An Eternal Dance of Lamb and Wolf [DP PvP]

[Sieglinde P. Krantz]

Thread Title: An Eternal Dance of Lamb and Wolf
Participants: Helena Krantz vs. Zeich Yajuu.
World: Human World
Death Setting: Permanent Injuries Enabled
Rating: R
Location: Northern Karakura. Not all that far from civilization, but far enough to warrant any excessive damage.
Special Conditions: Bounty fight. 'nough said.
Circumstances: Tailing a high-priority target, Helena finds herself in Karakura Town in order to find her mark.

[Sieglinde P. Krantz]

(OOC: Taking Ryo for this fight.)

It had been what, a little over a week since she'd had her encounter with Celes? Truthfully, she'd lost track of time. What with everything going on back home, who could blame her? It wasn't like an attack of the planned magnitude was something that was going to come without planning, and given she'd been effectively 'leading the charge', all of that hellish planning fell on her shoulders. It had been stressful thus far, and it was really starting to show for poor Helena. She needed to find some way to help relieve that stress.

At that moment was when an idea popped into her head. Celes had approached her originally with a desire to take out a Hit on her head. Given she'd put out quite a name for herself over the years, it was only natural that she'd had some kind of bounty on her. Though, she hadn't looked through the book as of late; perhaps things had changed since she'd last taken out a bounty? That was something she so very desperately wanted to find out. With a soft smile on her face, it seemed it was time for a trip down into the Human World.

---

Gathering all of her belongings and preparing for a trip down, Helena made sure that she'd be fully-prepared for any potential altercation that would've occurred upon her walking into the Black Market. She wasn't exactly looking to deal with any backlash or discourse; not yet, at least. The time for that would come, it just wasn't at this very moment. Instead, her goal was to seek out the Bingo Book. She'd found it once before; doing so again wasn't going to be a very big challenge, all things considered.

Eventually, she had the opportunity once more to look through the book. Almost immediately, the girl flipped toward the back-end; namely, she was prepared to dive through those that transcended alphabetical ordering; the S-Ranks and above. If nothing else, this was going to serve as a phenomenal opportunity for the girl to get her mind off of the recent goings-on within His Majesty's Empire. Let loose a little, and even collect some pocket-change for doing so. What more could she really ask for?

Passing by a Mr. Yoru, and individual she knew all too well, Helena eventually stumbled upon a rather... interesting entry. Giving it a quick read through, she began to speak aloud for her own comprehension. "Former third seat, some kind of 'Inner Hollow'... interesting." Softly chuckling to herself, she skimmed through the entry once more. "Presence has been found near... Karakura, understood." And with that, she closed the book, and began to get the hit officially underway.

---

Within a minute's time, Helena found herself on the outskirts of Karakura. Letting out a soft sigh, she began to ponder her options. She needed to 'bait' her target out somehow, assuming he was still even alive, but how? She could've simply pumped her spiritual signature throughout the city, but just how effective would that have been? She didn't know, and frankly wasn't going to waste her time doing so. Instead? She had a bit of an idea. One that would take a bit of a risk, but ultimately rely on the information she'd gained on him from the Book.

Zeich Yajuu was listed as someone willing to follow orders, but similarly think for himself. Even managed to advance quite a bit through the Gotei 13's rankings, nonetheless. That meant one of two things; either he was the spineless individual like the rest of that accursed organization, or he had actually believed in their cause. And, if he was an S-Ranked target? She was willing to believe that his power had led to a lack of spinelessness. This was something she could go off of; something she could exploit.

So, in classic Helena fashion, the girl allowed her reiatsu signature to pump wildly through the surrounding area; not quite enough to result in an explosive pressure toward the world around her, but enough to make herself 'known'. From there? She was going to start with taking some lives. Walking through the streets, bow drawn and primed at the ready, each and every individual she could find was struck dead; it didn't matter if they were man, woman, child, Hollow, or Plus. If it lived, its soul was going to be deleted, and in the loudest of ways possible; if the noise was required to draw her target out instead of energy, she'd take that opportunity as well. Keeping herself thoroughly topped-off on spiritual energy, the girl prepared for a war.

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{Reiatsu Pool & Bleeding Stacks}
Reiatsu: 8,000/8,000

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{Inventory}

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{x1 Class 1 Proper Uniform}
Name: A Proper Uniform
Description: Custom made to fit the wearer, and fit in the the organization the customer is a member of, this item is made for those who want to blend practicality and comfort together. It's also self cleaning.
Class: 1
Item Type: Armor
Item Power (IP): 1,200
Offense Type: N/A
Durability: 3x Ip
Bonuses: The Uniform is a sort of combination of three items Kitai has made. This armor blocks all attacks with less os than the Uniform has Ip. The fabric it is made of is similar to Steel Silk in how it functions, though these uniforms are made of silk and cashmere. Should an attack surpass the IP of the Uniform, it will still block the attack, but will damage the durability of the item. This is the extent of the Class 5 version.

Class 3 is where it starts to get interesting. On top of resisting attacks launched at the clothed areas of the Uniform, this variant also protects the skin as well. Incorporating the Energy Shell line of products, this armor blocks attacks with a thin layer of energy overtop the user's body. Much like the class 5 version, this blocks attacks that do not beat the IP of the Uniform, but parts that aren't covered act as half IP in terms of clashing.

The class 1 variants of this item are some of the finest clothing in all the worlds. Comfortable, perfectly form fitting, and incredibly hard to destroy. This version adds a twist of being able to repair itself, able to restore its durability. While not in combat, this item can fix itself in under an hour, completely restoring any damage it has sustained, so long it hasn't lost all of its durability. In combat, the user can pay reiatsu in increments of 100, to restore 50 durability per 100 reiatsu spent. The energy layer that covers the skin now acts with 100% IP. The Uniform does not take a strike in NDE threads when reduced to zero durability, at this class.

Drawbacks: This does, unfortunately, have a few drawbacks. The IP of the item is reduced by a hundred for every attack it takes within one class of it, and will remain like that until one hour after the fight ends. This item cannot be worn in conjunction with Steel Silk, or stacked with Energy Shell items. Metal Thumb will also not work on this item.

Cost: 100,000
Crafting Skills: 4 in Crafting
Donated to Urahara's: Only the finest, for the Kitai Shop

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{x1 Class 5 Magnetic Carta}Black Market Item

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{x1 Class 1 G.O.D.}Black Market Item

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{x1 Fake Firearm License}Black Market Item

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{x5 Class 1 Seele Schneider Hilts}Name: Seele Schneider
Description: A decently sized shaft of spiritual steel resembling that of a sword hilt, with a small loop on the end of it. These Quincy items are necessary for the technique of the same name to be activated. When activated, a medium-length blade of Reiatsu is formed from the hilt. This blade vibrates at very high frequencies, and is capable of loosening the bonds between Spirit Particles, and then stealing the free Spirit Particles.
Type of Item: Tool/Weapon
Class: 8-1
Item Power (IP): Varies.
Offense Type: Spiritual.
Durability: 500 + 500/Class (4,000 at Class 1).
Bonuses: When the Seele Schneider is activated, it has an IP of 0. However, it cannot be overpowered by a technique of equal or inferior class, regardless of that technique's offensive stat. Instead, any technique that interacts with Seele Schneider has its Offensive Stat reduced by 100, and then the Seele Schneider's IP increases by 100. If the Seele Schneider interacts offensively with a Reiatsu-based being - such as a Shinigami, Arrancar, Hollow Akki, Rogue or Beast-Clan - then the person struck loses 50 Reiatsu, and the Seele Schneider's IP increases by 50. This includes when the Seele Schneider strikes an extension of that being's soul, such as part of their Zanpakutō or Resurrección. At any stage, the Seele Schneider can be fired by the user, using their standard bow, as an arrow. This arrow has an IP and Speed equal to that of the Seele Schneider's IP at the time of firing.
Drawbacks: The Selee Schneide can only be activated at a Class equal to or lower than the user's. The Selee Schneide can only steal Reiatsu from techniques or beings whose Class is lower to, or equal to, the Class of the Selee Schneide. The costs for activating the Selee Schneide is the same as normal Quincy arrows of the same Class, and cost that much Reiatsu per post in order to maintain. While these items are reusable if they can be retrieved, a Seele Schneider's Hilt will always take damage to its durability as though it were a Class 8 Item, with 0 IP. The Hilt itself must be damaged in order to reduce its durability, however. This items is only usable by Quincies, Nakabakki-Quincy, or Failures.
Costs: 1,000 Ryo + 1,000 Ryo/Class (8,000 at Class 1).

[Zeich Yajuu]

“High spiritual readings in northern Karakura!”

“Casualty reports: numerous victims, indiscriminate targeting!”

“Attacker is reported to be a woman armed with a bow, Quincy likely!”

“So this is why you stay out of the office, Master – things always get interesting when you’re in, it seems.”

The comment came as two figures darted across the rooftops, making their way towards the area indicated. Man and wolf, the two moved with a fluid grace, speed never slowing yet every step made with firm footing and a clear sense of direction. That the speaker was the wolf and not the Vizard who moved alongside him would surprise most, yet Zeich’s companion, Haiiro, was ever the more loquacious of the two, willing to comment on even the grim situation unfolding ahead of them. In contrast, Zeich remained silent, listening to the reports that were constantly flowing in through the phone at his waist. Each one further solidified the details of the situation, allowing the Vizard to slowly plan out his actions for the confrontation ahead.

Reports on the spiritual energy were unneeded; Zeich could feel it resonating through the city, waves of pure power that would reverberate even against his faint ability to sense spiritual energy. Someone was blasting out their spiritual strength with no restraint or subtlety, a beacon leading the way directly towards them. The Vizard’s paranoia suspected a trap; the indiscriminate slaughter and constant blasts of Reiatsu were clearly a sign that said “come to me, I am right here.” Yet knowing this didn’t slow the former Shinigami’s steps in the slightest, his path still taking him towards the site of the attack. No, even if it was a trap intended to lure someone out, he highly doubted it was directed at him. After all, Zeich had “disappeared” more than two years ago now, and had made very few contacts with others since then. No, the bait was likely for another, someone known and altruistic in nature.

An attack on Kazura, maybe? Something to lure out the “hero” who would not stand for such things?

If that was the case, Zeich’s presence was needed for two different reasons. The first was his job – as head of security at Uzaki Enterprises, he had also taken Kazura’s safety into his personal consideration, often at the end of his sword where his employer had been so casually naive. If this attacker was attempting to target Kazura, then it was Zeich’s duty to deal with it before his boss so casually charged into the situation. The other reason, however, was that it was a Quincy – while he would have made an attempt to stop wanton slaughter anyway, Zeich felt compelled to act for the simple nature of the attacker’s race. Quincies did not kill – they destroyed completely. Where a Shinigami could purify a soul or a Hollow, Quincies simply annihilated every trace of them, down to their spirit. Nothing was left to move through the Soul Cycle, causing instability between The World of the Living and Soul Society that could eventually move to destroy both.

There’s only one way to deal with this, then. A whisper echoed from the depths of Zeich’s mind, a growling tone tinting it with bloodlust. Rip out the problem by the throat, and leave their bloody remains as a warning for others who dare intrude on our territory.

This is no one’s territory, whether mine or “ours.” Zeich refrained from pointing out that Tsukikage had little claim to any territory, not bound as he was, but a low growl from the Hollow indicated that the feeling behind his words had still come through. But you are right in one respect: we will be decisive in our action.

A hint of satisfaction flowed from Tsukikage, and Zeich repressed a shudder – not because his Inner Hollow was so eager for bloodshed, but for the fact that it echoed the Vizard’s own thoughts. Whoever this Quincy was, they were committing acts far beyond criminal, ones that added to the instability between worlds. Taking souls from the cycle and stripping them of even their right to simply exist? It was monstrous. Though he felt no hatred or rage, Zeich could feel a cool anger burning, one fueled by the need to stop these acts before they went too far. One could call it “justice” or “right,” but neither of those terms even crossed the Vizard’s mind. It was a duty, a need he had to fulfill. That desire to end this tragedy was what drove him forward.

We’re here, Master.

Zeich and Haiiro stopped suddenly, with the two peering over the edge of the building. Though Zeich’s own eyes lacked sight, his companion’s gaze was unclouded, and he sent a constant stream of images of the situation beneath to counter the Vizard’s blindness. Below them, they spotted their target almost immediately, easily distinguished by both her uniform and the bow in her hands. Vandenreich – but this did not surprise Zeich. Most Free Quincy chose to live their own lives away from the spiritual conflicts, simply existing in their day-to-day. The Vandenreich, on the other hand, were an organization blindly devoted to their Emperor as though he were a god, and—from Zeich’s experience—worked to subjugate or even simply destroy all others. Between their aggressive nature and their ability to destroy souls, Vandenreich were an immediate threat whenever encountered, in Zeich’s opinion.

Another arrow was released, a simple shot that easily took down a man running from the scene. Coldly, though feeling each death, Zeich observed the woman, noting that every shot was handled the same way, a basic arrow that was enough to deal with civilian casualties. Minimal Reiatsu expenditure. The Vizard realized as he stared through Haiiro’s eyes, as it aligned with his own combat style of attrition. It was made even more advantageous to the Quincy race, who had the ability to draw in spiritual particles and restore their spent Reiatsu. Clever—by keeping the amount of Reiatsu spent to as little as possible, the Quincy could both bait her trap and remain at maximum resources, enabling her to start her chosen fight at full strength. Even the stamina use would be bare minimum, with such simple attacks.

Very well, then. Taking a slow breath, Zeich prepared himself mentally, even as he drew his Zanpaktou from its sheath. Let’s do this. Howl, Tsukikage. Immediately the sword in his hand seemed to dissolve, forming a powdery, ashen substance that flowed from his grasp and pooled on the ground around him, seemingly lifted into the air by the floating breeze and forming a shrouded cloud of ash. Next to Zeich, his companion seemed to fade away into that same ash, the former Zanpaktou Spirit unable to remain separate as the Vizard’s Release activated.

Those who knew Zeich’s Zanpaktou would know this seeming dissolution to be a farce, the true form of the Vizard’s weapon taking on this ashen form so that it could be used by the fierce-eyed man in a number of devastating ways. Indeed, closer observation would show that it was floating about the man counter to the way the wind would have moved it, its motion determined by the one controlling it rather than the forces about it. To conceal it even better, the ash had no spiritual presence, both the Release of Zeich’s Zanpaktou and the formed substance suppressing any sort of detection. In a highly saturated zone one might sense the faint absence it caused, but here in the World of the Living? It was absolutely camouflaged.

Zeich quickly focused on his plan. Quincy were the antithesis to his normal means of combat, their ability to regain Reiatsu mitigating his ability to drain it away. That meant he had to go for a more aggressive style of combat – not beyond him, but not his preferred method. Decisive strikes and direct attacks were going to be his main focus when fighting a Quincy, but he’d have to likely overcome their Blut—a skin defense equivalent to an Arrancar’s Hierro. Bankai would give him leeway to avoid it, but Zeich was leery about using that in a crowded area, as it was indiscriminate, and cared not for friend or foe when draining the spiritual energy out of others. While he could consciously ensure the safety of others, it would split his focus and reduce his effectiveness. No, carefully applied force would be the key to this kind of battle.

If the Quincy was maintaining her resources while she tried to draw out her prey, she would likely be doing little defensively, at least until she was sure that she was at risk. Alternatively, depending on her own paranoia, she might already have Blut active, allowing her to stay safe from ambushes with only a small overall drain on her Reiatsu. Of the two choices, that was the one that Zeich would have picked, if the situation were reversed. Therefore, a direct attack could have limited success… but not if paired with other strategies in mind. Yes, that would be the best way to take advantage of his position, while still undiscovered.

Suddenly the ash around Zeich came together, forming four large javelins that floated around him. A small portion of the ash remained present for the Vizard’s own use, but the remaining weapons floating about him were released with a thought, closing the distance at 600 speed. With all the noise being made by the Quincy as she continued to try and draw out her target, it was unlikely that she would hear them coming. All four would—if not defended against—strike decisively at the back of the neck, the middle of the spine, and each of the woman’s legs, piercing through and either eliminating the Quincy immediately or leaving her devastatingly crippled.

Of course, it was not so simple as that; Zeich had also adjusted the weapons he had crafted, loosening the bindings on the ash enough so that if they encountered a force stronger than them, they would not rebound but would instead break apart into their ashen form, surrounding the Quincy in a cloud of ash. It would sift into her clothing, attach itself to the skin, get caught in her eyes, be woven into her hair; from there, she was at constant risk as long as Zeich was nearby and controlling it. How he would do so was not yet certain, but it was still a constant weapon, ready for use.

Immediately after releasing the javelins, Zeich leapt to another rooftop that he recalled from an image Haiiro had sent him prior, using Shunpo to carry him a good distance away from the origin of his attack. Even if the Quincy followed the trajectory of his strike, she would not be able to immediately tell where he was. That was doubly effective as he crouched down at the edge of the roof he landed on, adjusting his position to better conceal himself from view. He wasn’t as good as a Shihoin spy, but his stealth abilities were still exceptional, ideal for an attrition combatant. From here he could hide and await the result of his strike.

Offhandedly, a small amount of Reiatsu was spent to re-summon Haiiro once more; though the wolf could maintain his separation when Zeich wasn’t drawing on the power of his Zanpaktou, to do so during Release required Reiatsu being spent to create a temporary form for him. The wolf’s gray coat blended into the rooftop, helping hide him from prying eyes, and once more allowed Zeich to see through another’s sight. Now, the two watched to see the result of their initial strike.

Remaining Reiatsu: 7250/8000 (-100 for Shikai, -200 for Kaijin Ken x4, -50 for Shunpo, -400 for Spiritual Projection).

Shikai: 1/15

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{Zeich’s Stats}Stats (Rank 3 Fractured Type):

Strength - [300] (300) Points

Speed - [400] (400) Points

Spiritual Pressure – [400 x 2] (800) Points

Reiatsu Strength – [200 x 0.5] (100) Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [200 x 1.75] (350) Points

Senses - [200] Points

Energy sensory - [100 x 0.60] (60) Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1800] points

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{Zeich’s Skills}Current Skills: (18 SKP)

• [Weapons - Katana] 3
  
  
• [Strength of Will] 3
  
  
• [Martial Arts - Hakuda] 3
  
  
• [Stealth] 2
  
  
• [Calm Mind] 3
  
  
• [Martial Arts - Wing Chun] 1
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] 3

[Sieglinde P. Krantz]

As her own strikes continued to cut down individual humans, tearing apart each and every soul that she had the opportunity to, Helena made immediate note of the rather piercing force against individual locations on the girl's back and legs. While she was still going to be thrown forward just a bit from the blunt-force of ash colliding with her, Helena was going to remain pleasantly protected by the sheer build of the custom-made clothes that she wore. It was going to take a bit more than that in order to truly get through her defensive capabilities, and she was thankful for it. After all, her own ability to take a hit was easily her biggest crutch; something she needed to fix.

As the ashen hell caught her off-guard, and she regained her footing, Helena was made distinctly aware of the fact that it simply wasn't fading. No, instead of dispersing like ash should've, it continued to encircle her, threatening to invade her personal space at a moment's notice. And, if had been a bit stronger? It absolutely could've. Similar to before, the near-invisible barrier that persisted due to the clothes that she wore lit itself up, preventing any of this darkened material to really get any closer than she'd be comfortable with. While the barrier protected her like a rubber glove, however, it didn't prevent the damned substance from obscuring her vision from its proximity alone. This was going to prove to be rather annoying.

Sighing softly, she knew damned well that busting out her abilities rather quickly was going to be the best option here. After all, what other choice did she really have? It seemed that someone was looking to pick a fight, so it was a fight they were going to get. As a burst of reiatsu surged through her, drawing out the latent abilities of her Schrift, Helena held her hand out once more, before notching and drawing a singular spirit arrow. Instead of aiming toward some individual, though, she fired the arrow toward the ground. The very moment it made contact, she activated another ability bestowed upon her by His Majesty himself, and prepared for what was to come.

As soon as the second of the two abilities were switched on, there was a very strong chance that Helena's own spiritual signature was going to fade rather prominently - much like Zeich's ash - into a rather undetectable state. It was as though she wasn't even there to begin with, all things considered. At the same time, the arrow that she'd fired into the ground immediately began to change shape into something... very distinctly not like that of an arrow. Instead of the standard means of Quincy artillery, the arrow had taken shape as something akin to that of a falcon, though much more spectral in nature; practically see-through, all things considered.

With another slight surge of her own reiatsu - despite still not registering to most sensory capabilities - Helena found her own sight practically "turn off". Instead, as vision quickly returned to her, it became apparent to her that she'd been seeing through the falcon's eyes. "Interesting," she spoke aloud, as the bird took to the sky, circling overhead, "very, very interesting means of attack you have there." Walking slowly forward, keeping her own body in view as she did, Helena unhooked a simple tool from her waist; a Seele Schneider. Allowing the blade to light up and glow, she gripped the tool tightly and took a soft breath.

Bringing the blade not an inch away from her own body, the Quincy carefully hovered her hand around an exposed portion of her body, allowing the Quincy weapon to begin tearing through some of the ash that permeated right around her body. "What was it that the book had said? 'A free-manipulation type Zanpakutō that allows for particle control'~? Something along those lines, no? If nothing else, it's a pleasure to meet you, Zeich Yajuu." Breaking down and drawing in more reishi from the area, Helena did what she could in order to keep her reserves as full as possible.

Properties Active: 2. Regen reduced by 50%.
Seele Schneider Offensive Stat: 50.

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{Reiatsu Pool & Bleeding Stacks}
Reiatsu Pool: 7,660/8,000
Stables of the Eternal Hunt activation cost: 200 Reiatsu.
Class 1 Arrow: 70 Reiatsu.
Patient Hunter activation cost: 400 Reiatsu.
Seele Schneider activation cost: 70 Reiatsu.
Quincy Cross & Spirit Fragment regeneration: 400 Reiatsu.

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{Falcon's Stats}
Strength: 100
Speed: 600
Instinct: 300
Senses: 300
Energy Sensory: 400

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{Class 4 Power - Stables of the Eternal Hunt - 200 Reiatsu}Priscilla’s bread-and-butter Property, Stables of the Eternal Hunt grants Priscilla the option to summon animal companions. Upon activation, and for the duration of this property, Priscilla automatically summons a single animal companion from her arrows for no extra cost. From there she is able to summon more, but these cost an amount of Reiatsu equal to the activation of this Property. Summoning more animal companions reduces her reiatsu intake like the activation of a Property, and counts as another Property for the purposes of the total she can have active at a time. These can be deactivated at any time, much like how Properties normally work, and will remove these penalties at the same rate deactivating a Property normally does.

An Animal Companion can take the shape of any kind of non-mythical animal Priscilla desires. While these animals must be non-mythical in nature, they can vary in size outside of the range that said animals would otherwise be, as long as they have the Strength to support themselves (i.e. giant scorpions, bears the size of small cats, etc.). Priscilla’s Animal Companions have an amount of SP equal to Priscilla’s own total, and cannot have more than 600 points in a stat. Despite being spiritual in nature, and still being able to see and interact with spiritual entities, these Animal Companions do not have Reiatsu Strength, Spiritual Pressure, or Healing Expertise. Animal Companions clash using their own Stats, and clash at a Class equal to the arrow used to create them. Animal Companions share all of the traits that their real-world counterparts have, and are capable of doing all of the exact same things. For a cost of 100 reiatsu per post, Priscilla can instead perceive through an Animal Companion’s senses, using their Senses and Energy Sensory capabilities while doing so, but treating her Senses and Energy Sensory as 0. Wounds left from Animal Companions, and constant effects like poisons or venoms, afflict foes with one stack of Bleeding for 10 posts, with the duration refreshing upon gaining another stack. Continuous effects like poisons or venoms will apply one stack of Bleeding per post per affliction. These afflictions can be removed in the same way Bleeding stacks can be removed, aside from being purged from patching up wounds.

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{Class 2 Heart - Patient Hunter - 400 Reiatsu}Patient Hunter looks to capitalize on a skilled Huntress’ ability to keep hidden from her prey, and to hide in plain sight. Activating Patient Hunter suppresses Priscilla’s, and her Animal Companions’ reiatsu signatures, preventing them from being detected by sensory techniques of an equal Class or lower, or with 200 points in Energy Sensory for every Rank in Stealth Priscilla has. Points in Anti-Stealth, Focused Eye, or Battle Focus reduce this ES requirement by 100 points per Rank in either Skill. Analysis and Battle Analysis reduce this ES requirement by 50 points per Rank in either Skill.

So long as a target does not meet any of these sensory requirements, Priscilla’s reiatsu signature cannot be tracked, preventing individuals from utilizing Energy Sensory on the girl or her Animal Companions at all, making this Property have an exceptional amount of uses outside of combat for infiltration purposes. When combined with the appropriate outfitting, Priscilla could easily pass as someone of a different race or faction, provided someone doesn't meet the above requirements to call her bluff.

While this Property is active, Priscilla is able to create temporary visual illusions within ten feet of her for 75 reiatsu, further aiding in her ability to not only throw individuals off of her trail, but also aid in out-of-combat subterfuge. Most visual illusions that she creates will absolutely not hold up to force, shattering like glass immediately when challenged if separate from her body. Being able to determine an illusion as fake requires a 3 in Analysis or 2 in Illusion Resist if not damaged, as much like Priscilla herself while in this Property these illusions give off no discernable reiatsu signature. If Evolving Wilds is active, this ten-foot range is expanded to the entire distance of her Soul Property, and the cost of creating an illusion more than ten feet away from her is tripled. Due to the nonexistent durability of these illusions, Priscilla can maintain up to seven at at any given time.

[Zeich Yajuu]

Even without Haiiro’s sight, Zeich could feel the result of his attack as the javelins splintered across the Vandenreich’s outfit. He could sense the ash scattering, clouding the air about the woman, and knew that the attack had not pierced through the Quincy’s outfit, let alone made it to the level of a skin defense. So that uniform was armor as much as a symbol of the woman’s allegiance to her cause; all of Zeich’s attacks, despite their disparate targets, had failed to meet their mark. Some had hit exposed skin, but the Vizard could only assume that Blut had stopped those strikes, meaning that the Quincy was quite powerful. She could match his offensive strength and defend against it, meaning that it would be difficult to deal any solid damage.

What was most interesting, however, was the fact that the ash refused to close in on the Quincy’s skin, hovering a scarce inch or two above it. Blut alone would not do that; it flowed through the veins and protected the body on a skin level, but not in an aura around it. Another technique? Some form of armor with her uniform? Whatever it was, it would not yield to an experimental push from Zeich, testing to see if his ash was simply being repelled or completely blocked. It wasn’t a counter-force, merely a wall. Interesting. Needless to say, it stopped Zeich’s attempts to siphon the woman’s Reiatsu, without the ability to cling directly to the body and clothing.

That locked out other tactical options as well – the Vizard could not bind his opponent in his ashen chains, not when that barrier gave just enough room to slip past them. The rest of his Zanpaktou techniques were no better, not as long as he had to contend with that defense. There was no help for it; he would have to take things up a step, lest he find himself facing an impenetrable wall. I suppose it couldn’t be helped; this is a Vandenreich, and no ordinary soldier to be hunting her prey alone. Zeich mused, preparing to draw upon the full power of his Zanpaktou. There was little in the way of defensive techniques that could stand up against a Release as powerful as Bankai; surely her armor would falter as well.

Before he could activate it, however, Zeich felt motion and heard the flap of wings, his sharp senses and the flow of air pushing against the ashen cloud giving him warning to the rising of another being. Following a quick mental directive from his master, Haiiro scanned the skies as indicated, and had no problem detecting the falcon. The bird circled above them, able to see the entire battlefield, and it was only thanks to Zeich’s ability to blend in to the scenery around him that would prevent the creature from spotting him visually. But Haiiro had no such talent, and no doubt stood out to the bird’s sharp gaze.

No doubt this was a summoned being of some kind; Haiiro had seen the Quincy fire a shot at the ground, and the bird had risen from the spot. Could it convey information like Zeich and his companion could? Was it already transmitting the location of the wolf atop the rooftops? Worst-case scenario suggested that the Vandenreich woman already knew Zeich’s location, and so he acted on that possibility. If he was no longer hidden, his position revealed, then he could act more overtly than before. A slow exhale, a relaxation of the muscles, and a moment of focus was all it took to prepare himself. Dismissing Haiiro, Zeich rose from his crouched position on the rooftop, now standing alone. Drawing out his spiritual energy, he opened the floodgates, and let the world crash about him.

A sudden wave of spiritual pressure would explode into being, “oppressive” an insufficient word to describe the sudden force that burst down in a controlled radius around Zeich. The building beneath him suffered nothing for the sudden wave of spiritual pressure, having only a physical nature to it, but the bird above would find itself suddenly caught up in the crushing wave. Bearing no Reiatsu of its own, simply being a spiritual construct, it’d be pressed down with the immense force of Zeich’s spiritual energy, the Gravitational Pressure dragging it from the sky and slamming it down into a nearby building. It would remain there, pinned if not destroyed from the sudden plummeting dive, and would be able to do little to prevent this flex of Zeich’s power. The Vizard’s strength was not to be underestimated, especially with how well he managed to maintain a limited range of his Gravitational Pressure; rather than risk any civilians who might still be within range, he kept the radius at the absolute minimum he needed to take the falcon from the sky.

Now that he was revealed, it was time to get back to his original plan. Though he could no longer see without his companion to transmit images for him, Zeich did not feel lost or off-balance despite the darkness engulfing his sight. No, he had long since learned to accommodate for these things, and relied on both his powerful senses as well as his Zanpaktou’s ashen nature to feel out the area around him. He still remembered the Vandenreich’s last location, and the ash floating about her still outlined her with the sense of its location. Providing a sensory field about her, the wispy substance traced her movements perfectly; Zeich could “see” the Quincy raising a weapon, swiping it through the ash as though to bat it away. Naturally that would be ineffective to brush away the cloud, yet the Vizard felt a small sapping of his Reiatsu at the motion; minimal as it was, it indicated that the Vandenreich had some way of draining his spiritual energy from the Zanpaktou’s dispersed form. Something to note.

Tsukikage. Be ready.

I’m always ready for this. Let’s sink our fangs in and feast on this wench...

Let’s do this, then. Zeich took a step forward, right off the edge of the rooftop. Rather than calling on air ground to catch him and allow him to stand above his opponent, however, the Vizard simply let himself fall. The world tilted around him, his sense of up and down adjusting as he turned, soon diving fully at his opponent. Let your cry eclipse the sky... Air rushed past the Vizard, the wind whipping past him and echoing in his ears, yet he paid them no attention, his focus on the woman before him, on her every motion based on her outline in the Zanpaktou’s ash. In one hand, a long sword formed from the remaining ash he had kept about his person, yet it was not prepared to strike. No, it had another use, one revealed as Zeich spoke aloud for the first time.

“...Bankai, Kage-no-Tsukinoaruji.”

Suddenly, a wall of gray would erupt outwards, the sword that Zeich held releasing its bonds and expanding into an immense explosion of ash. The ash spread in every direction, splashing against the buildings and streets, sinking into any nearby objects, even seeming to disperse into the sky. The powdery ash seemed to be soaked up by everything around it, staining it all gray, and the only exception to that would be the Vandenreich woman, who would see nothing but that exploding ashen wall that covered their entire battlefield. Zeich would momentarily be lost in the expansive cloud, disappearing from view, and when the ash finally started to settle… he was gone.

Everything around the Quincy was gray. There was nothing that was untouched by Zeich’s power, save the woman and her summon. The scenery, the ground, even the sky itself within a one-mile radius was completely gray, a monotone offset only by general outlines to differentiate one mass from another. Because of that, Zeich should have been completely obvious, his black clothing standing out in the stark battlefield, yet he was gone, vanished without a trace. Ash coated everything, and muffled Energy Sensory, eliminating all spiritual presences that were covered in it. Out of sight, unable to be sensed… Zeich had become completely invisible to his opponent. But not for long.

A hand suddenly seemed to materialize from the ground, and without warning, would grasp onto the Quincy’s ankle. A wave of spiritual energy would immediately pulse into the woman’s leg, one that would echo throughout the limb and reverberate powerfully. In another situation, her armor might have blocked the attack, and her own spiritual strength would have nullified the attack. It was, after all, a weaponized version of cutback, where spiritual pressure clashed between two opponents, and left the weaker to suffer the consequences of that clash. In a normal scenario, the two would have been even, nullifying the attack altogether.

Yet if the woman was not able to anticipate the attack, let alone avoid it with her low sensory abilities, the effects would be horrific; spiritual energy would travel through her leg and burst free as though trying to vent its way out of her body. The bones would crack, the flesh would tear, and the muscle would creak from the sheer amount of spiritual energy flooding the limb. Worse, it would affect both legs if it were not avoided, battering and bruising them, breaking them apart and leaving the Quincy completely immobilized from the sheer amount of damage dealt to them. Even her torso would feel battered and bruised, though in far better condition than her legs would be.

But how could this be? Such a massive amount of damage would be indicative of an enormous difference in spiritual energy, something that Zeich shouldn’t have possessed. And he didn’t, not normally—however, he was a Vizard, and possessed more power than he normally let free. Though hidden from sight thanks to Zeich’s technique—an extension of his Bankai that allowed him to disperse his own body into ash, and reform it at will—a snarling lupine visage now covered his face, a mask that looked to be made of white bone. Were its presence not completely smothered by the energy-suppressing ash that Zeich had become, the waves of powerful Hollow energy rolling off of him would have indicated the nature of this change. He had drawn upon his Inner Hollow, and donned his Vizard’s Mask.

As soon as the attack was unleashed, a brief grab of the ankle to release the slashing spiritual energy, Zeich immediately withdrew it, and let it dissolve back into ash. From there, he could safely determine how effective his attack had been.

Remaining Reiatsu: 6550/8000 (-200 for Bankai, -100 for Kaijin Kasumi, -400 for Anima Surge).

Bankai: 1/12

Vizard Mask: 1/4

SPOILER: Click to show

{Altered Stats}Strength – ([300] x 2) (600) Points

Speed – ([400] x 2) (800) Points

Spiritual Pressure – ([400 x 2] x 2) (1600) Points

Reiatsu Strength – ([200 x 0.5] x 2) (200) Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - ([200 x 1.75] x 2) (700) Points

Senses – ([200] x 2) (200) Points

Energy sensory - ([100 x 0.60] x 2) (120) Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1800] points

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kaijin Kasumi}

Kaijin Kasumi (Ash Mist) – The first of Zeich’s Bankai techniques, Kaijin Kasumi allows the Shinigami to make use of his cloud of ash by actually dissolving his body and weapons into it. A nearly impenetrable defensive technique, this ability allows him to avoid harm as long as he is in an ashen form, short of widespread attacks that can remove the entire cloud of ash. Otherwise, he is literally untouchable; as long as enough ash remains to compose his figure, he cannot take any severe amount of damage. Atop that, Zeich is able to reform only part of his body from the ash at any time he chooses and at any place within the cloud of ash, meaning that he could appear from anywhere. Complete dissolution and reformation are both fast processes, taking no more than five seconds for either. Partial dissolution and reformation take no more than two seconds for a single individual limb.

The weakness to Kaijin Kasumi is that it forces Zeich into a completely defensive battle; as long as he is dissolved into the ash, he cannot attack. To attack, he must reform the entirety of a limb that is used to attack, even with a weapon; for example, if he chose to attack with his sword, both the sword and the entire arm used to swing the weapon must be reformed, meaning that Zeich is vulnerable during attack even with this technique. Kaijin Kasumi’s main purpose is to avoid attack as well as provide a tactical advantage of being able to attack from any direction. This technique also costs 100 Reiatsu per post to keep hidden; should the cost not be paid, Zeich will instantly reform, though at a location of his choice.

However, the technique also has a more sinister use when turned to offense. Dissolving himself into ash allows Zeich to avoid an enemy's strikes by making himself so dispersed that it is impossible to create any form of lasting harm on him, but by making physical contact with an enemy, Zeich can instead begin dispersing his opponent's body. Upon making contact with any part of a foe, the Shinigami can infuse his Reiatsu into that person's body and begin dissolving it into ash based on the point of contact. Prolonged contact is not necessary; only the initial touch is required. This dissolution causes no actual harm to the victim's body, much like his own dissolution will not harm Zeich; instead, it's simply converting their form into another shape. However, the trick that makes this technique deadly is that the enemy has no control over their dissolution, and cannot resume their normal form without Zeich willing it. That means should Zeich manage to convert an enemy completely to ash, they will be unable to act unless he re-forms them. And should he end his Bankai at any point, the extra ash that comes with it simply disappears. If an enemy is caught within this technique, lost in the ash... they are lost forever, unable to be recalled even after Bankai is reactivated.

This technique is far harder to use on others though, for a number of reasons. For one thing, the activation alone requires physical contact. Besides that, Zeich's Spiritual Pressure is checked against his opponent's Reiatsu Strength or Spiritual Pressure, whichever is higher, and if the foe is greater, then they can resist the effects of the transformation. Normally, assuming Zeich has superior strength by even a single point, each post under the effects of Kaijin Kasumi would dissolve roughly a fifth of the victim's body spreading from the contact point. Five posts are required to completely dissolve a person. Superior spiritual strength to Zeich increases the number of posts to eight, and 25% higher increases it to ten. Should the foe have 50% higher Reiatsu Strength or Spiritual Presure than Zeich's Spiritual Pressure, this technique will be completely unable to affect them. Foes of superior Class can resist this as well; one Class increases the post requirement to ten posts, and two grants complete immunity.

However conversely, if Zeich has 50% or higher Spiritual Pressure than the opponent's Spiritual Pressure or Reiatsu Strength, whichever is higher, then the number of posts required to dissolve an opponent is reduced to three posts. Superior Class does not grant bonuses, however. For Zeich to keep this technique active and dissolving a foe, he is also required to pay 200 Reiatsu per post that he is dissolving the foe into ash; this means that at a high advantage, it only costs him 600 Reiatsu to completely dissolve a foe. At a high disadvantage, however, it can cost him as much as 2000 Reiatsu to dissolve an enemy of greater strength or Class. Naturally this technique can be canceled partway to leave a foe crippled, as a portion of their body is dissolved into ash and unable to be used.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Anima Surge}Technique Name: Anima no Saji (Anima Surge)

Class: 2

Technique Type: Spiritual Technique

Usable By: Any

Technique Element: Spirit

Technique Description and Effects:
Cutback is a deadly consequence of attacking those with an exceptionally dense and powerful spirit, and though it is normally limited to a few races, the weaponized version of it is not. This technique takes the concept of a dense spirit clashing and creating an opposing reaction, and turns it into an attack. By sending their spiritual energy flooding into a target in a wave, the user makes that clash of spirits happen repeatedly, their Reiatsu crashing against that of their opponent’s in a series of opposing reactions that are devastating to the victim. Once the technique is triggered within the opponent, the area of the body that is struck will be hit with the effects of cutback, with the normal amount of damage determined by the difference between the user’s Spiritual Pressure and the opponent’s. Instead of only affecting limbs, however, this damage is done to the area of the body located, making it a deadly attack from those with exceptionally strong spirits.

How to use technique:
The user strikes at a foe, and then channels their Reiatsu through the area hit.

Technique Drawbacks
Aside from a hefty cost of 400 Reiatsu per use, this technique also requires direct physical contact with a foe. A weapon will not suffice, though clothing or armor such as gloves and gauntlets will not prevent this technique from activating. This contact must be initiated by the user as an attack; this technique cannot be used upon being struck by an opponent, only when the user is the one initiating the strike. Hierro and Blut can block this as long as the defender’s Reiatsu Strength is superior to the attacker’s Spiritual Pressure. Additionally, if the opponent has superior Spiritual Pressure, then the effects of cutback are not only reversed onto the user at the point of impact, but are inflicted as though the gap between the user's Spiritual Pressure and that of their opponent's is doubled. Finally, for the post after this technique is used, the user cannot inflict cutback normally on opponents.

Made By: Zeich Yajuu

Reserved: Yes

[Sieglinde P. Krantz]

As her falcon took to the sky, almost immediately beginning to scout out the area as best it could, the girl made note of the fact that her bird picked up a rather noteworthy sight; that of a lupine figure on the rooftop, making itself quite known. Though, shortly after it was spotted, it seemed to vanish. That was when she felt it hit, and found herself left with a substantial feeling of existential dread as he falcon seemed to insignificantly crumble into nothing.

As soon as the world began to almost bear down on her, near-forcing her to the ground, Helena knew almost immediately that she needed to do something to keep herself in this race. Surging her reiatsu around her body, Helena allowed her own spiritual energy to act as a sort of "shield" against the crushing force he was exerting over the area. As the world around the two of them began to slightly shift and distort, she scoffed. As she held her footing, initially thrown off from the crushing force, she decided to immediately begin to kick things up a notch; match the apparent seriousness that he started to show her.

Allowing her own spiritual capabilities to explode outward, almost as though opening the floodgates on her own soul, the girl set her own spiritual capabilities into "overdrive". Through the use of Gate, she did what she could to stand strong despite the incoming pressure from the Vizard. She knew immediately that this was going to be arguably one of the most important things she could've done; after all, how else was she going to stand up against such raw combative capability? He didn't seem to be playing around anymore, and she wasn't going to either.

Though, there was one thing that she couldn't account for; one thing that the Bingo Book didn't inform the woman about. Zeich's Bankai had been far larger than she'd otherwise anticipated. As quickly as it'd hit, absolutely cascading the area in greyscale faster than she could fathom, she almost found herself doubling over. Not only was her body immediately wracked with powerful, acidic burns, but she'd also taken in residual reishi from his release; contaminated reishi, that inevitably ended up poisoning the woman.

Gripping tightly at her bow as she nearly fell to her knees, she gritted her teeth rather forcefully. As she took a moment to react to her surroundings, she felt a hand press tightly against her leg, met with a surge of toxic reiatsu. While the intended effect didn't quite land, she was still forced into a doubled-over state, before slowly forcing herself back to her feet. Despite not being able to clearly see her opponent, she knew quite quickly that she'd need to press herself even further beyond. She'd need to pull everything out if she even hoped to get out of this situation alive; her focus at this point was much less toward winning the fight, and more so looking to survive.

"Fine," she grunted, "fine. If that's how you want to play, mutt, then I'll play ball." As she finished speaking, her spiritual capabilities immediately surged from her own body, forming a rather massive pillar of bright light. Toward the top, four points shot from the "structure", forming an almost impromptu Zeichen of sorts. She'd taken the opportunity to ascend to a much higher tier of power than she'd otherwise be willing to.

As the light quickly generated around her faded, removing itself from the ground up before eventually fading back into nothing, she stood anew; her outfit had changed almost entirely, resulting in what looked to be a leathered outfit of sorts. In her hand, a bow had solidified -- not made of spiritual energy, but wholly and physically formed. Exhaling softly, the girl took a quick moment to consider her options. "Prepare to be wiped from the face of this world."

As her words wrapped up, the same outfit she'd worn immediately began to darken; taking on a much more sinister color palette when compared against the traditional blues and whites of the Vandenreich. Instead of the bright colors, she wore a deep blue and blackened outfit, almost directly contrasting the initial colors behind it. As she did, her skin quickly began to pale, almost to what one would expect from a corpse. Noteworthy burns began to trace across the woman's body, nearly taking her down from the force of the ability's activation alone. She knew damned well that if she wasn't going to be able to last very long in this ashy hellscape, she needed to act decisively.

Though, given the force enacted upon her body, the girl needed a moment in order to catch her breath. Striking back at the Vizard immediately was going to prove to be problematic; especially as she was actively destroying her body in the process. She was going to need to focus her attention toward fighting through what she could; attaining a more "stable" condition before she was ready to fight. After all, the burns weren't a fun experience under any circumstance. Let alone in a high-intensity situation such as this. She'd simply wait to see what he was going to do.

Vollstandig Duration: 1/5
Sklaverei Cuts: 20%

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool}
Reiatsu Pool: 360/20,000
-1,600 from Sklaverei, cost doubled from Gate.
-6,000 from Vollständig activation, cost doubled from Gate.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Adjusted Stats}
Strength: 100 [100] - 20% reduction from Sklaverei, 25% increase from Divine Heart.
Speed: 400 [400] - 20% reduction from Sklaverei, 25% increase from Divine Heart.
Reiatsu Strength: 400 [2,000] - 100% increase from Gate, 25% increase from Divine Heart.
Spiritual Pressure: 400 [2,000] - 100% increase from Gate, 25% increase from Divine Heart.
Instinct: 300 [186] - 25% increase from Divine Heart.
Senses: 100 [62] - 25% increase from Divine Heart.
Energy Sensory: 0 [0]
Healing Expertise: 0 [0]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Sklaverei}
Technique Name: Sklaverei (Holy Slave)

Technique Class: 1 - 250 TTP

Technique Type: Vandenreich.

Usable By: Vandenreich Quincy - Stern Ritter Exclusive.

Technique Element: Spirit.

Technique Cost: 0 Reiatsu.

Description: Sklaverei is unusual in that once activated, the most noticeable effect is the decay of the flesh of the user. As soon as Sklaverei is activated, the physical stats of the user drop by 20%, and drop by a further 20% for each post Sklaverei is active for. However, the effects of the technique are worth the drawback. While it is active the Class of all abilities used by the user are increased by 1 (Class 1 techniques are not increased to Class 0 by this effect, but are instead treated as Class 1+ Techniques - 1 Class superior to Class 1 Techniques, but still inferior to Class 0 techniques). This includes the effects of the Vollstandig itself.

How to Use: Draw in Reishi from the environment, allowing the high density of it to poison your flesh.

Incantation: N/A.

Drawbacks: Immediate reduction of 20% to physical stats, and further 20% reduction for every post that is active. Due to the fact that this technique indiscriminately draws in Reishi, if there are any Hollows or Arrancar within 100 feet of the user, the user will feel the effects of Hollow Poisoning in addition to the reduction to their physical stats. This technique cannot be willingly ended once activated, and persists for the remainder of the Vollstandig duration.

Made By: His Majesty the Emperor.

Reserved?: No.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Divine Form - The Huntress' Masquerade}Looking to embody the key aspects of a huntress, Priscilla’s Divine Form aims to embody Priscilla’s ability to walk between the light, stalking her targets, and striking at the most opportune times. Upon entering Vollstandig, Priscilla’s outfit naturally undergoes a rather noteworthy change. What was once a Vandenreich uniform now takes the form of a darkened set of treated leather garbs, with mixes of plate armor in key locations; namely targeted toward her chest, shoulders, waist, wrist, and legs. This armor functions as a permanent skin defense for the areas it covers.

While in Divine Form, Priscilla's Spirit Bow and arrows are forced to remain in one singular shape; that of a rather large longbow. Utilization of this longbow aims to make Priscilla much more efficient at firing her arrows, to make sure she can comfortably keep up an offensive the entire time. As such, the first five arrows below Class 1 that Priscilla would fire every post in Vollstandig cost no reiatsu. In turn, however, these arrows cannot be split or detonated. They do apply two stacks of Bleeding on a target, however, for 10 posts, with the duration refreshing upon gaining another stack. While in Divine Form and onward, targets will suffer the full effects of Bleeding while they possess them.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Divine Power - The Huntress' Menagerie}Priscilla's Divine Power further expands upon her ability to command a battalion of animal companions into a fight alongside her. While she has access to Divine Form, Priscilla is able to summon up to three animal companions to fight alongside her. These animal companions function similarly to those in her Power Property, having an amount of SP equal to her own, but these animals can have up to 800 at the highest in any given stat instead of 600, and are given the option to be mythical in nature. Each animal follow standard Clash rules utilizing their stats, and the Class of Priscilla's Vollstandig. Instead of inflicting one stack of Bleeding from their attacks and lingering effects, summoned animal companions through Vollstandig instead afflict 2.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Divine Soul - The Huntress' Manor}Instead of bringing herself and others to a new reality to fight in, Priscilla's Divine Soul gives her the option to take complete control over the current environment to wield as she sees fit. At any point, Priscilla is able to begin terraforming an area within 500 feet around her, reshaping and changing the environment to better suit her needs. This could range from forcing giant plants to grow and strike her foes, whipping up an awful sandstorm in the middle of an urban area, you name it. The world becomes her own terrain. Changes and power-related movements occur at the speed of her arrows. Changes have to make sense; Priscilla cannot, for example, drop a tree from the sky out of nowhere.

Every effect created by her Divine Soul requires a reiatsu cost equivalent to that of an arrow, Class of her choice. The Class of the effect isn't akin to that of her Vollstandig, but rather the Class of the arrow paid for. Small effects, like a single strike from a plant, or a stalactite of ice forming underneath someone costs 1 arrow. Medium effects that encompass half or less of the area, like creating a sizeable patch of grass in a snowstorm, or instantly eroding a large boulder costs 2 arrows. Large effects that encompass the entire area, like forcing overgrowth in a city or evaporating a chunk of an ocean cost 4 arrows. These costs can utilize the free arrows she gets from Divine Form, but naturally count against that total.

When clashing with other environment-altering abilities, in order to remain unchanged powers require both an equal or greater Class, and OS superiority. If they only have one, Priscilla can still alter the environment over their abilities, but requires her to double the cost of the arrows in order to do so; this extra cost must still be paid in reiatsu, even if her Free Arrows are used. Assuming someone has neither equal or greater Class, or OS superiority, costs and functions do remain the same.

[Zeich Yajuu]

I should have guessed…

So caught up in a frontal assault, Zeich had forgotten a technique that was a staple to many of those in the World of the Living: Gate. It was a technique that pushed one’s spiritual capabilities to their limit, at the cost of burning more Reiatsu in its use. As a result, not only had his Anima Surge technique failed to implant a devastating cutback, it had been nullified entirely and his Reiatsu had been wasted. Though he still had an enormous pool of spiritual energy he could burn for resources, Zeich was the type to fight conservatively, to ration out his Reiatsu and wait out the enemy’s limits. Failing to do so was ineffective fighting, and it chafed to consider.

The Vizard had quickly retreated back into the ash, his body completely dissipated. Kaijin Kasumi was an incredible technique that defended him against all but the largest area attacks, keeping his body dissolute and able to reform anywhere within the range of his Bankai. He couldn’t attack without becoming vulnerable, true, but it was a useful ability when he was able to inflict the effects of his Reiatsu-sapping ash on his opponents effectively. Hiding within the mist, he could let their spiritual energy and their ability to fight slowly slip away. With Quincy, however, that was not the case; their ability to draw in Reiatsu from their surroundings made them fairly resistant to his standard form of attack.

What you think is a disadvantage is quite the opposite in our case, fool...

Were he reformed, Zeich’s eyes would have narrowed in thought. How was a Quincy’s ability to resist his Reiatsu drain an advantage in his favor? By being able to absorb the latent Reishi in the area, they’d be able to maintain the fight while even his enormous reserves were taxed… and then it hit him, the key word: absorbed. Quincy didn’t just generate Reiatsu rapidly, they took in the spirit particles around them and converted it to their own resources. Ordinarily that would be a problem, and in most cases the advantage was constant. But Zeich was a very particular case compared to an ordinary Shinigami: his Reiatsu was laced with Hollow energy. And it was that Hollow energy that served as poison for the Vandenreich woman.

Indeed, that first draw-in of Reiatsu once Zeich’s Bankai had been released was already effective, along with the attempted release of his spiritual pressure via Anima Surge. Already the woman staggered, having absorbed toxic Reiatsu into her system. It said something to her endurance that she was able to stand up with the feeling of acid flowing through her bloodstream, those tainted Reiatsu particles flowing through every inch of her form. Zeich could feel through the mass of his Zanpaktou’s ash filling the area that she was still on her feet, though doubled over, and he was impressed that she managed to remain conscious at all.

Suddenly the woman spoke, her words sharp and laced with frustration at her situation. “Fine, fine. If that's how you want to play, mutt, then I'll play ball. Prepare to be wiped from the face of this world.”

From within his ashen form, Zeich could feel the blast of spiritual energy that emerged. He couldn’t sense it in the standard sense, his Energy Sensory completely blind within the suppressive nature of his Bankai, but he could feel the raw power pushing back against the ash that surrounded the Vandenreich woman. Even with his mask on, she was pushing him back; that spoke to something far greater than just Gate. It was definitely Vollstandig, the Vandenreich’s ultimate weapon: a “holy” power granted to them by their Emperor. Vollstandig gave them increased strength, as well as unique abilities that went far beyond the normal scope of a Quincy. So, she’s a Stern Ritter... Stern Ritters were a rank equivalent to many of the stronger Captains in Soul Society, and it was to them that Vollstandig was bestowed.

The force pressing outwards lessened, and finally Zeich’s ash was able to flow back into its position, surrounding the Quincy and tracking her once more. Yet nothing seemed changed, not to her ashen outline; there were a few small differences in the clothing somehow, but the sense of silhouette was too unrefined to get a good read. The Vizard couldn’t be sure what had changed, how this release of Vollstandig had altered the battle, and going in without information would be deadly. Slowly, but carefully, he formed his head among the ashen mist, hidden from view as he lingered behind the Quincy woman. She couldn’t sense him spiritually, and he made no sound as he reformed, examining the situation more directly.

With his mask active, Zeich was able to replace his missing sight by using Tsukikage’s, and the two of them stared in amazement at what lay before them. Not the woman, whose outfit had changed into something more like armor, whose flesh was starting to tear and rot, burns tracing it in patches. Zeich would almost wonder what had happened to the Vandenreich woman in another situation, analyze her outfit for clues to her ability or the damage to her flesh and what it signified. But now, both Hollow and Vizard paused, unbelieving, as they realized what had happened.

Well I’ll be damned… Laughter, deep and sardonic, boomed out in Zeich’s mind as Tsukikage was taken with the revelation before them, the Hollow’s amusement twisted with an increasing flood of bloodlust. She’s stuck her damn head into our maw and practically begs us to bite down! Ahahaha!

While the Quincy’s armor might have been other colors, and the rotting flesh might have possessed the pale tone of a corpse’s, the truth of the matter was that it didn’t matter. All had turned to gray, from her limbs, to her torso, all the way to her head. At the moment, only one eye would be spared from the sudden shift of color, a patch of pale skin around it and that one dark iris keeping anything apart from the monochrome gray that had engulfed the woman. Everything else matched the ash around her, marking the Vandenreich’s absorption into the world of Zeich’s Bankai. Even that wouldn’t last long, once the Bankai’s final passive ability, Mugen Gure, ate away at what remained.

Zeich’s Bankai was slow and subtle in its true nature; the manipulation of ash and the conversion of the environment were extraneous effects against its real ability. Slowly it worked to consume its victims, to convert their bodies into the same ashen substance that made up its form. Only the target’s Reiatsu kept them safe from the encroaching gray, yet it was an inevitability they fought against; the more Reiatsu they used in battle, the more of their body was converted. Combined with Zeich’s Zanpaktou constantly eating away at the victim’s Reiatsu and growing stronger as it had more of the enemy to feed on, it was a slow but sinister absorption that would leave the target as nothing but more ash for the Vizard to manipulate and break down. Somehow, in using her Vollstandig, the Quincy had used all but the smallest portion of her Reiatsu, and that was not enough to keep her safe from Zeich’s Bankai. No, it was already over.

A brief moment of concentration and the flow of spiritual energy caused Zeich’s Reiatsu to thin even further, to increase in volume while diluting its potency. He felt the sheer presence of his spiritual energy grow to immense heights, and once he had finished, he was sure that he was in a position to deal with the Quincy, even with her Gate active. Concentrating briefly, he called to the gray that made up the Vandenreich woman’s limbs. The woman would find herself unable to move her arms suddenly, the fingers going limp and dropping her bow to the ground, before they were drawn upwards. The limbs would continue to rise, mentally guided by Zeich’s control of his Zanpaktou and the things within it that he held dominion over, and the Quincy would find herself dangling in the air, her feet inches off of the ground and her arms held above her diagonally. For an irony, it resembled a medieval crucifixion in her posture; how appropriate for a “holy” crusader.

Once the woman’s arms were bound, unable to draw a bow or manipulate her limbs in the slightest, Zeich reformed before her. His eyes, hidden behind the lupine mask he wore, now bore black sclera to contrast his normal golden irises. These Hollow’s eyes stared at her with a flat, intense look that screamed promises of what was to come. His posture was calm, his hands held behind his back, but the Vizard’s entire aura spoke of a predator staring down at his prey. The hunter had become the hunted, and now ensnared in a trap she herself had sprung, all the Quincy could do was watch as Zeich approached her, and wonder what he planned to do.

Stopping about five feet away, Zeich finally spoke for the first time to his opponent. His tone was flat and cool, a layer of frost atop a placid lake. “You made a mistake in coming here to Karakura, Vandenreich, and a worse one by choosing to kill indiscriminately. I cannot forgive your actions, nor your motives in drawing out your prey by such vile means. But before I lay down your sentence, you will speak.”

Zeich slowly raised one hand, and snapped his fingers. Though no actual gesture was needed, only mental effort, the motion served a purpose: it was a point of fixation, a “tell” for his prisoner. If she saw that hand move, then she would know he was going to act. A method of raw intimidation, but an effective enough one. Immediately after the snap of his fingers, the Quincy would feel her right hand suddenly bend backward in a painful way, counter to the limit of her joints. It would continue to attempt to bend further, as though someone was pushing down on its with increasing pressure, and the creak of bone could be heard. Further, and it would snap entirely, tearing muscles and flesh, but Zeich stopped it there, and held it in place.

“Who are you, and what is your objective here?”


Remaining Reiatsu: 6050/22000 (-300 for Reiatsu Strength to Spiritual Pressure conversion)

Bankai: 2/12

Vizard Mask: 2/4

SPOILER: Click to show

{Altered Stats}Spiritual Pressure – ([550 x 2] x 2) (2200) Points

Reiatsu Strength – ([50 x 0.5] x 2) (50) Points

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kage-no-Tsukinoaruji Overall (Relevant Section)}However, this does not leave others untouched as the ashen gray closes in, suffusing everything about them. Only the Reiatsu that others, even Zeich’s allies, possess keeps them from being converted, and even that is not an inexhaustible shield that wanes as the battle progresses. As those who exist within the gray world, Zeich excluded, continue to use their Reiatsu, they find that it has an effect on them. As their reserves deplete, their body begins to take on the same shade of gray that coats the rest of the world. It starts with the arms and any clothing or equipment covering them, gradually spreading until the entire limb is taken; once the opponent is down to 75% of their maximum Reiatsu, one arm is fully converted, and at 60%, another is converted. At 50%, one leg shifts to gray, and at 40% another does. Finally, at 20%, the torso loses its color, and when all Reiatsu is completely lost, the victim and all of their possessions are without color, and are fully lost to the power of Gray World. Naturally, those who have used Reiatsu prior to entering the Gray World will have portions of their body instantly converted, depending on Reiatsu usage thus far.

Once an area is fully converted into gray, it is treated like any other part of the Gray World and is fully able to be manipulated. This means that limbs can be broken down, or transformed into bladed weapons to impale their owners, and that the more Reiatsu they use, the more of their body becomes a weapon to use against them. Battles against Zeich’s Bankai must be sure and swift, or time will lead to his advantage and certain victory.

Of course, this effect is not without resistance, and those who possess enough strength can keep themselves apart from Kage-no-Tsukinoaruji’s power. Anyone who possesses a superior offensive stat to Zeich’s Spiritual Pressure can prevent Zeich from using an area of their body that has converted completely to gray by paying a small amount of Reiatsu, a mere 100 Reiatsu per post for a single area. The downside, of course, is that in doing so, they only delay the inevitable as more of their body is converted to gray. Finally, those with an offensive stat equal to double Zeich’s or higher are immune to this effect, regardless of their current Reiatsu amounts.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Mugen Gure}The final technique in Zeich’s arsenal, this technique is a passive ability that is active from the moment that Kage-no-Tsukinoaruji is Released. Like the others, this technique represents a suppression: a suppression of individuality. From the moment the Gray World is released, spreading itself over the landscape, it is already spreading and absorbing that around it. But that is only a minor effect compared to its true power, the assimilation and absorption of the victims within it.

Those within the range of Zeich’s Bankai will find that as their Reiatsu depletes, they are slowly but surely being sapped of color, their own body to be used against them as a weapon once portions of it fully convert. The solution to this is simple: to not use Reiatsu. While this is a difficult and daunting task, Mugen Gure prevents even that from being a foolproof defense; as long as even a single portion of the foe is gray, they will find that their body is slowly being taken in despite their lack of Reiatsu use. This is because this world is one of nothing but gray, and seeks to bring all within it into complete uniformity.

This technique acts on a foe directly by sapping away an amount of Reiatsu from their body each post depending on how far they’ve been converted. Each full area that has been converted—each limb and the torso—depletes 100 Reiatsu per post, the ash slowly consuming more of the victim’s spiritual energy. If a single area has yet to be fully converted, but has started to become gray, then a mere 50 Reiatsu per post is siphoned away for that area. These effects are additive; for example, if a foe has used 50% of their Reiatsu, both arms are fully converted, and one leg is mostly but not completely converted. This means that they will lose 200 Reiatsu from the two fully converted limbs, and an additional 50 from the partially converted one, for a total of 250 per post until the leg is fully consumed, at which point the amount jumps up to 300.

This effect can of course be resisted, though doing so becomes harder as more of the body becomes converted. If less than two portions have become fully converted, then a Strength of Will at a 2 or a superior offensive stat will allow the victim to completely resist the gradual consumption of their Reiatsu. If two to three portions have been fully converted, then a Strength of Will at 3 or a 25% superior offensive stat will allow the victim to completely resist the absorption. If four or more portions have been completely converted, then this technique is no longer able to be resisted, the foe’s Reiatsu too faint and feeble to block the slow assimilation. Resisting this effect also requires concentration and focus, preventing the foe from making any moves that require unmitigated attention.

[Sieglinde P. Krantz]

As though everything that had occurred was nothing more than an awful dream, Helena realized very quickly that her body had almost... returned to her. She realized that she could actively interact with the world around her, which was far, far different from the last few moments she'd been forced to endure through. Almost as though none of it had happened, she'd been back to 'normal'.

Though, what that normal had meant for her, was not something she would've otherwise preferred to endure. Quicker than she had the opportunity to reasonably react to, she'd been effectively strung-up by the Vizard's own dust-like Zanpakutō, unable to move her body not only due to his abilities, but simply due to the taxation of her own abilities that she'd been very quickly put through. There was absolutely no denying it at this point; she'd gotten cocky, and had found herself in a position she wasn't going to comfortably get out of. A fact that made itself that much more clear as Zeich had decided to take advantage of her bound state.

As he himself began to 'reform' in front of her, seemingly materializing out of nothing but ash within a few short moments, she realized very quickly the kind of thread she was up against; given the mask he'd worn, the changes to his eyes, and the fact that she'd been forced to endure an absolutely awful burning sensation from his release, it wasn't hard to conclude that he was very much a 'mixed-breed' of an individual; a breed that she'd encountered in the past. "You're... Well, seems as though the wolf is hiding a bit of a darker secret. Quite an interesting turn of events..." As she spoke, the pain, discomfort, and exhaustion in her voice was quite prevalent. She made absolutely no effort to hide the fact.

“You made a mistake in coming here to Karakura, Vandenreich, and a worse one by choosing to kill indiscriminately. I cannot forgive your actions, nor your motives in drawing out your prey by such vile means. But before I lay down your sentence, you will speak.”

She scoffed in response, before realizing the sheer force being enacted upon her arm. With a snap of his fingers, it seemed that the ash currently coating one of her arms forced it to bend in a way it very much shouldn't have, forcing into quite the overextension. Naturally with such a painful experience, the girl quickly found herself overwhelmed, making no effort to hide the fact that she was in pain with a cry of agony.

“Who are you, and what is your objective here?”

Gritting her teeth, and trying her very best to steel herself through the hellish experience she'd been forced to endure just now, she tried her very best to speak. "Ngh! Q-Quit the arm breaking, gods!" Practically throwing her head back, and trying to slow her breathing, through it, most efforts she had felt almost futile. She simply didn't have the ability to endure pain very well. "If y-you're looking for information, then let me be!" In truth, she'd known when she was beaten. She simply didn't have the opportunity to fight back at the moment, and that much was readily apparent.

But, on the opposite side? If he wanted information from her, she was willing to provide, given her life was on the line, but it wasn't going to be without kickback. She was more than willing to lay down her life for His Majesty; a mindset that was drilled into her skull from Amalia over the last two centuries. If she perished here, such a fate was not of consequence to her. That said, though, she wasn't actively looking to die. So, she was willing to make a compromise with her captor. The question was, though, would the Wolf take the opportunity to reason with her?

[Zeich Yajuu]

Crack.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

If the pressure had been painful before, now there was a sharp, stabbing cold that was somehow worse. With a casual flick of his wrist, Zeich twisted the Quincy’s hand just enough to make the bones in the wrist snap. He resumed suspending the arm, letting the broken limb hang somewhat, adding the weight of gravity to causes of pain from it. The Vizard stood impassively, his expression blank even behind the mask he wore. His golden eyes gleamed in the cold moonlight, and he stood straight and tall. Body language spoke where his masked expression did not: confidence and dominance radiated from him, suggesting to the woman that she did not have the upper hand that she thought she did.

"If y-you're looking for information, then let me be!"

A slight wave of his hand was all Zeich needed to manipulate the woman’s leg, this time beginning at the knee. It would wrench to the side, rising up to nearly a ninety degree angle without turning, the flesh and muscle creaking under the sudden strain placed upon them. Sharp pain would jolt up and down the entire limb, and undoubtedly the Quincy would start to succumb to it. Zeich eased up slightly at the sense of damage to the bone; he didn’t want to go so far just yet. Better to let the woman’s imagination paint a more gruesome picture, let her create fates worse than he chose to inflict. In fact, another hint was given; the foot itself would twist and bend, the toes curling backwards beyond their natural limit. Still nothing else broken yet, but the pain would be exquisite.

Satisfaction flickered darkly somewhere at every scream, every cry of pain, and behind the mask, Zeich smiled slightly. In a way, this was hardly justice for those whose souls had been completely eliminated, but that satisfaction was enough.

A whisper echoed in Zeich’s mind. This seems… excessive.

She deserves no mercy. This agony is a fair sentence.

How interesting...

I should just be done with this, and move on.

I need to make sure that I drive this lesson home, no matter how much pain it takes.

Such potential...

I should just kill her, nothing will change if I let her go.

I shouldn’t stoop to her level...

But he will.
But I will.

If that Hollow gaze had seemed cold before, there was now a sense of bloodlust that had not been there a moment prior. The Quincy would practically feel the sense of self-satisfaction rising in waves, a sense of anticipation and craving. Yes, this was right. After all, this foolish Vandenreich had chosen to step into this town and had used innocent people, yes, innocent people as bait. She wanted to draw something out, and had chosen to do so through cruel and unnecessary means. How many people had died? How many children? All in the name of a hunt, all to seek prey? How many souls had been utterly destroyed? How many lights were gone, never to be reborn again?

Zeich was only barely conscious of the acceleration of his breathing, his pupils constricting. Something had him in its grip, a furious rush of anger and rage, tempered further into a desire for vengeance. No amount of restitution could compensate for the loss. Nothing could repay this debt of blood. His heart beat faster; adrenaline rushed through him. Another slight motion, this time with no hesitation; a finger would snap, bent into a horrible ruin. A second, this time on the other hand. Another jolt to draw out another scream, another desperate plea. Something the Quincy’s victims had not received. They hadn’t been given a chance, not a single show of mercy.

For that, she would suffer. Zeich could not restore the lives lost, but make the woman pay dearly.

“Forget it. I don’t need any information from the likes of you. The only thing I need...” The smile was in his words, and the cruelty in it might even make the Quincy look like a saint. “Is for you to hurt.”

Both hands were raised up, palms facing outwards to each side, and the Vandenreich woman would find herself lifted up slightly. Helpless, bound by her own lack of spiritual energy, she could only watch as the Vizard’s hands slowly came apart, like he was trying to pull a door open. It wouldn’t take but a moment for her to realize what he was really trying to pull open: an incredible pressure suddenly was applied to each of the Quincy’s arms, and in completely opposing directions. Immediately she would feel the strain on her shoulders and elbows, yet some of the pressure went to keeping the latter intact; the majority was centered on the point where her arms connected to her torso.

“I will not stoop to wanton murder like you.” Zeich’s words were low, quiet, yet rang out in the silence punctuated only by the sounds of the Quincy’s suffering. “But I will make you pay your pound of flesh, and ensure you’ll never use that bow to end innocent lives.” Another inch those hands slid apart, and the pressure would increase to horrific levels. Joints cracked and began to part, flesh began to reach the limit of its strain, and muscle began to unravel and snap in low, sickening pops. Were he so inclined, Zeich could have simply erased a line of flesh at the point of separation by converting it to ash, removing the arms without nearly the effort or agony it caused his captive, but that agony was the point. It would have been simple to remove the limbs, to scatter them into ash on the wind, but what then? It wasn’t nearly enough to match the pain of those who had been lost. Blood would spurt as sections of each arm would start to rupture, flesh losing to the intense pressure and strain. Muscles would tear to pieces, and soon, the connecting bones would start to separate, drawn apart from one another. It was a long, slow process, one that would take several minutes of constant, slow pressure, but Zeich had no intention of hurrying the process along. There was plenty of time. But finally, after minutes of ongoing, terrible torture…

A powerful motion, and Zeich’s hands came fully apart, thrust to either side of him. And as he did, the final shove was made, and the Quincy’s arms would be completely torn off of her body, leaving stumps spurting with blood and coating her uniform. Almost with disgust, Zeich acted enough to seal those stumps, making solid lines of flesh where the limbs had once connected, his ash converting into a seal to keep the woman from bleeding to death. No, such a thing would be a mercy, leaving the Quincy to escape into death after what she had done. Zeich intended her to live. She would be a living message to those of her kind who would dare commit such atrocities.

Those arms would not be dissolved or scattered; they would be tossed aside, discarded as though they were garbage; with the open stumps sealed over, those limbs could not be so easily attached, and doubtless the damage to them at this point was so great that there was no point trying. In his eyes, the Quincy was finished, and could do no more. The force holding her up was released, leaving the woman to drop to the ground, hard, with nothing to stop her fall. Zeich continued to watch from behind the mask, and his gaze spoke of immense scorn for the Vandenreich soldier before him. Even at this low point, it was hard to admit that it was enough. It had to be enough. Any more, and he’d have to kill her…

In the back of his mind, he could hear Tsukikage laughing. “How… delicious.”

[Kitai Yoru]

Helena P. Krantz: 29 paragraphs, 2,900 Ryo
Zeich Yajuu: 48 paragraphs, 480 TP, 100 TP for victory, and a choice between 2,500 TP or 25,000 Ryo, as well as one BP