Chapter 116: The Battle Above The Zenith
At that pivotal moment, Ichigo's entire appearance underwent a dramatic transformation. The white sclera began spreading across one of his eyes like spilled ink on paper, creating an unsettling heterochromatic effect that spoke of something inhuman stirring within. His physical strength surged exponentially, muscles coiling with newfound power as he drove his knee upward into Ulquiorra's abdomen with bone-crushing force before breaking free from the Arrancar's grasp.
"Really now, please don't make such hasty judgments about a person~ Hey!" The voice that emerged from Ichigo's throat carried a mocking, predatory tone that was distinctly not his own.
Hollow Ichigo's consciousness had seized control once again, and the spiritual pressure radiating from his form began to fluctuate wildly—surging to terrifying heights one moment, then dropping to barely detectable levels the next, creating an erratic pattern that defied conventional understanding of reiatsu control.
"This development seems... different. It's somewhat beyond my initial expectations," Fiander observed from his position outside the protective glass barrier.
His eyes tracked the confrontation between the hollowfied Ichigo and Ulquiorra with the analytical gaze of a predator studying potential prey. Then, almost casually, he turned his attention to the orange-haired girl cowering nearby.
"Are you afraid of him, Inoue Orihime?" His voice carried genuine curiosity, as if he were conducting some sort of psychological experiment.
"Eh? Are you... talking to me?" Inoue's characteristic delayed reaction caused her to point at herself with obvious confusion, her wide eyes blinking owlishly as she tried to process the unexpected attention.
Observing her perpetually bewildered expression, Fiander realized his question was somewhat rhetorical. A knowing smile crossed his features as he continued, "Actually, I've heard from certain sources that you harbor deep fear regarding Kurosaki Ichigo's hollowfied state. Is this accurate?"
His head tilted slightly, studying her reaction with predatory interest. "Tell me, what frightens you more—the fact that his appearance resembles your deceased brother, or the possibility that he might harm you in that state?"
"This..." Inoue's voice caught in her throat as conflicting emotions played across her expressive features.
She lowered her head, auburn hair falling like a curtain around her face as confusion clouded her amber eyes. After several long moments of internal struggle, she finally spoke with quiet determination.
"I will never be afraid of Kurosaki-kun, because I know in my heart that he would always protect me." Her voice grew stronger as she continued, conviction replacing uncertainty. "This is what I have believed ever since I was brought to Hueco Mundo against my will."
Her hands clenched into small fists at her sides. "I'm... I'm only worried that Kurosaki-kun will get hurt trying to save everyone..."
The unwavering faith and innocence shining in Inoue Orihime's eyes gave Fiander pause. Rather than continue his psychological probing, he simply nodded and shifted his attention back to the ongoing battle between Ichigo and Ulquiorra, his expression becoming more contemplative.
Turning away from the girl, Fiander began ascending the steps toward the throne with measured, deliberate movements. As he reached the ornate seat of power, a sudden, bone-deep chill filled the entire chamber, ice crystals beginning to form on every surface—including Fiander himself, who appeared to become completely encased in a shell of glacial ice.
From the shadows that had concealed them throughout the confrontation, two figures emerged with practiced stealth. Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai moved swiftly toward Inoue's position, their relief at finally locating her evident in their expressions.
"We're here to rescue you, Inoue!" Rukia called out, her voice carrying both determination and concern for her friend's wellbeing.
"Kuchiki-san? Renji-san?" Inoue's eyes widened with a mixture of hope and terror as she recognized her would-be rescuers.
But instead of relief, panic seized her as she frantically waved her hands to warn them away. "Please get out of here immediately, Kuchiki-san! This place is extremely dangerous!"
"Dangerous?" Rukia began to ask, confusion evident in her voice.
Before she could complete her question, a pale hand materialized from nowhere to grasp her shoulder with iron strength. Cold breath that carried the bite of arctic winds whispered against her ear, sending shivers down her spine that had nothing to do with temperature.
"Haa..." The exhaled breath created visible frost in the air.
"The danger she's referring to is me, naturally. Good evening, Rukia Kuchiki." Fiander's voice was silk over steel as he leaned down, his lips nearly brushing her ear as he spoke.
"No... that's impossible! You were obviously..." Rukia's voice trembled as she cautiously turned her head toward the steps where Fiander should have been trapped.
To her horror, the ice sculpture that should have contained him stood empty, nothing but hollow shell of frozen air where his form had been moments before.
"Obviously what?" Fiander's amusement was palpable as he completed her unfinished thought. "I should have been frozen solid by your technique, giving you the perfect opportunity to rescue Inoue Orihime?"
His eyes seemed to glow with inner fire despite their cold hue. "Or perhaps you believed that your modest spiritual pressure could actually contain someone of my caliber?"
Fiander's gaze swept over Renji, who had raised his Zanpakutō defensively, every muscle in his body coiled for combat. Finally, those piercing eyes turned upward toward the vaulted ceiling high above their heads before he released a theatrical sigh.
"Haah... truly disappointing!" His voice carried mock despair as he shook his head in apparent frustration.
"Why does everyone display such hostility toward me? I haven't actually done anything to warrant such treatment." As he spoke, his arm tightened around Rukia's smaller form, pulling her more securely against his side.
His free hand rose to caress her face with deceptive gentleness, fingers tracing the delicate line of her jaw. "Captain Kuchiki," he called out to the darkness, his voice carrying clearly through the vast chamber. "Your beloved sister is currently at my mercy. Are you certain you wish to remain hidden?"
The sound of displaced air announced the arrival of another presence. An afterimage flickered through the space as Byakuya Kuchiki materialized behind Fiander with perfect Shunpo technique, his hand already resting on the hilt of his Zanpakutō.
"I strongly advise you to remove your filthy hands from my sister immediately," Byakuya's voice carried the cold authority of nobility and the promise of swift retribution. "Or I will personally ensure they are severed from your body."
Rather than showing concern at the threat, Fiander merely chuckled as he continued to stroke Rukia's hair with almost paternal affection. "How absolutely... terrifying, Captain Kuchiki."
"Very well then!" His tone shifted to one of theatrical enthusiasm. "Simply observing the battle between Ulquiorra and Kurosaki Ichigo was becoming rather tedious."
"Let's engage in some entertainment, shall we? After all, you could be considered toys worthy of my attention and amusement."
SNAP!
Without warning, Fiander released his hold on Rukia, sending her stumbling into her brother's waiting arms. Simultaneously, his fingers snapped with sharp precision, the sound echoing through the chamber like breaking glass.
"Ice Prison!" he commanded with absolute authority.
Instantly, walls of solid ice erupted from the floor, ceiling, and surrounding surfaces, creating a massive cube that trapped all the occupants within its crystalline confines. The temperature within the barrier began plummeting at an alarming rate, frost already beginning to form on their clothing and weapons.
"You have exactly ten minutes," Fiander announced cheerfully, his breath creating clouds of vapor in the rapidly cooling air.
"I'm providing you with ample opportunity to defeat me. However, if you fail to accomplish this task within the allotted time, every single person in this chamber will freeze to death."
His finger extended to point directly at the terrified girl. "Including you, Inoue Orihime!"
Outside the ice barrier, Ichigo's attention was momentarily drawn to the unfolding crisis below. He had initially felt relief when he saw Rukia's ice technique apparently trap Fiander, believing that his friends could rescue Inoue while he held Ulquiorra at bay.
But the situation had deteriorated with shocking speed—first Rukia had been taken hostage, then Byakuya had arrived only to be trapped along with everyone else within that deadly frozen prison.
"Rukia! Inoue!" The names tore from Ichigo's throat as he saw his friends' desperate plight, his concentration wavering for a critical moment.
"Your battlefield is not down there, so don't allow your attention to wander!" Ulquiorra's voice cut through Ichigo's distraction like a blade.
Taking advantage of his opponent's momentary lapse, the Cuatro Espada struck with surgical precision. His Zanpakutō sliced across Ichigo's chest in a diagonal cut, opening a deep gash that immediately began bleeding profusely, crimson droplets spattering the pristine white sand below.
"Damn it, Ichigo! Don't cloud my judgment with your emotions!" Hollow Ichigo's voice snarled through their shared consciousness, frustration evident in every word.
"Time is severely limited, so don't create additional complications for us!"
"I'm sorry..." Ichigo's apology was barely complete before Ulquiorra's hand clamped down on his skull with crushing force.
The Arrancar launched them both through the air with tremendous velocity, smashing through the reinforced walls of Las Noches as if they were paper. They continued their violent trajectory upward, breaking through layer after layer of the palace's structure until they finally burst through the highest dome, emerging into the eternal night sky of Hueco Mundo.
Only then did Ulquiorra release his grip, allowing both combatants to hover in the air above the clouds that perpetually shrouded the hollow realm.
Hollow Ichigo rubbed his aching face where Ulquiorra's fingers had left bruises, then immediately launched a counterattack. His blade swept through the air in a vicious arc, seeking to repay the rough treatment.
The two Zanpakutō collided with tremendous force, sending showers of sparks. The impact created a brief flash of light that illuminated both fighters in stark detail against the darkness.
Now, with only the moon as witnesses, Ulquiorra and Ichigo faced each other in their aerial arena. The Cuatro Espada studied his opponent's transformed state with renewed interest, noting the grotesque mask and the wild fluctuations in spiritual pressure.
"There is something I find genuinely intriguing," Ulquiorra said, his voice carrying clearly through the thin air. "In what capacity are you fighting me at this moment?"
His green eyes seemed to pierce straight through to Ichigo's soul. "What exactly is your true position in all of this?"
"Are you still bound by duty to serve Soul Society's interests?"
Ulquiorra's persistent questioning struck a nerve, and Ichigo felt his frustration boiling over. He deflected the Arrancar's blade with a sharp movement before snarling his response.
"You people are absolutely insufferable! You, Aizen, that Fiander—all of you keep demanding to know my position, my allegiance, my purpose!"
His voice rose to nearly a shout as his emotions peaked. "Don't you understand? My position was forced on me by your actions!"
As he spoke, Ichigo's consciousness wrestled control back from his hollow, reasserting dominance over his own body. His grip on Tensa Zangetsu tightened as he prepared for another assault.
"It doesn't matter whether I'm human, Shinigami, or even hollow!" he declared with absolute conviction, his blade beginning to glow with gathering spiritual energy.
"Right now, I have only one identity that matters—I am your enemy!"
"Getsuga Tenshō!"
Drawing upon his hollow powers once more, Ichigo felt the surge of increased strength flowing through his body. This time, the hollowfication was more complete, more controlled than before. The pure white mask that covered his features seemed to glow with its own inner light beneath Hueco Mundo's pale moon.
As he gripped Tensa Zangetsu with both hands, his transformed appearance was both beautiful and terrifying—a warrior caught between worlds, fighting not for ideology or duty, but for the simple, pure desire to protect those he cared about.
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