Two hours later.
The spaceship sailed through the vast silence of space, a temporary home for the heroes who had escaped destruction. Dim lights flickered softly, creating an almost cozy atmosphere despite the tension that hung in the air.
Some felt defeated, the mere idea of being trapped in a place filled with unknown dangers and beings like those they had faced made them doubt.
Goku was with Rias in one of the ship's cabins. He was using his divine ki to help accelerate the healing of the red-haired girl.
The divine nature of Goku's power seemed to be effective on Rias, unlike Elizabeth's sacred power. The reason being that, although they were similar in essence, one was represented by light and purity, while the other was represented by vitality and strength. If these were represented by a color, it would be golden for the sacred and sky blue for the divine.
Rias, being a demon who is weak to light, could be weakened and even endangered by sacred power; on the contrary, divine power strengthened and restored her.
The cabin of the ship was bathed in the blue glow of Goku's divine ki. Shadows danced on the metallic walls, mingling with the soft hum of the engines. Outside, the void of space reflected distant stars, reminding them of their isolation.
Goku withdrew his hands from Rias's torso, the bluish aura slowly fading. The demon girl took a deep breath, feeling her life energy being restored, but her expression remained laden with conflict.
—Well, I think that's enough —Goku said, rubbing the back of his neck with a tired smile—. I wish I could do more, but healing others isn't my strong suit. How do you feel?
Rias touched her side, where the monster's claws had nearly torn her apart. There was no pain anymore, but something else troubled her.
—Physically... better. Although it's ironic —she murmured, avoiding his gaze—. That a demon like me benefits from divine power.
Goku blinked, confused by her comment.
—Is it... ironic? Uh, isn't that when something is funny because it shouldn't happen?
Rias couldn't help but let out a brief laugh, but soon her face darkened.
—Light is like poison for my kind. Elizabeth can't even get close to me without burning me, yet your energy... —she extended her fingers, where remnants of the celestial ki glimmered—. Why do you think that is?
Goku shrugged at her question.
—I'm not good with these things. But my friend Piccolo always says that "light" isn't just one thing. There are a thousand ways to be strong, and some don't involve hurting others.
Rias stared at him as if expecting a revelation. Goku added:
—Maybe your demonic power isn't so different from mine. It's just... another way of living.
Rias widened her eyes at his words. Where she came from, demons were labeled as evil, and there was a long history to back that up.
The red-haired girl belonged to a family that tried to change this perception. But still, it didn't change how they were seen and judged.
—Thank you —she said, looking away and hiding a shy smile.
She couldn't help but feel gratitude towards Goku for everything he had done. From comforting her when she was in a terrible state, to protecting and caring for her as he was doing now.
—You don't have to thank me. I helped you because you needed it —Goku replied, a bit embarrassed.
Rias turned her gaze back to him.
—Of course —she spoke, with her elegant tone—. You've helped me a lot all this time; it's normal to be grateful to your benefactor, especially when you saved my life.
—…
Goku didn't know how to respond to that.
—Alright, alright, I accept your gratitude... —he nodded, relaxing his tone—. But you also did everything you could to save us all a while ago, Rias. So don't underestimate your efforts.
The girl's eyes widened at the recognition Goku gave her.
—Y-yes, whatever you say —she spoke, a bit shyly.
—Okay, I'm done here. Rest for a while to regain your strength, okay?
He left those words before stepping out of the room.
---
In another corner of the ship.
In one of the quieter compartments, Dante was alone, reclining in a seat, enjoying a moment of calm as he tried to process everything that had happened.
Before arriving at this place, he had been in a frantic race to stop his brother, who had returned to his old self, endangering everything he knew. And in the midst of his journey, he found himself here.
Reed and the others had put him in context, no matter how crazy it sounded, just minutes ago. He was trying to relax a bit.
However, his peace was interrupted when a red-haired girl entered, her thoughtful expression and distant gaze giving her an air of certainty.
—Are you just here to make noise? —Rias asked, crossing her arms with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
Her eyes sparkled with a hint of challenge. The demon girl took advantage of Dante being alone to have a chat with him. She wanted to know what mysteries surrounded this stranger.
Dante smiled at the challenge from the demon princess.
—Oh, come on, redhead. I'm not just noise. I'm a symphony of chaos and charm. Would you like to hear a bit? —he leaned toward her, like an artist inviting his audience to enjoy his work.
Rias raised an eyebrow but couldn't help but smile slightly.
—"Symphony of chaos"? That sounds like a good title for you. From what I see.
—Exactly! —Dante exclaimed, raising a finger in triumph. —But seriously, what brings you here?
Rias sharpened her gaze at his question.
—Curiosity, just that.
—Ahhh...! —Dante put his hand to his chin —in that case, I feel flattered. Although it's kind of hilarious...
—Hilarious? —she inquired, raising an eyebrow.
—Isn't it fascinating to know that we come from such different worlds? After all, I... am a demon hunter, princess.
He declared with a playful tone, flashing an arrogant smile. Rias was momentarily speechless after that revelation.
—...Demon hunter? That's... unexpected...
Rias's mind processed the information, trying to reconcile the image of the charismatic Dante with the reality of her demonic nature.
—I don't know how demons are in your world. But in my world, demons are creatures seeking redemption, not destruction.
Dante shrugged at that statement, his smile a bit more subdued as he let out a short laugh.
—Ha. That's something I'd like to see, little demon. You have faith in the possibility... that even demons can change. In my world, the line between good and evil is much blurrier. Not all demons have bad intentions, but many do. You can't change that.
—You can't generalize like that —Rias replied, her voice firm and determined. —Things aren't that simple where I come from. Most of us fight for a purpose, not for destruction.
Dante looked at her intently; the friction between them was palpable. It was as if two completely opposite sides were clashing in ideals.
—Maybe not, but the reality is that we all have our burdens to bear. Don't you think? —his tone became more serious, as if the conversation had taken an unexpected turn. —I'm not here to hurt you, princess. I just want to understand your nature.
Rias looked at him, feeling Dante's gaze filled with arrogance.
—Understanding doesn't mean acceptance. Just because you're a demon hunter doesn't mean you have to act like one... even if you are...
Rias's tone was challenging, leaving an even tenser atmosphere. Dante narrowed his eyes slightly at her provocation.
—Redemption is a difficult path, and I'm clear that not everyone is willing to walk it —Rias added, not looking intimidated.
Dante smiled again, though softer, as if the conversation had touched him.
—You're right. Maybe I'm just a demon seeking my own path to redemption.
Rias narrowed her gaze at his arrogant declaration.
—You sound like one of those fallen angels trying to earn their way to heaven through violence.
—Heh... Heaven can wait. But yes... every demon I kill is a reminder of what I could have been... —he paused, looking around—. My brother chose power over humanity. I chose the opposite... and yet, my hands are still stained with blood.
Rias noticed a hint of melancholy in Dante as he spoke. The redhead softened her gaze a bit.
—So, do you hunt demons to punish yourself...?
Dante turned his gaze back to the demon girl with penetrating eyes.
—And you? Do you play the role of the good princess to prove you're not a monster? Tell me, in all this, what do you truly desire?
Rias paused, contemplating the question. If she had been asked that before arriving here, her answer would undoubtedly have been different.
—I want to return to my world and be with the people I love. That's what I desire right now —she answered with determination.
—That's something we have in common —Dante declared, relaxing his tone.
The conversation ended with a tacit understanding that could be the basis for an alliance. The two, demon and hunter, would collaborate to find their way home alongside the others.
---
At that moment.
In the quietest corner of the ship, where shadows blended with the bluish glow of the engines, Elizabeth sat curled up.
Her pale arms, marked by old scars that even her magic hadn't completely erased, wrapped around her knees as if she feared falling apart. The flickering light from the control panels cast golden glimmers in her left eye, while her right, blue as the sea of Liones, reflected a pain all too familiar.
"Why? Why isn't my power enough?" The question echoed in her mind.
She had tried to help Rias heal her wounds just moments ago, but only ended up hurting her with her light. This was something she had always feared since awakening her power.
Amid her fear, some memories came flooding back, mingling with echoes of voices she thought she had overcome.
—"A princess doesn't cry, Elizabeth. You must be strong for your people" —the cold voice of her father, King Bartra.
Those words were laden with great expectations, ones she feared she would never fulfill.
—"Your compassion is your greatest virtue... and your curse" —the whisper of Meliodas, the first time she failed to heal him.
That phrase was marked by certainty. But it was a certainty she could no longer hear.
Elizabeth clenched her fists against the fabric of her skirt, feeling the flower pendant of Liones, the last gift from Margaret, digging into her palm. Not even the Seven Deadly Sins, those legendary warriors who had helped her save her kingdom, had been able to erase the truth: she was always the one who needed protection.
And in the midst of that, she was brought to an unknown place, not knowing why, feeling once again that she would be a burden to everyone in the chaos.
Elizabeth was afraid, afraid of not being enough, afraid of seeing someone else die without being able to do anything, afraid of those monsters that wanted to devour her.
—"What kind of useless princess am I?" —she whispered, burying her face in her arms, loosening her grip.
As Elizabeth sank into her darkness, the pendant fell to the ground with a metallic "clink," rolling to a stop in front of a pair of worn boots.
—"Hey, this is nice! Did someone special give it to you?" —a warm and comforting voice asked.
Elizabeth looked up, her heterochromatic eyes shimmering with contained tears upon seeing the person. Standing in front of Elizabeth was Goku.
Goku crouched down to her level, picking up the flower pendant shining between his fingers. His smile, wide and sincere, was like a ray of sunshine in the gloom surrounding Elizabeth.
The princess nodded slowly, taking the pendant with trembling hands.
—My sister... Margaret. She gave it to me when I vowed to protect our people —she whispered, caressing the metallic petals. —But I was never strong enough to fulfill that promise.
—You were today —another voice spoke, deep yet serene.
Behind Goku, the imposing silhouette of Superman stood against the bluish light of the corridors. He knelt beside them, his cape forming a red mantle over the metallic floor.
—When that creature attacked us, it was your voice that brought us back, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth blinked, surprised.
—My... voice?
Goku nodded enthusiastically, thumping his chest.
—Yes! When you were there, fighting to heal us, I heard something like...— he frowned, trying to imitate her tone —"Please, don't leave!"
His clumsy imitation brought a smile to Elizabeth's lips.
—It was like a little light in the middle of all that rare darkness.
Superman placed a hand on the girl's shoulder.
—On Krypton, my home planet, we believe that courage is not measured by strength, but by the will to rise when everything seems lost. And you, Elizabeth, gave us that will today.
—Yes! You saved us. You don't have to doubt yourself, you know.
The two men spoke with familiarity. Their words were so comforting to Elizabeth's heart full of doubts that, unknowingly, something special began to bloom within her.
The pendant in her hands began to glow with a soft golden light. Elizabeth watched in awe as Goku excitedly pointed out:
—Look at that! It's like your energy. Special, like mine, but more... bright!
—Energy? —Elizabeth asked, confused.
In her world, magic predominated and was known as magical power. She had no knowledge of it. But she thought her power was only related to sacred magic.
—Yes, divine! —Goku made an expansive gesture with his arms. —Like the gods of my world. Only you... —he scratched his head —well, you're prettier than old Kaio-shin.
Superman smiled at the comment.
—What Goku is trying to say is that there is a power in you that you don't even know completely. We saw it today when you healed our wounds. It's a very special power that is within you.
Elizabeth looked at her hands, where the pendant now pulsed to the rhythm of her heartbeat.
—Maybe... —she whispered, pressing the pendant against her chest —maybe I can learn to use it better. For all of you, for everyone I love.
—That's the spirit! —Goku exclaimed, giving her a pat on the back "so strong that it nearly made her lose her balance."
Elizabeth blinked at his abrupt action. Superman nodded, rising and extending a hand to help her up.
—Don't doubt it, Elizabeth. You are much braver than you think. You just have to believe in yourself.
Outside the window, the stars seemed to shine a little brighter. The pendant in her hand was no longer a reminder of past failures but a promise: the light she carried within, no matter how small, could be enough.
Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. The comforting feeling of knowing she wouldn't be alone made her happy.
—Sniff!... thank you.
Superman and Goku smiled at her gratitude. The atmosphere turned familiar as the three looked at each other.
As Goku and Superman consoled Elizabeth, a presence caught their attention.
—Well, well. Is everyone here giving motivational speeches, or is it just the caped team? —said a laid-back voice.
Turning around, the three saw Dante, munching on a slice of pizza that, inexplicably, was still hot. He had interrupted with a teasing smile.
Elizabeth quickly wiped her tears, embarrassed, but Goku just laughed.
—Hehehe... Hey, Dante! Where did you get that? —he asked, pointing at the pizza.
—Secret demon ability: Dimensional Pizza —he replied, spinning the food on a finger—. But back to the point...
His tone became less joking as he looked at Elizabeth.
—Listen, Santa. If you really want to be stronger, stop crying and focus on what you can do.
Superman frowned.
—Hey, this isn't the time for—
—No, he's right —Elizabeth interrupted, surprising everyone as she straightened up.— This isn't the time to doubt. I want to be strong.
Dante let out an admiring whistle.
—Look at that. The girl has guts after all.
Goku, excited, clapped his hands together.
—That's the spirit! And you're not alone! We can train together. I'll help you with energy control, and Kal can teach you to use your inner strength.
—Yes, you're not alone, we're a team —Superman nodded.
---
In the cabin.
Dr. Richards was surrounded by flickering screens and constantly changing data.
—"All systems are at the limit of functioning; it is advisable to stop functions and carry out repairs."
The ship's AI resonated with a soft, analytical voice, interrupting his thoughts.
—Yes, that's obvious —Reed muttered with an ironic tone.
Not long ago, he had worked on the necessary repairs, and now he had to fix it again. The battle against the beings of black aura had taken its toll, and if something like that happened again, they wouldn't come out alive.
While Reed pondered his next steps, the door to the control cabin slid open with a soft mechanical "whoosh," and instantly, his allies entered.
Goku was the first to enter, stretching his arms with a carefree smile.
—Phew! Thank goodness we're all okay now. Hey, Reed, how's it going? —he asked, moving closer to observe the screens.
—Not very well —Reed replied without looking up.
Superman arrived behind Goku, his gaze directed at the damage reports floating in the air.
—The engines are at 60% capacity —he murmured, pointing to a red graph—. And the shields won't withstand another attack like the last one.
Elizabeth and Rias positioned themselves near the entrance, the former nervously fiddling with her pendant, the latter crossing her arms with a calculating expression. Dante, for his part, leaned against a console with his pizza still in hand.
—So, Doc —Dante mused between bites—, how long until this tin can leaves us stranded in the middle of nowhere?
Reed looked up, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
—With luck, long enough to reach the nearest planet —he pointed to a spot in the hologram, a greenish-blue sphere—. It has a breathable atmosphere and signals of artificial structures.
—Civilization? —Rias asked, leaning forward.
—Or remnants of one —Reed corrected, enlarging the image to show scattered ruins covered in snow—. It could be desolate places like the base we found on that planet. The main priority is to find a place to settle and obtain resources to repair the ship...
Reed turned to Goku and Clark, removing his glasses.
—Goku, Kal, use your abilities to see if anything else awaits us there —he indicated with an intrigued tone.
—Alright! —Goku followed Reed's instructions. He concentrated to sense each of the presences on that world.
Superman narrowed his eyes, using his telescopic vision despite the distance.
After a few moments, the first to speak was Superman.
—There's... something strange. Gravity is stable, but I detect very odd energy fluctuations. It covers the planet like a river.
—Yes, I also detect something. There are several energies; I sense some humans, but there are others as well. And that strange energy is... different from anything I know. I can't describe it.
The two spoke and exchanged thoughtful glances. That planet was certainly imbued with an energy that was strange to them.
—D-do you think there could be creatures like the ones before there? —Elizabeth spoke with a shiver.
If those monsters they faced had arrived on that world like they did, it was understandable to wonder what kind of other powerful and dangerous beings they might encounter.
—I don't know —Clark admitted—, but we should assume that yes.
Dante tossed the pizza crust into an invisible trash can.
—Great. More bugs to slice —he said, materializing his sword and spinning it—. But this time, let's be prepared.
Rias looked at Dante, a tacit challenge in her eyes. As she displayed a fiery red aura, she spoke with determination.
—Yes. This time I won't be defeated so easily.
Dante smiled, showing his fangs.
—I like that attitude, redhead.
Goku observed Rias for a moment. He could feel how her power had strengthened. He wondered if it had something to do with the divine power he used to heal her.
Reed closed the holograms with a gesture.
—I'll adjust the course towards the planet —he took one last look at the screens—. We'll arrive in about 4 hours. Rest as much as you can until then.
As the others nodded, Elizabeth looked out the window at the distant planet. Seeing it filled her with excitement.
---
Hours later, on the unknown planet.
The landscape was a frozen battlefield. Mountains of ice sharp as blades rose in chaotic patterns, while the very air vibrated with the lethal cold that enveloped everything.
In the heart of the battlefield, two figures stood out amid the chaos. One was a woman of imposing presence, with a cold and calculating gaze that emanated authority. Her hair, blue as ice, cascaded over her shoulders, and her outfit, adorned with military elements, reflected her fierce and dominant nature. She held a sword in her hand, its blade shining with a frozen glow, ready to unleash her power at any moment.
In front of her, an elegant and serene man moved with an almost supernatural grace. His bearing was noble, and his gaze conveyed a mix of determination and compassion. He wore a dark suit that accentuated his figure, and his presence radiated a contained strength. On his face, one could read the resolution of a warrior who had faced countless challenges, but also the sweetness of someone who had experienced love.
The battle had been intense; the blue-haired woman smiled defiantly, preparing for the attack. She had initiated the conflict with the dark-suited man, eager for a bloody battle. Her instincts told her he was strong, even though he was only on the defensive.
The man, on the other hand, felt confused and out of place. The woman in front of him launched herself at him. Tired of the game, he charged forward, his fists enveloped in martial aura. The impact against the ice shield she had created to block him shook the ground.
Just as he raised his arm for a finishing blow, a "sonic boom" cut through the air.
—Stop! —a voice roared, its red eyes glowing with warning.
Superman appeared between them, blocking the attack with his forearm as the ground cracked beneath his feet.
A second later, Goku landed at his side, the blue aura of Ultra Instinct enveloping him.
—Hey, why are you fighting? We can talk!
The two stepped back, evaluating the newcomers. Their warrior instincts screamed that these two were different.
To be continued.