NIRELA'S CONCERN AND KINGS MEETING

Morning light filtered through the windows of the Mythic Base, its golden hue gently brushing across Arslan's face as he awoke. The exhaustion from the goblin battle had faded — though a faint ache still lingered in his limbs, it was nothing compared to the storm he had endured.

He sat up slowly, breathing in the silence of the now-emptied Medical Ward. For once, there were no whispers of urgency, no alarms of incoming attacks. Just peace… however temporary.

Kar'Thael stirred inside his mind, humming thoughtfully.

"You've healed. Time to move again. The world won't slow for us."

"I know," Arslan muttered under his breath.

He stepped out of the ward and made his way down the corridor toward his room, still adjusting to the calm. As he turned past the main courtyard archway, his eyes fell on someone sitting alone on one of the marble benches — Nirela Quen.

Her head was lowered slightly, hands in her lap, the usual glimmer in her silver eyes dulled. She wasn't surrounded by the others like usual. Her energy felt distant. Withdrawn.

Kar'Thael's voice was quieter this time.

"That girl… she's hurting. You should speak with her."

Arslan hesitated.

Then, without a word, he walked toward her.

As he approached, Nirela looked up, clearly surprised to see him. She blinked, then gave a soft smile — though it didn't quite reach her eyes.

"You're awake," she said gently.

"I am," Arslan replied, standing still for a second before deciding to sit beside her.

There was an awkward pause.

Then Nirela finally spoke what she had clearly been holding in for days.

"Why do you behave like I'm your enemy?" she asked, her voice low but full of hurt. "Why do you always ignore me? You never respond to my greetings. Not even a nod."

Arslan was silent for a long breath.

Then he exhaled and answered honestly. "It's not you. I just wanted to stay alone. I didn't want to get attached to anyone."

Nirela turned slightly toward him. "But why? We're all on the same side. We fight together. You don't have to push everyone away."

Arslan looked down, fingers curling lightly on his knee. "Because attachments bring pain. I've already lost too much. If I let someone close again… I might lose them too."

There was silence between them again.

Then Arslan looked at her and added sincerely, "I'm sorry. For being rude. For ignoring you. You didn't deserve that."

Nirela's expression softened. "I wasn't looking for anything big, Arslan. Just... a little kindness."

A slight smile tugged at the corner of Arslan's lips. "I'll try."

They spoke a little longer, their conversation flowing more easily now — sharing light jokes, quiet thoughts, and the strange bond that forms between those who've seen the edge of chaos together.

About half an hour passed before the other Mythic members arrived in the courtyard. Elyra, Vaelith, Yuna, Tharion, and a few more joined them, some smiling, others surprised to see Arslan talking — and smiling — with Nirela.

"Look who's finally up," Tharion said with a grin. "Feeling better?"

"Better than yesterday," Arslan replied simply.

"You gave us a scare, man," Yuna added. "Falling unconscious like that after the fight."

"It was just exhaustion," Arslan said. "But thanks."

Elyra stepped forward with a note in hand. "Oh, and by the way — the King has summoned all of us. A special meeting about the recent devil attack. Apparently, other Echelon Knights will be there too."

Arslan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Other Echelons?"

Vaelith nodded. "Yes. Something's changed. This isn't just about goblins anymore."

Kar'Thael's voice echoed faintly within Arslan.

"So… it begins."

Arslan stood. "Then let's not keep the King waiting."

The grand Meeting Hall of Lumisgrave was silent as the Mythic-ranked warriors entered. The carved stone pillars stood tall like watchful giants. Banners of each rank—Alpha, Omega, Apex, Mythic, and Zenith—hung from the rafters. A wide obsidian table curved around a glowing projection crystal in the center, pulsing faintly with magical light.

Arslan walked in alongside Nirela and the others. His steps were quiet but steady. Though recently recovered from exhaustion, his expression was calm. The same couldn't be said for some of the younger Mythics—Yuna and Elyra were visibly tense. Even Tharion, with his massive earth-hardened frame, crossed his arms silently in thought.

Other Echelon Knights had already taken their places: a mix of Omega, Apex, and even one Zenith member, Kaelen of Obreth, stood near the head of the hall. His glowing blue scar caught the light as he gave a faint nod of respect to the incoming Mythics.

After a moment of hushed murmurs, the doors to the upper chamber opened.

King Farhan entered, regal and powerful in his royal robe, followed by key Council members—Julius, Parche, Rivers, and Camero. The room fell into respectful silence. All eyes turned to the King.

He walked to the front, placed a hand on the edge of the table, and his voice echoed through the stone hall.

> "My brave warriors… this was our first battle with the devils."

He paused.

> "And even in this first clash, they brought suffering. They sent mere goblins and imps—but they killed our people. Burned homes. Injured dozens. And even the strongest of you… you were pushed to the edge."

His gaze swept over the room, pausing slightly on Arslan.

> "Many of us put faith in their message. In that ancient Book of Warning. They claimed they wanted to stop Kar'Thael… They told us these stones were a tool to kill him, to seal him. But what did we see?"

He raised his hand, and the central crystal lit up, displaying the Vault of Sundusk. A magical projection showed three blackened stones being set into its face. A red gate opened in the vision, and dozens of goblins and imps poured out.

> "They lied."

Murmurs rippled across the hall.

> "The stones weren't for Kar'Thael's death. They were the keys to invasion."

> "And that… was just three stones. Just one gate opened. That tiny breach was enough to send a wave of low-level demons into our cities."

He stepped back, letting the image fade.

> "And now, I ask you—how many kinds of demons do you think exist in their world? How powerful are their elites? How many more gates can they open if they find all six stones?"

The weight of the question sank into every heart in the room.

> "We do not know their strength. We do not know their numbers. And we do not yet know their true plan. But I will not let us be caught unaware again."

He raised a clenched fist.

> "The other three stones are still here. In our hands. That's what's keeping the full invasion from happening."

> "This meeting is not just to inform you—but to prepare you. You must train harder than ever. Because we don't know when the next gate will open. But I promise you—it will open."

Silence held for a long moment before the King's voice softened.

> "But not all is dark. Some of you stood bravely in that battle. You've earned more than praise."

He turned to the Mythics.

> "Your performance in the Goblin invasion was extraordinary. You held the line while others fell. You protected what could've been lost."

He looked directly at Arslan again.

> "Your courage did not go unseen."

Arslan gave a slight bow of his head but said nothing.

> "And so… we will not let you stand alone in this. For those who've lost homes, supplies, family members—the treasury will support you. Every Echelon Knight, every civilian who suffered—will receive help to rebuild and recover."

The room exhaled, a few quiet sighs of relief spreading through the tension.

> "You are not alone in this war."

Then the King stepped back, letting the Council members speak briefly.

Julius added:

> "We've begun studies on the gate's magic. We believe the remaining three stones can be concealed more securely now. But we need time—and time comes only through strength."

Parche said:

> "Our people are frightened. But fear will not defeat us—unity will."

Camero gave a short but heartfelt message:

> "You're not just knights. You're beacons. Let them see your strength. Let them find hope in it."

Then finally, King Farhan closed the meeting with a single line:

> "Go. Train. Grow. Survive."

The heavy stone doors opened again. The meeting was over.

As the knights exited the hall, their minds swirled with what they had just learned. Arslan stayed behind for a few extra seconds, still staring at the image of the Vault that had been projected earlier.

Inside him, Kar'Thael's voice whispered.

"And now… the real war begins."