Isane was never so afraid before. Not in the face of the Exequias, not during the incursion of Sousuke Aizen, not even when being at the mercy of the unquestionably frightening Tres Espada, Tia Harribel. Some would call it a tactical retreat, but she knew better. She ran away, utilizing the most advanced flash steps she knew to gain distance from her advesary and hide between the pillars of an abandoned, roofless warehouse, to hide her tattered body and the shame that goes with it.
*This is horrible...I...I'm just no match for 'that'! The records of the Onmitsukido were frightening enough, but this...this makes no sense! Why is it so much stronger? Isn't it supposed to be an inversion of sorts? I don't understand..."
- A SHORT WHILE AGO -
A cold night dawned upon the maligned Karakura Town. With both Kora A'ina of Soul Society having been subdued and the mirror dimension crumbling away, the undefeated Saca Dila poured over to the realms still affected - much to the misfortune of the inhabitants. It only took half an hour before alarming reports reached the Gotei 13, as multiple Shinigami Saca Dila seem to have migrated to the Earth Realm, including Karakura Town. Some of them reportedly reached Vice Captain levels of reiatsu, presenting a vast threat to anyone who would cross their path, and their rampage would not come to an end until they were subdued by force.
Isane was sent out on a special mission aiding the containment squad with the backing of Relief Team 7, focusing on civilian casualties. The leadership knew that while the members of the relief squads were able to handle themselves in the case of a Hollow incursion, they were no match for something that boasted the power of a Lieutenant. Protection of similar level was needed.
The Senkaimon opened over a remote area of Old Karakura town. The defenses against an onslaught were the scarcest here, meaning that it was quite likely for the reverse entities to migrate here. The containment teams spread out in swift succession - if it were for the conflict to escalate, containing collateral damage would be paramount. It was known that the Saca Dila were drawn to their original hosts, and while most of them weren't identified yet, the teams mostly took up positions in large, abandoned buildings so that the havoc their fights unleashed would be muted down, not endangering the unfortunate souls that still had to linger around these parts. After only quarter of an hour procuring victims of the attacks, the hastily set up relief camp was already hosting several dozen wounded humans and pluses. Most of the latter wouldn't even remember their transition to the afterlife - a horrifying prospect, making Konsou and the explanation thereof difficult and tedious. Hysteria was rampant all over the place, when a band of Shinigami darted out of an alley, screaming. They all wore the relief packs of the 4th, but weren't carrying any injured. Their faces spoke of true horror. They were fleeing from something. "Help! Lieutenant-sama! We are under a-"
Their cry for help was to be cut short. A loud shout echoed through the alley. It came from behind them, and bore a ringing of true, unveiled malice. "Hadō # 32, Oukasen!" A flash as bright as the light of the midday sun filled the area, and the destructive spell carved a path of destruction amongst the gathering. It reached almost a quarter of a mile in length - the Shinigami caught in the blast were reduced to nothing but smoldering remains. Anything that lay in its path was devastated, including half a dozen injured, before the silver-haired Vice Captain could even try to stop its rampage.
"Bakudo #39: Enkousen!" she screamed, after bravely flash-stepping into the path of the Hadō. The shield barely held, splitting the golden wave in two before cracking in the middle. Despite being a low level spell, it felt like it came from a Captain. Soon, a tall figure emerged from the direction the spell was shot from. A figure that resembled hers to a frightening level.
"Swords! Fuyuki, Matsuoka, Isobe - let's go!" Isane shouted valiantly, drawing her Zanpakutō after making sure no other intruders were in the area. The junior officers followed her command, and they lounged at the intruder in unison. Their flash-steps were coordinated and their strikes precise - it was truly a marvel to watch the Fourth refute their unjust label. They were briefed extensively on the enemies they'd face of course. But the sight they were about to see stopped their swords at just the critical moment.
"Out of my way, mongrels" the Saca Dila of Isane shouted in a warped voice, before her movements exploded into a whirlwind of violence. She blocked the fettered strike of Fuyuki with her bare hand, retaliating in the fraction of a second. Her fingers sank deep into his abdomen, releasing a spray of blood and mangled guts. Matsuoka managed to get a shallow cut onto her shoulder, but received a roundhouse kick to the head in turn. The impact itself almost sounded like a thunderclap, slamming the seated officer into a column of reinforced concrete with a broken neck. Isobe didn't even manage to finish his attack - with a flick of her three-pronged sword a hail of blackened ice darts pierced his body. He let go of his sword and clutched the jagged shards, bending over in pain...
And Isane froze down, paralyzed by the vicious reiatsu the creature expelled. As the last one of her comrades fell down, she met her gaze finally - and only by staring into the bottomless, black eyes she could finally understand why this incursion was so terrifying. *This...this can't be happening...*
"It is YOU that I want...you alone! I wondered how many of these pawns I had to cut down to finally get to you." Isane didn't answer. As soon as she regained her composure, she used Shunpo to gain distance from the creature. Without avail. The Saca Dila followed suit, matching - no, surpassing her speed. "Don't you dare make a face like that, you worm." She tried to block her spinning kick with Bakudo #8: Seki, but the force of it was just too much for her feeble defense to deflect. The Kido shattered with a barely audible noise - the creature's leg rammed itself right into her side, sending her flying just like it did with Matsuoka. The Saca Dila looked to the side - a frown passed her pallid lips as she raised her hand to finish off the relief camp in an instant.
"As soft as ever. Tch. Do you think I'll let you off with a warning like that snotty ryoka did on Sokyoku Hill? Maybe this will get you fired up. Hyoga Seiran." "NOOOOO!"
A desperate flash step, and Isane placed herself in the path of the blooming river of frost unfolding just in front of her. Just below the wave, four converging lines shimmered, extending rapidly into a glimmering inverted pyramid, sealing the Hadō away inside.
"Bakudo #73: Touzansho!" "Koujutsu Eisho? That's more like it. But observe...and despair."
Cracks began to line the barrier, and it shattered within a moment's notice. Isane expected this however and responded in kind. It was enough to break the attack's momentum."Hadō #58: Tenran!" the Vice Captain shouted, extending her palms towards the fearsome creature, blasting the wave of frost right back at her. She seemed surprised for a moment, but just as her feet submerged into the blue ripple, she flashed away, to the top of a concrete pillar.
"So much effort to save their worthless lives. You'll have nothing left to fight me, if you continue like this." "Shut your mouth...you heartless beast..." she said, her voice starting to fail her. A glance to the back revealed that the remaining members of her squad were already at work, bravely seeing to the evacuation of the survivors as fast as they could. She however started wavering...she knew it was impossible to keep up like this.
- PRESENT -
"This is Vice Captain Isane Kotetsu, requesting permission for limit release in the face of overwhelming force! Please, answer!" "...Uh, Vice Captain-san? What's the situation down there?" "I ain't got time to file a report! We are losing people as we speak! Hurry up, damnit! " "Shit...is it that bad? Hang on...Permission for limit release granted. Take care down there!" "I'll try...thanks."
She could barely move her legs anymore. It wasn't rocket science to figure out why breathing was so excruciating either; her swiftly administered Kaidou was insufficient to provide relief to the pain of several broken ribs. The voice of her tormentor grew closer however. There wasn't much time.
"A beast, hm? Pathetic fool...when will you finally understand, that I am what you should be, you miserable piece of trash?!"
The creature shattered the pillar she hid behind with a single sweep of her leg. Isane barely managed to dodge, flashing to the base of the next concrete monolith. And as the two finally faced off on even footing, their swords were drawn almost simultaneously, followed by a hauntingly synchronized battle cry only a select few would know.
"Run..."
A voice rang in the dark depths of her mind... "Isane" ...while the swords grew two additional blades each..."Let me protect you, Isane".
Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch - Song: We Are - Word Count: 988
How more lame this could get it. Only few hours ago the male entered this hell pit in looking for Lydia and in need to take the sample he was ordered to retrieve. Of course the other part didn't matter anymore, as he was now ONLY looking for her. The teleporrtation ritual he crafted himself went terribly wrong, sending, hopefully, the girl alone to one of Black Realms, while the caster was left on the floor soundly sleeping. After unknown time period the male woke up and understood what he had done. Quickly Nix found the legit portal and went it to travel in the Inverse Earth Realm.
There Shraik met Saca Dilla, the most weird creatures ever, other people, soldiers and adventurers and learned from them of the demise of one of the Black Worlds, Inverse Soul Society. Upon that his heart stopped for a beat, imagining what would then happen to his secretary. Putting the mission aside, the Shape Shifter ran up and down, trying to sense for her location, ask around and fight anyone who thought that his face looked like a peach. Nix was sure Lydia will want a raise after this.
And so this was the madness, which led him to view the fight before him. The guy was on a building, it had ten floors and gave a good view of the territory. While no sign of the girl, he saw a bloody fight against Saca Dilla, her original and those from seemingly their own branch. Shinigami had never earned big respect from his side, as they made more trouble, then good. Working with them has been always been a burden and all of these things had a natural attraction for bad luck. Like now!
Nix let out a heavy breath, scratched his back of head and shoot like a bullet in the direction of his enemy, using Soul Dash, and appeared above her, making a punch in the air. From it a gold color Cero fired, which, if not blocked or dodged, would devour the Saca Dilla, create minor burns and injuries, but nothing serious.
If missed or not, almost in instant he would then, using Soul Dash, appear next to her, attempting to punch her in the ribs. If successful this hit would send the girl with black eyes flying at the building, hitting her in it, reducing her ribs in one side in dust and probably damaging something from the impact in the wall.
Done with that problem Nix turned to the girl, who the Saca Dilla copied. "Hello there missy! You know, you should defeat these things, not get defeated!" He laughed on his own pun, before his face growing more serious. "You should go now! I don't think it was enough to defeat it, but I can possibly hold her down while you move out. And please, do it quickly! Shinigami always bring bad luck!" And to prove this statement right a black blast with golden linings fired at them, looking as a slash one could make with his sword. Nix turned at this slash, grabbing it with his right arm and disrupting in half. The palm wasn't even scratched. "Like I said, trouble!"
From above on a houses ruble someone similar to Nix stood, smiling a wide, maniacs smile and licking his lips in satisfaction. A black, big sword lay in his left arm, with a skull on the end of the handle. Flames of black golden lining energy came out from it. If anyone would attempt to sense how strong is this enemy, they would come to conclusion that as Nix, he too had no spiritual level at all, as it seemed these beings would lack soul. "Ki-Ka-BUUUU!!!" Said the Saca Dilla, before launching himself at the both.
The black energy swirled around the beasts body. Then it concentrated again around the sword and as it made a slash in the air, releasing again a Cero type blast, this time obviously at the strength of Gran Ray Cero, if not more powerful. Nix was surprised at the speed this fight escalated, the thing taking no time to release already quite powerful attacks. The male on the other side to protect him and the girl chanted. "Bakudo 81-Danku!" A transparent wall appeared in front of him, taking the full force of the blast and then shattering in fragments.
Seeing that the Saca Dilla started to laugh uncontrollably, his whole body shaking. Words next muttered by this maniac sent shivers under the mans skin. "Shooting hands unable to reflect the blue sky. The road that basks in light, the wind that ignited the embers, time that gathers when both are together, there is no need to be hesitant, obey my orders. Light bullets, eight bodies, nine items, book of heaven, diseased treasure, great wheel, grey fortress tower. Aim far away, scatter brightly and cleanly when fired! Hadō 91-Senjū Kōten Taihō!" Ten pink arrows of energy appeared around the Saca Dilla and then fired at Nix and the other girl besides him.
The guy didn't know a lot of Hadō, his specialty was Bakudo, but even without the knowledge of what was this exact incantation, he knew that Hadō made booms and number 91 ment it will be a big one. In so the guy grabbed the girl by her hand, activated his first Soul State, which didn't show up in any way, except that his all abilities were boosted 4 times in strength, his energy renewed and general skill raised impressively. "I hope you are fast kid!" With that he kicked in what he got of his Soul Dash, trying to leave the blast perimeter.
Behind them, burning a bit both backs, the energy created a explosion big enough to reduce a small market. The place where the Shinigami girl fought her Inverse was no more. Panting, with minor injuries, which healed instantly thanks to his High-Speed Regeneration, Nix stared at the girl like he was planning to kill her at that moment. "SHINIGAMI.IS.TROUBLE."
Shiro Sagisu - Fade To Black - Unnamed Track / Word Count: 1081
"Wha-" the Saca Dila said in shock of the speed its new opponent possessed. She managed to evade the Cero with a short flash-step, but Nix managed to keep it under fire with ease. It was fast, however, and managed to block the attack and turning herself away from it, feathering its strength down considerably. The black-eyed fiend couldn't avoid being smashed into the wall though, which ruptured in a pattern resembling a spider's web coated in sprayed blood. It then collapsed, burying the inverse being before it could slink away.
"You're next...for sticking your nose into my fight..." it hissed loudly, shoving aside a slab of concrete weighing at least a quarter of a ton. But as it tried to free itself, a yellow triangle of burning energy blasted into the pile of rubble. "Shitotsu Sanzen!" Isane yelled, keen to use the opening created by the intruder to subdue her opponent, at least temporarily. "Hadō #31, Shakkahou!" - two low key spells, but the effect was clearly visible. The wall, already weakened and crumbling by the kick, collapsed entirely from the resulting blast, encasing the Saca Dila in a coffin of gravel and steel. Only a faint growl could be heard from below.
As the stranger started to speak to her in his weirdly jovial tone, she spun towards him, taking up a martial stance. Her three-pronged sword glimmered with a sea-green tinge, but she soon lowered her guard - it seemed that she was only startled. "You're strong...are you one of the Vizard? But...where is your mask?" In a moment's notice, she saw the thin beam of devastation closing in on them. "Look out!" she shouted, dodging to the side instinctively. But it was ultimately unneccessary. She looked at him with a mixture of awe and concern in her dark eyes - it soon faded however as he advised her to run away.
"What? You can't possibly be serious! This is not a game! So many people died already...you can't take the risk of fighting them both at once!" she screamed at him, clutching her injured side. And just after she finished her lecture, the Saca Dila of Nix let out its terrifying battle roar - within the blink of an eye the forces clashed, and the air was flooded with heavy reiatsu. *This is insane...they are easily within Captain class. But their reiatsu doesn't feel like that of a Vizard. If this escalates any further...*
It didn't take long for her fear to come true. Covering from the force of the previous attack, the Saca Dila, formerly cackling like a fiend, pushed the offensive even further, almost into the realms of the absurd. She knew the incantation...but no one she knew dared to speak it. *Senju Koten Taihou...Hadō #91!?* she thought, while life slowly faded from her flushed face, making her pale visibly. *There is no way I can seal that...nobody can seal that...* And it seems she was right. The stranger pulled a hasty retreat, pulling her with him in the heat of the moment. She was thankful in a way, and as soon as she came back to her senses, her shunpo kicked in, trying to match his speed so that he wouldn't be encumbered, which could doom them both. As the world behind them got engulfed by an all devastating blast of purple hell, she closed her eyes for a brief moment, not sure that she would live to see the world again.
As they both stopped, her legs began to waver and she dropped to one knee in exhaustion. The wound started to hurt more and more, and using Kaidou in a situation like this was not an option. Time was running out. Her teary eyes flashed in anger as the stranger started scolding her. "You're one to talk! Like I pulled that thing here! Oww..." she said, desperately trying to stand up again. "I know...this is a long shot...but please, don't miss your chance. It might be our only one."
A surge of sea-green reiatsu engulfed her for a brief moment as she stomped on the ground defiantly, kicking herself back into shape. She knew that this would leave her vulnerable and on the brink of defeat, but it could at least give time for her ally to gain the upper hand against the monster they faced. She shielded her mind from the cries of her sword, folded her hands into an occult knot, and started chanting with a thunderous voice.
"Walls of iron sand, carriage of thunder, a priestly pagoda, glowing ironclad fireflies. From the bridge of a spinning wheel, divide this light into six and stand upright, silent to the end! Bakudo #61, Rikujoukourou! Bakudo #75, Gocchutekkan!"
Niju Eishou - two incantations entwined, one of the pinnacles of Kido manifested by her will. Only a few years ago she thought it impossible that she'd be able to use techniques of this magnitude. The execution was flawless. Six broad blades of light pierced the abdomen of the Saca Dila. The favorite technique of Byakuya Kuchiki, this one lacked the brute force of the captain class, but the incantation reinforced it enough to be able to hold the monster in place for a short time. The perfect lead up spell, as nobody has ever been able to dodge the 61st Way of Binding. And as she slammed her folded hands into the ground, a quintet of iron pillars unfolded above their opponent's head - their descent was fast, but not quite swift enough to catch an aware opponent. If they hit though - as they did, thanks to the leading spell, they could easily bind someone boasting the strength of a Captain...or beyond. The impact of the house-sized bars shook the very ground.
She however was at the limit of her body. Thick drops of sweat dripped down her chin and nose as she had to support herself with both hands to prevent falling to the ground. She was defenseless and breathing heavily, sometimes letting out an agonized cough.
Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch - Song: We Are - Word Count: 937
"At least they are ready for trouble, when it comes!" Nix thought as the female released the series of Kidōs on the males, faintly resembling Nix. And yes, only faintly, as it had the same face features, they were more animal-like, with slit pupils, grey, almost transparent skin and sharp teeth. The tongue was unnaturally long, not talking about the clothes. While the man was wearing his usual battle uniform, a black, tight one piece suit with a army vest on top and heavy, black military boots, the creature had scraps of different clothe parts. It seemed like those were his trophies of some sort.
No matter that, the Saca Dilla didn't even try to avoid any of the spells directed to him. In stead it started another insane seizure of laughing when he was pinned down to the ground and made unable to move. The swords still remained in his hand, so hard it was holding to it, and slowly the pillars started to move from their foundations, as the Inverse was getting up. For Shraik it was obvious the thing had entered his first Soul Evolution State also, while the Shinigami girl could probably not sense any change in the creature, as Nix's spiritual pressure wasn't senseable even by GrandMasters in the technique.
And because of that he smiled when the girl fell, gently got her in his arms, so making her land more softly and lay her down on the ground. "Will do missy!" With that he jumped highin the sky above the creature. It had almost lift the pillars and was soon on releasing himself. Nix knew it will take much, no, not even that. It will take tremendous amount of energy, raw, destructive power to bring this thing to its knees. To bring him to the knees.
The Inverse Earth Realms skies light up with the massive amount of Reishi the male released. It was around enough to crack the masks of Gillian, if there would be any, and completely destroy Hollows of lower level. Not only that, around this energy others using Kidō and energy based techniques would feel it much harder. A gold sword appeared in the guys hand, forming as from nothing and radiating strong Hollow presence. When fully manifested, all the released Reishi gathered in the blade, creating golden flames to flicker from it. With a cocky grin, Nix landed the sword down on his enemy, releasing all that stored power.
A gold pillar of Cero swallowed the Inverse, the Kidō pillars and all land around it. To measure it in strength, it was something similar to Cero Obscuras or even stronger. The noise of the attack was enormous, the heat was enough to melt diamonds into liquid, but even through that the laughs of the thing were well heard. Then flickers of black energy started to brake through. At first few, then more, the golden energy pillar was breaking, torn apart and seeing that, Nix quickly appeared in front of the Shinigami girl. Shield of golden energy surrounded both and to save power, the male hugged her, wrapping his arms around her body as tight, as possible. Both were covered by his shield like a second skin.
And then the pillar broke, from it rampaging the same strength black energy. Stones were seared, land was being destroyed and the Soul Matter, mix of Reishi and Soul Force, was being quickly eaten away. Nix pushed more out of himself, making the field stronger and stronger. Sweat was gathering on his forehead and the girl could probably very well feel how hot his body was getting. But then it ended, the energy seized and as the male was slowly letting the girl go, having a bit doomed smile on his face, the guys head was grabbed by his Saca Dilla and thrown high in the air. The creature would then look at the Shinigami, the skin and muscles slowly regrowing back on his skull, and snicker. "Kram-Bam-Dam!" With these meaningless words the thing turned to a pile of rubble, fired a Bala at it, uncovering a almost dead Saca Dilla of hers. Then he would create a small, green square in his hands and fire at the Inverse. She would after that be enveloped in a giant green cube and after it disappeared, look perfectly unharmed. "Gjam-Bub!" Saying this the guy would disappear.
While above in the sky Nix had managed to gather his wits on what had right now happened and felt utterly devastated. If this keeps on like this not only he won't find Lydia, he will quite soon join Soul Society, and what is the worst, Shinigamies. Lydia probably will kill him again too! That he didn't want to allow, plus, seeing that his Saca Dilla knew things he never learned, intrigued the guy how was it like that. No or less, he needed now to renew his power. If the enemy had entered the second stage, might as well he do it! With that Nix's Reishi renew and grew, all abilities were boosted and he felt as a little tension was put on the stone in his chest.
Upon looking how was the girl doing, he saw the moment when the Saca Dilla released the other one and even healed. Shock was what filled his face. The guy wanted to go help, but the monster of his appeared in front of the male, attempting to cut the male down. Their blades clashed, Shraik feeling the wild strength of what this thing forced him down. He tried to fight back, but of course it wasn't easy. The Shape Shifter truly didn't know what to do!
Shiro Sagisu - Fade To Black - Unnamed Track / Word Count: 1570
The Inverse of Isane Kotetsu lifted herself up by the force of her legs alone. It casually brushed the dust off its shoulders, looking to the side thereafter, gazing at the incomprehensible Saca Dila who healed it just now. "Gee, thanks! Even though it was ultimately unneccessary. These pitiful attempts at harming me...what a joke. Now, where were we..." it said, taking a few steps forward, tilting its head towards the side at an impossible angle. "Oh, is that it? No more aces up your sleeve?" A violent flash-step and a downward strike with the three-pronged sword followed, directed at the kneeling host. Isane flipped herself over to block the attack - the clash of the blades cast a long coma of sparks. The onslaught continued however, and as the fiend pressed the blade downwards, locking it in the prongs of her own weapon, she brutally stomped on the chest of the delicate Vice Captain, causing her to choke.
"It seems you are finished. A shame, really." She stretched out her open hand and swept over the blade of her sword, pulling a glittering cloud of polluted frost from it. The cloud condensed within a second in her fist, forming a large spike of blackened ice, which she promptly rammed into the poor girl's thigh. Isane cried out violently as the unnatural, searing pain engulfed her body. "It hurts, doesn't it? Irukandji poison. Too bad I can't let you squirm on for too long...the effect could last for weeks" it gloated, pressing the blocking blade further and further downwards as the Vice Captain's arms were overwhelmed by the excruciating contraction of muscles. "Now, I don't think that jerk would leave us alone for long, so why don't we end it here?" A twist, a thrust...and the blade of the inverse sank into the chest of Isane. The light of life began to fade from her tear-filled eyes. "You failed your superiors, your comrades, your friends...even your ally over there - and you died squealing like a pig. What a terrible excuse for a Vice Captain" the inverse said, pulling its sword downwards, opening a gruesome gash in the nigh-lifeless body.
"Farewell."
"Isane..."
She awoke on a colossal, circular monolith of ice. One of thousands, for as far as the eyes could see, these crystalline pillars filled the countless miles stretching to the horizon. She knew this mist-filled forest of glass. It was part of her, a part she discarded before she even became member of the 4th.
Somebody was holding her in her arms. A familiar, terrifying presence. A deathly chill radiated from the touch, but she barely felt it. "Your warmth has all but faded. Now, as the grave calls out to you, we can touch without hurting eachother" the white yokai said, her black hair falling into Isane's lap, like rivers of silken ink. "Sadly, time is short. Our world is falling apart. Listen."[/color]
She didn't need to open her eyes to know the yokai's words were true. The thunderous sounds of shattering ice echoed through the frozen landscape, and the ground shook terribly with every pillar that toppled over. "It feels...strange. Peaceful, even." Itegumo smiled as she softly caressed her mistresses hair. "Did you ever think death could be so gentle? I wish it could be like this...for all eternity."
The monolith between them split in two with an eardrum rupturing crack. Isane didn't even flinch. She smiled softly and let herself sink into the yuki-onna's embrace, patiently awaiting the seemingly inevitable doom. The skinny, white hand ran down to her cheek and gently turned her head upwards. "Your fear of death carried over into every step you made, into every swing of your sword. How can you protect someone, prevent their doom when you can't even master your fear of oblivion?"
"I was never afraid to die..." "You might think that, because you never really experienced something like this before. And when you caught a glimpse of impending doom, like the time you were in the Espada's grip, your fear blinded you, sullying the purity of the experience. Also, if you think back, there were always people watching your back who denied you these moments and kept you out of harms way. Which is commendable...but a sheltered mind like yours cannot even grasp the worth of the flame of life inside you." "I...I understand. But it is too late." "It is never too late, Isane. But you are still afraid. Know that fear only keeps you alive for so long. Your heart is that of a warrior. I know how fierce you can be." "I can't fight it. The inverse is so much stronger..." "It is nothing but a mockery. It is finite, while you are mutable and of immense potential. And even worse, it abuses your power...and mine aswell, twisting everything until it is a grim parody of what we represent. Every time your blades clashed, I suffered the seething stench of their vile being." "I'm so sorry. I wish I could stop it." "If that is truly what you want, I will help you realize your wish" the yuki-onna said, before standing up, lifting her mistress' limp body aswell. Another large chunk of the pillar splintered from the remaining stub, which started resembling a sharp spike more and more. "Cling to the flame flickering inside of you. It is something your enemy doesn't possess. It is a being of emptiness, a twisted, heartless monster void of everything that makes you so dear to me. I will lend you my power...if you promise me that you'll live, and that you will not be afraid to visit me anymore. This loneliness...it is more than I can bear." "I...promise." "Be strong, Isane." The Saca Dila fired a hail of blackened ice spikes at Nix, the protector of the living, who was pressured by his own inverse into an unsteady stalemate. It knew the chances of defeating the man were minuscule, but this might just tip the scales to the favor of his advesary. "You're so annoying!" it shouted, not realizing Isane had stood up behind her. The gash in her chest stopped leaking. She moved her hands closely together, and for a brief moment, a faint rope shimmered between her fingers. It disappeared for a brief moment, only to materialize seconds later, encasing the black-eyed Saca Dila. [color=#000080]"What? You? Impossible! You should have been shock-frozen by the bite of Itegumo!"v "Don't you...dare...to speak her name. You're...nothing. Bakudo #63: Sajou Sabaku!" "A hidden spell, reinforced afterwards? Resorting to underhanded tactics, are we? How low of you. But they can't hold -" They binding-winding chains held just long enough. Isane became nothing but a blurred speck of blackness for a mere moment, appearing behind the Saca Dila. And just as she turned around in shock... "Breathe, Itegumo!" A white spray of frost befell the enemy, laced with tiny, fragile iceflowers. "Fool, I can't be - ugh!" the inverse started gloating, but its defiant smile soon froze on her face. The skin blackened at an alarming rate, especially at the lips where she inhaled the blank powder. The inverse broke the binding spell in a last fit of rage, clutching the arm of the Vice Captain. "Nothing but an empty shell." Isane said, raising her three-pronged sword for the final strike to end this gruesome chapter of her life. The blade descended and the inverse got split in two right in the middle. Not a speck of blood was released. It was all frozen up.
She turned around, panting from the pain and exhaustion. Isane flashed away from the combatants, hiding her reiatsu behind a curtain of Kido. A faint green glow surrounded her hand as she started expelling the poison from her body. Soon, she would be able to fight again, but right now, a single hit from that thing could cause her demise.
There was no way she'd let the Saca Dila get the best of her ally, however. Two against one was always favorable in the face of overwhelming strength.
Artist: Thousand Foot Krutch - Song: Fly On The Wall - Word Count: 1693
Swords clashing, destruction was released on the world, made of sorrows and locked memories. Nix was engaging his Saca Dilla in battle of uncontrollable strength and desperate desire to protect everyone around him. Gold with black mixed in destructive combinations, going in all ways and leaving mass destruction in its way. While both being spiritual presence couldn't be sensed, the Shinigami girl could easily tell how exactly strong these individuals were from only the power of the attacks they were releasing. What once was homes, were rubble now and what was once rubble, now was nothing, but grains of dirt. And it continued. No one gained upper hand, no one loss. Both were equally matched.
Nix blocked yet another attack, this time directing the energy coming from it to the ground. Like always he was playing the defensive role, feeling worried if his attacks could go astray and harm someone. His enemy seemed to enjoy the situation, landing one attack after another one. Shraik couldn't understand why the thing wasn't getting tired. It was just like Sabers wished Nix would be, but he never became as the monster in front. Another slash of black energy landed in his direction and the male slashed it in half. At the same moment black ice spikes shattered at his back, causing pain and making him gasp more from the surprise, then pain.
It was the only thing the monster needed, as he aimed his sword at Nix and spoke in his alien voice. "Great Power, Form in my hand! Blow them away, and run them astray! In this dire time of need call upon the piecing gaze of the dragon. With a single stare from its hue brings about great destruction. Hadō 59 - Bakuhatsu-ha, Hadō 60 - Taihou!!!" After that something of a bright red, small ball at first, formed on the tip of his greatsword. The Shape Shifter in terror screamed, not knowing what to do. "NO!!! AT THE STATE YOU ARE THE ATTACK WILL BE TEN TIMES STRONGER THEN IT SHOULD BE!!!" But of course no one listened to the male. He was already gathering all his energy for a blocking spell, when the sword shifted from the direction of him to the point where the girl was apparently healing herself now.
Nix needed to act fast or she would die quickly, probably taking Nix and the fiend with her. Using no time for more thoughts, the ArchSage of Vanguards aimed his hand at the direction of his enemy, shooting a black chain out from his palm. "Pierce the shadows, thou far as you can reach! Bakudo 65 - Burakkuchēnpiasu!" The chain wrapped around the inverse hand which was holding the handle of the sword and the male pulled it away from the girl.
The Saca Dilla at first looked even slightly surprised, if the things face expressions could even compared to those humans have, but then its ears turned slightly in the direction of one multiple story house. A huge, sharp teethed smiled went across his face and with a childish giggle he shifted his hand in that direction, just few seconds before the Kido fired. The beam reached the building, where it light up in brilliant red light, slowly being swallowed by a energy dome. This dome then stretched further and further, eating more and more of the wasted city. The male disappeared, using his Soul Dash to catch the girl in his arms and run even faster, breaking the limits in what he had with this ability.
Finally, when the dome turned white and then shattered in sparkles, Nix could stop and put the girl down. He was heavily breathing, his face red from exhaustion. They had left the once been city limits and now in that place there was only a giant crater, nothing more. "Are...Are you alright? That thing...Is way better in Hadō, then me! We should be getting away as soon, as possible!" A cold, spine shivering voice spoke somewhere above the crater, so loud everyone even further from this destruction could hear him. It was the first time his text was clear and understandable. "No more Reapers Of Breaths! No more Reapers Of Breaths! All in ash and memories!!!" Nix's eyes, body and soul froze in dead posture. He couldn't move or speak, just stare like that. Even when trying, he had failed those he promised to protect. He let them just so simply die as it wouldn't be nothing big. Again he had failed those who he deemed to protect. Again his ears were filled of the girls dying breath. Again he saw how the Arrancar all those years ago mutilated her body and absorbed her soul. Again he needed to face the truth, he was useless.
And in this shock the male didn't even feel as the Inverse him landed next to him to rise the male in the air by his neck, then brought him again in the sky and started to stab in different places of his body, not damaging those organs who would lead to the Shape Shifter immediate death. It was like he didn't notice it all, but in truth it was just that he didn't want to fight anymore. The spirit that made him running had died, leaving a empty shell in the place. As the blade of the creature finally targeted his chest, the guys clothes were reduced to scrap revealing his bare muscular chest and the bright green Anima Stone in the center, a familiar, high pitched voice spoke in the males head. "Such a pitiful death! I'm ashamed!" As the sword thrust for his chest, Nix's hand went in front of it, stopping the weapon right before it made the fatal blow. "Not you! And NOT NOW!!!"
Artist: Immediate Music - Song: Saga Of The Immortals
He threw the blade aside and punched the creature right in his gut. After that spiritual energy in gold color, almost as thick, as the real stuff when it was melted in liquid, started pouring from his body, covering it from head to toes. In his extended arm the gold greatsword flew from the ground and in his palm. The same transformation occurred to the other one, only in place of gold, it was black oil and sword was already in his arms. Finally they released their spiritual presence as it was truly. It had actual weight, seeming to weight a ton on those around these two. If the Shinigami girl would now try to perform any kind of energy type attack or spell, she would realize it was impossible, as energy just couldn't concentrate enough for something to form. Both took the decorative heads of their swords, Oni head for Nix and a skull for Saca Dilla. They broke them off and then crushed these heads where their Anima Stones lay. The pressure became even harder to bare as their energy started to take shape and form. After only few seconds Nix was in gold armor, lined with white bone, having a skull in the center of chest whose eyes were green gems, and a Oni mask on face. The other one had identical black armor with gold lining and a skull mask on face and a skull in his center. The gems for him were red. Both extended pair of bird wings, for Nix gold phoenix, for Saca Dilla black raven. The pressure calmed down and become once more almost undetectable.
Whit a lightning sound their blades crashed in the sky. It was followed with the light of gold and black hitting each other and blowing in air. Their speed were to that of a master and it seemed as each hit would be able to reduce a mountain to dust. They engaged again and again, Nix dropping off all defense and going directly for offense. He released slash after slash of golden energy of His Cero, in strength matching Cero Obscuras. The Inverse not getting behind, replied with the same strength black slashes, creating a huge light show to observe from below.
Nix knew this couldn't last for ever. This form he could in the best keep for few minutes(3 posts), after which he would become unconsciousness. In the same time he didn't know what would happen to this thing, as it had already shown ability to go pass its bodies limits. The male looked down to the girl Shinigami and had a plan. As the creatures was ready to execute another of his attacks, Nix threw his sword at him and as the beast avoided it, the male put his hands together in prayer and spoke. "Bakudo 99, Part 1 - Kin!" The Saca Dillas arms were tied behind his back, his body was covered in spiritual fabric and the creature was forced to the ground by giant pillars of pure iron, reaching the size of small homes. The reason for this Kido to manifest in such sizes was because in this form every spell and power he uses is boosted to 15 times from the original.
Landing quickly next to the girl, as the beast was trying to free itself, the Vanguard spoke quickly, without haste. "I will need your assistance! I apologize for it!" After this he thrust his blade in the center of the girls chest, but in so not killing her, but filling her body with Reishi. While this reduced Shraiks own limit in how long he can sustain this form by a whole post, the girl would now feel as her whole being was refilled with power. That is not all, on short period of time her Tier would grow two minor levels up. Because Nix did this thing for the first time, she may feel more strained after this battle, if they survive at all, and then there was the fact that his Reishi was Hollow in nature, which...Can create some mutations later too.
Though on current moment it would only benefit them both and it was what Nix cared. After pulling the sword out, he said. "You keep him bind while I try to gather all I have. I don't know, if we will survive, but...I have no more ideas!" With that both heard, before saw how the seal was broken and the nightmare was released again.
Shiro Sagisu - Fade To Black - Unnamed Track / Word Count: 958
Time was running out. She could barely breathe. The two of them expelled so much reiatsu that the very matter which made up the surroundings started to disintegrate. This was dangerous ground, and she knew that she wouldn't go undisturbed for long. But even though Nix was still unable to gain a significant advantage over his Inverse, the battle obviously turned in their favor. It was a long shot, but if they'd survive this transitory phase, even that monster couldn't face both of them.
The attack didn't come unexpected, but she clearly underestimated its strength. As she was interrupted and pulled away, she just stared into the humongous white eruption. The released destructive energy was almost unfathomable to her.
"I...I'm allright. But...how can that thing go on like this?" she asked in an intimidated voice, frustrated by the amount of punishment the Saca Dila could apparently dish out. It didn't even seem fazed by the exertion. Then the two of them darted off, violently pummeling each other, the beast trying to extinguish the light of life within the young combatant. Although it pained her greatly to see him get cornered and driven to the brink of destruction, she was too timid to intervene. She felt like a mouse in the giant's playground - a sentiment uncalled for, especially after her steadfast disposal of her own inverse. After collecting herself she continued to use the diversion he created and closed up the wound in her chest, which had drained her reiatsu considerably. Soon, she was free to move - and more importantly, free to think. Isane knew she couldn't overwhelm it with raw power - an idea struck her right before Nix returned to her. What struck her even more was awe, however; her ally was able to conjure the pinnacle of Bakudo without an incantation, and the size of the bindings alone could crush even someone of captain level.
"That...that's amazing...I've neve- EEK!" she screamed in shock as Nix stabbed her in the chest. Her hand folded upon the blade she looked into his eyes, not understanding what was going on. It only got worse as she felt the leaden feeling of a Hollow's reiatsu invade her soul. "No! NOOO! Let me go! Get that thing out of me!!!" she fought it, but there was no escape. She would have never agreed to this, but with the alien reiatsu came much needed power...and an overwhelming desire to survive. Still, she took two steps back after Nix has finished with the infusion, looking at him with anger in her eyes. [color=#2EFEC8]"I...I have no idea what you've done to me...but I sure hope it's worth it."
She flashed away as the binding was broken. She gained distance, hid herself behind a curtain of concealing Kido and covered her Reiatsu so that only someone with a very high sensibility could even find traces of it. After the fiend lashed out at her newfound friend, she steeled herself and started the invocation of the mightiest binding and destructive art she knew. She was going all out, putting all her strength into the next few steps of the trap she devised. She knew perfectly that she would likely fall unconscious at the end, being at the mercy of the forces ahead - but she saw no other way of stopping the Inverse's rampage.
"Blacken the waters, you who stand betwixt the box and the bell! Defile the hand that holds the mirror, turn your gaze to the east and devour the very sound of creation! The stone door of heaven eclipses the radiance of life itself. Bakudo #79, Kuyō Shibari!
Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle! Hadō #61 Raikōhō!"
As the Nine Sunlight Traps encased the inverse of Nix, the devastating binding spread excruciating pain across the body of the enemy - and just as the last hole bloomed in front of its chest, the very air became electrized as a lance of golden lightning crashed into the exact point. She wasn't done yet, however. She flashed directly behind it, just as the eruption subsided. A green box of sealing Kido engulfed the insane apparition. "Roppō Fujin!" Not nearly as strong as the previous two, but that was not the goal of this spell either. This was not meant to seal the inverse away. It was meant to condense her next, final attack. A final flare of sea-green reiatsu swept away the whirling dust and rubble, as her blade pierced the barrier and her palm stroked a glacial shiver into the box.
"Breathe, Itegumo."
The transparent hexagonal seal froze over in mere seconds as the barrier was filled with Itegumo's deadly chill and formed hairline cracks due to the power of the attack. Normally spread over a great area, the spell kept the cloud condensed to provide the greatest level of destruction possible - to flash-freeze the eyes, organs and flesh of the Saca Dila.
This was her last stand. She pulled out the blade, took two steps back from her enemy and collapsed as the world grew black around her. "Kiyone...Taichou. I tried. I really..."
Artist: Alexandros Nikolaidis - Song: Non Omnis Moriar - Word Count: 1143
And he saw how this brave girl fought the beast what was him. He needed to see how she gathered everything she had to for a last attack, only to give Nix the time he needed. The male felt so stupid standing like that, collecting his own energy reserves, while someone much weaker attempted to hold his enemy off. Was it what he wanted? Was it right to do? As she fell, loosing her consciousness, the perfect, black ice cube started to shatter. It broke in pieces, revealing a creature of grotesque shapes.
The Shape Shifter didn't know what had caused it, but now the Saca Dilla looked as a beast from a nightmare. Nix's nightmare. The black armor had fused with his body, changing it into a scaled shell. The skin on the things body had also became almost transparent and covered in scales at the same time. The nose was more like two holes in his face and eyes had grew in size, taking almond shape. In color they were yellow with slit pupils in the middle. Its wings had lost part of their feathers and a tail like stub had broken out from the shell.
Nix returned to concentrate on the energy he was gathering. Slowly he tried to decide exactly which of his powers to use. He couldn't over do it, as the Shinigami girl was just besides the monster and he could easily reduce her to ash. Yes, a seal will need to do! He could seal the beast away and then kill him by simply stabbing in the right place.
But the male didn't manage to fulfill this idea, as his enemy was already moving. The Saca Dilla slowly got up, staggered to the place where the girl lay on the ground and made a vicious smile, sharp teeth shining like white stars. It pulled her up by neck, the things sharp claws penetrating her soft neck skin, and turned it in different points of view, as he would examine a merchandise. Seeming pleased, it looked at the Shape Shifter, made a blood freezing noise, that was similar to laughing and extended his free hand in the place of ice rubble, as his sword flew in the creatures palm. Then it put the tip of the blade at her forehead and turned again to his original, speaking in a alien tone. "HERE...RIGGGHHHHTTTT???"
The guy stared, as in front of him replayed his old memories. His love, the Arrancar, the tip of the blade lying against her skull...And how easily it went through it. How she dies in matter of seconds and Nix was too late to save her. Anger filled his lungs, it filled his body, making the males spiritual energy starting to emit out. A scream formed from his lips and escaped, sounding like a roar of a beast. The wild waves created something of a sphere around the guy and upon seeing it the Saca Dilla smiled even wider and its eyes grew even bigger. Black energy in a huge waves came out of the thing as he threw the girl away. Her body fell limp against the ground as a rag doll.
In the males eyes he saw that the girl was dead. In his eyes he saw how she was killed by the beast in front of him. In his eyes he saw that there was no need to hold back. And he didn't. Shraik ran at the thing, his sword shining like a gold lantern from the energy he was letting out. The creature laughed and slashed at the guys direction, shooting a black projectile at him. This was something in strength of Gran Ray Cero, but Nix without hesitation released a slash of his own, countering the one shot at him. Before the creature managed to act, the Vanguard released another one, then another one and then another one. In rapid speed they assaulted the Saca Dilla and finally it seemed the creature couldn't hold off.
In truth it had reached his limits long time ago. The only thing that allowed him to fight for so long was that the thing had no sense of pain, as well, as he was able to utilize every drop of energy, even what usually body reserves for itself and doesn't allow to use. After this battle the thing would probably collapse and even die.
So now finally even these reserves had been used up and Nix was having some effect on the thing. But he was at his limits too, so seeing the opportunity, the male chose to finish it now. Stopping his shooting frenzy he gathered what was left in him in the blade and concentrated this energy, sharpening the blade. Noticing that his original was now just going for a direct attack, the Saca Dilla roared in pleasure and rushed to attack the male with his own sword. Black Reishi swirled around it and when both were in point blank distance the thing released a energy slash while Nix attempted to stab the beast through his armor in chest.
A pillar, mix of gold and black, raised high up in the air. After two seconds, which seemed as forever for Nix it seized revealing both fighters. The male was numb from pain. His threshold over board as he couldn't feel anymore. A bloody crack went in the middle of his body, where the sword had gone almost through him. Ice and death filled the males body, as he had no energy to High-Speed Regenerate. On his blade pierced through the heart, still alive, the surprised Saca Dilla stared in the mans face and seemed...Lost. As he wouldn't have gained what he wanted. Nix felt pity for this beast. He was made with one purpose only and now, when fulfilling it, this cause didn't bring any satisfaction in the end. A arrogant, amused voice spoke in his head. "Please, no soap operas! Please!!! Better give me this snack!" With that his sword turned slowly silver. Upon reaching the Saca Dilla it pierced, the things flesh too turned into silver. Quickly it had lost all other colors. A silver figure was all what had been left and when it blinked at the guy in front of him, the figure shattered into small Reishi flakes and then went inside the blade. The sword returned into its original gold tone.
Nix was too tired to think of what had happened. Ice and death stepped back, as the lethal slash healed close, but with it a warm darkness swallowed his mind. He too blacked out. Later on the Shinigami girl should have waken up as a team mate of her own unit would be over her and healing the girl. Nix in meanwhile would be standing a bit further and was arguing that he doesn't need help and is alright. While standing it was clear he wasn't.
Shiro Sagisu - MoN - Will Save You / Word Count: 308
Isane awakened to a soft green halo shining over her. It took a few seconds to realize the reiatsu of a shinigami kneeling over her - she couldn't really place it however. As she opened her eyes, the blur soon faded and she saw a fellow squad member forcing the life back into her. No time was given to her to inquire about the status of the mission, but the long-faced man's expression, although worried for a second, seemed to be filled with relief. "Welcome back, Isane-san. 8th Seat Mamoru Ide, at your service." "Oh? I...how long was I-" "A few minutes only. After the sounds of battle subsided, we secured the area and stabilized the wounded. Your wounds were rather grievous...I'm sorry to say, but it'll take a few days at least for you to recover. Someone will have to fill in." "Um...what? Ah, nonsense! I'm fine, totally fine! There is no need to worry about me. Just let me stan-ugh!" she fell back to the mattress, struck by a sudden jolt of agony. "You should rest for now, Isane-san. Your reiatsu is wavering." "Ow. You're right, I suppose. But...is he going to be allright?" "We, um...we don't really know much about him, Isane-san. His reiatsu is confusing, and he refused all help we offered." "*sigh* Thought as much. He is a stubborn one, and very strong too. I owe him a lot. But you must insist, Ide-san. As we are, we don't stand a chance if there is to be a round two."
She shifted the gaze to the man standing a bit farther away from her. The young Vice-Captain seemed rather concerned, but the calm annihilationscape left behind their battle reassured her that their suffering was not in vain. And everything considered, she might have even gained a friend here - something rather unexpected during these times of strife. And something to be cherished.
Artist: Florian Bur - Song: Tunes of Fantasy - Word Count: 516
Nix thought that this Shinigami, while sweet and nice, was so annoying. All medics were like that. They just couldn't imagine that you will be good without them. And yes, one shouldn't be good after a battle like this. But he was. The computer in the males brains were telling him that now his condition is stable and from the amount of Reishi he had managed to regenerate the High-Speed Regeneration had fixed all inner organs, that were damaged. Now only he needed to wait till his outer ones will be healed.
He noticed the girl waking up, talking to another of those Shinigami people and then drawing her gaze at him. Shraik smiled, waved at her and was about to go to her, when the Shinigami from before stood in front of the Shape Shifter. "I insist! You need to stop moving and let me treat you!" Nix raised one eyebrow, gave him a gentle, wide smile and spoke in a flirtatious tone. "Well, if you want to treat me...." He grabbed the guy by the back of his neck and made a deep, forceful kiss. The partner of his was too shocked to move, but what Nix too didn't expect was that both would be surrounded in gold aura and the Shinigami could feel that his Reishi was quite quickly drained away. Shraik pulled away, pushed the thoughts about what happened now for later and went pass the exhausted and surprised male. On his way to the girl he slapped the guys butt.
Upon reaching the girl he bent down to her and smiled this time a gentle and a bit concern smile. "Hi! Feeling all tired now, I see! Thanks again for the help! You saved me!" He gently brushed the girls cheek with his thumb and from this angle she could see a huge blade cut in his arm, which would then just heal closed in almost a instance. The energy he had absorbed from the kissed male now was kicking in, healing closed all outer injuries in rapid speed. "We haven't introduced yet. I'm Nix Shraik, the ArchSage of Vanguards and a mercenary. It was a...." He thought a bit if what he wanted to say is true "Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you!" He laughed a bit.
After few more moments he was let know that all outer injuries had been healed too and his energy reserves were 25% left. From bystanders view point it was also easy to see, that on his body nothing more, but dust and dirt, was on it. "Well, it seems I'm ready to move on! I have a friend to find and this place is big, so...See you later! If you anyhow manage to wander in Earth Real, let me know!" With that he pulled out a microfabric card, which then light up with information, as his name and address where he lives in Karakura Town. "But now I need to go! Stay safe!" With that he jumped up in a air and similar to a rocket engine airplane shot away from the empty field of grey dust. [EXITS THE THREAD]
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