[PM][C/10th] Week 233: Trembling Earth

[Wayne]

The tension in the air was almost suffocating. Two forces, both distinct and similar in their own respects, at last clashed in a confrontation long overdue. The fire that brewed between Kyuketsu and Ryoujin stemmed not out of hatred, however, but out of a sense of desire and closure. Their duel was meant not only to further advance their mission, but most of all to cement once and for all an invisible war that raged between the two friends. It was the final output of their burrowed emotions—a rampant exodus that would at last give rest to the tired argument that lashed amongst them. They not only wanted it... they needed it.

From the disapprovals and rebukes brought out by their allies, it was clear that their reasoning alone failed to understand the most vital essence which surrounded the battle. Kyuketsu and Ryoujin were both able to make the tough decisions in the face of great adversity when no one else could do it. Raifuku’s final message was clear—it was fight or die. The other soul reapers, all of whom had but one symbol at their arsenal, would all ‘perish’ in that room because of their own inactions. They were far too drowned in the black-and-white dogmas of honor and camaraderie that they failed to realize what was needed of them at the time. Because they refused to play the twisted game set up by the puppeteer, they were inadvertently choosing to fail their duties.

As Ryoujin’s blade inched closer to Kyuketsu’s flesh with blinding speeds, a spark of life resonated from the opposite’s cutter. The silver gleam of the Acting Captain’s zanpakutou flourished before the speedster, dancing with a celestial grace divergent from their treacherous warzone of steep canyons and rallying thunders. A resounding boom shattered the hearing as both warrior’s steels slammed against one another, unleashing a grand shockwave that shook the very earth on which they both stood. A grin crept itself over Kyuketsu’s countenance as he locked sights with his adversary. Without another word, he spun, twisting his weapon into a whirlwind-like move which dared to ravage and crush the Third Seat’s own flesh and bones.​

1,071​

 

[Shun]

Teeth clenched, he bared himself for the stunt. The force was astounding - so much so that he was clearly reminded that Kyuketsu was no longer bound by Prometheus’s curse. In all those weeks of not being able to use his swordsmanship to its fullest, the Acting Captain’s skill hadn’t diminished in the least. From the looks of it, it had improved drastically, an unbridled power that Ryoujin could not hope to match so easily. Even though the gaps were becoming apparent, neither of the swordsmen seemed to give the other any leeway, both of them fending off one another's assaults in ordert to not be the first one to draw blood. Unfortunately for him, that wasn't going to last for very long. As he was launched back from the strike, a spray of blood shot forth.

It hadn’t even been a minute yet, and already, his friend, the one whom he strived to overcome, had already successfully dealt the first blow.

Not surprised though, he thought. Kyuketsu had always been the more formidable of the two, and that fact seemed to become evident with each passing day. If he wanted to be felled by someone’s blade, he would rather have Kyuketsu strike him down than be it Raifuku or any of his minions. In the end, when no one had the conviction to play by this mastermind’s rules, then both of the Templars would just have to do so in order to put an end to this whole mess.

Without spending any time recovering, the audacious youth spurred forward whilst Senka made his movement seem like he had passed right through the other shinigami with his sword already outstretched.

"I don’t recall ever telling you to take it easy. I think you’re doing both of us a dishonor by holding back, hm? Last thing I want is to be insulted," he said.​

[ 1332 ]​

 

[Wayne]

To contradict and match Kyuketsu’s dominion over zanjutsu, Ryoujin’s equalizer came in the form of his outstanding speed and agility. The Acting Captain thought of it time and time again, so much so that such a truth became self evident—Ryoujin’s speed was on such a heightened echelon that it outclassed even the prowess of most Captains. It was because of that same otherworldly talent, combined with the dangerous force of Senka, that the speedster was able to raze Kyuketsu’s defenses.

Promptly, to minimize the damage, the swordmaster turned a heel and leaned back. The attack drew blood, though in the end became superficial amidst the growing insanity that at last had been made whole. Kyuketsu’s fangs glistened with fiery delight, a stark contrast to the duty-oriented exterior that once ruled his features. He stepped back, allowing a slight bit of space between him and his rival.

“You want shock and awe?” He stretched both his arms to the side, placing an apparent theatrical vibe to his given query. “...I’ll give you shock and awe.”

He shot forward without any adjourning delay, sword already at the ready as its edge came poised for its mark. Their brief distance was broken in an instant with the Templar Commander eager to gain dominance in a forthwith. His blade clamored for blood, and with strokes firing off with near-blinding precision, Tenzansatsu’s still-sleeping hunger scattered and spread with vicious abundance. There came no body part to hit, no specific area to cut. Instead, what became the quarry was the speedster’s entire frame, all of him subject to the fang’s onslaught.​

1,337 - Get the fuck on my level​

feat used, cuz it's time for gorilla warfare

[Sword Slayer] – Trained

Dedication to the blade is an art form both serene and deadly in nature. For one to completely immerse their very soul into its mastery would mean that even attacks that fail to kill would cause affliction and great difficulty against the enemy. To many, the swings of their weapon alone herald an immortal power strong enough to cut entire mountains and rend whole oceans. A swordsman’s ascension into this heightened echelon of prowess manifests through his or her ability to completely ravage their target’s defenses to the point of utter submission.

A practitioner of this technique may be able to embed 5% reiatsu into their sword for one whole turn. When an opponent manages to defend against their strikes, the aftermath is a damaging physical and psychological effect, causing the opponent to feel the primordial strength with which the masters of the blade control. For every parry and avoidance in that single round, not only will the target feel an increased staggering pressure from the user’s strikes, but also suffer a dire, un-ignorable feeling of dread completely overwhelm and overrun their cognitive senses.

Starting at 10,000 zanjutsu, its usage is restricted to only once per battle. Reusability grows for every 1,000 points more, capping at 15,000 whereas it can be used for five turns in a single fight.

 

[tminus31]

Jumping ship on this collab now, , and no I am not changing it

As he sat there, Setsuna could feel the two reiatsu clash. He closed his eyes and wondered who was winning, if anyone. After another moment of simply sitting there, he stood back up and began walking back the other way.

Man, am I gonna regret this later or what? He sighed as he ran back up the slope he’d slid down moments earlier and when he got to the top he paused as he watched the two fighters.

“Hey guys; feel free to keep fighting but could I ask a favour of ya both? No, you know what forget it.” Instead he sprinted forward, just as Kyuketsu was attacking and, with a final flash-step, leapt in the way of Kyuketsu’s attack.

FINAL [121/523]​

 

[Nekomata]

Ilsa indulged herself in a spate of rather creative curses involving Raifuku, his probable ancestry and personal habits as Setsuna sacrificed herself for Kyuketsu. “If I don’t make it out of here, one of you kill that bastard for me. Slowly. Painfully. Creatively. Just make sure you get the key to removing the collars out of him first.” The vice-captain stepped back next to Fluffy, her crystal glaive held in a defensive position. The only person here that she might have been willing to fight was Kyuketsu, and now he had the means to leave. Ryoujin was way too fast for her. Ilsa was not going to betray her friend (friends, counting Fluffy as his own entity), Picca was one of her own division, and Kamenashi... well, she was their only link to the Tenth.

Guess I’ll just see who wants to fight me and work from there.

148/1698​

note

Sorry for the late post, RL has not been kind lately.

 

[Shun]

Unlike how they had originally thought, some of them were beginning to grasp the significance of sacrifice for the good of many. It was a harsh truth sure, but that was the way things went in Raifuku's competition. Although Setsuna's rash actions were uncalled for, and he could have at the very least thought things through more clearly before rushing headlong into the blow that was meant for the pink-haired Blood Templar, it was still evident that the battle between him and Kyuketsu was far from over. In fact, the removal of the spellblade added further insult to injury, fueling the fires that had already been lit. It only took that one instance where Setsuna's life passed right before their eyes when he realized that now he truly did have a purpose in this game. Raifuku had played a hand in most if not all of these tragedies and complications, and someone would have to stop him, and in order to ensure that he fulfilled that role of putting an end to all of this suffering, he would need to make sure that Setsuna's death wasn't in vain, and for that to happen, he required another kanji piece, one or perhaps you could say two of the others which the interim captain now had in his possession.

"I won't lie and say that this changes things," Ryoujin finally began, "Because in all honestly, it doesn't. No bad blood intended, but I'm going to pay Raifuku a visit."

Despite the nonchalance he portrayed earlier throughout this whole event, it was now replaced by a fervor to put an end to this himself and to use the Buryoku Gaikou weapon on a particular target which would could either resolve things completely or the small chance of throwing things into chaos once more.

"Scatter... Kazeoni!" he exclaimed, scythes forming around him. As the four weapons materialized, they each hurtled forwards with a killing intent, attempting to embed themselves right into Kyuketsu's midsection.​

[ 1662 ]​

 

[Wayne]

He felt his blade cleave through Setsuna’s body, searing the man’s flesh with the utmost ease like a hot knife through butter. Kyuketsu gave a single glance at the Spellblade’s lifeless form, and though he felt his own hands reap every ounce of life from him, something still felt rather... off. From when he first defeated Kono Tsuneo, there was something about that damnable realm that didn’t sit too well with the swordsman. It was as if all his victories were halfhearted, like they lacked any true complacency. With the blood of yet another individual staining his hands, what were once mere suspicions now bore fruit to evident theories. It was Raifuku’s message, his final words to all of them, which breathed suitable life into Kyuketsu’s otherwise faulty conjectures.

The fact that you even acknowledged all this in the same league as an illusion... that’s a fumble on your part, Anshinkan. This reality... this existence... whatever this is, it’s full of shit.

There was a hint of remorse that tinted the Acting Captain’s eyes... but only for a second. As he flicked off the smears of red tarnishing his instrument, whatever guilt he felt was immediately shunned off in the wake of Ryoujin’s release.

“I’m not even going to bother arguing semantics with you.” Kyuketsu flexed his hand which now bore all three kanji letters. “Time is of the essence, but you don’t seem eager to back off as well... so... I’ll just have to finish this in a flash. Plus, you seem to be forgetting one important detail, Ryou...”

The Acting Captain’s aura began to swirl in a coruscating vortex as if to match that of his friend’s. His haunting amber eyes began to glow with hellish aggression, scintillating in tandem with the growing thunders that started to envelop the realm.

“...You’ve never been able to beat me.”​

The summoned weapons born from the winds all fell before the Sword Demon’s reprisal, each makeshift tool robbed of momentum and grit in a blade-bound display of surgical artistry. As the scythes kissed the barren dirt, their source of bane vanished from sight, guided by the breeze of Senka. Kyuketsu struck for his adversary’s shoulder, synchronized along with a udden burst of kidou.

“Bakudou Seventy-Nine, Kuyou Shibari.”​

1,713​

 

[K3]

Her mouth was set in a thin line, turning over each and every notion that passed through her mind with a sickening lack of dismissal. To even attack one of them...could bring them all to attack her.

Was that better than sitting here uselessly? Stuck in some dismal maze that toyed with her mind and feelings? That called back to the haunting helplessness of Chimera? Her fingers, newly patched, ran up and down the stock of her rifle in contemplation.

What would Ilsa think? Would she understand the want, the need to get out of this place? She had seen more than anyone else in this room, knew her better, down to her strengths...

And weaknesses.

Mouko’s lips trembled with the thought, but she couldn’t bring herself to abandon it. The girl looked down to the tigers which surrounded her, and they met her eyes. Ryou, energetic as ever, gave a small whine that she felt like returning, but slowly his head nodded with the slightest of affirmations.

She had to smile: even when pitted between friend and master, she could trust him to restrain himself...and be loyal to the end. Ishi gave a single backwards nod, eyes locked on the goings on of the other melee unfolding before their eyes.

Mouko’s eyes screwed tight, the simplicity of the action she was about to take causing her stomach to roil and flip in disgust. The images of Riki and Arano danced behind the darkness of her mind, bathed in flames and death as they danced freely with the lives of others.

Could she be that person? Could she light that fire, become the thing Masato wanted to keep her from being? Was that betrayal, or inevitability?

Question after maddening question swirled in her mind endlessly, and before her addled brain could catch up, her body had resolved itself to what it had to do. For her, for Earth...for Arano.

She stood, clunkily and slowly as Ishi paced himself behind her, ready for what was to come. She would not be a coward about this, not to her friend, and not like last time. The sharp crunch of her rifle’s charging lever snapping backwards symphonized with the clashes of steel in the background, and Ilsa’s keen eyes snapped up to meet her uncertain ones.

A million ideas swarmed behind Ilsa’s gray irises, each one more deplorable than the last as an inevitable sorrow filled them. She could hear the accusations, the pleadings and excuses on her lips even as her lips barely parted. In an instant, Mouko silenced them.

She levelled the barrel of her rifle at Ilsa’s chest.​

Her voice was shaky, her charcoal eyes steady even when her resolve wasn’t. “I-I know what you’ll s-say, and I know how this’ll end. Don’t...don’t act like it won’t...but someone needs to get there. Someone who won’t hesitate.” The unspoken comment that it was not her didn’t need saying.

She forced back her self-disgust, tried to call upon the countless months of training Masato had forced into her brain. Tried to call upon the maddening resignation of what had happened the night of her capture.

The last thought of her rational mind was the desperate, futile plea that Ilsa would somehow forgive her.

Mouko pulled the trigger.​

[ 550 / 2094 ]

Note

H-E Round valued at 1500 Reiatsu.

 

[Redfin]

Picca had a hand raised and aimed at Ilsa. "The thirty fifth way of binding, Cursed Mark. Hexatwist, the fifty fourth way of binding, Black Tide!"

The mark that had landed on Ilsa immediately transformed into a wave of black wind that would blast back anyone around the vice captain and make anyone hit exhausted. Picca was able to do both incantations in the time that non shinigami was talking.

Despite facing towards the fight between the two templars, Picca had been watching everyone. Ever since Raifuku's message finished, she had been paranoid about an attack, from everyone. Her heart was beating fast and her breath was short and shallow. This game, she didn't want to play it but she also terrified of being trapped here, potentially until Raifuku got bored. This was her chance, and one of the people she didn't care about was the one that started it.

Picca's eye narrowed, not that it mattered since she wasn't looking with it right now. Her hand shifted slightly so it wasn't aimed directly at her vice captain but still in the general direction of this Mouko person and her group. Her vision zoomed in to Mouko's eye for a brief moment before coming back out.

"What are ye doing?" Picca said.

[583]

 

[Nekomata]

“REIJUU! You’ve got your kanji, now stop this and get moving before Martelli-“

CRACK!

Ilsa reflexively started a shunpo away from her friend turned enemy, just as a gust of Black Wind blew Mouko’s bullet away from Ilsa’s chest. “Thanks Picca-san, I owe you one.” Her voice was unnaturally calm, faceted eyes staring into Mouko’s. “So this is the thanks I get. Mitsu.” A high-pitched whine familiar to anyone experienced with Hollows filled the air as a pearly orb formed above her head. The intricate tattoo on Ilsa’s left hand began to glow purple... and the orb exploded into searing white light.

To Ilsa herself, Picca, Yuurei, and Ryoujin, the Star Shriek Blast was nothing more than unusually bright light. To everyone else, it was a blinding flash. “You know, I wouldn’t have minded so much if you hadn’t shot to kill.” Hinometori spun in her hands, the blade facing down. “But even if this is an illusion, there’s a difference between death...” Ilsa stepped to Mouko’s left, crystal flashing in the light as the blunt end of her weapon aimed precisely at the smaller woman’s temple. A classic knockout blow.

“...and defeat.”

193/1891​

Mitsu!

First Division, kidou for all occasions!

Star Shriek Blast - Hadou #18, 95 Kidou

Description: This kidou generates heat and can be used to brighten even the darkest area within a 20ft radius. Other than the fact that this spell is meant to attack the sight of all that gaze into its light, Star Shriek Blast, is a harmless, but useful kidou.

The user forms a pearl colored orb in the palm of their hand and holds it high above their head. After saying the incantation, the orb makes a noise similar to that of a charging cero and moments later, it will douse the area with a multitude of bright rays from every direction, except beneath the caster, granting up to 3 allies immunity from the effects. This kidou expires after one round.

Once the user acquires 2000 kidou, the range and longevity of this spell will double.

Kyuketsu, up to you whether you were within 40 ft. of Ilsa when she cast. Mouko was definitely within range and is blinded for two rounds. Picca, Yuurei, and Ryoujin just see a bright light, although the kidou users might know which spell it is.

 

[K3]

Her form bounced, a meaty crack echoing across the stones as she righted herself mid-air, only to come face-to-face with the speeding comet. Kicking off the very air she remained in, her form rocketed upwards, the glaive’s pommel jabbing harshly into her side. Her form, obscured by the sun above, guised itself as a small, sorrowful smile crossed Mouko’s face.

Maybe Arano would be proud of what she was about to do.

She felt her energy rise, and in an instant a multitude of tigers had set upon the crippled shinigami, their multiple forms dodging and weaving in their miniscule pup forms, occasionally dashing into her with a kitten-sized flurry of adorable terror armed with claws and teeth.

Mouko herself snapped back the lever on her rifle, slamming it forward in time to react to her friend jumping after her in a burst of movement. Now her rifle swung across, the attached bayonet shuddering sharply as she once more fired.

Fiery death erupted outwards, the bullet caught by the tip of her blade and spewing outwards in a shrapnel-laden smokescreen.

[ 180 / 2274 ]

 

[Nekomata]

“Bakudou number thirty-two, Tangent!” A glowing purple shield formed just in time to intercept the shrapnel, shards of metal ricocheting off into the distance. “Bakudou number fifty-seven, Divining Bolt!” More purple reiatsu formed a circle under Mouko’s feet as the scent of ozone filled the air. A bolt of lightning as thick as Ilsa’s wrist homed in on the circle, drawn to the highest point- Mouko’s head.

The shinigami leapt through the smoke, intent on her target. She might not be able to see very well in Mouko’s smokescreen, but Ilsa’s Tenrai Chikaku gave her other means to find an opponent. The beat of Mouko’s heart, the sound of her hair in the wind, the scent of the blood still soaking her clothes. “I won’t kill you, but if you’re going to start a fight, I will finish it.” Thank you, Hinometori, for giving me a means to disable someone without killing them. Crystal blurred as the glaive’s blunt end spun toward Mouko’s head once more.

166/2057​

More kidou!

You know the First can doublecast, right? Right.

Tangent - Bakudou #32, 320 Kidou

Description: One of the fastest working barrier spells around, it is a speedy and relatively easy going counter. Chanting the short incantation, an instantaneous burst of energy flares in front of the user, lasting only for a split second. Only capable of blocking strikes at the user's own strength or lower, it is still very useful. If any physical contact with the Tangent barrier is made, the opponent will be knocked off his/her feet, sent flying backwards roughly 20 feet, though not hurt. All the combined effects of this spell happens in less than a second from the completion of the incantation, making it light but hard to evade.

Divining Bolt - Bakudou #57, 850 Kidou

Description: A magic circle appears under your opponent. The circle acts as a beacon for the attack, as after it appears a large bolt of lightning comes down. Not only does the bolt do severe damage to the opponent, but also it sends out a strong paralyzing force that binds the opponent for a short time. About 5-10 seconds, but in that time it is almost impossible for the person to move.

Why yes, I am extremely fond of Divining Bolt. ^_^

 

[K3]

Ilsa was every bit as good as her position meant her to be...but Mouko had her own legacy to live up to. Ejecting the spent clip as the circle beneath her feet appeared, her hands slipped to her waist as she retrieved Mercy, the revolver snapping up in her left hand as Rusty swung across with her right. Her eyes blind with light, she relied on her only means of sight. A single pulse of energy radiated outwards, giving her a notion of the incoming attacks.

She meant for the rifle to catch the polearm on the blade, but as the wide butt-stock of Rusty came upwards, the glaive smashed into it. She hissed, her wrist jarred by the impact as she shoved back, her strength throwing the zanpakuto wide.

The bolt came streaking towards her, but Mercy was already pointed skywards. Recklessly squeezing the trigger, the bolt was disintegrated in a small pyre of flames. Two chambers empty, Mouko turned the small firearm on the off-balance shinigami, levelling the revolver on her right knee.

At this range, she couldn’t miss.

Three more rounds screamed out of the chamber, the heady recoil of the weapon forcing it upwards with each round, putting the first at Ilsa’s knee, the second at her hip, and the last at her shoulder.

[ 219 / 2493 ]

Note

You know Orpheus can shoot energy right? Right.

Used Pulse for sight

[Covering Fire]

While every agent of the Initiative is a stalwart combatant in their own right, Orpheus’ modus operandi focuses heavily on teamwork and cohesion as a unit. Owing itself to the Initiative’s paramilitary nature, fire-teams of Orpheus agents are trained to foster this concurrence and work towards strength as a whole. Covering Fire is the ultimate expression of this notion. In the event that the user or an ally finds themselves pinned down by an attack or ability, the practitioner of this technique may intercept the ability with an attack of their own -- expending ammunition (and thus, reiatsu) up to the cost of the offending ability in order to nullify it. This ability can only be activated once every other turn.

Three bullets valued at 800 each, buffed by the following:

[Danger Close]

Though heavier ordinance are available in the Armory, more often than not agents will be equipped with some kind of sidearm or carbine. Fast, effective and rugged, these weapons are generally the most suitable choice for any member of Orpheus working in the field. However, the functionality of this form factor comes at the cost of stopping power; something already at a premium when squaring off against Hollows and other spiritual foes. Still, never let it be said that Orpheus agents are lacking in ingenuity. While ammunition used by the Initiative already draw on the users reiatsu to enhance their potency, practitioners of Danger Close have devised a way to utilize the actual firearms unique composition as a medium for transferring spiritual energy into their shots. In layman's terms, this technique allows an agent to overload their bullets with reiatsu, causing them to fracture and explode on impact, like a hollow-point round crossed with a hand-grenade -- flinging shrapnel over a small radius (about one meter). These detonations retain any special properties of the initial round. Each use of Danger Close costs the agent 1% of their reiatsu.

 

[Nutella]

So what was it about being allies again? Oh, right. An ally is an ally, until they find themselves in dire straits. Mouko was perhaps one of the first spiritually-aware human Yuurei met, and she almost felt reassured by her 'friendship' with the Vice Captain. Apparently though, she was gravely mistaken.

Eyebrows furrowed at absolute disappointment, the woman's lips were pressed in a hard grim line. Fine, so be it then.

In one swift move, she stomped her foot on the ground, sending her reiatsu directly below Mouko's spot. Without warning, the craggy earth beneath the human's feet dislodged from its firm position, massive chunks slowly rising up.

"Spin and dance in the maddening gyre..."

In a wink of an eye, the dangerous rocks started spinning at such a speed that even her fiery auburn eyes couldn't follow, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake, spinning and spinning like a tornado of rocks around Mouko.

"...Reduce my enemy to the dust from which he came."

At best, the human should be perfectly fine wherever she was, but Yuurei wouldn't be able to assure that safety should she try to break free or move away from the storm of rocks. Truth be told, Yuurei wouldn't be able to tell how bad those rocks could hit, or how crippled it could leave a human, but she'd definitely stay away from that.

"Bakudou no yonjuuyon, Sandstorm!"

If anyone doesn't want to kill that woman, they should at least restrain her. Mouko was raging, wild... and restraint seemed pretty sensible at that time. At the depths of her heart, she wished for the tigers to remain still on their places, otherwise they would risk wasting precious energy and shedding unnecessary blood in their fray.

Yeah um... yeah =|

Sandstorm - Bakudou #44, 620 Kidou

Description: The user stomps their foot on the ground sending their Reiatsu under the opponent. It then shoots upwards dislodging chunks of the earth beneath them before spinning it at high speeds, trapping the opponent in a miniature storm spanning five feet in a circle around them. In the eye of the storm the target remains unharmed, but should they try to push away from the storm, they are bombarded by deadly debris. The storm lasts for two rounds before dissipating.

Incantation: Spin and dance in the maddening gyre, reduce my enemy to the dust from which he came. Bakudou #44 Sandstorm.

​

 

[Redfin]

"The skies break open and thunder pours down. Tremble and see the sparks lunge. The forty eighth way of binding, Thundering Purring." Picca raised her hand to the sky as several thunderbolts landed on the ground next to her and each turned into the form of a kitten. "Go get em."

Reacting to the rapid movement of the cats, the thunder kittens charged. It was a great mess all around but at least their attention was not on Picca at the moment.

Looking at the sandstorm, this was a good opportunity. "Walls of ironsand, a priestly pagoda, glowing ironclad fireflies. Standing upright, silent to the end. The seventy fifth way of binding, Quintet of One K Iron Pillars." Five giant pillars of metal appeared right above the sandstorm opening. They all started crashing down in an effort to pin the woman to the ground.

[727]

 

[K3]

The spike in energy was enough to distract her from the sudden risings of her surroundings. The storm was formed slowly, and gave her the advantage of viewing the one who had made it. This was not their fight, this was between her and Ilsa.

Interference was not something she could afford. Not when she knew next to nothing about them.

Her form lit up in energy, kicking once more off the air to send her rocketing to the ground, a hair’s breadth ahead of the speeding pillars. Even then, a single motion had her hand grasp a tightly wrapped scroll bound in the back of her jacket, a single word escaping her lips. “Daishou.”

The arrow beneath her feet complemented the energy that surrounded her, sending her hurtling through the surrounding storm in the merest of instants it took for the pillar to slam down, the sheer force of the spell shaving skin from the back of her leg. The thick shrapnel broke harmlessly against her energy-cocooned form, and it was only a brief period before her form was rushing rather opposite of what she was intending to move towards. Flung outwards, she righted herself in time to right herself, taking a brief respite as she waited for the mayhem in the sky to clear.

Her tigers, caught up in their own melee, roared with battle-lust. Their forms grew to match the size of the beasts wrapped in lightning, and in a moment their own power came forth. Energy broke upon them with a roiling growl, their hackles rising with the pain and resulting adrenaline. Their fully-sized forms now alight with the leftover electricity, they once more charged down the shinigami, their larger forms intermixed with their smaller counterparts as they continued their assault and distraction.

[ 297 / 2790 ]

Update

Used Bulwark to tank Sandstorm, A-Tier Daishou scroll used to escape Quintet while sustaining minor injury. Tigers currently have True Grit.

Tier D Internalize in combat, Taihou Kata in effect. Full Mouko build listed below:

Feats
[Trained]Taihou Kata
[Trained]Blackmarket Shaman

Items
Rusty - Rifle
Mercy - Revolver

Kidou Scrolls
[A-Tier] Daishou Scroll (x2) [1 USED]
[D-Tier] Mage Eye Scroll [USED]
[C-Tier] Deadly Quill Scroll (x1)
[C-Tier] Koshou Scroll (x2)

Ryoushi Sousei Abilities:
Mouko Ability One: Mouko may share a single base technique with all summons. First shared technique is free, further changes cost 10% Reiatsu.


Ability 1: Tigers may create between 1 and 4 clones of themselves.
Ability 2: Tigers may increase or decrease their size exponentially

Overdrive: ????

 

[Shun]

Removed from the handicapped battle, Ryoujin and Kyuketsu's warfare raged on. They were more or less concerned about one another's immediate threat rather than the pandemonium going on around them. As Ilsa's kidou took effect, he noticed a very luminiscent light. It wasn't particularly blinding, but it was enough to shatter any signs of focus he may have had. On normal occassions, he would have enjoyed the momentary distraction, but with Kyuketsu's advantage over him slowly surfacing, it further complicated things on his end. As he attempted to evade the spell, he noticed that he couldn't leave any afterimages in his wake. His body lurched forwards, almost like he was being tugged like a rag doll in several directions.

Although he had become quite adept in the demon arts as of late, there was one thing about the skill set that he didn't particularly enjoy, and this further elevated his distaste for that aspect. This was the very reason why he never took the time and patience to learn the way of binding. Unfortunately for Kyuketsu, he had a remedy, or a trump card so to speak for this pet peeve.

As blood gushed forth from his shoulder from Kyuketsu's strike, it seemed like the other shinigami would dismember him for real this time.

"Destructive art eighty, Harasu!" the pink-haired youth exclaimed. As the words left his mouth, the black holes that had materialized from Kuyou Shibari began to fade before vanishing entirely into the ether. Without wasting a moment, he allowed the scorching aura from Tsukunoma No Kishi to envelop him and his zanpakutou before lunging forward at the Acting Captain with sheer raw power and conviction alone, two fundamental tenets of the Blood Templar's renowned Martyr's Reckoning technique.​

[ 1952 ]​

 

[Wayne]

“Well that escalated rather quickly.”

It was a disgustingly comical procession seeing the others become drowned in the madness of battle. A minute ago they displayed abhorrence to inward fighting, to playing the sinister game laid out by the puppeteer. Yet now... now with just a single spark, the once docile and harmless gunpowder that embroiled the soul reapers had now ignited into a scorching inferno. Kyuketsu thought of it as rather hypocritical of them to be drawn to conflict so simply and easily, and perhaps in this case, it truly does take one to know one. The fact of the matter is, all of them, whether shinigami or human, were all instinctually bound to the most basic and primal urges of their genetic code. They were bred from the crucible of Darwinism, built from the ground up to endure and survive with whatever means necessary. It sickened the Templar knowing that Raifuku’s influence had gotten the better of them. Warring amongst themselves was exactly what the man-in-white wanted, and thus it came to be.

Though he knew he had to do this, Kyuketsu was infuriated nonetheless. It was his duty to fight and gain the symbols to ultimately reach the mastermind, yet in the process he had to allow himself to become the man’s plaything... a pawn that had to mindlessly obey his game’s every rule.

As Ryoujin’s pressure spiked once more, the Acting Captain noticed a certain air that swirled around the Third Seat’s blade. Familiar with the sensation, he grinned. The point of Kyuketsu’s blade turned to its side, drawing its tip towards the approaching officer. The enemy lunge was executed brilliantly, a flowing assault which only a true swordfighter could produce. But in the end, it was indeed just swordfighter, not swordmaster.

A quick sidestep, and then came the parry. For a brief instant, for a fleeting second too swift for the naked eye, their two swords locked and clashed. Amongst the kidou-born tempests and lightshows, the radiance of the Templars’ weapons waltzed with murderous elegance. The older of the two, pushing forward, broke the tie, proceeding to drive a lunge of his own accord. As the thrust was momentary, the barrage coming behind it was instantaneous. The Sword Demon’s strokes were vehement, rising and falling with such grandeur that the steel’s luster broke the tenures of both light and sound.

As much as Kyuketsu wanted to commit himself to the duel wholeheartedly, however, he knew that their festival was to be short-lived. He yearned to do war with Ryoujin for eternity if need be, but something greater than themselves was calling. They still had a mission to end, and an ‘enemy’ needed to be confronted. Like Lieutenant Maruyama said, Kyuketsu already has his final symbol. The time to advance was drawing quickly.​

2,180​

 

[Shun]

The thought was mutual although to be fair, he was guilty of putting that aside in favor of his instinctual and animalistic nature to do battle, something that was becoming almost a trend now. Not only had Raifuku made them look like fools time and time again, but this outcome only further orchestrated how ignorant he and his fellow shinigami truly were. It was almost reminiscent of the Siege of Tokyo when they had thwarted back the army of Hollows that had rampaged the city. Back then, their victory was disgraceful, and no matter who would get to Raifuku's inner sanctum with all three of the kanji pieces, what then would that prove?

Nothing.

However, that was not what was perturbing Ryoujin. It took a lot to penetrate through his lighthearted and jaunty demeanor, and this was one of those situations.

With Kyuketsu's advancement and the continuous barrage of slashes that refused to cease, Ryoujin attempted to keep up with the strikes. Gradually, his defenses became vulnerable, and another wound across his mid-section became visible as he staggered back.

Not once. He had not bested Kyuketsu at his own mastery once in his tenure in the Eleventh, and even after acquiring powers that extended so far as to rank him at the top tier of zanjutsu practitioners that the Gotei had to offer, he was still nowhere near the level of mastery that his friend managed to acquire.

"The kingdom's army, sworn to crush the enemy."

Going so far as to use a technique that he had sworn oath to not use unless the situation warranted it, and then having it parried - one can only imagine what sort of reaction that that had gauged on Ryoujin.

"The kingdom's army, sworn to crush the enemy. The call to arms begins as each soldier takes up a weapon to defend their honor."

It seemed like recent events and crisis had caused him to use techniques that he would have normally kept reserved, but now, he had to resort to using such aforementioned abilities that were once considered restricted.

"As they march forward, eighty warriors race outward to drive back their many opponents to finish the war.

"Destructive art ninety-three, Gun no Kyousei!"

Although the spectacle that took place next seemed like it was part of Kazeoni's shikai, the incantation quelled the confusion that one may have had. As the eighty blood-red blades appeared, they each surged forward, raining down on Ryoujin; however, their target wasn't him. Rather, they seemed to flood into his soul slayer as if it were absorbing the energy from every single weapon.

Crackling with crimson reaitsu, Ryoujin launched himself forward, his blade alight as it came crashing down on the captain-to-be.​

[ 2408 ]​

 

[Wayne]

Ryoujin never failed to surprise him. Though he was a veteran in his speed, the Third Seat also boasted incredible proficiency in the demon arts. Kyuketsu harnessed the destructive powers of kidou for his own arsenal as well, but nowhere near the level in which his friend had attained. The spell confounded him at first, initially making him believe a flurry of swords were to descend upon him. As the incantation came to a close, however, the phantasmal cleavers vanished and melded into their caster’s zanpakutou.

Once more, as Ryoujin pounced, Kyuketsu caught his blade’s fall. Although repetitive and predictable in its nature, it seemed as though the attack was something else entirely. The force behind the Storm Hunter’s strike shocked Kyuketsu to his core, delivering a tremendous force which, for the moment, utterly ravaged the Acting Captain’s own defenses. His footing was made uneasy, and his arms shook and trembled from the resounding pressure. He tried to overpower through it, but it was too late. The Ninety-Third Hadou proved its worth, catching the Templar Commander unawares and wrecking through his grip. Kyuketsu lost traction of his sword as his wrists gave way to the assault. His repelling of the foray did a number on its momentum, yet ultimately failed to halt its deafening plummet.

Kazeoni tore through Kyuketsu’s flesh, and if not for a split-second retreat via shunpo, the swordsman would have undoubtedly fallen victim to the Third Seat’s fang.

As a flush of red stained the Acting Captain’s uniform, his breathing turned heavy as his heart rate began to soar. The adrenaline that had built up inside the swordmaster was at an all time high, feeding his synapses with a flurry of roaring satisfaction. Yes, he was indeed frustrated being duped by Raifuku... yet the sensation he felt... the feeling of completion and belonging in the embrace of war... perhaps, though misguided as it seems, was somehow worth it.

Kyuketsu brought his blade by his side as he glanced passively at the other gathered there... then back to his quarry.

“Do that again. I dare you.”​

2,528​