Zodiac Ruins Arc – Next Main Character: Leonis
The sun hung high over the Golden Arena, casting long shadows across the ancient battlefield. The air was thick with dust, heat, and the distant roars of spectators unseen.
At the center of it all stood Leonis "Leo" Vaelcairn, his golden eyes reflecting the light like a beast watching its prey.
Unlike Aries, Leo had never struggled with confidence—he was born to be a king.
But today wasn't about what he was born for.
Today was about proving it.
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The Bloodline of Kings
Leo's lineage traced back to warlords and conquerors, men who had ruled not through words, but through sheer domination.
His father, Regulus Vaelcairn, was a feared general, known for bending entire armies to his will. His mother, LianaVaelcairn, was a strategist, cold and calculating—she built empires; his father crushed them.
Leo had inherited both their strengths.
And now, he stood before the Trial of the Lion, ready to carve his name into history.
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The Trial Begins
The arena rumbled as the golden chains holding the doors snapped.
From the darkness, twelve warriors emerged—each clad in golden armor, wielding weapons from every age of war.
The Twelve Kings of the Past.
"You will not leave this place alive." One of them spoke, their voice echoing through time.
Leo grinned, cracking his neck.
"Then I'll give you a show worth remembering."
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Battle of the Twelve Kings
The first King charged with a massive battle-ax, aiming to cleave Leo in half.
He didn't move.
The ax came down—Leo caught it with one hand.
SNAP.
The ancient weapon shattered under his grip, and with a single punch, he sent the warrior crashing into the arena walls.
The second King leaped forward, twin swords flashing. Leo dodged just enough, weaving between the slashes like a predator playing with its food.
Then, he struck—a brutal uppercut to the ribs, followed by a spinning kick that sent the warrior flying.
Two down.
Ten left.
They all rushed him at once.
Leo laughed.
This was what he lived for.
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The King's Awakening
As the battle raged, the truth of the trial became clear—Leo wasn't just fighting the past.
He was fighting his legacy.
Every warrior he faced was a piece of his bloodline, the expectations placed upon him, the weight of generations demanding him to be more.
And he was winning.
With every punch, every kick, every broken blade that fell at his feet—he proved that he was not just another heir to the throne.
He was the one who would surpass them all.
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The Final Opponent – The Lion's Shadow
The arena fell silent.
The last warrior stepped forward.
Unlike the others, he wore no armor—only a regal black cloak. His face was hidden in the darkness of his hood.
"Do you know who I am?" the figure asked.
Leo narrowed his eyes.
"It doesn't matter."
The figure chuckled.
"Then let's see if you can defeat yourself."
The Shadow King moved.
He was fast—faster than Leo had ever seen.
The first punch nearly broke his ribs.
Leo staggered, coughing blood. But before he could react, the Shadow King's foot slammed into his chest, sending him crashing into the dirt.
For the first time in the trial—Leo felt pain.
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The Lion's Resolve
Lying in the dust, Leo felt the weight of his ancestors pressing down on him.
For the first time, doubt whispered in his mind.
"Is this all you are?"
He clenched his fists.
"Are you just another name to be forgotten?"
He gritted his teeth, blood dripping down his face.
Then—
He laughed.
A deep, roaring laughter that echoed across the arena.
"You think this is enough to stop me?" Leo growled, rising to his feet. His golden aura exploded outward, igniting the battlefield in light.
"I don't care about my past. I don't care about my bloodline."
He clenched his fists, golden flames licking at his skin.
"I am not a legacy. I am not a king because of my name."
His eyes burned, locking onto the Shadow King.
"I am a king because I CHOOSE to be."
The Shadow King smiled.
"Then show me, Lion."
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The Final Strike
Leo vanished.
One moment, he stood across the battlefield. The next—he was right in front of his opponent.
A single punch.
The golden lion's roar shook the air as Leo's fist connected with the Shadow King's chest.
The figure shattered into golden dust, dispersing into the sky like embers from a dying fire.
The trial was over.
Leo stood at the center of the battlefield, his aura unmatched, unwavering.
Above him, the Sigil of Leo burned into existence, branding itself into his soul.
He had won.
He had become the Lion.
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The Rise of Leo
As the dust settled, a voice called out from the shadows of the arena.
"You did well, boy."
Leo turned. Lucian stood at the entrance, arms crossed, watching.
"That was more reckless than I expected."
Leo grinned, wiping the blood from his lips.
"What's a king without a little flair?"
Lucian smirked.
"Welcome to the Zodiac Ruins, Leo."
And so, another legend was born.
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To Be Continued…