Southeast, at the edge of the horizon.
Two points of light tore through the night sky, flying side by side at nearly the same speed. Gohan sensed Vegeta's aura through the wind—steady and contained, like a blade sheathed in its scabbard.
"How much farther?" Gohan's voice was torn apart by the wind.
"Soon." Vegeta's reply was brief. "That valley ahead."
From high above, everything on the ground appeared normal. Lush vegetation, winding streams, the occasional glimpse of wild animals. No purple light, no abnormal energy readings, not even a trace of anything eerie.
But Gohan's instincts were screaming.
The closer he got, the more restless the ki inside him became. It was not the sensation of battle-ready ki, but something more primal, as though his instincts themselves were resisting the approach.
"You've been here before?" Gohan turned to look at Vegeta.
"Three months ago." Vegeta's gaze remained fixed on the depths of the valley. "After accessing the doctor's data through the Gravity Chamber, I found this location."
Three months ago. Gohan's heart stirred. That had been when Vegeta broke through to Super Saiyan 2.
"You investigated it then?"
"No." Vegeta's tone turned peculiar. "I only confirmed the location of the entrance. The main node had not awakened at the time. There was no need to alert it."
Gohan did not press further.
The two descended, landing deep within the valley. Vegeta flew straight toward an utterly unremarkable cliff face—and passed through it.
"An illusion?" Gohan followed, and the view before him suddenly opened up.
Behind the cliff was an enormous chasm, so deep its bottom could not be seen. A cold wind poured out from within, carrying a strange odor—like metal, yet also like the bodily fluids of some living creature.
"Stay close." Vegeta took the lead and flew downward.