Dominion of The Beast Masters

The plateau was a wasteland of ash and soot. The ground was scorched black, cracked, and steaming in places.

The air was thick with the faint smell of smoke, and faint embers glowed in the shadows of jagged rocks.

Colin lay on her back in the middle of the devastation, still and silent. She was wrapped in a tattered jacket, its edges singed and blackened.

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open, unfocused and hazy.

For a moment, she stared blankly at the darkened sky above her. She blinked, confused, as she noticed the heat still radiating from the ground.

Then, her senses sharpened, and she felt the weight of the jacket covering her.

She sat up slowly, her head spinning. Her clothes were completely burnt, leaving her wrapped only in the jacket. Before she could process more, her eyes fell on Eratz.

He was sitting on a rock nearby, his posture relaxed. His clothes were partially burnt, his arms and shoulders dusted with cinders, but he looked unharmed. He glanced at her and gave her a warm, reassuring smile.

"Eratz…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

He nodded, standing slowly as she struggled to her feet. But before she could steady herself, she stumbled forward, falling to her knees and wrapping her arms around him. Read exclusive adventures at m_v-l'e|m,p-y r

Her grip was tight, desperate as if to reassure herself he was real. Eratz gently patted her head, his voice calm and soft.

"You did very well. Better than I expected. I'm proud of you."

Colin's shoulders shook, and she buried her face against him, holding back tears.

"I… I'm so glad you're okay," she whispered, her voice cracking.

"I'm sorry… I couldn't help you properly. I wasn't strong enough."

Eratz smiled softly, his hand resting gently on her head as he kept patting her hair with quiet reassurance.

"Don't apologize," he said firmly. "At your age, you're already better than I was. You're a real phenom, Colin. You're doing amazing."

Her lips trembled as she looked up at him, her red eyes shimmering. She nodded, her voice barely audible.

"Thank you…"

The hunt was a success. The phoenix, Ignivara, had been assimilated.

The following days saw a dramatic shift in the team's dynamic.

When Eratz and Colin returned, the others were electrified by Victoria's speech.

There was a new fire in their eyes, a determination Eratz hadn't seen before. Even he was a little surprised by their sudden focus and drive.

Eratz began tracking beasts for the rest of the team, pouring all his skill and energy into finding the perfect matches. Each search was painstaking. The beasts were elusive, their trails faint, and the terrain unforgiving.

Raya was the first. Her beast was meticulously chosen by Eratz, a creature of exceptional power and uniqueness. She needed almost no intervention during her battle, her calm focus and razor-sharp instincts guiding her to victory with grace and efficiency. It was a testament to her precision and mastery.

Ryder's hunt was far more complicated. He had no clear affinity to a specific type of beast, making the search painstakingly difficult.

His unique ability to use beastification with multiple creatures at once posed additional challenges, as Eratz needed to find a beast that could complement and enhance this rare skill.

After careful observation and strategic consideration, Eratz devised a clever plan.

He located a beast capable of synchronization, amplifying Ryder's ability to harmonize with multiple entities. The battle was grueling, testing Ryder's endurance and adaptability, but it marked a significant evolution in his fighting style.

Catarina's hunt was saved for last, and Eratz approached it with exceptional care, wanting to reward her relentless determination.

Using his flying spy beasts, he scoured vast territories, gathering every possible detail on potential matches.

He found several powerful candidates, but one stood out, with a specific ability that convinced Eratz to choose it. The battle was phenomenal and chaotic, a bizarre dance of unique skills and improvisation.

Catarina fought with unyielding resolve, adapting to the beast's unpredictability. Together with Eratz's assistance, she overcame the challenge, winning the beast's loyalty in a climactic finish.

Once every member of the team had a calamity beast, the focus shifted to training.

The course was intense and relentless, designed to push them to their limits.

For weeks, they trained relentlessly, forging their strength and deepening their bond with their calamity beasts.

The regimen was brutal: intense sparring sessions, mental fortification exercises, and grueling stamina drills that pushed them to their limits. Every moment was designed to sharpen their control, power, and teamwork.

By the end, they were faster, stronger, and more synchronized than ever, their strengths honed to form an unstoppable force.

Weeks later, Golden Cosmos Arena buzzed with energy. The new season was well underway, and the younger trainees and new recruits gathered in clusters, excitedly discussing the results of their recent matches.

Their voices filled the air as they shared battle stories and predictions about their battles.

In the middle of the chatter, a loud thud interrupted the flow. A trainee stumbled, bumping into someone.

"Hey! Watch where you're going!" she snapped, brushing herself off and glaring.

The figure they had bumped into turned slowly.

It was Adrian.

His icy stare was enough to silence any further complaints. The sharpness in his gaze cut through the commotion, leaving the trainee visibly uncomfortable.

"Let it go," whispered another trainee, tugging his friend's arm. "That's Adrian. You don't want to pick a fight with him."

"Yeah," another added in hushed tones. "He's a problem. Doesn't know how to talk to people without starting something."

Adrian ignored their murmurs, his focus elsewhere as he walked briskly toward the training arena. His progress this season had been decent. Out of six matches a day, he used to win around three to four times.

These losses still lingered in his mind, fueling his frustration.

He groaned under his breath as he pushed open the doors to the arena. The space was alive with activity, but it quieted as an official announcement began.

The staff gathered the trainees and new members for a special briefing.

"We have important news," one of the senior organizers began. "Today, we will announce the final team for the upcoming team battles."

Excited murmurs rippled through the trainees. The aces of Golden Cosmos were already confirmed, their names carrying legendary weight on these walls.

But it was the final two spots on the team that had everyone on edge. No one knew who the agency would choose, and the speculation was relentless.

"Two spots remain," the staff continued. "This decision was not made lightly. Every one of you has shown incredible effort, but only two can stand among the elite."

The room buzzed with anticipation. Whispers spread like wildfire as the trainees exchanged hurried predictions.

Everyone was eager, and hopeful, imagining their name being called. The suspense was palpable, curiosity building to a crescendo as the announcement drew closer.

Adrian leaned against the wall, watching in silence. Unlike the others, he wasn't caught up in the frenzy. He already knew the outcome.

The clock ticked toward the aces' arrival. As the minutes passed, the anticipation swelled.

At 9:30 AM, the first group entered the arena: Catarina, Kaida, and Raya. Their calm and composed demeanor immediately commanded respect. Whispers of awe and admiration spread through the trainees.

A little later, Eratz, Mercury, Colin, and Milo arrived together. Their entrance sparked a wave of intrigue. The crowd's eyes were drawn to Colin and Milo, who stood out due to their youth.

Speculations about their talent rippled through the trainees. Eratz and Mercury, as always, carried an aura of command that silenced even the loudest whispers.

Finally, Ryder strolled in, his relaxed confidence earning nods of acknowledgment.

By 10 AM, the arena was filled to the brim. Victoria stepped forward, her authoritative presence commanding immediate attention.

She addressed the room with a sharp yet encouraging tone.

"Today, we formally present the list of those chosen to represent us in the upcoming team battles," she announced. "Your efforts this season have been commendable. You've all shown determination and promise. But only a few can stand among the chosen."

The tension was electric as Zara joined her, holding a tablet with the official list. All eyes were on her as she began reading the names.

As expected, the aces' names were called, and each one was greeted with cheers and applause. Yet, the room held its breath for the final two names.

"Colin and Milo," Zara announced.