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Graven's eyes hardened as he noticed that this was it for his Espada. They had lost many during the Civil War in Hueco Mundo and the years following, and it definitely didn't sit well with him that they hadn't refilled their ranks. Passing his eyes over the hundreds of Hollows that had gathered outside and along the walls of the room, he flicked a hellish orb to Ika and held up a finger subtly, motioning for him to wait a moment with the other Vizard that had followed him out of the Garganta. Clearing his throat, he flared his reiatsu to the point that even his Primera would feel the weight for a moment before letting up, gathering the attention of the entire room before speaking in his usual monotone, the bass echoing throughout the halls of Las Noches. "This...is slightly disappointing. This is all that is left of the mighty Espada that I gathered more than ten years ago? I understand that there were some demotions, and several were killed in action, but this is pitiful. As for the other Hollows, I find it amusing that not a single being below Gillian deigned to grace us with their presence. Am I truly that weak? I'd hope not, considering my plans-"
Graven was so rudely interrupted by a raptor-like Vasto Lorde that jumped down from his perch and strode across the meeting table to stand in front of the Arrancar, several Adjuchas following his lead. "Yes, you are! THIS is the legendary Ghost of the North? Some weak-ass Arrancar with a frigid bitch attached to his hip and some damned Shinigami at his tea party? HA! Haha! This is great! You'd just invite any and every Hollow into your pow-wow, without thinking that maybe someone like me would come along! I'm a Vasto Lorde! I don't need to listen to you! I make the rules no-!"
The only person in the room who could have seen Graven move would be Ika, as the King now stood in front of the insolent brat, one hand holding him up by the face with the other holding his Zanpakuto. The raptor's loyal followers lay dismembered, each one as dead as the last. "As I was saying, I have plans that require strength in numbers. The Vizard have so graciously allied themselves with us, as they are outcasts of Soul Society that have gone through Hollowfication in a manner similar to the way we've broken our masks. For those of you who doubt my strength, like this idiot, keep in mind that I was powerful enough to conquer a quarter or more of Hueco Mundo in three days...as an Adjuchas. I became a Vasto Lorde afterwards, and now I could count the people that could match my strength on one hand and have fingers left over. I didn't call this meeting to play with children who think that their ability to piss their pants without help is power. No...I asked you all politely to come here to announce that the Golden Age of Hollows is upon us. We are going to usurp the Soul King's throne and replace him. We won't have to worry about the Shinigami killing us for just existing, and I'll be damned if a brat like this is going to try to ruin this for me."
Crushing the other Hollow's skull with a single hand, Graven hid a small smile at the Vasto Lorde's screams as they grew before stopping abruptly, shaking the gore off his left hand as the body slumped to the floor. It was a shame, really. Vasto Lordes were in such low supply, and were considered on par with Captains of the Soul Society. At least his nonchalant slaughter of someone so powerful would get his point across. "Now, if any of you don't understand exactly what I'm saying, please let me alleviate any concerns. Join or die. After all, we can't afford for infighting at the moment. Speak up if you want. I might even listen to what you have to say."
Oh, Graven was sure there would be dissenters, and he knew how he'd deal with them. He had discussed all of this with Alyss, and while she wasn't happy with what needed to be done she understood. She and Annora were the only ones Graven truly cared about. He had friends in the past, and had the capacity to make them, but they were truly the only people in any of the realms that he wouldn't hurt if push came to shove. Careless slaughter and brutality sickened him, but one also had to remember that senseless brutality was different for a Hollow. Graven was a gentleman, right up to the point you compared him to a Shinigami that didn't hold the title Kenpachi. Walking back across the table to sit in his throne, he took solace in his mate leaning back against his leg once more. After all, if he went too far she'd let him know. Judging the reactions to his little display, Graven wondered what his Espada were thinking...
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