19 CHAPTER 19: Broken

Dordoni had been somewhat skeptical of Kazuya's abilities as a Vasto Lorde until he witnessed the power that made Cirucci's bladed wings useless. His amusement turned to shock at that very moment. He couldn't tell what was the energy enveloping Kazuya's arms, pushing Cirucci away and changing the tide of the battle.

'I've never seen anything like this. Niño's ability is on the level of an Aspect of Death.'

In the struggling youth, Dordoni saw potential. A talent who could challenge the current #1 Espada, a potential threat to King Baraggan's eternal reign over Hueco Mundo. As an Espada, he should intervene in the fight and slay Kazuya before he could even come close to becoming a menace to his 'Lord.'

To eliminate the threat in its infancy.

Yet Dordoni couldn't help but imagine a world without King Baraggan in Las Noches. A beautiful world where Hollows weren't forced into submission by a heartless tyrant. Like all good things, this beautiful reality would require sacrifices to come to fruition. In order to bring down Baraggan, Kazuya would have to become a demon himself.

Dordoni sighed. "I'm asking too much from Niño. Should I kill his companions to make him loath Baraggan?"

While Dordoni pondered making a real enemy out of Kazuya, Cirucci's battle ended with her defeat.

'Cirucci is still alive, Niño. What are you doing by sparing her?'

Dordoni shook his head, a disappointed sigh leaving his lips. "Niño, you are not the demon Hueco Mundo needs. To give me hope, I must destroy you. Maybe you'll show your true potential if I push you."

…

Harribel forgot to blink as the intense battle unfolded before her, her eyes shimmering with a blend of pride and concern for Kazuya. She marveled at how far he had come in such a short time, absorbing her teachings and growing as a warrior. Yet, the ferocity of the battle made her heart race with worry. The maternal instinct within her yearned to intervene, to crush Cirucci and shield him from harm.

'No, it's his fight. I can't intervene.'

She gritted her teeth, her heart pounding in her chest as she reminded herself that this was Kazuya's battle to fight, not hers. It was essential for him to face this challenge on his own, to grow and test his limits.

As anticipated, he bested Cirucci, delivering a decisive blow to her head. Yet, he bore no look of satisfaction.

'That's war… No warrior truly wins.'

She was truly pleased to see Kazuya feeling no satisfaction with the battle.

Feeling a sudden chill in the air, she turned to Dordoni, who glared at Kazuya with killing intent in his eyes. The moment she noticed the murderous glare, she knew she had to act and protect Kazuya.

"Do not think about it."

Harribel launched herself towards Dordoni, her powerful legs propelling her with incredible speed. Her eyes narrowed, focused entirely on her target — the #3 Espada who dared threaten her precious.

Golden Reiatsu enveloped her. She wouldn't allow anyone to sneak attack Kazuya, no matter how strong they were.

Dordoni turned his attention towards her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. He hadn't expected her to engage him directly, but he quickly adjusted, a sinister grin spreading across his face. "Well, well. I didn't think you would be so quick. This is better for me. I'll end the two Vasto Lorde then the Adjuchas over there. Easy peasy~."

Kazuya turned around to Dordoni. "One versus five. Do you like those odds?"

"Like? I love them." Dordoni clutched the katana hanging by his waist. "Whirl." As he unsheathed the Zanpakutō, a storm rose with him in the center and blew Harribel away. He was the eye of the storm. The baron of wind. "Giralda."

His Zanpakutō transformed into a pair of large, wind-based, bladed turbines attached to his wrists and legs. Two giant, curved horns protruded from his shoulders.

Two cyclones jut out from the exhaust spores on his legs, granting him the ability to fly.

Another two cyclones poured from the armor on his wrists, each ending with a large bird head.

His Resurrección form was unshackled.

Kazuya exhaled and tightened his fist. Dordoni's spiritual pressure was a cut above Cirucci's level. "As you wish, man. I'll send you to Cirucci in the second afterlife."

"Kazuya, step back," Harribel said, regaining her footing and glancing in his direction. "Take everyone and leave. I'll take care of him."

Her determination to make the ultimate sacrifice only intensified upon witnessing Kazuya's growth. She also believed Kazuya wouldn't have enough strength in him to fight Dordoni after his grueling battle with Cirucci.

"Go!"

She roared at Kazuya and hurled herself back at Dordoni, only to be repelled once more. His wind attacks were lethal to her close combat style, preventing her from getting near him. She attempted to slice through the cyclones with her sword, but they regenerated rapidly.

Soon, she was overpowered. The wind sliced into her armor, shattering it in places, but she persisted in her ferocious assault. Her relentless aggression was like a cornered lioness, desperate to protect her cub.

"Woman, are you foolish?" Dordoni taunted. "You can't defeat the weakest Espada with your power. Stop wasting my time."

Kazuya caught Harribel mid-air and landed near Apacci. "You can't defeat him with brute strength... I'm an exception with my ability."

Harribel audibly gritted her teeth and shoved him away, rising to her feet. "I don't need to defeat him. I just need to buy time for you. Just go away."

He couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Don't be so self-centered, Harribel. Who said you could sacrifice yourself? All I'm saying is, shut up and fight him with me."

"End this lover's quarrel, or I'll end you both," Dordoni cackled like a madman, reveling in his role as the villain. "I'm itching for a battle here, you know?"

"You madman." Mila Rose roared at Dordoni, fully aware of the power the Arrancar wielded and the risk she was taking in provoking him. "Why are you doing this? Leave… us alone!"

"You ask for my reason?" Dordoni chuckled, his voice dripping with malevolence. "We came here to do a job in peace, but your friend here is too arrogant and hot-headed. Every ounce of pain I'm about to inflict, just remember he brought it upon himself."

"You…"

"In Hueco Mundo, the King, the Emperor, the God is the one with the mightiest fist. If you find this system unfair by any stretch, grow your fangs and tear it apart. Until then, you are bound to Lord Baraggan beneath Hueco Mundo's sky."

Mila Rose glared at Dordoni before she shifted her gaze to Kazuya. Just like Harribel, she assumed that Kazuya wasn't in any shape to fight a foe of Dordoni's level. And Harribel couldn't even close the gap between them.

'It's my turn to protect them and him.'

They hadn't been on the best of terms these past days. In fact she had barely started to know him without her previous bias. How could she do that if he or Harribel died here today?

Kill Dordoni and protect him from Baraggan — both goals aligned with each other.

"Fangs… I'll grow my fangs and rip you limb to limb."

With a shaking roar, she smashed her head against Kazuya's steel-like knee.

Crack. Crack. Crack. Mila Rose's golden mask fractured, and a burst of golden light enveloped her.

***

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