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

Chapter Twenty-Six: A Holy War Emerges

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Diane looked down at the girls in shock. "A-acantha?! Elizabeth??? Look out!" She exclaimed. He two looked behind them and saw one of Chandler's fleshy creatures go right at them. Acantha and Elizabeth tried to dodge but ended up getting hit. For Elizabeth it was right on her forehead and Acantha on her arm as she had attempted to block her head with it. The brunette giant grabbed the two girls and stomped the creature. The silverette was rapidly healing herself and Acantha. "Are you two alright?" Diane asked. Merlin suddenly spoke up. "Diane! We're retreating! Get on!" The girl yelled. "Got it!" Diane replied and climbed onto Hawk's Mom before they all got teleported to Liones. Acantha hopped down from Diane's hand as they stood in front of Liones castle. She could hear the people inside and definitely was unsure about going in.

Elizabeth stood at her side assuringly as they entered. People cheered for them and thanked them for saving their lives. All the attention made Acantha's head hurt. As Elizabeth approached her father and spoke, another group of people entered. It was Gilthunder, Margaret and some strangers. They held a divine energy, similar to Elizabeth. 'Are they... Goddesses?' She asked herself. The wings on their backs made that quite obvious. Acantha had unintentionally made eye contact with one, Sariel. The nymph was quick to break the eye contact and stare at something else, mostly the ground. There was tension in the air, mainly between Ludociel who was inhabiting Margaret's body and Elizabeth. Eventually though, the two members of the goddess race had formed an alliance to stop Meliodas. That night, knights and citizens held a festival in honor of the returned archangels.

Acantha just wanted to sit alone outside. She just needed peace. 'I haven't had many dreams lately... And I no longer get signs... I haven't even seen that deer lately...' She thought. Currently she was at the top of the tavern, sitting on the edge with her knees to her chest. The girl looked out at the moon as it gleamed in the dark night sky. "I didnt sense Zeldris in Camelot when I was there... Maybe I won't have to give any insight if he's out in the world on his own..." She stated. "Think again, nymph." The voice of the demon stated. The pale girl jumped, almost falling backwards. Zeldris didn't even give her a chance to speak before he gripped onto her arm and flew far away. When they landed, she looked around to see they were on a cliff side near the ocean. "Where... Even is this place?" She asked and looked around. "Irrelevant. I sensed the goddess race in Liones. Tell me what they have planned." He demanded. "And don't you dare try and lie to my face. I'll sense it immediately and kill you on the spot." The raven haired boy threatened.

The girl felt her hands grow shaky. "I... Um... The Seven Deadly Sins... Have an alliance... With the archangels... And they have the holy knights on their side as well... There's three archangels in all including Elizabeth..." She said, avoiding looking him directly in the eye. Zeldris knew this was the truth, she showed no signs of lying this time. "Anything else? About the sins?" He questioned. Acantha knew of Ban being in purgatory but didn't exactly want to expose that, even if Zeldris were to eventually find out. The demon could tell she was hiding something and put the tip of his sword to her forehead. "Remember who's holding the blade here." He simply stated. Acantha felt her blood run cold. "Ban is in purgatory... He's trying to get back Meliodas' emotions." She quickly said and backed away. The commandment of Piety simply took that answer and nodded. "Good." He muttered and grabbed her arm before quickly bringing her back to the tavern and disappearing into the night.

Acantha looked at her arm where she was grabbed and paused. Then she deadpanned. "He left a bruise." She was disappointed. "Hey Acantha!" Diane giggled in her small form. "We're all having drinks! Come on!" The brunette said and dragged the nymph downstairs. There were some of the sins, sitting and having drinks. Even Gowther was there... As a head. He was the only one not drinking. Acantha noticed Elaine wasn't there and furrowed her brows. She definitely planned to visit her friend next time the blonde was awake. The sins all spent that night drinking away and talking. The next day, Acantha tagged along with Hawk and Escanor to retrieve some things to help out with Gowther's repairs. Escanor was asking about Merlin and even wanting to know if her feels were reciprocated. Hawk and Acantha gave a strange look at the sin of pride. Their conversation soon became interrupted by Ludociel. Apparently he and Escanor had business as they spoke on the male's power.

The pink pig and pale nymph just watched with confusion. "Hey Acantha its getting pretty hot out you want a ride back to the tavern before your feet roast like bacon on a grease pan?" Hawk asked and turned to Acantha. "No thank you. I'll be fine walking." She stated and cracked the tiniest smile. Hawk paused and blew steam from his nose. "What the hell?! Since when are you a smiley little weirdo?!" He exclaimed and ran in circles around Acantha. "Thats enough, pig. I also came to speak to the nymph. I have a few questions." Ludociel said and flew down, gently landing on the ground. "You both can leave. It will only be a moment." The archangel stated. Hawk huffed and pouted. "No way! Its my job to keep Acantha safe so thats what I'm going to do!" He exclaimed. Ludociel sighed. "Fine by me." He said and looked down at Acantha. "Your name is Acantha, correct?" He questioned and got a nod in return. "You are a nymph I sense. Now I'll be quick about this. I want you to form a contract with me. Though I am not an actual goddess, I believe I will still qualify." He stated.

The ginger haired girl scrunched her nose and furrowed her brows a bit. "I don't know how a contract works. You'd have to explain it." She backed up a bit. A mere chuckle came from the angel. "A contract between a nymph and a goddess is a sacred ritual that ties the two's power together. When a bond is formed, both parties are given a surge of power good enough to outmatch a demon. Its how nymphs fought during the holy war. And seeing as you are the last one as far as anyone is aware, you're the only candidate." Ludociel explained. "The ritual is simple really, an exchange of DNA injested. Often times it is blood. Some scriptures show viles of blood being exchanged or so many other ways but that is the simplest form." The man finished. Before anyone could even react, Hawk squealed angrily. "No way man! Acantha is not going to get caught up in your archangel schemes! Nuh uh!" He yelled and ran between Acantha's legs, forcing her to ride his back.

"Merlin!!!! The archangels are going for Acantha now!!" Hawk screamed out and ran down the cobble path, completely leaving Escanor behind with Ludociel. The muscular man turned to the angel. "Asking for help from a young girl is pathetic in my opinion. I suggest you turn your back and walk away." He said and followed after Hawk. Once the trio got back, Hawk seemed to huff and puff like the angry little pig he was. "What's gotten into him?" King asked. Acantha pat the pig. "Ludociel, that archangel inside princess Margaret, was trying to form a contract with me." She said casually. "Huh?! What why?? King questioned. Acantha just shrugged. "Beats me. I didnt even get to say anything before Hawk brought me back home." The green eyed girl looked up from Hawk to King. "Ah jeez I really hate having to be teamed up with these archangels. I get a bad feeling from them." The fairy king said and paused. "Were... Were you gonna accept it though?" King asked. The girl paused a bit and seemed troubled. "I don't really know. To be honest, I still don't know enough about the contracts between deities and nymphs to feel sure about it... When I was teleported into Camelot... I crossed paths with Chandler, and another demon named Cusack." She started. The fairy became interested. "And they didn't kill you on sight? Why's that??" He asked and tilted his head.

Acantha avoided the question. "I questioned them on what they know about nymphs and the goddess race. A lot of the information was useful... Especially knowing I've been around longer than just a few hundred years. But it got me thinking... I only remember the few hundred years of my life... I'm trying to figure out what my purpose is... Why was I put on this earth and just what the hell have I been doing for so long..." She muttered. King furrowed his brows as he lazily floated on his chastifol. He heard of what Acantha's crime was but was this even the right time to tell her? 'Should I even tell her in the first place?' He thought to himself. "Acantha, I think. I know what you were doing..." He trailed off. The nymph looked over at him and seemed hopeful. "Huh?? You do?? What is it?" She asked. King scratched the back of his neck. "Its... Well... You-" he was cut off when Merlin walked down. "You two. We're having a meeting. Let's go." The woman stated.

The two gingers merely nodded and walked upstairs. The sins all met on the balcony. Merlin spoke up. "Everyone. I'm going to find Arthur and bring him back." She said. The whole group was shocked. "I mean it makes sense since we're going to Camelot with Stigma anyways... I need to bring him back." Merlin said. "Why are you so focused on Arthur?" Hawk asked. "Because... Arthur is the one who's going to lead Britannia. He was chosen for the sacred sword." The sin of gluttony said.
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Word Count: 1706