Dominion of The Beast Masters

The morning sun greeted the house through the thin curtains, casting a warm glow on Eratz's face as he stirred awake.

He sat up in bed, blinking away the remnants of sleep. Next to him, Colin was still deep in sleep.

Today wasn't just any day. It was the day, the culmination of his training, his struggles, and his resolve. The arena awaited, but first, he had to get through the morning.

The sound of soft humming and the clinking of dishes reached him from downstairs, and a smile tugged at his lips.

Aunt Cassie was already in the living room, and the familiar rhythm of her morning routine gave him a sense of comfort.

He stood, stretching out the tension in his limbs, and walked to the small bathroom for a quick shower.

As the warm water cascaded over him, Eratz took a deep breath.

"At long last..."

He murmured the words to himself, letting the water clear his mind of any lingering doubts.

When he was dressed and ready, he made his way downstairs. The living room was warm and alive with the scent of frying eggs and sausage.

Roger sat at the tiny table, his large hands wrapped around a tea cup as he greeted Eratz with a grin.

"There he is! Our future champion," Roger said. "You ready to knock 'em good?"

Eratz smiled, trying to shake off the pressure.

"It shouldn't be too bad if it's like the public ground."

"You'll better win then," Cassie chimed in as she handed him a plate. "If you come back here without empty handed, we be ready to be laughed at for the rest of the week."

Eratz chuckled, knowing she was fully capable of that.

"Don't worry, I've been working as a delivery boy for long enough to not want to do it again."

Colin darted into the room, her wide eyes sparkling with excitement. She bounced up and down next to Eratz, tugging at his sleeve.

"You're gonna win, right? You always win!"

He ruffled her hair with a soft smile.

"I'll do it, Colin, I promised I would."

"I'm sure you will! Me and my spirit prayed all the night for you." she insisted, puffing out her chest like she had personally guaranteed his victory.

"I'll try not to let you down," Eratz replied, feeling a bit lighter from her cheerleading. The pressure wasn't off, but it was easier to carry with her enthusiasm propping him up.

Cassie set down a heaping plate of food in front of him.

"Eat up, champ. You'll need your strength. And don't worry, if you trip and fall in front of everyone, we won't laugh too much."

Roger laughed.

"... You keep laughing about the haircut I got when we were in highschool."

"No, I'm laughing because my mom called it a 1 penny haircut."

As they ate, the room was filled with light banter and familial warmth. It was a poor house, but the love inside it made up for the size.

Cassie's jokes, Roger's fatherly advice, and Colin's enthusiasm, it was all exactly what Eratz needed.

The arena loomed ahead, a massive structure buzzing with excitement and competition. Eratz and Roger approached together, as they walked closer, Eratz could feel the energy from the crowd, the anticipation thick in the air.

"This is it," Roger said, his voice lower now as they neared the crowd of beast masters. "Remember, no matter what happens in there, we're proud of you."

Eratz nodded.

"Thanks, uncle. I'll give it everything I've got."

Beast masters from all walks of life were gathered outside, chatting in groups, some adjusting their outfits, others just soaking in the atmosphere.

Eratz kept his gaze down, eyes forward, avoiding any direct attention.

"Eyes ahead, kid," Roger said, offering a reassuring pat on Eratz's shoulder. "Remember, it's all about keeping your cool."

Eratz nodded but didn't say much. The pressure was mounting, and though his uncle's presence was comforting, it didn't stop the tension tightening in his chest.

Then a familiar voice broke through the crowd.

"Hey, Eratz! Over here!" Ryder's energetic voice was unmistakable, waving frantically from the other side of the entrance.

Eratz's face relaxed a little as he saw his new friend standing alongside Zara, but there was someone else with them, a small blond boy who looked about as out of place as a kitten in a dragon's den.

The boy's oversized jacket hung loosely on his tiny frame, his messy blond hair falling into his bright, wide eyes. As they got closer, the boy noticed Eratz and practically jumped in place.

"Hi! Hi! I'm Milo! I'm eleven." the boy blurted out before Eratz could even say hello. He shot out a hand for a handshake, which Eratz took cautiously, unsure if Milo might vibrate right out of his shoes. "You must be the guy Ryder and Zara keep talking about!."

Ryder chuckled.

"Yeah, Milo's been dying to meet you. He's... well, you'll see."

Milo grinned, bouncing slightly on his toes.

"I'm happy to meet a true soulmate, it's not everyday I meet another....!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Milo tripped over his own feet, tumbling forward and caught in time in the palm of Eratz.

He quickly straightened up, pretending as if nothing happened.

"I meant to do that, skin ship to build confidence between us!" he said proudly, brushing himself off with a dramatic flourish.

Eratz blinked, looking at the palm of his hand.

"... What the... He weighs nothing at all?"

Zara chuckled, patting Milo on the back. "Don't worry, he's tougher than he looks. Just... clumsy."

"Clumsy?" Milo gasped, as if personally offended. "I can't be clumsy, I don't wear glasses."

Zara's smile vanished.

"... Anything against glasses wearers, you little thing?"

Eratz couldn't help but smile.

"Well, nice to meet you, Milo. You... uh, what are you here for anyway?"

"Here?" Milo looked up at him with wide, sparkling eyes. "It's obvious, I am here for smoke! I'll eat everyone's horses!" He pointed at the sky.

Eratz raised an eyebrow.

"Are you... Human?"

Milo looked down at his mismatched socks, one bright blue with stars and the other green with frogs.

"No... I am the Man. I am the mans in humans... I'll take all the men at once!"

Zara shook her head, grabbing him by the mouth.

"Eeew enough talking for you!.... He's a handful, but don't let him fool you... Milo's got a way with beasts. It's like they can't help but like him..."

"Or maybe they feel sorry for him and help him by pity?" Ryder sighed.

Milo raised a brow.

"...? But I'm not handic..."

"I said enough talking!"

Eratz chuckled, feeling a bit of the weight lift off his shoulders thanks to Milo's ridiculous energy.

Zara's eyes lit up when she saw a girl approaching them, and she waved them down excitedly.

"There you are! The team is all here!" she called out, her voice filled with enthusiasm.

The girl strode toward them with a confident air, her sharp eyes scanning the group.

Eratz noticed her fiery eyes immediately, but something about her felt oddly familiar.

She stopped short when she saw Eratz, her eyes narrowing.

"Wait a minute… You... It's you!"

Eratz blinked, taken aback by the sudden intensity in her tone.

"Uh… do I know you?"

"Don't act like you don't remember. The forest, the river..."

"... Am I supposed to know something or... Oh, wait... oh, yeah, the girl from yesterday."

The girl sighed.

"Unbelievable. You actually forgot."

Eratz rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish.

"No, no, don't worry, now I remember every details."

Her eyes narrowed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"... Could you not?!"

Zara raised an eyebrow, watching the exchange with a knowing grin.

"Looks like you two have history. Tell me, I wanna know!"

The girl rolled her eyes.

"Not the kind of history I'd like to remember, thanks."

Milo, oblivious to the undercurrent, grinned up at his sister.

"Mercury, please, he's my equal in this world. Don't bully him!"

Mercury shot him a look of fond exasperation.

"Milo, what did I said about talking with strangers?"

"... You also say that I never listen..."

Zara stifled a laugh, her eyes sparkling.

"Well, I'm glad you could join us, Mercury. It seems we've got quite the electric group here." She winked at Eratz.

"But don't worry, with my diamond in the rough, we're bound to shine in this selection."

Mercury didn't seem convinced. Her eyes swept over the group, Eratz, Ryder, and Milo, she sighed.

"I know we were desperate for agents but this is just ridiculous. These two don't exactly scream 'victory' and my brother is a primary school student."

Eratz's gaze slowly fell on Milo.

"How old did you say you were?"

"I'll be twenty in nine years."

Zara clutched her chest dramatically. "Oh, ye of little faith! Just wait, Mercury. You'll see."

Mercury crossed her arms.

"You know that if they fail, they won't get a license and won't join us, right? Zara, We need agents before next month."

"Um? What? What's about the contract I signed?"

Zara began to sweat profusely, but her salvation came from a staff member coming from the building.

"It's time, follow me."

As they made their way into the selection room, the air grew heavy with tension. Beast masters from all over had gathered, each one radiating confidence and power.

Eratz could feel the energy crackling around him, the excitement building with each step they took deeper into the arena.

In another room, Zara stood, arms crossed as she watched her champions with a mix of amusement and pride.

Mercury had joined her, standing silently by her side as she scanned the room, her sharp gaze taking in every detail.

"I hope you know what you did." Mercury murmured.

The room was large, filled with beast masters and staff members, all preparing for the selection process.

At the far end of the room, a large screen displayed the matchups. Ryder bounced on the balls of his feet, his hands flexing in anticipation.

"Man, I wish they'd just start already!" Ryder muttered.

Milo, on the other hand, seemed less aware of the weight of the moment.

"Do monsters dream of skeleton sheeps?"

"... What are you?!"

Eratz shook his head, but his smile couldn't disappear. The boy reminded him of a human version of his Aetheri.

They lined up alongside the other beast masters, the atmosphere thick with tension. This was it, the moment they'd been working toward.