Souls Online: Mythic Ascension

Penny was left speechless. She couldn't understand how the group could just shake off Leo's unhinged murder spree so easily. Then she remembered that each and every one of them had a screw loose somewhere in their head.

Even she knew she was no exception to that, but she would never admit it. Instead she chose to speak with the only newcomer who had stayed quiet from start to finish. Morgan had looked incredibly uncomfortable, so she made it her mission to interrogate, or rather, interview him.

Morgan shifted uncomfortably under her bright, unblinking gaze.

"So, mister, I thought our Lily hated you. So why did you come along to our little secret hideout, hmm~?"

He hesitated, but before he could even form a response, Penny leaned closer, eyes glittering with curiosity.

"And what exactly do you do for a living? Are you a mercenary? Some kind of secret agent? Oh, wait, maybe you are one of those shady government people who poke around in dangerous places just to see what happens. Or are you just here because you are bored and thought you could mooch off us?"

Morgan blinked. "I…"

"Do you have any family? How old are you? Are you single? Do you like cats? No, wait, that one is important so answer carefully."

He gave a slow exhale and rubbed the back of his neck. Being grilled by a teenager was humbling and a bit frustrating. His first instinct was to brush her off, but then a sharp memory intruded. The image of Lily and Luna in the mansion, calmly handling enemies twice their size, played in his mind.

He swallowed and forced his tone into something more cooperative. "Fine. I came because Lily's father asked me to. I'm a police detective. Homicide unit. I owe Lily's family my life and I help them in any way I possibly can. As for me being a spy...I am one...of sorts."

Penny's eyes flickered with curiousity at his admittance of being a type of spy.

Morgan gave a wry smile and shook his head. " Putting it bluntly, I'm a rat. An informant for Lily's dad."

He shrugged like it was no big deal. "Not exactly glamorous, but it gets the job done."

Penny raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "A rat, huh? Well, rats are survivors. Guess that makes you tougher than you look."

Morgan chuckled, relieved by her tone. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Leo's footsteps were soft but purposeful as he stepped away from the chaotic conversation the group was having with Vivian and Ethan. His eyes flicked toward Penny, who was still standing close to Morgan, the air between them seemed relaxed and comfortable, a sort of understanding made from making new friends. Leo's expression was unreadable for a moment before softening, and he moved toward her.

Penny caught his approach and instinctively straightened, wiping a faint smudge off her sleeve, trying to appear calm despite the storm of emotions still swirling inside her. She had been shaken by Leo's sudden outburst earlier. The way that he had acted in a blind rage. She knew it wasn't his fault per se. But it still left her a little scared.

Leo stopped a few feet away from her, lowering his voice. "Hey, Penny. I just wanted to say I'm sorry for going off like that back there. I shouldn't have lost control like that."

Penny looked up at him, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. She had half expected him to be like her aunts and uncles. Whenever they lashed out and were in the wrong, they never apologized and instead tried to move on as if it had never happened in the first place.

She didn't even think for a second that Leo would apologize to her so genuinely. Her eyes softened slightly, but her voice kept its usual edge. "It's okay. You're under a lot of pressure. Just try not to burn the place down next time. Though if we are going to be burning something to the ground, let me know. I want to be the one to do it!"

He gave a small, almost shy laugh. "Yeah, I'll try." For a moment, the tension between them seemed to ease, a brief moment of connection that felt almost normal.

Morgan had a complicated look on his face as the young girl in front of him confessed her desire to commit arson.

Leo was about to turn away and head back to the main group when out of nowhere, a system chime rang out in his ear again. Turning his head back, he saw another screen visible only to him, this time floating above Morgan's head.

Zodiac Bond – RatPerfect Compatibility for Morgan Raelic

Leo's eyes flicked toward Lily, who was beginning to relax into her usual carefree smile and light laughter now that she was back among her friends. The weight that had hung over her seemed to lift, replaced by the simple joy of being home. That sight was enough to steady Leo's thoughts.

He turned back to Morgan, the question coming easily. "If Lily asked you to stay with us, would you?"

Morgan's expression grew serious in an instant. There was no hesitation, no shadow of doubt. "I would give my life to protect her. Absolutely."

Leo studied him closely, his gaze locking on Morgan's eyes. There was something there, a fierce devotion that was impossible to miss. It wasn't just loyalty or duty. It was a raw, unshakable willingness to sacrifice everything, including his own life, without a second thought.

For a moment, Leo felt the weight of that commitment settle between them. It was rare to see such dedication without any trace of self-preservation. Morgan didn't care about himself in the slightest. All that mattered was Lily.

The knowledge gave Leo a new kind of reassurance. This man, uncomfortable and awkward as he sometimes seemed, was someone they could count on when it mattered most. However that reassurance was a double edged blade. Morgan might put himself in danger if he didn't care about himself and that was a problem. Something hopefully they could fix.

He nodded quietly. "Good. Then you're with us."

Morgan gave a small, grateful smile in return. The unspoken understanding between them sealed the moment.

Behind them, Penny watched the exchange, her eyes sharp and thoughtful. The pieces of the group were coming together, even if not everyone realized it yet. And whatever lay ahead, they would face it as one.

With the addition of 3 new party members, Leo's Zodiac Bonds were almost maxed out. Only one remained.