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

Chapter Thirty-Nine: Closure

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"Acantha are you alright??" Meliodas questioned and knelt beside the small nymph. She was clutching her head, gently rubbing it to soothe the pain from having a sudden rush of memories. "I... I remember it all now... The fire... The death... The screams of pain and begs for mercy... How could I have been so cold to it all...?" She questioned, her voice hushed in a whisper as her body trembled. King looked at the Artemis statue. "Why exactly was this the duty you gave to Acantha?" He asked.

Artemis was silent for a second. "I am the protector of women, as well as children. These organized groups of people brought harm to innocent women and children. Whether it be accusing them of witchcraft or hurting them in other ways, I set Acantha out to stop them. Better yet, I would instruct her to bring these dangerous people the same amount of pain they had brought to these innocent mortals." The goddess spoke sternly, knowing exactly what to say and what point to make. Everyone was on edge. They didnt know if this was a reasonable point or not. "I never wished for Acantha to become so cruel. Acantha was a gift to me from the underworld, among the my river nymphs, she was the one I saw the most potential in. I had become the reason she would be punished for those deaths.  That is why I erased any memory involving me or the temple. Even what her duty was got erased. I never stepped in during her times of need because I was afraid she would remember it and that cruel and stoic emotion would come back. Then, one day she met a group of creatures of various races. They all seemed so close, like a family that couldn't ever be broken. It hit me that if Acantha can grow stronger and gain a happiness that would last forever, she could later know about what had happened." The statue finished its statement.

Meliodas knew it would be bad to downplay the goddess and looked at Acantha. "Are you alright?" He asked the girl. Acantha was only silent and stood up. "So you're telling me... I really did deserve... Everything that happened?" The nymph tried to force herself to stand. King sent a glare at Artemis and flew in front of Acantha. "Hey! Don't say that! If you had your memories erased then you wouldn't have known you did it!" He exclaimed. Tears welled in the ginger girl's eyes. "Even if that were the case! I still brought so much damage to people who didnt have anything to do with it! I tore families apart and destroyed the homes of the innocent! Even when I was targeting one thing everything else around it was brought down with it! I've been sleeping so peacefully every night not knowing about this... I can't change any of it anymore! I can't even apologize to those who had died!" She yelled at King.

It was quiet. The only sounds around being that of the crickets chirping their tunes and the wind blowing in the trees, it almost made a sound similar to rain. "If I may ask, would you three leave me to speak with Acantha in privacy?" Artemis asked, referring to King, Merlin and Meliodas.  They all were hesitant but left the temple. A glow came from the statue before what seemed to be a manifestation of the goddess appeared in front of Acantha. But it wasn't a human like form. The form Artemis had taken was a glowing orb similar to a full moon. "I'm only able to take this form for now. But I figured it would provide a more personal feeling to our conversation." She said.

Acantha looked up at the form the goddess had taken and was mesmerized. "Now I will say this, being in this region leaves me out of place from my home region. And since there is no one here to take care of this temple, I have no reason to stay at this region. I only did stay to watch over you. But I will be returning to my original temple." Artemis explained, pausing to allow Acantha to think and process the information. "I asked your comrades to leave so I would have your full attention and truthfulness. I can remove your memories once again of everything that happened when you were with me. I can take them with me when I leave. I could also bring you to my temple in the home region. But once I do, I won't be returning." She said.

The girl didnt know what to think of it all. She could have her memories removed once more before Artemis left. Or she herself could go with Artemis. Acantha didnt even need to think twice before coming up with an answer. "I will live with these memories. I deserve to. And I will be staying here, in Britannia to always know of what I have done to hurt the others." Acantha stated. Artemis floated there before her form changed. It became its more human form which she took when she felt it was needed. Acantha saw the familiar woman from her dreams in a physical form and stared up at her. The goddess gently took her hands and placed them on Acantha's face, her palms feeling cold due to the lack of an actual human or living vessel. "You've got a pure heart. You always have, Acantha. Just remember that. No matter what you have done. Just know that your future, is whatever you want it to be." Artemis spoke in a gentle tone, almost like an older sibling comforting their younger sibling. It brought peace of mind for Acantha. "I will always be watching over you. But I won't be able to interfere and step in for you. Just know this..." The woman said. Acantha nodded. "I don't think I'll even be doing much battling anytime soon anyways." She said to the goddess.

A small laugh came from Artemis as she pulled her hands away. "You've matured so much. You're strong and yet you have remained so kind and gentle. I wish you much luck and prosperity, Acantha. Always stay true to yourself and those you keep close. And remember, even as the seasons change... The hunt remains." As those final words were spoken, Artemis vanished into air, her statue and the temple around her still remaining. Acantha took a deep breath and looked around to process it all. She approached a shelf which contained an old beaten up book along with a statue of a stag. Acantha read the books title and saw it to be a history of every occurance with the temple. Next to it was a book titled "History of Nymphs". The girl lifted both books as well as the tiny wooden statue and left, a smile on her face before she looked at the temple once more. "Thank you, Artemis... If it wasn't for you... I wouldn't be here..." She spoke into the air before meeting up with Meliodas, King and Merlin. "Hey Merlin... I think you might enjoy this book. If not, give it to Gowther." The girl said and handed the book of nymphs to the woman. Meliodas looked at Acantha. "Did you get the closure you needed?" The blonde asked with a smile. Acantha nodded as a response before seeing King staring at her as if wanting to say something. "I just wanted to say sorry... I shouldn't have argued with you or blamed you for the death of Escanor... I was acting foolish..." He scratched the back of his neck.

Acantha smiled a bit. "Its alright King... I forgive you... This time." She said playfully. This surprised King but before he could say anything Merlin had teleported them back to the others.

Everyone had gotten back to the Kingdom and things finally could settle, meaning celebrations were in order at the castle. Everyone was gathered for drinks and dancing. Music blasted in the great hall and laughter and cheering filled the air. The sins were all gathered as usual for their last night as the "Seven Deadly Sins" and Acantha sat right at Meliodas' side where he wanted her. Howzer, Gilthunder and Griamore joined them with their lady loves Margaret and Veronica. They all had small talk about their accomplishments and what was to come for them. "I'm not sure what me and Acantha will be doing. We can't really run a traveling tavern after what happened to it..." He started to think. "Maybe we can build our own little place somewhere in the wild." He half joked, liking the idea of a peaceful little life. Thats when Elizabeth and Margaret spoke up. "Actually our father and us discussed that. Meliodas, Acantha, we would be honored for you two to spend a happy and relaxing life in the castle as honored residents of Liones. You won't be living a royal life to say, but you will be able to live comfortably for as long as you please in peace." Elizabeth offered.

The two short creatures were dumbfounded. Being able to live in the castle as residents yet still live on their own accord? That would be wonderful! Meliodas grinned. "I think that would be perfect. After all Acantha is pretty fragile now after that little sickness." He joked and poked at the nymph. "Hey! I can still fight! I'm still tough!" She pouted and turned her attention away from Meliodas. The demon blonde shrugged and looked a the princesses. "But really thank you both so much. A life like that would be really nice... Just for a few years until we decide we wanna be on our own completely." He said.

The group all drank to their hearts content, Howzer cracking up jokes as he was wasted. He even challenged Ban, who was equally as wasted and being babied by Elaine, to an arm wrestle. Of course Howzer lost really easily, trying to play it off all cool as if he meant to lose but ended up getting hiccups. Acantha found this hilarious and started to giggle a bit. And of course Howzer loved any chance to make a lady happy, continued to act a fool. Acantha had accidentally let herself laugh a little harder and quickly got shy over it. This shocked so many of the sins, especially Meliodas who had cheeks as red as strawberries. He watched in pure admiration the way Acantha would laugh and giggle at such small things. A sweet smile crossing his face. He knew just in that moment what he wanted to do, Meliodas gently turned Acantha's face by holding her chin.

This surprised Acantha since she had never felt touch like this. It may have been the booze she was drinking but her stomach had butterflies. Meliodas continued to admire her face for only a moment before he had leaned in gently, it was like slow motion. Then, in that moment, Acantha had never felt a feeling like this before once his lips had made contact with hers in a sweet and gentle, even shy, kiss.
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Word Count: 1829