Ichigo POV:
"Did you really think it would be that easy to convince me to give up information? To this day you insist on insulting me. The scars from our previous battle may have healed, but my vendetta has yet to be repaid."
Hubri let his cloak fall revealing his toned and intimidating physique.
"Where?" I ask calmly.
"Where else?"
"So just like our last battle I see."
Suddenly, Hubri began floating off the ground. I did the same.
We flew through the sky leaving behind the palace. I looked back once to see if Machi was alright. I felt worried leaving him behind, but the battle about to take place could kill a weaker demon if they merely stood too close. I didn't even know where we were headed was far enough.
I couldn't sense any demons near him so I believed he would be fine.
After a few minutes, we landed in a large, abandoned colosseum named Liberum Caelum. An ironic name, for there was no hope for those who had been held in these gallows.
We landed in the center of the arena. The places where the walls had yet to erode stood high. Thousands would sit and watch demons fight to the death. The contestants would usually be weaker demons with only one or two horns. They were usually slaves and forced to battle for entertainment. But sometimes, random demons would be kidnapped if the slave number was too low.
There's not much entertainment in this realm, so each fight would fill the arena to the maximum. Even the fights that were considered boring, like both combatants being too weak or one demon was way stronger than the other would garner thousands to attend.
How ironic the two most powerful battles to take place in this arena will be viewed by no one.
"Now isn't the time to get lost in nostalgia."
Hubri's sudden words interrupted my thoughts. He was crouched on the ground touching the dark arena floor. Even hunched over he was massive.
"What was younger me thinking fighting him?"
The blood stained floor seemed to bring back different memories for him. There was a conviction in his eyes I had not seen before.
Then, he stood up to his full height and let his power surge.
It was heavier than the power he displayed before I entered his palace. The power of an eight horned demon was truly monstrous. This would be the first time I faced a demon of this strength. To think he has yet to transform as well.
But I won't let my resolve waver. Slowly, I unsheathed my blade. I allow anima to flow throughout my body making sure it doesn't leak out yet. Even though he can't sense it, his power over Authority lets him sense any ill intent aimed his way and how strong it is. Flexing my anima will let him know my strength. Better to not play all my cards yet.
Taking a deep breath, I relax my nerves and lower myself into my battle stance. Hubri does not follow my example.
Standing tall and proud, he slowly lifted his arms at his side, inviting me to attack.
An obvious bait if it was any demon except the one in front of me.
I obliged him.
Biting my thumb, I let blood flow down my finger. I then pressed my thumb on the blade near the hilt and dragged it across coating the steel in blood. Incantations flowed from my lips like a long-rehearsed prayer.
And in one fluid motion, my blade carved through the air in a horizontal slash. The wind followed the path my blade carved and ripped through it like a rabid beast.
There was no doubt his Authority was screaming at him to dodge. Yet still, Hubri stood motionless and... relieved? Even when the wind cut through his stomach like a hot knife through butter, there was no hate or anger in his face. Only gratitude.
When the top half of his body collapsed, his still standing legs wobbled before also toppling over.
"What? Tha-that's it?"
I let contra flow through my body to sense if the great demon had truly fallen in such a disappointing manner.
He really was dead.
A weird feeling rose from my stomach.
Before facing a great enemy, people usually expect great resistance. They overthink trying to plan for every possible way they can survive. When they win, they feel overwhelming relief. But when they win so easily, it feels almost disappointing.
It's strange to be disappointed by such a thing, but for such a character to die like this… it is truly pitiful.
But there were other things to be done. I say a silent word of prayer for the demon and return to the palace.
~
"What the fuck? Just like that?"
Machi was just as confused as I was. All I could do was shrug.
"Yup. Just like that. I know you said he had changed, but to this degree is insane. What happened while you were here."
Machi took a moment to think before speaking.
"I guess he looked happier."
Seeing the shock on my face, Machi continued.
"On the surface he looked as detached as ever. He rarely spoke to his subordinates as equals, never praised them and hardly ever looked their way. But there were a couple times when I would catch a smile on his face. And it wasn't the condescending kind either. A real, genuine one."
The concept of Hubri smiling frightened me more than fighting him. It was such an odd image to wrap my head around. I almost wanted to say Machi was lying, but my companion wasn't the type to lie.
"Could you find out why he may have felt happy?" I asked.
Machi scoffed at the question.
"His subordinates are extremely loyal. No way would they spill any information about their general to a demon who just joined their ranks. Much less a demon as weak as me."
That was good judgement on his part. Hubri's ranks were filled with demons who have a psychotic devotion to him despite them being filled with demons he defeated or his subordinates defeated. Because of this, his army was by far the largest amongst the defiled, yet also by far the most loyal. To this day, I never understood why.
"Now don't say that about yourself," I say patting his back, "You're as strong as any defiled with that heart of gold my friend."
He tried to give a look of irritation, but he couldn't hide his blush.
"Now then, I think it's time to explore the home of the great demon."