Tapion opened his eyes only after the final note faded. Sadness and nostalgia had been woven into the melody, now carried away on the wind. The vast landscape lay pockmarked with craters and scarred by destruction. Fortunately, this planet's sparse population and barren terrain meant the damage had been relatively contained.
Raditz, Jeice, and the others approached to congratulate Tapion. "It's over. The dark sorcerer and the Phantom have been eliminated."
"I can feel Hirudegarn's presence inside me—that half didn't vanish!"
Tapion had finally calmed down enough to process the supernatural event that had just occurred. Even Raditz couldn't fully explain the miraculous phenomenon—it could only be understood as divine intervention. Perhaps the bond between the brothers Minotia and Tapion had transcended death itself, allowing the younger to help the elder conquer Hirudegarn.
"Can you try controlling it?"
"Control Hirudegarn?!" Tapion was startled by Raditz's suggestion.
That was a monster!
"The sorcerer just now controlled it through his ocarina. Perhaps you can do the same. If you can master it, wouldn't that be a blessing in disguise?" Raditz said with an encouraging smile.
Tapion nodded slowly. "I'll try."
He raised the ocarina once more and played the familiar melody. In an instant, Hirudegarn's massive lower body materialized through white mist. Its feet planted firmly on the ground, its tail swaying slowly across the earth. As Tapion's music continued, the monster moved step by step, and when the melody ceased, it stopped perfectly in place.
Jeice and the others were astounded. "He actually did it!"
The terrible monster acted according to Tapion's will, moving entirely to the sound of his ocarina like a puppet on strings. The evil sorcerers who'd created Hirudegarn thousands of years ago could never have imagined such an outcome.
When the music ended, Hirudegarn dissolved back into white smoke and merged with Tapion's body once more.
"It's completely bonded to you now. You could say it's recognized you as its master." Raditz observed the entire process and reached his conclusion.
"This demon actually..."
"Don't think of it that way. Though the ones who created Hirudegarn intended to use it for destruction, the choice is yours now. If you use this power for good, wouldn't that be wonderful?" Raditz placed a reassuring hand on Tapion's shoulder.
Enforcing justice required strength. Rhetoric alone wasn't true justice.
"I understand, Lord Raditz. Thank you." Tapion was perceptive—he grasped Raditz's meaning after only a moment's thought.
"Good. So what are your plans for the future?"
"I'm... not sure yet."
He and his younger brother had existed for one purpose for over a thousand years—containing Hirudegarn. Now that the demon had been neutralized, he felt adrift, uncertain of what path to take.
Raditz studied him, murmuring thoughtfully, "It's a shame to waste potential like yours. Your hairstyle and ear shape match Supreme Kai specifications perfectly..." As he spoke, inspiration struck. "Why don't you come live in the Sacred World of the Kais!"
"The Sacred World of the Kais?" Tapion was taken aback.
"It's where the divine hierarchy resides. You could become the Grand Supreme Kai's disciple and help maintain universal order." Another idea crystallized in Raditz's mind.
Shin had been overwhelmed with responsibilities lately. Finding someone to assist him would be invaluable, and Tapion was ideal for the role. His character and natural aptitude were perfect, and with half of Hirudegarn's power under his control, his strength would rival Shin and Kibito's.
Hearing this suggestion, Tapion's eyes lit up. "Is the Grand Supreme Kai the same kind of god as you?"
"Essentially, yes. Following him would be a great honor. You're now carrying the future for both yourself and your brother—think it over carefully."
"I don't need to think. I'm willing." Tapion agreed without hesitation.
"Hahaha! Then let's head to the Sacred World of the Kais right away." Raditz planted his hands on his hips, smiling broadly. "Jeice, thanks for the excellent report this time. I'll visit your sector in a few days."
"It was nothing, my lord!" Jeice was clearly flattered by Raditz's appreciation, waving off the praise modestly. But his heart swelled with joy and satisfaction.
Raditz brought Tapion to the Sacred World of the Kais and explained the hero's deeds to Shin, along with his desire to become a disciple. After some discussion, Shin decided to accept him. First, Tapion truly was a rare talent. Second, recent events had left Shin desperately needing assistance.
Thus, the legendary hero Tapion found a new home in the Sacred World of the Kais.
"Dad, Dad! Is that hero really strong?"
"What did Hirudegarn look like?"
"How can someone survive with only half a body?"
Rukon fired off three questions in rapid succession, making Raditz regret telling him this story in the first place.
The day after returning home, Raditz had recounted his encounter with the Phantom to Rukon, embellishing his own strength with dramatic flair and exaggerating the life-or-death intensity of the situation.
The vivid storytelling naturally piqued Rukon's curiosity. Children his age always had an endless supply of questions that Raditz barely had time to answer.
Zangya laughed quietly from the sidelines, deliberately offering no help.
That's when the communication badge chimed—a message from someone who couldn't be ignored. Whis!
Raditz immediately made a silencing gesture, cutting off Rukon's next question before activating the transmission.
Whis's image appeared on the virtual screen. "Raditz, I have news for you. My sister has invited you to Universe Six."
"Oh? What's the occasion?"
"I'm not entirely certain—perhaps she simply wants you to visit," Whis said with his characteristic smile. "Also, Lord Champa requested that you bring plenty of food, or he might threaten to destroy you."
"Don't listen to him—he wouldn't dare!" Beerus's voice interjected from off-screen.
Raditz could only smile. These two brothers—both Gods of Destruction with equally volatile tempers. Better not to offend either one. Though as the Supreme Kai now, even Gods of Destruction had to show him some respect.
Even so, considering everything Champa had taught him, Raditz felt obligated to show his gratitude. On a larger scale, this was about maintaining good relations between the two universes.
Vados was inviting him primarily because of his promotion to Supreme Kai, no doubt. In the symmetrical relationship between Universes Six and Seven, the divine circle was small—word would have spread quickly. Regardless, at the next divine assembly, Raditz would definitely appear in his new capacity.
Raditz nodded. "Understood. I'll come."
"The sooner the better. I'll be waiting for you at the Realm of the God of Destruction."
"Dad, Dad! I want to go to Universe Six too!" Rukon immediately perked up at the mention of other universes.
Zangya quickly scooped him up. "Traveling between universes isn't like the games you usually play. You can't just go back and forth at will."
"Miss Zangya is being too strict. It's perfectly fine to bring your family along. Consider it a vacation to Universe Six." Whis smiled and waved at Rukon, as if supporting the child's request.
Really? He could bring his family? Raditz considered for a moment. Since Whis had given permission, why not make it a family trip to Universe Six?
"Alright then, we'll all go!"
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