Souls Online: Mythic Ascension

Leo's vision blurred, unfocused as echoes of a voice filled his mind. Not a hallucination—no, this was a memory. But from when? From where?

The warmth in that voice... it was comforting, yet heartbreakingly distant. He strained to grasp it, to hold onto the fading remnants. But the moment he reached for it, the memory shattered like fragile glass, slipping between his fingers.

"LEO! WAKE UP!"

A roar tore through the void. Leo gasped as his body lurched awake, his pulse hammering against his ribs. His lungs burned, struggling to drag in air as sweat trickled down his spine.

"Leo?!"

Luna's hands hovered inches from his skin, hesitant but desperate. Panic laced her voice. Her brother never cried—yet here he was, trembling, his fingers brushing the moisture on his cheeks in disbelief.

"I… I don't know," Leo murmured, his voice raw. "I heard something… someone. It felt so familiar, but I can't remember who."

Frustration clawed at him. He clenched his fists, willing the memory to return, but the more he focused, the emptier his mind became. His heart ached with an emotion he couldn't name.

Luna opened her mouth, her expression twisted between concern and something unspoken, but before she could voice it—

A notification burst into existence before them.

Zodiac Bond has reached certain requirements.

Hidden Aspect unlocked: Fragmented Memories of ????

Requirement Met: Strengthen bonds with 3 Zodiacs to 10% affinity.

Continue Strengthening Zodiac Bonds to awaken more Fragments.

The glowing golden text pulsed—slow, rhythmic, like a heartbeat. Not just light, but something alive.

Leo's breath hitched. His hand twitched, drawn toward the message by some unseen force. Warmth spread through his palm—the same warmth from that distant voice. But before his fingers could make contact—

The screen vanished.

Gone, as if it had never been there.

A heavy silence settled over the group.

Luna caught the conflict in her brother's eyes, scowling briefly before sighing.

"So, I guess we're gonna have to help you unlock these 'Memory Fragments' or whatever they're called, right?"

Lily giggled softly, shooting Luna a teasing glance.

"Look at you, going all soft for your lil' bro~! Total softie~"

"You can shut up now!"

Luna glared at Lily, but her friend remained unfazed—she knew Luna was only snapping back because she was embarrassed.

"Well, you can count me in, Boss! Sticking with you guys is going to be way more entertaining than whatever I got going on back home."

Horo chuckled at the banter before chiming in. He was more than willing to follow Leo and help him out.

"Even our lil' snake is getting tamed? Leo must have picked up a Beast Tamer class. Right~?"

Lily turned her teasing on Horo now, smirking as his expression stiffened. He shot a glare at Luna and growled.

"Hey. What do you say the next time the princess needs to pee, we let her dignity water the soil?"

Luna glanced at Lily, then turned back to Horo and held out her hand for a handshake.

"Agreed."

"H-Hey! Why is the first time you two agree on something when it's about bullying me?!"

Lily's eyes welled with mock tears as she realized the two, who were usually at odds, had formed a temporary alliance—against her.

"You should be more careful with your words then, Princess."

Horo's smile was sharp, cold, and utterly pleased with himself.

"Wahh! Leo, save me!"

Lily wailed as she darted behind Leo, using him as a human shield against the two traitors plotting to ruin her dignity.

Leo blinked, momentarily stunned by the absurdity of it all. A moment ago, they were dead serious. Now, they were bickering like nothing had happened.

Then it hit him.

They weren't ignoring his pain.

They were grounding him. Keeping him from spiraling.

A quiet chuckle slipped past his lips, then another, until he was laughing—light, genuine, relieved.

"Thank you, guys. You have no idea how much this means to me."

Luna rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Horo just smirked. Lily beamed.

Yet, even as warmth settled in his chest, a whisper of unease lingered.

These fragments… they weren't random.

They were pieces of him.

Was this really a coincidence? Or had unseen forces been pulling him toward this moment all along?

Leo exhaled, clenching his fists.

It doesn't matter. If there are more fragments, I'm going to find them. No matter what.

A sudden weight draped over his shoulders, dragging him from his thoughts. He turned his head to see Horo sidled up next to him, smirking.

"So, what's next, Boss?"

Leo's gaze shifted to Luna and Lily, their eyes locked onto him with quiet anticipation. A warmth spread through his chest—this wasn't just trust. It was proof of the bonds they had forged through battle, laughter, and unwavering loyalty.

He took a steady breath, his resolve hardening.

"First, we turn in that quest to the Village Elder. That should give us the boost we need. After that…"

A determined smile curved his lips.

"We start carving out our place in this world. Together."

Horo let out a short laugh, stretching his arms.

"Sounds like a plan to me."

Luna and Lily nodded in agreement. Without hesitation, they began packing up their things, preparing to move.

"We can check the loot from the boss when we get back," Luna added. "We've been camped here for a while, but I think this forest is way more dangerous than we thought."

Her voice dropped slightly, her eyes scanning the trees. Something felt off.

Leo followed her gaze, sensing the shift in her demeanor. His own instincts prickled—something was watching them.

"We move quickly," he said. "Stay alert."

And with that, they set off, the weight of the unknown pressing against their backs.

They walked quickly through the dark, only the rustle of the leaves were heard as they progressed. Something was wrong. The forest was too quiet! 

"What is going o—"

Lily's question was cut short as a Howl cut through the air. It was close! 

"RUN!" 

Leo's roar cut through the night. Horo dashed forward, while Luna scooped Lily into a princess carry, sprinting after him. The mage was too slow to keep up otherwise.

The pounding of paws against the earth sent shivers down Leo's spine. Shadows darted between the trees, closing in fast.

Almost there—!

The treeline broke ahead. Beyond it, the open plains stretched beneath the night sky.

They burst free from the forest's suffocating grasp, their bodies propelled forward by sheer adrenaline.

The moment their feet hit the grass, the howls ceased.

Leo risked a glance back. The beasts lingered at the edge of the trees, their glowing eyes watching numbering in the hundreds yet they did not cross the boundary.

Horo exhaled sharply.

"Damn… guess we weren't welcome."

Luna gently set Lily down.

"No kidding."

Leo took one last look at the darkened forest, then turned toward the distant village lights.

"Let's go."