SPLIT PULSE

The moonlight blanketed the Mythic Base in an eerie silver hue, casting long, silent shadows through the stone arches and ancient statues. The torches that lined the upper walls of the compound had been extinguished, and a peaceful hush had settled over the entire district.

But down below, in the vast training ground, two figures stood in defiance of sleep.

Arslan, his cloak tied around his waist, shirt damp with sweat, stood with hands clenched and body squared.

Kar'Thæl, though invisible, pulsed within him — a fiery presence ready to emerge.

> "Are you sure you want to push further tonight?" Kar'Thæl asked from within. His voice echoed low, thick like smoke but laced with concern.

"I'm ready," Arslan said, exhaling deeply. "I need to push the limit now — especially if that entity you spoke of is tied to my strength."

The wind whispered across the open arena, rustling the high grass and stirring faint sounds from the trees that surrounded the Mythic compound. Overhead, stars shimmered quietly, watching.

"Let's try something new then," Kar'Thæl said. "A technique I never used… but one my father once created. It's called: Split Pulse."

Arslan's brow furrowed. "Sounds dangerous."

> "It is. You'll be trying to divide the energy core within you — letting part of it channel externally while keeping the other anchored internally. If you lose balance, it could paralyze your chest or overload your nerves."

A thin bead of sweat traced Arslan's temple.

"I've risked more than that."

> "So be it. Close your eyes."

Arslan stood still. The night hummed.

He inhaled slowly.

Kar'Thæl guided him with calm but firm instructions.

> "Focus on the energy flowing from your navel to your sternum. Feel its pulse. Now split it — not in half, but just enough that one thread flows to your fists… and the rest remains within."

Arslan's eyes fluttered.

A thrum vibrated through his spine. A spark ignited in his veins.

The Dark Energy around his arms began to ripple. His fists glowed with a black-violet aura, while his chest burned faintly.

> "Now walk. Slowly."

As Arslan took a step, he felt his legs respond differently — lighter, more in tune. The core energy flowing to his muscles was balanced, not drained.

He opened his eyes.

He punched forward — the air shattered with a thunderclap.

Another step — a backward spiral kick. The echo vibrated across the silent field.

> "It's working," Kar'Thæl said. "The outer stream is amplifying your reaction speed. And the inner? It's reinforcing your organ durability."

Arslan grunted as he pushed further.

He ran forward in a blur, shadowstepping to the side, vanishing, reappearing.

He slashed the air with a conjured Void Chain, wrapped it into a spiral, and launched it like a spear into the training wall. The impact cracked the stone.

> "Again," Kar'Thæl instructed.

Arslan repeated the cycle.

Split. Pulse. Channel. Move.

Sweat drenched his face, but his stamina held.

After thirty minutes of nonstop movement, he stopped — breathing heavily, but not collapsing.

The stars above still glittered.

Arslan dropped to one knee, clutching his chest.

Not from exhaustion — from a sudden sharp pain beneath the ribs.

"Ugh… dammit," he growled.

> "What's wrong?" Kar'Thæl asked quickly.

Arslan tapped his chest. "Not my energy. It's something… deeper. Like a knot behind my heart. It doesn't hurt badly. Just… tight."

> "The inner core must've brushed the sealed entity," Kar'Thæl guessed. "When you split your pulse, some of it must've passed close to the place where that thing sleeps."

Arslan stood again, slow but steady.

"But my stamina — it held."

> "Yes. It did. You just trained for over an hour in full combat movements. You're healing faster. Your foundation's stronger. That's proof."

Arslan looked at his own hands.

Still pulsing faintly with dark aura — but calm now.

"I'm growing," he said softly.

> "You are."

A cool wind passed through the ground again. Far beyond the arena walls, a nightbird let out a long whistle.

Kar'Thæl's tone lowered.

> "But remember… that pain in your chest? That's not a warning. It's a signal. Something inside you just stirred for the first time. If it wakes before you're ready—"

"I won't let it consume me," Arslan interrupted.

He clenched his fists again. "This strength… this bond with you… it's ours to control. Whatever lies deeper — I'll master that too. I swear it."

Kar'Thæl paused, and for the first time, his voice softened.

> "I believe you."

Arslan looked up to the night sky.

The world beyond waited.

But tonight — this moment — belonged to growth, and the silent promise between him and the flame that burned within.