Unstoppable force, immovable object (CTP, Cierro)

[Cierro Muerte]

As Cierro sped around his opponent he noticed Rio reach out his arm out in front of him. It all appeared slow to the speedy espada, but he recognized what Rio was trying to do. It wouldn’t work however. Cierro ducked inside and slashed the espada’s midsection as he passed by the Quinta, ducking under his arm as he made a quick pass. The sword scraped into Rio’s side at impossible speeds as Cierro ran by underneath the other arrancar’s arm. The Octavo’s blade dug into the Quinta’s flesh and created a shallow gash. Rio attempted to grab on to his sword as it passed by him at impossible speed. However, the Octavo was too fast. He had cut shallow so that the resistance of his skin wouldn’t slow down the cut by too much. Before Rio could finish making a grab at the other espada’s blade Cierro was already ten yards away and staring back at him with a grin that Gin Ichimaru would be proud of.

Cierro was too fast for the Quinta and any unfocused shockwaves the espada used now would be useless because of the distance. “That blow was a lot better, Octava! Maybe that rank's not so bad on you after all!” said the fifth with a smile as he looked over at Cierro. The eighth ignored Rio’s remark. Of course he was fit to be Octavo. He was confident he was capable of taking out the Septima, but preferred his number stay the same. (He’d already gotten the tattoo and decorated his room with his number.) Cierro casually wiped some of the blood off of his blade with his finger. Without a word the Octavo sucked the red liquid off his thumb and swallowed it. Cierro smacked his lips as he focused on the taste. “You, sir...”” said the espada as his smile widened, “...need more salt...” Jokes were a great way to lighten the mood!

However, the reason for Cierro devouring Rio’s blood was far from being for simple comedic purposes. Cierro would see all of the espada’s history as if he experienced it himself. All of Rio’s abilities, everyone Rio knew, and even his darkest secrets would be laid clearly in front of the 8th to remember for all time. However, all of this information took awhile to process. It would take a few moments before the eighth would be able to comprehend all of the memories. “So...” said the Octavo crossing his arms with a smile, “How about them Yanks?” Whether Rio began to respond or not, the Octavo would interrupt with a loud, “YOU TAKE TOO LONG!!! I CUT YOU WITH MY SWISHY WOOSH-WOOSH BLADE!!!”

*BOOM*

Cierro took a leap forwards and suddenly disappeared in a sonido that propelled him across the hallway to the other side of Rio at a speed 130 times greater than his own. Even if Rio used sonido, Cierro was still ten times faster then him. There would be no possible way for the espada to react as the Octavo delivered a crippling strike to the espada’s arm. Cierro could have probably severed it completely, but that wasn’t the way he rolled. He bared no ill will against Rio and only left the Quinto with an inch gash in his right shoulder. When it came to speed, Cierro was leagues above his superiors. Essentially the Octavo was traveling at Mach 6 and not even sound would help Rio in this situation. He stood 30 yards down the hallway well before the espada would even realize he was cut. Such was the amazing speed that the eighth espada boasted.

Remaining Reiatsu: 1,800
Ressureccion: 3/12

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Ugh! Cierro was faster than Rio had expected. And a bit smarter than he had expected as well. Not many opponents would have sacrificed their cutting strength in order to avoid Rio's grab. Cierro had anticipated something like that, and had taken appropriate measures. Excellent. Rio's face was a snarl of entertainment. The Quinta was excited and amused! That was a point in Cierro's favor. Rio had a tendency of sparing those who amused him, even if they had crossed him only moments before. Bipolar much?

Rio drew his second Sai, flipping them into reverse grip. He brought his arms in tight and tucked his chin into a strong defensive stance, and suddenly his reiatsu seemed to enhance. Was he going to release? Well.... no. It was too cramped to do that. I mean... yeah he COULD release, but it would cause a lot of destruction to Los Noches. So it had to be a bluff. Except... Cierro already knew what Rio's release was, due to taking his blood. Not that Rio knew that, but still, the odds of bluffing were low. Why would Rio even care about doing something like that. He wouldn't. Which meant one thing.

Rio was enhancing his reiatsu. Transferring spirit pressure into his reiatsu strength. Why though? Rio's reiatsu suddenly faded away as the transfer was completed, but he didn't move. Why not? ...Well, if Cierro was wondering any of these questions they'd be answered by a faint green glow from behind Rio's hands, just before the Espada opened up his defenses and unleashed a tremendous green Cero. It erupted through the halls with devastating force and size. Rio's prior Ceros had filled the hall. This one didn't just fill it. It scraped through the walls devastating them as it launched at Cierro. There was nowhere to run this time! Though, with his speed, he'd likely have dodged it in the instant between seeing the glow and the Cero firing. Ah well. Rio was refreshed, renewed and ready to keep fighting.

Reiatsu remaining: 2000 (-300 for Spirit Pressure to Reiatsu strength, -200 for Cero)

Reiatsu strength: 400, Spirit Pressure: 200

[Cierro Muerte]

Cierro’s sonido was second to none. He reappeared far behind the Quinta, blood covering his blade as Rio’s arm suddenly exploded in a gush of blood that appeared much more painful and serious than it actually was. Such a cut wouldn’t keep an enemy like Rio from fighting effectively, plus releasing would take care of such a wound. However, Cierro was aware why Rio couldn’t release and he didn’t intend to give him that opportunity. The Octavo looked back at the Quinta with unworried, happy eyes. “You aren’t talking much now, are you?” mocked Cierro as Rio charged his reiatsu, “I’m only the eighth, doncha know? Yet you haven’t been able to land a single hit on me in my ressureccion... Maybe you should be the one tested for your rank, dude... OR MAYBE...” The espada made a dramatic pause as Rio finished transferring spiritual pressure into reiatsu strength, “...you should just release!”

Cierro was aware of the reasons why Rio couldn’t release, but it was better not to reveal the nature of his release. The Octavo knew that possessing information your enemy wasn’t aware you had was the key to winning fights. The 8th wasn’t surprised when he saw Rio charging the cero. In fact, it was exactly what he would have done in Rio’s situation. “Cero, huh?” said the Octavo as he observed Rio charging it 30 yards away. In a few moments the attack was released and it tore through the hallway, destroying the sides of the wall and the floor as it blocked all escapes. Well... All escapes except one... Cierro had evaded a similar attack earlier in the fight. With incredible speed rivaling most arrancar’s sonido, Cierro sprinted to the side, running up the wall. As Cierro reached the top of what he could accomplish with a running start he leapt to the wall on the other side of the hallway, then rebounded off that back to the original wall. With each bound he gained more and more height and remained completely safe as the cero passed under him.

“Cero ain’t gonna work!” said the eighth with a grin as he began falling back towards the ground after the cero was complete. Cierro landed on the ground after Rio’s attack was complete. A bala charged in both of his hands, but he wasn’t going to give Rio 30 yards to dodge them. No, Cierro had something much more tricky in mind. Without warning the espada began running directly at Rio which was impressive in itself. Most likely, Rio would barely be able to track simply his running speed. But then he was gone again, completely off the Quinta’s radar. A sonido! However, Cierro didn’t use his step technique without first releasing a speeding bala ten yards away from Rio aimed directly at his face. The bala was fast, but Cierro was faster. The eighth immediately appeared behind Rio and delivered the second bala as he punched the back of Rio’s head. The two bala would connect on both sides of the 5th’s face at exactly the same time if all went according to plan, plus Cierro’s punch would add a bit more “Oomph” to the back of the espada’s head. Cierro was amazingly fast and it was likely that all this would happen in the blink of an eye for Rio. However, what wasn’t as certain was the amount of damage it would actually do. Cierro was still unaware for the most part that Rio had increased the power of his hierro. Certainly the move was an impressive demonstration of speed, but how effective would it actually be against a monster like Rio?

Remaining Reiatsu: 1,600
Ressureccion: 4/12

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

As a matter of fact, Cero were gonna work pretty decently. Why? Because Cierro had walked right into Rio's trap. If you cut out evading to the sides or going under, above was the only solution. Only one thing. With only 50 strength, Cierro didn't have a chance in hell of simply jumping over a Cero this size. That alone would make evading tricky. But just in case, Rio started charging a second Cero after his first. He charged it quickly, and released it perhaps a little pre-emptively, but with his enhanced reiatsu strength that wouldn't be an issue. However, Rio wasn't shooting this Cero the same direction as his first one.

Rio was shooting this one upwards as soon as he saw the blur of Cierro's movement as he jumped from wall to wall, reaching overtop his first Cero. Rio then shot the second Cero towards Cierro. He wouldn't be able to fall fast enough to slip out of the way, and with this Cero aimed upwards, he wouldn't be able to simply wall jump clear either. Fortunately, due to Rio holding back on this one as well as the short charge time it wouldn't kill Cierro. That's not to say it wouldn't hurt though. It would cause some pretty serious wounds and definately hamper Cierro's ability to move. Which was really his only advantage against Rio. If Cierro lost his ability to move fast.... yikes. This would also render Cierro's attack more or less countered as he wouldn't be able to do it if Rio sniped him out of the air with his Cero first.

Rio also finally allowed himself to answer Cierro's taunt. "Heh. The more you brag, the more you're just gonna make me want to rip that head offa your shoulders when I do catch ya!" Rio remarked. "You get a little faster and you think that's grounds for confidence? Moron. You're not the first guy I've fought that's been faster than me, and you sure as hell won't be the last. You think landing a couple little scratches on me is something to be proud of? Get real! You'll need to do more than that to best me. I won't even NEED a Resurrection to take down some third rate like you!"

Reiatsu remaining: 1800

[Cierro Muerte]

As Cierro traveled up the sides of the wall he could clearly see Rio begin to charge another cero. This would throw a wrench into his plans. Instead of simply falling to the ground Cierro would place his foot against the wall and use a sonido to transport himself much further back where the angle of the two cero left an empty spot. The first cero had been firing for awhile now and began to fade underneath Cierro as he fell to the ground, now over 200 yards away from Rio. He had avoided the second cero because it was fired at an upward angle. It was no threat to him from this distance away. The Octavo touched down to the ground safely and looked up at his opponent.

“Heh. The more you brag, the more you're just gonna make me want to rip that head offa your shoulders when I do catch ya!” stated the Quinta, “You get a little faster and you think that's grounds for confidence? Moron. You're not the first guy I've fought that's been faster than me, and you sure as hell won't be the last. You think landing a couple little scratches on me is something to be proud of? Get real! You'll need to do more than that to best me. I won't even NEED a Resurrection to take down some third rate like you!”

“Third rate?” stated Cierro raising an eyebrow, “If anything I’m eighth rate, man...” The Octavo gave Rio a smirk and a thumbs up before breaking into a sprint towards the fifth. Even with the incredible distance between them, the Octavo moved himself within thirty yards of Rio in around a second charging a bala in each hand as he did. The Quinta’s senses would barely be able to detect him at this speed much less recognize the charging of bala in his hands. Then suddenly Cierro was gone, but not before releasing one of his bala at the other espada’s face. It was doubtful he’d be able to dodge the projectile flying towards his face. The bala was fast, but Cierro was faster. The eighth immediately appeared behind Rio and delivered the second bala as he punched the back of Rio’s head. The two bala would connect on both sides of the 5th’s face at exactly the same time if all went according to plan, plus Cierro’s punch would add a bit more “Oomph” to the back of the espada’s head. Cierro was amazingly fast and it was likely that all this would happen in the blink of an eye for Rio. However, what wasn’t as certain was the amount of damage it would actually do. Cierro was still unaware for the most part that Rio had increased the power of his hierro. Certainly the move was an impressive demonstration of speed, but how effective would it actually be against a monster like Rio?

“SKADOOSH!” yelled the Octavo as Rio’s head was sandwiched in between two bala. But Cierro wasn’t done there, time for the mental onslaught. The espada was aware of Rio’s animosity towards the Persians and he wasn’t someone to leave such information unused. In fact, even if it caused him more trouble it was worth it to Cierro to see the Quinto’s reaction, because Cierro was a troll. Cierro was an awful, heartless troll. In an instant the Octavo had taken the form of a Persian Immortal, much like the one that killed him in his human life. “YO, WHAT’S UP GANACHE?!” said the Octavo in a mocking, wangster voice that was meant only to annoy. Cierro flipped his scimitar around on his fingers as he waited for Rio to make his move.

Remaining Reiatsu: 1,500
Ressureccion: 5/12

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Hmph. So he avoided it? Whatever. Rio didn't seem to care too much. What Cierro said next, however, DID piss Rio right off. He glared daggers at Cierro. "Hmph. And here I was thinking you were finally making progress. No Espada should DARE say that." He snarled at Cierro, walking towards him. "Eighth rate? For those who hold the title of Espada, to be even called second rate, is the highest of insults!" He stated. The Espada were those privileged enough to call themselves the strongest arrancar alive. Some attained this through their special abilities, others through skill, others through various traits of their own. However they attained the rank didn't matter though. What mattered was that each Espada represented the strength of the arrancar race as a whole. To show even the slightest weakness was unforgiveable in Rio's eyes.

Cierro's attack didn't go off without a hitch however. Cierro may have moved faster than Rio could see, but his Bala was still as clear as day to the Espada. Rio raised a hand and swatted the Bala flying at his face aside, causing it to impact the wall beside him. At the same instant he struck the Bala aside, Cierro's second bala struck the back of his head, along with Cierro's blow. Unfortunately for Cierro, with Rio's heightened reiatsu strength, the Espada showed no reaction to Cierro's blow whatsoever.

As for Cierro's punch, in a rare showing, Rio allowed the punch to connect with him. He would show Cierro the meaning of the name Espada. Rio's physical strength was herculean, and Cierro's sadly was far from it. The blow connected hard with the side of Rio's head, but the Espada failed to even flinch from it. With such a difference in their physical strength, Cierro may as well be trying to punch a block of iron. Rio's Hierro likely wouldn't help matters for the Octava either.

Rio smirked. "That's it? That's the best you can manage, Octava?" He hissed. As Cierro began his transformation, Rio unleash an unfocused shockwave to smash Cierro backwards into the wall-- and give Rio an instant to strike a blow against Cierro. However fast Cierro might have been, if he was hit by the shockwave he'd inevitably be open to attack momentarily. Given how close they were, and with Cierro's attention focused on transforming, moving into a sprint in order to evade this in time would be tricky.

If it was successful, Rio would lash out with a brutal leg kick, to slam into Cierro's left leg. With their strength difference, if the blow landed, Cierro's leg would undoubtably be shattered by the force of the kick, and destroy his mobility. Rio would then execute an almost casual backhand, holding back enough that he wouldn't kill Cierro, but slamming the blow towards the Octava's jaw to dislocate it, and knock him to the floor. If Rio had hit full force it likely would have torn the jaw off completely. At present it was likely Cierro would just break it and possibly lose a few teeth.

Reiatsu remaining: 1800

[Cierro Muerte]

“That’s it? That’s the best you can manage, Octava?” said the fifth as he ignored the espada’s attack. The eighth realized he was best not staying too close to Rio and he decided the best course of action would be to retreat quickly. As the espada was speaking, Cierro used the opportunity to leap backwards, away from the much stronger arrancar and out of his shockwave’s range. The eighth wasn’t one to remain close to an enemy who was much stronger than him. The easiest way to dodge was simply to stay out of range, and Cierro knew this and used this knowledge well. “Well... um... Yeah... that’s about it...” he said, answering the Quinta’s question and abandoning his plan to transform into a Persian Immortal. Since Rio’s shockwave had not hit him he would not attempt the leg kick and the two espada would be left standing around ten yards apart.

“So... yeah... um... YOU PASSED THE TEST!!!” said Cierro sounding excited all of a sudden. Before Rio would be able to do anything Cierro would have rushed straight up to him in an instant, grabbing his hand and shaking it wildly. “You are still qualified to bear the rank of Quinta! Good job! I knew you could do it! I will report to Sonken Kouhai immediately!” he said letting go of Rio’s hand and walking down the debris strewn hallway. His resurreccion would fade away, but his appearance would not change at all. He simply walked nonchalantly with his hands in his pockets and Asuka’s panties still over his head.

He really hoped that Rio wouldn’t get all pissy and try to continue things. He’d fought him in resurreccion. Usually that was enough to make these bloodthirsty fighter types content. But Cierro had gained more out of this confrontation then Rio knew. His resurreccion’s abilities had revealed to him some interesting information. The workings of Magnus’s resurreccion and all of Miho’s release abilities were all laid clear to Cierro. But most importantly, Cierro gained knowledge of Rio’s opinion of their lord and master. “So... You plan on overthrowing our Lord... Sonken Kouhai, do you? How interesting... thought Cierro as he walked away, “Good luck...” A devilish, sly smile crept onto his face as he began thinking of all the wonderful things he could do with this information. He wouldn’t turn Rio in. No... This was too much fun.

Maybe Rio could expect blackmail later, or maybe Cierro would do nothing with the information and just let Sonken Kouhai fend for himself. After all, he WAS basically the most powerful thing in Heuco Mundo right now. Cierro doubted Rio would pose a challenge. Nah... It was probably nothing to worry about. Rio was entitled to his own opinion. However, Cierro liked knowing juicy little treats like this about people. If only he had some dirt on Asuka. Maybe then he’d get somewhere. Until then, Cierro would keep quiet about everything he learned and not let on about his resurreccion’s secret ability. If other arrancar knew about his fearsome information stealing ability then his advantage would become a disadvantage. Knowledge you possess secretly is more powerful than knowledge everyone knows you have.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

As Cierro rushed up to grab Rio's hand, the Espada would clench it tightly, and moved to slam Cierro into the wall before letting go. Hard. Might not kill the guy, but it'd hurt like hell, and maybe break a few bones. "Don't think you can just walk up and shake my hand. You're a fucking disgrace to the Espada." He hissed as he spun on his heel to turn walk away. He didn't know about Cierro's information ability, but honestly? He didn't care what Cierro knew. He knew full well that Sonken Kouhai wouldn't give a crap WHAT Rio wanted to do, because he knew Rio didn't have the power to do it.

Not yet anyways. Rio had lived for four millenia, and he was always growing stronger. Power wasn't limitless. There was always a limit. Sonken had likely hit that limit. So Rio would gain power. It might take longer, as he didn't have the accelerators that Sonken did, and he could hardly expect the man to lend him the Hougyoku. He'd have to do it the normal way. But, he would do it. Someday he'd accomplish his goal.

But first, the arrancar would have to be cleared of trash like Cierro and Magnus. Rio was disgusted by both of them. Cierro had potential to be strong, sure. His speed had been troublesome for Rio, if nothing else, even if Rio had been holding back. But his personality was despicable for an Espada. An Espada who shirked combat? What the hell was up with that!? Magnus may have had his own flaws but at least that guy fought right to the end. Cierro saw he was at a bit of a disadvantage and fled right then and there? Rio spat in anger as he strode off. Such a despicable person didn't deserve to be called "Espada." Weren't there ANY Espada left besides Rio who actually had respect for what that name meant?

[Cierro Muerte]

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[Zou ۞]

+420 CTP