agony & agony

There was something about the peacefulness within the Primera that bothered me, my eyebrow raising at the thought of him believing I'd participate in such a lamentable act. Let's be clear... it was not that I feared the vast power that caused him to possess such a rank in the Espada, but I couldn't live with myself knowing that I had to share the glory of a kill with another Hollow... it was unheard of. The screeches of the mindless drones in the sky coincided with the splash of the bubbling fire below, providing quite the hostile environment for one to be simply wandering through.

I found it compelling that myself and the Primera had both found a reason to slaughter the ravenous flock of Hollow, and even remarkably more-so, the Quinta didn't seem even slightly phased by it. Silent and observant, I listened to the ongoing conversation lightly, curious how the serenity of the Primera and the chaotic brute known as the Quinta could ever possibly acknowledge one another, myself standing somewhat like an intermediate balance between the two. Abruptly, the Quinta's gaze turned toward me, breaking the hypnotic pondering that I had fallen to, and just before the words could slip from his mouth...

...a thunderous roar, a familiar sound that wasn't outlandish for the territory we had infiltrated, but this was certainly different. Just as the remaining Espada had done, my composure never wavered, whilst my head jerked in the direction of the threatening call. "A Vasto Lorde... eh?", I questioned, the murderer known as Tártaros itching anxiously for the thrill of a nearing battle. Surprisingly, I hadn't anticipated such a powerful being to be lurking in the shadows of the Quinta's distant land, especially one that hadn't already caught the attention of the El Renacimiento. Undoubtedly, the endless crumbs that enveloped the skies couldn't have been the fierce predator's real target... when a five-course meal stood amongst them all. "I wonder which of us it plans to feast upon, hm?" I jested, awaiting the wrath of the beast.

Finally, something real exciting was happening in this desolate land of boredom known as Hueco Mundo, and honestly, I couldn't discern the advent rumbling between my own building anticipation or the unknown beast's intense spiritual pressure. Everything inside me beckoned for the powerful entity to make it's glorious appearance, my right hand slipping to the giant scythe at my rear for preparation, a slight tremble overtaking it. Without consent, it seemed as if my foot had a mind of it's own, stepping forward once of it's own volition... before the Primera's deadpan tone halted me. For a moment, I pondered whether to challenge the elite-ranked Espada's advice, believing the notation to have rung of a certain belittlement, but even the Mister Two couldn't hide behind his impassive demeanor anymore. Intrigued by his concern, I crossed my arms and swallowed my pride, receding back for the Primera to remain center stage. Normally, I would've had a few words for such degrading behavior, but the situation wasn't getting any better.

On the horizon of the mountain the pyroclastic cloud ruptured with intense velocity and destruction, causing a full-scale earthquake that liquidated the Quinta's precious scenery. Like ghosts, the thousands of mindless drones vanished, and nothing consumed the area except the rolling death and a trio of powerful Espada that stood before it. From the corner of my eye, a crimson glow that felt of a highly-condensed energy radiated from the Primera's blades, and I couldn't help but wonder... was he going to cut the cloud into pieces? Surely, with the massive area that the surge covered, I doubted such a technique would accomplish anything... but before I could question it, a combination of words that I was quite familiar with slowly came from the Primera, and immediately afterward, the crimson energy exploded outward to combat the expeditious cloud, swirling and encompassing into that of a protecting sphere that rejected everything outside of it.

"...Impressive.", I noted, turning to assure that our entire position had been untouched. However, the protection didn't come as easily as I thought; the force of utilizing the Gran Rey Cero to defeat the pyroclasm shot the balance from the Primera, his frame descending to a single knee. Ironically, the once-godly warrior who doubted my own survivability had now fallen to such a pathetic state... I chuckled to myself from the sight of it. While the threatening cloud was undoubtedly defeated, a seemingly-endless fissure torn from the earth by the powerful technique, something was still amiss, and the stumbled Primera definitely meant that the Vasto Lorde wasn't one to be taken lightly... who was, speaking of which, nowhere to be seen. "Heh, that's amusing, Primera... do you need to take a second?" I said daringly, but there was no time for games... something was still out there. The veil of the pyroclastic remains still blocking our entire view, I focused my spiritual senses on the environment, aiming to locate the demon in the shadows.

"Come out, come out, where ever you are...!"