AK : RISING MYTHIC

Soft light trickled through the stone-framed window of Arslan's room at the Mythic Base. He slowly opened his eyes, the lingering weight of recent days still resting on his shoulders. His body, though mostly recovered from the intense Binding, still ached in subtle ways. The faint echo of power stirred in his veins, alive and constantly shifting—like a current just beneath his skin.

From the far side of the room, Kar'Thael's voice echoed in his head, playful yet commanding.

"Get up, Vessel. Time to act alive. Go take some breakfast... we begin training today."

Arslan sat up slowly, rubbing his head.

"I was hoping you'd say that. We need to grow stronger."

His dark hoodie, freshly washed, hung at the side of the wardrobe, but today he wore something different—his full Mythic robe, as it better suited the training ahead. He stepped out of his room and made his way to the courtyard, where the rest of the Mythic-ranked warriors had already gathered for breakfast.

The air was warm, the sky painted with early sun. The courtyard buzzed lightly with laughter and chatter. As Arslan approached the table, several of his comrades noticed him.

"There he is!" said Tarric with a grin.

"Arslan, finally recovered?" Yuna asked gently, passing him a loaf of honey bread.

"Yeah," Arslan said with a nod, taking a seat among them.

"I just needed rest. That's all."

Nirela Quen, ever watchful, took the seat next to him with her usual quiet charm.

"You should've told someone. We were worried."

Arslan gave a polite smile, though inside he whispered to Kar'Thael, "She's back again…"

Kar'Thael snorted in amusement from within him.

"She's got that spark, doesn't she? Sweet voice, You should respect that girl"

"Shut up," Arslan muttered under his breath, eyes rolling.

"I mean it. You two sitting under the moon, holding hands again? You looked like a couple already. Just don't ask me to be your best man."

Ignoring the teasing, Arslan finished his meal quickly and excused himself.

---

Scene:Mythic Training Grounds

The Mythic training field was vast, enclosed in circular stone walls with open skies above. Crystalline formations buzzed with magic along the perimeter, amplifying power usage within the bounds. Today, Arslan had reserved the space for himself.

He walked into the middle of the field and raised his hand, channeling his dark energy. Shadows stirred at his feet like liquid smoke, crawling up his arms and spiraling into form. With a focused breath, he summoned:

A Dark Bow, sleek, angular, forged from compressed shadows. The arrows formed with a whisper of his thoughts.

A Dark Shield, denser than ever before, shimmering with ethereal runes.

His signature Shadow Blades, now sharper and more reactive to motion, almost dancing around him like living beings.

Kar'Thael's voice came again, this time less playful and more focused.

"You're improving fast. You're pushing your body to match the soul's pace… impressive."

Arslan exhaled slowly and replied aloud, "You said something about a surprise."

"Ah yes," Kar'Thael's voice perked up. "A surprise I've never given to any of my previous vessels. You, however, are… different."

"When Will you reveal it?"Arslan said

Kar'Thael replied, "I Think time has come to reveal it"

"I have a wide range of abilities, Arslan. Some simple. Some… ancient. But when Bound, my power intertwines with the vessel's nature. That means we can develop new hybrid skills—combinations that go beyond what either of us could achieve alone."

Arslan's eyes narrowed, intrigued.

"We will use one new skill daily," Kar'Thael continued. "Each day, a new expression of our fusion. Some will be offensive. Some defensive. Some purely instinctual. But each one will train not only your body—but your mind and soul. We will master at least one hundred before the Binding Limit expires."

"One hundred days…" Arslan murmured.

"One hundred skills," Kar'Thael confirmed.

"And more importantly, by the end of those hundred days… you will be ready to confront even the highest-ranking Demon Lords without fear."

The wind stirred around Arslan, rippling his robe as he summoned his Dark Bow once again. He aimed at a distant crystal target, breathing in—and released. The arrow struck dead center, exploding into a cluster of whirling dark motes.

"Then we begin today," Arslan said.

"Good," Kar'Thael answered, pleased.

"Let me show you the first technique."

A current of energy built inside Arslan's chest. Kar'Thael whispered the name into his mind:

"Shadow Merge: Tier I."

Suddenly, Arslan's body shimmered with a liquid shadow coating. His footsteps became silent, his form semi-transparent—melting with the surrounding shadows. When he moved, it was like smoke slipping across the ground.

"This skill lets you blend with shadows completely for ten seconds," Kar'Thael explained.

"You're untouchable during that time. But it drains stamina heavily if repeated too quickly."

Arslan emerged from the shadowed state, panting slightly.

"That... felt powerful."

"Only the beginning," Kar'Thael said.

"You're not just my vessel anymore, Arslan. You're becoming something neither of us expected. Let's see how far this path goes."

Arslan looked out at the horizon of the training field, the sky now a deepening shade of gold. His hands clenched as new resolve built within him.

"Let's get to work."