When Time stood Still (Antary and Nam)

[Geurin]

Kami led the two warriors down many halls and through many staircases. It was unclear where they were going, and how in fact they were still in the Lookout. But as the time passed it became more and more obvious where they were going. The paths began to cease, and the hallway grew narrow. And as they approached it, the warriors would feel a slowling, similar to the gravity they had felt before, but different, very different.

Kami put his hand on the double doors that led into their next training room, and as the doors opened it would reveal two large hour glasses, followed by an open room so large it could not possibly have been inside the lookout without the help of magic.

Kami walked inside, but turned and stopped the two warriors before they could enter. His face had the same battle hardened look it had bolstered when they left the last room. Kami was most serious about the training that went on in this room, and would not allow just anyone access to it. They would need to be absolutely sure that this is what they wanted.

Kami spoke just as he had when Nam had asked for healing earlier. It seemed cold, but that was what needed to be done, and this was the tone it needed to be done in.

"By entering now, you are not only swearing your allegiance to the fight against Touketsuki, but also willing to accept the consequences of doing so."

Kami's eyes were dark as stone as he looked at his two students. This would be the final step in their preparation before their fight with Suki. And they would need to be ready for it.

[Nam Reikonaga]

Nam followed patiently behind the green figure viewed through the peripheral of his eyes. The half-saiyan had been busy focusing on the injuries on his ribs and so his eyes were distracted looking downward –yet not looking at all. Every step he made shook the organs in his body. Nam agreed with Tenshu, he had made a good point. But Nam was afraid his lungs might get pierced. He had been focusing on creating an energy barrier around his lungs. It was easy –similar to the red barrier he’d occasionally produce outward, but he needed to focus. The shield would be a thin fabric; strong enough to keep it safe, yet flexible enough to breath. He didn’t want his lungs to pop either.

The half-saiyan gazed forward. His eyes detected a change in the room and made him look up from his chest. He had been going through hallways and stairs, but the walls were now getting narrower. We’re almost there… he thought. Nam assumed they were inside the Lookout; there was no way the building had so much room inside. Inside his head, he had a mental image of their location. They were probably under the tiled floors, inside the bowl-shaped dome that is the Lookout, beneath the main building.

As they advanced, Nam felt a weird feeling in the air. It felt like the gravity was getting stronger; the curled strand of hair that had always been fringed on his forehead straightened a bit and the scabbard on his back made a shackling sound as it pressed downward on his back. It felt as if someone was pulling down on it. The feeling didn’t exactly feel like gravity though, there was more to it. It was weird and indescribable.

The three reached a doble door and Nam watched as the green man opened them. Nam was about to follow him inside, but Kami immediately turned to face the two saiyans with a stern and serious face –just like his tone. Tenshu was serious about the training that had taken place and the training that was about to take place. He made sure Nam and Antary would understand this. He couldn’t see much behind Tenshu. All Nam could see was a white table, and perhaps a few bedrooms in the right. It looked like normal room to him. The half-saiyan remained quiet for a few moments and thought about how he should respond.

“I passed the point of no return a long time ago, Kami.” Nam looked at the man straight in the eyes. He had told this to the green man the day he joined the GSF, symbol which he bears embedded in the black tunic he was wearing. The one he had been given by Kami himself. Back then Nam had told the Namek that it was in his nature to fend off evil. He lived like a normal school boy, only learning martial arts for the thrill of it –a sport. But he had never been in a situation where he would actually need; until that fateful day…

That day his true colors were shown. His façade had been revealed. Nam can’t ignore someone who’s in need of help. He would go help them ready or not. He wasn’t thick headed; he just couldn’t imagine himself not doing anything about it. Perhaps Nam was never planning to do anything like this, but it was evident that he was born for this. Ever since he became who he is, his fate was locked and sealed for this kind of life.

(Had trouble trying to express that last paragraph... still not satisfied with it... ><")

[Antary]

To the tired Antary, the path seemed like a long one. His fatigue was not a result of physical exercises or overwhelming training, it was the mind. Taking something as powerful as an Oozaru under control is a task that takes a lot more effort than simply getting stronger. The results of that last training did not reveal themselves yet, concealed by the tiredness. Although, he expected as much. Training with that John was pretty hard, but training with whoever trained him was even harder. Looks like in this case, the student didn`t overcome the master.

On the way to the next training room, there was lots of time to think. And Antary was doing too much of that for a full-blooded saiyan. However, you can`t just “stop” thinking. Thoughts usually come on their own, whether you want it or not. He was thinking about the things he had seen and learned while inside his own mind. It was a strange adventure, that`s for sure. He would have never thought that there was another entity in his mind, the Oozaru, who was now locked away. One part of Antary was glad of that, the other felt somewhat sad.

Although deep in thought, it was difficult not to notice that Nam was acting… weird. He was constantly looking down, and his breathing was pretty off, well, not normal. Looks like he sustained some kind of an injury during last time, one that Kami refused to heal, strangely. Although for some reason, when he was trying to remember what happened to Nam, it only made his head hurt. Maybe it was because of his active influence during that time, but it only made the fact that he found it hard to remember only less logical. Better stop thinking about this lest your head explodes.

The surroundings were a good thing to think about right now. Looks like there was more gravity training up ahead, but his muscles still ache a bit after the last one. He wasn`t even sure if he could keep himself comfortable in the gravity of the last training, since the Oozaru did it, not him. Looks like this gravity is going to be much, much heavier, since it could be felt even outside of its own room. Although, in a sense, this felt a lot more different than just stronger gravity.

Well, time will tell. They finally reached their next training place, and Kami opened the double doors, revealing a ridiculously large room. It was ridiculous because, according to Antary`s “calculations”, it could not exist inside the lookout. It was just too big. Well, gravity manipulation is not exactly a likely thing to happen usually, but it did. As well as conquering an Oozaru, but who knows, maybe it`s the easiest thing to do for other saiyans.

Tenshu turned, gesturing his students to stop. He wanted to know if they promise to fight against Suki, and if Antary would swear that right now, it would not be true. While Nam responded right away, reassuring Kami of his loyalty to the case, the pure saiyan remained silent. He was thinking whether to lie, or tell the truth. Telling the truth would probably get him kicked out of the lookout, but lying would leave him to doubt himself. This was essentially a lose-lose situation. He sighed, but then started talking.

“I am not as interested in defeating Tokutsai as much as you two are. And it is not just because I did not see him perform any evil deeds. I was seeking training and ended up here, on this Lookout, for entirely different reasons. However from what I heard, this Tokutsaki person and his defeat are indeed very relevant to the goal I am trying to accomplish, but I will lie if I promise to focus all of my time and training into defeating him. Perhaps when I truly meet him, I will hate him as much as you do, but right now, if I were to swear allegiance, it would be just words. Unreliable, empty words.” He just could not bring himself to lying.

He did not know why the idea of lying to these people hurt him more than the fact that he could be discarded of receiving training and power to accomplish his own goals, but it did. After saying all he wanted to say, he sighed again, awaiting a response. That last sigh was a relief of not having to burden himself with lies.

[Geurin]

Nam's words warmed Kami's heart. He knew that the lad had truly come to the side of planet Earth and that when the time came, Nam would do everything in his power to defeat the evil that lay danger to it. Kami couldnt have been prouder as he stepped aside and allowed Nam to step forward into the chamber.

Unfortunately antary did not have the same feelings. Understandably so he was apprehensive to swear his allegiance to a threat he had never met, however Kami couldnt stress how important this battle would be to the fate of the planet, and it was for that reason that he said these words to Antary.

"The Earth... Will be destroyed without loyal fighters willing to defend it. My Special Forces are here to do just that, and I must focus on bettering them before I can hope to help travelers. Antary John sent you here for a reason, and it was not for training, Nay it was for something greater, as John knows that I do not simply train. Now you must look into your heart to know what is right. If you are willing to stop at nothing to defend our home, then step inside the chamber with Nam and I, but if you are not ready for that commitment, we will not think differently of you, and you may stay and train on the surface with Nehan and Zach, You are also welcome to the training room we were in before with gravity. But this next training will take everything to the next level, and I need a commitment that rivals that."

Antary was a valuable asset to the planet should Suki finally make his way here, but it was more than that. Even if Suki never showed up, there would be other threats. Meishi had destroyed central due to Kami not having a force large enough to stop him. And Samael was gathering forces for who knows what. The Earth would never be safe from the darkness, and so to combat the yang, Kami would bring out a stronger Yin. Antary would need to decide now if he was ready to be apart of that Yin, or remain neutral in such a desperate fight.

[Nam Reikonaga]

Nam smiled and entered the room as Kami stepped aside to allow him to enter. Everything was white where ever he looked: the ceiling, the floor, the walls, the chairs, tables, bathtub –everything. The room felt sort of weird, Nam couldn’t comprehend the feeling he was getting. He wondered what kind of training would take place in this room. It seemed there were more places to check up on, but Nam decided to leave it for later as he overheard the conversation between Kami and Antary. It would’ve been disappointing if Antary ended up having to leave. He would’ve made a great sparring partner.

The half-saiyan approached the two, listening to Tenshu’s words. “I don’t mean to intrude but…” he began right after Kami was done talking. “Antary, you said it yourself, right? Touketsuki is in the way of whatever your goals are. He’s in the way of everyone’s goal because he threatens our very existence. If he truly is in the way, then doesn’t that make him your goal as well? You can’t reach one without the other.” He pointed out. “Kami, even though he might not be as determined as us, I know he’ll come through in the end. Touketsuki is an inevitable force and everyone will be obligated to face him in the end, like it or not. –that is unless… this Boliko manages to defeat him in Namek.”

Nam stopped himself from talking any further. He said what he needed to say and now it was all up to them.

[Antary]

Antary was still not certain in the decision he was about to make. Both Kami and Nam made fair points, yet something just kept bugging him about this. However, if you look at things from a Ògetting stronger from each challengeÓ perspective, it would help immensely, too. Well, here goes nothing. He sighed yet again before speaking.

ÒAlright, I agree. I guess you`ll have to tell me more about that Tokutsaki thing if you want me to stand a chance fighting it, though.Ó Apparently, this creature was much more powerful and much more evil than Meishi. And looks like it will take more than just Kaioken to win against him, too. Although, Kami said that this is the last step before they are ready. But if their power gaps are still going to be so large, shouldn`t more training follow? The green man was either absolutely certain that they are either not surviving this or they are getting killed, orÉ Who knows?

The saiyan quickly followed Nam into the new room, letting Kami go in last to close the doors. This room was just as strange as the last one, everything wasÉ white. And it felt endless. An endless room of white floors, ceilings, walls, pretty much everything. Looks like they were staying here for a long time, considering the amount of normally unnecessary everyday life utilities there are. What was coming next? Are they going to be crushed by insane amounts of gravity? Perhaps temperature rampages?

Antary crossed his arms, letting out a whistle. This room even felt larger than the last one, even though was nearly identical in its whiteness. He walked slightly further than Nam, but there was nothing much to see.

ÒSo, what`s the training?Ó

[Geurin]

Kami listened to Nam, he was wise for being so young, he knew just how to persuade his young friend. And Kami knew that Antary was ultimately good, but what Nam failed to realize was that even if Antary was playing for their team, his willingness to fight would need to be there as well, otherwise it could get not only him, but also his friends killed.

But it seemed to have done the trick as Antary finally submitted, agreeing to help them face the tyrant whom had threatened their home for so many years. Kami smiled and stepped to the side allowing the saiyan entrance into the chamber, and as he entered the door would close and Kami said soundly.

"We will train uninterrupted for the next year"

The door was locked behind them, and no amount of energy would break it open. The mystic Time chamber had sealed their fate the way it had so many times before with Kami. He would turn his attention back to Nam and Antary, who likely would be astonished by the time commitment, and so Kami would answer any questions they had before they asked it, or shortly after.

"This is known as the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, in here time is not what it appears. What will feel like an entire year for us, will be but only a day on the planet Earth. Your body ages an entire year because you are alive in this realm, however the world around us does not stop. Events take place outside of these walls for a full 24 hours and we will not be a part of it. Not even I can open the door once it has closed."

As Kami finished he would leave himself open for questions, and if there were none, he would walk to the center of the room, or rather a spot that may have appeared to be the center, as its width and length were indefinite and its circumference infinite.

Kami was ready to train in such a manner that he had not for some time. It was time for a 3 way battle, a free for all. No-one would be safe.

(Posting order will be eliminated when this begins, since it is a free for all, you need to respond as it happens to you, so if Me and Nam get into a little spar, we could post several times before Antary actually posts retaliating.)

[Nam Reikonaga]

Nam’s eyes widened when Kami began to explain. A whole year!? he thought. The problem wasn’t time commitment, he was all for it. The problem lies in Touketsuki Yakedo. The man could destroy earth and eradicate the human race in less than a year, and without them there to protect them, their fate would be sealed. The training Tenshu had prepared defeats the purpose of their training in the first place. Before Nam could respond, Kami continued, and as he did; Nam began to calm his nerves.

It wasn’t very easily understandable. Basically, the green man was saying that in the white room, a whole year would pass for them, while outside those doors –where they stood moments ago. Only a day would pass. This was perfect considering they already knew Touketsuki wouldn’t be visiting earth anytime soon. The fate of planet Namek would be decided very soon, and even if they do defeat the tyrant, this training would help them be better prepared for future tyrants that are sure to come.

When Kami had finished explaining, Nam began to walk around the room. He was familiarizing himself with everything. So we’ll live here for an entire year, huh? he thought. Nam’s wondering led him to that one place he hadn’t checked out yet: ‘outside’. Nam remained silent as he gazed into the empty void of nothingness that spanned the unknown horizon. He had lost the ability to process information, because his mind couldn’t decide what to ask, what to notice, what not to notice. The half-saiyan just gazed an empty gaze; his eyes wandering around, as if looking at a blank sheet of paper.

Your eyes would lose itself searching the piece of paper, although you probably wouldn’t notice, you’d think you were looking at a certain point of the paper. You’d notice the difference when placing a small dot on the paper, your eyes immediately focus on that dot and it becomes the only thing you see because it is the only thing that exists on the blank sheet; except, this room had absolutely nothing. “Kami…” he managed. “Is there anything else we should know about this room?”

It was beginning to hit the boy. He began to realize –truly, what a year in this room meant. He wouldn’t be surprised if people lost their sanity in this room. But Nam’s doubtful expression was thing replaced with determination in that last thought. Nam considered himself very capable of withstanding the room. He was proud of his mind, and even though it probably wasn’t the strongest brain around, it was very resistant. It was that calm expression he always had, his ability to bottle up anything and everything. He was nothing without his sanity.

[Geurin]

Nam was already being consumed by the room itself, this was understandable considering how large and ultimately blank it was inside. Nam's question was not only vague, but had a hint of apprehension to it. He was right to assume the worst, this room was not for the weak minded, nay it was something for far greater men, this chamber was meant only for the truly dedicated, and that was why Kami had been so insistant earlier.

"You will not tire in this room, You body will be acclimated to the outside world, so your normal impulses such as being tired or hungry, will occur on that time scale. As for me I do not eat but once every few months, and I only sleep every few weeks, so I will not eat or sleep during this entire year long ordeal. You might feel the urge to do so half way through the year if your body is used to getting 8 hours, but again it is not required. We have enough food to last us an entire year, and thats if we were to eat three meals a day, every day. But like I said, you will not often hunger. All that you know about your body will no longer be real, and as time goes by you will begin to lose sight of what time it is, if it is day or night, or what day of the week it is. Some days you may go mad trying to think of when you will finally get out of the chamber."

He had put all of his cards on the table, Kami had trained in the time chamber exactly 5 times in his history as Kami, only one in recorded recent history with Nehan. Kami however was more than capable of handling the torment that was the time chamber. The question was, could Antary and Nam stand the pressure. Or would they crack like so many before.

[Antary]

ÒA year of training in this place? What`s the point of something like that, if you could just train outside?Ó Confused, Antary thought. Although this seemed pretty straightforward, there was probably some sort of a catch to this. Well, he was sort of right. ÒWait, wait, waitÉ A place where we stay for a yearÉ and it will only be a day outside?Ó This was pretty confusing to the saiyan at first. With his arms crossed, he looked upwards into the white void, thinking over it some more. And then it hit him.

He let out a loud whistle, just now realizing what this actually means. This way they can be ahead of everyone in the amount of training, and probably no doubt defeat Touketsuki, who would not be able to catch up just like that. They were about to receive a year worth of training in just a day, by training for a yearÉ for a day! Yeah!..

ÒWait a second, so now I have to spend a year with only you two?Ó It did not seem to bother neither Kami or Nam, but Antary did not exactly feel comfortable with only 2 people (who he did not even know that well) to essentially live with him for the next year. Well, he agreed to this, so had little right to complain. ÒActually, nevermind.Ó The saiyan then started stretching out, overhearing the more details on the Hyperbolic Time chamber, but not exactly paying much attention to it.

ÒWell, then, I think it`s about time we start the training.Ó He says, ending the little warm up. ÒI guess we shouldn`t waste any TIME! Heh heh, right?..Ó Antary stood, and started giggling a bit, but then, seeing as how the joke was not really funny, quietly stopped and coughed. ÒÉKaioken.Ó

With a swift Zanzoken, the saiyan would reappear at Nam`s right side, and send a pretty powerful kick to the head, which, combined with Kaioken and Nam`s injury, would probably be enough to kick him a good distance away. This attack would probably be unexpected, nor was it exactly a serious one. Antary thought it would be a good idea to start this year long training, and decided to rush it. In this rush, he completely forgot about Nam`s injury, which could endanger his life with a bit of bad luck. He wouldn`t remember the injury even after delivering the blow, though.

Giggling, he stopped using the Kaioken, in order to not strain his body much. This was just getting started. ÒWe needed to pump up the pace; I think I managed to do that. Come on, we only have a year!Ó This was more like a year of fun to Antary rather than a year of hard work. As a saiyan, fighting was the most enjoyable thing he could do, and nothing would ever change that. He took the classic saiyan fighting stance, waiting for Nam`s counter attack, but also trying to keep an eye on Tenshu. A quick spar would normally not hurt, but when your ribs are broken, it was probably not the best idea. ÒLet`s see if I can get the saiyan part of him working.Ó Thought the boy, with an excited smile on his face.

[Nam Reikonaga]

“Wait… we’re starting already?” Nam flinched at the full blooded saiyans hasty attack. He managed to block the kick with his hands and pushed himself back as he did to make distance. The impact sent a sharp pain to his fractured ribs. Dang… this is gonna be tough… he thought. Nam would’ve powered down to make the battle even, but he was already downsized. He was weakened by the Oozaru and with the added weight he was very much limited.

Nam slowly walked backwards towards the wider area to maintain the distance. As he took one step in the white platform, he immediately felt a very familiar force pulling him down; which he would have fallen to his knees if he hadn’t been doing gravity training. Nam removed the scabbard on his back and tossed it aside since this was another hand to hand battle. Free for all, huh? he thought, shifting his gaze between the saiyan and the namek. A weird sensation began to spread through Nam’s body, one he felt at times when he was about to engage battle.

It was adrenaline and excitement, although his exterior was calm. It was his saiyan blood kicking in, the joy of battle. Although, Nam only enjoyed it to the point of sports; while saiyans like Antary probably enjoyed it to the death. This was a spar though and Nam was ready to give his current situation permitted. He would have to play the distant fighter and avoid direct attacks –overall, close combat. He pulled his hand back and began to charge a chi blast.

[Antary]

“Come on, what`s the matter?!” Antary actually meant it, and it was not a mocking question. That did not stop him from launching a yet another assault, though. As Nam moved his arm back, charging up a ki blast, Antary did not hesitate one bit, running at his full speed towards Nam, who, while probably able to see the saiyan`s movements, would be slowed by the injury that he sustained.

If Nam decided to release the energy he was gathering, Antary would use zanzoken to strafe to the side in order to avoid it, and just half a second more before he would be in melee range. In order to make sure that the attacks will be strong, the saiyan jumped slightly, so that he would gain the height advantage and be able to add his full weight to the strikes.

After exchanging some punches, Antary would land for mere moments before jumping again, this time over Nam`s head, and try to deliver a kick during a backflip, which would be devastating if it connected. After these quick but powerful strikes, Antary would land behind Nam, taking a defensive stance and waiting for an assault that was coming from him this time. The friendly smirk was long gone.

His sparring partner`s movements were considerably slower and clumsier than what they should be. The saiyan went all out because he was expecting to be fighting an opponent that was far stronger than him, but the actual fight did not live up to those expectations. “He must be holding back on me, damn him.” Thought Antary, adjusting his stance for better efficiency. Perhaps the saiyan was right, and Nam actually was holding back to not have Antary be disappointed in his own powers, but right now holding back would do the exact same thing, by not letting him prove his strength.

Antary did not pay attention to Kami`s words, which mentioned a “free for all” and not a simple sparring session. Perhaps he will regret not paying attention.

[Nam Reikonaga]

Nam watched the two fighters carefully with the chi blast charged in his hand. There was a moment of indecisiveness, which was soon eradicated by the full blooded saiyan that had begun to charge towards Nam. Damnit… he thought while readying himself for any possible outcome. The half-saiyan was vulnerable to any direct attacks and he couldn’t afford to let himself get hit. It puzzled him, though, how Antary could be so bold. Was he not aware of Nam’s injury? The saiyan then concluded that it was a likely theory; although, it was probably better this way. Nam didn’t want his opponent holding back or feeling sorry for him because of a few broken ribs. He remembered their previous training in the other room –which was similar to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

The full saiyan had been reduced and reverted to his original form. The brown fur receded into his body instead of falling off and his snout became a human mouth and nose as it was from the start. The saiyan then asked what had happened; it seemed that while saiyans were in the Oozaru form, they would not remember any of the events that had occurred. But that was probably only for those who could not yet control the transformation.

Antary could probably remember if he were to transform again, here and now. But that would only occur if Kami did that trick again. Nam never experienced the process of transforming into a Great Ape, so he could only wonder about everything that takes place in the mind of the host. Nam has never lost control over his actions; he couldn’t imagine that happening to him. –well, there was one time when he got a bit over the top. The half-saiyan could only shudder to the memory of that day, when he mercilessly killed the murderer of Iau, the child who taught him the Zanzoken.

To honor the memory of that child, Nam began the fight with his after image technique. It had been some time since he used the move and it was very useful in his current situation. Once Antary closed in for the attack, he would soon realize that Nam was not really standing where it appeared he was as his fist went through the faint image which then fazed. From above Nam would be floating and he’d immediately launch the chi blast he had been holding. The half-saiyan thrust his hand forward, aiming towards his adversary, and the yellow orb would be catapulted with a dull sound that Nam failed to describe.

There wasn’t anything unique about Nam’s energy blast. It was a generic looking yellow orb; energy so concentrated it took appearance. It was lighter towards the center, while darker around its circumference. It didn’t home on its targets, but that made it much faster. If dodged it would just keep going until it both hit something and explode, or the heat energy would convert into inert energy and diffuse in the air like a phantom.

[Geurin]

The combat was becoming one of a more intense nature. Antary was certainly giving his all to show up Nam, and Nam was countering in a manner that wasnt his best, perhaps it was time to give Nam a bit of a challenge.
The boy had been fighting with Antary the entire time in this spar, but given the situation, Kami knew that it was time to step in. He was already in the center of the chamber watching the chaos around him transpire. But how would he make his entrance. He started by putting both hands together, this was his way of gathering Ki a little faster, and it worked very well. His wrinkles began to subside, and within him grew a fire of Ki. Kami always enjoyed his time in the HBTC. He was able to revert to a more youthful time in his history, this reminded him of his time as the hero Tenshu, who brough evil to their knee's. And Kami would do so again, but this time on his own, he would prove that even in his old age he was still a prime fighter.

Kami watched the after image take place, Nam was so focused on Antary that he would not even think to dodge Kami, and so he made his move. Moving quickly, although slow in comparison to the Zanzoken and after images before him, and in what was the fastest Kami could, leapt into the air, and entered the fray of battle with the outstretched leg. He was aiming a solid strike to Nam's back while his focus remained on Antary. If the attack struck Like Kami thought it would, he would flip forward and land several feet infront of Nam, with both hands at his waist, his fists closed Tight, it was time to turn the fight physical, and less energy related.

This would give Antary the chance to recover his Ki and energy so that after a short spar between Kami and Nam, he would be able to counter with ease.

In the time chamber, the bodies healed, and their energy regained at a impeccable rate, so to was not unheard of for someone to take a 5 minute rest, and feel completely fine so long as the injuries sustained were not to intense.

[Nam Reikonaga]

Nam’s eyes had been plastered on the energy blast he had recently tossed towards Antary. His eyes were squinted, but not because of sun light, but focus. He was watching the saiyan’s every move –whatever it takes to keep his distance. But it seemed that he had been too focused on what resided in front of him and forgot that this was not a fight between two –but three. Nam yelped as he felt the pressure of something that had struck him in the back; a sharp pain, which intensified with the robust movement of his ribs.

The saiyan had been momentarily paralyzed as his body began to fall to the ground, still recovering from the pain. It seemed like he would’ve suffered yet more pain as he fell to the ground, but inches from the tiled floors. But there was no way Nam would allow this; alerted, the half-saiyan opened his eyes and controlled the energy around him to slow down his descend and rotate his body 180 degrees to gently land on the floor. His hair rose as he did this, waving as if there were no gravity to keep it down. His boots tapped upon impact and his hair returned to its previous state as he released his body from flight.

The cause to Nam’s suffering presented himself without delay, landing a few feet away from the saiyan. “Kami…” he said in a low voice. His eyes sharpened, he had to keep his eye on both of them at all times; if not, sensing the other’s location. Nam opened his mind and cleared all thoughts, he had a visual location of the green man, while a spiritual view of both of his opponents. It occurred to Nam that by trying to prevent confrontation, he was just putting himself in a more vulnerable position. He needed to pursuit his opponent and stop fearing hits that were going to reach him no matter how hard he tried to avoid them. As things were going, Nam wouldn’t land a single punch because he would be too busy dodging and blocking, while his opponents would occasionally land a hit that would just make his move sloppier.

With the new set of mind, Nam braced himself and prepared to endure the pain in his ribs from the sudden movements he was about to perform. He gave off a determined glare at his green adversary, immediately using his zanzoken to appear face to face with Kami and then screamed out a kiai; a short but loud yell that would send transparent waves outward from the source –his body, making Tenshu lose his stance as the force would most likely push his upper body back, while his feet stayed on the ground. While Kami would be in this defenseless stage, hands flailing in the air, Nam would smudge his left fist into the green man’s midsection and then proceeded with a roundhouse punch to the face with his right fist which would probably lift Kami’s feet off the polished tiles and away. Nam grit his teeth during this as his insides burned with passion.

All the while, Nam had been monitoring Antary’s location even though he never once looked at the saiyan after their short encounters. Nam was ready to evade, block, or even counter any incoming attacks; but to Antary, he’d probably seem totally distracted as Nam strategically slanted his eyes on the namekian.