'Hey, Captain, is around here okay?' Diane asked, one hand shielding her eyes from the bright sun.

You stood on the very point of the Boar Hat's roof and looked at the landscape before you. There were windmills and crop fields and houses. Very idyllic. You breathed in deeply, enjoying the scent of freshly tilled soil and the way your chest no longer protested the movement. Whoever had stabbed you in the back did a good job. Your hands started to tremble and you clenched your teeth. They were going to pay.

'Yeah.' Meliodas's voice cut through your brooding. 'It's a little far from town, but we oughta be all right if we can do some promoting.'

'Thanks for everything, Hawk's mum,' said Elizabeth. 'Why don't you rest a bit, too, Diane?'

Diane shrugged. 'Sure. I'll just grab a little shut-eye 'til the tavern opens, then.' And, with a great clanking as Gideon hit the ground and a large yawn, Diane curled up on the grass. 'Goodnight, you guys.'

Hey, [Y/n], you coming to help get the tavern ready?

You looked down at Meliodas as he walked back inside with Elizabeth and Hawk, grinning at the way his hair bounced merrily. Sure, gimme a sec.

The bell at the door of the Boar Hat tinkled and you heard the door shut. You closed your eyes and took one last deep breath before walking down the roof and slipping in through the window to your and Meliodas's bedroom.

'All right, everyone. Why don't we get ready to open up?' Meliodas's cheerful voice drifted up the stairs.

You could imagine the way he looked, standing with his hands on his hips as he addressed his "troops". Smiling to yourself, you walked slowly down to the bar.

'Us guys will handle the food stocks,' Meliodas continued, throwing you a smile as you hopped up onto the counter. He turned back to Elizabeth. 'Now, Elizabeth, go down to the village and spread the word. And could you also buy some herbs while you're out there?'

'Sure,' said Elizabeth.

Meliodas turned to the pig. 'Hawk, you should go with her for support.'

'One of these days you're gonna learn how to say please,' you said, swinging your legs and rolling your eyes. Meliodas poked his tongue out at you and you grinned widely. Elizabeth giggled.

'Whatever, it's fine by me,' said Hawk, 'but do you really think she'll be okay?'

Elizabeth whirled on the pig. 'I'm perfectly capable of going shopping!'

'I know.' Hawk waved a trotter. 'But the Holy Knights are still after you, aren't they? I mean, wouldn't it be better if you just stayed here?'

'Are you doubting your abilities, Master Hawk?' you teased. Hawk huffed.

'Staying cooped up will just get her down,' Meliodas said with a smile. 'It's fine; if anything happens, we'll rush right there.'

You nodded. Elizabeth blushed and stammered a thank you.

'Looks like someone doubts my abilities,' Hawk grumbled to himself before saying louder, 'Yeah, but still ...'

Meliodas thought it over. 'How about a disguise then?'

'A what?' Elizabeth asked.

You clapped your hands. 'A dress-up opportunity.' And with that, you whisked Elizabeth away. 'Try this one,' you said, thrusting the dress at Elizabeth.

She put it on, looking slightly bemused. Once she was ready, you lead Elizabeth back to the bar and said, in an announcer's voice, 'Village girl.'

Elizabeth posed, blushing slightly. Meliodas and Hawk appraised the look but, before they could say anything, you took Elizabeth back to try on another outfit. This was too much fun for it to end on the first try. As the impromptu fashion show stretched on, Elizabeth started to get into it, giggling with you as she put on each new ensemble you picked out.

'Minstrel style.'

'Travelling dancer style.'

Meliodas frowned as Elizabeth posed with a tambourine. 'Absolutely not,' he said firmly, shaking his head. 'Why would you even suggest this one, [Y/n]?'

'It's pretty.' You shrugged. Over protective.

He glared at you but you saw the slight blush on his cheeks.

'That makes her stand out more,' Hawk shouted.

Elizabeth smiled. 'This was fun, but I think I ought to be all right just wearing a shawl.'

You pouted and then sighed. 'Yeah, I guess you're right.'

So Elizabeth went to change back into her usual outfit while you found a simple shawl for her to wear. She put it on, covering her long silvery hair.

'How's that?' she asked.

You adjusted it a bit then stood back and smiled. 'Perfect.'

The two of you walked back to the bar where King and Ban had emerged, still looking half asleep. All six of you left the tavern together, Elizabeth and Hawk walking a little farther before turning to say goodbye. You and Meliodas waved as the pig and the princess disappeared among the trees.

'Be careful,' you called after them.

Meliodas wrapped his hand around yours. She'll be fine.

I know.

So ... how about we have another fashion show? I think that last outfit would look great on you.

Heat flared on your cheeks. You turned to Meliodas but his face was serene as he gazed at the way Elizabeth and Hawk had gone. How can he think such things with such a straight face? I was under the impression you guys were going to get some more food.

Damn it. Later then.

Sure.

Now Meliodas blushed. You smirked victoriously.

'Do I have to?' Ban whined around a wide yawn.

Meliodas turned to him. 'Ban, King, whoever catches the biggest game is the winner.'

Ban immediately perked up. 'Huh? I got this.' He cracked his knuckles.

King groaned but then frowned. 'Captain, you're not using a weapon? You're gonna hunt bare-handed?'

'Well, I'll try to make it work somehow,' Meliodas said.

'Ha, see ya, losers,' Ban taunted before sprinting off into the forest.

'You're in the same boat!' Meliodas pecked you on the cheek and sped off after Ban.

You sighed. 'Look after them for me would you, King?'

He nodded to you with a wry smile before floating into the forest. 'Don't go too crazy, okay?' you heard him call after Meliodas and Ban. You snorted. Like there was any chance of that.

A rare peaceful silence settled on the Boar Hat. The only sounds were Diane's soft breathing as she slept and the birds in the trees. You stretched your arms above your head and wondered what task you should do first. Clean the bar? Reorganise the alcohol shelf that always seemed to get messed up? Start on the food for tonight? Go for a quick fly to procrastinate doing any work?

You grinned. What a difficult choice. Your wings unfurled and you sighed as they stretched, stirring up a small breeze. Just a quick fly.

¾

Elizabeth stopped at a wall that had a tattered copy of Sir Meliodas's wanted poster. She smiled at the inaccurate drawing before pulling out a poster for the Boar Hat.

'I'm curious,' she said as she tacked up the advertisement over the old poster, 'has Sir Meliodas ever carried a real weapon? [Y/n] has a sword, so why wouldn't he?'

'Beats me,' said Hawk. 'Least I've never seen him with one anyway.'

Elizabeth smoothed the paper before turning to Hawk. 'Oh. He's always carrying around a sword with a broken blade. I wonder why he-?'

A horse's whinny pierced the air.

'Elizabeth, find cover!' Hawk shouted.

Elizabeth gasped. She and Hawk dived behind a nearby hedge. A group of horses thundered past, kicking up dust as they galloped through the village. The ground seemed to shake. Elizabeth trembled as she imagined them spotting her, shouting her name in triumph before dragging her onto one of the horses. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. That would never happen. And, if it did, [Y/n] and Sir Meliodas would rescue her.

The horse sounds faded into the distance. Elizabeth and Hawk peered out from their hiding spot.

'They're Holy Knights, but ...' Elizabeth trailed off.

'You think they've already sniffed you out?' said Hawk.

'Hm,' said a voice. 'So Holy Knights have senses of smell sharp as an animal's huh?'

'No way, man. My nose is way better than all of theirs.'

Elizabeth blinked. She froze. Who ...? She turned quickly with a gasp, almost falling over. Beside her, Hawk squealed and jumped.

Behind them was a young man with bottle-green hair and peculiar golden eyes. He wore wire-rimmed glasses and a yellow coat. He didn't look like he was dangerous or there to kill them. There was a small smile on his face. He raised a friendly hand.

'Hey,' he said. 'Are the two of you playing hide-and-seek as well?'

Elizabeth tried to slow her racing heart. 'Er hi.'

The strange man stood up. 'I beg your pardon. I should have introduced myself first.' He bowed. 'Hello there, young lady.'

'Yes, hello.'

'And also oinkity oink oink,' the man said to Hawk.

'You making fun of me?' Hawk yelled, glaring at the man.

The man's eyes widened and he took a step back. 'Ah! There's a pig who can speak like a person.'

'Huh?'

Elizabeth smiled. 'Yes, it is startling at first, isn't it?'

'Don't tell me those guys from the kingdom are after you too,' said Hawk, his voice still furious.

'Hold on ... too?' The man cocked his head. 'Are they after you and that creature?'

Hawk fumed. 'You know I can talk now, so quit ignoring me.'

'Easy, Hawk,' said Elizabeth.

¾

'Ban, waddaya think of this bad boy?' Meliodas hefted the beast into the air triumphantly. 'Sword Wolves are mostly red meat, so they're perfect for smoking and you can get good money for their hides.'

'Well these little rabbits taste great stewed, fried or boiled,' Ban gloated, his arms full of rabbits. There were even more on the floor behind him. 'And the broth you make from these guys is really good for the skin too.'

Meliodas folded his arms. 'Even so, I still think I won the contest.'

Ban bent down to get in Meliodas's face. 'A hopeless kitchen catastrophe with no tastebuds doesn't have the right to talk. [Y/n] is gonna be the judge of this contest.'

Meliodas ignored him. 'Hey, King, how'd your hunt go?'

If he had to guess, Meliodas would say it didn't go anywhere. King was fast asleep on Chastiefol, snoring slightly with a happy grin.

'King!' Meliodas and Ban's shouted.

'Wake up time,' said Ban, pinching King's nose.

King awoke with a jerk, shouting in pain. Meliodas felt grim satisfaction as King flailed and tried to get out of Ban's grip.

'Ban's right.' Meliodas folded his arms. 'We've been losing business, so we need a decent haul here.'

'That's good enough,' said King, rubbing his new bright red nose. 'Didn't you two catch plenty already?'

'No way. As punishment, go catch something even more awesome, King,' said Ban.

'What?'

Ban leant in close to the fairy and whispered conspiratorially, 'If you do, Diane might think you're pretty impressive, buddy.'

King's eyes widened and then, as if remembering he had an audience, he cleared his throat. 'Guess I have to then.'

A low growl rumbled through the forest. It bounced off the trees and seemed to shake Meliodas's bones. He frowned.

'What was that?' asked King. 'Wasn't just some random bear growling.'

'Whatever it is doesn't sound too friendly,' said Ban.

'It totally sounded like Hawk's moaning and groaning whenever he has the runs,' said Meliodas.

Ban laughed loudly and slapped an indignant King on the back. Hard.

The growl unsettled Meliodas. It didn't sound natural. 'I guess we oughta take a look.'

Don't go into the forest, okay? Is Elizabeth back yet?

[Y/n]'s voice was confused. She's not. What's wrong with the forest?

There's something in here that shouldn't be.

Want me to take a look?

No, stay at the Boar Hat for when Elizabeth gets back.

Meliodas could almost feel her pursing her lips. Okay, but be careful.

¾

After calming Hawk down, Elizabeth stood up from her crouch. There was no longer any reason to hide, what with the Holy Knights long gone, but she still stayed close to the walls of a nearby windmill just in case. The green haired man walked with her.

'I'm Alan,' said the man.

'I'm-'

'Hold on, Elizabeth!' Hawk interrupted. 'Fugitives shouldn't tell people their names.'

Elizabeth nodded. 'Yes you're right, Hawk.' It sure was exciting having to think of a fake name. But which name to choose?

'You're Elizabeth and Hawk, huh?' said Alan with a small smile.

Oh dear.

'Oh no, I just let it slip. I'm so sorry Elizabeth. This is all my fault!' Hawk wailed.

'No, it's okay,' said Elizabeth. She cursed herself, not the pig. Now Elizabeth wouldn't get to use a fake name. Not that she'd decided on one.

'It's good manners to say your names,' said Alan, apparently unaware of the distress of the people her was conversing with. 'They're only used in conversation. Spreading the word doesn't benefit-' He was cut off by a piece of paper blown into his face. Alan looked at it. It was a wanted poster for Elizabeth. 'I can get money for you?'

'If you're selling someone, sell me!' shouted Hawk.

Alan tossed the paper aside. 'I'm kidding.'

Elizabeth studied the man in front of her. He was strange, no doubt about it, but he wasn't a bad person. She was sure of it.

'Alan ... do you need money for something?' asked Elizabeth.

'What I really need is some glue to fix armour.'

Hawk tilted his head. 'Armour?'

'Right.' Alan's face changed. His eyes turned downcast. 'Though it's not as if that'll really help. There's someone suffering and I'm not sure what it is I should do. Or what it is that I should say. Or what kind of look I should have on my face. It's not written in any book.'

'What a weirdo,' Hawk muttered.

But Elizabeth didn't agree. Her heart ached for this stranger and the person he spoke about. They must be really close. She knew how it felt to see someone you cared about in pain.

'There's nothing you can do but you still wanna try,' she said quietly, looking down. 'I understand; especially if it's someone you cherish.'

'I'm not sure what you mean,' said Alan.

Elizabeth looked at him. 'Isn't this somebody you love?'

Alan pondered the question. 'Let me see ... somebody that I love ... The word love is best defined as harbouring a strong feeling toward another. Do you have someone like that too?'

Elizabeth gasped and felt her cheeks burn. Usually when she thought of people she loved, it was her father's and sisters' faces that came to her first. But now ... She pictured Sir Meliodas and [Y/n] smiling at her. The way it felt when they hugged her. The way they fought, always protecting her.

But then she did think of her father and sisters. All the memories they had shared. Guilt gnawed at her stomach with teeth like shards of glass.

'No, that's not it,' Elizabeth cried. 'I, uh-'

But Alan wasn't listening. 'Well, I don't feel like our relationship's like that.'

'Really? Then is it a friend of yours?'

'A friend?'

'That's not right either?' asked Hawk.

'A friend,' said Alan, his voice pensive. 'A companion.'

Elizabeth watched Alan's face. He seemed so sad. She wanted to help him somehow but didn't know what she could do. There had been no shops she had seen that had armour glue. Perhaps there was some at the Boar Hat. Elizabeth made up her mind to ask [Y/n] as soon as she got back.

¾

The rumbling growl was getting louder. Meliodas ran through the unusually quiet forest. It was as if the trees were holding their breath. Ban and King were following him closely. They ran through the trees, following the chilling sound, not speaking. A new smell, not the clean deep scent of the forest, drifted towards them. Meliodas wrinkled his nose. It was the smell of blood.

'Over there,' said Meliodas.

He stopped. Bodies were scattered around like broken puppets. They were knights, torn and bloodied. Weapons lay beside the bodies. Fallen. Discarded.

One of the bodies twitched. The man breathed in rattling gasps and raised a shaking hand.

Meliodas ran over to the man. 'Hey, try to hang on.' He knelt down and cupped the man's head with one hand, the other on his chest. The man's heart stuttered weakly.

'The Roars of Dawn,' the man choked, eyes wide, blood streaming down his face. 'Those Holy Knights are ... responding ... to the attack ... The Armour Giant is coming ... You ... have to ... stay away.' As he spoke, the man's face twisted in pure terror. 'The armour-clad monster.' And, with a last gurgling cry, the man was gone.

'Did he say Armour Giant?' King's voice was unnervingly calm.

'What the hell is an armour-clad monster?' Ban's voice was as bored as usual.

Meliodas let go of the man and frowned into the trees. 'Guys, it's him. It has to be.'

'Him?'

King gasped. 'No way.'

'Yeah, there's no mistaking this,' said Meliodas. 'It's Gowther the Goat Sin.'

Meliodas tore off through the forest so fast everything was a green blur. Ban and King were following him again. They had to find Gowther. Quickly. Meliodas almost stumbled when [Y/n]'s voice echoed suddenly in his head.

Gowther?

You were listening?

Yeah, but if it's Gowther then-

Meliodas cut her off. Is Elizabeth back yet?

No ... He could hear her worry.

Tell me as soon as she's back and then stay with her.

But I should-

No. You need to stay with her. We can handle Gowther and the Roars of Dawn. You know we can.

Her answering sigh was as long as the longest river. Fine.

'I can sense his magical power clearly from this direction,' said King. 'He's close.'

'But he's not showing any sign of moving at all,' said Ban.

'Well either way, don't let your guards down,' said Meliodas. 'The Roars of Dawn ... heard more than a couple of nasty rumours about those guys.'

'When I was on the kingdom's side, I saw them a lot.' King narrowed his eyes. 'Their one and only mission is to kill their target. The most evil combat squad ever.'

Ban laughed. 'Wouldn't have it any other way. Means I can go crazy on 'em.'

They were reaching a break in the trees. White light pierced through the gloom of the forest, an impenetrable wall. But they got closer and now Meliodas could see.

Gowther stood in the middle of a clearing, backed up against the rocky edge of a cliff. He was just as humongous as Meliodas remembered, a towering mass of spiked armour. Gowther roared. It was the sound they had been following.

Facing off against Gowther in a loose semicircle were a group of knights. The Roars of Dawn. There were four of them - no, five - each with weapons drawn. They stared at Gowther, unmoving.

'I suppose it's no surprise,' said one of the knights, 'but he made such short work of our vanguard. Their ranks are completely decimated.'

'They were just pawns who lacked any backbone if they let him do that,' said another. 'Right, Slader?'

But whoever Slader was, he didn't answer the question.

Meliodas had had enough. He leapt, feeling Ban and King do the same. They fell through the air, perfectly positioned to land in Gowther's defence. Meliodas heard a gasp and knew they had been spotted, but it was too late for the Roars of Dawn now.

The three Sins landed lightly, scattering the Holy Knights from their strategic positions.

'Gowther, you okay?' Meliodas asked, not taking his eyes off the enemy. Gowther didn't say anything.

The Holy Knights murmured to each other, clearly reassessing. Meliodas watched them.

'Captain,' said King quietly.

'Whoever moves first loses,' said Meliodas.

The seconds ticked on, time flowing like wind around the group of people who stood as indifferent to its passing as statues. Everything was quiet. Meliodas couldn't hear his own breaths. He could feel his heart(s) thudding. He could feel [Y/n] and was thankful she wasn't here. He could even feel her exasperation at his "over protection" as she called it. The tension rose. It swirled and thickened like soup. Rain started to fall. Still no one moved. There was a drop sliding down his nose and his back was starting to get cold but Meliodas didn't so much as twitch. He wasn't going to lose.

'This is where you were,' said a cheerful voice. Meliodas unfroze and spun. 'Sorry for keeping you. I searched all over town but I wasn't able to find any glue.' The green haired man in the yellow coat became suddenly aware he was not alone. 'Hm? What is it?'

Meliodas was frozen again, this time in shock and disbelief at the absolute obliviousness of this man.

'What is it with you, dude?' said Ban loudly.

'Me? I'm just-'

But Gowther moved. The giant suit of armour began to tremble. 'Afraid,' he said. 'Gowther afraid.'

'Easy,' said the green haired man.

Ban frowned. 'What's he talking about?'

Meliodas puzzled it over, but before he could get far, Gowther roared, throwing his giant fists into the air.

'Scatter!' Meliodas yelled. He jumped just as Gowther's fists slammed down, just missing Meliodas.

And then, over the echoing sound of Gowther's attack, Meliodas heard words that made his blood turn to ice.

'Kill him,' said Slader.

The Roars of Dawn attacked as one, raining down on Gowther from above. Meliodas intercepted them. He pushed each one off target and watched them land, uninjured, just meters away. The one called Slader charged and Meliodas ran to meet him.

Slader's attack was strong. It was like his hand grew until it was all Meliodas could see. There was nothing he could do. Slader's hand grabbed Meliodas by the head and forced him into the ground.

Elizabeth's back. [Y/n]'s voice was soft and Meliodas breathed an internal sigh of relief even as he pushed back against Slader.

Stay with her, [Y/n], do you hear me? Stay. With. Her.

'Just run, Gowther!' Meliodas shouted aloud.

But Gowther didn't listen. He raised his fists again, but one of the Roars of Dawn attacked. She threw a rope of light and it wrapped around Gowther's arm, keeping him still as another Holy Knight slashed at Gowther's body. Gowther fell.

King's turn. He sent Chastiefol after the knight. 'Sorry to do this, but I'm turning you to stone 'til everything settles down.'

Meliodas watched the grey stone creeping up the Holy Knight's arm as he pushed back against Slader. And he saw the flash of steel as the Knight's teammate chopped off the half-stone arm.

'What?' King choked. And now he was wrapped in the same rope of light that had disabled Gowther.

'You can stay there 'til everything settles down,' said the knight with a cocky smirk.

Meliodas forced himself to still and felt Slader's grip loosen.

'It's my turn next,' said the masked Holy Knight. His weight disappeared.

'No it's not,' Meliodas shouted, jumping to his feet. But his path was blocked by a different knight.

'Let me,' said the long haired bastard.

There was nothing Meliodas could do but watch as Slader flipped onto Gowther's shoulder and begin to saw away at the armour. The grating sound rattled through Meliodas's skull as he battled the knight in front of him.

There was a burst of light. Something was shooting towards Gowther. Fast. And it hit. The light grew. Blinding.

'No! Gowther!' Meliodas shouted.

The light faded.

Something wasn't right. Gowther was still standing. There was someone in front of him, their arm raised, grasping the arrow meant for Gowther. Smoke curled from their fist. Meliodas blinked.

'What had just transpired no one present could comprehend. And like a corpse, the man just quietly waited for time to pass for the arrow that would be hurled from his blind side.' Apart from the calm voice, the only sound was rain. Everyone stared at the green haired man and the arrow he had stopped with his bare hands. 'The price for breaking the seal will be a steep one, humans.'

'Did he say seal?' asked Slader.

Meliodas relaxed his stance slightly. 'Hold on, the way you talk sounds like-' His eyes zeroed in on the scarlet mark just visible on the green haired man's chest.

'That symbol on your chest,' breathed King. 'No way.'

'Yes, my true form is-' The green haired man was now the pink haired man.

'Huh?'

Meliodas stared. 'Woah, woah, woah!'

'I don't believe it,' Ban shouted.

The man with pink hair's expression didn't change.'A member of the Seven Deadly Sins. The Goat Sin of Lust. My name is Gowther.'