Questline: The Power of One
Chapter 6.
An Unexpected Change In Plans
I wake up and jump out of bed after hearing a loud and thunderous explosion coming from outside. I look around and notice I'm not in my room, which means I'm not in the castle. I turn to look at the bed and Holo is nowhere to be seen. As I begin running to the door, it opens and I accidentally crash into a boy who looks like he's around five years younger than me. He falls to the ground, which trips me and causes me to spin around and fall back, crashing into the wall. He immediately gets up and tries to pick me up by the arm and asks me, "Hey? Are you alright? Please, just take it easy. Your safe now."
I get up and turn to look at him and proceed to pick him up by the armor and asked in a demanding tone, "Where am I? How did I get here? Where's Holo?"
He then grabs my wrist softly, trying to calm me down as he says, "I dont know any Holo person. Your on planet Sadala, and Sakata is the one who brought you here. He said he found you under some dead tree over by City C."
I set the boy down gently and then say, "So my worst fear happened after all. I just didn't end up where I thought I would. Well, there's relief in that atleast."
The boy then looks at me and asks, "What do you mean your worst fear happened? I told you you were found by Sakata and saved."
I look to the boy and say, "Yes, he did save me and I really should thank him. But this fear is something he couldn't save me from because it already happened before he found me."
"And what might that be?" the boy asked.
"Waking up in another world." I told him.
"Wait, are you telling me your not a saiyan?" He asked with a suprised tone.
I looked at him and smiled as I said, "Nope. I'm a one hundred percent genuine human from a world called earth.
He looks really suprised and asks, "So your an earthling? I've met a few earthlings before. Thats cool and all but how did you get here?"
"Honestly, I have know idea. This is the third time in my life this has happened and I still don't know how it happens. I go to sleep in a bed and then I wake up on another world." I said.
"By the way, I'm sorry for picking you up and raising my voice. You would think that after three times, I would be use to the shock. Anyways, My names Aleks. Thanks for letting me use your bed." I tell him.
"Oh, my names Cabba and don't mention it. Really. Please don't mention it. That wasn't my bed and I couldn't think of any other place at the moment. Infact this isn't even my house." He states.
I look at him puzzled and ask, "Well if this isn't your place, then whose place is it?"
"A friends house. Her names Kasa. She's really nice, but if she found out that I let an earthling sleep in her bed, she would kill me." He says.
"Ahh, point taken. Well, would you mind taking me to see this Sakata guy?" I ask Cabba.
"Not at all. Infact, that kind of works out because he told me to let him know when you woke up." He says as he walks to the door.
We walk out the door but as we do, we get stopped by a girl who looks over to Cabba and asks, "Cabba, Sakata said he came by and dropped a boy off at my place. Is that true?"
Cabba looks to me and says, "Yes, Kasa, meet Aleks. He was unconscious when Sakata brought him over, but as you can see, he's awake now."
"Aleks huh? Never heard a name like that before." She says.
She looks over to me and extends her arm with her hand open wanting to shake hands. I reach over and grab her hand saying, "It's really nice to meet you Kasa. I am sorry for any trouble or worry you might have had about me being in your house."
"I'll admit, I wasn't fond of the idea that a stranger was brought to my house without me being aware. But now that I got a chance to meet you, I can see there was no need for panic. Especially with a guy who actually has nice manners." She said with a smile and lets go of my hand.
"Well I'm taking him to see Sakata as we speak. He wants to speak with and thank Sakata. If You want, you could come with us Kasa." Cabba says.
"I have some free time so I don't see why not. Besides, I have been meaning to go and see Caulifla today anyways." Kasa says.
We begin heading over to meet this Sakata guy. After a few minutes of walking, we come up to this big building.
Cabba then says, "Aleks, I was thinking and maybe you should go in alone first."
Why is that Cabba?" I ask him curiously.
Kasa then also asks, "Yeah Cabba, why would he do that? The last thing we want is for Caulifla to be the first one to spot him."
I look over to Kasa and ask her, "Why wouldn't I want to run into this Caulifla girl?"
Kasa then looks to me and says, "If you like keeping yourself in good health, then just trust me when I say it's in your best interest to not meet her right now all alone."
Kasa then says, "If Cabba's too affraid of running into Caulifla then I will go in there with you Aleks."
Kasa and I open the doors and walk in.
We hear a voice then echo from across the building that says, "Well if it isn't the boy himself."
We walk up to a man sitting at a table and as we reach him he says, "I was wondering when you would wake up. You sure are one heavy sleeper."
Then we hear a girls voice behind us saying, "Hey Sakata. Is this the boy you kept talking about?"
We turn around to see a girl who looks like she's only a year or two older than Cabba. She wore low-set purple harem pants, and a low cut magenta top with no sleeves or straps. She had long dark grey wristbands and dark grey shoes. She had long and wild, black spiky hair and dark piercing eyes.
Kasa then says, "Oh, hey Caulifla. How are you. I came over to see you so I figure why not bring Aleks along since he wanted to meet Sakata."
Caulifla almost completely ignores Kasa as she walks up to me staring me down. She then stops infront of me and begins examining me from head to toe and makes her way back to making eye contact with me. She's been giving me a pissed off look this whole time but it eventually breaks into a smirk as she fist bumps me softly in the face and says," You seem alright. I can imagine Kasa and Cabba kept telling you to avoid me and yet you don't seem nervous at all."
"I've been through enough fights to know when someone actually intends to threaten me. That and you seem pretty cool yourself." I tell Caulifla.
Caulifla smirks and then turns to Kasa saying, " I like this guy Kasa. If he's staying, then your going to need to bring him around more."
"I hate to interupt you three but I was hoping to speak to Aleks here." Sakata says in his rough voice.
"Right, Sakata sir. I wanted thank you for finding me. However I'm in a bit of a crisis at the moment." I tell Sakata.
He looks at me and says, "You don't need to explain. I know who you are and what you are."
"Pardon me sir, but how is it that you know who and what I am?" I ask.
"Aleks, we were both in that Tornament all those years ago. I remember you because you were the first to actually stand up to those gods. You, a human, did what no other person or creature would do. You took a stand and offered to fight, not just your world, but another creatures world as well, when you realized he was his worlds last fighter." Sakata says.
Caulifla then stops us there and says, "Wait, your telling me your a human?"
Sakata then says, "Not just a human Caulifla. A legend. He may not be a saiyan, but I have seen him fight and he does have a true warriors heart. If I recall correctly, You won eleven matches straight before you decided enough was enough, right? Sakata asks.
"Thats correct sir." I say.
Sakata then looks to all three of us and says, " Kasa, could you stand outside with Cabba for a few minutes. I wish to talk to Caulifla and Aleks.
Kasa gives me a pat on the shoulder as if she was wishing me good luck and then walks out.
"So Aleks, I take It what Caulifla said was true, correct?" He asks.
"About what?" I ask.
"About Cabba and Kasa trying to keep you out of Caulifla's sight. He says.
"Oh that? Yeah they did." I said.
He then looks over to Caulifla who seems to be curiously fixated on me and doesn't notice that she has his attention and says, "Well Caulifla, you seem interested in our new friend here. What is it thats got your attention?"
Caulifla then turns to him and asks, "Will this human really be staying with us on our planet?
"Well I suppose that will be for him to decide. Does that bother you?" He asks.
"I don't know, He doesn't seem all that tough." Caulifla says.
"And you would be right to think so with any ordinary human. But can you not feel his presence Caulifla? He may be human but his potential surpasses that of any saiyan we have ever seen." Sakata adds.
"Well you may be right." Caulifla says.
"Which brings me to why I wanted to speak with you two alone." Sakata says.
"Caulifla how would you feel if I told you and Aleks here that I wanted you two to stick together and train each other. Aleks, when it comes to physical strength. Caulifla could kill you in one punch if she wanted to. But when it comes to skill in combat, I believe Aleks is your better Caulifla. First I want you to help Aleks to build alot of strength Caulifla. When when you think he's strong enough to survive one powerful punch from you, then I want you two to practice sparing everyday. Trust me when I say I think you two were made for each other." Sakata explains.
"So did Cabba or Kasa offer you a place to stay yet Aleks? Sakata asks.
"No sir, they didn't. But like I said before, I'm in a bit of a crisis. I can't stay. I got to find a way to get back to the world I was previously at. It's in mortal danger and the villain responsible is the strongest person I have ever seen or faced before. Not only is he unimaginably powerful, but he can raise the dead and enslave them. Think of some of your universes most powerful villains in the past coming back from the dead. I got to get back and end him once and for all." I told him.
"Hmmm, if thats true then thats all the more reason you need to stay and train. If you have any friends there, then I ask that you have faith in them that they can hold off this threat." He said.
Caulifla interrupted and said, "Well Aleks, I understand your crisis now. And since Sakata said he wants us to stick together, then that means your stuck with me. Fortunately for you my, brother moved out, so it's just me and that means I have a spare room you can have."
"Your right Sakata. I need to have faith in my friends. And if the only way I can help them is to stay here and train then thats what i'm going to do. And Caulifla, thank you." I said to both of them.
"Caulifla, lets gets started on that training right away."I told her
Caulifla then looks to me and says, "Straight to the fun part then? I like it. Lets get going."
I then turn to Sakata and say, "Thank you for your help and advice sir."
He looks to me and says, "Anytime little hero. I'm expecting great things from you."
Caulifla and I run to the door and as we get outside, we see Cabba and Kasa waiting for me. I was about to stop and explain to them what the plan was, but before I could, Caulifla grabs my wrist and pulls me to keep running.
I can see Cabba and Kasa behind us looking really worried.
We stop in a canyon and Caulifla then decides this place would be the perfect place to give me a workout and says, " Aleks, grab the heaviest rock you can carry and then we will begin our long walk through the canyon. It's going to be really tough because I want you to travel up stream through the river that runs through this canyon."
I find a really big rock and begin traveling up the river.
Hours later after I make it through the canyons river tired, worn out, and wet. Caulifla drops down from the sky and says, "Congradulations Aleks. I didn't think you were gonna be able to make it, but you sure showed me. Now you just need to turn around and go back down stream without setting down or letting go of that rock."
"Oh and when you get done with that, I want you to set the rock down and then walk back up stream and then back down. Once your done with that, I then want you to run one lap around the canyon and then pick the rock back up and bring it to Sakata's house. Then your workout will be done for today."
I look to her and say, "If you wish it, I'll do it."
She cotinues to look at me with a sinister grin and says, "We'll see if you still think that way once you get back to the other end of this canyon."
Once I make it back to the other end of the canyon, I saw Caulifla drop back down again and ask, "Still holding onto that confidence?"
I look to her without saying anything and drop the rock. My arms and legs felt like they had nothing left, but I turned around and started traveling back up stream. At this point I was running on pure determination. A few hours later, after I make it back to the end again, I saw Caulifla waiting for me. When I got to her, she asked, "Whats driving you? Most normal humans would have broke by now and called it quits. "
I look at her, but say nothing as I turn around and start heading back down stream.
Once I make it back to the begining of the canyon, Caulifla says, "You can stop now. I was only joking about the jog around the canyon part. I'll fly you back to my house."
I walk up and past her and then begin to pick up the pase until my walk turns into a jog. My legs went numb a long while ago which means I can't feel the burn now but they will hurt like hell tomorrow.
An hour and twenty-seven minutes later, I make it back from my lap around the canyon. Caulifla doesn't say anything to me this time but just continues to watch me. I walk up to the rock and wrap my arms around it. But I find it nearly impossible to pick up. I let go and stand there for a few minutes.
Caulifla then walks up to me and says, "Honestly, I didn't think you would make it this far. You did good enough. You have my respect after that. Humans have their limits. Rest up now."
I reach back down and grab the rock again and with all my strength and anger towards my own weakness. I manage to force myself to pick up the rock.
I make it about ten feet before I loose all my strength and collapse from exhastion.
Caulifla runs up to me and pushes the rock out of the way as she picks me up and flies off back to her house. It's in mid flight when I pass out.
Later the next morning I wake up. I try to get out of bed but its a real struggle and pain to just sit up but I do manage to do so. I decide to just sit up for a minute and pull the blanket off but soon realize my arms feel as heavy as stone.
Upon getting the blanket off, I turn to the side of the bed and set my feet on the ground. I notice my clothes were just folded placed next to the wall on the other side of the room. As I begin to stand my legs gave out a little causing me to fall to the ground.
Next thing I know, I hear footsteps heading to my door and when it opens I see Cabba walk in. He jogs over to me and helps me get up and asks, " Are you okay? Caulifla told us what happened. You really impressed all of us for being a human."
I then laugh as I reply with, "I've felt worst. But all joking aside, my body feels as heavy as a rock."
Cabba says, "Yeah that will go away with some rest."
I ask Cabba to let me try and stand on my own and after a few wobbles, I manage to gain my balance and stability. I then walk over to my clothes and then procced to put them back on.
"Who cleaned and dried my clothes?" I asked.
Cabba then says, "You can thank Kasa for that. I think she was the most worried when Caulifla brought you in. We both thought she beat you to a pulp. Kasa started scolding Caulifla before she could even explain what happened."
"Well lets go show everyone that I'm alive and awake." I tell Cabba.
"Are they all downstairs?" I asked.
"Yes. Everyone is waiting to see how your doing. Kasa stayed in your room for a while last night making sure you would be alright." Cabba says.
We walk out the bedroom door and head down the hallway and to the living room where we see Caulifla, Kasa, and Sakata lounging.
Upon entering the living room we hear Kasa's voice saying, "Aleks, I can't believe your already up and walking around."
I look over to her and laugh as I say, " Yeah, just trying to stand was a tough battle all on its own. But I'm not calling it quits. Not by a long shot."
Caulifla looks at me and smirks as she says, "You just keep impressing me. I keep finding more things about you to like."
Sakata then interupts and asks, "So do you now see what I saw in him back then Caulifla?"
"Yes old man, I see it cleary. The problem though, is we can't let the other saiyans know about his strenght and potential." Caulifla says with an annoyed tone.
I look around to everyone and ask, "Guys, why can't any other saiyan know about that?"
Kasa then walks up and says, "Well it's because saiyan hybrids have the greatest potential and strength. Especially so for those whose parents where both exceptionally powerful. If word got out, then you would be saught after. Most saiyans dream of either being the strongest or producing the strongest. Usually both."
I look to Kasa and say, "Well that's definitely some unwanted attention. Reproduction and love or whatever isn't really my main concern right now. Infact far from it."
Caulifla looks to me and asks, "Are you sure? What if you die on this quest of yours. What would be left of you then? No legacy, thats for sure."
"Well thats why I have friends and allies with me on this quest. We watch each others backs. I had a girl I liked back in the previous world I was in. However, I can't help but feel like me disappearing was the last straw. She was fed up as it was when I left her behind to take on the villains that killed my friend. I said as I felt my heart sink.
"Talk about her being selfish much. I would have done the same as you Aleks. And who won that fight?" Cabba asked.
"I had the fight won, but then the guy I was fighing started to tranform. The fight ended there when that strong dark being I told Sakata and Caulifla about showed up again." I told Cabba.
"Well when you get back to that world, you will know if your feelings about her are true or not." Kasa adds.
Caulifla then says, "If she did leave then it's her loss. Besides, it's not like you chose to leave that world. It just happened. Now that I think about it, maybe I should go back with you. That way if she did leave you, I can beat some sense into her."
"Well excluding that last part. If you guys know of a way to get me back to the last world I was at? Then your all welcome to come with me. Honestly, your help would be welcomed." I said to Cabba, Kasa, and Caulifla.
"I have always wanted to see another universe before. So you can definitely count me in." Kasa says with excitement.
"Sure, why not. It sounds fun enough and I cant let my new training partner get weaker or someday get ahead of me. Count me in." Caulifla says.
Well if Kasa and Caulifla are in, then so am I. Count me in as well." Cabba says.
"Thanks you guys. Honestly, I would hate to say goodbye to you all, so I'm glad your all in." I said.
"So Caulifla, What have you got planned for training today? I asked.
She looks at me with a grin and says, "Todays training is called rest. We will continue tomorrow when your body has healed up a little."
She walks over and softly fist bumps me in the face.
