Disclaimer: I do not own Dragonball Z.
Author's Notes: *Peeks from behind computer chair.* No tomatoes? No boos? No flames for an absent author? *Cautiously sits on chair.* Good. Now that I can write in safety, I'll explain about my long absence. In a word: upper-level classes. Actually, that's two words. I am now a junior English major. Let me tell you, nothing in the first two years of being an English major prepares you for upper level. I know there's some majors that have the hardest class when you're a freshman so they can weed out the people who can't handle it. Not so in the English department. We get the easy classes first. And THEN they hit us with things like… a novel every week. Writing a poem every Thursday. Reading five different history books. And everything leading up to a huge final paper – in each class. I swear I can't keep my sanity. I never have time to write for pleasure any more. And even when I do find time, I'm so tired of writing and reading that I just can't make myself actually do it.
Now that I've whined enough about my own problems, I'll get back on topic. The chapter. This is what I've been waiting a year to write. The face-off with the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell. Won't say any more about it. Hope you enjoy. And, as always, please leave a review.
Soul 37: The Lower Realms
Goku had worried that he would never recover from running through that heat. It wasn't any ordinary fire that would barely leave a rash on Goku's tough body. This was Hell's fire, and it was meant to burn anything. However, Goku's thoughts were quickly dispelled as soon after he and Vegeta had walked a few feet in the Lower Realms.
Goku wrapped his arms around him. "It'sssss FREEZING!!" Goku's customary no-sleeved gi was doing nothing to protect his extremities from the bitter cold.
Vegeta forced his arms to his sides, not as willing to show susceptibility to the elements like his rival. Vegeta's gi, however, did even less to warm him, not having the double weighted shirt like Goku. For once he missed the Earth clothes he'd taken to occasionally wearing. At least his usual style included a jacket. "Strange," he commented, mostly to distract himself from the cold. "Jita told me that it was always extremely warm down here, like a perpetual 90 degree spring day. She was forever cold on Earth."
Goku forced his teeth to stop chattering enough to talk. "T-then what is it? Did someone forget to pay the heating bill?"
Vegeta chose to ignore that statement. "It's Him. The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell. He's found another way to torment Jita."
Goku nodded. "Well, we'll get her out of here soon enough," he said with a smile.
"Well, if it isn't our two valiant heroes, come to save the ones they love."
Goku and Vegeta whipped around as the deep baritone voice came out of nowhere. Distracted by the cold, they hadn't taken time to survey their surroundings. In truth, there wasn't much to see. The entire seemingly limitless area was black and shrouded in shadow and utter darkness, save for soft lighting that seemed to have no source surrounding the two Saiyans.
"Where is He?" Vegeta growled out.
Goku slowly turned his head, deep in concentration. "I feel His power," he said quietly, "but it's all around. It's like, it's coming from everywhere."
"This place is part of My power," the deep voice boomed again. "While you are here, you cannot stand up to Me."
Off to the left, directly opposite where Goku and Vegeta had entered, the same soft unearthly glow melted into existence, revealing a raised dais, a simple yet elegant throne, and…
"I take it you're the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell," Goku stated matter-of-factly.
The Demon just smiled. "I've found that most have thought it easier to simply call Me 'The Voice.' Though that monicker doesn't exactly hold the… grandeur… of My power, it does get a bit tedious to use my full title in casual conversation."
The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell smiled down at Goku and Vegeta, who were bristling at the easy affability to this new enemy.
"You're certainly not what I expected," Vegeta spat out.
The appearance of the Voice was not like anyone would expect. He was the picture of male effeminate beauty. Fair shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes that slanted upwards ever so slightly, the top framed with delicate arching eyebrows and long lashes. His skin was pale and flawless and practically shone with an unearthly radiance, aided by the strange lighting of the place. Every feature of His face was delicate and in perfect proportion and symmetry. He wore an elegant flowing outfit of red silk. He looked like an elf who'd just stepped out of the pages of Tolkein, or perhaps a Greek statue come to life.
If only it weren't for His eyes… Those horrible, cold, soulless, cruel eyes. Vegeta had never seen eyes such as that. Worse than Frieza. Worse than any sadist he'd ever met. In others, he'd always seen the flickers of emotion, even if the emotion only ranged from hatred to sadistic glee. In those eyes, he saw nothing. They were completely empty.
The Voice merely chuckled at Vegeta's comment. "What were you expecting, Vegeta? Horns and a pitchfork? Robe and a scythe? Or maybe purple, white, and a hoverchair."
Vegeta crossed his arms. He wasn't going to let himself get baited. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting a bishouen. What are you, the Lord or the Lady of the Lower Realms of Hell?"
The Voice let the sarcastic remark slide. "Just a shell, Vegeta. I just borrow whatever body I desire from my vassals. Haven't you gotten over judging people by their appearance? Here, appearance means nothing." The Voice turned His soft smile to the other Saiyan. "You're being awfully quiet, Goku. I doubt you're frozen in terror from My power. It's just not like you."
"You're powerful, all right," Goku said in a grim voice. "But Your power is tied to others. Is that what You do? Leech from other people's powers?"
The Voice laughed. "Funny you should say 'leech.' I'm not exactly the one that killed them."
The Voice gestured to a platform, which had been gradually lighting up, where the dead couple lay. It was as if everything was being carefully orchestrated, like a play that must carefully evoke certain responses in the audience.
Goku gasped, his eyes widening. "…Goten…?"
Vegeta merely stared, his right eye twitching slightly. Eyes were instinctively drawn to Goten, who was the worse for the wear. He was unconscious, shirtless, and covered in deep, still-bleeding wounds. Not a place seemed to be left unmarred. Still, through his sleep he writhed in moaned, as if he were experiencing all his nightmares compressed into one.
And then there was Jita…
After a closer look, she was even worse off. Not only was she covered in wounds too deep to heal without assistance, but her limbs looked mangled, jutting in wild positions. Her clothing had also suffered from whatever fight – or beating – she'd had to endure. Enough of her blue tournament gi remained to preserve her decency, but only just. She was sitting upright, cross-legged, her back ram-rod straight, her eyes wide and unblinking, and lips moving slightly, as if mumbling to herself.
"Hmph," the Voice said in some amusement. "She's been chanting that for ages. It's all over. It's all over. I swear, she can be so melodramatic. I mean, I just show her a couple of visions of her family in suffering, and she's spent. No fighting spirit whatsoever. Though I will give her one thing." His perfect mouth drew up into a smirk. "She didn't really give in until she saw Frieza offing you a couple of times. Now that really got to her. And to think, she actually hated you once. She certainly has changed. Why—"
"SHUT UP!!"
As soon as Vegeta had yelled and launched himself into the air, he was down on the ground again – face down. He tried his best to struggle up, but it was as if someone was literally draining all his will to try out of him. He knew the feeling, too. It had some elements of Jita's ki-barrier technique, but he also the same crushing weight he'd felt whenever he'd opposed Babadi as a Majin, only more so. It was like his very soul was being drained, or perhaps ripped out. No, he screamed in his head, this can't happen again. I won't let it.
Dimly, he heard an angry tenor voice yell, "LET HIM GO! NOW!" followed by an intense relief. He surged to his feet, though a bit warily.
The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell yawned. "Really, it's rude to attack someone in their own house. Especially in this case, since you don't even have a chance, and make me show off my powers. I wanted to keep things as civil as possible."
Vegeta bristled and set himself for another go at it.
"Oh, just try it, Vegeta," the Voice drawled.
Vegeta felt a flicker of the same soul-draining feeling, and stood down, his mind raging in frustration. But if there was one thing he'd learned, it was that a frontal assault was usually not very effective… if not brain-dead stupid.
"How did You know we were coming?" Goku asked.
Vegeta turned in askance at this seemingly irrelevant question. It certainly did seem annoying that they had gone to all that trouble of not being detected – hiding their power… taking the long way around… But that didn't truly matter. What does it matter, Kakarrot? his thoughts conveyed to Goku. Goku didn't respond.
The Voice smirked. "Well, you'd be pretty cold-hearted not to come. You could have been here sooner, but you took so many precautions that I just never had the opportunity to snatch you up. However, if there's anything I've learned in the millennia I've spent in this place, it's patience. I knew you'd be here eventually. Heroes are so predictable."
"But why did you take Goten?" Goku fired off another question.
Vegeta nearly screamed in frustration. He wanted to rip the effeminate man's head off, not interview him and give him opportunity to gloat. Because that's all these explanations were. Meaningless gloating. Kakarrot, what's wrong with you?!
Shh, Vegeta, came the low quick reply. Don't know if he's a mind-reader or not.
Vegeta's eyes widened slightly. Goku was planning something, and it frustrated him to no end that there was no way he could find out about it. Right now, it seemed that Goku was content simply to stall. Hopefully, going with the flow would suffice.
Of course, if that thing is a mind-reader, none of this matters anyway.
"… and besides, it's so much more fun to play with those two's emotions. I mean, talk about your angst-filled relationships. In fact, both of them are just chock-full of angst. It's ironic that most of the agony they're going through is primarily self-induced. I barely have to do anything."
Vegeta had missed most of the Voice's arrogant explanation, but he didn't care. What did it matter why the sadistic cretin had decided to capture Goten?
Jita moaned suddenly, loudly, bringing everyone's attention back to the platform.
The Voice's smile widened. "Well, what do you know? She has a little left in her after all. She senses you, you know, even if she's not truly aware of it yet. This may be more fun than I thought. Oh, and I wouldn't teleport if I were you, Goku," He said offhandedly. "You'd be caught in the same trap as them, and I'm not sure if you can handle it."
Vegeta jerked his head to see if Goku had accidentally given his plan away, maybe by his fingers on his forehead when he thought the Voice wasn't looking. But Goku was completely relaxed, not even in a fighting stance. The look on his face, though, told Vegeta everything. The Voice knew what Goku had been planning.
"You were right, Kakarrot," Vegeta growled. "He is a mind-reader. That makes things more difficult."
The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell practically choked in laughter. "Huh. Mind-reader?! You think so little of Me, Vegeta? My powers are beyond those of a simple telepath. And as for the teleporting thing…? Well, it was the most logical course of action for Goku to take."
Goku recovered his thoughts quickly. How are we supposed to free them? We can't fight Him. His ki… it's so far beyond anything I've ever felt. And not just His ki… It's this place. It's giving Him the advantage, and us the disadvantage.
Well, obviously, Kakarrot, since He's the lord of this realm.
… Was I thinking too loud, Vegeta?
Yes.
Oh. Sorry.
And your thoughts aren't helping. Listen, Kakarrot, Jita and Goten are being held by the same type of ki barrier that Jita always uses. I've been practicing on breaking that to rid Jita of such an advantage in spars. I may be able to break it if you stall Him. Just keep Him talking.
"Listen… if you're just going to stand there all day, I'm going to cut on some music or something. This stare-down or whatever is getting pretty boring."
Goku smiled, his tone changing from threatening to light-hearted. "Well, if You're bored, then why don't You let us all go?"
The Voice laughed and shook his head slightly, bemused. "I'm not keeping you two around. I'm just keeping my toys over there. Truth to tell, it's boring down here all the time. This is the most excitement I've had since I pushed Jita to Super Saiyan. Such a rage in her heart. All the while thinking – obsessing – on revenge."
Goku cocked his head, feeling the slight stirrings in ki as Vegeta manipulated his own around the barrier. Goku almost panicked, but Vegeta quickly masked the ki before Goku could even send a warning. That was close.
Keep him talking, Kakarrot!
"Wait," Goku said, pretending that he was just going with the flow of conversation, hoping to no end that the Voice was preoccupied enough. "How did You know what Jita was thinking? You said You weren't a telepath."
The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell shifted on his feet, crossing his arms. "Well, I have to share a mind-link with My slaves, obviously. But My power goes a bit deeper than that."
"So what is it?" Goku was actually genuinely interested in the answer to this question. This enemy was just cocky enough to give away all the secrets to His abilities.
The Voice gave almost a modest look. "I read souls. That matters far more than simple surface thoughts and shallow passing emotions. Every word – every deed – every feeling – all imprinted forever on a soul. That's why I only take souls as payment. Knowing a soul is knowing that person. Having their soul is… well… you get the idea. All that matters is the soul."
Goku was paying attention to the Voice's monologue, as well as trying to keep track of Vegeta's progress against the ki barrier. When he got it down, they would only have the margin of a few seconds to get those two and get out. Come on, Vegeta, he encouraged silently.
Almost there, Kakarrot…
"AAUUUUGGGHHHH!!!"
Pain – indescribable pain – slammed through Vegeta's mind and body as soon as the barrier flickered. He'd finally directly pushed it with his ki, and the contact had him on the floor, writhing and screaming. Then, just as suddenly, when he couldn't extend his ki anymore, the pain stopped, leaving him gulping lungfuls of air and shaking from the remembered agony.
"Ah, ah, ah," the Voice scolded with a whimsical air. "No touching the displays."
Vegeta spat out some alien curses that, Goku thought, would probably be illegal in some cities if they were translated. This only made the Voice grin wider.
The Voice sighed. "Ah, Vegeta. It might have worked, too, if you could touch the barrier. Why, even I can't touch that. I can bring it down, and I could put it back up, but I can't touch it."
"… Why… not…?" Vegeta said between gasps.
"It's ingenious, really." The Voice did nothing to mask His pride in His technique. "It requires a miniscule amount of energy to create and maintain it, but only the purest of souls can touch it – those souls who are completely pure of deed and intent. Pretty much rules everyone out."
As Vegeta expected, at these words a smile came to Goku's lips. Vegeta shook his head slightly. Of all qualifiers, it had to be that one. While it exasperated Vegeta to no end, it really did make things a lot easier. After all, wasn't purity of soul Goku's defining characteristic?
Goku moved deliberately to the barrier surrounding the platform and the two tortured Saiyans, his part-happy, part-triumphant, and altogether innocent smile still making his face reflect his pure soul. The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell did nothing to stop him, much to Vegeta's shock… and uneasiness. Is He going to drag Kakarrot in there or something? Was He bluffing about the purity of soul just to get Kakarrot to touch the barrier? Why is He just standing there?
Goku's hand reached out, his eyes still on the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell, as he finally came in contact with the barrier. The air was still for a minute, and then…
"AAAAUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! AAAUUUGGGHHH!! A—"
Goku's screams broke off in a whimper as the strongest being in the universe curled instinctively into a fetal position. The blood had drained from his face from pain and shock. Vegeta stared down at his comrade, trying to process what he was seeing. What was going on here?
"There is none righteous. No, not one." The Voice cut through the silence left in the wake of Goku's screams, shaking His head slightly.
Goku regained himself slightly and slowly pushed himself to his feet. "But… but…" His breath was coming in shallow gasps. "… but I can ride Nimbus…" he said weakly.
The Voice laughed. "Yes, I'm sure you can. I know this substance… Nimbus, you call it? Yellowish semi-sentient cloud, if I'm not mistaken. Yes, I know all of the soul-readers, and I imagine that it probably WOULD accept you."
"What do you mean?" Goku asked in a low voice. He felt the strange unknown feeling of his world being turned askew by this Demon.
The Voice chuckled in his throat. He slowly walked toward the two Saiyans. Vegeta backed away instinctively, but Goku seemed frozen under the Demon's intense mocking stare. The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell circled the tall Saiyan, looking him over from head to toe, seeming to see straight into his soul. Which Goku knew He was. For the first time in his entire life, through all the times when people had weighed him by his soul's worth and purity… for the very first time, Goku felt uncomfortable.
"What do I mean, Goku?" the Demon's voice softened, though the menace never left. "Well, my heroic, 'righteous' Saiyan… this Nimbus judges only intent. I, on the other hand, judge both intent… and deed."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Vegeta snapped. "Kakarrot never kills or hurts anyone, even if they deserve it."
The Voice laughed. "Oh, really. Well, let's just find out."
The merest brush of the demon's perfect hand against Goku's face, and the Saiyan was lost in the visions of his own unrealized, unrepented crimes.
*
The old man fled the house that was reduced to splintered remains the next second. He knew this was just a momentary delay to his fate. He couldn't outrun his foster grandson this time. Why didn't the boy just listen and obey me? he thought despairingly.
That was his last thought. Goku zeroed in on him and followed his instinct. Kill all life forms. Before his grandfather could react, Goku, in the form of giant monkey, yet still Goku, crushed the old warrior's bones under his foot, his broad monkey face grinning ferally at the satisfying crunch. Without another thought, Goku stomped off in search of more victims.
*
The middle-aged farmer stood in his station at the armored compound. Even after a month, the machine gun was still extremely unfamiliar and foreign in his grasp. He knew, even if aliens came to invade, he would never pull the trigger. And that would be the only choice he could make. If he'd had any sort of choice, he wouldn't be wearing this hated uniform, standing guard in a place that he'd love for anyone to bring down and completely obliterate. He'd be back at his farm, complaining about the rain shortage or the lack of competence in the hired hands.
But, like so many others, he hadn't had a choice. It was either serve in the Red Ribbon Army, or watch the deaths of your own children. So, as long as he went through the motions of serving, his wife and children were safe.
Suddenly the farmer was roused from his reverie by a commotion in the corridor. A group of soldiers rushed by, some running in fear and some – the ones he recognized – shouting with joy. Confused, he grabbed the arm of another "draftee" that he knew.
"What's going on, Seamus?"
His fellow farmer grabbed him by the shoulders in excitement. "We're free, Tom!"
"What?!"
His friend's eyes shone in bliss. "The Red Ribbon Army's being taken down by, get this… a little kid! I never would have guessed it, but… we're saved! No one's bothering to keep us in line. We can go home!"
Seamus ran down the corridor, practically turning cartwheels, as Tom processed this information. He knew Seamus wasn't one to lie, and there WERE rumors that various commanders and generals were having trouble from this one kid… It must be true!
The sound of a child yelling echoed down the long corridor. Tom laughed to see the people who'd been in charge of him running away like cowards only to be struck down. Tom turned, feeling the overwhelming urge to greet and thank his unexpected child savior.
Goku, seeing the soldier barring his way, gave a quick kick to the face, intentionally or unintentionally snapping his neck.
*
Over and over the images flooded Goku's head – images of every single innocent person he had killed, some from the accidental transformations into Oozaru as a child, and others as he plowed through the Red Ribbon Army, not telling the difference between the true criminals and the victims. At the time, all he'd seen were people who continually harassed him and others for dragonballs. But now, the Voice showed him every face, told him every name. He saw himself through their eyes, a child of destruction, his face angry, his eyes almost bloodthirsty from pursuit…
"But there's other ways than death to cause suffering," the Voice chanted mockingly to him, too close to his ear.
*
Chichi sat on the bed, her choking sobs fading to silent tears as Goku tried to explain why he'd stayed in space for more than a year after defeating Frieza.
"So, you stayed to… learn a new technique?" Chichi asked quietly, meekly.
Goku nodded, suddenly guilt-ridden under the hollow eyes of his wife. "It was… important… Chichi."
Chichi nodded, her breath catching in her throat as a sob tried to form. She swallowed it back. "I… understand. I just… I didn't know if you were alive… or dead… or…"
"I'm… sorry."
Chichi tried to form a small smile. "It's all right. You're here now. Just… Piccolo is waiting for you. You need to go train."
Goku nodded and slowly left the room.
"Goku?"
The warrior turned back to his wife.
"Just… please don't let anything happen to Gohan. He's almost died… twice. I couldn't bear it if it happened again."
*
Gohan screamed out his agony in the monster's vise-like grip. The monster who was trying to goad him into anger-driven hidden power of the demi-Saiyan.
The android that Goku had told his son to fight.
The android that Goku himself had given a senzu bean to.
The android that was forcing scream after tortured scream from his only son…
"Enough of this game, Goku. You're wrong about your son. Gohan may have that power, but it doesn't matter. He doesn't thirst for battle and mayhem. He's not a fighter like you. Do you want to know what he's thinking?! He's not thinking about strength, or about competition! He's wondering why his father is standing there, letting him die! And so your son may be the most powerful person in the world, but he's also a scared eleven-year-old boy."
Piccolo's words echoed in his skull, but it was too late…
*
Goku approached his son, laying a hand on his shoulder. "Goten, why didn't…"
"NO!" Goten jerked away. "Don't talk to me like that! Don't talk to me like you care, because I know you don't!"
"Goten, I've tried to reach out to you in every way I know how. You block me every time. You can't blame me there. The problem isn't college, or me. What is it?"
"You know, every time you've reached out to me, or talked to me, I can only think of all those years that I couldn't imagine why you would choose the afterlife over being with your family. Did you even know I was born? No, you were happily skipping along Snake Way. I can only think about the pain Mom and Gohan went through, especially when I looked exactly like you, and how they tried to hide it from me." Goten fought back the tears burning in his eyes as he poured out the years of resentment from his soul. "I can only think of when I was told that my brother was dead, and my best friend was told that his father was dead, and when we had the audacity to feel a little grief, all you could do was yell at us to shut up, and then ask what was wrong when we were angry. And then leave. All I can think about is all those years you were alive, but spent your time away from home, training, months—YEARS—on end. The whole father-son bonding thing, it was too little too late. Well, you won't have to make up for lost time, or inconvenience yourself in any way on my account. I may not be off to college, but I'm leaving anyway. Just don't follow me, and we'll get along fine."
*
"Stop it! Let him go, you psycho!"
The Voice shook His head bemusedly at the prince. "Actually, I stopped a long time ago. He's allowing the images to replay in his mind. All those he's killed… all those he's hurt… Hmph. Pure soul my foot. For a hero, he's left a lot of pain in his wake."
Vegeta growled at the Demon and then grabbed Goku's shoulders, shaking him roughly. "Kakarrot, snap out of it! Get a handle on yourself!"
It didn't help. Goku couldn't pull himself out of the trap so carefully constructed by the smirking, gloating Voice. Although, Vegeta couldn't find himself begrudging the smug attitude of the Demon. He had just reduced the savior of the universe to a quaking trembling heap of guilt-ridden anguish.
"How about I give you a taste of that, Vegeta?" The Voice drew up to him, His arm extended.
Vegeta didn't flinch. He merely crossed his arms, daring the Creature to come closer. "What, show me what a bad boy I've been? Familiarize me with the face of every person I've killed?" His eyes closed as he shook his head. "Don't You think I already go through that? You may have Kakarrot helpless, but You're dealing with an old pro at guilt-ridden flashbacks. You'll be doing nothing new."
The Voice drew back and laughed slightly. "Must run in the family. Guilt and defiance and pride, and wrapped up in one neat package."
Vegeta just glared and began to shake Goku harder. "Kakarrot!! Stop acting like the third-class disgrace that you are!!" When Goku didn't respond, Vegeta gave up on reasoning with him and punched him hard in the mouth. Goku fell over to his side without a sound.
The Voice snorted in laughter. "I'd hate to see how you treat your enemies."
Vegeta flashed Him a look, mouth hinting at his customary evil smirk. "You really would."
In the meantime, Vegeta's "ministrations" seemed to have done the trick. Goku was pulling himself unsteadily to his feet, groaning. He opened his eyes, but didn't meet anyone's gaze.
"Kakarrot?" Vegeta said hesitantly.
"I-I'm alright, Vegeta," Goku said in a shaky voice.
The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell laughed. "Adding 'lying' to your lengthy list of sins, Goku?"
Goku glared, but didn't raise his head. He looked strangely… defeated.
*****
What is going on?
Jita blinked away the visions lingering in her eyes, huddling against the warm weight that did very little to ward off the penetrating cold.
A single-finger shot slit the air, cutting short the laughs of the suffering Saiyan Prince…
no no no NO NO NO!! She shook her head violently. She wouldn't think of that. She wouldn't allow… She still had some fight…. She still had to fight……
The little spiky haired boy laid on the ground – unconscious – as Buu's energy ripped through the planet… left by his father…
Jita clawed at her eyes, the physical pain bringing her out of the hellhole of the visions. Some level of Jita's mind knew she could break the mental hold. She had not yet accepted. She couldn't. Even as the vision of her son being held aloft by the abomination that had killed her overtook her, she pushed away the sight and focused on holding the boy in her arms. It wasn't difficult. She had done it so many times. She could practically feel the boy's warm weight in her arms… And her husband beside her, grinning like an idiot…
"Jita?"
The faint voice brought her fully back to reality. She remembered now where she was. It was the Lower Realms of Hell. She was on the platform surrounded by the Voice's special shield. And… someone was with her.
"Goten?" she ventured.
Warm arms encircled her from the ground. She felt the wetness of bleeding wounds against her arms, but she didn't pull away. She fell into the embrace.
"Why are you here?" Jita asked softly, though it came out harsher than she meant. On that note, why am I here? The thought came unbidden from her ever-analyzing brain.
"I—" Goten gagged a bit. Jita quickly pulled his head up to a more upright position and allowed him to cough up the blood that was sure to choke him. Goten's gi was now more red than orange.
"I couldn't leave you, Jita," Goten croaked out weakly. "I always told you I wouldn't let this happen. I couldn't."
And you've caused more harm than good, Jita thought grimly. But she didn't voice such feelings. No real point in that. In fact, I did the most harm by coming here in the first place. He takes power from souls…
"But…" Goten continued. "… I almost lost you here. I-I almost stopped… caring… Oh, Kami! I almost stopped caring!"
"Shhh," Jita soothed her husband, holding his head to her chest as if he were a child. She suddenly felt the years that separated them – the wisdom that Hell had taught her versus the innocence of Goten's own past and heritage. She felt… old. Ancient.
"Goten, I'm going to get you out of here," Jita promised, smoothing his hair down.
Goten lifted his eyes to look into hers and smiled – that painfully innocent and trusting smile that just made Jita feel older. She flinched, knowing he had misunderstood what she'd said. Better to not tell him now.
Slowly Jita raised her head to assess the situation outside of her tiny prison and find her tormenter. Needless to say, she wasn't expecting the sight that greeted her.
"What the hell?"
Three sets of eyes turned to her at her exclamation. They had been unaware of her regaining of consciousness and her exchange with her husband. She had expected the One. Even though He had taken many different forms in their acquaintance, and had never taken this effeminate form with her, she could recognize those eyes and that power anywhere. But the other two… Her temper flared.
"Vegeta! What do you think you're doing here?!" Jita struggled to her feet and propped her husband's back up with her leg. "You too, Kakarrot! What possessed you to interfere?!"
"Why, Jita," the Voice mockingly chastised her, "you're being so rude to our guests. I thought I taught you better."
Jita glared at her Master. "You have no right – no power – to keep them here. You have me… why do You need them?!"
But He doesn't have me, her logical mind cut through her anger. Not really. Or else I wouldn't be speaking to Him like this. But… I know He could break me if He truly wanted to. I know He could. But why doesn't He?
He orchestrated all of this.
Suddenly, the absurdity of the role He'd forced her into struck her. She knew quite a lot about the nature of the Lower Realms, and the seal of His imprisonment. She'd never had any doubts about her place here before, because it had all been self-centered. All she'd worried about was revenge. And it had been her choice. Yet, even through that, there had always been one nagging doubt – the one question. Why does He need my loyalty? Is it for entertainment, or…
It wasn't for entertainment. She knew that. The Voice was too smart – too ambitious – for that. She was here… to break the seal. And the seal couldn't be broken by her loyalty. Oh no.
It can only be broken by rebellion. I want to leave here so bad – He's made me want to leave here so bad – that I would endanger all of reality by… by leaving, and thereby breaking the seal.
Vegeta cut into her thoughts. "We came here to save your worthless hide, idiot sister, and that of your idiot mate. Do you have a problem with that?!"
"Don't you idiots realize what you've done?!" He was going to use them for His own power supply. Them and Goten. They're the most powerful in the universe. None could stand against Him if He had all that power. He's going to try to… use… them… In a fit of anger, Jita let her power erupt.
As soon as she did, she realized the repercussions of doing just that. One, her husband's body had been flung forward, fortunately caught by Goku.
Two, there was no longer a barrier to prevent her husband being flung forward, or anyone leaving the platform.
Three, she was actually able to use her power. It wasn't being held by the Voice.
Looking over, she saw her Master with an expression on His face – any of his faces – that she had rarely seen. Was it… fear? Maybe shock, or even horror. She couldn't tell. It was too much of a rush to cause such feelings in the being that had held all of her feelings in His hands for so long.
Slowly she stalked forward to her family, all looking at her with expressions of shock. She realized that she must look a sight. Her clothing was hanging in rags, the bones in her leg were only being held together with ki, blood covering her entire body… I must look like one of those soulless zombies in slasher flicks, she thought wryly.
Vegeta was the first to recover. "Well," he smirked in approval, folding his arms. "It seems you have shown your 'Master' who is the most powerful."
Jita blinked, and then laughed. "Yes. It seems that way, doesn't it."
The Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell seemed to crackle with rage. YOU WILL NOT ESCAPE ME SO EASILY, JITA.
Jita's mind and power at once grappled with the will of the Voice. Jita felt the horrible pulling at her bound soul, which physically manifested itself in the urge to kneel. She called forth every ounce of willpower in her small frame, sweating and straining under the pressure. And… it was working. Yet, amid the instinctive sense of triumph, Jita knew what was really happening. Somehow, she felt she had always known what it would come down to.
"Here, Jita."
Jita turned to accept the… peach?... from Goku's hand. "What?..."
"It's like senzu," Goku said quietly. Jita turned to Goten, who was now fully restored to health, besides the fact that he was still dead. Jita shrugged and quickly ate the peach. Immediately she felt the results. Good. She'd need the power.
Now able to use his arms, Goten quickly scooped Jita into his arms for an embrace. Like so many times, Jita felt herself melting into his arms, drawing all the comfort and reassurance that she could. She found herself not wanting to let go, and not even being ashamed in front of her brother.
"How touching," the Voice tried to say in a mocking tone, but His voice was too ragged. He was starting to sound more like the demon that He actually was.
Goten rolled his eyes. "Isn't it time we left? I've had just about enough of Him."
Goku folded his arms, his eyes shadowed. "I agree."
Jita pulled away from Goten and smiled into his eyes. It was so good to have him. But…
Keeping one hand on Goten's arm, Jita put her other on Vegeta's arm, seeming to draw reassurance from both. With a look that eerily resembled an apology, she jolted her energy through both of them, rendering them unconscious.
Goku stepped back a bit, stammering, "B-but… what? What are you doing?"
Jita smiled at him, one of the few times she'd actually smiled at him. "Kakarrot, I cannot leave here."
In the confusion, Goku momentarily forgot his own mental dilemma. He scratched the back of his head. "The Lord of the Lower Realms isn't stopping you. From what I've seen, you're beyond His power."
Jita shook her head. "It sure seems that way, doesn't it. I don't blame you for not seeing it, Kakarrot. After so many years, I've just now understood. He's… manipulating me. I'm doing exactly what He wants. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be coherent at the moment."
Goku's gaze hardened. "Jita, why do you need to stay?"
Jita glanced hatefully over at her Master. "Because if I set one foot beyond that seal, well, pardon the triteness of the expression, but all Hell will break loose. That seal is the only thing that's keeping the Voice at bay. If I cross it now, a second time… He wants to be free. He's using me." She lowered her head. "He's been using me all along."
Goku was speechless. Jita looked up at him and smiled again. "I… I did that to them because I didn't want them to see what I have to do next. I-I can't let them see me. They won't understand. But you…" Jita nodded to him. "You'll understand. The hero always understands fool self-sacrifice."
Goku ignored her comment. "You're going to stabilize the seal. You're – going to surrender yourself."
Jita nodded. "Don't make a big deal out of it. It's just something that has to be done. Just – get them out of here. And don't tell anyone. Make up anything. Just nothing too heroic." Jita smirked. "Want to make it believable. It's just – I – don't want anyone to know."
Goku didn't want to believe her. But he couldn't ignore her eyes. For the first time, she actually looked… beautiful. A beauty that only martyrs can attain. In that moment… he had to let her go.
Jita turned her back to Goku and walked slowly up to the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell. He sneered and backed away slightly, still playing like He was displeased with her actions and scared of her power. He'd always been too theatrical. Jita ignored it. She kept walking until she was four feet away from the Demon and…
All those times I've sworn to never bow before another. All those times I've clung to my freedom and independence, even when it would have been better to just give up and give in, or even the semblance of giving in… It's fitting that it should come to this.
Her legs seemed to give out on her. She hit the floor hard, her neck bent and her eyes averted. She raised her hand submissively – palm-up. All her concentrated power flowed from her hand to the shocked master before her. After she had fully surrendered her ki, she tore down her mental barriers. Finally, she found her voice.
"I pledge my will and loyalty to You, my lord."
Goku was frozen in place at the sight of the proud princess kneeling before a shocked Demon. The air lost its bitter chill, slowly warming, then heating, then almost to burning. The soft glowing light turned to the color of blood. The Lower Realms of Hell was finally living up to its name, reflecting the hellish fury of its lord.
Yes, He was angry. This had NOT gone how He had planned at all. The Voice fairly shook with rage as He stared down at the servant – the slave – that He didn't even want. By giving her power to Him, she'd stolen all the power He had. He couldn't even gain the presence of mind to strike the kneeling form down. All the carefully niched chinks in the seal that had slowly been eroding away from Jita's very presence… All of them filled up. Gone. He'd just… lost… everything.
And beyond Jita were the three Saiyans – the strongest in the universe – that He'd nearly hand-picked to serve him with energy – and they were useless.
When He finally found his voice, it was shrill with rage.
GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT!!!
Startled by the voice that seemed to come from everywhere, Goku quickly pulled Goten over one shoulder and Vegeta over the other. He hesitated when energy crackled around Jita, the power she had give the Voice, promising her an eternity of pain. He momentarily forgot his promise. I can't just leave her here, no matter what she says.
"Get out, Kakarrot!!" Jita yelled. A note of panicking despair tinged her voice, and Goku had no choice but to follow her command. He turned… and ran. Out of the fire-ringed door that he'd smashed in. Once out of the red heat and in the dark stairwell, he turned to look out of the door one more time.
The door was gone.
*****
"Where are they!!? They should have been here long ago!"
Enma had long since stopped trying to pacify the blue kai. He was technically much lower in rank – not even having jurisdiction over King Kai's dead soul. However, this was his office, and the god was setting everyone at the edge of their nerves. Not a good thing in a place mostly composed of newly dead souls.
"Kaio-sama, you know time works differently in that place," Enma tried to make his booming voice a little more soothing. "What can seem like hours here is only minutes there. It was made like that so the Lord of the Lower Realms of Hell would have less time to gain power."
"Are you lecturing me on the nature of the Afterlife!!?" King Kai turned on the red judge of the dead.
Enma raised his hands in defense. "No, Kaio-sama. I'm merely trying to reassure you."
King Kai's sunglasses glinted dangerously. "Well, stop trying."
Whatever tirade King Kai was going to start was cut short by the sudden appearance of the three said Saiyans.
"Goku! You did it!" Suddenly cheerful, King Kai mentally gauged the integrity of the nature of Hell. "Yes, the seal on the Lower Realms is strengthened to its original state," he said, satisfied. Then he noticed the two unconscious Saiyans. "Hey, what happened to them?"
The shadow had not left Goku's face, and even had become darker after Goku had teleported away. He'd sacrificed someone. Again. "It… was tough fighting," he lied.
King Kai regarded Goku suspiciously, but was prevented from inquiring further when both Goten and Vegeta started to regain consciousness at the same time.
"W-what happened?" Goten said groggily. As he noticed the temperance of the air, and the brightness of the atmosphere, the young man jumped up, looking wildly about him. He instantly recognized King Enma's pagoda. "Where's Jita?" he asked breathlessly.
Vegeta pulled himself up wordlessly. His last memories, the lack of Jita's ki, and the expression on Goku's face all combined to speak volumes. "She's still down there, isn't she?" Vegeta said, keeping his voice as neutral as possible.
Goku nodded miserably. "The seal is restored."
"What?!!" Goten almost went to his knees in horror, but fury kept him on his feet. "What did you say?!"
"Son," Goku said uneasily, "there was nothing I could do."
Goten glared disbelievingly at his father. "Well, then, what happened?" he challenged.
Goku looked away, remembering his promise, no matter what it did to him. "I can't tell you that."
Goten gave a high sharp laugh. "Of course you can't! 'Cause then you'd be admitting that you failed – you failed to save Jita. Now she's going to be down there… forever…"
This time Goten did sink to his knees, the enormity of reality finally crashing down on him. "I'll… never… see her again."
Goku slowly advanced on his shocked, grieving son. "Goten…" he put a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Goten wrenched away from his father's touch. "No! It's your fault!! You should have saved her. You're the hero! You should have saved her!"
"Goten, that's enough!"
Goten calmed a bit at Vegeta's sharp words. He looked down at the ground, sullen.
"If you've forgotten," Vegeta continued, "you still have a son to rescue."
Goten looked up in surprise. "Jiten?" he asked worriedly. "Where is he?"
Vegeta folded his arms solemnly. "He's been taken as an acolyte by the thing that killed you. It's called a Leech. He's unreachable right now, but he'll be back in a year, probably to try to kill us all. And…" Vegeta took a breath, knowing that this would kill Goten, "… he's probably going to win Jiten's loyalty."
"If all this is true," King Kai added thoughtfully, "you'll need to train on the Grand Kai's planet. There are people there who can help you prepare."
Goten nodded, collecting himself. He suddenly couldn't stand to be there any longer. He looked over at Vegeta. "So… I guess wish me back in a year." He turned to leave, following King Kai.
"Goten…" Goku started, not willing to have them part like this.
Goten glared over his shoulder at Goku. "You… just stay away from me," he spat out bitterly.
As Goten and King Kai exited the pagoda, Goku and Vegeta stood in silence, both grieving in their own ways.
"Kakarrot…" Vegeta began.
Goku looked at his rival hopefully, wanting – needing – just a word of encouragement.
"Just… take us home."
Goku looked down in disappointment, not even acknowledging Enma or anyone else, and put a hand on Vegeta's shoulder.
*****
Author's Notes: Thanks to all my reviewers: Silver Warrior (Would the perfect Saiyan hell be going without food, or complete weakness without the ability to get stronger? Hmmm… The eternal question.), Tonifranz (I'm glad I'm able to wring a review out of you every chapter. I wonder if this chapter will deserve another review, or if you'll try to wait a few more. Now to the review. Most of my stuff came from doing a simple internet search for underworld mythology, I'm ashamed to admit. However, I did have a devil (he-he, PUN) of a time weeding out what I didn't need. Oh, and Satan was in Satan City as always, taking credit for saving the world. Ha-ha. I mean, he was chomping on the heads of Brutus, Cassius, and Judas in the Ninth Circle of Hell. Since the Christian Hell is the most known and popular, I decided to just make it Dante's Inferno. Close enough. I'm glad my format didn't truly disappoint. I'm still not truly comfortable with writing action, and I wasn't sure if anyone in Hell could truly stand up to Goku and Vegeta without it just being pathetic. Don't worry, I'll eventually have some action, what with the Leech coming and all. I will go into the explanation of the purpose of an acolyte next chapter. Mostly, it'll be a devoted follower, but there will always be a mental and ki bond going on. It's a bit complicated, and will come out in later chapters. But don't be shy about asking for explanations. Sometime I mean to put something in, and I just forget. Didn't bring senzu because… I don't know… there wasn't any around? And I had a reason for eating the peaches at that point that I meant to explain and didn't. The way I envision Hell, mostly from seeing Frieza and Cell being taken down by Pikkon so easily, I have a theory that Hell screws with your ki a lot. Maybe it has a draining effect. Anyway, I was going to explain about the draining effect, and that it was starting to effect Goku and Vegeta, and I just didn't get around to it. Maybe later, or when I do the rewrite. Anyway. I was particularly happy with my portrayal of King Vegeta. Now, there's a character that certainly hasn't been fully explored. Either he's been abusive or at least strict father. That's something to think about… Oh! Anyway, hope to hear from you soon.), Howler Wolfe (My wonderful, supportive, loving boyfriend getting review 100. I love you! Oh, and if you meet a mythology professor who happened to be a DBZ fan, send him/her my way. Ha. As if that'd ever happen.), jason, Lil Shady (Not even sure if you're up to this chapter yet. When you get here… Thanks!), Omega (Thanks for the happy anniversary, and for the profuse praise of last chapter.), and tim333 (And now comes my critic. I will admit that I didn't this chapter mostly as comic relief. Reading back, I'm not as pleased with the first two levels. I had to force myself to write those, and a lot of times forced writing isn't as good. Same thing with Dante's Inferno. I almost copped out with this one by letting Goku and Vegeta walk in, and then break to when they're walking out and have one of them say "That… was disturbing." However, I thought that people would think me lazy with my research, so I decided to do a quick run-through. Seems that it wasn't as successful as I'd hoped. And you know me about angst and torture. That's my forte.)
And where is Dark Wolf? He'd better review this chapter, or I'll… do nothing, actually. Except for poke my bottom lip out. I MISS YOU, DW!! WHERE ARE YOU?!
Anyway. I have no idea when the next chapter will be out. I'll try to work on it whenever I can.
Until next time.
