NOVEL NEXT Chapter 9: Universal State
We stepped out of the sanctum and into the sprawling training arena outside the temple. The space was vast, the rock tiles beneath us stretching out like a sea of crystallized starlight. The air was alive with the crackle of energy as the Glinds in training paused to watch, their eyes widening in a mix of fear and excitement. The arena was adorned with the universal symbol of the Kai in the center, a reminder of the power and responsibility that rested upon our shoulders.
Solara and I faced each other, the space between us charged with the potential of a cosmic storm. Her pupils, a deep pink, searched mine for any sign of weakness, while I regarded her with the cool detachment of a seasoned strategist. The Glinds had formed a respectful circle around us, their whispers hushed as they anticipated the dance of power that was about to unfold.
With a sudden burst of speed, she lunged at me, her fist glowing with a soft pink aura. I could feel the rush of the cosmic wind as she approached, the air parting around her like water around a meteor. Her attack was swift, precise, and filled with the intent to knock me off balance—to prove that she had grown in my absence. But she had underestimated the depth of my power, the infinite well of energy that lay dormant within me.
With a flicker of amusement, I snapped my fingers, the sound echoing through the arena like the crack of doom. The air around Solara distorted, and before she knew it, she was sent hurtling backwards, her trajectory a perfect arc that ended with a resounding thud as she collided with an ancient tree at the edge of the training grounds. The impact shook the very ground beneath us, the tremor rippling through the cosmos like a pebble thrown into a still pond. The tree groaned, its ancient branches bending under the force of the collision, but it held firm, a silent witness to the power of the Omni-King.
Solara's pupils widened in shock, her body lying prone and her breathing shallow. "Is that all you've got?" I taunted, my voice carrying the weight of a star collapsing. But before she could respond, I saw the pain etched on her face.
"Oh, darling," I said with a sigh, walking over to her with a swagger. "I forgot how fragile your kind is." With a flick of my wrist, I sent a gentle wave of energy her way, and the bruises and cuts she had suffered from the collision vanished as if they had never been. Her eyes narrowed, the pink light within them flickering with a hint of annoyance.
"I'll go easy on you next time," I offered with a wink, extending my hand to help her up. "After all, I don't want to break this universe's defender"
Solara took my hand, her grip surprisingly firm for someone who had just been sent flying. She pulled herself to her feet, her eyes never leaving mine as she brushed the dirt from her robes. "You'll have to do better than that," she said, her voice steady despite the tremble in her limbs. "I won't be satisfied until I can stand toe-to-toe with you, Infinite One."
Her determination was as fierce as a supernova, and it brought a laugh from my lips—a sound that was as rare as the alignment of galaxies. "Ah, Solara," I said, shaking my head with amusement. "You're like a star that never burns out. But let me make one thing clear: you'll never be as strong as me."
The statement hung in the air like the aftermath of a cosmic explosion, and she took it in with a steely resolve. "Perhaps not," she conceded, her voice cool and even, "but that doesn't mean I won't try."
Her words were a challenge, and I felt the thrill of the hunt in my veins, the same rush of adrenaline that had fueled me through countless battles across the vast tapestry of the multiverse. "Very well," I said with a nod, the corners of my lips twitching upwards. "But for now, let's talk about those threats. How have you been keeping this place in line?"
Solara's chest puffed out, a rare display of pride from a being so attuned to balance. "We've had our fair share of universe-ending evils," she began, her eyes distant as she recounted tales of battles and triumphs. "Demons that could swallow stars, empires that spanned galaxies, and monsters that feasted on the very fabric of reality itself."
The Glinds watched her with a mix of awe and admiration, their whispers silenced by the gravity of her words. "But fear not," she continued, her voice strong and clear, "for together with my pupils and the inhabitants of this universe, we have vanquished them all. The cosmos now sings with the harmony of peace and prosperity."
I leaned against the trunk of the ancient tree she had just collided with, my arms folded across my chest. "And who, might I ask, has had the honor of facing these titanic foes?"
Her smile grew sly. "Why, I've had the pleasure of handling the most formidable," she said with a cocky tilt of her head. "Some required more... persuasion than others."
The Glinds murmured among themselves, their eyes shifting to the bruises on Solara's cheeks, which had just been healed moments ago. They knew she was not one to boast idly, and the implications of her words sent a shiver of excitement down their spines.
"But tell me," I prodded, a glint in my eye, "what of those heroes you've been cultivating? The ones that whisper the name 'Supreme Kai of Harmony' in every corner of the universe?"
Her smile grew genuine, the warmth of a thousand suns lighting her features. "Ah, the champions," she said fondly. "They've been quite busy. Each one is a beacon of hope, a warrior born of courage and valor. They stand as guardians of their own worlds, ensuring that balance is maintained and threats are vanquished before they can threaten the fabric of existence."
"Impressive," I murmured, stroking my chin. "It seems you've been quite busy, my dear."
The Glinds beamed at the praise, their chests swelling with pride. Yet, the shadow of the Saiyan child I had imbued with power loomed in the back of my mind. There was much to be done, and the fate of countless worlds rested on the delicate scales of cosmic balance.
"It's been enlightening, Solara," I said, pushing off the ancient tree with a casual grace that belied my cosmic might. "But as much as I enjoy our little... reunion, I've got a multiverse to manage."
Her smile never faltered, the light in her eyes dimming slightly. "Of course, Kyle," she replied, her grip on my forearm tightening briefly before letting go. "But remember, the door to my temple is always open."
I winked at her, the corners of my mouth quirking upwards. "I'll keep that in mind," I said, my voice dropping to a murmur that seemed to resonate with the heartbeat of the cosmos. "Could be tomorrow. Could be in ten million years. Time's a fickle thing when you're the Infinite."
The Glinds gasped, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and wonder. To them, the concept of time was as fixed as the stars in the sky. But for me, it was a malleable force, a tool to be wielded with precision and purpose.
"Don't let your guard down," I warned, my gaze sweeping over the gathered pupils. "You never know when I might drop by for a surprise inspection."
Their expressions grew solemn, the gravity of my words sinking in. They knew the fate of their universe rested on their ability to maintain order, and the thought of facing my wrath was sobering.
With a final nod to Solara, I stepped into the swirling maelstrom of cosmic energy that was my gateway between realms. The fabric of space rippled around me, bending to my will as I disappeared from the arena. The Glinds watched me go, their whispers a fading echo in the wake of my departure.