Souls Online: Mythic Ascension

"You did more than break it," Phanmorra answered. "You erased it. You defied what should have been absolute. And now reality itself is shifting to accommodate you. Whether that leads to salvation or to ruin is still unwritten."

Luna's breathing quickened, her mind racing to keep up. "Wait… wait. You're saying Leo's existence is the only reason we're even standing here right now? That we were supposed to be gone, all of us?"

The War God's hand tightened slightly on her shoulder, grounding her before she could spiral further. His ruby-red eyes stayed on hers as he said softly, "This is why you needed to hear it, Luna. Truth is often uglier than the lies we tell to keep ourselves comfortable."

Leo's gaze swept across the gathering of gods, his voice lowering into a growl. "Then let me make one thing clear. If extinction was supposed to be the fate of this world, then I'll carve a new one. I don't care if I'm a Singularity, a mistake, or whatever title you throw at me. If I exist to defy fate, then I'll fucking defy it until the end. I am not going to let my friends and family die as long as I draw breath!"

Adam's eyes darkened, his lips curling into something between a smirk and a snarl. "Defying fate, huh? Good. Tear it all down. Make them choke on the idea that destiny ever mattered." His voice was low, but the simmering rage underneath was impossible to miss.

Lily pressed her hand against her chest, her breath caught in her throat. Her mutated eyes flickered faintly, life energy pulsing as if responding to Leo's words. "Leo…" she whispered, her voice soft, almost reverent. "That's… exactly who you are. You've always been the one who refuses to bow. Instead we should make it bow to us." There was a dangerous flicker in her eyes but her gaze was filled with devotion and affection for everyone with them now.

Penny's grip tightened around her sketchbook, knuckles whitening. She bit her lip, conflicted. Fear rippled through her at the thought of extinction, but hearing Leo's raw defiance sparked something in her chest. "You… you make it sound so simple," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. "But maybe that's why you can do it. I'd rather bet on an uncertainty than a foregone conclusion of death."

Greg let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. His usual easygoing nature faltered for once, leaving him looking both impressed and uneasy. "Man… you really don't do anything halfway, do you? If you're planning on taking fate head-on, just… don't forget we're here too. It will be one helluva fight we will have on our hands."

Vivian crossed her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing on Leo. "You talk big," she said coolly, though her tone lacked its usual bite. "But if you mean those words, then you better be ready to follow through. Fate isn't something you can punch into submission." Still, there was a faint glimmer of approval in her gaze.

Ethan let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "You know," he said with a crooked grin, "most people would crumble hearing they were supposed to erase extinction itself. But you? You just decide to fight it. Damn, Leo… you're insane. And I think I like it."He who had no postive emotions towards the divine would gladly stand with someone who was hellbent on defying fate.

The phantom Morgan looked stricken, his perfect composure finally cracking. His lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. He simply stared at Leo, his expression twisting between awe, disbelief, and a hint of fear.

Aria's hand drifted toward her throat, feeling the steady hum of her voice waiting to be used. Her eyes glistened faintly. "You always carry everyone's burdens without hesitation," she said softly, her voice trembling but warm. "But you don't have to do it alone this time. We were all brought together for a reason."

Rachel practically bounced on her heels, her grin wide and unrestrained. "Now that's the Cutie I can stand behind! Spitting in fate's face like it's nothing. Hell yeah! Let's burn the script and write our own story!" Her laughter rang out, wild and infectious, cutting through the heavy air like fire through dry wood.

The atmosphere around the table seemed to grow a bit lighter but it did not last for long. Losing her smile, she took on a more dignified tone as she clapped her hands, the sound sharp and cutting through the charged air.

"That is enough now," she declared, her black blindfold shifting slightly as her head tilted toward the gathered gods. "Take your chosen and grant them what you came here to give. I will speak with my own child alone."

One by one, the gods moved. A snap echoed through the chamber, reality bending as each deity vanished along with their chosen mortal. The air shimmered until only three figures remained seated at the vast table: Adam, Leo, and Discordia herself.

The goddess tilted her head toward Adam, her lips curling into an amused smile. "Ah… but your god is locked away in the Hall of Punishment, is she not?" she murmured, almost as if only remembering it now.

Her voice rose as she straightened, speaking into the void. "Phanmorra! I know you're still here. Do not think me to be that blind."

The shadows stirred. A reluctant phantom shimmered into form, their presence heavy with restraint.

Discordia's smile sharpened as she pointed toward Adam. "Take him. Show him to his mentor."

Adam blinked, his eyes narrowing as his confusion slipped into suspicion. "My mentor? That wouldn't be my Arachne… it would be some other version of her. An illusion. A trick." His voice hardened, tinged with anger. "Do you think I'll just accept that?"

Discordia tilted her head, the black cloth of her blindfold shifting faintly with the motion. Her voice came low and patient, but carrying an edge of amusement. "Not an illusion, Adam. Not a trick. Phanmorra is the God of Illusions, yes. But they are also the Warden of Boundaries. They can weave the threads between realities. What you will speak to is not a false copy, but an Arachne from another world, one who has walked a path you have not."