Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 221: Icarus and The Hare



The announcement of the upcoming exhibition match, World Star vs. Golden Cosmos, hit the world like a lightning strike.

News spread like wildfire, igniting every corner of the beast master community. From professionals to fans, the buzz was deafening.

Every media outlet covered the story, every social feed was flooded with speculation.

Analysts dissected the matchups, experts debated the strategies, and fans shared their predictions with unbridled enthusiasm.

For some, it was the ultimate clash of philosophies: Beastification mastery vs. field spell specialists.

For others, it was about the personal stakes: The Invincible Pharaoh vs. The Queen; The Queen vs. The Black Lady; The Wildest Team vs. The Most Talented Agency.

It wasn't just a match; it was the event of winter, the battle to define the roof of beast mastering.

In another hotel room in Grushia, Leonidas sat in silence, his hands steepled in front of his face. His piercing gaze was fixed on the screen, which displayed the promotional material for the exhibition match.

After a long moment, he turned his attention to the woman standing near the window, her arms crossed and her posture relaxed.

"Tell me, Kallistra," he began, his voice low and sharp. "How exactly is this good for us? This little stunt is proof that Tamara has taken the lead. She's outmaneuvered you, again."

Kallistra didn't turn to face him immediately. Instead, she watched the snowfall beyond the glass, her crimson eyes reflecting the swirling white flakes. Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Tamara hasn't taken the lead," she said smoothly. "I allowed her to step forward."

Leonidas's brow furrowed deeply.

"You allowed her? Why would you let her gain ground? What could you possibly be gaining from this?"

Kallistra uncrossed her arms and took a step closer, her voice steady and laced with confidence.

"Tamara's playing her game because she thinks it's to her advantage. Let her. She doesn't see the bigger picture. By reaching Eratz she's doing half the job for me."

Leonidas's skepticism was growing.

"Half the job? For what? The result of this match is obvious. The Pharaoh will join World Star. How does that benefit us?"

Kallistra's smile widened, cold and calculating.

"Let him join. He can go wherever he pleases. I don't need him around for my plans. I need him to achieve half of the job, even on her side if he wants."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Leonidas's voice rose slightly, his frustration breaking through.

"We need the Pharaoh! If he doesn't work for us, then how are we going to hunt the legendary beasts?"

"You're wrong," Kallistra interrupted, her tone sharp. "We don't need him... For what he's gonna bring. What we need is a specific legendary beast on our side. That is all that matters."

Leonidas's expression darkened, his suspicion growing.

"A legendary beast? You're saying everything we've done, Arin, Nivalys, everything Tamara's meddling with Eratz, all of this leads to that? Only one legendary??"

Kallistra's aura began to stir around her, a slight shimmer that grew into something more tangible.

The air in the room shifted, and slowly, the light gathered in her hand, coalescing into a radiant, glowing orb.

The white orb hovered above her palm, its surface gleaming with brilliance.

Leonidas stepped back slightly, his eyes narrowing.

"The Orb of blind justice..." he whispered.

Kallistra raised the orb higher, letting its glow illuminate her face. Her expression was calm but chilling, a quiet intensity radiating from her.

"Do you understand the concept of 'equilibrium'? Nothing happens by chance, Leonidas," she murmured. "This orb... it's the key to understanding everything."

Leonidas's voice was cautious as he asked.

"And you think Eratz... can still be swayed by this?"

Kallistra chuckled, the sound devoid of warmth.

"Eratz will never have the Orb of blind justice. He doesn't fit the criteria."

She began to pace slowly, her voice taking on a more philosophical tone.

"Do you know why justice, in its purest form, is dangerous? Because it blinds. Blind justice sees only absolutes, only one truth, one path. Never do wrong, never succumb to your desire. Justice prevails, it consumes everything else. And for all its supposed goodness, it is pointless if you can't understand the meaning of blind justice."

She paused, her gaze turning sharp.

"But pure evil..." Her tone softened, almost reverent. "That is something I understand. Evil is clear, raw, and predictable. Ambition, domination, conflict, improvement... Evil is a force you can control. It's practical."

Kallistra turned back to Leonidas, the orb's light casting long shadows across the room. Her voice dropped to a near whisper.

"Now tell me, Leonidas. Which one do you think resembles Eratz more? Blind justice, destroying all in its path, or raw ambition, striving to conquer everything?"

Time flew, days passed, and soon, the big day arrived.

Hours before the match, Grushia was already alive with energy that could be felt throughout

the city.

Fans crowded the streets, reporters scrambled for prime positions, and vendors hawked memorabilia emblazoned with the names of the two agencies about to face off.

This wasn't just another match, it was the event of the year.

The stadium, the Lumina Spire, in the north of Grushia, dominated the skyline, a masterpiece

of modern design.

Its cylindrical structure was clad in iridescent panels that shifted between gold and deep blue, depending on the angle of the sunlight.

As evening descended, the panels began to glow, casting a golden hue across the city.

Rotating holographic displays circled the upper edges of the structure, showcasing dramatic animations of the two agencies, Golden Cosmos and World Star.

The names of their key players, "The Pharaoh VS The Queen," pulsed brightly alongside snippets of their most iconic moments.

Inside, the arena was breathtaking. Rows of seats stretched high into the sky, encircling a central battleground encased in a shimmering energy dome. Above the dome, the sky remained open, stars beginning to twinkle against the vibrant glow of the coliseum's light

display.

The sound of fans chanting and waving glowing banners echoed throughout, creating a symphony of anticipation.

The VIP sections brimmed with notable figures: agency heads, retired champions, and rising stars. Among them were those who had initially come to Grushia for Genova's tournament, their disappointment now replaced by awe.

The unexpected exhibition match had become a symbol of redemption, an unexpected gift that brought with it a renewed sense of excitement.

The city's economy boomed as fans from across the world filled every hotel, restaurant, and shop, turning the tragedy of Genova into a distant memory.

As the match drew closer, the camera feeds zoomed in on the arrival of Golden Cosmos.

Their transport shimmered as it approached, their emblem projected boldly onto its sleek

surface.

The streets surrounding the arena roared with cheers as the team stepped out onto the crimson carpet, flanked by golden banners bearing their insignia.

It was a scene straight out of an award ceremony, with fans screaming their names and camera flashes lighting up the dusk.

Catarina led the procession, her black ears twitching as she moved with her signature feline

grace, playfully flicking her tail to the crowd's delight.

Kaida followed, her fiery aura nearly tangible as she offered a wave and a fierce grin.

Mercury's intense gaze swept across the crowd, her short blue hair gleaming in the stadium

lights before she cracked a genuine smile.

Following her, Colin and Milo, both hardly used to this level of attention, fixing either

Mercury's back or the ground.

Ryder was next, his casual thumbs-up and warm demeanor earning roars of approval.

Raya trailed quietly behind them, her face calm and serene as ever as the crowd cheered her

on.

And then Eratz closed the roster of fighters, his entrance putting the crowd on another layer of

euphoria.

Finally, Victoria emerged, serene and composed, her golden hair shimmering as if it held the

sunlight itself.

The crowd's cheers reached a crescendo, their admiration for her palpable.

Golden Cosmos walked in unison, their strides confident and relaxed. Fans shouted their

support, their voices a blend of hope and admiration.

Cameras captured every detail, every glance, every wave, immortalizing the moment.

But the atmosphere shifted as World Star made their entrance. Their transport was a sleek black bus adorned with their emblem color.

The air seemed to grow heavier as their roster emerged from the shadows of the bus.

Leading them was a tall Ishtarian woman, her toned physique and long ponytail exuding dominance.

Her red eyes scanned the crowd with an intensity that silenced those who dared meet her

gaze.

Behind her came Arvad and Rylas, both the first smiling, the second yawning. Following them were three more figures: another Ishtarian with piercing red eyes and silver hair, a lithe woman with cropped hair and fast movements, and a taller, larger Ishtarian, with cold eyed,

his hair falling on his shoulder and his beard masking his throat.

And at the rear was Tamara.

She strode with the confidence of someone who had nothing to prove but everything to take.

Her long coat billowed slightly as she moved, her piercing gaze cutting through the atmosphere like a blade.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, awed by their aura, before erupting into a deafening roar

that seemed to shake the very foundations of the arena.

World Star walked like an unstoppable force. Each member radiated their own unique energy,

yet together they moved as a singular, devastating entity.

Fans gaped in awe, their cheers almost drowned out by the intensity of the moment.

Even the reporters struggled to capture the sheer power exuded by the team. When the two teams crossed paths at the arena's entrance, the tension was palpable.

The cheers and lights seemed to fade into the background as they exchanged brief but meaningful glances.

Tamara's eyes locked with Victoria's, a silent acknowledgment of the battle to come.

Arvad smirked slightly at Eratz, his expression almost challenging. The rest of World Star's roster remained indifferent to their opponents.

The moment passed, and both teams disappeared into the stadium's interior, leaving the

crowd outside buzzing with speculation and excitement.

Inside the packed arena, Infinite Twilight's roster watched from one of the VIP sections.

Leonidas leaned against the edge of his seat, his sharp eyes taking in every detail displayed on the massive holographic screens.

"Finally," Iris said. "A chance to see if the Pharaoh is truly invincible. If he beats the Queen,

then it's settled."

Sia groaned, crossing her arms.

"This just puts Golden Cosmos above us. It's a gamble we should have taken first."

Kallistra chuckled softly, resting her chin on her hand.

"Oh, Sia, don't ruin the fun with overthinking," she teased. "This is a rare moment. Sit back

and enjoy the show. It's the best entertainment you'll get for a while."

Sia glared but said nothing. The others, however, remained focused. "Why is this even happening?" Silver murmured. "Could this be tied to what Tamara's been planning? It feels too weird to be a coincidence."

No one answered directly, though the question lingered. Whatever the reasons, this match

had captured the world's attention.

As the lights dimmed and a spotlight illuminated the center of the arena, the murmurs in the stands quieted.

The announcer's voice boomed through the coliseum, amplified by the sound system. "Ladies and gentlemen, beast masters from across the globe," the announcer began, his voice

charged with excitement. "The moment you've all been waiting for is finally here. Prepare yourselves for the ultimate showdown: Golden Cosmos versus World Star!" Everyone was ready for the event of the year, but no one was ready for the destruction that was about to happen.