Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 235: The World I Want



Outside the arena, under the pale glow of scattered lights, Eratz stood with Victoria, facing Tamara.

"You came here before even seeing the medics. Guess you really are impatient," Tamara began, her tone calm but her eyes scanning their faces thoroughly. She sighed, folding her

arms.

"I've seen what you can do, and since you won, I'll give you the black orb as promised. But listen to me for a moment."

Victoria's gaze shifted to Eratz. He nodded silently, his crimson eyes locked on Tamara.

Tamara continued.

"Your potential is undeniable. But this path you're walking... it's not just about you. It's about everyone. The world as it is, it works. Is it perfect? Never. But it's balanced. Humans coexist with beasts. We, beast masters, maintain a fragile peace by integrating our powers without overshadowing the lives of those around us. That balance took centuries to build. Do you really want to risk breaking it? That doesn't sound like you."

Her gaze bore into him, searching for a response. Eratz only raised an eyebrow, but because he wondered if she was still on the subject. Tamara pressed on, her voice quieter now.

"You're chasing something you might not fully understand. The legendary beasts... they're not just unique creatures. They're living concepts. Tampering with them could undo everything. The world doesn't need more power, Eratz. It needs stability. Safety. What you're seeking could unravel it all."

Victoria shifted, her voice breaking the silence. It was steady, almost contemplative.

"You're not wrong, Tammy. The risks are real. But forcing someone to follow a path they didn't choose? That's exactly the part of you that makes you look like Kallistra. I trust Eratz, so I'll stand by whatever he chooses."

Tamara's gaze snapped to Victoria, her voice firm but not defensive.

"I'm not forcing him, Vicky. I trust him too, but I also know the risks. I'm trying to make him see reason before he dooms us."

Victoria shook her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"I feel like depending on what you hear next, you might just change your opinion."

Eratz finally shifted, his gaze flickering between the two women. He took a deep breath, his voice calm and measured as he broke the tension.

"Well, I was expecting a lesson about how dangerous the legendary beast were, not that you would literally say an apocalyptic plot... But... Tamara, I understand your concern, and I can't promise you anything. Not because I don't want to, but because you can only ever know yourself. I can't say I'll do or won't do something, and you're right to doubt me... even to refuse what I'm chasing."

Victoria murmured his name softly, but Eratz gave her a reassuring nod. His gaze steadied as The turned back to Tamara.

"The truth is, the more time passes, the more I feel... new things. I like many things, actually. And I want to preserve them. I'm also a beast master, and I wish to see these things if they exist. The legendaries are one part of my world; this life I've built is another. In the end, it's the same world, and maybe that's enough of a reason to keep walking this path, even if I don't know where it leads."

Tamara studied him, her expression contemplative. Finally, she let out a faint chuckle, shaking her head.

"I didn't last long in school, young man. My brain is binary. I'm asking you for a no, I'm evil, or a yes, I understand."

A faint smile touched Eratz's lips.

"Well, sadly for you, my mind isn't as binary as your two orbs. But maybe it'll make more sense after I hear the other version."

Before Tamara could understand the meaning, the sharp clack of heels echoed through the night.

The sound was piercing, each step resonating in the stillness. Both Victoria and Tamara turned, their gazes locking onto the figure emerging from the shadows.

Victoria's expression flickered with surprise, while Tamara's eyes narrowed.

Out of the darkness strode Kallistra, her silver-gray hair shimmering under the scattered lights.

Her posture was regal, her movements slow, as though the little reunion had waited just for her presence.

Behind her, Leonidas loomed, his expression slightly irritated.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Well, well," Kallistra said with a playful lilt, a sly smile curling her lips. "The voices of

reason convened for a midnight sermon."

Tamara crossed her arms, her tone dry.

"Who let the dog out?"

Kallistra chuckled, tilting her head.

"Oh, how vulgar. But don't worry, dear. I never waste my wit on losers. I'm here to listen to someone worth my time... a wise man who doesn't lose like an idiot." Her sharp eyes shifted to Eratz. "You wanted to meet me? I must say, I'm pleased by the invitation."

Tamara's gaze darted to Eratz, questioning. He met her eyes and gave a small nod before speaking.

"Kallistra, what's your real goal in all of this? Why are you looking for the legendary beasts?" Kallistra froze for a moment, wondering if she had heard that right, then as Eratz said nothing more, she chuckled.

"My, my... Wait... for real? What is this?"

Kallistra's laughter was soft, almost amused, as she stepped closer.

"That's a ridiculous question. Eratz, you're pretty smart, how could you ask something so naïve? You expect me to tell you that I'm evil so don't listen to me?"

Eratz's eyes narrowed, his tone sharpening.

"If you can't be honest, then there's no point in continuing this. I'll never follow you ever again. This is your only chance to bring me to your side... without manipulating me."

Tamara and Victoria both stiffened, their surprise evident. Kallistra's smile faded, her gaze locking on Eratz with sudden intensity.

A tense silence followed, the air crackling with unspoken tension. Behind her, Leonidas shifted uncomfortably before speaking.

"Kallistra, are you really going to tell him? It's insane. You shouldn't..."

Kallistra raised a single finger, silencing him. Her eyes remained fixed on Eratz, her

expression unreadable.

"Hmm so you mean I won't have to shake the world to convince you?" she finally said, her

voice as smooth as glass.

She smirked, folding her arms as she turned to Leonidas with an exaggerated wave.

"Well, what's my goal, what's my goal? Leo, why don't you enlighten us with your more

passionate explanations?"

Leonidas folded his arms, his expression darkening.

"Why should I? He hasn't accepted anything. What's the point in sharing our plan if he's not

even committed?"

Kallistra's gaze turned icy, her voice sharp enough to cut through the growing tension.

"You should because you're not in your territory anymore, deary," she commanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. "You don't want to see me stop smiling, right?"

Her words sliced through the air, silencing even the faint hum of background noise.

Victoria's eyes widened slightly and Tamara arched an eyebrow, both surprised to see her

showing something else than annoying joy for once.

The air seemed to shift, as though something rippled through the space, too faint to grasp but impossible to ignore.

Leonidas's jaw tightened, his irritation visible as he glared at Kallistra. But he relented, his

voice a low rumble as he began.

"What's our goal? Well, our goal is to fix a broken world. You're sitting here, living in a

system that treats us as less than what we are. Beast masters are the backbone of this world. We're the ones who keep it from falling into chaos, who tame the beasts and hold the line. Yet, how are we treated? Like common people. Disposable. Laws bind us, ignorance restrains us, and society keeps us in cages while we're the ones protecting it. It's pathetic." Tamara, Victoria and Eratz had different facial expressions, but mostly intrigue. What was he

talking about?

Leonidas took a step closer, his towering presence amplifying the weight of his words.

"Tamara, you paint such a beautiful picture of balance, a harmonious world where beast masters like us quietly tend the threads of chaos, unrecognized, unthanked. Is that what you're calling balance? A world that chains its strongest protectors, that enforces its laws on those who've already sacrificed their freedom to keep it safe?" His lips twisted into a bitter smile. "That's not balance. That's servitude."

Tamara's eyes narrowed, her voice cold.

"And who're you? The dog's dog?"

Leonidas's gaze hardened.

"I am someone who wonders how, in a world where a beast could destroy a town, the people who can stop them aren't treated like real heroes, instead of faceless celebrities. We should be free to do anything. Free to act without the fear of being caged by those too weak to wield the power we command. We are the foundation of this world, Tamara. Without us, everything would fall apart. And yet, they treat us as expendable. I understand you have no vision, that might explain why you lost to them, but in my case..."

"Careful with your mouth. Talk to me like that again, and I'll show you why you shouldn't want a free world for me, boy," Tamara interrupted, her tone cutting.

Leonidas clenched his jaw, visibly holding back a retort. Kallistra's laughter cut through the

tension like a blade.

"Oh, Tamara, must you always be so harsh?" Kallistra said, waving a hand lazily. "Leonidas may be an ant, but he's my ant, and he has a ridiculous dream but at least he believes in it." Leonidas frowned deeply, the muscles in his jaw tightening.

"Are you seriously saying that?" he snapped, his voice laced with disbelief. "We're on the same side, you're supposed to support me."

Kallistra turned to him, her sly smile widening as she folded her arms, her posture radiating

ease and mischief.

"Oh, Leonidas, dear, we're on the same side," she said, her tone light and mocking. "But as

business partners. Partners, yes, but not allies. We have shared interests, not shared goals." Leonidas's brows furrowed further. "That's ridiculous. We're working toward the same thing, a world where beast masters can finally rise above the restrictions this society places on us."

Kallistra's eyes gleamed, and her laughter subsided into a quiet, almost intimate chuckle. She leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping as if sharing a secret.

"Leonidas, my poor, passionate friend, you've always had such lofty dreams of liberation and equality. But me?" She placed a hand lightly on her chest, her grin softening into something far more dangerous. "I've never cared about any of that. The world you want? I couldn't care less. It's just a consequence. I joined you first because because you had that half breed ishtarian, then we made an alliance since your dream was accessible with my goal."

Leonidas's mouth fell open slightly, his shock evident.

"Then what the hell are you doing here?"

There was a moment of silence where every gaze was on Kallistra, and then, her smile appeared under the light.