Within the halls of Las Noches
A lone Arrancar who had a hammerhead shark-like mask and wore a tattered black vest and pants roamed across the open pathways of Las Noches. To a destination unknown to all but him. Yet he carried himself with purpose and a level of imitation that made all other hollows and Arrancar wary of confronting him. Eventually, he arrived within the courtyard of the Hollow God-king along with the rest of the arrancars. But unlike most daily meetings within the court. This one was a ceremonial ritual to promote chosen Números into the ranks of the Espada.
It was a rare event that happened every two to three times a decade. Usually, when an Espada was killed in action or when they were demoted and replaced with far more promising Arrancar. This ceremony features three of the hundreds of Números chosen to replace the 10th, 9th, and 8th Espada that fell in the last battle.
'Funny to see you here, Di Roy Rinker,' a gruff voice spoke to the hammerhead Arrancar. Who turned out to be Grimmjow, who was in a soured mood.
'Oh, master Grimmjow, I didn't recognize you there. Here to see the newly appointed Espada?' Di Roy asked friendly, but this only made the man's anger more direct at him.
'Oh, don't act like me or any of us has a choice in the matter,' the blue-haired Arrancar scoffed. 'It happens every time an Espada joins in the ranks. Whether it be with those high-tier assholes or low-tier trash.'
Jaegerjaquez then sneered. 'And I am sick and tired of being shown my better's and forcibly respecting those beneath me.'
Di Roy then sweet dropped in uneasiness. 'Well, I am sorry to hear that. If anything, it reminds me of how you were first introduced as an Espada and, later on, all the times you rose in the ranks.
Grimmjow frowned at Rinker. 'Don't you dare try using that nostalgia bullshit with me, idiot! My inauguration was the only ceremony that was worth coming to' he spat in annoyance and then noticed that the other Espada were gathering at their spots. 'Well, I have to get going. See you around or never, you little shit,' he said dismissively and walked away.
Di Roy then nodded as he merged with the crowd of the other arrancars to bear wittiness to the remaining Espada, standing next to King Barragan's throne. They took enormous strength that befitted their rank and was given an aspect of death that reflects their power and themselves.
7th Espada Luppi Antenor, who represented the aspect of destruction, had his arms wrapped around himself with a bored expression.
6th Espada Wonderweiss Margela, who represented the aspect of sloth, had his arms behind his head in a fit of curiosity.
5th Espada Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez, who represented the aspect of ambition. They stood on top of a pillar filled with impatience yet anticipation.
4th Espada Nnoitra Gilga, who represented the aspect of despair, hung his crescent-shaped zanpakuto over his shoulders with a bemused hint of interest.
Then there was the Espada who stood above them.
3rd Espada Ulquiorra Cifer represented the aspect of Nihilism and watched over the ritual with a stoic expression that expressed indifference to everyone and everything around him.
2nd Espada Tier Harribel, who represented the aspect of sacrifice, was a blond-haired dark-skin woman that wore a black bodysuit that showed off her cleavage and laid her uncanny mask fragments on her face bare.
And lastly, the 1st Espada Yammy Llargo represented the aspect of rage. A massive mountain of a man. They laid his chest out and bared for all to see his muscles and might. While his Ivory skin shin against the red moonlight and his black missy hair tied in a long ponytail.
Di Roy then focused his attention as he also bared witness to the barring of rank and titles to the newly appointed Arrancars within the hollow king's army.
'As you are all aware….' Barragan spoke, his voice echoing throughout the courtyard. 'Three Nummoies have arisen from their lowly station and will become an Espada. My elite swords who will wage war against my enemies and gain all the privileges and respect that come with it.'
The old king then raised his hand as dark red spiritual energy formed around it.
'When I call forth your name…step within the center of the court. So that I can encrust your rank into your flesh,' Barragan declared, and the rest of the arrancars within the crowd grew tense.
Patros…' the hollow king called, and a middle-aged man with blue combed hair, a long blue mustache, and a mask fragment covering the upper right part of his eye walked into the center of the court and bowed.
'For your accomplishments in slaying over hundreds of Quincy, Xcution agents and felling two of the shielded cities from the word of the living, I appoint you the rank of the Decima, 'Barragan announced and struck Paris's chest with a beam of his spiritual energy and on the arrancar's left pec. They were imprinting the blacked number 10 on it.
'Thank you, your majesty,' the newly appointed Espada praised and then walked next to the king.
Gigo Vega' Barragan announced once more, and then a young man with short black hair, golden eyes, and a mask fragment in the form of small horns on his head walked to the king and kneeled.
'…Over the past century, you have served me faithfully as one of my elite dragons, and you have only further proven your worth upon achieving the evolution of a Vasto lord and so with my pride and respect. I give you the rank of Novena,' he declared and imprinted the rank on Gigi's right hand.'
The promoted Arrancar then smiled.
' I am honored, your majesty,' he said and walked beside the king next to Patros.
'Laramie Roko' The king called for one last time from the crowd. A small black-haired woman wearing an elegant black dress and a mask shard covering half her face stepped out from the crowd and bowed her head before her king.
'Due to you being a modified Arrancar that was enchanted to the level of a Vasto Lorde by Cein and your unique capabilities. I give you the rank of the Octava ' Barragan proclaimed and shot the eighth marking in the center of her chest just below the neck.'
'Thank you…King Barragan' Paramie acknowledges in a soft voice and soon joins in with the other newly appointed Espada.
'Now that the ceremony is completed…we can know to discuss the primal objective, ' the hollow king announces and then casts his gaze to the 4th Espada.
'Ulquiorra…rely on the plan of our invasion of the soul society,' Barragan demanded, and the pale Arrancar bowed in agreement.
'As it should be made aware to all the people within the king's court. 'Ichigo Kurosaki…or rather a different form of Ichigo Kurosaki has appeared in the world of the living with power that revivals that of Yhwach himself,' the 4th Espada announced, which made everyone in the room, even the top Espada, look of shock. 'Which is why it has been decided by his majesty's will that an attack on the soul society must be made at once. To ride the Quincies of this threat opposes our King's ambition.'
One the Arrancar then stepped forward. Who took the appearance of an older man. Like Barragan himself yet, his hair still had a dark shade of green. Along with a bearded face, golden eyes, and a mask fragment in the form of a circlet with three orange jewels in its center.
Yet, despite his dismal nature, he radiated power that made all the hollows within the court. Aside from the Great hollow King himself. Shiver at his approach.
'Now, are you sure you are not blowing things out of proportion?' The Arrancar asked. 'Even if this kid can rival Yhwach in power. So too can his majesty. He already has plans to take down the Quincy king himself…' the man then narrowed his eye in disinterest. 'What difference would it make if he takes out another would-be god?'
Ulquiorra then remains silent to the question. But then Barragan stood up.
'We can afford to be careless …general' The hollow king spoke respectfully, and the other Arrancar then quirked an eyebrow. 'Such things like arrogance, pride…ambition…mean nothing in the face of the actual god. The only reason we have a chance at all against Yhwach…is because he foolishly lowered and weakened himself to the level of a mortal.'
Barragan then closed his eyes and grumbled. 'But this human…has yet to make that mistake, and it is unlikely he ever will…' the hollow king then opened his eyes and stared at the general. 'And I would damn myself to oblivion if I dare allow myself to be made of a fool again by underestimating an enemy.'
The general then stared at Barragan and then nodded and smiled.
'Well, if the god-king of Hueco Mundo insists on an invasion…then an invasion there will be!'
The general Arrancar shouted, and the rest of the hollows in the court cheered out in glory, and as they did the did Di Roy Rinker looked on and listened in silence...all the while playing a hidden recorder within his pocket.