You and Lancelot had just returned to Benwick, the kingdom that doubled as half of the Fairy King’s Forest. The quietness of the place struck you both right away. Normally, the air was alive with fairies darting between the trees, the buzz of wings mixing with their laughter. Now, it was oddly still.

Lancelot walked beside you with his usual confidence, though his sharp eyes never stopped scanning the woods. Suddenly, before either of you could react, a tall, scarred man lunged out of the shadows and caught Lancelot in a crushing headlock. You gasped, reaching for him, but Lancelot quickly signaled you to stay back. The man’s strength was overwhelming—Lancelot’s face tightened as he tried to break free, only for the man to laugh, the smell of alcohol lingering in the air.

“Oi, not bad, kid. Got some fight in ya,” the man said with a rough chuckle. Before you could shout for help, Queen Elaine appeared, her radiant presence lighting up the clearing. Calmly, she greeted you and Lancelot, her eyes soft as she looked at the scene. “Don’t worry,” she assured you, “that’s only his father.”

Your eyes widened in shock as Ban—one of the legendary Seven Deadly Sins—released his son, only to square up again, grinning like a wolf. “Just makin’ sure the brat’s still sharp.”