Farewell, Hated Shinigami

Thump... Thump... Thump...

A solemn rhythm echoed through the sky above this promised land, signaling the coming of dusk—the end of a day.

Crows cried out, wings cutting through the wind.

From the high heavens, shadows coiled and loomed, prompting Jugram Haschwalth to lift his head ever so slightly as he walked the long corridor.

"..."

To one like him, who revered the Supreme One, acting on superstition was foolishness.

But in this moment—

Jugram Haschwalth bowed his head.

The golden-haired man wore a bitter expression, sorrow clouding his eyes—undeniable, unhidden.

He sighed.

"…How unfortunate."

Step by step, he made his way to the grand hall.

Beneath the arched gates, the towering palace of the Wandenreich rose, solemn and majestic. The pristine floor reflected his image as his heels clicked against it, echoing clearly.

Staring up at the highest and mightiest structure within the Invisible Empire, Haschwalth slowly lowered his head—

And knelt.

"Your Majesty, the preparations to leave Soul Society are complete."

His voice echoed in the empty, vaulted hall, lingering until it finally faded.

Then—

The ancient monster who had been slumbering stirred.

"…Is that you… Haschwalth…"

The voice was hoarse and rough.

As if the speaker had not used his voice in an eternity, each syllable emerged with awkward effort, like a child learning to speak.

Almost comical to the ear—almost.

But Haschwalth was unmoved.

He remained kneeling, still as stone, awaiting judgment.

Until thick, black mist coiled upward through the crystal-clear hall…

"…Haschwalth."

"I had… a dream…"

"That child… used a power even I could not resist… and split my body in two."

"My dream to unify the Three Realms… shattered."

"Our power, our lives… everything we had… lost."

"That remarkable, confounding child gained it all… and found happiness."

"…What a moving story. Wouldn't you agree, Haschwalth?"

His thoughts clarified as he spoke.

From the haze of sleep, he rose.

Like a drowning man breaking the surface.

And then—those bloodthirsty eyes snapped open in the temple above.

Haschwalth bowed his head even lower and answered with calm clarity.

"…Only a dream, Your Majesty."

Without the All-Knowing, All-Powerful ability, dreams held no meaning.

Yet—

The tyrant would not accept such a dismissal.

"No, Haschwalth."

He rose.

The dark cloak clung to his chest; the Quincy King stood robed and solemn.

Step by step, he descended.

"The world operates by laws… I despise them."

"But they are my Father's design, his will made manifest."

"If we are to defy them—we must first understand them."

They were a discarded race.

Their pride had not dulled, even after a thousand years.

"My dream may not be prophecy—but it holds purpose."

"Thus, my child…"

"Haschwalth."

He spoke the name.

And in that moment, Jugram Haschwalth bowed even deeper, eyes closed.

"I am here, Your Majesty."

"Find the child I saw in my dream… Bring him to me."

A singularity capable of warping fate.

Even if he scoffed at the thought, Yhwach could not risk another failure.

A thousand-year ambition—

Could not be delayed another cycle.

Haschwalth raised no objection. He was the King's shield and sword. One of the sacred digits.

"As you command, Your Majesty."

He obeyed. That was his duty. His role.

Yhwach stood before him, then looked away—toward the sky.

Dusk fell.

Night crept across the heavens, darkening them inch by inch.

Time was nearly up.

So let them, for just this fleeting moment—

Discuss what had suddenly changed.

"…Haschwalth."

"I am here, Your Majesty."

"What do you think of this sudden disruption?"

A ripple broke through the ever-stoic Haschwalth's expression.

Before he could reply, Yhwach moved forward, passing him.

"…I do not like this dim sky."

"It's like blood diluted in water, spreading across the heavens…"

"It reminds me of the horrors from a thousand years ago."

Defeat and pain etched into the marrow, forever aching.

"I thought monsters like Yamamoto Genryūsai would fade with age."

"But I never expected someone would rise to inherit his will."

A pause.

Then—

Yhwach raised his hand and pointed skyward.

"No. Perhaps I underestimated him."

"Even Yamamoto couldn't find us in the shadows."

"Yet this power—this one can penetrate those shadows, reach our sanctuary."

As he finished speaking, Haschwalth noticed them—

Tiny, flickering specks, drifting in the air like fireflies.

So minuscule, like ants with wings, fluttering toward them.

He hadn't paid them any mind.

Until now.

Now, the air thickened with these motes, spiraling toward him.

Ssshh…

A faint hissing, followed by searing pain.

Haschwalth lowered his gaze.

His robes were scorched. Exposed skin bubbled and curled from heat.

So… sparks?

He had ways to deal with this, but his safety was secondary.

Yhwach's protection came first.

He stepped forward, sweeping away the glowing orbs.

"Your Majesty, the others have all been evacuated. Only we remain. Please—"

But Yhwach spoke softly.

"Look, Haschwalth."

"Look over there."

"Our homeland… is burning."

Haschwalth looked up—

And saw it.

The sky was torn—a tattered curtain.

The scattered specks had gathered across it, igniting the dim heavens.

Dull orange turned crimson.

Smoke and ash filled the air.

Bits of black charcoal rained down.

The Invisible Empire was bathed in brilliant light.

Not from a rising sun—

But from the silent ignition of the world itself.

Buildings. Trees. Sky. Life—

All devoured.

Annihilated by this creeping power.

Everything would become one again.

Even Yhwach narrowed his eyes.

"To burn an entire world…"

"Haschwalth, one who can do this…"

"Would you still call him… a nobody?"

Haschwalth paused.

Then looked up, voice calm but resolute.

"I simply do not find him worthy of fear."

"I see. You believe you are not inferior."

Yhwach's lips curled in a shadow of a smile.

Not discouragement—but calm authority.

He welcomed confidence.

Centuries of preparation could not be undone so easily.

This was just a single loss.

Just—

Another Yamamoto to deal with.

Yhwach turned, cloak flaring.

The wind scattered the fire.

"Come, Haschwalth."

"To our new empire. To the next Promised Land."

"The sacred digits will not change because of this petty defiance."

When the next "Nine" comes—

"We will return."

"And then…"

"We shall conquer the world."

So then…

Farewell, hated Shinigami.

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