Golden Lion's voice carried a mix of awe and dread as he stared at Aizen. The sheer pressure emanating from him was suffocating, as if the very air bent to his will. Aizen's calm demeanor, coupled with the power radiating from him, was enough to send chills down even the most battle-hardened pirate's spine.
"Of course," Aizen replied, his tone unbothered, yet laced with superiority. "Power is ever-evolving. What you see now is but a fragment of what lies ahead." He took a step closer to Golden Lion, the room suddenly feeling far smaller as his Reiatsu bore down on everything around them.
Golden Lion clenched his fists, his new power coursing through him like an untamed storm. He wanted to challenge Aizen, to see just how far he had truly fallen behind. But deep within, he knew—this was no longer a battle he could win. Not now, not ever.
"Why..." Golden Lion muttered, his voice trembling. "Why give me this power? You could have killed me, yet here I stand, stronger than ever. What are you really after?"
Aizen's lips curved into a faint smirk, the kind that revealed nothing yet spoke volumes. "Do not mistake my intentions for mercy. You are but a piece on the board, Shiki. A useful one, for now. I have grander plans, and your newfound strength will serve me in fulfilling them."
Golden Lion narrowed his eyes, a flicker of his former defiance surfacing. "And what if I refuse? What if I turn this power against you?"
Aizen's gaze hardened, the air around him growing heavier. "You've seen what I can do, Shiki. Even now, your mind trembles at the memory of my Kyōka Suigetsu. Do you really wish to test the limits of my patience?"
Golden Lion's defiance faltered, his shoulders slumping slightly. The memory of that year in the illusion, of the unrelenting darkness, was still fresh, clawing at his sanity. He couldn't go through that again—he wouldn't.
Aizen, noticing the shift, let his smirk widen. "Good. I see we have an understanding. Now, focus on mastering your new abilities. You will have your chance to prove your worth soon enough."
Golden Lion gritted his teeth but nodded. He hated being under someone else's thumb, yet he couldn't deny the allure of the power he now held. For now, he would play along. But deep inside, the embers of rebellion still burned faintly.
As Aizen turned to leave, his voice echoed through the chamber. "Remember, Shiki, your survival depends on your obedience. Step out of line, and I will not hesitate to remind you of your place."
Golden Lion watched him disappear into the shadows, his fists trembling with a mixture of anger and awe. For the first time in decades, he felt truly powerless. And yet, a part of him couldn't help but marvel at the man who had brought him to his knees.
In the stillness that followed, Golden Lion muttered under his breath, "Aizen... just what are you planning?"