Origins (Prequel Fanfic)

Chapter 5: The Experience of Life

Zach was dumbfounded. How was Acantha able to even suggest something so wise to someone she had only met that same day. It bugged him in a way. "Why are you giving me this advice? Most people just give me a pat on the back and move on." He furrowed his brows, seeing Acantha's smile drop into a worried frown. "Well as part of Artemis' temple its become second nature for me to want to help others. I think all being deserve to live no mattet what. Cause once you take the time to really think about it, all living creatures eventually return to one place. And that place is the earth." She smiled once more, standing up and putting a hand out.

"Lady Artemis taught me to show compassion to all walks of life, to respect the animals we hunt, observe their life before taking it in order to preserve that memory of them once existing. Ive been conscious for only a hundred years or so, and ill be here for much longer. So while I still breathe air, I want to show others the guidance my Lady has shown me." Acantha took his hand and made him stand up straight before shoving him towards his group of friends. "Hold those you love close to your heart and no matter what happens to any of you, your memory will live on." She giggled, putting her hands respectfully behind her back, neatly folded as she found the group of friends to be quite precious. It reminded her of all the bonds she had made with human maidens who visit the temple often.

Although the night had continued on, it was time for Acantha to return to the temple. She said her goodbyes, promising to visit again soon, and made her way back. At the temple, Artemis had gone out for her hunt and usual duties as a deity of the night and some of her water nymphs had joined her. Acantha entered the baths, socializing with the other ladies as they all held conversations together. "Acantha!! I heard you visited your first town today! How did that go?" Meru, a water nymph asked. She was a perky gal, with fair skin and a curvy yet still natural looking body. Her hair was long and straight and always had the feeling it was soaked yet she never seemed to track water anywhere. Acantha cleaned herself while thinking. "I loved it! I met such kind people and even reconnected with Keila again." She smiled and let the water from the nearby fountain run through her hair. That's when another nymph, Era, chimed in. "Oh yes yes! I hear she has had wonderful children! Are they as adorable as the other human children are??" The woman inquired. Acantha laughed a bit. "Im not sure I never had the chance to meet them-" she was cut off by one of the elder Nymphs who had been alive much longer than the other ones. She was a much more matured and motherly looking water nymph, always showing kindness yet firmness to the others.

"You do know why Lady Artemis is having you visit the humans right Acantha dear?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Acantha seemed confused, tilting her head. "Well I haven't ever known what normal human habits are aside from the visitors, I assume that is why." She answered. Reina, the elder nymph, shook her head. "She's preparing you dear. Lady Artemis has a plan she can only put into action once youve grasped the fragility of human life." She said. Acantha didnt exactly understand what she meant by this and just shrugged it off as pessimistic thinking. "Don't ruin all the fun now!" Meru complained as the other ladies all agreed.

There was a sudden sense of danger in the area that quickly silenced all of them. Not even the sounds of movement in the water broke it. Nymphs were durable and strong creatures, though preferred not to engage in conflict. "Stay here ladies I will make sure it isnt a wandered hunter." Reina walked towards the danger, causing Acantha to quickly move to make sure she would be okay. "Be careful Ms. Reina!" Her brows furrowed in distress as the others all prepared for a peaking tom, or drunk hunter. Unfortunately their was in fact a hunter... But he seemed more rabid than normal humans behaved. "You have not received the blessing of our Lady to enter. Please leave this instan-" Reina was cut off as the man lunged at her with a weapon coated in a dark smokey yet syrupy liquid. The woman was quick to dodge and use her water magic to manifest chains and hold the man down. "Acantha dear stay back! This human isnt well! I sense a dark presence deep inside his soul... As if he is being possessed into these actions..." The water woman seemed... Sympathetic... "We need Lady Artemis to perform ark! Acantha take his weapon! It seems to be fueling his madness!" She commanded.

Acantha was quick to remove the weapon from his hands but as soon as her own hands touched the hilt, her chest felt an immense pressure on it, and whispers seemed to fill her ears, commanding her to simply 'kill the pure, kill the divine, kill the pure, kill the divine' over and over. Her hands shook as she dropped the weapon and let it sit in the ground. As if timing couldnt be any more perfect, Artemis had returned in time to complete the purge on the man, leaving him unconscious. The divine woman also ensured the weapon was purged of any impurity. Though now, she had a distressed look on her face. "Lady Artemis, the human will be taken care of by the ladies. He is unconcious right now. It seemed as though this was a work of demonic possession." Reina spoke to the goddess.

"Yes yes I'm aware. I had sensed him during the hunt. Unfortunately, Dana and Genovese had been attacked and were reduced to nothing. During my attempt to resurrect them, he escaped..." She explained. The others who had been listening to their leader were all in dismay. Whispers about how dearly they were going to miss those two elder nymphs. Acantha felt her heart drop. She had only seen Ms. Dana the previous day, helping Illiana process her emotions after an argument. "Lady Artemis..." Acantha muttered, catching her attention. "Yes my precious little candle flame?" She asked, her voice gentle and calming. "When I held that blade... I felt sick... And heard whispers telling me to kill. Im glad I didnt listen but... I havent felt that fear ever." She explained. Artemis understood immediately. "Yes my dear... That is the power of the demon clan.."

"The Demon Clan....?"