In front of them, fire rained down from the heavens as the sea split in two.
Behind them, Ramses' army pursues.
The world presented to the disheartened Hebrews lies under a murky sky;
Her world: half endless oceans, half blazing flames.
In the depths of the palace, the brunette man's affable voice was calm. "Very good, Ulquiorra."
The black-haired youth kneels, one knee upon the cold marble floors. "Thank you, Aizen-sama."
Aizen Sousuke watched the young man's pale white shadow cast over the black stones; his cheek rested on his hand, his face wearing that too-warm pseudo-smile. "No matter what the mission is, you have never disappointed me."
A sudden change of topic. "One year…it will probably be a shame that someone so capable as you will leave me, Ulquiorra."
The young man below his towering thrown remained impassive, his stance reverent, his voice even. "We have settled our terms in the beginning, Aizen-sama."
Aizen laughed. "Looks like Menos and Shinigami are the same, both such proud beings…especially the finest." Whether he was musing to himself, or talking to the other one present; it was difficult to tell. He lowered his head in thought and continued, once again on a different track. "Ulquiorra, how long have you been a vasto lorde?"
"I can't recall."
"Have you ever…met your match?"
"Not yet."
"As for this world that you exist in…do you like it?"
"No. It is meaningless."
"Then, merging the three worlds to create a brand new one…what do you think of that?"
"My answer remains the same, Aizen-sama."
Aizen shifted in his seat, and nods.
"You may leave, Ulquiorra."
"Yes, Aizen-sama."
xxxxx
"Ya really love ta entertain yerself with yer subordinates, don'tcha?" As soon as the arrancar had disappeared beyond the door, a man came strolling out from behind some hidden portion of the room.
Aizen turned to his second, seemingly still immersed in the amusement of his previous conversation. "One year, Gin. In Soul Society, how much change can one year's time bring to such a somnolent world?"
Gin's eyes squinted into thinner lines. "We ain't in that world anymore."
"What do you think of the Espada right now?"
"By the time we really need'em…pro'bly only two or three will actually be useful."
"Oh? You make it sound like I've been creating cannon fodder with the hougyouku."
"Nope, at least that one just now pro'bly won't be…"
Aizen smiles, and said no more.
He has never doubted the capabilities of this vasto lorde.
Ulquiorra had been among the menos Aizen struck his deal with, back when he first formed his alliance with the inhabitants of Hueco Mundo. In a crowd of gillians and adjuchas he stood out far too much, both in reiatsu and appearance. He looked almost human-like but covered in chalk-white bone, with a pair of emerald eyes glowering from beneath the mask.
Both sides had reached satisfactory conditions in their contract. Aizen Sousuke will use the hougyouku to perform shinigamification on the menos, and the successfully born arrancar will follow his command for one year.
One year. It really is only a brief moment compared to the vast expanse of time both Hueco Mundo and Soul Society had already faced.
But put into the hands of Aizen Sousuke…
The brunette man closed his eyes.
Even if it's only a moment, it is still enough time for him to forever change the course of this stagnant history.