Abenator stumbled backward.
Fear gripped him—raw and unfiltered.
"W-were Bobi and Chayou…" he stammered, his voice trembling. "Turned into monsters?"
Kabul stood before him.
Still.
Calm.
Too calm.
"No," he said quietly.
A faint smile curved across his lips.
Dark.
Unsettling.
"They were eaten alive… by one."
Abenator's scream tore through the air.
He collapsed forward, scrambling into Kabul's arms, his body shaking violently.
"I don't want it anymore!" he cried, tears streaming down his face. "I don't want to die… not like that… not this young…"
Kabul wrapped his arms around him.
Protective.
Gentle.
He stroked Abenator's hair slowly.
"Hey… it's okay," he whispered. "I'll never let anything happen to you."
His voice softened further.
"I'll protect you with my life."
A pause.
"Do you trust me?"
Abenator nodded desperately, burying his face into Kabul's chest.
"Shhh…" Kabul murmured. "It's going to be alright."
Days passed… and the anniversary arrived…
Taytozena – 19th Founding Anniversary – Day
The kingdom came alive with celebration.
Magic shimmered in the air as fairies danced through the skies, their wings scattering trails of light. Wizards conjured dazzling illusions that twisted and bloomed like living dreams, while witches painted sparks across the heavens in brilliant colors.
The streets overflowed with people.
Laughter.
Music.
Hope.
All flowing toward one place—
The castle courtyard.
Castle Courtyard – Continuous
King Liam stepped forward.
The cheers softened.
Then vanished.
Silence fell.
"Greetings, people of Taytozena," he began.
His voice carried across the courtyard—strong, steady, filled with warmth.
"Today, we stand here… not as ruler and subjects, but as one family."
The crowd listened.
Every word.
"This kingdom has endured much," Liam continued. "Raider attacks. Plagues. Ambushes."
A pause.
"And yet… we did not break."
His gaze softened.
"We held each other up."
A quiet ripple of pride passed through the people.
"And now…" he said, drawing a breath, "we celebrate nineteen years of unity."
The crowd erupted.
Cheers rising like thunder.
"As your King," Liam continued, raising a hand, "your wellbeing is my highest duty."
The cheers faded once more.
"And so, in honor of this day…"
His voice sharpened with purpose.
"I announce a Knight Competition for the teenagers of Taytozena."
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd.
"Those chosen," he added, "will earn the honor of joining the Bayheim Knight School."
Now the cheers were deafening.
"Let us march to Tay Arena…" Liam declared.
His voice rang with authority.
"And begin."
Tay Arena – Later
The arena roared with life.
Drums thundered.
Trumpets blared.
Guards and dwarves marched in perfect formation as the crowd surged with anticipation.
When King Liam entered—
Everyone stood.
Only when he took his seat did they sit.
General Kio stepped forward, his voice booming like a war drum.
"It has begun!"
Montage – The Competition
Steel clashed.
Bodies moved.
Fighters rose and fell.
Among them—
Kabul.
He walked with quiet confidence, blending in among the competitors.
A secret hidden beneath armor.
A decision already made.
Before the fight, he stood before a mirror.
Adjusting his knight armor.
His reflection stared back at him.
Focused.
Determined.
Then—
The battles began.
Blades collided with explosive force.
The crowd roared with every strike.
One by one, competitors fell.
Others rose.
The tension built.
Higher.
Higher.
Until—
Kabul's Turn
The arena erupted.
Drums pounded.
Trumpets screamed.
Kabul stepped forward.
He raised his mask—
And placed it over his face.
Across from him stood his opponent.
Renart—the arena's undefeated contender.
The duel began.
Metal clashed.
Feet shifted.
Blades struck.
Fast.
Relentless.
Unforgiving.
The crowd leaned forward.
Breath held.
Eyes locked.
And then—
CRASH!
Renart's weapon slammed into Kabul's helmet.
The impact echoed.
The mask flew off—
Spinning through the air—
Before hitting the ground.
Silence.
Complete.
Absolute.
The crowd froze.
Eyes widened.
Recognition spread like wildfire.
Prince Kabul.
The camera of fate shifted—
To the stands.
Abenator rose slowly.
His body trembling.
His eyes wide with disbelief.
Then—
Something deeper.
Betrayal.
"KABUL!" he shouted.
The entire arena turned.
Watching.
Waiting.
The moment hung—
Sharp.
Heavy.
Like a blade suspended in air.