And we're rolling again- yay!
All Isamu could think about was her sister…or this alternate universe's sister of Isamu. Thankfully, while Isamu was unconscious, Urahara had already opened up a portal to the world down under. Nothing but dark souls resided there, along with the occasional fallen angel.
As the trio, Isamu, Ichigo, and Yoruichi, made their way further through the portal Isamu began to wonder what would happen after.
"Unfortunately we can't go." Rukia had stated glancing between Isamu and Urahara. Of course, she explained how only corrupt individuals, no matter how small of taint, are able to venture through Hell.
Ichigo, for some reason, had corruption within him; it was a secret that everyone in the group knew about besides Isamu who huffed in annoyance at being left out. Though she had a general idea based on her own universe.
Yoruichi could go because she had fallen from grace like Urahara, but he had to stay behind in order to close the portal and open it back up. It was a good thing to go in a smaller group anyway; in case of any complications, plus less energy detected crossing over.
"We're here." Yoruichi stated, in front of the three was a wasteland of long paved walkways littering the upper area of Hell. Not only the closest to the exit but the deadliest with the Kushanāda, guardians under the control of the Royals, who crushed anyone trying to leave or enter. They were much larger than any demon Isamu had ever faced in this world- they were also extremely dangerous.
However, the upper level of Hell with its large structures and winding roads, had broken chunks taken out and no sign of souls. Fire was also present in the area, though it was Hell, it should not be present this close to the exit. One thing did run true here, the sounds of screams and screeches of damned souls ringing out louder and louder from below.
"Fun," Isamu sighed before landing down next to Yoruichi and Ichigo, "I guess we gotta go further down to find Kazumi?"
Yoruichi closed her eyes in thought. Everything was quiet, said for the screams, but even for Hell this was unheard of. Typically the area is covered with demons that are constantly fighting, eating, or even sleeping out in the open. Or the Kushanāda who ate anyone trying to escape or daring to show their face.
"Heads up guys." Ichigo warned the others cautiously. To the right of them were two guardians who began to slowly peak around the wide structures nearby.
"They won't attack." Yoruichi stated staring at the same guardian, "They smell our blood, they know who Isamu is. We should all be safe as long as we stick close to Isamu and quickly make our way down."
Isamu remembered her first time going to Hell back in her universe to rescue Yuzu, she found it hard to believe the guardians would not attack. But, true to her words, the beast did not move an inch as the three continued forward. Even as they began to run through the upper level of Hell, no guardian made a move, every one of them watched as the new blood continued on to reclaim her birth given right.
Oddly enough, Isamu had never been here before yet the atmosphere felt...homey? Comforting? Even with some of the structures looking like Swiss cheese, and the constant watch of the guardians, it all gave Isamu a warm feeling.
"Probably because you're supposed to like it here."
"Shh, you know the rules. No butting in with these types of universes."
Isamu rolled her eyes, like we all haven't been making similarities to our world, she smiled warmly as the three landed at a dead end.
"Where do we go now?" Ichigo asked slightly out of breath, Isamu had even noticed Yoruichi trying to keep it together. The air must have been suffocating them; Isamu was not sure why considering their social ties to Hell which even allowed them to enter in the first place. Unless it was because they were not close with their other side?
Isamu turned to look down past the ledge, it was dark, but she knew better.
Ichigo must have caught on to where Isamu thought they would have to go now because he questioned it immediately with, "What? Are you crazy?"
Isamu only nodded before jumping down. She knew how Hell worked in other universes like "Bleach" even in this one, everything was the same. She knew there was an area below them. She knew they could land in the water or a burial spot for the Guardians of Hell. She knew they would have to go down further past the water.
She had heard above them a couple angry responses and quick retorts before she looked up to see Yoruichi had convinced Ichigo to jump.
Isamu thought for a moment before she shook her head at the memories that flooded her head. Coming upon the water she held her breath before breaking through the surface at full force. The water enveloped her quickly and was cold, yet inviting; she wondered how many souls had drowned trying to escape the Kushanāda. Though there were never any bodies bobbing in the water she could tell by the water's scent that it reeked of death.
"Isamu!" A shout from behind snapped her out of thought. She just noticed she was out of the water. She just noticed the brightly lit burning area far in front of her. She just noticed the cries of anger and sound of fighting.
They could tell it was Isamu's sister along with the Espada were here, along with Aizen and his soldiers of Hell. The war had long already begun. And it sounded like it was just about over.