THE PRINCE WHO REFUSED TO BE HEROIC

THE SINGING DUEL OF DESTINY

Chapter Five – The Singing Duel of Destiny

The orchestra swelled like a storm, strings screeching as if the violins were being chased by angry cats. Maestro Veritas stood center stage, baton raised, a smile so smug it could curdle milk.

“Round one,” he announced, “theme: embarrassing truths you’ve never told anyone.”

Elric stepped forward, dusted a breadcrumb off his tunic, and gave the Maestro a bored look. “Fine. But don’t blame me when the truth gets… personal.”

The Maestro pointed his baton. “Begin!”

🎵 I once slipped in my royal bath,

And told them it was war…

But really I just bruised my pride,

And nothing else, I swore! 🎵

The audience — an odd mix of floating spirits, enchanted rabbits, and a very confused goose — gasped.

The Maestro clapped politely. “Mediocre at best. My turn.”

🎵 You claim to be a daring prince,

But here’s what’s true of you…

You cried for forty minutes straight,

When you lost your royal shoe! 🎵

The crowd howled with laughter. Grunk the ogre actually rolled on the floor, clutching his sides.

Elric’s ears burned red, but he grinned. “Not bad… for a man who uses more hair oil than a candle shop.”

🎵 At least my shoes are clean and neat,

Not covered in stale pie…

Your sword arm’s quick, your mind’s asleep,

And your crown’s just too high! 🎵

The Maestro’s smirk faltered. The violins screeched in protest.

Tara stepped in, whispering urgently, “Elric, you’re doing it! You’re… actually good at this.”

Elric winked. “I told you — sarcasm is just rhyming without the music.”

The Maestro stomped his foot. “Round two! Theme: childhood regrets.”

Elric struck first.

🎵 I once tried to run away from home,

But tripped into a cake…

I ate it all, felt less alone,

Though my stomach still aches! 🎵

The Maestro’s eyes narrowed. He sang with fire.

🎵 You talk of cakes and clumsy falls,

But here’s a bitter taste…

You once forgot your mother’s name,

And called her “Royal Face!” 🎵

The audience gasped. Even the goose shook its head in disappointment.

Elric looked momentarily flustered — then grinned like a fox.

🎵 I may forget some names at times,

But never those I love…

Unlike a Maestro who once ran scared,

From a very small dove! 🎵

The orchestra faltered again, as if the instruments themselves were laughing.

Veritas’s cheeks flushed. “That dove had knives in its eyes!” he protested.

The duel escalated — insult for insult, truth for truth, rhyme for rhyme. Each verse sent magical sparks into the air, until the stage looked like a fireworks show gone mad.

By the fifth round, Veritas was sweating under the stage lights. By the seventh, his voice cracked. By the ninth, he was wheezing between verses.

Finally, Elric landed the knockout blow.

🎵 Your truth fog’s weak, your rhymes are bland,

Your baton’s just for show…

Now pack your notes, oh Maestro grand,

It’s time for you to go! 🎵

The crowd erupted in cheers. The goose laid an egg out of sheer excitement.

The fog evaporated. The orchestra faded into harmless light. The Maestro dropped to his knees, defeated.

“You… you win,” Veritas admitted, voice trembling. “But beware, Prince Elric — I was only a prelude. The real performance is yet to come.”

The stage vanished, and the heroes found themselves standing in a quiet meadow, the air thick with an unsettling silence.

Tara frowned. “If that was just the warm-up… what’s next?”

Elric picked up his picnic basket, now mysteriously filled with more food than before. He smiled. “Whatever it is, I’m bringing snacks.”

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