Turning away from the mountain of spikes, Pepkorn clenched his fist, as a lightbulb turned on in his mind. It's clear that training wasn't going to be beneficial - at least, not in time, because no matter how much he trained, Baezel would catch up to him. And eventually, the other Grand Battlers would do the same. What he needed was power, and lots of it. Preferably in a short timeframe.
"That's it! I need to consult the Bibliotheca Inferni!" Pepkorn said. "Maybe they'll have a book on how I can execute my plan..."
"The Biblio-what now?" Yami asked.
"He's referring to the Library of Hell, a place past the mountain of spikes," Zendoria explained. "It contains ancient books written by the inhabitants of Hell. Within them are stories and information that could be useful."
Pepkorn hovered up into the sky and turned his aura on, blasting off past the mountain of spikes. He crossed it in less than 5 seconds, and it seemed to have gone on for about 200 miles. Once he passed the mountain, he saw a small sign with a trapdoor. He landed, and read the sign. "BIBLIOTHECA INFERNI, INFRA TRAPDOOR". That means "The Library of Hell, under the trapdoor". How convenient. He opened up the trapdoor and walked down a set of stairs, where he was greeted by a vast library of books, lit by a chandelier. There was a demon librarian there, who was looking right at him.
"Er...hi. Do you happen to have any books on obtaining great strength in a short amount of time?" Pepkorn asked the old woman. "It's kind of urgent."
"Well, young'in, you're in luck. Follow me, we'll find the right book for ya," the librarian said. She got up from her chair and went past her desk, and walked through the library with Pepkorn.
As they wandered through the labyrinthine aisles of the Bibliotheca Inferni, the shelves towered high above them, crammed with dusty volumes that seemed to hold the secrets of the universe. The air was heavy with the scent of ancient parchment, and an eerie hush hung in the air, broken only by the faint whispers of distant souls. Pepkorn couldn't help but feel a sense of both fascination and foreboding in the presence of such esoteric knowledge.
Finally, the demon librarian stopped before a particularly weathered section of the library. She pulled out a heavy tome with a worn leather cover, its title barely legible in an archaic script: "Unleashing the Inferno Within: Harnessing Dark Energies for Rapid Empowerment."
"Here you go, young one," the librarian rasped, handing the book to Pepkorn. "This should have what you're lookin' for. But heed my warning: delving into dark forces comes at a price, a price most ain't willin' to pay. The path of power can lead to damnation, make no mistake."
Pepkorn's eyes flickered over the title, a mix of determination and unease gnawing at his gut. He was willing to pay any price to defeat Baezel and the Grand Battlers, to secure his dominion over Earth. He thanked the librarian and took the book, flipping through its pages as he walked back towards the entrance.
As he emerged from the Bibliotheca Inferni, Yami and Zendoria looked at him with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Did you find what you were looking for?" Zendoria inquired.
Pepkorn nodded, his gaze fixed on the book in his hands. "Yes, I did. It's time to unlock the true depths of power, no matter the cost."
Yami's expression darkened. "Be careful, Pepkorn. The pursuit of power often leads down a treacherous path. It can consume even the strongest of wills."
Pepkorn's lips curled into a malevolent grin. "Tch! As if. If I must embrace the darkness to achieve my goals, so be it. Baezel and the Grand Battlers won't know what hit them. Now, let's see what goodies are in this book," Pepkorn eagerly said.
Pepkorn settled into a corner, the ancient tome spread before him. His eyes danced across the pages, absorbing the dark knowledge contained within. The secrets of forbidden techniques, dark rituals, and the twisted machinations of power that defied the laws of nature were laid bare before him. His thirst for supremacy fueled his determination, and he delved deeper into the contents of the book.
His fingers traced the passages that described Bobbidi's possession technique. Pepkorn scoffed at the idea of relinquishing his autonomy to a pitifully weak sorcerer. "As if I'd willingly hand over control to Shrek's testicle with a brain," he muttered, dismissing the notion. The brief mention of a small power boost intrigued him, but he knew it was a mere trifle compared to the potential power he sought.
His eyes widened as he read about the Fruit of the Tree of Godly Might, a legendary artifact wielded by the gods themselves. The promise of a permanent 16x power boost or even greater, simply by consuming a single fruit, was tantalizing beyond measure. A sinister grin tugged at the corners of his lips. "Now this is more like it," he whispered to himself. "I gotta get me some of these fruits, no matter where they're hidden."
The Super Saiyan God ritual captured his attention next, the words etched on the page detailing a potent ritual that granted access to godly ki. Pepkorn's heart raced as he considered the possibilities. A power boost of 8,000,000 times his base strength, a transformation that would elevate him to the realm of gods themselves. It was an enticing prospect, one that could reshape the balance of power in his favor. "To think that such knowledge was inscribed by the ancient Saiyans," he mused. "Perhaps this was responsible for killing them all off."
Yet, it was the Soul Ascendance that truly piqued his interest. The ritual that tapped into the energy of the deceased, granting immense strength at the cost of one's own soul. Pepkorn's eyes glittered with a mix of fascination and grim determination. This was the path he yearned to tread, a power born of sacrifice and darkness. The gradual deterioration of his life force was a small price to pay for the potential he could attain.
Closing the ancient tome, Pepkorn's mind raced with possibilities. He had a trio of powerful options before him, each with its own risks and rewards. He could reject Bobbidi's possession, seek out the Fruit of the Tree of Godly Might, perform the Super Saiyan God ritual, or delve into the depths of Soul Ascendance. The choices lay before him, and the fate of Earth hung in the balance. With a sinister chuckle, he stood up, his resolve solidified.
"These are all powerful tools that I can have in my arsenal. I'm going to need as much power as I can possibly obtain before I dare to challenge Baezel and the others," Pepkorn declared, his eyes gleaming with a malevolent fire. The game had changed, and he was ready to seize his destiny, no matter the darkness that lay ahead. "Even if I perform that Super Saiyan God ritual, it would likely only put me on a comparable level to Baezel. Which would be nice...if I was looking for a good fight. I love a good fight, but I want to massively overpower them! They won't stand a CHANCE against my raw strength!"
Back on Earth, the clash of titans continued to reverberate through the tundra of Earth, sending shockwaves that rippled across the universe itself. Baezel and Phoenix were locked in a battle that tore up the very ground beneath their feet. Their blows collided with cataclysmic force, each strike threatening to tear the planet apart with ease. The ground beneath them had been flattened, reduced to a desolate wasteland that mirrored the intensity of their conflict.
The other Grand Battlers watched with bated breath, their eyes fixed on the awe-inspiring spectacle before them. Lemogras, Draft, Radichio, Gangal and Parakress could hardly believe their eyes. Baezel, who had been their leader and guide, a best friend and rival to some of them, and a brother to Gangal, had now ascended to a realm of power far beyond their range. He had leapfrogged over them all, with barely any effort on his end. To some of them, it seemed unfair. While they had all worked hard to get to where they were now, Baezel included, this power-up seemed to be a God-given boost to further emphasize that surpassing Baezel would be no easy task.
Radichio's gaze remained laser-focused on Baezel, his keen instincts attuned to any sign of weakness or strain. Despite the apparent equilibrium in the battle, Radichio's concern for his friend ran deep. He wasn't sure about the effects the Super Saiyan God ritual would have on Baezel's body, nor did he know if this was permanent or temporary. Radichio knew that even the slightest fuck-up on Baezel's end would mean a defeat for him, and he was ready to intervene at a moment's notice.
As the clash continued, each combatant seemingly drew from their innermost reserves, tapping into newfound wellsprings of strength. The universe itself seemed to hold its breath, anticipating the outcome of this epic confrontation. But something was off about Phoenix. She was fighting hard, yes, but...she seemed to be holding back. There's no way! Even this new power couldn't stand up to Phoenix? Did she have infinite power?!
Baezel's crimson eyes burned with determination, putting more and more strength into his relentless attacks. He channeled the godly ki newly gifted to him, feeling the surge of power coursing through his veins. Phoenix met his gaze with a fierce intensity, her flame-like aura swirling around her like a tempest. She fought with the resolve of a warrior who had known nothing but battle.
In an instant, the battlefield erupted once more as Baezel and Phoenix clashed with renewed ferocity. Their fists collided in a titanic shockwave that sent shockwaves rearranging the very look of the ground itself. Large, visible cracks began to form from the breaking-up rock. The force of their collision was so immense that it continued to shake the afterlife, generating destructive force that threatened to eradicate the entire universe.
The Grand Battlers watched in awe as the battle raged on, a symphony of power, skill, and willpower. Baezel and Phoenix seemed to pushed themselves to the brink, each determined to emerge victorious. Whether Baezel won or lost this fight, was up in the air as of now. But depending on how much power Phoenix was holding back, either Baezel could scrape himself a win without too much of a hassle, or they had all vastly underestimated Phoenix, and Baezel stood no chance. None of them liked to think about this possibility, but it continued to linger in their minds.
Radichio's concern remained, but his faith in Baezel was unshakeable. He knew that his friend's unwavering spirit and the bonds they shared were a force to be reckoned with. As the battle raged on, Radichio's heart swelled with pride and determination.
"Did you see that?" Lemogras said. "Phoenix, she's...holding back, isn't she?"
Draft nodded, slightly disappointed. "Yes, I noticed that, too. She's fighting hard, no doubt about it, but there's this restraint in her attacks. If I had to give an estimate, she's probably at half-power while facing your father.
"Half-power? That's not good. If she's got more up her sleeve, Baezel might be in for a rough time," Gangal commented. "I hope that Baezel can pull something out of his arsenal to try and make up for that."
Parakress frowned, and sighed. "I think we might've underestimated her. We thought Baezel's new power would secure the win, but..."
Radichio shot Parakress a glare, harboring slight disappointment. "Chill out. He's not dead yet, and the damage he's taking seems to be par for the course in a battle of attrition like this. Just keep your eyes on Baezel. We need to make sure he's not slipping up. That power boost might be strong, but if Phoenix has some hidden reservoir of energy, we can't afford any mistakes. It's only a matter of time until Baezel makes Phoenix desperate enough that she'll pull out her full strength...that may be when I have to step in."
"Y - yeah!" Lemogras uttered, with a bit of dwindling confidence. "My father can't lose. Not now, not after everything we've been through together."
Draft clenched his fists, scowling in anger. "It just isn't fair...we trained so hard to catch up to him, I've trained as hard as I possibly could, and now it feels like he's just been handed this massive advantage with minimal effort. I remember when he first gained Super Saiyan 4. We mostly do. It took far more effort than a mere ritual for him to achieve this power. So forgive me if I think this feels unearned and unfair.
"Okay, enough with the worrying. Say that things go south. Baezel loses, and Phoenix turns out to be evil or something. What then?" Gangal asked.
Parakress spoke up. "Well, maybe we Saiyans could all turn into Super Saiyan Gods or something to put Phoenix in her place. I'd argue that I'm the best choice, since I have the highest base power level. We have to believe in Baezel's strength, but we also have to be prepared for any outcome.
Radichio nodded with Parakress's statement. "It's true; Baezel's determination and the bonds we share have brought us this far. We can't let doubt cloud our judgment. Keep watching, keep supporting him. We're in this together."
As the battle raged on, the Grand Battlers watched with a mixture of anxiety and determination. The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on their minds, but their faith in Baezel and their shared camaraderie propelled them to stand strong and keep their focus on the fight unfolding before them. But how much longer would Baezel be able to keep this fight going before his godly strength ran out? That was the question they all need an answer to.