[D] Arriving at Heartforged Keep

[Grandpa Gohan]

Gohan had decided to take his seat at the head of one of the long tables, which the soldiers were feasting upon. Gramps had taken a small portion of the amazingly delicious looking food. The site was something to see, 2000 soldiers feasting upon an amazing display of all sorts of different foods, drinks, appetizers, pastries, it had everything. The stocky old man could only recall one other time in which he had ?seen? this site, and that was a work of fiction, Happy Potter. As he bit into a rather large slice of turkey, the juices came spitting out, running into his freshly cut moustache. Oh how he was delighted, it was so delicious! He quickly took another bite, savoring it for a moment before swallowing.

As he was eating he was careful to observe his commanders and lieutenants, Broli clearly had the makings of a saiyan warrior, he was steadily devouring a rather large turkey leg. Gramps couldn?t help but chuckle a little at the site. The newest General to their army, and on that Gohan hadn?t met yet, Joy, was sipping her wine and conversating with Broli. The stout lil man sipped his juice, although he enjoyed alcohol, the battle was about to begin, and Gohan wanted to be on top of his game.

Soon enough he had finished his plate of food, noticing that he had gotten some of meat juices and whatnot on his clothing, he quickly withdrew back to the barracks. He found his bunk, in a corner in which two walls met, nearby was a window overlooking the courtyard, there in the center of his bed lay his new uniform, it was just like his normal attire, except it was now blue. The black parts remained, but the orange vest with yellow circles, was now in a hue of crisp blue with baby blue circles. He slipped on his new weighted clothing, which he had purchased in the Syntech lounge, and then preceded to put on his new wardrobe. As the elderly man looked at himself in a mirror, which he placed on the wall, he couldn?t help but admire the new outfit, he liked it. Too bad it will be stained with blood soon enough he thought to himself.

Gramps walked over to the window, the sun was beaming! As he looked down onto the courtyard, he saw two rather young soldiers doing pushups. ?Jeez, I never thought that I?d see two kids here?? he thought. ?Then again, this IS Dante?s Abyss, but why would two young-ins want to partake in this sorta event? They?re throwing away their lives. Bah!? He said aloud to himself.

Suddenly the old man began to think back to the lounge, back to the talk he had with the muscular saiyan, Nappa. He wondered how he was fairing as the war approached ever steadily. ?Wonder if I?ll see him on the battlefield, if I?ll have to fight him??. Even though he had only recently met him, he felt that he had another friend in the world.

?Friend? What is a friend in wartime? I could be best friends with someone outside a war, and as soon as we?re in one, he could be on the opposing side, and if I saw him, I would have to kill him, even if we were friends from the time we were babies, I would have to kill him!? Tears rolled down the mans wrinkly face as he hit the wall. He looked into the sky, almost looking at god himself, ?What good is strength if I can?t use it to protect my friends, the people I care about? The people I love!? he yelled, knowing everyone was still down stuffing their faces, he hit the wall again, leaving a small crack in it.

He looked down at the kids training in the courtyard, so innocent and young, yet in a competition like this, Gohan was really starting to question as to why he had even joined now. Even though he was upset, he knew it?d be wise to get some training in before the coming days battles.