An ability capable of large-scale concealment.
Sombravida found it interesting.
The illusion-type Vasto Lorde's technique was different from his own stealth. Sombravida suppressed his reiatsu directly through spatial isolation. That one, however, seemed to refract perception itself—distorting external sensing.
Superior or inferior?
Or simply different principles?
Sombravida did not voice these thoughts to Barragan. Instead, he retrieved Kamra's corpse.
"Your Majesty. As agreed, this one is my share."
He pushed both Vasto Lorde corpses forward.
Barragan's skeletal hand reached out.
He crushed Kamra's mask and absorbed the spiritual particles.
Then he pushed the slender illusion-user's corpse back toward Sombravida.
"I will take the one bearing a fragment of Time," Barragan said calmly. "The other one suits you better."
Sombravida raised an eyebrow.
Barragan continued:
"That one interfered with perception and detection. Your spatial suppression already erases presence. If you assimilate his ability properly, you may achieve layered concealment. Even if it does not reach the level of a conceptual power, it will strengthen you."
He paused.
"I have no need for stray abilities."
Sombravida did not refuse.
He had indeed killed two of the three Vasto Lordes and preserved most of Barragan's subordinates. In addition, Barragan had absorbed a fragment resonating faintly with Time.
The exchange was fair.
Many would describe Barragan Louisenbairn as tyrannical, arrogant, cruel.
All true.
But he was not irrational.
In Hueco Mundo, strength defined value. Barragan rewarded usefulness.
Sombravida had proven useful.
That was enough.
The battlefield below was nearly finished.
Harribel and Nel had secured victory among the Adjuchas. Casualties were minimal.
Sombravida had little interest in Adjuchas-level spiritual pressure anymore. He scanned briefly for unusual resonance.
Nothing.
The remaining Adjuchas were divided evenly.
Harribel consumed only what she required to replenish reiatsu. Nel used her absorption ability to take the rest.
Even so, the quantity was insufficient for a breakthrough.
Sombravida observed Nel carefully.
In canon history, Neliel Tu Odelschwanck eventually stood among the Espada. Her potential was extraordinary.
Here, however, she had not yet reached Vasto Lorde.
Harribel had been born as one.
Fate was uneven.
But Sombravida knew potential was not linear. Nel's absorption ability meant exponential growth once her threshold was crossed.
He did not consider himself to have altered her destiny.
Only changed its pace.
Interrogation followed.
The surviving Adjuchas revealed critical intelligence.
Hueco Mundo's central region had formed a tripartite balance.
Three mid-level Vasto Lordes.
Three ruling powers.
Saros Fond
Medium-sized humanoid Vasto Lorde.
Wielded a longsword fused directly with his arm.
Mask shaped like a hooded helm with blue vein-like markings.
Ability: Reinforcement and Severance.
His blade was said to cut through hierro cleanly. Even his Cero carried slicing properties—compressing and tearing rather than simply exploding.
He controlled the eastern-central territory—bordering Barragan's domain.
The ambush force had been one of his expansion units.
Barragan's temporary camp had been established unknowingly near Saros's hunting perimeter.
Susbus Oria
Fox-masked female Vasto Lorde.
Mid-level.
Specialized in mental interference.
Unlike the illusion-user Sombravida had killed, her ability attacked directly through nervous perception—paralysis, sensory distortion, fear induction.
Weapon: long whip, rarely used.
Her territory lay north-central, near ancient skeletal ruins.
Rumors claimed she cultivated herself by meditating near residual reiryoku from an ancient battlefield.
Whether true or not, none could confirm.
Szayelaporro Granz
Southwestern ruler.
A name Sombravida knew well.
Szayelaporro Granz.
In canon, once part of Yylfordt Granz—he had devoured his own brother to purify himself and evolve into a true Vasto Lorde. His obsession with research preceded his time as an Espada.
Scientist.
Experimenter.
Manipulator.
Unlike the other two, he allowed subordinates relative autonomy.
Those who served him did so out of fear and reliance.
Those who betrayed him became specimens.
Sombravida had deliberately avoided him in earlier travels.
Facing Szayelaporro without preparation was suicide.
Now, however—
Things were different.
After gathering intelligence, Sombravida released the final captive Adjuchas.
Before doing so—
He implanted a minute spatial crystal embedded with a trace of Respira and a coordinate imprint.
The Adjuchas was ordered to report the battle to Saros and mention Barragan's name openly.
A calculated provocation.
The creature fled.
Sombravida watched it disappear into the dunes.
Then he turned to Barragan.
"If Saros responds aggressively, you advance from the front."
"And you?" Barragan asked.
"I enter from the side."
Barragan's hollow eyes burned faintly.
"Good."
Two days later, the released Adjuchas returned to Saros's territory.
By then, Sombravida had already begun infiltration.
He moved alone.
Spatial step by spatial step.
On the fifth day, he located a mountain cavern containing several Adjuchas.
He eliminated them quietly.
Rested.
Then reactivated the embedded coordinate.
The spatial crystal ruptured remotely.
Respira erased the marked Adjuchas.
The coordinate remained.
Sombravida stepped through.
He arrived within Saros's outer territory.
Instant relocation.
Immediate secondary displacement.
Reiatsu suppression.
He hid among the foothills, reducing his presence to nearly nothing.
Moments later—
A sentinel Adjuchas arrived at the erased coordinate.
It sensed the faint residue of reiryoku but no intruder.
Confused.
It departed.
Sombravida followed at distance.
Silent.
He intended to see for himself.
Exactly how powerful one of the Three Giants truly was.
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