Dominion of The Beast Masters

The city of Lugina towered before them, a vast, bustling metropolis with winding streets, towering buildings, and a constant hum of life. Eratz and his family sat in the carriage, staring wide-eyed at the sprawling city as it came into view. The sharp contrast from the quiet countryside they'd left behind was almost overwhelming.

Cassie was the first to speak, her voice full of excitement as she practically hung out of the carriage window.

"Look at it, Roger! It's huge! So many people, so many places to explore!"

Her eyes sparkled with an energy that seemed impossible to control, maybe was it her Ishtarian's side?

Roger, sitting beside her, was much calmer, but he wore a small smile, his eyes scanning the city with quiet appreciation.

"It's something, alright. We've got a lot to see, but we'll take it slow."

In the back, Eratz watched the city unfold. He'd been waiting for this, for a new playground. Behind these buildings were his first milestone: Beast masters duels.

His heart was racing with impatience, but beside him, Colin shrunk into her seat, her eyes wide and nervous. She gripped Eratz's sleeve tightly as the streets grew more crowded.

"Hey," Eratz said, nudging her gently. "You alright?"

Colin shook her head slightly.

"It's just… so big. I didn't think it'd be like this."

Eratz gave her a reassuring headpat.

"Don't worry. We'll figure it out together. It's just a city, right? We've got this."

Colin tried to smile, but the height of the city seemed to crush her small size.

Their carriage rattled to a stop in front of a tall, shabby-looking apartment building squeezed between two much larger structures.

The sounds of Lugina, vehicles, clanging machinery, and chatter, filled the air. Cassie hopped out first.

"Home sweet home!" she chirped, grabbing her bags.

The apartment was on the fourth floor, and the climb up the narrow staircase was a workout in itself. When they finally reached their door, Roger unlocked it and swung it open with a proud grin.

"There we go," he said, stepping inside. "Two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Not bad for a beginning, right?"

The space was tiny, cramped even. The two bedrooms were barely big enough for beds, let alone much else, and the kitchen was a narrow strip of counters with an ancient stove.

The living room was the heart of the apartment, though it felt more like a sitting room with a worn-out sofa and a small table shoved against one wall.

Cassie, as usual, was upbeat.

"We'll make it work. It's cozy! And think of the view!" She gestured toward the small window, which offered a narrow glimpse of the busy street below.

Eratz nodded.

"I've slept in the mud of the forest, this looks fine."

Roger threw his bag onto one of the beds.

"Yup, this'll be fine. We're not here to live in luxury, after all."

Only Colin lingered in the doorway, her eyes darting around the small space. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and she bit her lip, unsure. Eratz noticed immediately and walked over to her.

"What's up? Don't like it?"

Colin hesitated before whispering.

"It's just… different from what I expected. It's small."

Eratz smiled, ruffling her hair.

"Yeah, it's small, but we'll make it home. Give it a chance.. and between you and I, just wait a little bit. I'll make it a paradise for us."

Colin nodded, though the unease in her eyes didn't completely vanish.

Later that day, after the family had settled in a bit, Eratz suggested taking a walk with Colin to explore the city. Lugina, even in the fading light of early evening, was a different world. The streets were alive with people of all kinds, vendors with beasts pushing carts, vehicles sending ton of carbon in the air, kids running through alleys; and groups of workers heading home.

There was a lot of beasts among the people, apparently well dressed.

The tall buildings loomed overhead, casting long shadows across the streets, and the smell of food, cakes, roasted meats, filled the air next to restaurants.

Colin stayed close to Eratz, her eyes wide as she took in the unfamiliar sights and sounds. Her small frame seemed even smaller in the sea of people.

"Everything alright?" Eratz asked, watching her closely.

Colin sighed.

"It's just… overwhelming. I'm not used to all this."

Eratz gave her a soft nudge with his elbow.

"I get it. But we're here now. We'll get used to it."

Colin hesitated, then blurted out what had been on her mind.

"Eratz, do you think… do you think Mom and Dad left because of me?"

Eratz stopped in his tracks, turning to face her.

"What? Of course, no. Why would you think that?"

She looked down at the ground, kicking a small pebble.

"Because I wanted to go to school. They left everything behind… for me. What if it's too much?"

Eratz's expression softened. He knelt down in front of her, looking her in the eyes.

"Listen to me. They didn't leave because of you. They left because they believe in you, and in me. They want us to succeed, and they're giving us this chance. But it's not on you alone. I too am on a mission to make things better for us, and your mom and dad also are doing their best.

It's a teamwork."

Colin nodded, still looking worried.

"But what if I fail?"

"You won't," Eratz said firmly. "You're strong. And even if things get tough, we'll figure it out together. It's not just about you, it's about both of us. We're in this together, and if you think everything is on you, then just focus on living a happy life for us. It must be nice to be a little girl in a good middle school.

Say, let's go check out your school."

Colin gave him a small, hesitant smile. "Okay."

*********

They soon found themselves standing outside Colin's new middle school, a grand building with arched windows and a large courtyard. It looked impressive, even in the dimming light. Colin stared at it, her face a mixture of awe and stupefaction.

"See? It's a great place," Eratz said, sensing her nervousness. "You're going to have so much fun here."

Colin nodded, but her grip on his arm tightened.

"It's just… a lot. I know Mom and Dad did everything to get me here."

Eratz ruffled her hair again.

"Don't overthink it. Just live your life, Colin. Do your best, but don't force it. Things will come naturally, it's easier for people like us."

Her shoulders seemed to relax a bit as she smiled.

"Thanks, Eratz."

They started walking back home when Colin's stomach growled. Eratz laughed.

"You're hungry? Let's grab something to eat before we head back."

They stopped at a street vendor selling skewers of roasted meat. Eratz watched the food, then his eyes lost life as he noticed the prices, but just as he was thinking about a way to say to Colin that they had to leave, they heard a commotion up ahead.

A crowd had gathered, circling a small group in the middle of the street. Eratz and Colin edged closer to see what was happening. In the center, a boy with spiky blue hair was struggling to stand, his face battered and bruised.

Across from him stood three older teenagers, each with a beast by their side, a thunderbird, a fire dog, and a water duck. They were laughing and jeering at the boy, clearly enjoying themselves.

The leader, a tall guy with a smug expression, grinned as he shoved the boy back to the ground.

"Think you're tough, huh?" he sneered. "Trying to stop us? We'll let you off if you apologize."

The boy, clutching his injured raccoon beast, glared up at them defiantly.

"You stole from that old man's bakery! You're nothing but thieves!"

One of the delinquents rolled his eyes.

"And what are you gonna do about it? You can't even stand."

The baker, an old man watching from the crowd, pleaded with the boy.

"Please, kid, just let it go. They'll hurt you."

But the boy shook his head.

"I'm not backing down."

The leader of the group, clearly enjoying himself, stepped forward.

"Alright then, tough guy. Let's see how you like this."

Before anyone could react, the water duck launched an explosive bubble at the boy, sending him crashing into the side of the bakery.

The crowd gasped, some murmuring about calling the police.

The leader sneered punching the boy again, ignoring the crowd's frantic pleas for mercy.

"If you were smart, kid, you wouldn't pick a fight when you're outnumbered."

Just as he was about to throw another punch, a loud crash interrupted him. One of his lackeys went face on the ground, knocked out cold as Eratz stood on him, his right foot on his head.

"Now it's even."