Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 166: The Return of Arachne

Chapter 166: The Return of Arachne

When Adam logged back in, he was able to feel the presence of Arachne once again inside of his head. Before doing anything else, he immediately snarled in a mixture of annoyance, frustration and relief.

’Where the Hell have you been?! Also why did you turn me into a girl?!’

’This is the greeting I get upon my return? What an ungrateful little Snake’

Arachne grumbled in response at Adam’s inquiry, annoyance radiating from her presence as she settled back into a corner of his mind as if it was her own room.

’Ungrateful...Ungrateful?! You knocked me out, treated me like a jigsaw puzzle and then fucked off without a word only to come back now?!’

’You act as if I didn’t help you out back then? In fact, if I had not done what I did, I would have missed some of your siblings more...shall we say depraved sides?’

Adam grit his teeth, unsure of what she was getting at. What had happened while he was unconscious?

’As for where I was. I was summoned by someone. Someone who even at their weakest is someone I would think twice before opposing them...’

The idea that there was someone the ever confident Arachne was hesitant to face filled with Adam with a sense of curiosity and concern.

’Should I be worried about whoever this ’someone’ is?’

’For now...no. However you bear one of the marks of her chosen and are bound to share in its power.’

Adam had a deep frown on his face as he watched the others logging back in. When he saw the monkey tattoo on Rachel’s hip, the puzzle pieces fell into place.

Whoever blessed Leo was the one who summoned Arachne! Watching his friends leave in search of Leo’s friend Crystal, leaving him as the only person left in the tavern.

"So...Tell me what you can about them."

His voice was low but cold as his gaze sharpened in contemplation.

’There is not much I can say about her lest I break the rules of the Covenant. What I can tell you is that they summoned other beings on my level to a Summit of sorts.’

Adam nodded his head as he made 2 conclusions.

1.) The being that could summon Arachne was a woman

And

2.) Other beings on the level of Arachne had begun to eye his friends and companions.

He nodded his head absentmindedly as he tried to process that information; however the chime of the system interrupted his train of thought.

World Announcement: Congratulations to the Player [Empress] for being the first Person to Change their Race to a Unique one. As a Result, the Player is Rewarded with a Unique Skill, 20,000 Exp and 50 Fame. We look forward to your Continued Growth.

Adam’s face twisted a bit as he remembered that Crystal’s in game name was Empress. As a sense of unease washed over him, Arachne’s voice seemed to echo his own surprise.

’That Arrogant Dragon God made its move already? That is surprisingly diligent...’

Adam narrowed his eyes, focusing on the flickering message as it faded from view.

"You make it sound like you know whoever is behind this."

Arachne shifted within his mind, her presence coiling thoughtfully around his consciousness.

Indeed I do. In fact, the one behind this was there too. Cold and Lifeless as always. Why do you ask?

"That announcement...was for one of Leo’s friends. Do you think they will be in danger?"

There was a moment of silence before Arachne began to giggle softly.

’The Lion Cubs friend will be fine for now. The Dragon God gave its blessing....what in the actual fuck...’

Her words trailed off as she cussed out of sheer shock. She had sensed a divine presence similar to her own emanating from,within this same village. Not only that, it belonged to the Dragon God themselves!

’We need to go check the situation out...Now’

’Why? What’s going on?’

’I sensed the presence of the Dragon God in this village. We have to go check to see if they are still alright!’

The words had barely been spoken before Adam was up and out the door.

’Guide me!’

He ran at breakneck speed, rushing through alleys as Arache guided him with almost perfect precision. Within 2 minutes, Adam arrived outside a grand cathedral just as an elegant elf with pale blue hair and sapphire like eyes

"Adam?"

The elf spoke with a slight turn of its head and Adam could tell by the way she looked up at him that she must be Crystal or Empress in this case.

He took a deep breath and steadied his voice.

"Crystal. Or Empress, I guess. You look... fine. Everything really okay here?"

She nodded slowly, her expression unwavering. "More than okay. There is no danger here."

’That Dragon God is there. I can sense it!’

’This one’s name is Eisvir.’

A totally new and indifferent voice echoed inside of her mind.

Adam stiffened.

That wasn’t Arachne. The voice was colder, distant, and utterly devoid of emotion. Like a glacier breathing directly into his soul.

Crystal tilted her head, eyes focusing just a little too sharply on him.

"You heard it, didn’t you?"

Adam simply nodded his head in affirmation.

Arachne was too stunned to make any move. After a brief moment, she shouted

’Eisvir?! Since when did you have a name?!’

’Empress gave it to me.’

’Fine. Whatever. Why have you possessed this child?’

’It was her idea...’

Silence ensued as both of them were stunned by that casual review.

"Empress...Why did you let them into your mind?"

"Was my idea. Eisvir is lonely and bad at communication so I offered to let it observe me.

Adam’s jaw tightened as he stared at Crystal. That simple response, so calm and unapologetic, only deepened the pit of unease building in his stomach.

"You offered?"

he repeated slowly, disbelieving.

"You invited an unknown, possibly divine being into your head like it’s some kind of... exchange student program?"

Crystal’s face was stiff as she frowned at Adam’s rough way of speaking.

"That’s a crude way of putting it, but not entirely wrong."

Arachne hissed furiously within Adam’s mind, her presence flaring like a nest of disturbed vipers.

’Has this girl completely lost her senses? You don’t invite beings like Eisvir into your consciousness! You avoid them. You hide from them. That thing is not something you let observe you like a pet owl!’

’You’re one to talk,’ Adam muttered under his breath.

Eisvir’s voice drifted back into his mind. Still cold. Still distant.

’She offered. I accepted. There is no corruption. No control. Only coexistence.’

’You’re literally possessing her.’

’Incorrect. I am a passenger. She is the driver.’

Crystal nodded, as if hearing the same thing. "It’s not like what you and Arachne have. Eisvir doesn’t speak unless spoken to. They’re... watching. And they’re not unkind."

Adam looked between her and the cathedral behind her. The air around the building felt faintly charged. Not warm. Not threatening. Just vast.

Before it had looked just like realistic cgi, Crystal could now feel the heat on her skin from the sun alongside the gentle morning breeze. It was fascinating to her.

Watching the sunrise, Crystal’s eyes widened in surprise as she asked somewhat absentmindedly

Have you guys always seen this world this way? It’s amazing!"

Adam blinked at her sudden shift in tone. The soft light of dawn painted everything in a gentle gold, washing over the village rooftops and casting long shadows behind them. Crystal stood in the center of it all, pale blue hair catching the light like strands of glass, her eyes reflecting the soft hues of morning as if she had never seen a sunrise before.

"Yes,"

Adam said, quieter now.

"At least, ever since the changes started. The lines between the game and real life aren’t lines anymore. They’re smudges."

Crystal nodded slowly, taking in the colors, the smells, the faint touch of wind against her skin. It felt real. It was real. She closed her eyes and just breathed for a moment.

"I used to think the game was beautiful because of its art style. Now I realize it was beautiful because it was hiding something greater. Like a veil being lifted."

Arachne and Eisvir were silent in regards to her words as they were a lot closer to the truth than either of the two mortals realized. Adam knew nothing was going to change if he continued to argue so he did what he did best: Act like everything is okay, change the topic and move on!

"Let’s go find Leo and the others shall we? Leo is planning on creating a guild if you are interest–"

"Lead the way!"

Adam’s ears rang as Crystal’s enthusiastic shout came out far louder than anyone had expected. Turning on his heels, he quickly began to back track where he came from in order to find Leo.

This time he had a draconic elf in tow.