To All of Eternity

Prologue

Spoilers for TYBW arc Bleach.

Prologue

At The Very Beginning

"The power of the Almighty is not the power to 'see the future.' It is the power to change it," Yhwach declared as his vast reiatsu surged from his body like blackened flames. "Do not be alarmed. It is no different than the powers that you both possess. Just as you are unable to influence no more than the one instant that exists before your eyes.

"All I can do is influence and change the entirety of fate that I see in mine."

Ichigo stared helplessly at the encroaching Yhwach, the unstoppable force of nature that held no weakness. He gripped the hilt of the broken Tensa Zangetsu tighter, his knuckles turning white. What can I do...? It's impossible...

"Ichigo, up until now, countless times before. You've overcome despair and changed your fate, isn't that so?" Yhwach's power surged massively, the tendrils of his reiatsu flowing behind him like a royal cloak. "Do you know why you've been able to do so? The answer is simple... It was because I was not there."

The Quincy God raised his broadsword in the air, his cloak of reiatsu fluttering upwards as well. "Now Ichigo... Go on and try to change the future. Because is I that can see just how spectacular of a future it will be..." Yhwach goaded. "Change it and I shall chop down any fate you try to carve out for yourself."

Ichigo felt his heart drop at Yhwach's words, his resolve slowly crumbling.

"Go on... You can despair now, Ichigo."

Desperation suddenly overtook him. He clung to his crumbling resolve with all he had and shoved it back into his heart. "Yhwaaaaachhhh!" he roared as he grabbed Zangetsu and charged.

His body disappeared as he charged with his shunpo, Zangetsu ready to strike down Yhwach. A getsuga tenshou on the very tip of his tongue.

Yet, Yhwach merely lashed out with a small tendril of his power, cutting through Orihime's Shun Shun Rikka as if it was never there. It struck firmly in Ichigo's abdomen, sending him away.

With Ichigo's nigh perceivable shunpo and the sheer speed the tendril hit, the organs in his abdomen crashed violently into each other. Causing Ichigo to keel over in excruciating pain and vomit blood.

Not to let up on the assault, Yhwach used Hirenkyaku to put himself by Ichigo and grabbed the head, lifting the hybrid near his face. "No more fight left in you, Ichigo...? I expected so much more," he mocked.

Ichigo's eyes dimmed as all the strength left him. My sword can no longer injure him... Nor can Orihime's shield hold back him...

It's over...

Yhwach stared at Ichigo, an expression of disappointment etched on his face. "This is what I got worked up for? What a waste..." He then dropped Ichigo's dying body like a child discarding a toy. "Rather... I suppose you did provide entertainment. Now then, for your final duty."

Ichigo fell to his knees, his body not having any strength left to even allow him to lay down and rest.

"It's time for the power that I so generously granted you... To return to its rightful owner!" Yhwach then grabbed Ichigo's face, lines of his reiatsu immediately invading the teen's body.

Ah... They are fading... Ichigo thought numbly, his consciousness slipping with every second that passed. Mother... Zangetsu... They're both fading away... To pure white... 

Everything was lost. 

Any fight that Ichigo had was brutally annihilated from his body. 

How sacrifices were made for him to get here? How many people had placed their hope in him, hope that he may defeat the Almighty? 

He felt... Cold... A vividly remembered sensation, one that was accompanied by an unbearable sensation of hunger. 

Now though, he just felt cold. 

His body crashed to the ground, his mind not even registering it in the numbness he felt.

Yhwach started to chuckle then full-blown laughter erupted from him as his power was fully unleashed and a black umbrella enveloped the world.

-

"Are you going to eat?"

Ichigo looked at the bowl of soup in his hands and then at his host. The fire that sat between them crackling and briefly illuminated the man.

His host was a blonde-orange man with similar-colored eyes. A strange hat with a feather laid on top of his head, his clothes plain with a scarf looking comfortable on his neck.

Yet, despite the smug expression on his face and his appearance, Ichigo saw the intelligence within those eyes.

Someone like Kiskue and Shunsui...

"I'm not... Very hungry..." he said hoarsely, his throat rough and dry.

"Wah?! You speak?!" the man gasped with exaggeration.

Ichigo looked down at the soup once more, a feeling of hunger suddenly overtaking him. "Who are... You, again?" he inquired, taking his eyes back to his host.

"You forgot my name?! Well... You were slightly dazed-looking so I guess that's a reason... Hm... I am Hermes! Nice to meet ya," the now introduced Hermes said with a small smug smile. "Now that I have introduced myself, perhaps you shall give me your name?"

Ichigo looked down at the soup in his hands once more and brought the bowl to his lips. "Ichigo..."

The one who fails to protect...

Prologue End

At the very beginning, we were created
To live together but soon, we hated

In greed and selfishness we,
Could never prosper
Created enemies against god's will.

(At the Very Beginning, Neon Genesis Evangelion 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance by Shiro Sagisu)

A new concept for a new story and again, a depressed Ichigo. Dunno why but I thought this may be a good idea.

And no I did not miss anything between the first scene and the scene with Hermes. I am just testing the waters to see if there is any interest.

Oh, do please tell me if I mess up on Danmachi characters as I am not truly dedicated yet.

SaveTheWeak, out.