AK : RISING MYTHIC

The evening shadows crept through the small window of Arslan's room. A quiet breeze brushed against the stone walls, carrying with it a chill that settled not just in the air—but deep in his chest.

He stood still, hands resting on the edge of his desk, staring blankly into the silence that surrounded him.

He had trained for hours. He had isolated himself for days. And now... there was nothing but regret trailing behind his every breath.

His shoulders sagged.

His throat felt dry.

Before he could speak a word, Kar'Thæl appeared—slowly, gently—like a flame flickering in a dying lantern.

But his face was not like before.

No grin. No smirk. No fury.

Only calm sadness.

> "Arslan…" Kar'Thæl said softly, "I spent a good time with you."

Arslan turned around, startled. "What? What are you saying?"

There was a tremor in his voice. Something inside him already knew the answer.

Kar'Thæl didn't flinch. His eyes were duller. His form slightly transparent.

> "I want to take my last breath in my home. I don't want to die in losen hands."

Arslan blinked. "Wait… what are you saying? You're not dying."

Kar'Thæl took a step forward. His voice was steady but laced with pain.

> "I don't want to die as the entity of a Vessel who shatters everything just for his ego."

Arslan's expression darkened. He stepped back a little, the words cutting into his chest.

He clenched his fists. "So… now you blame me for everything?"

Kar'Thæl shook his head gently.

> "No. I don't blame you, Arslan. All of it… the mistake… it was mine. I obeyed you. I trusted you. I stayed with you when I should have disappeared long ago."

He looked toward the window, toward the far-off glow of the Bound Threshold, then said with heavy breath:

> "I should've died there."

The room felt colder.

"No, Kar'Thæl… don't say that," Arslan said, his voice now trembling.

"What about our goals? What about the demons, the stones, saving the world? What about the techniques? The Vault? You said we'd change everything together."

Kar'Thæl's eyes flickered—but the pain remained.

> "I will find another vessel... or die trying. But I won't remain with you anymore."

> "This bond is broken, Arslan. I thought I could trust you. I thought you'd grow. But now… I only see a boy trying to become strong alone by turning away from everything that could've made him whole.

You know, if I spend more than two days with you anymore, then our bond will automatically breaks ."

> "I'm sorry… I can't bind with you anymore."

Arslan took a step toward him.

"No… don't do that. Please," he whispered.

His throat burned. His heart raced.

Tears began to well in his eyes.

He wanted to move. To grab Kar'Thæl's shoulder. To stop him.

But he stood still—paralyzed.

Kar'Thæl nodded slowly, gently, like he had already made peace with everything.

> "I will take everything that belongs to me with me."

> "The powers. The chains. The blades. The dark surge and shadow storms. Crimson Verge. The Phantom Rift. All of it."

> "No more devils for you. No more Gates. No more Trials. No more training or techniques. No more whispers in your ear."

> "Just you."

> "And your peaceful world."

The silence between them was loud now. The loudest it had ever been.

Arslan said nothing.

His eyes shimmered in the dim light. His jaw clenched. His knuckles turned white.

> "Tomorrow," Kar'Thæl said, stepping toward the window, gazing out into the Bound Threshold's faint glow.

> "At dawn. We will go there."

> "And I will unbind."

He turned back one last time.

> "Be ready."

And in a wisp of fading shadow… he vanished.

Arslan was left alone. In the middle of his dim room. Trembling. Hollow.

The tears finally fell.

But no one was there to see them.