BOND SHATTERED

The sun crept over Lumisgrave's skies, casting a pale golden hue across the Mythic Base courtyard. But beneath the rising light, the hearts of the Mythics were cloaked in something colder than shadow.

Ravik cracked his knuckles beside a tree near the courtyard. "I'm done watching him walk past us like we're strangers."

Yuna, seated on the stone steps, nodded. "This is the third day. Not a word. Not even during meals. He trains like he's punishing himself."

Seris exhaled. "We need to say something before it's too late. He's pushing us out."

Nirela stood nearby, her arms folded tightly, her eyes downcast. "He wasn't always like this…"

Orien leaned back on a pillar. "Then we better remind him who we are. Who he is."

Just then, Arslan stepped into the courtyard from the corridor, his boots echoing on the stone floor. He was wearing his usual dark hoodie, his face unreadable—eyes devoid of the warmth they once held.

Vaelith called out, firm and loud, "Arslan. We need to talk."

Arslan's steps slowed. He looked up, wary, guarded.

Elyra stepped forward. "We've been worried. You've been avoiding us."

Arslan replied, flatly, "There's nothing to worry about. I'm fine."

"Fine?" Caelis scoffed. "You haven't even looked at us for days."

"You haven't trained with anyone," Nirela said softly, "You haven't eaten with us. You haven't smiled."

"I don't need to," Arslan replied coldly. "I don't need any of you."

Nirela's voice trembled. "But we need you…"

Arslan turned to her, eyes sharp. "Don't."

"What…?" she whispered.

He stepped forward, gaze locked onto hers. "Please—bury your feelings for me. Don't try to understand me. Don't wait. Don't care."

The silence after those words was deafening.

Yuna whispered in disbelief, "Arslan…"

"I don't want bonds. I don't want friendship. I don't want you."

Nirela's lips quivered. Her eyes welled up—but she didn't cry. She simply looked down.

"You're better off without me," Arslan added, turning away.

Seris replied "Arslan, you are crossing limits. You never think how much she loves you.Yiu are hurting her day by day."

Arslan said"I never let her to Love me".

"You arrogant bastard," Seris hissed.

Ravik stepped in front of him. "What gives you the right to treat us like this?"

"You trained with us," Tharion growled. "You fought beside us. We trusted you."

"I never asked for your trust."

"No," Orien cut in. "But you earned it. And now you're spitting on it."

Yuna's voice broke, "You think you're protecting us by pushing us away? You're not."

Arslan glanced back, briefly, his expression almost faltering—but then he hardened again.

"I'll walk alone. That's how it should be."

Tharion said "I think we have given you respect more than you deserve... But w didn't realize that we are here for just as minority"

"If you want to be alone,We won't speak to you again," Seris snapped. "And when you fall, we won't catch you."

Arslan didn't respond. He walked past them all, the atmosphere behind him cracked, broken like glass. He vanished into the hall.

The door creaked shut behind him. He didn't lock it. He didn't care. His bed was untouched. His weapons hung silently on the wall. He sat down, arms on his knees, head lowered.

And then a voice rose—quiet but laced with disappointment.

> "Today, you crossed your limits."

Arslan didn't lift his head. "Don't start, Kar'Thæl."

> "You shattered the bond you built with them. With her."

Arslan's tone sharpened. "They'll be better off."

> "Will they? Or is it you who is afraid of being loved?"

"I'm not afraid of anything."

> "Liar."

Arslan stood, angry. "Shut up. I don't need anyone. Not them. Not you."

Kar'Thæl's voice shifted—no longer that sardonic smirk, but cold, heavy truth.

> "When I found you, I saw someone shattered… someone who needed purpose. And I gave you strength. But now, I see someone blind. You see only yourself."

"You think I'm selfish?"

> "You are selfish. You think pain is your privilege. You dismiss their loyalty as weakness. You mistake love for a chain."

"I told you—I don't want bonds!"

"In my world , there's no bad behavior among people... That's way we are stronger even from all of you "...

"I don't need them. I didn't do anything wrong."

> "Then you no longer need me."

Arslan flinched. His fists clenched. "Don't say that."

> "You want solitude? I'll give it to you. Train alone. Fight alone. Survive alone."

Kar'Thæl's presence dimmed inside him—an aching silence replaced the ever-present flame.

> "Our bond is not broken by force, Arslan. It breaks by choice. And you've made yours."

Arslan sank back onto the bed. For the first time in years, he felt small. Diminished.

Alone.