Dominion of The Beast Masters

Back in the locker room, Mercury returned to find Eratz, Ryder, and Zara sitting quietly.

Sensing the gloomy mood, she grinned and playfully tapped Eratz on the shoulder.

"Cheer up, guys! It happens. I'm not invincible."

"Are you really okay?" Ryder asked.

She winked.

"I'm only angry because I lost and Eratz won. It's a competition, after all."

Eratz smiled back.

Zara let out a breath, grateful to see Mercury's spirits lifting.

"You're strong, Mercury," she said softly.

Mercury nodded, but her expression shifted when she noticed Eratz's face.

"Let's focus on something else for now. The things these girls used." Eratz said, his tone suddenly more serious.

Mercury blinked, her arms crossing over her chest as she tilted her head.

"What do you mean?"

"The way Kaida and Catarina fought," Eratz began, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Their beastification wasn't just the usual stuff. And their field spell... It was connected to their monsters instead of elements. It's different from what we've seen."

Mercury raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, I found it weird too. You think there's something more to it?"

"I know there is. The way Catarina's cats were implied in her field spell. And Kaida? Her transformation was... advanced, more complete. We need to figure out what they're doing."

Mercury's eyes flickered with curiosity, but she kept her stance casual.

"So, what's your plan?"

Eratz's grin widened.

"Glad you asked. Zara, Ryder, and I are going to crack this mystery."

Zara, who had been listening quietly, perked up.

"Wait, you're including me in this?"

Eratz nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Of course. You're our resident scholar. I need you to dig into everything we've got on advanced beastification and field spells. Anything that could explain what we saw out there."

Zara's face lit up.

"You want me to research advanced beastification techniques? I'm on it!"

Eratz gave her a mock salute.

"That's the spirit!"

"And me?" Ryder chimed in, raising an eyebrow.

"You're our test subject, I want you out there training all night. Test different combinations of field spells and beast synchronization techniques. See if you can feel any changes."

Ryder grinned.

"... I've been training all day for this moment, the night training."

"Alright, listen up!" Eratz barked in a mock-serious tone.

Zara and Ryder instinctively straightened up, their eyes glinting.

"We've got work to do," Eratz continued, "What Kaida and Catarina showed us out there wasn't just flashy moves, it was something deeper. A connection between their beasts, their environment, and their power. This is something beyond anything we've ever achieved and the urgency to master it is at our door. So listen, here's the mission!"

"Yes, Boss !" Zara and Ryder shouted altogether.

"Zara!" Eratz turned to her dramatically, "You're now the Head Researcher! Your task is to find every scrap of knowledge about advanced beastification techniques, field spells, and how they affect the battlefield. I expect a full report by sunrise!"

Zara's eyes lit up with excitement. She stood at attention, saluting playfully.

"Sir, yes, sir!" she said, her voice brimming with energy.

Eratz then spun around to face Ryder, pointing at him with equal intensity.

"Ryder, you're going to train all night. I want you mastering every field spell and beast synchronization technique you know, and I want you to figure out how to push them even further. You're our field agent!"

Ryder grinned and nodded, standing up from the bench.

"You got it, boss. I'll train until my beasts can't move! Or my body! Or both!"

Eratz's voice grew more dramatic, his arms spread wide.

"This is the moment we stop being spectators and start being the ones who make everyone else nervous. We're going to uncover the secret behind Kaida and Catarina's abilities, and when we do, we'll Make Crescent Moon Great Again!"

He clapped his hands suddenly.

"Now go! Move, move, move!"

Zara rushed to the door.

"For the M.C.M.G.A. Boss!" she shouted as she disappeared down the hallway.

Ryder roared.

"I'll be back... with weapons!" he said before jumping out of the room.

As Mercury turned to follow, Eratz called out after her.

"Stop, you don't need to follow them, I already got the infos I needed."

He held up his phone, showing a number.Mercury blinked in confusion.

"What's this?"

"Catarina's number."

Mercury stared at the phone in Eratz's hand, a flicker of something crossing her face.

"You got Catarina's number? Why?"

Eratz didn't miss a beat, pocketing his phone as if the question didn't matter.

"It's for the beastification and spell field thing. You saw what she did out there, it was different than us, something I want to figure out."

Mercury's brow furrowed.

"You want to learn about beastification from her?" She crossed her arms, an edge creeping into her voice. "You know I could have taught you that, right? I mean, I've been using beastification and field spell for a while."

Eratz smiled, not in the teasing way she was used to, but in a softer, more genuine way.

"I know you could've taught me, Mercury. And you're good, really good." He paused, looking her straight in the eyes. "But this is... different. There's something specific about what Catarina did and I need Zara's input too. It's something she said and I want to pull something from it."

Mercury raised an eyebrow.

"What? You don't trust me to handle it?"

"It's not about handling it, there's just... more to get from her, and not just about what I said. Something I need to pull, and I need Zara for that. For now I just want to handle it with Zara, you'll see it soon."

The way he said it made Mercury pause. It wasn't that he was shutting her out, there was just something deeper going on, something he wasn't ready to talk about. She could feel it, but instead of pushing, she decided to let it go for now.

"Okay, fine," she said, unfolding her arms but still watching him closely. "But I'm still better at this stuff than Catarina. Just saying."

"No doubt about that."

There was a brief silence between them, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Mercury could feel a shift in the atmosphere.

"So... what now?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Well, I've got another plan. Tomorrow, I want you and Milo to come over to my uncle and aunt's place. I've already discussed it with them, so don't even think about backing out."

Mercury blinked, taken off guard.

"Wait... why? You want me at your family's house?"

"Yeah,You've had a tough day, and I think hanging out with family might help. Plus, I think it's about time you met my aunt and uncle, they're pretty great."

Mercury hesitated, clearly nervous.

"I don't know... Family stuff's not really my thing. I wouldn't want to intrude or anything."

"Intrude? Come on, Mercury. They'll love having you there. It's not some formal thing, it's just a way for you to unwind, hang out, and forget about today. Last time we did your thing, now this is my turn."

She let out a shaky laugh, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I don't know... It sounds a little awkward, and I'm not sure I'd fit in."

"Awkward? Mercury, you handle Milo like it's nothing. I'm pretty sure you can handle dinner with my aunt and uncle."

She looked away, still unsure.

"I don't know... Milo is pretty easy to deal with."

"Look, I'm not asking you anymore. You remember our challenge? I won, and you lose, so now you do my wish, ok? I really want you to meet my family."

Mercury let out a long breath, her walls starting to crumble a little. For some reason, this proposal made her feel more exposed than she wanted to admit.

"Alright," she finally said, her voice softer. "I'll come. But if your aunt or uncle gets hate me, I'm out."

Eratz grinned, the playful spark returning to his eyes.

"They took me when everyone hated me, they will adore you."

Mercury couldn't help but laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing.

"Okay, okay. But if this turns into some awkward family bonding moment, I'm blaming you."

"That's the point."

She shook her head, smiling now, though her nerves were still bubbling underneath.

"You're impossible."

"Yep, that's me," Eratz shot back, smiling as he stepped aside to let her pass.

Mercury turned toward the door, pausing just for a moment to glance back at him.

"I'll be there. But seriously, don't make me regret this."

Eratz smiled, softer this time.

"I won't. Promise."

As she walked out, Mercury felt the last remnants of her earlier insecurities fade away.

Eratz had a way of getting under her skin, but tonight, it wasn't about teasing or games.

He genuinely wanted her I'm his precious garden, and somehow, that made the weight of her defeat feel just a little lighter.