Balance of Souls: Incursion

This article, Balance of Souls: Incursion, is property of LordGalvatron, Stylx, and, Hellion.

Bleach: Equilibrium
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Part 1

"How irrevokably dull", spoke a voice within the dark. The sound took up everything like a piercing screech that would shut down all other senses in order to command attention. At its source stood a woman, not uncomely in appearance, of average stature and with dark hair that seemed to glisten with a tint of blue. She dressed in armour, though the style evoked some similiarities between herself and the frozen Balancer Marshals. She looked upward at the sky, her eyes focused on the black Sun above.

The only one who could see her, the only one somehow unaffected by the sheer weight of her Reiatsu had been Zetsubō Usuguraiboshi. The newborn Tsumikami looked around, clearly unperturbed, and then walked on Mamoru Nakatani's motionless body toward the newcomer.

"What have you done, woman?", he asked with a hint of cheerful curiosity, absent-mindedly swinging his scythe back and forth with only one hand.

"Oh?", her gaze fell on the approaching Zetsubō, only now becoming aware of his presence. Her yellow eyes examined him for a brief moment before they shifted to look at something else, as if he wasn't worth paying attention to.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to show you", she spoke before drawing the sword from the ornate sheath that lay strapped to her side. The motion of it triggered a change in the environment. They were at once bathed in an orange glow and soaked in intense heat, so too was the landscape behind them.

High above the darkened Sun had started to shine, a beacon of red light as it burst into life as a roaring sphere of fire, the very sky ignited under its intensity whilst crags and crevices formed and erupted across the ground as if the entire level of Hell was ripping itself apart.

The weight of her Reiatsu, that which had suffocated everything except the new Tsumikami faded in an instant. Just as a blade wreathed in flames came down upon him, with such speed that the motion had been invisible. A large gap formed between his neck and right shoulder, running all the way down to his waist, his flesh hadn't so much divided as it had been incinerated, searing ashes flowing out from behind the tall figure, the sound of sizzling flesh emanated from the wound, much of it having been cauterized instantly.

Usuguraiboshi fell to his knees. Even though caught completely off-guard by the powerful attack, he did not as much as emit a single grunt, and did not let go of his nightmarish scythe. Instead, he swayed for a short while before slanting forward and supporting himself with both of his hands. Streaks of smoke were rising from the incinerated gash.

"I hate fire", he remarked rather casually.

Meanwhile, Hyo started to rise up from the ground, he shook his head groggily, as he started to observe his surroundings, as he did so Naoko, who was only a little ways behind him, also rose up, all signs of Jamansim's powers gone from her, she stood up, looking ahead of her at both Hyo and what was in front of him.

"Hyo!", she shouted, using Shunpo to move next to him quickly, she helped her fellow Marshal up before turning back towards the spectacle they were staring at.

"She's been released.", Hyo said wearily.

"Hm? You're alive", said the Force-Marshal with an amused touch to her words. She went on to ignore the injured Tsumikami, stretching her muscles and flexing her joints as if aclimatizing to her new environment. With a flick of her wrist a small burst of Reiatsu, at first dark and then a more vibrant blue emerged around her.

"It seems I have you to thank, Hikari Maebure..."

The older Tsumikami shook his head, as if recovering from shock. He looked at the Balancers, his injured disciple and then, at the woman approaching him.

"So they've been after you", he said quietly. "Your gratitude may be slightly premature", he added grimly, lifting his left hand as if signaling the Force-Marshal to halt.

"Oh, and why is that?", she had halted on her path towards the being, idly curious as to what he had to say.

A ways off Zhong had descended to the ground from his previous perch in the sky. He fell onto his kness as soon as he'd landed, panting heavily as his exertions and injuries took their toll. But he'd regained his mind at least.

"So we were used as batteries, hm?", he contemplated, looking on at their revitalized leader.

"Seems like it, doesn't it Zhong-san.", Naoko replied, she and Hyo were slowly walking towards the elderly Balancer, a tired look in both of their eyes.

"Are you okay, Zhong-san?", Hyo asked quietly, he extended a hand out towards his comrade, waiting calmly.

Mamoru lifted himself on his hands and stood up, slowly but surely. Even with grevious injuries, and blood on his back, abdomen and spilling from his mouth, he straightened up and began walking unhurriedly toward his peers and superior, still holding one sword in his left hand.

"We have succeeded", he declared quietly.

In the meantime, Hikari lowered his hand and looked around quickly, analysing the situation. Thanks to his disciple's intervention and the unexpected arrival of another opponent, he had been able to regain his senses before he got carried away.

Together with Zetsubō, he would be able to beat the initial four. However, a brief analysis of the peculiar woman's Reiatsu revealed she was significantly more dangerous than any of them. So dangerous, in fact, that he could only beat her in a duel; while he had completed initial training, Usuguraiboshi was nowhere near as strong as would be required to take care of the other four in the meantime. In any other case, odds like this would only make him smirk, but this time the enemy's numerical advantage translated into advantage in power as well.

Suddenly, he understood the momentousness of this event with frightening clarity. He remembered far too well what happened each time he acted impulsively in such a situation, as every memory of such an instance was eternally carved on his ripe old psyche, forever fresh and haunting. Whereas it hurt his pride deeply, he simply had to swallow it this time.

Another time, whispered a familiar voice in his head.

"Even though you've revealed nothing of importance, I think I know what your goal is", he replied at last, still considering the situation. "And if I'm correct, then our goals are directly opposed to one another. As such, your return is meaningless, and you'll have to witness the utter failure of your mission with your own eyes", he finished with a cold smile.

"Oh? How do you figure that?", her eyelids closed down slightly showing obvious intrigue as she observed her surroundings, first the pair of Tsumikami, then her own Marshals. The fight had certainly escalated a fair bit, and she would profess, at least within her own thoughts that Tsumikami's abilities were a complete unknown to her, but that had only stopped her from steamrolling over something once before. She wouldn't let it happen that away again.

"Judging by what's happened here, you, your pet, and my subordinates seem to be on fair enough terms, so I hazard to think my impending failure could be coming from you, but please, do go on", she replied, emphasizing the right words to denote sarcasm in an otherwise straight laced answer.

Zhong had ignored the hand given to him, climbing to his feet of his own strength.

"I feel whatever is to come, our part is about to be minimalized for a time", he stated without his characteristic malice for once, making his answer seem almost empty.

Hyo lowered his hand as he too looks towards the Force Marshal, he merely stared blankly, not saying a word as he felt a chilled wind sweep past them all.

Naoko sighed while she sheathed her sword, she had a look of mixed relief and discomfort on her face.

"I forgot how scary she could be.", she murmured, just loud enough for her peers to hear her.

Smoke ceased emanating from Zetsubō's wound, which had started regenerating, albeit the process was slowed down due to the instant cauterisation the woman's attack had caused. Nevertheless, Usuguraiboshi himself did not seem to notice either, and he gazed at her intently, motionless. Hikari noted that, observing him with the corner of his eye.

"I used to be one of you", he said, calmly sheathing his sabre. "And just as short-sighted. You and your friends were nice enough to remind me of my new way, however. Heed my words, for they aren't empty promises", he continued, rising his right arm.

Suddenly, his palm was wreathed with electrified energy, which then burst into a shining energy tentacle. The Tsumikami swung his arm and the tendril rapidly shot forward. However, it did not target any of the Balancers; instead, it wrapped itself around Zetsubō's torso.

With a jerk just as swift as the manoeuvre that had preceded it, Maebure pulled his disciple toward himself and then effortlessly swung him backward in one broad motion, right into a fiery portal that unexpectedly opened a couple of metres behind him. Usuguraiboshi was thrown inside, and vanished instantly afterward. Hikari ended the abrupt manoeuvre slanted and with his knees bent, his left palm aimed at the Balancers.

"Sayōnara!", he shouted with a cold smile.

Before anything else could happen, a Kongōbaku blast erupted from his hand and blew up mid-way between him and the apparent leader of his opponents. And just as the strong wind got rid off the smoke caused by the explosion soon afterward, both Tsumikami and their portal were gone.

"Well that's a massive shame", she said to the air, her hand wafting away at the smoke in front of her. Deciding to waste no time on the fleeing Tsumikami, the Force-Marshal instead turned to her injured subordinates and set about a series of hand motions that summoned a series of visible but calming winds that passed over them, immediately beginning a hasty reparation of their wounds.

"So, lets play catch up", she began whilst the healing process did its thing.

"I know why I'm here, but why are you lot here? Did Eijisai grow a conscience at the last minute?", she had started to ask, loathfully aware of how little she knew about the world around her in the present time, Naoko stepped forward, kneeling down formally.

"Yamamoto's dead.", Naoko said bluntly, her face painted with visible, blatant annoyance and hatred at the Shinigami's very name, "The Soul Society has been taken over by Quincies, and they have been taking over the hollow slaying duties the Gotei did, threatening the very balance of souls itself.", she finished off, her voice surprisingly dry and bland.

"Our Yushitou were broken, allowing us to escape from Muken, however, after we found out about this, w-we decided to come here to f-free you Force Marshal-sama.", Hyo said nervously, he was also kneeling down formally as Naoko had done so.

"The damage caused by the Quincy appears to be extensive", added Mamoru with a polite nod, which nonetheless stood in stark contrast with the behaviour of his comrades. "It is highly advisable to act immediately. I believe we should dispose of the Quincy first, so as to halt the disruption of balance, before we act directly to fix the damage that has been already done."

"Okay, back up, back up", the Force-Marshal's forearm looped around in the air repeatedly to simulate her intent to have the conversation enter a rewind.

"Hyo, Naoko, stand up, you're going to give poor Mamoru here a sore neck, then someone explain what to me what a Quincy is", she watched them all expectantly, though Zhong was the first to speak up.

"They're relatives to magic hunters, Humans with special abilities, this particular group have the power to slay Hollows or Shinigami with the added detriment of eliminating their soul from existence, hence the current predicament", he relayed the information with his typical dryness, losing only his usual contempt for everything around him with his words.

"Hm... And they have supplanted the Gotei you say? My, that is troubling", she replied with a nonchalant demeanour, seemingly uncaring for the growing instability of the spiritual realms.

Both Hyo and Naoko stood up slowly, both their faces uncharacteristically serious, Naoko looked up to face the Force Marshal, brushing her hair out of the way slightly.

"They power of these Quincy are lower than our power, as we were able to overwhelm their shock troopers, however, these shock troops also are quite large in number, not to mention, they seem to have lower echelon soldiers as well.", Naoko continued.

"We need to reactivate our own forces to complete all the necessary tasks within the constantly decreasing timeframe", stated Mamoru.

"Alright," she had acquiesced to the continued pestering of the declining balance, deciding she should at least deal with this so-called impending threat to the world's existence.

"I take it more of us still yet live?", she asked working under the assumption that more than the Marshals were imprisoned in the Muken.

"Yes, there is, however only a few of our subordinates have been released from the Yushito, however in time they should resurface.", Naoko replied, she rubbed her head in annoyance, the effects of Jamansim's ability, while not affecting her, still was hurting her head slightly.

"Even though I command the Detention Corps, I can ascertain that my troops will actively participate in our operation", said Nakatani. "In such a dire situation, we should forget about our secondary duties and focus solely on the primary goal of our organisation as a whole."

"Then lets start it right, bring them all here", her words were definitive, commanding. Were they to restore the balance of souls and oust out these Quincy, they would need an effective fighting force and a fast acting plan, as well as a lot of necessary culling in the near future to adjust that balance.

Part 2

Silbern, Seireitei. Early Morning.

Several hours had passed since the gathering in front of the Gate of the Sun and since then the hustle and bustle of Silbern's halls had died down. The Quincy were no longer haphazardly running through out the labyrinthian castle doing whatever they could to cope with their situation, instead they had been granted specific duties, whether it be finding their newest enemy in the Balancers of Souls or preparing for an eventual attack by the Gotei 13's ancient predecessors.

In one particular section of the icy fortress, the members of the Mitteilungteil loomed over various pieces of illuminating machinery, large contraptions that looked like a fusion between organisms and technology to perform the function of a computer, or a radar. Originally belonging to the Shinigami and now manned by the Quincy, they were able to monitor the various spiritual realms with these machines, even peering into the Human World. They analyzed spiritual pressure like blips on a map, the stronger it was the easier it would be to identify, as such it wasn't the most difficult task to find their enemy's readings within the lowest depths of Hell.

"Miss Byrne, you're going to want to see this", said the inquisitive Soldat that made the discovery, beckoning the Sternritter over to his station with a wave of his hand.

"What is the problem?", Kerri asked calmly, she briskly walked over to the machine the Soldat was at, upon reaching him, she started looking at the monitor the Soldat was pointing at, the screen was displaying a luminescent blue glow, various charts and statistics plastered upon it.

"The Balancers? Or another threat?", Kerri asked the Soldat that beckoned her.

"They are the Balancers", spoke a grim voice.

Karl Schwarzwald stood not far behind the female Quincy, leaning against a pillar and partially obscured by its shadow. Nobody had seen him enter the room.

"I recognise one of them", he revealed whilst approaching Byrne unhurriedly.

Then, he stood beside her and slanted forward, gazing at the monitor.

"That guy", he pointed at the Balancer in question, nearly touching the screen. "He gave me and Brother Firepower a run for our money. Any idea what are they doing down there?", he addressed the last line to the Soldat.

"Residual build up of Reiatsu suggests a battle took place between the Balancers, and... what seems to be Togabito, sir", spoke the Soldat. Just as he turned to face his superiors, his face was immediately drawn back to the screen as it began to light up with the blips of more and more presences.

"It looks like more are being intentionally summoned to that spot, this isn't good.", Kerri mused to herself, she beckoned another Soldat who immediately came towards her and Karl.

"Report this to Lord Bamshad.", she ordered the Soldat, who immediately complied, taking off in order to deliver her message.

"They're probably lower level forces than what you, Anders and the others fought, however their number is admittedly quite worrisome.", she said quietly to her fellow Stern Ritter, she furrowed her brow in concern, looking at the monitor for any changes in the tiny indicators.

"Scheiße", commented Schwarzwald. "There goes our numerical advantage."

"Quincy have long made due with cunning and ingenuity as our only advantage", said the age old voice of Vitor Zeferino from the back of the room, the Soldat carrying word from Kerri passed by him quickly, necessitating a momentary sidestep from the elderly figure.

"This battle shall be no different, young master Schwarzwald", he continued with confidence.

It was a few minutes before the lone messenger could traverse the great halls of the Quincy fortress to reach Roshan's quarters. Behind the lavish double doors was a rather spartan-looking accomodation, certainly large enough to contain all manner of pretty bauble but largely left undecorated besides a few very old and dusty antiques and the required ammenities such as a dresser and bed.

The Soldat spotted the blonde middle aged figure lazing about atop that very same bed, using the sheets as an oversized headrest beneath him.

"Lord Bamshad, we've located the Balancers within the lowest of Hell, they are gathering allies there", the soldier delivered his report quickly, ignoring the visible cringing Roshan displayed at the title applied to him though he had little reaction to anything else.

"Alright then, gather up our men in the throne room, lets see what we can pull together", the man leaped from his bed with surprising energy given his injured state and quickly led the Soldat out of the room, the two figures going their seperate ways as the door closed behind them.

Part 3

Silbern, Throne Room. Morning.

The large hall was filled with numerous Quincy in various forms of dress, from the clandestine outfits of the Insicht's scientists to the customized uniforms of the various Sternritter. They had scattered off across the room, huddling up into their own little groups to talk amongst each other whilst the most veteran members, Anders, Roshan, and, Vitor did the same at the far end of the room in front of the long empty throne.

"Alright, the defences are taken care of?", asked Roshan with his voice low.

"Yes, all of our forces have been alerted and mobilised. We are prepared to defend crucial locations, and numerous teams are patrolling the entire area", stated Schäfer.

"I've tweaked my instruments a bit", added Timothy Jones. "We'll know about their presence the moment they take the first step into our territory."

Meanwhile, a bit further back in the throne room, Haiiro, Kaede and Aileen were grouped together, idly chatting about the events that had transpired of recent times.

"I wonder how powerful these guys really are?", Haiiro said lazily, his wounds and odd illness had finally healed, the young Quincy stretched slightly before continuing.

"I mean the guy me and Kaede fought seemed to be tough, but I don't think the soldiers of their ranks would pose a threat, oh well, I guess we'll find out soon enough.", he concluded happily.

"I dunno, they might just give us a run for our money", replied Kaede as she thought about it.

Back with the veterans, Roshan had passed his gaze over each member as they spoke up, giving him a certain amount of reassurance in their situation. He stepped beyond his fellow elder Quincy and the room fell quiet when they realized that he meant to address everyone present.

"As you guys may already know, we've had a run in with some fun hatin' folks callin' themselves the Balancers of Souls, they've taken it upon themselves to end us and restore balance to the spiritual realms", he explained rather dryly compared to his usual need to be round about and sarcastic. "They also happen to think an alliance to achieve the latter goal is beneath 'em, I know, you're all upset", he continued on.

"We've gotten word that they seem to be massing within the lowermost level of Hell and will likely attack us here in Soul Society before too long, whilst we've shored up as much as we can for that inevitability, I'm not a defensive man, me, I prefer to take the fight to the enemy, and so, we need a way into Hell", he stopped there, offering no solution of his own though without directly asking a question of his gathered subordinates either. He left it to them to ponder and realize on their own.

"What about the Senkaimon?", asked Karl Schwarzwald, the hood of his uniform put on his head. "Shinigami used it to travel across the dimensions. Would it work?"

"Sadly not.", Kerri replied to Karl, approaching the hooded Quincy as she did so. "In order to traverse the Senkaimon safely, the use of Hell Butterflies are needed, however as we're not Shinigami, the Hell Butterflies do not heed to our commands, rendering us unable to use them to travel through the Senkaimon.", Kerri explained, her voice trailing off in the large throne room as she finished.

"So we can't rely on the Shinigami's technology then.", Haiiro said aloud, the young Quincy looked as if he was deep in thought before finally giving off an expression of defeat. "How about some kind of Gintō spell? There are spells we have that allow us to go to other dimensions after all.", Haiiro suggestion, shrugging as the mass of Quincies looked towards him.

"In this case, Gintō would be unreliable", rebuked Vitor. "Hell is not connected to the Dangai that link the Human World and Soul Society, nor does it share a link with the spiritual pathways that lead to Hueco Mundo, our spells would be useless unless we figure out just what hides behind those skeletal gates", he continued so as not to brook a request for explanation.

"Such a pity", came the effeminate voice of an Arrancar at the back of the room.

"I had been experimenting similarly, only with the Shinigami's Kidō, thus far I had been able to replicate a spell that allows them to leave the Hell dimension as they wish but not enter it", he explained a bit of dramatic flair here and there as he went on.

Timothy kept stroking his beard in the meantime. He tapped his index finger on the chin a few times, and then moved slightly.

"Maybe...", he started, hesitating.

"Maybe we could help?", asked a deep, disembodied voice all of a sudden.

Two very tall figures clad in black, hooded robes emerged from the shadows in between the pillars that no one had paid attention to earlier, and calmly walked toward the Quincy before halting several metres from the closest of them. The stranger at the front, slightly shorter than the shadowy giant looming behind, looked around at the perplexed Wandenreich members, his face obscured from their sight.

"I might be able to help you with this predicament", continued the intruder.

The entire hall, save Vitor and Roshan, all reacted as one would, turning towards the intruders they all got into their stances, some even summoning their Quincy bows and drawing their Zanpakutō's.

Due to the abruptness of the stranger's entrance, Kerri jumped at their appearance, which subsequently activated her powers, causing her sleeve to sporadically start a small fire, she quickly beat out the fire with her hand before cautiously approaching the figures.

"First of all who are you? Also, how would you be able to help us?", she said in a serious manner.

"Well okay, steal the boss' job while he's right here Kerri, way to hurt his feelin's", said Roshan jokingly. Vitor turned to him with a squinted look of annoyance given the blonde man's lack of caution in the situation and his current state.

The cloaked man hesitated for a moment, baffled by the odd behaviour of the Quincy. However, he quickly regained his composure and turned to Byrne. He took off the hood and revealed his ashen, scarred face and medium-length jet black hair. His scarlet eyes were fixed at the young woman.

"I am Hikari Maebure", he introduced himself. "And this is my disciple, Zetsubō Usuguraiboshi", he added shortly, tilting his head at the man standing silently behind him. "We're both denizens of Hell, and we both happen to know how to get there easily."

"Being a denizen of Hell is believable, and so is the fact that you would be able to traverse to hell is also believable, what isn't believable however is the fact that two denizens of Hell would co-operate with anyone unless they were planning to betray them afterwards.", Kerri retorted sternly, ready to retaliate at the two at a moment's notice.

"It would be a little strange for some of Hell's inmates to show up here without some kind of ploy", agreed Kshatriya. "What would you guys want in return if we did take your help?", she continued, asking the question that surely filled the minds of prospective acceptors.

Anders was glaring at the intruders with an intimidating frown. Aileen squeezed her Quincy cross in her right hand, ready to summon her sonic weapon at the slightest provocation. Karl was baffled that he did not notice them much earlier than everyone else. Timothy kept waving his miniature radar dish at the Sinners, trying to comprehend why were they emanating about as much Reiatsu as the pillar beside them.

Hikari glanced at the numerous Wandenreich members gathered in the room. He narrowed his eyes slightly when his gaze fixed at Schäfer for a few moments, then looked back at Kerri.

"Naturally, I didn't expect you'd trust a stranger", he said with a wry smile. "Particularly such a shady one like myself. However, it happens that the Balancers of Souls are also my enemies. We both want to get rid off them, but from what I gather, it would be extremely difficult if we tried separately. As such, why not join forces?"

Outwardly laid-back, he was slightly anxious inside. It had been a while since the last time he was in the presence of such a great number of powerful beings. He had to be careful.

"I offer my abilities and knowledge of Hell in exchange for your Reishi manipulation techniques. We may work together to defeat the common enemy, and now that you know you have something I desire, you shouldn't be afraid I could betray you."

Kerri narrowed her eyes slightly, however, before she could reply Haiiro, who had drawn one of his Seele Schneider upon Hikari's appearance, abruptly cut in.

"What I would like to know is how an entity such as you, who is obviously powerful enough to get by us undetected, would need our techniques.", he said with an unnaturally stern look printed on his usually jovial face.

"I agree that it requires some explanation", replied Maebure with a nod. "You see, I specialise in Kidō. Your ingenious techniques of Reishi manipulation would substantially facilitate my progress in mastering the art. And progress is of great importance to me."

"Only Quincy have the ability to do so, to manipulate it as we do you would have to become one of us", said Vitor with some obvious displeasure regarding the idea.

"As it happens, short of surprising us all and turning into a Hollow to devour us, the only way to make someone who isn't a Quincy into one would require a piece of Yhwach's soul", butting in was Roshan, who had finally stepped forward amongst the cautious group of Quincy within the room.

"The old man is dead and gone, but we have a method of both retaining and distributing what remains of his soul, you help us and I see to it that you are given one such fragment and instructed in our methods", bargained Roshan with a serious look to him as if to make clear that he wasn't joking around.

Hikari stroked his chin, and then nodded.

"It's a deal", he stated after a short while. "I suppose we might now continue the discussion of your plan together."

"Lord Bamshad! You're being too rash!", Kerri exclaimed, her shock of Roshan actually accepting Maebure's helping causing her already smouldering sleeve to spark slightly, ignoring it she pointing at the other figure.

"Even if this deal is not some sort of trap, I doubt that the other denizen will allow himself to go unpaid either.", she explained in an urgent fashion.

Though she had ignored it, the hulking automaton that was HK-105 placed a hand on the sparking sleeve, squashing any possibility of a fire starting under its cold steel appendage.

The Quincy regent visibly cringed as usual at the woman's words, already aware of the other being but not taking it into account as Kerri had been, after all a king did not negotiate with another over menial tribute to his knights.

"We'll toss him some a' those jelly filled donut-riceballs the Einsicht boys cooked up after hours", he offered sarcastically.

Vitor tapped his cane on the ground to gather everyone's attention, an accompanying cough to clear his throat following not far behind.

"Anyway, we had plans to strike at the Balancers whilst they gather their forces in Hell, but we lacked the means to gain entry, we would assume that you could grant us this?", said the elder with his gaze focused on the two outsiders.

"Don't mind Usuguraiboshi-kun", said Hikari, replying to Kerri's remark first. "He's indebted to me, and he doesn't need personal remuneration."

The other Tsumikami stepped forward without a warning, prompting Maebure to glance at him with the corner of his eye. Then, Zetsubō lifted his right hand outstretched to the side, exposing his pale, scarred arm with sinewy muscles.

"Enkaiō Sakeme", he declared gravely with a raspy voice.

Blue flames burst into existence a couple of metres above the Wandenreich members, quickly assuming the oval shape of a fiery portal. There were chains inside, and its interior was almost uniformly crimson.

"This is our means of travel", explained Maebure, now addressing Vitor.

"Are there any adverse affects to this means of travel?", Kerri asked after shaking HK's arm of her sleeve, despite everyone else being more relaxed, she couldn't help but be skeptic towards the two Tsumikami.

Meanwhile, Zetsubō lowered his hand and leant forward in an ominous manner again. However, the portal he had summoned remained suspended in the air.

"I think that the technique itself is perfectly safe", replied Hikari. "What would be problematic is the Hell's Miasma. People like me and my disciple thrive on it, but it's poisonous to outsiders like you."

"Its less poison and more like failing parole", joked Roshan, well aware of the effects of Hell's toxic air.

"That said, it is dangerous, so you kids can feel free to opt out of this one, I want a show of hands, who's up for braving the Ninth Circle?", he asked, his viridian eyes examining the crowd. Amala and Kaede were the first to do so, stunted by mechanical slowness was HK-105.

"Fire and brimstone is right up my alley, and I've been dying to set someone alight", Amala sported a teething grin, exuding excitement. Not far away Kaede had changed her look as well, her determination having become clear in the unwavering raise of her arm.

"I shall go with you", declared Anders solemnly. "Our enemies have to be destroyed forthwith, no matter the risk involved."

"I'll go too", added Karl. "Not really keen on visiting Hell, but my abilities may be useful."

"I s'ppose you'll need my equipment as well", stated Timothy, glaring at his mechanical creation.

"Pass", said Ho-jin, looking to the side.

"I shall play them the song of my people", declared Aileen with a wry smile.

"I don't like the thought of being poisoned again, but Kaede wouldn't stand me passing, it would ruin her perfectionism.", Haiiro jested, raising his hand while chuckling mischievously.

"I shall join this team also.", Kerri stated positively, putting her suspicions of the Tsumikami behind her as she raised her hand.

"Now that's a turn out I like to see", said Roshan before his eyes turned to the demonic beings in the middle of his court.

"How 'bout you and Lurch, either of you want to do more than act like a bellhop?", he questioned with lighthearted jabs.

"Much to my regret, after the recent skirmish with the Balancers I've been left somewhat drained", replied Hikari. "However, Usuguraiboshi-kun is in near-perfect shape, so he'll be able to assist you."

"I will go", confirmed Zetsubō with a slight nod.

"Right, as I assume the Balancers are expecting our counter attack and think that we will fight in a similar manner to before, so how will we organise ourselves this time?", Kerri asked as she folded her arms in thought.

Vitor tapped his cane on the ground in response, making it clear to anyone who could hear the echo that he was the one to reply.

"Don't be so sure young mistress, we should not assume that they know we plan to strike, they have no way of knowing that we have their location", he spoke, though he wasn't going to rule out that the Balancers had prepared measures just in case, after all one did not get to live 2,000 years or more without a healthy dose of paranoia.

"Anyway", interrupted Bamshad.

"I'll be sending a few of you down, with Lurch here as your guide, the goal is to hit the lowest floor of Hell as quickly as possible and then hit the Balancers as hard as you can, don't give them a moment to think or retaliate, as soon as they try, you come home, alright?", he spoke as if he was giving a run down on just what strike teams were rather than any specific tactic that they should've been employing.

"As for who gets the dubious honour of goin', Tim, you and the Iron Giant can be the leads for this one, Girado, Kaede, Haiiro, and, Kerri, you get to be their cheer team", he hadn't given them a dismissal along with their assignment, but many of them took it as such and the assigned Sternritter left the room, the towering Tsumikami and effeminate Arrancar not too far behind.

"Anders, I want a defense line across the 30th Rukongai districts, use anyone here as you see fit for the job".

The veteran Sternritter hesitated for a moment, but then he stroked his chin and nodded slowly after a short while.

"Frau Abandonato, Frau Vargas, Frau Kshatriya and Herr Kwon", he said following a brief consideration.

"Aw, crap", muttered the Korean Quincy.

"Well, its not fire and brimstone, but its somethin'", Amala commented.

"It'll be such a shame that we make the homes of the Souls into a battlefield though", said the Latin woman with a pang of regret.

"You shall take large detachments of Soldat each, and establish outposts in each of the four districts. I will coordinate the defence as a whole. Follow me, we shall discuss the details en route", he stated, marching out of the room.

Part 4

Silbern, Inner Halls. Morning.

"Well, Timothy, you're the boss for this, what's the plan once we enter Hell?", asked Kaede, loud enough that the whole group present would be able to hear within the pristine white room.

"Depends", replied the cyborg Quincy after a short while. "How far can this Enkaiō Sakeme technique bring us?", he asked, addressing the hulking Tsumikami standing beside him.

"To the Limbo", replied Zetsubō in his typically grim manner. "We will need to wait a moment before we will be able to enter the Ninth Circle. The Kushanāda will assault you", he added almost as an afterthought.

"That might be troublesome", determined Jones, nodding.

Then, a frown appeared on his forehead.

"But what about you?", he asked, slightly surprised.

"They know better", stated Usuguraiboshi.

Kerri narrowed her eyes, giving the denizen of hell a steely glare, despite her not liking how Maebure worded himself, the almost silent nature of Usuguraiboshi concerned her more so.

"How long will these Kushanāda take in finding us?", Haiiro asked the imposing figure that was Zetsubō, his eyebrow cocked in curiosity.

"A while", replied the Tsumikami.

"Faster than it takes to use the portal again, right?", Timothy demanded a clarification.

"Yes."

Jones nodded and turned to his fellow Sternrittern.

"It seems we're gonna need to hold our own there fer some time. We oughta stay put and try not to attract too much attention. Once our friend here is able to summon the portal again, we'll jump to the Ninth Circle and sneak attack the Balancers", he said, scratching the back of his head.

"Ready to commense operation", said HK flatly.

"Hm, yes, like the automaton said, we should ready ourselves to head out", said Girado as he decided to apply himself to the ongoing conversation of his Human and mechanical counterparts.

His utterance drew Zetsubō's attention so overtly, that the others could not help but notice it. Timothy glanced at the Tsumikami, then at the Arrancar ally, and back at the Tsumikami.

"Something's wrong?", he asked, hesitating a little.

"No", replied Usuguraiboshi plainly, his voice expressing about as much emotion as HK's. "Enkaiō Sakeme."

The fiery portal of blue and crimson suddenly sprang into existence a few metres above him. Then, the Tsumikami jumped into the air and disappeared into the portal right afterward.

"Uhm, he doesn't fool around, does he?", commented Jones.

"We shouldn't trust him as much as we are, he could be easily lying to us.", Kerri said anxiously, "However we better follow him in there for now.", she finished in a defeated manner, following the Tsumikami into the red void.

"Let's get going, don't wanna be left behind do we?", Haiiro asked the rest of the Stern Ritter as he approached the portal also.

"With you as always", replied Kaede, grabbing her fellow Quincy's arm and leaping into the portal, using her strength to pull Haiiro with her.

"This ought to be a fun practical experiment", Girado mused to himself as he entered behind them.

HK closed in on the portal, but did not enter on his own, instead awaiting Kerri and Timothy to approach, his singular eye observing the red and light aura of the gateway. The cyborg Quincy stared at the portal for a while, the goggles replacing his eyes gleaming faintly.

"Seems to be safe", he remarked with a shrug, after which he jumped inside with surprising agility.

The collective of beings were deposited unceremoniously into the upper atmosphere of Hell, their descent slowed and then effectively halted by the various powers that their races afforded them. The landscape of level was largely unusual. A sprawling landmass that stretched on for an eternity, its floor was blue and the only objects to occupy it were large blocks of white, formed in all different widths and heights. From their height it was difficult to see, but the presence of Togabito could be made up across the area, so too could the wardens of the dimension, gargantuan creatures that simply walked through the various block structures to get at their sinning charges.

"The Reiatsu here... its so... mangled", Kaede stressed out, feeling the strange and claustrophobic spiritual energy that assaulted those newly entering the Damned realm.

"Uh oh, Kaede's gonna flip.", Haiiro jeered, snickering as he also looked upon the vast expanse of despairing Togabito.

"It's to be expected I guess, it is hell after all.", Kerri replied to Kaede's comment, completely ignoring Haiiro's joke as she too felt the irregular Reiatsu that was surrounding them.

"The density of Reishi is unusually high", noted Timothy. "Means plenty of ammo for our spiritual weapons. Anyway, we oughta stay here for a...", he hesitated.

Without a warning, a massive silhouette emerged from a relatively nearby block, prompting a group of Togabito to run in panick. The muscular giant with a skull-like head followed them for a short while, emitting a distinct hum in the process. However, it then stopped and turned directly toward the team of Quincy, fixing the gaze of its shining red eyes at the intruders.

"...shit", finished Jones.

Silently, Kaede's hand moved behind her and withdrew a wooden line rule that promptly slapped Haiiro on the back of the head before being replaced in its previous position, the female Quincy saying little on the matter, though the stress marks under her laugh lines made it obvious she wanted to.

"Tsumikami-san, how long must we hold out?", asked Girado, his vibrant Reiryoku wings having just burst into existence behind him.

HK observed the Hell warden silently, doing little to stop its potential advance or offer advice on the situation.

Timothy aimed his bionic left arm at the giant creature. Its hand quickly split and re-assembled itself into a multi-pronged barrel, and two arcs retracted from his forearm, together assuming the shape of a futuristic crossbow. However, he refrained from firing it for the time being.

The Kushanāda took a step toward the Quincy, quaking the blue pathway they were all standing on in the process.

Meanwhile Zetsubō, who had until then been standing a few metres from the group, staring in the opposite direction, turned around swiftly and began walking slowly toward the monster. He passed by Girado, who somehow was even taller than the grim Tsumikami, and then halted abruptly. The Kushanāda took another step forward, but then its gaze moved to Usuguraiboshi. The giant guardian of Hell appeared to hesitate at his sight.

Zetsubō lifted his right hand outstretched to the side. Suddenly, something burst forth from the sleeve of his black coat and split with a metallic sound: within a moment he summoned a large, spiky scythe. He grabbed it with both hands and aimed its lower end at the Kushanāda's head. The giant itself straightened up and took a step backward, but it was too late.

The large spike at the bottom of Usuguraiboshi's weapon shot forward, attached to what seemed to be a constantly elongating spinal cord. It struck the massive creature's forehead with the speed of lightning, cracking its surface around the puncture. Then, a crimson electric current travelled across the cord's length in the blink of an eye, and the next moment the back of the Kushanāda's head exploded violently from within.

The guardian's gleaming eyes faded away. Zetsubō yanked the cord with great force, prompting the Kushanāda to crash down upon the blue pathway. Right afterward the spiky end detached from its target and swiftly returned to its position at the lower end of the Tsumikami's scythe.

"It didn't notice me", he said.

Shortly afterward he emitted a short series of raspy, intermittent sounds, which with a healthy dose of imagination could be interpreted as a chortle.

"It seems so.", Kerri said darkly, her eyes fixed upon the Tsumikami, as if she was trying to decipher the being thoroughly.

Haiiro in the meanwhile, looked around as he idly spun one of his Seele Schneider's around his finger, yawning briefly as he rubbed the portion of his head that Kaede hit with her ruler, despite his outwardly lax demeanor, the young Quincy was ready to spring into action at a moments notice.

The Kushanāda slumped down atop the blue path, the stonework somehow withstanding the massive creature's weight despite its thin and weak-looking structure.

"Remind me never t-", Kaede started, apparently awed by the might of the masked Tsumikami, though she was cut off by HK-105.

"It still functions", the mechanized being warned, its singular eye glowing with intensity as its focus loomed on the giant warden. True to its words, the Kushanāda's eyes reignited within its damaged skull, its muscles tensed as it pressed down on the pathway and started its ascent.

Before it could get far though, Girado had drawn his sword, a lavender orb forming at its tip whilst he pointed it just in front of the creature, the orb then erupted into Cero that vaporized a part of the walkway, causing it to collapse beneath the Kushanāda at last. The beast was swallowed by a black pit and a seemingly eternal drop though it made no noise of its own, perhaps failing to even recognize the danger.

Atop four large blocks that had surrounded the damaged area, more Kushanāda appeared, seemingly climbing out of the blocks.

"Oh, bother...", Girado spoke, bemoaning the results of his effort.

"They're stronger", mused Zetsubō, who did not seem alarmed by the unfavourable turn of events.

"Assume a defensive formation", commanded Timothy, his composure wavering slightly. "HK, activate your combat protocols", he added, aiming his mechanical weapon at one of the new Kushanāda.

Haiiro broke off from spinning his Seele Schneider, letting it rest in his now summoned bow, the blue glow of the sword arrow glinting on the metallic frame of Haiiro's pentagon shaped bow, he fired the Seele Schneider at one of the many Kushanāda approaching the group, the blade reeling straight at the giant's skull like head, the blade of the Seele Schneider sank deep into the Kushanāda's head, sparking with a plume of blue Reiatsu as it connected, however, the Kushanāda completely ignored it, continuing it's approach towards the group, Haiiro, undeterred, started pelting the beast with a barrage of Heilig Pfeil's in the hopes of slowing it down for the rest of his team to react accordingly.

The Hell warden pushed onward, ignoring the oncoming spiritual arrows as they pelted its front, it simply pushed off of the ground and began moving into the air towards them. Meanwhile, HK, having followed his creator's instructions opened its cloak to reveal its massed armaments, a series of missiles formed of Reishi launching from specific tubes continuously at the creature.

They impacted, but the force of the explosion did nothing to push it back, the injuries it had sustained seeming little more than artificial.

"Isn't there a way down to the lower levels manually? I would suggest we not stay here long", inquired Girado of his allies.

Timothy followed up HK's barrage with an attack of his own, showering the same monster with a hail of mildly explosive energy bolts constantly spouted by his miniature rotary cannon-crossbow hybrid, but to no avail either.

"Darn, those are some big, tough mofoes", he murmured.

Zetsubō silently observed the futile efforts of his allies for a while, and then turned toward the Arrancar.

"We can jump down", he stated with a slight shrug.

Kerri, who had still not assited her allies, opting to observe Usuguraiboshi instead of fruitlessly deal with the Hell Guardians, stepped forth, he arms crossed.

"I don't see how that would help much, it would buy us a couple of seconds at most.", she objected, "Plus there's the fact of the lower levels becoming more dangerous.", the young Quincy added, she narrowed her eyes, waiting for the Tsumikami to respond to her.

Meanwhile Haiiro was dodging the Kushanāda's gigantic hand, the giant, despite the amount of firepower that the trio of Quincies had unloaded in it, the Kushanāda had reached them and was in the middle of attacking them. Haiiro, just barely dodging another swipe of the titan's hand, retreated back to where Kaede was standing.

"Oi Kaede, when we get back, remind me that I need to make a more powerful attack.", Haiiro said to Kaede, despite his attempts to stay cool headed, a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead and his mouth was shaped into a small grin.

"I don't think power matters much here, Haiiro", replied Kaede, jumping back with him as another swing flew in from the creature. She hadn't bothered to summon her spirit weapon, seeing the fruitless efforts of her comrades having no effect.

"Well you may wait if you like, I'd rather not be crushed at this moment", replied Girado to Kerri, he hadn't bothered on waiting for a consensus on the situation, his wings of Reiryoku simply continued to beat in motion as he took to weaving his way through the Kushanāda and the great white block structures that hid behind them.

Usuguraiboshi stood motionless, gazing at the guardian reaching toward him. Soon the giant hand approached him and the fist clenched on him. Suddenly, though, the Tsumikami seemed to "slide" into existence right above the Kushanāda's head, on top of which he landed softly.

"Follow me", he uttered in a raised voice toward the struggling Wandenreich members.

Afterward he simply hopped down, past the blue pathway suspended in the air, and proceeded to descend toward the thick shroud of yellowish clouds below. Kerri, who had used Hirenkyaku to dodge the Hell Guardians hand, hesitantly followed suit, jumping into the yellow clouds also while Haiiro looked up at the where the Tsumikami had just been, sighing as his face showed signs of slight disappointment.

"Let's go then Kaede.", he said to his partner as he followed Kerri into the abyss below.

"Bah, this is going to get horribly stupid, I just know it", she complained, following her counterpart into the abyss.

"This is only gettin' better", remarked Timothy sarcastically. "HK, disengage and follow me!"

The cyborg Quincy ceased his meaningless cannonade and evaded the Kushanāda with competent use of Hirekyaku. Then, he jumped off the blue pathway after a moment's hesitation. Of course HK followed, its armaments ceasing their onslaught before the machine burst into motion with its creator.

Meanwhile, Zetsubō was speeding through the shroud of yellow clouds, calm. After a few seconds he suddenly found himself in relatively clear air. A vast ocean materialised far below, dotted with numerous rocky islands of varying sizes interspersed across it at random locations. The Tsumikami began manoeuvring with slight motions of his body, changing his trajectory with skill that made it obvious he had done that numerous times before. He was descending toward one of the larger islands, shaped like a water lily. The formation was mostly hollow inside, with the skeleton of a fallen Kushanāda impaled on a titanic pole within. Usuguraiboshi altered his trajectory slightly to avoid it.

"Tsuriboshi", he whispered once he was close to the island.

A ball of blue energy appeared below him, sprouting six ropes that attached themselves to the skeleton and the inner rim of the stone water lily, creating a cushion of flexible spiritual fabric. The Tsumikami landed on it rather softly, without much difficulty despite his previous momentum.

Kerri burst forth from the yellow clouds shortly afterwards, while initially taken aback slightly by the level's overall look, she regained he composure fast enough to land on the previously placed Tsuriboshi, landing on one knee. Standing up, Kerri turned towards Zetsubō while scanning the landscape with her eyes.

"I thought Girado came down here before me, I wonder where he is.", Kerri mused to herself as Haiiro and Kaede also made themselves known, bursting from the cloud and landing near to where Kerri and Zetsubō stood.

The Arrancar stepped out to the side, appearing from behind the large impaled carcass of the Kushanāda.

"Mm, should we be worrying about my attendance, and not those of our mechanical friends?", he referred to the slower pace of the other two Quincy that had to land with them.

Just as he spoke the miniature silhouette of Timothy appeared high above them. After a few moments the cyborg Quincy landed on the Bakudō spell beside his allies.

"Heck, that's been some nice warm-up", he remarked whilst straightening up. "How 'bout summonin' the portal now?", he addressed Usuguraiboshi.

The Tsumikami tilted his head toward him.

"I could have done that earlier", he replied.

Jones first raised his eyebrows, and then frowned.

"Wait, what? Why haven't you done that?", he asked, baffled.

"Your struggle was amusing", responded Zetsubō in a chilling manner.

"I feel so disturbed now.", Haiiro jokingly called out, while hesitant to outwardly mock the Tsumikami, he had no qualms in jesting the being a little, Kerri on the other hand bore a angry expression as Haiiro chuckled slightly.

"You do know that messing around like that could sour the deal between Lord Bamshad and your better, I doubt that he would be happy about your little bouts of entertainment then, would he?", Kerri bitterly stated, somehow managing to stand tall despite Zetsubo's intimidating presence, "So, I suggest we fulfill our objective as swiftly and efficiently as possible.", the young Quincy finished, waiting patiently to see if Usuguraiboshi would respond or not.

"You do not trust me", stated the Tsumikami as he turned to Byrne.

Without a warning he was right in front of her, towering over the young woman and leaning toward her, the worn, fractured surface of his white mask a mere few inches from her face.

"You think we are spies", he said gravely. "You think that our common plan is a ruse. You think that I have brought you here for the Balancers to swiftly eliminate you, and that my Master will foil your defensive efforts from within."

There was a massive crash behind the clashing duo, HK having arrived not long after Timothy, did so in a particularly destructive manner. Void of the spiritual movement techniques of the Quincy, he simply dropped through the sky like a several million dollar stone before crushed the rock in a magnificient show of force with his feet.

Despite ignoring both HK's rather abrupt and loud entrance and despite not visibly reacting to Zetsubō in the slightest, Kerri started to randomly emit steam from her body as she managed to somehow endure Zetsubo's glare as she stood off against the pseudo deity.

"Is it wrong for me to think so, you're denizens of Hell who offer help for a rather meagre price in return, of course I'm not going to trust you, of course I'm going to think that you have some ulterior motive that could ensure our destruction, you could turn on us right now even.", Kerri seethed, returning Zetsubō's glare right back at the Tsumikami.

"Shall we continue with the mission then? If we're able to complete this objective without any other complications I'll stop being so pessimistic, sound good?.", Kerri proposed angrily, despite removing her face from in front of Zetsubō's own and seemingly calming down a little, the steam that was billowing from her body was still present, being blown backwards by the light wind that broke the dead silence.

Girado interjected with his sword, tapping the sheathed weapon against his hand to cause a jarring rattle that would catch attention.

"Hm, you don't seem much for thought do you?", spoke the Arrancar, his eyes focused on Kerri.

"They seek Quincy power, an ulterior motive all its own, it is no paltry trade item, the ability to absorb and manipulate the building blocks of an entire series of worlds to form weapons, to crush and make the bodies of others do your bidding, if you think that is meagre, I truly would not wish to see what you think would be a grandiose demand of Wandenreich resources", explained the creature, somewhat mockingly given his tone.

The steam coming from Kerri's body abruptly stopped as she stepped back some more from Zetsubō, her head hung down slightly.

"Let's just get moving, we have little time as it is.", she said in a deflated tone, Girado's timely mocking managing to quell the Quincy woman's anger as she turned to finally view the landscape.

Usuguraiboshi stared at her for a while, and looked around at the other Wandenreich members as well. Then, he straightened up and uttered a short, disturbing laughter.

"I like you", he stated. "Enkaiō Sakeme."

Right afterward the fiery portal materialised above him, this time leading straight into the deepest bowels of Hell.

A small black orb appeared within the portal, slowly consuming the image it presented as it expanded. Finally the portal burst and the black mass vanished, soon replaced by the body of Dan Tai Sin, his body in motion, his fist about to deliver a point blank strike to Zetsubō.

There was time to evade, despite the newly arrived Balancer's proximity to his opponent and the sudden-ness with which he appeared. But before such a thought could be acted upon, the Tsumikami felt an impact, a powerful force, smash against his skull and launch him back from where he stood. The attack felt unnatural, as if it somehow penetrated the very concept of resistance to its effect.

But the naked eye saw nothing other than the elaborate deer horn knives grasped by his hands. Suddenly, another figure came forth, reappearing from what appeared to be a Shunpo technique, he fell from above the Tsumikami, seemingly landing on thin air as he back-flipped, landing on the ground next to Tai Sin, he straightened up, looking around at the group of Quincies.

"Looks like we have a fair number of foes don't we Tai Sin-san.", the unnamed individual stated, giving his comrade a sideways stare, as if waiting for him to respond.

Usuguraiboshi lay motionless on the elastic surface of the Tsuriboshi spell, seemingly knocked out by the unexpected attack. On the other hand, despite the abruptness of the Balancers' arrival, Timothy's analytical mind allowed him to respond in an appropriate manner quickly. The moment the second of the newcomers was finishing his sentence, Jones was already aiming his spiritual weapon at the two.

"Sorry, guys", he said whilst the Arc's barrels were beginning to spin. "We ain't s'pposed to be takin' stops."

Right afterward the weapon proceeded to fire a continuous stream of red energy bullets.

Dan Tai Sin motioned a flurry of fancy and acrobatic attacks with his hands and feet, somehow keeping track of each of the blasts coming at him and disarming them with little more than Hakuda, and the bladed tools covering his hands and feet. When he had cleared himself a path, he glanced towards his comrade before returning his attention to the gathered Wandenreich forces.

"I am to halt only one, you will do", the Balancer's deep and heavy voice rang loud and clear in the air, disspassionate in its presentation.

At the same time HK-105 stood tall behind its master, unlikely to leave the man fighting a solo battle on its terms. Daisuke, who had been spared from Timothy's barrage for the most part, moved closer towards his ally, a relatively neutral and calm expression on his face.

"It seems that guy's companion won't be allowing you to do so Tai Sin-san.", Daisuke said, glowing slightly as some of the ground near him started to rise up in front of him, merging and compacting into what seemed to be a human-sized spike, walking up to the spike, Daisuke merely prodded it with his finger, causing it to rocket off at the two mechanical Quincies it was aimed at.

"Kokubyō.", Daisuke stated just as the spike was sent flying off.

HK's arm flew up whilst blue gleaming energy took shape of a large construct around it, three large barrels began rotating from the front before an onslaught of small heilig pfeil flew out. They pelted the large stone spike, erroding its form with unusual rapidity, leaving little left beyond a few pellets when the barrage stopped.

Meanwhile Dan Tai Sin cast a glare towards Daisuke, bemused by the words of his ally.

"You take it", he replied.

From relative safety, given the situation, Girado determined his next course of action, casting a glance to the seemingly unconscious Tsumikami.

"Shall we move on ahead whilst these two single us out, or would we rather I dissect the next class project?", mused the Arrancar to the unengaged Quincy surrounding him.

"I propose that we do the latter.", Kerri blandly stated, ignoring the two new opponents that they were facing, Haiiro, who had momentarily turned to listen to his comrade, sighed slightly as he turned to face Kaede.

"Shall we then?", he asked his partner as he summoned his bow once again, prepared to react to any action that the Balancers made.

"Kill them", growled Zetsubō, all of a sudden standing beside the incredibly tall Arrancar scientist.

"Sorry, boys", said Timothy toward the two Balancers. "We ain't playin' yer game."

The cybernetic Quincy tore off his Sternritter cloak, revealing his extensively modified, half-mechanical body covered with composite silver armour.

"Raziel!", he exclaimed right afterward.

The plates of his armour began shifting rapidly, exposing glowing lines of energy transmitters, and a cacophony of metallic clangs, whirrs and the buzz of condensing Reishi drowned out any other noise. A pair of ethereal spiritual wings sprouted from Jones's back, each one consisting of three wide bars curved upward, and a halo in the shape of a cog materialised above his head. Then, two retractable missile racks and a twin-barreled gun emerged from his shoulders and a mechanical bracelet on the right forearm respectively. Last, but not least, he was enveloped by a humming, semi-transparent force field.

"I'm Timothy Jones, Sternritter "E", and I'm gonna kick yer ass", he declared, electric currents wrapping around his rapidly charging arsenal.

"Transformation?", Tai Sin remarked, though it did little to change his apparent nonchalant behaviour. He made the motions of a strong right hook, a thin black line shooting forth from his knives towards Timothy.

HK had stood in the way, blocking the previously invisible blow with its arm, only for it to be impaled, the black line going straight through HK's arm and his upper body.

A distance away, Kaede looked to her fellow Quincy, somewhat conflicted.

"Should we really leave 'em?", she asked, but her motions followed Haiiro regardless.

"Worried are we? I knew you had a crush on Tim.", Haiiro jested, nudging his parter in her arm slightly before putting on a slightly more serious face.

"While I admit I would like to have us all attack, this seems to be the best course of action, they don't seem as powerful as the guys that the rest of us faced, plus those guys are walking armories, I think they'll be fine." Haiiro replied.

Meanwhile Daisuke stared at Timothy with interest, before reaching for his Zhanmadao, drawing the large blade from the sheath on the Balancer's back.

"I must admit, Timothy-san, that is a rather impressive ability you have there, it reminds me quite a bit of the abilities of my Shìfàng actually.", Daisuke stated, looking at his blade with an air of admiration on his face, "Sadly I can't show you my ability right away, but hopefully my Jiūkǔndao shall sate any interest you may have in my abilities.", Daisuke finished, abruptly stabbing his sword into the ground as he smiled slightly.

Jones walked slowly and stood beside HK. Then, he placed his right palm at the automaton's shoulder. Suddenly, little sparks began surging through its chassis, and within a few moments the damage it had recently sustained was repaired.

"They're tough, HK", said Timothy in a low voice, gazing at Daisuke in the meantime. "Show them what you've got."

Then, the scan was complete. The advanced targeting systems installed in the Quincy's bionic eyes locked on the Balancer's Reiatsu signature, and as such, he was ready to go. Without further delay he aimed both of his arm weapons at Daisuke and opened automatic fire. Before the barrage of Reshi bullets could connect with him a large white formation sprang up in front of Daisuke, absorbing the constant barrage of Reshi bullets for a small while before finally cracking and breaking, however, Daisuke had used the time bought to move out of the way and maneuver around behind Timothy, despite his slight advantage, Daisuke didn't attack, but merely smiled warmly as he rested the point of his Jiūkǔndao on the ground.

"Must admit, very impressive, I didn't cop out on you or anything either, I made that quite strong.", Daisuke said, genuinely impressed as he leaned slightly on his sword.

"However, you might want to split your offence a little more.", Daisuke stated, returning to his standing position and vanishing from sight, a little swishing sound accompanying him.

"Analysis at 15%", proclaimed the hulking mechanical sidekick seemingly at random, whilst at the same time its left arm converted into a glowing blue mass of light before returning to a more metallic form, though its shape had drastically changed, becoming something akin to a two-pronged fork. The interior lit up with electrical energy before being fired in a massive pulse that hurled towards Dan Tai Sin, the machine raised the triple-barreled cannon on its other arm as its eye rotated to the side of its head unexpectedly, a hailstorm of Reishi coming down upon Daisuke as well.

The electrical pulse hit Tai Sin hard, rocking through the water lily-shaped island and into the surrounding waters, the force pushing right across its surface and onto the next island in its path. Daisuke, quick to react, attempted to move of the way using Shunpo, however despite trying his best to dodge, a small number of Reshi bullets slammed in his shoulder, causing a small explosion and a cloud of smoke that trailed off to the right where Daisuke had moved to.

"This ain't the time for that you moron!", cried Kaede her ruler once again revealing itself from the shadows to deliver a pounding to his head.

"Hm, if I wagered a guess, the next step down would be beneath the sea, just as the first had us traverse the seemingly bottomless chasm", said Girado aloud, as his thin arms motioned around him in a series of thoughtful poses.

"Let us find out then, hm?", just like that he had outstretched his frail-looking arms and pushed Zetsubō, amassing enough physical strength to force the Tsumikami into the water.

"No killing for you, just yet, my masked friend, we have lessons to learn and floaties to wear!", joked the white and purple skinned humanoid before he dived into the great blue liquid.

Seeing that the time to make a decision was finally up, the rest of the Quincy followed suit in short order, leaving Timothy and his robotic companion to deal with the unexpected attackers. The cyborg Sternritter himself nodded slightly at the sight, and then smiled at the destruction HK had wrought a moment ago.

"Soul Reapers, Balancers, you're all the same", he stated, seemingly talking to no one in particular. "Close combat weapons and fancy powers. The world's changed since your time. You've become obsolete, and we're gonna show you why."

Without a warning, he rapidly turned toward Daisuke and fired a short burst from his wrist-gun. Daisuke, who had been using Shunpo prior to being targeted, stopped using the technique, digging his Jiūkǔndao in the ground as he let himself slide back, as he did, numerous bone spikes erupted from the ground, absorbing one most of Timothy's shots, however as Daisuke was about to straighten himself, a short haphazardly seared by him, a rather acrid smell being left in it's wake.

"That's harsh, don't you hold any value in antiques?", Daisuke asked in a semi-joking manner, finally straightening up, "Plus, I must deny your claims of us and those Shinigami being similar, on the outside sure but you seem to be only taking us at face value, we're quite different once you get to know us.", Daisuke said, pointing his Jiūkǔndao at Timothy as a small amount of bone formed on it, almost instantly after the bone formed, a spike shot form from the blade, aimed directly at Timothy's head.

Part 5

Hell, Lowermost Level.

Xiang Yu and Mamoru Nakatani stood atop the peak of a small mountain, overlooking the bleak and desolate landscape of Hell, their sight fixed upon a particular area where a gathering of Kushanāda was taking place.

"Now this is glorious", spoke the Force-Marshal with cheery amusement, a smile worn warmly on her lips. "How ever did you find this Mamoru?", she asked of the Marshal at her side.

The center of that gathering of Hell wardens was a gargantuan creature, its body was riddled with scales, natural armour plates and spiked protrusions, as if clearly bred for war. Its head was white and reminscent of a Hollow's mask. It was held down by millions of Hell's Chains, keeping it only barely restrained, each time the beast roared the Kushanāda seemed to falter in their approach to it, though they themselves showed no traces of actual fear for this colossal titan.

Nakatani was gazing at them with his typical languid expression. Even though he had sustained severe damage during the recent events, he did not show any signs of pain. A few very fresh scars were visible on his exposed abdomen and back; his previously immaculate body scarred permanently within just a couple of days after the awakening from his millennia-long slumber.

A slight frown appeared momentarily on his face, and disappeared without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"My father had taught me well before I took over his duties", he explained in a calm, somewhat quiet tone. "Not only about the secrets of Hell, but how to attune to it as well. As such, there is little that could possibly escape my notice."

"I'm beginning to think I studied under the wrong teachers", the woman laughed to herself lightly before turning away from the view that they had been watching. Behind them was a long pathway to the summit of the mountain, at which a rather large camp had been setup with a small warband of Balancers having turned up, those few that survived the culling of their numbers several thousand years ago.

"I was going to send your sister up above, to greet our tenacious little friends, but that creature seems like it would be more fun as a party host, wouldn't you agree?", she inquired of the Marshal, though her tone implied that it was more of an order that he make such happen.

"Do you want me to set that monster free?", asked Mamoru, turning to look at his superior.

"Well, we could send it up to deal with them, or bring it to Soul Society with us, I'm sure you can see which is less dangerous", she continued to muse though a trace amount of annoyance had worked its way into her voice.

Meanwhile, Naoko was situated on a lower level, resting her back on one of the many rocky protrusions that were scattered about as she started to sleep rather quietly. A Balancer approached her hurriedly, beads of sweat on his face, making him look like he had ran a marathon.

"Murakami-sama, you haven't given us orders yet.", the Balancer stated in a clear tone, stiffening up as he did so. Naoko mumbled as she opened her eyes and gave the Balancer a tired look.

"Just do what the others are doin'", she said lazily, attempting to get herself comfortable again, the Balancer, despite being off-put by Naoko's dismissive remark, remained where he was.

"But ma'am, we-", he was cut off by Naoko abruptly getting up, a slightly grumpy look on her face.

"Fine fine I'll go and relay orders.", she said irritably, walking off with the Balancer following in her wake.

"It is wonderfully nostalgic to see that you are as indolent as always, Marshal Murakami", she was suddenly addressed by a rather deep, but clearly feminine voice.

There was a fairly tall, young woman with toned physique standing a mere few metres from Naoko. She had long, light blonde hair styled in a ponytail and emerald green eyes. Both her sharp, yet attractive face features and clothing, consisting of a white tank top, red vest, white baggy trousers and yellow hard-cuffed boots, bore considerable resemblance to her older brother's.

"One could think that two millennia of slumber would be enough for you", added Ren Nakatani with a wry smile, her arms folded across her chest.

"Things wouldn't be right if she wasn't the same though, y'know?" said another feminine voice, emanating from one of the twins that had walked up to the small gathering. They dressed largely in the typical uniform, with only the tunic replaced by sleeveless vests, and an armoured breastplate in one case.

"Its... nice to see you both again", said Han Zhang, somewhat strained and definitely overly formal in her use of tone.

Naoko paused in her walking, turning towards the Balancers that just spoke out, as she saw them her face brightened up somewhat as she changed her path and walked towards them, causing the young Balancer behind her to pause and look at his Marshal in a confused stupor.

"I can't help it, I love sleeping.", Naoko cheerfully stated, rubbing the back on her head with her hand, laughing slightly as she reached the other female Balancers.

"So how has captivity been for you Nakatani-san, H-", the Marshal paused for a second, deep in thought before she widened her eyes slightly, "Ah yes, Han-san, heh heh, sorry looks like my time locked up didn't improve my memory any.", she explained, laughing with a slightly embarrassed look on her face.

"It has been too long", replied Ren.

Even though she was still smiling, her tone and the glint in her eyes expressed an unnerving level of suppressed anger. Before she could continue, however, a Balancer appeared beside her all of a sudden. It was a tall, rather slender middle-aged man of clearly Asian descent. His short jet black hair was mostly slicked to the right, and the left side was trimmed to the length of a crew cut. His uniform was very similar to that of Ren.

"Pardon my interruption, Colonel Nakatani", spoke the man in a low voice, bowing formally.

"What is it, Major Máo Yǒng?", she asked, barely tilting her head toward him.

"Marshal Nakatani requests your immediate assistance, Colonel", explained the officer with a stern face expression.

"It seems we will not be wasting any more time", commented Nakatani.

Fang and Zhang looked on as the major barked the requests of non-present Marshal before returning themselves to the gathering that had been forming around Marshal Murakami.

"Murakami-sama, did you forget again, Han is our family name", Fang started at it, wagging a finger in front of the higher ranking officer as if speaking to a child, though the way she spoke was clearly relaxed.

"That's Zhang, and, I'm Fang, our names can't be that hard to remember, can they?", she pointed in multiple directions, first to her sister, and then to herself before pushing that finger upward to press against her chin, thinking on the difficulty of memorizing names as short as they had.

"Uh...", Naoko mumbled, looking rather embarrassed in front of the two sisters, having completely forgotten about both of the Balancer's rather simple names, "I'm sorry, hahah, I need to train my memory a bit more it seems." she replies, nervously laughing, she stopped as frowned slightly, looking up at both Fang and Zhang.

"Anyway, I need to brief my Corps before any memory training can occur.", Naoko said to herself as she bowed her head to Zhang and Fang, "Colonel Zhang, Major Fang, it was a pleasure talking to you again after so long.", Naoko finished off, making her way towards her squad hurriedly.

In the meantime, Ren followed her subordinate with the use of Shunpo. After a few seconds they arrived at the foot of the mountain. The Marshal of South had been already awaiting them there.

"What is it, brother?", Ren asked Mamoru.

The man pointed at the gathering of Kushanāda and the gargantuan creature they surrounded in the distance.

"The Force-Marshal has commanded me to free that creature. I will need your help", he explained.

"What!?", exclaimed Ren, raising her eyebrows in shock. "Is she insane!?"

Mamoru glanced at her, his eyes narrowed. His sister immediately regained her composure, and her face expressed a slight amount of embarrassment.

"Watch your tongue, sister", the Marshal scolded her.

"I apologise. Take the lead, then", she replied, looking to the side.

The trio of Balancers travelled toward the gathering of the guardians, using Shunpo to cover the considerable distance within several moments. Soon, they halted close to the circle of Kushanāda, and began walking among them in the direction of the giant within. Some of the guardians outright ignored the Balancers, while others merely glanced at them before turning again to the outlandish prisoner. Then, the trio stopped a couple dozen metres from the titan.

"Do you really want to do that, brother?", asked Ren.

"I have to", he responded.

Without further delay he proceeded to draw a large, intricate symbol in the air. Both his sister and Máo Yǒng, who stood at one of his sides each, began drawing similar, but smaller marks as well. With a combination of quick motions of the hand, several dance-like movements and hand seals, they completed the ritual with uncanny swiftness. The symbols shone brightly and vanished.

The innumerable chains shackling the gargantuan creature started falling inertly to the ground.

The great beast let out a deafening roar, that seemed more like a tornado to those caught in its path, the ground was torn apart and some Kushanāda were even tossed away by the screech. The beast raised its head to the sky whilst its maw filled with a burning orange light, a massive towering pillar of energy shooting out into the sky. That pillar would continue through the blackened sky far enough to meet the floor of the fourth level of Hell, washing away a great many of the crushed specks of bone that remained of many lifeless Togabito.

The sight could be seen for miles, the creature's body illuminated as a shadow by the power it had unleashed, the Balancers closest to it, the Marshal and his companions, could feel the oppressive nature of the collosal Hollow's spiritual power, drawing out their own and then beating it down, leaving their area of influence as little more than a short distance from themselves.

Both Ren and Máo Yǒng swayed and covered their faces, suppressed by the tempest of Reiatsu emitted by the monster. However, Mamoru stood firm like an immovable pivot, and merely lifted his head to gaze at the creature.

"We have done what she wanted", he stated in a rather sombre manner. "Retreat."

The trio hastily escaped from the giant's vicinity, preferring to observe what was to ensue from a safer distance.

"Oh bother, he forgot to send it up to greet our friends", mused the Force-Marshal, the elderly Zhong standing not far behind her. He took the statement as meaning he should do it in his stead, and quickly went about doing so. His hands danced through a set of motions, a series of markings appearing across his forearms before engulfing the gargantuan creature in the distance with light. When that same light faded, the beast was gone.

"Now then, lets get our troops ready, today, we retake home", Yu spoke with what appeared to be a mixture of ominous cheer as she descended the steps at the edge of the mountain.

Part 6

Hell, Third Level.

The vast expanse of the third level of Hell was dotted with rather large lakes, all of which were filled with an odd yellow liquid, up above there were nothing but dark heavy clouds which blocked any light from the second level that there may have been.

Suddenly a small cluster of clouds started to disperse as two figures burst forth from what seemed to be the ocean from them second level of Hell, which was oddly suspended in mid air, as the clouds and water cleared, Kaede, along with Haiiro, who was being dragged by the hand by his partner, came into view, high above the ground of the level.

"Kaede...don't do that again!", Haiiro shouted rather wearily, coughing out a rather large amount of water he accidentally swallowed during their descent.

Standing in the air through the power of Hirenkyaku, Kaede had ignored her partner for a moment, taking the time to rid some of the water from the frizzles tips of her hair.

"You needed to learn to swim at some point, this was the best oppurtunity!", she replied with amusement, though pretend to act like she was nagging, even waving a finger in front of him back and forth.

In the meantime, a few dozen metres below them Zetsubō, gliding beside Girado, turned to the winged Arrancar.

"Next time you touch me will be the last", he uttered gravely, looking at him sideways with his only visible eye.

Immediately the white skinned humanoid drew in close, his arm outstretched and a gangly finger shooting out to poke... Kerri's ear. His motion had been accidentally intercepted by the female Quincy, his long white finger missed the black robes of the Tsumikami and instead ended up lodged within the ear canal of the Human.

"Well that isn't where I wanted to go at all", he said deflatedly. Withdrawing the digit and observing the trace amounts of wax that clung to its tip.

"It wasn't exactly what I had in mind either Girado-san.", Kerri said in a flat tone, "Let us move on shall we.", she asked the Tsumikami and Arrancar, turning as she started to walk away from them.

Zetsubō kept staring at her, his face forever concealed beneath his old, worn white mask. Then, he simply averted his gaze, looking at the ground far below instead without uttering a word.

The white skinned creature swung his arm back to wipe the bronze goo on his finger onto the sleeve of Haiiro, before he too moved on, walking across the air with a casual air.

"Well then, Mr. Bashful", his voice directed towards Zetsubō, an air of amusement surrounding him. "Where do we go from here?"

There was a short period of silence.

"I can summon a portal to the Fourth Circle", the Tsumikami replied eventually.

"Shall we head straight there then? It seems like our best choice due to the lack of a normal passage down there.", Kerri said to the Tsumikami as Haiiro angrily wiped the excess wax off his clothes.

"That git's going to be on the receiving end of Batsu-san when we get back.", Haiiro seethed, rubbing his hands together in order to get rid of any residual wax on his finger.

"Batsu-san only responds to me", Kaede denied him with some flare to her response, as if she was an old sage denying her study a scroll of great wisdom, her hand swished in a little flourish as she breezed past him. "Besides, I couldn't let him touch those wax fingers of yours", she snickered at him, moving further ahead.

Zetsubō ignored the antics of his young companions, and lifted his left arm.

"Enkaiō Sakeme", he said.

Blue flames erupted from thin air not far from him, expanding into a crimson portal with several rusty chains suspended within. Kerri proceeded to enter the portal at a walking pace as Haiiro followed suit and began to approach the red tear in the sky. Kaede breached the portal alongside Haiiro and Girado was quick to follow behind, the lanky tower of a humanoid having to bow his head in order to fit within the confines of the ethereal gateway.

Usuguraiboshi remained motionless for a short while, observing the portal silently. In the end, he followed his colourful allies and stepped into the fiery gate. Right afterward, he found himself on a seemingly boundless, dim desert, immense clouds of yellowish dust rising into the air.

"We have to find a passage to the lowest level", he stated.

"From the looks of it, it's just as well secluded as the last level's passage.", Kerri replied, "I would guess structures like that would hold any passages to the lowest level.", Kerri pointed out the large formation in the distance, consisting of a number of large stone structures, a lake of molten lava and a large skeleton overlooking it.

"Well that's our best bet at this point in time.", Haiiro interjected, turning to look at the odd landmark also.

"It's certainly gaudy enough to be a gate of some sort, or maybe a place of other import", Girado added on his assumptions whilst his body materialized from the portal.

"I guess it's down to the big guy, skeleton way or are we missing a different yellow brick road around here?", Kaede directed the conversation towards Zetsubō, their appointed guide of the journey.

"You should avoid that place", he replied enigmatically.

Then, he began scraping the spike on the bottom of his scythe against the desert's surface, drawing a circle with a number of symbols in separate quadrants within. Once finished, he crouched and placed his left palm in the centre of the mark.

"Bakudō #58, Kakushitsuijaku", he recited.

The symbols started glowing with faint amethyst light, changing rapidly in the process. Shortly afterward the coordinates of a particular location appeared, and Usuguraiboshi straightened up.

"Follow me", he said.

"Somehow I don't feel sad about not going there.", Haiiro said in a sarcastic manner, looking at the Tsumikami before following him, Kerri on the other hand kept staring at the structure, wondering what could be so dangerous that Usuguraiboshi would suggest avoiding it, despite her curiosity she put her thoughts to the back of her head and continued onwards.

"Such a shame, it could've been a chance to broaden your horizons", remarked Girado to the young Quincy.

Zetsubō kept marching forward in a rather fast pace, ignoring the chatter of his companions. Ever single-minded, he did not pay any attention to details not at least partially related to the task at hand. As such, he deemed the explanation of the structure's nature unnecessary.

Suddenly, he halted and straightened up.

"I sense something", he stated, lifting his Karadawaru slightly.

Kerri silently replied to Zetsubō's statement by summoning her Reishi bow and preparing to react to the slightest of physical movements in her surroundings her eyes narrowing slightly. Haiiro, despite his increased awareness of his surroundings didn't summon his bow straight away, but instead took out a number of small silver tubes from his belt and held them in his palm, before holding out his hand to Kaede.

"You're better with them anyway.", the young Quincy said absent mindlessly, finally summoning his bow in his free hand.

"You'd be better with them if you stopped pawning 'em off on me all the time", she complained, reluctantly claiming the small tubes from her partner before placing them with her own in a pouch attached to her belt.

Next to Zetsubō, Girado stood pondering, having caught the presence as well, his head wracked itself trying to remember why it seemed so familiar, though his thoughts were halted when the desert of bone shards ripped open. A massive beam of spiritual energy burst into the sky, the very world distorting under the sheer power amassed within. The dense clouds up above were scattered for miles upon miles leaving a luminous purple sky to rain down on the area.

The hole in the desert floor refused to fill, instead, only growing wider becoming more rapid once thunderous crashed could be heard from within. The head of a truly gargantuan Hollow emerged and with the opening of its maw so too did an ear piercing roar.

"Oh... that's why", the Arrancar spoke with realization.

Usuguraiboshi slanted and grabbed his scythe with both hands, his long hair and black cloak fluttering on the violent wind stirred by the monster's roar.

"You recognise this creature?", he asked Girado in the aftermath of the howl.

Kerri stared up at the massive beast with her mouth slightly agape, a couple beads of sweat started to roll down Kerri's face due to the Hollow's presence, she turned to the Arrancar with a look of disbelief on her face.

"Please don't tell me Girado-san.", she asked in an uncharacteristically weary tone.

Haiiro on the other hand, merely stared at the giant before turning to Kaede, before staring at the giant again.

"Please tell me I'm seeing things Kaede.", Haiiro meekly said, he too, like Kerri was being affected due to the Hollow's presence, making him buckle ever so slightly.

Kaede's hand rose to Haiiro's face, her fingers nipping into his cheek to pinch him. That was all the response she could muster for him in the face of the collosal being rising out of the earth before them. Her eyes drifted ever so slightly to the side, hearing the words of the three more experienced folk present.

"Hehehe, why yes, that is a creation of mine", Girado laughed. "I call it, Black".

As if on cue, the mighty being looked down on them before letting out another roar, this one permeated the air as a deafening echo that irritated the bonds between spiritual particles, passing through the group, their bodies shivered and an intense feeling of nausea flowed through out. Kaede, at least, puked in front of her, a stream of vomit as a result.

The area was flooded in a veritable ocean of Reiatsu following the roar.

Zetsubō stood firm, albeit with some difficulty, amongst the tempest of raw power emitted by the gargantuan creature. An amethyst aura of Reiatsu enveloped his body in order to counteract the suppressing effects of the massive spiritual pressure.

"It does not seem to be friendly", he said to the Arrancar beside him.

Haiiro, while initially shocked at Kaede's reaction to Black's roar, fell onto his knee as he covered his mouth, a look of genuine shock on his face, after a couple of seconds he finally released his hand from his mouth, subsequently throwing up like how his partner did, afterwards coughing violently due to it's abruptness.

Kerri, who had not turned from Girado since his answer suddenly did the same as her Quincy peers before her, throwing up onto the ground in front of her, she stumbled backward slightly as she tried righting herself.

"What in the blazes? That is disgusting!", all of his composure lost, Girado slunk away to the side at the Human's reaction to Black's roar. His own body reacted with a deep shock running through him causing his spine to straighten up temporarily as if he had recieved a terrible fright.

"What the Hell!", cried Kaede to the air, coughing several times before she wiped at the excess on her chin with a handkerchief.

Not far from them, the Hollow, Black, had completed its ascent into the fourth level of Hell, its feet settled within the bone-shard sands, somehow its weight refrained from sinking straight through it.

Usuguraiboshi swayed slightly, somewhat nauseated, though his reaction was far less extreme than that of his Human allies. Once he regained his stance he straightened up to full height and lifted his head, gazing at the colossal being that had apparently climbed there from the lower level of Hell.

"Why did it's roar do that of all things!", Haiiro shouted angrily, he stood up relatively quickly, coughing a couple of times as he did so. Kerri on the other hand, who managed to stay upright despite Black's odd attack, wiped her mouth quickly before turning to Girado.

"You made it and you didn't know what effect that would have!?", Kerri asked in an annoyed fashion, despite her anger at Girado she summoned her bow and turned to the gigantic Hollow, ready to react to anything else the titan may do.

"Hmph! Of course I know what effect it has, the strength behind it is capable of disturbing spiritual particles even through something so simple as a roar", explained the Arrancar with haste, though trace amounts of annoyance as well. "I've never witnessed the effect on Humans before, though, the last time its mere existence caused their bodies to collapse and their souls to disintegrate", he continued.

"Buuuut, that is neither here nor there, and my creation seems just as upset about you as it does me", Girado observed, drawing his sword. Far above, the creature began forming a series of orange orbs around its maw, before a barrage of them began to rain down on their position. Its eyes tensed and pupils formed, a glint of orange shone across them and it quickly began scanning the area for fleeing targets.

Zetsubō reacted immediately, dodging the cannonade with a series of Flash Steps. He ignored his companions and kept his sight fixed at the giant Hollow in order to have easier time predicting its actions. As a result, the Tsumikami was able to notice that Black's attack was not as mindless as one could have thought. Consequently, he sped up, leaving a number of faintly flickering afterimages to conceal his actual location.

Kerri followed suit and used Hirenkyaku to approach the giant Hollow, firing a volley of arrows every time she reappeared at the beast, aiming predominantly at the beast's head and limbs.

"They have the idea, let's go.", Haiiro said quickly to Kaede just before vanishing via the use of Hirenkyaku. Kaede had grappled his arm, using her own Hirenkyaku at perfect pace with his own.

Though Zetsubō had managed to cover his movements with a series of illusory doubles, Black's eye remained on the one that it had first caught sight of. Its eye tensed further and an explosion erupted over the group. Seemingly unconfident in the success rate of the attack however, a hail of Cero formed along the side of its face to further bombard the Tsumikami.

Kerri had been made the second target, its opposite eye repeating the same process on her, specifically as she stopped to unleash a volley of Heilig Pfeil. The attack bypassed the arrows, which ineffectually crashed against Black's armoured hide, and its eye tensed. An explosion erupted sending Kerri flying backward though she emerged unscathed, instead Girado stood in front of her as a humanoid shield. A gaping hole rested where his stomach should have been, gore ringing out its interior and droplets of discoloured purple blood dripping around within.

The Arrancar fell to a knee, using his sword to hold himself up.

"Well I certainly didn't expect to earn a new Hollow hole today", he mused freely.

Meanwhile, Usuguraiboshi burst forth from the cloud of dust stirred by Black's attacks, falling limply whilst trailed by smoke. However, as he was about to collide with the ground, he turned around rapidly and landed heavily in a crouched position, his tattered black cloak fluttering. Then, he quickly jumped backward and lifted his left arm at the titanic beast.

"Hadō #73, Sōren Sōkatsui", he recited on the move.

The twinned energy blast of amethyst colour, false to its name, erupted from his palm toward Black's head. Haiiro, who was only a small distance behind the Tsumikami followed up Zetsubō's attack with a lengthy barrage of Heilig Pfleil aimed at the Hollow's jaw. Meanwhile, Kerri righted herself before using Hirenkyaku to position herself beside Girado.

"Are you okay!?", she asked in a worried fashion, pulling some capsules of Gintō out from one of the pouches on her belt.

"Fine, my dear, just losing a few pounds", the Arrancar joked before ascending to his full height once more, seemingly over the devastation that had washed over him a moment ago.

Up above, the attacks mustered by the duo impacted against the exoskeletal plating that covered its head, the faintest of burns and scratches were left etched in the white material, the creature not even casting notice over them. Instead its attention was set on Kerri for the time being. A Cero, larger than its previous brethren, formed in front of its mouth, it shrunk in size before rapidly expanding and then burst into a massive stream of energy that attempted to incinerate both her and the Arrancar.

Curiously, a silver arrow remained left behind from the previous attack by the Quincy and Tsumikami pair, having dealt no damage of its own, it rested atop the creature uselessly. That is before it burst into a cloud to reveal Kaede now sitting in its place, rubbing her forehead which sported a deep red burn across it.

"Jeez this thing has a hard head", she complained. Given a moment she shrugged off the pain and climbed to her feet, drawing two Gintō tubes from her pouch at the same time. "Well, time to test out the new spell", she confirmed with herself before splashing the liquids freely in a haphazard but seemingly intricate seal.

Though intitially unfinished, the design quickly became complete as the liquid flowed with seeming purpose, creating a vibrant blue symbol on Black's skull. The girl leaped from its head, forming her Spirit Weapon within her grip as she did.

"Unload on that spot, quick!", she shouted to the two men in the distance, a volley of Heilig Pfeil already firing from the barrel of her rifle.

Zetsubō, who had positioned himself high in the air with a few Shunpo leaps, responded immediately to the young woman's call.

"Hadō #70, Hisame Akahi", he said, aiming at the glowing mark on Black's head.

A fairly wide beam of highly condensed, celadon flames burst forth from his hand directly at the symbol's centre. Haiiro followed up on Zetsubō attack with a non-stop stream of arrows aimed for the symbol that Kaede had created.

"Let's hurry Girado-san.", Kerri exclaimed, using Hirenkyaku to maneuver to above Black in an attempt to assist her allies, her metallic silver longbow already forming a light blue arrow in preparation for attacking the giant Hollow.

Zetsubō's spell, and the arrows of the two young Quincy were absorbed into a second ring of the liquid emblem, superimposed into the air in the form of light. It promptly disappeared only to appear once more with several more, extending a geat distance from Black's head.

"Grant us the hammer of the almighty to strike down our foe, Spaltung!", Kaede recited to the air causing the emblems to shoot into one another before crashing into the emblem emblazoned on Black's head causing a resounding shockwave that shot Black to the side, its head careening away from its previous, seemingly immovable, position as if a hammer had smashed a nail into its face.

Girado had just joined the group with Sonído when the the collosal beast swung its arm around to try and swat them all away.

"Oh give me a break", he complained before moving once again, Kaede not far behind.

Usuguraiboshi reacted fast as well, using Shunpo to move out of the monster's reach. Haiiro was right behind the Tsumikami, just barely dodging the Hollow's gigantic swinging limb, causing him to get pushed back violently due to the powerful wind current, forcing him back until the young Quincy forcibly slowed his momentum down. Kerri, who had appeared like Girado just before Black's attack, had to use Hirenkyaku as soon as she reappeared in order to dodge the Hollow's swipe, she felt the large gust of wind despite reappearing a significant distance away.

"Please tell me it struck out of pain at the least.", Haiiro asked, straightening up from a kneeling position, re-summoning his pentagon shaped bow that was forcibly deactivated due to Black's attack.

The moment they escaped the beast's arm, it reacted, forming numerous Cero that almost seemed to have predicated where they would escape to, each of them already in the firing line and beset by an oncoming beam of light.

Girado reacted to that by weaving out of the way, wings of indigo forming on his back so that he might soar through the air, evading further shots at him for the moment. Kaede made use of her unique ability, shapeshifting into a box of the most minute size, difficult to see for Humans, and hopefully more so to a creature of such significant proportions.

She fell out of the air and the trajectory of the initial Cero, but a second one fired ahead of her descent, knocking her right out of the sky with precision aim. Her form returned to that of a Human as she plummeted towards the ground in an arc, a smoking trail following her all the way. She hit the ground with tremendous momentum, scraping across it before finally coming to a halt with a roll that left her on her feet and then on her knees.

"Well that didn't work at all", she bemoaned, a pained glance looking over the destroyed sleeve of her jacket as well as the bloodied and ripped skin beneath it.

Meanwhile, Zetsubō had chosen a more conventional approach to avoid damage.

"Dankū", he declared as the glowing beam of spiritual energy was speeding toward him.

The translucent Kidō barrier slid into existence right in front of the Cero, intercepting it at the last moment possible. The attack exploded violently on its surface, though the Tsumikami himself remained unharmed.

Kerri, despite positioning herself in a way that would denote moving backwards, instead charged up and fired one of her improbability arrows at the Cero before finally moving backwards via the use of Hirenkyaku, the rainbow coloured arrow was absorbed into the Cero just before the beam of energy started to solidify into what looked like stone, allowing the Quincy to move out of the Cero's trajectory in the couple of seconds her arrow bought her before the remaining, unfrozen Cero burst through the solidified remains, Kerri narrowly avoiding the rest of the beam before she maneuvered even further out of it's range.

Haiiro made use of his Hirenkyaku immediately in an attempt to dodge the massive Cero, moving to the right as it came careening towards him, knowing he wasn't going to fully make it out, Haiiro haphazardly activated his Blut Vene as he forcefully twisted his body in a vain attempt to escape the massive column of energy, as he did so the Cero collided with his left arm, smashing into the left arm of Haiiro up to the shoulder, causing the young Quincy to cry out in pain as he yanked his arm out of the Cero's range before escaping the vicinity with Hirenkyaku, landing on the ground while cradling his injured arm.

Zetsubō found Black's head closing in on him with fearsome speed, the massive skull having simply smashed through what remained of his Kidō spell in an attempt to bury him into the earth with its own head. At the same time its tail flew through the air like a whip in an attempt to shear Kerri from the sky, another line of Cero forming to assault those its limbs could not reach.

Girado continued his evasive flight, brief brushes with the beams of energy cutting out his wings every now and again before a Cero landed right in front of him causing him to move away with Sonído. His flight continued, picking up Haiiro and then Kaede in either arm along the way.

"You two, I need you to grab the others and take them to...", he paused mid-sentence, seemingly to ponder a location, though his neck twisted to the side, focusing on a mountainous stretch in the distance. The diamond on his forehead lit up before a Cero fired from it, causing a large explosion amongst the rocks in the distance.

"We can't very well plan a counterattack all scattered about like upset ants, so gather them there while I teach my creation a lesson", the Arrancar continued before he threw the two Quincy to the air.

In the meantime, it seemed that Black's blade-like head cut through the surprised Tsumikami, cleaving him in half. However, the separated body parts flickered and vanished, whilst the real Zetsubō jumped on the monster's head with a Shunpo leap and then promptly moved forward, hastily increasing his distance from the giant beast. Kerri on the other hand,in an attempt to dodge the massive tail, started moving backwards as the appendage approached, using Hirenkyaku to move just out of the tail's range, barely dodging the attack, however, the force of the attack made Kerri fly down to the ground like a bullet, causing a large plume of ash to rise.

Haiiro meanwhile, had righted himself, being forced to once again haphazardly dodge a Cero blast fired from Black with Hirenkyaku, as soon as he reappeared, he observed the cloud of ash cause by Kerri before turning to Kaede.

"I'm gonna go after Kerri, will you be alright getting Usuguraiboshi?", Haiiro hurriedly asked his partner, his burnt arm hanging limp by his side while his other was tensed in anxiety.

The Tsumikami's path took him over the massive creature's spinal column, a cracked landscape of sharp spines, armoured plates and blackened scale hide that presented an atmosphere of a war formed graveyard, or a hidden mass of land that should have been instinctually avoided. A Cero formed on top one of those many spines, generating a rising pillar in front of Zetsubō, preventing a straightforward escape. Just as quick, three more covered the other cardinal points and then those of the diagonal leaving the Tsumikami trapped within the confines of numerous beams that did not detonate, having come into contact with naught but the sky above. Below him yet another Cero formed, this one slower than the rest, clearly packing more power within.

In the distance Kaede, keeping her arm under wraps and out of her own sight, watched the deadly light display going on above.

"Alright doesn't seem like the right word", she remarked with obvious nervousness, but she flew off cautiously towards the area anyway. The silent transition of Hirenkyaku marking great leaps across the air. Further out, Girado was coming around to Black's front, taking Zetsubō's place in front of the axe-shaped skull of the gargantuan Hollow.

He threw his sword out in front of him, where it began to hover in place all on its own. His wings dissipated, replaced by a visible flow of spiritual energy being drawn into his back.

"Moult...", the Arrancar stated as if chanting a prayer to himself. "Embriaguez", the utterance of his Zanpakutō's name triggered a transformation in Girado, six sharp curved blades shooting out of his back. At the same time his sword seemingly exploded, the fragments piercing every part of his body. His body quickly transformed within a bathing light. His horns had been repositioned closer to his forehead whilst his mask sealed up, leaving behind only the diamond shaped hole behind. His body was now covered by rather regal dress of white and purple shades.

"How generous of me, using my powers as something so belittling as a distraction", he spoke to himself, seemingly oblivious to Black's arm sweeping out to crush him, though he vanished a split second before it turned him into a smear. He reappeared on the ground, slamming his fingers into the sharded sands.

Usuguraiboshi had found himself in quite a predicament. His potential escape routes cut off by the Cero pillars, he was unable to use either Shunpo or Kageho to simply evade the incoming attack. Given the nature of his momentary confinement, a Kidō shield would have most likely proven ineffective as well. Thus, the powerful beam close by and his frustration growing, he chose to swim against the current.

"Haaaaah!", he roared all of a sudden, lifting his arms as he was flexing all of his muscles.

Right afterward he was immersed in the giant Cero beam. His black leather cloak was torn to shreds and incinerated, his deathly pale skin singed, and his white, worn mask cracked. However, his amethyst Reiatsu protected him from further harm and he persevered, just as he always did. Once the attack was over, he emerged surrounded with a wild, shining aura, a tempest of ghastly faces writhing around his body.

The release ended mere moments later. Streaks of smoke were rising from Zetsubō, who was now emanating spiritual pressure exceeding that of an average Bankai release.

Meanwhile Haiiro had wasted no time in moving towards Kerri, who was only barely recovering from her fall, he landed next to her, his burnt arm flopping uselessly as he did so.

"Hey, Kerri-san? Can you stand up?", Haiiro asked warily, looking at the older Quincy shake her head weakly.

"Can't...perfectly see straight.", she groaned in response, despite the ground being made up of ash, the force of Black's attack had manage to cause an injury to Kerri's head, blood streaking down her face as she was helped up by Haiiro, the two staggering slightly in the process.

"I... should be fine for the time being Haiiro-san.", she finally confirmed, regaining a semblance of balance after a couple of seconds being supported, Haiiro let out a brief sigh of relief before looking up at Kerri.

"We're grouping up in that canyon over there.", Haiiro explained, pointing towards the final remnants of ash emanating from the giant abyss that was the canyon, Kerri merely stared at it briefly, taking in the information Haiiro had just said.

"Right, I get you, what about Kaede-san though?", Kerri asked.

"She's getting, uh, him.", Haiiro replied anxiously, trying his best to be as subtle as possible, however the older Quincy merely gave him an unimpressed look as she turned back towards the canyon.

"Let's go then.", she finally said, using Hirenkyaku to move towards the canyon with Haiiro right behind her.

"I know you wanna go Super Saiyan big guy, but we gotta go!", yelled Kaede as she appeared not far from Zetsubō's position, too wary to get any closer to the collosus standing just beneath the Tsumikami.

Down on the ground, various glimmering streaks had begun to shoot out from where Girado's hands had dug in. They marked the ground, travelling a great distance beneath Black, seemingly silver given their reflection it soon became apparent that they were in fact streaks of glass. More and more of them formed, coming together as a million strands to form a gigantic mirror beneath the reptillian Hollow. Caught in the glint of its reflection was Black, with a flash a copy of the creature began to rise up. Climbing out of the mirror to stand before the original.

Girado stood atop the copy, his faceless mask making it impossible to discern the elation he was experiencing to others. "It's time I punished you for forgetting me, Black", he spoke as the two giants sized each other up, first by casting their gazes and then emitting a roar each that deafened the entire landscape.

"This is interesting", remarked Zetsubō whilst gazing at the twin titans.

Then, he looked at Kaede and began walking toward her in mid-air.

Both Haiiro and Kerri reached the canyon, as they did so they turned back to see the two Black's clashing together, causing a large shockwave which managed to reach the two Quincies, both of them wearing a look of disbelief on their faces.

"Why are there two of them?", Haiiro asked, his voice cracking ever so slightly.

"I....don't know.", Kerri replied, a bead of sweat rolling down her face as she stared at the two giants.

Kaede had nearly fallen into a state of shock, the fact that Zetsubō had begun following her without any kind of objection was an unwelcome surprise on top of the surreality that Girado could just make a copy of that gigantic monstrosity he called a creation.

"Er... Alright, this way", she shook her head to regain control of her faculties and began moving away from their current perch.

In general, Zetsubō's actions seemed to follow a logical, if coldly so, pattern. However, after over two millennia of suffering, both physical and mental, that had been afflicting him during his life in Soul Society and death in Hell alike, his mind was anything but stable. As a result, he was prone to drastically altering his course of action at the least predictable moment and with no warning whatsoever. Such "harmless" changes of mind were rare, and arguably more surprising than unexpected fits of destructive fury.

Be that as it may, he simply followed the young Quincy in spite of his very recent outburst, his curiosity piqued by Girado's unusual method of fighting the enormous Hollow. Not far away, Black began moving, a motion mirrored by its newly formed counterpart. At first it was a simple matter of circling one another which quickly gave way to Black swinging its powerful arm, only to be intercepted by the arm of its copy. Their claws clashed and rung out a terrible screech.

As the sound permeated throughout the entire landscape, Haiiro and Kerri had began to scale the side of the massive formation and went into a small split in the black rock of the formation, managing to find a small opening a fair distance into the formation where they could wait for their comrades to meet them.

Not long after Kaede and Zetsubō arrived at the same place had the fight going on outside escalated. Trapped within the extremely thin confines of the path in the mountain, they were hard pressed to watch the goings on, but it could surely be felt.

Part 7

Each physical blow struck was resounded by a second blow, each of them rippling through out the battlefield as wind tearing shockwaves. With no other course of action presenting itself, and its anger increasing, Black opted for the direct approach.

Its maw flew open, hundreds upon hundreds of Cero formed by odd little appendages that lined the interior of its mouth, they clung to another Cero that had formed from without, coming together to create a startlingly gigantic sphere of energy. The doppelganger had done the exact same thing as the original, firing its attack just as it did as if it was only a reflection in the mirror.

In the scant few moments before the immense energies collided, Girado enacted a drawing motion, causing his Zanpakutō to appear from thin air. With it, he pierced his chest with the blade and then was seemingly incinerated in the catastrophic light that proceeded to consume the landscape following the clash of the two Black's Ceros.

For a moment the entire area was immersed in a cataclysm. All had become pure white, all sound faded from existence, time and space distorted by the sheer release of energy. In the distance the silence was replaced with a deafening roar, in all directions the desert became a storm on the edge of a titantic gale. The mountains of the area were battered by the wind.

Within the path that they had hidden, the group remained safe from the initial result of the Hollow's attack, the storm that followed proved a threat all the same. Fragments of bone shot into the pathway like bullets, dealing a painful smack to anyone caught unguarded. The wind tore at the mountain, shifting its form as rocks began to collapse, a large chunk broke, prevented from falling by the other side, only for another piece to break and threaten the life of the eldest Quincy present.

Zetsubō, who had protected himself from the initial wave of debris with an Enkōsen shield, noticed the rock falling upon the group.

"Bakudō #37, Tsuriboshi", he recited.

Then, he cast the spell at the rock to intercept and, if not stop it, at least slow down its descent. Kerri, who had noticed the rock as it feel, resumed moving out of it's way despite the absence of imminent danger in order to stay out of the broken rock's path, Haiiro, sharply looking up at the Kidō spell that stopped his body becoming paste, copied Kerri's actions, moving out of the boulder's way.

The storm slowly passed by with little more in the way of incident, though the sound of cracking and ripping still rung through out the small pathway. Kaede cautiously opened her eyes to a cloud of white dust filling the area, her gaze hunting for Haiiro and Kerri.

"You alright big guy?", she asked to the air for Zetsubō.

Suddenly, a large, nebulous silhouette emerged from the shroud of ash somewhat close to her.

"Why would you worry about me?", the Tsumikami asked. "You should rather think about your friends."

Haiiro, despite his worries about the falling debris above, sharply turned towards Kaede's vague direction, his eyes narrowed slightly after hearing the Tsumikami's abrupt question, Kerri, despite opting to concentrate more on the still present danger that lay above them, attentively listened to Zetsubō, not wanting another potential argument to sprout once again at this time.

"That's what my eyes were doin', I spotted them, spoke to you, efficiency, big guy", Kaede retorted. "Besides, its gotta be nice knowing some of us care, right?"

Usuguraiboshi remained motionless for a while, completely silent.

"What about him?", he asked, lifting and pointing his hand in the direction of the apocalyptic, if surreal, battle that had taken place moments ago.

"Girado-san, while admittedly quite egotistical, wouldn't of taken a risk such as that without a plan of action, you don't need to worry about him much.", Kerri interjected, replying to Zetsubō's question while keeping an attentive eye on her surroundings in order to make sure that there weren't any more imminent dangers approaching them.

"Right on all counts!", cheered a disembodied voice hanging in the air. "But I wear my ego so well, its almost dashing, wouldn't you agree?"

The Arrancar soon emerged from one of the walls surrounding the group, like a ghost he phased through the stone to emerge in plain view. To further sell his specter-like visage, the humanoid was also entirely transparent, the rock visible right through him.

"Have you tamed the creature?", asked Zetsubō after turning to him.

"Why do I get the feeling that we're not getting good news.", Haiiro said, a slight sarcastic tone emanating from his words as he relaxed somewhat at the sight of everyone finally being able to talk in semi-peace, in spite of the destruction that just rained down outside the the small space they were calling shelter.

"Tame him? Why, he's doing exactly as he was designed to, he's practically docile!", Girado spoke with an almost chipper tune.

"Does it include attacking its own master and his allies?", Usuguraiboshi continued the questioning with a grim tone.

"Anything that he deems as a threat!", Girado replied, his faceless visage projecting an aura of smugness.

"Anyhow!", the Arrancar quickly went about changing the subject. "My friend has been weakened by recent events and now is the time for a counter offensive, for that, you, my fellows, will have to be like a virus", he explained though avoided being immediately direct.

"You want us to go into your creation and attack it from the inside, am I right.", Kerri asked, her face, despite trying her best not to, was showing signs of disgust as she asked the Arrancar.

"We should enter its Hollow hole", stated Zetsubō as he began walking toward the giant's last known location.

"Quite right", the Arrancar agreed with a weighted nod of his head towards Zetsubō. "In fact, the groundwork for your entry has already been set, created over a thousand years ago by the legendary Genryūsai, just think, it'll be like a historic retelling, only with less memorable players", he joked with slight derision.

"I doubt all of us will be able to make our way in there, that thing won't let us.", Haiiro chimed in, breaking the small period of silence that was caused by Girado's joke.

"I killed him", said Usuguraiboshi as he halted and turned slightly backward to glance at the Quincy he had left behind. "I might distract the monster", he added after a pause.

"Wait, didn't Yhwach kill him?", Kaede interjected a skeptical look on her face.

Zetsubō remained silent for a while. Then, he turned away from the Quincy and once again began walking toward Black, grabbing his scythe in a combat ready position.

"Let's go", he said.

"Let's not question him Kaede, let's just go and attack that thing.", Haiiro said, sighing slightly as he watched the Tsumikami begin to walk away from them again, Kerri, who was previously staring at Kaede and Zetsubō, firmly nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, let's go.", she reaffirmed Haiiro's comment, turning and beginning to head out of her cover.

Girado watched them all silently as they left the safety of their previous location to enter the scorched landscape that Black had recently incinerated. their's first steps outside was as plain as could be expected, their second, less so. They were immediately brought to their knees, an immense weight pressing down on them from nowhere. As if they stood at the bottom of the ocean, a veritable sea of Reiatsu bore down on them all. It was all consuming, their Reiatsu was snuffed out like a weak candle not even able to register under Black's presence.

In the distance the creature stood, its head hunched downward observing broken scales. Much of the white armour that it adorned was gone now, removed by its own attack.

Girado stood behind them, refusing to leave the confines of the narrow path, on the edge of Black's spiritual reach.

"Perhaps you should come up with a plan, after I give all the facts?", the Arrancar mused to them.

Usuguraiboshi swayed and crouched, nearly brought down by the tremendous spiritual pressure exuded by Black. However, he then froze in the somewhat awkward position, only the slightest shiver betraying his struggle. Second after second, he proceeded to straighten up, his own Reiatsu now enveloping his tense body with a wildly fluctuating, unstable aura.

"Talk", he growled.

Kerri herself attempted to raise her Reiatsu in order to combat the proverbial ocean of Reiatsu Black was exhibiting, however the massive Hollow's Spiritual Power merely smothered any excess Reiatsu she herself exerted, only a flickering pale lavender glow surrounding her as she slowly struggled to turn round to Girado, her hair blocking all but one of her eyes as it stared attentively at Girado.

Haiiro on the other hand, struggled to even keep on his knees, the Reiatsu of the beast forcing the younger Quincy to tense his muscles in order to try and keep as upright as he possible could, however, despite his best efforts Haiiro slowly was brought nearly completely down to the ground, one of his arms being the only thing that stopped him from being completely floored.

Kaede had collapsed behind them, though last from the crevice they'd hidden in left her close enough for Girado to grab her. His hand passed right through her shoulder as her descent continued though it abruptly halted a moment later. A purple, fiery aura erupted around her body as Girado's immaterial form vanished from sight.

"I am little more than spiritual pressure at current, a living aura if you will", his voice regailed, emanating from the young woman. "If I entered this bog I would simply be disintegrated, but, like this, I may bolster your own energy against it", he continued his explanation.

The cracking of stone could be heard from the distance, Black having become aware of the disturbance of spiritual energy. Its head raised, and its sights set on its prey once more.

"Do not think me so foolish as to leave the interior of my creation unguarded, antibodies, they will seek out intruders and exterminate them", Kaede began walking forward towards Haiiro, her right hand outstretched, the intent behind it rather clear.

"As such, I would leave our veterans with the duty of venturing inside", Girado remarked towards Zetsubō and Kerri. "I'll have the youngers play an extravagant game of cat and mouse".

"Understood", replied the Tsumikami, watching the seemingly possessed young woman attentively.

Kerri, whose eye was affixed on the now possessed Kaede mustered her strength and Reiatsu and clumsily clambered back to the relatively less dense area that was the crevice, clutching to the rock in order to keep her balance steady.

"F-fine.", she uttered.

Haiiro, on the other hand, noticed Kaede's hand approach him and despite his silence to Girado's words, he raised his clammy hand towards Kaede's in an obvious attempt to grasp it.

As their hands touched, the aura permeating Kaede cloaked around Haiiro as well and he quickly became a conduit for the Arrancar's voice.

"Now then, lets introduce our rabbits to the fox", the Arrancar spoke with surrealistic cheer before the aura's surrounding both Quincy faded from view.

Kaede was the first to move once her faculties returned to her, launching off with Hirenkyaku, numerous instances of the technique firing at once to propel her across the great distance between the group and Black. Zetsubō's gaze tracked her for a short while, after which it turned to Kerri.

"Follow me", he commanded.

Then, he began running toward the giant creature, far faster than any normal Human could, but without using Shunpo.

Kerri responded to the Tsumikami's order silently, used Hirenkyaku in order to attempt to keep up with Zetsubō, summoning her bow while doing so, a couple beads of sweat dripping of her chin as she combated the Reiatsu of Black's, which was still bursting forth, causing the Quincy to slow down despite her use of Hirenkyaku, making her movements seem more sluggish than normal. Haiiro, his body now back in his control, he swiftly examined his body in the shadow of the crevice, before using Hirenkyaku in a similar manner to Kaede in an attempt to cover ground and catch up with his partner.

The young female Quincy stopped moving through the air with Hirenkyaku in favour of a more conventional approach as she drew nearer to the great collosus that they planned to fight. Her movements as she moved across the sky at first seemed like she was skating across an invisible surface, and then almost dancing through it as if carried on the wings of a bird. Her Spirit Weapon formed during these moments, an articulately crafted tool resembling a modern assault rifle, its barrel lit up with a red-violet glow before Heilig Pfeil in the form of bullets emerged from its barrel and the air around it.

A bulletstorm of violet energy impacted against the face of the creature that had slowly began marching in their previous direction, initially ignorant to Kaede's presence in favour of Zetsubō's far larger one. The attack, though resulting in little more than a plume of smoke rising from its brow changed its mind. A Cero burst forth from the ether in an attempt to strike her down, though easily dodged with Hirenkyaku, she was caught by an immediate follow up by Black's right arm. The massive clawed appendage just barely missing her, though the torrential winds that followed in its wake tore her down against all opposition, like a black hole she was pulled towards the earth with no hope of escape.

Her body impacted against the ground with a hard thump, dust particles shooting into the air as a dense cloud. She immediately shot out of it with a rather flashy blackflip motion, trails of dust following her before she distanced herself from the cloud entirely.

"Cue my second gift", rattled a voice in the back of her head as all sorts of cuts and bruises on her body closed up and faded away. "Its not so bad, being an accomplice of a Hollow, now is it?", the voice continued to chat away. Kaede ignored it, her attention focused solely on keeping Black occupied.

In the meantime, Usuguraiboshi was maintaining a steady pace, gradually decreasing the distance from Black whilst allowing Kerri to keep up. For a while he observed Kaede's efforts, but then moved his stare to the giant Hollow's abdomen and more specifically, the Hollow hole located there.

"Prepare", he uttered in a raised voice toward Byrne.

Kerri stiffly nodded at the Tsumikami's words, despite the resistance of Black's Reiatsu, Kerri forced her Spiritual Power, having it spike ever so slightly, reinforcing her response.

Haiiro on the other hand, appeared above Kaede's current position, he himself firing a packed volley of arrows at Black, aiming for the Hollow's upper body as he turned back towards Kaede and used Hirenkyaku to regroup with her.

The duo were immediately met with a blitz of orange light, a gargantuan Cero having formed in front of Black's maw. As its jaws wrenched upon to emit a powerful roar, the Cero exploded changing shape from an orb into a massive pillar flowing towards them. Kaede was quick to grab Haiiro and retreat with Hirenkyaku, though the shockwave emitted by the attack forced them to continue their retreat with their own momentum or risk being knocked away.

Meanwhile, Zetsubō braced himself. He could see the orifice clearly now, and the monster itself was distracted mid-attack, so the opportunity to act was perfect. He was quick to utilise the brief window.

The Tsumikami halted abruptly, sliding on the ground due to the substantial impetus he had managed to accumulate. Then, he caught Kerri's arm and lifted his head, again fixing his gaze at Black's Hollow hole. Suddenly, the pair sunk into reality, only to instantly reappear right at the entrance of the large orifice in the giant creature's body. Usuguraiboshi landed swiftly on its inner surface, supporting himself with the arm holding the scythe.

Kerri, while momentarily shocked at Zetsubō's actions, quickly recovered as she too landed on the surface that was Black's Hollow hole, losing her balance somewhat before correcting herself and landing on it.

Meanwhile, Haiiro, who had managed to stay relatively composed despite the impressive impetus of the attack he and Kaede just escaped, turned to her in an attempt to communicate.

"We should of come up with a plan of attack shouldn't we?", the young Quincy shouted over the windstorm Black's Cero generated, his attempt at a lighthearted quip buried in the midst of the the deafening sound that was Black and the lack of cheeriness in Haiiro's voice.

"I dunno, can you really plan around Godzilla?", Kaede replied whilst a hand dug through the pouch resting on the belt around her waist. She retrieved a trio of Gintō tubes, rather deftly she netted them through interlocking fingers to form an intricate seal.

"Denizens of the Heavens hear my call, aid those in my care for I am unable, protect them for I am weak, fight for them for I am afraid", she incanted before her hands thrust open and the tubes of liquified Reishi exploded and transformed into a series of white eagles. "Reichsadler!"

The beating of their wings filled the air whilst the creatures soared towards Black. The attack was met by an extreme response by the creature. A wall of shining light twinkled into existence in front of it before an indiscriminate storm of energy was unleashed upon the Reishi birds. Attempts to avoid the beams were rendered futile by the sheer onslaught, soon enough the sky was erased of any trace of the white beings, and those beams that missed went on to leave a great series of marked scorches in the earth, painting a greater picture of desolation.

Black seemed to fall forward afterward though its arms landed atop the earth with a premeditated motion. The digits sunk into the earth, creating a hand print of gargantuan proportions from sheer pressure. Its head now was on a level close to Haiiro and Kaede, its eyes loomed over the duo before its maw shot open to reveal innumerable Cero forming across fleshy nodes within. An almost visible gust of wind sweeped out of its lungs in the process, another storm of air ripping at the two Humans.

For Zetsubō and Kerri, previously safe within the Hollow hole of the beast they were met with the sudden obstacle of gravity, as their footing suddenly shifted from beneath them. Usuguraiboshi lost his balance and began falling, but reacted quickly to the sudden turn of events.

"Tsuriboshi."

The spell spawned a cushion of spiritual fabric at the opening of the Hollow hole, effectively plugging it. Zetsubō fell on its flexible surface and rebounded, suspending himself in the air in a standing position afterward, Kerri did the same, regaining her balance by clutching on the surface of the Hollow hole.

Haiiro, shaking off the initial shock of Black's counterattack, turned and used Hirenkyaku in an attempted to move out of the range of Black's mouth, readying his bow in order to strike the Hollow as soon as he was out of immediate harm.

Without combining, as they previously would in such a scenario, Black simply fired the massing Cero from its maw to create an all encompassing pillar of energy with nary a space within it that one could use to avoid the attack, at least if they stood in front of it.

As Haiiro had, Kaede made the quick notion of utilizing Hirenkyaku to escape, clinging to her teammate's spiritual presence in order to decide where she moved. As she appeared next to him the both of them were engulfed by a shadow as the great Hollow's arm came down atop them.

Within the beast's Hollow hole, the duo were presented with an unhealed wound. A large entrance carved into Black's flesh, its edges still burned and cauterized to prevent regeneration. A slight chilling air seeped into it, as if beckoning Zetsubō and Kerri to enter.

"I will go first", stated the Tsumikami whilst approaching the wound.

He expected a number of unpleasant surprises to await within the belly of the beast. As such, given his unnatural durability and regenerative powers, he considered himself more suitable to discover and withstand any potential attempts of the creature's immune system to remove the intruders. Better he than the fragile woman.

Thus, he grabbed the outer rim of the wound with his free hand and summoned a small light above his head with the use of Kidō, peeking inside.

Meanwhile, as the Hollow's gigantic arm careened towards the Quincy duo, Haiiro took aim, the Reishi arrow still collecting it's power in his bow growing to an abnormally large size while turning to a pitch black colour, just as Black's arm was dangerously approaching them, Haiiro fired his arrow, the arrow speedily soaring into Black's arm, camouflaged due to the creature's colour, it sank deeply into the Hollow's flesh, despite the arrow doing practically nothing to slow the arm's progress.

"Let's hope this works." the young Quincy thought before putting on a look of pure concentration while facing the mass that was Black arm. As he did so, the arrow forcefully twisted and struggled, trying to force the arm to move to the right, Girado's power boost bolstering the arrow's power.

The gigantic arm continued in its motion, completely unhindered by the arrow that attempted to change its trajectory. The notion seemed foolhardy as the appendage drew further downward, its proximity making it clear that the arrow could never have moved it, instead it simply vanished into the cracks between scales, a speck in comparison to the sheer scope of Black's form.

Kaede reacted to the deepening shadow that had cast over them. Her body twisted, her legs shot back, and then they sprung out, a powerful dropkick, enhanced by Blut Arterie to send Haiiro flying from the impact zone. A moment later, a single instance of Hirenkyaku turned into a solid platform beneath her feet, kicking against it propelled her out the same way, the fragile blue disk being the only thing crushed under the weight of Black's arm.

Before she could claim to be in the free and clear, Kaede noticed yet another shadow, and an intense heat bearing over her. Her eyes widened in shock as Black's maw closed over her, everything suddenly turning black as the echoing chomp of pillar-like teeth wrung throughout the area.

That echo rippled through Black's interior, an audible pulse that lightly shook the fleshy interior that Zetsubō had entered. It was almost natural in appearance, fleshy walls that beat and moved to an unseen rhythym. A slick and slimy sheen shone across the red and lively internals of the beast that formed into living hallways marked by all sorts of fleshy nodes and contraptions that served a part in the Hollow body.

The Tsumikami did not see nor detect any immediate threat, and as such began walking the organic tunnel in a fast pace, looking around in the search of a good spot to target and attack. Small Kidō light kept hovering above his head.

"Find its vital organs", he demanded, turning toward Byrne for a moment before resuming his march. Kerri, who had just climbed inside the beast, looked at Zetsubō walking away from her as she fully straightened up.

"Easier said than done but very well.", she replied, taking a quick look around the areas of the Hollow's interior illuminated by the residual light of Zetsubō Kidō spell.

Forming her own ball of Reishi light, Kerri started to explore the other fork in the proverbial road that Zetsubō had passed up, she retained a brisk pace as she scanned the area she was approaching, her ability causing the ball of Reshi to burn up the atmosphere around the small light, creating a small orange aura where Kerri's ability was burning the air.

A space in the fleshy walls surrounding Kerri seemed to expand before a membrane was spat out, forming a large wall that cut her off from Zetsubō. The wall was lined with a shimmering blue mucus and seemed to radiate a spiritual presence of its own.

Outside, now alone, Haiiro became the center of Black's attention, its sharp eyes drawing the boy into focus. Pupils formed under the intense glare and the trace markings of energy building up were clear.

Within the beast, Usuguraiboshi halted abruptly. He noticed that Byrne had been separated from him, and that event prompted him to consider his tactics. He knew that the Quincy had a much better chance to find a vital organ thanks to her enhanced spiritual awareness. Seeing that the monster's immune system had finally noticed them, he determined that the woman could use a distraction to draw attention away from her.

Without wasting any more time, he changed the grip on his scythe and began swinging it madly, slashing the fleshy walls of the "tunnel" he was located in. He began running forward, continuing the ferocious attacks en route. Then, he stopped, turned back and lifted his left hand.

"Hadō #54, Haien", he recited as his fist burst into amethyst flames.

He launched the blast of incinerating fire at the wounded passage. The flames started spreading quickly, and the Tsumikami inhaled the unbearable smell of boiling blood. In the other passage, Kerri looked at the new wall blocking her off before feeling the shudders that Zetsubo's attacks had caused, she sighed slightly, placing her free hand on her forehead.

"I wish we would have had some time to actually look before getting shoved about...I guess Girado takes pride in this creature's antibodies too.", she murmured under her breath before deciding to pick up her pace, moving at what seemed to be a sprinting pace, she managed to prolong her running easily while also scanning the areas for any viable locations to attack, coming across little of note along the way.

Haiiro on the other hand, despite his shock over his partner being eaten by the Hollow, turned to the black monstrosity and raised his star shaped bow before unleashing a rather incredible barrage of Heilig Pfliels, the power of the small blue arrows being visibly enhanced by Girado's own power, causing them to become even more luminescent that normal, the small cavalry of arrows starting briskly making their way towards Black while Haiiro used the time he had left from Black's still charging attack to try and get away in time.

"Dammit Kaede, don't die...", Haiiro muttered, a pained look on his face as he consistently used Hirankyaku to move, as he was doing so, his face lit up as he glanced at Black.

"Hey Girado, if you can hear me, do you know where Kaede is!?", Haiiro desperately called out to the nothingness that was the scorched landscape of Hell, barren of life apart from him, Black and the allies that were within the Hollow.

"Hm? Didn't you witness it yourself?", a voice chimed from within the back of Haiiro's mind. Like an echo carrying the words to-and-fro. "Our dear little friend was gobbled up, so logic dictates that she'd be within its mouth!" he continued.

Black continued to swipe at Haiiro, its right arm going for a renewed upward swing whilst its left struck from behind for a sweep. The energy apparently building up within its eyes remained unused for the time being.

For those in Black's interior, Zetsubō was met with what he assumed to be the stench of blood boiling under his Kidō but the liquid that left the seemingly wounded walls of flesh was more of a puss-like substance. A substance that appeared to be more then flammable when the Kidō not only ignited it but caused it to explode, engulfing the entire hallways in a sudden backdraft of fire and force. A concussive shockwave knocked the Tsumikami back, smashing him against another membrane wall that further seperated him from the Quincy.

The wall itself reacted to the event, seemingly absorbing the flames that followed before receding. On the outside a single spine on Black's back was shot into the air, an aura of Reiryoku causing it to dangle in the sky in solitude.

Usuguraiboshi remained motionless for a while, streaks of smoke rising from the tatters of his burnt and torn black cloak, his own body singed. Soon, he recovered from the concussion and straightened up. Irritated by the unexpected repercussions and apparent inefficiency of his attacks, he began thinking.

This was not his way of fighting. Ever since he had been trained as a Shinigami, no, even far earlier, he had been heavily relying on his special ability to invade the psyche of the enemy and turn their minds against them. Still, he was perfectly willing to supplement the mind tricks and disturbing visions with Zankensoki skills. However, none of that worked here.

Zetsubō did not like that. He could not comprehend the concept of a fearless entity, and the notion of his other abilities being ineffective was unacceptable. There was a time when grown men were soiling themselves at his sight, but now he was just a meaningless vermin inside an indestructible beast. The traces of rationality vanished from his mind.

"Hadō #88, Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō", he seethed, pointing his left hand at the blackness of the passage in front of him.

Then, everything was consumed in the blinding outburst of electrified, amethyst energy.

Haiiro, his mouth open in order to respond to Girado's question, was cut off abruptly by the presence of Black's arm coming down on him, the Quincy managed to dodge the Hollow's swipe with the use of Hirenkyaku, but was subsequently blown away by the wind pressure of the attack, causing Haiiro to fly towards the ground in a uncontrollable manner, only just being able to stop himself from slamming into the ground full force just in time. As he started to recover Haiiro looked up at Black, noticing a rather odd plume of Reiatsu shooting out of the beast's body.

"I don't even want to know what that is.", Haiiro said dejectedly, staggering up into a standing position as he tracked the odd aura of Reiatsu.

Black was quick to follow up its attack, giving Haiiro no time to recover as its eyes focused on him and an invisible explosive force attempted to engulf the boy.

From within, Zetsubō was met with an odd sight. His Kidō spell travelled through the canal of flesh, illuminating it as the walls shifted in colour, and seemingly, composition. They turned from a fleshy red to a stone-walled blue, their rhythym stopping in its tracks. The Kidō spell continued to the end of the tunnel, a large wall opening up as if to devour the beam of energy, four fleshy panels acting as a doorway. They flopped shut once the spell passed into their confines and it seemingly vanished without a trace.

Usuguraiboshi stood still, his arm still raised in the firing position. His chest was moving as he was inhaling air, his breath slightly wheezy and irregular. Other than that, however, he remained virtually motionless, the chaos within his mind nearly paralysing his body.

On Kerri's side, the tunnel began to close down, membrane wall after membrane wall sliding into place ahead of her, the same hardened blue taking grip over the fleshy path. Kerri, despite her mild confusion over the activity that was taking hold inside of Black, she quickly turned her attention to escaping the ever closing path, she backed up somewhat before frantically looking around for any indication of a weak point or exit, after a small while observing, Kerri stopped producing her light source, which fizzled away quickly as she summoned her bow and fired a number of Heilig Pfeil at one part of the fleshy wall in an attempt to cause it to rupture, however, despite her arrows powerfully slamming into the wall, they didn't do much to it.

"Dammit.", Kerri cursed slightly as she took a glance at the closing membranes, she drew back her bow, collecting the odd, multi-coloured energy Kerri used for her Improbability Arrows before firing it at the wall, oddly enough, the arrow stuck into the wall without dissipating, however, the arrow merely broke down after a small while of being stuck in the wall, causing the Quincy to recoil in shock.

"A dud!?", she shouted, the anxiousness in her voice made blatantly apparent as she turned to see the membranes approach ever closer to her, despite her attempts at staying calm, Kerri's anxiety finally managed to take hold of her, causing the young Quincy to panic, she backed away from where she was previously, her mind plagued with irrational thoughts as she tried to regain control of her rationality. Another cell membrane closed in front of her, finally causing her to yelp in shock and fear before haphazardly firing a number of arrows in a futile attempt to stop the walls.

Haiiro meanwhile saw Black's piercing stare and attempted to dodge whatever attack the Hollow was going to use with Hirenkyaku, while also activating Blut Vene to ensure he wasn't seriously harmed, unaware of the exceedingly impending attack approaching him, the young Quincy beginning to move as the attack came dangerously close.

The Hollow did not let up in its attack, moving forward with surprising speed, its muzzle smashed into the mountainous reach behind Haiiro, its face acting like a spear as its tried to crush the boy under its mass. Even the mountain could scarcely keep it in check, its body simply tearing through the rock as if it was little more than soft clumps of sponge. It burrowed through the rock before looping around, its body intent on smashing the wall of the rock down on top of Haiiro.

On the inside, Zetsubō was met with nothing but solitude, an eery quiet in the flesh-turned-stone tunnel. His silence was eventually interrupted by the clangs of spiritual arrows on the fleshy wall behind him. The membrane that Kerri witlessly shot at receded after it gorged itself on her arrows. The two beings now together again were faced with a series of walls to their back and a fleshy doorway to their front, a doorway that could seemingly devour high-level Kidō spells.

The Tsumikami did not notice any of that. He was immobile like a statue, and a tempest of incoherent, half-formed thoughts kept raging within his broken mind. Temporarily overwhelmed by the fact that the creature seemed to have no weak points even within its body, he was suddenly enlightened. The mental storm ended just as abruptly as it had begun; Usuguraiboshi regained composure and focus with swiftness impossible for a sane person.

If there was no weak point, he could create one himself.

Maebure had taught him many things about Kidō during the past several decades. Even though Zetsubō had learnt only the fundamentals of its advanced principles and would never be able to achieve skill comparable to that of his master, he still knew enough to have a chance. He clung to that thought and with his will sharpened like the edge of a katana, he raised his arm at the "ceiling" of the passage.

"Shatter what is held together, tear to pieces and disperse in the wind", he recited carefully, electrified, crimson energy wrapping around the limb in the process. "Hidō #3, Hahen."

The advanced non-standard spell erupted into the solidified surface with a loud whizz, impacting a mere fraction of a second later due to the miniscule distance. There was no explosion, however, for the full might of the powerful technique was directed at any possible fraction, dent or thinner portion of the surface in a highly precise attempt to brutally bust through the defences.

Despite her reunion with Zetsubō quelling her brief lapse in proper judgement, Kerri was still quite nervous and edgy, her anxiety over her ability's unreliable nature still wracking at her mind. Mustering what semblance of confidence and control she had, Kerri turned to Zetsubō.

"I-is that a scouting spell or an offensive spell? I've never heard of it in official records.", the Quincy meekly asked, her voice still shaky from the shock that she experienced beforehand.

Meanwhile Haiiro, seeing the more sluggish movements of Black's body in advance, managed to get out of the way of the proximity of the Hollow's shadow along with the majority of the rocks that came cascading down as a result of it's attack, however the young Quincy was forced to dodge the few rocks that were pelted outwards due to the impetus of Black's strike, hoping from each boulder as they came in order to evade them.

"Boy, I believe you should become better acquainted with the earth for a moment", chimed Girado's drawn out voice within Haiiro's mind.

At the same time, the ripped apart mountain confines were further destroyed when Black came back into the fore. Its maw roared open, a blitz of explosions erupting around its upper jaw. Near Haiiro's location a small black sphere rolled out onto the ground, its surface marked by a small cartoonish face molded into an expression of pained exhaustion.

From within, Zetsubō's spell seemed to have whiffed. There was no reaction from the surrounding area, the opal-esque surfaces continuing to present little more than stoic silence. Their ears were suddenly filled with a screeching hiss from behind, a bronze-tinged gas seeping into the tunnel from behind them as part of the tunnel suddenly split open.

It opened up into a rather massive "room" of Black's body, holes across the walls led into all sorts of other parts of the body with various fleshy parts molded into shapes analogues to paths and stairways. The bottom floor was marked by several pools of a bronze-ish liquid, its surface constantly busy with bubbles forming and bursting at random.

Usuguraiboshi turned around rapidly, gazing at the new opening. He did not expect such an indirect result, but the spell had worked nonetheless. He walked past the shaken Byrne in a fast pace, headed toward the chamber.

"Follow me", he demanded, ignoring her question about the Hidō spell's nature. Kerri, finally over her anxiety attack, follow the Tsumikami's lead, heading into the chamber, ignoring her ally's abrupt change of topic.

Haiiro, taking heed of Girado's words leaped of the boulder so as to dodge the Hollow's attack, he eyed the black blob in the middle of his descent and instead opted to distance himself further from the weird entity while also firing a Kage Yajirushi at it, the black arrow contorting as it flew so as to try and bind the blob to the spot.

His attempt at avoidance from what he considered a "blob" left Haiiro in Black's aim as it fired another cataclysmic beam of energy.

The room in which Kerri and Zetsubō trod was quiet for the most part, the squelching of flesh beneath their feet and the rhythmic bubbling of the bronze pools the only thing to fill the air. The Tsumikami took a few steps farther into the chamber, looking around all the time. Once he stopped, he turned back to his companion.

His mask was in a bad shape, now several fractures running in an intricate network across its singed surface. As he was gazing at Byrne a fragment of the mask detached and fell, exposing a portion of his forehead. The wearer did not seem to notice, however.

"Can you sense any concentrations of Reiryoku?", he asked. "Weak spots? Vital organs?"

Due to the near pitch blackness of the "room" and consequently the only visible outline of Zetsubō, Kerri looked at the Tsumikami unaware of the mask's condition, a look of slight concentration on her as she replied.

"I do feel a number of them, but the background Reiatsu is masking them quite well, but I can feel something around there.", she replied, pointing at one of the fleshy stairways which led up to another path.

"I don't know what it is, but somewhere over near that stairway may be able to hurt this creature.", Kerri explained.

Zetsubō glanced in the aforementioned direction. Even though he saw quite well in the darkness, he re-summoned the miniature Kidō light floating above his head, more for the convenience of Kerri than his own. Then, he walked toward one of the tunnels, closely watching its surface. He noticed a large, peculiar gland attached to the wall, and several others located higher.

He would rather attack a much more crucial organ. However, knowing the level of the Quincy who had remained outside, he had little faith in them surviving long enough for him and Byrne to reach such a weak spot. Thus, he decided to provide them some relief by targeting the glands, hopefully distracting the gargantuan creature as a result.

Usuguraiboshi rotated his scythe and raised its spiked bottom upward. Then, the spike burst forth, piercing the glands one after another, each time striking, retracting and launching itself again with considerable force.

Meanwhile outside, despite his worries about the unidentified object, Haiiro quickly took note of the Hollow's mouth along with the beam of energy coming from it, his surprise causing his arrow to disintegrate as the young Quincy used Hirenkyaku to move out of the attack's way.

The blast that Black had fired ended abruptly, resulting in an explosive outward wind. The creature stared onward in perfect stillness for but a moment before it became a writhing mass of hectic thrashing and piercing roars. Though it no longer focused on the Quincy, the size of the creature ensured that it was still a major threat by proximity.

Kaede, having been spared the situation of being pinned to the earth when Haiiro's arrow fell apart, fled the immediate area, quickly shifting back to her human form. From the sky, her eyes focused on Black's form but shifted to her Human cohort every now and again whilst she attempted to keep from her usual outbursts.

Within, the glands bled at the wounds inflicted, a crying squeal illicited from the room the pair stood in though from no obvious source. At the same time the bronze pools were met with a white liquid, dripping from openings in the ceiling. The white ooze slowly suffused through the bronze liquid, like milk through porridge.

It was not difficult to sense the monster's agitation, which meant Zetsubō's actions had finally succeeded to inflict pain. However, a mild case of stomach cramps was far from being able to defeat the giant. Unconcerned about the ichor pouring down the walls of the fleshy tunnel the Tsumikami began climbing, hoping to find some larger organs on the way.

"Come", he had uttered in a raised voice toward Kerri, just before he disappeared completely in the passage, Kerri nodded at the darkness that obscured Zetsubō and swiftly followed the Tsumikami into the blackness.

Haiiro meanwhile, gazed at the place where the Hollow's attack exploded, figuring that Kerri or the Tsumikami must have finally been able to damage it, he took his eyes off the explosion and observed the area, finally spotting Kaede among the rubble in the sky.

"Kaede!?", Haiiro shouted, his face having a look of comical disbelief plastered on it as the young Quincy suddenly spotted his partner.

Her eye twitched at that, a nerve popping as her previous attempts to restrain herself started to fall apart.

"Who the Hell else is it gonna be, you idiot!?", she replied with equal parts annoyance and anger at her partner, completely oblivious to the now halting creature below.

From within, the white ooze dripping from the ceiling stopped. The darkness being matched by the sound of solitude once again for a time. Silently, the white liquid that now pervaded the bronze began to rise and take a humanoid form, more or less a walking frame with no true discernible features. A head with no face, a body with no hair or muscle or markings that would set them apart from each other. The silent massing of white bodies left the pool with a sickening squelch as their liquid forms crossed over the fleshy ground.

The forming bodies converged on Zetsubō and Kerri quickly but sloppily, flopping forward as if they were entirely boneless. Once the Tsumikami noticed them closing in, he stuck the blade of his scythe in the fleshy wall and pointed his free hand downward, in the direction of the peculiar entities.

"Tsuriboshi", he stated.

Yet again he made use of the cushion of spiritual fabric, plugging the tunnel just below Kerri in an attempt to halt the white bodies, Kerri, having noticed the weird entities at around the same time Zetsubō did, looked at the newly formed Kidō spell before turning her head so that she was looking up.

"More hindrances, let's get to the top of this speedily.", she said in a matter of fact tone, she gathered more Reishi under her feet so that a small blue disk of the spiritual energy appeared under them as she started rising through the vertical passage at a fast pace.

Haiiro on the other hand, was too busy trying to apologise to Kaede in hopes of not getting hit by Batsu-san in order to pay full attention to Black.

"I-it was dusty! That's why I didn't recognise you! I'm sorry!", the young Quincy cried out, hopelessly trying to calm the entity that was Kaede.

The expression on Kaede's face made it clear how she took his response, though she fell short on a vocal reply instead opting to simply clench her fists and and allow a vein or two to pop in aggressive tensing. For her that was a case of remarkable, almost inhuman, restraint. A feat she could have only pulled off given their situation.

"Argh! We'll talk about it later, lets just focus on not shooting our own side, okay?", she finally replied at the same time the air became filled by Black growling. A ferocious rumble of sound that had more in common with an earth-breaking tremor than it did with an act associated with agitated hounds.

Inside the beast, the white bodies had congregated together below, remaining still apart from the sloppy acts they performed to remain balanced continuously betraying their boneless forms. They weren't sentient, far from such, but their state gave off a vibe of expectation regarding the two beings they sought after.

For now, Kerri and Zetsubō escaped the peculiar antibodies, hovering on the Reishi platform created by the former. After a few moments the verticular passage terminated in an opening leading to another chamber. The two entered it swiftly. The Tsumikami promptly began searching for other vulnerable spots, a small light of Kidō floating above his head, Kerri doing the same as she hopped off her disc of Reishi.

Haiiro, not wanting to evoke the wrath of Kaede once again, used Hirenkyaku to move to Black's side, firing off a number of arrows in an attempt to coax the beast into focusing at him, aiming for the Hollow's face as he did so.

It hung over his head. The lone spike that had long since been lost to the clouds had descended with the end of Black's spasm of confused aggression. Haiiro was soaked with a dark blue light as the distance closed, barely a second left to react.

All whilst the behemoth roared wildly towards the Heavens, arrows ineffectually passing by in the air, its head raised as far as it could reach, while its shriek drowned out Kaede's attempts to warn her partner.

On the inside, the duo had entered a dank dark room with a low flesh ceiling barely able to accomodate Zetsubō's large frame, nevermind that of his weapon. The room was largely empty, aside from a large cluster of flesh at the back. It seemed to hiss at the pair for a second before giving out a sound that could be interpreted as the dying coughs of a very old man, its edges quivered before a white mass flooded the floor from slowly revealing holes on the grotesque mass. At the same time the ceiling began to press down to ensure the white mass poured through the variety of holes on the floor, forcing away, or crushing, its would-be victims was simply a side effect to the process it attempted to perform.

Seeing that, Usuguraiboshi placed his Karadawaru vertically, trying to impede the process. Then, he began exerting his deathly chilling Reiatsu, using its pressure to further hamper the crushing walls.

"Attack that spot", he commanded Kerri, his hoarse voice betraying effort with its tense tone.

Kerri immediately responded, pulling back her bow and charging a rather oversized looking arrow, the glow of it pulsing throughout the room as she fired the powerful projectile at the mass of flesh.

Meanwhile, Haiiro, moving on what was more pure instinct than an logical response, managed to barely dodge the spike that was intended to crash down upon him, the force of the spike forcing the Quincy back as if he was caught in an explosion.

The spines all across its upper body shot into the sky when the beast attempted to capitalize on the situation. It lunged forward at the momentarily stunned Quincy in an attempt to crush him, its eyes tensed up in preparation for any possible evasive maneuever. The spines shot back down as quickly as they'd risen up, a hail of bones that prevented Kaede from moving in to assist her partner, turning a linear path into a complex pattern.

On the inside, the grotesque mass broke apart in places, flaps of flesh being washed into the white sea that continued to flow in spite of the damage. The fleshy ceiling that Zetsubō attempted to subdue eventually stopped its downward press before it returned upward, the act caused the flow of liquid to increase exponentially, flooding the entire room and washing everything into the holes below, its living occupants included.

They were returned to the massive room that they had previously stood in, the floor awash with white, hiding the bronze pools that had once sat as the center point of attention. The white mass that had taken humanoid shapes still waited below.

Usuguraiboshi stood up, drenched in the off-putting liquid. He was still illuminated by the miniature Kidō light, which had miraculously survived the unexpected ordeal. Even more fractures had appeared in his broken mask, several small fragments dropping as he was straightening up.

"Fire at will", he said in a raised voice.

Then, he aimed the bottom of his scythe at the humanoid antibodies. Unwilling to approach the peculiar entities, he instead chose to attack them with Sekizui. The large spike burst forth and the Tsumikami swung his weapon, attempting to sweep up a number of the antibodies with one broad motion of the elongating cord.

Kerri, despite being positively disgusted by the white liquid that she was now drenched in, complied, drawing back her bow and firing a cluster of arrows at the other group of humanoid figures, preparing to attack once again.

Haiiro, who found himself trapped between the rock and hard place that was Black and Black's spines, used Hirenkyaku to move downward in order to gain some more distance from the Hollow while also moving backwards so as to attempt to dodge the lunging beast. His descent was predicted by the creature, a series of Cero's had formed under its jowls storming at Haiiro when he came into view.

The white bodies stood still, or at least as still as they could, as their attackers blew them to bits in a flurry of steel and weaponized Reishi. They exploded like over full balloons or sloughed apart into the white mess that was currently soaking the floor. It took a few moments before they began to reform, but their numbers were quickly renewed when they did. On top of that, a sizzling sound became clear in the room, the spike of Zetsubō's blade visibly degrading from its interaction with the antibodies.

A brief surge of unspeakable wrath rampaged across his mind, but he was able to calm down quickly. At the very least his decision not to make direct contact with the immune system's manifestations had proven to be wise. Given their regenerative capability, it seemed a head-on confrontation was doomed to be futile.

It hurts..., he heard within his head.

For now he ignored the voice, focussed on the current predicament. His reservoir of energy, while ample, was gradually diminishing. He was wary of using any explosive spells, and physical attacks appeared to be ineffective. As such, he turned to his Quincy companion. The properties of her arrows were more suitable for the task of damaging the giant's insides, but they lacked the punch necessary to inflict considerable wounds. However, Usuguraiboshi could grant her that "punch".

The Tsumikami launched an abrupt Tenran at the antibodies in order to buy some time. Then, he approached Kerri swiftly and placed his free hand at her shoulder.

"Ignore the antibodies. Attack the monster's insides when I'm finished", he stated in a stern manner. "Morning breeze, become a raging tornado. Feeble spark, strike down as a lightning. Gentle stream, flood with your mighty breakers. Faint flame, incinerate in your fiery inferno. Hidō #4, Kakudai."

The custom spell enveloped the young woman with a fierce, electrified crimson aura, greatly enhancing her natural Reiatsu output. With such a substantial, if temporary boost, Zetsubō hoped she would be able to strike a meaningful blow in spite of their somewhat inconvenient situation.

Kerri felt invigorated with the power she was just given, she tried to remain somewhat calm so as her ability didn't interfere with the weird spell that was cast upon her, thankfully nothing odd of note happened as a slight crimson red aura surrounded her. Jumping back slightly to distance herself from the ever approaching antibodies, attempting to sense the acute fluctuations in Reiatsu that denoted weaknesses in Black's anatomy, finally she found one, which while it wasn't a major weak point, it was the only one in their vicinity that would benefit them more than hold them back, using part of her new power, she drew back her bow, creating an odd, crimson red arrow, the arrow itself constantly cracking with what sounded like electricity, despite not knowing if it was her ability of Zetsubō's spell, she didn't hesitate at firing her powered up arrow at the massive node she spotted as a weak point.

In response to the Cero, Haiiro started to move to the side in an attempt to move out of the way of the Cero, trying to keep his awareness of the spines and the mass that is Black, his Blut Vene activating out of instinct.

The beast roared at the boy, creating an oppressive pressure that would make escape difficult, at the same time numerous Cero formed and fired down on the Quincy, creating an intricate pattern that helped cut off his escape in addition to trying to incinerate him. Kaede, witnessing Black's cornering of her partner tried to get closer but was continually pushed back by a continuing onslaught of bone spears. She felt like she was playing Tetris, only she had to weave through the falling pattern of blocks lest she end up a smeared mess on the floor.

Kerri's shot connected without issue, igniting in whatever fantastical effect it could generate. The cluster of flesh hit boiled and bubbled, melting into a disasterous mess of liquid and solid flesh. Whatever effect it had on Black was unstated, the room did not shift, the white antibodies paid it no heed, continuing their baby-like staring at the bodies hiding above them. The northern passageway seemed to light up with a pulse of violet light for just a moment before fading a way, a reaction to the attack? A lure towards a trap?

Zetsubō noticed the suspicious event. Determined to finish the monster off as quickly as possible, he paid no heed to anything else. With a Shunpo-powered leap he jumped over the white antibodies and began running toward the source of light. His reserves of Reiryoku were depleting, but he still had enough to deal a fatal blow to the gargantuan creature.

He made sure he did.

Kerri, both shocked and annoyed at the relative lack of a reaction began to loose her cool, noting the still approaching anti-bodies she jumped back, charging another super-powered arrow, this one bearing the distinction of a multicolored hue. She fired the Improbability Arrow off, the unique arrow sinking into the flesh that was the floor before violently expanding and bubbling, causing the floor to rupture and explode like an ulcer, engulfing the majority of the antibodies in it. Wasting no time, Kerri rushed past the remaining defences, taking out a vial of Gintō and dropping it the entryway of the passage Zetsubō headed down, the spiritual liquid exploding upon contact with the floor and solidifying into a elastic like substance which blocked the antibodies from following them.

"It'll degrade quick, but we need some damn peace.", Kerri muttered before heading down the path.

Haiiro, despite his best attempts to, finally lost his collected attitude, frantically looking around for some kind of escape, his panic clouding his judgement, he could only try and avoid being incinerated by the Cero's by diving down further to the ground. The boy's slowed pace led him right toward the continuing onslaught of Cero that had been fired at him, his path impeded by one such beam, essentially having him descend right into it.

The barrier that had formed in the tunnel proved to do little to impeded the antibodies, it lacked the benefit of elevation like the prior Kidō spell, this time it fell in moments when one of the white-washed creatures smothered it with its form, bursting so that the bronze liquid it carried could melt right through the Reishi construct. The tunnel quickly flooded with the bodies as they followed after the pair of intruders, who were pushed upwards, through a winding neck of fleshy corridors that slowly shifted from a natural red to an ominous purple overlay, a light that shone through the layers of flesh on every level.

They had been brought to a large circular room, largely free of any kind of trappings apart from the great many appendages clinging to a crude rock-like structure in the center of the room. It pulsed with fiery Reiryoku and beat to a silent rhythym. This... was Black's heart.

Zetsubō plunged into the chamber with impetus. However, he soon halted rapidly, his gaze drawn by the massive object suspended above. While his ability to sense Reiatsu was not as good as a Quincy's, there was no mistaking it. He had at last found the ultimate weak spot. However, the Hollow's immune system was hard on his heels, and he needed time to muster an attack sufficient to damage the sturdy-looking organ.

"I need your help", he stated in a raised voice toward the incoming Kerri. "Keep them away from me as long as you can."

Heeding the Tsumikami's words, Kerri turned to the pathway they had gone down, which was now swarming with antibodies. Taking out a number of her remaining Gintō capsules, she threw them towards the path.

"Feel the wrath of battle and accept this sacred chalice, Heizen!", the Quincy shouted out, as she did, the four Gintō capsules exploded into a large block of silver Reishi, small enough to fit through a hole but large enough to hit the swarm that was the antibodies.

Haiiro, his face painted with both his stress and the pulsing Reishi flowing through his veins, forcefully threw his body to side while using Hirenkyaku to dodge the Cero beam, however, the vain attempt at a dodge was for naught, as the young Quincy was hit by the beam, causing it to explode and obscure him from sight.

"Haiiro!", Kaede yelled at the top of her lungs as her partner was engulfed in the flames of channeled spiritual energy. Her path immediately changed, flying in his direction, consequences be damned. Her path was cut off as a spike intruded into her personal space from her blindspot, her Reishi network had already flooded with Reiryoku and Reishi in preparation for the likelihood of such a thing happening. Her forward path turned into a downward spiral as the sharp spear of bone dragged her toward the earth. It hadn't pierced flesh, Blut Vene having worked to wittle its power down, but it still carried momentum and blunt physical power.

Black had come to a still when both Humans fell, its eyes focused on nothing particular while the creature's breathing slowed dramatically, as if waiting for something.

The antibodies had filled up the pathway that the duo had already tred, swarming into the room at a plodding pace, hindered momentarily when the large block that was Heizen rammed through them, disintegrating a great number of the antibodies' upper bodies in the process. Those hit by it stopped and then merged with whichever body was nearest. Their numbers had fallen but in no major noticeable manner.

They continued forward.

Zetsubō was focussed. He cared little for his own wellbeing; all he wanted was to defeat the immense beast. He lifted his free hand at the giant, beating organ, spreading his long and slim fingers with sharp nails. Visible Reiatsu enveloped his body, fluctuating and unstable at first, but then more firm as he concentrated the energy.

"Seeping crest of turbidity. Arrogant vessel of lunacy. Boil forth and deny. Grow numb and flicker. Disrupt sleep", he began chanting, his aura expanding in the process with an audible hum.

Kerri, unperturbed the waning power that she was given by Zetzubō, attempted to create an improbability arrow to slow the antibodies further, however, during the process of constituting the multicoloured arrow it randomly broke down and disintegrated, causing the Quincy to panic.

"Not now!", she yelped in shock, her concentration and energy sapped by the oppressive atmosphere and the hordes of antibodies chasing them, Kerri had used up most of her reservoir of power. Looking round helplessly she finally scrambled towards the opening of the pathway where the antibodies where approaching at a dangerously quick pace, collapsing to her knees and relinquishing her bow, Kerri placed both her hands down on the flesh that was the floor and poured what little Spiritual Power she had into it, hoping her ability would activate and somehow block the progress of the antibodies.

As she did so a spark randomly appeared and ignited, setting the ground on fire, the soon to be blaze spreading at an alarming rate, despite her flustered state, Kerri quickly reacted to the random event by using Hirenkyaku to move away, however the fire had already caught up to her arm, scorching it before she put it out, while the rest of the flames started to reach the swarm of antibodies.

The antibodies continued like a stampede, their liquid forms ignoring the flames that rose up beneath them as if it had never been present, their footsteps quickly stamping it out as they swarmed over towards the Human woman in front of them.

"Crawling queen of iron. Eternally self-destructing doll of mud. Unite. Repulse. Fill with soil and know your own powerlessness", the Tsumikami continued, his risen hand now shaking visibly. "Hadō #90, Kurohitsugi", he at last finished the spell.

A large, black-and-purple tendril burst forth from his palm toward the heart suspended above. Then, its energy began spreading rapidly, enclosing the organ in an ominously humming, coffin-like construct within a few moments. Numerous cross-like protrusions adorned its ebony surface.

Then, all of them pierced the heart inside at the same time with terrible force, causing a shockwave to sweep across the fleshy chamber.

Kerri, stumbling as she landed after jumping away from the antibodies, turned to see the now skewered organ.

"I think it's best we leave now.", she said anxiously.

Meanwhile the ash that was obscuring Haiiro finally cleared, revealing the young Quincy on the floor, exceptionally burnt due to the Cero that hit him, with his Blut Vene being the only thing saving him. He weakly tried to stand up, but only managed to stagger and move into a kneeling position.

"Kaede!", he called out, squinting to see her figure among the expanse that was the ground and sky.

The heart at Black's core continued its rythymic beating despite the severe mutilation that it had went through and in so doing it was made clear that it was little more than some kind of palpitation. The heart had not beat since they entered its presence, and as it gave out it had time for one last strike, a weakening death knell that rippled through the Hollow's body. When it pulsed, the entire chamber was engulfed in intense spiritual energy that set Zetsubō and Kerri ablaze, the antibodies too were renadered little more than sunboiled muck on the floor. The heat lasted for a fraction of a moment though before the creature's soul crumbled.

The heart vanished, abruptly disintegrating in an instant. Kerri's prior request to leave was rendered moot when the entirety of their surroundings turned to a raining ashfall. Outwardly, the beast stood still, solemn in its final moments. A strange change of pace from its maddening rampage in life.

Haiiro and Kaede, were not free from the machinations of its death as their bodies suddenly became wracked with pain. A screech that tore at the fibers holding their bodies together, like their soul was crying for help. The pain stopped as a sea of purple energy drained from them, coalescing a few moments away in Girado's form.

He was hunched over on his knees, beads of sweat trailing from his masked features.

"The feeling of an extinguishing soul, is... not as calming as I had imagined", he declared with some amount of strain.

Massive nebula of ashes formed from the gargantuan creature's disintegrating body. Deep within the cloud was Zetsubō, barely supporting himself on his hands and knees, his head slumped just over the ground. Shaking from the exertion and damage he had sustained throughout the battle, his black clothes were reduced to burnt rags, his pale skin singed and even scorched in some places, with sweat flowing on his muscular, scarred arms.

The last fragments of his mask dropped to the ground.

Kerri was lying unconscious next to the Tsumikami, like him, her clothes, while not as severely torched, were in tatters and her skin was severely burnt, even with her instinctual activation of Blut Vene.

Haiiro was panting heavily as he attempted to recover from the force that wrecked his soul, he struggled to stay kneeling as he raised his head to see his surroundings, his vision slightly blurred as a result of his exhaustion.

Kaede lay flat out on the ground, breathing heavily from exhaustion. All the energy and reishi gathered up in her body flooded out just like the great pool of sweat that was soaking through her clothes.

"Never... again", she strained out in between breaths.

Meanwhile, the giant shroud of ashes was dispersing slowly, blown away by the wind. Zetsubō crawled toward Kerri and turned her over. His Karadawaru, lying nearby, dissipated into a few streaks of dark energy that swirled around his body and vanished. The Tsumikami himself gazed at the young Quincy's face, noticing that she was unconscious. Then, he pulled his legs to assume a crouching position and slipped his arms beneath her. With a slow, swaying motion he stood up, Byrne hanging limply on his broad shoulder.

He began walking in the direction of the other Quincies in an uneven pace, the clouds of ash blurring his silhouette. And as he was about to exit the grey shroud, he covered his face with the right hand. His entire upper body was exposed, the pale skin burnt and scarred. However, there was a brand new, ominously pristine white mask concealing his face.

"We have failed", he proclaimed grimly.

"I wanna know...how those guys...got that thing...", Haiiro panted, his breath labored and his voice shaking,"Dammit...", the young Quincy added after a brief pause, his face pained with both physical and emotional stress, abruptly, he shot up surprisingly quickly turning towards his partner.

"Kaede, you okay?", he called out, noting her exhausted form lying near him.

"Call me in a year... or three, we'll see by then", she replied with a drained voice that sounded almost half-asleep if it wasn't for the heavy breaths she took in between. The young Quincy slowly forced herself to sit up, taking in the ash fallen surroundings, like the aftermath of an eruption in the distance.

"It cannot be helped, I was an exquisite craftsman", spoke the Arrancar with a degree of listlessness, he had his hand buried in a particular clump of ash, digging out what appeared to be a shard of purple glass. His hand enclosed its grip over it and it promptly shattered.

"I have a medicine, it won't bring you anywhere near one hundred percent, but we could continue in spite of the odds, though it is very likely our opponents have already left", the creature explained as his calm and collected persona reasserted itself over a moment of melancholy. "Nonetheless, I leave the choice in your dirtied hands, onward, or home?"

"We have failed", repeated Zetsubō as he was approaching the Arrancar, the unconscious Quincy still dangling over his shoulder. "The enemy is fully aware of our presence and has most probably already made their move. The least we can do is to return and warn your comrades", he continued in an atypically long utterance.

Whilst the others could not have known that, the mission had subconsciously reminded Usuguraiboshi of his time as a Shinigami Captain, awakening the remnants of his much younger, slightly more stable and rational self. Particularly the venture into the belly of the beast together with Kerri, which reminded him of the cooperation with Tōru Yōshanai, his old second-in-command. Periods of such clarity of thought were a rare occurence.

"I would like to charge in now to surprise them but yeah, I can't see us getting anywhere, it's best we head back and at least set up some better defence.", Haiiro admitted, looking round at the grim faces of his comrades, "But hey, at least we were able to make that big lumbering beast crumble here so that the won't be able to use it on HQ! Um, no offense Girado-san.", Haiiro pointed out in an attempt to raise the mood, turning towards Girado as he apologised to the Arrancer.

"I am nothing if not a bastion of hope", the Arrancar claimed with an exaggerated shrug of his arms. "The Humans need their spirits, no need to make things depressive", he continued as if in response to his own remarks and that of Haiiro.

"Ugh, Ho-jin's going to be such a jerk when we get back", Kaede complained amidst pushing her weight off the ground to stand on her own two feet, though her balance was wobbling at best.

A swipe across his arm caused an intricate pattern to form across it, the Arrancar's arm lighting up with Reiryoku to form a Kidō spell.

"All aboard the exit train", he chirped with some amusement before the seal grew out into the open air causing the group to disappear in an instant.

Part 8

Balancer Camp, The Lowermost Level of Hell.

A sea of flames.

As far as the woman could see were towers of fire, engulfing and destroying everything around her and the man that stood a short pace in front of her. The flame coiled around them both like an eager predator, awaiting for the perfect moment to strike down its prey. It threatened to consume them both even though both of their blades flickered with its light.

Their confrontation would be settled in one stroke, and a single phrase.

"Zanka no Tachi..."

The image faded and Xiang Yu found herself shaking her head slightly, a light brushing sound evoked by her hair sweeping across the neck of her armour.

Sun Zhong had arrived not a moment later, his disfigured form examining her with a muted expression, one hiding anger and fear.

"Preparations are complete, we can march on your order", he spoke his voice was rough with age but had gained a new raspiness to go alongside it, a result of his recent internal bleeding one could assume.

"Excellent!", Xiang Yu replied with her usual upbeat tone, she brushed passed the elderly figure in order to reach the otherside of the mountain summit, overlooking the camp that brimmed with newly freed Balancers. Her Balancers.

Her hand weaved through an intricate motion, a gust of wind blowing past her suddenly as she finished.

"Balancers of Souls, you were defeated and imprisoned for doing your duty! Replaced by those who claimed to be better, but acted all the same as we did! They lost themselves, culled by lesser beings, who now claim to take the throne of the Soul King!", her voice carried through the air like booming thunder, echoed to all who stood in the camp below, though they could barely make it out, her hands flew through gestures as if caught up in her own fervor.

"But we are free, now and it is high time we returned to our rightful place, so raise up your swords, for we finally return home!"

End of Chapter.