Chapter 9: Tales of Las Noches part 2

Over the next several days Ermac found himself settling in nicely and the arrancars welcomed him warmly. Loly who had first been critical of Ermac had grown to tolerate him but Grimmjow was another story. The sixth Espada was always very critical and hostile of Ermac, but although he was combative he'd never cross the line out of fear of retaliation from Halibel.

But when Ermac wasn't in the company of Halibel, Gontainbine or the Tres Bestias he was by himself meditating usually. He would often disappear for hours at a time and wouldn't be found until Halibel had someone go and look for him.

He spent a lot of time with Halibel. During their time together she decided to make it her duty to help Ermac speak correctly. It was a work in progess but she was seeing fast results. It was also she eho showed Ermac a new hobby. Now when he wasn't in her company or meditating he could be found in the library reading.

One day Halibel was showing him around and she took him down into the throne room. She ascended the steps and Ermac cautiously followed.

"Where are you leading us?" he asked as he walked up the steps.

"Leading me." She corrected."Back here." Said Halibel as she disappeared behind the throne. Ermac followed after her and notice there was a small control box behind the throne." Take a look at this." Ermac stepped forward and observed the objects carefully.

"What is it?" he asked strangely." What does it do?"

"We call it a Garganta." Said Halibel and with that she poked the button on the pad and a portal opened up before them. Ermac jolted back in shock but gauzed back in wonder. After he stared at it for several moments Halibel pressed the button again and the portal closed." It's how we get around." Ermac still continued to stare at the control panel with great interest." I assume you came her by similar means?" Ermac cocked his head to her and although he did not answer she assumed that was the case.

But Halibel had also heard of Emrac's sudden temper, so in a quick change of subject she grabbed onto his hand and began leading him away.

"Come with me." She said." We normally all gather for training at this time. I would be grateful if you could show us what you know."

So the arrnacars gathered all except for Grimmjow who was nowhere to be found. Grimmjow stood in the doorway watching while Halibel sat amongst her people.

Mila Rose lunged forward only for Apacci to block. Mila rose swung again and Apacci ducked. Ermac stood back and leaned in the doorway watching it all go down. And he was quickly noticed by Halibel.

"Ermac." She announced causing everyone to turn and look at him.

"Yes," He said after a moment, feeling somewhat awkward.

" Perhaps you would like to join us?" He said with a sultry requesting tone." Ermac blinked many times at Halibel but she never broke eye contact with him. Then he cleared his throat.

"If you'd like." He replied walking into the room. At the same time Apacci and Mila Rose sat back down while Gontainbine the only other man in the room stood up.

"I'm ready for our rematch now." He said in a friendly tone.

"As am I." responded Ermac. Then he entered his fighting stance. Everyone looked at him strangely as he bore no sword when going into battle." We" He paused and looked at Halibel." I am more proficient in hand to hand combat."

It was silent for a moment and then they flung themselves at the other. Gontainbine being the best hand to hand fighter in Hueco Muendo went with that approach. Both he and Ermac swung punch after punch, ducking and dodging everything.

The Privaron swung forward but Ermac put up his arm and blocked. Then he looped his arms around Gontainbnie's swung him around and onto the ground.

The giant man fell to the ground with a thud but prepared to get up and continue the fight. But just as he was about to pick himself up a finger poked him in the chest. He followed the slender figure up the air and saw Halibel crouching over him.

"We already know you can beat Gontainbine." She said looking at Ermac." You should test your skills on someone worthy." She slowly got up and pulled her sword from her back." I am ready."

Ermac nodded knowing she could not be denied. He moved his hand to his belt and drew his own sword. He gripped his with both hands while she pointed her's out with one.

Then Halibel took a step forward and swung her sword, only for Ermac to swat his sword against her's sending it off to the right. But Halibel quickly recovered and the two pointed their swords at each other again. Halibel took another step only for Ermac to bat her sword away but this time lunge forward with his own jab. But Halibel brought her sword back and blocked. They stood in the pose a second but then Halibel parried sending Ermac's sword the other direction.

In the moment it took him to bring his sword back Halibel took two steps forward and twirled around. When Ermac brought his sword up Halibel held her's up and the swords locked. But behind the tangled swords both their masters were tangled.

Halibel had her back pressed against Ermac's chest, his arm around her's where his sword was. Her sword pointing up and trapping his inside it. Halibel had her head cocked to the side and facing up at him while Ermac had his lowered down next to her's.

Everyone watched in surprise while the two stayed locked up staring into each other's eyes.

At this moment Grimmjow walked into the room and he jolted at seeing the sight of the two of them together.

"WHAT THE HELL!" he yelled. Ermac and Tia both shot their heads over and saw him standing there all hot and bothered. Very quickly the two separated." What are you doing?!" He yelled marching towards Ermac.

"Grimmjow stop." Said Halibel stepping between the two and putting her hand on Grimmjow's chest. She turned back and saw Ermac and everyone else standing there." Let's talk over there." She motioned with her head.

Grimmjow led the way but not before giving Ermac a death glare, then he walked off with Halibel.

"Why I'd like to bust his head wide open." He threatened looking past Halibel and at Ermac.

"Grimmjow!" she said in a strict tone that got his attention." Whatever problems you have against Ermac I suggest you get over them."

"Get over them? Get over them?" He repeated in an angry tone." I can't get over it! He has wondered into her and has nearly taken my place-"

"Taken your place?" she questioned." Nobody is taking your place."

"So you say. But I have noticed the way he looks at you." He paused for a moment, slowly moving his hand until it was on her shoulder." And the way you look at him." Halibel quickly shot her hand up and swatted his hand away.

"Ermac is our guest." She stated. Grimmjow grimaced his annoyance." I won't tell you again."

Ermac was about to go with them to clear up his mess himself but then he was set on by the other Arrancars.

"That was very fine sword play Ermac." Said Gontainbine slapping him on the back.

"Thank you." Said Ermac, half-looking at him and really looking over at Halibel and Grimmjow. But he only saw them for a second because then Sung-Sun and Apacci blocked his view.

"Yes it was very fascinating to watch." Said Sung-Sun." I've never seen anyone fight on par with Master Halibel."

"Where did you learn all that?" asked Apacci taking a step forward. In retaliation Ermac took one back and found he was still surrounded by Mila Rose and Gontainbine.

"Where do you come from?" asked Mila Rose. Ermac cocked his head from left to right looking at all of them.

"Far, far away." He finally responded.

"Very specific." Commented Apacci. Ermac rephrased his answer. He leaned his arm out the window and pointed upwards.

"The sky." He told. But his answer confused the women.

"What do you mean?" asked Sung-Sun.

"My home is high, high above the clouds." He continued to point.

"What did you do there?" asked Mila Rose very intrigued.

"Me?" he asked confused. They nodded. Ermac stalled. They probably knew he was a warrior but the exact details of his past were a mystery to them." I meditated, rode my horse." He answered honestly, although it was only half of the truth.

"We-I am not like other people." Said Ermac. He observed everyone's faces and saw them waiting for what he said next." I…I was made using the souls of other men, my body is entirely made of different parts from dead people. My body isn't my own."

"You like to read so much." Said Apacci." There's a book in the library you should check out. It's called Frankenstein. I think you'll find the comparison laughable." She chuckled at her own joke. Ermac just nodded his head.

"I think I will." He said. And set out to do just that.

Halibel considered her business with Grimmjow concluded and she took a step to leave but was stopped when he put his hand out on her shoulder.

"You say nobody is taking my place." He said leaning down and hissing in her war." But I've noticed the way he looks at you, and you at him." Halibel turned to reply but he continued to speak." Remember what happened last time."

And that was the last straw. Halibel was struck by a blow more painful than any sword could cut her. She quickly turned on her heel and headed off. Ermac noticed her leaving, her head was bowed but he could sense she was in distress.

"Are you alright?" asked Ermac moving forward trying to intercept her. But Halibel just side-stepped him and continued on her way.

He watched her go off in a hurry and that both confused and concerned him.

"Oh no." commented Sung-Sun. Then she Apacci, and Mila Rose followed after their master. In the aftermath of their leaving the three men were left alone.

"What was that about?" asked Ermac to the Privaron.

"I've only seen her get upset like that over one thing." Told Gontainbine.

"What is it?" Gontainbine turned his head to Ermac nervously and rubbed his head.

"Well umm… it's um… It's not my place to tell." Ermac nodded his head but then slowly turned it over to Grimmjow.

The sixth Espada stood there with his hands in his pockets and a toothy, malicious grin. He raised up one hand and pointed his index finger at Ermac. Then with a wink and a click of his tongue he turned and walked away.

Ermac let him go but he was sure very soon he and Grimmjow were going to have a serious disagreement. But he decided that was for another time for now he headed to the library to find the book suggested to him.

The Library was quiet, much to his liking. Ermac sat with his legs crossed in a big red chair a candle acting as his only source of light. In his hands was a book recommended to him by Apacci who jokingly said he was like the title character.

However as he began to read the book he didn't find it very funny.

He related to the character a poor creature misunderstood by the world and hunted for reasons he didn't understand. Indeed he was very much like this character, which made it hard for him to put the book down.

But his attention was drawn from his book as he heard the door swing open and a pair of feet stamping towards him. Ermac wasn't very startled by the newcomer he stayed in his chair and continued reading his book. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Grimmjow walking into the light.

"You." he said marching over and standing before Ermac." You and I are going to have a little chit-chat right now." Of all the people Ermac had met in Hueco Muendo he liked Grimmjow the least, he felt he was too straight forward and blunt much like Reiko. It didn't really matter though because Grimmjow didn't like him either.

Ermac had somehow walked into this place and had become the life of the party, being surprisingly liked by everyone. Most noticeably Halibel.

"To what do I owe the pleasure." said Ermac not taking his eyes off his book. Gimmjow bent down and pushed Ermac's book down, forcing him to make eye contact.

"I'm gonna give you a warning." Ermac was unimpressed and snapped his book back to place.

"I'm listening." He didn't like Grimmjow but if he had to listen to him banter for a few minutes and then be left alone, so be it.

"I'm not so sure you know how it works around here so I'll tell you. Here I am Big Daddy." He patted himself on the chest. Ermac just picked his his head up and looked at the Espada confused. Grimmjow noted this but continued." You see because here I'm the strongest male and therefore I am the king." he said as he began circling Ermac's chair.

"Congratulations."

"And the King has exclusive rights to the Queen." Then he lowered himself down to Ermac's level and looked him in the face." Know what I mean?" Ermac closed the book shut and now willingly looked Grimmjow in the face for the first time.

"Come again." he said.

"Your a bit deaf aren't you." mocked Grimmjow." So I'll spoon feed this to you. YOU." he stressed the word and pointed his finger in Ermac's face." will stay away from Halibel." he pointed off in the direction she went. Ermac followed Grimjows hands and then looked back at him.

"I'm afraid I don't understand your meaning." he said." Halibel is a grown woman and-"

"Correction she's MY woman." Grimmjow pointed to himself.

"Strange." said Ermac." She makes no notion of that being true."

"Well I'm telling you this." said Grimmjow getting dangerous close to Ermac's face and growling the words."Stay away from her or you and I." he poked Ermac in the chest and then his own." Are gonna have a long talk." Feeling what he had to say was said Grimmjow turned and began to walk off.

"A pleasure as always." said Ermac grabbing his book. Grimmjow walked by and noticed the candle Ermac was using as light for his reading. So Grimmjow licked his fingers reached out and covered the flame, covering the whole room in darkness.

Meanwhile far away in Outworld. Reiko had returned after his battle with Halibe and then Ermac. Bearing the bodies of Lei Mei and Tanya in his arms he entered the Dragon King's throne room.

"Your majesty." He said in a weak voice upon entering. But there was no answer. Reiko continued into the dark room but saw no sign of his master. But then when he turned around and looked at the throne he saw two large red eyes glaring at him from the shadows.

Two great wings lifted up and around the two eyes and the outline of Onaga's great figure could be seen.

"Report." He said in a dark trimming voice. Reiko all at once fell to his knees, the bodies of his comrades falling around him.

"Your majesty." He said. "I have failed you. Ermac has eluded us once again." Onaga's fingers gripped tightly into the armrest of his chair. Before Reiko could continue Onaga flew across the room and landed before him. Just as Ermac had said Reiko groveled at the Emperor's feet. " Your grace." Pleaded Reiko holding onto Onaga's robes." I have only ever lived to serve you. Send me not from your side." Onaga send his great clawed head down strummed his fingers on top of Reiko's head.

"You have failed me for the last time." He said in a dark voice. Reiko jolted up and gaze up with fear in his eyes. Then with one great swing of his hand Onaga dug his claws deep into the side of Reiko's face.

His most trusted soldier fell to the ground, bleeding heavily from the side of his face. He tried to crawl away grabbing at whatever ground he could. But then Onaga just took one great step forward and stomped down on Reiko's head, blood and gore splattering all over the floor.

Onaga straightened himself out, wiping any blood off his robes and resting his wings on his shoulders as if they were a cape. Then he turned Reiko's body over and felt around in his pockets. Then he found what he was looking for, the medallion that would bring him to other worlds. He had stood by in these affairs for too long, it was now his time to enter the game.

Onaga was going to Outworld, his final battle with Ermac would come soon. And any who got in his way would feel his wraith.

Once he finished his business in the library, Ermac returned to his room later in the night. He closed the door behind him and rested his things against the wall. Then he set himself up on one of the blocks, laid himself on his back and starred at the ceiling. It was going to be another long night, he closed his eyes and rested his hands behind his head.

He laid there in the silence for some time, he reopened his eyes when somebody else entered the room. He first heard the sound of the door opening and then turned his head to face whomever it was.

He shined his green eyes in the darkness and saw Halibel halfway between the door and him.

"Halibel?" he questioned sitting up." What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you." She said taking a step closer." I came to see you."

"Why?" he asked straight up. Halibel took a few cautious steps and when she realized he wouldn't send her away she sat down next to him.

"You always seem so alone." She said." Always in the darkness, why is that?" Ermac turned his head away from her, not ready to reply." Is it like this where you're from?" Ermac froze up at the question. It was now that Halibel suddenly realized she didn't know anything about where Ermac came from, he just appeared hunted down by the very same people who were invading her land. But now she was curious and wanted to get to the bottom of that matter." Say, where are you really from?" Ermac cocked his head and his eyes shined like lanterns at her.

"I come from the very place that these invaders are coming from." he told." From Outworld."

"You are a deserter?" Ermac nodded. She knew it must be a touchy subject for him because Ermac spoke little of the events that brought him to her." Why?"

"I wish I knew." he told. She sat back expecting him to say more so when he didn't she asked another question.

"What was it like there for you? Did you have your own army?" There was a silence so long she didn't expect him to answer, but surprisingly he did.

"I was the greatest Warlord of the Emperor. Feared and Envied by all, everyone wanted to be like me." He paused a moment." But I wanted to be like everyone else, because everyone else wasn't so alone." He picked up his head and looked at her once more.

"What about family?" she asked hoping for him." Is there anyone for you back home?"

"No."

"Do you have any family?" The answer was still no but Ermac was brought back to his horrific nightmares. He couldn't place it but his gut told him the people in his dreams knew him better than anyone else. He turned back and answered Halibel.

"I'd like to find out some day, it's what keeps me going."

"It's getting late." she said after looking out the window." I thinks it's time we all got to bed." She turned back to him and their eyes met, her voice having a hint of requesting in it.

"Thank you but I don't sleep."

"Why?"

"It doesn't agree with me." he said as if it was a food he couldn't handle.

"Do you have nightmares?" The question seemed to hurt Ermac and his face scowled up under his mask. Half facing her he nodded his head. "Is that why you don't sleep?"

"Yes." he nodded his head." I see past sins I cannot atone or remember." He cocked his head and looked out the window." But out there, my origin is made clear." He turned and faced Halibel once more." In Outworld lies the secret to my past. Soon I will gather myself and head back there."

"And what will happen then?" Ermac couldn't look her in the eyes. There was no plan for him after that, no future. He assumed he would die in his battle with Onaga but would take the Dragon King with him." After you go back home?"

"I don't have a home to go back to, I've never belonged anywhere."

"You could belong here." She said. Ermac turned and faced her. Unlike everyone else in his life Halibel saw him not as a monster but as a man.

"You have been very good to me." He said. He reached out his arms and held her, hugging her close. And Halibel enjoyed the comfort. It had been a long time since any man had made her feel the way Ermac did. But that was a love very far off and very gone. But there was something here and now she could enjoy.

Halibel smiled and returned the hug to Ermac. Then Ermac laid onto his back with Halibel still in his arms. Then the two slowly fell asleep in the other's arms. And for the first time since this journey had begun Ermac slept soundly.