Records of Rebirth

As Morgana's struggling ceased, Arsinoe stared at the sealed tomb with mixed emotions. The stone structure Typhon created was deathly still, and far too small to contain a serpent Morgana's size.

And for the first time, she found herself doubting Typhon's methods.

When she called him down, it was largely to stop Morgana from doing whatever she pleased.

And perhaps…to scare her a little for her own satisfaction.

But this was a bit…much, and far more terrifying than her prior punishment.

Arsinoe shivered.

But then the voice inside her head began to speak. [Have you forgotten how she tried to kill you?]

Ah…There was that.

Arsinoe hadn't forgotten, she clearly recalled the gleeful look in Morgana's eyes, right before she was distracted by the eggs cracking. 

She really might've killed her at that time.

But...

[Why do you feel bad for her now?] The voice interrupted her thoughts with a scoff. [You should be happy! Do you think Morgana would even care if you were in her position?]

Why was this strange voice far more invested in events than she was?

It was even scolding her like it saw her life as entertainment, and Arsinoe scowled in annoyance.

Typhon had already moved away to start rebuilding the damaged underground, and she could only stare at his back, a part of her still in shock.

Rightly, she deserved a little payback for the injuries Morgana caused, but it was clear Typhon hadn't done any of it for her.

He was exacting justice on 'her' behalf, and she didn't know if she should be grateful, or feel jealous that he wasn't thinking about her.

She was neither happy nor sad and her thoughts only grew muddled.

It was only when she heard a sigh from beside her, that she snapped out of her stupor. 

[Morgana is so pitiful.] Galahad looked disappointed. [She's going to be cast out as soon as 'she' returns. Or worse, killed.]

Arsinoe reeled back in shock at his words. How long had he been here? Watching?

[You can't say that!] She hissed at him. [You don't know what's going to happen.]

[Why won't that happen?] Galahad taunted. [Or are you feeling guilty?]

Arsinoe hissed in anger and was about to scold Galahad, when Typhon approached them.

After repairing all the cells, and rebuilding the barricades to secure the bottom feeders, everything looked the same as before. Aside from the clear marks of a scuffle along the walls, and the pink leaves that were left dishevelled after the fight.

[What will happen to the creatures?] Arsinoe asked Typhon when he came near.

Throughout the fight, they had been making noises while trying to get out of their cells, as though they desperately wanted to protect Morgana. 

She was worried the creatures would be disposed of because of their allegiance, when it wasn't their fault.

[Nothing.] Typhon calmly replied. ['She' still has a use for them, so they will stay for now.]

Arsinoe gulped at the straightforward answer, but instead of relief, she only had more questions.

Was that why she was here? Because 'she' still had use for her?

However, she nodded and watched Typhon leave, unable to say anything. 

Then she immediately rushed towards Morgana's tomb, suddenly feeling at a loss, but not sure why.

When Morgana was defeated, she was at her happiest, but now that she saw her practically buried, her happiness fizzled out. 

Was what Morgana did really warrant such a harsh punishment? 

[What right do you have to cry?] Galahad asked angrily. [I was glad to see you stop feeling sorry for yourself. But I never expected you to turn on Morgana like this.]

Firstly, she wasn't crying. 

Secondly, who was he to come over and shamelessly take the moral high ground?

[Weren't you there?] Arsinoe snapped. [Why didn't you say something then?]

Like her, Galahad had watched the entire battle, yet he was only making his thoughts known to her.

[I told her not to do it.] Galahad said after a pause. [But she was sure she wouldn't get caught.]

Arsinoe frowned. 

So it was her fault now?

[You didn't see what she did.] she scoffed.

Or how she tried to kill me.

Galahad sighed. [I'm not saying it's your fault. It's not Morgana's either. She should have some say in what happens to them, because she discovered them. It's like asking me to give up Hestia after I saved her, just because Typhon doesn't think I'll make a good companion.] 

He then added. [I'm defending her because I understand some of her frustration.]

Arsinoe shook her head at his naïveté.

Morgana didn't want companions – she wanted tools, or servants, or both!

[I can only think you did it to look good to Typhon.] Galahad continued, but hearing this made her hiss in anger.

[That's not it. Morgana broke the rules this time. She knew she wasn't supposed to come near those creatures, yet she did it anyway. Now something bad might happen to them because of her selfish actions.]

[Since when do you care about rules?] Galahad sneered and looked disappointed as she continued to make excuses. [The Arsinoe I know is a rebel who does what she wants.]

Arsinoe was a little stunned that he saw her that way, but she wanted to scold him. 

Because look at where that got her! 

She felt like she was constantly being punished for doing what she wanted, and she wasn't anything like Morgana who didn't care about anything other than herself.

Galahad sighed when she didn't respond. [You should stop trying so hard. You don't have what it takes to make Typhon or Ophelia accept you like they do 'her'. You'll only end up hurting yourself.]

T-This.

Arsinoe was shocked at his tone.

Wasn't he secretly here to break her down? 

How did the topic shift from defending Morgana to her?

However as she stared at Galahad, she found he seemed strangely defeated, like he was tired and worn out.

And seeing this, Arsinoe couldn't help chuckling darkly.

[Just because 'she' abandoned you doesn't mean I will share the same fate.]

Wasn't he just miserable because he'd been abandoned and now he was trying to make her feel worse than him?

Like that would ever work!

What awful things had she not heard from Artemis's sharp tongue?

Galahad was taken aback when the focus was turned on him and he frowned. [I'm only warning you! Don't think having the little bit of authority 'she' gave you makes you equal to them.]

Hah! 

Arsinoe chuckled sinisterly. [Does it matter? I'm still better than you!]

[You!] Galahad hissed in anger. [Can't you see? Morgana is Ophelia's right hand, just as you are Typhon's. Yet you've both been punished severely. Does that seem like they care about you? Don't tell me you think that's what you deserve?]

Arsinoe still smiled, as she was very pleased with herself.

Yes, Typhon hadn't done it entirely for her, but didn't he come quickly when she called him?

That was a lot better than Galahad who couldn't even get a single look.

[You're not listening to me are you?] Galahad grumbled. [You'll still run after Typhon despite everything. So who among us is truly mad?]

[I'm perfectly fine.] Arsinoe replied. [But I think you need some rest.]

This made Galahad even more upset. [It's clear those three only care about themselves. We are all equal here. No one should be above another.]

[Hm…yes. You're right.] 

Arsinoe could see he was very hurt and upset, and she completely understood him.

Not too long ago, she was ready to leave, and she wasn't sure why she stayed, but at least she wasn't broken yet. She was convinced he would feel better after he rested and cleared his head.

[It's okay, Galahad.] she comforted him. [Think it over for a while. Don't do anything drastic. I'm sure you'll feel better soon.]

[Will I?] Galahad muttered, unsure.

[You will!] Arsinoe cheerily replied. [Just look at Morgana, she got so happy after she evolved. You will too, I'm sure of it!]

They both settled down and she attempted to cheer up the defeated Galahad, as they stared at Morgana's tomb. But, on the inside, Arsinoe wasn't so calm.

Wasn't he being a hypocrite?

When Galahad was the beneficiary of said favour he had nothing to say about it, but now that it was her, here he was complaining. Although she agreed in part, she wished he had spoken up more when she was in trouble. 

But she was happy they had come to an understanding now, so it wasn't a complete loss.

[I used to pity you.] Galahad suddenly said.

[Why?!] Arsinoe's heart twinged with annoyance.

[It's not your fault what happened to you.] Galahad continued. [Typhon was much nicer in the beginning, and I admit he's changed. Ophelia too. But you always defend them.]

[What do you mean?] Arsinoe hadn't noticed anything amiss, so she was confused.

Galahad leaned closer to add. [I'll tell you a secret. Have you ever wondered why 'she' never speaks to us? The reason she's always so quiet?]

Arsinoe's curiosity was piqued. [Why?]

[It's because she can't understand what we say or reply to us. When she made you captain, she asked others to speak for her. A leader should never do that.]

Galahad laughed incredulously, like he couldn't wait to say more. [And they both know – and they help her hide it. They demand perfection from us, and yet they don't care when it comes to 'her'. So when I see you defending them, it's very pitiful.]

And just like that, Arsinoe finally understood what had been bothering her for so long.