Solitude. This was the core aspect of Coyote Starrk.
In his early days in Hueco Mundo, his power was so vast that any weak Hollow who approached would have their soul automatically ground away and extinguished. Yearning for companionship, he spent an eternity in isolation until he finally split his own soul to create a friend. Even when he received word that the other Espada were dying, he felt little emotion.
Yet, Ganyu's words had struck a chord deep within him. No one—save for Lilynette—had ever truly understood his loneliness.
"You aren't killing me... but I will continue to attack. Is that really alright?"
"There is another choice," Ganyu replied softly. "We seal you, and then... how about it, Mr. Lone Wolf? Our world is home to countless powerhouses. Mr. Ulquiorra and Ms. Halibel have already chosen to join us."
"A lone wolf? Heh... even if I go to your world, an evil spirit like me has no place to belong," Starrk chuckled self-deprecatingly. He knew what he was.
Ganyu shook her head. "In our world, there are many stronger than you. As for your nature, there are ways to handle it. If you wish to become a normal living being, there is a path."
Su Han had once mentioned that even souls have methods of cultivation—the "Ghost Immortals" of the higher realms were proof of that. Starrk froze, then smiled tiredly. "Fine... I hope you aren't lying. As a lone wolf, the feeling of loneliness... is truly too difficult to bear."
The Chains of Heaven descended, their sacred power making it difficult for the wolf to even breathe. At that moment, the group received the system notification.
[Ding! Congratulations on completing the Four-Star Hard Team Mission. Reward: 600,000 Points.]
[Note: You may stay in this world for an additional 25 minutes.]
With time to spare, the team fanned out to collect soul fragments. Every Hollow in the vicinity was systematically eliminated; for these malevolent spirits, death was the only true salvation.
During the cleanup, Fischl turned to Rosalyne. "I remember we brought the Tenseiga. Why didn't you use it on the Skeleton Emperor?"
"Simple," Rosalyne explained. "The Tenseiga is powerful against spirits, but Baraggan's 'Aging' attribute might have withered its power. The Mortal Blade is designed to sever the undying, making it the perfect counter."
The Aftermath in Las Noches
When the timer hit zero, the group vanished. Ichigo Kurosaki and his friends were left as spectators once again. It wasn't that they didn't want to fight, but the interdimensional travelers had moved with such clinical efficiency that there was nothing left for them to do.
"To think... they were the ones who saved me," Orihime sighed.
"We need to get stronger," Ichigo gritted his teeth. Even with his hollowfication, he felt he couldn't have defeated Ulquiorra as easily as Beidou had. The gap was humiliating.
Uryu Ishida adjusted his glasses. "We have to keep training. The mastermind, Aizen, is still out there."
Meanwhile, back in the Jade Chamber, the team returned triumphant. Su Han approached Fischl first. "Don't be discouraged, my Empress. Failure is but a stepping stone. Oz will be fine once he absorbs some Electro energy."
"Mhm... I understand, Sovereign of the Night," Fischl replied, her mood lifting instantly.
The others handed over the soul-collecting gourds to Baiwen. These were soul-capturing artifacts Su Han had recently refined, and they had proven their worth immediately.
The three captured Espada—Ulquiorra, Halibel, and Starrk—surveyed their new surroundings. Their gaze eventually landed on Raiden Ei. The Shogun gave a cold snort, and the sheer weight of her divine presence forced all three Arrancars to their knees.
The message was clear: in this world, they were nothing.
Without a word, Ei grabbed the chuunibyou girl, Fischl, to take her for training. It seemed the "Empress" had piqued the Shogun's interest. Once they left, Starrk exhaled shakily. "Who was that woman? How can someone possess such power?"
"She is one of this world's Gods," Paimon chirped. "Your power is just a joke compared to hers."
The Arrancars shared a bitter smile. Submission was definitely the right choice.
The Path to Purification
While the older Arrancars were filled with trepidation, Nelliel had already blended in, playing with Sayu and the others.
"Here, try some chocolate," Sayu offered.
"Whoa! This is amazing!" Nelliel's eyes sparkled. She decided right then and there that only an idiot would want to stay in Hueco Mundo.
Su Han walked over to the three Espada. "You may stay here for now, or head to Liyue's Sacred Temple to undergo soul purification and sign your contracts. If you choose purification, your current power will dip slightly, but it will fundamentally transform you from 'Evil Spirits' into harmless 'Spiritual Bodies' without losing your core strength."
"Transforming into normal spirits... so we won't hurt others anymore?" Starrk asked.
"Correct. Negative energy fuels a Hollow's impulses. Purification will stabilize your emotions. And since you've seen my wife, you know resistance is... unwise."
The three nodded instantly. They followed Kaedehara Kazuha toward the Sacred Temple in Liyue Harbor. As they approached, an invisible, crushing sword intent washed over them. The Xuanyuan Sword, acting as the city's guardian, reacted to their spiritual malice.
"Ugh... what is this pressure?"
"Oh, forgot to mention," Kazuha said calmly. "Lord Su Han's weapon guards this city. It automatically attacks any evil presence. Hold on..."
Kazuha ran to the temple, and a moment later, the pressure dropped by ninety percent. Still, the feeling of being watched by a divine eye remained.
"Terrifying," Ulquiorra muttered. "A mere weapon is this sentient..."
They knelt before the temple as instructed, praying for the golden blade to cleanse their spirits. A beam of blinding light erupted from the sanctuary, piercing through their souls.
"AAAGH—!"
The three screamed in unison. The purification of the Xuanyuan Sword was agonizing—like molten lava being poured over their skin—but as the dark smoke drifted away, the constant, gnawing hunger of the Hollow was replaced by a profound, forgotten peace.
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