SSS Class Mythic Beast Master

Chapter 403: Final Day (1)

Darkness surrounded Resa, but her organized mind immediately began cataloging the experience. She felt the temperature was neutral with no sound around, and she felt like she was floating.

Then she looked up to the golden light swirling overhead.

It was pure and brilliant, mixed with streams of knowledge that seemed to write themselves in the air.

The light displayed the accumulated wisdom, infinite books, and understanding itself.

Resa reached up without fear, and then her hand grasped the light.

She shot upward through colors beyond counting, the gold and white and ivory and amber and every shade moving over her. The area became a library written in light, endless knowledge flowing past too fast to read but somehow imprinting itself anyway.

She stopped in a space that felt like a sanctuary of understanding.

Before her stood a figure with an ibis head; she realized this was her Beast Spirit, Thoth. Scrolls floated around him, words appearing and disappearing in the air while his eyes held depths of accumulated knowledge that seemed endless.

Thoth regarded Resa with those ancient eyes. Then inclined his head; it was recognition of a kindred spirit, of a mind that sought understanding above all else.

...

The darkness felt less empty to Jake and more like a canvas waiting for painting. He stood in his mind-space with openness, ready for whatever came.

He looked up.

Rainbow light swirled overhead; it displayed every color existing in perfect harmony. Crimson and gold and blue and green and violet, all dancing together without conflict.

The light radiated purity, cleansing, and harmony between all things.

Jake reached up with both hands, and he grasped the rainbow.

The pull was gentle but irresistible as he rose through color, every shade imaginable flowing around him like water, like air, and like pure benevolent force. The sensation was warmth and comfort and absolute certainty that corruption couldn't exist in this presence.

He stopped in a space filled with soft, multi-colored glow.

Before him stood a creature with a scaled body, deer-like features, and a presence that radiated purity itself. Flames of every color flickered around its form without burning, while its eyes held infinite compassion mixed with absolute intolerance for evil.

Jake realized this was his Beast Spirit, Qilin.

Qilin looked at Jake with those compassionate eyes. Then bowed slightly, a blessing given freely and recognition of a pure heart.

...

Darkness surrounded Kite, but his excitement made it impossible to feel intimidated. He practically vibrated with anticipation, looking up immediately.

Brilliant crimson light swirled above, mixed with gold and orange, burning like a miniature sun. He saw specs of oranges floating that illuminated the area, and he could even feel their warmth. The light called to him with the voice of rebirth, of cycles ending and beginning, of transformation through flame.

Kite reached up eagerly, and his hand closed around the sun.

The pull was intense, as he shot upward through the inferno of color. The crimson and scarlet and gold and orange and every shade of flame swept past him, but they didn't burn him.

Instead, it felt like coming home, like being recognized, like being exactly where he belonged.

He stopped in space that blazed with flames like the core of a sun.

Before him spread wings of pure flame, while a body of living fire appeared, tail feathers trailing sparks that became stars. He saw the bird raise its head, and two eyes that shone with the light of the sun peered at him.

Kite knew instantly that this was his Beast Spirit, the Vermillion Bird.

The bird regarded Kite with those burning eyes. Then cried out with sound that was music and thunder and crackling flame.

It accepted and welcomed him.

...

Five pairs of eyes opened simultaneously on the beach.

Irene gasped as her hand shot forward instinctively, and bronze light erupted from her palm. The light solidified into a bronze spear appearing in her grip.

Alger's eyes widened as silver energy wrapped around his right arm. The energy condensed into a bracer, which was dark metal etched with monster-hunting sigils, and cold to the touch.

Resa trembled as golden light gathered around her head. The light formed a circlet, a simple band of gold that somehow felt heavy with accumulated knowledge, helping her mind process and retain information with clarity she'd never experienced.

Jake raised both hands in wonder as rainbow energy swirled around them. The energy solidified into gloves, each finger a different color, palm pure white, and radiating cleansing force that illuminated the area.

Kite laughed with pure joy as crimson flames erupted from his shoulders. The flames formed pauldrons that didn't burn him, warm and comforting and ready to become weapons or shields as needed.

Three seconds passed in silence, and then cheers exploded around them.

Marie rushed forward before grabbing Irene in a crushing hug. "You did it! I knew you would!"

Bruno pumped his fist in the air. "That's amazing!"

The Four of Hearts clapped, even Roana smiling genuinely, and Scáth's wine-colored eyes gleamed with approval. The Cups surrounded their Dream Club friends with congratulations and questions.

Brunhilde's gentle smile widened. "Well done. All of you."

And as the newly-awakened Beast Masters stared at their manifested pieces in awe, the beach filled with celebration. The beginning of a new chapter, proof that will and determination could achieve what seemed impossible.

And then for the rest of the day, all of them practice against the others to get used to their Beast Spirit.

...

The next day came, morning at the villa arrived with soft golden light streaming through the windows.

Everyone was packing bags, folding clothes, and collecting scattered belongings from various rooms. The energy had shifted from vacation relaxation to satisfied contentment, the kind that came from knowing something good was ending at exactly the right time.

Klein emerged from the bedroom, rubbing sleep from his eyes, brown hair sticking up at odd angles. Anna followed with her curly black hair still tangled from sleep, and Anasha appeared last, blue hair flowing as she stretched with a massive yawn.

"Last day?" Klein asked, voice still sleepy.

"Last day." Reinhard confirmed, ruffling his brother's hair affectionately. "But we're getting one more snack before we leave."

Klein's eyes brightened immediately while Anna and Anasha perked up with matching expressions of interest.

The group migrated through the beach one final time, feet carrying them toward the familiar food vendors. The morning crowd was lighter, mostly locals going about their routines rather than tourists.

Salt air mixed with the scent of fresh bread and grilled fish as vendors prepared for the day.

Bruno somehow acquired an enormous pastry that looked unhealthy. Suzy laughed at his ambitious bite that left powdered sugar across his nose. Kyle and Lloyd shared skewers of grilled fish, the meat flaking perfectly. Jessie ate something fruity and complicated, her ponytail swaying as she walked.

The Dream Club members were still glowing with the pride of their awakened Beast Spirits, who had clustered together comparing their manifested pieces. Irene's bronze spear caught morning light while Alger's dark bracer gleamed mysteriously.

Resa's golden circlet seemed to pulse with accumulated knowledge. Jake's rainbow gloves shifted colors with his movements. Kite's crimson flame pauldrons flickered gently.

Marie had acquired something sweet and frozen, her light-gold eyes closing with satisfaction at each taste. Joseph ate slowly, his calm never wavering even while finishing off three different items. Brunhilde somehow maintained elegance while eating street food, a talent that seemed impossible, but she managed effortlessly.

The Four of Hearts spread out.

Scáth devours food with swiftness, and Roana eats with measured bites. Gran slowly takes bites while Nikki tries everything she can get her hands on with pure enthusiasm.

Reinhard found himself with Klein on one side and Anna on the other, both children happily working through their chosen treats. Anasha had positioned herself nearby, blue eyes bright with contentment.

Reinhard bit a piece of his meatsteak before moving down to let Anasha taste some to her delight as she giggled.

"We should get a painting," Marie announced suddenly, as she gestured excitedly. "All of us together, and to remember this!"

The suggestion met immediate excitement.