Transcendence
Chapter 01: Trapped in this Twisted Hell
Ichigo groaned as he woke, every physical sensation came back to him quickly; the most notable was the pain. But aside from the pain there was more, his stomach turned slightly as he regained his senses. He felt sick, as if he had caught some sort of flu. Despite this Ichigo did not feel anything else aside from cold dirt… wait, dirt?
Ichigo put his hands on the ground and tried to push himself up, but as soon as he did so his pain vanished and was replaced with agony. Ichigo's hasty action had earned him intense pain, his body's way of telling him that if he moved he was only doing more harm to himself.
Ichigo begrudgingly remained still to alleviate the pain, and decided to think on what he remembered last before losing consciousness. There was little to recall sadly, a few thoughts flashed through his mind as he tried to concentrate, but nothing clear. Whatever happened to him must have caused some sort of short term memory loss. All he could remember were a few places and names, the only thing he remembered clearly was someone calling for him.
Ichigo decided to think about it later, and despite the pain, he got up to see where the hell he was. Placing his hands on the ground he pushed himself up, but stopped when his right wrist buckled and intense burning pain shot up his arm, he fell onto the same shoulder and nursed his broken wrist. His body reminding him too late what his scattered memories didn't, it had been broken when he was fighting someone.
Looking at his wrist that fell limply away he knew that it had been shattered, there was no way he would be able to use it to fight.
'Looks like I won't be using it for a while,' Ichigo mused quietly to himself.
Lifting himself up again, using his left hand to do it, and thinking about what had happened to him before he entered this predicament. He remembered several things, but they became blurry as he went along. He remembered just beating Grimmjow, which was his clearest memory. Then that other Espada came around, Nootra, or something. They fought it seemed, he was getting the shit kicked out of him, he could tell from the way his wrist was broken and why his body felt so tender. And then…
'So long Shinigami, have fun in Hell!' The Espada's spiteful final words rang in his memories.
Ichigo's head shot up and looked at his surroundings, looking to see if he was still in the familiar white desert of Hueco Mundo. But the second he saw it he realized that was no longer the case, he was somewhere that was beyond the realm of believability.
Everything around him was a chaotic mess, he could see things that made his eyes hurt from just glancing at it and his mind grew hazy trying to understand what he was looking at. Everything was beyond description; while it may appear simple, it was far from it.
He looked to the sky and saw the void of space, not like looking at the night sky and seeing the stars and the moon. He saw planets in the distance, all behind a veil of fluctuating energy that continued to change colors. Ichigo took his eyes away from the void of space above him, and to the world he inhabited, but there was none.
He looked down to see that he occupied a massive floating rock in the middle of a void, but it was not the only one. In the distance he saw more, floating in the distance and stationary, connected to one another with bridges of stone or natural formations. They were massive in scale and scattered all across the empty space like floating continents.
He saw a large carving of a humanoid being formed within a large meteorite, which floated aimlessly across the void between the large landmasses. But there were more everywhere, in the distance he could see ruined structures, towers and cities dotting the surface of the landmasses. Not a single one was alike to another, created by hands of different cultures and races; some were smooth and eloquent, others rough and misshapen.
But for all the beauty it offered, it was a realm of chaos and destruction. He could see meteors roam through the expanse and collide with mountains in the distance, with massive landmasses moving and colliding with one another. The land was brightened; no color aside from ashen grey covered everything, only the veil that surrounded this realm offering any real color.
Ichigo kneeled at the precipice of a large cliff; below he could see a vast expanse of jagged rocks and ruined structures. Once grand and monolithic buildings were now but stunted and destroyed, slowly rotting to the flow of time. Further remnants were scattered across the expanse of this twisted realm, which defied all forms of reality and physics that Ichigo knew.
"What the hell is this?" Ichigo breathed, a dark horrible shudder working its way down his spine as he thought about where he had been sent.
He had never been told about a place like this, he had never thought he would be somewhere like this, it was beyond his realm of understanding. It was like he was actually in space, but that couldn't be true, he couldn't have actually been thrown so far from home.
'Could this… actually be hell?' Ichigo thought, wondering if it was possible.
As his eyes roamed the new realm he was thrown into, to his eyes fell upon his Zanpakuto not to far away. No longer a solid black daito, reverted back to its Shikai state, now resembling a large khyber knife that equaled him in height. Ichigo got to one knee and pushed himself to his feet, letting out a groan as he stood on his two feet. Thankful that the agony he was suffering at the hands of that insane Espada had dulled slightly.
Ichigo's hand travelled to his stomach and he flinched when he felt the still tender and open stab wound dealt to him by Grimmjow. He was glad his body had a higher tolerance for pain and endurance, otherwise he wouldn't be able to stand right now. Along with all those other wounds, he was lucky he wasn't dead already.
Taking in a deep breath he steeled himself, he was in some sort of dimensional realm and was likely trapped here. That meant he had to get out and back to Hueco Mundo, somehow. Walking over to Zangetsu he grasped the handle and hefted the weapon off the ground, and planted the tip of the weapon into the dirt. Ichigo leaned on Zangetsu and surveyed the world ahead of him, he had no idea where he was or what this place could be.
All around him everything seemed to be in a constant state of flux, stones and debris floated around and yet there seemed to be some form of gravity present, yet at the same time not. He could see strange fissures of energy erupt from the ground, where rocks and dirt simply floated around it as if caught in some sort of gravity field.
Ichigo massaged his brow and tried to understand what was going on, yet he couldn't, this place was simply one messed up nightmare. But what made him even more frustrated was the fact that he had no idea if this place was occupied or not. Sure there were ruins here, but from the looks of it this place could be the universal trash heap. After all those ruins look thousands of years old, and they are likely that way because no one has lived in them for just as long.
'Guess I'm going to have to wing it,' Ichigo thought, moving towards the edge of the precipice, which had a steep slope that moved down to a small ruin at the base of the cliff.
"How the hell do I do this?" Ichigo thought, he couldn't see any way down aside from this slope, which had jagged rocks and a few pillars and stone walls jutting out of the rock. "I could use those to get down."
But then he had to decide where to go, either direction could go on forever, and there was no telling where he would end up or who could find him. Ichigo hoped it would be someone who could tell him where he was, and maybe send him back.
A gnawing feeling of regret formed in his heart at that fact, he had been sent here away from everyone and left them to fend for themselves. They could be in danger and he was helpless to do anything to help, that feeling alone brought up new found dread. But it only added to the desire to escape and get back to them, make sure they were alright.
'I got to get out of here, find someone to send me back,'
As Ichigo was thinking about finding a local resident of this twisting nightmare, he heard something move within earshot. A rapid succession of thumps that kept growing louder and he knew what it was as soon as he heard it. Ichigo turned on his heels to see that someone was running right towards him, and with a nasty looking weapon in his hands. Ichigo pulled Zangetsu up from the ground and moved it to intercept the weapon.
Zangetsu stopped the nasty looking axe from connecting, Ichigo misjudged the force and to his surprise had his Soul Cutter knocked aside. Ichigo felt the air leave his lungs as the creature's shoulder slammed into his chest, knocking him off his feet and over the precipice. Ichigo hit the side of the slope and rolled down it hard, hitting rough edges and jagged rocks as he fell.
Ichigo's rough tumble came to an abrupt end when he slammed into a stone wall, passing through it and rolling to an eventual stop. Ichigo lifted himself up enough to see where he had landed. It was a small open quad with a few collapsed stone walls sealing the area off, along with a few pillars and reptilian statues of unique design surrounding the square.
Ichigo let out a pained groan as he remembered that he had broken ribs, cursing under his breath at the luck that he could only remembers his injuries when they are aggravated. Turning he looked to where he came from, he had fallen nearly fifty feet from that cliff, he was lucky he wasn't more seriously injured. Among the jagged rocks and remnants of buildings he saw something moving, disappearing from view at the base of the slope.
Only to appear a moment later leaping through the wall Ichigo had made into an entryway, Ichigo didn't need to look hard to recognize his attacker.
It was heavily muscled with skin a deep blood red, with deep glowing yellow eyes only seen through the slits of the cure face helm. Its torso was completely bare and the only armor and clothing it wore was dark grey steel leggings and a large metal arm guard on its left arm. On its belt hung the skulls of likely its victims, oddly shaped and formed skulls that were definitely not human.
In its hands was a six foot long weapon, made of solid dull green and grey metal. The blade was formed similar to a spear, yet had three shark-teeth serrated blades along either side, giving it a sinister and cruel look. What made it more sinister was the fact that it was coming right toward him.
Rolling onto his back he swung up and met the weapon, halting it only for a moment. When the first strike failed the red skinned demon pulled back his weapon and attacked again with more ferocity. Ichigo rolled away from the savage barbarian that was trying to kill him, swinging up after he rolled away.
"Oi, why the hell are you attacking me!" Ichigo yelled, blocking another strike as the demon let out a yell of fury, and a string of words he couldn't possibly understand.
As the demon raised his axe again to attack, Ichigo kicked in its leg and forced it down to a knee. Using the distraction Ichigo got to his feet as quickly as he could, backpedalling away from his attacker who himself had risen back to his full height, a staggering eight feet.
'Shit…,' Ichigo thought, looking at the massive monster that looked like it snacked on steroids a little too much.
"Anach kyree! A-rul shach Kiel!" The creature roared, charging forward with a speed that surprised the substitute, barely giving him time to swing Zangetsu to defend himself.
With only one hand Ichigo was at a serious disadvantage against this monster, he couldn't attack or counter very well. The speed this demon was swinging his axe made it even harder to counter, leaving him with little choice but stay on the defensive. This continued on for several minutes, blade and axe colliding in a shower of sparks as one tried to survive the relentless onslaught and the other to murder the prior in a gory fashion.
Ducking to the side, Ichigo avoided a wide swing moving towards his head, but the slash was replaced with the bludgeoning metal fist that connected with the substitute Shinigami's jaw. Ichigo staggered back, blood flying from his mouth; and turned just in time to see the nasty axe coming right for him. Ichigo raised Zangetsu, though his Zanpakuto sagged from the attack Ichigo still redirected the attack away and prevented further injury.
That changed when Ichigo deflected another swing and then immediately received a backhanded slap, sending the substitute staggering back clutching his bruised jaw. Ichigo did not like the way this fight was turning out, he didn't feel right; it was as if something was off with him. Turning, Ichigo intercepted another swing; the axes sharp barbs halting only inches away from his face, the gap growing thinner as the demon pressed down onto the substitute. Ichigo knew he couldn't fight this guy, he was to strong, and he himself was wounded from his fight against Nnoitra and Grimmjow.
An armored greave connected to his stomach and Ichigo reeled back and collided with a small brick wall that caved in slightly when he fell into it. Pulling himself up, Ichigo got back onto his feet; looking up he saw the red skinned demon moving to strike him from his left. Ichigo stepped forward and brought Zangetsu across his chest, forcing the demon to attack earlier. Ichigo knew if he pressed himself back he would get the brunt of the attack with nowhere to go, this way he could make the demon attack where he was and if things went south he would simply step back and avoid it.
The demon attacked as Ichigo predicted, swinging his axe earlier and moving perfectly for where Ichigo wanted. Ichigo stepped back to lessen the force of the blow, but as he stepped away he angled his soul cutter badly. Zangetsu got caught on the sharp barbs and was pulled along with it; the force of the swing had actually embedded Zangetsu into a small pillar right next to Ichigo. It had only pierced the stone a few inches, easily removed if quick enough, but the demon knew that as well.
The demon didn't give Ichigo a chance to free his blade, instead he attacked immediately. Ichigo saw the armored fist moving right for his face, ducking down and under the blow Ichigo was now on the ground and unarmed.
Ichigo tried to grasp Zangetsu when he saw the axe moving in, with no time to get his Zanpakuto and block he was forced to leap forward and roll out of the way. Ichigo punched the red skinned monster in the side as he corrected himself and then leapt away again. The demon sagged a bit from the strike but straightened up quickly to keep up the pressure.
Ichigo ducked under a wide swing and then grabbed the demon by the shoulder and jumping up, punched him right in the side of the head. Ichigo swore as he flexed his hand, he shouldn't have punched the guy in the head; after all it was entirely encased in metal. The demon didn't stagger for long, quickly turning and sending a blind swing at the substitute in retaliation.
Dodging again he punched the demon in the gut with two quick strikes with his left hand, but his fist was doing little against the heavily muscled creature in front of him. The demon barely registered the blows and reciprocated with his axe, Ichigo found it easier to dodge without Zangetsu's awkward size getting in the way. But Ichigo was at a severe disadvantage, without any weapon he couldn't actually hurt the demon.
Glancing at Zangetsu, still impaled in the pillar Ichigo knew he needed to get it back, but with this demon on him that was becoming a problem. He would need to daze the bastard to do that, Ichigo rolled to the side and planned it out quickly.
Rushing forward and ducking under a swing, a breeze brushing over his hair as he moved under the savage looking weapon. Passing the Demon Ichigo leapt at a pillar and using it to heighten his ascent up, turned back towards the demon. As Ichigo turned he swung his leg out to meet the demon's head, denting the helmet and likely part of the creature's skull; the creature staggered back clutching at its face.
As Ichigo landed he felt his ankle sprain, that kick had likely done as much damage to him as he did to the demon.
'Shit, I think I overdid it…,' Ichigo internally groaned, before turning to see Zangetsu in the pillar he had just used as a jump point.
Ichigo reached for his Zanpakuto when he heard his instincts tell him to lean back, he was lucky as he saved his neck and arm from being removed. Ichigo turned and got ready to leap away, but before he could an armored gauntlet wrapped around his throat. Ichigo cursed as he felt the massive hand clasp tightly around his windpipe and then slam him into the pillar, eliciting a silent cry of pain from the substitute.
Opening his eyes Ichigo saw the weapon spearing right for his head, with no other choice Ichigo grabbed the weapon barehanded and stopped it. The sharp edge dug deep into his palm, eliciting a deep agonizing cry of pain despite no air escaping his throat.
Ichigo struggled to push the weapon back, the pain of the metal digging into his palm getting worse with every passing moment. As much as the pain took up all his attention, there was one thing that truly made him afraid.
'I'm going to…,' Ichigo thought in horror, the thought that he was going to die.
This cold hard truth made his blood freeze and his heart stop. He knew he would die, and this red skinned demon knew it to and was loving every moment Ichigo tried to hinder its arrival. Ichigo could see that he was not going to be able to reason with this guy, he wanted him dead; there was no other reason than that.
'I can't die,' Ichigo thought, remembering all the people who were counting on him, he needed to get back and save them.
Ichigo tossed the blade in his palm aside and let it strike the pillar beside him; Ichigo ignored the flaring pain in his palm and the lack of oxygen and attacked. As the demon fell forward from the sudden change in resistance Ichigo punched him right in the face, aiming for the broken section of the helmet.
The demon's head shot back and he clutched his face in a daze. Punching the demon in the elbow forced its hand to go slack as the nerves in his arm were shot, Ichigo slid free easily enough and coughed as he could breathe again. After quickly catching his breath Ichigo took his chance and kicked in the demon's leg, forcing it down to a knee.
Ichigo punched the demon again as it tried to face him, and then grabbed the horn on the forehead of the helm and then pulled the demon right towards Zangetsu's sharp edge. The sound of flesh being torn was heard, along with blood dripping onto the ground, splashing as a puddle formed. The demon let out a choked cry of shock as its neck was sliced open, trying to get off the blade.
Ichigo saw this and left nothing to chance, gripping the horn tighter he dragged the demons neck across the full length of Zangetsu before sliding free. Ichigo held onto the demon for a moment, feeling the slackened body in his hand he let it go where it fell to the ground in a heap.
A pool of blood forming around its head, its body unmoving and the eyes beneath the helm dulled to nothing, it was definitely dead. Ichigo backed up a bit and leaned against the pillar, allowing his strength to fade he slid down the side of the stone and onto the ground. He let his sore muscles rest and took in deep breaths, it was a hard fight but he had survived without fatal injury.
Although he may have lost something other than his life in this fight.
Ichigo never took his eyes off the demon, not out of concern it was going to get out and attack again, no nothing like that. Nor did he think of why this guy had attacked him or the fact that he could barely fight this guy. What troubled Ichigo was the fact he had killed him.
He'd never taken a life before; this was the first time he had actually killed someone to simply survive. He had fought against hollows and killed them, he could not deny that, but in truth that was a deep misconception to what he actually did when he cut them down. A Hollow didn't actually die when he killed them, the Zanpakuto would cleanse a hollow, releasing the soul within and allow them to be sent to Soul Society.
But he had killed this monster here, it wasn't an animal, he could speak that was for certain, and he had no idea what he was. Ichigo didn't know where he was or why this guy attacked him, he could simply be just doing what he was meant to. The Shinigami in the Seireitei would do the same if he was an intruder, what makes these guys any different.
Ichigo didn't really know what to think at the moment, so many thoughts were going through his mind. Did this make him a murderer? Could he do it again? Did this creature truly deserve to die?
'He did…,' Ichigo answered the last question to himself; it even surprised him despite answering it himself.
That thing was going to kill him for no other reason than it could; he saw it in its eyes; the ruthless disregard for life and the craving to inflict harm on others. That is what he saw in those eyes. Ichigo had the right to defend himself, use whatever force he deemed right to survive. True Ichigo didn't want to kill him, wasn't his way to just kill someone you come across randomly, but he had no choice.
In battle it was expected to kill or be killed, wolf or the sheep, and he had no intention of being the sheep waiting to be slaughtered. He wouldn't dwell on this now, there was too much for him to focus on at the moment, and his first kill of another sentient being had to wait. If he wanted to get back and save his friends then he had to survive this, he had to get back to Hueco Mundo.
Ichigo lifted himself up from the ground, groaning as his muscles felt stiff from the exertion he had been put through in the last few hours. Grasping the handle of Zangetsu he pulled it free from the pillar with some effort. Bringing the blade to his face for inspection, he looked over the surface to see a nice coat of red blood running along the silver edge of the weapon.
Ichigo looked at his reflection in the blade and saw his battered and bruised face, he had a black eye and a cut along his lip, most of his face was covered in dry and fresh blood. He had been put through his paces and could barely fight anymore; he just hoped he wasn't going to have to anytime soon.
Ichigo let out a breath and calmed his nerves; he had to get back to Hueco Mundo. He focused on that task and nothing else, he had people there who needed him and he couldn't give up on them while they were in danger. Ichigo hardened his resolve, looking at the world ahead of him with a serious frown; he would find a way back no matter the cost. As Ichigo moved to sheath his Zanpakuto he noticed something, on his blade he saw the reflection of the mountain. He could make out some jagged rocks and derelict structures along the face of the cliff, but he also noticed something else there, something moving.
Ichigo turned and faced the mountain slope, and his eyes widened in shock at the proverbial army that was running down it. He saw demons similar to the one he had killed just moments ago, but there were others as well, some larger than them and some smaller but likely no less dangerous. Ichigo saw they all were out for his blood, their yelling and shrieking made that apparent as they drew closer.
"Fuck!" Ichigo cursed, before he turned and took off in the opposite direction.
Ered'kiel Sanctum
Perched on a large floating piece of earth near the edge of a violent arcane storm was a massive fortress of black steel. Many jagged spires shot up into the sky and could be seen for miles around, it was a place to both be in awe of and feared. For this was a fortress of one of the Burning Legion's most cunning and dangerous races, the Nathrezin or the Dreadlords.
These vampiric demons were the commanders and spies of the Burning Legion, highly intelligent and wielders of dangerous magic they are a force to be feared. For their words can lead to the end of entire worlds, be it at the front of a Legion army, or in the shadows turning a race upon itself.
Deep within the shadowy halls of the desecrated fortress lay one such being, who sat upon his throne within a large empty chamber that was decorated with the trophies of over a thousand different worlds. Yet despite this, an ugly scowl marred the pale and bonelike face of the Dreadlord.
Abraxax snarled to himself as he thought over his current position, an occasional guttural growl he used whenever he would brood. Sitting upon his brass throne and thinking over his standing within the mighty Burning Legion, or more correctly, lack of. For Millennia he had played his part as a minion under the command of the greater echelon, catering to their every command.
Regardless of importance he followed them, believing that serving the Legion would eventually reward him with greater power and authority. But he was cast aside more times than he cared for, used like nothing more than a tool and set aside until they had need of him later.
But he would have none of that anymore; he was a Nathrezin, the most intelligent and cunning of all the demons in the Legion. His kind takes command; they are not to be commanded. Many times he has shown his worth, even to Kil'Jaeden himself, providing the Lord of the Legion with the blueprints to create the undead scourge. If not for his work then the Legion would never havebeen able to invade that miserable little planet.
Though they failed, he could succeed; on the ashes of their defeat he could reign triumphant and finally take his place amongst the commanders of the Legion.
It was time for his glory to be shown, he would do what the others could not. He would finally bring victory against those damn mortals, and show them...
"Lord Abraxax!" His dark eyes fell upon the Wraithguard who dared disturb his private thoughts, one of his personal servants no less who should know better.
"Speak," despite his command, Abraxxus wanted nothing more than to be alone in his musing.
"We have an intruder within the Nether," the Wraithguard spoke, this did not gain much interest from his master or give him adequate reason not to kill the insufferable fool for disturbing him.
"You interrupt my meditations for something as trivial as this!" Abraxax glowered at the Wraithguard, who struggled not to take a step back.
The demonic minion knew he could not take a step back in fear; Abraxax despised weakness in his soldiers and those who did not stand rank and file under his command. Any action that was seen as cowardice or undermined his authority was complete evisceration of the body and soul.
"Master, the intruder is a human, a hunting pack has been sent after him but he continues to elude them," The demon said, kneeling in both submission and apology to his lord and master, something he prayed would speak to Abraxus' ego to actually allow him to survive delivering this message.
"A human? Here? How interesting," Abraxax was slightly intrigued by this little piece of information.
It was not often that a mortal would come to this realm, be it of their own choosing or not. He had always hated those beings; always dabbling into things they did not have the hopes of controlling. Yet the fact one came here made him wonder, what could he possibly have done or wanted that he would risk entering the Legions own domain. Abraxus smirked as he thought about the possibilities; he would ask him when he meets him, that was for sure.
"Find him and bring him here, we may as well make his torment our pleasure," Abraxax said with a wave of his hand, dismissing the Wraithguard to go and deliver it.
The Wraithguard nodded and rose to his cloven feet, but before he could make to turn he felt searing pain shoot through his arm. Looking to his left limb he saw he no longer had one, blown off near his shoulder. Clasping the bloody stump the Wraithguard staggered back, but did not dare let a single sound pass his lips or a pained expression mar his face.
"Do not disturb me again; be thankful I am being merciful this time." Abraxax said, lowering his arm and entwining his fingers in front of his face as he studied his minion before him.
"Master," The Wraithguard replied, a calm and submissive tone, surprising since he had just lost his arm.
Abraxax watched the demon soldier depart, clasping the stump connected to his shoulder. A human in the Twisted Nether? He was almost amused. Maybe he was connected to Azeroth in some form, maybe another world with humans. Either way it would be a very nice distraction from the monotony of this place, it may even give his minions something to play with.
But for now he needed to think of something that could be done about gaining some recognition within the upper ranks, he had a few ideas in mind. Maybe an invasion would be in order, and he had just the idea of where to start.
...
He didn't know how long he ran for; it could have been hours or it could have been for days. But his muscles were burning; he could feel his heart ready to leap out of his chest. But even after he had stopped he had to keep running, they were everywhere. He saw them always, behind every corner, hidden in every shadow and concealed in every crevice.
At first he thought this was some sort of dimensional realm similar to Hueco Mundo, but that was not what this place was at all. This place could only be described as one thing, the same thing that Espada had said to him before tossing him here. Hell.
This was Hell. A dark twisted realm where people are sent to suffer, harassed by monsters and demons that wanted to tear their souls apart for nothing more than their own amusement. Ichigo could feel them all around him; the sheer evil presence he felt from being in contact with them for so long had set his nerves on edge. He could barely keep himself together; he would start hearing voices that were neither his Zanpakuto Spirit nor that bastard Inner Hollow. It was like he was slowly being driven insane, but that was not the only symptom he was suffering from.
That pain in his stomach had never left him, it had worsened, he felt deathly ill. Every time he moved or even used his spiritual energy he felt sick and wanted to vomit, he had a few times and discovered that he was bleeding internally. It was like this place was filled with a poison that was rotting him from the inside out, and for all he knew it was doing just that.
"Am I really going insane?" Ichigo murmured to himself, he was hiding under a small crevice in a cliff, resting momentarily before he had to flee from those demons that were hunting him.
Looking down he could see more of those demons running around with those hounds of their. They had no eyes but they could sniff him out good enough. Large red scaled beasts with long black spines running up their back with two large horns that protruded from their front shoulders. They were closing in on where he was, he couldn't stay any longer, and he had to go.
Ichigo didn't know how they were following him, either by smell or by his reiatsu, but either way they always found him fast. Ichigo moved close to the edge and slid down the side, hiding behind a large jagged rock as he landed on the ground. These guys were relentless, and every time he saw them they had more guys looking for him than the last time.
Ichigo took off in the opposite direction when they were out of sight, running as fast his feet could carry him. But every time he ran he felt himself slow, and the respite between the chases grew shorter. Every time he ran they would always get closer, the time between running and hiding was growing dangerously short, but he had no choice but to run.
He couldn't fight them, they were too many and he was too weak to actually do any damage. He had tried and all he got were new cuts and bruises, and a close shave with death. They would kill him before he could do the same to one of them. Ichigo could only run, because if he wanted to survive to get back he needed to run and live. But with each passing moment, his hopes on getting home dwindled.
Ichigo felt something snag against his leg and he tripped, quickly rolling into a recovery position Ichigo got back up. But as soon as he did he felt something strike his arm and then pull him hard.
Ichigo glanced at his arm and saw a long barbed whip wrapped around his forearm and keeping him in place. Looking up he saw the demon that held it, a very attractive woman squeezed into a tight leather bodice, one that could almost pass for a human being. But the horns that jutted from her forehead, the large bat-like wings on her back and instead of normal leg and feet, were hooves and bipedal appendages made it apparent she wasn't.
"Why are you running?" She asked shrewdly, trying to pull Ichigo towards her while smiling seductively. "Wouldn't you rather use your energy for something more pleasurable?"
Ichigo would have blushed and spluttered from the obvious flirt, but this was not the first time one of these demonic woman had tried such a thing. He had no doubt they would do more than flirt with him, but these woman were crazy, they like to inflict pain as much as they say they want pleasure. Sadists to the core, had the mood been better he would have joked Nel would have liked it here.
Without a reply Ichigo tugged the whip hard and pulled the demon off the small mound and towards him, she let out a startled yelp as she flew right to the waiting edge of Zangetsu. Ichigo planned to finish her off quickly and then keep running, he knew better than to leave one of these guys alive. Another fact he had come to accept while in here, survival means you needed to kill the predators that were after you, all of them.
Ichigo planned on impaling the demon then and there but was unable to, but it was not a moment of hesitation on actually committing the deed. His sword arm had been ensnared in another whip and quickly tugged back before he could deliver the blow. Ichigo saw another Succubus nearby, the whip holding his sword arm in her pale grey hands.
"Shit!" Ichigo cursed, glaring at the two barbed leather whips that were keeping him trapped.
"Oh don't worry handsome, we will take good care of you," The grey Succubus said in a sultry voice.
Before Ichigo could respond a third demon made a dramatic entrance, crashing into the ground in front of him. Looking forward Ichigo saw a monolith of a demon. Powerfully built, this creature had large tattered wings and cloven feet like most demons that resided here. But its most noticeable trait was the fact it had two heads. A cylindrical one at the end of the neck like a normal humanoid and another that covers most of the torso.
In a brief moment of thought Ichigo wondered which head actually did the thinking and the other was for show.
"Katra zil shukil!" the demon cried out, charging forward with a large two headed axe.
Eyes widening as the massive weapon dropped right towards his head, Ichigo in an act of desperation tried to save himself from certain death. Using flash step Ichigo pushed himself hard to the right, avoiding the attack entirely and also cutting the whip that was around his sword arm. With his sword arm free Ichigo turned inwards and pulled the Succubus from before towards him again, this time with success.
Zangetsu cut through her chest and bodice and left her to stagger back with blood pouring from her chest and mouth as she let out one last dying shriek. Glancing back at the large blue skinned demon Ichigo avoided another attack, leaping away he was saved from being both eviscerated and crushed by the earth shattering strike. Ichigo planted his foot onto the shaft of the axe and then swung Zangetsu at the demon's top head. The demon roared in pain as the soul cutter sliced through its eyes, relinquishing its axe to grasp at the blinding wound it had suffered.
Ichigo followed up with another, intending on cutting into its second head like he did the first. But before he could land a blow the demon had grasped his arm, all the while its top head was still covered by its other hand. Guess that proves both its heads can see.
Ichigo could do nothing as he was tossed away, souring through the air for a short while before slamming into a nearby stone and then colliding with the ground. Not wasting time Ichigo got back to his feet, just in time to see another demon attack. Ichigo brought Zangetsu up and deflected it away, saving himself from being pierced in the chest. But the spear still tasted blood, Ichigo cried out as the spear pierced his right shoulder and pinned him to the boulder. Ichigo moved to swing again but something grasped his left arm tightly and halted such action.
Looking up he saw another one of those two headed demons had grabbed him, pining his arm to the boulder as well. Ichigo struggled to free himself, but his struggles came to an end when he felt a sharp blade at his throat. Looking he saw a demon pointing a jagged blade at him, carrying a twisted smile as he planned to open his neck.
Ichigo leaned back and closed his eyes, it was over. He was trapped and these guys were going to kill him in a moment anyway. He failed; he failed to save everyone, Orihime, Chad, Rukia, Nel, Urya, Renji. All of them he left there, and now he was going to die in a place where none of them would be able to find him.
How could he let this happen? Ichigo felt pain like no other, his entire body quakes and he felt his eyes water as the crushing despair hit him. He was going to die here, there was no escape, he had failed to survive and escape, these last days or weeks in this nightmare had been for nothing.
'I'm sorry…,'
Ichigo didn't even look towards the axe as it came down, how could he? The weight of this failure was already breaking his heart apart.
"Zasha!"
Opening his eyes Ichigo found that he was very much alive, looking up he saw two demons arguing with one another. Similar to the one who was about to kill him, aside from the fact he was missing an arm.
"Wey hez soyif mor," the one without the arm spoke, shoving the other in the chest and them pointing to Ichigo.
"Zhe pola uyail alkylz, Sheet-sah!" The other yelled back, looking about ready to attack.
"Eshq hezh dalkur Abraxus pattofk," the demon said, the other staggered slightly and looked surprised for a moment.
"Slidu?" he asked, uncertain, to which the other nodded in confirmation.
"Xlefr wuht, ail dalk qezwyz sa zeyy swezh afy!" the one armed demon yelled, which the others followed.
Ichigo felt the spear leave his shoulder; he fell to the ground grasping at the wound. Crying out he looked at his captors and was met with an armored gauntlet to the face, blackness took him and he knew nothing else.
Ered'kiel Sanctum
Abraxus sat on his throne, as he would often do while within the Twisting Nether, for there was little to do in this cursed realm other than to wait. For the last ten thousand years he has waited and no change has come, no orders to carry out. As much as he wanted to be a leader and commander, he would gladly take orders. So long as he was allowed to do something worthwhile, rather than slowly being driven to the brink of insanity boredom.
"You seem tense, Lord Abraxus," came a snide comment from behind him.
Rising from his throne he faced this intruder, only to be met with further irritation once he saw the red skinned woman who stood there. She was a thing of beauty to many, smooth unblemished skin, black lips and glowing fel eyes, she could entrance a Succubus if she so wished. Covered in plated armor that clung tightly to her body, as she always liked to show her wiles to any that could see. But even with her feminine ways she was no different than any other Eredar, arrogant and boisterous.
Though a thing to admire and lust over, Abraxus would have her torn apart and cast from his sight. For she was an insufferable creature that continued to irritate him, reminding him of his position at the bottom of the Legions ranks, right with the mire of dung of the Felhound sleeping pens.
"Be gone woman, you are low company within my palace," Abraxus snarled turning away and moving back to his throne.
But to his ire she did not depart, instead she made herself right at home. Leaning against his throne and glancing down at him with an amused expression, one that he knew was dangerous to be under. As much as she enjoyed messing with him, he knew she wanted him gone from this world simply because he wanted to move up in the ranks. Power is a serious thing, but rank is also important, and the only way to get both is to eliminate competition.
As much as he was a threat to her, she was an even greater one to him.
"How kind of you, to think that I could be considered equal amongst the rest of you drudges within this hovel," she replied, brushing off his insult and turning it back onto him.
Abraxus seethed as he rose up, his fingers dancing with fell energy.
"Have you come here for a reason, Jazera?" Abrexus inquired, ensuring he did not demand it, a false step and he would earn her wrath, something he was not sure he could handle.
"Why yes, we have recently been approached by a new ally, someone who promises to deliver the Burning Legion to Azeroth," Jazera said.
"A new ally? And who is this new ally that makes such a bold proclamation?" Abrexus inquired, the Dreadlord's attention fully on the Eredar woman.
"It matters not to you," Jazera said, amused by his interest. "He is on Draenor, he promises to allow us access to the broken world and from that, the Dark Portal to Azeroth," Jazera said, skimming over the major and minor details for the general synapsis of the plan.
"I see, so you plan to invade from there and finally conquer that wretched world?" Abrexus said, to which she nodded in affirmative. "Why are you telling me this?"
He looked at her and he could see the twisted glee in her eyes as he asked that question, then he realized.
"You are to lead them!" Abraxus seethed, dark energy forming around him as his rage bubbled to the surface; this was another one of her games!
She had come here for no reason other than to look down on him as nothing more than a bug beneath her, someone she could squash as it would mean nothing. This had always been her way, to flaunt her superiority over the lower ranks and even her own kind, to try and prove she was better.
"Correct, I am to meet with the man who promised the Legion Draenor, and then we begin our invasion," Jazera said, amused by the anger of the Nathrezim. "But there is more. I will need your warriors, half will do."
"First you come here unannounced, then you spit on me from that high pedestal you stand from and now you steal from me!" Abraxus roared, ready to kill this woman, regardless of consequence if he lived or died.
"Hold your tongue!" Jazera yelled, her face twisted into a savage snarl as she stood before the Dreadlord, towering over him by two feet. "You forget your place, I am Overlord of the Legion's armies, I command and you lead. Like a faithful minion does."
Abraxus snarled, ready to dig his claws into her neck. Jazera was about to do the same and blast his soul to oblivion with her magic. It would have been so had they not been interrupted. Coming through the door and into the Dreadlord's throne room was a single Wraithguard, who kneeled before the raised patio where his master's throne resided.
"My Lord Abraxus," the demon spoke.
Abraxus kept his eyes on the Eredar woman for a moment before he moved off to see what interruption was currently being brought to him today.
"What is it?" the Dreadlord demanded, glowering down at the Wraithguard, who was lucky to still have his head bowed as to not stare into the frightening eyes of his master.
"We have captured the human; he is in the mausoleum of bones," the Wraithguard said, never moving or doing anything other than reporting to his master.
Abraxus narrowed his eyes and remembered the minion he had sent out nearly two days ago to find that creature, he was surprised it took so long. But no matter, he was something he didn't care much for at the moment.
"Be gone, I will deal with that vermin later," Abraxus said, and turned his attention back to Jazera.
"A human? How deplorable, did he give you some trouble?" Jazera mocked, thinking on how humiliating it would be to reveal that Abraxus was letting humans run around the Nether and not being able to capture them. "To imagine what the other Nathrezim would think of you."
"Be silent!" Abraxus yelled, glaring at the Eredar. "I will have you slander me no longer!"
"I can mock you and belittle your standing as much as I desire," Jazera said, looking to the door. "And remember that you can do nothing to me, for even if you did kill me, my master would kill you without hesitation."
Abraxus low guttural growl was all that could be heard, he knew he couldn't kill her without repercussions. Yet he needed blood, something to quench his thirst to alleviate this damn hunger to rip out that damn woman's throat without having to pay for it later. He quickly found the solution and turned to leave, much to the Eredar's confusion.
"Where, dare I say, are you going?" Jazera asked, though her question was rhetorical she had hoped for an answer.
"I may not be able to kill you, yet," Abraxus growled, which made Jazera both smirk and narrow her eyes. "But that human is another matter altogether."
Jazera let out a chuckle, he couldn't hurt her and so he was going to hurt someone else, it was always the way of a coward to fight someone who was weaker than them. Although, maybe this human would actually stand a chance and possibly wound him; that alone would be something she could use to further aggravate him. After all, it was her duty to remind the inferiors of their place, and there was no better reminder than they bled to a mortal.
