We All Have a Monster Inside | Joint Training / R |

[Garret]

-Training for TTP-

Deeper and deeper you will descend.

His sword swung through the air, splitting the very oxygen around it before crashing down onto the mask of yet another Hollow. Collapsing beneath the weight it cracked, the sword ripping through it and tearing the Hollow open. Its howls ended, it collapsed on the ground, and the life began to bleed out of it. Ripping his sword free, Garret let out a roar that drowned out the downpour of rain, his weapon arching through the air and coming down on the outstretched arm of a reaching Hollow. Bone and flesh caved in for the weapon, unable to stop the combination of Garrets strength and his swords incredible weight. Bits of gore flew into the air as Garret backpedaled, pulling his sword free from the injured monster. His breath came in fogs, the chilling temperate sapping at his strength faster than the fighting was.

Blacker and blacker you will become.

Garret turned, bring his arm back over his shoulder and grabbing the long grip of his weapon with his other arm, as yet another Hollow came rushing at him, mouth open in hopes of scooping the swordsman up as a meal. He roared, bringing his weapon down and releasing a powerful blast of air that blasted forward and smashed into the Hollows mask, caving it in and turning it into a fine bloody mess. He gasped for air, quickly turning again in time to slice off the fingers of the same Hollow from a moment ago, splashing his face in its blood. Gritting his teeth, he let out yet another roar as he moved in to finish the Hollow off.

And finally, when you can take no more, you will be swallowed whole by me. Nothing will stand in your way. Racing with hatred and ecstasy, these fangs will chew through everything that brings up pain.

His sword swung horizontally, his body turning to accommodate for the shift of weight, it slammed into the Hollows waist and ripped right through, bringing the monsters torso to the grime covered ground below. All the swordsman saw was red, he had already long lost control over his anger. It burned him, it consumed him, it drove him forward. His sword felt weightless in his hands, effortlessly carving through every Hollow that came for him. His roars drowned out their howls as the swordsman fought, the stamina sapping cold rain seemed to have been rendered ineffective against him, or perhaps it was because he just didn't care. Snarling like a beast he fought on, with each swing more body parts fell to the ground.

It was then that he spotted it. The Hollow responsible for the rain. It looked like some sort of badger with tubes rising out from its back, from which clouds of moisture spewed forth from. His eye narrowed, his target locked. He began to dash for the Hollow, dragging his sword behind him through the mud and filth. The creature realized the swordsman was hiding right for it, obvious by its attempt to disappear again. This was not the first time Garret had pursued this Hollow, each time he got close it would use some variation of its moisture ability to hide itself, shortly afterwards it would be gone. It was running and hiding, trying to tire Garret out so it could feed on him by itself. It rain was, at least, affecting the other Hollows as well.

But being driven by the flames of his hatred instead of his bodies limitations, Garret was seemingly able to ignore the Hollows abilities. Sure enough, the creature began to surround itself in a cloud of its moisture, trying to once again escape. It wasn't escaping this time. Garret swung his weapon releasing a air blast that collided with the fog, blasting it away to reveal the startled Hollow. Before it could begin to try and flee again, Garret utilized a Shunpo technique to ram the Hollow at high speeds with his blade, running through from head to rear. Rolling through the mud he came to a stop, wiping away the filth from his one good eye. Sure enough, the rain clouds began to part and allowed a very welcome sight to come spilling through. The first rays of day break.

The remaining Hollows, merely three, began to retreat, vanishing into their own little worlds as they came to their senses and were able to understand what had just happened. Once Garrets Osen had ended, most Hollows that somehow managed to survive a night with Garret simply retreated, now understanding that they were no match for the man. His rage began to subside, and his vision began to adopt colors besides red. Within a few breaths he felt the loss of stamina come to him, and quickly planted his blade into the ground to act as a support. His breathing was in quick gasps, trying to take in as much air as possible to return his body to working order.

But a sound nearby caught his attention, causing him to turn towards its source. A Hollow. Down on the ground it's body ripped and mangled during the fighting and yet it was still alive. It sounded weak, its liquid filled coughs and inability to move itself clued Garret into that. "Please.." it asked. The swordsman froze while staring at it, that eye of his widening with a mix of emotions. "Please...spare me.." it asked, right before it let out a scream of pain as Garret stabbed his sword into it. Once again, overcome by rage, he began to torture the dying monster, pulling his blade out and stabbing it over and over again.

"Mercy!? You want mercy!? How many people have you eaten that begged for their lives, huh!? What makes YOU deserving of my mercy??" Garret cried out, stabbing the Hollow everywhere but in its mask. It cried, continually begging Garret to stop. Each stab covered the man in more of its blood, before Garret finally had enough. With a roar he stabbed it in its mask, ending its suffering at last and twisting the blade around to make sure he finished the job. Pushing his sword away, Garret collapsed into the earth, his breathing an odd combination of wheezes and snarls.

Mercy. A Hollow did not deserve mercy. After what they took from him, after everything Hollows did, all they deserved was his blade. Gritting his teeth, Garret threatened to be consumed yet again. He closed his eye, focused on trying to calm himself. They were dead, all of them, so there was no reason for him to be this close to losing himself yet again now. It was always like this now. Garret always lost control, unable to contain his anger anymore. He had nothing to reel him back in anymore. The memory of Cassandra no longer did it, her words of encouragement no longer held any meaning. The woman he once loved, what love he had had now been burned away by his anger. A black thing his heart was, unable to feel anything but hatred, anger and fear. For whatever reason he simply refused to give himself fully over to it. He, at least, wanted to know that he was still human in some way.

[Schala Alexandria]

[Training for CTP]

"Everyone listen up now. We are going to secure a foot hold within Area Five and eliminate the remaining Hollows that reside in the area." the team leader announced. A group of five Shinigami led by a higher seat was about to head into the world of the living to initiate a cleansing operation. Several teams were formed in order to cover a greater yield of the area to ensure that their operation resulted in a hundred percent completion. Many of the Shinigami that filled the ranks were recent graduates of the Academy or aspiring Shinigami. And from among their numbers stood Schala, a female Shinigami who was once considered Royalty during her time.

She stood among her peers as they remained on standby before the Sekaimon. The operators were fixating the group to the proper location before allowing anyone through. As it they continued to set in the location the team leader spoke up again, "Alright, we are moving in to handle this situation. A large group of Hollows were sighted grouping up at a single location and we are to eradicate them. Hopefully we can intervene before a Gillian is created. Should it ever form the rest of you are to evacuate, understood?" And as a single voice the entire group answered.

The gate opened to reveal the immense light that glared at each of them. Based on the atmosphere around her she could tell that the group was nervous. Their task was simple but taking action itself was an entirely different story. They buckled, they cringed their necks, and panting heavily between the occasional cough. They were nervous indeed. Schala was the same though she was the only one among them who had combat experience. Or at least partial experience. And to be more specific, that experience was against her fellow Shinigami. So she played with the tips of her shimmering brown hair. "Sir, there is a single human spirit among the swarm!" a technician cried out.

From among their ranks she could only see the squad leader bicker with the technician. With her own eyes she saw them arguing, deciding whether or not to go immediately to begin their operation. "Alright, we will wait until can narrow down more specified coordinates for a search and rescue, on top of search and destroy." The group grew hesitant, but relieved in the new of delaying their duties. For Schala there was no excuse for having to wait. She knew what she had to do. A Shinigami's duty was to protect and insure that the lost souls were saved. A woman who was once a Knight could not waste time when there was a soul in need of help. But it wasn't just that, something beckoned her to go. Something inside her.

"Green horn, where are you going? Come back! There was no other way to see it, but she had to take the leap into the light. The voice of her squad leader faded away into utter nothingness as her own being passed through the gate and falling down to the wet earth below. The humidity struck her from the high altitude drop. Fresh sunlight breached the failing clouds that caused a recent downpour onto the land. The breeze slamming heavily against her robes and skin as she made her descent along the trinkets of mist caressing her cheeks. Then finally, she saw the ground, and with her sight of the Earth the gruesome display of bodies of the targets. The Hollows littered the landing that she made.

Not even a sound was made when the Princess met with the ground. If there was a sound then it would have been the patting from the miniature puddles that were left behind from the subsiding rain. All she could see were bodies. Some were torn to pieces while others were smashed into bloody pulps. An awful scene that words alone could not describe. For a being to do such a thing was unfathomable. Regardless of how gruesome the situation was she still had a mission to do. She had to find the human spirit that lay wandering about in the land. Easier said than done with her current abilities.

The woman's Energy Sensory was next to nil, but still capable of detecting life around her vicinity. Even among the corpses that she tread past there was still life. Her rapier posed in a readied position to be drawn at a moments notice. The strain of her fingers trained on the smooth surface of the handle intensified the level of caution she had for her surroundings. Her eyes shift from one setting to another to gain a full understanding of her environment and its conditions. Thanks to the rainfall she could already tell that her footing would not be so terrific as the foundation she roamed on was slick. Everything was still and stunk with the rotting corpses. That stink remained as the air's moisture held it to the area.

Each step taken led the Shinigami further into the wild game scene. Another step led the woman into route of a several lingering Hollow. Two of them; a single long snout individual that resembled much of a Baboon, and its partner which stood on all fours, the Black Doberman. The two opposing parties traded their own respective glances, but to Schala, she shared a moment of fear. She was out numbered. Not much longer did the two Hollows came upon her position with incredible speed. It was only thanks to her Battle Analysis that she could foretell that the two were about to pounce. Their muscles tensed and limbs arched into their joints before launching themselves toward her position.

With a single motion the woman spun backward to come about the rear of the Doberman, and whipping her practice Rapier down below the rear side of its neck. Then the other came for her. This one was indeed larger than herself by several feet, and feeling its weight being brought down upon her only brought about the realization how heavy it was. And the fact that her human strength was no match for it. Long slender arms branched out to take hold of her sides to bring her further into its biting reach, but no avail. Schala's earlier analysis of the wet surface below did allow her to use it to her advantage to slide herself under the large mammal. The white form of the Shinigami's arm was brought up as she slid under its lunging figure, exposing the narrow slit to its throat. Her Rapier's tip met with it.

Two loud howls cried out as they the two Hollows were now facing the woman with their backs exposed. She didn't take that moment to strike. Not against two Hollows. Not against beings that were in fact stronger in terms of strength and speed. That blunt practice weapon was brought about to cover her front, slowly as they inched her closer to the steep muddy hillside behind. What was she to do?

[Garret]

His breathing was like an animals as the result of his long night of fighting finally caught up with him, as well as the effects of the rain created by that one particular Hollow. It, at least, seemed like it was over. The man grit his teeth, pulling himself to his feet with sword in hand, raising his head to the sky as he gasped in air like a parched man with water. The rage within him was subsiding now, the fires dying down as he believed the battle to be over.

Yet another night survived, yet another day to be spent in preparation for the next. He had wounds to treat, distance to travel, and the need to sleep. Opening his one eye to the sky above, Garrets breathing began to return to a normal pace. He had an above average ability to restore his stamina, but he knew he needed to sleep this off for a few hours.

Lowering his head, Garret began to walk, dragging his sword behind him in the mud. But as he began to walk his attention was caught by something. He blinked, turning his gaze in the direction of the source of the commotion. He began to head that way, especially when he recognized the sound of a Hollows howl. They were noisy creatures, too noisy for their own good. As Garret continued forward he could feel it coming. If it was more Hollows then there would be no stopping it. He felt the embers growing, slowly turning into a flame that began to burn strong. A savage look began to form in his eye as his rage began to consume him. He grit his teeth as he began to sprint in that direction, his exhaustion be damned.

He finally came upon the source of the commotion, two Hollows and somebody Garret didn't recognize. From the back he could tell the individual was a woman, but he wasn't entirely too interested in her right now. Schala would hear his footsteps, as well as the sound of something being large being dragged around, before Garret walked past her. Silently he walked by her, dragging his great sword behind him as he made his way over to the two Hollows. Even the inexperienced Shinigami could feel it, her Energy Sensory definitely helping her here, the instability and ferocity of his reiatsu. It was like a hurricane within him, a torrent of dark emotions ready to explode.

He glared at those two Hollows, his teeth grinding together as his rage released within him. [smear:810541]All of them! Every single one of them! I won't let a single one of you live!![/smear:F62817] Garret let out a roar as he charged, dragging that greatsword behind him as he headed straight for the two Hollows. The baboon, obviously one that had seen Garret fighting the night before, quickly back tracked away from the approaching man, while the Black Doberman didn't seem to hold the same caution. It charged at Garret, mouth wide open in hopes of scooping the swordsman right up.

Seemingly using a technique the Shinigami herself had used, Garret let himself slip off of his feet and slide right beneath the Hollows jaw and beneath its two legs, before rolling to his feet and spinning, adding momentum to his gargantuan weapon as well as his own Strength in order to cleave off both of the Hollows back legs. The Doberman let out a cry of pain as it stumbled forward, dragging itself on its two front feet. The swordsman turned towards it, aiming to finish it off now that he had restricted its movement. But it seemed the other Hollow had other ideas.

Garret didn't notice the Baboon suddenly vomit something from its mouth, a thick white fluid that splashed across Garrets legs and weapon. Gritting his teeth, Garret tried to pull himself free of the mess but quickly found himself unable to. It was some sort of adhesive, sticking Garret and his weapon to the puddle. Pulling with all his might he found himself unable to free himself, gritting his teeth in irritation as the Baboon seemed to celebrate with a deep grumbly laughter. It rushed over to Garret, arm cocked back before delivering a heavy blow to the warrior. All the air was pushed out from his lungs, and he felt a few of his ribs suddenly snap as the Hollow displayed its superior strength over him.

The force did manage to set the swordsman free, via sending him hurtling through the air and sliding to a halt in the mud. A pained cough as the man began to get up, albeit with some struggle, as he placed a hand over the injury. The god damn monkey was dancing again. Gritting his teeth he began to get up, a metallic taste in his mouth from a split lip spilling onto his tongue. He could feel it. The rage. The anger. It was growing inside him, turning into a fire that threatened to consume him and the Hollow. Veins began to bulge beneath his forehead and necks skin.

Release it. Give in. Reach into the flames and pull out the power. Sink your teeth into it! Rip it apart just like they did Cassandra!!

Garret pushed the voice out of his head, but could not stop the growing rage inside of him. The ape was preparing another round of its adhesive spit, something that Garret wouldn't let himself get hit by again. So he dashed forward, looking as if he was going to perform a mad dash with no care to the consequences. The pain in his body cried out, but the man used it. He drew on the pain, using it to feed his anger. The Hollow then spit out its goo at the swordsman, only for him to vanish suddenly with the use of a Shunpo, only for the Hollow to scream out in pain as it found Garrets sword lodged in its head.

The baboon fell backwards, blood escaping from the result of the foreign mass in its mask. The swordsman pushed down, sinking the blade deeper in, regardless of his own bodies condition or the struggle of the Hollow. It wasn't like a Shinigamis Zanpakuto, where killing the Hollow purified it, his was the opposite. The Bakkoto did not purify rather it destroyed. It eliminated the Hollow entirely, erasing the soul and all the others within it, just like a Quincies arrow. Garret sunk his blade in further, and finally the kicking stopped. Glaring down at the corpse he pulled his weapon free, grunting and holding his damaged torso as he rested his bloody blade on his shoulder. It was then that he finally noticed the Shinigami.

Looking at her it could have been quite funny. A savage looking man, covered in blood and dirt, meeting with a woman who looked to be nobility. Like a beggar meeting a queen. That gray eye of his just gazed at the woman, watching and making sure she didn't do anything stupid like attacking him. Honestly, she didn't seem to be that much of a threat. Turning from her the Rogue began to walk, heading in an aimless direction his only goal was to simply be away from here. After all, if he stayed here when the next night came then his curse would be stronger, drawing in Hollows that made tonights look like babies.

[Schala Alexandria]

There was only one word that could have describe the scene before her, and that was "awful." The senseless violence that took over the scene was undoubtedly unnecessary. Was it? Really, considering that she was at a disadvantage in terms of numbers and ability, then by all means the Princess should have been grateful. So then, why wasn't she? The sensations that swirled in the depths of her gut was not gratitude, but regret. Yes, she was about to face a situation that could have possibly led to her death, but at least it would have been in the line of duty. However, the con against such a result would only mean failing in retaining her responsibilities as a Shinigami to rescue souls. Whether they be damned or innocent it is her duty to save them all.

"Keep telling yourself that......

No, that is true, it is her duty to protect the lives of those around her.

"How long can you go on holding onto that belief."

That was wrong. It isn't just her belief, but her responsibility. The life that she was able to remember, prior to that of a Shinigami, she fought for the people. She fought for those who didn't have the strength to fight for themselves, and became the voice of those who were silent. It had been some time since she heard that voice before. Surely it was different from the one that lend assistance during the sparring session with Shin. She knew something was off, but wouldn't allow it to impede her. She still had to do what was needed. And right now, the man before her required it.

He easily dispatched the couple of Hollows that she encountered, but to the looks of how he was, the man was in no condition to continue on. All of him disdained by the world it seemed. Only red and black caressed his bulking figure which left little to the imagination. He was hurt despite being covered in the remains of dead Hollows. Her eyes shifted until they met with the man, whose eyes were defiled by the depths of anguish and death. Could this man be the human spirit that was announced during their briefing. She had to do what needed to be done.

"W-wait, you're hurt." Well that was quite an obvious deduction as her Rapier was driven into its holster. To him she must have been another Shinigami recruit who is quite arrogant. Her posture and behavior was that of someone who was considered a rookie in every meaning of the word. She approached a stranger, whose power outmatched her own, and without confirming whether he be friend nor foe. But she knew in some way. She knew that within the husk of a beast resided a man. She knew people like him.

"My name is Schala Alexandria, and I am with Gotei Thirteen under the division of 10. I am here to help." Quite optimistic she would be deemed, or extremely foolish believing that someone of his strength required help. In some ways he did, like now, and in others not so much. But obviously an internal battle is probably what was being raged at the time. Little to her own knowledge was how much of a battle it was. However, being one so close to her Zanpakuto spirit, her inner strength, had its own perks when conversing with one's own inner self. His words were soft, but she could feel it, feel him. However her Zanpakuto was attempting to communicate with her, she knew that it was trying to help her. And perhaps, it can help the man before her as well.

[Garret]

He didn't want to stop. He simply wanted to keep moving. Heading in an aimless direction that would only bring him to his next battle. The sound of her voice, calling out to him and stating the obvious, and the sound of her sheathing her weapon, was what caused him to stop. A Shinigami holstering their weapon around him? That was new. He turned his head, looking at her with that one eye of his, watching as she approached. Everything about her reeked of greenhorn, a recently hatched chick that had not yet been pushed from the nest. Garret knew people like her once upon a time.

Back when he was alive, back when he fought for kings he did not call his own. Gold was the only thing he earned from the fighting that others could understand. People were always afraid of him in those days, knowing him as the raider captain of the Red Dragons. He was a force unmatched in his time. He'd seen many new soldiers join the mercenaries rank, and known twice as many meet their deaths on the battlefield. Here was yet another one, just like the young men who were so eager to fight on the battlefield...unable to fathom the thought of themselves dying. Would she be the same?

But the fact that a Shinigami had sheathed her weapon before him actually brought a humored smile to the Rogues face, baring those teeth of his as he lowered his head and simply chuckled, quite audibly, at the gesture. "First time a Shinigami's put their weapon away around me. Or just didn't attack me on site. Forgive me for finding that quite funny...ah it hurts to laugh." Garret chuckled, and winced at the same time, as he turned his gaze back to the fledgling Shinigami.

"But it's too late for you to help. Those Hollows are all dead now. Gone. Go elsewhere with yourself and bother someone else with your balance of souls." Every time Garret had come across a Shinigami, or to be more accurate each time they hunted them down, they had always shouted accusations of his disruption of some cycle of souls, some balance between the living and the dead. Garret never understood any of it.

See, a lot of Shinigami made the mistake of assuming Garret had ever been one of their order. The truth was Garret has never been a member of the Gotei Thirteen, and in fact has only spent a maximum of three days within the Seireiteis walls...in a coma. He had been taken into the Shinigami's base in order to be treated for his injuries on that day, and it was then that his curse had been discovered. After that Azumi Kasumi'Oji had given Garret that pain in the ass weapon of his and booted him out into the human world, where he had been ever since.

So it stood to reason that Garret often did not like Shinigami. Not because he disagreed with them, not because of the noble families choking the decency out the Gotei, or really for any reason most others hated them. They just annoyed him. They attacked him; they hunted him down and never actually gave him a good reason as to why. They always assumed he had been one of them. Garret didn't know what this balance thing was. So seeing Schala actually show him a bit of kindness was unexpected and made the Rogue laugh. But, regardless, he had a injury he needed to take care of and another night he had to prepare for.