Dominion of The Beast Masters

249  Game of Chance

The Solaris Coliseum stood as a monumental testament to human ingenuity, a world-tier arena built to host only the grandest events.

From the outside, its vast circular structure, reminiscent of ancients Colosseum, rose high into the sky.

The exterior was adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts from legends and legendary warriors, each detail telling a story of triumph and valor. Inside, it was a masterpiece of modern architecture and timeless design. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The arena itself was vast, with rows upon rows of seating spiraling upward, stretching toward the heavens.

Every seat was filled, the roaring crowd creating a thunderous wave of excitement that echoed through the structure.

The battleground was a verdant expanse, lush with greenery and dotted with small terrain features designed for strategic combat.

At each corner of the battlefield stood towering statues of ancient warriors, their stoic gazes casting shadows over the competitors who would soon fight for glory.

Around the world, millions tuned in to watch. In Genova, Rowan leaned forward in his seat, eyes glued to the screen. Lisa sat with her parents in their living room, her hands clenched in nervous excitement.

Meanwhile, Kenny, bandaged and lying in a hospital bed again, glared at the screen as another patient beside him cheered for his favorite team.

In a dimly lit bar, Adrian tried to change the channel, but the group of girls surrounding him insisted on watching, their enthusiasm infectious despite his grumbling.

At the heart of the arena, the chairman of the league stepped forward. A man in his 50s, he exuded elegance with his tailored suit and sharp features.

His silver-streaked hair and piercing blue eyes commanded attention as he stood before the roaring crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, his voice resonating through the coliseum, "today marks the beginning of the semifinals and finals of the greatest team battle championship. To all the participants who have made it this far, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Each of you has fought valiantly to stand on this stage."

The crowd erupted in cheers, their energy palpable. The chairman paused, his expression shifting to one of contemplation.

"And yet," he continued, "I cannot ignore the whispers among us. Based on the results of the group stage, the outcome of these semifinals seems… predictable. Too predictable. And for an event of this magnitude, predictability is unacceptable."

A hush fell over the audience. The competitors, watching from their respective locker rooms, exchanged puzzled glances.

"Which is why," the chairman said, his tone growing more animated, "the league has decided to introduce something new. A surprise event that will redefine the finals of the team battles, not just for this season, but for the seasons to come."

The crowd murmured in confusion and anticipation. The chairman raised a hand, silencing them.

"From this point forward, the finals will no longer follow the traditional format. Instead of semifinals, we will host a tournament where all four teams will participate. Matches will feature random draws, with each battle determined by a supercomputer. Imagine, for instance, three members of Infinite Twilight facing three members of Golden Cosmos in a 3v3 right from the beginning, then for the following match, 4 members of Infinite Twilight against 4 of Azure Blades."

The audience erupted in stunned gasps, followed by thunderous applause.

"There is more. A fighter cannot participate in consecutive matches, and there will be two fixtures. Points will determine the ultimate champion. Additionally, every match will feature a random special condition to test our competitors' adaptability and creativity."

The public's stunned silence quickly turned to euphoria, the promise of an unpredictable and thrilling final igniting their excitement.

Fireworks burst into the dark sky above the coliseum, signaling the start of the event.

In the Azure Blades' locker room, the atmosphere was electric. The team erupted into cheers, their spirits lifted by the announcement. One fighter threw his arms up, grinning widely.

"This is our chance!" he exclaimed. "We've got hope now!"

Another fighter punched the air in celebration.

"We're not out of this yet. Random draws mean anything can happen!"

Their captain, a woman with long blond hair standing with a slightly more reserved smile, nodded.

"It's true. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. This gives us a shot, but we still need to make it count."

In the Blazing Horizons' room, the mood was similar but more tempered. Their leader sat on a bench, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

"This changes everything," he said, a flicker of excitement in his voice. "It's not over yet."

One of his teammates paced back and forth, his hands running through his hair.

"Random draws, special conditions… It's crazy."

"But craziness is our friend," another teammate interjected, a sly grin on her face. "We thrive on adapting. This might just be what we needed. There's chance they put the Pharaoh or Goldust in the 1v1 situation... we really can win!"

Meanwhile, the Infinite Twilight and Golden Cosmos teams, gathered in adjacent locker rooms, reacted more calmly. Their conversations mirrored each other as though spoken in the same room.

"What in the mew is he blabbering about?" Catarina asked, her tail twitching in confusion.

In the Infinite Twilight room, Iris smirked.

"It's simple. They're giving the people what they want, a show." She leaned back against the wall, her arms crossed casually.

Leonidas crossed his arms, groaning.

"Once again, normies putting their fantasies into the matters of beast masters. They treat it like it's entertainment for their little pleasure."

In the Cosmos' room, Mercury leaned back against the wall, her expression thoughtful.

"It's not a problem if they do it for the show, Zara. It's even welcomed. Keeps things interesting, even for us. I'm really excited now."

Zara frowned, her arms crossed tightly.

"Do you realize this makes it worse for you?"

In Infinite Twilight's room, Sia adjusted her gloves, her icy gaze fixed on the screen.

"It doesn't matter how much they play with the rules. In the end, the results will be the same. They're forgetting something."

In the Cosmos' room, Eratz smirked, his team looking at him with similar expressions.

"We're the favorites because we're the strongest. As simple as that."

Both teams sat in silence for a moment, each group confident in their ability to dominate the new format. The roar of the public and the dazzling fireworks overhead only fueled their determination as they prepared for the biggest event of their careers.

The public's roar shook the coliseum as the fireworks painted the sky with vibrant colors. The new format promised unpredictability, excitement, and a chance for every team to shine.

Solaris Haven was ready to host a final like no other, a battle that would redefine the future of team competitions.

The stage was set, and the world watched with bated breath as the greatest event in beast mastery began.