Souls Online: Mythic Ascension

Chapter 445: The weight of a life

"Everyone will die? That’s a bit dramatic. He’s gotta be kidding, right? Right?!:" Jamie immediately retorted but when he noticed the grim expressions of Rachel, Greg, Penny and Aria, he began to have doubts.

"Don’t worry though. I have faith in all of you. Though we must get going. The entrance will be closing shortly" The White Leo remarked before he turned back to the portal and walked throgh it like he was entering a door.

Rachel hesitated for a moment for a moment, exchanging a quick glance at the others before she made her decision. "Titan and I will take the front, Rose you remain in the middle. Tera and Archer, you bring up the rear. Sonata, you cover where we need for now please."

Vivian who was used to orders as a soldier nodded her head while the others who had experienced a dungeon complied with Rachel’s orders without complaint. The only one who had issue with that was Jamie who was beginning to panic.

"This is a lot of pressure to put up with for one guy. Maybe the others would be best to finish this. Can we wait for everybody to gather up and the best of us makes their way in. I’m new here and I don’t think I will be useful in there..."

He was trying to back out now, his inflated self confidence fading in the face that people’s lives may be on the line. Greg was about to say something when surprisingly, Aria was the first one to make a move.

She unceremoniously grabbed the Archers collar and started to shout in his face.

"Listen here Jamie! You wanted to be a part of this group, you have to pull your weight. We are not here to pander to your ego and you are not going to back out now when things get rough! You backing out here may get us all killed!"

Jamie was caught off guard that one of the mildest members of the group had been the one to snap on him. Honestly, he somewhat expected Greg or Rachel to chew hm out for his cowardice. But for Aria of all people to call him out was not something he expected. His eyes were shaking when he noticed the blazing rage in her eyes.

"If you want Leo to die, I will kill you here myself!" Penny’s eyes widened when Aria made that threat while Rachel’s brow twitched. Rachel could sense the burning emotions from Aria’s heart: The group had become her family when she felt she had none and wouldn’t tolerate anyone who might threaten that.

However at the same time, internal conflict of the group was something she needed to address. Aria had become so heated that she forgot to use their in game names but thankfully nobod was around to notice. Rachel took a step toward Aria and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Let him go. We can’t force him to do anything...." Rachel said softly which caused Aria to grit her teeth but she still relented after a moment.

Jamie took a few steps back from Aria, clearly unnerved by Aria’s reaction. It didn’t help when he noticed the look in Rachel’s eyes: DIsappointment.

"If you aren’t up for this, you can go. We don’t need someone who is going to run away when things get rough."

WIthout another word, she turned her back on him and walked towards the portal, entering it without looking back. Soon afterwards, Greg and Penny entered the portal followed by Aria who shot an angry glare back at Jamie before disappearing beyond the portal.

Vivian watched the others disappear one by one, her expression unreadable as Jamie stood frozen. His hands shook. His breath came in short bursts. He looked like he wanted to run but could not make his legs move.

She let the silence sit for a moment before speaking.

"Jamie," she said quietly, "you need to fight for something or you will stand for nothing."

He flinched at her tone. It was calm, almost gentle, nothing like Aria’s fiery outburst.

"It is alright to be scared," Vivian continued. "Nobody will blame you for that. Fear keeps you alive. Fear means you care."

Jamie swallowed hard and tried to gather what was left of his bravado. "I... I do care. I just... I am not cut out for this. You all are strong and I am just... me. I will only get in the way. You saw how Aria looked at me. If I mess up, if I freeze, I could get someone killed."

Vivian shook her head slowly.

"For the longest time, I lived day to day. I did not think about the future. I did not think I would ever have anything worth protecting." Her voice grew softer, steadier. "But now I do."

Jamie finally looked up at her.

Vivian’s expression eased into a small, gentle smile. The torchlight reflected on her eyes, making them glow faintly. She looked almost ethereal.

"I want to protect my family," she said. "And I am willing to die for Ethan and Aria if that is what it takes."

Jamie could not speak. He had never seen her smile like that before. She looked beautiful in a way he had no words for, not because of her looks but because of the quiet resolve in her voice. It left him completely stunned.

Vivian gave him a small nod and stepped past him. Her footsteps were calm and even as she walked toward the portal.

Jamie stared after her, throat dry, until she reached the edge of the glowing light.

He scrambled upright with a gasp, brushing off his clothes and forcing himself to strike a cute pose even though his knees still shook.

"W... wait for me!" he called out, trying to inject confidence into his voice even though it cracked at the end. "You cannot just leave your adorable archer behind!"

He jogged after her, forcing himself to breathe and to keep moving, even as fear clawed at his chest.

Vivian did not turn around, but he thought he saw her shoulders relax just a little before she stepped through the portal.

Jamie followed her inside.