"Excuse me but for what god was this shrine made?" I asked following the priest up towards the shrine, Ava had stayed below because she didn't have the same interest in it.
"I do not know, I just know that the great time god Jikan no kami brought it down from the Palace of the Gods and told the priest of the time that he and all of his successors should prey to it once in the morning and once at night, such that the god it is for will someday come." The priest said walking up to the shrine and kneeling down in front of it.
I kept approaching, about three feet from the shrine I was struck by something. It felt like electricity was flowing through me causing immense pain, this wasn't helped by me actively fighting against it to try and get through. Whoever made this barrier did not want me getting through. It took the barrier about ten minutes to overpower me.
I was shot back into the ground next to Ava. My ears were ringing from either the impact or just being shocked by the barrier. Ava had kneeled beside me, I could see that she was saying something but I couldn't hear over the god damned ringing.
I sat up shaking my head, my vision seemed blurred from getting up so fast. The ringing and the blurry vision began to fade, the priest was still preying as if he knew that would happen. The bastard must've set me up, but that leaves the question, how did he make a barrier that a god can't see? The answer is simple, he didn't, it's not possible for a mortal to do that.
"Hey Ben, did I get here too late?" Gimmjow asked walking out of the portal to the palace of the gods. I have a feeling that he just watched the previous events for his own entertainment, to be fair I would to.
"I think so, but that depends on your definition of too late. If we ask my brother he'd say you're right on time. Ask me and I'll say where the hell were you five minutes ago." I said standing up. I noticed that the barrier around the shrine had faded from view.
"You're confused by that barrier, aren't you?" Gimmjow asked noticing what I was looking at.
"Yeah, how is it that a mortal made a barrier that a god can't see?" I asked assuming that Grimmjow had some idea, otherwise he wouldn't mention it. I can't help but get a whiff of my father's stench on this whole situation.
"Well, that's because a mortal didn't make it. Based on your face you're already assuming your father, and you'd be right." Gimmjow said, why did I have to be right this time? "Now you're probably confused as to why, did the priest tell you why that shrine is there?" Grimmjow asked.
"Kinda, he said that my father brought it down from the Palace of the Gods and told the priest of the time that he and all of his successors should prey to it once in the morning and once at night." I said, though I fail to see the importance of this. I was already thinking of something else. Like whether or not to increase the weight of my coat to one hundred trillion tones.
"Well that is true, the purpose is to house a weapon that only you can wield. The weapon in there is part of why your uncle Lawless died." Gimmjow said, he instantly regained my attention when he said weapon. My guess is that there is a zanpakuto in there, or maybe a sword that is similar to one just without the spirit. The latter would make more sense considering that even if the zanpakuto is sealed in this shrine I would still be able to speak with it.
"So, what does that have to do with Lawless' death?" I asked, I find it hard to believe that a zanpakuto is why my father decided to have my brother.
"I don't know myself, your father didn't give me the details. All I know is that that barrier isn't coming down with brute force, it's waiting for you to prove yourself as worthy of its power." Grimmjow said, I feel like he thinks I have some idea as to what that means, but I've never even heard of this weapon.
"Well, just because my father said something doesn't make it law." I said turning toward the shrine again. "Hey get down from there before I accidentally blow you to hell, the god you've been waiting for is here!" I yelled up in warning to the priest.
Luckily for him he had finished his prayer and was emerging from behind the barrier already. I waited until he was down to make my move on the shrine. The nail on my left pointer finger extended into a claw.
I motioned for Grimmjow to walk over. When he was next to me I clawed his upper cheek making sure that some gold blood was on the claw. "You don't mind if I borrow this do you?" I asked smiling at Grimmjow, sure this was kinda insurance because of the moonless night coming up soon but a bit of divine blood could be just what I need to punch through my father's barrier.
"What choice do I have?" Gimmjow asked as the cut on his cheek glowed brightly for a second before fading into uninjured skin.
I licked the blood from my finger. I felt the effects almost immediately, my teeth sharpened themselves into fangs, my fingernails extended into long sharp claws my vision went red with blood lust. I dug my claws into the ground to prevent myself from lashing out uncontrollably. I was barely able to keep my mind on the idea of breaking the barrier, this was made harder by the scent of Grimmjow's blood still being fresh in the air. It got to a point where I couldn't take it anymore I gave into my animal like instincts hoping that they would focus on the powerful weapon before slaughtering the village. For the sake of everyone in the village I hope this barrier doesn't break before night falls completely.
When I finally let go my body propelled itself at the barrier claws first. The barrier immediately reacted to my onslaught projecting what I could only assume was thousands of gigawatts of electricity into my body, though in my current state I'd be damned if I could feel any of it. The only thing I was focused on was getting even one claw through.
Then it happened, after pounding my claws into the transparent surface of the barrier for several minutes I saw cracks around my claws which had firmly dug themselves in. I used my free left hand to grab my sword, I couldn't tell how much time was left, I just hoped that Grimmjow would be able to hold me off until I regain control. I raised my sword above my head flipping it around so that it was pointed at the spot in the barrier. Energy engulfed the blade as I thrust it down at the cracks.
The sword glided through the barrier, the energy exploding out around me at random. My claws broke free after the sword plunged in allowing me to claw at it expanding the cracks and eventually forming a small hole. The hole began to close as soon as it opened, I could tell my time was running out due to the pain that was starting to seep into my body. I punched the hole widening it, my sword was now mobile again so I began stabbing the hole making it bigger. When it was big enough for me to slip through I jumped in.
I fell to my knees as the rush of demonic power faded from me. Every part of my body was aching from the amount of electricity that had just hit me. I was light headed, but I forced myself up, my prize, the reason for not only my current pain, but for my uncle's death was in front of me. I moved toward the shrine, almost limping, and ripped open the door. Inside was a stand with a sword and sheath on top.
The sword pulsed, almost as if to speak to me. Like it wanted me to claim it, my body had recovered from the barrier like how Grimmjow's did after I cut him so I was able to move normally again.
I reached out to the sword, I was about the grab it when an unsavory scent hit my nose. Before I could react to his presence long black claws impaled me from behind causing me to cough up some blood.
"Couldn't you just listen to Grimmjow and figure out what it means to prove yourself. God you're such a pain." He said, I knew that lazy voice and annoyance anywhere. Why is my brother of all people here trying to stop me? It doesn't make sense, if my father has a problem with this then he should come himself not send Sleepy Ash.
"What are you doing here?" I asked as my brother pulled the claws out of my back allowing me to fall into a pool of my own blood. The wounds closed themselves but the pain was still shooting up my spine and down my arms and legs.
I looked up at my brother, as per usual he had a board expression on his face, like he'd rather be anywhere else. Funny, I wish he was anywhere else right now to. He had shoulder-length, blue hair with his front bangs reaching his eyes. His eyes were red and he had big, dark bags under them, they were half-lidded. His teeth were pointed. He was wearing a blue jacket which was a tad darker than his hair color with the hood pulled over his head, there was black fur lining the hood giving him a cat like appearance. He also had a patch on his left shoulder with the Roman numeral 1. He wore a bell around his neck. His blue jacket was buttoned open, with a simple white shirt hiding under it. On both sides, he had chest pockets. The hem of his jacket split into many threads, starting short at the front but growing in length as they reach his back. His white pants were skin-tight and held up with a red belt. He wore long, black boots that almost reached his knees.
He sighed then said, "I'm here to stop your stupid bull shit. There's a reason why that barrier is there, do you think you're just entitled to everything you want just because you can get to it?" He stomped on my back to stop me from getting up.
I began concentrating, allowing energy to flow out of me and gather behind Sleepy Ash. The energy formed into a small white cero orb, I smiled at my brother knowing that once he was off of me I had won. Before he could realize what had happened the cero exploded throwing him through the shrine.
I jumped up grabbing my sword. Black flames of energy engulfed it as I prepared to fight my brother off. More new scents hit my nose, among them was Toshiro, and three that I hadn't smelled in a long time. Turning around I saw Toshiro with my father and the Simada brothers.
"Hanzo, Genji, take up positions around the shrine and await my signal. Toshiro, help Kuro with Ben." My father said. He was tall and was wearing a jacket lined with white fur over a shirt with a gold and blue dragon on it. His pants were simple blue jeans with a gold chain hanging from the left back pocket to the front pocket. He had white hair that was combed back and red eyes.
Genji and Hanzo did as they were told, I could tell that Genji went through with the modifications that he had planned. His body was now completely covered in metal, his head was in a helmet that included a green v shaped slit for him to see through. His shoulders each had three green circles on them and there was one in the center of his chest. Two more circles were on either side of his stomach and there was one on each hip. Genji had a short sword on the back of his waist and a long sword on his back. Hanzo was the same height as Genji, he seemed to have declined Genji's cybernetic enhancements. He was wearing normal Shimada clan robes, they were black and had a dragon design going down his left sleeve. The right side of the top was cut away showing the top of his chest and the tattoo of the dragon design on his left arm. He had a quiver full of arrows on his back and he held his bow in his right hand.
The two brothers sat down at opposite corners of the shrine, my father was planning on kicking me out then reinforcing the barrier to stop me from doing it again. Sleepy Ash walked back out from behind the shrine, both of his hands were engulfed in black energy that formed cleanly into two sets of black claws. Toshiro drew his sword, it appeared as though Genji repaired Hyorinmaru for him.
"And what of you father, going to get your hands dirty for once? Or are you too scared of being beat by the youngest of your children?" I taunted, humiliating my father is my best bet. The Shimada's would never follow someone they perceive as weak.
"This battle shouldn't even be taking place, leave this barrier and no harm will come to anyone tonight." My father said, just as I thought he was trying to back out while looking like it was my decision.
"Well, Lawless shouldn't have been killed because of a sword but that happened anyway." I said ripping off my bloody shirt. The blood would encumber me and that's the last thing I need when facing my brother, Toshiro and my father.
"You don't know what you say, Lawless died because Sleepy Ash was born, and that happened for reasons that you cannot begin to understand now." My father said, he had no reason to keep this information from me unless it proves my point. If I keep pushing he will fight me and everything will fall into place.
"That's enough Ben, stop trying to make this a three on one. Sleepy Ash and I are more than enough for you." Toshiro said. He was preparing to attack me, Sleepy Ash also seemed like he was ready to pounce an any moment.
"As if, or did you forget your complete humiliation at my hands earlier today?" I asked, it's hard to believe that he's already forgot.
"You don't really think that I was giving it my all earlier, do you?" Toshiro asked pointing the blade of his zanpakuto down and pulling up the handle. The stance was instantly recognizable, he was about to use his bankai. This was very surprising and exciting for me, personally I was done toying with him today. "Bankai, freeze the heart of this disgrace, Daiguren Hyourinmaru!" Toshiro yelled calling fourth the power of his zanpakuto.
Hyourinmaru responded instantly, pulsing with energy ice began to grow out of the hilt and over Toshiro's right hand. The ice formed into a dragon's head, the ice continued to climb over his arm and under his clothes. It reemerged on his left hand, freezing over it making it into claws similar to those of a dragon, the same happened at his feet. The ice grew out over his right shoulder expanding into wings and a tail. The swords guard turned into an eight-pointed star rather than a four pointed one.
I smiled, at last Toshiro may be able to give me some entertainment, as for my brother, I've never seen him with any motivation to do anything, but the look in his crimson eyes. It sent chills all over my body making me more excited than ever before.
"Ok Snowy," I said chuckling to myself, "Show me what you've got. Be warned, one wrong step and I'll rip your very soul apart." I growled, I could feel power rushing through me. Power that I've never felt before, power that could rival that of my father. If I were to say I was anything less than ecstatic then I'd be lying. I wanted nothing more than to test this power.
My brother was foolishly the first to move. He pounced much like a cat, digging both sets of claws into my shoulders. I put my eyes directly on Toshiro as I spun my sword in my hand, catching it so that it pointed backward. I swung back hitting Sleepy Ash in the abdomen. I could feel the warm gold blood coat my back awakening something inside me, a killer instinct that I thought I already had begging, no forcing its way out.
I poured energy into my sword discharging it into Sleepy Ash. I could feel the energy overflowing out of my brother's eyes and mouth over my head. His hands shook free of my shoulders allowing me to use my sword to throw him off of me. I threw him at Toshiro who flew out of the way. I could no longer tell if I was growling or purring, this was possibly the best night of my life. I motioned up with my free right hand closing my fingers just short of a fist. The earth around Sleepy Ash responded immediately rising up into something of a tent over his body. I then closed my fingers entirely and slammed down. The rocks collapsed on Sleepy Ash crushing his body, as evidenced by the golden blood that shot out from under the rocks.
"So, Toshiro, do you still believe that you're a match for me?" I asked again laughing to myself a little. "If you back out now I won't think any less of you, not that it's really possible." I added licking the blood off of my sword, it tasted oddly sweet, like how chocolate after years without any sugar.