POV Change
The grand halls of Las Noches were silent, save for the rhythmic tapping of fingers against an armrest. The air within Barragan Luisenbarn's throne room was always heavy—suffocating even. The very essence of death radiated from the so-called King of Hueco Mundo, a presence so oppressive that even the most powerful Arrancar in his court felt a lingering unease in his presence.
Yet, this so-called king would not realize that today, he would be making the biggest mistake of his 2000-year-old-ish life.
A mistake that would cut short his subscription to life.
At the foot of his massive obsidian throne, a kneeling Hollow warrior trembled, his head bowed low as he relayed the news.
"They're dead, Your Majesty... The scouts you sent to subjugate Tier Harribel—she... she killed them."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, a slow, deep chuckle rumbled from Barragan's throat, his skeletal visage twisted in amusement. He rested his chin against his hand, eyes glowing with undisguised contempt.
The man had yet to realize that he was, in fact, playing with fire.
"She killed them, did she?" His voice was leisurely, almost bored, but there was undeniable venom laced beneath his words.
The Hollow soldier dared not look up. "Y-yes, Your Majesty."
Barragan exhaled slowly, his tone still dripping with disdain. "The arrogance of that woman knows no bounds. To defy me, her king, as if she has the right to refuse?" His fingers drummed against the armrest, the sound like the ticking of a death clock.
"She must learn her place."
Without hesitation, he lifted his hand, summoning two figures from the shadows of the room.
Cirucci Sanderwicci, her long violet hair flowing freely, stepped forward with an unimpressed look on her face. She was restless, itching for a fight, but held a clear distaste for being summoned like a mere foot soldier.
Beside her, Dordoni Alessandro Del Socaccio, the flamboyant and ever-eager former Privaron Espada, adjusted the scarf around his neck and gave a bow to their king.
It was either that or death, so.
Barragan's gaze swept over them as if measuring their worth.
"You will find Tier Harribel," he said, his tone carrying the weight of absolute command. "And you will bring her before me. If she resists, kill her and those pathetic whelps she keeps under her wing."
Dordoni smirked, adjusting his gloves. "Ah, but this is an honor, no? To educate a little rebel on the consequences of opposing His Majesty." His smile faltered. "Though, if she killed your scouts, she's no weakling."
Barragan's bony fingers clenched. "You will remind her who rules Hueco Mundo. Now go."
The two Arrancar bowed before vanishing in a blur of movement, leaving the throne room in an eerie silence.
Barragan leaned back, his hollowed eyes narrowing. "You will learn, Tier Harribel. You will learn what it means to deny a king."
His grave will be closed casket... maybe even be turned into a dildo.
POV Change
Back in the desolate sands of Hueco Mundo, Gabriel sat across from Tier Harribel, his expression serious. His golden eyes burned with an intensity that had only grown stronger with time.
"I want you to train me," he said calmly. He would use this chance to show her that he could be her equal and make her see him as a possible mate.
He refused to be seen as a little boy anymore.
Shit felt weird.
Harribel, standing with her arms crossed, tilted her head slightly. "Why?"
"Because I need to be strong enough to protect you," was his blunt answer... well, he wasn't lying. That was one of his goals.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Harribel's golden eyes. She had seen loyalty before. She had seen dedication. But the way Gabriel said it—it was different.
There was no hesitation, no uncertainty.
Just determination.
The boy's desire to have her as his wife was... very high.
Like someone on shroom-level high.
"You're already strong," she said.
Gabriel shook his head. "Not strong enough."
She studied him for a long moment before finally giving a small nod. "Very well."
His lips curled into a smirk. Now, the real fun begins.
That day, Harribel would get to witness firsthand the monstrous growth rate that was Gabriel.
The sands trembled as Harribel stood before Gabriel, her golden eyes calm yet unreadable. She drew her sword—which, to be fair, was quite literally fused with her shark body.
Gabriel grinned, already feeling his blood begin to race. He wasn't an idiot—Harribel was leagues above most. She wasn't just strong. She was a force of nature. She was a Vasto Lorde, after all.
And yet, he had no fear.
Instead, there was only anticipation.
Wanting to test his strength against her own.
Gabriel rushed toward Harribel. As the two clashed for the first time, the strength gap between them, much to Harribel's surprise... was a lot smaller than she had expected.
Swinging her sword toward him, her blade was stopped when it touched his skin. His hard skin, tougher than even steel, could not be penetrated by her blade.
Releasing more of her Reiatsu, she gathered all the moisture in the air and sent a tidal wave toward the boy.
Gabriel, seeing the ocean coming toward him, placed his hand on the floor.
The very next second, the sands of Hueco Mundo rose up... a wall was made... a dense wall of sand.
The wall was surprisingly strong enough to withstand the might of Harribel's water.
Her eyes calmly gazed at the clash. She felt his presence to her left. Turning herself around, she swung her blade toward where she had felt his presence.
Harribel's eyes widened... she hadn't hit him... that was just a clone.
Appearing behind her, Gabriel turned his hand into a hammer and then brought it down on her... what seemed to be a rocket boost could be seen, as fire shot out from the engine.
A super-boosted hammer hit to the side.
KABOOM!
'Shit, I didn't hit her too hard now, did I?' he thought to himself as he looked at the area where Harribel had landed.
As the smoke vanished, Harribel could be seen, no scratch on her body. She looked up at him.
Gabriel looked at his hammer... it was broken.
Damn.
"It seems that I have underestimated you... I apologize," she said calmly.
Gabriel felt excitement.
BZZZT—BOOM!
With one powerful use of Sonído, she was in front of him.
Swinging her sword at him, he created his own blade and clashed with her.
Sparks flew all around them.
The more they fought, the more Gabriel was growing.
As Harribel sent another tidal wave toward Gabriel, he took out two balls from his pouch and used Body Repel.
The thousands of souls that were trapped within did not want to fuse properly, and since they were put under so much pressure, once Gabriel had opened up an exit for them—
They could only expand outward.
Harribel's eyes widened a bit, as a beast with no eyes could be seen rushing toward her at breakneck speed.
She didn't even have time to dodge and thus could only block.
Gabriel came out of the creature's mouth before punching her weapon.
Cracks appeared all over her weapon.
BZZZT—BOOM!
That sound, as Harribel swung her blade behind her in an attempt to slash at what was waiting for her behind.
Her eyes widened a bit as she saw her blade making contact with a twisted being.
The being began to burn up... wait, that was a bomb.
She pulled her sword away just in time.
BZZZT—BOOM!
KABOOM!
And she was safe.
The explosion that followed was nowhere near her. She was safe.
She felt a palm making contact with her back...
The very next second... fire... a lot of fire could be seen in the sky.
KABOOM!
A/N....I wanted to mimic Mahito growth with Gabriel, how is it doing.