Chapter 7: Day 2- Prince Grouper

(Zira POV)

I'm gonna say now, for a princess she is good. "Okay," She says as we stop fighting. "That should be enough to give a chance at least. I'm gonna go change, stay here until I get back Zira.". ".... She said my name!". I said happy for some recognition. I went into the princesses room to see if I could find something else to wear. "How many dresses does one girl need?". After that sentence I heard a sword unsheathe and point at my back.

"Don't move!" I heard a voice that sounded a little like Niki's but like a male. I turned around and saw someone who was 5'11.... and he looked like Niki, but with red hair. "How dare you sneak into the royal palace you fiend?! And where is the princess?!". This guy wasn't joking around. "At ease Damian she's with me." Niki told him as he put away his sword. "Niki.... What is this supposed to be?".

She looked at him and said "Zira, this is my brother Damian. The one who's next in line for the throne.". I waved at him as he glared. "So this is the thief? Ha! Behemoth will eat her alive!" he said smiling. "Which was why I was helping her practice." she admitted. He just let out a laugh and wiped a fake teardrop from his eye. "Yeah well, my money's on Behemoth." He said walking towards the door. "And Zira was it, as future king it is my duty to keep my sister from doing something stupid. Remember that.".

After those words he left us alone and left me with something to think about. I might have to start considering my funeral.

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"Attention everyone!" Says the queen as she uses a microphone to announce the coming fight. "Today will be another attempt to gain my approval. In the attempt corner: Zira Kite!". I look around and the crowd doesn't even blink. "And in the Winner corner: The champion, the deep sea tyrant: BEHEMOTH!!!!!!!!!!". I looked across the arena and saw what looked like a cage. "Wait-" I said just as the bars flew off and what looked like a slender blue beast with two horns and.... "YOU NEVER SAID THE CHAMPION WAS A FUCKING DRAGON!!!!!!" I yelled.

Behemoth came at me and as he did I saw a golden collar on him that had his name. 'Is this thing a pet?!' I thought dodging. "Okay okay. What did you learn about water dragons? Their big, scary, and have a blind spot on their...." I said looking at it's back. "Let's do this bitch!" I yelled. Once I did the dragon summoned two large blue arm-wings from its back. Then came the breath. "Huh?" I said seeing the dragons mouth swell up. I immediately ran for cover as Behemoth shot a scalding hot water blast at me.

For a second I thought I saw the dragon wince. 'Hold on...." I thought watching as it roared. Inside it's mouth was a silver spear tip that looked like it had been there for a while. "I'm gonna regret this." I said running up to it, and flying up. Once he shot at me again I grabbed a shield and threw it at it's mouth. Right before he closed it the shield wedged his mouth open and I rushed in. "Please don't kill me!" I said as I pulled out the spear tip.

He then crunched down on the shield and pinned me with his tail. He then towered over me and roared at me in the face. "I can't believe I'm about to die to a dragon!" I said as he lowered his head. His once bloodshot eye softened and what I thought was him about to rip my head off.... Ended up with him licking me like a big overgrown puppy.

A whistle was then blown and Behemoth returned to the other end of the arena smiling. "OI! I beat your warrior queeny!". The queen at that moment looked like she wanted to rip my head off. "It appears that ZIra is the Winner!". The crowd then cheered for me as I held up my fist in triumph.

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"Well that was entertaining." Damian said. "Me and Niki were both surprised to see that you bested Behemoth. The healers are checking him out now, and ever since you pulled the spear tip out his been in a much chipper mood." He said. "And now you have mothers approval.... As oldest child and heir to the throne.... you have my respect too". Niki got a smug look on her face and said "So you like this one? Guess you were wrong then!".

He then left with a cross look. Niki turned to me and said "I have to head out tonight. I have a reputation to uphold and bad guys to watch out for.". She then got into her dancing outfit and put on her mask. "I'll be back by 10. Don't die.". She then left out the window leaving me to myself. "Okay, I after today I have 5 days to get the guys out of there. I could try asking the queen for assistant but I doubt she'll help. So that means I have to talk to Damian.".

I started walking away towards the training area we were at earlier to see Damian training. "Hello again." He said turning towards me. It was then that I noticed the few red patches of skin around his mouth. "Watch this," He said grabbing the arm of the dummy. He opened his mouth and to my surprise it grew 3 times its size and he bit the whole arm off the dummy.

He spit the arm out, turned to me, and said "The Goliath Grouper. One of the top predators with the ability to swallow prey nearly twice it's own size. As you may have guessed my sister is a lion fish, a beautiful but deadly adversary. You on the other hand are nowhere near suited to the water, so you won't stand a chance against Emerald.". 'Boy I wonder what brought on that thought.'.

"So before you ask.... Yes, I'll help you with whatever. But you've gotta do something for me first!" He said smirking.