Gohan descended through the upper atmosphere of Evonia, the gleaming capital world of the Lou Empire. Below him, the massive returning armada filled the skies like a wounded beast limping home. The once-proud ships — especially those of Baryon's royal fleets — were covered in scorch marks, deep hull indentations, and the telltale scarring of underhanded opportunistic fire. The Crimson Fury itself looked particularly battered; its bold positioning in what had technically been enemy territory from the moment it arrived had left its blind spots exposed. The Ungarans had exploited every gap with ruthless precision.
Gohan's expression remained calm as he touched down on the grand landing platform outside the Imperial Palace. He could feel the heavy grief and tension radiating from the planet.
The grand hall of the Lou Empire was deathly quiet when he entered. Princess Oasa and Queen Arlen's empty thrones loomed at the far end. Nobles and military officers lined the sides, heads bowed. At the center of the hall, Prince Baryon stood waiting. King Triton remained to the side, his eyes closed solemnly, every so often glancing at the now empty thrones with deep sorrow.
The moment Baryon's eyes met Gohan's, the hot-headed prince dropped to his knees. With a sharp motion, he removed his crown and tossed it at Gohan's feet, lowering his head until his forehead nearly touched the polished floor.
"Lord Gohan," Baryon said, his voice raw and heavy, cracking under the immense weight of guilt. He dropped to his knees, tossing his crown at Gohan's feet with a hollow clatter that echoed through the silent hall. His forehead pressed against the cold floor as he continued, shoulders trembling.
The guards and nobles stood in silence, a look of pain and sadness washing over them as their crown prince renounced his throne.
"I am ready to accept any punishment for my blunder… even if it means permanent destruction. I failed my sister. I failed my mother. I dragged our entire empire into bloodshed when mercy was still possible. Worst of all… I dragged your name and reputation through the mud. I turned the Destroyer God — our savior — into a target for every empire in the galaxy to mock and fear. Because of my rage, Lou now stands isolated, painted as tyrants while our enemies sharpen their knives."
He clenched his fists against the marble, voice dropping to a broken whisper.
"I have no right to be alive… not after this. At least not for the sake of my empire and everyone in it. If my death can restore even a fraction of the trust and honor we once held under your protection, then take it. I will gladly trade my head if it means the people of Lou survive this disaster I helped create."
Gohan looked down at the kneeling prince in silence for a long moment. He was angry — deeply so — but not at Baryon.
"Raise your head, Baryon," Gohan said gently but firmly.
Baryon slowly lifted his gaze, eyes red from grief and exhaustion.
Gohan raised a hand, and with a subtle pulse of his power, the live broadcast feeds across Evonia and the surrounding systems instantly cut to black. The eyes of the universe did not need to witness this moment. This was a real conversation — a private delegation between the Lord of the universe and his vassal prince.
"I was angry when I saw what happened," Gohan continued, his tone calm but honest. "But I would be a fool to place the full blame on you. You lost your sister to Ungara's paranoia. Then you watched your mother walk straight into danger because she refused to let fear stop her from doing what was right. You still participated in the evacuation plan despite all of that. That took strength few possess."
He paused, exhaling slowly as he met Baryon's eyes directly.
"That said… I also messed up. I was too optimistic. I believed that after everything — after saving this universe a couple times before — both sides would choose reason over rage once I called for cooperation. I underestimated how deep the fear and resentment ran on Ungara's side, and I overestimated how quickly grief could be set aside. My hope for a peaceful resolution blinded me to how fragile the situation truly was. So no, Baryon… you were not the only one who was foolish here."
Baryon's shoulders trembled slightly, but he stayed silent.
Gohan stepped closer. "I remember telling everyone once that I hold power over life and death. I pulled Death herself back from the Abyss before she was torn apart. Traveling to the land of the dead to retrieve your mother and sister's souls is well within my ability. Vermont can grant them new bodies and revitalize their life force. It is… not as simple as it once was after the universe nearly collapsed, but it is still possible."
Baryon's eyes widened, a flicker of desperate hope breaking through his guilt. Internally, he remembered the terrifying broadcasts he had watched — one of the few royals who had tuned in — seeing Gohan strain every ounce of his power to hold the entire universe together when reality itself had begun to fray. He had seen what sustaining all of existence truly cost, the poisonous miasma that clung to the destroyers arm and put him in a coma.
Gohan continued, his voice steady. "The empires of the North and South believe they have cornered me with their declarations and propaganda. In truth, they have done the exact opposite. Now I truly do not have to raise a finger to help them at all."
He placed a hand on Baryon's shoulder, helping the prince rise to his feet.
"Prepare a lavish banquet tonight. Make it grand and put it on full public display. We will broadcast the truth of what happened. Show the unaltered footage from the Aurelia's Mercy — Queen Arlen's final words of mercy, her desperate hope to stop her son's fury from consuming everyone. Let the galaxy see who truly sought peace and who chose paranoia and betrayal."
Gohan's eyes sharpened with quiet resolve.
"They will probably try to force me to revive the millions who died on Ungara. But our proof will be clear: it was the direct consequence of King Julio Ungara and Queen Paloma Ungara's orders. Their own son, Emilio, had already been safely evacuated. They planned to kill Princess Oasa from the moment she offered atonement and couldn't deliver immediately. A royal family that cold-blooded and calculated does not belong under Lou's protection."
He stepped back, addressing the entire hall now.
"I will go overboard in our response. Prepare ten thousand stars' worth of energy. Lou will send quadruple the original aid to all our remaining vassal worlds — medical fleets, reconstruction materials, food, and protection. And Baryon…" Gohan looked directly at the prince, his tone softening into something closer to equality. "You may summon me or contact me whenever you wish. We will speak as equals about the future and prosperity of Lou. You are not alone in this."
Baryon stood taller, the weight on his shoulders easing slightly even as fresh tears threatened to fall.
King Triton's voice croaked in pain as tears spilled, his heart aching and celebrating all at once.
Gohan turned toward the grand windows overlooking the battered armada and the capital city beyond.
"Let the North and South play their games. Let them broadcast their edited clips and noble declarations. We will answer with truth, generosity, and strength. The universe is watching."
A faint, determined smile touched Gohan's lips.
"And this time… they will see exactly who holds the scales."
Trunks and Tinel had been watching silently from the back of the grand hall. The moment Gohan finished speaking, Tinel's aura flared wildly, golden sparks dancing around her as raw excitement and righteous anger surged through her. The entire palace trembled under the sudden pressure, causing several nobles to stagger and guards to instinctively reach for their weapons.
"Those good-for-nothing cowards!" she shouted, eyes blazing. "I'll go out there right now and—!"
Before she could launch herself forward, Trunks's hand clamped firmly around her wrist and yanked her back.
"Not now!" he hissed, shooting an awkward smile and wave toward the startled Lou court. "Control your power, Tinel!"
Tinel pouted fiercely, but when she realized every eye in the hall was now locked on her, her face flushed bright crimson. She quickly ducked behind Trunks, shrinking her aura down to almost nothing and muttering embarrassed apologies under her breath.
A low, unexpected chuckle broke the tension.
It came from Prince Baryon.
At first it was quiet, almost disbelieving. Then the chuckle grew, his broad shoulders shaking as tears he had been holding back finally spilled over. The sound wasn't mocking — it was raw, exhausted, and strangely relieved, as if the girl's explosive energy had punched straight through the suffocating grief in the room.
Tinel blinked in surprise, then stepped out from behind Trunks. She hesitated only a moment before walking over to the kneeling prince. Without a word, she reached out and gently patted his back with surprising care, her usual wild energy softening into something warmer and more sincere.
"Hey… come on," she said softly, her voice full of genuine encouragement. "You're strong. Really strong. I saw how you held the line out there even after everything. Don't let those idiots break you. We've got your back now."
Baryon lifted his head slightly, tears still streaming, but a faint, grateful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He gave her a small nod, visibly moved by the unexpected kindness from the energetic tiny Saiyan girl. Something about her straightforward, fiery support seemed to ease the crushing weight on his chest, if only a little.
Gohan watched the exchange with a brief, gentle smile before his expression grew serious once more. He turned toward Vermont, who had remained respectfully silent at the edge of the hall.
"Come," Gohan said quietly. "We must visit the Land of the Dead and request Queen Rama to guide us to their souls."
Gohan and Vermont rose into the air just below Evonia's grand palace ceiling. The golden aura around Gohan flared once before he suppressed it to a calm, steady glow.
"Trunks, Tinel," Gohan called back without turning. "Stay here and keep the court company. Help Baryon maintain order while we're gone. We won't be long."
Trunks gave a firm nod. "We've got it."
Tinel's eyes lit up as she glanced at the still-grieving prince. She bounced lightly on her heels, clearly excited at the chance to stick around. "No problem! We'll make sure everything stays calm… or at least fun!"
Baryon managed a small, tired smile as he looked at the energetic Saiyan girl. Something about her straightforward warmth — so different from the calculated politics and heavy grief weighing on him — felt oddly comforting, almost like the sister he had lost. Tinel caught his gaze and grinned brightly, stepping a little closer as if she had already decided they were going to be friends.
"Come on, Prince Baryon," she said, her voice bright but sincere as she picked up his crown and placed it on his head. "You look like you could use someone who doesn't treat you like glass. I know what it's like to watch family get messed up by bad choices… my own brother got twisted into something horrible because of our mother. Father's out there right now trying to fix the damage she caused. If he can do that for us, he can definitely bring your mom and sister back. You're not alone in this, okay? We're basically siblings in this mess now!"
Baryon blinked, caught off guard by her bold declaration, but the genuine kindness in her words eased some of the tension in his chest. He gave a quiet chuckle and nodded. "You're… strangely comforting, Tinel. Thank you."
With that settled, Gohan and Vermont surged upward in a flash of ki, blasting straight through the palace ceiling. Instead of shattering, the crystalline, star-lit dome of Evonia rippled on impact—waves of light cascading outward like a disturbed night sky, each pulse shimmering across its surface.
In the next instant, their forms pierced through the final veil of that celestial barrier, their silhouettes swallowed by a flickering rift as they vanished beyond.
They emerged in the swirling, ethereal space between realms. Ahead floated the massive, majestic form of Sir Warp — the colossal guardian fish whose body served as the gateway to the Land of the Dead. Normally haughty and demanding of passwords or pins, the great fish's golden eye softened the moment it sensed Gohan's presence. Its enormous mouth opened without question or ceremony, creating a gentle golden doorway.
"No need for formalities, Lord Gohan," the Warp guardian rumbled in a surprisingly respectful tone. "Pass freely."
Gohan and Vermont flew straight through.
They crossed Deadman's Land — the vast, misty expanse where newly arrived souls first materialized. Countless figures wandered aimlessly, confused and translucent, slowly fading into light wisps as they released their earthly attachments. The air hummed with quiet sorrow and faint wonder.
Beyond that stretched the grand Check-In Station, a towering structure of white marble and glowing runes where souls were judged and sorted. At its center sat Queen Rama, the regal equivalent of King Yemma for the 21st Universe. She was an imposing yet elegant figure with flowing robes, curved horns adorning her crown, and a massive desk piled with glowing scrolls and soul records.
Queen Rama looked up as Gohan and Vermont approached. She bowed her head deeply in respect.
"Lord Gohan. Vermont. I have been expecting you." She gestured to two glowing soul orbs floating gently beside her. "Princess Oasa and Queen Arlen have already been processed. I read their stories in full. Their hearts were pure in their final moments — mercy offered even at the cost of their lives. I have temporarily granted them soul bodies and moved them to a peaceful waiting field in the upper heavens."
Vermont inclined his head. "Thank you, Queen Rama. Your judgment is, as always, wise."
Rama's sharp eyes turned to the angel with a knowing glint. "Before we proceed… tell me, Vermont. Did Circe prove herself helpful? Did my insight aid you in deciding whether she could be trusted?"
Vermont allowed himself a soft chuckle, the sound warm and slightly amused. "You ask if I believe your reading of her was wrong?"
Rama's lips curved into a faint smile.
"She did not betray us," Vermont confirmed. "Far from it. Circe has proven loyal. She now stands as the divinely appointed sorceress of the Destroyer God. She was granted the highest level of ontological magic, authorized jointly by the Destroyer God and the Creation God himself. I personally delivered the grimoire into her hands. The power she now wields will no longer threaten to destroy her mind or soul."
Queen Rama nodded slowly, satisfaction clear on her face. "I am glad to hear it. The threads of fate can be treacherous, but some souls truly rise when given the chance."
Gohan stepped forward, his presence commanding yet gentle. "Then let us not delay. We have two souls waiting to return to the living. Their family — and their empire — needs them."
Queen Rama rose from her seat with graceful authority, her robes flowing like liquid starlight. She gestured toward a towering Oni guard standing silently at the edge of the Check-In Station. The massive, red-skinned warrior bowed deeply, his muscular frame clad in ornate black and gold armor.
"High Oni Varak will escort you to the Upper Heavens," Rama declared. "The souls of Queen Arlen and Princess Oasa have been made comfortable in the waiting fields. Go with my blessing."
Gohan nodded in thanks. With Vermont and the towering Oni leading the way, they left the grand station and approached a colossal, glowing elevator carved from pure crystalline light. Unlike the winding, treacherous Snake Way, this was a direct ascent — a towering pillar of radiant energy that pierced straight upward through the layered realms.
The doors slid open silently. As the three stepped inside, the elevator began its smooth, rapid rise. The walls shimmered with shifting constellations and distant nebulae, giving the sensation of traveling through the very fabric of the afterlife.
After what felt like both moments and eternity, the elevator doors opened onto an breathtaking vista.
They emerged into an incredibly beautiful open field beneath five gentle suns hanging in a soft pastel sky. The temperature was perfectly balanced — neither too warm nor too cool — with a light breeze that caressed the skin without chilling or overheating. The scent of flowers drifted on the wind, perfectly balanced, never overwhelming or faint. The grass beneath their feet felt almost like walking on air, soft and buoyant, yet their steps remained solid and grounded.
In the middle of this serene paradise, Queen Arlen and Princess Oasa lay relaxed in the lush grass, laughing brightly as they played with shimmering fairies and a group of joyful little children who had passed on long ago. The two women looked peaceful, their souls given temporary, glowing bodies that shimmered with gentle light.
Arlen was the first to notice their approach. Her laughter faded as her eyes widened, locking onto Gohan's familiar figure. She slowly sat up, her expression shifting from surprise to disbelief.
"Lord… Gohan?" she whispered.
Oasa turned her head, still giggling at something one of the children said, but her smile froze when she saw him. Both mother and daughter stared in stunned silence as the realization sank in.
Gohan looked at the two women with calm, compassionate eyes.
"Queen Arlen. Princess Oasa," he said gently. "I've come to offer you a choice. Do you wish to return to the world of the living?"
The two women fell silent for several long seconds. Arlen's hand instinctively reached for her daughter's, their fingers intertwining. They exchanged a glance filled with a mixture of wonder, hesitation, and deep longing.
They had known Gohan was immensely powerful. They had witnessed his strength and benevolence while alive. But this… crossing the boundary between life and death so casually, ordering the rulers of the afterlife to simply release souls back to the mortal world — it felt almost absurd. Ridiculous, even. A being they had spoken to as a protector now stood here, capable of commanding death itself to yield.
Oasa's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she looked back at the children and fairies, then at her mother. Arlen's expression softened with quiet resolve.
Finally, both nodded.
"Yes," Arlen said, her voice steady but thick with emotion. "We want to return."
Oasa squeezed her mother's hand tighter, a bright, hopeful smile breaking across her face. "Yes… please. We want to go home."
Only then did Vermont step forward with quiet grace. He spun his staff once in a smooth, elegant arc and gently tapped the foreheads of both Arlen and Oasa. Their glowing halos dissolved into soft, sparkling motes of light that faded harmlessly into the breeze.
Gohan gave them a small, reassuring nod.
"Then let's bring you back."
The journey back began in solemn silence.
Queen Arlen and Princess Oasa walked beside Gohan and Vermont, flanked by the towering High Oni Varak. As they stepped into the radiant crystalline elevator once more, both women felt the full weight of what was happening. The doors closed, and the ascent in reverse became a gentle descent through shimmering layers of reality. Arlen's hand never left her daughter's. They exchanged quiet glances, their royal composure intact, yet their eyes betrayed a deep, unspoken awe.
When the elevator doors opened again, they emerged into the vastness of Otherworld.
The scale was staggering.
A seemingly endless golden road — similar to the legendary Snake Way of the 7th— stretched out before them, winding across floating islands and misty cliffs. Far below, golden clouds drifted like living barriers, separating the serene lower heavens from the distant, shadowed realm of Hell. Arlen and Oasa instinctively looked upward. High in the sky, so immense it dominated the entire horizon, they could just make out the stretch of land they had only just left — the Upper Heaven dimension. It appeared as an endless, glowing expanse suspended above everything, so vast that it could be seen from this entirely separate layer of existence. The realization hit them both: they had been resting in a paradise so enormous it literally formed part of the sky for other realms.
They had no memory of any of this from their initial arrival. Back then they had been little more than fading wisps — processed quickly and quietly before being granted temporary bodies. Now, fully aware and restored, the sheer magnitude of the afterlife left them breathless.
They passed once more by Queen Rama's Check-In Station. The regal judge looked up from her scrolls and offered a respectful nod.
"Lord Gohan. The souls have chosen wisely," Rama said, her voice warm with approval. "May their second life bring greater peace than the first."
Arlen bowed her head with practiced royal grace. "We are grateful for your fairness."
Oasa managed a small, sincere smile. "Thank you… for seeing our hearts clearly."
Rama returned the gesture, then waved them onward without further delay.
Continuing forward, they crossed Deadman's Land once again. The misty expanse was filled with countless wandering souls — translucent figures slowly dissolving into soft wisps of light. Arlen and Oasa walked through it in silence, their bodies glowing softly, a stark contrast to the fading spirits around them. The sight stirred something deep within both women: a quiet gratitude mixed with the humbling realization of how fragile existence truly was.
At the far end waited another colossal Sir Warp. The enormous guardian fish regarded them with calm, respectful golden eyes. Even though Gohan had just retrieved two souls from the afterlife and was now returning them to the living world, the Warp did not question or demand any password. It simply opened its massive mouth, creating a gentle golden gateway. The sustainer of all existence needed no explanation.
They passed through without resistance.
The second Warp on the far side behaved identically — silent, reverent, and unquestioning. With a final ripple of light, the group emerged into the Sacred World of the Kais.
The air here felt lighter, purer. In a quiet meditation grove not far from their arrival point, Makaiya sat in deep meditation, his posture perfect and serene. Beside him, Circe knelt in the same focused state, the two surrounded by faint rings of ontological energy. Neither stirred nor spoke as Gohan's group passed. The silence was profound — a sign of the intense training and focus taking place.
Finally, Gohan opened a shimmering portal back to the mortal realm, through the 6th dimension.
They stepped through and reappeared high above Evonia's capital. The familiar sight of the palace, the battered armada still in orbit, and the bustling activity below greeted them. Arlen and Oasa drew in sharp, simultaneous breaths as the full weight of returning to life settled over them. The air smelled of life — of wind, metal, and distant flowers — so different from the perfect, balanced scent of the Upper Heavens.
Arlen's fingers tightened slightly around her daughter's hand, her royal poise never fully cracking, yet her eyes glistened with overwhelming emotion. Oasa stared down at the planet with wide-eyed wonder, a bright, almost childlike awe breaking through her usual dignified expression.
They had crossed death itself.
They had walked through dimensions most mortals would never comprehend.
And now, by the will of the Destroyer God, they were home.
Gohan glanced at them both with quiet understanding.
"Welcome back," he said softly as they lowered downward to the grand palace.
While Gohan and Vermont walked the realms between life and death, the palace waited in anxious hope.
It had been a little under an hour since Gohan and Vermont had departed.
In one of the palace's smaller, more intimate reception halls, the mood had grown surprisingly light. Prince Baryon, King Triton, and a handful of senior court nobles sat cross-legged on the thick carpeted floor alongside Trunks and Tinel. A simple deck of Lou playing cards lay scattered between them.
Tinel groaned dramatically as she slapped her last card down, her shoulders slumping in exaggerated defeat.
"Fifth time!" she wailed, throwing her hands up. "How is this even possible?! I have super strength, super speed, and I still can't win a stupid card game!"
"But no super intelligence..." Trunks muttered to himself, which everyone heard.
"Hey!"
Baryon let out a deep, genuine laugh — the first real one since the tragedy — while Triton chuckled warmly beside him. Even the usually stoic nobles were smiling, their earlier tension eased by the Saiyan girl's infectious energy alongside Trunks's teasing.
"You're too aggressive with your plays," Baryon teased, shuffling the deck with practiced ease. "You charge in like you're fighting a fleet instead of reading the board."
Tinel pouted, crossing her arms. "Well, charging in usually works for me!"
Trunks smirked from his spot, leaning back on his hands. "Keep telling yourself that."
The group's spirits were high, filled with hopeful anticipation as they waited for news. The laughter and light banter served as a welcome distraction from the heavy grief that had gripped the palace earlier.
Suddenly, the grand doors at the far end of the hall swung open with a soft glow.
Gohan and Vermont stepped through first, followed closely by Queen Arlen and Princess Oasa — both fully restored, breathing, and very much alive. Their royal attire had been refreshed by Vermont's subtle magic, making them appear as if they had simply returned from a long journey rather than death itself.
The room fell into stunned silence for half a heartbeat.
Then Baryon's eyes widened dramatically. The cards slipped from his hands and scattered across the floor. He stared at his mother and sister as if they were apparitions, his mouth opening and closing without sound. Slowly, he rose to his feet, legs trembling.
"M-Mother…? Oasa…?" His voice cracked.
Arlen's eyes softened with overwhelming love as she opened her arms. "My son." Baryon charged in with gentle sorrow.
Oasa beamed, tears already glistening in her eyes. "Big brother…"
Baryon staggered forward, dropping to his knees in front of them. He reached out with shaking hands, gently touching his mother's arm and then his sister's cheek, as if afraid they might vanish.
"I… I didn't truly believe…" he whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Deep down, I thought… when Lord Gohan returned, he would tell me it was impossible. That I had been a fool for hoping. But you're here. You're really here."
Tears spilled freely down his face as he bowed his head low, pressing his forehead to the floor in front of his mother and sister.
"I'm so sorry," he choked out, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I'm so sorry for everything. For my rage, for firing the planet-cracker, for nearly dooming our empire… for dragging Lord Gohan's name through the mud. I let my grief turn me into a monster. Please… forgive me."
Arlen knelt gracefully and placed a gentle hand on her son's head, her voice warm and forgiving. "There is nothing to forgive, my brave boy. You were protecting us the only way you knew how in that moment. We are home now. That is what matters."
Oasa dropped down beside him, wrapping her arms around her brother in a tight hug. "You big dummy. We're together again. That's all I care about."
Baryon's shoulders shook with quiet sobs of relief and joy. He looked up at Gohan, eyes shining with disbelief and profound gratitude.
"Lord Gohan… I was wrong. So very wrong. And I have never been happier to be proven wrong in my entire life."
Gohan smiled softly, the warmth in his expression clear. "Welcome home, both of you."
The entire hall erupted into joyous chaos. Nobles rose to their feet, some cheering, others openly weeping with happiness. Triton stepped forward, pulling his wife and daughter into a fierce family embrace while laughing through his own tears.
Tinel bounced on her toes, grinning ear to ear. "See! I told you he could do it!" She punched Baryon lightly on the shoulder. "Now you owe me a rematch, big brother. And this time I'm winning!"
Baryon let out a watery laugh, still kneeling between his mother and sister, his heart lighter than it had been in days.
The homecoming was pure, unfiltered joy — a beacon of hope cutting through the darkness that had nearly consumed the Lou Empire.