A quiet mid afternoon, not a single soul was out and about. Or was there?
“Teh, hee, hee,” chattered a maniacal voice from inside the abandoned structure. His voice echoed down the cold empty hallways. The floors littered with damaged tiles and the walls free of any insulation. The rooms appeared to have been classrooms converted into prison cells.
A squeal following a loud pop sounded through the facility. Perhaps the sound of bones breaking? Perhaps. A red-ish light emitted faintly at the end of a hallway. A humanoid shadow appeared on a wall in the vicinity of the light. Feelers slithered about in the creatures wake. An animal of some sort seemed to have been in constant pain from all the squealing.
And then the shadowy presence vanished as did the light, and the creature.
“Teh, hee, hee,” the monster chattered again. Another squeal soared the empty hallways for the final time in a blood-curdling cry and then the disfigured squirrel went out the third story window, broken and still.
The open air rippled, as a tear in space appeared. The black void of garganta opened up, as both Ciro Martelli and Hisao Adachi stepped through. The Italian’s body was still bruised and battered, though his wounds had for the most part stabilized completely. The madness in his mind continued to beat against his sanity, threatening to overtake him again.
He forced away the thoughts, clearing his head and donning his trademark smirk. Looking upwards at the prison in front of him, the dark legacy of humanity waited in front of him. The aura of insanity was heavy; his heart rate already starting beat faster.
“I want to eliminate this and leave as fast as possible Adachi,” he spoke in a hushed tone. For my sake, and yours as well, he added in his mind.
“I did not know you to be the worried type Martelli.” The old man said with a small chuckle. Despite the attempted informality of the kidouist’s speech, each breath Hisao drew was labored. His mind was a flame with the tendrils of chaos as he could feel the machinations of his inner hollow moving. If Ciro doesn’t pull me under these bloody scions will. Why does that idiot of a Chairman believe he can turn the crazed beasts more mad?
The relic put aside his thoughts, instead focusing on trying to locate the beast, absentmindedly the old man mumbled, “I would not be surprised if I snapped before the end of these hunts. Neither would I.” The second sentence was delivered more growled than was usual for the old man and he seemed completely oblivious to what had happened.
In another part of the old museum, Griffin’s feet touched down, his steps carrying him backwards across the Senkaimon and onto the ground below. He landed softly, taking care to keep as quietly as possible as he looked around.
“Griffin Youngblood, reporting in,” he whispered, clutching a small transceiver, “I’ve made it across to the World of the Living. What are my orders?” Irritation, and in no small amounts, was present in his voice.
“Good.” A small voice, most likely female, spoke back to him. “First, find and make contact with both Hisao Adachi and Ciro Martelli. Then, support them as needed. However, your first priority must be to report back to Soul Society on the effect that these... ‘scions’ are having on them. Do you understand?
“Understood.” the swords-slinging mystic replied with a sigh. “I’ll do my best. Cutting off transmissions now. Griffin out.”
There was no response, but he assumed that she had heard him. Anyway, it was not like it mattered too much. He knew what he was supposed to do, and would do it to the best of his ability.
Even if it is something as disgraceful as this stupid spywork. Griffin thought, sighing again while he began moonwalking through the fields outside of the museum, using his Frekki Skinn in order to get a pinpoint on his “targets’” exact location.
From the darkness a long slick tentacle emerged and grasped the rat. Eep!" shrieked the creature as it hung in the face.
"Teh, hee, hee, hee, heh, hee!"
The hollows reflective eyes met the teary fearful orbs of the furry pest. A voice, or more like two; that of a man and beast spoke together in unison, "Awww, don't be afraid. It'll all be over soo-
"Appears I have visitors," snarled the creature, drool oozed from its needle sharp teeth.
"I think it's best we'd go say hello.
"What do you think, my little furry friend?" the beast questioned the struggling rodent. "Mua, ha, ha, ha, Ha, hA!" roared the hollow. It's sinister laugh echoed through the building, which was accompanied by another loud bloodcurdling squeal. Anyone that heard the noise would known the beast awaited the arrival of his dinner to greet him on the third floor.
The echoing voice acts as a trigger, Ciro launching at a devastating pace. He moved like a freight train, leaving the elderly vizard behind. Perhaps charging directly at the hollow was not the best plan; however, with every passing moment in madness, he felt his mind begin to splinter and crack.
He leaped up into the air, superhuman agility propelling him far up, carrying his momentum; he swung himself directly into an open window on the third floor. Ciro closed his eyes, as he felt his energy encapsulate and lock itself far away. Simultaneously, he felt the spiritual air around him, as it solidified into multiple threads. He saw the white and red stained thread of Hisao, the pure white ribbon of his own, as well as, curiously, another white ribbon belonging to a shinigami. However, none of those were the one he needed. The Chairman reached forward touching a blood-red one in front of him.
He tapped directly into the network around him, nodes and edges being visualized his mind’s eye. Tracking to the hollow, he established the link with Kairososhi. At the same moment he linked his mind to Hisao’s as well, creating two one-way channels. Involuntarily, a message slipped out of his mind, as he felt Misogi pulsate beneath his flesh.
Do you know where it all began?
[356]
Things
Used: [ Oushurin ] - "Controlled Response"
Cerberus operatives know the value of reiatsu allocation during and battle and are adept at its usage. During battle a Cerberus member may put up to 20% of his or her reiatsu away into storage. This reiatsu pool grows by 10% of that amount per round, up to +50% of the stored reiatsu.
This reiatsu must all be used in the round it is reclaimed. The bonus reiatsu that is spent or stored does not add to the user’s Resonance.
[ Kairososhi ] - "Circuit Element”
One of the main tenants of Cerberus is the power of information control. Through extended training in Reiatsu Nouken and the use of a variety of cerebral boosting strains, the user is able control the flow of information from one human to another. By tapping into the reiatsu field formed by all supernatural creatures, the Agent is able to create a network of energy links. Using the skill of Kairososhi, agents have learned how to transform the skill into a team ability. The range of this ability is equal to the Operative’s Reiatsu Nouken range. This allows them to send information, such as speech or images, through a mental link.
This allows them to relay their senses to a different target, allowing the ally to see what they see and so forth. The Agent can contact one other unit per 1,000 reiatsu they have with a maximum of 5. The cost of this ability is 200 reiatsu per unit per turn. This a one-way link, unless the receiver also knows Kairososhi.
- Kairososhi is a one way link, you can hear Ciro's message but not respond. Also, the message is just a reference to my collab Shibboleth where Ciro goes crazy. These PMs are supposed to be precursors to it so I'm just trying to work up continuity. The question really doesn't have meaning to anyone who hears it really.
In the Rukongai so long ago... the old man thought in response moving forward after the chairman. His body ached more than usual and the feeling of dread his inner hollow produced had become a drill into his temple. Perhaps the duo should have allowed another to deal with this yet neither was the type to not see a job through to its finish.
Hisao’s breathing was heavy, every few steps required a break to try to gain back strength that never seemed to return. Occasionally an image flashed in his mind’s eye, a blackened carapace or him suspended within a giant holding tank. If we survive I swear Martelli I will give you a lecture as to why I do not need help going insane. The old man said gruffly continuing to try to catch up to Ciro.
I seek the faithful, he responded through the mental link that he had established.
The sound of rattling chains filled the air, his power being unlocked once more. The insanity that he sought to suppress, the insanity that had been building for years was released once more. It filled him, reassuring, comforting, terrifying, insatiable. He continued to barrel forward, as he felt the strain against his mind continue to grow.
He turned his head towards the source of the signature, hidden in the darkest corners of the building. A chain appeared in his hand, as he whipped it violently outward, his superhuman strength amplifying its deadly potential. It ripped through the walls with ease, as he began to tear the building down.
[478]
!
Shinju - Hitsumetsu
Divine Gift - Mortality - 0% Resonance:
While not fully manifested until his True Awakening, Ciro can summon the chains which shackle his soul freely while in this basic level of power. By paying 3% of his reiatsu, he can summon a crimson, spiked chain from any location in the 15 meter radius from him. While he cannot manifest the chain from other beings or special materials like zanpaktou, he can form them from any mundane object or personal item. The chains are superheated, causing them to burn the skin on contact. He gains the ability to maneuver the chains, bending them and controlling them freely. He can create a maximum of four chains per turn.
[ Naibu ] - "Internalize”
There is a distinctly physical aspect to the awakening of a human's power. As the human's capabilities in combat increase, his natural strength soon reaches supernatural proportions. Spiritual power from within becomes part of the physical body, and at will the human can use this power to greatly augment their bodies in almost every way imaginable, at a cost of 100 reiatsu per round.
The user can lift bulky items such as refrigerators or vending machines and throw them with ease. Upon attaining 5000 Combat, their prowess increases to the point where they can even throw a mid-sized car or tear down a street light to use as a weapon. While such force is the norm for those beyond mortal ken, Internalize can be applied directly to combat, allowing the user to throw or violently blow back their opponents.
Overdrive: Beyond physical strength, Internalize becomes something more akin to tactile telekinesis. Anything the user can normally lift is now effortless, allowing a user to throw vending machine with a flick of the wrist without breaking stride.
He has gone mad... The old man thought entering the building behind the chairman. A strange revolution filled him. Hisao had had contact with the deranged before but that usually resulted in a swift if explosive death. The same methods could not be used here. Martelli was far too important to far too many to be dealt with like that.
A wrinkled hand found its way onto the Chairman’s shoulder, “We have come to kill.” The answer was blunt, if strained. Hisao’s mind felt like it was going to split itself open, yet the kidouist’s body did not waver, “If you would be so kind as to make this easy show yourself.”
A thunderous boom discharged in the immediate area. Shards of stone, metal and wood shot out from the front of the building and in the direction of the two intruders. Following the obscure cloud of dust and cement was the scion holding something large... a pillar?
“Grrr RAHH!” roared the scion and slammed the large slab of concrete directly in front of his opponents.
Ciro raised his arm to cover his eyes, the dust and debris blocked off by the travellers coat he donned. Shinkaronsha echoed outwards, giving him a picture of the area and the scions moves. His body reacted in time, as he leaped back, dodging the immense block of concrete.
He flicked his hands forward, archaic circles forming from his fingertips. Two immense chains launched outwards, piercing through the concrete block, shattering it from the sheer force applied. They barreled forward seeking the skewer the scion.
was unsure if I was waiting for shade, but I kinda just thought that he dodge the attack with you. but I posted to move this along
An enthusiastic leer painted the scion’s face as his eyes narrowed sharply at the vast approaching crimson chains. He knelt on a single knee and pushed himself to the right of his prior position. A single bloodshot line of fluid pierced the air.
Tch!
The hollow vanished instantly.
“Heh, heh, heh,” he cackled as he appeared to Ciro’s left with the chain in his bloody hand. An odd pulse of reiatsu flooded the area. "Ha!" roared the scion and whipped his left hand in an attempt to smash the metallic restraint into its conjuror’s chin.
[544]
ability used
Mad Hunter: A pulse of reiatsu that augments all abilities used by anyone. Any reiatsu based attacks used in the next five rounds will be divided amongst all opponents.
His body reacted, a pulse of Shinkaronsha emanating outwards to map the landscape. Ciro could feel the oncoming attack approaching, the smallest change in stance showed that to him. He ducked low, calling upon his honed combat training. The chain vanished, dispelled by the master within an instant.
It was the smallest break, the smallest window that he reacted. Transitioned immediately, he felt his superhuman strength course through his veins. With a devastating slam, he thrust back upwards with an open palm.
Several bands of blood painted the air like like ribbons in the wind.
The scion grinned with glee and gripped the forearm of the hand that pierced his left breast. "Now what are you going to do?" he garbled with a sinister tone. Before Ciro could even answer, several more strands of blood shot out from the human's backside.
"A-hee, hee, hee, hee, hee! Hurts, doesn't it?" the hollow teased and wiggled two of his fleshy feelers around in Ciro's wounds.
