A/N: We're getting closer to when all the drama happens! *Insert excited squeal*

I can't wait to have this whole thing written up and shared. Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favourited and followed :)

Silver- Yeah I think we both saw the loophole. The Sins are definitely on high alert too. Thanks for the kind review (as always)

Matt2620 - Yep it must've really hurt. I was thinking about doing multiple POVs but I don't wanna butcher the characters :') But since you mentioned it I'll add some in but it'll mainly be for small breaks and stuff. The main plot's more or less Elizabeth-centred.

Till next time,

D.L.D


"So it's like this right?" Diane asked as she spun, her leg raised against her torso. The brunette had her tongue stuck out and hair in a bun to keep it away from her face, concentration clear on her features as she rotated.

I couldn't help but smile as I watched her practice the moves I'd shown her, her precision not too far off from perfect. In fact Diane was a pretty fast learner. She was quick to adapt. But her adaptability made me wonder what she meant earlier by saying she couldn't dance. She seemed to be really good at it. Natural even.

"That's really good Diane!" I smile clapping. I then turn to the small blonde beside me. She was busy tending to some plants. "What do you think Elaine?"

"It was great!" She beamed, as she took her gaze from the patch of flowers beside her. Blooms of deep indigo to crystal blue and coral red stood out from the lush green leaves. Examples of the fairy's green thumb. "You're a really good teacher Liz."

I blushed, taking her compliment to heart. I guess I was a good teacher. Many who asked for my help often carried away my techniques on how to do things. Just instantly. Perhaps it was my patience that made it so natural to teach others, or that I was used to showing others how to do things. I was tasked with helping newer students when I was in Celestial Prep after all. Maybe that was why I found it easy to teach.

"Wait you're Liz?!" Diane's eyes were wide as she stopped practicing. Her leg fell to the ground, causing it to quake slightly, and she gaped in awe. "Like really Liz. As in Captain's Danafor Liz!"

"Uh..." I turn red, the sudden attention pinned on me too much for my tired mind. I'd forgotten that Elaine's nickname tied to the pink haired girl who went to Danafor. The one who wasn't scared to speak her mind or get into a fight if she had to. The one who was like an entirely different life to mine. A new identity.

"Yep, she told me yesterday," Elaine chirped as she floated up to the brunette. Excitement filled her features as she chattered, "Well her thoughts told me. But it was amazing! She went there before it was burned to the ground."

Diane seemed at grin at the blonde's words, her attention snapping to me. Brown tendrils of hair fell to her face.

"So you actually were a rebel at some point!" Diane seemed to radiate awe. She then came face to face with me, her voice buzzing with a million questions. "What was it like in Danafor? Did you actually get into fights? Did you know the Captain back then? What did he look like? Were you two dating? Awww I have so many questions!"

My face turned a deeper shade of red, the brunette's questions causing a headache to begin. The familiar throbbing from yesterday reappeared and I grimaced as I tried not to let it bother me. All of these questions needed to be answered at a later time, otherwise I might die from a migraine.

"Diane you might wanna give her a break," Elaine spoke softly, her hand resting on the brunette's shoulder. "Elizabeth looks like she might explode."

"Oops sorry," Diane flashed me a sheepish smile before sighing, "You can answer those in your own time. I guess I got excited, not too many people survived to talk about Danafor. Not many know it was a school. Still I'm shocked that you and Captain haven't told us yet."

"Well not too many people like to say I went to Danafor," I say trailing into thought. I can't help but think of fires when the name is mentioned. The blistering heat and flickering sparks. "Not after the blaze anyway. It brings a lot of memories."

Deep amethyst flames burned bright in my mind. The image of the combusting school permanently ingrained in my brain. Screams and cries rang in my ears. Each one belonged to a face; Faces that I knew, laughed with, ate with. They had all melted into a charred mixture of ash and soot. It was a terrible sight...

"I heard about that..." Diane frowned, placing a hand on my knee as she scooted down beside me, "I'm sorry about what happened. You must've lost a lot of people."

"Oh it's fine," I smile softly, before frowning. But the feeling of prickling heat is still there. Like a nagging reminder in my brain. "But those flames were unnatural. I'd only seen them once before."

'From a student from the Demon schools.'

I'm tempted to tell them, but I know I can't. Not even I know what truly happened that day in Danafor. What truly caused the fire. All I know is that it was set aflame and soon burned to nothing but ashes and charred remains. A skeleton of the school's former glory. The only clue as to who did it was the colour of the flames. But I don't want to think about who caused them, not when there's a possibility that it's someone I know. Even if it's wishful thinking.

"You seem thoughtful," Elaine floated above me, her head hanging upside down to face me. Blonde hair fell into her eyes, but she didn't seem to mind. "I haven't read your thoughts, but they seem grim. You wanna share them?"

"Oh...it's just - "

"She's probably worrying about Captain," Diane brushed off nonchalantly as she practiced another dance.

This time it was a sequence of moves that she told me Matrona told her about. She said it was a dance that a lot of people from the Giant house were taught. It helped them to harness the ability of the earth and use that to their own advantage. Several being able to shoot huge columns of rock into the sky, capable of injuring many.

However Diane was struggling with it, often falling onto her butt or twisting her body into a painful position. Perhaps that was why she said she couldn't dance. Because she couldn't perform one that meant a lot to her tradition. That would help prove herself to a group that she already felt so isolated from.

"They were up late last night," Diane continued as if I weren't there. Her tone was solemn. Worried. "I didn't mean to listen in, truly Elizabeth, but you sounded so concerned and Captain - he sounded so...sad."

She frowned as she stopped dancing. Her brows were bent as she thought, lips pressed into a thin line. "I've never heard Captain sound like that before and I've known him for ages now. If I didn't know any better I'd think he was just upset because of what happened, but something got to him yesterday."

"You're not wrong there," I say as I think back to last night. I had a feeling something was being held back from me, but hearing Diane's thoughts helped confirm my suspicions. Something was going on with Meliodas. Something that was tearing him to pieces inside. Something causing him to suffer. "The only problem is I don't know what's bothering him. He seemed to keep it out of the conversation."

"So Meliodas is shutting everyone out?" Elaine frowned, her brows furrowed with confusion. "What happened yesterday? Ban promised he'd tell me but today he just said it wasn't anything big. I just thought it was another 'Sin thing' but clearly it's something serious."

The blonde frowned as she hovered in her spot, lips puckered as she thought. Frustration seemed to radiate from her like steam as her eyes flickered between us.

"He was probably protecting you," I say softly as I watch a pair of birds swoop in the sky. I turn to face her, hands grasping the hem of my skirt. "What I found out wasn't too pleasing. It was pretty bad news. I figure Ban didn't want you to know because getting you involved would be too dangerous."

"Well I'm tired of that excuse!" Elaine balled her fists as her cheeks turned red. "It's always 'too dangerous' or 'sorry Elaine I don't want you getting hurt.'"

"I get the first year because I'd just come back," Elaine sighed, features dark. A memory seems to flash before her. The blonde then growled, "But I'm no longer under their influence anymore. I just want to help for once instead of being another thing to look after..."

Silence filled the air between us as Diane and I shared a glance before sighing.

None of us knew how to respond to Elaine's outburst. We were both used to being filled in on what was going on. But maybe that was the problem; Elaine was left out all the time. She was never included and was always left to stay behind and hope for the best. Always out of harm's way.

Elaine let out a sigh as she looked at us both, knowing she wouldn't get the truth from neither of us. It wasn't our place to tell her. It was King or Ban's choice to. She'd have to go to them.

"I'll go talk to my brother," She spoke firmly as she began to float off. "If Ms Gerheade comes tell her that I went to see King. She usually checks to see if I'm fulfilling my duties here in the garden, but she'll understand."

Diane and I nod as the blonde floats off, her light pink dress spreading out behind her in a loose trail.

I can't help but sigh as I envy Elaine for being able to float. I can't even fly right now, not after finding out the stalker's identity. I had to lay low. Just until the Sins and Holy Knights knew what was going on.

"So anything else happen yesterday?" Diane nudged me teasingly, attempting to lighten the mood.

Jolted from my thoughts, I flush red, biting my lip as I pout at the brunette. As always she was poking fun at me. About Meliodas. Why not anything else?

"Diane~" I frown as I turn away from her, "You were up all night so you know nothing else happened."

"What, you guys didn't even kiss?" She pressed, grinning. She had her arms folded across her chest.

"Nope," I smirk, "But I'm pretty sure I might have puked on your favourite shoes."

"What - no!" She seemed to cry out before laughing with me. She gave me a nudge and a wink. "You're a terrible liar."

"I know," I giggle, the blush on my face dying down, "But the look on your face was worth it. Payback for always teasing me."

"But that's because we're friends," Diane insisted, smiling, "All friends tease each other about sensitive subjects. I tease Elaine about Ban half the time."

"She turns red doesn't she?" I giggle as I think back to when Diane was teasing Elaine. The blonde had turned several shades darker than me. In fact she even threatened to knock the brunette out with a frying pan.

"Like a firetruck, and she threatens me like crazy," Diane grinned, before sighing, "Anyway the rest of the Sins were talking about our plan for the Commandments this morning while you had your checkup. Apparently we've got to watch out for them in the students because they're all here. They could easily take over the school and the last thing we need is for Liones to no longer be neutral. It's the only neutral ground left now."

"All ten of them are here?!" I say in shock as I think about all of the faces I spot daily. I thought I would have recognised them if I saw them, but maybe the Commandments had changed. They would have new members after what happened.

"Yeah," Diane frowned, "I don't know how but all of them are. That's probably why Captain seems so off. That and the only neutral school left being threatened into choosing a side."

I nod at her words, but they don't go into my head. Instead a thousand thoughts are floating around in there, each one suggesting something about the Commandments. Something about how they could link into why Meliodas was acting so strangely yesterday.

"Well I'm going to see what I can do about it," I smile as I get up.

"What do mean, you ca- " Diane began to protest but I put a hand up to silence her.

"I'm going to see what's wrong with him," I say softly, "Maybe then everything can be fixed or we can at least come up with a solution to this."

The brunette nodded and I smiled. She seemed to understand where I was coming from.

"Ok but don't strain yourself," Diane spoke, hands resting on her hips, "I say you start tomorrow if you want to heal quickly."

"Ok," I nod, "So what should we so for the rest of today?"


Elaine's P.O.V

"I want the truth King," I say as I cornered my brother. He was in the library, looking for some sort of book, or possibly scoping out something. I honestly can't tell anymore with how often King and the Sins had to deal with some sort of issue. Issues I was never included in...

"The truth?" He said skittishly. He seemed to shrink under my glare, something only Diane and I had the ability to do. Anyone else and he would give an indifferent shrug or smug response.

"Yes the truth Harlequin," I frown, sharply pointing my index finger at his chest. "I'm tired of being left out on everything. You and the Sins always have these great adventures and I'm stuck in the Fairy Gardens, reduced to seeing only the local area. I'm tired of being left out."

"I know it seems bad, Elaine, but it's for the best," My brother spoke softly, eyes not quite meeting mine. Remorse seemed to glow in those amber depths. For things I don't know of. "Ban and I agreed that we'd - "

"So you're both in on this?!" I say throwing my arms into the air. "You could've at least told me."

"Elaine, I was planning to but - " He looked guilty, his face downcast. A sight that was rare for my brother.

"But you were too busy thinking about protecting me than thinking about how I'd feel about this," I sigh as I look him in the eye, "Why can't you tell me what's going on for once instead of shutting me out, Harlequin? I'm meant to be able to trust you, but how can I when you're always keeping these secrets?"

"Elaine I don't keep that many secrets," King frowned his face now serious. He was getting defensive. "I keep things from you to keep you safe, not because I want to."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I looked down at a few students passing below us. None of them would think to look up and listen to our conversation.

"Tough to believe when you keep so much from me," I scowl as I think back to when he first left me. Even if it wasn't his fault, King never told me about why he disappeared for hours on end each day. Why he never came back that day.

The earliest years of my childhood have always been clouded; King missing from the picture during the day and actively caring for me at night. He was like a nighttime nanny, someone who disappeared in the day and worked at night. I used to try and stay up just to catch a glimpse of him. To see my older brother and give him a hug or show him a flower I grew. But he was always busy...

"I do it to protect you Elaine," King spoke through grit teeth as he balled his fists. He wasn't facing me, his hair covering his expression. Tears glimmered as they dripped from his chin. "I always do it to protect you."

"Well I don't need anymore protecting, King," I say softly. Maybe I was a bit unreasonable. I was just so mad that he and Ban had kept something so serious from me. Something that was worrying even Diane.

"I'm older now and the Demon schools don't have an influence on me anymore," I insist growing hopeful as he glances up at me. I reach out to place a hand on his shoulder. "I haven't heard Melascula's voice in years and - "

"Elaine stop," His voice was firm. Cold. Tears had stopped and a grim expression replaced them.

I froze, my eyes wide as my words caught in my throat. He wasn't going to listen. He'd already made up his stubborn mind. My hand fell to my side.

"I'm not going to put you in danger again," He spoke determinedly. He placed a hand over his heart. "Not ever. Neither will Ban. He and I actually agreed on this for once. We don't want you involved. Not this time..."

"Of course you don't," I sniff crossing my arms, "That's fine. I'll find out on my own."

No other words said I float along the bookshelves, steadily heading downward, until I reach the exit. I then burst through the double doors, going towards the only place I know will calm me. At least until I figure out how to convince King and Ban to let me know what happened.

I was nearly at the gardens when I bumped into someone. Someone else who could float but had no wings. Only me and Harlequin could, unless -

"Fancy seeing you here, Miss Elaine," Melascula curled her lips into a grin. I could see the corners stretching across her face in a serpent like manner. She cupped her face in her hand. "You know we've all missed you back at the academy."

I swiftly regain an indifferent expression, the shock swiped off my face in a millisecond. She couldn't know I was surprised.

"I'm sure you have," I say stiffly as I try to make a move past her, but she blocks me. I frown. My hands find their way to my hips. "I have somewhere to be and I'm sure you do too Melascula."

"Yes, but I think I can make time for you," She smirked her snake-like tongue escaping her curved lips. "Hmmm how long's it been since your royal fairy presence graced the halls of one of our academies? Two years?"

"I thought it was longer," I mumble coldly as I glare at the female.

She hadn't changed much since I last saw her, long purple hair trailing to her hips and scantily dressed in a legless one-piece jumpsuit. However she was lacking the darkness that usually swarmed around her form. That helped supply her power. It was like her very essence. A lifeline.

"Aww I thought you were fond of your old home?" She teased, "We didn't hide anything from you did we? We were very honest. Not like some people here."

My heart froze. Did Melascula just hint to - she couldn't have. But then again she knows me well. She's more or less seen my mind for many years. She knows how it works, what triggers me and even -

"How do you - when did you - " I start to move backwards, only to freeze as I bump into a yet another familiar person. Galand.

"Now how about we strike a deal?" Melascula continued smoothly, "I tell you why the Sins are acting so weird and you trade me your soul."

Galand coughed, as if indicating to her some rule she had forgotten. It echoed due to the heavy armour on his form.

"Loyalty works too I guess," She frowned as she looked at her partner, "You always ruin the fun."

"Well I can't lie, so when the Principal asks what you did with her, so you won't be covered," He responded smugly.

"Fine," Melascula groaned as she turned her attention back to me, "So do we have a deal? I'm sure a smart girl like you wouldn't refuse."

"And what if I do refuse?" I frown as I glare at the snake-like female.

She simply laughed her voice echoing along the hall. Sharp and pointed teeth glinted as she laughed.

"There's no refusing," She cackled, her mouth widening as she looked at me nose-to-nose. I try not to shrink back in fear and disgust as I look into her empty eyes. "You either join us willingly or we force you to."

The female smirked and I gulped. I should've listened to Harlequin when he said it was dangerous. I should've just been satisfied with staying in the Gardens.

"Golden Zephyr wind!" I say and a gust of air knocks Melascula and Galand down.

Taking my chance I zip off, escaping to the sanctuary of the Fairy Gardens. Air brushes past me cool and harsh and I can hear the shouts of the two Demons fading.

That was close.

Too close.

I sigh as I place a hand over my hammering heart. My eyes close and I sink against the trunk of a Youth tree. The sound of crickets fill my ears. Jasmine and other fragrant flowers invade my senses and I release a sigh.

At least I managed to escape.


Elizabeth's (Normal) P.O.V

I sigh as I close my locker, my PE kit in my bag. Despite trying to tell Diane that sports aren't too bad, I didn't exactly favour them. It wasn't the best of subjects, although it was the closest to flying for me.

After all, when you run you can feel the wind on your face and the slight freedom that comes from being let loose. But it isn't the same. I still can't feel the wind beneath my wings or the feeling of floating over everything. I can only feel something that tries to be like those sensations. Something that doesn't quite compare.

As I head towards the cafeteria to grab a snack, a girl around my age bumps into me. She had long dark hair but celery coloured eyes. She then slipped a card into my pocket.

"Be sure to be there," She spoke before quickly disappearing down the hall. Like an image that couldn't have been there. But the card still remained.

That's odd...

I take the card in my hands and read it.

The card turned out to be an envelope with intricate golden designs on the corners. Once I opened it, it revealed a handwritten note from two people who signed off as Jen and Zee.

Lady Elizabeth,

Like you we left the Celestial Prep schools. Their views were flawed and we fled when faced with war against the Demons.

However we reached out for you, not for sympathy but for help. Something is going on within the walls of Liones and we fear it's sinister. We can't trust the Society or the Holy Knights, both have become untrustworthy. Once you get this note, be sure to meet us the next day in the Druid clubroom. Be there for curfew.

Much appreciation,

Jen and Zee

Druid club leaders

The Druids. I've heard of them. They are linked to the Goddesses and are able to heal, however that is all. They were humans that were very much devoted to the Goddesses and often sang praises of their schools.

But these two, Jen and Zee, who were also leaders, seemed to go against the stereotype of what Druids believed in. They seemed to hold some sort of skepticism towards the Celestial schools. Skepticism that has really been rightfully earned. The Goddesses were not as pure as others believed them to be. They were gifted in deceit and false-hope.

As I begin to wonder about why such a note would be delivered to me, the bell rang. A signal that two hours of intense sport was about to begin.

Slipping the card into my pocket, I head towards the sports hall. Hopefully I can last the whole lesson without a snack.