As Gabriel sat on his throne, it had been about half an hour since Nelliel left. He was planning to experiment on some Plus souls—you know, the usual.
Maybe turn a few into Hollows for shits and giggles, trying to find which soul had the potential for Vasto Lorde.
Speaking of which, he didn't slack off. He trained. In this world where strength ruled, he was stronger than all of his Sins combined... that is, if Starrk wasn't on that list.
If he was, Gabriel would be forced to use all the power he had. That didn't mean he was that far above Starrk, that just meant one simple thing—everyone else was that much weaker than them. The fight would just be Starrk and Gabriel going at it while anyone not named Harribel would be collateral damage.
Anyway, his wife would always be by his side, and she could solo the Sins. And he knew they knew that.
Once Lilith reached high-tier Captain strength, Gabriel would finally promote her before having his wife as a Horseman—not due to favoritism, but because, let's be honest, she deserved that spot.
She was top three strongest people in the kingdom.
And with her second release form? Oh yeah, she was strong. So there was that.
Then, Gabriel felt it... a strong presence.
Stronger than Belial.
His interest was immediately piqued.
As the grand doors creaked open, Nelliel stepped in first, her posture as disciplined as ever. And behind her...
A pale figure, draped in a simple black cloak, emerald eyes devoid of emotion yet piercing in their intensity.
Gabriel studied him, amused. So this is the Hollow Sun-Sun avoided? Good instincts.
Sun-Sun would have died... and respawned. Yes, she also had one. All three of the Fracción had one.
"Well now, what do we have here?"
The Arrancar remained still, his expression unreadable.
"What's your name?" He was curious. Who is this new member of my army?
Yes, Gabriel already thought of it as a done deal.
He knew exactly what to offer... not power, something more.
A pause. Then, finally—
"Ulquiorra Cifer."
"That's nice."
The boy's power felt primordial, like Gabriel's, but unlike Gabriel, who had to integrate it into his soul, he seemed to have been born with it.
Good to know.
Ulquiorra said nothing.
Instead, after a moment, he tilted his head ever so slightly.
"Why?"
"Why what?" Gabriel sensed a question.
"Why did you feel the need to create this kingdom?"
The air was silent.
A lesser man would have said something about unity, order, or protecting Hueco Mundo from chaos. But Gabriel?
If Gabriel were to basically sum it down to its most bare form without any context at all, just the raw truth of it...
Gabriel did it for pussy.
...Yeah, he was not gonna say that.
He just grinned.
"Because it was a goal of mine."
Yeah, that would fit.
No grand speech. No pretentious philosophy. Just a simple fact.
Ulquiorra studied him for a long moment. Then, ever so slightly, he nodded.
"Good answer."
He turned his gaze to Nelliel. "And you—good job. As usual."
She smiled. "I'm always happy to serve, Gabriel-sama."
"Of course you are," he said lazily, waving a hand. "Go get some rest. You earned it."
Hey, she got some breaks. That was good.
Nelliel hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ulquiorra before nodding. "If you need anything, just ask," she said, more to Ulquiorra than Gabriel, before stepping aside.
Now, Gabriel turned his attention fully to the newcomer.
"You," he said, taking a slow step toward him. "You're strong. That much is obvious."
Ulquiorra remained silent, watching as Gabriel closed the distance between them.
"You seem to be lacking something, though."
Gabriel raised his hand, palm facing outward.
"A purpose."
Before Ulquiorra could respond, a strange sensation coursed through him.
It wasn't pain. It wasn't discomfort.
It was... something.
Something foreign, yet familiar.
His pupils widened slightly.
What is this... feeling?
For the first time in his existence, he could feel it—his heart.
A rhythmic, faint yet undeniable presence within him.
Ulquiorra's gaze snapped to Gabriel, his mind processing this strange new sensation.
Gabriel just smiled.
Idle transfiguration sure worked wonders.
"I can help you with that," he said, voice smooth and certain. "As long as you follow me, I'll make sure you have a purpose."
Ulquiorra was silent.
Then, slowly, he lowered his head in understanding.
"...I see."
His fingers twitched slightly as he clenched his hand into a fist, testing this new feeling.
"If you can truly show me what it means to have a purpose... then I will follow you."
"Smart choice." Let's go. And now, his Horseman of Conquest was secured.
This Arrancar was stronger than Belial but weaker than Harribel. Right in the sweet spot.
"I'll have your quarters set up near Nell's. You seem to have bonded with her already," Gabriel said softly.
Ulquiorra blinked. Bonded?
More like she was the only person he had spoken to since emerging from the pit.
Still, he didn't argue.
"Understood."
Gabriel smiled. And just like that, another strong Hollow in the army.
Now, that made four Horsemen chosen—Death, War... Actually, even if the man seemed to embody Death a lot, Gabriel would let him have Conquest instead.
His reasoning? Death was for Harribel.
Death (High Compatibility)Harribel's water-based abilities symbolize the relentless, inevitable flow of death—like the ocean's tide, unstoppable and inescapable.Her philosophy already revolves around sacrifice and survival, themes strongly tied to death and the consequences of battle.The name of her Resurrección, Tiburón (Shark), aligns with a predator that brings silent, inevitable death beneath the waves.
Ulquiorra as ConquestIf Conquest is about overwhelming, absolute domination, then what is more absolute than void itself?Ulquiorra represents emptiness, lack of resistance, and the quiet dominance of true power.He doesn't seek power for power's sake, but his sheer overwhelming force and intelligence make him unstoppable.
A/N this changed later, Ulquiorra become death and she become famine.