Dominion of The Beast Masters

The afternoon was falling, and the light took a golden hue in the clearing, the warm light now cooling as it filtered through the dense canopy overhead.

Eratz and Mercury stood in the silence that had followed their frenzied noon, but the quiet now felt different. It wasn't peaceful; it was heavy, almost oppressive.

The usual easy camaraderie between them had been replaced by something else, a weight that neither seemed ready to address.

Eratz pulled his shirt over his head, his fingers fumbling with the fabric. The sound of the wind rustling through the trees seemed louder, almost intrusive.

Every movement felt amplified, and he could feel his heartbeat thudding loudly in his chest.

He shot a glance at Mercury, who had her back to him, pulling her sport pants up, her movements stiff and silent. She hadn't spoken a word since they'd started dressing, and it was unnerving.

He started wondering if he had done something wrong, if he did something wrong.

The way Mercury avoided looking at him, the stiffness in her posture, it all made him question if they'd gone too far, too fast.

His mind raced, replaying every moment, every touch, every breath they had shared.

He had never seen her like this before, so quiet, so... distant. It gnawed at him.

What if he had made a mistake? What if she regretted it? Maybe they shouldn't have crossed that line?

The silence stretched on, suffocating in its weight, as if the whole forest was holding its breath along with them.

Every second felt like an eternity, and the pit in his stomach only grew heavier.

He could feel the tension between them like a tangible force, thick and immobile.

He wanted to say something, anything, to break the quiet, but the words felt lodged in his throat.

And then, out of nowhere, Mercury's voice broke through the silence.

"Hey... if you had to fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses, which would you pick?"

Eratz blinked, utterly thrown by the ridiculousness of her question. For a second, he wasn't sure if he had heard her correctly.

He stared at her back, dumbfounded, his mind scrambling to process the absurdity of what she'd just asked. Of all the things she could have said, she chose that?

"Wait... what?" he finally managed, his voice thick with disbelief.

Mercury still didn't turn around, but he could see the slight tremble in her shoulders as if she were trying to hold in a laugh.

"Um... yeah... like..." she muttered. "Horses and ducks... you know, they're cute, right?"

Eratz couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped him, the sound breaking through the thick tension between them.

"You can't run away from our sin."

Mercury groaned, finally turning around to face him. Her face was flushed, her cheeks tinged with embarrassment, and she couldn't meet his gaze for more than a second before she glanced away again.

"I don't know! I just... it was too quiet, okay?"

Eratz let out a deep breath, the tension easing slightly, though not entirely gone.

"Well, it worked. Sort of." He smiled. "But you know, we can't just ignore what we did."

Mercury's face flushed deeper, and she covered her face with her hands.

"I know, I know. I'm just... I don't know what to say now. Everything feels so... weird."

Eratz nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah... I get that." He let the silence settle again, but this time it didn't feel as unbearable. "It was... incredible."

Mercury lowered her hands, looking at him with wide eyes.

"Incredible? That's one way to put it," she said, letting out a soft, nervous laugh. She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

"I just... I've never done that before. With anyone. And now I'm standing here like an idiot, not knowing what to say or do. I mean, it's not like you can just go back to normal after something like that, right?"

Eratz's gaze softened, and he stepped closer, his voice gentler now.

"No... you can't. But that's not a bad thing." He hesitated for a moment, then added, "It was your first time... and mine too. We should even celebrate it instead."

Mercury's eyes widened in surprise, her posture relaxing slightly.

"Really?" She bit her lip, looking at him closely, searching his face for any sign that he might be lying. "You were pretty skilled, like you knew exactly what you were doing, Mister Magic Fingers."

Eratz smiled, shrugging.

"Same way you learned all your interesting moves, humanity's infinite potential for malice."

Mercury raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Let me guess, you've been watching things on the internet."

Eratz chuckled, the tension between them finally starting to lift.

"Please. The only fucking I've watched on the internet is a beast master fucking up his opponent... in a fight between."

Mercury snorted, finally laughing again.

"Well, that was also a fight, kind of," she chuckled, shaking her head as the awkwardness began to dissolve into something more comfortable. "But seriously... I guess we really did that, huh?"

Eratz nodded slowly, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

"Yeah. We really did."

They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of what they had shared lingering between them, but now it felt different. It wasn't as heavy, not as suffocating.

They weren't just Eratz and Mercury anymore, they were something more, something they acknowledged.

And while it was new and strange, it didn't feel wrong. If anything, it felt like a natural step forward.

"I don't regret it, I'm glad it happened with you," Mercury said softly, almost as if she were speaking more to herself than to him. "Do you?"

Eratz shook his head, his voice steady.

"No. I don't regret it either. Honestly, I never knew I would have loved it so much."

They stood there for a while longer, both coming to terms with the change in their relationship.

It wasn't just about what they had done physically, it was about the connection they had deepened, the trust they had built between them. It felt real; it felt like them.

Mercury sighed, glancing up at the sky. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the forest floor.

"It's getting late," she murmured. "We should probably head back before it gets too dark."

Eratz nodded in agreement, but as they started to walk, Mercury's legs wobbled beneath her, and she stumbled.

Before she could fall, Eratz's arm shot out, catching her by the waist and pulling her back upright.

"Careful there," Eratz said as he held her steady.

Mercury blinked up at him, her face flushing with a mix of embarrassment and exhaustion.

"Yeah... just tired, I guess."

They stood there for a moment, eyes locked, the awkwardness returning but in a different way.

This time, it wasn't from discomfort, it was from something else, something they both understood but didn't need to say out loud.

They had crossed a line together, and there was no going back. But that was okay. They were ready for whatever came next, together.

Eratz smiled softly, his hand lingering at her waist for a moment longer before he let go.

"Let's go home."

Mercury nodded, her lips curving into a small smile.

"Yeah... let's go."

As they walked side by side through the forest, the cool evening breeze brushing against their skin, the tension between them finally faded into something more manageable. They didn't speak much on the way back, but they didn't need to.

What they had shared spoke volumes, and as they made their way out of the forest, they both knew that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.

A little while after, the forest felt like a suffocating maze for Kenny who wandered aimlessly, each step heavier than the last.

His breaths came in ragged gasps as he combed through the trees, desperate to find Mercury and Eratz, but the more he searched, the more hopeless it became.

Every second that ticked by filled him with a suffocating fear. They were out there, somewhere in the woods, alone. And Kenny couldn't shake the terrifying thought.

"What if they're doing it? Right now?"

His heart pounded louder in his chest as he approached the forest entrance.

He was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, but he couldn't bring himself to leave. Instead, he collapsed onto a nearby log, staring blankly at the dense foliage.

His thoughts spiraled downward, anxiety gnawing at him as he resigned himself to waiting.

"They're in there... together," he whispered to himself, his wide eyes filled with a growing despair. Every minute felt like an eternity.

Every second they were alone together, they could be crossing that line; Eratz could do the only thing keeping him alive till now.

Suddenly, a rustling sound snapped him out of his thoughts.

His body tensed, and he immediately ducked behind a nearby bush, his heart racing as he peered through the branches.

From the shadows, he saw them, Eratz and Mercury, emerging from the forest side by side.

At first glance, it looked like nothing more than a casual stroll, but then Kenny noticed the small details, the tiny movements that shattered his hopes.

Mercury's hand brushed against her hair as she tugged it back into place, the little embarrassment on her face giving away more than she probably realized.

Then, she adjusted her shirt, pulling it down a little too deliberately over her hips, her movements careful, almost hesitant.

Kenny's breath hitched, his stomach sinking as if the ground had been ripped from under him.

"I suggest we do a quick stop by your house. I do appreciate this scent right now, but Aunt Cassie's nickname was 'The Nose,' so..."

Mercury flushed, looking mortified.

"Shut up!" she muttered, giving him a few sharp elbows to the ribs, though there was a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Kenny's world crumbled in slow motion as he watched them. There were too few noises for him to miss this quick exchange.

Added to that, the dynamic between them was undeniable, natural, and it stung more than anything he could have prepared for.

He had feared this moment for so long, but seeing it unfold before his eyes felt like a gut punch he wasn't ready to take.

His breath hitched as the realization hit him hard and fast. His heart pounded in his ears, his hands shaking as he gripped the bark of the tree beside him.

There was no mistaking it, they had been together, they had done it.

His hands clenched into fists as he crouched behind the bush, staring after them with wide, devastated eyes. His mind spun out of control.

She chose him. The realization sank in, bitter and cold, leaving a hollow pit in his chest. Mercury chose him over everyone.

The object of his desire, all the horrible scenarios he imagined, had become Eratz's reality.

As the two of them disappeared down the path, heading back toward the town, Kenny remained frozen, his heart pounding in his ears.

The world around him seemed to collapse, shrinking into a tight, suffocating knot. The vibrant colors of the forest dulled, the sounds of life fading into a distant hum.

All that was left was the image of Mercury walking away with Eratz, the one person he couldn't bear to lose her to, the one who buried him without ever touching him.

Later, at Eratz's apartment, just as Eratz reached for the door, it suddenly swung open, and a projectile barreled into them. Mercury yelped, instinctively stepping back as a small body crashed into Eratz's legs.

"Son?" Eratz blinked in surprise, steadying himself as the young boy clung to him desperately.

Milo looked up, wide-eyed, his breath coming in frantic gasps.

"Father!" he exclaimed, a mix of panic and desperation in his voice.

"Save me! Colin's torturing me! I can't take it anymore!"

From down the living room, Colin appeared, arms crossed and looking exasperated.

"It's basic multiplication, Milo. There are pictures of bananas and apples. What's so difficult about it?!"

"First, I hate long fruits like bananas," Milo muttered, eyeing Colin suspiciously.

Mercury swallowed a laugh. She couldn't help but give a teasing smile to Eratz, who widened his eyes.

"Sounds like you survived, though. Good job." She chuckled, ruffling Milo's hair as she stepped inside.

"Barely," Milo muttered, eyeing Colin suspiciously. "She threatened to make me do push-ups on a grill if I failed again."

Eratz grinned, patting Milo on the back.

"Well, consider it training. A different kind, but still training... That sounds nice, though."

Colin rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling as she followed them inside.

"Come on, stop congratulating him. He knows if he whines enough, one of you will swoop in and give him a break. He's not fooling anyone, especially with the kind of 'mistakes' he's making."

Eratz chuckled, he ruffled Colin's hair, giving her a warm, appreciative look.

"Still, you're doing great, Colin. He's lucky to have someone as dedicated as you to help him out. I'm proud of you "

Colin flinched and she ducked her head slightly.

"... It's nothing... I mean... thanks," she murmured shyly, her voice softer than usual.

Milo, catching the shift in her demeanor, raised an eyebrow.

"Hm? You act all tough, but when Eratz says something nice, you go soft! Unforgivable."

Colin shot him a look, clearly embarrassed, and batted Eratz's hand away.

"E-enough now, I'm not a kid anymore!" she huffed.

Eratz chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Mercury watched the exchange with amusement, catching Eratz's eye.

They shared a glance, a moment of silent complicity passing between them.

There was a warmth between them now, a deep understanding that was getting hard to hide.

Colin, first, noticed the quiet exchange, furrowed her brow in curiosity.

"What's with you two?" she asked, glancing between them. "You're acting weird."

Milo looked up at them with suspicion.

"Yeah... And I thought you were coming home for lunch, where were you?... Oh, I know! I bet You're worried about the finals. You've been training, right?"

Eratz coughed, with the most innocent face possible.

"Oh, I worked out, alright. Different muscle, though."

Mercury's eyes widened in shock, her jaw dropping as she elbowed him sharply in the ribs.

"Eratz!"

Milo and Colin exchanged confused glances, clearly not understanding the joke.

As they made their way into the living room, they were greeted by the sight of Cassie sitting at the dining table, casually plucking grapes from a bowl, while Roger lounged on the couch with a book.

Cassie glanced up, a sly smile spreading across her lips as she saw Mercury and Eratz enter together.

"Well, well," she said, biting into a grape. "Look at you two, finding time to be together in your busy schedules. It's nice to see."

Mercury shifted uncomfortably, exchanging an awkward glance with Eratz before mumbling a quick answer.

"Yeah... we, uh... figured it out."

Eratz scratched the back of his neck, clearly feeling the tension in the room.

"You know... busy lives, training and all. It just came together."

As they passed by, Cassie's gaze darkened, her eyes subtly following Mercury's every movement.

She watched intently, a glint of malevolence flashing behind her smile.

Her gaze trailed from Mercury's hips down to her inner thighs, inspecting every step she took with sinister focus, as if looking for something hidden, something only she could see.

A slow, sinister grin curled across Cassie's lips as her eyes gleamed with an unsettling satisfaction.

Mercury froze mid-step, feeling a shiver crawl down her spine.

"Uh... Cassie???"

Cassie's tongue flicked out as she leaned back in her chair.

"Oh, don't worry, dear. I'm just admiring you. There's something different about you today, a little... itch in your steps, maybe? You must've had a good workout."

Mercury looked intensely at Cassie, Cassie repeatedly raising and lowering her eyebrows with a wide, mischievous smile.

Mercury looked away, but something in the air made her pause, and she glanced back at Cassie, only to see her narrow her eyes with that same grin, bigger now, more certain.

Mercury's body froze, the realization hitting her like a bolt of lightning.

She knows.

For a split second, Mercury was petrified, trapped between the urge to run away or simply collapse right on the ground.

Cassie, still smiling, patted the seat beside her, offering Mercury a choice without words.

Defeated, and with no other option that didn't feel even more embarrassing, Mercury sighed softly and dragged herself to sit down next to her.

Eratz, oblivious to the tense exchange, sat down on the couch beside Roger and pulled out his phone.

After a moment, he felt Roger glancing at him with a smile of his own, and his brows furrowed.

"What?" Eratz asked.

Roger didn't respond, his grin widening as he looked back at his book.

"What?" Eratz asked again, more troubled.

Roger finally chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"Nothing, Eratz. I just like your new shampoo scent, that's all."

Eratz blinked.

"My... shampoo?"

Roger gave a lazy nod, flipping a page.

"Yeah. You're the boss, that's all."

Without another word, he returned to reading, leaving Eratz looking even more bewildered.

In front of the door, Colin and Milo were watching the scene unfold with mixed expressions of curiosity and confusion.

Milo crossed his arms with a dramatic huff.

"I wanted to train too," he grumbled.

Colin gave him a sidelong glance, her tone dry but affectionate.

"You can train... when you graduate from grade school."