Author's Note + Oneshot

And that's a wrap.

Wild. I can't believe we got here. In the time since I started this, so much has changed about my personal life – with work, study, and travel etc. – with the one constant being that I got to return home and work on "Horse". I remember first moving to China and I'd walk to work, earphones in, anxious to be so far away from home and around the hustle and bustle of foreign, and so I started thinking about the "whatif" of someone being transported to a place away from home and into an unknown land, much like I'd been. The idea evolved into my usual fascination with identity; a typically central idea when I write, and I combined it with my old love of Dragon Ball.

At the same time, I'd been also thinking about "But Can You Go Back Once You Know?" and "Thirty-Two", with the first being my experiment of getting back into fanfiction. It'd been lockdown when I initially began posting on and a lot of people (like myself) had returned to the site in their midst of boredom (I just needed to be able to access something without a VPN). Because of this, I befriended two people who followed my fic, with one, Kagari-Asuha becoming my beta and savage destroyer of dreams when my worst impulses threatened the story. Through the first friend, Nyx (who encourages said worst impulses), I met Emeraldsaiyan, who's of course very well-known for her amazing "Destroyer" story. She's so bloody passionate about it that it's inspiring. Honestly, without these three, I don't think I would have even started Horse, never mind finished it. So, thank you!

I've also got chatting to quite a few readers who are absolutely wonderful people. We're from different corners of the Earth and yet something as simple as Dragon Ball FF has given me the pleasure of interacting with you. Thanks so much for sticking with me on this goliath of a story. The support has been so moving. I've not really dealt with the typical scourge, and when I posted to AO3, the reception was like coming home.

So.

One thing I always love reading about is the inner workings of media/stories/fics, so I thought I'd share a few things I've had to keep buried in the depth of my heart!

First of all, the ending was not always solid. One idea I'd considered was Gohan being more severely punished. He was never ever going to die. I had, however, thought about having him be reincarnated once more, very much a play on my "circles" philosophy I really drilled home in the last "Earth arc". He would have been raised by Quell – except this time under the watchful eyes of the Kai. Yes, that's right. Quell had originally lived! Up until about Chapter 11, it'd been Rixas who was going to bite it, but God, I really fell for the lug. He was just such a lovable dick head. One HAD to die however, and after a long think, Quell's death definitely made for stronger thematic growth for Gohan.

But, seeing as Quell was my favourite character to write, that didn't help me much lol. I think killing him was the first time I felt that the story was in its closing spiral. I mentioned at an earlier stage that I'd planned on having Famis remain alive (which kind of changes EVERYTHING about the Zealite mystery), but it'd been my self-consciousness which had prevented that, with me worrying about overwhelming the reader with too many OCs (LOOOOL). He would have been a tricky character to write, much like Piccolo. He was a stoic person with a passion for knowledge and a disregard for the simplicities of moral standing. Him and Quell got along well. They'd been comfort blankets for one another in a way, and when Famis bit it then Quell lost that comfort – his grounding – and took it out on his defiant baby brothers (who seemed desperate to rock any and every boat they possibly could). All around, it was a shitty situation for everyone involved.

God, Quell was such a painfully flawed character. He was Kag's favourite. Probably mine, too, really. Though, I best relate to Rixas in terms of his bullheadedness and feral energy, haha. His character was a great link between the DBZ cast and the Revelation group, and his vibrancy brought out something more immature and youthful from Gohan. I'm happy he lived.

And so, the last brother… The original Mori had been a strange bird that I, even as his creator, feel like I don't fully understand. That's the point of him. He's dust in the wind. Some of the other characters really imprinted their impressions onto his memory, Gohan included. The best we saw was of the flashback chapter where we got a clearer picture, but even then, it's not a full examination into his character. He was a vain, sharp, obsessive person who was exceptionally sensitive, but he also… loved. I think if Goku ever met "Mori", he would possibly have accepted Mori for who he was, and Mori in turn, would have been the next victim to Goku's charisma lol.

So, the lady characters… I hope I've done them justice. Whenever I create ANY OC I have to think "how will this further Gohan's story?" Whilst all of them do, I still like to think that I didn't do a disservice to my gender with them. They're rounded people who just happen to be women. Roarg was heavily inspired by Abby from The Last of Us Part 2, who, whilst held traditionally masculine traits, was a sexual, feminine person who was strong in her own right (despite the game's strange writing choices). It was never going to be a GohanXRoarg, but when I killed her, I realized that a good influence had been lost to Gohan – a part of his heart, really.

Myra, who was inspired by Annie from the Community TV series (wide, doe-eyed and a little neurotic; yes, that's my girl!), demonstrated Gohan's relationship with his position. The power dynamic changes throughout the story a few times, ending with a very deep connection between the two. They adore each other. Just not like that. Ew.

Eyrelle didn't have a particular character or person she was based off, but I always thought of ballet dancers as I wrote her. She's fragile like glass and yet so poised and imposing. Her arc ended sadly. I think, in another life, her and Gohan would have been good friends. She places value in those with integrity (like Roarg), though I think she had love-drunk blinders on when it came to Famis. He would never have returned her affections.

Anyway, it was Videl who was always my favourite to write. At one point, the end goal had been a GohanxVidel ship (Shame we missed out on their sex scene rip.) but it… just didn't work. Gohan's growth would have been compromised, and Videl (the one character to have been flourishing despite Gohan's death) didn't deserve to be poisoned.

I loathed the idea of Gohan coming back and ruining people with his own toxicity – which would just have been another point against Mori's characterization; something Gohan was always paranoid enough about. When Gohan/Mori did shitty things and hit rock bottom, I didn't take gratification in keeping him down there. I wanted to contradict that moment. I wanted to show the highs he reached after his lows. My stuff can get pretty fucking angsty but that's just to make the gold shine even brighter.

That's the same to be said for Goten, who was a very sad boy with a lot of petty feelings which ruled his life. His growth has been rewarding and I have no fears for his character. He'd not been liked by some readers in the early chapters, but I wanted to honour his age with his meaningless, dramatic viewpoints (which meant everything to him). He'd been fourteen, and he'd done damn well to keep up with all the adults around him. Even in the epilogue, he was the one to voice concerns about Gohan's future behaviour.

I've left that road very uncertain. I'd joked with Kags that I was going to leave the final chapter Sopranos style and end it midsentence but that felt too mean. Whether or not Gohan is playing both sides is left for you to decipher, and that's the point of it. With Gohan/Mori, we'll never fully know. I will point out that I think he would tell Rixas if it's the case. Rixas makes a reference to Liuciphour in 59 so he's at least aware of the visits.

Whilst the politics have always had their place in Horse, it feels more like set dressing for the centric details of the story. Family, identity, love, power, brotherhood, etc. At the centre of all this chaos, sat the principle Goten/Gohan/Goku relationship that acted as the engine for this fic. I'd argue that Quell and Rixas hold similar importance, just on a mirroring side. So even if Gohan is up to some nasties, the real story ended when everyone's stories with one another concluded.

The quieter arcs like that of Vegeta, Trunks and Piccolo were some of the hardest to slot in. I hadn't known of Trunks' importance until he forced himself to the forefront around Chapter 32. It worked really well with Vegeta's antagonism of Gohan and likely jealousy of Trunks' affection being aimed that way. It was all very messy for them. Gohan and Vegeta buried the hatchet in the end, at least. And bro! Piccolo! Look, I've known about Piccolo going to the Realm of the Almighty with Gohan since the ending was decided. My patience was SO tested after so many comments hungered for Piccolo/Gohan fluff. I wanted to scream "WAIT! PLEASE". Goku's final moment of growth was to reject Gohan for Goten – like bam, in slots the green man – and so it was time for Piccolo to finally complete his fucking forever arc that'd been the slowest of slow burns. They're together. Are you happy now? They're in basically near-eternity together!

I personally can't see Goku joining the Realm of the Almighty gang when he dies, but I do see him having a close relationship with them. Goku is the sort of special person who has his own destiny to serve. Perhaps in the way, way future, he'll pledge his soul just so he can be with Gohan when he ascends, but it's hard to say. The joy/worst thing imaginable about writing Goku is his "main character" energy. It'd become such a point for me that even Gohan recognized it, hence his fear of his dad being in opposition to Revelation. Goku does not fail. He wins. Gohan knows that, and whilst he won the battle, so did Goku in his own way with Gohan's return home (which EVERYONE had told Goku would never happen).

I've also left "Revelation" open. Gohan achieved it, yes, but it's up to the mortals what happens next.

Which again, is a similar point with Goku and Chi-Chi's marriage. I personally like the idea that they get back together properly in their later years. For now, Goku's just happy that they're in each other's lives. I also think he'd do more to hang with Krillin and Yamcha now that Piccolo's gone. Bulma and Vegeta would be focussing on Bulla, and Videl and Haruto have a nest full that'd keep them busy.

Gohan meanwhile has a Trunks, haha. God, I really feel sorry for Piccolo and Myra – and Cross, who I'm sure Gohan and Rixas would allow to stay on as head of the household (mostly just to help keep an eye on Trunks). I think Trunks would eventually be the one Rixas appoints as his next Captain, but it wouldn't be for many, many years and long after Gohan dangles the bestowment of Lanit-Tongue over his head.

Alas, it seems our characters have found some happiness after this ride.

I want to again say thank you to everyone who has followed this story, left a review, or reached out. I've felt a little empty over this last week after finishing this beast, but I still have more to offer with Thirty-Two, at least. I may dip my toes in another fandom (Harry Potter, perhaps) in the future so feel free to join me on that next venture. Because I've been so busy I still have yet to reply to the comments/reviews so I apologize! I'm actually about to fly to New Zealand tomorrow so I'm rushing to get this AN out before I do so.

(Also, here's a oneshot I wrote last year detailing Gohan's change through wine metaphors because why not.)

So, I'll leave it here…

Finally,

thank you.

Merlot-Shiraz

Year 777, Planet Geo, Corked Vineyard

"Swirl the glass to release the aromas. No. Not like you are churning butter like a common servant." Quell's hand calms Gohan's spiralling. "Yes, slower. That's it. Okay. Now, what can you smell?"

"...Vinegar."

"Don't be obtuse. Try again. What can you really smell?"

"I can't pick up whatever you're getting. They all smell the same to me."

"Try again."

"You said the initial smell is the truth. You said once the sensors in the nose become accustomed to the aroma, you'll need to cleanse the palette—"

"Don't paraphrase me, "Quell reprimands, and then sniffs the contents of the glass. "Berries, perhaps? Ah. Cherries. I smell soured cherries. What do you think?"

"Sour, yes…" Gohan takes yet another whiff. "I don't know. Uh, maybe prunes and something smoky."

"Oh yes, you're right. The secondary is definitely overpowering. That's the oak." He hums, inspecting the glass. "Long legs too, despite how aged it is. Yes. It isn't bad at all. We'll take the bottle."

The waiter nods, proceeding to pour ruby red into Quell's glass and then into Gohan's, before leaving the bottle tableside. There's always something nerve-wracking about watching Quell interact with every day ordinary people, as though Gohan is watching a wolf paw about a helpless rabbit.

Gohan breathes easier when the waiter disappears into his section of tables. He sips at his glass. His lips pucker. Vinegar. The expensive stuff is always vinegar.

"I should have started you with the whites. The heavier you sample, the less you appreciate the subtleties of the lighter wines." Quell takes the wine list and scours it. "Although you do not remember, you have a penchant for dessert wines. Perhaps we can try a Riesling next; acidic but certainly not as full-bodied as the Shiraz here. Oh, look at that, they have three Chardonnays. One can never appreciate enough the effort put into a Chardonnay."

Gohan curls his hands around one another, watching Quell quite possibly be as pleased as he ever could be. He's wanted to bring Gohan to this place for weeks, having spoken about it at length between training sessions up in the highlands of Mt. Huegthatee. It'd been the promised treat, a prized outing for the two to enjoy after all their hard work, though this has less to do with Gohan's idea of a good time than it does Quell's.

"I know you have a red you like," Quell continues conversationally, folding the menu, "It's that Zinfandel Rixas harbours in his room like a hidden treasure – the Almighty only knows why – it's cheap, but sweet so I understand your draw, I suppose. Don't you think it's time to develop your palette?"

Gohan shrugs, scratching at his arm.

Quell raps his fingertips along the table tunelessly, watching. It's a heavy stare. Gohan can only read so much of his brother; when he's frustrated, when he's angry, when he's content. Right now, he's none of the above; he's contemplative, as if Gohan's something to be dissected, an animal, perhaps like that rabbit in the midst of his claws.

It's rather awkward, actually. They've spent weeks together training on a multitude of planets yet they've not reached a middle ground in terms of personality. They're painfully dissimilar. Quell appreciates the finer things, like the smooth texture of wealthy living, whilst Gohan prefers the harsh, rough terrain of reality. They disagree a lot. Gohan will want to camp. Quell will want a manor to rest in. Gohan will suggest they forage for dinner. Quell would rather threaten the locals into providing a feast. Perhaps the Mori of the past was "less uncouth" as Quell likes to remind him, but now Gohan loves to sleep under the stars and see the beauty of the universe, even at the cost of "roughing it like a beggar". Quell, on the other hand, prefers the beauty of a black-red wine from a bottle older than the restaurant it's being served from.

Never before had Gohan appreciated how easy it was to bond with Rixas. The idiot is wild. He's fun. He's funny. Not only is he Gohan's brother, he's his best friend, he's full of good and bad ideas, and his company is never whatsoever boring.

Quell is…

Umm…

"Well, the Shiraz we're drinking pairs with chocolates. Shall we order some?"

Gohan looks around the restaurant. It's stuffy. The waiter is displaying the wines as though they're made of solid gold, and the patrons barely acknowledge his existence.

Uncomfortable, Gohan clears his throat. "If… you want. Sure?"

"Mori."

Gohan flinches at the tone.

"I do not expect this to be easy, but I do expect you to try." He clicks his tongue. "And stop reacting like a victim of domestic violence every time I show displeasure. It is so embarrassing."

Gohan's shoulders hunch together. His fingers trail the thin neck of the wineglass.

"Did we do this before?"

Quell raises a brow. "Before your self-indisposition, I assume you mean. Wine tasting or taking trips together? Which do you wish for me to elaborate on? For we did both."

"Oh."

"What do you think of the Shiraz?"

Gohan doesn't want to answer that.

Quell finds humour in his silence. "Did you know, brother, the palette is said to change every seven years," he begins, gesturing to his red, "This is why children who cannot stomach certain foods grow to one day enjoy them, to enjoy the bitterness, the new tastes. You see, children typically enjoy sweets, much like yourself, and these childish palettes, spoiled with candies, continue to go untested unless rewarded by those who seek out adventurous flavours. Truly, if one thinks about it; it's a way to seek knowledge. It is a depth of understanding gained by those hungry to appreciate the subtlety of culinary art forms. The more you taste and try, the more your palette will come to accept change, and the more it will be willing to learn. It is a reflection of you. It is the echo of what you have experienced in your life, and how you are able to identify flavours, smells and the depths of what you put into your body." Quell hums, staring through Gohan. "And as we continue our training into ki, you will come to learn how important what we fuel ourselves with is. Clean energy requires clean sustenance. But, most important of all, we must continue to train ourselves to accept and appreciate all new experiences, especially those in which better our senses, every seven years or not."

Gohan's catching flies.

Oh, come on.

Who's Quell to talk about accepting change? It'd taken long enough for him to accept Gohan as who he is now, and that's at a stretch.

Though, there's logic there Gohan finds easy to get behind. It's strange to think of something as simple as wine tasting as radical, as a will to change. He looks down at his Shiraz with fresh eyes, as though looking for something that wasn't there before. The tapping fingers taps close to the glass and above it, Quell leans forward over the table, his smirk almost a smile. "I thought out of everyone, you would appreciate the ability to revolutionize oneself."

Gohan breathes out in amusement. Really.

"Well… That's quite the sale's pitch," he finally replies, mischievous.

Quell actually laughs. "It is, isn't it? I am rather good. So do hurry and tell me what you think of it without comparing it to vinegar."

Gohan smiles back, though it puckers the moment he takes another sip of the Shiraz.

"…Well?"

Gohan closes his eyes, trying to feel out the flavour. "Definitely prunes. Mulberries, maybe?"

Quell gestures out, affirming there is no wrong answer; an upmost rarity. "You will get used to the richness. Now, chocolates? Shall we?"

"Will it make you happy?"

Quell clicks his fingers towards the waiter. "When have you ever known me to be happy?"

Year 778, The Realm of the Almighty, the Centre

It takes a year or so but Gohan learns to stop turning down Shiraz.

He keenly chooses it one night when seeing the exact same brand Quell had introduced him to a year previous. After the first sip, he decides Quell right. Indeed, he can taste the cherries.

"They don't have Zinfandel," Rixas complains, leaning against the bar. "You got the Shiraz?"

"You won't like it."

"Liking alcohol isn't the reason I drink it." He orders a beer for himself and then a cider for Roarg. "You know," he contemplates, "You didn't drink that stuff last time."

"Shiraz?"

"Yeah. Before the reincarnation, you wouldn't touch it. Quell would get all grumpy about it."

Gohan grins, and then adopts his best impression of Quell, nose in the air. "One can change in the matters of taste."

"Yeah, but you've always been a stubborn little punk."

"I'm not exactly the Mori you knew, you know."

Rixas jerks a shoulder noncommittally, nearly spilling Roarg's cider in the process. "I dunno'. I can see bits and pieces of what I recognize and what I don't. You're like a drunk jigsaw, made of pieces that kind of slot together but not really."

"So eloquent..."

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I can see more of the old you, a right fucking (now Shiraz-drinking) snot."

Gohan gives him the finger, sipping the cherries.

Year 779, Planet Geo, Corked Vineyard

Gohan picks out the flecks of blood stuck under his nails. He brought down a fleet of pirates this afternoon in West Quadrant and the affair was horribly bloody. Of course, Quell would choose today to meet with him. Gohan probably still stinks of the pyre he'd made.

Fashionably late, his Quell saunters in as if he owns the restaurant. They know him well enough not to interrupt his grand entrance. An ego attacked is an ego threatened after all, and nobody likes that sort of ugliness.

As he swoops down into his throne opposite Gohan, the wine list is already slipped into his expectant hand.

"Shiraz-Merlot," Gohan reads from the menu in greeting. Good heavens. Why would they dirty a decent Shiraz like that?

Quell peers over his own menu and clicks his tongue, equally put out. "People cannot survive the complexities of a good wine these days, so it seems. Have they a Pinot listed?"

"A Noir. Non-vintage."

"Perfect." He clicks his fingers at an unassuming waiter. "Two of your –"

"No," Gohan says, feeling brave, "I'll try that Shiraz-Merlot."

"Oh, Mori," he groans, "You are nobody's hero here today. Just have the Pinot."

"One glass of Pinot Noir and one of the Shiraz-Merlot," Gohan requests, collecting both menus and passing them back to the poor server. "Thank you."

"I raised you better."

Gohan laughs. He recognizes why Quell is outraged at the idea. Shiraz is rich and complicated, brimming with flavours brought upon by both the primary and secondary flavour conditions of the wine. Merlot, however, is easier drinking; the introductory red for those with palettes not yet ready to appreciate a full-bodied wine. It is often blended into other reds (so often Shiraz) as to simplify the flavours – to bring down the complexity – and that alone is offensive to Quell, an affronting turn against the principle of what a good beverage even is.

Why bring down the average to suit the lowest common denominator?

Gohan understands the frustration, but sometimes, people just want to drink a Merlot blend without a snob gatekeeping the ancient art of wine tasting. Quell even has Merlot back at the estate. Why does he need to be such a priss about it now?

When the wines arrive, Quell's lip curls inwards as Gohan takes his first sip.

It's pretty good.

Gohan smiles. There's nothing wrong with blackberries.

What, however, makes the drink even sweeter is the reaction of his brother.

"There is nothing honourable about diluting something truly great with the subpar," he tells Gohan, probably thinking himself wise. "Enjoy your bastardized juice."

Year 780, Satan City

The fridge door opens, revealing from within the view of an open lounge and kitchen. A hand reaches in. A bottle emerges and the man behind loses his good-looking features to confusion.

Haruto's face remains a concentrated knot as makes out the label. "Merlott," he attempts, unsure, twisting the bottle.

"Merlot," Gohan corrects, emphasizing the lack of a pronounced 't'. He grins, legs folded over one another in a playful bow, his gaming controller comfortable in the middle. "And if you're offering…"

"I'm not," Haruto laughs, slotting the bottle back into the fridge. Blasphemous. Merlot does not belong there, but Gohan is pretending to be seventeen and shouldn't have an understanding of such a thing. "Oh, I have a bit of the sauv left. Fancy a spritzer? I won't tell Videl."

"If that's the best you're offering me then sure."

Haruto provides like any dream man should, though the spritzer isn't as generously alcoholic as it could be. Gohan can barely taste the wine through the flat pop.

"I don't even know why she has Merlot," Haruto says, already concentrating on his onscreen character, a petite girl with bubble-gum pink hair. "She doesn't even like red. I suppose I could use it for cooking."

Quell had told him it pairs best with dark meats like pork or lamb, beef, too, should the meal call for it. Perhaps a red sauce could be made. He wonders if Quell can cook, or whether or not he'd be able to do anything with it other than complain about it being in the fridge.

Gohan swallows a sad smile. It's been months since he last saw his brother, and they'd ended things so sourly.

The controller lowers and his character dies with a knife through the chest.

He recalls ordering the Shiraz-Merlot months ago, and then Quell's spitting revulsion.

The ugly anger warps into Gohan's last memory of Quell, of their heated fight, of the equally heated words between them. It'd been… bad. They'd had Shiraz that night, too. Plum flavoured if Gohan remembers correctly, which he does because he recalls bringing Quell his utmost treasured wine in order to win favour. It of course hadn't worked.

Shiraz. Gohan would like some Shiraz.

Instead, it's just Merlot. And it's in a fridge, chilled and probably utter rubbish now.

He looks down at his hands. They're dewy and new. They're mortal.

Merlot.

Year 780, the Estate

The glasses clink together.

Quell's smile is cruel behind the Shiraz.

Gohan can't quite manage to return it, the pit of his stomach still churning with anxiety, with betrayal and anger and that entire hotbed of negativity. Rixas betrayed them. He's on Earth; likely giving away all of Gohan's secrets and telling his father exactly how to beat them.

"Do not let Zamasu see you walk around with a face like that," Quell instructs, turning to overlook the garden's bathing of purple and orange. It casts warmth onto an expression that is devoid of it.

Gohan steps aside him and breathes in the spring. "I give Zamasu nothing of myself," he says, then sipping his wine. It's the first time he's had Shiraz since before he left, and it's bitterer than he remembers. "You however seem too unfazed."

"About Rixas? Let him have his moment of recklessness, and then we can make him suffer as he grovels for forgiveness. I'm sure you'll enjoy that."

Gohan snorts into the wineglass, though he still feels bitter about the whole thing. "I am surprised you are not angrier about this, brother."

"I am," Quell admits, "But I knew Rixas long before you were born to us. He would have his moments of unruliness, and the only way for him to move past these… tantrums would be for him to have his space, and for him to have a bit of his own way, at least for a while."

"I hate that I don't know what he's doing on Earth with them."

Quell isn't pleased with that revelation. "Well," he forces out, "He is likely training. There's no doubt he is playing with Goku Son. He'd been rather drawn to him last time on Earth, after all."

How maddening. Rixas had trained Gohan and now he's probably relaying it all to anyone who listens.

Gohan downs the Shiraz in one angry swallow. It'll be the last one. As he earlier promised himself, his focus will now be on producing clean energy, on clean eating, on staying ahead.

"Where do you think you are going?" Quell latches his shoulder as Gohan turns to vacate the garden. "I have something for you."

"Quell."

"Shut up. Sit with me."

Gohan does as requested, taking his seat on the metallic garden chair when forcibly gestured to do as much. This isn't Gohan's hill to die on. He sits in wait, brows raised, expectant and impatient as Quell takes the chair opposite and rummages for something behind the bush.

A box emerges, and from it a bottle.

The Shiraz-Merlot.

Gohan accepts it, admittedly too stunned to speak. He can't quite manage a smile but an amused gust of air leaves him. "Really?" he finally lets out. "Did it not pain you to buy it?"

"Absolutely."

"When did you—?"

"It hardly matters. I saw it and felt inclined."

His hands tighten around the neck, a warmth surges and he feels momentarily less anguished.

"How unlike you," Gohan says. "You must really lo—"

"Do not tease me. You know how I loathe it. Do not make me regret my kindness."

Fondly, Gohan watches as his brother stares with commitment above the treeline, sipping the Shiraz. He's a stubborn bastard.

Thumbing the label down, Gohan admires the wine. It's vintage, not something he would normally drink, but he finds himself intrigued at the prospect of trying it. Prior promises of attaining clean energy go momentarily forgotten when he pops the bottle open.

A vinegary smell follows.

Gohan, for the first time, laughs. It's sourer than the wine.

"Of course. It's corked."

Year 784, 439 Mountain Area

A lone bottle sits in front of the Horse marker, and the flame beside it burns on eternally.