The Horse with No Name
Chapter Thirty-One
Blood is Thicker than Wine
With bated breath, Gohan watches the tail ends of Quell's cloak vanish into the warp. The weight in his chest finally lifts; that's another milestone survived, a step in a direction wrought with ensnaring vines and treacherous turns. So many more steps are to be taken... One foot in front of the other, he tells himself, steeling his will. The day is young after all and he has other contenders to deal with.
Shin is pale. Kibito; paler.
Gohan has to giggle; that nervous bubble gushes out and he scratches behind his neck out of habit. "That was intense, huh?"
Neither laughs.
"What is happening, Goh – Lord Mori, or is it Gohan? I do not understand the situation – Please, I implore the truth from you."
The bloodied arm drops, the smile wilts and Gohan leans against the lonely chair beside him. "I don't care what you call me. Refer to me as you feel comfortable." The chair scrapes when he drags it back gracelessly. "I suppose I should tell my tale. Sit with me. Let's chat."
"You're going to have to forgive me, my lord, but I do not feel comfortable sitting amongst the corpses of my deceased colleagues."
Gohan rolls his head back to assess the damage. He wants to feel sympathy for Shin but he just can't. "I spared you," he reminds, "After the shit you pulled concerning Famis I still made sure Quell didn't touch you."
"Yet, look around. Look at what you have done." The Supreme Kai is breathless. "You slaughtered them, Gohan, you actually – you actually killed all these people, my friends, kais."
"You speak like you had no hand in this. Now sit down and talk to me."
There must be a natural reflex in Kibito because he looks ready to jump down Gohan's throat for the impertinence yet he has no right. Gohan doesn't need to chase favour anymore.
Still, Shin doesn't take it lying down. "By what world have I contributed to such a sin? I have only tried to keep the peace; acting as a buffer in order to retain balance—"
"Don't be so simpleminded. You place such monumental pressure on my dad's shoulders and expect him not to offload that? He's only one person. Why the hell would you even admit the truth of Famis' demise to him? How dangerously reckless. Honestly… As pleased as I am to know the reality I bear not think about a different outcome today. What would have happened if he had told Rixas first or worse yet, Quell?"
"I…I never expected Goku Son to breathe a word."
"Then more fool you. Not that that reassures me, what with you willing to withhold the truth. I… believed you better than this, Supreme Kai."
Shin stares over the fallen kais.
"I could say the same thing about you."
Gohan admires Shin's anguish, grimacing. "Your people's blood is as much on your hands as it is mine. This entire situation had been inevitable, really. Following the murder of my brother it was simply the natural order of things – this is justice, the righteous sequence denied to the collective for years following injustice after injustice on behalf of the dead now strewing this hall. Or do you think people in your position are above justice? Do you truly have nothing to answer for? If that's the case then you can join them because I have no time for a lack of integrity. My collective was hurt because of the people who would sit in this room and so I personally saw to it – to injustice." He kicks the opposing chair. "So, Shin, why don't you sit the fuck down and talk to me about what's going to happen next."
Kibito, face tort, lumbers forward but Shin quickly restrains him.
"This is not a simple mortal," the kai informs his assistant, "Do not rush forward. Your life has value to me, my friend."
That's right, Gohan thinks as they both pull up chairs, don't underestimate the situation.
"Tell me what led you to this," Shin asks of him, immediate, "Please."
And Gohan does. He doesn't relay everything because he owes Shin very little of his story; outlining the basic details of Gohan Son being the reincarnation of one Mori of Revelation, and how it had been a simple experimentation to see if the feat had been possible; a small but necessary lie. And it'd been months ago that he'd been unwittingly plucked from the estate and forced into a mortal vessel – a victim of circumstance – until the situation following the Zealites had come about, and then everything had changed. Gohan had needed to act.
Shin curls his hands over and over, brows tense. "We should have understood your value upon witnessing your aptitude with the Z Sword back against Buu."
Kibito nods. "No mortal had ever managed to wield it."
"It's mine. It always has been."
"It is a Kai relic and –"
"That's why they could never wish you back," Shin next realizes. "The magic of the dragon balls cannot reach past divine means."
"I imagine it hurt my family… being unable to wish me back, I mean," Gohan returns, softer than intended.
"Your… family? Do you truly see them as your own?"
"Of course. I'm not heartless," he tells him with a chin raised high. "Goku Son is my dad – he'll always be my dad."
Shin looks at him for an extended period, leaning, only feet away from his fallen brethren. "Such complexity…" he finally mumbles, "I have never heard of such a thing. God, mortal, saiyan, human; I feel like you have become a strange creation of your own. A mortal… Gohan Son, the mortal… For so long I have been admittedly curious to exchange words with the remaining gods of Revelation and unbeknownst to myself I had already met one. I may be going above my station by speaking out, but I feel like I must; my lord, by doing this, you crossed the line into morality and embraced what you shouldn't have – you have shaken the balance of the Almighty and your collective. Was this a road you should have walked? Is this not against nature?"
Gohan closes his eyes. "We must never be afraid to be a sign of contradiction, Supreme Kai."
There's a pause. Not even the lines of soldiers outside can be heard, not a pin drop, not even their breathing.
"Is this your Revelation?" Shin's gaze is hot like the afternoon sun. "Do you wish to blur the line between mortality and divinity?"
"No."
"Then what was this Frankenstein-like experiment for? What are you up to?" Gohan watches the Supreme Kai's expression simmer into glossy embers, unfocused like panic stole his sight, like he doesn't want to see. "Lord Mori, a Revelation will fracture the system right now. I know it is your sacred duty to pursue such ideals but should that itch be scratched this instance then more than just the system will falter, existence itself could change. It has happened before. Gods and kais; do you want them warring? Do you want bloodshed?"
The room speaks for itself. Gohan peers around it in a performance, smiling blandly at the streaks of gore. "We're a bit past that."
"Think of your family."
"I am."
"Revelation brings death."
"It already has."
"They rarely succeed."
"I'm confident."
"What would your father think?"
Golden eyes narrow.
Was that supposed to sting?
Gohan's lips purse and he leans back, obnoxiously so, watching the Supreme Kai anticipate his reaction. "What would he think?" Gohan contemplates, "I wonder. If I were to go back to Earth now and tell my tale do you think he would stay loyal to your principles or would he join me, his son? If I told him of the evils you Kai have committed do you really think he would help you? Goku Son is a good person. He would stand by his son – the son he has been committed to with unwavering devotion even to this day! I could have slain this shit show in front of him and he would still support me!"
"Then why haven't you told him?"
Gohan hadn't realized at first but he's now standing. The grip atop his chair has put a dent in it.
"You had opportunity long before you were involved with the Zealites on Earth," Shin continues, "You could have stood tall before Beerus but you didn't – you could have made a difference so very early on but you chose to withhold the information. Why?"
Through grit teeth, he manages; "Do you want me to say it? That I'm afraid?"
Kibito takes a breath but the Supreme Kai doesn't move an inch. The tension is enough to make Gohan laugh, and so he does. The chair is released and he scratches at the back of his head, grinning as though they're sharing jokes over the dinner table instead of heaped corpses.
"Heh, y'know, I think I am a bit, afraid, that is."
"Gohan—"
"Gohan or Lord Mori; pick one. I don't care which but pick one and stick with it."
"R-Right, Lord Mori."
"Though my anxiety stands, I have no concerns about my father getting in my way. My original opposition now stands by my side. Heh, you know, I once said that my dad destroys his enemies by befriending them; I suppose that was my inspiration. He's admirable and I aspire to have his benevolence. I really do respect him but…" Gohan sighs, "I think that this is beyond his scope. My dad is intelligent in his own way but he's not someone who can play the disturbing games you and the other kais enjoy. He's not political, Shin. I don't want him involved."
"But he is already involved, even more so now. He just watched Lord Rixas murder you. Do you really think he will allow that to go unchecked?"
"I will deal with it in due time. Until then…" He stares between both Shin and Kibito, intent. "You are not to return to Earth, you are not to contact anyone there. I do not care who you speak to in your usual circles because I can only imagine how you need to discuss your next steps. But should I find out that you have spoken to anyone that would pass along messages to Earth then you shall not be as lucky as to survive again. And remember, Supreme Kai, should you die then Beerus will also die. Do you truly want that to happen? I have no affection for that lazy brute so it would be no skin off of my nose but I am sure that that will ruffle more than a few feathers," Gohan raises a hand when Shin goes to reply, silencing him. "I want Earth uninvolved. No longer is it in your jurisdiction, it is in mine. You set foot there; the Zealites will have your life quicker than any relic's dismantlement.
"Do you understand? Any communication with Earth, and my goodwill – my fondness for you – will mean very little. You will die."
"Lord M—"
"And if you avoid Earth, if you cooperate with me, when the Council is reinstated and the Revelation has been achieved then… I will have you appointed as the head, the leader of the Kai and the individual responsible for overseeing the change brought upon the universe." Gohan steps towards the door – it opens, ready for him as he collects his three dragon balls from the grime and bodily fluids. "As Quell said, your work ethic is recognized. I've watched you for some time and honestly, I always thought you were terribly overlooked by those who you called your friends, the ones now rotting on the floor. They were self-serving, aloof in the face of evil – lazy. You're not. If you join me then we can bring true and real revolution upon the universe."
Shin doesn't reply. Gohan offers a final smile, wiping the one-star clean along his robe. "Instead of worrying about the relationship between Goku Son and I maybe you should mull over what I have just now offered you."
Just as Gohan goes to disappear along the corridor, Shin finally finds his voice, however crispy it has become. "My lord, what… what is the Revelation?"
He hums. "Go back to the World of the Kais, Shin, and return when you have an answer for me. Then, I will tell you of my ambitions."
"Lord Mori—!"
The door shuts.
Eyrelle is offered her old quarters back at the estate and she withdraws into them as quickly as Gohan had mentioned. There are no words between them; he never tries to explain his motivations for what he just did. Eyrelle is smart – there had been no misgivings between them about what he was going to do in the meeting chamber earlier tonight. Those kais had been as good as dead the moment she had let him in that room and she knows it.
It still doesn't ease her pain however. Gohan understands as much, and watches her go without any acknowledgement - her mane of white hair disappearing into the obscurity of the staff housing. He appreciates her devotion to Famis and to the Almighty, and even to him tonight on a night that would have been particularly wretched for her. Gohan won't let her down, not her or Roarg; they're as much aligned with him as Myra is.
Yes, my most trusted allies.
The night brings quiet loneliness – silence in fact – that feels very foreign after the escapade on Geo; the dark shield between what just happened and what will soon happen allows for momentary peace - a deep breath as he presses fingers against the bark of an innocent birch tree. Barricading him is the forest's great green wealth and he drinks it in greedily, the oxygen fresh and addicting as his moment remains unspoilt. He needs this. After everything, he needs this short rest.
But then, the crunching of twigs below marred boots is all he can hear. Snap… snap, snap. He slips back and more branches squawk, leaves crunch – the river of rushing of blood sloshes in his head. It still runs hot within. He can feel it swilling around and around – the screams of the deceased, the begging for mercy. Crying. Fear.
The dead kais.
Gohan would murder them all again. He's not sorry. Perhaps that is what is most alarming.
He scrapes his fingers along the roughness. Chips flake free.
'What would your father think?'
There's a final deep breath and the tree is left alone; Gohan continues to the main entrance.
Onwards he goes on through the grounds, actively averting his gaze away from Roarg, who sits atop the steps leading in. She seems to be poised so coincidentally in the exact place he'd need to enter; dabbing that wretched healing sap along scraped arms. How long has she been waiting for him? She looks weary but thankfully not banged up too badly; just a few insignificant cuts here and there that likely came as a result of a minor scuffle. Having come between both two gods and Dad, Gohan supposes her lucky.
She pauses, goo sopping between fingers, when she spots him.
"The earthlings are all safe," Roarg tells him flatly, resuming the application of salve. "Goku Son collapsed but is otherwise alive and well."
Gohan swallows, stopping in his tracks upon reaching the door. The knob feels heavy. "Thank you."
She hums, unhappy. He would pry if he thought it would get him anywhere but she looks as guarded as the firmest of padlocks, tight and edged and cool as she sits there, judging him.
"Sorry for dragging you into this," he tells the wooden door, "I missed you."
There's the sound of the empty pot of salve striking the floor. "They are waiting for you, Lord Mori."
Ah. Really, what does he expect? He put her in an awful situation tonight. "Right."
The door opens and immediately the estate rings with vibrant disagreement. Commotion from the next floor up can be heard as the sound carrying echoes – Rixas is shouting, swearing. Quell's low muffling follows, barely audible over the taps of Gohan's boots against marble and undecipherable until Gohan reaches the upper foyer. There he finds them both, Rixas still in a desperate state of tattered clothing and Quell still in his outwear. They've likely been arguing this entire time.
So rare that Gohan sees Rixas stand up to Quell that he's almost tempted to become the silent spectator, to watch Rixas burn three different shades of red in a matter of moments – but then, that rage returns – the same one from earlier – the one that hadn't allowed him to look at Rixas for longer than a second without burying him into the dirt.
"You have no right to take this from me," Rixas hisses, a breath away from Quell's levelled expression, "Famis deserves more than just to be a component in Mori's twisted schemes – he deserves justice, not this!"
"Famis is dead," Quell spits back, "He was murdered by them and we have opportunity to hit where it hurts, and yet you want to waste it by selfishly throwing a tantrum throughout the universe? Measure your hatred."
"You're wrapped around his finger. You've always been wrapped around it. Mori knows exactly how to play you and yet—"
"Bite your tongue. Don't think I don't know what I'm doing."
"When it comes to him, you lose your—"
"Be quiet!"
"No, you listen—!"
"We are doing this!" Quell roars, "This is my order!"
Rixas stiffens, face wet with spittle, shoulders tense and shaking and looking like they will explode if he stays still a moment longer. Finally, scorned, he shirks away just to catch Gohan's attention directly; gold meets gold; both burn furiously.
"By all means," Gohan bites out, throwing an arm, "Do continue."
The brute's teeth bare. A finger points.
"You fucking asshole, Mori. You fucking asshole."
Rixas saunters up like the big shot he thinks he is, bouncing along the hardwood and all the way into Gohan's face. When he goes to reach for the bloodied cloak, Gohan wastes no time in sending him to the floor. He swings so furiously that something in his arm twitches before even making contact with Rixas' cheek. The carnage of splintering wood swallows both of them and they tumble into the floor below, and then the one below that.
An explosion of glass indicates that they've struck the cellar and subsequently the wine stores. Sweet, tangy aroma assaults the senses, glass sparkles and rains in what little light there is, wine waterfalls freely. Both of them are drenched yet Gohan doesn't break – he's on top, viciously punching over and over, knees pressed against each of Rixas' shoulders so he's in the perfect position for brutalization.
With each swing, Gohan falls into it, grunting, tired, angry.
"You killed me!" he snarls, tasting wine. "In front of them!"
Rixas is shuffling madly. It's a position they've found themselves in before – in training – and he's always struggled to get out of it, this is no different.
Gohan leans all the way back to get the satisfaction of a crack across the jawbone.
"He's just a child!" he thunders, remembering Goten's horror; the snow around him, the framing of Rixas' carnage and wicked fury. "You fucking bastard!"
Rixas spits a wad of blood right into Gohan's eyes. Red blinds him, not even just figuratively this time and thusly giving chance for Rixas to buck him off and launch him into the stack of nearby kegs. Gohan lands without poise, awkwardly striking an awaiting rack and several piercing taps. They don't nearly hurt as much as the backhand across the face, and then the ensuing smashing of craniums which follows.
Head-butting Rixas had always felt like an impossible force meeting an unmovable object. There's a wave of momentum. More kegs fall, surviving wine bottles survive no longer, shelves collapse and Gohan with them.
"This your fault!" Rixas tells him, "You created this!"
"You sent me back here!"
"You slayed the kais because of what I did on Earth?" He laughs darkly, collecting Gohan from the puddle of purple-red. Glass clatters as Gohan climbs higher in reach, head throbbing. "You manipulative brat, do not dare play games with me."
Gohan doesn't shrink away. He grasps onto what's left of Rixas' jumpsuit. "You fucking killed me in front of my little brother."
"He is not your brother – they are not your family!" Gohan is shaken. "Why are you acting so deluded? Why won't you just behave for five minutes? Why have you done this?"
"I did this for Famis, for us all."
"You liar! You did this for your Revelation."
"And what are you doing?" Gohan yanks himself free, kicking at blood-smeared knees. "Strutting around, showing them all what a big man you are, killing aimlessly – at least I have a plan, at least I can make Famis' death mean something, you thick-headed, selfish monster. You murder and taste the pleasure of it. Heh, enjoy killing me in front of an innocent man and his son, did you? Oh, I bet you did."
Rixas makes another grab for him but Gohan had expected it. He takes a hold of the nearest object – a sturdy dark-label bottle of red – and swings; smashing it instantly and sending Rixas down into the dazzling puddle below. Glass flecks sparkle from the grunge and matting of what was once blonde hair; eyes beneath are unchanged however, burning with equal royal might.
"Goten is a boy!" Gohan screams at him, "A child!"
Rixas says nothing, staring him down, expression so unreadable, so not-him. Gohan hates it – hates him. He raises another fist, pulling it back and willing it as a beacon of that hatred to knock every tooth out of Rixas' mouth.
The fist is caught but not by Rixas.
"Knock it off," Quell says, "Both of you."
Gohan wants to let it fly so much. His hand shakes.
"Mori," he continues, "Stop it."
Rixas stares up, blood trickling from his lips. It could be wine, Gohan tells himself, it could be the wine and Rixas might not even be injured when he very well should be.
"Mori."
Gohan stumbles tall, pulling free. "He… He…" But Quell wouldn't understand or care about Gohan's affections for the people of Earth. "Quell," he bites out, "He—"
"You just executed half of the Council earlier tonight and now you are blubbering like a petulant boy. If you want to bring Revelation then act like someone who is ready to lead such a charge."
Gohan breathes hard, pausing, swallowing. He looks at the bastard on the floor. God, he'd love to deck him…
"Both of you need to grow up, now, right now," Quell continues, sloshing his way through his the sea spilled red, "We do not have time for childish antics. Mori, you have chosen this path and I am open for the conversation to walk beside you but for that you must keep your eyes firmly forward."
"Rixas – he… Quell, Goten is just a boy."
"A boy, yes. And nothing more, not to you, not to us – just some mortal child on a nowhere planet."
"He's my brother."
Quell's cape catches the wine. It spits it when it swivels, peevish. "No, he's not! And Goku Son is not your father! If you want my full cooperation then I need you to accept this. Pick, Mori, Revelation or Earth. You cannot have both."
His lip curls, the wine sours. The sweetness is too much. "Don't you think I know that? Don't you think I have already made that decision?"
"Then stop using your actual brother as a punching bag and go take a bath. I cannot take you seriously with you wearing my favourite merlot." He turns on Rixas next. "And you. I do not want to see you at all tonight. Take a day, take two, fight whoever you want, beat yourself bloody with an oversized butter knife, take on an army; I don't care but do not show your face in front of me until you have calmed down. Do you understand?"
Surprisingly, Rixas nods, slow, eyes still laden with hate and anger and everything in between.
Quell sighs, surveying the room and his once precious collection. "What am I going to do with the both of you?"
Gohan stews in his bath for more than an hour that night. The large open pool contradicts the small tub found at the Son house back on Earth; God, he'd forgotten how humble his beginnings had been. Small tubs, hot fires… Everything here is so lavish in comparison but it's funny, really, how quickly he adapted to modesty, and even to the grandiosity when he first arrived at the estate years ago. Small room, big room, books everywhere, forests, Dad, Quell… Both lives are good lives. They birthed respective individuals.
Gohan is neither Gohan Son nor is he Mori of Revelation; he's far more than either of them now. The person he is today is the person who will bring Revelation.
Yes. It's happening. Gohan is making it happen.
Myra is in his room and waiting for him when he emerges from the bath. She's prepared fresh clothes for him like he hasn't the ability to grab them from the wardrobe himself. He changes and rejects the offer when she goes to fasten his cloak buttons for him, but he does take her in his arms. He kisses the top of her head – near the tidy bun of hair – and she smiles half-heartedly.
By the Almighty, it's good to see her.
Gohan had missed her a great deal. After so many years she's managed to grow on him like mould would over an apple; his home grown penicillin, his unasked support. There had been many a time he could have done with her on Earth (even if he would have wanted to throttle her after twenty minutes) and so he mentally cherishes her in this moment.
She soon leaves him however and so Gohan is subject to his own company and space. He really does live the life of luxury here. How he hadn't missed it more is surprising, because now that he's back he finds that he's especially happy to be reunited with his bed. He lounges on it, content. The room is as tidy as always and Gohan appreciates that it's still dust-free. Myra must have organized the cleaners to visit while he'd been absent. Other than a touch of spring cleaning his belongings look remarkably untouched. He smiles upon spotting his sprawled research on the Super Saiyan God transformation. His fingers grace pages, illustrations, trailing lower as he realizes that some of this information had not been as accurate as he had written. His perspective holds more weight now – Gohan would know exactly what to do to achieve the transformation.
But do I need to?
His dad had transformed amazingly. Gohan doesn't know how his power had compared previously but for a mortal to reach such a height is an incredible feat. During the fight against Beerus, Gohan had been scared but also so… so proud of his father.
"Dad…" He groans into his hands, remembering the final moments with his father and his brother, with his mum, and even with Videl and Haruto and Trunks and all the others he's left behind.
God, I really left them, just like that…
His dad had taken it awfully the first time he'd left. Witnessing Gohan's death today won't mean the end; Shin is right, Gohan should expect his dad to do something.
"Damn it…"
Gohan will go and speak to them at some point, when he can, when things are safer, better. Gohan will bite the bullet and tell them the truth.
'What would your father think?'
"He's not going to agree with Revelation," Gohan informs his canopy above his bed. The less he knows the better for now. It just makes sense. It's… less about me being a coward.
There's a knock at his door before it opens, a courtesy for Myra.
"Um, Lord Mori, Lord Quell is awaiting you in his chambers."
"Grand." He jumps off the bed. "Are you coming with me?"
"No, I… I think it wise to remain here."
"You're being a sourpuss tonight. Aren't you happy to have me back? I might think otherwise with you walking around with a face like a smacked backside."
"My lord… You're, today, you…"
"Awh, what's with that face?"
He quirks a grin but she sees straight through it. Of course she does.
Blue hands reach for his, faltering. They drop.
"L-Lord Mori," she manages, and that's when Gohan realizes that she's verging on tears.
Oh. His eyes blow wide and he takes either shoulder, unsure of how to proceed. Myra has never once cried in all the years he's known her. She's resilient and a force to be reckoned with; a monster with no weakness. He tortures her endlessly with his antics and she's never once cracked.
"What are you blubbing for?" Gohan jokes weakly, "You really did miss me, huh?"
Her tiny fingers bunch up his robes. There's a great sniffle. "I d-did."
Now Gohan just feels bad. He nearly falls to his bottom. Out of all the shocks today this is the biggest one yet.
"Myra?"
"A-And I'm going to miss you. I, Lord Mori… Mm."
"What? Are you quitting?"
She shakes her head no.
"Then what are you talking about?"
"It's just… you… You're becoming more like… how you used… It doesn't matter. I'm sorry."
There's little way in elaboration as that's when she chooses to see herself out. Her heels clip-clop all the way down the hallway and out of earshot whilst Gohan can only watch; perplexed.
Roarg, too… She had been weird, even before he'd left for Earth…
There's a long and guttural sigh. So many are becoming spooked. Gohan understands that change can be scary but it needs to be embraced now – Gohan is growing into who he needs to be, not just for him but for them too.
I'm becoming who I need to.
It's not about becoming Mori.
Mori is me but I am not him.
Gohan brushes his hands through his hair, takes a deep breath and makes haste towards Quell's chambers.
Quell topping Gohan's glass with red wine feels more a kick in the teeth than anything.
"I'm sorry about your wine stores."
His brother peers over at him from the other side of the bottle, mouth tight, saying nothing on the matter even though Gohan knows it must be killing him to do so. Nobody messes with Quell's collection, yet considering the situation – Famis' truth and the revelation about the Zealites – little else really matters in comparison. And as a result, Quell has looked better; weathered dark circles run deeply beneath his eyes and against pallid skin, and usually his hair, whether down or tied back, suits him finely but tonight it washes him out. It frames either side of his face in sad wisps, ragged, tired. He looks exhausted.
Around, the flickering of candles creates a sleepy environment, making Gohan unable to do much else but to wonder if Quell is going to crash on his sofa right in front of him. Quell's chambers are always heavy with an atmosphere suited to a smoky boudoir, what with dark colours and hanging plants swallowing the room; the effect making it smaller and more private. It's lulling Gohan into a sleepy haze.
But Gohan hasn't the time for rest. He, for the second time today, relays his story of being summoned to Earth, and this time he doesn't spare any details. Quell deserves the truth.
That isn't to say that it's easy discussing the situation. Admitting that he'd only learned about the Zealites mere hours ago seems to both disturb and reassure Quell.
"I would have told you had I known earlier, brother," Gohan declares, "I would not have had you chasing thin air."
"Not now, but before you had known about the Zealites' lack of involvement and said nothing."
"That was before I reincarnated and returned to you. I'm devout now, I promise. I'm loyal to you."
Quell drains his glass and pours another. Gohan doesn't refuse the top-up.
"Another worry is that you may harbour any other memories not yet recollected that could change the course of things going forward."
"Yes… This concerns me too. I won't lie. There is little trust between Zamasu and I. I don't want to go into this alone. That's where you can help me."
Quell doesn't outright deny him so that's something.
Soon, he does however laugh, barking, when Gohan tells him how Zamasu had nearly defecated himself when Gohan had threatened his life back at the meeting. Gohan, too, allows himself to laugh now, cherry-cheeked and warm from the wine and surrounding candlelight.
"How I have missed you, Mori," Quell says, looking pained to say as much, "You cause so much hassle but I do wholeheartedly enjoy your company however much headache you bring along with it. I just… wish you hadn't the hunger for Revelation. Life would be much simpler for you and me if you were not so hell bent on it."
"Brother, it's our duty to exact change."
"Is that why you find it excusable to coerce me into exacting your whims by playing Famis' death against me? Finding out such a delicious piece of ripe information has definitely strengthened your case in enlisting me; I imagine you were gleeful at the prospect."
It hurts. Gohan pushes against the plush sofa cushions, sitting tall. "It wasn't like that."
Quell tilts his head, a knowing, saddened smile present.
"It wasn't."
"Our argument before you left had me simmering for days," he continues, ignoring Gohan's wrought expression, "But I knew it wasn't over; this Revelation obsession of yours. How frustrating for you that I have never understood the pull of it, and Rixas, too, has never been swayed by the Almighty. Neither had Famis been. The situation must prove rather lonely for you.
"As you know, every collective has a level of intent to achieve Revelation, and it's not always balanced between the subjects of that collective. I often wonder…"
"Quell?"
"Either you have inherited this hunger in its entirety or the Almighty is weakening. So rare is Revelation truly achieved and now, so rare a god of Revelation even wants to achieve it. Mori, you want to rid the universe of ki – or rather, you want to limit the activation of it within mortal beings – by doing this, do you know what immediate consequence will follow? Society itself will collapse. This endeavour you're taking isn't for the faint of heart. Most will not look upon you kindly. I know you value that; love. You may very well be hated, most definitely will you be seen a villain. And once a villain you're a villain until the end.
"Manipulating me into joining your cause may just be one of many necessary evils you must undertake. Are you willing to have the ends justify the means? Are you willing to put your life on the line for all of this?"
"Yes."
Quell's eye close and his brows knit together in a tight knot. His breathing is ragged. The wineglass in his hand taps down onto the opposing coffee table, still half full.
"You're truly willing to put me through this?"
"Yes. I'm sorry."
"My life, too, will be endangered."
"I won't let anything happen to you."
There's a derisive laugh. "You're so immature."
"Billions across the universe will be safer without ki being used as a weapon against them; how they would sleep easier, and Famis would be avenged."
"I want only one thing more than revenge for Famis…" His hand reaches out, fingers dividing into the thick of Gohan's freshly washed hair. "You and Rixas mean… you both…" He looks for his words. "I do not want you to die, Mori. I cannot lose you again."
Gohan clasps the hand, squeezing, willing Quell the strength. "If I promise to live then will you help me? Help me achieve the Revelation and I shall quiet down and want nothing more, only this."
The moment stretches on for an eternity – just him and Quell, alone – with the balance of the future before them.
"Okay," his brother finally murmurs, "For you."
"And Famis."
"If you want to believe that."
"I do. Whether or not you or Rixas believe me I want this for him, too. The kais wronged him and stole a brother from me. I could have… fixed things between us – I could have had a second chance with him too."
"I see."
"Rixas sees the worst in me."
Quell retrieves the hand, darkly amused. "As do I. I call it having common sense. You operate under strange morals that cannot always be trusted."
"I love you, Quell." The straightforwardness sends an ache of embarrassment coursing through his brother but Gohan won't look away. "Even if you don't trust my actions, trust that."
Quell recollects his wineglass and states intently into it. The remaining red reflects a man incredibly strained, older and more tired than Gohan's ever seen him.
"We have a lot to discuss. Meetings. We need meetings with Zamasu and Eyrelle."
The weight in Gohan's chest lifts and he smiles, bright and wide. Quell's agreeing to it. It's happening.
His brother continues, still fixated. "Rixas cannot know the Revelation's intentions just yet. He won't understand. Give him time to come to terms with his emotions right now and then we'll talk to him."
"Right."
"I'll have Cross send news that we declare our truce with the kais over."
"Yes. I'll ask Myra to reach out to other deities."
"We need to meet with Beerus."
"Yes, we do. He has one of the super dragon balls and we need it."
"That is correct. Oh, and you also need to send one of your Zealite friends to collect the Orb of Permanence from Earth. I don't want a cursed relic like that falling into incompetent hands."
"Right. Of course. Yes."
"What are smiling like an idiot for?"
Gohan takes Quell by the arm – he wants to hug him, to embrace him and tell him how wonderful and brilliant he is. "Quell," Gohan manages through the delight, "Famis is about to be avenged. It's happening."
Quell nods, leaning close. "I will have the kais grovelling for what they did to him. The new world shall never forget the injustice. They'll be reckoned with our valour." A wave of energy reignites that wicked spark within him; drunk giddiness – the prospect of retribution has Quell grinning, as though he's just realized what he's agreed to. "The Revelation," he breathes, "the Revelation."
It's contagious. "We'll show what we really can do."
"They'll never question our merit again."
"We'll be salvation."
"Strength and power –"
"True gods."
Rixas must be scurrying about the shadows of the estate with his tail between his legs because Gohan's yet to see him. Days have passed, declarations have been made and the estate has been host to several visitors hampering for more information. Citizens and warriors of the Realm of the Almighty have been made aware of Gohan's latest venture on Geo; war is to come, no doubt about it.
Quell's miserable assistant, Cross has returned from his trip to the World of the Kais without any words from them. He had delivered the notice of Revelation at the same time Myra had been asked to notify the other gods. Who will become involved is any man's guess. Gohan isn't sure who will take interest in his plight but he doesn't bother getting his hopes up; the gods have a duty to themselves and to their own respective lines of work whatever they are.
Most gods equip a healthy dose of self-preservation. They won't want to jump into the middle of no man's land unless necessary – unless it benefits them.
He dismisses Myra, unsurprised, when she has no offers of support to share with him.
No matter. We only need to collect the dragon balls, he thinks, walking and enjoying the stretched grounds of the estate. It's comparatively warm here compared to Earth. He savours the mute heat and basks in the light of purple skies, twirling his now returned earing over and over as he watches the newly emerged Rixas and Roarg train together in the nearby distance. No words have been exchanged between them and Gohan since, not that he's complaining. Gohan doesn't even want to look at Rixas yet. He still wants to launch him into the nearest star – what the bastard did is unforgivable, and perhaps Rixas knows as much because that usual fire within has tempered. He won't so much as look Gohan's way.
Roarg, however, doesn't shy away from acknowledging him. She throws down the training sword, wipes the sweat from her brow and turns to stare him out, appraising and confrontational. After years of wanting her under his charge Gohan suddenly finds himself lucky; Myra may be a pain, but she doesn't have the ability to make him feel like shit.
Gohan frowns. What does he have to feel bad about? Earth? His family? Rixas? Her?
She still hasn't warmed up to him by the time Zamasu comes by. By the far side of the estate, she and Rixas hunker down together in what Gohan likes to consider a sulking seminar. Neither emerges even when Eyrelle joins them, and as far as Gohan knows, Eyrelle and Roarg had in fact been friends before Famis' death.
Whether or not they have even spoke isn't made aware to Gohan, not that it is his business anyway. Still, it would have been nice to have Roarg attend today's meeting because she always has nuggets of wisdom to spare – not only that, but the estate and the surrounding Realm of Almighty will need to be fortified and she's going to be leading that brigade. Several soldiers have been pottering around the estate in clumps of twos and threes – a sight rarely seen previously – looking weathered from all the recent buzz. Security is tight. Nobody is to enter the grounds without Quell's direct approval, and that apparently goes for the Zealites too.
Byleath had been officially introduced to Quell only yesterday and the affair had been quick and cold. Habits die hard and Quell is still frosty towards the idea of cooperating with them despite their lack of involvement in Famis' death. Until Quell feels comfortable enough to invite Byleath to the meetings, Gohan has decided to keep him and the other Zealites busy by monitoring both Earth and the World of the Kais. Any strange instances are to be brought up to him but he's yet to hear anything.
Like he had with Eyrelle and Zamasu, Gohan told him of their plans to secure the super dragon balls. This is the number one ambition for them should they want to achieve the Revelation.
"I had guessed this to be the route we'd take," Byleath had simply said before then disappearing into the night with his men. Gohan can't get a read on the man – the aloof distance – but finds it's not as disturbing as it ought to be. Like Piccolo, there is just a natural will to create distance.
Piccolo…
Gohan tries his best not to think about him or Earth. There are plans to be made, people to meet with.
"I hope you're hanging in there, Eyrelle," Gohan says, heartfelt as she sits beside him in the foyer. The grand meeting table is finally being put to use. "I know… this has not been a kind situation to you. I'm sorry."
"I'm fine, thank you, Lord Mori."
"Personally, I think you have very little to apologize for," comes Zamasu, acutely self-satisfied from the other side of the table. "I can say with confidence that the Council would have wasted no time if offered the opportunity to be rid of you."
"Hardly reassuring, thanks."
"You are most welcome."
"Yes, well, their opinion is also of little value to me so I cannot say I am perturbed either," Quell chimes in, heading the table, "Unfortunately; what I must care about is an even more intolerable individual requiring my attention. Beerus needs to be approached. Though, he is tightly knit with the kais so I doubt he will at all cooperate should we or I go to meet with him."
"It's worth trying, brother."
"He has not responded to any of my messages through Cross."
"I wouldn't be willing to correspond through that beanpole either; you know he rubs people up the wrong way." He ignores the amused snort. "Not only that but you must be forgetting that Beerus has an ego rivalling the entire Council combined. He'd want you to speak with him yourself."
"A personal invitation…" Quell lets out a weary sigh. "By the Almighty… You're right."
"Regardless of who attends to the beast Beerus will not ally with us," Zamasu informs, leaning back, assessing reactions. "I would have reached out sooner to him should I have thought as much."
"It's imperative that we try," cements Gohan.
"Oh, do you think your famed charisma and charm can win his allegiance?"
"No, but it will set a precedent for respect of the establishment. Should we ignore Beerus' status and simply attack him for the dragon ball it will send a message in how we function as a movement. I do not want us to be seen to be disrespecting the system—"
Quell snorts. "You only want to dismantle it."
"I do but it's about communicating decorum. We still operate under a code of conduct."
"What? To Beerus?"
"It's bigger than that."
There's a shuffling beside Gohan, awkward. "Lord Mori has a fair point," Eyrelle finally speaks, tempered; quiet but loud because of that fact. They have to lean in to listen. "The majority of the Council is dead and it will be considered a mark of terrorism according to the remaining few alive and their followers. By attacking Lord Beerus to secure his dragon ball, we would be continuing that very message and thusly isolating ourselves from new supporters, other gods and any individual that could change the tide of the Revelation."
The others have to savour her words whilst Gohan smiles, very much congratulating himself on securing Eyrelle into the fold.
Quell nods, contemplative. "I see."
"So it will be a performance," Zamasu laments.
"Yes, why, you should be very good at it."
The kai smirks. "Oh. Such a tone I hear. Are you sore about something, Lord Quell?"
"An assassination attempt on my life would do that, yes, I suppose."
"An attempt but not an achievement, so perhaps we can let bygones be bygones. Unless Lord Mori kindly requests me to poison your chalice of wine then you will find yourself very safe in my company." Zamasu silkily repositions himself, hands to knees, with innocence unbefitting his snake-like face, "Such nasty business can be forgiven, can it not? We are on the same side now after all."
"…What a foul creature you are."
"This creature brought you the truth of poor Lord Famis' death."
"After concealing it for how long?"
There's a laugh. "Oh, I understand how you—"
"Stop. Stop this." Gohan doesn't like where this is going. There is no use in bickering. "As much as I appreciate the pledged loyalty, Zamasu, there will be no poison passing this table. Things are different now and I truly value the lives of my loved ones far more than any service you can offer me. Should you try anything on his life then you'll be wishing I killed you back in the meeting chamber."
Gohan watches the snide curling of cheeks wither, slow. A returned gaze runs most cold.
"Understood."
To spite him, Gohan smiles his brightest; his weapon.
"How about the other dragon balls?" Eyrelle quickly moves along, "We have four in our collection, do we not? That leaves three to be found."
"We have the three from the dearly departed kais," Quell tells, "And the one entrusted into the care of the Almighty. Haed has a ball and so does Beerus as you know, but we have yet to find the whereabouts of the final ball."
Gohan hums, eyes averted, twirling his earing. Finding the last ball is the trickiest part of this puzzle.
"Are you willing to speak with Haed, Mori? I imagine you have a better relationship with him than I."
On reflex, his expression sours. Both Quell and Zamasu laugh but Eyrelle, likely having never met the man, watches with empty expectation. "There's no need for that right now – No, brother, trust me when I say this, Haed is not to be dealt with. We need to wait a little longer. For this moment, let's focus our attention on the meeting with Beerus, the consolidation of the Realm of the Almighty itself and that remaining dragon ball."
"Fine. I'll have Rixas strengthen defences. Captain Roarg will be happy of the work, I'm sure."
"And when are we going to bring in the third brother?" asks Zamasu, head to hand, smirking lazily. "He must be oh so lonesome."
"When it is appropriate. Do not run your wretched mouth and reveal the Revelation until I say so. The matter is a sensitive one." Quell sends all of them a meaningful look. "The topic does not leave this room."
Eyrelle looks most troubled by the demand, wringing hands through and around her discarded gloves. It doesn't go unnoticed.
"We'll announce our intentions when safest," Quell elaborates, "So wipe that pitiful look off of your face and consider yourself lucky to be sat amongst people of position. There is no room for guilt at this table. You must steel yourself. No longer are you a mere assistant."
"Yes, my lord."
"He's right, Eyrelle," Gohan adds, gentle, "However wrong it might feel to keep things from Roarg or Rixas we must for the time being. We need to stay strong."
"I am not a child. I understand the situation just fine."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—"
Zamasu laughs as Gohan sucks lemons. "Yes, Lord Mori, do not baby her. She knows what she has signed up for."
Quell, too, breaks into amusement. "You'll find Mori has developed a soft spot for women; a strange habit from his mortal years."
"Disgusting."
"Quite so."
Gohan stands. "Okay, great. Thanks. Meeting adjourned."
He spends that evening alone in the garden, drinking a rice wine so strong that it could be mistaken for drain cleaner. Twilight proposes the still isolation where Gohan can pretend that it's just him and the songbirds; the reds and the pinks discolouring surrounding forests and serving as a reminder of where he no longer is. Earth sunsets feel different. They're softer, less intense but still heavy with atmosphere. They are loaded with the charged memories of training for the androids, meditating with Piccolo, camping with Goten, those secret walks he'd take with Videl and of so much more. They'd been precious times…
It's winter on Earth now, whilst it's still temperate here in the Realm of the Almighty. The difference is a strange thing he didn't expect to find difficultly in becoming accustomed to. Gohan does miss the snow.
He sips the wine, enough of it that it makes him cough. The burn is beautiful. How long hasn't he had a drink like this? Two months? Three? And it is not to be in a teenage body. He is himself once more. Taller, broader, better maintained; those awkward years are better left in the past.
His hands, dotted in calluses, are not as fresh as the meat sack's.
Gohan watches as they clench, unclench. Clench again.
He likes to imagine a phone in one of the hands. He envisions texting Videl about a medial topic, and laughing when she replies something clever that he hadn't expected. In the other hand, he sees his mother's nimble fingers interlink with his. She tells him about a college she suspects to be the perfect match for him and her face glows when Gohan compliments the architecture in one of the college prospectuses. Giddy, she plans his entire future for him as Gohan can only complain and not really mean anything by it.
Clearing his throat, Gohan blames the drink.
Nearby, a bird swoops through the leaves. Another soars alongside, landing on an opposing branch, and together they trill in the gold. Watching them is bittersweet.
I'd bird watch with Goten. I wonder… what he'd think of all of this. Would he think me the villain?
Of course he would. They all would. Gohan will be the villain. Quell is right; everyone is going to hate him.
A villain to the end, huh?
Another sip kills the thought.
He's made his decision. However hard it was to do, it's done.
…It's just… Well, it just would have been nice to say a proper goodbye. What even had been the last thing he'd said to his mother? His dad? Goten?
Really, Gohan shouldn't dwell. It's not like he didn't know that this was going to happen; that's why he wrote the letter.
Goten must have definitely read it by now.
He closes his eyes, stretching out on the bristly grass, listening to the swansong of the day. The wine burns on his lips.
I hope it snows soon.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
God, if I'd been splashing about in a slush of wine I'd cry. The smell would knock me something awful.
Thanks to Kags for beta-ing this chapter as always. I really enjoyed writing it because it's been a long time coming; Gohan is stepping up and taking charge and that, for me as the writer, is grand. And lucky for you, due to my city in China having a meltdown due to Covid I'm actually not back at work so I'll be able to get the next chapter out fast(ish). I'm waiting to be thrown into lockdown jail again so I can eat my weight in carbs and go down the fanfic rabbit hole. Pokemon Arceus has been glorious but too quickly completed so I have little to distract me.
There have been a lot of guest reviewers (which is lovely, thank you!) that I cannot reply to. I just want to say that I appreciate any and all feedback. If you have any questions then I'll try and answer them in a future chapter AN like I did in the one previous. Oh, also, keep an eye out for a link on my profile for a sketch of Roarg. I know a few have asked me about her before!
Alright, I'm off. Gonna' enjoy my last bit of freedom. Thanks for your support and I'll see you on the next one where we'll see Earth shenans~
