Chapter 8: Tales of Las Noches part 1
So Ermac and Halibel continued on their way back to Las Noches. They spoke very little on the whole way back, both silently trying to figure the other out
While Ermac was Halibel as no real harm he foresaw some problems arising when they reached their destination. Most likely the Tres Bestias, Menoly and Loly would not approve of seeing him again in such conditions. He only hoped that Halibel had a decisive command over her subjects.
Soon they reached the fortress. Ermac thought the place was strange looking, a fortress in the middle of the sand held on real strategic value in his mind. But he said nothing as to not offend Halibel. The walked up to the front entrance.
Before pushing opened the door Halibel turned to him and spoke.
"Wait here." She said." My subjects will most likely want to be sure I'm safe, seeing you with me my cause a violent response and we don't want that."
"No we don't." So he stayed back, resting against the wall while the Espada pushed open the doors and walked in. She took several steps inside before announcing to nobody in particular.
"I'm home!" And it echoed all around. There was no immediate reply but there was a sound that followed. There was the sounding of stamping and it was getting louder and louder, suddenly all three Tres Bestias appeared running down the hall and to their master.
"Master Halibel!" they cried crowding around her." Your back, your safe!" Ermac peered in the room and watched as they bounded around her.
"What's happened to you?" asked Mila Rose looking at her appearance." You look like you've been burned?"
"What happened?" asked Sung-Sun.
"Did you kill them all?" Added Apacci.
"It's fine everything's fine." Was all Halibel replied. She turned back and looked to the door, seeing Ermac's head slightly in the doorway." Ladies." She continued." We have a guest."
"Guest?" the three responded confused. Halibel turned to the door and gave a nod, signaling Ermac that he could enter. So Ermac walked in tall and broad with his chest puffed out and his back straight.
And the Tres Bestias recognized him almost immediately.
"You!" they yelled all at once pointing at him. Ermac steadied himself thinking another fight was eminent. But before the three could attack him in anyone Halibel stepped up and made herself the bridge between them.
"What are you doing master?" asked Mila Rose." That's him, that's the man we encountered."
"I am aware." She replied.
"Then why do you stop us, join us and we can kill him together" said Sung-Sun. Ermac stood by still ready for a fight. Just then Gontainbine came down the hall and into the room.
"What's all the noise?" he asked as he walked in. His eyes scanned the room and went at once to Ermac. He jolted at the sight of him, thinking he'd never see him again. But he knew now that his secret was out.
"You!" yelled Apacci. She marched over and stood before him." You told us he was dead." Gontinabine shivered. She grabbed onto his shoulder and pointed him in Ermac's direction." Does he look dead to you!" Before he could reply not that it would have done him any good Apacci turned him back and prepared to punch him in the face.
But she didn't because when she swung forward Ermac appeared before her and caught her fist. Her other hand was still on Gontainbine's shoulder and now Ermac had her hand.
"Let him go." He said. Apacci tried to pull her hand out of his grip and once she let go of Gonatinbine using the other hand to try and free the other Ermac let go of her.
She stumbled back and into the arms of Mila Rose and Sung-Sun. Gontainbine rose back up looking at Ermac with envy, once again he had saved him. Apacci got back to her feet and the Tres Bestias prepared to fight again.
"Enough!" commanded Halibel. And with that the Tres Bestias turned from Ermac to their master.
"What?" they asked confused.
"Gontianinbe." Halibel said to him." Go and get Ermac situated." Ermac turned and made eye contact with the Privaron.
"Of course." He said as confused at the situation as anyone." Right this way." Then he led the way and Ermac followed after him.
The Tres Bestias made to go after him but were once again stopped by a scolding look form Halibel.
"Master." Said Mila Rose stepping up." What is this madness? Why have you brought him here?"
"He is our guest." Said Halibel looking past them to see Ermac walking off with Gontainbine.
"But why?" asked Sung-Sun." He is our enemy, he nearly killed me."
"If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here right now." Told Halibel. And that silenced her fraccion who knew not how to reply. She glanced over at Ermac and then at her fraccion." He saved my life and I owe him for that." And the fraccion believed her even if Ermac had tried to kill Sung-Sun they believed Halibel's life to be more precious. Like their master they could forgive past discrepancies.
"Then what are we to do with him here master?" asked Apacci.
"He is a renegade of those who I fought. For some reason they want him dead."
"Why?" asked Mila Rose.
"I do not know. He has said very little other than that."
"Then we should go ask." Said Apacci stepping up.
"No!" said Halibel putting out her arm and stopping her. "We mustn't rush him. Whatever has happened he's at a bad time. He will tell us about it when he's good and ready."
The fraccion nodded confirming their agreement. Gontainbine meanwhile led Ermac to a small kitchen area.
"Can I get you anything?" he asked while Ermac's eyes scanned the room." Water, Tea?"
"No thank you." Ermac replied.
"Something stronger?"
"No thank you."
"Then what can I get you?"
"If we are going to be staying here." Ermac replied." Then we'd like to be set up with a nice room."
At that moment Halibel came into the room.
"I recall saying give our guest anything he'd like." She said to Gontainbine upon entering and seeing that Ermac was not being given anything to eat or drink.
"He hasn't ask for anything ma'am." He responded.
"All we require now is a place to stay." Added Ermac. Halibel turned to Ermac and nodded.
"Very well." She said. "Where would you like to stay? We have plenty of rooms choose any which you like. There are some will scenic views, privacy,-"
"Some place quiet." Said Ermac." Where we won't be disturbed by noise."
"There's only one place like that." Spoke up Gontainbine." Zommari's old room."
"Where?" asked Ermac.
"It's beyond the courtyard." Told the Privaron pointing in that direction." It's a quiet place the old espada used for meditation but it's rather small."
"That will suite us fine." Said Ermac. Halibel was taken back slightly she had hoped he would settle some place closer.
"Very well." She answered." Gontainbine, take him there." The Privaron nodded and walked away leading Ermac the way to his room. But when Ermac walked past her she shot up her arm across his chest, blocking his way. He turned his head and looked at her and she up at him." If you need anything." She said." Anything at all, just ask."
Ermac nodded his head in acknowledgement then turned and followed the Privaron. On his way down the hall he passed the Tres Bestias who were talking amongst themselves. Ermac saw them and in an attempt to get on their better aside addressed them.
"Good Evening ladies." He said. They looked at him strangely as he continued down the hall following Gontainbine.
So the Privaron led him to Zommari's old room. He opened the door and stepped aside so Ermac could enter and inspect the place. It was small and mostly dark with several large blocks piled around the room. To Gontainbine it was no place special but to Ermac it was great. Back in Outworld his own room was large and filled with many excess of merchandise but here this room was small and simple, the way he liked it.
"It's not much." Said Gontainbine." It's small and-"
"It's fine." Said Ermac a small smirk forming on his face." We shall enjoy it very much."
"Very well." Said Gontainbine as he headed for the door." If you need me I'll be around." Ermac nodded and before he left the former Espada said something else." It's good to have you here, as a friend this time." Ermac turned and nodded.
"Good to be here." He didn't know it but Gontainbine was referring to the other male Espada in Los Noches who wouldn't be happy when he learned of Halibel's guest. But they would meet at a later time.
After Gontainbine left the room became darker with no natural or fake light in the room. Ermac took his sword off his belt and rested it down on the ground. Then he walked over and climbed on of the large blocks in the room.
Gontainbine said the former user of this room used it for meditation. Since Ermac didn't need to sleep he decided he would meditate. And with his back up against the wall he did just that.
Ermac closed his eyes and began his meditation and he did not open his eyes until the next morning. He was awakened by someone touching his shoulder, Ermac opened his eyes and jolted up and there was Gontainbine standing there.
"Are you alright?" he asked. Ermac took a few huffed breaths.
"Yes." Replied Ermac." I was just meditating." He picked himself up and stood before the Privaron.
"It seemed like some heavy meditation." Ermac ran his hand over his head and straightened himself out."We're all gathering for breakfast downstairs." He pointed over her shoulder at the general area. "Halibel has requested your presence."
"Is that so?" asked Ermac, Gontainbine nodded." Very well then." Then Ermac turned and walked past him heading for the door.
"Who's Reptile?" asked Gontainbine turning to Ermac as he was at the door.
"What?" asked Ermac turning back to him confused.
"You said that name in your meditation." He replied turning back to him." Who is it?"
"Never heard of him." Ermac replied and headed out the door, Gontainbine followed him.
They arrived in the kitchen to find the Tres Bestias already there huddled around their own table. Ermac gave them a polite and respectful nod as he followed Gontainbine to another table. The three women watched the two as they made their way across the room.
The Privaron then produced two bowls and placed them before Ermac and himself.
"Try some." He said. Ermac looked at the bowl and the strange mush of food inside strangely." It's good." He reinstated. Ermac stuck a spoon in the bowl and brought it up to his mouth. He waited a moment and looked up seeing the eyes of the whole room on him.
So being a polite guest he stuck the spoon in his mouth and ate it.
"Do you like it?" asked Mila Rose from the other table. Ermac just nodded although he looked as if he was struggling to hold his food down." Menoly made it, be sure to tell her when she gets here." Ermac just nodded and finally managed to swallow his food.
"Not bad huh?" asked Gontainbine. Ermac just looked at him dumbfounded. Then he turned his head and noticed two others coming down the hall." Here comes Menoly, be sure to tell her you enjoyed the food." Ermac ran his arm across his mouth and turned to see two familiar faces walking down the hall. There were Loly and Menoly the first arrancars Ermac met when he arrived in Hueco Muendo.
"Oh no." he sighed and rubbed his eyes when he first saw them. They hadn't seen him at first but once they did they jolted in fright and screamed.
Menoly jumped up in Loly's arms." It's him! It's him!" she yelled in so loud a voice it caught everyone off guard. Ermac rubbed his eyes as he knew yet another confrontation was unavoidable. There was little time for anyone to react before the two women leapt across the room at him.
"What are you doing here?!" yelled Loly in his face pointing a finger in his face. She knew from experience she couldn't fight Ermac, but here she felt the superior numbers gave her an advantage." Well, what?!"
Ermac was silent for a moment and darted his head between Gontainbine and the Tres Bestias who had done nothing. Then he turned back to his questioner. He said the first thing that came to his mind.
"We enjoyed the food." He pointed to his bowl. Silence followed afterwards but then Menoly poked her head out from behind Loly.
"Really?" she asked.
"Yes." Ermac nodded. And with that any anger or fear Menoly had for Ermac was blown away. She turned and began walking away giggling and smiling.
"He said he liked my food." She told the Tres Bestias.
"Yea, yea we're all impressed." Said Apacci. Loly however turned back to Ermac still ready to question him.
"Leave it Loly." Gontainbine said to her. And with that Loly huffed and walked over to sit with Menoly and the rest of the women.
Then Ermac turned to Gontainbine.
"Why are they sitting at a separate table form us?" he asked.
"That's what things are like here." Told Gontainbine taking a spoonful of food.
"What do you mean?"
"Halibel is in charge, and she believes strongly in female power. The Tres Bestias are her primary enforcers, then there are Menoly and Loly there." Ermac cocked his head over his shoulder and saw the women conversing. The pyramid they had confused Ermac, he'd have thought the only man in this place would have better odds.
"Didn't you say you were the third strongest in this place?" he asked turning back to the Privaron.
"I am, Halibel is the strongest."
"Then who's the second?" Then right on cue the King of Hueco Muendo appeared.
"What's all the noise?" asked Grimmjow as he walked into the room. And immiedatly as he walked into the room he knew all was not right for he saw someone who was unfamiliar to him. There sat Ermac, who cocked his head and looked at Grimmjow. The sixth Espada looked at the stranger with a confused face but then went on the offensive." How the hell are you?"
"That's him." Gontainbine whispered to Ermac.
"Our name is Ermac." He responded.
"Ermac? What are you doing here, you're not an arracnar."
"We are not." Confirmed Ermac." We are guest to your house, I'm-"
"Guest? I invite no guest, how did you get here?" He stomped several feet forward but was stopped. The Tres Bestias had been told by Halibel to make sure everyone treats Ermac with respect now was their time to do their job.
"Halibel doesn't want him harmed." Said Mila Rose stepping up.
"I don't care! I am the King and I shall do as I please." And with that he tried to push past the three women only for them to hold him back.
"Come now." Said Ermac getting up, the bowl of food in his hand." There's no need to get upset. Perhaps we started off on the wrong foot." He moved himself between the three women and Grimmjow." I am Ermac." He held his hand for Grimmjow to shake. Outside of his vicious battle prowis Ermac was a very naïve and slow-witted he obviously didn't know how to understand or read people.
All was silent and everyone expected Grimmjow to shake. But instead he swung his hand up and knocked the bowl from Ermac's hand to the ground. Ermac watched the bowl hit the ground and then turned back to Grimmjow who had a spiteful look on his face.
"We hadn't finished that." Was all he said. Grimmjow swung his arm back ready to swing forward and punch Ermac but instead his arm was grabbed by Sung-Sun who held him there.
"Halibel doesn't want him harmed." She retold.
"Shut up!" he bellowed to her. And he turned on his heel and with his other hand prepared to hit her. But then once again his hand had been caught. He turned around to see Ermac holding his wrist, before he could swing and hit Sung-Sun Ermac had grabbed him.
"We wouldn't recommend you do that." He said. Grimmjow looked at him with a face of pure anger." Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" And then and there and ill-manner that any of the Tres Bestias had for Ermac was totally gone. A few days ago he was their enemy but now was putting himself on the line to protect them.
"Like you!" barked Grimmjow as he freed his hand. Ermac just stood there proud and tall, and that annoyed the Espada. "You need a lesson in manners!" he threatened and he reached at his belt for his sword. The Tres Bestias nor Gontainbine or anyone could stop him.
"Grimmjow." Came a stern voice from behind him. Grimmjow paused mid-air and slowly turned around. Everyone else turned their heads as well to see Halibel in the doorway." Perhaps you'd like a lesson in obedience?" she said.
"If you think so." Said Grimmjow moving his hand away from his sword. Halibel walked forward and stopped when she stood side to side with the only other existing Espada.
"Ermac is our guest." She said." I don't want to have to repeat myself again." Then she walked past the grumbling Grimmjow and went before Ermac.
She looked up at him and then noticed the bowl of food all around the floor. She bent down and picked it up, standing before Ermac with it in her hands.
"It appears your still causing some trouble." She commented at him, trying to be funny.
"We still haven't gotten used to being around so many people yet."
"Then maybe you'd like to take a tour of the grounds?" asked Halibel." Take your mind off things."
"We should like that very much." Ermac replied with a smile.
"Excellent, follow me." Said Halibel as she turned and began walking away with him following.
Everyone else watched them go, most feeling a friendly attraction for Ermac. All except Grimmjow.
Meanwhile Halibel led Ermac all around Los Noches. They wondered down one of the many long hallways. Looking out the window Ermac saw the rest of the fortress and nothing but sand beyond it. He recalled how only a day ago he was living out there.
"Are you adjusting to living here well?" Halibel asked him over her shoulder, breaking him from his thoughts.
"Yes." He replied quickening his pace so that he walked next to her." It beats living out in the wild." Halibel nodded acknowledging what he said.
One of her overall reasons for bringing Ermac to Las Noches was to learn his connections to the invaders of her land. But she knew that he wouldn't simply just open up, she's have to break the ice somehow.
"I'm sure it does." She said. She stopped in the middle of the hallway and sat herself down on the ledge nearby. Ermac in turn rested himself across from her, leaning on the wall. "We who live here know full well what it means to live wild." Ermac cocked his head to her, a signal that he was curious." We evolved from a lower group of our species called Hollows. We evolved into these humanoid forms we bear now."
"How fascinating." Said Ermac.
"We were at war for a long time against out bitter enemies, the Soul Reapers. And in a great war that would decide the fate of the world we lost. I was amongst the strongest fighters of our army, but I was betrayed by the leader I swore to follow." Ermac narrowed his eyes. That was one pain he knew all too well." But I survived as well as my fraccion. Afterwards we came back here to round up any other survivors. ones of us that survived moved back here. With nowhere else to go, and our war over we turned back to the only place we've ever called home."
Ermac sat back and listened intently. As she spoke Ermac only related himself to Halibel more. The two were both warriors prided by their leader only to be betrayed. The only difference was after she was betrayed Halibel moved on, Ermac did not.
"It seems you've done well for yourself." He commented once she finished. All she did was nod. It was truly an emotional story for her and not an easy one to tell and the soft look in her eyes told that. Ermac feeling some of her pain opened up a little and poke." We share your grief."
"Do you?" she asked cocking her head to him.
He nodded." We too have a similar story."
"I." she corrected. Ermac looked at her strangely." I too have a similar story." She repeared his sentence back to him only correct.
"I." Ermac repeated but struggled with the word." I have a similar story."
"And what Ermac" she said picking her head up and looking at him." Is your story." But Ermac was silent, his problems were his and his alone.
"We-I am many things." He said." Most of them bad." His life was nothing but war and brutality." We have a vendetta with the ruler of your invaders."
"Why?"
"That is our business." He said sharply almost to the point where it might have offended someone. But that got Halibel to thinking. When she fought against the Soul Reapers she fought for Aizen, her fraccion, her people and that brought up an important question to her.
"What are you fighting for?" she finally asked.
"We fight for my own cause." He replied.
"The lone wolf." Said Halibel." I knew someone like that once." Ermac said nothing. "But it's better to have no hope than false hope." She stated. Ermac couldn't help but smirk at what she said. Even though Ermac knew there was little hope for himself or his future here before him was someone who followed a similar path and had made her own road.
In Halibel he saw a little of himself.
"Shall we continue the tour?" he asked.
"If you insist." She said. And then the two continued down the hallway, walking very close together