The Fire Rises in the Moons Gaze [NDE / R]

[Deleted]

"Napalm strike!" was the name of the fire attack that Kaen created and threw at Luke as the Bount prepared to release his second Doll and utilize Schatten to escape. It was a fireball about the size of the basketball that, while in midair, would explode and break apart into numerous smaller fireballs in a fashion similar to a shotguns spread. If those flames landed on the Bount they would stick to him and burn him. If they reached him. Those adhesive flames found themselves landing against something else. Luke, having raised his empty hand and opening it up, caused a shine of light to appear. That light, within mere moments, formed and shaped itself into a structure. It was the same technique Luke had, previously, used to create swords. But, this time, he used it to create a surface.

The surface looked similar to a six petal, flat, flower. From the center of that flower came three half circle cylinders that stacked on top of one another. This was the basic shield design that Luke created when he used Advanced Air Arsenal defensively. Three meters in size the shield easily blocked and stopped Kaen's flames, allowing Luke to complete his actions without any trouble or worry. Just for a little extra reiatsu, though. Kaen, with his newly equipped gauntlet of fire, would strike the road where Luke had been before entering into the shadows with Schatten. The impact of Kaen's attack would cause the road to break apart and, basically, explode at the impact sight. He really was strong. But, in his anger and rashness...would he have noticed something?

Fire created light. This was a simply stupid concept to understand. The gauntlet of flames that Kaen made had produced a rather strong source of light. Such a strong light would throw shadows away easily, scaring them back to the edges of the darkness. But Kaen had given himself some serious tunnel vision. He was so dedicated to beating the ever loving shit out of Luke that he failed to notice something. A very minor detail that nobody would have faulted him for not realising, especially since the street was the same black color. The shadows were still there.

When Kaen came crashing down onto the road, trying to drive that flaming fist home into Luke's skull, he had brought himself down out of the relative safety of airground. Chunks of concrete flew past Kaen as he realized he had missed Luke. Kaen had began to focus his Energy Sensory to keep track of Luke and would have no idea about the danger he was in now. Because, as he sensed for Luke's reiatsu, the Doll revealed itself. Silent as a specter, the shadow being emerged from the shadows of the roads surface behind Kaen with its left arm already in motion. So, just before Kaen sprang into the air after Luke he would suddenly feel a searing pain in his left calf as those claws slashed right through him.

Kaen didn't have his Barrier Stance up anymore. Hell, Kaen even seemed to think that the summoning had failed. He sure acted like it had. Jäger hadn't revealed himself by laughing or speaking yet either. Kaen had left himself wide open for the Doll to get a hit in on Kaen's leg. And before Kaen could turn around, launch some fire, or really respond...Jäger was gone. Like hell he would hang around Kaen. Here and gone in an instant. The Doll had escaped, with the speed of Instant Transmission, through the use of his Rückzug technique. It was just like Kaen said. He didn't expect Luke's Dolls to have Step Techniques. Jäger was no different from Windstarke in this regard. It was just his Step was the fastest. It was an instant step, a teleport basically, that let him emerge or get away. But let's back up a little. Kaen had produced that fist of fire, right? That fist should have been making strong enough light to throw away any shadows around. So how did Jäger still have shadow to emerge?

The answer was simple; the shadows that Jäger infected with his presence did not operate like normal shadows. It wasn't really able to be seen right now, since it was night, but the shadows infected by Jäger were actually steadily growing outward. Increasing in size to give him even more space to emerge. But, what's more, was that these shadows could grow even when exposed by light. This meant that, even when exposed to light like from Kaen's fire, those infected shadows weren't going to creep away like normal shadows did. They remained. Thanks to Jäger, the dark did not flee from the light. His powers even worked against the sun.

But getting back to Kaen, the Shinigami would quickly realize something was very wrong. His entire leg, not just the part that had been slashed, felt as if dry ice was being shoved against his skin. Jäger's cut wasn't even fucking deep. Sure, it drew blood, but a rowdy puppy could make you bleed by scrapping its nails against you. In no way shape or form was the wound Jäger dished Kaen deep enough to inhibit Kaen's movement at all or bring about this much pain. But, if Kaen inspected it, he would realize something. From his knee to his foot, that whole section of his leg had suddenly become darkened and transparent...as if it had suddenly become a ghosts limb (hah). What's more, that transparent part of his leg would fall through the road itself. His leg had become transparent and intangible and god damn was it in pain.

This was Jäger's main ability. Anything those claws cut, regardless of how deep, was turned into what he called a Shadow Object. A Shadow Object could not interact with anything that itself was not also a Shadow Object. This meant that Kaen couldn't stand on that leg, otherwise it would simply fall through the road. Jäger had, essentially, just crippled one of Kaen's legs. Now the Doll laughed. Kaen's rashness had just cost him a leg. Kaen would need to get off the ground. He would have to. Remaining on the road meant that Jäger had the opportunity to attack him again. But, what Kaen might not notice, because it was Dark, where the shadows steadily growing up his person from the points of his body that were currently touching the road where the infected shadow was.

Jäger must have nicked him. Luke mentally commented to himself when he realized Kaen had stopped following him. How far had he fled at this point? Four blocks? Fuck it. That was far enough. Leaping out from the shadows of the road, Luke came to a stop after jogging ahead a few more feet. "Do you actually trust Jäger not to fuck this up?" Springflut decided to ask as Luke began working the wristwatch off. I trust him right now to hold that guy off than I do you. You don't have any restraint. If you could even fight, that is. Luke snapped back. "Watch what you say to me, boy." the Doll growled. "Please, you two, not now.." Windstarke requested, as Luke placed the wristwatch in the palm of his right hand.

"What do you plan to do anyways?" Windstarke asked, curiosity and concern in his injured voice. Something I haven't tried in a long time, actually. Last time I tried this...Jäger was torn to pieces.." Luke confessed. "Wait he was what?" Luke quickly had to mute Windstarke's panicked protests as he closed his eyes and began to focus on the watch. Jäger would need to keep Kaen busy just long enough for Luke to get this done. This wasn't something he'd practiced in, well, a long ass time let's say that. It wasn't something ready for combat, but it was what Luke needed, right now, to win this fight. So he focused. He focused and he visualized. In the blackness of his mind Luke began to see it. He began to see the image of a sword.

Luke's Remaining Reiatsu: 4200 / 7000
-300 for Class 3 AAA

Jäger's Remaining Reiatsu: 1000 / 1500
-150 for Rückzug

SPOILER: Click to show

{Rückzug}Rückzug (Retreat) - This technique allows Jäger greater mobility than before, which is rather impressive. When this technique activates, Jäger instantly dissipates, melding back into the shadow it came from instantly, ignoring the usual fade time, and appears instantly from another location that it has infected. This alone gives Jäger a lot more defensive power than before, as well as a lot more offensive power since it can sneak attack foes in a blink, even if those foes were in the middle of an attack against it. However, the thing that makes this technique truly powerful is that it can be prepared in advance, keyed in order to trigger the second certain conditions are met. To do this, Jäger must pay the reiatsu cost, as well as an additional 100 reiatsu, and set the condition under which the technique will activate. Then, if during the next three posts, that condition comes to pass, then the technique will trigger, and Jäger will be capable of re-positioning.

Drawbacks: This technique costs 150 reiatsu to use, and can only be used once per post. Normal usage of the technique is limited by Jäger’s reaction time. If prepared in advance, Jäger must be capable of anticipating a foes actions. If the condition doesn’t occur in the three post limit, then Jäger loses the reiatsu paid, he doesn’t get any of it back.

[Kaen Youji]

While Luke's evasion would be successful, Jager would not buy him anywhere near as much time as he would hope. And unfortunately, Jager's attack was doomed to fail. For several reasons. The first was, of course, that Kaen did not think that Luke had failed to unleash his second doll. His posturing regarding Luke's failed summon was only that. Posturing. Playing the fool to draw them in. The second, however, was far more damning. Since Kaen had not seen the doll when Jager had been released, he had to assume that the doll was waiting in ambush.... somewhere. Invisible, hidden, whatever. And this was where Jager's supernatural shadows failed him. As Kaen lunged in to attack, he saw.... no change in the shadows on the ground. He might have missed it, had he not been watching closely for inconsistencies that might suggest how the doll was going to attempt to ambush him. Kaen was very good at analyzing a situation. At processing and interpreting information. While it wasn't pure and proper Battle Analysis, allowing him to read a subtle sign from an opponent and anticipate exactly how they would react, given he was already anticipating a sneak attack from somewhere seeing the shadows unnaturally fail to flee in the face of the light told Kaen how his opponent was hiding, and where he'd strike from.

As was noted, it was true the street was black, which would have normally made noticing this difficult. But both human and Shinigami eyes shared a commonality in that they were both quite good at noticing inconsistencies in motion. What might have been completely missed under normal circumstances, became glaringly obvious when there was absolutely no motion of the shadows whatsoever. Jager's plan may have worked if he'd allowed his infected shadows to slip back away from the light, but with no change in the darkness as Kaen approached, it alerted the Vice Captain that something was up. Even as he struck the earth, missing Luke, Kaen already had figured out part of Jager's game.

Not that the Shinigami gave any indication of that. Well. Almost none. But to anticipate that would require some reading on Jager's part as well. As Kaen was about to strike the ground, flames began to billow out from his gauntlet, as Kaen began to shape his flames again. The flames flickered and twisted as Kaen's fist struck the ground, sending debris everywhere. He's going to attack from behind... Of that Kaen was reasonably certain. There was no value in wasting your stealth with a frontal attack. Kaen checked at his back with his peripheral vision, as he would with a back kick. He wasn't looking for form. He'd be most vulnerable at the moment of his attack. His enemy would doubtlessly be waiting for that moment. And if not for the Zanpakuto that was Hachiryuu, he'd be right. Unfortunately, Hachiryuu was a wonderfully versatile Zanpakuto. Kaen didn't see Jager's form. All he saw was the Doll's motion as it went to strike Kaen. And Kaen answered in kind.

Finished shaping, Jager would find his sneak attack suddenly intercepted by a pair whipping tendrils of flames. The tendrils were not unlike whips in terms of texture or shape, but did not move like whips. Kaen had basically just created combat tentacles out of Hachiryuu's flames, manipulating them as though they were additional limbs. They weren't particularly long, only about three feet in length-- as expediency had been Kaen's priority in shaping them. But they lashed up into Jager's face intercepting his attack. The moment those tendrils came in contact with Jager's left arm, they twisted and bound around it, searing his flesh and attempting to bind the shadow in place, burning and tightening around his limb. Kaen spun around, stepping back from Jager in case the doll attempted to attack with its right arm after its attack with its left had failed. "I suppose I should have expected an attack like this from the likes of a Bount." Kaen snarled, insulting Jager's ambush fighting style as he prepared his attack. Even Ruckzug wouldn't protect Jager from the flaming tendrils, as they were launched in interception of its attacks, rather than immediately after its strike. Could Jager even use Ruckzug when bound?

Kaen was about to find out. Not that he knew about Ruckzug or anything. As far as Kaen knew he had the doll trapped by his tendrils. The tendrils were strong, possessing the same strength as all of Kaen's shaped flames-- about 480. More than twice as strong as Jager. However, as mentioned above, the creation of the flames had been focused in expediency, and Jager himself possessed a formidable reiatsu strength. If he could land a clean hit on the flaming tendrils that bound his left arm, he could probably sever them. Although they were strong, they were not particularly durable. However, attacking the tendrils could leave him extremely exposed to Kaen himself. And indeed, Kaen was giving Jager no quarter. The Shinigami shifted his arm, and a concentrated stream of fire exploded out from his zanpakuto, aimed at Jager's torso. With his arm bound it would be difficult for the Doll to simply dodge out of the way. While this flame attack was not as massive as the previous ones, it was large enough that it would require more than a boxer slip to get out of the way, while not obscuring Kaen's vision so that he could track any countermoves Jager might attempt. Of course if Jager could escape even while being bound, that would be a different matter entirely.

And the very good news for Luke was that Jager was indeed buying him the time that he needed. While Kaen very much wanted to pursue Luke, he knew he'd have to deal with Jager first. He doubted a Bount could be especially far from their doll.

Shikai: 7/10

[Deleted]

”What the shit?!” Jager would suddenly cry out when his attack was thwarted by Kaen’s sudden quick thinking. As the Doll had swung, aiming to cleave those claws through the Shinigami’s leg and turn it into a shadow object, his attack was halted by the sudden appearance of unexpected flames. Lashing like tendrils they stretched out from the Zanpakuto and bound themselves across Jager’s reaching arm, burning the Doll’s “skin” as they made contact with it. He, practically immediately, let out a pained screech. How did this guy notice him? Could he see through the Ungesehen? These questions and more bounced around through the Doll’s panicking head as Kaen fully turned to face Jager. "I suppose I should have expected an attack like this from the likes of a Bount." if Jager had a real face he would have blinked.

Kaen was intending to attack the Doll. He was going to try and burn the Doll to death with a massive fireball. But his strategy relied on Jager remaining bound by those ropes of flame. The Doll had no intention of remaining bound. When the shock and surprise of those ropes subsided and Kaen turned around, the Doll acted. Sneaking around in the shadows was not all that the Doll was capable of. Before Kaen had the chance to blast Jager with his fireball, the flames binding the Dolls arm were suddenly consumed by Jager’s suddenly appearing reiatsu. The emerged reiatsu surrounded and encased the flames holding onto his arm and not even a moment later was pulled back inside him alongside those flames.

If Jager had a mouth he’d be smirking right now. Somehow the Doll had consumed those flames binding him, freeing him. Just as Kaen released that stream of fire the Doll slipped away, thanks to Ruckzug, and didn’t suffer anymore damage. Actually, he had no damage at all now. What had happened? No doubt that question was beating around in Kaen’s head as the Doll vanished, gone from both view and energy sensory. Jager had used his Verbrauchen ability. Verbrauchen was a defensive technique that caused Jager’s reiatsu to surround an attack, negate it, and then consume it. Because Kaen’s flames had been created from reiatsu they were simply absorbed into him thanks to his higher offensive stat. If simply cutting those flames with his claws was all it took to break them because of his Reiatsu Strength then consuming them was as easy as blinking.

Thanks to the fact they were made of reiatsu the burns on his arm had been healed. Kaen was fortunate to not try and punch or kick Jager. Verbrauchen could be used on physical attacks as well, though the result would have been turning that physical object into a Shadow Object rather than simply absorbing it. ”Kekeke, that was close. You almost burned me there, buddy o ‘pal.” Jager mocked from the safety of the shadows. ”But this next clash is gonna be our last! Let’s see how you stand up to my ultimate ability! Fla-”

Before Jager could finish he was interrupted by the sudden, loud, explosion from down the street. Whatever Jager had been planning to do was cut short when his attention shifted to the massive black mass that had suddenly appeared down the street. It was like, to Jagers perspective, like a three story object had suddenly appeared. Black as night too. And with...vapor rolling off of it? Wait. Jager thought he could hear a cracking sound from it and quickly realized what it was. ”You fucked it up! You blew yourself up again, didn’t you??” the Doll suddenly shouted in panic.

What the massive object was was something Kaen would recognize. It was ice. Not just any ice either. It was the same black ice that the previous Doll had been producing. But how? The Doll had been sealed away after Kaen had crippled it, didn’t it? It was as if an explosion had been frozen over completely by that ice, explaining the shape of the darkness and why it had roots across the sides of buildings and the street. What the fuck had happened? ”This is why we told you not to use that thing! You nearly killed yourself last time, moron!!” Jager howled, having emerged near the structure and trying to find a way into it. Jager seemed to think that Luke was either critically hurt or dead...but the latter didn’t make sense with the Doll still being alive.

”Jager, shut up..” his voice suddenly rang from the interior of that structure, shortly before a chunk cracked and was blasted away. Emerging from the Black Ice, Luke looked a little worse for wear. His right arm seemed covered in that Black Ice, his breath was clearly visible, and he was trembling. Not from fear, but from the cold. ”Sorry to keep you waiting, Shinigami. But I haven’t ever used this in a fight before. I had to make sure to get it right.” Luke apologized, smirking a little, as he began to lift his right arm. The ice fell off in chunks as he lifted his arm, finally revealing what he had in his hand.

A single sword. A long sword. The guard and gripped looked to be made of out metal, while the blade was pure black. Black like darkness itself. It wouldn’t take Kaen long to figure out what it was. Unlike with Jager, Kaen would be able to sense the presence from the sword. The presence of Windstarke. That sword wasn’t made of metal at all. It was pure ice. Luke had brought Windstarke back out, but in the form of a sword. ”Zweites Staats...Windstarke” Luke said softly. It was the name of this ability. One that he alone possessed. One that only he had. An ability to turn one’s Dolls into a weapon that your hands knew well. A form of releasing different than normal.

Are you okay, Windstarke?

”It still hurts...but I’ll hold out.”

”I can’t believe it worked. The last time you tried it it tore Jager to shreds.”

Jager had been sealed away. That was the price of this technique. One Doll at a time. But how did Luke summon Windstarke anyways? The Doll had been damaged to the point of being unable to fight. That was correct. And it was still the case. This was why Luke had used this technique. Windstarke’s natural body was broken...so Luke summoned him into a new form and body. One that was not broken. Brown eyes remained focused on Kaen. He was finishing this fight, now. Just this technique was not all Luke was going to use against Kaen. ”Gate.” Luke announced.

The Bount suddenly exploded with light. The Black Ice structure behind him shattered and was blown away as Luke became surrounded in a fiery white aura. Gate, the third technique of Willpower, was one of the strongest abilities of the human world. The Bount’s spiritual stats were doubled without warning, jumping his Spiritual Pressure from 700 to 1400. Pointing Windstarke at Kaen, Luke activated the Dolls ability. A blast of air shot forth from the blade with a speed and power unlike before. Because, this time, it was using Luke’s Spiritual Pressure...not Windstarke’s Reiatsu Strength.

If Kaen was hit by that the chilling temperatures would be the least of his worries. There’d be no doubt he’d be blasted through the city. 1400 was no laughing matter for a offensive strength. It was comparable to a Captains power. It would probably be like getting hit by a bullet train. The battle was nearing the finale.

Remaining Reiatsu: 3500 / 7000
-700 for Windstarke special release

[Kaen Youji]

"Tch!" Jager had absorbed Kaen's flames!? "That's annoying." The Shinigami snarled, bracing to defend an attack. But instead of continuing his attack Jager slipped off into the darkness again. It was okay. It was fine. Kaen could do this. He'd roast that bastard alive, full power next time he showed his face. Just for that purpose, Kaen had begun to transfer his flame tendrils and was reshaping them into something new. He heard the shadow doll taunting him. Claiming it was preparing for its attack. "Don't worry. Unlike your master, I prefer head on combat." He responded. "So come out whenever you're--" Kaen paused as he heard the doll scream. What was that? An explosion? The Shinigami immediately began running towards the sound of the explosion. I found you then, you bastard... He thought as he raced to battle.

What was that indeed? A colossal column of black ice? That reminded Kaen of.... I see.... So he can restore his dolls afterall? Or maybe he's just putting it at risk despite that. Kaen pondered briefly, before he heard a voice call out to him. Apologizing for the delay. Kaen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Not so long ago I'd have told you to take all the time you needed." He stated coldly. "No point in defeating you if you're not at your best." He continued. "Well. I can't deny I still get a rush at the idea of fighting a strong opponent. So then Bount. Are you done with hiding?" Kaen asked critically and accusingly. Watching as Luke emerged from the black ice, a sword in hand. Kaen's analytical mind set to work immediately. "Interesting...." He finally was forced to admit. "That technique.... It's almost the same as a Shinigami's Zanpakuto."

As Luke unleashed Gate, Kaen answered in kind, finishing shaping the flame he'd been shaping. It was a bow. Kaen brought an arm to the drawstring and drew it back. He was familiar with Human Worlder techniques like Gate, having dealt with it recently in his fight with the mod soul Yuri. He knew that Luke's power was going to skyrocket very shortly. Humans.... they have a miraculous ability to amplify their fighting abilities directly. Increasing their physical or spiritual abilities. "If you're going to meet me this way, I'll respect that. And I'll destroy you with my full power, Bount." Kaen said, holding back on the bowstring of his weapon, despite no arrow being in the bow. A part of Kaen wanted to declare "Ryuu waga teki wo kurau" for some inexplicable reason. But instead, he said one word, and loosed the bow string.

"Bankai."



Kaen's reiatsu skyrocketed to match Luke's, engulfing the shinigami and from his bow, a twisting shape took form, lunging outwards to face Luke's wind blast. Growing larger, and taking more concrete form with every moment, until what struck against Luke's blast of wind, was very distinctly, a dragon comprised entirely of fire. The craftsmanship in its creation far surpassed anything Kaen had previously made. Despite being comprised of fire, every scale, could be discerned, every twisting muscle, every imperfection in its claws. Forty feet long and thick as an ancient tree, the serpentine beast crashed against Luke's wind blast with all of its might, intending to break through the attack and rip the Bount to shreds. But Kaen had underestimated the power that Luke had unleashed. Though his Bankai was a higher caliber of technique than Luke's, Luke possessed greater raw power than Kaen. His dragon strained against the blast of wind, neither the apparition nor Luke's attack making much progress. And then, with a cataclysmic blast and the sound of a thunderclap, the attack broke on the dragon, and hurled the beast back. A stalemate. Luke's greater offensive power had been stalemated by the higher class of Kaen's Bankai. And as the beast was hurled back by Luke's attack, Luke would catch a glimpse of Kaen.

The Shinigami was now garbed in a pale blue sleeveless gi, a pair of swords strapped to his back. His Shikai had created an arm brace on only one arm, now it covered both. Kaen brought his arms up, his injured arm shaking slightly, and crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Well well. You stopped Resshin Hachiryuu's charge. I'm impressed Bount. I've unleashed my full power to fight you. Do your best not to disappoint me." He commanded Luke, as Resshin Hachiryuu whirled about in the air. The beast unleashed a roar that shook the buildings around Luke. Hot wind gusted in the hero's face. The heat that dragon radiated was intense, and it was about to grow even moreso, as Resshin Hachiryuu unleashed a colossal storm of fire from its jaws at Luke from above. This fire breath was massive enough to fill a street alleyway, and hot enough to instantly turn even stone to ashes. At over 20,000 degrees, the fire now burning towards Luke was as hot as the surface of the sun.

Meanwhile around Kaen, several balls of flame had begun to form. "What is your name, Bount?" He finally asked, as those balls of flame shaped themselves into swords and lances.

Reiatsu Remaining: 550 (-300 for Bankai)

[Deleted]

"That technique.... It's almost the same as a Shinigami's Zanpakuto." That was correct. There was no getting around it. That technique, Zweites Staats, was something that Luke made when he didn’t have his head on straight yet. He created the technique when he was still being trained by his Shinigami tutor. It was something Luke felt weird using. He had accepted that he could never be a Shinigami. He had accepted that he was a Bount. So, using a technique that a former version of him had made and moved on from felt...weird. It felt wrong, almost. ”You’re right. It is like a Zanpakuto. I modeled the technique off your Zanpakuto’s. I wanted something I couldn’t have.” Luke replied, mostly to himself. Regardless, it was something that ended up dragging up old memories.

Nights spent in a bladed dance with Aevus. The city roofs, the empty fields, they had many stages to dance with the moon as their only audience. Aevus was a bastard of a teacher. He taught Luke the steps but then expected Luke to dance on his own. He could still remember perfectly the pain of being cut by a sword. But swordsmanship wasn’t the only thing Aevus had taught him. The Zanpakuto was another subject. It was why Luke knew what a Bankai was. He understood it was the second form of the Zanpakuto, the peak of a Shinigami’s power. Something only a few Shinigami achieved every hundreds of years. But, even knowing that, experiencing one was vastly different.

It was only thanks to the raw power given to him by Gate did the winds triumph in stopping the charge of the dragon. With one eye closed Luke bared his teeth. He quickly realized that it was only thanks to Gate that he was able to stop that dragon at all. I didn’t expect him to Bankai.. he confessed. It wasn’t like he could just expect a Bankai from every Shinigami he’d met. Aevus didn’t even have one and he was the strongest Shinigami that Luke knew. At least until this point anyways. ”What’s that you like to say? Life likes to crap on you?” Windstarke commented as Luke readied himself once more, the white aura of Gate still burning around him and causing his hair to flow.

”Aevus, Yetsuna...neither of you assholes told me how strong a Bankai would be...” Luke cursed to himself as the dragon was hurled backwards. Blinking, Luke caught sight of Kaen and the new outfit given to him by his release. A blue shirt now? But the pair of swords on his back, as well as the new brace on the Shinigami’s injured arm. A quick read on him thanks to Energy Sensory revealed Kaen was ridiculously low on reiatsu. But he didn’t seem bothered at all. He hadn’t spent much reiatsu at all during this fight, something Luke should learn from.

Resshin Hachiryuu was the name of the dragon, revealed by Kaen, as it began to rise once more. A building shaking roar was released that revealed to Luke just a portion of the heat that lay in wait in that thing, causing him to shield his eyes with his arm for just a moment. But that roar was nothing compared to what was blasted from its mouth next. A literal wave of fire that was so hot that Luke didn’t even dare try to guess a comparison. Strong.. was the word that suddenly flashed in Luke’s head. He’s strong...can I actually stop this? he asked himself as time, seemingly, moved at one tenth it’s normal pace. Facing off against such a overwhelming difference in power caused the seed of doubt to begin to grow unabated.

Even enhanced by Gate...there was no way Luke could block all of that. Windstarke’s winds wouldn’t be able to stop all that heat. Even with the overwhelming power given to him by Gate, the higher class of Kaen’s Bankai would still win out in the end. The difference in their classes mattered too much. That was the weakness of this technique. While it enabled Luke to be the source of power behind the abilities, it lowered the class of his Dolls. So the question of whether or not Luke could stop this echoed in his head. His Dolls were screaming that he moved, albeit in a slowed down pace just like everything else was moving at. They weren’t stupid. They knew that Luke couldn’t block or beat out that attack. But Luke couldn’t dodge. There was a reason why he couldn’t.

If Luke dodged those flames would bounce and spread to the buildings around them. People lived in the buildings around them. Lights had flicked on when the dragon roared. They wouldn’t be able to see it, that was for sure, but if those flames met the buildings there was no telling what would happen. If Luke dodged...there was a possibility people would get hurt. There was a possibility that that would happen again. The scene flashed suddenly. For a split second Luke wasn’t here. He was somewhere else. Still in Karakura...but at a different fight. Water. Endless water ran through the streets. It smashed through building after building, bringing them down and vanishing beneath the current. The massive structure that the wave had collided with fell down atop others, crushing anyone on the streets or in that buildings path.

It was never exact how many died that night. How many were crushed. How many were drowned. Or how many she killed. That woman in white. Luke saw her. Standing in the air. The flood had done nothing to stop her. Reiatsu brimmed around her. Reiatsu stronger than anything he, Kaen, or Aevus possessed. Stronger than anyone Luke had ever encountered. ”I’m going to leave this city in ruins!” the figure announced before arrows of reiatsu flew from her, striking other buildings like missiles and transforming them into columns of fire. A foe that Luke was entirely powerless against. His enemy. The scene shifted once more and he found himself back before those flames.

I couldn’t do anything...all those people died because I couldn’t do anything. I killed all those people. They’re dead because I was too weak. The roots of doubt began to burn away. If I can’t stop this...if I can’t beat this...then I’ll never be able to beat her!! With that, his determination was renewed. Commitment born from guilt reached deep into him, into the depths of his very soul, as Luke readied himself. There was no reason to have Gate active. It wouldn’t help anyway. He drew his sword back, eyes flashing with fire, as he readied his swing. He was completely unaware though of the sleeping power he had woken up.

With a double handed swing and roar, the Bount swung downwards at the flames that came to consume him. But, Kaen, would see something different. The white aura was gone. Gate was over. But Luke was still surrounded by something. Blue flames. The entirety of the Bount’s form was coated in those flames, as was his weapon, and so was the great gust of wind that Luke released with that swing. The same blue flames that coated Luke consumed the very arctic winds that were released to clash against the flames of the suns surface itself. What happened next was...surprising to say the least.

It wasn’t the same as last time. There was no clash that resulted in a explosion. When those blue flamed winds collided with the flames of Kaen’s Bankai there was a unexpected reaction. Black Ice. The very flames themselves were suddenly turned into Black Ice. The flames, possessing 20,000 degree temperatures, were flash frozen solid. The blue flames kept going however and, if Kaen’s dragon did not move, it would also meet that same fate. But how? How did this happen? Even empowered by Gate this didn’t happen. The answer was the flames. The answer was the blue flames coating Luke. The blue fames of Chakra.

A power rarely seen. Something only available to those in the human world. Chakra was a power classified as a Martial Discipline. It was in the same school as Ken. A power that required Output, Willpower, Movement and Energy Generate. Chakra was different from Ken though. It’s power was related to Class. Anything shrouded in those flames was considered a level beyond. If Kaen’s Bankai was a three dimensional being, then it was appropriate to say that anything shrouded in Chakra could be considered a fourth dimensional being.

Because of the superior class given to Luke and Windstarke, it enabled Windstarke’s natural effects to activate. When those freezing winds swept across any flames that possessed less than their Offensive Stat, they would be frozen solid instantly. Resshin Hachiryuu was able to avoid this by being a higher class, but now that protection was gone. Luke’s eyes, once muddy brown, flashed with an amber glow as they locked onto Kaen. ”Wait...is this..” Springflut was the first to realize it. The same power that appeared when Luke had fought Sternritter O.

But now paying attention to his Dolls or his current state, Luke remained focused on Kaen completely. ”Luke.” the Bount answered. Narrowing those glowing eyes at the orbs of fire that surrounded the Shinigami formed into swords and lances. He kept his attention focused on those before making his move.

One step at a time, Luke began approaching Kaen. But it wasn’t without caution. A cyclone of blue flames, created by those arctic winds, began to surround Luke. The winds originated from the sword Luke held which also worked to protect him from the freezing effects. ”And I didn’t kill your men.” Luke suddenly announced. ”Bount...Shinigami...whatever history there is between them doesn’t matter to me. As far as I’m concerned we’re on the same side. The one’s that killed your men was the same enemy we both have. It was Quincy. Quincy from the Vandenreich.” Luke explained, not giving a damn if Kaen would listen or not. A trail of black ice followed behind the Bounts path, illuminated by the blue flames that stuck to it.

”They were here waiting for you. I got here too late to save your friends. I’m sorry.” Luke apologized, earnestly. But that earnest sympathy was replaced quickly. ”But if you want to keep going then I’ll be more than happy to oblige. And if you insist on endangering the people in this city any further with that power of yours then I’m going to come at you like you’re my enemy, Shinigami!!” Luke shouted, causing the flames of Chakra to burst and enlarge into a fierce inferno around the man.

Chakra Duration: 1 / 20

Zweites Staats: 2 / 5

Remaining Reiatsu: 2700 / 3500
-800 for Chakra

[Kaen Youji]

As Luke froze the flame of his attack, Kaen watched Resshin Hachiryuu twist aside, breaking off its flame stream to avoid being frozen itself. The dragon was quite fast, despite its size, moving at a speed of 600. And unlike normal humans or Shinigami, as a construct, it didn't suffer fatigue. Resshin Hachiryuu could continue to fight at full speed. But Kaen didn't have any control over it. Not exactly. He could call out commands, sure, but his Bankai was not obligated to follow them. The dragon was more than just a flame construct, it was the very incarnation of Kaen's Zanpakuto spirit. If it was destroyed in his Bankai, it wasn't something he could just rebuild, he'd have to seal his Bankai and release it anew for that to happen. It had its pros and cons. The pro, was that Resshin Hachiryuu was not dependent on Kaen noticing threats. It effectively served as a second set of eyes, allowing them to independently react and notice dangers. If Kaen's senses were impaired, the dragon could compensate, and vice versa. But it did limit coordination to at least some extent. Here, however, it was great, as Kaen didn't have to order the dragon to avoid being frozen. The dragon twisted out of the way of Windstarke's freezing winds, and behind a building for an ambush attack.

Fortunately for Kaen, Resshin Hachiryuu had attacked from a much higher angle than Kaen had, so the wind blast aimed at the dragon would have gone well over Kaen’s head. He stopped Resshin Hachiryuu’s flames, did he? There was no change in Kaen’s expression as he processed this thought. His opponent appeared to have reached a new level in this battle. Deep down inside of him, a flame ignited. He allowed Luke to conclude his explanation, complete with dramatic blue flames erupting as a result. Kaen watched the flames closely to make sure they never grew close enough to engulf him as well. Just in case. Ready to dodge back and evade at a moment's notice. But they didn't, and for a moment he was silent. Then his flame weapons tilted downward, away from Luke.

”I believe you.” He said. Then stepped back. His Bankai had not come unreleased. He’d acted rashly, and impulsively. Driven by anger and hate. …. He felt he should be admonishing himself for the act. Glancing at his injured arm. That could have been avoided if he hadn’t struck out of a pure emotional response. But… despite that. He wasn’t. He wasn’t disappointed in himself. Or ashamed of his actions. That was what shocked him more. Kaen had effectively attacked an innocent. Why didn’t he care? ….This was something he’d have to spend long hours asking himself later.

Kaen retreated to the street, which was more open. ”Come out here then, so we can finish this with minimum collateral damage.” He instructed Luke, and his weapons raised again. ”I believe you. If you want to run now, I’ll let you go. If you want to finish this, I’ll entertain you awhile. It seems your abilities are still developing. As for mine… I haven’t found someone that I can fight all out in some time.” Kaen stated. ”I’ll try not to kill you, if you accept. But my blood is racing. I can’t promise anything. Knowing that, will you still step forward?” He asked, and his burning weapons raised again. Resshin Hachiryuu emerged from the building to twist and spiral in the air above Kaen.

Once Kaen unleashed his Bankai, battles were always over too quickly. Only a handful had lasted beyond his opening attack, and fewer still had lasted past his second strike. He wondered if Luke would be the first. ”Well. Come or go. It is your choice now.” But if Luke were to come from the alley and face Kaen in the open street, Kaen would not wait long to initiate his attack. Immediately, his blades and spears would hurtle forwards as if fired from a launcher, flying at the Bount at high speeds, while more formed in the air around Kaen to add themselves to the number. A machinegun of flame-constructed steel blades. Hachiryuu flew to the attack as well, using its great speed to spiral through the air above Luke and launch a direct stream of fire downwards with the same intensity as before. No people would be endangered, unless there happened to be a sewer worker directly below Luke three days away from retirement. Rather than spread out in a blazing flower, Resshin Hachiryuu’s flames were so intense that they would simply leave a blackened hole in the street, cement instantly vaporized by the intense heat and force of the flames. And near dodging wouldn’t be enough either, the heat was so intense, that just being near it could potentially be enough to cause Luke’s clothing to catch fire. It was a two pronged attack, but Kaen wouldn’t be surprised if Luke avoided it. Hachiryuu was employing basic flanking tactics, both to cut off Luke’s angles of escape or defense, but also to ensure that the Bount wouldn’t be able to use that flame freezing wind to counter both of their attacks at once.

Bankai: 2/10

[Deleted]

Thankfully, Luke’s words reached Kaen’s rationality. Confessing his innocence worked, seeing that the weapons created by fire lowered themselves shortly after. Kaen even confessed that he believed Luke as well. All seemed well. But, just as Kaen didn’t intend to let this end now neither did the Bount. Offered the chance to leave, Luke followed the Shinigami out of the alley. The blue flames burned in the night air, coating the man in a fiery veil. Kaen gave Luke the opportunity to run...but what self respecting man and trying hero would ever do that? What Kaen said was true though. Luke’s abilities were still developing. They only ever saw improvement in the fires of combat. But it was a power that wasn’t trained yet, and it was taking its toll on Luke’s body.

Strength of Will was a beautiful thing. Luke’s undefeatable will and stubbornness was what propelled him forward to these levels of strength in less than a year. His level of power was something that some Shinigami trained hundreds of year for and would never hope to achieve. His potential was ridiculous. But there was a limit to what his stubbornness could allow. If the fighting slowed down, if Luke’s will wavered, then the true level of his exhaustion would appear. Those blue flames were using Luke’s stamina as fuel, burning it away just as quickly as fire devoured.

Stepping out onto the street those glowing amber eyes locked themselves onto Kaen, flicking briefly to the dragon hanging overhead. The irony struck Luke hard in that moment. So hard the Bount couldn’t help but snort and smirk. It was so ironic it was funny. A Bount who fought like a Shinigami would, and a Shinigami who fought like a Bount should. Kaen used a summon, while Luke turned his summon into a weapon. He was stubborn. The idea of using a summon, ganging up on someone, did not sit well with him what so ever. He was the sort of man who wanted to do things with his own two hands. In a lot of ways, Luke was a failure of a Bount.

They were a selfish people, and yet Luke cared too much about others. They devoured souls to live, and yet Luke did not. They used their Dolls to fight for them, and yet Luke opted to fight himself. But, to him, there was nothing wrong with any of that. Luke made his choice, even at the risk of death. He charged forward. A frontal assault was stupid, considering the artillery that Kaen possessed, but once again it was the only option. Weapons of fire were fired at him like machine gun fire. If Luke did nothing he’d be punched through without a doubt. But, once again, Luke did the same strategy as before. His left hand, Windstarke in his right, reached out as he charged forward. Light flashed between his fingers before a construct of air and reiatsu was formed.

It didn’t have the plates stacked on top of it like it did last time. That would require too much time, focus, and reiatsu. In the heat of a situation like this a fast, simple, Air Arsenal Platform was necessary. This one was more rounded, circle like, than the other before. With a handle on his side, Luke was able to grab onto the panel and hold it out before him as a shield. Chakra spread without fail to the shield, emboldening and empowering the construct as Kaen’s fire slammed and smashed against it. Thanks to Chakra, and the Class 3 Panels durability of 550, it was able to hold. But that wouldn’t be able to stop Kaen’s dragon.

He could see the dragon perfectly, sense it as well, and knew what it was going to do. When the dragon unleashed it’s flames, Luke swung Windstarke upward. Flame coated wind was released from the blade once again, resulting in the clash of those two powers to turn the released flames into Black Ice yet again. The dragon was annoying, but Luke knew that it was Kaen who was the real problem. It was the same thing as with a Bount. But Luke doubted that beating Kaen’s Bankai would do the same thing to him as killing a Doll would to a Bount. If Luke wanted to win it was Kaen he needed to beat. And that was the thing...Luke wanted to win. Just as Kaen’s blood was boiling so too was Luke’s. There wasn’t any point in trying to explain away anything with rationality. This was what fighters did. Something only both of these men could understand.

”Hhraaaaahh!!” Luke shouted as he charged forward, shield holding strong as he pressed towards Kaen. Windstarke! Luke ordered, the Doll knowing what his Master wanted. ”I’ve got it!” he replied as six orbs of arctic reiatsu appeared over Luke’s head. Three over each of the mans two shoulders. Crackling loudly, six sizable chunks of Black Ice with sharpened tips and coated in Chakra were formed before suddenly being fired over the Construct shield aimed right for Kaen. ”Rakete!” Luke shouted, eager to see those missiles either damage Kaen or stop this barrage of fire. Even with Chakra reinforcing it, Luke was noticing the cracks forming in the shield.

Chakra Duration: 2 / 20

Zweites Staats Duration: 3 / 5

Remaining Reiatsu: 2250 / 7000
-225 for Advanced Air Arsenal Class 3
-225 for Rakete

[Kaen Youji]

The Bount had chosen to follow Kaen. "Interesting response." Kaen commented, as he turned around in the street to face Luke. Ressin Hachiryuu winding its colossal length into the air behind him. "You've chosen to put your life on the line, in the pursuit of power." He stated, shifting into a relaxed stance with his arms crossed in front of him. "....A good answer." You did not become stronger through safety. Training safely could only bring you so far. The powerful-- the truly powerful, only became that way through a lifetime of life or death struggles where they gambled everything and won. Not many would make it through that gauntlet. But if this Bount was looking to become strong, it was really the only way to do it. Well. It wasn't Kaen's problem now. Now, it was Kaen's task to do as he promised and destroy Luke with all of his power. The first time, since he'd fought Ray and Hibiki at once, he had really had a challenge worthy of fighting at full strength. ...No, no the war on Soul Society didn't count. At no point had Kaen truly fought at full strength there. Even against Yuri, Kaen had held back. He wondered dimly how much more effective he'd become in that time. Or had his skills rusted instead? This battle.... It would be a good bar of measurement of Kaen's own development. Against that one... If I'm not a hundred times what I used to be... I won't be able to kill him. Kaen thought bitterly, thinking of Enma.

And then Kaen assaulted Luke with a barrage of flaming weapons and fireballs. Luke seemed to bend the very air into a shield before him. A curious ability. And effective for the moment at warding off Kaen's barrage. But it wouldn't hold for long. Not against the attacks of a Bankai. But it would hold up long enough for Luke to try to attack Hachiryu. The dragon observed Luke's attack and weaved aside, the attack passing harmlessly above it, as the dragon dove toward Earth, circling around for another attack. This time, Kaen raised a hand toward the dragon, commanding it to stop its attacks for the moment, as Luke charged him. Although Luke's air shield possessed superior strength to Kaen's fire attacks, it was not a substantial amount. Kaen's own fire attacks possessed a reiatsu strength of 480, a mere 13% inferiority to Luke's attack. Combined with the raw power of these being Class 2 attacks, Luke's shield was going to be shattered in no time, after receiving dozens of blows in only a handful of seconds, putting Luke at risk again.

Even if the shield shattered though, and Luke was struck by Kaen's attacks, the other man's toughness and DETERMINATION would probably still allow him to fire off Rakete. But this time, Kaen was ready. When Luke had fired Rakete before, Kaen had been in a state of utmost fury and rage, and his vision had been obstructed by the vehicle he'd been hiding behind. This time, he could see the attack forming and launching toward him. Plenty of time to react. Kaen unfolded his arms and shifted into a more combative stance, subtly altering the trajectory of his barrage of attacks, to intercept Luke's black ice projectiles. Rakete had been shown to explode on impact. Even if the attack was potent enough to pierce through one or two of Kaen's weapons, Kaen was concentrating his fire on the path of the incoming attack. Of the six missiles, the three on Luke's left hand side were intercepted, hammered with intense swords, fireballs and Kaen had even generated a few shields to throw at Luke, Captain America-style. These three missiles would explode long before they reached Kaen. The other three, however, would continue on their path, flying from Luke's right at Kaen's left. Kaen, however, was prepared for them. Just because he had concentrated his firepower on the three on Luke's left to ensure they were stopped, didn't mean that he'd ignored everything else. Other attacks flew to intercept these as well, and it was entirely possible that another missile or two could explode on the way to Kaen. Kaen, however, erred on the side of caution and quickly slipped to the side, the missile hurtling past him, to impact the ground far behind him.

But if Luke's goal had been to slow the barrage of fire attacks he'd been mostly successful. Kaen's focus had directed to Luke's attack, so he had only been able to deliver a token resistance at Luke himself, flinging only a handful of projectiles at Luke. In Kaen's hand a blazing sword appeared. A straight bladed arming sword, that Kaen brandished at the incoming Bount, before meeting Luke's charge. But not swiftly. Kaen advanced steadily and intimidatingly, as his barrage resumed in full. Without his air shield, Luke was going to be in a lot of trouble, since as Kaen got closer, Luke would have less and less time to deal with Kaen's attacks. And then, as Kaen closed to about ten feet, instead of slashing with his sword, he flung it at Luke, this blade flying much faster than his projectiles. Afterall, Kaen's projectile speed was largely limited by his reiatsu strength. This thrown projectile however, was fueled instead by Kaen's immense physical strength, and hurtled at Luke at a much faster speed. If the arming sword struck Luke, it would pierce into him, point first and then explode, very similarly to Luke's own Rakete attack. At the same time as Kaen hurled the sword, he a new one formed in his hands after only a moment, shaped and formed, and battle ready. Throughout this assault, Kaen had still not failed to continue advancing against Luke. Ready to cut the Bount down.

Bankai: 3/10

[Deleted]

Throwing one last attack out. Good fight.

Looks like Rakete had worked. His intention with the missiles had been to distract Kaen enough to hamper the ceaseless discharge fire projectiles. Kaen had focused on the six missiles, lowering the number of projectiles that were thrown at him. Luke aimed to take advantage of that moment. With his air shield gone, all Luke had left to protect him was Windstarke and Chakra. Normally Chakra would be able to block the attacks thrown at him, but without a high offensive stat aside from Spiritual Pressure that wasn’t going to matter against those fire weapons. So in that moment when Kaen’s focus had shifted to those missiles, and the projectiles flung at Luke had lowered in moment, Luke made his move.

His legs came to life with vein like streaks of light coursing beneath the skin. This was the result of Luke activating the technique called Movement Mastery: Boost, and his activation of it wasn’t going to end well for him. Luke realized that this was not a fight he was going to be able to win through stalling. Windstarke could only remain in this form so long. Chakra was sapping his stamina dry faster than he expected. Kaen seemed to be able to create these fire projectiles without any cost to him. Luke realized he wasn’t gonna be able to stall against a practically infinite firing machine gun.

Movement Mastery: Boost would increase Luke’s base speed by 3x it’s normal value, jumping the Bount from 300 to 900. But that wasn’t the end of his plan. With the handful of projectiles thrown at him, Luke saw the gap in them that he could use to press forward. Within the span of a moment he fired off a rail of reiatsu leading straight to Kaen before he would literally vanish, travelling along the rail at 7x his now boosted speed. Using Schiene, the most basic of Bount steps, Luke hurled himself at Kaen with 6300 Speed. Should the attack be successful, Kaen would suddenly find a frozen sword shoved straight through his gut and out the back end. Luke intended to run Kaen through with Windstarke.

Was it successful, Windstarke himself would produce his winds to blast Kaen off of him and further down the road. This would expose Kaen to the freezing winds once more, as well as instantly freezing Kaen’s wound and his insides exposed to the winds. But, regardless, Luke’s attack was far from safe. The Bount would fall to his knees, Windstarke breaking apart into blue energy as the toll of all these abilities hit Luke at once. The skin of Luke’s lower legs looked as if it were torn open. He hadn’t mastered Movement Mastery yet, and the result of using that technique in its current state was always self destructive. The bones in his calves had shattered, the muscles torn, and the tendons snapped. The blue flames that had consumed him vanished, just like Luke’s ability to stand.

Sweat dripped off him like he had just gotten out of the shower. Sh-shit...things are going...black. Luke realized as his vision began to dim. Chakra, high speed movement, a imperfect Doll technique, Boost, all of those together had destroyed Luke’s stamina. Heal...need to...heal… he realized as he struggled to look back at his shredded legs. Trying to gather reiatsu for Immortality Drink, Luke realized he didn’t have the energy to focus. If left like that he’d most likely bleed out. Wait, there was one option...but...crap. Luke felt his face hit the ground. His cheek pressed up against asphalt as his eyes closed against his will. With the very last amount of consciousness he had, he spent what little reiatsu he could muster to activate Schlafen. With that technique active, if given enough time to sleep, Luke would heal completely. At least he could hope he would wake up.

Luke's Remaining Reiatsu: 0 / 7000
-600 for Movement Mastery Boost
-50 for Schiene
-150 for Schlafen

[Kaen Youji]

As Kaen redirected his assault to Luke's Rakete attack, he felt the Bount's reiatsu building. Even with a meager 50 Energy Sensory, it was sufficient for Kaen to notice the shift and build-up of Luke's reiatsu. That was really it though. It didn't give Kaen any insight into what Luke was going to do. It only told him he was going to do something. Kaen's own skill at analysis did the rest. Luke knew his projectile attack wasn't going to keep Kaen's attacks occupied for long. Therefore.... in the split second window where Kaen's attacks were alleviated, he was going to strike. Although Kaen was still launching limited projectiles at Luke, the opening to close in was obvious. There was a gap in his projectiles. A gap that Kaen was aware of. Not that he'd placed it there deliberately. It was a hole in his attacks. The extent of his focus. Were Kaen possessing greater aptitude at multitasking, or concentration, he might have been able to fill it. But as beads of sweat bore down Kaen's forehead, it was clear that his concentration was taxed with the perpetual generation of his attacks. No way could he add more. Hell, even Barrier Stance or Flowing Water stance would probably have been impossible.

The path of his attack... is clear!

Kaen realized the path of Luke's attack before Luke even launched it. He did not know if it was going to be a step technique or another wave of ice. He only knew it would come, and the exact timing that he would strike. The rail of reiatsu appeared, piercing through Kaen, Luke's attacking angle true. And then Luke vanished and reappeared, his blade piercing through Kaen's body, extending out the Shinigami's back. Blood sprayed up from the blue tunic, and Kaen staggered, Windstarke impaled through his belly. Kaen staggered, his face a contortion of frustration and irritation, as blood leaked out through the corner of his mouth. And then he was blown back by Luke's strike.

Or was he...? Perhaps it was a trick of the night sky, but.... that didn't seem to be Kaen that was being blasted back by Windstarke's air. In fact, at a glance, it almost looked like the only thing that had been blasted away, and being covered by a heavy coating of frost now was nothing more than the blue tunic he had been wearing....

And then of course, the strain of Luke's own technique caught up with him. As the Bount looked back to oversee the damage, he'd see Kaen standing behind him. Shirtless now, Kodachi in hand, and poised to strike. "Utsusemi." Kaen said, breathing heavily. Luke's combination of Movement and and Schien was fast. But Utsusemi's speed was unrivalled, increasing Kaen's total speed twenty five times over. Even able to leave an after-image in its place so realistic, that it could actually appear to take damage in its users place, before it vanished.

Luke would have a good look at the massive network of scars that currently scored Kaen's body. Quite different from the Bount that would heal off the wounds of this encounter. Violent lacerations. Savage burns. Signs of impalement. And now of course, the ruin of Kaen's shoulder that Luke himself had inflicted was added to this collage of devastation to the Shinigami's body. Kaen's eyes met Luke's, still burning fiercely. He could end this battle now in a dozen different ways. With the Bount's legs clearly destroyed by the attack, even with his healing factor, Luke would be immobilized for several moments. Kaen had already figured out how to counter his mist attack. He couldn't dodge anymore. He wasn't strong enough to parry. Kaen could use immolation to ignite Luke's internal organs-- the three second cast time of no problem, with the Bount's current state. He could create a gauntlet of flame and shatter his skull with a single blow. Strike with his Kodachi and hew Luke's head from his shoulders. Ignite the air around Luke and burn him. Summon Resshin Hachiryuu to deal the finishing blow.

Kaen did none of these things. He also saw the look in Luke's eyes and recognized what it meant. Kaen did not strike, but instead, continued to watch Luke as the Bount slumped, and collapsed. Neither striking down, nor saving his adversary. Kaen stood over Luke for several moments, blade still raised. ....This time the Bount wasn't going to get back up. His determination was real. If he was just trying to save his own life, he'd have fled when Kaen offered him the chance. If he was trying to kill Kaen, he wouldn't have tried to stop Kaen attacking him. He was trying to push himself as far as he could go, and there was no value in playing dead and striking Kaen from behind, if that was his objective. To face down his enemy head on with his full strength. That seemed to be Luke's goal. Kaen waited a moment longer, before his Bankai dissipated, his dragon evaporating into the aether, and his arm guards disappearing. Kaen stood over Luke several moments more, before he turned, summoning a Hell Butterfly to deliver his report.

And then he was gone, leaving the Bount unconscious on the pavement, to his fate. Leaving naught but the mingling of fire and ice in the air in his wake.

Reiatsu Remaining: 50/1500 (-500 for Utsusemi)
Bankai: 4/10 (Ended)

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

1113 -Luke

600 - 100 for winning - Kaen