Gontainbine walked into Ermac's room the next morning. He seemed frantic, quickly rushing through the door and into the room. But he jolted in shock at the sight he saw.
There was Ermac his friend laying on his back and wrapped up in his arms was his master Halibel. The Privaron looked the sight over strangely taking a step closer and leaning in to investigate.
But he must have gotten to close and breathed on Ermac because the second he hovered over him Ermac shot his arm out and grabbed Gontainbine by his color. The former Espada shook in fright as Ermac slowly picked up his head.
Upon realizing it was Gontainbine standing there his grip softened.
"I was having a dream." Ermac spoke in a quiet voice. He turned his head over and saw Halibel still with him." A very good dream."
"I did not mean to disturb you." Said Gontainbine. Ermac took his hand away and rested it down at his side, propping himself up." But something has come up."
"What is it?" asked Ermac.
"We've detected another intruder. I was coming to get you to let you know, but since Master Halibel is here as well I should inform her too." He moved his hand forward to shake her awake but was stopped when Ermac put his hand out.
"No." he said in a quiet but commanding voice." Let her rest, I shall deal with this myself." Gontainbine nodded respecting Ermac's wishes. He took a step back and prepared to lead the way.
Ermac slowly sat himself up, taking Halibel's arms off him and gently placing them down. She was asleep the whole time. Once he concluded she would not wake he turned and followed The Privaron.
Gontainbine led him to the meeting hall where the other arrancars were, and it wasn't a pretty sight. As the two men pushed past the Tres Bestias they found Loly laid out on her back with deep, bloody gashes all over her body.
"What happened?" asked Ermac in surprise. Loly couldn't talk due to losing so much blood so it was Menolly who did the telling.
"We were doing a routine patrol." She began." There was nothing out of the ordinary at first but then we saw it."
"Saw what?" asked Ermac.
"A large flash of light." She continued." It shined in the sky and the next we knew there was a large monster before us?"
"A monster?" questioned Ermac having a good guess at who it was. He took a step forward and hovered over Menolly." What did it look like?"
"He had two horns atop his head." She told." Scaly skin, two great wings on his back." Ermac shuttered at each word." And his eyes burned like fire."
Gontainbine noticed the distress on Ermac's face and stepped up.
"Ermac are you alright?" But he did not answer, only continued to look petrified. This frightened the arrnacars for they had never seen Ermac lose his cool like this.
"What'll we do?" asked Menolly to the Tres Bestias.
"We've got to find Master Halibel." Said Sung-Sun. "She'll know what to do."
"Halibel is asleep." Told Gontainbine." Let her rest."
"No." said Apacci." At a time like this we need her here." She turned to leave but was stopped by the Privaron.
"I can't let you wake her." He told." Ermac's orders."
"He does not give the orders here." Said Apacci." We need to wake master Halibel and-"
"No!" said Ermac snapping at her." You'll do no such thing." His sudden reaction startled all those around and Ermac fell back into silence.
"Well." Spoke up Mila Rose ending the silence." What'll we do?" Ermac raised his head.
"You all." He said." Will do nothing." He turned around and looked at each of them."This is my fight." Then he turned on his heel and headed back to his room, while the arrancars looked at each other confused.
Ermac hurried back to his room, opening the door furiously and began looking around. Then he found what he was looking for, his sword propped up against the wall. Ermac hurried over to retrieve it but then stopped and slowly turned his head over. He realized he'd just barged into the room without any consciousness that Halibel might awake. Luckily she was still asleep. Ermac then grabbed his sword and put it across his back before slowly exiting the room and closing the door behind him.
But then he turned around and found Mila Rose, Apacci, and Sung-Sun standing there.
"Where are you going?" asked Apacci.
"To fight the last of my enemies." He said. He side-stepped between Mila Rose and Apacci continuing on his way. The three watched him go confused but then hurried after him.
"You're going alone?" asked Apacci.
"Yes." He nodded.
"But you can't, you might get killed." Added Sung-Sun.
"It is possible."
"Let me come with you." Said Gontainbine appearing behind them.
"No." said Ermac in a stern voice silencing them. He took a deep breath." This is the last of my trials."
"Will you come back?" asked Apacci." Once it's all over?" Ermac turned and looked her in the eyes but could not bear to tell her the truth inside his heart.
" Thank you." He said picking his head up." All of you." He added looking at them all." You've helped give me something I never had back home." He was silent for a moment." Please tell Halibel I said goodbye." Before anyone could say anymore he turned to leave but he found his way blocked by Grimmjow.
Ermac gave him a nodded greeting.
"You leaving?" asked Grimmjow giving him a sideways look.
"Yes." He responded quickly.
"Will you be back?" Ermac did not answer, and he didn't have to because Grimmjow spoke up before he could." Will in case you don't." He held out his hand." It's been a real pleasure." Ermac moved his hand forward to shake the sixth espada's hand but when he did Grimmjow pulled his hand back and chuckled, a last act of defiance against him.
Ermac picked up his head and glared at Grimmjow who smirked back. Remembering his original mission he pushed past Grimmjow and headed out the door. Grimmjow had a confident smile on his face as he watched him go while the rest held their heads with sadness.
Ermac set out once again, finding his way out in the dessert of Hueco Muendo.
Before long Ermac came across a giant figure. Knowing it could be no one else Ermac rushed out from where he was sitting and upon his enemy.
His feet landed firmly on the ground getting the attention of his enemy, as he saw two pointe dears stick up. Slowly he turned around to face Ermac and the two had finally seen each other for the first time since all this began.
"Ermac." He said in dark voice.
"Onaga." He replied in the same tone. Ermac began pacing back and forth before his former master but the Dragon King stood in his spot never moving.
"So you've come out of hiding then?"
"I was never hiding. I waged my war on you, which has brought me here now."
"And yet you still know nothing! Your quest has earned you no rewards, only the bloodshed of others." Ermac had no reply because he knew Onaga was correct. He could only stare back in disgust at Onaga and think of all the blood both friend and foe he had shed." Your quest is nothing but destruction, even on those whom took you in." Ermac glared him a murderous glare." Oh yes, do you think the eyes of the dragon king are blind! I know of your escapades in this foreign land. But it could not shield you from my sight forever." Onaga stopped as his great wings came off his shoulders and rose to their full height." What did you think Ermac? Did you think you could escape me? That if you left your life you could rebuild it somewhere else? Look at you, your built to destroy, you cannot belong anywhere!" Ermac said nothing, he could say nothing. Onaga was right. He didn't belong anywhere. Where ever he went he brought nothing but death." I knew this of course. I took pity on you Ermac." Onaga continued." Took pity on your poor lost soul. I thought I could make you great, greater than you'd ever been. And this is how you repay my kindness?"
"I owe you nothing but HATE! You will answer for your crimes Onaga and I will see it done!"
"No Ermac!" he shot back." It is you who will answer for your crimes. Your crimes against me and my judgment is DEATH!" His great wings flew off his back extending out from his shoulders. Ermac grimaced and narrowed his eyes at him."You will suffer Ermac, and after your cries of mercy have fulfilled me I will be a merciful god and grant you your release but that will only be the beginning of your suffering. Then I shall rebuild my empire that you have dented so, and I will start by conquering your precious Hueco Muendo."
And with that a fire lit inside Ermac and he lunged forward and attacked the Dragon King. He drew his sword and swung it at him only for the Emperor to grab onto the sword before it could cut him. The two struggled against the other, Onaga's eyes burning red and Ermac's green. Onaga tilted his head down and roared at Ermac while he just grunted in response.
Meanwhile back at Las Noches. Halibel had woken up from her sleep and realized something, nobody was there next to her. He jolted out of her sleep to find out where Ermac had gone too. But when she looked around the room she couldn't find him.
So she quickly got up and began the search throughout the palace. Then all at once she came upon Menolly, Gontainbine, and the Tres Bestias.
"Have any of you seen Ermac?" she asked. The group slowly turned and faced her. The stood around awkwardly at first, none making eye contact nor an attempt to answer her. But then Apacci pushed Gontainbine forward forcing Halibel to look at him.
"He's gone Master Halibel." He told. The third Espada's eyes burst open in shock." And he says goodbye."
Meanwhile with Onaga vs. Ermac. The battle was going ill for Ermac who time and time again as he rushed The Dragon King was sent back down onto the ground. With another wasted attack Onaga swatted him back onto the ground with his wing.
Ermac slammed down onto the ground but was determined to keep fighting. He propped one arm up and then the other. Holding his sword weakly in his hand he struggled to get up onto his knees. Onaga turned to him and watched on.
"Yes." Hissed Onaga in an amused voice." Struggle, continue the fight. Think that your fighting will actually amount to something." With a last push of energy Ermac managed to get to his feet. He raised his sword and pointed it as his enemy, although Onaga was not intimidated.
Ermac all at once fell over with the last of his strength leaving his body.
"What a shame." Said Onaga as he took a step forward." What a disappointment." He took another step and stood over Ermac. Then he reached down and grabbed him by the shoulders, holding him up." I was hoping you'd put up more of a fight." Ermac quickly nodded his head forward and spat blood onto Onaga's face.
The Dragon King grimaced and tightened his grip on Ermac, causing him to squirm.
"Tonight you sleep in hell." Then Onaga grabbed Ermac's head and held him up. Then he opened his mouth and prepared to light him on fire. But just as he was about to do so to Ermac, the Dragon King was hit with a blast.
It stunned him and he froze in his position. His back was charred and covered in soot. The Dragon King slowly turned around to see a woman standing there. He looked at her confused while Ermac look on in horror.
"Halibel." He whispered.
"Who are you?" asked Onaga.
"I am Tia Halibel." She said in a commanding voice." This is my land and that man-" She pointed to Ermac." Is under my protection."
"This thing?" questioned Onaga in a mocking tone while he held Ermac's head in one hand." This thing is under my rule, I will do with it as I please!"
"Not here you won't." She said drawing her sword." And not in front of me." Onaga gave a low growl. Then in one swift motion he tossed Ermac aside and strode towards Halibel. He lunged forward and swing his arm at her but Halibel ducked down under his arm, brought up her sword and cut him across his arm.
Onaga let out a low roar as he continued moving forward but held the bleeding spot of his arm. Then he turned back to Halibel. Whom had turned around and slid back in the sand, standing in a defensive position before Ermac.
"Halibel." Said Ermac from behind her." Get out of here while you still can." She turned her head back and looked at him.
"You saved my life once." She told." I owe this to you."
"But-"
"Stay down." She interrupted." This will be over soon and then we can go home." Then without another word from Ermac she lunged forward to the Dragon King.
"No." grumbled Ermac." You don't know what you are getting into."
Halibel lunged forward and swung her sword at Onaga who jumped out of the way avoiding it. Then Onaga put both his hands together and swung it down at Halibel. But she jumped out of the way causing the Emperor to hit nothing more than sand.
She jumped back a short distance away but Onaga lunged forward and throughout a kick, only for Halibel to duck down under his leg. Then when she came up she swung her sword and a cero came blasting out of it.
The blast hit Onaga dead on, covering him in cloud and smoke. Halibel stood by, thinking the battle was over.
But then Onaga's hand sprung out of the smoke and grabbed her by the throat." I GROW TIRED OF THIS!" he yelled. Then with Halibel before him he opened his mouth and prepared to blast her with fire. Ermac could do nothing more than watch in distress but Halibel was calm about the whole thing.
Ermac watched her and he knew what she would do. Like Gontainbine before her she would do doubt release and show her true power. But when the Dragon King came at her she did nothing she took his attack head on.
He slashed his sharp claws at her only for her to block with her sword. He moved forward swinging once more clashing against her blade. Each time he advanced she moved back, his sheer size and power overwhelming her.
"Halibel!" Ermac called. "What are you doing?! Release your sword!" Onaga raised his arm and prepared for another strike but this time Halibel attacked. She ran her own finger across the sword to cut it and then held her palm out towards the Dragon King. And the object that appeared in her hand was much like the cero only much more powerful.
The light itself was blinding and power alone was enough to shake the earth. And when Halibel fired it point blank it sent the Emperor of Outworld flying back with a large trench forced into the ground from the magnitude of the attack.
"That was a Gran Rey Cero." Halibel told over her shoulder to Ermac." The most powerful of all the Cero. However it's sheer power is so great it could destroy the fortress of Hueco Muendo making it forbidden to use here. The other forbidden law is that Espada of number four and higher cannot release in Hueco Muendo or else they might destroy the entire realhm."
"What? So that means you can't fight at full power?"
"Sadly no." She turned back and looked in the direction of the Dragon King. The Cero had managed to damage him as an attack of that magnitude should. He stood on one knee trying to support himself." But I don't think it will matter."
The Dragon King had been hurt. And it had been a long time before someone had managed to do that.
"Your power is mighty witch." He said rising to his feet." But it will aid you little. For my power is the greatest in the universe." Halibel raised her sword.
"We'll see." She said. Then she slowly raised her sword and in one motion swung it down. And another cero shot from her sword this time in a larger arc than any other before.
But the Dragon King was swift and with a flap of his wings dodged the attack as he took to the sky. But then when he hit the ground again Halibel lunged at him and swung her sword. But Onaga put up his hands and caught the sword.
The two stood there and struggled against each other, Onaga with both hands on her sword. Then with his superior size Onaga helped him and he tossed Halibel into the air.
She flew but managed to right herself. Then she swung her sword and her finger traced with blood mixed with the cero to create another Gran Ray Cero for Onaga. But the Dragon King took to the air and the cero headed for the ground where Ermac was laying.
At that last minute Halibel shunpoed herself down to take the blast instead of Ermac.
"Halibel." He said as she stood over him. Her back had been burned by the attack and she seemed to stand less easily than before. And because she did that she was left open to Onaga's attack.
The Dragon King flew over and tackled her in midair. Then he flew down and slammed her onto the ground. Ermac struggled to move as he tried to serve the battle, thinking Halibel needed his help now he was ready to jump in.
Onaga stood over the third Espada. But when he stood up fully Halbiel shot up and hit Onaga in his chest with her sword stabbing him right in the sternum. He let out a fierce roar as he reached out and ripped the blade from his skin with one hand while he knocked Halibel back with the other.
Onaga continue his attack, lunging forward and punching Halibel in the face and then the stomach. He shot forward one of his wings and it scratched Halibe across the shoulder, drawing blood. And with one last great punch sent her to the ground. And his entire first was enough to cover her whole torso. And when she did the ground it caused a 6.0 magnitude Earthquake.
"No!" shouted Ermac getting his attention. And for whatever reason that caught The Emperor's attention. He froze in his spot and slowly turned to look at Ermac. He looked at Ermac who was looking over at Halibel. The Dragon King observed how the two looked at each other with watery, big concerning eyes.
"Haha." He began laughing aloud." How quant. It appears you've made a friend Ermac." He turned away from him and began walking over to Halibel.
"No." grunted Ermac." Don't touch her Onaga!" he warned.
"Let's see if we can get acquainted." Onaga said as he stood over Halibel. He reached down with one hand and grabbed her by her hair, she let out a soft moan as he hoisted her to her knees. Ermac grunted his anger the whole time.
Onaga sat Halibel up, holding her chin in one of his hands. It was so large it nearly covered all her face. He propped her up and made her look at Ermac.
"Look at her Ermac." He said in twisted voice." She's looking at you, looking for help." Halibel made soft groans of discomfort under Onaga's hand, her eyes shining over at Ermac." Come on Ermac, help her." Ermac put one arm out forward and grip the sand and began pulling himself closer to them. Onaga let out a dark laugh as he watched him struggled while Halibel squirmed in his grip." He's trying to save you." Said Onaga. He poked his tongue out if his mouth and began licking the side of Halibel's face.
Ermac picked his head up and looked at them now. Halibel's face was full of fear and distress while Onaga's was of evil and rage.
"Let her go Onaga." Ermac pleaded." It's me you want, take me!"
Onaga put his face close to Halibel's and continued speaking in her ear." But he'll never make it."
"NO!" yelled Ermac. Then with one sudden stroke Onaga put his other hand on Halibel's head, stood up and with a swift motion moved his hands in opposite directions. A loud crack echoed all around the quite land and Halibel's body fell limp to the ground." No, No, No!" Ermac continued to yell as he crawled towards Halibel's body.
Onaga left her side and stood by while Ermac struggled to crawl to her. Then after he was satisfied with seeing Ermac failing at that, he walked over and kicked him in the side.
Ermac let out a loud wheezing sound and cough several times while Onaga circled around him.
"You brought that upon her Ermac." He said." That was your fault." Ermac slowly turned his head up and looked at Onaga's smiling face.
The Dragon King lifted up his hand and Ermac began to levitate in the air towards him. Onaga reared his head back and puffed out his chest as he breathed in all the air he could. Then when he jolted forward he opened his mouth to breath fire upon his enemy. Ermac did his best not to cry out, to hold himself against the pain as his skin blackened and charred. Onaga raised his hand once more and Ermac was lifted higher into the air, nearly one hundred feet before Onaga let swung his hand down to bring the fiery crater to the ground. Ermac never let out a sound not even a groan as he crashed into the sand.
Onaga watched as he lay there, not even flinching. Ermac was dead and the Dragon King stood as the lone survivor of the battle.
Feeling his work finally done Onaga let out a maniacal laugh as he walked away. He felt in his pocket for the medallion and once he held it up a portal opened. He stepped through it to arrive back in Outworld. But Onaga's overconfidence in his own power and his arrogance had betrayed him. He should have done a more in-depth job.
Because Ermac was in fact not dead. He awoke several minutes after Onaga had left. And although he had a pain in his head and he didn't know where Onaga was there was one thing on his mind at that moment, Halibel.
He turned his head over to see her lying there, lifeless. Ermac frantically hurried to his feet and hurried over to her. He quickly scooped her up and held her in his arms.
"Halibel! Halibe!" he yelled as he shook her. But her body did not react and she stayed lifeless in his arms." No! No! No!" He cried out in disbelief. The only person in the world who saw the man within him was dead, and it was all his fault. He held her close and continued to cry in the middle of the dessert." No." He moaned softly as he held her close to him.