chapter 11:Arise, Shadow Sovereign

The dense forest around Naruki City was eerily silent in the aftermath of the battle. The towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their branches swaying gently in the wind. The only sound was the soft crackling of a small, flickering flame that lingered on the ground where the Hollow had been vanquished. The flame was a deep purple and black, casting an otherworldly glow that seemed to defy the natural light of the sun.

Yami stood still, his hand hovering above the small, flickering flame that remained. The flame was a peculiar mix of purple and black, its light casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. Yami stood before the flame, his expression calm,his eyes narrowed slightly as he watched it, sensing the latent power within.

He took a deep breath, his voice calm and commanding as he uttered a single word. "Arise."

The flame flickered once, then twice, before it began to grow. It expanded rapidly, shifting and twisting as it took on a more defined shape. The darkness coalesced into a figure, a shadowy form that soon began to resemble the Hollow Yami had just defeated.

The creature that stood before Yami was a perfect replica of the Hollow, but now it was draped in the colors of shadow, but now, the creature's once-white bone armor was a deep shade of purple and black. The segmented armor-like plates, emphasizing its skeletal structure, gleamed with an otherworldly hue. Its face, partially masked with a bone helmet, was adorned with long, sharp horns, giving it a fearsome look. The creature's hands and feet were blackened and clawed, and the cape-like appendages on its back fluttered slightly, enhancing its terrifying aura.

But unlike the original Hollow, this being exuded a sense of loyalty and obedience. The creature bowed deeply to Yami, one hand crossing its chest in a gesture of respect. Yami watched it carefully, his expression unreadable as he took in the sight.

As he gazed upon the shadowy figure, Yami's mind drifted back to a time long ago—a memory from thirty years in the past, when he first discovered this power.

---

Thirty years ago...

Yami sat in his room in the 4th Division, deep in meditation. His legs were crossed, his black Zanpakutō resting on his lap. The room was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of the wind outside. Yami's breathing was slow and steady, his focus entirely on the connection between him and his Zanpakutō.

His inner world was a stark contrast to the peaceful setting of his room. The ground was littered with skulls, the remnants of countless battles fought within his mind. Deep trenches scarred the landscape, evidence of the fierce struggles that had taken place there. The sky was a dark, ominous shade of purple, reflecting the immense power that resided within this realm.

Yami stood in the center of this battlefield, his body tense and alert. In his hands were two purple daggers, their blades shimmering with a deadly light. His eyes, usually calm and composed, were filled with determination as he faced his opponent.

Across from him knelt Ashborn, the spirit of his Zanpakutō. The figure was clad in dark, imposing armor, his deep purple eyes hidden behind the visor of his helmet. Weapons of all shapes and sizes floated around him, each one emanating a dark, purple-black aura. Spears, daggers, swords—each one was a reflection of Ashborn's immense power and mastery over the shadows.

The ground between them bore the marks of their battle, deep gouges and cracks that spoke of the intensity of their struggle. Yami, however, was not intimidated. He had faced Ashborn countless times in his inner world, each battle bringing him closer to unlocking the true potential of his Zanpakutō.

Yami smiled, a hint of triumph in his expression as he looked at Ashborn. "Heh… I finally beat you, Ashborn," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction.

Ashborn, still kneeling, let out a quiet sigh. Though Yami couldn't see his face, he could sense the smile that lay hidden behind the armor. The spirit's demeanor was calm, almost amused, as he regarded Yami with a sense of pride.

Slowly, Ashborn rose to his feet, the weapons around him dissipating into the air. He walked toward Yami with deliberate steps, his presence commanding yet reassuring. When he reached Yami, he placed a hand over Yami's heart, the gesture filled with a sense of solemnity.

"Say my name," Ashborn said, his voice low and resonant, filled with the weight of the power he was about to bestow.

Yami nodded, closing his eyes as he prepared to speak the words that would forever change him. "Yami o dakishimete, kage no kunshu, Ashborn," he intoned, the words flowing from his lips with a reverence he rarely displayed.

As the final syllable left his mouth, Yami felt a sudden surge of spiritual pressure, a force so intense that it momentarily took his breath away. It wasn't just an increase in power—there was something deeper, a connection that resonated with the very core of his being. The shadows around him seemed to respond, shifting and swirling as if drawn to him.

Yami opened his eyes, his gaze meeting Ashborn's. There was a moment of silence between them, a shared understanding of what had just transpired. Yami felt… different. Stronger, yes, but there was more to it. He felt a deeper connection to the darkness, an ability to control it in ways he hadn't been able to before.

As Yami stood there, trying to comprehend the full extent of his newfound power, he felt something else a connection to the countless skulls that littered the battlefield. He looked around, his eyes narrowing as he noticed something he hadn't seen before. Many of the skulls bore a familiar shape, resembling the Hollows and souls he had defeated in the 79th district of Rukongai all those years ago.

Ashborn followed Yami's gaze, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "They've been waiting," he said simply, his tone hinting at the revelation that was about to unfold.

Yami's eyes widened as he looked at the skulls. He could feel it now, the connection to each one of them, as if they were all a part of him. It was an overwhelming sensation, the realization that these souls had been drawn to him, waiting for the moment he would call upon them.

A slow smile spread across Yami's face as he began to understand. This was one of his many Shikai abilities an ability to store and command a shadow army by absorbing the dead souls of his enemies. But there was a limit. At the moment, he could only collect and control a hundred soldiers.

Despite the limitations, Yami couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This was a power unlike any other, a power that could change the course of any battle. He could see it now—his shadow soldiers rising to fight alongside him, their strength adding to his own.

Yami looked at Ashborn, his smile widening. "Arise," he whispered, the word filled with the full force of his command.

The skulls responded immediately. They began to shift and change, the darkness swirling around them as they transformed into shadowy figures. Each one took on the form of a soldier, their bodies dark purple and black, their eyes glowing with an eerie light. They all knelt before Yami, their loyalty to him unquestionable.

Yami's heart swelled with pride as he looked at his new army. This was his Shikai—his true power. And yet, as powerful as it was, Yami couldn't help but wonder what his Bankai would be like. If his Shikai was this formidable, then his Bankai would be… unimaginable.

Ashborn seemed to read Yami's thoughts. The spirit chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're still too weak for Bankai," he said, though his tone was more teasing than critical.

Yami laughed, the sound filled with a mix of determination and amusement. "I guess I'll just have to get stronger, then."

With that, Yami began to fade from his inner world, his consciousness returning to the present. But as he left, he carried with him the knowledge that he had unlocked a new level of power—a power that would change everything.

---

Back in the present, Yami still stood before the shadowy figure of the Hollow he had just defeated. The creature, now a shadow soldier under his command, remained kneeling, its loyalty clear in every line of its form.

Yami's expression was one of satisfaction as he regarded the soldier. "You'll do well," he said quietly, his voice filled with the confidence of one who knew the full extent of his power.

With a simple gesture, Yami ordered the shadow soldier to merge with his own shadow. The creature obeyed instantly, its form dissolving into darkness before disappearing completely into the shadow at Yami's feet.

Just as the shadow soldier vanished, Yami sensed a familiar spiritual pressure approaching. He turned slightly, his expression calm as his Captain appeared on the scene.

The captain's eyes scanned the area, taking in the aftermath of the battle. His gaze settled on Yami, a curious look in his eyes. "Where's the Hollow?" he asked, his tone light but with an underlying seriousness.

Yami met his captain's gaze with a calm demeanor, his voice steady as he replied. "Dead and defeated."

Captain Benjiro pouted slightly, a childish expression that seemed out of place on the usually composed captain. "I came here to rescue you, but it seems that wasn't needed after all," he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Yami sighed inwardly, already accustomed to his captain's eccentric behavior. He had only been in the 10th Division for a few weeks, but he had quickly learned that Captain Benjiro was anything but conventional.

As the captain's expression shifted from playful to serious, he looked at Yami with a piercing gaze. "We need to talk," he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Yami nodded, sensing that whatever his captain wanted to discuss was of great importance. He straightened, his expression becoming more serious as he prepared to hear what his Captain had to say.

hope you guys enjoyed this chapter thank you guys for reading