Chapter 02

Transcendence

Chapter 02: Welcome to the World of Warcraft?

The first thing he felt when he woke up was pain, not intense burning pain like when recovering from a stab wound or cut, but pain from stiff and aching muscles, he couldn't remember how he ended up like this. He was in Heuco Mundo and he was fighting Grimmjow, he won… Then that Espada came along. He couldn't beat him and then, when he was done, he threw Ichigo through a portal... Realization dawned on Ichigo, he was thrown through a portal and ended up in some Hell dimension and was fighting against demons and other unholy creatures. And then he was fighting some sort of vampire/Satan thing. Then it was all such a blur, he was in some sort of city, and then he was in a fight with some tree... After beating it he was able to escape. He went through the forest and then he remembered that Espada and Orihime, he killed her… No, it was a hallucination.

She wasn't dead, she couldn't be, they needed her, and if he could just get out of here he could return there and bring her back, he needed to get home, he had to get back so that he could save Orihime, he needed to stop Aizen, and he needed to get out of here!

"Ah, I see your awake, good." A softly spoken voice was heard off to the side. Ichigo whipped his head around, and paid for this when he felt his muscles burn from the rapid action. He squinted and tried to deal with the pain. "Do try not to move too much. You're in no shape to move a finger at the moment."

Ichigo opened his eyes and saw a woman kneeling next to his bed, but it wasn't the normal run of the mill woman he had met before. This woman may be human in shape but she wasn't part of the same species, the purple tanned skin, long ears and glowing eyes made that very apparent. She wore robes of brown, black and gold which stretched down to her ankles, also she had long green hair that hung freely and blue tattoos over her eyes. And from what he could make out she was tending his wounds, odd cloth wrappings covered the majority of his body.

"You're lucky to be alive, had the sentinels not found you on their return here, you would likely have died. You were heavily wounded and were suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition." Said the unknown elven woman, which Ichigo was staring at with wide eyes and a slight gaping mouth. Which she took notice of and stared at him oddly "What?"

"What are you?" Ichigo asked, clearly not having a clue what she was.

"I'm a Night Elf, I would think you would at least know about us, after all we're allies are we not?" She asked, only for Ichigo to stare at her still, almost in disbelief of what he was looking at. "Please stop looking at me like that."

"Uh, sorry..." He said, turning his head away and shutting his mouth.

He calmed himself down and looked around. He could see he was in a large room, it looked like the entire thing had been made of wood, no brick or mortar could be seen, many colors, brown, purple, blue and green all enriched the room with an almost natural design. He could see a large balcony on the other side of the room that looked over a large forested region, he could also hear the ocean and the people, he must have come across a town, filled with Night Elves, and he was still trying to wrap his head around that.

"Hey, can you tell me who you are and where I am?" Ichigo asked.

The woman looked up from redoing his bandages and smiled at him kindly before replying.

"My name is Shyria. I am the Inn Keeper within this place, which is known as Feathermoon Stronghold ." Replied Inn Keeper Shyria.

To which Ichigo was even more confused, where the hell was he?

Ichigo had been left alone for the better part of the day, only visited by the Inn Keeper and another elven man to help with his healing, which was surprising, when he healed him, he didn't just feel his wounds and bruises being healed but also felt his body being rejuvenated. He asked him how he did that and he chuckled and said he was a Druid, which by his accounts sounded like the most obvious thing in the world, and the world he was on right now was not Earth or Soul Society or Heuco Mundo, which was bad, very bad.

<p class="MsoNormal">If he was no longer on earth or anywhere near it then it was likely he was on some god forsaken planet stuck in the middle ages, but based off the attire and the fact everything was made of wood meant that he was likely in a place where metal crafting didn't exist yet. But they could use 'magic' it would seem, which may be a good thing, if they can heal his wounds and rejuvenate his body then they may be able to send him back, he needed to talk with someone about this.

<p class="MsoNormal">Orihime, Chad, Rukia, Nel, Renji, Ishida... They were all in danger, he had to get back, there was nothing else to think about. Once he healed up and was able to walk he would head out and see if he could find someone to help him with his problem.

<p class="MsoNormal">There had to be someone here that could help him. After all when he was in that ruins those people looked like they had knowledge on the supernatural. After all they had a massive demon imprisoned in their city, so they must know about where they come from and know how to get there.

<p class="MsoNormal">Though the idea of traveling through that place didn't exactly sound like the perfect plan for him it was the only one he had, he had to get back there and try to find a way back through, it was the only way he knew that could take him back to earth.

<p class="MsoNormal">But before he could think any more on this he felt fatigue kick in again. He was always tired, he could only stay up for an hour or two before going back to sleep. Even he couldn't understand why he couldn't remain awake, but there was someone who did.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Is he a demon?" Asked Shyria, referring to Ichigo who was resting within the room just off to the side.

<p class="MsoNormal">They had been treating him for the last four days now. At first it was only treatment with magically imbued bandages, but now they were treating him with the restorative abilities of the Druids.

<p class="MsoNormal">"No, he is human, but he carries a demonic taint on him." replied Quintis Jonespyre, Druid of the Cenarian Circle.

<p class="MsoNormal">He had long outlandish green hair and a beard to match, he wore simple green and brown shirt and pants.

<p class="MsoNormal">"A Warlock then, they aren't uncommon amongst the human race." That was true, Warlocks usually have a demonic taint on them due to siphoning power from the twisted nether in order to increase the power of their abilities and his robes, may not be intimidating ,they were black. Most Warlocks preferred black or purple, don't know why, they just did.

<p class="MsoNormal">"No this is different, he has the taint of being in contact with a demon or demons, but there is another force that seems to exist within him, a part of his being if you will." Replied Quintis. He was very fascinated with this man's condition. He appeared human yet he possessed a demonic signature, he had studies and examined him very closely since them. "While I was healing his wounds, I tried to see what the cause of it was, and I found that it was similar to Mana fatigue."

<p class="MsoNormal">"If he can harness Mana, then he must be a sorcerer of some kind..."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, but when I tried to restore it, his body rejected it, it took it in and as time went it rejected it, almost as if it was some foreign disease."

<p class="MsoNormal">That was very odd, every single person has some amount of Mana in their system. Only those who have a greater concentration in their body are able to manipulate it and use it. But this boy had a completely different signature than to everyone else, almost like he was born stagnant, but he was born with something else, but the things was, though it may appear demonic and foreign in nature, there was something about it that made it almost familiar to the green haired Druid.

<p class="MsoNormal">"So, if it isn't Mana, then what is it?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"I do not know." Was all Quintis could say.

<p class="MsoNormal">As they were speaking the two were approached by a third person.

<p class="MsoNormal">She had long blue hair that was tied into a pony tail and wore a form fitting purple and blue armor, her glowing eyes scanned the room and the door that led to the person the other two elves were conversing over.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What have you found out about our guest?" Said the unknown third speaker.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Nothing much, but he says his name is Ichigo." Shyria said.

<p class="MsoNormal">"An odd name, even for a human..."

<p class="MsoNormal">"True, he appears to be suffering from fatigue, more accurately Mana Fatigue, but it isn't Mana that he needs." Replied Quintis.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Then what does he need?" Both of them could only shrug before Quintis replied again.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I cannot say, but I think with some more treatment I can have his body substitute the required source of power with that of Mana, and then he may start to recover his strength."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Not just yet, we don't know what he is capable of yet, let us wait for him to recover on his own, and then we will see." Said the woman wish a wave of her hand.

<p class="MsoNormal">She had no idea what this person was and the last thing she needed while dealing with the Hatecrest Naga was an unknown being within her domain without letting it get stronger.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Yes, Shandris." They both said.

<p class="MsoNormal"> Three Days Later

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo finally was able to get out of bed, he had been cooped up in there for nearly a week.

<p class="MsoNormal">They said that they found him six days ago on the road covered in cuts and bruises and surprisingly soaked. They also said that he had been bandaged up with rags before he came here. This meant that someone had saved him before he came here, and from what he could remember it was likely that shadow on the bridge and the one who pulled him from the river that saved his life.

<p class="MsoNormal">When they brought him here they said he was not only suffering from physical exhaustion but also Mana Fatigue, which they explained was a lack of energy. He understood them perfectly, his Reiatsu was nearly all gone and was trying to make up for that.

<p class="MsoNormal">It had taken nearly three days for it to get to a level where he could walk again, but even so he was still not walking right. His feet kept getting caught on risen pieces of dirt and rock on the road, nearly making him fall to the ground in a heap. They hadn't returned Zangetsu to him though, that he could understand, after all these people probably didn't know who he was or if he was part of that Alliance they were talking about.

<p class="MsoNormal">He would need to ask a few questions to know what's going on around here.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he was walking he could see dozens of trees and many houses across the small isle. This place looked more like a village rather than some sort of military stronghold, but from the size of the army here they make up for it with numbers rather than defenses.

<p class="MsoNormal">He could see over a hundred female warriors in armor and holding a three prong glaives in hands, but he also noticed that many of them were casting glances at him as he walk by, and some he saw them sneer and narrow their eyes at him.

<p class="MsoNormal">What the hell was their problem? What had he done to them? He pushed it to back of his mind for now, he needed to find out where he was and for that to work he needed to find someone to talk to that could answer his questions and be straight with him. Where was he going to find someone like that, this entire place was full of civilians and by the looks of it, soldiers that would like nothing more than to stick him like pig and hang his carcass from one of the trees. Where was he going to find someone to speak with?

<p class="MsoNormal">"What? These prices are ridiculous! How can I afford my way back home when you make these ridiculous prices?" Shouted an unknown woman to Ichigo's right.

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked like she was arguing with a human merchant, over animal skins.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Adelina, you know full well that this is the set price, it's not my fault you can't afford them." Said the merchant, crossing his arms over his chest and not backing down in his resolve.

<p class="MsoNormal">"But... But this is unfair, how am I supposed to get money together to get back home, when I can't make any money if you keep upping your prices?!" She whined at the merchant.

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked up at the sky while her shoulder slump, she was in a bind.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Hey, I give you supplies so you can do your business and besides… It's your own fault you're here, from what you told me you got lost while in Stonetalon Mountains ! How the hell did you get across the Desolace and here is beyond me!" He retorted back at her, at which she pouted at before turning on her heels and marching off like a temperamental child.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo found it a little funny; he cracked a smirk before he continued on his way.

<p class="MsoNormal">He walked around the stronghold for a while, looking at the sights or better lack of. There wasn't much to this place other than a stronghold meant to keep an eye on the place, which was odd, and there wasn't really anything here to keep an eye on. All he could see were a couple of buildings and a few stores that seems only to exist to equip and feed the soldiers here, while everyone else seemed to either be passing through or just living here on their own volition.

<p class="MsoNormal">He sat near the docks a looked out over the ocean as the sun began its descend over the horizon. He could only think about home, how he was stuck here, could he return home? Was he stuck in this fantasy world? Would everyone be alright without him?

<p class="MsoNormal">"You alright, young man?"

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo turned to look up to see a large Night Elf looking down at him. He could see through his hard face that he was actually looking down at him with some concern. He wore shorts and suspenders, and stunk of fish and the sea. He was likely a fisherman or sold seafood.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo nodded to him before turning back to the ocean.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I have a lot on my mind." Said Ichigo

<p class="MsoNormal">"Don't we all? What is it that weighs so heavy on your shoulders that you cannot keep your own head up?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"My friends and family back home... I miss them, I'm worried about them, I don't know if their alright or not."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I see, being away from one's home is hard, especially for someone so young, adventuring may sound fun but once you start you begin to realize what you left behind."

<p class="MsoNormal">"You sound like you speak of experience."

<p class="MsoNormal">"I once lived in a place known as the Grove of Cenarius . For so long I had only memories of its beauty, my wife and daughter remained there while I slept." He said his voice sombre. Even though Ichigo knew not what the Elf meant when he said slept, he could only assume that he was probably on some sort of journey somewhere or was in some kind of coma. "I could remember its verdant meadows and the bubbling streams ran through them. The leafy corridors of the forest rang out with the music of songbirds. It was as close to a paradise as the world has ever known."

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo smiled at the description he gave his home, it did sound like a paradise, but from the way he spoke of it made it seemed like nothing more than a faded memory, his words were in past tense, something must have happened to his home.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I was not there when the Burning Legion corrupted it, giving it the name that it is now known for today: Felwood . I was still within the dream when it transpired, and when I did awake and made a journey to my former home I found only smoldering ruins, completely destroyed. My village, my friends, my family..."

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo put a hand on his shoulder, sympathizing with the man, he knew what it was like to lose family, he had lost his mother when he was nine years old, the pain and misery he felt from it was impossible to describe.

<p class="MsoNormal">"I lost my mother to a monster when I was young, right before my eyes." Said Ichigo, when the Elf looked at him. He didn't see pity or sadness in his eyes, he saw a determined look in them, as if her death, though sad, gave him purpose. "I was a wreck, she was everything to me, when I lost her I didn't know how to go on, but it was my dad who made me realize, that I still had him and my sisters. It was then that I decided that I would live up to the name that my mother gave me, that I would protect everyone precious to me, no matter what. I would not allow them to be hurt, that what my name is means 'He who protects'. I will live up to that name, and make sure no one harm my friends, my family, the innocent, that is who I am, and who I will always be."

<p class="MsoNormal">"You're a good kid, you will go far in this world, I can see it in your eyes, you will make a difference here." Said the fisherman, before shaking his hand in a more formal greeting. "My name is Harklane Renferal, former Druid of the Cenarian Circle ."

<p class="MsoNormal">"Ichigo Kurosaki." replied the young soul reapers with a small smile.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo walked into the Inn just as the rain began to fall from the sky, the sun was already passing over the horizon and the sun's rays creating an orange radiance over the ocean.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he entered Ichigo saw the Inn was packed with many people. Some of which were soldiers, who were sitting at the many tables and having a meal and drink while chatting to one another. He decided to call it a day and go to his room, as he did he spotted the Inn Keeper behind a counter, he sent her a wave as he passed and continued on.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shyria sent a wave back and watched the young man go back up to his room. She could see as he walked up several of the sentinels eyes him suspiciously, she wasn't surprised that Shandris would post several guard to make sure that their latest acquisition wasn't a threat, but come on, ten seemed a bit extreme. He was only a young man, if he did pose a threat one should be able to overpower him and subdue him before he caused any harm. She was hoping that is what they were order to do, just subdue him, of the times she did speak with him he seemed disheartened.

<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe the reason behind how he ended up here was the cause of his mood? He did tell them that he was attacked, but he didn't elaborate nor did they ask him to, he was starting to recover which could be both bad and good. If anything was to go by how the sentinels acted around him. She could tell that they thought of him as a demon or at least a user of demonic energy, but from what Quintis said he wasn't a demon and the taint seemed to be only from short term contact with demons, and his energy which was starting to reassert itself was becoming easier for him to read. It seems that though there appears to be demonic energy within him it is only an illusion, it feels dark but in truth it's just denser than regular Mana, like steel being denser than bronze, which was the only difference really along with the makeup of the energy, which he was still trying to discern.

<p class="MsoNormal"> The Next Day

<p class="MsoNormal">It was early morning for Adelina as she woke up to begin her daily grind.

<p class="MsoNormal">She ran her hands through her long blue hair and rugged her eyes with her palm to remove the dreariness from them, before getting dressed in her slightly ragged robes, which was the only set of clothing she had at the moment. She got dressed and looked herself in the mirror, taking a long good look at her face to see if there was anything on it that covered her markings. But like always it was clean and with her appearance complete she went off to do her job.

<p class="MsoNormal">She worked as an apprentice Leatherworker in Feathermoon Stronghold. She would help supply the sentinel army that was stationed here with quivers, armor and scabbards, and for her work she would be paid. But in order to make her wares she had to buy from that damn, greedy human. He was the worst, he would charge her outrageous prices, she could barely make a profit, what money she had left was put into getting back home.

<p class="MsoNormal">It wasn't her fault that while she was walking she ended up in the Charred Valley, and then was attacked by harpies and fire elementals until she ended up in Desolace. Then after being chased by those centaurs across the entire desert she was saved by a large Orc with a bear. But she knew better to stay and thank him and ran for it, and that was her undoing.

<p class="MsoNormal">She ended up in the middle of jungle... It was damp, hot and raining, and it was still hot even though it was raining!

<p class="MsoNormal">How did this happen?

<p class="MsoNormal">She was supposed to be training to be a great Druid and now she was stuck here in the middle of nowhere forced to work in menial labor. She wished she could go home or at least go on some adventure somewhere, but everyone thought she was an idiot... She wasn't an idiot, she could do things, in fact with her Leatherworking she would put in decorations to show off how good she was. Some had a bear, others had a stag and one had a cute rabbit on it, she could see on the surprised faces of the sentinels who took them up. She knew that they liked them and that they would flaunt her wares to all and then more people would come and she could sell faster and get out of here.

<p class="MsoNormal">Just as she was leaving the Inn and moving off to her stall she saw something near the shore.

<p class="MsoNormal">It looked like bubbles.

<p class="MsoNormal">Odd, why were there bubbles coming out of the water, was someone swimming? That sounded like a good idea. She could use a cold splash on her face to wake her up, as she walked over to the shoreline she cupped some water in her hands and splashed it onto her face, as she did she felt her entire body get soaked in water. She opened her eyes to see what happened and when she did she saw the large shadowy form of something in front of her. She looked up to see a large green reptilian body and a snakelike head looking down at her.

<p class="MsoNormal">She was looking up at a Naga.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Eh!" Was all she said before the Naga tried to skewer her with his trident.

<p class="MsoNormal">She leaped away with an 'eek!' before she turned and ran off like a panther, though she was a Druid it didn't occur to her to shift into one. She kept running while behind her a large force of Naga emerged from the sea and made their way onto land, leading them was the same one that tried to kill the young Druid.

<p class="MsoNormal">He raised his trident and bellowed to his warriors.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Slay them all, claim this isle in the name of Lord Shalzara!" Came the wet guttural words from the creatures throat, which resounding with a cheer of hisses and laughs, before dozens more began to emerge from the deeps of the water.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shandris Feathermoon rushed to her balcony to see her stronghold under attack. A small raiding party of Hatecrest Naga coming over the channel between Sandor Isle and the Isle of Dread. She cursed under her breath before she turned and grabbed her bow. She rushed from her room and to the ground where all the sentinels were fighting back against the Naga invaders. She could already smell the blood in the air and the sound of her sisters fighting and shedding blood to defend their home. Both theirs blood and the Naga's.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Sister, fight by my side." She said as she rushed out of the tower and released an arrow from its notch, sinking it into one of the eyes of a nearby Naga.

<p class="MsoNormal">She drew another and ducked under a swipe from a spear. With the newly drawn arrow she stabbed the serpent in the neck. It dropped its weapon and both its hand went to its jugular to stop the bleeding. It gurgled on its own blood trying to breath. She pulled her arrow free and used it to kill another Naga, piercing its heard and sending it to the ground with a heavy thud.

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked over to see her sentinels were fighting hard to push them back, but still the enemy was coming in from the ocean.

<p class="MsoNormal">They needed to find their leader and put an end to him.

<p class="MsoNormal">She pulled three arrows from her quiver and took aim, in a second they were notch back and she had already calculated the trajectory of each arrow. She released them and all the arrows sailed through the air and struck a different target each. Two Naga warriors and a Siren fell to the ground dead, arrows piercing their chests. She turned to the warriors behind her and motioned the into combat. She charged into the fray with little worry and at point blank range she dispatched more of the foul serpent searching for their leader.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo woke to the sounds of battle and fighting. He quickly got up from his bed and saw a massive battle going on through the entire stronghold, the sentinels were fighting against these large green skinned serpents, and from the looks of it there were a lot of dying people down there. He quickly turned around and rushed to the door. He had to get Zangetsu back and help, he was strong enough that he should be able to at least lend a hand, whether they like it or not, he was in as much danger as they were. He grabbed hold of the knob and opened it quickly, he rushed out and down the hall, and when he looked down from the balcony he saw that everyone inside was being backed into a corner by those serpents. The two sentinels were outnumbered six to one. He needed to find Zangetsu, but before he could even begin he saw one of the sentinels charge in to meet them head on her Glaive drawn back and ready to rend flesh.

<p class="MsoNormal">She was able to duck under the first ones thrust and cut deep into its stomach area, but the second one was able to clip her at the leg and knock her onto her back, she looked up to see a pike ready to skewer he through the chest, she gritted her teeth and waited for the end. But what came next was a complete surprise to everyone, for instead of her being killed, the Naga had its head knocked in by a sandal foot to the side of its face, flying through the air was the young human boy wearing tatter black baggy clothing. He kicked the Naga warrior up the side of the head and knocked it out along with some teeth. As he landed he turned to the other Naga and readied himself when they attacked.

<p class="MsoNormal">The first thrust its spear at him, but he ducked under it easily, and then, in a show of strength and martial prowess, the young human moved under the Naga's guard, grabbed hold of his arm and then flipped it over him and onto its head, knocking it out like the first. It lay there next to her and she could only gape at the strength this young human possessed, she quickly got to her feet and tried to resume the fight.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo turned to see another spear coming at him. He leaned to the side to avoid it, it passed by his head by a few inches, and then he stepped forward and punched to Naga in the gut, it lurched forward and spat up a wad of saliva and mucus. Ichigo was about to finish him off when he was attacked by another.

<p class="MsoNormal">The pike shot forward to pierce his heart, he leaped away from the weapon and the dazed Naga, which put him in the sights of another. Before he could react he was struck by its long snake-like tale, he felt the air rushed out of his lungs as he was sent sailing across the room and towards the huddling crowd. As he got to his hands and knees Shyria tried to help him to his feet, luckily he wasn't hurt that bad. He felt himself lurch but he luckily only had the air knocked out of him, he looked to the Inn Keeper and asked the only thing he needed.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Where is my sword?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"It's behind the counter." She replied, lifting him to his feet, and once that was done she backed off.

<p class="MsoNormal">He looked at the four remaining Naga who were now waiting for them to make the move. Ichigo turned to the two sentinels who were facing down the Naga warriors with grim determination, he walked up beside them.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Can you give me some time to get my sword?" Ichigo asked, he saw them looked away from the Naga and to the young human, the one he saved had a neutral expression while the other looked appalled by the idea.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Why should we risk our lives to help you?" She practically spat the words, which didn't affect Ichigo in the slightest, instead he maintained his calm and replied.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Because if I had my sword them we would have a better chance at killing these things, and that way we all get to survive." He looked at her and though she appeared to be annoyed she nodded none the less to the plan. "Alright, keep them distracted and I'll get my sword."

<p class="MsoNormal">In an instant all three of them shot forward, the two elven sentinels moving slightly ahead of the soul reaper and engaged the two closest Naga, while Ichigo had to weave between the two others, which readied their weapons to strike.

<p class="MsoNormal">The first swung his sword at the young human, but it was easily dodged. When he came up behind the first Naga he was beset by the second, who shot his trident at him. Ichigo sidestepped the blow and as he passed the serpent he jabbed him in the side for good measure. It hissed before it swung its weapon around to strike Ichigo as he run past. But on instinct Ichigo ducked under the attack and sprinted towards the counter.

<p class="MsoNormal">He leaped over the wooden stand and quickly searched for his sword under the counter-top, he didn't have to wait long before he found it. His cleaver-like Zanpakutō resting on the shelf wrapped in a thin white cloth, he grasped the hilt and as he pulled it free a shadow appeared over him, the Naga that he jabbed had followed him and had its spear overhead in both hands, leaping to the side he narrowly dodged the attack that shattered the bench and ground where he was once crouching.

<p class="MsoNormal">Rolling back into a crouch he leaped onto the counter and charged at the Naga, the cloth around his blade unwrapping itself from around the blade. He gripped his sword in both hands and swung it at the Naga, who quickly raised his spear to block the attack. The two metals connected to one another with a brilliant show of sparks and screeching as the two metals slid against one another. The Naga threw away the blade and swung his pike in a wide arc at the Shinigami.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo brought up his blade and blocked the strike, using his forearm as a rest for the blunt side of his sword to hold back the weapon. Ichigo gritted his teeth as the Naga continued to try and pushed the little human away, but Ichigo didn't budge an inch, instead he angled his blade so that the pike slid off along the surface before sliding off the blade entirely. As the spear shot forward without resistance so did its wielder. When this happened Ichigo countered, swinging his sword at the serpent's exposed side, cutting deep into its waistline area. It roared in pain before trying to retaliate, with one hand it swung its spear at Ichigo again, but instead of being met by the blade it was halted by the young Shinigami's hand.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo had turned and grabbed hold of the spear along the shaft with his left hand, he then twisted around and with his blade on his right hand did a one eighty before swinging his sword up in an upward arc, cutting a fatal wound into the Naga's exposed chest. It let out a watery gurgle before falling onto its back dead.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo turned to the last three Naga, he saw two on a single sentinel, she was struggling to deflect their attacks. Thinking quickly he twisted the spear in his left hand and readied it like a javelin and threw it with all his might at the closest of the two, it hits its mark dead center of the serpents back. It let out a shriek of pain before the sentinel changed it to a gurgle by slitting its throat. Ichigo then charge in his blade dragging along the floor as he charged; the Naga had only enough time to turn around before he was impaled, the blade sticking through his chest.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo started to turn away from the second Naga, while dragging the other that was still impaled on Zangetsu , when he turned ninety degrees he picked up speed and the Naga began to slide of his sword, by the time he did a one eighty the Naga was thrown off and now he was swinging it the other one. It raised its sword in an attempt to stop the attack, but only halted his demise for only a millisecond at most. Naga's blade shattered on contact with the soul cutter, leaving nothing to stop the blade from cutting the defenseless Naga in half, both its arms and body were cut in half, and a moment later all the body part came falling down.

<p class="MsoNormal">Exhaling a pent up breath Ichigo rested his Zanpakutō on his shoulder and looked at the carnage around him. No one was hurt, except some of the people were shocked at his display of swordsmanship with such a large weapon, they didn't think someone so young could be so strong. He didn't pay much attention to them before he turned around, there was still a battle going on outside and he could hear the clash of steel and the sound of blood being spilled. He gritted his teeth and turned to the two sentinels, who were just as aware as he was, without a word they ran out of the Inn and towards the battle.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shandris sent another Naga to his death, an arrow lodged in his heart. They were starting to turn the tide, the enemy may be large in number but they were not coordinating their attack. Their leader may not be rallying them to the fight but he also didn't allow them to falter. So if she found him and sunk an arrow through his heart then they could force these serpents back into the depths from where they came.

<p class="MsoNormal">But finding him was difficult, she saw no one that stood out amongst the lot and neither had any of her warriors. She stepped back as a bolt of frost veered towards her, intent on impaling her head; she turned to see a Siren snarling at her. Shandris pulled out an arrow and shot it towards the foul creature, but as expected from the siren she encased herself in a magical shield of arcane energy. She had to get close then, but the witch had a staff in her two upper arms along with two daggers in her lower ones, she would be difficult to defeat without injury.

<p class="MsoNormal">Charging at the sea-witch Shandris drew another arrow and fired it at the serpent. As expected the arrows were blocked by a shield of arcane energy, harnessing her bow she drew her short sword, as the arcane shield dropped Shandris was already upon her, acting quickly she approached one side and went for her upper arm.

<p class="MsoNormal">The blade cut through the Naga's flesh as easy it did the air. The Siren howled in pain and tried to retaliate but Shandris was not that easily caught off guard, she had her short sword parry the dagger and then leaped away from the sea witch before she could strike again.

<p class="MsoNormal">If she could remove the other arm then she could easily deal with her at range, but the same tactic does not always work a second time, she looked around to see if there was anything she could use to deal a killing blow, then she noticed something not too far from the witch of the depths. Pulling out her Glaive she threw it at the Naga, and the response was a shield to block the attack. Naga knew what she was planning on doing, going to her second arm and therefor removing her ability to cast any spells to defend herself, she wasn't falling for it a second time.

<p class="MsoNormal">When the shield appeared she felt the Glaive strike the semi translucent bubble, and from it she could see the Night Elf charging in again. She smiled at this, ready for the attack; her bubble began to fade when she saw the tip of her blade move through the shield. She reared back her daggers and with her staff she deflected the attack before it made its target, then she surged forward ready to eviscerate the Elf, but when she moved out she noticed that the Elf was not there. Instead all that she could see was the spear of one of her fellow Naga begin trusted aside by her staff.

<p class="MsoNormal">She didn't noticed until it was too late that the Night Elf had used the spear to trick her, by thinking it was the sword she knew that she would deflect it and then try to stab her, but since it was the spear she had move room to maneuver around the sea witches counter. This had her blades extend forward and her staff extended outwards from her body, leaving her vulnerable to attack, which the Night Elf took advantage of but cutting off the second arm with an upward slash, before leaping away from the wounded Siren.

<p class="MsoNormal">Another roar of pain escaped the serpent's lips before she rounded on the Sentinel General who now had her bow out and an arrow aiming right between her eyes. Naga shrieked as she charged at the Night Elf with little worry now about her life; it was as good as dead already. Shandris let her arrow fly and watched as it pierced the sirens forehead, its stopped momentarily to almost consider what had just happened before it fell back dead. She turned to see the current state of her forces, many were wounded and a few had been killed, but they were holding fast against the Naga onslaught.

<p class="MsoNormal">As she was surveying the surrounding area she heard a scream that drew her attention, she looked over to see a large green skinned Naga wearing thick plated armor over his torso and head, in his hand was a distorted trident of gold, he was moving along with two other large serpents. It seemed he was moving towards someone, a young Night Elf girl, she knew that one as Adelina.

<p class="MsoNormal">She was an unfortunate Druid who by means that even she couldn't fathom somehow ended up in the middle of Feralas with no way back home. She had been seen as quite an oddball, especially when it came to her unique leather goods, such as sheathes with pictures on them or leggings and shirts with very odd patterns, which were often very strange and hurt the eyes if you looked at them for too long.

<p class="MsoNormal">She cursed under her breath, she may be an odd girl but she didn't deserve to die here. She moved to intercept them but from the amount of adversaries between her and them it would be unlikely that she would reach them, just as she was about to move and engage the leader another Naga warrior appeared before her brandishing a sword. She cast one last glance at the leader and saw him raise his sword to finish off the young elf.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shandris growled, it didn't seem she would be able to saver her, she turned away from the scene before it occurred and focused on her current target, she would avenge her when she faced the Naga. What she didn't see however was the black blur that was charging towards that said Naga.

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina could only look up at the massive green scaled Naga before her in complete and utter terror. She was as good as dead, there was no way she could escape from him, she could only try and crawl away from him but even she knew it was futile. She was going to die here, with no one there to even care that she was gone, two months here and she had nothing to show for it except for a shop full of animal skins and a dream to get as much money together as possible and buy herself a ride back home.

<p class="MsoNormal">But even that was a dream in on itself, she had no home, she had no family, her mother and father died years ago, she was all alone and that is how she was going to die, with no one there to protect her, she had nothing left and nothing to lose, she couldn't hold back the tears anymore.

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked up to see the Naga raise his trident to finish her and she could see it glistening in the morning sun, at least she was going to die with something that actually looked impressive, that was probably the only highlight of her miserable existence, her inevitable end.

<p class="MsoNormal">She watched as the spear came down towards her and the next thing she saw was darkness...

<p class="MsoNormal">But it wasn't the darkness of death or loss of consciousness, no, someone had stepped in front of her and shielded her from the attack. She looked up to see a man holding back the trident with a large cleaver-like sword, but the most surprising thing was he looked so young, maybe a year or two younger than she was, and he was maybe half as small as the Naga he was holding off.

<p class="MsoNormal">"It's pretty cowardly fighting someone who can't fight back." The young man said, his words and tone strong and commanding.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You think I care for honor, these creatures mean nothing to me, they all deserve to be slaughtered!" Replied the Naga, his words sounded watery and full of arrogance, his opinion of her kind not very high.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You have no right to judge these people, nor do you have the right to kill them." He retorted before deflecting the trident to the side and making an attack.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo swung his sword at the Naga's chest, only for him to lean away from the attack. Ichigo gripped Zangetsu with both hands and held it in front of him.

<p class="MsoNormal">Glancing back at the girl behind him and gave her a reassuring smirk before saying.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Don't worry, I'll handle this guy, get somewhere safe."

<p class="MsoNormal">Those were his last words before he charged off to meet the Naga head on, leaving Adelina to watch in complete surprise, she didn't think she was going to be saved, but then he appeared out of nowhere and saved her...

<p class="MsoNormal">'''Who was he? Why did he save me?'''

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo swung down his sword on top of the Naga's trident, this one was very strong and not sluggish as his size made out. Naga threw away Ichigo's sword and made for his own attack, with both hands he drove his trident at Ichigo's exposed side, Ichigo leaned back to avoid it. He then grabbed hold of the trident by the shaft and then with Zangetsu in his right hand swung at the Naga, but his hand was caught by the serpents massive claw, with a hiss he threw Ichigo over his shoulder and away.

<p class="MsoNormal">As Ichigo flew through the air he was able to correct himself enough so when he hit the ground he rolled instead of slammed into it. When the young Shinigami finally stopped, he was force to leap away from the downward thrust from the Naga's trident, leaping forward and rolling he twisted into a crouch before rising to his feet to continue the fight, this guy was no pushover.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You think you can defeat me human? I am Fathom Lord Raj Zir'Kesh! I will make you suffer for opposing me!" Shouted the Naga Leader now known as Zir'Kesh.

<p class="MsoNormal">The Naga attacked again, the trident swung at him in a wide arc. Ichigo deflected it with his blade before moving in to attack his exposed right side, but Naga stopped the attack with his trident, by raising it up and then positioning it over his shoulder and covering his side, halting Ichigo's attack completely. With a flick of the serpent's wrist Zangetsu was knocked away.

<p class="MsoNormal">Zir'Kesh twirled his trident in hand before grabbing it in both claws and driving the pummel into the Shinigami's chest, knocking the wind out of him and pushing him back. Another twirl of the trident and its sharp protruding tips were descending down forwards him, he felt one slam into his shoulder and force him onto his knees. Then the trident was pulled back violently digging the serrated edge into his flesh.

<p class="MsoNormal">With a howl of pain Ichigo gripped his shoulder, he would have tried to make sure he was alright, but as soon as the weapon was pulled away the trident came rearing back at him, ready to pierce his chest with all three tips. Ichigo brought up Zangetsu and used the flat side of his blade as a makeshift shield.

<p class="MsoNormal">When the trident struck he was knocked from his knees and onto his back, Ichigo looked up to see the trident on his once more, knocking the offending weapon to the side with Zangetsu he was able to flip back away from Zir'Kesh while on his back and regain his footing. Ignoring the pain in his shoulder he continued his attack, lunging forward he traded strikes with the Naga, their weapons clashing many time and neither getting the upper hand over the other. Both had an advantage over the other. Ichigo was smaller and quicker than his opponent, while the Naga had a longer weapon and greater reach which allowed him to land a few successful blows against the Shinigami, but those blows appeared superficial and didn't seem to hinder the young man what-so-ever.

<p class="MsoNormal">With a single thrust of his sword Ichigo intended to impale Zir'Kesh, but his sword was stopped by the trident that trapped it between two prongs and the ground. Naga had planted his trident into the soil and trapped Ichigo's weapon along with it. But in a feat of strength Ichigo ripped his blade free from the vice between the trident and the earth and moved to attack again, this time a wide swing at Naga's right side, but his blade was halted when the Naga simply moved to the side and leaned on his staff, that was still planted in the earth, towards the sword.

<p class="MsoNormal">Then with a quick thrust with his second hand Naga ripped his trident free and spun it, knocking Ichigo's blade overhead and out of his two handed grip, and then returning his trident to his right hand speared it towards Ichigo. Ichigo was able to deflect the attack to his side with ease, and when he got Zangetsu back in both hands he lunged at the Naga aiming to split his head in two, but another twist and the trident was now over the Naga's head and blocking the strike.

<p class="MsoNormal">This series of events carried on for many minutes, either warrior trying to gain the upper hand against one another, but the battle itself did not go unnoticed to those around them, many had halted their own battles to watch the fight between a boy barely out of his teens and the toughest Naga present.

<p class="MsoNormal">Many were gaping at the fact that the young man was able to fight against the beast let along survive against him for so long, there was truly no way someone that young could hope to fight against a Naga with such skill and survive more than a minutes.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shandris looked on in surprise alongside her warriors. This was the boy that came here only a week ago and was dying of thirst and hunger along with exhaustion and yet here he was now fighting off an enemy that even she would not dare fight one on one with a sword.

<p class="MsoNormal">Who was this man that possessed such skill that surpassed all others his age? There was no way he was normal! She remembered what Qunitis said, he possessed a demonic energy about him. So was this the stem of his power, increase physical traits?

<p class="MsoNormal">Or was it something more?

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo and Zir'Kesh had been fighting to a standstill for nearly ten minutes and neither of them had landed a lethal or killing blow, though Ichigo had taken several cuts and scrapes he was none worse for ware, but there was going to be a change to that in a moment.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo charged Zir'Kesh with his blade held back and ready to perform an upward swing, but this was a feint. He was starting to understand this guy's rhythm, and he knew exactly what he was about to do next and he knew what he had to do to catch him off guard and land a telling blow. Zir'Kesh saw Ichigo rush attack and reacted accordingly, he stabbed his spear in a downward thrust; to either stab him as he charged or to force him to a halt, but what happened next surprised him beyond words and action. Ichigo slowed his movement down to prevent himself form being impaled, the spear implanted itself into the ground at an angle, and that was when he made his move, if he had done this anytime earlier in the fight he would have stopped like the serpent had intended him to, but he knew how to improvise.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo instead of stopping leaped into the air, and twisted as he flew towards the surprised Naga, who looked up to see to young human's body flying towards him at a horizontal angle, and then as Ichigo reached him he swung his sword from over his chest and down at the Naga's head. Naga had only the hindsight to move his head back far enough so it wasn't split in two, but that didn't save his eyes from being destroyed and a large gash being cut through his armor and into his chest, when that attack was done Ichigo twisted in the air and landed on his feet beside the now wounded Naga.

<p class="MsoNormal">Said Naga howled in pain and clutched at its now lost eye and slivered away from Ichigo, he spared a glance at the Shinigami to see him with a scowl on his features and determined eyes looking into his only remaining one.

<p class="MsoNormal">While around them there were many shocked faces, they didn't believe what they had just seen he had actually wounded Zir'Kesh with a flawless yet unbelievably reckless attack, which it would seem, will be what will gain him a victory over the serpent.

<p class="MsoNormal">Zir'Kesh charged in to repay him for his slight, but Ichigo was ready, and from there he began to make progress in fighting against the serpent. Ichigo deflected the attack to the side and then swung his blade up at the outstretched arm. Cutting a deep wound into the creatures forearm and arm, before the Naga swung his weapon towards Ichigo against, but it was easily dodged and allowed Ichigo to cut a shallow wound through the Naga's stomach. Its armor taking the brunt of the strike.

<p class="MsoNormal">Then he tried to stab him, but quickly Ichigo stabbed Zangetsu into the ground and had his blade block the attack alone, and as another surprise to all he relinquished his blade and leaped onto the shaft of the trident and used it as a jump point to attack the Naga. With a sweeping kick Ichigo struck the Naga in the head and knocked him out of his senses, the Naga jerked back violently from the blow and was holding his head trying get rid of the wave of dizziness that overtook him.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo stood a few feet away from the Naga and watched him intently. He knew that the fight was starting to turn to his favor but you can never be too sure about a slippery snake, after all he had no honor when it came to battle.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Serpent Guard to me!" he bellowed, and just like that he confirmed Ichigo's theory.

<p class="MsoNormal">Behind him two large Naga with silver trident slivered over, ready to assist their wounded lord against the difficult human. Ichigo looked on with a deep scowl on his features, this would be tricky, he may have mapped out Zir'Kesh's fighting rhythm but against two others along with him it would be difficult to fight, especially if they are stronger than the standard run of the mill Naga he had been fighting before this guy.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Kill him!"

<p class="MsoNormal">The two serpent guard slivered their way over to Ichigo, Zir'Kesh staying behind them and waiting for the opportune time to strike.

<p class="MsoNormal">A cowardly way.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo raised his sword and readied himself for the hard fight ahead, Ichigo ducked low and charged them.

<p class="MsoNormal">The first serpent guard speared his trident forward, Ichigo batted it away easily, they were nearly as large as Zir'Kesh but they were not as fast as him. As he did so the other attacked, attacking from the opposite side, but Ichigo was able to parry the blow just as easily. Zangetsu held the trident away from Ichigo, its prongs mere inches from his face, then from the young Shinigami's left the first serpent guard attacked.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo turned towards him and angled his blade to force the other serpent guard's trident to slide off and embed itself into the ground. As the first serpent guard shot his trident forward Ichigo deflected the attack downwards by stepping to the side and striking it from above, when both tridents hit the ground Ichigo retaliated, placing his foot on top of the second trident he held it down and kept the first stuck under it, with Zangetsu in his right hand he swung in a wide arc at them both. He aimed his blade to cut off both their heads in a single swing, the first Naga was able to lean back and avoid it from decapitating him, but the one with its trident pinned under the other one had the blade coming straight towards his front, he had no way to dodge.

<p class="MsoNormal">But to Ichigo's surprise and to the Serpent Guard's relief, Zir'Kesh intervene and halted the attack. The golden trident shot forward and caught the blade between its prongs, but the strike was also an attack, Zir'Kesh pushed his trident hard against the blade forcing it back towards Ichigo and the prongs along with it.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo had to bring up his other free arm to support his blade to prevent the brings from getting too close, this in turn forced him to lift his foot off the serpent guard's trident and allow them both to use their weapons again. Ichigo threw the trident off Zangetsu and sidestepped to the left. But as soon as he moved he was attacked by one of the Serpent Guards, a trident came down towards his head.

<p class="MsoNormal">Leaping away Ichigo narrowly avoided the blow and watched as it shattered the ground beneath it, Ichigo made to retaliated but when he did the second serpent guard shot his trident at him from his front and over the first serpent guard trident. Acting quickly he was able to knocked the attack away but when Zir'Kesh swung his trident down at him from up high Ichigo had to raise his blade to block the attack.

<p class="MsoNormal">And when he did block the golden weapon the first Naga attacked, from beneath the second silver trident the first swung it's at the young human. Catching Ichigo in the stomach he was knocked off his feet and causing the serrated edge along the outer prong to dig into the flesh of his stomach, blood and a howl of pain escaped from him before he landed with a heavy thud on his back, Ichigo looked up to see them charging in, he gritted his teeth and defended himself as best he could.

<p class="MsoNormal">All around him the fighting had stopped.

<p class="MsoNormal">There were no more contests between the Naga and the sentinels, only spectators watching a battle between three Naga and single human, whose skill with the sword rivals that of any of them here, they could see he was clearly outmatched. Yet through it all he gave it everything he had, no matter how insurmountable the odds seemed he didn't give up, still he had the grim determinate look in his eyes and even through it all he never stopped fighting.

<p class="MsoNormal">Shandris could only watch in marvel as he battled against them with skill that surpassed his age.

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina looked on in complete shock at the skill and power he possessed, there was no way someone could fight like that, at first he was losing and then he was winning, after that he was losing and now it seemed like he was holding his ground, barely, but still holding firm against the onslaught of those three. She could see he was in trouble, he was wounded and was bleeding pretty badly, if someone didn't do something he was as good as dead, but the battles had all stopped and everyone was watching it unfold, why?

<p class="MsoNormal">Why not go in and help him?

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina couldn't bear to watch as someone fights to the death not after saving her.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo leaped away from another strike as it planted itself into the ground where he once stood. As he landed he was forced to duck under the second Serpent Guard's trident, and then the Zir'Kesh attacked, shooting his golden trident at Ichigo while he was in a crouch. Ichigo gritted his teeth and leaned out of the way, but as the trident passed him he grabbed hold of the shaft and held the damn Naga in place while he attacked, he swung his sword in a wide arc to the Naga's exposed right side.

<p class="MsoNormal">He could see that he didn't have time to lean away or try to release his weapon. Just as it was a few inches from hitting its target another trident shot past between the Naga and Ichigo and halted Zangetsu, a dark smile creased its way onto the Leaders lips. Just them Ichigo looked to his left to see the other serpent guard moving to strike.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo hefted his blade free and tried to deflect the attack before it made contact. He was only partially successful. The blade had missed its target but one of the prongs was able to pierce his side, Ichigo let out a scream as the sharp metal cut through flesh and muscle. In retaliation Ichigo swung Zangetsu lazily at the Naga and it backed off quickly ripping the weapon free and forcing Ichigo to groan as the metal ripped even more of his side apart and left a good amount of blood spill onto the ground.

<p class="MsoNormal">Before Ichigo could try and defend himself a tail lashed out at him and sent him sailing through the air, Ichigo landed fifteen feet away from the three Naga and was lying flat on his stomach, for a moment everyone thought he was dead, but then he started to move, slowly fighting to get back on his feet.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Persistent little cockroach" Hissed the Zir'Kesh, twirling his trident in his hand as he approached the wounded young man.

<p class="MsoNormal">His intention was to finish the little pest off them finish off this stronghold, there was nothing that was going to stop him from doing either. Or so he thought.

<p class="MsoNormal">As he raised his trident to strike he felt great pleasure at killing this vermin once and for all, it may not make up for losing his eye but it was a start. He reared back his weapon and watched at the human turned to look up at him, he expected fear or possibly him to beg for mercy. But again he surprised him with his action, instead of fear or mercy he had the same determined look in his eyes and grim resolve, even in death he still thought he could hold against him, still he thought he could beat him.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You have lived long enough in my presence, worm." Hissed the Naga Lord.

<p class="MsoNormal">Then he shot his trident forward, but then he noticed that he found himself caught.

<p class="MsoNormal">[ Entangling Roots ]

<p class="MsoNormal">He looked over to his arm to see that it was entangled in roots. He had been ensnared by roots, someone was interfering with his battle!

<p class="MsoNormal">He turned to look over his shoulder from where the voice came to see a lone Night Elf standing there, shaking without control and utter terror in her features, she had both her hands extended forward and had a green energy coiling around her fingers. She was the one who interfered, the same one that escaped his wrath when that boy interfered. Hissing he turned to his Serpent Guard.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Kill that wretch!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Adelina looked off to the side to see the Naga moving in on her. She could feel her dread rising quickly, she knew that it was a stupid idea to try and stop them but what else could she do? She couldn't let them kill the person who had saved her, she couldn't just turn her back on him!

<p class="MsoNormal">She took a step back as the Naga reared back his trident to strike, when it swiped at her she fell away, only avoiding it because she fell to the ground. Again Naga raised its trident to strike, fear gripped her to the core and she could only look away. She looked over to see the shocked young man that had saved her, she could see replacing his determination and resolve was fear.

<p class="MsoNormal">He was worried about her?

<p class="MsoNormal">Maybe that was what he is like, someone who protects other for no other reason than they need protecting.

<p class="MsoNormal">It would have been nice to have him as a friend.

<p class="MsoNormal">She looked in the corner of her eye to see the Naga shriek as he sent his trident towards her. She couldn't watch anymore and shut her eyes tightly, she wanted to cry but she knew that she wouldn't be able to shed a single tear in the time it would take for the trident to hit.

<p class="MsoNormal">When she felt it she didn't expect it to be so painless, she felt something hit into her and she felt everything spin and then return to normal. But were was the pain and then the feeling of slowly drifting off into sleep? That was what she expected, not just some motion sickness and then nothing.

<p class="MsoNormal">She slowly opened her eyes to see that the Naga was no longer above her, instead it was replaced with the face of the young man that had saved her the first time. He was looking down at her, she could see into his deep brown eyes, she could feel them piercing into her own and she felt strength within his gaze. She felt almost minuscule under his scrutiny, even though she never had been looked down upon by her teachers before she had never been so daunted, it felt like Fangrel Staghelm was judging her. He was that overpowering that she couldn't even try to advert her gaze from his own.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You alright?" he said to her.

<p class="MsoNormal">His words strong yet light as he asked to make sure she was alright. She couldn't really form words to utter a reply, she could only nod dumbly at the young man that was holding her in his arms.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo looked down at the woman in his arms. He was lucky he was able to save her, she was only seconds away from being skewered. It was a good thing he had enough Reiatsu to Shunpo to her and get her out of harm's way. He looked up from her and at the three Naga that were now looking on in surprise at what transpired.

<p class="MsoNormal">He had actually gotten to her in the blink of an eyes and picked her up and moved her out of harm's way. They didn't know if it was some sort of teleportation ability or some sort of increase movement.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo put the young Elf down and stood up from his crouch, he stepped forward and stood between her and the Naga, and he held Zangetsu in his hand by his side and stared down the three Naga before him.

<p class="MsoNormal">"This is between you and me, you won't touch her." Ichigo said.

<p class="MsoNormal">He couldn't allow them to hurt her, he remember that face.

<p class="MsoNormal">He remembered that vision, he couldn't allow someone he was meant to protect get hurt!

<p class="MsoNormal">He wouldn't allow it!

<p class="MsoNormal">It didn't matter if it was his friend or someone he had never met before, he would never allow them to die because of him, not again! He would protect them and he would keep them safe, no matter the odds, no matter the situation, he would not fail them.

<p class="MsoNormal">"It matters not what you say, in the end you will die as will everyone else here." Said the Zir'Kesh, hefting his trident onto his shoulder and looking towards the human.

<p class="MsoNormal">Ichigo didn't reply straight away, instead he hung his head and thought about it. He thought about being here and how he was possibly stuck, he thought about Orihime, Rukia, Ishida, Renji, Nel, Chad, he thought about them all. If they were in danger, if they were hurt, if they were dead...

<p class="MsoNormal">He gripped his sword tightly.

<p class="MsoNormal">He couldn't allow that, he needed to get back, he couldn't allow them to win, he had to win this, he had to find a way home, he would protect them, and he would protect them all!

<p class="MsoNormal">"No." said Ichigo, the Naga made to say something, but before he could something began to happen.

<p class="MsoNormal">Around the boy a dim white light formed around him.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Abandon your fear" Ichigo could hear them, old man Zangetsu's words.

<p class="MsoNormal">The wind and dirt began to spiral around him before it shot out.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Look forward."

<p class="MsoNormal">The winds began to pick up and the air around them felt heavy, it was like the man was the eye of a small hurricane.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Move forward and never stop."

<p class="MsoNormal">Stone and dust were blown into the air.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll age if you pull back."

<p class="MsoNormal"> Naga and Elven people took a step back from the sheer force that was coming off of the human.

<p class="MsoNormal">"You'll die if you hesitate."

<p class="MsoNormal">It felt like he was a force of nature.

<p class="MsoNormal">"What do you want, to live or to win?"

<p class="MsoNormal">"I have sacrificed too much, fought to hard, to be beaten by the likes of you!" Ichigo's Eyes were burning with inner power. "I. Will. Win!"

<p class="MsoNormal">In an instant he disappeared, from where he stood he was now behind the two Serpent Guard. In only a fraction of a second both were engulfed in an explosion of dirt, wind and blood, their weapons shattered and their bodies went flying backwards, their eyes and mouths wide in shock, having not registered what happened just yet. They flew through the air for a few second before flying past Ichigo who stood ten feet behind them and three from the Zir'Kesh, who was shocked by the boys power.

<p class="MsoNormal">He looked into his eyes and saw his eyes glow with an unnatural force, it felt as if gravity had increase and the air in his lungs was seized.

<p class="MsoNormal">"There are people counting on me, I can't let them down, as long as I breathe, you will not beat me!" Proclaimed the substitute, raising his sword above his head which began to blow with a white light.

<p class="MsoNormal">Zir'Kesh eyes widened as the pressure increased further.

<p class="MsoNormal">What is he? Thought the Naga Lord Raj Zir'Kesh.

<p class="MsoNormal">The boy was beyond comprehension, there was no way he could still continue moving with those wounds nor could he fight with such strength! What was he?

<p class="MsoNormal">"I will not be beaten by a mere Human!" Shouted Zir'Kesh defiantly, sending his trident to impale the young man.

<p class="MsoNormal">But as he neared the body his weapon shattered in his hands, falling apart into nothing more than pebble size shards. Utter shock was all he could experience before blinding pain shot through his chest and body.

<p class="MsoNormal">A massive explosion of wind and dust covered the entire area around the two fighters, and a loud booming crash as metal destroyed metal.

<p class="MsoNormal">For all those who watched it was spectacle none thought they would have ever seen with their own naked eyes.

<p class="MsoNormal">From the cloud flew out the Naga Lord, his armor destroyed and what pieces of it that remained continued to fall apart and away from him, revealing a deep gash through his chest. Blood flowed freely and in large quantities from the savage wound. He hit the ground with a thud before bouncing off it and smashing into a nearby tree. The Naga Lord slid down the lengths of the tree and had his back resting against it, a choking cough escaped his lips before it took in watery breaths trying to breathe, but it was the end for him. He would never be able to recover from the wound that had been dealt to him.

<p class="MsoNormal">Zir'Kesh looked up to the human that had killed him... No, not human, something else. He was definitely not human, he was something else entirely! He had utterly annihilated him with a single swing of his sword, he had been brought low by something he could not describe.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Not… human…" those were his last words.

<p class="MsoNormal">The light faded from his eyes and the air parted from his lungs forevermore.

<p class="MsoNormal">All around the battle were frozen in place, the sentinels where shocked beyond words at the power this human wielded, while the Naga were terrified of it.

<p class="MsoNormal">He stood there his blade held at the climax of a downward slash, the ground beneath him ruptured and a trench eight feet in length straight ahead of him, a simple swing of the sword had created a eight foot long trench and who knows how far deep.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Retreat!" Shouted a Naga warrior. "Flee… Lord Zir'Kesh is dead!"

<p class="MsoNormal">Like that the Nagas slivered their way off the isle, as quickly as they could. The sentinels doing nothing to stop them, their attention still on the young human who stood motionless in the middle of the small battleground, his head hung low and his sword still pointing towards the ground. Shandris along with two other approached him slowly, not too sure if he is a threat or not, although if he saved the young Elf then it is possible that her worries are unfounded, as she drew close enough she saw him breathing very heavily and sweeting.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Human…. Are you alright?" Asked Shandris.

<p class="MsoNormal">Inconspicuously she was reaching for her short sword should he try and attack her. As she drew closer he swayed to the side and began to fall, he lost his grip on his sword and fell to the ground. Just as he was about to hit he was caught by the sentinel general. She laid him down on the ground and crouched by his side, she could see the weariness in his eyes and features, obviously that attack had taken a lot out of him, similar to how he was brought here a week ago.

<p class="MsoNormal">"Get the wounded to the healer!" Commanded Shandris.

<p class="MsoNormal">She turned back to the human and saw he had slipped into unconsciousness, she didn't know what to make of this, what the hell happened? What was that power he possessed, she would find out, as soon as he awoke she would find out all she could about him.