The sun was already high in the sky as Eratz made his way to the meeting spot with Zara. Today was the day he would finally take his first steps into the pro world of beast masters.
Eratz was at the same spot where he had first meet her, near the public battlefield. He stood there, hands in his pockets, gazing out over the open space with a sense of quiet nostalgia.
The air smelled of rain, the damp ground holding traces of past battles. This was where his dream opened a door to reality, where he had found a way to pursue his path as a beast master.
His thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling out from behind him.
"Eratz!"
He turned to see Zara approaching, waving enthusiastically. Her bright expression clashed against the backdrop of the gloomy sky, but her energy was contagious.
She stopped just in front of him, slightly out of breath, as if she had jogged the whole way.
"Eratz! You're right on time," she greeted, her voice dripping with enthusiasm. "I hope you're ready for today. Things are about to get intense."
"I'm more than ready," Eratz said.
They headed toward the bustling part of town. It didn't take long before they reached a small but cozy restaurant nestled between larger buildings.
The warm, inviting smell of cooked food greeted them as they stepped inside.
"Here we are!" Zara declared, plopping down into a booth near the window. "Best place for a good chat. Food's amazing too."
Eratz slid into the seat across from her, glancing around the quaint interior. The restaurant was filled with the soft hum of chatter, the clinking of dishes, and the occasional laughter from other tables.
It wasn't too crowded, which made it perfect for a more private conversation.
Zara leaned back in her seat, letting out a small sigh of satisfaction.
"I thought it'd be good for us to chat about what's next, you know? Give you the lowdown on how this whole pro beast master thing works." She paused for effect, then leaned in closer. "Alright, here's the deal: it's kind of like a sport, all ranked, and pretty intense."
Eratz leaned back in his seat, raising an eyebrow.
"Alright, I'm listening."
Zara's grin widened.
"Okay, at the bottom, we've got the City Tier. This is where all the rookies start, battling it out in local city arenas. It might sound easy, but trust me, some of these local stars are no joke. They've been doing this for years, just waiting for someone like you to challenge them."
Eratz nodded, still intrigued.
"Alright, seems fair. What's next?"
"Next is the Country Tier," Zara continued, her voice dropping for dramatic effect. "This is where things heat up, literally. Only the best from the city level make it here, the ranking is made with the best masters from different cities. They challenge each other in competions gathering the best from the whole nation in tournaments and events. This is where your name starts getting known, sponsors start noticing, and you can't afford to lose."
"Sounds more interesting," Eratz mused, folding his arms. "I like it."
Zara's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Oh, it gets better. After that, you've got the Continental Tierp. This is where the elite fight, on a continental scale. The beast masters here? They're like celebrities, idols. The kind of people who have their faces plastered on posters and their names chanted by fans."
Eratz felt his heart rate quicken, the very idea of reaching that level lighting a fire in his chest. But Zara wasn't done.
"And then," she added, raising a hand to silence any response, "there's the World Tier, the absolute top. This is where legends are born. The best from every continent, from every corner of the world, clash in battles that are watched by billions. These are the people whose names are spoken with reverence. You don't just fight to win at this stage, you fight to be remembered forever."
Eratz's mind raced, already envisioning himself at the top. He wanted a challenge and now he had found the perfect playground.
"So, what's the catch? How do I get to each tier?"
Zara smirked.
"Oh, good question. To rank up, you've gotta pass some tests. These aren't your average fight either, they're brutal. Fight designed to push you and your beast to the absolute limit, to see if you're worthy of the next level. Fail, and you're stuck at your level until you're ready to try again."
She paused, letting it sink in. Eratz's ambition was clear in his eyes, but so was the understanding that this path wouldn't be easy.
"But," Zara said, bringing the conversation back down a notch, "for now, you're in the City Tier. That's where we need to focus." She glanced around before her eyes landed on a small, somewhat rundown building. Above it, a sign hung with the name "Crescent Moon Agency" written in fading, cracked letters.
Eratz eyed the building, noting its shabby appearance.
"... This your agency?"
Zara rubbed the back of her head, laughing nervously.
"Yeah… I know it doesn't look like much right now, but don't let the exterior fool you! It's full of potential! And that's where you come in! With someone like you, we can turn this place around."
Eratz gave her a look a little skeptical.
"You're betting a lot on me."
Zara leaned in, her eyes pleading but still playful.
"I mean, you're a sure bet, right? I've seen your skills! We'll turn this into the hottest agency around. Heck, we'll make the World Tier in no time!... You know, with you on board, I'm thinking of rebranding the agency. Something like, 'Eratz's Crescent Moon.' Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Eratz shot back, rolling his eyes.
"Alright, let's talk business," Zara said, pulling out a small stack of papers from a folder. "This is your contract. Once you sign this, you'll officially be a part of the Crescent Moon Agency. Together, we'll make sure you climb the ranks and maybe even reach the World Tier!"
Eratz skimmed the contract. His eyes narrowed when he saw one particular line.
"Lifelong contract?" he asked, his voice flat.
Zara immediately stiffened, her attempt to keep things casual faltering.
"Uh… well, yeah, but think of it this way... it's a lifelong... partnership! We'll help each other until the end of times!"
Eratz's gaze hardened.
"I'm not signing that."
Zara visibly deflated, her shoulders slumping.
"I knew you'd catch that. Damn it." Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands dramatically. "Why are they always reading? You're not supposed to notice these things! I'm trying to save this place, and I need someone like you! Please, don't leave me hanging!"
Eratz sighed, feeling a twinge of sympathy, but not enough to sign a contract for life.
"You're a terrible negotiator, you know that? I'm willing to join you, but not on a contract for life."
She peeked through her fingers and pouted.
"Fine! Fine, I'll give you a one-year contract. But you have to promise me you won't just abandon me when you make it big, okay?"
Eratz chuckled.
"Don't worry, usually I'm the one being betrayed."
After finalizing the one-year deal, Zara perked up again.
"Alright! Now that's settled, let's go check out the arena! This is where the selection for new beast masters will be held. This will soon be the place you make our name memorable!"
Eratz shook his head with a smirk. "You're awfully confident."
"Confidence is my middle name, haven't you heard?" Zara shot back with a teasing grin.
They left the restaurant and headed toward the arena in the north of the city. It loomed over them like a colossal monument, bustling with activity.
As they entered, the noise of battle and the roar of the crowd hit them immediately.
"Here's how it works," Zara explained as they made their way to a viewing area. "The arena has official members. These guys are like the gatekeepers. When a challenger comes in, they fight one of the arena members. If the challenger wins, they can challenge the arena's champion. It's like a rite of passage. Each point gives you a specific number of points on the ranking and are necessary to participate to some tournaments."
Eratz watched as a duel unfolded below. Two beast masters faced off, each commanding a team of three monsters. The arena member, a muscular man with a wild grin, commanded a massive bull-like creature with fire spewing from its nostrils. The challenger, a young woman, had a more nimble approach, with a trio of reptiles slithering around her feet.
The battle was intense. The bull charged, its fiery aura flaring, but the reptiles were quick, darting in and out of its path, striking with precision. The crowd cheered as the fight escalated, each beast giving its all.
"The real challenge," Zara continued, "is not just beating the arena member, but making a statement. These battles are watched by sponsors, by fans. A good performance can get you noticed."
Eratz's eyes gleamed with excitement. He watched as the challenger finally brought the bull down, her reptiles using his venom and exhaustion to bring the bull to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers.
The blood pumped through Eratz's veins. His fingers twitched with anticipation.
"I want to fight," he muttered, half to himself.
Zara grinned, catching his words. "Calm down pal, your aura's showing. Tomorrow's your day. The selection's gonna be your first step toward the top."
The rest of the afternoon was spent touring the arena, watching more duels, and getting a feel for the atmosphere. Zara kept trying to tease Eratz into conversation, but his mind was set on one thing: tomorrow's fight.
Eventually, they parted ways as the afternoon drew to a close.
"Don't be late tomorrow, alright?" Zara called out as they split up. "I've got high hopes for you, comrade!"
Eratz waved her off with a small nod.
"I'll be there."
As Zara made her way back into the arena, she noticed a familiar figure lounging at the edge, sipping from a juice carton with casual ease.
The girl, dressed in her fighting gear, glanced up with a soft smile.
"Back already?" the girl asked, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. "Ma'am Victoria said you were off chasing a diamond."
Zara plopped down beside her with a playful sigh, stretching her arms dramatically.
"Oh, it's better than just a diamond, trust me. Soon, we'll have enough talented tamers to pull this agency out of the mud."
The girl, none other than the one Eratz had crossed paths with in the forest, arched a brow, taking another sip.
"Just don't push yourself too hard, Zara. You know I can handle the fights."
Zara shot her a teasing grin, nudging her shoulder lightly.
"I know, I know. You're a rock, but with someone like him joining us? We're on the verge of turning this whole game around."