Well hello my dears! I'm so sorry it's been so long :'( A lot of stuff have happened since last update.

I've moved away from home, started studying chemistry at University of Copenhagen and gotten a tiny kitty – well, she's not the reason I haven't been writing, she actually enjoys lying next to me when I sit and work at the computer, but studying sure takes it time… And then, when I finally have some time off, I'm completely bummed out and have no inspiration whatsoever. But now I have summerbreak (I can't believe I've already studied for a year, that means I'm 1/3rd into my bachelor degree!) and I hope I will have some time and energy to write. I had a couple of days to relax and then I could just feel today how I couldn't wait to sit down and write.

It's not the entire chapter I've written today, I would say 2/3rd of it was already done, I just had to finish it up and make it all fit together.

This chapter is un-betaed, so I'm sorry if it's all messy and full of bad grammar.

Enjoy!

The grand temple was breathtaking. Its deep green color was the greatest difference between it and the pyramids back at Earth. Another major one was the great entrance and the flight of stairs leading up to it. By looking closer an overflow of details came into sight. What seemed to be roughness of the stone were actually small carvings – it looked like they had been placed carelessly. Some of the round carvings were filled with a light blue powder and a small number of those were connected with thin, white stripes. At night it would look like a mirror of the stars.

If they hadn't approached from the sky, Bulma doubted they would have found the temple this quickly. It was placed in a massive clearing in the thick, jungle-like forest. Several paths lead to the clearing, but none of them were visible from the air. The way to the temple for the saiyans was a long, dark one through tunnels of heavy trunks and blue leafs.

"Mrs. Brief, I think it will be wisest to get inside," Mallen said. He and Niel were looking around like her, but not in search of Vegeta – their shoulders were tense with unease of being exposed in the open area while surrounded by the dense forest. "It seems our target isn't outside."

"So it seems," Bulma said and walked up the first few steps of the stairs. She could sense her companions following close behind, mimicking her steps carefully. Even though the two humans could only offer her close to none protection it put her mind at ease to know they were there. When only a few steps were left before they reached the entrance Bulma stopped and turned around to look at the men behind her.

"Remember to call me Bulma," she said and sent them a smile. "I will present myself by my first name, which means you calling me otherwise would be a problem." The two men nodded but she could see in Mallen's eyes it would be a challenge for him.

When they entered the temple it felt like a curtain was dropped on top of them. The air was heavy with moisture and a strong smell similar to herbs and incense filled their nostrils instantly. The temperature was several degrees higher than outside despite the open entrance. Bulma cleared her throat, the heavy atmosphere around her made it harder to breath. She shot a quick glance at Mallen and Niel. They both appeared to be unaffected.

Slowly they began their exploration of the large structure, checking each area the main corridor lead to. The walls were bare to her surprise. Bulma had expected they would be heavily decorated, perhaps with similarities to the hieroglyphs found on Earth. Instead the rooms they looked into were so pompous it made up for the lack of decorations in the hall.

The first room they entered had purple walls, white floor and a silver ceiling. From a chandelier of glass golden strands draped the room. The light was scattered by the glass and made small specks of lights in the golden strings, creating the illusion of a dew-wet web in the morning light.

The next room looked quite similar, only the color of the wall was changed to green.

The third room was completely empty. So was the next four.

Suddenly the three humans found themselves in an enormous room, which was much more impressive than the first rooms they had encountered. The walls were pure gold with silver and black squares placed in a seemingly random order all the way around. Once again golden strands hang from a chandelier, but this time it was made of silver and not glass. Underneath the chandelier was a massive stone table with lines cut in it and a hole in each corner.

Moments passed by before the three of them could take their eyes off the table – it had too great a similarity to an old operating table to be overlooked. Mallen was the first to tear his gaze of the unpleasant sight and turn around to leave the room. Bulma decided to follow him shortly after – she had spotted some brown stains on the gray marble she had no intention to inspect further.

As she was about to leave the room Bulma noticed several cuts in the floor as well, all leading to some holes where the golden strands were attached to the wall just above. Curiousness took over and she moved closer to see what the deep carvings hid. A slight feeling of nausea hit her as she saw a green vase with brown trails down its sides. Pictures of hauling humans, raising bowls filled with blood over their heads while screaming at the sky flashed before her eyes. She felt a sting of regret. The last incidents of human sacrifices had been carried out after the news of her drone's discovery had been told to the wide masses.

Bulma could feel her two companions looking at her patiently from the doorway. After a tiny shake of her head to clear her thoughts she straightened her back and walked out of the room without looking back. Even though the room had been cooler, it was like a heavy burden lifted of off her when the dampness of the hallway embraced her once again.

Unnerved by the sight, their search became more hurried. To cover ground more quickly, the three split up to search the rooms by themselves. The heaviness between them left no room for discussion. The bloodstained table had reminded them of the brutality embedded in sacred rituals from the primitive cultures that founded their own society. "Even though underdeveloped races pray to other gods, their ancestors or the Azkurians, we see all places, buildings and days other races have made holy as their way of praising The Grand Shifter. Therefore, we cannot violate what others see as holy." Qaklu's words seemed to echo ominously through the dim corridors. Even though it sounded like an act of courtesy rather than a rule that needed to be followed, they had agreed upon doing so.

By each passing minute used on checking empty rooms while moving deeper into the massive temple Bulma's impatience grew as well as her uneasiness.

How can a glowing man be so damn hard to find?

"Bulma…" The sound of her name startled her and she tripped by a crack in the floor. She felt a pair of strong arms grab her.

"Are you okay?" Niel's eyes were filled with concern as he helped her regain her balance.

"Yes I'm fine, I was just surprised when Mallen spoke," she stammered and took in a deep breath. The heavy air and the now dim light made her nervous.

"I'm sorry," Mallen said in a soothing tone. "As I was about to say, don't you think we should…" A sudden flick of light down the hallway interrupted him and they all turned towards the curve of the corridor, where the light intensified.

"Who's there?" The question sounded like a bark, the anger becoming clearer by each time it echoed down the hallway. The troupe tensed up and Bulma bumped into Mallen as she took a step back in fear with the involuntary preparation to run.

When the source of the light came into sight she muffled a gasp. The only pictures provided for her had been of a normal Vegeta, but they were nothing in comparison to the man, who was now looking warily at them. He heart flew into her throat as she tried not to show how much fear his voice had caused her to feel – and it had even been nothing compared to the sheer terror running through her veins at the sight of him.

His entire figure was engulfed in a golden aura so bright it almost hurt her eyes after walking in the dark for so long. The charged air around him made the hair on her arms stand even though there was some distance between them. His hair was golden – even close to white. She felt like the blue eyes studying her could look into her soul and reveal every thought and secret she had.

"Who are you?" he snarled. The raw energy emitting from him send a chill down her spine.

"I am Bulma," she said. Her voice trembled a bit. The look on the saiyan's face turned harder, his eyes narrowed a bit while his upper lip curled up in a snarling grimace. Adrenalin coursed through her body as the vibe of the glowing man in front of her became one of a predator.

Mallen, whom she was still standing up against, let his hand brush the back of hers. The small soothing gesture snapped her out of it, and she felt her resolve come back as strong as it had been on the day she had set off from Planet Earth to begin her adventure. She had not come this far to chicken out! She took a step towards the alien in front of her, showing no sign of fear.

"I am Bulma, goddess of this planet. I've watched your race for a long time, waiting for a strong leader to appear, and the day has finally come." This time her voice was strong and confident. "I have given you the power to help your people prosper. I have put my mark on you, like I did with the holy before you. To my great dismay he never unleashed his full potential, so I had to wait for generations for another man worthy of my mark to be born."

Even though his skepticism was clear a tiny flick of pride slowly made the anger subside in the blue eyes. "Liar! If what you tell me is true, then why have the elders never told me about you? Why have I never been asked to prepare for a meeting with a goddess?" His choice of word told her she was dealing with a much greater mind than that of Nappa's.

The fact that he had asked her questions instead of denying everything she said made her believe her mission could be accomplished. A feeling of optimism helped push down the last remains of panic and cleared her mind. The story she had made up on her way from Planet Azkur had seemed bulletproof – now it had to stand its test.

"You, Vegeta, are the first of your race I have shown myself to." The sound of his name made the wary saiyan's eye twitch. "The saiyan race is very dear to me, but much like a parent can't solve all the problems ones child encounters, I have tried to let you overcome your obstacles on your own. One day a man was born with such great potential I had to ensure others would listen to him. So I marked him for others to see he was special. But he never unleashed his full potential, because he, just like a child who is given a complicated tool, lacked guidance." She could see her last sentenced angered the man in front of her. It was even possible to feel in his energy crossing the room. "I realized it too late, and he had grown old and tired without helping your race evolve. And so, I had to wait once again. But finally a new man worthy of my mark was born, and I made sure your race acknowledged you as the leader like they did before. This is why you now are ready for my guidance to help the saiyan race grow."

"What nonsense is it you're telling me woman?" The saiyan's eyes had become small slits. "If you indeed are a goddess, then you should be able to do a lot more than making a man Holy." It was obvious he dared her to show some kind of power, like she had expected.

"I am, but I will not do anything inside this building, where your ancestors rest. Please walk outside with me, and let me answer all questions you may have." She gestured for him to walk the way leading outside before turning around. Mallen and Niel looked uncomfortable when she turned her back to the puzzled saiyan, but none of them said anything. Their shifters had protected them against a whole village, so one saiyan, even though he was stronger than the others, should not be a problem. But once again, Qaklu's warning against the use of the shifters inside the temple filled their minds.

The four of them walked through the corridors in silence. The only sound the walls seemed not to swallow was the sound of their footsteps. Even the low crackling of the energy engulfing the saiyan couldn't be heard, even though Bulma walked right next to him. It felt like the wall began to close in on them and she had to force herself not to walk faster than the man beside her. Her urge to speed up became even greater when the entrance finally came into sight.

She promised herself to never set foot in the temple again as she finally filled her lungs with cold, fresh air. Each step down the stairs filled her body with energy and helped clear her thoughts. The man next to her clearly had a greater mind than the giant she had made fall back in the village, but no brain had ever seemed to match hers.

As soon as their feet touched the blue grass Bulma could sense a major change in the glowing man's attitude. He had taken a step away from her now standing with his feet slightly spread and his hands clenched into fists too carelessly hanging down his side. Mallen and Niel had taken their positions just behind her and she was certain they got the same bad feeling from the smirking saiyan.

"You said you'd answer any question, correct?" It was more of a demand than a question. Bulma nodded and the saiyan continued. "Then please do tell me," he said in a mocking voice, "why…"

In the blink of an eye Bulma felt like a cushion of air was pressed against her and tried to make its way around her body. She could barely keep her balance and had to take a small step backwards to not fall to the ground. The men behind her both took in a sharp breath as they were clearly hit by the same force as she.

In front of her stood an agitated and confused saiyan. Vegeta bared his teeth and took a swing against her once again, this time slow enough for her eyes to follow his hand. An angry snarl emitted from deep in his throat as he was pushed backwards by the shield around her. He gritted his teeth and jumped towards her once more.

Bulma clenched her teeth hard enough to feel the muscles in her temples start to cramp. She had to stay neutral or else the attacking alien would see right through her bluff. Her inside was trembling with fear as her instincts yelled at her to run. But she couldn't – no she wouldn't – run, or else all her preparations would be a waste of time.

Folding her arms behind her back she found the right menu while trying to look unaffected by the yelling man, who continued to try to harm her. She had to try several times before she felt sure she had accessed the correct menu. Slowly she let her arms rest in front of her, folding her hands patiently. All she could do now was waiting for an opening.

The saiyan had stopped trying to attack her and was now standing a couple of feet away from her, breathing heavily. It seemed to be out of frustration rather than exhaustion. "Why…" he said once again. Confusion and disbelief had replaced the mocking tone. Just as Bulma was about to point her shifter at him, Vegeta let out a roar and jumped towards her once more. The force she felt from every hit he tried to land made Bulma's pulse rise even more, pumping adrenalin into her already panicking body, but she had to put her fate in the shifter to protect her. After a few futile blows Vegeta got away from the trio. His blue eyes were filled with anger and resentment.

Now!

Slowly Bulma raised her arms and pointed them at her target. A low buzzing sound emitted from her wrist as she turned on the shifter. She kept her facial expression neutral with great effort. The adrenalin combined with the sight before her made it almost impossible.

Watching Nappa spasm and fall to the ground, unable to move, had been one thing.
Watching Vegeta was completely different, almost horrifying.

His first grunt had been pure surprise. Now raw yells of anger and pain filled her ears. The golden aura flickered around him, the time it was absent grew each time it disappeared. She felt the hair on her neck stand as she watched the man in front of her fall to his knees. His face was contorted in pain as he grabbed his head while falling down on his elbows. As the aura flicked for the last time his hair became black. Letting out a haul like a wounded animal he fell to the ground as his arms gave away underneath him. Seconds ticked by without any of the four people in the clearing moving.

The first sound to break the deafening silence was Bulma's footsteps as she slowly walked to the fallen man. She got down on both knees, ignoring the conflicted expressions she could sense out the corner of her eyes from Mallen and Niel. The adrenalin had begun to ware off but she could still feel her heart beat fast as she watched the saiyans eyelids flutter open.

A pair of brown eyes stared at her. The initial confusion soon vanished and was replaced by fury.

"You," he said his throaty voice as low as a whisper, "what have you done to me?"

"Given you proof," she replied in a soft tone.

"Proof?" He tried to get up on one arm, but it gave away underneath him once again. He bared his teeth at her once more, snarling as he did so. He could feel his face contort in pain as the impact with the ground slowly moved through every fiber of his body, leaving a mind shattering throbbing sensation behind.

"You said I should be able to do more than just make a man holy. And so I've done." She kept looking into his eyes, making his inside boil with anger. The throbbing had only subsided as he tried once again to get up. This time his arm supported him for a few seconds before the muscles gave up. His entire body echoed of pain, and he bit his own tongue to stop himself from letting out a shout of pain. "Do you still not believe me, Vegeta?"

The sound of his name falling so naturally from her lips once again made him make up his mind. He took in a deep breath, ignoring the ache in his chest and rolled onto his front. To his own dismay he let out a grunt as he finally was able to support himself and get up on all four. His arms and legs shook violently underneath him, but he refused to fall down yet again.

Slowly, with all his willpower mustered, he raised his head and looked at her with determination shinning out of his brown eyes. His pride wouldn't allow him to show how much his body actually hurt. All of his muscles were trembling and he could feel his vision begin to blur.

He watched her emotionless expression and felt anger well up in him once more. This unknown creature had inflicted him more pain than anyone had ever done before, and he had been unable to land even a single blow.

"So you can make a man holy and afterwards take away that power. Proves nothing to me." He spat towards her, hoping he hit her as his vision was now completely gone. The sound of something wet hitting skin and her men's outburst of anger filled him with triumph as his body finally gave up and he fell to the ground and into darkness.

Bulma slowly rose from the ground while wiping the saiyan's spit off her cheek. Mallen and Niel were at her side now, looking at the unconscious man. "Are you alright?" Mallen asked her, scanning her face with concerned eyes.

"I'm fine," she responded quietly still wiping her cheek. Her brain was working at top speed, trying to figure out how to react when the saiyan woke up. Things had gone completely different from what she had hoped. She believed her plan of gaining the saiyan's trust through showing she was superior to him had backfired. It could turn out he would be even harder to get close to now. The race might be primitive in their hierarchy build on strength, but this man had turned out to have too much pride to bow down to her instantly.

"What should we do now?" Niel rolled the saiyan onto his back. "I never thought he would pass out. Nappa didn't do so, he was just paralyzed." He opened one of Vegeta's eyes and the pupil responded slowly to the light.

"I don't know yet," Bulma said and looked at the man lying at her feet. She was a bit shaken by the situation. Absentmindedly she looked at her shifter while her thoughts ran through different possible outcomes of the situation. She scrolled through the menus and an idea started taking form in her head. "Let's wait for him to wake up. I'm sure it won't take too long, or do you think otherwise?"

Niel checked the saiyan's eyes once again before shaking his head no. "His pupils are already reacting faster than before. I think he'll wake up any minute now."

Never before had it been so hard for him to open his eyes. When he tried to lift his hand to rub them he found his arms to be so heavy it almost felt like they were tied to the ground. He groaned as the memories came flashing back. Some blue-haired wench had done this to him. The aching and throbbing pain were no longer residing in his body, but all his muscles felt soar and tired. He closed his eyes once again, trying to focus on his breathing while letting his energy slowly move from his core and out to his limbs. Slowly the feeling of his body began to become lighter, his breathing became easier and he could start moving his fingers without a problem.

Hesitantly he tried to sit up; he was well aware he was being watched. He could feel the eyes of his spectator burning on the back of his head.

What a disgrace.

Vegeta got up on his feet and turned around to the golden eyes staring at him. She looked calm and… bored? The thought agitated him.

"So you're finally awake now." Her voice sounded almost disappointed. "Took you long enough."

"Shut up," he tried to yell, but his body was still too shaken and it was only a hoarse whisper.

"Are you sure you need more proof from me, Vegeta?" She slowly rose from the stone she had been sitting on and walked leisurely towards him. Her blue tail swung in an easy pace behind her, matching her step. His eyes were fixed on it. How come he hadn't noticed it before?

"Being able to take away what you claim to have given to me, how can that be a proof?" He tore his eyes of the hypnotizing movement off her tail and focused on her face instead. When he saw she was calmly smiling he felt a chill run down his spine much to his dismay. Nothing, especially a woman, should make him anxious. But his body remembered the overwhelming pain and once again sent a shot of fear through him.

"Very well," she muttered and looked up. He waited a few seconds but her eyes kept looking into the sky. Slowly he gazed in the same direction. Right above them the two men accompanying her were hanging freely in the air. Vegeta felt his eyes widen as he shot his gaze down again at the woman just to see her rise into the air and up to her companions.

"What sorcery is this?" He took a few steps backwards in pure astonishment, feeling yet another tremble coursing through his body.

The woman smiled at him, but this time her smile seemed genuine and not as threatening as the one before.

"Now tell me, Vegeta, do I need to show you more?"

He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth while looking up at her. He knew she couldn't just be a Sarpam woman, who had used a new type of elixir like he first believed her to be. He could fell his pride hauling at him when the thought that she might be superior to him hit him. But… His tired muscles were still reminding him of what she had been capable of without even touching him.

"No," he said, his voice not as hoarse anymore. "I believe you." He shot his gaze downwards and took a deep breath. After telling his pride to subside for a moment, even though he found it almost impossible to do so he heard his own voice say: "I'm sorry I doubted you, goddess."

Please tell me what you think! As I said before the chapter, I hope I will be able to write some more during the summer.