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Chapter 30

Crowning

"BANKAI!"

When Miyako called on her bankai, Unabara emitted a bright, magical glow before encasing Miyako in a swirling cocoon of light. Seconds later, the cocoon released her. Shining brightly in an iridescent light, four white wings kept her afloat in the air; a luminous white halo sat like a crown above her head of flowing white hair. A crescent moon shaped cerulean jewel held the flowing radiant cloak together on her shoulders. A matching pair of fingerless gloves stopped midway between her elbows and shoulders. Her bright, golden eyes transformed into a radiant blue hue that stared down her enemy with a fiery resolve.

Everyone stood back, their mouths agape as they took in her radiance. The power she exuded was compelling indeed, but it brought a sense of warmth.

"Unabara Tsukiyo no Tenshi.*" she announced, her voice echoing in power and her breathing heavy. Unabara, now a glowing cerulean blade, was pointed towards Rika in declaration. 'I will defeat you while I still have the power!'

"Let's finish this, Rika! Once and for all!"

Byakuya's last barrage decorated Rika's body with many lacerations, her body was starting to give out on her; she trembled. The pain was excruciating, but it didn't matter at that moment. Once again, she was made a fool of. Miyako leapt ahead of her and achieved the ultimate shinigami power - a bankai.

"She outshines you."

"Everyone is impressed by her and not with you."

"Why couldn't you achieve bankai before her?"

"You really are weak and useless, after all!"

Rika's body shook violently with more negative thoughts. Just when she thought that the despair had already consumed her, it came back for seconds. When the hell did Miyako achieve bankai?! Why didn't she have more power?! Her vision blurred as tears stained her face; she clenched her fists. There was no way she could fight now.

'It would be best if I gave up…she wins! She wins…'

Just as she was about to reverse her shikai, a sweet and treacherous voice slithered into her psyche.

"Are you really going to give up now?" the familiar voice of the arrancar asked from the depths of her mind. Rika paused for a moment, her stomach in knots.

'I can't take this anymore…I'm tired of suffering…I'll never be as good as her!'

"Do you want more power? With a couple of words, you can end this…" she offered, her voice laced with temptation. "You've gotten this far, so why stop now? Do it…"

Rika felt the dark tendrils of miasma chain her mind, pulling her deeper into the darkness.

'Please…just let me go! My life is over now! You've buried me in a hole that I can't escape from! I…just want to disappear! This darkness…it's suffocating!'

The arrancar scoffed. "Oh please, child. Spare me the theatrics. I know what you really feel…because you're mine to do with what I will!" she replied with a crooked smile.

"...no!"

The dark web of miasma ensnared her throat. "Now say it with me!"

"Torment them…Hechicera Vampiro*!"

The dark miasma formed under Rika's feet and swallowed her whole, spinning rapidly like a violent tornado. Strong gale force winds forced everyone to shield themselves from the onslaught. Large bat-like wings freed her from her cocoon of miasma. Her black kisode was exchanged for a black bodysuit with intricate red details. Delicate and feminine fingers had transformed into long black and red nails. The moonlight shone through the hole in her chest and her eyes were as black as the night sky. Worst of all, after all of the work Miyako and Byakuya had done to slow her down was all for naught; all of her injuries were healed.

Her muscles trembled and her heart pounded at the sight; Miyako cursed under her breath. Rika readied her wings and threw a dark purple wind towards Miyako, who shielded herself in time. The others weren't so lucky. Their screams filled her ears as the dark essence held them in place as they struggled to move with uncontrollable sobs. Even Byakuya held back tears with gnashed teeth. A disgusted growl escaped through Miyako's gnashed her teeth.

"What did you do to them?!" she asked with narrowed eyes.

"This fight is between me and you! I just helped them keep busy as we fight while they drown in their own despair…what a delicious treat! You better hurry up! Each second they drown in their despair will give me more power until they wither away!"

"You witch! I won't let you get away with this!" Miyako screeched.

Rika held up one fan from Kyoufuu no Fan. "Enough talk! Like you said…let's end this!"

Rika charged at Miyako with great speed. Miyako met her halfway, the striking of their weapons reverberated in the air. Rika sent a barrage of wind blades towards Miyako as she readied her zanpakuto. Drawing a circle around her, she encased herself in a rushing ball of water that shielded her from Rika's attack. Emerging from her shield, she swung her blade and released a blade of water that targeted Rika with high speed and precision, cutting into her shoulder. Rika's body trembled as she held her shoulder. She gave Miyako the evil eye as she looked down on her. She was quick to fire a dark purple cero from her free hand. Miyako's hands trembled as the attack came for her. Summoning her shunko power, she used it to slice through the attack. Using shunko almost made Miyako lose her footing; it used more power than she had anticipated. Shaking off her setback, she flew towards Rika, sending more water blades her way.

During the battle, everyone groaned in agony as Rika's spell continued to torture them in their despair. Shirayuki had already been reduced to tears while Toshirou and Renji weren't too far behind. Hisana's memory haunted Byakuya's mind. His eyes went wide with shock when she appeared before him, her ghastly form looking down on him. Her sweet smile contorted into a heinous frown. Byakuya's eyes went blank when he heard her sweet voice condemn him for his actions.

"You betrayed me, Byakuya! How dare you forget about me?! I thought that you loved me?!"

"I did love you!"

"You said that you wouldn't move on!"

"I know, but…"

"You said that your heart and loyalty belonged to me! Did our marriage mean nothing to you?"

"I know that I said that, but…"

"Then why are you chasing after Miyako?!"

Miyako's name reverberated in his mind. Next to Hisana, a small light had appeared, transforming into Miyako, illuminating the darkness in his mind, even if only a little.

"What's so good about her?!"

Her words hit him like a ton of bricks. Byakuya looked at Miyako's image. His heart felt a little lighter when she smiled at him. Her smile…it was just one of many that he had the pleasure of seeing. Her smile was enough to melt an icy heart and it usually led to a laugh; hearing it was enough to lift heavy burdens. It reminded him of her soft, warm and plush lips that tasted like sweet honey nectar. Her silky twilight blue hair reminded him of the ocean and the night sky. It paired well with the power of her zanpakuto, which she wielded with such grace and power. Her talent and power bloomed like a beautiful flower, soaring to new heights when he helped her train. Her scent was peace on a warm, sunny day. Her golden eyes that were once the bane of his existence, looked at him with acceptance, kindness and a love that he hadn't felt in years. It was a shining light in a dark world.

Heaviness filled his heart again when her image began to frown. Tears fell from her eyes. That look…he remembered when he took her love for granted. He stomped on her heart and threw it away for Hisana…

"Remember that you said that your loyalty was to me from that point on?" she reminded him.

Because of him, Miyako had left and his world was dark and cold once more. There was no more comfort and peace. The world was once again an unsafe place; he had to hide himself again. Miyako was far away, he had pushed her into Isshiki's arms. He just wanted her back, no matter what the stakes were. Even when he apologized to her and held her in his arms, she was close, but so far away. His chest tightened. Tears flowed down his slender cheeks; the hole in his heart was the epitome of pain. Hisana closed the gap between them and embraced his face in her hands.

"My poor Byakuya…I'm sorry that you're in so much pain…" she whispered, caressing his cheek with a thumb. "Remember the precious, happy time that we shared with each other?"

Hisana locked eyes with Byakuya. "Don't you want that back?"

His slate eyes grew empty. Memories of their marriage flooded his mind; they comforted him. Happiness was in abundance back then - he wanted to be happy again.

"Leave Miyako be and remain with me, Byakuya…she brings you nothing but pain. I'm all that you'll ever need…let's be together…forever…"

With half lidded eyes, Byakuya started to succumb to Hisana's command. The darkness, although cold, was whispering sweet, comforting nothings. His vision started to blur as he stared at Hisana's ghastly face, who's smile transformed into a crooked one. He didn't care about the malice that was laced in that smile…he couldn't find the strength to fight.

"Byakuya! Wake up!" a voice called out.

Byakuya's eyes shot open, surprising Hisana. Stepping away from her, he looked around for that voice.

"...Miyako…?"

Her voice was clear as day. He panicked; he couldn't find her in the darkness. Hisana grew angry and grabbed his shoulders.

"Hisana…"

"What are you doing?! You need to lie down here with me."

Byakuya grabbed her left wrist and stared her down in his icy glare, a glare that he never gave her before. Hisana cupped his cheek in her right hand again and tried to calm him down.

"Byakuya, darling, let's hurry and ー"

"Never again will I lie with you." he said coldly.

Hisana stiffened in his grip. Byakuya remembered how her touch used to feel against his skin. It was a memory that haunted him in his dreams. Now, it was empty and cold.

"Never again will you address me by my name or address me as 'darling'."

He grabbed her right wrist and removed her hand from his face.

"Never again will we be together."

Hisana's throat grew heavy. "But we're together now!"

Byakuya narrowed his eyes. "No, don't insult me. The real Hisana has moved on. You are not her and you never will be…and most importantly…you're not Miyako!"

With declaration, an illuminating light surrounded Byakuya's frame, burning Hisana's wrists.

"But why Miyako?!"

"Because…she's the light of my world."

A heavy sigh escaped his lips.

"Goodbye, Hisana."

Hisana's ghastly form screeched as it disappeared into the darkness. His heart grew warm as he basked in the light.

"Wake up!" he heard Miyako's voice call out.

Opening his eyes, he broke free of the dark web that held him in place. Everything came back to him. The sound of combat entered his ears. Looking up, he had witnessed Miyako's attack slam Rika into the river. Miyako's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. She had sustained more injuries and struggled to fight. Rika had put up a very formidable fight and was relentless in her attacks thanks to her infinite power source. Miyako had ceased to utilize shunko a while ago to prevent herself from passing out. The poison still coursed through her veins and was eager to make her submit. Miyako's vision started to blur and grew dizzy. She could feel herself losing momentum, but she knew that she couldn't stop now. Her mind swirled; now that Rika was down for the moment, she could use her bankai's ability to heal herself. On the other hand, she shouldn't waste time in ending the fight before it was too late. Grunting once more, she pointed her blade to the river where Rika had fallen. She focused the moonlight on the river.

"...S-shinseina…"

Words failed her and the strength left her body. She could feel her body descend to the ground before losing consciousness.

Byakuya didn't waste any time catching her in her arms again. Miyako came to moments later and let out a whimper once she realized what had happened.

"...you're here…" she muttered.

"I told you that I would always come for you, didn't I?"

Miyako nodded weakly and relaxed in his arms. He gave her a worried look.

"Miyako, deactivate your bankai and rest. You're at your limit. I'm taking you back to Captain Unohana for healing."

She wanted to do what he said, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Her body was screaming, but she had too much on her mind. Rest was out of the question.

"...but what about the others?"

"I will make sure that they are treated as well."

"...what about Rika? I have to…finish what I started…"

Looking towards the river, he didn't see any evidence of Rika.

"Don't worry yourself. I'll investigate and ー"

His words were cut short when Rika suddenly appeared in front of them with rage filled eyes. Her shikai was high above her head and she was ready to strike. Shock filled their eyes at the monster before them as she powered up her weapon.

"Now you'll die in his arms!" she declared.

Miyako was waiting for the strike to hit her, but it never came. The painful groan that escaped Byakuya's lips had twisted her gut. Rika had succeeded in slicing his back open. Words failed her and a loud scream escaped her mouth. For an instant, her and Byakuya had locked eyes; they told her he would protect her. Rika had sent them falling to the ground. Even when they hit the ground, he shielded her from the impact. The sight of his blood staining his haori brought tears to her eyes.

"BYAKUYA!" she screamed.

Breathing heavily, Byakuya looked up at her with a heavy heart. He cupped her face and failed miserably to wipe her tears away with his thumb. Miyako desperately wrapped his hand in her trembling hands.

"I'm so sorry! I let my guard down and -"

Byakuya cut her off with his thumb. "I'm alright, Miyako. Please don't cry. No matter what, I'll always protect you." he said, readying his zanpakuto in his shaking hand. Miyako cursed; this was all her fault. She couldn't let him fight.

Rika scoffed as she looked down on them. "Aww, how sweet! It's giving me cavities!"

She powered herself up once more, ready to deliver the final blow.

"NOW DIE!"

Rika charged down on them with her shikai at the forefront. Furious beyond a shadow of a doubt, Miyako swiftly jumped out of Byakuya's arms and closed the gap between them.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" she screamed before dodging Rika's attack. She took Unabara's cerulean blade and ran it across Rika's torso, paralyzing her. Miyako pointed her blade above her head, her figure enshrouded in the full moon's brilliance. A white light gathered around the blade, intensifying by the second.

"Shinseina Jouka*!" she yelled, throwing the attack at Rika.

The white light from the blade ensnared Rika in a sphere of luminous light. Rika fell over and her body writhed in great pain. The dark miasma spewed from every fiber of her being and began to separate from her. The darkness that controlled her began to resist the divine power of Miyako's attack, but she wasn't going to back down now - she had to end this right here, right now, no matter what. Miyako let out another yell as she summoned more power to keep fighting. Soon, the miasma separated from Rika's frail body and manifested into the arrancar that had possessed her in a separate sphere. She growled fiercely at Miyako for opposing and wounding her.

"Arrancar!" Miyako shouted. "I won't let you torture anybody, anymore!"

Miyako gave one final burst of reiatsu that had exploded within the sphere and spread outwards into the battlefield. When the smoke had cleared, Rika's limp body remained encased in her sphere. The arrancar's dark reiatsu and influence had been eliminated, her body withered away along with her prison. Heaving heavily, Miyako gave a small smile before her body started to fail her.

Her wings and halo dissipated, her hair returned to its familiar shade of twilight blue. Her vision blurred once more as her and Rika's body fell to the ground. Once again, no pain came to swallow her as she could barely brace for impact. She was again in Byakuya's arms, who had cradled her tight.

"It's over, Miyako…you don't have to fight any longer." he whispered. Looking into her half opened eyes, he smiled at her. "Well done. You have a magnificent bankai."

Miyako could barely crack a smile in return. She tried to speak, but her voice failed her.

"Don't speak, save your strength. You're weak."

He was right - she was hanging by a thread and felt as weak as a newborn baby. She didn't know what would happen now. Her chest grew tight, her breathing increased rapidly and her body grew warm, worrying Byakuya.

"Miyako, what's wrong?"

Tears welled in her eyes; suddenly all she could see was darkness as her body grew numb.

"...G-good..bye…" she uttered before collapsing in his arms.

"Miyako!" he shouted out, trying to shake her awake. A heavy lump formed in his throat when she didn't respond.

"MIYAKO!"

Unabara Tsukiyo no Tenshi - Angel of the Moonlit Ocean

Hechicera Vampiro - Vampire Sorceress

Shinseina Jouka - Divine Cleansing