Shedding These Shackles [Solo Training]

[Ailene Haschiro]

The White Desert. The endless stretches of sand sitting under the soothing glow of an eternal moon. A breeding ground where Hollows' festered, fighting for domination over one each. Each of them had only one singular goal in mind. Evolution. It was what Hollows existed for. To rise through the food chain and eventually attain the status of Vasto Lorde. Many Hollows would take it a step further. Through continuous endeavors they could eventually shed their mask. A mask that bound them to an eternal hunger. Hollows who cast off their mask would become the pinnacle of hollowkind. Arrancar. A hollow who attained the powers of a Shinigami. 

Hollows, weak and strong alike, strove for this goal. They'd kill and maim one another for the privilege of getting to devour the defeated. They would act as steppingstones to those that showed the resolve and ferocity to surpass their limits. It was truly a realm of kill or be killed. Despite their animosity and desire to evolve, however, there was one place that most dared not go. Its mighty form loomed in the distance, casting a great shadow. The fortress known only as Las Noches. The home of the King of Las Noches and his Espada. It was a place where only the strong resided. Those that represented the most powerful of hollowkind. Among their ranks was one Arrancar who was an utterly rejected the ways of not only Arrancar, but of Hollows.

The Septima Espada known as Ailene Haschiro. She was a self-proclaimed pacifist. A diplomat who would choose the path of least resistance. This very Arrancar would be sitting atop the dome of Las Noches, resting upon the canopy of the fortress. She sat there, bathed in the cool moonlight, looking upon the endless expanses that stretched into darkness in the distance. The occasional Hollow caught her attention. Hollows who would stalk in the distance. Preying on the weak. Hollows who attacked the strong normally hunted in tight packs. These were minor distractions as Ailene merely reminisced, staring off into the distance most of the time.

Has it been weeks? Or was it already months since she had her first meeting with the Primera Espada, Charlotte Buckner. The woman who had been the first to ever ask her what she sought within the Espada. Most assumed that Ailene chose the Espada for the same reasons as any other. Th strong wished to have every opportunity to show off such incredible ability. They wanted to find themselves in situations where they could crush those, they deemed weaker than themselves. Perhaps it was even just the ego? To be one of the nine strongest in Hueco Mundo. To be feared across the three realms. However, none of these truly represented Ailene's motivations.

It was to Charlotte that Ailene revealed the truth. She simply had no other place to go. Hollows, especially Arrancar such as the Espada, were always considered threats among the Quincy and Soul Society alike. Neither the World of the Living nor Soul Society would offer much respite to even the most benevolent of Arrancar. Hueco Mundo was, at the time, the only home that she had left. The only place she could reasonably fit in. Being among the Espada just seemed like a natural progression. Yet even among them, Ailene would find little joy. Most Espada represented the callous and brutal nature of hollowkind. They were engines of destruction. Cruel and vicious. Each one of their actions made it more and more difficult for Ailene to be accepted elsewhere.

This alone was not damning, however. Ailene in her admission had unveiled a taboo. She loathed being an Arrancar. In fact, it sickened her. This shocked the Primera Espada. She could not believe that one of Ailene's qualities, someone of her position, could willingly hope for anything else. She held power that others in the Three Realms could only dream of. She who possessed such a potent spirit that it more needed to be sealed within her Zanpakutō. In fact, it was this very fact that prevented her from fitting in. Her powerful spirit was molded into another form. Unlike most Arrancar, she possessed a Zanpakutō that not only held her power, but it also housed another soul. A wicked side of herself that arose during her Resurrección. This was the model Arrancar that everyone wished of the Septima. Ailene, however, was anything but that. 

She was empathetic. Understanding. She could hold a conversation with anyone if they had even the slightest bit of manners. By contrast, her Resurrección unveiled the demon within. A soul who sought to play with her food. Who sought to devour those that she fought. Ailene did not fear much, but this wayward soul was a notable exception. She stood in opposition to everything that Ailene stood for. Every now and then, the beast would emerge to her. She'd do her best to convince Ailene of the truth. She was a Hollow. Nothing could ever change that. This is what worried Ailene most. Could she be right? For someone in her position... it was troubling.

As if to echo that thought once more, Ailene felt a presence behind her. It slowly drifted beside her, sitting down. Out of the corner of her eye, Ailene noticed blackened scales and felt an aura that sent shivers up her spine. Soon she'd hear a gentle reptilian voice. "Wasting your time up here again?" She'd chuckle softly as Ailene did her best to ignore her. A small scowl formed on her maw. Rising her to her feet, she'd look outward in the distance. The scowl would become a grin. "Come on! There's some Hollows out there. Ripe for consumption. It saddens me to see you so dignified all the time Ailene..." Turning around, she'd walk towards the Espada, circling around her as a wolf approaches prey. She'd stop for a moment, looking downward. 

"We are Arrancar, Ailene. Hollows. We've moved past the hard part. We've ascended. We've become stronger. Better than ever before! We can reap the rewards! The fact that I exist means that there is some part of you that relishes being a Hollow! Admit it, Ailene!" The Arrancar sighed, looking up to meet the purple orbits of the other soul. "Do you ever shut up?" Her voice was cold. "You think that I welcome your existence? You truly believe that somewhere, deep down, I enjoy this life." She rose to her feet, narrowing her eyes somewhat. "Perhaps at one point I did. Those days are long since over. Now that I have Rēgīna, I don't need the Espada anymore. Hell, I don't need you anymore!"

Despite her words, a smirk arose that made Ailene raise an eyebrow. "Oh, that is where you are wrong dearest Ailene. You may have that little tea shop. You may think that you've spared yourself a life of slaughter, but you're so delusional." She'd look down upon the Arrancar, bringing her clawed hand to Ailene's cheek. Her razor-sharp talon dragging along Ailene's flesh. Ailene merely winced as she felt the talon dig into her flesh briefly, fresh blood dripping onto the talon. The vision could hardly interact with others, but it could certainly harm Ailene. Their difference in strength was as great as the distance between heaven and earth. She could only stand there, frozen, as she brought her talon before Ailene.

"Try as hard as you might, but this blood will always flow through your veins. The essence of a Hollow. Where you try to present yourself as different, others will see a wolf in sheep's clothing. They will always grow to hate you. To despise us. The sooner you come to terms with that, the sooner you will save yourself from the lie you are living. This path was chosen for us long ago. Charlotte is right about one thing. It's not worth giving up this power. We can't change what we are. We can only ever work with what we have. We, Ailene. We are killing machines. You saw how Luca treated us. It's how we will always be treated. That can never change." With that, the apparition smirked and faded away as if she were just an illusion.

Here Ailene stood, forced to contemplate what her other half had said. Would she always be treated like this? With hate and malice? Sure, Ailene had found a way to masquerade herself as Human. She'd utilize the principles of Resurrección and apply them differently. Just as she knew to draw the power out, so had she learnt to seal it in. Her Hollow reiatsu would disperse into the blade. At times, she felt truly human. However, each night, when she unsealed her Zanpakutō once more, the opening Hollow hole and Mask Fragment served as a cruel reminder of her facade. In a way, she truly was a wolf in sheep's-clothing. She gently rubbed the Mask Fragment that resided on her forehead. She groaned and curled her hand into a fist. "There has to be some way to rid myself of this curse..." 

[Ailene Haschiro]

It would take a few moments to make it back from atop the dome of Las Noches. Much like many other Espada, Ailene's personalized quarters rested beneath the canopy of Las Noches. It was there that the Espada resided, ready to be called upon by their King. The throne of Las Noches was an empty one, however. Kouhai certainly was the king in name, but throughout her tenure as Septima Espada, Ailene had only met him a few times. The most recent of which was when Camila had come to Hueco Mundo to seek refuge. She had become a traitor to Soul Society. In their battle not long before her defection, Ailene had discovered the truth. Camila had an Inner Hollow.

Ailene remembered reading it in one of many books that resided within her incredible collection. If Serraph was a librarian of Las Noches then Ailene undoubtedly was a collector. She had everything from the occasional piece of fiction to first-hand accounts of events. Maps and layouts decorated her collection. Artifacts of ancient civilizations. It was a varied collection. Somewhere buried deep within her repository of journals was a short mention of an Inner Hollow. A sighting of a Shinigami wearing a white mask. Some discussions allegedly reporting that it could even occur as frequently as once a day. Most notably, there seemed to be a driving force. That's where the statement cut off. It was incredibly short and lacked much context, but it matched Ailene's experience with Camila. 

This personal account, while limited, gave Ailene faith in her repository of information. Surely, she'd be able to find something something. Anything that could help her find some peace. It would take a few moments, but she'd eventually reach her quarters again. Before walking in, the tattered remains of a banner above caught her attention. The first few words of faded writing would still be visible to Ailene as it read, Las Noches Boo-. Ailene simply scowled for a moment as she walked on inside. She was greeted with her impressive array of items that she had collected over some time now. Her attention would be focused elsewhere though as she turned to countless shelves that reached dozens of meters high. She cracked her knuckles.

Focusing her reiatsu underneath her feet, Ailene created platforms of reiatsu. She'd use them to gently lift herself into the air with a wave of her hand. It was as if she was atop a disc of reiatsu. In fact, it reminded her of the way that the Quincy could utilize their natural mastery over reishi to create discs that they could sit upon, moving at unnatural speeds. Ailene muttered to herself. "What was that called again.." She thought for a moment before snapping her fingers. "Oh yes! Hirenkyaku, I believe. That would be quite useful, but this is a close second..." Ailene chuckled to herself as her eyes deftly skimmed from cover to cover. 

She'd begin to mutter to herself once more. "Medical journals...Eldest..Silence of the Lambs... ugh.. so much nonfiction!" Her platforms underneath her feet began to accelerate ever so slightly as her eyes skimmed even quicker. "Let's see...Reiatsu Control for Dummies.. Hohō 101.." She'd get more and more frustrated with time. She was not entirely sure what she was looking for and yet each time she read a cover, she had a feeling that it would not provide her any insight. More and more, the Espada grew demoralized. There was so little documentation on Hollows in circulation. Most revolved around the characteristics or evolutionary stages. All information that she was already well aware of.

Nothing could provide her with an answer. Was there nothing in her collection that could provide insight. She had already developed a technique that would allow her to seal her Hollow reiatsu within her Zanpakutō. Unfortunately, that energy needed to return somewhere once more. It was, at times, straining. Besides, it simply mitigated the problem. It would not make it permanent. She'd sigh briefly, rubbing the temple of her head. Her collection had nothing on the topic, and she was sure that Serraph would have nothing either. After all, to cast away one's very being seemed impossible. Even if it was possible, Ailene knew that Arrancar would be too proud to pursue. They had no need for it. 

She thought about it for a moment, tapping her fingers along the desk. Her repository had no information, and she was doubtful that human libraries had anything better on the topic. Her eyes narrowed as she considered a singular possibility. One potential location that could get her the answers she sought. The Soul Society! Perhaps they had information on sealing spiritual energy a little more permanently. She had her doubts, but did she have another choice? She was beginning to run out of options. Unfortunately, Soul Society assigned those like her with kill-on-sight orders. Even if she was not an Espada, an Arrancar walking through Soul Society would be liable to get her captured, if not outright killed. 

She continued tapping her fingers along the marble table that she was sitting at. Were there any other options? The answer to that would be quite obvious. Not really. Ailene sighed and rose from her seat with some hesitation. If she was going to do this, then she'd at least be smart about it. Walking to her closet, the Arrancar swiftly threw off her Espada robes. Folding them neatly afterwards, Ailene skimmed through her array of outfits. One of them immediately caught her eye. It was a kimono not unlike the one she wore while working at Rēgīna. Instead of being white, however, this one would be a scarlet red. Slipping into it and tying it took a few moments, but she had become far more practiced at it since opening up her tea shop.

Next, she'd go to her desk. In a small glass jar sat numerous senbon that she traditionally used as hairpins. She'd rotate different ones in and out, but there was a particular one that she was searching for. As soon as she'd find it, she'd allow her reiatsu to surge through it. As soon as she did, it responded in kind. She smiled and secured it in her hair. This little tool was known as a reiatsu scrambler. It allowed its carrier to change their reiatsu signature into anything they chose. She'd have one in mind, but first she had something to take care of. Grabbing a satchel, Ailene took out several books that rested within. She needed to prepare to bring something back with her just in case. 

She was almost ready. There was one final affair that needed to be take care of. The Espada drew her Zanpakutō from its sheath which hung from her obi. She'd sigh, placing her hand upon the blade as its mirror-like sheen carried her reflection. Suddenly she felt a tug at her reiatsu. It began to be drawn into the blade. Soon she felt the hollow hole that resided within the pit of her stomach to begin to stitch itself closed. It would take a few seconds, but soon the hole would be nowhere. Her Mask Fragment gently vibrated before several cracks from. Soon the bone that resided upon her forehead fell off and began to fade into fragments of reiatsu.

She'd take a deep breath. Her reiatsu was now obfuscated. What others would now sense was the basis of all hollows. Human reiatsu. Meanwhile, her blade carried the plentiful fragments of Hollow reiatsu. She still needed to carry some within her. Else she'd have no way there and back. She began to slide her blade into the sheath, allowing it to rest upon her obi once more. Grabbing the senbon that rested within her hair, Ailene allowed reiatsu to surge through it once more. She could feel her spirit changing. Almost as though a layer of reiatsu washed over it. She could feel it ever so faintly. Her reiatsu radiated like that of a Shinigami. She smiled. It worked! Now she was ready to go!

With a quick wave of her hand, Ailene envisioned a place in Soul Society. An alleyway within the Rukongai. The image of a nearby shop envisioned within her mind. Suddenly, the space before her bent. It'd tear itself open with some force as the void now stood before Ailene. Focusing her reiatsu, the Arrancar formed a bridge underneath her feet as she stepped in with one foot. As the other followed, she'd now be standing within a garganta. With a quick breath, the Arrancar began to walk, the opening within her quarters shutting behind her. Ailene swiftly ran though the void in the garganta. Her platform remaind sturdy as a light formed at the end of the tunnel. Soon, Ailene would find herself jumping through. 

As the Espada did so, she'd quickly look around. Not a soul in sight. With a swift wave of her hand, the garganta began to rapidly close. As it finally disappeared from sight, Ailene came out the alleyway. She'd be met with the blazing sun as she heard plenty of voices, each louder than the last. "Ramen! Get the best Ramen in the 11th District!" That seemed to answer the question of where, focused on that particular one. It was a cute little abode. A younger man was tending the counter as Ailene walked in. He immediately looked her way, smiling. "Hello there! Welcome to Terakawa. My name is Hihaski. Can I get you anything today?" Ailene blushed, shaking her head and chuckling. "No, thank you. I'm actually in search of a place of study. Something like a library..." 

Hikashi grinned for a moment. "A library, huh? That's not a request I hear often. Off-duty I assume?" Ailene appeared shocked for a moment. What did he mean? Able to read her expression quite well, he laughed. "Now, now. No need to get so frazzled. I just noticed your blade. That's a Zanpakutō, right? I get plenty of Shinigami customers though they normally wear different clothing. So, my educated guess is that you're off-duty." Ailene feigned a chuckle as her stress plummeted. "Anyway. You're likely to find a library farther back for general reading material. If you're more focused on specialized stuff. Y'know, spiritual stuff, there's a library a couple district's up. Pick your poison." Ailene nodded, bowing her head. "Thank you for your help." He briefly waved his hand. "Don't mention it! You Shinigami look after us. No shame in returning the favor." Ailene smiled and as she turned, she looked down at her satchel. Opening it, she pulled out a few coins and dropped them in a nearby jar. Hikashi merely smiled at her, nodding his head. With that, Ailene began to make her way out of Terakawa, aiming for the upper districts, relaxing her spiritual pressure as she simply tried to fit in with the rest of the residents of the Rukongai.

[Ailene Haschiro]

Traveling through the Rukongai was always such a pleasant experience for Ailene. It was completely different from when she walked around in Las Noches. By comparison, the fortress was completely desolate. She'd kep her eye on those she passed. Merchants, families, even the occasional Shinigami that patrolled the area. As she moved closer to the district, a great looming wall in the distance became more and more noticeable. Walls that shone a brilliant marble white. She could not keep her eyes off of it. She had, of course, heard stories about the Seireitei. She had never been inside herself, but it was effectively the heart of Soul Society. 

As she gazed upon it, a shiver rose up her spine. The feeling of danger. She quickly looked away. "So... this is how Hollows must feel when gazing upon Las Noches... they know better than to approach. Perhaps it is wise that I keep my distance. I may not sense like a Hollow, but I don't want to have to answer too many questions.." She'd continue walking, trailing up through the districts one by one. It seemed to get busier and nicer as she drew closer and closer to the Seireitei. It was completely unlike the encounter she had in the outer districts. Those seemed much more like Hueco Mundo. Lawless zones where crime was not only common, but seemingly encouraged. Soul Society did not care for its outer districts, and it tugged at Ailene's heart a little.

She could not worry about that, however. Despite her layers of security, she was rather deep in enemy territory. Unfortunately, the danger could not be avoided. She had been walking for what felt like twenty minutes and it felt as though there was no end in sight. Did Hikashi lie? Did he know? Ailene bit her lip gently as she contemplated the thought. Suddenly, however, it seemed as though fortune would favor her for a change. Just off the left, in the distance, she saw a building. The sign read clear as day. Time for Tomes. It certainly sounded like an interesting library just based off of the name along. The distance certainly did not deter her.

She quickly turned to her left and began to make her way through an alleyway, descending into the shadow for a moment. She quickly cut through alley after alley, finding herself before the library in just a few short minutes. She smiled happily, noticing some of the decor that made the outside stand out. It certainly had its charm. Ailene would waste little time, but before she could take more than a few steps, she heard a voice call out to her. "Hey! Wait there a moment." Ailene quickly frozen in place, turning her head to the back of the alleyway. There she saw two Shinigami. One man and another woman. They were dressed in their Shihakusho, approaching Ailene. 

She did not move as to avoid causing a scene or arousing a suspicion, but her mind was moving at three thousand miles an hour. "Great! Come on... I'm right there! Okay Ailene... don't panic. Act natural." Turning on her heel, Ailene moved to face the two Shinigami who looked at her for a moment. Both looked her up and down before the woman placed her hand on her waist. "Say, you're off duty right?" Ailene blinked and took a deep breath in. She had trained herself to remain calm in stressful situations. It was one of her many social talents. "Yep! Just off to relax, y'know. It's been stressful lately." It was so vague that she was hoping it would work. "Fair enough, but why are you carrying your Zanpakutō on you while off duty?" 

While Ailene simply smiled in that moment, she was screaming on the inside. "Damn! I didn't even consider that!" She had to think of something. Suddenly she realized something. On the way here she recognized construction materials. Additionally, for one of the upper districts, there still countless reparations. She thought back to her meeting with Orobas in Las Noches. "Didn't they mention an effort to try and cripple Soul Society?" It was as good an attempt as any. She cleared her throat. "Well.. given the last demon invasion, of course. I'd rather be caught prepared rather than defenseless." The woman glared at her for a moment before chuckling. "I definitely like the way she thinks!" She'd say over to the other Shinigami. Ailene's began to relax herself a little.

The man simply nodded, looking at Ailene. "We were about to pick something up to eat. Would you like to join us..." He'd snap his finger. "Shoot. Never asked your name." Ailene hesitated for a moment. It was likely better to stay on the safer side. She'd smile. "Eleana. Eleana Hashiro... I'd be honored, but I have some stuff to take care of. But, I'd... love to join another time whenever you two are free..." She blushed a little as the two Shinigami nodded. "That'd be great! Sorry about the holdup. Ever since the invasion, the Tenth has been needing to crack down on security more. See you around, Charlotte!" With that, the two Shinigami departed, and Ailene turned, sighing. "Geez I dodged a bullet there!" 

With that care out of the way, Ailene made her way up to the door of the library. As she opened the door, a tiny bell rang to alert the owner that someone came in. Ailene's eyes widened, a small dazzle shining in them. It was an authentic Soul Society library. She was more than excited. She straightened out her kimono a little and approached the counter. An elderly man smiled for a moment, adjusting his glasses till Ailene came into focus. His voice would be hushed out of respect for those who were here already. "Hello... welcome to Time For Times. Can I help you find anything?" Ailene simply nodded, gently tapping her fingers on the counter excitedly. "Yes. Do you have any information on sealing things?" The man thought for a moment. "Sealing... well. We have some material on Bakudō. Could you perhaps be more specific?" Ailene thought about it for a moment. "Well... has there been a case of anyone... ever losing their powers?" The man's eyes widened for a moment. "Well... there is maybe one thing that will be of interest to you..."

The elderly man would descend, ducking under the counter. From there, Ailene heard a short unlocking sound and soft creaking. In his hand, the man held a small chest that had seemed to have collected plenty of dust. He gave it a soft blow, placing it upon the counter. In fine writing, the chest, "How I lost everything". The old man spoke quickly, his voice hushed. "I've had this for a while. I don't know what it means, but it's cursed. I've no idea how it got here, but I just want to get rid of it. Please... take it." Ailene nodded and took the chest, about to undue the lock before the man hastily reached for her. "Please... not here." Ailene nodded. "Thank you." The old man shook his head. "You can thank me by taking that infernal thing with you..." The Espada nodded, gripping it tightly and leaving the library. 

From there, Ailene delved into the nearest alleyway. Under the cover of shadow, she looked at the chest. It was an ornately decorated chest. Very antique. In fact, Ailene wouldn't be surprised to see such a chest be kept by royalty. She looked at the lock and she had to admit... curiosity got the better of her. She gently clicked the lock open and as she opened the chest, she immediately regretted it. A high-pitched screech roared to life. Ailene held her protectively as it felt like it was about to explode. Nearby passerbys fell to their knees in pain from the screech. The walls began to shake from the screech. The ground rumbled. It was as if the chest was about to destroy everything around them. Thankfully, Ailene had developed an inhuman tolerance to pain. Finding it difficult to move, she closed the lid and the screeching stopped almost immediately. Ailene stumbled for a moment, falling to the floor. She whimpered, tapping the side of her head. The pain had subsided. 

She heard murmurs from the streets. All wondering what they hell that was. Ailene sighed and decided that now may be a good time to leave before this is reported to Soul Society. After all, phenomena like this was always on their radar. Especially if it happened in their own backyard. Without much of a second thought, Ailene waved her hand, focusing her reiatsu. As she did so, the air before her would bend and collapse. A Garganta opened, but something was different. The pocket dimension flickered a little. Suddenly, a bridge of reiatsu had already formed. Ailene blinked. This was so unnatural! Suddenly she heard some sounds. "Hey! The sound came from over there!" Ailene had no choice. No chance to wait. She needed to get out of here now! With some level of hesitation, she leapt through the Garganta. Suddenly, the opening closed shut behind her just before a group of Shinigami turned the corner to find... nothing.

Ailene rose to her feet, having dove into the Garganta. She sighed, looking down at the platform of reiatsu created beneath her. She blinked for a moment. The reiatsu was suprisingly sturdy and it led into the distance. Ailene clutched the chest close to her chest and began to walk along the bridge of reiatsu. As she did, it felt as though the void of the Garganta was closing in on her. It was... shocking to say the least. She felt like she had to get out! She began to run. Suddenly the reiatsu platform began to waver behind her. It was almost as though it were beginning to collapse. Sound it would crumble. Ailene ran like never before. She ran as though her life depended on it. For all she knew... it really did! As if in the nick of time though, another side to the Garganta opened. She didn't waste any time, leaping through, the opening closing behind her, almost threatening to cleave her in two.

Laying on the floor, the chest pressed tightly against her, she'd find herself in a small room. The lighting had not changed too much from the Garganta, offering some ambience. The room was scented. It was quite soothing... Ailene's vision cleared a little more and to her surprise, she saw an elderly man. He was wearing robes, a necklace wrapped around him. He was decrepit. Beyond the graces of old age. Ailene's sudden arrival piqued his interest. As he looked up, Ailene saw colorless orbits. They were not unlike the first time she gazed upon Orobas. It was unmistakable. Light had left those eyes a long time ago. He seemed to clutch the necklace tightly, grinning for a moment. "Wonderful. A new hand has touched the compass. And..." His energy pulsed out for a moment as he felt for whatever was moving in the room. He could instantly see past Ailene's guises. He continued to grin. "An Arrancar at that. One who has the touch of a Shinigami and a Human upon her. Curious." 

[Ailene Haschiro]

Ailene was in utter shock as she was now in a room that she not only didn't recognize, but there was some strange man who seemingly awaited her. Not only thing, but he could see right past both Regresión and her Reiatsu scrambler. This old man was perceptive... too perceptive for Ailene's liking. Not only that, but her own ability to sense reiatsu was extremely limited at the moment. She could not sense the man's energy. Either he was hiding it, or it was simply too weak to perceive. Ailene raised herself off of the ground and to her feet. "Excuse me if I am not too inclined to talk given my current predicament." As soon as she took a single step forward, Ailene felt the air around herself shift.

She could not explain it at first, but the air thickened. Her whole body felt weak. She was being pushed to the floor. To her knees. The elderly man simply smirked, shaking his head. It would not be hard for Ailene to tell that he was the source, but there was more to it. This... this was gravitational pressure! Ailene had used it occasionally for intimidation, but it could typically only be used against opponents who were a fair margin weaker than her. Adjuchas and Gillians easily crumbled under the weight, but a full-blown Arrancar? An Espada no less? This was a feat only able to be achieved by an incredibly potent soul. Forced to her hands and knees, she felt the obi around her sheath loosen. It was being pulled away from her!

After her was removed from her person, she groaned. The gravitational pressure merely kept her still. t would not squash her at this rate. However, she would not test fate. The man simply chuckled. "I'd recommend respecting your elders. I can tell that you have potential. You are strong... and yet you are also weak. I wonder why.." Once more, the man had a look around her very soul. She, of course, had no idea but he could sense the incredible potential locked away in her Zanpakutō. "I see. You are unique. Your Resurrección contains most of your power. You have given up much to form your Zanpakutō. As I can see that you are no threat to me... I will let you speak." With that, the sudden surge of pressure was lifted. She could now rise to her knees again. Her breathing became labored.

"W..who are you? Why did my Garganta lead me here?" All valid questions and yet the old man merely chuckled. "Who am I? My name is not relevant. However, you may refer to me as The Guru. As for the why are you here... well. I think that should be fairly obvious. Now then. Who are you? Why did you seek the chest?" Ailene peered at him cautiously. He had already shown that he commanded great power. He obviously was perceptive to tell a few things about Ailene. Was her identity off limits to him? Ailene was not sure. His expression was serene. In fact, she could not read hm like she could others. Fow now, it seemed as though she could only oblige.

She maintained a polite tone of voice, keeping her back straight. "My name is Ailene Haschiro. I am the Septima Espada of Las Noches." Ailene paused for a moment, testing the waters for any reaction. Still there was nothing. He was truly calm beyond measure. Finding no further value in waiting, Ailene continued. "I did not directly seek the chest... It was given to me in Soul Society. Though I am still confused as to its purpose." The elderly man simply smiled. As he peered into her soul, the conversation with the bookkeeper was crystal clear. He merely chuckled. "Be a dear and lend me some of your flame, child." Ailene tilted her head, perplexed. "I beg your pardon?" He shook his head. "Your Cero. You have fine control over it. Form it." 

The Espada's eyes widened. "Just how the hell did he know that? This is getting weirder and weirder..." Ailene regardless, obliged. She lifted her hand, palm face up. She concentrated her reiatsu as a brilliant orb suddenly roared to life. She had effectively tamed Cero. It provided quite a bit of light as the man smiled. He brought his hands to the lock of the chest, feeling it out. As he proceeded to unlock it and crack the lid open, Ailene braced herself for the terrible wail. She'd guard her ears defensively, but after a few moments... there was nothing. She looked at the man with shock and awe. "Haha. Forgive the earlier wail. It's the only way for my Fullbring to provide a path here." Ailene blinked for a moment, muttering. "Your Fullbring..?" She had met Luca and Raphael, both of whom were Fullbringers and yet she was surprised to be brought to her knees by one. 

Gently moving his hand, he gripped the necklace, bring it above his head. With a mere thought, he changed their form. The necklace suddenly became a pair of bolas. Ailene looked closely. It was not unlike how Luca or Raphael had shown off their fullbring to the Arrancar. "My Fullbring, True North's Bearing, has the ability to apply my own reiatsu to objects. It allows me to set a goal. A bearing if you will. Should someone's goal match the intent of the bearing, it sends them to me. I guess your Garganta somehow interfered with the process ever so slightly. Regardless... I've been waiting for someone to find this chest and come here." He looked at Ailene. "I can read your soul like a book. I can sense your desire. Your goal. I can tell you that it is achievable." 

Ailene's eyes widened. Her goal was achievable?! She was ecstatic. She exclaimed loudly. "Really?! You're saying there's a way to permanently discard this accursed reiatsu?!" The man chuckled. "I did say it was achievable, did I not? Well. Do me a favor and gaze within the box. Illuminate the contents with your Cero." His voice was gentle as though he was guiding Ailene. She merely nodded, casting her Cero closer and illuminating the contents of the chest. It was horrifying to say the least. All she saw in there was an eye. A missing eye! Ailene was appalled by this. Unfortunately, she would have little time ponder as the elder took the eyeball into his hand, crushing it. Ailene almost screamed although there was no blood. Instead, the elder opened his hand and a wave of what seemed like glitter flew towards the Arrancar. Her vision suddenly blurred, and she seemingly lost consciousness.

As she found herself stirred awake, she was gazing upon the White Desert. Not only that, but there was a figure before her. It was more akin to a silhouette, but Ailene could not exclaim in shock. In fact, she could not speak at all. She could not move anything. Her body moved for her. She paused for a moment. The sensation. She knew it! This was Solita Vista. An ability used by Arrancar to potentially share information by transmitting memories directly to the optic nerve. She relaxed for a moment. The voice was clear as day. "Today is the day Dorian. Today is the day that I kill you for taking my number among the Espada!" The voice was gruff. Definitely masculine. Suddenly, the voice of the silhouette roared to life. It was gentle, but it was anything other than soothing. "You fool. I spared your life out of pity. You could not stand up to me then. You can't stand up to me now!" 

She could feel the sting of defeat that rested upon the Arrancar she was spectating. She could feel that she was looking through the eyes of an Arrancar. "I've prepared something for this little encounter, Dorian. This time, I can't lose. I don't care what it takes. All I know is that you will die..." Suddenly something changed within the Arrancar. Ailene could sense his spirit clearly through the Solita Vista. His spiritual pressure was rising. It felt like a Resurrección. His body began to change. Then suddenly... nothing. Ailene blinked, trying to reevaluate the energy she was feeling. However, she could not sense anything. Even though she felt his movements, there was no spirit behind it. Suddenly the memory jumped forward. Ailene saw a blade dive into this Dorian's chest! Then she jumped forward again. It was disorienting, but she had to endure. His fist came crashing into Dorian's, cracking bone nearly instantly as a shout of pain emerged. Then one more time. Suddenly, Dorian lay beneath the foot of this Arrancar, vanquished yet breathing. "W..what the hell is this... answer me!" He was furious. Yet Ailene only felt the satisfaction of impending victory. It was then that the memory ended and Ailene's vision turned to black once more.

Once more, she'd find herself awakening before the Guru. She felt groggy, whimpering softly. "What the hell was that?" The man chuckled briefly. "A glimpse into the past. My past. Your future if you continue this goal of yours." Ailene blinked for a moment. "B..but what was that?" He grinned and chuckled. "Saigo No Houmen, Ailene." His words echoed in her mind. "The path to rid yourself of your current state lies in the Saigo No Houmen. The absolute pinnacle of power and abilty." She'd sigh briefly, groaning for a moment. "How.. how did you achieve this Saigo No Houmen?" Leaning forward, his words were quiet. "Pursue the path of a Hollow. Sacrifice yourself to this gluttony one last time and accept it. Embrace what it means to be a Hollow." Ailene's eyes widened as she gulped, nodding. She understood what he meant, and she did not like the sound of it.

Regardless, after imparting this answer, the man continued. "Now that I have shared this wisdom with you... go forth. Allow me to rest..." Ailene nodded briefly. She had once incensed the elder. She was not going to test fate again. She gripped her Zanpakutō closely, closing her eyes for a moment. With a wave of her hand, she'd open another Garganta. The space before her tore open and Ailene looked back. "Will we ever meet again?" He briefly chuckled, shaking his head. "If you are strong enough to do what I have set out for you... then we should not need to meet again." Ailene tilted her head and simply nodded, leaping through the Garganta, bound for the Menos Forest. As the Garganta quickly shut, the elder motioned his head up to look where Ailene once was as if he could see. "Will she have what it takes I wonder... only time will tell..." 

[Ailene Haschiro]

The Menos Forest. The home of the Gillian Hollows that roamed mindless, each soul within striving for control over their bodies. It also served as yet another place for Hollows to kill and devour one another. Away from the shifting sands of the White Desert, Hollows formed into packs upon ascending to the stage of Adjuchas. It was one of the most fragile and delicate stages of evolution in a Hollow's existence. Should they ever lose a piece of themselves to another, they would be forever damned. They would lose all hope of becoming Vasto Lorde. A Hollow with no ability to ascend was a dead Hollow, normally offering themselves to others in the hopes of becoming a part of something greater. 

This is where Ailene hoped to gain that which she sought. According to the Elder, she needed to embrace what it meant to be a Hollow. She needed to submit to gluttony one last time. This was no riddle. These were directions. He described the Saigo as the pinnacle of power and ability. During her vision thanks to Solita Vista, she felt the surge of power not unlike Resurrección. An Arrancars' Resurrección served as their true form. Unlike Shinigami who needed to achieve Shikai or even Bankai through hard work and determination, Arrancar had no such need. The knowledge of how to use it was weaved into their very being. It had no secrets to unlock. There was the fabled Segunda Etapa, but Ailene in her many years had never come to see it. She passed it off as myth and legend. Otherwise, Primera Etapa was the peak of most Arrancar. If Saigo No Houmen served to surpass even that... then Ailene understood what had to be done.

The Garganta tore space wide open as Ailene hesitantly hopped out. As it closed behind her, she landed atop the thick branch of the stone trees. Unlike regular trees, the trees that rested in Hueco Mundo were bizarre. Large stone-like trunks that rose hundreds of feet into the air. Each tree seemed as hard as steel. She sighed, looking down from the branch. Plentiful Hollows had gathered all around to fight one another in hopes of devouring them. Gillians towered in the distance the lumbering hulks fired Cero at anything that dared draw close. Ailene shook her head. Would she truly have to do this? Was there no other way? It seemed not. She had exhausted all other options. 

She sighed, drawing her blade. She looked upon her Zanpakutō which once more brilliantly shone with her reflection. She placed her hand upon the blade, speaking softly. "I suppose you were right. Our blood is that of a Hollow. I will, for the moment, embrace you and all you represent. We will gorge ourselves on however many Hollows we need to. They will help us ascend to new heights and achieve this Saigo No Houmen. Let's feast!" Focusing her reiatsu, the Arrancar poured it into the blade. "Spread and Contaminate, Ausbruch!" Ailene's reiatsu surged as her Zanpakutō seemed to turn to dust and wither away. Shortly after, her form was overtaken by an orb of purple reiatsu.

Within this orb, her form would change dramatically. Skin would darken, turning to black scales. Her head changed shape, revealing razor-sharp teeth. Wings sprouted from her shoulders, draping over her back akin to a cloak. Her hands grew talons, increasing in length. Finally, a tail emerged, long and slender. The weakness from earlier would be gone. Her reiatsu became far more potent and her very soul felt cold to the touch. She felt much faster as well. Soon the orb would vanish and Ailene's new form would be visible to all those that felt its power. Kneeling upon the stone-like bark, Ailene growled. The growl would become a purr. Suddenly, she grinned, looking down at her form. 

"Well Ailene. I never thought that you'd actually do it. I will happily gorge myself on all those tasty morsels down there. They will all die terrible deaths!" She'd cackle wickedly before disappearing with the sound of a Sonido. Moving at a speed of nearly 4000, she'd land in the middle of a pack of Hollows. Her reiatsu surged and without any warning, her form crackled as purple tendrils of lightning erupted from her at thrice the rate of a Cero. She would hold back nothing, allowing it to stream from her body violently, striking any Hollow within range. Those who were weak were immediately struck down, their upper body becoming nothing, but ash. The strong went their bodies contort, blisters and burns forming all across their flesh. Ailene would keep it up for a few more moments before stopping the surge. Some died from the continued stream while others twitched, wailing in agony. She swiftly moved up to them, tearing her claw through their flesh, killing them with little effort.

Ailene was ecstatic. Her darker half wasted little time, executing her prey with unrivaled ferocity. Soon she'd descend upon the spoils, her sharpened teeth tearing through flew. Her claws snapped bone and her scales became soaked with blood. She'd tear into the meal just as a wild animal does, consuming every bit of flesh that she could find. Her tail slammed against the ground with excitement as she continued to gorge herself on the bodies of those she had just slain. To her, these Hollows were nothing more than steppingstones. Weaklings that could allow her to rise to new heights. Most Arrancar did not feast upon the slain for they had reached the peak of evolution. Ailene, in this moment, was different. She was more like Col. She needed to devour others. To embrace this new existence before she could access this fabled Saigo.

It would take a good few minutes, but soon only the slaughtered remains of several Hollows remained. She could not stop here, however. She possessed an abnormally long Resurrección compared to her peers. She could remain in this form far longer. She'd use this to her advantage. After all, Ailene had given her darker half free reign to slaughter as she pleased. That combined with their ability would allow her to go absolutely nuts. She howled happily. "Oh Ailene! This is only the beginning. Just wait till I show you what untold carnage that we can spread!" This was truly the first time that Ailene had used her Resurrección freely. There were no enemies to foes to surpass. No reason to defend herself. No. This was the pure choice to dominate and prey upon weaker beings. To crush others. After all, Arrancar believed that they stood above all other creatures. For the moment, Ailene would grant that. She needed to. 

The next few hours would be absolutely brutal. Her other half would hold nothing back. She'd set Hollows and Arrancar that they came across alike ablaze with Cero. Crushed skulls with the might of her tail. Cleaving others in half with Cero Hoja. Each time she slew another, the desire to continue with the carnage grew. Her Hierro kept her body durable during most encounters and her ability to regenerate at high speeds restored any wounds that she did suffer. At this point she would seem nigh unstoppable. Blood dripped from trees, seeping along the ground. Bodies littered the floor. The leftover paste of countless Hollows and Arrancar scattered the ground as Ailene crushed them mercilessly with her gravitational pressure.

Each time, Ailene would gorge herself some more. She would not limit herself to just flesh either. Soon bones, even organs became fair game. Devouring a heart was an absolutely visceral experience that at first repulsed Ailene. At this point, however, after hours of slaughter and being motivated by her other half, Ailene happily consumed her very first heart of her own free will. For this moment, no longer would Ailene cower behind her other half as she slew countless foes. For once, they would be completely linked. Intertwined. If anyone read her soul at this moment, it would be difficult to tell where Ailene's soul end and the darker half began. 

Her form would be covered in blood and viscera as she dug into yet another corpse. The stench of death permeated the Menos Forest even more than usual. Hollows fought at rapid rates within the Menos Forest, but this was the Septima Espada finally letting loose. She had allowed herself to be consumed by her desires. Every second, she felt more of what it truly meant to be a Hollow. The feeling was... addicting. Unfortunately, all good things eventually came to an end. Ailene merely sat there in a ring of severed and mutilated corpses. She rose to her feet, roaring loudly. Hollows that were hiding from her at this point merely cowered in fear. "Wonderful... absolutely wonderful! I've not feasted like this in a while. I daresay that I feel full for once in a hundred years." She cackled loudly, moving away from the slaughter. With a quick Sonido, she disappeared from sight. Hollows and Arrancar alike would remain in hiding for a few more minutes until they felt nothing.

Soon, Ailene found herself in a large crevice in the wall. She knew the location well. It would lead her back up to the White Desert. With a small surge of reiatsu that soon grew much larger, the Septima Espada's form was obfuscated once more. She'd change again. Her tail vanished. Her teeth dulled. Her talons shrinked. As the orb of blackend reiatsu vanished, she knelt upon the ground, Zanpakutō in hand. Sheathing it and securing it along her obi, she sighed for a moment. She'd say nothing as she began to head for the entrance, taking the passageway that led up to the White Desert so she may return home. Her Kimono stained with the blood dripping from her hands and face setting a grisly reminder as an entire section of the Menos Forest was for once, rendered absolutely silent.

[Deleted]

Counted 64 paragraphs, so that'll be 320 TP for Ailene~