Arc 2 Finale: Canon 16: The Flames of Hell

[Zeich Yajuu]

Name: Arc 2 Finale: Canon 16: The Flames of Hell

Participants: Up to three participants. Priority slots go to those who have participated in Canons 4 and 13.

Location: Karakura Town

Difficulty Level: Hard / Extreme

Setting: Death Enabled

Plotline:
Discord has succeeded. Through his efforts in Seoul and Karakura town in the human world, and victories in Soul Society and Heuco Mundo during various confusions, the Diplomat has retrieved all four of the Black Hell Items. The Black Bracelet, the Black Beads, the Black Pyramid, and the Black Ring have all fallen into his possession. Of the four, the Bracelet was previously lost in an effort to open up a portal to Hell, tearing a rift in the dimensions between the Human World and Hell itself. This rift was quickly re-sealed, but a weakening in the region has remained; should the other three objects be taken to the same spot and used, the opening will be torn wide open, with no way to easily re-seal it.

And Discord has the remaining three items. Using their powers, the Diplomat has torn open the rift to Hell, an enormous dome of darkness covering a quarter of the innermost region of Karakura. From the dome comes screams of anguish, waves of heat, traces of hellfire burning the ground and nearby buildings... and that's the small stuff. There's also the demons that have been let loose. Hason and Saika roam the streets, capturing humans and dragging them back to that dome of darkness. Those who enter are never heard from; even the few spiritual captives have vanished without a trace. Unsure of what lays within that Hellish dome, Soul Society refuses to send in a unit to do more than contain the tide of invading demons, knowing full well that their struggle will become futile once the true powerhouses of Hell come forth: the Akki.

In this time of stalemate, of skirmishes between Shinigami and hellspawn, many hide in terror. No Shinigami are authorized to approach the dome, and no other races dare risk their health and sanity when confronted by the very real possibility of entering Hell through that dark sphere. Yet someone has to rise to the call, ignoring orders or common sense to delve deep into the dome's mysteries. For in the dome, and perhaps in Hell itself, lies the answer to sealing the rift and sparing not just Karakura, but the entire world, the ravages of Hell. For as the stalemate continues, the demons gain ground, and the dome grows further, threatening to swallow the entire city if unchecked.

This is the finale. This is the fight that will determine the life or damnation of the entire human world, a war that may spill over to the spiritual realms as well. There is no surviving the aftermath, nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. It is time to face the flames of Hell.

Estimated Enemy Strength: 4-0 (Only the final encounter will be Class 0).

Estimated Time Until Completion: Unknown; time is nothing in the face of damnation.

Starts: After the initial GM post, the thread begins when three participants have posted full introductions.

Special Conditions: Slots may be reserved, but if a participant from Canon 4 or Canon 13 reserves a slot before all three introduction posts are up, the last to reserve will be bumped out in favor of the veteran of this particular path.

[Zeich Yajuu]

It's strange how still things can seem at the end of the world. The day seemed so normal, yet at the same time, there was something that tickled at the back of the mind, a voice that said something was wrong. There was nothing immediate or obvious, no sign of what was to come, yet everyone felt on edge, paranoid for reasons they could not explained. It was like feeling something watching, something malicious, yet it was less of a mental feeling and more of an afterthought, a hint of a whisper in the back of their mind. Thus, the city felt disturbed, bothered; no matter who it was, even the calmest of minds felt that something was wrong today, though they could not place what. After all, what person expected the end to be so near?

“But it is so very near...” A man mused as he stood in the air ground above Karakura, far above its surface. Most would not even be able to see him, and those that could would hardly see a speck at the furthest range of their vision. Long black hair pooled down the male's back, settling across an expensive suit in black that coated him from head to toe. A sword sat at his hip, a standard katana that likely marked the man as a Shinigami, yet something seemed odd about him. Indeed, the man standing there was no Shinigami, for no living soul of this world or of Soul Society would possess the rainbow-colored eyes that glittered ominously as the man stared down at the world below.

Lord Discord: this was the name the man had given many times, behind many faces. Today was no different, another farce, a puppet meant to be his projection onto the world. After all, what beings were worthy of viewing the true nature of one of the Hell's finest? Instead, the man preferred to use the bodies of various races, copying powers and appearances to create a shell to speak with the lowly worms who would be groveling at his feet soon enough. Such things were beneath him, but minions tended to be unreliable for even the simplest of tasks; Discord had always believed in the value of doing something himself when it came to action. Oh, it was easy enough to twist the insignificant humans of this world to act in the way he wanted, to make them dance on the puppet's strings, but all of the major events thus far had always included his own personal interaction.

The results were held within an outstretched hand, three black objects that he held out as if offering them to the world. A pyramid of midnight black, covered in runes that would make any reader go mad, sat in the palm of his hand, glowing with an ebony radiance. A string of beads, similar in color, hung off of his wrist, their motions strangely chaotic as they swayed about despite the lack of a breeze. And finally, a black ring, whose darkness swallowed up all hope and goodness, sat on the middle ring of that same hand. These three items had been pain-staking to get, scattered across many worlds, from Soul Society to Heuco Mundo. Yet Discord had, in time, procured each one of them, all without ever having to step foot outside of Hell himself. It simply went to show what immense power the man had, being able to take these powerful Hell artifacts without having to be present himself.

And now, it was time to use them. Previously, a dark portal had been opened up within Karakura Town, the result of the final piece of the set. The Black Bracelet had been brought to Karakura, and its power alone was enough to tear a hole in the boundary between the World of the Living and Hell itself. Though the barrier was able to seal itself up over time, its power was weakened, diminished; a flaw now existed where there had been none, one that would be exploited further today. Now, with the remaining items which shared in the power to tear open a path to Hell itself, Discord would thrust aside the veil, merging the world of life with that of damnation, and releasing Hell upon all living things. From there, the darkness would spread across the human world, devouring and consuming, before eventually moving on toward the worlds spiritual, until there was nothing left but Hell. That was the ultimate objective, the Dark Prince's design, one that Discord had fulfilled loyally for the last few months. Now, it was time to see the fruit of his efforts.

Each item began to shine with an eerie glow, the darkness spreading outward. Discord's hand, then his arm, and finally his whole body was submerged in the blackness that continued to expand outwards. People would begin to notice the small speck in the sky as it grew larger, spreading further over Karakura town. Soon it was as large as a small building, an enormous orb of black that sat above the center of the city. People began to stop what they were doing, staring up at the growing darkness; aware of the spiritual world or not, all shared the same vision, the sight of that sphere growing larger by the moment as they continued to watch. But it was no longer growing in size, no; rather than growing, the orb was descending. The rate was fast, the orb descending so rapidly that most people only had a moment to stare in shock, a second to feel the horror overcome them... and then it struck the ground.

Where that orb struck, an entire intersection and a large portion of the buildings surrounding it were completely absorbed, submerged in darkness. There weren't any screams from those lost within the bubble, any sounds sucked in as cleanly as the area upon which it had descended. Slowly the orb spread along the ground, settling like an enormous blob of darkness, and finally it settled into a dark dome that began to fill the streets around it. Despite the screams of fear from bystanders who fled the dark shape, the area felt strangely silent, as though the presence of the dome was enough to swallow up the sounds. For a moment it sat there, and nothing further happened.

But that was only one brief moment, allowing the birth of a spark of hope, the thought that there would be no further damage done by this dark sphere. Fear was there, but hope that they had weathered all that it could do sprung up for that scarce moment. And then, like a bomb going off, the dome exploded outwards, expanding an impossible rate. It consumed buildings, people, cars, streets; within two minutes of its start, nearly a fourth of Karakura's center was completely absorbed, disappearing without a trace. Signals could not penetrate the dome; calls would not connect, and network connections disappeared. It was as though everything was simply lost.

But that was only the beginning. Though it stopped growing after reaching that size, the dome's threat had not diminished. A scream, bestial and terrifying, erupted from the depths of the dome. It was echoed a hundred times over, and mixed in with those screams were human wails; men and women could be heard, and their screams were torment and anguish, begging for release from their imprisonment. The sounds continued for several minutes, causing many of those remaining to flee in terror, afraid of what might be within that dome. What horrors were hidden beneath a veil of darkness? What nightmares existed beyond the border?

Some were too slow, and found out shortly as beasts, twisted nightmarish monsters, leapt from the dome, trailing darkness behind them. The ground hissed beneath their feet, starting to sizzle from the heat of their touch as smoke began to rise. Indeed, the temperature of the area began to rise rapidly, and around the edges of the dome's perimeter, the ground began to crack from the burning heat. It was as though intense flames were burning just out of sight, contained within the black dome or within the creatures themselves. Those creatures that had emerged radiated heat like furnaces as they darted forward, grabbing those who were unfortunate enough to be too slow to retreat. One by one, people of all types were grabbed by those burning hands, howling in pain even as they were dragged back to the dome, unable to escape the fate that had been dealt out to them. They would be drawn in, and then they would be lost.

Twenty minutes passed, and Shinigami forces had finally been mobilized to contain the threat. Representatives from most, if not all of the squads created a ring about the dome, keeping a fair distance back but doing their best to repel the Hason that made their way through the city. The line held strong, though there were a few casualties here and there, and more of the human population were able to flee. For a moment, it looked as though the attack would be contained and slowly repelled, the Hason driven back before they could do further damage. Yet that lasted until the next wave of attacks came, as vaguely humanoid figures approached. Covered in demonic-looking growths, it was their efforts, combined with the Hason, that turned the tide back.

On one side, a wave of poisonous gas suffocated Shinigami defenders even as their bodies began to corrode and melt away from the acid within the clouds. Another had their own shadows attempting to drag them down into the ground, and yet another found themselves covered in sores and rashes, tearing at their own skin as they tried to rip away the maladies that tore them apart from the outside. The humanoid Saika, sinners who had once been considered human, were powerful indeed. While the Hason had their inhuman strength and their twisted forms to aid them, Saika were deadly because they had a release very similar to that of a Fullbringer's in its basic idea, small wonder considering many of them may have formerly been such.

The wall held, but barely; the Shinigami gave inch after grudging inch, being pushed back by opposing forces. It wasn't that individuals were powerful, easily below that of a Captain's strength, yet as more and more came through the dome, it seemed as though sheer numbers may overrun the defenders. And behind them, as if bolstered by their progress, the dome slowly began to creep forward, expanding in all directions, taking up inch after inch of the city as it began to spread. The Shinigami forces fell back under the dome's advance, unwilling to risk sending their units into an unknown that may very well kill them upon contact. Instead, they did their best to contain the tide, hoping that someone, somewhere would find a solution.

But as the circle grew, the lines thinned; at the rate they were going, the hellspawn would break free from the Shinigami lines, allowed to spread throughout the rest of the city and wreak havoc. They were fighting a losing battle, they knew, and the worst was yet to come. Someone had to come up with a plan, someone had to make a decision, but for now, all they could do was hope for a miracle.

Who would stand up, who would face their fears, and delve into the darkness to find the answer?

[Deleted]

Where were they? What time was it? What day was it? None of that mattered. The room was four by four, with a heavy metal door barring anyone from escaping once it had been locked. Some cellar or lower level of an industrial complex, most likely a factory. An inconspicuous place where anything could be done and nobody would know. That was the benefit of working in these abandoned complexes. Nobody would arrive to interrupt what was going on. In this dark and hidden cellar, one man searched for information and answers. However, instead of reading a book or looking on a computer he had decided to use a more direct method.

"Fuck you you god damn BASTARD!" The man in the chair screamed, if it could even be called a man. It was a masked, and cloaked, figure only in the shape of a man. Upon its face was a white mask that covered everything except for the mans destroyed nostril and mouth. He was bound to a chair with heavy robe, exposed body parts covered in various wounds and injuries. "I told you already, I don't know where he is...I told you I don't." the Saika pleaded, shaking his head as he sobbed to himself. Who was it he was talking to?

Across from him, standing beside a cart containing various objects carried on a tray atop it, was a tired looking man with dark gray hair. The Assassin gave the Saika none of his attention at the moment, rather going through the tools he had prepared for this. Various kinds of pikes, needles, pliers, knives all organized and placed in an easy to find manner. A bowl rested in the corner, its contents staining the steel with thick, red, blood. Upon closer inspection it was filled the left over's of when the Assassin was chatting with his prisoner. Finger nails, teeth, and entire fingers were placed into the bowl. Reaching across the tray the man grabbed a hold of a cup containing some sort of silver liquid, turning towards his guest and approaching.

"Where is he? What are his plans?" the man asked with a voice that lacked any emotion or interest. The Saika shook his head, his sobbing continued before he replied with a screamed "I don't fucking know okay! Just let me go!!" The Assassin strolled behind the bound Saika, suddenly grabbing onto the top of his head and forcing the contents of that cup into the Saikas mouth. He quickly covered the Saikas mouth and forced it shut, not allowing him to spit it up. Even inside his body, there was an incredibly loud hissing sound as the liquefied Sekki Sekki ravaged the Hell beings mouth, throat, and stomach. The Saika let out muffled screams of pain, trying to force the semi-liquid from his mouth without avail. "You didn't answer my question."

It had been like this for the last two hours. It had been his job to extract any information related to Discords plans anyway he could. It also helped that Zack had experience on Saikas. He knew what made this tick. He knew how to get them to talk. Zack removed his hand suddenly, allowing the Saika to vomit up the contents of its stomach. A mixture of goo, liquid Sekki Sekki, and incredibly creamy blood. His cries filled the room, a mixture of pain and despair. From the brief look the Assassin got, he saw how destroyed the inside of the Saikas mouth had become. "Bashturd......b-bashturd..." it managed to say through its pained breaths. Jensen only gazed at it before heading back towards his tray of tools. "All you have to do is tell me what I want to know." Zack responded, lifting up a syringe containing the same silver liquid material that he had just poured into the Saikas mouth.

His head began to shake. The cries became louder. He knew what this mean. "No...no I don't know please..I don't know I shwear!" It pleaded as Zack approached. The man's expression did not change. In fact, he grabbed onto the Saikas arm and stuck the needle into the vein. The screams earlier could not even compare to the ones that Zack now heard. Having raw Sekki Sekki run through your veins must have been one of the most painful things a Saika could experience. Regardless, Zack had been working on this man for over two hours with very little progress. He knew he had to be careful to not kill the Saika, but at the same time knew he had some freedom to be rather brutal. Considering the fact the Saika didn't even have fingers anymore, or a right leg, he would say that these things could survive quite the beating.

At some point it had passed out, most likely due to the pain and shock. The Assassin gave him a few moments of rest before splashing a bucket of freezing water on him. The cold shocked him awake as Zack placed the bucket down and began to go over his tools and plan what to do next. It was quiet, aside from the struggled breathing of the Saika. But it changed when the laughter began. The Assassin turned his head towards him, dark gray eyes locking on that mask and the laughter. "Doesn't matter what you do to me, I don't know nothing. But...I do know something you fuck. We've won. We've already won! Discords got the four item hehe, we're going to win. And when we do...I'm going to enjoy peeling your flesh for eternity. So go ahead, waste your time with me, it still wont s-" The sound of the gunshot deafened everything.

The Saikas head slumped, the life in his body gone after the bullet had tore a hole in his head. Lowering his gun, Jensen narrowed his eyes as he watched the corpse be engulfed in flame and seemingly pulled directly into the floor. Hell had retrieved its escaped prisoner. Jensen pulled the plastic gloves from his hands, tossing them into the trash as he made his way across the room towards the door. He sighed once he reached the hanger that held his suit, unable to help but feel relieved now that that was all done. Torturing was something else. Different from simply killing someone. Zack was forced to keep them teetering on the edge of life and death. Still, though, it had been fruitless. That Saika hadn't given any new information. Xcution already knew that Discord had acquired the four items he was searching for. Information spilled from another's blood.

Putting his jacket on, Zack paused when the communicator in his ear began to ring. Reaching up and pressing the button, Zack didn't even answer when Annabeth began to talk. Her voice was panicked, and what she relayed to him made even the stoic assassin pause. His eyes widened before he responded with the only thing he really could.

"...what?"

"Hold the line, damn it! Don't let the Hell-spawn pass!" One senior Shinigami cried out to his comrades, facing back towards the sight of the approaching Hason. A being was best described as some sort of mutant ape. Its body was like a gorillas, yet did not walk along its knuckles. Where its head should be was a smaller human body. But, despite its two story size and intense muscles, what really drew attention to it were its features. Three eyes in very odd places, one on its neck and two others on each shoulder, and a giant mouth directly on its chest (Reference Image). The Hason walked towards the congregation of Shinigami defiance.

The Shinigami that had spoken out earlier leaped forward, katana held high in the air as he cried out "Bring beauty to the world! Ha Hanabira!" Upon the cry of its activation, the blade disintigrated into seven large flower like objects. The man let out a cry of defiance as the seven flowers centers glowed suddenly, before each releasing a sharp tipped blade of energy at the Hason. The beasts smaller mouth only seemed to smirk. The beams struck, kicking up a cloud of dirt and debris due to the explosion. "There. Got it." The Shinigami commented, smirking with pride at his apparent victory.

"Hey hey. The fuck was that shit?" Came a incredibly deep voice from within the smoke. The Hason stepped forth, simply swinging one of those gigantic hands of his to clear away some of the debris. "But...that was.." the Shinigami stated, unable to finish his statement due to the shock and fear. "Your what now? Are you gonna say that piss and shit was your best attack? HAH! I've taken dumps that have more kick than that tickling crap!" The Hason laughed, swinging one of its arms and easily shattering one of the floating petals. In panic, the Shinigami cried out thus causing his remaining petals to enter what seemed to be a rapid fire mode. The beast giggled before swinging its arm downwards, reducing the Shinigami into nothing more than a puddle of blood and grim.

"Oh damn. I was supposed to bring them back...alive-ish. Oppsies. Ah well, I'll just make sure to be a little gentler with the next ones." It laughed, spotting the remaining Shinigami that the last one had been fighting with. He began to approach, giggling like a aroused school girl. "Come on now. No need to fight back. All I'm gonna do is toss you in that bubble over there. It won't be bad, I promise. IT'S ACTUALLY GOING TO BE FAR WORSE THAN YOU FUCKS CAN EVER IMA-" his screaming was interupted by a deafening boom, right before the entirety of his upper body exploded into flame and shrapnel. It was thrown backwards by at least a city block from the force of the attack that had hit it.

Confused, the Shinigami turned around to see what it was that had saved them for the moment. What they saw made them gasp. It wasn't really a person, rather it was a thing. A M1 Abrams, painted to be black in color, was rolling right towards them. Men dressed like something someone would expect the White House security to wear were following after the tank, each wearing a protective vest and carrying some sort of assault rifle like weapon. Men approached the Shinigami, pulling them out of the way of the Abrams and inspecting them for injuries.

The Hason began to get back to its feet, though struggling now due to its injury. A gaping hole in its body, about thirty percent of its body now damaged. "Is...that a tank? Is that a fucking tank??" it asked as the Abrams rolled forward. The man mounting the weapons machine gun opened fire, the bullets ripping right into the Hasons body amd causing it to cry out. The main weapon fired once more, obliterating the upper portion of the Hasons body. It fell to the ground, the Abrams continuing its path along the streets. It seemed to be following a perimeter around the orb, not getting too close but maintaining a close enough distance to deal with any threats coming from the dome.

What was going on? This was not the mobilization of the Japanese Military. It was, in fact, the deploying of the Xcution Military Branch, a force that could make the national military look like nothing. The Shinigami were the first wave of defense, one that was now being pushed back by the seemingly never ending prisoners of Hell that were escaping. It wasn't a hard decision. Xcution had been preparing for this. It was an immediate mobilization of the Military to neutralize and destroy any and all escaping Hell-spawn. Assisting the Shinigami forces, and any other assisting factions, was also part of the order.

The Hell Gates arrival had been picked up on immediately by one of Xcutions satellites. A device used to pick up on massive fluctuations in reiatsu and tracking of Failures, had immediately located the spawned Hell Gate once it had been created. Xcution knew what Hell Reiatsu was, having studied the area surrounding the former Hell Gate zone as well as investigations done on the Black Skull that had been retrieved by XSG#3 and on the Militaries Majors. The Military had been deployed immediately, the Karakura and Japan branches being able to arrive within such a short time. Other parts of the Military were enroute as well from various places on the Earth, all convening in Karakura Town to deal with this threat. Though, some had been left behind to guard other Spiritual Hubs in case Hell Gates opened in them as well. They couldn't be too sure that Discord only planned on opening one.

The sounds of screams had become mixed with the sound of explosion and gunfire as the Military rolled its way into Karakura. A majority of their forces were armed to the teeth with firearms and weapons designed for combat against spiritual entities. Gunfights erupted across the city, as armed men did battle against the Hason and Saika forces. One gunfight, in particular, was shaping up to be either a devastating loss or unlikely victory. Seven members of the Military Branch were pinned down near the Karakura National Bank, using the banks entrance pillars and destroyed vehicles as cover. Their enemies were three Saika and a Hason. The demonic creature appeared like some sort of centaur like creature clad in silver (Reference Image).

Gunfire exploded in the street as the Military continued fighting, trying to push back the Hason and the approaching Saika. Their gunfire was being blocked by both the Hasons skin and lance like limb. The Saikas were giggling amongst themselves, excited to do whatever it was they planned against the Military agents. "Keep firing! How many grenades we got!" One of the agents shouted down to another who did behind a car. "None!" He replied back! He quickly ducked as a fireball sailed over the car, eating its way into the material of the staircase. "Contact Corporate! Now!" he shouted to the agent at the top of the stairs.

The man nodded, quickly providing covering fire as he made his way across the walkway and through the banks doors. Pressing a finger into his ear he managed to get into contact with Corporate. He immediately began to provide coordinates for Corporate. "We're pinned down at the bank! We need immediate air support now!" He cried, covering his head as an explosion rocked the building. Corporate, themselves were not in the city. They were provind orders, support, and planning from locations outside the city. Drones that flew through the city gave them their eyes, and the men in the streets were their ears. One such base in particular, a central hub containing a multitude of individuals and computers being manned, received the call from the Military agent. One man nodded to another, before giving the all clear to a man sitting on a computer. "Roll in Strike Package Bravo on targets. This is going to be a close fire package. Send in the Hawks."

Back in the city, the situation was getting worse for that one group of agents. The man who called in the support peeked his head out of the doorway, watching as the Hason impaled one of the agents on its lance. "Six man team! North of orange smoke! Attack direction west, you're cleared hot!" the agent shouted, tossing a canister out into the streets that began deploying orange smoke. "The hits coming! We've got a B-liner incoming! Mark the targets, now!" the man shouted, flipping a switch on his rifle that fired out a laser light. The remaining agents did the same, quickly shinning their lights on the Hason. The Hason looked at the little blips of light reflecting off of its chrome body. Then, suddenly, there was a new sound. The sound of screeching in the sky. The Hason looked up to spot three HAWK jets heading directly towards it. It let out some sort of cry, bringing its arm back and chucking its lance directly at one of the jets. The lance emitted some sort of energy as it flew straight for one of the jets. The lance flew straight through the glass of one of the cockpits, impaling the pilot and causing the jet to veer off course and crash into a building and erupting into a gigantic fireball. But this had not deterred the other two jets.

The pilots inside pressed the buttons on their sticks. The high caliber machine guns mounted along the jets snouts erupted into life, causing the street to erupt into showers of debris as the bullets formed a literal line of destruction. The Hason raised its arms up, trying to defend itself against the onslaught delivered to it by the jets. But, machine gun fire was not the only thing they had planned. From each jet, two missiles were launched directly at the Hason. The black exploded as the four missiles collided with the ground, turning the black into a fireball and shaking the bank. The agents poked their heads out, checking the debris for anything. They suddenly heard a cry, each letting out some sort of surprised sound as they witnessed the debris clearing. The Hason was still standing, although it was not missing an arm and a piece of its head. "It's still not down.." One of the agents commented. The one who called in the order growled, raising his hand to his ear. "Corporate. Target is still standing. Boogies 3-2 use 105 Saber Rounds. Bring the god damn rain!" He ordered. This time he wasn't calling for the jets. He was calling for something else.

Perhaps some of the inhabitants of the city had seen it. A gigantic airplane circling the city, larger than any of the jets attacking the enemy forces. Anyone who knew a thing or two about the airforce would recognize the aircraft; a Lockheed AC-130. The plane came into sight high above the Hason, curving itself so its portside cannons aimed downwards into the area the Hason still stood in. There were sudden, and rapid, explosive sounds from the aircraft as the cannons fired. The impact of the shells caused explosions that the missiles from earlier couldn't compare to. What was left of that block was absolutely destroyed, including the nearby buildings caught in the AC-130s onslaught. Needless to say, when the dust cleared that Hason wasn't standing anymore.

Similar battles filled the city. The ground troops working along side the Shinigami resistance had the benefits of air support, something the Hason didn't seem to have at this time. It wasn't long until the real strength of Xcutions Military arrived; the Fullbringers. With the use of their powers, the Saika and Hason forces were pushed to a standstill. Various powers exploded in the streets as Xcution fought back, willing to throw their lives away to keep the Hell Spawns from approaching. But, with the constant size increasing of the dome they knew they needed to find some way of closing the gate. If they didn't then their resistance wouldn't matter. They would either be over run, or consumed by the dome.

Among the dozens of attack helicopters that covered the sky, there was one in particular that the others seemed to be protecting. It wasn't an attack copter, rather it was one used to deliver soldiers. While those were already being protected, this one was different. There was only one person in this one. A single man who sat in silence, with his eyes closed in rest as he readied his mind for the battle to come. His equipment already cleaned and prepared, outfitted for battle. He knew his mission to be the most dangerous. He knew his mission, Annabeth already filling him in. Revenge was not something that someone in his career focused on. It was a useless emotion that slowed people down. But. Even with that though, he wanted to end this. He would be the one to stop Discord. So, he opened his eyes as the copter came to a stop, lowering itself so that the passenger could get off. Wasting no time he departed it, meeting with other Xcution agents who nodded to him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

SPOILER: Click to show

Stats

▸Strength - [200] = [100] Points

▸Speed - [300] = [750] Points

▸Spiritual Pressure - [250] = [150] Points

▸Reiatsu Strength - [300] = [480] Points

▸Light Aura - [30] Points

▸Dark Aura - [70] Points

▸Instinct - [150] = [225] Points

▸Senses - [200] = [150] Points

▸Energy sensory - [0] Points

▸Healing Expertise - [0] Points

Total SP: [1400] Points

• [Stealth] {3}
  
  
• [Weapons: Knives] {2}
  
  
• [Weapons: Firearms] {3}
  
  
• [Movement] {2}
  
  
• [Acting] {2}
  
  
• [Calm Mind] {2}
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] {3}
  
  

Total SKP: 17

SPOILER: Click to show

{Items}
x2 Utility Belts
x2 Pistol Clips
x4 Ammo Clips
x2 Large Pouches
x1 Carrier Belt
x6 Medium Reiatsu Orbs
x6 Large Reiatsu Orbs
x1 Storage Scroll
x2 UE2 Handguns
x2 Silencers
x30 Handgun Ammunition
x30 Sekki Sekki Bullets
x3 Daggers
x1 ROOT
x1 Convert-A-Weapon
x1 Power Ring
x1 Stealth Cloak (Suit)
x1 Awareness Band
x1 Pseudo-Zanpakuto

[Alexander Kuma-Hebi]

Chaos. Death. Despair. Destruction. Terror. Armageddon. Those are the words that could be used to describe situation that day in Karakura Town. Yet, all of those words would be understatements. There was in fact no adjective nor noun that could precisely describe the events that transpired on that day in Karakura Town. Hell itself opened it's wretched gates in Karakura, apart of a master plan of Hell to conquer all. In the ancient times to where no racial memory goes, and where only a fragments of records exist, it was Spirit King himself and his Royal Guard that crushed traitors who rose in rebellion, led by a figure that would come to be known as Lucifer. They were banished to Hell for eternity as a result of losing the battle. But war, they did not lose. It never stopped. Over millenia, forces of Hell tried to conquer the World of Living, the Purgatory, the Paradise. They tried many times, but it was usually the Royal Guard that intervened at crucial moments, crushing them back. For over three thousand years, Hell was silent. And only recently, through Game Master and his minions, Guardian army and Ogatago, did Hell make it's own move. Yet, that attempt got thwarted. But the Hell did not go back to silence. For Lucifer ordered another one of his minions to set plans into motion and to conquer the three worlds in the name of Hell.

There was not a huge all-encompasing war as with game Master, but rather, a series of incidents, and shady dealings, dark actions, operating beneath the surface. It was the way of one known as Lord Discord, one who operated secretly and efficiently. Soul Society was fighting Vandenreich. Las Noches was in civil war. Dwellers of the Human Worlds were the ones who had to carry the task and burden of fighting Hell and it's forces. And despite all of their efforts, Discord nearly won. Through his machinations, he acquired what he needed, and was a step away from complete success. That could not be allowed. And it would not be allowed. Soul Society would not allow it. As Human World Monitoring Center detected the tear in the fabric of the Human World, one that led to Hell itself, within minutes, Gotei 13 was mobilized on orders hailing directly from Central 46, the highest authority. It was Gotei 13 that would intervene, despite all the troubles it was in. It would fall to them this time, to fight this without their king sending his personal guard. Not that anybody save for a handful of officers knew what Royal Guard was and that it existed. But Central 46 knew that thy would not come, with the threat of Vandenreich. And while many Shinigami were tied into the offensive against Vandenreich, and while many were needed to defend Soul Society itself, Gotei 13 was mobilized regardless.

All who could be spared for this expedition were mobilized, and sent away. Merely twenty minutes after the rift opened and turned into gargantuan black dome, Shinigami forces have arrived. They had very strict orders, though. Drafted from all the Squads, they were sent in with directive to hold their ground and stop whatever cam out of the rift until it would have been sealed. They were ordered to fight at all costs, and to hold their ground. Also, orders came to cooperate with any and all other individuals or organizations who are opposing forces of Hell as well. All hostilities were put on hold in order for this to be resolved. There was no other way to do this except by cooperation. So, expedition forces formed a ring around the rift, ready to fight. And they did fight. They fought with all they had. They didn't give an inch of the ground to the hellspawn without dying it red with blood. They were slowly pushed back, yet they held. It was because despite their inferior numbers, despite their fear, despite desperate situation and despite the fact that they were the only thing between worlds and their damnation, they knew that it was their duty that they were fulfilling, and that it had to be fulfilled at all costs.

And no one was more aware of the duty and burden that was placed on them, but which they had to bear, than a certain man among the Shinigami forces. He was incredibly tall, dwarfing other Shinigami, and was dressed unusually for a Shinigami, with quite the extravagance. He wore a suit, black with white double stripes, white shoes, black shirt, and white tie, curly hair and black sunglasses, and a white trench coat just laying on his shoulders, with an insignia of Squad 3, yes, the man was Alexander Kuma-Hebi, Captain of Squad 3. He was sent in as a commander of expedition forces, given the fact that Human World was mainly under jurisdiction of Squad 3. It was his duty to be there on that day, on the behalf of Soul Society and Gotei 13. He was sent in with orders a bit different from other Shinigami. He was ordered to find a way to shut the gate to Hell, to close the tear in the fabric of reality that led to damned realms of Hell. And he was determined to do so. He would use anything and anybody, cooperate with anyone, even sell his own soul to Lucifer (however useless that may be), in order to succeed in this mission.

For he knew that there was no other way for anything else that he had hoped for and dreamed of, to come to pass and be, if the worlds were damned and swallowed by Hell. Alexander was a man who was well aware that despite all loathing and hatred he felt for non-Shinigami, he had to cooperate with them. Even if it felt wrong, and made him want to scream in rage, he knew he would have to do it. He was under orders to use anybody and anything to get his mission done. Yet however, for the time being, first he had to focus on creating some breathing room for Shinigami forces so he could get onto his mission. He moved to sector which was hit most heavily, and which was getting overrun. A tide of Hason and Saika were marching forward, legion of the damned versus the angels of death, a fight so one sided, yet so desperate, unending. Alexander was in the first lines, fighting with his twin Zanpakuto drawn, crushing the spawn of Hell by dozens. Yet, more kept coming, and Shinigami around him were falling. Soon, only a few remained in the sector and they were in serous trouble. Yet, Alexander had no choice, but to carry on, he couldn't allow them to advance.

"Shit, they are going to overrun us! All of you, clear this sector, and retreat to checkpoint B, I will stay and slow their progress!" Alexander left no room for disobedience, and soon the sector was empty of other Shinigami, Alexander being the only one, and thus a target for all Hason and Saika in the sector. Yet, with his allies out of the way, he could buy them time to regroup. He exerted his gravitational pressure upon the hellspawn in his sector, killing many immediately and flattening, paralyzing or otherwise stopping or slowing down the rest. It was merely a setup for real deal, as he utilized the architecture of the surrounding neighborhoods to his advantage. He was in financial center of Karakura, full of skyscrapers. He lept off the ground, and rose into the air, high enough to be above the building. Then, he performed a series of slashes at full strength. Dozens of slashes produced dozens of vicious air blasts, which were all aimed at skyscrapers and buildings bellow. With all those air blasts, Alexander has collapsed and leveled the entire sector, which consisted of a couple of neighborhoods and a financial district of Karakura Town. Yet, it was good.

Alexander collapsed all those building on those hellspawn stopped and slowed down by his enormous gravitational pressure, those that weren't killed by pressure were hit with blasts, those that didn't get hit by blasts were killed by debris and entire buildings being collapsed onto them, and those who weren't killed by that would be at least slowed down for a while. In that fashion, Alexander bought time for Shinigami to regroup, at least in nearby sectors, and to reinforce the sector he was in. Also, Xcution forces started swarming the city as well, easing the strain on Shinigami forces. Alexander, while he despised Xcution, and hated races that it consisted of, was glad that they were there. At very least, there were another soldiers to fight and die, and Alexander calculated that Shinigami casualties would drop. He sheathed his twin Zanpakuto and remained standing high on the air ground, observing fighting that was happening for a bit. He saw various military hardware being deployed, helicopters deploying troops, aircraft bombing critical spots. Yet, it seemed that with united effort of Shinigami and Xcution forces, they could hold the hellspawn at stalemate, for now at least.

Stalemate could be held for a time only, though. Alexander knew that the real strength of Hell was in the real demons, Akki. Each Akki, well, at least each one that was encountered so far, was above Captain level. And if entire hordes of them were contained in Hell, and if they would march out, it would be over. Alexander wasn't sure that there was any force able to deal with them, not even the fabled elite fighting force he only heard it existed, the Spirit King's guard, Zero Division. He had to assemble a team and go into the sphere, to close the rift and end this nightmare once and for all. But he was only high ranked Shinigami in he expedition force, and there was nobody even on Vice Captain level in the expedition forces, simply put, he had no one to form a team with. Yet, as he observed events below and around him, and noted all those things, did he notice Xcution helicopter, a troop transporter. However, this one was heavily escorted, and as much could Alexander see, it was carrying just a single man. So, obviously, somebody important, either a commander or an elite soldier. Whatever the case, Alexander quickly settle don a course of action.

It was a course that every fiber of his body screamed against, but one that he willingly forced upon himself, knowing for what purpose would he swallow his pride and ideals for time being, and asked a human world dweller to fight along his side. Using air ground, he quickly followed that helicopter, reaching to a point where it lowered, and a single young man stepped out of it. Alexander quickly lowered himself from air ground, after observing for a moment or two, he was right, this young man commanded the respect of other Xcution officers, he was bound to be either commander or an elite warrior. At any rate, Alexander landed softly a few feet in front of the man and in the middle of bunch of Xcuution agents, yet, while he really, really wanted to kill them all, right there and then, he performed no hostile actions. He swallowed his pride and ideals, for Soul Society and it's welfare came before those in any situation. He addressed the young man. "Alexander Kuma-Hebi, Squad 3 Captain, commander of expedition forces. While we may be enemies and at war any other day, today we must fight together, lest we fall prey to machinations of that wretched demon Discord and legions of Hell. I have a feeling that you are either a commander or an elite warrior, whatever the case is, I...", Alexander paused for a bit, "... I need your assistance. I am under the orders to go in there and shut the portal to Hell and end this. If we cooperated on that goal I believe that we could succeed and win this.

Alexander briefly paused, and let that reach the young man as well as all those around him. He was already feeling sick, disgusted with himself, for doing this, yet, it was his duty, and he needed to use these people in order to perform it. If he had to trample on his own pride, honor and ideals for the sake of Soul Society and Shinigami race itself, then so be it. He gathered his mental strength and continued. "I believe it would be ideal to form a joint team, and to go in and, well, kill whatever moves, and shove a sword up that asshole's asshole! So, what do you say? Will you lend me men? Or go with me?" There it was. The day that would never come again. A day when Alexander Kuma-Hebi asked a member of non-Shinigami race to fight alongside him, to face a threat together, to fight against the very legions of Hell with joint effort. He knew that his proposal would be accepted, in a time of grave need, one does not turn away any assistance. Alexander knew, regardless of what transpired that day, that Hell awaited...

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [800*2=1600] Points

Speed - [600*2=1200] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [200*075+700=850] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [500+700=1200] Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [300] Points

Senses - [200] Points

Energy sensory - [0] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [2600] Points




[Weapons: Swords] {4}

[Hakuda] {3}

[Battle Analysis] {3}

[Strength of Will] {3}

[Damage Recovery] {1}

[Jin Yamada]

Terrror. Destruction. Death. Chaos. This was not the Karakura Town that most knew. This was not the Karakura Town that had existed just over an hour ago. This was something totally different. Filling the air was a burning stench that mixed in with the smell of blood and fear. The two pungent odors filled and encircled the air in that sector around the dome. There was the sound of screaming, of laughing, of torture, of burning, and of many guns being fired. Explosions occurred all around and footsteps could be heard pounding the ground with incredible ferocity. It was a war zone. It was devastation. It was complete and utter turmoil. It could only mean one thing. Hell had come.

People fled, getting as far away as they could. Others gave in, and remained, their mental psyche breaking under all the fear. Those were the easiest victims for the damned to grab as they stepped out of that blackish dome. Their malformed faces were contorted into wicked smiles, evil smiles. Their laugh was worse. The laugh of pure evil. What was worse was their appearances. Their freakish and deformed appearances sent fear and despair into the hearts of all the humans that could see them. Those that couldn't were the unlucky ones. They knew nothing of what was coming for them. They knew nothing of the monstrous beasts that reached out and grabbed them, only to drag them back into the worst place they would ever want to be. This kind of devastation was unheard of in Karakura Town. No one had expected it. Not many had fully prepared for it. Mentally, and physically.

Fullbringers and Shinigami alike had come out to help push the army of sinners back. But, there numbers were too many. There power too great. Their burning hot bodies brought the heat of that place of damnation with them. Heat wafted off of them, burning the street and the people around them. Their powers were too different. None had faced anything like it before. The type of devastation that they could cause with those hellish powers of theirs. It was too much initially for the Shinigami, who had to fall back. The perimeter that had already been established around that gate to Hell was falling. It was falling further and further back, allowing more of those hellish spawns to spread from that black dome. They came with incredible fury and viciousness, like savage beasts, tearing apart any that were near. Human and Shinigami alike. They laughed with joy at the pain that was being inflicted. They cackled triumphantly as they stepped from the black void. They cackled because in their minds, this was the end. Hell had come to the Human World, and there was no way to stop it. Or so, they thought.

He made his appearance at about that point. When all hope seemed to be lost. At the point when Xcution had also arrived to save the day. Xcution, a group of humans with powers. A group of Fullbringers and other spiritually powered races. The human world dwellers had come to save their town where the Shinigami had failed to do so, stuck in their own war with the Vandenreich. That was when he appeared as well. Blue fire formed before a group of Saika that were attacking some of the humans running away from the black dome near the Xcution Seven Guns and the shinigami Captain. That blue fire burned into existence before them all, and caused the group of three Saika to freeze in place, unsure of what was coming next. Suddenly, they would find themselves pressed to the ground. Suddenly, they would find their bodies collapsing under the powerful pressure that emerged from those flames. "My my..." spoke a voice from the flames. The voice was synthesized, as if the one who was speaking was purposefully hiding his voice. "It looks like you blokes went and started the party without me."

In an instant, a circular black disk came spinning out of the flames and circled around it, slashing into the three Saika that surrounded the flames. Their bodies, held down by the power of the reiatsu which was being exuded from the flames could do nothing as their chests were sliced open and their Hellish blood was spewed. The black disk changed direction suddenly, just as that figure began stepping out from those flames, and attacked the three once more. Moving with such speed and precision, as if controlled by thought, the black disk slashed across those three once more. It moved back and forth, cutting through them several times, all while that figure was stepping out from those blue flames. The figure's right hand became visible and the fingers on that hand could be seen flicking left and right, controlling that spinning black disk. With one finally motion, the disk returned and spun before the black-cloaked figure to become some sort of shield of blackness. And then there was a powerful burst of wind that flew out from that black shield which pushed the Saika back, sending their cut up and broken bodies back towards the Hell they had come from.

The figure, who was concealed by a black cloak with a hood flicked his white gloved finger once more and the black disk returned to him, only for him to catch it within his outstretched right hand. His cloaked head turned, surveying the death and destruction all around him and the efforts of the Shinigami and Xcution fighting back those Hellish spawns. He turned once more to the blue flames, where two new figures had joined him. One was sitting down, in what looked to be a high-tech wheelchair. The man was dressed very neatly, in a silver suit, with a chain mail shirt seen underneath the black dress shirt he wore underneath the suit. On top of his head, he wore a simple blue fedora. He appeared old, with sunken blue eyes, black hair in a crew cut, and pale skin. Jikashi Dono'Granzo. Class 1 Bount. Standing by his side was a second man. This one appeared younger than the first, with white hair that made him look like he was in his 50s, and a muscular frame. He wore a brown leather jacket, white shirt, and brown cargo pants with black combat boots. Over this, he wore an open black cloak with a hood, which he had drawn up partially to cover the back of his head. Otto Guillotine. Class 1 Bount.

The second man, the one who was standing punched his right fist into the palm of his left hand. "It's payback time. I'm not gonna let him get away this time!" he exclaimed with gritted teeth. This one, Otto, had a score to settle with the mastermind behind it all. The demon that had left him unconscious and separated him from the others during their last encounter. This time, he wanted blood. "Don't be so quick to rush into it. Let me have a chance at him first, given that I didn't even get to face him last time." the first man pleaded in a soft, cynical voice. The third figure, the one who had appeared first, wearing a white mask over his face with a red letter 'A' imprinted onto it spoke next, talking to the two that had come with him. "If anyone's gonna be taking that blag artist down, it's me. He'll face true Anarchy. I'll burn him to the ground..." His synthetic voice was harsher that time, less playful than it had been when speaking to the three Saika earlier. There was rage in his voice that time.

He began walking towards the Xcution soldiers upon noticing them, towards the Seven Guns, and towards the large Captain of Squad 3. He made his way towards them and stopped about 5 feet before them. Little did any of them know that the man standing before them was a wanted man. None could tell by his reiatsu, which was currently shielded by the black cloak he wore. If any tried sensing him, they'd find nothing there, as if there was a void in reiatsu existing within the masked man. He was a man hunted by all three worlds. A man who had once invaded the Soul Society and faked his death. A man that had caused Satsujun so much trouble that even Xcution had him on their radar. The Bount known as Jin Yamada stood before them now, garbed in that black outfit, unbeknownst to the both of them. "I don't plan on letting Discord bring destruction to this town a second time. Let's just say that we'll be assisting the both of you today, until our common enemy is destroyed." he spoke tersely, getting straight to the point about the matter. He wasn't there to play formalities and ask nicely for their help. That wasn't how he dealt. He noticed the stares he was probably getting from the two of them, and decided it best to introduce himself as well, so that they would know who it was they were working with and familiarize themselves with the name. "You can call me, Anarchy." he said, giving them the name he used as a mercenary in the underworld of the Black Market. It was a name that the Captain of Squad 3 might have heard before, given that it was the same name the man who had fought Okusa Shogen had declared before the two had fought. The outcome of that battle had been undecided, but the name had stuck with Seireitei in reports of what had happened. And now, here he was. Anarchy, no Jin Yamada, in the flesh.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Jin's Stats/Skills}

Strength - [100 (50)] Points

Speed - [300] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [400] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400 (1000)] Points

Light Aura - [35] Points

Dark Aura - [65] Points

Instinct - [200] Points

Senses [200] Points

Energy sensory - [100] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1700] Points

Abilities

[/b][/u] {4}

[*][Martial Arts: Capoiera] {3}

[*][Utility: Charisma/Leadership] {2}

[*][Weapons: Yoyo] {4}

[*][Strength of Will] {3}
[/ul][/spoiler]

SPOILER: Click to show

{Jin's Items}
x2 JJYAGP01
x1 JJYAGP02
x1 JJYAGP03
x1 Convert-a-Weapon
x1 S Grade Coating Ring
x1 Soul Gauge
x2 JJY001
x2 JJY002
x2 JJY003
x2 JJY004
x3 JJY005
x2 JJY006
x2 JJY007
x1 Antidote Shot
x1 Portal Scroll
x2 Wire Launcher Gauntlets
x1 Propulsion Boots
x1 Cold Hat

SPOILER: Click to show

{Jikashi's Stats}
Class 1. Cripple.

Strength: 30

Speed: 150

Reiatsu Strength: 1600 (400x4)

Spiritual Pressure: 800 (400x2)

Instinct: 200

Senses: 150

Energy Sensory: 210 (70x3)

Healing Expertise: 0

Light/Dark Aura: 0/100

Total SP: 1400

SPOILER: Click to show

{Otto's Stats}Class 1 Bount. Level 2 Soldier.

Strength - 120 (200 x .6) Points

Speed - [200] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [200] Points

Reiatsu Strength - 700 (400 x 1.75) Points

Light Aura - [50] Points

Dark Aura - [50] Points

Instinct - [200] Points

Senses [150] Points

Energy sensory - [50] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points

Total SP: [1400] Points

[Deleted]

War. War never changes. Since the dawn of human kind, when the ancestors of all humans first discovered the killing power of rock and bone, blood has been spilled in the name of everything from: God to justice to simple, psychotic rage. The enemies may change, but the concept will never change. What war is will never change. What was going in within this city, the city of Karakura, was plain and simple war. The stakes were high, the enemies were strong, but in the end it was still just a war. The battles raged throughout the city. The sounds of screams and gunfire of explosions and roars all mixing together into some sort of chorus of the damned. The forces of Hell combating themselves with the combined might of the Gotei Thirteen and the Military Branch of Xcution. The world, the ones whose eyes were blinded from their lack of spiritual powers, would only see this as an attack from a terrorist group. They would never know that it was, in fact, Hell on earth.

"Need more ammo!" the Agent shouted from his place behind the upturned car, using it as cover against the Saikas attacks. Pinned down on the road, the Agents were trying to hold the line back against the approaching Saika forces. Forced to keep themselves in this position as the attempt to extract the civilians went under way, they began to worry if they could truly keep the Saika back. They were approached by now fewer than four of the shrouded sinners, one of whom had already activated its Dark Skill. Seven variously designed, yet organic, tendrils had sprouted from his back. They lashed about, like each was a whip, slashing up the pavement road and whatever else happened to be in the way. One of the tendrils did not lash, though, as it was rather preoccupied with molesting the woman whom had been impaled upon it.

"So much fun so much fun! When was the last time I had so much fun!" the Saika laughed beneath its white mask, hiding the Sinners identity from the world and the forces of Hell. Gunshots exploded into existence once more, and the Saika began lashing its tendrils at an even faster rate and blocking the bullets. "Oh no no no, you wont ruin my fun! This is my turn to have fun! Killing other Sinners get so boring because they come back!" It announced, as the tendrils violated the womans corpse began to split her corpse in two. It laughed, thrusting one of its tendrils at the car one of the Military agents hid behind. It pierced right though, cutting the mans head and knocking his shades to the ground. "Come out and play my squishy little hole!"

"I'll play with you!" A sudden, female, voice announced drawing the attention of the Saika away from the agents. There was the sudden of metal clanging, right before a chain like object flew through the air and impaled the Saika through the body. "Heh, you think this can ruin my fun?" The Saika shouted, turning and tossing aside the used up corpse. "Nope, but this will." the woman said just before the Saika was completely incased in ice. The chain slid from the icicle in such a way that it seemed to not even be touching it, or like the ice was just water for the metal. But calling it a chain wouldn't be completely correct, as the object had a diamond shaped blade at its tip and the links were circular blades attached to one another.

The voice, and the owner, of the weapon was a long, raven haired beauty. Her clothing consisted of the sort of thing some sort of female, combat, secret agent would be expected to wear. The top she wore was zipped down so that her sweater puppies had some room to breath. She possessed, in fact, two chains rather than just the one. One of which made its way over to her, the blade rising up to her head before suddenly changing into a snakes head. "If you don't mind my complaining, but could you please refrain from putting me into those disgusting creatures? I have never tasted something so foul in my life." the chain complained, before the other one rose up as well and spoke. "Oy! Quit your bitchin and have some fun! This battle is gonna decide the fate of Karakura Town! We'll be legends once this is over! Legends! Uahahaha!" the other chain, the one with the males voice, replied.

The woman sighed, shaking her head as she noticed the remaining Saika turning towards her. "You two can bicker later, right now we need to return these freaks back to Hell!" she announced, reverting her Dolls back into their weapon forms. The female chain was sent forward as the Saika tried to rush her, it curving to form a fence in front of them. Activating its ability, the chain suddenly produced a wall of ice large enough that the Saika could not get past. "Absolute zero in my left hand..." She whispered as her chain locked itself into the ice. With a tug it began to retrack, pulling her in and up over the wall and atop it. "And in my right..." She swung the right chain at the Saika, striking and binding one of them. Without warning it was lit ablaze, consuming the Saika in a beautiful blue flame. "The power of the sun! Know my name, Saika! I am Tatsuki Mitarahi, part of the Xcution Military Force!! I will not let you have this town!" She shouted, as she once again began to battle.

Some distance away, back at the location that his copter had landed, Zackary was quiet as he watched the battle unfold before him. The chaos. The flames. The sounds. He was once again standing in a war. One that he was going to have direct involvement in, this time, rather than his standard methods of operation. No. That was not true. Thinking about it, this just might be the same as every other war zone mission Zack has been involved in. He would find the leader, the source, and the head and end them. War never changed after all.

The AC-130 in the sky exploded to life, as the sound of its portside cannons rang through the city followed by the explosions in the street. The APACHE attack helicopters had arrived as well, along with even more ground support. More troops began to swarm into the city. Vehicles ranging from jeeps, to Abrams, and even anti aircraft HMV ASRAD's. Xcutions hardware was rolling fast, fast enough to continue supplying support and offensive against the escaping Sinners. "Colonel, have you tried contacting Uzaki Enterprise for assistance?" Zack asked. "Yes, we tried. But it seems communications with their tower has gone down." He replied. It was a shame. A few of the Fullbringers inlisted with Uzaki would have been useful. "We have a visitor." Zack commented just before the Captain of Squad 3 made his appearance, landing directly in front of Zack and the Colonel. The guards surrounding the two jumped in surprise, aiming their rifles and other weaponry at the Captain. They were good soldiers. Not a single one fired, all they did was raise their guns in a show of force. That they would protect the Seven Guns member and the Colonel from harm. "Lower your guns men." the Colonel, an elderly gentlemen whose face showed that he had seen one too many battles. He even wore an eyepatch.

Neither Zack nor the Colonel had jumped to action like the soldiers had. This was because that, unlike the soldiers, these two had not once relaxed. They were each ready for battle, something Alexander would have noticed immediately. Zack was silent as Alexander introduced himself, those storm gray eyes of his studying the Shinigami standing before him similar to how a hawk watches a rat. The introduction was unneeded, as Zack already knew who it was who stood before him. The man standing before Alexander was the Assassin, one of the dangerous individuals in the Human World. Alexander wouldn't have known Zack's name, given his love for anonymity. He was only a recent addition to the Bounty Book as well, given the fact that it had taken so long for whomever it was that comprised that book to actually piece together the puzzle that was Zack's work.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain Alexander." Zack replied with a bowed head, showing Alexander a false respect in order to ease the Captain into some small form of trust. "The forces of the Gotei Thirteen are much appreciated, and we are glad we have their assistance right now. Our combined forces should be enough to stall the advance of the enemies' troops long enough for us to come up with a solution to this problem." Zack replied, raising his head to Alexander. The man was silent as Alexander explained his orders to the two. The Colonel frowned slightly, while Zack's expression remained unchanged.

Suddenly, though, each of them would feel a pressure. Even Zack, who lacked the ability to sense Energy, would feel it. He would see the flames spark into existence, incinerating a advancing group of Saika. Three individuals stepped from the flames, each speaking about their planned revenge against Discord. The man whom was obviously the leader stepped forward and introduced himself. He introduced himself with a name that made Zack's eyes narrow. Today seems to be getting even more interesting.. The name Anarchy was one that Zack had heard of before. He was well known to those who lived in the underground world, like the one that those who ranked high in Xcution lived in. If Anarchy himself was going to be on their side, then perhaps fate was on their side.

"Colonel!" Zack suddenly said, getting the attention of the elderly Fullbringer. "Yes sir!". The younger Fullbringer turned his head towards him and answered "Repeat to them everything I told you. Fill them in on everything." Zack ordered. The Colonel nodded, before turning his attention to the four who had arrived. "Alright, I am going to keep this brief then. The situation is dire, as I am sure you know. Discord has managed to collect the necessary Hell Artifacts needed to open a, what we have termed, Hell Gate. Unlike the original Gate that had been opened in Karakura Town three months ago, this one does not seem to have any intention of closing. The increasing size of the Gate means that there is a possibility of this Gate swallowing not only the entirety of Karakura Town, but that of Japan and even our planet Earth." The Colonel explained, just before the screaming sounds of jets passed overhead of them.

"The Research Branch of Xcution believes that they know a way of stopping the growth of the Gate. Analysis done on the site of the last Gate showed that there was residual reiatsu left behind. Research has a theory that the Gates themselves are, actually, a very specialized form of reiatsu." The Colonel explained, before Zack decided to speak up. "The plan for our Research Division is to request the stores of Sekki Sekki Material that the Seireitei has. They aim to construct walls like those of that defend the Seireitei in order to create a Shakonmaku barrier. As you know, the properties of Sekki Sekki are able to destroy any reiatsu that comes into contact with it. The walls, and barrier, should suppress the growth of the Gate but won't be able to close it." Zack explained, closing his eyes as his turn to speak ended.

"However, this plan is not perfect. Research believes that even if we were to stop the Gates growth, the inhabitants will still be able to escape. Saika and Hason alone are not our primary concern. The Saika, themselves, are in fact rather simple to deal with. Kill shots are not even necessary for them, as our agent here as discovered that simply damaging the mask or the cloak will instantly send them back to hell. The Hason, the creatures, are the main threat at this time. But, our machines seem to be more than capable of handling them at this time. There is...however...another issue that must be made aware of." The Colonel turned his attention to the Gate as Zack decided to speak up again.

"They have yet to arrive due to the depths that they dwell at, but it won't be long until we begin to see the Akki." Zack commented, letting what he said sink in. "Our forces are able to hold off the Saika and Hason, but once the Akki join the battle I have every reason to believe that we will be over run." The Colonel commented, his attention turning when the AC-130 in the sky began firing its cannons once more at a Hason of incredible size. It was a behemoth so large that the group of individuals could see it, even though it was dozens of blocks away from them. Its body erupted into flames, torn apart by the airships cannons. "Right now we have the advantage thanks to not only the Shinigami and other races belonging to Xcution, but because we have actual air support. There has not yet been any seen Hason or Saika capable of taking on our air force, but once the Akki arrive I fear that even our gunship won't be able to do much." The Colonel explained, his gaze hardening.

"Captain Alexander." Zack suddenly said, drawing the Captains attention. "You stated earlier that you have orders to enter the dome and strike down Discord? That is our goal as well. My mission was to originally wait for the remaining members of Xcutions highest caliber and infiltrate the Gate, but I feel that we cannot wait any longer. I have no problems, myself, entering the Gate with you." Zack stated, before turning his attention to the three Bounts. "Anarchy, you stated that you want to eliminate Discord as well. Will you enter the Gate with the Captain and I?"

[Alexander Kuma-Hebi]

OOC: Short post, not much to do right now.

Alexander was amused. Anarchy was standing right in front of him, an infamous mercenary capable of challenging even Okusa Shogen to a battle and walking out alive and with a draw. Alexander knew much about him, for it was his Squad that was tracking most of high profile individuals in Human World who were spiritually aware. Anarchy was know to him as dangerous, high profile assassin and mercenary, known to operate underground and to be a resourceful individual. The simple fact was that he was dangerous, and that he was powerful. Alexander just nodded to his presence, but knew that this was good. A strong individual that was on Captain level was joining them, so it was good. Better chances for success. They were all enemies here, but they were also enemies of a common enemies. Alexander would kill them all, when time came, once when the threat is dealt with, but for now, they would have to cooperate. As much as Alexander would like to crush Anarchy into nothing but a bloody dust, it would have to wait, for right now, they were in a situation that demanded for Alexander to use them, for the sake of Soul Society. And he would do so, nonetheless.

He listened as Xcution Colonel and Zack explained everything. He heard all their theories, and their observations, and that Sekki Sekki might be the key to halting this thing from stopping. "Well, give me a moment to patch through the request. It will take some time to get it through to Squad 12, but they will see and decide on course of action as far as that theory is concerned." Then he took out something that looked as really really advanced smartphone, and after a few taps on the screen brought it to his ear. "HWMC, come in. Codename Orange Black calling in." He paused for a bit, while on other side he was getting a response from HWMC. HWOC, Human World Monitoring Center was essentially the heart and soul of Squad 3, observing and monitoring entirety of Human World, and keeping track of all Shinigami while they were there. "Patch through a message to Squad 12. 'High ranked Xcution officials have provided a theory that this is a form of Reiatsu, actually, and that it's growth could potentially be halted by Sekki Sekki. Requesting deployment of Squad 12 teams along with some Sekki Sekki stone.' You got that? Alright, Orange Black out." Witht that Alexander hung up and said: "Well it will take a while while the request comes through, if it comes through. That is not my call."

Afterwards, Alexander kept listening to Colonel and Zack, only speaking to comment on Akki. "Well, since Akki we have records on are only those that escaped Hell, we can perhaps expect those to be strongest of the strongest, and as such, we do not have accurate knowledge of their average level. Even if they are weaker in general than those recorded, I believe that they are far above the level of our average fighter. However, I believe that Hell has many, many things that make Akii pale in comparison and makes them look like a child's play." Afterwards Alexander remained silent, listening. He didn't feel inclined to say much, and in fact, his hands were itching to grab his twin Zanpakuto and start fighting the hellspawn. Alexander wanted to be the one that will take Discord. And he believed that had to be done fast. So he was eager to jump in, as he listened Zack explain that he was going to jump right in there right now with him. And he hoped Anarchy would come. He could come in handy, but, as well, he might also die while being useful, which, as far as Alexander and Soul Society were concerned, was a win-win. Not that Alexander would harm him. Alexander needed to use him. But he was eager, grinning, ready to go. "C'mon, let us go. What are we waiting for? We have a lord to kill."

[Jin Yamada]

Discord. The demon responsible for Hell on Earth. The demon that had destroyed many lives to fulfill Lucifer’s sick will. The demon that had sent him on a wild goose chase for the item in Seoul. Discord was quite crafty, having orchestrated all of this the way he had. His craftiness had allowed him to escape that first time, when Jin was about to kill him. It was that craftiness of his which had saved him from certain death. And now, he was back, having retrieved all 3 items necessary to open the gate to Hell. Which leads us to where we are now. Hell on Earth.

The Bount Leader, in the guise of Anarchy, listened as the gray-eyed assassin and general of Xcution spoke. Their plan was quite impressive, for them to be a human organization. The brains they had in their science division were incredibly intelligent, it seemed. To be able to analyze the gate and devise a way to stop it from opening any further in such a short time. Well, maybe it had taken months of research since Discord’s first appearance, but he had to hand it to them. The kind of intelligence they displayed was otherworldly, the kind of intelligence he would have expected from the Shinigami’s Squad 12 Research Division. Satsujun had hired the best of the best, it seemed.

Jin followed up until the general mentioned the Akki. Beneath the mask, his eyes closed as images of that red monster flashed across his vision. He remembered that day well. The day he had faced off against an Akki. That day he was useless. His power did nothing in the face of the Akki’s own power. Using nothing but swordsmanship and speed, the Akki had dispatched all of his techniques and pursued him violently. It was only a miracle that he had been able to escape. And it was a miracle now that none of the Akki had yet to show up. If they did, he didn’t think there was much he would be able to do against an army of them. One was trouble enough.

He blinked once or twice before opening his eyes again, having blanked out. He wasn’t sure if either the Captain or the assassin had noted his silence during the briefing. Either way, he tuned back in, listening intently to every detail that the general spoke. He wondered if it had come to mind that journeying through that portal would put them face to face with the Akki before they could appear here in Karakura Town. That meant that the three of them would be taking on an army of Akki alone, without support from the outside. No! I-I’m more powerful than I was then. I’m stronger now… the Bount reminded himself. He couldn’t let that memory hold him back from destroying that bastard, Discord. He would let nothing get in his way. That was what he had told himself.

It was finally time to begin their trek into Hell. The assassin turned to him and asked him for his assistance. Underneath the porcelain mask, he smiled. ”I’ll be right behind you.” he said, clenching his fists. "There’s no way the three of us are missing out on taking that bloke down.” he added. Otto and Jikashi nodded in agreement, signifying their willingness to enter Hell and defeat Discord. This was it. This was the final battle of this war on Earth. Jin was ready to bring the anarchy to Hell. ”Lets bring Hell down to its knees…”

[Zeich Yajuu]

“So, I hear that you dogs were looking to enter Hell.” The conversation was interrupted rather suddenly as a voice rang out from the direction of the dome. Turning to look, the three would see a figure leaning against a nearby wall, seemingly unbothered by the chaos exploding around them. To Jin, the man's Reiatsu would cause him to stand out first; it was dark, malevolent, Hellish like that of the many creatures bursting free from the dome even now. The man was a Sinner, that much could be guessed from even the briefest analysis of his Reiatsu. He wasn't hiding it, and certainly didn't seem concerned to be walking into an enemy camp with his presence completely uncloaked. But there was something about his aura that would stand out to Jin and Otto, something they wouldn't quite recognize... until the man spoke again.

“So, how's your reputation recovering after our little fight on the way to Seoul, hm?” The question was directed at Jin, and it served two purposes: one, it would prove that the man knew Jin, recognizing him despite the mask and altered name. Hell's spies certainly did their job well. But more importantly, it would solidify the man's identity for both him and Otto. The two of them only knew one Sinner, one that had taken advantage of his abilities to confuse and disorient the Bounts before stabbing Otto, driving his blade into the man's body for no reason other than to slow them down, to build up their determination to reach Seoul and retrieve the item that Discord wanted without realizing that they were being manipulated.

“And you, Zackary Jensen. Killed any more of your fellow employees of late?” Tip-off number two, this one directed at Zack. This man had infiltrated Xcution's Karakura headquarters after nudging Zack's party in to retrieve the Black Bracelet, only for the assassin to later discover that the man had earlier slipped in, disguised as Zack himself, and gone on a rampant killing spree that was designed to build mistrust among the group as well as provide a way to remove a loose end once the Bracelet was retrieved. The man had nearly turned Annabeth on Zack with his actions, something that the assassin was not likely to forgive.

Red. That was the name this Sinner had been called by both times. He had given his name to Zack, and Jin had stolen the information from the mind of a dying Mod Soul. Red was seen as one of Discord's top men, or at least a very valuable tool to the Diplomat, and he was of no little significance. Though Alexander would not know it, the Sinner's abilities revolved around “theft,” but of the body, voice, and memories. His ability allowed him to perfectly copy any appearance and memory down to languages known, and in more advanced levels, even swap appearances as he placed a skin-layer “disguise” over the person he switched with. His influence in the campaign to open the portal to Hell was probably second only to Discord's own.

But now, what they saw was Red's true form. It wasn't that of a normal Saika, masked and robed; Red was completely exposed despite being outside of Hell. Perhaps being in such close proximity to the dome allowed him to remain stable rather than being drawn into Hell. Red was a taller man at about six feet in height, with short black hair slicked back with gel of some kind. Pale skin, almost too pale like the color of scar tissue that was fresh and unblemished, coated his body, while his eyes were a brilliant ice-blue color. He wore casual clothes; a too-loose t-shirt hung around a slightly thin frame, while a pair of jeans were held up with a single belt drawn tight, the slack left to hang to one side. This was who “Red” was.

“If you want to go to Hell, be my guest. But if you want to do so and hope to find the boss man without your sanity being ripped apart, you're going to want a guide, one who's been there before.” Red smiled, though it was a grim smile. “It's a shame really; I'm so close to being free. I even got a new human body and everything! But I've gotta delve back in again before big L will let me out for good. You know who I'm talking about.” Talking about a literal deal with the devil, indeed! “Hell's a scary place, if you don't mind the understatement; you don't want to wander around there directionless, lest you find yourself trapped in one of the many damnations that Hell has to offer. I can assure you; you will not get the same reprieve that I'm getting.”

With that, Red pushed himself away from the wall, standing between the group and the dome that led into the depths of Hell. “So. You gonna trust ol' Red to show you the way one more time? I swear there's no strings attached this time 'round, and you can definitely trust that I know exactly where Discord is. All you have to do is listen to the words of a 'reformed Sinner,' and you can save this world from utter destruction. Or not, I suppose, but that's up to you.”

[Zeich Yajuu]

((OOC: In the interest of moving this thread forward, posting order is suspended until further notice. Players may post freely as long as one other RPC has posted since their last post.))

[Deleted]

Surprise surprise. The Colonel let out a surprised gasp as a new voice joined in on the conversation. The Assassin diverted his own attention away from the Captain and Anarchy, and locked those dark eyes right onto the very Saika whom had given him so much trouble in the past. Red. Hearing that voice that remained despite his change of appearance brought back bits of memories, back during the first Hell Gate incident actually. Red had taken on Zacks form as a disguise and attempted to frame the Assassin for the murder of at least a dozen Xcution employees. Following that incident he would be investigated, interrogated, and analyzed. Thankfully, the evidence that Zack provided as well as security feeds and eyewitness reports and his own solid testimony proved his innocence.

"So, you must be Red." The Colonel spoke up. Stepping forward and raising his hand, the man snapped his fingers. From the rooftops around them the Agents of Xcution appeared, each pointing their weapons down onto the Saika. There was even a little red beam of light from a sniper somewhere nearby. "I'm sure you can understand. After all, you did murder quite a number of our own." The Colonel stated, about to give the firing command when Zack spoke up. "Hold." It was a command not only to the Colonel, but to Anarchy and Alexander as well. Leaving the Colonels side Zack began to approach Red, hands hidden within his coats pockets. He made sure to activate his Power Ring, to get a look at Reds stats once again.

Stopping around eight meters from the Saika, the Fullbringer simply seemed to stare at the Sinner. Those dark gray eyes of the Assassin simply seemed to look straight into Red, analyzing and studying him. Watching him like a hawk watches a rat. Finally after a few moments Zack spoke, after piecing together what it was that the Saika had said. "Why does Luifer want Discord out of the way?" The existence of Lucifer was no secret to the higher ranking members of Xcution, as it was information provided to them by Satsujin himself.

Why was it then that Lucifer wanted Discord out of the way? Wasn't the plan to open Hell up anyways? Thinking about it, this could have easily been an attempt to free Lucifer from Hell and allow him to once again walk with the living. So why was it then that the King of Hell wanted Discord out of the way? He decided to speak his mind. "We were under the assumption that this was all Lucifers plan anyway, that Discord as well as you were working for him in fact. If the plan to open a permanent Hell Gate is this close to completion, why eliminate the one responsible for it?" Zack asked.

Of course, if Red chose not to answer that was his choice. But it also meant that he would be useless. Zack had no doubt the Sinner would lead them astray. He would betray them, or use them for something. Zack was, frankly, sick of being used by these things. If Red chose not to answer then that was fine. There was not only an army here, but the infamous Anarchy himself and one of the Shinigami Kenpachi. Red wouldn't be leaving here alive. "Why should we trust you?"

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}Shit post. Final project. Blah blah blah

[Zeich Yajuu]

“Why should you trust me? Good question. Given my track record, I wouldn't trust m'self, either.” Red casually shrugged, unaffected by the weapons pointed at him, unbothered by the distrust directed his way. “I have betrayed various groups in order to help Discord open this portal. I have stabbed people in the back, sacrificed lives unnecessarily. I have killed for the pleasure of killin', and for the fun of it, I have put the blame on others, as is my nature. I could be an agent of Discord now, even as we speak, or perhaps I'm tellin' the truth. I'm an enigma, so naturally I can't be trusted.” The Saika just stood there, looking over those gathered before him. His stance was confident, cocky yet relaxed.

“But, given that there's a sliver of hope when you know you have none, should the Akki emerge...” Red smiled, holding up both hands in a mock shrug. “I wouldn't trust me, no. But I'd use me. The same way I used all of you in the past. A tool doesn't need to be trusted, just used. Guided. Perhaps I'm twistin' you around for my own ends, or for Discord's. Perhaps I'm tellin' the truth. But to be honest, do you really have a choice? You can gun me down here and now, and it won't make any difference as your forces lose themselves in Hell tryin' to find Discord. By the time someone stumbles upon him, the world will be engulfed, and it will be too late to stop it all.”

Red stood, waiting; he didn't seem the slightest bit bothered by the fact that he had revealed himself fully to those who had every reason to kill him on sight. He didn't seem worried that he could be killed in a heartbeat by those present. Did the Saika have a trick up his sleeve, or did he really think that his words would be enough to sway those he offered to guide into Hell? Yet he made a valid point as well; time was of the essence, and the longer that they waited, the closer that Akki would get to the surface. And the moment that Hell's true demons arrived, the slowly crumbling defensive line would just shatter completely. There would be no hope, only destruction and damnation. A chance for salvation was here, could they afford to just pass it by.

Of course, Red hadn't said anything to Zack's first question. Why would Lucifer want Discord out of the way? It was possible that the Prince of Hell simply wanted to eliminate a pawn who had served its purpose, but why take such a roundabout way? Why offer a path to the very being that could close the portal from Hell? The question would remain up in the air with no answers given.

[Alexander Kuma-Hebi]

Alexander listened. Alexander observed. He observed the Sinner that appeared, and despite his immediate idea about killing him, when Sinner started to talk, he stayed his hand. He stayed his hand, and listened. He listened to him tease Zack and Anarchy, and he knew that he was familiar with them, and they were familiar with him. Alexander understood what was this. This was to make them drop their guard. This was to sabotage the mission. After all, it fit in, it fit in perfectly with little information Soul Society had on how Discord operated. Alexander was still thinking on how to proceed while Sinner talked. He slowly took in everything he heard, whatever, piecing together a complex puzzle. He was piecing a puzzle that had to contain everything, from timeline of occurrences to motivations of every party involved. Once he would have that, he could analyze it, flawlessly, and devise best possible way to finally resolve it. But he lacked a great deal of information. And while he was getting more of information with every single moment, it was not enough. He had to realize merely one thing. What was Lucifer himself trying to achieve? Alexander had access to archives that most people didn't so he knew more about him than others. Defected Royal Guardsman, followed by others, who was bent on dethroning Spirit king and destroying everything. He fought a great war against Spirit King at the dawn of spiritual world's existence, and was defeated and banished to Hell. And every time he was defeated by Royal Guard. That much Alexander knew.

But what was he trying to accomplish now? Indeed, Royal Guard must have been on alert recently, because of war with Vandenreich. But Alexander figured that that would not mean they wouldn not march against legions of Hell. After all, they had a lots of manpower. During over 33,000 years that Gotei 13 existed, many Captains served, and Royal Guard, as a result, must be big enough, and able to spare manpower. After all, merely four of them appeared when Vandenreich first invaded, and annihilated entire invading force. So, they would surely defeat legions of Hell. And Lucifer must have known that. Just what is he trying to accomplish? He must have something behind this idea of swallow the worlds... If I was him I would lure them out and occupy them with vast numbers, and then myself dare invade palace... Yeah, that seems reasonable. I don't have anything but a hunch based on a lots of incomplete, and some incorrect information, but it is best thing I get. Yes... We need to stop this as soon as possible. And this creature, agent of Discord's... he is here to pester us. But we must play Discord's game, or fail. Yes, we must play... Alexander decided on course of action, and he spoke after sinner has finished. "We should use that hellspawn. Whether he is leading us into trap or not, we will get to Discord. If it's a trap, I bet that Discord will be there at the end to spring it personally. And that, is what we want. As for that trash, if it does anything we don't like, I can always kill it in a blink of an eye." Then he turned to Sinner, and addressed him. "And you trash, tell me just one thing. Is Discord one of original defectors, of those who came down to Hell along Lucifer?" Alexander wanted to know. If he was to encounter a Royal Guard defector that also turned demon, he would be looking forward to that clash. Oh yes, he was excited about the prospect.


OOC: Short post, not much to do right now.

[Jin Yamada]

Anarchy was the first to react upon hearing the sinner’s voice. His fists clenched and his brown eyes beneath the white mask glared at the sinner that had ruined his public image. Not as Anarchy, but as Jin Yamada. It had taken a lot of persuasion, charisma, and a certain technique to get people to forget what had happened at the airport. Had Otto been conscious when Red had revealed himself, he too would have been upset. Otto had to be filled in on what had happened on that day. Thus, it took the gray-haired Bount a little longer to realize what the sinner had meant by that comment and why Anarchy’s fists had become clenched at the sight of him. Red was the one who had stabbed Otto and almost killed him that day. Upon realizing it, Otto took a step forward, anger flashing across his face. If it wasn’t for Anarchy lifting a hand to stop him, Otto would have lunged across the large space and attacked Red.

The Bount mercenary held his hand up as a signal for Otto to relax for a moment. He knew the pain and anger Otto felt in that moment, but he didn’t want him risking a potential asset. Red was not a potential ally, but an asset. But, the question remained: Why did Red want to help them? His mind began working immediately, trying to puzzle out what it was their group could offer to Red if they allowed him to guide them. What’s your game, Red? What are you planning? Anarchy didn’t trust the sinner. Not one bit. He was as trustable as Discord himself. And Discord couldn’t even be trusted! So, Anarchy had a contingency plan in place. He listened to the questions the Xcution assassin asked Red and also to what the Captain had to say. But he was already planning something of his own.

Anarchy stepped forward and his eyes began glowing red beneath the mask. Whether it was an intimidation tactic or something else would remain to be seen. He stepped forward as Alexandre finished talking. He stepped forward and began walking slowly towards Red. His walk was calm and composed. There didn’t seem to be any anger or animosity visible in his body language, and yet he continued walking towards Red in that anticlimactic fashion. He eventually stopped when he reached about ten feet from the sinner and he let out a sigh. ”So a blag artist like you is our only hope of getting to Discord, eh?” the Bount mercenary asked in that synthesized robotic voice of his.

He stared straight into Red’s eyes as he spoke, and his eyes continued glowing. ”What’s to say you won’t turn on us? That’s what we’re all wondering. But, I’m sure you also know that any false step you make will have all of us breathing down your neck. And I’m sure you don’t want that.” His eyes glowed red underneath that mask as he was speaking and addressing the sinner. Red would see his red eyes glowing beneath the white mask within the darkness of the hood of his black cloak. This was his contingency plan. This was how he would make sure Red didn’t cross them. ”You’ll lead us to Discord without double crossing us along the way.” he said in a commanding voice. This last part was said in such a way because it was essentially a command. As he had been speaking to Red, he had activated a technique, Verteiten. With it, Red would become his slave. Anything he said Red would do. The Sinner was now at his every beck and call, until of course he was snapped out of it by someone else. But who besides Discord or Lucifer himself would snap the sinner out of the spell? None here would, that Anarchy knew for certain. And so, if his technique worked on the sinner, who would be nowhere near his level of power, he would be able to freely command him not to betray them.

Jin’s Remaining Reiatsu: 3850/4000 (-150 for Class 4 Verteiten)

SPOILER: Click to show

{Technique Used}
Technique Name: [Verteiten]

Class: [4-1] - 7-1.

Technique Type: [Bount Technique] - Kidou, Quincy Technique, Bount Technique, Human Technique, Hollow Technique, Other

Technique Element: [None] - If any

Technique Description and Effects: [What does your technique do? How strong is it? What is it's range of abilities? List these things below.]

This technique is one of the Bount staples. It is also one of the first learned. It can be used to dominate the mind of a victim or enemy. This is the use of the technique. There are four levels to the technique. They all have different effects.

Class 4 - The Bount can use this to seduce. Any victim inferior by at least two classes is susceptible to this version of the technique. They will feel a compelling attraction and naivety in the face of the Bount, who will therefore be able to order them around, or brainwash them into doing as the Bount desires. They can even be lulled into so full a sense of security or ecstasy that they do not even understand the world around them, and are unaware that the Bount is feeding upon them.

Class 3 - This is an intimidation portion. This version allows the Bount to intimidate anyone who is at least one class under them. Anyone outclassed by the Bount will feel their heart pounding and their adrenaline running. They will feel afraid, and are definitely prone to make mistakes from shaking, shivering, and obviously a lack of oxygen due to the constantly pumping heart. It becomes much harder to breathe, and all will feel nervous because of this technique.

Class 2 - This is an expansion upon seduction. As long as the victim is one class lower than the Bount or more, this can be used. They will without question become the Bount's slave and obey every single order. The way to break this is for them to be snapped out of it by a third party.

Class 1 - This is an expansion upon intimidation. Anyone that this is used on will feel intimidation. If it is equal class, they will feel class 3 effects. If the victim is inferior class, then fear will grip them so much that they will be unable to tap into their own powers with ease, and costs for all techniques and releases will double.

How to use technique: [How do you use this technique? List below.]

Make eye contact.

Drawback: [What are the disadvantages and drawbacks of your technique? Don't forget that the drawback must be equal in strength to the technique. List everything related to the drawback below.]

This technique is quite straining on a Bount as well. It costs a great amount of reiatsu, and prolonged or continued use will cause severe fatigue, or major headaches and agony inside of the body.

Made by: [Bount]

Reserved?: [No]

[Zeich Yajuu]

Red would look at Alexander, his eyes watching the man intently as the Captain spoke to him. Unlike the other two, Alexander only had the judgment of his peers to go by, as well as his own dislike of Hell beings. He had no personal experience with Red, so he couldn't possibly know the levels of deceit that the Nakabakki had laid down before in order to meet Discord's objectives. All he had was his general distrust, and the distrust of those around him. So what made him stand down? Was it curiosity? Was it fear of consequences? The man would have to consider his reasons, consider if gathering information from a source that was unreliable at best was the best response. For all he knew, Red was there to distract them, to stall them while the portal expanded, while the Akki advanced.

“Damn if I know. I'm just a grunt, more or less. I don't know anything about the big guns. I don't know anything about Hell's relation to anything. You'll have to ask him yourself.” Well, that wasn't very helpful, just more time wasted. Jin, at this point, would step forward to try and control Red with his power. Their eyes would meet, and for a moment, it would seem as though his technique had worked. Red would freeze, refusing to respond for a moment as the technique took hold... and then smiled. But “Anarchy” wouldn't be smiling a moment later, when the result of his actions became horribly apparent.

Suddenly, his eyes would feel as if they were burning. It was a sharp pain to start, and then it grew volume. It would feel as though someone had set them ablaze, literally. And the feeling spread quickly, enough to set every nerve in the Bount's body on fire. It wasn't actual fire, and indeed there was no visible evidence on his body to show it for Zack and Red, yet Jin would find himself in enough pain that his lack of tolerance for it would knock out most people. Only his sheer willpower would be enough to keep the Bount on his feet, yet it was obvious that he would be shaken, tormented by the amount of pain tearing through every fiber of his body.

It would last for roughly five seconds before the sensation would fade, disappearing as though it had never been there. Jin would remember it just well, however, and it would serve as a reminder in the future not to try such a tactic again. Red was quiet until Jin's spasm of pain ended, at which point he spoke up again. “I see you've found the protection that my lord Lucifer gave me. I wouldn't try and cause any harm to the help he's given you, or he'll swiftly withdraw it while making you suffer for it. But of course, you wouldn't jeopardize your world's only hope again... would you?”

“Now, where were we... oh yes.” Red raised one hand and the air behind him seemed to shimmer before revealing a pair of doors. Each door was formed of a metallic substance, and was easily taller than even Alexander. A skeleton, visible from the waist up as though it were emerging from the surface was engraved in each, bound with three swords piercing through head, shoulder, and arm. Chains bound each skeletal figure, and then hung between the two as a sort of barrier to the door's opening. Alexander, being a Captain privy to a good deal of information that others would not, would easily recognize the Gates of Hell. The other two may have information from their own sources, but short of seeing it, it was unlikely that they knew much about it.

Suddenly, a rattle could be heard as the chains started sliding forward, pushed outwards by the two doors slowly starting to swing open. The metallic links reached their limit, straining beneath the pressure behind them, before suddenly snapping and scattering across the ground. A wash of heat similar to the one that had emerged with the creation of the Hell dome in the background blew over them, but beyond was darkness despite the feeling that flames could only be inches away. A crimson mist poured out from the opening, spilling across the ground and spreading slowly. Red didn't flinch as it enveloped his legs, standing calmly as he waited for the others to act.

“Now is the time for any last questions or doubt you may have. Time is short, and if you wish to save anything, you'll follow me now. We leap straight into damnation, so that your world has some hope of salvation... it's a laughable irony, don't you think?” Red grinned, extending one hand as if expecting someone to take it. “Now... let's all go to Hell, shall we?”