Chapter Seven: Making Friends & Making Enemies
Takeshi's world was still black as he kept his eyes closed. He slowly started to come to his senses. His whole body felt like it weighed a ton, his muscles and bones seemed to ache with no end. Not to mention his head felt like someone had hit it repeatedly with a sledgehammer and then ran it over with a truck for good measure. In essence, he felt like utter shit.
Then he felt something laying on his torso, it was large, but it didn't feel as though it was weighing heavily on him. It was warm and he could swear he felt the faint in and out of breathing against his torso. From whatever it was laying on him. So to appease his curiosity, he slowly began to open his eyes still heavily groggy and looked.
When the blurriness of his vision receded, he saw just what it was. It was Mila, she had her head resting gently on his torso. Her face pointed in the direction towards his face, as she slumbered quietly. Her golden mane acting like a comfy, furry blanket for him. He gently sat up, using his elbows to keep himself propped up. He reached out with a hand and gently stroked her mane with his hand. Mila began to stir from the action.
She moved her head a little almost seemingly nuzzling against him, something he couldn't help but find adorable. She slowly lifted her head up and yawned before opening her eyes to see a now awake Takeshi smiling at her.
"Takeshi!" she exclaimed, any drowsiness leaving her immediately from the surprise of seeing her dear friend awake at last. She looked at him with concern. "how are you feeling?"
"like I just got ran over by truck, repeatedly, while on fire but I don't feel like anything done will be permanent." He replied.
"good" she said before smacking him upside the head with a paw.
"owwww, god dammit! What was that for!?" Takeshi demanded.
"you fucking idiot!" said Mila "I heard what you did after I was knocked out! You nearly killed yourself overexerting your power like you did! You've been unconscious for a whole fucking week!"
"I was doing what I thought I needed to do in order to keep you safe." He retorted.
"you think I don't realize that!" Mila proclaimed before her voice got somber and quieter. "I've been worried sick about you for the last week. Not knowing you were going to live or die. Not knowing if you were going to wake up or remain comatose. I know the thought of seeing me hurt upsets you, but have you ever thought how I would feel if I ever had to helplessly watch you in that same position?"
Takeshi thought to himself for a moment and felt guilty. Guilty for making someone he cares for worry so much in such a manner for him.
"Mila" he began softly. "I'm sorry for making you worry so much about me. I let my emotions get the better of me and I nearly killed myself in a battle I couldn't have hoped to win. What's even worse by doing so I hurt you in the process by putting you through this current situation. I'm a damn fool for doing what I did, forgive me if you can."
She was quiet for a few moments before she spoke. "of course I forgive you Takeshi." She replied in her own soft tone. "you really think after everything we've been through together so far. That something like this would somehow ruin it all? Just don't go and do something stupid like that ever again or I'll kick your ass myself."
Takeshi just simply chuckled a little in response. "I will do my best not to arouse your anger like that again." Then Takeshi made a look around his surroundings, they seemed to be deep inside a cave, the walls being lit by torches. A fact he found rather odd. He decided to address Mila with his questions on the matter.
"Mila you said you've been watching over me for the last week? What's this cave were in? you said you were still unconscious when I was went out, so…." He let the question linger in the air before he finally remembered. "Wait! The vasto lorde! What happened to her and the others!? What happened exactly after I went out cold!?"
"We can answer that for you." called out a stoic female voice from behind him.
Takeshi whirled his head around and saw the vasto lorde and her subordinates from before. He quickly on reflex reached for his fullbring around his neck. His eyes went wide with worry when he felt nothing around his neck. His fullbring was gone.
"looking for this I assume?" said the vasto lorde holding up her hand, showing his necklace in her grasp. "after your power deactivated, I noticed this necklace suddenly appeared on your neck. I figured it had some connection to your power, so I removed it. so you couldn't try to attack as soon you saw us when you awoke."
Takeshi simply scowled at the women for a moment before relaxing. "not like it really matters. Even if I did have it on me, I'm still far to beat up to try and fight again. Not to mention even if I was in condition to fight, you would still beat me."
"glad you're more reasonable when not blinded by your in the moment emotions." She retorted.
Deciding not to push is luck he decided introductions were in order. "so just to get this out of the way, my name's Takeshi Kurosaki and this is Franceska Mila Rose. Who may I ask are you?" he questioned.
"my name is Tia Halibel." Spoke the vasto lorde. "this is Emilou Apacci." She said motioning to the deer hollow. "and this is Cyan Sung-sun." motioning to the snake hollow.
There was a moment of silence before Takeshi spoke up. "so why did you spare us? I thought for sure once I blacked out, I was never going to wake up." Questioned Takeshi.
"I've only spared you for the moment. Hearing what you spoke during our fight, I felt there was far more to you than I had initially judged. I wish to hear your story and know you a bit better. Depending on what I hear, you may or may not still find my blade through your neck. After all I'm still rather upset for you attacking and nearly killing my subordinates. Your friend has already told us her account while you slumbered, now I wish to hear yours." Halibel finished with an icy tone and stare.
Takeshi had the decency to shiver under the fierce woman's gaze. "better get comfy, it's will be a long story."
So Takeshi told his tale, the night his mother was killed before him and being kidnapped to hueco mundo. Awakening his fullbring and being saved by Mila. explaining his plans and goals while his was in the hollow realm. hunting alongside Mila helping her with her growth. Saving Mila from the group of hollows and from the soul reaper. To the time of traveling in desert of the hollow world until the fate full encounter with Halibel and her subordinates.
"that's the whole story of my time here for now." He finished. Takeshi had watched the three hollows in front of him as he told his tale. Emilou and Sung-sun had gasped every now again at the more major parts of the story. Halibel for her part had remained perfectly stoic the entire time.
"I see." Began Halibel. "that is quite the tail indeed and your story matches up with your friends. "come forward Takeshi." Halibel practically demanded. He did so and Mila made a move to go with him. Halibel held up a hand to stop her in her tracks. The vasto lorde then ordered her subordinates to move to either side of Mila.
"towards the end of our fight, you were willing to give yourself up on the grounds that I spare Mila from any punishment. As I still seek punishment for your assault on my friends. Are you willing to shoulder the entirety of that so she may be spared? Are you willing to sacrifice your goals of having revenge for your mother's death? Your desire to go home and see your family again? To return to your own world and continue with a life there? Are you willing to sacrifice so much, simply because she is your friend?" wondered Halibel.
Takeshi looked directly at Halibel. With all the resolve he had and honesty to boot, he gave his answer. "Yes I am. As I said before the whole attack was my idea and I'd won't allow my friends and those I care about to suffer for my own foolish mistakes. Punish me as you see fit and leave Mila in peace."
There was a tense silence for a few moments before Halibel spoke.
"Very well then." Was she said and suddenly Sung-sun coiled around Mila and held her in place. Mila tried to struggle but was completely trapped by snake's embrace. "drop to your knees Takeshi." Commanded Halibel.
Realizing where this was all going, he gave out a deep sigh and did a he was told.
"Takeshi! Don't do this!" roared Mila.
"Quiet!" exclaimed Halibel as she raised her energy in the process. Mila immediately went quiet from the intimidation of the vasto lorde. Halibel moved to the side of Takeshi.
"are you prepared?" she asked.
Takeshi looked back to Mila and gave her a sad and apologetic look before turning to face the vasto lorde one final time. "as long as you keep to your word about leaving Mila in peace afterwards, then yes I am. She's sure to be upset once this is done so don't hold it against her please." He spoke.
"I shall keep to my word I promise." Replied Halibel.
Takeshi simply nodded his head and gave one more look towards Mila. "Good-bye Mila and thank you for everything." He said in a soft tone before turning back around and closing his eyes and waiting for the deed to be done.
"Takeshi….no…please." spoke Mila in a sad and meekly tone as she helplessly watched.
"I will make it quick and painless for you." said the vasto lorde.
Takeshi simply nodded his head, keeping his eyes closed. Accepting his fate and awaiting it to come. Halibel raised her massive blade high up. The world seemed to go deathly quiet and time seemed to slow down for a few moments. Then the blade came down.
SHUNK!
Takeshi heard the blade swinging down and cutting into the ground. He was surprised he didn't feel anything, though she did promise to make it quick and painless. His eyes were still closed and a few moments he decided to open them expecting to see his now headless corpse as he stood over it in soul form.
When he opened them, he noticed Halibel's giant blade sticking into the ground in front of him. Then he noticed he was still on his knees on the ground, looking around he saw no corpse around him. Then he realized it, he was still alive. He turned his head to the vasto lorde in confusion.
"well done Takeshi, you passed." Spoke the vasto lorde as she extended a hand to the boy, he took it and she pulled him up onto his feet. She then turned and gave the order to Sung-sun to release Mila.
"what's going on here?" questioned Takeshi.
"simple I have decided to spare you?" Spoke Halibel. "after our fight I thought on the words you spoke. I decided if you truly were the type of person you claimed to be and that our confrontation was simply unfortunate circumstances at play. After hearing Mila's tale and your own, realizing that they lined up with each other. I wanted to give you a final test of sorts to prove that your belief on sacrifice you spoke in battle was truthful and not simple spur of the moment emotions. I'm glad to see you proved to be the person you claimed to be."
"and if I hadn't been?" Takeshi asked in curiosity.
"then we wouldn't be having this conversation." Said Halibel in a tone that left no doubt she would have taken his head, if she hadn't been convinced.
Takeshi gulped nervously in response. "so what hap-" he began but was suddenly cut off, when a large ball of fluff knocked him and pinned him to the ground, which then proceeded to smack him repeatedly with its paws.
"Takeshi! You god damn idiot! What did I just get done telling you not even an hour ago!?" roared Mila as she slapped him with her paws.
"ow!, ow!, ow! Mila stop it would you!? I'm still sore from everything else for kami's sake." He retorted back.
"yeah well, you're gonna be even more sore once I'm done with your stupid ass!" the lioness retorted back.
"I'm sorry but I can't help myself. it's just my nature as a person is all!"
"anyone bother to tell you that your nature sucks!?"
Before it could go any further a collection of chuckles was heard from behind the two. Looking, the two noticed Halibel, Apacci and Sung-sun watching their little display with faces of amusement. Feeling a little embarrassed Takeshi and Mila both separated and faced them.
"so what exactly happens now?" questioned Mila.
Halibel looked at the two of them for a moment and spoke. "I wish to extend an offer of you two joining me and my friends as we travel hueco mundo."
"WHAT!?" Takeshi and Mila said together in shock.
Halibel simply nodded her head before she continued. "yes, as I said I believe our earlier confrontation was simply unfortunate circumstance. Now that I have gotten to know the two of you and your stories. I see you two are not bad people, you're simply trying to survive as best you can in hueco mundo as we all do. if you agree, you'll be under my protection, the protection of a vasto lorde. I am also willing to help you on your hunt for grand fisher Takeshi. He is a disgusting individual and you have every right to end him. Also if you do accept, I would like to train you in combat."
This got an eyebrow raise out of the fullbringer. "not to look a gift horse in the mouth and all, but are they ok with this?" he said gesturing to Apacci and Sung-sun. "we did almost kill them after all had you not come along when you did."
"if lady Halibel has seen fit to forgive you for your transgressions, then we forgive you as well." Answered Sung-sun.
"yeah what she said. Plus as annoying as it is, you were just going by the way things tend to work in hueco mundo. If our roles had been reversed, we probably would have done the same thing." Answered Apacci.
"hmmmmm" Takeshi went as he thought to himself. "okay I get all that, even you wanting to help me kill fisher. However, why do you wish to train me yourself?"
The shark woman was quiet for a few moments before explaining. "because it would benefit us all. You have great potential Takeshi, that much I can already tell. However our battle showed you lack proper instruction. While you're quite capable of fighting most hollows, you lack the knowledge and training of dealing with someone who is skilled in weapon to weapon combat. Your fight with the soul reaper was evident of that, plus it was even clearer in our own fight. You wish to protect everyone you care about correct?" he nodded his head in response. "this will help further your ability to do so, not just here in hueco mundo but also once you return home, when that day finally comes."
Takeshi mulled Halibel's offer over in his head. He couldn't deny it was a good deal in every way. Especially the part with her training him, she wielded an actual weapon like he did, and he knew from their fight just how much stronger and skilled she was in weapon combat than him. It would be very helpful to learn the finer points of weapon on weapon fighting. Especially should he ever have to deal with more soul reapers in the future.
"what say you to this offer Mila?" he asked turning to the lioness.
Mila mulled everything over in her head and gave her answer. "I say we take the offer, it's not everyday something like this comes along. If they're truly serious about their end in all this, then I see no reason to refuse."
"I suppose that settles it then." Takeshi turned back to Halibel. "we accept your offer." He spoke with a smile.
While it couldn't be seen behind her mask, Halibel had a smile of her own in approval. The vasto lorde walked over to him. "I'm glad to hear. Take some more time to rest before we begin to travel and train." She held out her hand, with his fullbring dangling from it. "I believe you'll be needing this back."
"indeed I will." He spoke as he took his fullbring from her and placed it back on around his neck. He focused in on Reaver to speak to her. Only to cringe, as he was immediately bombarded by the banshee screaming of curses and insults from his fullbring spirit for his previous actions.
"something the matter?" questioned Mila.
"my fullbring spirit, she's not exactly happy about my little stunts from before is all." He sheepishly replied.
"what exactly is she saying?" Halibel wondered with a raised eyebrow, noticing the boys cringing expression.
"trust me, you don't want to know. You really don't." was all he simply deadpanned.
*A year and a half later*
"Die human!" roared a hippo looking adjucahs hollow, as it charged Takeshi. Takeshi simply stared down the hollow, without a care in the world. as the hollow neared him, he quickly disappeared in a flash of bringer light faster than the hollow could possibly track. It suddenly froze in place as a line suddenly appeared down the middle of his face and then exploded in a shower blood, falling over dead.
Takeshi walked over to the body and stuck Reaver into it and began to absorb the hollow. After that was finished, he made his way back to the cave that he, Halibel, Mila, Apacci and Sung-sun now called home. As he entered, he was greeted by Apacci.
"welcome back Takeshi." Spoke the deer hollow. "anything happen on your patrol?"
"ran into another one of Barragan's mooks, trying to find our home. I think we may have to deal with the old geezer personally at some point to get him off our backs." Replied Takeshi.
In the time since Takeshi and Mila had joined up with Halibel and the others. Takeshi had grown into a 14yr old, almost 15 now. He had grown much taller now he stood at a solid 5ft and 7in. his hair now hung long down to the middle of his back and ran wild all over. His body had a defined lean but muscular look to it. he was becoming more of a man, though he still wasn't quite a man yet.
Despite the rough start between Halibel and her friends, once they started to travel and hang around them. They had quickly managed a good friendship with them all.
Apacci was certainly the most hot-headed and roughest of the group. Though she was still a rather caring person towards those she viewed positively. Even if she didn't always openly show it.
Sung-sun was easily one of the more level-headed amongst them. She always carried herself like a proper lady. Though she still wasn't above making playful jabs at Apacci or Mila, just to rile them up for her amusement.
Mila had found her a little place within the group. She was more level-headed then Apacci but was still quick to anger at times for reasons, mostly Sung-suns jabbing. The three had wound up becoming very close to one another, at times it almost seemed like the three were sisters.
Then there was Halibel, the leader of their group. She was always there to lend her wisdom and help when needed to. She cared deeply for Apacci, Sung-sun and eventually Mila and Takeshi as well. She would never hesitate to help her subordinates/friends however she could.
Speaking of which, Takeshi's time as her student in the ways of armed combat had proved very fruitful. As expected, when they first began training, Takeshi was thoroughly out skilled in match of blades. Thankfully Halibel was a very good teacher. She was strict but not overly so, she was quick to point out the flaws in technique's and making points of improvement. Another bonus of the teachings was since she was a vasto lorde, Takeshi didn't need to hold back against her. Being able to go all out constantly in his training with her proved immensely helpful in further growing his strength and skill at a fast rate. While he couldn't fight her at her power yet. He still could legitimately push her none the less, something few others could say.
He also took the time to further home his current skill set, after months of continued practice he finally had gotten his 'scatter shot' attack to an acceptable level. While before he could only launch roughly about a hundred shards at once, now he could summon and launch about 500 or so. It made the sure devastation potential of the attack far more potent.
He had also improved his Bringer light to a much higher level. Being the powerful hollow that she was. Halibel had access to a similar ability to bringer light called 'sonido'. At first Halibel at first could practically dance circles around him but, after some time he began to keep up with her more and more. While she was still faster with her sonido, he could up with her except for at her highest points of her sonido usage.
Another thing he worked on alongside his teacher was trying to develop new skills. After explaining the nature and origin of fullbring powers, with them being rooted in hollow power. Something came as a surprise to Halibel, Apacci and Sung-sun. he discussed with Halibel about possibly developing fullbring centric powers that were like certain hollow abilities.
The first one being trying to create a version of a hollow ability called 'hierro' or 'iron skin'. It was ability stronger hollows could utilize to strengthen their skin to make them incredibly hard to pierce. The concept was simple, focus energy on your whole body and try to reinforce its durability. It took quite a bit of time and almost losing a limb or two in the process as well. Eventually Takeshi had managed to achieve in replicating it. he simply decided to call this fullbring version of the technique 'harden'.
Then came the part of strengthening it. which essentially equated to him focusing his harden ability. Then Halibel proceeding to beat the shit out of him until he couldn't feel anything.
All in all, things had progressed well, and everyone had come to together and became an odd family of sorts one could even say. However there was a few problems they had to contend with. First and foremost being they had yet to have any lucky tracking down fisher. He had proven quite slippery a fact that greatly annoyed Takeshi to no end.
However an even more pressing matter had reared its head. Namely another vasto lorde by the name of Baraggan Louisenbairn. An ancient vasto lorde who claimed to be the god king of hueco mundo and ruled in a place known as Las Noches. He had been demanding Halibel and her followers bend the knee to his rule. They had no interest in serving the old geezer, he had been sending his subordinates in hope of finding there home. Any Takeshi and the others came across, were swiftly dealt with. Though it was becoming more and more of a nuisance. They had all started to realize that they would have to confront the self-proclaimed ruler of hueco mundo at some point.
Takeshi walked into the main living quarters of the place they called home, Mila and Sung-sun lounging in there.
"Takeshi, your back!" spoke Mila excitedly.
"welcome back Takeshi. How did your searching go?" politely asked Sung-sun.
"nothing to show really unfortunately." He replied. "I did run into another one of Baraggan's goons though and dealt with it." he took a quick look around and noticed Halibel was no where in sight. "where's Halibel at?" he wondered.
"Lady Halibel is out on her own patrol at the moment." Replied Mila.
"I see." Said Takeshi as he let out a yawn. "I'm feeling tired, I think I'm gonna take a nap."
"sounds like you could use the rest. You have been working extra hard lately in your training with lady Halibel." Chimed Apacci.
"this building tension with Baraggan has me a little on edge is all." He replied.
"all the more reason to rest and relax some Takeshi." Spoke Sung-sun.
Takeshi simply nodded his head and made his way to the room that he and Mila shared. Laying himself out on the floor, he closed his eyes and soon had drifted off to a quiet slumber.
Mila watched as her best friend walked away to go rest. She kept her gaze on the doorway to the room they shared as her thoughts wondered a bit. In the time since she and Takeshi joined up with lady Halibel and the others. She had begun to have odd emotions, that she simply couldn't explain. Just what was it though was the mystery.
She knew she cared a great deal about Takeshi, more so than any other person she knew. While she certainly cared about Lady Halibel, Apacci and Sung-sun. she knew that the care she had for Takeshi ran deeper then it did for them. Though it should in all sense after all. She and Takeshi had known and had been traveling with each other for far longer than they had with the others.
She thought back on what they had been through together or rather what Takeshi had done for her in their time together. While she had saved Takeshi's life when he had first arrived in hueco mundo. He had long since repaid that debt to her in full and much more. She looked back on how he had helped her grow, into what she was now and how it only happened as fast as it did because of him.
Plus it was how much he had never hesitated to keep her safe from any and all danger. Protecting from the soul reaper, stopping the group of hollows that had ganged up on her with the intention of raping her. Then there was his fight with lady Halibel during their fateful first in encounter. He had pushed himself well beyond his limits nearly killing himself from the strain of it all, just so she could be safe.
He had done it all simply because he valued her so much as a friend and someone he cared for. When she thought about that, it filled her body a sensation she couldn't really describe. It felt so alien to her and yet it was something she still like none the less. She was then snapped out of her thoughts.
"Mila! are you hearing me!?" snapped Apacci.
"what is it Apacci?" growled Mila in annoyance.
"you've been spaced out for the last few minutes. What going on?"
"none of your damn business."
"I think she been thinking about dear Takeshi." Sung-sun spoke playfully.
"shut up Sung-sun!" Mila retorted.
"that wasn't a 'no' Mila." replied the snake hollow.
"I bet she just thinking about how she lets him ride her all the time, when were traveling. I bet if she had a more human body, she would be the one riding him all the time." Snickered the deer hollow.
"if you don't shut up in the next 10 seconds Apacci, I'm going to fucking eat you!" growled the lioness.
"is that a threat or an invitation? It's hard to tell with you sometimes." Retorted Apacci.
"listen here you little bitch!" spoke Mila.
"you know Mila you didn't say 'no' too Apacci's thought on you and Takeshi." Cut in Sung-sun.
"you know what!? You two sassy trollops can go fuck yourselves! I'm done with this conversation!" Mila spat out.
Then as if on cue to break up the argument before it escalated any further, Halibel walked in back from her patrol.
"what's going on here?" asked Halibel.
"oh just trying to get Mila to realize her suppressed feelings for Takeshi is all." Chimed Sung-sun.
Mila growled but was silenced before she could angerly retort, when Halibel spoke.
"such things will have to be put on hold for the moment. I've decided that we must go and speak with Baraggan." The shark woman announced.
This caused everyone else is the room to gasp in shock at the announcement.
"are you sure that truly wise my lady?" asked Sung-sun.
Nodding her head, Halibel went on to explain. "it obvious he won't relent with his searching of us. if we are to settle this then we must go to him for a discussion.'
"how do we know he won't just try to kill us, the moment we show up?" wondered Apacci.
"if he had truly wished us dead already, he would be sending for more than single man scouts to locate us. not to mention at the moment, he would rather try to convince us to serve him."
"so when do we leave?" spoke Mila
"we leave as soon as we can, where is Takeshi?"
"he's in our room resting since he returned from his patrol. I'll go wake him up." Said Mila as she stood up and trotted to grab the fullbringer. A few moments later, the two walked out.
"so what's going on exactly?" he asked shaking off his drowsiness.
"we are going to las noches to confront Baraggan?" answered Halibel.
Takeshi couldn't help but raise an inquisitive eyebrow at this, but he could tell by the look on her face her mind was already made up on this course of action.
"well then, I suppose we should get going then." He chimed.
*One week later*
It took an entire weeks' worth of travel from there home but soon enough the place Baraggan called home, las noches came into view. As they neared the place, every one's nerves began to climb understandably so. Ultimately, they had faith in Halibel's decision as well as their own skill should they have to fight there way out if it came to it. soon enough they cam across what appeared the entrance way with a pair of guards.
"halt! And state your business here!" spoke one of the guards.
"my name is Tia Halibel, and these are my followers. Your master has sought to speak with me for some time now. I have come to fu-fill that request." Halibel answered.
"very well then." Spoke the guard as he turned to his partner and motioned him to go deliver the message.
"remember, be on your toes everyone. Things could very well get ugly in there. If it does, I will have to be the one to deal with Baraggan." Explained Halibel.
"if need be, I'm sure I can hold Baraggan and his goons back long enough for you all to make an escape." Spoke Takeshi.
"no you will not Takeshi. If such a sacrifice becomes necessary, I shall be the one to do it." replied the shark woman.
"Halibel I-" he started but was cut off when she pressed a finger to his lips to silence him.
"you will not be the one to commit to such a sacrifice if it comes to it. you are all my followers and friends. Your safety is thus my responsibility. Plus, you still have your own goals and a life to get back to and live in your own world. I will not have you squander that, while I have a say in the matter." Halibel spoke with her stoic tone.
Takeshi looked away to the ground, while he knew she had a good point, he still didn't like it that much. While no one could fully replace his late mother Masaki. Halibel in his time with her had done a lot to fill the hole left in his heart from his mother's murder. Hollow she may be, but she was still quite caring and compassionate towards those she held close to her. In many ways she seemed more human than hollow.
Noticing Takeshi still seemed uncertain, Halibel gently grabbed him by the chin and tilted his head up. she then bent her head down to be level with his as she spoke in a soft and gentle tone.
"I understand that this doesn't sit well with you, but this is my choice to make as the one in charge of you and the others protection. I ask that you respect that decision for me."
He was quiet for a few moments as he silently looked back at the vasto lorde. "ok I'll respect your decision on this matter." He finally said.
"thank you, Takeshi." She replied.
Before anything else could be said, the other guard returned.
"his majesty will see you all now, follow us." spoke the guard.
Everyone simply nodded their heads and followed the guards. After some walking, they entered an area that had a very large open space. On either side there were large seating areas it appeared. At the very end upon a raised throne, sat the proclaimed ruler of hueco mundo himself Baraggan Louisenbairn.
He looked like a skeleton draped in a black and deep purple cloak with a crown on his head. He also had a massive axe weapon at his side as he sat smugly in his throne. Looking around, Takeshi noticed there were all sorts of adjucahs hollows occupying the seats that looked down upon them. He could tell they were all watching them closely, more so him than any of the others he couldn't help but get the feeling of. Once they reached the middle of the area they stopped. The guard waked forward and dipped his head before speaking.
"your majesty, I present the vasto lorde Tia Halibel and her followers. Here for the audience that was demanded of them by you." it spoke.
Baraggan simply waived his hand to motion his servant away, before he eyed the group before him in curiosity. he looked to Halibel and the hollows that followed her. However he was taken by surprise and kept his gaze on what was unmistakably a young human male amongst her ranks. He stood from his throne and spoke.
"so you finally have come to bend your knee to me Halibel? I must admit I am surprised by a human amongst your ranks." He spoke with a judge-mental like tone.
"I discovered him a while back and deemed him worthy to serve under me and my other followers. Human he may be but he's more powerful then you'd probably give him credit for." Halibel curtly retorted.
"oh is that so?" Baraggan scoffed. "I'd rather doubt that, I'd say you only bother to keep the human around as a means of using him for your own entertainment and pleasure. You seem the type for it."
This pissed them all off especially Halibel and Takeshi. Halibel narrowed her eyes dangerously, not liking the suggestiveness in Baraggan's phrasing. However before she could speak Takeshi in his own anger stepped forward and retorted at the supposed hollow king.
"be careful how you speak Baraggan! I'm no one's plaything, I serve Halibel that his true, but she is my mentor, teacher and friend. To suggest anything otherwise is a grave mistake to be making." He spoke icily.
"you dare talk to his majesty in such a manner! You damn human!" yelled one of the king's followers but was silenced when said king raised his hand.
"this human has some bite to him, how amusing." proclaimed the ancient vasto lorde. "let's see if you're as strong as your mentor claims you to be." He said as he snapped his fingers. Five different Adjucahs hollows descended from the crowd and circled Takeshi.
Mila, Apacci and Sung-sun made move to help Takeshi but Halibel stopped them in place. "do not fret, he can handle this." She proclaimed. The three said nothing and merely watched, waiting for the impending fight.
Takeshi simply looked around and shrugged his shoulders, not bothered in the slightest bit by the situation. "looks like I'll need to prove myself, fair enough I suppose." He said as nonchalantly as possible. This seemed to piss off the hollows surrounding him.
"you think your so strong human? we'll tear you to pieces for your foolishness!" declared a rhino looking adjucah.
Takeshi looked him up and down. "yeah, I very much doubt some weakling like you is gonna do that." he retorted and activated his fullbring. He was consumed in a vortex of silver energy for a brief moment before it dissipated and revealed his fullbring form. This caught everyone who wasn't familiar with it by surprise, Baraggan watched closely with an inquisitive look.
"so who wants to go first?" Takeshi mused.
"don't you dare mock us you brat!" yelled an alligator looking adjucah that charged him from the left. He snapped at him with it's jaws ready. Takeshi simply activated his harden ability and focused it into his left arm. He held his left arm out and allowed the alligator to bite down on it. only for its teeth to be stopped completely, not even so much as making a scratch. The alligator adjucah was caught by such surprise it wasn't ready for when Takeshi quickly swung Reaver and effortlessly plunged it through his skull. Killing the hollow instantly.
"what the hell, the human can use hierro!?" exclaimed a hollow as Takeshi pulled his blade from his kill. Not wasting anytime, Takeshi used his bringer light to quickly get behind another adjucah and shoved his blade clean through its chest from behind. He gave the blade quick twist and pulled it out, the hollow dropping dead.
"What's with this human!?" asked another hollow before it's throat suddenly exploded in a spray of blood, Takeshi standing to the side of it. he had used bringer light to get near and dispatch the hollow. It never saw Takeshi make his move in the slightest bit.
Another hollow tried to take him by surprise from behind, he quickly kicked off into the air with his bringer light and hovered above. Takeshi focused his energy and swung Reaver. "Scatter Shot!" he yelled as a barrage of 500 energy shards flew at tremendous speed at the hollow below him. Said hollow was far too slow to avoid the attack and was engulfed by the energy shards. It's whole body soon looked completely covered as well as the area around him. Takeshi then gave the command phrase and they all exploded at once.
Sung-sun couldn't help but wince a little at the attack's usage, remembering all to well what it had done to her.
Once the dust settled, all that was left of the hollow was tiny chunks of it. Takeshi landed on the ground and stared down the final hollow it was the rhino like one. Giving an expression practically daring it to attack him. The final hollow glared at the human, knowing he was being messed with. He gave out a roar and charged Takeshi, just as he was suddenly on top of the human. Takeshi suddenly disappeared and appeared behind the hollow.
The hollow froze up and then suddenly burst in a spray of blood having been sliced perfectly in half vertically. its severed sections coming apart once its corpse hit the ground. It was dead quiet, everyone in shock over the human easily slaying five adjucahs like they were child's play.
Before anything else could be said, Takeshi walked up to one of the hollows he slew and stuck his blade into it and began the absorption process. Gasp of shock were heard as the silver glow surrounded the dead hollow and broke it down. Before it was then absorbed into Takeshi. The whole time that was happening, Takeshi never took his eyes off Baraggan.
"still question my strength?" he asked the ancient vasto lorde.
Baraggan seemed more amused if anything. "interesting, for a human to have such power but meaningless in the end. While impressive for some human, your still an ant beneath my might. Just like the woman and her other followers. I will ask one final time Halibel, will you bend the knee to my rule and choose to serve me? He asked.
"No, I refuse your offer. We shall never serve the likes of you." Halibel curtly replied.
Baraggan simply scoffed. "so be it then. Leave my kingdom then and never reveal yourselves again. If you do, I shall see to it you and those who follow you are destroyed. Now begone from my sight!" he commanded.
Takeshi rejoined Halibel and the others. As they began to make their way out of las noches, one of Baraggan's followers couldn't seem to keep himself in check. "how dare you disrespect lord Baraggan!" shouted some hammerhead looking adjucahs as it approached them. Takeshi was going to intercept but Halibel moved first and slashed her blade across the hollow's chest. Blood sprayed from its chest and fell to the ground yelling in pain clutching it's wound. Halibel said nothing and simply rejoined her friends as they made their way out of las noches and back towards home.