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

Chapter Eighteen: Death and Tragedy

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Acantha had become weak and struggled to fight. 'Please... I need.... To keep... Going...' She thought. The Commandments knew this was such a pointless task. "Fall back! It isn't worth our time." Zeldris said, watching as Acantha was now on the ground. The flames that surrounded her slowly dying as her wounds started to take effect. The group looked down on her before flying away. The flame haired girl's fire died out. Her wings turning to embers that floated to the sky. Her once flaming hair turning back to her auburn locks and her eyes becoming the bright green they once were.

She looked at Meliodas' corpse no longer surrounded and stumbled over. The despair within her overcoming her as she cried out with choked coughs. Acantha wept and sobbed, her tears flowing down her face like raging streams only to land and drip onto the broken stone ground. After a minute, she felt a hand touch her shoulder and without seeing who it was, held onto Meliodas weakly. Her tear stained face looked up and saw the teary eyed Elizabeth. The silver haired girl fell to her knees and cried. As the sun rose, their echoing cries were all that was heard in the silent ruin of a battle field.

As days past, the sins and their comrades spread across Britannia to help stop the spread of the demon clan. Elizabeth stayed with Hawk and the tavern to work and help heal those in need. Right now Elizabeth was with Matrona and her family as well as Diane and King. She was healing Zalpo's children who had become hurt and sick. Diane looked around curiously. "Hey Elizabeth, where's that Acantha girl...?" The giant girl asked. Elizabeth sighed. "She's back at the tavern is all." She said, watching the children heal up and fawn over being alive. Hawk huffed. "Yeah she doesn't really like being far from the tavern nowadays. Even when she's outside all she does is just sit in the grass." The pig said. It was true. After what happened, Acantha never seemed to leave the tavern for long. Sometimes she wouldn't even leave her room, ending with the tavern being very short staffed.

Acantha, back at the tavern, sat in her room and on her bed. She wore a simple outfit which was the taverns uniform. There was no reason for her to be wearing an outfit made for fighting anymore. At least not for the time being and whenever she did help out downstairs, she wanted to be the best help she could and if it meant representing the tavern then she would do it. The girl looked out the window as birds chirped in that bright peaceful field. In the distance she could see the stone wall that was Zalpo and Matrona's home. Thoughts ran through her head. "I did my best... So why... Do I still feel under accomplished. Like... I didnt do better..." She mumbled to herself and stood from her bed.

The nymph made her way outside of her room and stared down at the stairs to the tavern yet found herself going towards and all too familiar room. It was the room where Meliodas had stayed. She gently opened the door and peaked in, seeing his dead body laying so perfectly in that bed. Ever so carefully, she walked into the room and gently closed the door. Acantha stuck close to the wall. "I'm sorry, Meliodas... If there was more I could have done... I should have done it... Even thought you probably can't hear me... I can't help but apologize over and over again... Hawk keeps telling me it isn't my fault but... Still... It makes me feel well, somewhat better. I'm doing my best to help around the tavern but some days it feels impossible to get out of bed. Even going outside is tiring... I always find myself crying at night, knowing I might never hear your say your encouraging words again..." She said, sadness in her eyes as her hands shook with anxiousness. Acantha heard the door to the tavern open up and quickly left, walking down to see Elizabeth and Hawk.

Elizabeth saw Acantha and smiled. "Oh hello Lady Acantha. Did you come down to help?" She asked and received a quiet nod. Hawk huffed. "Well ya can't help looking like that! You still won't wear the tavern shoes and your hair is a mess!" He scolded. The princess looked at Hawk. "Don't be so mean!" She yelled softly at the pig. Elizabeth went and got a hair brush and decided to help out Acantha with her messy hair, putting the orange locks into a very loose braid that layed down her back. As Hawk's Mom started to move, Acantha started cleaning the kitchen area and behind the bar so things would be ready.

It was a little silent. Elizabeth spoke up. "Lady Acantha... There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about." The girl said, looking to the nymph as she herself swept the floors. Acantha looked up at Elizabeth. "What is it?" The nymph asked and set up cups beneath the counter. "During that fight... When Sir Meliodas... You know..." She trailed off before speaking. "You were the first person aside from Sir Ban to try and fight the commandments. I understand Sir Ban since they are best friends but... What is Sir Meliodas to you?" She asked. Acantha paused what she was doing. She was silent for a moment. "To be quite honest. I don't even know the feelings I have with him. All I know is that if I had to I'd fall off the face of the earth for him..." She said. Elizabeth understood completely. "You love him a lot. I can tell. He's been there for you often. I'll admit. I do love him with all my heart but I have started to take notice those feelings aren't completely returned to me." The taller girl said.

Acantha furrowed her brows. Elizabeth softly laughed. "I guess what I'm trying to say is... I fully supported you and Sir Meliodas. If he were still here and you both had a mutual love for each other... Just know that I'll still be by your side. And if he ever did something to upset or bring you harm that I will protect you." Elizabeth stated with a bright smile. Acantha felt comfort in these words. She had always felt anxious about feeling such strong emotions for the blonde but these words made her more comfortable. "Thank you Elizabeth. I hope you are able to find someone who makes you feel as special as Meliodas did." The nymph said.
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Word Count: 1,115