Chapter 14: Unknown Stranger

Powerful winds roared throughout the dark planet, as almost invisible snow fell endlessly.

Drenched in darkness stood a figure, his cloak flapping wildly. Sado's scouter beeped as he walked through the dense snow. His feet sink, leaving a trail behind him. 

Sado had landed for mere minutes, and yet, the sharp pain of freezing wind engulfed him, chapping his lips. " Oh?... Their power levels are gone. " Mumbled Sado, his eyes intensely focused on a frozen forest, massive icicles hung off towering trees reaching hundreds of feet tall.

It was clear to Sado that the inhabitants of this planet had already noticed him, and yet, without a care in the world, he strolled into the forest, walking past tree after tree. The forest was silent, only the sound of Sado's crunching footsteps echoing out. 

His frozen breath escaped his lips until past the thousands of towering trees, a weak orange flicker caught Sado's eyes. 

A small fire struggling against the harsh winds of the planet, " Did they flee? Or are they waiting? " Thought Sado walking towards the fire, with slight caution in each step. Step after step, he inched closer until finally he reached the small fire.

Surrounding the fire were wooden pots and pans, with a small blanket made out of odd material. Sado squatted, grabbing onto the wooden pots, filled with a steaming, odd liquid. "They're still warm. " Sado dropped the pot standing up straight.

"Someone was just using this... Although there's only one blanket meaning, the group here either travels light, or this is all a distraction. " Thought Sado, staring down at the pots, his mind racing-

Crunch

Instantly, Sado's eyes dilated. For the first time, Sado had heard something besides his footsteps. Without a second thought, Sado shot his head over towards the noise. His eyes drifted through the forest, and yet he couldn't find a single thing. 

Sado slowly began to point his palm forward, conjuring a Ki blast. " The forest, this snow, it's helping them disguise themselves. I don't know their abilities, nor how many there are, but if I melt the snow and blow this forest off the surface of this planet... "

"Their advantages are gone-SIP. "

Interrupting his thoughts, the sound of sipping rang out, making a bead of sweat drip down Sado's face as he glanced down at a man with wrinkled blue hands wearing a cloak made out of various animals with a hood pulled over his head. 

He sat on the ground, with a pot tightly in his hand, his right knee pointing up into the sky as he rested his arm against it.

Sado slowly reached up, gingerly rubbing his neck before the man spoke in an aged voice. " What pleasure, do we have for a saiyan to arrive here. "

Sado didn't respond; instead, the Ki blast in Sado's hand abruptly dispersed, and his hand dropped down to his waist as he glared down at the man. " I've been ordered to conquer your planet. " 

" Oh? Yet they only sent you. Although you misunderstood my question." Said the man, looking up at Sado with a yellow grin, white facial hair covered his face, almost hiding his sunken, beady black eyes. 

" Why are you here? " Asked the man sipping the odd liquid in the pot. 

Sado glared down at the man before sighing and sitting down on the ground. " No idea. My existence has no purpose. Besides, maybe being a weapon of destruction. " 

The elderly man chuckled. " A self-aware saiyan...What a surprise. Judging from how you boldly walked into this forest, I figure you wouldn't even have a conversation without attacking me first. You don't mind me asking another question, right? " 

" Go for it... I would be dead if you didn't want a conversation. " Responded Sado. Sado wasn't joking; he was being truthful. Sado didn't see the old man's movements in the slightest. 

" When you conquer this planet, what's the end goal? Do you think you can spend the rest of your life mindlessly killing? If not? What will you do? " 

...

A silence engulfed the two, the sound of the fire crackling briefly interrupting the silence, as Sado stared at the snow reflecting his image. "Survival. " The old man's eyes widened slightly. 

" Just like that fire. " Said Sado, glancing over at the fire. " It doesn't have a mind or feelings. Yet it's trying its hardest to cling to its brief life. " 

A wide grin appeared on the man's face. " Then don't shine too bright. Hide in the dark. The fires that burn the brightest also die the fastest." 

The man leaned towards Sado. "Ignore the screams and focus on yourself. Although judging from your eyes, you've been doing that this entire conversation. " 

Sado's eyes locked with the man's as he spoke. " What's your purpose. " 

" I'm ancient compared to you. I've accomplished my goals... My dreams. My final purpose is simple protect this planet, which I call home. " 

" I see. " Responded Sado as the man took a sip from the pot before gently placing it on the ground, in unison, the two stood up facing each other. The look in their eyes changed, going from a peaceful conversation to one ready for battle. 

" You learn fast. " Said the man. "Blood is the best way to decide whose purpose is stronger. " The two's energy clashed, sending snow flying into the air.

The fire was extinguished.

Disappearing with the man, who vanished...