Raditz stood at the edge of the Namekian village, the soft wind ruffling his hair and armor. The Namekians moved about their serene lives, tending to their ajisa trees—the only vegetation they seemed to nurture. It wasn't farming or traditional cultivation but a quiet, sacred activity that radiated peace.
The scene tugged at something within him. These were not warriors spoiling for a fight or schemers plotting their next conquest. They were simply… living. The stark contrast to the chaos of his Saiyan upbringing made him hesitate.
He was tired of hiding. Kohra's lessons rang in his mind:
"Courage isn't just in battle; it's in standing before those you fear and showing your truth."
Taking a deep breath, Raditz stepped forward, out of the shadows.
The Namekians stopped what they were doing, their antennae twitching. Their eyes locked on Raditz, unreadable but wary.
A tall, muscular Namekian with a white scarf and stern expression moved to the front. His ki radiated strength and composure. "Why does a Saiyan tread on Namekian soil?"
Raditz stopped at a respectful distance, lowering his ki to avoid provoking them. "I come in peace," he said, his voice steady. "I mean no harm to your people."
The warrior crossed his arms, unimpressed. "Saiyans do not speak of peace. You expect us to believe this is not a ploy?"
"I have no excuse for what I've done in the past," Raditz admitted, his gaze steady. "But I'm no longer with them—Vegeta, Nappa, Frieza. I'm here because I need the Dragon Balls. Not for conquest or destruction, but for survival."
The warrior raised a brow. "What survival requires the wish of the Dragon Balls?"
Raditz hesitated, then said, "The forces of Frieza will be here soon. They'll take what they want and leave your people in ruins. I need strength to fight against them—and I need your wisdom to find it."
The warrior didn't reply immediately, but an elder stepped forward. His robes were simple yet regal, his kind eyes reflecting age-old wisdom. "You speak of survival, but survival can mean many things. You carry the burden of a past full of destruction, yet your heart is… shifting."
The elder raised his hand, and a soft glow enveloped it. "I will see your truth, Saiyan. Do not resist."
Raditz froze as the energy touched him, probing his memories and emotions. He flinched at the images that surfaced: planets laid to waste, the screams of innocents, his blind loyalty to power.
But the elder also saw the changes within him—the guilt, the resolve to grow stronger without succumbing to his Saiyan instincts, and his hope to carve a new path.
When the glow faded, the elder lowered his hand. "You carry great darkness, but it does not define you. You are at a crossroads. Perhaps you can prove that you walk a different path."
The Namekian warrior stepped forward again. "If your words are true, then show us your resolve. There are trials on this world that require strength—not of the fist, but of the heart."
Raditz tilted his head. "What do you mean by trials?"
The elder gestured toward the horizon. "There is an ancient shrine far from here, hidden within the Ajisa Grove. It is a place of meditation and enlightenment, where many have gone to seek clarity but few have succeeded. If you truly wish to grow, go there. Show us your intentions are pure."
Raditz frowned. "Meditation? Enlightenment? That doesn't sound like a Saiyan's strength."
The elder smiled faintly. "Perhaps that is why it is the test you need."
Raditz set out toward the shrine, following the elder's vague directions. The shard in his pocket pulsed faintly, as if guiding him toward his destination. The Namekian landscape, with its rolling hills and shimmering pools of water, was both alien and oddly calming.
As he traveled, Raditz reflected on the elder's words. Meditation and clarity weren't things he had ever valued. For Saiyans, strength was everything. But Kohra's lessons—and even his brief time on Earth—had taught him otherwise.
After hours of walking, Raditz arrived at the Ajisa Grove. Massive, glowing trees stretched toward the sky, their roots forming natural pathways through the area. In the center stood a modest stone shrine, its surface engraved with intricate patterns.
But Raditz wasn't alone. A figure stood in front of the shrine, tall and imposing. It was a Namekian, though unlike the villagers, his appearance was wild and unkempt. His muscles rippled with suppressed energy, and his sharp gaze locked onto Raditz the moment he arrived.
"I am Balgor, guardian of this shrine," the Namekian announced. "Only those with pure intent may enter."
Raditz raised a brow. "I didn't come here to fight you, Namekian."
Balgor smirked. "Then why is your power rising?"
Raditz cursed inwardly, realizing his battle instincts had flared in response to the Namekian's aura. "Force of habit," he muttered, lowering his energy.
Balgor crossed his arms. "You claim to seek clarity, but clarity requires more than words. Prove your resolve through action."
Raditz stepped forward, his fists clenched. "What do I have to do?"
Balgor pointed to a section of the grove where the ajisa trees were withering. "The energy of the shrine flows through this grove, but something has disrupted it. Restore the balance, and the path to the shrine will open."
Raditz frowned. "How am I supposed to do that?"
"You'll figure it out," Balgor said simply, stepping aside.
Raditz approached the withered trees, sensing faint traces of corrupted energy around them. The shard in his pocket pulsed stronger, reacting to the disturbance.
He closed his eyes and focused, allowing the shard's energy to guide him. Slowly, he began to understand the disruption. It wasn't something he could fix with brute force. Instead, it required precision and control—qualities he had only recently begun to develop.
Raditz channeled his ki into the shard, using it to counteract the corrupted energy. It was a slow process, but as he worked, the ajisa trees began to regain their glow.
When the last tree was restored, the shrine emitted a soft hum. A beam of light shot upward, illuminating the grove.
Balgor watched in silence, then nodded. "You have done well. The shrine recognizes your effort."
Raditz stepped forward, his gaze locked on the shrine. He felt a strange mix of pride and humility. For the first time, his strength had been used to create rather than destroy.
As he entered the shrine, he couldn't help but wonder what other trials Namek had in store for him—and whether he would truly be ready to face them.