Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 139: Sacrifice



Eratz stared down at Rowan, his face hardening as the fury drained away, replaced by something colder, sharper, disappointment.

He had wanted this reunion to mean something, had hoped for an honest conversation, but instead, he was facing a scene that felt like another setup, another trap.

He clenched his jaw, the memories flooding back unbidden: the small, dimly lit room where they had all pointed fingers, the cold, accusatory stares, the voices telling him he had assaulted someone, that he didn't belong.

He could still feel the tightness in his chest, the crushing weight of betrayal.

Taking a step back, he felt the urge to leave, to walk away and never look back.

But before he could turn, one of the other teachers stepped forward. He was an older man, still his face lined with worry and regret. He raised a hand, his voice cracking as he called out.

"Wait, Eratz... Please, just listen."

Eratz paused, narrowing his eyes, but didn't move closer.

The teacher swallowed hard, lowering his head slightly.

"We didn't bring you here to trick you," he said slowly. "You have to understand... You were always a talent beyond anything we'd ever seen. But you were so good that sometimes, even we doubted it was real. When you were accused of cheating, we thought..." He faltered, guilt twisting his face. "We thought it was logical, that no one could be as perfect as you appeared."

Eratz's expression twisted with bitterness, but the teacher pressed on.

"We weren't against you," he insisted. "But there was nothing to prove your innocence either. We were left with nothing but suspicions, and when Crystal accused you... Well, it wasn't just cheating anymore. It was something worse, something that left us no choice."

He lowered himself to the ground, dropping to his knees beside Rowan. He bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the stone.

"I'm sorry. We were wrong. We failed you."

One by one, the other teachers stepped forward, their faces somber, and they each bowed low, murmuring their apologies.

It was a stark, painful display, these people who once held his fate in their hands, now humbling themselves before him.

Eratz shook his head slowly, his heart pounding in his chest, but the anger that had burned so brightly moments before was now dimming, leaving a hollow, aching emptiness. He opened his mouth, but no words came.

Then, the director stepped forward with a dignified grace, even in this moment of contrition. Her eyes met Eratz's.

"You have every right to be angry," she said, her voice firm but filled with regret. "You were framed, and we didn't realize it sooner. We wronged you in the worst possible way. We know that, and we accept that you may never forgive us. But you need to understand that we were all trapped in this game. We were led to believe a version of events that was carefully constructed to destroy you."

Eratz's gaze hardened.

"Framed," he muttered. "You're saying I was framed? Even though I took the blame?" The director nodded slowly.

"Yes. And then, when you were accused of something far worse, something unforgivable, it was our mistake. It was deliberate. But believe it or not, Eratz, it was somehow for your good."

He stared at her, the disbelief evident on his face.

"For my good?" he echoed.

Before the director could respond, another voice cut through the silence, sharp and confident. "Yes, it was what I had to do to protect you from the true culprit of everything. The one who is the real cause of your suffering, the one who betrayed you first. Kenny."

Eratz's head snapped up, and he turned to see Crystal stepping out from the shadows.

Her eyes locked onto his, unwavering, as she continued.

"I'm the one who accused you. But it wasn't because I wanted to destroy you. It was because I knew the real threat was Kenny. I had to play the game to protect you from him."

Crystal stepped forward, her face a mixture of sorrow and resolve. She inhaled deeply before speaking, her voice softer than it had been moments ago.

"Eratz, I know this isn't easy to hear," she began, her eyes pleading for understanding. "But I need you to know that I never wanted to hurt you. I cared about you, more than you could ever realize. But I was left with no other choice."

Eratz raised an eyebrow in clear skepticism. He kept his hands buried in his pockets, his shoulders tense but his stance deceptively relaxed.

"No other choice?" he echoed, his voice sharp.

Crystal nodded, bringing her hands together in a gesture that seemed almost angelic.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Yes. Everyone here, we're all culprits in this story," she said, looking around at the assembled teachers, her gaze resting on Rowan, then the director.

"But so are you, Eratz," she added, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked back at him. "It

all started when you admitted to a crime you didn't commit."

Eratz's expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of something deep and conflicted passing through his eyes.

Crystal stepped closer, her tone shifting to something more intimate, almost pleading.

"I knew you would never have cheated. I believed in you, Eratz. But you took the blame anyway. You stood there, silent, and accepted it. Why?" Her voice wavered, the frustration bubbling up. "That's what led everyone to turn against you. That's what made it so easy for them to point fingers."

She paused, taking a breath as if to gather her strength before continuing.

"I tried to get you back on track. I pushed you to apologize to Kenny because he was the only one who could convince the academy to let you come back. I believed that if you could just fight again, you'd rise to the top. You'd return to being the best beast master at the academy. But you were so passive, so resigned." She clenched her fists at her sides. "You wouldn't have stood a chance if Kenny followed through with his plan. I had to take action for you."

For a long moment, Eratz just stared at her. His gaze swept over the faces of the teachers, the director, and then back to Gabriel, who stood slightly behind him, looking lost in this world.

He let out a long, slow breath, a thin smile curling on his lips. It wasn't a smile of joy or relief, it was bitter, mixed with irony.

He looked past Crystal, his eyes narrowing slightly as he caught sight of a shadow leaning casually against the wall, watching from the darkness.

Lisa.

She was there, her arms behind her back, her eyes on the ground, waiting for the long awaited execution with a smile.

Eratz's smile widened for a moment before he turned back to face the director.

"So," he began slowly, his voice calm but carrying a dangerous edge, "you know I didn't

assault anyone because Crystal admitted it was a lie. But why do you believe I didn't cheat in

the first place?"

The director flinched at his words. Her hands twitched at her sides, and she looked slightly

panicked.

She hesitated, then nodded, forcing herself to meet his gaze.

"We realized it through your power," she said, her voice softer now, almost deferential. "We saw what you've become. No one could fake that level of skill, that mastery. It had to be real

from the beginning."

Eratz watched her for a moment, his smile fading. He tilted his head slightly, studying her with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably.

"So," he repeated, his tone slightly mocking, "you want me to help you punish the real

culprit?"

Crystal stepped forward again, her hand pressed against her chest, her expression earnest.

"Yes," she said, her voice almost breaking. "It's time to stop this game once and for all. Please, Eratz, you have to help us. Let's stop Kenny once and for all."

A low, bitter chuckle escaped Eratz's lips. He glanced around at the gathered teachers, at

Rowan still on his knees, and then back at Crystal.

"You're damn right," he said quietly. "Let's end this stupid game forever."

Rowan's head snapped up, his eyes wide with hope.

"Eratz..."

But Eratz ignored him, his own eyes opening wide.

"The real culprit," he said slowly, his voice echoing in the empty alleyway, "is me."

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