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“So, you are the son of that fool?”
Goten’s head snapped to the area where he heard that voice and looked around the trees. He slowly stood from his position by the river; rivulets of water, sweat, and, blood from his most recent battle rolled down his face, neck, and bare chest as he turned and scanned the area. “Show yourself!” Goten demanded, pushing his wet hair out of his face.
“You’re bold for a mortal… or perhaps that’s the blood of your father running through your veins.”
Goten reached for his sword and pulled it out from the soil where he had stabbed it into the ground. He watched as the bushes and foliage parted on their own, and his eyes grew wide as his breath halted in his lungs. A beautiful woman with sky-blue locks braided high on top of her head and down her back in a white, nearly-sheer Grecian dress that clung to her generous curves and her large, ocean-blue eyes regarded him with interest. Goten swallowed hard, “Who are you?”
“Me? I’m here to see if you are worthy.” The woman’s voice was both melodic and hypnotic.
Goten tried to shake his head to clear it from the haze that seemed to seep into his mind, and he gripped his sword tighter, “Worthy of what?”
“My blessing.”
The woman’s outfit shifted and changed to fitted glimmering golden armor. An asymmetrical red skirt brushed the top of her thighs, and gladiator sandals that matched her armor wrapped around her toned legs. A helmet with a red plume covered her face as a round shield with a raven etched into it, and a shiny sword appeared in her hands, and without any warning, she launched herself at him.
Goten reacted, quickly bringing up his sword to block her attack. His eyes widened in surprise at her strength as his arm jarred from the impact, and she smirked at him. The beautiful amazon pushed against him, and he quickly regained his mind and pushed back, managing to slip his sword free and swung. She blocked with her shield, his sword not even making a scratch on the metal, and he jumped back when her sword swished through the air toward his neck. Goten tried to get his footing, but she was on him again, more ferociously and he quickly blocked her blows. Goten felt the sweat begin to roll down his back as he fought against this woman. He called on the strength he usually kept in reserve to aid him in this battle against her, and he pushed harder against her.
His muscles strained and burned in a way he had never felt before, and he relished it as much as he enjoyed watching her move, twirling and flitting like a dancer with wings. She was flexible and adapted her actions when he changed tactics, and the strokes of her sword were always sure and decisive. Her red lips always held a smile small as she continued her effortless attacks and her eyes held excitement that nearly distracted him, but he surged forward with all his strength, their swords ringing against each other. He grew more brutal with each swing, and the woman raised her shield to block, forced to step back with each blow.
The woman suddenly used her shield to smack his sword away before planting her foot into his gut. Goten grunted, coughing up bile, and swung blindly. She caught his sword with his own, but he heard the snap of metal, and he looked to find that his sword was no longer intact - only a jagged remnant remained.
His moment of shock cost him, and the woman slammed her shield into his face, causing him to stumble and taste blood in his mouth. She quickly spun in a crouch, kicking out to sweep him off his feet, and he fell hard to the ground with the tip of her sword at his neck. Goten looked up at her, his eyes stony as he waited for her to make the final swing so he could make his next move, but she smirked and removed her sword.
“Rise, Goten, son of Kakarot, the god of mischief and air,” the woman’s voice called to him again as her armor faded away and returned to her elegant dress.
Goten slowly stood, groaning slightly from the soreness in his muscles, “And you must be Eschallote, the Saiyan goddess of war. Daughter of the king and queen of the Saiyan gods.”
Eschallote smiled, “My, what gave it away?”
“Your shield,” Goten nodded to round metal on her arm. “That’s your symbol.”
“It is, but this is no longer my shield,” the goddess stabbed the ground with her sword and took the shield in her hands to present it to Goten. “It is yours.”
Goten stared at the unblemished golden shield and back at her, “I cannot accept such a gift from a goddess.”
“Then perhaps you rather incur my wrath?” She smiled teasingly at him.
Goten barked out a laugh and groaned at the stitch at his side, “I do not wish to offend.” Goten reached out and took the shield, surprised at its lightness.
“Good,” the goddess smiled and took the sword out of the ground. “And this also yours, and before you decline, I say it’s only fair if you have mine after I broke yours.”
“Why are you doing this, my lady?” Goten took the offered sword, surprised to discover that fit perfectly into his hand, and saw that it grew to fit his frame.
“Because I want you to win,” she said as she stepped closer. “The Frost Demons have gotten out of control, and only the son of a god and a mortal stand a chance against them.”
Goten closed his eyes and took a deep breath to release it slowly, “My lady, what makes you think I can defeat them?”
“You have the heart of a mortal with the strength of a god and fight for what’s right. Only you can do this,” the goddess placed her hands on his chest and stepped into him.
Goten stared at the most beautiful woman he had ever behold, “And what will be my reward, were I to succeed?”
Eschallote smiled wickedly, “Name your price.”
“I want a wife,” Goten stated seriously.
Her brows rose in surprise, “A wife? What kind of wife? A woman of nobility? A…”
“A princess,” Goten interrupted her.
“That can be arranged; there are many princesses out there. What would like? The most beautiful? Smart? Delicate? Dumb? One that can bear your sons?”
“You.”
Eschallote blinked at him and grinned, “Bold mortal. It is a deal. When you bring the head of the Frost Demon King, Freiza, to my temple; I shall be your wife.”
“And how can I trust the word of a goddess?” Goten narrowed his eyes as he studied her, waiting to see if she would bring down her wrath upon him, but she merely chuckled.
“Then let’s seal our promise,” she cupped his face in her hands and brought his lips down for a searing kiss.
Goten dropped his sword and shield to wrap his arms around her slender frame and groaned at the sweet flavor of her lips. She moaned as his tongue swept across her lips, but she pulled away and pressed her forehead against his, “Speak my other name in your mind’s eyes when you need my strength, Goten, and I shall answer.”
Before he could reply, she suddenly glowed brightly and burst into a million stars, leaving his arms empty and lonely. Goten looked up to see the stars twirl and disappear into the sky as a name formed in his mind, “....Bulla.”