The King Sentenced Me to Death—But the Beast Remembered My Secret

The Sorcerer's Spell

The whisper of treason rippled through the colosseum like wildfire. For three years, King Robert had ruled on the lie that his own royal knights had slain the Shadow Dragon, using that false triumph to levy heavy taxes and solidify his absolute grip on the throne. Now, the truth was standing in the sand, validated by the very beast sent to execute him. The crowd’s whispers quickly escalated into furious shouts of betrayal.

Desperate to regain control, King Robert gestured frantically to his royal guards. "Do not listen to this peasant's lies!" the king bellowed, his voice cracking with panic. "He is a dark sorcerer! He has used witchcraft to tame this wild beast! Guards, execute him immediately!"

A dozen heavily armed guards rushed onto the sand, their swords drawn. Yet, they hesitated. The black lion stood protectively over Leo, baring its massive fangs and letting out a warning roar that kept the soldiers at bay. Realizing the guards were faltering, High Cleric Thomas stepped to the edge of the royal balcony. From beneath his elegant white robes, he pulled a dark, glowing golden amulet.

Thomas began chanting in a low, forbidden tongue. The amulet pulsed with a sickly crimson light. Instantly, the black lion shrieked in agony, thrashing its head as the dark magic invaded its mind. The warm yellow glow in the beast’s eyes vanished, replaced by a frenzied, blood-red glare. The lion turned slowly toward Leo, its jaw dripping with saliva, its instincts completely overridden by the cleric's dark spell.

"Kill him!" King Robert screamed, a manic grin returning to his face. "Let the beast tear the traitor apart!"

Leo backed away as his former protector growled, stepping forward with lethal intent. The crowd screamed in horror, realizing they were about to witness a magical execution.