Test the Limits [Laskt/Sol/Dragon]

"I feel for you my friend. Still, there is no better teacher for the healing arts."

A year had passed since Laskt's last earth-side assignment during the Battle of Karakura Central, and yet the Vizard Knight seemed much the same as ever. The same clothes still cloaked him from head to toe, his crop of blonde hair still hung messily from his head. However, unlike a year ago Laskt seemed more...relaxed, even a little more open. The surge of confidence he had gained during his defense of the city had done much to pull him out of his rut of blame and introvertedness, although the essential problems were still present. Most frustrating was the stalling in the progression of his powers, something that had only recently been overcome...

Someone seems to be getting quite full of zemselves no? You may have contrived some method to keep me restrained, but don't zink zat makes you ze second coming of Ulv Auber. Ze second you lapse in concentration is ze second I take my throne.

Grimacing, Laskt shook his head like a dog trying to shake water from its body. "Apologies, it gets noisy upstairs sometimes." He said, tapping the side of his head. While his newfound resolve had leashed Tozat somewhat, preventing the rampages that had plagued the early days of his resurgence, the Hollow was still far from benign. Every time he donned the mask, he could feel the bonds he had placed on the Hollow slip ever so slightly. Soon, he would need to have the discussion that Ulv had always said he would need, before her untimely passing.

The thoughts of Ulv saddened the Vizard, his expression darkening for a moment. Never again would the strange yet kind woman be there to assist him, never again could he seek reassurance in her absolute power. It was up to him now to master his abilities, carrying forth the gift she had given him. Still, he had to move foward, and the inter-division patrols that Abalia had set up had kept his mind occupied since Ulv's passing. If nothing else, talking to Sol had been an enjoyable distraction from the monotony of patrol.

Unfortunately, it seemed that peacetime would soon come to a close.

Laskt detected the energy buildup just as Sol did, Ceros if the energy signiature was anything to judge by. Laskt grimaced, ripping his Zanpaktou from its sheath and marshalling his powers. Whoever had ambushed them, they had some serious power: the Vizard Knight had only felt Ceros of this magnitude a few times in his life. Back in the Madness City, he had been helpless against them, and could only resort to his own Hollow powers to resist the fallen Vizard's blasts. He had been weak, cowardly, and unable to discharge his duty as a member of the Shinigami. Now however, it was different. Laskt was no longer a weakling that needed protection. The Shinigami raised the blade above his head, clasping it with both hands. A moment's hesitation, and then:



"Protect them, Junkyomaru."

An ancient Reiatsu of both Hollow and Shinigami erupted forth, carrying with it the feeling of ages long past. White flames that seemed to outshine the sun itself in their brilliance burst forth in a mighty wave, blowing past Sol and directly clashing against the oncoming Cero blasts. Sol himself would feel no pain from the fires that licked at his flesh, but instead a sort of peace, a clarity of body and soul even as the fires raged and spun around him. The massive blast punched a hole in the wave of corrupted reishi, forming a small pocket of safety from within the bombardment, leaving the Shinigami standing on a small plateau in the midst of a smoking crater. Of course, he was not alone. Within the blaze of white stood Laskt Matiche, the Vizard Knight, clad in the aura of his true power.

Laskt's Zanpaktou, the sword that had been with him for a thousand years of isolation, was no more. In its place was a massive broadsword, nicked and bloody but still razor sharp. The Vizard Knight's body was clad in a blue gambeson, breeches and heavy boots, with ornate, expertly crafted armor adorning the lower half of his body. Even as the Vizard Knight turned to face the oncoming threat, the armor would slowly creep up his body, becoming more and more complete even as his Reiatsu continued to climb.

"Come Sol, let's kick its ass." The Vizard Knight growled, raising his massive blade in a two handed grip and charging headlong at the Hollow Dragon with a flash-step. The power of his Shikai surged like a river within Laskt''s soul, and the sheer delight of finally letting go almost made him laugh aloud. Contrary to what one might expect, the armor seemed to magnify his speed even further, making him naught but a blue and silver streak, charging across the battlefield. Flames spilled from every pore as he launched another massive blast of Purity Flame to tear away at the Hollow's very essence....

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Honor Stacks: 1/7
Armor Bought: Lower Body
Empowered: N/A