Five years had passed since the last Great Hollow Forest war.
In that time, Sombravida had risen from a low-level Gillian to a newly evolved Adjuchas.
His most dangerous battle remained the confrontation with the Lord of the Northern Forest. Yet the sandworm tyrant would not march south again for at least another five years. Sombravida felt no urgency about that encounter.
What mattered now was accumulating the strength necessary to face the Northern Forest when the time came.
Originally, Sombravida intended to advance within the Central Forest and slowly build influence — a cautious strategy he knew could take decades.
However, the rapid response of the Central Forest's core lords — including their attempted assassination — changed everything.
More importantly…
His old companion Jekain had infiltrated the Central Forest and risen to lord status.
That discovery reshaped Sombravida's strategy completely.
Rather than building power from the outside, he would:
use Jekain as an intelligence conduit
eliminate core lords one by one
replace the power structure from within
A surgical conquest instead of a slow ascent.
Return to the Central Forest
Several days later, Sombravida and Nel returned to the outskirts of the Central Forest.
Sombravida inhaled deeply.
"The reishi density here is much higher," he said. "Even breathing feels easier."
Hueco Mundo's atmosphere varied widely. Regions rich in Hollows naturally accumulated spiritual particles, making recovery and growth faster.
"I've heard the inner domains are even denser," Nel replied. "My lord, when we finish here, let's visit them."
"We have five years," Sombravida said calmly. "Before that… we remove the cancer."
He began suppressing his reiatsu until it vanished entirely.
"Nel, remain here. I'll locate Jekain."
She tilted her head.
"You don't need my help?"
"My abilities are suited for assassination. Stay hidden. After I eliminate the detection-type Hollow, we move together."
"Yes, my lord."
Perfect Reiatsu Suppression
Sombravida vanished.
Not blurred.
Not fast.
Gone.
Nel attempted to sense him.
Nothing.
Even extending perception risked exposure to the core lords' surveillance network.
She quickly concealed her own presence and hid within the broken forest terrain.
"Lord Sombravida is even more frightening after evolving…"
She shook her head and settled into stillness.
Ghost in the Forest
Sombravida moved like a shadow.
Using Sonído combined with spatial distortion stepping, he traversed the forest at speeds exceeding typical Adjuchas while leaving almost no detectable reiatsu trail.
To observers, he was less a moving entity than a discontinuity in space.
When fatigue accumulated, he silently ambushed isolated Gillians, severing masks with a single claw strike before consuming them to replenish energy.
No noise.
No lingering reiatsu.
No witnesses.
Within half a day, he reached the territory previously designated by Jekain.
Summoning the Lord
Finding a territory lord was simple.
Sombravida raised one finger.
A pale gold Cero condensed.
WHOOSH—
The blast annihilated a towering tree and tore apart the surrounding air.
The forest erupted in panic.
Gillians fled in terror.
Reiatsu signatures surged into the sky as several Adjuchas rushed toward the disturbance.
Among them—
a familiar presence.
Jekain.
Sombravida vanished and reappeared directly before him.
"Jekain."
The sudden manifestation startled him — but the voice erased all doubt.
"My king? You've evolved?"
"Yes."
Sombravida flexed his arm.
"I am… significantly stronger."
Jekain bowed respectfully.
"I am relieved you are safe."
Four additional Adjuchas arrived moments later, landing nearby.
Their eyes locked onto Sombravida with caution and hostility.
"My lord, this is—?" one asked.
"He is my ally," Jekain replied.
He did not reveal Sombravida's true status.
Loyalty followed strength — not titles.
Seeds of Rebellion
Jekain turned to his subordinates.
"Do you remember what I told you? One day we will end Grand Lord Gatmont's rule."
"That day approaches."
"We are forever loyal to Lord Yinfeng," they declared, kneeling.
During Sombravida's evolution, Jekain had not been idle.
He had:
mapped lord territories
catalogued abilities and power levels
infiltrated alliances
recruited four loyal Adjuchas
He had compiled intelligence on nearly sixty percent of the Central Forest's sub-level Hollows.
More than enough to begin dismantling the hierarchy.
The Target: Yislut
Sombravida spoke directly.
"Is the sensory Hollow you mentioned still the only one capable of detecting the entire forest?"
"Yes," Jekain replied. "His name is Yislut."
Profile:
Mid-level Adjuchas
Elderly humanoid form resembling a withered tree
Mask shaped like a canopy crown
Ability: wide-range reiatsu detection
"He can sense activity across the entire Great Hollow Forest. Detection weakens with distance and suppressed reiatsu."
"Secondary ability: mental interference. Limited effectiveness."
"He should have sensed your Cero, but your reiatsu signature has changed. With five Adjuchas present, he will assume a new lord has emerged in my territory."
"Subordinates?"
"None. He resides beneath the central tree, directly below the Highlord's chamber. Nearly ten Adjuchas reside nearby. Direct assault is extremely difficult."
"Combat ability?"
"Minimal. He is old and slow. A support-type Hollow. Likely stagnated."
Sombravida nodded.
"And Gatmont?"
Jekain's eyes narrowed.
"High-tier Adjuchas. Near peak."
Grand Lord Gatmont:
Humanoid form with tail
Shoulder-mounted dual Cero emitters
Fires twin Cero blasts simultaneously
Tail hammer for close combat
Heavy Hierro and brute strength
"They rose together," Jekain added. "Yislut's sensing kept Gatmont alive through countless threats."
"What about guards?"
"Perimeter Adjuchas. Early to mid-level. Alert and tracking roles."
Sombravida closed his eyes briefly.
"I understand."
The Assassination
"I will handle Yislut," Sombravida said.
"You remain here."
He vanished.
Not even a trace of reiatsu remained.
The five Adjuchas stared in stunned silence.
Three hours later—
A furious roar shook the entire forest.
Grand Lord Gatmont's rage reverberated across the region.
Moments later, Sombravida returned.
In his hand:
Yislut's severed head.
He tossed it before Jekain.
"Done."
He consumed the mask.
"Prepare for Gatmont's summons. Guard this territory."
"I'll retrieve Nel."
The rebellion had begun.
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