A Test Before Betrayal [R, DE, PvP]

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

Night was always like a whole other world compared to day. The moon and stars cast the world in a whole different blanket of light. At times there was peace there, that only darkness could provide. But there was no peace for a particular Shinigami tonight. And as the Reaper laid in his bed, he would stare blankly up at the ceiling with tired eyes. With an outstretched hand he would reach forth seemingly grasping at the moonlight that breached into the window of his room. It easily slipped between his fingers and yet he continued to move his hand as if trying to take hold of it. He was restless as ever, a cool sigh would leave his lips hinting at the melancholy on his mind.

A frown painted his visage from the realization that he probably wasn’t going back to bed. At least not tonight. He had awakened from another nightmare. They were becoming more frequent by the night... And it was always the same one. His tired eyes slowly drifted to his resting Spirit with worry. She was sound asleep, it had seemed he hadn’t actually waken her. Sitting up he would reach for his Zanpakuto. His fingers gently tracing the edges of that cold blade. And as he did so a memory stemmed back to that nightmare. He found himself within that perpetual twilight.

A world cast in shadow and light. A coldness flooded that world like no other as the visage of his corrupted Spirit came to pass. Drenched in a murky black, shadows enveloped her moonlit silhouette. Spilling against her once snow-white coat. Like frozen suns, silver eyes pooled over with the narrowed golden irises of a Hollow. A snarl sounded and in the blink of an eye, that vision would fade. Once again he was back in his moonlit-room. “That same damn dream...” He swore under his breath. Gazing down at Lumina he would reach to pet his Wolven Spirit, only to stop himself from fear of waking her. Or perhaps it was different fear all together.

He would dress himself casually as he left his quarters and as his eyes met the moon, he would sigh once more. It wasn’t the perfect night for it but it would have to do. Ever since his bout with Douma, he knew things were never gonna be the same. His days were numbered in the Seretei and he knew it. He had failed at suppressing It and he had nearly killed Lumina... It wasn’t the sort of guilt he could wash away. It would always be there, and even after... If he survived everything, he knew in his heart he could not stay a Shinigami. And when he left it would be a matter of time before his own squad came after him.

Heh how fitting for the hunter to be become but prey in the end. His fingers would trace the handle of his blade as he hopped onto the stone wall that surrounded the Shihoin manor. A Reaper cloaked in night, yet he would not hide his presence as he walked along the wall in an almost carefree manner. His balance was nearly perfect and he could move freely without a hitch. And as he came across the training grounds, his tired eyes would meet the night clad silhouette of his Captain. “I thought i’d find you here. It is quite a beautiful night for training.”

Aevus feigned a smile as he attempted to get his Captain’s attention. “I was out on my nightly stroll and I thought i’d come in and say hello.” He was lying through that infamous smile of his and for once he didn’t even try to hide it. And well he didn't seem to care. “But while i’m here I was curious about something... In regards to your fight with fight Himitsu. It was said that he used his Bankai but you never did, but why is that?” He would raise a brow. “Surely a Shinigami of his strength would have been worthy of yours right?” His fingers stirred to his Zanpakuto. “If not, would I be worthy? Lets say I wanted captaincy right now. If perhaps I wanted to just kill you for it..." He was nonchalant in his approach but he posed a serious question. "—would you release your Bankai?”

[Kimiko Shihoin]

Boredom. That was the only word that Kimiko could use to express her life over the last year. She had remained a Captain yet taking over the position of Shihoin Head and Onmitsukido leader was simply that, boring. She had dreamed of being the Shihoin Head all her life yet now that she had succeed it felt almost hollow. Perhaps she really wasn't ever meant to gain it. Perhaps she was simply a warrior and would only be happy living as one.

She desperately needed to face off against someone that could give her a challenge. Despite all of the drama that surrounded it, Kimiko could only look back at the battle against Kaen with hope that one day the two of them could face off again. Strangely enough there were still attacks on Soul Society yet the ones attacking were simply to weak or of little interest. How hard was it for a truly powerful enemy to decide to attack Soul Society.

Kimiko thought over all of this while developing her endurance further. She had always been training and told herself that she would never stop attempting to reach greater heights. Tonight she wore large cement like stone shin guards each weighting nearly a ton. The weight was enough that Kimiko's legs felt enough stress from holding them up over her straight as she walked on her hands. Sweat dripping from her brow as she completed the one hundred and seventy ninth lap around the yard.

She couldn't hear, but she managed to smell the scent of nothingness just prior to him revealing himself through speech. She'd stop and look over to him with a smile. "Yeah it's nice out, but a little rain wouldn't hurt." Thinking that she'd continue Kimiko began to walk once again only for Aevus to begin asking what sounded like something serious, so she bent forward placing her foot on the ground gently to avoid smashing the tile.

Once back up entirely Kimiko would give Aevus her full attention. When he mentioned Himitsu though Kimiko couldn't help, but roll her eyes in annoyance. She would wait for him to finish his question which was actually quite a surprise. "Never figured you'd ask about the subject nor my zanpakuto. In all honesty Aevus. My Bankai. It just makes things to easy. I could have used it against Himitsu, but I sought to prove that even faced off against his own tricks, kido and zanpakuto I am superior."

She couldn't help, but sigh. "Like most I don't like being questioned, underestimated or ignored by those that don't know me. Himitsu was one such person. By attempting to take my position as Captain of Seven at the time he believed himself better. Although the battle ended abruptly due to Okami's disappearance and ultimately because I took over as the Captain of the Onmitsukido, Himitsu replaced me. That man only had another moment before his body was inaccessible to him."

Kimiko really wasn't a big fan of giving details or talking about what she could do. Aevus more than likely would remember that she preferred to act over discuss and that aspect of her had not changed in the least. "As for whether or not I would resort to my bankai against you? Well I don't honestly know if I'd even utilize my shikai. You're an incredibly shinigami, something I still don't understand with your lack of ambition and sheer laziness. Still though you like myself fight in close combat. I don't usually utilize my zanpakuto if I can face my opponents in direct combat."

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

Brash as ever and straight to the point. Yet Aevus wasn’t at all surprised hearing this from his Captain. What she said though did hold some grain of truth. But she clearly didn’t know everything. And yet he would humor her all the same. “I suppose you’re right. The moment i’d get close to you, i’d be at a clear disadvantage because of your strength.” He would give a passing glance to his captain’s stone shin guards as he spoke. “You could probably take me down pretty easily with just a few clean hits alone.” Aevus wouldn’t lie to himself nor Kimiko. He respected her strength and her ability to speak her mind without hesitation. Some didn’t feel the same way, but there was a reason she led the Onmitsukido and it wasn’t just because of her blood.

And yet the curiosity of her Bankai was ever present. He knew for a fact when all was said and done, she more than likely would come after him when he left Soul Society. And because of that, he needed to know something. “Do you remember the first time we met?” The Shinigami’s fingers gently began to tap his Zanpakuto."We sparred the day I graduated and became a Shinigami. And do you remember what you said to me after?” He asked with a single raised eyebrow. He slowly began to circle his Captain. Activating Shunkassou a reiatsu began to pool underneath the soles of the Shinigami’s feet as he eyed her. Kimiko would notice that Aevus looked as if he was almost gliding as he circled his Captain.

“You had told me the next time we met in battle, you would claim victory.” The beginning of a dark smile began to creep up along the features of his pale visage. His cold blues lit up faintly under the damp moonlight. It was at that moment a powerful reiatsu would explode from his back. Destroying the darkly garments covering his back and shoulders in an instant. It crackled and flickered from the man like lightning. Kimiko would most certainly recognize the technique as Shunko. The torn remnants of his kosode would rest over his hakama as he stood there with Zanpakuto in hand.

“I wonder if that’s true... If Kimiko Shihoin. The Captain of the Onmitsukido, can defeat her lazy, ambitionless lieutenant without her Bankai.” Unsheathing his Zanpakuto and swinging it. a crackling shock wave of energy would erupt forth towards his Captain. Yet She would more than likely realize that she didn’t have to move, for it would not reach her. It would tear into the earth until dissipating into the air just inches from her. As the dust and dirt settled into the air, a silence would slowly fall from that thundering blast. With his presence masked, Aevus would erupt from that smokescreen with a strong whirlwind following him. Scattering the remaining debris of dust and dirt past the two in a flurry of strong winds. Clearing the air instantaneously to reveal that multiple after images were following his swift movements from where he previously stood. With that his eyes would narrow on his Captain, and next his blade across her chest with a reverse gripped slash.

Reiatsu: 2500/4000

Shunkassou - 400 to activate. 300 to keep active (700 speed x 2.5 = 1750 speed)
Shunko 1/10 - 800 (Strength + Spiritual Pressure + Reiatsu Strength = 1000 offensive power)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats & Skills}

Aevus

Strength - 250 (150)
Speed - 400 (700)
Spiritual Pressure - 400 (800)
Reiatsu Strength - 100 (50)
Light Aura - 50
Dark Aura - 50
Instinct - 300
Senses - 150
Energy Sensory - 200
Healing Expertise - 0

•[Weapon: Katana] [4]
•[Stealth] [3]
•[Battle Analysis] [3]
•[Strength of Will] [3]
•[Hoho] [3]
•[Acrobatics] [1]

[Kimiko Shihoin]

Was he seriously going to do this? Kimiko had to question if what she was picking up on was really what Aevus was going to follow through with, usually taking action of his own accord was rare. Normally in order to get him to do anything it required an order or sympathy neither of which fit what was going on right now. No his questions weren’t even those that a competitor would ask, it was more like her oldest friend was declaring that he was going to eliminate her. That didn’t fit though, something was off and it was becoming more and more apparent to the Shihoin.

Kimiko’s instincts were starting to scream that a dangerous foe was near her, Aevus was giving off the aura of someone that was looking to cause harm. This didn’t fit him though. What was going on? Was this really him? He spoke the truth even about the first time that they had met one another. So the memories were right there, yet was he being controlled by something else? Kimiko just couldn’t believe that one of her oldest friends was acting in this way towards her. Sparring and testing one another is fine in the eyes of the Shihoin, but this wasn’t coming off as either and Kimiko was starting to get the feeling that she might actually have to cause her friend harm at any moment.

What she saw next pretty much confirmed everything that she was feeling, Aevus activating Shunko. A technique that Kimiko knew all too well, but wouldn’t have believed to face herself in true combat. It was clear that Aevus wasn’t going to hold back which meant that Kimiko couldn’t afford to either, she knew of his zanpakuto, skills and experience in the field. Although it had been some time the both of them had even fought in the field together, standing back to back, protecting one another, true friends. Had she been wrong all this time? Could he have really deceived her the entire time? Was she really so easily fooled or had something happened to him that was causing this? So many questions yet no time to ask. “I want answers when this is over Aevus.”

Bringing forth his zanpakuto Aevus essentially declaring that combat was going to begin sends out a wave of his spiritual energy from Shunko tearing up the garden yet stopping a few inches in front of her. Inhaling deeply to fill her lungs Kimiko flexes her arms and legs causing the muscles of her body to expand in an instant. The result occurs a moment later as the massive weights attached to her limbs crack apart falling off her body to reveal the slender yet muscular ligaments of the Captain. Normally the aggressor this was something different for Kimiko as she stood getting into a defensive stance with her legs spread slightly and her arms out towards Aevus. The instant that follows revealing Aevus has increased his movement speed enough to cause a large amount of afterimages to appear around Kimiko.

Moving very fast enough that Kimiko couldn’t really keep up with his movements even with her own speed yet she knew Aevus wasn't going to wait long and took the chance. Stepping backwards a moment before Aevus rushed in on her to deliver a slash across her chest, Kimiko leaves an afterimage of her own from her own movement that exceeds those of Aevus in raw speed. The moment that Aevus rushed in he’ll feel no resistance against his zanpakuto. Instead slicing through the afterimage, Kimiko standing five feet back from where she had been steps forward once again executing the Shukuchi-Ho movement technique for the second time. Accelerating her movement speed beyond even what Aevus managed to achieve for brief moments, Kimiko, still unsure what’s going on, attempts to shove Aevus backwards with her full strength. Hoping that he’ll be sent off his feet backwards and through the stone wall to end this quick, but knowing Aevus, Kimiko readies herself for some sort of counter.

Strength: 400 {1000}
Speed: 400 {700}
Spiritual Pressure: 400 {200}
Reiatsu Strength: 100 {50}
Instincts: 300
Senses: 150
Energy Sensory: 50
Healing Expertise: 0
Light Aura: 60
Dark Aura: 40

•[Martial Art: Hakudo] {3}
•[Strength of Will] {3}
•[Battle Analysis] {3}
•[Acrobatics] {3}
•[Stealth] {2}
•[Hoho] {3}

Technique Name: Shukuchi-Ho (Reduced Earth Steps) 15
Class: 3
Technique Type: Hakuda
Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects: The user makes use of his innate speed to move flawlessly. From a standing stance, or from any resting position, the first step that the user does becomes an illusion, moving quickly than the eye can see. This technique gives the user a short burst of speed to move and invade an opponent's personal space, and engage in hand to hand combat, or to weave in and out of an opponent's attack. This move triples normal speed for each step, and uses no reiatsu.

How to use technique: The user simply channels reiatsu around his feet instead of gathering spirit particles as what Shunpo or Sonido does.

Technique Drawbacks: Shukuchi-Ho requires its user to have at least a base SPEED of 400 points, and is versed in Hakuda (meaning the character must be very knowledgeable in the Shinigami art of hand-to-hand fighting). Also, the technique can only be used if the opponent is within 10 meters of the user. If the opponent is too far, the technique cannot be used. A maximum of 2 steps per post can only be done using Shukuchi-Ho, nothing more, nothing less. Note that Shukuchi-Ho is by no means superior to Shunpo or Sonido.

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

Striking through the afterimage, a tinge of excitement, true and utter excitement flowed through the Shinigami. The beginning of that dark smile slowly shifted to a cold facade of focus. He had to make his intention look real, and in a way it had become such. Was his goal only to see her Bankai? Or was he actually here to kill his Captain? In that moment not even Aevus knew. He hadn’t detected a Shunpo, but he had lost track of Kimiko regardless, and in an instant he felt a force push him away. It wasn’t an actual blow that would hurt him, but it did surprise the Shinigami, and his eyes widened in turn. It also nearly knocked the wind out of him.

His body violently rag dolled as he was sent sky rocketing towards the stone wall, he was standing upon moments ago. Tapping his Zanpakuto and sheathing it midair that smile returned, and in an instant he adjusted himself. Right before striking the wall, his sandaled feet planted themselves onto the airground. His hands curled around the handle of his sheathed blade, and like a springboard he'd Shunpo off, killing the distance between him and his Captain in a fraction of a second. Speed was Aevus's strongest ally and yet Kimiko matched it. Though Aevus knew that.

Shunkassou was the only reason he defeated her in that regard. And with those combination of techniques, he should have felt winded. Yet thanks to Shunko he was able to stave off the Stamina drain, if only for a time. It was a respite of the tiredness that would soon come after the fight was over. Even so, this battle wouldn't last very long, and Aevus knew it. Without Lumina, half his Reiatsu reserves was sealed away. And he was losing what precious Reiatsu he had left, as he kept Shunkassou active. Which he desperately needed if he wanted to outpace her.

As Aevus appeared before Kimiko, he instantly unsheathed his Zanpakuto feigning an attack. Kimiko would feel the pressure in the air before he struck. She could possibly even feel the killing intent behind his next blow. Yet as he slashed his blade, the Shinigami would abruptly disappear. With his mastery of hoho he had Shunpo’d mid-attack. This time though he utilized the Onmitsukido technique, Sairento Satsugai: Silent Killing to make the Shunpo flareless and perhaps catch his Captain off guard.

The assassin would appear at Kimiko’s left flank, striking with a reverse-gripped attack. With a blow that far exceeded even his own power, combining the momentum of his speed with his power to deliver a rather destructive slash. As Aevus struck with Hitotsume: Nadegiri a powerful blast would erupt from the origin of his attack, tearing into the air and earth with such ferocity that it shook the very ground they stood upon. "Your Bankai Kimiko!" Aevus yelled alongside the crackling energy. And with that a stretch of black began to take his right eye.

Reiatsu: 1925/4000

Shunkassou - 300 to keep active (700 speed x 2.5 = 1750 speed)
Shunko 2/10 - (Strength + Spiritual Pressure + Reiatsu Strength = 1000 offensive power)
Shunpo x2 - 100 (1750 speed x 10 = 17500 speed)
Advanced Airground - 25
Sairento Satsugai - 150 (Flareless Shunpo)
Hitotsume: Nadegiri - 0 (700 speed x 3 = 2100 speed)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Sairento Satsugai}
Technique Name: [Sairento Satsugai (lit. Silent Killing)]

Class: [5-4]

Technique Type: [Other]

Technique Element: [None]

Technique Description and Effects:

By releasing reiatsu all across the body, one can dull the sound of their movements. The reiatsu surrounding them acts like the silencer on a gun, except it acts on the whole body. When in effect, which is for a duration of 10 posts, one’s movements become completely silent, so much so that one would need a sensory of 250 or more in order to hear the user. This is the Class 5 version of the technique.

For the Class 4 version, this version can be activated at any time whenever the user wishes. By giving up 150 reiatsu when using a technique, the reiatsu flare from that technique can be “silenced.” This basically adds a silencer to techniques just like one would add a silencer to a gun to reduce noise and muzzle flash. When this is done, only those with energy sensory of 300 and above can tell when a technique is being used. By silencing the reiatsu flare, the charging technique is even able to evade Pesquis.

How to use technique:

Release reiatsu across the body and activate.

Drawback:

No drawbacks other than reiatsu cost.

Made by: [Shihoin Family]

Reserved?: [No for Shihoin and Onmitsukido. Yes for all others.]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Hitotsume: Nadegiri}
Technique Name: Hitotsume: Nadegiri (The First: Killing Stroke)

Class: 1

Technique Type: Zanjutsu

Usable By: Shinigami, Vizard and Rogue

Technique Description and Effects: Nadegiri is a precise and swift attack that relies upon and combines the user's momentum (speed) and the offensive cutting power of their weapon, to cut their target. The user simply draws their weapon, performs a slash at 3x their speed and sheathes their weapon. The transition between drawing, attacking and sheathing is rather seamless. It can appear invisible to slower opponents or those without the proper senses and instinct. Appearing as if the user had never drawn their weapon to begin with. The only sign generally to the victim is a powerful cut.

How to use technique: Flow reiatsu into sword arm, Draw weapon, attack and sheath.

Technique Drawbacks: Nadegiri is a powerful Zanjutsu technique that requires the user to have a 3 in a weapon skill to perform and at least 500 speed to learn. Due to the precision, speed and overall power, this technique can cause minor muscle damage on the users sword arm due to it tripling their speed. Though Reiatsu is first flowed through the users arm to prevent major damage to the user's muscles and bone. It still causes stress due to the precision and speed of the cut. Thus the user is recommended to rest their sword arm for a single post before using Nadegiri again. Excessive use of this technique while ignoring the rest time, will tear muscle and can even break bones, if the user is not careful. Nadegiri though combining the speed and offensive cutting power of the user's weapon still follows the 3x rule and can not exceed it. So say if the user had 400 cutting power and 400 speed, this technique would combine the two, making it a 800 base. The combination of these two stats, couldn't exceed 2400 with this technique. This technique counts as a short term stat boost and thus has a natural limit of uses in a thread.

Made By: N/A

Reserved?: No