A cold, desolate moon hung high in the night sky.
A dome woven from eternal darkness shrouded the barren desert below.
Countless terrifying creatures with ghastly white bone masks covering their faces and pitch-black holes gaping in their chests fought each other cruelly in the desert for the sake of survival and evolution.
The losers would offer up their flesh and blood, becoming stepping stones on the victors' path of evolution.
The law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, the victor as king, was the eternal rule of Hueco Mundo.
And yet, there was one place even these fearsome creatures dared not approach.
At the very center of Hueco Mundo stood a sprawling, magnificent complex of white palaces.
There lived the king above all beings, a ruler whose very existence dominated everything in Hueco Mundo.
Las Noches, that was the name of this palace complex.
It was instinct for living creatures to seek benefit and avoid harm, and even souls fallen into Hollows were no exception. The spiritual pressure radiating from that white palace was so immense that even an Adjuchas-class Menos would be crushed into dust if they approached rashly.
But today, something seemed… unusual about that palace.
Shrill roars echoed out, accompanied by terrifying soundwaves that rippled through the air, making nearby Menos tremble in fear.
Inside the grandest and most magnificent of the palaces…
Rows of pristine white columns supported the lofty ceiling. A broad flight of stone steps climbed upward, and atop a throne formed from countless piled bones sat a refined-looking man with brown hair. His handsome face was as perfect as a Greek sculpture, lips curved faintly upward.
Those who knew him understood, that was never a good sign.
Because once this man took interest in you, the outcome awaiting you would inevitably be… one you'd rather not recall.
Before the brown-haired man, a monstrous creature was roaring and struggling with all its might.
Its body was strange, like flowing branches twined together into the shape of some predatory beast. Its sharp claws could tear through even murderous stone, and numerous branch-like tendrils writhed from the spine along its back.
And yet, this creature was being effortlessly pinned beneath the foot of a tall woman with long, lake-green hair.
No matter how the beast raged and howled, even lashing out with its claws and tendril-like branches, the woman remained utterly unshaken. Not a single mark marred her fair skin despite its frenzied attacks.
"Lord Aizen, this is a new species I've discovered."
The woman with long lake-green hair still bore remnants of her bone-white Hollow mask atop her head, shaped like an antelope skull. Her figure was explosively alluring, ample curves wrapped in a bikini-style white top, with loose-legged trousers below.
She was the current Tres (Third) Espada, Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck.
She had been summoned in advance by Lord during his trip to Planet Xandar, the former Third Espada whose power in her prime was not to be underestimated.
At first, Grimmjow, Kaz, and Abomination had scoffed at the idea of a woman outranking them. But after crossing blades with Nel, they were forced to acknowledge her authority.
"This is the gift you're offering me?"
Propping his chin on one hand, Aizen tilted his head slightly, studying the creature with a faint smile. "A mindless beast like this can be found anywhere in Hueco Mundo. For you to bring it here specifically, it must have some… special quality."
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
Nel pressed down lightly with her foot, cutting the monster's roar short, then nodded in satisfaction and continued, "I stumbled upon this curious creature while harvesting souls in London."
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Aizen's eyes half-closed, interest glinting within.
"This creature's structure is clearly different from both humans and Hollows, it appears to be some sort of advanced genetic creation," Nel explained, pausing briefly before adding, "They have an extremely strong urge to attack, possess a weakened form of high-speed regeneration, and are physically powerful enough to match an ordinary Gillian. Considering all their attributes, I believe…"
At that point, Nel stopped speaking.
However, Aizen still understood what she meant, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
If things were truly as Nel said, these creatures possessing potential that surpassed humans, coupled with an intense instinct for killing and attacking, and paired with their inherent regenerative ability, then perhaps they really could replace ordinary humans as even more advanced sustenance for Hueco Mundo.
But the prerequisite was… their numbers had to be sufficient.
"In that case… let's give it a try."
Aizen slightly turned his gaze toward Ichimaru Gin.
"Gin, I'll leave this matter to you and Nel. Investigate the origins of these creatures, and if possible, try to preserve as many samples as you can. I have a new idea."
"Wouldn't it be better to leave this kind of errand to Ulquiorra?"
Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes, clearly wanting to slack off a bit, and said lazily.
"Ulquiorra has other matters to attend to."
Resting his chin in one hand, Aizen's eyes gleamed with an unreadable light.
"Lately, the World of the Living seems a bit… restless. Some ants have appeared out of nowhere, so I've sent him to do a little cleanup."
"Uh… looks like there's no way to refuse, then."
Ichimaru Gin shrugged helplessly, spreading his hands.
"In that case, I'll go investigate."
"Much appreciated, Gin."
Aizen cast his gaze toward the monster below and waved his hand casually.
"Throw it into the Forest of Menos. Perhaps it won't be long before we reap some unexpected gains."
"Yes, Lord Aizen."
The pitiful monster was picked up by Nel as if it were a baby chick and dragged away, disappearing into Las Noches.
Invisible Empire
For some time now, Haschwalth had been plagued by nightmares.
Whenever he fell asleep, he would occasionally see memory fragments that did not belong to him.
They were undoubtedly things he had never personally experienced, yet they replayed in his mind over and over, most vividly, the image of a young girl named Yvette, and a group of… powerful humanoid beings.
He seemed to be fighting these human-looking beings with a certain deep anger in his heart.
These beings were not human, but rather creations superior to humans, clad in highly advanced, sci-fi-style battle suits, wielding golden energy in combat. Though far stronger than ordinary humans, they were utterly powerless before him.
But these beings… were not the true enemy!
For at the end of every dream, Haschwalth always saw a figure as vast as a planet.
As for the outcome of that battle, he naturally had no way of knowing.
"That… is it His Majesty the Soul King?"
A cold glint flickered deep in Haschwalth's eyes.
Even though he had never seen those fragments before, piecing together the clues was enough to deduce that it was indeed the Soul King, for His existence was, in essence, an embodiment of the Soul King himself.
The dream had linked him to the Soul King, letting him share the Soul King's memories!
"Berenice, summon the Sternritter."
Haschwalth's gaze turned icy, his frigid voice echoing through the grand hall,
"From this moment on, you are ordered to find these individuals at all costs. Once found… kill them without mercy!"