Records of Rebirth

Arsinoe stared up at the rock formation in shock and surprise.

[Waa…how?!] 

Not yet out of the tunnel she was startled at the enormity of the structure. It wasn't just how unexpectedly she had gotten there, the place also looked vaguely familiar to her, although she couldn't say how or why.

Did she hunt here in the past?

The place was filled with rocky debris, the forest somewhat sparse, even the wall of rock that should have been solid was broken down with holes, which explained the avalanche of debris. But it was only when she listened closely to the humming noise from the inside that she recognised the skittering of monsters.

And then, she became startled, turning to Morgana to scream.

[How can you bring me to the scorpion's nest!] She shrieked. [Are you trying to kill me?]

Morgana looked surprised. [You're the one who followed me.]

Arsinoe was so enraged and concerned for her safety that she didn't care. There was a Queen somewhere in there, and countless scorpion minions. If she had known where Morgana was headed, she would not have tagged along.

However, now that she knew where she was, she couldn't help being surprised. Previously, this rock fortress was surrounded by dense trees, fully intact and almost impregnable.

To attack it, their teams had to wait in ambush for the scorpions to be lured out, as storming in was impossible. But she hadn't been here since the cave attack.

Now, with all of the broken rocks and debris around the base, it seemed to have been changed by force. She arched her head backwards to see higher, only to find there were broken gaps reaching all the way to the top.

It was an odd change in style, but quite interesting to look at.

[Go back to the cave before you get yourself killed.] Morgana advised – her voice already distant as she slithered past.

Arsinoe was slightly embarrassed at being found out so easily – but how could Morgana act so calm after she followed her here? Shouldn't she be panicking now that her secret tunnel was revealed?

And it was strange. By her memory, the scorpion's lair wasn't anywhere near their cave, yet Morgana's tunnel led directly to it. 

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Just how far did they travel? She'd been so intent on tracking her that she barely noticed the distance. 

But more importantly, how did Morgana create such a tunnel without anyone knowing?

She didn't look at all surprised at the state of their surroundings, so she must have been here before. 

But who helped her? Arsinoe couldn't figure it out, but she was quick to brush it off. 

It didn't matter because she was caught. There was no redeeming her now.

[You are in so much trouble.] Arsinoe called out, smiling deviously at Morgana's retreating figure. [Nothing you say will save you now. Tell me who helped you and I might leave out some details.]

Morgana did not respond. 

She pressed against the rock face, travelling carefully along its base to hide from view.

[Don't ignore me!] Arsinoe hissed.

[Keep your voice down.] Morgana frowned, looking up at the steep rocks, before disdainfully glaring at Arsinoe's head sticking out of the ground.

Before Arsinoe could reply, Morgana already started moving again, like she wanted to get as far from the tunnel as possible.

Arsinoe was irritated - how could she be so calm? But she acknowledged just how exposed she was with her head out. 

The ground around the tunnel barely had any trees for cover, and save for a few broken slabs of stone covering the top, the tunnel was all but open. If any scorpions were to look down from the holes, she would be spotted immediately.

[I'm not done with you yet!] Arsinoe hastily climbed out. [Who helped you make this tunnel?]

[I told you to keep your voice down!] Morgana shouted back, looking around warily before pressing herself to the rocks to continue sneaking along.

Arsinoe warily looked around before joining her to do the same. 

Morgana was clearly more familiar with this place to know what was safe.

[Why are you following me?] Morgana hissed. [Go back!] 

Arsinoe ignored her, she wasn't leaving until she dragged Morgana back to face her punishment. For now she would keep following her to prevent her from escaping.

As they got closer to the scorpion fortress, the rocks felt warm to the touch and almost alive with all the vibrations coming from within. Arsinoe thought it was creepy but stayed behind Morgana because she didn't want to be left alone.

Yet, as she came closer to catching up to Morgana, she began to wonder why she was here at this time. But then, as they crossed some misshapen trees, she grew even more suspicious, realising why this forest was unrecognisable. 

The trees had been destroyed by something, large portions ripped out of the ground, some twisted beyond recognition to leave only broken stumps. There were also plenty of fallen branches and leaves at the base of the scorpion's nest, some so large that she had to stop and climb over them just to continue moving.

And when Arsinoe looked up, she was surprised to see a large tree's roots sticking out from one of the holes. Suddenly, it all began to make sense.

The scorpions were reinforcing their fortress with the trees!

The new appearance of their fortress had to be them clearing away the trees down at the base as a safety measure against attacks. Morgana only confirmed this by sneaking around like a thief and crossing the terrain underground. 

She was unperturbed by the sight and simply kept forging ahead, cautious enough not to make any sound. And so, when she began to search for a way inside. Arsinoe's eyes immediately lit up with greed. 

[You're going after the Queen?] She exclaimed in surprise. [I can't believe it.]

Morgana looked back in anger. [You're still here? Go home!]

Like hell she would go back now!

Arsinoe couldn't believe her luck – she was actually going after their Queen!

Morgana was truly braver than she gave her credit for.

But…could she really let her kill the queen?

Morgana turned away and began to climb up to enter one of the holes above and Arsinoe immediately caught up to her, pulling her down by her wings just as she was about to enter. 

Morgana screamed, slipped, and fell to the ground much to her delight.

[Like I'd let you kill the Queen and get a [Legacy] skill before me. Her head is mine!] Arsinoe viciously announced. 

Let her deal with the other scorpions! 

Morgana winced in agony, her wings stinging from the dry bite as she pulled herself up from the ground. 

[What are you…!] she cried out in disbelief, but Arsinoe already disappeared into the scorpion's nest. 

But she couldn't chase after Arsinoe as her scream had attracted a few curious scorpions who peered out down below. Morgana immediately drew closer to the wall to hide from view and hissed out in frustration.

Inside the fortress, Arsinoe sped down the tunnel that was quite warm. With the scorpions drawn away, it was empty, although occasionally she would hear deep hums through the rocks around her. 

Still, she kept on moving ahead, confident that she would find the Queen much faster than Morgana. 

That was until something slammed into her from behind. 

[Get back!] Morgana hissed as she caught up. [This is my last chance. You can't ruin this for me!] 

[Who cares about you?] Arsinoe yelled. [Go back and tell Typhon you failed. She's mine!] 

Morgana was beyond frustrated at Arsinoe's behaviour, but when they fought, Arsinoe's brute strength won out in the end and she was sent flying through the rocky corridor. 

The sound would alert the scorpions to her presence, and seeing her collapse amongst the rocks, Arsinoe smirked in victory, before leaving.

[Do you have a plan?] Morgana called after her. [Or are you just rushing in to spite me? What are you going to do once these scorpions come back and find you?  Do you really think you can take them on by yourself?] 

Arsinoe hesitated.

[I know this place better than you.] Morgana continued. [You'll never find her without me.]

Although Morgana had a point, Arsinoe didn't care. 

[I'll take my chances…] She started to say, but the skittering noises made by the scorpions were starting to draw near. 

With no idea of where to start, the nest was like a maze, a maze that only Morgana knew.

[We both have a fair chance once we go in.] Morgana said. [Whoever finds the Queen first can kill her. I won't stop you then.] 

[You're just saying that so I'll help you.] Arsinoe scoffed.

[Do you think I want to help you?] Morgana snapped. [We don't have much time  and it's better to work as a team.] 

Arsinoe was suspicious, because this was Morgana and she was not to be trusted. 

Yet, part of her felt it was wrong to leave her here, because she had been through a lot…and seemed different lately - more kind, less selfish. At least Typhon thought she was reformed, so maybe she was.

[Don't listen to her, she is only trying to make use of you.] The voice said, and Arsinoe saw several bad memories of Morgana's mistreatments bubble up to the surface, much to her anger.

How could she forget she tried to kill her once?

[I don't need you.] She coldly replied. 

[Don't be so stubborn!] Morgana cried out, but she fell silent when the sounds of approaching scorpions suddenly converged at the bottom of the corridor. 

They both stopped speaking immediately, realizing they had run out of time.