Chapter 4: The Village of Skulls
"Keep walking, maggots!" Wild Jango demanded at the front, "Once we trek north in the Chovian Fields, we'll reach Oderra Village!"
The people continued to walk through the field. It was pretty quiet, except for a few birds flapping around. Ichigo and Kiyone were in the middle of the crowd as they continued to follow the path. Ichigo seemed upset about not getting a hit on Silver Horn. Kiyone leaned towards Ichigo's ear.
"What's wrong, Ichigo?" Kiyone asked, concerned for her friend.
Ichigo looked up, "It's nothing, Kiyone."
"It's about that Silver Horn character isn't it?"
Ichigo growled again.
Kiyone continued on, "There's something else you should know."
Ichigo looked at her with a perplexed look on his face.
"Did you know that almost everyone, including those characters saw you as a Soul Reaper?"
"What? I though normal people couldn't see you guys!" Ichigo said aloud.
"That's true, but...I wonder if this place..." Kiyone was lost in her thought when Wild Jango spoke up.
"Here we are! The Oderra Village!"
The group saw the village and it was not what they expected to see...
...it was deserted.
The windows in the houses were broken and smashed. The doors were swinging against the wind. A windmill was left untouched and was still spinning in the wind. Silver Horn walked past the passengers and turned around to face them.
"From now on, this is your new home!" Silver Horn said.
The group started to protest, until a booming voice got their attention.
"QUIET!"
Everyone turned to see someone behind Silver Horn. To everyone's surprise, the person was a walking, talking skeleton. The skeleton was wearing some kind of outfit that a pirate would wear. All black with the skull and crossbones on them.
Silver Horn grinned, "Well, if it isn't 'Red,' if that is your real name. How do you like your new neighbors?"
The skeleton named 'Red' scoffed, "Don't think that I'll help you out in your master's thirst for conquest!"
"I know that you will help us. You and your friends can help keep them alive until we get Project XYZ ready."
'Red' sneered.
"Anyway, I'll be leaving the rest to you," Silver Horn said before he and Wild Jango walked towards the northern part of the village.
He stopped right next to Ichigo and Kiyone, who were staring back at him.
"I'll see you later...human boy," Silver Horn taunted, "for once, you have amused me with your skills."
Ichigo growled again as Kiyone tried to calm him down.
"Hmmm...you fought Silver Horn?" 'Red' asked from overhearing Silver Horn's last remark.
"Yeah, I couldn't even scratch him," Ichigo said holding his Deputy Soul Reaper Badge.
"That badge, who are you by the way?" 'Red' asked.
"I'm Ichigo Kurosaki, Substitute Soul Reaper."
"I'm from the Soul Society. I'm the Third Seat of Squad Thirteen, Kiyone Kotetsu," Kiyone introduced herself to 'Red.'
'Red' nodded, "Though I cannot smile, you two must be relatives, right?"
"Actually, we were on this cruise to scope out this island. Many said that this island did not exist--" Ichigo said before 'Red' cut him off.
"Wait! Did you say Soul Society?" 'Red' asked Kiyone.
"That's right. We were looking for some of our own people who went missing. Whatever became of them?" Kiyone asked.
'Red' lowered his skull head, "I did see them. However, they were captured, just like you folks."
"What happened?" Ichigo asked.
"They were sent to the Plague Laboratory in the Xaagan Wastelands. Where they...became Soldiers under Morlach's command."
Ichigo and Kiyone's eyes widen, "They were brainwashed?"
"No, Morlach absorbed their souls and turned their lifeless bodies into one of his own Soldiers," 'Red' said grimly.
Ichigo turned his head away as Kiyone was trying to fight back her tears.
"What about you?" Ichigo asked.
"Some of the villagers and myself here were sometimes forced into eating human souls for their sick project," 'Red' said.
"I overheard Silver Horn mention that you wanted us kept alive until Project XYZ was ready," Kiyone said, wiping the tears from her eyes, "what is that?"
"I have no idea what it is, but it is in the Lab as I mentioned before."
Ichigo nodded.
'Red' looked at Kiyone and then back at Ichigo.
"I'd be looking after her if I were you," 'Red' whispered to Ichigo.
Ichigo looked confused, "What?"
'Red' shrugged, "You'll never know what will happen here."
Ichigo looked confused.
"Anyway, I'll have someone get you guys settled," 'Red' said, "Tomorrow, you two can accompany me to the Horgrus Mountain."
"Why is that?" Ichigo asked.
"It's best to see for yourselves."
Ichigo wondered what was 'Red' wanting to show them.
Horgrus Summit
At the very top of the Horgrus Mountain, Silver Horn approached a rock on the side of the summit. He stood in position and announced himself.
"Silver Horn, Second-in-Command!"
The boulder slid open, allowing Silver Horn to enter the mountain cave.
As he descended further into the cavern, there was some sort of door at the end of the path. He opened it and went inside. He went further down the hall until he approached another door.
"Lord Morlach, I have returned," Silver Horn said at the door.
The door opened, revealing a pair of eyes inside the doorway.
"Welcome back, Silver Horn," Lord Morlach said, "Now, tell me what have you to report to me."
Chapter 4: END Read and Review
I have an announcement. The next chapter will be an Ichigo and Kiyone chapter. I made a poll to see how you wanted in to be.
Light-just a friendly couple between Ichigo and Kiyone or
Hardcore- More than 'just friends' and let them go at it!
The poll will stay up until August 5th or later so cast your vote today!
