The Deserted Road

The Ripper

KYEEEEEEEER!

Tap, tap, tap, taptaptaptaptaptaptaptap…

Footsteps echoed across the desert sands, as the owner of the feet ran at full sprint across its length. The sound of a low screech could be heard in the air above his head, and the figure's gaze turned to the sky, following the creature that was so close behind him. "Something like that…" The man muttered to himself, lowering his gaze as the single eye that was visible traced the sands.

Up ahead, there was a dune. An explosion rang out behind him as a cero crashed into the ground. The pursuant hollow released another loud screech. Still, the man kept running. Reaching the edge of the hill of sand, his entire body bent along a vertical axis. He wore a cloak, and just out of the edge of it, one could make out the hilt of a blade, where his right hand rested. The man reached the top of the dune… And jumped.

The dune itself exploded from the force of his leap; the man's cloak was completely blown away, revealing metal along every inch of his body, other than his face. "See ya." He muttered to himself, drawing his blade, his arm pulling at the sheathe as he slashed through the creature's throat. Without pausing, his body accelerated; faster than the momentum could carry him through the creature, he began hacking and slashing away at it.

Black blood rained down onto the desert in several directions, and in the sky, the man's body was now on the other side of the creature's. It had been bisected by his final stroke, chunks of its body bursting and being sent flying. "…Well this isn't good." The man grunted to himself, feeling his leg's lock up as the armor he wore prepared itself to impact into the ground.

Down he fell, a shining silver blur against the desert sky. Impacting into the ground, he created a sandy impression, reaching for several meters in each direction. "It gets everywhere…" He muttered to himself, pulling his body out of the crater, thinking of how awful sand was for equipment like his. There was nothing for it, though. He could only sigh and pull up the map only he could see, lights within his iris giving him the power of his Augmented Reality vision.

"…Alright, yeah. Looks like I'm still on the right track…" Kurama muttered to himself, trying to process his surroundings better, making sure that he was not about to be the victim of another attack.

A noise.

His sword shifted, pointing directly at its source, assuming another combat ready stance, his singular eye refocusing.

"Hmm!?"

Another one bites the dust. Well, considering the sandy surroundings, there probably was a better quip that could have been made, but this redhead isn’t known for having the best humor. The Hollow disintegrating behind her as she continues on her way wouldn’t have made much of a reviewer anyway. It barely had the capability of producing words that weren’t just deranged screeching. Though, it was only one of many that have been manhandled by the woman now leaving the scene of the crime, multiple craters left in her wake. She has a goal to reach, and she won’t let these pesky creatures stop her from reaching it.

Refixing the blue fabric around her arm and head, Elyss winced as her right arm spasmed slightly; her fingers flexing just to make sure nothing was too out of order. How many Hollows has she faced down in this desert? She’s only able to remember a few, and luckily, those few weren’t particularly powerful, but the fact she is forced to fight with only her bare hands, leaves her at a disadvantage in these bouts. Life would be easier with her Zanpakuto, but circumstances are circumstances. She, at least, needs to take better care of her arms knowing that they’re her only form of offense and defense. She may be strong, but wear and tear does exist, and eventually, her arms will give out on her; especially considering the many fights she had already partook in before entering this desert.

The sudden spike of energy in the area, however, caught her attention. A Hollow? Yes, but there is something else along with it, and the sudden extinguish of that Hollow’s energy only peaks her interest further. Maybe she’s finally found who she’s looking for. With a deep sigh, she takes off quickly with a powerful leap forward that kicks up the sand underneath her before appearing at the scene quickly. As her feet caused the sands to shift, she noted the singular cloaked man and felt the need to make her presence known, but it seems this guy is perceptive as a sword is pointed directly at her. Her eyes quickly take in the robotic appearance and singular eye staring her down.

“Careful, ya might poke your only eye out swinging that thing around.” Her body language lacked concern as her steely eyes focused intently. Yet, her hands flexed into a fist for a moment until going lax. She’s prepared to fight, but she’d rather she not have to engage this stranger. He may be exactly what she needs right now.

The Ripper

…Who? He stared at the woman who had appeared. Flowing red hair, matted through with sand. Some blue fabric stretched over her head and arm. Was she trying not to be recognized? Kurama's thoughts processed themselves rapidly, before coming to a single conclusion: he had no idea who this woman was.

"I doubt it." He answered her, his sword remaining drawn. Kurama trusted his blade as a part of his own body; recklessness was the last thing he could afford. "You can talk, look human enough. Not a hollow, then? Or are you just in some kind of…" Kurama paused for a moment, his sword finally lowering to his side. He could find no stress in this new person's makeup; no strained muscles, no urgency in her gaze. If she was a threat, then simply pointing his blade at her would not prove enough to deter her. "…Fine. You can communicate, so I'll ask this: Do you know where the Campus that's supposed to be around here is?"

He tried asking her the question, before he suddenly felt the ground quiver, beginning to shake. "…What the…!?" Kurama's body leapt upward, spinning about as he turned his focus to the spot where he had been standing. The sixteen foot or such vertical he had accomplished was done with nothing more than his own body; if the woman could detect Reiatsu and its applications, she might find that a bit unusual.

Out of the sand, a centipede-like head emerged, the sand parting away from it.

"Only hands and feet… I can take down someone like that, no problem…"

Kurama's single eye blinked, trying to process what the creature had just said. "What, you-"

His train of thought was interrupted by the creature's maw, which was now charging up a Cero. The creature was aiming it directly at the woman, more and more of its body dragging itself up and out of the ground. It was now over fifteen feet tall, and still climbing in size.

"After all… if I don't get something to eat now… I don't know how long I'll have to spend laying under that sand, get another chance to feed!"

In that moment, Kurama's world stopped. …What do I do? Do I have to save her? Should I save her? Will she just cut me down if I get close…? Kurama's teeth grit, before he flung himself at the woman. If she were impacted by him, the two would be sent sailing twelve feet to the left, the Cero blast tearing apart the sand dune they had been standing on.

Either way, Kurama's body would likely hit the sand with a thud, making him roll to try to get back into position. The woman may intervene herself; but Kurama would have to deal with that when or if it occurred. The creature's body was already moving again, yet more of it dragging itself from beneath the desert's surface, looming above them as though it were about to crush them with its weight alone…

…An Adjuchas…? W… why is it so large…?

Recognition matters little. If someone knows her, then they know her. She hasn’t taken any precautions to try and stay mysterious. The cloth simply provides a bit of shade from the harsh rays of the sun. Of course, someone that has never met her would know nothing of her existence. Though, it’s a bit rude to presume she’s a Hollow. What else would his words suggest? It sucks he’s not entirely incorrect. She’s not human, nor is she a normal Shinigami. She’s a Vizard that has yet to truly awaken, but she has experienced her Inner Hollow’s contempt for her existence already.

Allowing herself to let any personal grudge spawn because of this man’s lack of tack would do her little good in this situation however. Besides, his question forces her eyes to narrow with curiosity. It seems she has found someone in a position similar to her own, but the sudden shaking does excellent work at disrupting their little talk. Eh? The man’s suddenly over her and behind her with ease as the ground before her explodes outwards kicking up sand, forcing her to move her left arm to cover her eyes to keep the grains out of her vision; her mind racing as she detects Reiryoku building up in a similar fashion to that of a Cero.

Her suspicions are confirmed, quickly, as she moves her arm down slightly to catch sight of the creature that is continuously growing in height, blotting out the sun in the sky and covering her in its hideous shadow. An easy meal, huh? So, that’s what she’s been reduced to in the thoughts of this Adjucha? Unfortunately, it may find itself disappointed. Elyss is no easy meal, and she aims to prove so as her body begins to tighten, preparing to move her own form. Yet, she never gets the chance as the man from before blindsides her out of the way moments before the Cero is launched and crashes into the Earth where she once stood.

Immediately, she felt herself grow in frustration as she pushed herself away from the man as they flew and she skidded across the sandy ground. Spitting sounds escape from her mouth as she shows disgust towards the sand that has gotten into places they should not be on her person. “Alright bucko!” She exclaimed, pissed and annoyed by the sudden turn of events. First, her dark eyes turned towards the cybernetic man. Next, her gaze focused on the Hollow that continued to grow in height. She’s still pissy about getting grabbed out of the way as she was, but she’s already focusing on the current issue at hand. This is a big Hollow, one she’s not going to be able to simply wrestle to the ground. It reminded her of the giant snake she tussled with a while back.

“Eh… So ya hungry, yeah? Well then… Dammit. I’ll show you who’s a fucking meal.”

She brings her fist into her open palm cracking her knuckles, showing that she is obviously prepared to fight this giant mass of negativity that some poor soul transformed into. The man will find himself ignored however as if his presence doesn’t matter despite how he intervened. The redhead seems strangely excited, but still, one may think this way above her capabilities. Heh, it doesn’t seem to bother her.

The Ripper

The sand ripped across Kurama's face, his eyes darting about as he tried to take hold of the situation. The light in the distance grew brighter with extreme speed; his mind raced, trying its best to keep up. His teeth grit as she thrust her body off from his. Shit! What am I supposed to- His thoughts were interrupted as the two of them hit the sand, his body already rolling to try to recover and get back on his feet. "You don't want my help, fine!" He did not want to admit it, but she had annoyed him by pushing him out of the way. It made his teeth grit…

But he was forced out of his thoughts, and right back to reality. "Not if I do it first." He hissed out from his metal jawline, his right arm bringing his blade back. The one eye he had visible to the world widened, time seeming to slow down as the metallic fibers within his arm rippled. "THERE!" The man yelled, his spiritual energy flaring, bright and distractive, the blade he carried now sailing through the air.

His feet kicked off of the ground, a gust of wind sailing past the woman as the robotic man shot directly behind his sword. "IT'S TIME TO GO FOR THE HEAD!" Lines of bright red were streaming behind him now, the man's disposition definitely changing. The hollow's focus turned entirely to the man attacking it from below, one of its massive arms thrusting down behind the blade, where he had been running behind.

Step.

The man's body pivoted, a moment after the creature's arm began to move. His right arm came whipping out, and a noise like a hammer smashing against a wooden block cracked through the Wastes from the force of the impact. If the woman was able to see his face at that moment, she would see that the man had begun to smile.

Even as the second arm came crashing down, directly onto his body.

His entire body shook, one leg giving out as he tried to block with his left arm. His gaze was pointed directly at the thing's mask, black blood spurting out from where his sword was implanted in the creature's side. His weapon was not two feet from him, but it was all he could do to hold off that one attack…

But the hollow was forced to give all of its attention to crushing this tiny thing, that refused to be squashed.

Even as the sounds of his body snapping and cracking rang through the desert sands.

Help! She never asked for his help. She can be as ungrateful as she wants to be considering such, but she also doesn’t care for fighting this giant ass Hollow either. She just wants to reach her destination, wherever that may be. Being lost out in the desert having to watch her back constantly because of demons or hollows or whatever may want to taste her starts to get really annoying after a while. So, no, she’s not in the best mood right now. No, she’d rather not be doing this now, but there isn’t much of a choice. And, if this stupid beast wants to give her Hell, she’ll just give it Hell right back. Though, it seems her acquaintance has the same idea in mind. His approach to situations like this is humorously similar to how she would have handled this.

She should have charged in with him, but she held back watching this robotic man dodge the creature’s arm. Huh. He showed skill. She wondered if he could handle this creature alone. Though, as he takes one hit and another, she comes to the conclusion that, even if he could win alone, it’d be far more easier for the both of them if she helped. Ah well. This thing has been used to its fullest anyway. The blue fabric wrapped around her is thrown aside and left to fly away in the sandy wind. She’ll have to apologize to Murasaki for that, but it’s time she expresses her physical prowess. Her foot stomps onto the sandy ground causing the Earth immediately around her to shudder. Moments later she’s high in the sky, far above this centipede Hollow’s head as it focused on the other man, the ground she left behind cracked and broken with sand kicking up intensely.

Not having a blade mattered little to her as the muscles in her back, shoulders, and arms flexed. She could feel her right arm crack though. She’s been fighting too much today, and her body is starting to feel it now. No matter. She’ll just take care of this thing in one hit. Her Reiatsu flared as her body froze in the air, crouching as pressure built up in her knees, her body facing downwards, red hair falling down from her head. “Goodnight.” She’d mutter as she launched downwards, the air exploding as she’d aim her fist right down unto the Hollow’s head aiming to break its mask apart with brute strength alone.