Champions of the Ocean & Earth Meet!

[Scarlet]

Making her way across town, the athlete of red hair moved at a steady pace knowing that today was something different than normal. Usually even on days that she had off from work like today, she didn’t exercise in the afternoon. She’d already gone out jogging in the morning like always and weight training was kept as an evening must. Today though she’d decided to do a different sort of training she hadn’t tried before, one that she felt might really be the difference in these new situations dealing with spirits. It was time to see just how long she could keep moving.

It took a little while, but right now Hikari was down by the river, the large body of water that ran its way through Karakura Town. Her morning route didn’t include this area of the town, but she was starting to toy with the idea that she might need to change that. The way the sunlight reflected off the surface of the water was very pretty while the noise wasn’t overbearing. It gave off a nice peaceful existence compared to the shopping district. A peaceful part of the town that she hadn’t really visited all that often, a fact that she felt could be changed now.

Running up and down the side of the river for another thirty minutes Hikari felt the limit of her body creeping up on her. Her breathing had gotten ragged, her posture was sloppy and her precision was laughable now. Realizing that although she could push herself further there was no point. She was at the end of her rope and it was time to review just how long her endurance was able to hold up. Sadly, while panting with sweat running down the right side of her forehead, Hikari checked the time on her phone and felt disappointment.

She’d only been able to keep jogging for about eighty minutes. This was inexcusable, her training should have allowed her to push well beyond that already. Had she been more lax since the passing of her father? Did the wounds on her right side and bruises on her left really cause that much of a difference. It’s been a couple days yet everything was still compressed like this single week had been comparable to stepping into a different world. What was she going to do though if her body just didn’t have it? She couldn’t help anyone if she got tired so quickly.

[Eris Discordia]

<sub>The night began to fade with the coming of the morning star. Its brightness called upon the beginning of a new day, a new beginning as the Humans referred to saying, "The past is the past, and today is anew. Which is why it is called Present." Humorous if anything that the idea made the Bount chuckle to herself. A chuckle that was similar to a mumur when escaping her lips, softly with a lack of presence behind it. As each star were blotted out by the rays of light, so did the shimmering glow of the womans hair that danced in the coming mornings breeze. The swirl of magenta in Eris' eyes trained themselves on those that were tied to her by their mission. A body that was laid to rest, silenced just as the night life had been with its body dissolving into ashes. Their job in this area was done, with Eris commanding the group to disperse. "This will do for the night. Return to the Citadel and rest. You have all earned it." the woman announced.

Moments of glee and exhaustion escaped the small group of Bounts, leaning into each other with new spikes of enthusiasm behind their tired stances. A new group of Bounts that was put under Eris' guidance to test, and refine their abilities, testing themselves against the casual Hollows found in Karakura. Nothing new in particular, with the necessity on honing the skills that they already have, and familiarize themselves with their strengths and weaknesses. This was of the upmost important as time went on, building on the confidence that they earned with each new victory, including from those of their painful defeats. Both were well enough teachers to bestow new knowledge that remedial lessons can not provide. This was how Eris learned as a child.

With the battle done with, and the Bounts withdrawing, it left Eris with the circumstances of being left alone with her thoughts. Out of the alleys of the shopping districts, Eris withdrew into her mind as to what can be done to further the Bounts. Leon, the hispanic Bount that surfaced from America, proved to follow orders to an extent. His physical strength overshadowed her own, both in stamina and resilience. Aspects of the man that Eris found to be soothing, yet reckless, expressing a desire to change himself, and away from what he could truly be. This was an issue that had to be ammended quickly if the next step was to be taken.

Aura on the other hand proved to be useful, developing in ways that were needed for the Bounts altogether, despite her naivity. This aspect of herself was settled a while back, thankfully to the disappearance of the two that were going to hold her back; emotionally that is. Her connections to the pair were fiercely strong, and took some encouragement on her end to ensure that Aura developed into the end result. Eris had to keep her there for she could not afford Aura to develop distractions. After all, the two had similar goals that were in alignment of the other. All that was needed now was to grow, develop, and evolve. For if the next step was to be achieved, then strength was the necessary element.

"Soul Society."

That was the next step, and one that was severely needed to overcome. With the strength of Auras covenant growing steadily by the week, the closer that the goal came. The Bounts hair blew once more along the flow of the wind, waving and weaving at the presence of what had caused it to begin with. The stir of emotions that eminated with its presence soured the womans, gnawing at the peaceful environment that Eris began to enjoy. The solace of the momentary solitude helped the Bount to think, and plan without interference. A momentary reprive from the numbers of souls that were going to marching out into the streets soon enough. Yet, this creature, rotating the shape of its white mask only made the scenario dreadful with its sudden appearance from the closing Garganta.

Eris whipped herself into fighting stance, kicking her favored leg towards the rear to angle her body, and poising for combat. Her fingers ran down the side of her hip, unclipping a small self defense polearm that were sold cheaply in certain locations. Nothing particular special about the weapon, with the only capable function was its ability to collapse itself into a small stub baton. Again, nothing special about it. Its material was similar to metal, light in weight, and had a poor consistent frame. It was cheap for a reason, and not like her original weapon. But it had to suffice for the time being.

Looking for an easy meal, the Hollow would not find it here as the woman pivoted away from its careless lunge. Only swaying to the side, the woman was presented with an opportune moment when moving at quicker speeds than the Hollow, snapping the five foot polearm down at the back of the Hollows neck. The material bounced back, repelling from a stronger body that Eris expected it to be, resulting in the moments pain from a blunt strike. Eris only wished she had her spear with her back from her homeland. It would have made such easy work of the Hollow.</sub>

Clothing Reference

SPOILER: Click to show

{Eris Statsus}

Strength: [182]/40% = [109.2]

Speed: [200]

Reiatsu Strength: [30]/40% = [12]

Spiritual Pressure: [100]

Light Aura: [50] (Empath)

Dark Aura: [50] (Empath)

Instinct: [130]*50% = [195]

Senses: [50]

Energy Sensory: [0]*50% = [0]

Healing Expertise: [0]

SP Total: 692

[Scarlet]

“Now this won’t do, can’t get anything done if you insects keep crawling back inside.”

Hikari spoke loud enough for the Hollow to hear, she’d seen Eris already, the spear in her hands and the exchange that had just come to pass between her and the hollow. Hikari, having no talent for picking up the reiatsu of others couldn’t tell Eris was anything other than a human like herself. Someone that could see the Hollows with the grit to stand their ground against them. The fact she was using a weapon like that pole arm meant she likely hadn’t developed her uniqueness yet, which led Hikari to believe she was just a bit further along than this girl.

It had only been about a few weeks now since Hikari had managed to pull on the soul of her Fullbring, achieving the stage between helplessness and uniqueness. What she saw though of Eris told her that the two of them would either get along awesome or hate one another easily. She was someone that knew how to fight just like her. That maneuver she saw was something easy but practical, something she’d do no different. The Hollow though Hikari didn’t see as anything different then the dozen others she’d cleaved apart by now.

It had a thick or tough hide, something that prevented the tip of the spear from stabbing through, whether or not it would be able to handle the entire edge of her axe though was yet to be seen. Hikari didn’t like to fight in the open where other humans would be able to see her randomly just attacking the air, but if she didn’t this woman could get hurt along with everyone else. She’d really have to figure out someway to hide herself, but for the moment it was beyond her.

The earrings that dangle down from her lobes glow bright red turning from solid matter into reiatsu as they form together then extend in size, turning into Hikari’s large Fullbring, a battle ax of black stone. The sharp edges of her ax, she was willing to bet would be more than enough to cleave the head from this Hollow’s body. “Coming up from behind.” Hikari says loud enough for the purple haired female to pick up, hopefully getting to the side so Hikari could jump up then bring her Fullbring down with an overhead chop.

[Eris Discordia]

<sub>“Coming up from behind.”

This was what Eris heard immediately after insuring the distance between herself and the Hollow was measured. The polearm that the Bount utilized was simple in its design, yet could be handle in a multitude of methods. Its subtle length made it terrific for establishing distance between herself and her foe. This was the obvious. Measuring the distance of space gave Eris a sense of how much space that the she had to operate with. This very idea established a number of ideas that the Bount could switch into, whether it be striking or defending. This was the weapons best quality to be capable of two actions at the same time, being someone who grew up around such a weapon to know the ins and outs, what it was well suited for and what it failed to do. So, when the voice came to Eris immediately responded in defense.

A side glance was shot out, peeking over the shoulder with narrowed glance to witness a Human charging inward. Reiatsu spiked for but the moment, establishing that the Human was spiritually aware, and capable. The point of focus was the obvious recognition of the Hollow, so that was not difficult to answer such a theory. Taking a leaping step away to the side, the Bount kept a safe distance with polearm stuck at front to reconfirm the concept of No Man's Land, keeping her stance firmly elevated with her posture lowered. The Human sprouted a weapon from the air, witnessing the manifestation of a black like halberd taking form. Its sublty was within the tip, emphasizing more brute strength than that of nimbleness. This was a given, yet...

"Wait, stop!" the Bount called out.

The Hollow side swiped, darting off and away from the battle axe to adjust its angle of attack. The large bulking body leaned into its weigth to shift its position to charge inward against the newly arrived Fullbringer. Its jaws ready to open, exposing the black gapping maw within the mask when the Bount charged inward, thrusting the tip of her weapon out into its eye socket. A quick jab to the eye forcibly shot the creatures body away from the throbbing pain, keeping its distance from the pair that it now faced. The womans speed was naturally quicker than the Hollow, and partially above that of the Fullbringer. The difference between the two humanoids was not by far, yet it was the weapons that they carried that made the difference. By a small margin, Eris' weapon was lighter and purposed in range and versitility with Scarlet in that of strength and endurance. This was something that Eris could put together in an instant being around such weapons, yet, she had to admit despite the blow the Hollow suffered, it was by no means fatal or critical. It only stunned it for the moment.

"Do not simply charge in without assessing your enemy, otherwise you will be the one to suffer for it." Eris called back sharply, taking position beside the Human. She merely glanced at the scarlet haired woman before shifting her full attention towards the lost soul. It shook its head back and forth, dissipating the pain that stabbed at its eye. A single eye remained shooting back and forth between the two beings, slowly recovering from its prior injury. Flicker of its damaged eye returning within moments, cursing beneath the result before her eyes as Eris shifted her handling on the staff. While Eris could result to her Doll, Mako, to end this fight, but the use of her Doll would have the Bount become all the more reliant on the creature, rather than that of her own skills. This was best suited as a test for the Bount to regain her prior skills from before. So was as such her predicament.

The Bount inched forward carefully, taking small controlled breathes while motioning. Her feet remained planted on the ground, raising slightly from the back of her heel to prepare herself. "I am not able to deal sufficient damage as I am now, so you will have to do so." the Bount said, keeping her eyes fixated on the Hollow. Its movements poised, arching its legs as if ready to lash out once again, moving moments before the Bount. The two charged at one another, with Eris thrusting forward with the staff in hand. The Hollow dipped its form back momentarily to strike forward once more. Eris followed suite, exchanging the tip of her weapon with that of the Hollows swiping hand. The weapons tip bent upon several exchanges, forcing the woman to parry with the angled tip as she moved with the swipes. Only when the Hollow charged forward once more did the woman twirl the polearm at its center to make use of its butt in the confusion.

A swift strike upwards into the chin quickly dazed the creature for a moment, believing its larger mass could be used to power through the woman. Eris was fully aware at the difference between their strength, and size, enticing the creature to push inward while initiating controlled swipes to the face. Such blows did little harm to the creature as a whole, but did shake its attention and its gaze away. Eris could only hope that the larger wielder could assist in such a dilemma.</sub>

[Scarlet]

Well that didn’t go exactly how she’d hoped Hikari found this Hollow knew what it was doing quite a bit better than the typical feral dangers. Although she’d given her position and presence away by giving a heads up to the spear wielder it was obvious the Hollow would hear her as well. Now she watched as the Hollow moved to the side getting just far enough away to avoid her downward slash and yet by the time Hikari could lift her ax and swing it to the side at the Hollow it had backed far enough away again to avoid the sharp blades of her Fullbring. She was confident that her ax could cut the Hollow, but this one it seemed was alert enough to know that too.

In the moment that followed right afterwards Hikari watched as the Hollow began to shift its stance and then rush in on her, pulling on the shaft of her ax, Hikari would rotate the head upwards to flip the weapon around revealing that at the end of its shaft was a sharp blade essentially meaning it was also a spear although less practical as the one this woman with the purple hair held. Either way though despite managing to get the maneuver off correctly Hikari didn’t get a chance to thrust her Fullbring into the Hollow, as its eye suffered the thrust and then it backed off once again. “Usually they aren’t smart enough to dodge.”

Hikari didn’t have nearly enough practice nor talent when it came to handling a spear especially not in such a situation as this, so it was without thought that she replicated her movements from only a moment ago to shift the position of her Fullbring once again. This woman proved that she could utilize her spear well enough that Hikari could focus on just inflicting absolute damage on this Hollow. Hikari was tempted to charge forward once again when she saw the Hollow shaking its head to overcome as best it could the damage that had just been inflicted by the spear through its eye socket. Normally it would be a great chance to inflict further damage, but it’d already proven fast enough to avoid her. Hikari really needed to figure out a method of increasing her speed like Maharo and the other Shinigami.

"I am not able to deal sufficient damage as I am now, so you will have to do so."

Exactly what Hikari was thinking although she wasn’t certain whether or not the purple haired woman could do any further damage, it seems she received her answer. Just like that the Hollow rushed forward and her ally met the Hollow head on with her spear. Hikari didn’t like standing back in the tight space, feeling as if she was useless while watching for an opening. This wasn’t her style; she was always up front and handling things, but that wasn’t possible right now. The spear was being twirled too much with this woman’s fighting style, if she got any closer she risked getting hit as well. Hikari though wouldn’t have to wait long though as she watched the Hollow get hit on its chin.

Jumping forward with the full strength of her legs Hikari would leap over the top of her ally while bringing down her battle axe with both hands forcing it down with the strength of a developed bodybuilder. Hikari wasn’t the fastest nor the strongest yet her physical aspects were at the peak of a typical human while her axe edges could slice through steel as easily as butter. If this Hollow didn’t dodge then she was confident her ax could break through even its horrible white mask like all the others she’d put down for the safety of Karakura.

[Eris Discordia]

<sub>A whisk of the wrist with the momentum built by the force applied in the opposite hand, what the Bount did to continue swift repetitive blows on the targeted area. A flurry of blunt strikes that forced the head of the metal rod jabbed at the hard mask caused the creature to flinch in place as it pushed forward. What made the woman astonished about the creature was its ability to recognize and analyze its strengths, and weaknesses. A form of thought processing that was foreign to most Hollows, leaving much to be desired for their race until reaching maturity. This was the assumption basing on what little information that the Bount had on this particular creature. What stories she had heard of higher class Hollows, merging to the rumors of Arrancars, the details of such levels made Eris hesitant about engaging these beasts altogether.

The surface of the rod slide fluidly through the palm of her encompassing left hand, issuing the needed force from her right to push the pole through, and into the creatures face. Another jab whilst controlling her tempo and positioning to remain at the ready. The reach of her pole-arm made it easily accessible to determine the information needed as to how much space she required when engaging. But for this engagement was not something that she tended to commit to holeheartedly, at least not when there was someone who carried the weight behind their attack than herself. The Hollow lunged once more, pushing into the poles head yet again, forcing Eris back. The Bount could not hold her ground, nor out muscle the amount of strength it had. Her legs were lifted with her body pushed together along with her weapon. And the two moved as one.

The black maw of the masked beast pried open to reveal the nothingness inside as it charged toward the Bount. The tip of her pole swirled against its mask, placing her feet back on the ground once more to take a better stance. Eris had made use of the Hollows own strength to maintain her distance, and commit to the timing need to strike again. Yet, this time, aiming for another sensitive area. Plunging her staff forward, the tip of the pole jabbed at the inner sanctum of the Hollows mouth, striking the roof of its jaw. Almost gagging from the quick blow the woman heard it, a series of steps that came from behind before ceasing. The Bounts initiate strike did not end with but the blow, it remained to push the woman away to slide beneath the leaping Fullbringer.

The two united under a single motion, with Scarlet passing the Bount over head, and the Bount sliding away down below. The two in unison acted to watch the Hollows exist erode into the open space that they remained in. Only black particles of the creature remained for the few moments, hearing the heavy metal blade dropped down where its head once remained. Eris could not wait for a moment too soon to draw the Hollows attention away from Fullbringer, with the possibility of resulting in the damned souls withdrawal once again. It had the level of intelligence to understand a threat, and to avoid it. This was proven with its action to avoid the newcomers larger edge than what Eris was armed with. The difference between them was taken into account, and the Hollow acted upon it. However, that was how far its intelligence took it. It struck a wall to the unfamiliarity of switching tactics, and committed into what was in front of it. That was the theory of course.

Should the Hollow progress further in consuming, would it have evolved sooner?

What details that the Bount could extract from the encounter would be mentally noted for later use, filling in the exploration and extermination teams to tread with caution. The same level of caution that the Fullbringer before her needed to take into as well. All the more reason why...

Only but a moment of silence had passed, and Eris was on the move again. A kick to the bottom of her pole arm, and once more the weapon was already twirled in the palm of the Bounts hand. It was ready once more, yet with a different target in mind. Should the Fullbringer not have the attention on the Bount, then the back of the womans head would certainly throb heinously with pain with a lunging strike from Eris.</sub>

[Scarlet]

Jumping up into the air Hikari only had to issue one further swing down before she felt the edge of her Fullbring bite through the toughness of this Hollow’s mask. It was always a sensation she had difficulty explaining and yet at the same time there was always a common connection that couldn’t live up to it. The feeling of splitting a Hollow’s mask was like cutting a slab of concrete in two. A statement only incorrect by the fact a Hollow’s mask couldn’t be compared to something so easily broken.

One moment there is a threat to not just the two of them, but all the humans in the area as well, the next it’s entire being dissolving into nothing that she could see. Although she didn’t have any massive interest in what happened to them she still was curious. Did the Hollows go to soul society like when killed by a Shinigami? Were they just gone forever or did they wake up in Hueco Mundo like nothing happened? Was she making any sort of difference at all if they all just respawned somewhere else to keep eating on those that can’t even see them.

While it was a victory it was short lived as Hikari found the spear wielder with clear intent pointed at her. Acting mostly on instinct her axe would cling against the spear, a brief exchange that caused a wave of anger to surge throughout Hikari’s chest. “What the hell is wrong with you! We just took down the Hollow, why attack me right after!” Although she was angry at this sudden turn of events, she didn’t want to fight against someone else, especially not with dangerous weapons like her Fullbring. The other of using it against someone else with complete intention. . . wasn’t right.

[Eris Discordia]

<sub>The scarlet haired woman was naive. Eris was already on the move when the Hollow began dissipating from existance. Fragments of the beast faded, erroding into the air like dust in the wind. A soul that was lost would forever be lost due to the pairs intervention of fate, yet Eris felt nothing for the creature that was once Human. Looking at the Fullbringer, the Bount saw the amount of effort that woman utilized for bringing herself into a fight without knowing a thing or two. Her stance was sloppy. Eager to jump into the fight without a level of caution about her. Eris did not know whether the Human simply wished to die, or lacked the initative to think ahead at times. This was a problem that had to be rectified. As such, the easiest means was that of a demonstration.

“What the hell is wrong with you! We just took down the Hollow, why attack me right after!” The Humans very own foolishness was already spilling out from her lips. Never did the Bount ever mention being the womans ally for a moment. The amount of trust that the Human placed upon Eris was extrodinary. Facing against a mere Hollow was not a daunting task for the spiritual aware. With some training, and the correct means to care for oneself, then the battle was nothing more than a sparring session. Scarlet proved to being capable of handling the situation. Her ability to carry such a weapon in the coming day showed some aptitude with it. And that was the gesture of her generousity. Eris was giving the woman too much praise for what she was to accomplish. That was the difference between them.

A breeze rolled across the vacant street, twirling the ends of the Bounts hair along with it. Eris did not remove her sight on the girl, watching and observing her stance, and the positioning of her Greataxe. She said nothing to respond back to what Scarlet announced. Her own expression shifted, turning from a mutual monotome to that of annoyance. Eris had no reason to trust the Human woman, merely watching her own backside to ensure that the Hollow did not set behind her. Eris kept her back against what ever wall was available at the time, making use of Scarlet to be as such. However, that was not the only thought that came into mind when fighting. What came to mind came with the hint of caution, minding that Scarlet remained a stranger to the Bount, and could not be trusted due to circumstances. No.

There was no reason to speak, but to act upon the reason that Eris forged for herself about this girl. Around the wrist did the Bounts pole staff twirled, kicking off of her heel to engage the Fullbringer. The head of the staff jolted forward, feeling the smooth surface the weapon gliding through the slender fingers of the Bount. Her left palm slightly opened, tracing the length, measuring for the amount of space remained before pulling back. To the Fullbringer, it would be an immediate stabbing motion that was shooting towards Scarlets abdomen before shifting the ends weight downward, flicking the head of her pole to meet the face. Neither committed nor strong in their thrust. Eris remained in control as to how much of her weapon remained before recalling it back into her grasp.</sub>

[Scarlet]

Damn she really couldn’t catch a break even now after everything that she’d just gone through in order to help this woman. She had come here to help face down a Hollow that from what she had been able to tell would have been a foe too difficult for this woman to put down alone. Her staff hadn’t been able to deliver a finishing blow like her axe. That was the entire point of her being here and now this very same person was turning on her like she was a threat now. What the hell kind of appreciation was this!

Hikari had to do her best to contain her anger at the actions of this woman. There wasn’t much distance between them which meant that if she turned her back or made a slip up the stuff could hit her right away. Although she was confident that a blow from the staff wouldn’t be enough to kill her, she’d seen how it was used against the Hollow. Taking a blow to the head wasn't something she was absolutely sure she could get back up from. One moment she was just helping out someone that she believed was in a dangerous situation, now because of her pure goal she was the one in danger.

Although it was plain as day now that she’d have to fight off this woman as well, Hikari didn’t like the prospect of using her Fullbring against a person. It was different from slaying a Hollow which posed a threat to everyone around them. If she killed this woman she’d cross a dark line. Her Fullbring was meant to kill though and Hikari didn’t have to even guess what would happen if the large edge of her axe managed to find itself digging into this woman’s body. That left her with only a few options, knock her out or break the staff.

Hikari hadn’t learned any real way to subdue this woman, a weakness that would have to be rectified as soon as possible. If she could command the ground to hold her or bury her then she wouldn’t have to kill her, but something like that wasn’t possible. She barely managed to get a grasp on the couple techniques she had learned so far. Something like encasing her in the ground would take practice without potentially just crushing her. Damn why did everything have to take so much time to manage. Why was she in this damn situation after only trying to help!

Twirling and swinging over and over again, movements to attract her eyes, something that Hikari figured out some time ago. It was a manner of attack that wasn’t just applicable to a staff although Hikari had to keep her eyes trained on the woman anyway. The first attack was a thrust to her abdomen that Hikari accepted with a grunt only to thrust her axe forward to the right side of the woman. Tilting her head to the side Hikari would feel an intense amount of pain as the staff was raised up again and slammed against her left ear. The next moment though she’d bring her axe across attempting to slam the flat side of her Fullbring against the right arm of this ungrateful bitch.

[Eris Discordia]

One and two. Swift jabbing motions that convied the emphasis of the staff's blunt tip made the impression that was sought out, regardless of the shift in the target upon the second blow. A solid thud heard in two spaces, following the pressure that stalled the flowing thrusts of the Bounts weapon insure the woman of two things. The first; solid contact was made without interference of a spiritual defense. The cutback had not been applied, unveiling the train of thoughts that had split into two tangents. One being that the woman lacked a superior spiritual pressure, or the later being she did not know how to utilize it. This gave Eris some important information to utilize at a later time. Then, there was the second; the force of impact, while not full of the womans strength, did allow her weapon to be drawn back to maintain some defensive action. As if making use of the targets own solid mass to bounce her own weapon back into readied position once more when it came to defend herself.

A solid idea, yet not sufficient time to bring herself to do so.

A blow for a blow, Eris did not see a means to avoid when she had committed to her secondary strike. The sharpened edge of the axe made contact with the length of the womans bicep. A slash across the side of her arm, leaving a slither of thin red to leak from the stinging wound. Eris winced, taking the moment to ready herself for the next attack came into view. The Fullbringers swing with her hefty weapon was certainly a risk. Drawing back much of her handling on it, intermingling with the time it took to draw back from the prior thrust, Scarlet placed herself in a very dreaded situation that the Bount could exploit in many ways. Another wince was emitted, yet in utter distaste. Rather than pulling herself back away to remain outside of the axes range, Eris flowed inward, taking the initial step to slide her right leg into Scarlets personal space. What came next was not unusual for someone of their gender.

From maintaining a leveled eye with the Fullbringer, the Bounts posture would drop immediatley into the axes range, sliding beneath the length of its shaft to engage. The womans hips were split, taking the full advantage of her level of flexibility to take herself out of the weapons swinging arc, while at the same time positioning herself within striking distance of Scarlet. The Bounts legs split leading with her leg as her left was dragged closely behind. A steady sequence that was quickly unveiled before the Fullbringers eyes when the staff in the womans hand thrusted once again in a downwards plummet toward the red heads covered toes. An area of the body that is not often trained, nor covered in much muscle. A reactionary response that is immediately shot up into the brain when harm is done unto it, much like when stubbing a toe, or when struck with something heavy. This was the response that was sought out before sweeping twirling the staff to make use of the opposite end.

Both of Eris' hands spun, batting another series of one and two strikes consecutively upon her dropped stance. The first onto the concealed toes of the Fullbringer, thrusting the staff directly onto the knuckles that connected the digits and sole together of the left foot. This was initiated to best throw the woman off balance, be it to avoid the blow or be struck with a rather sore foot. Altogether, enabling the secondary blow to come directly upon the first, which made use of the staffs secondary end. This end was much shorter due to Eris' handling, providing further control as the smaller nub sought to swipe the right foot away from the woman. A sequence of controlled strikes to topple her targets posture, while at the same time hinder her body. Two objectives that were much desired, especially when dealing with a wielder much like herself.

[Scarlet]

A tedious battle that seemed more difficult than the Hollow had been now that who she was fighting wasn’t something that deserved to die. At least that’s how Hikari viewed it at the moment, she was essentially being forced to spar against this woman who wouldn’t stop. Was she some sort of adrenaline junkie or did she have a problem with anyone that actually gave her help? Hikari didn’t understand and wouldn’t likely ever get it as her mind just wasn’t the sort that would ever think about attacking someone who’d placed themselves in danger for her.

What had been meant as a blow to knock her down to the ground and hopefully disarm her, was unsuccessful. She watched the blood leak slightly from the minor wound that her ax managed to cut. Having pulled back the moment she felt the sensation of the shaft in her hand. That wasn’t something she wanted to do. This woman had been fighting a Hollow that made her good in Hikari’s eyes. The last thing she’d do was seriously hurt her even if she was proving she deserved to be knocked around quite a lot.

She didn’t back down though and in the brief moment that Hikari questioned whether or not to stay, she got in close. Slamming the bottom of her staff onto the front of her foot Hikari raised her leg upwards by instinct shouting in pain like any typical human. Everything played into this woman’s plan yet the continued onslaught that matched what she had just been doing. Hikari felt the hard impact against her left side and then threw everything to the wayside, beginning to deflect and intercept the onslaught once again like she’d been doing.

Rushing in to use her weight and physical strength, charging through the use of the staff, was something Hikari was confident she’d be able to do. Knock the woman off her feet to the ground and then just start punching her over and over again. That was something she could do! No, though this woman wasn’t a Hollow. Hopping backwards after another few exchanges between the staff and axe Hikari grits her teeth knowing this wasn’t something she’d typically do. This wasn’t even something she really wanted to do. She wanted to beat this woman’s ass black and blue, but that wasn’t her purpose.

She knew that if she started beating up everyone with her new strength then it would get easier and easier. It wouldn’t take her long to start prioritizing the scum of humanity and then killing them. She knew herself, she wanted to be a hero, but an anti-hero wasn’t someone that inspired others and gave hope. She had to be like her father which meant letting this bitch keep her teeth. “Next time I won’t be so eager to help you out BITCH!” Hikari shouts, commanding the soul of the ground beneath her feet to help her reach greater height. Getting to the rooftop and then getting far enough away that she wouldn’t have to worry about her own intrusive thoughts taking over her actions.

[Eris Discordia]

<sub>Sloppy and undisciplined. The two descriptions that matched what Eris saw the woman as being incompetent. The red haired woman was failing to realize her advantages and disadvantages, something that urked the Bount on many levels of combat fortitude. The means in which the red haired woman held herself and her weapon, with the context of their subtle exchanges told Eris some details as to how she fought; underwhelming. The mixed expressions of pain and anger were clearly visable, painted across her face as a open canvasses for all to see in the early morning. Luckily enough, the town had yet to risen from their slumbe from the previous evening as it transitioned to day break. With feet sturdy and leveled with bent knees Eris remained poised, and ready without the realization as to what Scarlet was preparing herself to do.

A shift in physical weight, and a loud statement of the Bounts mindset being irrational, the woman was readying herself to turn tail and run. Reiatsu exploded beneath the womans feet, casting herself with the wind itself to try gain new standing. Eris broke her stern gaze, bewildered by the turn of events with only but a few words in exchange, "Your foundation with the weapon is flawed. You are not going to survive if you continue to ignore the strengths that you posses." the Bount called out as the Fullbringer parted further away. "If you desire to learn the polearm, then I suggest you practice with it rather than swinging it mindlessly like a brute."

Eris would only take a moment to allow for the words to sink in if they were heard. Nothing much that the woman could do to pursue, and would not allow herself to be caught in a disadvantage given her current capabilities when chasing. This was something that Eris understood about herself, and as such the Bount disengaged from her combat stance, reeling the ends of her staff back into a small baton. The small slender cylinder fit well into the palm of her hand to be tucked into her waistband to leave it to rest. As for Eris, if the woman changed her direction, then it would have prompted the Bount to remain, and if not, then the days would be numbered for their next encounter in the coming future.</sub>

[Kitai Yoru]

This will be graded as a JT. 56 paragraphs, 280 TP awarded