Odious Treachery [Social, R, Closed]

[Shikitsuhiko Isayama]

Drip. Drip. Drip. The distant echoes of droplets of liquid can be heard upon entering the cavernous burrow. Descending further into the dimly lit space offers glimpses into the past. This was once home to a number of individuals, but now has been silenced. The walls spoke of bloodshed and carnage. They reflected rage and despair.  Imprinted in the sandstone was the irremovable mark of conflict. Moving deeper granted further insight with the walls telling a story of fractured bonds and disappointment. Beneath one's feet is a painted floor. It is wet, and remains reasonably fresh. 

The color is slowly drying, seeping deeper and discoloring the sand. The red hue might not be immediately observable as the shadows obscure one's clarity. Venturing further reveals the remnants of loyal servants and hopeful rebels. Bodies lie motionless on the ground. One body is peculiarly positioned, a sign that he died by succumbing to wounds following the conflict. His head is slumped to the side and his hand resting on another's unrecognizable face. The splatter of blood and innards decorates the walls as one steps closer toward a room that offers greater light. 

Within the room, at the most distant edge of the room, sits a familiar figure. Strewn about the room are countless dead bodies. The blood has collected on the ground is collective pools, subtly glistening under the light. Large craters decorate the floors and walls, leading all the way to a chair sitting alone in the shadows. The position of the chair, which once was a part of many, now resembles more of a throne. Unfortunately, the throne is without loyal disciples. Whoever sits upon it is left to rule over the corpses occupying this sprawling space. A sudden rhythmic tapping can be heard. It remains steady with four taps one after the other. 

A slender figure can be seen crossing the shadows and entering the light within the hall. Even before entering her identity is known by Shikitsuhiko, who sits rather impatiently in the chair. Normally, he is known for his patience but considering the circumstances for his visit, his mental fortitude had waned. He had been waiting for her for more than three hours. He has remained quietly seated, though his mind was frequently arrested by a mixture of welcomed and unwelcomed thoughts. He was surprised to be in such a situation, and yet a part of him knew this was coming. He didn't appreciate being caught off-guard, especially under these circumstances. Such behavior was unacceptable, and he would not offer even a modicum of forgiveness. 

"And the prodigal leader returns to check on her sheep." He said ominously from the lone chair in the distance. He lifted his hand and gestured toward the room with his hand. "They're all dead, most of them having suffered a great deal. They have you to blame for that." He said while lifting himself from the chair. Shikitsuhiko's towering frame walked slowly forward so the light could illuminate his presence. He stepped into the light. "Lagos." He said with a disgusted frown.

[Lagos Oscuras]

She could smell the blood, and already she could tell something was off. It seems that the meeting of the members of Los Ojos has been approached by conflict. She doubted it was the exequias...and she knew that all of the members that knew anything worth of value to be summoned here had sworn loyalty and would likely never tell anything to anyone even at the cost of their lives. So, that lead to a final conclusion. Someone close to her had figured out the formation of Los Ojos through slowly ascertaining information and finally reaching her. There was but one Arrancar she could imagine that had the utter patience to complete such a task. Shikihitsuko-Sama. It was more of an intuition, but she had a gut feeling.

Upon seeing the bloodied entrance of their meeting location, she could sense the death inside, and yet she walked inside without fear. Step by step...she was well aware of every twist and turn of this meeting location. Approaching closer, she could hear the tapping, see the death all around her. Stopping fifteen feet away from the figure sitting in his throne, she could smell him. Yes...Shikihitsuko-Sama. Looking at the man with her glowing cerulean orbs, she bowed down, on one knee as her hand swept over her chest. Opening her mouth to speak, she slowly resumed her standing position.

“Greetings Shikihitsuko-Sama. I see that you are not pleased by these servants. If they are not to your liking, no matter. Another army, a better one shall be made within a decade or so. These fools are expendable...as am I my master. Although I find it surprising that Ungere would dare to raise his blade against you. He had no true loyalty to begin with ever since he left all those years ago.” The crimson liquid dripped from her white garb as she wondered what he was thinking. They were still apart in terms of skill, very much so. However, Lagos had grown stronger gradually in hopes of pleasing him. As was this organization of hers.

Did he realize what the purpose of this army was? Did he realize what her efforts were for? There were certain things that Lagos took notice of despite her usual reckless nature. He had chosen to engage her within the darkness of her hideout as opposed to the light of Sonken’s visage. This showed that he had no intention of revealing her ideals to the Shinigami king yet. Did he view her actions as a sign of betrayal? There was no smile on her face...but rather a neutral expression on her face. She sensed he was not pleased. Why?

She seemed very solemn, almost as if she were a young child who knew they were going to be punished by their parent figure. She stood tall, yet relaxed as she looked upon him. Yes...he was much like a parent figure wasn’t he? He was one who guided her through the sands for generations, fed her, and allowed her to grow and blossom under his care. “So...let’s begin with a casual conversation shall we?” A crimson droplet at the tooth of the cave dripped a single drop of red life. The longed awaited meeting has begun.

[Shikitsuhiko Isayama]

He clenched his fist tightly as he listened to the casual treachery drip from her lips. He had always known she was impulsive, even foolish at times, but never quite this insolent. "Casual?" He said abruptly. "You contemptuous child." His voice taking on a more aggressive tone. This was unlike Shikitushiko. He was seldom provoked to anger but Lagos' actions had left him in disbelief. It was one thing to covertly rebel against Las Noches and another to so flippantly address it in his presence. "Don't you dare approach me so freely." He demanded, his voice raising in volume.

"You don't seem to understand the gravity of this situation. You must not have a sensible grasp on reality, otherwise you're far more witless than I thought. You have the audacity to scheme behind my back, behind Lord Kouhai's back and then casually speak of it, as if I would tolerate no less. I should drag your battered body back to Las Noches and allow Lord Kouhai to pass judgement for your negligent tone alone." In truth, Shikitsuhiko had not yet ruled out such an option. He was contemplating his options and despite his anger was feeling conflicted. In his own way he cared about Lagos, but on the other hand she had betrayed him and Lord Kouhai. He had pledged allegiance to Kouhai and this was an unbreakable pact. 

Shikitushiko was uncertain how to react, and yet so much of how he felt was certain. Lagos' callousness was astounding. Even by her standards this level of negligence was remarkable. Did she truly believe he wanted this? That he would tolerate such betrayal? His loyalty was infallible, she knew that, and so for her to this was deafening. It defied logic. "If they are not to your liking, no matter. Another army, a better one shall be made within a decade or so." Did she truly just speak such words in his direction? Was she ill? She had to be, otherwise why would she arrive at such an erroneous conclusion. 

He began to approach her, his body feeling rage like he had not felt in decades. He would typically discredit such emotions, but in this moment he was unable to extinguish them. "You stupid girl...what have you done?" He asked rhetorically. 

[Lagos Oscuras]

Contrary to Shikihitsuko’s thoughts, Lagos was very much sane. It was just that his loyalty had not allowed him to see her loyalty to him. When Shikihitsuko said these...things about bringing her back to Sonken, she had already steeled herself for such a thing to occur. Raising her head, watching the man step towards her in righteous fury, Lagos too began to approach, although she was the face of icy cool collective emotion. “You stupid girl...what have you done?” Lagos widened both arms before speeding up at the last moment in an attempt to wrap Shikihitsuko in embrace...a hug. Something incredibly uncommon in terms of comprehension of a Hollow and Arrancar alike.

“What I thought was right Shikihitsuko-Sama.” Closing her eyes, she began to whisper. “We are called Los Ojos...because we do not serve the Shinigami King Sonken with utter devotion. We were meant to be eyes yes, but your eyes. For our lives, including mine are yours and yours alone. I have always felt a hatred for the Shinigami, but not from my past...but from the fact that they once stole you away from what we four once were in the sands.” Releasing Shikihitsuko assuming she succeeded in the first place, she would take five steps back before smiling with a tear filling her eyes. “I still stand by my conviction...although you and I are all that remain of our bond. Everything I have done is because in my heart, it was right. It was just for you.”

She remembered the days where Ungere, Tzusumi, herself, and Shikihitsuko were four Hollows, travelling together as something closer than just a ragtag group of Hollows seeking to evolve. They were something closer than that at the very least. She remembered how quickly the loyalty of Tsuzumi and Ungere crumbled upon the capture of their leader who chose to give himself so that his subordinates could escape. She decided to tell him...everything. “I had eaten Tsuzumi for her traitorous ways as she dared to say you had died...and Ungere now lies dead by your hand. Although his loyalty had died long before him as I failed to kill him.” Looking at the emerald blinded eyes that were filled with fury, Lagos spread her arms wide open as she took a deep breath.

“If I am seen as evil and lecherous in your eyes, then my life is not worth living. I swore from the day that I was saved by you, that the day you tell me to die...would be the day I would gladly throw it all away. To see you serve a man instead of ruling pains me.” Clenching her eyes shut as her fists locked, she then gradually released the stress on both as then a single visible trail was revealed of wet water dripping...before a second followed after. “If I bring disdain into your heart, then strike me down!” She waited.

She waited to be struck down by the man who she adored above all others. She waited like a child who was to be lashed, or a beast by his master. Lagos was prepared for death if Shikihitsuko so wished to bring it to her. However, if he was to strike her down, she realized she shouldn’t dare frown nor cry in front of the man who gave her so much. Slowly...her lips curled upwards as her face relaxed. “I love you…” It was the first time she had ever said this to anyone. It was certainly the first time she had ever said such a thing to Shikihitsuko. Were Hollows capable of such a strong emotion? Was that not the emotion they lost capability of feeling to another? She felt light...as if she were floating.

Music Accompaniment:

[Shikitsuhiko Isayama]

Without hesitation Shikitsuhiko struck Lagos across the face before slamming his palm into her chest with the intention of sending her hurtling toward the wall. He grimaced as he clenched and unclenched his fist. He vanished before striking the wall beside head. "You're not taking any of this seriously, Lagos." He turned and walked away as he spoke. "You didn't create any of this for me because you knew I would completely disapprove. I didn't need you to behave treacherously. I simply needed you to be a loyal subject, as I am. You did this entirely for yourself. If you truly did this for me then you're a complete fool. Likely worse than that, in fact."

He turned and directed his attention toward Lagos. "Only a coward uses others as an excuse for their actions. I will not allow you to escape blame with petty emotional drivel. One does not act as you did and simply dismiss it as caring. Your actions were simply unacceptable. And now you stand before me begging for death." Shikitsuhiko shook his head before a slight grin passed across his lips. It was fleeting, but for a moment he found humor in this situation. "I cannot believe you thought yourself capable of usurping the throne of Las Noches. You stand before me ready to die. You have absolutely no conviction which means that all that you did and are is a resounding failure. I can't tell you how disappointed I am to have had someone like you by my side."

Shikitsuhiko's caustic words would likely burn away Lagos' defenses. If he was truly someone she cared about then all that he has said would bore deep in her soul. He was regretting all that he shared with her. He felt more betrayed than he expected. Based on Lagos' comments she, too, did not anticipate imposing such a strong sense of betrayal upon him. This was likely more insulting for him. She claimed to care about him, which he easily dismissed, and yet she could not predict that such actions would have resulted in his reaction? She knew nothing. She knows nothing. 

To make matters worse, she had been planning this for nearly a decade. A decade worth of lies possessed such immeasurable weight in his mind. It was a betrayal of stellar magnitude. Unfortunately for Lagos, the more Shikitsuhiko thought about it the angrier he became. "Is there anyone else?!" He asked forcefully. "If so, I demand their names and location now!" 

[Lagos Oscuras]

As Shikihitsuko raised his fist to slam into her face, it connected, but her head made a jerk to the left but as he pushed her with his palm, she did not move. She stood and only made a slight shift backwards, not being pushed back into the wall as Shikihitsuko had expected. He spoke to her, telling her that she was lying. He had told her that she had only done what she had for her own benefit. About how she thought she could usurp the throne of Las Noches with this organized covert group. Lagos found that he had completely misinterpreted her motives. She was going to say something...until she heard that he was utterly disappointed to ever have her at her side. However, now began a change in Lagos as well. She went dull for a moment as if trying to comprehend those words that Shikihitsuko told her. Then, he asked if there were any others.

“No...only I remain. Though no matter what you may feel about what I told you, I guarantee you that this was for no benefit other than yours. These men were all meant to be yours. In case the so called king...throws us away as tools.” Lagos stood with a bruised cheek before she spoke again. “Do...do you really mean what you say? That you are so disgusted to have ever met me, that you wish you had never had me by your side?” She seemed crushed, hurt in her eyes before she looked again at the death around her. ‘All of this was for you. It never was for me.’  She didn’t seem too talkative anymore as those eyes were dull.

“I never meant...to anger you. If you will not punish me with death, will you give me forgiveness? Or was my ‘treachery’ so great...that you find no heart to grant me this. These men...all dead around you. You really do hurt me so master Shikihitsuko.” She felt a conglomerate of negative emotions that she couldn’t even begin to comprehend as she felt achish, nauseous, and far worse than any of Shikihitsuko’s poison gases. It was a stupid question she asked, and she knew that Shikihitsuko usually gave no second chances to those that in his eyes betrayed him. Why did she ask? Because she was sure there was no other being in all of the three worlds that was closer to Shikihitsuko than she was.

She could feel the negative emotion emanating from him, and at this moment she felt utter sadness for him. It was then she realized...that maybe she was wrong? He served under the Shinigami King for his own reasons...and building a force, a contingency, against said king was as if she was doing it against her own master. Shikihitsuko knew her to be the kind of woman that was prideful and likely never to bow down on her own volition to a Shinigami. However, if he asked her to, would she be able to? Would she be able to swallow her animosity to bow down to a king who was not even Hollow? She thought about this now as she looked at him, more serious than she ever had been in her whole life. He said he just wanted her to be loyal. She swallowed her spit...and her mouth then felt incredibly dry. "Was...I wrong?" She thought out loud as she began to sweat. 

[Shikitsuhiko Isayama]

This was unprecedented. He had been able to control his emotions with near perfection until now. Until Lagos offered up her nonsensical madness. Like a film on rewind, he searched his memories and little by little uncovered clues to to her imperfections. The answers began to surface from unlikely sources, but it offered a context for all of this. He couldn't help but wonder where he went wrong. No. This wasn't his fault. This was her fault. She was foolish. Naive. Insolent. Childish. Traitorous! This cannot be tolerated. The anger began to build within his body in a manner unlike anything he had felt in decades. 

"You petulant brat!" He shouted before releasing the full force of his spiritual pressure. His power raged, swirling around the inside of the cave. The walls, floors, and ceiling shook as he exerted his powerful spiritual pressure upon Lagos. "You betray Las Noches, beg for death, and then have the audacity to speak to me as if we are equals? Your faith is poorly placed in whatever sense of compassion you believe I have for you." He said scoldingly He couldn't believe she would try and use their relationship as justification for her actions. In his mind it truly sullied whatever they had. He did not see this as caring, he viewed it as naive manipulation. She was weak-willed and ignorant. She attempted to achieve something that outweighed her given strengths. 

To make matters worse, he was now keenly aware of her deficits. She was truly without insight and clouded by petty emotions. She believed her emotions could justify her actions, but such a wager proved she truly did not know Shikitsuhiko at all. "Your actions have proven that you do not deserve to be my Fraccion, for which you are now stripped of the title! Your actions prove that your loyalty lies elsewhere! Your actions prove," he began to shout louder, "that you are incapable of understanding the gravity of your crimes! I couldn't care less why you committed treason I merely care that you did. Your inability to understand that is evidence enough that you no longer belong within Las Noches."

His rage was profound, like nothing Lagos had ever experienced. Even she was never privy to such rage, to the same rage and contempt he felt when he was blinded by those Shinigami. The same rage he felt when separated from his companions. "You were incredibly wrong, Lagos. So much so that you could not predict just how isolated of a choice this would prove to be! I," He said with unwavering conviction," Shikitsuhiko Isayama, Cuarta Espada, subject of Lord Kouhai, banish you from Las Noches. The punishment must fit the crime, but sometimes the punishment must extend the suffering. You are to leave Las Noches and never return. We will never see one another again. Rather, pray we never meet again, Lagos Oscuras, otherwise it'll prove to be the last thing you do. Now get out of my sight. You disgust me."

[Lagos Oscuras]

He was getting angrier and angrier as she heard him yell out, releasing his spiritual pressure over the area. However, she stood there, looking as the ceiling of this encampment began to quake from its power. He was looking at everything in the wrong way. However, as he began to speak of her not deserving to be his Fraccion, even going as far as to say she was banished from Las Noches, she was absolutely flabbergasted at this betrayal from her master. "I disgust you...and you'd rather never see me again?" Those words rang through her as she clenched her fist as hard as she could. "Fine then. I am no longer your servant. Despite my loyalty, I now realize that you are nothing but a dog...a slave to the Shinigami King! It hurts me so, but then I am off! I had thought you would have realized all I had done was for the betterment of you. The betterment of our race as Hollow! I now know I was wrong. I have not given up hope on you yet Shikihitsuko Isayama. For I never...forget a debt."

Unclenching her hand, she opened a crack within existence as a dark passage opened...and she began to sink within its depths, staring with cold eyes filled with a sense of regret, sorrow, loss, pain, and a variety of other negativity. She felt utterly betrayed...but she didn't cry right here. She still loved him. It was just that he was blinded by this sense of loyalty to Sonken Kouhai. He saw him as a king and called her a liar, a deceiver, and a manipulator. If that was what he thought, so be it! Slowly the sealing began to shut as she looked at Shikihitsuko's visage one last time. It would likely be a long time before she saw him again, if ever. The dark cave shut as Shikihitsuko was isolated within the former holding of Los Ojos. The eyes were no more except for Lagos herself. However, she would return one day. This was for certain she knew. Someday, she would return with greater reflection.

However, as for now, she felt very empty. Devoid of purpose, lost, disgusted, and hurt. Now alone within the environment of the dark passageway which would either lead her to the human world or the world of Soul Society, she stood, shaking as her eyes flooded. "RAAAAAAAAGH! FUCK!" She released a primal scream of rage as she wanted to destroy everything. WHY HAD SHIKIHITSUKO BETRAYED HER?! WHY HAD HE BANISHED HER OFF?! Appearing in the wilderness of the spiritually rich soul society, she began to beat tree after tree, causing them to collapse with ease as she was angered. Why, one could say that she was outraged. More angry than she had ever been in her existence. She would return. Return and confront him someday! SOMETIME! This she swore...even if it was the last thing she would ever do. However, not now. For now, she needed to rampage.