Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 124: Heavy is the Heart with Wings

Chapter 124: Heavy is the Heart with Wings

Leo found himself running down the street searching for Sonata who fled like a startled bird. He couldn’t help but be worried for her after he saw that smile of hers. Yes, she had smiled, but it hadn’t reached her eyes. It gave a hollow feeling that Leo knew all too well. After all it was that same fake smile he used to give others when he was in the hospital.

After about 10 minutes of searching, Leo finally found her atop a small hill staring at the stars with her legs tucked in and held to her chest.

"You...You know...having wings...is cheating...right?!"

Leo huffed as he climbed the hill, clutching his side and fighting for breath.

"This is not what I had in mind for after-dinner cardio."

Sonata turned, startled—her eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

"Leo?! Why are you here?!"

Her voice cracked slightly, louder than she’d meant. That panic, that surprise—it was genuine.

"Well from where I was standing earlier, it looked like you were feeling lonely even though we were in the room. Is everything okay?"

Sonata flinched as she averted her gaze.

"Yeah. I am fine. Thanks for asking Leo.."

Leo didn’t say anything for a moment, instead choosing to sit down next to her with a soft groan.

"Honestly. Wings are a cheat code. You can go from Point A to Point B with no sweat. In my case, it depends on luck and odds are it will be Point A to B by going through Points C to G. Plus my feet hurt."

Listening to Leo complain about what Sonata could only describe as mundane tasks made her softly giggle in response.

"There we go. Got a genuine smile out of you."

Sonata covered her mouth after Leo pointed out her smile, leaving her to feel slightly embarrassed. Soon after, she hugged her knees a little tighter, turning her gaze skyward again.

The stars above shimmered like shattered glass, silent witnesses to a moment she hadn’t meant to share.

"...You always do that,"

she murmured after a beat.

Leo tilted his head.

"Do what?"

"Make things feel lighter than they are."

Her voice was soft, fragile, like she was afraid it might shatter if she raised it any louder.

"Like... the world’s just a little less heavy when you’re around."

Leo blinked. He didn’t know what he expected her to say, but it wasn’t that.

"Hey Son. Do you want to know where I was two days ago?"

Leo didn’t look at Sonata as he stared up towards the stars. She didn’t know what to say but Leo didn’t seem to be looking for an answer for her.

"Two days ago I was confined to a bed, practically a withered corpse, dying from an illness so rare they will probably name it after me."

Sonata bit her lip as she listened to Leo speak softly, recalling his own past.

"Back at the tavern, you smiled like you wanted us to think everything was fine. But I saw that face before. I know it all too well"

Sonata’s eyes dropped to the grass. She couldn’t find the words to say.

"After all, it was the same face I showed my sister, the one mask I put on to hide my fear that I could die at any minute of any given day. So I am sorry but I can’t ignore you when you smile like that. It hurts to know my friend is hurting.."

Silent tears dripped from Sonata’s face as she murmured.

"...I didn’t think anyone would notice."

"I did."

"I know."

Her voice cracked as her volume increased

"That’s the scary part."

Leo turned toward her, brows furrowed.

"Why?"

"Because if someone notices... then it’s real. Each and every minute with you guys has been like a dream for me. I could forget who I was in the real world and just be Sonata. You guys don’t even care that I am an idol, nor do you care about clout or money."

"Well to be honest, having spent like 5 years in the hospital, I am pretty sure I am out of the loop when it comes to what’s trending."

Leo chuckled as he scratched his head nervously. He then let out a soft sigh as he reached out with his hand to ruffle her hair.

"I am not going to force you to talk if you don’t want to but let me tell you two things: My ears and shoulders are always open to you if you need someone to talk to or shoulder to cry on. The other thing is you can rely on us if you need help. You saw what they did for Grandma Sky right? Of course they would do the same for you."

Sonata felt herself choking up with emotions as Leo’s words struck her heart. She stifled her tears and gave Leo a hug who reciprocated it in turn.

"Now I think it’s best that we go back now before the other girls accuse me of something"

Leo joked casually as he inwardly felt a little awkward. He didn’t really know what to do now but suddenly a now all too familiar ding echoed in their heads.

-Bond of the Zodiac: Rooster has reached 10% Completion. Buffs will be applied accordingly. If the player wishes, they may also choose to permanently bind the Bond to the chosen player. Doing so will result in

Zodiac Bond : Rooster shall be permanently bound to Player: Sonata . Zodiac Bond : Rooster Growth shall become uncapped. Total Available Zodiac Bonds shall be reduced to 7.

-Do you wish to bind Zodiac Bond: Rooster to Player Sonata?

-[Y/N]

Sonata watched in silence as Leo casually pressed the Yes button as if it was no big deal.

-Zodiac Imprint Complete. The following buff(s) are currently in effect.

-Skill: Birds of a Feather

-Description: Create a Feather Item that when holder is affected by a Buff, duration is increased by 10% and effect by 5%

-Applied to: Sonata, Leo

Sonata felt a small weight on her chest disappear as she was now officially one of them, She finally had found a group of people she could call family.