Fresh Face in the Morning

[Tala Selao]

"Remarkable, Hikari," Tala commended, genuine appreciation in his voice. "Your Fullbring is truly impressive as with your skill and strength." As the echoes of their clash gradually faded, Tala's attention shifted to the aftermath of the confrontation. The lingering scent of burnt Hollow filled the air, a testament to the intensity of their struggle. In the brief respite, Tala awaited Hikari's response, a shared moment of camaraderie amidst the remnants of spiritual conflict.

Yet, the centipede Hollow lingered, its segmented form undeterred by the demise of its companions. The ground beneath it seemed to writhe as it approached, the echoing scuttle of its many legs reverberating in the air. "A moment Hikari. It seems there's one more," Tala excused himself, his eyes locked on the approaching menace. Without hesitation, he swung Hāsu once more, channeling the power of his Shikai. Hearth's Warmth surged forth, a wave of intense heat aimed at the centipede Hollow. The flames licked at its segmented form, searing through its flesh with unforgiving heat.

The centipede Hollow screeched in agony as the flames consumed it, the intense heat proving too much for its grotesque anatomy. It writhed for a moment, then succumbed to the relentless power of Hearth's Warmth, dissolving into ash. The air carried the lingering warmth of the flames, a testament to the final victory over the encroaching threat.

As the remnants of the spiritual conflict dissipated, Tala turned to Hikari with a nod of appreciation and a soft smile, acknowledging the shared victory. "Well done, Hikari," Tala praised, his voice resonating with approval. "Your strength and resilience are quite formidable. It'll be rewarding to see how your power grows once you've truly mastered your Fullbring."

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu - 5,650/6,000}-100 x1 Hearth's Warmth

[Scarlet]

Tala certainly was more open and positive than most if not all the Shinigami that she’d met up to this point. At the same time though it wasn’t something that Hikari was all that used to and now started to doubt. Despite managing to cripple the praying mantis Hollow in a couple of swings by just as many seconds, what he was saying almost seemed sarcastic to her now. Like she should have been able to kill the Hollow in half as many swings if she were to be compared to anyone actually competent. Second guessing herself right now though was dangerous as this was still a battle and she’d already learned that such thoughts had no place in these situations.

“Thanks.”

Hikari couldn’t really express what she was seeing though had Hollow after Hollow despite being her enemy were each burned to death in the blink of an eye. How did this make sense? How was a Shinigami so powerful that he could essentially cook his foes to death in the time it took to blink. It didn’t make sense, it wasn’t something that should be possible, nor was it something she could fight. Tala wasn’t someone she had any problem with, but how was she supposed to get payback on the asshole if he could manifest something like what Tala possessed?

How could anyone or anything fight against a zanpakuto that could cook something from the inside out by emitting heat? A simple wave of his zanpakuto and then Hikaeri could see it, the heat moving through the air at the centipede Hollow. It was the same as when she would look at the top of a wood fire. The air itself was carrying the heat and then when it managed to get to the Hollow it was so hot it seemingly ignited the body itself. A terrifying power that Hikari couldn’t comprehend facing down. From what she could tell there was very little time to evade and Tala barely had to do anything to actually use it, not to mention it didn’t seem to tire him out at all.

Tala beginning to speak once again snapped Hikari back to reality at which point her Fullbring would revert, turning back into the bright orange reiatsu that would rush to her ears transforming back into the crescent earrings. “I’m not sure how to take that with what I’ve just seen. How is Hasu so powerful that you can just eliminate Hollows as if they were ants?” Hikari couldn’t stop herself from asking knowing that she’d been gravely wounded by more than one Hollow in just the last few months. How was it possible that the strength between Shinigami really was like Heaven and Earth. How was this harder for her to grasp than the fact Hell was real and she’d already fought against Demons.

[Tala Selao]

Tala noticed the turmoil in Hikari's eyes and the disbelief lingering in her question. The stark difference in strength between a Shinigami and the supernatural threats they faced was a truth she grappled with. Tala sighed, recognizing the weight of her unspoken inquiries. "Hāsu's abilities are a reflection of the bond between a Shinigami and their zanpakuto. It's not just about strength; it's about understanding, trust, and mastery over one's own spiritual energy."

He gestured towards Hāsu, flames dancing with a rhythm that mirrored his words. "I haven't completely mastered Hāsu's power. It's an ongoing process of growth and refinement. The connection with one's zanpakuto is a continuous learning experience. Hāsu's strength lies in controlling heat and fire, and through practice and understanding, I've been honing that power. It's about finding a balance."

Approaching Hikari with a reassuring smile, whilst making sure the flames around , Tala continued, "Your Fullbring is a testament to your strength and potential. It's different from a zanpakuto, but the principles are similar. It's about unlocking and mastering the abilities that reside within your own soul. The journey may be challenging, but it's one worth undertaking. You've faced demons and Hollows, and you've survived. There's a strength within you that can be cultivated."

He paused, gauging her reaction before adding, "I understand that this world can be overwhelming, and the gap might seem insurmountable but every Shinigami, every warrior, began their journey facing uncertainty. It's the growth and understanding that come with each challenge that define us." As he spoke, the air around them seemed to carry a comforting warmth, as if Hāsu's flames responded to his words. The lingering doubts and confusion in Hikari's eyes were met with empathy from Tala. He hoped his words would offer her some clarity in the midst of the mystifying spiritual realm they navigated together.

[Scarlet]

All that Hikari could feel about what Tala was telling her, it all ultimately amounted to just sadness. She’d struggled to stay alive and figure out how to use her Fullbring the best way she can to this point, now only to see that against someone with real power she was useless. Tala had the power to kill her with her worst nightmare and there was nothing she would be able to do about it. The fact that Tala made it even more clear that he wasn’t completely in tune or mastered his connection with his zanpakuto just made things worse. To Hikari it just cemented further that she wouldn’t be able to do anything if a Shinigami of Tala’s level decided she wasn’t worth anything.

Although what Tala said was insightful about Shinigami and their zanpakuto it didn’t help her with her Fullbring that much was clear. Tala didn’t hide the fact that Shinigami gained power by communicating and bonding with their zanpakuto. That wasn’t something that she could do, her power was hers alone which meant there had to be something there for her to figure out. That just made it all the more complicated though. Did she need to go to theory in order to figure out what sort of mental block was keeping her from awakening the true power of her Fullbring. All of these spiritual concepts and enlightenments were just so much to handle that Hikari was starting to wish for a normal day. One with the worst thing that could happen was someone being an asshole about the color of her hair.

Tala was sure at least in Hikari’s opinion was a good guy that she wouldn’t mind helping out if he ever needed it, but what she’d seen wasn’t just scary to her. It was like witnessing someone else easily accomplish something that took real time and effort for her. A depressing situation that she couldn’t blame him for. No, this was something that her own emotions were causing and making her deal with even though she knew that comparing herself to someone that may have lived more than four times her in terms of age wasn’t fair to herself. This was just one of those moments that she knew at least one reason why she felt like shit, but couldn’t bring the emotions that course throughout her under control.

“Thanks Tala. I’ve got to think over this and try to figure it out. I’m not sure how often or long you’ll be in Karakura, but I’m sure we’ll cross each other again. Good luck until then.”

[Tala Selao]

"Hikari, I understand. The path to mastering one's abilities is unique for each of us. You've got the determination to find your way. If you ever need a hand or find yourself in a tight spot, don't hesitate to reach out. And just so you know, I'm planning on speaking to my superiors about the conduct of Shinigami in the World of the Living. Your experiences with some of them have caught my attention, and I want to ensure that such abuses of power are addressed." 

He ops to leave out that he's also going to speak with them about the idea of a more formal alliance with her. He figures they could make it up to her for the experiences she'd had with prior shinigami. For now he can at least promise her another meeting if she wishes, "Take care of yourself, and who knows, maybe our destinies will intertwine once more. Until then, stay strong and keep moving forward. Good luck on your journey, Hikari." He then turns with a bit of finality and takes off into the air with a quick step of Shunpo.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

82 paragraphs = 820 TP due to the double TP event