The Last Quincy Chapter 5

Karakura Town Ruins. World of the Living. 4027 A.D. Fifty years after Cataclysm.

Dust blew on what was still standing of Karakura Town. A place that was once the spirit nexus of the World of the Living had been in ruins for five decades. Although life did exist in certain areas the city’s inhabitants were under threat by both Hollows and Soul Hunters. On the outskirts of the city a Garganta opened on a plateau, and out stepped five figures. The first was Steven Corvinus followed by his son Akuro and his subordinate Yuki. They in turn were followed by both Genryusai and Shigekuni Kurogami who closed the Garganta behind them.

Steven walked to the edge of the plateau and looked out at the ruined city. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here,” he said as a wave of nostalgia hit him. “I remember the first Hollow outbreak. We didn’t stand a chance.” Steven pulled out a cigar and lit it as he remembered the events of that day fifty years ago. Gargantas had opened in the sky, and numerous Hollow descended upon Karakura Town wreaking havoc on living and dead alike. Steven along with Akuro and Yuki were a part of a unit tasked with getting the situation under control. The Soul Reaper forces were overrun with only a handful of survivors. Many humans and Soul Reapers died that day. Akuro and Yuki stood on either side of Steven remembering those that had fallen.

Both Genryusai and Shigekuni joined the three by the edge. The two hadn’t been to Karakura Town since the Cataclysm. Although they avoided forming relationships with humans, they couldn’t help but pity them. “It’s hard to believe that there are still people living there,” Shin said. “There could be Soul Hunters in the area, and I highly doubt that they will give us a warm welcome,” Gen said.

Steven smiled to Genryusai’s comment. “Well that’s why we’re gonna need some of these,” he said. Steven turned to the twins pulling two light machine guns from his uniform. He handed them to the brothers while Yuki whispered to Akuro about his father being a gun nut causing him to chuckle.

“I don’t know,” Shin said. “I never really liked guns.” The twins had only had a few decades of training with firearms. Their father, Ranma Kurogami, taught them that by wielding a blade they feel the weight of the life they take. Guns took away this sensation that they believed to be vital for a warrior.

“Uncle is right,” Gen said stuffing the gun into the sash on his waist. “If we want to keep the balance stable, these are the best weapons to use.”

Of the two brothers, Genryusai was considered to be the most like their father. He was focused, patient, and always though a situation though taking every possible outcome in account. He knew that if they were to encounter Hollows, their Zanpakutos would be the best choice of weapon. This would not be the case with Soul Hunters since killing a living being with a Zanpakuto could do damage to the spiritual balance, or what was left of it. Shigekuni on the other hand was the exact opposite of his brother. He was rash, impulsive, and very perverse. This could be seen with the relationship he shared with Steven’s subordinate Yuki. Although she had no problem with his behavior, Gen would constantly scold him for it.

Shin sighed knowing that he was right. “If you say so bro,” he replied. Shin looked over at Steven who was fiddling around with a heavy machine gun. “You ready to go Uncle Steve?” Shin asked.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Steven responded as he fed an ammo belt into the heavy machine gun. He cocked the hammer of the gun and placed it on his back beside his chainsaw-bladed Zanpakuto. He turned to the others who nodded to confirm they were ready to move out. With that, Steven, Akuro, and Yuki vanished while both Genryusai and Shigekuni changed into black wispy smoke and disappeared.

An hour passed as the group moved though the outer part of the city. They eventually reached what was once the shopping arcade of Karakura Town. It was once a place full of people lining the streets and crowding the stores. Now the only sign of life were fires scattered around the arcade gave little light to the darkness that was consuming the city.

“This place gives me the creeps,” Shin said to Yuki. He knew that she wouldn’t share the same concern as him, but it was Shin’s desire to hear how his lover would respond.

“Heh, this is nothing,” Yuki said with a grin. She knew what Shin was trying to do, but she couldn’t be bothered by his attempt to amuse himself during the mission. She looked to her captain who was scanning the streets for life.

Steven caught several glimpses of Hollows passing between the buildings as the group continued forward. Those Soul Reapers that remained in the World of the Living before being taken by Soul Hunter reported changes in the behavior of the Hollows. They used to hunt alone, but after the Cataclysm many began to congregate and hunt in organized packs. A theory was that the Hollow’s sudden change in eating behaviors from dead to living beings was increasing their intelligence. Whatever the reason the Cataclysm had made them more dangerous than ever.

A flash of heat lightning lit up a darkness revealing a pack of Hollows. They crawled out of the ruined buildings spilling silently into the street behind the group. The pack looked menacing as many were wearing the bloodied husks of dead humans. Unknown to the Hollows, the group was aware of their presence, and were ready to turn on the pack at any moment. They slowly moved their hands toward their Zanpakutos as they continued to walk forward. They turned around with their blades drawn and the pack was ready to strike.

“THESE ARE GUEST OF WHAT IS STILL MY TERRITORY!!” a voice shouted. Everyone had stopped. The Hollows ran off frightened by the voice. Once the Hollow pack was out of sight, the group turned around to find the source of the voice. They saw a man step out from behind the building ahead of them. He was slender with short red hair and blue eyes. He wore a leather jacket with a pair of black leather pants with a chain coming off of it. Following after him was a Hollow shaped like a jackal that stood beside the man in the center of the street looking at the group. “That’s the thing about Hollows,” he said with a smile. “When they get hungry all manners go out the window.”