Isabel sits in a Velvet Room, alone, watching as the attractive presenter presents the attractions.
There's quite a lot of things for sale, but to her it's mindless droning as the items are displayed, bought, and wheeled off. Finally, things get interesting as the first beast is presented, the good stuff was coming on stage.
She leans forward as the snake from before is presented, it looks beautiful and the bidding rages, people are desperate for these beasts. These types of beasts would usually be sold in the Cornucopia, but recently they had slowly been sold more frequently here, in the Guild's city.
All thanks to him. It was him who caught these beasts, and he had finally deemed the city he lived in to have people rich and powerful enough people to have a good auction with.
The snake is sold for an extravagant price, the beetle is sold next, it's sold for a little less than the snake despite it being stronger and probably a better pet to have, as it wasn't as attractive as the snake.
After this come the surprise beasts, there are three.
First, is a white, fluffy fox with nine tails. Her eyes widen in shock, this sort of beast was rarely sold at all, even in the Cornucopia as they were exceedingly rare, magical beasts were extremely hard to come by, and this was one of them. These foxes usually had some sort of elemental prowess, and it is explained by the presenter that despite the white fur, the fox isn't of ice-attribute but one of fire, which is more sought after too.
The war rages, more intensely then she had ever seen before. The final price is a sum she was sure no individual had themselves, this had to be some sort of family or guild pooling some resources together to acquire the fox. It would likely go to a promising young talent of the family or guild.
Lucky them. She thinks to herself.
The fox is wheeled away in the cage it's contained in, it's bright, round eyes staring out at the crowd cutely and tamely. All the beasts were well trained and ready for whomever bought them.
The next beast trots in, that's right, trots. Because it isn't caged, and no helpers accompany it, it just trots to centre stage next to the presenter who smiles at it unsurprised, it neighs.
Oh my God, it's a Pegasus. She thinks to herself, these were so rare she couldn't even put it into words. The beautiful white wings of the Pegasus expands out, glistening in the spotlight as it goes onto its hind legs and neighs again, powerfully.
The presenter tries to say something, but even with her magically enhanced voice she can't speak over the crowd as they erupt into a frenzy of talks.
I'm sure the family who bought the fox are regretting it now. She thinks to herself smugly, despite the astoundingly rare nature of the Pegasus, it wouldn't go for an impossible amount of money here, in the Cornucopia it would sell for a legendary amount of money, but here? If the family could afford to but the fox, they could probably afford the horse too.
The horse stands politely next to the presenter, who's desperately trying to gain control of the crowd again. After a few minutes, a powerful aura washes over the crowd, shutting them up. The manager of the auction house floats out from backstage and takes control of the presenting.
He controls the crowd easily, something the previous presenter couldn't have done at all, it wasn't her fault she just wasn't strong enough to have such presence yet.
Yet, the entire way through the bidding process, the manager has an anxious look on his face, like the worst was yet to come. She frowns, what could it be? She knew that were was still another beast to be sold, but what could be better than a fucking Pegasus for Christ sakes?
Soon, the bidding dies down as only a few have the funds to keep up, after all, this was the royal beast. The same species as the legendary mount of King Caelan, the first king of Shibudon.
And yet, despite the seemingly impossible requirements to trump a Pegasus, she was proven wrong.
As the Pegasus trots of stage, having been sold for a fantastical price. A large booming sound can be heard, gradually getting louder.
The crowd's excited chattering turns to hushed whispers as the sounds get larger, the crashing and banging was getting really loud now, and a roar shakes the building, a chill runs down Isabel's back. What the fuck is back there?
As a whole crew of muscled and sweating men wheel in a cage of monstrous proportions, her questions is answered. Her eyes widen, "Oh my God." She mutters.
She leans forward, teetering dangerously over the barrier.
The beast was humongous, bigger than anything she had seen before. Its legs were thicker than the marble pillars that held the canopy of the entrance to the auction house, the legs rippling with swells of muscle as it crashes into the cage, desperately trying to break free.
The long, sharp claws of the beast clang and scrape on the metal floor as it moves in a frenzy, crashing into its container. It opens its mouth, rows upon rows of sharp, teeth bigger than a person reveal themselves to the crowd, it chomps down on the air menacingly, and everyone in the crowd pales at the sight.
It's long, spiked tails thrash powerfully, hitting the bars and producing booming sounds.
The crowd is utterly silent, not a word is said. All faces are forward, all eyes on the monstrosity that raged before them.
Then, it reared back on its hind legs, its head touching the ceiling of its cage, it unfurls its wings, they don't fit into the cage properly, but it doesn't matter, the message is sent.
I am the strongest.
That is what it was saying, and no one could disagree. Then, it did something that struck fear into all their hearts, a stab of utter panic pierces my heart like a lance as the room gets much, much brighter.
It inhales, the wind sailing through the air, and it breathes fucking fire.