"Damn it..."
His body was completely immobilized. No matter how much Nnoitra struggled, escape was an impossibility. The purple shackles binding him seemed to possess a primordial restrictive force, making even the movement of a single finger a distant luxury.
How? Why is this happening?
If this were a Shinigami's Kido, he should have been able to shatter it with brute force. He couldn't wrap his head around this foreign power.
"Farewell, little insect..." Hanachirusato murmured.
The solar array released a blinding radiance. Another of the Espada fell to the Fox Envoy's flames, scorched into nothingness by the Pure Yang Flame.
Watching the crimson inferno, Fischl had a realization. "Is that... the Pure Essence of Yang Flame?"
"Aha, I didn't think you'd guess so quickly, little Amy," Hanachirusato chuckled. "As one of Su Han's women, it's only natural to wield a portion of his power. However, I've refined this flame with my own origin. This body I inhabit now is quite extraordinary; my strength has reached levels I never imagined in my previous life."
The Pure Yang Flame was the ultimate bane of all things malevolent. Hollows, being entities of pure spiritual malice, were the perfect targets for such a focused counter-power.
Nelliel looked on in awe. "Can you really help me get my revenge?"
"Of course. This big sister never lies," Hanachirusato smiled, beckoning the others. "Come on, let's go help the rest of our team."
Ichigo Kurosaki stood dazed for a moment before leading his friends after them. On the way, Uryu Ishida whispered, "Are these the people you mentioned before? Their strength is terrifying... I doubt my arrows could even graze them."
"Mhm... they have the marks of Teyvat on them," Ichigo replied grimly. "And I have a feeling we haven't even seen their true power yet. Let's move—we need to get to Orihime!"
The Yakshas' Fury
Inside Las Noches, the grotesque Zommari Rureaux was locked in a fierce exchange with the Conqueror of Demons, Xiao.
Ranked 7th among the Espada, Zommari boasted the fastest Sonido among the Arrancars. Naturally, his opponent was the Anemo-wielding Yaksha.
"It's been a while since I've had a real workout," Xiao muttered. "Today, I'll show you the power of a Guardian."
"A mere human thinks he can match me?" Zommari sneered, appearing behind Xiao in a blur. "My speed is ten times yours!"
Zommari released his form, fifty eyes opening across his body. His ability was Amor—absolute dominion over whatever his eyes perceived. But he failed to notice that Xiao had already donned his Yaksha mask.
"Bane of All Evil..."
Violent gales erupted from beneath Xiao's feet. Amidst the emerald storm, a trace of sacred, divine light flickered—a result of his long exposure to the Xuanyuan Sword. Under the protection of the wind and the sacred light, Zommari's gaze was blocked.
"How is your speed now?" Xiao's voice came from directly above.
SHING!
The polearm thrust downward. Zommari dodged frantically, but Xiao's shadow was right behind him.
"You... you knew my ability!" Zommari roared in frustration, but the wind barrier made his eyes useless. His body was run through by the spear before he could register the next move. Information, in any world, was the most lethal weapon.
On the other side of the palace, Bosacius was dealing with Szayelaporro Granz. The 8th Espada's release, Fornicarás, was a disgusting ability that involved controlling the enemy from the inside.
However, Bosacius was surrounded by a localized lightning field. Every tentacle or parasite Szayelaporro sent out was vaporized before it could get close.
"Is there no end to your stubbornness?" Szayelaporro shrieked, firing a purple Gran Rey Cero.
"Pathetic," Bosacius laughed. "The enemies we fought in the past were far more 'disgusting' than you. Taste the thunder of the Yakshas! Demonic Thunder Prison!"
The four-armed Yaksha leaped into the air, summoning a colossal axe of solid lightning. The strike descended, obliterating Szayelaporro's Ceros and disintegrating his physical form into dust.
"Far weaker than the demons of Teyvat," Bosacius grunted, moving on.
Lumine's Determination
Meanwhile, Lumine was locked in a grueling battle against the 3rd Espada, Tier Halibel.
Lumine had initially suppressed Halibel, but once the Espada released Tiburon, the tide turned. High-velocity water cannons and massive Ceros forced Lumine onto the defensive.
Ganyu, watching from a distance, frowned. "She's pushing herself too hard. If I went in with my Cryo powers, this would be over already."
"You don't understand," Rosalyne (Signora) said softly. "This girl carries a heavy burden. Choosing Halibel was a deliberate move to force her own breakthrough. Having a brother like the Prince of the Abyss... it weighs on her."
Lumine dodged a jet of scalding water, her hair singed by the heat. She recalled Su Han's advice: Focus. Calm. Believe in your own supremacy.
"To save my brother... to prove myself... I will not lose!"
Lumine's aura shifted. A Taiji symbol appeared beneath her feet—the Five Elements Unrest. She summoned her life-bound artifact: Star of Hope, a blade forged from a Flying Sword, a Zanpakuto, and rare stellar materials.
"Sunder!"
Lumine moved with a speed that surpassed Halibel's perception. The Espada fired a massive cascade of water, but Lumine's blade cut through it as if it were air.
CLANG!
The heavy impact sent Halibel flying, a deep gash appearing across her shoulder. Before she could recover, Lumine was at her throat, the edge of the Star of Hope glowing with a cold, silver light.
"Submit or die. Choose."
Halibel looked at the blade. She could sense that this weapon possessed the power to erase her soul. After a tense silence, the 3rd Espada lowered her weapon. She had the High-Speed Regeneration, yes, but against that silver blade, she knew death was absolute.
100+ chapters are available now and daily updates! @patreon.com/Zefyrus