Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 87: A Battle



Mercury stepped through the door of Eratz's apartment, feeling the warm air wash over her like a soft embrace.

The scent of herbs lingered in the air, mingling with something faintly sweet, cinnamon, maybe.

It was familiar, home sweet home, but today she couldn't enjoy it like usually.

Cassie appeared almost immediately, emerging from the kitchen with her usual playful smile.

"Well, look who finally decided to stop by. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about us entirely." Cassie teased, wiping her hands on a kitchen towel.

Mercury managed a smirk as she lazily kicked off her shoes, already making a beeline for the couch.

"Impossible, aunt Cass, I've just been busy, like very busy."

"Hm, busy," Cassie echoed, her tone playful as she turned back into the kitchen. "Sounds like you've been running all over the place. I'm surprised you're still standing."

"I'm not," Mercury muttered, flopping onto the couch with a heavy sigh.

"Four matches in a row, sponsor visits, autographs, pictures... I'm not even a world star, what the hell?"

She draped her arm over her eyes, letting the cushions swallow her as she tried to shake off the exhaustion that clung to her.

Cassie didn't miss a beat.

"Juice? Or do you need something stronger after all that running around?"

Mercury peeked out from beneath her arm, shooting Cassie a grateful smile.

"Juice is fine."

Cassie's voice drifted out from the kitchen as she grabbed a glass.

"I've got some fresh squeezed in the fridge. Thought you might appreciate something to cool down with. You look like you've been through a lot."

Mercury's head sank back into the cushions, her thoughts already wandering.

She was mentally exhausted, but it wasn't the matches, but the sponsors and the travel that had her feeling so worn down.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Here you go, lazy bones," Cassie said as she reappeared and handed her a glass of juice. Mercury sat up just enough to take a sip, feeling the cool liquid soothe her dry throat.

"Thanks," Mercury mumbled.

Cassie leaned against the armrest, eyes fixed on her with that particular glint.

"So," she started casually, "when are you going to see him?"

Mercury almost choked on her juice.

"W-What?" she sputtered, setting the glass down on the coffee table a little too quickly. "Who?"

Cassie's eyebrow arched, a slow grin spreading across her face.

"Oh, come on, Mercury. You think I don't know? You haven't seen Eratz in, what, weeks? I know everything about your schedule, more than I should."

Mercury gulped, and she fumbled for a response, trying to play it off.

"I mean, yeah, it's been a while. But we're both busy with finals coming up and..."

"And you miss him, poor little souls lost in the whirlwind of fame," Cassie finished, her tone teasing but gentle.

Mercury groaned, slumping back into the couch, embarrassed.

"It's not like that..."

Cassie laughed softly, shaking her head.

"Of course it is. Don't even try to deny it. You've been coming home all worn out, but not just from the fighting. You've got something else weighing on you, and it's not hard to figure out what, or should I say who?"

Mercury crossed her arms, glaring half-heartedly at Cassie.

"You're enjoying this way too much."

"Maybe," Cassie said with a sly smile. "But I'm just saying, you're going to drive yourself crazy if you keep holding back. When was the last time you two had a real conversation, anyway? Or, I don't know... spent some actual time together? Have you even crossed THAT kind of talk?"

Mercury's gaze drifted to the floor, and she took a nervous sip of juice in silent confession.

Cassie's eyes widened and she chuckled before leaned closer, her voice dropping into something more conspiratorial.

"Holy cow, really? When? What was that about???"

Mercury shifted uncomfortably, trying to brush off the conversation.

"Nope, not telling. And it's not that simple. We've both got a lot going on until the finals."

Cassie's grin widened, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"It's only as complicated as you make it, darling. If you're serious about him, go find him, don't just wait around until the finals are over. Life doesn't stop just because you're busy, and besides, if you're planning on making a move, might I suggest finding a nice spot outside for... privacy? You know, just in case things get a little more... juicy."

Mercury's eyes widened, and she shot Cassie an incredulous look.

"What?!"

Cassie shrugged, utterly unbothered.

"I'm just saying, everyone has the keys to the door, and we never know when someone has a new planning, so... hypothetically speaking... I'd rather not walk in on anything too... personal. If you're going to violently bake the potato, at least send a message so we can watch a very long movie somewhere else."

Mercury spilled her juice.

"Cassie?! W-What the..." She stammered, completely flustered. "W-We're not... I mean, that's not!"

Cassie laughed, her eyes sparkling with delight at Mercury's reaction.

"Oh, honey, don't be so shy. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Trust me, when Roger and I were your age, we had to get a little creative with our, ah, arrangements. Wild times, those were... And good thing our gender aren't reversed or there would be ten Colin around, Ha! Did you know that Ishtarians had infinite stamina and quick recovery?"

Mercury buried her face in her hands.

"No! No! NO! I didn't need to hear that!"

Cassie grinned, patting Mercury's leg. "Just taking care of my sweetheart, wouldn't want you to go to the hospital as much as Roger, they even offered us a fidelity card... But joke aside, take it as an advice from someone who's been there. Sometimes, you've got to take the reins if you want to tame the beast."

Mercury peeked through her fingers, her voice muffled. "You're not talking about Eratz

anymore, are you?"

Cassie winked.

"Maybe. Maybe not. Let's just say, Roger fought hard to tame me back in the day. But it was

worth it. On your side I see the same open road. You got it, girl."

Mercury groaned again, though this time there was a hint of laughter behind it.

"You're unbelievable."

"And you love me for it," Cassie teased, standing up and heading back toward the kitchen. "Now, go on. Don't wait too long, or you might miss your chance. You've got the green light from me, just... maybe give us a heads-up before you pounce."

Mercury shook her head, though she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips.

Cassie always had a way of cutting through the nonsense, even when Mercury wasn't ready to

face the truth herself.

As Cassie disappeared into the kitchen, Mercury sat back, her mind drifting once again to Eratz. Maybe Cassie was right. Maybe it was time to stop holding back.

She wasn't sure what would happen next, but one thing was certain: she couldn't keep pretending she didn't miss him. And now, after Cassie's playful but pointed words, she knew

she had to do something about it.

Even if it meant sending that one bold message.

Meanwhile far away, Kaida stood at the entrance of a cave near a volcano, the sharp scent of

sulfur and heated rock filling her nostrils.

Her heart raced, but not from fear, but the thrill of facing an opponent worthy of her strength. She could feel its presence.

The cave itself was dark and vast, its jagged walls marked by centuries of molten rock flow, hardened now but still pulsing with a latent heat.

Stalactites hung from the ceiling, dripping slowly into the pools below, and the occasional

spark of glowing embers from deep within reminded her of the kind of beast that called this place home, the type to always be on her menu.

She walked deeper into the cave, the air was thick, heavy with heat and the scent of sulfur, and every step seemed to pull her deeper into the belly of the earth.

Darkness wrapped around her, but she moved with confidence, her senses alert, attuned to the faint vibrations in the rock and the distant rumble of something powerful.

She brushed her hand along the cave wall as she walked, feeling the pulse of something ancient and fiery deep within.

The light behind her began to fade as she ventured further, swallowed by the shadows of the

cave, but she didn't need light to guide her.

She could feel the energy, the heat, pulling her forward. Kaida's smile widened. She was

nearing the source.

She stopped in front of an open chamber, a vast, cathedral-like space carved by centuries of

volcanic activity.

The air grew hotter, nearly stifling, but it only fueled her excitement. She could sense it now, waiting for her, its presence overwhelming.

With a deep breath, she stepped into the chamber, the heat wrapping around her like a cloak.

The ground beneath her feet was cracked, and small bursts of steam escaped from the fissures in the rock. She took a few more steps, her eyes scanning the vast darkness. Then, without warning, she heard the low rumble, a sound that sent a thrill down her spine.

There it was, curled up in a bed of glowing embers, its crimson scales shimmering in the dim light: a wyvern.

Its wings were folded tightly against its body, but even now, she could see the sheer size of them, massive and strong enough to engulf her entirely.

The wyvern's eyes snapped open, glowing like molten lava as they locked onto Kaida.

For a moment, they stared at each other, predator meeting predator. The air between them buzzed with tension, the kind of stillness that only comes before a violent storm.

The wyvern unfurled its wings, stretching them wide, and let out a deafening roar. The sound vibrated through the cave walls, shaking loose bits of rock and sending a gust of

hot wind through the chamber.

Its tail lashed out behind it, striking the ground, creating sparks of fire in its wake. Kaida's smile widened. This was exactly what she had been waiting for.

She took a step forward, her boots crunching against the heated rock beneath her.

"Come on baby, show me what you've got."

The wyvern's chest rumbled as it took a deep breath, the fire building inside it, visible

through the gaps in its scales like veins of magma.

It's neck rose to its full height, towering over Kaida, its massive claws gouging deep into the

stone floor.

And then, with a roar, the wyvern unleashed its full power.

Flames erupted from its jaws, a torrent of fire hot and intense. The firestorm swept through

the cave, filling every corner, consuming everything in its path.

The walls glowed red-hot, the ground sizzled, and the entire cave was engulfed by the

ferocity of the wyvern's attack.

But Kaida didn't move. Instead, she welcomed the heat around her like a warm embrace, her

smile widening.

"You passed."