Chapter 2: Banished

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In a realm bathed in ethereal light, two children raced with carefree abandon. The black-haired boy, Hikaru, surged ahead, his white-haired companion, struggling to keep pace.

"Run faster, Mizuki!" Hikaru urged, the wind carrying their laughter as they raced towards an unseen finish line.

"I can't, Hikaru! You're too fast!" Mizuki exclaimed, a light-hearted smile on his face.

As they neared their mother, Mizuki made a sudden dash towards her, clutching onto her with an exuberant shout. "Mother!"

Hikaru followed suit, reaching their mother with a grin. "Hey, the race isn't finished, Mizuki. You always lose."

Their mother, a gentle presence, smiled down at them. "Go easy on Mizuki, Hikaru." She patted both their heads affectionately.

"Well, he just needs to train more," Hikaru teased, an air of playful rivalry between the brothers.

A man of imposing stature approached them. "Hope you are doing well, Your Majesty," he addressed the mother. It was Ichibei, the captain of the Zero Division. "The King wants to see his sons."

The duo, accompanied by Ichibei. "Your father will be choosing a vessel to become the Soul King after him. He has been monitoring your actions for a hundred years now. Hope you are ready to face him," Ichibei informed them.

As they approached the grandeur of the Soul King's palace, awe and wonder filled the hearts of Hikaru and Mizuki.

The Soul King, a divine presence, opened his eyes to greet them.

"Welcome, my dear children. Today, I will be choosing a successor to become the Soul King. Tell me a reason to make me choose you. You start," he pointed at Hikaru.

"I want to become the Soul King to become stronger and to bring change to the world," Hikaru declared with confidence. His aspirations echoed with a determination to reshape the universe.

Mizuki, more reserved, took his turn. "I don't really want to become the Soul King, but if I were chosen, I would work for the sake of peace in the universe." His words reflected a humble desire for harmony.

As both sons finished their appeals, the Soul King, a figure shrouded in mystery, paused. Finally, he pointed at Mizuki. "You, you will be my vessel."

Hikaru, stunned, could not hide his disbelief. "What? Why?" he protested, the dream of becoming the Soul King slipping through his grasp.

"But why not me?" Hikaru questioned, his frustration evident.

"Don't question the Soul King's actions, kid," Ichibei intervened, a stern glare directed at Hikaru. The weight of the Soul King's decision left Hikaru in a state of shock and confusion.

"I wanted to become the Soul King. It was my dream! You damned Shinigami, why are you even here?" Hikaru, unable to contain his emotions, charged towards the Soul King's body. "I want to accomplish my dream!"

"Stop, kid!" Ichibei warned, but it was too late. Hikaru lost his balance, spiraling into an unknown abyss.

The Soul King, unfazed, proclaimed, "I banish you to the world of the Shinigami, where you can live with the creatures you think of as low, Hikaru. You may return when you become less arrogant."

When Hikaru awoke, he found himself in a strange place, disoriented and surrounded by unfamiliar surroundings.

A man approached him, wielding a Zanpakuto. "What are you, kid? You fell from the sky," the stranger inquired. It was then that Hikaru realized he had been cast into the Soul Society.

"I want to accomplish my dream," Hikaru murmured with anger in his tone.

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End of the Chapter