Bringer of Death

Immortal Saga, Part 1: Barre Sinister

Immortal Saga, Part 1: Barre Sinister

Only moments prior…

'Hello, old friend.'

The serpent hung lazily over the gentle curve of Namek's horizon, watching with casual interest as Porunga burst into life far below. Its massive jaws twisted into a frown as the Namekian dragon stared down at the mravi gathered on the ground, eager to receive their promised wishes and utterly unaware of the cosmic forces overhead.

'Such a waste,' he murmured to himself as the Dragon of Dreams granted their first wish. 'So much promise, so much potential. I had high hopes for you, brakka. But now you are nothing.'

Still invisible, his lithe form began to uncoil as he approached the other dragon.

"LAZNIMAJC. NETASTI."

The words hung on the wind.

Wails of terror, grief, and disbelief came from the Namekians, many of whom had fallen to their knees in shock. The Z Fighters were stunned into silence. Porunga had been there just a moment before, and now...now there was nothing but pale green sky where the immortal dragon had floated.

Krillin's fists balled up. "No...this can't be happening!" Tears welled in his eyes. "We still need Goku brought back! DO YOU HEAR ME, DRAGON?!"

Grand Elder Moori only sobbed. In front of him, the seven piles of dust were quickly swept up and scattered by a sudden, chill breeze..

Goku paused. He could tell immediately that something was wrong; King Kai's face was a mask of disbelief and confusion. He felt above his head—sure enough, his halo was still in place.

"Wait, what just happened? I mean, I'm still dead, but...why?" He couldn't imagine what would be keeping his friends from wishing him back.

The kaio was muttering under his breath. "It can't...it can't be...this makes no sense, I..I don't…"

The Saiyan was even more confused. "What's going on, King Kai?"

"I honestly have no idea," stammered his old master. "It's the dragon of Namek, he...he's just gone. I don't know how. I didn't see any of this coming. Why did I not see this?"

Vegeta stepped forward, ready to take charge, but lightning began to crackle in the empty sky above the group. For a moment, they saw a massive jade form floating above their heads, but it was obscured as the pale lightning around it intensified. The energy swirled into a spiral and descended, forming a point of dazzlingly bright light just a few meters above the ground. A long hiss sounded, like air being suddenly released from a can, and the bright point expanded into a shimmering sphere on the ground.

The sphere blinked out. A small, slender form stood on the surface of Namek.

The prince took an aggressive step toward it. "Who are you!? What have you done to the Namekian dragon!?"

The figure made no answer.

For a moment, the long, flowing silver hair made Vegeta think he was looking at a woman with some sort of strange hat, but after blinking he realized it was a teenage boy. Or something like a boy, but with smoothly curving horns twisting back tightly over his head. The figure was slender and bare-chested with pale, creamy skin. Barely visible parallel lines—were they tattoos?—snaked smoothly up his stomach, chest, and shoulders. He wore tight dark boots that came up over his knees and a long, flowing cloak.

The newcomer's face was young, innocent. His jaw was narrow, his mouth small, his nose barely there at all. He had large, expressive eyes, but his intense violet pupils were narrow. The silver hair falling in heavy tresses around his shoulders glowed as if reflecting an invisible light.