Chapter 26: New enemies
The throne room was suddenly empty save for the two siblings and the mysterious newcomer. Kade eyed Vex warily. "So, you're one of Radak's descendants, huh?" He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. "And you think your fancy strategies can beat me?"
Vex chuckled, a sound as cold and calculating as a computer's algorithms. "Kade, the universe is a game of chess, not checkers," he said, his eyes gleaming with an eerie intelligence. "You may have the power to destroy worlds, but I have the mind to orchestrate their downfall without lifting a finger." His confidence was palpable, a stark contrast to Radak's brute strength.
Kade's grin widened. "That's where you're wrong," he said, his voice low and filled with the echoes of his divine training. "I've learned from the best—angels, gods, and Supreme Kais. I've seen the fabric of reality bend to their will, and I've studied the art of war from the very beings who wrote the rules. You think you've got strategy? Just watch."
With a flick of his wrist, the very air around them began to ripple and distort, as if Vex had plunged them into a pool of liquid time. Suddenly, clones of Vex materialized, a sea of blue-haired tacticians, each one a mirror image of the other, standing in perfect symmetry across the chamber. The real Vex remained unfazed, his silver eyes fixed on Kade with a smug smile playing on his lips.
The clones charged simultaneously, their movements synchronized with the precision of a well-oiled machine. Fists and feet flew through the air, ki blasts of varying colors and sizes streaked towards Kade. Yet, the God of Destruction remained unfazed, his eyes narrowing with the excitement of the challenge. He danced through the barrage, his movements fluid and graceful, a stark contrast to the chaotic ballet of destruction that unfolded around him. Each strike he dodged, each beam he sidestepped was met with a swift counter, a dance of deadly intent that seemed almost rehearsed.
With a snarl of disdain, Kade raised his hand and pointed a finger at the nearest Vex clone. The room grew eerily silent, and the very fabric of the universe seemed to hold its breath. A pulse of purple energy, a mere flicker of his true power, shot forth and collided with the clone. The impact was instantaneous, the sound akin to a star imploding. The clone disappeared in a burst of light, erased from existence as if it had never been. The clones around it stumbled, their formation faltering for a brief moment before reorganizing themselves. The air stank of ozone and the scent of fear, a potent cocktail that only served to fuel Kade's determination.
The chamber trembled as Kade drew upon the Hakai within him. The power grew, coalescing into a crescent moon in the palm of his hand. His eyes went cold, his expression a mask of fury and focus. He knew he had to end this dance of deception swiftly. The purple energy grew, pulsing with the beat of a war drum, resonating with the very essence of destruction. With a roar that seemed to shake the foundations of the palace, Kade swung his arm in a wide arc, releasing the gathered energy in a colossal wave that swept across the room like a tsunami of purple fire.
The clones had no time to react, no chance to deploy their tactics or strategies. They were swept away, each one disintegrating into nothingness as the Hakai blade sliced through them, leaving not even a trace of the illusions they had once been. The walls of the chamber cracked and crumbled under the onslaught, ancient tapestries and artifacts reduced to dust in the path of the divine energy. The air was filled with the acrid smell of obliterated matter, a silent testament to Kade's power and the unyielding will of a God of Destruction.
As the last echoes of the explosion faded, Vex stared in disbelief. His perfect strategy had been torn to shreds by a single, unforeseen move. The original Vex, now revealed, stepped forward, a smug smile playing on his lips. "I must admit, you're more than I expected," he said, his tone begrudgingly respectful.
Kade, his purple aura flaring briefly, turned to face him. "Look, I get it," he began, his voice echoing through the ruined chamber. "You want to prove that your Saiyan line is superior, that you're the true heir to our legacy. But I've got my own path to walk, my own battles to fight. And frankly, I've got better things to do than deal with this shit." His eyes narrowed, and his tone grew colder. "I've got a universe to protect, and I don't have time for family drama."
The room was thick with tension, the air heavy with the aftermath of the explosion. The clones had served their purpose, revealing the true threat beneath their facade. Vex's smugness wavered for a moment, his gaze flickering between Kade and the destruction that surrounded them. He knew he was outmatched, but pride was a stubborn beast. "Perhaps," he said, his voice tight with anger, "you'll find that our paths are more intertwined than you believe."
Kade's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to his relative. "Look, I don't know what you're playing at, but I'm not here to play games." He paused, then added with a sly smirk, "If you've been fucking around and leaving a trail of loyal descendants across the galaxy, maybe I should start taking some notes. Could be a good strategy." His words were laced with sarcasm, a clear challenge to the arrogance that radiated from Vex.
Vex's fists clenched, and the energy in the room grew denser as his anger boiled over. "You dare mock me?" His voice was a thunderclap, echoing through the chamber. "I am the true heir to the Saiyan throne! I will show you the might of the White-Hair Clan!"
Kade sighed, rolling his eyes. "Look, I've got a universe to maintain, so if you're going to go full power, do it now. Otherwise, I'm just going to have to wipe that smug look off your face and get back to my day." He cracked his knuckles, a gesture that was both a declaration of intent and a promise of the pain that would follow.
Vex's transformation into a Super Saiyan four was a sight to behold, his body swelling with power and his fur standing on end. But to Kade, it was almost comical—like watching an overgrown child throw a tantrum. "Really?" Kade said with a laugh. "That's all you've got? I mean, sure, it's flashy, but for someone from the same bloodline, you're really not that impressive."
Ignoring the barb, Vex drew in a deep breath and shot a beam of silver energy at Kade. It was a move that would have vaporized a planet, but Kade just stood there, not even bothering to raise a hand. The beam struck him, enveloping him in a blinding light that made the onlookers shield their eyes. But instead of obliterating him, the energy flowed into him, his body absorbing it as if it were a gentle embrace from a long-lost lover.
Kade's eyes snapped open, and he grinned. "Thanks for the snack, bro," he quipped, his voice echoing with the power he had just borrowed. The room grew quiet, the only sound the crackling of the energy that coated Kade's body like a second skin. He stepped forward, each footfall shaking the ground. His eyes narrowed into slits, and from his back emerged a blade of pure destruction—his Hakai Ki blade, a weapon born of his divine heritage.
In a flash, he was before Vex, the blade sizzling with the promise of oblivion. The Saiyan prince had never seen such a swift and precise movement from someone of his lineage. His eyes widened in disbelief as the blade pierced through his chest, the pain sudden and searing.
"Goodbye, Vex," Kade murmured, his voice a thunderous whisper that seemed to resonate through the very fabric of the universe. "Your time here is over."
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a torrent of purple and white energy, a maelstrom of destruction that engulfed the Saiyan. Vex's eyes went wide with shock and horror as he realized the futility of his actions. His body began to dissolve, his very essence torn apart by the unforgiving power of the Hakai. The once-proud warrior's screams of defiance turned to gasps of disbelief, then silence. Vex disappeared into the void, leaving only a swirling cloud of purple and white dust in his wake, a stark reminder of the unbridled might of a true God of Destruction.