Chapter 31: Mother
Hueco Mundo
After seemingly days of searching the furthest edges of the vast desert, Ichigo and his followers finally come across something of interest. In the horizon, the Vasto Lorde can see what looks like a structure of some kind.
Ichigo turns to his followers, who are currently feeding on a stray Adjucha they came across that attacked them, "Hurry up and finish eating, you two. I think I see something."
This causes Menoly to immediately raise her head from her meal, "R-really?! That's fantastic!"
Ichigo sweat drops under his mask, "Well… I wouldn't get your hopes up. It could end up being something that's not worth our time…"
At this, Loly, who had just finished devouring the Adjucha's corpse, sighs, "Yeah, he's right Menoly. It's probably nothing…"
Menoly, after having taken a better look at what Ichigo is looking at, seemingly has stars in her eyes and smiles under her mask, "Aw c'mon! You two are being spoilsports—I bet it's some kind of ancient ruin or something!"
Loly sighs, "Alright, whatever you say, sister…"
The trio use Sonido multiple times to get in closer to the object until they can fully make it out—a huge stone spire which seems to pierce the sky, the top of which is not visible to them.
Loly gawks at the sight before Menoly giggles in excitement, "See, sister? I told you it'd be something exciting!"
Loly scoffs, "Yeah, whatever…"
Ichigo stares intently at the tower for a moment, feeling a bit uneasy for some reason.
The centipede notices this, "Hey, are you alright Ichigo? You aren't going to fall asleep on us again, are you?"
The dragon hollow breaks out of his trance, shaking his head, "No… it's just… that thing gives me weird vibes for some reason… it's probably nothing though…"
"I hope…", Ichigo adds mentally.
Menoly starts to approach the tower at this, "Well, in that case, let's go take a closer look!"
The scorpion disappears with a buzz, before the dragon and centipede follow suite.
The group find themselves before a large, narrow, stone stairway, leading up to a massive doorway that could easily fit a Gillian through it if height were the only concern. The duo of Adjuchas look into the darkness within the doorway, curiosity shining in their eyes. Ichigo still can't shake this bad feeling he has.
Behind him, Loly nudges him, grabbing his attention as he looks back to regard her.
The centipede Adjucha explains, "You can go in first, right? Make sure it's all safe?"
Ichigo nods slowly before taking his first step. As soon as his foot makes contact with the first stone step, his body freezes as an eerie voice is heard in his mindscape.
Tear him apart…
…piece by piece…
…the king…
Ichigo winces, causing the two Adjuchas to back up slowly, Menoly beginning to take on a frightened voice, "W-what is it, Master Ichigo?"
The Vasto Lorde stares intently at the doorway, "I heard a voice of some kind…"
The two Adjuchas approach the stairway, placing their legs on the stairs next to him. He looks at them both questioningly.
Loly elaborates in a slightly annoyed voice, "Look, if you're trying to scare us, it's not working. We didn't hear anything!"
Ichigo argues, "But I really did—"
Menoly cuts him off, "It's alright, Master Ichigo. We can walk with you…"
The Vasto Lorde stares at the scorpion with wide eyes, which causes her to retreat slightly, "U-uh! I-I mean, if you want, that is!"
Ichigo's gaze softens as he nods his head, "Sure. I'd appreciate that. We can go together."
The trio ascends the stairs together as the dragon thinks to himself, "I really must be going insane… first my shadow, now this… yet…"
Ichigo narrows his eyes as he eyes the darkness before him intently, "I definitely still feel uneasy…"
Spire Interior, Hueco Mundo
After a while of searching, Loly groans, "Ugh! There's nothing here! Just stone slabs everywhere!"
Menoly sighs, "Loly, you need to be more patient. This place is massive—we probably haven't even gotten close to seeing it all."
Ichigo holds a bright red cero in his hand, looking around the place with interest before noting a peculiar writing on the wall, seemingly etched into the stone.
He runs his free hand across it, bringing a layer of dust with it, "Wait… there seems to be writing of some kind… but I don't recognize the language…"
The scorpion raises her voice in excitement at this, "Could we have stumbled upon the remains of an ancient civilization?!"
Ichigo narrows his eyes, the unnerving feeling only growing as he tries to read the text, "Maybe…"
Instinctually, the Vasto Lorde's mind butchers the text, "'…spire… gate of… guard…' …what is that supposed to mean?"
After ascending another flight of rounded stone stairs, the group finds themselves in a large open area—a stone room with all kinds of runes etched on the walls.
Ichigo glances up at the top of the doorway, seeing a word etched at the top, "'Rest…'?"
The Adjuchas glance questioningly at the Vasto Lorde as he takes a step through the doorway. Immediately, the runes seem to come to life—glowing a bright crimson red, the same color as Ichigo's cero. The room is lit up by this red color as nothing else further happens.
"That chill… it's gone. This place should be a good place…", Ichigo ponders before turning back to face the Adjuchas, "Alright, we'll rest here!"
Loly huffs, "I see… so you are going to sleep, after all!"
The Vasto Lorde shrugs, before taking a seat on a nearby stone slab, "Well yeah, that's how I've been learning about my past. I'd like to continue finding out who I really am, if it's all the same to you two…"
Menoly nods with vigor, "That's no issue for us, Master Ichigo! I hope your dreams are pleasant!"
Loly scoffs, looking away, "Yeah, whatever… just try not to talk too much this time."
The dragon hollow chuckles as he leans back, "Sure, but no promises."
Soon after the Vasto Lorde shuts his eyes, his consciousness slips away.
Ichigo's Dream
Darkness. That is all that can be seen all around the little boy with short orange hair.
The boy cries out desperately, afraid of the dark, "Mommy! Mommy, where are you?!"
At first, the boy's cries are met by silence. The lad further calls out for his mother but stops as a light appears before him. The boy narrows his brown eyes briefly before the darkness is lit up by a light, a hand delicately reaching out from it.
The boy takes the hand with his own, causing the remainder of the figure to light up, bleaching the dark world in a comforting light. The boy grasps the soft, loving hand with affection, as he stares up at a smiling woman with long, wavy dirty blonde hair and loving brown eyes, the same color as his own.
The boy promptly wipes his tears before giving the woman a smile of his own. The woman chuckles as the boy clutches onto her form.
The woman pats the boy's head affectionately, "Why were you crying, Ichigo?"
The boy looks back up at the woman, "It was all dark and lonely! I was afraid you were gone, mommy!"
That's right… I loved my mother. I never saw her cry or get mad. Not even once.
The boy's mother softens her gaze, "I'm not going anywhere, Ichigo…"
Parents' moods have a big effect on their kids. I think she knew that.
The boy scowls briefly, prompting his mother to raise a concerned brow, "What wrong?"
Whatever happened to me, if I was with her, I knew I'd be okay.
The orange-haired boy shakes his head before giving his mother a determined look, "Hold my hand, mommy! I'll protect you!"
I wanted to protect my mother, who always protected me.
The woman widens her eyes briefly before she gives her son a loving smile, "Oh my… what a brave boy you are!"
The woman breaks off the embrace before offering the boy her hand. Ichigo can't help but marvel in his mother's radiance as she gives him her signature, loving smile.
The boy snaps himself out of it before taking his mother's hand, beginning to walk alongside her.
The surroundings become clear to the boy as they walk—a sidewalk along a guard rail, which separates the path from a grassy hill that slopes down to meet a river. The boy can't help but notice it is raining as well, the air being rather humid and heavy to breathe. Ichigo glances at his clothes, noticing that he is dawned in a drenched yellow rain jacket and black pants. His mother is perfectly untouched by the rain, wearing a pink long-sleeved shirt and long dark blue dress. Ichigo glances up further, noting the umbrella that shields the woman from the rain as he looks at her seemingly dry hair worn in a ponytail.
The woman notices the boy's look, before giving him yet another loving smile. Ichigo returns the smile before continuing to follow his mother's lead, still holding her hand.
The boy's smile remains for a few more minutes as he simply takes in all the love he is experiencing, being with his mother. The boy has decided that he wants moments like these, with his mother, to last forever. However, fate is both fickle and cruel.
Ichigo notices a young girl around his age standing a distance away, in front of the river.
The boy lets go of his mother's hand as he climbs over the guard rail, drawing a questioning look from his mother.
At first, I wanted to protect my mother.
"Wait here mommy.", the boy declares as he sprints down the hill after the girl.
Then my sisters were born. That's why I started training at the Dojo. And as I gradually grew stronger…
The boy reaches his hand out towards the girl in front of him.
I wanted to protect more people.
Ichigo cannot hear the cries of his mother, telling him to stop, as his hand almost grazes the girl. Everything suddenly returns to darkness once more.
The boy gradually opens his eyes, the rain still pelting his skin lightly. He feels a weight on his body, causing him to look down to inspect. What he finds makes him gasp involuntarily—the limp form of his mother lying on top on him, with her arms wrapped around his torso as if in an effort to protect him. The boy's eyes widen as he sees blood flow freely from her back, smearing his hands as he holds her limp body.
"Mommy…", the boy lets out to no avail.
I didn't see what cut her… it could've been anything. Regardless, it was clear that she died trying to protect me. And… the girl was gone.
Ichigo slides out from underneath his mother, looking at her in complete shock.
The boy suddenly snaps out of it as he begins to shake his mother's body desperately, "Mommy! Wake up, mommy!"
I loved my mother… but so did they. The rest of the family. Dad and my sisters. Mother was the heart of our universe and I…
Suddenly, a clawed foot slams on the ground behind Ichigo, causing him to look back at the new arrival in fear.
Ichigo winces in shock at the sight of a humanoid looking being wearing a white mask with two forward facing horns and black tribal tattoos that run down each side of its face and neck. The boy's shaky gaze regards the creature further, noticing that its skin is a ghostly white and that it has a hole in the middle of its chest. The boy can't help but note the long orange hair, the same color as his own, that comes out from behind the creature's mask. Ichigo looks into the creature's eyes to find nothing but darkness, as if all life had been robbed from them.
The creature walks over causing the boy to shield his mother's form; however, it does nothing as the creature phases through him as if he wasn't even there.
The creature's right clawed hand suddenly converts into a pitch-black blade with ridges on the blunt edge. The boy calls out for the creature to stop, but it is to no avail. Before Ichigo can realize what has happened, the creature runs his blade into the woman's chest. The creature hoists the limp form of the woman up to eye level before using its left clawed hand to puncture the woman's chest again.
Ichigo watches in horror, too stunned to say anything as tears of dread run down his shock-filled eyes.
The creature then rips out the woman's heart, which spews blood freely, before discarding the body, which falls limp next to Ichigo. The boy's eyes follow to see his mother, now with a hole in her chest like the creature before him, lying irrefutably dead.
Ichigo feels many things at this moment, but rage is the driving emotion, as he turns a tear-filled gaze of hatred to the creature in front of him, "I-I'll make you pay—"
The boy cuts himself off as the mask on the creature is no longer there, revealing an emotionless pale face with cold brown eyes.
Ichigo's eyes widen in terror as his body is no longer that of the child, but the same as the beast in front of him, "N-no, I—!"
…I ripped that heart out of our universe.
Ichigo roars in anguish at this realization. The boy turned hollow stumbles to his knees, crying hysterically in agony as the shouts are not the usual roars of bloodlust associated with his hollow form, but more of a primordial cry, as if all of the souls that make up his being are crying out in despair.
Spire Interior, Hueco Mundo
Ichigo wakes up screaming, flailing about like a madman. Loly has wrapped her body around the Vasto Lorde in hopes of constraining him, as Menoly uses her claws to do the same. It is to very little effect, however, as Ichigo simply flares up his reiatsu, sending the two crashing into a nearby stone wall.
Menoly recovers first, "Please, Master Ichigo, calm down! It's only a dream!"
Upon hearing his companion's voice, the Vasto Lorde calms his roars gradually before he lets out a defeated sigh, "No… no, it wasn't… those were memories…"
Loly gets up now, hissing, "What kind of memories make someone go berserk like that?!"
Menoly growls in disapproval of her sister, "Loly! You know Master Ichigo has told us his memories from before are fuzzy! We don't fully know what kind of life he led, and neither does he."
The centipede scoffs, turning her head away as the scorpion regards Ichigo carefully, "You don't need to tell us about these memories if it's too personal…"
Ichigo, still consumed by his thoughts, replies without even looking at them, "Thanks…"
Menoly gives the Vasto Lorde a look of concern through her eyes while her sister glares at the hollow in question.
After a moment, Ichigo returns Loly's stare, promptly asking, "What?"
Loly scoffs, "We're a part of your pack, idiot, so you'd better tell us about your issues eventually. I shouldn't have to tell you this, but the worst thing a hollow can do is bottle up their feelings…"
Ichigo's yellow eyes widen slightly before he gives out a subdued chuckle, "You're right… Since when have you become so wise?"
Loly looks away, "Well, it's probably from travelling with a geek like you!"
The Vasto Lorde regards his companion with an appreciative look, "In any case, I appreciate the concern, but please, don't worry about me…"
The centipede and scorpion give a look of slight concern to the Vasto Lorde as he begins to walk to the exit.
"You two stay here… I'm going to clear my head…", Ichigo states as he leaves the room.
Ichigo continues to ascend the stairs as the chill has returned to him. He lights up another cero, inspecting the walls casually. The hollow stops, suddenly, bending over while placing a hand on his mouth, as if he's going to hurl, "I killed my mother… I don't deserve to be alive right now…"
His thoughts then shift to the two Adjucha sisters, suddenly recomposing himself, "No… I-I have to keep it together right now…"
Ichigo continues to ascend the stairs, his thoughts still consumed by thoughts of his mother.
After a while of ascending, the Vasto Lorde stumbles upon another open room, this time seeming to be a tomb of some kind. Ichigo slowly and cautiously approaches the edge of the room, finding an odd, jade-green tile amongst the stone ones. Ichigo wipes off soot with his white clawed hand, revealing what appears to be some kind of mural.
Ichigo's eyes narrow before he reads what is marked on it, "'In memory of Arturo Plateado…', huh? Is this that person's tomb?"
"Correct, young hollow."
Ichigo's entire body shakes as his eyes widen in dread before he immediately turns around to regard a hooded, cloaked figure.
The voice, which comes out as ghastly and with an echo, as if to suggest something divine or unnatural about them, continues, "I see you can read the ancient texts… that means you have power, like I do… his blood runs through your veins."
Ichigo remains silent, narrowing his black sclera yellow eyes, "I CAN'T SENSE THEM! They're right in front of me, yet I feel no reiatsu at all!"
The figure seems to tilt their head slightly, "Indeed… from what I have seen, you are very much like he was."
The Vasto Lorde tilts his head in confusion, "Who? Arturo?"
The figure is silent for a moment before shaking their hooded head, "No. Arturo never had the makings of a king, but you…"
The voice trails off, not continuing the thought.
Ichigo sighs at this, "Look, if you mean that I'm like Barragan then—"
The Vasto Lorde's eyes widen as he cuts himself off, "They'd be right…"
Ichigo glances at the ground in self-deprecation.
The figure seems to shift their head in curiosity at this, before shaking their head again, "No… you are different that Barragan. You have shown genuine care for your followers, as well as your enemies…"
Ichigo snaps at the figure, "Don't act like you know me! Who are you anyway?!"
The figure is silent for another long moment before answering, "My identity is irrelevant, as I am merely a wraith that has been looking over this spire since the dawn of creation."
The orange-haired hollow gasps, "Then that means you're even older than Barragan!"
The figure nods, "Correct. I have seen countless powerful hollows like him come and go—either by being devoured by another, or by their ambition… although Barragan has been around for the longest. As you know, his Respira is not to be taken lightly."
Ichigo narrows his eyes, "You talk like you know what's happening all over Hueco Mundo… How can you possibly know that?"
The figure shifts, "At the top of this tower, there is a way for beings with his blood to observe the world. Not only have I looked over the tower, but Hueco Mundo itself. However, I am unable to observe what occurs in the palace of Las Noches."
The Vasto Lorde stares quietly at the figure, taking in their words.
The figure then asserts, "If you do, in fact, wish to change the way this desert works, then you must be willing to compromise. Barragan must die—he is far too stubborn to change now. I should know, those of us who are accustomed to our old ways and wish to preserve the natural order are unwilling to compromise or change. It will take a Wind of Chaos to sweep across these sands to usher in change… I wonder if you will become that wind…"
Ichigo looks away from the figure for a moment, contemplating something, before turning to regard the figure, "But I'm no—"
The Vasto Lorde stops, as the figure is no longer there.
Ichigo stares at the ground dejectedly, "…I'm no better than Barragan…"
Spire Exterior, Hueco Mundo
Ggio gawks at the sight of the tower before him, "Lord Barragan never told us about this! What is this place?! Szayelaporro! Respond!"
There is no answer.
The Adjucha attempts to reach out to Szayel repeatedly for a while, before he is quiet, "Don't tell me… they've abandoned me?"
The tiger shakes his head before approaching the stairs, "Well, White went in there, so I'd better follow—"
A furious, shrill primordial screech comes from the interior of the tower, causing Ggio to flinch, stopping immediately in his tracks.
In the following moment, a small, hooded figure stands in the doorway, "I thought I made it clear that Barragan was forbidden from laying his grubby hands on this side of the rift! State your business, Adjucha!"
The voice is authoritative, with a godly echo that demands fear and respect. Ggio's instincts are screaming at him to leave, but after a moment, he realizes he doesn't sense any reiatsu from this individual.
The tiger roars, "That's LORD Barragan to you, weakling! Know you're place!"
The figure is silent before letting out a scoff, "My mistake… but you've got one thing wrong, young, ignorant Adjucha."
Ggio snaps, "Oh, and what's that?"
Faster than he can process the figure appears before him, drawing a samurai sword from underneath their cloak and promptly slicing the Adjucha's left arm off. All Ggio sees, however, is the figure moving the sword back under their cloak—sheathing it.
Ggio doesn't even feel the pain until after the sword is fully sheathed, blood spraying out of his left shoulder, "Ahh!"
The tiger falls to his knees as the voice demands, "Now… why have you come?"
The Adjucha shakes now feeling a sickly chill down his back, beginning to understand that this being in front of him may operate on another plane of existence.
Ggio sputters, fearfully, "I-I wished to pursue White, who found his way into this tower…"
The figure nods, not leaving the steps of the tower, as if their being were tied to it, "I knew that… but that's not all there is to it. This is no longer for Barragan's sake, young Adjucha, but yours…"
Ggio's eyes widen as the figure raises their hand out of their cloak—a tanned human hand, as the tiger's left arm is suddenly rejoined to his body by some red flames which exude a sense of sorcery. The Adjucha winces slightly as the arm is burnt along the cut—cauterizing it. After a moment, Ggio attempts to fully move his arm, finding it to be back to normal.
The figure begins to walk into the tower, back turned on the Adjucha, "Turn back if you are truly still loyal to Barragan, young Adjucha. But…"
The figure turns around once at the top of the stairs, fully facing Ggio, "I urge you to ask yourself if Barragan is really the type of King you wish to follow… do you want things to change in Hueco Mundo, or will you resign yourself to a life of bloodshed and loneliness? Choose wisely, Adjucha…"
Ggio looks to the ground, saying nothing as the figure returns into the darkness of the tower.
Elsewhere in Hueco Mundo
Sora wakes up from a long dream, stretching his body along the patch of rocks he lies on.
The serpent Adjucha hears a voice call to him from his right, finding a familiar deer Adjucha, "It's about time you got your ass up… we thought you'd sleep forever!"
The serpent rises from its position, rubbing the back of its neck, "Sorry… I only meant to rest my eyes, but it turned out I was dreaming…"
The deer huffs, before resting in the sand, "It's fine… it's not like we have anywhere to be…"
Sora looks over his surroundings, briefly eyeing the snake and lion Adjuchas who lay near Apacci. The serpent can tell they are all in a cave. The ground is sand, of course, however, some rocks have been moved to create something akin to furniture.
On one such rock sits a white shark-like Vasto Lorde, who eyes Sora curiously with deep green eyes.
The serpent rubs his head as he meets the smaller hollow's gaze, "Uh… did I say anything while I was asleep?"
Halibel closes her eyes, giving a simple response, "You did… but it sounded pretty personal, so I won't pry you for answers…"
Sora nods, "I appreciate that…"
The serpent then squints in mild annoyance, "I wasn't aware I could dream… What was I dreaming about anyway? I think…?"
The serpent gives a brief look to where he was sitting, his eyes widening, "I remember! Those weren't my memories… Halibel told me, as far as Menos Hollows go, usually only Vasto Lordes gain clear visions of their past they didn't have before… who was that 'Ichigo'? I only know of one… Ichigo Kurosaki…? No, it couldn't be—"
Halibel continues to observe the serpent across the room, taking note of his worried shifting.
Suddenly, an idea pops into her head as she regards Sora, "You still haven't told us much about your sister…"
Sora turns towards Halibel questioningly, "Are you sure you want to know?"
The shark nods, "Yes. Your mood seems to get better whenever you refer to her… I want to know why, if that's alright."
The serpent shifts before he explains, "No, I don't mind. Where to begin?"
Sora places a hand on the chin of his mask before his eyes seem to glow somewhat, perhaps out of love, "Well, I practically raised Orihime after we ran away from our dirtbag, good-for-nothing parents. After I died, it devastated her. Although, she never forgot about me and prayed for me daily, which made me very happy. One day, she met a boy in high school, and she stopped praying. It made me very lonely and bitter… eventually, a group of minor hollows took advantage of this and kidnapped me, spurring my transformation into a hollow—into Acidwire."
Sora seems to spit that last part in contempt as the four female hollows look at him with pity.
Sun-Sun gasps, "Oh no, that's horrible! Why would they ever do that to you?"
Mila Rose cuts in, "Yeah… I thought Minor Hollows only ever fed on the wholes… why would they pass up the chance to eat you…?"
Sora shudders in a cold rage, "The hollows occupying the Menos Forest were nothing but filth! Nothing surprises me about them anymore. Out of the thousands of hollows I devoured down there, only two were worth sparing…"
Halibel eyes the serpent curiously, "I know you met White down there, but I was under the impression that he spared you, not the other way around… who were the other two?"
The serpent sighs, "A kid and a hollow more massive than any Gillian… they were together. I'm pretty sure the kid is a Vasto Lorde, although nowhere near as powerful as you are…"
Apacci snorts, "Yeah, right. A Vasto Lorde down there? No way!"
Sora shrugs, "Well in any case, they seemed to be good allies, so I befriended them. They agreed to watch over the forest while I'm up here…"
The blonde shark eyes Sora intently for a moment, before asking, "Well, is there any more you could tell us about your sister? I'm interested in hearing how you went about raising her by yourself…"
The three female Adjuchas stare questioningly at Halibel, confused as to why she would be interested in such a thing.
Sora tilts his head briefly before nodding, turning to a much more friendly tone, "Well sure, I can. But keep in mind it will be kind of fuzzy, as I haven't retained all of my memories."
Halibel replies in her usual stern voice, but this time with a bit of anticipation in her tone, "That's fine."
Sora then begins to explain, "Let's see… first of all there was…"
Halibel's eyes seem to widen slightly in interest as the Adjucha goes about explaining his parenting experience, while the others sit behind the Vasto Lorde with interest, albeit less interest, as they can tell this is going to be a long conversation.
Author's Note:
I got "Relic Castle Theme" from Pokemon stuck in my head when writing the scenes about the tower. Desert ruins always bring that song to mind for me (can't help it, it's my childhood).
Also, to clarify, Aizen does not know about this tower or the wraith residing in it, but Barragan does.
Anyway, Halibel's 'Sacrifice' comes from her dying at childbirth, so I thought it would make sense for her to show interest in raising a child, as she never had the opportunity to in life (at least I assume that was the case and she didn't adopt/have any prior children).
The next chapter will touch on some characters that haven't been present for a hot minute, as well as continuing Ichigo's subplot at the tower.
