The Odyssey – 2

The Earth Was Void -

Author's Note: Well this chapter is a bit earlier than my weekly minimum. I'm trying to get these done between postings so if anything should go wrong and I don't have time to write, I'll have some on backup. Anyway, thanks to those who read and reviewed the first chapter! I certainly appreciate the feedback. I realize now that I did make a mistake in my calculations with the age dating of the characters. It's not major, but my numbers are wrong. I'm going to leave them as I have them here, for the sake of continuity and my sanity. I hope you enjoy this addition, and leave a review!

XXXX

Videl sat on her daughter's bed, holding Pan's favorite book. It was Homer's Odyssey. Gohan had suggested Pan read it, as he wanted her versed in the classics early. Pan had loved the book, and read it several times. When she was younger, before she had become a teenager and found her pride damaged by such frivolity, she would play the hero, Odysseus. Ever the tomboy, she had Gohan and Goku build her a big ship in the forest for make-believe. Pan would spend hours out there, fighting off sea monsters or wading 'ashore' to do battle with a mighty cyclops.

Videl smiled sadly, and tried to remember the story of The Odyssey. Did Odysseus ever return? It had been years since she read the book, and she couldn't remember. Now her own family was lost, facing unknown trouble. They were all undergoing their own trials, Videl thought – Mother, Father and Daughter.

Pan and Trunks were beyond the reach of anyone on Earth now. Bulma had broken the bad news that they had commandeered the fastest, most state-of-the-art ship Capsule had ever built. They had tried to call the vessel, hoping to dissuade the two from their mission, but of course they had disabled the communications. Bulma was upset that Trunks had flown into danger as well, and none could believe that he had been so reckless and irresponsible, but she and Videl both took some small comfort knowing Trunks and Pan had one another for support.

Videl liked Trunks. He was Pan's best friend after all, and had always looked out for her and made her happy. She always thought the two would make a good match, although the age divide was a bit larger than what she considered normal. And she trusted him implicitly with her daughter, but any such hope of them returning to live a happy life together might just be impossible now that they had both left on such a suicidal quest.

A knock on the front door jolted her from thought. She stood quickly and tried to wipe the evidence of her tears away. Breathing deeply for composure, she opened the door. Goten stood outside, staring off across the yard, brow furled as if in thought. He jumped a bit when he heard the door open. It was a surprise to Videl, as she hadn't seen him since a few nights ago when Pan had left the planet, taking her heart with her.

"Hi, Goten." She said, puzzlement in her tone.

He smiled nervously, plainly uncomfortable, "Hey Videl, sorry to bother you." Goten kicked at a tuft of grass on the front step, "I was just around, and was wondering if you might need to talk or something."

Talk? Since when did Goten just sit and talk? He was always gone, off with his girlfriend or some other business. She had rarely seen him at all in over a year, and when they were together they seldom did anything but engage in small-talk and crack jokes. Besides, she wasn't exactly in a chatty mood.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have disturbed you. I'll go, see you later." Goten said, turning to leave. Videl realized then that she had just been standing there, staring and saying nothing.

"Goten wait," Videl said quickly, grabbing his arm, "I'm a mess, sorry. Here, come in."

"Really, it's okay," He said, "I know you're having a hard time." Videl managed to smile. He was just trying to help, she realized. Being the fast young man he was, he just didn't really know how.

"I think I could use some company." Videl said. It was true she thought, airing things out would probably do her good. They went inside, and Videl offered Goten a seat. He sat down in the nearest chair to the door: Gohan's recliner.

Videl's mouth fell open a little with the shock of seeing him there. My god he looked just like Gohan. They both had the same face, same build, and those big, innocent eyes they inherited from Goku – the ones that could never hide a lie.

Goten noticed her staring again and stood up. He looked at the chair and around it, thinking maybe he'd sat on a house cat or something. When he looked back up to Videl he saw her wiping a tear away, but she was smiling.

"You look just like Gohan." She said with a small laugh, despite herself.

"Mom says that all the time." he said, grinning. Goten looked at the chair one last time and the pieces fit together. This must be Gohan's chair! Here he was, trying to help his lost brother's wife, but all he had managed to do was barge in and take his seat.

"Sorry." He said, standing about awkwardly for a few moments before walking over to an empty spot on the floor and plopping down.

"Goten, don't sit on the floor!" Videl said, laughing again, "Sit in the chair, it's okay."

Goten stayed planted, "Nope. I'm not disrespecting you or Gohan like that. He'll be back soon and he'd kick my ass if he caught me in his seat."

Poor kid, Videl thought. She had been so self-absorbed in her worry that she had forgotten that Gohan's brother must be missing him and worried sick too. Goten always did have a big heart. She sat down on the floor across from him. Goten grinned.

"Have it your way," Videl said, "You say it's disrespectful to sit in someone's chair, but I say it's rude to seat a guest on the floor. So if you have to sit down here, I do too."

"Aw, you can drop the whole 'good host' thing, Videl," Goten said, leaning back on his hands, "You've known me forever. I even remember when you first started coming around. You were so stuck up! I doubt you'd have cared who sat where then."

"I was not stuck up!" Videl said, reaching her foot over to kick his.

"You and I have very different memories, I guess." Goten said with a smirk.

"You were just a little brat back then. Were you even forming memories?" This was nice, Videl had to admit. They didn't see each other often, but when they did – especially if any drinks were involved – they always teased each other. Just like real siblings would, she thought. Videl was an only child, and had never gotten to enjoy this sort of banter before she met Gohan and Goten.

Gohan was always so stoic and calm, like a great oak. Goten on the other hand, was a free spirit – quick to laugh and enjoy the moment. Chi-Chi had said that he was a spitting image of Goku that way, and Videl had to agree. There was a comfort and calm around him, and Videl realized it was just what she needed right now.

They talked for a long time, both finding solace in the other's company. Goten was always happy and carefree, but he was missing his brother and just as worried about him as Videl. Adding to his misery was the fact that his girlfriend of two years had broken up with him just a week ago. He was still heartbroken.

Now they were trying to persuade themselves that Gohan would make it back soon, safe and sound, despite the dire message from Shenron, and Vegeta's fearsome tales. It was a tumultuous roller-coaster ride of hope and heart-wrenching gut blows of dread.

"What's eating at me so much," Goten said, "is why Gohan was taken. What did he do? Did he know something about that place, and never told us?"

This very problem had been one of the worst causes of heartache for Videl too. She had faced the reality of Gohan being beyond her reach before, fighting for his life against Majin Buu. She had been beside herself, but had known more or less where he was, and certainly why he was there. Now, it was all a damnable mystery, toying with their lives.

"If that planet is as bad as Vegeta said, and Gohan was involved with it somehow, I'm sure he would have told one of us." Videl said.

"What if he couldn't tell?" Goten said, "What if it's some sort of secret mission from Supreme Kai or something? Maybe he's fine and is just working undercover – like a spy!" Goten was on his feet, allowing his optimism to carry him away. He went on about secret agents in movies, and black-ops missions he had heard of. Videl wanted so badly to believe this as well, but she just couldn't.

She had discovered in the past her tie to Gohan, when he was fighting Buu. Everyone had thought him dead, but she knew better. Her spirit was bonded with his even then, and she knew he was out there, somewhere. She knew he was alive now, too. The difference was a painful, black ache in her heart that told her he was in trouble. It was the same stab of despair that had stricken her when he disappeared the other day. She let Goten persist in his hopes though. Maybe he could find some comfort, at least.

After a while longer, Videl looked to the clock and saw that it was getting late. The time had flown by, and she was in a pretty good mood after Goten's visit. He seemed to be more spirited than he had been earlier as well, and she was glad they could both cheer one another.

"So it's getting near dinner time," Videl said, standing, "Want to stay and eat? I know how you Saiyans like your grub."

"Oh wow it is late." Goten said, jumping to his feet, "I'm sorry for taking so much of your time, you should have told me how late it was getting."

"Nonsense, I'm glad you're here. I'll go make some food." Videl turned and headed for the kitchen, Goten following her.

"Yeah, I feel a lot better," Goten said, "Thanks for having me."

"Thanks for stopping by." Videl said as she entered the kitchen. Then she remembered that she had never thanked Goten for saving her life. She turned around and faced him, "I'm sorry I never thanked you for catching me the other night. I was so stupid; I could have died."

Goten smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder, "You don't have to thank me, so forget about it. Now come on, let's cook!" He bolted ahead of her into the kitchen.

"Let's cook? Since when does a Saiyan cook?" Videl had never once heard of a Saiyan knowing how to make toast, let alone prepare a meal.

"I used to help mom all the time," Goten said, rummaging through cabinets, "I've sharpened my skills since then." He spun a butcher knife on a finger, before catching it and setting it down.

"I guess there's a first time for everything," Videl said with a laugh, "Just don't burn my house down."

They set to work, making a feast fit for a hungry Saiyan. Goten indeed knew his stuff, and even showed Videl a few new things. She had had a hard time learning to cook, since she had been waited on in her father's mansion since she was born. But the skills had come, eventually. After they moved in together, Gohan had tried to help her. He was as clumsy as his father in the kitchen, and always made a huge mess. Videl eventually had to ban him from the premises until it was time to eat.

Goten had obviously taken after Chi-Chi in the cooking department. The woman was an amazing cook, and Goten was well on his way to matching her. Videl had never had so much fun preparing a meal, she thought. They joked and laughed, tossing chopped garlic at one another and juggling hot potatoes.

When it was finally ready, they laid the table and sat across from one another. It was a splendid spread, and both were famished by the time it was ready. Videl hungrily reached for her fork to stab a piece of meat when Goten stopped her.

"Here, give me your hand." He said. He had reached his across the table towards her. Videl furrowed her brow in confusion, but reached across to him as well. He took it and closed his eyes, "Gohan, wherever you are, come back soon."

XXXX

Trunks leaned against the edge of the pool, propped up on his elbows. The pleasant water felt good to his sore muscles. He and Pan had recently finished a grueling training session, and he had swiftly learned that he was badly out of shape from his months away working.

Pan was doing laps across the large pool, still full of energy even after the three-hour session. Trunks smiled as he watched her, glad that she was feeling better. The first week had been rough on Pan, as she was torn between doing what she felt she must to save her father and the horrible ache of leaving her mother all alone, worried now not just for Gohan, but her daughter as well.

Pan's logic was that at least Videl was safe back home. Gohan might well be in mortal danger. Pan's Saiyan spirit compelled her to take action, and Trunks had to agree that any sort of action was better than sitting around hoping and worrying and doing nothing.

Her mind was made up, and they were well on their way now. So far, the trip hadn't been bad. The Excalibur-P was performing perfectly, which gave Trunks great satisfaction. Their only issue so far was wondering where planet Mourd actually was. Trunks knew where the Mulani sector was, for it was in some star charts recovered from one of the Saiyan ships that had fallen into Capsule possession in the past, but it was a group of three solar systems. Estimates totaled the number of planets in the sector at fifteen. He supposed that they would scour them all, if they had to.

So for now they had been using their time to test out the features of the ship, from the gym to the tennis court. The Excalibur was to be advertised as a sort of 'space yacht', complete with all the amenities of a pleasure vessel, but possessing the highest performance and fastest drive of any ship. Capsule had hoped this would become the flagship model for their Starline space ships.

"Trunks!" Pan called, breaking him from his thoughts, "Stop leaning there like a log and come race me!"

Trunks smiled and shook his head, "I forfeit, Pan. Too tired."

"Tired?" She asked, indignant, "We used to race for miles up the river. What's wrong, you sick?"

"Out of shape." Trunks admitted apologetically.

"That's pathetic! You'd better be glad your dad can't hear you say something like that." Pan levitated out of the water and crossed her arms in a Vegeta pose, and took on his voice, "No son of mine will be a weakling! You call yourself a Saiyan?" Her imitation was spot-on, and Trunks couldn't help but to laugh.

Pan shook her head and rolled her eyes before slipping back into the water like an otter. Trunks smiled, happy to see her happy. She had always been so angry, especially these past few years, and he worried about her. Even when they used to hang out all the time and have fun, her temper flares were ever just a few words away.

He couldn't count how many times he'd offended her or embarrassed her, sending her into a frenzy. She had leveled an acre of forest one time when she tripped on a rock and fell while on a hike. When she was younger, it was somewhat endearing – the fiery tomboy, quick to tell anyone off. But she was nearly sixteen now, and what used to be a simple attitude problem seemed to be developing into some sort of rage. It had really shown after Gohan disappeared.

Trunks pitied her. The poor thing had inherited almost none of Goku's carefree happiness, and almost all of the worst parts of Chi-Chi and Videl. Not that they were bad people – Trunks loved them both – but they could be very scary at times. Pan did have Gohan's intellect though, and she was always impressing him with her smarts and wit.

Trunks recalled hearing stories of how Videl used to act. Gohan had said that when they first met, she had a real problem with her anger. But that all seemed to change when she started having feelings for him. She mellowed out and became a pleasure to be around. Pan acts just like Videl did back then, Trunks thought. He remembered how she was when he was little – the fighting tomboy with a temper. But that all seemed to fall away when she and Gohan got serious.

Trunks wondered if Pan would do the same when she met someone. He hoped she would be happy and lose her violence, but something irked him about picturing her as a calm housewife. Her heart and Saiyan spirit made her who she was, and he wouldn't change that for anything.

Just then something jerked his feet from under him and dragged him into the pool, smacking his head on the pool's rim on the way. He opened his eyes under the water and saw Pan hauling at his feet, grinning like a fiend. Trunks swatted at her hands and tried to kick her off, but she held firm. Finally she dragged him up out of the water and into the air, dangling him like a fish on a line by his feet.

He coughed and hacked, trying to spit up the water he had swallowed, "What the hell, Pan?!"

"You were so quiet over there, I thought you were dead. Just checking." She smiled down at him.

"Are you crazy? You almost drowned me!" Trunks was still coughing, "Let me go, dammit."

"Fine." Pan unceremoniously dropped him back into the pool. Trunks scrambled out and stood on the deck, still hacking and rubbing his head where it had struck the angle of the pool rim.

"You okay?" Pan landed next to him, crossing her arms.

"What is the matter with you? I try to rest for one minute and you just can't leave me be, can you?" Trunks went over to a towel closet and snatched one out. He wiped his hair dry and turned to look at Pan. She was looking at him with a face filled with such hurt and anger that Trunks was afraid she was going to explode the ship with them on it. He realized now that he had badly overreacted, and remembered how fragile Pan's emotional situation still was.

He took a deep breath, "Pan..."

"Save it," She said icily, her face composed now into a look of indifference, "If you want me to leave you alone, then I will."

Trunks watched her turn and walk out of the pool area. This is going to be a very long trip, he thought.

XXXX

Pan sat on the observation deck and stared literally off into space, as she figuratively kicked herself, "That was so stupid." She said aloud. Of course Trunks should be mad at being dragged underwater against his will – anyone would. She had come up with the crazy idea that he might find it funny, like the way they used to play when they were younger.

In truth, she had only done it because she felt it was the kind of thing Trunks expected her to do. It wasn't out of some childish compulsion that she decided to behave like a kid, but because she wanted to cheer up Trunks. She knew he didn't want to be here, and had only come along because she blackmailed him. She felt guilty for that, too.

Her pride just wouldn't let her apologize for dragging him along, or properly thank him for coming. She didn't understand why she felt she couldn't show weakness around him by being sentimental, and it was infuriating. Trunks had a mental picture of their relationship she knew, one of a caring older brother and a spirited little sister.

That had indeed been the paradigm a few years ago. But Pan was grown now, and just couldn't make herself play that role for him. The changes had come swiftly, as they do for all Saiyans, and that cute little girl was gone. It had been a rough time, as she transitioned from child to woman in under a year. That period had been tumultuous for the whole family – especially her mother.

Pan understood that a woman expects her daughter to undergo the same adolescent transition as she did, and prepares accordingly. But Videl wasn't a Saiyan. Gohan and Chi-Chi had tried to explain to her the vast difference between Saiyan and human biology in this regard, but it was hard nonetheless.

Saiyan males and females were the perfect warriors through and through, and matured at a far younger age than humans in every way. Consequently, they aged much slower, their bodies and minds staying keen and sharp well beyond human 'old age'. This latter fact was already putting a strain on Pan's parents' relationship, as Videl was starting to see the looming horizon of 'middle age' while Gohan was still effectively in his twenties.

And it was all hell on Pan. Even Goku, who didn't have a problem training with her and treating her like an adult, deferred to Videl on nearly everything. Pan was female after all, and all the men were afraid of that difference, treating her like a fragile little flower. Even Trunks, she thought ruefully.

She stood and walked over to the long, wide viewing window. The closer stars shot by like fireflies, while the farther ones stood still and somber. They were all different, she noticed. She was so far from home now, and scared of what was to come. She had doubts about this whole foolish endeavor, but she had committed now, and there would be no turning back.

Leaning her forehead against the cool glass, she thought about her mother and father, and wondered if anything would ever be the same. This is a test, she thought. This will be my rite of passage to them all. If I succeed and save my father, they will see that I'm not a child. But if I fail, what will happen?

"I'll be dead." She said aloud with a laugh.

XXXX

Gohan groaned and cracked his eyes open. The light was harsh. He hurt all over, and felt stiff. After a while, he managed to raise his head and look around. He was on his bed in his quarters, wrapped in bandages but very much alive.

He wanted to feel relieved that obviously Cael had spared his life, but he hurt too badly to be grateful. Thirst was what hit him next, and Gohan looked to his bedside, where a jug of water stayed. He drank his fill and felt marginally better.

Throughout the years of fighting and training, he had felt his share of battle damage. If there were no senzu beans to be had, he was forced to heal and recover the old-fashioned way. But this was so much worse. His fight with Cael hadn't even been a very long one, yet he felt as if they'd struggled for days. In this state, his endurance was laughable. He wondered just how long it would take to recover. Would his Saiyan biology still be effective at healing him in this place?

Gohan sat up with some effort. It hurt, but he was pleased to see that nothing was badly damaged – no broken bones or deep cuts. This soreness should be gone by my next fight, he thought. He stood and paced his room, trying to stretch and regain his mobility.

He thought about Cael then, and wondered at his ability. He was obviously no stronger than Gohan, but he had serious skill. Gohan hadn't fought or trained much in the past several years, but his Saiyan blood wouldn't let him forget what he knew. He was still a fantastic martial-artist and athlete, even weakened as he was here.

But Cael was on another level entirely. Even in this place, where the strength or everyone was equal, he was somehow stronger, faster and more dangerous. Gohan had watched his movements, looking for his secret. Cael never went for pressure points or fought dirty at all. It was straight ahead martial skill that propelled him.

The man was a mystery, but then so was this entire place. It just felt so wrong here – a kind of nagging anxiety and foreboding permeated everything. There were so many questions and almost no answers.

Gohan was healed within a few days, happy to note that his Saiyan healing was still kicking. The weeks continued to roll by, his fights with them. Three months he fought, some battles easy and others hard. He never lost again, and never killed anyone. It was a frustrating thing to fight so much and ache so much, yet never improve. Anywhere else, there would be improvement after learning from a battle and growing in strength and endurance, especially for a Saiyan. But here there was naught but equality and uniformity, and that was maddening.

He didn't see Cael again either. During his free time Gohan would speak with the villagers and try to learn more about this world. He continued to gather little information, and nothing of real importance. The one thing he did sense was an uneasy lethargy that seemed to infect everyone on this world. It was as if they had given up on returning to their old lives, but that forfeit came with the price of strife.

Gohan pitied these people, but he was curious most about Cael. He was who Gohan wanted to speak with most, if only to inquire about his abilities and congratulate him for his victory. He had half hoped the old man might train with him too, and show him a thing or two.

One day Gohan was approached by a guard. This was most unusual, as the guards never entered the village unless it was to escort a pair of fighters to the arena. It wasn't yet fight time, nor was it Gohan's turn do do battle.

This guard was a stout humanoid alien with blue skin and scales. He barged into Gohan's room and waved an arm at him, "Come."

It's not my turn to fight yet, is it?" Gohan asked. He was well enough to, but he had been told that the fights were on a set rotation and never changed.

"Come." The alien grunted again, waving his arm impatiently. Gohan considered resisting, but he was curious. He stood and followed the guard out the door. They walked towards the village wall. The guards always teleported in and out of the village, for there was no gate or door. Gohan was led to the spot from which they usually came and went.

The guard bid him stand in a particular spot and Gohan complied, his curiosity now piqued. The guard stood next to him and touched a finger to his opposite hand. Gohan saw the world around him blur, then they were gone.

Gohan opened his eyes to see before him a vast, desolate land, all shrubs and rocky sand. Everything was red, just as it always was in the village. A few small, broken trees dotted the landscape, looking as beaten and oppressed as everything else here did.

The guard placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him around. Behind them was a looming cliff face, all red stone and earth. There was a carved sandstone doorway into the wall, which the guard made for, beckoning Gohan follow.

Gohan wondered what awaited him beyond the doorway. Had they brought him here to kill him? Had he been asking too many questions and angered whoever was in charge? He decided to be on his guard, ready for anything.

Inside, the room was an expansive cave, supported by large pillars, with torches mounted on them. The shadows from the flickering lights danced upon the rock walls, casting shapes and figures all about. Gohan saw a few other guards milling about, and he wondered if this was where they lived.

He looked at them, trying to sense their intentions. They barely took notice of him as they went about their business. His escort led him into the depths of the cave, where Gohan noticed that there were several halls and galleries branching off from this antechamber.

Strangely, the light seemed to change the deeper they went. Outside, and in the first room, the very air seemed to be tinged red, but as they progressed the red hue shifted, leaving everything more colorful, as it had looked on Earth. This was a refreshing change, but it only left Gohan wishing to be back home more badly than ever.

Eventually they came to a large room which was very different from the others. Instead of the natural rock walls and ruddy sandstone, the entirety of this room was a lovely marble, from the ceiling to the floor. There was a large, dark pool in the center of the floor with clear, black water spanning the length of the room. On either side were two long, low tables of marble. A figure sat at the end of one, hooded and cloaked. Gohan's eyes opened wide in shock, for he recognized the clothes.

"Cael?" He asked.

"Welcome, Gohan." Cael said, standing and throwing back his hood. The guard who had escorted Gohan turned and left without a word, leaving the two alone.

"What's going on here?" Gohan asked, more confused than ever.

"Have a Seat." Cael said, beckoning him over, "The answers will come in their due course."

Gohan tentatively walked over and sat across from Cael. The elder man stared at him for a while, as if appraising a horse. It made Gohan uncomfortable.

Finally Cael spoke, "You fight well, Gohan. Better than most here, I think. You're a Saiyan, are you not?"

Gohan was stunned. How did he know that? Did he just guess? Then a thought occurred to him: Maybe Cael knew who he was because it was he who brought him here! Maybe he was about to learn why he'd been kidnapped.

"I am." He said, "And thank you. You're an incredible fighter as well."

Cael laughed, "I've had years of practice. But something tells me that I would be no match for you if we weren't on this world of balance."

Gohan couldn't hold back his question any longer, "Did you bring me here?"

Cael grinned mischievously, "No, sorry. But I know who did. I know you're curious Gohan, and I'm sorry it has to be this way. But there are forces at work far beyond our comprehension. You must be patient a while longer."

Gohan sighed in exasperation. He felt so helpless and lost here, and thought he might even be able to deal with the weakness of body if only he knew the reason he was here, "What can you tell me?" He asked.

"I will tell you what I am allowed to regarding this place." Cael said, leaning back in his seat, "It is an incomplete account, as are most, but perhaps it will help. This planet is called Mourd, and it is a very special place. The force that rules here is powerful beyond comprehension, yet limited in ways that we are not. I have served that force for years, but I've never seen it. No one has ever, to my knowledge.

This world and the force that rules it are one. They are unfathomably old, and tied to the very fabric of the cosmos. My master wanted you here, and it is not for me to disclose the reason, as I said. You were to live among the gladiators, and there be tested."

"Who are those gladiators?" Gohan asked, "Why are they here, and why do they have to fight?"

Cael was silent for a while, trying to figure out how to answer the question, "Some things just are, Gohan. This is unsatisfactory, I know. But as I said, the one I serve is beyond the comprehension and questioning of mortals like us. It simply is the way it is."

Gohan didn't like this answer, and the information Cael had given him only served to make him more resentful. He had known godlike beings before, like the Supreme Kai, who wouldn't run an operation such as this. Being beyond mortal was no excuse. But even more puzzling was what Cael said about him being 'tested'. What in the world was that about?

"I sense you are even more confused now than before," Cael said apologetically, "but as I said, you will have your answers soon."

Gohan tried to be satisfied for the moment. After all, what choice did he have? He decided to learn what he could about Cael, for he was still an enigma as well.

"So what about you?" Gohan asked, "What's your story?"

Cael grinned, "I am just an old warrior, Gohan. I have been here for over fifty years now, and have served the master for half of that time."

"Is this place your home?" Gohan asked, indicating the room in which they sat.

"No, I live in another section of the temple." Cael said. So this was a temple. Made sense, Gohan supposed. How could anything be a surprise now?

Suddenly Cael straightened, as if he had been called. Gohan heard nothing. Cael furrowed his brow for a moment in concentration, then stood.

"Come, Gohan." He said, "It's time for you to meet my master."