The heavy iron gates surrounding the arena floor groaned as the guards threw back the wooden locking bars, allowing Marcus to rush through and stand beside his adopted son. Governor Cassian descended the final marble step, his face pale with rage, holding his glittering sword pointed directly at Leo's chest.
Governor Cassian: This ends here, boy. A lion cannot save you from steel!
Marcus: You will have to go through me first, Cassian!
Leo: Stay back, Father. He needs to see who really commands this realm.
Governor Cassian: Arrogant brat! You are nothing without your beast!
Lady Serena: Cassian, stop! The High Council's royal envoys have just arrived at the outer gates!
Governor Cassian: They are too late to stop me!
Cassian lunged forward with his rapier, aiming a deadly thrust at Leo, but the boy didn't even flinch. With a deafening roar, the white lion swiped its massive paw, striking the governor's blade and shattering the steel blade into a dozen flying fragments. The sheer kinetic force threw Cassian onto his back into the red dirt.
Governor Cassian: My... my sword! You vile beast!
Leo: Yield, Cassian. The crown returns to its rightful owner.
Governor Cassian: Never... I will never bow to a child from the slums!
Guard Captain: You don't have a choice, former Governor. Bind his wrists!
Two guards dragged Cassian to his knees in front of Leo, securing his hands with heavy iron manacles as the crowd erupted into triumphant cheers that shook the entire stadium. Lady Serena walked down the stairs, carrying a crimson velvet cushion bearing the official crest of the realm.
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