Into the Wasteland
The Senkaimon opened with a soft hum, its glowing threshold leading into a swirling tunnel of light. Harry stood just behind Ichigo and Renji, his scythe resting on his back as the group prepared to step into Hueco Mundo.
“Stay close,” Ichigo said, glancing at Harry. “Traveling through the Dangai can be tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.”
Harry nodded, gripping the chain of his weapon. He’d traveled through magical portals before, but this felt different. There was something unnatural about the air beyond the gate, as if the very world on the other side was hostile.
Kyōraku, who had decided to stay behind, leaned lazily against a wooden post. “Try not to die, yeah? Would be a shame to go through all that training just to get eaten by a Hollow.”
Harry rolled his eyes, stepping into the portal with the others. The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt a sudden pull, like his body was weightless yet being dragged forward at incredible speed. The tunnel of light surrounding them pulsed with energy, and before he could fully adjust, they emerged—
—into darkness.
The sky was an endless void, neither day nor night, just an oppressive expanse of black. The ground beneath them was pale, cracked, and cold, stretching endlessly in all directions. Towering formations of white stone jutted out from the sand, casting eerie shadows.
Hueco Mundo.
Harry exhaled, gripping his scythe. He could feel it in the air—malice. This place was alive with something unnatural, something hungry.
Renji scanned the area. “The scouting team’s last known location was near the ruins of Las Noches.”
Ichigo nodded. “Then let’s move. Stay alert.”
The group moved swiftly, their Shunpo propelling them across the wasteland in bursts of speed. As they traveled, Harry’s mind raced. This was his first real mission—his first real fight as a Shinigami. He knew he was strong, but was he ready?
As if to answer his thoughts, a sudden roar split the air.
Harry turned just in time to see three massive Hollows emerge from the sands, their grotesque masks gleaming under the pale light.
“Looks like we’ve got company,” Renji muttered, already drawing Zabimaru.
Ichigo cracked his knuckles. “Good. I was getting bored.”
The Hollows lunged.
Harry reacted on instinct. He spun his scythe, the chain extending as he swung. The blade cleaved through the first Hollow’s mask with ease, disintegrating it in an instant.
The second Hollow lashed out, claws swiping toward him. Harry ducked, twisting his weapon mid-motion—the chain wrapped around the creature’s arm, and with a sharp yank, he pulled it forward, slamming the butt of his scythe into its mask. The force shattered it instantly.
Renji whistled. “Not bad, newbie.”
Harry exhaled, but there was no time to relax. The third Hollow was faster, lunging toward him before he could react—
Then, in a blur, Ichigo was there. With one clean swing of his Zanpakutō, the Hollow was bisected, vanishing into nothingness.
Harry let out a slow breath, lowering his weapon. That had been fast—too fast. He was strong, but Ichigo was on an entirely different level.
Ichigo glanced at him. “You okay?”
Harry nodded. “Yeah. Just… getting used to this.”
Ichigo smirked. “You’ll get there.”
Renji crossed his arms. “We should keep moving. If Hollows are already showing up, something’s definitely wrong.”
Harry agreed. The air felt off, like something bigger was lurking just out of sight.
And as they moved deeper into Hueco Mundo, something watched them from the shadows.
Something that knew Harry Potter’s name.