Chapter 6: Ermac and the Privaron,Halibel to Battle
Ermac sat hunched over, his shoulders rested against a large rock. He sat there finding it useful because it kept the wind out of his face & allowed him to keep a clear vantage point before him.
Since his meeting with the Tres Bestias he'd been on edge because he knew now he would be hunted by stronger opponents. But that was not all that was no his mind. In his most recent battle he let his rage take over and he nearly did that which he'd made a life out of but was most uncomfortable with doing now. He would make sure in the future that he'd never do that again.
So he kept a watchful eye on the area before him. But eventually he closed his eyes, not too sleep but to meditate to try and control his rage. It was at this time someone appeared.
Gantainbine walked over the ridge and spotted Ermac amongst the sand. It wasn't hard because of the cloths he wore. So the 107th arrancar moved forward being swift & quiet like a shadow.
But Ermac had excellent hearing & could sense Gantainbine from a mile over. He opened his eyes & a green light shinned from them.
Gantainbine looked out & saw a green light in the distance. He quickly ducked to the ground.
"Well stranger." Ermac spoke loud enough for whoever was out there to hear."We smell you, feel your energy. We hear your breath." His eyes scanned the area around."Come along. No need to be shy." Gantanbine knew very easily he'd been found out so he rose up & began walking over to Ermac. He was spotted easily by his hair & attire.
He walked up and stopped several feet before Ermac then the former Espada stood there while Ermac looked up at him.
"My name is Gantainbine. I am Arrancar 107." Ermac knew very quickly this was another warrior of this land on the hunt for him.
"107?" questioned Ermac."What's that mean? What is that?"
"It's simple." told Gantainbine." Numbers ranging from 0-9 are the strongest above all others, they are called Espada. Numbers after that are all mixed in strength, the numbers having no meaning to power. However that stops at 100. Numbers 100 and on are all former Espadas."
"Then its safe to say your strong?"
"I am the third strongest in Hueco Muendo." Ermac looked at him strangely, he was the 3rd strongest yet his number was 107. It didn't make much sense to him & he had little time to think it over.
"And speaking of numbers, you have one of your own." told Gantainbine. He pointed a finger at Ermac. "You are enemy #1 in this land, that's why your being hunted. Now get up and fight, I won't attack you while you're sitting down." But Ermac didn't feel threatened by him.
"We don't want to fight you." he said casually. Gontainbine stood back vexed for a moment.
"You won't fight now." he said."But I'll make you!" Then he took a step forward & prepared to through s punch.
But in one quick move Ermac jumped onto his feet, raised his arm & hit his arm against Gontainbine's blocking the punch. Then Ermav kicked out his leg & hit him in his shin. The former Espada fell down. It was a light kick only strong enough to do what it did, take Gontainbine to the ground.
"You stay down." said Ermac standing over him."And we have no quarrell." But Gontainbine did not listen & rose up to his feet. It was now that Ermac saw he was very tall, taller than even himself. Then Gontainbine lunged forward & attacked once more.
The two clashed and grabbed onto each other. Ermac knew immidetly that this was going to be much different than with the Tres Bestias. Despite the fact there were three of them none of them were strong enough to take Ermac alone, Gontainbine was another story. Ermac felt as the two clashed that he was much bigger and stronger than all three of those women combined. But Ermac was a master at hand to hand combat so this was nothing new to him.
Gontainbine reached forward and swung a punch only for Ermac to duck out of the way. Then Ermac reached up and grabbed Gontainbine's arm, flipping him up into the air and slamming him onto the ground. Ermac stood tall over him but then Gontainbine kicked out his legs and knocked Ermac's out from under him. He landed on his back on the ground.
Then Gontainbine lunged up and on top of him. Then he delivered punch after punch to Ermac's head. The warriors of souls managed to pulls his arms up to block up some punches got through. But then Ermac swung his own fist up and punched Gontaingbine in the face.
It was a strong punch as strong punches go, enough force was put into it to knock the Privaron off Ermac. The two warriors quickly collected themselves and returned to their feet, then they just waited for one of them to make the next move.
It was Gontainbine who lunged forward and through a punch. Ermac guided the fist away and then delivered two blows to Gontainbine's rips. The pain was great but Gontainbine endured it, then he swung his arms back and around Ermac grabbing him.
Ermac struggled but found it useless against his enemies strong grip. So he did the natural thing he shot his head backwards and hit Gontainbine in the head. When he didn't let go he did it again and achieved the right result. The Privaron stepped back while Ermac turned to face him.
His face dripped of blood, he was growing annoyed with this fight. So Gontainbine advanced forward while Ermac took a step or two back. Gontainbine swung again this time his fist hit Ermac in the face, so he swung again hitting him once more. But then Ermac struck back and punched him in the face. Gontainbine stumbled back, now it was Ermac's turn to advance. So he walked towards him but Gontainbine had a trick up his sleeve. He reached his hand down to his belt and gripped his weapon.
Ermac came in close and swung his fist. Gontainbine dodged and swung his arm up now with a punch dagger around it. Ermac noticed it last minute and jumped back, appearing to have avoided it. But that wasn't true.
Looking at Gontainbine's weapon he saw the tips dipped with blood. Then looking down at himself he noticed a slash across his torso, not a deep one but deep enough to bleed and hurt. Ermac turned back to his enemy.
"We're playing with weapons now." He grunted slightly, having none of his own to help him. Gontainbine jumped forward and swung again only for Ermac to duck out of his way. When Gontainbine swung again Ermac ducked again, then came up and punched the arrancar in the head, then a second time. The Privaron stumbled back but swiftly turned around to face Ermac who prepared for another attack.
"I can see you are skilled in the ways of fighting. Not only that I can tell you have extreme battle experience." Ermac did not say anything." It's no wonder why the Tres Bestias couldn't defeat you. So in honor of your strength I'll match with my own."
Ermac raised his brow." And how do you plan to do that?"
"Just watch, I'm going to ruse my resurrection." Gontainbine prepared himself for what he had to do. Ermac did nothing and watched as he prepared himself.
A word was spoken, a word Ermac couldn't hear and then his vision became clouded by a storm of sand rising into the air. But he stood firm and watched on. When the sand settled his enemy was were he last saw him only he looked different. Across his back and down his arms was dome-like armor plating.
"Look." Said Gontainbine." What say you to this? My true power."
"Very, very impressive." Said Ermac." But we hope you don't think you're the only one with a party trick." Gontainbine looked at him confused but another moment and he'd learn what Ermac was talking about.
He watched as Ermac squatted himself down with his arms bent before him. Then he watched as a gust of wind began to hover around them and then suddenly it burst out into the air. Ermac's power was suppressing, it made the air thicker. He watched on as Ermac changed as well. As his power was released Ermac's muscles began to twitch. Starting at his hand, his veins began to expand then it went up and down his arms his muscles growing larger as they went. The same happened down at his legs. Ermac bent forward as his back began to grow his spine growing along with his new muscles. Then the spectacle was over and Ermac stood before Gontanbine with his new body.
"Interesting." Commented Gontainbine." You can just do that on command?"
"It's different depending on how much power we put out."
"And how much are you at now."
"40 percent. When we fought those women before we had to go to 25."
"And are you sure that'll be enough to stop me?"
"One way to find out." The two narrowed their eyes at each other. Ermac tightened his fingers into a fist at his side. But then in one quick motion Gontainbine shot his arms up and shot a fireball from his hands. Ermac did not avoid them and merely slapped them away. "Don't tell us you put on all that bulk just to shoot at us."
"Hmph." Chuckled Gontainbine." Fine. Besides I'm better at hand to hand anyway."
Then the two kicked off the ground and at each other. They clashed each swinging out their fist and managing to hit the other in the face. But neither faltered back and attacked again. Gontainbine swung his fist but Ermac blocked then Ermac swung up his leg but Gontanbine's armor protected him. So then he swung forward and punched Ermac in the face, then a second time. When he went for a third Ermac blocked using his forearm and then swung his own fist only for Gontainbine to dodge. Then Gontainbine came up and punched Ermac in the chin, Ermac quickly came back and swung a punch only for Gonatinbine to dodge.
But then Ermac swung forward and punched him in the face. The Privaron stumbled back so Ermac punched him again, and then a third time. Then he swung his fist and punched him in the chest. Gontainbine stumbled back some more. When he looked back Ermac jumped up and kicked him across the face. And with that kick he knocked Gontainbine off his feet and onto the ground.
The Privaron struggled to get to his feet, propping himself up on his elbows. But he had little chance because Ermac walked over and rolled him onto his back. Gontainbine tried to defend himself and swung his arm up prepared to fire another blast. But Ermac brought his foot down and slammed his arm onto the ground.
"Submit." He said. And Gontainbine knew then and there he had little choice. He couldn't keep fighting Ermac he was too strong even at what he claimed to be 40%.
"Kill me." Said Gontainbine. Ermac seemed startled by his words." Kill me, so I cannot return as a failure."
"We will not kill you." Said Ermac taking his foot off his arm and then stretching his own arm out to help him up. Gontainbine as surprised by this but accepted his offer and was brought to his feet by his opponent. Ermac turned and began walking over to his belongings nearby.
"Where are you going?" asked Gontainbine.
"To get our things." Told Ermac over his shoulder." We'll be on our way, which will give us a head start for when more of you show up."
"And what of me?"
"You're free to go." Said Ermac grabbing his sword and slinging it over his back.
"Why? I am your enemy, you should kill me."
"We have no reason to kill you." Said Ermac." We reserve that for another." His eyes closed as he remembered the face of his old master, the Dragon King." The people of Heuco Muendo are not our real enemy."
"Then I am indebted to you." Said Gontainbine dropping to one knee." Please let me come with you."
"We travel alone." Said Ermac.
"I cannot return back to the palace." Said Gontainbine walking over to him." If I go back and tell them I let you go they will kill me." Ermac turned and looked at him.
"We certainly can't have that can we?" He said. Despite being his enemy only moments ago Ermac liked Gontainbine he was a straight forward man and a man of honor, he had to help him somehow. His eyes then wandered down to his torso which Gontainbine had slashed open. Ermac reached down and ripped some of the cloth dripped in blood on it." Here." He said handing it to the Privaron." Give them this as evidence of my death."
"Your death?"
"Yes. Tell them you killed us and that we will trouble your lands no more. That way we am left alone and you are made a hero." Ermac's speech confused the Privaron somewhat but he understood all the same.
"A hero." Said Gontainbine." I don't know how to thank you-" He stopped short realizing that he didn't know his enemies name. After all he had done, he must know that." What is your name?" he asked. Ermac cocked his head and looked at him. He knew Gontinbine meant to go along with his plan so telling him his name was not too big an issue, besides he'd just saved his life.
"Ermac." He told.
"Ermac." He repeated." I'll remember the name." Ermac nodded considering that the end of their conversation and with his sword over his back he turned and walked off." Where will you go?" To his surprise Ermac turned around and answered.
"Anywhere."
Meanwhile elsewhere in Hueco Muendo.
As their master had commanded Reiko, Tanya and Li mei returned in order to find and kill Ermac. So they returned to the spot where they had last seen him. They found the body of his dead horse although they had little to go off other than that. Everything in Hueco Muendo looked the same to them, just sand and nothing everywhere. But they were compelled by fear of their Master to continue forward.
So Reiko led the way and the women followed, they didn't know it that they were being watched. Hiding behind the rocks was Grimmjow.
The sixth Espada poked his head up and saw the three moving about. From what he knew the intruder was a man fully covered with green eyes, none of the three before him matched that description. He observed them carefully but then a malicious thought grew in his mind.
He could jumped out and kill them to be sure, but he would be more greatly rewarded if he went back to Halibel and reported his findings. Then she and he would ride out into battle together, after that she would be so grateful that she would become totally and completely his.
So with his mind made up Grimmjow made a swift retreat and headed back to Las Noches. But when he arrived he found that the Privaron had also returned, a few more minutes than he had.
Gontainbine was bruised and bloodied the clear signs of a battle he'd been in. He was on one knee before Halibel on her throne. On her right was the Tres Bestias all healed up from their own battle, as it turned out Sung-Sung's life was not in as great a danger as they thought. And on her left her Menoly and Loly.
Grimmjow walked up behind Gontainbine as he spoke.
"It is done." He announced. And in his hand he held up a black cloth dripped in blood, a sign of his victory. All the women except Halibel gasped." I have killed the intruder, he will be trouble to us no more."
"How did you do it?!" yelled Apacci." How could you do what we could not, you-" Halibel raised up her hand silencing Apacci.
"Well done Gontainbine." Said Halibel believing him. She rose up from her seat." You have done well."
"Thank you Mistress." He replied. But in the back of his head Gontainbine thanked Ermac for allowing this all to happen. Halibel looked past Gonatinbine and noticed Grimmjow standing there. She sighed slightly to herself at seeing him but he appeared to have not been in any battle at all, making her smile deep down that he had not achieved his goal.
"And you Grimmjow." She said to him." What have you to report." She of course thought he'd say nothing but Grimmjow had a surprise for her.
"Well." He said stepping up." I haven't dealt with the intruder like the reject her." He pointed over to Gonatinbine." However I have found something more interesting, more intruders."
"More?" asked Halibel raising her brow.
"Yes." Said Grimmjow with a hiss in his voice.
"Where?" asked Mila Rose stepping up.
"Not far from here." Told Grimmjow pointing over his shoulder in the general direction." It's just-" He stopped as Halibel walked right past him." Where are you going?" he asked.
"I'm going to go take care of this." She said over her shoulder.
"Great." Hissed Grimmjow following after her." Together we'll-" But then Halibel put up her hand stopping him.
"Not us." She told." Just me."
"You're going alone?" questioned Sung-Sung. Halibel nodded her head.
"You can't!" sprang up Apache.
"Let us come with you." Said Mila Rose." So we know you'll be safe."
"Not this time." Said Halibel. The Tres Bestias went forward to say more but a stern look from Halibel stopped them. In her mind she thought this, that whomever it was that Gontainbine had kill was just a scout for the rest of the invaders. Fed up with waiting around she was going to go out and deal with this enemy personally. They had invaded her lands, and assaulted her people, it was war now. " This is my task." She said, then looked to Grimmjow and the TresBestias." And mine alone." Grimmjow grumbled his annoyance at not having gone with her but there was nothing he could do about it.
Without another word Halibel turned and left, exiting Las Noches and heading out to where Grimmjow had spotted the intruders.
But despite what she'd been told there were four strangers in her land not five. Ermac was still alive and well, resting himself not too far from Reiko's scouting party. It was unaware to both Ermac and Halibel that the other was even out there. But the time would soon come when the Master of Hueco Muendo would meet the Greatest Warrior in Outworld.