Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 51: Smoke and Mirrors

Lily wrinkled her nose at the sharp scent of disinfectant as she waited in the hospital lobby. She pulled out her phone, eager to check the news—anything to avoid the incredibly awkward experience of looking at or talking to Leo

That hoodie was just too much. Even now she felt the urge to snicker when she looked at the grumbling young man wearing a cat themed hot pink sweater.

As she ignored the incessant droning of hospital staff coming and going, her eyes skimmed the articles, hoping to find some information even if it was only rumors about the changes that Soul Ascension was causing.

However the trending articles had nothing to do with the game, they were all mentioning some sort of scandal. She didn't know what all the fuss was about until one particular headline caught her eye.

Samael Family Exposed—A Web of Lies and Deception Unraveled.

She blinked. Wait, what?

Lily leaned forward on her horribly uncomfortable chair, narrowing her eyes at the screen. The headline was followed by a series of juicy claims—bribery, racketeering, animal cruelty, sexual harassment. The Samael family, always poised in the public eye, was being dragged through the mud like a reality TV show gone wrong.

Yet despite all that, Lily knew that this was merely a series of small fires that the Samael family could snuff out with enough time and a little bit of money. The goal of this wasn't to ruin them...It was to distract them!

'Horo you crazy fool! Even you won't be spared if they find out it was you!'

If he was caught, his body would be dredged from the river before the week was over. He was risking his life to save Leo from becoming an unwilling Lab Rat.

'You better keep your word and be safe! None of us will forgive you if you go and die on us like this. You are an asshole, not some sort of hero!'

Leo noticed her distress, furrowing his brow as he leaned in closer.

"Lily..what's wrong?"

"It's Horo... He might be in serious danger..."

"Why? What did he do? He may be a bit of a jerk but he isn't the type to take unnecessary risks right?"

She didn't say a word, instead handing over her phone so that Leo could read the article.

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'It can't be that bad... right?'

He gingerly took the phone, afraid to see what horrible thing could make the ever cheerful Lily balk and worry.

With each line he read, his heart sank further. Whoever leaked all of these dealings of the Samael family would have a target on their back. To a family like them, a whistleblower was another name for a walking corpse.

"Lily...are you saying that this is Horo's doing? Why would he do that?!"

"To protect you. This is a smoke screen so that you can escape their eyes. At least for now"

Lily's gaze was somber and somewhat distant. Horo had proven that deep down he had a heart—risking it all for people he'd known for barely a week.

Leo clenched his fist as he launched himself to his feet.

"Then what are we waiting for?! We gotta go find him!"

Lily too stood up, nodding seriously.

"I agree. He is our friend and we don't leave friends behind. Let's go! Luna should have the car ready."

The two of them left the hospital with determined steps where they saw Luna leaning against the car, a cigarette dangling from between her lips.

"Took you two long enough to get out. We need to make a detour before we go to Lily's house"

"Well we won't be going back till we make sure that Horo is safe and sound! He is out there and in danger!"

Lily crossed her arms, trying to look as firm as possible but instead silently irking Luna as the crossed arms only further accentuated Lily's plentiful 'assets'.

Leo's eyes lingered on the cigarette between his sisters lips. Since when did she smoke? He shook his head, he couldn't be distracted by such thoughts now. He would talk to her about that later.

"Horo is out there risking his life to protect mine. I won't go anywhere until we can make sure he's safe!"

Luna inhaled deeply, tilting her head back before letting out a puff of smoke with a sigh.

"That is exactly why we need to make the detour. That idiot is at your father's cafe Lily. Uncle Marco and his men are with him?"

"Hah?!" Why is he there?"

Lily tilted her head in confusion, why would he be hiding at a place like that? If any of her dad's men found out he was a son of Samael, there would be hell to pay!"

Lily flicked her cigarette away as she shook her head, in disbelief herself

"Well from what Uncle told me, that crazy fucker lured Elise Samael to the cafe as a 'sign of good faith'...He gave us Anna's killer"

Leo had no idea what was going on but he understood the gist of it based off the heavy atmosphere that surrounded the two women.

"Lily? Who's Anna?"

Leo couldn't help but ask somewhat hesitantly. His gaze wavered when he saw melancholy flash through the tigers eyes.

"She was like an older sister to me at times. She was the daughter of one of my dad's lieutenants.

Leo felt like he had made a mistake, it looked like Lily was about to cry.

"She was opinionated and headstrong. I wanted to be just like her. She...She had just come back into our lives only to end up raped and murdered while working for the Samaels."

Yet her words slowly became tinged with rage and hatred. Lily opened the backseat and climbed in without another word. Luna sighed again before walking over to the drivers side door.

"Get in Leo. I have to warn you though. While Lily may be sweet and bubbly, never cross her bottom line. While her family may have gotten out of the business. She is still the daughter of a Mafia boss."

"What are you trying to get at Sis?!"

"What I am trying to say is Elise better hope she dies before Lily get's her hands on her. She will suffer less that way."

Leo felt a chill run down his spine. It felt like everyone around him was harboring a monstrous side to them.

The only thing that terrified him more than that was the feeling of belonging. How much longer until he was a monster in his own right? For that he had no answer.