The Challenge – Chap. 28
A/N: This is the final chapter before the epilogue.
(Originally posted 8/28/12.)
XxXxXxX
Power. The power of a god. At last, at long last it was his, his to use or abuse, to dole out or withhold, utter and delicious power over every soul in the universe. No one could touch him now. They all existed at his whim and for his amusement.
Aizen walked slowly up the marble steps of the dais in the spacious public chamber of his throne room, a room of elaborate luxury on the other side of the palace from the courtyard with the spirit fountain and its raw, primal power. Here was where he would see to the governance of his new kingdom, the political center of the palace. He seated himself upon the tall golden throne, the throne occupied only yesterday by the pitiful creature known as the Spirit King. The former Spirit King. He allowed himself to savor his triumph, the pure pleasure in his achievement, the victory that had been centuries in the planning.
In the sumptuous throne room, below him, were many beings: favored members of his army, his agents among the royal guard, his secret supporters over the long decades of waiting. They broke out in cheers and adulation as he ascended to the throne of the world. There was a ripple throughout the vast throne room as they all, with varying degrees of true loyalty or sycophantism, knelt before him, bowing in supplication before their god.
He smiled as he extended a hand to the beautiful woman beside him, to help her to the throne placed at his side. Her face was expressionless, but her hand was warm and trusting in his. He felt a wave of deep satisfaction at her presence beside him. Not only did he rule all the worlds, but he had won the most beautiful, powerful, and compassionate woman in the universe to his side. She was there not under duress but because she loved him. She understood everything he was and still she loved him.
His eyes flicked over the kneeling crowd before him. He had chosen to keep his shinigami form to appear to his loyal supporters, the appearance he had taken as Lord of Las Noches. It still felt to him like his true form, not the ferocious being of nearly pure energy that he could become at will now that he had evolved to godhood. To celebrate the moment, he released a miniscule fraction of his power. To his followers in the room below, it appeared as though he were glowing with a golden light, and he heard the swell of their insignificant voices crying out in worship.
Power. It elated him, intoxicated him, and now it was all at his fingertips. He reached out with his mind. As the new god of the three worlds, his senses extended throughout existence. If he so willed it, he could snuff out the life of any being he chose, merely by exerting his will. It was a trivial matter now, to unmake a living thing. How amusing it would be, to play with the souls who had tried to place themselves above him, to watch as they groveled in terror at his feet.
He reached out, searching for Yamamoto, the captain-commander of the Gotei 13, who had once battled him so viciously. The elderly shinigami was wounded, lying on the final battlefield at the gate to the spirit realm, the remnants of the fourth squad still hovering around him, their feeble dribbles of reiatsu flowing into the old man.
Idly, he considered ending the shinigami's life. The man had been a thorn in his side for long enough. It would be as simple as lifting a finger. But there was no need for senseless revenge. He would let the man live; he was no longer a threat. He might even provide entertainment for Aizen later. Besides, it might impress Orihime, perhaps help convince her that he had changed, and was not—completely—an evil bastard. A smirk crossed his face briefly. He let his mental gaze roam among the grounds of the spirit realm as well as the three worlds, noting the other feeble remnants of his enemies.
The once-proud fighters of the Vandenreich lay scattered on the grounds of Seireitei and Hueco Mundo. When he took the throne he had sent out a pulse of power that reached to the far distances of the universe, and all his enemies had been weakened in a single instant. If they had been in the midst of battle, their opponents had immediately gained the upper hand. He pondered, briefly, if he should end their lives with a simple wish. In the past, he would have done anything to have this type of power over his enemies. He would have exulted in the terror he could engender in his victims as he crushed them with careless ease. What did it matter if they lived or died?
And yet… an odd emotion stirred in him, now that he was god of everything. He controlled and owned it all. Why should he destroy his own possessions?
Indeed, there were many who had once been his enemies, but who had ended up as allies.
Ichigo Kurosaki, fallen on the battlefield, fighting to his last breath to defend the Soul Society, for reasons Aizen still could not fathom, lay dying amidst the shinigami he had given his life to save. Aizen sensed his life force draining away. The man was a rival for Orihime's love… and all Aizen needed to do was allow him to die. He could truthfully say to Orihime that he had not killed or attacked him. But he frowned. Kurosaki was too interesting to allow to pass away. No, with his birthright, he should live. And… it might distress Orihime if her childhood friend was lost to her for any reason.
Again, with as little effort as he would have expended to raise a finger, he sent his energy into the body of Kurosaki and his allies and nakama, healing them instantly and shoring up their fading reiatsu. At the same time, he reached out with his mind and contacted Ulquiorra. There was no longer any need to exert his voice if he so chose.
"Ulquiorra. Ichigo Kurosaki and several of his friends are lying on the ground at the south end of the main gardens. I want you to bring them to my private quarters in an hour."
He felt the light, emotionless touch of his fourth Espada's mind. "Of course, Aizen-sama."
The King smiled and lidded his eyes as he relaxed against the back of his throne. There were endless possibilities for… entertainment… in being a god.
XxXxXxX
Aizen lounged carelessly on a huge white couch, his royal robes swirling around him, as Ichigo was brought before him.
He was scowling even more ferociously than usual, Aizen noted with amusement. It was a good thing he did not expect gratitude for saving this one's life.
"Kneel," Ulquiorra ordered tonelessly. "Kneel to your King and your God."
Angrily shrugging off the Espada's hold, Ichigo stood defiantly upright. He glared at Aizen. "What have you done to Inoue?" he demanded.
Aizen greeted him politely. "I will tell you," he murmured, "after we have some tea." He nodded to Ulquiorra, who bowed and left, and gestured to the elegant silver tea service laid out upon a table of beautiful inlaid hardwood. "Come, sit with me, Ichigo. We have much to discuss."
The boy narrowed his eyes. "What could I possibly have to discuss with you, Aizen?" He practically spat the name.
The King looked at him. So deliciously defiant, and so fearless. It was enjoyable, but could become annoying if the boy kept derailing their conversation. He did have information and instructions to impart. Perhaps it was time for a small but potentially entertaining demonstration.
"I am aware of every muscle fiber in your body, Ichigo, and every blood corpuscle passing through your veins."
Ichigo's brow wrinkled. "So?"
"It means that it is just as easy for me to control any molecule in your body as it is for me to lift up a feather." Idly, he conjured a brilliant white goose feather and held it up for the boy to see.
Ichigo still looked puzzled, so Aizen made a tiny adjustment in the world around him.
The boy gasped. Entering his mind, Aizen saw that he was becoming dizzy. Spots appeared before his eyes, and the edges of his vision darkened. Ichigo clutched at the table to remain upright, panting. He was about to lose consciousness…
Aizen released the hold he had placed on Ichigo's internal carotid artery, and the boy blinked, shook his head. His brain still felt fuzzy from lack of oxygen, and he struggled to get himself under control. Breathing harshly, he placed his hands on the floor to hold himself up, then realized he had no memory of how he had fallen to the floor, how he was now kneeling before Aizen. He tried to stand up but was still too weak, so he glared at the man before him instead.
"That is merely a small demonstration, Ichigo," Aizen said kindly. "I bear you no ill will; I merely wish to make it quite clear that your powers and mine are no longer even remotely on the same level. You may have been emboldened by your attack on me during the final battle in Karakura Town, but the situation has changed dramatically."
He paused to make sure the boy was listening.
"I am now the Spirit King. While retaining all the abilities and powers I had as a transcendent being, I am also now connected with the fundamental source that powers the universe, as channeled through the Spirit Fountain."
"Why are you telling me this?" Ichigo finally struggled to his feet.
"Because I want you to know that there is no benefit to you or anyone in defying me. Indeed, should you wish to gain anything, your most successful course lies in speaking and reasoning with me. I hope that you will take that course of action in the future." The boy was panting and still dizzy; Aizen waited a moment for him to catch his breath. "Now then. I wish to discuss Orihime."
Ichigo's mouth tightened, his eyes still defiant. "If you hurt Inoue, I'll defeat you. I don't care how powerful you are."
Aizen raised a brow. "Such bravado," he mocked gently. "I would like to redirect that courage to a more practical target."
"What—" the boy began, still angry, but Aizen held up a hand.
"First, I have absolutely no intention of hurting Orihime. Indeed, I wish the opposite; for her to be protected. She is to become my wife and Queen."
Ichigo paled, his eyes widening as he took a step backward in shock. "Your— Queen?" His voice broke on the second syllable.
"Yes," said Aizen, resting his chin on his knuckles as he studied Ichigo's face. "I wish for her to be happy and safe. As her friend, I expect that you can play a large part in achieving my goals with respect to her." He smiled at the dumbfounded boy. "Sit down and have some tea," he urged, pushing a delicate teacup over to the other side of the table.
Ichigo sat, all the fight gone out of him suddenly. "You... want to marry her?" His face clouded. "Do you love her?" he demanded.
Aizen chuckled. "What, are you playing the part of the protective father, now? It is to your credit, Ichigo, that you are so solicitous of Orihime." His face turned stern. "Indeed, it is why I have allowed you to live, despite your repeated defiance of my rule."
Ichigo frowned. "I just want to protect my friends."
"Yes," replied Aizen patiently. "I have achieved my goals and no longer have any need to harm anything or anyone you hold dear. Now that you see that I do not want to kill one hundred thousand residents of Karakura Town, nor injure your childhood friends, can we hold a peaceful conversation?" He held up a cube of sugar in a pair of silver tongs. "Sugar?"
Ichigo shook his head, still pale. He took a sip of the steaming tea, unable to meet Aizen's eyes.
Aizen continued, "As Queen of the Spirit Realm, there may be sycophants and opportunists who will try to take advantage of her generous nature. Additionally, she has a simple heart, and is unaccustomed to ceremony and the maneuverings of a Court. She will need friends and companions who will be straightforward and honest with her, as well as keeping malicious individuals at bay. I understand that you have always felt a strong compulsion to protect Orihime from harm. I wish you to maintain that attitude. I expect you to continue to be her friend and visit her from time to time."
He paused and scrutinized the boy's face. His voice acquired an arctic chill. "However, you will serve only me. If you should either harm Orihime or make inappropriate advances toward her, burning in hell for an eternity will be mild compared to the punishments I shall inflict upon you." His eyes blazed. "Do I make myself clear?"
Ichigo swallowed. Then he met Aizen's eyes defiantly. "As long as it's to help Inoue, I'll do it."
"Excellent." Aizen relaxed, reclining on the seat languidly. "Who knows? Serve me well and I may reward you with a position in my Court."
He watched with amusement as an expression of revulsion passed across the boy's face.
XxXxXxX
Aizen glanced at Orihime, the Hougyoku in his open palm. Reluctantly, her gaze went to the glowing jewel. She felt the incredible power emanating from it in heavy waves, almost knocking her off her feet.
"The Hougyoku," he whispered, "can grant you your one deepest wish." He held it out to her. "I have discovered that its abilities are nearly limitless. The only limits— are in our flawed human natures." He smiled. "The device can manifest whatever is in the minds of those around it… assuming, of course, that the subject inherently possesses the power to fulfill their desire." There was darkness in his eyes. "And, now that I have subdued it, that the wish aligns with my own desires."
Orihime swallowed. Almost against her will, she moved forward to gaze more closely into the device in Aizen's outstretched palm.
Her heart's deepest desire… she did not even need to think for a moment about what it might be. Her mind, body, and soul were already crying out, the pain she had suppressed for nearly two years overwhelming her, agonizing. She shuddered and closed her eyes.
Behind her eyelids, the jewel glowed in her inner eye like a small sun against a backdrop of empty space. She was loose within the universe now, flying, whirling, spinning around the sun and the stars.
Off in the distance, voices were calling, singing, a high thin shivering tone, like celestial spheres turning within each other, striking ethereal, bell-like notes in her inner ear. And then she was traveling, fast, moving with the speed of light toward a single voice, a single mote of light.
Within her arose a tremendous joy and a feeling of deep familiarity, and she held out her arms to the tiny, quivering mote of light.
And then it was merging with her, entering her so that she screamed in either joy or agony or maybe both… and she was falling, falling into darkness, only to be caught by strong arms…
XxXxXxX
Orihime opened her eyes. She was lying on the huge and elegant bed in the royal suite. The high windows were all thrown open to a brilliant spring day, and the sweet scent of jasmine wafted in through the open windows overlooking the royal garden.
Aizen stood to one side, looking down on her with a proud smile on his face. Beside him, Captain Unohana of the Fourth Squad put away a device in a small black bag. Noticing Orihime was awake, she smiled at her gently.
"Congratulations," she said softly. "You're pregnant, and the fetus is healthy. You're fine, and you're going to be having a little girl."
Orihime gasped, and her hand reached out to meet Aizen's warm, strong fingers. She closed her eyes a moment, searched within herself, and felt that tiny consciousness deep within. She sent loving thoughts to it as she relaxed against the pile of satin pillows.
Unohana stood up and prepared to leave. She gave Aizen one last glance. "I'm glad," she said quietly, "that you finally got everything you really wanted, Sousuke. Just make sure you take care of it the way it should be taken care of, or you may lose everything." Then she swept out of the room.
Aizen shook his head. "She always makes me a little nervous," he admitted to Orihime with a wry twist of his lips. Then his fingers curled over Orihime's belly, and he exchanged an affectionate glance with his Queen.
His gaze traveled to the tall windows that overlooked the gardens. The lake glittered in the distance. Although his mind already teemed with ideas and plans for how he would develop and shape the worlds now under his command, he could not help but feel a rather peaceful kind of pleasure at the thought of enjoying time with his family-to-be in those beautiful gardens. He held Orihime's hand loosely in his and smiled.
After all, he had an eternity to remake the world the way it should be.
~THE END~
