The Rogues: Grand World Express [PG13, NDE]

[Kento Waffles]

Quest Name:[/b] [The Rogues Part 2A - Grand World Express]

Who can participate?:[/b] [Garret The Wanderer, Kimiko Aimi]

Quest Time Frame (How long it takes):[/b] [1 year OOC, potentially up to two or three years IC]

Quest Setting (NDE/DE):[/b] [NDE]

Quest Synopsis:[/b] [Garret The Wanderer is a man consumed by his desire to fight in the never ending war against the Hollow menace. He is with very few friends, and very little remaining sentiment or remorse. Yet when he gave a young, nameless girl the opportunity to befriend him, he passed a test that opened him up to a much grander quest. A quest to find a young woman whose origins he does not know from a tower about which he knows nothing. And in doing so, he will lift his new companion's terrifying curse and gain one wish of his own.]

Maximum Number of Participants:[/b] [2 RPC participants]

Overall Goal:[/b] [Rescue the young woman at all costs!]

Number of missions involved:[/b] [15]

BASIC Synopsis of each Quest mission:[/b]

1. Grand World Express! - The wolf informed Garret that where he must go is in the outskirts of Soul Society's Rukon districts. Normally, one might try to reach Soul Society through a Senkai Gate from a regular Soul Reaper, or the aid of vagabonds and crafters who can open one themselves. But, no gate can open as far out as where Garret must go. Thus, he has been informed by the spirit of the wolf that he must travel to a spiritually inhabited island called Magna'a, where he will travel to the city of Amdurn to reach the Grand World Express, a special and mysterious train that can take its passengers anywhere for the right price. To get there, he arrives at hidden docks in Japan, known only to spirituals. He must barter his way for passage onto a boat to Magna'a with one of the many captains or fishermen on these docks. Kimiko Aimi, after being talked to by the wolf and convinced to help her friend Garret, is also here with him, as is the little girl, his new companion whose name he still does not know. Thus, he must find a way to get onboard a ship or boat here. 200 TP for completion.

2. Eyes of The Infinite Galaxies - Some worlds are entirely spiritual, as are their systems. They can be seen only by the spiritually aware, even when they are millions of miles away as stars. Thus, for spirituals, some parts of the world have grander constellations than the rest. The Eyes of The Infinite Galaxies is one such place, in an uncharted oceanic territory on the way. But! There are very odd storms here. Garret must aid the crew in surviving this storm. 150 TP for completion.

3. Magna'a - Arriving on the island, Garret must secure a guide to the city of Amdurn. Along the way, he will learn about difficulties in accessing the city and how to overcome them. More importantly, securing the guide in this small village he happens across may be more difficult than he imagined... 200 TP for completion.

4. Great Castle Hilza - On the exhausting road to Amdurn, Garret comes across a castle and is offered hospitality. But! Something is amiss, both on the road and in the castle. Regardless of choice, the truth will come out. 300 TP for completion.

5. Arrival at Amdurn! - The great industrial city of Amdurn! Arriving, however, reveals the price of boarding the train. Surely there are other ways?! If not, then that's all well and good. But if alternatives are required, then... How to obtain them? 400 TP for completion.

6. The Grand World Express, At Last! - Boarding the train may go off without a hitch, but troubles arise when criminals are involved in transport operations.. 300 TP for completion.

7. Soul Society! - Behold the outskirts of Soul Society, within which we find a village plagued by a different kind of monster. Is this village worth helping? And, going forward, is this the sort of monster that one should expect to encounter as a regular adversary? 500 TP for completion.

8. The Grand Imperial - Soul Reapers, this far from Seireitei?! But, they're somehow different... And, they bear a clue to finding the tower. But they need help. Or do they? 600 TP for completion.

9. The First Major Boss - 900 TP for completion.

10. Almost There... - With the hint obtained from the monstrosity, it's time to move forward to the Grand Imperial City of Arclight. But once arrived in this city, it's clear that they are too late... 1000 TP for completion.

11. The War Begins - Yet this isn't the party's war, so they must continue or fight. Either way, they must reach their destination in spite of all that is now happening. 1100 TP for completion.

12. The Tower of Deicide - At last, the tower. But, how to enter?! 1200 TP for completion.

13. Ascend The Tower!!!! - 1500 TP for completion.

14. The Final Boss - 2000 TP for completion.

15. Hard Choice To Make - Reward TBD.

Recommended Class for entry:[/b] [3+]

[RayginX]

You must reach the furthest outreaches of the Soul Society to find the girl. But know that no Shinigami can take you there, not even they who know the secrets to entering the Shingamis world. I shall spirit you to the east, to an island nation called Japan in this time. From there you will find a place, found only by ones like yourself, where men board boats to take to the sea, pushed forward by your instincts. You must reach the island of Magn'a, from there you will travel to the city of Amdurn to reach the Grand World Express. It shall take you to where you must go.

The endings of his black cloak fluttered in the intense ocean nation breeze, turning his form for a moment into something that resembled some morphic shadowing blob. With the dying down of the wind so to did the swinging of his fabric, as well as his footsteps. The swordsman with one eye and white hair, a mountain of meat covered in the multitude of scars from his battles, stopped upon that grassy gnoll as he looked out across the valley that begun as grass but ended in a body of water that stretched on pass the horizon. His eye settled on that massive center of blue, his eye softening for a moment as he looked on.

The Rogue remained still as his single gray eye looked out across the horizon, watching the rolling waves reflect the light of the evening sun. Even though his face remained stoic, uninterested and even just plain tired, the Rogue was actually awestruck. Never before had Garret seen the ocean. In the seven hundred years of his existence he had never seen a body of water so massive he couldn't see the end. He'd heard of the ocean like all have, listened to the stories about it, and even seen drawings of it when he was alive...but this was his first time seeing it. He'd never seen anything like it, and for the first time in his travels he was interested in the location he was visiting.

The swordsman blinked, not used to the salt in the air at all. He could feel his whole body stinging from the air, barely healed wounds reacting poorly to the ocean salt, causing his body to experience a very irritating amount of discomfort. But he could take it; it wasn't anything to the pain he's felt before. His hair blew gently in the forcing winds, the swordsmans nose picking up the scent of the sea again. It really was something. Looking out at it he almost felt like he was getting pulled in. But he didn't have the time to stand around and gaze.

Garret turned his gaze towards his backside, looking out at the evening sun. It hadn't reached the horizon yet but Garret knew that it wouldn't be long now before the sun would set and bring about the night and the monsters with it. A frown painted itself across his features as his gaze shifted downwards, to the small figure that stood behind him. A young child, a girl, that was the entire point of this trip. A child whose name Garret didn't even know yet. Looking at her, covered in dirt and bruises, Garret could easily see just how exhausted and in need of rest she was.

It had been two days now since Garret had met with the foul spirit that called itself Death. It gave him this goal, this chance to make something right for someone else. If Garret accomplished this mission then he could strip away this child's affliction, and receive a wish of his own. The child was like him. Someone with a curse. Hers wasn't like his, but it caused her own life to be full of hardships. For some reason he was moved by her plight and had chosen to assist her. But doing so meant that the child was meant to travel with him. Two days meant two nights. Two nights meant this child had to experience two of Garrets nightly battles. It had...taken its toll on them both. The child was exhausted, and Garret had been hurt more.

Even with the circumstances of her curse, Garret still, whether he liked it or not, went out of his way to protect her. Turning his gaze back down the valley, Garrets looked on to what looked to be a small town on the water. Something was pushing him towards that town and as such he was convinced that that was where he was supposed to go. But it was still miles away. Too many miles for him to make with her. Alone he could do it. But the girl was...in bad shape. "We'll make camp here. Get some rest...I'll find us something to eat."

The sun had dipped lower, halfway down the horizon, but Garret was preoccupied with his cooking. He sat beside the fire he had made, pulling out his cooking utensils as he prepared their meals. A frying pan, a small bottle of rum, and a rabbit stuck on a stick, two potatoes and a knife. Garret was quite as he worked, cutting the potatoes to pieces as he waited for the rabbit to drain itself. He was quiet as he worked, skinning the rabbit with a strong jaw and quick pull. "How's your leg?" Garret asked the small girl, referring to a portion of her leg below the knee that had been wrapped in bandages, something he directed her to do.

The traveling and life threatening battles against Hollows hadn't been easy for her. Garret had seen how difficult it had been for her to keep up with him. Lucky for her was that his curse made it hard for her to be found at night, considering how single minded the Hollows were in wanting him dead. Garret passed her a plate and fork, covered in sliced potatoes and pieces of rabbit meat. "Eat." Garret practically ordered as he shoved his dagger into his chunk of rabbit meat and plopped it into his mouth, fatty juices and grease slipping between his lips as he chewed on it. With no herbs, spices, or anything...it seemed odd that Garret could so easily eat something like that.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}
Strength - 400 Points = 800

Speed - 300 - Points

Spiritual Pressure - 300 - Points = 450

Reiatsu Strength - 100 - Points = 60

Light Aura - 20 - Points

Dark Aura - 80 - Points

Instinct - 150 - Points

Senses - 150 - Points = 112

Energy sensory - 0 - Points

Healing Expertise - 0 - Points

Total SP: 1400 Points

• [Weapons: Greatswords] {3}
  
  
• [Strength of Will] {3}
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {2}
  
  
• [Lack of Fear] {2}
  
  
• [Damage Recovery] {3}
  
  
• [Bleeding Tolerance] {2}
  

[Kento Waffles]

In a far away room dimly lit by ambient blue lights, masked by the hustle of people living ordinary lives and surrounding themselves with drinks, music, and companionship, there were stirrings which were the beginning of a story. Hanging over the beckoning amphitheater which whispered of fortune for those to perform on it, the balcony that overlooked the club had over a dozen seats, yet only two patrons sharing champagne with one another. While both were finely dressed men with their pompous, outright gaudy suits, one was bathed in blue light and sported a dark skinned complexion and black mustache, while the other's features could not be made out as he was bathed in the lightless shadows.

By the crackling fire, the young girl whose name had never been given looked up at Garret. She did not respond to his question at first, taking the plate and staring at it quietly. In two short days and two long nights she had become much as Garret had become. Already of somber mind, now she was also of somber body, with exhaustion weighing in on her. In a way it might be said that this was why Garret was doing this. To avoid another like him. After all, at a young age, her curse was still weak. What would happen when she was an adult? "It doesn't hurt anymore," the girl said. Images of a stray claw cutting into her leg one night could still be seen reflected in her eyes.

In a farm away room dimly lit by ambient blue lights and masked by the hustle of people living ordinary lives, a man masked in shadows started to speak. "You think that we threw away money here," he said. "But you're mistaken. This place is a hub of spiritual civilization... A nexus for the desperate. There's more to this place than financial value." The music was loud. The man with dark skin said nothing, only sitting there and watching the crowd below. There was a woman there who was alone at the bar, her beautiful ebony skin complimented perfectly by a low cut violet dress. In another life, one more normal, maybe he would have approached her... But not with this man next to him as his business partner.

The young girl was easily able to eat both the rabbit and potatoes, even with lack of seasoning. This wouldn't be surprising. How long had she been on her own before this? A child alone in a city, if she hadn't stolen then she had probably been forced to consume the leftovers in a dumpster. If that was the case, there was no telling what she had eaten in order to stay alive. She ate slowly, deliberately, trying to make the meal last as long as possible. She was famished, barely able to go on farther had they not stopped to set up camp. The warm fire this night would only be a temporary luxury, too. Soon, darkness would settle, and the monsters would come again.

"Think about your proud your aunt would have been," the man hidden in shadows said. "The profit you'll make from this place isn't something to scoff at. It's the only viable place in town for relaxing. And, if you do well in your other job here, then maybe my benefactor will be impressed too..." But the dark skinned man said nothing, his eyes reflecting the slow eulogy of the people below. He had grown up in a strange world that didn't seem to make any sense. Then again, who hadn't? But still today his deeds and what he had witnessed both weighed heavily on him. His great story however was only just beginning now. What would be eventful had yet to come.

Over by the crackling fire, night fell more steadily and the crescent moon was soon blotted out by clouds. The girl had been silently warming herself by the fire, her meal finished. The fire at once extinguished, not even a hint of smoke left behind. Over the next few minutes, as the girl took cover in a hiding place as she had been instructed, glowing red eyes started to appear all around. Garret would have noticed over the past couple of nights that as he drew closer to his destination, the number of them increased, so drawn were they to the tangible spiritual aura of his destination. And now, they were drawn to him. As if by routine, a large toothed mouth opened up behind Garret, hoping to clamp down on him and devour him whole.

[RayginX]

It was these quiet moments of peace that just didn't come often enough. Moments like these that gave Garret the time to rest and be at peace. He was quiet as he ate, pushing the cooked potatoes around along the surface of the skillet with his knife as he chewed on the meat in his mouth. With a hearty gulp the cooked rabbit slid down his throat, prompting the swordsman to take a drink from the canteen he carried. "That's good." Garret commented in response to her announcement on the status of her legs condition. If things got too bad they might have to make a run for the town, but from judging the distance between where they were and the two...it would still be a good few hours before they reached it. Garret could have travelled the distance needed in under an hour at full speed but only if he had been on his own.

Delivering a sliced potato to his mouth, Garret ate in silence as he thought over the events leading up to this and what had happened the past nights. Garret knew the child wouldn't be able to go on like this much longer. She needed to rest. Finishing his meal and cleaning the utensils, Garret rested by the fire as he waited for what inevitably would come. The sun would dip down behind the horizon, replaced by the rising moon. She dashed off to go hide, like she always did, when these began. He remained seated as the flames were put out, his eye shut as if he where asleep. Every moment that he could. Relax, rest, conserve his strength and steel his mind.

Sure enough, minutes after the night had begun, Garret could feel them. He felt the bloodlust, the hatred emitted from them, the pressure from all the accumulated and gathered reiatsu. How many tonight? Two dozen? Three? Somewhere. Right now it was just the basic Hollows, the weakest of the pack. They always appeared first, drawn in the easiest by his curse. It wouldn't be long before the Gillians came, and so forth. It always played out like that, very rarely being any different. Sometimes Arrancar appeared, but he hadn't seen one of those since Noriko had attacked him last. The swordsman sat in silence as the monsters surrounded him. One, controlled by the desires forced upon it by his Osen, made the first move that would begin this nights battle.

That mass came swinging through the air, pulling the very wind with it, and came crashing down upon the Hollows head. The weight of the weapon and the power behind his swing made short work of the first Hollow, turning the beasts head into little more than a gory puddle. Risen to his feet, that black cloak of his fluttering in the wind, the white haired swordsman stood to face the growing horde. His single eye opened wide, a flame burning within it as he looked out upon the thickening masses. They came crawling from the darkness, from the wounds they made in space. Like insects scurrying out from beneath furniture when the lights had switched off.

[smear:#FF0000]"I hate you! The smell it's the smell! So hungry! Why are you doing this to us! I hate you! Go to hell! I'll eat you! Rip him apart!"[/smear:#333333]

The swordsmans eye narrowed as he listened to their howls, the roars of monsters controlled by their hunger. He began to walk forward, deeper into the field and towards the approaching horde. Fueled by hatred, eh? On any other day I'd feel the same. But right now... Six Hollows, all of various sizes and forms, rushed at Garret at the same time. This was the issue with the base Hollows, they were so controlled by the forced desires of his Osen that they never implemented strategy. Rarely any abilities were used, they simply rushed in like savage beasts. His teeth ground together, muscles in his body tightening and tensing up, that sword of such great size swung through the air from his left. Without ever stopping, without ever halting until it reached the end of its swing, that weapon Garret called a sword cleaved so easily through six Hollows. Their forms split in two, bodies erupting with fountains of blood that sprayed into the night air. I don't have the time to deal with you. I'm in a hurry. My destination is only a few steps away. With a roar he charged and leapt into the fray.

"So get out of my way!!"

Alright. Gonna wait for Kimiko to post before I post again. Also worth mentioning is the thread can be invaded now by Hollows and Arrancar Class 2 and lower.

[Kimiko Aimi]

Some time long passed that she departed from the Rogue she met a while back. A man conflicted with night of horrors that continued to plague his existence with each day that passed. The man who symbolized as a beacon for those souls who desired to fill themselves. Hollows, that was the name that they were given. Hollows were the demons that she encountered many of times during her lifespan as the daughter of Aimi. During such time Kimiko used her abilities to help give their wary souls some manner of peace. She has done so over the centuries as she has done for those souls who sought out the light, including the humans who were being plagued. Garret being one of those unfortunate souls that desired to remain alone, but sought help inside.

After fulfilling the summons from the Liberis the Japanese woman ventured to seek out the Rogue once more. She knew the task itself would prove daunting. In order to locate a single soul throughout the world that they resided in, time would be the only factor. Either for the man to fall, or her to being able to find him. Nevertheless, she will find him, because the reason for someone being able to gather many lost souls to them wouldn't be difficult to find. At least that is what she thought.

Among the places she sought the Rogue was the last place that she departed from him. Back in the woods where she made her stand with him did the Failure search. Remnants of the ice palace that she forged during the time had been reduced to a mere snow, now only covering the grass with its glistening white coating. The Failure believed that the location may have had some clue as to which direction he would have taken, but nothing. At least until a messenger came to notify her. The creature spoke of Garret, including his whereabouts and his circumstances. Like her the man had undergone many challenges. Many of those times she couldn't help. But now she could.

Kimiko took her leave to where the Wolf spoke of, hoping to catch the man before he fell prey to himself once more. The journey was long and tedious. Over the mountains and the seas Kimiko ventured towards the specified location that the Wolf gave to her. The sea. Its untainted shimmering only rivaled the bright hue that engulfed the Failure's eyes. Those eyes that have seen such sights before back at her home of Japan. Land of the rising sun. A land in which she left for some time. Her home. Her flood cloaked her figure as she reminisced of the days of old. Almost as if it was consoling the Failure with its embrace.

The time that has passed meant little to someone such as her. The only concern that came to mind was how far her power would expand. She knew that strength had not reached its pinnacle. Her body emitted a soft light, making her skin radiate as if she were a heavenly being. Her eyes reflected the immense power that her sensitive body possessed within it. Luckily for her it wasn't cracking under its pressure yet. She knew if her body remained intact then she was safe for the time being. At least for now. The light of the evening sun began to die, and with it the shadows emerged to play. She had to hurry.

Past the shadows that the trees made up did the Failure push on. Already the sun was put to rest and Hollows would soon come. Kimiko's ability to track spirits was beyond anyone she knew. It expanded a great length of distance when she focused. Her energy sensory spoke. It alerted to what dangers were lurking in the shadows, and to where their focus was drawn to. Garret Kimiko had to hurry. She pushed on to that of a sprint with her flood creating a smooth path towards her destination.

The Earth rumbled. An unnatural occurrence in the land. One of their kind was present. Its aura exact to one of their kind, one that she encountered before. A Hollow, but, an irregular. Judging from the vibrations from the ground the creature's size was extraordinary. Kimiko had no knowledge as to the ranks of the Hollows. How one would evolve from its beginning phase as a Hollow to that of the Menos'. Each one evolving to something greater than it was before after a long tedious journey. A journey that wrecked destruction on the lives of those that they encountered. An Adjuchas, then to Vasto Lordes. Although this one's spiritual attributes were not on par to what she fought against before, its lust to feed was beyond those she felt before.

The vibrations were closer in sequence, it was close. Behind the veil of the trees it revealed itself. White fangs drawn from the cover of the darkness that fell upon them the beast easily towered over the Failure. Three times her size? Quite possibly, or even more. She didn't know. All she knew that she was staring at the beast that was known to be an Adjuchas. Its shape resembled that of the ancient tyrant lizard, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. The shape retained much of the beast, but there were subtle changes to its body that suggested otherwise. The two traded glances. Only for a few moments before its head was lured away to face into the shadows that resided behind her. Kimiko could tell what the beast was directed towards.

Whatever it was its mentality spiraled in and out of its own grip. As if struggling to maintain its own thought process the creature's mind was at war with itself. The Hollow was conflicted. Angry, starving, and yet entranced, the beast fought against itself to will its body back into control. That was what Kimiko could pick up on from her superior level in Energy Sensory. Her presence didn't matter to the Hollow as it was drawn to what all the Hollows were here for. Garret. A single heavy step to the side and the beast was already pulling back its jaw in route to her fellow wanderer. "Stop!" Kimiko called out stepping in front of the beast. What thoughts pushed the woman to do so?

From its spirit she could tell that the Hollow was different. In some way the creature retained some form of thought process. Perhaps some means that Kimiko could communicate with. For what may have been an impossible task the Failure believed that it could have been saved. That was the idea. Kimiko knew what it wanted, what it sought out, but, "I know why you are here, and it will not help you." Her flood danced before her heels, creating a thick layer of fog lingering over her ankles. "Think about it for a moment. Would pursuing this end will bring you the peace that you seek?"

Beneath layers of corruption remained what was once human. She saw it. Fragments that have been shift around. The beast was once a warrior. Some manner of morale what was assumed to be honor. "If there is anything that remains of that warrior, to seek a challenge, then why not muster the strength to fight what lies dormant inside you." She was challenging the creature. For it to push past the influence of Garret's curse, and its own desire to feed on him. "If you really are strong, the King of Beasts, then prove to the world that you are. Prove to them that you are a King." she said. Beyond that it's thoughts were blended together. She couldn't make out what it was thinking. All of its thoughts were, jumbled. All she knew that she had to reach Garret before things turned for the worst.

The Failure charged onwards casting her Flood ahead of her. Ahead she could feel the creatures of the night falling over the man's position. Thus, a flick of her did the mist rise to connect the beads of moisture together, forming a thick wall of ice to divide those coming from what seemed to be Garret's side. She could only hope that she would make it in time. "Garret, are you there?"

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats/Skills}

Prodigy Version 2 - Lvl 1 - Points

Strength - 120 - 2/3 deduction[40]

Speed - 240

Spiritual Pressure - 240

Reiatsu Strength - [X - 1050 due to Failure Class 2] - [1575]

Light Aura - 100

Dark Aura - 0

Instinct - 120 - [40]

Senses - 100

Energy sensory - 280 - [420]

Healing Expertise - 100 - [33]


1. [Fighting Style - Aikido] {3}

2. [Weapon - Bow/Arrow] {2}

3. [Acrobatics] {3}

4. [Acting] {2}

5. [Charisma] {2}

6. [Mental Incantation] {3}

SKP = 15

[Adrastos]

OOC: Was given permission to invade and to stay.

It called to him once more. That insatiable fever that loomed over him beckoned to his spirit once more. It seared his core. Tugging his very being to the source beyond the sands of Hueco Mundo. He felt it, just as it beckoned to him before. Back into the unknown. Back into the splitting void that all the Hollows ventured through to reach to what the delicious source. His mind felt heavy. Never did this fragrance effected him to this extent. The King of Beasts for once felt compelled to follow. What remained of his human mind ceased, eaten away by the hunger that was the Hollow he had become. Into the void and out onto the world he came.

Those that came before him moved on. Adrastos was a spirit of pride and hunger. A hunger that compelled his entire being to fight, to grow, and to conquer. Never before did the beast know defeat. At least not until he encountered a Shinigami that donned the black armor. It spoke of not siding with the people in black shrouds, but he could not be fooled. The scent was strong on the human. The only difference between him and they was the method of operation. This one fought alone while the Shinigami fought in groups. Glorious was their battle. Blow for blow, flesh against flesh, bone against metal. Such were the days of old that Adrastos wished for to be brought back to the present time. Long did he yearn for such confrontations. And though little did he hope for such a memory to return he frowned. Not many could contend with him, so what he thought.

After the confrontation with the man the beast was hauled away against his will. For a Spartan to retreat meant for him to carry on a shame greater than that of a long life. An embarrassment is what his fellow Spartans would refer to him as. The Hollow's mask retained the results of their confrontation. A deep gash down the socket of his eye, the scabs of his wounds still healing, and the muscles of his burnt arm soothing once more with feeling. But not of that mattered, the beast was hungry, and its yearning triumphed over that of his instinct to win. At least, so he thought of at the time.

The air around him was cold. The hints of frost nipped at his exposed flesh, tickling the nerves that lied beneath. From where did the chill originate from? "Stop." A voice came from below. It called to him from beyond the void that nursed his bestial instincts. What called out to him was a woman. A woman cloaked in a veil of blue light. This woman, this being was where the chill came from. He didn't know how or why. And it didn't interest him. At least what would have suffice the King of Beasts. Before he would have engaged the woman. With a tremendous power that this individual wielded, his warrior's spirit would have been more than pleased to challenge her. Whatever she was blind what little sensory he had.

Adrastos stared the woman down as she spoke. Help? Peace? He knew nothing of such words, and neither did the beast within. Though, it did raise a question. Did the woman know why the King of Beast was there for? Did she know what ailed him so? Beyond that her words meant little to him. None did except for the mention of "King." Adrastos is a King. The King of Beasts. His strength knew no equal. "If you really are strong, the King of Beasts, then prove to the world that you are. Prove to them that you are a King." His spirit cried out. How dare this feeble woman challenge his strength. Adrastos knew no equal. The strength that this Adjuchas possessed was beyond any other that he has encountered, and will ever encounter.

Before the Adjuchas could declare his frustration the woman took her leave. Away to the place that called to him. The place in which his hunger beckoned to him to follow. Huh? His hunger wanted him to follow? Did it really rule him? For once the beast questioned if the hunger was his own, or that of what the beast he came desired. Was he a pawn of his own desires? Spartans never once questioned this loyalty to their cause or to their laws. They followed with deadly precision and with the up most confidence. From what he knew, following his instincts was natural. But this time, this time things were different. Like a faint whisper the alluring scent called to him. It sought him out just as he sought it out. No. No. NO. NOO. NOO!. NO!

The beast charged. Jaws lashing out at the trees and frost that covered the ground. He was hungry. This Hollow wanted a war. As if a storm had been called upon the Hollow ravaged the Earth to make way for the appointed King of all monsters. The last of the bark torn away and the small camp fire was brought into view. His jaws torn open. Talons curled around. And there a shoulder would be found. And it was not of the human who had called him there. But the shoulder of the beast that sought to devour him. Ramming into the night stalker that remained dormant beyond the 6 bloodied bodies. Adrastos was no slave. He was a warrior. A King. And nothing was going to control him.

1 Hollow Eaten/Class: 2-3 (Class unknown, will leave it to Dungeon Master)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats - Skills}

Strength - 400 *[150%] = [1000]
Speed - 200 [50%] = [ 100]
Spiritual Pressure - 200 [50%] = [100]
Reiatsu Strength - 150 [50%] = [75]
Light Aura - 20
Dark Aura - 80
Instinct - 100
Senses - 200
Energy sensory - 50
Healing Expertise - 0

SP Total = 1300

1. Battle Skill - Intimidation - [3]

2. Battle Skill - Pain Tolerance - [3]

3. Mind Skill - Strength of Will - [3]

4. Mind Skill - Battle Focus - [2]

5. Body Skill - Poison Resistance - [2]

6. Mental Skill - Lack of Fear - [2]

7. Utility Skill - Charisma/Leadership - [1]

[RayginX]

"Huraaaaaaagh!"

His roar filled the valley, mixing together with the starved howls of the monsters that he fought. The night was still young and yet there were so many. So many more than he had anticipated, that was for sure. He'd noticed that in these last few nights that he had spent with the cursed child the number of Hollows that arrived were increasing. Their numbers had nearly tripled from what he dealt with on an average night. They continued to pour in from the scars they left in the air, crawling out from whatever dark world it was they came from. It seemed that for every one that Garret cut down another two rose up to take its place. The night was still young, so the Adjuchas hadn't arrived yet. They were slower to show themselves and Garret didn't understand why. Regardless, he wondered why it was that there were so many more Hollows than usual.

What could it have been? Had his Osen jumped in power again? Was travelling with another like him causing some sort of chain reaction? Or did that port side town have something to do with it? Questions. Important questions that Garret didn't have the time, or focus, to dwell on. That weapon he wielded, the weapon he called a sword, found itself imbedded in the destroyed skull of an ape like Hollow. Planting his foot on the base of the beast he pulled his sword out, resting it on his shoulder as he gazed out at the growing horde. With his teeth grinding themselves together he was beginning to find it difficult to keep his rage in check. Seeing these monsters. Fighting these monsters. He was beginning to slip. That fire was beginning to burn inside of him, that black flame of hatred, and if he did not keep it in check he risked being consumed.

From over his right shoulder he swung that weapon, cleaving right through the exposed knee cap of a Hollow trying to advance. The beast let out a screech of pain before tumbling down, but as if it did not feel pain it lunged yet again. Over his head and downwards came that sword, bolstered by his strength, its weight, and his new found speed. Crashing down it came onto the Hollows mask, the swordsman not taking the moment to pause as he quickly scaled the Hollow as if it were a small hill. Leaping from it he landed upon the back of another Hollow, its head turning like an owls towards him and neck stretching like a turtles to snap at him. Garret leapt off of this one, teeth clamping down right where he had been. He landed in a clearing, in a ring of the creatures, and soon enough they came crashing down upon him.

I can feel him

His form was becoming more and more drenched in the blood of the fallen monsters. White hair was beginning to turn red, and blood that was not his dripped off of his form. He sunk his blade into the earth, using it as support as he took the few moments to he had to catch his breath. A mound of corpses surrounded him, the basic Hollows being little more than nuisances rather than actual threats. Rarely could they get through his defenses provided to him by his superhuman Strength, and his reiatsu based Cutback, and barely any could withstand his assault. The basic Hollows were too consumed by his Osens influence to use basic strategy or whatever abilities they possessed. The stronger the Hollow, the more it was able to control itself it seemed.

He's looking for a chance to slip free

He heard the roar, followed by the sound of something heavy smashing itself into the earth. Garret turned with haste, witnessing the Menos Grande rising up to its full height. The towering behemoth opened its mouth and let out that signature wail before a glowing red light came into existence between those jaws. Cero! Garret clenched his jaws together, bringing his sword around and aiming it behind him. Muscles tensed up, bulging beneath the surface of his skin as he readied himself. The light exploded into a wide red beam, rocketing towards Garret with the intent of vaporizing him. Garret roared and swung, his weapon dragging the very earth and air behind it as it was swung at full force and speed. What looked to be a blast of air was released at the middle of the swing, creating a deafening thunder like sound as it soared right into the Cero.

The red beams tip exploded as if it collided with something, before the sight of the impact began to travel up the beam right towards the Menos Grandes head. The wave of force, and Cero, exploded with devastating effect into the Gillians face, causing it to buckle backwards. Its mask shattered, blood gushing out from its injuries, the Gillian at least didn't have to wait long for the end. The swordsman appeared in the air above it, sword held high above his head as he came down and swung, carving his weapon right through the towering Hollows head. The beast collapsed, and Garret followed it down. Landing on its corpse he took a breath, aiming his head towards the sky. His breath was rough like an animals, his face stained in red. Raising his hand he wiped it along his skin, trying to clean the blood off of him, especially around his one good eye.

You're not getting out. I'm the one who controls the reigns, not you.

The pressure building in him was reaching the limit of what could be tolerated. It had been happening more and more lately. He was more prone to losing himself to the power inside him more often now than he had been before. Luckily he'd been able to keep it under control, and hadn't used the power for quite some time now. His feet kicked off the blood soaked earth, speeding him towards the next group of Hollows that were coming. His eye filled with rage, Garret was ready to lose himself to the blood bath. As his sword came down with enough intensity to level a building, something happened he didn't expect. An explosion of light and color as something formed in his path, in his swords path. The weapon slammed itself into the structure, causing a series of cracks to form covering nearly sixty percent of its surface. A wall of some sort, a chill emitting off of it along with flakes of snow and frost. Garret blinked, his eye widened as it took him a moment to realize the wall was made of...ice. A cold mist began to surround his ankles as well.

"No.." Garret stammered out, pulling his sword back from the wall. "Garret, are you there?" That voice called to him. The swordsman turned in its direction, staring the woman he hadn't seen for quite some time right in the eye. The woman, the only woman, he would have called an ally. "Kimiko..?" He questioned, as if what he was seeing before his eye wasn't real. In these circumstances he couldn't know if his vision could be trusted. The Hollows slammed themselves against Kimikos ice wall, trying to get past and to get to Garret. The man stood there, staring at maiden who was, for all intents and purposes, seemingly pure. And him being covered head to toe in thick, red, blood. But their reunion was cut short, and his attempt to approach her was as well, when out of the woods barreled the King of Beasts.

The Rogue turned his gaze towards Adrastos, whom proceeded to chop down, loudly, on a Hollow preparing to get the jump on the swordsman. Whatever positive emotions Garret was feeling seeing Kimiko were instantly burnt out by the explosive rage that suddenly burst forth within him. Because seeing Adrastos again instantly made Garret remember that Arrancar who he was with. And if he was here...did that mean she was again. Garret roared, at Adrastos, and immediately charged for the dinosaurian Hollow with all his hate and anger directed at him. He didn't even register that Adrastos attacked another Hollow and not him...all Garret saw was another Hollow and one that had gotten away from him and had sided with someone he called an enemy. Not this time. Garret wouldn't let him escape this time.

[Kimiko Aimi]

The night matched what she was capable of remembering that night. The cries of mad beasts turning faint in the background with her heart beating against her chest. Drops of sweat reaching down the collar that remained cooled by the mist protruding off her body. A splash of her mist towards her left forged a wall of protection against the creatures that sought to do her harm. Heavy and mindless the Hollows crashed into the ice made wall and were quickly stuck. Like glue the beasts were caught in the cold and were being frozen over. Their masked faces frozen in place by the dry ice that was reinforced by the coming chill of the night.

Another sway of the hand shot out a barrier of ice from beneath her feet. The mist danced and fizzled in the air to solidify and connect the particles in the air to forge her ice. She kept the beasts at a distance while immobilizing them at the same time. This was very similar to the other night she spent with Garret. One by one the creatures became still, running rampant against the wall that she built to separate herself from them. Hollows of all ranges were ensnared by the ice, by her Flood. Either their bodies became still from the chilling air or stuck in place by the crystal white ice that her flood was able to manifest. Still, it didn't prevent the beasts from snapping at the ice to free themselves. She was safe, but, that didn't mean the same for her companions.

The Adjuchas that she met with before reaching her companion entered the scene. Like a storm the Hollow tore through the forest and rampaged onto another Hollow that charged at the Rogue. She found herself surprised, that the previous sense she had of the creature was nearly spot on. A small push against its sense of pride caused the beast to regain what little consciousness it may have had. From her previous experiences Hollows were driven by their natural instinct to feed and grow. Some of those Hollows possessed a level of self-awareness that enabled them to think and develop themselves further. Perhaps a means to rediscovering who they were? Or perhaps to regain what they've lost.

This Hollow was like them. During her wandering she slowly began to peel away the mysteries behind the Hollows. Poor souls who lost themselves and were enveloped by the darkness. The sound of chains still rung in her ears. The cries of a man who remained lingering between the light and darkness, trapped by the despair that he kept inside himself. By one way or another Hollows were forged by the pain and suffering that they experienced. And in some ways Garret was the same. His curse manifested itself by his suffering. The Failure didn't probe too much into the man's past, but from what he did reveal, and from a minor search, she knew that it was a horrendous moment that served as a catalyst.

Two beings brought together by their own suffering. Two beings she saw that needed help. Both proud and powerful in their own respect, but there was an issue. One who despised the masked beings, and another who was drawn by the alluring aroma that a curse emitted. Two beings who were driven by their instincts to destroy one another without much thought. So, it didn't surprise the Priestess when Garret saw the beast and decided to attack him. She felt it. She felt Garret's desire to destroy the Adjuchas. Both mind and soul became fierce, driven to maul the Hollow into bloody shreds. Kimiko couldn't allow that. She couldn't allow two beings to fight each other when there are already so many after them.

Wave after wave did the Hollows continued to push. Their jaws and fangs colliding with one another as they ran over each other to feed their hungry bellies. It was though she were viewing a Tsunami overlapping itself. Humans that became nothing more than hungry husks seeking to fill themselves. By normal means Kimiko knew that she will intercept the man in time. She had no choice. A burst of wind from pushing off from the ground below her. Everything seemed to have stilled for the moment as her scene changed into the man charging at her with his blade drawn, seeking to drive it through her and into the tyrant lizard. She had to put a stop to it. Sonido was a technique that helped to close the gap between herself and the space that parted the two. But alone it wouldn't be enough.

As her technique helped carry her fragile body to the new position her Flood followed close behind. Its influence never faltering in casting its trail of frozen spikes in her wake, even when she came to a complete stop. It was only have her mental command that the mist erupt beneath her to forge a wall between the beast and her companion. The glacier shot forth to prevent Garret's blade from landing, while at the same time, keeping the Adjuchas from turning its might onto the man. "Garret stop." she said behind her cover of ice. Too many. Too many spirits to keep track of. Besides from the Adjuchas behind her there were many others. Her ice wall managed to capture a Hollow in its act to pierce her. Its tail frozen in place by the mist that caressed it. "Damn." Merely inches away from her ribs.

Blue was the ground. A chilling sensation covering its natural warmth by the flood that reigned over the woman's existence. It left her to spread its influence to those distant from her, hoping to still their enemy's advance. "Listen, I do not have time to explain now, but rest assured that the Hollow before us here is here for another reason. Another reason beyond of what you think." She didn't have time to continue with separating the two. She could hope that they didn't continue to prey on her sense of peace. She couldn't afford it at the time. She had to keep herself from harm. For now her power surged to call on the Hollows. To have them turned their attention towards her to have the warriors focus on ridding them of their uninvited guests.

Reiatsu Remaining: 2300/2400 : -100 Sonido

[Adrastos]

(OOC: Apologies for the small post, tired.)

Its warmth filled the gap that was left empty for a long while. Hunger fueled him, it drove him. It pushed the Spartan's spirit to the ends of his own sanity. It was hungry, but it too was a foe that he must overcome. And what better means to do so against foes that craved the same destruction that he desired. And that was why... RRRAAAGGHHHHHHH! Its cry resonated along the trees that surrounded them before falling beneath the noise of the other creatures around them. Its throat torn from its placement on the body. The King of Beast grounded the measly portion of bone and flesh against its jagged fangs to only turn its attention to another beast that dared to brush past him. No one was able to brush past him for something else, no one. Down over its scalp did his fangs crunch into, hauling his catch down towards the floor to be turned into mulch for his stomach.

Adrastos had little time to savor the taste of another one of his kind, as the Rogue that he quarreled before darted towards him. The same human that dared to oppose his strength yet again. Despite being lured by his curse, it wasn't his flesh that he craved. Not this time. Despite their history together, the Adjuchas had no interest in him. However, to show the man who was superior in terms of power was something that Adrastos would happily oblige. Lips rolled back and neck jerking his head into position, the beast charged. How much he would want to savor that taste of human flesh that wronged him so. At least until the chill returned. Like the spears of the Persian army ice sprouted forth to push his figure back.

A chill that the beast had not known before. From his entire existence there has never been an occurrence such as this before. Like before his nostrils were filled with the unknown fragrance of ice. And just below, there she stood. A single woman, veiled in a hue of azure light, stood before him and bartered his path towards the man. It was from her aura that the beast was swayed in pursuing his advancement on the Rogue spirit. If he had to put into words, then it would have been an impossible task. Not that the issue was with his speech impairment, but to the level of strength that this woman wielded. Unlike those that came before, the immense aura was undaunted by his level of physical strength. It was.. impossible.

The razor edge of the ice prevented the beast from charging any further, as it had done so with few of the Hollows around him. Unfortunately, they were not as lucky as he was. A single Hollow to his side actually dared to push itself onto the woman's position, only to be captured in that veil of azure mist. Its body ensnared by its alluring beauty. But no longer, as Adrastos helped himself to its flailing body. So, there was someone whose strength surpassed his own. No, it was impossible. Adrastos was the King of Beasts. No one matched his power. The mere thought of it was laughable. But, all the more challenging as well.

His strength was unmatched. Adrastos sprung into action once more, forgetting the humans that fought behind the wall of ice. Forcing his wall through the horde the Adjuchas shoved through the numbers lashing his head and tail about. Both weight and power could have remained unmatched should they have been weaker than he was. All the more opportunities to eat. Using his head the creature tucked himself beneath the belly of a fellow Adjuchas, flipping it over onto its back. That tail of his wailing about from behind, scoring a piercing blow through the chest cavity of a regular Hollow. Only to press its leaking body over the Adjuchas, and to be slashed through by the series of teeth that came down through the two. Then, another crunch was made when the jaw snapped shut. There was still more that he wanted. More food to fill his belly with.

3 Hollows Eaten
1 Adjuchas

[Kento Waffles]

Open with this sound effect

The Emptiness Can Not Be Overcome

The blackened scars of the darkness could only grow more numerous. More creatures would only continue to appear. The woes and despairs of the meek were infinite, and there was never an end to those whose souls found emptiness and became the beast that could only be called... Hollows. Tonight was a night unlike any other, where Garret was facing more and more, an infinite onslaught. Unlike other nights which felt like waves of enemies had still had an end somewhere. This was different. Just how many Hollows had Garret killed now? Hundreds? Thousands? The answer was not enough. Nothing he did on his own was enough to beat back their numbers, to make even the smallest dent in their population.

An entire military comprised of thousands existed to prevent these Hollows from flooding the world. Were it not for those Soul Reapers, the Hollow population would grow too rapidly. Just keeping it at par required the dedication of an army. Even then, the job could only grow more difficult. Human world technologies that allowed prosperity, longevity, and a larger human population than any other time in history had coalesced into a world where millions died and millions were born each year. Out of that, millions of Hollows could form. Tonight Garret would start to feel his weariness and years as they sought to crush him and his bones creaked. Tonight Kimiko would see him pushed farther than ever before. Tonight Adrastos would learn the nature of power.

Rips in the fabric of space continued to form, but they were slowing down. Adrastos could only eat so many of his kin, and Garret could only kill so many. Kimiko could only halt so many. Some, surprisingly, did have the strength of will to heed her and to eat their own kind instead of Garret, trying to resist the pain that he caused them just by existing. Yet, what slowed them down was not their being killed by Adrastos or Garret, or even by Kimiko for those who crossed her. Instead, it was because something happened tonight that had never happened before. A huge Garganta tore open, surrounded by electricity and powerful spiritual particles, and something new stepped out.

A monster with a white body on four legs crawled forth with glowing red eyes. Yet it was no ordinary beast. Its mask, unlike the other Hollows, had a massive crack in it. Every time it opened its mouth, the crack widened. And, unlike the others, it had a very special power. Just by opening its mouth once, the monster absorbed dozens of its kin like a vacuum and pulled them in, devouring them all at once. This four legged creature was huge, easily bigger than two Gillian together. Still it crawled forwards, mask forming more and more cracks as steam poured off its body. At last, its efforts culminated in something unbelievable.

Its mask shattered. An explosion of light ripped through the blackness of the long night, and when it dissipated there would be seen a humanoid form. It stood about as tall as Garret, but leaner, thinner. Its skinny arms were covered in metal, as was its chest and legs. Its mask was silver, and continued to have glowing red eyes. Looking at itself, it started to muse. My body is... metal...? I am... Vasto? But then why am I... so hungry....?[/b][/u] They had witnessed a new Vasto Lorde forming. Now the strongest incarnation of a regular Hollow had appeared, and it started to drag itself toward Adrastos, Garret, and Kimiko, detecting their potent scents, poisoned into hunger and lust by Garret's Osen.

I think I need to... eat youuuu....[/b][/u] The skeletal monster's labored breathing was the most chilling sound that night as it approached them, now bipedal, and held out one of its arms. A red light seemed to appear, and then came toward Garret while the monster looked curiously at its own arm. It seemed not to understand yet the concept of launching a Cero like that, probably being used to such an attack coming from its own mouth. And now it was being filled with possibilities. It could fire more than one Cero at once. It could move more swiftly. It could use weapons. Many options had arrived for this newly born Vasto Lorde. And its first priority was a good meal.

OOC: Adrastos unclassed eaten will be considered classes 5 (for regular Hollows) and 2 (for Adjuchas).

[RayginX]

So many. So god damned many. How many did he cut down? Why was there no pause? Why did it seem like Garret was fighting the very ocean only a few miles away? Why did it seem that the flood of Hollows would not stop? Whose blood covered him more? His or theirs? How many injuries did he have? Nothing serious. Scratches and slashes littered his form that were deep enough to draw blood but too shallow to be dangerous. Slips in his concentration caused them. He couldn't react to every Hollow. He couldn't anticipate every claw. Some of them were able to get through his cutback defense, possessing enough Spiritual Pressure to meet his flesh with their claws. His jaws found themselves locked together as he fought. All he could do was fight. Was his sword weightless? Was it heavy? He couldn't tell. It felt like air when it swung, but felt like he was lifting the world itself when it stopped. Each time he swung another Hollow fell, reduced to a mound of gore, but it seemed like two would rise to take its place.

His eye widened at the sudden wall of ice that interrupted his charge. Why was she stopping him? The Hollow that had allied itself with the Arrancar he had sworn to kill was only a few feet away. Only a few steps from being cut by him. Why did she stop him? "Listen, I do not have time to explain now, but rest assured that the Hollow before us here is here for another reason. Another reason beyond of what you think." Was what she said. What reason could there be? Hollows ate, shat, and ate more. There was no reason for it being here except to eat him. To kill him. Lured in by his curse like so many others. Maybe it was here alone. Maybe Noriko hadn't appeared. Surely she would have appeared by now. Garret had looked at Kimiko. The gaze he gave her was one filled to the brim with confusion. Why was she defending a Hollow?

It wasn't safe here. It wasn't safe for Kimiko and the child. Garret had noticed it. He had noticed it plenty of times. How close she was coming to being hit. How closed she was coming to being penetrated. Garret did what he could to keep the Hollows off of her. He was louder, faster, larger, and being so allowed him to keep more of the Hollows to himself and off of her. Was he even in control anymore? Was Garret even having conscious thoughts? Was everything he did based on instinct, controlled unconsciously by his muscles, or was he being directed by something darker? Garret roared, his sword coming down between the fingers of that reaching hand, the ape like creature roaring in pain as it thrust its other hand at the swordsman. He spun, ripping his sword free and sliding between the damaged hand and attacking fist, bringing the sword into a thrust assisted by him using his Strength to jump. His sword met its target, sliding easily into the Hollows mask and ending its existence.

How much more? How much longer? Garret lost track of time. He winced, sucking in air between his teeth as he felt something akin to a whips lash slice through the flesh of his back. As Garret turned he blinked in surprise, seeing the dumpling shaped monstrosity being devoured by the Adjucha he had sworn to kill. Later He would kill him latter. Let Adrastos have his last meal. Let him stuff himself to the brim. Too much going on right now for him to care. Was Kimiko okay? Was the child okay? She had to be. If a Hollow got to curious, if it found her, it would have expired upon touching her.

And then things changed. Garrets eye widened as he witnessed the Garganta open with such a spectacular display. What was happening now? Garret remained still, breathing heavily to catch his breath, as he watched the abomination that hid in the darkness reveal itself. It was big. Why was it so big? He watched in breathless silence as the beast with a damaged mask consumed multitudes of other Hollows so easily. A red stained bandaged hand tightened its fingers around the grip of his sword, lifting it onto the swordsman shoulder as he watched. He watched as that masks crack spread along the entirety of its surface, and quickly shielded his eye from the explosion of light. Once it had died down he lowered his arm, looking to where he had last seen the creature only to find something...new. Something that Garret recognized immediately.

My body is... metal...? I am... Vasto? But then why am I... so hungry....?

"AAAAAAAAHHH!"

Garret roared, rushing forward at the maximum speed that his body could put out. Like the wind he flew down that valley, sword drawn back and cloak fluttering in the wind. [smear:810541]Kill it! Kill it before it becomes used to that new body! Destroy it quickly! Rip it apart! Devour it![/smear:F62817] Garret kicked with his left leg, side stepping clear of the oncoming beam of crimson light with ease. Garret suddenly vanished, leaving a patch of exploding earth where he once was as he reappered in that same instant behind the left shoulder of the Vastos. He came out in a spin, his massive weapon coming around his left shoulder on a collison course with the Hollow, seeking to destroy it in one hit. The very air was pulled by Garrets weapon, surrounding it a destructive force that would explode outwards at the end of the swing. He wasn't going to give this Hollow time to adjust, he wasn't going to give it time to prepare. He was going to destroy it now.

Remaining Reiatsu: 4475 / 4500
-25 for Shunpo

[Kento Waffles]

DO NOT DEFY THE DARK

You see it all the time. It inevitably happens to everyone. One day it will also come for you. The exhaustion... The unsettling creak of worn out bones, of overworked muscles... Athletes experience it more quickly than most. After years of giving their blood, sweat and tears, their very all, and their very soul, they find themselves becoming slower. Bit by bit. First half a second slower. And then a full second. And then two or three. It comes to all of us. For warriors, in their relentless pursuit of battle, it comes faster than for anyone. How many years now had Garret been fighting off Hollows from his curse...? How long had his war been? How many Hollows had he slain?

It should be setting in now after this night, likely the longest in memory. The exhaustion. Superficial wounds they were, those that covered Garret. Only, he was covered in them every night because of how many enemies he came across. How much blood was his and how much blood was not? More importantly, he was never given time to rest, time to heal, time to recuperate... Night after night after night into the endless resurgence of the starving. So now, at long last, Garret found himself using his immense, overwhelmingly impressive strength, to come down on an enemy and strike them down before they could become too much.

And indeed, it was fearsome. The newborn creature looked up in shock, fear, and surprise. It saw the sword. Knew what was coming immediately. Its kind were used to being hunted by swords. It knew fear. And in terror, shrieking, its arms flew up instinctively as it stumbled onto its backside. Still unadjusted to its own body, that creature could only clumsily fall and put its arms up rather than dodge. And, as was habit, Garret was unlikely to hesitate. Except on this day, it would have been wiser to do so. Blade crashed down upon creature, erupting forth with a powerful clannnggggggg... It had stopped against the creature's seemingly defenseless arms.

The monster was every bit as shocked as Garret himself might be, if not moreso. It had expected certain death. Surely, it had been doomed. The monster looked dazed, confused. Garret's blade had stopped clean against its metal coated body, and done nothing. Gaining confidence, it realized once more its new identity... Vasto Lorde. It grabbed Garret's sword with one arm, and began to stand. Slowly at first, newly learning to adjust to its recently achieved bipedal nature, the Vasto Lorde rose to its two feet. With one arm, it was pushing Garret's blade upward, off of itself, lifting the heavy thing with almost... ease?

"I am... strong...?" the Vasto Lorde mused. Its grip on Garret's blade tightened. Its metal skin was guarding it from being cut by the edge, and Garret might find that even with all of his might, pulling his sword away was extremely difficult. The creature was standing now, looking Garret in the eyes with its own glowing red gaze. The metal body and mask that seemed to comprise it were undamaged by the sword. This creature was fundamentally more powerful than the others that Garret had previously encountered. It was a sign. A bad omen that his curse was beginning to strengthen, as he had thought. His fears were coming to fruition now.

The creature, in this moment of success, kept its hold on Garret's blade. It opened its mouth, producing yet another red glow. This one charged significantly more quickly because of the Vasto Lorde being used to charging a Cero in this way. Almost instantaneous, it was released at once toward Garret at point blank range. It was a powerful blast of energy which would leave him covered in burns if he was struck by it. And with the weariness creeping up on him, with the shock of how powerful this monster was... Could the tired body of Garret move to dodge it at such a close range? Would someone save him? Or was the creature... about to be the last of his battles?

SPOILER: Click to show

A quick reminder on how Quests work. Though I've noted TP in all of your missions, don't forget that mini objectives will award you a different kind of point, that being QP. QP, or Quest Points, can be traded in for CTP or TTP (but not SP) at any point within the thread. QP can also be kept in thread and utilized as additional Ryo to make in-Quest purchases should the player's actual money values fall short.

This Vasto Lorde monster is considered a MONSTER level enemy, meaning it is worth 300 QP to anyone involved in its defeat.

Stats below!

Berserker Type, Rank Level 1. 1700 SP.

Strength: 400 (1000)
Speed: 300 (150)
Reiatsu Strength: 200 (100)
Spiritual Pressure: 300 (150)
Instinct: 200
Senses: 250
Energy Sensory: 50
Healing Expertise: 0
Total SP: 1700

Known techniques listed below:

1. Cero
2. Sonido
3. Gonzui
4. Bala
5. Arrancar King's Laugh (SEE Adalo De-Mona tech list)
6. Metal Skin - A technique which, almost identical to Hierro, coats the user's skin in heavy metal. The nature of this metal makes the user tire more easily, reducing their stamina. However, it acts as a Hierro substitute for the Hollow, given Hollows do not possess Hierro. Furthermore, it is rapidly self repairing. No wound left on the metal will exist longer than 3 posts. The metal also cannot be worn down. Thus, this creature's greatest power is in its high strength and impressive defense. Wounding or defeating it will require a certain degree of ingenuity. The Metal Skin is based on the Hollow's strength stat.

[Kimiko Aimi]

They came. Ever so relentless to feed. So relentless to devour the very beacon that called to them. A never ending sea of pale white masks. A sea of screams that cried out in anger and much in despair. Their plight to fulfill the gap within themselves. An everlasting sea of wailing cries. The Failure never seen so many. So many willing to throw themselves at a desire in which they can not control. For a reason that they do not comprehend except strength. Despite her best to purify their raging souls, the Priestess was a failure. She couldn't help them in the way that would save them from their misery. But instead, she sent them to a frozen hell. And the only warmth that she had to comfort her left her lips in the form of a white crisp cloud.

How many did she freeze in the cloud of white mist? How many bodies remained frozen in the heavy layers of ice that kept them from moving, from thinking? Her flood slowly removing itself from the binds that was the woman's will. Beyond her control. Wall after wall, ice over ice, she couldn't keep it up for much longer. The reiatsu made statues kept few of the Hollows from creeping closer to her position, but at the same time they did the same from her. It separated her from the two. Garret's efforts to finish the night as he always had. The Adjuchas, taking up a mantle that was lost for a long time to him and to the remnants of his people. Both warriors, both with the will to fight and struggle. For they knew what it meant to take life, to vanquish those that stood against them. Kimiko did not.

For every life she took only made her realize her failure to save them. Her keen sense in energy only alerted the woman as to how dire their situation truly was. There were too many. Too many to fend off. All she knew was that the more she froze the more that came to replace them. She couldn't. She couldn't push onward with how she was.

There, the storm came. The name in which the Japanese people have given to her came to fruition, Yuki-onna. Precision blows were something that her flood could not do, but at least she could direct it. But now, with her mind prone to instability in times of struggle, she couldn't maintain it. All she could do was unbind it. And just as her reiatsu came surging from her fragile body so did the cold. A blizzard. Garret was in danger. The Adjuchas was doing no better. If she did nothing then they would eventually fall to the Hollow, or to her own curse as a Failure. Those Hollows that came over their comrades dispersed into particles of light as they took the full frontal assault to her reiatsu being released.

The storm itself wasn't vast enough to cover the land. Merely enough to cover her area in glistening shards of azure. Her mind was fogged as much as their view of her would have been. Kimiko's body swallowed by the flow of reiatsu that coursed around her. This itself only lasted for the few moments until its arrival. The one who changed. The one who grew past the limitations of a beast, and into that of the shape it once had. A Vasto Lordes. Before, it arrived just as the others had. The splitting void known as the Garganta tore open before the hording mass of Hollows. Torn open only to have them be eaten by the bipedal beast. From once a human that became a beast, now the beast back to a human. Or perhaps, a greater beast. The Vasto Lordes was here.

Confusion. That is what the woman felt that resided in the beast. Assuming that this Hollow had been a beast for a long time, then it may have lost the sense of what it meant to have a human form once again. Hollows were once humans. But now, was it a human again, or merely the next step onto something else? Something far worse than a beast.

My body is... metal...? I am... Vasto? But then why am I... so hungry....? it spoke.

I think I need to... eat youuuu.... It sought after them for the briefest of moments. Then, it shift its gaze over to Garret. She knew what it hungered for.

This new develop only had but a single conclusion. Garret's ailment, his curse, it was growing. Expanding to heights that made it dangerous for him to continue his destructive behavior. If he continued, then it would surely mean disaster. "Garret, we must retreat to the wat-, but she was cut off. Garret charged without hesitation. No doubt, no fear, he charged the Vasto Lordes without regards as to what it was capable of. But surely, he learned the fatal lesson that was to come. And that was the difference between a foe he once fought before to a new adversary in which whose strength was beyond even them.

What foolishness. The man's blade halted by a single hand motion of the evolved Hollow. For what seemed to be an impossible act was made reality as the beast rose the man's blade without effort. The Vasto Lordes proved itself to be strong, physically strong to halt the Rogue in his path. She was shocked. While Garret was doing... Garret, Kimiko had to play smart. She had to be careful. That thought immediately flew whilst the Hollow brought forth a glaring red light. A light that was seen many of times while pitting themselves against their kind. Cero. The most destructive technique within any Hollow's arsenal. And the same technique that would be fatal to the man if struck.

She didn't have time to think, not of a full proof plan. She had to act immediately. As the light gathered strength the woman pulled herself through the remnants of dissipating bodies of the frozen Hollows, including those whom were more fascinated with the new arrival. It may have been insane, especially one with her condition, but it was the best option that she could think of at the time. Her senses spread forth a great distance. Pesquis alarmed her to coming threats that moved about in her field of sensory, and it was grand. With what little movement was made she would have known. She brought the blizzard to the two scuffling beasts, hoping that the Adjuchas didn't pursue another challenge. Regardless, now even he could push through what was to come.

The winter cometh. It was then that her body blurred once more into action, re-emerging in the narrow gap of their struggle. That small space of no man's land immediately became occupied by a storm of ice and reiatsu. Every pore of her body poured open as the entirety of the woman's reiatsu erupted up towards the length of her arm, and into her finger tips. The energy that her body had been generating was astronomical that only the light of the Cero gave its shape from the air. And from the difference in strength to her reiatsu, by all means the screen of reiatsu would have severed the Hollow's fingers from its very own hand as it shot forth from the Failure's hand. Bakudo #81: Danku (Splitting Void). The words flew fluidly through her thoughts as the screen of light expanded, and formed the wall between her and her companions away from the Hollow.

Then secondly, came the flood. "Hado #40: Gouzen Demizu (Roaring Flood)". An ocean would rise up from the soles of the Failure, only to be split by the wall of light that Danku had forged for her. But that would have been enough as water would have surrounded the party, and with it came the ice. The trio would have been caught in the small blizzard that was made of Kimiko's Flood property. Within subzero temperatures and water present, she had more to work with. An amount in which she could not control. That lack of control had more potential to cease brain function with the lack of oxygen. That very same substance that would freeze their lungs in taken in. But even more so, that the water surrounded them.

Kimiko would not be harmed by her own power. However, not much can be said for Garret or the Hollow if they not back away. For the Hollow, it would soon realize that it was trapped. A barrier in front, with blades of ice assembling themselves towards his rear. Ready to penetrate and encase his body in another skin. A skin made of ice. And a possibility in allowing their Adjuchas comrade to feast on if he dared.

Reiatsu Remaining: 1500/2400 ; -100 Sonido, -100 Class 5, -600 Class 2

[Souza Kuchiki]

THE BEAST WILL HAVE ITS REVENGE

A wall of magical power erected itself between the monster and Garret. Reishi particles formed in just the perfect spot to singe the Vasto Lorde's fingertips and break its hold on Garret's blade, allowing him to regain control of his weapon and achieve distance, and causing the Vasto Lorde to jump back in shock, awe, and fear. Its glowing eyes widened as it shrieked from the release of Danku. Still unaccustomed to its new body, it stumbled backwards and fell again onto its backside. Still uncertain with its more intelligent mind, it fell back upon the instincts of a beast and slammed its fists onto the ground, creating powerful shockwaves that echoed out and dented the ground, leaving huge, lasting imprints.

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"Kido..." the creature hissed. Then, its hiss became a bellow, a frightening roar, for it recalled all the times it had nearly died, all of the fear it had ever experienced, and all of the pain it had been given not only by blades, but by this demonic magic... "SOULLL REEAAAPPPERRRR!!!!!!" it screamed, mistaking Kimiko's use of Kido for that of a Soul Reaper. Even as the water and ice started to form around it, the monster became consumed by rage. Its confusion at its newfound power combined with its recollection of instinctive fear combined to produce all of the hatred that any Hollow could muster.

It stood quickly and banged its fists together and through the air, throwing a physical tantrum in its agony. Powerful, exploding shockwaves of raw power that shattered all of the incoming ice and blasted away all of the incoming water with pure force. It rained around everywhere but the Hollow, which continued to beat its arms around wildly and pump out its chest and scream. The wild strength of this thing was on par with even the physically strongest of Soul Society's Captains. It was a monster that rivaled even the Arrancar Garret had met before. It was a force that was unparalleled compared to others that had been drawn to Garret's curse before.

And, this Hollow could do something that the others couldn't. Its fear and hatred took over where its thirst had been moments before. Though Garret's curse had strengthened, the Vasto Lorde wasn't yet so seduced that it couldn't be overtaken by other feelings. It started beating its fists into the ground and creating a small earthquake while white, gelatinous substance exploded all over it. Its muscle beneath started to grow, as did the metal that was its new skin. It was getting stronger, evolving further, and adapting more to its new body. With this newfound power came the ability to resist. In fear and in rage, it disappeared into the sky, taking advantage of human world air ground.

"KILLL SOUULLL REAAAPPPERRRR!!!!!" it cried out in despair. Now a black orb formed in its mouth as it gazed down at them. Horns started to grow out of its head. This monster... It could get stronger, still?! The black orb transformed into a huge blast coming down on them, bigger than any from before. It wasn't just any attack. It was a Cero. A black Cero, the likes of which none of them had ever seen before, blotting out whatever light could be left in this blackness infused Hell that Garret's curse had transformed the inner forest into. It was a... Cero Oscuras. An attack of such size, magnitude, and power coming down upon them from above that they had never seen the likes of it before in their day.

It was proof that Garret's curse did another thing that was unanticipated. While it drew Hollows to him, and when strengthened drew even more powerful Hollows to him and in greater number, it had another unintended side effect. In their rage and confusion, some of them, before reaching Garret, might devour one another. Some of them might be on the border of evolving, as this one had been. Thus, as Garret's curse strengthened, he helped his Hollow enemies to actually evolve and become more powerful too. At this rate of increase, it was possible that some day soon, Garret would start drawing enemies that he couldn't possibly hope to defeat. And many of them at once.

Vasto Lorde's Remaining Reiatsu: 800/1500 Reiatsu

New Technique Gained: Cero Oscuras

[Adrastos]

RRAAAAGGHHHHHHHHHH! He cried out. The heat of battle coursed in the lining of his veins. Every inch desired more as each body fell to his might. As if wielded the mighty Mjolnir himself. No. His body was the very essence of the war hammer itself. Its form never giving way despite nashing against the skulls and bodies of his fellow Hollows. No, they were no brethren of his. They were mindless beasts, just as he was just a few hours ago. Like them he solely preyed on those that his instincts wanted to. And so he did. It took some time for a woman to really poke where he was most vulnerable. Or rather, what he prized most.

What remnants that lurked inside of him churned when she spoke to him. Darkness constrict his mind and memories. Only in the midst of the battle could the darkness be lifted. And in those moments his vision was clear. Images of the past. A time of when spears and shields clash against each other. Where he stood among the world's deadliest warriors to have ever walked the Earth. Their might knew no equal. Warriors who were bred for combat, built for war. Those that knew no fear, only pain, only glory. The love for their motherland and for their people. But overall, for the glory of sacred Sparta.

Only one other time that he found such a resolve. Those garbed in black. Those who drew swords for their own glory, for their squad. Adrastos looked at his own reflection to see himself in such garbs. They fought for him, and he fought for them. He remembered such a unison from long ago. In those times he believed that there was no better privilege, no better means to fight. But now, he was alone. An entire skull of a Hollow collapsed beneath the weight of his foot. Another corpse was left hanging, with the tip of the Adjuchas' tail pierced through its abdomen.

He flung the body away into the horde only to have his fangs bear down into the spine of a bipedal Hollow. Once it was a single piece, and now became two. Only one piece was needed to feed the beast, at least until his fangs found another. But just like how he bite into a Hollow, others that were like him did the same. The great beast felt their fangs dig into his thighs as they pushed into him. Others clawed to tug on his arms, luring him closer to the ground. Then finally, the few who nearly stood at his height would latch onto his neck to complete his transition from standing tall down to the ground. But he didn't, he couldn't.

Adrastos was a strong stubborn spirit. His talons dug firmly into the ground. His muscles flexed. And with the moment did the beast find the result that he sought out. Fangs shattering and jaws broken, his muscles became strong as steel while the hordes of beasts shut their mouths to bite down on his flesh. The Adjuchas' body snapped and twisted along the ground. A maneuver which Alligators used, one that is referred to as "the Death Roll." Both strength and weight crushed the beasts that decided to cling onto his body, what fools they were. The mud covered body felt the chill of the wind. No. It wasn't the wind. That same chill he felt before came about when the woman was near. That same woman who spoke to him about his pride. His warrior's spirit.

What seemed to have been a compacted scene was limited to a few beasts with the three fighting. Those beasts that were like himself, they were gone. They were pulled into another beast, one who would no longer be that of a beast, but a human. A human Hollow. One whose presence emitted a sense of challenge. Those who did not live the life of that of a warrior would not understand such an aura. For such a calling of standing against another who was stronger than themselves. Another foe to challenge him? Or was it the other way around. A foe to challenge himself. A challenge that allows to grow in terms in strength. axios....axios....Axios...Axios...Axios. Axios. Axiosaxios. AXIOS!"

Shaking away those of inferior strength Adrastos came charging. The beast's eyes narrowed in on what seemed to have been a blurring red light beyond the pair. Before he knew what was happening the red light ceased behind a wall of light. A screen that expanded the blight of the red's hue. Aside from that the chill settled in. Water and the cool breeze buckled in as Adrastos charged around from the side. Their fusion made a spectacle scene of their blood stained environment. A blend of reds and blues in sheen white glistened like that of fireflies in his narrowed sights.

Beyond the two he heard it cry out. Soul Reaper. Shinigami. The two were the same. Two names that the beast heard of. And two of them he knew of. Despite hearing such a name Adrastos did not see such beings around. Those that donned the black robes. Those who he desired to kill. They who robbed the King of Beasts of what he owned. They were no where in sight. But it didn't matter. What was once red became black. A black hue replaced what was once red filled the sights as Adrastos' talons dug into a downed Hollow. Its lower half stuck in place from the frosted flood water. Its lower leg torn from the beast's curled talon and head chewed off. And yet, the remainder of its body remained, only to have its bloody remains thrown at the Vasto Lordes.

Finally. An enemy that could possibly challenge his strength. From one Hollow to another, Adrastos spoke a language that one of his kind would understand. The rite of challenge. One who was once an Adjuchas, who strove to become stronger, to feed, was challenged by another. Another one of his kind. The language that only Hollows knew of. Adrastos submitted his rite to challenge the Vasto Lordes, to test his strength against his. At that, the Tyrant lizard's gut grew. Expanding as air was drawn into his body before being unleashed upon the Vasto Lordes. Compressed air being forced out of his body into a destructive stream of ripping force. Would the newly born Hollow face the resolve of the unyielding nature of the King of Beasts?

Remaining Reiatsu: 800/1000 ; -200 Burst Stream - Corriente Burst

SPOILER: Click to show

{Burst Stream}

Class: [5]

Technique Type (Kido, Hollow/Arrancar Technique, Human World Dweller Technique, Other):
Hollow/Arrancar

Usable By (Technique is available to which races?): [Hollow]

Technique Element: [Physical Energy]

Technique Description and Effects (Explain appearance, powers, and effect):

Stream is Adrastos' personal technique which was created after applying his own physical strength with that of his beast like scream. By condensing the vocal cords with his own physical energy combined with a little spiritual pressure, the Hollow is able to focus those pieces into a straight stream of shredding force. The technique resembles a Hollow's Cero, however, it possess a limit range of effectiveness and destruction. The effective range of destructive force is about 15 feet in order to deliver the tearing force of the technique. But, although the technique possess a limited destructive range it does have a after effect to those who are within 20 feet of the incoming attack.

Those who are hit by the technique or within the 5 feet past the techniques minimal range, they will suffer a deafening shrieking in their inner ear drum, which prevents the victim from hearing for 2 posts, or unless they are healed in battle.

How to use technique (How is it activated?):

The user must take in a deep breath while flexing their chest. After, the physical energy must be focused to the lungs and throat then manipulated by reiatsu strength and spiritual pressure in order to create the focused stream of tearing force. It is then fired from the mouth of the user for 5 consecutive seconds.

Technique Drawbacks (Limitations, repercussions for use, etc)

200 reiatsu cost and the lungs become sore after use. If used once more immediately after, then minor lacerations to the throat. If prolonged usage immediately after without waiting for a post to pass to recovery, then the lungs will become unusable for the rest of the thread.

Made By: Adrastos

Reserved? (Yes/No) (Can others use your technique, or just your character?):

Yes.