NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34: Resting Warriors
Aria floated there, her yellow eyes filled with a mix of concern and determination. The tip of her finger still smoked from the effort of releasing her Super Neru Beam, a rare technique that could not only drain the power of a god but also render them unconscious. She had used it once before, during her own ascension, to prove her worth. Now, she had used it on the one being she never thought she would have to: her beloved Kade.
Kade slept peacefully, his body slumped to the ground. The rage that had once fueled his formidable power had retreated, leaving him vulnerable. Above, the cosmic tempest that had been a reflection of his anger had stilled, leaving the heavens to mourn the end of their fiery dance. His transformation had been a spectacle, but now, as he lay unconscious, the battlefield was eerily quiet.
Vala lay beside him, her breaths shallow and her body trembling. Her sudden surge in power had taken a toll on her mortal form, and she had pushed herself to the brink. Her Super Saiyan four aura had dissipated, leaving her with only the gentle sway of her black hair to hint at the fierce warrior beneath. Her eyes fluttered closed, and she collapsed, her voluminous breasts bouncing gently as gravity reclaimed her. The fabric of her torn clothing clung to her sweat-drenched body, revealing the extent of her exertion.
Ragna, the leader of the elite five, watched from a small distance, his expression a blend of awe and gratitude. He had felt the tremors of Kade's power, the very essence of destruction that had once brought his people to their knees. Yet, here was Aria, the embodiment of creation, standing firm against it. He approached her, his steps measured and respectful. "Thank you," he said, his voice deep and resonant. "You have saved my planet and my people once again."
Aria's cheeks flushed slightly, and she waved a hand in dismissal. "It's all in a day's work," she said with a small smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling. She glanced down at the unconscious Kade, then at Vala. "But it seems we have some catching up to do." Her gaze drifted to the horizon, where the first stars were beginning to emerge. "Why don't we teleport back to Kade's realm? He's going to have a few questions, I suspect."
With a graceful motion, she extended her hand towards Kade, and a soft, pulsing light enveloped them. The world around them blurred, and the next thing they knew, they were standing in the opulent chamber of the God of Destruction's domain. The stark contrast of the serene, golden light of the realm with the chaotic battlefield they had just left was almost jarring. The air was heavy with the scent of incense, and the faint hum of cosmic energy resonated through the room
Gently, Aria used her angel magic to teleport herself and Kade back to the safety of his realm. The abrupt change in surroundings was a stark contrast to the tumultuous battlefield they had just left. The opulent chamber of the God of Destruction shimmered with a soft, golden glow, a stark reminder of the peace they were meant to uphold. As their feet touched the gleaming marble floor, the air was thick with the scent of incense, and the faint hum of cosmic energy pulsed around them, soothing the edges of the chaos they had just witnessed.
Kade groaned as he stirred awake hours later, the remnants of their intense battle still echoing in his mind. His eyes slowly adjusted to the serene light, and he blinked, trying to piece together the events that had led him here. His body felt heavy, weary from the transformation and subsequent exertion, yet his mind raced with the images of Vala lying unconscious beside him and the eerie silence of the aftermath. He sat up with a jolt, looking around frantically for any signs of his adversaries.
"Aria?" he called out, his voice hoarse. "What happened?"
The angelic figure of Aria appeared beside him, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and relief. She placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, and he felt the warmth of her touch seep into his very soul. "You went all Super Saiyan purple two," she explained calmly. "You lost control when you found out that your brother, Radak, managed to win the heart of a Supreme Kai."
Kade's emerald eyes narrowed as anger simmered within him once more. The thought of Radak, the traitorous sibling who had once been so close, achieving what he had not filled him with a bitterness that was almost tangible. "And Radak? Yula?" he demanded, his voice echoing in the vast chamber.
Aria's expression grew solemn. "They've retreated for now, but they're still out there," she warned. "Their alliance is a dangerous one, and we can't ignore the threat they pose to the cosmic balance."
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Kade's shoulders. The idea of his brother, once a fellow warrior for justice, now aligned with the very forces they had sworn to overthrow was a betrayal that cut deep. Yet, he knew he had to remain focused on his duties as the God of Destruction.
"What about Vala?" he asked, his voice softer now.
"She's resting," Aria assured him, "but her condition is serious. Her mortal body pushed beyond its limits in her Super Saiyan four form. It'll take time for her to recover."
Kade nodded solemnly. He had seen the toll the transformation had taken on her, and the guilt of her sacrifice weighed heavily on him. He knew he had to find a way to deal with his anger, to channel it into something more productive than destruction.
Suddenly, a mischievous glint appeared in his eye, and he couldn't help but let out a bellowing laugh. It was a sound that resonated through the chamber, a blend of relief and the sheer absurdity of the situation. "Well, I suppose that was one hell of a workout," he quipped, the tension in the air dissipating like a popped bubble.
"You what?" Aria's eyes widened in shock, her concern momentarily forgotten.
Kade shrugged, his laughter subsiding into a grin. "I said, I had fun fighting. And now, I'm going to take a nap." He stretched out his arms, the tension in his muscles visibly easing as he lay back down on the plush grass, the warm light enveloping him once again.
Aria sighed, her eyes rolling heavenward. "You truly are an enigma, Kade," she said, her voice a blend of exasperation and affection. She couldn't help but admire his ability to find humor in the most dire situations. It was a trait she often wished she had herself.