And the next chapter is up! I feel so relieved that I can finally post this piece. It took me less time than chapter one. I guess once you get the hang of your story things will go more smoothly. Doesn't meant that I haven't struggled to get this out.

I wanna thank you lovely readers who read, fav and reviewed this story and special thanks to my beta and friends! I couldn't have done it without you guys!

Prologue to a Journey

"What... was that seriously a bird?!" Veronica couldn't contain her disbelief as she stared at the direction the bird had disappeared to. "Birds aren't supposed to be that big! Why did it fall in the first place? Hey, Ellie where are you going?!"

Elizabeth hadn't listened to her sister's questions, she climbed down the watchtower, ignoring her sister's call until her feet met the ground again. "I saw it. When the bird fell it dropped something or someone! I have to help!

"What are you saying?! It's too dangerous, let Griamore and the others handle it!"

"That's going to take more time! What if they're injured?! Don't worry, I'll be careful!"

"Elizabeth, please listen!" Margaret called after her youngest sister as she was climbing down the ladder. When she was sure she was on solid ground again, she grabbed her sister by her hand. "You can't run around like you did when we were small. Gil mentioned that monsters have been sighted in the forest!"

"Monsters?" Elizabeth could almost not believe what she was hearing. "You mean like the ones in the fairytales they used to tell us?"

"No, those stories are told to children so they won't misbehave. I haven't seen them myself, but the forest isn't safe to enter. So please Elizabeth,"

Elizabeth shook her head before her sister could finish her sentence. "I understand your concern sister, but I don't want to sit and do nothing while someone could be in danger. You and sister Veronica should go and call for Sir Zaratras and the others."

Ignoring her sisters' continuing pleas, the girl headed north, towards the mountains where the Forest of Fairies was situated. The forest had earned its name due to rumours of fairies living inside the forest. Elizabeth, along with her sisters and friends often sneaked out in their younger days to play and search for the rumoured fairies. However, they had never sighted one. The forest was located deep within the mountain summit. It had a beautiful view of the whole island, the rocks enclosing the woods gave it a mysterious feel. The only entrance was a tiny cave. As the years passed, the girl visited the place less and less and now with the new rumours of monsters appearing, it made her wonder how much the place had changed. Where did those monsters come from? A different Island? Where they common out there? It was hard to imagine that they swam the whole way just to inhabit a forest on a tiny island. Or where those monsters the real identity of the rumoured fairies? As Elizabeth reached the bridge that would lead her to the forest she abruptly stopped to catch her breath. Tilting her head, her gaze was fixated on the other end of the bridge.

"It's been so long..." Her hand hovered over the hilt of the training sword. Her frantically pounding heart, which could be either from exhaustion or her nerves, felt like it had been ringing inside her ears. Elizabeth closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Keep your mind calm. Composure is the key to victory." She recited the lines Zaratras has told her during their practice.

With her new formed resolve she grabbed the railing of the suspension bridge firmly, how she was able to run across this bridge fearlessly in the past was a mystery, and carefully crossed over. The bridge looked worn down and the strong winds blowing past did not help her in feeling any more secure. A feeling of relief overtook her the moment she stepped on solid ground again. The ageing of the bridge was probably the main reason why she stopped coming.

Without thinking Elizabeth glanced over the cliff, watching all the houses in her village. She spotted Sir Zaratras' house, Guila's, Jericho's, Howzer's, Sir Deathpierce, Arden, Deldrey, Sir Dreyfus' and further away even her own house. Seeing how small everything seemed from high up, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder. If she and her sisters were to go on their journey, would her village look even smaller upon their return?

"Ah, what am I doing? I have no time to get distracted." Without taking a second look, Elizabeth quickly hurried into the woods.

Despite the passing years, Elizabeth had to admit that the forest hadn't lost its beauty, lush green shades that reminded her of the beginning of spring, the tranquil silence that would sometimes be disturbed by the rustling of the trees, the fresh smell of nature that quietened her mind and the forest's density that prevented the sunlight from properly illuminating the area. Despite the familiarity Elizabeth had also noticed a change, she couldn't describe was it was. The only thing she was certain was that there was something wrong. As if the current stillness was a cold one that warned her to not approach, to leave the forest and get herself into safety.

The girl tried her best to navigate carefully without making any sound that could alert any possible enemies of her presence. The forest did change, she became aware of how there was not even one animal in sight. No birds chirping, no squirrels trying to gather food. The trees that once seemed approachable for a climb had increased in height and now towered over her from afar. Elizabeth couldn't help but feel a bit at a loss. Where was she supposed to start? What or who was she supposed to search for or where did they land? It's been so long since she was here. Everything felt so foreign to her.

After accidentally stepping on a twig, Elizabeth froze. Her gaze switching from left to right, was it her imagination or did she heard something? However, a rustling noise confirmed her suspicions. It wasn't exactly what she heard before, could it be the lost person or was it one of those monsters her sisters warned her about?

"Pugo!"

'Pugo?' That didn't sound human at all. Was it an animal that lived now in the forest? Or was it from the being she saw falling into the woods not long ago? Human or not Elizabeth still felt the need to help the poor creature.

The girl continued her exploration, stumbling as she tripped over fallen branches or rocks. She nearly wondered if the forest was void of life, but the moment those thoughts went across her mind she spotted something in the distance. She grasped the hilt of her sword tightly, slowly approaching her target while making sure she stayed hidden, until...

"Kyah!" Elizabeth let out a yelp. Having realized that she had lost her footing, she found herself flat on the ground. After letting out a pained groan, she opened her eyes, staring at the tree branches up in the air and the ledge where she fell from.

The girl had no time to get distracted as a sharp screech tore through the air. Snapping the girl's attention back to the ground. Whatever that was, she wouldn't be surprised if it was hostile and it had obviously heard her.

Elizabeth got up quickly, not paying attention to the dirt or cuts on her clothes. She grabbed her sword, hoping to get the upper hand with a surprise attack, however, what had appeared was not something she would expect.

It really didn't look like any of the monsters described in the children's story, but then again what would she know about monsters, she didn't even know they existed. The creature had a pitch black skin, it was about half her height, a face with the resemblance of a pig and it walked on two legs, unlike the pigs she knew. Just looking at it gave her goosebumps.

"Stay away! Please don't let me hurt you!"

Yelling at a monster was pretty much like talking to a rock and Elizabeth was aware of it, but she couldn't help it. Maybe if her yell would intimidate it, or maybe it was sentient enough to understand that she would prefer not to hurt another living individual. Who was she kidding, the only way to safety was to force her way through.

Bracing herself, the girl placed as much force as she could muster in her legs and lunged at the monster, she tried to recall everything Zaratras told her as she swung the sword. Elizabeth felt the blade making contact with her opponent and the creature screamed. It didn't go down as she had hoped. Instead, it lashed out with its claws. The girl quickly shied away, almost dropping her sword in the process. Her arm felt like it had caught fire. She took a quick glance to look at the red scratching marks, it was bleeding. But she had neither the time nor means to treat her wound as the monster took no break and lunged at her, forcing the girl on the defence.

This was definitely not like the sparring match with Zaratras. She had no time to breathe, rest or even regain her bearings. This creature was out to take her life and possibly take her as an evening meal. If monsters ate humans, Elizabeth wasn't sure if they were omnivores, carnivores or herbivores. She was hoping for the latter at least.

The girl was certain that if she kept going, that she would run out of stamina soon, so she did was every person in her situation would do, Elizabeth took a run for it. Ignoring the screech of the monster as it chased after her. She knew that she could at least outrun it, with her legs being twice as long.

The girl didn't pay any attention to where she was heading. She just kept running, climbing or jumping over obstacles that got in her way, quickly getting up whenever she fell and only once in a while did she look behind her shoulder to see if her pursuer was still on hot tails. After what felt like an eternity to Elizabeth, she stopped in front of a platform, it was steep, but she was sure that she would be able to climb it. Taking one more glance behind her shoulder, she could still hear the screeches of the monster, it was getting louder by the second. Without a second thought, Elizabeth jumped. She ignored the pain in her arms and the bruises on her legs that she got while running and forced herself up. The monster appeared right at that time, screeching and jumping, but its legs were too short to reach the girl.

Elizabeth scurried away from the edge, stopping only when her back hit a wall. A heavy sigh escaped her lips once she felt the adrenaline leaving her. She hadn't even realized how much she was panicking until now. Her body was shaking uncontrollably, she was panting for air and she felt like her heart could jump out any minute. That was her first life-threatening encounter and it went so much different than what she had hoped it would be. Was the outside world as dangerous? What if the monsters were to decide to come into the village? Have they always been here? She could not recall these creatures during her childhood. Then was there some sort of magical portal those creatures came from? Why did they settle on this island in the first place?

Her attention shifted to her wounds. The bleeding had diminished, but she knew that if she didn't get it treated she could risk an infection, and when did she get a gash on her knees? Her dress was also a mess, covered in dirt and cuts from her escape. She was sure to get a scolding when she got back.

"Ah, the lost animal!" While carefully pushing herself off the ground, she immediately remembered the strange sound she heard. She couldn't leave without the poor human or animal, after getting this far.

Elizabeth leaned on the wall. Waiting a bit until she was sure that she had enough strength, her eyes quickly caught a strange crack on the wall. It was large, almost covering Elizabeth's height, but it felt more like it was carved instead naturally cracked from time passing or a strong force. She remembered how back then the children used to spread rumours; how it was an entrance to the fairy realm and that the fairies created that crack to mark the entrance for their fellow clansmen. The rumour came to be as this was the only location that wasn't thickly covered by trees or bushes.

"A forest inhabited by fairies..." Elizabeth repeated the words she heard a long time ago. As a child she was certain that she would be able to catch a fairy, but do fairies really exist? She was pretty sure they were just stories, like vampires, werewolves, demons, living dead and even monsters. Then again she did encounter a monster.

"Pugo!"

Elizabeth tore her attention away from the wall, towards the noise, unlike before she could hear it clearly now. She knew she was close.

"Hold on, I'm coming!" She called out as she ran towards the sound.

The path led her towards a fallen tree which oversaw a clearing and on the opposite of the clearing Elizabeth spotted something pink stuck in the trees.

"Is that... a pig?!"

A fairly large well-rounded pig with short legs and a clover-shaped birthmark on its back was struggling to get out of the branches it had landed on. Elizabeth thought it was the cutest pig she had ever seen. Was this poor pig destined to become dinner for the large bird? Or did the heavens send it as a present to her?

Her fatigue and injuries completely forgotten, the girl hurried over to the pig, only to forget how high up she was. Elizabeth let out a yelp as she fell flat on the ground.

It wasn't like her clothes weren't doomed already, but she was sure that she would need a lot of time to clean herself up and look presentable for the celebration and a clean set of clothes. Something she had almost forgotten about. A sigh escaped her lips as she lifted herself from the ground. There goes her favourite dress.

While the girl's thoughts wandered off she picked up a strange sound. It almost sounded like... it came from above? Elizabeth tilted her head towards the sky and she got immediately greeted by two creatures similar to the one she faced not long ago, that dropped out of the sky.

Panic scourged through Elizabeth's being as she looked in horror at the two beings. Going against one was already impossible, but two and with no way to run, It's not like she could leave the poor pig to become dinner. Not after all the trouble, she went through just to reach the animal. She could do this, her first battle had given her an idea what she could expect. She would not make the same mistake again. She would find a way out of it and return to her sisters alive!

With her sword in hand, Elizabeth pointed towards one of the monsters. Instead of recklessly attacking like the last time, she would wait for them to take the first move.

One of the monsters staggered towards her and to her astonishment collapsed on the ground. The girl had only seconds to register what had happened before she heard the familiar screech of its companion. A large gust of wind forced her to close her eyes. Before she realized it Elizabeth felt a heavy weight on top of her as her body hit the grass.

"Oof!"

Slowly Elizabeth's brain caught up with what was happening. The feeling of cold earth and grass on her back, the blue skies and sunlight that shone through the small opening between the trees. The weight on her body, the sudden yelp from the person on top of her and the... hands groping her chest?

"He-hello?" Was her only response as she finally took a glance at the person on top of her.

Her blue eye met bright green ones, staring back at her questionably. The person on top of her looked surprisingly young. Blonde messy hair, his face was round and childlike and his hands were groping her freely...

"Hmm, good. It seems like you didn't break anything." The strange boy or man responded as he leisurely got off her.

Elizabeth couldn't help but feel flustered, confused and embarrassed. "... thank you?" She was pretty sure that that wasn't the method to check for any internal injuries.

The male looked back at her and offered his hand and she couldn't help but notice how short he was and is he carrying a sword on his back? Is he a swordsman? "You do look like you got quite the beating." He continued.

Without thinking she took his hand and stared at her current state. It was far from presentable. "Yes, I... fell down a few times... and I was caught off guard by one of those monsters. Did you just fall from the sky?"

"I guess you can say it like that. So, what's a lady doing in these woods?"

"Oi, don't ignore me you swine! I was almost eaten alive twice, got stuck in this tree and you're just going to harass women?! Where is your conscience?!"

The voice she just heard came from the trees right where the... "Is that pig talking?!" Elizabeth stared at the pig who was still stuck in the tree. Her eyes lightened up in excitement, events from before completely forgotten.

"My name is Hawk, pugo."

She definitely found the pig adorable.

"Sure, I'll get you down." The swordsman answered. He unseated a curved short sword and cut through the air. To Elizabeth's amazement, it sliced through the tree that held Hawk with ease.

"Pugyaaa!" The pig screamed as it fell on the ground.

"There you go." The stranger mumbled without taking one look at the pig.

"Damn you! Watch where you aim! I almost became a skewered pig!"

Elizabeth stared dumbfounded at the one-sided scolding from the pig. His companion didn't seem bothered at all. "Is he your pet?"

The boy looked at the pig for a second before turning his attention back to Elizabeth. "Hmm sorta."

In the end, her dream of owning a pig was still far away.

"By the way, where are we?" Hawk asked when he finally took notice of his surroundings. "That bastard chicken just grabbed me like that! How dare he try to turn me into dinner, Pugo!"

"You're lucky then that it dropped you on top of this mountain." The boy answered.

"Wait a second you just went out to attack that damn bird not even thinking that I could fall into the ocean and drown? Or what if I fell in a volcano or a fire!"

"I guess we'd be eating roasted pig then."

"You heartless swine!"

"Anyway, I think it's better not to stay here much longer. I want to find that bird and finish it off properly, I'm really in the mood for some chicken." His attention turned to Elizabeth. "Could you guide us to the exit? It would be troublesome if the swine gets lost again."

"Speak for yourself!"

"Sure. I know a shortcut from here... well I hope it's still here. It's been a long time since I came to this place and thank you very much for saving me. I know it wasn't your intention, but I'm still grateful. Ah, I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Elizabeth."

"Elizabeth? That's a pretty name. I'm Meliodas, you know Hawk."

"It's a pleasure to meet your Elizabeth. Pugo." Hawk introduced himself again.

Elizabeth glanced around the bushes, hoping to recall which way she was supposed to go. The forest of fairies wasn't exactly large, but the density made it hard to spot a pathway. Especially with all the overgrown trees and bushes.

"It's supposed to be around here." She muttered. Her train of thought was quickly interrupted when she felt a pair of strong arms holding her up and the girl couldn't help but let out a yelp.

"I think that's the path you were referring to." Meliodas was holding her in his arm with ease. Surprising the girl with his strength, his youthful appearance and short stature were unexpectedly misleading. However, the way he handles a sword should have been proof enough that he was experienced in combat and possessed strength.

"Can't have you pushing yourself in that condition of yours." He continued. Elizabeth let out a squeal when she'd felt him squeezing her breast.

"You know that you're allowed to hit him." Hawk commented from behind them.

Meliodas took a leap and landed on top of a ledge which gave him a decent view of the forest's layout. His gaze halted when he spotted the monster Elizabeth had faced off before.

"Hold on tight." He told her.

She had no idea what he meant with that, but before she could react he jumped again. Forcing the girl to cling tighter to him. She heard the sound of a sword unseating and when she opened her eyes again they were on solid ground. Not further away was the monster that attacked her before, body split into several pieces and laying in a puddle of its own blood. Elizabeth froze at the sight, but what started her more was that the body began to disintegrate in seconds. It happened in a blink, no one would have been able to guess that it had been there only seconds ago.

"Alright, That should clear this place of any possible threats."

"Did you really had to go that far? I mean, one simple swipe could have done the trick." Hawk asked while he looked at the spot where the corpse once was.

"You can never be too careful," Meliodas answered as he seated his sword and headed towards the exit.

The fresh wind against her skin felt like a huge relief for her. How long was she inside the forest? She was sure a couple of hours had passed, the sun was shining brightly high in the sky, unlike this morning. Gosh, how she had missed this bright light. The difference in scenery had such a huge impact. It was almost unbelievable that not long ago she was in a life-threatening situation. She couldn't wait to run home and clean herself up. Obviously, she would need to tend her wounds first.

"Uh, you can put me down," Elizabeth commented as she realised that Meliodas was still carrying her.

"Are you sure? You look pretty beaten up."

The girl nodded. "Yes, don't worry about it. The majority of these injuries happened because I tripped and fell." She admitted, a slight pink blush crept over her face as she recalled her clumsiness.

"If you say so." Meliodas placed her carefully on the ground. "If you're not feeling well or if your injuries are still bothering you, just tell me okay?"

"Yes!"

"Ellie!"

Having recognised the voice, Elizabeth quickly turned. Her sisters Veronica and Margaret stood on the other side of the bridge along with Gilthunder, Griamore and Howzer. While her elder sisters both looked alarmed when they saw her state, a flash of relief washed over them the moment their younger sister made eye contact and smiled at them.

"Sister Veronica, sister Margaret!"

The two sisters immediately ran towards Elizabeth and the girl in return rushed towards her sisters. Ignoring the instability of the bridge.

"Elizabeth, wait!"

Next thing felt like a complete blur to Elizabeth. First, Meliodas grabbed her hand and pulled her back, preventing her from crossing over. Second, the giant bird appeared out of nowhere, screeching in anger as it flew over the bridge and to her horror grabbed her sisters.

Veronica and Margaret screamed as they were suddenly carried into the air. Gilthunder and Griamore yelling as they tried to save them. Gilthunder tried to send his lightning magic at the bird hoping it would distract the bird and drop the girls, but none of his attacks made constant.

And Elizabeth, in her utmost terror tried to reach her sisters. She struggled in Meliodas' grasp, yelling, screaming, begging him to let her go. He was protesting, but his words didn't reach her. She couldn't hear anything except for the bird and the desperate pleas for help.

"Please let me Go! Sir Meliodas! I have to help them! I have to save my sisters! Please! I beg of you! Veronica! Margaret! Nooo!" Her face was covered in tears she couldn't even see clearly anymore, but none of that mattered. Her sisters were taken from her. Her family. She had to do something!

"There's nothing you could have done! Please calm down, Elizabeth! The only thing that would have resulted in is you falling to your dead!"

"Nooo! Veronica! Margaret!"

Meliodas held her firmly, no matter how much she struggled she couldn't break free. The only thing she could do was cry in his embrace until exhaustion finally caught up to her.

Which one of you was expecting Hawk to be the piglet in need?

I'm really curious about my readers' thoughts on this. I want to surprise you guys in the best way possible. Even though I had my doubts about the last part since I wrote that on an empty stomach... but at least I found it acceptable.

And for those who had been expecting Ellie to put up a decent fight. Sorry to burst your bubble, it's too early for that. Ellie isn't a fighter by nature. Zaratras has also pointed out her inexperience before, despite the Bokoblin being a super weak monster, they would still pose a threat to a person with zero combat experience. However, she is brave so when there's someone in trouble she WILL do her best to save them in any way possible.

Thank you for reading.