The Take Over, The Break's Over [R] [EXTREME] [NDE]

[Amagai Kuchiki]

Name: The Take Over, The Break's Over

Participants: There will be 5 adventurers, who have already received invites privately

Location: An abandoned building in Hueco Mundo

Difficulty Level: Extreme

Setting: NDE

Plotline: Soul Society has received an extremely dire distress signal, requesting immediate backup. The signal comes from someone claiming to be Azumi Kasumi'Oji, which seems doubtful, given her alleged death at the hands of Akiyama during the War of Angels. However, the message came in the form of a hell Butterfly, laced with Azumi's reiatsu, and confirmed several identity confirming secrets. A strike force was sent to retrieve her, of 2 of the most powerful Captains of Soul Society, and a standin for the most powerful captain, who was otherwise occupied at the moment.

Simultaneously, Las Noches retrieved their own message, from a man claiming to be the long missing Tercera Espada, Rey Diablo. The message was read only by Kouhai, and contained sensitive information abut his own personal life, information that only the Tercera would know. And a very similar strike force was sent to retrieve him,, either dead or alive.

Neither side is aware of the other group, and both sides are going towards the same small, abandoned building in Hueco Mundo. However, the things that they will find there will be pressing enough that they absolutely cannot fight each other.

Estimated Enemy Strength: 0

Estimated Time Until Completion: 3-4

Starts: Once the DM does the entry post (so, probably in the next week)

Special Conditions: None

[Amagai Kuchiki]

Music


It was approximately three months after the end of the War of Angels when a Hell Butterfly arrived at the chambers of the Central 46. By this point, Soul Society had started to recover and rebuild after the losses that they suffered in their assassination of the Quincy Emperor. Kenryoku Kawada had been replaced by Harle Quinn, Azumi had been replaced by Aramis Tezuka, and so on. Soul Society wasn't as strong as it was six months ago, but it was rebuilding rapidly. Las Noches hadn't attacked since the end of the War, which was a good sign.

And yet, something was not well. That much, people knew for certain. This peace was the Calm Before The Storm, and every day that past only increased tension and suspicion. And that's why, when a Hell Butterfly arrived, Soul Society was frantic to confirm the true nature of it. The message was simple, a distress call from Azumi Kasumi'Oji, who claimed that she had used experimental, Garganta esque technology to escape the destruction of the Vandenreich palace.

This, of course, had some flaws in it. Why would she take this long to contact them in tat case? But, as was revealed with analysis of the message, parts of the message were fragmented, and were missing. Sentences stopped before explanative clauses. Why? Most likely, it had to do with the reiatsu signature attached to the Butterfly. While the Central 46 confirmed that Azumi's reiatsu was in fact responsible for sending the Hell Butterfly, and more or less confirmed the legitimacy of the message, there was a strange additional reiatsu signature attached, which seemed almost Vizard like in nature. She had been held captive, and likely still was.

A location was retrieved: Hueco Mundo, coordinates from the middle of the white desert, that scouts confirmed to be a massive marble building that had been built two or three Kings of Hueco Mundo ago. Given the threat level involved, however, scouts were told to fall back after having gotten within half a mile. And so they did, and the Central 46 assessed the information. They selected two captains, and a Vice Captain, to go on a mission to fix the situation. 

Two of the people involved had connections to Azumi that would prove useful, one a personal connection, the other more of a connection by proxy. And the last member of the group was Soul Society's most brilliant analyst, who would prove invaluable on this journey. The three arrived at the marble building rapidly, and upon entering it, would find it mostly one large empty room. But, on the other side of the empty room, would be a duo of particular interest.

Because, while Soul Society had received a message, they hadn't been the only group to receive one. The King of Hueco Mundo, Sonken Kouhai, had also received grim tidings from a Hell Butterfly, sent by the former Tercera. The message had contained incredibly personal details, which he reacted to...poorly. A brief amount of analysis had revealed the origin of the letter, and he'd sent one of his most trusted lieutenants and one of his most powerful Espada to handle the situation by any means necessary. And so, they too would find the marble building, and enter from the other side, coming into direct eye contact with the Soul Society envoys.

However, before either could react with violence, something strange would occur. From the middle of the ceiling in the middle of the room, a metal box descended, a boombox of some sort, which appeared to be reinforced. This seemed like a gesture of theatrics, and a sign that both parties were being mislead somehow. But the truly surprising thing was yet to come.


(Please post discussions of emotion, the journey, etc. DO NOT START FIGHTING YET. IF YOU TAKE HOSTILE ACTION, YOU WILL BE REMOVED FROM THIS ADVENTURE)

[Taihō Kasumi’Oji]

Music!

The War was over. For three months now, everything had been relatively quiet, with the sounds of anguished screams being replaced by the hammers of reconstruction. Soul Society was rebuilding, recovering from the long and gruesome war against the genocidal Vandenreich. It was a time to relax, to let time heal the wounds of war, to breathe deep and appreciate the simple fact that, for the time being at least, nobody was killing anybody. It was a time of joy, and fragile peace.

Unless, of course, your name happened to be Taihō Kasumi’Oji. For Taihō, the peace and quiet seemed unnatural at best, and suspicious at worst. After all, the history of Soul Society was not one of peace, but one of fire and blood. Throughout the ages, Soul Society had always had to fight and kill in order to maintain the fragile balance and ensure the continued existence of life itself; in the grand scheme of things, peace was almost unheard of for the denizens of the spiritual worlds. Someone was always trying to kill someone else, either as part of some grand plan, or over simple, petty things. War was the law of nature, and peace was a troubling anomaly. As such, Taihō wasn’t particularly surprised to learn that the peace was already beginning to slowly unwind.

It began was an urgent message from Central 46, requesting, or rather, demanding Taihō’s presence. Apparently, there was some mysterious piece of information which they required her to investigate and confirm, which only she would be able to. At the time, Taihō had been vivisecting a captured Vandenreich officer, largely for her own amusement, but with some vague notion of a goal in mind as well, but when she received the message, she simply stood, and prepared to leave. After all, one did not simply ignore a request from the Central 46, even if it meant sacrificing what little free time you had.

”What shall I do with our guest, M’lady?” One of her servants asked, already quite used to the new Head of the Kasumi’Oji family’s particular hobbies.

”Feed him to the Garden.” She replied off-handedly, ignoring completely the muffled squeal of her still alive and barely conscious victim. ”It turns out there’s nothing particularly interesting about him. He’s boring”

***

Now, standing in the chamber of the Central 46, Taihō had realized what, exactly, this was about. She could feel it, rippling from the small Hell Butterfly flitting about before her like, a presence which, with her finely tune Energy Sensory, was a palpable as a summer storm. The Butterfly was positively soaked in Reiatsu, but not just anyone’s Reiatsu. It was hers. Taihō felt her stomach twist into cold, hard knots as she felt that Reiatsu rolling off the tiny creature. She felt her hatred coil in her heart like a viper, ready to devour anything that strayed to close to her. It was Azumi. There was no doubt about it, that the Hell Butterfly had been sent by Taihō’s own half-sister.

Truthfully, Taihō wasn’t surprised to learn that her sister was still alive. After all, Azumi was a brilliant and highly capable woman, with more than enough power to handle herself in a fight. Although the official report was that Azumi had died during the final assault in the Vandenreich palace, Taihō had never once believed that her sister was dead. She had assumed that Azumi had escaped, and was waiting for an opportune moment to make her return, or else that she had found some other compelling reason to stay away from Soul Society, but now, seeing this Hell Butterfly, and sensing what she did from it, Taihō was beginning to formulate a new theory.

”Is it her? Is it Azumi Kasumi’Oji?” One of the members of the Central 46 asked impatiently. Taihō glanced toward him, her expression hidden by the collar of her massively oversized coat. This being official business, she had worn one of her modified Captain’s Haroi, which covered her body completely, leaving only the upper portion of her head exposed. Despite what she felt inside, Taihō’s response was as cold and collected as ever.

”Yes. There can be no denying it. Azumi Kasumi’Oji sent this message. Considering the details of the message itself, I would say it is almost certain that Azumi is still alive, and is located somewhere in Hueco Mundo. However…” She paused, sifting through the Reiatsu emanating from the Butterfly. ”There is something else as well. A mixed Reiatsu signature. Both Shinigami…and Hollow. It’s most likely a Vizard.”

”That was our belief as well. With your confirmation, it seems clear that Azumi Kasumi’Oji has been captured, and is being held in Hueco Mundo.” another of the Central 46 spoke up. Taihō glanced at him, pondering his statement. In truth, any number of scenarios were possible, and the one he stated was no more likely than any other. Actually, knowing Azumi, it was unlikely that she had been simply captured. It was almost certain that there was some machination involved, some plan or plot. She may have allowed herself to be captured, or she may have set the situation up to suggest that she was being held against her will, but it was unlikely that she had truthfully been subdued and was now being confined. However, Taihō kept this thought to herself, and simply nodded in agreement.

”I agree. It seems unlikely she would have stayed away from Soul Society if she had a chance to return.” She paused a moment, then asked the assembled members of the Central 46 in a soft, clear voice, ”What do you intend to do about this situation?” For a moment, there was silence, but then a voice spoke out.

”What we intend to do, Captain Kasumi’Oji, is simple. We will retrieve Azumi Kasumi’Oji, no matter the cost. Her knowledge and abilities are too valuable to leave in enemy hands.” Taihō remained motionless as he spoke, but underneath her collar, hidden from the world, she smiled. Not the smile of a woman who was going to be reunited with her sister. No. This was the smile of woman who was going to confront her tormentor. At least, that’s how it appeared to Taihō.

”I am glad to hear that. If there is anything else I can do to assist in retrieving my sister, please let me know”

”Actually…”

***

Some might have been tense on the journey to Hueco Mundo. Taihō, however, seemed completely at ease as she stepped out into the cool, moonlit desert World of the Hollows. Her body language was non-existent as she waited for her comrades to join her on the top of a small dune, overlooking their target: a massive marble building, one of the few unnatural landmarks in the otherwise unbroken expanse of sand. When her fellow Shinigami arrived, Taihō said with an almost casual ease, ”Let’s go. We don’t know how long we may have before Las Noches notices our presence.” With that, she started forward, trusting that her comrades would follow.

It only took a few minutes to reach the building in question, and Taihō at once noticed a large door, what might be considered the main entrance to the building. She paused outside the building, scanning the interior for any anomalies. She couldn’t sense any living being inside the structure, which was odd, considering her formidable sensory skills. There were few beings who could hide themselves from her, yet it was clear to Taihō that Azumi was not inside the structure. The only possibility was that she was being held in some kind of Reiatsu-blocking prison, which would prevent even Taihō’s powerful sensory skills from detecting her. However, this didn’t make sense; if Azumi really was there and trying to contact Soul Society, she would have done everything in her power to alert anyone searching for her of her presence. Even if she really had been captured, whoever was responsible would most likely try to use Azumi as bait, not try to conceal her location.

”I don’t sense anyone inside. It should be safe to enter” She said, mostly for the sake of her teammates. The door way was large, but not particularly heavy, and Taihō opened it without terrible difficulty. Inside, the building seemed largely hollow, a single massive chamber inside an immense marble shell. There was nothing inside the building, and no sign of Azumi, nor anyone else for that matter. However, as Taihō began looking about, searching for any clue as to what may be happening, she suddenly detected something entering the building from the opposite side. She blinked once, then again, in about as dramatic a display of surprise and concern you were ever likely to get from her. Then, she noted casually, ”Two Reiatsu signatures are approaching. One is an Arrancar, most likely an Espada. The other seems to be a Shinigami…but I cannot identify who it may be…”

Mere moments after speaking this, the two beings responsible for the Reiatsu signatures entered, and found themselves directly opposite a team of three Shinigami. One was clearly an Espada, and a high ranked one at that. Taihō herself didn’t recognize him, but it was possible the others might. The other being, however, would be recognized almost immediately by all three; one of Sonken Kouhai’s most trusted lieutenants, a Shinigami who had betrayed the Gotei Thirteen to stand beside the King of Las Noches. These two were the ones who entered the massive chamber.

However, before the expected blood bath could ensue, a large speaker like device descended from the ceiling, hanging in the air between both parties. Taihō suddenly realized what was happening, and chided herself for not comprehending sooner.

”Tell me…” She began, addressing the two sent by Las Noches, ”Did your King, Sonken Kouhai, receive a message recently? A message indicating that something…or someone…he wanted could be found in this building? Because…if that is the case…than I believe we have all been deceived.”

(OOC: I do have a tiny, tiny bit of inside knowledge as to who is participating in this thread, but Rudy wanted it to be a secret, and a secret it shall remain. I just wanted to help set things up XD.)

SPOILER: Click to show

Type: Spiritual Genius, Level 4

Strength - [150/3=50] Points

Speed - [300] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [150*3=450] Points

Reiatsu Strength - [400*3=1200] Points

Light Aura - [0] Points

Dark Aura - [100] Points

Instinct - [100] Points

Senses - [100] Points

Energy sensory - [250*3=750] Points

Healing Expertise - [150/3=50] Points


Abilities
[Weapon: Swords] [3]

[Illusion Resist] [3]

[Battle Analysis] [3]

[Stealth] [3]

[Strength of Will] [3]

[Souza Kuchiki]

Kuchiki Manor

Strange... To be perfectly honest, I never would have thought of it that way. The ultimate expression of a Soul's power? A question to be pondered. If, hypothetically, the soul had an ultimate, or at least ideal form with which to release its essence, it would prove invaluable to weaponize in the coming battles with Las Noches and other new enemies. However, could the soul truly have such a state? There were many forms of the soul's expression besides merely the Zanpakuto release, and all of these had pros and cons. Even the Zanpakuto itself had its problems, and being less than perfect eliminated, therefore, "ideal" or "ultimate."

This was a question for Souza Kuchiki, Heir to the family Kuchiki, to ponder while he was alone in his dimly lit training room--a large gymnasium with polished wooden floors and no light save for the moon peeking in through the windows. Indeed, the ideal form of the soul's expression. If one considered what Souza's father's explanation was, that the ideal form was to externalize the internal essence, resulting in physical change to match the ideal spirit, then surely the Arrancar Ressurection was the best form of release. Yet, it suffered from problems of being so absolutely finite, and from the massive drawback once it dissipated.

That cannot be... They too have a clear limit, and what is ideal would be limitless.

That was also why Souza had a problem with this new ability of his father's, "Soul Release." Soulbind, the Kuchiki Heir could understand, though he had no intention yet of learning it. Soul Release, though? "Upon my return, we will see to getting you to an appropriate level to learn this skill," Sozen Kuchiki had promised before setting off on his mission to scout out Las Noches's defenses. But why? Judging by what he had been told, Soul Release came with a drawback that was far too severe for even a single use. If that was the payment for bringing down high caliber enemies, it was something that could be done without.

Yet, Shikai and Bankai were limited in their expression. There was a clear line on where their power could go. So there had to be some sort of plausible expansion, beyond merely these limitations. Standing in the center of this room, Souza had to ponder this. If he could find such a suitable replacement for Soul Release, even if he was the only one who could ever hope to master such a replacement, then it would be his greatest ally in the war on Las Noches, which had enemies unlike any before seen. The Espada, for example, were truly mighty. The Segunda alone, one man, had devastated an entire nobility, the Kawadas. And he was not the strongest there. A solution for them was needed, rather than just battling on and on and losing Captain after Captain to these menaces.

"A message for you, Lord Souza," The Heir's train of thought was cut off by the voice of another entering his training room. Souza turned around to see an exceptionally large man with enormous muscles, on one knee, holding a butterfly up. "What is this?" Souza asked. "The Captain Commander wishes for you to lead an expedition into Hueco Mundo." Souza's heart skipped a beat. Hueco Mundo? Lead? No, it made sense. Souza may be undefeated, but he was not the most powerful Soul Reaper, nor even the most influential. But, when it came to teamwork, he was the one most appropriate to fostering it. His mission was not as the ace, but the play maker. And if the mission was in unknown territory like Hueco Mundo, it made sense to send Souza along to guide his allies.

"Gather the other seated officers here," Souza told his subordinate, referring to the twenty seated officers of Squad 13. As its Lieutenant, Souza was superior in rank to all but the Captain. And, realistically, the Captain was often busy, sometimes doing lecherous things, and this left most of the day to day decisions to Souza. It wasn't a bad job, though. The Kuchiki Heir even found it pleasant. It wasn't so much the command post, but the ability to deal with all sorts of people day to day. It was, at least, interesting. After all of them had been gathered, Souza looked at them. He had a request of them to make...

After his request was completed, Souza spoke again. "I want a briefing for the mission before I depart," he said. This was affirmed to him, and soon the Kuchiki Heir was on his way with his companions. Once at the gate with his two team members, Souza readied himself. For a Lieutenant to be coordinating a mission involving Captains was rare. In this case, it didn't have so much to do with ability, so much as actual abilities. In other words, it didn't have anything to do with being a genius, or something like that. Rather, Souza's power set and his techniques were literally most suited to fostering teamwork, rather than one on one offense or defense.

Entering with Taiho and another ally, Souza did not speak (except for introductions early on) until he was spoken to once they had gotten to the destination in question. His first words were in response to Taiho indicating it appeared safe to enter. "Nevertheless, we must exercise caution," Souza chided. "In today's world, it is a simple task to mask one's reiatsu." And it was. Technologies and techniques for doing so had greatly, marginally evolved. It definitely made missions such as this one more complicated. Still, they continued in, and looked around the musty old thing and how much of an eyesore it really was, until Taiho spoke again, indicating presences.

Souza too sensed them, granted with less energy sensory than Taiho, and he even recognized one of them. The Arrancar, he did not recognize. But the Soul Reaper, he did. After all, being the son of the Kuchiki Head had its perks in terms of information and people that the Heir had access to. That, and it was unmistakable because of their indirect relation. Still, he had already seen the man before. This wasn't even their first meeting, either. Now, seeing these two before him, Souza also realized what was going on upon seeing all that was happening, but Taiho spoke before he could.

Taiho had no intention of interrupting. He would simply reply when next something was spoken about to which he should be replying. He did not want to cut into either Taiho's or his other teammate's independence. Souza may be the one leading the mission, but he was outranked, and to disrespect his teammates would be the incorrect method of leadership. His leadership role was only insofar as his value as a play maker, and otherwise it was wiser to defer to the experience and the wisdom of these veterans who outranked him. So, Souza kept his mouth shut, waiting to see what would happen.

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength - [150] (50) Points

Speed - [375] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [400] (1200) Points

Reiatsu Strength - [50] Points

Light Aura - [80] Points

Dark Aura - [20] Points

Instinct - [300] (100) Points

Senses - [50] Points

Energy sensory - [200] (400) (Points

Healing Expertise - [75] (25) Points


Total SP: [1600] Points

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[Sabre] {3}

[Battle Analysis] {3}

[Battle Focus] {3}

[Analysis] {3}

[Focused Eye] {3}