Obedience

The Espada stood stiffly in a line before Silas's throne, each having varying emotions.

Yammy and Zommari's expressions remained stoic, their broad features betraying little. Ulquiorra kept his eyes closed in perpetual acknowledgment. Aaroniero remained more still than Ulquiorra.

Nnoitra, however, shifted impatiently, as compared to Grimmjow, who leaned nonchalantly against a pillar, arms crossed. All the others stood side by side.

The air was filled with unspoken tension. Even the light streaming in seemed to struggle to penetrate the Espada's collective unease. It was a scene repeated daily—a macabre court presentation before their new, enigmatic king.

Everyone, it seemed, had adapted to the idea that Las Noches was fully under Silas's rule. Everyone, that is, except Barragan Luisenbarn.

The former king surveyed the scene with narrowed eyes. His wrinkled hand twitched, a subtle tremor betraying the discontent beneath his weathered exterior. He remembered a time when he, Baraggan, sat upon that throne, the undisputed ruler of Hueco Mundo. Now, he was but one among many, forced to bow before a being who had arrived and taken that throne without notice.

Silas, perched on his throne, wasn't oblivious to the disquietude roiling beneath him. His gaze swept across the assembled Espada, lingering for a moment on Barragan. A faint, amused glint flickered in his eyes, a feeling that only Barragan recognized.

The old king felt a shiver crawl down his spine, a primal sense of danger that defied logic. Silas's voice broke the tense silence.

"The purpose of today's gathering," he began. "Is to introduce a new member to our ranks."

With a flick of his wrist, a swirling rift of blue and white appeared behind his throne. As the rift grew, the monstrous spiritual pressure resonated in the room, almost distorting the walls.

With a final pop, the rift ceased, revealing a figure clad in the Espada's typical white robe. He was tall, slightly broad, and had well-trimmed facial hair. But it was his spiritual pressure that held the room captive.

When Silas noticed their unease, he gestured toward his own neck, prompting the figure to push a button on the collar he was wearing. A green light shone, and his spiritual pressure was instantly contained.

"This…" Silas declared, his voice ringing through the chamber. "… Is Sol. He will be Espada number three."

A collective gasp rippled through the room. The Espada ranks were rigidly defined, with each number signifying a specific level of power. Inserting someone directly into the number three spot, surpassing those like Grimmjow and Zommari, was a blatant challenge to the established hierarchy.

Grimmjow, ever the volatile one, was the first to react. His instincts screamed at him to draw out his Zanpakutō and prove that Sol wasn't deserving of that rank. However, his recent encounter with Silas caused him to flinch, momentarily subduing his urge to voice his opinion.

And Nnoitra was undoubtedly shocked but didn't show it. He had already held that rank and prided himself on being the strongest. His rank would drop by a few in the original story after Starrk and others were later added to the group.

• • •

Not long ago, Silas approached Sol after taking the throne.

He had informed the Great Hollow to come inside Las Noches while everyone was either busy or resting. Afterwards, he placed Sol inside one of the palaces, introducing him to his home and promising him that he would have comrades much like him.

Sol was then briefly informed about who the Espada were, what Silas envisioned, and what role he would play. Although it was a lot to take in, Sol humbly accepted his position and would do nothing more than follow Silas. This would be both his upbringing and his downfall.

That was because Silas trusted no one.

And now that Sol had arrived, practically everyone was astonished. Barragan, however, remained unfazed by the surprise. This was because he was currently Espada number one. He let out a low chuckle, a sound more akin to crumbling stone than genuine amusement.

"An interesting choice, lord Ichigo," he rumbled, his voice betraying none of the turmoil within. "Though I wonder, does raw power alone qualify one for such a prestigious position?"

Silas's gaze met Barragan's unflinchingly. A tense silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words, until he finally spoke with words devoid of any emotion, saying, "Power is merely one aspect of the equation, Barragan. Sol possesses qualities that far outweigh mere strength—something that even the likes of you can't compare to."

Barragan raised an eyebrow, a sardonic smile playing on his lips. He queried, "Qualities such as obedience, perhaps?" His words were clearly an attack on Silas. 

Tension once again rose in the room.

The other Espada shifted nervously, aware of the subtle power struggle unfolding before them. Even Nnoitra, usually eager for a fight, wisely held his tongue. They may have accepted Silas as their new leader, but Barragan, the former king, was different altogether.

Silas tilted his head slightly, saying, "Obedience? You of all Hollows should know that obedience is paramount. But fear is a more potent motivator."

The implication hung heavy in the air, a chilling truth that sent another wave of shivers down Barragan's spine. Silas knew. He knew about Barragan's discontent and about how rebellious he was, never truly wishing to serve under anyone.

A cold dread settled in Barragan's gut, a feeling as oppressive as his mask. 

Silas softly rose from his throne, his movement, saying, "Enough of this charade. We shall take this outside." He then gestured toward a doorway at the back of the room. "Everyone," he addressed, his voice laced with a subtle command. "Ascend to the highest point of the palace. Witness what is about to transpire."

The Espada shuffled towards the exit.

Curiosity and a hint of fear could be seen in their eyes. Yet no one said a word because this public display of power by their new leader was unsettling, to say the least.

One by one, they vanished through the doorway using sonído. Silas switched to Barragan before the current rank could be removed. There was a glint of anticipation in his eyes as he said, "You, however, will remain."