CHAMPIONS & CHILDREN’S COURAGE
Kai's POV
The arena was nothing more than a clearing. Dirt and grass. Trees surrounding us. But it felt bigger. As if the entire world were watching. Biding our time to see if a five year old could defeat a monster.
Konstantin stood across from me. Huge. Scarred. Old. He’d been killing longer than anyone I knew had been alive. His smile showed teeth. Sharp. Confident. Like he'd already won.
Mom grabbed my shoulder. "Kai. Please. Let someone else do this."
"There is no one else. Not who can win."
"You don't know that."
"The crown showed me. Taught me is the only way.” I looked up at her. At dad. At the fear on their faces. If the adult fights and fails, everyone is killed by the Council. But maybe if I fight and lose, they’ll be merciful. Maybe they'll
