his heart.
<br />
<br />
Bollob's fans groaned when their favorite collapsed on their knees and spat blood. The Keerefz fans, on the other hand, were unsure whether to cheer or shout boo.
<br />
<br />
But Marami gave them little time to make a decision. Her nails grew to dagger-like claws and while Keerefz was still licking Bollob's blood from his claws, Marami shot at him.
<br />
<br />
Keerefz was much tougher than he looked and he managed to throw up his arms in time. Her claws hooked into his and it looked like a stalemate. Marami was still smiling, lifted a foot and in the blink of an eye her boot was just tiny tatters, torn from her claw-like toenails. Before Keerefz could think of a counter-strategy, Marami struck him with her toe claws in the throat and tore up his artery.With a leap backwards she escaped the flow of blood, which shot out of Keerefz 'neck in pulsating gusts and took care of the still kneeling Bollob, who tried to push himself up again with his own tenacity, in order to keep on despite the fatal wound for everyone else fight.
<br />
<br />
"You're a tough boy, aren't you?" Marami purred and stroked his chin almost lovingly.
<br />
He growled and struck her with the still usable hand. Marami didn't dodge, but caught the arm with both hands and cut her teeth into the green demon's wrist. She really had a good aim. When she stepped back and her arm sagged, the blood streamed from the torn hand artery and her poison spread twice as fast in the weakened body.
<br />
<br />
Bollob looked at her with hate-filled, bloodshot eyes, then his gaze glazed over and he fell sideways.
<br /><br />
Keerefz, who was only a few steps away, also tried to get on his feet again, but meanwhile his lungs had filled with blood and after only one wavering step the end came for him too.
<br />
<br />
Marami looked contemptuously at her two dead opponents and bowed elegantly in the direction of the prince.
<br />
<br />
"Have I dragged it out long enough, my lord?", She asked in a smoky voice and in her lascivious look of her eyes were promises that made Firozz's pulse not start to race.
<br />
Only Prince Gesteco put his hand over his mouth and yawned. "Well done Marami," he said in an indifferent tone.
<br />
<br />
Marami bowed even lower so that part of her braids fell forward and hid the angry twinkle in her eyes. Reluctantly there was applause and even the disappointed fans of the two dead fighters managed to show their respect. After all, Marami was not someone you wanted to spoil yourself with.<br />
<br />
Getseco clapped his hands lamely twice and instructed Firozz to reward Marami properly before he got up and prepared to leave the arena.
<br />
<br />
"I'll treat myself to a little distraction," he replied to Firozz's questioning look. "Also, La'ir would be interested in who won the competition."
<br />
<br />
Firozz's expression reflected his disgust, but he didn't say aloud what he was thinking.
<br />
Shortly before the exit, Getseco turned back to Firozz. "Oh yes, one more thing," he said with so much false friendliness that Firozz winced as if painfully struck, "we need replacements for the 88 fighters who slaughtered themselves here today. So inspect everyone who comes into question and bring me the list in ... ", he hesitated briefly," ... let's say five hours in the reception room. "
<br />
<br />
While Firozz was still struggling to maintain his composure, Getseco had already disappeared from the arena.<br />
With all eyes on him, Firozz pulled himself together. Getseco wouldn't bother him much longer, he swore to himself. "What are you staring at so stupidly?", He yelled in a mighty voice at the audience who were still on their seats. "We need new fighters for the real battle. So all stand up and woe to you, one of them crumbles!"
<br />
<br />
...........................................
<br />
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile on earth:
<br />
<br />
“That's crazy!” Kuwabara was glued to the window and looked, fascinated, outside, where the landscape slid beneath them at a dizzying pace. "The helicopter is really awesome!"
<br />
"After all, Bulma designed it herself," said Yamcha, not without pride. "She's just a genius."
<br />
Bulma turned back briefly and grinned. "Thanks for the flowers, Yamcha, but I'm still not going to let you fly."
<br />
<br />
Yamcha grimaced and checked the radar again."A little more than 40 kilometers. Kuwabara, could you open the third map from the right?"
<br />
With an effort, Kuwabara tore himself away from the strange landscape and unfolded the desired map. "Is it right?"
<br />
<br />
"Great." Yamcha compared the distance on the map with the radar and nodded. "Looks like the first Dragon Ball can be found in western Glimmerkarst."
<br />
<br />
"Then we have to go down first," said Bulma. "The area is far too rugged to offer a decent landing site. Besides, the stuff crumbles so easily. Have a look in the back of the storage room, we should have a couple of light protective suits in a black box with us."
<br />
"Why protective suits?", Kuwabara wondered as he went to the back with Yamcha and dragged the said box forward.
<br />
<br />
"This mica is almost razor-sharp at the edges," explained Yamcha as he opened the box and handed one of the suits to Kuwabara."Nobody dares to go into this area if they are not adequately protected."
<br />
<br />
“That's how it is.” With a nod, Kuwabara slipped on the heavy boots and the padded gloves. "It will take us a long time to find this dragon ball."
<br />
<br />
"Not very long, I'll fly as close to the area as possible," said Bulma optimistically.
<br />
Half an hour later the time had come. The helicopter descended on a sand-covered hollow. As soon as the runners touched the ground, the side door opened and Kuwabara jumped out. He stretched and looked at the deserted, karst surroundings. There was no rustling, no twittering or humming to be heard. The scent of sage and comfrey hung in the cool silence. Almost scary.
<br />
<br />
Yamcha followed him closely and a little later Bulma was also standing next to them. She held out her hand to Yamcha and he put the radar inside. She glanced at it, fished a compass out of her backpack, and compared the direction."Yeah, it must be pretty deep in there," she said and sighed.
<br />
<br />
"In that direction?" Asks Kuwabara, pointing to the jagged hills directly in front of them. When Bulma nodded, he stormed off.
<br />
<br />
"So wait!" Yelled Yamcha after him. "You'll never find the ball without radar."
<br />
“Then come on at last!” Kuwabara's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "We have to find seven of these bullets, right?"
<br />
<br />
Yamcha sighed and gave Bulma a challenging look. "It's okay!", She said and handed him the radar, "but be careful!"
<br />
<br />
Before Kuwabara understood what Yamcha was up to, he was already flying overhead, radar in hand, towards the hills.
<br />
<br />
.............................................
<br />
<br />
"Well," said Genkai, not dissatisfied, and pushed back the empty plate. "I think we can consider this first step done."
<br />
<br />
"And what are you going to do with us now, old hag?", Yusuke moved his shoulders carefully. His muscles sore from dragging the rocks.
<br />
<br />
Piccolo, who actually only made handouts while cooking and hadn't touched a bite of Kurama's delicious mark, took another deep sip of water before standing up and standing in front of Genkai.
<br />
<br />
"We don't have that much time, do we?" He asked the little old woman.
<br />
<br />
"Well watched," she nodded. "So it is especially important that you make progress in all areas. Your teamwork has not been bad so far, but you just don't know each other enough to be of real support to each other."
<br />
<br />
"I suppose there is now an introductory quiz where everyone has to bare their soul," snorted Vegeta and crossed his arms. "Not with me."
<br />
<br />
Genkai shook his head. "As far as I know from Koenma, the demon lord may have set up a whole series of spies on you. Expect that he also knows methods of exposing your deepest fears and using them against you."<br />
<br />
"What fears?" Came Hiei. "Maybe the shrunken hothead down there has some, but I ..."
<br />
<br />
"There's no point," said Kurama, putting the empty plates together. "Hey, each of us is afraid of something. Perhaps the fear is so deeply buried that we don't know it, but it is there."
<br />
<br />
Piccolo nodded in agreement. "And this demon lord has such powers?" He asked Genkai.
<br />
"If not himself, then surely one of his subordinates. So it is better if you learn now what it is like to be confronted with your deepest fears. If you manage to get through this, you have a lot of mental strength won. "
<br />
<br />
"And how is that supposed to work?" Asked Vegeta, who didn't particularly like the idea. "Shall we eat some weird mushrooms and get visions?"
<br />
<br />
"Not quite," Genkai rose and beckoned them to follow her. They ran down the hill, a little through the forest until they stopped in front of a smoothly polished rock wall.Genkai clapped his hands and part of the seemingly impenetrable wall suddenly became transparent. Behind it yawned a cave entrance. Greenish light streamed from the throat and a sharp-smelling mist stretched out its yellowish-white, hazy fingers towards them.
<br />
<br />
“This is the cave where your fears will put you to the test.” She picked up a bag that had been leaning inconspicuously against the rock wall and fished out five bracelets made of reddish metal, each with a marble-sized, yellowish gem sparkling . "Wear this," she said, tossing one of the tires to each of them. "So you will be able to see what the others are seeing. That is the only