Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 244: Shining Stars



The anticipation for the finals grew with each passing day. The first round of the team battles was imminent, and Golden Cosmos prepared tirelessly to face the challenges ahead.

Eratz stood on a cliff overlooking the expanse, the wind tugging at his hair as he conducted his traditional pre-competition meeting with his aces.

Surrounding him were his aces, the Thunder Lycaon, the Aetheri, the Terrakrus, Raijinara, and Cinderblaze. The atmosphere buzzed with unspoken energy, the bond between master and beasts evident.

Eratz spoke casually, his tone light but focused.

"Alright, team. We've got a lot to cover before the finals. I've been thinking about some new combinations we could try. What about learning one-on-one combos to gang up on opponents?"

The Thunder Lycaon let out a low rumble as it sprawled lazily on the ground. In contrast, Cinderblaze's ears perked up, and it emitted an enthusiastic chirp, its ember-tipped ears flickering with excitement. Eratz chuckled.

"Of course, you're into it, Cinderblaze. And you," he looked at the Lycaon, "We have to work first on your resilience, you know that, right?"

The Lycaon's tail flicked lazily, as if in agreement.

Eratz rubbed his chin, his gaze thoughtful.

"What about adapting to field spells like those fighters from World Star? Their synergy was next level. I want to adapt like that."

The Terrakrus growled softly, its stony exterior reflecting its steadfast demeanor. Eratz noted its reaction with a nod.

"You're right. It'll take time, but we've got to figure that out too."

He paced a little, his hands tucked in his pockets.

"Hm... We might need more firepower... literally. Each element needs a strong partner. And we'll need a beast that can hold its own against multiple opponents." He turned to his team. "Hey, what's about a decoy?"

The group remained silent, save for the faint sounds of the wind and distant waves. None of the beasts reacted, except the Aetheri. It leaned forward, its ethereal form shimmering faintly.

Eratz sighed.

"Of course, you would volunteer to be a sacrifice..."

The Aetheri tilted its head, gently placing a hand on its chest area as if making a speech. Eratz shook his head and waved.

"We'll think this through. I'm not making that call yet."

A voice interrupted his musings.

"What about adapting to opposing field spells?"

Eratz turned, a smile spreading across his face as he saw Mercury approaching. Her short blue

hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her confident stride belied her condition.

"Well, well, well, my better half who should definitely stick to home," he teased warmly. "What do you mean by that?"

Mercury came to stand beside him, her gaze meeting his.

"If you're up against someone who can counter your field spell, why not train to adapt without countering it? For example, what if someone use a stronger field spell and you can't use the fire field? Learning to counter it might force them to focus more on their field control, giving you an opening."

Eratz's eyes lit up with understanding.

"Like you did against this lightning user? It'll definitely throw them off balance. But... you feel like training?" He gave her a concerned look. "You sure you're up for it? You know... given..."

Mercury waved off his concern with a dismissive hand.

"Don't start with that. I don't want this pregnancy to hold me back. I've already decided: I'm not participating in the finals of the continental league. I'll give my all for the team battles."

Her declaration caught Eratz off guard.

"Wait, what?"

She placed a hand on his arm, her gaze steady. Her voice softened, carrying a depth of emotion he hadn't expected.

"Eratz, this team has worked so hard to get here. Every battle, every sacrifice, it's all led to this moment. I know I had the chance to go to the world tier, but... I can't leave this unfinished. I want to fight with this team, with you, and everyone else. Just this once, I want to give everything I have. Don't cast me out."

Eratz's brows furrowed as he absorbed her words. There was a determination in her eyes that left him both moved and conflicted. He sighed, running a hand through his hair, a mix of exasperation and admiration crossing his face.

Finally, he smiled, his hand brushing her shoulder lightly.

"Fine. But only if you promise not to push yourself too hard. That's my selfish condition."

Mercury's grin widened, relief and excitement radiating from her expression. She bounced on her toes, the tension in her body replaced with a playful energy.

"Deal," she declared with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Now, let's start with some sparring. Physical. Sweaty. No clothes!"

Eratz froze mid-thought, his croissant halfway to his mouth. He blinked, processing her

words.

"Mercury..."

Mercury smirked and grabbed the hem of her shirt.

"What? Afraid you'll lose?"

Before he could answer anything, Mercury took off her shirt and waved it playfully. Eratz raised an eyebrow, staying silent for seconds, then glanced briefly at his beasts. "Alright, you all can leave now," Eratz said, waving a hand. "The meeting is dismissed." The beasts lingered for a moment, their gazes lingering on him as if to say, "Really?" before one yone, they turned and sauntered away. Cinderblaze gave one last amused snort before disappearing into the cliff.

Mercury watched the scene unfold with a sly grin, her arms crossed.

"Only because the wife wants to spar, huh?" she teased, her tone dripping with amusement.

Eratz groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.

"... Yeah... gotta keep you happy."

Mercury raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the laughter and energy on the cliff mirrored the fiery determination of Golden Cosmos as they prepared for the approaching finals.

The next day promised more than just routine; it marked the unveiling of the first fixture for the finals of the team battles.

The journey to qualify for the final four in the team battles began with fierce matchups, as each team had to face off in three grueling battles.

The top two teams from each group would earn their spot in the semifinals.

For Golden Cosmos, the stakes were clear, and the team was ready to rise to the challenge.

The opening fixture between Golden Cosmos and Crimson Vanguard was a stunning display of

strategy and skill.

Crimson Vanguard, expecting the Cosmos to rely on their established lineup of Eratz, Kaida, and Colin for the 4v4, placed their strongest fighters in the 1v1 and 3v3 matches.

However, they underestimated the depth of Cosmos' aces.

Catarina stepped up to face a formidable continental-ranked opponent.

After a hard-fought battle filled with her trademark agility and mystic field spell tactics, she

secured the first point for Cosmos.

Raya, Kaida, and Colin dominated the field with seamless teamwork.

Colin's unique ability to turn Kaida's field spell into healing for Raya created an unbeatable

synergy, overwhelming their opponents and claiming another victory.

By the time Eratz and Mercury entered the arena, Crimson Vanguard had no choice but to fight

without their strongest fighters, who had already been defeated.

The Cosmos aces secured a decisive win, achieving a perfect score of 8-0.

This explosive start sent a clear message to their challengers, and on the opposite side of the bracket, Infinite Twilight delivered an equally dominant 8-0 victory in their opening match, setting the stage for a potential clash of titans.

The second fixture against Azure Blades proved to be a tougher challenge.

Known for their powerful continental-ranked fighters, Azure Blades pushed Cosmos to their

limits.

Ryder took the stage and delivered a decisive victory, using his multiple beastifications to counter his opponent's attacks with precision.

Mercury, Milo and Catarina faced off against three highly skilled continental-ranked fighters

but Catarina and Milo were ultimately defeated.

Despite their loss, Mercury stepped in and single-handedly turned the tide, defeating all three opponents to secure the score for Cosmos.

The quarter of monsters, Eratz, Raya, Kaida, and Colin, engaged in a breathtaking battle.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The match, watched by audiences worldwide, was a showcase of beastification, field spells,

and calamity-ranked beasts.

After an intense battle, Cosmos emerged victorious, earning an 8-2 score.

This victory, coupled with Crimson Vanguard's loss to Steel Apex, sealed Golden Cosmos' qualification for the semifinals.

In the locker room, the team celebrated their qualification in style.

Drinks were poured, laughter echoed, and the room was filled with the camaraderie of

champions.

Towels were tossed around, and the staff joined in the festivities, congratulating each member for their incredible performance.

For the team, the dream of becoming champions together no longer felt like a distant hope, it

was within reach.

Later, the team met their adoring fans outside the stadium.

Cheers erupted as they signed autographs and posed for pictures, basking in the love and

support of their growing fanbase.

Each member took time to thank their supporters, sharing smiles and moments of gratitude.

As Milo signed autographs, he picked up a photo handed to him by a fan.

He started to sign it but froze mid-motion, his eyes locked onto the image.

His hands trembled slightly, and his voice dropped to a whisper.

"...Mom?"