Sacrificial Lambs to the Slaughter [Safira, Open to 2]

If Byakuya Kuchiki had any care for the words of an Arrancar, maybe Safira’s taunts would have caused him to react. There was once a time, over a century ago, that daring to attack his pride would elicit an impulsive reaction, but the last century had allowed him an even more level head and a change in priorities. Right now, he priority was the protection of the Soul Society, as he took on the job of the Gotei to aid in ridding their world of this infestation that threatened them.

Byakuya continued his fluid movements, his focus on the Arrancar to keep up with her, and each wave of his arm curling the petals through the rings in order to add to the walls that were now curving around Safira even more until they completely surrounded the Arrancar. He obviously kept himself and Yuuto out of that construct, adding layer after layer and condensing the sphere down around her.


Gōkei | Round 1 | Surrounding the Enemy | Complete

Gōkei | Round 2 | Completing the Sphere | Complete

Gōkei | Round 3 | Collapsing the Sphere | Next

Something wasn't right. Even apart from the gathering energy, his senses had long since been refined to recognize that sinking feeling of incoming danger. The whispers he always pushed to the back of his mind sensed it too, becoming louder as he rapidly tried to think of what his move would be

Let the monster out.

The temptation was there, to use the creature that lived inside him, to let out the thing that he always battled to surpress. But, no, he knew that he was stronger than that. He had fallen to that temptation twice. Never again. If he did, there was a chance he could never come back from it, and twice had already been too many times. No force of heaven or earth, no man nor devil, could bring him to use that thing's power again. A new fire lit in the Stealth Division Captain's eyes, a firmer hand gripping his sword. Without hesitation, lightning suddenly flared to life along his sword, Tengiri becoming infused with the essence of his willpower.

His body tensed for a brief moment as lightning began to channel through his body, overcharging his muscles with Raitairyu. No matter how great the danger, he would stand tall. The lightning that coiled and contorted to fit the rings quickly petered out, and the rings surrounding the sphere, in an explosion of azure-white light, returned to the swifter form of birds as Yuuto's body flickered, blinking as he suddenly appeared by Byakuya's side, the birds following suit.

They were quick to reform into the rings, stationing themselves above him. He knew that there would be many casualties tonight, but, he would commemorate the fallen once the long night was over, bring hope and inspiration to those who survived. For now, though, a film of energy manifested in the space between the rings, creating something of a protective barrier.

The whispers grew louder and louder, but he ignored them all the same. Bringing his sword to his shoulder, as the sigil unleashed its apocalyptic blast, Yuuto swung his sword down, yet it looked as if it had simply teleported to its new position as two words tore from his throat in a defiant roar.

"Kakan Inazuma!"

An arc of lightning screamed from his sword as it attacked the energy particles of the attack itself. All of his focus went to this attack as it tried to destabilize and tear through the attack. Black, white, green, and now azure blue tore through the sunset sky as around thirty percent of the attack had been cut through. Even with all the will he had, it wasn't enough. He couldn't cut through it all. Perhaps, for lesser men, it would bring them to despair to know this.

Not for him. He had done everything he could in that moment. Even as the blast encompassed him, his body would immediately go to work in repairing him. It wasn't as fast as it could be, had he chose to dip into the creature's power, but, he didn't care. He would stand tall at the end of this, to show that he had been better than her, that his will was stronger than hers.

...Yet, at the dust cleared, Yuuto found himself immobile. His eyes still burned with resolve, yet he couldn't move. No matter how much he tried, he was stuck.

'No! What did she do!? I can't...!'

The fact that this Arrancar was so focused on doing damage that she continued to ignore the incoming attack was a clear advantage for Byakuya, since his focus was very much on destroying her that he cared very little for the incoming attack. He would take it, and since he had yet to be damaged in this battle, he was confident in his chances for survival, even from such an all-encompassing attack. If anything, with how wide spread the attack was, even as it centered onto their position in that fraction of a second, the lack of initial focus was another advantage.

Byakuya closed his fists, and in an instant, the sphere responded as the massive Cero unleashed. A relentless storm of blades converged on Safira, razor-sharp petals slicing through the air, collapsing in to shred her from every direction. Byakuya trusted Yuuto’s defense in that moment, but he knew the immense power of this Gran Rey would not be withstood for long, and that second was all he needed to complete it. And even as her attack breached Yuuto’s defenses, Byakuya kept his focus on making sure the torrent of petals continued their onslaught.

When he felt the pain finally overwhelm his own will to keep going, Byakuya closed his eyes and took the rest of the attack. Byakuya was forced into the ground, clothes torn, body injured in an even amount all over. When it all stopped, he finally took a breath. He was still alive, but something felt off. He struggled to move, getting to a kneeling position and looking up just in time to completely freeze. He was unable to see, unable to hear, and was unable to move... for the moment.


Gōkei | Round 1 | Surrounding the Enemy | Complete

Gōkei | Round 2 | Completing the Sphere | Complete

Gōkei | Round 3 | Collapsing the Sphere | Complete

Upon being petrified, the rings had vanished, and his Bankai had deactivated. Thankfully, it seemed to be a temporary effect, as, in time, he finally was able to move again. Byakuya was there as well, but, the creature they had fought wasn't. Had she run? All of that talk, and she ran? He was less angry, just...appalled. Sheathing his sword and reaching out with his senses proved futile, at least when it came to finding their opponent.

What he did find, however, was Mirai. At first, he was afraid. He had told her not to leave, and yet, there she was, Shikai active. His head turned to Byakuya, lightning charging his body again as he pinpointed where she was, and, through the mass of signatures and fluctuations of energy, deduced where the Medical Division was operating currently.

In all likelihood, she would be injured, and he'd need to get her to Kaminari as soon as possible. He turned to Byakuya, lightning suddenly charging his body.

"I'm going to find one of my subordinates and bring her to medical. We can reconvene there and figure out our next move."

With that being said, Yuuto disappeared without a sound, surging toward Mirai. He was happy that she was alive, but, he also had no intention of that changing anytime soon.

Everything resealed. The petrification ended and Byakuya brought himself back to his feet. He reached out with his reikaku, realizing he could not sense the one they had been fighting. Irritating… It seems her arrogance merely masked her cowardice. The nobleman stood silent, contemplating his next move when Yuuto spoke up. He gave the man a curt nod and looked out over the Seireitei. He knew that he would need some time to recover before he made his way back into battle.

Byakuya narrowed his eyes, anger simmering beneath the surface, only expressed through a quick exhale through his nose. The number of large attacks going off, the immense amount of foreign reiryokus in the air… It was all so… disappointing. Turning back toward the nearest medical station, he shunpo’d in their direction with the intention of having his reiryoku recovered as quickly as his body.


Gōkei | Round 1 | Surrounding the Enemy | Complete

Gōkei | Round 2 | Completing the Sphere | Complete

Gōkei | Round 3 | Collapsing the Sphere | Next