The corridor beneath Hueco Mundo was too narrow for comfort, lined with pale stone and old cracks that carried every distant sound like a warning.

Uryu stood a few steps ahead, one hand pressed against the wall for balance while reishi flickered weakly around his fingers. His glasses were cracked across one lens, and the usual clean shape of his spirit bow refused to fully form.

The Hollow’s earlier strike had ruined the rhythm of the battle in an instant—your blade thrown from your hand, his arrow shattered before release.

A heavy sound echoed somewhere deeper in the corridor.

Uryu glanced sideways, sharp even through the damage.

“It found us faster than expected.”

The creature emerged at the far end, dragging broken limbs against the stone.

Without hesitation, you moved first.

The Hollow lunged, its claws scraping sparks from the wall as you forced it away from him, keeping its attention with narrow dodges through the collapsing corridor. Dust fell from above with every impact.

Behind you, Uryu stayed still—too still—drawing in scattered spirit particles one thread at a time.

The Hollow swung again, close enough to tear through the sleeve of your uniform.

Then the air shifted.

A thin blue line flashed past your shoulder.

The arrow struck directly through the Hollow’s mask.

The corridor went silent except for falling debris.

The body collapsed.

For a moment, Uryu said nothing. He lowered his hand slowly, the unfinished remains of reishi fading around his fingertips.

His gaze settled briefly on the torn sleeve, then the scrape along your arm.

“Your timing was reckless.”