THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

Prologue

In a place like Liones, it was nearly supernatural for the streets of the capitol to be even the least bit quiet. The cobblestone paths were bustling with people, always full of life… but not on this day.

On this particular day, the streets were completely silent. One could hear the creak of shop signs as they swung with the gentle breeze. Why, even the hounds of the farming villages on the very outskirts of the kingdom could be heard, bouncing all around in an ominous echo.

At the edge of the city, where the tower of the great Holy Knights was posted, where the protectors of the realm did all business they had when they were not protecting Liones's people, the homes and cottages surrounding it were completely destroyed. Hollow and empty where there were once happy families, crumbled and caved in as if a horrible disaster hadoccured.

The only sound for miles, was the clanking of metal boots as a young Holy Knight Apprentice, gripped his sword like a vice in his hand as he surveyed his environment with trembling fear.

"Hey!" a voice appeared. The young boy jumped, fearing an enemy, but slightly relaxing when he noticed the armored Holy Knight in the shadows of the back alley. "You there, boy! Come here and give me a hand!" he called.

The young apprentice scrambled for a moment before saluting the knight. "Yes sir!"

His superior walked deeper into the alley, the boy jogging behind before catching up, following the knight through the ruins of the city. "So, where're you from?" the knight asked.

"Cains, sir."

"Cains?" the man seemed confused. "I've been serving this kingdom for 40 years now, I've never heard of the place."

"T-that's not surprising sir, it's way out in the boonies." The apprentice replied, far too calm now in the company of a far more experienced knight than he should've been. The man certainly gave the appearance of being an older Holy Knight, what with his long white beard and deep voice groveled with age.

The knight turned back and looked the young boy dead in the eye, emphasizing every word he spoke next. "Now, you mustn't get flustered if you want to be a Holy Knight Apprentice."

Giving a breathy chuckle that held no mirth to it, the boy was quick to denounce the old man's advice. "I couldn't be a Holy Knight in a million years!"

The man said nothing for a good minute or so, either lost in thought or simply choosing to ignore his new companion. They were reaching the end of the alleyways anyhow, and would soon emerge to the Tower.

"Then this might be a rough job for a young fellah like you…"

The young boy could feel his own confusion slowly mutate into absolute horror as they came to the alley's exit. He could feel his lungs empty themselves of any trace of breath. His heart skipped many a beat, and he could feel his hands shaking with terror.

For among the entire courtyard of the Holy Knight's tower, were dozen of bodies. Pierced by arrows, slashed open by swords, and run through with spears. Blood painted the ground, and the horrible odor of decomposing flesh infected the boy's senses, threatening to boil over any second.

"W-who are these…?"

The old man had a melancholy expression on his face. "Holy Knights, one and all…"

The boy could not believe his own ears, nor the old knight for telling the truth of the massacre. All these men, slaughtered, defeated, destroyed, were the Holy Knights of the realm?

He backed away from the scene, unable to comprehend the reality of it all. "Wh-what happened to everyone…? I don't understand…" he stuttered, terrified in his own armor. If the most powerful warriors in all of the kingdom were completely desecrated like this… who could've done such a thing?

"What happened?" the old man echoed. "They were all mercilessly butchered… and in the blink of an eye at that… by just Seven people…"

The cries of vultures overhead, joined the eerie silence all throughout Liones.

This is a tale of ancient times.

An era before the human and non-human worlds, were forever divided.

When the Holy Knights defended the realm, wielding their magical powers, they were feared and highly respected.

But among them… a group emerged that betrayed the kingdom, and became mortal enemies to all Holy Knights.

They were known throughout the land…

As the Seven Deadly Sins.