[PM] [V/O/1st/11th] Week --: Intercession

[Shadowwind]

A small chuckle escaped the scion, “You are quick to goad another into a fight shinigami. You claim that I am all bluster? Perhaps. Yet I have known of one other who wore that number whose very name chilled the blood. My kind still speak of him as though his very name would be enough to "

The kanji eleven on the man's back was clear as day giving the beast a brief shutter. "You have something of his anger and the potential to be like him, yet you embrace your chains where he broke them. I see it in your eyes. It is there, boiling under the surface but still you repress it. Captain tell me why I should strike you down when you know so little about yourself? There is no honor in killing an opponent who is handicapping himself. If you wish to see my full potential, first you must show me yours.”

[155/1416]

 

[Wayne]

“...And that’s exactly where you fucked up,” Kyuketsu spat back without hesitation, scoffing at the remark. “Compare me to him all you want, it makes no difference to me in the slightest. Infamy, notoriety, prestige... I couldn’t give less of a shit about those facets even if I tried.”

He crossed both his blades together, scraping one edge against the other. A churning noise screeched painfully from their steels as sparks danced anemically in its wake.

“This ‘honor’ you speak of.” A disgusted look immediately flushed the captain’s expression. “It’s even worse. Do you honestly expect me to believe that a fucking Hollow abides by rules of honor and ethicality? Here in the battlefield? Don’t bullshit me. Honor is for the petty. It’s a word created by the weak to justify their own incompetence simply because they can’t fend for themselves. Why would I offer you, my enemy, any courtesy whatsoever? If I have to slaughter a thousand of your children to cut your goddamn head off, then so be it. The more you choose to abide by this disgusting ‘moral code,’ the more I lose any semblance of interest in yur existence.”

2,010​

 

[Redfin]

Hotate opened her hand again, revealing a bloodstained but fully healed palm. After experiencing that, both the white haired captain and the blue haired human wanted to continue attacking the hollow? Even if she didn't do anything, they were going to take her down with them. It was only due to the scion purposely avoiding those attacks that everyone wasn't a smoking wreck.

Just leaving didn't seem like a good plan. Who knows if there was a range limit on his ability? It was then that Hotate noticed a pop of color within the earthy yellow tones of the marketplace, a pop of green and blue.

While the captain was having strong words, Hotate slipped through the empty stalls. She crept close to the ground, behind the displays of bones, skulls and other merchandise. Many of the items caught her eye, but she forced herself to move on. There would be time for shopping later.

Carefully, avoiding any potentially infectious splinters, Hotate moved aside the flimsy boards separating the stalls until she reached the one that stood out among the rest. She could still hear the war of words between the scion and the captain, meaning they probably didn't know she was there.

Hotate pressed down on her hat, trying to keep it as low as possible as she peered up from behind the table. On it were three slightly disturbing yet slightly awesome things. Hotate placed her hand on the green one, letting her energy flow through it. She took in each and every part of the item on the table, filling it with her life force.

And then the girl vanished, reiatsu and all.

[805]

 

[Several Zombies]

A weight was lifted off the young mechanist's mind as the green-haired woman's reiatsu disappeared. Whether she had escaped or simply hidden herself, Rune couldn't say, but at the very least it was one less bystander to worry about.

"Initiate combat subroutine gamma," the boy murmured at his floating companion. "Vent excess heat and continue firing. Initialize Minerva system and begin charging."

Rounding his own weapon on the witch-doctor, the mechanist cast a glance at Kyuketsu. The peculiar swordsman seemed to be getting riled up by the Hollow's goading. Though most emotional displays caused Rune vexation, this instance in particular left him rather flummoxed. The young human had somehow expected a Shinigami captain to be more level-headed.

"Adjust lense focus to point-zero-three nanometers." the mechanist muttered as his robotic compatriot began to charge its weapon once more. "Calculating potential escape vectors. Adjust barrel trajectory by three-point-nine degrees north and offset firing by seven nanoseconds."

Letting out a long, low breath to steady his hand, the blue-haired boy calmly slotted a lone silver round into the breach of his sidearm. This was no ordinary bullet. In fact, the device -- dubbed "Lawbringer rounds" by Orpheus' research and development division -- weren't technically bullets at all.

Lining up a shot, Rune squeezed the trigger. In a similar fashion to the weapon wielded by his mechanized companion, the boy's sidearm began to radiate a bright blue glow, before in the blink of an eye, a bright-white lance of energy spat forth from its smoking barrel -- accompanied by another volley from the mechanist's airborne accomplice.

1128 - 35%

 

[Shadowwind]

The being didn’t flinch as he was enveloped in the wash of energy. What damage made it through his hierro only served to burn shut the marks inflicted by the swordsman’s assault. A wave of agony ran over the two men and caused the straw doll to shutter. Their wounds were also burned shut yet there was a noticeable amount more of scorched flesh for the unfortunate duo who lacked the arrancar thick hide.

Orixa’s body still smoldered when he returned to view his eyes locked in on the swordsman, “Lie to yourself all you want shinigami, I am not one to think you care so little about prestige that you wished to get that haori simply because you wanted a coat. And if it disturbs you to think of it as your traditional definition of honor, I will say that there is little difficulty in cutting down a man whose blade cannot hope to touch me. You wish to carve through a school to assault me? I admire your zeal though it is a waste of time. I do not go out of my way to crush insects, why should I make an effort to slice open an opponent who is not making an effort? Captain, you seem to forget I just beheaded a man before you for no particular reason but you wished to provide a snide comment.”

The spear stopped moving as the scion let out a sigh, “Parlor tricks are for novices. True fighters lose themselves in the thrill of battle, but to do so it must be worth it.” The beast’s hands tightened on his weapon for the briefest of seconds before he disappeared into a sonido. When he returned he was to the right of the swordsman delivering a blow against the man’s elbow with the shaft of the spear. “I will show you how outmatched you are.” There was no mercy in Orixa's eyes as he set about to make the captain suffer

[330/1591]

 

[Wayne]

The captain’s skin was sweltered, scarred from all sides as once again, the Arrancar’s wounds reflected on all other combatants. The pain, though gruelingly unbearable, was something he was nonetheless accustomed to. For hundreds of years, Kyuketsu had felt injuries similar and worse, and endured through far harsher punishment that would otherwise cripple lesser men. He didn’t flinch, nor did he give the Hollow the slightest satisfaction of an ached grimace.

With Orixa’s last words, it appeared as though the beast had finally decided to strike. All this time, the hybrid had remained on the defensive, evading and blocking while constantly taunting the captain to do more. And yet now, here it was, finally deciding to attack on its own accord.

A brief glimmer of steel flew through the vista as the enemy spear lanced for the Eleventh’s commander. Its descent was frighteningly robust, precisely honed to the point that it could cleave apart even the strongest defenses. Surely for a beast born from a great Menos, an Arrancar’s proficiency with a weapon would far exceed anyone’s expectations. For the countless shinigami under the Gotei’s wing, many would fall under such destructive potency.

That is, of course, unless they were Kyuketsu.

Steel clashed with steel as one of Tenzansatsu’s talons interlocked with that of the witch doctor’s pike. Sparks churned against its edge, dancing vividly with blood-soaked ardor. A flat, steady laughter left the Duelist as he lowered his head. Eyes quickly obscured by strands of pale hair, he sighed.

“Here you are, talking of ‘outmatching’ me, all while holding a bladed weapon.” He shook his head. “Allow me to educate you then, Arrancar.”

The captain broke the connection held by the opposing zanpakutous. He moved back, flash-stepping suddenly to the severed head Orixa spoke of... one of the halves, at least. Digging his sword through its bloodied cranium, he lifted and showcased its insides to the demon.

“As of this very moment, in the entirety of Soul Society, there are only two people capable of truly ‘outmatching’ my swordplay. One of them is the captain-commander himself.” Shifting the grip on his zanpakutou, he chucked the sword straight for Orixa, severed head and all. “That’s more than enough context for you to realize just who exactly it is you’re fucking with.”

The heat wave drowning the area had become far more intense as the confrontation lasted. The air had become blistering to the point of instantaneous convection. All, save for the Duelist himself, were drenched in sweat, while dried to the bone underneath.

“So now, because you’ve been gracious enough to finally come at me... I’ll show you the closest thing I’ll ever come to giving you any honor. Ban Kai.”

2,461​

banananananers

so right now, [Scorched Earth] has been on for 5 turns. you should really, really be feeling the heat... like, badly. you too sev. also, I used [Vandal] when I locked my sword with Orixa's spear. shit should be starting to stack up.

[Vandal]
A Duelist’s zanpakutou is not only a symbol, but also a declaration. It is the materialization of one’s fortitude, as well as the testimony of a fighter’s desire for victory at all costs. Weaponizing conviction is second nature to many of the battle-hardened warriors of the Eleventh, and thus can, little by little, completely annihilate their enemy’s focus.

For 2% reiatsu every turn the technique is active, whenever a user’s soul cutter lands a successful strike, be it a clash or a direct hit, the target suffers a concussive feeling all throughout their body. Their reaction time dwindles with each successive blow, becoming more and more dazed and disoriented to the brink of wanting to vomit or collapse. Continual subjugation could, when given the opportunity, prove disastrous to the victim.

[Scorched Earth]
The notion of ‘shock and awe’ is what instills meaning into a Duelist’s fighting mentality. It is a tenet which has been pounded into their hearts and minds to the point where it has become as instinctive to as breathing. As such, those under the banner of the Eleventh have developed within themselves an internal, unquenchable fire which aims solely to crush and rapidly dominate their foes. The very presence of a seasoned Duelist in the battlefield incites trepidation and unease within the enemy ranks, so much so that the land itself becomes subjugated to their power.

For the cost of 3% of their reiatsu per round, a user’s spiritual pressure morphs and grows denser as it further weighs down on the combat zone. This reflects as a dramatic increase in the area’s overall temperature to the point where nearby water even begins to boil and evaporate. The closer one is to the user (roughly 10 feet), the more intense the influence becomes, pushing them further and further into dehydration and heatstroke. In turn, as time progresses, this could inevitably cause one’s actions to stammer and falter.

 

[Redfin]

The small Hotate doll on the table reached up. Her fingerless, stubby hands could somehow still grip the iron spike driven through her head. Her eyeless head stared up as the giant metal needle was pulled out. It was the strangest sensation, having something pulled through the head. And it was not something she wanted to experience again.

Hotate Doll set aside the needle and sat up. That was one load off her mind at least. She looked around at the two "people" lying next to her, both with needles through their heads. While she could disconnect them from the scion's influence, Hotate Doll had a different idea. First up, she wanted to hide the doll. This thing was a keeper. It better have ontological inertia.

With little rounded feet pattering against the wooden table, Hotate Doll jumped off the table, landing on a giant pile of cushy skins. Hiding underneath there should be good enough. Once the body of the doll was snuggly stashed, Hotate Person reemerged. She remained crouching low, and put a hand on the white haired doll.

[986]

 

[Shadowwind]

A slight grin appeared on Orixa’s face as the being skillfully stepped aside as a katana pierced the ground where the scion had been. “You talk much of your talent captain but I have yet to see it materialize aside from you now having a greater number of blades.” The creature gave a slight yawn. “If you wish to infuse me with terror shinigami, show me I must take you as a threat.” Without warning a beam of energy rocketed forward towards the captain’s location as the scion unleashed its cero.

[91/1682]

 

[Wayne]

Violating the already parched landscape came one hundred fangs, one hundred talons to tear apart the masked abomination. All standing firm and weeping a coat of dire red, Fuhen Souryokusen’s influence outstretched nearly as far as the eye could see. The bazaar of fetishes and cadavers was turned into a graveyard of swords, all aiming to exterminate and erase their designated mark.

The cero’s murderous barrage came with sheer repulsion, reaving and burning all that stood in its way. As it came within inches of the shinigami captain, not a single word was uttered from the man’s cold and reddened lips. In the end, neither a bang nor a discharge came after, yet instead the doom blast appeared before its creator, cleaved apart with steady, unequivocal precision. The crimson ray, split in between, collapsed upon itself as Kyuketsu showed himself holding two new weapons in each hand.

“Don’t kid yourself.” He slammed his right bluntly against the ground, sending a reverberating roar all throughout the battlefield. “You’re a creature of instinct. It’s only right that your intuition be sharper than most beings. So...”

Melding voraciously with the infernal heat was the sickening, depraved air that pulsed from the very cesspits of Kyuketsu’s core. His very presence warped any sense of normalcy and calm left in their confrontation, inseminating the area with a macabre sensation of anxiety and nauseating dread.

Sniffing the air, the demon swordsman hinted at something. “Smell that? I do. It’s your instincts screaming at you in panic. I can almost hear it too... like a heartbeat. Thump. Thump. Thump...”

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.​

He flourished a sword forward, slashing into nothingness as its effects manifested near-instantly over the Arrancar’s body. Vanishing, he struck with a proceeding sting, guided by the lancing speeds of Senka to the monster’s back. A third stroke brought the crescendo’s decline, a triennial cascade of hell-forged steel meant to extirpate the beast through and through.

2,782​

here

Ij Ittou against cero.

scorched earth continues, added on with my own fear-aura ability in BK.

space/time cut used on orixa's front, then senka strike aimed at his back, topped off by a third downward strike from head to toe. also, they're all influenced by Vandal.

Ability 1: The name of Kyuketsu’s Ban Kai alone breathes meaning to its capabilities. When wielding the many blades of Fuhen Souryokusen, both the weapons and its master emit an aura of unfathomable dread and lethality. By paying 1% of his reiatsu every turn, Kyuketsu produces a heightened ‘threat level’ of sorts which completely overtakes the cognitive senses of even the most seasoned of fighters. While purely psychological, for every stroke and every step, each movement by the swordsman endeavors to thoroughly pressure and crush the target’s morale.

With time itself becoming a factor, the longer the conflict ensues, the stronger the thought of panic and anxiety fills the victim. Through this, each swing comes off far more hazardous than the last, and every near miss and parry brings a freezing chill running down one’s spine.

Attack 1: With the staggering rise in its power, the scope of his zanpakutou’s edge is no longer limited to physical objects; instead, the very foundations of physics have now become susceptible to Kyuketsu’s blades. For a fraction of an instant, Fuhen Souryokusen warps the fabric of space and time, allowing its steel to cut instantaneously from a great distance. With a single swing once per turn, Kyuketsu can strike at targets as far as 25 meters away with full force as if he himself was standing right before them. This costs the user 1,000 reiatsu per slash.

 

[Shadowwind]

The heat was sweltering, the sweat was flowing freely as the scion licked its lips. The first slash came unexpect tearing open the creatures midsection. Instantaneously three sisters to the strike lashed out at the three beings surrounding the hollow. Desperately the beast saw the senka coming and tried to turn, yet there was hesitation. He could not begin to try to deflect it as the blade run up his spine. Somehow the beast managed to smile knowing that the others would feel the same pain.

Fight or flight took over, the fear of the man before him did not hold over the fear of his demise. Swinging around, the scion’s spear caught the zanpakutou bringing it out of the way. The spear danced in Orixa’s hands before bringing the spear tip down at the captain’s neck. “Die shinigami.” The words were breathless from the fear and wounds yet they still came.


[151/1833]

 

[Redfin]

Hotate had once again vanished from the area. A doll stared up at the bright, burning sun. Its rays were like concentrated heat to the small, straw humanoid. Kyuketsu Doll remained on the table, unmoving.

From an outside perspective, it didn't seem like anything was happening. Within the doll's body however, changes were taking place. Reiatsu flowed, threads were moved around, the very makeup of the doll changed. Carefully, Hotate studied the doll, how it worked, taking it all in. The little human was unlike anything she had possessed before. It was unquestionably a part of the hollow. And that made it dangerous.

With everyone's attention turned away from her, Hotate had the time to look around. Carefully, the ghostly girl plucked and tugged at the inner workings of the doll. As she got more confident, her rate of work increased.

Suddenly, the doll sprang off the wooden table, the nail tearing through its head. Kyuketsu Doll spun around in the air before slamming its head back through the nail, face down this time. Any effects of the doll on Kyuketsu were greatly diminished to the point of nothingness.

[1175]

 

[Wayne]

There was an odd fluctuation in the air—miniscule, but still noticeable. Whatever it was, however, it came unaddressed from Kyuketsu. The captain, now locked in a hellish clash against the hybrid, was lost entirely to the moment. It was as if a fragment of his soul merged with that of Orixa’s, burrowing into it as he began to feel every minute facet which defined the Arrancar. The creature’s every pulse, the beads of sweat and blood staining its flesh... all were as clear as day to the swordsman.

Even as his chest roiled with pain, Kyuketsu’s predatory eyes remained cemented on his foe. The passion and adrenaline which now took hold of the Duelist reached an all-time as he sensed the trepidation brewing within the witch doctor. Blood pumped even harder through his veins, his very heart clamoring madly with unrelenting zeal.

Kyuketsu quickly shifted his weight to the side, just narrowly avoiding getting impaled from the neck down. Though the spear merely grazed his cheek, it still dug into his left shoulder an inch deep. Blood sprayed copiously from the wound, just briefly halting its victim’s onset.

“You feel it now, don’t you?” Though simple, his words carried an electrifying malice. “See, I find it deliciously hilarious how you’re the one with a hole in his chest...and yet...”

The raptor tugged back, mindlessly tearing his arm away from the spear’s lock. Letting go of both his swords, Kyuketsu vacated with a shunpo, leaving the blades to detonate right as they left his reach.

Standing meters away, his breathing troubled though still filled with ardor, the Captain of the Eleventh licked his lips in delight. “...And yet, here I am, the more heartless of us two. What fucking irony.”

The ambiance was torn asunder. No longer were there any auras permeating from the captain, no atmosphere or scent that defined his mindset. Instead, all around him, from as far as his influence could reach, the natural ebb and flow of reality was cast to the flames. In its place came an event horizon, a living, breathing abyss which consumed the absolute nature of madness and conflict.

Kyuketsu.

“It’s a shame, really. I still can’t remember your name. Shall we start over?” His fangs glistened with murderous delight as he seized two more blades next to him. “Hello, what’s your name? Allow me to introduce myself...”

All the remaining zanpakutous scarring the area glowed with a piercing luster, shaking and trembling in place. In an instant, all ninety-six blades shot up into the heavens, glimmering and illuminating as stars amidst the daytime.

“...I am your despair.”​

3,218​

tl;dr

the spear dug into kyu's shoulder, but he just pulled back to free himself, ripping his flesh in the process. he flash-stepped away and left two swords to detonate point blank near orixa-- each worth 1.5k rei. and yes, te other swords did indeed fly up.

Attack 2: The countless swords materialized throughout the battlefield are just as alive as those in Kyuketsu’s hands. Deadly even whilst impaled on the dirt, Kyuketsu can mentally command any of the one hundred katanas of Fuhen Souryokusen to ignite and scatter, acting as a kind of frag grenade which releases both energy and sharpened projectiles. The scope of one detonation ranges at 5 meters around and costs the user 1,500 reiatsu per weapon sacrificed.

By paying an additional 1% of his reiatsu per turn after that, all shrapnel that have been embedded into a target dig themselves deeper into the body unless otherwise counteracted by the victim.

 

[Shadowwind]

The creature heaved, its mind clung desperately to a thousand things as it tried to maintain composure. The wounds plagued the creature’s body drawing forth rivers of blood. One single thought echoed across the fear and exhaustion, a need to take down the captain before him. Every muscle ached as Orixa’s vision began to blur yet the creature’s need drove it to keep on its feet.

With what strength it could deliver the best rocketed forward into a sonido appearing beside the captain three strikes emerged from the spear as it danced in the creature’s hands. The first at the captain’s legs, the second moved straight for the man’s kidney, while the third aimed at the swordsman’s jugular. The scion’s final stroke unleashed with it a roar of primal rage and exhaustion as it prayed the move was enough.

[139]

 

[Wayne]

Oh the silence.

The unnerving silence was of such bitter taste, one could almost vomit.

The physical aspects which dictated labels and titles were torn asunder, no longer made appropriate to the scenario. Of monsters and villains, there was no longer a clear distinction as to who was who and to what was what. Though Orixa bore the menacing features of a demon, a fearsome physique which could bring terror to the hearts of many, it was he who was tormented with the seed of true and utter desperation. It was indeed sheer irony that the one acting more like a crazed devil was instead the man who was supposed to be keeping order.

As the Arrancar closed in for another assault, the howls of laughter which once echoed from the captain dwindled into obscurity. Though without words, his intent remained forged in immaculate and unbreakable steel. The scalding blaze within Kyuketsu reflected most clearly in his eyes—raptorial and gluttonous as he locked sights with his foe.

Nothing more to say, huh? Fine.

Both his blades sprung from down under, deflecting and nearly locking in place Orixa’s first blow. For all of Kyuketsu’s abilities, however, the half-breed nonetheless boasted something of merit. The witch doctor’s proceeding blow caught the captain with unmitigated force, sending shockwaves of pain to scream all throughout the shinigami’s body. For a moment, Kyuketsu’s footing sauntered, his entire frame slipping into a brief moment of vulnerability. With Orixa’s third pivot came the final stroke, an attack that carried enough raw power to end the fight in an instant.

Yet even from all the anguish scarring his figure, the captain couldn’t help but bite his lips delightfully one last time.

His counterblow brought the wrath of underworld spewing from the earth, a single retaliatory measure which tore apart the vast oblivion separating men from monsters. Behind Kyuketsu’s swing came every ounce hunger in his blade, every carnal want that drove his ego. It was a strike against reality, a masterful finale which was defined with nothing but self-validation from its creator. Before the Arrancar’s lethal attack could even come near the Eleventh’s commander, the skyward ascent of the shinigami’s swords tore for Orixa’s chest up to his head.

Surrounding the Hollowfied entity were phantom strokes of near-infinite number, caging and biting him from all sides. In the split-second that lingered after the storm, the final nail to seal the coffin came with callous acrimony.

Glancing to the heavens, Kyuketsu whispered, “Vanish.”

He stepped back just so slightly, watching as a downpour of swords rained down ruthlessly on the white-faced shaman.

3,652​

it's all over mang

Alright, super special awesome murder-combo served with extra deathgravy right here.

Parried Orixa's first blow to the knees with my swords, although his second attack to the kidney connected and Kyu tanks it. It's here that shit goes bananas as Kyuketsu uses [Ei Wo Toru] to counterattack the third blow for the jugular, with a swing powered by that one 11th tech [Die Standing]--the one that returns the strength of the enemy's last attack. That same counterattack bears fruit to [Predation] as well.


Finally, the shit from my last post comes into effect. A fuckton of swords just rained down on old Rixy carrying 15% of rei.

[ Ei Wo Toru ] - "To Take Up a Weapon"

To wield a zanpakuto in combat, to swing a blade with surety, requires conviction and dedication. Every swordsman has his purpose, whether it's for the sake of protecting others, proving his prowess to everyone, or sharing his personal undeniable truth. When there comes a moment when that truth, that purpose, the swordsman's very life is threatened... that is when his skill fully comes to bear.

Ei Wo Toru is the ultimate expression of the practitioner's zanjutsu, a single, nearly instantaneous counter-strike surpassing godlike speed. Used only for countering a direct threat, rather than amplifying the user's skill, strength, or damage, Ei Wo Toru is the ability to make a single strike against the odds. This move costs 10,000 reiatsu and allows the user to pull off otherwise impossible speed to counter. Attacks comparable to the user's Zanjutsu will practically stand still.

The user's Zanjutsu is increased by 10,000 for speed only (not strength) for one strike.

[Die Standing]
One must always consider the impact of the past and the shockwaves it sends both through the present and into the future. The Eleventh Division holds with it a millennium’s worth of legacy bound in blood. It is in this squad that many of the Soul Society’s best and most vicious combatants originated, a number of which were centered and connected to the legendary title of Kenpachi. As homage to the techniques outfitted by the Fearless Duelists of old, a long lost skill had been resurrected. Based entirely on Stetit Audacter, soldiers are called upon to showcase unyielding valor and fearlessness in the face of certain death. If the user willingly chooses to take a severe blow full on from his or her opponent, the next retaliatory attack they land will carry normal damage plus half the amount dealt from the hit absorbed earlier.

A double-edged sword, the technique carries with it a great amount of risk. If the enemy attack proves too strong for the user to bear, any chance of retribution could easily dwindle down to zero. Not only is the outcome of the battle placed at risk, but the Duelist’s own life is put on the line. The user is initially afforded one use of this technique, gaining another at 15,000 reiatsu.

[Predation] – Unique
With every stroke carrying Kyuketsu’s blade, his aim goes beyond simply killing an opponent. He strives to thrash and deluge his foes to the best of his abilities, painting a scene of utter devastation that immortalizes a masterpiece of both conflict and gore. Through this, he has crafted a slashing style amended by spiritual energy which extends and improves the reach of his sword.

By swinging his zanpakutou and giving up 5% reiatsu, the whole 15-feet space surrounding Kyuketsu is instantly overrun with a multitude of lines representing individual sword strikes. The gap between each crimson-colored stroke is impossibly narrow, thus cutting and tearing away at anything within range from all sides and angles, each slice being as deadly as a single zanpakutou swing.

In a sense, it acts a myriad of blows all coming instantaneously at once. The ‘slicing zone’ vanishes completely after a few seconds, leaving nothing but the scarred earth on which it once subsisted. This ability is usable only once per turn and requires a single cool-down round. Should the target deflect or stop the initial swing, however, the effect of the ability is cancelled out completely.

Attack 3: Though limited in using all of Fuhen Souryokusen’s swords, for a time, Kyuketsu may be able to utilize all of them at once in a resounding, utterly dominating offensive against the enemy. By giving up 15% of his reiatsu Kyuketsu can rally the remainder of the weapons to shoot up high into the sky, staying there for a whole turn. Once the next phase comes to pass, all summoned swords will rain down on a target with tremendous force, dealing the same amount of damage equivalent to its cost along with the piercing descent of their numerous blades. With its use comes a three-turn cool down period.

 

[Shadowwind]

A final roar of rage escaped the dying beast. Rather than simply purifying the creature was consumed by an ebony flame that it created. As Orixa’s ashes scattered two items manifested themselves from the dark ember. The first was what appeared to be a human hand shriveled into a position that made it appear to be reaching to grasp something. The second created birthed from the black flames were three leathery sheets of paper. Etched onto each, in black-red script that seemed to invoke blood and a dubious origin of the pages, were countless words in a long forgotten tongue. Slowly the twin pair of items glided to the ground, they and the manifested dolls the only reminders of the creature that was.

[123/2250] Final

 

[Wayne]

He watched callously as the flames engulfed the beast, eyes dead with a sense of cruel sadism all too present in the glimmer of his swords. As the last of the blaze was extinguished, not another word came from the captain’s lips. No celebratory remarks, no final farewell to the fallen foe. The man resealed his zanpakutou, quickly calling back the myriads of weapons that once skewered and pierced the Arrancar known as Orixa. Now spinning slowly between his fingers was a solitary blade, its silver steel still stained with the scars of crimson and gore. Sheathing the weapon back into slumber, Kyuketsu advanced with a casual gait towards the manifested artifacts.

The captain’s expression seemed barren and empty, lacking any sort of emotion visible to the naked eye. His eyes were tired, though alive... a look not so different from what he truly felt inside.

Kyuketsu was unsatisfied—like a beggar promised a feast, yet presented only with a grain of rice. There was no closure to the initial intensity he felt, no catharsis to justify the carnal madness that consumed him as he devoured his prey. Instead of gaining something from his ‘victory,’ Kyuketsu felt more of a loss than anything else.

Purposely stepping on the remaining ashes left by the creature, Kyuketsu lurched forward and grabbed a hold of the mysterious hand sitting ominously on the ground. He had no idea what it was or what it was capable of, yet he was compelled nonetheless to seize it for himself.

Turning around, he looked for the other two, unsure if they were even alive still.

3,920​

 

[Redfin]

Well, that was over. Kyuketsu Doll wiped his brow off as if dolls could actually sweat. It was more of a motion done for relief. The Captain of the Eleventh was monstrous as expected from historical experiences.

Hotate emerged from the doll with barely a sound. She landed on the dusty ground of the market, vacated of people. With minimal living presence, the fetishes and skulls all around seemed to bear down in a gigantic, malformed shadow. The ancient teachings and methods of Africa swirled around in mysticism. This place was a magnificent, under the watchful gaze of protective and governing spirits.

All three dolls were clutched in Hotate's arm, pressed against her body. She might not have gotten to buy anything today, but at least she had these. A warm feeling entered her cheeks as she rubbed the scratchy Hotate Doll against it. Her green eyes were shimmering with adoration.

Once she realized that the market was only mostly empty, not completely empty, Hotate let out a forced cough.

"Capitan, how that was an intense match." With all three dolls once again hugged by one arm, she held up her free hand. It glowed with a soft, diffusing energy. "It you want, I will tend to your wounds, as a way of saying thanks for handling it on your own so I didn't have to do anything."

[1403]

 

[Wayne]

Almost instantly as he heard the girl’s voice, a pang of change quickly overcame the captain. The cold, robotic demon that once possessed the man stepped aside for the moment, replaced instead by the affable, almost suspiciously docile individual known collectively more by the denizens of the Soul Society. Nodding with a smile, Kyuketsu limped his way over to the girl, clutching the throbbing wounds which now scarred his entire physique.

“I appreciate the offer, Miss.” His voice, as with the storm now passed, was filled with the utmost amity. “Though I suspect the Fourth would want to proceed with surgery right away, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself over me. Your safety is all the thanks I need.”

Right before he could sit himself down, the captain’s phone rang out with a piercing cry. Bowing back and turning away from the vizard, Kyuketsu answered it, remarking calmly, “We’re rather quick to the punch, aren’t we? The scion threat in my sector has been dealt with. I’ll be home shortly.”

“Y-yes sir, we’ve detected it right away,” replied the operator on the other line. “However... there’s probably else something you’d want to know...”

“What is it?” The Eleventh’s commander raised an eyebrow.

“The other captains have just been deployed to Mt. Fuji in Tokyo.” The urgency in the individual’s voice was unmistakable. “Soutaichou Inuzuri himself is currently going against a massive horde of Hollows while the others are... well... they’re facing off against former captain Ascania.”

There appeared to have been no hesitation in Kyuketsu’s response. He didn’t thought about it, not even once contemplating his options. He braced his hand over his zanpakutou, saying, “Very well. Connect a Senkaimon to their location. I’m coming to help.”

“But sir, you’re injured. Would you like me to first send in a unit to heal to your wounds?”

“That won’t be necessary. Just patch me through, and I’ll be there soon.”

Hanging up, the swordsman returned his attention to the young lady. “On second thought” I take back what I said. Do what you must. It appears I still have other business to tend to.”

4,276 - FINAL​