Chapter 20

"Shitsubō no ōbu (Orb of Dismay)? I've never heard of that before."

"Of course you haven't; the only ones who know about this are a few others and myself. More importantly, the Hollow Lord doesn't know about it either."

"Just what is it, exactly? Somehow it's giving me a bad feeling."

Kisuke eyed it as he told me a story.

"You see, a long time ago I created a device that could break down the boundaries between Soul Reaper and Hollow. The device was called the Hōgyoku, and it was one of the reasons why I and several others were exiled from the Soul Society. This..." He motioned the orb, "is the prototype. Not nearly as powerful, but it will do."

I stepped back as he began to move it towards me. That little thing strangely made me feel... different. I could feel my strength growing exponentially just being in its presence.

At the same time, a sickening feeling began to grow in my heart.

"Wait a sec? What are you planning to do to me with that thing?"

"You see, unlike the Hōgyoku, this also has the power to amplify spirit energy. It's one of a kind."

"In that case, why don't you use it instead?"

He shrugged.

"The materials used to create the Hōgyoku and the Shitsubō no ōbu became almost impossible to find long ago. And as I said before, it's not that powerful; it will only amplify your powers to a level close to mine. It's completely useless to me and to other people of my level."

He encased it in a heart shaped medallion that seemed to block its power and handed it to me.

"Wear this; it is the most important gift anyone could ever give to you."

I tried to refuse; I was beginning to feel more powerful, but that sickening feeling began to grow worse and worse.

"You don't understand." He looked at me with a menacing look.

"Your acceptance of this gift is not optional."

I took it out of his hands and put it around my neck, unwilling to risk Kisuke's wrath.

"Um... thanks, I guess? So what now? This still doesn't solve anything. I have this horrible feeling..."

"I know. Deal with it."

He walked into another tunnel, motioning for me to follow yet again.

I pondered why the medallion was heart shaped and how it blocked the orb's power. Kisuke sensed my question before I could ask it.

"That medallion actually belongs to Aiko. It was her most cherished possession; she received it from her parents. She wanted you to have it."

I looked marveled at the pendant around my neck; this was her last connection to her parents.

"It must be priceless to her. Why didn't she give it to me herself?"

"She is still mad about the crap you pulled, leading the Hollow Lord here. Feel any different?"

"Hmm, no, now that you mentioned it."

He chuckled a bit.

"Yeah, one of the problems I had with it to. Never worked the way I wanted it too."

We entered the battle stadium; this didn't make sense. "Why did he bring me-"

He brought out a flat, humanoid doll.

"Now thrust your sword into that doll!"

Hearing this sounded kinda silly.

"Why the hell would I want to stab a toy?"

"This toy is going to help you reach Bankai in three days!"

Bankai? In three days? That seemed impossible.

"How?"

Kisuke scoffed.

"Do you always have to ask me questions! Just shut up and do it!"

"Ugh! Whatever!" I did what he said. I thrust Jikan into the doll and suddenly-

Nothing happened. The doll disappeared and no one moved a muscle. It was quiet... maybe too-

The room! Everything around me changed! I wasn't engulfed in light!

Only... nothingness.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PART 2