just can't tell her. The sin I committed. How my mistake led to two people losing their lives. She'd probably never look at me the same way again.'

And that was a terrifying thought.

Monroe, who moved to the outskirts of the hamlet, frowned as the pain in her chest lessened but lingered. She didn't understand it but could only guess it was jealousy. And she wasn't liking it. She then sighed as she stepped in the large field where the doorway was located. She could feel its presence as she sat down on the barren ground.

"I haven't been back in a while," Monroe murmured to herself.

She tended to stay away from the Necropolis. She didn't mind coming to the village, but she rarely ever crossed over. Mostly because she didn't wish to see her family. Not yet anyway. She couldn't face them until she finished her mission. She wanted to tell them that she avenged their deaths and saved the kingdom and people they loved. She didn't think it'd completely make her guilt go away for living while they perished, but it'd be a start.

Monroe then reached forward and touched the ground. A lush green field covered in beautiful pink flowers appeared and spread over the once barren landscape. She picked one of the flowers to hold it gently by the stem between her fingers.

'Share your precious memories with the dead and they'll show you the way,' Monroe thought back to the words Mors had once told her. 'But when I try to think of the happy times with my family…the bad times overshadow them and come to the forefront of my mind.'

She frowned as that terrible day tried to play through her head. She pushed the thoughts aside as she heard footsteps approaching. She turned her head seeing Ban walking in her direction. The others a few yards back. For a moment the two just stared at each other before Monroe broke contact and looked away.

"Mo…I'm sorry about earlier," Ban said. "I didn't mean to use that tone on you."

"It's fine," Monroe said as she twirled the flower between her fingers. "It wasn't my place to pry, so let's just call it even and forget about it."

Besides, she didn't want him to explain anything in fear of it really being connected all to Elaine. Monroe mentally sighed. She's never met the fairy, but she was already jealous of her. She was obviously someone important to Ban. Said man sighed when seeing Monroe's expression was still a little down. He crouched next to her. He gently took the flower from her to place behind her ear before tilting her head up by her chin, so she'd look at him. He looked as if he wanted to say something but was interrupted by Diane who let out a laugh.

"Ban, that's really not your style," Diane said to the Sin of Greed.

Ban just gave her a look as he dropped his hand from where it had been cupping Monroe's chin.

"Hey, Elizabeth, come here." Diane said. "Look at all these flowers."

"Oh my, what kind are they?" Elizabeth asked.

"Who cares about a bunch of stupid old flowers?" Hawk asked. "You can eat these things all day long, but they'll never fill you up."

He then let out a huff of air through his nose, which sent some petals scattering. It seemed to almost cause a chain reaction as all the petals flew off the flowers into the air around them. Monroe looked up at the floating petals as Diane and Elizabeth awed.

"Pretty," Diane said with a smile.

As the flowers started to spin around them, Monroe stood up when Ban offered his hand to her. He kept his arm around her to pull her closer as the flowers spun around even faster; creating a vortex around them.

"Hey, you guys!" Luigi called out as he and Ellen had come to see them off. "Be careful!"

Elizabeth blinked in confusion before the flowers began to spin around so quickly it caused large gusts of wind to whirl around them. Elizabeth gasped in shock as Meliodas stood in front of her protectively. Ban pulled Monroe even closer though there was no need to worry. The flowers then all dispersed to reveal a land filled of beautiful bluish-green crystal.

'It's still just as I remember,' Monroe thought as Ban let go of her.

Ban then suddenly ran by and ignored Diane's call, which had Monroe turning her head. She saw him running after a girl in a white dress and blonde hair. A girl Elénaril has described to her many a time.

"Elaine." Monroe whispered.

As Monroe and the others watched Ban go, King suddenly flew by to pursue the Fox Sin.

"King!" Meliodas exclaimed.

"But how did he get here?" Elizabeth asked.

"What the hell is going on?" Hawk wondered.

"Captain, what are we supposed to do?" Diane wondered.

Meliodas suggested following after them as Monroe frowned. Those two would definitely pick another fight. Besides, she was curious. Curious to find out more about Elaine and her connection to Ban. She then took off running after Ban and King as fast as possible.

"Monroe!" Elizabeth called out as well.

Monroe didn't stop as she jumped up and flipped over a few crystals to get on the higher ground.

"And now she's gone." Meliodas said as he scratched the back of his head.