When Paths Cross [PG-13, NDE]

[Gen Shizuo]

Thread Title: When Paths Cross [PG-13, NDE]
Participants: Gen Shizuo and Zegram
World: Hueco Mundo
Death Setting: Non Death Enabled
Rating: PG-13
Location: Amongst the never-ending white sands of Hueco Mundo. Just on the outskirts of the Menos Forest.
Special Conditions: Zegram has the first post. Any items owned by either participant may be used.
Circumstances: Gen Shizuo has been constantly wandering since the departure of the former Sexta Espada. He searches for her day and night among the white sands of Hueco Mundo and even within the World of the Living, muttering only her name. It is on one of these excursions that he happens to come across another Arrancar. Surmising that the Arrancar may know where she had gone, he decides to question Zegram. With his mental instability growing, he begins to fear that the Arrancar took Miss Asuka away from him.

[Zegram]

Zegram walked to the edge of the Menos' Forest from his home of Las Noches. Zegram's black boots left shallow foot prints in the stark white sand, but were quickly concealed by the wind moving more sand over them. His black suit and fedora stood out among the white environment, but none the less, he managed to keep himself concealed from most observers. He quickly made his way through the sandy wasteland keeping his sword by his side. He slowed his run to a care free walk once he hit the edge of the forest. It was nostalgic to be back here again. Though there were not that many places here in Huaco Mundo when one thought about it.

There were only two, maybe three places for a hollow, or an Arrancar to actually manage to live in relative comfort. The Menos' Forst was the first place all Arrancar are familiar with. Well their particular part of the forest. The forest was a deceptively large place. It was full of hungry hollows of the Gillian and Adhucha levels both hungry and looking to get stronger in anyway they could. This was also the former home to the Escudo. The Escudo was an organization of hollows and Arrancar that directly opposed the rule of Las Noches, and its Shinigami King. Zegram was part of the organization for a number of years, but due to the leaders either abandoning the loose band of monsters, or them disappearing, assuming to have died, Escudo fell apart and the hollows spread out back into the forest.

There was Las Noches of course. Zegram had recently became a fraccion to one of the high ranking Espada with his lover. It was really because of her that he had been pushed to joining the forces of Las Noches when he did. He would have eventually, since he was trying to find a way to gain more power for himself, but he didn't count on his lover pushing it so hard so they could live together. Regardless of why he was there, they were the predominate power in Huaco Mundo. It made since for him to join them sooner or later. Zegram was an opportunist, and unashamed for it. That is how he had survived this long as an Arrancar, and would not stop now.

Finally there was Las Aranas. This place was shrouded in rumors. That is how Zegram had come to know the name, was through rumors spread among the hollows. It is said that it is a land of multi-colored sand and crystals. What was odd about it was that some hollows and Arrancars would go missing. He had also heard that it is populated not just by hollows and Arrancars, but by other races from the human world. Though these forces and the land itself could not be found by his network, he had to conclude that the place was just a rumor spread among the weaker hollows that know they don't have what it takes to make it in Huaco Mundo. At least until he can gain some actual proof of its existence. 

It was one of these informants that he had come to meet. The Menos' Forest was a populated area, but it was not uncommon to see hollows and Arrancar move in and out of the forest. Of course it was the best place to set a meeting. Zegram waited for a few minutes before deciding to sit against one of the trees. It was not like his informants to be late. Zegram kept his mind open to the possibility that he had been betrayed, but he also knew that it was just as likely that this hollow had been killed and devoured to make another hollow stronger. It was literally eat or be eaten here in the bleak world of hollows. He would give his minion a few more minutes before moving on. 

[Gen Shizuo]

OOC: Could you post your stats and skills in your next post?


”Miss…Asuka….”

The voice that broke the silence was soft, almost like a whisper. It was so soft that it would have been waved off as nothing. Maybe even just a breeze. But, when one listened closely, words could indeed be heard. The voice spoke again, this time much louder than it had been before. ”Miss Asuka…Miss Asuka…” the voice repeated. At first, there would be no one there. At first, there would be no one to whom that voice belonged. But, as the voice continued repeating those same two words, another sound could be heard. The crunching of sand could be made out, signifying that something was walking towards the Arrancar. With each footstep, with each crunch of the sand, the sound of metal rattling could also be heard.

”Miss…Asuka…” the voice repeated, this time much closer than it had been before. Soon, Zegram would see it. He would see the owner of that voice stepping out from behind a large sand dune. Stepping forward, chains could be heard rattling behind the man. Chains which connected from the hilt of the two blades strapped across the man’s back and connected to something hidden within the baggy sleeves. As he approached, Zegram could see that the man wore a baggy black suit with matching black pants, a white dress shirt and a black tie, with a black T-shirt underneath the white dress shirt. Wrapped around the neck were two white scarves tied in a way so that the four ends stuck out on either side behind the man. What was most peculiar, however, was the white fishbowl like helmet which covered the his head. Only a small tuft of black hair could be seen protruding from the top of the helmet-like structure. The whiteness and texture of that substance would be very familiar to the other Arrancar, giving him a clue as to what this man before him was.

”Miss…Asuka…” the Arrancar repeated, almost as if lost in his own thoughts. Each vocalization of those two words was drawn out and almost exaggerated as though they were the only two words the man knew. He stepped forward, almost dragging his feet with each step that he took. And each step was accompanied by the rattling of those chains. The creature continued on, moving towards Zegram mindlessly. It wasn’t until he neared the other Arrancar that he sensed his presence and stopped in his tracks. From within the hole of the vertical eye on the front of that bowl-like helmet, red glowing eyes peered at Zegram. There was silence for a moment and one would wonder whether the creature standing before Zegram knew anything else outside of this person whose name he was obsessed with.

”Miss…Asuka…” the creature repeated. The head, covered by that white bowl-like hollow fragment tilted to the side, as if trying to determine whether the Arrancar before him was the master whose name he called. Having been searching since her disappearance, Gen Shizuo had been driven mad at her loss. His already fragile mind was brought to the breaking point of madness in his attempt to find the only person who could protect him from his greatest fear. A gloved hand was raised and pointed towards Zegram’s direction. Then, the creature spoke again, ”Where…is…Miss…Asuka…?” The question came slowly, and was almost too soft for Zegram to hear if he didn’t listen closely enough. ”Gen needs…Miss Asuka…” the Arrancar declared, his voice almost breaking with each word he uttered. Further and further he descended into the madness. ”Do you know…?” Gen asked again, this time trailing off as if he had lost his train of thought. And with that, he began shuffling forward once more, moving closer towards Zegram. All the while, those red eyes peered through the hole in the front of the bowl-like mask, as if peering right through the Arrancar’s soul.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Gen’s Stats & Skills}

Stats

Strength - Decreased[150(105)] Points

Speed - [200] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [205] Points

Reiatsu Strength - Boosted[300(450)] Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [150] Points

Senses - [150] Points

Energy sensory - [100] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [Insert Number Here] Points

Abilities

• [Weapons: Chained Swords] {3}
  
  
• [Analyzing] {3}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {3}
  
  
• [Calm Mind] {2}
  
  
• [Street Fighting] {2}
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}

[Zegram]

Zegram checked the pocket watch that he kept in his jacket pocket. After five minutes of waiting, Zegram concluded that his contact would not be arriving. Zegram sighed at the thought of having to go through the trouble of finding a new informant. Zegram had already made a list of future informants just for occasions like this, but it still, it didn't make it any easier. He didn't know how, but somehow Sargon was able to know things that he shouldn't, but that was not the main problem. Sargon would be fully aware of Zegram's own ambitions, it was the other Espada and their fraccions that he had to worry about. They were the competition. 

Something moving out in the rolling, white, dunes caught Zegram's attention. A dark figure standing out among the white sand. Zegram saw a figure dressed similarly to himself, but the clothes seem baggy and more disheveled. Zegram took note of the scarfs that the figure wore, as well as the...interesting fish bowl like helmet that the man wore. He wondered what kind of use it could have. Was it something that enhanced his perception around him, or was it just some weird fashion choice. Zegram just had to shrug not knowing. He did note that the figure was walking straight at him. This put Zegram a bit on edge, but he did not let it show on his face or body language.

”Miss…Asuka…” Zegram thought that he had heard him say something. The arrancar, he was just going to assume he was an arrancar since nothing else lived up here in the desert, was still too far off, and speaking too softly for Zegram to hear clearly. He knew that he said something, but what exactly he wanted to know. Zegram shifted his feet in the sand loud enough to make his presence known to the zombie like creature. The arrancar stopped in his tracks then. There was still some distance between them. Enough for Zegram to feel comfortable being able to react in case this strange arrancar turned out to be hostile. Zegram shifted into a more comfortable position standing straight. 

”Miss…Asuka…” Zegram had heard of that name before. It took a second for him to remember where he had heard it. When he first came to Las Noches, he made sure to get some information about the current espada, as well as the previous espada that were not confirmed dead. That name, Asuka, was one that he made sure to remember. The former Sexta Espada that had disappeared. Since it was unclear if she was dead or not, he wanted to be sure that would be prepared if she ever returned. The man raised his hand and pointed to Zegram. Zegram tensed slightly not eleminating the possibility of an attack. ”Where…is…Miss…Asuka…?”

Zegram didn't expect that question. He shook his head. Not sure if he could see the motion or not, Zegram elaborated. "I have not seen the former Sexta Espada." He refereed her by her former title. He always liked to be on the polite side, well polite to most other races. For arrancar, manners seem to be a mix bag thanks to their more primal origins. But there was something else that he had said. Something that Zegram almost missed. ”Gen needs…Miss Asuka…” With that statment, it was not far off to assume that this was one of  Asuka's fraccion. Apparently one that was very loyal to her, and didn't take her disappearance well. Zegram's attachment to Sargon was purely strategic, and being close to his other fraccion Aurora, he wouldn't know the bond between some fraccion and Espada. 

”Do you know…?” The sound of the man's voice was showing signs of great distress. Zegram didn't like it. People with all their faculties intact were easy to deal with since he can predict what they would do. With people like this arrancar, he could not predict them as easily. They were unpredictable, and that was what made them dangerous. "I already told you that I do not have the location of your Espada. You would have better luck moving on." Zegram didn't want to fight him. The fight would gain him nothing. As far as Zegram knew, this was just some poor sod that is desperately trying to find someone that most likely be dead. 

As the man started to shuffle closer to Zegram, Zegram put his hand on his sword ready to draw it at a moments notice. He did not back down from the man, but he was also in a position where he could take evasive action if needed. "That is close enough. I do not wish to harm you, but you will be considered a thread if you come closer." There was no fear in Zegram's voice. It was authoritative and loud more trying to get the man's attention and have him stop than trying to threaten him. Either way Zegram was ready. He had taken his fedora off and put it on a nearby tree. His green hair moving in the wind. He wouldn't want to have his hat ruined. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler - Stats and Skills}
Strength - 84 - 30% = 59 Points

Speed - 260 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 366 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 400 + 50% = 600 Points

Light Aura - 25 Points

Dark Aura - 75 Points

Instinct - 100 Points

Senses - 100 Points

Energy sensory - 0 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Battle Analysis 2


Swords 2


Strength of Will 2


Analysis 2


Stealth 2


Anti-Stealth 2

[Gen Shizuo]

OOC: Sorry for the late reply! I've been really busy. I'll still be slow, but I won't leave you waiting for 6 months again.

"You lie..." the Arrancar responded. He was in so much pain. How could this man not see it? How could he not see his devotion to his master, to Miss Asuka? How could he not see Gen and feel compassion enough to tell him where she had gone. Why did no one know where she had gone? "You must have seen her...Miss Asuka..." he continued. His voice came in whispers, soft, and echoey as a result of the dome mask which covered his head. Gen shuffled forward further. The Arrancar wanted him to stay away, but he would not leave until he knew where Miss Asuka was. Someone had to know.

The Arrancar named Gen was a tragic character. Since he had been born, he feared death. Since he had been born he feared losing his powers. That fear motivated him to remain sane while he was a Gillian. That fear motivated him to keep his mind amongst the multitude of souls that had compounded that Gillian body. That fear was what allowed him to survive after his birth as an Arrancar.

His fear, his fear was what drove him. He feared everything. Death was always lurking nearby. There was never any certainty as to when death would come for him! But, but Miss Asuka made him calm. With Miss Asuka, he did not have to fear. With Miss Asuka, he had become sane. Miss Asuka protected him, and loved him. She was his master and he was her Fraction. Miss Asuka..." Gen whispered to himself, lamenting on his missing master's fate. He wish she had taken him with her to wherever she had gone. Anger began welling up inside. Anger began welling up inside at his inability to find her. Anger welled up inside at his lack of knowledge of his master's whereabouts.

"Tell me!" Gen cried.

The Arrancar lashed out. Quickly, he withdrew those larges blades strapped to his back, blades which were attached to chains that wrapped around his arms underneath that baggy suit jacket. That was it's purpose, to hide the chains that wrapped around his arms. Gen withdrew those large blades and launched towards the Arrancar before him. He wanted answers! He wanted to know where Miss Asuka had gone. Why wouldn't this Arrancar tell him?! Why didn't he give him some information?!

Gen was moving towards Zegram, his body zigzagging from left to right as he approached at his full speed. With his senses, Zegram might have trouble keeping up with the Fraccion. His eyes would become confused and he would be unable to predict Gen's final location. Zigzagging, Gen pushed forward and launched the blade in his left hand towards Zegram's position, right at the other man's stomach. Had it been thrown at Zegram's head, the man could easily have ducked, but this was different. Zegram had to either side step the blade, leap back and find some way to knock it away, or leap over it. Yet, any of these options he chose were already being plotted by the Fraccion. Wherever Zegram ended up going, Gen would appear there. And when he appeared, watching out for any counters from Zegram, he would launch out of his zig zag, aiming a horizontal slash across Zegram's chest.

[Zegram]

"You lie..." Zegram knew that at this point the poor fool was so far gone that he will not listen to reason. He adjusted his fedora as well as his stance which would allow him to spring quickly to the side. "You must have seen her...Miss Asuka..." Zegram was starting to have enough. He thought himself fairly good natured as far as Arrancars went, but this one was starting to piss him off. "For the last time, I do not know or care where Asuka went!" "Tell me!" The odd arrancar charged Zegram moving in a zigzagging pattern. Though Zegram was not able to really fallow the arrancar's movements, he had enough of an idea to be able to act. 

Zegram leaped back out of the reach of his sword. Lucky for Zegram he was just slightly faster than the Arrancar before him. Zegram remained just out of reach of the first blade pulling his stomach back slightly to be sure. He saw the movement of the second arm aiming to land a slash at his chest. Zegram drew his own sword sliding it under the man's sword and pushing it up and away from his body pulling his head and chest back this time. Zegram could feel the strength of the arrancar exceeded his own. It wound be unwise to remain in front of him and try to trade blows with him. Even with Heiro he didn't want to drag this out too long. 

While the mad man would start to recover from change of direction of his sword, Zegram brought his hand up and fired a bala with his arm close to his body. The ball would fly swiftly aiming for center mass of the man's chest. At that close range, his opponent would need to use sonido to avoid eating the attack. Either way it would give him enough time to back off again. The farther he as able to get from the unstable individual, the better he was able to predict his movements, and be able to counter in some fashion. It seemed that this one favored erratic movements to confuse his opponent to create an opening. Zegram made a note of that waiting for the man to retaliate. 

Bala -50 3610/3660

[Gen Shizuo]

Got you!

Zegram was caught in Gen’s trap. Zegram was caught in Gen’s trap with no way to escape now. Zegram was caught in Gen’s trap now because he had not stepped back far enough. He had only leapt back and remained just out of reach. He had assumed he knew the full reach of Gen’s blade and had overlooked the chains attached to the end. With a quick movement of his arm, the blade continued even as Zegram leapt backwards to dodge it. It continued on even after Zegram stopped and pulled his stomach in. The blade would extend past Zegram’s initial calculation and slam into him as he landed from his leap. Unfortunately for Gen, the blade would not pierce Zegram because of his Hierro’s strength. No matter. That didn’t mean that it wouldn’t off balance Zegram as a result of the force behind the blade when it impacted him. Hierro blocked external physical damage. It didn’t stop the force from that blade impacting Zegram’s hardened skin.

At seeing his blade stop against Zegram’s hardened skin, disappoint appeared on the Arrancar’s face, but he continued anyway. His reiatsu was not powerful enough to cause Zegram harm, meaning that any physical strikes would not work. He could not cut Zegram up and cause him enough harm to make him reveal Miss Asuka’s location. Gen would have to resort to using reiatsu in order to harm Zegram. He would need to resort to use of his cero and bala as well as physical force. There were things the Arrancar could use to his advantage to overcome his opponent’s Hierro.

When Gen appeared before Zegram and slashed, the other Arrancar was able to deflect Gen’s attack despite his inferior strength. Zegram was able to deflect Gen’s slash and redirect it. A good move, on his part. But, Gen had been expecting some kind of counter. When his slash was redirected, Gen was already in motion. With a booming burst of sound, Gen disappeared from Zegram’s sight. Like that, Gen was gone. Zegram was expecting Gen to recover by pulling his blade back most likely. There might have been expectation of Gen to pull his blade back in order to attack again, but that had never been Gen’s plan. The Arrancar had instead planned to move when Zegram countered. And counter Zegram had.

Gen reappeared past Zegram, on his left side. Appearing there, he avoided the Bala Zegram had been aiming to push into Gen’s chest. Instead, Zegram would find himself on the receiving end of the very same technique. He pushed his free left hand towards the Arrancar’s head as he charged a green orb of reiatsu. With his mastery of the technique, the Bala’s charge was instantaneous as was its release. It would impact and explode against Zegram’s head as Gen pushed his hand towards the side of Zegram’s head. Of course, Hierro would save the other Arrancar from the burns caused by that explosion, but it wouldn’t protect from the concussive force of an explosion at such close range nor would it protect his left eye from the explosion of the Bala. Zegram was in quite a tough predicament. Having just been in the motion of releasing a Bala himself, how did he plan to escape? Gen was being quite unforgiving and aggressive, which was not his usual style. But, if Zegram chose not to give him an answer, he would make the other Arrancar suffer before asking again. Pain was always a good incentive and in order to find Miss Asuka, Gen would do whatever he needed to do.

Gen’s Remaining Reiatsu: 2000/2050 (-50 for Bala)