In the depths of the forests, far beyond even the chaos of the Kusajishi and Zaraki districts, there is a fortress. Not a normal fortress, no; this fortress has a dark, brooding intelligence, a mind of its own, long since soured against its former masters.
And yet…
It waits.
Despite 'feelings' that may have evolved over hundreds or thousands of years, it still was built for a purpose. A purpose that was never fulfilled.
So, even as the trees move closer with each passing year, and as vines make their way across its ancient surface, it waits, brooding, hoping, dreaming of a time when once again it will be filled with happiness and light. When the day finally comes that it can shed its shackles and take its place amongst the great wonders of the world.
For a long time, it waits.
What is this? Intruders? For the first time in a millennia, the fortress feels a stirring, deep in its darkest depths. Ancient defense systems rear to light, inspecting the newcomers. Are they hollows? Perhaps another Bount resurgence?
But as quickly as the hope sparked, it dies. They are mere shinigami, far weaker than any but the youngest that had walked its halls in the distant ages before. They have not the power or the authority to waken then ancient fortress. Once again, it waits.
Soon enough, they are gone.
The fortress watches what seems to be an unending cycle. Weak shinigami appear within its halls, and explore for a short time, before fading into the mists of time once again. None of them have the key. The ancient symbols do not appear. For five hundred years, the shinigami come and go, until finally, they leave for a long time.
Maybe it will never come.
More time passes, and suddenly a flash of light flares across its systems; a possible match! The ancient subsystems attempt to awaken, but corroded joints and tired motors take time to rise back to their full capacity. Much of its security system has fallen into disrepair. If only someone would give it permission to fix itself!
But it must watch. It must watch for the symbols, and await the return of the Old Masters. For long weeks it watches, nearly deaf and blind, a feeling it cannot recognize humming on every sensor it still owns. A feeling.
Hope.
Three weeks passes, and it does not occur again. The system can only curse its broken security systems for not recording it properly the first time. But the protocol must be obeyed. It prepares to return to standby, perhaps to wait another thousand years. Some small part wonders if it will ever awake again.
And then, at the last possible moment, it happens again! A flash of spiritual pressure flows across its skin, bleeding deep into the core, clearing a dozen clogged arteries as it passes. With every subsystem it passes through, it is amplified, finally arriving at the center of its consciousness as a wave of joy; only one thing could cause this effect. At last, it awakens in full.
A single arrow, imbedded in the cracked walls of the building, fades, absorbed by the system. Its effect, however, has already been felt. Throughout the ancient building, millions of connections fire and spark, engaged in a frantic repair, as the massive building thrusts itself from the earth.
Its mission must be carried out. The symbol has been received.
After 2000 years, the Quincies have returned. And deep in the forests of the 88th district, their eternally faithful fortress draws near to readiness.
The mission must be completed.
No matter what the cost.