Welcome To The Masquerade

[Zeich Yajuu]

A faint smile, echoing in the depths of his mind… it resonated across all three paths, eyes watching even as the future stretched before the two of them, the possibilities cast across the canvas of time. An amused voice spoke not to the man’s mind, but to his heart, each word resonating like a taut line strummed within him.

[smear:#ffd700]This one told you… you are not the master of your own fate. You made that choice already.[/smear:#ffd700]

---

Sleep Eternal, O Dreamer

Aevus would easily be able to leave Umbra behind, making his decision to rejoin Lumina, to save his beloved Zanpaktou Spirit from the fate that had been dealt to her. In spite of the Inner Hollow’s claims that the wolf he knew was but a dream, was a fading facade revealing the creature that truly lay beneath, he chose instead to reject that reality and raced to his companion’s side. A soft sigh could be heard behind him, yet Umbra made no attempt to pursuit, no effort to stop him; instead, if he glanced back, Aevus would see the Hollow merely standing there, the thread that bound them together tangled among her fingers, being twisted with each motion of her hand.

The space seemed to stretch on indefinitely as Aevus raced along the thread of moonlight, the ephemeral link to an increasingly distant-seeming spirit. Each step strained his body as he threw himself into immense speeds far beyond that which any physical form could handle safely, and he quickly drew upon the physical limits of his body. The slightest misstep would cause his ankles to snap, the strain on his legs would tear muscle, and every ounce of his body would be in agony for all the force he pushed into it.

And yet, somehow Aevus felt lighter, as though he were stepping away from the physical limits of his body. Each step, while landing with bone-grinding pain, would also feel as though he were barely touching the ground. The wind that had whipped at his face seemed gentler, more faint. Perhaps this was the weight of his decision, now lifted from his shoulders; without the burden that came with such a heavy choice, such lightness could simply be peace of mind, an acceptance of the choice made. Whatever the reason, though each step brought pain to his body, he still felt light as air, and more so with each passing moment.

And then… there she was. Lumina. Her silhouette was so faint, wispy like morning mist. The wolf lay on her side, breathing softly, her very existence seeming fragile, delicate. Aevus could see through her, could barely discern her from the dark mist that permeated the Inner World. Only the thread that connected them, the loose length of it trailing into the distance behind Aevus before coming back to end at one of Lumina’s paws, helped locate her amidst the darkness. But she was there. Whether or not she was truly the dream that Umbra claimed her to be, a false phantom that existed to mask the true inhabitant of Aevus’s soul, she was there.

“...Aevus...” Her voice was as faint as her image, the sound a bare whisper in Aevus’s ears, but it was there. Just as she was. She was there. She was there.

“...Why...” A shallow touch of sound, a breath on the wind. “Why… are you… fading…?

Such an odd question, yet one that was readily answered. A glance at his hands, at his body, would tell Aevus exactly what Lumina meant; his own form was faded, ghostly, much in the sense that hers was. The only part of him that retained any solidity was the hand that Umbra’s string had attached itself to, and even that hand was halfway faded, with only the space from the knuckles to the fingertips retaining any of their solidity. The red thread faded in the distance, stretched across infinitesimal space, unraveled just as his own existence had been. In his haste, in his desire to dive into the dream, he had undone himself, leaving naught but a frail frame of the Shinigami that had once existed. This was the decision he had made, one that would cost him dearly.

Was it worth it?

---

Fate Defied, Life Denied

[smear:#ffd700]“This one supposes, dear hunter, that this one was mistaken: it seems there is a fate left for you to choose.”[/smear:#ffd700]

Blades ripped through the air, tearing into the body of the Hollow that stood before Aevus. Umbra didn’t even attempt to move, didn’t attempt to avoid the blades that skewered her from multiple angles. Blood ran freely from the deep wounds as each entered and emerged from her body, crimson staining her tattered form and pooling on the ground beneath her. The blood seemed almost black across the midnight scenery. Yet despite her grievous, obviously fatal wounds, Umbra just stood there, letting her life ebb away, her expression almost wistful as she gazed at a particular sword, lodged directly through her chest and out the lower half of her back.

The furious assault that followed, several more slashes, more phantom blades, all of it; Umbra took these without flinching, more wounds tearing apart her body, her limbs growing limp, her face a mask of crimson blood. Aevus’s assault was more than overkill, enough to kill any being several times over with the sheer amount of offense he had displayed over those few moments. Yet she stood there, broken, ripped apart, and utterly helpless… and gave a sigh, and a sad, pitying smile. Her one good eye, the other ruined by a slash of a phantom’s deadly blade, seemed to express a patronizing sympathy for the Shinigami that had struck her so gravely.

At least she had not cut him with her Zanpakuto.

[smear:#ffd700]...False.[/smear:#ffd700]

Agony would rip through Aevus as his own body began to mirror Umbra’s, his belief in his ability to defy her Mark of Fate proven to be false. Impalement wounds split his body open as readily as if he had been shot clean through, and severe gashes opened up and parted flesh and muscle where each of his slashes had landed. That faith that he had not been struck was his downfall, and had cost him his life. How? When? The Hollow had truly never cut him with the sword she had previously held. That Zanpaktou had never struck him, had never cut him. Indeed, the only harm that had been done to him were through her own bare hands, where she could have placed a mark that could be burned away with his own Reiatsu, and the strings that had dug deeply enough into his skin to leave a myriad of blood-soaked trenches within it.

[smear:#ffd700]Do you not see it now, dear hunter? Fate comes in many forms, and not only in the blade you shaped in your mind and heart...~[/smear:#ffd700]

Those strings. Those threads of fate. While the sword had existed, had Umbra somehow manipulated his power even more than he had thought? Had it taken on a form that still served as his Zanpaktou, and yet did not maintain the image he had painted of it? A deadly hubris had overcome him in assuming that he knew everything about his own power to control fate. An assumption that he knew more than the creature that served as the conduit to his power, that his impression was the only one that existed. In truth, he had been cut by his Zanpaktou many times, and had not once healed a wound made by them. He had not been able to sever fate’s threads so easily, and in turn, fate had taken him.

Umbra had spoken true: he had been given one last fate to choose, and he had done so: annihilation for both of them, especially once his Secernere severed not one, but two lives’ threads, intertwined and intermingled.

---

[smear:#ffd700]Awaken to Reality; A Bargain Struck[/smear:#ffd700]

The die was cast, and the decision was made. Aevus reached up and, with his own two hands, severed the link between himself and Lumina. The thread flapped in an unseen wind before seemingly reeling back out of sight, snapping into the distance. With its departure, so too did a sense of presence seem to disappear. His choice made, Aevus had condemned the dream to end. The moon had set, and would never rise again in the depths of his soul.

Yet, as though the despair that now shrouded him had touched her, Umbra leaned down, and wrapped her arms around Aevus’s form. Her touch was soft, and her grip firm despite their assorted injuries. One hand gently stroked down his back, as though in reassurance, while the other simply held him close, as if to offer him a shoulder to cry on. It was almost painfully insulting, to be treated with such overwhelming pity in his moment of weakness, in the sorrow of loss and the burden of such a dark decision. And yet, surprisingly, Aevus could feel through the bond that connected them that there was a surprising truth to it. Though her victory was at hand, Umbra could not help but resonate with the soul she was so deeply entwined with. Pride and satisfaction were tinged with light hints of pity, sorrow not that a person was suffering from a loss, but sorrow that her host was suffering, as if his sorrow was a dark mark that reflected on her. It was a compassion of pity towards one owned, not one loved.

[smear:#ffd700]“Dear hunter, dry your tears. You have chosen as fate dictated you must, following a path that was set out for you. By whom or by what agency does not matter: this is your fate, and one you must bear along with your decision. Embrace it, and raise your eyes to this one’s, for now, we must speak of the future, of our new fate.”[/smear:#ffd700]

[smear:#ffd700]“It is time, hunter, to discuss the terms of our co-existence going forward from now on. For this one did not lie, and has no designs to claim your life as her own. No, for it is as this one stated: we shall be together in completion, not domination. Are you ready to hear, dear hunter~?”[/smear:#ffd700]

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

[smear:#ffd700]Awaken to Reality; A Bargain Struck[/smear:ffe34d]

Three potential paths laid before the Shinigami. Yet in the end he could only take one. In one he had become unraveled, a frail mist-like apparition. In it he had seen Lumina. He had reached her, but only after breaking himself. He could still feel the phantom pain surge through him, even now as he stood in that pale darkness. Like moonlight through mist, his wolven spirit was faded yet luminous. Her silver eyes searched his tired ones. Worry, fear, and confusion had flooded that moonlit gaze. He had reached her in the end. Yes... he had.

Yet he couldn’t save her.

A hollowness sheltered itself inside him, when he had seen those wolven ears droop. In that path he knew they had both become imprisoned in that darkly realm. There was nothing more he could do. In reaching her, he had allowed the Hollow free reign over his body. She could do as she wished now, tearing into the world as she pleased. Lumina wouldn't have wanted that. A prisoner she was not. She was a moonlit eyed Spirit who yearned for freedom. Wishing to feel the sun touch her furs, she was a free soul. That is what she was. To cage her, to condemn her to a prison was the ultimate defeat.

The tears that streamed down his face, hid nothing as he gave into them. Aevus felt the pain of that fate far more cruelly, than the one where he died fighting. He underestimated the Hollow in those moments. She hadn’t even fought back against him... She had allowed him to carve into her freely. So he did, holding nothing back. And in doing so, he drove himself to death in that potentiality. Part of him wanted to take that path. Only to free himself from what came next. And well he almost did, yet he hesitated. Lumina wouldn't have wanted him to die. It would have been a pointless death; a selfish death.

So he would live for her.

Whatever came next he would face it, he would live. He felt the severance of those paths as he cut but a single thread. Silvery white, interwoven with strands of moonlight itself. Lumina would fade alone in that darkened world. Fated to fade without him to greet her and no sunrise to warm her. Why couldn’t there have been another way? He asked himself. There had to be another way. Something he overlooked somehow. He had to have overlooked something. Thoughts of Lumina filled his mind and of another path. One where they escaped this cruel fate.

It was a nice dream.

He could see it now past teary eyes. They were sitting atop a hill, overlooking the skyline of his inner world. Cold blue eyes drew against the horizon. The sun was slowly rising, chasing away the darkness, stretching the shadows thin, and laying an eternal night to rest. He felt Lumina at his side, snuggling against him. He looked down to see her in human form, resting her head comfortably against his shoulder. He welcomed her warmth like the coming sun. Gently, he moved a few silver strands of hair away from her face. She sighed faintly from his touch, shifting in turn.

Lumina met his gaze shortly, perking her lips into a smile. Her silver eyes, two moons, glistening in the coming day. It was as if an ice thawed in that cold gaze of his from just a look, and a stray smile drew across his face in turn. She was beautiful, her pale naked form was warmly glowing, silhouetted against the orange touch of the sunlight. She'd shift once more, nuzzling against him shortly, before falling asleep in his arms. He could hear her faint breaths, and feel her heart beat in unison with his own. Aevus looked back to the horizon to see those stray rays of light overtake the land. Day had finally come to that perpetual twilight of his inner world. Resting his head against her own. A feeling of triumph and a longing for rest filled him, as he too closed his eyes to that worlds first dawn.

It was a nice dream, a lovely dream, but that is all it was.

Aevus opened his eyes to darkness. He was on his knees as he felt Umbra’s touch, and yet he didn’t chase her away.  Part of him wanted to turn away, to leave that golden gaze, as he looked into them with eyes still red from tears. They held all the same. He nearly buckled as he rose to his sandaled feet, and yet he held his Zanpakuto still tightly knit between curled fingers. It took all his strength not to fall now. No, he couldn’t fall.  “I’ll hear you out, Umbra." His voice darkened past a whisper.  “But know, I would have chosen another path," His silver eyes would fade to tired blues as his Bankai faded."If only she could have been free."

[Zeich Yajuu]

With that acceptance, and the release of the thread that bound Aevus to Lumina, the connection between master and spirit faded into the distance, seeming to disperse into the dark mist. It left the two of them alone, host and occupant. The world was nothing but darkness, an empty void that existed for but the two of them, and in a way it was almost a reflection of the emptiness that Aevus felt within him, having made his choice. His heart was heavy, his soul crushed by the weight of his decision, yet he had made his choice, even though he did not accept the result of it. Yet he would have to live with that weight forever, the burden of knowing that he had chosen to cast off his former Zanpaktou spirit in order to live. He had left her to fade into the darkness, to be consumed and lost forever. He would never fulfill his promise to let her see the sun rise again.

What would Lumina have thought of his selfish decision, one in which he chose to live? Was it that he chose to honor her life, to make something out of himself even though it cost the wolf her own existence and spared that of the Hollow? Or was it that he simply wanted to live, was too terrified to die despite knowing that he would be taking Umbra down to the grave with him, saving the world from her possible ravages in the future? Would Lumina forgive him for living where he could not, and sparing the being that cost the spirit her life and very existence in the end? That was up to Aevus to decide, and though only he knew where his future lay, it was likely that his decision would leave a dark scar upon his soul for all time.

Umbra released him as he spoke, and stepped back away from him, letting the Shinigami stand. No, with this acceptance, he was a Shinigami no more. Aevus had agreed to make a pact with his Inner Hollow, and in doing so, had chosen to take a power that was anathema to Soul Society. Much like the golden-eyed Vizard who had helped him to descend into his Inner World in an attempt to save Lumina and free himself from the shackles of his dark fate, Aevus, too, could no longer return to Soul Society. The power that had awakened within him, the power that he would no longer be able to conceal or destroy, would never be hidden from the eyes of the Shinigami who ruled over that realm. In making this choice, in accepting the symbiosis, he had effectively exiled himself, marking Aevus as an outcast and a criminal.

But none of that would matter to Umbra, who had won this encounter, and claimed her prize in the form of a cooperative existence with Aevus. No longer would she be bound deep within the man’s soul, only escaping from time to time to wreak her nature upon the world. No, now the choice was hers, and control was in her grasp. Yet she did not lie when she said she did not choose domination, instead preferring cooperation; the latter required less struggle and, the more that guilt at his own acceptance gnawed away at Aevus’s resistance, the less it would take to claim more and more control, to take their cooperation and turn it in her favor. But that was a concern for far, far in the future. For now, she had snared the hunter in her own trap, one that would bind him with the threads of his own making.

[smear:#ffd700]“Dear hunter, fear not; this one shall grant you all the power you have previously held, a charitable act to allow one’s dear host to remain strong. You shall not struggle to hold fate in your hands any longer, so long as relations between us remain… agreeable~”[/smear:#ffd700] A self-satisfied smile seemed to cross her lips as Umbra allowed Aevus to acknowledge their relationship: so long as they were cordial, and he had not acted in a way that would earn her ire, the Inner Hollow would allow Aevus full access to his Zanpaktou’s powers without any issue. The moment that he angered her, however, it was doubtless that she would restrain his power, and would have to be negotiated with in order to get it back. This put her in a position of power in their relationship, right way.

[smear:#ffd700]“Finally, this one will also grant you one additional boon, dear hunter~”[/smear:#ffd700] Holding up both hands, Umbra released her threads of fate again, letting them curve and weave among one another. A solid shape began to take form, with black and cyan swirling into whorls of color, and before long, a human-sized mask floated between her fingers, seeming like solid bone despite the threads that had come together to form it. It looked like a fox’s visage—fitting, given the Hollow’s nature—covered in cyan markings around the eyes and forehead. Aevus would know, without a doubt, that this mask would fit his face perfectly. It was made for him, woven into existence from the fate that Umbra had planned for him.

[smear:#ffd700]“This one grants you a boon of power, one that will guide your hand as you move towards the future. With this mask, dear hunter, we shall become one. Our strength will combine when you wear it, and you will gain true power beyond that of any Shinigami. You will only be able to use its power in short bursts, but as we grow closer, so too will your ability to maintain our bond. Maybe, one day, it will last forever...~”[/smear:#ffd700] That smile became even brighter, a contrast to Aevus’s dark mood and the shadows that engulfed them both. Slowly the Hollow raised the mask up, and settled it over Aevus’s face, letting it rest there, floating in place. [smear:#ffd700]“However...~”[/smear:#ffd700]

As the mask settled in place, Aevus was aware of a rush of Reiatsu, of spiritual energy pouring through his body. He would feel invigorated, empowered; his body would overflow with strength. As promised, the mask had indeed given him great power, the power of a Shinigami’s soul merged with a Hollow’s power. Yet as that energy infused him, his awareness became… distant. Unfocused. He felt himself sinking deeper into his own mind, and to what might be his horror, he would watch his hand rise up, completely of its own volition. The fingers would flex, as if being tested, and any attempt to move his hand himself would show the former Shinigami that he had no control over the limb. In fact, Aevus would find that he had no control at all, that he somehow sat at the back and watched as his body acted on his own.

[smear:#ffd700]“For our co-existence to work, dear hunter, you must grant this one some time to live, just as this one grants you your own freedom and existence.”[/smear:#ffd700] The words came from Aevus’s mouth, and in Aevus’s voice, albeit with a tone that was more suited to Umbra. [smear:#ffd700]”Should you call upon this one’s power, and don your mask, this one will be the one in control of the body. It is only fair that in our symbiosis, we both have time to live—yours shall be when unmasked, and mine shall be when you call upon this power. Thus you will decide when each of us has our turn at life, and this one hopes you choose fairly… else this one might have to rescind the offer to share in the future~”[/smear:#ffd700]

[smear:#ffd700]“And now, our pact sealed, our conditions met, you may awaken, dear hunter. Do not worry about your body, in the real world—it has been healed, and you will be whole when you awaken. Give my regards to the golden-eyed gentleman who sent you into my waiting arms and helped you to awaken from your slumber. The two of us shall speak again, hopefully very soon~”[/smear:#ffd700]

And with that, Aevus would wake.

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

Long silvered strands of hair once lengthened by his Bankai burst away into the darkness, revealing Aevus's regular black hairs. The Shinigami’s tired blue gaze trailed distantly to that moonlit thread as its light trickled and faded, like the remnants of his Bankai. Slowly returning to Umbra he would listen almost absently, as if he were somewhere else. If only he could be. If only he could sink into the cold ground and be swallowed away. But no, this was the path he decided. He had decided this. He didn't know where it would lead him, and well at the moment he didn't care. He just wanted to rest.

As his Inner Hollow spoke of allowing him to wield the power he once had, Aevus felt an emptiness in his heart. What did that power even mean to him anymore? What would he wield it for? If not for Lumina. If not for Soul Society. Then was it just for himself? Or was it for Umbra? That was a tough question to answer. Yet again he didn't know, and like before he didn’t really seem to care. It was as if he felt nothing during that time. Aevus's eyes narrowed, flickering faintly from a strange power as Umbra materialized that Hollow mask through threads of fate.

This had been the second time he had seen it. But this time, he had a better look. It was a curious darkly thing, with cyan markings. Reminiscent of a fox, very much like the Hollow before him. Yet unlike your average hollow, this one was black as the void. As if the bone was rotten, not unlike a decaying tooth. The Hollow spoke of it as a boon, that his power would be beyond any Shinigami. Did that account for the Captain Commander as well? Albeit traitorous he wondered, if only briefly.

Yet as she placed the mask he realized the cost. It felt almost like falling or perhaps sinking into the darkly depths of himself. It was an invasive thing, as his body moved on its own. And next her words had become his own, spilling forth from his lips. Umbra was speaking through him. The cost of her power was giving her control. A frightening realization. It was such a strange thing. Aevus should have hated this, he should have despised the price. Giving up his freedom, should of been a curse to the man.

And yet as he felt her darkly Reiatsu caress him. It soothed him strangely enough. It was almost as if her thoughts had flooded into him, quickly becoming his own. Perhaps it was the red thread of fate connecting the two. Or perhaps it was something else altogether. Regardless of reason, he frighteningly welcomed that relinquish of control. It made him feel something other than guilt, if only for a time. And with that, Aevus would awaken. Not as a Shinigami but a Vizard.

Zeich would see a flicker of black recede from Aevus’s tired eyes as he opened them to his apartment. He was clearly exhausted as he sat up on the sofa. His movements were sluggish and pathetic for someone of his rank. He would begin to scan the room, as if looking for someone. It wasn’t desperation that moved him to look. No, it was repetition. Something he had done, everytime he had woken before. He knew it was pointless and yet he looked all the same. Knowing the truth didn’t stop him from hurting though. She wasn’t there, she was truly gone.

Yet in the Wolf’s place the Fox now rested. Aevus could sense Umbra yearning to materialize, like Lumina had before her. Hollow eyes, paraded his thoughts, delicately tip toeing. Though she stayed her hand, for reasons unknown to him. Regardless it was a moment of respite. Aevus would slowly lift his head to meet the blind man’s clouded gaze. “We came to an agreement.” His words were subtle yet the blind Rogue would more than likely understand what he had meant by them. His eyes slowly faltered with his next words. “In doing so, I wasn’t able to save her. No, I wasn’t strong enough to save Lumina.” His voice broke.

He allowed himself to feel that shame. He embraced it as it washed over him. ”You were right. Part of me knew all along that i’d lose her one day. I knew it was coming, yet I fought against it all the same. I had to try for her, I couldn’t just leave her to that fate." His voice darkened with his next words. "I didn’t know it’d feel this way though. It feels... It almost feels like a piece of me has been torn away.” And in truth he knew he was right. He had severed her himself. Severed the only piece of his soul that whole heartily loved him. He would peer down at his trembling hands as he spoke. “I’m sorry if my words aren’t the ones you expected. No, no i'm not hollow... But I might as well be."

He'd pause for moment sighing to himself. ”Yet regardless I feel I should thank you, for being honest with me." Looking back up he would attempt to smile. It was feigned clearly fake and he could barely hold it. And well to a blind man it was pointless, yet he held it all the same. "I don’t even know you, nor do I know your name. Yet you helped me all the same. So, Thank you.” Lumina had hated the lies she had seen in that feigned smile of his. And in truth so had he. With the coming silence, his smile would fade. And all Zeich would be left with looking back at him, were those tired defeated eyes of a newly awakened Vizard.

[Zeich Yajuu]

Standing vigil was not a task Zeich was unaccustomed to, but for once, there was a sense of tension to it. Normally the Vizard would take such opportunities to start laying out scenarios, planning for unexpected changes, mentally cataloging every bit of information on the subject he was watching. His ability to keep calm was extraordinary, and gave him an advantage when it came to having a clear head for his missions. Today, however, he could not find that same semblance of calm, could not claim his usual tranquil mindset. Despite the gaze locked onto his subject of study, the former Shinigami’s mind was aflutter, thoughts scattering rather than building into cohesive order.

Of course, it was only natural to be nervous: this was his first time aiding another Vizard-to-be. Zeich remembered his own struggle to claim control over Tsukikage, and how the Vizards who hid within Karakura had forced him into his own battle. He had tried to reproduce that encounter, down to the fail-safe that would kill Aevus should the man fail to subdue his Inner Hollow, but his mind kept running over every step. Had he properly connected the Vice-Captain to the deepest parts of his spirit to engage in combat with the creature that claimed dominion over his soul? Were Zeich’s countermeasures effective? Just how powerful was a Hollow-claimed body? At his own ordeal, there had been several Vizards present to end his life should it become necessary. Was he so sure that he could do it alone, if it came to that?

I doubt you could plan for that one, ‘Master.’ Tsukikage’s sharp tone cut through the mire of Zeich’s thoughts, focusing his attention for a brief moment. Our relationship is simple, a clash of dominance that is natural to Hollows. We fight to grow stronger, to evolve, to consume; in this way, the two of us maintain a balance of strength and dominance. But this boy’s Hollow is… different.

...Different?

Do you not feel his spirit where you linked my power to his Hollow? Focus on it, feel it, and tell me what you think.

Zeich did as he was bid, curious now. Though his eyes were sightless, he closed them anyway as a means of assuming a relaxed pose. He let his shoulders slump, his body relax, and cast his mind out. He could feel faint threads of Reiatsu that connected Tsukikage’s own Hollow nature to Aevus’s, a bridge of the faintest strands that served as a guidepost into the depths of the soul… and a lifeline for the one who rose from the shadows. The Vizard let himself slide along those threads, and soon he could feel Aevus’s soul, the balance of it and the strength of the Hollow inside of it. And what he found drew a sharp breath of surprise from Zeich, a rare break in his calm.

What he felt there wasn’t a clash or a battle—what Zeich sensed in Aevus’s soul was an assimilation, a merging. Like water being soaked into a sponge, Aevus’s soul was growing more and more inundated with Hollow energy. Yet it wasn’t overriding, or even overlapping; it was as though the two were mixing, becoming something different. With color as a metaphor, the man’s soul was mixing red and blue to make purple. Yet even then, it was a reddish purple, like wine seeping into his very being. Was it a sign that the Inner Hollow was winning? Zeich felt his body tense, felt himself reaching for his Zanpaktou’s power. He could end it right here, right now; a simple thought would send blades of ash skewering Aevus’s internals, killing him painlessly while he was too deep in his soul to sense the physical.

No. He wanted to give Aevus a chance to claim his own future. Taking a deep breath, Zeich withdrew his senses from the other’s spirit, slowly calming himself. Tsukikage. What was that? I expected something more indicative of a battle, but that was… I’m not sure what. A merging?

As I said, that one’s a tricky one. She’s not your standard Hollow. I got a hint of her nature when you sent the boy into the fox’s den, and it’s not the same as mine by a long shot. I conquer by force, but she corrupts and devours from the inside. I rip and tear, but she waits. Of the two of us… she’s more terrifying in her complexity, though she would be comparatively frail in combat. Do not underestimate that creature.

Was that a sign that we should step in, then? Zeich’s curiosity was roused now.

Dunno. Up to you if you want to rip out his guts, but I can’t say if either is winning. They’re too much alike, too close; I can’t discern the status of their clash. I’d play it safe and tear him apart now; better a dead innocent than a ruthless survivor.

It was strange, hearing Tsukikage remain so calm about the situation. Worse, it was sound logic, albeit cold, and it was logic that Zeich might have considered in the past as a Shinigami: mitigate risk at the cost of a small casualty, to ensure that a larger calamity did not come from it. On the scales of objective logic, one life was far from valuable when weighed against infinitely more. But Zeich had changed since those days, had become appreciative of each individual life and what it meant to each person; he could not so easily dismiss a death, could not sacrifice carelessly. In a last resort situation, perhaps, but he would not so casually discard another being any longer. In conquering his Inner Hollow and finding his own hope and desire to live, Zeich had opened his eyes and discovered what it truly meant to appreciate life, at the cost of losing sight of it.

So no, Zeich would not so casually strike down Aevus as a safety measure; he would wait, and act only when he knew there was no other option. Thus he resumed his vigil, yet now his focus was wholly on observing the status of Aevus’s soul. His mind was clear once more, and he watched patiently, waiting for a sign that either had won control in the end. An hour passed, and another; time slowly passed, and Zeich felt the minutes dragging. His own battle had been only a short time, minutes at most, yet to him it had felt as though he had been in a struggle with Tsukikage for hours on end. Perhaps time flowed differently within the soul depending on the nature of the struggle? He had no way of knowing.

Suddenly, the Vizard felt a rush of spiritual energy flood outwards, a burst of power beyond that which he would have expected Aevus to wield, even outside of his weakened state. The sword that had been plunged into the Vice Captain’s body suddenly shattered under the oppressive force, leaving the wound bared and immediately staining his clothing red with his blood. Yet before Zeich could react to try and seal the injury and prevent further blood loss, it just… stopped.

Master…! Haiiro’s alert came with a flood of mental images, presenting the scene to Zeich despite his lack of sight. The flow of crimson from Aevus’s injury had suddenly halted, and before Haiiro’s eyes, the injury began to knit itself closed. Pale flesh, like that of a Hollow’s, closed over the opening and completely sealed it, merging with the skin around it. All that was left was a scar-like mass around Aevus’s middle, but Zeich was not sure that he was looking at scar tissue, nor was he feeling confident about the Vice Captain’s final state. Was this a sign that the Hollow had won…?

Aevus’s eyes opened, and Zeich was sent a hint of black sclera staring back at him. With a flash of alert, the Vizard drew his ash into a new blade, prepared to plunge it into the man’s chest without hesitation. Yet even as he reacted, the black faded away, and truly human eyes lowered their gaze from the ceiling to rest on Zeich, undoubtedly meeting the Vizard’s blind gaze. The former Shinigami hesitated, still unsure which way Aevus’s battle had ended. Only the exhaustion in the Vice Captain’s motions, slow and unsteady, suggested that perhaps the battle had been won after all. Aevus’s gaze roaming the room was a second sign, and in a flash of insight, Zeich knew what the man was looking for.

Master... Haiiro’s voice was almost soulful, sorrow dripping from his words.

...I know. Zeich had to struggle to contain the flood of empathy that had burst in his chest, knowing all too well what Aevus was dealing with. After all, Haiiro had seen Lumina fade from existence, disappearing like mist burnt away by the sunlight. Both of them had guessed that at some point, Aevus had lost his Zanpaktou Spirit. The sorrow evident in his body language confirmed that.

“We came to an agreement.” For some reason, those words sent a chill down Zeich’s spine, and he remembered Tsukikage’s words. She corrupts and devours from the inside… she waits. Aevus and his Inner Hollow had come to some sort of contract, but who did it favor? How did it function? Zeich kept his blade at ready; there was no guarantee that Aevus wouldn’t turn on him in the next few minutes. What if the Hollow had agreed to lend Aevus her power at the cost of his obedience? Would he lash out in vengeance for his lost Zanpaktou Spirit? Would he act to harm others at the whim of the baleful creature within? Zeich was on full alert, ready to strike the moment that he sensed a change in the Vice Captain.

The words that followed did little to ease Zeich’s worries, until one particular line: “I’m sorry if my words aren’t the ones you expected. No, no I’m not hollow… but I might as well be.” Those words struck another chord with the Vizard, and finally, he lowered his blade, letting the weapon dissolve into ash. Taking a calming breath, he strode across to Aevus and placed a gloved hand on the man’s shoulder, gripping it firmly. It was a sign of sympathy, and his eyes conveyed understanding. Zeich knew what Aevus was feeling, understood that emptiness and the sorrow of loss, and his gaze conveyed that, even behind the mask.

With his free hand, Zeich finally pulled away the bone mask he displayed to all as a means of hiding his identity. For the first time in a while, the Vizard revealed his true face to another being. Aevus would no doubt recognize it, given his previous position, but Zeich spoke anyway. “My name is Zeich Yajuu, former Third Seat of Squad 7, now considered MIA. As a Vizard myself who has grappled with the same problem you did, I could not leave you to suffer, nor could I abandon you to the fate that had been laid before you. Do not thank me, however, for you may regret choosing life as much as you feared death; the life of a Vizard is that of persecution and hiding from Soul Society. You will have to find yourself a new purpose here, a reason to live, and that in itself may be a struggle.”

Giving Aevus’s shoulder one more firm squeeze, Zeich released the man and strode a few steps away. Take the time to figure out what you want to do from now on, Aevus. Determine who you want to be, what you wish to do. And when you do… seek me out. I’ll teach you how to use this new power you’ve obtained, will help you find a place in this world. It’s the least I can do for another former Shinigami.” His tone became colder, more stern. “But know that you are no longer a Shinigami. You can never go back to that life. Today, Aevus, you have left that behind.

“Starting now, Aevus… you are a Vizard.”

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

Past those cold tired eyes Haiiro would perhaps spot the signs of recollection. Zeich... Aevus recognized that name almost immediately. He had heard of the man. He had seen his file on multiple occasions. In fact he had almost seen every single file in soul society. Drawing Captains, Vice Captains and even third to fifth seats entire files to memory. As Onmitsukido, it was his job to be the hidden dagger, in case one of them decided to step out of line. Not only that, some part of him knew that this day was coming. Knowledge was power, and Aevus knew that. And that, that is why he had failed today.

He should have felt some comfort in knowing he wasn’t alone. And yet as he looked to Haiiro, he felt a tinge of jealousy crawl up his spine. Yes, Zeich had lost one of his dear Spirits, but he wasn’t alone. No, not really. With that thought Aevus felt something brush him. As if a bushy tail had coiled around his waist. Yet no, Umbra wasn’t there. But he still felt her presence all the same. Aevus would look up once more to Zeich as he spoke those last words. Vizard... A Shinigami who had gained Hollow powers. One of the ultimate taboos in all of Soul Society.

He would be hunted now. Hunted by his own. Aevus sighed. He knew that, he knew this day was coming but that didn’t make it any easier for the man. Again, he just wanted to rest. To sink into himself once again. Yet, he was awake and he had work to do. “ I know who you are, well at least I recognize the name from reading your file.” Aevus would rise from his seat, attempting to show some strength in his state. “And well you should probably know who I am as well. I’m the Vice Captain of the Onmitsukido..." Aevus paused. “-Well I suppose it’s former Vice Captain now.”

”I think, I think I’ll take some time to rest before I'm ready for what comes next.” He said grimly yet with honest resolve, curling his hands into fists. ”Iv’e thought of this outcome for some time now. Knowing that I'd become what I've hunted for so long, and I've planned some of this out. I should have no problem keeping away from the prying eyes of Central. My Captain thinks I'm on a mission, hunting down former Shinigami from squad 2. They foolishly became scarce when their Captain was executed for treason, thinking they’d escape.”

When nobody really does... Aevus's eyes would shift to a window. ”So they wont know for some time. And maybe if I'm lucky, they’ll believe I've been killed by one of my marks." His voice grew dark at those last words. “I’m not sure how long I'll be gone. I have a Gigai, thanks to my former Captain, Okami. So i’ll be able to blend in with regular humans easy enough. Might have to change my name if I stay in this city though.” Aevus would look back towards the blind Vizard. "I hate to ask, but could you help me find a place to lay low? I don’t necessarily have much knowledge when it comes to finding my own place in this world. But I should be able to handle myself otherwise. And I know you know, but you’ve risked a lot compromising your identify to me. And don’t worry, I’ll be sure to keep your secret.”

[Zeich Yajuu]

Aevus’s words were slow, dripping with sorrow, exhaustion, and emptiness. Zeich recognized the tone, and understood all too well just what the man was going through. There was so much to cope with, so many changes to a life that would have been orderly and neat beforehand. Shinigami lived for hundreds of years, and eventually everything settled into routine. It was not uncommon for them to repeat the same standard cycle day in, day out. Aevus’s whole world had been turned upside down, and he had effectively been exiled from the one life he had known. Creating a new life and a new focus for himself would be the first major challenge he faced.

And, of course, there was the pain of loss. Zeich still remembered to this day how it felt to lose Polaris, even years later. That void was not one easily filled, but he had somehow found the means to cope; though he still felt the loss, the Vizard could also move forward despite it. That would be another lesson that Aevus would have to learn. Both would be difficult. Zeich had only managed to move forward thanks in part to his previous mindset as a soldier; he had a duty to fulfill, even if he was no longer part of Soul Society. He served in a role on Uzaki Enterprises’ staff, purifying Hollows where they could not in order to maintain the balance between worlds. Keeping busy helped keep him on-track with his life.

Uzaki would likely be a good starting point. Zeich thought as he considered the future. Having a former Omnitsukido member would be very useful in any matters that require stealth, and in general having another Shinigami on staff to help with purifications would be of use. Of course, it would be up to Aevus if he wanted to join another faction, even if that one would be aligned with Soul Society in their goals, but at least it was somewhere to start. Plus, there were other benefits that came with a well-paying job that might help the former Vice-Captain start getting back on his feet.

“I have a few contacts I can get in touch with, and might be able to arrange for an apartment for you. In the meantime, you’re welcome to stay here—it might be safer for me to be nearby until we’ve ensured you have full control over your new power.” Pulling out the cellphone that was standard issue for all employees of Uzaki Enterprises, Zeich sent off a message of inquiry towards the accounting office to see if there were any company-owned complexes nearby for employees, followed by a second to Kazura, indicating that he had a potential new recruit for their company, should he be approved, and that a proper hiring form would be filled out in the near future. Once both messages were sent off, Zeich turned back to Aevus.

“We’ll see what the future holds, but for now, let’s focus on making sure you’re not a threat to yourself or those around you.” Zeich’s tone was business now, and the Vizard was focused on the task at hand. “If you’d like to take some time to rest and recover from your inner clash, you’re welcome to. When you’re ready, I’d like to start with basic Vizard training – teaching you how to call forth your Hollow’s power, as well as how to seal it away. Additionally, I’ll teach you how to further suppress your spiritual energy; as an Omnitsukido member, I’m sure you already know how to hide yourself normally, but I’ll teach you how to suppress the Hollow side of your energy from anyone who’s not specifically looking for it.”

[☾ Aevus | Umbra ☽]

“—it might be safer for me to be nearby until we’ve ensured you have full control over your new power.We’ll see what the future holds, but for now, let’s focus on making sure you’re not a threat to yourself or those around you.”

So... he doesn’t trust me. That was Aevus’s first thought upon hearing those words. And who could blame him? Aevus certainly didn’t. He understood that wariness all too well. For all Zeich knew he could of been lying, and of course the blind Vizard had no idea what sort of agreement he had made with his Hollow. Not even Aevus completely understood what that faustian bargain entailed. No... that was something he would learn in time. That he would have to learn in time. And as Zeich spoke of teaching him to use that power Aevus would internally sigh to himself. The newly born Vizard did want rest but he also wanted some time alone.

“I think, I’ll take you up on that offer. Staying here I mean. Well at least for the time being.” The last thing Aevus wanted was to be a burden. “If...” Aevus hesitated looking to the door. “—If it isn’t any trouble, could you leave the door unlocked or perhaps a window? I promise to be back, I just... I just need to get some air to clear my head.” For a moment the former Shinigami wondered if Zeich would actually let him leave if he wanted. Even though he was blind, he felt that clouded visage watching over him, nearly caging him in place.

With that exchange over, Aevus would leave the apartment. Somehow it felt wrong leaving on his own, and part of him paused as if waiting for his Wolven Spirit to catch up. An elongated sigh left parted lips, and from that realization he strode off into the night. As he walked down the street he felt the cold air of winter bite at his exposed skin. Curling his hands into fists in turn, he noted the cut on his palm from earlier had miraculously healed. Which didn't make sense, because he had only received it from that deserter hours ago. A strange sensation drew over him, as the kind words of his Spirit paraded into his mind.

You mustn’t guilt yourself over this. That one made his choice. He sealed his fate, the moment he ran from the home, he swore to protect.

Her words now dug deep. And now they sheltered a different meaning altogether. They were certainly different circumstances. And yet he felt no worse than that deserter he had killed. The darkly clad man sighed once more revealing his breath to the nights cold elements. In his stride he became illuminated from the passing headlights of cars. As they spread the shadows thin, and a blinding light drew across his tired gaze. Only to shortly leave his blue eyes in darkness once more. He was but a shadow, a ghost walking amongst the living. Nobody on the street noticed him, and yet that loneliness wasn’t enough.

In truth, he sought true solitude. Where not even the eyes of the living could see through his night drenched silhouette. Clumsily stepping atop the air, Aevus found himself in the sky. Seeking forth a lone tower that stood ever vigilant against the darkened horizon of a clouded sky. Distant lights from sky scrapers danced in his visage as he scaled the airground. A cool wind sifted through darkly hair as he embraced the cold night. And yet he barely felt the brushing embrace of winter. Even as he reached new heights, over the rooftops of Karukura.

No, his mind was elsewhere. In an inner world of perpetual twilight. Where two moons stood stagnant against an aurora filled horizon. Spilling forth meandering lights of various hue in a lonely world, where moonlit eyes once shown. It was a frozen forest now. The cyanic pond where his Spirit once stood, now sheltered an unthawing ice, he had only seen once before. For a spell he thought he had sensed a presence and yet neither Zanpakuto Spirit nor Hollow resided there. Only the faint spiritual residue of both remained. Though the Hollow's was much stronger.

With a blink of an eye, he was back again. His tired blue eyes distantly trailing to the city below. He’d curl into himself, resting his chin against a knee. Sitting against the backdrop of that living world. Where one lone full moon stood ever so brilliantly in the sky before him. He sensed the faint traces of darkly Reiatsu well before the softly placed foot steps. Which silently sounded on the cold ground behind him. [smear:ffd700]“A rather lonesome, yet beautiful sight—”[/smear:ffe34d] A familiar voice chimed, melodically ringing into his inner ear. He didn’t jolt upon hearing her voice, and resumed staring at that full moon. Nor did the man turn as he felt her bushy tail ever so faintly brush against him.

[smear:ffd700]"—Do you not agree, dear Hunter~?”[/smear:ffe34d] It was with that, the lithely Vixen of a Hollow came into his peripheral. “You took your time, i’m surprised you didn’t show yourself sooner." Aevus spoke coldly ignoring her question. “I thought you yearned for your freedom?” Instead he asked his own. She eyed the former Shinigami with curious golden eyes, before walking out with graceful steps onto the open air, her hands behind her bare back. [smear:ffd700]“Oh time? Curious, ever so curious. What is time to one who has known nothing but patience?”[/smear:ffe34d] She asked as she tiptoed delicately on the airground, as if testing the waters of that sky.

Standing before him beautifully silhouetted against the full moon, she sheltered his tired gaze with the piercing golden eyes of a predator. Yet for a split second there seemed to be fondness in those hollow eyes. [smear:00FFFF]“This one in truth, has yearned for this night—"[/smear:ffe34d] A familiar voice like silverly bells caused Aevus’s eyes to widen in turn. She held herself amidst the glow of that somber light. Her preyful gaze befell to that looming moon, as if in thought. [smear:ffd700]“And what a night it is.~”[/smear:ffe34d] Her regular tone had returned, and with that he finally looked at her.

She resembled the same feminine creature he knew. Possessing a naked voluptuous form, lithely and pale. A beautiful face, with seductive golden eyes faintly covered by long sheen ravenette hairs. Black tufted ears poked from those dark hairs. And a bushy tail, rested gently at her side. Yet at the tip of that black tail now sheltered silvered furs. As if they had been dipped in moonlight itself. Umbra tilted her head inquisitively, following Aevus’s gaze as they stemmed to the tip of her tail. [smear:ffd700]“Such curious eyes, you have Hunter~”[/smear:ffe34d] She wrapped her hand around her tail delicately as if grasping the stem of a flower. Those haunting golden eyes fluttered faintly as she coyly brought it to her face. Almost as if hiding a blush.

[smear:ffd700]“A Fox and her dear Hunter, coursing betwixt the moonlight of a wintry night~”[/smear:ffe34d] she cooed shortly before letting out a giggle. Aevus’s tired gaze was unwavering. “There will be no hunt." Aevus’s voice rose, his tired eyes narrowing. “Do what you want; have your freedom, but leave me out of it.” Instead of a frown Umbra smiled with those words. [smear:ffd700]“Perhaps not this night~” [/smear:ffe34d] She shifted her tail allowing it to whip against the cold air, until resting to her side once more. That smile widened, revealing glistening white teeth. [smear:ffd700]“For tied are we Hunter. Our fates intertwined, even separated as we are.~”[/smear:ffe34d]

She let those words hang. And in truth he felt it. Like Lumina before her, even if ever so faint a portion of Umbra still resided within his soul. She inched closer to him. [smear:ffd700]"But call upon my name when you so desire, You need only whisper softly~ ” [/smear:ffe34d] She eyed the man as if waiting for him to reply, though he never did. Instead Aevus rose to his sandaled feet staring coldly down into those golden eyes. [smear:ffd700]“Have your rest now Hunter~ But be wary of that Ashen Wolf. Along with the Shadow that resides within his soul."[/smear:ffe34d] With that warning she faced away from him, her tail shifting gently between her legs. [smear:ffd700]"Farewell for now dear Hunter.~” [/smear:ffe34d] And with those words she left his tired gaze with a single Shunpo. Leaving the man with nothing but that lone moon for company.

It was with that the former Shinigami would settle himself against the brick of that building. Eyeing that moon until it settled away into the horizon. Replaced with a sun that marked a new day. Aevus’s tired gaze would falter, as tears streamed down his cheeks. And with that the man would finally and utterly let into his heart. Alone he would cry himself to rest, amidst the orangish light of a lone dawn. A familiar dream took him. The pattering sound of a vixen shifting beneath the underbrush of his inner world. The look of golden eyes searching his forlorn gaze with keen interest. That very gaze would flutter open as the former Shinigami awakened to middays light. Aevus blinked and would sigh solemnly to himself. His body ached in all kinds of places as he stared towards that darkening horizon.

As he stared towards that horizon a dark thought crept into his mind. Was this it? Was this gonna be his routine? Spending his days just feeling sorry for himself? He could see himself getting lost in it. The chaos that stemmed from tearing his soul asunder. Of allowing Umbra to roam free. Let her have her freedom... Irritable Aevus would return to Zeich’s apartment, clothes disheveled and hair unkempt. Judging from his smell it would be clear that the man had slept outside. Upon being greeted Aevus would look to Zeich, his arms resting to his side. "I know I said I needed rest, but..." He did. He knew he needed it, and yet still... His hands would curl into fists. His tired blue eyes would narrow upon that clouded pair. “I’m ready as I'll ever be.” He wasn’t ready. And yet, he needed the distraction. And he knew, if he didn't do this today. He never would.

[Deleted]

I've no clue what to treat an Inner Hollow fight as, so we're gonna go ahead n' call it it a PvP for sake of ease!

147 paragraphs counted for Aevus, so that'll be 3,675 TP!

132 paragraphs counted for Zeich, so that'll be 3,300 TP!

Given circumstances, we're not gonna include a winner's bonus, but worst case scenario we can tack that on post-grading if need be ^-^