Mortal Coil (CONQUEST)

Moments after the impact of that massive wave of energy, the overwhelming smell of ashes and uprooted asphalt made Garon nauseous. Before he could consider grabbing his savior from the plume of smoke– or running in the opposite direction– the man stepped out on his own. His shirt was ragged, and his skin was bruised, but the man's spirits were so high he laughed it off all the same. The optimism might have struck a chord with someone stronger than Garon, with less to prove and more power to take action with. All the man accomplished was showing just how big the gap was. Garon didn't even think to scan his Power Level.

When he heard his now-savior ask him to stick by his side, Garon planned to say "no." Even considering the strategic advantages of teaming up, he refused to let anyone make him his sidekick, no matter how strong they were.

Unfortunately, his wish would be answered.

A painfully familiar laughter drowned out the sound of whatever response he may have made. Garon turned to face the noise, but Onoma already had his hand on his chest. "You–!" was all he could say before the Namekian dragged him across the city, further and further away from the battlefield...

Vale simply smiled. The reveal, the incomprehension at first and that explosive rage! Wow! A true sight to behold. Yet, it was clearly insufficient. Or rather, the man was not listening to him at all, even after he had gone out of his way to explain it clearly to him. Even if it was Russ’ fault that he couldn’t control his emotions properly, could one really blame a Saiyan’s nature? See, even the other goliath exploded in a raging frenzy.

Now, that one was a little unexpected and it had clearly been brought by his little display. It was a slight annoyance as it was taking some of the spotlight from his show, but perhaps it could be used to the benefit of everyone here! Vale needed no explanation as Lottus’ words conveyed perfectly what had happened to a loved one of his. While the ability to interact with souls was not common -and was clearly grounds for capital punishment amongst Shinjinkind-, Lottus did not need to know that specific detail. Without going so far as lying to him, Vale reached out in an attempt to…channel that hatred into something far more productive. Before speaking to him, he had to teleport a bit further away along with Marrow’s soul, keeping himself at a reasonable distance from the Tyrant.

‘Lottus, this is Vale. I do not know what they did to you exactly or who this Rapini was, but hear me out. The people of the Otherworld are your enemy as much as they are mine. They protect the righteous one, shower them with care and appreciation while they leave people like you to rot away in Hell. They judged your lifestyle to be unworthy of their standards and while the ones opposing us will witness the glorious vistas of Heaven and reunite with their dead loved ones, you will be sent to the gutter, only for your soul to be torn asunder and stripped away from any traces of you. Like they did to your Rapini. So show them, stand up to them! Do not let your fate be dictated any longer! I will be there to open the gates for you.’

If this works out, I can’t wait to see what future this will bring, Vale thought for himself. And as he was momentarily lost in thought, he was suddenly grabbed by the throat by the Saiyan. He felt the crushing grip, his eyes bulging a bit out of their sockets as his limbs flayed about, trying desperately to reach for air. Saliva dripped down the corner of his mouth as he tried breathing in. It was like an immovable object, unable to put the slightest dent in him.

“Ack! Un…hand mmeee, yoo..uuu heathen!”

He was blacking out, he felt the dread of death washing over him. He couldn’t focus his sight, his eyes met with spastic rapid eye movements. His face contorted in a grotesque shape and the panic ceded in favor of pure, unadulterated bliss. Tears rolled down his cheeks as his mouth curved into a large smile, dark as the abyss themselves. His head tilted to stare straight at Russ, his body now unnervingly calm and loose. Oh, he could snap his neck in an instant if he wanted to…but could he? Could it be that, in the back of his mind, subconsciously, he had registered Vale’s words? Aaah, but the ego of the strong, his ego, couldn’t simply bow down to the weak evil staring at him. Vale chuckled, or gurgled, both were probably the same at this point. As he stared down the Saiyan, the left part of his body morphed into a form he was well-acquainted with. Half-Vale, half-Marrow, both parts equally being choked out. In less time than it took to blink an eye, Russ found himself choking the dead body of Marrow while Vale stood where she previously was.

“Who do you think you’re hurting now, Russ?” Vale said, finding back his original composure, though his voice was a little coarser.

She was immobile, but not indifferent to the treatment the super saiyan gave her, even if she could apparently tolerate it more than he did. She gasped for air, reached out with both her hands for Russ’ face, placing her hands on his cheeks in a plea to let her go. Whether or not Russ would let her go, Vale would whistle at her, like a dog and she’d come back at his side, the Shinjin all smiles.

“Don’t take it personally, it’s not that she prefers me over you, it’s just that she knows what will happen if she doesn’t obey. She’s already experienced it firsthand, after all…” Vale finished readjusting his suit, changing his clothes for a Kai’s formal attire. “As for you, Russ, you would be wise to face these kinds of situations with a sense of poise and rationality.”

He looked around, took a few steps back and forth. “I think the issue is that you people have stopped fearing death, ever since you managed to find a way to breach the border with the Otherworld. After…you’ve seen people come back from beyond the grave…The gravity of it all might have been lessened, unjustly so.” Vale raised a finger up, after coming up with a brilliant idea. “Ah! Maybe you need an example to see that I am not just lying to you? Here, Marrow, please, if you would face me.”

She did as was asked. Vale then hit her with the meanest, most powerful backhanded slap across the face as he possibly could, the ring on his finger leaving a huge gash on her cheek. At the same time, he reeled back in pain, the same gash appearing on his cheek as well. “You see? If you hurt me, you hurt her. If you choke me, you choke her. If you kill me, poof, she stops existing. This is not a threat, mind you, it’s a certitude.”

He became a bit more serious, taking a few steps towards Russ.

“Whether you like or dislike my good faith is of no importance. I am facing you with a choice. Save her or don’t. Not choosing at all is also a choice in itself, but if you truly do care, only one of these choices is good for you. If you don’t? Go ahead, kill me. See what happens! So, do you want to hear the terms? It’s not just for you, that possessed guy appeared to have some connections to her as well. Do you believe she deserves a fair second chance at life? It can happen.”

He placed a hand on his chin, thinking. “Maybe you don’t think this is the real Marrow? That would indeed be a problem. Why don’t you have a free sample, then?”

Vale shoved his hand in Marrow’s head, phasing through it. When he pulled it out, he held a tiny piece of her soul between his thumb and index finger. Gently he tossed it at Russ. Any contact with his skin would trigger a flood of memories to swirl through the Saiyan, memories of their date and other moments spent together.