Kong loomed at the edge of the grand assembly, his towering figure casting a long shadow over the gathered beasts.
The golden light of the sun filtered through the dense canopy, glinting off his polished obsidian fur and the ornate battle axe strapped across his back.
Despite the regal splendor of the event, his mood was far from celebratory.
His fiery amber eyes fixed on the dais, where Agni Igris stood beside his human heirs—Rudra, Iris, and Thor.
Each word of the announcement felt like a hammer striking his pride. The Dragon King's booming declaration that these human children would be heirs to the Beastly Highlands rang in Kong's ears like an insult.
He had fought for every ounce of respect he commanded, clawed his way through trials of blood and grit, and earned his place as the Beast King of his clan.
To see these frail, short-lived humans given a title so sacred without years of proven worth felt like a mockery of everything he held dear.
"Humans," Kong thought, his chest rumbling with a low growl. "Weak. Treacherous. They don't understand the weight of this kingdom or the trials we've endured to protect it."
His fists clenched at his sides, the ground beneath him cracking slightly under the pressure. The earth always responded to his emotions, a reflection of his deep connection to it.
In the centuries since Kong had claimed his title, he had witnessed the kingdom grow and change, but never had he seen its foundations so blatantly tested.
Kong's thoughts drifted to his own ascension. He remembered the bloodied battlegrounds, the countless rivals he had defeated, and the trials that had forged him into the unyielding leader he was today.
Respect had not been given to him; he had taken it, and earned it through strength, wisdom, and sacrifice. Every beast that looked to him as their king did so not out of obligation but because he had proven himself worthy. And now, as his gaze swept over the humans standing beside Agni Igris, he felt only disdain.
"The blood of dragons has ruled this land for centuries," he muttered under his breath, the words seething with contempt. "Now, we're expected to kneel to this? To children who've yet to understand the weight of their own existence?"
A nearby beast, a sharp-eyed griffin, turned her head toward him, her feathers ruffling in quiet agreement. Though the crowd was silent out of respect for Agni Igris, Kong could feel the undercurrent of discontent among some of the more traditionalist beasts.
It was clear he was not alone in his thoughts, though none dared to speak as openly as he wished to.
Kong's gaze shifted to Agni Igris, whose imposing presence demanded attention even amidst the grandeur of the ceremony.
The Dragon King stood tall, his scarlet scales gleaming like molten fire, his aura radiating raw power.
Agni Igris' voice boomed across the field as he spoke of unity, strength, and the future of the Beastly Highlands under his chosen heirs. Yet to Kong, the words rang hollow.
"He speaks of strength," Kong thought bitterly, "yet parades weakness before us."
As Agni Igris continued, a decision began to crystallize in Kong's mind. If no one else would challenge this travesty, then it would fall to him.
He would not allow the traditions of their kingdom to be tarnished, nor would he stand idly by as their proud lineage was diluted by human fragility. The very thought of it made his blood boil, and the earth beneath his feet began to tremble subtly in response.
After all of the beasts had dispersed back to their daily lives, Kong took a step forward, as he marched towards where he could feel Agni Igri and Aura's Ki signature.
He marched with a purpose, each step deliberate and heavy.
Arriving to see the scene of the family talking and smiling without a care in the world, Kong felt even more resolved about his decision.
"Agni Igris," Kong said, his deep voice reverberating across the field. "You stand before us as the Dragon King, the pillar of our kingdom, the guardian of its strength and traditions. And yet, you present these… humans as our future?"
The accusation hung in the air like a challenge, as everyone was surprised by Kong's sudden appearance. Agni Igris turned to face Kong, his golden eyes narrowing slightly, though his expression remained calm and unyielding.
"You question my decision, Kong?" Agni's voice was steady, cold, and commanding. "Have you forgotten who I am? What I represent?"
Kong's jaw tightened, but he did not back down. "I question nothing but your judgment, Dragon King. You claim these children have proven their worth, but a single trial does not make them heirs. It does not make them dragons."
Agni's gaze grew sharper, his crimson scales shimmering with an almost imperceptible flicker of Ki. "And you believe yourself fit to decide what does?"
"I believe in the laws of our ancestors," Kong shot back, his voice rising. "Laws that demand strength, not favoritism. You may hold the crown, but that does not mean you are above the traditions that bind us all."
Rudra, standing beside Iris and Thor, felt a surge of anger rise in his chest. How dare this beast question their worth? He had seen the disdain in Kong's eyes even before the announcement, and now it spilled out in full view of the kingdom.
His fists clenched at his sides, but a glance from Iris steadied him. She was calm, her sharp blue eyes fixed on the exchange, though he could tell she was no less offended.
Thor, for his part, remained silent, his head tilted slightly as though listening to the emotions behind Kong's words. His blindfolded gaze was unreadable, but Rudra knew his younger brother was just as aware of the brewing tension.
Aura, standing beside Agni Igris, watched the scene unfold with a calm, almost amused expression.
Unlike the children, she seemed entirely unbothered by Kong's challenge, her confidence in her mate unwavering.
Kong, emboldened by the rage he felt and the agreement from a majority of the beasts during the announcement, took another step forward. "If you truly believe in their strength, Agni Igris, then let them prove it. But until then, I cannot accept this decision."
Agni's eyes burned with a cold, bloody fire as he stepped forward, meeting Kong's defiance with his own unyielding presence. "You presume much, Kong. Strength is not just in the body but in the will, the mind, and the spirit. These children have proven themselves worthy in ways you cannot comprehend."
Kong's hand moved to the battle axe strapped across his back, the massive weapon gleaming as he drew it with a single, fluid motion. His muscle-bound body filled with tension, snapping taut like a bowstring. "Then let us see if your words hold weight, Dragon King. I challenge your decision—here and now!"
The earth trembled violently beneath Kong's feet as he channeled his Ki, the ground splitting open as jagged rocks erupted upward in a display of raw power. The axe in his hands glowed faintly, its edge humming with Earthen Ki energy.
Before anyone could react, Kong raised his axe high, the runes along its blade flaring with a bright brown light.
Thor stepped back instinctively, his hand gripping Iris's arm. "What is he doing?" Thor muttered, his usually calm demeanor slipping.
Iris's eyes widened, her mind racing. "He's attacking Father," she whispered, horrified.
Rudra's fists clenched, his anger boiling over. "He doesn't know who he's messing with," he growled.
Agni remained still, unflinching as the stone spires surged toward him. With a flick of his wrist, he extended a clawed hand.
The air around him darkened, and crimson tendrils of blood Ki spiraled outward, shattering the stone before it could reach him.
The display of power silenced the room.
Agni Igris took a step towards Kong, his golden eyes burning with cold fury. "You dare raise a weapon against me in front of my family?" His voice was a deadly whisper that sent chills through everyone present.
Kong roared, charging forward with his axe raised. "You've grown complacent, Agni! Let me show you the price of weakness!"
Aura didn't move, her confidence in Agni unshaken. "He's a fool," she muttered, her voice tinged with amusement. "He doesn't stand a chance."
Agni met Kong's charge with a single step forward. The crimson tendrils around him coalesced into a shield of blood, absorbing the impact of the axe.
The ground shook from the force of the blow, Agni Igris, however, did not flinch. His gaze grew colder, his golden eyes locking onto Kong.
Aura used her Ki to shield the kids from the impacts of the battle that were destroying the trees and ground around them!
"Is this the extent of your strength, Kong?" Agni Igris asked, his tone mocking. "Pathetic."
He continued slowly advancing toward Kong, planning on showing the ape the reason that he held the title of Dragon Emperor!
*****
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