Chapter 17: End of intensity
"Wow," he said, his voice a little shaky, "That was... intense."
With a dramatic flourish, Kade turned to face Aria. "And for my next trick, I shall... uh..." His eyelids grew heavy, his smile fading into a sleepy grin. "Just... gimme a sec..."
Before the words could leave his lips, Kade's knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground, out cold. The Hakai beam had taken its toll, draining the young god of his energy. Aria watched with a mix of concern and amusement, her hand hovering over his prone form. "Well, that's one way to end a battle," she murmured.
With surprising agility, Aria swooped down and scooped Kade's body into her arms. "Let's get you some rest, hero," she said, her voice filled with affectionate sarcasm. The Saiyans parted like a sea as she approached the royal platform where Queen Caelia stood, watching the scene unfold with a stoic expression.
Caelia's eyes narrowed slightly as Aria ascended to her level. The angel's grace was a stark contrast to the raw power that had just been displayed by the unconscious god. Her lean, athletic frame was a testament to her own warrior lineage, and her wavy dark violet hair cascaded down her back like a cloak of shadows. The queen's piercing blue eyes studied Kade's peaceful face, and for a moment, the regal glint softened.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Queen Caelia," Aria said, her voice a gentle whisper above the murmurs of the crowd.
Caelia's eyes remained on Kade. "It was no mere hospitality," she replied, her voice cool and measured. "We Saiyans have always feared the gods. Thalos saw your arrival as a chance to finally best one of you."
Aria raised an eyebrow. "Fear? That seems like an odd way to show it."
"Fear makes us cautious," Caelia said, her eyes never leaving Kade. "But it also fuels our desire to grow stronger. Thalos wanted to prove our kind could stand against the gods."
Aria chuckled. "Well, I guess he learned his lesson. But we're not here to conquer or rule over you," she assured the queen. "Kade is still learning, and I'm here to make sure he doesn't turn the universe into a cosmic art project."
Caelia's expression lightened slightly, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "Your companion seems to have quite the flair for drama. He's welcome to stay as long as he wishes to train and learn," she offered, gesturing to the vast landscape of Sarada. "Perhaps our Saiyans can teach him the art of restraint."
Aria rolled her eyes, but her smile was genuine. "I'd love to see that," she quipped. "But first, can you tell us more about this Super Saiyan 4 form? It seems to be the talk of the town."
Caelia's gaze grew distant, a rare glimmer of fondness in her eyes. "Ah, the Golden Great Ape," she murmured. "A relic from our ancestors' past. It's said that only the strongest warrior Saiyans can achieve that form, by mastering the fierce power that lies within the Oozaru."
Aria nodded thoughtfully. "Fascinating," she said. "And what's the secret to such a transformation?"
"Control," Caelia emphasized, her eyes sparkling with ancient knowledge. "One must harness the fierce power of the Oozaru without succumbing to its primal instincts. It's a delicate balance, a dance between beast and warrior."
With a knowing smile, Aria nodded. "I'll be sure to pass that along," she said, her eyes flicking to the unconscious Kade. "But for now, I think we've had enough excitement."
Caelia nodded, a hint of amusement in her gaze. "Rest well," she called after them. "We'll discuss this further when you've both recovered."
With that, Aria took flight, cradling Kade's unconscious body in her arms. His muscular form was surprisingly light, a testament to her angelic strength. They soared over the lush landscape of Sarada, the wind whipping through their hair as they left the battleground behind. Above them, stars twinkled like distant whispers of cosmic secrets, a stark contrast to the destruction they'd wrought.
Landing in a quiet field of swaying golden grass, Aria gently set Kade down. He lay there, sprawled out and snoring, oblivious to the beauty around him. Aria chuckled and rolled her eyes, nudging him with the toe of her sandal.
"Wake up, Sleeping Beauty," she called out playfully. "The battle's over, and you've got a whole universe to destroy. Or, you know, save."
Her words were met with a groan as Kade stirred, his eyes fluttering open. He sat up with a jolt, taking in the serene scene around him. "What... happened?" he mumbled, his head pounding.
"You passed out," Aria said with a smirk. "After you went Super Saiyan purple or whatever and showed off, of course."
Kade's eyes widened. "What? Did I win?"
"You didn't just win, Kade," Aria said, her voice filled with a mix of amazement and exasperation. "You practically painted the sky with your power. The whole planet felt it!"
Kade rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the fog of unconsciousness. "Really?"
Aria nodded, her smirk growing wider. "Yeah, you really did. And let me tell you, it was quite the show."
"Super Saiyan purple?" Kade echoed, his head still pounding from the battle's aftermath. "What are you talking about?"
Aria hovered above him, her expression a blend of amusement and concern. "You know, the form you went all out with? The one that looked like a Super Saiyan went to a rave and had a love child with a black hole?"
Kade groaned, his head pounding. "That's... not a thing."
Aria chuckled. "Well, it is now. But in all seriousness, what do you want to call it?"
Kade sat up, the pain in his head subsiding slightly. He looked down at his trembling hands, still crackling with a faint purple aura. "Hmm, how about... Super Saiyan: Destructive Mode?"
Aria raised an eyebrow, floating closer. "Destructive Mode? That's a bit... on the nose, don't you think?"
Kade chuckled, the pain in his head a dull throb now. "Yeah, I guess it is. How about we go with something that combines my Saiyan heritage and godly power?"
Her eyes lit up. "Oh, like Hakai Saiyan!"
"Hakai Saiyan!" Kade repeated, feeling the weight of the name. It rolled off his tongue with an electric energy that resonated with his newfound power. "I like it. It's got a nice ring to it."
The two of them, now sitting in the serene field, began to discuss the form's implications and the responsibilities it brought. Aria's intellect and Kade's boundless ambition clashed in a dance of words, each offering their perspective on the gravity of his transformation.
"But seriously," Kade said, his grin never fading. "How did you come up with 'Super Saiyan purple'?"
Aria's cheeks flushed a light pink. "Well, your aura was... a bit overwhelming. And I've never seen a Saiyan go purple before, only other gods "
Kade waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Hakai Saiyan it is." He stood up, the aura around him fading but not completely disappearing. "Besides, I think it's cooler anyway."
With their discussion still lingering in the air, Kade turned his attention to his torn and tattered clothing. "I should probably clean up," he said, looking down at his battle-worn attire. "I can't be strutting around the universe looking like I just got back from a cosmic bar brawl."
Aria giggled. "Oh, I don't know. It's got a certain charm." But she knew better than to argue with a god on a fashion kick.
With a thought, Kade's torn shirt and pants vanished, replaced by a sleek, new ensemble. A sleeveless, skin-tight dark purple shirt hugged his muscular frame, revealing his sculpted arms and chest. Over it, a diamond-patterned chest wrap in vibrant red with intricate violet detailing drew the eye to his broad shoulders. His legs were now adorned with loose-fitting, deep crimson pants that fluttered in the cosmic breeze, displaying faint purple energy streaks along the sides as if hinting at the power coursing through him.
He cinched a wide sash in royal purple around his waist, the glowing red gem at the center seemingly pulsing with every beat of his heart. Metallic red bracers with violet markings wrapped around his forearms, adding an air of regal power to his overall look. And finishing off his outfit were sleek, open-toed boots in black with red soles and purple accents—practical for both fighting and fashion.
But the pièce de résistance was the waistcloth—a long, elegant strip of alternating crimson and purple geometric patterns, reminiscent of Beerus's tabard, hanging from the front and back, edged in radiant violet trim that swayed with his every movement. It was a nod to his newfound status as a god of destruction while still maintaining a unique flair that was purely Kade.
Aria couldn't help but stare, a mix of amazement and amusement on her face. "Wow, you really went all out," she said, trying to hide her smile. "You look... terrifyingly fabulous."
Kade struck a pose, his new neckpiece—a shimmering violet metal choker engraved with Hakai symbols—catching the light. "Thanks," he said, grinning. "I figured if I'm gonna be the big bad god of destruction, I might as well look the part."
The transformation was complete. Kade was now the picture of a powerful deity, ready to conquer the multiverse with both his strength and style. The outfit, while intimidating, was also a stark reminder of the balance he had to strike between his divine duty and his Saiyan heritage.