Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 100: Countdown to Greenridge



The Greenridge League tournament loomed closer.

Every fighter, seasoned and novice alike, was preparing for the battles ahead, each with their own rituals, their own way of dealing with the pressure.

The city buzzed with excitement, the tournament drawing closer with each passing hour.

Eratz sat on a log in the quiet forest, the cool night air brushing against his skin.

Around him, his three aces rested.

Eratz stretched his legs out in front of him and thought to himself.

"Four beasts... out of a thousand," he mused, his voice quiet but full of amusement. "You'd think I'd have more favorites by now."

He wasn't disappointed, though. These four, the Thunder Lycaon, the Aetheri, the Terrakrus, and Raijinara, were more than just beasts.

They were reflections of him, each carrying a piece of his personality.

The Thunder Lycaon lay stretched out a few feet away, its blue eyes half-lidded, watching Eratz with a mix of boredom and amusement.

Fast, cynical, and always ready to strike when least expected.

On the other side, the Terrakrus remained still, its massive form blending into the darkness.

The black dragon's calm exterior was deceptive.

Beneath its surface lay a terrifying power, a force of nature waiting to be unleashed.

Hovering close by, the Aetheri floated gently, its soft glow illuminating the night. The warmth it radiated was a stark contrast to the other two.

It's gentle presence was comforting, like a quiet reassurance that everything would be alright.

He watched them quietly, appreciating the unique bond they shared.

He glanced at Aetheri, who met his gaze with its usual calm, unblinking eyes.

"What do you think, Aetheri? Should I start planning my strategy for Darian?"

There was a flicker of amusement in Aetheri's eyes. It was as if it already knew what he was thinking.

"Yeah, I know," he muttered, shaking his head. "I'm overthinking it."

Darian wasn't the real challenge here. It was just the start. This tournament was about more than just winning

This was his chance. A chance to prove, not just to others, but to himself, that he could stand among the best. That he belonged here.

He looked up at the stars, a smile playing on his lips.

"I've come a long way, haven't I?" he muttered.

This wasn't just another fight. This was the culmination of everything he had worked for.

Months of training, of taming beasts, of learning how to survive in a world that had cast him aside.

But survival wasn't enough anymore. He wanted more. He wanted to thrive.

He wanted to enjoy every moment of the tournament, to feel the thrill of each battle, to savor the challenge.

Winning was important, but more than that, he wanted to push his limits, to see just how far he could go.

His thoughts turned to his first real breakthrough, the moment he had unlocked his field spell during the battle with Raijinara.

Controlling the energy around him, bending it to his will, it had been a revelation.

He had felt something then, something he hadn't felt before.

"That was something, wasn't it?" he said quietly, thinking back to the moment he had faced the defeated the calamity bird.

The energy, the control, it had all came together at that moment.

Could he do it again? Could he push even further?

An idea sparked in his mind, something that made his eyes light up with excitement. He glanced at his beasts, his grin widening.

"Let's do just one little training."

In the apartment, Colin and Milo sat cross-legged on the floor.

Milo puffed his chest, grinning.

"Mercury's going to crush this, no problem. She will crush everyone."

Colin crossed her arms, giving Milo a challenging look. "You know, Eratz would totally outsmart Mercury... uh... but, of course, big sis Mercury's got her own style. I'm sure she'll do great!"

Milo rolled his eyes, grinning.

"Please, Mercury would knock him out in seconds... but, um, you know, father has his own thoughtful way too, I guess."

They both paused, then quickly nodded at each other in mock seriousness.

"Uh, I mean... Mercury's very... dynamic, she could and should maybe win," Colin stammered, attempting to recover.

"Yeah! And father is... y'know, super thoughtful, if there's a boy winner, it's definitely him, or male Mercury," Milo added, as if that balanced things out.

They both coughed, trying to act serious.

Cassie couldn't help but chuckle.

"Maybe they have already won the most important battle?"

Colin and Milo froze again, looking at each other in shock as they both muttered under their

breaths,

"... Double winners?"

The days leading up to the Greenridge League finals were filled with quiet moments, each fighter's anticipation building as they went through their own personal routines.

In the gym, Kaida trained relentlessly. She didn't need anyone's encouragement. Her focus was entirely on the upcoming battle, her eyes cold and determined. Facing Iris, someone who relied on nature, felt like an easy win, but she wasn't going to let her guard

down.

The finals were too important for that.

Meanwhile, after her training session, Mercury stretched in the resting area, rolling her shoulders and cracking her neck.

She felt a calm confidence as she thought about her match against Zera, her natural counter.

Thunder against water. A difficult challenge, but not one she feared. If anything, she

welcomed it.

She wasn't here for easy victories, she wanted to push herself, to test her limits. That's what made her smile every time the thought crossed her mind.

In another corner of the agency, Ryder was pacing back and forth, hands running through his

hair as he mentally prepared himself for the upcoming fight against Raya.

His opponent was no joke, and the nerves were starting to eat at him.

"Man, what if I fuck up?" he muttered under his breath.

He could feel the pressure building, and it wasn't helping that Kaida had shrugged off her own

battle like it was nothing.

Catarina, lounging nearby with her usual casual air, noticed his anxiety. She set down her

phone, walked over, and lightly poked him in the side with her tail.

"Nya, you need to relax," she said, grinning up at him. "You're not gonna lose to some mystic

blade girl. Just do your thing, be a furry, then a gentleman."

Ryder stopped pacing and gave her a look, half-amused, half-exasperated.

"Why you..."

Catarina shrugged and offered him a chip.

"Reject fear, embrace the furry. It's all in your head. If you're calm, you'll be fine, like a

furry." She gave him a mock salute.

"Now, get out there and win. We've got a specie to represent, nya."

Ryder sighed but nodded, feeling a little more grounded after Catarina's odd but comforting

advice.

He could always count on her to help ease the tension.

The internet was buzzing with reactions leading up to the finals.

Fans debated endlessly on social media, speculating on who would advance to the later

rounds.

Posts were filled with excitement over the matchups, but there was a clear focus on the

favorites.

"Sia is gonna sweep the whole thing!"

"Gabriel is so cute, can't wait to see how he will do!"

[Kaida's gonna roast Iris, no contest.]

But amidst the excitement, there were posts from the underdogs, too, fighters who knew they

were up against the best.

Some of them shared their training routines, posting videos and pictures to show how hard

they were working.

Iris could be seen practicing her vine-based techniques, trying to sharpen her precision in preparation for Kaida's fiery attacks.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Flint posted footage of himself striking the ground with devastating blows, trying to remind

people that he wasn't to be underestimated.

The same day, Catarina unfollowed him.

These fighters were no pushovers. They were determined to make a name for themselves,

even if they had to face the likes of Eratz, Kaida, and Mercury.

As the days counted down, the tension grew, but so did the determination.

The favorites were prepared, but so were their challengers.