Celes stepped outside, the weight of the conversation still lingering in the back of her mind. She didn't turn back, there was no need to.
She had given them a choice. Whether they took it or not was up to them.
The cool afternoon air wrapped around her as she lifted off the ground, flying toward the eastern city. She kept her pace steady, allowing her thoughts to settle as she moved.
Finally, she was out of that house. Out of that conversation.
But what awaited her was far bigger than any single exchange of words.
She had a plan, one spanning the entire galaxy, something far greater than just reviving the Namekian's and Cerealian's of Planet Cereal. The Mortal Level, Frieza's growing influence, the system she intended to build, it was all part of something larger than any one world.
And today marked the first true step toward that goal.
A few minutes later, the eastern city came into view, its towering structures standing tall over the bustling streets.
Celes descended from the sky, slowing as the towering dome of the city came into view.
As her feet touched the ground outside the dome, she took a moment to steady herself before making her way toward the entrance.
Passing through the gates, she immediately stood out.
Most Sugarian's barely reached her waist, their smaller forms weaving through the busy marketplace with practiced ease. Even with her cloak wrapped around her, she was an outsider, impossible to ignore.
Still, she kept her stride confident, ignoring the occasional curious glance as she headed straight for the market district.
It was lively as expected, vendors calling out deals, Sugarian's inspecting goods, traders haggling over prices.
She wasted no time, heading directly toward a group of merchants clustered near the heart of the district.
"I'm looking for a trader," she said, her tone sharp yet composed.
One of the merchants raised a brow, their fins twitching slightly.
"Plenty of traders here," one of them said. "What kind of business are you looking for?"
Celes kept her gaze steady.
"The trader who sold Planet Cereal."
That got their attention.
Several of them exchanged glances, hesitation flickering in their expressions.
"The one who handled the transaction?" one of them murmured, lowering his voice slightly.
Another nodded slowly.
"If you're talking about him… there's only one."
Celes remained quiet, waiting.
"He's in the largest store in the center of the market district," the trader finally revealed. "You'll find him there."
Celes gave a slight nod.
"Thanks."
She turned away, moving with purpose toward the largest store towering in the heart of the market.
The building was grand, structured with elaborate signage displaying high-end goods, the kind of place only well-connected merchants could afford to operate.
Celes stepped into the store, scanning the interior as she moved through the aisles. The establishment was grand, filled with high-end goods, rare materials, and luxurious items far beyond what the average trader would deal in.
None of it mattered.
Her focus was locked on Oil, the greedy one of the Heeter's.
At seven feet tall, he loomed over the three-foot-tall Sugarian, using his sheer size as an intimidation tactic.
The Sugarian fidgeted nervously, their fins twitching slightly, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Trust me, my friend," Oil said, flashing a grin too wide to be genuine. "I wouldn't offer this deal if it wasn't good for you."
Celes kept her pace steady, moving through the store like just another customer browsing.
She let herself drift closer, pretending to inspect an ornate display near the counter.
Then, in one fluid movement, she slipped behind Oil—
And jumped up, locking her arm around his thick neck in a precise chokehold.
"Oil! Buddy! It's been forever!" she chirped, her voice cheerful, completely at odds with her actions. "What have you been up to lately?"
Oil stiffened, his body jerking in alarm.
The Sugarian gasped, stepping back, confusion flickering across their features.
Celes ignored Oil's frantic struggles.
Instead, she turned to the Sugarian, flashing an apologetic smile.
"Sorry about this," she said lightly, as if she weren't currently choking out a man three times her size. "I need to borrow him for a bit."
The Sugarian blinked, then shrugged, almost relieved that they weren't the ones dealing with Oil anymore.
"Oh, uh… okay?" they mumbled before turning and walking away, deciding it wasn't worth questioning.
Celes chuckled.
"Sugarian's. Always so accommodating."
Oil's panic had turned to desperation. His massive hands clawed at her arm, trying to pry her off.
It was pointless.
Even if he had a thousand times more strength, it wouldn't matter, the technique, the placement, the leverage, all of it ensured he was utterly powerless.
His breath hitched, his vision darkened.
His movements slowed.
Then, they stopped entirely.
Oil fell unconscious, his limbs going limp.
Celes adjusted her grip, hoisting his dead weight onto her shoulder with ease.
"Alright, big guy," she murmured. "Let's find you a better spot."
And then—
Space fluctuated.
The air around her shimmered, warping like heat rising off desert sands.
Then, in an instant, the fabric of reality rippled, distorting momentarily before snapping back into place.
She was gone.
The shop had vanished, replaced by the secluded area she had sensed earlier.
Celes scanned the surroundings again, using Ki Sense to confirm they were alone.
Satisfied, she set Oil down, letting his unconscious body rest against a nearby wall.
Then, she slapped him.
Once.
Twice.
The sharp smacks echoed, jolting him toward wakefulness, though his mind hadn't fully processed the situation yet.
At that moment, she reached out mentally, linking with Raphael.
"Raphael," she instructed. "Run an analysis on his genetic structure, find and apply the trait that allows them to survive in space."
A brief pulse of acknowledgment ran through her system.
"Already on it," Raphael confirmed. "Process complete."
Celes smirked slightly.
"Good. That's one thing checked off the list."
She turned back to Oil.
His groggy eyes blinked open, struggling to focus.
"Morning, Sunshine."
The words rang through the empty alleyway, lighthearted in tone, yet carrying an undeniable weight.
Oil stirred, his groggy eyes fluttering open, his mind struggling to process where he was. His vision blurred for a moment before settling on Celes, standing over him, arms crossed, gaze cold.
"Wh—Where am I?" he muttered, voice hoarse. "Who the hell are you?"
Celes gave a small, knowing smile.
"Me?" she said smoothly. "Just someone who needs a little bit of information."
Oil blinked sluggishly, his breathing uneven, but his mind was slowly catching up.
"Information?" he echoed, his confusion shifting slightly into suspicion.
"Mm-hm," Celes hummed, tilting her head. "Specifically, about some familiar faces of yours."
Oil's eyes narrowed.
"Familiar faces?"
Celes sighed dramatically, shaking her head as if this was all so tiresome.
"Oil," she said lightly, "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about."
A flicker of understanding passed through his gaze.
Then, his expression hardened completely.
"Tch. You think I'm going to tell you anything?" he growled, defiance setting in instantly.
Celes sighed, shaking her head, feigning disappointment.
"Oil, Oil, Oil…" she mused, her tone light, almost condescending. "Do you think I dragged you all the way out here for small talk?"
Celes exhaled, almost amused.
"You might want to reconsider," she said, her tone still calm, patient.
She crouched slightly, resting an arm on her knee.
"Because right now, you're in a position where your choices decide just how painful this conversation gets."
Oil's jaw tightened, but he didn't look away.
"Go to hell."
Celes sighed.
"The hard way it is, then."
Without hesitation, she gripped Oil's right hand, and in a single movement, crushed his pinky finger.
A sickening snap echoed through the air.
Oil screamed, his body jerking violently as pain shot through his nerves.
"GAH! You—!" He clenched his teeth, his breath ragged.
Celes simply crushed another finger.
Another snap, another piercing scream.
"Talk, Oil," Celes said patiently, as if this were just part of a normal routine.
"SCREW YOU!" Oil spat.
Another finger—gone.
Oil's breathing was becoming erratic, his body twitching uncontrollably.
"Still holding out?" Celes mused. "Alright."
Another crunch.
Oil was breaking.
His face twisted in agony, his body shaking violently, sweat dripping from his forehead.
One last snap—all five fingers crushed.
Oil panted heavily, his defiance crumbling under the overwhelming pain.
"A-Asteroid Belt," he finally wheezed. "Our base… The Heeter's' hideout, it's in the asteroid belt of this system."
Celes gave a satisfied nod.
"See? That wasn't so hard, was it?"
Oil slumped, his entire body trembling from the ordeal.
Then, his breath hitched.
"W-Wait… what now?" he asked weakly, hope slipping into his tone despite everything.
Celes smiled faintly, but her eyes remained devoid of warmth.
"Now?" she echoed. "Now, I finish this."
Ki flared around her hand.
Oil's eyes widened in horror, but before he could react, Celes plunged her hand straight through his heart.
A sharp gasp tore from his throat as his body seized, before slowly going limp.
Celes pulled her hand back, blood dripping from her fingertips.
For a brief moment, bile crept up her throat, but she swallowed it down.
This was the first.
But it wouldn't be the last.
She exhaled, staring upward toward the night sky.
The job was far from over.
With that, space fluctuated, and in an instant, Celes vanished, teleporting to the asteroid belt of the Cereal system.
(Words: 1572)