Foundation of Terror. (Hakai/Rio)

[Hakai Castellan]

Hueco Mundo’s pearly sands were as expansive as they were elusive, dunes which shifted into an ocean of never-ending sand which held a certain beauty to it, glistening grains all reflecting the little light which was provided from the intoxicating darkness above. It’d been sometime since Hakai decided to take such a stroll yet silence wasn’t something he was overly fond of, whilst Hollows did roam and call this expanse their home, their presence wasn’t a regular occurrence, especially when dealing with the upper echelons of Las Noches’s society. Why was an Espada prowling these open plains? What movement could bring action within the recently appointed Octava Espada who’d be a mystery to most of his cohorts? Another of the higher echelon….Rio….



“Destruction..” The word uttered as if a factual statement, from what he’d been able to gather it was the only Espada which brought about a common knowledge on two major factors: Destruction and a rage for the current King. Hakai didn’t know what to make of this individual, rumours portrayed him as the incarnation of utter oblivion, a stage beyond logical meaning who’d do nothing but rip apart defences before his opponent to their core, a foundation breaker, Shinigami shatterer, Espada Eradicator? One could only hold a little faith in these apparent rumours and their truth for even if a slither of it held truth then he’d be a useful asset to the upcoming alterations the ambitious Arrancar had.



It didn’t take long though to finally locate Rio’s pressure, an impressive factor which held notoriety in itself but according to sources paled in comparison to his physical capabilities…



The onyx dyed boots of the Espada parted sand as a prideful advance begun to slow slightly, a pair of beaming, vermillion hues piercing out of a well framed face and an oddly cordial smile which kept upon the softer lips of the male, a toned yet lithe form being apparent. A piece of white cloth wrapped around the Arrancar’s throat, matching an attire of a overcoat which matched the colouration of the sky above, accompanied by a gentle golden trim almost, mid-tier hair keeping upon his skull as charcoal strands framed his features. The Zanpaktou of the Espada came sheathed in the left side, a pearly hilt was the only visible thing noticeable yet a longsword of some form in nature, about seven inches long yet nothing more could be distinguished bar the other obvious turquoise gemstone which glistened within the hilts base.



“Quinta Espada…Rio…You’re an infuriatingly difficult individual to locate when you’re away from Hueco Mundo, are you aware of this?” An idle jest occurring from the fellow Arrancar which elicited a soft chuckle. “I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of a formal meeting, I’m Octava Espada Hakai Castellan and I’d -love- it if you’d be happy to answer a few inquiries I have…You could say we’ve got a mutual desire so to speak for change.” The Arrancar kept about fifteen feet away from Rio though, cautiously watching the movements of the Espada before him.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Another Octava... Rio wanted to say he was enthused to meet him. Somehow the Quinta Espada could not find the focus for it though. There had been several Octava Espada's now, and a part of Rio's mind wondered exactly how long this one would last. Rio strode through the sands of Hueco Mundo. He didn't come out here often enough, content to train (read: beat up unfortunate Numeros), sleep, and recuperate in his quarters in Las Noches. When he did go on a rampage it was usually in the Human World-- Las Noches didn't have enough to destroy. Still. He was finding himself coming out here more and more often. So many Espada had disappeared into these white wastelands never to return. Rio stood atop a dune, and stared out into the dark expanse. Were they still out there?

He paused, deep in thought when a scent caught his nose, and his contemplative expression turned into an angry scowl. Someone was here. Time to address the crowd. Besides. It didn't matter. Rio was Rio, and he didn't usually do super in-depth philosophy. He dealt with what was in front of him. Always had. And it had worked out pretty well for the last four thousand years. So. Who was the vermin that came before him today?

The Espada's eyes fell on the man talking to him. The new Octava Espada. "Well. So you're the new blood." He certainly felt stronger than Cierro or Adolf. Still. Rio wasn't altogether convinced. "You caught me in a weird mood, so I'll entertain you a bit." Rio replied. He was an Espada, afterall. "What answers do you want?" Rio was a straightforward individual. Any deep philosophical questions were likely to be met with blunt answers. Rio wasn't much for game playing or lies. What he said probably went. "Mutual desire, huh? The way you talk, and the way you look, I wonder about that." Rio began to stride down the dune towards Hakai, looming over the other Espada. Rio was a tall man. Strangely enough, Rio had recently found it difficult to find people shorter than him. The cat. Asuka's Fraccion. Both had been monstrously tall. It was strange to him. So it was almost encouraging that Hakai here was actually shorter than Rio was. "I heard a little about you, but don't know much myself. What's your deal, Octava?" Rio asked.