Their conversation was a whirlwind of awkward science jargon and Kade's attempts to keep up with Risha's intellectual prowess. Every time he flexed his muscles or talked about his power, she'd nod thoughtfully, scribbling away in her mind.
"So, you're all about the brains, huh?" Kade said, trying to find some common ground.
"And you're all about the brawn," Risha quipped. "It's a good balance, I suppose. But remember, Kade," she added, her gaze piercing through his, "brawn can only take you so far. Brains win battles."
Kade chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind," he said. "But for now, let's see if I can't show you a thing or two about raw power."
The two of them took their places at opposite ends of the training arena. Risha's eyes narrowed as she sized him up, her mind already racing through possible tactics and strategies.
"Ready?" Kade asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
Risha nodded, her expression focused. "Let's begin," she said, her voice steady.
The battle commenced with Risha launching a flurry of energy blasts, each one calculated and precise. But Kade, fueled by his godly speed, dodged them with ease, his laughter echoing through the arena.
"Come on, Risha," he called out, a teasing smile playing on his lips. "You're smarter than this. Surely you can throw something I can't dodge!"
Her cheeks flushed with a mix of irritation and determination. She paused, her eyes gleaming with intelligence as she assessed his movements.
"Alright," she murmured, a hint of challenge in her tone. Risha targeted a spot she believed to be Kade's weak point, a subtle gap between his guard and his powerful aura. With a flick of her wrist, she shot a beam of condensed energy, smaller and faster than any she had used before.
Kade, caught off-guard by the sudden shift in her attack pattern, barely had time to react. He managed to twist his body at the last second, the beam grazing his side. The smell of singed fabric filled the air, but Kade's grin never wavered.
"Nice try, Risha," he said, his eyes gleaming with competitive fire. "But I've got more than just brute strength up my sleeve."
Before she could recover, Kade moved with surprising swiftness. His leg shot out like a cannon, aiming for the same spot she had targeted. The kick connected with Risha's side, sending her hurtling through the air. Her eyes went wide with shock as she flew over the training ground, a trail of dust and debris in her wake.
With a resounding crash, Risha slammed into a nearby wall, the ancient stones cracking under the impact. The force was so intense that the entire palace trembled, and the training bots around them paused in their exercises, their robotic heads swiveling in the direction of the disturbance.
Aria hovered closer, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Kade, are you okay?" she called out, her voice tinged with concern.
Kade stood tall, brushing off the dust from his shoulders. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said with a grin. "But I think I've had enough for now. We've got that match with King Thalos in an hour, and I want to be well-rested."
Risha groaned, pushing herself off the wall. "You're not seriously going to sleep before facing the king, are you?" she asked, her voice a mix of amazement and disbelief.
Kade shrugged. "Hey, I've got to keep my beauty rest," he quipped, sauntering over to the training pods. "I mean, come on, I just beat 2 saiyans in my base form and neither of them could land a decent hit. How tough can King Thalos be?"
Aria rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "You're underestimating the royal bloodline, Kade," she warned, floating alongside him. "Their power is ancient and pure. Plus, he's been training for centuries."
Kade yawned, his energy clearly waning. "I'm sure I can handle it. Besides, you're there to wake me up if I doze off mid-battle, right?"
Aria's smile grew into a smirk. "Well, if you insist on treating this like a joke..."
Kade nodded, his eyelids drooping. "Just make sure the universe doesn't end while I catch some z's," he mumbled, his voice fading as sleep claimed him.
Aria hovered over Kade, watching him with a blend of fondness and exasperation. She tapped her chin thoughtfully, recalling Vala's intense reaction. "What is it about him?" she murmured to herself, the question hanging in the air.
As she sat by Kade's side, her gaze drifted over the training pods, each one a silent testament to his growth. Her mind wandered to the future, a tapestry of potential battles, alliances, and cosmic responsibilities. The fate of countless lives rested on Kade's broad shoulders, and while she knew he had the power to handle it, the weight of such a burden was something she feared for him.
The soft whir of the pods was the only sound in the vast chamber, a gentle reminder of the peace they had worked so hard to maintain. Aria couldn't help but chuckle at Kade's overconfidence. Despite his newfound strength, he remained as cocky as ever—a trait she both loved and found utterly infuriating.
Her thoughts drifted to Vala and the intensity of her attraction to Kade. It wasn't just his power that drew her in; it was his charm, his humor, and his unyielding spirit. Aria had seen powerful beings succumb to the weight of their own might, but Kade remained surprisingly... well, human. It was endearing and slightly terrifying, considering his role as the god of destruction.
Suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the sharp crack of metal on bone. Aria's staff connected with Kade's skull, jolting him awake. "What the—?" he yelped, rubbing the spot with a wince.
"Wakey wakey!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "It's time for your big, special match against the king!"
Kade groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Aria, you know I hate waking up like this."
"But it's tradition!" she said cheerfully, her voice echoing through the vast chamber. "Besides, you need to be sharp for this. King Thalos is no pushover, even for a god of destruction like you."