Into the Depths
The trio's journey continued, with the Dragon Radar beeping louder as they neared their next target. The signal led them to an ominous forest cloaked in perpetual twilight. The thick canopy above barely allowed sunlight to pierce through, casting strange shadows over the damp earth.
"This place gives me the creeps," Bulma muttered, clutching her backpack tighter.
"It's just trees," Kaidan said dismissively, though his eyes were sharp and observant. "Nothing we can't handle."
"Unless there are monsters," Goku chimed in cheerfully, hopping over a fallen log.
Bulma glared at him. "Don't jinx it!"
The Dragon Radar led them deeper into the forest until they reached a clearing. In the center lay a moss-covered stone altar, and resting atop it was a glowing orange sphere—the Dragon Ball.
"There it is!" Bulma exclaimed, her earlier fear momentarily forgotten.
But as she stepped forward, the ground shook violently. From the shadows, a massive serpent-like creature emerged, its iridescent scales glinting with an eerie light. Its glowing red eyes fixated on the intruders, and it let out a deafening hiss.
"Looks like it's guarding the Dragon Ball," Kaidan said, stepping in front of Bulma and Goku.
"Can I fight it?" Goku asked eagerly, cracking his knuckles.
Kaidan smirked. "Not this time. Stay back and watch how it's done."
The serpent lunged with incredible speed, its massive jaws snapping at Kaidan. He dodged effortlessly, countering with a powerful punch that sent the creature crashing into the trees. The force of the blow shook the entire clearing.
The serpent quickly recovered, coiling its massive body around the altar as if to protect the Dragon Ball. Its tail whipped out like a battering ram, but Kaidan caught it mid-strike, his muscles straining as he hurled the creature to the ground.
"You've got spirit," Kaidan said, his energy beginning to flare.
The serpent hissed, its mouth opening to release a blast of venomous energy. Kaidan countered with Volcanic Energy Manipulation, summoning a wave of molten heat that incinerated the venom mid-air. The ground beneath him glowed red-hot from the energy.
Goku's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Wow, Kaidan's amazing!"
Bulma, standing safely behind a tree, couldn't help but stare at Kaidan with a newfound respect. His sheer power and composure under pressure were captivating.
The serpent grew more desperate, its movements becoming erratic. It lunged again, this time with a coiled strike aimed at Kaidan's chest. Kaidan used Gravity Shift to pin the creature mid-air, slamming it into the ground with a thunderous crash.
"You've put up a good fight," Kaidan said, his voice calm but commanding. "But it's over now."
Channeling his energy, he unleashed Limit Breaker Pulse, a devastating blast that tore through the serpent's defenses. The creature let out a final, earth-shaking roar before collapsing, defeated.
A Quiet Moment
As the dust settled, Kaidan approached the altar and picked up the Dragon Ball. Its warm glow reflected in his eyes as he handed it to Bulma.
"That makes three," he said.
Bulma hesitated for a moment before taking it. "Thanks, Kaidan. I… I mean, we couldn't have done this without you."
Kaidan raised an eyebrow. "You're not bad yourself, for a civilian."
Bulma blushed slightly but quickly turned away. "Don't get cocky! You're just lucky you're useful."
Goku, oblivious to the tension, grinned. "That was awesome! Kaidan, you're like the strongest guy I've ever seen!"
Kaidan smirked. "Stick around, and you'll see a lot more."
That evening, the group set up camp near a tranquil stream. As Goku roasted some fish over a fire, Bulma sat next to Kaidan, stealing glances at him.
"You know," she began hesitantly, "you're not like other guys."
Kaidan glanced at her. "How so?"
"Well, you're strong, sure, but… you actually care about helping people. It's not just about fighting for you."
Kaidan leaned back against a rock, his expression thoughtful. "Let's just say I've seen what happens when power is used selfishly. I won't let that happen again."
Bulma smiled softly. "That's… admirable. Most guys just want to show off."
Kaidan met her gaze. "What about you? Why are you doing this?"
"To wish for the perfect boyfriend," she said with a teasing grin, though her eyes lingered on him.
Kaidan chuckled. "You might want to raise your standards."
The next morning, the group packed up and resumed their quest. The Dragon Radar pointed them toward a distant mountain range, but Kaidan couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.
As they walked, Bulma found herself sticking closer to Kaidan, her usual bravado replaced by a quiet admiration. Goku, as carefree as ever, ran ahead, eager for the next adventure.
"Let's find that next Dragon Ball," Kaidan said, his determination unwavering. "Whatever's out there, we'll face it together."
Bulma smiled. "You're not so bad to have around, you know."
Kaidan smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."