Infiltrator [JT]

[Alacrán]

Alacrán had gone back to scouting the vast barren sands of Hueco Mundo, an occurrence that was beginning to become a sort of habit for him now ever since the pack had been formed. Then again he did want it to grow so he didn't mind doing this kind of stuff but having to deal with certain types of Hollows was beginning to get rather irritating. At least if they didn't want to cooperate, he'd have a decent enough meal.

He spots some movement just below, a decent sized Hollow rushing over some dunes heading to who knows where. From what he's experienced so far, lone Hollows weren't very likely to cooperate but he's obligated to at least try. So he angles himself to land in its path, getting a good look at it as he sails past it. It was a rather odd looking Hollow, being one of those types that had taken on a more monstrous than animalistic appearance.

While it had been running on all it's limbs, it seems that it was capable of bipedalism as well as it slowed and came to stop just several feet shy of where Alacrán had landed and stood up to an impressive full height of about eight to nine feet. It's upper two limbs, now acting as lean muscled arms, ended in four sharp claws. Its head seemed to merge with it's neck as it seemed it had no apparent face aside from its gaping maw of razor sharp teeth, although the fact that it'd stopped and seemed aware of Alacrán's presence denoted that it had some kind of ability to 'see' him. Perhaps something similar to what Alacrán possessed considering it hadn't seemed aware of him until he had landed.

"So are ya an Adjuchas or jus' some mutt dats finally mantage ta make it 'er?" He's learned over his time here that when two Hollows meet, if there is no initial attempt at communication then the meeting is doomed to end in a fight, although communication doesn't alter those odds by much. The Hollow snarled at him, causing Alacrán to get slightly defensive until it had spoken, "Its status is none of Outsiders concern. Outsider will join It soon and learn of Its status then." Alacrán's mandibles click together in what could equate to a sigh. Yet another one that decided to be nothing more than another beast to be put down.

He watched as the sand shifted and it darted towards him, appearing to not need úlcera to achieve an impressive amount of speed to the point that it became a blur to Alacrán's sight. This didn't cause Alacrán to hesitate in his movement however as he used every ounce of his strength to launch himself at the Hollow that was speeding towards him like a bullet, leaving a crater in the sand about as large as Alacrán himself. The ensuing collision that followed was loud, the sound no doubt being heard for several miles.

Alacrán, who'd landed on his feet right at their point of collision point, seemed rather unaffected by it as his armor didn't even appear to be damaged at all while the same could not be said for the Hollow. What it had not noticed was that Alacrán had launched himself with his forelimbs extended so that it would impale itself on his blades. It struggled to pry itself off, it's claws scraping and grasping at Alacrán's arms yet it had not strength and the impact had driven the blades all the way through its body and then some. Enough for Alacrán to use the leverage to lift the Hollow and slam it into the ground before carving his blades out of its body.

After that, the rest was history for the Adjuchas. Alacrán had to admit that it had seemed and felt strong yet it's speed was it's best attribute which is likely how it'd managed to survive for so long. Yet it made the mistake of trying to clash with Alacrán in a test of strength, an attribute which the scorpion excelled at. And now, due to its fatal misjudgement, it was serving as a meal for him. A real shame too considering it had quite the potential to be an excellent scout with speed like that.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Consumed}x1 Class 2 Hollow

Strength: 250
Speed: 400
Spiritual Pressure: 300
Reiatsu Strength: 250
Instinct: 150
Sense: 150
ES: 0
HE: 0

[Eshin Sōtō]

The White Desert of Hueco Mundo stretched out before Eshin like a vast canvas of desolation. Here, he reveled in his malicious nature, his soul teeming with darkness and hunger. The once feeble hollows that dared to challenge him with their weak attacks were now nothing more than pitiful prey, their futile attempts to strike him only resulting in their own demise. It hadn't been long since he discovered that the souls he consumed formed a barrier around himself, but since learning of it, its strength had only grown. 

This cloak of souls, both desperate and vengeful, had a unique ability. Any attacks from those with less spiritual power would be deflected, and the souls would feast upon their flesh in return. Broken bones and melted flesh met with his adversaries in the White Sands. Their screams of pain and despair were a symphony of satisfaction to the wraith. Within the bounds of his arrogance, Eshin believed himself to be the supreme predator of the sands, an unrivaled force roaming this desolate realm. After all, he knew the territories of the Gillians and Adjuchas were far from here, confident in his superiority over the rabble left in the Desert.

Yet, fate had a wicked sense of irony in store for him.

He prepared to feast upon three frog-like hollows, their audacity to strike him from behind causing his cloak to shatter their limbs and immobilize them. But before his fangs could sink into their flesh, a beast emerged, a monster unlike anything he had encountered before. He felt its presence long before he saw it, the wraith quickly backing away from his prey lest he be killed alongside them. It moved with blinding speed, consuming the three hollows in a single devouring motion. Eshin caught only a glimpse of its grotesque form—a faceless visage with gaping jaws, four clawed arms, and a rigid spine that resembled a shark traversing the sand.

Fear gripped Eshin's heart, a feeling that had long been absent in his encounters. He instinctively sought refuge in the Valley of Screams, fleeing as fast as his ethereal form could carry him. The monstrous predator pursued relentlessly, closing the distance with alarming speed. But Eshin had a trick up his sleeve, a unique ability to erase his presence entirely should need be. Eshin had often felt cowardly when doing this, but cowardice far surpassed a pointless death. As he crossed a dune, he vanished from sight, leaving the pursuing creature bewildered.

Hidden from view, Eshin watched as the monster fruitlessly chased the phantom trails he had left behind. Disappointment mingled with his fear, a bitter reminder of his own inadequacy. He couldn't help but be reminded of the humiliation he felt the last time he had done this, when he ahd dared to visit the Menos Forest and found himself buried in the soil. But his attention soon shifted as a scorpion-like hollow appeared, engaging the monstrous predator in conversation. Eshin knew it was a fatal mistake.

With lightning speed, the creature struck, attempting to devour the scorpion. As expected. How could any hollow deal with a monster as great as that. If Eshin was correct, its monstrous form was nearing that of a Vasto Lorde itself. The hollows of the desert stood no chance against him. Yet, to Eshin's astonishment, the scorpion's armored exoskeleton withstood the assault. Not only that, it seemed unscathed!? Was this scorpion a Vasto Lorde!? Its razor-sharp limbs pierced the predator's flesh, impaling it with lethal precision. The mighty monster fell, its life extinguished in an instant.

Eshin stood in awe, witnessing the scorpion feast upon the fallen predator, its power and strength undeniable. The ease in which it disposed of the monster left only one conclusion, this scorpion was the true apex of the sands. The realization dawned upon him—the hierarchy of power in this forsaken realm was far more complex and treacherous than he had ever imagined. He couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and envy for the scorpion, a fellow predator that had bested the untamable monster of the wastes.

Perhaps he could learn from him. Eshin didn't dare speak to the monster, for it was far too fast to escape should the need arise. The scorpion, however, while undeniably strong, was not as fast. At least, it didn't seem to be. Eshin knew it was a risk, but after a display like that, Eshin's ambition for power urged him to converse. Reappearing from the sands, the wraith quickly approached the scorpion, raising his arms into the air as a sign of nonviolence. The scorpion would be able to feel his presence long before he arrived, as if the energy of an Adjuchas appeared from nowhere, stronger than that of the monster itself. Yet, the source of the energy came from a hollow that hadn't even grown into a Menos yet. 

As Eshin neared the scorpion, he slowed his approach. Recomposing himself, the wraith addressed the scorpion with a question. Hollows weren't much for greetings after all. Being blunt and direct often aided more than courtesy. "Are you a Vasto Lorde?" Eshin needed to know exactly what he was dealing with. He wanted to gain its power, but he would not mess with a Vasto Lorde by any means. 

[Alacrán]

Indeed Alacrán had noticed the sudden appearance of the impressive spiritual pressure despite his rather nonexistent energy sensing skills. He'd quickly round towards the Hollow, defensive in his stance with his tail raised and blades heled just in front of him. He was a little puzzled by the sight in front of him however. The Hollow before him didn't seem to have any kind of complexity to its appearance. In fact it still seemed relatively human which lead him to believe this was still a Stray Hollow or an Adjuchas of some type.

Regardless of which it'd be, he'd still be on his guard in case it tried anything funny, even if it seemed to portray that it meant no harm to Alacrán. That was until it spoke at least. The questioned it posed was a valid one coming from the other Hollow's perspective yet Alacrán couldn't help but find it genuinely amusing, which bubbled out into a rather chilling sound that was Alacrán's laughter. He's only been able to speculate about the legendary Vasto Lorde, the pinnacle of Hollow evolution, if you don't take Arrancars into account.

From what he's learned, they're vastly powerful Hollows that no longer have the need to feed. If he appeared to be a Vasto Lorde to this Hollow, he wonders how other Adjuchas perceived him. He himself had never met a Vasto Lorde nor was he actually particularly keen on doing so anytime soon. As his laughter died down, he let his tail curl in and lowered his limbs slight as he shook his head, "Aye'm no Vasto Lorde. If aye were, yadda been deed alrea'y." 

He motions to the Adjuchas half eaten carcass, "Ya wern wit dis one were ya?" 

[Eshin Sōtō]

The desert sands whispered with a malevolent breeze as the wraith cautiously approached the scorpion hollow. Eshin's voice, dripping with cunning and curiosity, broke the silence as he questioned the scorpion hollow. His intention was to gather information, to ascertain how to navigate this encounter. Should he attempt to devour this powerful hollow? Should he glean knowledge from it? Or should he turn and flee, fleeing from a confrontation that could potentially lead to his demise? These thoughts swirled in his mind, a tumultuous sea of uncertainty.

Eshin's confusion turned to outrage soon after. A strangely inhumane clattering noise rhythmically repeated itself over and over, until the wraith realized that this was some form of laughter. The scorpion mocked him openly, his clattering sound a twisted symphony of derision. Eshin's pride threatened to boil over, but he suppressed it, understanding that an outward display of anger would only seal his own doom. No, he had to remain calm, had to plot his next move with precision. 

The scorpion's posture shifted, lowering its limbs and curling its tail, a signal that Eshin wasn't in immediate danger. Waves of relief washed over the old wraith as he realized that combat was not imminent. The hollow's voice just droned on, words stretching in a pleasing manner to the wraith's ears. He spoke of his true nature, asserting that he wasn't a Vasto Lorde, for if he were, Eshin's fate would have been sealed in an instant. The mere mention of a more powerful entity sent a shiver down Eshin's spine, his arrogance tempered by the realization of his own insignificance.

"I see..." Eshin muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes darted to the carcass of the monster the scorpion had devoured, a creature that had stolen his intended meal and sought to consume him instead. Yet, what could he do? It was much stronger than he was, and his defenses were not strong enough for him to ignore its attacks. That was why a surge of anger surged through Eshin's veins as the scorpion asked if they were allied. "No! That wretched creature dared to rob me of my kill and attempted to feast upon my very being. I wanted the satisfaction of ending its existence, but you swiftly deprived me of that opportunity."

The words spilled out, a mix of frustration and resentment. It was nondirectional, though it may have come off as targeted towards the scorpion. Eshin couldn't hide the bitterness in his voice, nor did he try. He stood there, his form tinged with shadows, still harboring a hunger for power but acutely aware of the danger that lurked beyond his reach. In the face of this newfound adversary, he would need to devise a plan of action. It seemed that devouring him was out of the question now, but whether to run or ask for guidance was still unclear.

[Alacrán]

Alacrán shrugged as glanced back at the carcass then to Eshin, "Well dats da nature o' da beast in Hueco Mundo. Jus' be grateful ya escaped." He glances back at the carcass and then to Eshin with more curiosity now. Despite its weaknesses and likely having been a scavenger when it came to feeding on stronger prey, the Adjuchas speed has been quite impressive and its strength wasn't completely nonexistent. With the amount of power radiating off of Eshin, there was no doubt that the Adjuchas had likely tried to make a meal out of him even if it might have lost. Yet Eshin had somehow managed to avoid it. In fact, up until just a few moments ago, Alacrán hadn't even been aware of him either.

He returns his attention back to Eshin with a great degree of curiosity on his face that he didn't even attempt to try and hide from the ghoulish Hollow, "How did ya manage ta escape?" Whatever power Eshin had used, and it was a power that Alacrán assumed Eshin was using, it was a strong and very useful one at that. This Hollow may only still be a Stray but with time and adequate consumption, it could become a great asset. Hopefully Alacrán would be able to convince him to join them.

And if he couldn't, then perhaps he could spare it. If he will be unable to convince them now, there is nothing that says he won't be able to change their mind later down the line. Perhaps by then Alacrán would really be a Vasto Lorde, likely alongside the other two. While other Hollows are usually wary of such strong beings, it seemed this one was more curious about meeting them or at least learning of them. It likely also has hopes of achieving this stage of Hollow evolution. Either way, if all this was true then it'd likely be better off with them. However, before Alacrán could jump the gun on this, he'd have to assess exactly where this Hollow's potential lie.

[Eshin Sōtō]

Amidst the barren wasteland of the White Desert, a peculiar camaraderie formed between Eshin and the scorpion hollow. The darkness of their surroundings seemed to amplify the sinister nature of their exchange. Eshin spoke of his grievances, how the monstrous interloper had stolen his prey, a display of voracity that he deeply loathed. The scorpion's response echoed with a droning rhythm, a chilling reminder that the beasts of Hueco Mundo knew no code of conduct, only a ceaseless hunger.

"That is fair." Eshin nodded in reluctant acceptance, realizing that survival in this desolate realm meant abandoning any semblance of honor. Not that he had any honor left in himself, he just assumed that predators would not stoop down to the act of scavenging for a meal, especially one as powerful as the monster was. Yet, he should have known. The hollows' instincts knew no restraint, no empathy for others of their kind. It was for that reason that conversations such as this were rare, for they often led to deadly confrontations, yet somehow, the scorpion's demeanor offered a temporary respite from the constant struggle for sustenance.

Intrigued by the rarity of such a conversation, the scorpion turned its enigmatic gaze towards Eshin, curious about his escape from the monstrous creature's wrath. It was much faster and stronger than the wraith was, as well as clearly further along the hollow's path of evolution. Eshin's own form and strength seemed shocking to the other hollows he had met as well. Still, Eshin hesitated, wariness evident in his eyes, as he contemplated the risks of revealing his unique ability. Information was power, and he could ill-afford to put himself in further peril.

But the scorpion did not seem intent on devouring him, at least for now, and so Eshin decided to share a fragment of his hidden power. "I possess the ability to completely erase my presence," he divulged, the words cautious and measured. "The ability is more effective in darkness, allowing me to elude detection in most cases. Though, if I use it while one looks directly at me, they'll be able to pinpoint where I am."[/color] It was not an absolute ability by any means, but it was untrained and unrefined. Perhaps complete invisibility would be a part of his skillset one day, but that was not today. 

As the conversation continued, the scorpion's curiosity remained unabated, and Eshin sensed an opportunity to gain knowledge. He inquired about the scorpion's own strength, seeking to unravel the secrets of the hollow's power that had enabled it to dispatch the monstrous intruder with such ease. Perhaps even glean insight into how one rose through the evolutionary stages of a hollow. After all, despite not being a Vasto Lorde, this Scorpion was undoubtedly a Menos. Perhaps he was even lucky enough to converse with an Adjuchas. 

"And you," Eshin asked, a trace of admiration in his voice, "how did you acquire such formidable strength, enough to vanquish the monster so quickly?" In the desolate realm of Hueco Mundo, where every hollow vied for supremacy, knowledge of another's strength was a precious resource. But, to Eshin, knowledge of how to gain power was even more precious. Eshin as a hollow was as prodigious as he was in his life, back when he had mastered the teachings of Buddhism and Martial Arts. It was this ability to learn and grow that would help him further his strength in the afterlife.

[Alacrán]

The ability to conceal one's presence? That sounds like quiet the ability. Alacrán was curious if it was simply invisibility or more. If it was more than that, then it was quite the power to have and would be a very useful one at that. He could see many uses for it in and outside of combat. The same could be said for invisibility but it would be limited compared to the ability to erase one's presence like this Hollow was saying it's able to do.

However it seemed this Hollow's ability was also limited, or more accurately restricted, which he seemed to be learning as the Hollow kept speaking, which made it only slightly better than invisibility but still, even under certain circumstances it was very useful. He was beginning to wonder if this Hollow was good enough to try and convince to join their ranks. Sure it was still seemed to just be a Stray but it's potential was too good to pass by. If it had an ability like this now then what would it develop as it gained more power and evolved.

Alacrán's attention were pulled from his thoughts as the Hollow asked him of his own strength. He could sense the admiration but did his best not to let it affect him. Alacrán was also not a Hollow that harboured knowledge on his power but not for the same reason as Eshin. He simply didn't think it would matter if another Hollow knew of his strength since they wouldn't be able to kill him if they did.

So he didn't hesitate in answering the Hollow's question, "Aye jus' did what any utter Hollow does. Aye killed an' fed on everyt'ing weaker dan myself." He grins at the Hollow in a rather malicious manner before he turns away, and gestures out towards the rolling hills of the White Desert, "Aye'm 'eadin' ta da Menos Forest if ya wants ta join muh. Ya can see a demonstration of dat an' may'e e'en git a bit o' food fo' ya." 

[Eshin Sōtō]

Eshin's heart pounded with frustration and anger, his mind a cauldron of seething emotions. The scorpion's simple response cut deep, driving a wedge of self-doubt into his already tormented soul. Devour everything weaker than him? Was that all it took to ascend the ranks of hollows and become an Adjuchas? It couldn't be that simple, could it? He had spent countless nights honing his power, consuming souls, and battling other hollows, yet he felt stuck, unable to break through to the next level.

His existence as a hollow felt like an eternal maze of hopelessness, each path leading to a dead end. He had not only devoured those weaker than him, but even the ones that were stronger. He had fought Shinigami, Quincy, Human, and Hollow alike. Yet he remained the same, watching as the others began to evolve. Others continued to grow, yet he was the same. The frustration he felt at his own perceived inadequacy gnawed at him like a relentless hunger. Eshin had always excelled, always risen above others, but in this bleak realm, he was reduced to questioning his worth.

As the scorpion mentioned heading to the Menos Forest, offering to demonstrate his strength and even share a meal with Eshin, the wraith couldn't help but feel suspicious. Hollows were notorious for their selfishness when it came to food, and this gesture seemed too generous to be genuine. The souls in the Menos Forest were much richer and much more powerful than those that traveled the wastes, so how could this hollow be so willing to give it up? Still, the allure of a potentially bountiful meal beckoned to Eshin, tempting him to accept the offer.

"Why would you let me feast with you? Would it not be better to devour everything in your way?" Eshin questioned, his voice tinged with suspicion and doubt. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was a trap, that the scorpion had some ulterior motive in extending this invitation. Still, the scorpion showed no hostility towards him, nor did he try to devour him. Maybe he was simply entertaining enough to keep around? Nevertheless, Eshin found himself unable to resist the promise of more sustenance, and with a mix of caution and curiosity, he decided to travel with the scorpion to the Menos Forest.

The journey was fraught with tension, each step carrying the weight of uncertainty. Eshin's mind raced with thoughts of what awaited him in the Menos Forest, and whether this encounter would lead to the breakthrough he so desperately sought, or if it would be yet another disappointment in his hollow existence. Instead of dwelling too much on it, however, he decided to ask another question. "Do you have a name?" Eshin asked, realizing that he had no idea how to address this powerful individual. He had met many hollows, but the gift of speech was rare, and diplomacy even rarer. 

[Alacrán]

Alacrán could sense the frustration and anger from the Hollow. He knew that same frustration, although his has been for other reasons. Still, it was something he could understand and relate to, a feeling that they and likely all Hollow will have experienced at some point in their lifetime. Yet this was something that could be avoided should Alacrán's new pack grow. There wouldn't be any need for those that have shown potential and worth to grow stagnant and frustrated.

Those were plans for the future however and this was the present. One where Alacrán's patience was becoming thin as he waited for the Hollow's answer on if he'd join him or not. "Why would you let me feast with you? Would it not be better to devour everything in your way?" Alacrán let out a chuckle at this response. It made sense that that's what ;Alacrán would do if he had plans on just growing stronger for himself. However that was not the case and the Hollow would soon learn so. For now, Alacrán answered his questions rather vaguely, "Were dat muh o'ly goal ou' 'ere, den ya'd be dead."

Alacrán said no more as he turned and started their journey to the Menos Forest. It was funny how easily one could break the tension in the air, however ;Alacrán would not be the first to break it as he was one who preferred to travel in silence. However this seemed to be the one time where the reason for breaking the silence was a sensible one as the Hollow spoke up, "Do you have a name?" 

He stared at the Hollow for a moment as he realized that indeed they had not properly exchanged introductions with each other. Then again, Alacrán wasn't very used to the social norm nowadays considering it was strike first and ask later in the life of a Hollow. The one's that took too much time talking were the one's that usually ended up dead, at least in Alacrán's mind that was how it worked.

Still, he had no intentions of harming this Hollow and he doubted that he'd try to attack him. If all went well, then perhaps they'd be working together much more often after this little excursion. Maybe. First the Hollow would have to prove itself, but for now, from what it showed, it had at least earned enough of his respect to know his name, "Alacrán."

It wasn't long before the pair had made it to the edges of the Menos Forest. Alacrán would start to slow their pace, stopping just on the perimeter of the tall white trees. He'd glance to the left and right, scanning the edge of the forest line for any sign of activity before he turned his gaze onto the Stray, "Righ' well 'ere we are. 'Fore we continue, aye wanna go a'ead an' say dat aye didn' invi' ya with muh out da goo'ness o' mah hear'. Aye wanna see wut yer capable o'." 

[Eshin Sōtō]

In the dimly lit confines of Hueco Mundo, the Wraith and the Scorpion walked side by side, a peculiar partnership forged in the wastes of the White Desert. They had nearly reached the Menos Forest at this point, the treeline within sight. The haunting white trees loomed above them like spectral sentinels, their twisted branches casting eerie shadows on the desolate ground. Eshin's eyes darted around, his senses alert, but he remained civil and cooperative with his newfound companion.

As they continued their conversation, the scorpion hollow proved surprisingly honest in his responses, as if unbothered by Eshin's presence as a whole. He acknowledged that his intent wasn't solely focused on getting stronger, else he would have killed Eshin long ago. The wraith couldn't help but be intrigued by the scorpion hollow's motives. Was he searching for companionship, or did he harbor other ambitions in this forsaken realm? Perhaps his ambitions led him outside the realm? Keeping his suspicions to himself, the hollow merely nodded in acknowledgment.

The silence that followed was eventually broken when Eshin inquired about the scorpion's name. The scorpion paused for a moment before sharing his name, and a subtle shift in the atmosphere seemed to occur. Alacran, the Adjuchas that seemed to enjoy Eshin's presence, had finally shared his name. For some reason, a sense of trust was beginning to form, a feeling that the wraith hadn't felt in quite a long time. "Eshin." The wraith replied, sharing his own name. The air around them felt charged with anticipation, as if the forest itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what would transpire.

It was there that Alacran stopped and revealed his true intent—to see Eshin's capabilities firsthand. The old hollow nodded, understanding that Alacran was testing him to determine his worth. "I figured as much," Eshin replied, his voice steady and calm. It was easy to trust one who had something to gain. If all he needed to do was prove himself, he could easily oblige. "Would you like to see me fight? Hunt?" he offered, willing to demonstrate his prowess. Yet, he also remembered Alacran's curiosity about his ability to erase his presence, a skill that had proven invaluable to him.

"I could also try to hide," he suggested, stepping into the shadow of one of the Menos trees. The wraith began to close his eyes, focusing upon his form and his being. Immediately, Eshin's form began to fade, blending seamlessly into the darkness. The long beard and elongated claws vanished completely. His immense spiritual pressure vanished, leaving behind an unsettling stillness. Only his hollow mask remained, a porcelain visage with a malevolence that sent a shiver down the spines of any who dared to gaze upon it.

It was an unsettling visage. The porcelain mask was a common feature in all hollows, although Eshin's was quite different. It was almost entirely indistinguishable from that of a human's face. It was unblemished, unmarred, and perfect. Unsettlingly perfect. There was a level of detail etched into the mask that seemed deceptively alive, yet the longer one stared, the more imperfect it would seem. They would notice a hollowness in the eyes, the slight tilt of the expression, turning the serene into one of agony. It was made to draw prey in, and hopefully Alacran would notice that as well. 

Reiatsu: 4400
-100 for 2x Mascara de Inocencia, forgot to subtract from the first post

[Alacrán]

"Fight, hunt, hide, survive. Call it wha'e'er ya like. Aye jus' wan' ta see how ya handle yerself." Alacrán stared at the floating porcelain mask with a bit of interest. He was curious how this could be of use to them. As well as how exactly the wraith would subdue his prey after they were successfully lured in by the facade was something Alacrán was keen on finding out. He scans the edges for a moment before he finally takes a few steps in. After walking further in for a few minutes he suddenly stops and then let's out an ear piercing screech.

Once he'd stopped, the screech could be heard echoing throughout the forest for quite a while and then is followed by silence. Alacrán glances at the Eshin before he suddenly takes off, flying directly up into the air and taking shelter in the branches high above. As soon as he was in the trees, another screech could be heard echoing back into the forest.

Something can then be heard crashing through the forest and Eshin would only have a few moments to decide on what to do before the Hollow arrived. Once those minutes pass, a hug ape-like hollow would lands on the ground and stands up to an impressive height of twelve feet. It then glances around and begins sniffing at the air and growls as it tries to figure out what exactly had made the screech that had attracted it.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Class 8 Ape Hollow}Stats
Strength - 100
Speed - 200
Spiritual Pressure - 200
Reiatsu Strength - 180
Instinct - 150
Senses - 150
Energy Sensory - 0
Healing Expertise - 0

[Eshin Sōtō]

Underneath the endless murky twilight that shone above Hueco Mundo, Eshin found himself entangled in the web of the scorpion Adjuchas' enigmatic request. He was to showcase his abilities, whether it be hiding or hunting. Of course, it was not as if a hollow would willingly feed another without one proving its worth. While he enjoyed the possibility of a free meal, the thrill of the hunt was one that was denied to him earlier in the day. He still longed for the chance to kill by himself.

The proposition sent a thrill coursing through Eshin's being. He yearned for the opportunity to revel in the savage beauty of the hunt, to dominate over those weaker than him. A malevolent grin crept across Eshin's mask as he contemplated the impending display of his power. There was an insatiable desire within him that needed to be quenched. It was more than a hunger; it was the sadistic pleasure he derived from reducing his adversaries to quivering wrecks, from shattering their hope before delivering the final blow.

Suddenly, the scorpion Adjuchas unleashed a blood-curdling scream that reverberated through the Menos Forest. Despite the power the Adjuchas held, this was like a dinner bell to the starved and stupid hollows that roamed the wastes here. Eshin watched as his companion took flight, perching high above to observe the impending spectacle. The shriek had undoubtedly roused the curiosity of any nearby denizens of the forest. Among them was to be his prey, undoubtedly. 

With practiced ease, Eshin melted into the shadows, erasing his presence from all but his eerily inviting hollow mask. The mask itself began to look like a child's, round and innocent in an uncanny way. This mask would bring terror and nightmares to humans, but for a starved hollow, it was just the face of another meal. Perfect for his plans. He laid in wait, a phantom lurking in the obscurity, biding his time for the perfect moment to strike. Minutes ticked by like languid drops of blood, each one ratcheting up the tension in the air.

Then, his prey arrived—a hulking gorilla-like hollow, powerful yet brutish, guided by instinct rather than intellect. The beast snuffled the air with primal senses, unaware that death had already slithered into its midst. It's instincts were good, looking above towards the tree line where Alacran awaited, but there was no way this creature would see the wraith while his technique was active. Eshin seized the opportunity, materializing from the shadows with ten outstretched claws, a specter of death on silent wings.

Twenty beams of malevolence shot forth from his claws, stinging the gorilla's hind legs with searing agony. None of the beams were strong enough to destroy or kill the beast, only enough to lose its lifeline. A beast without mobility is nothing but a meal to be taken. The beast roared in pain, its massive form quaking with fury. Eshin, undeterred, closed the distance with a predatory grace that defied his physical limitations. His claws slashed at the back of the gorilla's knees with surgical precision, aiming to dismantle the creature's foundation of balance.

The air crackled with tension as Eshin's assault unfolded, a macabre ballet of calculated strikes and agonized roars. The question lingered in the shadows: Would his precision and speed be enough to topple this titanic adversary, or would he be forced to unleash darker, more sinister facets of his power to secure his meal? Was this game of his enough for Alacran, or did he want to see something a little more overpowering? No, if the Adjuchas wanted sheer power, he would have asked this ape to kill him. He wanted intelligence and cunning. Eshin had that in spades.

Reiatsu: 4400 - 250 = 4150
-50 for Mascara de Inocencia
-200 for Finger Bullet x20

[Alacrán]

Alacrán watched from his perch in the barren trees, hiding in it's shadows when the ape had arrived and tried to sniff him out. He hadn't lost track of Eshin thankfully and he watched the scene below unfold with growing curiosity. While he's learned in his battles that it isn't wise to judge one's abilities and strength just from their appearance, it seemed that this Eshin wasn't as physically powerful as most Hollows. It seemed like he was spiritually strong as well yet the rapid volley of miniscule Balas hardly had any effect on his target.

Alacrán was curious about this technique. He had never seen Bala condensed so much yet he as he would imagined, it seems that it would also drastically reduce its power as displayed in the scene below him. He watched as Eshin took the ape's momentary weakness as an opportunity to try and debilitate it further. A rather smart and clever way of disposing of the opponent. The amount of times he'd been faced with an opponent much quicker than himself was more than he'd like to count, so the necessity in disabling or hindering your opponents was an important one.

Still, as Alacrán had guessed before, the ape's skin was much stronger than Eshin's attacks, although it would seem by only by a marginal difference as the attack still found purchase. Alacrán was pleasantly surprised by this but also disappointed to find that such a beast wasn't stronger. Well, better that it was food for Eshin then. That is if Eshin could finish it off quickly enough.