Emergency Lights Go On [DE / R]

[Deleted]

Thread Title: Emergency Lights Go On
Participants: Luke and Alicia
World: Human World
Death Setting: Death Enabled
Rating: R
Location: An empty stretch of highway. It's night and raining.
Special Conditions:
Circumstances:

[Deleted]

Things had certainly gotten interesting in the past few days. Wasn't, really, until two days after it started that Luke caught wiff that something was going on in the club. Sure he saw a few unfamiliar faces one evening, but considering that it was a club that wasn't anything really special. Again, it was after two days did Luke find out something was up. It was certainly being kept hush hush, but Luke had lived at the club long enough to not only know when something was up but how to dig it up as well. Granted sometimes his digging got him into trouble and a good scolding from Taka but sometimes it was for the best that he do so anyways. Was only a few weeks ago that his very interfering lead to him saving a kidnapped racer and getting Taka some of her cars back.

But this time things were...complicated. Luke was only able to get meager details from Apollo. Apparently, from what he explained, a group of four people had been brought to one of the clubs safe houses in Karakura. When further pressed for questions, Apollo had no choice but to give Luke the details. He knew the Bount would relentlessly pursue this. Apollo only asked that Luke didn't tell Taka he'd heard it from him. The situation was that one of Taka's mind had come to her with news about a group of four deserters that were trying to get out of Karakura. They were afraid they wouldn't be able to do it alone, and were asking for help. Luke was...confused. Deserters? Shinigami deserters?

There were a couple of them at the bar. Apollo being one of them. They just ended up not agreeing with something in Soul Society and coming here. Apollo had been part of something called the Kido Corps, for example, and left after, as he explained, there became too much drama surrounding some noble house. It was, like, Kuch or something. Luke didn't remember. But when asked, Luke was informed that they were not Shinigami deserters but from a different group entirely. Unfortunately that was all he was able to get from Apollo. So with steeled nerves Luke approached Taka about it. Like he promised he'd kept Apollo's name out of it, but still got a mouthful from the Mod Soul for sticking his nose into it.

But she decided to accept Luke's assistance. The Bount wanted to help. Well, Luke was reliable. And, honestly, he was probably one of the strongest people at the club. Making sure that bundle of energy Gracie couldn't get out like she usually did, Luke had prepared himself for the task at hand tonight. What was happening tonight was really simple. Leaving from the safehouse in Karakura on a bus, it would simply look like a late night shuttle ride that would go from Karakura to Kikozawa. From there? Luke didn't know. Didn't really care either. His task was to simply help these people get there.

It was a stormy night. Luke was thankful the driver had good eyes. The Bount wasn't certain he'd be able to drive comfortably in the dark and during a rain shower. He sat at the front of the bus, behind the front door, leaning against the window wall. His Zanpakuto rested comfortably against his shoulder as he sat, eyes closed in thought. "Anyone noticed that the girl is cute?" Jäger decided to break the silence. He opened his eyes, sighing softly as he turned those blue eyes to the four sitting in the back. Three guys, two younger than the third, and a young woman, all huddled together wearing urban, hooded, clothes. Luke wasn't a genius about people...but even he could notice how scared they were. Three of them had to be around his age, if not younger, while the third man was at least in his late twenties early thirties. But the thing that stood out about them? They weren't Shinigami. They were Quincy. They were transferring four, defector, Quincy out of Karakura and into the neighboring city.

Luke had only gotten part of the story, but while he had these four here he wanted to learn something from them. Despite it being against safety regulations, the Bount got to his feet and began making his way down the bus. The other two guards watched him, but returned their attentions to their distractions. The Quincy shifted uncomfortably for a moment, before relaxing as they watched Luke sit near them. "You guys don't need to worry. We're gonna get you to Kikozawa." Luke said with a smile, trying to use his natural warm aura and charm to calm them down. The four looked at him, before nodding quietly. "If it's alright to ask...what're you running from?"

"Luke! You can't just ask things like that! Show them your penis first." Ugh. "Shut up." Well, there was Springflut. Luke watched as the Quincy looked between each other uncomfortably. One of the younger men, with red hair, finally decided to answer. "Have...you ever heard of the Vandenreich?" Luke's silence and confused expression was all he needed for a answer. "No? No...no of course not. It's...an army. A army of Quincy." The man explained, before the other guy decided to step in. "It's a religious army. Like...like the crusaders." Luke blinked. "There's...an army of religious Quincy? What?" Luke asked.

"Yeah it's...unless you've met..." The young man began to try and explain again, before the older gentlemen decided to cut him off. "The Vandenreich is an army of Quincy created to eradicate the Shinigami from existence. It doesn't matter, however, what you are. If you do not stand with them, you stand against them." The man explained. Unlike the three younger adults, he was rather calm about what he was saying. "Y-yeah...as he said. They're...brutal. Killers. Monsters. We were just Privates...but you'd think that we were just entertainment to the stronger Quincy." The man explained again. Luke listened.

"We were the lowest of the ranks. My family was...butchered...by Shinigami just for being Quincy. I wanted revenge. I wanted justice. But the Vandenreich...they're...they're no different than them. At least Shinigami treat their allies well." Luke noticed the hate dripping off of the blue haired mans words. "My brother was killed for fun." The girl finally spoke up. Luke remained quiet, just as his Dolls did. "We...we decided that we had had enough. We want out. Forget about revenge. We just want to live." The red haired guy said. It was obvious he was the most skittish of the group. Luke nodded, having learnt something. "Like I said. Don't worry. You won't have to worry about the Vandenreich much longer." He smiled.

The three smiled, but the man simply "hmph'd" before going back to looking out the window. Returning to a seat, Luke sighed. "Don't make promises you can't keep." Springflut suddenly chided. I'll make sure they get through this. Luke replied. "You say that yet have you considered the possibility of someone stopping them? What happens if that whore comes to stop them?" Springflut was referring to the Quincy woman with red hair. "Ah calm down Springy. We have four, no wait, seven other bodies we can throw at her while Luke gets away!" Luke frowned. I'll deal with it if it happens. I'm hoping it wont...but I won't turn my back on them. I intend to see this through.

"Hmph. These heroic delusions of yours is going to get us all killed. But if it gives me something to fight." Springflut responded. "Ey Luke? You think those crazy Quincy women who've been trying to kill us might be part of this Vandenreich thing?" Jäger asked. Turning his attention to the window and looking out at the passing scenery, as hard as it was to see with the whole dark and raining thing, Luke had to admit that he'd had those same thoughts. "The grocery store girl and the other one...yeah. Hell, didn't Jo mention something about a Majesty? This Vandenreich thing might be something worth digging into more. They've got some DELICIOUS looking girls. Quincy must have somethin good in their genes to make girls who look that good."

Admittedly Luke had toned Jäger out at this point. He decided to shut his eyes for a bit. He'd use Schlafen to fall asleep for a bit without trouble. Well, he wasn't sure how long he'd been out when he heard the sudden yell. "What the hell!!" and the scream of brakes. Luke bounced his head against the cushion seat in front of him as the bus came to a screaming stop. The four in the back made surprised noises, as did the other two guards. Once it came to a stop, Luke found himself dashing to the front. "What's wrong??" Luke shouted. "I heard the damn tires explode! I heard something and then the damn tires blowing up." the driver explained, his good Senses helping out in this situation. Luke blinked, looking out the front window. Even though the pelting rain was making things hard to see, the Bount decided to turn the brights on just in case. And who he saw standing there in the road made his eyes widen.

SPOILER: Click to show

{The good stuff ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)}

• [Weapon: Swords] {2}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {3}
  
  
• [Strength of Will] {3}
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] {2}
  
  
• [Anti-Stealth] {2}
  
  
• [Charisma/Leadership] {1}
  
  
• [Battle Focus] {3}
  
  

Luke | Soldier

Strength - 200 Points

Speed - 300 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 400 - 700 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 100 - 60 Points

Light Aura - 90 Points

Dark Aura - 10 Points

Instinct - 150 Points

Senses - 150 Points

Energy sensory - 100 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points

Total SP: 1400 Points


x1 Artificial Zanpakuto

[Alicia Maine]

Really, what more was there to do here in the Vandenreich? There was chores, duties to fulfill, the damn paper work, like come on, the boring as Hell sermons, and then off time. Pretty much a full schedule in which a Quincy can really occupy their time with, unless they're lazy as fuck. On the other hand, Alicia was a bit lazy too, so no comments on that subject. The difference between her and the other Vandenreich members was that Alicia didn't really care about their shit. Not about the sermons, not about their so called God, not really about the other Quincy around her, unless they are the few exception obviously. But really, she just didn't care. None of it held any weight with her. The parents that were meant to protect and rise her up didn't do her any favors. The hospital she spent most of her life in didn't realize that they weren't suppose to be doing those things. Even to the point of death she wasn't accepted. So instead, she sought out life. A life beyond the world Vandenreich's own understanding. Bah.

The only things that actually made the Sternritter stir a bit were the few Quincies that she spoke with, Jyuria, those that she wants to interact with but usually get away for some reason, and her hunting jobs. That was pretty much it really. Everything else that she knew of made her fall asleep or just bored her out of her mind. And they say that she was the crazy one. Other than that, she was bored. Training wasn't something that she'd normally do, at least wanting to do so with someone she actually had an interest in. Alicia did so at occasions when she got too bored. The premise gave her opportunities to at least weed out more unnecessary Quincy from the ranks, meaning that it brightened her day just a bit.

Now those duties never really got boring. It did allow the girl to travel from place to place, so she got the time to do some sight seeing. Other than that Alicia saw it more as a game. Cat and Mouse. Usually the Cat would win in most cases, though, there were those times in which the Mouse became cornered and decided to fight back. Those were the more interesting hunts. When an individual doesn't fight back it makes the game all the more boring. In cases like those Alicia would simply end it quickly and later on state that the target was moving around a bit longer, just so she could stay away from the damn Vandenreich. Other times she'd just get others involved to make the game a bit more interesting.

Those hunts were pretty much her treat. A sense of freedom from the damned place referred to as a "Holy Empire." Other than that, the thought of just massacring everyone in the Vandenreich crossed her mind several times. Like, anything for a good time? Nope. Only because she didn't like them. The only reason that she hasn't done so yet was due to her contract. Alicia did the Empire's dirty work. She was the one they called when they wanted to tie up loose ends. No other would really take on such work since it detailed the terms of hunting friends, and possibly family. So those loyal bonds and ties would end up thrashing their conscious with guilt. Alicia had none of that. She lacked the entire idea of loyalty. Like, why would she? Exception of the few among the ranks, there was really no one else that she even had an attachment too. She just wanted to find..... something to hold onto.

She just wanted to "Umm, Miss Alicia. There is a message... for you." A hooded girl came up from behind the Sternritter. Frail, tiny, one of the many soldats that was tasked to run errands for the higher classes of Vandenreich. In her tiny hands she held a note. The same form in which her duties were usually scribed on. The girl quickly handed it to the Sternritter before scurrying off. Like the many young soldats, the girl was also frightened of her. Though, the many of them were. They've seen the gruesome scenes that Alicia leaves behind to clean up. The bloodied rooms, life or death training sessions, each and every manner that she carries herself spoke of who she was. Even her attire mirrored that of her experiences. Even to this day the Vandenreich wonders why she remains free. None of that mattered; Alicia had a mission.

Despite the darkness of the night, despite the chilling rain that came down upon her and the land, she never felt any more warmer than she did now. The sheer suspense of undertaking one of these missions always made her heart and blood dance. At least until she found out it would either be a buzz kill, or a night of sheer bliss. Like any other before it, Alicia had been tasked in the elimination of run away Quincy. To make an example of them and all that blah blah blah blah. She didn't care about the details or the other side missions that was needed to be fulfilled. With the few reports that she was given, the follow ups along those reports, Alicia managed to narrow down where those runaways were located. Seeming that they went to someone for help. A little persuasion was all that was needed to really get the rest of the information that she needed.

Thus, she waited there on the road. Waiting, with only the darkness and the solitude to really comfort her. That same isolation she felt back in the padded room. The stormy night blew the Quincy's hair back and forth. The wet drape of her hair dripped trails of water down her straight jacket. Staring down at the ground she could only really think about what she was doing with herself. Her thoughts were just stirring around in her, just as much as it was with the storm. "What the Hell am I doing anymore?" She thought the Vandenreich would help her find what she was looking for. Quite possibly the opposite. Was what Jyuria brought about what she needed? If so, then why did it bother her so damn much? Would the other Sternritters have the answer that she was looking for? Damn it. Damn it. Damn it. "FUUUCCCKKKKK!."

It was pissing her off. Nothing was working out. The damn stir of emotions and thoughts inside was even beginning to ruin what is suppose to be her splendid time. Shaking the thoughts from herself was the best she could for the time being as lights were seen quickly approaching the Sternritter's position. She would find her own way of pushing forward. She didn't have anyone to help her back then, so she didn't need anyone now. The vehicle's large size was easy to spot in the darkness. It's overbearing lights made it so it was easy to search for it in the darkness of the night. Yet, her aiming still sucked when it came to using the bow.

Alicia wasn't one to really use her initial bow. Her training wasn't one to involve bow's and arrows, despite how stupid that whole statement was. The Sternritter was picky about what she used, and felt more confident in that sense. So, it did take half a dozen arrows to really hit the back wheels of the bus. ( Class 7 Arrows x6: -60). She still wasn't use to using the bow itself, but got the job done. Soon after, the bow faded as a new source of light shined on her. The vehicle's lights brightened the surrounding area. It's bright illumination only made the horror in front all the more feasible to see. Standing before them was the dripping red armor. A toothy grin, foot long talons, spikes arching from backside, Alicia stood there in the armor that insures most of her safety. She wasn't wasting any time with this. She needed it. The intense pleasure that came with her hunts. The sense of feeling alive again. A means to escape the thoughts that continued to shiv her mind. (-400 Class 2 Property)(-200 Freak type)

"RRRAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she howled from behind her bloody helm as she rushed the bus. Immediately, sounds of metal and hot air begin to meet with the cold. Talons clawing out chucks of the bus' front. Parts of the steering controls flew over the woman's shoulders as she began to find better gripping in the small hole. By then, the bus began to rock back and forth from side to side. With only 300 strength, Alicia wasn't strong enough to immediately tug the bus to its side, for that reason she dug her talons into the right set of tires to gain better leverage. The combined effort would cause the bus to over turn onto its side, sealing any means from opening the side door, or the windows on the right side of the bus. Only then did the girl move in. Clawing left and right. Spewing the metallic components behind her as she made her way deeper into the hole. Beneath the floor, the only sounds that could be heard was nothing but the shreds of metal being taken apart, and that of the frustrated beast that resided under the floor board of the bus.

Remaining Reiatsu: 680/1340 [-400 + -200 Release + Freak Type; - 10 Class 7 Arrows x6]

Class 2 Property Activated: 1/3

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats/Skillz}

Freak/Stats

Class 1 - Rank 3: Captain

Strength - [150] x100% = [300]

Speed - [250]

Spiritual Pressure - [200]/33% = [134]

Reiatsu Strength - [400] x125% = [900]

Light Aura - [20]

Dark Aura - [80]

Instinct - [200]/33% = [134]

Senses - [100]

Energy sensory - [200] x75% = [350]

Healing Expertise - [0]

Total SP: [1500]



[Battle: Weapon - Lance] {3}

[Body: Acrobatics] {2}

[Mental: Battle Analysis] {3}

[Mental: Blood Tolerance] {3}

[Battle: Weapon - Bow] {2}

[Body: Focused Eye] {2}

SKP: 15/15

[Deleted]

Time seemed to have stopped. When those lights came on and the figure in the road was illuminated, everything just seemed to stop. His eyes widened when he recognized who it was. That armor. There's no doubt about it. That reiatsu. There's no doubt about it. The Vandenreich did indeed send someone to deal with the defectors. The Vandenreich had sent someone that Luke had, honesty, not expected to see. But it made sense it was her. This was almost a repeat of how they had met for the first time months prior. A younger, inexperienced, Bount trying to fit in with normal human life. His desire to help people was what compelled him to open the grocery store and let that man in. But doing so was what lead that Quincy right to him. She had, just like tonight, been hunting another defector.

"No way...it's her.." Luke suddenly heard behind him, snapping his head around to see the revenge seeking Quincy standing behind him, staring out the window with a look of pure terror sculpted into his face. S-Sternritter O...the Obsessed...w-why is she here...why d-did they send her??" The Quincy looked like he was about to cry as he began backing away from the front of the bus. "W-we were just Privates. W-why did they send one of the Sternritter after us??" The girl wailed, covering her face with her hands. Luke recognized the fear in all their faces. Even the guards sent alongside him appeared pale. Except for one of them. The older Quincy. Luke, for a moment, noticed the look of controlled worry on his face.

"She's coming!!" Springflut suddenly shouted, causing Luke to whip his head forward again as Sternritter O began her charge. Despite him predicting she would come through the window, the Quincy instead opted for simply body slamming the nose of the bus. The vehicle began to rock back and forth as she dug herself into it and began working to topple it over. Luke inhaled sharply, before turning to look back at everyone else. "Hold onto something!!" Luke shouted, just as one side of tires left the road and it all came tumbling down. Luke landed between two seats but failed to fall between them. There were screams and shouts from the other inhabitants as they all fell with the bus.

Luke, wincing, opened his eyes back up. "Get the fuck up you stupid shit!!" Springflut yelled, but Luke was already moving. It looked like everyone wasn't too hurt by the crash. Except for one. One of the guards was bleeding from the side of his head. On top of that he wasn't moving. The sound of crushing metal and angry grunts was heard beneath the floor, but despite the danger Luke clambered over to the injured guard. "No...no no no no we're like sardines in here!" the girl was beginning to panic. He's alive.. Luke realized with relief. "Hold him." Luke said to the other guard, before his arm shot out and slammed itself into one of the rooftop emergency exists. "Out! Out!" Luke shouted, more or less pushing everyone out of the bus as Alicia was digging her way through the giant metal tube.

The cold rain actually felt good against him. He'd gotten rather hot in all of that. The four Quincy ran off of the road, heading a couple yards away into the empty field before the red haired one turned around and began helping the other guard with his unconscious partner. "H-hey! What're you doing??" The Quincy shouted when he realized Luke wasn't following them. The rain had already drenched the Bount, pushing his hair down against his skin. "Someone has to keep her busy." Luke replied as the sounds of tearing metal got louder. "A-are you crazy you--" The blue haired one began, only to be cut off suddenly by the driver. "Don't you dare die you crazy bastard. Taka will tear our assess off if you don't come back!"

Smiling, Luke shrugged. "I don't intend to die. I've got a cat waiting for me at home." He said with a smile. "Wow really? THAT's what you're gonna say? So lame. At least say you have a woman waiting for you!" Jäger replied as Luke began turning back towards the bus. But I don't. As much as I'd like a girlfriend, all I have is that stupid cat. Luke replied, smirking a little as the sound of metal dragging across scabbard was heard against the rain. "Maybe try a little harder to fix that then! You don't want to die a virgin do you? What fun would THAT be?"

"Why don't you two shut up and start focusing on the woman who IS in front of you." Springflut replied, his voice filled with irritation at the two. Gripping his Zanpakuto with both hands, the Bount waited there, off the road, as Alicia dug her way through the bus. That armor shown to him by Jäger's memories filled him with nostalgia. He remembered how he first met the Quincy. He remembered the man he once was then. He remembered running, screaming, trying to get away from her. He remembered relying on Impossible to save him. But nobody was here to save him. Luke was here on his own. He was here on his own two feet. A sense of excitement filled his body along with the adrenaline. He promised himself to get stronger.

Luke was walking his own path. He was walking the path he felt would lead to him becoming a hero of justice. He swore he would protect and save as many as he could. He would strive to end as many peoples suffering as he could. He would strive to help create a world were everyone was smiling. He aimed to stop people like the Quincy who simply killed because they could. Them and others like them. He would become a hero. Because it was the only way he could make amends for the deaths. It was the only thing he could do. It was why he had gotten stronger. It was why he sought strength. Luke would become a hero of justice.

"Yo. Long time no see, Quincy. You remember me?"

[Alicia Maine]

They're.....running. Farther and farther away. She could feel it. The whole lot of reiatsu just fading away the farther they got. No. She couldn't let it happen. If they ran away, then how would she be able to relieve herself? How selfish could these people be. The pain won't go away. These thoughts continued to ravage her in her wake. She clawed. She screamed. Her talons tore through the hull of the bus until she was beyond its interior, and back to the refreshing storm that mirrored her insides. Even with all of the lunacy, and the desire to amend her quaking insides, there was something bizarre with this group. Something....... familiar. She couldn't place a finger on it. At least, not until she saw him in front of her. That same guy she met nights and nights ago.

She almost didn't recognize him. The pussy that ran away the first time they met. The same sack of shit that seemed to almost waste his pants when they were facing off before. She couldn't have been certain if it was him or not. But the lightening over head and the blurting series of flashing light from the headlights helped with her vision a bit. Behind the helm she was silent. Only steams of hot gasping air pierced the tightened spaces of the mouth piece. She was... excited. He responded to her sudden appearance from the bus. This was definitely him alright, "Oh look, it's the pussy again. Kek." Yup, this was the guy that almost wet himself the last time they met. Pretty much the same way how most of the Vandenreich reacted when they were alone with her, or just her being around them altogether. It's the aura that she gave off. Among those within the Vandenreich, Alicia's level of twisted sorrow and insanity was beyond all. Some chose to become such a thing, but Alicia was molded by it. She was the personification of insanity.

"You seem a bit more confident than the last time we met, did you happen to grow some hair down their during the time we last saw each other. Or could it be that you couldn't help but to see me. Kek." she laughed. Looking back on it now, this was pretty much the same scenario being played out again. It made Alicia laugh. "We gotta stop meeting like this, or else people will talk about us." Alicia brought the laughter down to that of a snicker, as if no one wasn't actually talking about it back in Silbern. Hell, there nearly hasn't been a single Soldat that hasn't slept with her. Whether it be one way or another. That's how boring the Vandenreich really was. That was the reason why she thought of wasting them all. Just to brighten her day. Would that have changed anything? Would it have brought her closer to the answer? Would killing these runaways help her with that too? The very thought sent her body into sheer ecstasy. Her body felt hot as her talons traced each wave that ran down her breasts to her hips.

"We should catch up some other time. Right now....... it's play time." Not even a full step was taken before the woman vanished from sight. Though not as fast as the Bount, the single use of Movement was efficient enough to blur her past the man. He wasn't the target, so he would have to wait. What she wanted, what she desired, were those four Quincies. She didn't care about anything else at this time. She only wanted she wanted. The swelling of emotions that continued to storm inside forced her forward. Everything else took a backseat as to what she wanted. The tightening of the nerves as they waited in anticipation for the first sight of the group. They wouldn't have gotten far, and the superior abilities in Energy Sensory, they wouldn't be able to hide in the darkness. She'd find them quickly.

"There was a friendly but naiiivvee King, who wed a very nasty Queen...... Closer, she felt them drawing closer as a secondary blurred motion pushed her forward. She could practically taste them. Shortly, they would come into view. Pounding against her chest the Sternritter saw the beautiful shades of color mixed with the rain and bolts that struck the skies. Nevermore could she hold back her glee, her body was in anguish the closer she drew to them. Even the sound of her rhythm was blessed by the background orchestra of the raging storm. It seemed as if they were helping to carry her tune, blessing it. "The king was llovvveedd........ but the Queen was fearreedd."(-25 Movement x2)

She didn't want to wait as she sped past the group, cutting them off. She was the Obsessed. Once she took an interest in something, she wouldn't let it go. Not if it meant bringing her closer to her goal. That was life. The life she felt she was stripped of. No one was going to take that from her. To the answer in which she sought out for so long. Perhaps it was in reach now. She could taste it. The armor's reside continued to bleed into the soaked Earth as she inched closer to the group. Her face was that of the toothy helm, smiling, "The King was llooovveeed, but the Queen was ffeeaareedd." She didn't want to wait another second, but, perhaps she will have to as she felt something coming. Something that irritated her.

Remaining Reiatsu: 630/1340 [- 25 Movement x2]

Class 2 Property Activated: 1/3

SPOILER: Click to show

{Song Reference}

[Deleted]

You know it was weird. Luke was not the same man he was when he first met this Quincy. During that time his priorities, goals, and even personality had been different. He had been little more than an amoeba. He was a juicy sack just waiting to be eaten up by something powerful and malicious. But he was different. He was no longer that man. No, it was more appropriate to say that Luke now was a man. But despite all his growth, he still felt a sense of unease when staring at that expressionless helmet. He still felt caution, nervousness, when he stood before her. He wasn't scared. He was just anxious. It was like getting back into the tigers cage. Didn't matter how often you put yourself in the way of danger, there was always going to be some nervousness. It simply meant Luke was human. But his determination was stronger than what fear there was. It was what let him stand before Alicia now.

"Heh. Yup. She remembers you. Pretty well actually." Jäger teased when Alicia answered his question. The Bount couldn't help but smirk, entertained at what Alicia said just as she was. "I'd be lying if I said I never wanted to see you again." Luke replied. It was true. While he certainly didn't like Alicia, she was something of a test for him. She had been one of the first to show him just how dangerous this new, ghostly, world really was. He still remembered their first night rather vividly. He remembered the grocery store. The injured man banging on the door. The sound of shattering glass when Luke had gone to the office to call an ambulance. He remembered first meeting Alicia very well.

Alicia's laughter caused him to frown and tighten the grip on his Zanpakuto. "You don't intend to hold back, do you?" Springflut asked. "Luke. Don't brush me off. She's already released. You need to-" I know, Springflut. I know. Cutting the Doll off earned himself a grumble, but Luke was aware Springflut was concerned for the Bount. He may have been an ass, but Luke was certain Springflut didn't want to see Luke die. Otherwise how would he get to fight strong opponents? "Luke! I have an idea!" Oh? Luke had every reason to believe this was going to be stupid. "Ask her to pop your buttholes cherry BEFORE she kills you." Yup. Luke called it.

What Alicia said next, however, caught the Bount by surprise. What did she mean by later? Luke felt the sudden shift of a small amount of reiatsu, and the Quincy was gone. Where was she---SHIT! Is she... Luke quickly turned, lips pulled back in a growl, as he realized what she was doing. She was going after the others! "HAH. Her jobs more important than you!" Jäger laughed as Luke vanished from sight himself, using Movement just as Alicia did to go right the fuck after her. Luke was faster than her, yeah, but he didn't actually expect the second Movement she used. What's more, she did have a head start. She'd get to her destination before Luke did, that was a fact.

"Cast away, Mūnran'nā."

Luke activated the Zanpakuto as he traveled. The silver steel of the blade was replaced with a blue glow, seemingly becoming a blade made of light. The shape of the weapon morphed and shifted as well, becoming something far more unique than just another katana. What's more was that same blue light that illuminated the blade shone on the bottom of Luke's shoes. Luke knew that against Alicia, this Quincy, he had no choice but to release right away. Release his Zanpakuto, anyways. Luke was stubborn. He was very stubborn. He didn't like to rely on his Dolls. He wanted to see how far he could go against an opponent until he needed their powers. Sometimes he was so dedicated to doing things with his own hands that he would only summon the Dolls in their weapon forms, eliminating one of the advantages of being a Bount.

The Quincy had stopped using Movement. She found her prey and began stalking towards them. The three deserters gasped and cowered, while the older man stepped forward and formed his bow. Unlike the other three it seemed he was no coward. The only standing guard was still preoccupied with supporting his unconscious partner. For them it seemed like all hope was lost. What had happened to Luke, they probably thought. Was he already killed off? Well, thankfully, that was not the case. Because as Alicia approached the group, singing, Luke finally fucking arrived. "No you don't!" For just a split second he appeared, with that glowing blade in hand, before using Movement again to lunge forward at Alicia. He'd appear in front of her at 3x his normal speed, that glowing blade reaching around from his left shoulder.

With the distance between them closed, Luke aimed to swing his sword from his left shoulder. He aimed a swing that would clash his blade against her armor, going from her right shoulder down to below her left breast. A good opening attack that, if Alicia wasn't armored, would slice through some important organs. But Alicia didn't have to worry, right? Not only was she adorned in her blood armor release, but she was also gifted with her Emperors power flowing through her blood. Alicia had good Energy Sensory as well. She'd tell that while Luke had, about, seven times more Spiritual Pressure than she did it wasn't enough to cut through her. But, despite all that, there was a look of sheer determination in that Bounts eyes. The man that Alicia met at that store really was gone.

Would Alicia see it, though, was the question. With Mūnran'nā's bright glowing blade, would she notice the milk colored aura that was surrounding the blade? And if she did see it would she recognize it? Would she recognize Push? You can wear that armor all you want. But it won't do jack shit to stop me! Push was a technique designed to counter things like armor. It was an extension of will. It would push past her defenses and cut her. But would Alicia realize that was what Luke was doing was another question entirely. Whether his sword cut blood or armor, the Bount retreated after that attack, moving ten feet away and remaining between the group and Alicia.

"You're not touching them unless you get through me first, Quincy. But go ahead. Keep ignoring me to go after them. But don't be surprised when you find my sword in your back." Luke taunted. He needed these fucks to get as far away as they could. Without really waiting the group began moving again, trying to get distance between themselves and the Sternritter. Luke remained standing. Those brown eyes of his remaining locked onto her as he waited for her next move. With Push active he had two inches of expanded awareness around himself, which was going to help when the fighting actually started. With his reiatsu reserves, he could keep Push going for a long while at least. "I don't want to hear any complaints. You're going to let me out if things turn south. I won't stand by and let you lose to another Quincy woman." Springflut chimed in. "Yeah, yeah! I wanna see how long her intestines are! Rip, rip! And-And her cup size!"

Zanpakuto Release Duration: 1 / 7

Push Duration: 1 / 5

Remaining Reiatsu: 6650 / 7000
-50 for 2x Movement
-200 for Zanpakuto Release
-100 for Push

SPOILER: Click to show

{Artificial Zanpakuto}
“Cast away, Mūnran'nā” (Cast away, Moon Runner) is the call out phrase. a bright white light emanates from the artifical blade and the soles of the user's feet also gives off the same light. emitting the very same light as his blade. The blade pulls the user back, up, or forwards at twice their own physical speed and three times their own physical strength by an invisible force latent in the reiatsu under the soles of the user's feet, up to a maximum of ten yards, user's mental choice. It costs 200 reiatsu to release, while the ability costs 100 reiatsu to use and can only be done once a post. Also lasts for 7 posts.

Furthermore, the light can, for an additional 50 reiatsu during the aforementioned movement, become extremely blinding to those who gaze upon it even out of their peripherals. Those blinded by the light will have very blurry vision for their next post. It is worth mention that even without this blinding effect, the light from both the blade and soles of the feet are very painful to look at except for the user.

What makes this deadly is that, once per post for 100 reiatsu, separate from the movement portion of this power, the force that would normally be exerted on the user can be released as a large offensive blast of air, either from the held blade or the soles of the user's feet. If someone is struck by this force, then not only are they in danger from the natural effects of the power, but they have been "marked," and those marked can, for 100 reiatsu, once per time being marked, be pulled or pushed forward, backward, up, or down by the same force that exerts over the user for the original portion of the technique.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Output / Push}
Technique Name: Output

Class: 2

Technique Type: Other

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:
This technique is one that makes use of the body directly, using the user’s spiritual strength to increase the body’s capabilities in specific ways. Like Willpower, this technique comes in stages as well, but is limited to two:

[Stage 1: Push]: This power coats the user in a sort of "Output Aura." It does two things. First, awareness can extend out by two more inches. This means someone will become more aware of an incoming attack two inches of distance from the attack earlier than normal. It means that one can try to use this to predict enemies, though not as successfully as actual prediction or reading. The secondary point expands "damage." Essentially, it bypasses defenses. A human using this is completely immune to cutback effect regardless of state, and this extends to weapon uses too. Hierro is also completely ignored during use of Push. This defense ignoring is only present during physical attacks. Reiatsu-based strikes can still meet Hierro resistance. This lasts for 5 posts, and costs 100 Reiatsu.

[Stage 2: Impact]: This stage can be used only for physical confrontation. When activated, hit strength quadruples. This means that one can activate it while punching an enemy. If the user has 200 strength, that strength will count as 800 during the instance of the punch. This is very physically draining, and quickly exhausts the body's nutrients. It shortens lifespan to use too often, and it weakens stamina very quickly. This lasts for 1 post, and costs 200 Reiatsu.

[Alicia Maine]

So the man decided to chase after her. The complete opposite of which he did the first time they met. Perhaps he actually grew a pair after all. But none of it mattered. His bolstering remarks and change in attitude did little to faze the girl's own commitment to her own plans, her own desires. The rapid approach of a released weapon was nothing that her sensory couldn't pick. It had been obvious with the change in the air and peaking of spiritual energy, that someone was already in the works of picking up a fight. Being some time that they've seen each other, the man from before came at her, exiting from his blurred motion to cut her down. A stream of beautiful azure light flowing from where the blade was to be, the amount of reiatsu that the man and the blade seemed to be giving off was something similar to herself.

Definitely different in terms of nature, yet some what similar, the man had all the more directive in interfering with Alicia. His slash aiming to cleave her downwards, and more than likely too late to really pull herself back, Alicia did the one thing that most people wouldn't conceive on doing; the Sternritter continued to lunge forward into the blade. To her surprise that the blade dug into her shoulder. The numbing pain that surged from bleeding shoulder surprised the girl, even spouting the nonsense known as pain. She winced, as the blade's fiery edge cleaved into armor and cut into the shoulder. At the same time, with her level of distance between the two, they were pretty much face to face, locking in the man's arm motion to complete his swing with her own body nearly pressed against his. And yet, not only that her armor had been broken through by his unknown power, and her blood leaked from her wound, but the fact that her armor had been penetrated meant that its own nature immediate burst forth. What was to be thought of as her blood, was really that of the armored shoulder erupting to splash the Bount with its red residue.

That eruption coated the man's front immediately after wounding Alica. The Bount withdrew, spouting some nonsense. The red that dripped from her right arm mixed with the H2O that surrounded them. Looking at the wound, the Quincy's talon traced the slit opening caused by the man's magical blade. A twinge of pain. A pain that she was looking for to help her. A simple means to help with her growing anxiety. Yeah, it stung like no other, but she began to grow use to the pain. Wasn't something to be ignored as her own sense of Pain Tolerance was surely nonexistent. But she wouldn't have it any other way. Alicia lived for this sort of pain. It grew on her over the years. So being cut to this extent didn't bother her. To her, it was another means to tell her that she was alive. "So, you have done some growin'. Hehehehe. That's much better. ........ You're so much... better." she said so gleefully.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Play Meh}

Alicia began to approach, slowly closing the distance between them both. It didn't matter if the people were fleeing from the area; she'd track them down when she was done having her fun with the man. But first things first, the armor was in the way. Just as quickly the red armor came to be it quickly dissolved into the moist ground below them. "Finally, I can finally get this itch I've been having scratched. Finally." Exactly as she first appeared to him on that night, here she was once again. Dead white hair, crimson eyes that flared lingering reiatsu as she drew in reiatsu into her hanging cross, and spirit fragment. Her ears shined dimly to signify the gathering of reiatsu from what energy that the Bount was spewing out. (+500 Cross/+300 Fragment)

"And to tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind having a sword in my back. It'd make things a bit more interesting. More than those running away. But don't worry, I'll give you my full.. undivided attention... before dealing with them. They won't be so hard to track." Alicia stated. Wrestling in the palm of her hand, reiatsu tore and shredded itself apart to stretch its length out. Massing around itself and reforming its shape, its a form that Luke knew all to well. Heavy in its weight, and as strong as she was, the Lovey-Dovey Gun manifested in the palm of her left hand. Now this was something that she was more use to. With her own physical strength the weapon seemed to be weightless, as its shaft was twindled among her fingers, spinning around her wrist as she approached. (-100 Class 6 Release + -50 Freak Type)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Next}

"FINALLY. No more safety hazards. No more pussy training sessions. NO more weaklings. Just you and me, having fun; just us tangled in the steps of the dance. The dance of death." She wanted to feel it more. More of what life had in store. The cease of the numbness that the world and the so called God inflicted upon her. These moments are what she lived for. Alicia had a desire that must be quenched. The Quincy didn't hesitate. Swinging the massive lance, the mutilated edge of the blade brushed the sloppy ground several times as it swiped across the horizon at Luke. Its butt struck forward as to mirror a sort of lung. Immediately, the shaft and blade spun around her wrist and waist, as if it were attached to her. Every motion, every slash and hack motioned into the next, Alicia knew how to operate her weapon, and how to utilize every aspect of it. She drew this battle to the terms of close range. And unlike Luke's sword, Alicia's lance had the reach advantage over him.

"Please, make me feel alive again." The Sternritter's grin was more noticeable than anything, especially when up close as she was. "So come on Mama's boy, let's die together." Nothing else mattered, everything else was put on hold. The Vandenreich, the so called God, and the so called traitors, all of them took a backseat as to what Alicia wanted. To her; nothing else mattered but to feel alive once again.

Remaining Reiatsu: 1280/1340 ; +800 Cross/Fragment, - 150 Class 6 Release/Freak Type

Class 6 Property Active: 1/3

[Deleted]

It was odd. Though Luke had gone in with the intention to kill, he was still caught by surprise when his attack actually landed. The sound of clashing metal and ripping flesh filled his ears, causing his eyes to slowly widen in those few moments. She had taken his blow. That had surprised him. He had expected her to dodge. He had expected her to block. He expected a lot of things. But he didn't truly, completely, expect his attack to actually land. She had charged into his attack, letting his blade meet her armor and cut right on through into the flesh beneath. Face to face they were for a few moments. The Bount stared, surprised, up into that expressionless helm before he pulled back and delivered his words.

Looking at the blood that had exploded onto him, he wondered if that was a result of him breaking the armor and her skin, or if it was something else. He could still feel reiatsu into the blood that was staining his clothes. Odd. Hearing her voice drew his attention back to her as she spouted off about how much better Luke had become. Honestly, for a second, it sounded like an innuendo. But Luke knew better than that. He knew exactly what she meant. She meant how when they first met things had been so different. She meant how when they first met Luke had been nothing but a scared, pissing himself, baby. He had run, screamed, and did everything he could to not die. And now here he was...throwing himself head first towards her.

Tightening his grip around his sword when that armor came off, Luke was greeted with that face he still dreamt about. That face that still haunted his nightmares. Sometimes he'd dream about her. Sometimes he'd dream he was running away from her. She was more terrifying than any Hollow. But Luke wasn't afraid now. He couldn't be. He needed to stand and fight. He needed to protect the deserters and guards trying to get away. But there was more to it than that. Luke was fighting her for more than just that reason. That reason alone would have been terribly shallow. No, there was more. Luke's path to power was like a steep climb up a mountain. Each obstacle he passed showed him that he had gotten stronger. Each obstacle passed brought him closer to the peak. And Alicia was one such obstacle. A massive, imposing, dangerous obstacle that Luke needed to pass.

Her ears flashed with light as the tell tale signatures of reiatsu was collected within those glowing metals. Luke recognized what was happening. Ever since finding out about Quincy he had done a little research about them at the club. Surpisingly enough, there was a lack of Quincy that went to or hung out at the club. But Luke was able to dog up some information regardless. A clan of human warrior monks who trained and dedicated themselves to acquiring powers to slay Hollows, a lifestyle Luke could get behind and respect. More than that was some brief details about their powers. They used reiatsu itself as a weapon. They absorbed reiatsu from their surroundings and used it to form their weapons. Once upon a time Quincy only used bows, but it seemed in recent years that had changed.

Her Lovey-Dovey gun formed in her hand, bringing back a flood of memories to Luke when he saw it. He remembered just how nasty that thing was. He remembered the weird bullets that thing shot. Luke narrowed his eyes as he tensed up, preparing himself for what was to come. Despite the outrageous design of the weapon, Luke knew that it was a lance. Call it stupid, but most of his knowledge on Lances came from games like Dark Souls and Monster Hunter. He knew that they traded things like complex movement and speed for reach. In a direct confrontation...Luke knew he would lose. Despite her small frame, this woman was stronger than him physically. She had the advantage of reach over him. He'd need to get closer to actually hit her with his sword. "How long do you intend to play? You've already done leaps and bounds more than you did last time."

Luke could tell Springflut wanted out. Hell, even Jäger was squirming around. Both of them wanted out. This wasn't a fight that Luke could simply be stubborn about. This wasn't like he was fighting a friend. He was fighting an enemy. But Luke was selfish. He wanted to see just how long he could go. He wanted to see just how much farther he could go without them. "Tch. Sorry babe, I don't plan on dying tonight! But you go right ahead!!" Clenching his teeth together, Luke suddenly lunged forward even though Alicia was pressing the assault. That massive lance headed right for him, and if he did nothing would take a huge chunk out of him. But, even so, he just went straight for her. As expected that lance would strike him, but instead of blood being drawn like she expected something else would occur instead.

When her Lovey-Dovey Gun came into contact with Luke, the man would suddenly explode into a cloud of white fog. Thick enough to think you were in Silent Hill, the vision obscuring fog would spread all around them. Though Luke was gone, his reiatsu could still be felt all around her. As if he had become the fog itself. What Luke had done was use Nebel. It was a technique that allowed a Bount to become a cloud of fog when they were struck by a physical attack, neutralizing the damage and, well, making them into fog. But there was more to the technique than that. A good bit more than that. Because while Alicia was, probably, confused about just had just happened, Luke took the initiative.

Like a spectre he would reappear. But he didn't reappear from the fog in front of her. No, but behind her. With his Zanpakuto in his right hand, the Bount would lunge with his right arm and sword aiming for right between Alicia's shoulders. He was aiming to impale her from behind. Trying to end the fight quickly. Alicia wasn't someone he could take it easy on. He needed to end her. He needed to end her fast. He didn't have a choice in this. He needed to stop her so the others would be safe. Luke wasn't going to let her just do what she wanted.

Zanpakuto Release Duration: 2 / 7

Push Duration: 2 / 5

Nebel Duration: 1 / 6

Remaining Reiatsu: 6400 / 7000
-100 for Nebel
-150 for Nebel reform

SPOILER: Click to show

{Nebel}
Technique Name: Nebel

Class: 5

Technique Type: Bount Technique

Technique Element: Mist

Technique Description and Effects:
This is a Bount technique which allows the Bount to dissipate into mist. This can be done only upon being struck by a physical attack. One must be impacted by an attack for this to work. Reiatsu based attacks do nothing to stimulate this technique. However, the mist can flow out to become a large mist that covers the area and makes impermeable fog. "So thick you can't cut it with a knife." The Bount can reform at any time. Maximum limit to how long said Bount can be mist is 6 posts. The Bount's body can "partially form" within the mist. While the technique is class 5, the reiatsu cost to form the body inside the mist is class 4 cost. (Dissipating and reforming are both separate class 5 costs.)

How to use technique: [How do you use this technique? List below.]
Stated above.

Drawback:
Costs are increased, as listed above. Bount who use this technique will suffer burning and pain in sunlight for 24 hours after its use.

Made by: Unknown Bount

Reserved?: No

[Alicia Maine]

The man vanished before her eyes. A gassy substance that had no quality to it to really hit. Her Lovey Dovey Gun went straight through it without any effort; like a heated blade through melting butter. What the Hell kind of technique was this? And if it wasn't a technique, then what the Hell was she on? What the Hell was this guy thinking? Was he running away or something? Kek, and he said that he was different; a changed man. Seemed as though that he didn't want to face her head to head, but instead, he was going with hitting and running. And despite his new appearance she could still feel him. That odorless gas that was passing around her still had traces of reiatsu that the Quincy could pick up on. She was picking up on it, on him as the gas began to reform itself into a single entity.

Alicia smiled. A single pivot to the side with the massive lance twirling, its rotation leading the head of her weapon up into the razor's edge of the man's Zanpakutou. That puny thin blade would have been immediately deflected upwards with the pure strength that the Sternritter possessed. A physical fight with her wouldn't be an easy one, especially if only using cheap parlor tricks to try to get the better of her. That wasn't going to work. "Strike one," Alicia scoffed, laughing even at such a silly attempt. Luke was indeed faster than her, but that alone would only get him so far with this girl. Even without her lance, Alicia had the upper hand. Her reach out for the man was another factor that he'd clearly see coming.

With the deflection of the sword, the Sternritter twisted her stance to utilize her other hand. Reaching out, the Quincy thrust her hand forward to grasp the reclining elbow in which held the blade. Despite the thickness of the fog, she could feel him. Outlining the flow of reiatsu that surged through his body, an outline made possible when striking while in Nebel. He was focused at one particular point in the dense fog. Alicia didn't need her eyes to see him, only just to feel him. And that was the thing with Nebel, it did require a physical strike to trigger it, which was why it wouldn't be activated if the Quincy came out to grab him. Physical harm was one thing, but physical contact was in a different aspect altogether.

"Gotcha now, pussy." She snickered. Alicia was confident in herself. That sense of strength came from the sense of Luke fleeing a confrontation. A sense of running when using a technique that allowed him to bypass her blade without being harmed. Even when in a versatile state, the man had to be careful. The level of skill that Alicia had with her released bow was near that of mastery, meaning that she would make little to no mistakes when wielding it. A level of skill in which cheap tricks like Nebel, wouldn't work if his effort was half-assed. "Are you done running away again? Or are you really going to go all out? Because if not...... then you are just plain boring to me.........." Whether or not she caught the man was not the issue. She could care less. Only a the statement mattered.

However, if she managed to catch him, she'd quickly swing him over head to be slammed into the ground beside her. She'd keep talking of course, informing him of her current situation with him. "I could care less if you 'try' and stab me in the back. But you are just making this whole thing dull. Perhaps the others might make it fun for me? Wouldn't you agree?" Light emerged once again through the darkness as reiatsu was being pulled into her fragments of Quincy materials. Her hanging cross and spirit fragments that doubled as earrings pulled at the life energy that allowed Nebel possible. (+225 Spirit Fragment/+375 Cross)

"You're making this whole situation dreary, and quite frankly bores me. So, I'll find someone who can amuse me more. Someone who can least give me the answers that I'm looking for." she said, beaming down eyes filled with nothing but disgust for the man. That was all Alicia thought about the man. Someone who at least allowed her to feel something, was now feeling her with such a sensation that made her want to vomit. Her crimson eyes were beaming down at the man through the veil of darkness that shrouded her wet white bangs. She couldn't take such disappointment anymore. "The idiots in the Vandenreich can't satisfy me, and to think that this world can't do it either. They're all so damn useless!!" Alicia cried out. "Can't anyone give me what I'm looking for!" Her arm rose in the direction of the running group in the storm. She could still feel them. Another useless group.

Her armament was directed into the darkness of the storm, gathering reiatsu as another property was flipped on. "Eat." The mutilated form of her Lovey-Dovey Gun erupted from the blade. And from it, a mad beast was released out. Its gnashing of teeth and its tongue blade exploded out from the tip of her lance, seeking out those that were nearly out of its reach. Almost anyway. (-100 Class 6 Release, -50 Freak Type) (Class 4 Arrow -40)


Remaining Reiatsu: 1690/1340 ; +600 Cross/Fragment, - 190 Reiatsu

Class 4 and 6 Property Active: 2/3

[Deleted]

Shit! Luke cursed when he saw that lances blade suddenly be brought backwards. Sparks flew as spiritual weapons collided, and with Alicia's higher physical strength caused Luke's sword and arm to be sent upwards from the conflict. She was good. In truth, Luke thought her of little more than some deranged psycho. She may have been powerful, but she couldn't have had any actual training or skill with all that madness holding her back. He had thought of her as a Berserker. But here he was...caught by surprise by such a good reaction to his attack. Luke's use of Nebel was, generally, to try and catch the opponent by surprise to deliver a critical blow. It was something that had worked in the past. Nobody ever expects someone turning into fog when hit. But Alicia didn't seem bothered by it. No, scratch that. She did seem bothered but with something else.

Her stance twisted and arm shot out, Luke realized quickly where she was going for. With his instinctual speed and animal like senses, Luke was able to realize and process this information with the speed of a travelling bullet. Though his sword arm was caught off guard, Luke was still more than capable of dodging. Mūnran'nā! Luke commanded mentally. As Alicia reached out for her would be prey, the Bount would suddenly be yanked backwards despite him apparently not moving at all. Only a few feet mind you, but just far enough to be out of reach of her grip and a sudden swipe from her lance. She'd need to turn around and approach him to hit him now.

But what surprised Luke was the tone shift. He was surprised by the shift in her eyes. No longer did she look excited and entertained...but instead disgusted. She asked if he was done running away? Did she mean him using Nebel just then? Luke stood quietly for a bit as he listened to Alicia's complaints trying to understand just where this bitching was coming from. Was she mad that he didn't take the brunt of her attack? That he avoided to get cut unlike her? "Luke. She's insane. The ramblings of a lunatic aren't something to listen to." Springflut consulted. "Yeah, yeah! The only thing you do with crazies is put your dick in them."

But regardless of what his Dolls had to say, what caught Luke's attention was the sudden threat of taking her frustration out on the others. The Bount narrowed his eyes at that. Answers? The Vandenreich couldn't satisfy her? Just what was she talking about? "Hey dumbass!" Springflut shouted, but Luke already noticed. Her could feel her reiatsu gathering. Tightening the grip on his sword, Luke readied himself for whatever was next. He was expected her to start going after the others again. But he couldn't allow that. They were still too close. Luke needed to buy more time. But instead of using a Step, Luke saw the birth of one of those deformed arrows. One of those things that looked like some monster from a Steven King movie.

But instead of being fired at him, it was sent in a completely different direction. In the direction of...fuck! Quickly using Movement, Luke would vanish from site for a moment as he hurriedly intercepted the arrow. Appearing in front of it, the Bount would quickly swing his Zanpakuto. Normally this would be a stupid endeavor. Luke didn't have the Spiritual Pressure to just slice through her arrow. But, then again, that wasn't what he was doing. As he swung his sword, the ability of the Artificial Zanpakuto activated once more. A wave of energy, similar to a shockwave, emerged from the blade. With an overall power of twice his Speed and three times his strength (600 + 600 = 1200) the wave of energy would collide with the arrow and create quite the explosion.

But her arrow would be stopped from going after the others. Landing back into the wet grass, the Bount threw a glare at Alicia. But, perhaps surprisingly, Alicia would see that the mist that surrounded them suddenly began to vanish. "What're you doing? You're deactivating it??" Luke ignored the Dolls criticisms to what he was doing. "There. I won't use it if it pisses you off that much." Luke said to Alicia. "That seems like a genius decision." The young man simply stared ahead at Alicia instead of charging forward like he did before. The way he was looking at her was like he was trying to read her. Like she was a book written in a different language. "So what are they?" He would suddenly ask, his voice carrying over the rain.

"What is it you're looking for?" Luke questioned. He was trying to buy time. But more than that, he was genuinely curious. "Back at the store I heard you mutter something. At first I thought it was just gibberish...but something bad happened to you, didn't it?" Luke asked, a hint of sympathy in his voice for her. He remembered her screaming about being a floosey. He could just barely recall her saying something hadn't been her fault. But what that had been he wasn't sure. But he did know people didn't just turn out like this. He knew something had to have broken her. "Don't even think of trying to be a hero for this one. She's too far gone. You can't save everyone." Springflut chided. But Luke ignored him, instead waiting for what Alicia would respond with.

Zanpakuto Release Duration: 3 / 7

Push Duration: 3 / 5

Remaining Reiatsu: 6175 / 7000
-25 for Movement
-100 for Zan Ability
-100 for Zan Ability

[Alicia Maine]

Huuuhhh? What now, the pussy wanted to talk? Talks and conversations about the past, just old time ramblings of an insane girl that was sent away, locked away to never be heard from again? That was funny. The guy was either a coward at times, or a comedian in other moments when he wasn't on the run. Thinking about the past didn't matter. It didn't matter because everything at that time didn't matter. It didn't matter because it was all burned and buried. Alicia made sure of that. She tied them up. Her hands were the ones that gagged their wailing mouths. She was the one who broke their kneecaps to prevent them from escaping. She remained to be the only one who wasn't stained in the heavy odor of gasoline and oil. The Sternritter's fingers lit the matches that turned the hospital rooms into ashes. She watched it all burn down into the unless that remained there to this day.

Oh, now those were some pleasant memories. The sort of memories that made the woman tingle all over. Just hearing their screams filled the woman with a drug she'd never felt before. Like a rare delicacy in which only came once every while. The sort in which she grew tired of at the same time. The experience was bliss, and yet, not the sort of bliss that she sought. No no. Not that it didn't feel wrong. Just a bit of cruel irony how they begged as she once did. She wanted to do it. She wanted it done for what they did to her. And yet, it didn't satisfy her the way that she thought it would. Instead, something broke. Alicia...... never really made it out of that place alive. That wasn't the case. Alicia, for all terms and purposes, died there in the hospital. She remembered.

"What does it matter? Bad things happen to people all the time. So, what's the point in asking, especially when the girl you are talking about is already dead." That was the only conclusion that was left. It's the reason why she sought after life. Perhaps that was the reason why she sought death. Probably to look for her place. Somewhere she could find a sense peace, or perhaps, something else. "She soaked all those people with gas, and then, watched the fire and screams until they were nothing more than ashes." She hated it. She loved it. Flirting with the idea again and again until it was nothing more than utter nothingness. Yet, Jyuria herself continued to echo in her mind. She didn't like it.

Alicia annoyance grew. The irritation had spread across the back of her scalp. It itched. She relieved herself quickly but it still remained. This guy.... was he really trying to figure her out? Now of all times? Pft. Ridiculous. Why were people trying to get close. There was nothing to connect to anyways. Alicia was already dead. So then, why was she feeling like this? The constant irritation remained. It continued to grow. They were all vexing. Was there something that the Quincy wasn't understanding? Was there something that she didn't get? What was it? "Why would want to know something about a girl that died a long time ago? What interest does it have with you?" Alicia engaged once again, bringing her lance down onto Luke's position.

"What I hate most, are people who pretend to be something that they are not?" her glee for their engagement faded away. The Sternritter was pissed. The bags beneath her eyes were heavily emphasized. A pale expression consumed her facial features, as her brows narrowed toward the center. The light between the two grew as her spirit fragment and Quincy Cross gathered reiatsu from the Bount's earlier technique. (+250, +150) Though, that light was no where to be seen in the girl's dead eyes. "You are just like all the others; self-serving assholes who have a pole up the ass. You're just like all the others!" Another swing was taken across the Luke's horizon, this time releasing another Blood Beast as she did so.

"You're just like the Vandenreich, like the Doctors, like those rapists; You're all the fucking SAME! SO CAN"T ALL OF YOU BURN IN THAT SAME DAMN FIRE TOGETHER!" The fangs tore themselves away from each other as it burst forth from the lance's tip. A class 1 arrow, large enough to gobble the man's arm if not careful. (-70) And why wouldn't he have been, considering that the nature of this beast didn't cease. Instead, it came right back around the man's right flank, coming from behind as Alicia thought of it. This was the work of Alicia's strongest property, Lover's Hand. (-500 + -250 Freak Type) Alicia had free reign over the blood of those around her. But she wanted to keep this to herself for the time being. For now, she'd left her manipulated Blood Beast do her work, as it pried it's mouth open looking to make dinner of the Bount's left shoulder.


Remaining Reiatsu: 1270/1340 ; +400 Cross/Spirit Fragment, - 500 Class 1 Property, - 250 Freak type, -70 Class 1 Arrow.

Properties Active; 1, 4, 6; 3/3

[Deleted]

Bad things happen all the time? Luke couldn't deny the truth behind those words. The world was filled with bad things. Bad things never stopped happening. One's life was an uphill battle where you needed to enjoy the good you were blessed with along the way. But Luke wasn't the type to preach. Hell, when he did preach it was usually a failed attempt. He wasn't good at talking deeply. He was more appropriately built for snapping at chatting. But he couldn't say she was wrong. But he didn't really focus much longer on the first part, instead he listened to what came next. He listened to the story of the girl who murdered the hospital staff. The story of how a girl died lighting the people who wronged her on fire. The Bount stared at her, his eyes mixed with shock, surprise, and even a hint of fear. That hint of fear was coming from a realization.

She attacked again. She aimed to bring her lance down atop him, to crush him beneath its weight and her strength. The Bount side stepped to the right, nimbly dodging her attack with his superior speed and reflexes. The question she asked him stuck in his mind. Why did he want to know? Why? Why did he care, at all, about a brain damaged psychopathic murderer? The answer was actually simple. Because he wanted to help her. Because he sympathized with her. He didn't condone what she did. He couldn't accept the things she had done. But Luke wanted to help her. She was someone who needed help. What kind of hero would he be if he didn't extend his hand into the darkness to try and pull her out?

What she said next caught his attention. What she said next made him pause. As she absorbed more reiatsu, he said something that managed to flick a nerve. "You are just like all the others; self-serving assholes who have a pole up the ass." Was what she said. Luke's brown eyes blinked as they stared at her. He quickly had to retreat as she swung her lance. But it wasn't just a simple attack this time. Another one of her monster arrows was released with that swing! He needed to back up. His feet bounced off of the wet grass as he leapt back, trying to get some distance between him and the arrow. Quickly he used Movement to head to the right, so the arrow would dart past him without worry. "Self serving? You can't be farther from the truth." Luke managed to say as he reappeared.

"Luke it's--" Luke already knew. He could sense the bullet was coming back around. "I'm nothing like the Vandenreich. I'm nothing like you Quincy. You take lives like their your toys to break.." Luke began to say as the bullet got closer. Luke's right arm pulled back, pointing the blade across his chest as if to swing. From deep within himself he reached. He reached into his very soul for the power. And from those depths did the flames come forth. They burned a beautiful blue as they consumed the Bount's hands, before growing and consuming the sword and the Bount in his entirety. The blue flames mixed beautifully with the glow of his sword, leaving a trail of light in the darkness as Luke swung and released the power of his sword.

The power of Mūnran'nā was encassed in this blue flames as well. The attack, empowered by his physical stats, should not have been able to defeat the power of Alicia's Class 1 arrow. The levels in their strength were too different. But this was only under normal circumstances. Those blue flames that Luke called forth were a technique not to be taken lightly. They were called Chakra. And using those flames, that power, made the differences in their classes meaningless. Because Chakra made whatever those flames covered class neutral, and would always win in most circumstances.

The explosion shrouded Luke from Alicia for a moment, but even so the light of his sword and flames shone through the smoke. "I care because I made a promise." the Quincy would hear him say. "I promised that I would protect and save as many as I could. It didn't matter who they were." Luke explained as the cloud of dust moved away from him. Despite the fire, Luke did not feel heat. He was still being soaked from the rain. His brown eyes remained locked on Alicia's glowing reds. "I don't expect you to understand. But even you are someone I want to save." Luke said to her. His brown eyes shifted away from her for a moment and seemed to be directed behind him. Finally, they were far enough away.

Because I will become a hero who helps build a world where everyone can smile.

"But right now...there are people I have to protect from you." Luke stated, calmly, as suddenly his reiatsu flared again. The fires that consumed him kicked up as Luke's power surged. The Bount raised his left hand and pointed it at Alicia. "So...sorry if this hurts. Ziege Dich." Luke said, and in that moment there was a sudden explosion of light. The ground rumbled within that blinding flash and high pitched scream, and when it suddenly ended Alicia would realize just what Luke was.

Towering over him was the behemoth. Standing twenty five feet tall, with a roughly humanoid body, was the Doll named Springflut. Water endlessly streamed from its thick, muscular, body. The monster flicked its tail back and forth, echoes of its tail made from water falling to the ground below. A deep growl escaped from the Doll as all five of its glowing, green, eyes settled on the Quincy. "So you were waiting for those weaklings to get far enough away." The Doll suddenly said, but it wasn't directed at Alicia. It was directed to his Master, who simply remained silent and focused on Alicia. "Hmph. Had you called me out earlier this would be done." The Doll said once more, before beginning to move. Luke, using Movement, moved out of the path of his Doll...but not before putting his hand on its leg.

The Doll was, just like the Bount and sword, became consumed in those blue flames. As the Doll walked towards Alicia, echoes of water continued being made and falling to the earth. 2500lbs of water for each echo. Springflut was already making something of a small flood around them. Water was splashing against Alicia's ankles. "So long as I don't kill her it's fine?" Springflut asked, only receiving a silent nod from Luke. The Dolls right hand curled into a fist and, with a sudden burst of 600 speed, threw out a jab at Alicia despite the distance between them. What happened was short of destructive.

The force behind that punch, the strength of the Doll, caused the very air to become a weapon. The air exploded into a wave of pure destruction not unlike what Luke's sword created. But while Luke's was more refined and controlled, this one was massive. The very ground was ripped apart, the waters became waves, as Springflut seemingly released a hurricane with his punch. If Alicia was hit and did nothing to absorb the blow, she would be sent flying back and directly into the bus. The metal coffin would be shattered and crushed by Springfluts shockwave as well, and sent flying back as well. "Hmph." Springflut grunted, lowering his fist. The water that poured off of him just did not stop.

Springflut Duration: 1 / X

Zanpakuto Release Duration: 4 / 7

Push Duration: 4 / 5

Chakra Duration: 1 / 20

Remaining Reiatsu: 4825 / 7000
-800 for Chakra
-400 for Doll release
-100 for Art Zan ability
-50 for Movement x2

SPOILER: Click to show

{Chakra}
Technique Name: [Spiritual Discipline: Chakra]

Class: [1]

Technique Type: [HWD Tech]

Usable By: [Bount, Mod Souls, Fullbringers, Non Vandenreich Quincy, HWD Nakabakki]

Technique Element: [N/A]

Technique Description and Effects: [Insert Below]

The soul. Essentially the core of one's true self. And to manifest its energy is a feat anyone can accomplish. When you gaze at all of the spiritually aware, you see them blasting their spiritual energy around themselves. Sometimes they can flex it and use the force it generates to their advantage. Other times they can create projectiles, or concoct actual physical changes. But this technique is different.

The cost for this is a full 800 reiatsu, but it lasts for 20 posts. As long as it is active, the user's hands gain the power to directly utilize their own reiatsu. How? Anything they touch, should they allow it, including their own body, can be imbued with a flame of their choosing. This fire isn't hot, and does not burn. What it does it enhance offensive and defensive capability. This can be used on techniques, releases, body, attacks, weapons, etc.

As long as that flame coats an object, it is considered "class neutral" and "value neutral." Unless struck by a superior class or 2x offensive stat or more, it will always win in conflict against anything that is without a flame. In other words, say Player A utilizes Chakra on their sword and Player B has some sort of Hierro-like ability. Player A, except with the aforementioned limitations, will always be able to cut clean through that defense and sever it.

If the target is also coated in flames, however, then the neutrality of class and value is lost against that target, and once again it is treated as a clash of offensive power or class, as per normal rules. Therefore, this technique is a must for top level HWD, as it is almost impossible to succeed in combat without it. Just to meet the high tier status quo, this technique is required.

How to use technique (How is it activated?): [Insert Below]

It is activated for the 800 reiatsu cost, and it is special in that no technique that lowers reiatsu cost can lower the cost of this technique. Furthermore, anyone who can charge or generate reiatsu cannot use any such methods of charge or regeneration while this technique is active. To learn this technique, user must know Willpower, Output, Movement, and Energy Generate.

Technique Drawbacks (Limitations, repercussions for use, etc) (Insert Below)

800 reiatsu cost, in addition to considerable stamina drain the longer this technique is used. In addition, anyone who uses this technique bleeds 20% more profusely out of wounds while it is active.

Incantation and Effect: [N/A]

Made By: [Kento]

Reserved?: [No]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Springflut Stats and Skills}
Springflut | Brave


Strength - 400 - 800 Points

Speed - 400 - 600 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 200 - 100 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 100 - 50 Points

Light Aura - 50 Points

Dark Aura - 50 Points

Instinct - 150 Points

Senses - 150 Points

Energy sensory - 0 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points


Total SP: 1400 Points

[Alicia Maine]

Like the Vandenreich? Her? A bunch of pencil pushing religious motherfu- nope nope. If she was what the Quincies were based on then things would be a bit more interesting. Fun even. That definitely struck a nerve with Alicia, but even more as how this guy was referring to himself as a person who wants to save people. Did he think he was some sort of hero? Mask and tights and all that other nonsense. What, he is going to have some tragic origin story and hopefully have a movie dedicated to his story? Please, that was only in the world of fiction. Way over his head and the reality of it all. He spoke about saving people, then where the fuck was he was when she was at the hospital. Where was a hero when she needed one. Nothing that the man said held any weight.

"You would have tried to save me? Kek." the Quincy snickered beneath the heavy pounding of the rain around them. From his words alone riled the bitterness that swelled deep within. The rage and hate that she felt for those around her. They played off on her weakness. It didn't matter how much she begged for them to stop or how much she was hurting, they never stopped. "You would....save me?" Every word spoken from the man's mouth only made her all the more spiteful. They held no weight with her. All of them fell flat, dead, enticing the Sternritter's furry all the more that he stood in front of her.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Play meh}

The edge of her blade cut. Alicia had drew her lance onto herself. Nicking the pale flesh that resided beneath her heavy restraints. One across the throat, only enough to draw blood. Three on both arms, marking across the surface of her forearms and shoulder joint. A single slash lining her palms. The girl had been marking herself altogether. She drew further blood down her legs, marking her thighs and the roof of her feet. Why? It wasn't the pain that she wanted to feel. The amount of adrenaline that was coursing through her veins wasn't from the rush of fighting. Surely wasn't from her ability to suppress the pain. This was all from her hate, the flourishing strength that anger and spite that the Quincy had for the one in front of her. Him and his ideals, those that mirrored that of the Vandenreich. Never once did Alicia consider herself a Hero or a savior of people like the Vandenreich did.

Alicia knew that she was no saint, or a good person. A girl like her, who gladly drowned herself in the blood of others to seek out her answers, was far from that. She knew where she will end up in the end of it all. For someone like her to who did what she did, she already knew that the end wouldn't be as embracing as anything was in this world for her. And yet, she still couldn't help but feel robbed. All because she wanted the freedom to make her own decisions. Because she wanted to be free. It was all hilarious. It did not matter that Luke was beginning to take the situation further. The amount of reiatsu that was poured out was similar to that of her own release, but different. There was no light of a Quincy or something that should be something like a Shinigami, though similar. Something else came from it.

Whatever it was it stood tall. Towering over the Quincy with its shadow alone brought further darkness to the area. Shielding her from the small traces of what little moonlight remained in the stormy weather, the woman didn't look. Whatever this thing was held no importance to her. All that stood as a focal point was the man. Once her self-inflicted wounds were done with the lance vanished. She wouldn't be needing it for the time being as light gathered into her fragment and cross. The lance's dismissal took away two of her active properties, leaving the strongest active, and providing further focus to draw in more reiatsu from the man's sudden release. (+600 Fragment/Cross)The dim light of the two pieces of Quincy artifacts only displayed the disappearance of her weapon, and that of the deathly gaze that was set on Luke alone.



Everything felt cold and hot at the same time. The temperature outside numbed much of her senses that allowed her skin to react naturally to the chill, but on the inside, a fiery storm brewed. It felt as if the water that rose to her ankles would turn to steam at any moment now. The words of the Doll were deafened by the focus of the girl. The sound of rushing blood and heart beats drowned out the outside noise that would give meaning to others, but not to her. Again, it felt something was breaking inside. What was it though? What more could break inside someone that was already broken? What more could be given? Reiatsu flowed once more. It crackled against the cool droplets of water that fell over the Sternritter's body. She felt it all as if it were second nature to her. Flowing through her body, each ounce of reiatsu penetrated the fabric of muscles of the woman, strengthening them. (-500 Blut Arteie)

From there, the giant Doll struck first. Raising its hand to bring down unto Alicia, it motioned slower than it normally would have. Faster than it should be, but at the same time slower due to its massive size and weight. Alicia was already on the move. The spiraling flow of reiatsu that was infused with her muscles continued to cycle through fluidly, especially in the soles of her feet. The joint effort propelled the world behind the woman, as Springflut's fist came down onto her Alicia blurred past the fist and into the debris field caused by the force of it's single punch. Water droplets became that of shrapnel that acted more glass and diamonds than liquid. The shook her bones, swaying her from her course, forcing Alicia to propel herself off of the Doll's arm as it went past her left side. There, a second step was taken in the middle of Movement, Hirenkyaku. (-25 Movement, -400 Hirenkyaku)

Lighter than the air around them, Alicia would have descended upon the Bount himself, refusing to deal with the subplot that was the Doll. But it was not on Luke's position that she sought out, but going past the Bount as she would pass him by with speeds up to 1500. The accumulated force from shifting from one step into the next would have alerted the Doll and the Bount, more so as her focus was solely directed onto himself. If the Bount didn't respond with something, then Alicia's blurring motions would have put her past him. But to be more exact, Alicia would have past him with an extended arm. She was going to latch onto his face with cold dead fingers. His face would have been gripped with a gripping force of 600 strength, seeking to drive the back of his head into the muddied floor, gazing at him with those same eyes that only held a burning hate, as much as they saw nothing more than a dead world.

There, Alicia would have the advantage in position as she would have toppled the man's body, pinning him into the dirt in a straddling position. Knees pressing against the man's elbow joints with palm into face, smearing him further in her blood. "Why bother trying to save people in a uncaring world like this?" she asked.



"Do you think that you can save me? To save this thing that died a long time ago?" Her own dirtied clothes were torn. She was ripping them away from the flesh that bore the scars from the past. Welts and discolored flesh that never truly healed from the beatings, the times that she was forcibly raped, from all those injections that kept her body riled up for the next session she was going to have with the Hospital Staff. "How about saying that.........after you have had a taste of my world?" Alicia........

..... didn't smile.



Remaining Reiatsu: 945/1340 ; +600 Cross/Fragment, -500 Blut Arteie, - 25 Movement, - 400 Hirenkyaku)

Properties Active 1: 1/3

SPOILER: Click to show

{Hirenkyaku}

Class: 4

Technique Type: Quincy Technique

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:

Analogous to the Shinigami Shunpo or the Arrancar Sonído, the Quincy Hirenkyaku allows the user to move quickly over short distances; according to many Quincy, it is faster than flash steps, though a Captain's superior speed in comparison to a Master Quincy's speed suggests that this is just a generalization. Using it in its base form increases speed 10x for a single step, and costs 50 Reiatsu. However, unlike Shunpo and Sonido, this can be used for a constant movement as well. Giving up 400 Reiatsu allows for a constant movement over the duration of one post at 6x speed. Giving up 1000 Reiatsu allows constant movement over the duration of 3 posts of 4x speed.

How to use technique:

To perform the technique, the user gathers spiritual particles under their feet and rides them to the desired location. Like the air-walking skill displayed by most Arrancar and Shinigami, it can also be used to hover or fly for long distances.

Drawback: None.

[Deleted]

The Bount's eyes widened as he watched Alicia drag her own lances blade across her skin. The hell was she doing? Why was she cutting herself? The flames flickered across his skin and blade, the only sound to come from him as he watched what she did as Springflut attacked. The Doll's shockwave producing attack was destructive. It was as if a missile had been fired. But it didn't seem to matter. All that power didn't matter if nobody was hit by it. Luke noticed her lance suddenly vanishing into thin air. It wasn't that it was becoming invisible, it was that she simply made it vanish. He could feel the surge of reiatsu inside her. Springflut! Luke barked to the Doll, trying to let it know that she was getting ready to do something.

The Quincy then used that reiatsu. She used the debris used by the shockwave to mask her movements, but thankfully Luke had Energy Sensory. He could still keep track of her even with her hidden in the cloud. He suddenly felt the kick of reiatsu from her, and recognized the light use of reiatsu to be Movement. But he didn't recognize the other one. But he didn't get the chance to think. Luke recognized the use of Movement, and had begun to respond appropriately to that technique. But the technique that Alicia layered over Movement was what got him. A technique he didn't recognize.

"Luke!"

"Idiot!!"

The smack threw him off. The impact of the ground dazed him. Cold fingers, as if stricken with rigor mortis, had clutched his face tightly. He'd have used Nebel, but things had happened so fast he hadn't been able to react fast enough. If Alicia had only used Movement he could have reacted. But he didn't expect for her to layer a second, stronger, technique on top of it. No. Luke was wrong. He did recognize the technique. He had seen it briefly once before, he just didn't realize what it was. The other Quincy used it before too. But that didn't help now, did it?

"Mmmgfh!" Luke struggled beneath Alicia's grip, trying to free his face from the palm of her hand. But when he began to raise his arms he suddenly found them smashed down into the soaking mud, pinned down by Alicia's knees as she straddled his chest. The situation was bad. So bad that Jäger wasn't even making a dirty joke. To make matters even worse was that Luke didn't have his sword. When he was grabbed by Alicia the force of her impact Mūnran'nā had been released. It lay, ownerless, in the grass washed over by the water being produces endlessly by Springflut. The blade continued to glow just as the bottom of Luke's feet did. The flames of Chakra continued to burn, but the milky white aura of Push vanished. The technique had simply expired. The Bount continued to struggle beneath Alicia, trying to free himself from her grip.

"Why bother trying to save people in an uncaring world like this?"

What? The Bount paused, his struggling ceasing when he heard her question. His brown eyes looked into her own, glowing, reds that were filled with a recognizable hate. She continued to talk as she tore off her own clothes to reveal what was dotted across her skin. What Luke saw that marred her body caused his eyes to widen in shock. He simply stared at the myriad of scars left across her body. Welts of discolored flesh that he recognized for what they were. The Bount's eyes trembled when he began to realize just what had happened to Alicia. He remembered what she rambled about when they first met. He began to put the pieces together. Her personality now, her own words, and the scars...he had begun to paint a vivid and morbid picture of just what had happened for her to turn out like this.

He stared at her. He simply stared at her. There wasn't any fear in his eyes. There was no anger or malice. There was only one emotion visible in his flame illuminated browns; sympathy. That was all Luke could feel for her. Though her actions were inexcusable, though she had no right to do the things she had done, Luke realized why she was the way she was. He realized she was a victim. She was someone who had experienced hell. She was tortured and lost to the hands of monsters. She was someone...that Luke wasn't going to be able to reason with. She was someone, he realized, that was too far gone. She was someone who had been forced into the gunk, the slime, the pit of everything evil. She was a victim. A damaged, pitiful, victim.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Springflut roared, fully turning and beginning to charge towards the pair. But was it said to Alicia or to Luke? Anger and irritation had filled him and begun spilling over the lips of the cup. That woman was ignoring him for Luke? Springflut knew Jäger would have something to say about that. Probably something annoying and stupid and having to do with sex. But there was also a anxious panic. A worry. She had been able to get by him and get to Luke. His Master, his life line, was in trouble. He was at the mercy of that Quincy! Springflut wasn't going to let himself die here. The behemoth charged towards them, his footsteps causing the ground to rumble and shake as if a earthquake was happening.

"Enough fucking around! Let me out now!"

Water Echoes continued to form and spill behind Springflut. Each echo, shaped like him, crashed and poured across the ground behind him as he ran. Each Echo created was approximately 2500lb of water. This meant that it was very possible for these flatlands to become a new lake. Alicia had also made a mistake earlier when she assumed something about the Doll. Despite his size, Springflut was able to move just as quickly as Luke or her. He was not a monster made from flesh and blood. He was something born from reiatsu. He didn't obey the natural laws of the world. To assume that his size would slow him would only cost Alicia in the end. "Don't think you can ignore me, stupid girl!" The Doll roared as he rushed to them, aiming to tackle the pair.

Springflut Duration: 2 / X

Zanpakuto Release Duration: 5 / 7

Chakra Duration: 2 / 20

Remaining Reiatsu: 4825 / 7000

[Alicia Maine]

Everything was silent. Back to the depths of the darkness that she was conceived from, back into the depths of the asylum. Behind the screams that roared each and every night, behind the iron walls that kept those behind them at bay, and beneath the layers of padded cushions that prevent those that they surrounded in check. It was all that could be heard. The nothingness that the silence provided to leave the Quincy to that of her own thoughts and delusions. Left behind to roam again and again the memories that the room brought to her with those of her scars. They never stopped for an instant. They always kept hammering her just as much as the Staff's efforts. But those screams and memories were burned, or so she thought.

Looking at the Bount reminded her much of the Doctors that chose to remain oblivious to all of the activities. Such eyes there were the same of the Quincy girl Jyuria. Pity was it? Or was it something entirely different? She didn't know what to think? Someone who wanted to protect others while another pushed to connect with her, why? Why? Why didn't it make sense to her? "Why, why is it that you want to protect people? Why is it that some people want to try to get close to me? I don't understand any of it?" she muttered. The vast chill of the air didn't seem to faze her. Much of her senses were being directed to that of her own mind. Or rather, the back of it. Things that happened in the past continued to beat against her brain with every moment that went by.

Alicia's feet were wet as the Doll noticed the Quincy's position. The level of the water continued to rise as their eyes were constantly locked onto each other. Her trembling fingers crawled their way down inch by inch to the man's throat, gripping the surface of the moist skin. They slowly begun to close their grip around it. "I thought if I followed the Vandenreich that I would find answers, something? But......" she was cut off. The massive Doll came around quickly, seeking to plunge itself over the duo. The rumbling that it's movements caused shook the girl's foundation, turning her gaze to face the Doll. Both it's size and strength are impressive, yet Alicia wielded a much greater force. A woman's wrath. The Doll was a pest, and Alicia didn't have time as she was still looking for answers.

The light aura came about once more, caressing the Quincy with it's influence. This was similar to that of what transpired before the Doll thrusted once before. Once more the woman would blur into motion swiping across the horizon with the upper section of her body. From there it would only be within a second that the Doll would be sliced by four blades, with Alicia being brought down to her to her knees. A loud explosion ripping through the air as the blades would make contact. A booming shockwave that came quickly after the blades were to make contact with the Doll's elemental figure. Blades that were grown from her body, through the four bloody slits that she made earlier along her arms. Blades made of blood that extended out from her arms that easily covered 10 feet of distance.

The property of blood manipulation made it all the more easier to turn her own blood into that of a deadly weapon. The burst of blinding speed was merely another jolt of Hirenkyaku surging through her body once more. But rather than having it act as a single stepping motion the Quincy infused the light that it emitted through the entirety of her body. And as her blood was manipulated through the use of her property, it had been infused with that same reiatsu that allowed it to be molded and sharpened into that of blades. The Doll was a pest, and so Alicia sought to cut through the massive water beast's sides. Even if she managed to fail in cutting through the creature, much of it's offensive capability would have been lost due to the Quincy's initial strike until it could reform itself. That was the thought anyhow. (-400)

If successful, her attention would have been drawn back to the Bount that was behind her, releasing the light around her to take in further reiatsu from the Doll's existence. Both the cross and her earrings hummed to life as they would to re-energize the girl once more. "I don't understand you or this world. So maybe.. that is my answer. Maybe... this world shouldn't exist anymore...." she said. (+600 Fragment/Cross - 50% due to Blut Arterie)


Remaining Reiatsu: 345/1340 ; -400 Hirenkyaku, -500 Blut Arterie, +300 Cross/Fragment.

Properties Active 1: 1/3