Me and Cirucci have made a killing hunting through Menos Forrest. I could feel that I was quickly reaching the brink of evolving once again.

Cirucci was actually quite nice once you got to know her. Did she take pleasure in other people's suffering? Yes yes she did but despite healing from her injuries long ago she had continued to stick around me and we often shared meals together.

She made a surprisingly good conversation partner though that was probably because she was the only person I had talked to in years. We often talked about the political state of Hueco Mundo. She informed me of the castle that pierced through the clouds, Los Noches'. Apparently it was one of the only pieces of infrastructure in Hueco Mundo.

Its origins were largely unknown but according to a few older hollows accounts it predates the current Hollow king. Society was so non existent it was all but impossible to document any history and thus I resolved to turn Hueco Mundo into a functioning society.

Cirucci also informed about Shinigami. Apparently they were a militaristic organisation that was dedicated to hunting us down. They didn't venture into Hueco Mundo often just as we didn't venture into Soul society so the obvious middle ground was the world of the living. I was horrified to find out such an organisation existed and this only solidified my resolve to unite Hueco Mundo under one banner.

To do something like that I would have to become a figure akin to a hollow queen. One who's rule is recognised throughout all of Hueco Mundo, for now however I was still a Gillian and I couldn't really do anything at this point other than getting stronger.

It was while me and Cirucci were traversing Menos Forrest that she spoke. "You've become stronger since the time I first met you. Despite your status as a Menos you've reached power equal to an Adjuches, not one on my level of course".

I had half thought she was joking however one thing about Cirruci was she did not joke, unless it was taunting a defeated enemy. While the tone behind the comment was indifferent I could tell that this was the closest thing to a compliment she could physically achieve.

It made me happy to think of how far I had come. Cirucci hadn't even seen my Vital blow ability yet which had grown stronger since I'd evolved to a Menos

I didn't know what to say back to that, having no experience with compliments so I did the natural thing and backtracked. "I'm really not all that great when compared to you" it was always good to stroke Cirucci's ego after all.

"Well if you compare yourself to me you're bound to fall flat, I am amazing after all" she said in response. There was no doubt that she was in fact amazing, her strength speed and the confidence she carried herself with were all things you didn't see often in Hueco Mundo.

As I was internally monologging I heard the sound of sand being crushed. Livings in Hueco Mundo meant always being in guard. Your senses had to be constantly attuned, your smell, reiatsu sense and hearing in particular had to be really sharp. There are many hollows that use various methods the hide from sight and many who functioned without sight. During my stint with Cirucci I had seen many different hollows typically from afar tho.

In any case the sounds only continued to get louder. Whatever was approaching was large, possibly the largest hollow I had ever encountered. What was even more terrifying however was the fact that my reiatsu senses were going crazy. The equivalent to sensory overload was taking place and I'd felt as if the air itself was getting heavier. Cirucci seemed to sense this as well as any mirthfulness she previously held was gone replaced with a clear discomfort. She spoke after a beat "We need to go". Her tone was clear and carried and carried finality. Had the situation been different I would have noted how even when panicked she was authoritative however now was not the time

I sped off Cirruci following behind me flying just above the ground with break neck speeds. She was hovering just enough to not leave a dust cloud. Menos Grande typically aren't built for agility but when had I ever followed the norm. Through trial and error I found that my short stature gave me the added benefit of more speed. My theory was that I was aerodynamic or at least more so than the average hollow. Then it happened, the sound of a tallon or a sharp object resounded through the air. Surely the once Airborne Cirucci was tumbling to the ground blood spewing off of where her left wing previously resided. I cried out "CIRUCCI!!".

It was then that I heard the sound again but close to my neck, it was only due to my hunts with Cirucci that I was able to dodge the subsequent attack. It was then that I got a visual of my attacker. It wasn't actually all that large. It was an insect of some kind with four legs supporting its body and two claw like appendages acting as arms. An Adjuches...

He approached me slowly, he didn't see me as a threat and while this shoud have angered me all I saw opportunity instead. While on the floor facing the ground I charged a large pink cero. If I could attack him and get him off guard I could get Cirucci and escape. As he neared my range I quickly turned my head and charged as much energy as I could into this cero. It struck true and I got up to go pick up Cirucci. I didn't believe for a second he had died to that attack he was too strong to have. I had at least expected some form of injury on his exterior shell. My surprise was palpable however as when the dust cleared the foreign hollow appeared unharmed. Not even a scratch on his shell.

The hollow began giggling to itself in...delight? I had met hollow like him in the past, hollows that took joy in hunting other hollows. I wasn't in a position where I could judge hollows as I was one myself. Hollows like him however disturbed me, if this empty existence were over would they still hunt? Would they still kill?

The way he mercilessly cut off Cirruci's wing despite the clear gap in power made me think he had no intention of eating her remains. Why then? Why did he target Cirucci out if all hollows. Was it because she was the only Adjuches in the immediate area? My thoughts were cut off as the hollow sent me crashing into the sand with a strong swing of his claw. "Filthy women" he muttered underneath his breath. Ah...

That was it, Cirucci unlike me looked quite feminine even as a hollow. He had likely assumed I was another fodder Menos that worked under her. This hollow like many others in Hueco Mundo held clear distain for the opposite gender. If I had to guess he likely wanted deeply to prove himself superior in every way. His pride was like an inflatable balloon, so large yet so easily popped.

I was in trouble tho and it appeared that escape was not a viable option. Just as He ready'd to strike me once again he was interrupted by an unmistakably sound. A cero!

Cerucci had gotten back up like the proud Adjuches she was and fired a cero straight at the bugs head. While he was distracted I got close and jabbed his neck with my claws activating vital blow causing what should've been a small scratch at most to become a deep gash. I then went low getting ready to swipe upwards and hopefully cut him in half. Before my attack could land however I was sent back by his claw as it cut deeply into my upper body. As I flew back I flipped in the air to stop my momentum. My wound was already quickly healing.

Cirucci slashed at the hollow with her claws and he ducked below in an effort to dodge. I quickly tackled him while he was distracted and used my horns as rams almost stabbing into him. The damage we were dealing seemed inconsequential in contrast to the energy we were spending.

His armoured seemed impenetrable at first glance however like all insects his weak spot had to be his joints. With the quickness of his attacks it was only natural. How would I inform Cirucci tho. I couldn't let him know I was aware of his possible weakness as he may just avoid making them open. He wasn't using his full speed, nowhere close tho that. Almost as if he was playing with us, we wouldn't be able to kill him today our only seeming option is retreat.

I roared to call the grunts, all the Menos Grande I had adopted would have to distract him while we escaped. I then signalled Cirruci and pointed towards my elbows as a form of symbolism. She seemed to get the message ash she nodded and charged towards the hollow. Her wing was still healing and so she was at a major disadvantage while on land. They exchanged blows, Cirruci was losing badly but she only had to hit him once. He backed off readying another attack. I didn't let him however as I charged from behind.

The added momentum of his jump backwards helped me quite a bit. I then targeted his shoulder with vital blow causing his arm to fly off of his body. A deafening scream roared through the air. Cirucci took this opportunity to dash out of there. Follow in her example I did the same. When it appeared he was about to follow us hordes of Menos Grande gathered around him. I had no doubt he could defeat this army even with his arm missing, however it would take him time and in that time we would have already escaped.

We ran, ran like the wind and when we were far enough we stopped. Despite the never changing weather in Hueco Mundo the sky seemed a bit more somber. This event made me realise I was weak. I had gotten far too comfortable with the status quo and I had failed to protect my allies when it counted the most.

If I wanted to get stronger quickly I would need to start consuming more hollows. Cirucci was a great ally and someone who I considered a friend but staying with her would only leave me half of what I could eat without her.

Cirucci spoke once again cutting off my thoughts, "You did well Lucia, you've grown quite strong".

"Yeah" I replied trying not to show what I was thinking.

She seemed to read my thoughts anyways, for someone who seemed to live with no company she was quite observant.

"You're leaving, no?"

"Yeah I'm going to have to depart from you" I said the weight of my decision weighing heavy on my mind.

"Alright then, I guess this is it" though she spoke as if it did not affect her I was sure she didn't want me to leave. There was nothing I could do however I promised I would become a Vasto Lorde. Then I would go even higher than that. I would become the strongest and I would protect my allies.

I took a step and then another. I walked away but internally promised to myself that the next time me and Cirucci met, I would have become even stronger.

Author's notes: I'm sorry for taking so long to update, school got really tough. I passed math! I'm not sure If one chapter a week is possible so I'll instead promise that I'll update as soon as I can.

I'm a bit sick at the moment, this chapter should have come out yesterday but I got really sick and had to go to bed. It's hopefully nothing too serious. I'm going to the hospital soon so I'll see

Sorry to that one guy who asked me to update, I'll try my best.

We're getting the Adjuches evolution soon and it'll be an owl so I hope you're excited.

I have a headache that won't go away so I may not update again today but I'll try to do another one. I hope you enjoyed this chapter I worked really hard to be able to write this