Blazing in the sky, the sun bathed the enormous arena below in its golden light. The grandstands reverberated with the sounds of hundreds of thousands of screaming and cheering spectators.

Standing at the heart of it all was Hime, her black and crimson armor glinting in the sunlight. As the wind tousled her hair, she cast her gaze towards the dark entrance ahead, a smile curling upon her lips.

A voice from the stands shouted, "Kick her ass bro! You've got this!" Hime turned her head and saw that it was the boys who had arrived with Leon-Ed and Richard. Raising an eyebrow, she observed Leon's attire, noticing the absence of any armor. Instead, he wore an overcoat, a white shirt, and dark blue pants, seemingly unguarded against the impending clash of blades and the fierce gusts that swept through the arena.

Is he making light of me? Hime wondered, however, with each step he took towards her, her heart quickened its rhythm. There was a palpable change in him, a departure from his usual composed demeanor.

It wasn't his typical cool brown eyes that met her gaze; instead, they blazed with a violent crimson, mirroring the intensity of her own. Hime couldn't help but feel a mixture of intrigue and anticipation as her pulse raced.

She glanced over her shoulder, exchanging a significant glance with her father, who sat beside the queen in the closest seats of the stands. Katie, bound to a cross behind them, wore a tattered white dress, her skin and hair marred by filth from her time in the dungeon.

Hime snickered at the sight of it. That's what she gets for overstepping her bounds... Wait, what is that? Her eyes fell upon the collar on Katie's neck, its eerie blue light emanating from the crystal at its center.

"Father! What is that device on her neck?" Hime's voice rang out, her gaze swiftly turning towards her parents.

Leon came to a halt a few feet away from her, his eyes also shifting upward to the royal couple. A silent communication passed between him and Katie, a shared understanding that needed no words.

"A little insurance to make sure our little friends don't dare think to deceive us," King Lioness answered, pulling out a black remote from his gauntlet. "Should either of them ruin the sacred duel, I will destroy her personally."

"Sacred duel. Heh, yeah right," Leon retorted, his glare locked onto the King. "How do I know you won't kill her when you lose? You don't exactly look like graceful winners."

King Lioness growled, his eyes narrowing. "Watch your tone, boy. Win the duel and she will be freed. This is merely a precaution-"

"No." Hime's arms rose slowly, her hands clenching into tight fists. The collar around Katie's throat began emitting smoke, trembling under the immense power emanating from Hime. With a swift motion of her hands, she unleashed her magic, tearing the collar apart, reducing it to nothingness.

"What do you think you are doing?" the King bellowed angrily, the remote bursting into flames. He snuffed out the flame in his palms, his furious gaze locked onto his daughter.

Hime sighed, her body ascending gracefully into the air until she hovered directly in front of her parents. "Father, I cannot overlook you doing this. She will die well enough after I emerge victorious. He will not be able to fight me at his best if his mind is distracted the entire duel. You will not taint my dream with your inhibitions. Believe in me, as you always have."

Silence descended upon them as they locked eyes, the crowd observing the unfolding drama with rapt curiosity. Even Katie and Leon watched in shock as the King's furious glare softened, his hand finding its place upon Hime's shoulder. "You are right my daughter. I apologize for trying to interfere. No matter what happens, I know you will make me proud."

The Queen nodded, smiling warmly. "She will make both of us and her younger siblings proud on this day. I love you, Hime. Now go. Show him the might of the Lioness Kingdom and claim your birthright."

Hime's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she embraced her father tightly. "I will, Father. I'll win and finally grant you a successor worthy of your legend. Rest easy and witness our destiny at hand."

She landed gracefully in front of Leon, turning to face him. "Even you can have cool moments when you want to, eh Hime?" he said, a faint smile gracing his lips. In that fleeting moment, she knew she had earned his respect, and a surge of warmth filled her heart like never before.

"I'm going to make you mine, you hear me? I refuse to lose you to anyone else!" Hime's voice reverberated through the arena as she raised her hands to the sky. Bursting through the clouds above, two objects streaked towards her with tremendous speed. Hime leaped, snatching them from the air and landing gracefully, clutching a crimson shield and a longsword in her hands.

Leon watched her as he slowly unsheathed the massive black sword strapped to his back. The swirling sands danced around them as Hime landed once more, the golden lion emblem on her shield and the silver hilt of her blade radiating an intense brilliance under the sun, nearly blinding Leon. The audience watched in awe, fully aware that they were witnessing their future queen in action.

"My heart only belongs to one. If being with me is what you want, then I won't make it easy," Leon responded, his grip firm on his weapon as smoke billowed from his body, flames erupting around him.

Hime smiled, her eyes shining with determination. "I would have it no other way."

In an explosive clash, winds and flames collided, creating a tempestuous storm within the arena. Despite not taking a single step, chaos erupted as the sands were ripped up and swirled around them.

The crowd rose to their feet, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before their eyes. But then, as swiftly as the chaos had arisen, the energy settled, and a sense of calm enveloped the air. Leon and Hime shared a chuckle, their eyes locked in mutual understanding. Then they took their first step forward.

Their swords met in a rapid succession of blows, neither combatant faltering for even a moment. Each strike resonated with a newfound ferocity, creating sparks and embers with every collision. Leon expertly maneuvered through the cutting winds that threatened to tear him apart, his eyes widening when Hime effortlessly deflected his sword, sending it clattering to the dirt.

He rolled to retrieve it, but Hime was prepared, her shield crashing against him, hurling him across the arena. "Leon!" Katie cried out, struggling against her restraints.

Leon crashed hard but quickly regained his footing, his body rolling with the impact. Meanwhile, Hime danced with deadly grace, her blade slashing toward him. The sands around Leon erupted, and the winds lashed out at his every move, threatening to rend him apart.

His eyes widened as he tried desperately to dodge, but it seemed almost too easy for Hime. Surely he could do better than this, Hime thought, continuing to swing her sword.

Suddenly, Leon's palms slammed into the dirt. Hime leaped back, her shield held close as pillars of rock erupted around her, swiftly closing in, threatening to crush her within their confines. Unfazed, Hime's blade sliced effortlessly through the rocks, twirling and twisting as she tore through them. However, as quickly as she demolished the pillars, more rose in their place, seemingly endless.

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"Enough!" Hime shrieked, slamming her shield into the ground. A violent whistle cut through the air, and every pillar disintegrated into a cloud of dust, forcing Hime to cough and shield her face. "Surely this isn't your master plan?"

"Afraid it is," Leon's voice seeped through the particles as he leaped forward.

Hime raised her shield, but she faltered against the force of Leon's powerful strikes with his black blade.

She was thrown back, tumbling and struggling to regain her footing.

Leon relentlessly hacked at her shield, pouring his every ounce of strength into each strike. Hime stood her ground, but she backed against a stray solid rock pillar, her eyes widening in realization. No...

With a final, resounding scream, Leon twisted and smashed his sword against her shield, triggering an explosion of flame and smoke. The force sent Hime hurtling through the pillar, crashing painfully into the opposite wall before collapsing onto the sands.

His friends whooped and cheered, while the crowd erupted into a frenzy. Leon looked up at King Lioness, his voice ringing with urgency, "End this! The duel is over!"

The King laughed, a malicious edge to his tone. "No, boy. This battle isn't over until either one of you submits or is unable to continue. My daughter is far from finished."

As if to emphasize his point, a rock whistled past Leon's face, swiftly followed by his swift slash that shattered it. The arena trembled as Hime emerged from the smoke and rubble, casting aside her shattered shield.

With a powerful sweep of her sword, the stadium quaked, and the air shifted, pulling Leon inexorably toward her.

Hime plunged her sword into the earth, causing broken debris and pillars to rise around Leon, threatening to engulf him.

He turned and twisted, desperately trying to slice through or evade the onslaught as rocks swarmed around him.

Amidst the chaos, a giant piece slammed against him, launching him skyward as a tornado of dust and debris engulfed the arena. His friends' desperate cries for him were drowned out by the chaos surrounding him.

As Leon soared through the sky, his body contorted and twisted with remarkable agility, effortlessly navigating through the torn remnants of the arena. The clash of blades reverberated, each strike punctuated by bursts of sparks.

His body, initially tossed about like a rag doll, slowly adapted to the sensation of flying. In a display of quick thinking, he grabbed hold of the floating objects around him, using them as leverage to maneuver through the air. The momentum of the debris threatened to crush him, but instead, it propelled him towards Hime.

Hime smirked as she blitzed past Leon, her sword slashing through his blind spots with deadly precision. The sound of steel meeting flesh filled the air as gashes of blood splashed around them.

Her strikes narrowly avoided his vital spots, leaving him with wounds on his arms and legs. Despite the pain, Leon's body began to acclimate to the aerial combat. He countered Hime's attacks, meeting each strike with his own, their swords clashing with a violent intensity.

Down below, the crowd looked up, their gazes fixed on the sparks and embers bursting in the sky. The spectacle unfolding before them resembled a mesmerizing fireworks display, akin to the Lioness Kingdom's own 4th of July.

Gasps and murmurs of awe escaped their lips as they witnessed the breathtaking battle. Among the spectators, Katie closed her eyes, her teeth gritted in a silent prayer. But as she opened her eyes and glanced at Leon, a glimmer of hope flickered within her. Her faith in him intensified at the sight of something tightly clenched in his left hand.

Hime glanced down, barely able to see as they spiraled and clashed repeatedly. A feather? Just what could he be- But before she could unravel the mystery, Leon vanished before her eyes.

A searing pain erupted on her back, causing her eyes to widen in shock. With every attempt to twist and locate him, she was met with precise blows that exploited her openings. Her movements grew sluggish, her body growing numb with each strike.

And then, Leon reappeared above her, the feather emanating sparks of electricity in his hand. His movements were a blur, impossible to track. Hime's frustration and disbelief welled up within her. He's just like that blasted sky trash! How is he-

A cry of pain escaped her lips as she crashed against a stone pillar, the impact stunning her momentarily. Unbeknownst to her, Leon had been strategically manipulating the pillar throughout their fight, using it to his advantage.

Hime flailed her sword, desperation etched in her wide eyes. Flames and lightning burst forth from Leon's sword as he spun in a graceful arc, propelling her through the pillar.

She crashed into the sandy ground, her body crumpling in a heap. The tornado of debris began to disperse, raining down upon the arena. Leon landed on top of her, his blade raised, ready to deliver the final blow.

The aging king, his breath barely escaping his lips, jumped to his feet in a futile attempt to intervene. "Don't..." he stammered, his voice trembling.

Hime's eyes watered as she closed them, anticipating the violent tear of Leon's blade. But instead, she felt the earth tremble beside her ear, causing her to flinch. When she cautiously opened her eyes, she found Leon standing over her, his body covered in sweat, blood, and dirt.

He extended his hand towards her, a weary smile gracing his face. "You still have time to surrender and admit defeat, you know?" he said, his voice strained from exertion.

Her entire body trembled as she met his gaze, his eyes shifting to their usual cool brown. She attempted to lift her sword, but her arms and legs remained unresponsive, disabled by the effects of Katie's power within the feather.

A surge of frustration coursed through her. Damn her... even when she's bound and chained, she stands in my way at every turn... I hate her, and yet she never fails to impress me.

With resignation, Hime's lips curled into a smile, and she relaxed her body. "A month ago, you could hardly keep up with me. Now.... you're everything I ever hoped you'd be. The hero of my dreams. The harbinger of my childhood. You're incredible as I always knew you would be. ...I submit, Leon. Victory is yours," she conceded, her voice tinged with a mixture of exhaustion and begrudging respect.

He reached out to take her hand, preparing to lift her to her feet. Hime's eyes widened in alarm, her instincts kicking in. Her hand pushed gently against his chest, the wind around them swirling with an eerie intensity. The crowd gasped and screamed in horror as a crimson spray of blood splattered against the sands, staining them in a grotesque display.

In that moment, her world went dark, a void swallowing her senses. Leon was thrown violently back into the dirt, his body crashing heavily as he coughed, the grains of sand embedding themselves into his skin. "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!" King Lioness's enraged voice thundered through the arena.

"W-why did you..." Leon's voice faltered, his shock evident as he looked up.

A sword was mercilessly stabbed through Hime's gut, her body going limp and hunching over in agony. Standing over her, clutching her hair with a sadistic grin, was none other than Toras. "Congratulations on your win, Leon," Toras mocked, his voice dripping with malice. "I must thank you for making my mission so much easier."

Leon fought to rise to his feet, but his legs betrayed him, trembling under the strain of his recent exertions. Panic gripped him as he realized the toll his powers had taken on him. I used too much power... Mixing elements takes more of a toll than I could've ever imagined. This is bad...

The once serene blue skies grew ominously cloudy, the air crackling with a foreboding energy. A loud hum filled the arena, drowning out the horrified gasps of the crowd. Suddenly, the sands erupted in heaps as an explosion rocked the surroundings.

Above them, a colossal black airship loomed, its lights casting an eerie glow upon the chaos below. The beams of light scanned the crowd, illuminating the horrified expressions of the King and Queen, and then settled upon Toras and Leon. "You killed her... Why?" Leon stammered, his voice choked with disbelief.

Toras's sadistic laughter filled the air, echoing through the arena. "Dead, you say? Oh, no, I don't plan to end my fun with the little princess just yet," he taunted, his voice dripping with pleasure.

With a warped smile, he twisted the blade lodged in Hime's gut, causing her to awaken with a bone-chilling shriek of agony. Blood poured out of the wound, staining her clothes and the ground beneath her. Her cries pierced the air, sending a wave of terror through everyone present.

As the torment continued, Hime's consciousness faded once more, her body going limp in Toras's grip as he withdrew the sword, savoring the taste of his cruel victory.

In that harrowing moment, several shadowy figures materialized from the particles in the air, their menacing presence aimed directly at Hime, threatening to deliver the final blow. Toras aimed his blade at Leon but then abruptly leaped away, narrowly avoiding the bursts of electricity that exploded just inches from where he had stood moments ago.

Holding Hime's unconscious form in one arm, Toras wore a wicked smile as he faced Katie, who stood between him and Leon. "It appears I was a little slow if the damned angel is free. Good thing I was expecting that," he hissed with a chilling confidence. With a snap of his fingers, screams erupted all around them as Tartarus soldiers in black armor descended from the airship, swarming the arena in an overwhelming tide of darkness.