AK : RISING MYTHIC

In the heart of the demon realm, beneath a mountain of bleeding stone and burning clouds, stood the Vault of Sundusk — a massive circular gate made of ancient obsidian, chained shut with glowing red seals. Three Demon Lords, cloaked in flame and shadow, stood before it, their eyes glowing like volcanic coals.

One of them raised a clawed hand, and in it hovered the three Stones of Sundusk — relics of chaotic energy stolen from across the realms. Each stone pulsed with a rhythm that resonated with the Vault's dormant hunger.

> "We will begin with the weakest," one Demon Lord said, his voice like boiling tar. "Imps, Goblins — creatures of swarm and terror. They will rot the walls of Lumisgrave from the inside."

> "And once they panic…" growled the second, taller demon, "...the humans will break. They will surrender the rest of the Stones."

> "Open the Vault," ordered the third.

With a twisted chant, the three stones were placed into sockets carved into the Vault. The obsidian lit with crimson sigils, and a low roar rumbled from beneath the mountain. The ground split. Magic shrieked. And then—

CRACK.

The Vault opened, releasing a blinding flash of infernal light. From the darkness within, hundreds of creatures spilled out — small, hideous goblins with jagged teeth, greenish-grey skin, and mismatched armor. Alongside them, imps with leathery wings screeched and darted into the sky, their hands crackling with impish fire.

The first invasion had begun.

---

Meanwhile: Arslan's Room, Mythic Base

Far from the Vault, back in the upper districts of Lumisgrave, Arslan sat on his bed, arms folded behind his head. The evening sky glowed outside his window, painting the stone walls of his room in warm gold. But Arslan wasn't thinking about the weather. His mind was wrapped in thought, and Kar'Thael's voice lingered in his head like a second heartbeat.

> "You've never told me what you remember about your father," Kar'Thael said.

Arslan didn't speak for a moment.

"My memories are blurry," he admitted.

"Don't be sad " Kar'Thael replied " we will find a way to save them "

"One day" Arslan said firmly

Before Arslan could say more, something shifted.

A strange cold wind passed through the air.

Then—BOOM!

A deep vibration shook the window panes. Arslan sat up.

> "Did you feel that?" he asked.

> "Yes," Kar'Thael replied grimly. "That wasn't natural."

Another tremor followed, louder. A flash of red light pierced the sky in the distance.

Suddenly, an alarm rang through the Mythic Base — a magical chime that echoed into every room. Arslan rushed to the balcony.

What he saw stole his breath.

From the outer edges of Lumisgrave, dark smoke billowed up like a volcano had erupted. Screams rang from the streets below. Fires spread through the lower districts. Tiny figures — goblins — swarmed the roads, tearing through homes, attacking civilians.

Above them, imps screeched and launched small fireballs into buildings and trees. Their twisted laughter echoed through the air.

From above, it looked like ants had spilled across a painting — but these ants had blades and claws and no mercy.

> "They've opened the Vault," Kar'Thael said coldly. "Three stones… that's enough for a low-tier gate. This is just the beginning."

Arslan's fists clenched. "We have to fight."

"You're not ready for a horde yet. These creatures are weaker than you, but they are many. YOU can beat them but It takes your more energy to beat them. You will need long stamina, More time to react and kill them"

"You are right " Arslan said "But I cannot see my people dying"

In the main plaza, people were fleeing in all directions. Market stalls were overturned. Children cried out for their parents. Knights from various ranks — Alpha, Omega, even a few Mythics — rushed out to intercept.

One Alpha-ranked Echelon Knight — a tall woman with flame-blades — held her ground against fifteen goblins. She swung, cutting two down with one slice, but more came from behind. She was forced to leap onto a rooftop to breathe.

"They're swarming us!" she shouted into her communication crystal.

From a balcony, Parche, the leader of the People's Forum, watched in horror as five imps blasted apart the city's guard tower.

"They're everywhere!" he said, then activated an emergency beacon to the King.

At the royal palace, King Farhan stood watching the flames rise in the distance. His jaw tightened.

> "They've made their move," he said to Julius beside him. "We must respond. Where are the Stones?"

> "Hidden," Julius replied.

> "Then let them chase ghosts. Send in the Zeniths if needed. The city must not fall."