Dominion of The Beast Masters

248  Solaris Haven

The island of Solaris Haven stretched wide beneath the veil of thick, dark clouds, its exotic beauty untouched by time. A vast forest blanketed the landscape, its verdant expanse dotted with ancient ruins and winding paths.

Rising from this lush greenery was a city that seemed plucked from another era. Its grand columns, intricate stone carvings, and sprawling plazas evoked the majesty of ancient civilization.

The streets were paved with cobblestones, and towering statues loomed at every corner, whispering tales of forgotten stories. Despite the ominous clouds, the city seemed to pulse with life, as though every stone carried the spirit of the past.

Inside a car navigating the bustling streets, Milo and Colin pressed their faces to the windows, their eyes wide with wonder. The entire team was seated casually, taking in the sights of the historic island. Zara, seated near the front, pointed toward the scenery outside.

"This island is a treasure trove for historians and adventurers," she remarked. "It's famous for having changed so little over the centuries. Even the beasts here are unique, you won't find them anywhere else in the world."

Eratz leaned forward, his interest piqued.

"That sounds like the perfect sleep outside to explore before the matches... maybe even hunt a little," he said, a faint smirk on his lips.

Mercury, sitting across from him, raised an eyebrow and gestured toward the window.

"Yeah... you might want to check the weather first. I wouldn't hunt in a place like this with this around."

Through the glass, the dark clouds hung low, heavy with the promise of rain. The air carried an electric tension, and faint rumbles of thunder echoed in the distance.

Raya, who had been quietly listening, spoke softly.

"Rain is like the field spell of the sky. It changes everything, the terrain, the mood, even the fight. I quite enjoy it."

Catarina was stunned. Her mouth opened slightly before she shook her head, glancing at Raya.

"Where do you even come up with these ideas?" she asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and awe.

Ryder, leaning casually against his seat, scratched his chin.

"She has a point, though... Technically everything is a field spell."

The car continued its journey, winding through the ancient city. The streets were teeming with fans from across the globe, all gathered for the upcoming semifinals and final matches. The energy was palpable, an effervescent mix of excitement and anticipation. The crowd's cheers grew louder as the car approached its destination.

Among the throngs of people stood a woman wearing a mouth mask, casually holding a piece of exotic fruit. Beside her loomed a large man, also masked, his broad shoulders towering over the bustling crowd. The man let out a loud yawn, his tone dripping with irritation.

"Why's it always this crowded?" he grumbled. "I'm sleepy."

The woman glanced at him, her eyes sharp.

"You'll have plenty of time to sleep before the real trouble begins."

He crossed his arms, still annoyed.

"Why did we have to come anyway? You could've handled this yourself, Mara." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

She sighed, her gaze shifting toward the clouds above.

"Good, now I know I can't tell you secrets. I can't handle it for many reasons, and the most obvious one is that even someone like Vicky couldn't stand against me when I used my calamity beasts. If Vicky was countered by calamity beasts, then if that snake succeeds, we're definitely screwed." She smirked faintly, then looked at the cloudy sky, her voice almost a whisper. "What a nice day for the beginning of an apocalypse."

The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch as the convoy of buses arrived at the luxurious hotel where the teams would stay. The building, named Aquila Aurum, stood as a testament to the city's grandeur, its golden façade shimmering even under the overcast sky.

Fans pressed against barricades, waving banners and screaming as the first bus came to a halt.

The Azure Blades were the first to arrive. They stepped off the bus to polite applause, their confidence tempered by the reality of their situation. As they walked into the hotel, their whispered jokes betrayed their resignation.

"Do you think even one person in that crowd believes we can win?" one of them muttered, glancing at the cheering fans.

"Doubt it," another replied with a bitter laugh. "We gave everything against those monsters Cosmos and got humiliated."

"And now it's against the Frost Empress and Goldust," the first one added, shaking his head. "This… is gonna be rough."

The second bus followed shortly after, carrying the Blazing Horizons. Their reception was warmer, though their expressions were no less resigned. They exchanged grim looks, knowing their next opponents would be the Cosmos.

The roar of the crowd grew deafening as the next bus approached. Both Azure Blades and Blazing Horizons turned toward the commotion, their annoyance evident.

The Infinite Twilight team disembarked like an unstoppable force. Sia led the group, her icy presence commanding silence even amid the chaos. Rex brought up the rear, his towering figure a symbol of unyielding strength, only for the watcher, for his mind wandered to the climax of his favorite TV show.

Security struggled to keep the fans at bay as the team walked with an air of indifference. Finn glanced at the sky, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"A big hotel, a storm, and plenty of strangers," he said. "If there's a blackout, this might just be my favorite night."

Leonidas walked near the back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at Kallistra. She walked with her usual enigmatic smile, her gaze fixed on the clouds above. When the crowd's cheers surged again, she sighed and glanced over her shoulder.

The final bus had arrived.

Even the members of Infinite Twilight paused to look. Every eye was on the Cosmos as their bus came to a halt. The tension among the assembled beast masters was palpable, each one keenly aware of the stakes.

The doors opened, and Kaida stepped out first. Her fiery presence silenced the crowd momentarily before a wave of cheers rippled through the gathering. One by one, the team descended. Raya followed, her serene expression doing little to diminish the intimidating aura of her unique style.

Mercury's appearance drew even louder cheers, her reputation as a master of field spell and her two phenomenal beasts preceding her. Colin and Milo stepped out next, their youth a striking contrast to the seasoned fighters around them. Finally, Eratz emerged, and the atmosphere seemed to shift.

Every beast master's gaze locked onto him. Among all the variables, Eratz was a constant.

A constant of victory.

The Cosmos walked toward the hotel, their presence a force that seemed to part the crowd. The other teams quickly disappeared inside, except for one person.

Kallistra remained outside, her enigmatic smile unwavering. Eratz noticed her immediately, his eyes narrowing slightly. Their gazes locked in a silent exchange, her smile teasing, his expression sharp.

Victoria passed by, her stride unbroken. She caught Kallistra's gaze, and for a brief moment, the air grew even heavier. Kallistra's smile faltered ever so slightly before returning as the Cosmos entered the hotel.

The stage was set. The semifinals awaited, and Solaris Haven would bear witness to the events that would shape the future.