AK : RISING MYTHIC

A dense silence hung over the Royal Capital as the golden horns blew from atop the towers, summoning the Echelon Knights to an urgent meeting. The council chamber—an oval hall flanked by banners of every Knight rank—was already filled with tension. Seated at the head of the long obsidian table, King Farhan's expression was dark with worry, his fingers clasped tightly before him. Beside him stood Julius, the sharp-minded head of the Guardian Council, his eyes scanning the incoming Knights with scrutiny.

Within minutes, Zeniths, Apex, and Mythic-ranked warriors took their seats, some still carrying signs of their last battle: a bandaged wrist, a stiff limp, a wary glance toward the Vaults engraved on the maps before them.

The King began with a heavy voice, "This meeting was not planned. But the news we've received this morning cannot wait."

He turned and gestured toward a parchment placed on the center of the table, which unrolled magically to reveal a glowing map of Lumisgrave.

"Over the past two days, we've received urgent reports of strange activity from the Farmlands, Lumberyard, Iron Mine, and the Lake District. In all these areas, new Demon Sites have been seen—cave-like formations with shifting black fog, similar to what we saw in ThornVale. They appear suddenly and emit heavy energy."

Murmurs spread among the Knights.

"These are not Gates," King Farhan continued, "but they are no less dangerous. If the enemy has found a way to spread their influence beyond the Vaults of Sundusk and the Messenger Gates, then our world is in even greater danger than we imagined."

Julius stood up, his voice calm but grim. "Until now, we assumed the Vaults were centralized. But we now have confirmation: multiple Demon Sites are emerging in various locations. We don't know what lies inside them... or when they will erupt."

A Zenith-ranked Knight spoke up from across the table. "Do we know if they're connected to the Gates? Are they expansions… or something entirely new?"

King replied " may be.... Because all these appeared after the Gate open but none enter through it"

A murmur of concern echoed through the hall.

"These Sites may be the next phase of demonic strategy," the King added gravely. "We do not yet know their origin or purpose. But they are spreading, and if they are allowed to grow, they may become permanent scars upon our world."

Apex Knight Tyrus spoke up, "Your Majesty… do we engage them now?"

King Farhan nodded. "We are assembling rapid response units. For now, no one enters the Sites. You are to secure the surrounding areas and monitor any changes. I repeat—do not engage until ordered."

The room fell into silence. The weight of the unknown pressed on all present.

As the Knights began to leave in silence, voices low, Arslan lingered behind, his arms folded, his brow furrowed in thought. Julius noticed and gestured him toward a quieter hallway within the palace. King Farhan followed. When the three were alone, Julius closed the chamber door behind them.

"Arslan," the King said quietly, "we didn't ask in front of the others, but… do you have any idea what these Sites are?"

Before Arslan could speak, Kar'Thæl whispered inside his mind—and through his mouth—with calm sharpness:

> "This is not normal. Never in my travels across corrupted worlds have I seen multiple Sites of this kind appear all at once. Vaults… Gates… yes. But this is entirely new."

Arslan looked between the King and Julius. "Kar'Thæl says he's never encountered this before. These aren't just entries… They feel like roots. Like something is anchoring through our land."

King Farhan frowned. "Do you believe they're linked to the Vaults of Sundusk?"

> "Possibly," Kar'Thæl whispered. "Or something far worse. These might be foundations, not doorways. Created to destabilize the land, prepare it for conversion… to turn our world into a demon haven."

Julius glanced to the map in his hand, eyes narrowing. "Then we can't afford to wait."

Arslan stepped forward, conviction flashing in his eyes. "Then I'll go tonight. I'll investigate one of the Sites—quietly."

The King looked alarmed. "That's reckless, Arslan. You've just recovered. You've already risked yourself fighting ZARELLE."

Kar'Thæl responded:

> "And that is exactly why we're prepared. We'll take no army, no sound, no signal. Just me and my vessel. We'll learn what we can before they strike again."

King Farhan hesitated, then sighed. "You may be right… but if anything happens to you, we lose not just a warrior—but hope."

Arslan nodded. "That's why we'll act before they do."

The King placed a hand on Arslan's shoulder. "Then go carefully. May the light of Lumisgrave guide you… and may these Sites not be what we fear."