Post by Eshin Sōtō on Jan 16, 2023 11:01:28 GMT -5
-Opening-
Member's Discord Name (include nicknames): Joshua#7657 (Josh/Joshua)
Password 1: Kitai's Debt
Password 2: Sanctus Teamwork
Type: Prodigy v2
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-Basic Information-
Name: Eshin Sōtō
Age of Death: 88
Real Age/Age of Appearance: 154/Ghoulishly Ancient
Birthday (Month/Day): June 6th
Blood Type: O Negative
RP Sample (Optional): "Samsara...Nirvana...Deceptions told by those in control... Benji, my sweet Benji, stolen from us far too soon. You always believed in achieving enlightenment, in bringing peace to us all. If you wished to unchain us all from the shackles of reincarnation, then I shall raze Samsara to the ground." Eshin stared at what remained of his hands, the gaunt and skeletal visage of his flesh disgusting him to no end. Still, with all he had left, he clasped his hands together and made one last prayer, one last commitment, not to himself nor to the Buddha, but to his beloved Benjiro.
Eshin's mind was consumed by a single thought, a singular obsession. He had spent over 60 years in isolation, watching over the Kiyomizudera temple, the only home he had ever known and the only family he had ever loved. But as the years passed and the monks passed away, one by one, his mind began to unravel. He watched as the black-cloaked figures came and took them away, stealing them from him and from the temple.
Eshin's mind was consumed with anger and disgust as he looked upon the faces of the strangers that now occupied the temple he had called home for so long. The ungrateful wretches that dared to defile the grounds he had worked so hard to maintain, the peace he had devoted his life to keeping. And the tourists, they were the worst of all, using the sacred space as nothing more than a cheap attraction to snap a few photographs. How could they treat the holiest of places with such disrespect!? How could Kyoto have devolved into such a soulless and sacrilegious place!? Eshin's rage boiled over as he struggled to comprehend the betrayal of his home and his life's work. His devotion, his faith, his trust, his family, his home..? He had nothing left...
His single-minded rage had taken over all of his thoughts, save for a single voice breaking through the clouds of hatred. He heard the voice of his dearest Benjiro, the ideals he upheld, would he have wanted this..? "What am I doing..? Benjiro... poor Benjiro would have hated who I have become... I cannot let myself be consumed by hatred for these unfortunate souls... They know not what they do." With that, he took a deep breath, then he smiled. He smiled for the first time in 80 years, since the death of his son.
He smiled as he watched the tourists desecrate the sacred grounds with their frivolous photography. He smiled as he saw the disciples, whom he entrusted with his home and his teachings, defile the temple with their hedonistic actions. He smiled as the Abbot, whom he had personally trained to replace him, ordered the destruction of the ancient tree that stood as a symbol of the temple's history and heritage. He smiled as the world around him crumbled and fell apart, his once peaceful and serene mind consumed by madness and rage. The smile became a permanent fixture on his face, a grotesque and unsettling mask of his descent into insanity...
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-Appearance-
Height/Weight: 9 feet/ 100 pounds
Physical Description:
The Past:
{Prime of His Life}
Eshin, standing at six foot tall, was a striking figure in the prime of his life. His body was well-toned and muscular, honed by years of training in Shorinji Kempo. He was a clean-shaven monk, his head completely bald, giving him a regal and contemplative appearance. His features were sharp and defined, with a strong jawline and a straight nose. His eyes were a deep, piercing brown that seemed to look right through you. He had a scar running down the left side of his face, acquired during a sparring match with a fellow student, but it only served to add to his rugged charm.
Eshin's body was a testament to his discipline and dedication to his martial arts training. His muscles were defined and well-formed, showing the results of countless hours of training and conditioning. He was agile and quick, able to move with a fluid grace that was both beautiful and deadly. His movements were precise and controlled, honed through years of practice and repetition. He was a true master of his craft, and it was evident in every step he took.
In addition to his physical attributes, Eshin was also known for his calm and stoic demeanor. He was a man of few words, but when he did speak, it was with a measured and thoughtful tone. He was a man who had dedicated his life to the pursuit of enlightenment and self-improvement, and it showed in the way he carried himself. He was a true warrior, both in body and in spirit, and it was clear that he was a force to be reckoned with.
Eshin, standing at six foot tall, was a striking figure in the prime of his life. His body was well-toned and muscular, honed by years of training in Shorinji Kempo. He was a clean-shaven monk, his head completely bald, giving him a regal and contemplative appearance. His features were sharp and defined, with a strong jawline and a straight nose. His eyes were a deep, piercing brown that seemed to look right through you. He had a scar running down the left side of his face, acquired during a sparring match with a fellow student, but it only served to add to his rugged charm.
Eshin's body was a testament to his discipline and dedication to his martial arts training. His muscles were defined and well-formed, showing the results of countless hours of training and conditioning. He was agile and quick, able to move with a fluid grace that was both beautiful and deadly. His movements were precise and controlled, honed through years of practice and repetition. He was a true master of his craft, and it was evident in every step he took.
In addition to his physical attributes, Eshin was also known for his calm and stoic demeanor. He was a man of few words, but when he did speak, it was with a measured and thoughtful tone. He was a man who had dedicated his life to the pursuit of enlightenment and self-improvement, and it showed in the way he carried himself. He was a true warrior, both in body and in spirit, and it was clear that he was a force to be reckoned with.
{The Aged Abbot}
Eshin, now an aged man in his early sixties, stood tall and regal, even with the slight hunch in his shoulders that came with age. His once toned and muscular body had slimmed down over the years, but it was still evident that he had kept himself in good physical condition through years of discipline. As an abbot of the Kiyomizudera Temple, he was often seen adorned in traditional monk robes, the numerous beads around his neck a symbol of his status.
His head was completely bald, reflecting the years of shaving his head as a monk. But it was his face that truly reflected the passing of time. His beard, now as white as the clouds, extended down to his abdomen, framing his face in a way that gave him a gentle yet stern appearance. His eyebrows had grown longer over the years, like wisps of smoke that reached his mouth. He had always been a man of great wisdom, but now his focus had shifted from physical discipline to spiritual enlightenment.
Eshin's eyes held a depth of wisdom and understanding, the result of a lifetime of contemplation and discipline. Despite his age, he carried himself with a sense of calm and peace, a true reflection of the inner serenity he had achieved. His presence was a source of inspiration for many and his guidance sought after by many. His mind was now more focused on spiritual enlightenment, an understanding that comes with the maturity of age.
Eshin, now an aged man in his early sixties, stood tall and regal, even with the slight hunch in his shoulders that came with age. His once toned and muscular body had slimmed down over the years, but it was still evident that he had kept himself in good physical condition through years of discipline. As an abbot of the Kiyomizudera Temple, he was often seen adorned in traditional monk robes, the numerous beads around his neck a symbol of his status.
His head was completely bald, reflecting the years of shaving his head as a monk. But it was his face that truly reflected the passing of time. His beard, now as white as the clouds, extended down to his abdomen, framing his face in a way that gave him a gentle yet stern appearance. His eyebrows had grown longer over the years, like wisps of smoke that reached his mouth. He had always been a man of great wisdom, but now his focus had shifted from physical discipline to spiritual enlightenment.
Eshin's eyes held a depth of wisdom and understanding, the result of a lifetime of contemplation and discipline. Despite his age, he carried himself with a sense of calm and peace, a true reflection of the inner serenity he had achieved. His presence was a source of inspiration for many and his guidance sought after by many. His mind was now more focused on spiritual enlightenment, an understanding that comes with the maturity of age.
{The Hollowed One}
Eshin, once a peaceful and devout Buddhist monk, has now become a terrifying and unsettling monster. His physical appearance is ghoulish, with most of his body being nearly decomposed and his weight consisting almost entirely of bones. His long, tattered white hair hangs out of a mostly bald scalp, and a long beard hangs loosely from a decomposing jaw. His body is twisted and elongated, giving him a ghastly and unnatural look. His fingers have elongated into sharp claws and his teeth have grown into sharp fangs. His body is covered in a thick layer of white ash, adding to the eerie and unsettling appearance.
The most striking feature of Eshin is his hollow mask, a twisted and warped version of a golden Buddha mask. The mask's golden surface is cracked and discolored, and the eyes appear to be hollowed out and staring. But what is most terrifying is the unnatural, twisted smile across its face. The peaceful expression that once graced the mask now evokes a haunting and uncomfortable unease in anyone who looks upon it. The twisted smile seems to mock the very idea of peace and enlightenment.
Eshin's once peaceful and kind nature is now consumed by his obsession and lunacy, driven to the point of becoming a hollow and losing his humanity. He now only seeks to bring about peace and enlightenment by eradicating all life and putting an end to the cycle of reincarnation. His physical appearance reflects his twisted and corrupted mind, striking fear and horror in anyone who encounters him. The mask serves as a haunting reminder of the man he once was and the monster he has become.
The Future:Eshin, once a peaceful and devout Buddhist monk, has now become a terrifying and unsettling monster. His physical appearance is ghoulish, with most of his body being nearly decomposed and his weight consisting almost entirely of bones. His long, tattered white hair hangs out of a mostly bald scalp, and a long beard hangs loosely from a decomposing jaw. His body is twisted and elongated, giving him a ghastly and unnatural look. His fingers have elongated into sharp claws and his teeth have grown into sharp fangs. His body is covered in a thick layer of white ash, adding to the eerie and unsettling appearance.
The most striking feature of Eshin is his hollow mask, a twisted and warped version of a golden Buddha mask. The mask's golden surface is cracked and discolored, and the eyes appear to be hollowed out and staring. But what is most terrifying is the unnatural, twisted smile across its face. The peaceful expression that once graced the mask now evokes a haunting and uncomfortable unease in anyone who looks upon it. The twisted smile seems to mock the very idea of peace and enlightenment.
Eshin's once peaceful and kind nature is now consumed by his obsession and lunacy, driven to the point of becoming a hollow and losing his humanity. He now only seeks to bring about peace and enlightenment by eradicating all life and putting an end to the cycle of reincarnation. His physical appearance reflects his twisted and corrupted mind, striking fear and horror in anyone who encounters him. The mask serves as a haunting reminder of the man he once was and the monster he has become.
{The Gillian}
Eshin, now a Menos Grande, had undergone a dramatic transformation from his initial hollow form. His body had grown to an imposing 18 feet tall, and his once slim frame had become bulkier, with his muscles bulging out in asymmetrical angles. The once peaceful and devout monk now resembled a terrifying monster, his physical appearance twisted and corrupted, reflecting his descent into madness.
The mask that once graced his face, a twisted and warped version of a golden Buddha mask, had now become even more unsettling. The mask was now an eerie white, cracked and discolored, with a single black eye staring out from the center of his forehead. The eyes that once were black pits, now appear stark white with deep tan eye sockets that looked eerily close to human skin, adding to the overall unsettling appearance.
Eshin's ashy pale skin had grown even lighter in complexion, stretching so thin that it was almost transparent revealing a writhing mess of deep black veins, giving him an entirely unnatural look. His sharp claws had widened into thick phalanges similar to bludgeons, with the strands of white hair becoming a mane of hardened keratin that lined his spine. His physical appearance no longer resembled anything close to a human, instead becoming a twisted amalgamation of evil in this world.
Eshin, now a Menos Grande, had undergone a dramatic transformation from his initial hollow form. His body had grown to an imposing 18 feet tall, and his once slim frame had become bulkier, with his muscles bulging out in asymmetrical angles. The once peaceful and devout monk now resembled a terrifying monster, his physical appearance twisted and corrupted, reflecting his descent into madness.
The mask that once graced his face, a twisted and warped version of a golden Buddha mask, had now become even more unsettling. The mask was now an eerie white, cracked and discolored, with a single black eye staring out from the center of his forehead. The eyes that once were black pits, now appear stark white with deep tan eye sockets that looked eerily close to human skin, adding to the overall unsettling appearance.
Eshin's ashy pale skin had grown even lighter in complexion, stretching so thin that it was almost transparent revealing a writhing mess of deep black veins, giving him an entirely unnatural look. His sharp claws had widened into thick phalanges similar to bludgeons, with the strands of white hair becoming a mane of hardened keratin that lined his spine. His physical appearance no longer resembled anything close to a human, instead becoming a twisted amalgamation of evil in this world.
{The Adjucha}
Eshin's physical form had undergone yet another transformation as he reached the next stage of his Hollowfication, becoming an Adjucha. The process of evolving into this form was a grisly one, as he consumed more and more hollows, adding to his legion of souls within him. His body swelled with the power of these souls, becoming more focused and vicious as he merged his monstrous features into a more compact form.
At 8 feet tall, Eshin's musculature had shrunk and turned into lean, powerful muscle, giving him a quick and agile form. Along with this, two new arms sprouted from his sides, reflecting the traditional appearance of an Asura. His mane of white keratin had hardened even further, darkening and forming a protective layer around his head and torso. The mask on his face had shattered any illusions of serenity, becoming one more akin to that of an Asura, reflecting the terrifying face of a monstrous warrior and being that could be seen as the embodiment of War or Death.
Eshin's form now exuded a sense of power and ferocity, a being that was not to be trifled with. The once gaunt and skeletal visage of his flesh had been replaced with a body that was built for battle, with muscles that seemed to ripple with the power of the souls he had consumed. His eyes seemed to gleam with a fierce determination, and his new arms seemed to be ready to strike at a moment's notice. He was now a force to be reckoned with, a monster that had transcended his previous form.
Eshin's physical form had undergone yet another transformation as he reached the next stage of his Hollowfication, becoming an Adjucha. The process of evolving into this form was a grisly one, as he consumed more and more hollows, adding to his legion of souls within him. His body swelled with the power of these souls, becoming more focused and vicious as he merged his monstrous features into a more compact form.
At 8 feet tall, Eshin's musculature had shrunk and turned into lean, powerful muscle, giving him a quick and agile form. Along with this, two new arms sprouted from his sides, reflecting the traditional appearance of an Asura. His mane of white keratin had hardened even further, darkening and forming a protective layer around his head and torso. The mask on his face had shattered any illusions of serenity, becoming one more akin to that of an Asura, reflecting the terrifying face of a monstrous warrior and being that could be seen as the embodiment of War or Death.
Eshin's form now exuded a sense of power and ferocity, a being that was not to be trifled with. The once gaunt and skeletal visage of his flesh had been replaced with a body that was built for battle, with muscles that seemed to ripple with the power of the souls he had consumed. His eyes seemed to gleam with a fierce determination, and his new arms seemed to be ready to strike at a moment's notice. He was now a force to be reckoned with, a monster that had transcended his previous form.
{The Vasto Lorde}
Eshin, once a humble monk standing at 6 feet, had now returned to that same height but as the ultimate manifestation of his Hollowfication, a Vasto Lorde. The black armor that covered his body was a twisted and sleeker version of the traditional attire of a Buddhist monk, now bearing resemblance to the garbs of a demonic warlord. The transformation was complete, his once peaceful and devout form replaced by a sleek and vicious one, with horns growing out of his blood-red mask, a permanent pipe attached to it, and a wild mane of hair symbolizing vanity.
Eshin's body was now that of a sleek and deadly weapon, honed to perfection through years of consuming souls and taking their power for his own. His black armor, resembling a twisted and sleeker version of the traditional attire of a Buddhist monk, protected his entire body and seemed to accentuate his every movement. The dual pistols, one for each hand, were now an extension of his being, a physical manifestation of his immense spiritual power. Each shot fired from these weapons was fueled by the souls he had consumed, the culmination of their power and efforts now at his disposal. He had become the master of demonic firearms, a true weapon of war, able to unleash devastating destruction with but a thought and a pull of the trigger.
This final stage of Hollowfication marked the end of Eshin's journey, one that had consumed him entirely. He had become the embodiment of sin, a being that could only be described as a demon, the antithesis of everything he had once stood for as a monk. A being that now only exists to consume and destroy, to bring about the end of the cycle of reincarnation through any means necessary.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Eshin, once a humble monk standing at 6 feet, had now returned to that same height but as the ultimate manifestation of his Hollowfication, a Vasto Lorde. The black armor that covered his body was a twisted and sleeker version of the traditional attire of a Buddhist monk, now bearing resemblance to the garbs of a demonic warlord. The transformation was complete, his once peaceful and devout form replaced by a sleek and vicious one, with horns growing out of his blood-red mask, a permanent pipe attached to it, and a wild mane of hair symbolizing vanity.
Eshin's body was now that of a sleek and deadly weapon, honed to perfection through years of consuming souls and taking their power for his own. His black armor, resembling a twisted and sleeker version of the traditional attire of a Buddhist monk, protected his entire body and seemed to accentuate his every movement. The dual pistols, one for each hand, were now an extension of his being, a physical manifestation of his immense spiritual power. Each shot fired from these weapons was fueled by the souls he had consumed, the culmination of their power and efforts now at his disposal. He had become the master of demonic firearms, a true weapon of war, able to unleash devastating destruction with but a thought and a pull of the trigger.
This final stage of Hollowfication marked the end of Eshin's journey, one that had consumed him entirely. He had become the embodiment of sin, a being that could only be described as a demon, the antithesis of everything he had once stood for as a monk. A being that now only exists to consume and destroy, to bring about the end of the cycle of reincarnation through any means necessary.
-Personality-
Dislikes:
- Tourists - Tourists can never understand the traditions and customs of the places they visit, nor do they have any respect for the people that live there. These entitled shits are expected to be treated like royalty for shitting all over them. Eshin abhors tourists.
- Deception - Since his death, Eshin felt like all of his ideals and beliefs were all lies told to entrap the innocent in a cycle of endless suffering. This resentment towards this lifelong deception has caused him to lash out against any lie, no matter how big or small.
- Shinigami - Wretched agents of Samsara. Eshin despised everything they stood for and protected, aiming to keep a bullshit system in place and preventing the ultimate goal of Buddhism, which was to escape Samsara and achieve Nirvana.
- Immorality - Despite how he felt about his Buddhist beliefs and the rigid and formerly disciplined life he led, Eshin's code of morality was still heavily dependent on the tenets he learned as a Buddhist. As such, he hates anyone that falters from the path to Enlightenment, most especially himself.
- Desecration - There are some things that are sacred in the world, mostly temples and homes. On hallowed ground, Eshin refuses to trespass out of respect, it was not right to spill blood on sacred ground after all. That being said, those that desecrate this are worse than scum.
- Samsara - The eternal trap maintained to give false hope to the people. An endless search for an answer that did not exist, regardless of how good or bad one was. Eshin despised Samsara and its agents more than anything.
- Buddhists - Fools, every one of them. Eshin once believed in Buddhism to be the answer to all the world's problems, but all of them were sheep putting wool over their eyes, and only in death shall they be freed.
Likes:
- Benjiro - What can one not like about Benjiro. Eshin's last vestige of purity and sanity depended on this untouchable memory of his son. He was the gold standard and ideal to achieve as someone who follow the path of the Buddhist.
- Proper Maintenance - As someone who put discipline as a premium in his life, proper care for one's belongings always brought a smile to Eshin's face. Even the most durable of metals will rust if not taken care of properly, but proper care can turn a piece of coal into a diamond.
- Enlightenment - This is the ultimate goal of Buddhists. Despite his hatred towards Samsara and everything he stood for, Eshin still longed for the freedom that came with achieving Nirvana. Now, as a hollow, it serves as his driving force in freeing the worlds from Samsara forever, by ending the Shinigami.
- Hunger - Eshin was no stranger to hunger, a ravenous feeling that only discipline could satiate. As a hollow, he no longer wishes to sate it, instead seeking to feed it. Hunger was no longer a temptation to ignore, but a signal to consume and derive pleasure from his meals. To gorge oneself on exactly what he had once denied was exhilarating.
- Hollows - Eshin only liked hollows as allies and minions in his fight against the Shinigami. They also served as stepping stones to his pursuit of power, and they made for one tasty snack.
- Material Wealth - The path of Buddhism had caused Eshin to ignore the materialistic side of himself, but even at his best he was obsessed with everything around him being well-maintained and cared for. Now that he removed those boundaries and limitations on himself, Eshin was obsessed with amassing wealth and power.
Flaws:
- Twisted Logic - Eshin's mind had been corrupted due to a sudden loss of faith after years of isolation directly following an accidental death that had struck his only child, Benjiro. Eshin's ego struggled to maintain control, but through the process of rationalization, he managed to keep his identity intact. He turned his grief into anger and his anger into hate, and that hate had driven him to destroy Samsara. Since then, Eshin will always twist and misinterpret everything to fall in line with his own pre-conceived notions.
- Easily Obsessive - Eshin is prone to falling for fits of obsessiveness. If anything were to appear that caught Eshin's eye or reminded him of Benjiro in any way whatsoever, he obsesses over it and attempts to take it for himself, even at the cost of his safety and goals.
- Coldhearted - Eshin has a complete lack of empathy or consideration for anyone else's feelings or even their lives. Driven by his single-minded goal, Eshin has completely stopped seeing humans as people, and more as batteries to fuel him and sate the endless craving in his stomach.
- Destructive - Eshin's lack of care has made him unnecessarily destroy what he does not care for. Even if it would cause him to waste more energy, if he sees anything as a nuisance, he wanted to destroy it.
- Narcissistic - Eshin only cared for one person aside from Benjiro, himself. In all honesty, he cared more for himself than he cares for Benjiro, as Benjiro never would have wanted what Eshin wants. Benjiro was an excuse he lied to himself about.
- Unforgiving - Should one earn Eshin's anger or annoyance, there was no more mercy left in the former monk's heart. He was ruthless and unforgiving, and that often led to difficulties maintaining and gaining any friends.
Habits:
- Hunting for souls - Eshin's hollow form has caused him to take pleasure in things that he had disallowed himself in life. One of these players was the primal joy of the hunt, as a monk was supposed to use offense as a last resort. Now, he takes sadistic pleasure in the thrill of the hunt, making the souls he preys upon feel helpless before being devoured. He enjoys tormenting his meals before finally putting an end to their suffering.
- Meditating on power - Eshin's habit of meditation and introspection remained intact despite his hollowfication. However, instead of the usual search for enlightenment, peace, and prosperity for all, he meditated for the purpose of attaining greater power. His prayers had shifted, instead of asking some non-existent Buddha, he prayed to the only one he truly could trust. Himself.
- Pondering on sin - In the rare cases that someone had decided to not only socialize with Eshin, but to condemn him for his wrongdoings and immorality, Eshin begins to ponder on the definition of sin in its entirety. Without fail, Eshin's mind will wander to the point of philosophical incoherency to justify his actions as anything but sin, or to even call the concept of sin as subjective or irrelevant as a whole.
- Stealing - To put it simply, Eshin is greedy. He has no care for the owners of the items he wishes to have and instead takes what he wants,
by any means necessary. He usually steals anything with an inherent power, or things that portray gaudy and luxurious wealth or prestige. - Cleaning possessions - He is still obsessive by nature, and part of this obsession lies within the maintenance of things precious to him. This much more materialistic Eshin had decided that every single one of his possessions was precious to him and he made sure that not even a speck of dust would land upon his hoard of treasure.
- Maintaining weapons - In addition to just cleaning and maintaining his possessions, Eshin held weaponry near and dear to his heart. Every time he held a weapon, he would do everything he could to make sure it was working at its best. In terms of blades, Eshin would sharpen it until it was as sharp, if not sharper, than the day he got it. For guns, he would ensure he had multiple full magazines on hand and he would oil the individual pieces to ensure that there would be no jams or malfunctions.
- Training - Eshin had a habit to never be wasting his time and to always dedicating his efforts into improving himself and training. As such, even as a Hollow, Eshin would practice his combat ability in every off hour, even while he was deep in thought.
- Contemplating on past - Whenever someone brought up his past life in any way, Eshin would see flashes of his past. It was a way to easily cause him to lose concentration as he thought about the humble Abbot who cared for his disciples much more than himself, especially Benjiro, who was a son to him.
- Spiteful musing - Eshin indulged in spiteful musing when he is alone, spending his time brooding over past injustices and resentments, letting his hatred and anger fuel and reaffirm his desire for revenge and destruction. He often looked for ways to twist situations to his advantage, and would often stop at nothing to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing everything and everyone else to do it.
- Plotting destruction - In the few times that Eshin allows his body and mind to rest as opposed to training or meditating, Eshin began to dream, plan, and plot. He plotted about grandiose and nigh impossible methods to achieve his goal of eradicating the Samsara through the mass extinction of humanity or the destruction of the Soul Society as a whole.
Fears:
- Losing his power - In this new world after death, Eshin realized that power meant everything. To reach his goal of destroying the Cycle of Souls, he needed pure destructive power. That was why his worst fear would be to lose the power he had strived so hard to attain. He had condemned everything he had once stood for in the name of his goals, and to lose his power would be tantamount to forfeiting his very being.
- Being defeated by a stronger opponent - Eshin fears being defeated by a stronger opponent as it would mean that all the sacrifices he made, all the things he gave up, and all the power he gained would have been for nothing, rendering his efforts towards his ultimate goal futile. As opposed to losing his power, this fear implies that at his best, he was struck down and exposed for his true weakness.
- Being consumed by another Hollow - Eshin believed that his path and his goal required a unique perspective, his own. That is why he never saw other hollows as friends or confidantes, but more as minions, meals, or nuisances. He never let himself grow attached to other hollows, for fear that one day, all his work would come to an end at the betrayal of another hollow, consumed and abused as a tool for their growth and power.
- Reverting back to his human form - Eshin feared reverting to his human form as it would mean facing the guilt and regret of all the atrocities he committed as a Hollow, and the realization that he had wasted his new life consumed by his own desires and sins. He would have to confront the guilt of the souls he consumed, the lives he destroyed and the people he hurt in the process of his hollowfication. The thought of being held accountable for his actions as a Hollow filled him with dread.
- Losing his individuality and becoming a mindless, ravenous monster - As much as Eshin was afraid to regain his rationality and feel the consequences of his horrific actions, Eshin was even more terrified of completely letting go of his rationality and giving in to his more basic instincts. The goal he had set for himself required him to walk a fine balance between lucidity and lunacy. All his power would be rendered useless should he become a mindless beast.
- Being sealed away or trapped - Eshin is afraid of restraints of any kind for multiple reason. The first was it reminded him of the limits he had enforced upon himself as a Buddhist, the very limits he had fought so hard to free himself from. The second, and much more terrifying notion for him, was the indefinite time he would spend reflecting on himself and his actions. His restless, unending search for power, to search for more, was all that he had left to keep himself from falling off of the edge and losing his identity to the monk or the monster, and he didn't know which was worse.
- Fading into irrelevancy. - Eshin had always been a prodigy, in both the martial and spiritual sense. He was quick to learn and master whatever he put his mind to, so his efforts had always been recognized and praised. This instilled him with an internal fear of falling into obscurity, of being irrelevant and useless to others. This fear only intensified with his hollowfication, however, instead of searching for their praise, he longed for their terror. He was terrified of being seen as nothing, despite the power he amassed and the lofty goals he had.
Goals:
- Achieving Ultimate Power - Eshin desired to become the strongest being in existence, to be feared by all. Only then would he be able to attain true freedom. Freedom from worry, freedom from fear, and freedom from obstacles. Nothing would stand in his way once he had attained ultimate power, not even himself.
- Eliminating Souls: Eshin sought to eradicate all souls, to end the cycle of reincarnation and bring about the end of this world of suffering once and for all. Only through that will everyone truly be able to achieve Nirvana in its most literal sense, with the soul breaking from Samsara and ascending to true understanding. By freeing everyone's shackles, then Benjiro's innocent dream of everyone achieving enlightenment could come true, and Eshin could finally put his spirit to rest.
- Eradicating Shinigami: Eshin wanted to eliminate all of the Shinigami, the protectors of souls, as they stood in the way of his ultimate goals. These agents of Samsara were nuisances that destroyed his kind for merely existing, causing them to be bound to the cycle of reincarnation forevermore. They deceived everyone into thinking they were doing what was just, but they were mongrels who succumbed to their master's whims, knowingly subservient to the prison that was the cycle of souls.
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Overall Personality: Eshin was a prodigy in his youth, known for his exceptional spiritual strength and his ability to master various forms of meditation and martial arts. As a monk, he was known for his wisdom and his ability to guide others on the path to enlightenment. He was respected and admired by many for his dedication to his spiritual practice and his ability to maintain a balance between his physical and spiritual self.
However, Eshin's life took a drastic turn when his beloved apprentice and surrogate son, Benjiro, was suddenly taken away from him. The loss of his young apprentice hit him hard, causing him to fall into a deep depression. He couldn't understand how the universe could take away someone he loved so much and was left with a feeling of emptiness that he couldn't shake.
As he descended into madness, Eshin's personality shifted drastically. He became increasingly obsessed with achieving his goal of freeing everyone from the cycle of reincarnation and suffering. He saw Hollowfication as a means to an end, and his newfound strength as a Hollow allowed him to pursue this goal with greater determination. In his twisted mind, destroying the cycle of Samsara through sheer force was the only way to achieve Nirvana for all.
Eshin's viciousness was rooted in this twisted interpretation of Benjiro's ideal, achieving enlightenment for all souls. He believed that the only way for everyone to be freed from the cycle of suffering was through destruction and force. He was willing to do whatever it took to achieve this goal, even if it meant causing harm to others. His greed for power and wealth also played a role in this, as he believed that with enough strength and control, he could bring about the end of Samsara and bring about true peace for everyone. He would take everything that he thought could help him achieve his goal, endlessly amassing both strength and riches. He was ruthless and single-minded in this pursuit.
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-Powers-
Fighting Style: Eshin's fighting style as a hollow was all about quick and precise strikes, something that he honed from his life. He was always looking for weaknesses in his opponent's defenses and exploiting them in order to gain the upper hand. He was not above using dirty tactics or mind games to further weaken his opponent and create opportunities for him to strike. He was ruthless and never held back, preferring to cause as much pain as possible before delivering the final blow. He was a master at creating and finding openings in his victims and exploiting them to devastating results.
His use of dirty tactics and mind games was an integral part of his fighting style. He was not above feigning weakness or portraying himself as a nonthreat to cause his victims to lower their guard. He knew that the most powerful weapon in battle was the mind, and he was skilled in using it to his advantage. He always tried to be one step ahead of his opponents, always looking for an opportunity to strike when they are at their most vulnerable.
In battle, Eshin fought with vicious, ruthless, and even sadistic tendencies. He enjoyed prolonging battles, relishing in the fear he struck in his opponents. He would inflict as much pain as possible before showing no mercy, snuffing out the lives of his victims without a second thought. He was a formidable opponent who left a trail of death and destruction in his wake. He no longer fought with any specific fighting style, as his body no longer conformed to the feeble limitations that a human body did. He was a monster, and his attacks reflected that.
As his evolution through hollowfication progressed, his fighting style also evolved. Through each stage, he focused less and less on his martial prowess and more on sheer dominance through power. As an early hollow, he fought with sharp, elongated claws to rip, tear, and rend. As a Gillian, he focused on his blunt phalanges to crush and bludgeon. As an Adjucha, he focused on his four limbs and fought like an Asura, using a multitude of weapons to blast, slash, strike, crush, and any other combination of weapon and fist. Finally, as a Vasto Lorde, Eshin focused on the true weapon of a modern Asura, the guns. The ultimate weapon of destruction were at his grasp, causing him to attack from a distance and blast holes into his victims from afar.
Overall Theme: The Descent of Man into Monster. The theme of this hollow is the perversion of the ideals of Buddhism and one who achieves enlightenment. It is not the opposite of these ideals, as the end goal is the same, but someone who twists the meaning of these ideals to become a monster.
Techniques:
Technique Name: Máscara de Inocencia (Mask of Innocence)
Technique Class: 6
Technique Type: Specialized Hollow Technique
Usable By: Eshin
Technique Element: None
Technique Cost: 50 per post active
Description: Through focus, Eshin manages to suppress and hide his spiritual pressure completely to create a facade of innocence. This facade focuses on his mask, making it appear as if a completely unassuming and innocent mask. By channeling his reiatsu into this innocent mask, he's able to make it look more alluring to his victims despite its unsettling appearance. The purpose of this was to draw his victims in without raising their guard, as the mask seemed to be an inanimate object. While looking at the mask while this technique is active, Eshin's body was concealed as if it was made of shadow. However, this technique is not foolproof, as those with an Energy Sensing of 250 or above, or those with a 2 or more in a skill such as Anti-Stealth, or skills of a similar ability, will be able to see through the mask and identify the hollow.
How to Use: Eshin has to remain completely still while this technique is active. His chosen victim must be in line of sight and the mask must be within their line of sight.
Drawbacks: Eshin has to remain perfectly still to keep up the facade.
Incantation: None
Made By: Joshua
Reserved?: Yes, Eshin
Other Techniques:
- Technique Name: Ulcera (Ulcer)
Class: 7
Technique Type: Stepping
Usable By: Hollows (Not Arrancar)
Technique Description and Effects: This technique is a basic stale for a Hollow's ability to slide in and out of the valley of screams at will when it is hunting or stalking prey. By gliding in and out of the space used by techniques like garganta or descorrer, a hollow can get around quickly. This technique operates similarly to a stepping technique, but only moves at 5x the user's speed. However, the user weaves through rips in the fabric of whatever world they are in, and as such the hollows exits, and then re-enters at the destination, Hollows do not lose awareness of the world as they move through an Ulcera, and can return to the material world mid-step in response to a threat or opportunity. This technique does not take up a Technique slot.
How to use technique (How is it activated?): See Above
Technique Drawbacks (Limitations, repercussions for use, etc) Costs 75 reiatsu per step.
Made By: Ajora
Reserved?: No - Technique Name: Bala (Bullet)
Class: 6 Cannot be learned until class 6
Technique Type: Hollow Technique
Technique Element: None
Technique Description and Effects:
A straightforward and simple technique that hardens the user's Reiatsu and releases it like a swift blast of spiritual energy. While the technique is not nearly as powerful as a Cero, its speed is twice as fast and allows for it to be fired in quick repetition. The orb of reiatsu fired varies in size and strength, some Arrancar creating one the size of a basketball with the rough power of a massive punch, and others creating Bala with enough power to blast holes in adversaries. Some Espada can create Bala as large and powerful as an average Arrancar's Cero.
How to use technique:
The user must first aim and then fire the technique, as is custom of any projectile type.
Technique Drawbacks
50 Reiatsu cost. Due to its compressed nature, Bala suffers a 25% reduction to Reiatsu Strength. - Technique Name: Finger Bullet
Class: 6
Technique Type: Bala
Usable By (Technique is available to which races?): Hollow/Arrancar
Technique Element: Reiatsu
Technique Description and Effects (Explain appearance, powers, and effect):
Finger bullet is a unique, but weak type of bala that takes the naturally fast and numerous nature of the technique to its next step in exchange for making it even weaker. The user will focus a flicker of reiatsu around one of their fingers or toes and create a very small bala the size of a normal .45 caliber bullet. Due to how small it is, this takes almost no time at all to form, even for an average practitioner. This bala can then be released like any other, shooting forward. What makes this special is that it is not only extremely cheap, but can be used excessively. Each blast only cost 10 reiatsu and and can be used in rapid succession. Their small size also makes it harder to notice individual shots in the chaos of a fight. While weak, they can be used to distract, manipulate the flow of the battlefield, interrupt someone, and actually torture someone with a barrage of painful stings if used in rapid succession. At learned, a person will only be able to fire these from a single finger. At proficient. it extends to every digit of their hands, even able to fire from all of them at once. At mastered, they'll even be able to simultaneously fire from the toes of the feet and the tip of a tail if the user has one.
How to use technique (How is it activated?): Gathering energy around a finger and releasing it.
Technique Drawbacks (Limitations, repercussions for use, etc)
Firstly, these bullets are extremely weak individually. Their power comes from the instantaneous use and strategic application in number. Because of this each individual bullet will only use 25% of the user's reiatsu strength to determine their power. This makes almost any kind of defensive ability able to completely negate these tiny little attacks. Also, the damage they inflict individually is fairly minor. To get any serious damage per shot would require some very high reiatsu strength. Using them in high number can also rack up the reiatsu cost fairly quickly, since each individual bullet has a cost.
Made By: Zane
Reserved? (Yes/No) (Can others use your technique, or just your character?): No - Technique Name: Luna Paso Cero (Moon Step Zero)
Class:6
Technique Type: Hollow Technique
Technique Element: None
Technique Description and Effects:
A Cero expelled from the user's feet to propel them through the air. By controlling the power of the blast, the technique can vary. A powerful blast can cause the user to rocket upwards, but damages the ground they were standing on. By doing this repeatedly, the user can zigzag through the air. A weaker blast will merely cause the user to "hop", but if done repeatedly, the user can literally bounce on thin air, allowing them to cross gaps by bunny-hopping across them. And if the user is sent flying, they can merely hop down to the ground safely in the same way one would walk down stairs.
How to use technique:
Stated above.
Technique Drawbacks
Reiatsu cost. - Technique Name: Cero Estallar (Puncture Zero)
Class: 6
Technique Type: Hollow Technique
Technique Element: None
Technique Description and Effects:
This extremely weak variation of Cero fires a Cero in a concentrated blast in the shape of a needle. It only uses a fourth of the energy that a Cero does, and charges and fires at the same speed. However, its penetration power is 50% that of the user's reiatsu strength. It can however be easily intercepted and deflected.
How to use technique:
Generate and throw the Cero needle.
Technique Drawbacks
Reiatsu cost. - Technique Name: Cero Lluvia (Rain Zero)
Class: 6
Technique Type: Hollow Technique
Technique Element: None
Technique Description and Effects:
This creates a much weaker version of Cero, or more accurately creates several much weaker variations of Cero, all at once. Up to nine can be created at once, all with significantly less explosive power than even a Bala. However, the purpose of the technique is to be used indoors. It can be fired into the ceiling, where it will bounce off once and explode upon hitting something else later. This is particularly deadly in low level combat. Inexperienced, new Shinigami are often challenged by Hollows using this Cero.
How to use technique:
Fire like a regular Cero, but at the ceiling.
Technique Drawbacks
Reiatsu cost.
Birthplace: Asakusa, Tokyo
Current Residence: None, wandering the Human World
Memorable Figures:
- Benjiro Hiroto - Benjiro was the baby that was left in Kiyomizudera Temple, Kyoto that Eshin took upon himself to name and raise. Eshin viewed Benjiro as the son he never had, and his love for the young boy was boundless. Upon Benjiro's death, Eshin's life was empty and meaningless, eventually leading to his hollowfication upon his death.
- Jiryu Tanaka - Eshin viewed Jiryu Tanaka as a weak and flimsy individual, lacking the discipline and respect for tradition that he held so dear. He felt a deep sense of failure as Jiryu's spiritual guide, blaming himself for not instilling proper values and a sense of tradition in his former pupil. Eshin felt like he had failed Jiryu Tanaka, his first and only disciple. Despite his best efforts to instill discipline and tradition in him, Jiryu became a weak-willed abbot who was too lenient with his disciples, undoubtedly leading to the downfall of his dear Kiyomizudera temple.
- Kazuo Nakamura - Eshin viewed Kazuo as a prodigy, taking him under his wing as a disciple, teaching him the Shorinji Kempo and spiritual teachings of Buddhism. He was proud of Kazuo's progress and saw him as a worthy successor for the monastic life. However, after Benjiro's death, Kazuo left the temple, unable to bear the heavy weight of Eshin's grief and disappointment, leaving Eshin to feel like he had failed as a teacher once again.
History: Eshin was born into a merchant family in the bustling city of Asakura, Tokyo. His prodigious skillset was first discovered by his family at a young age, and they knew that he was destined for greatness. They sought out the best teachers and mentors to help him hone his talents, and soon Eshin was excelling in every subject he set his mind to. His parents soon realized that he had a natural inclination towards the spiritual and philosophical aspects of life. Eager to nurture his talents, they sent him to study under the local monk at the Sensoji Temple.
The Sensoji Temple was one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan. The temple was a place of great historical and spiritual significance, and Eshin felt a sense of pride in learning from the source of Japanese Buddhism. He spent many years studying under the guidance of the temple's master monks, immersing himself in the teachings and practices of this ancient tradition. He trained under these monks for many years, mastering various disciplines of Buddhism and becoming a prodigy among the other disciples. He also found a new family among the temple's inhabitants, and he was grateful for the life he had been given. He felt as if he had found the perfect guide on his spiritual journey, and he knew that this was where he belonged.
Eshin's rise through the monastic ranks was nothing short of extraordinary. He had a natural talent for both the physical and spiritual aspects of Buddhism, and within just eight years of becoming a monk, he achieved the rank of Shihō. His master declared him a gift from Buddha himself, and he quickly moved up the ranks, in just under three years time, to become Zuise, a senior Unsui, or training monk, responsible for managing and running the temple for a single night, to expose themselves to the responsibility each Osho or teacher would have to be accustomed to. Without issue, Eshin once again completed his task flawlessly, to the pride of his own Abbot and fellow monks. He had brought great prosperity to the Sensoji Temple in only two short decades.
Eshin's talents did not go unnoticed, and he was soon offered a chance to transfer to the Kiyomizudera Temple, renowned as one of the most prestigious temples in Japan. The temple had been in decline for decades, lacking proper leadership and guidance from its Osho, or teachers, and, despite his age, the Daikyōjō had chosen him specifically for this task. Eshin saw this as an opportunity to put his skills to the test and bring the temple back to greatness. He believed that his training at the Sensoji Temple, which he considered to be the source of Zen Buddhism, had prepared him for this role, as if it was his destiny and the underlying purpose behind his immense talents. At the young age of 27, Eshin was eager to take on the challenge and make a difference, becoming one of the youngest to reach the rank of Osho.
Upon his arrival at the Kiyomizudera temple, Eshin was immediately shocked. His initial shock came from the sheer majesty and wonder at the innate and natural beauty of the temple, hidden in the lush forests of Mount Otowa in Kyoto, but the shock that came after originated from the disappointment of the mistreatment of such a blessing. He laid his eyes upon the Kiyomizudera Temple, which was beautiful and rich with history and spirituality, but the atmosphere was entirely too lax. The Unsui were falling asleep as they meditated, the shrubbery were overgrown and untended, the floors spotted and marred with dust and grime, and the great tree in the courtyard had been beginning to rot and die. Eshin was immediately upset with the state of things and how the Osho and the Abbots at this temple had allowed things to reach such a state. Still, he felt lucky and blessed to have the opportunity to change things before the damage was irreversible. The Kiyomizudera temple was a sight to behold, even in its declining state.
Eshin began his duty as an Osho by serving as the assistant to the Abbot of this temple, overseeing and correcting the misconduct of the Unsui as the abbot imparted his wisdom. Eshin was quickly affecting change, more through fear than respect at first, his rigid nature and his inclination towards order causing him to clash with the much more easygoing and lenient nature of the Unsui at this temple. After a few months of this, the Abbot brought him aside for personal guidance. Eshin was...lacking, for the first time in his life. This shook him to his very core, as he saw himself as the only true and traditional practitioner of the Buddhist lifestyle at the Kiyomizudera Temple, but he hadn't been able to master the education of the Unsui!? The outrage he felt was immediate, but it quelled just as quickly as the Abbot recognized his efforts, but spurred him to act with temperance and patience above all.
They were teachers, meant to guide more than dictate the true path to take. He took the Abbot's advice to heart, and began to focus on mentoring and developing the Unsui under his care, imparting unto them the importance of discipline, tradition and spiritual development. With a focus on the mutual respect and understanding of the shortcomings of the Unsui, Eshin began to affect slow but steady change in the behavior of the Unsui. After another four years, becoming a Dai-oshō and a resident teacher, he started to see the positive effects of his guidance, and he felt a sense of pride and contentment in being able to shape these young monks into becoming better versions of themselves.
For three years, Eshin served as an assistant to the head monk at the Kiyomizudera Temple, learning from his mentor and overseeing the behavior of the Unsui. These years were a time of growth for Eshin, as he learned to balance his rigid nature with empathy and compassion for the young monks in his care. He began to see them as family, rather than simply as tools for his own grand purpose. As a result, the fear that the Unsui had once held for him transformed into respect and admiration. His maturity and wisdom were recognized by his peers, and he was promoted to the rank of Shike, becoming an instructor in his own right.
Eshin's first assignment as a Shike was Jiryu Tanaka, a young trainee who seemed to be his opposite in every way. Jiryu was not particularly skilled or talented in any area of Buddhist training, and he had a laid-back attitude that often made him resistant to change. He would take naps during training and claim the accomplishments of others as his own. Eshin was disappointed with Jiryu, but he saw this as a unique challenge. He was determined to mold and guide Jiryu, to help him find his true path and become a better monk.
Eshin's mentorship of Jiryu was a challenging and frustrating journey. Despite his best efforts to impart his experience and wisdom, Jiryu struggled to grasp the concepts and principles of Zen Buddhism. For five long years, Eshin poured himself into Jiryu's training, watching him improve, but never quite reaching the level of skill and understanding that Eshin had hoped for. Still, the abbot of the Kiyomizudera Temple decided that Jiryu was ready to move up the ranks, despite Eshin's dismay. Eshin couldn't shake off the feeling of disappointment and failure as he watched Jiryu being promoted to the rank of Shihō, knowing that he had not reached his full potential yet. Still, there was nothing to do when the abbot had made his decision.
Eshin's focus on his spiritual development intensified as he grew older, and this was reflected in the next eight years of his life as he rose through the ranks to become a senior instructor, or Daikyōshi, at the age of 43. He had spent nearly half of his life at the Kiyomizudera Temple, and despite his age beginning to take its toll on his physical abilities, he was determined to continue honing his spiritual skills. He spent his days in deep meditation, studying scripture, and teaching the Unsui under his guidance, passing on his wisdom and experience to the next generation. This period of his life may have been relatively mundane in terms of external events, but internally Eshin was constantly striving for self-improvement and enlightenment.
During the next three years, Eshin's impact on the Kiyozimudera temple was significant. He had been able to bring discipline and tradition back to the temple, and the Unsui were now more focused and dedicated to their training. Eshin had also been able to revive the great tree in the courtyard, which had been on the brink of death, and the temple was now thriving with beauty and serenity. He had also been able to bring in a steady stream of new disciples, which allowed the temple to grow and flourish in a way that it had not in decades. Eshin's reputation as an Osho had also spread outside of the temple, and many came from all over Japan to train under him. At 46 years old, Eshin had accomplished what he had set out to do, and the Kiyozimudera temple was once again a beacon of Buddhism in Japan.
Eshin was in the middle of his daily meditations when he heard the commotion outside of his chambers. Curious, he stepped out to find a group of temple visitors huddled around a small bundle, tears streaming down their faces. As he approached, he caught a glimpse of a tiny, fragile face peeking out from the blanket, and something in his chest stirred. It was an overwhelming feeling, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day; a sense of calm and serenity washed over him. He wondered who this child was, but the parents refused to name him. They had not wanted him and had coem to the temple in the hopes that someone could give him the care that they could not. He knew in that moment that he needed to take this child as his own, to raise and guide him as his own disciple. He couldn't explain it, but something about the boy just spoke to him. He knelt beside the parents, looking up at them with a sense of determination in his eyes. He gave them reassurance and comfort and told them that he would take the boy under his tutelage, providing for him and caring for him with the resources available to him. The boy was named Benjiro Hiroto, after the feeling that he received upon looking upon him for the first time, the big, peace-loving boy.
Eshin's time spent with Benjiro was nothing short of a spiritual journey for both of them. From the moment he laid his eyes on the young boy, Eshin knew that he was something special. As he watched Benjiro grow, he couldn't help but be in awe of his natural inclination towards Buddhism. His understanding and application of its principles came effortlessly, something that Eshin had never seen before. He took it as a personal challenge to not only guide and mentor Benjiro, but to also learn and grow alongside him. Their bond was unique, something that transcended that of a typical master-disciple relationship. Eshin felt like he had found a spiritual partner in Benjiro, and he was determined to help him reach his full potential. It was as if he had not been talking with a child, despite his youthful appearance. Discussion with him was as if he was talking with a wizened Abbot in his own right, and the fondness he had for Benjiro only grew. Benjiro was starting to become a son for Eshin, now at 50 years old.
Eshin's life as a Daikyōshi had reached its peak when Kazuo Nakamura arrived at the Kiyomizudera temple. Kazuo was a young man of great potential, sent from the Sensoji temple by his former Abbot to be groomed as Eshin's successor. The young man was a prodigy in his own right, gifted in the martial aspects and discipline that came with Buddhism. Eshin had already taken Benjiro as his own, and he saw Kazuo as the perfect complement to his first prodigy. The rivalry and bond between his two disciples was immediate, each of them spurring the other on to reach greater and greater heights. Eshin had never been more proud and more challenged as a teacher.
As the years passed, Kazuo's mastery of Shorinji Kempo deepened and he gained a profound understanding of the spirituality of Buddhism, becoming a more balanced monk. Meanwhile, Benjiro's wisdom and understanding of the philosophy and spirituality of Buddhism had reached boundless heights, but his martial prowess was lacking despite his unnatural size and build. Eshin was torn between his two prodigies, both of them worthy successors with the potential to far surpass him with enough time. As Eshin approached 60 years old, and took on the mantle of Abbot after the passing of his own mentor, he knew it was time to declare Kazuo as his successor and guide Benjiro on his own unique path.
Eshin's world crumbled when Benjiro died. His prodigy, his spiritual son, his everything was gone in an instant. He couldn't accept it, couldn't fathom how the universe could be so cruel as to take away the one person he truly loved and cared for. He took out his anger and despair on those around him, lashing out at the other monks, including his own assistant, Jiryu Tanaka. But it was Kazuo, his other prodigy and successor, who bore the brunt of his wrath. Eshin struck him, screamed at him, and betrayed his trust. Kazuo couldn't take it anymore, and he left the monastic life behind, leaving Eshin alone with his guilt and regrets. Eshin knew he was to blame for Kazuo's departure, and that knowledge only added to his already unbearable sorrow.
Eshin's grief and loss was so profound that he felt the only way to deal with it was through isolation training. He felt that he needed at least 5 years to overcome the loss of both of his disciples, Benjiro and Kazuo. He assigned Jiryu as the abbot, despite Jiryu's weaknesses and shortcomings. In his jeopardized mental state, Eshin had been unable to properly prepare Jiryu for the responsibilities of caring for the Kiyomizudera temple. He felt that he had failed his disciples, his temple and himself. He had failed to guide them to the path of enlightenment and now he had to bear the weight of their loss alone. He secluded himself from the world, in a deep contemplation of fate, the gods, and the choices he had made in his life. The 5 year prediction became a 28 year long prison within himself, his mind consumed by guilt and regret. He died alone in his cell, at the age of 88, never finding the peace he had sought.
Eshin's tormented soul, still trapped in the prison of his own mind, stared at his own decaying corpse in horror and despair. As time passed, he lost track of how long he had been in isolation, his grief and self-torment consuming him completely. He had lost faith in everything he had once held dear and become consumed by fear, both of himself and the isolation of his mind. Finally, after 66 long years, his soul broke free from the cell he had trapped himself in, only to find the Kiyomizudera temple in ruins. Strangers walked the halls, litter and debris scattered everywhere, and the Unsui he had once trained had grown wild and unruly. The great tree he had saved and nurtured had been cut down for development, a final straw that broke the camel's back. He realized that his legacy was one of failure and it was too late for any redemption. Eshin died at the age of 88, but it was only at the age of 154 did his spirit truly die. This was when he became a hollow.
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