The soft morning light filtered through the

 palace window, falling gently on Raikuro’s face.

His eyes fluttered open.

He blinked a few times, adjusting to the 

brightness. The soreness in his body reminded 

him of yesterday’s battle—but he was alive. 

Breathing. Whole.

As he turned his head slightly, his eyes widened 

in surprise.

There, sitting beside his bed, head resting 

against the arm of a wooden chair, was 

Princess Elirya—fast asleep.

A lock of her silver-blonde hair had fallen

across her cheek, rising and falling with every 

gentle breath. Her hand, still clutching a small 

cloth, rested beside his on the mattress.

Raikuro slowly sat up, careful not to wake her. 

He stared at her for a moment—unsure what he 

was feeling—before quietly sliding off the bed.

He moved toward the door and slipped out.

---

The grand staircase was quiet, polished stone 

steps gleaming under the morning sun. As

 Raikuro descended, he was met by a familiar

 voice.

> “You’re awake,” said Master Tenzin, standing 

near the base of the stairs, arms folded

 behind his back.

Raikuro gave a small nod. “Yes, Master. I’m fine 

now.”

Master Tenzin’s lips curled in a faint smile. 

“Good. You gave us quite the scare.”

He turned toward the hallway and raised his

 voice.

> “Kaeli! Garrin! Lior! He’s up!”

Footsteps came rushing.

Garrin reached first and practically lunged at 

him with a broad grin.

> “Hey, lil’ bro! You alright now?”

Raikuro nodded again. “Yeah… I’m good.”

Kaeli came up behind him, placing a hand on

 his shoulder. “You really put on a show 

yesterday, captain.”

Lior smiled softly. “Everyone’s talking about it. 

You changed everything, Raikuro.”

Raikuro glanced toward the stairs, frowning

 slightly.

> “Why… was Princess Elirya in my room?”

Lior raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be harsh. She

 stayed with you the entire night.”

Garrin chimed in, patting Raikuro on the back. 

“We heard what happened between you two in 

the past. But hey… past is past, right? She’s 

feeling guilty, bro. She wanted to be there for

 you.”

Kaeli nodded. “And besides, we’re champions

 now. You fulfilled the promise you made to your 

father… Remember?”

Raikuro looked away, saying nothing. His mind 

clouded with memories—his village, his past,

 the words of his dying father.

Then—

CLANK.

The door burst open.

Several royal knights stepped inside, standing 

tall in their polished armor. Behind them entered

 Prince second his expression twisted with fury.

He marched straight up to Raikuro, ignoring

 everyone else.

> “ELIRYA!” he shouted.

A moment later, Princess Elirya came hurriedly

 down the stairs. She stopped a few steps from 

Raikuro, her eyes filled with remorse.

> “Raikuro…” she said softly, guilt heavy in her

 voice.

But Raikuro didn’t respond. He merely looked at

 her, unreadable behind his calm eyes.

Ronan scowled.

> “You shouldn’t be here,” he snapped at her. 

Without waiting, he grabbed her hand. “Let’s

 go.”

Elirya looked back at Raikuro one last time—but 

he said nothing.

Ronan pulled her away, disappearing with the

 knights through the palace corridor.

The silence lingered for a few heartbeats.

Then the door creaked again—and in walked 

Rael, the royal steward.

> “Pardon the interruption,” Rael said, bowing 

slightly. “King Altherion requests your

 presence in the Grand Arena for the winner’s 

announcement.”

---

The Champion’s Honor

The Great Arena was more crowded than ever

 before.

People flooded every row, every balcony, and 

every corner of the stadium. Banners of each

 team waved proudly in the wind. The former

 contestants had already gathered in formation 

on the field.

And now, Team Drakosoul stepped into the 

sunlight—victorious.

The crowd erupted in cheers the moment they 

appeared.

Drums rolled.

Trumpets rang out.

Then came the king’s voice, projected magically

 throughout the arena.

> “People of Aetherion!”

King Altherion stood atop the central royal 

balcony, regal and powerful in his white and 

gold robes. The queen stood beside him, her

 hand over her heart. Prince first stood stoic.

 Prince second—grim as ever.

> “This year’s Great Battle Arena has come to a 

close. I offer my deepest gratitude to all 

brave warriors who gave their strength and 

spirit for the glory of this festival.”

The crowd applauded.

> “Now… I present to you this year’s champions

—Team Drakosoul!”

Kaeli, Garrin, Lior, Raikuro, and Master Tenzin 

stepped forward to the center.

> “For your valor… your strength… and your 

unity…

I hereby grant each of you a token of 

Aetherion’s highest honor.”

A royal knight stepped forward, carrying a 

velvet tray.

Upon it sat five diamond rings, each glimmering 

with the royal crest.

The king took each one and placed it on their 

fingers personally.

> “May these rings remind you of the battle you 

won and the hearts you earned.”

Then another knight brought forward a silver 

chest, placing it at Raikuro’s feet.

> “And as your prize—twenty thousand gold 

coins. Let this reward fund your future and 

honor your journey.”

Thunderous applause echoed across the arena.

Kaeli smiled brightly.

Lior beamed with joy.

Garrin raised his fists high into the air, shouting, 

“DRAGON VILLAGE FOREVER!”

Raikuro, however, said nothing. He simply 

bowed his head toward the king.

King Altherion raised his hand once more.

> “Let us give our thanks to all the teams who 

gave us such powerful battles…

And may the flame of our festival burn

 brighter than ever!”

The crowd roared in celebration.

Music swelled from every corner of the arena. 

Flags waved high. Fireworks shot into the 

morning sky.

The Farewell Ceremony of the Festival had begun.

But while the people celebrated, Raikuro stood

 still—staring into the horizon.