The anticipation grew as the moment of truth approached. Cheelai's eyes narrowed, her body taut with energy. "But before that," she said, turning to Kyoto with a glint in her eye, "I've heard about another goddess of destruction. A certain Zirith, from this universe. I'm quite excited to make her acquaintance." Her smile was predatory, hinting at the thrill of meeting an equal.
Nira, ever the pragmatic one, couldn't help but interject. "You do know she's one of the strongest in the multiverse, right?" she said, her voice a gentle reminder of the gravity of their situation. "I wouldn't hold your breath for a challenge. She's quite... formidable."
Kyoto raised an eyebrow at Nira's choice of words. "Formidable? Really?" He had always seen Zirith as a lazy deity, content with her endless indulgences. "How strong can she be if she can't even be bothered to do her own job?"
Nira sighed, her gaze drifting to the horizon. "Do not underestimate her, Kyoto. Zirith's power is as vast as the cosmos she is sworn to protect. Her laziness is but a mask for her immense might. When she chooses to act, the very fabric of existence quivers in her wake." Her tone was serious, hinting at a depth to Zirith that Kyoto had not yet seen.
"Zirith's race; the Yumetsians are a race of ancient demons," she continued, "known across the multiverse for their insatiable hunger for power and their unrivaled capacity for growth. They are born with a spark of cosmic energy that, when fanned by the flames of battle and desire, can become a conflagration that consumes galaxies. Zirith is no exception to this rule, despite her lethargic demeanor."
Kyoto rolled his eyes. "Look, I've seen what I can do. I've seen what Fasha and Gine are capable of. And let's not forget you, Nira, with your angelic powers. I'm not worried about some lazy goddess."
Nira's expression remained unchanged, her eyes still on the horizon. "Your overconfidence may be your downfall. Zirith is not to be underestimated. Now, I wish to see the extent of your power. Gine, Fasha, Kyoto, Cheelai , please, power up to your maximum and then, all of you, attack me."
The trio looked at each other, surprised by the sudden turn of events. They had never seen Nira in combat before, and her calmness was unnerving. They complied, each wearing a white gi adorned with Nira's symbol on the back—a black outline of a phoenix with wings spread in a protective stance—and black training weights around their wrists and ankles. The weights were not just for show; they were a testament to the seriousness of their training.
The arena of the Time Chamber was vast and empty, the gravity generators set to a slightly higher level to add an extra challenge. The air crackled with anticipation as Fasha stepped forward, her pink eyes narrowing. With a roar that echoed through the chamber, she began to power up, her muscles swelling and her skin glowing. Suddenly, her aura changed, the pink flaring into a shimmering blue-white that enveloped her. Her hair grew longer, and dark blue fur sprouted across her body, except for her abs and her breasts, which remained bare and untouched by the transformation. Her shirt ripped away, revealing a powerful physique that had evolved into something divine—this was her Super Saiyan Blue Evolution 4 form, which she called her Blue Goddess Form. The energy in the chamber spiked, and even Nira took a step back, her eyes widening slightly in surprise and admiration.
"Fasha, the strongest bitch here!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the space. Gine and Kyoto exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of awe and excitement.
Gine, not one to be outdone, took a deep breath and closed her eyes, her gentle nature briefly concealing the fiery determination that burned within her. She focused her energy, feeling it swirl around her like a tornado. The room grew quiet, except for the faint hum of the training equipment and the sound of her own heart pounding in her ears.
Her body began to change, the air around her vibrating with power. Her eyes snapped open, revealing pupils that had become as sharp and focused as laser beams. Her aura shifted to a calm silver, a stark contrast to the fiery yellow that usually accompanied her Super Saiyan forms. It was clear that Gine was trying to tap into something new, something she had only heard whispers of: the legendary state of Ultra Instinct.
But the transformation didn't come easy. Her body convulsed, and she stumbled backward, a look of agony contorting her face. The room grew still as Kyoto and Fasha watched with bated breath, their own battles momentarily forgotten. Nira's eyes widened, her expression one of concern and surprise.
Gine coughed and wheezed, her body trembling with the effort. Her aura flickered, the silver hue dimming and fluctuating erratically. It was clear she was pushing herself to the brink, but the power of Ultra Instinct remained just out of reach.
Fasha stepped forward, her now shimmering dark blue eyes narrowed in concern. "Gine, you don't have to force it," she said, placing a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder. "You're already stronger than any Saiyan I've ever seen."
Gine took a deep breath, nodding and smiling through the pain. "Thank you, Fasha," she murmured, her aura gradually returning to its natural state. "I just wanted to show everyone what I'm capable of."
Kyoto stepped closer, his gaze intense. "Your determination is admirable, Gine," he said, his voice thick with pride. "But perhaps it's not the right time for Ultra Instinct. Maybe we should focus on mastering our current forms before reaching for the stars."
Gine nodded, her eyes glowing a soft pink. "You're right," she whispered, and the room grew quiet as she centered herself. The air around her crackled with energy, and then she erupted into a blinding display of power. Her form shifted again, this time into something they hadn't seen before—the Super Saiyan Rose' A. It was a form only thought to be attainable by the rogue Kai Zamasu, but Gine had discovered an alternate path to that godly power.