THE SPIRIT RETURNS

The sun filtered gently through the high windows of the Mythic Base, warming the stone halls as breakfast chatter slowly faded from the dining hall. Arslan sat silently at the end of the table, the taste of tea lingering as a comforting warmth. His eyes, however, seemed distant—focused not on the plate before him but on something far deeper.

That's when Kar'Thael whispered, his voice carrying purpose:

> "Arslan… tonight, we visit Bound Threshold."

Arslan lifted his head, meeting the silence in his mind.

> "ZARELLE is sealed, but he still breathes. We need to question him about our families… and more importantly, what the demons plan next. There's no better time."

Arslan exhaled slowly and nodded.

"Okay… tonight, then." He paused for a moment, glancing down at his hands. "But before that… I think I've had too many days away from training. My body feels… stale."

Kar'Thael chuckled softly.

> "Ah… there it is. The fire again. As you wish, Arslan—let's return to the ground where we belong."

A few minutes later, Arslan stepped onto the training ground, dressed in his standard black combat gear, his hoodie sleeves rolled slightly above the elbow. The others were scattered nearby, training or chatting, but Arslan walked forward alone—focused, revived.

**He began with physical drills—push-ups, weighted lifts, dodges, rapid shadow kicks—**each movement sharp and full of intent. The ground echoed under his controlled impacts. His hair clung slightly to his forehead from sweat, but his face showed clarity, not exhaustion.

"I missed this spirit," he muttered under his breath, panting lightly between reps.

Kar'Thael's voice rang with approval:

> "Now we compensate for it. No more wasted time. You've grown, and now we grow sharper."

Arslan stood tall and wiped his brow. "What do you have for me today?"

> "A defensive technique," Kar'Thael replied.

"One you will need soon. Not every battle can be won by power. Sometimes… you must endure."

Arslan stepped back, planting his heels into the earth.

"Teach me."

---

Kar'Thael's tone turned commanding, focused.

> "This technique is called 'Void Bastion.' It pulls energy from the deepest shadows of your core and forms a dome-like barrier around your body—

not of metal, not of stone, but of dark energy layered like scales.

It doesn't reflect damage, but absorbs it momentarily and dispels it outward after 10 seconds, forcing enemies to back off."

Arslan's hands glowed faintly with black and violet energy. He closed his eyes, drawing upon his dark core. His arms lifted and crossed in front of him.

Kar'Thael guided calmly:

> "Don't force it. Let it wrap around you like your own breath."

With a sudden flash of dark light, a translucent barrier emerged around Arslan—shaped like interlocking armor plates made of shadows. Small streaks of energy twisted across the surface, and the ground beneath him cracked slightly from pressure.

> "Hold it," Kar'Thael instructed.

"Now, imagine a strike. Feel it coming."

Arslan braced, and as if on cue, a training dummy launched a shadow bolt toward him—one of the automated magic testers left by earlier squads. The bolt struck the Void Bastion—and the energy rippled across the dome.

Instead of dispersing, it was absorbed.

Ten seconds passed.

Then—BOOM!

The entire dome exploded outward in a circular burst of harmless, compressed force.

Kar'Thael's voice brimmed with pride:

> "That is Void Bastion. It can only be used twice a day unless you're in dire need. It takes from your stamina, not your health. But time it right… and it could save more lives than your blade ever will."

Arslan stood silent, looking at the faint black dust floating in the aftermath of the burst.

"This… is powerful."

Kar'Thael replied:

> "Power isn't always about striking first. It's about surviving long enough to strike last."

---

As Arslan sat at the edge of the ground, cooling down, his breath steady, he looked toward the horizon.

Tonight, Bound Threshold awaited.

And within it—ZARELLE.

Whatever secrets that beast held about Kar'Thael's world, or their families… they would uncover them together.

> "Let's finish this day strong," Arslan said aloud.

"Because tonight, we get answers."