Dark Days: The Circle of Kashmir [R, NDE, Hard]

[Kento Waffles]

Asmokon's hand batted aside the undead, but not before the closest, that close to him, were able to throw up blood upon his pants. Plus, as the hand smacked them, their blood splattered out onto his clothes too. They were oh so fragile. A black spot emerged from one of the approaching tendrils, reaching in front of the tendril. Thus, the tendril passed through it on the way to Asmokon, who would suddenly find that he was unable to grab and pull the Adalo De-Mona that had been Sozen Kuchiki. No, instead, Adalo had become completely intangible--impossible for anyone to touch. The fire? The grabbing? None of it was poignant. None of it had any value whatsoever.

Now, it faded, and so did Adalo's black spot. His tendrils reached for Asmokon, but the Quincy used a Hirenkyaku to escape--just barely. This left Adalo to deal with incoming purple tendrils as Asmokon took to a rooftop, raining down heavy fire of arrows upon the undead. So unfortunate... His stamina would deplete long before they stopped coming. What had been a city was now descending into chaos. By this point, there would have to be hundreds of thousands if not millions of the infected, and there was no way to take that many out and survive. Instead, Asmokon would soon find himself running low on stamina. After all, it took quite a bit to rain down arrows on hundreds of victims and use this level of reiatsu output.

The purple tendrils were of no value, for another black spot formed and as Adalo contacted it, he again become intangible. These passed through him, having no effect. Even so, had they touched, it would have made no difference. Such was the might of Hierro Ultima and the released form of Adalo De-Mona. And, at that time, he looked up at Asmokon, seeing him somehow with a facial form that possessed no eyes and yet could see all. A truly evil, disgusting, terrifying thing awaited the Quincy and the newly arriving Failure. They had not yet gotten into the worst of it... Not at all. Not even close. Soon, there would be indescribable pain!

And though many of the infected were washed away on the way as Kimiko arrived and used her powers, there stood two figures unimpressed. The first, of course, was Adalo De-Mona, but had once been Sozen Kuchiki. A Soul Reaper Captain whose physical form had been overtaken by the spirit of De-Mona. And the second, of course, was the mastermind of all of this. Kayneth Wayne. Or, as some might now call him, Kashmir De-Mona. Standing there with a grin on his face, he replied to both Asmokon and Kimiko's words. "Neither of you is ready to face this level of difficulty," he told them. "And neither of you has enough hate to use this stone of mine..."

A cold, unrelenting reiatsu suddenly exploded forth. They would feel it, then. At that moment, they would know... He could literally crush them both with pure gravitational force if he so desired. He was that much more powerful than both of them. If he wanted, he could kill them effortlessly. And still, they defied him, and he allowed it because it amused him. But, as his reiatsu overtook his body and the stone started to light up, Kashmir gave one more warning. "If you both don't leave now, then I'll kill not only you, but Sozen Kuchiki too! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!!" He was having fun with this, of course. Fun with the destruction that was this city.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Well it seemed that he had just managed to get out of Kashmir's grasp at the last second. Now he was atop of the building and raining down arrows onto all of the undead salves that this unsightly Arrancar had been able to create. While Kashmir and what used to be Sozen would see the volley upon volley of arrows rained down they'd think that it'd be causing a massive amount of stamina from Asmoskon to fire off so many in such a short amount of time. However, there was a difference between him and all of the other so called masters of a bow. He was like a master of close combat in the same regard not a single wasted movement nor unnecessary twitch of his body as everything was set into motion.

Expanding so much reiatsu in such a short amount of time wasn't easy there wasn't anything that he could do about that however all it really caused was additional stress on his body. Something that Asmoskon had gotten fairly decent at ignoring. The major way that his stamina was preserved throughout the bombardment was that he didn't need to fire off every single arrow one at a time. He had gotten more proficient than anyone else at being able to fire off more than one arrow at a time. To the point that now he could fire off ten arrows in a single hand at once. Holding an arrow to each side of his bows spine held tight with his fingers and then letting them loose onto the victims.

He kept firing off ten arrows each and then as they soared downwards they would split turning into twenty. This caused the massive amount of stamina that would have drained out any other Quincy to become little more than morning exercise. It all it only took the Tainted Quincy a total of fifteen draws to fire off the three hundred arrows. He could see immediately though that his tactic wasn't effective enough and that his ginto wasn't working against Sozen. That was when the Failure came into play and started to take down the undead as well.

She was more than likely here after the stone that same way that he had been up until roughly a minute ago. Now there was no reason to stay here and try to get ahold of such a relic. Sozen had been taken over and Soul Society would need to know that. Hotaru, The Captain Commander, Aoi, Amagai and Souza would all need to know about what was happening now. Kashmir then spoke threatening to kill Sozen if the both of them didn't leave. He focused for a moment absorbing the reiatsu in the area around him through his cross. So in the next instant Asmoskon vanished using Hirenkyaku once again.

After a few moments he'd reappear roughly two miles away at the top of another building his bow gone. He concentrated for a moment and then found himself inside the world of his organization. He had a message to deliver and one to a certain individual. "Satsujun. Adalo lives. Kayneth Wayne is a disguise. Sozen Kuchiki has been tainted and is now under his control. I have to leave now. I'll report back shortly." Just as fast as he had entered into the reality that connected him to the former Captain Commander had he left it. He had to make sure that he got out of the city alive. He still had to warn Soul Society and his other family.

Remaining Reiatsu: 3400/500
Quincy Cross: {+1600}

[Kimiko Aimi]

She felt it. The Failure felt the pressure that such a dark and insidious being can produce from its life of grueling and anguish. A darkened soul which knew no bounds of immorality. Chaos incarnate if it was given a name by the Failure. The thrill that came from the death and destruction around it fueled its need for more. Nothing could compare to the level of malevolence that the individual had hidden within its very being. Merely the sight of the individual made Kimiko sick to her stomach, but, still did not waiver to the fact that this being could destroy her in mere moments. Even as the dead were washed away, the cries of the living that were being slaughtered, nothing could take presented as to what she saw before her with the extent of sensory abilities. She saw it all.

The fact was clear that she was scared. The fear was indeed present within the Failure's soul as this moment could have been her end. Those eyes filled with light never ceased their locking gaze onto the pair. Despite what was transpiring around her she found herself more fixated on the pair. With her goal in sight Kimiko had to weigh the two odds against one another. One, being that her existence remained in a constant state of instability, and with the Black Stone may perhaps bring her closer to her goal of a cure for herself. That same stone that feed on the anger and malice of others, could it have a chance of curing her? She didn't know. And lastly the second option of her choices, to run and possibly lose the chance to obtain it forever. Kimiko didn't know what to do, which choice to take.

With her Energy Sensory she felt the Quincy cower and fled the scene immediately. His mind occupied by the same doubt and fear that currently plagued the Failure as well. What had disturbed the woman was the fact that the black silhouette was indeed a Shinigami, and a Captain at that. However, there was more to such an identity as the Shinigami was Head of a Noble House within the Soul Society. She knew of such a world, and knew that one day they will come for her, to end her existence. Her very being posed a thread to the World of the Living. A single mistake would have put an end to all life within the immediate vicinity, if not the entire city. All those lives lost, and the balance shaken.

That too did present a challenge to the pair. Although ruthless and quirky their "fun" would come to an end as well as utilizing her state to the up most efficiency. She imagined it. A Failure at her strongest erupting in the halls of the Seireitei. How much damage and chaos would have ensued there. She didn't know what the Soul Society possessed, but regardless of the lack of such knowledge, the devastation will have been the same nonetheless. Kimiko had her own uses to Kashmir, just as the stone had for her. More than likely a being like himself had no need for her. Merely an assumption on her part. Regardless of that, that stone was right in front of her, and she had need of it.

"Why would I care for the life of a single Shinigami?! To me, they are all the same enemy that will inevitably come for me one day. So why not start early and have one of their strongest perish here and now." She stepped forward. She stepped forward? Why? To approach a being like Kashmir was indeed suicide, including with an Adalo reincarnation beside him. Her desire for the stone was strong, but if what the being spoke of was true, then.... "You say to me that I do not posses enough hate? Don't be foolish." Her Flood spread thin into the air until its very state became that of the air itself. While not seen it remained present as it continued to flow from her body. Shards of ice, entrenching the ground, grew as she took another step forward.

The Failure wasn't stupid, nor was she calm about the current situation. The first of her many defenses were put into play, Pesquis. A sonar-like technique that enabled to pic up traces of reiatsu and activity within her Energy Sensory range. The second step was a technique known as Schlagen. This was a Quincy technique that she learned in the past, and one that prevented those around her to come into contact with her. Each of these were initialized through her Mastery in Mental Incantation.

Kimiko knew with all her being that Kashmir could peer into her, as did she to him. His darkness to her light, that was their difference. But, much more than that. Kimiko did share another fact with Kashmir, that her existence along the ages experienced the cruelties of the world. Each one of them gave a small portion of hate and malice to the Failure as she was forced to see it all. Of course, not enough to equal Kashmir in terms of longevity, no, what they shared was the cycle of arrogance that was humanity. This, along with her acting, did allow the woman to push such negative emotions to the surface. Yes, those emotions that the Priestess harbored for so long was able to finally sprout.

"Actually, I must take my statement back about the Shinigami. If he was as powerful as he is, then surely he wouldn't fall prey to something as trivial as possession. I find it absolutely ludicrous, the same said of your earlier statement." Her tempered flaring, her flood pulsating the match the furry that grew, however, if anything else it was a shot to Sozen Kuichiki. "Humans are selfish beings that place their needs above others. Their lack of insight to what transpires around them astonishing. Greed, deception, all such traits fill their core. It is utterly repulsive." If allowed her position would have been no more than ten feet away from such a powerful being. "Your means of "entertaining" yourself is quite dull, however, only seems correct that such beings be destroyed. Humanity, is absolutely disgusting!"

That very moment, the pair of malicious beings were to feel the might and absolute truth of the Failure as her reiatsu escalated to its highest point. An aura in which those she has encountered in the past failed to compare to. They were all simply a box of matches compared to her Sun, her reiatsu strength of 1575. The very ground would shake, buildings set a blaze lost their foundation and collapsed to the sheer pressure that the Failure brought forth. This by no means was a threat or a challenge to the disguised Arrancar, but merely stating a fact to him. Kimiko Aimi loathed humanity. And if need be, then she would be the one to end their lives.


Remaining Reiatsu: 1675/2400 : -200 Schlagen x1.

Pesquis Activated: 1/5

[Kento Waffles]

"Why would I care for the life of a single Shinigami?! To me, they are all the same enemy that will inevitably come for me one day. So why not start early and have one of their strongest perish here and now." Kashmir, from his perch, grinned at the Failure. "Ohhh, but you SHOULD care! These Soul Reapers are powerful. They might be your enemies, but they're the only ones with enough power to resist Las Noches. You'll see SOON..." His black reiatsu was truly sickening to be near. Even as Asmokon escaped away, his hundreds of arrows and two mile flash step burning a huge toll on his body, taking his stamina down to its limit, he would feel as if he was moving through gelatin.

A peculiar thing started to happen, now. The hoards of the infected became coated by a green aura, and the black stone started to glow. Arrows that came for them started bouncing off, and even the Failure's flood was reflected. No, rather, they weren't reflected... They never even touched. They were incapable of getting near. As these reiatsu based strikes approached, the reiatsu quivered momentarily and literally moved away, as if of its own accord. As if it was actually afraid of these infected. For the essence of spirituality itself to be afraid was unthinkable, and yet... Could it be? Was it possible? And here yet was Kashmir De-Mona, the most terrifying existence either Asmokon or Kimiko had ever come across.

With Kimiko's reiatsu exploding around her at full power, Kashmir stood there with the same horrid expression on his face. "You mistake anger for hate... You mistake hubris for power... The black stone knows that you aren't ready yet..." The all eclipsing, Kashmir flexed his reiatsu too. And suddenly, there was gravitational pressure. So absolute, so malevolent, that all one felt as soon as it was flexed was a sickness... A feeling of nausea. And, at the same time, they were brought to the ground in agony, immobile, and unable to move. This would be true for Kimiko, and for all of Kashmir's infected, all of whom started puking across the ground.

As Kashmir released his gravitational pressure, having held it only a few seconds, the ground would now be red and covered in chunky pieces of bile. The infected had truly stained it. It was now slippery, and it smelled horrendous. Along with that, Kimiko would also be able to rise, her flexing of reiatsu having been momentarily snuffed out. Her power being nothing next to the man that defied death. The most ugly, powerful of the Espada... Kashmir De-Mona. Kayneth Wayne was more than just a vessel of hate. He was the most human of all creatures, too. And that was why he was so scary. He hadn't transcended humanity. He had become its ultimate representative.

Over at Asmokon, meanwhile, he would momentarily see the white tuxedo figure of Satsujun, curls of black hair and cold eyes gazing down. "That truly is problematic," Satsujun acknowledged. "I had long suspected that Adalo De-Mona could reincarnate quickly, but for him to have reincarnated this time in a host that possessed cunning... That is most unfortunate. As a mindless beast, he posed no threat. If he is now intelligent, he can challenge even us. I need you to go back and retrieve Sozen Kuchiki. When you do, bring him to me. We will need him in coming years." Satsujun's image faded as Asmokon tapped out of that world.

Back at Kashmir, there was also the Sozen who had become Adalo. From behind him, a hand suddenly came to rest on his shoulder from out of nowhere. There was a man in a suit with black hair and black eyes. "Enough, Adalo," the newcomer said. "Cease this before you draw the attention of the Zero Division toward yourself." The spirit of revenge turned toward the newcomer. "Kuroi..." he whispered. "It's been a long time. I go by Kashmir now." Kuroi, eyes stone cold, nodded his head. "So I have heard," he acknowledged. "So then, Kashmir, let's go. If you continue destruction of this scale, enemies beyond even you will soon appear."

The spirit of revenge turned to Kuroi and grabbed his collar. "NO ONE is beyond me..." Then, turning back to his adversaries, Kashmir gazed down at Kimiko, and the aura of the infected faded, allowing them once again to be touched, presumably at least. Kashmir gazed down at his black stone, and then at Sozen Kuchiki. He snapped his fingers, and immediately, black reiatsu burst from Sozen's body, freeing him from the released form of Adalo. There he was once more--Captain Sozen Kuchiki. But, he had been exhausted by his efforts, depleted of reiatsu. Eyes tired, he fell to his knees, barely conscious. Kashmir hurled the black stone onto the ground as the infected started to close in on both Sozen and Kimiko.

"There, there's your black stone," Kashmir said. "But it's like I said, you don't have enough hatred. If you touch that, you'll be erased by it. The only person here besides me who's capable of holding that stone is Sozen Kuchiki. If you want it, you'll have to have him hold it as you carry him out of here... You'll both need to escape my hoard alive. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!" Kashmir turned and disappeared with Sonido, followed immediately by Kuroi. And soon, around where he had been, the city erupted into cries and screams. The shrieks of the infected as they took it over. As buildings caught fire and began to fall. As the city fell into ruin. For indeed, every single living person in this city had been killed or infected....

[Kimiko Aimi]

This man, no, this being was on an entirely different level compared to the Failure. Not only that her Roaring Flood was repelled from the hordes that sought to destroy her, but her overall reiatsu was quelled without much effort. Truly this being calling himself Kashmir wasn't one to be taken lightly at the least. The being behind him that was cast away into shadows, the Shinigami known as Sozen Kuichiki, had been turned into a slave, while the entire city itself had been driven into sheer madness. The level of influence that he alone was capable of bestowing onto his servants only brought to mind what he was truly capable of. Kimiko didn't stand a chance. At least for now.

His aura trumped over her own, a secondary reason as to why Kashmir wasn't someone to be trifled with. He brought to mind the usefulness that the Shinigami had to her cause. Another note, that the Failure couldn't wield the Black Stone in her current state. Her hate wasn't sufficient for the stone and would destroy her should she come into contact with it. Though he was wrong about one thing. The war between the three powers hardly had an effect on her. Yes, untold destruction will be had, with countless innocent civilians in the path of harm. Humans in which didn't care for anyone else but themselves. The Shinigami who will one day come for her and seek her end, in order to prevent the worst case scenario. Hueco Mundo, the world of the Hollows and Arrancars. Their race only believed in that "might is right." A philosophy she couldn't truly agree with. And the Quincies with their Empire. An Empire of misguided hypocrites and blinded followers. Their war would speak the end of their world.

Kimiko thought long and hard about such matters for nearly a thousand years. And yet, she was still conflicted due to her beliefs. That the fact remained she had hope in humanity. Her thoughts were occupied until another came into view. Similar to Kashmir, yet different as well. Both beings shared a common presence though one was greater than the other. One known as Kuroi, another Arrancar. How did she come up with "another?" The words traded between the two showed some familiarity between them, like colleagues. At the same time they displayed a level of intimacy with the other. They spoke to one another, their attention occupied. Kimiko wouldn't do anything that she wasn't prepared for. As such she stood silently until their talks finished.

The cries of the undead drew near when their reasoning came to a close, thus resulting in the release of Sozen Kuichiki. Another surprise followed shortly when the scrapping of the black stone rolled against the floor. The nobleman fell to his knees, clearly exhausted from what he was force to undergo. And the being known as Kashmir warned once more, those words that would deny her what she sought. The stone wouldn't be able handled by someone such as her, instead, she would need to have the Shinigami assist her in carrying the object. Damn him. The two dark beings were about to take their leave, to allow the monsters that now roamed the city to finish the job, Kimiko spoke, "Be wary of me Kashmir. I, Kimiko Aimi, will shed light into the darkness in which you will bring onto this world. Remember my name." she said before the two vanished into thin air.

She didn't know if her words got to her, and little did it matter as it was nothing more than simple words to him. To the Failure, it was her own declaration of war onto the Arrancars. What mattered most now was what was coming towards them. The hordes of dead swarming to her position, and an item that she couldn't touch with an enemy of hers weakened. She could have simply left and survive, leaving the Black stone behind with the Shinigami, left to die. Or save the Shinigami while towing the stone with him. What was she to do?

The answer was simple really. Although the stone could not be touched by the Failure, she made sure that the Shinigami wouldn't have access to it either. Thus, the stone itself will have been encased in the thick layer of ice that her Flood would have created around it. The ice itself was forged by her reiatsu, and when forged it was disconnected to her, however, it could still built up upon by having her mist coat it once more. With the stone in ice, a layer of her own reiatsu, the woman would resort to using her ice to slide the stone into the man's grasp. From there, his hands would too be encased in ice with the frozen stone. Basically, she glued the stone onto his hands. This was indeed a means for the man to hold onto the stone without using much strength at all. If anything he would dragging it when she would be dragging him.

Yet, just allowing him to hold the stone would have been to risky for the woman. She had to make sure that he wouldn't try anything foolish as to using it, and to secure her own freedom and safety. Surely the man's condition forced him to breath heavily in and out, despite fading into the darkness of the unconscious realm. In that case, the mist itself had been thinned out into the air, particles of the Failure's reiatsu faded to remain unseen to the naked eye. It surrounded the pair whilst the woman positioned herself beneath the man, using her legs strength to hold him up. And damn was he heavy. "You best be grateful, Sozen Kuichiki. Saving you on the lowest priority I have now, but, seeing you trouble I can not turn away from my duties as a Priestess, despite you being my foe." the woman grunts as she struggle to keep the man in tow. Her physical strength was only on par with that of an average human woman. This meant it wasn't impossible to life a man of Sozen's size, just that there will be some difficulties moving with his arms wrapped around her neck, and him leaning on her shoulder.

"You may already know that I am doing this for the Black Stone, and I know few of the crimes you have committed. I can not pass judgement. However, I can not allow you have the stone or use it. With that said, the air you are breathing now is filled with my reiatsu, with my power. As such, if you try and attempt hostile acts, I will freeze your lungs and turn your heart to ice. So please do not try anything." If the man was as tired and exhausted as he seemed, then there wouldn't be any form of confrontation from his end. At least not while she was providing aid for him in such a state. With each breath the man took more of the Failure's reiatsu would seep in. With much of her power inside of the man, she could commit many insidious acts upon him within a moment. However, he wasn't the only concern as the hordes of Kashmir's forces descended upon them.

Their strength was one aspect she didn't take to kindly on, but their speed was something that could have been dealt with easily. With each one of them running at such speeds little will they have control when running on ice. Yes, the floor itself was still wet with traces of her Roaring Flood technique from earlier. Moist built up over the surface the ground made it more easy for her Flood to work its magic, and turned the floor itself into ice. From concrete to an ice rink, each one of those beings were to be gliding at outrageous speeds with no control over what direction they went to. Some would slip and easily break their necks. Others will follow the same pattern and ram into buildings like those of crash test dummies. For those that were sliding to Kimiko were to be met with a single Cero, at maximum output.

There have been no one thus far being able to match her power in reiatsu. While others were able to reach the pinnacle of their strength, Kimiko had not. With 1575 reiatsu strength, a simple Cero would transform into a raging bolt of light that was able to consume an armada of humans. She need not fear the remaining humans that lingered within the city, as nearly all had been converted into mindless monsters. Little more can be done for them except providing them with a peaceful end to their misery. A single finger was all it took to muster out the Cero, with its name called out in the depths of her mind. For those that continued to bash their way to the Failure would be met with 10 foot lances that erupted from the ice covered floor. The Failure's Mist repeatedly swarmed over the frozen surfaces to freeze the moisture particles before her, building upon them as they clung together to form each lance. Her flood was nature to her, thus eliminating the strain of using reiatsu. Primarily, her only troubles were carrying the Shinigami inch by inch, and continuing the raise up lances to pierce through the dead that slid towards her.

Only then when the ice around them formed into a perfect barricade around them will the woman call forth the Garganta. A technique that all Hollows knew to use, and one that Kimiko had to use often to remove herself from hairy situations. Once the gate opened to Hueco Mundo did the woman wander for a bit in the White Desert. Only then will she open another Garganta into a safety area back in the world of the living. Indeed Hollows would surely come to greet them both, but wouldn't matter as her Flood would freeze them, and she only required to distance herself from their emergence to relocate to a more suitable location for the man to rest, and call for assistance.

Remaining Reiatsu: 1475/2400 : - 200 Cero x1

Pesquis Activated: 2/5

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Standing on the roof top was the Quincy of Black at the moment communicating with the leader of Xcution. Connected through the mental bridge of those that shared in alligance to Satsujun. It seemed that Satsujun had already anticipated that Adalo was going to be reincarnated at some point yet not so quickly. Not only that, but it seemed that for Adalo to come into intelligance was soemthing that neither he nor Asmoskon could allow. At the moment and as far as Asmoskon himself knew he was one of Satsujun's strongest subordinates. So if he was worried about what this new Adalo could do and spoke openly that he was a threat to the both of them then Asmoskon would need to take care of this problem right now.

Satsujun wanted Sozen to be captured though and brought to him alive. Asmoskon had wished to retake his family member even without being ordered too however now it was just a decision that didn't need to be weighed. He had his orders however there was one last thing he had to say. "Give me approximately three minutes. This city is doomed and I can't stop the spread of this strange disease. We can't let it get out of else we risk allowing Adalo to corrupt the entire planet. I'll capture Sozen and get out. Fire a nuclear strike upon this location to whip out everything. We can't have anything getting out either. I'll come back later in order to cover everything up."

Now it was done Satsujun faded away as Asmoskon disconnected from the leader that he swore to serve. He would need his help in the coming years against the Vandenreich. At the moment he knew more than anyone else that he couldn't stop Baal or A. Satsujun was his strongest ally and Xcution perhaps was more powerful than Soul Society. However, having both of them to aid him was enough that soon he could wipe the Vandreich from history and start to rule over his race. He'd make sure that this time they'd all be able to better lives.

Asmoskon suddenly sensed a new reiatsu one that was even more massive than that of Kashmir. The reiatsu though was that of a Shinigami. Asmoskon had been near almost all of the Captains so taking away them as possibilities left only one individual. His left eye widened as he realized who had just arrived. The King of Las Noches. Asmoskon took off moving across the air at 300 in terms of speed. He had to keep his usage of stamina down or else he was going to get wary. As he moved through the air though to get back to the building that he had been on originally he took the time to gather reiatsu from the air. His timer was ticking and he wouldn't have much left.

He still had to capture Sozen and manage to get away which in all honesty he only had one way of doing. However, he had ordered a nuclear strike and if he didn't get Sozen right away the chances of them both getting away alive was slipping. As he got to the top of the building he looked down and could see the King of Las Noches Kouhai opening up a portal and leaving with Kashmir. The Black Stone was on the ground and now the Failure of ice was going for it. These were not his concerns not anymore. He had to get Sozen . . . who was back to normal? Wait no he looked normal, but he was unconcious on the ground or at least seemed to be.

This wasn't right Sozen being unconcious itself was troublsome, but being so close to a powerful Failure wasn't good. Instantly the long black bow was materialized from his reiatsu held in his right hand while his left nocked an arrow of black and red. He watched as the Failure froze the Black Stone to Sozen's hands and then picked Sozen up. It was when a black hole ripped open in front of her that Asmoskon realized what she was doing. It was also at that moment that another possible escape presented itself. Releasing the arrow from the prison of his bow Asmoskon took perfect aim. The arrow would soar downwards yet it wouldn't strike the Failure.

No the Arrow was already on its way back up to Asmoskon by the time that the Failure made her way through the Garganta and it closed taking her and Sozen into Huceo Mundo. Asmoskon knew how the ability of hollows worked after fighting against them for so long and doing so much research. It was time for him to do his own ability now though. He only had about a minute left until this entire city was nothing, but superheated nothingness. His bow now gone and his left hand catching his arrow Asmoskon holds out his right hand below the head. There blood drips down onto his palm. "My power is the flow of my essence, the crimson liquid of life I present onto you grant me passage to the source of essence."

He spoke and when he finished the blood in his palm glowed brightly until he vanished from the top of the building. In the moment that follow was a desert of white. One that Asmoskon had only read of yet never actually been able to enter. There in front of him was Sozen who was either still being carried by the Failure or had been put on the ground so that the both of them could rest. He had to address this now though since plans had to be made now that it was known that Adalo still drew breathe. "Did you really think that you'd be able to get away with him that easily?" Asmoskon was now roughly five feet away from Kimiko and had been behind her now giving it away that she wasn't alone. "I'll let you keep the Stone so long as you give up Sozen . . . deal?" Asmoskon asked. He could fight the Failure for both, but he couldn't guarentee that Sozen wouldn't be frozen solid. He needed to live so it was out of the question unless she decided to attack.

[Kento Waffles]

OOC: Let's have Kimiko respond first.

[Kimiko Aimi]

Why now of all times? Just as a secondary Garganta was moments away from being opened did another minor inconvenience decided to show up. This one took on the form of a young Quincy male. Dark hair with an eye patch to tuck away the wound that was there for some time. A black bow formed that filled the palms of his hands. The very stance he took on didn't match what could be portrayed as "friendly." She didn't know who he was, but his intentions were clear as the falsehood that his race brought with them. Quincies, followers of a faith in which they are promised by someone who fancies himself a God. Human's and their idols, their false Gods. The Shinigami had their own, so do the Quincies. Twas a wonder if the Hollows or the other races have individuals whom they can hold up to such a stature.

Nonetheless, the Quincy before her made a terrible mistake. Such a disappointment that the young man couldn't honestly see how outmatched he was. Regarding to his current condition, he was short on breath and physically fatigued. Not just that, the Quincy could have been detected miles away from where she stood. The amount of reiatsu that he poured out and with his enchantments stood out among the thousands of dead that plagued the city. Aside from that, the Failure's Pesquis remained active, so his overall presence was already known by her magnified abilities in sensory, her Energy Sensory. However, his motives could not have been known right away.

Obviously, he may have desired to escape just as much as she did. A secondary idea, a belief in which he desired the Black Stone. A powerful object such as the Stone could do many terrible things if allowed to be possessed by another individual, much like Khasmir. And lastly, the Shinigami Captain known as Sozen Kuichiki. Being one of the most distinguished Shinigami among their kind, his being posed a measurable to any one side if allowed to live. So, considering the three options that were more feasible, Kimiko had to conclude that the man was here for one of the last two ideas. Shortly after, her theories were realized.

It honestly didn't take long for Kimiko to pick up on his reiatsu as he made his way through the Garganta. Foolishly enough as a matter of fact that he entered into the one realm in which was most dangerous for his kind. From her past experiences with the lone Quincy many years ago, she knew that their kind were weak against the reiatsu that Hollow's produced. Hazardous even if their techniques by chance consume a Hollow's power. How ridiculous indeed. "You are either very coy or very stupid Quincy. I knew where you were before entering the Garganta, especially considering that little trick that you mustered up with your arrow." Her Pesquis acted as a type of sonar, feeding through her Energy Sensory capabilities. Distance wise, she could detect the life essence of a fly within five mile radius with little issue. However, more than anything, she could feel and hear the cries and screams of thousands of humans being murdered and altered by what Khasmir had done.

Her information on Quincies may have been outdated, but she knew well enough to know about their abilities with the bow and arrow. The weapon that he held must be his considering that the form and reiatsu that welled within it were similar to his own. Still, the man spoke with confidence and assured that he will have the situation turn to his favor. He was wrong. Just as he finished speaking the splitting void behind him shut, sealing the trio within the world of Hollows. "It doesn't seem like you are in a position to make 'deals' Quincy. As a matter of fact, you are very much at my mercy." Kimiko's tone grew cold as ice. The pair of silver eyes narrowed to express her irritation with his smug posture.

What upset her was his previous act of releasing an arrow towards her. Actually, the act itself was something she could allow to slide without an issue, as it was easily avoidable. When it came to knowledge and experience in battle Kimiko outmatched him by centuries. In other words the boy was a few hundred years too early to face off against a being with seemingly endless reiatsu. Even with Sozen more than likely gasping, having the mixture of air and the Failure's reiatsu fill his lungs, the air around them came to a stand still. The environment was more than favorable to the woman's standards to fight if need be. Before entering the gate, her toes were soaked in the remaining particles of water that her Kido produced minutes ago. With that and the drop in temperature in the White Desert, Kimiko had more than what she needed to face off against Asmoskon.

With those factors in mind shards of ice were already in development, but, only held back due to the Failure's will. Despite the man's class, Kimiko's reiatsu strength was nearly doubled his own. Thus, his own physical defenses as well as spiritual would mean next to nothing for him. By standing within a 15 foot radius of the Priestess Asmoskon's core temperature will have dropped to 68 degrees below zero. This is more than sufficient to cause the body uncontrollable shivering and hindering neural communication between the brain and body. And this was without direct contact with the Failure's Flood. Her presence alone causes objects and people to freeze solid. However, Sozen was an exception. Kimiko did have to maintain some level of focus to prevent the Shinigami from freezing completely under her care. Should the Quincy decide to resist or attempt to take aggressive action towards her, then there was no chances that he will make it out of the situation alive.

Onto the side, Kimiko already prepared several countermeasures to defend herself against the man while retaliating. Be at as it may it was Kimiko who held the advantage. "So, as you can see, we don't have a deal Quincy. If anything, it is you who requires my help." Regardless of how the man viewed the situation she was right. The only advantage that the man had against Kimiko was distance and physical abilities. However, the more distance that he closed between them did his speed and responses falter. When the brain receives little to no oxygen then the mind enters lapses of paralysis, or worse the longer they are exposed to it. Also, considering that his body was of living flesh and blood, the effects would be worse for him than against a spiritual body.

Slowly did the ice form as Kimiko desired it to. A wall had been constructed to separate their spaces. Or rather, a dome to guard herself against those who would consider facing off against her. A 360 degree eight foot dome formed as a means to protect herself while Asmoskon would be pummeled by the overwhelming difference between their reiatsu strength. While his stood at 800, the Failure could muster a maximum strength of 1575. To his instincts, which were on par with that of a wild animal, could feel the the level of power that she wielded. This was indeed a form of intimidation. The expelling of reiatsu to force the man to retreat considering a battle wasn't in the woman's interest for the time being. For now, she desired to meet up with Garret, to regroup and deliver the man back to Soul Society. With that idea in mind did she open another Garganta within the dome back to the World of the Living

To the Quincy, he was at the Failure's mercy. To decide whether or not to recite a better deal than before, retracting what was said earlier, or be left behind with the Hollows who would surely be announcing themselves to feed on such a powerful reiatsu. Asmoskon wasn't exempt from being left behind in the world of Hollows to die, because Kimiko could care less. Or she could open another Garganta to have the man transported into a safe zone for himself. Either way Kimiko was going to continue on with her path with everything that she desired. No one was going to get in the way, and that was for certain.


Remaining Reiatsu: 1475/2400

Pesquis Activated: 3/5

[Kimiko Aimi]

OOC: Hey guys, I do apologize for the long absent. I will be posting again starting tomorrow. At the same time I will bump this thread to continue onwards. I believe it is overdo to wrap up.

So let us get under way now shall we?

[Kento Waffles]

MUSIC

The black stone began to glow ominously, and dark green light began to emanate from it. It sensed a great deal of hate in the area. There was the contemptuous hate of the Failure, crafted by years of rejection and isolation, and by the traumatic experience of becoming one who was literally deemed a "Failure." There was the vengeful hate of the Quincy, molded by the death and destruction of what he cared about and the words of a man telling him that he was too weak to do anything about it, much less revenge. And, finally, there was the feeling of the Soul Reaper whose unparalleled love of his family became hate for his enemies, a man whose power was great and allowed him to empower and fuel his hate.

In the city being demolished by the infected, a beacon of light appeared in the sky. It was small, but it was noticeable. A little twinkle. Its sound perpetuated throughout the sky, drawing the gazes of those that had been lost to infection. Their hollow, desolate gazes with the blood all over their mouths, fists, and faces. They were watching up above as the glow grew more and more bright. As it approached them, revealing itself as some sort of cylindric tube. As it made its way onto the ground, touching down like the landing of an angel, the infected, drawn by sound, all rushed to it to see just what it was. Another victim? More to be infected?

"No..." Sozen said, his eyes opening. Far from the city now as they were, it didn't matter. Even here, he was alive still. The ice that had been produced for the stone and for Sozen's hands shattered as the green light emanated from the stone, which now fell into Sozen's grasp. The very instant that his fingers touched it, his gaze turned toward Kimiko, and she would suddenly see why he alone among the three present could use this stone. Her power... Would it be useless against him if she tried it? Why was it that suddenly, out of nowhere, he seemed so large? He was not merely a man when he touched that stone. Hiding behind his gaze was what had marked him. Inside of him there lay more of Kayneth Wayne. Behind his eyes and within his subconscious there was a piece of... Kashmir De-Mona.

The city became bathed in light. A hot, fiery light which ruined the buildings and blasted them with heat. All of those made of flesh and bone in the city were completely torched and annihilated. Their bodies were blackened, or worse. Some, those closest to ground zero, were simply incinerated as if they had been thrown into the sun. The light and heat created a mighty explosion which took the form of not a mushroom, but a rosebud in the sky. Soon the light turned dark red, and it became clear that it had been no ordinary bomb. It was a thing in and of itself, a power unlike any other. A technological terror beyond anyone else's technology.

"You... will kill no one.." Sozen said defiantly. The full weight of his ungodly spiritual presence dropped upon Kimiko like a hammer. No, a meteorite. There was no ability left to even try to access her reiatsu or her abilities. Unfortunately, Sozen's gravitational pressure would crush Asmokon down as well, pushing him into the ground, suffocating and choking. But for Kimiko, who faced a greater ultimate class difference, it would be even worse. As if her very mind was splitting open and her ears were deafened. As if every fiber in her body was ready to die. It might even spark some fear. Had she been destabilized? Was this what it felt like before a Failure died?

All that could even be comprehended while under that impossibly powerful gravitational pressure was a decree from Sozen. "Your feeble hate is meaningless... Your feeble powers are inconsequential. I am the CRIMSON KING." Yet, as he spoke, she might also hear Kayneth Wayne's voice somewhere in the background. Somewhere, as if from the stone itself, or perhaps from Sozen's reiatsu. Kayneth Wayne spoke too in that last sentence. And just as Sozen declared himself the Crimson King, there was Kayneth Wayne's degree. "I am the ARRANCAR KING." The most brutal and vicious of all decrees. Sozen dropped the stone, and suddenly was next to Asmokon.

In seconds, the two would suddenly be gone. Kimiko would be left alone in the white desert with a black stone that she could not touch for fear of death, and the trauma of what she had just seen. Power so great that it would kill her every single time she fought it. Asmokon would have felt that too, realizing why it was that Sozen had been so successful. But, it hadn't been just Sozen's power being sensed. In the subconscious of his mind, in the smallest traces of his reiatsu, there was something else, too. For now he had been marked, and what they had detected was not just his infinite power. It was the limitless power of Kashmir De-Mona.

Your next posts are our ending posts for the thread.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

It seemed that Asmoskon had teleported himself prior to the Failure returning to the human world. He proceeded the way that he had intended to upon finding the both of them. Giving off a warning shot to the Failure just so that he got her full attention. The series of events that unfolded next though were less than acceptable. Asmoskon had only ever fought against a single Failure and it hadn't been this one. The one prior had been a fierce foe that chose to use Hollow techniques almost exclusively or at least that's how it was against him. The Flood was a strange ability that the young Quincy hadn't experienced enough to deal with and plan against properly.

So when the temperature started to drop and his body became cold he knew he had made a mistake. He couldn't see any sign of this Failure's Flood yet it seemed that such a thing didn't mean it wasn't in effect. His hands were starting to tremble from the cold and he knew that such a thing would lessen his accuracy at least a small degree. The air was getting so cold that breathing was starting to get difficult as well and Asmoskon figured that if the Failure didn't stop he'd have to take drastic measures and prey that he and Sozen could somehow survive. It wasn't beyond him even now to snuff out the problem however suicide wasn't his game plan.

It seemed that this Failure was almost as full of herself as Sozen or some of the Espada tended to be with the way that she was pointing how things from her perspective at the moment. For the time being Asmoskon was going to gather more information. If sensed something else was coming or even if he was killed there were still safe guards in place. He wouldn't die not from this encounter. So standing there he watched as the Failure surrounded herself in a dome of thick ice and then opened another Garganta. He watched as she took Sozen and walked through.

It wasn't until it closed that Asmoskon started to feel his body warm up again. He didn't have time to wait for it to warm all the way back up to it's standard temperature such a thing would take more than a full minute. So holding his hands out towards one another he concentrated his reiatsu. In the following moments fire was shot from both of his hands clashing against one another heating up both of his arms and his chest. He was superheating his body at an abnormal rate. Breathing was getting more and more difficult and he was losing feeling in a good portion of his body at this point from the drastic immediate change from cold to hot. He didn't have time to worry about himself at the moment.

The Failure believed that he was now trapped in Hueco Mundo. He didn't understand how she though that unless she had believed he followed her through her own Garganta. It was probable and the only thing that made sense to him. However, unfortunately for the Failure Asmoskon didn't need her to get back to the human world. In fact so long as she had Sozen there was nowhere she could go where he couldn't follow her. "My power is the flow of my essence, the crimson liquid of life I present onto you grant me passage to the source of essence." The blood of Sozen was still on his person after having the blood cover a decent portion of his hand. Thus after the incantation was spoken the Quincy would vanish from Hueco Mundo.

Asmoskon arrived from nothingness back in the human world just as the Black Stone started to glow green. The next thing he saw was the bright light of the city being destroyed by the nuke that he had called in to destroy everything that remained within the border of the city. Anything that got out he would kill later. Right now though Sozen was going insane due the rage either induced by touching the Black Stone or from the events that had taken place. The gravitational pressure wasn't something that Asmoskon was in favor of yet it wasn't anything that he wasn't accustomed to dealing with either. He couldn't prevent himself from dropping almost immediately though.

He was getting tired after changing his temperature so drastically. He flowed reiatsu throughout his body to stabilize himself from the pressure of Sozen's reiatsu. At the moment all he could manage is staying on his right knee hunched over and trying to keep himself from dropping to the ground. The sensation was more than painful and it felt heavier than actually having a light pole or tree fall on top of him. Sozen started to shout of his title and while he did Asmoskon could tell that his voice was off. Well more that there was something else speaking along with him tainting his speech. It wasn't until just before it proclaimed itself the King of Arrancar that Asmoskon realized it had to be the Primera.

Sozen had turned into what looked to be the release state of an Arrancar earlier so the idea that he was tainted somehow wasn't a stretch by any means. The problem was getting him out of here before anything worse happened. However, it seemed that Sozen was in fact in control of himself. For in the next instant the gravitational pressure was gone and Asmoskon was being taken with him. It took him a few moments, but afterwards Asmoskon was able to get free of Sozen and keep up with the man following close behind him until they were a good distance away. Once that was achieve he had a few things to say.

It was almost at this point that Asmoskon realized that he had gone overboard with his fire and had scorched a good portion of his hands and the only source of Sozen's blood was left on his wrist and forearm. If he had been even a tiny fraction more careless he would have in fact been trapped in Hueco Mundo. "We'll need to discuss this problem at length later Sozen. For the time being I have to attend to anything that's left. From that infection. Once that's taken care of I'll meet you in Soul Society at the family manor. I'll keep what happened in regards to you and . . . Kashmir between us until we have time to come up with a plan." Asmoskon bowed slightly giving his respects. Sozen was family even if it wasn't by blood and the two of them would find a way to keep this more than likely from everyone unless they deemed them worthy of it necessary. For the time being though his duty called and while he was tired and injured failure wasn't acceptable. Making his way back towards the recently destroyed city was his new mission.

Remaining Reiatsu: 2700/500
Kurimuzon Iriguchi: {-150}
Geist Pfeil: {-400}

[Kimiko Aimi]

Darkness was all that she could see. In every aspect of her view remained the same image that was there before. Her head ached like no other. As though it had been fractured, nearly split into two pieces. The same was known in her spirit. The core of her being. Despite the overwhelming power that she possessed something came... greater, erupting from the immediate vicinity of where she stood. A layer of white light finally pierced through the darkness to have the last known location reveal itself at long last. It was the White Desert. She was there dusting herself as she rose to her feet, knowing all too well that something was missing. The two men from before were gone. All that remained was the pitch black orb that lay beside her.

She pondered as to what became of the two men. Not much time had been spent to recall the events prior to the shadows that took her. From what she can recall was the rise in immense spiritual pressure. A pressure that was beyond normal, or even human to say the least. No, this was something that had been built over time. For how long it was anyone's guess, but Kimiko knew all too well that it was something ancient. The Black Stone told the tale, silently as it remained still beside the Failure. Sozen Kuichiki. The Shinigami Captain of Soul Society used the stone. Even as weak as he was, he could never have cause such an uproar alone. No. She knew the extent of his condition regardless if she had her Sensory abilities or not. The man was beyond helpless.

The more time spent staring at the stone the more she knew that it was the primary cause of the sudden outburst of spiritual pressure. This thing was an abomination. From it she could feel the darkness that swell within it. The only question that came to mind was how deep was that darkness? Kashmir gave her the warning, the two of them, that she didn't possess the hate and anger that was necessary to use the Stone. Although her anger could be traced back centuries, no one was truly touched by it as she remained in isolation. Not only that, but the fact remain she remained pure, so filled with light that the darkness could not taint her. Instead, it wounded her. "Not enough hate."

If she could not use the stone, then it means that she was safe from the darkness' persuasion. She desired power, yes. What she sought was a power to contain what was already inside of her. Each day it expands, without the use of foreign objects or materials to bolster it. She alone remained pure. The Quincy relied on the power of their Emperor. The Shinigami mustered strength from their Zanpakuto. Kimiko alone wielded a strength that none of them will ever hope to achieve. And yet, it was still not... she was not at the pinnacle of her strength. She knew more can be achieved. She truly didn't need the Black Stone to increase her overall power. But that wasn't the point...

"I won't become a creature like him." Sozen Kuichiki. Kashmir De'Mona. She won't stoop down to their level. From both of their souls she could see a small portion of what made them what they were. So much death and darkness. Two individuals that would do anything if the met the desire result. Glory for oneself. Love for oneself. They dwell in a realm that will only turn on itself in the end. With the desire for power they learn fear, anger, and hate. Paranoia settles in later. And with that... betrayal. The darkness always turns on itself in one shape or form. The Failure wouldn't want to walk such a path if it meant losing herself. She saw what it did to her family. Little by little they turned on each other, which later ended in tragedy for all, and her current state.

She didn't require the Dark Stone for what she would set out to do. However, she couldn't allow the Stone to remain in the hands of another. It's dark influence had to be kept under check and within close proximity of her. At least until she can find a way to use it to her advantage. Yes. To purify the stone, and use it for something greater. It will be a daunting task, one that will require patience and a greater influence over it. She can do it. With that in mind she wrapped the disgusting object in a veil of thick ice. At least to prevent herself or any other from physically touching it. Then, scooping it up to tuck away in her robes. Hopefully time spent in her presence will the Dark Stone slowly be purify by her light. Or possibly, it influencing her in the worst case scenario.

She didn't know such a thing can be possible, nonetheless, she remained cautious of it. For the time being two new objectives have risen that required her immediate attention. One, find a means to venture to Soul Society and warn them about the events of the day. With one of their own, a fellow Captain, being plagued by such a darkness that continued to swarm his spirit he would be considered a tremendous risk. And if what Kashmir spoke of "him being an asset," then it was imperative that they be warned with an enemy lurking within their ranks. Just thinking about the amount of work and time it will require to accomplish this goal made her previous headache return. Either way, Sozen Kuichiki had to be expose for who and what he is.

Secondly, Kashmir's darkness has now awakened, and more than likely spreading at an alarming rate. With such a power left uncheck and balanced the entire human world was in danger. So many lives would be lost and driven mad in an instance. Made to suffer the same fate as those poor souls in the city. She only hoped that some made it out safely. More would become like them, made to suffer and driven to destroy one another. Kimiko couldn't allow that to happen. She had to become stronger. She needed to become stable.... She had to prepare. A single tap towards the front reopened the Garganta, to direct her to the last location that she saw Garret. He had to be warned.

A power like his could easily lure in a monster like Kashmir. Like any Hollow, when Garret came of strength he would surely be hunted down by him. Another concern came to mind. What if Kashmir could make use of Garret's affliction to pursue further demented goals. It wasn't unlikely as it was very much possible. Too many had to be warned, but for now her priorities were made clear. Garret came first, then Soul Society. And if along the way she can find a means to achieve stability, she will take it. But, even then, she had a responsibility to the human world. She could not remain idly and watch it be plagued by such darkness. If darkness came for the world, then she would be the light that will blot it out.

[Kento Waffles]

Thread Completed.

[Beast]

Participants get 1,200 TP and 6,000 Ryo each.

Kento gets 2,100 TP and 21,000 Ryo to a character of his choice.