Northern Raid: Assault of the Hollows

Ruvik's visor quickly picked up on the surge of energy signatures around him. He expected nothing less but was well equipped to handle the situation, at least enough to minimize the damages to a point it wouldn't matter much to a being like him. As close as he was tied to a host, the fact of the matter is that they were two entirely separate beings. So as long as the body it inhabited didn't die? Any damage it took was irrelevant. ..Of course, they didn't need to know that. Focusing its power, a dense concentration of dark energy surrounded Shunsui's sword that embedded itself in the Shinigami's body. Layer after layer of energy condensed around it, acting as a strong barrier between the surge of energy about to flood outward and the host's insides. The swarm of blades encompassed the pair, as well as the surge of destructive electrical energy from high up above from their partner. The most immediate threat was the sword plunged into their back though. Though contained, the shredding power was quickly ripping through the cloak surrounding it. Traces of wind even broke out entirely, slicing apart veins, muscle tissues and scraping organs. As the beam above and the swarm of green cutting edges got closer on the outside, the creature made its second move to minimize the damages.

Tapping their zanpaktou with their tooth, another wave of energy spilling from the sword, washing over the energy wreaking havoc inside their back, as well as the swarm of blades and even the incoming kido. The current like before infused decay-like properties in the constructs of energy..However, unlike before, the power and sheer quantity of it was too vast to completely nullify like the kido had been prior. Instead, it only severed to weaken them as they approached...But it would be enough. The blast inside their chest continued to fight against the torrent of dark energy acting as an internal shield, but after that beacon of decay? There wasn't much chance of it doing any greater damage than it already had. The storm outside was another matter though. The pale Shinigami's ears were bleeding from the roar of the oncoming storm alone. Their only defense was to raise their arm directly in the path of the coming storm, shielding their visor and using the limb as a catalyst for most of the punishment, Their feet dug firmly into the ground, additional tendrils binding to the earth to ensure they stood their ground. It all crashed down at once.

The blades of wind and the explosive Hadō all crashed against Ruvik's host, the bladed skin acting as the primary defense against them. The energy was shredded on contact, weakening it by another substantial margin, but still failing to neutralize it. Lastly, they met the nano-machine endo-skeleton just beneath their flesh, providing one more barrier for the combined forces to cross before they reached anything vital The cutting edges ripped open multiple gashes in their flesh, blood spilling out from each wound they caused. The bulk of the damage lingered around the arm where the Hadō made an impact. Burns and shredded flesh quickly lined the appendage as winds and destruction spilled out in every direction. The combined forces created an explosion that helped Shunsui sever the ties of the black energy wrapping around their arm. The flames and crushing force soared out from the point of impact, numerous buildings crumbling and the earth beneath him shattering.

Still, the man didn't even try to move or escape, holding his stance and allowing his tendrils to continue to push forward. They chased Shunsui for several dozen feet, some managing to stab their flesh, while others fell short. Once they were just shy of their range, the tendrils receded back into the smog of flames and smoke created by the combined attack. In the wake of it all, he was briefly stunned, catching his breath from defending from so much destructive force at once. So much in fact that he even failed to avoid the next attack that could very well spell the end for most warriors. By the time he noticed, it was too late to dodge. Still, the visor picked up on the kido as it traversed the smoke and right as it made an impact. It was a completely foreign spell to him as well, which further lowered his guard on how to defend from it. The darkness pierced their chest, cursing the Hollow's host with the dangerously restricting curse of the kido.

By the time the smoke cleared, the SHinigami puppet was covered in large gashes, bleeding profusely with their raised arm burned black from the spell The zanpaktou in their hand had been reverted to its sealed form and all of the traces of their energy had been sealed away...But there was one thing left..Something that was now more potent than ever. The suffocating Hollow pressure that resounded from their body. With the Shinigami's soul sealed, it left the Hollow's power completely unopposed, making ot much more clear just what they were up against. Thanks to their disjointed union, the spell also had little, if any effect on Ruvik himself, only leaving his puppet to be restricted. At the same time, the visor encrypted the spell even as it affected the body, breaking down its function and spiritual frequency as they stood there. While inconvenient, the man didn't seem the slightest bit phased or upset by the developments. Sheathing their zanpaktou, they spoke to the others, eyes still honed on Shunsui as they prepared to charge back at him.

"Hm...Not bad! But I think its about time I end the warm-up. It's been fun! But any chance you had of winning is over."

The spiritual pressure exuding from them only increased, despite losing all of their host's powers for the time being. The same darkness that composed the tendrils and shrouded Shunsui's arm began to build over the host's wounds, both inside and out. Rapidly the damage they managed to pull off in that incident began to reverse, high-speed regeneration doing its work as only a Hollow could. Even with their host powerless, the Hollow was a monster, one that was done giving these two even a shred of hope.

It stood there as Shunsui darted closer, keeping tabs on the girl behind them as well. Still, they refused to move, inviting them to attack again. Sparks of crimson crackled vibrantly around their body, something foul and twisted building in them that seemed almost demonic. Once Shunsui was halfway between where they stood and reaching the invader, he allowed his next stage of power to manifest. Though not fully healed, the regenerative process would continue as they acted, quickly undoing the damages once out at a time.

A shroud of green liquid started to cover the host's pale, white skin. It meshed with it, mixing into flesh and mutating it in a moment's notice. The oppressive vile power coming from the creature escalated as their trademark armor manifested around them. It was much like that of the other Hollow's, a green reptilian shroud with yellow, spongy muscle protruding from the shoulders, chests, forearms, legs, and various other spots throughout their form. It all culminated with a lighter green facemask that covered their nose and mouth, leaving only their eyes and crimson hair uncovered. While seeming a defensive act, it was anything but. The armor served one primary purpose...To fully unlock the creature's destructive potential.

To Ruvik's surprise, they could still feel the traces of their essence clinging to Shunsui's arm. While not getting the graphic finale he wanted, the limb felt limp, crushed from the pressure they exuded against it. But while its objective was done, the goo was far from harmless. While it was dying from the surge of energy Shunsui focused against it and being disconnected from a life source,e it still had a few moments of power in it. Bending it like they would a knee, the black tar morphed, taking the form of a new tendril or two as Shunsui approached, One darted for their leg, aiming to use the very speed Shunsui flaunted to send them crashing down into the ground with the very same momentum they built up to strike with. It aimed to wrap around the leg, crushing it and dragging it toward the ground. The other darted for the remaining arm that grasped their zanpaktou, intending on redirecting the course of the coming strike to the side instead and cause it to go completely off course. If successful, Ruvik wouldn't even dodge, just taking note of the strange way the man spoke in colors as they attacked and shred their attire. In the event it failed? His speed was more than quick enough to step back and narrowly avoid the slash all-together. But he didn't opt to attack just yet.

"You know, it is funny...I think you two have done more damage to the place than I have! Are you really it's protectors?"

Instead of Shunsui? Now its attention turned to Momo, the girl that likely stepped back by now after their stunt a moment ago. It was an annoying spell to be sure, but one that would soon come under the monster's arsenal as well. He'd have to thank them later, but for now? Ruvik pulled Shunsui's released blade from their chest, blood spilling out, but the wound soon being covered and repaired just like those before it. The sword was drenched in crimson, electricity flowing around it from the building manifestation of malevolence. Though heavy, the man''s immense strength could easily wield it in his current state.

The armor-clad puppet turned away from Shunsui and took a step forward. Their eyes were set firmly on Momo, a feeling of dread and killer intent washing over the girl at what was about to come their way The ground collapsed as they pushed off of it, darting toward the woman with a single step. The strength and power behind it had been -severely- magnified, putting them on an entirely new level that surpassed the already impressive might and speed they showcased before. Even without shunpo, the distance between him and his target would close in an instant. The air shredded behind them, the pressure alone strong enough to cut flesh and bone. Anything that remained of the district was cut to ribbons, purging any remnants of life that failed to evacuate.

Their entire body blurred as they made their first display of might. A single punch soared toward Momo's mid-section, moving faster than the eye could track and with far more power than they could ever hope to block. Even their zanpaktou could crack or break from the pressure of the coming strike. If it connected? The world itself would seem to freeze, a second's calm lasting for a few moments before the result of the impact showed itself. It could easily shatter every rib in their chest, sending anything it touched flying toward another district all-together. His goal wasn't just to do harm, but to cause destruction using the land's very protector as an instrument! The strike aimed to send Momo flying toward the next district to the north that was mostly unharmed, the force easily able to carry them there and knock their body through multiple buildings, collapsing each structure behind her and swallowing more lives in the symphony of destruction. Even if it missed, the force of the strike was grand enough to forge a hurricane's gale, cutting winds spilling over Rukon and snuffing out Hollows and spirits alike in the closest districts to the ruined one they stood upon.

The sheer might of the Hollow was unwavering, even after taking such a crippling blow. There was a reason he is the Hollow King.