Souls Online: Mythic Ascension
Chapter 187: Leo’s Flaw

Chapter 187: Leo’s Flaw

"What do you mean that I have a flaw that can’t be fixed?!"

Discordia, tilted her head and placed a finger to her chin as she replied

"Technically it’s a limitation placed upon you by the system that governs this world."

Leo frowned upon hearing that. Surviving in this game was hard enough as it is but finding out that you’re also getting nerfed and he couldn’t help but feel it was unfair. As if to read his mind, the Goddess spoke up

"It is actually quite lenient considering your potential. The flaw is that you cannot learn skills through leveling up. Instead you will learn skills via the weapons you unlock through the transformation abilities of your gauntlets."

Leo’s brows furrowed deeper.

"So I don’t get skill trees? No class bonuses from leveling? Just... weapons?"

"Yes, child. But these weapons are not ordinary. Each one you unlock through your gauntlets comes with its own skill, and those are the only way you will gain new abilities. You will not gain skills through leveling like others do."

"That still sounds like a disadvantage,"

he muttered with some disappointment

"From a certain point of view, perhaps. But your weapons are not fixed. Their forms and functions will change based on how you fight and what you need. They are tools that adapt to your will, not limitations forced on you."

Leo looked down at his gauntlets, flexing his fingers.

"I don’t even know how many weapons that these gauntlets will be able to summon. What if I run out while everyone else is powering up. I will be left in the dust!"

"Fret not Child...Contained within are more weapons than the breaths of the average moral lifetime."

Leo blinked

"That just sounds like a deflection wrapped in a riddle. Not cool."

"Well telling you this is much easier than saying when you have reached the peak of all you can achieve. The possibilities will be near endless. The abilities of a class will be merely a single drop in an endless ocean."

your resolve. Growth will not come from numbers, but from meaning. Purpose. Need."

He exhaled, tension leaving his shoulders.

"Still sounds like a pain."

A small, amused breath escaped from Astra. She hovered beside him in her glowing form, quiet and composed, golden light pulsing softly.

"You’ll manage," she said gently. "You always do."

Mors said nothing, but his violet energy hummed quietly, steady and near. Leo could tell he was listening.

Then Discordia stepped forward, the void shimmering faintly around her.

"However I shall not let you who worked hard to reach Level 10 to go without a reward. Hence I shall use my own power to help you."

"That’s great! Thank you so much!"

Leo’s expression brightened for a moment at Discordia’s words but his face fell almost immediately when she raised her hands and like magnets, Astra and Mors jettisoned into her hands and no matter what they did, they remained unable to break free.

"I don’t like this. I don;t like this at all!"

Astra whined and began to cry while Mors struggled violently, the violet energy crackling violently in the process.

"What the fuck!"

Leo roared in outrage as he raised his fists, Astra and Mors were for better or worse part of his crazy family and he would be damned if he let anybody hurt them! Even if that person was a literal goddess!

"Let them go! I don’t care what kind of power you’re offering! If it comes at their expense, I don’t want it!"

Discordia’s voice remained soft, but it carried the weight of certainty as she answered.

"No harm will come to them, Leo. I swear it upon the foundation of this world. This is not punishment. This is elevation."

Astra’s sobbing hiccupped mid-air, still curled in Discordia’s hand like a trembling sun.

"I don’t want to be taken away again,"

she whimpered, her voice cracking.

"I just got to be near him again..."

Leo’s expression faltered, anger melting into helplessness.

"I’m not letting anyone take you. Either of you."

Mors hissed out a low hum, still resisting, but the intensity of his thrashing slowed. He was listening.

"Then... then pick me, Leo," Astra said through tears, her glow flickering weakly.

Leo blinked.

"What?"

"I’m the big sister,"

she sniffled, puffing up slightly even through the tears.

"Mors needs protecting and he won’t ask for it. He’ll bottle it up and burn himself out. But I can take it. I want to take it. Please... if someone has to carry the burden, let it be me."

Mors jerked in her direction, but didn’t speak. His light pulsed low in protest, but he didn’t deny it.

Leo stared at the two of them, his chest tight.

He didn’t want to choose.

But Astra had already made her plea, and even now, she was holding herself together for Mors’ sake, just barely.

He took a slow step forward, looking up at Discordia.

"What will happen if I choose her?"

"It’s a surprise~,"

Discordia said simply with a mischievous grin spreading on her face.

I want to see your surprised expression when its all said and done... But I promise you she will not be harmed."

Astra sniffled again, floating forward slightly in Discordia’s palm, while just a ball of light, Leo could feel her gaze locked on to him. .

"I’m ready,"

Leo hesitated, then raised a hand.

"...Then do it. Give her the blessing."

The void stirred.

Dark tendrils of energy spiraled upward from the floor. Yet instead of feeling ominous, the air shimmered with a strange reverence. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath. Astra’s golden light flared in Discordia’s hand and pulsed like a heartbeat. Mors flinched as a ripple of power passed between them, his energy retreating slightly, sensing something sacred was unfolding.

Leo kept his hand raised, caught between awe and worry.

"Astra?"

A burst of warm light exploded outward. It washed over the space in a wave of brilliance. Leo shielded his eyes, the radiance pressing on every sense. The light felt like sunlight and dreams and the comfort of something long forgotten.

Then it faded.

Floating just above the ground, resting in a swirl of glimmering mist, was a girl.

She had silver hair that shimmered with each movement, soft waves cascading down her back. Her golden eyes blinked slowly, bright with wonder. Her cheeks were soft and round, and she looked about five or six years old. A white tunic hung from her small frame, embroidered with celestial symbols that glowed faintly with her every breath.

She wobbled once, then touched down gently.

Leo stared.

Mors stopped moving entirely, his violet flame frozen mid-flicker.

"...Astra?"

The girl blinked and looked up at Leo with the faintest smile. Her eyes were misty, but her voice was clear.

"I’m here, Leo. And my legs feel weird."

Leo opened his mouth. No words came out.

Last I checked, you didn’t have legs!

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