Chapter 188: 188: The Notorious Swindlers

Arsinoe stopped in her tracks and wiped off her smile.

If she was going to convince Typhon, she had to let him know just how much his initial dismissal had wronged her.

While she was glad he was finally seeing her worth, it didn't erase all of the disrespectful things she had to endure so far.

It took a while, but Typhon eventually noticed she had stopped following, and looked back.

[Don't tell me you're afraid of the responsibility.] he asked.

[I'm not.] she shot back, and Typhon frowned when he saw her scowling.

[What is it then?]

Arsinoe could see he was confused but she had to be truthful.

[I was punished for saving my team, and then you left without saying a word to me. It made me feel like I didn't matter and that no one cared about what I did to save us. Which is why I don't want to be captain.]

Typhon's sharp gaze was fixed on her and she stopped, her mouth feeling dry all of a sudden.

She already felt extremely awkward, but why wasn't he saying anything?

After a while Typhon sighed. [How does this affect you being captain?]

[I feel like no one would follow me because of this, even if I tried to lead them, I'll just look like a fool.] She replied, making Typhon look thoughtful.

[Are you sure you aren't letting Morgana's words get to your head?] he asked.

She was, and she knew it.

This was really because she didn't want Morgana to tease her over not being qualified to lead.

If she became captain now, after all her efforts had been tarnished by her imprisonment, she would look undeserving, even if she wasn't.

But then Typhon spoke.

[You weren't punished unjustly – you did something wrong. But I will admit not seeing you beforehand was in bad taste. I was going to, but 'she' had other plans.]

He then went on to apologise, explaining why he had left on such short notice, where he had gone and what he had encountered in the Middle Stratum with 'her'.

And afterwards he informed her that the cave had been attacked.

Hearing so many events occurring in such a short time, left Arsinoe speechless.

[But if this is truly how you feel, then I understand.] Typhon said. [I wouldn't force you to do something you don't want to do.]

How could he say all that, and then say this?

After hearing what he and her fellow nestlings had encountered, Arsinoe felt incredibly sheepish.

Her home was facing a crisis, which explained the need for a new captain. And they were also thinking of expanding and taking in all the new creatures that hatched from the eggs.

All of this needed everyone working together and she wanted to scream because her entire argument looked silly now.

For her to refuse him now would look irresponsible!

But Typhon didn't seem keen to force her into doing anything. He quickly accepted her rejection and moved on, perhaps considering other candidates.

[Wait.] Arsinoe called out. [I'll do it.]

[Are you sure?] he asked.

How could she possibly pass up being first choice?

Seeing her greedy look, Typhon sighed. [You can come with me but we'll have to see what 'she' thinks.]

Arsinoe felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. [Wait, she didn't agree?]

[I'm recommending you as my first choice.] Typhon replied, but after seeing her gloomy look he chuckled. [Don't worry, she doesn't bite…I think.]

That didn't sound reassuring at all!

However, Typhon was already on his way up and she had to follow.

There were so many questions swimming around in her head. 

Was she seeing 'her' now? 

Would she be tested to prove herself?

However, as she thought this, light from the upper cave filled her vision, illuminating her, and she realised the cave was not as devastated as she thought.

She expected worse, but there were only some cracked walls, while the general cave was bustling with activity.

The snake inside also looked to be in good health. And aside from a select few who were sleeping, most were training or sparring against each other.

It was so lively she'd never have thought they were attacked, and as soon as she came up, she was rushed by the other two members of her team. And with the two gathered to congratulate her on her release, everyone else's attention was brought to her.

[You're free! Come and train with us!] One squealed loudly.

[You have to try this food.] Another added, gesturing to an unusually shaped plant.

Arsinoe was hesitant at first but before she knew it, she was surrounded by an excited crowd of nestlings who left their training to see her.

But Typhon did not object to them taking a break, and he even moved aside to not get in the way.

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Arsinoe was taken by surprise. Was this some kind of prank?

She immediately searched for Morgana through the crowd, eager to spot her nemesis before she struck.

However, Morgana wasn't anywhere close by.

And soon Arsinoe's attention was drawn to the raised platform at the forefront of the cave, on which rested a duo that was impossible to ignore.

She saw the shiny purple scales of their leader, with her leathery wings flared across her coils, accompanied by a pearlescent creature with white scales, who sported a rather glorious plume of feathery wings.

Uwaaa, how pretty!

They both seemed to be communicating and Arsinoe stared at the two creatures, transfixed.

Wait, was that Ophelia?

However, she had to stop staring at the two, when Typhon spoke to her.

[When you are done with greeting everyone, come over so we can speak to 'her'.]

With that, he left her with the adoring nestlings, to settle down beside their leader on the platform.

Arsinoe was still confused at what had happened, but it was clear Ophelia had evolved.

And with the addition of Typhon, they looked rather grand, flanking 'her' on either side with their contrasting black and white scales.

Several nestlings were speaking to her, but she barely paid attention, her eyes fixed on the trio.

She wanted to be there too!

Eventually she found Morgana, who was also on the raised platform. 

She was settled down comfortably below their shimmering leader – looking every bit as pompous as before from her high vantage point. And as soon as their eyes locked, Morgana thereatengly reared her fangs, making Arsinoe want to rush up there to throw her down.

The platform was a high point from which their leader normally observed their training and the battles in the pit. Arsinoe didn't mind Typhon or Ophelia being there, but why was Morgana in that spot?

Strangely Galahad, who was also a captain, was unusually far away.

And although Arsinoe was being congratulated, her mood was instantly ruined as she stared at Morgana's arrogant face.

She was being arrogant, so Arsinoe glared right back.

Why was she there? Wasn't she in trouble?

It didn't matter that Cygnus was also in the same basking spot, seeing Morgana only a step below their leader made her infuriated, because it meant she was still far away from beating her.

Galahad also seemed to be in a bad mood, and he glared at Morgana who would not let him come near.

He looked rather odd being several feet away from the others, with only the chubby bird creature that would not stop squawking, for company.

Arsinoe didn't know what was going on, but she thought that was amusing to watch, seeing as the rest of the atmosphere in the cave was rather chaotic. 

She would have continued to observe them, but the excited nestlings around were all eager to gain her attention. It seemed her team members had told the others how she could battle underwater, and now they all wanted to learn. 

Away from the platform, she began chatting amicably with her peers, eager to catch up on all she had missed. 

But after talking for a while, she decided it was time they all returned to training, although her team members remained by her side. They were two of her biggest supporters and they were both trying to convince her to have a match with them. 

Arsinoe was about to agree, when she noticed another annoying captain she didn't want to see.

It was Artemis. And with him was Apollo and the two mischievous snakes who used to be her friends. They came out of the underground rooms and they all seemed to be arguing.

[I want the space nearest to the surface for my poisons.] Artemis pompously declared. [I am a captain and I outrank you both. You should obey me instead of arguing.]

[Did you hear something?] one of the snakes asked.

[No. Nothing at all.] the other grinned.

Instead of listening to him, the two mischievous snakes were up to their usual games and Artemis glared at both of them.

[My poisonous plants are more important than those shiny useless things!]

However, the two snakes didn't seem all that bothered.

[Those 'shiny things' were there first.] one lazily replied. ['She' put them there herself.]

[If you want it, you need to give us more shiny things in return, or half of everything your team hunts until everyone gets as big as Typhon.] The other declared with malice.

Artemis nearly exploded in anger at their behaviour. [You fools don't need that much space!]

[And your plants aren't nearly as pretty!] One scoffed. [Why do you want them anyway? They don't taste sweet and they don't even glow.] 

[They aren't colourful either, so why do you need a big room to watch them?] 

Arsinoe sighed.

The two snakes were good. 

She could already see Artemis trembling with rage at having his plants insulted.

He was only impulsive when it came to those wretched poisons, and it was only a matter of time before he caved.

And so she rushed to stop him, thinking he was about to make a huge mistake.

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