Destructive threats

Kade's smirk grew. "Oh, I'm counting on it," he said, his eyes gleaming with the kind of excitement usually reserved for Black Friday sales or finding a forgotten slice of pizza in the fridge. "But if you can't keep up, remember, I'm the one holding the universe's biggest cosmic eraser."

The crowd's confusion grew palpable. Some whispered about the dark hair and human-like demeanor of this so-called "god." Others leaned forward, eager to see if the young upstart could truly topple their revered king.

"Fine, Thalos," Kade said, dropping the facade. His eyes grew serious, his smile turning into a grim line. "Let's do this. If you can't keep up, you're not just facing me, but the wrath of a god." He paused, winking at Aria. "But you know, I'm totally kidding about that divine retribution stuff. Unless you're into it?"

The crowd gasped, not expecting such a declaration from their king's opponent. But Thalos, ever the stoic warrior, took the words in stride. His gaze narrowed, and the air around him began to crackle with energy. The ground beneath them trembled as Thalos's body began to change, his hair spiking up and his muscles bulging. The transformation was unmistakable—he had powered up to Super Saiyan.

Kade watched, his grin unwavering. He knew the king wasn't going down without a fight, and frankly, he was eager for the challenge. "Oh, wow, you went full golden retriever," he quipped, referring to the Super Saiyan's iconic blond hair. The crowd murmured, some finding his humor in poor taste.

Thalos's eyes flashed with irritation before he spoke. "You think you can mock the power of the Saiyans?" His voice rumbled with power, echoing through the arena.

"It's all in good fun," Kade said with a shrug. "But if you want to go full 'fur mode' on me, be my guest."

Thalos's eyes widened for a moment before narrowing again. He clearly didn't get the joke, but the challenge had been accepted. His body began to glow brighter, and his aura grew more intense. The air grew thick with the energy of his transformation. The crowd watched in awe as Thalos's hair grew longer and his power spiked to new heights. He had reached Super Saiyan 4, a form so powerful it was said to be reserved for the most elite warriors.

Kade's eyes gleamed with excitement as he took in every detail of the transformation. A mental note to try it out later popped into his head, but he quickly pushed it aside. First things first: he had a king to beat in a battle that was more than just a show of strength.

Thalos's fist shot out like a meteor, aimed straight at Kade's face. The crowd gasped, and even Aria's eyes went wide with surprise. The punch connected with a thunderous crack, sending Kade reeling backward. He felt the sting in his cheek, the force of the blow rattling his teeth.

"Ow," Kade murmured, rubbing his jaw. "I guess that's what I get for underestimating you."

Thalos hovered in the air, his expression a mix of shock and smug satisfaction. "You think you can mock me and not pay the price?" he roared, his voice echoing through the arena.

Kade's eyes snapped back into focus, and the playfulness drained from his features. "Oh, I'm definitely going to pay you back for that," he said through gritted teeth, his voice low and deadly.

The energy around him began to swirl, a stark contrast to the stillness that had settled over the arena. The crowd held its collective breath, sensing that something momentous was about to happen. Aria's eyes widened in anticipation, her fingers tightening around the staff she held at her side.

With a roar that seemed to shake the very fabric of existence, Kade's body was enveloped in a golden light. His hair shot up, spiking wildly as it transformed into a fiery golden hue. His eyes flashed, the irises narrowing into thin slits of pure power. The transformation was complete; Kade had become Super Saiyan 2, a form that was the envy of many in the universe. The arena buzzed with a new level of excitement as the spectators watched in amazement.

Thalos, the stoic Saiyan king, found himself caught off-guard by Kade's sudden surge in power. The smug smile that had once graced the god's face was replaced by a look of fierce concentration as he launched himself into the fray. His legs swung around in a blur, a series of rapid-fire kicks that would have left any mortal opponent reeling. But Thalos was no mere mortal. He was a king among Saiyans, and he met Kade's onslaught with his own, blocking and countering with the grace of a seasoned warrior.

Their clashes sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the ground trembling beneath their feet. Each blow was a symphony of power, a dance of destruction that held the audience captive. Sweat beaded on their foreheads, their muscles bulging with the strain of holding back their true power. Aria hovered at the sidelines, a smirk playing on her lips as she watched the two saiyans battle it out. She knew that despite Kade's bravado and Thalos' pride, their hearts were in the right place.

Suddenly, Kade coated his right hand with a searing yellow ki, the energy pulsing like a heartbeat. His eyes narrowed, and with a wink at the bewildered Aria, he lunged at Thalos. The Saiyan king saw the attack coming but was too slow to react. The punch connected with a sickening crunch, sending him hurtling backward through the air. His face contorted in pain, the impact leaving a smoking crater where the god's knuckles had met his cheekbone.

Thalos crashed into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and debris. The crowd gasped, the silence so profound it was almost palpable. Then, with a roar that echoed through the arena, Thalos shot back up into the sky, his eyes blazing with determination. He flew at Kade like a meteor, his right foot leading the charge. Kade had just enough time to raise an eyebrow before Thalos's foot slammed into his stomach, the force lifting him off the ground.