The Monster of Mahabodhi Temple

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Name: The Monster of Mahabodhi Temple 

Participants: Kazuhiko Satoshi, Benjiro Hiroto, Rei Takagi, Tala Selao

Location: Mahabodhi Temple, India 

Difficulty Level: Medium-Hard

Setting: DE

Plotline: A group of Shinigami are sent to the Mahabodhi Temple at night due to hollow sightings over the past month. Multiple patrols have been sent out to investigate, yet none of them have returned. The Soul Society is concerned due to the rapidly growing number of casualties, with the humans locking down the temple due to the strange occurrences within. There is something strange about it as well, as none of the Pluses have been able to cross over to the Soul Society. The team is then tasked with investigating this temple, clearing it of threats, rescuing the Shinigami if possible, and purifying the Pluses within.

Estimated Enemy Strength: Waves of Class 5-6 enemies, one Class 2 Boss

Estimated Time Until Completion: Aiming for at least 3 but can be more

Starts: As soon as possible!

Special Conditions: Nope!

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As the call came from the Tenth Division, summoning Benjiro for an urgent mission, he felt a mixture of weariness and alertness. The details were scarce, leaving him with an unsettling sense of uncertainty. Nonetheless, he knew the importance of readiness, for the duty of a Shinigami required swift response to any call. He donned his traditional Shihakusho and Buddhist Haori, mentally preparing himself for the challenges that lay ahead.

"Namu Amida Butsu," he murmured, seeking inner strength and guidance from the Buddha. He then looked down towards his hands resting on the hilt of his Zanpakuto. "Are you ready for what lies ahead? I think today is going to challenge us once again." Futan Juzemasu, his loyal companion and source of power, responded with a shimmering light, reassuring Benjiro of their connection. A small smile graced his lips, acknowledging the bond between Shinigami and Zanpakuto, a partnership forged through trust and shared purpose.

Securing the prayer beads that adorned the hilt around his wrist, he felt their comforting presence, a constant reminder of his resolve. As a Shinigami, he had faced numerous challenges before, each one testing his mettle and courage. But this mission carried an unspoken weight, something that instilled a sense of trepidation within him.

Without delay, he made his way to the Senkaimon, his mind contemplating the possible scenarios that awaited him and his yet-to-be-assembled team. Experience had taught him to prepare for the worst, to anticipate the unexpected. His duty was not only to himself but also to those who might be counting on him in this mission of unknown magnitude.

With each step towards the Senkaimon, Benjiro's determination grew, and his senses sharpened. He knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he would face them with the wisdom of a seasoned Shinigami, the heart of a protector, and the humility of one who had witnessed both life and death countless times. As the doors of the Senkaimon beckoned him forward, he took a deep breath, drawing on the strength of his training and the bonds he held dear, ready to embark on this mission with his comrades, united by their shared purpose and the duty to protect both the living and the afterlife.

---

Please post your Stats and Skills in your first post per page.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Skills}
Strength: 200 (300)
Speed: 200 (100)
RS: 220 (330)
SPPR: 180
Instinct: 100
Senses: 100 (50)
ES: 100
HE: 0

---

Learning - 1
Calm Mind - 1
Strength of Will - 2
Weapons: Swords - 1
Pain Tolerance - 2
Bleeding Tolerance - 2
Damage Recovery - 2
Mental Incantation - 2
Kido Mastery - 2

[Rei Takagi]

It was not only the Tenth responding today. See, the Third was the squad that was also meant to prioritize expeditionary work, scouting and assessing problems in the Human World and Seireitei alike. Honestly, not a bad step up from demolition work. It was the first proper mission that Rei had embarked on since the impromptu trial by fire he had endured in the Hell invasion, so there were, naturally, several steps for the 11th seat to take. Preparation--you have all your gear. Your Zanpakuto. Your shihakusho. You've got your techniques in your mind's eye.

Now, when he got the missive, he did note that another of the Third was called to the Senkaimon--Rei was waiting there, alert, upright and stoic as a statue. He lifted a hand to wave to Benjiro. "Takagi, Rei--11th Seat of the Third, let's make sure whatever is happening at that temple is ended thusly." He did not delay getting here whatsoever, the mantle of a first responder was something to take very seriously, after all! ...His Zanpakuto was quiet, however. No snark to throw his way just yet...

There was a sort of...ominous feeling with the calling, though. The sort that makes one wonder if something terrible was inbound for them, but Rei didn't make much of it. Hollows were, pretty much, very much the same sort of thing as Hellions in a few ways...And he was more than prepared to put them to the sword so that they could go on to something beyond being monstrous.

---

Stats/Skills

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength: 100
Speed: 160
Reiatsu Strength: 100
Spiritual Pressure: 240
Light Aura: 50
Dark Aura: 50
Instinct: 75
Senses: 110
Energy Sensory: 65
Healing Expertise: 0

---

Mental:
Memory - Rank 1
Analyzing - Rank 1
Strength of Will - Rank 2
Learning - Rank 1

Battle:
Weapons (Katana/Wakizashi) - Rank 2
Battle Analysis - Rank 1
Pain Tolerance - Rank 2
Kido Mastery - Rank 1
Hoho - Rank 2

Body:
Mental Incantation - Rank 2

[Satoshi Kazuhiko]

Kazuhiko Satoshi volunteered himself to accompany a group of shinigami on an excursion to the Human World. His pattern of dodging paperwork in pursuit of fieldwork was ever-present. But there was another reason he was doing this. Time spent away from the Yonbontai Barracks was time away from his sister Fuuko.

It wasn't that he didn't love her or want to be around her, normally. But their relationship had been strained ever since he'd returned from Hueco Mundo. He'd changed. His appearance had changed, but something inside him had shifted as well. His ability to use healing Kido had completely disappeared. And he was haunted by terrible dreams about a demon fox. They'd seemed harmless until he'd heard her voice. Distinctive from Oyabin Hyaakujuunou. Malicious and mocking. This demanded a difficult decision be made... One he hadn't fully hashed out yet. And one he knew his sister would do anything in the world to prevent.

And so the healer who couldn't heal arrived at the Senkaimon behind the other two. "It's good to see you again, Benjiro-san. I feel much safer knowing you'll be here to protect us!" He bowed his head to the giant monk. He had been one of the responding shinigami during the invasion. He'd helped protect the academy. Stoic, reliable, and austere. He was relieved to find him as one of the expedition team.

Kazuhiko's dark shihakusho billowed gently from the calm, pleasant breeze within the Soul Society. He wore a white robe embroidered in gold beneath the dark robes. The sleeves of his shihakusho were overly long. They fell past his hips and hid his arms and hands entirely. At least until his left arm raised and his hand slipped beyond the fabric to brush a stray bang of his unruly golden blonde hair away from his face. His skin was dark and his eyes were somehow a brighter gold than his blonde hair.

He wore a warm smile as he looked upon Rei. The sort of smile you'd expect from a good friend you'd not seen in many years. "Nice to meet you Takagi-san." It wasn't just his smile. His very presence felt warm. This was the result of a constant aura of positive reiatsu emanating from his presence. Reassuring and comforting. "I'm Kazuhiko Satoshi, Third Seat of the Fourth Squad!".

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kazuhiko Satoshi}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats}Stats: Before Type|After Type

Strength: 100
Speed: 200
Riatsu Strength: 25
Spiritual Pressure: 400/600
Instinct: 300
Senses: 25
Energy Sense: 50
Light Aura: 100
Dark Aura: 0
Healing Expertise: 0

Skills 15/15
Abilities
Strength of Will: 1
Lack of Fear: 1
Battle Analysis: 2
Martial Arts: Boxing: 2
Pain Tolerence: 1
Bleeding Tolerence: 1
Damage Recovery: 2
Charisma/Leadership: 2
Hoho: 2

Cinematic Skills:
Knowledge: Medicine
Knowledge: Survival

[Tala Selao]

Tala stared down at his staff, the blades heat causing the waves of heat to radiate off of it. Hāsu had been stuck like this for quite some time now. Specifically after his little bout with the captain of the Tenth Division. Ever since he faced her at just a smidge of her full strength and seeing someone who was supposedly below him in rank capable of such power must have caused something in his spirit to prevent him from sealing Hāsu's form away. Now he had to be mindful when carrying her around, making sure that her blades didn't accidentally touch anyone or anything, lest they were left with quite a burn.

He figured maybe if he could just leave the Seireitei for a bit, that perhaps it'd allow Hāsu to calm down. On top of that it'd give him a chance to see the World of the Living again after so much time had passed. Many things has happened in his time since joining the Third Division. He's aware that he isn't the only one to have gone through those and even more trying experiences. Indeed, on this very mission were more of such individuals.

Rei Takagi, a shinigami Tala had met during the Hell Invasion who had still been a student at the time. From what Tala could recall, he had shown much promise during their time together and even being able to do so much with so little. The Captain had recognized just as much and had him graduated and recruited into Sanbantai, where he now stood as Third Lead of the Living Expedition team and eleventh seat of Third Division. Even though Tala was Second Lead of the Seireitei Team and seventh seat, he'd follow Rei's lead unless Rei would prefer otherwise as this expedition would be under his section.

Then there was Kazuhiko Satoshi. Tala hasn't quite meet the man but he's heard what he'd been through. To say Tala was surprised and impressed is an understatement but he's also glad to know that he was able to make it back safely. He only wonders what kind trauma the poor man had gone through in his time in Hueco Mundo and even now, whether he is adjusting back into being a Shinigami once more. Still him being here must say something, and for that Tala truly does admire and respect him even more so than his rank would require.

And last but not least was Benjiro Hiroto. Tala has met the giant of a man before, during a regular patrol. He recalls how despite his menacing and large appearance, he was still a kind and caring person. Afterall, the residents of the Rukon had welcomed him whenever they weren't unwanted in the area. He'd also been there to help defend the Academy during the second invasion. All in all, he knew they would be well with Benjiro on this mission.

Tala smiled as he approached the Senkaimon, giving a quick bow of greeting, "Tala Selao, Seventh Seat of Sanbantai reporting. Sorry for being late everyone." A team of tried and true Shinigami was assembled here. Whoever had put them together either had done their homework or just got really lucky with their draw. Then again, from what the brief on the mission was, Tala would bet on the former. Whatever was causing trouble at this temple was likely no joke.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As Benjiro stood before the Senkaimon, a sense of urgency hung heavy in the air. The message he had received had left little room for hesitation, and he had prepared himself for the challenges that awaited him on the other side. His Zanpakuto, Futan Juzemasu, rested at his side, a constant reminder of his duty and the power he wielded.

He was not the first to arrive at the Senkaimon. Shortly after him came Rei Takagi, the 11th Seat of the Third Division, a Shinigami who exuded readiness and determination, traits essential for their expeditionary squad. It was nice to meet another Seated Officer, though the circumstances was far from what he preferred. Benjiro acknowledged his presence with a solemn nod, recognizing the importance of their mission.

The next Shinigami to join them was Kazuhiko, the Third Seat of the Medical Division. Benjiro had encountered him before and couldn't help but smile at the young Shinigami's ceaseless optimism. If he wasn't mistaken, he was Satoshi-san's brother as well. Either way, to have a prestigious and talented Shinigami on this task force was a boon in and of itself. It was a refreshing contrast to the gravity of their mission.

Finally, the familiar face of Tala Selao, the Seventh Seat of the Third Division, arrived, offering apologies for being late. The flame-wielding Shinigami was a welcome addition to the team as well, even if it took some time for him to arrive. Benjiro dismissed his concerns with a shake of his head. "You arrived just in time," he reassured them. "It is an honor to see the both of you again and to meet you, Mr. Takagi. For formality's sake, my name is Benjiro Hiroto, Twelfth Seat of the Tenth." He bowed deeply to each of his companions.

Benjiro couldn't help but ponder the significance of their mission. The fact that the Gotei 13 had dispatched four Seated Officers spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation. As they awaited their assignment details, a Shinigami from the 13th Division arrived, carrying the crucial information.

"Good day, Seated Officers," the Shinigami began. "You are being sent to India, specifically to the Mahabodhi Temple, due to repeated hollow readings in the past month. Despite the relatively weak readings we have received, multiple squads of Unseated Officers have gone missing after visiting. You are tasked with investigating the temple, rescuing our brethren, and clearing the hollow threat once and for all. Good luck."

With their mission defined, the Senkaimon opened, and Benjiro led the way through it. As he emerged on the other side, he couldn't help but be struck by the profound significance of their location—the Mahabodhi Temple, where Buddha had attained enlightenment. However, something was amiss. The energy in the temple was eerie, devoid of the any spiritual presence. No souls, no spirits. It was a disconcerting sight that hinted at deeper mysteries awaiting them within. 

"Something is wrong. I can feel it." 

---

Amidst the hallowed grounds of the Mahabodhi Temple, a grotesque stillness hung in the air like a shroud of desolation. The silence, far more sinister than mere absence of sound, was a numbing void that clawed at the soul. It was as if the very spirit of the temple had been leeched away, leaving behind a wretched emptiness that seemed to feed on the marrow of existence.

Gone was the vibrant life that once thrived within these sacred walls. No footsteps echoed through the ancient courtyards, no whispered prayers rose to the heavens. The temple stood, a haunted relic of its former glory, its once-proud stone façade now crumbling and weathered by the relentless march of time.

Each weathered brick seemed to bear witness to untold horrors, etched with the silent screams of those who had come seeking solace, only to find themselves ensnared in the clutches of an unspeakable malevolence. The Mahabodhi Temple had become a tomb, a sepulcher for lost souls, where not even the wind dared to whisper secrets.

As the sun cast long, eerie shadows over the forsaken temple, the feeling of dread only deepened. The air itself seemed to carry a mournful lament, a dirge for the countless lives that had been devoured by the sinister presence that now dwelled within. It was a place where darkness reigned supreme, and the very concept of hope had withered and died, leaving only the haunting specter of a once-beautiful monument swallowed by the abyss.