Ring atop the Mountain (Valentin Acciai, Lagos Oscuras) [R]

[Valentin Acciai]

Training for SP

Deep within the White Desert where all else was sand and dead trees was a great rock, one would have called it a mountain but it had no tip to speak of. Midway up it's narrowing path the great mass had long ago been sliced in half or at least so it looked. It had become a great plateau in the middle of the wastes were hollow with grievances to one another or whom were simply too bored killed each other with far more of their kin to witness and gaze in entertainment along the edge of the plateau. Hueco Mundo was boring and there was always new blood looking to prove itself and get killed so that others could pass the time in a more bearable fashion. Today or more accurately said tonight as it always was here in Hueco Mundo Valentin found himself approaching the middle of this large flat surface covered almost entirely in dried blood.

Raptor like legs clawing at the rock surface for a firm grip in every step that he took he was soon at it's center, his spiked tail restlessly bumping up and down off pace with his steps as his excitement for what was ahead showed. In front of him stood a bull-like hollow with wide frame and even wider arms. It's mask featured prominent horns with an obvious purpose, so obvious that Valentin had prior agitated the brutish looking hollow by ''wrongly'' assuming it was a cow gone hollow to which it took offense. It was all planned really, agitate one of the local pack on this rock of worthless hollow who had long given up on the thought of evolution and get it to challenge him to fight to the death in their little arena, what did it have to lose really? if was several feet taller than the lizard looking shrimp.

Dumb creature swallowed the bait hook line and sinker and now here they were with onlookers all around the edge of the half-cut mountain, here to bet and gamble on the spectacle in their center. ''You've gotta be jokin mate, Bazuso's gonna turn that gecko-lookin' ting to paste.'' one of the observers with a crow's beak for a mask had retorted to another ''I'm telling ya, size is irrelevant. New guy chose to insult Bazuso for a reason, i'm always right with these setups!'' the shorter mole-masked hollow tried to explain to the deaf ears of his buddy. ''Just wait an' see, Bazuso ain't new to the game.''

The two stopped but a few meters from each other, Valentin's tail swishing left and right impatiently as he assumed stance with right foot and arm in front of the other, ready to move. The larger Bazuso didn't bother, instead spreading his arms out wide to show of his vast size and musculature to win over the crowd and intimidate the puny thing in front of him as smoke puffed from his nostrils. ''It's too late for regrets now Valentin, i'm going to squish you like a bug for daring to insult me!'' The smaller Valentin however wasn't all to impressed with the theatrics, retorting with no small amount of confidence of his own ''Had you still a manhood i'd be more than capable of cutting it off for you the way you are standing, might've helped you lower down on your testosterone. perhaps even curing that meatloaf you call a brain too, bring some sense to it!''

That was it, Bazuso would not take any more of the lizard's insults. Filled with wrath the bull hollow slammed it's hands together and thrust them down in attempt to end it with the first blow but it would not come to be as all he hit was the rocky surface. Valentin had dived below his opponent's legs and outside of it's restricted view, getting in a good slash against the bull's leg with his tail as he slithered under and made distance to avoid the followup blow that soon came after. Neither of them were particularity fast, their movements dull as would be expected of regular hollow yet the smaller held the advantage with his slight frame.

''Stand still you weasel!'' the bull roared in pain while a snicker came from Valentin ''make me.'' was all he replied before jumping back from another fist sent his way. The bull now dashed at him with horns lowered, hampered by the wound to one of his legs he was much slower in his charge than the audience was used to, some booing and telling him to get serious as if he weren't already. It brought Valentin to viciously smile at his opponent, or he did his best to express that he did with that toothy demon mask of his. always sort of looked like he was smiling in a rather mad grimace because of it.

None the less with the bull hollow slowed to a crawl of his usual charging speed Valentin swung himself to the side now swiping at the healthy leg with the claws of his hand, grinning even more as he saw blood burst out, having hit a large vein. However for a moment this distracted him and that moment was all it took for the enraged Bazuso to turn around and reach an open hand to catch the menace at his feet, Catching valentin and before having a chance to retaliate and strike free bazuso had grabbed onto Valentin's arm with both of his hands, tearing the limb off in a display of sheer force before throwing the lizard to the groud bleeding and screaming in pain.

Bazuso had won as always and he received cheer from the hollow who had bet on him, raising his arms out once more to roar his victory and show off. Meanwhile however Valentin humbled but still able decided to bide his time on the ground, pretending to be paralyzed with shock from the pain he felt as he hid the stump that was his arm beneath the rest of his body, interestingly there was no longer a stump, well there was but it was no longer in the same place as the limb was slowly ever so slowly growing longer and returning to it's proper shape. 

A full on minute passed, perhaps even more before Bazuso took note to finish off and eat his opponent, picking up the huddled together loser before him by his remaining arm and lifting Valentin face to face ''And that is why you don't mess with Bazuso, greatest of any in the are-'' his words were cut short, too long winded and confident to notice what some others had. A slimy but very familiar hand had dug it's claws deep within the giant's throat and into his noggin, blood pouring out and drenching the smaller lizard hollow. A moment later and Bazuso was on his knees, his grip on Valentin released and he fell backwards with a loud thud, all life having left him.

''that hurt you bastard'' he spat at his fallen foe ''No matter, now comes the part i was waiting for'' the lizard said as he raised his freshly regenerated arm to the skies of Hueco Mundo, cheers roaring loudly from those that had the guts to bet on the wildcard. And with that he crouched down and ate of his foe, feeling a fragment of Bazuso's strength surrendering to his will as the superior being while observers now bickered who owed who what. Pathetic how they argued over baubles and favours, Valentin had earned the real prize, strength.


1 Class 7 Hollow consumed

Reiatsu 200/300

[Lagos Oscuras]

The White Desert. Lagos Oscuras this day was assigned with looking for powerful Hollow, either strong Adjuchas or Vasto Lorde to bring into the fold for Las Noches. However, Lagos on the way had another idea. She was searching for Hollows for her own personal organization known as Los Ojos. She had already received several strong subordinates for herself. In total, she has 30 Arrancar along the Adjuchas class serving her person. Amongst the Fraccion of the Espada, Lagos would declare herself the strongest amongst them. That is...unless someone wanted to challenge that claim of hers. She was also the newest of the Fraccion on top of that.

Seeing that Las Noches was expecting Adjuchas or Vasto Lorde, Lagos would have to settle for the weaker ones...and or lower class Hollows. She could easily arrange for them to be fed and taken care of to make them strong. After sweeping the Menos Forest, she had found quite a few interesting beings. However, now she swept the desert sands. There was an arena of sorts on this mountaintop, and Lagos was watching in gross interest. She watched battle after battle for potential. However, most if not all the Hollows were weak. Perhaps even below the Gillian Class. However, where most would see uselessness, Lagos saw opportunity.

Lagos rested in the audience with a hooded cloak hiding her whole body from the visage of other beings. However, as the most recent fight came to an end, Lagos would clap three times. Standing, she walked down the aisles of the vulgar Hollows. With each step, her spiritual pressure was getting stronger and less suppressed. Suddenly, the crowd stopped cheering. By the time she reached the last of the stairs, Lagos leaped right in the middle of this fighting field. She would then raise her arms...and allow her spiritual pressure to wash over all of these plebes. The sheer power would wash over the crowd.

The weakest Hollows would cry out from the sheer force of the exertion of her soul. Many others were forced onto their faces and knees as a result. To few, they were able to resist the effects of her crushing power...albeit barely. This pressure would also wash over the lizard like being behind her. Slowly raising her left hand, she grasped the old and tattered cloak before throwing it into the air. There, stood a woman with long silver hair and tan skin. Her eyes were a cold cerulean blue. “Ahem. Now that I have all of your attentions. Allow me to introduce myself.”

Her voice was quiet, but yet all the Hollows around her listened. It was almost baritone and yet was smooth. “My name is Lagos Oscuras of the Arrancar. I am also Fraccion of the Cuarta Espada. I have come to you all with a simple message. To those of you that want power beyond recognition, follow me and swear your loyalty. To those that refuse. You shall die.” It was at this moment that the stone crumbled alongside Lagos as an almost worm like apparition burst forth from the ground to devour her. “I’ll never serve the Shinigami!”

Lagos simply lifted her right hand, and delivered a single swing for the worm hollow’s head with a open hand. Her hand moved like a blur, and was immediately by her side. There was a gasp, a groan, and then the worm spoke. “I-Impossible! Graagh!” A spray of crimson as the head fell to the ground and the body slumped. “I never said anything about serving the Shinigami Kouhai. Those of you...shall follow me and me alone. Now to those of you that want power, join my banner. Speak and declare your voices to me. My second command. Kill and eat at least one Hollow. I will have no weaklings in my ranks.”

Immediately fighting broke out...typically those that were seeking the power that Lagos offered. There was no escape from here. To those that bothered would soon find her agents passed the incline. They would quickly dispose of them. To those that remained, those that wished to be loyal and gain power quickly turned on one another. They also turned upon those that did not choose to follow. “Hahahaha!” Turning to the worm like Hollow, she kicked its body away from her...and ironically closer to the lizard. She saw several beings here that might show promise. Now was the time to see which ones would obey her.

As the fighting would break out, Lagos watched the scene. Immediately several began to feast upon the beasts that Lagos’ mere presence had felled. Pathetic. However, exiting an Ulcera, an Adjuchas appeared before her now. A Cero formed in its jaw as it had the hope of striking upon her. Using the Sonido Gaara, her hand grasped his jaw before lifting it up and shutting his mouth. A sudden explosion occurred turning the head to mush before she grasped the throat and that too was flung backwards. She was powerful. She was merciless. She was Lagos.

Lagos would then vanish, appearing at the edge of one of the arenas to get a better overall view of the carnage. She watched as this small encampment would turn against one another. It was Hollow nature. Hollows and Arrancar simply did not follow beings simply because of trust and morality most of the time. It took power...and other incentives to ensure loyalty. Lagos had one thing in spades. It was pure power that she held. Power that she gained from her hard efforts. These Hollows here, if having the potential would be her followers.

Perhaps as she became an Espada, these Hollows would grow to become her Fraccion. It was a tantalizing thought. Her hunger for blood. Her lust for power. However, there was more to power than one’s own strength. Strength in numbers and loyalty was another type of strength she was looking forward to reach. With roughly 60 Hollows and 30 Arrancar, this would not be sufficient. She needed more soldiers to swear loyalty and follow her. She needed more support to make her known and feared. Now to see who would remain in this battle.

[Valentin Acciai]

Greedily consuming the flesh of his foe his mask was reddened by the gushing blood, soon enough he had extracted all he could from the vanquished hollow. And a good thing too as events unplanned for came knocking with great ferocity. He heard the three worrying claps, everyone heard them and it remarkable how the flappy bits on the ends of one's arms could generate such worry. Grossly coated in red he looked up and saw the hodded figure approaching, it was of human size and that to all of them was far more threatening than any great jaw of teeth or density of muscle mass.

But there was more, yes he felt it, a growing weight upon his body with no discernible mass. It was the sheer pressure of the hodded figures being and it was growing, growing heavier and crushing them to the ground. It was getting hard to stand as the pressure was forcing his body to either kneel or face breaking, it would have been easier trying to stand with Bazuso's great body atop his head. Other hollow smashed to the ground while others yet managed to stand, Valentin had the force of will but not the body to resist the pressure much longer, he was forced to kneel down with both of his hands pushing with all of their might to keep him from the ground, he was not interested in smashing his face into the bloodied rock beneath him but this stubbornness brought him no small amount of pain.

His face was coming closer and closer to colliding with the iron filled earth as his arms slowly began to buckle, he managed to tilt his head as to look at the woman in front of him, a woman... then she was Arrancar. He had heard of them but never before seen one, the stories were true after all! despite the pressure upon him he managed to squeeze out a wide smile of genuine happiness and aspiration. There was another level of being, there was! to regain just a shred of his humanity meant all to him. He would not die here, he would excel at the task she had bestowed upon their sorry lot and live through this mess to see a new tomorrow through human eyes.

He looked in amazement as a disgruntled hollow tried to strike her by appearing from the rock itself only to be pitifully crushed in an instant by her might, this Lagos could be the bridge he had searched for to attain his aspirations of evolution. The order she gave them all, was there any better thing to have heard? eat, eat until there is no more to eat, eat until only those aspiring to greater heights remain. He wouldn't mind being a soldier again, as a human being a soldier is what took his life, now in death as a hollow it would give him new life. Amusing had it not roused memories of the family he lost.

''Valentin acciai accepts your gracious offer, my lady'' he was quick to adapt to this new role, eager to take benefit of this opportunity to which he saw no drawback. As he spoke he did cordially bow before her regardless to whether she bothered to look or not, she only needed to hear. Altough the corpse being kicked his way almost seemed to suggest he was favoured, she did deign to appear after his victory against Bazuso but he would not comment on it, he knew better than to annoy a greater being with minor and ultimately irrelevant questions.

The pressure over them had ceased at this point, hollow against hollow all tearing each other to bits despite earlier relation. Desperation easily broke whatever vague ties they had formed, as for Valentin he decided to quickly chomp down on the slain wormlike hollow to obtain it's essence before anyone could try the same. Surprisingly another idiot committed the very same mistake to this Lagos, an Adjuchas this time tried to blast her to smithereens with it's cero but only blew up itself, she was breaking every standard of strength that Valentin knew and to witness it was beautiful.

The next moment she was gone, Valentin wasn't even sure if that was some sort of teleportation or just her moving, either option was plenty terrifying. But more importantly now here lay the body of an adjuchas, great essence within waiting to be consumed. But this time another had it's eye on the carcass, a smaller hollow with the four legged shape of a canine but with a human skull for a mask dashed for the adjuchas. This sent him in a full sprint of his own, the two closing in. It was fortunate that Valentin had been closest to the adjuchas since the start otherwise the dog shaped hollow would already have been able to consume the essence before he had a chance to retaliate.

Instead Valentin's tail slammed down heavily upon the neck of the canine hollow just as it tried to take a quick bite and then retreat but that bite would not come. The thorns of Valentin's tail the size of daggers almost all of it's tiny body had been impaled akin to that of a marshmallow with far too many sticks going through it. Needless to say despite it's struggling it was bleeding quick and had no hope of getting loose, it's moving about only getting it further impaled. It was annoying how it moved about however so Valentin decided to swing his tail backwards against his neck which too was riddled with spikes and once crushed between the two the hollow quieted down, finally dying.

He looked about quickly, good, none else seemed to bother with him and his prey for now. He took his sweet time eating both from the adjuchas and the dog hollow as he knew the highest risk of death would be to get into the meat grinding fight while it was all crowded by honourless backstabbers who specialized in striking when another was distracted and the spikes on his back couldn't protect him from all directions. Once both the essences were absorbed however he decided it was time to move, a good amount of them looked to be dead or dying now anyhow and any further mucking about might get him the ire of his new mistress. And her ire for sure he did not desire.

There was an itch in his body that had started, a growing want within his hollow flesh. His hunger had grown since consuming the adjuchas with his body seemingly longing for the seasoned flesh of the strong. It was indeed much tastier than any hollow he had dined upon before but there was no time to enjoy it. The bodies in the center now useless to him he dashed with all of his might to the largest gathering of carnage, the screams and trails of bloody gore thundering upon the mountain.

Limbs were torn off, heads lopped off and hollow being eaten alive by those with no sharp tools to their being but their teeth. It did not phase him, he was just as debauched a creature as the rest of them. They were all hollow here, murderers and defilers all with no one to miss them, there was no consequence to this bloodletting other than the potential death of oneself. Finally reaching the carnage he threw himself at an unsuspecting hollow who thought himself safe by being on the edge of the fighting, turns out he wasn't so safe as Valentin threw the creature to the ground and held it there as he chomped down on it's neck with his fangs, near instantly killing it and giving him it's essence.

Shortly after he knew why this particular hollow was so distanced from the fighting, a scavenger eating the kills of others too distracted by the fighting to eat. It was a pathetic strategy to commit to but it's intellect for realizing its own weakness and adapting was commendable even if it didn't work out too great for it in the end. Spotting a dead hollow not yet eaten he cautiously walked up to it with teeth drawing closer to take a bite, suddenly however that same dead hollow tried to lash out at him with the fangs of it's mouth, no longer seeming to have functional arms to fight with as shards of bone poked out of them. 

Were it in good condition it would likely have killed the overconfident Valentin there and then but with only a mouth to contend with the lizard-like hollow was able to shrug back his head and thrust his sharp claws up it's gut as it fell upon him, having no means to stop it's propulsion forwards after having launched itself at Valentin. Another kill albeit a very clumsy one, it would do, any kill would do to advance ''Scared me half to death you shit!'' Valentin yelled at the already dead husk, smashing it's face in with his free claw despite it's already deceased state. Getting over his moment of anger he had himself another bite of hollow flesh before dumping the carcass to the ground, by now he was showered in so much blood he was nearly drenched entirely red in their blood.

Were there any more hollow clinging on to life in their dying state his visage alone ought to scare them dead proper by now and while the fighting looked interesting to join in on it felt like a waste to let these scavengers obtain all the life force from the fallen before he could, thus as he stalked the edge of the conflict and managed to intimidate those that noticed him into not daring to approach he tore piece after piece off from the dead to consume, some still carrying essence while others were already eaten upon. It was a fruitful harvest despite the bad apples among the bunch.





1 Class 7 Hollow Consumed from Lagos

1 Class 4 Adjuchas Consumed from Lagos

3 Class 8 Hollow Consumed

3 Class 8 Hollow Consumed among the dead

[Lagos Oscuras]

Lagos was captivated at the number of calls she received. Power was certainly something that Hollows of all kinds were attracted to, regardless of where it would come from. For the weak, it made them strong. For the strong, it made them stronger. For all, it meant improved chances of survival in this harsh world. Lagos watched the carnage ensue. Ah, yes. The blood shed. The smell of consumption in the air. It was a stunning display of what it meant to be a Hollow. The pursuit of power and evolution. Lagos’ agenda was a busy one, and she had much to do for the strengthening of Los Ojos and her own ranks. What she needed was soldiers. Loyal soldiers.

However, knowing Hollows, they would turn on her the first chance they would get. However, in this case, these Hollows...at least of the majority had acknowledged that there would be no way they could feasibly match or exceed her power in their current states. They might plan on using her, but until then, she would use them like pawns. She would make them dance like puppets on strings. Battle ensued, and her eyes scanned the whole entire battlefield. The battles were lasting a short time despite it seeming so long. She was a spectator now to the glory that was battle. However, all good things must come to an end...and that was the case here.

As the battles came to a close, Lagos remained silent. The howl or two before the woman looked down at the remaining masked beings. There were a mere twenty five now out of the nearly 60 some Hollow that were gathered here for their entertainment purposes. She of course had killed quite a few of those beings. Many corpses littered the battlefield and many laid either untouched or partially eaten. Letting her spiritual pressure wash over the area again, she did it less incessantly as to signal a stop. The remaining Hollows ceased their quaralling and turned to Lagos’ direction. “Excellent. What a display.”

Raising her right hand, there were suddenly two blurs followed by almost sound blasts that appeared by her side. Two more partially masked beings. One on the right looked for the most part human...except for the part of the mask covering the side of his right face. The one on the left looked more grotesque of a human...but still noticeably humanesque. “Have you gathered them?” The grotesque Arrancar spoke...but almost as if he had issues performing human communication. “We have killed them all Lagos-Sama.” A content smile as there was something off about these Arrancar. They were different than the ones that served strictly Las Noches. No. They were her own personal and secret force.

“Gather all of them. Let us show these new recruits what it is that I shall offer.” There was a hesitant nod before the grotesque Arrancar vanished. The Arrancar on the right had the insignia of some sort of red eye along the left collar of his uniform. “You Hollows that have followed my orders shall be rewarded. You shall be made powerful. You shall be gorged on sustenance for doing me service. Within time, you will become beyond what you are now. She looked forward to the day where all Hollows would be able to turn into Arrancar. She also looked forward to the day where she would be able to unify and strengthen all of the Arrancar race through her master.

Within a moment, there were several more Arrancar...each holding sacks along the edges of this flat mountaintop. Each one had the eye insignia on their collars...or somewhere on their otherwise matching white uniforms. Dumping these sacks, there were the bodies of the weak and the cowardly that dared to flee. “Cowardice is something that is not tolerated as you may all see. Keep this in mind. Feast upon what I have brought for you. Feast until you are content with the energy within yourselves.” Lagos had found herself smiling...smiling brightly as she was strengthening these Hollows. Immediately the Hollows went towards the different Arrancar before they ate like animals. They were cattle being fed for slaughter. They fed off what they called a few moments ago, friends. Lagos was pleased by the turn of events.

However, within that moment, there was a sudden blur behind Lagos as that disgusting abomination had come with blade raised and with a grunt had slammed his blade down straight upon Lagos’ throat. There was a solid clang and sparks flew off as the woman raised her eyebrow. “What is it that you think you were doing Zylum?” There were sweatdrops from the man behind her as he stepped backwards several steps. Slowly turning, there was a tension and silence as all looked in Lagos’ direction. He looked ever more disgusting as sweat dripped down his ugly face in horror at realizing his attempt to kill Lagos had failed. He was afraid...an Arrancar afraid of another Arrancar.

The Arrancar now identified as Zylum had grunted as he clenched his blade. “You make fun of me...and look at me like I’m a monster. I am an Arrancar like you! You should not be stronger than me?! I too should be strong!” Lagos brushed her neck with a smile...before it suddenly turned into a wicked and malicious frown. “Treachery.” Her spiritual pressure if powerful before...was now nearly suffocating as now it was completely unrestrained. The Arrancar known as Zylum held his blade before yelling out. “Sink! La More!” Within a moment, there was a burst of power as the man seemed to morph into a more plant like being with a singular eye. A almost Venus Flytrap like head appeared before swallowing him...and his mask was completely coating his face as it was visible slightly through the teeth.

His arms were now vine like appendages and instead of two legs, he had six. He had released his Ressurecion. “DIE LAGOS! DIE!” Suddenly, the man’s arms had released plant like pods...which flew and exploded against Lagos in a greyish powder...and then immediately the vines went out to impale the Arrancar leader. The smoke cleared...to see a woman with a pierced throat and bleeding body. However, within a split second later, that Lagos faded as if it was never existant as the Arrancar appeared behind the plant like man...almost instantly. “Zylum. You and all my subordinates know. However, I am glad I may use you as an example.”

He turned in a gasp before her hand had wrapped around his throat with ease. “Betrayal and treachery are not...to be forgiven. Do you know what the penalty is?” Lagos lifted the man and with it the man’s throat as he clenched at her arm with a look of discomfort and fear on his face. “Please! Have mercy! I will never do it again.” The feminine Arrancar looked into the eye of that Arrancar before releasing him from her grasp. He fell onto his feet with a gag and cough. “Thank you!” However, before he even finished saying you, she plunged her hand straight through his mask. A look of disbelief was on that mask as Lagos pulled her hand out.

“You’re right Zylum. You won’t do it again. I’m glad that I got that message across to you.” The body fell onto its knees and then slumped on the floor as the Ressurecion exited...leaving a disgusting being behind in its wake. “All of you that have witnessed this. Keep this in mind. That loyalty is what I demand first and foremost out of all my subordinates. Whether you are strong...or stupid...or ugly is secondary to me. Don’t end up like Zylum here...or think about betraying me. For you will share the same fate.” Looking to the disgusting Arrancar, she kicked him into the crowd in disgust. Immediately an Adjuchas feasted upon that body. The Arrancar around her vanished in that moment.

Lagos waited silently for a Hollow to ask of her anything, confront her, do something. Her subordinates would be heading back to their encampment most likely. She would bring these Hollows there also sooner or later. For now, she would let them enjoy. However, they needed to be swift in order to keep their activities hidden from Las Noches. She dared not do tasks such as this within the light of Kouhai’s jurisdiction. She was far too careful to risk being caught like that. However, assuming nobody did approach Lagos, she would step up when all was eaten and there was no more scraps to devour.

“All of you that are loyal to me. Declare it, kneel, and bow. From this day on, you are no longer lowly Hollows that wander in search of strength. From this day on, you few shall be Hollows that serve under Lagos Oscuras and her order of Los Ojos.” She would wait for her command to be followed. Then, she would approach before stopping in front of the lizard himself. “I am pleased. If there are any inquiries. Ask of me now. If not, then prepare to follow me. We shall head back to what you shall call...home.” Lagos would await...and would answer if any questions were asked. Assuming none were, she would walk off into the distance with her followers.

She would be free to approach as they would have a long way to trek. It would take a considerable amount of time to get there, but it was worth stopping by this convoy. Strengthening her ranks was a priority in preparation for what she saw as the inevitable betrayal of Sonken Kouhai. His predecessor before him had betrayed the Arrancar. His people slaughter Hollows and Arrancar every day and he has the audacity to think that he could control them like insects under his thumb. She prepared for the day where she would rally the Arrancar under her Espada’s name to give him power. The power and rule he so rightly deserved. Shikihitsuko-Sama.

[Valentin Acciai]

Eating upon the flesh of his kin he felt that familiar pressure once more, a signal? most likely. A wondrous being such as her could direct them so easily without moving so much as a muscle. There was no need for her to strain her vocal cords to garner the attention of their pitiful blood soaked kind, they needed only feel that radiating strength of her crushing their weaker selves. The howling stopped, so did the fighting and the feeding. Valentin stood tall, turning his body to face int he direction of his new mistress.

Part of him felt shame to appear before her with his hideous form but if it was her intent to shape their weak flesh to something greater then one could take a smudge of pride in the raw material one was for her hands to shape. As she began to speak he listened with great attention, temporarily put at edge when two arrancar appeared out of nowhere at her side but eased when he realized they were but her servants. The more she spoke the more confident Valentin became in what kind of person she must be.

Serious, ambitious, direct and dominant, that is what he assumed for now. He could see himself agreeing with her methods quite well if he was right about those traits, not that there would be much room for disagreeing were he wrong. Whatever were to happen later for now there would be no issues, Valentin desired only strength, strength beyond what the strongest could reach so that he could escape the prison that was his body. And this woman, his mistress Lagos desired to make him powerful. To transcend his shackles as a weakling and evolve to fulfill his full potential.

It was a dream come true for him, now he would just have to prove he was worthy of her attention, he would not settle for being a nameless grunt among the hordes. But he would have to show patience for now, there was no doubt in his mind in how she would treat those that showed rash insolence towards her. His interest was yet again peaked along with many of the hollow beside him who in low voices whispered among each other trying to make sense of the nonsensical situation before them. A multitude of arrancar had appeared all carrying dripping red bags and it was easy for most to figure out just what was inside.

A second later and the contents spilled out as the arrancar let the bags fall to the floor with bodyparts visibly sticking out of the bags. Valentin had already eaten more than he had ever been able to feast on before but the sight of power dangled in front of his eyes his very destiny was connected to those bags of disassembled body parts, rendering him inconceivably gluttonous. Was he capable of drooling then he would have and if he ate enough then he would be able to do something as mundane as that once more.

Needless to say each and every last one of them if not consciously then at least instinctively approached the bags and had their fill but Valentin having been at the outskirts of the conflict by the time all of the fighting was halted so he found himself in the very back. For the first time since forever he was worried, angry and terribly hungry. Getting to the feeding frenzy only by the time other's were now able to dig in he noticed there was no room for him to eat, hollow so large by nature it made sharing difficult although Valentin himself would never think to share with a hollow stranger, perhaps they thought likewise.

Quickly he though of a solution to his problem as shouting and bawling about it being unfair that he could not fit would likely only get him slain for being an annoying loudmouth. Thus he did what hollow do with each of the two clawed limbs he had for arms finding their way through the throats of another hollow each, all so preoccupied with their hunger that it was not noticed until it was too late and they choked on their own blood before he had their necks snapped from his grip. Taking a bite from them each he then threw the carcasses behind him as the hollow who had prior been beside these two unlucky souls made space not wanting to join them.

Only now could he begin his feast as he pulled all the bags that the two had been feasting on closer to himself as he dug down, consuming piece after piece of the flesh of his kin while his thorny tail formed a circle around him and his food, jealously guarding his treasure. As for any attack coming from behind to deal him the same fate as the two fellows he had just killed? good luck getting a hand around his neck when his spine from tail to head had rows of nasty dagger sized pointy bits in the way, he snickered at the thought as he took yet another bite.

By the time he was done and his frenzy over with he noticed the question posed by his mistress Lagos to one of her subordinates. Looking up he beheld as the would be subordinate stood with his blade having pierced his mistress throat. At first he had wanted to wail his anger over losing the one he thought would lead him to a grand future but he remain frozen in shock, only to then realize that Lagos seemingly was unphased by the blade having run through her, the only thing to be noticed being her tone showing displeasure over this unwelcome action.

yes... YESSSS! he was not wrong, she was unfathomably powerful, even her supposed allies could not fathom her limits! He couldn't help but laugh at this point, covering his mouth with one of his hands trying to muffle it as best as he could, it was hilarious to him to have been so close to despair and then so very rapidly reminded of her might. He giggled his way through the whole ordeal until the foolish betrayer no longer drew breath even as Valentin himself and the other hollow were slammed to the ground and short of breath due to the pressure when she unleashed the full might of her reiatsu. He only quieted down in respect as their mistress showed them the results of betrayal, were this a play it would have been considered perfectly executed to get one's point across, but this here was a very real event.

Oh how he desired her might, it was beyond all the rumours he had heard. The rumours could even be called insulting with how wrongly the described the power of arrancar. He was bound with awe as she kicked the corpse before them, an adjuchas feasting upon it before Valentin could even think to move his body. Even if he could have been the first there he was gleefully busy gazing upon his mistress as he did not wish to miss even a word of her speech. All the hollow on this flattened mountain now knew for certain that there was no resisting her will, either follow or perish like the many at their feet.

The other arrancar were now on the move, apparently done with what they had set out to do here. Only the mistress remained to watch them, seemingly awaiting someone to speak up. a moment passed as no one dared so he took it as his que to ask about something that had worried him for year, gathering the courage to face her he walked past his brethren and the corpses upon which they had fed, standing alone in front of them all he then went down on one knee with one of his claws tied to a fist pressing against the stone floor in respect of her. It took him a moment to gather the courage to speak and he did hesitate to ask, fearing annihilation should his question offend her.

''Mistress Lagos... you say it is your intent to make us strong, to have us become more than we are now... But i must ask, not for their sake'' he said pointing his free hand back to the other hollow now subjugated before letting the hand return to it's neutral state ''But for my own.'' he said with a short pause, implying that he was of greater import than the rest of them combined, even though he was in fact weaker than a handful of them. ''I have no interest in becoming a lumbering, mindless Gillian to be directed around on the whims of some adjuchas nobody. Can you truly make us strong without having us fall to that fate of dullness?'' saying this with extra emphasis this was him letting her know that he would follow, he would fight, as long as he would be able to keep his mind.

If he still lived by the end of his question then he would humbly lower his head in gratitude, appreciating the chance to speak regardless of the answer. When she demanded they speak their loyalty he did so without hesitation, there was no reason for him to bite the hand that fed him. He lowered himself even further as his free hand with open palm went over his chest as he declared far more eloquently than any other ''I, Valentin Acciai pledge myself to the service of mistress Lagos Oscuras to, in exchange for the strength you have offered me my unyielding loyalty. To pay you back in full and beyond for all you've done on my behalf as a member of the Order of Los Ojos'' did he know what Los Ojos was? no, did it matter? no.

Being approached by the mistress personally he froze, half in excitedness, half in terror as she declared that she was pleased. Hearing that her first impression of him was a positive one he was glad that he had a mask rather than a face. His emotions otherwise would have been clear on his face, overwhelmingly relieved and glad to have made a good introduction. He was personally asked by her if there was anything more that he desired to know. There was actually one thing, rather easy question to answer if she felt like sharing it with him.

Looking up at her while kneeling still he asked of her but one thing ''With your permission then, what is your purpose for us? Strength is something gathered to achieve a goal.'' This was his one question, hopefully it was not a wasted such. Awaiting her answer he would then rise and as she walked he would follow. Keeping close to her side or as close as she would allow a filthy hollow he would not fall a step behind, making sure to always be near and never forgotten to make good on the promise given.




2 Class 8 Hollow Consumed

8 Class 8 Hollow Consumed

[Lagos Oscuras]

Two more Hollow dead. It didn’t really concern her all that much. 23 was not that much of a difference to her considering it was strengthening the remainder anyways. When she asked if any of them had...questions, none seemed to dare to confront her except for one lowly Hollow. He was wanting to ask a question not for the validation of the other Hollow, but for himself. She looked at the lizard with a raised eyebrow, wondering what it was that he had to say. Hopefully something important. She didn’t like useless conversations, so hopefully it was relevant. Something that she wouldn’t be bored by.

It was this moment that Lagos heard about how he had no interest in becoming a lumbering menos who would be good for little more than being a cannon. “A pursuit of power and evolution? Hahahaha! How ambitious to come to me ahead of the others. So, you wish to avoid becoming one of the Gillian with no potential to evolve. It’s trivially simple really. Although the method might not be quite so pleasing.” She looked down upon the weakling lizard and then the other Hollow in the back, looking at the big shot trying to coax in the boss. Hollows...they really did think alike.

The lizard bowed down before pledging his allegiance and stating his name to her. “You’ve submitted rather quickly. I like that, but make sure your loyalty never goes astray...or else you’ll end up like poor Zylum there.” She was pleased...very pleased. However, it was then that he asked what exactly his and his fellow Hollow’s purpose was going to be. “To be my personal army of followers for a multitude of reasons. Other than the tasks I give you, you will first be a contingency in case the Shinigami King Kouhai ever turns on the race of Hollow and Arrancar. I will train you all to be elites capable of facing him alongside myself and taking him down if he ever decides he is done with the Arrancar. Second, is to be my militarial power when I become an Espada. All of you will be my hidden army to command and form operations about. That is all you need to know for now. Specifics come later.”

Grinning, Lagos decided to make due on her promise on the secret to become a powerful Gillian with almost complete sanity. Looking to one of the fallen bags, Lagos had sniffed it to see it smelt and likely tasted like the foulest out of the bag. “Unlike what many believe, there is a method to guaranteeing sanity when becoming a Gillian. Eating as much as you can immediately and stronger beings is not an efficient method. You may likely smell how vile and disgusting this smells. Well, let me point it out. A Gillian is a being made of hundreds of Hollows as you may have heard. They fight for dominance over the massive body they comprise.”

Lagos took the liberty to dump the contents of flesh and organs onto the floor. “The key to become a sane Gillian is to eat the weakest of the weak...so that your spiritual pressure is always the strongest and more than capable of suppressing weaklings like these. Of course, the taste is absolutely foul and miserable. Thankfully, I know how to reward loyal servants like you.” Raising her hand out, she seemed to contemplate something as she clenched her hand. Slowly opening it, she would sprinkle some of her rich reiatsu on top of the mass of flesh. Tantalizing and immediately the food would smell...delicious. Likely it tasted similar. It was like adding a amazing sauce on top of a mediocre dish.

Grinning, she would allow him to eat as she looked out to the other Hollows. “To all of you that remain. Congratulations on your survival. You shall follow closely behind me. We shall head to my base of operations to where you shall all be acquainted with service to me. You shall eat, be trained, and come to me when beckoned. From this day on, you shall remain my servants until I die, when you die, or when I release you. You now serve Oscuras Lagos as your mistress!” The Hollows that sought power cheered out in unison. The ones that were cowards had simply remained silent in their opinions.

Assuming that the Hollows had all finished their meals, she had stepped out as to lead her new subordinates to the Menos Forest. It would be a long trek and perhaps filled with some danger. However, she had many eyes and servants in the Menos Forest both Arrancar and otherwise. The mighty Gillian had watched from a distance as they seemed to remain for the most part docile. There was a bit more to travel. She was nearing that ending point. After crossing many many meters into the forest, they would find a clearing of sand with a white marble dome seemingly in the middle of it. A building from the olden days of Las Noches.

It stood gigantic and had a dome with a large rectangular entrance. There was also several floors leading downward into the descending area. “The home of you Hollows will be here. You will likely do nothing but consume from the Menos Forest and refine your skills for the most part under the visage of some of my most trusted servants. As for now, I require at least one of you to come with me for the moment. I will be searching for more Hollows within the Menos Forest to recruit to my cause. A test of loyalty if I were to put it. Who volunteers as tribute?”

Now would be a good time for the Hollow Valenten to prove his loyalty to his mistress by coming with her. It might also be a good way to secure himself more sustenance to feed himself. Lagos typically wasn’t usually so generous, but she was in a good mood considering the fact she had been gaining more followers lately. She had built a spy network, had gained powerful followers, and generally had been slowly expanding her influence in Las Noches. “We set off immediately. Danger is likely on the path.” She didn’t wait to see any of the Hollow. She just simply began to walk off. Normally she would keep her identity hidden to lowly Hollows like Valentin, but she had more confidence now. She was powerful enough so that her operations could be kept quiet and her identity perhaps a bit more public.

She would slowly just begin to walk off, trudging through the sands as Lagos took a deep breath in...admiring the fresh air and feeling satisfied with her hard work. The Arrancar had been busy managing her life as a Fraccion and soldier of Las Noches and the life she had here as a woman slowly building power amongst her fellow Hollows and Arrancar. She would bring glory to Shikihitsuko and establish his empire sooner or later. She was a powerful being and rather persuasive when she wanted to be. She didn’t have everything she wanted in life yet though. She still had a long way to go.

[Valentin Acciai]

He was glad that she deigned to answer his pitiful self and gladder still with what she told him. The fear of becoming a Gillian is one that had hung over Valentin for a long time and none before now could answer him how to go through the process intact, even any adjuchas he had been able to converse with always claimed it was nothing but pure luck and among those there were those with no memories prior to their evolution, sign that they'd come through almost like a shell to rebuild it's inside again. Oh how pleased he was to hear his mistress words.

Her answering his question were prize enough for him daring to approach yet there was more to come, she deigned to give him an additional reward of flesh and the lizard hollow of course saw no rhyme nor reason to refuse such a gift. Leaning forwards to drag the pieces to his side and begin eating while giving little mind to whatever it was she had done to it, although the taste was clearly altered. The traces of reiatsu from an arrancar clinging to it, in the future he might have interest in eating the lesser of their kind he thought to himself during his meal. 

His eating eventually done he did his best to clean himself from the sight and stench of blood, using the cleaner spots of the bags to wipe every trace of blood from his body. He was accustomed to blood but he did not like to be in contact with it any longer than he absolutely had to, the smell of iron often making him uneasy. But now they moved, they left the ring behind. That mountain once populous with hollow kind now barren and littered with soon to rot carcasses. In time the winds would blow them off the plateau and they would crash to the sands and from there become one with the great desert of Hueco Mundo.

In time after a long journey they would finally arrive at this forest that she had spoken of and wandered inside to witness a grand building. All listened including himself as their mistress let them know what this place was and what they were here to accomplish, when she asked for a volunteer to aid her naturally Valentin stepped forward once more, making sure to hog the spotlight others were now incapable of taking thanks to his earlier theatrics, earning if just a small bit of favour with her. ''The forest frightens me, soon it will not. I will accompany you, my mistress.'' he said simply, once more with hand over chest in gesture.

He wasn't about to let her leave him behind and forget about him after all. Being warned of the dangers ahead he was to be truthful worried for all knew what walked these woods. But having a Fraccion on his side would be a great equalizer for the challenges ahead, he could barely keep himself calm enough to keep pace with her the more he through about it. Gillian and Adjuchas in a constant state of warfare against each other to evolve further and further until they too were eaten.

Unlike Lagos no pleasant thoughts of their surroundings rested on his brow, only thoughts of desires and wants, thirst and hunger. To be able to dine on a finely cooked pasta or enjoy a coca cola once more without it tasting like ashes and sand in his mouth. To look upon himself in a mirror and not smash the glass in wrath of his hideousness and instead see his true self, the human self. Indeed he could think of little else than the joy of evolving and leaving this pitiful life behind to enjoy what was beyond. The road was still a long one, but now he had a guide to shine light on the path he were to travel.

2 Class 8 Hollow Consumed from Lagos

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

1015 CTP from Consumptions and 200 SP - Valentin

400 CTP - Lagos