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

Chapter Eleven: Training and Unexpected Guests

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Acantha was shocked by such kind words. Hawk looked at Elizabeth. "Uh oh, you broke her Elizabeth." He said. Elizabeth went into a small panic. "Ah, I'm sorry Lady Acantha! Are you... Okay??" She asked. Acantha was silent before tears welled in her eyes, causing Elizabeth to panic more and try to comfort her with a hug. Acantha wasn't used to such an embrace and awkwardly stood there. But with her height being the same as Meliodas' her face was in quite an awkward spot. Her cheeks went red as she pulled away. "I'm... Fine. I think." Acantha muttered.

Elizabeth sighed in relief. "Ah, that's good." She said as the two went back to work. After about an hour or so, Meliodas arrived back. "Yo! Acantha you ready to train?" He asked, catching the girl's attention quite fast. Meliodas chuckled. "I'll take it as a yes. Head out to the woods. I'll meet ya there." He said and watched her leave. The blonde dugout extra boar hat uniforms in various sizes and set them aside. Elizabeth looked at the captain. "How come you're not gonna walk with her?" She asked. Meliodas looked over his shoulder. "Though I'd start it immediately and give her a surprise attack. Sneak up on her ya know?" He said casually. Hawk hopped onto the bar counter. "You sure that's a good idea?" He asked.

Meliodas put his sword down on the counter and cracked his knuckles. "Sure why not. I don't see what's the problem with it." He said and did a bit of stretching before heading out. The blonde took his time and gave the nymph some time to prepare. He knew her strengths and weaknesses and wasn't going to sugarcoat things. If she was going to stay with the sins she had to get more confident in battle. He walked a bit more before hearing her hum a casual tune.

Acantha had been sitting with her back facing Meliodas. She was observing a ladybug on her finger. Acantha quickly sensed a presence behind her and turned to see Meliodas jumping at her. Though it didn't fully seem like him, more like familiar faces she has seen all those years ago in prison. Her eyes widened and she quickly grabbed the nearest object, that being a stick, and attempted to hit the blonde. Meliodas grabbed the stick as she scrambled away and stood up. "Gotcha didn't I. Nice reflexes." He said to the terrified girl. Obviously, Meliodas wasn't reading the room. As Acantha calmed herself, Meliodas spoke up. "So first things first. We gotta get you more confident in throwing punches. So come on. Hit me hard as you can. I won't try and fight back or do anything." He smiled and stood in a ready stance with both hands on his hips.

Acantha was unsure. "I don't know... Are you sure....?" She asked. Meliodas nodded. "Think of me as letting Ban try and kill me again." He snickered. Acantha sighed and put both fists up, preparing herself before throwing a violent punch at Meliodas' chest. It sent him skidding back a bit and he was rather surprised, coughing a bit. "For someone so thin you pack a punch harder than your kick..." He said. Then he smiled. "Now for real training. Let's spar. I'll try and get you immobile. You try and stop me." He said and was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her arm.

She barely could think before Meliodas was attempting to get her on the ground. The nymph used her knee to hit him in the stomach before kicking him to the side and into a tree. Acantha moved a few steps away as Meliodas knocked her to the ground. When he went to keep her down, she rolled out of the way and kicked Meliodas in the back of the knees before elbowing him in the neck.

After almost a full day of sparring, Ban had come to retrieve them and saw how beat up the two looked. "Jeez. What happened to you two. You both look like crap." He said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Meliodas laughed. "Yeah, we do huh. Guess we lost track of time." He said and saw the tired nymph at his side. The blonde gave her a piggyback ride as Ban looked at the two. "By the way captain, there are people already coming to the tavern. Something about seeing more waitresses. What's up with that?" He asked suspiciously. Meliodas grinned. "You'll see." He stated.