KAR'THAEL REVEAL

The sun hovered at its peak as the sky shone with a warm golden glow above Lumisgrave. The Royal Capital basked in soft wind and sunlight, but under the surface, something heavier stirred. Arslan, after the intensity of recent events, exhaled slowly. He looked at Kar'Thael and asked, "Are you ready to go?"

Kar'Thael gave a firm nod, folding his arms, his presence almost regal now. "Let's go."

The journey to the capital was filled with quiet anticipation. Carriages moved, children played near corners, unaware of the truth lingering behind every smile. The marketplace bustled with noise, colors, scents, and chatter. But Arslan's mind was far from the noise. Thoughts spiraled around the decision they were about to make.

As they approached the Royal Castle, the tall silver gates shimmered under the sun. Crimson banners flapped above the walls. A distant melody of wind chimes hung over the silence. It was peaceful, deceptively peaceful.

Two palace guards, armored and strict in posture, stepped forward, crossing their spears. "Halt! State your identity."

Arslan stepped up with resolve, placing a hand on his chest respectfully. "I am Arslan, from the Mythic Order. I seek an urgent audience with Sir Julius."

The guards exchanged glances, then one of them turned, disappearing inside the castle. Minutes passed before he returned. "You may proceed. Sir Julius grants the audience."

Arslan was led through the vast halls of the Royal Palace—walls laced with intricate carvings, chandeliers of crystal hanging above. The atmosphere was soaked in power and history. Tension built in his chest with each step.

Julius waited in his chamber, wearing his Council robes. His sharp eyes focused instantly as Arslan entered. "Arslan," he greeted. "This is a surprise. What brings you here?"

Arslan stood still. "Sir, I must speak with you and King Farhan. Privately. It's a matter of utmost importance."

Julius's brows tightened. "About what?"

"I can only reveal it when both of you are present. Please."

Julius, after a pause, nodded. "Wait here. I will speak to the King."

Moments later, a royal guard returned. "His Majesty has agreed. Please follow me."

The King's room stood in solemn majesty—lined with glowing maps, ancient scrolls, and a stained-glass window depicting the unity of the Echelon Knights. As Arslan stood at the entrance, he caught his breath and entered when beckoned.

King Farhan sat on his elevated seat, the shimmering crown resting over his long hair, white with streaks of black. Julius stood beside him. The air in the room felt heavy.

"Arslan," the King spoke warmly. "Tell us, what brings you here?"

Arslan, now nervous, lowered his gaze for a moment, then looked back up. "I came here to speak about... Kar'Thæl."

The King and Julius instantly exchanged shocked glances.

"Kar'Thæl? What do you know of that name?" Julius asked, eyes narrowing.

"I know about his vessel," Arslan said firmly.

Before they could ask more, a swirl of red-black mist escaped from Arslan's back. Shadows danced along the floor and coalesced in front of the throne. Within seconds, Kar'Thæl stood tall—his eyes glowing, horns curling upward, a burning aura cloaking his presence.

Both Julius and the King rose to their feet.

"Stay calm," Kar'Thæl said, raising one hand. "I am not your enemy."

The King looked shaken. "But the devils... they said you're the destroyer... the curse."

Kar'Thæl smirked. "That's what they want you to believe. Their lies are sewn deep in the false scriptures you possess. The book that speaks of me... it's all a trap."

"The Book... is fake?" Julius whispered, stunned.

"Yes," Kar'Thæl answered. "The Devils wrote it to manipulate humans. To paint me as the harbinger of destruction. But I'm not here to destroy. I came only to find my vessel."

"And now?" the King asked, still cautious.

"Now... I am here to save this world. My world. Arslan's world. Our world," Kar'Thæl said solemnly. "Because the threat is real. The Vault of Sundusk. The Demonic Stones. The Demon Lords."

Julius's voice trembled. "You mean... they want to use the stones to bring the Demon Lords into this realm?"

"Exactly," Arslan answered. "Once the stones are placed in the Vault of Sundusk, the main gates will open. And then..."

"They will enslave all of humanity," Kar'Thæl finished.

King Farhan stepped forward slowly, absorbing every word. "But we had the stones. We hid them in the Bound Threshold."

Kar'Thæl nodded. "Yes. But the ones you hid... were fake."

"What?" the King gasped. "Fake?"

"I replaced them. To protect you from betrayal. Moreover, I also deceived devils by giving fake stones.I needed the devils to believe they had succeeded. And it worked. They retreated because they think they already have the stones."

Julius stared at Arslan. "So the day you mentioned the stones... that wasn't your intention to expose them?"

Arslan nodded. "It was just my own question. Kar'Thæl had not bound himself with me yet. He wasn't guiding me at that time."

The King lowered himself back into his seat, sighing deeply. "So... your purpose here is not domination?"

Kar'Thæl looked into the King's eyes. "It never was. I was sent here. Against my will. And now, knowing what's coming, I choose to protect."

Arslan added, "Majesty, we need your help. You cannot stop the devils alone."

The room fell silent until the King finally said, "Why should we trust you?"

KAR'THAEL calmly replied, "Next attack will be more powerful than we expected.You have no reason to. But I ask you this—what choice do you have?"

Julius clenched his jaw. "He's right. If what he says is true, our forces alone won't be enough."

The King nodded slowly. "So what is your plan?"

"We expect the next wave to bring Mid-level Demons," Kar'Thæl explained. "They are stronger than your Zeniths."

The King flinched. "Stronger than the Zeniths?"

"Yes," Kar'Thæl confirmed. "But Arslan will face them. And he will win."

"You say that so easily..." Julius murmured.

"Because I believe in him," Kar'Thæl said. "And I know his potential. The Mythics... your so-called 'undefineds'... are stronger than you think."

King Farhan looked at Arslan. "Do you agree with him?"

"I do," Arslan replied. "We've trained for this. We are ready to surprise the devils."

King said"Do you have a plan to fight Devils?"

Kar'Thael replied"yes,Me and Arslan will handle Mid-level Demon and other Echelon Knights serve to protect people and kill low level ones"

"And what do you ask in return?" the King asked sharply.

Kar'Thæl raised a hand. "Two things. One—you must keep our identity secret. No one outside this room must know I exist within Arslan. And second... shift Arslan's mother from the low district to the upper district. She deserves safety."

A silence stretched before the King smiled faintly. "I see. You care for your vessel deeply."

Kar'Thæl looked away. "He is more than that."

Arslan blinked, slightly moved.

The King stood. "You have my word. We will cooperate. We will prepare. We will stand beside you."

Before Arslan could leave, the King asked one last question. "It was you, wasn't it? The figure in my dream... warning me?"

Kar'Thæl turned. "Yes. It was me."

Then suddenly, sirens begin in whole city.....

This time, messenger devils give warning.

Daemior said "You made our Lords angry....This will be your end soon..."

Rivers shock" Angry..... From what??"

Nazzik added ... "By giving fake stones "

Camero replied"Fake stones??"

Daemior said angrily"Now, you will face the curse of Demon Lords soon "

Then , suddenly they went inside the open gate and there rose silence everywhere....

Kar'Thael whispered to Julius "Now, It's time for the plan to execute"

Julius said nothing but nodded...