I decided to go a little faster paced with this chapter, while trying to also flesh out some of the scenes too. Hope it blends well for you.
As said before I don't want this arc to drag on much more, but, at the same time, I also want to show just how big of an event this is. I mean, Demons have literally invaded the Seireitei. That's some pretty major stuff. So I want to actually show that it's effecting everyone and not just putting in some arbitrary line at a later chapter about how everyone was effected while you the reader never saw it. As that saying goes.
If you're interested in helping Beta this story, hit me up with a PM or in the reviews.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or Devil May Cry
Rules Of Nature
The 'Control Room' of the tower was as grand as one might expect. A large circular chamber with varying statues and ornate carvings on the walls. In the centre of the room was a decorative raised floor with a ritualistic mechanism in the centre embedded into the floor, an angelic statue that's lower half was that of a bell was hanging from up high.
Standing on the raised floor, directly in the middle beside the mechanism was Sid, the two newcomers made their way towards him, with Mary keeping a bit of distance between herself and the demon.
"Oh good, you're here." Sid then noticed Mary, "Both of you? Hmm, from all the noise you were making I was sure one of you would wind up killing the other."
Nero gloated smugly, "What can I say. Women just can't resist my good lucks and devilish charm. Am I right?" he wiggled his brows at the woman in question, who held a blank face.
"As if I'd be interested in some pale albino looking punk." Mary eye-rolled at his exaggerated hurt gasp.
Sid's eyes roamed over Mary, much to her discomfort. "So, just as young Nero said, you really did lose the Amulet. What a shame, this would have made everything so much easier."
"Huh." Both Mary and Nero wondered what he meant by that, but it was the female whom spoke. "What are you talking about?" Her voice was much harsher when aimed at Sid, for he was a full Demon unlike Nero.
"Oh, nothing." Sid brushed off.
Sid then went on to explain that Temen-ni-gru had in fact two "Stages" of activation. "Stage one" which they were in now, opened up a small pseudo Hell Gate allowing a handful of Lesser and Mid Demons to cross through. But that "Stage two" was the realer kicker. For in its second, the true stage, Temen-ni-gru would achieve its full power and begin to merge the Demon and Mortal realms as one, thus allowing the infinite hordes of Hell to was over and conquer the mortals.
Sid said that resealing Temen-ni-gru was impossible and the only way to stop the two realms from merging now was to destroy the tower completely. But that to do so one needed to re-split the Amulet in two, and remove the 'power source' which powered Temen-ni-gru, that being the demonic power the Sins and Arkham were so desperate to acquire.
"Since the Amulet is out of our reach for now we'll focus on the second factor," Sid related. "The demonic power which powers Temen-ni-gru is located here in this very room. All we need to do is remove said power and we'll have completed one half of the puzzle. Now then," he pulled out the box from his pocket, "I need you to do this part Nero. When I say so, I want you to open the box and take out the item inside."
"What is it?" Nero took the box from Sid and examined it.
"It's called the Haywire Neo-Generator." Sid explained. "I can use that to absorb and destroy the demons power. Eliminating the very thing the Sins are after."
Accepting Sid's plan, Nero did as instructed. With box in hand he took his place nearby the ritual mechanism. "What now?"
"…Now …I need you to take out the Haywire Neo-Generator, if you please." Sid had to lower his head to the ground, lest the others see the smug shit-eating grin plastering his face.
Opening the box Nero got a full look at the Haywire Neo-Generator. It was small, about the size of an apple, made of some kind of glass-like crystal, with purple-pink energy illuminating from within the sphere. With his right hand, he reached into the box and took hold of the orb.
In an instant, all the strength was sapped from Nero. He felt like he'd just ran a thousand miles, day and night without so much as a wink of sleep. His body felt like jelly, too exhausted to even stand his legs gave out and he collapsed to his knees. '…W-What …is this…?' He focused on the orb in his hand. The pulsating electrical energy inside of it was surging out of control, he tried to drop it but it was stuck, glued to his hand. And with each passing second it was draining him of power. 'No… not just my power… it feels like… like this thing is absorbing my soul…'
"What's happening to him!?" An alarmed Mary heard the sound of snide chuckling from the demon in the room, turning her suspicion to certainty. "You!" She narrowed her eyes at Sid. "What did you do to him!?" She reached for the pistols holstered on her side, but was too late.
"Not so fast my dear!" Sid had already drawn the crossbow he'd picked up earlier from a fallen Enigma, pointing the weapon at the woman before she could get her own gun. "Now then. Put your hands on your head or I'll shoot." The look of icy hatred she sent him could freeze oceans, but sense got the best of her and after a while she did as Sid commanded. "Good. Now then, you just stay right there. If you even breathe in a way I don't like I'll pull the trigger. Understood." The curses she threw at him with would make even a hardy sailor blush. Keeping a careful watch on the scorning Bount, Sid moved closer to the downed quater-breed. "I do apologise for using such underhanded tactics. But, I had no choice."
With great effort, Nero managed to get out through laboured breath, "…What …are you talking about?"
"I wasn't lying before." Sid replied. "I never wanted to let the Sins or the Bount get their hands on the demonic power sealed within Temen-ni-gru. But, not because I wanted to help you protect the Mortal Worlds. No." His voice dipped in an edgy manner, "Because I wanted that power for myself."
"You… son of a bitch…" Nero grunted, feeling ever closer on the verge of passing out as his vision began to dim and grow blury. "Why… Why do you even want that power?"
"Why?! You ask me why?!" Balked an erratic Sid, as if Nero were insane for asking. "Do you have any idea how Lesser Demons like me are treated. My entire life I've been seen as nothing more than an insect. Forced to scurry in the gutter and shadows like a rat, just to survive," he uttered softly, before his expression and tone hardened, "But no more. Once I gain that power for myself I'll never be weak again. I'll make all the demons that looked down on me beg for mercy. I'll become the Devil King myself and rule over all the Demon World!"
Not if Nero had anything to say about it. "I... don't like people with bigger mouths than me." He reached out with his left hand to grab Sid but was intercepted by the demon, who seized his limp wrist with ease.
"Still some fight left in you, most impressive. But, you've taken quite a trouncing today. Both of you." Sid looked at both Nero and Mary, both of whom had visible signs of fatigue. Then focused back on Nero, "Even after using up all that power in your battle against Beowulf, you could still best me with ease. Luckily, the Haywire Neo-Generator is able to effect even one as powerful as you. Normally when it begins to extract the soul of those holding it, it gives them power in return. But, I fixed that some time ago."
What angered Nero and Mary most was how correct Sid was. At their current moment they were both running low on Reiatsu. A quick rest would have seen to that problem, but Sid made sure they didn't get the respite they needed to recharge their batteries. For as weak as Sid was he was no fool. When he couldn't defeat people with his own minute strength, he'd result to his cowedly cunning.
Using the tip of the crossbow bolt, Sid sliced a line along Nero's limp wrist cutting into his vein. The blood flowed out onto the floor and into the grooves etched in the stonework. 'Just as I read in the books. The seal Sparda placed on his power can only be broken by one of his own blood. Now all I need is the Amulet to complete the spell. I'll use the Bounts daughter here as my hostage and force him to hand over the Amulet. Then I shall inherit Sparda's power! The power that was able to best even the Dark Prince Mundus shall be mine and only mine!' Crudely throwing Nero's languished bloody wrist to the side nearly making the poor boy topple over, Sid walked back to the mechanism and spared Mary a glance. "I'm so glad young Nero didn't kill you in your fight. It'll make things so much easier to get the Amulet from your father."
"You're even dumber than you are ugly if you think my father would give up the Amulet for my life." Scoffed Mary, not the least bit intimidated by the deformed creature.
"We'll see about that. Maybe if I start lopping pieces off your pretty little body, one by one, he'd come then." Sid was willing to do anything to get what he wanted. His entire life he'd lived in the shadows of greater demons and for the past three millennia had been forced to hide in the shadows of Temen-ni-gru so as to not provoke the Sins wroth. But never again. After reading and learning about the secrets of Temen-ni-gru he vowed to do what ever was needed to gain Sparda's power for himself. So that he would no longer be a nobody Lesser Demon and finally someone the others had to respect! "Once the seal is broken I shall achieve power that will make the universe itself quiver! I shall rule over all demon kind with the power of Spar-!"
*Bang*
Blinking, dumbfound at the loud noise, Sid felt a stinging sensation on his face. Placing his free hand on his right cheek he felt thick liquid running down. Along his cheek were now two lines, roughly one centimetre deep respectively, where the flesh had been torn off by the twin bullets. With quivering lips, Sid looked to the hybrid rising off the floor, giving it his all to fight against the soul stealing device. "…B-But how?! …The Haywire Neo-Generator is able to rip the soul from any who touch it?!"
"Lucky me. Cause I've got more soul than a black church choir." Blue Rose's barrel was still smoking as Nero overcame the pain and fatigue aching every cell in his body, clenching his hands and teeth as he rose to full height.
The Haywire Neo-Generator began to pulsate at an alarming rate as Nero forced his spirit power higher and higher. His eyes glowed red as he let out a mighty bestial roar and for the briefest of seconds the visage of a pale blue transparent demon shrouded over him like a blanket, vanishing as quick as it came. Unable to sustain itself under such immense power, the Haywire Neo-Generator shattered into a thousand pieces. With Sid transfixed on the scene Mary pulled out her pistol and shot the crossbow out the demons hand.
"Arrggh!" He gripped tight to his bleeding hand. Now with both Devil Hunter and Bount pointing their weapons at him Sid gulped, returning to his cowardly persona. "W-Wait…" he begged, forgoing his pride as he pleaded like a grovelling puppy, "Before you do anything rash just remember that I did help you get here. Without me you'd never-"
"One more word and I'll have Blue Rose give you a third eye," threatened Nero in a dry, clearly aggravated tone.
He was not pleased in the slightest to have been manipulated yet again. All the pent up frustration burning inside him was itching to pull the trigger and end the pathetic excuse of a demons miserable life. But yet…
Lowering Blue Rose, Nero grumbled in a fashion which made it obvious he was so done with all the nonsense of late, "Go. Now."
At first Sid froze, perplexed, assuming this was a joke as he was certain the Devil Hunter was sure to kill him for his betrayal. And yet, Nero made no attempt to attack him. Thanking his lucky stars Sid made a run for it, fleeing the Lair of Judgement as fast as his stubby legs could carry him.
"You're letting him go?" Chided Mary, who likewise believed Nero was just playing a trick on the demon but was proven incorrect when he made no move to stop the fleeing Sid. Taking matters into her own hand she aimed her own gun at the demon.
"Leave him."
That interruption threw Mary off, giving Sid the window of time he needed to escape the room and out of sight. "What the hell?!"
"Let him go." Nero muttered indifferently. "He's just a piss ant Lesser Demon that had dreams way over his head. He's annoying for sure, but he's no threat. We've got way bigger enemies to deal with right now."
Though she wanted to protest as she felt letting Sid go was a foolish decision. Mary knew he was right, there was more important matters on their plate than chasing after someone like Sid. "So now what? If what he said was true, we need the Amulet my father has. He said that was the final ingredient needed to complete the ritual and break the seal."
"You're mostly right. But there's still one other piece you need."
The hairs on Mary's neck stood straight, the result of the voice which spoke into her ear. Spinning on her heel she tried to get a shot off but Arkham grabbed her arm and threw her into the air where she landed on the hard stone floor with a thud.
"Don't be a bad girl, Mary." Shifting back to his Jester form, the Bount slapped his behind, "Or you can expect a spanking from daddy later! Jester's gonna spank your butt. Spank you on the butt!"
Grabbing Red Queen from his back, Nero sprinted towards Jester, "I'll take your neck along with the Amulet!" Once in range he swung Red Queen in a downward slash. Only for Jester to catch the blade with his bare hands. "What…?"
"Zowie, that was close." Mocked Jester, with over the top dramatic flair. "But, what with your little brawl with ol' Beowulf and having your soul nearly ripped out of you, you're not exactly in the best of shape at the moment, are you."
Nero cursed inside and out at just how right Arkham/Jester was, as if his abismal failed attempt at flaring the small amount of Reiatsu he had left and heavy breathing wasn't evidence enough, "Fuck you."
"Language, my boy." Tracing his fingers along the heavy blade, Jester placed a flat palm on Nero's chest and fired off a lighting ball, hitting the boy point blank and sending him skidding across the floor. "I ought to thank that demon. Sid, was it? He did a wonderful job in bringing you here, Nero. Though, your meeting wasn't entirely by coinkydink."
Exhausted and weakened as he was, Nero had to use Red Queen as support to balance himself as he rose to one knee. "What… *Pant* …are you talking about?"
"Did you truly believe your meeting of him in the library was by chance?" Returning to his Bount form, Arkham gently caressed the ruby necklace hanging around his neck. "With the Amulet I have full control over Temen-ni-gru, and can shift its rooms as I see fit. When you and your Shinigami friends entered the tower I manipulated the very building in order to separate you all, and led you right to that lowly demon."
"Why?" Asked a confused Nero. "Was Sid one of your lackeys all along?"
"Oh no. I just knew he'd bring you here to the Lair of Judgment once he realised who, or rather, what you were." Which was the truth. The Sins had informed Arkham on Sid and both parties sought to use the demons desire for power for their own convenience. "I needed the both of you to arrive here, alive but weak. And I've done a marvellous job at that if I do say so myself."
Struggling to her feet, Mary furrowed her brow in anger and suspicion, "Both of us?"
"To break the seal you need several keys." Arkham said in an oddly sinister way. "Two amulets made one, Sparda's blood, which Nero has generously gifted. And, the final key."
'Sparda…?' That name again. A name all to familiar to Nero.
"Sparda sacrificed two things to suppress the tremendous force of this tower." Taking a small knife from his pocket, Arkham moved slowly towards Mary, dark shadows over his eyes. "His own devils blood, and a mortal priestess."
Injured and tired as she was that didn't stop the fight in Mary. Seeing her father move closer to her she aimed her gun right at him and fired. Only for him to literally vanish before her eyes with his teleportation. "Shit." A second or two passed. Then a searing sensation, like a red hot poker, emanated from her back and flooded her entire body in agony. "Aaaarrgghh!"
"Your mother was little more than a prized mare." Even as he was stabbing his own daughter in the lower part of her back, Arkham couldn't resist hurting her further by pointing out he had gotten with Kalina Ann, not out of love but solely due to her bloodline. "But, she died too soon and so I needed you. For in your veins flows the blood of that priestess." Yanking out his knife, with no care if he caused further injury to his own daughter, Arkham did nothing as Mary collapsed to the ground whining in pain. The blood leaking from the wound on Mary's back poured onto the floor and into the grooves on the stone just as Nero's had. "And now… The seal can finally be broken."
To think after all these centuries of waiting and careful planning the time had finally arrived. Arkham would gain the power he'd been dreaming of since he first read of demons. He couldn't help himself as the giddy urge to gloat overcame him.
"It was quite a ride you know." Shifting back into his Jester form, the Bount over exaggerated all his mannerisms. "I had to keep pushing Kariya and the other Bounts in the direction I wanted them to go, all while trying to hide that every decision they made was in fact helping me achieve my goal, not theirs. I even had to play the loyal servant to the Sins as to make my job in this tower easier. To think, Pride and his ilk believe I would truly hand over this power to them on a silver platter. Kairya and the Sins may act all high and mighty but in truth I've done far more for them than they have for me. So I think I'll have my cake and eat it too. Ha, aha haha aahhhaaa!" So caught up was he in bathing in his own self-praise, Jester failed to notice both Nero and Mary clenching their fists as the will to fight returned to them. As his maniacal laughter died down, Jester leaned over Mary who still lay on the ground and grinned maliciously, "It's past your bed time, Mary. You miss your mother so much then allow me to send you to her. Ahha ahhaa harh harh ahha ha!"
In a flash Mary hoisted herself up with a backflip, kicking the knife from Jester's hand. With what Reiryoku she had left she summoned forth a shotgun, complete with a bayonet. Using Shunpo, Nero appeared beside Jester and thrust Red Queen at him.
Leaving a befuddled Jester with both bayonet and sword inches from his neck. "Uh-oh."
"Try me." Goaded Mary, welcoming a battle with her father.
"Enough from the clown, Arkham," Nero said with sardonic coldness, "This shows over."
In spite of the two weapons at his neck, Arkham remained as composed as ever, back in his balded Bount form. "Even still you fight on, most impressive. But, it seems you've both let something slip from your mind in your hopes to kill me." The blood that had been spilled from both Nero and Mary had moved on its own, crawling along the floor and congregating in the centre, around the mechanism buried in the floor. "The two sets of blood needed have been spilled, and I have the Amulet right here. The spell is complete, and the seal… has been broken." The mechanical plinth in the ground drank up the blood and rose up from the floor. The ground, walls and ceiling all began to quake. "Lets welcome chaos."
The shaking of the room and deep scarlet glow than now radiated off the walls, drew Nero and Mary's attention, giving Arkham the window he needed. Extending a flat palm at both man and woman, Arkham fired off a small ball of lightning sending them hurtling into the wall and off the ceremonial stone floor.
The raised ceremonial floor on which Arkham stood began to rise in height, even the ceiling above parted ways for the rising ground. "Bear witness to the birth of a new God!" Announced Arkham, opening out his arms as if to embrace his new self-proclaimed title. "The power of Sparda is mine!"
Mary could do naught but watch, as her father rose higher and higher until only the sound of his laughter was all that could be made out of him. All around her the room began to cave in. The walls and ceiling collapsed forcing her to dodge the debris. When she moved out the way to avoid a falling piece of concrete the size of a car, the floor beneath her feet gave way and she fell.
Yet instead of plummeting to oblivion below she was spared that fate when a certain demonic right hand grabbed her by the wrist.
"I gotcha." Pulling the young woman up, Nero helped her onto steady ground. "Hate to be Captain Obvious, but this didn't exactly go as hoped."
The Seireitei had been transformed into a battleground, unrivalled by anything the city had seen for a thousand years, as the Shinigami continued to hold the line against the demons. Every Shinigami, no matter how high or low of rank was giving it their all to push back the never ending tide of hell-spawn.
The cacophony of battle filled the ancient city like an orchestra of death. Blades clashed against claws, Kido spells and demonic magic played tug-of-war, Shikai's and Bankai's were met with the various special abilities certain demons had from manipulating lightning, ice, fire and more.
But, even still, despite all the countless demons they'd slain, which at this point must have numbered in the thousands, they just kept on coming. No end in sight.
"Just how much longer are they gonna take?!" Zabimaru, already in Bakai state, launched a beam of red from its open mouth as Renji eradicated a cluster of Lesser and Mid Demons.
Demons around Rukia shattered to pieces as she used one of Sode no Shirayuki's many dances. "Quit complaining, Renji. I'm sure the others are fighting just as hard inside the tower as we are outside."
Fighting hard they were. Given how the Lesser and Mid Demons preferred attacking in groups, every Shinigami was fighting against superior numbers, with most battles being one Shinigami against eight demons. Luckily, only a small percentage of the demons were Higher-Mid tier and above. And of those that were, the Lieutenants, Captains and Kuroksaki's friends sought to them personally.
Momo was duelling against a couple of Death Scissors, using a combination of Kido and Tobiume to overcome their phasing powers. Shuhei was taking on four Blades when an Assault attempted to stab him from behind but a lightning bolt zapped the Assault to death as curtsey of Sasakibe Chojiro. Ikkaku and Yumichika living up to their roots of 11th Division members had long since taken their fights into more private area's as to better enjoy the thrill of the fight. Uryu was leading the charge against the flying demons like the Blood-goyles given his proficiency at long range attacks, and though he was reliant on the glove he'd been given by Nemu it still did the job. Both Ichigo and Chad fought side by side, the former throwing out his trademark Getsuga Tensho's at a gang of Fallen while the later bare-knuckle brawled a swarm of Arachne's.
Hitsugaya had been stuck in a stalemate against a Higher Demon, a larger bat-like beast named Tiamat. Given that Tiamat could fly meant only Toshiro could take her own, using his icy wings his Bankai granted him to take flight.
Komamura, who had earlier joined the fray opting to leave his Lieutenant to guard the refugee centre in his place, was using the giant samurai his Bankai permitted him to smash the demons to a pulp beneath his behemoth fists.
As for Yamamoto, he was living up to his title of Captain Commander. Even with just his Shikai alone he took out more demons than any other Shinigami and no demon had yet to even come close to landing a hit on him. It got to the point that Yamamoto had to now actively seek out demons to kill as they'd realised early into the battle that the old man was far above their pay-grade and did their best to avoid his burning fury.
"Rukia's right! We have to keep our faith in them!" Ichigo squawked, as he tossed out a crescent moon wave. "I know Nero, I bet as we speak he's giving it his all to stop the demons and Bount. Same goes for the others. If we're having a tough time out here I can only imagine what's it's like for them inside. We just have to give it our all and keep fighting. Cause I guarantee they're thinking the same!" Inspirational words aside, the Substitute drew in a breath and eased, "Besides. It's not like things for us can get any worse."
Clearly Ichigo had never heard of tempting fate. For less than ten seconds after saying that, the entire Seireitei shook violently. At the epicentre of the commotion was Temen-ni-gru. The towers very walls were shifting and emerging from within the tower was some sort of spire which rose up and up, extruding out the towers apex, adding to the buildings already impressive height. Dark clouds formed above the tower and slowly spread, until soon the entire Seireitei was now under a thick blanket of dark grey.
A frozen Ichigo blinked at the sight. Turning to see all the dirty looks his allies were sending him. He held up his hands in surrender, "I swear I didn't know that was going to happen!"
The now empty husk, that was the Lair of Judgment had finally settled down and ended its shaking. Nero got up close to the raised flooring and craned his neck looking up to see if he could make out where Arkham had gone. But it was hopeless, the platform Arkham had been standing on had risen too far and out of sight. But, if he had to hazard a guess, he'd say Arkham was now right at the top of the tower.
Meaning both Nero and Mary had a long way to go to reach him.
"You going after him?" Nero asked Mary as she finished using a piece of her shirt she'd torn off as a make-shift bandage for the knife wound on her back.
"Of course." Wound bandaged, Mary lowered her shirt and walked over to the raised platform near to Nero. "I'll finish him off. For sure this time."
"Even if you regain all your power by the time you get to Arkham, he's still too powerful for you."
By now both Nero and Mary had regained most of their spirit power and given how long it would take for them to get to Akrham they'd likely be back at full. But, Arkham was himself on Captain level in terms of power and if the seal was broken then he was about to become even stronger than ever.
To the point even Nero was concerned. 'If Arkham really is about to gain Sparda's power it's bad news for us. Even if it's only a small amount, Sparda's power is nothing to scoff at. I'm not even sure I'll be able to take Arkham. Not alone at least.'
"Regardless. I have to at least try." Summoning forth a grapple gun, Mary aimed the weapon up at the raised platform. She then turned to Nero and eased civilly, "For a demon you're not half bad. If we're both alive by the end of this maybe you could tell me more about the other me."
Activating the grapple, Mary was pulled up and soon disappeared from Nero's view as she climbed higher and higher.
"Guess it was stupid of me to think she'd listen and sit this fight out." Mary shared that same headstrong perseverance in common with Lady, along with every other woman Nero knew. "But it just so happens I owe Arkham some payback too."
Extending his spectral Devil Bringer out, Nero used his arm like a grapple and likewise as Mary had, began to climb up the platform.
Standing atop the new summit of Temen-ni-gru was Arkham, revelling in his success. The floor beneath his feet was alight with a red glow, illuminating the surroundings in an eerie nature. Encircling the platform were seven large stone statues, the statues of the Sins which had been picked up during the ascent.
To say the Sins were furious at Arkham for his blatant betrayal was putting it mildly. They threw threat after threat at him, but the Bount remained steadfast and prompted, "If not for me you would have remained as decorative furniture for millennia more to come. Though, I shall admit what little information you gave me proved fruitful in my endeavour. As such, I shall free you from for stone binding Sparda sealed you within. But, his power. That shall be mine and mine alone."
Tired of hearing the Sins grumble out their displeasure, Arkham closed his ears off to the outside world and focused on the task at hand. Reciting the incantation for the spell Sparda had created so very long ago.
"He plucks the threads that make us dance, finger and toe. We surrender in to the lowest of the foul and rank. We submerge through darkness, rancid filth."
The hanging crane-like mechanisms holding the Sins statues hoisted them upwards, swinging in mid-air.
"Hour by hour, we move downward, ever closer to Hell, in a slow, steady gait. Now, let the world resonate." Arkham extended his outstretched arms upwards, like a preacher calling to the heavens above. "Sloth! Gluttony! Greed! Envy! Lust! Wrath! And Pride! A bell of chaos that tolls mortal desires!"
The sky above began to swirl, rotating in on itself in the same fashion as a whirlpool in the water might. As the bells that made up the lower half of the Sins statuesque forms started to ring in a way that made one reminisce of s church service.
"After three thousand long years, the once sealed Gate to the Demonic World will open! Destruction! Carnage and Despair! Let your instincts drive you! Entrap the Mortal Worlds in fear! As its very name Temen-ni-gru strikes terror into the heart of mortal-kind. Then I will become King of the ashes!"
The whirlpool in the sky opened up, revealing a literal tear. Through said tear, which was in truth a Gate to the Demon World, swaths of demons began to pour out, flying and encircling Temen-ni-gru before going out into the wider Seireitei.
Down below on ground level screams could be heard as the Seireitei's populace could only watch on, the day which would already go down in history as one of the most disastrous for the city was getting even more dire.
A blanket of red demonic energy shrouded over Arkham, his body levitating off the ground and ascending into the sky. "The demonic power Sparda once imprisoned… will be mine!"
Higher and higher Arkham went, until he reached the tear-like Gate in the sky and entered its embrace.
The second Arkham vanished from sight into the Gate, the stone statues of the Sins began to crack.
"Well…" muttered Pride, masking his temper, "the mortal was true to his word after all. We are finally free from our prison."
His siblings rattled on about how they should chase the Bount down, entering the Hell Gate and "getting Sparda's power for themselves", or "join the other demons below and battle the mortals". But Pride wasn't having any of it. Though they were free it would still take time for their powers to fully recuperate. As they were now they only option open to them was retreat.
And so it was the newly freed Seven Deadly Sins made their escape of not just Temen-ni-gru but the Seireitei itself. With the Shinigami now facing even greater numbers of demons than before, and the arrival of the Hell Gate dampening their already depleting morale, the Sins were able to make their exit from the city of death gods without a hitch.
"Calm your anger my siblings." Pride reassured his kin, "We may have lost this battle, but, the war has only just begun. Demons have returned to the Mortal Worlds and the mortals can no longer close their eyes and ears to our existence. Temen-ni-gru was just the beginning. Sparda's power is lost to us true, but, there are other methods we can use to crush the mortals. I've already sent word to Doppelgänger and Geryon, they've fled Temen-ni-gru and shall re-join us later when safe. Worry not my brothers and sisters, the time when Demons rule over the mortals will come. We've waited three millennia for it, what's waiting a little longer."
"W-WHAT IS THAT?!" A low seated Shinigami gasped in shock horror.
His distraught sentimentality was equally shared by his peers. As not a single Shinigami, be they of no rank, Lieutenant, Captain or Substitute, not even the Head Captain himself didn't spare an astonished glance at the hole in the sky from which many and more demons were emerging. Even the demons on the ground they were battling likewise momentarily halted their fights to gaze up at the tear in the sky above Temen-ni-gru's peak.
"…T-This feeling… This power… it can't be… there's just… no way…!" No matter how hard Shuhei and the others wanted to believe otherwise, the truth was staring them right in the face and overwhelming their spiritual sensory abilities.
Demonic power poured forth from the tear in the sky like nothing they'd ever felt before. If Temen-ni-gru was a wave of darkness, then this was the entire ocean. It was almost insulting to compare the demonic power from Temen-ni-gru to what lay beyond the tear. The sheer, raw, unbridled dark power that emanated from the tear was so intense that many of the low ranked Shinigami were begging to feel queasy. To Nanao it reminded her of when Yamamoto had incapacitated her with just his Reiatsu, back during Rukia's execution.
But, the immense pressure weighing down of the Shinigami was only half the reason for their growing concern. For as much at they'd like to pretend otherwise, they did know what the power felt like. Every Shinigami who'd performed enough Konso's knew this power well. It was what they felt whenever the skeletal doors appeared to drag sinful mortal souls to their eternal damnation.
For this power wasn't just demonic power. It was the power of Hell itself. And every Shinigami, Substitute, Fullbringer and Quincy knew that what they were looking at, that tear high up in the sky, wasn't just a tear. It was in fact a Gateway, and what lay beyond that Gateway was Hell.
Even the normally calm and collected Hitsugaya couldn't help but let anxiety creep out, "T-That can't truly be a… gate to Hell can it. If it's opening above us does that mean they… failed?"
The question hung heavy in the air. Not even Ichigo rose to object the Captains pessimism and defend his friends as he too had the same thoughts.
"I thought Nero said there already was a Hell Gate within Temen-ni-gru. That the tower and the gate were connected." Uryu recalled. "So why has another gate opened up. And, why now. Is this the demons doing?"
"Typical Quincy. Answering a question with another question, leaving both unanswered. It's a wonder how your kind managed to survive for so long."
"You…" Uryu's mood took a turn for the worse upon recognising the voices owner, "Kurotsuchi."
"That's Captain Kurotsuchi, if you please. We may be in the middle of a battle but that's no excuse to abandon proper decorum." Despite standing in the middle of a raging battlefield, Mayuri acted like one would on a leisurely stroll, pulling some sort of cart covered in a tarp behind him.
"Captain Kurotsuchi," grunted out Yamamoto after he had turned another swath of demons to ashes, "I take it there is a reason as to why you have only now chosen to join us in this battle. Ignoring my earlier commands."
Either Mayuri didn't notice the scorn in the Head Captain's tone, or he chose to ignore it. "While you've all been busying yourselves waving your swords around like Neanderthals, I've actually been doing something productive." He pulled the cart closer into view, then yanked the tarp from off it and revealed a demon, Blade to be precise, bound and hooked up to some sort of device, wires embedded into its head and a blank zombie look on its drooling face. "When this demon attacked me, instead of simply killing it I incapacitated it. Then took it to my lab where Nemu and I used a memory extraction device I created some time ago to look into the demons mind, and what I discovered was rather intriguing."
Mayruri went on to tell them all on what information he had extracted from the demons head. About Temen-ni-gru being not a building, but in fact a tunnel, linking the mortal and demon worlds. The the so called "Hell Gate" the demons had been using thus far was just a shadow of the true gate. The true gate which now had opened in the sky.
"Wait!" A dismayed Ichigo blurted out. "You're saying that the Soul Society is about to merge with the Underworld?!"
"Good heavens, no." Some of them let out sighs of relief, only for Mayuri to then make matters worse. "Not just the Soul Society. The entire universe. Every planet, galaxy, dimension and the like that makes up the 'Mortal Worlds' will merge with Hell." Some of his fellow Shinigami almost lost their jaws as they dropped so fast and far. "Oh, don't get your knickers in a twist just yet. The merging process in an arduous and long one. The Hell Gate has only now opened as Temen-ni-gru has entered its second stage. It will take quite some time before the Hell Gate is fully opened and at full power. If I had to guess, I'd say we have just under one hour before the Hell Gate achieves its full power and our universe is merged with that of the demons."
The silence hung heavy as the Shinigami and their allies were now fully aware of the cataclysmic stakes they were fighting for. Made even worse that they were now on a timer. However, if the Shinigami were one thing, it was suborn. Even in the face of such titanic odds they wouldn't back down until there was none of them left standing. For that's what made them Shinigami. They were warriors, protectors of the Seireitei, the Soul Society and the Human World. And right now, they were fighting for not just them but the entire universe itself. This was set to become arguably the most important battle they'd ever faced, and not a single Shinigami worth his or her pride would turn tale and run.
"I'm guessing Nero and the others are probably aware of this too. Which means they'll be fighting with all they've got." Ichigo believed that wholeheartedly. "I guarantee they'll have that Gate closed before the hour ends. So all we have to do is hold the demons off until then."
All the others agreed with Ichigo's sentiment. The shock and horror they'd be overcome by upon seeing and feeling the Hell Gate open above them was now fading, replaced by the singular drive of protecting not just the Seireitei but the entire universe and all living beings within. And just like that the newly united mortals returned back to cutting the demons down.
"Ichigo! Ichigo! Ichigooooo!"
After taking out another cluster of Assaults, Ichigo looked around the chaotic battlefield for the one who'd called his name, then once he'd found her he flashed over to her side. "Ririn, what are you doing here? It's not safe for you to-"
"It's the Bount, Kariya! I can sense his Reishi. He's on the move!" Before Ririn had even finished, Ichigo picked her up and placed her on his shoulder.
As much as Ichigo wanted to stay and help the others battle the demons he knew Kariya was just as dangerous. The Bount had his own plans just as Arkham, and just like Arkham, Kariya had escaped capture too many times. Ichigo couldn't let that happen again. "Rukia, I have to-"
"I know." After using a Kido spell to vanquish some demons, Rukia flashed her friend a knowing smile, giving him a nod of approval. "Go. Stop Kariya, for good this time. We'll handle things on our end. And Ichigo… give Kariya one from me."
He returned her nod, then turned his focus to the Mod Soul plush on his shoulder. "Just point me to him Ririn." Wasting no time Ichigo used a series of Shunpo to get to Kariya's location as fast as he could move.
Leaving the others to battle on without him.
As Shuhei used Kazeshini to reap the lives of many a demons, he called out to the only Captain that wasn't actively taking part in the fighting, instead searching the corpses of the slain demons and placing those he deemed useful in the cart he pulled, "So, Captain Kurotsuchi, anything else you learned from the demon that we might want to know."
Weighing up which of the two dead demons would make better test subject in his head, he haphazardly threw the corpse of a Frost onto his cart. Anticipating what he could learn from the demon when he would cut it up at a later date. "Nothing that comes to mind." Mayuri rubbed his chin trying to think, then snapped his fingers, "Oh, well, actually I did forget to make mention of one other thing."
Before anyone could inquire further on what the good scientist was about to say. A large tremor shook the ground and emerging from a large red pentagram that appeared out of thin air beside Temen-ni-gru, was what could only be described as a giant whale-like beast of behemoth proportions. So large it made Komamura's Kokujo Tengen Myo'o look a dwarf in comparison. It had three tail fins, multiple red eyes and a set of multiple rows of razor sharp teeth longer than most blades. And flew through the air like it were water, keeping close to Temen-ni-gru as if patrolling its territory.
All eyes were on Mayuri, shooting glares of steel. "Another side effect of Temen-ni-gru entering its second stage is that the beast know simply as 'Leviathan' will be freed from its prison… What…? Why are you all looking at me like that? Don't act like you've never let something slip from your head. You can't expect a scientist of my calibre to remember every minor detail. I only keep information I deem valuable at the forefront of my brain."
The arrival of this "Leviathan" was pushing the Shinigami to their limits at maintaining the integrity of their defensive line. Every attack they landed on the mammoth of a demon heralded zero results. Only the Captains were able to cause any bodily harm upon the beast, but, even then its regenerative capabilities were more than a match, healing any wound dealt to it.
But, worst of all, just as white blood cells attack invading enemies inside ones body, Leviathan had a defence of its own. Every time it was attacked by the Shinigami, even if the attack did little to no damage, it would open its maw as wide as possible and spew out hordes of Lesser and Mid Demons.
That, combined with the masses of demons the Shinigami were already facing off against from both Temen-ni-gru and now those that emerged from the Hell Gate in the sky. Meant they were outnumbered near fifty to one. For those of Lieutenant and Captain prowess these numbers served only to inconvenience them, like flies buzzing around you on a picnic. For the lower ranked Gotei members however, sad to say, many of them wouldn't live to tell this tale. But if this was to be their last battle, they'd make their last stand glorious.
"Head Captain!" Komamura grabbed two Fallen by the heads and used his brute strength to crush their skulls with his wolfish fists. "Our defences are failing! There are just too many of them for our men to handle! The demons have begun to break through our lines and into the Seireitei!"
A flick of his blade sent a blazing tornado of fire at the demons coming from Leviathan. Though Yamamoto was successful in incinerating the demons, Leviathan was able to heal the damage on itself, resulting in Yamamto gruffly sighing. "There's nothing we can do, but do the best we can! We must place faith in our fellow Shinigami that are otherwise occupied, that they will be able to stop the demons that escape us here!"
"Brother, our guest seems to be in a foul mood."
"Foul?"
"Yes, you know. 'Foul'. As in, she's not in a good mood."
"Oh. I wonder why. Have we done something to offend her."
"I'm not sure. I was never the best as understanding mortals, let alone mortal women."
"Well, whatever we've done to upset her we must make amends. For we are her hosts and she is our guest. It is only proper that we make her happy, as good hosts rightly should."
"I agree, brother… But… how do we go about making her happy?"
"Well we… erm… we… What is it mortals like again?"
"…Cake?"
This was certainly not a situation Mary expected to find herself in. After begging her accession up Temen-ni-gru to reach her father on the apex of the building, her path took her to the Firestorm Chamber, a room filled with weapons and bones, the only way to proceed on out the room was through one door, a door which was currently blocked by two bickering demons which were perched atop statues adjacent to the door.
Growing tired of their incessant ramblings, Mary gave a yell to voice her irritation, "Enough of your nonsense! I'm tired of listening to you two idiots. So I'll spell it out for you. If you really want to make this mortal "happy", then you can stand aside and let me pass. Or I'll just blow the door down instead."
A sharp spike in Demonic Reiatsu leaked from out the two devils upon Mary's forewarning. The Reiatsu immediately put Mary on edge, the sheer amount of demonic power flowing from them left little doubt in her mind these two were Higher Demons.
While Mary herself had re-cooperated her own Reiryoku in the roughly fifteen minutes of downtime from beginning her climb of Temen-ni-gru till now, she still wasn't eager to get into what would no doubt be a tough fight so soon. Not when she needed to be in prime condition for when she faced her father. But fate was cruel like that.
The rising demonic Reiatsu was enough that the very room began to rumble.
"I'm afraid we can not let that happen. My brother, Rudra, and I were tasked with guarding this door three thousand years ago by Sparda himself. We must uphold to the duty he bestowed upon us."
"Agni's right!" This brother, the aforementioned Rudra, sounded much more affable and cheery than his brother, Agni. Even his threats sounded cordial. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience mortal. But we can not let you pass!"
Rising to their feet, the two brotherly demons jumped off from the statues, landing directly in front of Mary, blocking her way to the door. Pointing the tips of their wide, curved Arabian Scimitar-like blades at her to enunciate their warning.
Now they were in the light, Mary got a much better view of them. Appearance wise they looked identical. Large, roughly eight feet tall thick bulky bodies of pure muscle. The backs of their left arms covered in jagged rock. The only clothing they wore was a pair of scuffed up brown shorts. The one discrepancy that distinguished one from the other was that where Agni's skin was an orangey-red, Rudra's was turquoise. The blades each held also matching the colour scheme of their skin. There was also the fact that neither brother had a head or neck.
What orifice their voices came from Mary hated to imagine.
Just as their bodies were now more clear to Mary, so too was their Reiatsu. Causing Mary to curse her bad luck at running into such powerful foes. Going off their Reiatsu, they were roughly equal to Mary in power. Stronger than a Shinigami Lieutenant but not quite on the level of their Captains.
"Two against one, huh. Doesn't seem very fair." Now back to full power, Mary had no qualms with materialising two MP5 submachine guns. "Then again, with Flik I'm always fighting with two."
Without hesitation, Mary fired off her guns at the brothers. Yet, despite having the element of surprise on her side, her attack did nothing. The bullets just bouncing off the devils rock hard chests like tic-tacs being thrown at a wall.
"...Brother. I think she just attacked us." Rudra voiced the obvious.
"I believe she did, brother." Agni returned. "Must be the mortals way of announcing her will to fight."
"…So …What should we do now…? Do we fight back?" Rudra eagerly awaited his brothers opinion.
"Hmm…" A few seconds passed by before Agni found his answer, "We'd be rude hosts as to not partake in our guests wants, brother."
Rudra eagerly agreed. And just like that, Mary entered into a fight against the two politest opponents she'd ever faced.
In one of the many infirmary rooms of the 4th Divisions barracks, Retsu Unohana was consoling both Isane and Orihime as the two women wanted to aid in the battle at Temen-ni-gru, now the odds were even worse for the Gotei. Unohana was able to make them see reason, noting they'd be able to save more lives here, healing the wounded, than taking up arms against the demons.
And it seemed that was the end of it when simultaneously the three females, and presumably everyone else in the 4th Division barracks, had their spirit senses and ears assaulted by demonic Reiatsu's and guttural roars.
Cautiously the three women darted over to the only window in the room that gave them a view to the barracks courtyard. What they witnessed was not a sight they hoped for.
Atop of nearby roofs and buildings as well as filling the streets were demons. Callously slaying anyone, be they Shinigami or civilian that got in their way. The demons were moving with a purpose, converging upon the 4th Division and surrounding the barracks on all sides, making any escape impossible.
"T-They're here?!" Blurted out a panicked Orihime, who was now seeing with her own eyes the monsters of legend.
Apparently, even demons had enough common sense to know taking out your enemies medical centre and staff was a key strategy to victory. No doubt the idea had come from the one leading the horde of demons. A demon that was humanoid in shape, with pale-white skin, two glowing red eyes, on its head were multiple small spiked protrusions acting like a mohawk and a set of goat-like horns on its head. The demon wore cliché barbarian esque armour which revealed most of its well toned chest. Strapped to its left thigh was a hefty double-barrel shotgun and in its right hand was a large battle-axe, but instead of metal, the blade of the axe was composed entirely of red demonic energy.
And unlike the other demons, this demon, which based on its Reiatsu was just on the brink of being declared a Higher Demon, walked with methodical intent.
Dread filled the Lieutenant, trapped in a hopeless situation when a glimmer of hope lit up in Isane, "Wait. What about Captain Soi Fon. I know she's not fully recovered yet but she should be able to take care of-"
"She left some time earlier."
Unohana's blunt statement cut off Isana's optimism, her dreary gloom returning, "...Then …what do we do? We can't fight those demons, heal and protect the wounded at the same time. Not on our own."
Despite the severity of the situation, Unohana continued to wear her trademark motherly smile, gazing out the window with a look that hinted she knew something the others weren't privy to, "Who says we're alone."
Before Isane could inquire further, she and Orihime were nearly floored by a titanic mountain of Reiatsu.
Struggling to keep to her feet under the immense pressure, Orihime used the wall for support, but couldn't help slump to her knees, feeling like gravity itself was working against her. "W-What… is this power?"
Grinding her teeth as she tried to not buckle under the impossibly large Reiatsu weighing her down, Isane put her arms on the windowsill and used it to lift herself up, glimpsing the view outside the window. If she and Orihime were having a hard time dealing with the Reiatsu pressing down on them, the demons the equivalent of trying to use a sandbag to stop a tsunami. All the demons, baring the axe wielding barbarian were lying flat on their fronts, being pressed into the ground, some foaming at the mouth and some dying outright, unable to withstand the enormity pressing down on them. "…This Reiatsu… can it really be… his…?"
"Looks like Captain Zaraki has, like always, awaited for a dramatic entrance." It humoured Unohana, who let out a small chuckle. Unlike her subordinate and Orihime, she was able to keep perfectly balanced, not even marginally encumbered by Zaraki's Reaitsu.
That's when Isane saw it, a raging pillar of yellow light, which in truth was Zaraki's Reiatsu taking visible form, coming closer and closer until the man himself was now in her field of vision, standing in the courtyard staring down the demons. A hungry animalistic smile perverting his lips. 'He's taken his eyepatch off…? I'm not sure to be grateful or scared.'
Then, with no prior indication given, Unohana turned on her heels and made her way to the door.
"Captain Unohana, where are you-"
"I'll leave the Division in your hands while I'm gone, Isane. I trust you and Miss Inoue are fit for the task." Unohana left no room for arguing, her tone much more commanding than normal. "As for me," then her voice dipped, a touch of frost, "I'll see to it these demons know the consequences for setting foot on my Divisions ground with the intent to harm my subordinates and patients."
For Orihime, who knew nothing of Unohana's true history, she was left more confused than anything else. As for Isane, she was left speechless, gulping, knowing what was about to come.
Outside in the courtyard, Kenpachi Zaraki clicked his tongue at the demons, "After all that talk that Nero bastard went on about you demons, I expected more. Attacking a hospital of all places is the mark of true cowardice. What, scared of fighting people that can actually fight back?!"
"Hey, Kenny!" little Yachiru had her legs draped over a Lesser Demon that was still pinned under the weight of Zaraki's Reiatsu, riding it like a horse, "Look at me. I'm like a real Cowboy! Yeah, giddy-up horsie! Hah aha ha!"
"If you want, I'll take that little gun from this demon here and then you'll be even more of a Cowboy." While Yachiru cheered in child-like innocence, the axe wielding demon that owned the shotgun glared at Kenpachi, steam coming its nostrils. "Aw, what's wrong. Did I upset you? Tell you what, that shotgun, I'll fight ya' for it. If I win, I get the gun and your head. If you win… well… no point on dwelling on fiction." The demon clenched its fist it held the axe and snarled, letting Zaraki know it accepted his challenge. "At least one of you demons has some balls." Unsheathing his no-named Zanpakuto, Zaraki aimed the tip of his blade at the demon, his boorish smile ever growing. "Well, whatcha waiting for! You're the strongest guy around here right! Come at me with all you've got! LETS RAMPAGE!"
"Lets not "Rampage", not when we're so close to my Divisions barracks. I'd hate for someone to get hurt if that were the case." Unohana walked casually out her barracks, into the courtyard.
The frigid sweetness of the voice that was as sharp as a knife made even the demon shiver. While Kenpachi kept his cool, even he was fully aware of just who she meant as "Someone", but chose not to dwell on her less than subtle threat.
"Re-chan!" Yachiru waved over at the woman that was her namesake. "How you doing. Are Kotechin and Jiggles here too?"
By that, Yachiru meant Isane and Orihime respectively. "Yes. They're inside tending to the wounded. As are the rest of my Division members. Or…" keeping that gentle, yet ominous smile on her lips, Unohana sent a cold bite with her stare at Zaraki, "at least they would be. If it weren't for your Reiatsu keeping them from doing their jobs."
"Huh?" Normally Zaraki might refute the idea of having to maintain control over his Reiatsu, if those around him were to weak to withstand it that was their own fault for being so feeble. Not to Unohana though. Oh no. She was the only one in the Gotei 13 Zaraki was willing to fold for, for she held his respect like no other. "Yeah, yeah, I get it." Focusing, he reeled in the raw power that leaked from him, the vibrant yellow aura over his body shrinking in size to give visual reference to what he was doing. "There, better now?"
Though Zaraki's gruff tone made it clear he wasn't looking for an answer, Unohana gave him one, complete with a closed eyed beaming smile a mother would give a toddler when performing the most basic of tasks. "Yes, very much so, thank you. You have my gratitude Captain Zaraki. As well as you Lieutenant Kusajishi, for coming to aid my Division."
"Psht, whatever. I was just following the strongest demon I could find that wasn't where all the others were at the tower, where they'd spoil my fun." Unlike Zaraki's blunt response, Yachiru showered in Unohana's praise.
Now with Zaraki's Reiatsu back down to manageable levels, the demons were able to rise from the ground.
"Yachiru. You handle the weaker ones. The big guys mine." His second in command bobbed her pink haired head and went to work, cutting down the Lesser Demons. Zaraki's focus then turned to Unohana, who remained motionless, holding her sheathed Zanpakuto in hand. The motherly woman, looked down at her Zanpakuto, then to the demons, then back to her blade. The warm gentle smile on her face slowly beginning to melt as a more empty blankness crept onto her beautiful features. "Just gonna stand there all day, or are you gonna do something?"
For the past several centuries, the woman now called Retsu Unohana, had kept full control over the monster inside her. Where as once she'd spill the blood of her enemies with a smile on her face, now she healed the wounds of her allies and whispered wise words in their ear.
But, here and now. With everything going on. Her fellow Gotei members fighting and dying to protect not just the Seireitei, but the universe itself. With enemies at the gate that sought to kill her Division members and those in her care. A literal apocalypse if there ever was one.
She questioned whether keeping the beast chained was for the best.
"I made a promise to myself so long ago. To avoid fighting. That all life deserved to live. Be they Shinigami, Hollows or Quincy. But…" Unohana muttered to herself as she traced a hand along her Zanpakuto, head down, examining the sword. "I never said anything about Demons."
Slowly, almost intentionally slowly. Unohana pulled her hair loose from its braid and let her jet black hair flow free in the wind. Unsheathing Minazuki just as slow, she saw her own reflection on the blades metallic surface. Cruel eyes reflecting back at her, and she could no longer suppress her smile.
Lifting her head up, Zaraki and the demons bore witness to her new appearance. Gone was the motherly figure that was Retsu Unohana. The bloodlust she'd kept locked away inside for centuries now bubbling to the surface and with it, Yachiru Unohana, the first Kenpachi, stood instead.
Her expression of maniacal malevolence, so cold than even Hitsugaya's Hyorinmaru paled in comparison. Unlike Zaraki that gave the aura of a wild dog, vicious, yet moral. Yachiru Unohana was that of a viper, ruthless and cruel. A woman who's cold-blooded smile could send armies running with yellow stained underwear.
"Well…" even her voice had changed, matching her fear inducing appearance. "You demons came to my barracks with the intent to kill the men and women under my watch. It's only fair I return the favour, wouldn't you agree?"
Before any of the demons had the chance to flee, Unohana pounced on them, cutting them down with no mercy. Their blood splattering all around like she were a fine artist and they were her canvas. The person most pleased with this was Zaraki, who took a break from his own fight to enjoy the show the first Kenpachi was putting on. Then, following her lead, he too attacked, going after the nearly Higher Demon that identified itself as a "Marauder".
Within the barracks, looking out the window was Isane, watching the scene unfold through pulsating eyes. The two Kenpachi's were cutting through the demons like warm butter, to the point that it was arguable that the two swordsmen should be the ones called 'Demons' instead.
This wasn't even a battle, it was a slaughter.
Isane placed a hand on the window and one on her heart, she focused in on Unohana, then closed her eyes. 'Captain… I know you're doing this to protect us, but… It truly terrifies me to see you like this.'
Mary erratically jumped out the path of Agni's flames, but still got snagged on her right side. Much of the skin on her arm and leg now blistered from the burns and clothes crisped and brittle.
Well… at least it cauterized her stab wound.
'Mistress.' Flik, who had transformed his entire body into the weapons Mary used, there in to greatly enhance the power of them, cautioned his Master via their psychic link, 'I know you want to conserve power for your father. But I think trying to limit your power output like this is the wrong move. These demons are powerful, you can't hold yourself back against them, or else it might mean your death.'
In this instance she had to agree with her Doll. Thus far all she'd accomplished by limiting her power output was inflicting minor bruises on Angi and Rudra, so minor the demons likely didn't even notice. While she was covered in small cuts were sharp gusts of wind had sliced her, along with burn marks that left patched of her skin flaked and peeling.
'You're right. Flik. It's time. Bring out Kalina Ann.' The 'Kalina Ann' was what Mary had dubbed the most powerful weapon she could manifest. Her ultimate in offensive capabilities. And though Nero had humbled her with how easily he handled the weapon, the brothers wouldn't be so lucky.
Clasping her two submachine guns together, a light bathed them and stretched out before fading away, revealing the heavy duty military grade RPG. Mary placed the Kalina Ann on the ground facing upright and channelled her power into the RPG, letting loose a barrage of missiles in every direction, raining down hails of explosions that filled the room like it were the 4th of July.
While Agni and Rudra were able to shield themselves from a handful of the missiles with their fire and wind defences, they couldn't block them all due to the sheer number. Taking hit after hit from the rockets. Made even worse as Mary was pouring so much of her Rieryoku into each missile they packed as much punch equivalent to mid level Shinigami Hado spells.
Once the smoke cleared the damage on the demons was clear to see. Both Agni and Rudra matched Mary in their tokens of battle. Their blue and red respective bodies scarred by burn marks where the missiles had made impact and the swords in their hands trembling as their arms shook, a clear indication that Mary had finally been able to inflict as severe damage on them as they had on her.
"B-Brother…" Rudra's voice shook just as his arm, sounding confused like a child not understanding why they'd been punished for stepping on ants, "I t-think our… guest may be trying to… kill us."
"We can't die. We still have to guard this door." Huffed Agni, genuinely more agitated that the woman was trying to make them fail at the duty bestowed upon them by Sparda rather than trying to take their lives. "In that case, we must stop her. Even if she is our guest."
Pleased as she was with damaging the demons, it still wasn't enough. 'Even that didn't take them out. God damn it! I wanted to try and retain some of my power for my father but it looks like I'll have to go all out after all.' Closing her eyes to retain better concentration, Mary channelled what Reiatsu she had left into Kalina Ann, hoisting it on her shoulder. 'Flik. You know what to do.'
The RPG lit up, bathed in both Mary's and Flik's Reiatsu. The missile launcher began to grow in size, becoming twice as large as it had been and roughly double Mary's own height. The sudden spike in Reiatsu garnered the attention of both Agni and Rudra who stopped what they were doing to watch in anticipation.
'Alright. This is it. My trump card, my ultimate move. I only have enough energy to take one of them out, so I'll go for the red one. The blue ones more injured so should be easier to take out after I deal with his brother.'
Target now chosen, Mary aimed Kalina Ann at Agni. So much Reiatsu was being channelled into the RPG that it took visible form, coating the weapon in a vibrant sparking aura of red and yellow. From the back of the RPG steam was being pumped out as the weapon began to nearly overload from the build up of power from Bount and Doll alike.
This move, "Mega Cascade" as Mary called it, required her to pour as much of her Reiatsu into Flik while in his Kalina Ann form as possible, to the point Flik became overloaded, and, much like when your pour Mentos into Coke, the end result is a chaotic eruption. Only in this instance instead of fizzy drink being shot out, it was a highly condescend beam of pure Reiryoku, similar in power to a Gillian's Cero.
The instant Flik could no longer contain the power being channelled into him, the Kalina Ann let loose a beam of violent red-yellow energy, tearing across the floor at breakneck speed, singeing the concrete beneath it with every step. Unable to evade the beam due to its high speed, Agni crossed his arms into an 'X' hoping as if that would provide him some form of protection.
It didn't.
The fierce explosion that Agni was at the epicentre of, reverberated across the entire room. Agni was blasted back as a fly in a storm, his menial defence proving useless in the face of such intense spiritual power he'd taken a direct hit from. The poor devil was thrown across the room and slammed into the wall with enough force that many of the bricks broke loose and came tumbling down on him.
"Brother!" Rudra rushed over to his siblings side, crouching down beside him. "Brother…?"
On Agni's chest was a large hole where his flesh had been literally vaporised by the blast.
"...It …looks like I failed." Softly uttered Agni, barely able to get any words out without strain. Despite being at deaths door, Agni still kept up a happy-go-lucky tone, though it was now a hush whisper. "...I'm sorry, brother. Forgive me, but, you must now uphold the duties of us both. Goodbye… Rudra…"
The body of Agni lit up in flames, cremating itself before only the devils sword remained.
"...Agni" Muttered an empty Rudra, feeling as though he now had a hole in his soul that could never be filled again. "Don't worry, brother. I'll fight on, for the both of us."
With a heavy heart, Rudra clasped his hand around Agni's fallen blade.
The Kalina Ann shrunk back to its normal size. Mary collapsed to one knee and had to use the missile launched to keep her balance. 'Crap. I almost forgot just how much power that takes. I'm almost drained of spiritual power again.' She was taking heavy breaths, in and out, her fatigue on the outside mirroring the inside. 'No matter. I should have enough power to take the other one out. He's already pretty beat up and used a decent amount of his own Reiryoku. I can probably take him out with just a normal shot from Kalina Ann or… Wait… What's going on…? Why's his Reiatsu increasing?!'
Rising tall to his feet in a grand display, Rudra held up both his own and Agni's blades vertically, one in each hand. He pressed the two head-shaped pommels together and no sooner did he do so, a current of visible wind ran along the blue blade while a torrent of fire coated the other. The ground began to quiver from the sudden spike in demonic Reiatsu, that was roughly equal to Cerberus. The wounds on Rudra then faded away as if never there to begin with.
'W-What's going on?' Watching with wide eyed surprise and confusion, Mary could only gasp. 'H-… He's inherited his brothers abilities? No. Not just that, his Reiatsu's increased too.' It was like Rudra's and Agni's Reiatsu's had just been added together while also multiplied to boot. The demons power now by far surpassing Mary's prime, let alone her current state. '…I …I can't beat him. Not now. Not like this. Even most of the Shinigami Captains would struggle against him now. Fuck! What should I do?!'
In that moment, Rudra made his move. He ran at Mary, slashing his two swords as he moved towards the Bount. Even his speed had increased too. Along with the power of the crescents of wind and arcs of fire he shot at her from his sword slashes. Tired and weakened as she was, Mary just barely managed to dodge the charging bull of a devil by the skin of her teeth. She wasn't so lucky as to evade all the wind and fire attacks, taking hits from both, adding to gallery of scars she'd picked up thus far today.
Rudra continued to launch a combination of fire and wind attacks at Mary, who, to the best of her ability, scarcely was able to evade them. And as the minutes rolled by, what little power she had left to her was being drained as she was put on the back foot.
After just barely jumping out the way of a ball of fire, Mary landed beside the very statues the two demonic brothers had first been, before she lost her footing and tumbled down. Knowing this wasn't the best spot to be in she tried to roll to the side but was stopped when both to her left and right arcs of wind and fire boxed her in.
Now trapped in a literal runway with no escape routes, Mary could do nothing but watch on in dreaded anticipation as Rudra flexed his muscles and then barrelled towards her, swords raised, intent to kill. 'T-This can't be it. After everything I've been through. Is this really where it ends? Mother… forgive me…'
Though part of her wanted to look away, Mary forced herself to watch, unblinking at the demon that was getting ever closer to her. If she would die then she'd stare her death in the face.
And so Mary glared up at Rudra until her got with ten feet of her when he was abruptly hit in the chest by a mighty invisible force that stopped him dead in his tracks, grunting at the pain now swelling in his ribs.
"Humph?" Rudra let his daze show, "What was-"
The he was hit again by the same invisible attacker, this time in the back. The force so strong it caused a mini shock-wave that sent the demon nearly tumbling over. Rudra managed to keep to his feet and clutched his sword tighter. Completely forgetting about the Bount, he focused solely on the unseen foe. Quickly spinning to face left to right, front and back, hoping to spot his assaulter, but coming up empty.
Then out of nowhere, Rudra was bombarded on all sides from that very same invisible force. Which to Rudra and Mary just looked like pockets of the air itself were beating on him. Powerless to defend himself, Rudra could only tuck his body in tight and wait out the punishment until his invisible attacker left him be.
'No. Not invisible.' While Rudra was being battered, Mary studied the scene. Though the person laying in blow after blow on the demon wasn't visible to the naked eye, there was some visual trace of them. A blur. A very faint, almost unnoticeable, blur of orange and purple. '...Is that… a person! But… who could it be. Just who on Earth can possible move that fast?'
Once the speedy attacker ended their bullying of Rudra, both demon and Bount alike scanned the room, wondering just where the speedster had gone.
"Men, huh. Ego's just can't take it when a woman wants nothing to do with them. Am I right?"
Startled at the voice, Mary spun her head around where she only now noticed a woman hanging upside down on the statue a few feet behind her. The woman had dark skin, purple hair that cascaded down with gravity and vibrant golden eyes that focused on Mary and an intrepid grin on her face. "Who are you?"
The woman snorted in a very unladylike fashion, "Pfft. No 'Thank you' for saving that sweet tushy of yours. Some manners your parents taught you. Then again, with Arkham being your dad and all it's hardly a shocker." Then she aimed her golden eyes on Rudra, examining the demon closely before saying candidly, "Well, it's about time I got in a workout today." Vaulting off the statue she was perched off of and elegantly landing on her feet beside Mary, the woman placed a hand on her hip and smiled broadly. "Just sit back and enjoy the show, I'll take care of this. That is, if your eyes can keep up with me. Oh, and the names Yoruichi."
The Sins and Sid have no left, I know they were only in the story for a short time but they served the purposes needed for this arc. Don't worry though, they will return eventually.
Unohana went full 'Kenpachi Mode' and massacred the demons threatening her squad. Had this scene in my head for a while, Unohana and Zaraki double teaming some demons and couldn't get it out my head since. This doesn't mean the sweet and gentle 'Retsu' Unohana is now gone. Remeber, in Bleach, while we the audience never see Unohana go Kenpachi mode until her fight with Zaraki, the fact that it seems almost everyone (at least those of high enough rank in the Gotei 13 and Central 46) knew the truth about her, it tells me they'd probably seen her go Kenpachi Mode at some point. Yet, she could still go back to Unohana Mode when she wanted. Plus, as I pointed out in this chapter, she only agreed to go full Kenpachi because the enemies she fought were demons, not Shinigami, Hollows, Quincy, Fullbringer, Bounts etc. So she basically gave herself a free pass to go Kenpachi Mode. Which she will do in the future of this story when demons are involved.
For those wondering who Tiamat and Marauder are, they aren't from Bleach or DMC. Tiamat is from Darksiders (really underrated series by the way) and the Marauder is from Doom Eternal. Though I might try throwing in some enemies from other franchises every now and then to spice things up. Don't worry though, I won't go overboard and turn this into a X-Crossover.
Sidenote, I've been going back and editing my chapters. I've already reread and edited chapters 1 and 2 and plan to do the rest in time. Don't worry, I'm just editing for things like grammar and spelling mistakes, not rewriting them, so you don't have to reread every chapter. It's actually really hard for me to go back and reread my work. I can't believe just how many mistakes I made in my early chapters (I know I make some still but in my early chapters, my God, I had nearly one mistake in almost every other sentence). How I managed to get any favourites and follows with my terrible writing skills back then I'll never know.
Feel free to give any and all feedback on this to review, critique, etc. I appreciate it all. Till next time.