"My lord, we cannot allow these two destabilizing elements to remain in the forest."
After a brief silence, the ancient Hollow standing beside the High Over-Lord spoke once more.
"Nine years from now, our great war with the Northern Forest will begin. If these outsiders interfere at a critical moment, we could suffer catastrophic losses. Worse still, such ferocious beings will devour the resources of an entire region. We cannot afford to keep them."
"We agree."
Voices echoed through the hollow interior of the colossal tree. The assembled lords clearly held little goodwill toward the two outsiders.
"In that case…"
The High Lord's eyes narrowed beneath his mask as waves of spiritual pressure leaked into the chamber.
"Kill them."
"Elder Yi, your perception is the keenest. Select ten — no, fifteen — sub-level Hollows. Go to the outsiders' last known location and ensure they are eliminated."
"Yes, my lord."
The High Lord's gaze shifted.
"Yingfeng, you as well—"
He paused, noticing the instability in Yingfeng's spiritual pressure.
"…No. Withdraw and recover."
If he went in this condition, he would become prey rather than a hunter.
"Yes, my lord."
Jekain bowed and retreated.
Sombravida's Withdrawal
In truth, Jekain felt no concern.
By the time he returned, Sombravida and Nel had already used a Garganta to leave the Great Hollow Forest.
During the final battle, Sombravida had obtained two Adjuchas masks. The spiritual pressure within his body had already exceeded its limits; advancement was inevitable.
Anticipating that Yingfeng might be required to report back immediately, Sombravida chose to withdraw and find a secluded place to evolve.
After advancing, he would return to the forest to establish his own power and prepare for revenge in six years.
In that future plan, Jekain's role would be indispensable.
With intelligence flowing from within, Sombravida could ambush isolated enemies and avoid encirclement.
Jekain's sealing ability could isolate a battlefield, suppress spiritual pressure leakage, and cut off energy exchange with the outside world.
Combined with Nel's absorption ability and stealth methods, their trio would form one of the most terrifying assassination teams below Vasto Lorde — capable of erasing enemies without leaving a trace.
Now, all that remained was Sombravida's evolution.
The Hunt That Found Nothing
One day later, the search party returned.
"My lord… the outsiders are gone."
The High Lord turned toward Elder Yi.
After sensing the region, the ancient Hollow slowly shook his head. His perception covered only the Great Hollow Forest; beyond it lay silence.
"So that is their decision…"
The High Lord's voice deepened.
"Lords of each region — strengthen your defenses. The outsiders have withdrawn. For the next year, remain vigilant. Avoid ambushes. If any powerful spiritual pressure is detected, send an immediate signal."
"Yes!"
Far From the Forest
Meanwhile, Sombravida and Nel had traveled through the Garganta for three full days before emerging.
At this distance, even a full search would take the Central Forest months to reach them.
And Sombravida doubted the High Lord would obsess over two outsiders. New arrivals entered the forest constantly — Gillian wandering inward, Adjuchas emerging from hidden evolutions beneath the sands.
Battle-hardened Adjuchas often avoided the Great Hollow Forest altogether:
resources were limited
hundreds of lesser Adjuchas could overwhelm them
provoking a collective response was foolish
Strength often bred isolation; only the weak clustered for safety — though this often revealed their misunderstanding of true cooperation.
A Temporary Sanctuary
Thousands of kilometers away, they found a small woodland roughly one kilometer in radius.
Sombravida chose this place for his evolution.
Nel would secure the area.
In regions like this, an Adjuchas was absolute apex power. When they arrived, the lesser Hollows were thrown into confusion — unsure whether to flee or kneel.
The local ruler, a high-level Hollow with a fish-like mask, chose submission. He knew he could not outrun an Adjuchas.
Nel barely spared him a glance.
She ordered the Hollows to relocate to the forest edges and report immediately if any Gillian-level or higher Hollows approached.
The fish-faced lord fled gratefully.
From this day forward, no powerful predators would threaten the region.
"Lord Sombravida, the environment is stable," Nel reported.
"You may evolve safely."
Sombravida nodded.
"I can no longer suppress the spiritual pressure inside me. If I delay further… it will destroy me."
He fired a Cero into the earth, carving a deep trench, then descended into it.
Golden light flickered.
A pale cocoon of spiritual energy slowly formed around his fifteen-meter body.
Nel carefully refilled the trench and camouflaged the surface, blending it seamlessly into the environment.
Meticulous.
Precise.
Protective.
Nel exhaled once the concealment was complete.
"I wonder how long Lord Sombravida's hibernation will last…"
She glanced toward the forest edge.
"Well… since I have nothing to do… I might as well bully some lower Hollows."
She flicked her tail with playful mischief.
The Dream Between Evolutions
Buried beneath the sands, Sombravida's consciousness faded.
Then returned.
Then faded again.
He drifted through cycles of awareness, entering a hazy, chaotic realm — neither Hueco Mundo nor darkness.
He possessed no senses.
No body.
Only awareness… and a gentle spiritual current flowing around his consciousness.
Time lost meaning.
Until one moment —
control returned.
Power surged.
And an ancient voice echoed once more.
"You have awakened, my child."
Sombravida recognized it instantly.
"…Great Hollow Forest."
"Yes, child. I did not expect we would meet again so soon."
"I left the Hollow Forest. Why am I hearing you again?"
"I am omnipresent," the voice replied gently.
"The forest is merely a fragment of my existence. As long as you grow within Hueco Mundo, you will encounter me again."
Sombravida accepted this calmly.
"What do you wish to tell me this time?"
A Chosen Child
"My child, your composure pleases me. Your growth astonishes me. In only a few years, you have reached this level. It seems my choice was not wrong."
Sombravida paused.
A choice?
Had he truly been selected among countless Hollows?
Did others receive guidance as well?
"You have grown the fastest among my children," the voice continued.
"Throughout your growth, I have provided knowledge when needed. This differs from the Spirit King's creation — mine is assistance."
"You've mentioned the Spirit King twice," Sombravida said carefully.
"Can you tell me more?"
"You are perceptive," the voice replied kindly.
"But your current power is insufficient to reach that truth. When we meet again… I may tell you more."
"When I reach Vasto Lorde?" Sombravida inferred.
A soft chuckle echoed.
"We shall speak then."
A Gift
"My child, you are unique. Your abilities evolve from your own nature. I can no longer guide that path."
A golden point of light appeared before Sombravida.
It crystallized into a teardrop-shaped gem, radiant and pure.
It circled him twice… then merged into his mask.
"What is this?"
"A catalyst," the voice replied.
"It will aid your growth, grant a turning point in critical moments, and may awaken new abilities."
The presence began to fade.
"Your growth phase ends here. The path ahead will demand sacrifice and peril. Yet I believe in you."
"We will meet again."
And the light vanished.
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