DECISION TO RE SCOUT

The return to Mythic Base was heavy and silent. The three riders—Tarric, Ismere, and Vaelith—emerged from the forest path, stirring dust beneath the sinking sun. Ismere lay pale in a healer lap in horse trotting, her breaths slow and shallow. Tarric guided their black steed steadily, but his shoulders sagged with exhaustion.

Near the entrance, a cluster of Mythic Knights awaited anxiously: Arslan, Nirela, Ravik, Seris, Caelis, Yuna, Elyra, Malrik, Zhalya, Kyren, Maelis, and Tarric's closest allies. Relief washed over each face as they recognized the returning trio.

Arslan rushed forward.

> "Ismere! Tarric! What—what happened?"

Vaelith gently eased Ismere down onto a stretcher carried by waiting healers from the Mythic Ward. The soft rustle of cloth and the hiss of medical herbs filled the air.

Tarric, voice low, began explaining as Arslan hovered near Ismere's side.

> "We found goblins at the site, Lord Arslan," he started. "But even after dispatching them, a new monster attacked—bigger, stronger… scaled, scythe-armed. Ismere confronted it. She was—she was grievously injured."

Arslan's eyes widened. He took in every detail—Ismere's tightly clenched fists and Vaelith's white-knuckled grip as he carried her to the ward.

> "Creature… bone blades," Tarric continued. "It struck her with terrifying speed. Vaelith kept burning through every ounce of his power to keep her alive."

Arslan's chest tightened. His mind raced.

> "These Demon Sites are more dangerous than any of us expected," he said, voice quiet but firm. "The King sees it now—the curse that spreads from these places. We're no longer dealing with mere goblins."

At the bedside, Vaelith leaned over Ismere, hands glowing faint green as he pressed healing sigils into her skin. She stirred, eyes flickering open.

Seris knelt at the side. "Ismere… you're safe. You're among your people."

Yuna placed a comforting hand on Ismere's arm. "Don't speak. We're all here."

The ward doors creaked closed softly, just as Ismere whispered:

> "Tell… Tarric… I'm… sorry."

He shook his head, voice breaking:

> "Don't—don't be sorry. You saved us."

Arslan stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Tarric's shoulder—a rare moment of solidarity between them.

> "You both came back alive. That's what matters now."

A hush fell before Ravik spoke:

> "We owe you both a thousand times over. The King should take measures about the incident."

At that, the ward doors opened. A senior healer entered.

> Healer: "She's stable but still weak. The wounds are deep, but Vaelith's binding wards are holding. Keep the room quiet—no sudden movements or emotions."

Vaelith lowered his glow and offered a weak nod.

> "Thank you," he murmured.

Arslan bowed respectfully.

> "Let me help. I'll stay until she wakes."

Vaelith paused and smiled softly.

> "I'd appreciate that."

Arslan moved to Ismere's other side. Tarric, head bowed, lingered in the doorway with Vaelith.

They watched their teammate sleep, breaths steadying…

Later that evening, mental weight settled upon Arslan and Tarric as they regrouped with the others outside the ward.

Caelis approached gently.

> "Tell me truth—how grievous is the creature?"

Tarric shook his head.

> "Something we never faced before. Armor-like scales, uncanny strength—it was unstoppable by us then."

Elyra, voice tight with worry: "What if more of them spawn? This isn't a one-off."

Arslan nodded gravely.

> "No. It's a pattern. The Demon Sites are breeding grounds. The King recognizes it. He'll send stronger Echelon knights, but for now… we Mythics stand at the front."

A silence carried between them, each recalling flashes of Ismere's sacrifice and Vaelith's unwavering medicine.

Nirela, near tears: "We… need to be ready. All of us."

Malrik flexed his hands.

> "Then we train harder. Understand our weapons. Sharpen every skill."

> Zhalya wrapped her arms around her shovel-blade.

> "And protect each other. That's how we'll survive."

The next morning, King Farhan summoned the entire Echelon roster. The Great Hall, ringed with banners and lit by crystal chandeliers, carried undercurrents of fear and resolve.

Arslan, Tarric, and Vaelith stood front and center.

King Farhan stood tall, voice resonant:

> "The Demon Site near the Iron Mine—is more than a cave. A hidden chamber of dark magics. Reports came of a scaled demon with bone blades that nearly killed one of our own. That creature is not an outlier—it is the latest evolution of demonic engineering."

He paced slowly before the gathered knights.

> "We will no longer ignore these sites. Beginning at dawn, we will send the strongest force available—and Mythics and Zeniths will lead the charge."

King said to Kaelen of Obreth(Most powerful Zenith) "You will take the charge and Arslan will be as your right hand"

Arslan and Kaelen both bowed as respect..

A murmur of agreement rippled around the hall.

> King (continuing): "My Council believes the crystalline runes in these locations are keys to their summoning. The crystals brought back by Tarric's team will be analyzed further—Vaelith, permission to lead the warding ritual?"

Vaelith bowed.

> "At once, Your Majesty."

Back at the Mythic Ward, the team reconvened.

Vaelith recounted the King's plan:

> "We're moving to secure the site at dawn. I'll stay here until Ismere is out of danger."

Arslan laid a comforting hand on Vaelith's armor.

> "She'll fight through it—with us behind her."

Nirela spoke softly,

> "You saved her. None of this without both of you."

Caelis added, determined:

> "And we'll stand at your side."

Tarric approached, voice firm but gentle.

> "I'll stay with Vaelith tonight. Patch her wounds. Make sure we can send her back into the field."

They nodded.

Arslan closed the circle.

> "Then we'll protect our sister. And fight the curses at their source."

Night fall settled with a heavy calm. From inside the Mythic Ward, the soft glow of healing wards pulsed, timed with Ismere's breaths. Vaelith sat vigil, eyes on her face.

Outside, Arslan patrolled silently, shoulders tense, mind racing. Each alpha star overhead reminded him how small they all were... and how great the stakes.

Arslan whispered to the night:

> "We'll end this. Together."