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

Chapter Twenty-Three: Full of Lies

.
.
.
It was obvious Elaine had read Acantha's mind. She didn't want to seem intrusive at first but felt like she had too. It was silent for a minute. "Okay... You got me..." She paused. "I think the way Ban makes his spicy pork cutlets aren't spicy enough but I didnt want to judge his cooking or say it to his face cause I was afraid he would be upset." She spoke another lie. The girls all were quiet before bursting into laughter. Acantha was both frightened and relieved. "You worry way too much Acantha." Elaine started. "Yeah if you were so worried to judge food you could have just said so." Diane added. Acantha was relieved they believed her.

As the sins headed to Camelot to try and take the kingdom back, Acantha stayed with Elaine. Meanwhile at the castle, Zeldris sat upon the king's throne with his demon bird by his side. "Forgive me for questioning your methods, but why have you decided to use that nymph when you and I both know anyone else here could?" The creature asked. Zeldris smirked a bit. "Its easy. I want to crush that traitor's spirit. I can only imagine the look on his face when he sees that the person he cares deeply for turns out to be the traitor this time. And using that nymph will make it even easier as no one seems to suspect her." He said, looking off at the hallway connected to the throne room. "So for you, this is merely a fun game?" The bird questioned and got a nod in return. "And that creature isn't of much value, so whatever happens afterwards, is not my problem." The commandment of Piety stated. Melascula's voice suddenly sounded out as the demon girl entered. "To you the nymph may not, but to me yes. I want revenge on that damn fox sin... If I can get her into a deal with me... This will be perfect." She chuckled darkly. "Not so fast Melascula. If she's under any of our commandments, the sins will know. I could have easily brainwashed her, but I knew the moment she went back, they would be able to see it." The raven haired boy stated. Melascula sighed. "You're right..."

Throughout their travels to Camelot much had happened. Elizabeth seemed to regain her memories and this caused her to faint. Merlin had suggested Acantha stay behind since the nymph hadn't been herself lately but the pale girl insisted. "I want to see how much more powerful I've gotten... Ban has been training me and I want to be of use... If that's alright, Merlin." She said. The mage looked down at her and nodded. "If you're going to fight against a commandment, I suggest you wear this to avoid any fatal injuries... I do hope you like it." The woman stated and snapped her fingers. In the girl's hands appeared a simple piece of armor. "They can withstand high powered attacks. It isn't a full suit, just pieces to cover the areas at high risk." The boar sin then left the girl in her bedroom.

Acantha looked down at the pieces and set them on her bed. The most noticeable piece was the steel appearing corset like piece connected to a neck guard with leather straps. It felt rather easy to move in and would protect against her organs being badly damaged as well as her throat. The nymph eventually figured out how to get it on and looked at it. "Its definitely not the most comfortable... But... Let's just hope it doesn't break..." She said to herself. Acantha joined with the sins as they reached the bridge connecting to Orland. Zeldris seemed to meet them at the gate... The sight of him made Acantha glance away. Meliodas was the first to attack, sending down a huge swing of his sacred treasure that blasted Zeldris in half. But of course it was all an illusion.

Melascula seemed to tease at Meliodas for being so mad. The blonde was taken by Melascula in a dark cocoon. Ban was first to run after the captain, jumping over the gap in the bridge with everyone following in suit. As they all walked through the ruined town, Acantha could feel eyes watching her. It made her anxious and try and hide her face. 'Why am I doing this... Just to live...? If they all found out there'd be no point in living... I wouldn't have anyone to go to...' She thought. Hawk suddenly squealed as there was an entire field of just skeletons. The nymph was uneasy by the eerie atmosphere. Slowly the skeletons all arose, muttering words of hatred and a need to kill. This freaked everyone out as the skeletons attacked. Acantha mostly dodged and deflected. One came from behind her and went to pull on her hair. Acantha jumped out of the way and sent fireballs down on them. At first they were rather easy to defeat at first until even more hateful energy was poured into them. Now they were stronger than ever.

The green eyed girl struggled quite a bit and definitely had to try and avoid most of these attacks. The eyes she felt watching her weren't helping either. Acantha glanced around and saw no one around except for the sins. This must have been Melascula. Acantha felt a sharp pain in her head and fell over as it was one of the possessed skeletons. She hissed in pain and set the skeleton on fire. As all of the spellbound skeletons were defeated, one giant one tried to form but ended up being unable to carry such negative energy and collapsed. The nymph watched and  checked where she was punched to make sure she wasn't bleeding. Thankfully the wound wasn't too serious. A dark and negative aura surrounded everyone. "Everyone! Keep your mind clear!" King yelled. Acantha didn't even get a chance to clear her conscious before she felt immense pain in her body. Her chest felt heavy and her mind started to fog and go dark. She couldn't see anything. It was all a distinct foggy void. A voice echoed and exposed her most vulnerable secret. Acantha gripped her hair and crouched down to appear smaller. "Shut up! I know its a mistake! Please just stop!" She cried out.

On the outside, it was Diane and Acantha being the only ones possessed. Their eyes held darkness as crimson red blood streamed down their eyes. "What the hell... Hey what's wrong with them?!" Ban asked. Acantha and Diane both had a similar blood thirsty look on their faces. The nymph, spreading fire to her arms, put her palms in front of her in a relaxed position before sending a force of flames shooting from them. The sins all dodged the attack before having to dodge again due to Diane. Acantha had a dissapointed frown and was barely even responsive. Escanor tried to fight them but Gowther intervened, getting into Diane's head first. Ban tried to hold off Acantha, mostly just knocking her away and keeping her on the ground. "Dammit Acantha! Snap out of it you idiot!" He yelled. Gowther was unable to save Diane in that moment and decided to try and help Acantha.

The doll like boy looked around. He noticed the ginger haired girl sitting on the floor and covering her ears while trying to make it all go away. "Acantha!" He yelled to her and tried to run to the girl. Before he could get to the nymph, a crack formed and separated the two. "You need to clear your mind! Whatever is going on you feel guilty over you need to stop!" He yelled. Acantha looked at the boy with teary eyes. "No! I can't! I've made such a stupid mistake! And I can't go back on it now!" She cried out. The crack began to form even bigger and Gowther fell through. He was sent to reality as the two possessed girls kept attacking. Acantha had a more sad look on her face compared to Diane's bloodthirsty one. Her brows were upturned and it seemed like Acantha was trying to fight but struggled. It wasn't until Elizabeth and Elaine showed up that the girls' bodies were purged of the souls that inhabited them.

Acantha felt faint and was on the ground. She saw Elaine above her trying to help her up. "Are you alright Acantha? Do you still feel heaviness?" The blonde asked. "N-no... I don't... I'm so sorry..." She muttered. Elaine went to check on Ban as Gowther approached her from behind and lead her away from the group. "Acantha, if you don't mind. May I know what this mistake was? The one you said you wouldn't be able to go back on." The pink haired boy asked. She was extremely unsure. "I... Really can't... Tell you... If you do... He will know and... He said he would kill me..." The short girl stated. Gowther thought for a moment. "If it would be alright with you, could I read your memories? It will help me better understand the picture if I get visuals." The boy stated. Acantha furrowed her brows and shamefully nodded. Gowther read into her memories and her eyes widened. "Don't... Tell any of them... I'm still trying to figure out how to avoid this... Please Gowther..." She begged.

The sin of lust was about to speak when Melascula interrupted. "Ah I see that damned goddess is here... With the Seven Deadly Sins... As well as that half dead fairy a little pawn to the goddesses." She said teasingly. Acantha had grown to hate that word. 'Pawn... Is that all I am in this world. Is that all destiny has set for me?!' She yelled in her head. "For causing damage to the demon clan... I'll destroy you myself!" Melascula of Faith yelled before turning into a snake. The demon woman aimed for Ban first. Acantha was put into a perfect cube with Gowther, Elizabeth and Merlin. The nymph  watched the fight below as Elaine kept trying to save Ban only to fail. Acantha felt overwhelmed by everything in her. 'A pawn to the goddess race now a pawn to a demon... Dammit... Why cant I do anything... I hate to be saying this... But... Zeldris would probably know... DON'T SAY THAT! YOU NEED TO AVOID DOING THIS... Maybe if I lied... If I lie to him... And he doesn't figure it out... I could still get information... And not have to betray my friends...' She thought.
.
.
.
Word Count: 1766