After the pure deluge of power released by the reborn Ancient Hollow caused ripples in the calm of Hueco Mundo.
In the Menos Forest, beneath the desert, where giant quartz trees rise like pillars of a temple, the Menos Grande and smaller Hollows also reacted to this presence. Some shrank back in panic, disappearing into the shadows of the trees. Others, driven by their basic instincts, advanced toward the epicenter of power, as if expecting to find something that could end their insatiable hunger.
Among these Hollows, there was one in particular that seemed different. It moved with slow, awkward steps, its movements more like a child exploring a new world than a predator searching for its next meal.
His name was Wonderweiss Margela.
Wonderweiss was an anomaly, even among Hollows. His slender and abnormal body, and awkward walk, were not those of a typical warrior, but his aura was dense, complex, something that mixed childlike innocence with latent power. He did not have the refined perception of other Hollows, but his curiosity guided him. The explosion of reiryoku had caught his attention like a moth drawn to a flame on a dark night.
He crossed the forest with hesitant steps, his large, wide eyes shining with a mix of fascination and confusion. As he moved forward, other Hollows watched him from a distance. Some growled but did not dare to attack; something in his presence discouraged them. Others followed him from afar, as if they were waiting to discover what he was seeking.
As Wonderweiss emerged deeper into the Menos Forest, he was greeted by an imposing sight. In the center of a vast depression of sand, there was a mountain of quartz and accumulated debris. The presence of something colossal beneath that mountain was unmistakable. The air around it was heavy, as if the entire desert was under the pressure of an invisible force. To Wonderweiss, this was irresistible.
Without hesitation, he walked toward the mountain and began to dig. His slender hands dug through the sand with rapid, almost frantic movements. He seemed indifferent to the quartz shards that cut into his soft skin. His curiosity was like a flame, driving him to continue.
As Wonderweiss dug, something began to emerge from the depths. The sand gave way, revealing parts of a snow-white body, adorned with hexagons that stood out against the whiteness of the foreign body. He stopped for a moment, observing the body, and then resumed digging with even more vigor. His breath quickened, and small guttural sounds escaped his mouth, like an excited child who had just found a new toy.
And then, he struck something different. It wasn't white shell or sand. It was soft, but resilient, a surface that pulsed slightly under his touch. He tilted his head, curious, and rubbed his hand over the surface. That's when it happened.
The ground trembled.
A wave of reiatsu burst from the mountain of sand, sweeping through the forest sands with enough force to lift sandstorms around it. Wonderweiss recoiled reflexively but did not flee. His wide eyes remained fixed on the mountain as cracks formed in the sand and quartz, as if something gigantic was awakening.
With a rumble, the sand was thrown into the air, revealing a huge golden eye that opened in the center of the mountain. Ikomikidomoe's gaze was like an abyss, deep and crushing. There was no compassion in that eye, only a murderous will so intense that it seemed to pierce directly into the soul of anyone daring to face it.
Wonderweiss stood still, gazing at the eye with fascination. He did not understand the threat he faced, but his body instinctively reacted. He let out a sharp scream, a primal sound that echoed across the desert. It was a scream of excitement, but also of challenge.
[POV Ikomikidomoe]
Inside Ikomikidomoe, ancient anger began to stir once again. He didn't know who or what had disturbed him, but he felt the presence of something insignificant before him. However, instead of launching an immediate attack, he hesitated. There was something peculiar about the presence of the small hollow. It wasn't just the lack of fear; it was something deeper, something that resonated slightly with the essence of his own existence.
[Who are you?] A voice reverberated in Wonderweiss's mind. It was a hoarse, heavy voice, but filled with contained curiosity.
Wonderweiss didn't respond with words but tilted his head, as if trying to understand what he was hearing. His mouth opened slightly, and an incomprehensible sound escaped his lips. It wasn't language, but Ikomikidomoe seemed to understand.
"You are... strange," the voice said, with a tone that mixed disdain and curiosity. "And yet, there is something in you... something that... strange... child."
As Wonderweiss remained before the giant eye, the desert around them seemed to hold its breath. The tension in the air was palpable, as if Hueco Mundo itself awaited the next move.
Ikomikidomoe's eye blinked slowly, as if assessing Wonderweiss. The murderous will that filled the air diminished slightly, but it was still oppressive. Wonderweiss did not retreat. He lifted one of his hands and pointed at the eye, as if he wanted to touch it.
The moment his hand almost reached the giant, the ground trembled again. Ikomikidomoe's voice resounded once more, this time carrying something that could be described as a warning.
[If you do not fear death, child, then continue. But know that my patience has limits, and right now, I am very impatient.]
And with those words, Wonderweiss smiled innocently at the great being.
"Aaaaah..."
And so, without retreating or fearing, the small hollow gently touched the giant hollow's eye, with a strange care and affection for such an anomalous and foolish-looking being.
"Hummm..."
Despite his threats, Ikomikidomoe found himself relaxing, closing his eyelid. He heard a lament from the small hollow but ignored it in favor of falling asleep.
[Go, I will not play with you, do not disturb me further, child.]
And so, Ikomikidomoe allowed his body to relax and his mind to wander. He strangely did not feel threatened by Wonderweiss.
And without retreating, the smaller Hollow climbed onto the body of the giant Ogama* and sat on it, satisfied with his new position. The childlike hollow yawned before curling up on Ikomikidomoe's massive body— which resembled a building— like a cat.
And so, ignoring the rest of the world, the Giant and the little one fell asleep. Unaware that their peace would soon be disturbed.
For Wonderweiss was not the only one drawn by the reiryoku released by Ikomikidomoe. Normally, Vasto Lords keep to themselves, but a manifestation of raw power like this would attract eyes to a potential new predator in this competition.
And it would not just be Hollows that would be drawn to him.
____________________________________
[Las Noches]
In the Las Noches palace, the current members of the Espada were gathered under the leadership of their leader AIZEN. At the long table, the numbered Espada seemed cautious, all of them had felt the presence from earlier.
"So, my Espada, I have gathered you here for the well-known fact of yesterday, an intense wave of reiryoku was felt everywhere, a powerful force enough to penetrate Las Noches." The first to speak was Aizen, smiling as always. "I would like to hear your opinions on the matter." He finished while observing the reactions of each of his Espada.
"I would love to fight it hahaha!" A tall, dark-haired Arrancar spoke, sitting near the middle of the table.
[Octava Espada, Nnoitra Gilga]
"Don't be too eager, Niño." Another voice was heard, this time from a tall, strong man with short dark hair and a mask resembling horns. "An enemy like this... is more like a monster than a Hollow!"
[Tres Espada, Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio]
"SHUT UP, RIDICULOUS DANCER!" Nnoitra shouted, furious, standing up.
"Mind your manners, Nnoitra, stop embarrassing us in front of Aizen-sama and acting like a brute." A curvaceous Arrancar with cyan hair reprimanded the Octava Espada.
[Cuarta Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck]
After Nelliel's reprimand, Nnoitra clenched his fists, but before he could retort, a muffled laugh echoed across the table.
"Ah, always the same with you guys. It's so annoying."
The sarcastic voice belonged to [Szayelaporro Granz, the Cero Espada]. He adjusted his glasses and smiled, looking directly at Aizen.
"Although the event is interesting, I suggest we let the 'brutish' ones handle this first. That way, we can observe the strength of this opponent without risking significant losses."
"You want to use others as guinea pigs, as always, Szayel?" commented [Circucci Sanderwicci, the Quinta Espada]. Her voice sounded slightly irritated.
"Perhaps if you got up from your chair and did something for yourself, you'd understand what it's like to really fight."
Before Szayel could respond, [Baraggan Louisenbairn, the Primera Espada] interrupted with his authoritative voice.
"Enough of this trivial talk. We are faced with a new calamity, one capable of shaking Hueco Mundo. It's not something we can simply ignore. The real question is: how does the Boss want us to deal with it?"
Baraggan turned his serious gaze to Aizen, who remained impassive, observing everyone with his enigmatic smile. Baraggan did not truly fear this "calamity", he even acknowledged it, but would not reveal this; he preferred to see Aizen's surprise or have his plans thwarted in his face.
It was then that [Pikaro, the Segundo Espada], drew everyone's attention. Or rather, they did. A small wave of childish voices echoed around the table, coming from the various small arrancars that made up the Pikaro collective.
"Can we go? Can we go? Can we? Can we?"
The small arrancars spoke in unison, their voices full of enthusiasm and curiosity, while they took turns jumping on their chairs or climbing the table. One pointed to the map on the table, tapping it forcefully.
"It will be fun! A new game! Who can catch the giant first!"
Another arrancar, with mask fragments shaped like antennas, laughed loudly.
"What if he's stronger? We'll crush him anyway!"
"No, no, no! Let's play with him first!" shouted another, rolling around the table, completely indifferent to the seriousness of the situation.
The other Espadas looked at the chaos with mixed expressions. Baraggan sighed heavily, showing his usual disdain, while Nelliel shook her head, frustrated but entertained by the immaturity of the little arrancars.
"Pikaro, control yourself," murmured Circucci, frowning.
"This is not a game. We're talking about a real threat."
But the fragments of Pikaro simply laughed, completely ignoring her. One of them looked directly at Aizen, their eyes shining with childish excitement.
"Aizen-sama, can we go? Please, please, please! It will be amazing!"
"You're hopeless, Pikaro," murmured [Aaroniero Arruruerie, the Novena Espada], his voice echoing disturbingly due to the two consciousnesses that made him up.
"But I must admit, this power is... fascinating. Something worthy of study. Perhaps we can make use of it somehow for Las Noches' progress."
[Gantenbainne Mosqueda, the Sétima Espada], who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm but carried a tone of careful analysis.
"Although this presence is intriguing, we shouldn't rush. Forces that awaken in Hueco Mundo often bring chaos before revealing their true intentions. Perhaps it would be wise to observe more before taking action."
Aizen listened patiently, raising a hand to silence the room. His voice sounded with an air of absolute control:
"You all make valid points. This
presence must be investigated. But remember, we must not act impulsively. The situation is more complex than it seems."
The room fell silent as the Espada awaited Aizen's next move. thoughts about what was to come. However, the presence they would face would be a game-changer for Hueco Mundo, but as always, Aizen already had his own plans laid out, even if no one else fully understood them.