To Serve is to Live [Fraccion Decision]

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

"She lacks the strength required to serve me."

Eight simple words. That was all it took to take Myzaraphiston's certainty about her ability to triumph over this pitiful excuse of an Espada, and shatter it. And the shock of it would be apparent on her face to all there, despite the concealment the mask provided.

But... But I am fit! The blasted weakling isn't even able to cut me without treating his blade! The Segunda must have seen that, right?! He's the one who's unfit! Not me! NOT M-

It was then her train of thought was interrupted by a sudden surge of energy that she could feel trying to suffocate her, an energy that chilled her to her very core. She could feel that this energy was not far above hers in terms of sheer power, but it possessed a killing intent unlike any she had ever felt before. And then, as she turned around, she saw him. Adalo De-Mona. The Primera Espada himself.

She had to make a serious effort of will to keep breathing, to stop herself from trying to preserve herself and run away from here. More so than even Kuroi before, Adalo made Myzaraphiston feel as if she were on the edge of destruction. That wonderful edge where fear and anticipation began to mix, to create a feeling unlike any other. The feeling of potential, of change, of destiny. It was the feeling that the Chosen People should all strive to create in those less than them, and this man, more than any other Myza had met in her centuries of existence, exemplified it.

Then the Primera actually touched her. He would be able to feel her entire body twitch, as if it was trying to escape from his touch. Her eyes were filled with fear when he forced her to look into his, but there was something else there as well: Desire. A desire to see everything, even the Primera, in pain. A desire to be able to watch as everything in all of existence be reduced to writhing masses of flesh and blood and bone, with only the thought of every torment imaginable to occupy their minds.

She slowly responded to the Primera, as if she had to force her mind to create the response. "Y-y-yes, Most Fit Adalo. The choice is very clear, no? Oh so very clear...."

[Kashmir De-Mona]

SPOILER: Click to show

Adalo grinned. He stepped away from Myzaraphiston. He looked toward Kuroi. "Don't you see her willingness to cause pain? To KILL? You rejected her because she let the Octava hit her, right? Because that could spell doom, right? But what if she's strong enough to kill him even poisoned, or corrupted in some way?" Adalo turned to Kuroi completely. He started to walk toward the Segunda. When there, he whispered to the Segunda himself. Kuroi had done the same to Cierro, so Adalo was being ironic without knowing that he was being ironic. When he said his words, they were more threatening. He had the colder aura. He liked killing the more. "Even when you were corrupting me with your hits, you couldn't kill me...And you'll never be strong enough to defeat me ever again..."

Adalo's grin widened. He had grown powerful! So powerful! Kuroi would never be able to fight against Adalo and win ever again! Adalo had made sure to become that strong. Adalo had a commanding presence. He had found that no one in Las Noches could even look at him without shivering if they were under Espada rank. Power and reputation were intoxicating, but nothing a strong man could not handle. Adalo was the man. He realized then he had been called most fit by Myzaraphiston. She had said the choice was clear. He realized that she wanted to follow him. He had not come to recruit her. But what harm would there be in taking on a second Fraccion? He already had one. Why not two? He had said to let her do as she pleased. Why stop her?

"If you want to follow me, you can." Adalo said. He turned back to her as he spoke, so she would know that it was to she whom he spoke. "My only condition is that you stay alive. You're not allowed to die while you serve me. Otherwise it would mean you weren't fit." Adalo started to leave the room. He stopped. Myzaraphiston should clearly follow, but Adalo had forgotten something. He walked up to Rio, and drew back his fist. He lashed out, and punched Rio in the face. The idea was this would send Rio flying, but would seem like a normal punch to the Espada with even more physical strength than Adalo. It was a challenge. Rio would know it. He would probably even accept the punch to get a feel for Adalo. Adalo knew he would have accepted being punched. Rio would be able to feel by the punch that Adalo was closer to him in physical strength than any Espada. It was a challenge done nonverbally. Only lovers of battle like Rio or Adalo would recognize it. He was saying they should play some time. They should fight some time.

Then Adalo turned to leave. As he was leaving, he made a slight cock of his head. Myzaraphiston should follow for sure this time. He was going to leave. She belonged to him after that. It was without doubts. He had dominated her emotions and her fear. He had dominated the room. He did not need to overwhelm with an aura of cold and kill the Privaron. He did not need to have some contest. All that he needed to do was show up, and choice was clear. Like vodka. Adalo grinned as he was leaving. "If any of you really wants her, just try and stop me from taking her. She has chosen to follow me. The only way you change that is by defeating me. And none of you are strong enough to do that...Not even together..." As he was leaving and he looked back at his new Fraccion, he told her more. "You belong to ME now."

[Cierro Muerte]

(OOC: Since this is a social thread, I’m not going to keep track of resurreccion/reiatsu whatever... If things get combat-oriented, I’ll bring that back and deduct what is necessary)

Cierro watched Kuroi exit with disgust as a drop of blood fell down Myza’s cheek. It seemed he’d convinced the Segunda to leave her alone, but now there was the issue of the Primera walking in like he owned the place. “Don’t force your opinions on her. You can just let her choose who she wants to serve!” rang Adalo’s voice in Cierro’s head, “No dibs. No claims.” These words caught Cierro off guard. Why wouldn’t she want to be his fraccion? Wasn’t he a likable guy? Cierro didn’t believe he was forcing her into anything. The Octava truly believed that she totally wanted to serve him. “Don’t be conned by them. Choose your own path. Incite the chaos. Because soon it is all that will matter. Death...is coming...”

“Y-y-yes, Most Fit Adalo. The choice is very clear, no? Oh so very clear....” replied the female, seemingly in fear. The espada muttered a release command silently under his breath, suppressing the feel and the appearance of his resurreccion so that no one would be able to know that he used it without touching him directly. Instinctively, the espada drew his zanpakutou to his mouth and licked a drop of Myza’s blood off of its cold blade. “If you want to follow me, you can,” continued Adalo, “My only condition is that you stay alive. You’re not allowed to die while you serve me. Otherwise it would mean you weren’t fit.” With this, Cierro’s heart sunk. What was Adalo trying to do? Commandeer HIS fraccion? Not on his watch!

Adalo left, but not before throwing a punch at Rio’s face. While Cierro did not understand such an action, he wasn’t concerned about Rio’s well-being right now. He was concerned about Myza’s. “If any of you really wants her, just try and stop me from taking her. She has chosen to follow me. The only way you change that is by defeating me. And none of you are strong enough to do that...Not even together...” he said as he walked out, “You belong to ME now.” Cierro gritted his teeth. He couldn’t stay quiet. Not after such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented itself like this. “HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” yelled Cierro as he finished processing all of Myza’s memories.

“WE HAD A DEAL, MYZA!” Cierro yelled. The espada was still not convinced that Myza had been referring to Adalo when she had said that the choice was clear. “If I could find your zanpakutou powers out in under a minute, then you would be mine. That’s what you said! Are you going to go back on that?” pleaded Cierro, taking a step towards her. “I can tell you them! I can name every single aspect about your release. Give me a chance, and if I can’t, then go with Adalo! Don’t go back on your word! How would God expect his Chosen people to act?” This last part would likely catch Myza’s ear. None of the other arrancar were aware of her unique beliefs or the persecution she faced because of them, but Cierro did. Everything that Myza ever remembered experiencing was now added to Cierro’s own memory through the magic of his ability. The Octava’s plea would be impossible to ignore for someone as self-righteous as Myza. Suddenly, as if expecting the Primera to object, the Octava spoke to him too, "And before you get all huffy about me forcing her to do something she doesn't want to. It is still completely her choice. She was the one who proposed the deal in the first place, not me. If she wants to completely ignore it and bring shame to those Chosen by God, then that's her business."

[Rio Demonliogalgo]

Things had intensified in an instant. The initial attack had not gone any different than how Rio had expected. Regardless of Kuroi's expectations, Rio had also fought Cierro, and was well aware of the Octava's speed. For someone who wasn't expecting it, it was only natural that Myza might take a cut or two. However, that one cut caused Kuroi to lose interestin Myza almost immediately. Rio smirked in spite of himself. Hadn't Kuroi trained the arrancar that was now the Noveno Espada from scratch? Hm. Perhaps she'd proven to be a disappointment afterall. Certainly if Cierro outranked her, she couldn't be that impressive.

That was when the entire situation changed. The Primera Espada, Adalo De-Mona had entered the room. Rio's smirk intensified. Now things were truly going to get interesting. He hadn't expected the Primera to enter, but now that he did, there were four of the ten in this room. And, if you asked Rio, barring Cierro, these four were probably stronger than the other six combined. For that matter, Kuroi and Adalo combined were probably stronger than the other eight combined, but Rio's mind didn't dwell on such things.

And yet despite his nonchalance, it became clear that Adalo was placing his own claim on Myza. Rio shrugged his shoulders, as if it did not bother him. In any case, if Adalo wanted Myza then he'd be surprised if anyone sought to challenge him. The Numeros, unsurprisingly, appeared to be onboard with the idea. Rio couldn't entirely blame her, though he was surprised that the Primera would accept such trash. Even Kuroi had refused her. Why would Adalo want such garbage? Better for Cierro to have her afterall. Trash belonged with trash afterall. But, that was the Primera's call, and Rio acknowledged the Espada pecking order enough to hold his tongue on the matter. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Cierro mouthing something under his breath, and then licking the blood from his zanpakuto. The Quinta's eyes narrowed dangerously.

Adalo had turned to leave, he paused for a moment and returned, facing Rio. The two were of equal height, and so Rio matched Adalo's gaze. In the instant before Adalo struck him, Rio recognized Adalo's punch, and smirked. His eyes reflected the recognition. Why was this important? It's importance came when Rio allowed Adalo to strike him. He permitted the blow from the Primera. The recognition reflected that he could have stopped the blow-- or at least tried to.

Rio's head snapped to the side, and the Quinta's leg stepped out behind himself to prevent himself from stumbling. It was a good punch. The kind of blow expected of the Primera Espada. Rio didn't, however, perform any useless gesture, like touching the point of impact, or throwing a punch back. Adalo already knew that his challenge had been accepted, and the blow had been little more than a formality.

And then that worthless Octava had to open his trap again. Rio smirked, slightly, however. "That deal also involved you not releasing, trash." He informed Cierro. Rio's ability to sense energy was not particularly advanced within the Espada, but his senses and instinct were at the level of an animal's or better. He could put two and two together. ESPECIALLY given Cierro's newfound confidence about knowing Myza's abilities. Kuroi had told Cierro to fight like an Espada, and Rio agreed with the sentiment. Cheating the competition? That was not the act of an Espada, and Rio would call Cierro on it. It was not about Myza. It was about Cierro's every action-- no. His every word shaming the organization of Espada.

"You wish to talk of shame, you shitstain? It'd be a disgrace to serve under one who shames the entire Espada." Rio hissed venemously.

[Kashmir De-Mona]

I like this "Play this" music thing

Adalo was irritated almost immediately when the Octava started to flap his gums. He was irritated as soon as he caught the Octava from the corner of his eye muttering something, and licking the blood. He heard it in a whiny voice. He heard begging and pleading, and he felt the lust in the Espada, and the denial. The Octava wanted her for being female, out of thinking with an unused, useless nether region. He begged, and made that deal, because he was not strong enough otherwise. Adalo was annoyed. From the first time the Octava opened his mouth to beg or to speak to Adalo, he was annoyed. It was like waking up on Monday morning with a hangover from the previous night's vodka. Adalo could not make out the words that were coming from the Octava's mouth. It was all just a droning. Every second that it continued, his anger intensified. The feel to the room started to change.

With Adalo's anger, the temperature started to drop. Soon everyone except for Rio, who was a large and strong man, therefore able to easily warm himself, would feel its effect as goosebumps. Adalo was becoming annoyed. The shivers that everyone would feel were not from the temperature drop. They were from the aura. They were because Adalo's patience thinned out in one second. He had been a candle of patience, and he had been blown out very easily. It had been a cheap candle. There could be no resisting the fear that accompanied his sudden change in demeanor. The look in his eyes had visibly changed. Only the true masters of ignoring fear would be fearless. He was not prepared to kill. He was going to kill.

"Shut the fuck up..." Adalo threatened. His fist lashed out. An audible popping noise came with his punch. The attack contained so much physical strength that it would send a huge air blast toward the Octava. The air blast would rupture his organs and break his bones if he was hit. It was fast. However, it did not matter if he was hit or not. It was warning shot. In Kuroi's memory, Adalo had only performed that technique with his sword. There had never been a sign that it could be done with his fists. If by the lucky break and stretch of experience or intelligence it would take for him to realize the attack, and the Octava dodged, the shot would have its purpose yet. The wall that had been earlier present behind him would shatter completely from that punch. As if glass.

"If you're Deception, why the fuck are you so weak? Where do you get off, speaking to others like an equal? You're a worm! A failure. Too incompetent to be an assassin or a spy. Too weak to be a real Espada. Not even able to cut a Numero without the aid of a cheap toy. You can't even manipulate her properly. If you're Deception, why are you a shit liar? You think with that tiny organ in your pants. You're scum too weak to defend the ones you adore. You're an Espada because you were accepted out of desperation at the time, and a lack of those capable. No one challenges you because they don't want the shame of bearing the same rank as you. The Chosen People are fit because they are strong. She wants strength. If honor means being weak, then honor is unfit. She wants to be fit. You aren't fit. I AM. You aren't strong. I AM. She will disgrace the Chosen and the Most Fit, and God, if she allies herself with you over a crooked deal that you didn't even hold to yourself. You're weak, unintelligent, incompetent, desperate, and disgraceful. You sicken me..." [/font]

Adalo was getting angrier the more that he said. With more words coming from his mouth, he grew angrier. The more that he spoke, the more angry that he became. Adalo walked over to the Octava to tower over him, as the taller man. "Open your mouth again..." Adalo challenged. "Taunt me. Beg her. Say even another word. The Segunda is tolerant, and the Quinta apathetic. I am neither of these things." He was mere inches from the Octava. He bore down on him with a large height difference. Even shapeshifting would be obeying Adalo's challenge, and would show weakness of character. "Say one more word. I will kill you right here." If the strike from earlier had hit, Cierro would already be dying anyway. Adalo glared at him up close. He drew his sword. He rested it next to Cierro's ear, and put his other arm on his own shoulder. It was an unorthodox sword threatening stance.

"Come on. I dare you. Do it. You KNOW I want you to..."

Adalo had an idea. "You know, even if she joins you, you're both weak in that event. I would probably kill you both. You can't protect her life. Not from me. Watch." Adalo left Cierro and walked to Myzaraphiston. He stabbed her. He was faster than her. Air was rushing out of his body with the powerful attack. He stabbed her in the chest. If she could read the look in someone's eye, he would convey his rightful message. She was bait. He stabbed her and only just missed the heart. She would be just fine. She was a strong and fit Arrancar. She would know his intentions from looking in his eye. He was exposing the Octava's weakness. His speed and the sudden attack and his intentions if known to her would help it hit. It would be guided to her. The next few seconds were going to be interesting.

[Myzaraphiston Synderfell]

Victory swelled up in Myza's heart as Adalo spoke to her, taking her in as one of his Fraccion. It was perfect. She may have been turned down by Kuroi, but the result was just so much better. Yes, serving underneath what was undeniably the greatest of the Chosen People would be perfect. The fear of Adalo was still there, but was getting more and more caught up in her excitement, in that wonderful feeling of potential. "I wouldn't dream of dying, Most Fit Adalo. I will prove my fitness to everything, no matter what it takes. After all, what else does it mean to be one of The Chosen People, if not to strive to prove yourself superior?"

She would begin to follow Adalo out, stopping when he stopped to issue his challenge to Rio. She carefully watched the two of them, taking careful stock of what she could learn from the both of them from these little movements. She too was able to understand that this was a challenge being issued by her new master, noting that the Quinto Espada had seen the blow coming. She wasn't phased by the interaction between the two. In all honesty, it seemed a bit subdued compared to what she had imagined challenges in this place to be like.

She had been following Adalo out when Cierro opened his mouth, trying to convince her to work under him. The very fact that he even thought that he could presume to try and sucker Myzaraphiston into serving under him now, even when trying to strike at the core of her faith, was insulting. She was going to tell the Octavo exactly what she thought of his offer, but both Rio and Adalo beat her to the punch. Quite literally so, in the case of her new master. Adalo's speech and aura did indeed send goosebumps crawling across Myza's flesh, and sent a slight shiver running down her body. However, just as much of this reaction was from anticipation and excitement as it was from fear.

And then it happened. Adalo was coming towards her, sword drawn. Myza's mind worked quickly, her centuries of experience in both battle and the fine art of torture quickly dissecting the Primera's attack path and revealing that the hit would not be ultimately lethal so long as she did not move. In the brief fraction of a second she was able to make eye contact with the Primera, she fully understood Adalo's intentions, and accepted her role, not moving a muscle or uttering a sound as the sword penetrated her body. It hurt, that much was certain. But Myzaraphiston could live with pain, and as long as the sword was inside her, she knew that she was in no danger of bleeding out. This is what the Chosen People should all be like. This is what I am striving for. And if all I have to do is endure and triumph over more pain to do it.... Then this will be all too easy.

[Zou ۞]

Kuroi stopped his leave as Adalo arrived. Indeed, Kuroi was pushed back, but he did nothing about it. Instead, he remained silent as the calm wind when Adalo entered. His face betrayed no emotions. It was not that he chose to submit, but that he chose to observe. For indeed, things had become interesting. What could possibly be more interesting to the Segunda than to see one whom he even accepted as stronger than him attacking the weakest of the Espada? It was probable, Kuroi decided, that he could defeat Adalo if he had to, but it was also unlikely that he would ever have to again. It was more likely that Adalo had the same idea. Their fight was done. From then on, they would find other opponents. Kuroi could not help but remark with astonishment Adalo's change.

Adalo, as Kuroi knew, had taken grievous injuries in their previous battle. It had been very close, regardless of what had happened. Kuroi had heard rumors of what Adalo had gone through after the fight, but it was only that moment where he was able to see it. Adalo's skin ton had changed. His hair had changed too. His facial structure had even been changed a bit, and his Zanpakuto looked remarkably different. He had a cooler demeanor, and his attitude had changed a little bit. He had grown, and had become less untame and less wild. He even wore a different oufit. But Kuroi would always be able to tell that it was Adalo De-Mona. There was no mistaking those eyes. There was no mistaking the eyes of the Primera.

So Kuroi watched as Adalo intimidated and spoke to Cierro, the weakest and least worthy of all the Espada. He observed as Adalo displayed a lack of patience. Kuroi would indeed accept what Adalo had said. He was patient, relatively. Adalo threatened Cierro off the bat, and then stabbed the woman. From experience, Kuroi could tell that this was one way to reach Cierro's emotions. He viewed women as vastly inferior beings, and saw them only as precious angels for sexual desire. When one harmed or killed a woman for which Cierro cared, then he would be risen to anger. That was what Kuroi had observed when he'd hurt Asuka, and then crushed Cierro. Adalo really did seem to lack boundaries. Kuroi said nothing.

[Cierro Muerte]

“That deal also involved you not releasing, trash,” said Rio with a smirk, “You wish to talk of shame, you shitstain? It’d be a disgrace to serve under one who shames the entire Espada.” The Octava turned to Rio with a cocky, proud look, “Bitch please, this IS my sealed state. I always heard that dogs’ eyesight wasn’t the best, but you must be downright blind!” Cierro’s attention was quickly caught by Adalo, however. “Shut the fuck up...” he said as the temperature of the room noticeably dropped. Cierro recognized the threat immediately and reacted as soon as the Primera launched his fist forwards at him.

The blast of air fazed right through Cierro as if he was a ghost. Infiltrado Mode was a very useful defense when it came to avoiding attacks. It kept the espada from being interacted with physically in any way whatsoever without altering his appearance at all. After the blast of air destroyed the wall behind him, Cierro turned and looked at the aftermath with his hands in his pockets. After giving an impressed whistle at Adalo’s display of power, Cierro listened to the Primera’s speech. A permanent smirk twisted itself across Cierro’s face. Adalo was barking up the wrong tree if he was trying to shame the other espada by insulting him directly. Cierro didn’t care about his reputation, his strength, his standing, or Adalo’s opinion of him. He oddly wasn’t afraid of the Primera and was incredibly tempted to say something after Adalo dared him to open his mouth and taunt him again.

“Come on. I dare you. Do it. You KNOW I want you to...” he said as Cierro’s smile grew wider. Oh he was going to say something alright, he just had to make sure that he said the perfect thing so that the shock value would be that much more awesome. However, Adalo walked towards Myza before he could say anything and said something that sent chills down the espada’s spine. “You know, even if she joins you, you’re both weak in that event. I would probably kill you both. You can’t protect her life. Not from me. Watch,” he said as he quickly withdrew his sword and stabbed her through the chest.

“NO!” yelled Cierro, holding his arm out hopelessly as the Primera’s sword slipped through Myza’s body, “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!?” The Octava looked worried as he rushed over to the skewered woman, ignoring the Primera who still stood right there with his sword through his fraccion’s body. “Don’t worry. You’re going to be fine, I’m going to get someone to patch you up in a hurry. Just, try not to bleed out too much. Damn...” said Cierro, quickly turning away from Myza, wiping a single tear from his eye. With that, the Octavo rocketed off towards the medical sector of Las Noches to inform them of the injured fraccion. Due to Infiltrado mode still being active, Cierro was able to ignore going through doors and instead pass right through the walls. “That was not very nice of you, Adalo...” he thought as he sprinted through the fortress, “Not very nice of you at all...”

[Kashmir De-Mona]

OOC: I call bullshit. Cierro can't possibly have reacted to the punch so easily. He has no analysis skill whatsoever, especially not battle! I did not plan a hit, but I still call BS. If my attack is to be evaded, it should be legitimately. I also call BS on his lack of fear. It says neither in fighting style nor personality he is immune in all ways to fear. Someone as threatening as Adalo, who is the most threatening and powerful Espada, would scare him. This is especially well known since it is obvious Adalo can kill him, and since Cierro knows what happens to him at death he will be more afraid of death. For the attack, he has no analysis skill at all. He should not be able to discern a threat like that. There is no plausible way. He does not have anything like that in his app, and his skills do not list it. Being a master at martial arts is not the same as being analytic. I do not mind my hit being avoided. I mind that it is done in a god modd way. This is a skill Adalo has which is unknown to Cierro. It is not expected or recognized immediately. Not from someone with no analytic ability.

[Kashmir De-Mona]

OOC: Going off of my last OOC, I'm going to make a post in the assumption that Cierro could not have known to activate Infiltrado Mode on time. Because Cierro should be punished for this misdemeanor.

IC:

The Octava could see nothing coming, so the attack hit him. When it did, there was blood from the mouth in a fountain of gurgling sound. It was gruesome to see, but it was nothing that would not be expected from the war. His insides had taken incredible damage because of the hit. It was probable that most if not all of his ribs would be shattered. The air had been a powerful one. It was not as potent as when done by sword, but it was enough to break his ribs. It was enough to break his ribs and more. It was enough to break his ribs and damage some of his internal organs. This would impair his movements. No, it would do more than impair his movements. It would be the undoing. His undoing. How could he move at anywhere close to his full speed with those injuries? He could not. It was impossible.

Even if he activated Infiltrado Mode after, it was useless. It was useless because he could not run. Running would cause him more injury and pain. He might die from the exertion. His body was worn. Running was out of the equation. A light jog would push his stamina to its limits. Walking was probably all that could be accomplished. This was all he could probably accomplish without exhausting himself. Even in Infiltrado Mode, he was hurt. He was too hurt. His body would drag itself along. It would drag itself along at a slow pace. It would be slower than anyone in the room. His top speed could not be reached. His fullest movements could not even be reached. He was slow because of his wounds. He was very slow because of his wounds.

When the Octava reached Myzaraphiston, Adalo looked down on him. He was towering over the Octava. He looked down on the weakling. He held the vermin in contempt. "Disappear..." he threatened. To get to Myzaraphiston quickly, the Octava had passed through Adalo on the way to the new Fraccion. Adalo smirked. He could recognize a phantom technique when he saw one. He too had one. He knew the counter. He drew his sword out of her. Adalo took his other hand and grabbed his eye. It was his cursed eye, and he crushed it in his hand as he wrenched it out. The pain was nothing. The pain was also everything. His socket was burning with fire of pain, but he did not care. He made no attempt to quell it. Reiatsu flashed across his good eye. It glowed. It glowed bright yellow. Taka No Me was the technique. Pesquis no Cero. The Hawk Eye. A combination of two powerful techniques.

Adalo had used it against Kuroi, but had not explained it. Kuroi would not have had enough time to analyze it very well. The Octava could know close to nothing about it. It gave Adalo a keen insight. Not only did his senses go up, but he could see more. He could see flowing energy lines. He could see the perfect places to cut to sever energy. It only took one or two swipes through places near the Octava, and through him. Through the perceived energy that Adalo saw, he cut. His cut had gone through smoothly because the Octava could not be interacted with. This left only the energy that supported him. This cut his energy off. His release was cut off. His technique. Adalo cut through the energy to sever it.

Therefore the Octava would find his release nullified. His reiatsu drained instantly to zero. He was immobilized as he was made physical again. Adalo did not waste time. He sliced into the Octava's legs. He severed them in one hit. The Octava had no reiatsu. He also could not move. He could not fight back. The attack connected. Blood spurted everywhere as the legs were severed. A puddle started to form under the Octava as he hit the floor. Before even ten seconds had elapsed from the end of the Octava's release, Adalo's foot was on his back. Adalo's foot was on his back and pushing. He was straining the spine to snap it and destroy it at the center. He was further immobilizing the Octava.

"You're vermin." Adalo said. "You're just a shitstain. Arrogant even though you can't fight at all. Unsuccessful at what you believe you actually CAN do. You can't protect anyone you want to. You can't kill anyone you want to. You were never deserving of the title Espada..." And the Octava would feel pain. He had no sort of tolerance to pain. Adalo picked him up while he was immobile and bashed him. He bashed the Octava's back against his raised knee. The spine would shatter even further. Adalo dropped the Octava and inserted his sword into the Octava's chest. He pushed it further down, into the ground. The Octava was trapped even when he regained mobility. He was still immobile. Adalo worked quickly. He leaned over the Octava, and pulled open the Octava's mouth with incredible strength. He broke the jaw on the way. Adalo grabbed the tongue, and he ripped it out. Adalo then wrapped his fingers around one of the Octava's eyes. This he also ripped out. He discarded both.

"No matter what you do for the rest of your life, you'll always be garbage..." Adalo told the Octava. He pulled his sword out of the Octava. Adalo sheathed his sword. He pulled Myzaraphiston to her feet and slapped her lightly. He wanted her to stay awake. "That simple wound won't be enough to keep you down." he said. He led her out of the room. He wanted to get her healed. She had just been bait. If any of the others, or anyone that found the Octava wanted to bring him to medical treatment to reattach what he had lost, they could. He had lost much. It was a limited time he had. He had to be quick if he wanted to be okay. The healers were mercifully skilled highly. The Octava was unmercifully wounded badly.

Adalo's Reiatsu: 1430 Reiatsu

Taka No Me: 1/5

[Zou ۞]

OOC: So, this is a strange time to point this out, but like...

Guys, do we even have a thread rating on this?

[Cierro Muerte]

(OOC: Methinks the Russian should stop nitpicking over a social thread. Save it for actual combat. You even said yourself in that post that the air blast wasn't supposed to hit. wtf... make up your mind. First of all, there were a billion clues for Cierro to realize he was in danger. There was the audible pop, the threatening motion, and the huge blast of air (which undoubtedly caused disturbances in its surroundings as it traveled). Seeing and hearing all of this would have easily queued Cierro in to the threat, seeing as how his instincts and senses are 300 and 200 respectively. Not to mention, that since Cierro gained all of Kuroi's memories, he would gain all memories of Kuroi's fights with Adalo as well. Because of this, Cierro has seen Adalo fight many times before, gaining knowledge of all his little tricks like this. As for not being scared, Cierro has a 2 in lack of fear and a 1 in Calm Mind. The following is literally stated in his profile:

When he wants to, the espada can irk people rather easily, provoking them to get angry or irritated. Cierro isn’t afraid of people who are stronger then him as he will often poke fun at high-ranking espada or other powerful allies who could easily make mincemeat out of him. Typically Cierro doesn’t hold his own life very highly. Death isn’t a big concern for the espada and he often does reckless things because of his lack of concern.

Knowing that he can simply avoid anything Adalo can do at that range using Infiltrado Mode, Cierro would have no reason to be scared. You have no basis to say that Cierro wouldn't see the threat. You've made its destructive qualities immensely clear. In fact, I could have actually called you on the fact that Adalo can not even do what you had him do last post, but I didn't bother since I figured this was just a social thread which you're taking FAR too seriously. Think of the example you're setting as a moderator. He can't do it? Here's proof. This is directly from Adalo's profile. I checked to see if there were any updates that might allow him to use air waves without his sword. There were none.

Adalo is good at using this with long, sweeping slashes of his blade. He can't do it with stabs or any other gesture, and hasn't mastered it enough to do it without his sword.

If I'm not mistaken, the attack that Adalo used came from his fist. Another issue one runs into if we are to believe your last post is the fact Adalo recognizes Infiltrado mode and uses Taka No Me. The thing about Infiltrado mode is that it looks exactly the same as Cierro does normally. If Adalo's first attack did hit, then there would be no opportunity between then and when Cierro got closer for Adalo to recognize that Cierro was in that mode. Cierro looks completely the same while using it as he does normally. So why did Adalo jump to the assumption that normal attacks would pass through him if he hadn't even seen it happen yet? I really hope that we can just move beyond this petty squabble with my next post and show ourselves to be role models, what high authority moderators should be.)

[Cierro Muerte]

(OOC: I’m hoping the proof I provided in my previous post will speak for itself, and quite frankly, I’ve been finished with this thread for a while and don’t think it’s worth starting a huge argument over. I’m taking the high road here and giving you what should be an acceptable end to this thread, even in spite of the proof and examples from your post of flawed logic.)

To explain how Cierro would avoid the invisible threat, one would need to see things from the Octava’s point of view. Surely it would not make sense that the eighth would be able to avoid an attack from the Primera under normal circumstances, but these were no ordinary circumstances. “What’s he doing?” thought Cierro as he watched Adalo lift his arm up, “The only long range techniques he’s demonstrated without being in release are quite limited. I should expect some form of air wave. Those seem to be his favorite long-range attacks.” The Octavo actually had quite a substantial database on what the Primera was capable of, all the way into his release. It was no shock to Cierro when Adalo launched his fist forwards, creating a huge popping sound in the process. Typically Adalo used his sword to create air waves, but after fighting Rio first hand, Cierro wasn’t surprised that shockwaves could be emitted from one’s fist as well.

Cierro’s suspicions were readily confirmed as all the pieces of rubble and debris from the broken wall that laid between the two espada were blown aside as it marked the air attack’s fast approach. The thing about air attacks that gave them away was that the stronger they were, the easier they were to see. The ones with powerful air would interact with its surroundings much more than a soft breeze. Regardless, Cierro would recognize the threat due to seeing Adalo use it many times before, and what could the Octavo do to avoid it? Surely the fastest espada could use a sonido to sidestep it with ease, right? Cierro had yet an even faster method of avoiding this attack. It traveled at the speed of thought, and as soon as the Octava willed it, he became completely ethereal. The espada would be rather liberal while using this ability as well. He didn’t wait to be 100% certain that an attack was coming his direction. He was quite threatened by Adalo, which was why he was so quick to jump into his Infiltrado Mode, perhaps before he was even sure there was a definite threat. This was likely an effect of the Primera’s ferocious aura.

With the Primera’s first opening attack a miss, Cierro continued on to freak out at his stabbing of Myza and quickly closed the distance between them. It was at this moment that Adalo tore out his own eye, crushing it in his hand as blood gushed out of the socket and onto the floor. Cierro recognized the technique, but was still unsure of its capabilities, however there was no energy that Adalo could sever. Unlike Adalo’s own phantom mode that only worked through his body’s tether with the black spots, Cierro’s own Infiltrado Mode could be used anywhere without any sort of tether or anchor, making his energy become completely permeable along with his physical body. In layman’s terms, there was no energy for Adalo to cut. When Cierro was completely permeable, it meant he was COMPLETELY permeable to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. He could literally, not be interacted with while in this form aside from aura abilities that affected everything non-physically within a given area.

Unfortunately for Adalo, his Taka no Me was not one of these abilities, and while it would work against Adalo’s form of phantom mode, it would not work against Cierro’s. The espada dodged all of Adalo’s sword strikes anyway with ease. The sheer speed difference between them made such an act child’s play, especially given the fact that he had seen this technique used before as well and knew that Adalo would attack with his sword after squashing his eye. It was better safe than sorry with the Primera, and he preferred dodging attacks rather than risking taking them. Either way, Cierro emerged unscathed as he leapt backwards, sword drawn and eyes narrowed on the man who just stabbed Myza. “You’re vermin,” Adalo said, “You’re just a shitstain. Arrogant even though you can’t fight at all. Unsuccessful at what you believe you actually CAN do. You can’t protect anyone you want to. You can’t kill anyone you want to. You were never deserving of the title Espada....” The Octava smirked and shrugged, “Heh, no argument here. Though I’m afraid if this continues, Myza really will end up dying and maybe even myself. That wouldn’t be too fun, so I’m begging you...” with that, Cierro got down on his hands and knees and bowed low to the ground, “Please, tend to Myza’s medical needs as quickly as possible. I beg of you, Adalo... sama...”

[Zou ۞]

OOC: Verdict time. This is fun stuff.

Based on the discussions I had with my selected jury (Col, Kyo, Z) last night, I'd agree with Adalo on the matter. The reasoning was already provided.

This does in fact bring into question the "ability" role in combat and other. I do not believe memories and sufficient instinct will do for the analysis piece that Cierro did. He does indeed lack the personality and ability to analyze. I admit that if I let this go, I nullify the use of abilities. So there is an outside influence in the argument. Abilities need more importance. It's like this whole ordeal with swords. See those sword styles some of my characters know? They're exclusive because of mastery. You can't just grab a sword and be good at it because you have a vague idea from watching movies. It takes skill. That's what these abilities are for. They help us firewall! This is a method of managing character mindset versus player mindset. In 2013, of course, I'll have to alter the abilities system. It does lack detail. It always has.

Cierro did make the jump of thought in that most recent post there. But, that's a reasoning. An analysis. And given Cierro's lack of the analysis skill, I do agree that he should be unable to come to such reasoning.

I do also agree with Adalo (this part without consulting anyone) on Taka No Me. He is not attacking Cierro's physical body, but rather his energy. Infiltrado Mode only covers Cierro's physical form. Not his internal one. I do believe Cierro was hit on both accounts there. (This is for future reference to both of you.) The method to blocking would have been to solidify, resulting in a strike to the physical body (though I guess that would have hurt more) which would negate the hit through the energy however. Cierro would keep his release that way.

Now, the actual air hit. Can Adalo fire it to begin with? This is something that came up in chat. It doesn't say in his app that he can. It says he can do it with his two handed sword strokes. However, I'd say given Rio's ability to do it, Adalo would have a similar power as their strength is near equal. More than this, Adalo is the originator on-site of this "air-strike" skill, and has had a roughly 200+ strength increase since its original conception. BUT, given that we were unclear about this before, I'd say in future Adalo will need it put into his app if he wants to continue to use it.

Now, here's where I get to fault and yell at both of you LOL. That's the most fun part.

This is fucking ridiculous. Legitimately ridiculous. Heki here is trying to make Cierro seem too big and too cool, and this is something we wouldn't mind if you as a person were not so arrogant with Cierro. Admit it. You are. You're way too cocky with him. It pisses people off. He's not NEARLY as great as you think. He'd get trashed by plenty of people. And his IC behavior is unrealistically annoying given that he can be squashed so easily, and you know he can't escape everyone that he wants to if he wants to. Plenty of people can stop his escaping.

MEANWHILE, Royce is doing basically the same thing. Making Adalo seem too big and bad. Moreso than he is. And yeah, you are way too cocky with him. You brag way too much, and that gets super irritating too. Seriously. So much Adalo shit in-chat and conversation. These things have got to be toned down. Sure, he's the Primera. Sure, he's tough. But know what? He's not so big and bad that he can dominate ALL the other Espada. He BARELY survived Kuroi. He doesn't get to go around ordering everyone at once and think he can just wreck anyone at any time. He'd be beaten in a three on one of these three against him. There's no question. There should be more level-headedness. More control. A more calm response.

So, overall. You guys are both being lame. And this is totally a dick waving contest, as said by Mou in a PM to me about you guys. So, here's what's fun about that. You guys didn't argue much. Just put up these PvP counter-points. So, you know the drill. Just relax. Mou sure as hell needs to relax as well, to be perfectly honest. Everyone relax. Nothing bad happened here. This is a learning experience for us all.

Conclusion of this thread, given that I'm ending it:

Myza has become Adalo's fraccion.

Kuroi and Rio are along for the ride. And Kuroi is a badass.

Adalo and Cierro were at odds. Adalo wounded Cierro. Given the ambivalence of this situation, I say the wounds are not as Royce stated, but rather are up to everyone's imagination. In hindsight, Cierro will remember to be cautious around Adalo, since Adalo is the only Espada to explode and lash out and attack him. And Cierro, given he was injured, will remember that next time. Likewise, Adalo will know next time that he definitely can't go around blowing up everywhere all the time. At this point in the thread, Kuroi would actually try to punish BOTH Espada for their present conduct. The reason I'm just not even bothering is that I'm lazy. I can't post today either. And really I think it's better to end the thread here, right?

So, that's that. I win the day. Because I'm godly.

Enjoy.



P.S. On the Adalo-logic in Heki's OOC. Cierro walked through Adalo. You know. Ghosted through him. According to Adalo. That's how he knew. I just thought it was a small enough thing that it wouldn't factor into what happened. It's how Adalo knew there's a technique in use, though. Says so in the post.


P.P.S. I'm making a fun penalty game. Cierro and Adalo have to fight against Grimoire. Handcuffed together. And there is no possible way out of the handcuffs (magically). Because hax. LOL.