Far away from Earth, on a distant divine planet hidden in the folds of the multiverse, a being sat comfortably, sipping from a celestial cup of tea that shimmered with starlight. His eyes, ancient yet playful, reflected the battle unfolding on Earth.
It was Zalama—the creator of the Super Dragon Balls.
The cosmic screen before him flickered with energy, showing Rudra standing defiantly against Dodoria, while Vegeta, battered but unyielding, prepared to rise again.
Zalama chuckled, his voice echoing like rolling thunder yet carrying warmth:
"Hahaha… now this is what I wanted to see! Rudra is doing exactly what must be done. Every move, every stand he takes, it builds the trust of the Z Fighters. Even Goku, in his critical state, cannot ignore Rudra anymore. Their faith in him will only grow stronger."
Zalama's expression shifted, a hint of disdain clouding his eyes as he looked upon Dodoria.
"And Dodoria… tsk. This brute. How dare he mock the Namekians by calling them slugs? I've watched him countless times—slaughtering innocent Namekians under Frieza's orders. Yes, the commands came from that tyrant, but the cruelty, the delight in oppression—that was Dodoria's own. For that… I can never forgive him."
He sipped again, his tone softening but layered with thought.
"But Rudra… Rudra is still limited. His chakra reserves are small compared to what lies within his potential. He's fighting on will, instinct, and the faint sparks of training. Yet, I prepared for this. I knew his wish for the system alone would not be enough to face the storms ahead. So, I gave him two additional powers—gifts beyond mortal reach."
Zalama's eyes glowed, and the stars behind him trembled.
"These are powers not of light… but of shadow. Abilities that draw directly from the Dark Dimension—the forbidden wellspring of energy that even gods hesitate to touch. With these, Rudra becomes… not invincible, but close enough to stand against terrors he should never have survived. His Shadow Bind was just the beginning."
He paused, tapping his clawed finger against the rim of his cup.
"But every gift comes with a price… and this one is steep. The Dark Dimension leaves a mark. Those who can sense divinity—true gods—will feel its presence. Not Kami. Not even King Kai. Their senses are too shallow, too limited. But if the Grand Priest himself were to notice Rudra's power… oh, it would spell doom."
Zalama's voice deepened, the playfulness fading to a grim warning:
"The Grand Priest would not punish Rudra with mere death. No… he would erase his soul's existence entirely. No rebirth, no afterlife, nothing. A true annihilation. That is the risk Rudra carries."
He leaned back, smiling faintly again, as if amused by the gamble.
"Which is why Rudra must be careful. The shadow ability can only be used for five minutes at most. No longer. And even then, it takes a full month before it can be used again. That is the limit of the Dark Dimension's bargain."
His eyes turned back toward Earth, twinkling with mischief.
"Luckily, for now, neither Whis nor any Angel is watching this battle. They are occupied elsewhere, blind to Rudra's little secret. So… there is no danger yet. My cosmos remains safe, and Rudra's path remains hidden."
Zalama swirled his tea, watching as the liquid shimmered into constellations.
"You see, Rudra thinks of these powers as random gifts, but they are seeds—seeds of survival planted for the last struggle of his life. He will need them. Oh yes, when the universe burns, when even Goku's strength falters, it will be Rudra's shadow that holds the line, even if only for a few fleeting moments. That… is his destiny."
His expression turned sharp once more, thoughts lingering on Dodoria.
"And Dodoria… you will taste the first bite of that destiny. You will be the lesson. The terror of the Namekians will be undone by the very earthling you mocked. You don't know it yet, but your cruelty is about to be punished."
He set the cup aside, exhaling softly, almost nostalgically.
"But Rudra must remember—if Whis ever sees this… if the Grand Priest ever learns of the Dark Dimension's influence… everything will collapse. My secret, this hidden cosmos I've maintained for eons, will be exposed. And then…"
Zalama chuckled again, brushing the thought away.
"No matter. That time has not come yet. For now, let Rudra stand tall. Let Vegeta fight by his side. Let Goku watch in awe. Trust is being forged in fire, and that fire will shape the future."
He lifted his cup once more, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
"But for the moment—no tension. No worry. Only tea… and the sweet sound of destiny being written."
And as he sipped, the cosmic screen flared brighter—showing Rudra, standing against Dodoria, his shadow rippling faintly beneath him like a living beast.
The storm of fate had only just begun.