The sun had set by the time Arslan returned to the Mythic Base after the tense and chaotic moments at Zenith Base. His body was tired, muscles sore from combat and pressure, but somewhere within him, something was glowing brighter than exhaustion—resolve.
As Arslan sat on the edge of his bed, he loosened the straps of his dark robe and sighed deeply, recalling how he stood against Tyrus and held his ground with unwavering composure. The moment echoed in his mind like a silent victory, though he had no desire to flaunt it.
Kar'Thael's voice echoed from the deep shadows in the room, almost teasing but laced with gravity.
"You have done great there," Kar'Thael said, "And one more thing, you're making bonds with the people around you. That... is good."
Arslan lifted an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the compliment. "Didn't expect that from you."
Kar'Thael chuckled. "Don't mistake me for someone who hates companionship. United training teaches us to combine abilities with others, to adapt—but remember one thing, vessel…" his tone sharpened, "when you're alone in battle, what will you do?"
Arslan leaned back, thinking. "You're talking about solo training?"
"I never said that," Kar'Thael said. "But we cannot learn advanced techniques out in the open. The enemies observe, and so do the Council eyes. The world is changing fast, and we've already lost 10 days."
Arslan stood up slowly, arms crossed, tension in his shoulders.
"We already have six techniques," he said. "If I keep showing everything, people will start asking questions. Better they believe I'm just reshaping dark energy, using maybe a couple of skills. Let them underestimate me."
Kar'Thael smirked.
"Exactly. During the day, continue training normally with the Mythics. Improve your stamina, your strength, and shaping skills. But every night, for just two hours, we'll train alone—silently, hidden—and unlock what truly belongs to us."
Arslan groaned. "You're going to burn my soul with this double shift."
"If you want to stand against mid-level demons… you have no choice," Kar'Thael said seriously. "They are not like goblins. They regenerate, they think, they fight with experience. They are the true warriors of the demonic world."
Arslan let out a frustrated breath. "But what about my rest? Do I not get to sleep like other normal people?"
Kar'Thael replied with a mocking grin in his voice. "I will give you one leave. At the weekend, you can rest."
"Finally, a sigh of relief," Arslan exhaled dramatically, half-serious, half-joking. "I want to rest today then. Just the evening. No dark training, no cursed technique, no shadow whispering."
Kar'Thael didn't reply immediately. A few seconds of silence passed.
Then came the teasing.
"Rest, hmm? Or are you trying to save energy for someone else?"
Arslan narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you implying?"
"Oh, come on, Arslan," Kar'Thael chuckled darkly. "The way you stepped up for Nirela yesterday in Zenith Base… poetic. Brave. Romantic even. Quite the knightly gesture."
"You shut up."
"The way she smiled at you after the fight... I swear I heard your soul hum."
"Shut. Up." Arslan pulled the pillow and threw it toward the shadow where Kar'Thael's voice echoed.
Kar'Thael laughed. "Don't worry. I'll let you rest tonight. But tomorrow," his tone returned to serious, "our real journey starts."
"I know," Arslan muttered, looking at his gloves. "Let's just hope no one else finds out before it's time."
And in the darkness, Kar'Thael only whispered back, "They won't. Not until it's far too late for them to stop us."