The moon cast its usual glow over a desolate ruin.
Laughter and playful banter could be heard, despite the mood of Hueco Mundo. It was Nel, and she was chasing Pesche and Dondochakone through the rubble.
Suddenly, a white light materialized in their midst, coalescing into a figure. They stopped in their run, their playful grins now piqued with curiosity. When the figure came into view, it was Silas.
Six years had passed since they'd last seen him—six years of peace and a sense of normalcy by Hueco Mundo's standards.
"Ichigo!" Nel stammered in disbelief. She then began to cry tears of joy, saying, "I thought we'd never see you again!"
Her fracción exchanged nervous glances. Silas remained calm, his eyes sweeping across the group. He couldn't help but notice a change in them. Nel had seemed slightly more mature while still maintaining her childish behaviour.
"Long time, no see," Silas remarked.
Halibel, who had heard Nel's game abruptly stop, emerged from the shadows. Despite the years that had passed, she hadn't once wavered in protecting Nel.
"I-Ichigo?" she questioned with a firm.
"Were you expecting someone else?"
Right then and there, they all knew this was indeed Silas. Considering that they couldn't feel his presence, they weren't sure at first. But his attitude and his graceful walk reminded them of who he was.
Nel didn't hesitate to move towards his side, asking, "Where have you been all this time, Ichigo?!"
Silas's remained as calm as ever, content that things were going according to plan. So he answered with false sincerity, "Busy, but now's the moment I can help restore things."
"Restore?" Dondochakone wondered. "This doesn't have anything to do with what I think it does, does it?!"
Halibel's eyes were now filled with curiosity. She hadn't expected Dondochakone to know more than she did. After all, both Pesche and him kept Nel's past a secret even after six years.
Silas's face remained impassive as he nonchalantly said, "A regrettable mistake that you two had no control of, but now's the time to rectify her position."
He reached into his pockets and retrieved a small device. This was the device that he had created and managed to bring with him despite having time traveled. The fracción watched with apprehension as Silas placed the device on her mask.
It erupted with pink energy, enveloping Nel in spirit particles. When the particles subsided, Nel stood there, no longer a child but a woman—her adult self!
The innocent child was no longer there; her hazelnut eyes were sharpened, and her vibrant green hair was lengthened. She now looked like a breathtaking woman, with curves accentuated by her cascading green locks. The simple green gown she had worn was now too small, only covering parts of her body.
Halibel had never seen a more beautiful Arrancar, let alone a more beautiful Hollow like her before. Not just her looks, but even her spiritual pressure had surpassed her own! When her fracción arrived, they were equally stunned.
Sharp canine teeth peeked from Nel's lips, and the scar inflicted across her face had been fully healed. This wasn't the only thing that healed. Her Hollow mask had evolved into its regal and refined visage, adorned with horns.
More importantly, she had a look of anger in her eyes. Her memories had returned!
"I... I remember everything," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "The betrayal… Nnoitra…"
From the moment she arrived in Las Noches to the cruel attack on her, all of it flooded back into her mind. Rage simmered beneath the surface, a potent mix of hurt and vengeance.
Silas observed her silently, knowing what she was thinking. Then, she turned around to look at her fracción, saying, "Dondochakone... Pesche… Thank you."
Now that Nel was at full power, it was time to propose his true objective. So he cut through the sentimental reunion, declaring, "Nel Tu, have I done thee any wrong in restoring your memories? If not, and you wish to repay me, I offer you a chance to come back to Las Noches. Not under Aizen's reign, but mine."
A collective gasp broke the tense silence. Halibel, who had been unfamiliar with Aizen's name, understood the significance of the statement. Silas was insinuating that he planned to rule over all of Hueco Mundo.
"Ichigo, what exactly do you want with Nel?" she asked.
Silas's eyes shifted to Halibel, knowing she would be interested. So he answered, "You're not aware of many things, Halibel. Las Noches is a fortress once ruled by your adversary, Barragan. But even he serves under me."
Halibel's brow furrowed further. When Nel saw this, she used that moment to explain her past, as well as who Aizen was and what Arrancars are. Her desire for vengeance against Nnoitra burned as fiercely as ever. However, she couldn't help but be intrigued by Silas's offer.
The fact that Aizen was defeated made her question a lot of things.
"So," Francheska interjected. "You want to take Nel and Halibel back to Las Noches?"
Silas nodded curtly. "Indeed. Las Noches is strictly under my control, and it requires strong leadership and capable warriors. You, Nel," he addressed her directly. "Would be welcomed back with open arms."
A flicker of conflicted emotion crossed Nel's face. It was clear that she sought justice more than returning to her former rank. Rejoining the Espada and returning to Las Noches brought back painful memories. Yet, a chance for revenge—a chance to confront Nnoitra, the very betrayal that haunted her past—was an enticing lure.
Halibel, however, remained unconvinced. So she said, "Nel may be attracted by your offer, but I have no desire to serve another king."
Silas's smile faded, a hint of coldness returning to his eyes as he said, "There are only so many chances the weak are given. How long shall you and your group dwell in these ruins until someone as powerful as Nel arrives? Do you think you'll have the power to protect everyone?"
Halibel remained silent.