Title: The Sun's Zenith In a realm where the skies burned bright with golden sunlight, and the air shimmered with an ethereal glow, the mighty Escanor—the Lion Sin of Pride—stood tall upon a hill. His massive axe, Rhitta, reflected the brilliance of the sun, making it seem as if the very essence of daylight was contained within its ornate form. Every fleeting second raised his power, feeding his desire, filling him with an overwhelming sense of invincibility. He felt the familiar rush of strength surging through him. “Higher! Higher!” he bellowed, reveling in the power coursing through him like a tidal wave. “This is what it means to be the strongest! I am the mightiest of them all!” But today, Escanor's arrogance would be tested. As he gazed across the horizon, a ripple in reality caught his attention—a figure materializing amidst the particles of light. The air shimmered, and from it emerged the Watcher, an ethereal figure draped in flowing robes that captured the vibrant hues of the cosmos. His presence felt both calming and formidable, as if the very fabric of the universe compelled him to exist. Escanor's smirk turned to a frown. "Who dares disturb me? You must have a death wish to challenge the Lion Sin of Pride." The Watcher looked upon Escanor with a serene smile, unaffected by the condescension in his tone. "I come not to challenge you, Escanor, but to observe. For I have learned that even the strongest are bound to learn—and perhaps, even to change." “Change?” Escanor scoffed, his pride unyielding. “I am not here for lessons or idle talk. You are a fleeting illusion in my shining world. You don’t grasp the magnitude of my strength!” As if to prove his point, the sun reached its zenith, illuminating every inch of Escanor's being, his power skyrocketing. He smirked, raising Rhitta aloft. “Let me show you the folly of your belief!” The Watcher stood unfazed, calmly adjusting the flow of time around Escanor. “You may wield unimaginable power, but true strength lies not just in might, Escanor. You must understand kindness, humility—a harmony within and around you.” “Enough of your drivel!” Escanor roared. “It’s time for you to witness the culmination of my strength!” He swung Rhitta with such force that the air itself screamed in protest, creating a shockwave that shot toward the Watcher. But the Watcher, with a mere wave of his hand, slowed time to a crawl. Escanor’s attack hung mid-air, the world around him frozen in a delicate balance. "You are indeed powerful, but even within such might, there is room to grow. Why not embrace the duality of your existence instead of guarding yourself with such pride?" Escanor narrowed his eyes and snorted, “You think I need lessons in humility and duality? I am invincible—every second I grow stronger while you float there like a remnant of the cosmos.” With a subtle flick of his wrist, the Watcher released the hold on time. The world snapped back, and Escanor found himself surrounded by a realm of possibilities. His axe swung again, but this time the Watcher was merely an echo, shifting through moments in alternate realities, eliciting shadows of his presence. “Witness how fleeting this moment is!” Escanor shouted, swinging Rhitta with unrelenting fury, yet the Watcher danced through the shadows like an embodiment of tranquility, avoiding each strike with grace. “And yet, no matter how fleeting, it is every moment that shapes us,” the Watcher replied serenely, his voice unshaken by Escanor’s ferocity. “Every choice and encounter carries weight. Your strength is impressive, but what good is it without purpose?” Escanor’s frustration flared as he continued his relentless assault, but with each swing, he felt the weight of the Watcher’s words. “Enough games!” he bellowed, his voice echoing through the valley. He felt the heat of the sun continuing to empower him—he could feel the glow within, the essence of sunlight fueled his rage. As he reached the midday point, a golden aura exploded from him in hypnotic waves. “This is The One! No one can withstand my might now!” he proclaimed, the grass around him wilting at the sheer intensity of the light emanating from his form. The Watcher merely smiled, a glint of understanding in his eyes. “And yet, with every peak, there is a valley. Embrace the ebb and flow, Escanor. Let me show you.” With the snap of his fingers, the landscape ebbed into a deep twilight, time grinding to a halt once more. He encapsulated Escanor within a pocket of reality, where the thrill of the fight seemed to vanish, replaced with introspection. Reality shifted, and Escanor saw the lives he could touch—how his powers could be used to inspire warmth and kindness. Scenes unfolded before him: a child laughing under the sun, a tradesman helping a weary traveler, the bonds formed in laughter and sorrow alike. Each memory radiated with kindness. “Don’t you see?” The Watcher’s voice broke through the haze. “Strength is not merely for conquest; it is for nurturing, for protecting those moments that matter.” Escanor fell quiet, the flicker of realization dawning within him, yet pride still held him steadfast. “But… I am the strongest.” “And strength without purpose is but raw energy,” laughed the Watcher. “Choose who you want to be—not defined merely by power, but as a soul who understands the beauty in compassion. Be the light that guides others.” Time resumed its course, and Escanor found himself standing defiantly before the Watcher, heart pounding. “So… you want me to harness my strength for kindness? Where’s the joy in that?” “The greatest joy,” replied the Watcher softly, “lies in helping others discover their own power—show them that the light within can be just as strong as your mighty sun.” Escanor dropped Rhitta slightly, considering the wisdom in the seemingly calm creature before him. The words resonated—each moment, infinite and precious. The sun blazed high, and amid his growing power, he began to embrace the spark of understanding. “You speak as if kindness is a power of its own,” he admitted, his arrogance dimming for the first time. “With time, you will discover that it is, Escanor. You power that can uplift even the mightiest. How can you wield kindness to create? Can you dare to change our dance?” Escanor straightened, chest swelling with the weight of potential. “Very well, ancient one. Your words will not fall on deaf ears. I shall learn this other side of strength… with the sun at my back.” The Watcher nodded, an approving smile gracing his celestial features. “Then let us share stories now—a celebration of kindness and strength in harmony.” And so, standing amidst the brilliance of the sun, Escanor—the proud warrior—found a harmonious balance where the essence of power and kindness intertwined, forever marked by the day he learned to embrace more than just strength—he learned to wield joy.