The Nymph's Redemption: Acantha's Journey (7ds fanfiction)

Chapter Ten: Fight Between Comrades

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Merlin took note of her shocked state and simply put a hand on her hip with a sigh. "I see, perhaps sharing such information wasn't exactly the right move." She put her chin between her index and thumb as if thinking. "Think of this as a new learning experience. You'll find out your history if you manage to get those memories back." She pointed out. "Like I said hold onto that paper. Look over everything and if things start to feel familiar then come to me." The woman stated and noticed how dark it was getting outside. "That is all I had to do with you. I will return you to the tavern." The boar sin said and teleported Acantha in front of the boar hat tavern. Acantha looked at the sign and then at the paper. She folded it up and put the paper in her pocket, entering to see everyone looking completely wiped out.

Meliodas had already been walking Elizabeth back to the castle. Ban was drinking. "Yo short stuff." He called out and set some food down for her. Diane looked over at Acantha. "Where were you all day?" The brunette asked. Acantha sat down where she was told to sit by Ban and started to eat. "I was with Merlin. She wanted to ask me questions." The girl stated, moving some hair out of her own face. Diane huffed. "Well, that sounds boring." She stated. King took notice of how Acantha seemed to always be messing with her own hair whether it's moving it or fixing a tangle. "You're hair is so long Acantha. Are you ever gonna cut it?" He asked, floating over. She paused what she was eating and shook her head. Ban decided to mess with the girl, holding scissors in his hand. "Come onnnn just a trim? It'll be practical." He said, appearing behind the nymph and slicing the air with the scissors.

Acantha quickly took the scissors out of Ban's hand and stabbed them into the table. "I don't like having my hair cut. I like it better long." She said, a rather cold tone to her. Howzer looked at the scissors and tried to pull them out but struggled for a moment. "Huh- what the hell???" He questioned and yanked them out, falling backward from it. Acantha finished eating and yawned, standing up and walking to the room she slept in without another word. Meliodas soon came back to the now silent tavern. "Yo who killed the mood?" He asked casually. King perked up. "Ban did it." He said and floated away. The man rolled his eyes and sipped at a bottle of ale. "Yeah, whatever." He grumbled.

The next morning, well... It was barely even morning, Acantha felt a hand gently shake her. When she opened her eyes she saw Diane with her index finger over her lips before pointing at the snoring Ban on the floor. Acantha was lead with the other sins minus Meliodas. "Huh... Why are we up so early... The sun... It's barely out?" She mumbled and rubbed her eyes. Hawk hopped onto her shoulder. "We'll explain it when we get there. Now move on!" He demanded as the small group walked off and up a mountain. When they got to the top of the mountain, a huge group of citizens and knights were there. "Ban and Meliodas are going to battle. And we brought an audience for them!" Hawk said, blowing puffs of smoke from his mouth. Acantha was too tired for this. "Why an audience... isn't that dangerous?" She questioned. Merlin shook her head. "I'll be using perfect cube on them. No casualties." The woman stated as they went with the others.

After only a few minutes, Meliodas came up and was genuinely confused. "Hey, guys why are you all here?" He asked, going up to them. King was laying on his pillow. "It was Hawk's idea." He simply said. Meliodas stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Huh. Alright." He then turned to Acantha. "Try not to kick me in the gut this time okay?" He joked, ruffling the girl's hair. Acantha's cheeks went a little red in embarrassment. Just remembering how she acted and him even bringing it up, how could she not feel like this. Little did she know another feeling was building up deep inside her.

When Ban arrived, he wasn't happy at all about this. He was taking this seriously when it felt like everyone was taking it as a joke. The captain and Ban exchanged a few words before being put in a perfect cube. And so, the two started their brawl. The people below were in awe. Acantha felt worried about this. What if Ban got too into the fight and did serious damage to Meliodas. The blonde in question didn't seem to be a fan of all the talking it was quite distracting. So he scolded the crowd before looking down at Acantha and Elizabeth. "Except for you two. And hey! Acantha! Take this as a way to learn!" He grinned before being punched by Ban multiple times.

Acantha's heart raced at just watching such an event. She looked out the corner of her eye to see Howzer and King bickering. 'Are they going to fight too...? Ah jeez...' She thought and simply watched the fight above her, feeling as if that were to be more interesting. After quite a bit of fighting, Meliodas sent Ban slamming into the wall with blood splattering everywhere. Acantha was slightly nauseated by this and took a deep breath. "So Ban, does this mean I win?" Meliodas asked. Ban laughed. "Yeah right. This fights just getting started." He laughed. Suddenly everyone's energy dropped tremendously.

Acantha fell to her knees with a weak groan. "Why... Do I feel... Weaker than usual...?" She asked and looked to her side where Diane and King were. They were also on the ground as was everyone else. Acantha looked at the perfect cube and saw how Ban had become so much more powerful than before. The blueish silver-haired male went off on Meliodas, having him up against the wall and just punching him constantly in the stomach. As much as everyone tried to talk Ban out of it he wasn't letting up. Meliodas smiled and grabbed one of Ban's arms and twisted it until broke off. Ban used Fox Hunt to bring the arm back before the two went at it.

They fought all day until sunset before the cube broke and shattered. Everyone started to regain their strength. Acantha stood up and looked to see both boys on the ground, unable to move. It was a draw. "We'll settle this another time," Ban said. Everyone made their way down the mountain, the boys chatting happily. Meliodas tried to get Elizabeth's attention but it just wasn't working. She was mad. "Never seen her so cold before," Ban stated. Meliodas laughed. "I know someone who isn't cold! Heyyyy Acantha!" He said to the nearby nymph, having looked over his shoulder as she trailed behind them.

Ban saw she was behind them and paused until she walked in front of him. "So. What'd you learn?" Meliodas asked. Acantha thought for a moment and pointed at Ban. "He's an idiot for taking the energy out of everyone around him." She said with a slight pout. Ban deadpanned as Meliodas just laughed and pet the girl. "Tell ya what. Tomorrow if you feel up to it I'll help ya train. But for now..." He looked at Ban who got the idea. "Let's drink!" They both exclaimed.

That night, they started to drink away. Acantha was of course dragged into drinking with them and by this time she was pretty tipsy. Howzer was full-on drunk. He stumbled up to Acantha. "Oiiiiii yous... I challenge you to an arm wrestle! I wanna be... The judge of how strong you are... Ms. Stab scissors into... A table..." He said and put his arm into the position to arm wrestle. Acantha blinked a few times before locking hands with his.  Ban snickered and stumbled over. "Alright alright. No cheating! Annnnddd go!" He laughed and started it. Howzer and Acantha both seemed to struggle considering their drunkenness, their arms going back and forth. Acantha was struggling the most but eventually found some strength and pushed the man's arm down. Howzer just passed out right then and there before Acantha also passed out, falling onto the floor asleep. "Hah. It's a tie." Ban said and went back to drinking.

Meliodas was impressed, definitely wasted, but impressed. He went back to drinking as usual. When the sun rose and things were quiet, Acantha was awoken from her deep slumber by Elizabeth walking around. She opened her eyes to see Elizabeth cleaning up the place. The silver-haired girl looked at the nymph. "Good morning. Did I wake you? I'm sorry." She said, offering a hand. Acantha took the hand and got up, noticing the blanket that was on the floor. "When you were asleep I tried to put a blanket on you but you'd just kick it off. I eventually gave up." She giggled.  Acantha looked at the mess and started to help clean up. "Huh??? Oh, you don't have to help Lady Acantha." She said worriedly. The nymph merely shook her head and assisted. Everyone eventually woke up and started to do their thing.

"Ya know we've been getting less and fewer customers lately," Meliodas said. Hawk nodded in agreement. "Scraps are getting harder to come by. Soon I'll be one skinny pig." The tiny pig said. Meliodas started to think before looking at Acantha who was cleaning cups and Elizabeth who was sweeping. "We need customers and fast. And I know just what to do!" He said. "I'll be right back! When I get back Acantha you and I can go train." He smiled and waved before heading off. When the door closed and it was just the two girls, things were silent for a bit.

Elizabeth giggled a bit and got a look from both Hawk and Acantha. "What is it Elizabeth?" Hawk asked. "It's just that, you Lady Acantha. You joined such a short time ago it feels like... Yet already you've become so different from the girl you were when you joined. You would barely let anyone touch you and would always sit in one place barely moving. Yet here you are now, getting trained by Sir Meliodas." She explained. "He seems to enjoy your company. Everyone does. And though you may not show it much I can tell you enjoy it here." She sighed. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... Thank you Lady Acantha, for being such a huge help for me and the sins." She smiled softly.

Word Count: 1803