Chapter 105: Clash of Guardians: Beast Whisperer vs. Iron Fortress
Chapter 105: Clash of Guardians: Beast Whisperer vs. Iron Fortress
The arena remained electrified after Sia's victory over Nyx, and the crowd's excitement only intensified as the next match was announced. The massive screen in the stadium lit up once again, revealing the next set of competitors:
Gabriel vs. Cassius Alden.
The murmurs in the crowd quickly grew into cheers. Gabriel, known as "The Beast Whisperer," was the youngest of the finalists, but his abilities were already legendary. Cassius, on the other hand, was a fortress, a beast master renowned for his unshakable defense.
"And now, please welcome... Gabriel!"
Gabriel stepped into the arena, his innocent, kind face a stark contrast to the intensity of the competition around him. His messy dark brown hair framed his wide, curious eyes, which sparkled with excitement. The boy, barely fourteen, waved shyly to the audience.
A ripple of adoration swept through the crowd, especially from the younger spectators and a few fangirls who couldn't help but comment.
"He's so cute! I can't believe he's in the finals at his age!"
"He's like a little prince! Look at that smile!"
A few girls in the stands giggled and waved back, some even swooning over the young competitor.
In the Genova section, a teacher leaned over to another with a playful grin.
"Maybe we should start scouting talents at a younger age," he said, half-joking.
His colleague chuckled in response.
"Not a bad idea. If this kid's already in the finals, he's already done more than our ace."
The words hung in the air, drawing a silent reaction from Kenny, who sat a few seats away. His eyes narrowed slightly, his jaw tightening as he listened to the casual remarks.
As the teachers laughed quietly, Kenny's stare focused on Gabriel, the young boy standing confidently in the arena.
The sight of him, a rising star at this age, even earlier than Eratz, and effortlessly commanding the crowd's affection, only deepened the bitter jealousy simmering inside Kenny.
Gabriel, oblivious to the chatter, continued walking calmly toward the center of the battlefield. His serene demeanor and genuine warmth had already captured the hearts of the crowd, and despite his youth, the respect he had earned as a beast master was undeniable.
"Beasts aren't just companions," he had once said in an interview. "They're friends. We talk, we share everything."
Gabriel was not an ordinary beast master. He was said to have the rare gift of being able to communicate directly with his beasts, and this connection made him a formidable force.
As he walked calmly to the center of the battlefield, the ground beneath him began to tremble ever so slightly. The crowd's anticipation grew, their excitement palpable.
"And his opponent, the unmovable wall, the Iron Fortress... Cassius Alden!"
The applause shifted as Cassius entered, his presence commanding. Taller and much broader than Gabriel, Cassius exuded strength and stability. He had short black hair, a chiseled face, and wore heavy armor that gleamed under the lights. His stoic demeanor conveyed experience, and his unflinching gaze was locked onto Gabriel.
Cassius was known for his defensive beasts, a master at creating an impenetrable wall with them. His strategy was simple: endure the attacks and retaliate with heavy moves.
As Cassius reached the center of the arena, the crowd settled, eager to witness this clash of styles, offense versus defense, youthful agility against seasoned endurance.
They exchanged glances, and Gabriel smiled brightly.
"Sir, I can already tell your beasts are strong," he said, his voice filled with kindness. "Let's give everyone a good show."
Cassius nodded curtly. "I don't take children lightly. Show me what you've got."
The crowd held its breath as the announcer's voice echoed once more.
"Let the second battle of the Greenridge League Finals... BEGIN!"
Gabriel was quick to act, raising his hand with a serene grace. The ground beneath him cracked, and from it emerged three massive beasts. The audience gasped as they materialized.
The first was a colossal, majestic lion-like creature with shimmering silver fur and deep, glowing blue eyes. Its mane sparkled like starlight, and its roar was a song that echoed through the arena.
The second was an enormous bird of prey, its feathers burning with a golden light. It soared above the arena, casting a radiant glow as it screeched into the sky.
The third was an amphibious beast with a sleek, almost liquid body. It slithered through the air as though swimming, its translucent form rippling with hues of green and blue, as if made from water itself.
The crowd erupted in awe. Gabriel's beasts were not just rare, they were extraordinary, each one exuding an overwhelming aura of strength and unity with their master.
"Wow!" someone in the crowd shouted. "I've never seen anything like that!"
Cassius, unfazed by the spectacle, raised his arm and summoned his own companions. Two massive beasts emerged beside him, their sheer size and bulk dwarfing the battlefield.
One was a towering, stone-skinned creature with thick armor plates that looked like a moving fortress. The second was a massive, turtle-like beast with a shell that seemed to pulse with energy, glowing runes etched into its surface.
These were beasts bred for defense, their purpose clear in the way they moved with deliberate, slow steps, standing guard over Cassius. The crowd watched in awe as the defensive giants stood tall, casting long shadows across the battlefield.
Gabriel's eyes gleamed as he watched them.
"They're incredible," he whispered, and then, in a strange, melodic tone, he began speaking, or, from the eyes of anyone else, making sounds, in a language only his beasts understood. The silver lion growled, the golden bird screeched, and the amphibious beast's form rippled.
Cassius's beasts stirred in response to Gabriel's strange melodic tones, their eyes narrowing as if they, too, understood the language. Cassius raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the reaction, but remained composed.
"What's that... can this boy really... Uh, whatever, let's crush him now," Cassius muttered under his breath.
With a deep, commanding shout, he ordered his beasts to move forward. The ground shook as the towering stone-skinned creature raised one massive fist and slammed it down toward Gabriel's lion, the impact sending tremors through the arena.
But Gabriel's lion was quick, dodging the attack with a nimble leap, its silver mane glowing brighter as it landed gracefully on its feet. The bird above swooped down, its radiant wings leaving trails of light as it darted toward Cassius's turtle-like beast.
The crowd gasped as the golden bird collided with the turtle's glowing shell. Sparks of energy flew as the bird's talons scratched against the runes, but the shell held firm, its energy pulsing
in defense.
Cassius smirked.
"They'll need more than speed and agility to break through this wall."
His stone-skinned beast charged again, this time its fists glowing with energy as it swung at Gabriel's lion with even more force. The lion dodged again, but the stone beast quickly changed tactics, smashing the ground to create a shockwave that rippled toward Gabriel and
his beasts.
Gabriel's calm demeanor didn't falter. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, continuing his
melodic command. His lion's ears twitched, and in a flash, it leaped high into the air, completely avoiding the shockwave. The amphibious beast, with its fluid form, rippled through the air, effortlessly dodging the attack.
"Go, Gabriel, You've got this!" one fan shouted from the stands.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, watching the graceful dance of Gabriel's beasts versus the raw power of Cassius's defensive giants. Cassius, realizing his slower beasts couldn't keep up with Gabriel's nimble companions, shifted tactics.
"I'll crush you kid!" Cassius shouted, his eyes narrowing.
His turtle-like beast, previously standing in a defensive stance, reared up. Its runes began glowing even brighter, and suddenly, it released a massive energy pulse, expanding outward
like a wave of force.
The pulse slammed into Gabriel's lion mid-leap, sending it skidding back across the battlefield, though the lion quickly regained its footing.
Gabriel's smile faltered for a moment, but his connection with his beasts remained strong.
"Don't give up. We're in this together," he whispered, his voice soft yet reaching his beasts.
The lion growled in response, the bird screeched, and the amphibious beast coiled tighter, preparing for another round.
Cassius's beasts weren't done yet. The stone-skinned creature, now glowing with energy, began charging toward Gabriel, each step a thundering quake as it raised its fists for another massive blow. The turtle beast unleashed another shockwave, this time aiming for Gabriel's bird, hoping to ground it.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
But Gabriel's bond with his beasts was too strong. With another melodic command, his lion roared and charged forward, its claws glowing with silver energy as it met the stone-skinned
beast head-on.
The clash sent sparks flying, and the crowd roared in excitement. Meanwhile, the golden bird soared higher, narrowly avoiding the shockwave, before diving down in a brilliant burst of light, aiming for the turtle's exposed underbelly.
Cassius's eyes widened, realizing the turtle beast couldn't defend against the aerial attack. The bird's talons struck hard, and the turtle staggered, its defenses momentarily faltering.
Gabriel seized the opportunity.
"Now!"
The amphibious beast, quick as a flash, darted forward, wrapping itself around the stone- skinned beast's legs. Its fluid form glowed with a strange light as it tightened its hold,
disrupting the creature's balance.
Cassius growled, knowing his beasts were being outmaneuvered.
"Not bad... but we're not done yet."
The stone beast roared in defiance, lifting one massive leg to try and shake off the amphibious
creature. But as it struggled, Gabriel's lion pounced, its glowing claws striking the stone beast with precision. Cracks began to form along its surface.
Cassius's beast bellowed in pain, staggering under the force of the coordinated assault. The audience watched in awe as Gabriel's beasts, working in perfect harmony, overwhelmed Cassius's defenses.
With one final, powerful swipe, Gabriel's lion shattered the stone-skinned beast, its body crumbling into pieces. The crowd gasped as the mighty defensive creature fell. Cassius's turtle, weakened by the bird's relentless strikes, was the only beast remaining. It roared, struggling to maintain its defense, but it was too late. Gabriel's beasts circled it like predators, each one glowing with energy as they prepared for the final blow.
Cassius, realizing his beasts were outmatched, raised his hand in surrender.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"The winner is, the Beast Whisperer... Gabriel!"
Gabriel's beasts gathered around him, their bond as strong as ever. The lion nuzzled Gabriel's
side, the bird circled above, and the amphibious creature coiled playfully around his legs.
Gabriel smiled, walking over to Cassius.
"Your beasts are amazing, sir. I could feel their strength."
Cassius, though defeated, gave a nod of respect.
"You've got heart, kid. Your bond with your beasts is something special. But if you want to
win the league..." He paused, a wry smile crossing his lips. "You'll need more than that."
Gabriel looked at him, his eyes still bright but with a hint of understanding in them.
"Don't worry... we only used what was necessary for this battle, we'll adapt for other challenges."
Cassius paused, studying Gabriel for a moment, then let out a small, bitter-sweet chuckle.
"I figured as much... You held back." He shook his head, impressed despite himself. "Well, I guess that makes your win even more deserved."
With a gesture of respect and fair play, Cassius raised Gabriel's arm to the crowd. The audience roared in approval, their cheers deafening as Gabriel stood victorious. His quiet strength and bond with his beasts had spoken louder than any boast.