Transcendence
Chapter 05: Fortress under Siege
Quintis stared at the blade on his desk, supported by a large stand; he could see his reflection in the silver and blade flat of the weapon. He had been studying it for days and nothing had been accomplished, not from learning of the weapon nor of the boy who wielded it. Both were being tight lipped about their origins and their coming here, as strange as it might sound about the blade, he knew it wasn't a piece of metal formed into a blade.
Quintis felt the power within and knew that it wasn't a normal sword, it was something else entirely. He could sense it every time he touched the handle, the oppressive force that flowed through him continued to grow every day. It was getting stronger, as was Ichigo, for some reason there was a connection between the two. What kind he did not know, but he had to find out.
"Master," Quintis turned to see his young apprentice standing at the door, he had not noticed her enter, to engrossed in his own thoughts.
"Yes, what is it?" Quintus inquired, rising for his seat and moving from the blade.
"I recently had a conversation with Ichigo and I am very confused, but also worried," Adelina said, her words dropping near the end, making Quintis feel some worry work its way into his stomach.
"What did you speak upon?" Quintus inquired, giving his full attention to the young Night Elf.
"We spoke upon his people, as we always did," Adelina replied. "But once I spoke to him about the Human kingdoms across the sea he grew interested, very interested."
"You speak as if he did not know they were here," Quintis stated.
"It seems so, he asked much about them, at first I thought he may have thought he was on another world and lost from his people." Adelina continued. "But even after I spoke with him of what I knew, of their Kingdom and of their Capital he continued to ask about them, as if he has never known of them."
Quintis narrowed his eyes slightly at this, it was very suspicious, Adelina was right to at first think that the boy thought himself lost. But the mention of Humans and then showing a deep interest in them, despite showing signs Ichigo has had no prior contact with their culture made it suspicious.
"What did you specifically tell him?" Quintis asked, trying to see if there was anything specific that Ichigo found about Humans could reveal an underlying motive.
"Mostly about where they were and little pieces of information that I knew of," Adelina replied. "But it was only when I mentioned magi that he wished to know specifically about them."
Quintis felt his anxiety rise slightly at this; the boy had shown interest in the Arcane. Though nothing could point out that he had any ill intentions, the way that the boy was found made it dangerous to not suspect something. He had been found wounded and infected with Fel energy, although he was completely immune to it.
Something that was impossible, even the warlocks that still roam this world were not completely immune to the corruptive influence of demonic magic. Also, the fact the boy had no prior knowledge of Humans present here or even of themselves. Word of their existence would have reached the ears of nearly everyone in the world. It would be a slim chance that he was among the few that still didn't know, but his presence here and his lack of understanding of this world made Quintis apprehensive.
"Tell me what is it about the magi that caught his attention?" Quintis asked, doing so quickly and demandingly, if the boy was to attempt something he had to know what it was and fast.
"He was mainly interesting in how they were able to perform their feats; he showed interest in almost all they could do," Adelina said, trying to remember if there was anything he was very keen on. "But I remember I saw hope in his eyes when I mentioned that they could use portals and teleportation spells."
Quintis became very uneasy about that, the boy was interesting in travelling and not of the normal kind. Portals could act as doorways to anywhere in the world and sometimes outside it. If he was a malicious threat such as a warlock or a demon, then a portal is something he didn't want him to have.
"Did you tell him anything else?" Quintis asked quietly, if he had no idea of this world the less he knew the better.
"I spoke of Theramore, but that was before I mentioned the Arcane, I may have leaked information I shouldn't have," Adelina said, biting her lip a little at her slip up and possibly revealing something she shouldn't have.
"Do not worry, you couldn't have known, but we must be ready just in case," Quintis said, deciding that a subtle approach may not be the best way to go about this, he would need to take more appropriate action if they were to uncover who or what he is.
"What do you plan to do?" Adelina asked, seeing the hard stare in her masters eyes made her worry about a possible confrontation.
"I will speak with Shandris in the morning, for now keep close and learn what you can and report anything suspicious to me," Quintis ordered, as Adelina turned to leave he added one last piece of advice. "And be careful, he may not be as he appears."
Adelina nodded and closed the door behind her, leaving a very anxious druid to contemplate this recent revelation.
Quintis sat down at his desk and let out a breath, massaging his brow and gathering his thoughts. It was becoming very complicated, especially with how simply it could be to resolve it.
The boy had been all but reclusive since he awoke, as if he was a child that wished to be home and away from these strange creatures. That was something anyone could understand, but his knowledge of the world was scarce and limited. In fact it is likely if asked about it, he likely would only be able to recount what he heard from Adelina.
Quintis first suspected Ichigo was of ill intent due to him being shrouded with fel energy. But later ruled it out as the energy was not from him and he appeared to have been attacked by demons. But now Quintis could feel a power radiating from the boy, it was powerful and oppressing, something that he did not like.
And the sudden revelation that there were Humans present in these lands and wielded the Arcane made Quintis scared. The Arcane was but a breath away from demonic worship, it only took one person to want more power and they would fall to corruption. Quintis hoped that he could find a way to uncover the boy's motives and possibly prevent a major catastrophe.
He would need to investigate this further and also make sure that the boy doesn't try to leave, Elune only knows what would happen if he tried.
Early Morning
It was near dawn in Feralas, the sun was still rising over the mountains in the east but small rays of light shown over their peaks. But despite that the humidity had not disappeared at all, it was a mildly warm morning, as was every night and morning in Feralas. Kalimdor was a continent that knew no cool climate, save only for the slopes of Mount Hyjal.
Captain Ferlynn and her party of Sentinels were scouting the Sendor Isles, moving through the fog covered forests for intruders. They had patrolled for most of the night, looking for anything that might try to assault their forces from behind. Despite the monotony of the task and the many hours they had patrolled, the Sentinels kept their wits about them. They were not foolish enough to be caught daydreaming while searching for threats, one false move or distraction could mean certain death.
Shrouded in full body cloaks and hoods, that blended in with the fog and hid the female archers from any who may inhabit the fog. Behind Ferlynn were three similarly clad Sentinels, all spread out in a wide formation. Haidene, Saynna, and Ysiel
They all scanned the forest and fog for anything, a subtle shadow in the brush or sounds of something moving in the distance. Yet not a sound was heard in their patrol, their feet not making a single sound as they took light steps. Never disturbing anything in their path, be it a branch or a leaf. They were but ghosts in the mist, hidden in plain sight and making nary a sound.
Ferlynn called for a halt, raising her hand in a silent signal, and instantly the three behind her halted and dropped low. Keeping their eyes on their surroundings, while keeping their leader in their peripheral vision to ensure they caught any other signal she made.
Ferlynn did so, gesturing towards something east-north east of their position. They all glanced in the direction and saw the grey silhouette of someone in the distance, partially concealed by a tree.
With a third and final signal the Sentinels scattered, leaving Ferlynn to cautiously walk towards the unknown silhouette. Moving between the trees and bushes, making sure she did not disturb them as she hid beside them, she approached the unknown individual. As Ferlynn leaned silently against a tree and peaked around to look to see her target was only a few feet away.
To Ferlynn's surprise it was another Sentinel. Looking closely Ferlynn could see an arrow lodged in her side. Ferlynn appeared in the open and moved towards her fellow warrior, surveying the surroundings as she moved to check if she was alright.
Ferlynn turned and regarded her wounded sister, seeing her pained expression as she held the wound.
"What happened, where is your party?" Ferlynn asked quietly, moving away the Sentinel's hand and examining the wound. The arrow was composed of bone, likely Chimera from what Ferlynn could guess, as they were hollow and light.
And there was only one place Ferlynn knew where there was a large Chimera population, the Isles of Dread. That was occupied by Hatecrest Naga.
"Attack… Naga…," the wounded Sentinel said, struggling with her words. "They are here… in force… you must warn…"
Before she could finish she was struck in the side of the neck by an arrow, shocking Ferlynn as she watched her sister fall to the ground. She let out several small gasps before she finally fell silent. Ferlynn turned and glared at the Naga siren that was just visible through the fog.
The siren was a member of the Naga race, the female of their putrid species. Once members of the Night Elf race, they are no longer as such, warped by foul magic into horrid serpents. The torso of a woman and the lower body of a snake, covered in small thin scales. Large spines jutted from her head and down her spine and were connected by fleshy fins. Four long arms jutted from her shoulders, with large webbed hands that were large enough to grasp an entire head in their grip.
Turning out of cover she took aim and fired, her arrow striking in the scaly breast of the sea snake. The Naga let out a pained hiss before slivering closer to get some accuracy on her next strike.
As the Siren raised her bow it was struck once more by another arrow through the stomach, Ferlynn ducked back as an arrow was shot in retaliation. She moved out again to strike but halted when the Siren jerked forward suddenly and fell face first onto the ground. In the nape of its neck was a third arrow, likely lodged in its spine, fired from another Sentinel who stood several feet behind it.
Ysiel rushed up behind the Naga and drew her dagger, grabbing the Siren's head protrusions she pulled her head back and slit her throat. Ysiel dropped the dead Naga and looked up to her team leader and nodded, one that Ferlynn returned.
Ysiel drew to her full height and pulled another arrow from her quiver, looking to her surroundings for more intruders. But she fell to the ground with a roar of pain as an arrow struck her in the leg, she fell to her knee and then onto her side. Ferlynn glanced to where the shot was fired before ducking behind cover and dodged a hail of three arrows; she took up her bow and quickly drew back her arrow. She stepped out of cover and shot the arrow at the large bulking creature as it advanced.
It jolted slightly but didn't stop in its advance; Ferlynn drew another and shot it again. But it kept moving forward, and into visibility where Ferlynn could see it clearly. A large bulky Naga warrior slithered towards her, more animal than anything else and covered in slimy lime green scales. In its hands was a large jagged trident.
As it roared and moved forward to attack it was struck in the chest and collar by two arrows, which made it stagger slightly. Before finally collapsing when two more lodged itself in its chest. Ferlynn looked back to see the last members of her party had appeared. But as she turned back she saw more shadows moving from the mist and towards them, many more.
"Come together, and keep down!" Ferlynn ordered, aiming her arrow at the slimmer silhouettes and firing.
Ferlynn was glad to hear a shriek of pain as the dark figure was clawing at its face before falling over onto the ground. As she drew another arrow a Naga erupted from the mud beside her, holding a large axe in its hands. Ferlynn leaped aside and rolled into a crouch, took up aim and shot the Naga in the throat. Three more arrows struck it in the chest, letting it fall away to the ground dying.
Ferlynn saw her warriors firing off into the mist at the approaching Naga, but they were growing in number, the white was being overshadowed by many dark figures. Their already disheartening outlook on this battle was even further darkened as many more Naga emerged from muddy pools around them.
Large Naga slithered towards them, while the witches stayed at a distance and sent arrows and magic sailing towards them. They had no chance against a force so large, they would all die here if they didn't get back to the Stronghold and warn their fellow warriors.
"Fall back, we need to warn Shandris!" Ferlynn ordered, moving away from cover and firing in the open at a nearby Naga, striking it in the chest. "Haidene, return to the Stronghold and warn them, Saynna, grab Ysiel and get her up!"
They followed their orders, Haidene moving quickly from cover to cover as she retreated from the fighting. She was forced to a halt when the ground burst up in front of her and three large myrmidons loomed over her. Haidene raised her bow and fired a single shot, striking the Naga in the face, but before she could do it again her bow was knocked from her hands. She couldn't react in time to dodge the second attack that speared her through the chest; Haidene let out a shocked gasp before she fell lifeless to the ground.
"Haidene!" Cried out Saynna, she drew an arrow along with Ysiel and fired. Striking the Naga that killed their fellow Sentinel in the chest, but he moved forward with little care for the barbs lodged in his torso.
"Night Elves, they are weak!" The Naga hissed, all advancing from every direction on the helpless sentinels.
Saynna drew a new arrow from her quiver and was struck from behind by an arrow, lodging itself into her shoulder. She tried to get onto a knee but was struck again by a magical spell that froze her left leg and arm solid. Saynna fell to the side unable to move and was soon under the gaze of a Naga. The massive beast raised its trident, but was struck in the eye by an arrow, it slithered around in agony.
Ysiel drew another but her bow and arrow were knocked away by another Naga, as she lay there she was stabbed through the stomach. She cried out in pain as the weapon was pulled free. As Ysiel died so did Saynna, impaled and left to bleed out onto the ground. Ferlynn turned and shot an arrow through the neck of a Naga before she ducked under a spear; she dropped her bow and drew her glaive and sword.
Ferlynn slashed with both at her attacker and opened up his stomach and chest, letting him struggle to keep his insides from falling out. She then rushed forward and stabbed one through the chest before throwing her glaive at a siren who tried to shoot her. Though the Naga dodged the three pronged weapon Ferlynn was already making her way towards the fortress. Weaving between the Naga and trying to warn her sisters.
Before she could make it far she was struck in the chest by an arcane bolt, sending her soaring through the air and onto her back. Ferlynn tried to recover but she felt a large hand wrap around her throat and lift her up. Opening her eyes she saw the slimy reptilian orbs of a Naga siren, who smiled smugly at her.
"Impressive, your kind has obviously not lost your touch," the siren said, laughing a little.
Ferlynn tried to attack but her wrist was caught, she tried to struggle but halted and groaned when she felt something pierce her stomach. Looking down she saw two blades protruding though her midriff, she could only let out a curse at her killers before she went limp and finally passed on.
The Naga siren cast aside the body of the Sentinel as if it were trash, and sent a curse at the woman in her native tongue. Turning to the stronghold that lay in the distance, just noticeable beyond the now receding mist, she smiled as she slithered forward. Behind her was a small army of Naga, waiting to invade and destroy the stronghold of their hated enemy.
"Attack now; push them into the sea and the waiting maws of our brothers!" She cried out, while the others hissed and let out watery laughs as they moved in for the kill.
Shandris rushed to her balcony when she heard the war horn sound; her eyes scanned the entire fortress to see her warriors massing. Looking over to the forests she saw what had sounded the alarm, an army of Naga was moving from the trees. Dozens, possibly hundreds, were moving from the mist filled forest and towards her stronghold.
Shandris turned back and entered her chamber, collected her bow and quiver and took her two blades and sheathed them to her belt. Rushing back to the Balcony she leapt off the wooden railing and onto a large tree branch. Drawing an arrow she took aim and in only a blink of an eye fired towards the forest. Before the first arrow struck its target she drew another and fired, and in only a matter of second's two targets had an arrow through their head and heart.
She leapt down to another branch before landing onto the roof of a nearby building, always keeping her eye on the fighting ahead of her. Her sentinels were already moving forward, taking up defensive positions to fire and then engage in close combat. The Naga were smart, they would not charge into the open so carelessly, not against the skilled archers of the sentinels. Drawing her arrow back she let lose another barb and three seconds later the tip pierced the skull of a Naga warrior.
Shandris hopped to the ground, rolling with her landing and back to her feet elegantly. She walked towards the front line with little concern about the fighting going on ahead of her. Drawing three arrows from her quiver she strung them all, dipping and angling them all in her grip and then setting them loose. All three hit their targets, striking two Naga warriors in the chest and one Siren in the collar.
Shandris Feathermoon was a master of the bow, with over ten thousand years of experience that few in the world could hope to put their name to. She has fought in thousands of battles against ten times as many enemies, and she would not be put down so easily by several dozen Naga.
"Push forward, rain down death upon them!" Shandris ordered, all the while calling two of her sentinel officers close by. "Gather your warriors and move to their right flank and rear, push them out of the forest and cut off their retreat to the north coast."
"It will be done," they both moved off and took their warriors with them.
Shandris looked back at the fighting, her warriors sending hails of arrows into the wood and trying to overwhelm the Naga with barb and steel tips. Shandris saw a glint in the sky and noticed an arrow sailing towards her; she casually leaned to the side and avoided it. Drawing an arrow she fired it at the one who had made the attempt on her, and then quickly drew another and fired at the same target.
As she expected the Naga tried to avoid the first arrow, allowing the Naga behind her to be struck in the chest. But where the first missed the second caught the Naga in the collar, the Siren cried out as the arrow dug deep in the flesh and the thick scaly skin working against her in removing the arrow.
"Pick your target! Do not waste your arrows!" Shandris ordered, drawing another arrow and striding forward.
She glared at the foul creatures as they made such a bold attempt to attack the fortress. They were fools to think they would be taken so easily, she and her warriors would make them pay for their arrogance with their lives.
"Move, Shandris has ordered all warriors to the forest!" A sentinel called out; gathering the few remaining warriors within the stronghold to bear.
Only a few remained in the Elven outpost, still gathering their weapons and armor to leave. But while their eyes were to the west, they did not see the churning waters of the east. The waters off the coast of the stronghold were churning rapidly, bubbles and shadows moved beneath the surface. Long fins pierced the surface of the water and glided towards the coast.
Emerging from the water were more Naga, dozens slithered onto the beach. Led by a large green hulking creature with a thick metal breastplate and an elongated dragon helm that encased his entire head and snout. He raised his large golden trident and aimed for the fortress.
"Kill everything in your wake; make these surface dwellers know the might of the Hatecrest!" The Naga Lord hissed aloud, rising his trident high. "Glory to the Naga, Glory to Azshara!"
The Naga moved forward unhindered, the few remaining sentinels that remained were taken by surprise from the attack. They recovered their wits quickly and attempted to defend the stronghold, yet they were ill prepared for the attack and overwhelmed. Those that survived the initial wave retreated back and tried to find solid ground they could defend, they would defend this place rather than abandon it.
Ichigo and Adelina watched from the balcony as the Naga rushed in, pushing the defenders of Feathermoon Stronghold from their base. Ichigo was shocked at what he was seeing, both in the battle that was going on below and the unknown beings that were attacking. They were some sort of snake human hybrid or something, he had no idea what they were, but they were monsters in both form and character.
"No, the Naga have the fortress!" Adelina called in worry, turning and rushing for the door. "We cannot let them attack Shandris Feathermoon with our warriors fighting in the forest; they would be surrounded and killed."
She knew that if the Naga were able to flank the sentinels then it was all over, she had to help those few still here in keeping the Naga from passing through the stronghold. She knew that Shandris would be able to hold the Naga in the forest and then return here to aid them. They just needed to hold out as long as possible.
"Where is Zangetsu?" Ichigo asked, making Adelina look at him confused, at both his question and the fact he marched with purpose next to her. "My sword, where is it?"
Was he planning on joining her in defending the stronghold? As much as she suspected him as did her master, she could understand why he would want to fight.
"You cannot help us, your wounds may be mostly healed but you cannot hope to face beings such as them and survive," Adelina tried to dissuade him from coming.
"I can help, just tell me where my sword is." Ichigo said, as they walked out of their room they looked over the railing to see several sentinels protecting the occupants of the Inn from several Naga.
Adelina weighed her options; they were vastly outnumbered and had little support other than the few sentinels that were still present within the Stronghold. Their forces were scattered and divided and likely not doing well, they had to regroup if they wanted to survive this. Adelina remembered her mother teaching her much about how to win a battle, how to use any advantage that you can to not only survive but win.
Adelina made up her mind; Adelina hoped that what she decided on was the right choice.
"In my master's room, it is the last one down the hall, find your weapon and help us if you insist," Adelina said, not waiting as she shifted into her saber form and leapt from the balcony and down at the Naga.
Latching her jaw around the jugular of the Naga she landed on, she ripped it out and tossed the gooey flesh from her mouth. She leapt from the dead Naga and onto another, claws digging into its chest and then ripping into its face with her teeth. Adelina jumped away and towards the sentinels, knowing that her surprise attack had played its use, she shifted back into her normal form. Adelina twirled her staff around and behind her, spitting out some blood in her mouth before glaring defiantly at the Naga.
Adelina summoned her power, summoning a ball of golden energy in her free hand and holding it firmly. With a roar the sentinels charged in, meeting the Naga in brutal melee. Adelina shot her wrath spell at the Naga, sending one falling back with its chest wounded by the powerful concussive force.
Adelina stayed back and offered what support she could from a distance along with two others. The young druid's eyes darting between the different warriors, helping those in need and those that were in danger. Despite their skill and prowess, killing two Naga for every one of their own was still not in their favor, the Naga held the numbers and they were being pushed back.
"Puny Night Elves, your kind will drown in the oceans as we claim this world!" A Naga roared, raising his trident to strike down a sentinel but he halted when a shadow appeared over him.
The serpent's eyes widened at the form above, falling down right toward him with a massive blade in its hand. The myrmidon could only feel the savage bite as the blade tore through his torso, leaving a debilitating wound across his chest. But it was not lethal in the sense, the confusion from this lasted only a short time as a sandaled foot connected with his snout.
"Human? Kill the wretched vermin!" A Naga shouted in surprise, before barking an order.
Ichigo pivoted around and blocked the trident before deflecting the weapon and upper cutting the Naga right in the chin. His strength was still on a level far above that of an average Human, something Ichigo was glad for. But even so these guys either had really hard skin or hard bones, because that certainly was going to leave a bruise on his knuckles.
Ichigo ducked under another attack and slashed at the midriff of the Naga, letting it fall to the ground grasping at its stomach in shock. Ichigo gripped one of the spines on its head and finished it off with a knee to the face. He tossed the Naga to the side and brought up Zangetsu defensively as he faced the enemy serpents head on.
Ichigo turned to the half a dozen more of them still within the inn, all carrying different weapons and all with the same angry and ugly face. Ichigo noted that three Sentinels had walked up beside him; all had their weapons drawn and completely stoic in the presence of such vile monsters. Ichigo didn't need any confirmation from them, they were here to fight and defend this place and he was going to help. Without another word they all charged, meeting the Naga in the middle of the inn.
Ichigo ducked under the trust of a spear and punched the Naga as hard as he could in the midriff, making the Naga drop its weapon and lurch in pain. Ichigo twisted around the downed serpent with a two handed swing of Zangetsu and charged into the waiting maws of the next one. The serpent raised its sword and attempted to cleave him in half. Ichigo deflected the weapon with his own, sending the Naga off balance, but instead of taking advantage of the off balanced enemy, Ichigo turned back to the stunned Naga.
Slashing at its back, Ichigo knew better than to leave a barely wounded enemy behind him. The wound should kill it, but he did not know much about these guys physiology, but it should be enough to put it down for a while. At least, he hoped it would be for a while, because if that wound was just a paper cut to these guys he would be surprised. Turning around Ichigo blocked another sword swing, Ichigo slid across the floor a little as the massive Naga pressed hard to either drop him or push him over.
Ichigo threw the sword away before lopping off the Naga's hand with a quick slash. As the Naga roared out in pain Ichigo slashed at its chest, it roared out again but did not fall. Ichigo followed up with another to the stomach and watched as the Serpent slumped to the ground severely wounded but still very conscious.
These things were tough, their muscle and hide were a little difficult to cut through and they were quite resilient when they wanted to be. With that little revelation, he raised Zangetsu up and plunged it into the creature's chest, ending its life.
His eyes shot up and around for anymore hostiles, but discovered the other Naga were down for the count, having been killed by the Sentinels in quick order. He didn't like killing, considering he had only just taken it up against living things, but considering what was happening right now he needed to act rationally here. If these things wanted to kill everyone he had a right to fight by their side and make sure that they don't.
"Move, we need to stop the Naga from advancing," Said a sentinel, pushing past Ichigo and towards the exit.
Adelina stepped by Ichigo; following after the rest of the elven warriors, steeling himself Ichigo took after the warriors and into the open area of the Elven stronghold. But as he exited the inn he came across a battleground, dozens of Naga were all over the stronghold. Tearing apart everything and everyone that came close to them, not caring if it was a soldier or an innocent bystander.
Ichigo clenched his teeth at the cruel sadistic savagery these creatures employed, for a moment thinking that killing them wasn't a bad idea. Raising Zangetsu Ichigo followed the sentinels into the middle of the melee, ready to fight and protect this place and everyone in it.
Shandris stabbed down at the blasted siren that was leading these foul Naga, ending their attack as well as their leader in one fell swoop. She had pursued them into the southern part of the forest after they retreated and tried to escape to the safety of the seas. But thanks to the skill and discipline of her warriors, they were easily out maneuvered and caught in a vice. Now only a few stragglers remained, to be hunted down before they could escape to the ocean and out of the righteous wrath of her warrior's arrows.
"Separate into hunting parties and kill any Naga that remain in these woods!" Shandris ordered, and in moments her command was being followed.
Officers gathered together and organized their forces into appropriate size, small groups of five. They all took off in separate directions and began the hunt for the last of the foul serpents that dared try to take their isle.
"Lady Shandris!" Turning, the Ranger General saw a battered and bloody sentinel rushing towards her.
"Speak," Shandris ordered, seeing the disheveled woman and her desperation was enough to make her want to know what was going on.
"Naga have risen from the coast, they attack the Stronghold as we speak," the sentinel said, shocking those that were within earshot to hear, they had been led away from the fortress. "Our sisters cannot hold for long, we are too few."
"Curse those filthy creatures; gather together, bring back the hunting parties, we return to Feathermoon Stronghold now!" Shandris called out, in that moment they all took off in a brisk pace back towards their encampment.
Ichigo kicked the Naga siren in the side of the head as he leaped over the shoulder of the larger male, before landing and slashing at its exposed back. As the creature tumbled forward, the substitute leapt up and jumped onto its head, driving it into the ground.
Things were not going well for them, these Naga as they were called kept coming up from the sea and the Sentinels were not getting any reinforcements. Many times Ichigo had to save wounded sentinels from certain death, but still they were losing. He was being pushed hard against these things, he couldn't use a Getsuga Tensho in such close quarters and with so many bystanders around that could get hurt.
"Fall back!" A man called, Ichigo looked to see Quintis nearby, sending a wave of air at a group of Naga. "Regroup and defend, we cannot push them back, we must wait for reinforcements!"
As he said this the sentinels moved back, fighting in retreat as they collected their wounded while they regrouped. Ichigo followed their lead; he moved back with the sentinels and kept fighting, wounding and knocking back the Naga as they came close.
Ichigo cut down one Naga and saw three more coming right for him; he raised his blade and waited for them. But they were cast aside by a bright blast of white light; their bodies tumbled across the ground before stopping and remained completely unmoving. Turning Ichigo saw Quintis there fighting in the front, drawing his staff he charged past Ichigo with several sentinels behind him. Ichigo followed them in, pulling Zangetsu back with both hands.
Ichigo slashed at the closest Naga, who blocked the attack with the shaft of the trident. Ichigo had Zangetsu thrown off; stumbling past the Naga Ichigo shifted the blade over his shoulder and blocked a swipe to his back. Turning, he angled his blade up and threw the trident over him before Ichigo slashed at the Naga's side. The Naga continued its attack unhindered, not noticing the superficial wound.
Ducking under the attack Ichigo moved forward and cut across the Naga's chest, tearing through the tight muscle. As the Naga stumbled away from the more noticeable laceration Ichigo attacked again with two quick strikes. Giving two deep wounds to the Naga's torso, one on its shoulder and another wound that ran parallel to the other on his chest. Ichigo let the Naga fall to the mud beaten, but as soon as it hit the ground the substitute was forced into a duel with another opponent.
Dodging the wild swing Ichigo slammed Zangetsu down onto the Naga's weapon, but the Naga had its weapon too high up. This allowed Ichigo to close in and twist Zangetsu from the top of the sword to under it. Ichigo slammed the pummel of his Zanpakuto into the serpents face, staggering it and forcing it to clutch its face in pain. In that moment Ichigo delivered two quick strikes to its chest leaving a cross over its torso.
Ichigo glanced to the side before he strafed to the right and twisted Zangetsu around to block his left. A moment later two narrow blades connected with his Zanpakuto, both metal weapons grinding against his as they slid off and two more came veering towards him.
From one enemy to another, it had been like this ever since the battle began. He had never really fought like this; he usually always had one opponent to go against. He never really had to fight against a small army, unless he counted when he fought against all those hollows when Ishida used that Hollow bait.
But never had he been on a battlefield surrounded with so much death. Seeing other people dying in front of him so often, fighting for their lives and no matter what he couldn't help them. The smell of blood was everywhere and he felt his blood boil, he wanted more than just to beat these bastards to a bloody pulp. He wanted them to pay in full for attacking and murdering these people.
Ichigo deflected the swords and slashed at the sirens chest, she let out a hiss of pain before renewing her attacking. Ichigo stepped away from a double thrust before retaliating, cutting into her side. As she swung her blades back around Ichigo met them, slashing up he removed both her arms up to the elbow joint.
As the Siren cried out in shock at seeing the severed stumps, Ichigo stepped in front of her and with both hands slashed down at her. The Siren attempted to block with both her blades, but Ichigo powered through her defense and pushed down her blade, cutting through her chest. As she dropped her weapons Ichigo leapt forward and kneed her in the face, knocking the fatally wounded creature to the ground and out cold.
Ichigo leaned back as a large maul veered towards his head from above, shaking the ground slightly as it crashed into the mud at substitute's feet. Stumbling back he bumped into someone, turning to look Ichigo saw Adelina looking back with an equal amount of surprise. He turned back to see the Naga slither forward, hefting up the largest morning star maul he had ever seen.
"A little help?" Ichigo asked, gesturing to the Naga with a jerk of his head.
Adelina smiled and offered a quick nod, she stepped beside Ichigo and both charged at the large bulky serpent. Ichigo ducked under the wide swing of the hammer and slashed at the Naga's midriff, but it did little to nothing against the massive creature. It proved this when it raised the weapon over its head and slammed it down towards Ichigo. Ichigo leapt forward and away, avoiding having been flattened into a pancake of blood and gore.
Ichigo rolled to a knee and readied Zangetsu, while the Naga hefted up its hammer, or at least tried to. The Naga myrmidon turned and found its massive weapon trapped in thick vines and roots that continued to grow around the weapon and his arm. It turned to see that the female Elf was channeling a spell, likely the same that had trapped its weapon. It turned back to the human boy who was right in front of him with his massive khyber blade raised over his head.
Ichigo slashed at the Naga and opened a deep wound into its chest, a gush of blood filled Ichigo's vision. He nearly missed the claw moving right for his face, Ichigo ducked under it and then slashed at the Naga's side. As the Naga staggered and tried to grab the substitute again, Ichigo moved around and slashed into its back. With another hiss of pain it tried to turn and seize Ichigo, but missed by merely an inch.
'This guy really won't go down,' Ichigo thought, seeing all those wounds he had delivered were not stopping him.
As the Naga tried to claw at the substitute it was engulfed by a bright golden light that exploded, the Naga fell to the ground dead, wounds smoking along with its scales. Ichigo turned and saw Adelina with a raised palm, he smirked and nodded to her, she offered a curt nod in return with a small gentle smile.
As she turned to continue fighting her smile turned to shock. Adelina saw her master stabbed through the side by a barbed spear. She watched in shock as he was thrown to the ground wounded and at the mercy of a siren, who was grinning madly over him. Adelina in an act of desperation blindsided the Naga witch with a Moonfire spell and ran to her fallen master.
"Master, don't move I'll heal you!" Adelina said, kneeling down beside Quintis and placing her hands over his chest, desperately trying to seal the wound and stem the blood.
She was so focused on saving her master that she did not notice an attacking Naga until its shadow loomed over her. Adelina brought both hands to her staff and raised it above her, halting the sword. Adelina was slowly losing her fight; the Naga's phenomenal strength was easily overpowering her. The Naga moved its head closer, its jaws widened to revealed salivating teeth ready to bite off her face. But the Naga was cast away by a powerful gust of force.
"Adelina… get back…," Quintis ordered, his hand still raised as he tried to stand and also push Adelina away.
"Please, let me heal you, you can barely stand!" Adelina cried out in worry, trying to help her master.
But she was forced from the ground as a large firm hand grasped her by the back of her neck; Adelina was brought face to face with a large green scaled Naga with a golden trident and breastplate. The Naga sneered at her before glaring down at the elder Druid, who in turn sent his own at the serpent holding his apprentice.
"You Night Elves will never learn, you are weak and we will show you your place," Rah'zesh hissed, turning back to Adelina and intending to skewer her, and to prove his point to the older druid.
Rah'zesh was surprised when she raised her palm, which was aglow with a white energy. Quickly he ducked to the side and tossed Adelina away, saving himself from having his head blown from his shoulders. Adelina hit the ground with a hard thud, with a groan she tried to stand but as she sat up she found a three pronged trident at her throat.
"Almost girl, but almost is never enough," Rah'zesh raised his trident, as Adelina shielded herself from the coming attack.
As he glared down at the girl he noticed something, out of the corner of his eye, a flash of silver. Glancing towards it the Fathom Lord saw an orange haired human charging him, who was swinging his sword down towards his head. Twirling the trident Rah'zesh halted the blade, a bright display of sparks escaped the point of contact and the Fathom Lord found himself struggling to keep the blade away. Rah'zesh in a roar of anger pushed back and threw Ichigo away.
Ichigo jumped back and was right between the Naga and Adelina.
"You alright?" Ichigo asked, looking back at Adelina, who could only nod in surprise at her rescuer. "Stay there, I'll handle this guy."
Turning back Ichigo charged at Rah'zesh, a horizontal slash at the serpent's chest that was blocked by a turn of the trident in its hands. Rah'zesh swiped at Ichigo with his free hand, aiming to claw out his eyes. Ichigo ducked under a swing, pulling Zangetsu with him, doing a twirl on his heels he attempted to attack the Naga's right side. To the substitutes surprise Zangetsu met the shaft of the trident, Rah'zesh had twisted the weapon around and over his head and shoulder, blocking it while the weapon remained in his left hand.
"Impressive, for an infant you have skill; my victory will be all the sweeter as will your blood on my tongue," Rah'zesh hissed, flinging Zangetsu off his trident and then spearing his trident for Ichigo's head.
Ducking under the thrust Ichigo swung up with one arm with Zangetsu in quick retaliation. But the Naga evaded the strike with impossible grace, his serpentine body moving out of the way in a very slimy manner. Ichigo steadied himself before continuing his attack, slashing and swiping at the Naga leader as quickly as he could.
Their duel continued on for several moments, dozens of attacks passed between them both. Not a single meeting its mark, always evaded or blocked by their respective weapons. It was a stalemate, yet Ichigo was gaining ground, he was forcing the Naga to move back with every attack.
'There!' Ichigo mentally told himself, seeing an opening in the Naga's defense.
Deflecting the trident up Ichigo brought his weapon down on his opposite side and performed another quick upward slash. He passed the Naga's rigid defense and was able to slice into the steel breastplate and a thin layer of flesh beneath. Though nothing of real worth, Ichigo felt a little good that he knew he could at least wound the bastard. The Fathom Lord slithered back in surprise, grasping at the opening in his armor and then glaring at Ichigo.
"You insignificant pest! I will make you bleed!" Rah'zesh roared in outrage.
Ichigo gripped Zangetsu with both hands and moved in for the kill, ready to put down the Naga once and for all. But before he could reach the Naga leader he saw a shine out of the corner of his eye, turning he saw a green scaled Naga had join their fight. Ichigo leapt to the left and avoided the sword, but heard a vile hiss behind him. Turning around he saw another, and with two more behind it.
Ichigo's eyes scanned his surroundings and he found to his shock that he was in the middle of the Naga forces, the Sentinels were far behind a wall of scaly green serpents. He had been lured in and gotten himself distracted in his fight with that big Naga.
"Like a fish into the net," Rah'zesh hissed. "Finish him!"
Ichigo deflected a sword that came from his right and dodged a spear as it came for his heart. He then backpedaled to get some breathing room, but moved into the path of a large axe. Ichigo ducked and saved himself from being beheaded; turning, he slashed at his would-be executioner. As the Naga slithered away with a laceration down its chest two more came to its defense.
'Shit!' Ichigo thought.
Ichigo ducked under a sword swing and, before punching his attacker in the side, slashed up and into the same spot. He didn't attack again and simply ran for it. Ichigo tried to get back to a more secure location, preferably with several female warriors by his side. But the Naga were not letting him go so easily, they were keeping him from retreating back, they obviously wanted to please their lord and kill the one person who actually injured him.
Ichigo ducked under a trident, rolling beside the Naga and then back to his feet; slashing backwards he caught the green serpent in the back. Taking Zangetsu in both hands he turned to defend against another; deflecting the spear, he stepped close and slashed. Zangetsu grinded against the steel shaft as the Naga twisted his spear around to halt the substitutes attack.
Ichigo stepped back and turned to block the sword aimed for his head, but was forced to dodge another attack that threatened to pierce his side. Ichigo was being overwhelmed; each second a new Naga would join in the little game to kill him. And now he was being put on the defensive, and worse yet he was feeling tired. He had felt tired before but this was so different, he should be out of breath and maybe a little winded but his body always had some juice to keep him going. But now, he felt exhaustion creeping in on him, this was going from a bad situation to certain death.
Ichigo turned and saw four of them were quickly slithering their way towards him, their weapons all raised and their hissing maws wide. As Ichigo got ready to charge a hail of arrows lodged themselves into the Naga, dropping all four of them with nearly a dozen arrows each. But they were not the only ones, all around Ichigo dozens more Naga fell under a barrage of arrows.
Ichigo turned to see the cause; nearly a hundred sentinels appeared in the distance, moving in tight formation towards the battle. All lead by a single archer in unique armor and wearing a half mask.
Ichigo turned and faced the Naga, but this time he wasn't alone, he had a small army of amazonian warriors at his back ready to help. Ichigo didn't wait for them to get to him, he charged right into the fight, slashing at anyone who got close to him.
Adelina helped her Master to his feet, despite his wound being only just healed he groaned in obvious pain. Quintis quickly steeled himself and hid his discomfort, they were in the middle of a battle and they needed to get back into the fight. Yet when he saw the many dead bodies of Naga across the field before him he was confused, until he turned around to a very welcome sight. Shandris Feathermoon and her forces had returned, bringing the full might of the sentinels down onto the Naga.
"What are you waiting for?" Quintis called out to the remaining warriors, gripping his staff tightly and moving towards the Naga. "We still have a battle to win, do not linger because help has arrived, you are sentinels, you fight on always when the enemy is near!"
Quintis charged in, as did his apprentice Adelina, and behind him were the sentinels who had been defending the stronghold for the last half an hour.
They met the Naga like a wave against the shore, crashing into the ranks and tearing into them with righteous fury. Adelina stayed out of the melee, using her druidic magic to offer aid to those who needed it. Aiding the warriors who needed it; casting aside the Naga that would blindside her sisters, and heal those quickly that had been gravely wounded.
Dragging back a wounded warrior behind the cover of several more warriors, Adelina quickly sealed the wounds and left the sister to rest. She could not spend to long out of the fight, many more warriors fought and died, and if she did not do what was needed, many more would. As she rose and passed through the warriors, casting aside a Naga with a Moonfire spell, she saw him in the distance.
Ichigo was dueling against two Naga simultaneously, while fending off two more. He was ahead of everyone else and fighting against more than any warrior should be able to fight against. Yet despite the dire expression on his face he held firm, never backing down he fought hard against his opponents.
Adelina charged towards him, her intention to aid him. Not only because he had saved her, but because he could turn the tide of this fight and maybe save more lives than she could alone.
Ichigo sidestepped the spear thrust and turned to block the sword aimed for his back. He didn't know how but he felt himself getting back into the rhythm of fighting. He couldn't really explain it, but as he kept fighting he almost felt like he was starting to understand the rhythm of these guys. Despite their very flashy moves, they had a sort of technique that he was beginning to recognize. Every swing and thrust had many similarities between them, if these guys had a technique, then he could predict it with time.
Or maybe he had just caught his second wind, who knows.
Shoving the Naga back he turned and deflected the trident, turning Ichigo grasped the lance as it swung at his head. Ichigo stabbed the Naga through the midriff before pulling the spear from its grip and burying it into the chest of the one with the sword above its head.
Letting go of the spear he blocked the trident once more, raising Zangetsu Ichigo moved to swing. But to his surprise, the Naga was blown aside by a ball of golden energy. Ichigo glanced where it came from and saw the sprinting Adelina rushing to his side. She raised her hand again and fired another, it passed right beside Ichigo and collided with the Naga that was moving up behind him. Ichigo turned and got back into the zone, raising Zangetsu and facing down the Naga ahead of him.
"I will help you beat them," Adelina said as she appeared next to him, giving answer to his question as to why she was here.
"Thanks, cover my back while I take them down," Ichigo said, he knew better than to say get back and stay out of danger, dry blood was still on her mouth and chin and he knew it wasn't hers.
Ichigo sprinted forward, running low and avoiding the wide swing of a sword, and quickly passed the serpent and then slashed open its back. Another appeared behind Ichigo, as it raised its sword Ichigo slashed it across the chest as he twirled to face him. Then it was cast back by a powerful beam of white light, sending the Naga crashing into several others. Seeing the strange beam of light, Ichigo was almost reminded of a low powered Cero, but knew that it was nothing like that.
Ichigo was fighting with everything he had at the moment, using only his strength and sword skill. He could feel that he barely had any spiritual power; he was running on fumes at the moment compared to what he used to have. Whatever happened to him must have taken away all his spiritual energy, maybe when he got infected by the fel energy his body simply got rid of all his spiritual power.
But that was not the only problem. These Naga were not mindless animals looking to eat his soul, they knew how to fight, using their weapons with extreme skill. He could say that it was as good as some Shinigami he had fought, but with the lack of spiritual power to back it up. He was thankful that these guys weren't spiritually aware or have spiritual energy. He would have been in trouble then.
Ducking under a claymore Ichigo slashed off the limb carrying the weapon, before silencing the snarling Naga with a stab to the jugular. Ichigo gave the choking Naga no thought as he turned and blocked a different sword. Ichigo pressed both his hands against the blunt edge of Zangetsu to keep it steady.
The Naga hissed at Ichigo and pressed down harder, its muscles bulging as it tried to overpower the substitute. Ichigo could feel it working as well, his own muscles were straining to keep this guy from driving him into the dirt. Ichigo felt instant relief when the Naga was thrown off his sword by a strong wave of air, sending it colliding with two more serpents a few feet away.
Ichigo looked back at Adelina who had her arms raised, and partially glowing from the spell she had just performed. He was glad she was here to help; he was starting to get tired now. Without him using his spiritual power Ichigo never knew how hard it was to fight, it was like he had taken the training wheels off the bike for the first time. Ichigo nodded to her and she did the same with a small smile.
But then her smile turned too shocked when she tried to shout a warning, Ichigo's instincts made him whirl around and see a gold trident moving right for his head.
Raising Zangetsu, Ichigo blocked the weapon from burying itself into his skull by a few inches; he could see the razor sharp tip right in front of his eye. But he couldn't stop the arm that wrapped around his throat and threw him back. Ichigo landed on his back and rolled several times before coming to rest on his stomach. With a groan Ichigo looked up and saw the Naga slithering toward him quickly, brandishing its trident to finally kill the substitute.
"I will kill you for the scar on my chest boy!" Rah'zesh seethed, Ichigo would have laughed at one point had things been different, saying it was barely a scrape.
Ichigo rose to his knee and blocked the trident as it made an attempt to skewer him again, but the force had still thrown Ichigo onto his back. Struggling to keep the weapon from reaching its mark Ichigo pushed back hard, but found no other way to escape his predicament or retaliate. Luckily he didn't have to; Adelina shot forward and blasted the Naga away with a burst of Moonfire, sending the Naga flying away.
"Are you alright?" She asked, kneeling down beside Ichigo and pulling him up and checking if he was injured.
"Yeah, just give me a… look out!" Ichigo said, looking past Adelina to see the Naga was back up, its breastplate was falling apart and he looked truly pissed.
Adelina raised her staff to block the trident swing but it was knocked from her hands. As she stumbled he grabbed her by the neck and lifted her off the ground, he snarled at her as he tossed her back onto the ground and raised his trident.
Ichigo charged in and forced him to defend himself, but was knocked aside by a quick twist of the trident. Ichigo stumbled away and as he turned back he was struck by the pommel of the weapon, sending him back clutching his face. Ichigo raised Zangetsu blindly, but his sword was easily thrown back and the three sharp tips of the trident slashed him across the chest for his foolish attack.
Ichigo stumbled back clutching at his chest and falling down to a knee, those things were sharp and really cut through.
"You are incredibly annoying, as is this little wretch here," Rah'zash growled, turning on Adelina and raising his trident.
"No!" Ichigo yelled out, rising quickly to save her.
But as the trident descended Adelina tried to move away, she was successful, but she did not escape unharmed. She cried out in pain as the sharp serrated daggers of the trident pierced her side and impaled her to the ground. The Naga turned toward the substitute and then mercilessly ripped his weapon out of Adelina, she let out another cry of agony.
"Bastard!" Ichigo roared slamming his Zanpakuto onto the shaft of the weapon, halting it from meeting the shoulder of the one who held it. "I'll make you pay for that!"
"Your boasting is pathetic," Rah'zesh hissed, tossing Zangetsu off his trident and twirling it around before sending several strikes at Ichigo.
Ichigo dodged them well enough and parried, but it was only a ploy for the Naga to retreat behind several others. Ichigo raised Zangetsu to give chase when the Naga ahead of him were cut down by a hail of arrows. Looking back he saw the bloody and weary sentinels at the ready to make the final charge and push the Naga back into the sea.
Standing at the head of the sentinels was their leader, a woman in unique armor with her face covered by a half mask over her eyes.
"You Naga will never learn, we will not be so easily caught off guard!" Shandris Feathermoon roared in anger at those who desecrate this fortress with the blood of her warriors.
"Foolish woman, you are outnumbered and your warriors weak and tired, they barely look able to stand, let alone fight what remains of our warriors," Rah'zesh hissed in return, twirling his trident in a threatening manner.
"We will show you the might of the Sentinels when we throw your bloody bodies back into the sea to rot!" Shandris cried out, earning a cheer from her warriors.
Ichigo dropped down next to Adelina, she was in a lot of pain and was bleeding badly, and he needed to get help.
"Hey! I need some help over here!" Ichigo called out, trying to get a healer or anyone to help.
"You no might to show woman, look at what your kind has been reduced to, relying on outsiders and mongrel races to fight your battles," Rah'zesh sneered, disgust in his tone as he insulted the sentinels. "Where is your pride? Letting this ape fight here, who has slain many, you all have become weak."
"Bastard! Why the hell are you even here!?" Ichigo roared out, the Naga looked at him and growled in anger.
"Why? This world is ours. We ruled it millennia ago before we were made into this!" Rah'zesh gestured to his kin, who were growling and hissing in response. "Now, it is time to take back what is ours and bring about the return of our beloved empire! All that stands in our way is this puny lot, and once they are gone, this land will be ours."
"I won't let you get away with this!" Ichigo yelled back, but he was only laughed at.
"Bravado, how amusing, you have skill boy, but you are weak and so are your words," Rah'zesh sneered with mirth. "You will not save them; you are not strong enough to stop us."
Ichigo felt his heart go cold for a moment there, remembering those haunting words in his darkest nightmares come to the forefront of his mind.
'Had you been stronger, they would not have suffered as they did.' Aizen's words rung in his ears, that mad man was the cause of all his doubts and pains.
Ichigo looked at the warriors around him, they looked anxious, covered in blood and weary from the constant fighting. He could see many of the bystanders nearby, innocent people cowering in the face of the slaughter to come and the outcome uncertain. They were all scared, frightened of what was about to come, the nightmare he suffered for so many nights was easily overlapping his sight as he gazed at them all.
'Kurosaki-kun,'
Ichigo looked down, thinking Orihime would be there, but it was Adelina. But there was more there, he could see the fear in her glowing eyes, the horror of what was to come. The fear of dying, despite her bravery she didn't want to die, she wanted to live as likely the many others here did. He remembered seeing that face so many times, on her face, on Orihime's. His friends and family had it as well, their cries and screams; they were all he could hear.
He could see the bodies of innocent people lying around the middle of the stronghold, torn apart and bathed in the blood of dozens of others. It was the nightmare all over again and it would only get worse, they would all die and he would not be able to stop it.
'Let go of your fear,'
Zangetsu?
'Your fear holds you back, do not let it control you.'
Ichigo wasn't sure, could he protect everyone?
'Do not let your doubts cloud your judgment, you must fight, you must never hold back.'
Ichigo remembered the face, the horror filled expressions on their corpses. He couldn't let that happened.
'Rise up and do not look back, let go of your doubts and face your future without anything holding you back.'
Ichigo stood up slowly, gripping Zangetsu tightly in his right hand.
"No," Ichigo said, drawing the Naga's attention to him, while the sentinels simply watched and waited for the final battle to begin.
"What was that Human, you have more bravado you wish to speak?" Rah'zesh hissed at the boy.
"You won't hurt anyone else, I won't let you," Ichigo said, a fierceness in his words and eyes were palpable to any who took his words with any seriousness, yet those who heard them either did not see it or did not place any faith in them.
He was laughed at, the Naga letting out guttural howls of laughter at the Human that thought he could defeat them.
"You are nothing, you are weak and alone, what can you do?" Rah'zesh laughed, aiming his trident at him.
'Never hold back,'
Ichigo looked up at the Naga, he gripped Zangetsu tightly.
'Keep moving forward and never stop, no matter the obstacle you must always keep fighting,'
Around Ichigo a faint glow appeared, small specs of energy flowed from his body and around him. Everyone watched in sudden surprise, but it only grew as they felt a pressure descend upon them all. Ichigo's glowing white eyes glared at the Naga ahead of him, his resolve overshadowed only by the release of his spiritual energy.
"I won't let anyone else die, no matter what you send or how many," Ichigo said, as the power around him exploded outwards, releasing a storm of spiritual power. "I will protect them!"
Ichigo drew back Zangetsu, which coursed with an overwhelming channel of power. Like lightning it flowed off the blade in massively thick torrents of power and force.
"Getsuga…"
All around him they watched in awe as the boy wielded a power that dwarfed anything they could wield. It was palpable and some found it hard to even breathe while standing in the presence of such power.
'What is he?' Rah'zesh shuddered as the power the boy used pressed down on his entire body. 'He cannot be Human, this power. It is like them… it is like the Ancients!'
Ichigo raised Zangetsu up, the power growing with each passing moment; he would give it his all and end it in an instant.
"…Tenshou!"
Ichigo slashed down, releasing his signature attack and engulfing the entire world ahead of him in a sea of spiritual energy. The Naga were engulfed entirely by the wave of power, thrown from the earth and into the sky by the sheer force of the strike unleashed upon them. Rah'zesh looked at the wave as it enveloped him; his final thoughts were on the being that had done this, that being that could not be Human.
As the wave dispersed and the attack ended all that remained ahead of Ichigo was a cleared patch of earth. Not a single thing remained there, no grass, no trees, and no Naga; nothing but bare stone. He had ended it with a single swing of his sword.
The sentinels watched in awe at the display that had occurred in front of them, some unable to remain composed enough to keep their jaws firmly shut. Shandris had her eyes on the aftermath for but a moment; they were more focused on the being that had done it. The orange haired Human, if he was as such, who stood motionless there and looking at the beach. He was still holding his sword in the same position as he had when he had released the wave of destructive power.
Shandris moved forward, as did many of her warriors, she moved towards the boy. She gripped her sword tightly and readied herself for anything. She glanced momentarily to the very awestruck young druid that was behind him, before returning to the boy.
"Boy? How did you…" Shandris began to speak, but stopped and stiffened when he moved.
At first she thought he was going to try something, but when he lurched to the side and hit the ground she knew otherwise. Moving up she stood over him and found he was struggling to keep his eyes open, he was completely exhausted. Shandris regarded him for a moment before turning to her warriors.
"Gather the wounded and tend to them, clear the dead and secure this fortress!" Shandris ordered, immediately they set about their tasks, leaving Shandris to look over the boy as he finally passed out.
Quintis stood next to Adelina, offering his powers in healing her injuries. He shared a glance with Shandris, one that they both knew what the other was saying.
'We have many questions for this boy.'
