3 The Start of a new Journey (1/2)

After Alice presented herself to Solo and his companions, Luka remembered something and yelled

Luka: My baptism! I have to get back before I'm late! Sorry if I couldn't help you, bye.

Then Luka left the place while waving at them, meanwhile the rest watched him leave until he was far enough and Alice turned to Solo.

Alice: Why didn't you stop him?

Solo: Why should I? He is busy and in the end I planned to search for him because he needs to give me some informations.

Alice: What information?

Solo: It's not important right now, How are you feeling? That crash should hurt a bit.

Alice: I am ok, thank you for asking, but I have a question.

Solo: Ask away.

Alice: Why aren't you afraid of me? I am a monster and I could decide to either **** you or kill you.

Solo: Nah, you can't, you are too weak to kill me.

Alice narrowed her eyes and asked him with a dark tone.

Alice: What do you mean?

Then Lime decided to talk with enthusiasm.

Lime: He is a monster like us!

Alice: A monster? Him?

Lime: Yes, he said he was an Arrancar, do you know something?

Alice: Arrancar? I never heard of this race.

Lime: Oh…

Alice then turned towards Solo with a curious expression and asked.

Alice: What is an Arrancar?

Solo: I don't want to explain it, so I will just say I am a really strong ghost.

Alice: G-ghost?!

Then she suddenly disappeared from everyone's sight and Solo turned towards a tree while raising an eyebrow, Lime noticed it and glanced to the same direction just to see a trembling Alice behind a tree.

Alice: S-Stay away f-from me!

Solo: Don't tell me you are scared of ghosts…

Alice: N-no… I'm not…

Solo: It's ok, I'm just classified as a ghost, in everything else I am human-like, my body isn't transparent, I don't transform in scary things 'Well, not scary at least…', and etc...

Alice: R-Really…?

Solo: Don't be such a kid and get away from the tree.

Alice: I-I'm not a kid!! Now I'll get back!

From being angered, Alice didn't cared anymore if he was a ghost and got in front of him while trying to intimidate him, which was unsuccessful.

Alice: So you are a monster too… What do you have that is different from humans?

Solo: *Sigh* This…

Solo just opened his white uniform and revealed his hollow hole to Alice, who was a bit frightened but she managed to relax.

Alice: And where is your heart?

Solo: I don't have one, this is the main trait of my race, our heart disappears and becomes a mask, that if broken under certain conditions, it will make you stronger, the remains of my mask is this collar here.

Then he pointed at the white collar around his neck, that was just under his number.

Alice: And what is that number?

Solo: That's my rank, almost every Arrancars are ranked from the oldest to the youngest, and their ranks start from 10 and over.(He doesn't know about Yammy being both the 10th and 0th Espada).

Alice: From 10? And what represent that 0?

Solo: Like I said, almost every Arrancars are ranked from the oldest to the youngest, while the remaining 10 are ranked in strength from 9 to 0, which are respectively from the weakest to the strongest.

Alice: So it means that you are the strongest Arrancar?

Solo: Yes, and the Arrancars with 1 digit are called Espada, got it?

Alice just nodded and then her stomach grumbled a bit.

Alice: I'm hungry… Do you two have food?

Solo: I don't need to eat, so I don't have anything.

Lime: Me too…

Alice: Then let's go to Luka…

Alice then crawled towards Illias Village while Solo and Lime looked at each other and shrugged before following her.