To Serve is to Live [Fraccion Decision]

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

So.... This was it. Las Noches. Myzaraphiston had heard so much about this place, about those who lived in it. And now, she was here. She walked through one of the many halls in the massive structure in a black dress, her chain wrapped around her waist. She still wasn't entirely happy about leaving some of her experiments back in the Forest, nor was she happy with being forced to leave behind her frailest subjects. But what she needed to do now was more important then either of those things.

So Myza walked through the halls of Las Noches, slowly reaching out with her senses to locate any member of The Most Fit. Eventually, she managed to sense their energy, her eyes glinting with a slight satisfaction. She made her way up through Las Noches many floors, eventually reaching her destination, opening the door in her way and striking a mild pose for a moment. "Greetings, Most Fit of The Chosen People," she said, her usual bubbly voice filling the room as she dipped into a bow. "My name is Myzaraphiston Synderfell, and I am here to serve one of you as you see fit."

[Zou ۞]

OOC: Assuming this thread is OPEN to entry by anyone. If not, I'll remove my post.

IC:

Kuroi Naito. The Segunda Espada. Clad in black dress pants and shiny black dress shoes. Clad in a ruffled white dress shirt, buttoned up, and an unbuttoned two button black blazer, ending witha matching black tie. Kuroi Naito. The Espada who signified Despair. Just what would keep him in Las Noches at this time? Usually, he was out on a mission of some kind. It was rare for him to be found within Las Noches. He was usually quite bored of those walls. He did not even choose to identify himself with pride as a member of Kouhai's army. Rather than the traditional white garbs of Las Noches, Kuroi chose to wore a suit, and one of black color at that! Of course, he had gotten permission from Kouhai to differ in outfit, the reasoning being that to be set apart was to mark oneself as strong. It was a show of strength.

And indeed, Kuroi was strong. Many took note of and pondered this as on that day he walked past them in the halls of Las Noches. In those forsaken corridors, where countless Arrancar existed and slumbered, Kuroi walked. And many turned away as he did. He was strong. Very, very strong. The Segunda Espada. In other words, "#2." There had always been talk that he could be the Primera. Indeed, it was not an impossible thing. But Kuroi had no use for such a rank. He would rather be considered the second, so that when it was important he would be underestimated. And as Kuroi walked, the many Arrancar whispered of his strength. His accomplishments. Those he had defeated. Those he had crushed. And those he had punished.

Kuroi had defeated the vast majority of the current Espada, by matter of fact. It was a sort of initiation. Save one, who had refused his challenge (and thus lost face in the public eye), Kuroi had fought every single Espada present upon their entry into Las Noches as an Espada. And he had defeated them all. Even the current Primera, Adalo De-Mona, had once lost to Kuroi. No, not once. Three times. Twice, he had been of the rank Quinta, #5. The third, he had finally been the rank of Primera, #1. Adalo of course had come back and gotten his revenge on Kuroi by defeating him as well, but none actually knew the result of that final battle. They had kept it secret. A secret satisfaction to be guarded by both Adalo and Kuroi.

And as Kuroi walked, he saw her. It was a girl. A female Arrancar, who by face and appearance he did not recognize. This marked her. She was new to these walls. And from what he could gauge of her strength, it was not considerable when held in comparison to many in Las Noches, such as those of Exequias, or any of the Espada. And as he saw, he saw that she had approached a gathering room of the strong, and he heard her words. "Greetings, Most Fit of The Chosen People. My name is Myzaraphiston Synderfell, and I am here to serve one of you as you see fit." He knew that room. Clearly, she did not. That room was a gathering place for the Privaron Espada. It was a gathering place of the weak. The rejects.

Kuroi towered above Myza as he got there, appearing behind her. His voice was cold, and his eyes haughty. "The most fit...you say?" he cut off from behind her, before any others could speak. "These rejects and has-beens? The Privaron Espada?" He was scoffing at the idea, for indeed they were pitiful. Those who had failed to become Espada, or those who had been removed forcefully from their spots by virtue of weakness, and being taken out by someone more fit. Las Noches did indeed scream about who was the most fit. And in an instant, Kuroi pushed past Myza, and his body was a blur. It danced and weaved, and his blade, as he drew it forth, flicked around. That mighty Zanpakuto cut into the blades of the others, splicing through them. Like butter, he was able to cut in half the swords of most of the Privaron in the room. Upon entry, he'd noted that there were seven of them in the room. And upon exit, no more than a full minute later, all seven were on the floor, covered in deep gashes and bloody wounds. Not a single one was dead, for that would be wasteful. Instead, they would all taste Despair for their crushing defeats, laying there on the floor.

"You seek to serve the most fit?" Kuroi said calmly as he caught Myza's eye with his own menacing, cold, unforgiving eyes. "The one who is most fit within Las Noches is me. All of the other Espada have fallen to me in battle, and there are none who can compare to my power." He held up his left hand as he sheathed his Zanpakuto, showing her the calligraphic number "2" on the back of his hand. He was indicating his rank as the Segunda. "The Soul Society fears me, for I have defeated many of their highest ranked, and killed more than one of their Captains. Las Noches itself fears me, for all that I have done even to our own Espada. I am the strongest you will find. But what about you? Who are you to judge, Myzaraphiston Synderfell?"

Kuroi himself was judgmental, which of course was why he asked. "If you seek to serve the most fit, that is me. But if you seek he who is the one strong enough to deserve your service, then the same must be true in contrary. You must prove yourself. Are you strong enough to serve the likes of me?" He wanted her to demonstrate her worth to him somehow. Kuroi did not just arbitrarily take anyone that there was. He was the Segunda Espada. That was a matter of his pride. Lately, he'd had dissent within his Fraccion. Miho Shoga, a key member, had disappeared. It was assumed she'd been killed. Therefore, Kuroi found himself needing a spare. An empty spot was ready for whoever was worthy. If they could prove themselves.

[Cierro Muerte]

"Dibs! Oh man, totally dibsed this one!" belted Cierro as soon as Myzaraphiston relayed her desire to serve under one of the espada. Getting up from his seat, the leacherous Octavo darted towards his soon-to-be fraccion with open arms. "Oh we are just going to have a ball! Do you like wearing leather? Cause I totally have some linger- I mean clothes that you need to try on!" Ignoring Kuroi's remarks, Cierro took the female by her waist and tried to lead her out of the room towards his section of Las Noches before the other espada objected. If there was one thing that Cierro had always desired, that was a hot, sexy fraccion to call his own. Myzaraphiston was simply one way in which Cierro saw in fulfilling his dream.

As Cierro led the female arrancar out, he transformed to look exactly like Sonken Kouhai, and with a smile on his face, he turned and yelled at Kuroi. "HEY, KUROI! YOU'RE FIRED! YOU BUTT!!!" he said in Kouhai's voice as he flipped the Segunda the bird and stuck his tongue out at him. Sometimes being a shapeshifter had its benefits. Cierro clearly didn't care who he pissed off and was certainly asking for a generous beating, but Kuroi would know as well as anyone that Cierro possessed more escape mechanisms than the French army. If Cierro didn't want to fight, then there would be nothing anyone could really do about it.

Turning back into his typical form, Cierro tried to put on a suave face. "So, what kind of things do you like in a man?" he said as he gazed deeply into her eyes. Cierro was sure straightforward and direct. That could not be denied. With his new favorite arrancar at his side, the Octavo looked forward to starting his own harem of sexy female fraccion. This one would undoubtedly be the first of many, and eventually he'd be the undisputed playa of Las Noches! It would be a dream come true! Cierro imagined this scenario to himself as he put on a kind, gentle, and pleasant face for who he hoped would become his new fraccion.

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

Myzaraphiston had held the door open for a fraction of a second upon looking into the room, the arrancar in there possessing a slight look of confusion on their faces at her activities, a look swiftly replaced by fear upon the Segunda's appearance. Not a single one of them got a chance to react more than this, however, before Kuroi was among them.

Myzaraphsiton was awed by Kuroi's display of ability, a slight sparkle in her eye. After a display like that, there was no doubt in her mind that every scrap of information she had collected about the Espada had not understated their power, their capabilities. Every cut he did (performed with their very own swords, which helped make the feat even more impressive) was a testament to the man's experience in the art of pain, and the furthest reaches of its applications.

Then there was the matter of his looks. Unlike the lesser races, Myza didn't have anything resembling a libido, but she could admit that the man was pleasing from an aesthetic standpoint. Plus, it was an indication that he was rather powerful among arrancar, thanks to just how close he was to appearing human. The best part, though, was the aura Kuroi gave off. It gave off a palpable aura of danger, one that simultaneously made her fear for her very existence and excited at the same time.

And then he actually spoke to her. Myza felt her heart skip a quick beat, though whether it was from the excitement or fear, she didn't know. She was about to give her reply when suddenly another figure rushed in and grabbed her around her waist, placing his arms around the chain she had been wearing there. She simply dug in her heels, easily able to overpower the man in terms of sheer strength and stop herself from moving. She returned the man's stare into his eyes, her own no long showing that same gleeful sparkle from before.

"Apparently I prefer a family-like relationship in my lovers, Cierro Muerte," she said, obvious disdain creeping into her voice. Despite this note of disdain, Cierro would be able to feel an unmistakable feeling he would probably be enjoying, especially coming from a woman's hands. You know, until the next statement coming, probably. "Now, you will take your hands off of me before I remove your only thinking organ from your body."

[Cierro Muerte]

Cierro had been inside the Privaron’s quarters because he enjoyed playing cards with them every now and again. He hadn’t really paid much attention as Kuroi called the entire room of Privaron rejects and has-beens and even ignored Kuroi as sliced them all up, leaving them on the floor. Cierro had actually been kind of disappointed that Kuroi had crashed his party since he’d gotten a royal flush that very hand. But was comforted by something much more lovely than a winning hand. After trying to deny Myza her right to choose between him and Kuroi, he realized that it wasn’t going to work.

“Apparently I prefer a family-like relationship in my lovers, Cierro Muerte,” replied Myza to Cierro’s question. “I-Incest? Wait, is this chick into kinky stuff like that? I never would have guessed...” thought Cierro as he stopped leading her out the door, “I guess I’d be down for some roleplaying... Who am I kidding, of COURSE I’d be down for some roleplaying!” Myza’s next words brought the espada back to reality “Now, you will take your hands off of me before I remove your only thinking organ from your body,” she said as she pulled free from Cierro’s grip.

“She means your penis,” thought Cierro. “Shut up, brain! I know!” yelled Cierro in response. “Don’t let her hurt me!” thought Cierro’s penis. “Don’t worry, I would never allow that,” replied Cierro to his most favorite organ. Cierro was definitely going to lose Myza to Kuroi unless he did something drastic. Something that Kuroi or Myza could not ignore. Something that Kuroi could not turn down for the sake of appearances. “YOU!” bellowed Cierro, pointing at the only other espada in the room, “I challenge you to a contest, with Myza as the prize!”

Cierro smirked to himself as he congratulated himself for such quick thinking. This would be simple. He’d merely challenge Kuroi to an event that he was sure to win, like a race, or a game of hide and seek, or who could make the best Adalo impression. Kuroi surely wouldn’t pussy out of such a direct challenge made by Cierro, right? As soon as Kuroi accepted, assuming Myza was fine with it, Cierro would lay out the rules. Surely she’d be fine with accepting Cierro’s terms. I mean, with the display Kuroi put on, anyone would be left thinking the man could do anything. Seeing Cierro beaten would simply be a cherry on top in her mind, but that’s not what would happen. “I will emerge victorious, and then Myza will be mine, and then I’ll win unlimited sex FOREVERRRRRRR!!!” he thought as his eyes fired up.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Crack.

One of the walls near the three arrancar, on the left side of the room made a creaking sound as though threatening to give way. A large number of cracks could be seen, and it appeared to be flexing slightly, as though something was trying to push through it on the other side. Another crack could be heard, accompanied with an audible thud, and the cracks grew larger. And then the wall gave way entirely, a large hole being smashed through it and a bloodied form went flying through, knocking over a chair, before lying in a heap on the ground. It was one of the Privarion Espada.

Striding through the hole in the wall, his fists fairly bloodied from pummelling the unfortunate Privarion was Espada #5, Rio Demoniogalgo. His Espada tattoo signifying his rank couldn't be seen, as it was on his abdominals, which were covered by a black muscle shirt. A black scarf was wrapped around his neck. In sharp contrast to the Segunda, Rio was dressed in fairly casual, if not slightly athletic wear. "To think that these shits used to be Espada..." Rio remarked irritably, clearly disgusted by the weakness of the former Espada.

He noted Kuroi, and respectfully inclined his head. Kuroi was probably the only one in the room, whose strength Rio respected. The Segunda had given Rio a crash course in the gap in their power, and Rio respected him all the more for it. To crush those weaker than you without mercy. To humiliate them in defeat was the mark of an Espada, in Rio's eyes. To crush one so absolutely, that to even remember that moment was a moment of shame. Well. To anyone else. To Rio, it had been evidence that there was still some good blood left in the Espada, and he had taken a surprising amount of satisfaction out of realizing this, when the Segunda had crushed him.

Rio's eyes then travelled to Cierro and darkened. "What are you doing here, you shit?" He remarked to the Octava. "Have you finally been replaced?" He added, his dislike of Cierro evident. Rio had fought both of the Espada here, but his battle with Cierro had by far resulted in the opposite reaction of Kuroi. Disgust. A coward who ran from a battle, rather than face it head on? One who hid instead of fought? Such garbage did not deserve the title of Espada.

Finally, the Quinta's eyes flickered to the last member of the trio, and scanned her. Obvious lack of recognition was present in his eyes. "So. Who's this trash?" He asked, looking at her with only the slightest vision of interest. Cierro's proclamation however, answered that for him. "Numeros rank huh? Well, at least you know your place, unlike some." Rio spoke the last words with venom. If looks could kill, the glance Rio sent Cierro as he said that "some" would have left little more than smoking ashes in the place of the Octava.

[Zou ۞]

SPOILER: Click to show

"I refuse." Kuroi said to Cierro in an instant. He did not even hesitate. Was his pride not on the line? Hardly. Kuroi looked down on Cierro. Cierro was an insect. By matter of fact, Cierro was the most pathetic heap of trash in all of the Espada. So this was why Kuroi refused him. Cierro was not even worth accepting a challenge from, because of how weak and puny he was. In the end, Cierro was not worth even acknowledging as someone to compete with as equals. "I have nothing to prove, Cierro." Kuroi said. "You are weaker than me. That is all that matters. She will recognize and acknowledge this easily enough. Unless you attack me of your own accord, a venture you know will end in your demise, then we've nothing more to discuss."

Kuroi turned to Rio to speak to him instead. In their battle, Rio had demonstrated exemplary strength. He was certainly worthy of his rank of Quinta Espada, and so Kuroi acknowledged him. That, and Rio had a personality worthy of any Espada as well. Those like Cierro were disgraceful. Why Cierro was kept around would be something left to Sonken Kouhai himself, when he could so easily be replaced. "She is a newcomer to Las Noches, searching the Espada she seems 'most fit.' She wishes to serve as Fraccion to he who is 'most fit.' Certainly she has admirable attitude." He acknowledged Myza as well, recognizing that she served strength. Indeed, in Las Noches it came down to power. Something Cierro lacked. Hence his lack of acknowledgement.

There was another reason that Kuroi had done it. Insult. This would be an insult to Cierro. Kuroi was not insecure. He had nothing to prove. Everyone knew he was strong. Everyone knew his power and his greatness. Cierro on the other hand had everything to try to prove. He had everything to attempt to gain. This was why Kuroi had decided that it was easy enough to refuse the challenge. Kuroi, with his right hand in his pocket, his left hand resting at his side, approached the one who wished to be a Fraccion. She was taller than he was, he noted. However, his size in terms of muscle build in comparison to her slender one made him appear to tower over her, even if she was taller. His shadow cast itself over hers.

"Come." was all he said to her. He needed no other words. She would follow. Kuroi started walking away, down the hall. He was going then to find an empty room, so that he could have Myza do whatever she wished in order for him to evaluate her. Rio, of course, was welcome to join. This was made clear by a quick glance in Rio's direction as Kuroi left. He simply planned on having Myza demonstrate her ability. In whatever manner she seemed suitable, Myza would show her abilities to Kuroi. Kuroi did indeed require new subordinates. But, for the moment, he was content with being picky. He did need them, after all, to be absolutely perfect, and to fit according to what he desired most out of his Fraccion.

[Cierro Muerte]

Cierro noted Rio’s arrival with glee. “Rio! How’s it goin’ buddy! I haven’t seen you in ages! We used to hang out like the best of friends!” he said with a joyful wave and wide grin. “What are you doing here, you shit?” remarked Rio rudely, “Have you finally been replaced?” Still keeping his eerie smile and closed eyes, the Octava paused for a moment as he let the Quinta’s words bounce off him. “The best of friends...” he repeated to himself, holding on to the delusion that he and Rio got along fine.

Cierro continued on to deliver his challenge to Kuroi only to have it refused promptly by the Segunda. Cierro stood, surprisingly unfazed at his challenge being declined. “You are weaker than me. That is all that matters. She will recognize and acknowledge this easily enough. Unless you attack me of your own accord, a venture you know will end in your demise, then we’ve nothing more to discuss,” said Kuroi quite bluntly. “Oh, but we do...” retorted the Octava as his grin widened, “Perhaps we could talk about your wife and child who you let die all those years ago. That’s right, I know about Miharu, and damn, does she look good naked. Sometimes it’s fun to just replay moments of her in pure ecstacy in my head. Ya know, I bet you wish you had as good of a memory as I do or you’d still be able to picture her ample breasts the way I can. Then you’d actually have something to beat off to at night instead of being driven to insomnia from your visit to hell.” Did Cierro have a death wish? He was clearly trying to piss Kuroi off, but would it work?

“Or maybe we can talk about that Segunda Etapa you never seem to tell anyone about... Or what is it you call it? Cesar Del Vida? Nasty technique that one... Didn’t seem to help you much against Adalo though... Though I suppose that’s why he’s Primera and you’re Segunda. Funny stuff, huh? Want me to tell your fortune?” Cierro was now just spouting off random facts he knew about Kuroi and unfortunately for Kuroi, he couldn’t respond with identical information regarding Cierro. “And then there’s this chucklehead over here...” said the Octava, turning to the Quinta, “You didn’t even die a proper warrior’s death. What’s with not dying on the battlefield with your comrades? No wonder you gotta be all up in everyone’s face about honor and being a true warrior and shit, because you sure as hell weren’t. I mean, hell, you’re scared of fire! That’s kind of sad for an espada, don’t you think? One little fight with Ryuujin Jakka and the big, bad puppy dog develops a phobia of fire forever.”

Cierro, still with a grin on finished his rant with a simple, “Phew... Glad I got that off my chest. So anyway, long story short, it’s really not up to you. If Myza wants to see us compete for her, then that’s ultimately her call. I’ll let my abilities in information gathering speak for themselves...” Cierro leaned against the wall with a content and satisfied grin. How had he discovered all this about the Quinta and Segunda? The answer was simple, but would evade both other espada. One of Cierro’s abilities in resurreccion allowed him to acquire all of a target’s memories upon the fulfillment of one simple ritual, and that ritual was the ingestion of the target’s blood. Cierro had devoured samples of both Kuroi’s and Rio’s blood during their fights, and as a result he knew every little detail about them that they themselves remembered. It could be said that Cierro knew them as much as they knew themselves.

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

Myza had seen enough of Cierro by this point. Just as the information she had acquired about the Espada's fearsome capabilities had been proven true, so was the fact that this simpering, small-minded individual was unfit for being amongst them. He may be trying to prove his own small talents, but the method he was using to do so was... Disgusting.

"So, dearie. You say you have no small amount of skill when it comes to gathering information, hmm? Well then, perhaps I should serve you." She chuckled some at that statement, slowly twisting one of the prayer beads she wore. "However, there is just one condition you'll have to meet first."

She slowly unwrapped her chain from around her waist, letting one of its hooked ends drop to the floor. "If you can discover what my release is in one minute, I will serve you Cierro Muerte. I need a chance to prove how fit I am to these two, after all" she said, motioning to Kuroi and Rio with the end of her chain that she was holding in hand before slowly letting it out into a lazy spin, letting out a distinctly bubbly giggle. "And you seem to be the best option to do so right now."

[Zou ۞]

"I haven't the faintest idea of what you're referring to," Kuroi said. "Telling lies is hardly an impressive thing, Octava." Kuroi in fact seemed rather unfazed, more so than Cierro. To be attacked with biting words, aimed at his own past, did nothing. Why was this? Kuroi, by matter of fact, had long since moved past his human life. What made him was something he had conquered. Cierro should have known this, having read Kuroi's past. He should have known that while a younger Espada Kuroi would have reacted brashly, the current Kuroi knew that to give in to anger as Cierro had once done against him was to admit weakness. And Cierro indeed was weak. For, it seemed he had missed something vital, if he wished to taunt Kuroi. He missed that the death was what had made Kuroi strong, for the Despair in his death had made him a Hollow. It was reprised by his greatness in human life. His deeds of glory.

But, more than this, he should have found a select memory. The one in which Kuroi felt the most pride. The day he had most accurately conquered his emotions. The day he had found his beloved wife, and his dear best friend, both having become Shinigami in the Gotei Thirteen. The day all three, having retained memories of one another, had found each other and recognized each other. And he may even have squirmed if he'd been able to feel Kuroi's emotions at that time. The time when Kuroi, despite everything he'd been through, had been able to kill them without feeling a single thing. How, when his blade carved into them, all that existed was a cold satisfaction, and a cruelty that Cierro would never understand.

"If you seek to insult me, then you should know that my nasty techniques are enough to crush you. You should know I could kill you in an instant. Do you remember well enough, Octava, how I crushed you to the ground just by looking at you?" Kuroi put his hand on Cierro's shoulder, a tight grip forming to hold Cierro there. Cierro's inferior strength would not allow him to so easily shrug it off. But it was not to hold him there for an attack, but for words. It was unusual for Kuroi to smile, but at that moment a cold one lit his lips, and he whispered into Cierro's ear, almost seductively. "But you should remember quite well...how you were worthless when I struck down Asuka. How futile your attempts at saving her were. Does it disturb you? Knowing you're too weak to help people? Or perhaps, if you consider this strength of mine you seem to have learned of, you will realize...there is no one I am unwilling to kill."

Kuroi had said that much, and then he simply backed off of Cierro. Of course, the Octava had said things which he would pay for. Not out of rage, but necessity. He believed himself able to speak to them in such a manner. He did not understand that they were not equals. He did not understand respect of his superiors. And some day soon, Kuroi decided, it would be time to replace the Octava. Cierro lacked fear oftentimes, but he did not have the strength of character to completely lack it. When Kuroi's powerful, menacing aura displayed itself, and the black ravens and smoke swirled around him, built form his reiatsu, Cierro would be able to feel it. Fear of that menacing aura. He had seen a bit of Hell in Kuroi's memories. He should know. There was something worth fearing in death.

"Take the Numero's challenge, Cierro." Kuroi baited, moving away from him. "But you are an Espada. Do not release. If you are forced to release to do combat, I will destroy you personally and strip you of your place right here. Fight like an Espada." This was a condition added on. Cierro was someone who constantly was forced to release. Therefore, Kuroi decided, Cierro would not release. If he did, he would die. And, having seen Cierro's release, Kuroi could tell when he did it, even when he tried to hide it. It was a subtle thing, Cierro's release, but Kuroi did understand its mechanics. Just as Cierro might understand his demise would come if he released. By matter of fact, death was coming, as Adalo would say. Indeed, death was coming.

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Cierro attempted to mock Rio, but the Espada seemed to have little reaction to his words. Cierro spoke of events that had happened so long ago, that they were virtually lost to memory. Rio could recall them if he really wanted to. But they were no longer as agonizing or scarring to the Espada as they had been. As for his fire weakness? Rio didn't particularly care from a cretin like Cierro. "And yet." Rio responded. "This dog is still more than capable of shutting that annoying mouth of yours permanently." He warned, cracking his knuckles. The bloodied up Privarion let out a groan, and Rio gave him a sharp kick in the ribs to shut him up. A loud cracking sound was heard as his kick broke three of the Privarion's ribs.

Then Cierro proposed a contest with Myza to become his Fraccion. Compete with them? "Unlike you, I don't particularly have any desire to let trash follow me." Rio stated simply. It was a true enough statement. Although Rio had his own sorting methods. Anyone was free to follow him. Whether or not they lived through the first week as his Fraccion was another story entirely. The Numeros appeared to be interested in challenging Cierro, and this resulted in a smirk from Rio. Well, this ought to be good.

Especially once Kuroi forced a condition on Cierro. That was even better. Rio was aware of Cierro's abilities, having forced him to release during their fight. Cierro was a pathetic fighter, unworthy of the title "Espada." He looked at Myza. But then again, he was fighting garbage. An arrancar who didn't even try to claim the title of Espada. While that did put Myza above Cierro, in Rio's eyes-- refuse that knew its place as opposed to that which tried to aspire to be better than it was, it still was a less than flattering position. Now to see how things would go from there. "Ten minutes huh?" Rio smirked anticipating Cierro's failure.

[Cierro Muerte]

“So, dearie. You say you have no small amount of skill when it comes to gathering information, hmm? Well then, perhaps I should serve you,” came the reply from the Numeros. Hope! Cierro might very well acquire his first fraccion! Oh how excited he was, the espada could barely contain it. They’d have sex all day and all night, and when they weren’t having sex, she’d make food, do the dishes, and vacuum! The Octava couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten off a clean plate or started the vacuum he kept in his pantry. “Why do I even have that thing?” he thought as he tried to recall his reasoning when buying the appliance, “Nothing sucks more than that vacu- OHHHHH that’s right... I think I do remember why I bought it... That felt a lot better in my head then it did in reality...” Anyway, Cierro’s fantasies were interrupted by Kuroi as he responded to Cierro’s words.

“I haven’t the faintest idea of what you’re referring to,” said Kuroi in an expressionless tone, “Telling lies is hardly an impressive thing, Octava.” Cierro smirked at Kuroi as he heard the Segunda say these words. It seemed that he was as heartless as his memories revealed. The Octava thought that there might have been some emotional attachments still there, but it seemed that Kuroi had severed them completely after he’d killed his family. How unfortunate. Though it was rather ironic that Kuroi was telling lies while accusing Cierro of telling lies. How hypocritical of him. “If you seek to insult me, then you should know that my nasty techniques are enough to crush you. You should know I could kill you in an instant. Do you remember well enough, Octava, how I crushed you to the ground just by looking at you?” continued the espada. The Octava still remained standing, looking unfazed at Kuroi with a gleeful expression. Kuroi had his facts mixed up, though it was to no fault of his own. What Kuroi had remembered as Cierro crumbling merely because of looking at him was actually Cierro’s reaction to the memories of hell that he acquired from Kuroi’s mind. The Octava didn’t feel the need to reveal to Kuroi anything about how his abilities worked, so he simply stood there as Rio piped up.

“And yet this dog is still more than capable of shutting that annoying mouth of yours permanently,” said Rio much to Cierro’s delight. It seemed he struck a nerve to the Octava. Cierro didn’t even react as Rio kicked one of the fallen privaron, breaking three of his ribs in the process. Rio and Kuroi had no value for any lives other than their own. That much was clear when Kuroi continued, “But you should remember quite well...how you were worthless when I struck down Asuka. How futile your attempts at saving her were. Does it disturb you? Knowing you're too weak to help people? Or perhaps, if you consider this strength of mine you seem to have learned of, you will realize...there is no one I am unwilling to kill.” The answer came quickly to Cierro, and he replied without much thought, “And that, Kuroi, is what makes you weak...” Cierro looked at Kuroi with a serious face now. There was no deception here. This was what the Octava actually thought. These were Cierro’s true feelings in regards to Kuroi’s methods.

Letting those words hang in the air for a minute as a stern, concerned face graced Cierro’s features, Myza proposed her challenge to Cierro. “If you can discover what my release is in one minute, I will serve you Cierro Muerte. I need a chance to prove how fit I am to these two, after all,” she said as Cierro’s creepy grin suddenly returned. Cierro piped up, “Take the Numero’s challenge, Cierro,” uttered Kuroi, backing away, “But you are an Espada. Do not release. If you are forced to release to do combat, I will destroy you personally and strip you of your place right here. Fight like an Espada.” And there it was. Kuroi couldn’t just back off and not cramp his style. “Fine then, I’ll engage the woman on his terms... It would be annoying if I had to run circles around both of them,” he thought with a smirk.

By sensing Myza’s energy, Cierro already saw something that troubled him. Her reiatsu strength was outstanding for a Numeros. While this didn’t make Cierro concerned for his own well-being, it did make him concerned about not being able to cut her. Arrancar with strong reiatsu strength possessed strong hierro, and Cierro doubted that he could cut her as she was now. Drawing his sword with his right hand, the espada drew his left fist across the sealed weapon’s blade. Cierro’s scimitar began to emanate with a power that doubled his cutting strength. Cierro had used his S-grade coating ring in order to make his blade much more effective at slicing through Myza’s soft skin. The espada hated to do it, but he wouldn’t give her more than a flesh wound, and the rewards were too high for him to pass up. He knew she was in no real danger, so with that, the espada sunk into position.

“Alright then, ready?” said the espada, “GO!” The espada burst forwards at speeds unparalleled among any other espada without artificial interference. This was pure, innate speed. Before Myza could react though, Cierro had disappeared. Sonido was an arrancar stepping technique, and Cierro’s sonido just happened to be over 6x faster than Myza’s. The espada would be done with his technique before she could even react. Who was this man who could seemingly teleport at will? The Numeros would feel a warmth on her cheek as a red streak ran down it. Cierro had cut the woman Mid-sonido by holding his zanpakutou out to the side before activating the step technique. The espada would correct his direction if Myza happened to move before he used a step technique, so preemptively avoiding would be meaningless. The first blood would be drawn not a second into the fight.

Remaining Reiatsu: 1,650

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

Myza stood there, the blood running down her cheek. Once again, her interrogations were proving correct. The so-called Octavo did have the sheer advantage of speed going for him, that much was certain. But Myza was quite certain that was all he had going for him in a battle against her. She had already proven to herself that she was physically stronger than him when he had tried to drag her away, and the motion that the other arrancar had made over his blade seemed to suggest that he had needed to utilize some type of alternate technique to even manage to penetrate her Hierro.

Despite this, however, his speed would be more than enough to cause Myzaraphiston some issues when the time finally came to dispose of the Arrancar's glaring deficiency. But that would be a bridge to cross when she finally came to it. She turned to look at Cierro's new position. "Is that all you can do, dearie? All your primped up preening, your gloating, your showboating, and all you can do is scratch me on the cheek? Let me tell you this now, then: That simply won't cut it if you intend to discover more about me." She carefully watched the Espada, waiting for his next move. She knew that there was no way that she could actually follow his movements, not with his speed. But if she watched him enough, saw the delicate dance his body went through before each step, perhaps she could do something far better....

[Zou ۞]

Kuroi, unperturbed by Cierro's remark, and in fact amused by this notion, smiled a cold smile still when Cierro said what he had to, and did so before pulling away. Indeed, none would have heard their exchange. That one had been personal. Silent. But Kuroi knew he had shaken Cierro just a little bit to have gotten a serious sentence out of him. It was quite ironic, as well. To be called weak by the one deemed the weakest of the Espada. But what Cierro constituted as weak was not weakness. Lack of power and strength were weakness. Lack of conviction was weakness. Kuroi lacked general morality. This did not make him weak, but rather despicable. It made him degradable to the eyes of the morally righteous. Kuroi had always of course thought Cierro being such a fool was laughable.

As that battle went underway, Kuroi had been about to activate his Pesquis. But he noticed something. Myza did not move. A slight cut formed on her cheek, and all she did was goad Cierro. Considering the degree that Cierro had known of Kuroi and Rio, he surmised that Cierro had some sort of information dissemination ability. His first guess was mind reading. Whether or not this was true would take further investigation, which Kuroi decided he could easily hire someone for. What was a put-off was Myza allowing that hit. There had of course been several ways by which she could have evaded that. Any of Kuroi's present Fraccion, including the missing-in-action Miho, could easily have guarded against that first strike, and made its delivery a punishment for Cierro.

However, she had not. She baited him. She knew nothing of him. Only a fool allowed their enemy that first hit when the strength was unclear. Cierro was still ranked an Espada. Any Numero should be weary of that. She had arrogantly allowed the hit. What if his dissemination ability was just that? What if he could read her by striking her with his blade or hand? Or what if he had poison in his attack? She had foolishly allowed the hit that could do so many things. Kuroi doubted Cierro's actual competence, and figured the Octava probably did not have an ability that read on contact, nor did he have poison. However, had he had poison, Myza would have found herself in a bad position. "That's all I need to see." Kuroi said out loud. "I've lost interest in the Numero. She lacks the strength required to serve me." He deemed her unfit. She was unfit to serve those who were fit. Kuroi gave no visible motions, and turned to leave.

[Kashmir De-Mona]

SPOILER: Click to show

A powerful impact would shake the Segunda when he tried to round the corner. He was not hit by anything, but instead he bumped into someone that was going around at the same time. And on instinct, that one moved past him, shoving past him. The Segunda, of inferior physical strength, would find he was a wee little man who would easily be moved away into stumbling. The man he had bumped into was a strong man. He possessed physical strength which was one of the highest out of the Espada. Someone else who was already there had stronger strength, but this man that had just arrived was not even rivaled by anyone else. He was the most enigmatic. He was the gruesome butcher. He was the man whom they called the Primera Espada, Adalo De-Mona.

He was pale of skin, like a bridal dress. As if his skin was tampered with baby powder. He wore a suit like the Segunda. His shoulders were wider, for he was more muscular. His eyes were more black. They were more narrow. They were more slanted. They were evil and were purgatory and blackness. They were darkness. Adalo was darkness. His appearance gave the room its chills. He walked in through the door. Walking in had kept Kuroi inside. He had been listening as he approached, so he knew what was going on. He had originally come this way because he wanted to kill some of the Privarons. He had been beaten to it. When Adalo's first foot made it into the room, the temperature seemed to drop ten degrees. He was threatening.

The most twisted grin came upon his pale white face. Adalo looked at the puny Numero, and lost interest a few seconds later. He looked at the puny Octava, and also lost interest a few seconds later. He looked at Kuroi. He had already beaten Kuroi. He looked at Rio. Rio looked itching for a fight too. First, Adalo wanted to make his presence known. He stepped in between Myzaraphiston and Cierro. He'd heard some of the dialog up to then, so Adalo grinned at Cierro. He tried to recall if he had met the Octava before. He did not think he had. He did not even know the Octava's name. He just knew that this was the Octava. He looked at Kuroi too. Back and forth in between Kuroi and Cierro, both his little hamsters to play with.

"Don't force your opinions on her. You can just let her choose who she wants to serve!" His grin became wider. He had his eyes on Cierro's. "No dibs." He had his eyes on Kuroi's. "No claims."[/color] Adalo was the Primera. He was the Espada with the most power and the highest authority. In Myzaraphiston's definition, he was the "most fit of the chosen people." Adalo had not come to recruit her. He had come because the situation was interesting. Adalo was there because it was fun. He should be obeyed. He was not carefree like the Octava. He was not patient like the Segunda. When he wanted to kill, he killed. He was in the mood to kill. This meant that if they did not obey, he might kill either one of them. He did not care about doing it in Las Noches or anywhere else. Anywhere was convenient.

Adalo caught wind of the blood's scent on the air after that. It was a drop. He however had a good perception of blood. He only caught the smell for a second. He knew it was on the air. It smelled good. It made him want to kill more. It put him in a murderous mood. He had already been in one. This put him in more of one. Adalo walked over to Myzaraphiston. He had taken new interest in the Numero temporarily. He put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. It was one of his lighter squeezes, but she would feel his strong grip. It would feel as if her shoulder might break at any second. Adalo used his other hand to position her eyes to look into his. "Don't be conned by them. Choose your own path. Incite the chaos. Because soon it is all that will matter. Death...is coming..."