Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 444: Before the Gates of Heaven

After the voice spoke, The group received a series of system messages that set them on edge

[Unique Dungeon: Gate to Heaven has been generated. Special Quest has been generated.]

[Due to the Nature of the Unique Dungeon, Party Dynamics and Limits have been adjusted.]

[Max Party Size has temporarily increased to 7. Current Party Member Count: 6/7]

[ A Special NPC has joined your party. If the NPC dies, Player Leo will die.]

"Leo will die if we fail?!" Aria was aghast at the message while Rachel was fixed on the portal as a figure walked out from the white portal. Greg looked unnerved when the figure stopped in front of her.

A white haired Leo was smiling at the group with sapphire blue eyes, his usual leather armor had been replaced with a short white robe that completely exposed his midriff and his hair was a stark white as well.

If the regular Leo was like a golden lion, this NPC version of Leo was a gentle white kitten. "It is so nice to meet you all in person. For all intents and purposes, you can consider me the personification of the Path of Light. I am the result of the Path that you have all chosen."

Penny looked completely unnerved by this Leo and she was honestly not a fan. She much preferred the Sass and attitude that their Leo had. This Leo was too gentle looking and it seemed that most of them seemed to share her opinion as Greg, Aria and Rachel were all sporting deep frowns.

The only ones who didn’t seem disturbed by the appearance of an oddly colored Leo was Vivian and Jamie who weren’t all that familiar with Leo. Jamie was the first one to approach him and remarked "Wow! How did you do that? I didn’t think you could do a color swap. Also what is up with this system message of you being a special NPC. Did you get a deal with the GM to lead a special Quest?!"

Jamie was genuinely curious but even his expression faltered when the Leo spoke. "Princess Archer, your enthusiasm is quite infectious but your thoughts are the farthest from but yet close to the truth. I am not the Leo you know but I know all of you."

"That’s not ominous at all!" Penny practically shouted but the calmest one right now was Rachel who asked the question that was on her mind. "If you aren’t our Leo, where is he then? He said that he had to walk both paths but couldn’t go with either group."

The white Leo’s soft smile widened as he remarked "Now that is a surprise Rachel. Seeing you so serious like this is quite a novel sensation. Having you pick me over him is quite a good feeling~!"

Rachel didn’t smile back at him as Greg cracked his knuckles and growled "She asked you a question. Start talking! Where is Leo."

Leo’s gaze fell upon Greg, his smile unfazed as he responded slowly. "I am limited in what I can tell you. But since I care about all of you, let’s see how much I can share without receiving a penalty!"

Aria got a sense of worry when there was a mention of a penalty. Had she not seen what happened to the Gods in the Hall of Punishment? Her wings fluttered betraying her nerves which didn’t go unnoticed by this Leo.

"Don’t fret Aria. I trust that our Rachel can deduce the truth if I answer in a roundabout way. I will not answer if I sense any danger."

Rachel glanced at Aria, noting her concern before she focused on the Leo who was now emitting the poise and grace of something more than human.

"The Leo you know is....Nope. Can’t say that...Hmm. The Fire natured person in your group is the closest to Leo’s situation but distinctly different. Leo is here but he is there too."

Rachel’s eyes went wide in shock as she began to figure out what he was implying. Ethan was the only one among them with the Fire Element and he had multiple personality disorder. If Leo was suffering from something similar, did that mean that this White Leo was a personality of Leo’s?

But then what about Leo being here but there too? Did that mean that a Leo had shown up at Adam’s group? It was impossible for someone to be in two places at once.

Then it clicked.

Rachel felt a sense of nausea wash over her as her voice came out more strained than she expected.

"Are you....Are you saying that the system split Leo in two?! That you are a part of Leo provided by the system?!"

The white haired Leo smiled with a tilt of his head. His refusal to answer was the only confirmation that Rachel needed. She felt like she was going to puke when he laughed softly.

"Well that is mostly correct. I unfortunately can’t say anymore."

Rachel wanted to continue pressing for more but Aria interjected, cutting her off. "Enough. We just need to clear this dungeon and our Leo will come back, yes?"

The blue eyes that stared back into Aria’s were steady and unflinching before they softened a bit. "Aria, The punishment of the Gods would be different from the penalty I would receive. I would not end up chained like that."

Aria didn’t hesitate to immediately respond "I don’t care. If you are a part of Leo, I am not going to let you get hurt. Answer my question. Please."

Rachel’s expression twisted a bit as she could sense the horror that Aria felt deep in her heart when the White Leo mentioned the Punishment of the Gods. She would have to ask what they had experienced when they went out to save Arachne.

A small sigh escaped from the Leo’s voice before his expression became somewhat softer. "The answer is yes. Though that is only half the battle. The others must clear their dungeon too for the Leo you know to return."

Penny felt an ominous note hidden deep within the words. She slowly opened her mouth and asked "And if one group fails?"

The smile on Leo’s face faded away as he replied "Death."

"Leo will die if either of us fail?" Greg was astounded by that revelation. Was Leo’s life and death truly in their hands?

But everyone felt their heart sink when White Leo shook his head and replied:

"No. Everyone will die."