Dominion of The Beast Masters

251  The More, The Merrier

The massive screen in the arena lit up, displaying the updated rankings after the first battle:

Golden Cosmos: 2 points

Infinite Twilight: 0 points

Blazing Horizons: 0 points

Azure Blades: 0 points

The crowd erupted into cheers and speculation as the rankings solidified, setting the tone for the battles ahead.

In the Golden Cosmos locker room, the team gathered to celebrate their first victory.

Zara leaned against the wall, her arms crossed as she studied the rankings on the screen. "This format really changes the game," she mused, her voice tinged with curiosity. "It's interesting. Everyone has a chance with the right strategy... or rather luck."

She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. Then she flinched as a thought struck her.

"Wait… If we've already used Mercury for the 2v2, that means Eratz might be chosen for the 1v1... And we won't have our carry for the 4v4 battle!"

Ryder coughed.

"Hm, I think there's still another carry," he said, gesturing to Raya.

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to her. Raya tilted her head slightly, feeling the switch in the air.

"Could you... explain verbally what you mean?" she asked softly.

The giant screen lit up again, showing the remaining teams: Infinite Twilight and Blazing Horizons. The faces and emblems blurred together in a dazzling shuffle.

The crowd leaned forward in anticipation, murmuring excitedly.

With a dramatic pause, the first team was revealed: Infinite Twilight.

The crowd's cheers reached a crescendo as the powerhouse team's emblem glowed on the screen.

The faces blurred again, and moments later, the second team was revealed: Blazing Horizons. The mix of cheers and gasps reflected the tension in the air.

The screen shifted, now displaying the possible battle types, and the screen finally stopped on: 3v3.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, and the energy in the arena grew even more intense.

The screen transitioned to the participant selection, names spinning rapidly before stopping one by one:

[Infinite Twilight:

Sia Verizion

Rex Goldust

Devak Suran

VS

Blazing Horizons:

Kaelion Ember

Jace Ignis

Taryn Ashfall]

The fighters stepped into the arena, their presence commanding attention. On one side stood Sia Verizion, Rex Goldust, and Devak Suran of Infinite Twilight, their composed yet intimidating demeanor reflecting their reputation.

On the opposite side, Kaelion Ember, Jace Ignis, and Taryn Ashfall of Blazing Horizons exchanged troubled glances.

Kaelion ran a hand through his hair, muttering.

"So, Rex, Sia, and Devak. Pick your killer."

Jace shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration.

"So this whole tournament was to humiliate us?"

The crowd's roar reached a fever pitch as the announcer's voice boomed across the coliseum.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the next battle is a 3v3 clash featuring Infinite Twilight and Blazing Horizons! Let's hear it for our fighters!"

The arena shimmered as the special condition for the match appeared on the screen, and the result sent waves of murmurs through the audience.

[Guest Invite: An even number of fighters from the teams in standby will join the battle]

The fighters exchanged confused glances as the audience murmured in surprise.

"Guest fighters?" Kaelion muttered, his brow furrowing.

On the Infinite Twilight side, Sia's icy blue eyes narrowed slightly, her expression calm but intrigued. Devak crossed his arms, his lips curling into a faint smirk, while Rex remained stoic, his gaze fixed on the clouds.

The screen flickered again, spinning through the names of the standby fighters. Moments later, the additional participants were revealed:

Guest Fighters:

Azure Blades:

Erynn Cassandra - Dorian Kael - Maris Vetra]

For a brief moment, stunned silence filled the coliseum. Then, as the implications of the upcoming match sank in, the audience erupted into cheers. The energy was electric, an unparalleled anticipation for a 3v3 battle between every team all at once, a real royal rumble with two matches in one. For the fans, it was the greatest show, for the fighters, it was a another story.

In the Golden Cosmos room, the atmosphere was far less jubilant. Zara paced back and forth as panic set in.

"This is a disaster," she muttered, her voice tight with frustration. "No Eratz or Raya for the 3v3, and the opposing team has both Rex and Sia? How could this happen?"

The team exchanged uneasy glances. Kaida leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her usual fire dimmed. Milo sat nervously, his legs bouncing up and down, while Catarina absently flicked her tail, her wide eyes betraying her anxiety.

Victoria frowned, her sharp gaze scanning the room. Crossing her arms, she let out a slow breath before speaking.

"I didn't expect this," she admitted, her tone heavy with displeasure. "These rules are designed to limit us. It's really like they've ensured that our best fighters can't be in the matches where they're most needed. Giving our maximum against opponents like Rex and Sia under these conditions is almost meaningless."

The weight of her words settled over the group. Catarina looked down, her ears flattening slightly. Mercury opened her mouth to respond, but Eratz stepped forward first.

"I disagree," he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension.

Everyone looked at him, hoping to find a light in this mess. He gave them a slight nod and continued.

"Yes, we can't control the matchups, but neither can they. That's the point of these rules. They're designed to force unpredictability. The challenge isn't about having our strongest in the highest-point matches, it's about remembering how many of us are strong."

He glanced around the room, meeting each of their eyes in turn.

"All of us are powerful. Each of us has a unique beast, and those beasts are what put someone like me on top of the regional league. With the training we've done, I know that individually, we're strong enough to face this."

Catarina perked up slightly, though doubt lingered in her voice.

"You're right, Boss, but Sia… she has a unique beast too, right?"

Eratz nodded.

"Yes, she does. But think about this: we already have two points. There won't be any Sia or Rex for the 4v4 battle."

Mercury crossed her arms, her expression softening as she started to understand his point.

"Oh, I see, even if we're not strong enough to take them down here, we can ensure the rest of the points are secured."

Eratz smiled faintly.

"Exactly. We have me and Raya for the 4v4, so we can pull again what we did against World Star. This rule is just a complication."

The tension in the room began to ease. Kaida pushed off the wall, cracking her knuckles.

"Alright, then. We bleed like hell and get as many points as we can. Let's show why we're beast masters."

The group looked at one another, a shared resolve sparking between them. They all understood the assignment now: fight to the fullest, leave nothing on the table, and set the stage for the final showdown.

In the Infinite Twilight room, the mood was far darker. Leonidas stood near the edge of the viewing platform, his hands trembling as he clenched a glass.

With a sharp crack, the glass shattered in his grip, shards falling to the floor.

"This is ridiculous," he growled, his voice low but seething with anger. "They toy with us for their pleasure. We're beast masters, not clowns." His eyes darted to Kallistra, his frustration evident. "This rule might give us an easy win now, but it'll cost us later. Sia and Rex can't participate in the 4v4, and that's where the Pharaoh or the Blind Swordsman will show up."

Kallistra, indifferent to his outburst, kept her focus on the screen.

"Why do you panic? They lost the water girl for 2 points," she said simply, her tone icy. Her gaze didn't waver from the image of Rex displayed prominently. "Focus on the now."

Leonidas groaned, his frustration mounting.

"Easy for you to say. You only care about whatever you're planning."

Kallistra didn't respond, her attention unwavering as the match countdown ticked closer.

As the teams emerged onto the battlefield, the crowd's cheers intensified.

Kaida, Milo, and Catarina of Golden Cosmos stepped forward alongside three members of Azure Blades.

Across from them, Infinite Twilight's and Blaze Horizons' members prepared themselves for the clash. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Each team stood at a distance, their expressions a stark contrast to one another.

Sia stood with her eyes closed, arms crossed, exuding an air of calm confidence.

Kaida grinned fiercely, her fiery spirit practically igniting the air around her. Devak frowned, his focus razor-sharp.

Catarina gulped nervously, her tail flicking erratically. Rex, ever composed, tilted his head toward the sky, seemingly uninterested in the tension crackling between the teams.

And Milo stood tense, his fists clenched as he steeled himself for the fight ahead.

The crowd's anticipation was palpable. This wasn't just a battle; it was a clash of styles, strategies, and the raw power of unique beasts.

The stage was set, and the stakes had never been higher.