As Bella and the Beast approached the Valley of Echoes, a sudden shadow darted from the skies. It was Sir Stridulus, a proud katydid knight clad in iridescent green armor, wings sharpened like blades.
“You dare bring the cursed one here?” Stridulus boomed, his antennae quivering with pride.
The Beast stepped forward. “I seek no quarrel.”
But Stridulus had sworn to guard the ancient realm from “the tainted-winged creature” foretold in cicada prophecies. He lunged. A fierce duel broke out—sword-like wings clashed, chitin echoed like thunder.
Bella cried out, “Stop! This is not the way!”
The katydid hesitated, hearing truth in her voice. His blade dropped. “Then prove his heart is noble. Let him face the Trial of Petals at dawn.”
Bella and the Beast nodded. The path to redemption had taken a perilous turn.
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