Records of Rebirth

But the two snakes would not be convinced to part with anything – including their large room, so Artemis could only complain.

Eventually it was his turn to wow them. 

But, when it came to his chosen room – there wasn't much to brag about.

There were spotted plants, many types of tree bark, odious smelling berries, and countless stringy looking mushrooms, all strewn across the room in a haphazard, with Artemis excitedly going between them to explain the purpose of each one.

It was no different from the forest outside, with all sorts of sprawling plants and unusual leaves.

Quite frankly it was boring, and the mischievous snakes fell asleep midway through his ranting.

For Arsinoe, however, she was terrified.

There were many vines among his collection, and she resonated with them in a bad way.

They reminded her of the disgusting creature that had pulled her under water, and she kept imagining the vines intermingling with her flesh. 

Because of that, she stormed out of his room midway.

By the time her team members came after her, she was able to calm herself and pretend nothing was wrong.

[Why did you leave?] one asked.

[It smelt funny.] She nervously laughed, ignoring the knotted feeling in her gut.

[Did you hear that?] One of the mischievous snakes laughed. [Your plants stink!]

[No they don't.] Artemis frowned unhappily.

[Smelly plants should be thrown out!] Another replied, leading Artemis to storm off in anger.

[W-What about mine?] Apollo interrupted them.

He was mostly timid and quiet, so this was a challenge. The only stand out thing about him was that he had a name, and naturally this led to the other nestlings mostly forgetting his existence. 

But Arsinoe heard him. [Alright! Lets see yours next.] 

She would go anywhere else, if it kept her from visiting Artemis's room again.

Eventually, they all headed towards the underground cells. 

Apollo revealed he had taken three of the shallow cells to use to keep the creatures of his interest, with each cell containing an equal amount of bottom feeders.

In one cell, they were dormant, the bodies of the worm-like creatures frozen like the dead.

In another, they thrashed about wildly, each one wriggling in a frenzied state, at the merest hint of noise.

And in the third, they moved about normally.

[T-They are mostly blind.] Apollo explained. [They only react to noise, and the scent of blood.]

Arsinoe wasn't expecting much, but Apollo's showcase of the bottom feeders left her surprised. Somehow he had succeeded in training them, because when they went to take a closer look, none of the creatures reacted aggressively to them.

The mischievous snakes grimaced as they looked down, but Artemis was intrigued and kept asking him questions, his interest making Apollo speak more confidently.

[Why are they acting so differently?] 

[I wanted to make them safe.] Apollo replied. [So I wondered what would happen if I fed them something other than meat.] 

Artemis was intrigued. [Did it work?]

Apollo shook his head. [No. They just became like that.] 

He glanced at the ones that weren't moving. [But they didn't die, but they became slow. Which means they can live for a long time without food.]

Artemis quickly understood. [So they are more aggressive depending on how long ago you fed them?]

Apollo agreed. [The less I feed them, the more active they become.]

Then he went over to his food supply to retrieve a scorpion creature's corpse, throwing it down into the pit full of aggressive creatures.

In an instant, they swarmed the corpse, swiftly devouring through its hardened carapace in a chaotic manner that reduced it to nothing in an instant. 

And even after, they were still hungry.

Apollo looked to them for approval, but Arsinoe grimaced at the salivating maws of the bottomfeeders, shocked at what she had witnessed. 

Should she be impressed or disgusted?

But Artemis took the words right out of her mouth. [Just imagine using them in battle! Or even better, we can use them for our defence! They'll probably eat through the bones of anything that attacks. They seem hungry enough!]

[Really?] Apollo was surprised. [Will they be useful?]

[Very much so.] Artemis watched the writhing creatures with interest.

Apollo didn't seem convinced. [But they have to smell the blood first, or they won't do anything. Are you sure that won't be bad?]

Artemis smirked. [I don't think that will be a problem.]

Arsinoe sighed. Even she had to admit Apollo's tour was interesting, but when he and Artemis started rambling on about their absurd interests, she quickly got annoyed. 

While it seemed fine now, this was not without risk.

There was no guarantee 'she' would agree, and Arsinoe was annoyed they were already coming to conclusions. 

Besides, she was disgusted.

Why couldn't they discuss normal things like evolving or becoming captain?

They just had to be so weird and obsessed with strange things.

[They are so boring.] The mischievous snakes started at the two in confusion. [What's so great about ugly bugs?]

Like you're any better!

Arsinoe thought. But Artemis went on another rant on how his plants were more superior and she had to stop herself from listening.

They were mad! All of them!

There was no way she could remain around them. 

And so she quickly left with her team members, before she too caught their strange affliction. 

However, when she came out of the underground cells, there was even more chaos awaiting her. 

However, when she came out of the underground cells, there was even more chaos awaiting her. 

She felt the rush of wind and looked up to see Ophelia's feathery form, soaring high over the cave's ceiling in all of their wispy glory. 

She was fast and whenever she moved, there was a strong breeze in the wake of her wings. Ophelia seemed to be chasing a tiny pink figure who was equally as fast, and her excitement was almost explosive. 

But watching this behaviour left Arsinoe stupefied.

Why was the cold elegant Ophelia chasing after an insect? 

Had the strange affliction spread to her too?