AK : RISING MYTHIC

The Mythic Ward, usually a sanctuary of light and recovery, had been engulfed in a haunting silence, save for the labored, choking gasps that echoed from the cot at the center. Arslan lay there, unmoving, pale as ash, his chest rising and falling in uneven tremors. The eerie sound of the wind blowing through the slightly ajar window added an unnatural chill to the air.

The ward was crowded with healers, their hands trembling as they poured streams of glowing light onto Arslan's body. Their faces wore the marks of helplessness. They whispered amongst themselves in worried tones, their healing spells ineffective against the spreading black taint on Arslan's skin.

Then—a violent cough.

Arslan's body jerked.

"HHRRK--KHH!"

Black blood erupted from his mouth, splattering across the edge of the white sheets and staining the floor beneath. His chest spasmed as his breathing grew heavier and heavier.

"His pulse is dropping rapidly!" cried one healer, her eyes wide.

"His heart—it's not responding!" another shouted. "We're losing him!"

The alarm spread like wildfire. Gasps filled the room. Tharion stumbled back against the wall, stunned. Yuna covered her mouth, horror written all over her face.

Nirela ran forward, her face already streaked with tears.

"No! No, Arslan, stay with us!" she begged, gripping his cold hand.

But Arslan's head tilted to the side. His mouth hung open slightly. The glow in his eyes had long since faded. His body was still. Too still.

One of the elder healers leaned in, placing his fingers on Arslan's throat. A moment passed. Then he whispered the words everyone feared:

"His heartbeat... it's gone."

A cold shudder ran through the room.

Nirela broke down, collapsing onto the side of the bed. "No... please no... this can't happen... not to him..."

Julius, standing at the back, raised his hand. His voice, firm yet filled with sorrow, echoed:

"Everyone. Leave the ward. Now."

The healers hesitated, but obeyed. The Mythics, one by one, reluctantly backed away, their eyes locked on Arslan. Only Julius remained. He slowly walked to the side of the cot, standing beside the boy who had changed the fate of their world more than once.

He whispered, "Kar'Thael... what is this? What's happening to him?"

A low growl of static resounded from within Julius' mind. Kar'Thael's voice followed, slow and disturbed.

"No... I don't know. I swear it... I can't feel him. He's... disconnected."

Julius narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'disconnected'? You're part of him."

Kar'Thael's voice trembled, unnaturally uncertain.

"His body... it doesn't hear me anymore. His soul isn't answering. Even I—the very essence bound to him—cannot reach him."

Julius looked down, hand trembling. "Is he gone?"

Kar'Thael whispered, "His heart has stopped. He seems... dead."

Then—the room changed.

Arslan's vision sparked into existence.

A pale, endless void. No floor. No sky. Just endless, weightless light. And from that light... a silhouette stepped forward. A human figure, masculine, wearing armor that shimmered gold and white.

"Arslan," the figure spoke gently. His voice echoed across the vastness, as though whispered by the stars themselves.

"You have to bear it. The pain. The burden. Because there is no hope without you."

Arslan stood in the void, looking down at his own hands. They were cracked, glowing with faint black energy, pulsating violently.

"Who are you...?" he whispered, his voice hollow.

Before the figure could answer, the light behind him twisted.

A shadow emerged—flame-orange and yellow, massive and demonic in shape. Twisting horns. Glowing eyes like twin infernos.

The demonic figure growled, "Master... I awoke."

It stepped closer, towering over Arslan, yet not threatening. Its voice carried reverence.

"Just a little more pain..."

Arslan turned between the two figures. His breathing in this space was ragged, heavy.

"Who are you?!" he cried.

The demonic being bowed.

"I am Arslan. I am Arslan "

Then human figure said "Son.... This is you but you have to understood it"

Suddenly, both beings reached out toward him—a hand of golden light and a claw of flame.

"Choose to live," said the light.

"Choose to rise," said the flame.

Arslan's body glowed as both energies surged into him— the void shattered into pieces—

Then , there's a deep silence....