Origins (Prequel Fanfic)

Chapter 1: The Little Flame

"Nymphs aren't born as any natural creature would be birthed..."

"Be careful with this one... She is a special one... And fragile..." The voice of a woman rang out.

"We aren't born from a womb... We are created with elements... And bound to nature..."

"I thank you, Hecate... She will make a fine maiden. Once she becomes more than just a small, conscious flame." Another feminine voice that seemed much smoother responded.

"This means if I were to die... If my flame were to be snuffed... I will simply return to ashes, my lack of a soul robbing me of reincarnation..."

"After your guidance for the young maidens who lost their way, its simply a gift to show my appreciation, Artemis." Hecate said to her fellow goddess. "Do take care of her, I could sense there was something special about her... I can tell she will become a great force."

"Is there such thing as fate for a nymph as there is for a human? Do we even have a place in this world? Does a nymph feel love? Pain? Do we bleed the same crimson blood as any other living creature? Or are we simply lifeless, only to follow what we are made for?"
...
350 years later, that little flame grew, formed a physical appearance, a voice, organs and blood, as well as all the normal parts a young pre-teen human girl would have. Her name, had become Acantha. And her current role in the Southern Britannia Shrine of Artemis was simply to grow her curiosity while tending to the mortal maidens who frequented the shrine. And although these young ladies would come and leave, return with their daughters or at their elderly age, all mortal lives must end at some point. Acantha would feel sadness when they would leave one day and never return, but alas the cycle would simply continue.

"Miss Acantha! Look at this flower crown I made for you! I want to thank you for being so welcoming towards me! I've learned so much from you and the others, not to mention Lady Artemis' teachings on being my own leader!" A tall black haired girl spoke to a zoned out young Acantha, the two of them standing in a floral field. "Eh eh? Miss Acantha? Come on I know you're still young but you can't just ignore me!" The woman whined and snapped the girl back into reality. Acantha looked up at the woman and simply smiled. "Ah... Sorry about that... I was just thinking, Illiana." The ginger responded and sat down to rest. For still being so young, Acantha had already gained quite a mature way of viewing the world. The maiden, Illiana, sat beside the young one and placed the crown on her head. "Well, are you going to tell me what you're thinking about or are you going to continue to be a mysterious little creature?" The taller girl spoke lightheartedly.

Acantha let out a small giggle. "I'm the least mysterious one here. The elder nymph's are especially mysterious but that is just because of how serious they always are!" She complained and fell backwards into the lush green grass. "That is true, Miss Dana is very serious sometimes. Now to the point at hand, what's been bothering you?" Illiana inquired, leaning back a bit to get on her nymph teacher's level. The young ginger was quiet for a moment before letting out a sigh of worry. "I'm just thinking about how sad I'll be once you no longer need us is all. A nymph's life extension goes beyond any mortal life. One of these days you will find yourself a calling much more important and no longer need us, coming to the temple less and less until one day you simply no longer take the trip over here." Acantha explained, her gaze lowering down almost as if she were ashamed of thinking about such a topic so soon. Illiana frowned and put a hand on her head. "Don't worry Acantha, even when I no longer need you and the dryads, I'll still always think about the fun I had, exploring myself and the freedom that came with being here. There's no need to be sad!" Her attempt at comforting the young girl seemed to work as Acantha's gaze met her own and a small smile on her face appeared.

"Thats the spirit! Now come on! Stop worry over such a thing! Let's go find Lady Artemis I'd like to ask her a few questions." The human girl pulled Acantha from her position on the ground and tugged her along into the temple. Acantha followed while still being pulled along and simply pushed aside her anxieties about the future. But there was one small question that hadn't been answered for her, 'What would it be like to live a life like Illiana's?' A girl with no worries about death, how short her life really is compared to the almost immortal nymph. To not know her purpose and be okay with that. Acantha would simply have to learn, after all she does have all the time in the world.