-----

~(Liones Kingdom-Capital City of Liones)~

~(One month Ago)~

---

A brunette haired girl named Katelyn held her younger sister Rosemarie tight in her arms, as her twin sister Hope held their other younger sister Lilith as Elodie stayed close to them while Elizabeth was staying close to their father. They jumped as they heard the holy knights banging on the locked door. "Girls, you must flee." King Barta told his adopted daughters, who looked at him. "We can't escape alone. You have to come with us, Father." Elizabeth exclaimed, as Katelyn and Hope nodded. "Or let us fight." Katelyn exclaimed, as their father shook his head. "I will be fine, my children. Go, before the Holy Knights find you." He exclaimed, as the girls quickly went into a hidden passway and hid there when the knights entered, the girls gripped each other's hands tightly as they stayed close together as they sneaked out of the castle.

"Elizabeth, Katelyn, Hope, Elodie, Rosemarie, and Lilith. Third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth princesses of Liones, was driven away from the castle by the Holy Knights' traitorous uprising. To right this injustice, they searched for the legendary rebels, the Seven Deadly Sins. But the princesses was being pursued by the Holy Knights  and just as they needed a helping hand, a boy from the tavern came to their rescue. This was no ordinary boy, however, He was the Captain of the Seven Deadly Sins."

-----

A brunette haired girl hummed softly as she was reading while her twin Hope and their older sister Elizabeth stared out the window. "Hey, Katelyn! Girls." Meliodas exclaimed, as the brunette looked at him with a smile. "What's up, Meliodas?" She asked, as he pointed behind him. "Could you three come downstairs for a minute? The younger ones are already waiting downstairs with Cloe." He exclaimed, as they nodded. Hope locked arms with Katelyn as they laughed while heading downstairs ad Elizabeth followed. 'This isn't just a dream. It's real. We actually did it! We found Sir Meliodas, one of the legendary Seven Deadly Sins! I think.' Elizabeth thought, as she followed her sisters down stairs as Meliodas gave the girls the bar's official uniform, but only Elizabeth and Katelyn tried it on, as Hope refused after seeing it. "So, why do we have to wear it?" Katelyn asked, as Meliodas gave her a thumbs up while smirking. "It's the tavern uniform!" He exclaimed, as Hope glared at him as Hawk did as well. "Way to put your pervy thoughts on display, dude." Hawk exclaimed, as Hope faced him. "He's always like this?" She asked, as he nodded before the two looked over at the blonde checking out Katelyn while Elizabeth was being checked out by Cloe, while Elodie, Rosemarie, and Lilith made some food.

"While we are waiting on tables, you want us to keep track of rumors and collect information about the possible whereabouts on the Seven Deadly Sins, right?" Elizabeth asked Cloe and Meliodas who was busy checking out Katelyn. "Yeah, that's a great idea. Maybe some intel on the Holy Knights, too if possible Ellie." Cloe exclaimed, as she gave Elizabeth a smile who smiled back while blushing until they heard a shriek as they all saw Meliodas lifting Katelyn's skirt to under it, causing Cloe and Hope to hit him and pull him away. "I was just conducting a size check." He exclaimed, as Cloe shook her head. "Meliodas, you weren't doing that and you know it." Cloe exclaimed, as Hope nodded as Hawk pulled him back  by the hair. "You moron! You're scaring away the only people who can bring people in!" Hawk exclaimed, as Katelyn and Elizabeth giggled at how protective their sister, protector and their new friend Hawk was of them already. "Um, Meliodas? There's something I want to ask you, if it's fine." Katelyn asked, as he looked at her, while her sisters and Cloe walked over to their younger sisters to help them cook. "The Seven Deadly Sins, I don't want to believe the rumors but are they true? Or are they just rumors based on lies? But if it's true, what crime did you guys commit?" She asked him, as he looked away to think. "My crime, huh?" He exclaimed, softly.

"This might sound naive, but I do think that you guys are misunderstood by everyone in the kingdom. I mean you did risk your life to save me and my sisters, despite not knowing us." She exclaimed. "Truth is, ten years ago, I traveled through Liones, stealing every pair of panties I could get my hands on." Meliodas uttered, as the brunette looked at him with a shocked look. "Seriously?" She exclaimed, as he shook his head. "Okay, what I actually did was stalk a thousand pretty girls with perfect boobs and groped them all." He exclaimed, as Katelyn rolled her eyes. "Now, you're just messing with me." She exclaimed, as he laughed at her while nodding. "Wait, Meli, do you not remember?" She exclaimed, as he tilted his head. "Maybe?" He exclaimed, as the moving tavern suddenly moved to the left, causing Meliodas to grab Katelyn and Cloe to grab Elizabeth, as Hawk glared at them both. They all headed out the door to see where they were. "Hey, we're here? This is our next wellspring of information, Vanya Village!" He exclaimed, as he helped Katelyn his mate down the the huge pig as Elizabeth and Hope helped their younger sisters down. "I usually buy all my liquor wherever I can find it, but Vanya's stuff is special. Best water you can find is here in this village and with the gruit growing down by the river it's used to brew Vanya Ale." Meliodas exclaimed while walking as he held hands with Katelyn.

"It's got fans far and wide." Meliodas exclaimed, as they saw the water was gone, Katelyn heard shouting as she looked towards the village. "I wonder what happened." She uttered, as they headed into town while noticing everyone was in the square, Elizabeth smiled. "Just look at all the people out here in the square! Do you think it's some kind of festival?" Elizabeth exclaimed, as Katelyn shakes her hand, as Rosemarie walks over to her to grab her free arm. "I doubt it, they clearly look upset." She exclaimed, as they walked over to someone. "Hey guys, what's going on?" She asked the villagers as they faced the group. "We're trying to pull out a sword some Holy Knight jabbed in the ground!" One of them replied, as Katelyn and Hope locked eyes for a moment, as they had an idea of who it could have been but didn't want to say anything about it.  "They stuck it in the ground? Why'd they do that?" Meliodas asked, whole still holding Katelyn' hand as an elderly man walked over to them. "Days ago, a Holy Knight brought his wrath down upon us. He infused his his sword with mana, pierced the ground and locked away the water under our village." He explained to the group as the villagers were trying to remove the sword.

"A holy knight? You think it might be that man you defeated the other day?" Elizabeth asked Meliodas and Cloe as they shook their heads. "No, he wasn't one, the real Holy knights are a whole lot stronger and scarier." Cloe exclaimed, as Meliodas nodded agreeing. "Breaking the news isn't going to be easy but I'm afraid this village is done for." The old man exclaimed, as Elizabeth looked at the old man with a concerned look, while the girls and Meliodas looked at a young boy who walked ahead of them. "Ah, give me a break. What's the deal with all this moaning and groaning?" He exclaimed, as everyone turned his way, with an upsetting look. "A Holy Knight's sword stuck in the ground is nothing! If my buddies, the Seven Deadly Sins were here, that sword would be gone by now." He exclaimed, as everyone began yelling at him and blaming him for being the reason the sword was there in the first place to the point that they began throwing rocks resulting in Meliodas and Cloe grabbing him and taking him to their bar on the hill. Katelyn remained behind with Hope, Elizabeth, Lilith, Rosemarie, Elodie and Hawk, she turned to face the old man. "Deep down inside, he's really a honest, well-meaning boy." He exclaimed, as Katelyn picked up Rosemarie while Elizabeth picked up Lilith, as Elodie remained close to Hope as they faced him.

After they finished speaking with him and the other villagers, they headed back to the bar, Katelyn and Elizabeth put down Lilith and Rosemarie as they entered the bar. "So, Mead. I've heard from the village, you like pranks and have a bad sense of humor. Chief told us some stories." Katelyn exclaimed, as Elizabeth sat with their sisters down by him and Meliodas, as he pouted at her. "What's it to you? Who do you think you are , my mother?" He exclaimed, as Katelyn sighed before sitting down. "You know, when I was your age, my sister Ellie and I would get scolded for pulling pranks by our father, her pranks were tame compared to mine." She exclaimed, as Mead looked at her confused. "So?" He exclaimed. "Ellie wanted his attention, and I wanted to spend time with him. He isn't our and our sister's biological father, so one day, when I was your age, despite my fear of heights, I climbed this tree with Ellie in the garden to scare him but he turned pale seeing us and climbed up the tree to get us. He had never climbed a tree ever in his entire life, but then he fell and got hurt, though it wasn't serious. I remember that entire day and every detail like it was yesterday. If he died, I would never forgive myself for being the cause of it." Katelyn explained her story to Mead who kept staring at her.

"I don't do this stuff because I don't feel for them, they're all real good to me." He exclaimed, as Katelyn placed her hand on his back, looking at him concerned. "Why then?" She asked, as he looked down. "My mom and dad were always going from place to place. I was even born on the road. But when we stopped here in Vanya a few years, ago, there was an epidemic, then they got sick and died. That's when the people of the village took me in and raised me as one of their own. And I was so thankful they did. But I wasn't a part of anyone's real family. I got jealous 'cause I knew I'd never get what they had. I started lying and pulling pranks." Mead explained, as he began to cry but before he could wipe his tears away, Katelyn used a napkin to wipe his tears for him. "So, did you prank that Holy Knight because of them, or because he was mean to them?" She asked, as Mead shook his head. "It was because he treated them like they were crap." He uttered, before telling him what the knight did. "We just care so much about it. Everyone in the village put their heart and soul into making that ale. But he insulted them! Holy Knights are no-good bastards!" Mead exclaimed, as Katelyn switched seats with Rosemarie who sat next to him. "Okay and what about saying you're good friends with the Seven Deadly Sins?" Meliodas asked, as Mead admitted to lying about that and saying why he lied about it.

Suddenly, they heard shouting coming from the village causing Mead to run out, soon followed by the girls and Meliodas. Once they arrived, they saw two knights rising the costs of the ale as Mead ran to attempt to remove the sword, despite people yelling at him not to until the Chief told them that Mead wasn't to blame, resulting in everyone going to help Mead try to pull the sword out. Meliodas grabbed the Ale from the knights, as Katelyn kicked them both, causing them to fall on their butts as she followed Meliodas after. "Anyone who doesn't appreciate good quality booze... doesn't deserve to drink it." He exclaimed, as Hope and Elodie held Lilith and Rosemarie while watching as they stayed close to Elizabeth and Cloe, who stayed on guard. The rope the people used to pull the sword broke, as Meliodas offered his hand to his mate, as she took it only for him to yank her closer and hold her by the waist tightly as he gripped the sword handle. "Sorry, you guys, I don't have any money for that drink. How about this?" He asked grinning, as he took the sword out of the ground, shocking everyone as the ground began rumbling before the well filled up with water causing everyone to cheer as Meliodas dropped the sword in front of the knights. "I think this is yours." he uttered but they only ran away with the sword. 

Mead walked over to him, confused. "Hey, mister. That was so amazing. Are you really--" He asked, as Meliodas faced him, still holding his mate, Katelyn close to him. "Yep! I am the proprietor of a fine drinking establishment, it's true! Along with my friend Cloe that is." He exclaimed, as Katelyn and the girls laughed. "That's not what I meant!" Mead exclaimed, as Meliodas leaned down to look at Mead. "Yeah, well. Isn't there something you need to be doing?" Meliodas exclaimed, looking at the village as Mead turned around to see they were looking at him with regretful looks, as Lilith and Rosemarie stood in front of Mead while throwing him glances as they were protective of him as the three quickly became friends. "Look, Mead...we were wrong. Can you ever forgive us for treating you that way?" The chief asked, as Mead turned the other way. "But what right do I have to forgive you? It's not like I'm part of the village." He exclaimed, as Katelyn locked eyes with Meliodas who nodded at her before pushing him forward as Lilith and Rosemarie backed up. "Go on." Meliodas exclaimed, as Mead looked at him confused. "What do you mean, go on? After all...I really don't belong here." Mead exclaimed, as the villagers began calling his name, but since he wouldn't budge at first, Katelyn picked him up causing him to hold onto her as she walked over and placed him down, after she did, he ran towards the villagers crying as he hugged them.

Katelyn smiled before heading back to her sisters and one of her mates aka Meliodas who attached himself to her by hugging her waist, causing her to laugh and hug him back while watching the village with Mead. "You can lie to yourself all you want, but there's no way you'll be able to fool your own heart." Meliodas exclaimed, before changing to a serious expression. Later that night, everyone headed to the Boar's hat to celebrate. Elizabeth was talking with Cloe, nervous about serving for the first time, as she reassured the girl would be fine while Meliodas was flirting with his mate, Katelyn which Hawk, Hope and Elodie didn't like and kicked him. "Hey! She's my mate so it's not bad." He exclaimed, as the trio just glared at him. Katelyn offered her hand to her sister Ellie, as they began serving everyone, while Meliodas and Cloe plus Elodie, Hawk, Hope, Lilith and Rosemarie watched them. Meliodas noticed Lilith and Rosemarie wanted to sit on the counter, so he lifted them up one at a time before facing Cloe. "So, when are you gonna tell Elizabeth, you're her mate?" He exclaimed, as she glared at him. "I'm her protector Meliodas, how am I supposed to tell her when I basically grew up watching over her." She exclaimed. "Just wait for the time is right and show her your mark, like I did." He exclaimed, as Cloe wanted to say something but heard a crash and saw Ellie crash, taking Katelyn with her.

Cloe headed over to them and helped both girls up, as Elizabeth looked down in shame. "Ha! You haven't done any hard work a day in your life, have you?" Mead asked Ellie, laughing. "Oh, it's totally obvious. You completely suck at this job!" He exclaimed, as Cloe flicked Mead's head as the village grandma walked over. "Ow! What was that for?" He asked Cloe, who crossed her arms. "It's not funny to make fun of others, it's not her fault she doesn't know how to work as she didn't have to do it much growing up, like her sisters." She explained, as the village grandma began warning Mead about what happens to bad children before mentioning a forest. "The forest of white dreams?" Elizabeth asked confused, as Cloe listened too. "It's a place so spooky even Holy Knights won't travel through it." Mead explained, before begging his auntie not to have him sent there and that he will behave. Ellie took a break to talk with Cloe, as Katelyn decided to go outside for fresh air and sat on the grass.

~(APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MILES NORTHWEST OF VANYA VILLAGE)~

~(Fort Solgres)~

"Only moments ago, we received a report from our soldiers in Vanya village. They say that an unidentified young boy has pulled your sword from the ground, Sir Gilthunder and aside from being joined by the princesses, their guard seems to be with them as well." A knight reported to Gilthunder, who opened his eyes to look at the sword on the table. "It must have been some random fluke that allowed him to..." The knight began as Gilthunder stood up and began walking. "So, a fluke let him draw out a sword placed by a Holy Knight?" He asked, as the knight shook his head. "Give me the range and heading to this village." Gilthunder ordered, as the knight told him it, before using a guard's spear to send it directly towards the village.

~(Boar's Hat)~

Meanwhile, Meliodas opened his eyes and stopped cleaning a mug in his hands as he sensed something was coming before looking over at Cloe who nodded at him, sensing it too without letting the princesses see it to avoid worrying them. "Shouldn't you see what's up? We just had a princess run out of here and she's your mate. Aren't you gonna make her feel better?" Hawk asked, as Meliodas stayed silent. "Mm, gotta go pee." He exclaimed, heading outside, while noticing Katelyn staring at the stars, as he looked at the sky to find what he sensed. "You okay?" He asked, facing her while offering a hand to her which she took and stood up to face him. "Yeah, just thinking about my father and how my people's chances of me as princess isn't good, but it isn't your problem." She exclaimed, as Meliodas grabbed her other hand as he rubbed his thumb on her hands, caressing her hands. "Well, you found me, didn't you? Kat, if you hadn't been trying everything you could to help your people and find your mates as well as your sister's mates and then stumbled into my place, they'd have no chance at all. They are glad to have someone as caring and sweet as you as one of Liones' princesses." Meliodas exclaimed, smiling, as she stared back at him. "So, you think it's something I meant to do." She asked him, as he nodded. "And right now, there's something I'm meant to do, too. Hold on tight." He exclaimed, pulling her closer to him by her waist, holding her tight as she wrapped her arms around his neck as a spear went straight towards them as Meliodas grabbed it but it flew them really far back.

Once they stopped, Meliodas threw it right back where it came from, where it hit the side of Gilthunder's head as he knew right away who threw it back. Meliodas checked Katelyn, to make sure she wasn't harmed, as they both realized just how close they were and their position which was Him holding her waist, dipping her as she had her hands on his shoulders, as they kept staring at each other, feeling the strong mate tension pulling them close, tempting them to form the bond, to do something, they leaned in to kiss, before stopping once they heard Cloe, Hope, Elodie, Rosemarie, Lilith, Elizabeth, and Hawk running towards them in concern shouting their names. Meliodas pulled Katelyn up so she stood on her feet, and locked hands with her, not wanting to part with her. Elodie, Lilith and Rosemarie tackled Katelyn into a hug before letting Cloe, Hope and Elizabeth hug her. "Was that spear from the Holy Knight who left his sword in the ground?" Elizabeth asked, as Katelyn noticed Meliodas had a bloody hand, so she took out band aid from her bag and bandaged his hurt hand, feeling him watching her do it. "Probably so." He exclaimed, before lowering his injured hand after his lovely mate bandaged it.

Cloe locked eyes with Meliodas, giving him a look, letting him know to spill to her later what happened before she and the girls arrived with Hawk. "I think that's our cue to leave here as soon as we can." Meliodas exclaimed, as Cloe nodded. "But what if Vanya village is attacked again?" Hawk asked, as Cloe faced him. "It will be worse if we stay, especially Meliodas and the Princesses since they are wanted, same goes for me." Cloe exclaimed, as Hope picked up Rosemarie and Elodie picked up Lilith since they were tired from walking. "It'd be nice if we could find someplace to hide out." Hawk uttered, as Elizabeth remembered something. "Wait a minute... Earlier tonight, Mead said he'd do anything not to be taken to the Forest of White Dreams. In fact, he said even Holy Knights street clear of the place." Elizabeth uttered. "Really? Sounds good to me." Hawk exclaimed, as Katelyn faced Meliodas who nodded. "That settles it then. Except that we're not gonna be hiding out. 'Cause we're gonna be doing exactly what we should." He exclaimed, kissing Katelyn's cheek as Hawk looked at him confused. "What do you mean by that?" He uttered, as Katelyn faced him. "He means, he's betting that one of the sins is living there and possibly one of my other mates." She exclaimed as Meliodas nodded, smiling. 

"My Amazing Mate is correct. Okay! Let's find another Sin!" Meliodas exclaimed as they headed to the Boar's hat to head to the forest of white dreams. Unaware that at the forest, a giant girl was sleeping there and she was one of the other mates of Princess Katelyn.

-----