Souls Online: Mythic Ascension-Chapter 428: The Horse?!

"So....That just happened." Adam remarked, verbalizing the shock that everyone else experienced. Rachel who was the one that was the most familiar with medical conditions was more than just a little curious as to what sort of trauma Ethan had endured that would result in a Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Jamie who had been silent up until couldn't hold it in anymore. "Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on please?

Jamie's voice finally cut through the tension with a roar of his own but it was far from threatening in the eyes of the others.. "Okay, seriously?! What the hell was that vote even for?!" Their voice cracked slightly, both from frustration and excitement as they jumped to their feet, glaring at Morgan with puffed cheeks and fiery energy. "You all are talking about me like I'm some kind of weird science experiment! And you, big brother, what gives?! You voted against me?"

Morgan sighed and rubbed his temples, clearly regretting many life decisions. "Jamie… it's complicated."

"Oh, no, no, no!" Jamie jabbed a finger at him. "You don't get to say that after this! I got lectured, threatened, nearly vaporized by glares, and now apparently I'm the center of some weird cult meeting?! Someone better start explaining!"

Rachel leaned towards Leo and remarked and whispered with a hint of glee in her voice "See?! Everyone who doesn't know would think we are a cult~!"

Leo shot a glare back at Rachel, telling her to shut up with his eyes before trying to explain the situation.

cleared his throat sharply, a cough that cut through the commotion. "Alright, calm down, Jamie."

Jamie crossed their arms and leaned forward, eyes narrowing with mock offense. "Excuse me?"

Ignoring the glare, Leo straightened his posture and began to explain. "The reason for the vote was simple. I have a unique ability called Bond of the Zodiac. Everyone in our Chaos Pantheon guild is linked together by this skill. It is permanent and has resulted in changes in others."

Jamie's eyes furrowed in suspicion as Adam snorted and chimed in "He means physicial mutations. An example is Lily's green hair or my scales."

Jamie glanced towards Lily again and remarked "Wait, you didn't dye your hair that tacky green? That's your natural hair color now?!"

Lily was less than pleased with that remark.

"Who the hell are you calling tacky you little shit?!"

Lily's voice cracked through the air like a whip as her aura flared. Her glare alone was enough to make the temperature in the room feel like it had dropped several degrees.

Jamie froze in place, their mouth snapping shut as their brain caught up with what they had just said. "Ah… I mean… not tacky! I meant, like, super unique! Yeah! You're totally rocking it!"

Adam chuckled under his breath. "Nice save."

Lily's eyes narrowed even further. "You think flattery's gonna save you?"

Jamie gulped. "Maybe?"

Rachel, who was trying her best not to laugh, leaned against Crystal's shoulder and whispered, "I like this one. He's got guts. No sense, but guts."

Crystal sighed but smiled faintly. "He's definitely something."

Leo cleared his throat again, trying to pull everyone's attention back before Lily murdered Morgan's little brother. "Anyway. Before Jamie gets himself killed, let me finish explaining."

Jamie quickly nodded, taking a few careful steps to put distance between himself and Lily.

Leo continued, his tone steady. "The Bond of the Zodiac is connected to the Lunar Zodiacs. Each member of our group represents one of the twelve signs. It links our strength, abilities, and even our growth. When the System notified me earlier, it said you were compatible with the last remaining Zodiac."

Jamie's eyes widened, excitement replacing fear almost instantly. "Wait, seriously? So I'm getting a power too? Which one is it? Oh man, please tell me it's the Dragon! Or the Tiger! No, the Ox! That one sounds cool. Wait, is it the Monkey? That'd be hilarious!"

Rachel burst into laughter. "The Monkey's already taken. And trust me, one of me is enough."

Jamie puffed his cheeks and kept going. "Then it has to be the Dragon, right? Or maybe the Rabbit. I can be adorable and strong at the same time."

Leo's lips twitched slightly as he tried to keep his composure. "You're not the Dragon. That's Crystal. As for the Rabbit, that belongs to my sister Luna."

Luna and Crystal nodded their heads when Leo spoke their names but Jamie was more focused on the idea of special powers.

Jamie tilted his head, completely ignoring the looks he was getting from the group. "Okay, okay, next! Tiger? That's got to be me, right? Fierce, unstoppable, maybe a little scary?"

Lily's eyes narrowed sharply. "Tiger's mine, little shit."

Jamie raised both hands defensively. "Okay, okay, I get it! You're scary. Noted. Moving on—Goat?"

Greg's arms folded across his chest, his face twisting in disgust. "Goat. Mine."

Jamie's eyes lit up mischievously. "Oh! Greggy is the Goat? Well… Greggy, you are officially my G.O.A.T. The Greatest of All Time."

Greg froze, horror spreading across his face. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

Penny groaned loudly. "Jamie! That is not the way to say that!"

Jamie shrugged innocently. "Hey, it's a compliment! You're strong, stubborn, and impressive. Totally G.O.A.T material."

Leo pinched the bridge of his nose as he did his best to ignore the rising headache. He had half a mind to believe that this crossdresser had caffeine flowing through their veins instead of blood.

Jamie ignored the chaos and bounced to the next guess. "Rooster?"

"Aria," Leo said.

Jamie nodded. "Fits perfectly. And Monkey?"

Rachel raised a hand, grinning. "That's me."

Jamie tilted his head. "Fits. Chaotic, energetic, prankster. Got it."

Rachel winked. "Exactly~"

Jamie clapped his hands. "Dog?"

"Ethan," Aria said softly.

Jamie nodded. "Ox?"

"Vivian."

"Snake?"

"Adam."

"Pig?"

"Penny."

Jamie counted quickly on his fingers. "Dragon, Rabbit, Tiger, Goat, Rat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Ox, Snake, Pig… okay, that only leaves one. That's me, right?"

Leo opened his mouth to answer, but Jamie jumped before he could finish. "Hold up… it's the Horse, isn't it?"

Leo blinked. "Yes. That's correct."

Jamie's grin faltered, replaced by a look of disappointment. "Wait… the Horse?"

Everyone waited. Jamie's eyes narrowed, lips pursed. "That's… not cute. That's not exciting at all. The only benefit I can think of…" His voice dropped slightly, a mischievous grin spreading across his face again, "…is to be hung like a horse."

The room froze.

Greg's jaw dropped. Penny's eyes widened. Lily's hands flew to her face. Even Leo rubbed his temples, trying to block the image from his mind.

Rachel, however, completely lost it. She doubled over laughing, tears forming in her eyes. "Oh my god! He said it! He just said it out loud! I love him! This cute boy has no filter!"

Jamie, oblivious to the chaos, shrugged. "What? It's true. At least there's one perk."

Leo groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Welcome to the Chaos Pantheon, Jamie. You… are going to be a handful."