The four slabs illuminated, and slowly slid closer to each other. In one final flare, they combined, forming one tablet. There was text on it now, so 16 began to study it. It read:
You have completed the first and second tests, but now there is the next one. Your objective is to retrieve the three Eternal Orbs. The Eternal Orbs are small spheres with a great power sealed within them. They have been lost for quite some time, and no warrior has been powerful enough to recover them all. You must go to the labyrinth these are in, and defeat the guardians. After defeating each guardian, you will receive one orb. Bring all three orbs back, and this mission will be complete.
"Damn it!" the android cursed. "Now I have to fight more, and get even more stuff." He sighed, but remained indomitable. "The only hard part now is finding the labyrinth." He glanced back at the tablet, and noticed a compass like dial engraved in it. It pointed to the west, so he began his trek.
The humanoid walked across the dry harsh land, heading in the certain direction he was told to go in. The wind beat down on him, and the heat caused even his mechanic body to expel liquid to cool him down. Up ahead was an oasis. The palm tree swayed in the wind, as 16 sped over to it. He knelt down and dug his fist into the sand.
It was just a mirage.
A rumbling came from below him as the ground split, creating yet another portal. He was pulled down into it, but this time he was much weary, so he didn't put up too much of a fight struggling to escape it.
He was now in the third level, the middle. There were fewer mountains here, but there were many spikes that jutted out of the ground. They had an opening at the top, and flames shot out from within them. In the distance, a stream could be barely seen, and instead of water, it was filled with lava, and the temperature of the land rose even higher. The android turned around. There were a few steps that led down into the darkness.
That must be the labyrinth.
He stood up, and stepped into the shadowy area. He couldn't see a thing, feeling the walls with his hands. The humanoid was in a hallway. Slowly as he walked, the candles on the walls lit up dimly, aiding him. After a few minutes of walking, there was a gate made up of rock, and on the other side, there was a door, slightly ajar.
The humanoid stepped in, and cautiously approached closer. A soft light came from atop a throne type seat. On the throne was a soft silk pillow. He glanced at it, and noticed that a small orb about the size of a golf ball sat on it.
"The first Eternal Orb." Suddenly, 16 sensed a ki level. He whispered to himself, "Someone's there.
A figure appeared from the darkness and stood arrogantly, a smug smirk on his face. He was a Namekian. The only other Namekian he had seen was Kami back on that little rock of a planet in the Outer Worlds. This one was clearly much younger. He had on black sunglasses and a dark trench coat, concealing him in the shadows. He gripped a large sophisticated gun in his right hand, holding it close to his leg.
"Why have you come here?" he requested in a deep voice.
"I've come for the orb. I must complete the mission." 16 replied.
"Ah, so you are the renegade that wishes to rob us of the Eternal Orbs. You won't succeed. I am its guardian, and if I must, I will sacrifice my life for its protection."
The android narrowed his eyes, and slowly raised his ki. His opponent did nothing in to prepare. He slowly raised his gun, and pointed it at the humanoid standing in the corner. It made a light humming noise, and then fired off a large ki bullet directly to its target. He managed to leap out of the way, but the projectile struck the wall, and appeared to sink into it. The wall bent back, and ricocheted it back.
16 was taken by surprise. The ki collided with the top of his shoulder, piercing right through the metal. He held the wound as the Namekian prepared to fire again. The android quickly recovered and generated a ki blast in his palm, forcing it forward. It struck the gun, but slowly faded.
What just happened? That attack had no effect. It was as if the gun actually allowed the ki to seep into it. Damn it, the bastard absorbs ki.
His opponent smiled. Even though the android had figured out the gun's power, nothing stopped him from winning now. He fired again, this time the android was ready. The bullet missed, and hit the wall, bouncing off of it, but he dodged it again.
In frustration the Namekian fired again, and again, allowing multiple rounds to be shot out of the gun. Each sprung off the wall, and each missed. He pulled the trigger one last time, but it made a dull sound. They both knew what had happened.
The gun was out of energy, and with 16 not using anymore ki, it was nothing but scrap metal, so he tossed it down onto the dirty ground. The two stared at each other. From now on it was purely psychical combat. His opponent swung his green arm, but missed. The android reacted by clenching his fist and driving it into the Namekian's stomach. With out his weapon, he was powerless.
A purple liquid oozed out of his mouth as the green one struggled to recover. The humanoid leapt up, and forced his clasped hands over his rival's head. The Namekian was driven into the ground, where he remained. 16 approached the orb atop the silk pillow, and just as he was about to grab it, he felt someone pulling on his ankle.
It was the green one. He was weakened greatly, and continued to defend what he was told to protect. His sunglasses had cracked down the middle, and fell off. His eyes seemed weary and the android sensed that he was being controlled against his will.
Instead of beating him to bloody pulp, he bent down, striking him with the side of his hand against his neck. He was now temporarily unconscious, leaving the humanoid to retrieve the orb freely. He quickly tossed it into his pocket and went on his way.
He exited the room, and now the gate that had once been closed shut, was open. 16 entered, and in front of him were two doors. One was on the bottom, slightly open, and the other was closed and had been placed atop the other. He entered into the darkness, not being able to see a thing. The android detected a ki level, obviously being suppressed, but he wasn't able to find the person it belonged to.
Suddenly from behind, a heavy fist struck him, causing him to be impaled into the ground headfirst. He stood up and spit out the dirt in his mouth. Bright lights turned on, even though not a single lamp was could be seen. The figure stood before him, sturdy and daring.
It was a woman, and by her ki level, a Saiyan. She wasn't very large, about five foot six. She had streaming black hair down to her midsection. Her dark tank top and shorts were clearly visible, and a small scar on her left calve indicated that she was a warrior.
"You must be the guardian of the second orb."
She replied by slowly powering up. She leapt into the air, and forced her foot down. The humanoid rolled onto the ground and out of the way, allowing her foot to hit the ground and create a minor crater. The Saiyan turned around, and threw a wide punch. 16 was hit, and was sent against the wall where she continued to attack.
Multiple kicks flew in the air as her opponent struggled to defend himself. The android pushed out some ki in the form of sparks. They surrounded the android causing her to slightly retreat. She dropped herself down and hugged the ground, swinging her leg across the dirt. The humanoid stumbled and landed on his back on the floor.
So much power in a woman, a small woman.
The Saiyan looked down at her rival, and cupped her hands. Ki flowed to her palms, and was forced directly to 16. He defended himself by covering his face and midsection with his arms, but still took the attack. He pulled his leg back and drove it forward to her chest. She staggered backwards, allowing the android to stand. The Saiyan seemed to be angry now, as she gritted her teeth. She mustn't have had many worthy opponents. Her short temper gave the humanoid an idea.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to defeat me. After all, I'm a man. You're just a pathetic person, correction, a pathetic woman." He taunted. She growled louder, a few veins sprang up on her forehead. "Oh did I upset you? Well maybe you can go back home and clean those dishes. Don't forget to iron my clothes."
With out warning, the Saiyan roared. Anger and rage fueled her, allowing her ki level to rise tremendously. 16 watched as his scouter read her at about five million. She had grown to a larger size, larger than the android himself. Her pupils had disappeared and veins pumped large amounts of blood throughout her body.
She quickly forced multiple ki blasts to her adversary. Thanks to his speed, the humanoid leapt out of the way of most of them. The ones he didn't dodge, he just blasted with an attack of his own. Finally the Saiyan stopped, and paused for a moment.
16 didn't know what was happening, but he would soon find out. Suddenly a large ki blast flew out from here mouth. It filled the entire room, and destroyed the wall behind the android. There was no dodging it now. He was hit with great authority. His body burned in several locations, as he collapsed onto the ground.
He pulled his head up and looked at his opponent. She was on the ground as well, drained from the massive ki loss. Her power level low, and her body weak. The humanoid pulled himself up, and quickly searched for the orb. In all of the ruble and debris, he found the silk pillow, and the orb. He then ran off, hoping to not awaken the Saiyan once again.