The great Demon fought the Vizards with nothing but his fists.
The fight overall, reminded everyone of the night they were hollowfied, as the Oni's attacks were like Kensei's when he was berzerk.
However, the difficulty of this battle, was the highest they had ever encountered. Even with their masks on, the Duke was a formidable enemy. In the intellectual department, he was not the brightest bulb, but when it came to fighting it was a completely different story.
He was not only strong, but a smart fighter as well. The Vizards felt that while he didn't formulate strategies, he was able to read their moves and lead the fight due to mere experience in the field. It was so vast that he even got to the extreme of using the chains as weapons if he got the chance, despite them being a handicap in the first place.
"I don't know why, but I get the feeling this guy has been fighting his whole life!" Hiyori told her friends after evading a barrage of punches.
"I feel the same way. We must end this quick if we don't want things to get complicated. He hasn't used his sword even once" Lisa replied.
"Woah!" Love dodged a charge, which was really dangerous considering the four pointy horns of the Demon. "I don't think a mere Cero will finish this guy though..."
"There is no other way. We'll have to use at least our Shinigami powers to the maximum if we want to get results" Lisa said in reply.
"Hachi! Can you stop him with a complete Bakudou 99?!" Hiyori asked, though it sounded more like an order.
"Hmm... I could try using parts 1 and 2 together, but I'm going to need both time and an opening, and honestly... I'm not sure it's going to work either"
"Just do what you have to do. We'll make sure to fulfill those conditions" Lisa replied determined.
"Okay..." Hachi prepared himself, both in mind and body, to use the highest level Bakudou in all its might.
"What are you waiting, insects? Come at me so I can exterminate you!" The Oni shouted.
"Geez, you are a loud one... But not even in that, YOU WOULD BEAT ME, FUCKFACE!" Hiyori shouted back and charged a triple Cero.
From her mouth and her both hands, the blonde shot a very powerful red Cero at the Duke, who tried blocking it with his coarse hands.
The Demon was surprised to see, that Hiyori's attack actually managed to damage his hands quite a bit.
"That actually hurt... Good! This means you do have some power after all. I'll tell you what, show me what you're truly made of and I'll tell you both my name and the name of this beauty..." He said as he passed his fingers through his blade's handle.
"Now he seems to be enjoying it even more" Love said confused.
"Tch... We'll just have to show that bastard that this is no time to have fun!" Lisa said pissed as she rapidly rolled her weapon.
The trio continued attacking the Demon relentlessly, dealing him a couple hits in the process that actually did some damage, though this only made him more enthusiastic to keep fighting.
"C'mon, keep hurting me! No pain, no gain!" He said as he punched the floor of the colosseum to crack the whole surface in a devastating shockwave.
As Love evaded the attack, he noticed Hachi was almost done with the first incantation.
"Now!" He shouted.
The three Vizards charged their best Cero to distract the Duke. Of course, they knew this probably wouldn't have much of an effect on him, but it was enough to immobilize him for an instant.
"Bakudou 99: Kin!" Hachi said as he cast the same seal he had done before.
"What?! This shit again?" The Duke spat as he fell to the floor, wrapped by the black seal and the iron shafts.
"Lisa, only you can do it!" Hiyori shouted.
"I know... Bankai: Tonbo no kyouran hikou"
For the first time, the ex-lieutenant used her Bankai in battle. She had developed it previously during the years after their banishment, but it had never came down to the need to use it, until now.
Her Nodachi violently exploded with green Reiatsu, disappearing completely.
"Hey, what was that? Isn't a Bankai supposed to make you stronger?" The Demon mocked, thinking her weapon's release had failed.
Lisa smirked in reply. "You really think I would activate it if I bdcame weaker? Fool" She extended her hand towards the Demon. As she did so, a thousand smaller Nodachis appeared behind her and flew towards the Duke.
"I see..." He muttered as he saw the menace flying towards him.
"You seem calmer than I expected. Oh well, you'll find yourself in a world of pain soon enough. Their size might be smaller, but let me tell you, each one of these stings just as hard as my original Haguro Tonbo stabbed"
The swarm of Nodachi stabbed the Demon in the back as he lay in the floor.
"Gah!" He roared in pain. "I can't believe it... It really hurts!"
"And you've seen nothing... Tonbo no saishuu hikou"
All the Nodachis, now impaled in the Duke's back, furiously exploded with destructive indigo Reiatsu.
"AARGHHHH!" The Demon screamed in pain.
"Hmhmhm... How do you like that?" Lisa asked retorically with a sadistic smile, though no one could see it as it was covered by her mask.
"Now, Hachi!" Hiyori shouted.
"Bakudou 99: Bankin" Hachigen pronounced as he finished chanting an awfully long incantation and slammed his fingers to the ground.
"Shokyoku: Shiryuu..."
White energy flowed through the cracked floor of the colosseum, and tangled around the Demon from head to toe.
"What the-?!" The Duke spat after being entirely covered, not believing that he was truly unable to move.
Following the Prologue, came the stage of Refrain.
"Nikyoku: Hyakurensan!"
Numerous metal bolts fell from the sky, impaling him throughout his large body, indicating the stage of Refrain.
"Scary..." Hiyori muttered as she saw the development of the highest level Bakudou in all its might.
To end it all, a colossal metal cube shadowed the colosseum, appearing right above them and falling down upon the impaled bolts at a frightening speed.
"Shuukyoku: Bankin Taihou!!!" Hachi exclaimed as he dropped the gigantic cube and covered his ears.
The slam it made probably echoed through the desert of Hueco Mundo, as the loudest metallic sound they had ever heard was produced by the Bakudou.
This display of events made this part worthy of being called: Finale.
The ears of the other Vizards were buzzing due to the loudness of the metal structures as they collided and the lack of a warning on Hachigen's part.
After a while with that feeling, Hiyori was the first to heal her ears. The Hollow mask seemed helped at that.
"Hey, Hachi! What was that all about?! You didn't mention that thing would make such a roar!" She complained angrily.
"I gotta agree with her on that" Love added, recovering as well.
"I'm really sorry, but there was no time even for that"
"Anyways... It looks like it worked somehow, though it made a real mess" Lisa concluded, looking at the grotesque amount of blood that was spread through the arena after the seal was finished.
"I wish I hadn't looked at that..." Hachi said, feeling his stomach whirling.
"Well... It looks like we could end it all before he could release his blade. Let's rest for a while and then move on to the next palace" Love sighed tired but feeling acvomplished after such a battle.
"Yeah" The rest agreed.
Before they could move another inch though, a tiny sound warned them that it was far from over.
"You're shitting me...!" Hiyori spat, not believing what was happening before her eyes.
The sound was a little crack on the cube. A crack that second by second, became longer and larger. It first covered a part, then a whole face of the cube, until the whole cube was filled with cracks.
The cubic metal structure was shaking and breaking apart as the fearsome Reiatsu of the 6th Duke was being released.
"It can't be...!" Hachi couldn't believe it either.
"Everyone, get back into position!" Lisa commanded, as she was the most level headed one.
Finally, the whole seal was broken by pure brute force as the Demon got back on his feet.
"Heheh... AHAHAHAHAHAHA! You managed to surprise me! I never imagined a sealing technique would cause me so much damage!" He spat blood as he spoke and was pulling a large piece of metal that seemed to be the piece of a bolt out of his body, letting even more primordial ooze out. "Actually, never in my life have I experienced so much pain! My body has never been so fucked up and yet... IT FEELS SO GOOD!"
"He's a lunatic. A sadist would be normal compared to him" Love thought to himself as he saw his reaction.
"I'll keep my promise, you earned it. I am the 6th Duke of Jigoku: Hoji is my name. But, who cares about that? The only thing you wanna hear is the name of my Onibuki, isn't it? Well, don't fret, cause here you will see it in all its might!"
Hoji got the blade out of the sheath and pierced his own heart with it.
"This is a privilege no one has ever had. Not even I know what lies beyond this point!" The Demon confessed he had never released his weapon until that moment. "Break free... Belial!" He vomited blood as he unlocked the true potential of his Onibuki.
A vicious red aura emanated from Hoji's demonic body after he released the power of his sword.
The Reiatsu itself broke the chains of Devil Iron that were containing him by his own wishes like they were made of glass.
His body started petrificating itself, still with the blade embedded, creating an impressive yet terrifying statue of the Demon.
"What's going on?" Lisa wondered, not being able to make out the situation.
"I don't know. We'll have to wait and see" Love replied, letting out sweat and equally astonished, but keeping his composure as much as he could.
A couple seconds after, a blinding yellow light started cracking the statue.
Piece by piece, the rock shattered to uncover what was hidden inside.
Michelangelo used to believe every rock had a statue hidden inside, and it was the sculptor's job to uncover it. However, in this case, it was the statue that was hiding something much more incredible.
Finally, the whole rock body of the Demon was completely broken, revealing a specimen that left all the vizards with their mouths open.
"Is that... An Oni?!" Hachigen thought as he saw the being.
"What... What is the meaning of this?!" Lisa couldn't believe it either.
"This must be some kind of joke..." Hiyori said.
"Or else... It has a very good reason behind" Love completed.
In the end, the result was the same. The tremendous Demon that had been fighting them with pure brute strength was now in the air, with beautiful angelic wings spread in all their magnificent glory. He had blonde curly hair, a white beautiful face and orange eyes. His limbs were muscular, but with normal proportions in the end.
The angel descended to the ground and looked at his hands in confusion.
"Is this... Me?" He asked retorically, with a tender voice, completely different to the loud Demon's. "It's so strange... Like my mind is suddenly clear. I don't... I cannot comprehend how could I act the way I used to in the past"
"H-Hey..." Love called his attention. "Are you... The Duke?"
"Yes. I am indeed Hoji, the 6th Duke of Jigoku, but I don't feel like I'm the same I used to be... Everything seems... So different..." He digressed as he looked at the devastated arena.
"So... Are you our enemy or not?" Hiyori asked him confused.
"Hmm... I don't really think I can answer that. You are the ones that decide such thing. If you left this place, I wouldn't have any motive to do you any harm"
"But... You are not planning to let us advance either" Lisa replied.
"*sigh* I'm afraid not. I think, I understand why I am in such a form, and for that same reason I am able to clearly see the motive behind Yama-sama's actions. I don't feel any excitement or thirst for violence anymore, but I will have to fight you if you do anything that threatens this plan or our existence"
"I... I'd like to make a request... Or more precisely, to answer a question. Why are the Oni doing this?" Hachi tried reasoning with him.
"It's funny hearing that" Hoji laughed a bit.
"Huh?"
"Sorry. It's just, that before this moment, I never really knew why we did this. I was blind and deaf to anything that wasn't a fight. Now however... It all comes together, and it makes sense. I think I mentioned that my heart is one of the seven hearts of Kachiki-sama. For that same reason, my memories are shared with those of my master, allowing me to reply to your question" Hoji explained, as his mind drifted into visions of the past. A past that didn't belong to him, but that he could view thanks to his nexus to the original owner of the heart he possessed.
"Yama-sama, was the first old God to be banished from Takemagahara, the highest place in existence, where only Gods can rest. However, many angels, the guardians of these Gods, questioned their position after Yama-sama's descent.
One of those angels was my creator, mentor and master, Kachiki-sama, who used to be the Archangel of fire and earth. He defied Amaterasu for her decision and suffered the consequences along with the Archangel of water and the Archangel of wind.
After they fell into the nothingness of Jigoku, Yama-sama, gave these angels a fraction of his power. The three original Onibuki were made to seal this gigantic power in a practical way, but it also altered the bodies of the fallen Archangels when that nexus was created, giving origin to the first mixed Oni"
"Mixed?" Lisa asked.
"Most Oni aren't pure. They come from other races. Humans, Shinigami, Hollows, Angels... They can all become Demons if Yama-sama gives them the power and they have the will to do so. To tell the truth... The power of an Oni is not determined by its purity, though many Oni believe it is. Actually, most Lesser-demons and foot soldiers are pureblood Oni. This happens because their spirit is weak. Since they don't know a way of life different from the one in Jigoku, they don't have a strong motivation in comparison to those that have experienced agony and misery in a previous mortal life"
"But wait. What does this all have to do with your decision to invade Hueco Mundo?" Love asked.
"I'm sorry, but I can't give you the exact reason, cause that would be considered treason. What I can tell you is that Hueco Mundo hides something that interests Yama-sama"
"I see. And you are all willing to die for this man?" Lisa asked.
"I think man falls short when describing a being as high as Yama-sama, but answering your question... If he succeeds, we would be able to live in Takemagahara. It sounds like an impossible dream, I know, but without it, we would have never come to life in the first place. We owe a lot to Yama-sama, if not everything. That sole reason is enough for us to blindly follow him and try to fulfill his wishes with all of our being"
"I understand..." Love said in a sensible way.
"What?!" Hiyori couldn't believe she heard that.
"However, our objective is getting this place back for the Hollows so they don't wreak havoc in the Human World. For that reason, I guess we have no other choice than to fight, although I really enjoyed talking to you now, Hoji" The Ex-Captain concluded with a face of disappointment.
"I imagined you would say something like that, and I don't judge you. In fact, I don't feel any hate towards you at all. You just have an opposite objective and I understand it. I must do everything I can in order to stop you though. I hope you can forgive me" He said as he pulled his released blade from the ground.
Belial was a very beautiful claymore with a golden handle displaying two angelic wings and a long broad edge that shined as bright as the sun.
"Don't worry, we don't have dying in our plans anyway. You're gonna give it your all, and so will we. That's all..." Lisa added.
"Very well then. If I shall die protecting my race, so be it" Hoji concluded raising Belial at them and spreading his white feathered wings.
~~~~X~~~~
"We won't let you advance!" Pesche shouted at Anri, though the two Arrancar were still surrounded by the weird humanoid beings.
The Duke simply hummed a melody as he continued drilling through the gates thanks to his invention, not giving any sort of attention to his enemies.
"That Demon...!" Pesche felt angered by his attitude.
"H-Hey Pesche, this one's head is growing larger..." Dondochakla said worried as one of the clones got near him.
"Throw him away!" He noticed it was something bad.
"Aaaaahhhhh!" The Arrancar shouted as he grabbed the being with both hands and threw him as far as he could.
Indeed, the being's head exploded and threw some kind of acid all over the place. Pesche noticed how the acid melted everything it touched, including the floor, but more importantly, one of the clones had been covered by it as well. Much to his surprise, the entity dissolved itself and died, not like the ones that changed their form to attack again, it truly disintegrated.
"That's it!" He thought. "Dondochakka, get away from here! I know a way to finish them, but I need you to be safe or else you could get caught in the attack!"
"O-Okay!" Dondochakka ran to safety, far behind his brother.
Pesche took a deep breath and prepared himself.
"Time to see if this works..." He thought as he remembered the days he passed in the Dangai improving this ability.
The homunculi started walking towards him menacely, but that was the move he was waiting for.
"Acid Slick!" He exclaimed with a pose, before spitting an especially dangerous kind of slick at the enemies.
The corrosive green fluid fell on top of them like a moonsoon of acid rain, dissolving the creatures slowly and, possibly, painfully as he didn't know if those things were able to feel pain.
"Oh... Amazing, Pesche!" Dondochakka clapped his hands as he joined his brother again.
"Thank you, thank you" He made a reverence and threw kisses at a non existent audience and of course, to you, the reader.
"Hmm... Interesting. I must admit that I didn't expect you to be able to get rid of them so easily" Anri confessed.
"And it's only beginning. Time for you and yohr machine to meet the same fate" He replied as he shot another round of acid fluid at the Demon.
Anri however, smiled as he took his lab coat off and used it as protection. The giant drill didn't seem affected by it either.
"H-How!?" Pesche couldn't believe it.
"Tsk... You thought my machines wouldn't be resistant to corrosives? How rude..." The Demon seemed insulted.
"N-No matter! If we can't destroy it with my Acid Slick, Dondochakka will take care of it"
"W-What?! What can I possibly do?" His brother asked confused.
"You know! That thing with your body!"
"Ahh... What was that?" He still didn't remember.
"Oh, for God's sake..." Pesche made a facepalm. "Just climb that thing and harden your body as much as you can!"
"Ah! That was it! That was it! Now I remember..."
"Now do it!"
"Hmph! And you think I will simply let you ruin my machine? Just when I'm a couple doors from reaching my destination?" Anri asked with an ironic tone.
"We never expected you to let us. We'll just do it!" He replied as defying as he could.
"Go ahead and try..." Ao got his blade out of the sheath, Pesche noticed that it was just a handle. "I might not be a fighter, but I can definitely stop a pair of nobodies like yourselves" From the handle a red light was emitted. It was a lightsaber.
"Interesting... Let's see who's the nobody after the result of this battle... Última" Pesche got his sword out as well and used a longer form than usual.
"Bring it on, Arrancar!"
The two started clashing violently with their lightsabers, resembling an especially famous saga.
Dondochakka, in the meantime, ran towards the yellow drill that was carving the golden gateway.
Anri, desperate because of the situation he was put in, tried his best to move his battle towards Dondochakka, and thus stop the other Arrancar from doing anything to his drill.
Pesche didn't let him do as he wished though. His extensive training had been rewarding. Nelliel herself trained with him from time to time to improve his swordsmanship, and it showed. Pesche's abilities with his sword surpassed those of the Duke's.
"You're not going anywhere" Pesche told his rival as he blocked his path.
"Damn you...!" Ao cursed, incapable of defeating Pesche and passing through.
"Go, Dondochakka, you're almost there!" He cheered for him.
"YEEEAAARRRGGHHH!" His brother screamed as he ran and jumped over the machine. Once on top, he sat down crossing his legs and placing his hands in a prayer like position.
"Peso Pesado!" He said as his body hardened beyond any known Hierro and turned into some kind of black metal.
The machine below him started shaking as soon as this happened, unable to withstand the immeasurable weight of the Arrancar in that state. In a matter of seconds, the drill was crushed into scraps and bolts.
"No! My machine!" Anri shouted with a mixture of despair and rage.
"Heh! Well deserved!" Pesche laughed.
The Demon threw a low kick at him in his desperation. Pesche didn't expect it and was tossed a couple meters back.
"Hey, that's not fair!" He protested.
"You cursed Hollows! You will regret this!" He said as he got a syringe filled with a dubious green fluid out of his lab coat.
"Wait. What is that...? What are you doing?"
"Playtime's over!" The Demon said as he injected the liquid in his right arm's vein.
A couple seconds later, his muscles grew to a monstrous size, changing his thin tall body into a gruesome giant's.
"Uh-oh..." Pesche muttered.
"Hey Pesche, how did I do?" His brother asked as he returned to his normal form and exited the scraps of the machine.
"G-Great! You did an awesome job! Unfortunately... We have no time to celebrate..." He replied, pointing at the grotesquely buff Demon that was in front of them.
"W-What happened to him?!"
"It seems he injected some kind of power boosting drug on himself. Whatever it is... IT'S NOT GOOD!"
Anri looked at the pair of Arrancar viciously and then leaped towards them. In his frenzy, he punched the two and sent them flying. Despite the brutal strength he aquired, Dondochakka received little damage and Pesche managed to block the punch with his blade.
"Weaklings..." Ao said with a deeper, fearsome voice after dispatching them.
The Duke went to the golden gate himself and with a devastating double punch, he broke it with little effort.
"I hate having to do physical work myself, but I guess there was no other choice" He spat as he advanced towards the last pair of gates blocking the path.
"No, Pesche! We have to stop him!" Dondochakka said.
"I know... But his power is at another level currently. What could we do?"
"I don't know... But we will fail if he gets whatever lies ahead!"
"Tch... We are running out of options. I didn't want to do this if he didn't release his sword, but we can't afford to let him advance any further"
"You mean... It's time?"
"Yeah. We can't fail Nel-sama"
"I understand..." Dondochakka took a deep breath. "I'm ready"
~~~~X~~~~
Hoji raised his hand and blasted a blazing fire ball at the rooftop of Las Noches to use the sky as the battlefield.
"Let us prove the strength of our wills over this dark eternal night" He said as he flew above the destroyed rooftop.
"Of course. We're ready" Love agreed as he got even along with the rest of the Vizards. "And you... You are already dead" He declared as he pointed his finger while striking a familiar pose. "Bankai: Kaji no handan"
Tengumaru caught fire and three blazing orbs that looked like small suns appeared on Love's back.
The air's temperature rose severely, possibly as much as when Yamamoto released his Zanpakuto, thanks to the Vizard's intense training.
The others looked in amazement as their friend used his full potential. It was clear that Love was the strongest of the four using his Shinigami powers at least, reminding them all that he was once a Captain.
Lisa had to wait to recover the true form of her Zanpakuto, so she just used her normal blade's form and used her Hollow powers to attack Hoji from a different side.
Hiyori, still with her Shikai, noticed the strategy and decided to attack from a different flank, alternating between slashes and Cero.
Finally, Hachigen covered the last remaining side, encasing the angelic Demon in a four sided ambush. He used all his remaining strength to use all kinds of Hadou, from level 30 to 89, in order to do some damage, as well as create barriers around Lisa and Hiyori to protect them from any unexpected attack while they were close to the enemy.
Hoji, in spite of his new level of power, was surprised to see that the Vizards managed to give him quite some trouble.
When he was slashing in circles with his claymore, either Hiyori or Lisa would attack him from above or even below.
Love's sun-like orbs could shoot beams of scorching energy, more powerful than a normal Cero. The lasers managed to endanger Hoji's wings as he soared through the sky, due to their high speed and destructive potential.
"You are all incredibly powerful... I can feel the strength of your resolve through your attacks. However, I cannot be less..." Hoji said as he raised his two-handed sword. "Claihm-Solais!"
Belial's blade grew to a ridiculous size, even for a Claymore. The Vizards estimated that it was now of about 20 meters.
For the first time in the battle, and possibly in his life, Hoji was forced to use both hands to control his Onibuki's full strength.
With a single slash, he created am expansive wave of Reiatsu that forced the Vizards to defend with a powerful Cero, or in Love's case, a beam from his three suns.
"What is this power?!" He thought in disbelief.
The battle from this point on was in favor of the Duke. Despite his attacks being slower, the terrible destructive force of each swing was so dangerous that the Vizards couldn't risk getting closer to attack.
They knew that a single swing of Belial would simply obliterate them if they received it fully, so they were obligated to take distance.
Hachigen had been doing a couple barriers while Hoji was busy, though.
"Shijuu no saimon!" He pronounced the spell as the three Joumon spells encased Hoji to buy them some time, cause he was sure the Demon would be able to break it.
With that opportunity, the Vizards decided to regroup in order to create a new strategy.
"Dammit!" Lisa cursed due to their disadvantage.
"If just one of us could get near him..." Love muttered.
"...We would have a chance to defeat him with one devastating attack" Hachi completed.
Hiyori bit her lip with her overgrown fang as she thought of a possible solution.
"Maybe... Just maybe. I could give you an opportunity" She started explaining.
"What are you planning to do?" Lisa asked her worried.
"I know it's not perfect, and you'll probably have to stop me afterwards... But if I turn into full Hollow, I would be able to regenerate even after receiving one of those slashes"
"Are you sure your body will be able to withstand it?" Hachigen was worried as well.
"I can't promise anything. But we can't let this go on. This Demon has never fought in that form and yet he's been able to learn to use and control his powers as the battle progressed. It's too dangerous if we give him more time to improve his abilities" She replied bitterly.
"Hiyori's right. There is no other choice. We have to brace ourselves to finish him in one swing and put her to sleep if she goes berzerk afterwards"
"R-Right..." Lisa stuttered, worried about her friend, but understanding the difficult situation.
"Are you guys ready?" Hiyori asked them.
"Yes" The three agreed, nodding their heads.
"Let's do this!" She exclaimed as she concentrated on raising her Hollow Reiatsu to a level that surpassed her Shinigami powers.
The mask started extending an armor throughout her body, transforming her into some kind of Vasto Lorde.
Right on cue, Hoji destroyed the prism barrier that was containing him with pure power from his sword.
Wasting no time, Hiyori charged at Hoji with a monstrous Sonido, one that made it look like she was teleporting to the Duke's side.
As soon as she arrived, Hoji swinged Belial in her direction. She managed to evade part of the slash, which cut one of her arms.
She screamed in pain as she striked the Demon with her blade and wounded him in the chest before falling to the sand because of the damage.
An instant later, Hoji was surrounded by the other three Vizards who used their strongest technique possible in a desperate attempt to finish the Duke's life once and for all.
"Cero!" Lisa charged the red beam while holding her blade from the distance.
"Hadou 88: Hiryuu Gekizoku Shinten Raihou!" Hachi attacked with the enormous blast of Reiatsu only done by Kidou masters.
"Taiyou no hyouketsu!" Love's three suns merged together, encasing the Duke and exploding in a gigantic blaze afterwards.
Hoji felt as his body was being completely obliterated by the three attacks. In his last moments, he smiled though.
"So this is the strength of your will... I'm glad I could experience it" He thought, remembering an almost forgotten memory.
Hoji and Kachiki had just finished sparring. The Prince had completely overpowered the Duke, who was in a world of pain, but at the same time, of joy.
"One day... I'll beat you Kachiki-sama!" He told his master.
"HAHAHAHAHA!" He laughed at his pupil's declaration. "Before dreaming about the impossible, you should focus on becoming strong, Hoji"
"But, Kachiki-sama... What is the key to becoming powerful? I fight and fight endlessly, but I'm nowhere near as strong as you... What is the secret?" Hoji asked, impatient to get an answer.
"You need motive. A will to fight. Something that surpasses your very being. Once you find that, you'll see that power will just flourish inside you"
"Will... I WILL find it! And once I do, I'll challenge you again, Kachiki-sama!"
"I'll be waiting for that day"
"It's too bad that such a day will never come... But at least I found my motive. Dying for you... Kachiki-sama" He thought in his final moment.
Once the power from the attacks disappeared, no trace was left of the 6th Duke.
"*pant* *pant* Where's Hiyori?!" Love asked.
"Down there! She looks... Unconscious though" Lisa observed.
Hachi went down to check on her.
The armor of Vasto Lorde was breaking apart along with her mask. She had mamaged to regenerate her arm in time, thankfully.
"She's fine! A little rest and she'll be back on her feet!" He told the others.
"Good. Phew... That guy sure was another level of strong" Love said as the two came down as well.
"I still can't believe that we actually did it" Lisa agreed. "It took our full strength though, and this was just the 6th!"
"I hope the others are alright..." Hachi said worried as he healed Hiyori a bit, although Kaidou was not his forte.
"After this battle, we can't simply hope that that's the case. As soon as Hiyori recovers, we should go help the others instead. We can leave the 5th Duke for later"
The other two nodded.
~~~~X~~~~
"Your friends became really strong. None of them is dead, and yet the 6th Duke is history" Ulquiorra mentioned Orihime as he went back to the TV-like room. "But I guess you already knew" He pointed out, as she had been watching.
"I am surprised that they got so powerful, but on the other hand, I know that's just the way they are. They would never leave anything to chance. I'm sure that they trained a lot to get to this point, but... The sheer power they aquired is not what makes them so strong" She explained.
Ulquiorra looked at her in confusion.
"You mean... The reason they won is not due to their superiority?"
"During the fight, Cifer-kun, you could see that the Duke always had the upper hand in terms of power and ability. However, the Vizards know each other so well, that they were able to defeat him using strategies that you wouldn't be able to carry out if you didn't trust the others blindly"
"Then... Are you saying they won thanks to the connection of their hearts?"
"Yes. I'm sure that they all feel unbreakable when fighting with friends by their side..." She remembered all the times Ichigo protected her as she said that, making a few tears fall down her beautiful cheeks.
The Espada caught one of her tears and then caressed her face.
"Now... Why are you crying?" He asked with a sense of worry, unknown to him until that very moment.
"Cifer-kun... I won't deny that there is pain and sadness when you share your heart as well" She confessed with a sad smile and watery eyes. "But I want you to understand, that such things are not a weakness. If there is something that can make you stronger... That is love. All the pain we share... Only gives you more determimation to keep going. That is something I learned through all this time along with my friends, and mainly, something Kurosaki-kun taught me"
"Are you... Are you trying to convince me not to kill him, Inoue?" He asked a bit defying.
"No" She closed her eyes as she denied. "I'm trying to tell you that you simply won't be able to kill him. Kurosaki-kun could never die for as long as he has friends by his side. I hope... I really hope you can understand what I'm saying"
Ulquiorra simply looked at her with amazement and didn't say another word. He left the room pensive and decided to analize her words more thoroughly.
Orihime laid on the couch again as the screen's view automatically changed to a magnificent hallway with a golden gate and three individuals fighting for their lives.
"Those are...!" She remembered the two Arrancar from Urahara's shop.
~~~~X~~~~
Sorry for the delay, but it wasn't easy writing this chapter (in spite of its shorter length). Of course, I was also busy playing Brave Souls to summon 25 sec. Kurohitsugi Aizen lol. I already have Bankai Yamamoto though, so I'm happy enough.
I also would like to mention that the names of some Demons are directly taken or linked to songs and artists from a Japanese guitarists' album called... Takenawa Intrigue, haha. I'm mentioning this cause each song fits its Demon. In the case of Hoji, if you listen to Kotodama Sphere, you'll see what I'm talking about.
Reviews:
Antex-The Legendary Zoroark: Whoohoo! Great chapter! Things are getting mighty interesting! Keep up the good work! Glad you were able to get CFYOW Neliel! Although now I'M wishing I had 3rd Anniversary Ulquiorra! Aw well. 4th Anniversary Fully-Hollowified Ichigo is a good enough pull! For now...
But I digress.
Keep up the great work! Although I was wondering...who could Nel have been thinking of...?
Reply: Happy to hear that. I was also able to get Final Getsuga Ichigo about a day before those summons ended. I'll have to wait 'til next year for fully hollowfied Ichigo 4th Anniversary.
Answering the doubt you had from last chapter , she just thought that Chad or Ishida could have been a better company to him after increasing their powers so much. It was just for a moment, but she felt weaker in comparison due to her limitations, but worry not, she feels determined to give it her all for Ichigo, just you wait and see!
Glossary:
Peso Pesado: Heavy weight
Tonbo no kyouran hikou: Frenzy flight of the dragonflies.
Tonbo no saishuu hikou: Final flight of the dragonfly.
Kaji no handan: Judgement of fire.
Claihm-Solais* : I borrowed this from the Castlevania series since it's so cool!
Taiyou no hyouketsu: Sun's verdict.