The golden glow on my hands flickered faintly as theArrancardragged me back through the halls ofLas Noches. My legs barely worked, and my body felt too heavy, but I wasn't sure if that was from exhaustion or the weight of what had just happened.

The warmth in my chest hadn't faded. It lingered, steady and foreign, like it didn't belong to me but had settled there anyway.

"What did he do to me?" I whispered to myself, my voice trembling.

TheArrancarwalking on my right sneered, his grip tightening on my arm. "Shut up. You don't talk unless you're spoken to."

I glared at him, my fear twisting into anger, but the golden light on my hands flared faintly in response, and I gasped.

TheArrancaron my left noticed immediately, his eyes narrowing as he jerked me forward. "Keep that under control, girl, or you'll find out just how weak you really are."

"I don't even know how to control it," I muttered under my breath, but I didn't dare say it louder. My chest ached, my head spun, and the cracks in the marble floor back in Aizen's throne room haunted me.

I wasn't supposed to be like this.

By the time we reached the room Grimmjow had left me in, I could barely stand. TheArrancarthrew the door open and shoved me inside without a word. My knees buckled, and I hit the floor hard, gasping as the glow on my hands sparked again before fading.

They slammed the door shut behind me, their footsteps fading into the distance.

I pushed myself onto my hands and knees, my body trembling as I tried to catch my breath. The warmth in my chest was still there, burning faintly like an ember refusing to go out.

"What is happening to me?" I whispered, pressing a hand over my heart.

The golden light flickered again, faint and pulsing, and I froze. It was the same rhythm as my heartbeat—steady and unrelenting.

I crawled to the edge of the bed, pulling myself onto the mattress with shaky arms. My head swam as I leaned back against the wall, staring at my trembling hands.

The light wasn't like the warm, comforting glow I'd seen from Orihime's healing abilities. It felt different—wild, untamed, and dangerous.

I clenched my fists, willing the glow to fade, but the warmth in my chest flared in response. A faint pulse of energy rippled outward, making the air in the room feel heavier.

What if Aizen was right?

The thought sent a shiver down my spine. What if this was something inside me—something I'd never known existed? But how could it be mine? This didn't feel like the power of a Soul Reaper or even a human.

It felt darker.

Stronger.

Wrong.

I bit my lip, forcing the thoughts away. I couldn't think like that. If I started believing Aizen, I'd never get out of here.

The door slammed open suddenly, and I flinched, the golden glow flaring faintly again before I could stop it.

"Still alive, huh?" Grimmjow's voice was sharp and impatient as he stepped into the room. He stopped in the doorway, his sharp blue eyes narrowing as he looked at me.

"You're back," I muttered, my voice hoarse.

Grimmjow crossed his arms, his scowl deepening as his gaze flicked over me. "What the hell did he do to you?"

I froze, unsure how to respond. My chest burned faintly, and I pressed a hand over it, willing the warmth to stay quiet. "He... didn't hurt me."

Grimmjow snorted, stepping closer until he was standing over me. "That's not what it looks like." His eyes flicked to my hands, narrowing as the faint glow still lingered on my skin. "What's that?"

"I don't know," I said honestly, my voice trembling. "It started after—"

"After Aizen got his hands on you," Grimmjow interrupted, his tone dark. He crouched down, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. "You're messing with something dangerous, girl. That's not human."

I stiffened, my chest tightening. "What are you talking about?"

Grimmjow scoffed, gesturing to my hands. "That energy—whatever the hell it is—it doesn't feel like you. It's like... likeus."

"What?" I stared at him, horrified.

"Don't look at me like that," he snapped, standing up abruptly. "I'm not saying you're an Arrancar. But whatever's inside you—it's close. Like a hollow mixed with something else."

I shook my head violently, pushing myself to my feet. "No. That's not possible. I'm not like you. I'm just human."

"Yeah? Then explain that," Grimmjow shot back, pointing at my glowing hands. "Humans don't crack the floor with their spiritual pressure."

I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out. My thoughts raced, panic clawing at my chest as I stared at my trembling hands.

Grimmjow sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the wall. "Figures Aizen would find someone like you. You're exactly his type of toy."

"I'm not a toy," I said sharply, glaring at him.

Grimmjow smirked faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Then you'd better figure out what you are. Fast. Because if you don't, Aizen's gonna tear you apart to find out."

Elsewhere inLas Noches, Aizen stood in his throne room, his calm smile unwavering as he gazed out over the vast expanse of white walls and empty corridors.

Gin Ichimaru stood to his right, his ever-present grin firmly in place as he spoke. "She's something, isn't she? You were right to keep her around."

"She's remarkable," Aizen replied, his tone light but deliberate. "Her spiritual energy is unlike anything I've encountered. A blend of human, Soul Reaper... and hollow."

Gin tilted his head, his grin widening slightly. "Think she knows?"

Aizen chuckled softly. "Not yet. But she will. And when she does, she'll be extraordinary."

"And if she resists?" Gin asked, his voice lilting with amusement.

"She won't," Aizen said simply. His eyes gleamed faintly as he added, "No one can resist the truth of what they are. And she is destined for greatness—whether she wants it or not."