Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 130: The Lie that was Not

Chapter 130: The Lie that was Not

Penelope ’Penny’ Samael threw her phone onto her bed in disgust. She had always thought her youngest uncle was different from the other members of her dad’s family. Being raised by her mom, Adam had often had dinner with her growing up. It was to the point that she treated him more as an older brother instead of an uncle as he was just under 2 years older than her.

"This goddamn family! I wish it would just burn to the ground already!"

She hissed, her voice seething with unbridled anger yet there was nothing she could do. As the acting CEO Anthony Samael’s eldest daughter, she was unable to escape from the shadow of the family. Instead of worrying about what could not be changed, she instead focused on channeling her passions into various artistic pursuits.

She had dabbled in painting, drawing, sculpting, writing poetry and even fashion design, yet somehow she still felt empty. Opening a bag of chips, she turned on the television, checking to see if there was anything interesting on that would help distract her from her anger.

Click

The first thing that came on was the News with the caption of Breaking News across the bottom.

"In Today’s Developing Story—"

’Boring’

Not interested in the slightest about whatever they were talking about, she changed the channel..

"We have received a notification from—"

’What the...’

It was still the news. She began to start rapidly switching through the various channels and they were all News stations reporting on the same thing.

"The Government has issued a warning to the citizens that they have become aware of some individuals playing the recently released game ’Ascension of Souls’ has.."

Penny immediately perked up as she recalled the last words her Uncle had said before she had hung up on him.

"Been associated with an increase in physical mutations. While the exact percentage of people that have been affected has not yet been determined, the Government is imploring that the Citizens take any necessary precautions."

’Mutations?! Was Uncle not lying....?!’

"There will be a further release in the coming hours. We apologize for interrupting your day, your regularly scheduled programme will resume momentarily."

Her heart was pounding.

Penny stared blankly at the screen, the now-resumed sitcom laugh track clashing horribly with the icy dread beginning to seep into her chest. She hadn’t believed Adam. Of course she hadn’t, who would believe a girl grew wings of all things.

She didn’t bother to wipe her hands as she lunged for her phone and stuffing a bag full of some open back clothing from her wardrobe,

’Shit. Shit! Shiiiiit!’

She cursed as she rushed out her door and hopped into her car, the one present her father had given her that she had liked.

’Uncle! I am on my way!’

Aria stood frozen, her binder barely clinging to her, wings twitching behind her as if uncertain whether to stretch or fold. She stared at Adam—no, Arachne—unsure whether to scream again, hide under a blanket, or demand answers.

"Wh-What do you mean you’re making me a dress?"

she asked, her voice shrill, one hand clutching the remains of her binder, the other pointing at the stranger before her.

Arachne stepped into the room with the slow, elegant poise of someone accustomed to commanding attention. Her—his—movements were fluid, inhumanly so, like silk gliding through air.

"You need something to cover your chest while allowing you to use your wings, yes?"

She glanced meaningfully at the discarded but form fitting shirt and what remained of the binding garment, smirking.

Aria’s wings flared instinctively, nearly knocking a picture frame off the wall.

"I’m not letting you dress me!"

Arachne arched a brow..

"You’d rather have Adam do it? Or shall I fetch your father?"

"NO!"

Aria snapped, immediately defensive.

"Absolutely not."

The air grew heavy as Arachne crossed their arms in front of their chest with a stone faced look on her face.

Her shoulders slumped, her wings curling around her like feathery curtains. She looked away, biting her lip.

"...Sorry. Just... not him."

Arachne tilted her head, expression softening, almost imperceptibly.

"Understood."

Arachne picked up the shirt off of the floor and carried it over to a nearby Desk. Rummaging through it, she came across a pair of scissors but no thread or cloth. She glanced towards Aria who was fidgeting with embarrassment.

"What sort of place does not have materials for creating clothes? This place is a waste of space..."

She complained as she used the scissors to cut out a large chunk of the back of the shirt, leaving it connected only by a thin strap around the neck. .

Arachne had a vexed expression on her face as she handed the shirt back to Aria.

"Try this for now Child. This is only a temporary measure at best."

Aria was silent as she glanced between the shirt and Arachne.

"I don’t know if I can wear this..."

She groaned with embarrassment but Arachne’s tone was chilly as she remarked

"Would you rather be half naked? Your back shall be covered by your wings."

With that logic, Aria could only accept it and gingerly took the shirt from Arachne’s hands.

"Don’t look."

She requested to which Arachne rolled her ruby eyes but heeded nonetheless. After a few brief moments, Aria spread her wings again, revealing the shirt was firmly on her body and that there was no pain from her wings being constrained.

"Thank Arachne..."

Aria thanked them with an abashed expression on her face. Arachne seemed uninterested in her thanks as she sat down on a couch as if she was waiting for something.

"Shouldn’t we try to leave here before anyone else gets here?"

Aria asked with trepidation. With the advent of receiving wings, this building felt stuffy and uncomfortable. She wanted to breathe in the fresh air. Arachne didn’t budge as she narrowed her eyes and responded with

"Do you know the way to get out of here?"

"No...?"

"Well neither do I, we have to wait for the little Snake to wake up."