To All of Eternity

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

This Is the Dream

"So a tour... I suppose I will try to provide you adequate time to look at the thrilling tourist attractions of the Dungeon," Asfi dryly commented as they walked down the path of the Dungeon.

"If you don't want to come, then just give me the map and I can go where I need," Ichigo replied dryly.

"I have some packages to deliver down there, anyhow, so I don't mind. Besides, anything to get Hermes-sama to do his work is a good thing," she reassured. "But again, I doubt we can stroll for too long."

Ichigo looked to his feet as they walked leisurely through the Dungeon. He then grabbed the smaller blade of Zangetsu and looked at it. I wonder if I can still fight...

And as if the Dungeon itself heard his thoughts and found it amusing to grant it, a pack of monsters emerged from the wall.

Asfi drew her dagger, her form staggering into a combat stance. "Stand back!"

Ichigo looked to the pack of fresh monsters, all of which were bipedal wolves. Their hungry gaze immediately setting itself on him and Asfi.

"Can I take care of this?" he asked as he walked past his guide with the smaller blade of Zangetsu in hand.

The vice-captain of the Hermes familia looked at her charge with a confused look. "It's too dangerous for a-" she stopped herself as she took a brief moment to think about it. Hermes has taken interest in him and has enough trust to send him down here without a proper escort...

Ichigo seemingly ignored her words as he continued to stride towards the bipedal wolves. "I got this," he stated simply as he gripped Zangetsu tighter. I should be able to use this... I always had it so...

"Getsuga..." he began as he tried to pour reiatsu into his blade. "Tenshou!" he roared as he swung his blade.

An utterly massive flood of reiatsu consumed the corridor before them. The blue energy consuming everything in its path in a brilliant light.

Once this light disappeared, the charred corpses of the monsters were the only thing that was left behind. They too turning into ash almost immediately after the light disappeared leaving behind small crystals.

"..." Asfi was left utterly speechless at the show of strength displayed by Ichigo. What was that? she found herself asking herself as she looked at the back of her charge.

Ichigo, meanwhile, looked at the carnage with confusion. His heart beating faster with every second. "I am Zangetsu!" the words of his blade rang in his head as realization slowly dawned upon him. "Your shinigami powers were merged with White."

Bubbling emotions began to well up within him as he looked at Zangetsu. "I wanted to be your source of power, Ichigo..." The wide blade of his dagger-like part of his zanpaktou showcasing his reflection.

"Kurosaki? Are you alright?" Asfi asked in slight concern as she walked up to him. Is he perhaps... She looked at the burnt corridor with concern. Dissatisfied? How powerful is he?

Ichigo sighed as he put Zangetsu back to his sheathe. His hand briefly touched the larger blade on his back, a sense of growing melancholy growing within.

"Kurosaki?"

He looked behind his guide with a neutral smile on his face. "It's nothing," he said, "we don't have all day, right?" He then started the trek once more.