Dominion of The Beast Masters

The cozy warmth of Eratz's home was a stark contrast to the cloudy, overcast sky outside. Inside, the soft hum of chatter filled the air as Cassie, Roger, Colin, and Milo sat together, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

At the center, Cinderblaze dutifully served tea, his movements oddly precise for a creature of his kind.

When it was Eratz's turn, Cinderblaze smirked as he leaned over with the teapot, his usual mischievous flair in full display. Eratz, unfazed, returned the smile.

"There are exactly 666 water beasts in me. Not very strong, but enough to make a water field spell."

Cinderblaze froze mid-pour, his flames flickering erratically. He let out a strange, nervous laugh, a series of odd guttural noises that made everyone glance at him.

Scratching his head with a clawed hand, the beast quickly resumed serving tea, this time with exaggerated politeness.

Roger shook his head in awe.

"It's amazing how intelligent he is," he remarked.

Cassie smiled, leaning forward.

"I'd love to have a beast like that someday. Colin, why don't you show us your beast?"

Colin hesitated, her hands clutching her teacup tightly.

"I don't know… my beast isn't as docile as Eratz's. I'm still learning."

Milo chimed in with a grin.

"Oh, tell me about it. Sometimes, I feel like my calamity is the master and I'm the beast."

Everyone chuckled, but Eratz's eyes gleamed with a playful challenge.

"There's no owner above me. Milo, you've got my matriculation right on your forehead."
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Milo narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"What if I graduate? I'm a man. I have rights."

Eratz leaned back, smirking.

"Yes, you have rights… under my jurisdiction."

Milo stood dramatically, puffing out his chest.

"Maybe it's time to prepare for a long crusade for my future independence day."

Eratz rose to meet him, crossing his arms.

"Yes, and you will call it colonialism."

The tension hung in the air for a moment before both of them grinned, the playful banter ready to escalate.

But the atmosphere shifted in an instant as Mercury burst into the house like a streak of lightning.

She rushed past everyone without a word, her movements a blur of frustration.

"Mercury?" Cassie called after her with concern.

Mercury didn't respond. The sound of her bedroom door slamming shut echoed through the house, leaving everyone in stunned silence.

Cassie exchanged a worried look with Roger, Colin, and Milo.

"What happened?" she murmured.

Behind the closed door, Mercury was a storm of emotions. She threw herself onto the bed, her fists pounding into the cushions as tears of pure rage streamed down her face. The humiliation, the helplessness, it all boiled over.

Grabbing her phone, she dialed a number with trembling hands. When Zara's voice answered, Mercury couldn't hold back.

"It didn't work," she cried, her voice breaking. "That bastard refused… it's over…"

Her sobs filled the room as she clutched the phone tightly. Zara's voice tried to comfort her, but Mercury's despair was overwhelming.

By the afternoon, the clouds outside had thickened, casting a gray pall over the house.

Mercury remained in her room, the tears finally slowing but her frustration lingering. She didn't hear the soft sound of footsteps on the balcony until Eratz stepped inside.

She looked up, startled through her tears.

"What the..."

Eratz gave her a small smile.

"You locked the door. The balcony was easier."

His calm presence eased some of the tension, but Mercury quickly turned away, wiping her face. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice raw.

He moved closer, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"I want to know what's going on."

Mercury tried to steady her breathing, her hands fidgeting in her lap. She hated this, the vulnerability, the shame of it all. But the weight was too much to bear alone.

"He refused," she said finally, her voice trembling. "That… bastard. He… he's playing games. Mocking me. He knows Milo needs him to sign, and he's using it to control everything." She hesitated, her voice growing softer, almost ashamed.

Then, with a deep breath, she began her story.

"I told you once about him… about our father. The bastard who abandoned us. Well, he's back. And without this piece of shit, we can't legally sign Milo."

Eratz listened quietly as she poured out the story, her words tumbling over each other in her frustration. She explained the encounter, the insults, the manipulation. Her father's calculating nature loomed over every detail.

When she finished, Eratz's expression was dark.

"I didn't see that coming," he admitted. "He's worse than I thought."

"You think?" Mercury snapped, her anger flaring again. "He's a damn calculator. If we try anything, if a leaf touch him, it'll be on me. He'll paint me as the villain, and Milo…" Her voice cracked.

"Victoria and Zara know too," she added, taking a deep breath. "It's a big problem. Legal actions, negotiations… it all feels pointless. How do you negotiate with someone like him?"

Eratz placed a steady hand on her shoulder.

"We'll figure it out. There's always a price for anyone, in change, or in blood, but believe it, Milo will stay with us. I promise you that at least."

Mercury looked at him, her tears slowing. For the first time since the encounter, she felt a flicker of relief.

"How do you do that?" she asked softly.

"Do what?"

"Make it better. I… feel better."

Eratz smiled gently.

"I didn't do anything. I just listened."

Mercury leaned closer to him, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. The storm inside her was still there, but for now, it had calmed.

Meanwhile at Genova Academy, the soft creak of the office chair broke the heavy silence as Rowan leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of his face.

Across from him sat Kenny, his posture rigid and tense, his face a mask of desperation. The dim light of the office cast long shadows across the room, amplifying the weight of the moment.

"I need help," Kenny began, his voice trembling, barely above a whisper. "Please."

Rowan said nothing, his eyes fixed on the young man before him. The silence felt oppressive, but Kenny pressed on, his words spilling out in a torrent of emotion.

"I don't know where I went wrong," he said, his voice cracking. "I tried to be strong. I trained harder than anyone. But every time I think I'm getting somewhere, it all just… falls apart."

Kenny's hands gripped the edge of the desk, his knuckles white. He looked up at Rowan, his eyes wide and pleading.

"Tell me," he begged. "Tell me what I'm doing wrong. Guide me. Teach me. I'll do whatever it takes. Just… please. Give me a chance to still exist, to have hope."

The room felt colder as Kenny's voice faltered.

"I see them, you know. All of them, moving forward, growing stronger. And me? I'm… stuck. Left behind. I don't want to be a failure. I can't be. I don't have anything else."

He paused, his breathing uneven. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, almost broken.

"I thought I could be better. I thought I could show them I'm worth something. But no matter what I do, it's never enough. Everyone hates me. They mock me. Call me trash. And maybe they're right."

Tears welled in Kenny's eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

"I just want to matter again. To not disappear. I'm scared."

Rowan closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. The weight of Kenny's words hung in the air, heavy and unrelenting. When he opened his eyes again, they were filled with a quiet resolve.

"Kenny," Rowan began, his voice measured and calm. "Do you know what it means to be a teacher?"

Kenny blinked, caught off guard by the question. He shook his head slightly.

"A teacher's role isn't just to impart knowledge," Rowan continued. "It's to guide, to nurture, to help students find their way. But it's also about holding up a mirror. Showing them the truths they may not want to see."

He leaned forward, his gaze piercing.

"You've been running from your mistakes, Kenny. Blaming everyone else, when the truth is, you've been your own worst enemy."

Kenny flinched as if struck, but Rowan didn't stop.

"You want hope? A chance to exist? Then you need to start by owning what you've done. Stop playing the victim. Take responsibility for your actions, for your choices. I don't know why it's so hard, but try to show a little humanity. That's the only way forward."

Rowan's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm.

"You need the guidance of a teacher, but sadly, I'm not suited to be a teacher. I'm too emotional. I get too involved. But I'll help you, Kenny. On one condition."

Kenny's head shot up, his eyes filled with a mix of hope and trepidation.

"Apologize," Rowan said simply. "Openly. Publicly. To Eratz."