Hello everyone, been a while and I apologise for the lateness of this update, but life is not so easy and can never be. But I am back in the game and doing all I can to get these chapters out for you to enjoy. Now do not worry, this isn't the chapter for the week, will have the next one up by the designated time by the end of the week. Of that you have my word.

Now I also would like to say that I have released a chapter for Transcendence: Gaiden, I hope you enjoy them. Gaiden is meant to be a story that helps bridge gaps and fills in holes in the story that leave you with questions. Basically it is like giving extra stories to what leads to developments in the story. You will see it when and after you read this chapter.

Enjoy the read, and review responses at the bottom.


Transcendence

Chapter 60: Unexpected Turn

Ethel Rethor Plaza

Ichigo hissed as he walked forward, his scowl deepening as he looked on at the many faces whispering towards one another as he was led towards the stage at the base of the Palace. He wanted to shout and curse at them but knew it wouldn't do him any good, might even get him or someone else a cane across the back. But considering what he was walking into he couldn't help but be disgusted with the show that was being put on for him and his fellow captives.

Looking ahead he could see Mordent and Codexia leading the procession, like him both were bound in chains. In fact they were bound even more severely than he, with metal chained vests that were supposedly meant to keep their powers contained. Mairne had it the worst, considering that he was covered in several vests, but with his massive bulk it wasn't too surprising they needed so many to fit him.

'This is ridiculous.' Ichigo thought, scowling as he recalled how they got themselves into this mess.

After Maluineth showed up things did not exactly start off or end on a pleasant note, but let it be said that this is the result of that encounter. He along with everyone else had been chained and bound, led towards the Plaza to be publically executed. Let it be said that he tried everything in his power to stop this from happening, yet in the end it proved to be in vain.

He stumbled when someone behind him fell with a gasp of pain, glancing around to see that it was Anaesia who had fallen. Her wounds had been treated but the trauma had not been abated as quickly, and walking through this mass of people while still fatigued wasn't doing anything for her condition.

"Up!" A soldier barked, grasping her by the arm.

He lifted her up and then slammed his cane into her back, she let out a hiss of pain but did not permit her captor the pleasure of hearing her scream. The Highborne likely realize and attempted to do it again, but Ichigo was there to at least shift the guardsman's ire to another source.

"Oi, fuckhead! Why don't you pick on someone that doesn't make you look like a utter weakling when you beat them?" Ichigo growled, glaring at the man and successfully earning his ire.

The guard moved forward and was about to strike him, but when a strong hand seized the guard's wrist he was brought to heel. The guard turned to the one who interfered and quickly became submissive to the strong grip and the authoritative aura that the man seemed to channel with his very presence. Stepping in between him and the Substitute was Tylarwin Stormreaver, the Captain of the Guard and the man that was leading them to the gallows.

"Do not strike them in public; it is acts like that that are beginning to turn the people against us." Ichigo heard him whisper to the Guard, before he turned his sights onto the Substitute.

Seizing him by the neck he bent forward and whispered into the Substitute's ear.

"Careful boy, don't let your stupidity force me to have you killed before you can get to the stand." Tylarwin said, pushing Ichigo forward and letting the line of chained prisoners go forward.

Ichigo grunted as he stumbled forward this time and dragged the still weak Anaesia with him, he really didn't like that bastard. A truly high and mighty uptight asshole, every word out his mouth sounded exactly like the sort of self-entitled jackass that believed he had the best army in the world. The guy almost reminded him of Byakuya, but unlike that tight arse, he wasn't xenophobic or overly arrogant prick that sneered everytime he looked at something that wasn't an elf.

He didn't say another word however, instead kept his head straight ahead and didn't let his eyes stray from the back of Codexia's head. But from his periphery he could see that the people were becoming restless, while some looked on calmly others began getting excited and shouting as they were led to the executioners block. Ichigo found it both twisted and repulsive that these people would come here to see criminals executed.

That was especially true given the method that the Highborne intended to execute them all with. Instead of the usual hanging or beheading, these assholes decided on a more unique and sadistic approach, one that even made Ichigo shudder at the appalling practice.

From what Maluineth had so kind explained about their impending execution, they would all be brought to the base of the Palace steps and their bodies flooded with arcane energy. As the arcane energies surge through every cell in the body, because of the unique nature of the arcane and its reality warping properties, it would break apart natural cellular bonds and tear the individual apart. The process was said to be so powerful that the body would quite literally crystalize, turning into a mostly transparent glass of many bluish and purple hues.

She was actually quite descriptive on the colours and how beautiful it can look. Although, the fact that, you turn someone's bound and beaten body into a dainty statuette that will likely crumble at the slightest touch.

Apparently it had been a regular practice since the time of old Zin-Azshara. Where the former Queen disposed of those that displeased her and then had their bodies preserved and encased in viewing cases so people could see them. They wouldn't be subjected to that, however. Unlike that sadistic bitch, the pricks that wanted them dead, they were going to make a show of it by grinding their heads into fine powder under their pompous feet.

'I can't do anything.' Ichigo mused, scowling as he tested the bonds on his chains and finding them as secure as the last twelve times he had experimented with them. 'Dammit, I thought that I could bust out of these things.'

Eventually he was pushed onto the stage.

"Look my people, before us stand clad in chain are the traitors who have sought to usurp control over this city and you all!" Mildreas yelled out, standing upon the top of the staircase from the Palace. Beside him were the other Nobles, including Maluineth and the two others. "Mordent Evershade and his conspirators rebelled against his leaders and attempted to seize control of the Court to rule and hoard the source of the Draught that belongs to all! Going so far to even murder A'oraen and destroying the distribution pylon in this very plaza!"

As if to give credence to his two claims he gestured ahead towards the mostly destroyed pylon that continued to leak Draught upon the street. But he also gestured to a metal coffin at the base of the steps, within was likely the body of the former Head Councilor of the Noble Court.

"Mordent Evershade has committed many crimes against us, murder and terror among the few that are known!" Mildreas continued to ramble on. "However his greatest treachery is bringing into the city those who would see us all killed for our beliefs and way of life! Unclothed beasts! Traitors to our former Queen! He has done all this for greed and the desire to take the power we have for himself!"

Ichigo was forced to his knees on a platform, a stone disk with a symbol emblazoned on the surface. From what he can recall this was likely the thing that would tear his body apart, leaving him as nothing more than a very fragile glass sculpture.

Ichigo glanced to the left, finding himself along with the majority of the commanders of their force present. Anaesia, Iyeana, Mairne, Rokaro, Taiga Wildmane, Mistress Geleneth, Elder Sareth'na, Master Thal'darah were to his left, all of them kneeling on the ground on similar plates as he. While to his left were Codexia and Mordent, they were the only ones on the stage.

The fifty other remaining members of their force were just in front of the stage, in chain and kneeling as well. All had been captured save a few, Adelina and Caren having fled after they were taken into custody. Taking with them a few others that had avoided the same fate they were now bound to, he hoped that they were alright.

Ichigo glanced up to find the people oddly silent as they watched the proceedings as if they didn't know what to feel about what was going on. It obvious that everyone was still under the influence of the fumes from the busted pylon, but that alone likely wasn't the cause for the people's confusion.

What with the many conflicting rumors going on the people were somewhat lost and wondering who the real bad guy was in all this.

"For millennia we have remained in shadows, fearing to tread beyond the walls of our city because of the terrors we could not see." Mildreas said, gesturing to the first batch of people to be executed. "We have nothing to fear from them; soon they will be no more than a distant memory of a time long past that shall only be recollected as stories we tell our children to frighten them to behave."

If that was a joke Ichigo certainly did not find it funny, although he got a little more pissed when he heard a chuckle or two reverberate from the crowd.

"No more than a shadow of the past, easily forgotten with time, as we move onto fated glory! I will lead us to that future, one where we are all protected and once again standing at the pinnacle of greatness, in our rightful place above all races living upon the face of Azeroth!"

'Dude, get over yourself.' Ichigo thought, rolling his eyes at the megalomania of this guy.

"Maluineth Moonscribe, leader of the Shen'dralar, and the one to capture these criminals and their allies will deliver out judgement upon them." Mildreas said, turning and giving an encouraging smile towards the white haired mage.

Maluineth gave a nod and moved forward, moving down the steps with slow practiced grace. It was almost like a torture in its own right when their executioner was taking her time to get to them to give you the axe. It took about five minutes for her to eventually get to the stage, that was how slow she went and in a way it pissed Ichigo off with how vain that felt.

It was as if she was dawdling just to have fun with the moment, to let the terror of death settle in or maybe to rile the crowd up so they get more impatient for the killing. He wanted to bust out of these chains real bad right now, just the thought of it pissed him off to no end. Yet as he tested them again he found them strong and secure, the runes along their surface telling Ichigo they are working to keep them on him.

'I can overwhelm them, but not yet.' Ichigo mused, knowing that he can snap these chains if he released his power to the max.

But he had to wait for the right moment, or when this bitch decides to fry them.

"Many of you are concerned, terrified of what is about to happen here and I can share your fears." Maluineth said, speaking to the crowd in a soft way that seemed to carry out over them. "For we promised you that we would not shed the blood of those who go against us, that we would not seek disproportionate retribution for any voice that raises itself to challenge our rule."

There was murmuring amongst the crowd, people speaking in whispers and conflicted expressions passing over their features. It seemed that she had a way for words as well, and instantly had the crowd's undivided attention.

"But to persevere we must challenge those that seek to corrupt and turn our remaining few down a path of darkness and evil." Maluineth said, her words becoming firm as she continued. "They must be expunged from the world in any manner that is necessary, and while what you see now may be horrify to watch and even cruel. Please know that the actions we perform here today are for the good of our race, to protect it and ensure that its future is one were we may continue to live without tyranny."

With those final words, that seemed to ignite the crowd into a frenzy, they all seemed to be inclined towards her and actually feeling as if she was among them. That she sympathized and understood their feelings on the matter, but for those with keen enough mind for politics knew that it was a farce.

"For someone who speaks of sympathy she is quite conceited." Iyeana murmured, something that Ichigo just caught.

Ichigo couldn't doubt that.

"Now, it is time for the enemy to our people to fall." Maluineth said, turning and looking at the assembled prisoners.

Ichigo tightened his fists and got ready, drawing on his powers and preparing to flare it when the time came. He could feel it building beneath the surface, it almost burned with the tightly contained power he was restricting with all his effort.

He kept his eyes straight ahead and waited, they had to wait for the right moment.

"Execute them all!" Mildreas called out, slamming his staff into the ground and expecting an immediate response with bodies yet to be vaporized.

But as his words rung out across the plaza something else transpired, from the pylon in the center of the massive open square images began to appear. They moved quickly and rapidly across the surface of the crystal, some distorted and hard to make out but that quickly was rectified. Soon slow moving images were seen, of a dark chamber with unknown instruments and people roaming through it.

"What is this?" Mildreas barked, watching as the images play across the screen.

Many stood transfixed on the strange visions of some unknown memory, and the confusion quickly turned to horror when they understood the images they now watch. They see the demonic Satyrs bound in crystal, their essence pulled from their bodies and placed within a Draught container no different than the one that now projected these images.

"What? Remove that! Stop this now!" Mildreas roared, face twisting into a vicious snarl as he observed the incriminating vision taking place before the entire populace.

Soon images of Highborne mages could be seen, taking the tainted Fel Draught and placing it in a bowl that seeped green foulness down its lengths. That same water seemingly purified yet carrying a slightly green tint now was being sampled and drunk greedily by many. Expressions of ecstasy and delight passed over their features, as their mouths released almost virulent green mists of foul corruptive magic.

But the most damning image was of Mildreas, Nytheas and Elaallaes who all rejoiced as they greedily drowned the elixir. Toasting and appearing pleased with themselves, while many others were around them also joining the festivities of foul corruption. Devouring these liquid and not caring where it came from.

"Shut it off now!" Mildreas roared.

Quickly several guards responded to the call, moving for the pylon to try and disable it somehow. Yet they did not move far, another contingent of guard intercepted them and halted their progress. This standoff did not go unnoticed by the new Head Councilor, who fumed with indignation at the sudden insubordination.

"Tylarwin! What is the meaning of this?!" Mildreas barked.

"We are doing as you wished, weeding out corruption and showing the people that none will be spared from the cleansing. Not even you." Tylarwin replied, drawing his blade quickly.

This shocking betrayal was not the only one to transpire, for Maluineth raised her staff and slammed it into the stand. A wave of energy shot out and struck all the prisoners, the chains and shackles upon them sparked and glowed with power before they actually snapped off and fell to the ground in a clutter. Freed from their restraints the prisoners quickly rose to their feet and stretched, no longer bound they were ready to fight back.

"What… what have you done? You betray me?" Mildreas growled.

"You betray us Willowgrave, and I will not see my father's people and our legacy as a race tainted by that of a madman. One tyrant was enough; we will never suffer under another!" Maluineth cried out.

With those words she raised her staff and sent a stream of bolts towards the Fel-corrupted Highborne. Mildreas was quick to react, summoning up a barrier and blocking the barrage or arcane energy. He scowled as he watched the battle below, his few warriors that he had turned against Tylarwin and even those within the Shen'dralar were being mercilessly cut apart by those still loyal.

"Damn you… you will destroy us all." Mildreas growled, raising his staff and bathing it in arcane energies before he and most of his company disappeared in a blinding flash.


Ichigo leaped off the stage and kicked a mage in the side of the head, knocking the guy to the ground and then halting a sword swing. Grasping the elf's wrist he twisted into his guard and shoulder threw him to ground, twisting the guy's arm he stole his sword. Kicking him in the head Ichigo lunged at the nearest enemy, keeping mind to watch out for specific guards that were allies or not.

He recalled the meeting several hours ago regarding this, and in spite of his doubts he was surprised with how things turned out.


Nine Hours Ago

"You wish to speak? Then do so and we shall see if I listen." Mordent said, gripping his staff tightly and glaring at the woman that took his position and made attempt on his life.

Maluineth glared at the mage for a moment before she took in a deep breath and tried to calm herself, it did little good at first glance. Her glare was still present and it sounded like her words were straining to be controlled and level, as if she was fighting to actually not sound so hostile.

"I have not come to fight." Maluineth said, relinquishing hold of her staff and stepping forward. "I have been given orders to bring about a ceasefire between your faction and the Nobility."

That was something that surprised everyone present, especially those that knew who this woman was and her relationship with the man she was now negotiating with. A relationship so toxic and volatile that they couldn't trust her to be sincere, especially towards the man she hated more than anyone else.

"Why don't I believe you?" Mordent inquired, deciding to be bland in his reply rather than scathing.

Even if he hadn't been mocking he still got a furious expression from the woman that organized his assassination. But with restraint that they knew she did not have she reeled in her anger and kept calm.

"I… was ordered to do this, by the late A'oraen." Maluineth replied.

"Late? You mean…" Mordent asked.

"Yes, he is dead. Murdered, you and your accomplices are the ones that are being blamed for the murder." Maluineth replied.

"Preposterous, I ordered no such thing." Mordent said, before he narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, was his murder something you found to your liking? Considering he was going against your own desires for petty and baseless revenge I would think you would be more pleased."

Maluineth growled, about ready to lash out with a hand if not for Tylarwin stepping forward and stopping her from doing anything rash. He stepped forward and took centre stage as it were.

"No, we know the culprit. I think I need not mention his name." Tylarwin stated.

"Mildreas Willowgrave, so he has started his takeover then." Mordent said, scowling as he realized the issue he was facing now. "But it does not change anything, I will not surrender to you or that madman while he leads."

"Then let us speak on how to remove him from power." Tylarwin said, turning to Maluineth and giving her a nod.

She took another deep breath and it seemed this time it took some steam out of her stride, her expression became much calmer and her posture was less rigid.

"I know it was not you to kill A'oraen, it is not your style to murder others to prove a point." Maluineth stated. "He must be stopped before he spreads his corruption to the people and uses the storm to cleanse this land of all life."

"Surprising." That was Mordent's reply. "You came to this epiphany quite soon, less than a week since my attempted murder and you are already trying to make amends. Some of our kin are not that quick to admit mistakes, I assume that you had a recent recollection?"

"I hate you, do not mistake that." Maluineth replied, words that were colder than the smoldering glare in her eyes. "But Mildreas is the greater threat to us all, his madness cannot be allowed to spread and if I must ally with you to free our people than I shall."

Mordent was silent for a moment, looking her in the eyes.

Then he took a step to the side and gestured to the meeting room on the far side of the chamber, beckoning her towards it.

"Then let us discuss it, in full."


Ichigo had found the entire affair to be a complete and utter waste of time, mostly because of the damn arguments that ensued between the two parties. It was horrendous how they handled it, both of them vying for control here and there in the new government that would be created after the war was brought to an end.

He had expected Mordent to at least be more receptive or at least not let his own ambitions to get in the way of what needed to be done. But instead the man barked and denied many of the concessions that Maluineth attempted to try and put in place.

But he couldn't fault him, considering that his chief opponent for Ruler of the Highborne was basically vying for herself to be the sole representative of the Highborne people. The woman wanted to promote herself, while also maintaining her old job in the damn Shen'dralar.

'Idiots, the lot of them.' Ichigo mused, finding them to be so damn arrogant that it belayed reason.

Only Tylarwin seemed to be the one that didn't argue, but that was mostly because he was being the rational and quiet type during the whole shouting match. Any suggestions made by an outside party he was often one to quickly stop, out of a desire to see the Highborne lead themselves. He held special contempt towards Codexia and Mairne, whom he viewed as a manipulator and a creature that wouldn't know the intricacies of politics.

But it had taken those two along with Iyeana to finally get through their heads that they needed to work together. Eventually, they suggested that the three agree to a Government divided amongst the People, Shen'dralar and Guard.

Dividing up the tasks to the current leaders present each one would look after each respective group until a decision and actual governing body is set up. Then it came to the argument of who would lead, Tylarwin had no qualms of leading the Guard but Maluineth did not wish for Mordent to take the Shen'dralar or the people.

But again they were stopped when Iyeana made the suggestion that because of Mordent's less than noble ancestry that he would be best to represent the people. Being of closer stock to them rather than either Tylarwin or Maluineth, also the fact that he was fighting against corruption in the Noble ranks would likely cause suspicion amongst the people. Meaning that they may not be so accepting of Nobles in a position of power considering the track record for corruption they seemed to face.

It was a good thing that Iyeana had suggested it when she did, because if they hadn't they would have still been arguing over the whole thing. Along with coming to no discernible conclusion that could be agreed upon by all three.

"Boy, your sword!"

Ichigo was pulled from his musing when he heard the exclamation, turning he reached out and seized the blade that flew towards him. The familiar and near non-existent weight of his Zanpakutō brought some comfort to the substitute as he turned and swung it at a nearby Guard.

Blocked the Highborne's own blade with the one he stole he then stabbed forward and through the elf's chest with his Zanpakuto. Ripping it free he turned and threw the blade at a knight leading a small squad of guards, impaling him through the chest.

Lunging forward he beset the remaining four, swinging down with one hand and carving through the closest with ease. The following three fell in quick succession, dispatched with one blow between them.

'Not many left.'

It was true, the traitors among the Shen'dralar and Guard were apparent due to the definitive lack of identification that marked them as allies. All loyal warriors and mages to Tylarwin and Maluineth had been given a crest marked bandana that had been wrapped around their arms. It was the only thing that allowed everyone to distinguish between those that were ally and enemy.

"To the Palace!" Tylarwin roared, aiming his sword to the main gate at the top of the stairs.

They were quick in taking out the traitors outside, for they were few and scattered without any support or inkling of awareness that they were going to be slaughtered. But, as was said, this force was only a fraction of those that had been turned by Mildreas and the fel tainted Draught. Within the palace protecting their leader was the rest, possibly a hundred to so warriors and mages.

"People of Ethel Rethor, hear me!" Caelyb's words rung out across the Plaza, yet he was nowhere to be seen. But even so his voice was quick in taking the ears of the frightened and confused citizens who were forced to watch the slaughter. "Do not lament or be struck down with despair or fear, know that this corruption is present and that it will be cut out by those who remain pure and dedicated to justice. Do not let another tyrant the likes of Prince Tortheldrin take hold of our people, rise up and face him and all his allies! Do not let the one who would corrupt us to the very same demonic taint that saw our empire destroyed!"

The people were quick to rally, the words ringing true and for the first time since they arrives in this city they were no longer passive or docile. They cried out in anger, roaring in hate for the ones that they see as trying to oppress them once more.

"Go now! Find any within the city that remain! Do not let their taint remain!" Caelyb called out.

With those final words the people were already charging out into the city, forming lynch mobs and even picking up the few scattered weapons on the ground. Ichigo watched as they ran into the streets all across the edge of the plaza to search for enemies to the people.

In truth they wouldn't find anyone. They had been careful with how they planned this and there wouldn't be any Shen'dralar or Guards out on the town this morning. All of them were in the Plaza at this very moment or within the Palace, leaving the people to simply run around like headless chickens. But those headless chickens wouldn't be in any danger when they dealt the killing blow to their enemy so that was the point.

Turning around he found the remains of the guards protecting the entrance were dead, cut down mercilessly by Tylarwin.

"Get this door opened!" He roared out.

Several warriors moved forward to pull the massive doors open, yet they all halted when the doorway was shrouded in a mist and then vines began to grow along its surface. They dug into the wood and cracked its surface, then with a thundering crash and boom they were blown open. They flew around and into the stone walls, shattering the stone and splintering the door.

Many eyes were on the door and waited for someone to approach, three individuals stepped out and into the open.

"Did you miss us?" Caren asked, holding her staff to the side and placing a hand on her hip.

Ichigo wanted to role his eyes at her attempt to appear superior, the girl really had an ego at times like these moment where she wanted to be seen as God's gift to the world. Couldn't fault her sometimes though, she always did surprise him with how smart she can be when it came to certain subjects. Sad to say that surprise turned to irritation when she explained herself and made herself sound like a complete know it all.

"The spirits?" Codexia asked, strolling up to Caelyb and standing before him.

"The spell worked, they are free, but they are too weak to offer us any aid." Caelyb said, turning and moving into the Palace.

The small army followed, marching in line through the narrow hallway and into the main atrium for the Palace. There were the bodies of many arrow ridden Guards and Shen'dralar mages, luckily all were unmarked and therefore enemies to the people. Around the chamber however, shrouded in dark green cloaks, were Sentinels who had secured the chamber while the executions were taking place.

Standing at the far end of the chamber were three elemental beings, all floating near the strange entwined trees rooted between the two staircases. Ichigo could sense them all, each were likely very powerful when in their prime, but what he was feeling right now didn't match up to that. What he sensed now could barely be above that of some of the normal Shinigami he had seen in the Soul Society, hell it almost seemed that Hanatarō was more powerful than they were at this moment.

"They really got it taken out of them." Ichigo said aloud, something Codexia seemed to sense as well from the way she rushed up to them.

But before she could ask any of them if they were alright the large shadowy one decided to interrupt. Looming over the girl as an angry father scolding a child for doing something wrong.

"Do not waste time here, remove Mildreas from the Realm of the Living and get the Heart back into Maraudon. Now go!" Erebus ordered, jabbing a dark bony finger to the staircase.

The Primalist was momentarily torn between obeying the Spirit or just ignoring him to try and quell her own concerns. But the decision was made for her by someone else.

"Come Codexia, we still have one fight left to see to an end." Iyeana said, not even halting in her stride as she moved up the stairs.

The Sentinels and Druids were close behind the Sentinel Commander, even the warriors of the Horde moved up behind them and followed their lead. While on the adjacent stairwell was Maluineth, Tylarwin and Mordent.

Convening at the top of the stairwells they all stood before a large metal door, their only way into the palace. They had to move quickly and with purpose, resistance would be light and unorganized with how fast their attack had been. Mildreas would likely still be trying to prepare the defences of the Palace, it would avail him little good in the long run.

Iyeana and Maluineth stepped forward, both pushing open the double doors until it banged against the stone walls. The long open hallway presented itself to them, but they were guarded by a group of mages and warriors. Both stepped forward, Iyeana with her bow in hand and Maluineth with her family staff.

Together they charged forward and carved through the opposition, be it with bow or arcane energies they decimated any opposition before them. Behind followed the procession of warriors from the Highborne, Night Elves and Horde, stepping over or around the singed and punctured bodies calmly. Iyeana and Maluineth made sure that they met no opposition, carving through any enemy in their way as they slowly advanced through the palace to their destination.

For two otherwise staunch former adversaries they worked together very well, with Maluineth offering protective spells to Iyeana when needed and the Sentinel commander being sure and swift on the offensive. They were a good team, odd as that may have sounded.

Perhaps it was the mutual respect they garnered from one another during the closing part of the meeting, it would seem that Iyeana had left a good impression in Maluineth. Possibly because she was an elf and former Highborne that Maluineth held more tolerance towards her than any of the other occupants of the room.

Because right now it was showing that they had each other's back in this fight. But as the passageways grew wider more support was needed for the two. Mordent and Tylarwin stepped forward and took to the fight, Mordent offering support while Tylarwin charging into the thick of melee.

Mairne and Master Thal'darah stepped forward this time, both standing at Iyeana's side and offering their own brand of support. Mairne drew his mace and fastened the shield to his arm, when both were secured he charged in with speed that belayed his size. Wind parted for him as he charged to the nearest enemy, his hammer hitting the mage with such concussive force that it looked as if the air actually vacated the area of impact.

With Mairne and Tylarwin in the lead their advance continued unabated, they bashed and hacked through the remaining enemies in their path with no further aid. They were close to the main chamber now, and they knew that the only enemies that remain were the three Nobles and what routines they had under their command.

Mairne and Tylarwin stood before the doorway to the Court of Nobles, no guards stood to bar them from the entrance. With nothing in their way Mairne raised his hammer and jabbed it forward, blowing the large metal doorway open with a thundering crash.

"Stay behind us." Iyeana ordered her troops, keeping to the side of caution with the upcoming battle against Mildreas.

This man might still have several magical artefacts on hand that could be dangerous, best not let her people get in the way of a possible slaughter. Stepping forward she joined the other leaders in the chamber, all standing in a scattered formation and looking ahead.

"This… wasn't meant to happen…" Mildreas continued to rant, seemingly ignoring the people at the door as he drowned a bottle of draught.

He was pacing back and forth in front of the Obelisk of Elune, it thrummed with power and was waiting to be activated further. They had thought it to be within the chamber with the spirits, but it seems to have been moved here at some point.

"My Lord, they are here! Please try to focus!" One of the Shen'dralar traitors called.

"The people will not understand, they will be divided and many more will die!" Mildreas screamed, a hand clawing into his scalp and seemed to actually draw blood as his hair began to darken.

His plans had all but been ruined because of the machinations of those that he saw would doom their people to extinction and even destroy the last remnants of their once great culture. He had sacrificed so much of himself and done terrible things in order to reach the point where he could lead the people in the direction they needed.

"I may still be able to save us! Even if I die my people will not be endangered, they will not be contaminated!" Mildreas said, a crooked smirk appearing on his face as he seemed to no longer be suffering from a manic breakdown but simple mania.

"I am not saddened to say that you will be getting what you want." Maluineth replied, raising her staff and slamming it into the ground. "Wipe them out!"

The Highborne mages and warriors were quick to go onto the offensive, rushing to meet their corrupted counterparts in melee.

"Sentinels!" Iyeana barked, there was no need for another word.

Her warriors quickly moved into the chamber, scattering and finding any vantage point they could to engage the enemy from a distance. Most moved for the flanks so to be able to fire freely at the small numbered Highborne that side with Mildreas.

"Let's go." Iyeana said, notching an arrow and dropping into a run.

Beside her Sentinel Mistress Geleneth, Hymaercia and Elder Sareth'na moved as one, all going towards Mildreas to remove him from the equation. This battle could be ended quickly, Mildreas had only a twenty left to defend him and against their own force that was well over a hundred it would be over within minutes.

That was their first thought.

"Fool! You think we will fall here!" Nytheas cried out, the Noble was standing before the Heart of Veles and working some sort of spell upon the stone artefact.

What he was doing was a mystery at first until sparks of lightning shot forth from the green aura that surrounded the Heart. As the bolts shot off in random directions they scarred the stone walls and floor, digging holes into the surfaces and leaving a pulsing green substance behind.

"Get back!" Tylarwin roared, watching as the arcing lightning strike some of his warriors.

Some fell without a sound and others screamed as parts of their armor melted away and their skin seemed to be petrified black. Yet the most horrifying part did not occur until after the many arcing bolts of lightning stopped bursting from the Heart. From the points of impact, the melted stone and metal began to coalesce and form together.

The clay pooled together and dragged any loose stone nearby, slowly forming into something akin to a mud golem. Yet it was those who had been struck by these bolts that truly suffered, their bodies pulled off the ground and slowly consumed by liquefied stone and smothered by it. Those still alive were the worst to watch, some drowning and other crushed under the weight of the clay that formed over them.

Soon enough dozens of clay golems lumbered across the chamber, ranging from six to ten feet in height. They had no faces or even heads, just massive torsos with disproportioned limbs with jagged stone sticking out of their semi-dry skin. Yet that frightening sight was only made more terrifying as jutting from their muddy skin were the armored and bare limbs of the few that had been unfortunate to play host to the formation of these golems.

"Crush them! Bury them all!" Nytheas yelled out, raising his Sceptre above his head and dropping it forward with his command.

They lumbered forward as commanded, these beings of clay attacked any around them with lumbering limbs that were a big as a Tauren's own torso. Those too close and unprepared were violently and gruesomely dispatched, bodies crushed or battered aside.

"Get back!" Tylarwin ordered. "Take them out at range!"

"Mages to the front!" Maluineth ordered.

The Shen'dralar were quick to step forward and release a barrage at the golems, their bodies crumbled and were blown apart by the volley of magical bolts. Yet as if to spite their effort the wounds inflicted upon their bodies sealed and regenerated from the nearby stone. They continued to advance despite the punishment they sustained, crushing and killing the mages where they stood.

"You must destroy their cores! Even constructs like these require an actual source to maintain their forms!" Mairne called out, charging forward to the nearest golem and shattering its arm and then bashing open its chest.

He reached within its body and then ripped something from its body, immediately afterwards the body quivered and collapsed into goo. But when the crystal began to pull any earthly substances towards it Mairne crushed the gem between his fingers, stopping it from reforming.

"You heard him! Aim for their chests! Blow them open and destroy the gems within!" Iyeana called out, before she glared towards the Heart and the Noble standing before it. "Take out that one near the Heart!"

If they could take out the controller than maybe it would be easy to dispatch a bunch of leaderless automatons. Already several were moving off to confront him, which left her to try and help guide this battle against the rest of Mildreas' forces. Not an easy thing to do with so many differently lead forces, but she would do the best she could.

But she noticed someone rushing off towards the far end of the room, carving through several golems as he moved for a single target. She smirked as she recognized the orange haired warrior, she didn't have to worry about Mildreas now.


Ichigo slashed to the side and cut the Golem in half as he kept the flank of his party covered from attack, considering what he was dealing with it wasn't that hard. Slow and lumbering headless rocks were not that hard to deal with. Just swing hard and fast and you can tear through them, also make sure to aim for wherever their core may be.

"Why are you here?" Ichigo asked, turning towards Caren who was running alongside himself and the three others with him.

"I need to get to that Obelisk!" Caren replied, turning towards the device at the back of the chamber. "It is the Obelisk of Elune, I need to try and deactivate it."

"Ah, that makes sense." Ichigo replied, and thought that with his reply that the conversation was effectively closed.

"That's it? Not going to ask me why?" Caren asked.

"And hear you go on and on about how you were going to do something remarkably incredible?" Ichigo asked, his words were bland and matching the expression on his face. "Yeah, I would like to skip that, thank you."

Caren just glared at him in an irritated manner, but Ichigo ignored that and simply focused on the Noble that was busy screwing around with the Obelisk. He had an orb in his hand and was inserting it into the weather manipulating artefact. More than likely he was going ahead the plan to spread the storm across the region and kill everything, Ichigo wasn't about to let that happen.

"I will take him out, you get that thing disabled." Ichigo said, disappearing into a burst of Shunpo and making a beeline for the Highborne.

Appearing behind him the substitute attacked, swinging down hard and planning to kill him in one blow. Yet to his surprise the attack didn't do much other than bounce off the arcane barrier that protected the guy, making Ichigo scowl in irritation.

But when that barrier exploded outwards and threw the substitute off his feet did he feel a bit of discomfort pass through him. The arcane was always something of a pain for him, usually because it had some strange effects on him and also the fact it seem to not obey the regular rules that the universe worked by.

Rolling to a stop he looked up at the mage, who had not even turned away from his work with the Obelisk. Narrowing his eyes he planned to attack until he felt a shift in the spiritual waves, as if something was nearby. He turned and quickly slashed left and right, cutting through two clay golems and leaving them in two halves.

Raising Zangetsu he stabbed one in the chest and shattered the core within, yet the other one was quick to get back on its feet. But a quick bolt of energy from Caelyb stopped that, blowing the golem's chest open and destroying the binding crystal within. Giving a nod in thanks he turned back toward Mildreas as he slowly walked away from the Obelisk, finally turning to regard Ichigo.

"You think you can kill me human? Even with this rabble you brought with you?" Mildreas sneered, before he gave a growl as his eyes landed on Caelyb. "My son is an unworthy excuse for a mage, only the kindness of another even deemed him worthy to be within the Shen'dralar. Unfit and weak, that is what you brought against me alongside an archer. You won't even hinder my plans."

He raised his staff and aimed it at the Obelisk, it pulsed with energy and began drawing it in from all around. Ichigo could feel all that ambient spiritual energy from the Heart was being sucked into the Obelisk, along with directly from the artefact as well. Considering how potent and powerful that energy was it was easy to say that he knew what it was going to be put towards.

"I will cleanse this entire region, kill everything here and beyond." Mildreas whispered. "I will safeguard my people from further harm and make all who intend on defiling our people suffer."

It was obvious what was happening, the bastard had started the plan where he would begin the Highborne's grand solution to killing everything in the Desolace and beyond. Killing all life and leaving the Elementals to go unopposed and eventually spread and take over.

That wasn't going to happen.

"Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming." Ichigo said, taking off into a burst of Shunpo and appearing right in front of the Highborne.

It seemed to take the elf by surprise, yet that lasted only a moment and soon it was Ichigo's turn to be surprised. Because as soon as his blade was swung the guy was gone, disappearing from in front of him and somehow circling around him. Yet there was something Ichigo just barely noticed when the guy disappeared, the way he moved his feet and the motion.

'That was…' Ichigo tried to finish that thought, but he was too preoccupied with trying to turn and block the strike.

Yet he wasn't fast enough when the blade connected with his shoulder, sliding down along his chest and tearing into the magically enchanted metal. Ichigo stumbled back in surprise, eyes wide and unable to fathom how it was that the Highborne had gotten behind him.

"That technique… it looked like Shunpo." Ichigo said, eyes wide and unable to fathom how this Highborne had that ability.

"Shunpo? Is that what you can the Seven League Greaves ability?" Mildreas asked, scowling as he took another swing at the Substitute.

Ichigo blocked the strike and shook off his surprise that this guy somehow had an ability that he simply couldn't have.

Maybe it was something different, just as he said it was the ability of the Greaves he wore. So the greaves allowed him to move at incredible speeds then? If it was similar to Shunpo as he witnessed than it meant that it increased the strides a person made over distances. If the name of the boots was any indication, than that was seven leagues.

'Alright, now how much is that in kilometers?' Ichigo thought, blocking another strike and backpedalling. Yet Mildreas was right on him, following after Ichigo and slashing fast and wildly with his sword.

He knew that distance between strides was always a factor for the use of Shunpo, the number of steps you take to cover a distance showed how proficient you are in it. Yoruichi was always the master of the art and he knew that distance for her was something she easily covered. But also the thing about strides is that the longer distance you can cover in a single stride also means you are faster over shorter distance.

But he was certain that not a single person he knew in the Soul Society had perfected their Shunpo so they could cover seven leagues in a single step. Even if their speed was up to the task he never had seen or met anyone that could go that far with a single step. Short distances yeah but never over such long distances unabated.

'A league is about four and a half kilometers, give or take.' Ichigo thought, not very sure on the distance but it was a rough guess. 'So seven times four point five equals thirty one point five… fuck.'

If these Greaves powers followed the same principle as Shunpo, it meant in these smaller confines this guy was definitely faster than he was.

In the span of that single thought that Mildreas disappeared, appearing at the Substitute's side and spearing his blade towards his head. Ichigo leaned back and downwards so that the blade didn't touch him, but someone else was present to help him.

An arrow sailed in and struck the sword, knocking it off to the side and allowed him to turn and swing up at the Highborne mage. Ichigo caught him in the side, but he had to growl in irritation when he found that the cloak he was wearing was obviously durable enough to resist the edge of Zangetsu.

'Just my luck.'

Ichigo flared his Reiatsu and gathered the energy for a Getsuga Tenshō, at this distance he should be able to overwhelm whatever this guy was wearing easily enough. When he released it the wave washed over the Highborne mage, swallowing him in a destructive wave of blue spiritual energy. It moved on and washed over the back of the room and shattered most of the window that overlooked the city.

When the energy cleared however he found that Mildreas was still standing and looking no worse for wear, completely fine and not even a scratch against that damn black cloak of his. How in the hell did that resist his attack?

"You are different than most." Mildreas growled, trapping the Zanpakutō under his arm and then swinging his blade back at the substitute.

Ichigo disappeared from sight, using Shunpo to gain some distance and keeping hold of the leather cloth connected to the hilt of his blade. When he evaded the blade and gained the distance he yanked the blade from Highborne's grip and caught it.

"It seems that he is well protected." Hymaercia said, strolling up to Ichigo's side and observing the foe.

"Yeah, you got that right. He survived a Getsuga Tenshō point blank like it was nothing." Ichigo replied, before giving the silver haired Sentinel a nod. "Thanks for the save back there, this guy took me by surprise with that technique he used."

"Think nothing of it." Hymaercia replied, before glaring at the Highborne noble. "But I believe that he is using some of the artefacts that Caelyb mentioned back at the meeting."

"You are correct." Said mage replied, stepping forward and standing just to the Substitute's left. "The Seven League Greaves, Tyet, the Blood Amulet, and Palangine and Wast, the Staff of Dominion."

Ichigo looked on and found that he would have his work cut out for him then, with all those artefacts on the guy he would be tricky to take down. Sad to say that Caelyb never did give a great deal of explanation as to what each of those artefacts did but he had the idea it was meant to make sure Mildreas was a pain to put in the ground.

"We must be cautious." Caelyb warned.

"Keep me covered, I will break through eventually." Ichigo replied, flash stepping forward and attacking.

He hadn't fought anyone that could match him speed for speed in a while, deep down he was excited at the prospect. Although that was a more primal part of him, the other part was worried that he wouldn't be fast enough to dodge what the Highborne sends at him.


Codexia rounded the Heart and attacked, stabbing with her blade at the Noble and hoping to catch him off guard. Sadly he was lucky enough to stumble back in surprise, saving himself along the way. Extending her hold on her staff she swung it around and hard, gathering dark energies into the weapon and slamming it into the Mage's chest.

He was catapulted back and away, sliding along the floor with dark energies flowing from his chest. Codexia returned her staff to a more secure grip and advanced on the downed Noble, who struggled to rise to his feet. His clothing was rotting away and his flesh was beginning to follow as the energies of Erebus ate away his body and life force.

"You should have worn armor, would have made it slower." Codexia said, quickening her pace as she drew back her sword to stab the downed Noble.

Yet her blade was intercepted by another weapon, a long glaive that pulsed with arcane and Fel energies. Her weapon was pinned to the ground, while the wielder of the weapon glared at her with pulsing green eyes.

"Not so mighty now?" Elaallaes growled, raising a hand and bathing it in Fel energies.

But before he could deliver a blow against the Primalist he was shot in the breast and then blown off his feet with a concentrated burst of air. He slammed into a golem, its body cracking and falling to the ground as one leg buckled under itself from hit.

Codexia turned, looking to her saviors and finding Iyeana and Sareth'na moving with purpose towards her.

"I think you could use some assistance with these two." Iyeana said, notching another bow and aiming it at the rising Nytheas.

The man had reached into a pouch at his side and quickly consumed the powdery contends within, swallowing them with some difficulty. But the results were noticeable, it showed that the decaying was slowing and in places actually receding. Not enough to slow the actual rotting of his body but it had the effect of actually making him able to regenerate.

He corrected the limitations of the powder when he raised his Sceptre and brushed it over his slowly rotting chest. The wound quickly began to sow itself back together and repair in spite of the decaying energies that ate away at him. Nytheas smirked, clearly thinking himself invulnerable even against the touch of death.

"Nice Sceptre you have there, I think Thetis would want it back." Codexia said, recognizing the Sceptre of Light in the Noble's hand.

"I will give you it! I will bash your skull inwards and chain your soul to the sewers of this city and make you walk and writhe in the filth for millennia." Nytheas growled, quickly drawing a blade at his side and smiling.

"He is healing quickly." Iyeana noted, watching as the flesh paled and even peeled away. Yet it healed just as quickly as it seemed to be decaying.

"It must be the Ashes of the Brazier and the Sceptre working in tandem with one another." Codexia reasoned, before looking to Iyeana and Sareth'na. "Take his head off."

"With pleasure." Iyeana replied, dropping her bow and drawing two narrow blades from her back.

Yet when a grating sound reached their ears they turned towards Elaallaes, rising up and ripping the arrow from his chest and appearing more angry than wounded. But what he did next took them by surprise, he raised his blade and stabbed it into the Golem beside him. The mud and clay began to flow over the weapon and up over the Highborne, slowly encasing him in the element.

"What is he doing?" Iyeana asked, watching as the liquid rock smother the elf and completely encase him.

The Noble made his intensions clear as he took the green crystal fragment and slammed it into his chest, releasing a pulse of green and purple energies that expanded and shrouded its form. Eventually it let out a deafening roar as what was once a humanoid being turned into a ten foot tall hulking monstrosity of clay and metal.

"I don't believe it, he actually forced himself into an Ascension." Codexia said.

To think that someone could perform the technique without the spirits approval, let alone having the power to subjugate the elemental in question. Using this power a human can turn themselves into an elemental entity of incredible power that exceeds the power of the user and even the elemental in question.

"Now… Crush you all!"

It raised up its now massive halberd and lunged at the trio, all of whom had no time to react as the massive being dropped right on top of them. Yet the resounding boom of metal against metal grated everyone's ears, especially the three women that looked on in surprise.

"I… cannot…hold it!" Mairne struggled, with words and physical effort to keep the weapon that was dropping down on his shield.

Luckily others came to his aid quickly enough, roots grasped at the Elemental Ascendants legs and quickly pulled its feet from under it. Toppling the monstrosity to its knees, the sudden lack of force upon his shield allowed Mairne to stand and push it away. But its weapon was knocked from its grip as a barrage of arcane missiles collided it is chests.

Yet despite this the elemental monstrosity attacked, its massive limbs flailing forward and attempting to strike any within reach. All fled and put distance between this unique elemental creature and planned out their next move.

"It appears you will need more support." Tylarwin said, stepping forward alongside seven others – Mordent, Maluineth, Thal'darah, Adelina, Taiga, Rokaro and Geleneth – who all gathered behind the Shaman.

"Your timing is impeccable." Mairne replied, his words low and calm as he flexed his shield arm to shake off the numb feeling it had. "I suggest we divide and conquer these foes."

"Myself alongside Codexia and Sareth'na will deal with this one, the rest of you destroy that Elemental." Iyeana ordered, there was no argument amongst the party. Instead they all charged at their respective foes and didn't waste any time in taking them down.

Codexia slammed her sword into the weapon of Nytheas, putting him on guard and allowing for Iyeana to slide past and deliver two quick slashes to his side. He stumbled and attempted to attack, yet the swing was of poor form and precision. Passing over the Sentinel's head by a good margin, allowing her to twist around and attack again.

One blade buried itself in his stomach, up to the hilt and the tip of the blade exiting out of his lower back. The second blade found purchase in his breast, likely cutting through his lung and making the simple involuntary task of breathing to be painful.

Iyeana ducked and rolled away, avoiding another clumsy attack from the elf who let out a roar and raised the Sceptre of Light to attack. Yet as the wave of spiritual force escaped the sceptre a barrier of energies surrounded Iyeana and protected her from harm. Quick to come to the Sentinel's aid Codexia and Sareth'na moved in to attack.

"I didn't think you would get the drop on his so easily." Codexia said, swinging down at the Noble who let out a pain cry as he blocked the blade. The blades that still perforating his torso gave him little comfort, for any quick and strenuous movement sent a twinge of agony shooting through him.

"He was surprisingly slow." Iyeana replied, rushing forward and grasping the blade in the elf's stomach and ripping it free.

Nytheas stumbled back in shock, his life blood flowing out in a burst of crimson before the wound sealed itself quickly. He attacked again in a rage, trading furious blows between the Primalist and Sentinel in an attempt to overpower one, yet the two women worked well together. Iyeana was even able to reclaim her second blade from Nytheas, tearing it from his chest and leaving him to fumble a counterattack.

As Codexia swung around she broke his guard and Iyeana slashed in, cutting his throat open. He staggered away, his sword falling to the ground as he tried to keep the wound closed with his hand. He tried to protect himself with the Sceptre, using it to summon up a shield to save himself from further harm.

Even when he healed and the shield faded, a foolish move on his part, he had the audacity to try and strike her with it when she came close. Yet Codexia was more than skilled enough to halt the attack and deflect it downwards.

Her blade shot up and the pummel slammed into his face, making him stumble back in surprise and momentary pain before he raised his sceptre to strike back. Bathing it in energies and preparing to release them in a condensed beam of pressure.

Codexia shrouded herself in dark energies and disappeared from sight just as the beam passed through where she once was. She reappeared behind the Highborne and ran him through the back, her blade punching through his chest and adding its potent decaying energies to the already veracious shroud upon him.

"I expected a little more fight out of you." Codexia said, plunging her weapon deeper.

"I am not dead yet!" Nytheas roared, raising the Sceptre of Light but to his shock the weapon was removed from his hand.

Or to put it correctly.

His hand was removed along with the weapon.

Sareth'na had sprung forward with her stave in hand, a long oak branch with a sharp wooden blade giving the peaceful looking took the look of a crude scythe. With the weapon no longer connected to the Highborne the decaying energies of Erebus began to quickly make a feast of its victim. Nytheas screamed as his flesh and clothing deteriorated, crumbling to ash and dust as his entire being was rapidly consumed.

He reached for his belt, attempted to retrieve more of the ashes but the hand was unable to grasp anything. The energies rotting away the flesh and leaving nothing but bones that were now turning to dust, he shrieked as he felt his nerves and muscle fall apart.

"No! Save me! Save me!" Nytheas begged. "Mercy! Give me mercy!"

"As you wish." Iyeana replied, giving a nod towards Sareth'na.

The Druid raised her stave and swung hard, blade touching his slowly darkening and rotting neck. It parted cleanly and with little effort on the druid's part.

Codexia allowed the body to slide off the end of her blade and regarding the quickly rotting corpse, only giving it a moment's glance before turning to her companions. Giving both a nod of gratitude for their help, without their aid it would have been a longer and possibly more costly fight.

Yet their reprieve was short, a sudden pulse of light from the far end of the room alerted them to the major threat. Mildreas roared out loud as the Obelisk of Elune ceased to function, the draw of power from the room coming to a halt.

Cause seemed to be Caren who stood at its side and seemed to have done something, something that had earned the Highborne's ire. For in the next moment he was at her side and swinging down with his blade.


Ichigo ducked to the side as the blade stabbed towards his head, he narrowly avoided it like had the hundred other strikes that had been sent his way. He had to admit to himself this guy had skill, swordsmanship that made him a greater challenge for Ichigo.

In fact he would even say that the precision and sheer ability he possessed was more refined than some of the Shinigami he had fought in the past. Even the impeccable and highly trained Byakuya or the wild and deft swordsman that was Kisuke didn't seem to possess the same level of grace and fluidity as this Highborne mage. That was a laughable thing as well, he was a mage like Caren and his sword skills were definitely better than his self-taught swordsmanship.

Ichigo swung up and attempted to get a hit in but found his enemy had moved off again, disappearing in a blur of speed too fast for his human eyes to track. Yet the flutter of robes to his left told him where he was, and instinct alerted him of the danger.

Using Shunpo he strafed to the right and out of the range of Mildreas and his blade, but as soon as he did the man swung his staff forward and released a barrage of greenish missiles. Ichigo gave them a quick glance before he used Shunpo again to evade the bombardment. Choosing to give himself as much distance as possible he moved to the far side of the room.

But as soon as he reached his stopping point Mildreas attacked again, blade swinging down to crash into the substitutes. That was probably the main problem that stopped Ichigo from actually get a one up on this guy.

His damn speed was too fast for him to get around.

'This guy is too fast, I can't keep up with him.' Ichigo though.

Ichigo knew he could easily overpower, eventually outclass, and even outlast the guy in a sword fight but it came down to one singular problem. Mildreas was moving so fast and didn't seem to have the same issues he had when using Shunpo, meaning he could use it indefinitely without any physical drawbacks. Also Ichigo may have noticed that in some instances he had a delay in attacking, but if Mildreas set himself up right he can easily attack as soon as he stepped out of his speed manoeuvre.

Right now that single advantage was making Ichigo's life, along with his two ally's lives, a living nightmare.

'I might need to use Bankai.' Ichigo thought.

That extra power and with Tensa Zangetsu he might actually be able to cut through that cloak he is wearing. Which Ichigo recalled was said to have been made from the flesh of a Primal God or Loa, meaning that the resistance he was getting was actually akin to spiritual pressure. Meaning that the cloak was putting out enough energy to counter his own, meaning he needed to release more power to actually cut through it.

His Getsuga Tenshō and the edge of his Shikai couldn't do the job, which meant he needed something more powerful to do the deed. Bankai was the only option at the moment, yet he was hesitant to actually use it considering the massive drawback – dying a very painful death.

"You certainly are not like those other mongrels!" Mildreas said, sliding his blade from atop the Zanpakutō before swinging his stave around.

Ichigo ducked under the swing and quickly attacked, swinging up and then downwards in quick succession to try and catch or at least scrape the guy's coat. But like before he seemed to be exceptionally skilled, along with quick. He evaded the first and blocked the second, although the latter at least staggered the mage and allowed for Ichigo to attack a third time.

Yet the third was countered by the staff, the magical energies contained with exploded on contact with Zangetsu and threw it to the side and nearly dragged Ichigo along with it. But that moment it was Ichigo who was left open to attack, his blade was barely still in his grasp and his left side was completely open.

As Mildreas swung with his blade Ichigo fumbled forward and was able to catch his wrist, stopping the sword from likely cutting him in half. His own armour seemed to be less than effective against the enchanted blade, considering there were a few tears in it right now. He saw an opportunity, reaffirming his grip he twisted Zangetsu and stabbed it right for the Highborne's heart.

He may have seen it coming but at this distance Mildreas couldn't dodge it, sadly he didn't need to do anything. As soon as Zangetsu's edge touched the cloak it slid along its surface, as if the mantle was made of steel rather than leather and fur. But as Ichigo recalled before this cloak was made from a Primal God and still contained its power, that meant it was back to the basics for him of spiritual power. No weaker spiritual force can harm one more powerful.

The failure of the stab along with his hastily made footing caused the substitute to stumble forward, right into the Highborne's counter attack.

"Pathetic." Mildreas growled, stabbing the headpiece of his staff into Ichigo's stomach.

The explosion of arcane energies sent Ichigo flying back and into the far wall, making the stone crumble and leaving a deep crack in his armor. Ichigo hit the ground with a heavy thud, giving a cough as he spat out blood and other fluids that refused to stay within his body.

Staggering to his knees Ichigo looked back at Mildreas, and found the bastard was not so proud that he would gloat from a distance. Instead the Highborne attacked, appearing at the substitute's side and about to deliver the executioners swing. Ducking and rolling to the side Ichigo evaded the deathly blow, but he was forced to scramble for ground as the man continued to advance and lash out.

His only saving grace was when a short barrage of arcane missiles collided with Mildreas, his cloak seemed to be ruffled by the barrage but was mostly undamaged, but the distraction gave Ichigo the time needed to get back to his feet. Ichigo attacked, seeing no other option left to him as the man's eyes returned to him.

Their blades locked, a short struggle ensued as they fought for dominance. But when three arrows in rapid succession of one another collided and exploded with arcane energies hit the Highborne mage it drew his ire. He turned to Caelyb and Hymaercia, the former feeding arcane energies into her arrows to give her an edge against his corrupted father.

"How low of you." Mildreas sneered, throwing off his blade from Ichigo and then vanishing.

Mildreas reappeared before the two, slashing at his son who hastily fled with a Blink spell. While Hymaercia was forced to retreat and fire off arrows to try and breach his defense, yet Mildreas was upon her in a moment and sword already descending.

He would have struck home had Ichigo not appeared and stabbed his own blade towards Mildreas', knocking it aside. Hymaercia chose to wisely distance herself from the two combatants.

When Mildreas countered and swung back at the substitute his blade was blocked and deflected upward. He moved to swing his staff around but when a gauntleted fist connected with his jaw he was momentarily halted.

"You better focus on me, because I will beat you to death if you so much as go near them again." Ichigo said, advancing on the momentarily dazed Highborne.

Mildreas swung around, but Ichigo turned and rest his blade against his back so block the strike. When he noticed Mildreas make the attempt to use his staff Ichigo kicked out and stopped the stave there. He willed the cloth to wrap around Zangetsu and fasten it to his back, allowing both his arms to be free Ichigo grabbed hold of Mildreas and tossed him up and then down.

Leaping upon him Ichigo planted his foot on the Highborne Noble's wrist and pinned his sword arm with his hand before he started to whale on the bastard's face. He got in a few punches before Mildreas used his strength to lift his arm up and slam it down, the staff responded and released a powerful blast of force. Ichigo was knocked off Mildreas, the Noble then rose up and attacked, lashing out with fury as he tried to get revenge on the one that had bloodied him.

'This is not getting easier.' Ichigo mused, rolling aside and leaping back from the strikes that didn't seem to end.

Yet Mildreas was forced to a halt, not from an assault by either Hymaercia or Caelyb. Instead it came from the Obelisk that pulsed with a sudden glow before the power it drew in began to dim and slowly thrummed a calming emerald. Caren stood by it, a magical runic circle floating before her hand and seemed content that she had done something of import.

"Got it! Looks like your plans are at an end Highborne!" Caren said, sounding smug as she gave a crooked grim towards the bruised noble.

Ichigo should have known she would get a bit lippy when she did something spectacular, honestly what was she trying to do being that proud of herself? He would have called her out on it had he not felt something move past him, he didn't realize what it was until it was right in front of Caren. His shock made him hesitate in that one moment where he needed it, for his delayed start to use Shunpo cost Caren.

Ichigo reappeared at the Highborne's side just as the blade carved through her chest, her magically protected robes doing nothing to stop the blade. Again he hesitated to act, the sight of a friend being mortally wounded in such a bloody manner had taken all his attention. In fact he didn't react until he saw her hit the floor, eyes never leaving her until she lay near motionless on the stone floor.

"Fool! I cannot be stopped by some child mage!" Mildreas roared, slamming his staff into the Obelisk and forcing it to flare with power once more. "I will eradicate everything on this continent if I must! My people will rebuild their empire and we will eradicate your worthless species with it!"

As the Obelisk continued to pull in power, the draw seemingly more powerful than before, Mildreas slammed his staff into the side of the pillar and shattering some of the gems.

"You shall never deactivate it now, if you even deign to survive that wound that is." Mildreas sneered, before something slammed into his chest and overwhelmed him with a surge of energy.

Mildreas was thrown back, the wave of pressure and energy tossing him clear from the raised stage that supported the Obelisk and the young mage he had mortally wounded. As he slammed into the floor he lay there, shaken by the attack that had rocked him.

It had been a potent assault, one that he had seen a few times before exhibited from that boy. Yet this time it was much more potent and powerful, how did that come to be?

He glanced up finding the human boy to be kneeling beside the wounded mage, the frantic and shocked expression of his face was easily seen. But still the aggravating thought that the boy had spited him again lingered very clearly on the Highborne's mind. With that he rose up and intended to exact his vengeance against him, intent on obliterating him from a distance.

But he was halted, a massive form flew past him and crashed along the stone floor. It made his ears ring as he heard the stone grinding against even harder stone, and forced his concentration away from the Substitute.

Mildreas looked to find a large elemental monstrosity, carrying a spear and appearing mostly humanoid in appearance and stature. Its body had been broken and torn apart, what magical energies animated the beast began to fade for its brittleness was apparent.

But it was what had caused the harm to the entity that now lay before him that gave the mage pause, for he could hear little combat behind him. Turning he found himself face to face with a large shield, moving increasingly close towards him. Mildreas had the quickness of mind to know that he should not be hit, the Greaves worked quickly to distance himself from the threat.

That threat being a hulking Tauren of nine and a half feet and cloaked in thick crimson armor and robes. The mace in the beast's hand having a bludgeoning crown as big as the Noble's head and a shield that while small on the Bovines arm was large enough to shield an average elf from neck to knee. While a danger in some cases it was something Mildreas knew he could defeat alone.

Sadly the creature was not alone.

A glint of silver told him of the attack from the right, quick to raise his blade he parried the strike easily enough. Yet it was the three attacks from behind that took him by surprise, a barrage of arcane missiles assailed him and stung his pride more than gave him injury. Turning he found two warriors moving to confront him, a green skinned brute that he realized was an orc and a Sentinel.

Both had blades in hand, the orcs shorter and more narrow than the Sentinels. They slashed and stabbed at Mildreas, many of the blows taking scrapes against his cloak while behind he felt the blade of the first attacker bash into his shoulder. He felt the edge pressing against his cloak, the magical enchantments upon the blade partially negating the power of his impervious shroud.

"Be gone!" Mildreas roared, raising his staff and slamming it into the ground.

The explosion of arcane energies threw the three warriors aside, yet it did little to affect the many others in the distances that now struck out and attacked. From every direction bolts of arcane, elemental and nature struck at him, wearing at his magical defenses and testing the limits of his protective garments.

"You think you can defeat me with your primitive magic!" Mildreas yelled out, before a mace slammed into his chest and rocketed him across the chamber.

Even as he landed he was assailed constantly, a wind pushed in and slammed into his back and forced him into the ground. Then as he rose up a beam struck his shoulder and threw him onto his back, but it was just one of many more to come trailing towards him.

Mildreas doubted that his magical barriers and the power of his cloak and armor could withstand the barrage for long. Raising his staff he summoned for a shield and let it take the punishment from those around him. Slowly lifting himself back onto his two feet he looked over at the assembled force sent to contend with him.

Over a dozen stood in his way, all of them assailing his shields with either magic or curses in their own tongues. He narrowed his eyes and made certain to bring all of them to their knees in time, first he would dispatch that massive beast and make it pay for striking him.

With that thought he let the shield fade, and quickly he disappeared from sight and let the Greaves take him to where he desired.


"Dammit, hold on." Ichigo said, looking over Caren's wound and finding it bleeding profusely.

It was a miracle she was alive right now, but he wasn't counting on Divine intervention at this point to make sure she survived the following few minutes. He looked back to the fight as his allies attacked Mildreas, pressuring the Noble who quickly moved onto the offensive.

"I need a healer!" Ichigo yelled, he was thankful for such a hasty response.

Adelina and Codexia rushed over to them, both kneeling next to the wounded mage who struggled to remain in the realm of the living. Adelina was quick to get to work, her hands over the wound and using all her ability to seal the slash and repair the damage beneath.

"Is she going to be alright?" Ichigo asked, maintaining his calm as best he could.

"I don't know, she has lost a lot of blood." Adelina said, despite the dread inducing words and the concern on her face she redoubled her efforts and the power she gave towards the healing spell.

Ichigo growled as he realized that it was his fault this happened, he had taken his eyes off the bastard and hesitated to stop him. Instead of keeping his eyes on someone he knew could cover great distances and also had the sense to attack when the opportunity presented itself he looked away.

But when he heard a pained cry from the battle he turned to see Iyeana had been stabbed through the side, going through her waist and out her stomach. She fell to the ground as her attacker retreated and saw fit to appear beside another to debilitate them through torturous injuries rather than outright killing them.

But that was likely because of allies coming to her aid, yet they in turn were now in trouble of being in need of rescue. Mairne was next to fall, the staff blowing his feet out from under him before he blocked the stave from slamming into his head. But when the blade pierced through his arm he was now letting out a pained cry.

'Don't let it break you.' Ichigo chided himself, scowling as he rose up and advanced forward. 'Bury it deep, hold it in and don't let it take you.'

He couldn't let despair take him now, not when he had many other lives on the line right now to protect. Adelina and Codexia could take care of Caren, but the others would need his power to take down Mildreas.

Ichigo flared his power, letting it be drawn to the surface. He felt the slight strain of his muscles and nerves as his power flooded out and took on a distinct sheen of light. What he was about to do was idiotic and downright stupid, but he had no other way to get past the Highborne's defenses or counter his speed advantage over him.

'A last resort, that is what they kept telling me back in the Soul Society.' Ichigo thought, recalling how many times it had been a tool for him because of how desperately he needed it to survive against some enemies. 'Guess now I know why that is the case.'

The cloth wrapped around his armored gauntlet and arm, his spiritual pressure and energy expanded outwards and some took notice immediately. But others were still drawn to the fight, fighting for their lives against the extremely powerful foe that seemed to move at impossible speed. Now it was time for him to match that speed, and make that bastard feel the sting of being humbled by a lesser being than himself.

"Ichigo…?" Adelina called, seeing the energies expanding out from his body and immediately recognising what it was and what he intended. "Stop! Do not use it! You barely survived your first attempt, and even the second one was near fatal as the first!"

"Got no choice, just be ready to get the healers on me when the time comes." Ichigo replied, raising his blade up and soon his entire being was bathed in spiritual energy and expanding outwards.

The conflict ended quickly as all eyes turned to the massive surge of spiritual energy that shot out and created great winds of force. Many did not know what was happening, having never seen such a strange spectacle before their eyes. The very roof nearly collapsed as the tower of spiritual energy slammed into it and washed over its surface like blue fire. But when the energy faded and a single figure strolled forward they were surprised with the sudden change in appearance.

"Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu." Ichigo muttered.

Looking up his eyes fell upon Mildreas who returned it with a curious sneer, as if he was deigning Ichigo with interest he was undeserving of. Ichigo was going to wipe the floor with this bastard in the following few moments.

"What is this?" Tylarwin said, looking at the human boy curiously and the sudden change in his appearance and noticing a palpable aura surrounding him.

Maluineth noted that his armor seemed to be more tightly bound than before, along with several added accessories to the girdle and pauldrons. Three long flowing tassets of some kind that seemed to flow down to his ankles, while something similar feel from beneath his pauldrons and gave extra protection to his upper arms.

But the most surprising was that his blade no longer was a large black and white sword of considerable size. Instead it now resembled a long straight and narrow blade of pure black, with a strangely shaped cross guard that resembled some foreign symbol.

'I have never seen a spell like this before.' Maluineth thought, narrowing her eyes on the boy that she had previously witnessed go toe to toe against Mildreas and match him in speed and skill with the blade. Something that went against anything that she would think a youth would be capable of, let alone a human all together.

Ichigo continued forward and ignored all else.

"What are you doing?" Iyeana said, groaning as she tried to sit up. "Take him!"

Snapping out of the reverie those around turned their attention away from the Substitute and back towards Mildreas, finding him similarly occupied and vulnerable. Luckily someone was quick to attack, Master Thal'darah leaped at the mage in the form of a saber and sunk his teeth into the Highborne's shoulder. They did not pierce through but the weight of the form dropped Mildreas to his knees.

Mildreas flicked his staff up, just a small tap and the explosive force knocked the druid from his back. Yet the weight off his shoulders was soon replaced as a blade slammed down onto his neck, the protective cloak's collar halting the blade and leaving Mildreas to growl.

He disappeared with a burst of speed, appearing behind Maluineth and had his sword poised to cut her head off. He swung hard and felt his blade halt as it bit into metal, his eyes widened in surprise when he found the young orange haired human blocking the strike.

"You won't touch another person here." Ichigo said, glaring at the Highborne.

With a flick he pushed the black blade Mildreas was sent stumbling away, his footing lost at the shockingly powerful push. Regaining his footing he quickly vanished from sight, moving around to the substitute's side and swinging wide, intent of cutting both Maluineth and Ichigo with the single swing. Yet again the blade was countered, Ichigo swung up and around and was able to parry the blade upwards and out of the path before it could even come in contact with Maluineth.

Twisting his blade in hand Ichigo put his palm against the pummel of his Zanpakutō and stabbed it forward, aiming for the Highborne's heart. Mildreas quickly evaded the strike and gained some distance, yet as he stopped he found that the substitute was already upon him.

Blade swinging down and too quick for Mildreas to counter, yet he was unafraid that he would be harmed. This cloak was forged from the skin of a Primal God, one of those savage creatures that the Trolls and these Kal'dorei now worship. Its hide was powerful and strong, nothing could breach it except for powerful magic, not even this flimsy sword that could transform had the power to cut through it.

Yet when the pain came and a flash of crimson passed before him did he realize that was no longer the case, a thin tear formed along his cloak. He looked down, to see the short bloody stain on the brown leather; the blade had torn through the leather and the armor beneath. Not a debilitating or even deadly wound, yet it showed that his armor did not offer the protection it once did.

"How…" Mildreas said, before he saw the blade coming up again for another swing.

He disappeared from sight and evaded as best he could, appearing by the boy's side and attacking. Yet Ichigo disappeared in turn and was now standing behind the Highborne mage, blade in motion and tearing an opening in his back.

Mildreas stumbled forward in shock, how was it that the boy could now be faster than himself. He could cover seven leagues in less than a second and yet he was unable to catch this boy?

He turned to attack but when he did a barrage of arcane bolts collided with his chest, he stumbled back, his breast slightly burning. He glared down at the tear in his cloak and armor, knowing that with that chink in his magical defenses he was quite vulnerable.

"Ichigo! Tear apart his cloak!" Iyeana called, slowly rising back up with the support of another night elf.

"Will do." Ichigo responded, slashing forward and forcing Mildreas onto the defensive as his blade was bashed aside.

His staff came next and attempted to throw the substitute aside with the concussive force of the arcane, but Ichigo blocked the attack easily enough and didn't even give an inch of ground. But he was forced to bend around the quick jab from the mage, the blade nearly touching his chest.

'Guess even when outclassed he still can be a pain.' Ichigo though, frowning as the Highborne took over from the offensive.

His staff dropped towards the ground and that stored energy exploded near Ichigo's feet, Ichigo stumbled away and shielded his eyes from the arcane outburst. A surprise really, Ichigo had not expected the arcane to be that effective now that he was in his Bankai, but considering its nature it never did play by the rules.

The momentary distraction was used by Mildreas to attack, appearing by his side and stabbing forward.

Ichigo was surprised for two reasons, the first being that his opponent had proven exactly what he thought a moment ago about this guy still being a potential threat to him. The second reason was the transparent barrier that formed around him and blocked the blade from making contact with the substitute.

Then a volley or Arcane missiles slammed down onto Mildreas, the arcane energies washed over the shield that protected Ichigo and causing no harm. Ichigo leaped back as the shield faltered, coming to a rest near Mairne and Tylarwin, both of them at the ready to engage.

"Impressive, whatever power you summoned up it seems capable of penetrating that cloak." Mairne stated, eyes never leaving the arcane cloud of energy. "We three will maintain his attention, are you ready to continue?"

Ichigo flexed his free arm, feeling a slight twinge of pain pass through the limb. He knew he didn't have long to do this, his fight with Abraxas had only lasted two or three minutes before he exited the Bankai. Even with his test in Dustwallow Marsh he had only been in Bankai for half a minute tops, meaning that the duration he spent in this form was harmful and he needed to not stay too long.

"Let's go." Ichigo said, disappearing from sight and swinging into the cloud, dispersing it and revealing Mildreas mostly unharmed.

Scowling he attacked, locking swords with Ichigo for a moment before he disappeared from sight and tried to attack the boy at a distance with a spell. Ichigo located him quickly and covered that distance in the blink of an eye, appearing before him and knocked aside the staff before moving in to create another chink in his armor.

Mildreas attempted to block the strike with his blade but that was forced down, even with the blade making the attempt Ichigo still carved through the leather and made a new opening to exploit. Mildreas growled, quickly moving from place to place to avoid Ichigo and attacking him. But Ichigo was following him every step of the way.

Ichigo followed using Shunpo, keeping up with the retreating Highborne and attacking whenever he could. Even if he had the guy on the defensive he was certainly still a challenge, keeping up with him and landing a blow and avoiding anything he used was certainly making it interesting. Had Ichigo been anything like Kenpachi he was sure he would be enjoying this fight, hell he might have enjoyed the fight had he not been so concerned about ending it quick enough before he expired.

'Dammit, I got to seal my Bankai soon.' Ichigo thought, he could already feel his muscles burning and his bones ache.

The only way he was going to do that was to beat this guy, and that was something Mildreas was doing everything in his power to avoid.

Ichigo made for a stab, but Mildreas anticipated it and raised his staff and bathed his Zanpakutō in a glow before pushing it to the ground with a twist of the stave. Weapon down Ichigo ducked to the side as Mildreas swung for his throat, narrowly avoiding it as Tensa Zangetsu remained pinned to the ground.

As Mildreas attacked once more he was struck, a barrage of arrows sailed through the air and nailed him in key places across his body. Yet Ichigo didn't feel his Zanpakutō free itself from the hold of the magical seal, leaving Ichigo with no other choice but to go hand to hand.

He stepped forward and delivered a mean hook to the Highborne's jaw and then two more to his gut, and finally he buckled. Ichigo turned to hear his Zanpakutō clattering onto the stone, free from the spell and ready to carve up some more enemies. Twisting around he kicked the blade up and caught it, taking the handle in both hands he turned and swung down hard.

Mildreas raised his staff and jabbed it towards the swing, stopping it with an outburst of arcane power and creating a stalemate. Mildreas growled as he continued to struggle against this brat, how could a human possess the skill and raw power to overcome what even a master mage the likes of Mordent and Maluineth couldn't?

'I will not be shamed! I will not let some filthy…'

His mental rant was halted when a mace connected with his side and threw him off his feet and several feet away. He rose up quickly, but not fast enough to stop a blade from stabbing into his shoulder.

With a growl more animalistic than human Mildreas turned to cut down the attacker, finding the orc having been responsible. Mildreas' blade was blocked by another, Tylarwin in this case, before a third attacke came in and bashed it aside with his staff and a burst of arcane energy. Tylarwin took advantage of the opening Mordent gave and ran his blade into the back of Mildreas, penetrating several inches into flesh.

"You won't kill me!" Mildreas roared, twisting around fast enough to rip the blade from Tylarwin's hands and make an attack of his own.

Yet when his blade moved for the defenseless warrior something slammed into the side of his head, nearly toppling him before his weapon was pinned to something. He glanced up to see a boot against his face, belonging to a druid who had her staff pushing against his sword. Turning there he found the large shield of the Tauren acting as the rock that kept the blade pinned.

"Get off…!" Mildreas tried to yell, readying his staff to blow all these upstarts away.

Yet he never got that far before a blur of darkness slammed into his wrist and severed his hand, he watched as the limb still grasped his blade tightly fell slowly to the ground. The one who had done it was Ichigo, the youth had his blade low from the perfect cut that had cleanly removed his appendage.

Mildreas was knocked forward, as the druid perched on his face and back leaped off, and toward the substitute, who swung his blade back up. Mildreas turned on his feet as a deep cut formed along his chest and shoulder. Now with his back turned to Tylarwin once more, he reclaimed his lost blade and ripped it free and buried it into Mildreas' shoulder.

Roaring in pain he quickly slammed his staff into the ground, creating another burst of arcane force that scattered his attackers. Mildreas sadly was not as unaffected as they were, he felt the sting of the arcane touch his wounds and the openings in his armor.

"Come! Do all you can! I will tear you apart regardless of the wounds you deal to me!"

Mildreas raised his staff and bathed it in energies, summoning up orbs of pure energy and sending them out wildly across the chamber. What mages were among them summoned up barriers to block against the barrage, others were not fortunate enough and either succumbed or attempted to evade the volley.

Ichigo scowled and charged in, using Shunpo sparingly to evade the bolts that came at him and neared the mad mage. Mildreas attacked, grasping his staff and using it as a club to bash aside any attack Ichigo sent his way. He was doing very well with it, and Ichigo found that he was actually fighting for any ground he had while battling against the man.

This would be a battle he would recall later on, trying to understand how it was possible for this man that was so much weaker than he was able to still challenge him. Was it the arcane? Or the artefacts he had been using? Ichigo wouldn't know the answer for some time, not until he understood the intricate nature of the arcane. But it made him thoughtful.

"I will never be beaten! This city is mine and the people deserve a ruler such as me! I will lead them into a new golden age!" Mildreas roared.

"Getsuga…" Ichigo replied, bathing his blade in a deep dark energy.

He swung hard, forcing Mildreas back several steps and shattering the spell above him. Then he swung again, both hands bringing the blade down towards the Highborne. He raised the staff in defense, yet it faltered and the enchanted wood along its surface flared with powers as it threatened to break.

The two opposing forces fought for dominance and eventually it was Tensa Zangetsu that emerged the superior, shattered the staff and releasing a thundering boom of energy. Many lost their footing and were thrown off their feet, the large window at the far end of the room that had yet to be shattered had been blown apart. Leaving a massive opening on the side of the palace.

"…Tenshō."

Ichigo finished the utterance, bathing his blade in the raw and destructive might of his Bankai's enhanced Getsuga Tenshō. Ready to obliterate the defenseless bastard in front of him who had a new cut along his chest that hemorrhaged with freshly shed blood.

No way to escape Ichigo swung hard and fast, releasing a wave of dark spiritual energy that overwhelmed the Highborne and threw him off the ground. Carried by the way of pressure and force Mildreas was enveloped in darkness and carried out of the palace and over the plaza.

His body still shrouded in the dark spiritual flames of the Getsuga fell from the sky and to the ground, crashing into the remains of the Draught pylon below. It exploded and shattered the plaza, creating a deep hole that descended into the depths of Ethel Rethor's sewers. Not a sound came from the man after he was hit, having likely been killed from the overwhelming force of the strike.

Many now stood at the broken window and looked down to the destruction below them, the hole a suitable grave for someone as vile as he. But while his cataclysmic demise was something that benefitted them all another calamity took their eyes towards the heavens.

But their eyes drifted upwards and to the storm, finding it stretching far across the land and appearing to have overshadowed the entire region. Lightning danced across the horizon as thousands of bolts descended from the sky and likely killed whatever it struck.

The feeling that passed through everyone was horrifying, the idea that after all the blood they had sacrificed to get here and for it to end in failure nearly destroyed them. Even the stoic and calm Iyeana could do nothing but stare in shock and horror as she realized the consequences of this failing.

"No, we didn't stop him." Iyeana said, glaring in despair at the realization that everything they had done had been in vain.

"Not… true…" Caren said, supported by both Adelina and the Obelisk she spoke. "I changed the targets…"

She gave a small smile before pulling out a bracer from her pouch, an elemental bracer to be exact. Too weak to hold onto it any longer she dropped the binding bracer to the ground and let out a pained moan. Quickly they picked up on what the mage had done, many realizing the importance of said bracer and the mages own suggestions.

"That is… the storm… destroying the elementals… across the whole of the… Desolace…" Caren said, before she dropped to the ground with Adelina just stopping her from completely collapsing.

Iyeana looked on, gladdened beyond measure that the young girl had been able to change the devices targets. Had she not than there was no doubt in her mind that many would be dead. Caren had saved thousands of lives today, by stopping the slaughter of what few remained within the Desolace and the eradication of the elementals.

"Caren…" Ichigo said, stepping forward and giving a pained look as he tried to give a smile. "Good to see you…"

"So tired… might rest a little while…" Caren replied, slumping completely into unconsciousness.

"Caren…!" Ichigo said, sounding alarmed before he tripped and fell to his knees.

A spray of blood spewed from his mouth, coating the front of his armor and the floor. Dark energies shrouded his being as the powers that maintained his Bankai faded, leaving Ichigo on the ground writhing in agony.

"Dammit! Healers on him now!"

Ichigo was certain it was Iyeana who called it but he wasn't certain, every part of his being was screaming in agony. He couldn't do anything but focus on the pain, even as the placed him on his back and went to work he couldn't maintain consciousness.

"Don't worry; we will get you through this!" Iyeana said, hovering over him as several Druids got to work on him.

Ichigo let them do their work; he would have to wait to see if he would wake up or not in the next few minutes. He hoped he would.


Reviews:

TheBronzeLine: Heh, I am willing to bet I would handle the teasing no better than Ichigo did, maybe worse even.

Silverwing88: Yeah, that is coming up later on. It is going to be great I can assure you of that. Really, that would be a good story to read if it is detailed, tell me what it is so I can add it to my faviorites.

How many? I would give about eight arcs in total. So a few more. I mean I have planned up to chapter one hundred and still am not done with it. There is just so much content for Vanilla that it keeps adding up.

Prince Sheogorath: Wow, didn't realize that at first. Altair jumping onto the stage and killing the executioner, completely slipped my mind but that is oddly what happened with Ichigo.

Black Cross0: Yeah, thought I added that in for everyone to have a laugh.

You are the second person to mention Assassins Creed in this regards, I cannot believe that I did not realize it. Eventually she will be asked and she will mention how she came to be, but the reason will actually be shown in the Gaiden side stories. Because to reveal it like that will show off a lot more.

Yeah, I do try to make speeches that are good because Bleach oddly enough has some very good ones and I try to replicate it.

Spartan-140: I can make a Gaiden chapter or segment for Earth I suppose after the events with Ichigo. Maybe show off a few things that are happening back there, would be interesting to see.

Star: Yeah, lots of things are happening. In the mouth to mouth that is.

Leapinglemur: Likely not. But if you read this that is a different story.

Earendil18: Oh it will follow him back there. Most definitely.

Ben 10,000: The connection he has is part of the story and its own standalone point that will be explored later on in the story.

Astroga121: Heh, glad you caught onto something like that. You certainly know how to read between the lines, and the nothing to pull that out of the air.

Glad you liked the speech, probably the best one I have ever done and I do digress that it was not easily done with how much editing and screwing around I did to get it right. I mean it was pretty damn hard to make it sound not only badass but believable alongside understandable.

Thank you, not many liked the arc because of the plot ass pull on the fact Ichigo didn't just ignore it and go to Jaina.

Guest #1: That poll was mainly just to see what people thought, already changed it to something else. Also Jaina and Ichigo are not happening, she is twice his age and while she is a fine woman I am not the kind of guy that goes for cougars.

Earnest Shippinglane89: He will eventually, when he learns to do it. After all when he is flustered about naughty things it is hard for him to concentrate.

Aesir19: Actually the Highborne height is the same as the Night Elves. The average height for a female night elf is approximately 7 feet tall and the average height of a male is approximately 7.5 feet tall. What you are describing is actually the Blood Elves I believe. The Night elves are much taller and their heights are around this range.

Blindluck92: Yeah, getting awkward around the girls now that you have kissed one is not going to make his life any easier. Also I would say he was trying to maintain his gentlemanly attitude and that is why he doesn't like being called a prude. He is a gentleman and doesn't like it when things get inappropriate.

Also that is a life lesson I am afraid, sometimes you don't know what is going to happen and you are forced to live with it. Shouldering the responsibility when you screw up is one thing, but shouldering something that is out of your control is another. Ichigo is going to need to discover that difference one day.

Glad you liked it, channelling his own brand of wisdom is becoming a lot easier nowdays.

Well now you know what happened with Caelyn and why he came back with Maluineth and Tylarwin. Bet the beginning of this chapter surprised you.

I know, Ichigo isn't about speeches unless he needs to do it. He is a fifteen year old kid and he has his own way of doing things and basically going off on a rant is not one of those ways.

Stuporman: I know, Ichigo is very chill and doesn't hold grudges unless circumstances demand it, look at how he handled Ulquiorra. He was remorseful and wanted to fight him evenly and honourable, even after he killed him he wanted to keep fighting on a level where they were even.

Ichigo also worked alongside Aizen in the end and even forgave Tsukishima when he helped him in that one moment. Even Ginjo as well, and Ginjo says that they owed him. That shows you what kind of impact he can have on people, even the enemies he fights.

Also about Gaiden segments, the reason I omit these scenes is because of one of two reasons. The first is that I couldn't fit it in anywhere during the moment and simply couldn't shove it in somewhere without breaking apart the flow of the story for now reason.

Second reason, preserve the drama. I took out that segment to add a sense of unknown and intrigue that made people wonder what they discussed and talked about. Gaiden may have revealed it but it doesn't matter. That scene still sticks with you in the main story and people wonder still what happened and will continue to wonder because of it.

Stories are made by the characters and the drama they go through, not everything is about being correct and neat and tidy. The drama helps moves the story and make it entertaining. I omitted it along with the many other segments now in Gaiden because it helps preserve the Drama. After all had I added these segments from Gaiden into the story this chapter would not have had much of an impact at the beginning.

Yeah, like a Swiss army sword.

Holy crap I never realized that, I cannot believe I forgot about the cloth like that. I mean I was toying with it a lot and never considered him using it to bandage her wounds or use it to help carry her. Dammit, that would have made things a little easier really.

When did Ichigo and Ishida become friends? Where were their meaningful moments where they talked and hung out? What about Komamura? Who defend Ichigo and reassured him and gave him a pep talk? Seemed to know about his Mask and didn't care about it. Where was their meaningful moment where they became buddied?

Just because it is not shown in great details doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Not everything happens on screen or is written out, he has fought beside these Sentinels many times and in many situations.

In Dire Maul, the Desolace and now in Ethel Rethor. He had served with them for a long while and basically befriended many. He has become part of Iyeana's routine and often interacts with her officers, such as Anaesia. As I said before, things to put in and things not too put in.

Also all things possess a spiritual presence, everything has a soul and power within them. This is also something that attains to the calling of a person as well, a Monk, Druid, Shaman and Death Knight (Or Undead In General) all have a unique presence, or for the latters case lack of. This is actually something I should explain in detail in an Omake chapter. But Adelina and Caren while possessing two different branches of power both have souls. Every living thing has a soul, Caren's is much less pronounced than others, as Ichigo only found Adelina and Caren due to the proximity of the two near Mairne, whom Ichigo sensed.

Shattering: The blade isn't telekinetically summoned to his hand, the only one that has shown that ability is his Inner Hollow and the nature of that is still something only he has done once. Ichigo has never been able to do it and also the Zanpakuto technically don't work like that. They may be connected to the soul but actually pulling them back to you has never been displayed before.