Chapter 4: Ripples from the Void
The glowing portal shimmered like a living mirror, its swirling lights casting soft reflections on the silent figures standing before it. Five Saiyans — Goku, Vegeta, Broly, Goten, and Trunks — stood side by side in a straight line, their expressions ranging from calm determination to quiet awe. Behind them floated Whis, serene as ever, his staff pulsing faintly in his hand.
Goku turned, eyes scanning his comrades. "Everyone ready?"
One by one, heads nodded.
"Yeah," Vegeta said with a low grunt.
"Ready," Broly answered firmly.
"Let's go!" Trunks chimed, fists clenched in excitement.
"This is gonna be awesome!" Goten added.
But Whis said nothing. His smile had faded into a contemplative stillness. Eyes half-lidded, he stared into the vortex of the portal as though he were watching something far beyond its swirling colors. Slowly, he closed his eyes — and memories surged back.
The echoing footsteps of Whis rang through an endless hallway, its polished obsidian floor reflecting starlight from floating energy spheres. Towering crystalline pillars lined the corridor, leading to a majestic throne at the far end. Seated atop it was a tall, imposing figure clad in ceremonial robes of glowing silver and gold — the Grand Priest.
Whis approached with deference and bowed deeply. "You summoned me, Father?"
The Grand Priest nodded slowly. "Indeed, Whis. I require your full attention, for what I am about to say concerns the fate of all existence."
Whis stood straight, his serene demeanor barely masking a flicker of curiosity. "What has happened?"
"It is not what has happened," the Grand Priest said, eyes gleaming with quiet dread. "It is what will. A Dimensional War is approaching — one that will reach even our multiverse."
Whis's eyes narrowed. "A war across dimensions? But how... how can such a thing even begin without the High Zenos knowing?"
The Grand Priest raised his hand, and a vast holographic model bloomed into the air — a complex, layered web of golden threads and rotating spheres, spanning the cosmic tapestry like a living organism.
"There are 12 dimensions in existence," he began. "Each dimension holds 12 cosmic webs. Each web contains 12 multiverses, and within each multiverse, 12 universes currently exist."
Whis tilted his head, brow furrowing. "You said 'currently'?"
The Grand Priest's expression darkened. "Fifteen billion years ago, that number was doubled. There were 24 dimensions, each with double the structure. Until the first Dimensional War. Your Universe 7 — everything you now know — did not even exist yet."
Whis was stunned into silence. "A war so great... it erased half of existence?"
"Indeed," the Grand Priest confirmed gravely. "Nothing was safe. The battlefield was the Ultimate Void, a realm that lies beyond time, beyond space — the edge of everything. It is the source, and the end. A place even angels dared not look upon."
Whis lowered his gaze. "Who caused such destruction? What drove them to war?"
The Grand Priest's hand flicked. The hologram shifted — from lattice to two opposing forces.
"In that era, the 24 dimensions were divided. Twelve united in harmony, forming a coalition dedicated to balance. Eight others sought domination, corrupted by greed and ambition. And the remaining four... stayed neutral."
Whis blinked. "And we were..."
"Neutral," the Grand Priest answered. "We did not participate. We simply watched. We survived the destruction."
Whis stepped forward, his voice a mix of awe and concern. "Then why are we getting involved this time?"
The Grand Priest's tone turned colder. "Because this time... the war has come to our king."
Whis froze. "Our king? Who is he?"
"The supreme being of our dimension — whose identity has been hidden even from you. A being more ancient than even the angels. His will has been made. And thus, we are no longer neutral."
Whis felt a chill creep down his spine. "But if this happened before... why don't I remember it? Or anyone else?"
The Grand Priest nodded solemnly. "Because your memories — and those of every angel, god, and mortal — were erased by decree. The trauma, the knowledge... all of it locked away. The only ones who remember are the Commanders of the Multiverses. Myself included."
A long silence stretched between them.
"Why?" Whis asked softly. "Why hide the truth?"
"Because knowledge of such annihilation would shatter even the bravest hearts. Entire civilizations would crumble in fear. Even your calm would break, Whis." The Grand Priest walked down the stairs from his throne, pausing in front of Whis. "But the echoes of the first war are returning. And this time, you will remember everything."
Whis bowed his head. "What must I do?"
"Train the Saiyans," the Grand Priest said. "Elevate them. Teach them not only battle, but awareness. They must grasp the dimensional structure, the nature of cosmic equilibrium. When the time comes, you will bring them to me — and I will elevate them to the battlefield that awaits."
Whis clenched his fist around his staff, his calm expression now fully solemn.
"I understand. One last question, Father. Where... are we in this grand structure?"
The Grand Priest gestured, and the model zoomed in on a single glimmering node.
"You are in Dimension 7, Cosmic Web 7, Multiverse 7 — at coordinates (1,1). Precisely one light-year above and one light-year right from the Omni-King's palace, which exists at the origin: (0,0)."
Whis's eyes gleamed. "So close... and yet we knew nothing."
The Grand Priest gave a faint, knowing smile. "Omni-King may be the most powerful, but he is not the most wise. He is still a child. Should he learn of this prematurely, all universes could be lost. That is why I act as Commander of our Multiverse — to protect him, and all of us."
A heavy silence fell again.
"Now go," the Grand Priest said gently, turning his back. "The time for revelation is over. Destiny awaits."
The memory faded. Whis opened his eyes.
The Saiyans were still waiting, their faces curious.
"Whis?" Goku asked. "You okay, buddy? You zoned out there."
Whis smiled again, his voice calm as ever. "Yes. I was simply... remembering what must not be forgotten."
Goten raised an eyebrow. "That sounds kinda scary."
Vegeta crossed his arms. "Tch. We've faced gods and devils. Whatever comes next... we're ready."
Broly looked skyward. "I feel something... strange energy. Like a storm waiting to break."
Whis nodded slowly. "That storm... is your destiny. It begins now."
He raised his staff. A harmonic pulse rang through the air. The portal surged with light.
"Step forward. Your training, your fate, and the truth of your power await you."
One by one, the Saiyans moved. First Goku and Vegeta. Then Goten and Trunks. Broly lingered for a moment, then followed.
As they entered the portal, the skies above rumbled, and a ripple passed across the stars — as if the entire cosmos was taking a deep breath.
Whis hovered behind them, staff in hand, gaze unwavering.
He whispered to the wind. "This time... we fight as one."
To be continued...