THE SUN-KING WALKS INTO THE MOUNTAINS
"For a king to understand his people, he must walk toward danger, not wait for danger to walk toward him."
The rebellion of the Mountain-Fang clan had shaken Firelonia.
Not because they were the strongest clan.
Not because their leader Barok Stonehide was feared.
But because they were the first to openly defy the Sun-King.
And the land never forgets the first fracture.
Bao Bao Hamato knew this truth well.
So instead of sending soldiers…
instead of marching an army…
instead of forcing obedience…
He made a decision that startled his Council, the clans, and even his own guards:
> "I will go alone."
---
I. DEPARTURE FROM THE SUNSPIRE
The sun had barely risen when Bao Bao stepped into the palace courtyard.
He had chosen simple traveling armor—no crown, no royal cape, no ceremonial flames.
Only the Sun-Blade hung at his side, wrapped in cloth to hide its glow.
Raijin Sarurama hurried out of the gateway.
"Bao Bao—at least take a guard. The Mountain-Fang are unpredictable."
Bao Bao shook his head.
> "If I arrive with swords, they will answer with axes. If I arrive with peace, perhaps they will answer with words."
Kuro Saru dropped from a balcony ledge, landing beside them.
"Or they'll just throw a boulder at you."
Bao Bao smirked slightly.
"That's why I learned to dodge."
Even Veshlor Rana approached, leaning heavily on his cane.
"Your Majesty… you're walking into a den of stubborn stone-heads. They still think the Hamato clan should never have worn a crown."
Bao Bao placed a hand over his heart.
"Then let them see the man before they judge the king."
A moment of silence fell.
Finally Veshlor exhaled slowly.
"I'll hold the Council steady while you're gone. But return quickly. The clans have long memories… and short tempers."
Bao Bao nodded once.
And with that—
The Sun-King walked out of his own gates, alone, toward a clan that wanted him dethroned.
---
II. INTO THE WILDERNESS OF STONE
The path to the Mountain-Fang territory winded through cracked valleys and jagged cliffs.
The air grew colder. The sky dimmed under drifting ash from distant quakes.
Every few miles, Bao Bao saw signs of resistance:
Broken Sun-King banners.
Destroyed messenger posts.
Obsidian spikes driven into the ground like warnings.
The mountains rose before him—dark, ancient, imposing.
To most travelers, they were a graveyard of frozen winds.
To the Mountain-Fang, they were home.
Bao Bao placed a hand on one of the carved border stones.
The engravings were old—older than any written history. Deep claw marks from forgotten battles. Old bloodstains now turned brown with centuries.
He whispered to the mountains:
> "I come in peace. Not with fire, but with intention."
The wind did not answer.
But someone else did.
---
III. THE HUNTERS IN THE SNOW
A stone cracked behind him.
Bao Bao stopped walking.
He could feel the presence of warriors hidden among the rocks—steady breath, rough boots crunching, the faint scent of cold steel.
He raised his hands slightly.
"I am Bao Bao Hamato. I request an audience with Chief Barok Stonehide."
Silence.
Then a voice rumbled from above.
"A king walks alone? Foolish."
Several warriors stepped out—broad-shouldered, thick-furred cloaks, axes strapped across their backs. Their eyes were colder than the snow beneath them.
The lead warrior lowered his spear.
"You are trespassing in Mountain-Fang territory."
Bao Bao nodded.
"I know."
"You understand we could strike you down."
"Then you would kill a man who came for peace."
The warrior froze for a second.
Mountain-Fang were not used to this kind of honesty.
Kings usually arrived screaming demands.
Bao Bao arrived speaking calmly.
Finally the warrior raised his spear.
"I will take you to Chief Barok… but do not expect kindness."
---
IV. THE HALL OF STONEHIDE
The Mountain-Fang stronghold was carved directly into the cliffside.
Fire lit the tunnels in deep orange glow, illuminating carvings of ancient hunts and battles. Every wall told a story of victory, pride, and stubborn endurance.
Bao Bao was led into the central war hall.
Barok Stonehide stood upon a raised stone platform, arms crossed, eyes like two pieces of sharpened flint.
Chief Barok was massive, even among Mountain-Fang—fur-lined armor, a beard braided with bone beads, the legendary Stonehide Staff by his side.
He did not bow.
He did not greet Bao Bao.
"You've come far from your throne, Sun-King."
Bao Bao met his eyes.
"I came because your clan fought beside mine in the war. I came because I would rather speak with you than fight you."
Barok slammed the staff down.
"You speak of unity. Yet your Council tries to break our traditions. They demand tribute, new borders, new laws. You ask a mountain to bend."
Bao Bao stepped forward.
"I ask a mountain to stand with the rest of the land."
Barok growled.
"The mountains stand alone."
Now murmurs filled the hall—warriors shifting, whispers rising, tension sharp enough to cut stone.
Bao Bao took a deep breath.
Then he said something unexpected.
> "If you believe I hunger for power, I will leave the throne today."
Every warrior in the hall froze.
Barok's eyes widened—only slightly, but enough to reveal he had not expected such a declaration.
"I did not take the crown for glory," Bao Bao continued.
"I took it because the land was bleeding. Because someone had to end the war. Because I believed the clans deserved stability."
"And now you believe I threaten that stability," Barok growled.
"No," Bao Bao said quietly.
"I believe someone wants us to believe that."
---
V. THE SHADOW BETWEEN CLANS
Barok's eyes narrowed.
"You speak of conspiracies?"
Bao Bao shook his head.
"I speak of facts. Sabotage inside the Sun Palace. Secret tunnels mapped by someone who has never left the mountains. Rebellion plans coordinated with outside knowledge."
Warriors glanced at each other.
Bao Bao continued:
> "You and I fought each other once…
but we never fought dirty.
Someone else is playing a deeper game."
Barok's jaw tightened.
"The hooded figure?"
Bao Bao nodded slowly.
"I don't know their name. But they want us distracted. Divided. Weak."
Barok turned away, pacing.
"The figure brought us maps. Information. A chance to strike the throne."
"And why would an ally hide their face?" Bao Bao asked.
"Why would they give you only tools for bloodshed—not diplomacy?"
Barok stopped walking.
For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes.
---
VI. A TEST OF HONOR
Barok turned sharply.
"You speak like a man convincing himself."
Bao Bao nodded once.
"Then test me."
Barok lifted his staff.
"A duel. Not to the death.
A duel of intent."
Bao Bao understood.
If he fought honorably, the Mountain-Fang would listen to him.
If he fought like a tyrant, the rebellion would grow stronger.
Warriors formed a circle.
Barok stepped into it.
"Sun-King… show me the truth of your flame."
---
VII. THE DUEL OF FLAME AND STONE
The air trembled.
Barok charged first, striking the ground with his staff. The stone cracked, sending a shockwave toward Bao Bao.
Bao Bao leapt aside, sliding across the dust.
He did not draw the Sun-Blade.
Instead, he planted his feet and raised his hands, allowing flame to coil around his arms—not wild, but controlled.
Barok swung again.
Bao Bao dodged again.
"Fight me!" Barok roared.
"I am fighting," Bao Bao answered, "without causing you harm."
This only infuriated the chief more.
A second shockwave slammed toward Bao Bao.
This time he met it—pressing his palms forward, releasing a controlled burst of flame that softened the impact without burning the ground.
Barok staggered back a step.
Warriors murmured.
Bao Bao lowered his arms.
"I am not your enemy, Barok."
Barok growled, charging again.
But this time Bao Bao stepped inside the swing—quick, precise—and tapped Barok's wrist, redirecting the strike away from both of them.
The staff slammed harmlessly against the wall.
Barok froze.
He had been defeated.
Not by force.
Not by fire.
By mercy.
Slowly he lowered his weapon.
"You… truly didn't want to hurt me."
Bao Bao breathed heavily.
"I want Firelonia to stand together. I want your clan safe. I want your children to grow without fear."
Silence filled the hall.
Then Barok finally spoke.
"I still oppose your rule, Sun-King… but not your heart."
He knelt.
Not in surrender—
but in acknowledgment.
---
VIII. THE MOUNTAIN AGREES TO LISTEN
The warriors of Mountain-Fang struck their fists to their chests.
Barok rose.
"The rebellion pauses. The warriors withdraw from the borders. We will hear your proposal, Sun-King."
Bao Bao nodded, exhausted but grateful.
"And in return," Barok said, "you will respect our autonomy, traditions, and ancestral lands. You will not command the mountains—you will negotiate with them."
Bao Bao extended his hand.
"Then let this be the first stone in rebuilding our trust."
Barok gripped his forearm.
"The first stone," he agreed.
---
IX. WATCHERS IN THE DARK
As Bao Bao prepared to leave the mountain stronghold…
He felt a chill.
Not from the wind.
From the shadows behind the pillars.
A pair of eyes watched him.
Faint. Hidden.
Amused.
The hooded figure whispered from afar:
> "So the king gains the mountains… But every alliance he makes brings him closer to the fall."
They faded back into the darkness, unseen by all but the stone itself.
And Bao Bao began the long journey home—
unaware that his path had already been marked.