Strength comes not from just capability or might, but through the confluence of directive. It has to have meaning to have any impactful relevance, a purpose if you will in the grand scheme of life as we know it.
Charge forth, and keep charging again and again, for in repetition comes drive.
In this world of unlimited blades, the concepts of reality and their constraints are not the same: They are different in that the components that make up the whole are agglomerations of the mysteries of magecraft unknown, giving rise to possibility where there was not.
-The petals that scatter in the wind…
A tide of cherry-coloured leaves pushed against the shadowed masses, billowing, swirling, and cutting within a storm directed by an armoured samurai with a demon's mask. Fingers pointed up, then down, then left and right, prying relentlessly through all obstacles like water eroding the earth.
-The snow that falls from up high, sitting upon the frozen heavens…
Wind and hail descended from turbid clouds in the air, hundreds of massive scaled serpents of ice and sloshing water roaring in challenge under the order of a regal figure seated upon the largest head.
In the boundary between the skies and the earth, mist formed.
-The great flames which burn from below…
An inferno in the shape of a ginormous burning wisp super heated the area with suffocating spiritual pressure through its familiar presence alone, stunning all Shinigami of Court-Guard Squads.
Similar scenes were occurring everywhere with increasing magnitude.
They-all of them: Zanpakuto Spirits.
-The eyes of a mirror's reflection…
Standing boldly on his own, the arms of a woman draped around Aizen's shoulders to reveal Kyouka Suigetsu at his side, her translucent pupils directed at the Palace rippling like water from a still lake.
The sound of shattering glass echoed all at once, reality and the perception of all, subtlety tilting without notice.
A smile graced Kyouka's lips at her endeavor, something shared only by Aizen.
Something about Kyouka and all the other Zanpakuto Spirits had changed.
The Final Form of a Zanpakuto Spirit for any Shinigami was known as the state of parting where the Shinigami obtain unparalleled strength at the cost of their Shinigami powers. Yet in this world, in this place, none of those limitations exist.
For in shattering their current forms, there was still the possibility to be recreated anew.
Shinso who manifested again before Gin shared a look with Gin and solemnly shook his head; the meaning of which was clear, 'do not make the Vasto of White an enemy.'
Such means, coupled with such spiritual energy, gave any who regarded the Vasto of White as ana enemy a feeling of trepidation and helplessness, but for others, it was their strength.
Never stop. Never waver.
Harribel weaved through the onslaught of shadowed manifestations, cleaving through them with golden blasts of cero charged from her shark-fin blade.
The images that Harribel and everyone had seen was etched deep into their minds.
Hueco Mundo, the refuge and home world of all Hollows was born through the sacrifice of their leader, the Vasto of White. Without him, there may not have been this present day.
Your sacrifice was greater than any other.
Harribel felt her blood rushing up to her face, then up to her ears. Her silent admiration, growing desire, and conviction to wipe out her lord's enemies fueling her resolve to levels unheard of.
I will see it though.
"Charge! Break a path!"
The Hollows roared their approval, drowning out the stunned murmur of the Shinigami who stood opposite to their Zanpakuto Spirits who combated against Yhwach's shadowed manifestations.
Shirou had given them his support and their directive.
The path ahead would be pried open without fail.
Back with the Shinigami, the warmth of fire welcomed Yamamoto as his eyes blearily began to roll and shift beneath his eyelids. The feeling of pain and discomfort as he gained more awareness of himself only made it more apparent that he wasn't dead.
His fingers twitched, his breathing growing steadier as he gradually blinked his eyes open.
This flame, this warmth that protectively enveloped him, is that you, old friend?
Clarity returned to his eyes, allowing his vision to focus and see the form of Ryujin Jakka hovering around him and shielding the entire area in a dome of hellish flame. Rather than join the other Zanpakuto Spirits in attacking Yhwach's Shadows, Ryujin Jakka, much like other Zanpakuto spirits with their owners still alive, prioritized their safety.
What was all this?
Yamamoto glanced around, quickly noticing the number of injured Shinigami laid near him on make-shift beds. Then he surveyed his surroundings beyond the fires, but couldn't make out where he was in the slightest. He had no recollection of any place with such a high spiritual density and filled with an uncountable number of swords.
It was here that his most recent memories stirred from within him, and he found himself frowning.
"Yhwach," he called out hoarsely with a grunt, vigilance causing his features to crease in alarm and alerting others to his state of awareness.
"Old man," Shunsui's voice called out to him, causing Yamamoto to clear his thoughts and push himself up into a seated position.
Once seated, Yamamoto had an even better view of the situation, and yes, it truly was Ryujin Jakka creating a dome of fire to shield him and the injured. But how? Zanpakuto Spirits weren't able to interact with the physical world. There was no such imperative in all of the Soul Society's history.
He let out a deep breath and tried to get up onto his feet, only to stumble from a bout of dizziness. Not far off, Unohana had long since noticed Yamamoto's actions after Shunsui had called out to him.
"Easy. Your injuries weren't light, Head-Captain," Unohana advised respectfully while moving to support Yamamoto. "Your injuries were beyond my means, but one of the Ryouka, Ms. Orihime, aided in your recovery."
Yamamoto listened, and he understood that he owed one of the Seireitei's former invaders his gratitude, but more than that, he still needed to understand.
"Unohana, what, what is all this?" He affixed his tone to convey the depth of his seriousness. "What of Yhwach? What of the Seireitei? Where is this?"
As much as Unohana wished to euphemise their situation, there was no way to do such a thing, given their present circumstances. She sighed, her features tightening before she turned away not knowing how to best explain, but doing so anyway with resignation.
"Yhwach has usurped the power of the Soul King. Under his power, the Soul Society and the Seireitei are no more," Unohana let loose two bombshells that struck at the heart of Yamamoto's considerations, but it wasn't the last. "Left with little choice, using Mr. Urahara's means, we took refuge in Hueco Mundo, the only realm able to resist Yhwach's world assimilation. Its hard to believe, but this world, this is the true Hueco Mundo and not that desolate white desert."
"…" Yamamoto had no words, but the shock was evident.
"She's not lying old man. The members of the Zero Squad left you and everyone to die for the sake of the Soul King's Palace. If we didn't retreat to Hueco Mundo, everyone would be gone," Shunsui resisted the urge to gnash his teeth, but his tone was devoid of emotion, oddly curt and concise despite his lazy disposition. "Kenpachi's still recovering, Kuchiki's out of commission, and several Captains including Jushiro are injured or are in sub-optimal states after the Quincy's surprise attack. We…we're practically defeated already."
Yamamoto's already pale features from blood loss, turned grim from the news.
A somber air pervaded the three upper-ranked members of the Court-Guard Squads, however, this was broken by Unohana.
"Captain Hitsugaya, please settle down," Unohana left to urge Toshiro to rest further and not aggravate a wound that had nearly disemboweled him. "You still need to recover."
Toshiro coughed while his eyes narrowed up at the snow-filled sky despite his poor condition. "That's Hyorinmaru, he's different, but he's fighting. How can I just sit here doing nothing?"
Gradually, Toshiro focused on his wound and began binding himself with layers of kido to allow him better maneuverability if only temporarily.
"Captain Hitsugaya, that's enough," Unohana frowned, placing her hands on Toshiro's shoulders and keeping him down. "Now isn't the time to use your strength. We are not in a position to be reckless no matter how much we may wish to. For now, we should simply believe in the strength of our Zanpakuto Spirits."
As if hearing her words, Ryujin Jakka's flames flickered in approval, inadvertently bringing Yamamoto's attention back to the anomaly of his Zanpakuto Spirit's presence. Ever since Yhwach had taken his Bankai, the depths of his inner world were excruciatingly silent. Yet, now, here Ryujin Jakka stood.
The feeling was much the same for Toshiro, as he could still vividly recall the sensation of Hyorinmaru being ripped away from him. Every Captain who had their Bankai stolen was of similar mind and motivation. Their presence was like a blanket of security, and yet Kisuke was about to rip away that sense of security.
Kisuke had spoken not a word while observing his Zanpakuto Spirit, Benihime standing by his side. Finally, he spoke out his conjecture.
"I know what you're all thinking, but we can't count on our Zanpakuto Spirits when you consider just where they came from. At best, their aid may only be temporary, useful as it may be," Kisuke warned while braids of looped hair cascaded over Kisuke's shoulders from Benhime who rested her neck on his left side.
Benihime resembled something like a life-sized doll, immaculate and enchanting in her red robes and regal ornaments adorned over her head, yet there was this sense of unprecedented danger in her presence. No one was more aware of this than Kisuke himself who noticed a qualitative change in his Zanpakuto despite cracks and fractures marring her appearance.
Her aura was practically terrifying in Benihime's Final State, and Kisuke wasn't in a rush to observe her newest capabilities. He was just thankful that she was being docile despite sensing that she'd rather be slaughtering her enemies like the other Zanpakuto who were assured of their owner's safety due to Ryujin Jakka's presence.
In any case, Kisuke could surmise that Benihime stuck around him because she sensed his readiness for combat. Vindictive and possessive, Benihime preferred meticulously cutting down her opponents.
Benihime seemed to draw amusement in watching the reaction of others, but this wasn't important.
"Kisuke, I don't suppose you have any plans here?" A voice grumbled out.
Near Kisuke was Shinji and the Vizards. Everyone was in this together from the moment Yhwach started the assimilation process.
Shinji grunted while feeling a sense of helplessness. The Vizords behind him were all as uneasy considering their precarious situation, and more importantly, their proximity to Aizen. Hyouri was already hissing at the man, while Hachi was moments away from creating barriers to shield his comrades.
"I may or may not have something in mind, it's effectiveness has yet to be tested," Kisuke divulged, causing a small grin to cross Shinji's features.
"Eh, better than nothing," Shinji shouldered his blade before narrowing his eyes on Aizen much like everyone else was. Gin had obviously defected, and Tousen had joined in the charge to the Soul King's Palace in pursuit of the Zero Squad already.
Aizen was alone.
"Say, aren't you awfully confident?" Shinji drawled, eyes glancing around to ascertain that yes, there were no other Hollows or Arrancar around to aid Aizen. "Shouldn't you be warier without any backing?"
"Against weakling, the crippled, and injured? Please, you amuse me for pawns who needed my aid in order to survive," Aizen completely disregarded them all, infuriating those within ear shot, more specifically, one.
"You sided with the traitor?" Yamamoto cut in with alarm.
Aizen smiled, but couldn't be bothered about whether Yamamoto and the others saw him as truly evil or not. As pawns go, their thoughts don't matter nearly as much as their predicted actions. Kyouka Suigetsu who stood by Aizen's side however, was less reserved and frowning.
If Aizen was truly as evil or heinous as he was depicted, then why was everyone still alive? Aizen had had numerous chances, but he didn't kill needlessly. If anything, Aizen was a driven and ambitious man who's only motivation was reaching his goal.
If they couldn't understand this, then perhaps she should be the one to put them down?
She opened her mouth, but seemed to think better of it, and coldly glanced away.
Meanwhile, Aizen's attention was focused on Silent, or Masaki Kurosaki fighting near Nel, Ichigo, Karin, and Isshin. He'd gotten a certain tidbit of information from interrogating the Sternritter, Gizel, regarding Silent's peculiar situation and what she did to Quilge, the Jail.
Interesting, Aizen mused before decided that it was time to stop idling. Soon enough, the forces of the Vasto of White coupled with mixed remnants of hot-headed Shinigami, and an army of Zanpakuto Spirits would breach the Palace's first defence line.
He would not waste the opportunity while Shirou was stalling Yhwach.
Shifting his weight, he began to leave, only to stop when a sense of dejavu assailed him.
"Not another step," Soifon had her blade under Aizen's neck, Kyouka Suigetsu's piercing gaze hovering over her.
Ah. This really was quite familiar.
Aizen schooled his features. He didn't have time for this, but it wasn't like it really mattered. He tilted his body forward, and cut his neck over Soifon's blade, stunning her.
"Who said that I was still here?" Aizen smirked through bloodied features, and as if he was never present, he gradually vanished after collapsing on the ground.
Shocked silence ensued, but this wasn't because they'd been hypnotized or anything of the like. Call it instinctual or a gut feeling, but they were certain that they weren't under Kyouka Suigetsu's effects. Instead, it was the other way around.
"The moon's reflection shatters upon the fettered laurels of perception and imagination; its image like staring from one dimension to another parallel. Both existing."
A grin slowly came to Kyouka Suigetsu's mouth.
"What just-"
"How troublesome," Kisuke grimaced, suddenly taking off his hat and tossing it away, instantly cluing into Kyouka's insinuation.
They had been talking with a solid illusion. It was real, it was there, and this new ability didn't bode well in the hands of someone like Aizen.
Just before fading away entirely, Kyouka Suigetsu flashed a coy grin, the true extent of her capabilities in her 'Final State' unable to be defined in Kisuke's analytical mind as the possibilities seemed endless.
Silence followed Aizen's disappearance as Yoruichi soon appeared by Kisuke's side.
"It's done. We'll just have to hope it works while Captain Kurotsuchi helps with its fine tuning."
Kisuke could only nod while everyone else was left clueless.
To enter the Soul King's palace, one must first breach its defences.
With the aid of the Zanpakuto Spirits, the outer layer of the Soul King's Palace was breached. However, the first to arrive were the Shinigami that charged in with the Arrancar. This was mostly due to the Zanpakuto Spirits keeping Yhwach's manifestations away, and the Zero Squad's familiarity of the location.
While Harribel, Nel, and the others were heading a full-frontal assault on the palace, the Zero Squad gave key information to fellow Shinigami to take shorter paths, thereby granting them faster access.
There was no collaboration with the Zero Squad and the Hollows whatsoever, but it wasn't as if old hatreds and animosities could be easily let go.
It was like a race of sorts, the Zero Squad unwilling to let Harribel and the others reach the inner sanctum of the palace before they did. As for why, only they knew themselves, but to prevent disunity, the members of the Royal Guard were subtle.
This allowed them to elude most of the detection of the Vasto of White's forces who disparaged them, but one certain member who was never quick to put trust in anyone took keen notice.
Five bridge heads and pathways lined the way to the Palace's inner sanctum. Unlike the Zero Squad who knew the Palace's layout, Nel and the rest of the Vasto of White's forces had no such luxury, forcing them to split up their forces, each led by a member of the Espada towards different platforms.
Many followed after Nel, Harribel, Ulquiorra, and the calmer Espada, while other Espada went on their own to be less burdened and restrained such as Grimmjow, Baraggan, and so on.
Be that as it may, the barriers leading to the Palace made it difficult to progress onward without resistance. Of course, no such problems arose from the members of the Zero Squad whose bodies could naturally resist such forces due to the Soul King's blessing.
Frustrated at the lack of progress, overbearing torrents of spiritual energy blasted a hole through the palace's barriers which gave rise to Coyote's position as she zipped up to a platform in an instant. Having grown fed up, she'd taken the simplest route and forced her way through into one of the Star Palace's pointed platforms.
Following Coyote's example, the rest of the Vasto of White's forces did the same while led by their Espada.
Taking advantage of the fluctuations of spiritual energy, Ichibei and the members of the Zero Squad communicated with the Shinigami near them and instructed everyone to follow them.
Renji and Rukia who'd been part of the initial assault to avenge their captain and brother respectively were part of this group.
Under the cover of numerous ceros being blasted through the Palace's barriers, Ichibei led the group through the bottom of the palace which would lead directly to the inner sanctum after ascending the palace's hollow base.
A grin formed over Ichibei's face. Everything seemed to be going well so far, and with Yhwach preoccupied with the Vasto of White, he didn't foresee any real opposition within the palace. Still, Yhwach's influence permeated the surroundings. "Remember to be on your guard," he reminded.
Upon reaching the base of the palace, a figure appeared on a bottom platform as if knowing that they were coming. Considering that the palace was Yhwach's domain, this assumption was likely.
A sickly man in a white trench coat and Sternritter attire appeared wearing a spiked face-mask.
This man's name was As Nodt, the Fear. His hollow dark pupils didn't have any colour as if one were staring at a bottomless chasm. His waist length hair parted down the center of his head blew freely, on either side of his shoulders.
A vague sense of unease struck the heart at the sight of him, but Ichibei and the other members of the Zero Squad only felt a growing annoyance. It was almost as if they were purposely being slowed to send someone that clearly wouldn't win.
Were Yhwach's Sternritter trying to mount a battle of attrition?
Ichibei frowned. A battle of attrition wasn't something he was opposed to, but the problem in lied with how long the Vasto of White could keep Yhwach preoccupied. Moreover, there could be unexpected complications further ahead as well.
How should he go about this?
"Please leave this bastard to us!" Renji called out, veins popping over his forehead while Rukia glared with equal parts hatred and trepidation.
This was the man who felled Byakuya Kuchiki, and this fact stung more now more than ever after seeing Senbonzakura's spirit fighting against the Quincy.
As Nodt blinked at the statement, but disregarded Renji and Rukia completely.
Ichibei however didn't even hesitate before nodding righteously. "We will remember your sacrifice and contribution," he said before rushing ahead with his other members.
It was almost like his words had concluded Renji and Rukia's defeat. All things considered though; their strength hadn't had the opportunity to grow to their full potential. From Ichibei's point of view, it probably was like Renji and Rukia were sacrificing themselves, and he didn't falter in the slightest.
The strength of Coyote's distant blasts were only getting stronger and stronger, meaning that she was getting closer and closer to the central palace.
The Royal Guard much reach the inner sanctum first to avoid complications, and to start the process of creating a new Soul King. They already had a candidate in mind, but they could worry about acquiring said candidate afterwards.
In the end, the ends justify the means.
As Nodt tried to intervene as Ichibei and the other left, but Renji struck out with his Zabimaru, forcing the man to evade and let Ichibei and the others pass.
As Nodt scowled beneath his mask in annoyance, his eyes darting back and forth while his head tilted horizontal. A single question was asked in the eerie silence while As Nodt shuddered from annoyance.
"Do you both know of fear?"
A black spiritual energy permeated throughout.
Sorry for shorter chapter. It feels equally bad since I had to cut the last update of this story short too, but this week been a real busy one for me between work, appointments, and family obligations. I generally update within 3 to 4 days, but its already been 6 days since an update. Things should settle down this next week though, so I'll be getting two updates out consecutively in the next coming days.
Estimated amount of chapters left until story conclusion: 5-7
Next updates: Birth of a Legend V2 and Fate Parallels
P a treon. com (slash) Parcasious
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