Judgement Day [DP PVP]

[Celes Castellanos]

Celes could hardly believe it. The arrow she fired promptly dug itself into the Third Seat's flesh. Ironically, it wasn't Tala's pained expression that surprised her. No. In fact, the girl was just as shocked as Tala over her use of a bow. She had never wielded one before, but she knew that she wouldn't find much difficulty if she allowed her body to move on its own. It was... surreal. However, now was no time to freak out about something like that. After all, her opponent was still standing after enduring a clean shot. She would just roll with the punches and sort through all of this later.

With that being said, Celes reached backward and pulled an arrow forth from her quiver. Pulling back on the bowstring as she took aim, Celes took deep measured breaths. On her exhale, another arrow flew towards the Third Seat's leg. She was going to cripple his movements. The arrow continued on its path, but the lime-haired Shinigami noticed the air around Tala change before it could land its mark. The sweltering heat began to shift. She could visibly see the distortions swirling in front of Tala as her arrow spun uncontrollably in the air. It was if something blocked its path! Celes' eyes narrowed as she stared Tala down. "Huh. Looks like he has more than one trick up his sleeve after all.", Honegumi snidely remarked.

Then, Tala vanished again! Celes' eyes darted from left to right. She was trying to pinpoint where had had moved to. However, she'd be met with the same wave of fire that she had seen countless times. Instinctively, Celes allowed her Shikai to shroud around her right arm. Tendrils suddenly leaped across the length of the skeletal limb, linking like intricate webs. Then, muscles formed along the layer of connective tissue. Almost simultaneously, reiatsu flowed throughout the limb before collecting within the surface of her palm. Celes outstretched her armor-clad right arm to meet the attack head-on. It was a technique of hers that she had used before to effectively siphon power from a spiritual attack and absorb it into herself. She had used it against the likes of Orobas and Kitai, both immensely powerful combatants in their own right. Compared to them, Tala's spiritual power was a mere breeze.

At least that's what Celes thought until disaster struck. Upon coming into contact with the inferno with her Shikai, the wave detonated in a fiery display. Flames licked at the muscle and tissue, searing it with impressive force. It ripped and tore, charring the Shikai. It seemed that Celes had underestimated Tala once more. Fire continued to spread along her skin forming blisters and scar tissue. Yet, despite all of this, Celes didn't seem fazed by it. She grimaced, but it was not from any pain. Instead, she tried to piece together why her technique failed. Was Tala's release on a different level than her own? Was she, a former Captain, being outpaced by a new generation?

"Tch. It's time we ended this facade, Celes. He continues to persevere? Then let's break his spirit!" Celes was not entirely sure what the Inner Hollow was getting at, but there was one thing she completely understood. Tala was not going to give up. As things were, he felt that had a change. "Unleash me, Celes. Show Soul Society why we are to be feared!" The lime-haired girl took a deep breath and sighed. She now knew exactly what Honegumi was proposing. In truth, she had no issue with it. It would help dissuade Tala from continuing this pointless endeavor. "Bankai.", Celes declared as her voice began to intermingle with Honegumi's for a brief moment. "Soar across the heavens, Kōgōshī Sōkō Gassō."

A large blast of energy suddenly erupted from the girl. It rose into the sky before wildly expanding into the skeletal construct that Tala might have recognized. In a flash, however, flesh and muscle spread across the surface. Then clothing and armor formed. Soon enough, it rose even further into the sky. Within mere moments Kōgōshī Sōkō Gassō had formed legs and mighty wings which almost blocked out the sun. Celes had risen into the visage of the construct as her eyes searched for the Third Seat. If Tala had made no effort to hide from her imposing form, the masked eyes of her construct would stare at him with malice. Once more, Celes' voice bellowed from the Astral Soul.

"It's over, Tala. Let's do this the painful way." A loud roar erupted from the oni mask as the construct leapt into the air and flapped its wings. Mighty gusts of winds cascaded towards ground, uprooting trees and tearing the ground asunder. Holding her hand to the side, the Astral Soul mimicked her movements perfectly. She formed a bow once more, but this time, it would appear in the hands of the construct. It had grown absolutely massive in size. However, the weapon began to change, shaping itself into something else entirely. Just like old times, Celes now wielded a longsword akin to her Zanpakutō. She then took the massive weapon and crashed down to the ground below, plunging the blade into the ground. The incredible force sent a shockwave rippling through it. Before long, a wall of earth rushed outward in every direction. It was clear that this was no technique. That was simply a display of overpowering physical prowess. Needless to say, if Tala didn't act he'd likely find himself getting buried underneath soil and stone alike.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Honegumi Gassō Durability}
Astral Soul Body: 2480
Astral Soul Right Arm: 2600
Astral Soul Left Arm: 3600
Astral Soul Head: 3600
Astral Soul Wings: 3600

SPOILER: Click to show

{Celes' Reiatsu and Resources}
Reiatsu: 1935/3000
Chi: 12

-450 Reiatsu for Class 1 Bankai
-20 Reiatsu for Projectile
-200 Reiatsu for Astral Flow
-100 Reiatsu for Spirit Arsenal

+10 Chi from Shikai Overall Ability
-2 Chi for Palms of the Astral Soul
-6 Chi for Ascension of the Astral Soul
-20 Chi for Astral Flow

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bankai Overall Ability}Like most Bankai, Kōgōshī Sōkō Gassō aims to further develop Celes' manipulation of qi along with the Astral Soul she commands. Upon releasing Kōgōshī Sōkō Gassō, Ascension of the Astral Soul immediately becomes Rank IV, no matter its former Rank. Transcending the limitations of its Shikai counterpart, the durability of the Astral Soul becomes 3x Celes' Strength. Celes generates 15 Chi per post and Palms & Arms of the Astral Soul now generates 15 Chi per hit. Additionally, when Celes spends Chi in addition to reiatsu for her Zanpakutō techniques, the reiatsu cost is reduced by 50%. Unlike the other stages where Celes was limited to the ground, Heavenly Sentinel grants the Astral Soul legs as Celes takes refuge in the Visage, making it much more difficult to hit her. This also increases the overall height of the Astral Soul to an imposing 40 ft. Additionally, while Bankai is active, Celes suffers less stamina drain from high-intensity movement. Instead of suffering progressively higher stamina drain every 100 speed, this is increased to every 200 speed. Heavenly Sentinel also grants the Astral Soul wings, allowing it to take to the skies and fly at a speed equal to Celes’ which gives it some much-needed aerial mobility. The wings produced by Heavenly Sentinel have separate durability of 3x Celes’ Strength. If the wings are reduced to 0, Celes’ cannot take flight until she uses 25 Chi to restore them. The legs are considered part of the body’s durability. Skeletal, Humanoid, and Armored forms gain a lower body and all benefits associated with it.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Astral Flow}Technique Name: Astral Flow

Technique Stages: Shikai/Bankai

Technique Cost: 50 Reiatsu/5 Chi per Class starting @ Class 7

Description: By redirecting the flow of energy, Celes can effectively absorb and channel foreign spiritual energies. Celes begins by infusing the arms or weapons created by the Astral Soul with reiatsu for one post. During this time, any contact with spiritual abilities, no matter its source, will result in it being devoured by the Astral Soul and nullifying any damage or adverse effect it would have otherwise inflicted on Celes. Doing so nourishes Celes' Spirit, adding 25% of the ability's reiatsu cost, if any, to her pool. This is further increased to 50% in Bankai. Alternatively, Celes can opt to channel the spiritual energy through her Astral Soul instead. Instead of converting the ability into raw reiatsu, Celes can create 2 charges; 4 in Bankai. Celes can expend any number of charges during a physical attack, channeling the captured spiritual essence through herself. Consuming a charge increases the following strike by 25% of the ability's OS. Celes may consume more than one charge at a time, up to the number of charges she currently has, giving her the option to spend all at once for a single amplified strike or spend them one at a time for smaller bursts of power. For the duration of the attack, is treated as both physical and spiritual. Additionally, if the spiritual matter was of a certain element, Celes utilize it, giving the strike simple elemental properties such as burns. Finally, Astral Flow can leech reiatsu from willing participants. By placing their hand on Celes, they may freely give up reiatsu and transfer it to Celes on a 1:1 basis. The reiatsu that is transferred cannot exceed her maximum reiatsu pool.

Drawbacks: Despite Astral Flow's ability to absorb spiritual matter, it has a number of limitations. First and foremost, the OS of the spiritual abilities cannot exceed Celes' own; 1.5x Celes' OS in Bankai. Additionally, Astral Flow cannot absorb anything that is higher in Class than Celes' release Class. Astral Flow requires Celes' conscientious effort to absorb matter, meaning that this technique cannot absorb anything that the Shinigami cannot react to or isn't aware of. Astral Flow has no effect on physical matter or their byproducts. For example, Astral Flow might be able to absorb reiatsu surrounding a sword, but it cannot stop the momentum of a sword swing. Additionally, Astral Flow cannot break down the spiritual bodies of RPCs. For as long as Astral Flow retains charges, absorbing another technique will not refresh any missing charges. Upon consuming any number of charges, they are lost no matter whether the attack lands. Astral Flow can never cause Celes' OS to exceed 3x.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Celes' Modified Skills}Weapons - Bow: 2
Calm Mind: 1
Weapons - Longsword: 3

Class 1 Bankai: 1/9

Genius Stamina Posts: 4/8

[Tala Selao]

Tala's eyes widen as he watched her take her stance and begin to utter the word he was hoping he wouldn't have to hear during this endeavor. Bankai. If his chances were slim before then they were close to none now as he knew that this meant Celes was done taking it easy on him as she had made her last mistake of underestimating him. Whereas before he could tell she was not trying looking to wound or lethally injure him, now he didn't know if he was going to be leaving here with his life intact. Yet the mission still remains the same as he would have a recording of her Bankai for all of Soul Society to study. Now it was just a matter of surviving long enough to gather a decent amount of intel to make use of.

Tala shielded himself from the wind with his arm, his eyes turned down as the blast of energy pushed against him. He waves the dust away as his eyes lock on the spectral legs, following it all the way up to see the terrifying spectral mask and eyes glaring down at him as it raised it's sword. He didn't even wait for her to start the descent of the blade before he was already soaring through the air via shunpo, spinning mid air to dodge the sword as he passed it.He wasn't sure where Celes was but he knew that this thing could be damaged and possibly destroyed so for now, he'd focus on disarming it, quite literally.

Once he was clear of the sword, he'd twist in the air and send himself back down, aiming to land on the part of it's left bicep that was just above it's elbow. As he landed he'd then swing his sword down to cleave his blade into the jade construct, letting off an explosive wave of heat as the blade digs into it. As the small explosion knocks him back a few feet, he kept up the channel of reiatsu flowing into his hand, which were now very visibly steaming as his hands begin to turn red with blisters. Yet he pushed through as rushes back to the spot that he'd struck and drives his fist into the whatever damaged point might have appeared, punching it once, then twice, and finally ending with a painful slam of his fists before he leaps back, expecting her giant construct hand to attempt to smash or swipe him off.

With the aid of another shunpo, if he wasn't caught in her grasps or any other of Celes' unknown tricks, he'd have sent himself flying back while sending out another blast of heat. He'd then look to land on her construct's shoulder, as he goes into a backspin and swings his blade into its neck, however this time he opts not to use another wave of heat, opting to conserve his energy and gather more heat within her blades. He'd need a moment to rest and he was banking on this being a somewhat safe spot for him to be in for the time.

He'd quickly analyze what had change now that she had unleashed Bankai. This armored construct was no doubt stronger than the skeletal one he'd saw not but a few minutes ago however he'd noticed that the right arm, which had been destroyed before Bankai, as well as parts of its body were already somewhat damaged which would indicate that her Bankai doesn't fully repair what's already been damaged or broken. He silently chides himself for not having noticed that sooner before he'd targeted the left arm however this would just mean he'd have an easier time whittling it down once he was done with the left.

If she didn't repair it that is. He glances at the left arm and then the portion of the neck that he'd just struck to assess the damage there while he still had a moment as well as trying to discern exactly where Celes was within the construct before he took too much time resting and she would get him with another blow. This would also probably be the time for him to try and take care of the arrow that was dug into his shoulder, the pain now becoming a little more unbearable.

He quickly grips it and tries to pull it out, however it was dug in too deep for him to be able to pull it out, not with his strength as it was at least. With it being stuck in his shoulder and not all the way through, he wouldn't be able to pull it out the back, even if he had the strength to. So he'll have to leave it in until he gets medical help. If he survived this encounter that is.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool - 5,750/8,000}-150 Combat Cutback Upkeep
-150 x3 Shunpo
-200 Hearth's Warmth

[Celes Castellanos]

The wave of earth inched towards Tala and picked up speed every second. It threatened to consume him within mere moments and practically bury him alive. Celes half expected Tala to freeze beneath her Bankai. After all, this was the true form of a Zanpakutō. It was the culmination of decades of training, blood, sweat, and perseverance. Yet, even despite this, Tala persevered. He swallowed his doubt and fear. By the time that the earthen wall buried the nearby chunk of the park under it, Tala was nowhere to be seen. The former Captain' eyes skimmed the battlefield for any sign of the Third Seat. Could this have been it? Unfortunately for her, it seemed that there was more to come.

The familiar sounds of a whoosh graced the girls' ear. Her eyes widened and she turned her head only to see Tala standing atop her Bankai! "Are you fucking serious?" Despite her displays of power. Despite the gap that existed between them, Tala continued to press forward. Not even the reveal of her Bankai seemed to deter the stubborn-headed Shinigami. Suffice to say, Celes was frozen with a mixture of confusion and fury. This gave Tala the opportunity he needed. The blade of his Zanpakutō struck true and the flames that sparked outward licked at the construct. It was enough to send cracks running up the length of the arm. However, this was also a testament to its durability. A combo that would've effortlessly shattered her Shikai only partially damaged it now!

As the shock began to subside, Celes glared at Tala. She just wanted the Shinigami to retreat. She tried to demoralize him. She tried to demonstrate the futility of it all. But it was for naught. If Celes was going to follow Honegumi's advice and truly break his spirit, then it seemed that she needed to get her own hands dirty. With that, Celes disappeared from sight with a Shunpo. As Tala struck at the arm of the Astral Soul with his fists, more damage exploded throughout the limb. Armor split, cloth tore, and bone fractured. Then, it all went limp, the Bankai practically falling to its knees. The question remained why?

That question would soon answer itself as parts of the Bankai would fade away in an ethereal mist. Then, using her Shunpo, Celes would aim to appear before Tala shortly before his slam as the lime-haired Shinigami practically tried to barrel into Tala with her shoulder without roughly 400 Strength to knock the wind out of him. Unfortunately, if successful, the impact would severely bruise Celes' muscle and practically shatter the bone, the bruising spreading her to torso and down the length of her arm. The pain alone might've been enough to deter someone, but not Celes. Her eyes which met Tala's were filled with determination.

If Tala was successfully reeling, Celes use her other hand to reach out and try to grab hold of Tala's Zanpakutō, gripping the shaft of the spear. From here, Celes formed an Air-Ground beneath her feet and spun around, trying to use her monstrous strength to fling Tala back to the ground. However, she'd hold on tightly to the Shinigami's Zanpakutō, practically ensuring that the Third Seat would lose grip of his own weapon! If she was successfully wielding Hāsu, the girl would allow herself to fall to the ground below near where Tala fell and attempt to drive Hāsu through his leg to pin him!

Rising to her feet, Celes tried to move her left arm, but found it completely shattered and bruised. Suffice to say, it wasn't going to move on its own. With that in mind, Celes formed the left arm of her Bankai, condensing it around her broken left arm. Effectively moving her arm like a puppet, Celes gripped the spear handle of Hāsu tightly. If Tala was successfully pinned, Celes would stare down at him as she allowed reiatsu to surge through her body once more. "Give it up, Tala! Don't make me do this.", she declared solemnly. He had the power to end this. He just needed to give Celes the signal.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kōgōshī Sōkō Gassō Durability}
Astral Soul Body: 2480
Astral Soul Right Arm: 2600
Astral Soul Left Arm: 900
Astral Soul Head: 3600
Astral Soul Wings: 3600

SPOILER: Click to show

{Celes' Reiatsu and Resources}
Reiatsu: 1810/3000
Chi: 27

-50 Reiatsu for Shunpo
-75 Reiatsu for Spirit Arsenal

+15 Chi from Bankai Overall Ability

SPOILER: Click to show

{Celes' Modified Skills}Weapons - Longsword: 3
Weapons - Polearms: 3

Class 1 Bankai: 2/9

Genius Stamina Posts: 5/8

[Tala Selao]

Tala's mind hadn't quite processed what was happening as he felt the air being forcefully pushed out of him as Celes had suddenly appeared in front of him and the drove her shoulder into him. Of course, his sent him stumbling back as he was nowhere near strong enough to keep his footing when being hit by that much strength, even if Celes was holding back. Which meant that she'd successfully grab Hāsu from him as he's flung to the ground.

His eyes grow wide as he feel's Hāsu being ripped from his grasp before he then finds himself smashed into the ground, a small crater dug around him. The pain from the double whiplash and not having had a moment to regain his breath had him reeling in pain on the ground, struggling and fighting to get air into his lungs and a strangled scream trying to find it's way past his vocal cords but not able to escape. Alas, this was not the end of Celes' retaliation as he felt a searing pain rip through his leg, the wound instantly being cauterized by the heat being produced by Hāsu's blades however it continued to burn him from the inside out as it was left in him.

It was then that Tala's lungs found air the searing pain tore the struggling scream out from his throat. Tears were forming in his eyes due to the pain, yet when Celes spoke he stared at her with a cold determined look, blinking the tears away. It seemed she would end this. She was giving him an out. Unfortunately, Tala was too stubborn to take it as he only saw another chance to draw this closer to a close. He'd suffer whatever consequences this would bring upon him later but right now, he wanted her to know that despite everything, he would not be easily shaken from this.

So when it seemed like Celes had lowered her guard, if only a bit, he'd push through all the pain in his body, leg, forgoing the channel of reiatsu into his hands, which were now covered in blisters, to try and place his it on her leg to cast Bakudō #1 on her without uttering a single word followed by him then casting Bakudō #61 again, trying to restrain Celes' arms once more to get her grip off of Hāsu while also trying to catch her in the beams of light that was Rikujokoro.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Reiatsu Pool - 5,725/8,000}-150 Bakudō #61: Rikujokoro (Six Rods Prison of Light)
-25 Bakudō #1: Sai (Restrain)

[Celes Castellanos]

Tala's scream of pain pierced Celes' determination and resolve. He was a friend and yet the circumstances forced Celes to brutalize someone who she had begun to mentor. The Third Seat was brash and determined, and this scared Celes. Could she truly force him to give up the fight without killing him? Could she even cross that line if necessary? So, in a desperate attempt, Celes had pleaded with Tala to surrender. They could part ways and while she felt it would form a rift between the two, it would be better than having Tala's blood on her hands. She locked eyes with him, awaiting an answer. She silently hoped that he would make the right call.

Unfortunately for both of them, Tala's headstrong nature prevailed. She didn't even feel Tala touch her, but she did feel a sudden force. Her arms cramped up and locked into place behind her back without warning. Celes knew this Kidō well. Bakudō #1: Sai. She looked down at Tala, her brow contorting with disappointment. "Why won't he just stay down!?!", the former Captain screamed internally. Despite all of her previous efforts to reason with or intimidate Tala, it seemed that the Shinigami would not give up. It was vexing. However, Celes didn't have much time to reflect as another Bakudō closed in on her.

Sai might've bound her arms, but it did nothing to restrict her legs. With very little effort thanks to her physical prowess, Celes leapt a few feet into the air. The paralyzing beams of light of the Rikujokoro crashed into each other, but missed the woman's waist as Celes flexed both her right arm and willed the left arm to move as well. Within the blink of an eye, the invisible bindings that locked Celes' arm shattered, freeing her. As she landed gracefully on two feet, the girl turned to Tala once more. She might have let go of Hāsu, but Celes doubted he could run off very far with his wounded leg.

"We can't waste all day with him, Celes! Just finish him off!" In truth? Celes briefly considered it. Nothing else was working. Nothing else felt like it could deter the Shinigami. That's when Celes stared at Hāsu once more. Tala seemed to draw a lot of his strength from his Zanpakutō. Given the nature of his Shikai, it was evident that the two had bonded quite well. That's when Celes had an idea. She felt sick to her core for even considering it, but it was one of the only options she had left. "No. We tried breaking his body and will. Neither worked. Now, let's strike at his heart.

If Tala remained close to Celes, she'd walk up to him calmly. Otherwise, she'd rush him down at full throttle until she stood just before him. Whichever way things turned out, Celes tried grasping at his Zanpakutō once more. If successful, Celes gripped it tightly and looked Tala dead in the eye. "We reap what we sow, Tala. I'm sorry it had to come to this." Celes' skin tinted red as her heart roared like a revving engine inside of her chest. It would be just loud enough for the Third Seat to hear the thrumming. Raising her right arm to her side, Celes swifly swung it before her. However, she didn't aim for Tala. No. If her strike landed its mark, the girl's hand would rip straight through Hāsu and cleave the spear in two!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Do-Re-Mi}Technique Name: Do-Re-Mi

Class: 2

Technique Type: Hakuda

Technique Element: None

Technique Description and Effects:

An advanced Hakuda technique which causes the user to vibrate their arms while also flexing them. This also requires the user to be moving constantly and quickly, maybe running. The blood pumps and increases muscle size and capacity for a few seconds, allowing one hit of advanced strength.

For one single attack, the user's physical strength doubles. If this is used during a technique that increases strength, then the hit strength of that technique is what doubles instead of base strength.

How to use technique:

Must have at least a 3 in Hakuda, 800 speed, and 250 strength. Must be at least Rank Level 3 to learn this technique.

Drawback:

This technique is one of the less straining ones, but regardless is still straining. A healthy specimen may be able to use this technique more, but they will still be hit eventually by heart damage, heart trauma, and muscular pains.

Made by: Kenpachi Shingai

Class 1 Bankai: 3/9

Genius Stamina Posts: 6/8

[Tala Selao]

Tala knew that Sai wasn't going to hold, he'd only hoped that it would have been enough of a distraction for Rikujokoro to trap her but Celes’ reaction speed was beyond what he could have expected even with the fact that he knew her speed was terrifyingly far above what he could perceive. It wasn't a complete loss however, as it had the benefit of making her put some distance between them which gave him time to, excruciatingly, pull Hasū out from his leg with a bit of effort.

His hands stung from the burns that had been produced by the constant channel of reiatsu that he'd been doing up until a moment ago, yet he still kept his grip as tight as he could manage on Hasū as he shifted his leg to take a step back, a wave of pain was sent through his body thanks to the wound that had been produced due to having been pierced by his own weapon. Despite all this though, he didn't take his eyes off of Celes.

As she started to step towards him, he knew from the aches of his body and the wound of his leg, he wouldn't be able to outrun or evade her even if he wanted to, less so now than ever. So he stood his ground, readying himself for whatever Celes may try. Panic shot through his body as she reached for Hasū once more, as he reflexively began to gather all the heat in the area as her hand wrapped around the shaft of Hasū.

He couldn't tell if that the thrumming sound he was hearing wasn't coming from the rush of heat being gathered in Hasū until he saw Celes' hand turning red. He desperately tried to pull away from her as she swung her hand down and shattered Hasū. All the heat that had been gathered into Hasū was suddenly unleashed in an explosive wave of heat that would fling Tala a good several feet away. He groaned and tried to push himself up until he paused and realized that he wasn't holding one whole but two pieces of Hasū, the shaft now splintered wood and they blades completely absent of heat.

He also realized that he couldn't feel any heat and he could barely feel her presence within himself. He was in such a state of shock, that whether Celes said or did anything to him, he would not hear her. He wouldn't even move as he tried to grasp the reality he was in now. He was ready to suffer whatever injury she'd inflict upon him, he was even ready to die but this...he didn't even think of this possibility nor the fact that Celes had committed this transgression.

[Celes Castellanos]

Celes' move was quick and brutal. She ripped through the Zanpakutō with her bare hand. However, she did not anticipate what was to come. Flames swirled around the blades as the collected heat coalesced and burst! Celes' vision was overcome with tendrils of fire as she was catapulted backward. She slid to a stop, her body covered in scorch marks. The girl looked at her blister-covered flesh for a moment before her eyes descended upon Tala. The Third Seat now held his splintered Zanpakutō in his hands. The look of shock on his face was obvious. Celes did not want it to come to this, but she felt as though she had no other choice.

"Well look at that. You have quite the heart of ice, Celes. This is a blow that very few would be able to walk off." Celes gave a silent nod as she briefly reminisced the day she lost Yunorashi. It was an immense trauma for the former Captain as it felt like a piece of her had been ripped away. It was worse than losing a dear friend. Worse than losing a loved one. Hasū was broken and Celes did not truly know the repercussions of having a Zanpakutō destroyed, but she did know one thing. It would serve as a supreme display of her power. Of her conviction to sever her bond with Soul Society.

Now all that was left was to end this fight. Tala continued to remain catatonic as he seemed to process exactly what Celes had done. The girl took a relaxing deep breath and stared at Tala. "You have been beaten, Tala. You have no weapon. No hope to defeat me. However, you need not die here. Return to Soul Society. Now. Before I change my mind." Even despite all that transpired between them today, Celes was still willing to show mercy to the Third Seat. Clearly his morale took a hit and so Celes hoped that this was finally enough to force the Third Seat to retreat.

Class 1 Bankai: 4/9

Genius Stamina Posts: 0/8

[Tala Selao]

Tala had finally glanced up at Celes, although he hadn't really heard what she'd siad. He hadn't even registered that she'd spoken. He just stared at her with an empty look on his face before he begins to slowly push himself to his feet, gripping the two halves of Hasū. He then stood there, not taking any kind of fighting stance, and stares at her once more before he finally shakes his head as if shaking himself out of his shock.

"You should leave now, Celes. If they're already not on their way then they will be soon thanks to this." He taps just beneath his left eye, indicating that he had an ocular lens on, although whether she knew what it was or not was unknown to Tala himself, which is why he continued, "The live feed should have already been uploaded to Jūnibantai. They'll know everything now. If you deserting was a secret then it won't be for much longer." 

He sighs as he drops his weapon and raises his hand, "I'm not going to try and stop you from leaving but I'll be staying here to help with the clean up." He glances around at the park which had several scorch marks and small craters from their fight, not to mention the building that had been demolished earlier. Besides that, he didn't want to mention the fact that now that the adrenaline was fading from his body, leaving him too weak to move any further now, and if he exerted himself anymore he'd collapse.

[Celes Castellanos]

As Tala rose to his feet, Celes could sense that the circumstances had changed. Tala, a fighter so reliant on his Zanpakutō, was without a weapon. This would be reflected in his demeanor. He appeared reserved and resigned to the fact that this was over. His stance told Celes all she needed to know. The former Captain stepped back and allowed Tala to regain his composure. She hated that it had to come to this. That she needed to destroy Hasū for this to end. She took a deep breath and shook her head. "It was a necessary sacrifice...", the Shinigami briefly told herself.

As Tala composed himself, he seemed ready to speak. Celes offered him her undivided attention. "You should leave now, Celes." The Shinigami blinked a few times before responding. "Huh?" What the hell was Tala on about? "If they're already not on their way then they will be soon thanks to this." As the Third Seat tapped just underneath his eye. A small lens rested underneath, the green-tinted glass lighting up occasionally. "Wait...", Celes questioned. "Is that?" Her thoughts became interrupted by Tala as he continued. "The live feed should have already been uploaded to Jūnibantai. They'll know everything now. If you deserting was a secret then it won't be for much longer."

"Shit.", the Shinigami muttered. How had she not realized it before? Had she been so caught up in the thralls of battle? She clicked her tongue in annoyance. This could threaten to complicate things a lot more. If this information got out to the wider public, then Celes could easily be branded a traitor throughout all of Soul Society. She closed her eyes and exhaled. A few moments of silence passed. "You're one cunning bastard, y'know that?" It sounded less like an insult and more akin to a backhanded compliment. "Maybe the real victor here isn't as clear as it seems."

Celes turned on her heel and looked around for the duffel bag from earlier. Even with her heightened senses, it was nowhere in sight. No doubt, it was likely destroyed in the chaos. "Damn it.", Celes cursed at the situation. She looked over her shoulder at Tala. "You take care, Tala. I hope that next time we can meet under better circumstances." Her voice sounded regretful for a brief moment. Then, her body flickered and she was gone.

Racing at top speed for a few minutes, Celes created a substantial distance between herself and the park. Landing on top of a building, Celes sat down and dangled her legs over the edge. She let out shallow gasps as breathing was slowly becoming a tad bit more challenging. She was downright numb to any pain, but the physiological effects were still a pain in the ass. "Tch. We should've roughed him up a bit more if you ask me. An eye for an eye, Celes." The Shinigami shook her head. "What difference does it make. He won't pursue us. Besides...", she briefly lingered. "If Soul Society gets wise to this, there will be plenty for Shinigami coming for us who we can rough up." Honegumi paused for a moment before Celes felt a sinister glee emanating from the Hollow.

"Clever girl. Oh, before I forget, I owe you something for that last assault. You might find this one useful." Suddenly, Celes felt another burst of inspiration hit her. Honegumi, meanwhile, focused reiatsu to flow through Celes' body. Surging wildly, the Shinigami felt a brief yet small burst of stamina. Then, cuts and bruises began to close. As time went on, lacerations and her moe mild burns faded. After what felt like a full minute, maybe two, the Shinigami looked rather pristine. She could even breathe properly again. The memory of a restorative paradigm came to mind and Celes understood the technique that Honegumi had taught her. "Huh. Good as new.", she noted with a hint of surprise. Her energy died down as the girl sealed her Zanpakutō once more. Perhaps she could enjoy a bit of time outside after all until she had to get moving, quietly suppressing her reiatsu.

[Shizuka Sanamizu ✮]

Celes: 12 posts x 75 TP = 900
1+1+2+1+5 = 10 extra paragraphs x 10 TP = 100
Victor = 100
900+100+100 = 1100 TP total

Tala: 11 posts x 75 TP = 825
2+4+3 = 9 extra paragraphs x 10 TP = 90
825 + 90 = 915 TP total