We Gather Demons In the Mirror Everyday
Chad stared into the gigantic wall of storms that formed the barrier. Nothng could be seen through it. There was not just no life within it, Hollow or otherwise, but the sky and sand that formed the horizon of Hueco Mundo the teen previusly imagined as endless disappeared into it. The formerly omnipesent eerie silence of the desert was now filled by the wailing of winds and the distant booms of thunder.
While the teen struggled to comprehend what was before him, a dome of energy extended over the passenger enclosure on the back of the beast carrying him and the others. The Hollow's speed incresased further and it headed into the storm.
"We're entering it?" Chad asked "We can go beyond the end of the world?"
"We only call it the edge of the world. The barrier runs around the entirety of the desert of Hueco Mundo," the Arrancar, Charlotte commented not lookimg away from his task of steering, "From the Black Pits and the Beasts' territory in the West to the dead ruins in the East. The land, though does continue pass the storm."
"The barrier is as far as most Hollows will ever dare to go," Tesla added, "Until Szayel-sama cloned these beasts, only a few beings could enter the storm and not be torn apart by the winds, like the Wolf or him. With these creatures, we can now cross it and reach the entrance to Nnoitra-sama's arena."
"You know, I really question the wisdom of making that entrance within the barrier," Aeros said.
"We, we didn't make it," Tesla replied sheepishly, "We only found it by following the tunnels beneath the sands from the other end."
"I know," Aeros answered back.
Chad kept looking into ceaseless gale. He felt a strange comfort hearing the winds roar outside against the dome shielding them, like boarding a train to get out of rainy weather. As he watched the winds, a new thought dawned on him.
"Is there something on the other side," the dark-skinned teen suddenly asked, "Something beyond the storm?"
Tesla looked downwards, appering unsure of how respond and Charlotte kept his back to them. .
"You are capable of asking the good questions," Aeros said having returned to his seat at the opposite end of the enclosure from Chad, the tips of the unknown being's fingers pressed together into a steeple, "There are few in Hueco Mundo who would ever seek that knowledge. So now, what about you?"
"Huh, uh, what do you mean?" the teen asked.
"You cannot take back what has been learned once you obtaim it," Aeros said as he stood and approached the teen, towering over him, "But that is not the issue for you, no."
Aeros leaned closer, whispering into Chad's ear as he placed his hands on the teen's shoulders, "There will come a day where you choose to find out for yourself what lies beyond the barrier. Yes, that is what I think."
Chad turned to the storm again. Then he thought to himself.
"Wait, earlier this Aeros was shorter than Ichigo and Ishida," the teen wondered, "How is he taller than me now?"
Chad looked back to the mysterious being, to make certain he had not imagined what just happened. Aeros was taller now. When the teen looked away and then back, confused over what was occuring, he saw even more changes to Aeros' appearance. His clothes and hair had gone from their bright blue, green and red to a patched brown and grey. The shape of Aeros' nose, lips and cheeks became broader and more weathered. The small antlers were replaced by a single, curved, bone-white horn on the right side of his head. like one from a Hollow mask. He suddenly sported a red and brown braided beard. His eyes took on a more human look with round pupils, and turned a deep green. Chad never saw these transformations. Aeros' features would shift whenever the teen wasn't looking, even between blinks.
While puzzling over this change, Chad turned the gale once more. That's when he saw something out in the storm. He was unsure what precisely. Beyond the protective dome, not far from the beast carrying him, through the blinding wind outside, there was definitely something out there. He was unable to make out clearly what he saw. He was only aware of its motion counter to the airr currents. It was gone before Chad had even fully registered its presence. Had he closed his eyes, he would have surely missed it.
"Oh, you're able to even detect their existence." Aeros commented, his voice was now lower, rougher and throaty.
"What…?" Chad began to ask. He found ke had many times since coming to Hueco Mundo, he was unable to fully articuale his question.
"There are things in this world, mysteries that were here long before humanity dreamt of Shinigami or Hollows," The transformed Aeros stated profoundly, "Some have tried to learn what they are, chasing them through the storm. Every time though, they decide that it is best to keep secret whatever they have found."
Chad stared again intensely where he had seen whatever it was that had passed them.
"Hmm, a moment ago your expression was one near despair at the hopelessness you were headed into," Aeros said analyzing the dark-hkinned teen, "Now you seem reinvigorated by the prospect facing of this new unknown. Quite atonishing."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by the clatter of Tesla stumblinbg backward.
"Valgas-sama, you, you're actually…" the shocked Arrancar proclaimed. Charlotte peered back at them from his steering position, looking equally alarmed.
"Ssshh," Aeros hushed him with a finger to his lips, reverting back to his original voice, "Don't spoil it now."
Immediately following Aeros' statement, the Hollow reached a shining dome similar the one that now protected those aboard it. They moved through the dome, the clashing energy barriers making a crackle of electricity. There was also a groan from the Hollow as it crossed them.
"Rather cruel to let the beast suffer each time you enter," the being that once was known as Aeros said, reverting to the deeper voice of its new guise.
"We'e unable to change that, Aer-" Tesla said, but caught himself, "uh, Valgas-sama. That was done by Szayel-sama. He said it was so they remember who are the ones in command of them."
"Course he did," Valgas said with a sigh.
Inside the larger dome there was an opening in the ground. Chad noted its edges as the Hollow climbed inside. They had an appearrence of a structure previously located there that been rapidly torn away. Beneath the ground was large dimly lit area.
At the farther end from the opening was a massive platform as tall as the Hollow Chad rode. It had multiple outgroves which returning Hollows could deposit passengers. The one carrying Chad and the others was the only one that had made it back. The Hollow moved into one of the docking areas and a ramp extended to allow Chad and the others to disembark.
As Chad exited behind Tesla and Charlotte, a group of some twelve or so Arrancars approached. They all varied greatly in size and body build. Their were spiritual energies mostly comparable to the two Arrancars Chad arrived with. He also noticed their white uniforms ranged from a bit ruffled to totally disheveled and stained with copious amounts of food and, judging the smell of them, alcohol.
"I'm back boys!," Valgas suddenly announced loudly and gregariously. "You're all looking and, wooo, smellin' good!"
"Valgas-sama!" the crowd responded just as enthusistiically, many of them pumping their fists in the air. One of them even stumbled over during this.
As Valgas joined the crowd and demanded a drink, Charlotte rapidly pushed his way past them, holding his nose.
"I'llbeheadingbacktoSzayel-sama'slabbyenowTesla-chan," the large Arrancar said in a blur rushing to a door near the rear of the platform.
"Charlotte, " came Aeros' voice suddenly, making him pause. The voice was disembodied, seeming to come from nowhere. There was a shifting ethereal tone to each word, "Do say hello to dear Roka for me."
Charlotte then exited, looking haunted. Chad checked and saw Valgas was engaged in chugging liquor and joking with the other Arrancars.
"You alone are able to hear me at this time, Sado Yasutora," the teen heard again the voice of Aeros say, "You may also speak to me as you need. No others will hear or see you do so."
Chad only nodded in response. Following that, another large Arrancar approached him and Tesla. He was muscualr like the departed Charlotte, but much stouter and heavyset with a round face and midsection. Most of head was covered by a helmet-like mask remains with forward pointing horns and only a small amount of dark blonde hair visible in the back. The helmet piece framed his eyes in shadows, but blue eyelash-like marks extended from each eye. He did have a few food stains on the front of his white uniform. He also had a fang poking out from his lower jaw.
"Tesla, lad, only…" the Arrancar paused to stifle a belch, "Only you made it back?"
"Ah, Nirgge-san, we," Tesla replied with hesitation, "Ran into serious trouble returning."
"That one is Nirgge Parduoc, one of the King of Hueco closest subjects," said Aeros to Chad again, "He's been here to monitor the gathering of Hollow and Arrancar forces. It seems through the life he's found in thwe arena agrees with him."
"Eh, don'tcha fret none," the round Arrancar said, slapping the smaller one on back affectionately, "We'll figure sumthin' to tell the boss."
No sooner was that said when a thinner, much taller Arrancar carrying a strange scythe-like weapon pushed his way through the crowd.
"And now the one who runs the circus shows himself," Chad heard the voice of Aeors comment.
"You better have a fucking good explantion!" this new Arrancar shouted, "How did you manage to lose an entire hurting party?"
"Uh, Nnoitra-sama, we encountered a group from Las Noches," Tesla replied with a fearfully deference of the towering Arrancar, but also made a quick glance towards Valgas, "And then we encountered the fortress-"
Nnoitra struck Tesla, knocking him to the ground.
"Idiot!" the black-haired Arrancar snarled in fury, "What about the three humans coming outta the Garganta you were ordered to pick up?"
"We..." Tesla struggled to reply, then pointed towards Chad, "We managed to come back with him."
Nnoitra's face twisted with even further rage and he raised his scythe towards the downed Arrancar. Valgas suddenly caught his wrist, stopping its momentum. Chad also noted the otherArrancar Tesla had also spoken with, Nirgge moved to protect Tesla, reaching for his sheathed Zanpaktō.
"You're ruinin' my visit, Nnoitra," the brown-haired Valgas said, "So you've caught a human now, huh? Why would one be in Hueco Mundo? What you going to do with him now. You can't let the King know he's here.
Nnoitra pulled away his arm away from and stepped back slightly.
"I know that! Szayel detected some in Garganta. He wanted to to collect 'em before Las Noches could get involved," the thinner Arrancar replied spitefully, then gestured at Chad, "I'm gonna hand that one over to him."
"Oh, and why you doin' that?" Valgas asked back, "He looks plenty strong. He's sure to give us a good show, and that's what we want don't we boys?!"
Valgas questioning of the crowd was answered with another cheer. Nnoitra snarled in reponse.
"Fine, whatever," the dark-haired Arrancar growled through his teeth and pointed his scythe toward the taller Arrancar, "But you're gonna fight too as long as you're here."
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Valgas said unfazed.
"And the moment you lose you're going to Szayel, and he's chopping you up for meat!" Nnoitra said, pointing at all the Arrancars, trying to sound menacing, but it rang empty to Chad, "That goes for all of you."
"I'm sure we'll be mighty tasty," Valgas replied, making the Arrancar crowd laugh again. Nnoitra stormed off to the doorway at the back of the Hollow receiving area.
"Don't take so hard now, lad," Nirgge said encouragingly as he helped up a visibly upset Tesla.
"Nnoitra-sama is only doing his best to run this place," Tesla said, sounding apologetic for departed arena boss' violence, "It was me that failed here."
"Ah, I'm sure ya did your best," Nirgge said patting the other Arrancar's shoulders.
"Well, fellow me now human," said Valgas, "You heard the boss. You've got an appointment in the arena."
"Come, Sado Yasutora," came the disembodied voice of Aeros once more, "You'll need to fight now."
"Understood," Chad replied.
"Head on over, boys! The human is gonna show us what he can do!" Valgas announced to the others, which was followed a mix of cheers, jeers and indecipherable drunken shouts.
Chad followed Valgas through door Nnnoitra and Charlotte had exited. Past it, the bearded Arrancar led the teen down a staircase. The Arrancar crowd could be heard following them, but their noise grew fainter as the two groups moved further away.
"That was the Nnoitra the others mentioned," said Chad, "Is he he one of Aizen's Espada?"
"Likely," replied Aeros' voice, "But he won't openly declare himself one."
"Why?" asked Chad, "Doesn't Aizen control Hueco Mundo? Urahara-san said something about Aizen had improved the way Arrancars are made ?"
"Las Noches is still in power," said Valgas, "The King of Hueco Mundo is content to spend most of his days chasing wolves. He has not been out here to see for himself what Nnoiitra or Szayel have been up to in decades. I'm sure he would relish an opportunity come crush any trace of defiance or challenge to his power."
There was a just momentary beat in their conversation before Valgas said next, "Of course, it's thanks to his absence that you can be here. As for the proliferation of Arrancars, they've been here for centuries. Their numbers have grown in secret in Hueco Mundo, mostly unknown to the Soul Society. After all, why should they advertise their existence to an organization whose objective is hunting them down?"
Chad paused on the stairwell, staring at the brown skin of his arms.
"I don't get the choice to hide who I am," he lamented, and turned his fists over to stare into his hands, "My Abuelo once said that is the way of the world is. He said the best I could with the different way God made me is use that to hold up the ones precious to me. As important as that has been to me, it feels like that only does so much. It doesn't change people stop from each other. It doesn't change the way of the world."
"Have you ever had the thought, if a person had the power to change the world, to change people's hearts, what gives them the right to do so?" this was said by Valgas, but it was with Aeros' voice.
"I, I don't know," Chad struggled to reply.
"It is not an easy question," Valgas offered with a smile, which Chad took a strange comfort in, "I have yet meet anyone that did not at least hesitate to answer. I like you , Sado Yasutora."
The two passed through a massive set of doors. Behind them was another large open area with a sand floor. The walls formed a circle around sand area. Atop them were rows of seats. There was a section with a dining table set up that the rowdy Arrancar crowd from earlier were seated around, feasting and drinking. In a higher section Nnoitra was reclinng on Chaise Lounge. Tesla stood next to him, holding a tray with a glass pitcher. Seated next the arena boss was a lovely female Arrancar with bright red hair. She sat upright and demurely, perfectly still. Even at the distance Chad was from her, he got the impression she was terrified and trying to do nothing that would bring Nnoitra's wrath onto her. Besides them and the gorging crew, there more Arrancars filling the arena. Though the arena was filled, there was space beween each spectator. A scant few sat in groups of two or three, but most sat alone, wanting plenty of distance from each other.
"Wait here," advised the voice of Aeros.
Valgas left Chad by the doors and walked onto a smaller platfoem at the opposite end of the arena from the Nnotra's seating. Upon it was an old styled microphone in a x-shaped cross enclosed in a cycle. Aeroes' voice came again to Chad.
"Here losers that survive their battle are sent to Szayel Aporro Granz," he explained, "But so do the unpopular winners. I'd advise getting the crowd on your side. Though, don't worry so much about Nnoitra. He seems to not like, well, anyone."
"Right," Chad responded.
'"I suppose an easy start would some catchy nickname to brand you with," Aeros continued, "I suppose something like 'The Tiger' or 'Tiger Boy' maybe too repetative with your given name. Have you any ideas?"
"Huh, I don't know. Um, Ichigo's for me is Chad," said the surprised teen.
"Chad, hmm. I think I can work with that, " Aeros replied before the teen realized what he said, and Valgas had reached the microphone stand and begun announcing the match.
"Ladies and gentle-" the gruff-voiced Arrancar declared, but immediately added, "Heh, who am I kidding? Stinking unwashed masses!"
This drew another cheer and laugh from the crowd. Even Chad had started to be amused at their self-deprecation.
"Tonight, for he first time in the arena, the first Touched human seen in decades, Sado "Chad" Yasutora!" Valgas announced the teen with a showman's cadence.
The was a murmur of uncertainty from the spectators.
"Acknowledge them," Aeros' voice urged Chad. The teen tepidly raised a fist to an equally mild response fom the crowd.
"Good enough for a first introduction," Aeros advised.
"And now his opponent," Valgas announced from his platform, "To speak of unsightly masses, heading on we've got the shambling hulk, Demoura Zodd!"
A huge Arrancar, about half the size of the earlier transport Hollows lumbered into the arena. He was round faced and grimy looking, with a mop of black dreadlocks. He arms were as long as his body, making him hunch forward, as if they made him too top heavy to stand upright. There was little reaction to his enrance except a few boos. Demoura looked confused at these and responded with a guttural grunt.
"Ah, poor Zodd. I fear this arena is just not the place for him," came Aeros' voice in Chad's ears, "Though, at this point, things like pity would be wasted on him. I assume you understand Sado Yasutora?"
"Yeah, I get it," Chad answered, bracing for the battle ahead.
"Good. He'll not be much of a challenge for you," Aeros continued, "Do what is needed."
The Arrancar Demoura lunged forward with a hand strike. It was was faster and more destructive than anything a human, or even a lower level Hollow would be capable of, but not even comparable to the attacks Chad endured training against Renji's Bankai. He was easily able to leap clear of it.
"Demoura opens with his Reishi-enchanced blows," Valgas commentated, "But it does not appear he'll connect much with them."
Zodd tried again and again, each blow growing more wild and sloppy.
"Looks like that won't deter him much," Valgas said to the audience.
"Gggrrr, stop dodging," Demoura bellowed, sounding as if he had difficulty forming each word. He attempted another blow with his left.
"Fine then,"Chad said. He caught the Arrancar's fist with in the hand of this armored arm, fully stopping its momentum. For a few moments, Demoura grunted in a mix of panic and terror, pushing uselessly against the human's defense.
"The human, Chad, stops Demoura blow with ease," Valgas narrated to the crowd, which of met with assorted sounds of "oh" and "Hmm" of interest from the crowd, except a still sour-faced Nnoitra.
Demoura then swatted at the teen with his opposite hand. Chad flew several meters away, landing on his back. There were gasps followed by a hush from much of the crowd and a confident "Huh huh" from the human's opponent.
Chad jumped to his feet seconds later. There was no visible damage. The teen cracked his neck, then his knuckles. Demoura responded with a confused "Bleh?"
"Huh, it's Demoura Zodd, right? What are you looking so mystified for ?" Chad asked, "You, me and everyone here knows that was a half-assed cheap shot and you're not gonna do it again."
"Seems our human competitor is unusually resilent," commented Valgas.
There were mumurs of approval, but not yet open cheers for Chad.
"Guess it's my turn now," Chad commented just before he rushed Demoura. The dark-skinned teen connected with a massive blow from his armored right that Demoura tried to dodge. He was much too slow to do so. The fist sent the gangly Arrancar crashing into the wall beneath the partying gathering of Arrancars. Half of Demoura's mask broke off and landed on the ground behind Chad. Several of the crowd ran over to the stand's edge to peer in on the damage.
"Oh no, could this be the end of Demoura," Valgas said with such deadpan delivery there were laughs scattered through the arena. Even Tesla let out a surpressed chuckle, but he was instantly silenced by a glare from the frowning Nnoitra.
Demura emerged from the wreckage and dust. He was looking crumpled and even further hunched over. His breathing became a heavy panting, sounding half choked with assorted bodily fluids. Chad taunted him to try again with a "come get some" wave of his hand. The large Arrancar managed to charge again with a roar. Chad caught Demours's appproaching hand and flipped the larger Arrancar onto his back, imitating a Judo-style throw he'd seen the Shinigami Captain Komamura use in training during his stay in the Soul Society after Aizen's escape. Chad prepared to give a finshing blow to the downed opponent.
"Go ahead," came Demoura's low rasping voice, "You strong, that makes you better than me."
Chad abruptly halted his attack.
"Why'd you stop?" Demoura demanded to know, as he struggled to rise. He eventually managed to push himself up. Standing and his full height, he towered over the already tall Chad, and asked, "You think just cause you're strong, that makes you a good person?"
The teen's expression did not waiver, but he did take the slightest step back.
"THERE ARE NO GOOD PEOPLE HERE!" the enraged Demoura shouted.
The Arrancar rushed the human in wild flurry of strikes.
"Seems Demoura was able to catch the human off guard," this was said by Valgas, but Chad swore he also heard Aeros say, "So Zodd was able to surprise you."
Chad was not able move out of range to dodge the Arrancar's blows. They were weaker than the ones he faced in his brief sparring match against Tessai, but the sheer ferocity behind Demoura's attacks made them troubling. To the teen's surprise, he found he was able to block and deflect the Arrancar's blows with his unaugmented left arm. He felt a strange tingle, almost stirring within it, but the situation made it impossible to focus much upon it.
What proved more shocking, was when the teen blocked a blow his right arm. He turned his wrist to push away the Arrancar's hand. As Chad's hand made contact, Demoura suddenedly howled in pain and staggered back, far from the human.
"What did you do?" the confused Arramcar angerily asked, clutching his arm, "Why, why did your blow feel like mine?"
Keeping Demoura in the background of his sight, Chad raised his right hand. His arm armor had changed. It now sported a sheild with a demonic face. He recalled the feeling of the sheild absorbing the blow from Demoura. He also felt the energy from the blow redirecting when touched the Arrancar's hand, but it was too quick to really explore more. He lowered his arm, noticing Demoura was preparing another attack.
"He gets a new power, but never loses sight of his enemy," Valgas reflected, "Seems we've got quite the warrior in this Chad."
There were various notions of agreement throughout the audience.
Demoura planted his arms onto the ground and leaned forward for his next strike. The Arrancar's stance was not fully steady with his injured arm, but he pressed onward. He emitted a deep retching sound, almost like he preparing to vomit. His jaw dropped open unnaturally wide. A grey, metallic-looking , striated tounge extended from his gaping maw until it was greater than the length of his head.
"Ugh, and here comes the Lengua Tronco," intoned a disgusted Valgas, "Demoura has eeked out a couple wins using this."
Chad equally solidfied his stance, and raised his armored hand to intercept the attack. Then he heard the ghostly voice of Aeros.
"You appear confident you'll be be able withstand the finishing blow of your opponent. I'd argue it's not unwarranted," he said, "Then might I suggesst countering this final blow of his with some shomanship. I know it's crass, but it's not ridicule Zodd. You'll want to endear yourself with the crowd. Leave them with something memorable."
Chad silently maintained his focus on Demoura, but gave a small nod. He also kept the same positioning as if he still intended to block the oncoming attack. Demoura shot out his grousque tongue like a serpent strike. The instant before the offensive extentsion reached the teen, Chad dodged to the left. It passed him and plowed in the ground behind, upturning dirt and rock. Chad then slipped back and seized the grey member and begun pulling. With little effort the teen lifted the baffled Arrancar and begab rotating him around the arena. Demoura could only flail his limbs helplessly. The expressions from the audience indictated they were impressed or enjoying the display of the human's strentgh. Chad mocked releasing the Arrancar on a third spin. This was met with further sounds of approval from the spectators. On the fourth spin, Chad carefully timed his rotation and let Demoura go. He crashed stomach up onto the Arrancar buffet table. There a final gurgle and the flopping of Demoura's limbs in defeat.
"Clean that up for me," Chad said to the stunned into silence Arrancars. Then new sound slowly grew throughout the audience. Perhaps started by Nirgge, but it was impossible to tell.
"Chad, Chad, Chad…"
The chant spread steadly, just the teen boy's nickname from Ichigo, repeated again and again, growing louder.
"Chad, Chad, Chad, CHAD! CHAD! CHAD!"
Just before it he drowned out by the chant, Valgas was heard one last time.
"Well, no question here over who's the victor," he said.
The dark-skinned youth looked intially unsure how to react to the cheers, but he soon let himself be engrossed by them. Imitating a performer from an old wrestling program his Abuelo watched, Chad ripped open his shirt down the center to his waist, then spread his arms and bathed in the crowd's applause. He found the broken mask piece from Demoura and held it high like a trophy.
In opposition to the crowd's cheers, Nnoitra's expression only further soured. He seized the female Arrancar by her hair and pulled her behind him. She followef docilely, terrified but obebdiant. As he left, the tall Arrancar smacked the platter Tesla carried, shattering the pitcher and sending glass and wine everywhere. Chad missed this.
"Hmm, this went well," Aeros said. Chad also did not notice the critical look of skepticism from Valgas.
"Maybe too well," the Arrancar said unheard by the celebrating teen.