The stadium of the Arena City of Nannu was bubbling with anticipation. This would be the day of the semifinals of the great tournament and everyone was eager for the clash between Sunflower and Arthan. Since early, the noble lords of Nannu took their reserved seats, conversing animatedly. Emperor Mordret had also arrived and positioned himself on his private throne, from where he could observe all the details of the fight. In the stands, the people were agitated in euphoria. Many came from afar and eagerly awaited the show. However, not only were the local inhabitants present. Envoys from other kingdoms, such as Elaria and Distant, also attended, eager to evaluate the emerging talents of that tournament.

Dean Suzannah arrived smiling, greeting acquaintances. Her eyes, however, betrayed a tension. As Kal's tutor at this moment, her heart was divided between cheering for her disciple and curiosity in witnessing how far he could go with his gifts. When the combatants made their entrance into the arena, the entire stadium roared in delirium. However, neither Sunflower nor Arthan had yet appeared. Would this be the most awaited clash of the entire tournament? What surprises and revelations would these two such skilled and mysterious warriors reserve? The climax was approaching and the crowd fell silent in feverish expectation.

As soon as the signal sounded, announcing the start of the clash, Arthan launched himself impetuously at Sunflower. Tired of so many balanced fights in the past, he wanted to end that confrontation quickly, with a single devastating blow. Sunflower, however, did not let herself be surprised. Like a graceful dance, she slid to the side using her "Step on the Waters" technique, skillfully evading the enemy attack. The crowd sighed, admiring such ability. Without losing time, the masked one launched the counterattack. With her sword, she dealt precise and concatenated blows, seeking to find a gap in Arthan's imposing dragon armor. However, the defensive ridges of the draconian garment proved tireless, blocking each investment.

Irritated, Arthan decided to raise the level of the fight. "4th Level Ability: Whirlwind of the Great Blade." In a few moments, he began to spin wielding the broad sword like a deadly tornado, becoming almost impossible to hit. Sunflower found herself cornered before the torrential fury of Arthan's attacks. Her agility was put to the extreme test to avoid the deadly dance of the enemy sword. Wherever she turned, the coarse ridges of the broad draconian blade came in her direction. She slid, jumped and spun gracefully, making the most of all her skill and years of training with various instructors.

Even so, it became increasingly difficult to find openings in the swift attack of the opponent. Her arms began to weigh from the tension of avoiding each blow to the limit. Fatigue set in her body, which soon could cost a mistake when least expected. Meanwhile, the audience watched amazed at that demonstration of acrobatic skill from the masked one. But for how much longer could she withstand Arthan's merciless onslaught? She needed to think quickly of a way to break that deadly spin, or she would succumb to fatigue.

Sunflower was already feeling exhausted from that continuous dance of evasion. Her movements started failing from fatigue. Until, in a moment of carelessness, she tripped over her own foot while avoiding one of Arthan's ascending sword spins. It was a tremendous opening for the opponent, who did not forgive. With a powerful punch, he hit her straight in the stomach, sending her flying far and slamming her back violently against the solid stone wall of the arena. The audience exploded into frenzy with the force of that blow. Sunflower spat blood, feeling agonizing pains in her broken ribs. Even so, she forced herself to stand up swaying, under Arthan's now surprised and admiring gaze.

"Give up now while you can, masked one. I do not wish to harm you further," he said in a courteous tone despite his roughness.

However, Sunflower took a fighting stance again, ignoring the pain that throbbed throughout her body. She was injured, but not defeated. The battle was not over yet and she would give her all until the end. Amid more screams from the crowd, the two warriors prepared to resume the final stretch of that duel.

With blood seeping beneath her mask, Sunflower knew this could be her last move. She concentrated all her remaining energy into a spell she had been keeping as a last resort. Suddenly, those eyes in the only two holes in the mask she wore emitted a majestic cyan glow. With all her magical power concentrated, Sunflower performed the guarded ability held under lock and key:

"Superior Unique Ability: Princess Who Walks Upon Waters!"

The entire stadium held its breath while witnessing Sunflower's magical feat. Where before there had been solid arenas, now only Lilla's walking on the waters kept anyone ashore. Arthan tried in vain to distance himself from the transformed ground, but his heavy iron greaves already sank into the few centimeters of water. His calculating mind boiled looking for a way out, while the people howled in admiration of the hooded maiden.

Without wasting time, Sunflower launched herself at the enemy. Her feet danced lightly over the liquid surface, now approaching, now fleeing in the blink of an eye. Each blow brought the soft sound of splashing water, as graceful as it was deadly. Arthan defended himself bravely, but his mobility had been taken from him. His arms began to weigh under the incessant pressure of attacks coming from all angles. Drops of sweat mixed with those of the surrounding water. Suddenly, too wide a spin left Arthan off balance. It was enough for Sunflower's blade to find an opening in his defense. Wounding his shoulder, forcing him to withdraw with a groan of pain.

The audience went wild at the turnaround. While Sunflower intensified her offensive over the water, little remained for Arthan beyond defense. The blows began hitting him with greater accuracy, making blood gush from his wounds. Suddenly, Emperor Mordret narrowed his eyes, as if a revelation struck him. There was something familiar about the magical aura emanating from the masked one, in the bluish glow of her eyes that sometimes escaped the mask.

"Sunflower! Sunflower!" - roared the people in delirium, noting the warrior taking advantage in the duel.

Arthan had a moment of carelessness, distracted by the deafening screams. It was enough for his sword to be wrenched away and fall to his knees, being subdued at last under Sunflower's limpid feet upon the waters.

When all expected Sunflower's final blow, Arthan surprised everyone by revealing his secret trump card. From within his armor he extracted a flask containing a red liquid, drinking it in one gulp. Instantly, he was enveloped by an intensely hot aura. Yellow eyes with slit pupils emerged on his face, on which red scales began to grow. Sharp claws sprouted from his fingers.

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Around the arena, the water created by Sunflower began to rapidly evaporate under the influence of that draconian power. In a few moments, only vapor floating in the hot air remained.

"Dragon's blood now runs in my veins!" - Roared Arthan, his voice transformed.

In the stands, General Marcus recognized the danger of the situation. He himself possessed mastery over the draconic blood, knew the consequences of its thoughtless use. While Arthan advanced on Sunflower in delirium, he shouted to warn her:

"Careful, girl! My son will lose control!"

Arthan growled in confirmation:

"I am a berserker now... Kill or be killed!"

In a burst, he tore off his own armor, remaining only in light pants. His sword seemed smaller before his transformed size.

"Try to survive, masked one!" - He roared in threat.

Sunflower withdrew, understanding the danger. If she won, it would be over an opponent out of his mind. And if she didn't do it soon...

The public fell silent, anxiously awaiting the cruel outcome of that insane battle. Two lives hung by a thread in the arena, where before there had only been honor and glory for a place in the final. Kal watched apprehensively at this dangerous turn of events. General Marcus pleaded desperately to the Emperor to intervene:

"Stop this fight before it turns into a massacre!"

But Mordret denied, hypnotized by the cruel spectacle and still curious about that masked combatant. In delirium, Arthan furiously attacked Sunflower. His strength was immense, but the warrior still availed herself of all her agility to escape the attacks. In a skillful spin, she disarmed the opponent throwing his sword far away. However, Arthan made use of his sharp claws, scratching Sunflower's arm deeply. She let out a groan of pain, feeling the draconian venom burn in her blood. But she would not give up.

Arthan landed brutal blows on Sunflower, wounding her further. Exhausted and extremely injured, she felt her body fail. That was when the truth struck her: Arthan was much stronger. Her efforts to equal him were in vain. A feeling of defeat overcame her. Then memories of the past came to mind. Of her father's implacable desire, of fulfilling her duty to a court of vile and manipulative men, of seeing her married to a noble to strengthen the bonds of an oppressive empire. Men she despised, who would only bring her suffering.

Realizing defeat would mean the end of her hopes, Sunflower felt a deep sadness invade her. She would have to abandon her dreams of glory and freedom forever, becoming just another piece in her father's plans. However tired and hurt, Sunflower could hardly defend herself from Arthan's blows, dominated by draconian fury. A stronger attack hit her, throwing her far across the field. The audience, once euphoric, was now silent, dismayed. Even the Emperor, though accustomed to the brutality of the arenas, saw things had become too cruel.

Total silence fell on the arena, permeated only by the sound of Arthan's heavy steps approaching. Sunflower could barely stay conscious. Then a scream echoed in the stands:

"Come on, Sunflower! We promised to face each other in the final!"

She lifted her eyes and saw Kal, with a gleam in his eyes she had never witnessed before. It was as if his courage and vitality flowed to her in waves. That friendly voice awakened something in her nearly defeated heart. The promise of meeting again to decide the true champion. She could not fail now! Amid delirium, Arthan also seemed to hear the scream and turned. However, his forces had already gone, and now if no one finished that fight, he would likely die too. All these things passed through her mind:

"If I had to marry someone, it would be you!" - she thought, losing consciousness.

Lilla opens her eyes suddenly, gets up and starts running her hands over her body: "How did I not die?" she thought without even realizing where she was. Then she stopped, looked around and contemplated the night sky that glistened like a rainbow and the bright stars that crowned the dawn sky. At that moment a man, with fair skin, with silver hair and eyes that shone like the sun. For a moment Lilla thought she had died, then she said:

"Kal? Is it you?"

The man turns to her and says:

"Yes and no!"

Then, looking down, she notices that she was in a field of flowers, full of various flowers and in the middle of them a small sunflower that hid and wilted. Then the man said:

"See that sunflower"

"It seems to be dying!" - Lilla responds

"And do you know why?" - the man asks

"Actually no!" - the girl answers

"The sunflower needs light to grow strong"

"Every time the Sun rises in the east its eyes are fixed on it, and it follows it throughout the day that has light"

"That's why it's called sunflower" - explains the man

"But why are you telling me this?" - Lilla asks

"You were born to be great little one, so while allowed, follow the sun"

"Focus your eyes on the light" - finishes the man turning his back

Suddenly, the sounds around her that had fallen silent returned, and opening her eyes she saw Kal looking at her with determination and will, and reading his lips she understood:

"Rise up"

Those bright eyes like the sun seemed to awaken something dormant in Sunflower. Her mask, already cracked, broke completely. And then, in the infinite and empty blue of her gaze, a small yellow dot appeared - a sun rising amidst the darkness. She felt her elemental essence awakening. Impelled by the new light, she rose waveringly. A golden aura began to envelop her, emanating heat and energy. Her true name echoed in thought: "Lilla".

The Emperor, until then indifferent, suddenly turned pale with dread. He recognized the daughter hidden beneath the mask all this time. The crowd, previously silenced, exploded into screams of shock and admiration:

"It's the Princess! She is Sunflower!"

The Emperor rose, stunned, ready to interrupt the fight. But then he felt a comforting energy fill the place, coming from Sunflower. He recognized that Heroic signature - the subtle touch of a protective spirit. He realized this battle represented more than a mere proof - it was his daughter's destiny at stake, and she was fighting for her freedom. Suddenly he understood he had no right to interfere. He sat in silence once more.

All wounded, but emanating inner light, Sunflower faced Arthan with a slight smile:

"It seems my destiny is to follow the light. And it has brought me here!"

The crowd exploded in screams. Even General Marcus, moved, recognized that this girl had a warrior's spirit. The Arena of Freedom would witness the outcome of this epic confrontation. Exhausted, but with renewed determination, Sunflower activated her most precious ability once more:

"Superior Unique Ability: Princess Who Walks Upon Waters!"

However, this time the water that flooded the arena was crystalline like the sun, and radiated a dazzling light. It seemed the very sun-king himself shone beneath her feet. Arthan, still under the effects of delirium, cried out in pain as the golden beams struck his sharpened eyes. He became completely blind temporarily. Sunflower took advantage of the opening. With light steps, she crossed that enchanted expanse until reaching the opponent. Her short sword delivered a precise, non-lethal blow, but one that brought him to his knees.

The blindness passed. Arthan blinked, coming back to his senses, as the crowd exploded into applause. The maiden had won with head and heart, using only her grace and cunning to the end. A true champion! After the epic victory, Sunflower's efforts spoke louder. She collapsed, exhausted. Quickly the imperial guards carried her to the palace's healing houses, where wise priest healers would attend to her wounds.

In the balcony, the Emperor was still processing everything he had witnessed. The daughter hidden beneath the mask had proven to be a warrior with an indomitable soul, able to channel divine powers. That day, he understood underestimating Lilla was a mistake. And he decided it was time to see her with different eyes, as the formidable young woman she had proven to be. While his champion recovered, the Arena of Freedom eclipsed, leaving the legend of the Maiden Who Vanquished Destiny across all the land. Her true place in the sun was beginning to emerge.