THE CONFESS AND CONFLICT

Nightfall settled like velvet over the city, cool and silent.

The stars barely twinkled above Lumisgrave's sky, as if even the heavens held their breath. Arslan leaned back against the chair beside the window of his room, sipping the last of his lukewarm tea, his mind still clouded from everything that had happened the past few days.

Just before the clock neared 9pm, a familiar, resonant voice stirred in his mind.

"Now that we've told the King our truth..." Kar'Thæl spoke softly from within, almost uncertainly. "Do you think they will see us as allies... or enemies?"

Arslan didn't respond immediately. He placed the cup down and gazed at the moonlight cutting across the floor. Then he whispered, "King Farhan is wise. A genius man. He'll take his time to decide... but whether we are ally or enemy—it will be known in the days to come."

Kar'Thael said"One more thing, I want to tell you,the more socialism you earned, the fast we can get our bond strong.our bond is easy to shatter and complex to bulit"

Arslan replied"What's your mean??"

Kar'Thael replied gently"Socialism means to create bonding with People ...Good socialism leads to binding power enhance but bad social behavior will lead it to shatter and that feeling will make someone devil from inner".

Arslan said"You want me to get attached to everyone "

Kar'Thæl stayed silent for a moment before replying, "Let's go walk in the courtyard. I want to see who's around."

Arslan sighed. "Yeah, let's have a little chat before sleep. I'm not in the mood for training tonight."

"As your will," Kar'Thæl responded with rare softness. "Even I feel like resting today..."

---

The air in the courtyard was cooler than expected. Lanterns along the path flickered gently, casting golden light upon the stone pavement. The gentle murmur of leaves and a soft breeze made it feel like the world had paused for a moment.

Arslan stepped into the porch overlooking the open courtyard and stopped as he heard familiar voices.

Laughter. Soft, warm laughter.

He instantly recognized them—Nirela, Seris, and Yuna, sitting together on one of the benches under the glowing moonflowers. He turned to step away.

"Wait," Kar'Thæl whispered from within. "Listen to them."

"This is wrong," Arslan muttered.

"Just wait..." Kar'Thæl insisted.

Arslan stepped quietly behind one of the stone pillars. He couldn't believe he was doing this—spying. But something in Kar'Thæl's voice urged him.

---

Nirela's voice was soft. "When I first met Arslan, I thought he'd be arrogant... cold... too full of himself. But I was wrong."

Seris giggled. "So... what made you change your mind?"

Nirela paused, her voice deeper now. "He's not cold... he's protecting himself. He's scared of losing people he bonds with. So he avoids it... not because he's cruel—but because he cares too much."

Yuna added gently, "I saw it too. Especially the way he looked at you when that Zenith knight hurt you. He was furious. You don't react like that for just a teammate."

Nirela stayed quiet for a moment.

Seris poked her. "Be honest, you like him."

Nirela didn't respond in words—just a small laugh, and a smile that said everything.

Yuna cheered. "There it is! We just wanted to make you say it!"

Seris added, "The mighty Nirela, caught like a little girl in a love trap."

Nirela laughed with them—but there was a softness in her voice that didn't go unnoticed by Arslan.

---

Unable to take more, Arslan turned and walked back silently to his room. His hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but something else entirely.

As he closed the door behind him, Kar'Thæl re-emerged, his fiery, ghostlike figure hovering above the floor like a shadowy flame.

"You got yourself a treasure tonight,This is the right opportunity to make our bond strong" Kar'Thæl said teasingly. "She didn't confess directly to you, but she did to her closest friends... and that says enough."

Arslan said nothing, his jaw tight.

"She cares for you, Arslan. You can't deny that."

"Stop it, Kar'Thæl," Arslan snapped, glaring. "I don't want attachments. If she ever proposes, I'll say no."

Kar'Thæl narrowed his glowing eyes. "You say that now. But you'll regret it if you break her heart. One day, you'll care—more than you're willing to admit."

"I won't let myself feel anything," Arslan insisted, voice cold.

"Fool," Kar'Thæl muttered. "You're building a wall, not a shield. She's not just some girl—she has a pure heart. If you reject that kind of sincerity, then you don't understand what it means to be strong."

Arslan clenched his fists. ". It's about survival.we have to focus on our goals."

Kar'Thael replied "If you want to survive by hurting someone...Then I think you are already away from your goals"

"""""""""""NOTE FOR READERS"""""""""

AS ARSLAN DO A BAD THING, IT WILL WEAKENS THE BOND WITH KAR'THAEL

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Arslan said"Why you got so offensive about that girl"

KAR'THAEL said"I didn't do for her ....but I want to change your mind, you alone is nothing..."

Arslan said" Just I need you not others."

"I think,I obeyed a wrong guy... you know, these pains, feelings make a man villain. And I don't like people who for their goals make some one hurt" Kar'Thæl's voice darkened. "And if her feelings are crushed, you'll be the reason for it.Then I will just a bane for you"

Arslan stepped back. "Are you threatening me?"

"No," Kar'Thæl said with quiet finality. "Just telling you—if you wound her for no reason, then our bond will be nothing more than Vessel and Entity. I'll train you. I'll fight with you. But never expect the same loyalty. Because I won't help someone who chooses hate over love."

"This is for a girl?" Arslan's voice rose.

"Not just a girl. A heart that cares for you more than you know. And if you can't see that, then you deserve to lose her."

Arslan shook his head. "Enough. I will never accept her. So stop interfering."

Kar'Thæl's voice dropped. "Very well... if you choose solitude, so be it. But don't call my name for anything more than what is necessary."

Arslan replied"I only want to save my father, your family "

Kar'Thael replied"You can save them by uniting to your teammates... I only want to realize For binding"...

"Just keep in mind, Giving pain to someone will lead to a bad feeling"

Then Kar'Thæl faded, merging back into Arslan's body, leaving behind an emptiness that lingered like smoke in the room.

Arslan sat on the edge of the bed, heart heavier than before. He looked out the window again—toward the glowing courtyard where three girls still laughed, unaware that a boy just walked away from something deeper than battle.