INFO

The silence of night wrapped the Bound Threshold in an eerie stillness, broken only by the hum of the ancient energy barriers swirling through the black stone archways. Arslan stood there, cloaked in shadows, his presence quiet but purposeful.

Kar'Thæl whispered from within him, "It's time. Let's see what ZARELLE is really hiding."

Arslan nodded and stepped forward into the inner chamber. In the center, ZARELLE hung in chains forged from bound magic—his body weakened, his power suppressed, yet his presence still monstrous. The mighty beast, now stripped of his roar, lifted his head as Arslan approached.

ZARELLE's bloodshot eyes narrowed.

"You again..." the demon growled, his voice low and coarse. "No one else has ever beaten me before. You're not just a man... you're hiding something."

Arslan's voice was calm, almost casual, but it carried weight. "Yeah... more than you'd expect."

Before ZARELLE could respond, the shadows behind Arslan twisted like smoke. From them, Kar'Thæl stepped out slowly, his eyes glowing a dull crimson, his figure looming like a forgotten god.

ZARELLE's eyes widened in horror. "Ka... Ka... Kar'Thæl...?"

Kar'Thæl grinned darkly. "Yes... How's my surprise?"

The beast trembled. "But... there was no sign... no presence from your vessel. You were so close to me... and I didn't feel you..."

Kar'Thæl tilted his head. "That's because I didn't fight through him. He fought on his own."

ZARELLE's jaw slackened in disbelief. "You mean... your vessel defeated me without you?"

"Exactly," Kar'Thæl said, placing a hand proudly on Arslan's shoulder. "My vessel is something extraordinary."

A moment of tense silence followed. Then ZARELLE, lowering his gaze, said grimly, "Why haven't you killed me yet?"

Kar'Thæl stepped closer. His voice sharpened. "Because we need information."

ZARELLE let out a dry laugh. "And why do you think I'll give you any?"

Without a word, Kar'Thæl raised his hand. The chains binding ZARELLE glowed with deep violet energy—and then they began to tighten. ZARELLE roared in sudden agony, his monstrous body arching against the pressure.

"STOP! I WON'T TALK!" he screamed, resisting, veins bulging across his face and arms.

Kar'Thæl's voice darkened. "You will."

He drew his obsidian blade—Crimson Verge—its edge flickering with whispering shadows. With one fluid swing, he sliced through ZARELLE's left hand. Blood sprayed the chamber wall.

ZARELLE howled, his breath ragged, sweat dripping from his horned brow. Still, he refused.

Kar'Thæl showed no mercy. He turned and—another slash—ZARELLE's other hand fell with a sickening thud.

The beast choked on a scream.

"STOP! I'LL TALK!" ZARELLE finally howled, his chest heaving.

Kar'Thæl leaned forward, eyes glowing. "Where is my family?"

ZARELLE trembled, eyes flickering in fear. "In... the demon world... in the Obsidian Vault of Shai'Kor."

Kar'Thæl's fingers clenched. His voice cracked with emotion. "Are they alive?"

"Yes," ZARELLE breathed. "The Lords kept them... They're alive. I swear..."

A moment passed. Then Arslan stepped forward.

"Is there any human among the captives?"

ZARELLE looked at him. "Yes... there's one who looks... like you..."

Arslan inhaled sharply. For the first time in years, a rush of emotion flooded him. His father... he's alive.

Kar'Thæl turned cold again. "What's the next plan? When is the next attack?"

ZARELLE looked down, then smirked weakly. "I... I don't know. The Mid-Lords keep their secrets. I was only ordered to test your strength."

Kar'Thæl paused. "Then your purpose is over."

ZARELLE's eyes widened. "Wait—what are you—"

Before he could finish, Kar'Thæl raised his sword again. With a final flash of dark light, he beheaded ZARELLE in one clean stroke. The demon's monstrous head fell with a thud. The room fell into silence.

Kar'Thæl exhaled and let his sword vanish into smoke.

"Thank God... our families are still alive," he said quietly.

Arslan stood beside him, eyes still on the fallen corpse. "But we have to do something... We have to get them back."

Kar'Thæl's gaze hardened. "We will."

They turned away from the body, stepping back through the portal of shadows.

The fight wasn't over. It had only just begun.