Extract from the -{ Tome of the ‘Forgotten One’ }- Divine scripture of the Church of the ‘Forgotten One’.

"When darkness threatens to consume the realm of light, know that the abyss holds secrets untold. Witness the unraveling of ages past, where the harbinger of truth shall emerge to break the chains of deception." (The Abyssal Prophecy 3:3)

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The hunter's words hung in the air, heavy with significance. Asher's eyes darted between the mysterious fruit and Gabriel's weathered face, searching for any hint of deception. The cave seemed to grow colder, shadows dancing on the walls cast by the flickering firelight. The scent of damp earth and something ancient – perhaps the fruit itself – filled Asher's nostrils.

"I was unable to teach you properly nor could I help you get your first awakening as the divine will asked me to," Gabriel said, his voice tinged with unexpected regret, it was unknown what it was truly directed at. "To make up for that, take this."

As Gabriel stood, preparing to leave, Asher felt a sudden urge to know more about this enigmatic figure who had appeared in his life so briefly yet so impactfully.

"This is a bloodline fruit containing the dragon essence," Gabriel explained, his tone grave. "Consuming it will give you a chance of obtaining the bloodline of a suitable dragon according to your affinities. I got this as a reward from the Tower of Eternal Creation when I climbed it as part of my guild."

Asher compared this information with that provided by his skill.

[ Draconic Essence Fruit ( Epic ): The Draconic Essence Fruit is a legendary fruit imbued with the essence of ancient dragons. Consuming it offers a chance to inherit the bloodline of a dragon that aligns with the consumer's affinities and potential. It was bestowed as a reward from the Tower of Eternal Creation, known for its tests of prowess and potential across realms. The fruit's allure lies in its ability to unlock dormant draconic powers within those deemed worthy by fate. ]

Asher's mind raced with questions, but before he could voice them, Gabriel turned to leave. The young man's voice cracked as he called out, "You never told me your full name."

Gabriel paused, his silhouette framed by the cave entrance. Without turning, he replied, "Gabriel Crosswell of the Crimson Eclipse Mercenaries." The name echoed off the cave walls, seeming to carry a weight and untold stories of its own.

As Gabriel vanished, Asher whispered, "If fate has us meet again, I will return this favor." The words felt like a promise – or perhaps a premonition.

Approaching the table where the fruit lay, Asher could feel its power pulsing, almost like a heartbeat. Inky and Jormu watched with wide eyes, their mouths watering. The fruit's shimmer cast an ethereal glow on their faces, highlighting the mixture of hunger and awe in their expressions.

"That looks delicious," Inky's voice resonated in Asher's mind, a hint of longing in his telepathic tone. "I wanna eat it!"

Jormu, however, sensed something more. Her half-dragonling nature seemed to react to the fruit's presence. "Stop," she said, her voice tinged with awe and a touch of fear. "This fruit... I think it will lose its effectiveness if we divide it. I can feel it resonating with me. It's not strong enough for all of us—it can only be used by one person."

Inky's disappointment was palpable, but determination quickly replaced it. "If that's the case, then Dad should eat it," he declared, his eyes shining with a mixture of love and resolve.

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Jormu nodded solemnly, her scaled features set in a serious expression. "Yes, I agree. I'm already half a dragon. I'm sure Dad can use it to get a better bloodline and become stronger."

Asher looked at his two companions, touched by their selflessness. The bond between them had grown so strong in such a short time. With a deep breath, he picked up the fruit, its weight feeling far greater than its size would suggest.

"Thank you both," Asher said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I promise I'll use this power to protect us all."

As night fell and the cave grew quiet, save for the occasional drip of water from stalactites, Asher settled into his bed. The fruit rested in his hand, its glow casting strange shadows across the cave walls. With one last look at Inky and Jormu, who had curled up nearby, their eyes fixed on him with a mixture of excitement and concern, he took a bite.

The flavor exploded on his tongue – sweet yet tangy, with an undercurrent of something wild and ancient. Instantly, heat surged through his body. Sweat beaded on his forehead as pain wracked his frame. It felt as if liquid fire was coursing through his veins, searing him from the inside out. Through blurry vision, he saw the worried faces of Inky and Jormu before darkness consumed him.

Asher found himself in an endless void, panic rising in his chest. The emptiness pressed in on him from all sides, threatening to crush him. Then, a familiar yet terrifying sight appeared – the grim door adorned with skeletons and thorns. Light seeped from beneath it, promising answers... or perhaps more danger.

With trepidation, Asher approached the door. Each step felt like wading through molasses, the void seeming to resist his progress. As he reached for the handle, flesh cold against the bone-white surface, a booming voice from beyond made him freeze:

"KAKAROOOOT!!"

Confusion replaced fear as Asher recognized the sound. 'Dragon Ball Z? What the hell?' The absurdity of the situation momentarily broke through his apprehension.

He opened the door, the hinges creaking ominously, to find a bizarre sight – a cinema, with plush red seats stretching into the darkness. A single figure lounged in the middle row, feet propped up casually. As Asher's eyes adjusted to the dimness, broken only by the flickering light from the screen, he realized with a jolt who it was – the man he had signed the contract with.

"Oh, you're here, Ash-boya," the man called out casually as if this were a normal occurrence. His voice carried easily across the empty theater, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Come, have a seat. We're just about to get to a good part."

Asher's mind reeled. This was the being responsible for everything that had happened to him. The one who had set him on this path of danger and discovery. Yet here he sat, munching popcorn and watching anime as if they were old friends meeting for a movie night. The dissonance was jarring.

Slowly, Asher made his way down the aisle, his footsteps muffled by the plush carpet. He studied the man's features – no longer shrouded in mystery, but somehow even more intimidating in their clarity. The rough short beard and long hair gave him a rugged appearance, while his handsome, masculine face seemed at odds with the casual setting.

Asher chose a seat, leaving a gap of two between them. Close enough to converse, but far enough to maintain a sense of safety – though he doubted distance would matter if this being decided to act against him.

As Asher settled in, the man offered him popcorn with a grin that didn't quite reach his piercing blue eyes. Those eyes... they seemed to look through Asher, laying bare every secret, every fear. The young man declined the offer, his guard still up, muscles tense as if ready to flee at a moment's notice.

The screen flickered to life, the familiar Dragon Ball Z opening theme filling the theater. But Asher's attention was fixed on the enigmatic figure beside him. Questions swirled in his mind like a tempest. Who was he really? What did he want? And most importantly – what role did Asher truly play in his plans?

The man seemed content to watch the show, occasionally chuckling at the on-screen antics. His demeanor was so at odds with the gravity of their last meeting that Asher found himself growing increasingly unsettled.

Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, Asher spoke. "Why am I here?" he asked, his voice sounding small in the vast space of the theater.

The man turned to him, an eyebrow raised. "To watch Dragon Ball Z, of course," he replied with a smirk. Then, seeing Asher's unamused expression, he sighed. "Always so serious, Ash-boya. Can't we enjoy a moment of levity before delving into the heavy stuff?"

Asher's fists clenched involuntarily. "You sent me to kill someone. You've turned my life upside down. I think I deserve some answers."

The man's expression sobered, the playful glint in his eyes replaced by something older, more serious. "You're right, of course," he said, his voice losing its casual tone. "But before we get to that, tell me – how are you finding your new life? Your new... family?"

The question caught Asher off guard. He thought of Inky and Jormu, of the bonds they'd formed, of the strength he'd discovered within himself. Despite the dangers, despite the uncertainty, he realized he wouldn't trade it for his old life.

"It's... not what I expected," Asher admitted. "But I wouldn't change it."

The man nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "Good. That's very good, Ash-boya. Because things are about to get much more complicated."

As if sensing his thoughts, the man turned to Asher, his expression unreadable. "Now then, Ash-boya," he said, his voice suddenly serious, all traces of the earlier levity gone. "Let's talk about your future. And the role you'll play in the future."

The screen before them flickered, the image of Goku and his friends fading away.