The Monster in the Sky
The scream tore through the air like nails on glass, rattling Harry’s bones. He instinctively reached for his wand, heart pounding as he snapped his gaze upward.
And then he saw it.
A massive, hulking creature loomed above, its body draped in black, its face covered by a grotesque white mask with hollow, soulless eyes. Its mouth twisted into a jagged grin, sharp teeth gleaming in the morning light.
This was no ordinary ghost.
The spirit beside him let out a terrified wail. “It found me!”
Harry barely had time to process what was happening before the creature moved. It lunged—fast, impossibly fast for something so large.
MOVE!
Years of battle instincts kicked in. Harry grabbed the spirit and threw himself to the side just as the creature’s massive clawed hand slammed into the ground where they had been standing. The pavement cracked under the impact, sending debris flying.
Harry rolled to his feet, his wand already in his hand. “Stupefy!”
The red beam of magic shot forward, hitting the creature square in the chest—
And did nothing.
The monster barely flinched. It cocked its head, as if confused, before letting out another bloodcurdling screech.
Harry’s mind raced. That should’ve done something. Even the toughest magical creatures reacted to stunning spells. But this thing? It didn’t even acknowledge the hit.
The spirit whimpered behind him. “You can’t hurt it… only Shinigami can…”
Shinigami? Harry didn’t have time to ask. The creature was moving again.
It raised a massive claw, and this time, Harry knew he couldn’t dodge in time.
Protego!
The shield spell erupted just as the claw came down, slamming against the invisible barrier. For a brief moment, it held—but the sheer force sent Harry skidding backward, his heels digging into the cracked pavement. His shield flickered, struggling against the overwhelming strength bearing down on it.
What the hell is this thing?!
And then—
A flash of orange and black.
Something shot past Harry like a blur.
A split second later, the creature let out a deafening roar as a massive blade tore through its side, sending black ichor splattering across the ground.
Harry barely had time to register what had happened before the newcomer landed in front of him, sword held loosely at his side.
Spiky orange hair. Black robes. A presence that crackled with raw, unseen energy.
Harry didn’t need an introduction.
Even before the stranger turned his head slightly, brown eyes narrowing in recognition, Harry knew exactly who he was looking at.
Ichigo Kurosaki.