Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 443: Arriving at the Peak.

The climb stretched on far longer than anyone had expected. The air grew colder as they ascended and the ground grew rougher, yet the harsh terrain seemed to bother only a few of them. Vivian marched on with calm determination, and Aria followed right behind her with an easy pace, humming lightly under her breath to steady her breathing. If the mountain intended to wear them down, neither of them showed the slightest sign of fatigue.

Jamie, small and cute with bright energy that refused to be dimmed, bounced across the rocks with an excitement that made Greg pinch the bridge of his nose every five minutes. For someone who claimed he was saving energy for the upcoming dungeon, he certainly acted like he had endless reserves stored somewhere.

Penny was not so fortunate. She pushed herself as far as she could with her usual quiet stubbornness, but her steps gradually slowed until her feet dragged over the stone. Her face grew flushed, her breaths uneven, and the spark in her eyes flickered with exhaustion. When she finally tugged gently on Greg’s sleeve, she did not speak at all. She only looked up at him, weary and pleading, like a small child wanting comfort.

Her usual sass had completely evaporated.

Greg looked down at her expression, sighed with the resignation of someone who never truly stood a chance, and grew in size as he lifted her effortlessly. He placed her on his shoulder with a gentleness that felt almost instinctive. Penny immediately melted into the position, curling against the side of his neck with a tiny sigh of relief.

Rachel let out a soft whistle."Look at you, Greg. Acting like the perfect boyfriend to our little Rose."

Greg shot her a flat look."It is more like taking care of a younger sister."

Aria tried to hide a sympathetic smile behind her hand. The moment Greg said those words, she could practically feel the faint wave of despair pulsing from Penny’s small form. The young vampire was trying to keep her expression neutral, but Aria knew that kind of disappointment far too well. She sent Penny a silent thought filled with encouragement. The road to getting Greg to notice her that way would be long, but not impossible. Probably. Hopefully.

Before Greg could enjoy even a moment of mild peace, a flicker of light appeared beside him. A small distortion rippled in the air and Rachel teleported onto his free shoulder. She landed with perfect balance, crossed her legs, and leaned her back against his head as if claiming her seat by right.

Greg groaned."You could have asked."

Rachel smiled with complete innocence."I could have. But this way is more fun."

"For you," Greg muttered. "I am not some sort of transport for those who are getting too lazy to walk. ."

Rachel only kicked her legs happily, unconcerned.

Jamie absorbed all of this with growing envy until he finally spread his arms wide in a dramatic flourish."I would like to be carried as well. My spirit is weary. My body aches. My artistic energy has been drained."

Greg did not slow down."No."

Jamie pointed at himself with both thumbs."I am small. Look at me. Small. Adorable. Very lightweight. Practically pocket sized."

Greg shot him a look of pure disbelief."You are not lighter than Penny. Not even close."

"I could be," Jamie tried. "If I believe hard enough. It is about mindset."

"That is not how weight works," Greg replied as he continued forward.

Jamie puffed out his cheeks."At least consider it. I will be quiet. Completely quiet. I will not say a single word for the whole ride."

Greg paused for half a second, visibly tempted. Then he shook his head."You would last ten minutes. Maybe."

Jamie slapped a hand over his heart."Wow. Deeply hurtful. And also fair. But still hurtful."

Aria walked past him and patted his arm."He knows you too well."

"Well Greggy is my ex. If he didn’t know me after all that, I’d cry even more!"

Jamie retorted before he sighed dramatically and trudged after them with all the sorrow of a rejected puppy.

Fortunately, the trail soon leveled out. The top of Mount Stone revealed itself in a wide, rugged expanse scattered with jagged rocks and leftover feathers. The wind whipped across the peak, carrying faint traces of mana and old battle remnants. At the center of the plateau stood the Harpies Nest Dungeon portal. A swirling green vortex shimmered against the stone, casting a soft light over the surroundings.

Jamie whistled with awe."I am telling you, the shots from up here will be unbelievable."

Greg gently lifted Penny from his shoulder and set her down, although she stayed close to him, leaning lightly against his side. Rachel hopped off with a cheerful spin. Vivian scanned the area carefully while Aria stepped closer to the glowing portal with quiet curiosity.

Before anyone could discuss their plan, the air above the dungeon portal began to shimmer. The green vortex flickered as if disturbed by an unseen force. Thin strands of white light drifted downward and began weaving themselves into a new oval shape directly above the dungeon entrance.

Aria stepped back in alarm."What is that. It is not the dungeon."

Rachel narrowed her eyes."It feels like a portal. But not the usual kind.

The white portal brightened until it became a luminous window of soft, swirling light. A warm voice echoed gently through the air.

"Oh it took these friends long enough to make it here. I hope you enjoyed the scenery on the way up."

The entire group froze.

They knew that voice. Or at least, they recognized who it was trying to sound like.

Jamie’s expression twisted instantly."No. No no no. Absolutely not. Leo does not sound like that. That is a crime."

Greg’s jaw tightened."Leo would never talk like that. Ever."

Vivian summoned her hammer ."Either something is pretending to be him or there is a monster who somehow knows the sound of his voice!"

Rachel nodded, her expression tense as she stood at the forefront of the group.

"Yet somehow I don’t feel any hostility? Could it be connected to the Gate to Heaven or whatever it’s called?"

Aria stared at the glowing portal with wide eyes, her heart pounding."Yeah... Why would it call us friends. Actually, why would it speak like that at all. If it could imitate Leo’s voice that well, it could match the tone as well, no?"

Before anyone could answer, the portal pulsed gently, like a living thing preparing to draw closer.

The voice returned, just as sweet as before.

"Come along, friends. We have much to do."