[10th/Captains][Taishuu] Week 288: From Under Shadows

[swaswj]

The broad grin splitting the Gundanchou's face didn't falter in the slightest. "Prove it!" he retorted with a bellow, confidently lifting his massive tear-shaped shield horizontally to intercept the attack. With the angle of Oni no Namida's surface, if there was the slightest falter in Kago's strike, the falchion would scrape harmlessly off toward the pointed end, toward Shahei's elbow. The blue-haired giant locked eyes with the would-be captain over the rim of the shield, muscles tightening in anticipation.

Churning with the raw power of Jin'ishi and sharpened to a razor edge by Togitate, the heavy blade of Kago's Bankai cut a swath of shimmering blue and burning gold through the air. It ripped through the invisible obstruction between it and Shahei's shield like so much paper. The two zanpakuto collided but there was no metallic clamor. Instead, Kago's sword chimed one impossibly clear note that reverberated through the air. A single straight line of energy sliced above and below the point of contact, visibly tearing into the shield, but its diamond-like surface held strong, without a blemish or crack to mar its surface.

The falchion, however, was not deflected in the slightest. With the determination and pure power behind that strike, even if the shield held, its wielder could not. Shahei grunted as the shield was forced back, slamming into his own chest and shoving him back several steps.

The muscles in his back and shoulders flexed, blood rushing to his arms as he growled, digging his heels in. Pushing to regain his balance, Shahei's grin only grew wider, relishing the challenge. The backward slide halted almost as soon as it began, but the result of the clash was clear: in the test of raw strength, Kago had emerged victorious.

With a laugh, Shahei congratulated his opponent. "That's how it's done!"

Then, the Gundanchou straightened, lifting his shield and Kago's falchion tip. All the momentum of his swing lost, Kago was now clearly at a disadvantage again in strength, and as their eyes met again, there was a sly glint in Shahei's eye.

He dropped the tear shield.

The ground cracked under its impossible weight. Even up atop the cliff, the onlookers could feel the earth tremble from its fall... and Hayabusa's edge remained right where it had kissed the shield.

"Do You Even Lift?" Shahei asked, cocking his right arm back and preparing to punch out with the golden round shield.

[403/2285]

Note

Since there was no audible or visual cue, I assumed that there was no spell being cast via Togishi, just a sharpness enhancement from Togitate.

Shahei's shield is unnaturally dense and heavy. While he is able to lift it effortlessly, it would take something on the level of Fruit of Labor or Internalize for an opponent to lift it.

The final ability of his kai locks objects in contact with Oni no Namida. Consider it a binding that takes a minimum of 10% of Shahei's rei to break (approx. 5400 in shikai).

 

[Apeiron]

Haresuno watched as his sword point plunged closer to Adelaide’s chest. That moment stretched on endlessly in his memory. Every detail vivid and clear to his mind as it took in the smallest details of the world around him.

And of Adelaide.

Haresuno’s heart wretched in his chest. The pain immediate and clear like the deepest wound he had ever taken. He was going to stab Adelaide. She was going to suffer pain like he could empathize with. Hours, if not days, would be spent in the Fourth recovering.

Why did he feel so torn about this? What was it that his heart cried out against, as if he was committing a grave sin?

She’d be angry, Some part of his mind thought mechanically. The blade still carried on it’s way, and his brain still managed to get that one thought across his mind. She won’t speak to me for months.

It was too late. He had already decided on this and he had to carry through. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be treating her fairly. He didn’t need to treat her delicate like some doll - she’d made that clear. She wanted to stand equal with him.

But the Seven Gods could damn him for what he had just done.

The tip of the blade pierced her shihakushou, the faintest traces of ruby-red blood burst from the infinitely slow incision. Horrible color, crimson. So dark. Too dark. It reminded him too much of his past. Not like her hair. Perfectly brilliant auburn hair that could catch the sun or the moon. He could see it. Even now, even in the slow moving world he took everything in.

Another part of him hissed as the blade went deeper. She was going to have a scar, there. Her own life wasn’t terribly better than his own, he’d learned that. But compared to his torso, she hadn’t had very many marks that were permanent. This was going to be one, he could already tell. And by his own hand no less. He’d regret that wound for the rest of his life. He wouldn’t tell her that. Not ever. But he would.

He saw her eyes next. They grew wide as his blade found its mark, sinking further and further into her chest as excruciating amounts of pain sent millions of pain-receptors firing. He didn’t want to see those eyes. They’d haunt him for the rest of his life. Perfect, green, lovely. She’d never look at him the same. Any time she looked at him, she’d see a monster - something that was willing to stab the woman he claimed to love. He felt the incoming feeling of revulsion. She shouldn’t look at him with those eyes of pain.

What would Ayumu and Hana think. What would they think about him stabbing their-

The hilt found Adelaide’s chest, and the world clicked back into it’s normal time. Haresuno stared down at Adelaide, his own eyes wide in surprise, his face unsure.

What... What had he just done?

The sickening turn of bile rose in his throat.

Had he... had he just mistaken Adelaide for Iida?

Something wasn’t right. With this scene. With him. Staring down at the mystic vice-captain, Haresuno withdrew his blade and stumbled backwards, away from Adelaide. The four rods of Sekiryouku Houshiki Xiezhi following.

Pain. Disgust. Fury. They all rose up from Haresuno’s heart in a wicked wave that sent the Founder-Captain to his knees. He searched his mind - no his heart - for what was wrong. He had felt this before, or something like this.

Mai.

The name rung like a bell, and he remembered how she had enticed him. Lured him to her bed within the maze Raifuku had constructed. She had confused his thoughts somehow, pressuring his mind by manipulating his emotions.

He remembered the sickening feeling he felt as he unmade the adjuchas. Splitting apart her body five different ways, each attack filled with remorse. It was the like that now. Only instead of lust, Haresuno felt something he had only ever felt for Iida.

Love.

At that moment when he had struck, Adelaide toyed with his emotions, forced him to love her. Forced her way into his heart where she had no right to be! That was his! That was sacred! He wanted to howl in rage, to bash her head in against the stone! He wanted to tear her limbs from her body, and make her never do that to anyone else again!

Gritting his teeth, but not before losing his stomach to the nauseating wave of disgust that hit him, Haresuno shook violently.

She deserved worse then a loss now.

[3142]

:<

Kat, I am so sorry. I know we had talked about this earlier in depth, but for some reason I didn't equate this ability with love - instead I associated lust with it. I counted on Hare's experience with being hit by lust to stop him for a moment, give Addie a resourcefulness speech and yadda yadda. Instead what you get is a jumbled mix of Hare mixing memories of Iida over Addie because, well, they look similar enough. Again, I am sorry. I decided long ago that one of the things that would not stop Hare mid-swing of something would be love. Because, even if it was really Iida and he killed her, that would have been a much more interesting story to write than him stopping.

Good news: the ability worked! =D

=D

Kat? =D

Kat you there? =D

V_V

 

[Time Lady Katie]

Well, as was usual for that particular trick, it failed. Much like Adelaide herself. The lack of surprise would’ve been a more resounding emotion if she wasn’t stabbed in the lung. As it was, two things came to mind. The first was that she was probably going to fail her taishuu, and Sappho willing someone was going to kill her in the process. The second was that she had only a few moments of precious consciousness left.

She had to make every second as agonizing for Haresuno and Shahei as they would be for her.

And she had to go out in style.

I’m sorry, Lilith, the message sent to her former leader as the blade slowly pulled out from her wound, looks like you’re the only real Mystic after all. Maybe Yuu would be a good Captain? the words were pretty rushed, she didn’t have time to get too sentimental over them.

She coughed, blood splattering the ground, and noticed her limbs were able to move when a hand instinctively cradled her wound. Her grip on the scythe tightened, and she saw Haresuno stumble backward. She was going to get a counterattack; at least if Lashiel failed yet again to do what was necessary, Adelaide was getting a consolation prize. She was going to get to make the person who took the Mystics away from her suffer.

All things considered, that was good enough.


She couldn’t talk, that much she was fairly certain of. For an arcanist, that was usually a problem. Adelaide tried not to concern herself with the banalities of other arcanists. It had been literally years since Adelaide used the ability she was about to, but the way Kago had woven it was as familiar and natural as anything. Things were about to get really intense really fast for Adelaide, and if this didn’t work, she wasn’t going to have time to come up with a new plan.

He was distracted. Anger and emotion was clouding his perception. He lacked sure footing. He was still massively outclassing her as a fighter. She was going to take his pride the same way she took his heart – by force.

The silver flecks of light puffed around her and energy poured into the scythe, making its etchings blaze red and its gems glisten. The wings of flame on Adelaide’s back seemed to almost burn bigger and brighter and the last plan was put into action that Adelaide had the cleverness to forsee.

She launched herself at the son of a bitch in the most deafening flash-blossom she could, her strike surer than it ever had been, it’s aim truer, it’s raw strength greater. The curved blade sliced through the air at blinding speeds, the deadliness of the reaper’s scythe only part of the devastation Adelaide’s last stand had to bring into the man who crushed her hopes, her dreams. Into he who forever cast her in the shadow of the last true Mystic captain.

Whatever the blade made contact with was going to screech a familiar horrible, ghastly screech. And the black dragon was going to consume Haresuno with even greater flames. This time he wasn’t going to be prepared. This time things were going to be different. And if this time was to be the last time, at least she was going to go out in a blaze of black and silver glory.

Burn with me, Gardener.

573 Words
4165 Total​

So much math...

Hare, you ass.

Hitomane [Mimicry]
Mystics have the ability to read the most intricate fluctuations of spiritual energy. Therefore, whenever another summons an ability that utilizes some expenditure of reiatsu, the Mystic can temporarily imprint a map of the inner energy coursing through the target in their own mind. This imprint lasts for only a brief period of time, but within this frame, the Mystic can replicate the reiatsu paths and ultimately mimic the ability used.
However, a mimicked ability lacks the efficacy and naturalness of the primary user. All mimicked abilities are therefore 25% more expensive than normal, with no increase in potency, and can only be used in the same battle. Kai abilities and unique feats are particularly specific to the primary user and cannot be mimicked. Hitomane is also blocked if the Mystic lacks an item or insignia that is required to act in concordance with the ability. The Mystic can only copy abilities that do not require a mechanic unavailable to their race.

Jin'ishi [Bladed Will] Mimicked
Zanjutsu and kidou are both essential to achieve victory in the Eighth Division. As such, one must learn to adapt their minds and take advantage of this new found strength. With Bladed Will, the practitioner has learned to augment their fighting abilities. By paying 10% base reiatsu, the user of this tech imbues their mind, body, and sword with power to understand, and at times, fight on par with a once overwhelming opponent. This change in combat expresses itself as a direct transfer of 50% of one's base kidou stat to their zanjutsu. The user can maintain the energy for only three rounds. This skill is a one time use per battle.

Touitsu Sensen [United Front]
In battle, two characters who have spent much time with one another can complement one another's fighting style. They are able to fight better in tandem than alone, receiving a boost to all stats when attacking (except Reiatsu and Connection).When fighting near each other, skilled allies can easily swap positions to better press their advantage. Such a Bait and Switch will allow the users to instantly change places with a partner within ten feet, once per round. Uses are limited by the pairs, not individuals
.... Level 7 with Takimoto Kago: +8% Offensive Combat Stats, Bait and Switch (3/day).

REVISED OFFENSIVE STATS
(including Jin'ishi and UF)
Zanjutsu: 24300 (from 10000)
Hakuda: 54 (from 50)
Hohou: 6400 (from 6000)
Kidou: 13500 (from 25000)

​

Senka [Flash Blossom]
With their growing mastery of Shunpo, the user is now able to deliver a blindingly fast attack. In the middle of a flash-step, the practitioner may deliver a single melee attack to a target in their path. This effectively doubles the strength behind the user's attack.
This ability takes the place of two normal Shunpo uses and costs 500 reiatsu. It does not increase the user's skill in their attacking stat.

Kokuryuha
Hadou #70, 1750 Kidou
The user stretches out his hand and his arm is covered in coruscating blackness. With a screeching hiss, the ebon flames are unleashed in the shape of a ravenous black dragon, flying up to 20m. Upon contact, the hungry fires will burn for three rounds, unquenchable by normal means.
It takes an ability of a greater cost than Kokuryuha to extinguish the black flames.

Kenkyouka [Sword Empowerment]
Utilizing their own kidou energy, the practitioner has the ability to cast a kidou spell onto their blade. Once the blade comes in contact with the opponent, the spell will automatically activate. Whatever damage or effects are done by sword and spell, will be unleashed on to the opponent. With continuous use of the technique, the caster will gain the ability to have two spells imprinted on their blade at one time, once the user gains 5k kidou or zanjutsu stat.

Eishouhaki [Revocation of the Recited Poem]
Allows the user to bypass of the chanting of a Kidou spell and simply state the name. However, this also results in a drop in the efficacy of the bypassed Kidou. A user can only bypass an incantation if their Kidou stat is at least twice the required cost of a spell, and a bypassed spell will only be half as effective as a properly-incanted one, regardless of prowess.

Jumon Kaiki [Spell Totality]
Through devoted study, a shinigami can gain greater control over a spell. This allows them to bypass the incantation with greater success.By equipping a spell twice, it's bypassed effectiveness increases by 25%. Spells may be equipped up to three times, but cannot exceed 100% bypassed.

Jumon Zoukyuu [Spell Augmentation]
Deeper studies into the demon arts have granted insight into the fluctuations of reiatsu and how to adjust them while still achieving a desired result. In this way, the user of Jumon Zoukyuu can increase the effect of a spell by increasing the amount paid in, within the limits of their understanding and the spell itself.
To use Jumon Zoukyuu, the caster spends the total spell cost plus an additional 2% of their kidou stat per tier of kidou.
Ranks 1-30 = Spell Cost + 2% Kidou Stat
Ranks 31-50 = Spell Cost + 4% Kidou Stat
Ranks 51-70 = Spell Cost + 6% Kidou Stat
Ranks 71-90 = Spell Cost + 8% Kidou Stat
Ranks 91+ = Spell Cost + 10% Kidou Stat
This technique uses the natural rank of the spell and is not affected by abilities that lower or increase the effective rank.

Soulfire
Soulfire is the enhanced form of Hellfire. At the cost of 3% of her reiatsu per turn, Adelaide can augment all her kidou. While using Soulfire, Adelaide cannot use Lashiel's Shadow or Flames of Passion. As Soulfire is active, cosmetic flecks of silver light float around Adelaide and the scythe. Kidou used while Soulfire is active cost twice as much, and become twice as effective in terms of scope and magnitude. Chromatic fire and actual fire-based kidou may instead cost triple the normal and have triple the normal effectiveness.

Kokuryuha's Effective Strength:
1750 + 810 (Augmented) = 2560 x 3 = 7680 burning for nine turns.

Don't forget Senka doubles effective strength, for a swing of 48600 before my dragon comes out~!


For a massively expensive turn.
AND STILL CHEAPER THAN COPYING CAST IRON CONSTITUTION!

Song was View attachment Final Fantasy IX- Protecting my Devotion [Remake].mp3 hence the late 90s quality.

Also, Hare. You're a dick. Love Katie.

 

[Kago]

All of Kago’s attention was focused on the grinning Gundanchou as the spell-blade struggled with his immobile falchion. Sheer determination and clarity of purpose filled the normally stoic eyes of the acting captain as he met Shahei’s. Even as the shadows of fear and despair attempted to infringe on the edges of his heart, he did not concede his will and fought even harder to free the blue and white hued Hayabusa from the invisible hand that gripped it.

The only confusion that flickered across the spell-blade’s mind was over the other man’s technique. The force binding his weapon in place acted like a bakudou, yet he could only feel Shahei’s reiatsu constituting the form of the ability. Before he could fully process that fact, however, fortune smiled upon the seemingly defenseless shinigami.

Shahei relinquished the overbearing tear shield to attack and, in that moment, Kago spotted an opening. Summoning strength from the most underutilized technique of the sword mage division, he channeled part of his remaining reiatsu into the golden dome encasing the battleground and doubled its strength. He immediately acknowledged that this tactic would employ most of his remaining reiatsu to perform, but now was not the time to hold back; he had to play the strongest ace up his sleeve.

As the Gundanchou lunged forward, the acting captain reached out with his mind and pulled the barrier inward with the skill of a master reiatsu manipulator. The golden dome swirled with pure energy as it began condensing around a point only few feet in front of him. Time seemed to slow as Shahei’s foot planted against the ground and the poised arm of the goliath arced toward the ground, flexing with its awe-inspiring power. Yamamori would not be fast enough.

Kago’s could feel the thump of his heartbeat as he panicked and tightly grasped the hilt of his immobile falchion. Recalling the bakudou-like nature of the binding, he poured his reiatsu into Hayabusa and could feel the weapon shutter before the invisible binding surrendered to his might. Having almost no time left before the golden shield began its ascent toward his jaw, the adept swordsman fought against the searing pain that tore through his body and drove the Togitate-coated falchion downward to meet the oncoming attack. Hayabusa barely hesitated as it tore through the invisible barrier surrounding the Gundanchou’s shikai.

As the acting captain’s massive blade collided Shahei’s dense shield, sparks consumed the space between the two men. The muscles of both combatants tensed and flexed as the pair struggled to overpower one other. The outcome, however, was different this time; Kago eased up and allowed his body to be driven back slightly.

Time seemed to return to normal as he slid back and the golden dome finally condensed around the Gundanchou completely before exploding. Beautiful arcs of golden flames spiraled within the confines of the dome before violently erupting outward in every direction. Every molecule within the reach of the blaze was incinerated by the reiatsu flames. Light from the explosion encompassed the entire cavern, engulfing everything in its blinding golden majesty.

For a brief moment, nothing could be seen.



[524/1,921]

Notes

Kago paid the 5400 rei to break the binding.

Also, the attack he used for the explosion was the Bankai attack Ikkatsu/Yamamori reinforced with Kyousei Taikyou. The 10% for Yamamoru was paid earlier in the fight and now with KT its up to 20% (13,274) from Ikkatsu.

Finally, this is the last turn of Jin'ishi.

---

Ability: Yamamori (Guardian of the Mountain)

Upon uttering Bankai, Kago pays 10% reiatsu to create a translucent, aura dome in a radius of 30m around him, engulfing the battlefield. Any time an opponent uses a reiatsu based projectile within the dome, a pocket of golden reiatsu in the shape of a falcon dives down from it, absorbs the attack, and captures it. Once this occurs, the reiatsu falcon transforms in a golden reiatsu sword, assuming the form of Kago’s bankai zanpakutou. The sword then impales the ground and remains there until it is used or destroyed. This continues until the threshold of the dome is depleted. Kago may then choose to repay the cost to reinitialize the dome.

Although the swords may be drawn from the ground by an enemy, they may not use the ability trapped within it and the sword will disappate after initial strike.

Note: The dome moves with Kago.

--

Attack: Ikkatsu (Cry in a Thundering Voice)

At the cost of the Yamamori's remaining threshold, Kago can condense the barrier around his opponent and force it to explode. The resulting blast’s damage is equivalent to the remaining threshold of the dome ability. Due to the nature of this attack, Yamamori will disappear and Kago must repay the costs to create a new dome.

--

[Kyousei Taikyou] - "Forced Ward"

Spell and Zanpakutou are one to a member of the Eighth. A practitioner of this technique will gain the ability to completely bypass the incantation of barrier based kidou. Furthermore, the user of this tech will also have the ability to augment any barrier by paying 10% reiatsu, to be included to the barrier's potency. The size and shape of the barrier may vary, depending on the amount of reiatsu placed into the spell.

 

[swaswj]

As that moment passed, however, the inescapable truth became bared: Inori Shahei remained standing.

The tall Gundanchou held his golden shield in front of himself, its metal glowing in the wake of heat. Steam rose from Shahei's katabira, gruesome red burns across both of his upper arms, with patches of his pants blown apart or seared. "Makin' me regret not wearing that helmet," Shahei complained with a short laugh. The shield lowered just a bit, unveiling the Gundanchou's wild gold eyes, streams of blood flowing down around and between them. The wound across the side of Shahei's forehead was ugly, but relatively shallow.

Slowly, Shahei rose back up to his full height, cracking his neck to both sides. He spared a glance over his shoulder at the other two combatants, letting out a low whistle. "Looks like they're finishing up over there." With a loud clatter, his golden shield dropped to the ground. Blood streaking his face, Shahei gave Kago a manic grin.

Curling both of his large hands into meaty fists, Shahei stepped forward, over the zanpakuto still laying on the ground. "About time we did the same. Tell me you're not done, yet. Show me that you can last longer than she can!" With a gravelly chuckle, Shahei spread both arms wide. "Prove to me that you deserve that coat that got thrown in your lap! Come at me, Takimoto Kago!"

[235/2420]

Notes

Cast Iron Constitution to block the bulk of that, and took the rest of it to the face.

 

[Kago]

Collapsed on one knee, Kago panted heavily as he stared up at the towering form of the Gundanchou. With his arms radiating with pain, he could feel his reiatsu nearly depleted. Even his zanpakutou lay behind Shahei, far beyond arms reach. One thing was clear, this fight was nearly over; yet, the Onmitsu Kidou representative wanted more.

“Tell me you're not done, yet. Show me that you can last longer than she can!"

Feeling the touch of his Kaikoroku dangling from his neck, the acting captain of the eighth poured some energy into the gem as if his will was fueled by the taunting. A soft blue glow emitted from the jewel and Hayabusa hummed in turn. Instantly, the falchion was once more in the palm of his hand; however, it did little to assure him. He barely had the energy to stand after expending so much reiatsu in that last attack, let alone swing the massive weapon effectively.

"Prove to me that you deserve that coat that got thrown in your lap! Come at me, Takimoto Kago!"

Summoning as much energy as he could muster, Kago pressed the tip of the blade into the ground and leveraged his weight against it. He fought his way to his feet as he glared into the eyes of the Gundanchou. The nobleman wasn’t sure if this man was a masochist or had never truly met his match. Either way, he could no longer see himself conquering the giant like the lore of David. Lifting one hand free from Hayabusa, the swordsman opened his palm toward Shahei and lowered his head.

His thoughts turned to the image of Adelaide suffering at the hands of Haresuno. This feeling of hopelessness and utter defeat enveloped his mind and forced him to recall all the past fights which he could not win: Seisatsu, the unknown Vizard, Kyuu. Even though those situations appeared bleak at best, he always managed to persevere and return home alive. Kago could not allow this time to be any different; he could not surrender to defeat.

“Hiryuu Gekizoku Shintenraihou!”

Energy quickly swirled around the open palm and condensed in the center of his palm. Wisps of blue electricity crackled around the reiatsu as a colossal wave of pure energy erupted from his hand. In the center of the blast, a massive bolt of lightning carved its way directly for the Gundanchou, tearing up the ground.

“Withstand this!”


[370/2,291]

Bypass and Item

Since Hiryuu Gekizoku Shintenraihou is triple equipped, Kago is able to bypass the incantation and utilize the hadou to its full extent.

Division Item​

Item Name: [Kaikoroku] – "Reminiscence”

Description: A small colorful pendant manufactured by the Ninth Division. The jewel possesses an ability to capture the essence of a shinigami's inner world and preserve it in their realm. This gem can be worn as a necklace, earring, bracelet, ring, or even an anklet.

Ability: By paying 300 reiatsu per activation, a member of the Eighth Division can recall their zanpakutou back into their hand as long as it is within a 20 meter (64ft) range. This pendant does not work on other zanpakutou other than their own, nor will it work for someone that has relieved the Sword-mage of their pendant. This ability is limited to only three uses per battle.

Requirements to use: Shikai

 

[Apeiron]

Once again the vast craig that separated Adelaide from Haresuno appeared. It didn’t come as a physical manifestation of the blade - a rocketing counterstrike the offset the dangers blows that threatened to maim the Adept. It came as experience.

Haresuno looked up with cyan eyes blazing with raw, vicious, vengeful anger seething through him.

Adelaide was moving again, blood-soaked shihakushou gushing at her right lung. She’d kill herself if she kept fighting. That probably didn’t matter to her, though.

Idiot, he thought. All the rage filled his mind as he found mistakes with the frontal attack. He got one knee under him, his left hand came up and all five rods threw his will at her. Koushou Gekitai hit her, moved past her, turned the air around Adelaide into molasses.

That would be enough to block.

His body moved and flowed, ever muscle reacting to the oncoming attack. The singular bronze rod of Xiezhi in his hand came across his chest, and the muscles in his arm focused their intent to stop the attack.

A peel of metal-on-metal rung throughout the arena, and the Founder-Captain stared directly into Adelaide’s emerald eyes. Fool, he scolded.

He shifted his weight, ready to rise when her arm moved again and he saw that she was still closing the gap.

Senka?!

Pain blossomed across Haresuno’s back and blood poured down his back from a long jagged wound. It was hot and fierce, and the pain reminded him of so many other strikes that he had weathered, what was one more?

Then the air at his back grew hot instantly, and for a moment he worried about poison. But then he felt the licking tongues of fire, a hungry maw was at his back and he couldn’t react to stomp it out.

The fire burned. It burned worse than the Raikouhou Sayis had hit him with years ago; it burned worse than the individual wounds Hisao’s Hyakurai had shot through him. It was as black as pitch, and burned with all the fury of his own rage.

Kokuryuha consumed the Founder-Captain whole, and stood there as a raging torrent of fire before Adelaide.

The air shifted, changed, and the torrent moved alive with purpose.

Burned and still furious, Haresuno’s right hand lashed out and took hold of Lashiel.

“Falcon...,”

The rod slipped from Haresuno’s left hand, and his burning hand tightened into a balled fist.

“...Punch.”

Power wrapped itself around the Adept’s fist. A black falcon, burning with her own Kokuryuha. With all his strength and speed, Haresuno launched his fist into a finishing blow.

[3573]

Notes. Notes everywhere.

Blocked the first strike by using gekitai to slow Addie down. Second attack struck and koku hit, but CIC and Hitei Reiatsu save him as an after thought.

Attack - Koushou Gekitai (Advanced Repulse): By channeling reiatsu into the rods of Sekiryoku Houshiki Xiezhi, Haresuno can create a powerful repelling force, forcing his target up to 20m toward or away from the rod. Koushou Gekitai can be used in multiple directions at once. This ability costs 1% reiatsu per rod per round. Haresuno and Sekiryoku Houshiki Xiezhi are passively immune to similar repulsion abilities.

5%=3.8k

[ Taikaku Chuutetsu ] - "Cast Iron Constitution"
Reiatsu courses through the user's body, burns furiously on the surface of it. Taikaku Chuutetsu is the greatest expression of a hakuda-user's mastery over their body. Some of the most insidious of unnatural effects are burned away from the practitioner once this is activated. While active, the user may ignore almost any blow, their hardened body shunting off most attacks.

This ability costs 10,000 reiatsu. The burning energy coats the user's skin as a persistent barrier worth 10,000 reiatsu, and immediately removes all positive and negative effects to the user's body (directly cutting into the barrier by the cost of the effects in place), strongest effects first. This lasts for five rounds or until the barrier is whittled down.

Requirements: 10,000 Hakuda


[Hitei Reiatsu] - "Negation Reiatsu"

[Unique]

Haresuno has been, much to his dissatisfaction, at the receiving end of too many powerful attacks. Many of which have been wrought through the mystical powers of reiatsu, only then to be unleashed upon him.

In a much needed attempt to deter such events in the future, Haresuno’s own reiatsu took on a unique property after some prodding. He has learned through trial and error that for the cost of 4% his overall reiatsu he is able to use his reiatsu to weaken, or even nullify, techniques up to the that amount.

This effect will hit techniques within 10m of Haresuno. After each use, Haresuno must wait two turns before activating the ability once more.


Kashiwa Katayori [Oak Deviation]


Although freed from the curse, a hint of the madness will always be present. Haresuno suffered most egregiously, locked away from his kidou, from his zanpakuto, and even from the thought of aggression. This suffering, however, both empowered his sense of stoicism and festered in him a yearning to act beyond his restraints. As always, Haresuno seems as sturdy and steady as the oak... but beneath the surface there is more. This has developed into an ability to take a direct physical attack, and punish those who think to avoid it easily.

Paying 5% reiatsu, Haresuno can imbue any attack with his own body with Kashiwa Shitai Katayori. The effect is two-fold: first, it amplifies the strength of the attack directly; second, should the attack miss, an invisible follow-up attack is delivered near-simultaneously, deviating from the original attack by up to half of a meter and carrying the full strength.

This ability is unique to Uchiharu Haresuno.


Second Wind - Pushing his endurance to the limits in hopeless fight after hopeless fight, Haresuno has reached a new plateau of recovery. When his reiatsu drops below 50% of his base reiatsu, he will begin to regenerate 1% of his base reiatsu per round, for up to ten rounds. This effect may only occur once per day.

Rei + 554

Daigeki no Taka (Falcon Punch) - Hadou #69, 1600 Kidou

Description: An improved version of the basic Hadou, Demon Fist, the user amasses reiatsu within one limb. This allows for an explosive melee strike, making it a favored kidou among hakuda specialists. Visually, a large falcon made of kidou flames will manifest itself on the limb. When launched, the falcon will screech and flap its wings to give the user a boost of acceleration with the attack. This kidou is very difficult to conceal due to its explosive release of power on contact; all of the channeled reiatsu is forced out of the limb to severely damage the victim and anything within a cone reaching 5 meters behind the victim. However, this energy can be damaging if the user's kidou skills aren't powerful enough to fully withstand and control the powerful energy within his/her body. If the user of this kidou has less than 4000 kidou, then the limb will be hit by backlash equal to one fourth of Falcon Punch's power.

Incantation: Bird of prey, traveler of the winds, guardian of the forest. Lend me your strength and beauty to annihilate those who would threaten our territory. Hadou #69, Daigeki no Taka!

[video=youtube;umiQmKK9FqU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umiQmKK9FqU[/video]

 

[Time Lady Katie]

Death was better than failure. She knew that success wasn’t an option, so when the gardener sent her rocketing away from him with a punch, she knew what she had to do. She closed her eyes as she cracked through one of the towers and collected the fragments that would’ve collapsed around her. Clearly the arrogant ass thought this was the end of her. But if she accepted her failure, she didn’t deserve to walk out of this arena.

Besides, a small smile would’ve crossed her face if she weren’t in too much pain, the cannon needed to shatter spectacularly. Kago, weakly she sent the thought out toward her combat partner. Una salus victis nullam sperare salutem. The last hope is not to hope for safety. She sent the thought to Lilith as well, as if it justified what she was about to do, and the insanity of it all. Life wasn’t worth living if she continued to let down Adele, or Yuurei, or Satoru, or Creed, or Apphia, or even Lucas. Life wasn’t worth living if the Tenth Division was not home. And so, the one hope of the damned was not to hope for safety.

She couldn’t stand. Thankfully standing was something of a luxury at this point and less of a necessity. She was going to die, but Haresuno Uchiharu was going to carry scars she was going to leave on him forever. She was going to haunt the bastard. Shahei too for that matter. Kago wasn’t as injured as she was but he was hurting. And they were not getting their haoris.

So, Adelaide was going to die trying.

This is for you, my Captain.

The rubble of the building shook as if Adelaide was struggling to her feet, to fire herself again onto the Gardener. And then she didn’t. Instead, the entire damn building, everything that had appeared to crash down on top of the Mystic, also appeared to rebuild itself, which would be an amazing sight to see if it also wasn’t speeding toward Haresuno, an effort to entomb him as he had attempted to do to her. The building floated on the air, held together by the mind of a Mystic, and bore down on the man who ended her life.

Where the building once stood, dark chains held up Adelaide Pierce, as if they were controlling her body. She yielded the physical from she had over to the agony and pain, and instead elected to use her mind, keeping what lucidity she could. Run like hell. That was the last thing she ever intended to say to Kago. The building, as formidable as it was, also was a distraction. Something the redhead had done to draw attention. She hoped no one saw the chains lift her, or watched them raise her arm, or affix Lashiel to her hand. With what little strength she could muster, she started to twirl the scythe.

“Be all my sins remembered.”

And then, nothing happened. The fire didn’t burn. The battlefield wasn’t taken over with the clensing fire of her bankai. She just didn’t have the strength. She didn’t have what it took to stand with them. She couldn’t even burn out properly. She was a child among Gods, and if the haori was too big for her, the shihakushou was too. The power she wanted to pour into her attack, she instead pushed into her wound to keep herself from bleeding to death. She closed her eyes.

What the fuck am I even doing?

She still didn’t like the perspective Sayis had shared when she learned Kindou; that her life was more valuable than those of the people who served under her. But if she died here like she so dearly wanted to, so did another user of forbidden magic. So did the resources that stopped Prometheus. She wasn’t somehow worth more than others, but she had abilities they didn’t. And even if she didn’t want to survive, the Gotei needed her to.

She spent the entire fight in Lilith’s shadow. She proved one thing only: that she couldn’t be Lilith. She hadn’t even landed a hit until she shed that misguided belief. She pulled back the clay structure that she was using to attack and instead turned it into a defensive wall between herself and Haresuno. This was over. She wanted to die. And she didn’t even have that freedom.

735 Words
4900 Total​

Be All My Sins Remembered

Soshi [Elements]
Soshi refers to the purest elements of the spiritual realm that culminate into telekinesis -- the most basic, fundamental ability required of a shinigami to become a Mystic. A shinigami's journey in the Tenth begins with a keen awareness of the universe and an exceptional talent in reiatsu manipulation. The Mystic must be able to harness their spiritual energy and apply it in anomalous ways to the physical world.
With Soshi, the Mystic learns to move objects with their mind. Its range of effect is within a 15-meter radius. The strength of Soshi is directly related to 1/10th of the user's reiatsu in pounds, capping at 2,000 lbs. It costs the Mystic 1% reiatsu to perform this ability per turn. The reiatsu of others acts as a repellent to this ability, therefore, at no point can Soshi be used to levitate other spiritual creatures or people.

Repentance GM Feat
In the chaos of Gyouga Fukai Meiro, Adelaide saw her personal philosophy to avoid killing put to the test... and fail utterly. After cutting down enemies and allies alike, and feeling the burn of cleansing flames that failed to scour away her sins, Adelaide has no option but to live with her choices. As such, the sight of her friends and allies struggling drives her to new heights, in a desperate bid to make up for her prior bloodlust.
When an ally has received a major injury or has been reduced below 50% of their base reiatsu, Adelaide feels a surge of burning willpower, boosting her reiatsu and kidou threshold each by 5% of her base reiatsu. This may only occur once per day.

Tamashii no Chouwa [Harmony of Souls]
As the Mystics have improved their harmony with the Departed Spirits, so have they better learned to react to the energy around them. By studying the way the Departed Spirits interact with one another and with Mystics of the Divine, a valuable lesson can be learned.Operating on the principle that the universe is underpinned by a fundamental connectedness of all things, the Mystic studies the way their own reiatsu interacts with the reiatsu of others.
As a Mystic comes to know another shinigami, they learn the best way to resonate their reiatsu with this colleague and gain a decided advantage in combat. As long as the comrade is within 20m, they are able to replenish their reserves. Each turn, a practitioner gains as passive regeneration based on how familiar they are with the shinigami around them: shinigami with United Front grant 2% base reiatsu regeneration per turn, those with United Resistance grant 3% per turn and Fated Alliance grants 4% per turn.
Because this ability requires harmonizing one's reiatsu with someone else, it can only be done to one individual per chapter/collaboration, and abilities that distort or adversely affect the control of one's reiatsu can disable this ability if the Mystic is no longer able to harmonize their energy with their comrade.

 

[swaswj]

"Oh, hell yes!" Shahei yelled out when those syllables started leaving Kago's mouth.

The Gundanchou's muscles tightened, preparing to launch forward, ready to take the blast head-on. This entire fight had gone so far with Shahei only delivering a petty love-tap, but now he would get his chance to sink his fist right into the would-be captain's jaw.

Then he paused, realizing where that lightning cannon was aimed.

With no time to hesitate or even throw out another congratulations, Shahei flashed backward, hitting the ground in a roll.

The electric-blue light consumed his vision, blotting out everything else in the rocky crag. Shahei rolled to a crouch, Oni no Namida held in front of him, muscles locked tightly. The roar of the lightning cannon was all-consuming, every hair on the Gundanchou's body stood stiff, the acrid scent of ozone engulfed the entire pit. Hiryuugekizokushintenraihou erupted from Kago's outstretched hand, raw power given form, streaking across the gorge in an instant to explode calamitously against Shahei's shield.

It halted there, straining the Gundanchou's body as he grinned wildly. Temporary though it was, Haresuno was his partner. The Founder lay right in the cannon's path, Kago's surprisingly sneaky attempt to aid Adelaide with the last of his strength. That meant that the cannon had to halt right there.

With a roar of defiance, Shahei held against the beam, explosions rippling to both sides and up into the air until the very end. The final surges of the spell ripped the shield from his arm, sending the teardrop flying only to land heavily once again. Rocked backward, Shahei growled, twitching lightly from the dregs of the attack.

Amid the torn and scorched stone, the Gundanchou laughed heartily, his gravelly voice calling out, "I'm starting to like your spark." Curling the fingers of his left hand into a fist again, Shahei started forward, convinced now that that was truly the final attack.

Behind him, Adelaide was pulling together her hasty defense. Both would-be captains were on their last legs.

"That's enough!" Sayis called from the edge of the cliffs overhead.

Shahei looked upward and halted his advance. "Oh, is it?" He laughed once more and then started to move into a stretch, completely dropping his guard without a second thought.

"No, it isn't! Finish the exam!" Matsurine shouted coldly. The dark-cloaked man leaped down into the pit, glaring at Shahei and Kago before flashing a distasteful look toward the other two combatants. "Vasto Lordes will not halt when the shinigami are weary and winded. Insurgents will not take pity on the wounded. Finish this exam and prove that you are worth entrusting with the safety of Soul Society!"

Sayis leaped down as well. "The test is over. I have seen everything I need to see." Though he did not shout, his voice was cold, his eyes clouded dangerously. The Soutaichou faced off with the Soushireikan, neither of them budging.

Frozen in place, Shahei looked from one to the other before shrugging and finishing his stretch. "Sorry, boss, but this is a Gotei taishuu, so Soutaichou's word goes." He gave an apologetic shrug to Sayis. "We're a little more selective of our Gundanchou," he offered as explanation, though with his grin, it was difficult to tell whether that was an insult or a peace offering.

Matsurine closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before resuming his glare at Sayis. "If you halt the test here, then that is your choice. My decision for both candidates is firmly 'no,' however, as they have not done enough to prove themselves worthy."

Shahei scratched his head thoughtfully and spoke before Sayis could. "I'd vouch for this one," he remarked, jabbing a thumb in Kago's direction. "Didn't get much of a view of the redhead, but she's still standing, sort of." He looked in her direction and nodded. "That Founder seems like a fierce guy, and if he can kick out more hurt than this other newbie, then I give her my vote for surviving."

"Inori Shahei..." Matsurine started dangerously.

"Five votes, boss, not your vote five times." The Gundanchou flashed a challenging grin. "Or am I wrong?"

Ignoring that, Sayis cut off the argument to yell up to the cliff face, "What say the rest of you? Would you count either or both of these candidates as peers among you?"

[720/3140]

 

[lilmangoseed]

Lilith Maikeru, former Captain of the Mystics of the Divine, had remained silent as the chaos of the mighty battle expanded in a delirious haze around them. She had heard Adelaide’s cries echo in her mind, felt the tattoo that linked their concord burn against her face -- so sorrowed, so visceral -- and as Adelaide screeched and wailed, Lilith would not respond. Staring down with unmoving violet eyes, the judge had let the words slide over her and fall to the ground unaffecting.

Instead, the dark-haired mistress had tightened her grip around Ishin’s arms. He had sensed the guilty stake that Lilith had delivered through her own heart and held her close in his haori. When Sayis had finally called the battle, her release had left white marks upon Ishin's forearms -- marks both of worry and of awe over the woman she had watched grow into a remarkable shinigami. Lilith respected and supported Adelaide, yet rather than acclaim her with effervescent words, Lilith forced Adelaide to step through this brutal test alone... like the captain she strove to be, the leader she needed to be.

As the battle cleared and Matsurine challenged the Soutaichou, Lilith turned and whispered to Ishin, “Pass or not, promise me that you’ll never let Adelaide forget that her truest potential can only be gained by carving her own identity as a mystic. She is a strong, passionate leader that has the potential to change the history of the Gotei. But she won’t accept that until she fully unbolts herself from me.”

Turning on her heel, briefly facing Ishin, Lilith offered him a coy grin.

“But you, on the other hand... You’ll have to be miserable every day without me.” With a tiny giggle that could only be heard by the two of them, she faded in a quiet tempest from his arms.

 

[IshinOnigami]

Every fiber of his being wanted to reach out and grab hold of her, to keep her with him if even for just a moment longer. This was not the time nor the place for that, however, and he needed to be here and now.

Steeping forward, he was the first to speak.

"Adelaide Pierce. You have shown on multiple occasions a reckless disregard for your own safety simply to prove that you are not someone that is held in high regard amongst those gathered here today. I have witnessed it first hand several times. Each time, you gave all of yourself simply to be seen as you, not as Lilith's protege. It reminds me of how she was when she was promoted from under Sayis. It isn't necessarily the best quality to have in abundance, but amongst we captains, it is a necessary quality. However, You have to remember that you are you, never anyone else. You aren't bound to Lilith in all things, just as your aren't bound to any of us, even if part of us is." Here he paused, letting here feel his reiatsu through the bracelet she had. "As it stands, you have an immense power and potential, one that I hope will not be hindered by thoughts of what someone else would do. DO what you would do, and you will be correct. My vote for her is yes."

He turned his gaze to Kago next, and it was unreadable.

"Kazunari. We have had many differences in opinion in the past. For good reason. AT one point you told me that i was wrong in assuming that you stood for nothing. Did I ever, even a single time, tell you that i felt that was wholly a bad thing? I am bound in my path to always have to help others clean up their mess. And my own. You, on the other hand, are fluid, and able to to prevent such problems from ever being an issue. You needed some backbone, and even I have to admit you showed it here today. So, therefore I have no choice but to vote yes."

His gaze became suddenly very clear and intent.

"HOWEVER! If you fuck up again to the extent that you have in the past, I will personally throw you so deep into the Maggot's Nest that you will never again be able to cause any sort of mischief."

Turning to the interim captains near him, his gaze centering on Matsurine. A small smirk played over his features, and a defiant look glinted in his eyes.

"I believe that makes two."

Turning he nodded to Shahei. It had taken him a while to put his finger on it, but he finally recognized the man as one of the people that had helped when the old 8th had become his and Orpheus's home all those years ago.

"A drink is in order, Inori. It has been far too long."

With that, he let his voice fall silent, allowing for the others to cast their lots.

WC: 509/1001

 

[Wayne]

For the entirety of the fight, as swords and spells clashed dangerously before them, Kyuketsu remained relatively speechless. To say the he was disengaged failed to give the term any justice, however, as the captain appeared completely, if not downright unmoved by the struggles persevered by the two would-be captains. It was not so much that he didn’t care for their wellbeing, and was really more along the lines of him simply being disjointed when watching others battle. Regardless, as blank as his countenance remained, Kyuketsu still took note of anything worth his attention. Sure enough, Adelaide and Kago displayed some semblance of valor in their struggle, enduring through the barrage of punishment unleashed by their foes.

As violent as Haresuno was and as exasperating as Shahei acted, their assault was nonetheless a sight to behold. To see that the candidates managed to survive such a two-pronged onslaught meant that they possessed some valuable assets for the Gotei. Despite agreeing with the Gundanchou’s proposal, as already stated, this was Inuzuri’s stage, and Kyuketsu could only comply.

“Pierce,” he said at last, looking down with leonine eyes at the Mystic’s supposed successor. “You’ve fought beside me before, and as such this is not the first I’ve come to witness your capabilities. You have skill, strength, and masteries or arts that only a select few could suppress. Physically, like with many other soul reapers, you have what it takes to become a captain. But emotionally?”

He snorted.

“I’ve seen you doubt yourself one too many times in this fight alone. The look on your face bore the sight of a defeated, sobbing child. The fact that I was able to notice that would spell disaster should your troops do the same... or worse yet, the enemy. I still believe that the focus of your intent lies elsewhere, aimless and vagrant. Where was the woman I fought alongside with against Metanoia? Where was the headstrong, unrelenting soul that saved the lives of many innocents? Not here, I can tell you. Her strength is here, but not here spirit.”

Bouncing his attention off to Kago, the Duelist captain continued, “Takimoto, yours is a far different tale altogether. There was little self-doubt in the way you swung your sword, little hesitation in the churning of your heels. But your mind seemed clouded, flooded with thoughts that some I dare not even mention. Beyond that, I know nothing of you and your abilities to lead... if I’m to be perfectly blunt. Again, you’re strong, yes, but where is the drive? The thread that holds all of you together, the cogs which spin your mechanisms?”

The captain retreated, his eyes passing to where Ishin stood.

“Fortunately for the both of you, Katsuji has a point, and he has already expressed whatever positive points I could hope to address. Pierce, find your own route and step out of your predecessor’s shadow. Only do so, and you would become an entirely different beast altogether. Takimoto, carry more fire in your actions, execute emphasis with every swing of the sword. Break through the stale, generic monotony.”

Finally, Kyuketsu placed his golden gaze strictly unto Matsurine, almost teasingly, sneeringly releasing half a smirk.

“I sy yes to both of them.”

1,037​

 

[Rob]

“I have to say no,” Nana said in a deadpan, “to the both of them. They were given the chance to fight together, and they completely disregarded that. For someone who’s looking to found a support division, Kazunari-san, this is unforgivable.

“For someone who prides herself on her roots - roots that sprouted in the Eighth Division - this too is unforgivable, Pierce-san.”

Letting her eyes fall on the Gundanchou for a bit, and then on Haresuno, she sighed softly. She had wanted to say yes, to Adelaide. She wanted to commend her for her guts, but even more so for her ability to realize that she was, in fact, not someone she clearly wanted to become.

Did that justify it, though? Did that justify the utter disgust she had felt watching the entire fight? No, it was close, but not enough.

As for Kago? He hadn’t impressed her when he had asked her to recommend him, and to be quite honest... nothing had really changed in the meantime. He was still the same person as he was back then, and that would certainly get him the haori he probably deserved.

She couldn’t recommend him, though.

[200/wc]

 

[Apeiron]

“It is more than just that,” Haresuno chimed. Standing in the arena, surrounded by the dark flames of Adelaide’s Kokuryuha unperturbed, the Founder-Captain extended his will into the world and tore apart the clay constructs and the fires with no more effort than it took to breathe.

The rods of Xiezhi returned to Haresuno and connected once again into a staff, coated in the deceiving sheath of wood. His back ached and he felt drained - though steady. If the fight had carried on too much longer he would have driven himself out of power, to say nothing of his emotions. Sayis’s voice and command had given reason enough of a foothold for Haresuno to shove everything away.

As the clay began to melt, Haresuno strode to one side of the arena where he could see both Adelaide and Kago in his field of view. As he spoke, his eyes slowly shifted between the two captain-hopefuls. “They attempted to work together,” Haresuno critiqued, “but their plan was idiotic at best and displayed none of the forethought and advantages that either the Mystics or the Spellswords should take. Takimoto can fight, and so too can Pierce, but the two of them displayed a disregard for either their life or the life of their partner.

“Trust is a rare and beautiful thing between two combatants, especially in the middle of a desperate fight, but stupidity and suicidal charges are neither. Had this been a real fight: you would be dead, Pierce, and Takimoto shortly on your heels. How long do you think he could press the advantage of throwing himself against a wall?”

Haresuno’s eyes turned to Kago, then, fierce and disapproving, “And when did you think it was a good idea to let loose young Pierce on me?” he asked. “You know far better than most my own capabilities, and still you let her boldly attack me. You knew better, Takimoto, and still you let her try.

“Trust is rare and beautiful,” Haresuno repeated. “but death isn’t.”

The ground of the arena under Haresuno lurched upwards and carried the Founder-Captain to the lip of the arena where he stepped off.

Turning to look back down over the Proving Grounds, Haresuno gave his final word and offered no more clarity than the singular word, €œNo.”

[3955]

 

[Kago]

As each captain spoke in turn and cast their vote either in favor or against him, the nobleman heeded their words carefully. Some had valid points from their own points of view and he could not condemn them for their words, only learn from them. Haresuno’s, however, could not be taken lightly.

Kago knew that calling the trickster captain a friend did not automatically ensure his vote, but the man went beyond a simple ‘no’ for a response. He dug into his methods, questioned his actions during the fight without any sympathy. Haresuno could be cruel at times; however, his words felt like a stab in his back.

Renewed with fury, the acting captain steadied himself and removed Hayabusa from the ground. The blade returned to its sealed state as he turned to meet Haresuno’s eyes with a glare. Gripping the hilt of the zanpakutou, the muscles in his arms tensed.

“I took a calculated risk, Uchiharu-dono,” Kago replied passionately, his use of formality cutting through the crap and drawing in the trickster captain’s attention. “You were a known quality, one in which Adelaide felt confident to face. Having faith and allowing her to be truly tested as a captain, I stepped forward to face the unknown that is Inori-dono as the more suited candidate. And while our plan may have been ‘idiotic’ in your eyes, that does not mean it truly was.

“When I stepped into this arena, I not only sought to prove my metal in the fires of combat but also to unveil some of the mystery behind the onmitsu kidou representatives,” Kago announced, his eyes breaking away momentarily to gaze up at the Soushireikan. “These men and women will be facing threats against Soul Society alongside us on the battlefield. All of them remain as unknown quantities, their abilities untested by our forces. If we are not made aware of their combat prowess, how can we fully trust our lives and the lives of those who serve under us to them?”

Returning his focus to his friend, the nobleman’s tone calmed and his grip on Hayabusa lightened. “You may wish to interpret my rebuttal as a manner in which to sway your opinion. It is not. I only offer you this explanation to prove that you were wrong; my plan was a higher level than you might have expected, sir/I].”



[394/2,685]

 

[swaswj]

Sayis listened attentively, his face unrevealing. He had never seen a taishuu vote so starkly polarized. That, however, could be a good sign, a sign that each of the captains and corps commanders were actually weighing the merits rather than giving a blanket approval.

Kyuushi stood with his arms folded behind his back. The bald-headed Gundanchou, the substitute for the Ninth, spoke up next. "I'm afraid, Soushireikan, that I must side with Shahei on this. I would have liked to see the test go further, but if I must base a decision on what I have observed, then I will grant my approval to both candidates. Battle cannot be the sole judging factor for a Gundanchou, nor can it be for a Taichou. What we have seen here is sufficient battle proficiency for the role. Not ideal, but sufficient."

The hooded Gundanchou, substitute for the Second Division, looked over toward Adelaide. He was currently seated on the edge of the rift, hands clasped in front of him. Ashanti Kwasi gave a thoughtful hum before finally speaking. "Takimoto Kago showed great strength and determination, and even when sorely pressed, he had the presence of mind to at least attempt to help his partner. For this, I give my approval. Adelaide Pierce, however, gave no thought at all toward her ally after pulling him from the Sandstorm. While I applaud the desire to do the unexpected, even if it backfired as it did here, such single-mindedness and lack of awareness can only be detrimental in a position of leadership. I must turn down Adelaide's appointment."

Takeda Inori scoffed. As the temporary head of the Thirteenth division, it should have been no surprise when he retorted, "Did you not hear Kyuushi? Battle is not everything. When Takimoto Kago found himself in an unfavorable position, his only response was to attack. Even when Shahei turned aside his strongest attack, his strategy never changed. In contrast, Adelaide Pierce had the presence of mind to attempt to transition targets, attempted frontal assault, and when that did not work, she resorted to a more subtle play on the emotions. In the end, she recognized her vulnerability and chose to defend herself rather than push on fruitlessly.

"A leader must adapt to their situation. Takimoto Kago failed in this respect. Adelaide Pierce, however, has earned my support."

Matsurine looked just as surprised as Sayis to see that much support from the other heads of the Onmitsu Kidou. He didn't voice an argument, however. All eyes were now on the Soutaichou, it seemed. Despite the mixed reception, a lot of good points had been brought up on all sides.

Sayis stepped over toward Kago first. "You were a captain once, and the responsibility proved too much for you. It was not a matter of your ability being tested beyond its limit, but a matter of being unprepared to shoulder that burden. In the time since your haori was relinquished, you have grown as a shinigami and as a leader. When you willfully shouldered the burden of Senesati's... dismissal, you proved that you were ready for greater things.

"In this test here today, you failed to show me the strength of the supporting role you described to me before. You succeeded, however, in showing an admirable level of strength, battlefield awareness, and tenacity. For a long time now, you have acted as a leader for the Eighth division. Going forward, you will do so as its proper captain. Takimoto Kago, you pass."

Then he strode over to Adelaide. She looked pitiful, barely standing and weakly trying to use reiki on her own wound. Sayis shared a look with Haresuno as he passed. The fact that she was still conscious was beyond belief, and Sayis couldn't honestly be sure how much of what was happening she was still cognizant of.

He placed a hand to the redhead's side, adding his own reiatsu to the flow of reiki. "It has been said already and will be said again: you are not Maikeru Lilith. You are, however, the young woman whom Lilith trusted above all others to watch over her division. A captain must be ready to fight and must be ready to give their all for the sake of their division or protecting the balance of souls, but that does not mean they should throw themselves headlong against a foe they cannot defeat. Haresuno stands as such a foe; he is a captain who has been hardened through endless struggle, through trials that have killed lesser men.

"There was a time, though, when Haresuno ran up against a wall he couldn't pass.

"Your resourcefulness in this battle was commendable, and so also was your strength. That Haresuno is the stronger is not a failing of yours. Still, by attacking relentlessly, beyond the point of reason, you risked your life and the well-being of your entire division in a fruitless grasp for glory." Sayis paused before sighing and finishing, "Except you didn't attack relentlessly. Foolishly, yes, but not relentlessly. You would have been better served to work with Kago, but you opted for surprise. You tried power where subtlety was needed; you plied emotion against a man who is far from a stranger to assaults on his psyche; where you thought there was an opening, you struck; and when presented with the choice to go out in a blaze of glory or live on for your division, you chose life.

"It is a rocky path you tread, Adelaide, but your ability to weather and adapt to the trials you face is what the Tenth division needs right now. Adelaide Pierce, you pass."

Then Sayis called out to the others, "Somebody who is better at this than I, come help stabilize these wounds before she bleeds out. Ishin, call for Charon's Road and Matsurine, if you would, please notify the Fourth division that we will be arriving shortly."

The Soushireikan was giving Sayis an odd look, but finally nodded. "It will be done, Soutaichou."

[1000/4140] Final

 

[Time Lady Katie]

She was kept standing by the chains of her bankai. The fight was over, but she didn’t seal her weapon because doing so would leave her falling on the ground. She needed the support of Lashiel to keep standing as people said insulting things about her. Which was really the best way she could imagine spending her birthday.

It took a lot of clarity not to attack people who approached her. She was a cornered animal, wounded, and a lot less than lucid. She heard the things Sayis said to her and felt the healing, but she couldn’t respond. She couldn’t speak. A weak Thank you, sir, was all she managed to do. And then her eyes closed. And then the world fell to darkness.

She was a Captain now. She was the Captain of the Mystics of the Divine.

The rest she wasn’t exactly coherent enough to understand. It probably didn’t matter.

150 Words
5050 FINAL​