Dominion of The Beast Masters

To understand the current situation, it's essential to look back to the previous day.

The announcement of the finals for the team battles was imminent, and with Mercury's condition raising concerns despite her insistence that she was fine, Eratz, Cassie, and Roger had decided to watch the event from home to keep things stress-free.

However, things didn't quite go as planned.

Kaida, learning that neither Eratz nor Mercury would come to the agency, had feared Mercury's health might be worsening. She decided to visit, dragging Catarina with her for moral support.

Zara and Victoria, hearing that the group was gathering, decided they couldn't miss the opportunity for some bonding time.

Victoria's plans took an unexpected twist when Tamara, eager to celebrate the announcement of the finals with her, heard the news of Eratz becoming a father soon and declared she had to mock him personally, so she pulled up.

Meanwhile, Ryder, during a video call with Milo, realized that nearly everyone he knew was at the Pandora house. Feeling deeply left out, he decided to join the gathering.

On his way, he spotted Raya wandering aimlessly in the nearby streets, and without hesitation, he brought her along as well.

Thus, what was meant to be a quiet day at home had transformed into a full-blown gathering. The living room now buzzed with life as everyone crowded in, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of chatter, laughter.

Eratz sat in the middle of it all, the TV in front of him droned on about the latest local news, but his attention was more on the commotion around the room.

Behind him, Victoria and Cassie were deep in discussion.

"Raising a child isn't that different from managing agents," Victoria said with a thoughtful tone, twirling a glass of wine in her hand. "Both require discipline, clear expectations, and the occasional bribe."

Cassie chuckled, shaking her head.

"You're forgetting the part where children don't come with a resignation option when things get tough."

The bathroom door creaked open, and Tamara emerged, looking pale but triumphant.

"Ah, that's better," she announced dramatically, holding her stomach. "Now I'm ready for round two!" Without hesitation, she grabbed another bottle of wine from the counter and plopped herself down beside Victoria.

"You're incorrigible," Victoria muttered, though a small smile betrayed her amusement.

From the kitchen, Raya appeared holding a glass of milk, her head tilted slightly.

"Should I make some snacks?" she asked, her soft voice cutting through the hum of conversation.

Roger, who had been sitting with Ryder, Milo, and Cinderblaze in an awkward silence, seized the opportunity to escape. He leapt to his feet, almost too eagerly.

"I'll help you," he said, his voice a little too quick to be casual.

Raya blinked but nodded, heading back to the kitchen as Roger trailed behind her, muttering about "dangerous zone."

In the corner, Milo and Cinderblaze sat cross-legged on the floor, engaged in an intense game of rock-paper-scissors. Every win or loss was punctuated by exaggerated groans or cheers, though the stakes were unclear.

Mercury wandered over to Eratz and plopped down beside him. Her gaze locked onto his croissant, her eyes lingering hungrily.

"You want some?" Eratz asked, holding out a piece.

She hesitated, then shook her head firmly.

"No. I'm on a diet."

Eratz froze mid-bite, looking at her in disbelief.

"Wait, that's why you've been training like crazy lately? You're… dieting?"

Mercury gave him a sidelong glance.

"What's wrong with that? I'm just making sure to stay the same after this child turns me into a well-nourished nun."

Across the room, Catarina clapped her hands together loudly, summoning Mystimara to challenge anyone in arm wrestling. Kaida immediately jumped in, slamming some coins onto the table, and starting a terrible game of bets.

Everyone began to gather around, the atmosphere buzzing with laughter and playful banter. Ryder cheered Kaida on, while Milo whispered strategies to Mystimara, earning teasing jeers from Kaida about "siding with the enemy." Even Roger peeked out from the kitchen, offering commentary with an amused grin.

As the room swelled with camaraderie, the TV suddenly shifted to a bold graphic accompanied by a dramatic drumroll. The announcer's voice cut through the chatter, commanding attention.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've been waiting for, the announcement of the Team Battle Finals!"

The room fell silent almost instantly. Everyone scrambled to find a seat, crowding around the TV with eager anticipation.

The screen flashed with images of roaring crowds, dramatic battle highlights, and finally, the logo of the finals, a gleaming golden emblem that made the room buzz with excitement.

The stage was set with dramatic lighting and a roaring crowd, the energy in the arena palpable. The host, a charismatic figure in a sharp suit, stood at the center of the stage, microphone in hand. His voice boomed through the speakers, silencing the chatter of anticipation.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the announcement of the Team Battle Finals! This season has been extraordinary in many ways. From fierce rivalries to underdog stories, from raw talents to inspiring moments, you've witnessed it all! We've seen rising stars defy the odds and established veterans remind us why they dominate this sport."

The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the grand hall.

The host gestured toward the large screen behind him, which lit up with the names of participating organizations.

"This season featured several incredible organizations, each bringing their unique flair and strength to the arena. And now, after months of battles, strategies, and unforgettable displays of beast mastery, we present to you the eight who have earned their place in the Final 8!"

The screen flashed brightly as the names were revealed one by one:

Infinite Twilight

Golden Cosmos

Crimson Vanguard

Steel Apex

Azure Blades

Verdant Dominion

Shadow Strikers

Blazing Horizons

The crowd roared louder with each name, fans cheering for their favorite agencies. The host let the excitement simmer before continuing.

"These eight have fought tooth and nail to dominate the schedules and claim their spots. But now, the real challenge begins! The draw will decide their paths, setting the stage for battles that will go down in history. Let's begin the draw!"

A mechanical device filled with glowing orbs spun on stage, each orb representing one of the teams. The host reached in and pulled out the first orb.

"In the first slot of Group A: Infinite Twilight!"

The screen displayed their name boldly as the crowd erupted.

"Joining them in Group A… Verdant Dominion!"

The draw continued:

Group A:

Infinite Twilight

Verdant Dominion

Shadow Strikers

Blazing Horizons

Group B:

Golden Cosmos

Crimson Vanguard

Steel Apex

Azure Blades

The final draw results were met with a mix of cheers and gasps from the crowd. The tension in the Eratz's house grew thick as they watched the announcement live.

Catarina leaned back with a groan, crossing her arms.

"Nyah... these draws are rigged for the spectacle," she mewed, her tail flicking irritably.

Kaida nodded emphatically. "Yeah, of course they are. Look at this setup. They're clearly hoping for a clash between us and Infinite Twilight in the finals."

Ryder scratched his head.

"I mean, it's not like we didn't expect it, but still…"

Victoria leaned forward, her voice cutting through the room like a blade.

"The result is what matters. Don't waste energy looking at your opponents. Focus on yourselves. We fight for our team and our goals."

Tamara, sitting with a relaxed posture but sharp eyes, nodded.

"She's right. Besides, I believe in you all. You'd better be prepared to give it everything you've got. And trust me, that snake won't fall that easily."

The team nodded, the weight of the draw settled, but so did their resolve. The path to the finals was clear, and Golden Cosmos knew that every step forward was theirs to claim.

The stakes were higher than ever, and the final journey was about to begin.