The morning sun rose over the open field where the duel was to take place. The air was thick with anticipation, the crowd buzzing with excitement. Nobles, soldiers, and visitors from neighboring kingdoms had gathered to witness the Pride of a Lion between King Sun and Inak. The field was surrounded by Red Lion Guards, their crimson armor gleaming in the sunlight, and the Hyen warriors, their blue-painted faces stern and unyielding.

  Lumina tugged at my sleeve, her small face filled with worry. "Sun, please don’t fight," she begged, her voice trembling. "You’re hurt. What if something happens to you?"

  I knelt down, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I have to do this, Lumina," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "For my pride. For our family."

  She burst into tears, but I stood and walked away, my heart heavy but my resolve unshaken. I disrobed, revealing the bandages around my injured arm. The crowd gasped as they saw the extent of my wounds, but I ignored them, focusing on the task at hand. I dual-wielded my swords, the blades gleaming in the sunlight, and stepped into the center of the field.

  --

  Inak stood across from me, his face painted with blue lines, his sword held confidently. His father, the chief of the Hyen royal guard, watched from the sidelines, his expression a mix of pride and foreboding. "Remember, Inak," he said, his voice low. "This is not just a fight for Sixhonia. This is a fight for our honor."

  Inak nodded, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. "Let’s see if the rumors about you are true, King Sun."

  I didn’t respond. My anger burned within me, my pride crying out for vengeance. The moment the horn sounded—*BWAAAAH!*—I charged at Inak, my swords flashing in the sunlight. The crowd erupted in cheers and gasps as I pushed him back with a flurry of strikes—*clang! clang! clang!*—each one faster and more precise than the last.

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  Inak struggled to keep up, his confidence wavering as he realized he was outmatched. The Red Lions roared in triumph—*ROAR! ROAR!*—and the soldiers hit their shields, creating a rhythmic *clang-clang-clang* that echoed across the field.

  --

  I didn’t hold back. My swords slashed at Inak, leaving him bleeding and desperate. The crowd watched in stunned silence as I mocked him, my voice filled with venom. "Is this all the Hyen have to offer?" I taunted. "A cheap princess and a weak warrior?"

  I threw one of my swords at Princess Sixhonia, the blade embedding itself in the ground at her feet. "May the Thamus family pick up the trash I’ve thrown away!" I shouted, my voice echoing across the field.

  The crowd gasped, and Sixhonia burst into tears, her face red with humiliation. The Red Lions cheered, their voices rising in a deafening roar. "Long live King Sun!" they shouted. "The Lion among Lions!"

  I turned back to Inak, my remaining sword pointed at his throat. "You can keep Sixhonia," I said, my voice cold. "But you’ll pay a heavy price for humiliating me."

  I stepped on his face, the crowd watching in stunned silence. I spat on him, my anger and pride consuming me. The Hyen warriors looked on in horror, their confidence shattered.

  The chief of the Hyen royal guard couldn’t stand it any longer. He dashed into the field, his sword drawn. "Enough!" he shouted, his voice filled with rage.

  The lions charged at him, their roars shaking the ground. But before they could reach him, an arrow whistled through the air—*whoosh!*—and pierced my injured arm. I stumbled back, pain shooting through my body as chaos erupted.

  The Red Lions rushed to my side, their swords drawn as they formed a protective circle around me. The Hyen warriors scrambled to retreat, their faces pale with fear. The crowd erupted into chaos, everyone shouting and running in different directions.

  ---

  I was rushed back to the palace, the arrow still embedded in my arm. The queen and Duchess Sina followed close behind, their faces filled with worry. "Sun, you fool," my mother said, her voice trembling. "You’ve made enemies of the Hyen. What were you thinking?"

  I didn’t respond, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge and pride. The Spineless Brain’s power was dwindling, and I knew I couldn’t rely on it forever. But for now, I had won. I had proven my strength, even if it came at a cost.

  As the palace bustled with activity, I lay in my bed, my arm bandaged and my heart heavy. The road ahead would be difficult, but I was ready. I was the Lion among Lions, and I would rule.