A number 2 of Los Nachos, please! [Arcadus PvP DP]

[Deleted]

Thread Title: A number 2 of Los Nachos, please!
Participants: @io, Arcadus
World: Hueco Mundo
Death Setting: Permanent Injuries Enabled
Rating: R
Location: The desert just outside of Las Noches.
Special Conditions: None.
Circumstances: Caballero has reached the outskirts of Las Noches by pursuing some low level Arrancar affiliated to Sonken Kohai's group. They are intercepted by Arcadus, who is training in the dunes at the time.

[Deleted]

Caballero leisurely avoided the Stray's slow, sluggish strikes. It was clear this was a newly born Hollow, although one with a pretty mean streak and quite the aggressive behavior. Well, best nip it in the bud before it could give problems to anyone else, or kill any Pluses or humans back in the real world. Caballero was getting kind of sick that Hollows were invading their town so frequently, but most of their frustration came because of their fight against Celes back in the Wilderness. They hadn't been able to do anything to save their friend from the grasp of that pesky Hollow's possession. Konso hadn't worked, and they hadn't been strong enough to exorcize Honegumi. As such, the tiny bean discharged their rage and frustration against that poor Stray, using Filo to turn the limbs it was using to strike at them into mincemeat. The creature would succumb to its injuries soon after, and Caballero ripped off one chunk of its flesh with Tendón to consume it, not without a degree of disgust. They were tired of having to eat their kin to push down on that hunger. Not because they didn't deserve it, but because they were sick of their own Hollow existence. If only they were born differently, they told themselves, they would be able to better help their friends! They would be able to know more about the world!

Not too long after that death, two alarmed individuals approached. Their looks screamed human, but the mask fragments and Hollow holes told a very different story. These beings... Caballero had faced them once. Right before they had reached the next stage of the Menos evolutionary ladder, Adjuchas, Caballero had been roped into a sort of death cage-match, during which he formed a team with three other Hollows. They had ended up in that situation in the first place because a different kind of Hollow, one that had undergone a strange process of evolution, and had gone back to human form, somehow. What were they called? The tiny bean had no idea, but they were clearly referring to an Arrancar. Mighty beings that had blurred the line between Shinigami and Hollow, and transcended beyond those limits to achieve unfathomable powers.

At least that was what it said on the tin, because these two Arrancar were currently trying to get away from Caballero as fast as they could. The tiny bean was in hot pursuit, after having killed the latest batch of Hollows that had dared tried to get closer to the Kumon they had opened on purpose to draw them in. However, Caballero's entry point to Hueco Mundo had been rather... compromised this time. See, for one thing, they had arrived not too far away from a massive construction that, up until this point, they only thought to be part of Hueco Mundo's sky; something that was just there in the horizon because it was never close by. The heat of battle had done nothing but stir up the alarms on the nearby authorities, who had dispatched some of the lesser Arrancar to investigate. Just some run of the mill people that would be a bit away from Fracción or a Privaron, definitely enough to handle whatever was stirring up in the sands nearby, right?

Wrong.

Caballero had taken care of the Hollows first, consuming a few of them with ease, and then moved on to deal with the newcomers who, quite rudely, attacked without even introducing themselves first. Of course, they had retaliated in kind, using Filo and their natural speed to weave in through their attacks. These Arrancar didn't take too long to find out they were an ill-match for the tiny bean, and them not having Hierro meant that they were easily overpowered by a little Adjuchas with a particularly mean streak towards the denizens of Hueco Mundo, and not just because they were Hollows and cannibalized their own kin. The hatred towards its own species was ingrained in Caballero's very design, and went beyond their own desire to protect the innocent and assist the Shinigami in their duties.

Caballero used Filo to surgically handicap the Arrancar enemies by cutting their legs first so that they would not be able to properly fight. Movement was key in battle, an immobile target was a dead target, specially in Hueco Mundo. He would do that to the first, and then went about crippling the second one as well so as to keep them from running. These individuals were far too shocked by pain to be able to mount a counter offense, and even then, the sheer weight behind Caballero's strength intimidated them. They didn't understand how a mere Adjuchas had been able to defeat them so easily, but then again, Caballero was not an ordinary, run of the mill Menos. They had proved as much throughout their time alive, regardless of the situation. Those two, whose masks had broken far too early, could not compensate that just by virtue of a quick and easy power boost from transitioning to Arrancar.

Of course, others might. These two Arrancar had accomplished one thing. They had led Caballero straight to a particularly flat area, where someone else would be practicing in the sands. Someone far, far more powerful than they were right now. Perhaps, this time, Caballero was biting more than they could chew. But they were not aware of that for now. For the time being, they stepped in quickly to difficult them aiming their Ceros, and used Filo to deliver a swift end to the two of them; first one, then another. With their class 8 Tendón, they ripped off a chunk of their strange flesh as well, and the boost was considerably more nourishing than a normal Hollow would've been.

Now, then. What was this castle right in front of him? And would someone else be out there?

OOC:
Caballero has consumed x2 Tier 1 Arrancar (class 7) and x1 Tier 1 Strays (350 TP total)

Reiatsu: 4000 -150 [Class 5 Filo] = 3850

Stat	SP	Type
Strength	75	45
Speed	400	400
Reiatsu Strength	400	700
Spiritual Pressure	400	400
Senses	100	100
Instinct	125	125
Energy Sensory	0	0
Healing Expertise	0	0
Light Aura	100
Dark Aura	0

• Saber Filo: 2
• Strength of Will: 2
• Learning: 1
• Lack of fear: 1
• Battle Focus: 1

Saber Filo [Edge Lore]: Being created from their very being, Caballero has an affinity toward Filo that they just can't achieve for any other weapons, and they have incorporated aspects of the Shinigami they've so far trained with into their technique. This skill dictates Caballero's level of weapon mastery when wielding Filo, how refined their style is. 1 point means they can use Filo adequately, as if trained for a year. 2 means 5 years of experience. 3 means their mastery is unheard of, with the equivalent of decades under their belt. 4 means they go far beyond, and can reliably implement almost impossible maneuvers into their combat style with great success. Being incredibly specialized in this particular weapon, Saber Filo would give them a superior level of mastery than someone with a general Weapons: Sword skill would have, even if both are at 4 SkP. In the event Caballero becomes an Arrancar, Saber Filo applies to their sealed Zanpakuto as well.

[Arcadus]

Arcadus swung his leg in a full turn kick, sending clouds of sand and dust rolling up a hill as he turned towards the sound of battle near him. It wasn't uncommon to hear Hollows fighting out in the sands, it was thier way of doing things. Their feedings and brawls was their sustenance and the way they decided things. It wasn't so different to how Arrancar did things, but he enjoyed the at least feigned attempts at civility. It helped them pretend they were people.  

Hollows were interesting as a species, and Arrancar being an extension of that even more so. He wasn't sure why exactly he trained. It was some kind of need or desire to stay present, to stay relevant, but he fought so rarely, was it worth doing? In the sand, a mail blanketed form appeared to him, and he knew one of his spirits, his others, his components was speaking to him. Oren was speaking to him, and on combat matters he was inclined to listen to the old human. 

"You train because you have to stay sharp, but also to remain comfortable in that space, the ways and movements need to be natural to you. You need to connect the strike of your foot to your spine to your mind. I'm not sure is you even have one, but the principle is what counts." The armored hallucination folded its arms as he watched Arcadus to the kick again, and the Arrancar, despite knowing the figment wasn't really there, could still feel someone watching him. 

"The three of you are going to have to make rooms for yourself on my floor if you're going to be around this much. No one can see you, you know that right?" "You can see me, since you're talking to me. Just throw the damn kicks and after this you have to do your blade drills." Arcadus rolled his eyes as he threw the kick again, this time, shockwaves shifting the dune back a few inches. As the dust settled, Arcadus sensed a presence, something actually there, heading over the dune behind him. 

Turning around, swishing his blonde mane, he scanned the dune for the presence, spying a small dark figure in the sand, and the remains of the two arrancar present next to it. Curious how such a small thing could devour human sized beings, but none the less. Arcadus waved at the thing shouting "Hello! Who are you there?" Dressed in his espada uniform it might have been an odd sight to see a friendly greeting from someone who positioned themselves as the number two in Hueco Mundo, but Arcadus had no reason to despise this creature moving towards him, so why attack? 

"What's your name little one?"

[Deleted]

Caballero did not take too long to eat. Usually, they just ripped off a very small chunk of their enemy and consumed that, letting the rest fade away into Reishi. It was the first bite that mattered the most, in the end, and for these Arrancar it would not be any different. At first, the tiny bean did not notice the blond man that was training in the dunes. Instead, their attention was more focused on the absolutely GIGANTIC castle that was like... right there, in the middle of the desert. The tiny bean tilted their head to the side, in confusion. Who might live here? Why was it here in the first place? Did Hollows have big buildings like humans? If so, could a Menos Grande fit in a one-bedroom, one-bathroom? The concepts of rent and real estate in a place that was a literal plain covered in sand was a bit asinine already, but to Caballero, who was pretty damn dumb when it came to knowledge outside of fighting, it was even worse.

Regardless, they didn't have too much time to ponder on the reason why someone would make such a large building in a world that was mostly empty anyway. Someone out in the dunes called out for them. A blond, incredibly tall man, over twice Caballero's own very respectable height of 3'1'' (and they would not hear a word on the contrary). His voice was silky smooth, and there was something supernatural about the way it drew you in, like some sort of charisma. However, there was a fundamental difference between the quality of their auras. One may even say they were polar opposites, in that sense. Maybe that was why Caballero was not immediately turned potty into his hands, ready for the Segunda Espada to do as he pleased, regardless of how innocent they were.

Ah, there it was, that question again. Who were they? Well, they were them, of course. Unless he was specifically requesting their name, which was a question that confused the tiny Adjuchas and made him fold their stubby little arms, trying to make sense of it. Why did everyone keep asking Caballero for a name? Weren't names things that anyone could give anyone? Anyone were free to call them what they wanted, provided they were friends! Of course, if they were not friends, then that meant that they wouldn't need to worry about names in the first place, right? Dilemmas, dilemmas, everywhere they went. Becoming smarter really was being very troublesome for the tiny Adjuchas!

But they couldn't let themselves be distracted. After all, they had yet to address this man! With their non-existent ability to sense energy, Caballero couldn't tell right away that this man was an Arrancar, since his Hollow hole and mask fragments were all concealed by both his features and his clothing. As such, they decided that a proper introduction was in order! Without giving it a second thought, they pulled out a notebook out of the void-like black Reiatsu that formed their body--don't ask how that worked--, as well as the marvelous, incredible, wonderful clicking pen that Yui had given them. This incredible apex of craftsmanship would not dry up, provided Caballero clicked the inky end back in after they were finished writing. Truly, a technological wonder.

With that and the paper, they quickly scribbled up a small sign for the man to read, at a comfortable speed of 200. They then held it over their heads; it should be readable even at a small distance. While his words seemed friendly enough, Caballero was in hostile territory. Hueco Mundo had never been kind to them--or anyone else for that matter. So best ensure that this stranger's intentions were actually good, and he was not actually trying to eat them. And how would they do that? Why, with their subtle communication skills and impeccable penmanship, of course.

[Arcadus]

Arcadus listened to his voice ring out, rolling over the sand dunes like a soft breeze. He could see the... bug? the creature looking up at the walls of Los Noches. It produced some kind of canvas, or was it a pad of paper? Even with his senses it was a little difficult to make out in the sand and heat. As they finished their scrawlings, Arcadus squinted to read the sign and chuckled to himself. Clearly  he was dealing with the height of diplomats among hollows, so rare as it was for one to actually react to his call with more than aggression or in the more intelligent cases, fear. 

Arcadus, amused and wanting to make himself clear, drew a large smiley face in the sand, using the heel of his foot to make it large enough to be read at distance. Hopefully they wouldn't take this the wrong way, but he really just wanted to get them in range for him to grab them and crush them. Such a small creature likely wasn't too strong, and while he wasn't about to underestimate a hollow intelligent enough to distinguish friend or foe, he also didn't want to deal with one fairly either. He was above that. 

"I'm a friend, and I'm one of the people who live there." Arcadus raised his voice a bit so that he could heard. A hollow who was fascinated with Los Noches was very ordinary, but one who had never seen it was quite rare. As for what and why, Arcadus didn't really care. If they were going to fight him, he had to be ready. His scabbard canon would shift to its multiple scabbard mode. Something like this might not bleed but it certainly wouldn't like something cutting though it, though he'd have to pick his weapon based on if it attacked and how. 

He could hear Oren in his mind again. "Make it count if you're going to fight, and you've got the right idea to leave your options open. If its made of meat and lacks armor, burn it to a crisp, if its a swarm or something, blast it, and if its hard, hit it harder." Arcadus closed his eyes and focused on his spiritual sight, outlining the creature in his mind. It was unlikely this was going to end well, if his exprience with small, seemingly harmless creatures was any example. 

[Deleted]

Caballero waited patiently for Arcadus to answer their one and only inquiry. They were not as rude as to attack someone on sight, unless that someone was a Hollow, and even then they had never been one to sucker punch--well, sucker cut--anyone, not even their worst enemies. They just kept staring at Arcadus with the void-like holes in his helmet-like mask, which looked like a set of eyes although Caballero's physiology didn't organically have them. Since they had no voice to speak whatsoever, the tiny bean waited as Arcadus painted a smiley face on the sand as well. Being incredibly versed in human culture by now--or so they thought--, Caballero immediately recognized this as a sign of good will. In case it wasn't clear enough, Arcadus would actually go on to confirm it.

And to make things even better, he lived in that huge castle! Well, in that case Caballero was in luck. They would be able to know why someone would want a castle this big, and why it was like... right there, smack in the middle of absolutely nowhere. Well, not that 99% of the places in Hueco Mundo weren't in the middle of nowhere already. Hell, one could even argue Hueco Mundo itself was the nowhere. But ruminations about the scope of their world and the vast emptiness of the Hollow's home could wait for later, once they had appropriately paid due attention to their newest 'friend'.

For starters, Caballero jumped up and down excitedly at the confirmation. It was always good to meet new people, and they were an extremely social Hollow. Even if right now their entire interaction hinged on them not knowing Arcadus was actually an Arrancar--that was, a Hollow that had recovered a human form--, as long as they were unaware of this fact, then there would be little that could stop Caballero from trying to turn this new person into another friend. Although that begged the question, how could one live in Hueco Mundo? The tiny knight could tell this person was strong, very strong, but that wasn't it all when it came to living, was it? Well, if he lived in a castle that big, then perhaps there were other people living with him.

But where were their manners? Caballero would quickly scribble something else for Arcadus to read, making sure to click the pen tip back in so that it would not dry out. They did not want another repeat of the broken marker incident, which had left them effectively unable to properly communicate for a while. And after trying out the written word, how could they go back to just plainly miming things again? No, no, that would definitely not do.

If Arcadus was out there in the sands, was he training? Was he looking for Hollows that might be trying to enter that big castle behind him? So many questions, so little paper to write them all. The tiny bean did see the shift in Arcadus's scabbard cannon, which they only saw as slightly strange sheathe for the time being. Truth be told, Caballero did not really understand technology or equipment beyond the basics yet. Maybe Arcadus wanted to fight them? It could be that he really was training, after all; and they knew just how much more efficient training was when you had a sparring partner.

Thus, the tiny bean scratched the underside of their helmet-like mask, and pointed at Arcadus's scabbard. Then, they pointed at the toy-like Purification Blade that they carried on their back, a blade designed solely to perform Konso and not hurt anyone in the slightest. That would most likely be enough to convey the message, but if need be, they would sacrifice some more of the paper that Yui had gifted them in Regina. Maybe they should visit soon, get another stack... and visit all their friends there!

[Arcadus]

Watching the creature react, they seemed to understand him and while they made no attempts to approach. Clearly they were either cautious or they were very comfortable communicating this way. If that was the case, they likely couldn't speak at all or found it very difficult. In either case, they seemed excited to have found someone who lived in the castle, judging by thier excited jump at his answer. Sensing thier aura he could tell they were a hollow, though an odd one. 

Thier emotions read as positive towards him so he still held the element of suprise, and seeing them draw something again, and reading it, they seemed like they had deputized themself as a "protector" of Karakura and protected it from "bad" hollows. Smirking, Arcadus reveled in that kind of naivete. Hollows were animals for the most part, possessing a voice and personality and an idea of self, but so driven by hunger that they effectively were slaves to it. 

The seemed to be studying him with curiousity, looking at their notepad with the same pause as someone unsure of which question to ask first. Now was the time to strike, and as they raised a toy sword, he could sense it was still a purification blade. Interestingly designed to be blunted and unable to be used traditionally, Arcadus guessed that it served a ritual purpose in performing the Konso, the wretched "purification" of the Shinigami. He posessed one as well, meant to intimidate and threaten hollows with. 

Placing his hand on his artificial zanpakuto, he gripped the black gold handle as his squared his feet. Now was the time to strike. Stepping with Sonido, Arcadus cleared the gap in an instant, and a sword swing to match, utilizing sonido garra bringing the golden blade down on the little creature. Not waitinf for a follow up, Arcadus fired a cero from his eyes, blasting the ground in an attempt to catch any attempt to dodge in the blast radius. (moving at 4,251 and swinging a 1200 IP class one sword at the same speed. Cero at 1100 RS)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Combat Stats}Strength 400/1000
Speed 327/327
Reiatsu Str 400/1100
Spiritual Pres 500/250
Instinct 150/100
Senses 100/100
Energy Sensory 223/502

Charisma (5) 4
Analysis (2)
Cero (3)
God Form Art(Curved Swords), (2)
Strength of Will (2)
Crafting (3)

Rieatsu, 2000/2500
150 for sonido, 150 for sonido garra, 200 for cero

[Deleted]

So far, everyone they had met that hadn't been of their own kin--and even some that were--had treated them nicely, perhaps with the exception of Benjiro who, to be fair, was just doing his job in attempting to slay a Menos Grande. Hell, even some Hollows with Colina were able to be reasoned with, since they had hunted down a horde of their brethren in the Forest of Menos, although in Caballero's case, they were just putting their new powers to the test and making sure to thin out their numbers so that not so many dangerous monsters would attack their home. However, Caballero was about to learn a rather painful lesson about how they could not just assume everyone would be a friend as long as they did not have any visible tells that they were a Hollow, or Hollow in their origin.

The moment they began showing their blade to Arcadus, who unbeknownst to Caballero was the Segunda Espada, the Arrancar had already shifted into a battle stance, ready to tear Caballero apart. It was only through a combination of their battle instinct and their overwhelmingly positive aura that they felt the ill-intent behind Arcadus's actions. That immediately flared every single alarm in their system, having realized far too late that they were not dealing with a friend here, despite Arcadus's innate charisma. Alas, the innocent little Hollow still had much, much to learn about the twisted ways of the world.

This left them with just enough time to use their own step technique, as at a base, they were still faster than the Espada. As an instinctual, panicked reaction, Caballero used Úlcera to phase through Arcadus, taking advantage of the special property of their step technique. The Purification Blade would be resting on their back again, since it could not be used for proper fighting. Instead, Caballero would bring forth their own combat weapon, Filo, by summoning it from their own body. A jet-black sword made out of the Reiatsu that formed their body, with the phrase "Destruir Huecos" engraved along the flat of the blade.

However, this would not be all. Caballero would then use the same technique they had discovered during their last battle, when they attempted to save Celes Shindazu from the Hollow that had taken a hold of her, blissfully unaware that it was her Inner Hollow and as such part of her very soul. Instead of firing a Cero like those uncivilized, monstrous Hollows, the tiny bean would use their own personal spin on it. The red glow of a Cero coated the blade, flickering as if it had been set ablaze, and the trademark sound of the charging blast became a jarring dissonance, due to how it was being forcefully contained in the blade. Filo's structure began to suffer, but they could not care less. With the difference in power being how it was, the only thing Caballero could do was use one of the aces on their non-existent sleeve.

With the blade in hand, Caballero lunged forward, the tip of the blade beyond their body... and then, Arcadus's Cero, fired straight from the eyes in a manner Caballero had never seen before, came to meet them. The Espada's Cero would be incredibly strong, as expected of an Arrancar of his caliber. Surprisingly, though, it was not powerful enough to beat Caballero's own application of the technique. Coated with Cero del Caballero, Filo became a monster of a weapon: the blade pierced through the Cero, forcing it to spread outwards and allowing Caballero to continue their trajectory, hoping to meet Arcadus's head in the same way they usually tried to destroy Hollows by attacking their masks.

The little knight's mind had caught onto the threat that this Arrancar posed not just to themselves, but potentially to their home and their friends. Any and all cordiality they had displayed before was completely subdued not by the feeling of hunger, but by the duty to destroy the monster before them. It was intrinsic to their programming, after all. Unfortunately, they did not have any techniques akin to Sonido Garra to bring the blade down faster, so they would have to rely on their own natural speed to do so.

OOC:
Reiatsu: 4000 -200[Class 4 Filo] -200[Cero del Caballero] -75[Úlcera] = 3525
Filo + Cero del Caballero: 1400 RS.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Filo}Technique Name: Filo [Edge]

Technique Class: 7-1, maximum class is equal to Caballero's, but they can use it at lower classes at will. Paid up to class 4.

Technique Type: Hollow [Custom]

Technique Cost: 50 +50 per class above 7

Description: This technique is affected by Focalizar. A realization of Caballero's intention to become a Shinigami. Caballero uses part of the Reiatsu that forms their body to create a long, sword-like spiritual weapon (85% of their height, so about 2.5ft as a Hollow, massive as a Gillian, 5.1ft as Vasto Lorde...). Since Caballero's 'body' is nothing but their condensed black Reiatsu given form, Filo uses Reiatsu Strength as its offensive stat when cutting something or clashing against other techniques.Caballero's ability using Filo can be upgraded and refined via their Saber Filo skill. Filo can be split into two separate swords and recombined at will, but nothing else besides those two forms. It can't stretch, it can't change shapes, it can't curve, nothing.

Enhanced effect after Focalizar: the created Filo gains the 50% OS Clash property as if they were a "Focus" technique.

Drawbacks: Filo cannot be reassimilated to refresh Caballero's Reiatsu. Cannot be used without at least one skill point in Saber Filo.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Cero del Caballero} Cero del Caballero [Knight's Cero]

Technique Class: 4-1. Paid up to class 4

Technique Type: Custom Hollow Technique, Cero.

Cost: 200 +100 per class above 4

Description: This technique is affected by Focalizar. Caballero's "civilized" application of Cero, instead of charging a destructive energy blast and firing it to nuke a small area, they coat the sword with it thanks to Filo being created out of Caballero's body. This layers the Cero's Reiatsu Strength on top of the weapon's and gives it a very distinguishable, flickering red glow, as if it had been set ablaze. Filo also hums with the signature Cero charge sound as well. Cero del Caballero can still be shot forward, in which case it does not create a huge explosion or area damage; instead, it is blade-thin and pierces through the foe in a stab-like manner. This makes it less destructive, but allows for more accurate attacks to vital points without causing wanton destruction.

Focalizar effect: Gains the extra 50% OS of a Focus technique. Its glow also turns from red into a mixture of swirling black and white.

Drawbacks: Can only be layered on top of a pre-existing Filo. Requires at least 2 SkP in Saber Filo to use correctly. Limited attack surface when fired. Due to the excess energy coursing through Filo and spiritually-based attacks affecting Caballero's physiology, the weapon dissolves 3 posts after cast, or immediately if Cero del Caballero is fired. Highly telegraphed due to the swords glow and the sound they give off.

Reserved?: Yes

[Arcadus]

As his cero roared in its blast, Arcadus could sense a wedge had appeared in it. He had already sensed that the little thing had somehow passed through him to evade his strike. and now behind him, he could hear a distinct buzzing sound behind him. Whirling on his heel, sand crunched under his shoe as he turned to face his smaller adversary, who had lunged at him, blade inches from his face. No time to deflect, but he did have another option. 

Like a gust of wind, Arcadus drew in a great breath, a technique he had learned Hollows could use in an extreme refinement of Gonzui. The sword's layer of cero would be stripped from it, as Arcadus bit down on the rieatsu blade, fangs biting into the black substance as he growled in satisfaction at having stopped the attack with such short notice.  Arcadus's jaw rippled as his teeth dug into whatever the blade was made of, flexing his jaw shut to prevent the little creature's escape without at least letting go of thier weapon, not that they would have one in a second.


The blade it self seemed to crack, and it was if threads of it were being undone, like a silk sheet being unwoven. The cero had tasted of some kind of fruit, a well sunned string of grapes perhaps, but this rieatsu was different, bitter, grainy. The blade too would dissipate as Arcadus drank that it as well, staring with his sapphire eyes into the blank empty voids of this peculiar specimen. Thier mask was unusually round and smooth for a hollow mask. Maybe their nature reflected in it. 

Their body was odd, similar to a rieatsu construct or a quincy arrow, it seemed entirely made up of rieatsu. As the sword weakened and the creature would have nothing left to grip,  with a gauntleted hand Arcadus attempted bisect the creature at the waist, given it had nothing to hold onto and was currently falling through the air. What attempt at diverting or avoiding the strike Arcadus wouldn't know, but he had a resolution for it regardless. 

As the golden edge of his sword came around, a shockwave erupted from his swing, a sort of ephemeral shadow swing following it, exploding outwards as his sword whistled for the flesh of this little hollow who had the gall to counter his attacks, much less attempt to attack him with the methods of shinigami. Such a pathetic mockery and aspiration had to be crushed underfoot like the bug they resembled, and Arcadus knew well that crushed dreams made for good clay. 

Perhaps he'd break down those aspirations of heroism and mold them into something useful to their kin. Maybe that Mod Soul, Shio, would enjoy a creature like this, all energy and no physicals to bond too, or maybe he just breaks them down into a fraccion of his. He could use one since Akando went their own way, and it would be interesting to study this creature. That is, assuming they survived this encounter, who knows what tricks this thing had in store for him. 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Consume}Technique Name: Consume

Class: 3

Technique Type: Hollow Technique

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects: The Hollow draws in reiatsu into their mouth in a method similar to Gonzui, drawing reiatsu-based techniques like Kido or Cero into the orifice and consuming it. When consumed like this, 25% of the Reiatsu used to create the absorbed attack will be added to the Consumer's own Reiatsu amount.

How to use technique: Open mouth, inhale, and consume.

Drawback: If an attack is launched at 50% higher than the RS possessed by the user of the technique, this technique will have no effect outside of drawing the attack in towards their face. In addition, the person learning this technique must have mastered both Gonzui AND any class of Redirection.

Made by: Myzaraphiston Synderfell.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Combat stats}Strength 400/1000

Speed 327/327

Reiatsu Str 400/1100

Spiritual Pres 500/250

Instinct 150/100

Senses 100/100

Energy Sensory 223/502


Charisma (5) 4

Analysis (2)

Cero (3)

God Form Art(Curved Swords), (2)

Strength of Will (2)

Crafting (3)


Artificial Zanpakuto 1200 IP 2400/2400 durability

Rieatsu, 1700/2500

Absorbed Filo and Knight's Cero +100 rieatsu -400 for Consume

[Deleted]

Had Caballero had a set of actual eyes, they would've opened wide at the sight they had just witnessed. In a matter of a second, not only had Arcadus outright consumed the Cero that coated Filo, but had actually also chomped down on the tiny knight's blade without any sort of hesitation. The worst part was, Filo should have completely messed up any Hollow's face should they attempt to chomp through it, but this did not happen. Instead, they were given a split second to react before the blade began to dissipate as well. What in the world was this man capable of?!

The little knight used that moment of time and their superior speed to let go of the blade, and insteaed of staying there in the air, used an emergency maneuver while Arcadus consumed the blade. They fired 5 Bala in quick succession at point blank range with twofold purpose. The first was, of course, to pelt down the Arrancar while he was still busy consuming Filo. The second was to use the blast reaction to propel themselves backwards, putting some distance between the two while avoiding the follow-up strike, as Caballero did not have the technique that would allow them to use Air Ground in Hueco Mundo. If Arcadus did not dodge, Caballero was also about to find out that his Hierro meant that maneuver was not going to do more than actually getting them away from the incredibly tall man.

However, the tiny bean had made a miscalculation. They hadn't thought that Arcadus would be physically strong, as they had avoided his first attack. As such, they hadn't been expecting a shockwave to follow up, and it was about to catch them mid-air, since it made an arc following Arcadus's swing. Caballero was not fast enough to conjure another Filo to defend themselves, and even if they had, it would have not amounted to much. The shockwave would not be cutting, instead causing blunt damage despite its slashing shape. It struck Caballero squarely in their mid-section, and had they had any lungs to speak of, it would have knocked the wind out of them for good.

The tiny bean was launched backwards by the impact, rolling on the sands outside of Las Noches. They felt pain, of course they did, since the levels of Strength that Arcadus boasted were astonishingly high. But even so, Caballero thought, he was not as physically powerful as Celes's Inner Hollow, whose blows were even above this monster's. Lately, the little knight had been way out of their league, and in both instances, they hadn't intended to fight them.

However, their frail physiology played a key part in Caballero being able to resist the damage. See, with no organs, no blood and no 'weak points', it was best to strike as much area as Caballero at once to damage them most. Attacks in a slashing shape would hurt, but the limited area surface made it so that the damage taken was far less than if Arcadus had, say, used a blunt weapon like a hammer to crush their entire body at once.

Still, the pain was still there, and it was not going anywhere. The tiny knight only kept themselves back up and in the battle by sheer strength of will, although at this point it was just recklessness. Any other Hollow would've tried to turn tail and run when facing the Segunda Espada, but despite the overwhelming difference between their power, Caballero was still standing there. The question was... what could they do now? Their greatest asset, their trump card, Cero del Caballero had been eaten like shaved ice on a hot summer day. Arcadus could eat Filo, which meant that their blade was useless too.

Had Caballero had any energy sensory skills, they would've noticed that the act of consumption actually costed Arcadus a part of his Reiatsu, and they would've planned accordingly. But alas, the little knight was just standing there, without options, only the chance to try to brute-force their way into victory... in a battle in which were overpowered in nearly every aspect. As such, they did the only thing they could do for now. If they hadn't fired Bala, they would be able to concentrate their Reiatsu via Focalizar, which might give them the edge they needeed. However, they would need a moment for it to stabilize.

In the end, they could only remain in their battle stance, doing their best to withstand the pain, and waiting for Arcadus's next move. Needless to say, they were out of their depth, and that was without taking into account that they were just three feet tall.

OOC:
Reiatsu: 3525 -250[Mastered Bala x5] = 3275

[Arcadus]

Arcadus watched as his blade sailed through the air, crimson red steel catching nothing, but smiled as he saw the raw force of his swing catch his smaller adversary, hurling them some distance away. They seemed mostly alright and relatively uninjured. The flurry of Bala barely registered to him as they pierced through his robes, stopped dead by his steel silk body suit. (now available at the Kitai shop)

Watching the bean get up, Arcadus considered his options. Physical attacks seemed to be his best option given the speed of his opponent slightly outclassed his own. One major difference was his strength was spiritual and physical, so the differing defenses didn't matter. If it was force that was needed force they would get. Maybe when he had subdued them he could take them in for study, a hollow entirely constructing themselves out of rieatsu was unique, though he could draw a paralell to a release technique of his.

Dashing forward and closing the distance, Arcadus would bring his sword down on the creature again, following through into the ground, sand spraying from the cut. Using his hunched over stance, Arcadus turned upwards, pivoting on his wrist, sword seemingly unmovable as he launched a kick, sand trailing his foot as he attempted to bury his heel in the mask of the creature, the dull woosh of a shockwave following and extending beyond this backkick.

Returning his feet to the ground, having effectively done a handstand using his sword as a stilt, Arcadus looked for his foe. He wasn't too concerned about any kind of counter attack. Given their emotional state, their last attack was likely some kind of trump card, and their neutral option to simply defend and wait for his attack likely meant they were going to improvise something.

Given his myriad options, it was smart for him to mirror this and simply react if they were going to attack, and chase them if they were going to run. They hadn't stepped to dodge or gain distance, so chances they did not know sonido. That was an incredible advantage and while he could exercise it, he wanted to play with his food a bit more. Perhaps he would see again that technique that molded energy into form, that could be a useful technique to know.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Combat Stats}Strength 400/1000

Speed 327/327

Reiatsu Str 400/1100

Spiritual Pres 500/250

Instinct 150/100

Senses 100/100

Energy Sensory 223/502


Charisma (5) 4

Analysis (2)

Cero (3)

God Form Art(Curved Swords), (2)

Strength of Will (2)

Crafting (3)


Artificial Zanpakuto 1200 IP 2400/2400 durability

Rieatsu, 1700/2500

[Deleted]

Caballero's point blank barrage of Bala did absolutely nothing to Arcadus. And by absolutely nothing, I mean absolutely nothing. The Arrancar shrugged it off as if it had been nothing more than a slight breeze heading his way. The tiny knight was beginning to understand the difference between the two of them, but this was something that they most definitely had not been expecting. So far, Bala had served them well, but against such an opponent, it was nothing if not useless. Caballero had then gotten struck by Arcadus's shockwave and was only getting up before the Arrancar plunged into battle again, seemingly trying to close the gap to use his superior physical prowess to deliver yet another blow to Caballero.

The tiny knight still needed a second to push through the pain, so they could not attack Arcadus. Instead, they used their superior speed to back off with a few backward hops, seeing how the Arrancar hadn't used Sonido or Sonido Garra again. This time they were also cognizant enough to know that the Segunda Espada had the ability to use shockwaves, so they were ready to make use of their extremely malleable body to bend backwards when watching the heel strike, allowing the shockwave to pass them by safely.

Caballero could not afford to keep any bullets in their already limited chamber. If they did that, they would undoubtedly die against this monster of a man--no, not man, an Arrancar. They should never forget that, despite his appearance, Caballero was nothing more than another Hollow through and through, even if he had evolved far beyond the tiny knight's current level. If they wanted to survive they would have to break out their true, final ace in the hole. Of course, there was one thing wrong with it: if this also proved to be ineffective against Arcadus, then there was no way in hell Caballero would ever be able to win, in which case they might need to consider trying to cut their losses and escaping, although Arcadus's Sonido would make that incredibly difficult. This day--night? so difficult to tell, in Hueco Mundo--Caballero was not fighting to protect anyone. It would sting their pride, but escape was an option.

Not that they would until they were absolutely sure of their loss.

The tiny bean concentrated their Reiatsu, emitting intimidating flashes by flexing their over Reiatsu Strength. This would be their final ace in the hole, so if it did not work, well... they were pretty much doomed to lose. The tiny bean forced their Reiatsu to become pure power to add to its own, sacrificing quantity towards quality with a Spiritual Pressure transfer. However, they would not be done. They would then proceed to concentrate their Reiatsu to the highest exponent they were able to muster, reforging their body, healing their injuries--although that did not alleviate the pain from Arcadus's blows.

Their body reforged was a boon, but it was not the main reason why Caballero had focused their Reiatsu to the very limit. No, it was because that technique allowed them to tap into their maximum potential, and if they wanted to win this, they would need to use it. Caballero created yet another Filo, although this one would be different from the one before. The blade was, somehow, even more pitch-black than before, with the "Destruir Huecos" engraving shining in white far more clearly than on their previous weapon. Of course, Filo alone would not cut it; they knew that much from Arcadus's blatant eating of their sword just a few moments before. If they wanted to win, they would need to use Cero del Caballero again. It was their only option in an already limited pool, but this, too, would be different.

Thus, their blade was coated with Cero again. But this time, the glow wasn't red, but a flickering mixture of pure black and pure white. The Cero's characteristic hum had also become a much deeper pitch. Although with his Energy Sensory he would not need it, this change would signal Arcadus that something was going on with the tiny knight now. Caballero assumed their fighting stance once more, making sure that it was as airtight as possible. They could not attack immediately after using Focalizar, as their Reiatsu body needed a quick moment to stabilize. However, they were now ready, fighting at their current possible maximum. As such, they waited for any possible follow-up from Arcadus, trusting that their instincts, speed and trusty Úlcera would get them out of danger.

But alas, it was easy to trust. Whether that would happen or they would get smacked around before being able to use this power, it would remain to be seen.



OOC:

Reiatsu: 3275 -300[SPPR->RS transfer] -150[Class 5 Focalizar] -200[Class 4 Filo] -200[Class 4 Cero del Caballero] = 2425 (new maximum 3000 Reiatsu)

Transferring 100 SPPR into Reiatsu Strength, for 500 SP pre type -> 875 after Type. New SPPR stat: 300.

Focus enhanced Cero del Caballero, using Focus enhanced Filo as a base, after SPPR transfer: 2625 RS. Filo will dissolve in 3 posts.

Caballero cannot attack Arcadus this post because of Focalizar's effect.

Focus stacks remaining: 3/5 (total 3 +2 from Overall)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Overall Ability}Caballero's physiology is extremely bizarre, even for Hollow standards. Their black body is entirely made out of extremely dense, concentrated Reiatsu. As such, it can be freely manipulated for offensive, defensive or utility purposes: gaining defensive prowess similar to Hierro, changing ones' limbs into writhing tendrils to grab things, or even combining it with step techniques to phase through the rival while damaging them through condensed spiritual pressure.

This means that their body's inner workings are vastly different as well. As mentioned before, Caballero lacks a skeleton, muscles, organs, oxygen or blood, since they're entirely made out of Reiatsu. Thus, custom techniques related to this overall ability are always powered by Reiatsu Strength, they don't breathe, are outright immune to bleeding out, and won't get nearly as slowed down by getting hit on what would normally be a vital spot. Surface area does matter, however: they would take more damage by getting hit on the chest than on a limb since there's more area to hit, for example. Of course, they still experience pain, and their fatigue comes at the expense of their Reiatsu.

Through the technique named Focalizar, always of class equal to Caballero's (up to Class 1), they can forcefully compress the Reiatsu making up their body even further, reforging it. This concentrated Reiatsu also grants Caballero access to either poweful "Focus: [Technique Name]" techniques, which gain a 50% boost, or enhanced variations of their other techniques, in any combination. Only custom techniques can have these enhanced variations, and they must be explicitly stated in the technique description.

Normally, up to three "Focus" techniques can be used before it needs to focus again, but each evolutionary stage as a Menos will increase Focus stack gain by 1 per use of Focalizar. For example, as a Stray, Focalizar will generate 3 Focus stacks upon use. As a Gillian, it's 4; as an Adjuchas, it's 5, and as Vasto Lorde, Caballero will generate 6 Focus stacks. They cannot carry no more than the number of maximum stacks generated by Focalizar at once, so it's best to spend them all before using it again.

However, this ability comes with several drawbacks.

• It is imperative for Caballero to spend SkP in Strength of Will to maintain it body shape, lest the Reiatsu overpower its own will and turn them into a puddle, unable to move or act at all. At least 1 spent point is required before advancing to Gillian, 2 before Adjuchas, and 3 before Vasto Lorde.
• Caballero's physiology renders them far more vulnerable to spiritually based attacks like Kido or Cero, which all hit their body at a boosted OS (+20%, 100 would be 120). Physical type releases would not be included here, but spiritual based ones would. Note that spiritual attacks must actually be spiritual. (A sword that uses RS because it's the highest OS isn't spiritual, but a sword made from fire is). This drawback would include clashes against offensive techniques that involve modification of Caballero's body, like Tendón (but wouldn't affect clashes against Caballero's Filo, or Cero/Bala, for example).
• Caballero's body is outside anyone's Healing Expertise stat. In battle, they can only ever heal via Focalizar, and nobody else could help in that regard, because it doesn't matter how much someone has studied the body; their physiology works completely different than anyone else's. It also means they are locked out of having Healing Expertise of their own.
• Since they lack the organs to do so, Caballero also can't speak, severely limiting communication during battle.
• Due to needing a minimum amount of Reiatsu to maintain themselves, Caballero suffers a 75% cut to RS and Strength when under 5% Reiatsu. They are completely unable to move or defend themselves at 0 Reiatsu.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Filo}Technique Name: Filo [Edge]

Technique Class: 7-1, maximum class is equal to Caballero's, but they can use it at lower classes at will. Paid up to class 4.

Technique Type: Hollow [Custom]

Technique Cost: 50 +50 per class above 7

Description: This technique is affected by Focalizar. A realization of Caballero's intention to become a Shinigami. Caballero uses part of the Reiatsu that forms their body to create a long, sword-like spiritual weapon (85% of their height, so about 2.5ft as a Hollow, massive as a Gillian, 5.1ft as Vasto Lorde...). Since Caballero's 'body' is nothing but their condensed black Reiatsu given form, Filo uses Reiatsu Strength as its offensive stat when cutting something or clashing against other techniques.Caballero's ability using Filo can be upgraded and refined via their Saber Filo skill. Filo can be split into two separate swords and recombined at will, but nothing else besides those two forms. It can't stretch, it can't change shapes, it can't curve, nothing.

Enhanced effect after Focalizar: the created Filo gains the 50% OS property as if they were a "Focus" technique.

Drawbacks: Filo cannot be reassimilated to refresh Caballero's Reiatsu. Cannot be used without at least one skill point in Saber Filo.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Focalizar}Technique Name: Focalizar [Focus]

Technique Class: Equal to Caballero's maximum class (7-1). Paid up to class 5

Technique Type: Hollow [Custom]

Technique Cost: 50 +50 per class above 7

Description: A technique based on the nature of the extremely dense Reiatsu that comprises Caballero's body. Through sheer strength of will, Caballero can compress this dense Reiatsu even more, repairing and rebuilding their body and giving them access to three uses of techniques named "Focus:" (which would be unusable otherwise) or enhanced effects on their normal ones, in any combination. Healing ability is directly proportional to the technique's class. When purging harmful effects, however, Caballero's Reiatsu Strength will be used in the clash to overcome said effect.

Drawbacks: No other offensive action can be taken in the same post Focus is used. Only three enhanced techniques can be used before Focus needs to be reused. Only certain custom Hollow techniques, as as well as the basic versions of Cero and Bala, can be enhanced via Focus; this must be explicitly stated in the technique description. Healing via Focus can only ever affect Caballero.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Cero del Caballero} Cero del Caballero [Knight's Cero]

Technique Class: 4-1. Paid up to class 4

Technique Type: Custom Hollow Technique, Cero.

Cost: 200 +100 per class above 4

Description: This technique is affected by Focalizar. Caballero's "civilized" application of Cero, instead of charging a destructive energy blast and firing it to nuke a small area, they coat the sword with it thanks to Filo being created out of Caballero's body. This layers the Cero's Reiatsu Strength on top of the weapon's and gives it a very distinguishable, flickering red glow, as if it had been set ablaze. Filo also hums with the signature Cero charge sound as well. Cero del Caballero can still be shot forward, in which case it does not create a huge explosion or area damage; instead, it is blade-thin and pierces through the foe in a stab-like manner. This makes it less destructive, but allows for more accurate attacks to vital points without causing wanton destruction.

Focalizar effect: Gains the extra 50% OS of a Focus technique. Its glow also turns from red into a mixture of swirling black and white.

Drawbacks: Can only be layered on top of a pre-existing Filo. Requires at least 2 SkP in Saber Filo to use correctly. Limited attack surface when fired. Due to the excess energy coursing through Filo and spiritually-based attacks affecting Caballero's physiology, the weapon dissolves 3 posts after cast, or immediately if Cero del Caballero is fired. Highly telegraphed due to the swords glow and the sound they give off.

Reserved?: Yes

[Arcadus]

His shockwave thudded into the dune in front of him, cutting a chunk of it out, dust and sand falling in a tactile grainy storm around his training area. Up on this ridge with this creature, Arcadus watched them as they charged their attack, even sensing they were pouring their spiritual reserves into outputting greater power into the attack. Forming another one of their cero coated spirit swords, Arcadus noted the change of color, but he was unconcerned. 

What a fun little thing they were. A unique creature with such an interesting power, it was a shame they were going to bury them out here or eat them, which ever of those it would be would largely depend on how much a fight they put up. But they raised an idea in his mind, of hollows who hate other hollows, and for a second, he thought of himself. That dark spirit in his soul, the original hollow, it was always there, and he wasn't it. That troubled him for a moment, before he returned to the moment at hand. 

Dropping his sword into the sand and slicing his hand in the process, he stood, composed, hands at his sides, red gold gauntlet gleaming in the moonlight as he stared down the creature before disappearing, reappearing directly in front of them in an instant, his hand shooting to grab their blade and hands, huge gauntleted mitt governing the littler creature's hands and the hilt of the sword, as he clenched it together like a vice, flexing his hand and arm to tighten, tighten, tighten.  ( Sonido and Sonido Garra to grab the hands and sword, Class Clash at class 1)

Yanking them up and away from any portals they might be forming, Arcadus drew back his fist, face twisting as he unleashed his full physical might, fist travelling hundreds of miles an hour, a sonic boom forming over it as a shockwave followed his fist, to drive it straight between the eye holes of this small, insignificant creature who had caused him so much trouble and forced him to exert himself this way. What a waste of effort if they weren't going to fall in line, but quashing something as absurd as a shinigami sympathetic hollow was always worth his time. 

"You don't have a chance against me creature. Your attacks do nothing and I've barely broken a sweat. Lay down your sword and the childs toy you've tried to purify your kin with, and face facts. Hollows are crushed by your heros underfoot, and you're on the list, just further down the bottom. If you want to be a person, to shake off being a hunted creature, I have the way for that, the way of strength and self. But if you want to be a traitor to your kind for people who will kill you as soon as you slow down, I'll gladly put you out of your misery." 

SPOILER: Click to show

{Combat Stat}Strength 400/1000
Speed 327/327
Reiatsu Str 400/1100
Spiritual Pres 500/250
Instinct 150/100
Senses 100/100
Energy Sensory 223/502

Charisma (5) 4
Analysis (2)
Cero (3)
God Form Art(Curved Swords), (2)
Strength of Will (2)
Crafting (3)

Artificial Zanpakuto 1200 IP 2400/2400 durability
(Sonido -150 sonido garra -150)
Rieatsu, 1400/2500

[Deleted]

Before Caballero could use their empowered Filo to cleave off Arcadus's head, the Arrancar teleported right in front of them via Sonido, the 'boom' sound from the technique giving it away just too late, because the speed was too great for Caballero to be able to react to it, even with their battle instinct, even when they had already seen this before. It really was overpowering, and there was nothing they were able to do about it. If only they had a similar technique or ability to counter it! But alas, Caballero had never learned anything such. With a combination of both Sonid and Sonido Garra, Arcadus had once again nullified their Cero del Caballero by simply catching it with the gauntleted hand, meaning that whatever that was, it was strong enough to put a stop to Caballero's strongest technique.

Yep. If their probability of survival was close to zero already, now it had dropped to a meager fraction of a percent. And we were talking about a teeny tiny fraction. While he made his following actions, Arcadus would start a rather complex speech regarding the Adjuchas's own nature and their position on the pecking order. They really were nothing more than a pebble for Arcadus, and it showed in how uphill this battle had gone for them. Well, not uphill; a straight up 90 degree wall. But if the Arrancer thought that was enough to deter someone as stubborn (and as dumb) as Caballero, he was sorely mistaken. After all, even a pebble can be extremely annoying when getting in your shoe, and it gets worse the more you stomp on them.

Thus, when Arcadus yanked them upwards to deliver the punch, he'd be met with a surprise. Not a surprise that would ultimately matter in the grand scheme of things, but it was everything Caballero could do at the time. Their 'hand' holding the blade was lost, that much was true, but as Arcadus pulled up to lift them... Caballero simply would not be pulled up. Their limb would stretch like gum or rubber instead, via the most mundane application of their most basic technique: a Class 8 Tendón. It was not a technique meant to harm, attack or cause damage in any way whatsoever, not at that level. But it did something at that most basic level: it gave Caballero's limbs the ability to extend 15 feet at that level, over twice Arcadus's height and well above the range to which the Arrancar could extend his limbs.

Thus, instead of them lifting up Caballero for the punch, he would end up with nothing more than the incredible malleable black Reiatsu on hand, while the tiny Adjuchas was on the floor. With a calculated punch delivered at hundreds of miles per hour, the Arrancar had to have had calculated the trajectory for it to hit Caballero squarely on the mask after yanking them up. Instead, such impetus would be met with empty air, while Caballero hung below, their little bag of tricks already reaching its bottom.

No matter.

Caballero needed to take advantage of that opening, but they were too addled by pain to summon another Filo. Since their sword was trapped in Arcadus's grasp, Caballero could only do what any Hollow would do in this situation: fire a Cero. They were at point blank range, Arcadus's punch had whiffed, and they had a clear shot--the gauntleted hand still held their blade, too. Furthermore, Caballero had learned that when Bala hit the Arrancar's body, it did nothing. So, what to do instead? Aim it at the Arrancar's beautiful face, of course! Empowered by Focalizar, Caballero's normal Cero would become much stronger, hopefully enough to bypass the Arrancar's defenses on an exposed body part. Even if Arcadus sliced their limb, Caballero was on the ground, and the attack's trajectory would not be altered. In the end, the red glow of a Cero would not be red, but swirling black and white as well, right before it flashed and fired the blast, lighting up the sands around Las Noches.

This was no longer a matter of them surviving, or even turning the tables; that was impossible. Arcadus hadn't even used his true power, his Resurrección. No, it was a matter of them struggling against a being that represented the maximum exponent of their own nature. Because that was what they had been doing so far, right? Struggle against their hunger, struggle against their nature, struggle against their own kin.

But what did Arcadus mean, 'out of their misery'? The question made Caballero feel not confused, but angry. What misery? In that same struggle, Caballero had met a lot of good people. They had saved lives, because it was the right thing to do. They had made friends, and shared good times with individuals that did not care what they were, only the actions they chose to take. They had fought alongside others that now considered them an ally, a protector. That was hardly any misery; it was a life that they were proud of! And it would be a disservice to all the people that cared about them if they were to simply bend the knee and surrender to the Arrancar's incredible power, right?

Yes, they were going to lose. This battle was doomed from the start, in fact. But they refused to simply shrivel and die with a whimper.


OOC:
Reiatsu: 2425 -200[Cero] = 2225
Cero empowered by a Focus stack, clocks at 1312 Reiatsu Strength.
Cero del Caballero vanishes in 2 posts.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Tendon}Tendón (Tendon)

Technique Class: Class 8-1 (paid up to class 6)

Technique Type: Hollow [Custom]

Technique Cost: 50 per Class above 7 (0 at Class 8, 350 at 1)

Description: The most basic application of Caballero's Reiatsu body, and the first technique that Caballero ever learned. Tendón manipulates the shape of any of Caballero's limbs, changing it to a set of tendrils that can reach far away from the tiny Hollow. At class 8, this technique is mostly used for moving around by grappling onto different spots: branches, ledges, crevices, so on and so forth. It can also grab things, but has no real restraining power (it's used for utility and for cinematic/narrative purposes).

At Class 7 and above, this becomes an actual offensive technique: the lower classes (7-4) will see blunt tendrils with which Caballero can slap people around, while at classes 3-1, the tendrils will become incredibly sharp and tough, being able to stab and slash at a distance. Tendón can be used to restrain a foe at any class above 8, and may deal crushing damage in this case. When used offensively, this technique uses Reiatsu Strength, since Caballero's 'body' nothing but condensed black Reiatsu.

Tendon has a range of up to 15 feet at class 8, and each class upgrade sees an increase of 5 extra feet. Maximum is 50 feet at Class 1 (roughly 15 meters).

Drawbacks: Caballero uses its actual body for this technique, so it is possible to damage him directly by winning an OS clash against Tendón.

[Arcadus]

Arcadus felt his fist.. whiff? What? Another trick, surely, but he still held the sword in his hand and the haaaaaaand was stretching out to the body like a used peice of gum. Unique creature or not, this was ridiculous, and Arcadus was getting tired of it. Enough was enough, and he was going to put this to an end to this nonsense, this folly, this farce of a fight. Why he even bothered entertaining such a whimsical and fae creature is now beyond him, as his curiosity and smug additude faded into spite and bile. 

"What did you..." Arcadus's eyes flicked to the charging red light directly in front of him, a cero was charging. No time to think, time to act. Breathing in again as he had before, Arcadus waited for the cero to fire, drinking it in as one might chug a gallon of water, rieatsu flowing into him as he drank the cero in, suprised by its power, this little thing had made a real effort to hurt him. As the cero dissipated, Arcadus began to smile, but something caught his attention.

Something hung infront of his face. As the hollow infront of him went out of focus and this thing moved back into focus, Arcadus realized what it was, a lock of his hair, singed and ruined. Any returning smugness boiled away into pure indignation. More damage had been done to him by this than by some shinigami captains. It was unacceptable. "YOU DARE, YOU DARE STRIKE ME IN A WAY THAT MATTERS!?!?? YOU WORM, YOU BUG YOU SCRAP OF SAND YOU FOOL IT WAS USELESS!"

"USELESS!USELESS!USELESS!USELESS!USELESS!USELESS!"

As the Arrancar screamed, Blue light blowed from his face, his eyes and mouth brimming with rieatsu as he brought to fruition in an instant the signature of his rank, Gran Rey Cero, and the blue annihilation burst for from him, scorching and bursting forth into an explosion as it hit, the explosion turning the area into molten glass as the blue light lighting up the sunless wasteland faded, like being inside a color inverted sunset. Arcadus breathed heavy, more from yelling, though he did feel he'd exerted himself a bit for this.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Combat Stat}
Strength 400/1000

Speed 327/327

Reiatsu Str 400/1100

Spiritual Pres 500/250

Instinct 150/100

Senses 100/100

Energy Sensory 223/502


Charisma (5) 4

Analysis (2)

Cero (3)

God Form Art(Curved Swords), (2)

Strength of Will (2)

Crafting (3)


Artificial Zanpakuto 1200 IP 2400/2400 durability

Rieatsu, 750/2500

Consume -300, +50, Gran rey -400