The way things had turned out, Levos was almost certain Piccolo had whispered the plan to Champa in advance getting those two mutually annoyed brothers to "trade" their most valuable assets without ever saying it out loud.
Champa got Earth.
Beerus got the Super Dragon Balls.
According to the wager, Vados handed all seven Super Dragon Balls over to Whis. She still looked a little stunned.
"When did Lord Champa learn to use his brain?" she murmured.
"Vados! What's that supposed to mean?" Champa's ears were sharp; he snapped back in a shrill voice, "I've been smart since I was a kid! Everyone else is just too ignorant to appreciate my brilliance!"
Just then, the gems atop both Whis's and Vados's angel staves glowed at the same time.
A calm, distant voice came through.
"Everyone, are you ready? I'm going to begin the summoning."
Champa and Beerus both straightened, their expressions turning solemn.
The others looked around in confusion.
Vados faced the group and explained, "The Grand Priest can transfer all the gods of the universes to the Omni-King's palace in one go."
Whis bowed slightly toward his staff. "Yes, we are ready, Grand Priest."
This was the moment Levos had been waiting for.
He didn't hesitate. Grabbing Goku, he stepped in behind Vados.
She gave him a tiny nod, and Levos immediately felt an irresistible force wrap around him.
The world lurched.
When his vision cleared, he finally saw where they were.
It was like standing in the middle of a starfield. Above, countless stars drifted slowly, starlight flowing like a river. Beneath his feet, a translucent, polished floor reflected that same cosmic vista back at him.
Ancient stone pillars ringed the space, forming a strange and awe-inspiring great hall.
So this was the Omni-King's palace.
On both sides, figures knelt on one knee, heads bowed in deep respect.
They stood in groups of three, arranged into twelve sets obviously divided by universe. Each trio was made up of a God of Destruction, a Supreme Kai, and an attendant angel.
There were exceptions.
Universe 6's row had two extra figures: Levos and Goku.
Universe 11's side had one extra a huge, bearded, bald brute of a man.
Universe 10's position had only a single figure: a small-framed female angel.
Levos and Goku stood behind Vados, quietly observing the others.
"Wooooah! So these are all the gods from every universe? Awesome!" Goku couldn't hold back a shout.
Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Beerus couldn't help sneaking a look across the hall.
His heart instantly sank into his stomach.
"What's that idiot doing here yelling in this place?" Beerus demanded via telepathy, his voice tight.
Whis just smiled lightly and said nothing.
A gentle, tranquil voice rang out through the hall.
"Everyone, welcome to the Omni-King's palace. Please, lift your heads."
At that, all of them looked up and their gazes naturally drifted toward the positions of Universes 6 and 7. Surprise flickered across godly faces one after another.
They began whispering to each other in divine telepathy.
"Beerus is still alive?"
"My informants in his universe clearly reported he was dead."
"It was the perfect chance to wipe him out completely. Where did the plan go wrong?"
"Wait there are mortals here?"
"What's going on?"
"What is Universe 6 trying to pull?"
"Hey, Champa! Why did you bring those two mortals from my universe?" Beerus glared at him. "Don't drag trouble onto my head!"
"Vados! I knew this was too dangerous!" Champa hissed, secretly pinning the blame on her.
Up on the highest dais, by the throne, someone waved in greeting.
"It's been a while, everyone!"
The voice was crisp, even a little childish.
"Omni-King!" the gods intoned in unison, bowing deeper.
"Mm!" the tiny figure on the throne answered with great enthusiasm.
The Grand Priest's gaze swept to Universe 10's side.
"Cus, I've been apprised of your situation. Once Universe 10 is erased, I'll arrange new duties for you."
"Yes, Grand Priest," said the angel girl called Cus, bowing her head.
The Grand Priest then turned toward the other side, addressing a clown-faced God of Destruction. "Lord Belmod, and the one behind you is…?"
Universe 11's God of Destruction, Belmod, lifted his head to introduce the burly, bearded bald man at his back.
"Reporting to the Grand Priest. His name is Toppo. I've been considering retirement, and he is undergoing training to become my candidate successor."
"He happened to be by my side, and I thought this would be a good opportunity for him to broaden his horizons, so I brought him along."
Toppo bowed deeply. "I am Toppo. It's an honor to be here. Please guide me."
"I see," the Grand Priest said with a nod. "Then do your best to become a worthy God of Destruction."
"Thank you… for your encouragement. I will strive with all my power!"
Then the Grand Priest's gaze came to rest on Champa.
"My, Lord Champa, you've brought two people with you as well. Are they your candidates?"
"N–no…" Champa swallowed hard. "They're mortals from Universe 7. They wish to ask the Omni-King not to erase their universe…"
His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, sweat running down his cheeks in visible streams.
The other Gods of Destruction swept their eyes between Champa and Beerus, expression clearing with sudden understanding as they began muttering among themselves.
"Champa is a fool for getting mixed up with Beerus of all people."
"So this is Beerus's scheming behind the scenes."
"I should've guessed from the start."
"Beerus only knows how to cause trouble."
"This time, there's no way Universe 7 should be allowed to escape."
"Agreed. Leaving Beerus alive is a disaster waiting to happen."
"And we'll have to question Champa thoroughly. I suspect he's sided with Beerus."
"That fat idiot dares betray us?"
"Utterly foolish, Champa. The life or death of a universe is its fate. How can you bring mortals here over something like that?!"
Beerus hissed at Champa via telepathy, "Idiot! You, and these idiots, are all infuriating!"
"Shut up! Beerus, you're all horrible!" Champa's face twisted into a pitiful grimace.
On the dais, the Grand Priest smiled faintly. "I understand what you mortals want. But the Omni-King's decisions are not easily changed."
As the words fell, his expression sharpened.
"Since these matters are settled, and with everyone here as witness, I now ask the Omni-King to erase Universes 7 and 10."
The hall went dead silent. You could hear a pin drop.
The gods were so tense they couldn't stop swallowing.
Even Beerus couldn't help frantically searching for a way out.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He quickly contacted Whis in secret.
"Whis, after I'm erased… will you use those wish orbs to bring me back?"
"That might displease the Omni-King," Whis replied mildly.
"Damn it. Then what was the point of Champa deliberately losing those wish orbs to me?" Beerus raked his claws over his head, nearly tearing his own scalp out.
"Oh my," Whis said, chuckling softly. "I didn't think Lord Beerus would see that far."
"It's obvious. I'm not an idiot. I just don't know why he did it!"
"Heh heh. You and Lord Champa are twins. No matter how much you quarrel, I don't think Lord Champa would simply watch you die."
"Don't tell me… Champa actually wants to save me and all of Universe 7…" Beerus murmured, a look of disbelief slowly spreading across his face.
(Twelve Universal Angels)
(Twelve Universal Gods of Destruction)
(Twelve Universal Supreme Kais)
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