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

Chapter Thirty-Six: To The Goddess Temple

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Diane was unhappy to say the least over what King said to Acantha. She gave him quite the scolding before catching up with the nymph to try and comfort her. "Don't listen to King, Acantha. Everyone's probably still tense after the battle." Diane said, placing a hand on her shoulder. Acantha felt a bit tense. She couldn't blame King for losing trust after what happened. "I'll be fine. After what I've been through, its going to take a lot more than whatever King says to hurt me." She responded and headed inside, making her way into her room and closing the door.

Gowther looked at King and then Meliodas. "If I may ask, Captain... How come you didnt try and deescalate the situation or defend Acantha? As far as I'm aware you two are head over heels for each other." The doll inquired. Meliodas put his hands behind his head. "As much as I want to protect Acantha, I know she can defend herself. She can rely on me but she doesn't need me fighting all her fights. Acantha has passion and she certainly has come a long way. If there's something wrong she knows when she can come to me for help." He had a smile on his face. Ban looked at King. "That was pretty stupid of you. Get your ass to bed. You're cranky and projecting your anger onto others won't do you any good." The tired man scolded King and dragged him back to the tavern. It was silent the rest of the night, and it was definitely awkward.

As dawn was soon to arrive, Acantha had gone through with her plan. She carried a bag of necessities and a map she had written all of the needed locations on. When she stepped foot out of the tavern, she could smell the fresh dewy morning air. It was refreshing to say the least. It was still rather dark out but that wouldn't be an issue. As the gentle morning wind blew through her hair, a second set of footsteps came up behind her. "Apologies, but I couldn't just let you go alone." Gowther spoke out to the nymph. Acantha turned to see him standing there, her brows upturning with an amused expression. "It'll definitely be better than going alone." She replied. Gowther smiled softly and approached her. "Which direction shall we head first?" He questioned. Acantha looked at her map briefly. "I suppose the first temple we could go to is South since its the closest possible one to start at." She said.

The two headed off into the humid morning, side by side. "You do know the captain will be worried as to why you've left without any reason why." Gowther commented. Acantha shrugged. "Well I won't be gone long. That is assuming the first temple we go to is the correct one. But I have a feeling it will be..." She mumbled, thinking to herself. Gowther was okay with this response. If anything bad happened he planned to telepathically tell the sins their location. "Since we are going South I believe there will be a few towns we can go through so you can rest if you get tired. So don't force yourself to walk more than you need to alright?" The pink haired man showed care and compassion to his nymph friend.

Acantha was reluctant enough to listen to Gowther. Though she wouldn't take this advice as her body already felt as if it were dying. Before when she was first stabbed and injured, after it got healed she didnt feel much pain. But after leaving it like this it seems as though the infectious wound got worse. The two traveled for a few hours until the sun had fully risen and the once gentle morning air became more humid and balmy. Acantha had to move some of her hair out of her face. The duo made it to a decent sized village where the citizens were rather surprised to see the arrival of a sin and their nymph comrade. A woman had approached them worriedly. "Oh dears is something the matter? Is there a danger threatening the village?" She asked. It was justified though, the sins wouldn't come to such a bleak and old village for no reason. Gowther put up one hand with a dismissive wave. "No no we are just passing through. There's no need to worry, the threat against Britannia is done with." He explained, giving the poor woman some relief.

Acantha allowed Gowther to explain the situation of them traveling and felt a small hand tug at hers. She looked down and saw a young boy with shaggy brunette hair and green eyes. The nymph crouched down to his level and gave a curious look. "I heard you fought alongside a demon AND goddess! And a giant and fairy! What was it like?! Were they big and scary like all the people say???" The small child had so many questions and was definitely not going to leave these questions unanswered. Acantha furrowed her brows. "Well I mean... It was... Intense I guess-" she was cut off by Gowther. "Acantha, I asked around about any goddess temple in the south. Most don't seem aware about the greek pantheon being in a place like this though. But as a hunch based on my knowledge of history, if we go towards Eidenburgh there might just be better information." He suggested.