Incursion of the Citadel (DP-Hard)

[Izanami Midorikawa]

Name: Incursion of the Citadel

Participants:
Keira (Failure)
Connor (Shinigami)
Lucien (Vandenreich)

Izanami (Fullbringer)

Location: A strange unseen section in the mist of Africa.

Difficulty Level: Hard/Extreme

Setting: DP

Plotline: Over the last few months there have been cases of humans developing strange abilities only to rapidly deteriorate. Rumors regarded as conspiracy to the masses yet to the spiritual community one thing is certain. Someone has been turning ordinary humans into Fullbringers only for them to die shortly after. Several spiritual groups have worked together to find that the source of these changes have been from wandering individuals placing something in the food of humans. After tracking down some and torturing others the location of this new group's base has been found. Now it’s up to the advanced units to attack the base and put an end to this incredible danger in the human world.

Participants can choose between two starting locations. The longer yet potentially less combat oriented is starting at the far end of the river at the edge of the citadel influence. Starting there the participants will need to traverse through wetlands, bridges and woods in order to reach the tower and then find some way to the top.

For a more direct combat oriented approach participants can start at the main entrance attacking the bridge itself starting with a major guard post consisting of a four story tower. Once past they will need a make it across the major bridge reaching to the tower already near the top. Make your decision wisely and be ready for an assault against the new scum of the spiritual world.

Estimated Enemy Strength:
Mooks: Class 6-4
Bosses: Class 2-1

Estimated Time Until Completion: 4-5

Starts: 4-16-2020

Special Conditions: The tower of the citadel is causing a gravitational pressure unlike any other that doesn’t prevent movement, standing or even hopping and leaping from the ground. However, instead prevents all within the area from flying or utilizing air ground. Even those with incredible strength find it impossible to jump more than a single foot of the ground.

[Izanami Midorikawa]

Standing at the guard tower at the very base where the gate which was almost always shut met the bridge was a young Bount boy with an incredibly bored expression painfully painted on his face. He had been on guard duty going on two months now and just didn’t get why so many of them needed to be here. It wasn’t like they were even visible to anyone outside of the Citadel anyway. Everyone that had been recruited knew that once you crossed beyond the gate or got a certain distance away from the main tower, well everything just seemed to vanish. It was as if they weren’t really here and all anyone could see was the river that the citadel was built on. Little did this young guard know though that in only a few minutes he’d be forced to fight off the advance against the citadel from the front gate.

On the other side of the citadel was the only other entrance that anyone was going to get through although it wasn’t normally for people. A small elevator that one needed to be aware of and even then look carefully for quite a bit to notice. It was normally only used to bring supplies and food up from the bottom of the waterfall to the lower section of the citadel. Gregory, though a maintenance member of the citadel, just so happens to not agree with some of the things he had been hearing lately. Getting information out and then contact made to other factions wasn’t easy, but now Gregory was bringing up the individuals that he had been told could bring the citadel down for what they were apparently doing to normal people. They’d need to be quick though the citadel had hundreds of members constantly throughout the base. Gregory just happened to have closed the door and was pretending to give the elevator a once over. The two story building had several other spiritual entities inside so hopefully whoever was coming up the elevator would be quiet and efficient.

[Kiera Bright]

Keira stared at the fires of hatred dancing behind her bright pink eyes. She had heard word of normal humans suddenly obtaining spiritual powers for a short time, before they would expire. Keira had to confirm this. If it was true, which it was, this was too close to a scheme she had herself. That just won't do. No sir. Even if someone came to the same conclusions as her, by their own means, she cannot have the possibility that others would label her a copycat, and slander her work. There was only one solution. The source had to be stopped. If she did, she might be able to gain some knowledge herself, and even top them, by making it so that her subjects don't meet the same fate. She liked that idea. 

There was one thing about this mission that she was sure was not going to be pleasant, working with others. She had built a reputation of being...hard to work with, to put it mildly. It wasn't her fault. Most people had the attack first, greet you later, mentality, that she just couldn't stand. It also didn't help that she had the same mentality to anyone that approached her laboratory. She may be many thing, but she never denied being hypocritical. But, those were all points of view in the end. She would work with others when the times called for it, and this would be no different. She would just have to keep her true motives her little secret though. Those were things to worry about later. For now, there was the task at hand. 

Never one to beat around the bush, Keira was approaching the main entrance to the citadel. Her senses, both physical and spiritual, were keen. Her idea was had a duel purpose. Since she expected to have other's helping her, either directly or indirectly, she would hold their attention. Secondly, she wanted to make an example of them. The most direct rout was often the most efficient. She was more than confident that she could handle anything that was out here. She spotted the lone guard long before he would have seen her. Still her approach was unaltered. She walked straight up to the gate, her pink eyes looking past the guard to the citadel beyond. Her long pink hair brushed against her shoulder. She popped a hard candy into her mouth with a chilling smile. This is where the fun begins. 

She felt the spiritual pressure, and her body tensed. She made note that it did not impede her normal abilities, but was being pushed down riding on her flood produced arm. She continued on foot, wrapping her feet so that nothing pierced them. Keira growled. This was going to be a pain if she couldn't ride her arms like usual. But, she had been skipping her leg days, so might as well get some walking in. No doubt, the bount boy would have seen Keira coming. Seeing a young woman just walking up to him like she belonged there, or more accurately owned the place. Her flood was no longer active now, but she knew that it didn't need to be. She continued to walk until he was just within range. Then she would act to finally notice him.

"What are you gawking at?" She snapped piercing him with a contempt fueled death glare. He could feel the threatening aura she was giving off. "Open the gate at once. I have business inside." brazen and foolish, some may call it. All part of the plan, is what she would call it. The poor fool's fate was sealed the moment he was posted outside these walls. She almost felt sorry for him. He would no doubt die, but the least that she could do was try to make it painless, as well as memorable as she could. Well she will as long as the boy didn't do, or say, anything that would land him on her bad side. The terms of his death was on him, and she was more than curious to see how he chose.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}
Strength - 100 - 25% = 75 Points

Speed - 125 - 25% = 94 Points

Spiritual Pressure - 400 Points

Reiatsu Strength - 1050 Points

Light Aura - 20 Points

Dark Aura - 80 Points

Instinct - 300 + 100% = 600 Points

Senses - 225 + 100% = 450 Points

Energy sensory - 250 + 100% = 500 Points

Healing Expertise - 0 Points


Battle Analysis 2

Mental Incantation 2

Learning 2

Illusion Resistance 2

Analysis 2

Science 2

Strength of Will 2

Crafting 2

[Tsukuyomi Kawada]

Coming up was taking a while as Tsukuyomi had been standing in the elevator for three full minutes now and couldn’t tell how much longer it was going to take before he reached the top. This wasn’t going to be an easy task. It wasn’t something that he would have done normally either yet there was no Captain right now in Division Eleven to handle the problem. He couldn’t wait knowing what was going on, perhaps one of the other Captains would have stepped in, but at that point how much more would have happened. Tsukuyomi of course had heard about the report of humans being turned into Fullbringers only for them to apparently die swiftly.

Whoever was causing this had been tracked to this location and upon investigation Tsukuyomi had decided that entering through the back entrance was the best bet. He didn’t know how strong the enemy was so facing them down in the open all at once wasn’t a good move. Finding a rat inside the group was actually surprisingly easy as they had sought out individuals that could bring down the group they belonged to. Tsukuyomi assumes it was because once the individual found out what the goal of the group was they no longer were on board. Either way the elevator dinged and Tsukuyomi was ready to fight once the door opened.

[Connor Greaves]

Connor knew this day would be one of the hardest he'd ever have to face, and would likely be something that would haunt him for the rest of his unnatural life. That is, should he survive the upcoming battle. He had been told from his superior officers that there was a rather disturbing trend of ordinary humans becoming fullbringers, then practically dying overnight. This was naturally a problem, and one that Connor agreed with for once. The information pointed to this place being the reason behind the mysterious deaths in the area. An entire city, hidden from the world via magic. He was wearing a different mask for the occasion. A skull mask that had its lower jaw missing.

As he approached the gates, he couldn't help but stare in awe. Not at the actual gates, mind you. They were nice, he had to admit, large and well maintained, but still showed their age. But those beautiful gates weren't what he was gawking at. No, he was gawking at the incredibly loud glowing woman in front of them. She was... glowing. Like, not in a figurative sense, but full on emitting light. He couldn't help but just stare at her. Out of all the weird things he had ever seen, this was probably the most... surreal. She was just an angry glowing lady, but still, she was somehow one of the weirdest things he'd seen in his comparably short life.

He strolled over, one hand resting on his sword, and approached her. "Are you in need of help miss?" He asked her calmly. He towered over the small girl by well over a foot, and was looking down at the top of her very bright head. He was standing a good four feet to her left, not wanting to provoke her, if at all possible. But he needed to get into this city soon, so perhaps he could do something to spare her from the battle that was likely to happen in mere minutes. "This location is about to become very unsafe soon. I would recommend you not be here when things start to get violent, else you could be hurt." He told her gently.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}

Strength- 200
Speed- 400
Reiatsu Strength- 50
Spiritual Pressure- (400+50%) 600
Senses- 50
Instinct- 60
Energy Sensory- 0

Dark- 100
Light- 0


Skills

Strength of Will- 1
Weapons
Swords- 1
Weapons
Guns- 1
Street Fighting- 1
Acting- 1
Disguise- 1
Crafting- 1
Charisma- 1

[Lucien Dantes]

[Starting at the far end of the river, at the edge of citadel influence]


Normally the sort of task that Lucien Dantes was tackling today, would not always be one for a Vandenreich Captain-Supervisor. However, Lucien had found himself in relatively good health as of late, compared to usual, and on top of that, there were certain facts of the matter that made the Quincy feel it would be better to deal with the matter personally. There were a number of curious details about this mysterious citadel. The immense spiritual pressure he felt as he approached it, for example, disrupting the man's normally exceptional control of the reishi in the air, and making it difficult to apply air ground for example. Secondly was the nature of this mysterious organization. Transforming humans into Fullbringers... Certainly that was something the Vandenreich needed to look into. And while that task could have been delegated to a Captain, Lucien wanted to make sure this was done right. There was no telling what sort of strange mysteries would be in that citadel, and depending on what he found, the Quincy did not want to place the trust of the experiments in the hands of someone other than himself or another of the Emperor's most trusted. This sort of research could be either invaluable to the Vandenreich, or it could be an abomination in need of destruction. In either case, it absolutely had to be attended to.

So it was that Lucien had decided to take on this task himself. The Captain-Supervisor advanced towards the Citadel, seeing it in the distance atop a series of impossibly high cliffs. True, he could have taken a more direct route to the site. A large bridge led directly into the citadel. But Lucien acknowledged-- that was likely to be where the concentration of enemy forces would be highest. And although Lucien would care nothing more than to demoralize his opposition into a quick surrender, he was enough of a realist to acknowledge that such an approach would likely result in much higher bloodshed than a more covert one, seeking another entrance into the citadel.

Lucien had opted not for the usual colors of the Vandenreich that would immediately identify him as one today, instead adorned in his usual purple-and-black attire, though his spirit fragment and cross still marked him for what he truly was if one could recognize the sign, his Quincy Cross in the traditional star of the Vandenreich. In addition, the insignia of the Vandenreich adorned the collar of his uniform as well. But at least it wouldn't be readily apparent at a quick glance. Besides. Lucien would be traversing through mud and muck today, and he would abhor to cover the uniform of the Vandenreich in such filth.

As the Quincy began to move from his starting point towards the citadel, he kept low to the ground, and reached out with his senses. He could feel the reiatsu of everything within at least a fifty mile radius, and so he could detect a number of forces arrayed. Unless of course, the Citadel could block out his ability to sense reiatsu. Despite that, it was quite probable the Quincy would pick up a few particular reiatsu signatures, which he immediately identified. There was a Fullbringer and Shinigami both of above average power. He could also sense a second Shinigami much closer to his location, but there was something unusual about their own reiatsu.... though at this distance he could not yet identify it as a Hell reiatsu. Only that there was something strange about it. And lastly.... what was that. Lucien could feel Keira's immense raw power, but he could not adequately discern it. Lucien had fought Vandenreich, Hollows, Arrancar, Fullbringers, other Quincy and Beast Clan, but he had not encountered a Failure before. He was briefly astounded at the raw power he could sense, but his eyes grew stern.

Yes. It was good of me to come here. Someone with lesser abilities might have gotten hurt. I am not so certain even I will come through this unscathed. Let me see if I can keep the damage to a minimum. He thought as he pressed onwards toward the citadel, following the river. Lucien, not entirely unfamiliar with the idea of stealth, though not well trained in the art, stepped away from the river, attempting to move through the brush, to make some dim attempt at concealment as he advanced towards the back of the Citadel. It was a long trek that would probably take him some time. He would also have to figure out some way to scale up the massive cliffs that loomed over him. In truth, Lucien could only really see the top spire of the citadel from his location. Could he climb the cliffs, he wondered? It might be possible, using an application of Vector. Alternatively, there was always Dia-Aufnahme. Even if Air Ground was forbidden to Lucien, he expected his arrows would still fly well enough.

In either case, the Vandenreich still had to reach the bottom of the cliffs anyways, to even begin planning his ascent properly so he pressed onwards, trekking the long road ahead, moving at an even pace to conserve his stamina. Lucien knew that pushing himself too hard, too early, would inevitably cause him many problems. His health did require him to play a delicate balance, but to Lucien, his duty always came first regardless. He was here to serve the Emperor. He would manage his health on this assignment as best he could, but at the end of the day, his duty came before his personal well-being. That was what it meant to be of the Vandenreich after-all.

SPOILER: Click to show

Stats
Strength: 230 (151)
Speed: 400
Reiatsu Strength: 100 (250)
Spirit Pressure: 320 (800)
Light Aura: 100
Dark Aura: 0
Senses: 120
Instinct: 150
Energy Sensory: 100 (250)
Healing Expertise: 80 (52)
Total: 1500/1500

-----

Skills:
Marksmanship: 4
Battle Analysis: 3
Calm Mind: 3
Strength of Will: 1

Spent: 12/15

[Izanami Midorikawa]

(Alright guys this is the posting order currently.
Keira, Connor, DM
Tsukuyomi, DM
Lucien, DM.
This can and will change depending on if the participants cross paths.)


This was definitely strange. The boy had only been working at the gate for a few days now, but in that time he hadn’t seen just two people stroll up. He wasn’t the best at it, but he could still sense reiatsu and based on what he was sensing along with what he could see with the orbs in his skull. There was a shinigami and a . . . something with pink hair that looked like a girl. Something was off though he couldn’t tell what she was based on her reiatsu. One moment it felt like she was a human the next she was a shinigami and then a hollow.

“What manner of business do you have inside of the Citadel? I have not been given any information on your arrival. What are your names?” The young bount boy was no longer the only one with eyes on the two that approached the bridge. In a manner not quite fast nor slow additional individuals were appearing in sight of Connor and Keira. Two at the top of the building around the gate and another two behind the bount boy all ready for something to happen. They were all here to guard the bridge and willing to throw down their lives to fulfill that duty.

---

The elevator door opened revealing a reasonably sized room of white that possessed a few chairs and a table, but beyond that didn’t have much in it. It seemed this room was primarily used to not just bring up the supplies but hold them for a brief time until they were brought to the rest of the Citadel. What would most likely caught Tsukuyomi’s attention though would be the young man sitting at the table.

“We’re going to wait to get a hurry on. Won’t be long now before the entire place is on lock-down and every single member is ready to attack you on sight. Not to mention the Quincy down below that will be up in a few minutes.”

Tsukuyomi would have to make his choice, but the only road out was a single door that would lead to a short hallway. Once there he’d have a chance to run right out of the building to the bottom of the Citadel outside. Where he would find a series of bridges across the water of the river the Citadel called a bed. Of course patrols were constant out there so he’d have to be careful otherwise the Vice Captain would quickly be outnumbered and risk not just tiring himself out early, but potentially dying before he even found the reason that he came here seeking.

---

The Quincy Lucien was the furthest away out of them all still down below where the Citadel influence was still present and by all accounts it was their space, but in actuality it was more just nature once again. He was choosing to take a long path that would test his stamina, but potentially avoided any sight from those he sought to eliminate. It was a smart move although would he be able to pull it off was the major question. He wouldn’t have any sort of problem until he started to get closer to the cliffs. Once he got within about fifty feet he was still surrounded by trees yet he’d feel one of his feet snag something.

In the moment that followed Lucien would have to be quick to avoid the large log of wood flying through the air towards him like a battering ram set to strike his right side. It was one of the oldest traps, one now known throughout much of the population as cinema had spread the trap throughout the masses. One thing was an issue that Lucien didn’t know nor was it common knowledge. When he pulled on the hidden wire and set this trap off it hadn’t been the only one. To his left the ground had opened up quickly and silent revealing a hidden pit filled with sharp oak spikes all positioned upwards. The Citadel apparently didn’t like kids playing on their lawn and Lucien had better be careful not to get them angry.

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien's senses were keen. Well above average, and nearing peak human senses. He felt the tripwire the moment he made contact with it, and immediately could hear the sound of a trap engaging. His eyes flitted to the side where he heard something shift loose from a hiding place, and saw a large log of wood hurtling towards him. He could detect no spiritual energy coming from it, even at this range and with heightened energy sensory, so he recognized it as just that. A regular log of wood. This he had no qualms with dealing with. In an instant, Lucien brought back his hand. His spirit fragment began to draw in reishi from the surroundings, and in a flash of light, Lucien was garbed in black plate armor. A mailed fist clenched and hurtled forward, smashing into the oncoming log. There was no real technique to his punch, being little more than a rough haymaker, and Lucien lacked the physical strength to completely shatter the log, but with his immense strength, he could at least splinter it and completely stop the log's momentum, as well as hold his position, preventing himself from being slammed onto his back. Or more specifically, slammed into the oak spikes below. Even if he was, of course, his armor would completely shield him from harm, but Lucien wasn't about to make such a fool of himself so soon.

Lucien held his stance for a moment, gauntleted fist outstretched, feeling the weight of the log against his fist. Its momentum had been broken but he could still feel its weight gently pushing back against him. Lucien saw a large web of cracks extending from where his fist had connected, and he opened his palm now, to hold the log as he walked past it, now slightly warier for traps. He had been focused more on the spiritual than the physical, anticipating any trap that could threaten him would be spiritual in nature. And indeed, the log trap had not been a serious threat, but it nonetheless would have been embarrassing to be knocked prone by it. After Lucien had passed, his armor vanished again. Full plate armor, though suitable for battle, was not well fitted for a long trek through marshlands and the woods if it could be avoided. And unlike the knights of old, Lucien did not have to take ten minutes just to don or doff his gear. Praise the Emperor for that. Despite only drawing in the power for a brief moment, Lucien's fragment had now ceased to draw in reiatsu, as it was no longer necessary. Not that it was a tremendous drain on Lucien's stamina to do so, but he would rather not split his focus at this time.

Lucien took a moment to examine the hidden spike trap as well, circling along its outside carefully, so-as not to fall in or trigger a second trap. It didn't seem especially deep. Lucien crouched next to it for a moment and reached down. He still wore a gauntlet, so he would be protected from a careless brush with the spike. Not that he was being careless. Lucien reached to the nearest spike, grasping it firmly before snapping it off. Now with his new wooden stake, Lucien carefully slid it into his belt, and continued onwards. He expected he'd be able to find a use for that down the line, and it did well to be prepared. Lucien preferred to take things easy, so he was not adopting a particularly aggressive pace off the bat. He knew patience was a virtue, and besides. He'd only wear himself out sprinting through these woods, if he didn't fall for a trap in the process. Lucien's eyes scanned, and his ears listened, being a bit more careful as he took an easy pace toward the citadel.

Reiatsu Remaining: 8225/8000

-100 for activating Bow Form property
+225 for Spirit Fragment

Stamina Post: 1

[Izanami Midorikawa]

His reflexes had indeed been fast comparable to a true beast of the wild, saving him from a potentially nasty fall. The physical trap had failed easily against the Vandenreich who revealed himself as a black knight in the mists of the faction that most donned white. He was taking his time examining what he could, when he took the time to look over the oak spikes in the pit Lucien would notice that each spike was coated at the top in some sort of liquid or had been covered. The coloration of the spike at the top was different from the rest and although he more than likely wouldn’t know it he had just collected a rather useful neurotoxin .

Continuing his way through the forest would take a few minutes but he wouldn’t find another trap. Lucky for him there was only one in the Citadel that believed physical traps of old still could serve a purpose. The forest was a large place and although there were dozens of traps placed about, they were spread thin. When he reached the stone wall he’d have to make a choice on how to proceed. No fighting had begun at the top, but Lucien was taking a much longer path then the others. Would he be able to reach the truth before one of the others snuffed it out?

[Kiera Bright]

Keira stood impatiently for the boy to do as he was told. By the way he was still standing there, she concluded that he was either so new that he didn't really know what he was doing, or was just caught so off guard that someone just marched up and demanded entrance. She had to give him credit. He had bigger stones than she thought. That was not going to be the oddest thing that occurs at that moment though. She was able to sense another presence coming from behind her. The way it approached, and the energy she was sensing off it, it was obviously a shinigami, and there for, a circumstantial ally in this mission. What his reasons for being here was inconsequential, all that mattered was if he was useful. 

What caught her attention first about the shinigami, was the fact that he wore a mask. Out of all the shinigami that she...conversed with, he was the only one to wear such a thing. It didn't seem like it held any kind of protective purpose, so maybe this one had a flair for the dramatics. The next was his attitude to her. They way he talked to her, was like he was addressing a child or something. This has never happened to her before. Her brain just 404ed. What...why...how..She had so many questions just from that alone. It wasn't until the Bount guard spoke up, that her brain decided to function again. It didn't seem that her plan worked. In fact, now there were more of them, and she could tell that they meant business. Great. She thought with a sigh. Well, plan A was a bust, time to get things started.

Only then did the shinigami's warning register into her mind. Oh things were going to get violent around here, but she had no intention of shying away from it. She turned her head to him and a pleasant enough smile. Might have looked a bit creepier than she was intending though. "Your concern is appreciated, but unnecessary." She said turning back to the bount and his back up. A dark aura would surround her enveloping everyone at the gate with a dark, malicious presence. She glared at the guards taking quick mental notes on each one noting race and general power levels. She was not going to be denied entrance. She was going in one way or another.

"As for you," She said her voice as cold as ice. "I will give you one last chance to open that gate, before I open it myself. After I paint with with your blood." Her aura became far more murderous to drive her intentions home. "I will etch the name Keira Bright into your very souls if I have to." Her pink eyes narrowed more glowing more intensely. "Now open that gate." She growled fully prepared to rip and tear her way to her goal. She will take what is rightfully hers. She will let nothing stand in her way of stabilization. And, she refused to let anyone make her research public, wither they intended to or not. She was in a hurry, so she was willing to let them live. If they cooperated that is. 

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien took note of the different coloration of the spike near the top. Poison, no doubt. Understandable perhaps, but distasteful... Lucien would have no use of the poison. He had other means at his disposal of making his stake more dangerous. Lucien felt it best to make preparations as he journeyed along towards the cliffs. As the Vandenreich Captain-Supervisor marched through the woodlands, he picked up a few other things along the way. Several burrs from nearby plants which he allowed to attach to his cloak for example. At another juncture, he retrieved a branch from a bramble, covered in thorns. His own gauntleted hands protected him from harm, but it would be an unpleasant lashing to another. This too, Lucien hooked onto his cloak as he moved. All the more glad now that he was not wearing his Vandenreich white uniform. He would never have treated a symbol of his status so.

Beyond that though, Lucien was enjoying the trek itself. He had taken a nice easy pace and he loved the outdoors. Spending mornings, afternoons or evenings out in the wild-- perhaps in a meadow, or near a lake, or even just sitting next to a stream or river. Taking in the scenery and wildlife was one of Lucien's past times of choice. The quiet and the peaceful. Lucien allowed a smile to cross his gaunt face for a moment as he pressed onward. Not pushing himself too hard. At least not yet.

Finally, Lucien reached the bottom of the cliffs. He examined them closely. It would be a very long way to simply climb. There had to be a better way to do it. Lucien contemplated this for awhile, reaching out with his Energy Sensory. He took some time to focus, parsing various woodland creatures from anyone of note. He could visualize the spirit ribbons of those nearby and-- there it was. A he found it. The spirit ribbon not of a deer or squirrel or anything like that, but of a human. Lucien took the ribbon in-hand and began to follow it. After a little bit more walking he believed he could hear a waterfall nearby. A hidden passage through the falls perhaps? Well. Whoever it is, he will likely have some information on the area. Lucien thought to himself as he journeyed closer. The waterfall was sounding quite loud and quite large. It would disturb his physical senses no doubt, as he got closer. Lucien knew he would have to keep his wits about him. Something like this would be very effective at masking an attack. He had to rely on his spiritual senses, not just his physical ones. And so onward Lucien went, approaching the falls fairly quickly now.

Rest Post 1/2

[Izanami Midorikawa]

The traversing of the forest wouldn’t be a problem for someone as spiritually gifted as the Captain Supervisor who collected more than most in the Citadel would have expected. It only took a few minutes for him to reach the cliff face that would act as a barrier to actually entering into the main section of the Citadel. Utilizing his ability to sense reiatsu Lucien wouldn’t just pick up one or two others. Still able to sense those that he had originally the Quincy would also find a few more blips on his radar. Four to be exact all inside of the building that the Shinigami had just started to leave.

Going for the waterfall wasn’t a bad move although this Quincy would soon see that losing his physical sense of hearing and sight was a very risky move. Once he entered the waterfall it would be impossible for him to see more than a couple of inches beyond his face. In regards to what he could hear, well that was arguably worse than his sight as the millions of small droplets of water cascaded down around him. It wouldn’t be something he’d deal with for long though as the width of the waterfall only measured a dozen feet or so. Once he reached the other side though Lucien would immediately sense something that hadn’t been present even a moment earlier.

Instantly the body of the waterfall froze, trapping Lucien by his legs, arms and torso. Only the front of his chest and head were free from the icy prison. “Well now finally something interesting. Hope you taste good it’s been awhile since anyone has tried to get in this way.” Lucien would be able to see what seemed to be a white muscular gorilla clinging to the stone wall that the waterfall covered. Truthfully, this Hollow looked more like a troll or snowman, but it’s appearance didn’t matter so much as the large ball of ice channeling in its grasp. It took but a moment before the Hollow threw the basketball sized ice at Lucien at a speed of 400 with a force of 600.

[Lucien Dantes]

Lucien sensed the surge of spiritual energy as the water froze around him, and countered by drawing in with his spirit fragment and Quincy Cross, as battle was rejoined. A gatekeeper no doubt. He thought to himself as his eyes scanned the darkness and witnessed the gorilla-like Hollow clinging to the wall. It taunted him that few had come this way before, and hoped he would make an appetizing snack. Lucien gave the creature a sad look in answer, even as it charged its attack. "A Hollow is it? ...That is unfortunate. I would have liked to have given you a chance for surrender. Poor creature. I will at least make this quick." It was very unfortunate. It seemed this Hollow's powers were a poor match for Lucien's. But he supposed that was only to be expected. After-all, these were powers given to him by the Emperor himself.

As the Hollow hurled the ball of ice at Lucien, no doubt planning on removing Lucien's head, something the creature likely couldn't have expected occurred. The ice that was binding Lucien vanished and in its place was a volley of blue-white arrows that streaked through the air at the Hollow. There were a total of four arrows that flew at the Hollow now in a staggered formation. Lucien had activated his Soul Property, converting the ice around him into Quincy arrows. Unbeknownst to the Hollow, however, Lucien had also activated his Firing Property-- Echo. Something the Hollow would be realizing shortly if it survived this volley of attacks.

The first two arrows intercepted the ice ball, exploding on impact, and shattering it, fragments flying about the room, everywhere except for Lucien, as Lucien quickly stepped free of what he had been imprisoned only moments before. He had even left an outline of the back of himself, as Lucien had only converted the ice covering his front. It left a bizarre little ice shell in the shape of Lucien's back where he had been momentarily held. Having taken out the ice ball, the remaining two arrows shot towards their target unerringly and with precise accuracy aiming for the Hollow's heart and gut. At the same time, Lucien vanished with a burst of movement. "Are you familiar with Hirenkyaku?" Lucien asked, as he reappeared only seven feet to the Hollow's left. A black bow was in his hands, and he had drawn an arrow back. In the next instant, Lucien loosed the arrow to pierce directly through the Hollow's head. Two attacks flying from the front and another from the left. And Lucien wasn't even close to done if the Hollow managed to evade, by some miracle. The arrow that Lucien had directly shot from his bow was of lower class than the arrows that he had turned the ice into. While the four initial arrows were Class 1, the final shot he had just fired was only a Class 4 arrows. Either way, the Hollow was about to be pierced by three arrows unless it did something very quickly.

"I would prefer it if you don't struggle. I'd rather you die quickly and with as little pain and suffering as possible." Lucien requested of the beast, just as his arrows would pierce it. One through the heart, one through the lung, and the last through the head. Lucien's eyes had changed. When passing through the waterfall he had a pleasant expression on his face. A relaxed one. Now it was hard and militant. Lucien didn't believe in holding back. If you held back, you drew out the battle, and he could not stand that. Whether it was against a lowly Hollow, or one of the Espada, Lucien intended to always fight at a high intensity-- nothing held back.

Reiatsu Remaining: 7655/8000
+400 reiatsu for Quincy Cross and Spirit Fragment with 2 properties active
-500 reiatsu for activating Soul Property
-150 reiatsu for activating Firing Property
-280 for four Class 1 arrows
-40 for one Class 4 arrow

Stamina Post: 1

[Izanami Midorikawa]

Well this little pink girl definitely wasn’t going to back down not to mention the shinigami that stood beside her. This was the reason they were here after all. The boy didn’t want to fight against the girl, but he had no problem in dealing with the shinigami. All the same though it was his job and thus it didn’t take more than a moment after the girl allowed her murderous aura to seep out from her soul, for the boy to grab the necklace around his neck. His reiatsu flared and it was obvious he had just released his Doll. The issue though? Neither Keira nor Connor would notice anything different.

The bount boy was an oddity though as the two guards at the top both Fullbringers channeled their reiatsu while inhaling deeply. It only took them both a moment to then exhale, releasing fairly large torrents of fire that merged together into a river that burned across everything in front of the gate extending back fifty feet. Keira and Connor would either have to evade roughly twenty feet to one side or the other, or they’d have to make some kind of counter to the fire technique known as Soul Ignition. (Offensive strength of 800.)

The fire wasn’t the only attack though as the two guards behind the bount boy were also ready to attack. The moment they could see either Keira or Connor again would result in an immediate attack. Connor would have to deal with a straight blade sent right for his chest formed from the air moving at a speed, while also carrying a force of 300. As for Keira, she’d have to deal with a large slab of stone that had been pulled from behind the gate and then thrown over it towards her with a force of 700 while falling at a speed of 250.

---

The Hollow hadn’t been expecting the ice that it had formed from the waterfall to be so ineffective against this intruder. Seeing the front of the ice that bound this Quincy in place break down only to form into arrows all angled against him was alarming. Throwing the ice ball that it had channeled didn’t accomplish anything as half of the arrows this Quincy formed clashed against it countering both opposing forces completely. It had a problem now though it still had the other two arrows coming towards it and the ice ball was no longer in play.

The Hollow could see this Quincy vanish noticing his body from the corner of his eye he knew he was likely about to be shot from his left. Most enemies would likely expect some sort of defensive technique something like forming a barrier or ice to counter all of the arrows. The Hollow though made no such action, instead it simply let go of the wall and kicked off. The two arrows aimed for his chest would miss, but the arrow the Quincy was firing directly would likely be still on target as the Quicy could change his aim.

That is until a Garganta appeared in front of the Hollow then closed immediately after it entered through. Lucien would be left behind the wall of ice in front of him, a stone cliff face behind him and a large cylinder shaped elevator in the middle of the cliff face. He may notice though that in the middle of the ice wall appeared a Garganta yet before he’d be able to see the Hollow exit he’d have to deal with the ice wall literally enclosing in on him. Cracking against the top of the stone, digging up the ground a concert of noise closing in on Lucien. "Should have kept those wishes for yourself Quincy!"

[Kiera Bright]

It seems negotiations have broken down. Keira thought with a sinister smile. She activated her flood and stretched outward with her sensitive energy sensory. She the strengths, and races of everyone around her, so she knew generally what to expect from them, and they were nothing for her to worry over. Though she did find it odd that the boy's doll didn't appear. She knew that he summoned it, but where was it? She focused a bit harder looking for it. It couldn't have been summoned far from him after all. If he really did summon his doll, she will pick it up. She knew better than to hyper focus one thing in this situation. She was aware of everything that the other guards were up to.

She could feel the two fullbringers gathering reiatsu the same technique. She lifted up her right hand gathering reiatsu for a cero. The cero was ready to fire the same time the fullbringers exhaled their fire breath. She aimed the cero in the center of the two allowing the sheer force of her pink cero to disperse the flames. It only needed to be a moment, less than what the cero would give her. As the flames were parted, she fired two bolts of lighting from her left index finger in rapid succession. Each bolt would be hidden by the large, intense beam of reiatsu hitting the fullbringers dead center in the chest with more than enough strength to kill them. 

To Keira's amusement, a large slab of stone was thrown from behind the gate. She could think of many different ways to destroy it before it even started its decent. No. She had a better idea. She waited until it was about four meters above her before summoning one of her reiatsu hands to catch it three meters above her head. The shade the slab provided was nice, but she had no use for the thing. "I think you lost something." She said pulling her reiatsu hand back. "Let me return it to you." She said having her reiatsu arm throw the slab at the bount boy as hard, and fast, as her arm could throw. With any luck the boy would be crushed, and the slab would open up a path for her. Worst case, it would at least damage the gate.

Cero -200, Hado #4: Byakurai (Pale Lightning) (X2) -50, Reiatsu Hand -25 3725/4000