For Whom the Bell Tolls [NDE, R]

[Caesar]

Participants: Caesar, C, The Cardinal, Sozen Kuchiki
World: Soul Society
Thread Setting: Non Death Enabled
Rating: R
Location:

Rukongai North 34

Special Conditions:

None

Circumstances:

Caesar has returned to the land of Soul Society, with one pure goal. Spread the words of Der Kaiser. He has brought along three Captains and two Lieutenants to extend his grasp on where ever he appears and to keep those who wish to get in his way occupied. To spread further chaos he has ordered three squadrons of five to covertly attack various points. He has told them to act upon a hit and run warfare. Destroying what they have rebuilt, further delaying their recovery. Sozen Kuchiki has recognized the familiar reiatsu feeling, but the last time they had met was when Caesar went under the name Walter. Casting the name aside, he is not aware of the change. Change in name, and his change in power. The fight will take place in the beginning of the entire Blitz. Caesar has the first post.

[Caesar]

Hours Earlier

" Der Kaiser, the Name above all, the Strength above all, the Mighty Warrior and Conqueror of Land and Sea. He is the True God, He is the Only God. Many tales of many gods arose, but Der Kaiser is the only God of Truth and of Reality, the gods of Imagination are like stones beneath the Diamond that is the God-King. the words echo through out the large cathedral in the shadows of Soul Society. [smear:FF0000]"We await the day of Total Damnation of the Impure."[/smear:00FF00] Caesar stood at the center of the massive stage, seated were row upon row of Vandenreich Soldiers. Everyday anyone that desire's to reside within the Cathedral must attend two of three sermons that Caesar teaches. These sessions typically last two hours and often represent different lessons depending on the time of day and current events. When the lesson was over, Caesar stepped down from the stage and began to walk down the massive ice display. Each individual part of the Museum praised Der Kaiser one way or another. Kneeling before a massive statue, Caesar simply stared into the ground.

"His Word, His glorious Word of great might and great strength, that makes the rocks to cry out and the dead to sing, makes the seas to roar like lions and the lions to crash together like the seas." then he arose. Caesar was a towering male.standing taller than most of the soldiers that walked around him. Calmly he walked forward towards one of the Captains, who in turn noticed Caesar and saluted him. "Caesar, C, The Cardinal! Is there anything you require of me?" the Captain appeared to be in his early thirties. Dressed properly in his uniform. "Gather two of your constitutes, two Lieutenants and fifteen privates. Immediately." the man simply nodded and began to pass word around. That Caesar required their appearance before him. It was not long until a group of them appeared. They were all dressed in their freshly pressed uniform, saluting the old man. [smear:FF0000]"We have appeared to serve, Sir! Tell us what is our command."[/smear:00FF00] Caesar stood before them, from there he designated three teams of five Privates.

"You three will go in and out of Soul Society. Slaughtering anything that gets in your way before disappearing. Make sure your reiatsu is kept hidden. We do not want anyone following us here." they nodded and departed to prep. He calmly walked towards the group of two Lieutenants and stared at them "You are to keep anyone that tries to stop me. You will work by your Captains. Do not disappoint me." The Captains and the Lieutenants nodded and departed as well. As the time went by, things began to pick up again. Caesar slowly headed towards the massive doors of the Cathedral before turning towards his men "Intelligence was given by Der Kaiser’s Will. " immediately in response they spoke the following line from heart. [smear:FF0000][/smear:00FF00]"Out of His hand stretched forth the spark of sentience granting Man true understanding. Out of his Bow came Truth, restoring the broken Man to the Glorious Light of Der Kaiser."[/color]

And then they were gone, heading into the shadows of Soul Society and appearing in the Rukongai North 34. The Privates went another direction and the group of Captains and Lieutenants dispersed to keep watch against those who seek to intervene against Caesar. With a simple bow drawn, the carnage. The surrounding people did not know who he was, they were aware of the invasion. He stared into how low and poorly maintained these buildings were. "Let the cleansing begin." he coldly spoke. Moments after his words were spoken, fires began to ravage through out the homes of the Rukongai, because of the general structures of the building and how close they were together, the fires would spread, slowly many of the buildings began to burn. Arrows fired directly into the bodies of people who wish to run. Their souls forever destroyed by the Quincie's purifying arrows.

[spoiler=Now][/spoiler]

Mere minutes later the entire Rukongai North 34 is in flames. The Privates, Captains, Lieutenants stand behind Caesar who calmly speaks to them without turning his head "Return Home." and they drifted back into darkness. Caesar spread his arms to the chaos in sight. His voice booming over the dead and dying "Let it be known! That your Kingdom! Your Lives! Everything you Love. Everything you Hold Dear! Is now forfeit to the Will of the True God Der Kaiser!" Caesar's voice was calm, old and raspy. But powerful and it echoed softly in to the ears of those that were barely alive. The smoke of the burning buildings rose above towards the Sky. And Caesar stood at the center of it. On a platform composed of Reiatsu.

"All order was created by Him; the light and the complexity of the human mind was developed by Der Kaiser. Out of the simplicity of Beast was born Man, four part animal and one part Glory of The God-King. Intelligence was given by Der Kaiser’s Will. Out of His hand stretched forth the spark of sentience granting Man true understanding. Out of his Bow came Truth, restoring the broken Man to the Glorious Light of Der Kaiser. Do you see it? your entire existance s because of a God that is far superior than anything you could have imagined! Rejoice for Redemption is Near! Shed your skins and become that is of the Empire of God! Or suffer Damnation like the rest of your kind." but no one took his offer. They all wanted to burn within the very place they called home.

He pointed off into the distance, "There will be no savior. there will be no one coming here to bring back what you have lost. You now know what it is like to lose everything you love. Everything you care about. Relish in the knowledge of Revenge. Take it and do as you will with it, Die knowing it will serve you nothing. Or become part of what is Holy and True!" after that he was silent. He stood there, the figure in a towering flowing brown cloak, and a respirator. The Rukongai 34 Burns to the grown. Its residents dying or dead, hope for them was beginning to get darker and darker.

Remaining Reiatsu:1,800/1,800

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [200-50%=100+25= 125] Points

Speed - [400 X 2= 800 +25% = 1,000] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [300 -50% = 150+25%=187] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400 x 2.5= 1,000 + 25%= 1,250] Points

Light Aura - [0] Points

Dark Aura - [100] Points

Instinct - [300+25%= 375] Points

Senses [300+25%= 375] Points

Energy sensory - [300+25%= 375] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [2200] Points



[Weapons: Long Ranged Weapons] {3}

[Focused Eye] {3}

[Strength of Will ] {3}

[Memory] {3}

[Battle Analysis] {3}

[Sozen Kuchiki]

OOC: Took slight cinematic liberty near the end of my post.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

---

This'll set the tone, so play it

Soul Society
Seireitei Defense Contingency (SDC) Headquarters
North Rukon District 16: Kawakai
0200 hours
Minutes before Caesar's invasion

The district area had been emptied out nearly ten days previously, and each day the Winter sun, which descended beneath the horizon far, far too early, left the world and retracted its light from a modest, desolate version of what had once been North Rukon District 16: Kawakai. The populace had been relocated to a more comfortable district, and this one had been commandeered as a moderately well-sized base of operations, possessing an armory, an intelligence HQ, and several other facilities for training, telecommunications, and even extremely high tech surveillance of the surrounding areas of Northern Rukongai. The Thirteen Court Guard Squads were hard at work.

This was one of a dozen bases scattered throughout the Soul Society as part of the new Hyper Defense Against Invasion Initiative (HDAII, or H-Day), which had established the Seireitei Defense Contingency, or SDC, as a series of sectors within which many Soul Reapers operated. Only those at a certain seating level or higher were allowed entry, but it contained members of the Kido Corps, Omnitsukido, Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and even some from the Noble Families, such as the Kawada's Tsunami group. It encompassed several squads, including 1, 2, 6, 7, and 10.

The purpose was defense of the Soul Society against foreign invaders. Too many times, invaders such as the Segunda Espada had penetrated the defenses of the Seireitei, but now no longer. This new organization was at work 24/7 to ensure that such things did not pierce the Soul Society's outer layers. This was, after all, a time of war. Invasions were frequent. With the discovery that the Vandenreich could extremely easily slip into the Soul Society and out again with unknown means, it had become doubly important to maintain a constant vigilance and to keep enemy invaders out.

Communications between all bases were constant, and dispatch could be sent to any who failed to maintain communication even briefly. A hundred billion monitoring butterflies under the watchful eyes of Squad 7 Captain Enma and those under him kept watch over the entirety of the Soul Society. Patrols headed by Squad 10 Captain Okusa Shogen and those under him maintained watch at a local level, and even within the Precipice World of the Senkai Gates. Security was air tight. There was no getting in or out, and if already in, there was no sneaking around. Soul Society had gone into a lock down mode, and this was clear even to ordinary populace.

At the head of the entire SDC were Captains Sozen Kuchiki of Squad 6 and Kenryoku Kawada of Squad 2, jointly heading it as the most qualified to lead the organization and maintain strict vigilant defense over the Soul Society. The two of them were both present at one time in North District 16, the central headquarters which directed all action within the northern part of Rukongai. It was a strategy meeting between two Captains, who could be seen in their most combat-ready gear. Two Soul Reapers of tremendous power were not about to allow the likes of the Vandenreich or the Espada to penetrate their homes once again, as had been done before.

Kenryoku was dressed in a black, skintight outfit identical to the Omnitsukido's, though his mask was not worn, and he had a very dark green military vest on his torso, and several blades and strap-on containers along his legs. The blond haired, ice cold Squad 2 Captain stood, gazing down at a strategy table with a three dimensional map of the Soul Society, and little figures dotting it for strategic positioning to be visible. Across from him, Sozen Kuchiki was dressed in a black tuxedo with gold buttons closing it up. Beneath, he had a gray sleeveless vest, a white dress shirt, and a black tie.

To Sozen, this was quite an ideal environment. He was enjoying it, for he would relish the chance to be there to intercept a truly powerful enemy, when such an enemy rose up. "Statistically speaking, leaving this place to be the most vulnerable purposely has most certainly increased the likelihood that the next invasion will be in the area," Sozen was explaining to Kenryoku, briefing him on the strategy. "However, should it not be, then Captain Enma, who has defeated several Stern Ritters, is in wait with his top five officers and Squad 1 Lieutenant Juuken in order to intercept anyone in the south. Kyomei and Captain Shogen are in wait West with their top five officers each, and the old man awaits in the East."

"Your intention then is for us to be the ones to intercept the enemy, by luring them here," Kenryoku noted. "You have intentionally left our area vulnerable for several days, awaiting a response." He was cold and to the point, and he was calculating. His question, however, was more of a self-clarification than anything else. He fully understood both the strategy and the meaning of it the first time that Sozen explained it. Sozen smiled coldly, and took a sip from the extraordinarily gaudy cup of tea which was his. It was not like the Captains to be this well prepared, or at least not in contemporary times. However, Sozen and Kenryoku had agreed on the necessity of this initiative, and both did have connections in the Central 46, as well as money.

"It's all a waiting game," Sozen said with a cold smile. "Then why the tuxedo?" Kenryoku asked. "Ah, I have an event to be entertaining in an hour not far from here. I will be within a Shunpo of the base. It is necessary, however, to maintain appearances and a smile, wouldn't you say?" Kenryoku did not respond. Sozen knew that the man had no interest in maintaining appearances, and was more militaristic than the Kawada Head, Shade, who in order to keep the political strength of his family had to play into superficiality as much as Sozen did. He simply was not nearly as practiced at it as Sozen was.

"At any rate, I heard that you have gained back your Bankai," Sozen said. "It isn't your business," Kenryoku retorted. Sozen smiled coldly. "Ah, you are quite right. Though, to prevent the need to do more hunting, you should perhaps purchase one of those pills from that shop in the human world." Kenryoku narrowed his eyes toward Sozen for suggesting purchase from a fugitive, even though said fugitive was no longer even really wanted, and all Soul Reapers purchased from him already. "I could say the same to you," Kenryoku condemned, for it was known by the Captains that Kenryoku had already purchased one, whilst Sozen had not.

"Against the Vandenreich?" Sozen asked. He did not drop his smile even once during the conversation. "Quite to the contrary, Captain Kawada. I will not need my Bankai against them." He did not get the chance to further elaborate on this, for suddenly the alarms and sensors went off within their base, and a voice blared as an announcement within the encampment, and the small wireless receivers which Kenryoku and Sozen both kept in their left ear. "QUINCY INVADERS DETECTED! REPEAT, QUINCY INVADERS DETECTED! NORTH RUKON DISTRICT 34! REPEAT, NORTH RUKON DISTRICT 34!" Sozen smiled knowingly at Kenryoku. "What did I say?" he asked.

The two walked out of the tent, and just like that, dematerialized and vanished completely. It was a Shunpo on the part of both, but utilizing a new technology. Outside of each building, there was a metal pad upon which reiatsu could be drawn from the ground itself, allowing a costless Shunpo as long as it was performed from the pad, which had to be built deeply into the ground. It was not practical for lugging around, but it was good to keep such things around the Seireitei. Using it, both Soul Reapers disappeared instantly, covering well over a mile with each step, which brought them from pad to pad, until after three steps Sozen arrived. Kenryoku had taken only one, and had preceded Sozen. Both, however, appeared in District 34.

---

Now this one!

OOC Note: From here on out, alternating between two scenes. White text is Sozen. Ice blue text is other scene.

IC:

There were several sitting in a comfortable lounge room in the Kuchiki Manor. One of them was Sozen's wife, Aoi, pregnant with child, and therefore present within the mansion. The blonde beauty was wearing an elegant flowery silk robe adorned with many majestic colors. Also at the table, she was having dinner with several who were from the Central 46. Among those at the table were Kenpachi Shingai, Ryuu Usagi, and several others who were friends to the Kuchiki family. They were holding discussion, especially after Aoi's sudden exclamation as she detected Sozen's reiatsu. "It's begun..." she said out of nowhere, causing conversation to cease. "Sozen has engaged the Vandenreich."

Kenryoku, the faster of the two, was easily able to utilize his impressive, unimaginable speed, and blitz through the buildings. Using a Shikai which made him even faster, and step techniques to rival even that, he blurred so quickly through the area as to be practically invisible to all. There was not a single witness present who would be able to attest to seeing even a trace of the Squad 2 Captain, such was the speed at which he moved. In each and every building, he was successful in taking those who were in danger of death, and depositing them at the edge of the town to flee, giving them the option to get away, even as he went to the next job. Soon, Sozen also stepped into the area's outskirts.

There was a hanging moment of silence after she said this, with those at the table either not feeling the need to speak, or otherwise unknowing of what to say. "Aren't you worried about him at all?" one of the Central 46 members at last blurted out about Sozen. "After all, didn't he barely survive his last encounter with a Stern Ritter?" The Central 46 member looked pleadingly at Kenpachi Shingai for some sort of a backup or support to his demanding cry. "Shouldn't you be helping him?! You rescued him twice, from two different Stern Ritters! You know better than anyone here that they're strong!"

Kenryoku continued moving. He was fast, so fast that his presence would not be seen even when he deflected arrows and took people out of the way, back to the outskirts through which they were being led to escape. The town area may be burning, and the buildings collapsing, but the destruction cost no lives, for the Squad 2 Captain's speed was immeasurable, and his ability to save all of those present was unimaginable. At one point, however, as he was saving people, Sozen arrived in town, and so he stopped next to Sozen. "I will save them," Kenryoku said, recognizing the preaching figure from reports as one against whom Sozen held vendetta. Vendetta was something which Kenryoku understood well. "Focus on the Stern Ritter. He is yours."

Kenpachi Shingai regarded the question of the Central 46 member, and then at last he spoke, but the answer was not the one which the new, young member who had just been elevated to the ranks of Central 46 had been expecting. Shingai's words however touched all within the room when he started to speak in his low voice, rolling like thunder. Dressed in modest white Shihakusho, the gray haired man stroked his gray beard ashe spoke. "Sozen can take care of himself," Shingai replied. "You underestimate how powerful he has become since his last encounter with them..."

A smile came to Sozen's face at Kenryoku's words, and he looked around and observed everyone and everything, taking it in. The flames burned bright red, almost a deep orange, and yet still with that reddish tint, indicating unnatural fires, caused by the destruction of spiritual abilities. These fires burned and reflected in Sozen's already crimson eyes. From the outskirts of the town, hidden from view by shadows and buildings, and yet still able to see one who stood in the center of the town area, preaching about the word of an Emperor who was corrupt and whose message was wrong. Sozen knew that man. "Walter..." he murmured.

"Even still!" the Central 46 member argued. "Who's to say that the Quincy has not become stronger as well?!" Shingai took note of these words, but then he closed his eyes and sighed as if speaking to a child. Technically, if one went by virtue of age, Shingai was old enough to be this Central 46 member's grandfather. To his credit, the youngster certainly cared for Sozen's wellbeing. "I see. You have never been in true battle, have you?" Shingai asked the Central 46 member, who shook his head no, in order to indicate that no, he had never been in battle, let alone in war.

Simultaneously, Kenryoku, with his incredible speed, blurred from point to point, using his unbelievable skill and power to slaughter the Quincy. Mere Privates and Lieutenants, and even their lowly Captains, were no match for a man who could move with such speed as to even completely outshadow their Hirenkyaku Constant or any variations of the Human World Dweller's Movement techniques. It was not difficult to silently slice the throats of those who stood watch, in foolish attempt to prevent the intervention of Kenryoku's ally, one who held a vendetta against the Vandenreich General. And, with everything settling down, Caesar might just begin to detect the reiatsu of his subordinates being extinguished along with their lives.

"It's a bit of a cutthroat analogy, but living beings base their instinct on survival, and on winning. Those who are defeated are those who do not eat. Wolves must win their meals." Shingai kept speaking, and soon captivated the attention of everyone in the room, even Aoi, using this cutthroat analogy which he had decided to suggest in order to explain why he believed that Sozen could take care of himself. Then again, it was disturbing that someone lacked that faith in a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. "And no one is starving more than those who have tasted defeat..."

At last, with Kenryoku paving the way for him, Sozen knew that it was time to act. Slowly, he drew his sword out. His mighty Zanpakuto, one of the greatest of the tools which a Soul Reaper could possess, glinted malevolently in the ugly dark, and even more so in the dull glow of the hot red flames which licked the area. Sozen had no intention of allowing the Vandenreich General to leave this area alive, and much less unharmed. Last time had been a gruesome battle. The light in Sozen's eyes attested to this. He hungered for payback for what had happened last time. He hungered, like an animal, for the blood of his prey.

"There are no beasts who know the emptiness of starvation more than the ones who have experienced the bitter taste of defeat..." Shingai said solemnly, his eyes meeting with those of each and every person in the room, including Aoi, who nodded her agreement as one of his comrades in the famed (though often unheard of) secret army known only by the Captains and some Lieutenants, the Zero Division. "And, what is more...." Shingai pressed, delivering what would be the final part of his grand speech to everyone sitting at that table. Thunder roared in the background as he spoke. "There is nothing more terrifying than a starving beast..."

The present moment, starting from end of Caesar's post

Suddenly, Sozen materialized before Caesar using incredible speed, appearing within a meter of the Vandenreich General in an instant. Sparks flew, something collided with Caesar and Sozen both, and they were pushed apart as a blast of red smoke exploded between them. As the red smoke settled into a mist which dissipated and thinned along the air, drifting apart just until the two combatants could see one another, Sozen's eyes met with the Vandenreich General's. The two of them, with their eyes at last meeting for clash, would more than likely recognize one another. Sozen, eyes hungry like a wolf's, was ready.

"W, The Word, Walter," Sozen greeted, a confident smirk breaking out across his face, twisting the upper corners of his lips in smugness. "It's been a while." No need for a calm aura this time. Sozen had come a long way. He knew that he could handle this. This was his fight. And the fight was his. He may not have been aware of a name change, but he was aware that his foe had more than likely grown more powerful. This, however, to Sozen, meant absolutely nothing. This foe was about to be completely and utterly annihilated. The Kuchiki Head was not about to accept another disaster like the last one.

"There is no greater oath than a promise to protect by a Head of the Kuchiki family. Once the Head has sworn such an oath, then it is his hubris which will drive and enable him to uphold it to the end of his days." The words of his brother, and the previous Head of the Kuchiki Family, Onuya Kuchiki, echoed within Sozen's mind. Words of wisdom. Words to live by. Most importantly, words to die by. It was not about honor. It was about integrity. It was about commitment. It was about nobility. To maintain the sanctity of his bloodline and the safety of family and of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Sozen had come.

"Much as it's good to see you, unfortunately, I cannot allow you to proceed any further!" Sozen declared to Caesar. "I do not accept love or trust, for it has been broken and misused by the world. It does not deserve a second chance." Caesar's words also echoed in Sozen's mind, from the previous battle which they had fought. I need it, Aka, Sozen thought. Sozen put his hand to his face, and reiatsu began to flow and pulse around his body. His right hand was over his face, and his sword's hilt was also held to his face along with his hand. Sozen continued to glare at Caesar through the space in between his fingers.

It's yours, a woman's voice returned in Sozen's mind. It was the voice of his Zanpakuto spirit, Aka. He smiled coldly from behind the palm of his hand and the hilt of his blade, which covered his face. "I'm about to show you something..." Sozen informed the Vandenreich General. "I'm certain that you have also grown stronger since last we met, but I have achieved more than strength. Allow me to show you, dear Walter, just how much I've changed in these past few months..." The reiatsu continued to flow around Sozen, and his eyes settled at last on Caesar as a whole, not only glaring into the Quincy's eyes. Sozen made an exclamation.

"W, THE WORD, WALTER! As Squad 6 Captain and Esteemed Head of the Noble Kuchiki Family, 29th to hold both titles, Commander of the Seireitei Defense Contingency, and in the names of today's dinner guests whom I refuse to be late to greet, I hereby sentence you to death."

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [200] (100) (50) Points

Speed - [350] (700) Points

Spiritual Pressure - [300] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400] (1000) Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [175] Points

Senses [175] Points

Energy sensory - [0] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1600] Points

Skills

-Add more if necessary

To add more, use

[/li][li][Insert Skill #X Here] {Insert Level Here}

• [Strength of Will] {3}
  
  
• [Weapon: Swords] {4}
  
  
• [Charisma/Leadership] {2}
  
  
• [Hakuda] {3}
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] {3}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {4}
  
  

[/spoiler]

[Caesar]

SPOILER: Click to show

In that sudden moment before Sozen had appeared before Caesar, the General had enough instinct to react before he was pushed away by a blast of red smoke. Red, red was the color that Caesar had remembered. Red sand, Red swords, he had the ability to control the color of read. It is why his very release was linked to it. The moment Sozen's eyes met Caesar's, his hungry gaze was met by a calm one. Caesar had remembered Sozen, he remembered everything that happened in the fight, including the desecration of Seine Pracht. Now it is kept in an even tougher case with him. The stand still only occurred for a few seconds, but the gaze that they had for each other felt like a life time. Caesar never forgave Sozen for burning that of which he loved. For desecrating that of which he worshiped, for standing against that of a True God. In that moment, Caesar casually tossed away his Cloak. The twisted outfit of a priest is what the General wore, a testimony to his name "Cardinal." When Sozen spoke, he referred to him by his old name "W, The Word, Walter," Caesar simply nodded in reply.

"Sozen Kuchiki. Captain of Squad Six. The 29th of your family to hold the title of Head of your family and Captain of your Squad. "It's been a while. Caesar nodded again. "Indeed it has." the two were so casual when they addressed each other. There was no sign of animosity in Caesar's voice, no sign of anger or rage, only a calm tone. "And in that time Walter, W, The Word Died." he calmly spoke. "Born from his Ashes. I Arose. Caesar, C, The Cardinal" the way he worded it was smug, but the way he spoke it was calm. "Much as it's good to see you, unfortunately, I cannot allow you to proceed any further!" Caesar nodded to this as well "I can not say I have the same feeling when I meet you. And you will allow me to continue further. And you will stand down. The Words of God must be Spread. you will be one of the first to truly realize how superior it is when you stand at the ashes of the place you Love."

Sozen readied a battle stance as Reiatsu began to pool around him, it pulsed and brought the area around him to life. Caesar followed in suit, allowing his reiatsu to flow out, crushing the area around him with it. That was when paper began to surround the two, burned paper, something that should be familiar with Sozen. Crushed underneath a series of rubble and decay of battle,m Hokori Kuchiki lay, the Armour of ink disintegrated "Your cousin was arrogant enough to bring out the epitome of his power. It was crushed by the simplest of my power. Instaed of killing him, I have spared your cousin the blessing of Death. When this is over, his body will be Crucified. His spirit broken". "I'm certain that you have also grown stronger since last we met, but I have achieved more than strength. Allow me to show you, dear Walter, just how much I've changed in these past few months..." the reiatsu around them continued to flow. In those few seconds Caesar turned Blut on and began to absorb reiatsu.

Caesar closed his eyes, in that brief moment he had remembered why he had to fight, why he had to continue, what he was fighting for. His reiatsu glowed a brilliant white as it encompassed the General. It was the power of belief that Caesar continued to fight, the power that he will prevail that made Caesar fight harder and harder, and at this moment it gave the General strength. the moment he opened his eyes Sozen had declared that Caesar will be dead "As Squad 6 Captain and Esteemed Head of the Noble Kuchiki Family, 29th to hold both titles, Commander of the Seireitei Defense Contingency, and in the names of today's dinner guests whom I refuse to be late to greet, I hereby sentence you to death." Caesar continued to nod, "You will not Kill me. For Der Kaiser had made us... immortal." He calmly spoke.

remaining reiatsu: 3,170/1,870
-300 for Blut Veine
+1,600 for Mask and Cross Absorbtion

[Sozen Kuchiki]

SPOILER: Click to show

"As Squad 6 Captain and Esteemed Head of the Noble Kuchiki Family, 29th to hold both titles, Commander of the Seireitei Defense Contingency, and in the names of today's dinner guests whom I refuse to be late to greet, I hereby sentence you to death..."

When Sozen spoke and said this, it was with menace in his voice. He did not voice his thoughts completely when Caesar informed him of what had happened to Hokori, but the hot fires of rage burned in Sozen's soul like an inferno. Caesar's words echoed in his mind. "Your cousin was arrogant enough to bring out the epitome of his power. It was crushed by the simplest of my power. Instaed of killing him, I have spared your cousin the blessing of Death. When this is over, his body will be Crucified. His spirit broken" Sozen clenched his hand around the hilt of his Zanpakuto.

Sozen...are you sure about this? Aka asked him from inside of his own mind. Yes... Sozen retorted. I am. His eyes were glaring, and his expression had grown cold. Caesar had hurt his family member. He had hurt a fellow Kuchiki. The stakes had already been high as a result of this second time battle, but now it was far more than personal. To dare to harm a member of the Kuchiki Household under Sozen's leadership was to condemn oneself to die. Sozen, hand with blade still to his face, as if masking it from view, spoke aloud. It would seem as if it was to no one in particular, but it was to the headset in his ear.

"Kenryoku..." Sozen said. "My cousin is pinned beneath rubble not far from where I am. Pick him up, and do so quickly. I don't want you to get caught in my crossfire..." A few seconds passed before Kenryoku acknowledged. I have your cousin, Kenryoku acknowledged in the headset. Sozen smiled once again, this time in relief, though the look of rage did not leave his eyes. "That's good..." he said. He was more relaxed, and would at last be able to fight to his fullest. "I'm glad...Now I can fight...with my strongest powers...." The air around Sozen changed suddenly. Just as white reiatsu gathered to Caesar, now a sickening black aura gathered to Sozen.

Forgive me, Aka.

SPOILER: Click to show

Twisted black reiatsu and burning blue flames enveloped Sozen, and an acrid smell like burning rubber filled the air. It was putrid, and the black smoke which had enveloped Sozen's entire body and masked him from view continued to ooze out in inglorious repugnance. Somehow, the air nearby grew colder. If one listened closely, it might even be said that it was possible to hear the screams of a woman in agony emanating softly from Sozen's position. Someone who could sense reiatsu well might even venture to guess that the screams were from his Zanpakuto itself...It was a disgusting feeling to be near him at that moment.

When the black smoke drifted away, Sozen had changed. His fingernails each were charcoal colored and made of metal. Actually, they were not nails. They were long claws, several inches long, and sharp like katana blades. They made his hands look menacing, and distorted. His Zanpakuto had vanished. Also upon his face was a red wooden mask which looked very much like a blank stare of yet another face, as if it were a completed version of the phantom of the opera's mask. The red mask on his face was stone cold, and expressionless, more resembling a corpse than a human being.

This form more resembled an Arrancar's release than a Soul Reaper's, and yet it appeared to be some kind of release. No, it could not even be said to be an Arrancar's. It was very Hollow-like, and yet it seemed to be closer to a Vizard's...Closer to Hollowfication. Yet Hollowfication was not what Sozen had worked on. He had not bothered to master something as evil as that. This was his limited scale release. This was Sozen's Soulbind. With this active, Sozen knew that he would be able to kill the Quincy standing before him. The time for words had finally come to an end. Now, it was time for combat. "Don't worry..." Sozen said in a bubbly, metallic voice, as if underwater. Just like a Vizard speaking while masked. "It'll be over soon."

SPOILER: Click to show

Sozen appeared in front of Caesar with unbelievable speed. Most Soul Reapers were not as fast as Sozen. Caesar was now faster, unknown to Sozen, but still, Sozen initiated his first attack by using a Shunpo to get well within Caesar's guard. His claws all turned red, for this was their natural state, and the charcoal color had only been momentary as his soul adjusted to the change. With his left hand raised so that the hand peaked over his shoulder, as if it was a sassy hand flick, Sozen raised his right arm as well. He left the left one raised because it was to be ready for defense at any time. On the other hand, Sozen's right hand was what he attacked with.

Sozen brought his right claw crashing down on Caesar. His nails on that hand all instantaneously and with great speed elongated into red blades as he did, and he therefore slashed at Caesar with five blades crashing down. Blut would serve to protect Caesar from Sozen's attacks, as usual. Sozen knew this to be true as well, and from last time they had battled, had learned all about the limitations of his own attack when facing an enemy who was using Blut. Blut was an old power. Sozen knew how to get through it. Soulbind was a new power. He wondered if Caesar had any idea of how to counter it. Sozen somehow doubted that Caesar knew.

Now, the question was whether or not Caesar would have a counter of some kind for this move. Under normal circumstances, without Blut, Caesar's entire body would be severed into several pieces for taking a hit like that from Sozen's claw blades. However, with Blut, Caesar had the option to tank Sozen. If he did that, Sozen intended for there to be consequences. However, he also intended even worse consequences if the Quincy dodged him. No, it was a lose lose situation for the Quincy. Sozen intended to make it so. Caesar was faster, and could easily dodge a slashing motion from Sozen. With their eyes meeting, however, Sozen wondered. Did Caesar dare?

Sozen's Remaining Reiatsu: 2925/3000 Reiatsu

Soulbind Post Count: 1/10

[Sozen Kuchiki]

OOC: Bump reminder for post! Cause this is my favorite thread that I'm currently in.

[Sozen Kuchiki]

OOC: Bump.

[Caesar]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Play me like your Youtube Players}

"I'm glad...Now I can fight...with my strongest powers...." an eyebrow raised as he calmly observed what was to come. The sickening black aura, fire so black that it could cover the sky and make it night, yet it did not. It merely covered the Shinigami before him in a cloak of impurity. But Caesar was not afflicted by this, no. The knowledge that Caesar was protected by Der Kaiser gave immense comfort to this attempt to terrorize him. The air around him grew colder, and he responded as the air around both of them took a drastic temperature change and becoming colder. The air was filled with the high pitched screams of a woman but there were no living creature around them other than Sozen. With his ability to analyze the battle, he quickly deduced that it was none other than his Zanpakuto. He had known that each shinigami had some sort of spirit within their Zanpakuto. It was often given up and destroyed when they converted and became one with the Vandenreich. He calmly observed as the smoke began to disperse and reveal what was the result of the transformation.

The twisted transformation that the Shinigami subjucated himself with did nothing to deter Caesar's desire to continue spreading the word of Der Kaiser. He knew that the time for talking was over, Caesar stared directly through the eye holes of the mask that Sozen wore, it was similar to hollowfication. And Caesar was still not impressed "No shield, No Barrier, No parlor trick will be able to stop the advancing Right of the True God King." Caesar calmly spoke. He drew in reiatsu as he drew out his Bow Release Level 1, the cross of the Vandenreich was a symbol to Caesar that his power will be enough to defeat the Shinigami. Sozen was a tough enemy, but Caesar was confident that he was superior. He was not aware of the speed change, and Caesar planned to use it to his major advanrage. He paid attention, to every little detail that this shinigami was doing, even the breathing was that of a hollow. Disgusting Caesar, that was when his ears parked to something that Sozen specifically said "It'll be over soon." Caesar focused on what he was going to do next, taking advantage of his ability to purely analyze the entire battle coupled with his ability to react. This fight would quickly become that of action and reaction, attempting to tire out the other opponent so that they may end their life.

Caesar squinted his eye and continued to focus on Sozen, that was when he suddenly disappeared, by using his Shunpo, he appeared right in front of him. He smiled as he performed a hiyenrenku and appeared exactly five feet to the left of Sozen and used his natural speed and went directly behind the Shinigami. Because his speed was naturally high, he had the ability to quickly draw his bow, aim and fired five arrows immediatley the moment he appeared behind Sozen. He used his natural ability of aim, he was able to directly focus the strike to hit his wrists. His hands were the ones that were changed the most, that means if he attacked the wrists it would force him to release his other zanpakuto. "Those who stand in the way of the Mighty Hand of Der Kaiser will be crushed by its mighty force. As said in the mighty words of God 'Let those who stand against that of which is pure and holy. Understand that their fight is for nothing. And that they will be crushed by the wave of a true God.' Amen." Caesar calmly spoke it to Sozen as he observed how he was going to handle the sudden burst of arrows heading towards his way, if he allowed the arrows to strike, it would break his wrists and it would hinder his combat skills in some way. Caesar watched, analyzing his every move "Watch over my battles. As we take down your enemies. So we may usher, a world of peace. Amen." he softly spoke to himself as he catched his breath. Going at high speeds in a consecutive manner can tire out the body.

Remaining Reiatsu:3,770/1850
-300 for Bow Release Level 1
-50 For 1 Hiyenrenku
-300 for Blut
-350 for 5 Class 1 Arrows
+1,600 from Mask and Cross

[Sozen Kuchiki]

OOC: I spared you from flashbacks in this post. Instead, I went for gold by attempting a death sentence attack. Let's see what you've got.

IC:

SPOILER: Click to show

{Play this}

Sozen's eyes went wide, but not with surprise. They went wide from behind his mask with mirth, for his face was smiling coldly. He's fast...! Sozen thought, approaching the Stern Ritter with Shunpo. On the way, he had seen Caesar's muscles tense up, and noted the body begin to prepare itself to move. This indicated that the Quincy was going to try to dodge the move rather than stand his ground, guard, and retaliate. Sozen analyzed this in a split second, and appeared then and there. He had not expected a dodge originally, recalling that Caesar's low speed made the Quincy unable to dodge a Shunpo from the Captain. That Caesar was attempting to dodge meant he now thought it more possible to dodge his opponent's attacks than before.

Sozen affirmed as he appeared that he had been correct. Caesar was much faster than before, faster even than Sozen himself, and was easily able to dodge the slash attack using a Hirenkyaku. Just as anticipated. What enemy wouldn't abuse any advantages possessed? As soon as he'd split second hypothesized that his opponent might be faster than before, Sozen had counted on Caesar using his speed, just as previously, before that knowledge had come to him, the Squad 6 Captain had figured Caesar might abuse the high power of his Blut instead to guard against techniques. Now, however, keeping his awareness extended, Sozen felt the breeze that came from where his opponent was headed, and discerned the location early on, just as Caesar materialized.

"Die..." Sozen said as blades erupted from the side of his mask. In addition to reading the air with his combat experience and expertise, Sozen also had seen Caesar's dart through his peripherals, given that the Stern Ritter did not venture too far from the Kuchiki Head. The blades, which erupted from Sozen's mask, were instantaneous. That was their special property. Instant extension. The blades had erupted forth with precise timing. Sozen timed the attack to the point when Caesar was just exiting his Hirenkyaku, not difficult since it had been a fast maneuver, meaning that the blades would not appear until near the end of it anyway, due to Sozen's inferior speed and the lateness of his reflex. Whatever the reason, the timing was solid.

The blades appeared just as Caesar left Hirenkyaku, meaning that he would not have the opportunity or luxury of another. He was also too close to use Kirchen Leid or similar defenses, not to mention he had diverted his focus into gathering reiatsu, forming his bow, and shooting at Sozen. Meanwhile, Sozen was attacking with blades. The reason that his blades were instantaneous was for this reason. They weren't a threat under most circumstances, but when timed properly, they were nearly impossible to defend against. That was the difference between Soulbind and release. Soulbind's blades materialized instantly. They could shoot out to their full length in a split second. Caesar would be unable to dodge, having just left Hirenkyaku, and being otherwise too slow for the instantaneous blades, given he had diverted focus to the attack.

The blades could extend well beyond what Caesar's range was from Sozen. Caesar was five feet away. The blades could instantly expand up to thirty meters forwards. This meant that even if he tried to move away, Caesar was bound to be skewered. The attack was easy to see coming and to sense under most circumstances, and it was also easy to dodge or block under most circumstances. However, not these ones. Timing was key. If timed correctly, using the appropriate skill level as Sozen had, the blades were an almost unguardable attack, and they would strike Caesar square in the chest before the latter had his opportunity to go behind Sozen with that natural speed. Caesar might feel that this was stupid, of course, and why shouldn't he?

Sozen's blades, despite their speed and guaranteed hit, couldn't even penetrate the Quincy's Blut. Their strike was guaranteed with timing and Caesar's lack of guard abilities to counter them, but otherwise they could not do anything but penetrate the Stern Ritter's clothing. This, however, served Sozen well. He could only mark five things with his red in Soulbind, two of which were then and there. The first, Caesar's shirt. It was turned red immediately upon the blades hitting, but this disguised the true objective, so that Caesar himself would not notice unless he removed his own shirt. In reality, Soulbind had another application. Being able to turn skin red, as with Caesar. In that instant, Sozen's Soulbind blades turned Caesar's entire torso, minus the arms, red. He was red skinned after that.

This wasn't to say that Sozen could summon his blades to pierce Caesar's insides. He could send his blades out, but they wouldn't be able to hurt Caesar's organs at all. Caesar was still using Blut, which provided him an absolute protection. This made Sozen's attack seem foolish. His blades retracted as Caesar moved behind him, however if Caesar assumed that the blades had done nothing because of Blut, then he would be very much mistaken. Immediately, noticing his opponent aiming to attack him, Sozen marked his suit with red, making three of five marked things, and turning his suit red. From it, a hail of blades instantaneously extended, deflecting the incoming arrows completely off course, cutting them in half, and eliminating their threat, so they would not hit Sozen, and then stopped. The blades from Sozen's suit did not continue toward Caesar, and instead retracted.

SPOILER: Click to show

{NOW THIS ONE}

Sozen turned around, his red eyes settling on his Quincy adversary, and his demonic smile lingering evermore. "Is it truly befitting of one who claims to spread the word of God, I wonder..." Sozen wondered aloud. "If he attacks his enemy's back? How can one spread the word of God by speaking at the behind, in the rear of the crowd? How can you expect to be heard?" It was a philosophical musing, but it was also a taunt. Sozen felt as if taunting his opponent was appropriate. And why not? He had just set himself for one of the most expert maneuvers to be imagined by the Soul Reapers. Yes, it was here that they would all see why Sozen Kuchiki was the most skilled and one of the most fearsome of the Captains.

"I suppose that it doesn't matter," Sozen explained. "To fight demons, you must turn to unconventional methods, to match theirs, is that correct?" Sozen was referring to himself as a demon then. It was no wonder, when his attack came. "After all...my methods are anything but fair...don't you think, C, The Cardinal, Caesar, Stern Ritter 'C' of the Vandenreich?" He referred to his opponent by full name, doing so in contempt, because Sozen felt that his victory had already been assured as a result of striking Caesar with his blades, using what was most certainly a guaranteed strike by virtue of timing.

"It must have surprised you, that blades erupted from my mask," Sozen said. "It's because this isn't Hollowfication. I would not lower myself to use such a thing against an enemy such as yourself, whom I must purge for laying hands on my family. This mask is called Soulbind, and is an extension of the power of my Zanpakuto, Akai Birido." Sozen's voice never left the metallic screech accompanying it, which was ordinarily a classic trait of Hollowfication. However, he had just revealed that the powers he was using were not those of a Hollow, but were indeed those of a Soul Reaper. Perhaps this made it all the more terrifying, for it meant that the red, which would be the bane color of Caesar, was still doing what it had last fight.

"It may seem at first to be an inferior version of my Zanpakuto," Sozen explained. "However, it has quite a powerful effect. Firstly, as you noticed when I struck you, my blades are much faster." Sozen put his hand over his mask, and shifted it to the side. He did not dis-spell it or even remove it, but he shifted it to the side of his head, rendering his speaking voice normal, and more importantly, allowing Caesar to gaze upon his face and into the eyes of the Soul Reaper that was about to defeat him. Sozen had all of the intention in the world of breaking this Stern Ritter, and here was his method for it.

"And you see, while I cannot pierce your Blut with Soulbind, its blades have a rather unique effect." The red skin that was Caesar's began to produce blades, inside of the Quincy, which extended forwards and touched all of his organs. Sozen could not cause these organs stab damage, but he could make it so that Caesar felt that there were blades on the insides. However, that was not the only effect, though it would give Caesar reason to rip open his shirt and see the red skin of his torso. "What makes Soulbind dangerous, you see, is what I can do when I have created my blades. Do you think you have guessed? No? Well, I can't blame you for that. Allow me to show you. My blades, dear Caesar, can produce Kido..."

Suddenly, Sozen cast his Kido. "Hado #40: Gouzen Demizu." From one of the blades inside of Caesar, the Kido cast remotely. Gouzen Demizu, a water Kido, was a Kido which produced a small tidal wave of salt water to crash down on opponents and cause them basic physical damage. Used in this case, however, Gouzen Demizu was being cast inside of the Quincy's body, meaning one thing. Sozen was producing a huge body of water inside of his opponent. The water began to well up inside of Caesar, consuming his insides, and filling his lungs. It would begin to leak out of his eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and any other holes, but most importantly began to fill him up more and more. His ability to breathe was gone, for his lungs, throat, and esophagus were all full of water, which did not stop outpouring from his mouth.

It was not unlike what Sozen had done last time, nearly drowning his opponent with a destructive Hana. Instead, now he drowned his opponent from the inside out, producing far more water than the body could handle. It would not take long for Caesar to drown right there and be utterly defeated, though it was also possible that the water might fill him up too quickly and cause his body to burst, unable to contain it. It was a race. Would the body burst for death, or would Caesar drown instead? That was the dilemma which Caesar faced. Water welling up inside of his body, and being quickly produced. Death was imminent within a minute, if not mere seconds, if Caesar could not figure out his course of action.

"Tell me!" Sozen challenged. "What will you do, Stern Ritter?" Sozen shifted his mask back onto his face, and his eyes met once again with Caesar's. "What CAN you do...?" For Sozen, he felt that this was absolutely the end.

Sozen's Remaining Reiatsu: 2775/3000 Reiatsu

Soulbind Post Count: 2/10

[Zeich Yajuu]

Was asked to give this a grading, ending the fight prematurely. The victor is obvious in this, and though it is premature I'd say Sozen has earned the victory.

Caesar - 14 Paragraphs - 140 TP (Final Total: 140)
Sozen - 51 Paragraphs - 510 TP + 100 for winning. (Final Total: 610)