The metallic scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the ever-present grit of Hueco Mundo's sands.
A larger, lumbering Hollow stood over its fresh kill—a smaller, serpentine creature whose writhing had ceased moments ago.
The victor had jagged, bone-like protrusions along its back, a jaw filled with razor-sharp teeth, and a hulking frame that radiated ferocity.
As the beast prepared to feast on its prey, it froze.
It felt a near Reiatsu brush against its senses.
The Hollow's power was great; however, it was still five times lower than his own. He could crush some bug with ease. After all, he, unlike most of those runts, could feel himself getting closer to evolving.
It was one meal away from becoming a Menos Grande... a Gillian.
He could feel the changes happening in his body, which was why he was taller than usual. His Reiatsu was also stronger than usual.
The Hollow turned its glowing red eyes, locking onto Gabriel.
Feeling generous, he decided to spare the pest for later. This thing was weaker than him, and he refused to waste his precious time on such bugs.
"You're weaker than me. Leave. Now." The larger Hollow bared its teeth, its maw opening wide enough to crush a car. "Unless you'd rather die."
Gabriel felt himself get ready for the hunt. He had some new upgrades ready for a test drive. His eyes gleamed with a strange mixture of defiance and hunger.
"What are you going to do about it?"
The larger Hollow's laugh boomed across the dunes, a deep, mocking sound. "Foolish little insect. I gave you a chance to live. Now, I'll feast on you too!"
Gabriel did not give a sliver of a fuck for any of the absolute bullshittery spewing out of this man's mouth.
He was ready.
The Hollow lunged with terrifying speed for its huge size.
Gabriel barely managed to dodge the attack, his wings flapping clumsily as he spun to the side.
This was fun.
As soon as his foot made contact with the floor again, he boosted himself toward the creature, using both his wings and his spring-like muscles to pounce toward the creature at blinding speed.
Using his momentum, he slashed at the creature's torso. However, as his claws made contact with the Hollow's chest... its dense hide barely took any damage.
Tough. Gabriel thought to himself. Meanwhile, the larger Hollow roared in laughter.
"Pathetic! Is that all you've got?" It swatted Gabriel like an insect, its clawed hand crashing into his chest. Gabriel was sent tumbling across the sand, leaving a trench in his wake.
That hurt a bit, but he could heal the injury... by reshaping his soul. All damage done to him fully healed. He could do this as long as he had the energy and consciousness to do it.
Strangely enough... this was fun. Gabriel liked this... it was the most fun he had in a while.
The larger Hollow charged again, swinging its claw down at Gabriel.
This time, however, Gabriel reacted with a speed he had not displayed before, sidestepping and leaping onto its arm.
His fangs dug into the beast, injecting poison into its bloodstream.
As the giant Hollow managed to send Gabriel flying, Gabriel spread his wings and soared high above the Hollow.
The poison in the Hollow's body was a very slow-acting one. Still possessing some of his knowledge as a human, he had given himself venom—he even had poison sacs.
Changing his biology was quite fun... he liked it.
The Hollow looked angry. Opening its mouth, a red beam of energy began forming.
Gabriel was amazed by it... however, this distracted him.
The creature released its power—
Cero!
The beam came crashing into Gabriel's body in the air.
KABOOM!
Gabriel lay on the floor... charred to a crisp... his limbs feeling weak.
The Hollow walked closer to him, looking drained of energy.
"I gave you a chance, and you didn't take it," it growled, approaching him.
"Did you think you stood a chance against a Menos Grande?" the beast proudly declared.
"You speak too much..." Gabriel said, annoyed.
The very next second, the creature puked out blood. The life drained from its body.
Looking down... a spear had come out of Hueco Mundo's sand... He now had a huge hole in his guts.
Looking back at Gabriel, he noticed that the boy's hand resembled the sand... Before he could even speak, he felt his muscles tighten.
"Seems like my poison is taking effect," Gabriel exclaimed.
Well, this was to be expected. The Hollow had lost like seventy percent of its blood, so the poison took effect much sooner.
Well, wasn't it now time to feast on this feast?
Gabriel showed his fangs.
Getting up, he began devouring his meal, though he did make sure to slash the creature's throat first so that it died before he could eat him. Gabriel didn't like the thought of eating someone alive.
Sure, he had done it twice before, but that was only because he was super hungry. Now that he could think more rationally and was a bit more aware of his actions, he preferred this human way of ending their life.