Deck the Asylum Halls with Screams [DP/E, R]

[Alicia Maine]

PENALTY! Virgo. Moving onto next poster, Asmo. Has until thursday, April 26th.

BEGIN!

[Valentin Acciai]

a chuckle escaped the hollow at Yetsuna's words, he didn't expect her to play along with his tomfoolery but he sure did return fire as he cheerily sighed at the end of his chuckling ''Well you wouldn't know would you? this mask is but a farce as i remember myself being quite the handsome chap! mayhaps once i evolve i might let you have a peek. But only if you promise that you won't, and i repeat won't swoon over me. I need that insurrance, damn i used to look fine~'' Valentin bragged as he had handed over the girl to her but after that he did quiet down to hear the girls tale and his guess seemed to have been answered although that wasn't much information to go on other than there being some big bad in the area.

In hindsight he regretted wasting so much reiatsu disposing of the mooks earlier as he could well enough dispose of them with his sword but the cries of a girl had a tendency to make him do foolish things when memories of regret compelled him to act. But no longer in such a rush his senses had returned and with the girl in Yetsuna's arms be backed off to give the two some space, a monster peeking over her shoulder did not belong so he stood a few meters apart and kept an eye out for any more trouble from the hallway he had turned to splinters and fresh outside air. That was of course, until he heard the unnerving shriek no doubt belonging to the creature the girl had described.

It worried Valentin quite a bit how everything began shaking and shifting at the distant creature's movements but as fortune had it the building held for the most part despite his aid in weakening it as pieces of loosened rubble fell here and there, turning to Yetsuna he wasted no time with the words that followed ''Take the girl somewhere safe, i'll check up on whatever that was, sounds hollow though.'' and with that Valentin would run off towards the direction of the noise and chaos to see, well that hideous abomination of a creature. With so many limbs sticking out of it part of him wanted to launch another Cero to burn it out of existence.

But after his first misadventure Valentin was more than aware what a second big hole in the foundations of the building might look like, firstly swizz cheese followed by the crashing endgame of jenga! surprisingly that was something hollow like him enjoyed quite a lot. Jenga might as well have been the hollow national sport with how simple and efficient it was to pass the time, some hollow with a bit of finesse and craftsmanship even making jenga pieces out of hollow masks and bones when there were none of human world wood available. Being such hulking monstrosities some of the most enthusiastic players broke the pieces quite often so it was necessary to have trustworthy jenga smiths, or crafters of boardgames in general, humans really didn't take into account the size issues of invisible soul eating monsters.

But yes back to sensible thought! spotting what he had been looking for the next order of business was quite simple, taunt the thing from above like the cocky bastard he was. ''HEEEY~ UGLY! keep it down would ya? some of us are trying to nap here so GIT! shove off you hideous work of modern ''art!'' you're offending my eyes for Christs sake.'' Granted he'd expect a reaction from the beast, most likely in the form of trying to turn the Adjuchas into wet paste. But keen to keep his distance as he had no idea what to expect of the creature at the slightest sign of danger heading his way Valentin would quickly try to glide into the Valley of Screams using an Ulcera and reappear as great a distance as possible behind the creature as he would unleash a barrage containing all 10 of his dagger sized tail spikes blasted out at the creature in the spray of a shotgun blast at 600 Speed to test the waters, ready to flee into a second Ulcera if need be while giving a brief nod to any present allies if they could be called such.

-75 Ulcera

1550/2000 Reiatsu

[Izanami Midorikawa]

This creature that pulled itself up from beneath the tree at first looked and felt different than anything else that Nami had sensed prior, but now as it continued to devour and merge with the shadow like entities that kept on appearing from the walks mainly she felt it. The sensation of its reiatsu was something that she had become accustomed to over the last year. This was a Hollow. It was definitely of decent strength as well more than likely around her own level of ability if not surpassing her which meant one major thing. She'd have to kill it now before it could keep gathering more and get stronger.

Nami was already holding her Fullbring in her right hand however it hadn't been fully released yet which was changed right now as she focused her reiatsu. In the next moment her reiatsu spiked while the air around her became dry. Her Fullbring was awake now. Watching as the Hollow morphed further she saw the rib cage like part of its body begin to move towards her in an attack and knew she'd have to counter. Keeping her right arm steady Nami concentrated on her Fullbring and the soul of the air around her.

In the following moment as the Hollow's attack came towards her Nami swung her Fullbring to the side a moment early giving the Hollow the believe that she had mistimed her attack. In the following instance though just as the attack were almost reach her everything around her up to five feet in distance was suddenly slashed. The ribs that had been rushing her in a manner similar to spears would be slashed apart by the air that had wrapped around her Fullbring so long as the Hollow's offensive strength was inferior to Nami's. In the moment that followed Nami would begin to move backwards only to turn and run towards the burned hallway while listening behind her for the movement of the Hollow.

Shakunetsu no Netsu no Kami: 1/10

Remaining Reiatsu: 2100/2700
Eriasōdo: {-200}
Fullbring: {-200}

SPOILER: Click to show

{Technique Used}
Technique Name: Eriasōdo エリアソード
Class: 3
Technique Type: Other
Usable By: Fullbringers
Technique Element: Wind

Technique Description and Effects: This technique is one that requires the user to keep their weapon of choice completely still for a moment. Now the reason that the weapon can't be moved is because the Fullbringer in question using this technique must be channeling their reiatsu and the soul of the air near them onto their weapon. Once this is done the technique can actually be executed by swinging their weapon.

It's at this point that the technique actually would be recognized as such by onlookers as suddenly the ground around the user in all directions gets pushed back by a gust of wind. This is the first part of the technique which acts in a defensive manner. The air that was channeled along with the reiatsu is pushed off from the weapon in every direction around the user aside from above. This knocks everything within the reach of the weapon backwards with a force equal to 50% of the users Reiatsu Strength.

However, a master of this technique can release the pent up reiatsu and air differently. What's different is that the air upon usage is shaped like the weapon that it wrapped around while being channeled. This enables the user of this technique to cut anything around them up to the full length of their weapon with an offensive strength equal to their Reiatsu Strength. It's virtually impossible to tell which is being used due to the execution of the technique appearing the same.

How to use technique: The user of this technique needs to keep their weapon completely still while channeling their reiatsu and the soul of the air onto their weapon. At which point the weapon is then swung.

Technique Drawbacks: Costs 200 reiatsu per usage. Each time this technique is used it places a rather large amount of stress on the arm that is holding the weapon.

[Deleted]

Something was going on. Luke had already come to that conclusion, but this time he had realized that the situation inside of the facility had more than likely taken a turn for the worse. Just what had those ghouls been? It was obvious to him that they were spirits but the question was what had happened to them to give them those forms? Why were they lacking their individual Chains of Fate? Didn’t not having them mean that they were supposed to be Hollows? Maybe these spirits were some sort of undiscovered half stage between Spirit and Hollow that was only now being discovered. Or maybe something else entirely was going on. He clenched his teeth as he moved, heading down the hall and towards “Observation and Medical.”

But he had to stop. His feet came to a halt when he saw the shambling form of the unknown ghouls ahead of him. Were these more that had emerged from the walls or had this been the part of the group he had faced that had travelled off on their own? ”Tch.” Luke clicked his tongue, running through his options as he looked ahead at the creatures. Something was going on, and it had all started when that scream had penetrated through the soundless halls of the asylum. From what Luke noticed, it seemed that those things were avoiding the front of the asylum. Something was running around the place, that was for sure. But Luke decided to avoid confronting it for now. His priority right now was finding the hostages, not playing monster hunter.

But there was something he had noticed. As Luke continued forward he came across the Garden section. He paused, stopping and looking into it as he felt the reiatsu seeping forward. Three of the shamblers were here as well, waltzing towards the source of whatever this was. The room that Luke stepped into was massive. A brick path lay at his feet, trailing through a room that no doubt once housed and grew a variety of plants to calm and relax the patients and staff. Everything in here was dead as well. Without any water or care everything had ended up wilting and dying. But Luke’s attention was focused on the forty something foot tree in the center of the room. It looked just as dead as everything around it, with long skeleton like arms reaching out with no leaves to cover it.

But what had taken ahold of his attention was the fact the base of the tree was uprooted. Steam was rising from the hole, and reiatsu seemed to be leaking from it as well. Did whatever Luke hear minutes ago come from here? He noticed a control panel near the ruined tree, as well as a room behind it that looked to have lost its door at some point. His eyes drifted back and forth to the three ghouls sharing the room with him. He could use Schatten again...but he needed to conserve his reiatsu. He had no idea what else was waiting for him after all. So how was he going to deal with this?

”I got dis. I’ll even do a flip.” Luke suddenly and, unexpectedly, heard in his head. Though the room had a sunroof, now that it had grown dark the shadows of night had spread across the room everywhere. Luke would suddenly watch as, from behind one of the ghouls, the shadowy structure of Jäger rose up. Like a cobra rising form its resting position, Jäger was posed to strike. He lunged with his right arm, hands ending in sword like claws, and aimed to stab the spectre through the chest. He’d sink back down into the shadows and if the other two became aware of what was going on, would work to pick the other two off in a similar manner rather quickly. The ghouls were so much weaker than Jäger in everyway that the Doll didn’t have any issue with stabbing them in the back. Their strengths might be similar, but Jäger still came out on top in that field. He was still faster, quicker witted, and had much sharper claws.

”What are you doing here?” Luke asked, throwing a angry glare at the shadowy mass as he patted his hands as if trying to clean them. ”Eh? What do you mean?” Jäger asked, tilting his head before submerging down into the shadows a bit. ”I told you to go look upstairs. So what are you doing here?” Luke asked again, irritation growing. The Doll looked up at Luke for a few moments before sheepishly scratching his head. ”I got scared..”

”....eh?”

”I got scared.... I didn’t want to go looking around by myself.....so when you started walking I came back…” the Doll confessed, his voice practically a mumble. Luke could tell Jäger was embarrassed confessing that, a surprise to be sure. Luke had to remember that Jäger wasn’t as brave as Luke thought he was. It made sense that a Doll who snuck around and attacked people from behind wouldn’t be very brave. Luke sighed. He wasn’t happy that Jäger ignored his order but he could also appreciate the situation. Part of him was glad that Jäger was by his side, it would make things a lot easier going forward. ”Alright then. Come on.” Luke replied, walking forward once again towards the hole that the tree had hidden. Just what was at the bottom?

[Alicia Maine]

The Watchdog howled. The arms that it possessed, which reached out for Nami were repelled back. Six arms pushed back and away from the Shinigami woman to result in it's blood hungry howl. It snarled and hissed with it's lesser heads, knocking back the pillars that kept the lobby still as it thrashed about. A single head kept it's eyes onto the Shinigami. For what ever she had done did what it was suppose to do, yet, it did not relent. As the body thrashed back, the single head stretched out with it's coiled vertebrate. The Hollow recovered from the back lash of the unknown wind, yet with those pair of trained eyes two of the six arms went rampant towards the Shinigami. Stuffing the small narrow hall with tendril like arms, talons expanding outwards to snap at the Shinigami's rear. Quite fortunately, the hall was deep and lengthy. For the Hollow to reach further it would have to push its body into the hall in order to reach the woman. Despite it's advantage in speed, it wouldn't be enough to catch the fleeing-gami. However, there was another.

Nami would come to find herself back in the garden, which Luke resided, and that of the newly made hole. But as for Valentin, he would come to find himself a bit unfortunate. Only thanks to the earlier push back from Nami did it's attention split for the moment as the five heads began to recover. Each one spread across the curb of it's own collar bone, expanding it's own field of vision. One arm swiped from down below, missing the vanishing Hollow through the slip space that he had created. As soon as Valentin re-emerged from his Ulcera, the little Hollow would come to find that testing the waters with that of a much more larger Hollow would be as dangerous as first thought. Shots fired, taking them into the back spine of the larger Adjuchas. But, what would come as a result of it was the spikes being swallowed into the bone mass of Watchdog.

Before his very eyes the bone spikes were being devoured, sucked into the paleness that was Watchdog's body. Hurt yes, the wounds remained of where they were stuck, but no longer did the spikes remain. Instead, what came forth was that of another head, adding onto what already existed. Seven heads in total, with only four of them gazing at the small Valentin. Was this the ability that the Hollow possessed? Just as Valentin's desire to grow through consumption, so did desire fill Watchdog. Within a moment, two heads shot out towards Valentin. Speed much greater than that of his own. Normally, this would be difficult to see coming if the giant Hollow did not need to adjust itself to face Valentin. He definitely had it's attention, even if split. On the other end, or rather it's left side, another arm was added to the pair reaching into the hall. Claws whisking back and forth to pull the small pathway open, all the while the massive bony rear fluidly poured itself into the small opening.

Almost as if a snake whipping itself tail first, Watchdog did the same. Among the two, it was obvious which would provide the more appealing appetite for the Hollow to grow. Soon, it too would be into the Garden giving chase.

---

Musky, dry, and humid. What resided down here was profound and dank. The muffling cries of dozens of humans heard all around. Separated, or other wise kept together based on their characteristics and abilities. Here, the reiatsu was strong and ever flowing. What was felt moments before above ground was definitely different from what was felt down below. Cages, individual cell units that rounded the rounded catwalks for three levels decorated the walls. Each one lining the other before reaching the bottom level. It was here that Luke would come to find those who were described in the missing case files. Backpackers, adventurers, young adult students, contractors, Shinigami, Quincy, and a few medical personnel, each person that was missing was located here.

Hungry, and drained, many of these individuals were malnourished and dehydrated. Those among the Shinigami lost much of their natural muscle mass. The remaining Quincies weakened. What were suppose to be full nurtured bodies were now at a loss. Their reiatsu had been drained from them. With every step taken, the colors around became more apparent. Stains of dried red liquid stained the walls and floors. The interior of the cells had the same stains as well. Everything around was marked and labeled with red. Easily chipped, just as the people were easily frightened. The only noise that was louder than their whimpering were those down a single corridor. Cries of pain and agony. Only a single cry before another erupted so suddenly. A woman's cry echoed before being joined with that of a new born. Down the long twenty foot corridor, three reiatsu signatures resided, with two parting away from the scene farther away from the other. It was only moments that the two reiatsus separated.

Yet, the one left behind was.......familiar. Was Luke going to approach this familiarity, or help those within the cells first. For it wouldn't be long before Watchdog broke through the hallway into the Garden. Not long before Nami leading it back to it's cavern. Which of the options would Luke choose to follow, and if Nami followed the Bount, what would her course of action be of?

[Valentin Acciai]

Just as planned earlier he went for the second Ulcera and vanished to avoid the two heads that bolted for him, a lucky thing that he was prepared since he hadn't expected that sort of speed from the messy being. ''ergh, gross...'' the Adjuchas muttered about the development of the situation as the creature grew another appendage from the absorbed spikes while he materialized back up at the stairs and looking down at it in multiple ways whilst hoping he was out of range. Valentin didn't exactly have the right to judge it as he too was primarily focused on the art of growing back that which was lost but it wasn't so much the creature's ability to absorb mass and expand using them but rather how shit it was at aesthetics.

If Valentin desired to he could turn himself into a tentacle monster simply by thinking of squids and anime girls and from it spawning several new limbs of his choosing but something like that he considered a horrible waste of his reiatsu supplies and wholly disgusting to look at. He had a head, a torso, two arms, two legs and a tail all following the shape of a human, except for the tale. So for a hollow he looked damn good with his carapace armour lending him the look of a white knight, in the meanwhile the hostile creature was a flipping mess of redundant limbs and wasteful flesh! You only ever grew seven heads if you wanted to dare someone to play target practice with your face/s and the sheer load of multitasking the creature must be going through to manouver properly with all those limbs, worse still which head the limbs were supposed to take orders from.

This annoyed the prideful hollow greatly, the being in front of him was wholly unworthy of existing in his eyes as he looked upon it as nothing more than a semi-sentient cancer that wanted more live tissue to corrupt the cells of and spread. The throught, while he was annoyed still managed to amuse him ''You're cancer, you're literally cancer!'' he said snickering as he went right on with test two which was simple enough of a plan. The creature hadn't shown of the ability to heal, only to grow so to Valentin it made the most sense to hit it with something that lacked edible mass.

His focus aimed to the newly grown head the Adjuchas was quite insistent on not allowing the creature any time to think up any nasty ideas about capturing him and harvesting an endless amount of organic material from Valentin's limitless ability to regenerate as long as he was able to recover reiatsu... he doubted it was smart enough to do that but it still had him act in pure contempt of the creature as he quite literally spat a bala towards the creature's torso attempting to slam it to the ground with the power of his attack to allow the others more breathing room while he remained a distance away partially for his own safety and partially to see how the creature would respond to reiatsu attacks.

-75 Ulcera
-50 Bala
1425/2000

SPOILER: Click to show

{Bala}
Technique Name: [Bala] (Bullet)

Class: [6] [Cannot be learned until class 6]

Technique Type: [Hollow Technique]

Technique Element: [None]

Technique Description and Effects:

A straightforward and simple technique that hardens the user's Reiatsu and releases it like a swift blast of spiritual energy. While the technique is not nearly as powerful as a Cero, its speed is 20 times faster and allows for it to be fired in quick repetition. The orb of reiatsu fired varies in size and strength, some Arrancar creating one the size of a basketball with the rough power of a massive punch, and others creating Bala with enough power to blast holes in adversaries. Some Espada can create Bala as large and powerful as an average Arrancar's Cero.

How to use technique:

The user must first aim and then fire the technique, as is custom of any projectile type.

Technique Drawbacks

50 Reiatsu cost.

[Deleted]

I apologize for the delay, Rucha. I was waiting for Asmo, but that ended up stretching into two weeks.

What the fuck was all this? That was the thought that bounced through Luke’s head as, after descending down the hole where the tree had been, he was greeted with the sight of a three leveled prison! Cells lined the walls of the rounded catwalks that descended down too more levels. What’s more, as Luke made his way onto the catwalk he saw who it was kept in those cages. The Bount’s eyes widened when he realized, after seeing one of their faces, that this was where the people who were reported as missing were! But what was even more troublesome was the fact that, amongst them, Luke found Shinigami as well as...Quincy??

Just what the fuck was going on? The Bount was shocked, stunned, confused, and maybe a little bit frightened and angry. Who had done this to them? ”They...don’t look so good.” Luke heard Jager mentally convey, the Doll occupying the shadow at Luke’s feet. But before he could help the first person he could reach, a loud noise broke through the holding area that attracted the Bount’s attention. The cries of a woman, clearly in distress, before the signature wails of a baby replaced then. ”Hey hey hey what was that? Was that a baby?” the Doll asked as Luke stared ahead, down the corridor where the noises were coming from.

But it wasn’t just noise. Luke could sense something down that way too. He could sense three reiatsu signatures, but just as soon as he sensed them two departed from the third. ”What’re we going to do about the people caged up?” Windstarke asked, but was met with silence from his Master. Luke, with a face mixed with fear and disbelief, stared down that corridor as beads of sweat began to form on his skin. ”Jager...get to work getting these cages open. Even if they’re locked your ability will...do its job.” Luke ordered his Doll as he began to stalk towards the corridor.

”Hey, wait, hold on a s-“ Jager began to counter, even merging partially from the shadow, before he was silenced by Luke turning around and throwing a glare at the Doll. A glare that Jager only saw when Luke was in anger. ”O...okay, boss. Got it.” the Doll replied, sheepishly turning towards the nearest cage and, using his claws, cutting the cages to inflect them with his Shadow Object ability.

Luke, focused, began to head down that corridor. He prayed. He was praying to himself that he was mistaken. That what, who, he was sensing was someone else. That it wasn’t that person. It couldn’t have been them. He’d killed them. He was sure he did. What was that babies scream he heard? Who were the other two reiatsu signatures? Grinding his teeth together, Luke felt himself panicking and getting angry. It couldn’t be her.

[Izanami Midorikawa]

Moving through the burned hallway wasn't something that Nami had been planning on doing only a minute or so ago when she had actually utilized her Soul Command technique in order to send the flames from herself down into the corridor. This Hollow was different than the average that Nami often had to eliminate once they entered into Karakura Town in search of something to devour. She had just had to utilize perhaps her most powerful technique in order to simply manage to keep herself form being inflicted a potentially lethal blow. She could hear the sound of the Hollow moving towards her and saw the long extending limbs move passed her.

It was obvious that this creature was going to try and enclose around her in order to prevent her movements. Hopping up off the floor Nami turned in mid air to see the form of this Hollow as it continued to reach for her. This was a good chance to utilize the same technique that she had used previously in order to scorch the Hollow while it sent it's limbs down the corridor. Actually utilizing that technique again though Nami knew wasn't the smartest of choices. If she did then she risked causing massive damage to her own throat which could prevent her from speaking or utilizing any technique that required her mouth.

So instead of relying on the technique to send a torrent of flames down the corridor Nami squeezed her Fullbring tightly while concentrating her reiatsu throughout her palm. As her feet started to move back down towards the surface of the floor Nami would throw her Fullbring down the corridor in a direct line. She had just utilizing the Hurling Assault technique in order to send her Fullbring soaring at the Hollow at a speed of 400 with a force of 300. The distance between them was cutting it a little close, but one hundred feet was definitely still in range. If her Fullbring's blade should manage to penetrate into the flesh of the Hollow even a little than she would be successful.

She hadn't executed Hurling Assault in order to inflict any server damage with her Fullbring's body alone. Instead knowing that the moment her blade managed to sink its hungry form into the dangerous entity trying to devour her she'd gain an advantage. The ability of her Fullbring would cause all of the liquid inside the area of the Hollow that her Fullbring would pierce into to instantly be destroyed leaving that section at least as a husk. Causing extreme pain and causing actual movement of the limbs that were coming towards her to be virtually impossible.

Either way if her Fullbring attack worked or not Nami would touch the floor once again only after just sending her Fullbring flying down the corridor and turning around once again. She could see the limbs now in front of her now coming to try and grab her and as they got near Nami would continue forward sliding down across the floor beneath the large hands. Entering into the garden Nami quickly got back onto her feet. She'd have to kill this Hollow no matter what, but finding the missing people was the biggest priority. Despite all the noise being caused by the Hollow she could hear the sounds of people coming from the hole where the tree had been and decided that this was the most logical place to search now.

Commanding her Fullbring back to her unless the Hollow was grabbing a hold of her Fullbring with Strength more than 300 and wasn't holding the blade itself unless it wanted to experience the liquid of it's body being destroyed even further than her Fullbring would fly back to her at a speed of 400 until after a roughly two seconds passed she'd have it back in her right hand. Jumping down into the hole Nami would see all of the cages. This was obviously the place. If only she had found it sooner. She had been right above them all. She really needed to learn how to sense reiatsu better.

Getting down to the floor level Nami could see what looked like a shadow creature cutting the cages in order to free the captured people. For a moment Nami concentrated her reiatsu in preparation to attack the creature only to realize a moment afterwards that it was a Doll. She might not be the best at sensing reiatsu, but she could sense that and could see what looked like a young man walking further down the tunnel. All of the people were being so loud why though Nami couldn't understand. She picked up on the sound of the infant crying as she began to walk towards the Doll. "We need to make a different exit back to Karakura. The Hollow will be back down here shortly. If you're going to go find the others down further than I'll watch over these ones and begin to get them out of here." Nami spoke loud enough that the Bount boy would be able to hear her yet at the moment was simply standing by his shadow Doll as she began to cut through the cages that the Doll hadn't reached yet.

Shakunetsu no Netsu no Kami: 2/10

Remaining Reiatsu: 2000/2700
Hurling Assault: {-100}

[Alicia Maine]

The Bala smashed against the Watchdog's pale torso, yet to little avail. Against an ever growing Hollow, with a really mean appetite, a small sphere as the Bala striking the large torso would do little but anger the Adjuchas. More or less shoving the beast against the Asylum's interior. A small crack located on the upper rib bare that intersected with the other five. Both heads snapping their jaws out at Valentin. At least relevant up until the sudden jerking motion that ended up hauling the hulking body away and into the bottom level of the stairs. The Hollow Centipeded through the narrow corridor as arms and bone pushed out against the surfaces toward that of the Shinigami. Too big to fit under normal circumstances, but with the sudden change in atmosphere, the lure was too great to pass over. Even that of Nami's rear end could feel the utter series of snapping going on from behind her.

The Hollow was much faster. Skulls in hot pursuit, even as the fullbring made its way through the bone marrow that made the pair up. Down to the would be tail, Watchdog howled and shook violently as the skulls met with the technique's effects. Thus, making the pair useless for the time being for the woman to take the opportunity to enter into the lower labs. There, Nami discovered the same scene that the Bount had to bare witness too. Putrid as much as the Bount had the pleasure of inhaling, what resided beyond the corridor was tad different. Cleaner as an abandoned asylum could possibly ever be. Each step taken only had the bars that held the captives bleed out into the ground by shadows. Every step closer only made the baby's cries vanish into the distance; lost in the void that filled cube like volume behind the double doors. Lights flickering on and off, as if playing off some sort of horror movie.

Time seemed slower here. As the wails of those who were being set free, or of that of the howls from above the hole, the presence that came forth was most definitely stronger. Shaken, but constant. What life that there was from the flow of reiatsu was definitely originating from the lower chambers around them. Reiatsu had been cycling through the air, through the vents, from those who were held against their wills, into the farthest room down the hall. All traces of such life had been guided with an intended purpose. All leading to a small glimmer of light that shined down the pathway in front of the Bount. Shimmering through the narrow gap dead center of the double doors, a soft hymn was heard. One more recognizable to a few, while to others foreign.

"There was a friendly but naivvvee King......

..Who wed a very nasty Queen;

..the King was looveedd but..

...the Queen was....


Beyond the doors, a faint light shimmered in the lap of a pale figure. White and red, that was all that can be seen. Cracking of the bulbs overhead flickered. A small sown doll sitting against a red stained drape. Soiled, dirty, liquid dripped from the table that the stilled figure sat on. An operation table; a hospital gourney. White bed sheets stained with red. Sounds of distant running were replaced with that of the dripping in the small room. White, red dripping, and that of red spheres peeking out of the white bangs that were partially shown through the soft light within the figure's lap. It didn't move, but echoed............"...fearrrreedd." It said so softly, without the gesture of looking up to greet the new income of reiatsu. "So...................... this might be a thing.......after all." Tv monitors littered the back wall of the room. A few filled with blurring static, but others in clear view. One monitor showed the front entrance from an elevated position, while another showed patient living quarters and halls, and another what seemed to be the Staff Offices. Locations clearly may or may not have been visited. Each one visibly seen from where one stood in the room. But more to it than that was the double door located to the right of the monitors.

Better to be careful as red stains covered the floors. Just as the cages and levels were, the room was no different. What appeared to be the culprit of the stains were the empty blood packs scattered about the area. Positive, Negatives, it didn't matter. All of them were opened and emptied. The curves that sat on the gourney were slender, and petite. But there was no mistaking it; this was a woman.

Dirt and remnants of ceiling fell from above the heads of those that dwell in the lower labs. The Hollow above shook the floor that remained beneath it. Its attention drawn toward its own desire to devour. Unable to do so before, now it sought all the souls from the lower labs. Many souls to feed its unrelenting hunger. Stubby bony fingers claw into the garden, ripping out the false setting that resided in its path. All that transpired, civilians, and soldiers from the captured factions began to vacate their prisons; at least a dozen people, including the lone girl that resided up at the second floor. One path already known as two lifeforms were known to escape into, while another resided upstairs past the Hollow. With the objective so clear and in sight, only two exits there are. The decision now resided of which of the two paths to take.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Music Reference]

[Valentin Acciai]

The bala had no effect? well shit that's unfair usually that would have punched a hole straight through folks! what was he supposed to do then? well, it was obvious what he was supposed to do, if the creature was too brain dead to dodge attacks he'd simply blast it with his biggest attack and be done with it, right? yeah that'd probably work he decided. Course, currently the beast was off chasing that shinigami girl so as he stood atop the stairs looking down at them she was sort of in the way wasn't she? that was just a tad bit problematic considering the width of the attack he had in mind, that of course being a second helping of Cero blasting the beast to kingdom come.

After a moment of pondering he did reach a rather casual conclusion though as he muttered a sufficient justification to himself ''Eh, fuck it! it's just another psychopath death reaper waiting to set fire to a city in order to kill a fly.'' yep, he still held something of a grudge after his visit to Soul Society. It was perhaps a tad unfair and he did realize that but he wanted the monster gone before it could harm any further humans and the life of a spiritual being by comparison held little to no value in his eyes, they were dead already anyways. As such he raised his arm, a single digit of his fingers pointing at the creature as the easily identifiable orb of crimson red energy formed mere centimeters from it with a low high pitched buzz.

While his primary focus was to make sure he wouldn't miss his target as he waited for his technique to charge he also kept his eyes open in case he became the creature's new playmate, ready to grab onto and absorb any spiritual technique being hurled at him with his free hand and throw it right back at it with Redirection, or in the case of the creature launching itself towards him, well then he'd just blast it to smithereens with the Cero acting as a close range shotgun while Valentin himself would try to once again vanish by jumping back into an ulcera, he wanted nothing to do with that speed demon! Of course in the case he wasn't attacked at all in close range he'd simply go ahead and blast the bastard as well as the shinigami if she failed to get out of the way by then, sending a ray of destructive energy the size of a truck pounding into the floor to avoid any further serious structural imbalance.

-200 Cero
1225/2000 Reiatsu

SPOILER: Click to show

{Redirection}
Technique Name: [Redirection]

Class: [3, 2, 1] - 7-1.

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

Technique Element: [None] - If any

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

This is a vicious technique used by strong reiatsu beings. This allows the user to grab a hold of reiatsu, cycle the energy through their body, consume it (therefore making it theirs), and then hurl it back. In other words, one can redirect the enemy's reiatsu based attack by catching it and throwing it back either by spin or just catch and throw.

How this works has been stated above. Now, the important thing to recognize is that there are three classes to this technique. The class 3 version can catch reiatsu of any class except class 1+, and redirect it for half cost of the technique. The class 2 version can do the very same, except it layers the user's reiatsu strength on top of the enemy's reiatsu strength for the returned attack. It also uses the full cost. The class 1 version can return any technique regardless of reiatsu strength, and does so with the user's reiatsu strength layered on top of the enemy's. However, it does so for double cost, and does not work on class 0 techniques.

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

Stated above.

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

This will burn the user. It will burn their arms. It will burn their insides a bit. They will cook a little. This will strain their body and reiatsu. It can only be used once per post. It shuts off release if used 3+ times in a released state.

Made by: [Admin]

Reserved?: [No]

[Izanami Midorikawa]

This hidden area was much like a third world prison somewhere else in the Human World than Nami really knew. The citizens that had gone missing for the most part were all here which meant that the Hollow although a strange one hadn't devoured anyone as of yet. That meant there was still a chance that they could all be saved and this Hollow could be eliminated. Nami wasn't sure how to take the fact that her Fullbring hadn't managed to kill it. This was the first time that her Fullbring had failed to kill something after effecting them in a major area. It had to be due to the make up of this Hollow's body which meant one thing. She'd have to cut it in more than just one place rapidly in order to kill it for good.

Now that she was cutting through the cages along with the shadow like Doll of the Joint that was walking further and further away towards the sound of a baby crying, Nami was trying to think of how they could all escape from this place without having to put the citizens in harms way. Finally once the final cage was cut and the last citizens was free. Now it was time to lead them to safety. Nami would have to find safety first though in order to lead them there. "Stay here and guard them. If the Hollow comes down buy them enough time to catch up to me and your master." After she spoke Nami walked after the Bount.

[Deleted]

Thankfully, because of the dim lighting and poor conditions of the prison Jäger wasn’t having much trouble moving around. Normally the Doll was restricted only to the shadows that he had infected, but thanks to the aforementioned poor lightning there was plenty of shadows for him to move around with. Plus, his natural passive ability to make shadows he had infected grow made moving around and connecting to new shadows much easier. Grabbing the bars of the next cell, Jäger let out a grunt of effort before ripping the fucking thing open. ”Oh yeah who’s the man!” Jäger beemed proudly, tossing the cell door behind him to let the shocked and terrified prisoners out. ”No no no don’t be afraid. Come on and get out! We’re staging a prison break!” Jäger explained to try and help calm the people in the cell down before they just nodded and got out.

While Jäger could easily slice the cages open, or just turn the bars into Shadow Objects, he felt like giving his Strength a test and show off a little. He didn’t get to come out often. Luke was a bit of a bitch when it came to summoning his Dolls, after all. ”Okay...just fifty billion to go.” Jäger commented as he looked at the other cells he needed to open that still had people. He was making good progress. But he still couldn’t shake the anxiety he was feeling. The glare that Luke had given him...Jäger knew that he should have gone with Luke.

But suddenly, without warning, Jäger sensed reiatsu and a presence. Quickly turning around, he locked his...well his face because he didn’t have eyes, on the woman who had suddenly shown up. ”Who the fuck are you? What Hollow?” Jäger asked bluntly. Yeah, actually, that was right. Neither Luke or Jäger knew what was going on. They knew something had been running around the asylum, but they had managed to avoid detection by the Hollow or running into it. Or anybody else, for that matter. ”Tpk tpk FINE fuck it if you’re here to help then welcome to Jäger’s fun house of fucking tetanus.” Jäger replied as he sunk into the shadows he was emerging from, only to reappear a bit further down to begin working on freeing the prisoners down there.

Footsteps came to a stop when he finally emerged into the medical room. The stains of blood across the already dirty floor had been noticed, impossible to ignore due to the stench. His shoes came to a crunching stop a good few meters away from the table. His eyes, hidden by shadows cast by the bad lightning, did not display any reaction to what was before him. Instead, he simply stood there, staring into the room with a hidden gaze as everything, bit by bit, was coming together. He saw the monitors behind the bed, showing bits of the asylum that Luke himself recognized from being in there as well. They were being watched.

As dirt fell down atop his head and shoulders, Luke’s gaze was finally seen as amber eyes glared intensely at the woman who lay on that bad. He could feel his right hand twitch, cracking together into a fist before opening back up. Anger, malice, hate, and a powerfully intense bloodlust was emitting from the Bount that stood before the woman. ”So...it was you after all..” Luke commented softly, his voice hiding the bubbling cauldron inside him. He dared not, for now, step further into the room because of all the blood spread about.

Even Windstarke, remaining silent, was keenly aware of what was going on. He shared in his masters anger that was directed at this girl. Even deeper, though, was the other Doll was beginning to bubble to the surface and who possessed a hatred for this woman that was greater than any of the others. ”Luke...I know what you’re thinking right now. But, please, don’t do what you-” Windstarke was trying to warn, but before he could finish his sentence Luke acted.

The Bount suddenly, without any warning, exploded into a cloud of smoke. The cloud rushed at the girl, but without any warning Luke was suddenly on top of her with his hand grabbing onto her throat. The cloud of smoke was slow in catching up to Luke, whose sudden weight threatened to topple the entire table over. The Bount’s hand clutched the girls throat as if to choke her, but oddly enough he didn’t apply that last bit of pressure. He didn’t need to. He had something much more powerful than simply choking her. Something that would kill her if given the opportunity. All it required was him to touch her. All it required was a few seconds of physical contact. A power that he considered dark and evil.

Blutsauger

But he didn’t activate it. It was the equivalent of putting a gun to someone’s head. With her being in the condition she was in...could she even react to him? Could she have even done a single thing to stop him suddenly forcing himself atop her? ”One question...that I will only ask once. Your answer...determines how this ends.” Luke said, almost in venomous whisper, as his grip on her throat inevitably tightened.

”Did you kill them?”

Who he referred to were those that he had fought her over. The Vandenreich Quincy that had deserted. The ones he had been sent to protect and those she had been sent to kill. Those young, stupid, deserters. Luke remembered seeing the report on the news and when it had reached UE. Those three had been found dead. All three in one motel room. When he had learned this he was devastated. The people he had fought to protect, Springflut had become crippled over, had died even after the fight. A question had been left in the back of his head following it. Did they die because I let you live? The Bounts lips peeled back into a teeth baring snarl, as he could barely contain himself at this point. ”Did you kill them?!”

”Eh, what? What Hollow?! What makes you think these people are gonna listen to me??” Jäger shouted when Nami had suddenly decided to fuck off after Luke. With all the cells open, and everyone free from their imprisonments, Jäger was left to either lead them out or sit down and stick a finger up his butt. Did he even have a butt? But as Jäger pondered it, he heard something from the path that he and Luke came in from. Something was trying to force its way down into the prison. ”Ggghhhh...what I wouldn’t give to be Windstarke right now..” the Doll grumbled, before submerging and emerging between the dozen people and the path. ”Alright, listen you nobodies. I know you’re scared and don’t know what the FUCK is going on, but if I say jump you jump you got that? Something’s coming down here to try and get us! But I ain’t gonna let it get to a single one of you! You hear me! Now back the fuck up, give me some breathing room, and stay out of my way! When it comes in here I’ll hold it off and you all get the fuck out by going past it!” Jäger ordered

Luke's Remaining Reiatsu: 3100 / 4000
-50 for Rauch

SPOILER: Click to show

{Rauch}
Technique Name: [Rauch (lit. Smoke)]

Class: [4]

Technique Type (Kido, Hollow/Arrancar Technique, Human World Dweller Technique, Other): [Bount Technique]

Usable By (Technique is available to which races?): [Bount]

Technique Element: [Smoke]

Technique Description and Effects (Explain appearance, powers, and effect): [Insert Below]

After reading through old archives on the Ancient Bount in the Bount Citadel, Jin developed this technique once used by them. This is a general step technique for all Bount to use. Use of this step makes Bount seem more like the vampires of lore. By releasing reiatsu across the body and the feet in preparation for a step, the Bount is able to disappear at 10x their normal speed. The reiatsu gathered around the body before the step will be released as a burst of gray smoke, which conceals the user as they step away at 10x their normal speed. As the Bount moves, the smoke will move with them and further conceal the user while still lagging behind them. This essentially makes it appear as if the user has burst into smoke and disappeared when in actuality they are simply moving too fast to be seen while using the smoke to obscure their movement. Upon reappearing where they intended to move, the user will appear before the smoke catches up to them as if teleported there, meaning that opponents are unable to discern the user’s intended destination by following the smoke. This technique costs 50 reiatsu to use.

How to use technique (How is it activated?): [Insert Below]

Gather reiatsu for a step and release the reiatsu, at the same time causing the reiatsu gathered around the body to form into smoke that conceals their presence.

Technique Drawbacks (Limitations, repercussions for use, etc) (Insert Below)

None other than reiatsu cost.

Made By: Jin Yamada

Reserved? (Yes/No) (Can others use your technique, or just your character?): [No]

Jäger's Remaining Reiatsu: 1900 / 2250

[Alicia Maine]

The Shinigami girl would discover the scene before her, as the man placed his fingers around the bare neck of the pale white woman on the makeshift bed. The only noise that the pair would discover are the hordes of humans fleeing their cages and confinements, out into the dark shallows of the underground labs. Their scurrying and wails heard from even beyond the hallway. But none more apparent than that of the chilled surface of the woman's skin against the Bount's fingers. It was cold, more so than the room. Even that of the girl's already pale complexion was faded than the usual gleam that the Bount saw her as before. Seemingly tired, exhausted, and most of all.....bleeding. From the surface beneath the stomach down to the floor, blood and more blood was spilled. Even as the Shinigami would draw closer, the use of surgical tools were apparently used gathered by the stains along side their edges. The entire scene was very much like that of a scene from Hostel.

As for the pair that entered, there was no challenging them. Both the Bount and the Shinigami remained in the same vicinity of the other even while the man spoke out, seeking the knowledge that only a few would know. An inside joke so to speak. But even as twisted as Luke knew the girl was, it was sad to know that it was a wild goose chase. "Sorry.....wrong lunatic kekekee." the girl cackled. Amused at the fact that people died, and yet she wasn't the cause for it. More apparent, there were others that would carry on the task without the need to entertain themselves. Others who were "more" than herself. Giggling, cackling in the flickering room, the rumbling overhead grew more severe. This time, met with a solid crimson stream of reiatsu that came crashing through the roof, and into the crowd of humans running down below.

What Valentin went about in doing caused the Watchdog to wail as it pried the hole open in the ceiling. Its bony ligaments pressed against the edges of the open gap as the Cero punched through the left rib cage of the beast. With the amount of souls gathered down below, it was hard press to make a decision in which was more satisfying. Its hunger gone rampant, blinding the mind. But the pain that tore through its body made it clearly away of the gnat that came to bar its path. The Hollow roared as it punched through the body and into the floor. The same cry that the humans down below had made. The beam did not only punch through the Hollow, but it did the same to the floor that it was tearing through. A red shine that illuminated the ceiling above them, ripping through the layers of concrete down into the scurrying patrons. And as they were running amok against one another, three humans were consumed in the ray of blinding light.

The woman's gaze fell down past the double doors toward the hallway. Layers of sweat beading away from the woman's bare skin as the single remaining scarlet eye peered at the duo. "Seems like the party..... is getting.......... a bit more exciting.... huh...? It feels more like home now............. Debris began to fall. Dust and rubble of the size of marbles fell from over their heads. The foundation shaken by the rustling about from above. The Hollow was going berserk.

Eyes darted up at the Adjuchas. Teeth and fangs gnashing at the broken parts and limbs. What remained of the melted heads, which that Nami had damaged moments before, were being devoured by the remaining heads. Fractured bone and splintered surfaces, being broken down into raw material. Each piece destroyed, and recreated anew as the fragments merge with the body as a whole. A body broken down, and a body regrown. Molding itself, shaping itself into a brand new form. A body repurposed for the sake of eating. Arms and legs were no where to be found. Only a body existed as five heads sprouted from the cage like torso. Tentacle like necks expanded outwards as the calcium that structured the beast altogether gave birth to the fangs that sought to devour once more. What was suppose to exist in myth and legends was now exposing itself for all to see, each with its own voice, a will to eat. "HungryEatMoreFoodFeed."

A pair of heads snapped to attention. Their eyes keen on the Adjucahs. Their toothy grins all the more apparent as to what they were looking for. It wouldn't take long for them to act out that natural instinct as a single head fired itself outwards, stretching out its vertebrae at the speed of 600, blurring out of sight and motioning towards Valentin's rear. If nothing was done, then the snappy jaws would look to snap an arm away from the Hollow. But that was not where the troubles ended as the three remaining heads. Fangs digging into the edges, peeling back the metal and surfaces that were melded together, utilizing the new opening that Valentin's Cero had created, turning the small gap into that of a gaping mouth. The Hollow was slowly, but surely entering the lower levels once more as each head gripped the oval walkways, and pulled the mass that was its body.

Screams of terror filled the lower levels as one passage of escape had been routed by the towering Hollow overhead. "Tell me, Hero, would you do evil......to destroy the greater evil?...... Kill ....... a newly made mother....heheh.." she chuckled. A light hearted chuckle. Simply because she found it funny, no other reason than that. "Stain your hands in the blood of a mother....... to save the lives of people, whose crimes you may never know of...." Their cries from behind the pair erupted. Clustering around each other as they began running down the corridor, stampeding over each other to save themselves. A lack of order ensued chaos. This was the natural instinct for human beings. They punched, clawed at each other in order to insure their own survival. Survival of the fittest. With exhaustion, and hunger settling in, it became impossible to think logically. All that mattered was escaping.

"Humans are naturally..... greedy, selfish...... There is no morality left in this world..... only what you make of it..." The girl smiled, nearly erupting out in laughter. Dust clouds began to pour in from the holding cells, brewing into the corridor and operation room. "Will you two kill me...... save them.... kill the Hollow.......... what will you do?.......Or..... could I tell you of another way....... out of this place?"

[Valentin Acciai]

Coming closer to look down the hole he had just recently made Valentin was a little surprised that the hostile creature had taken the full blow and lived, it looked to be in a horrible state though so he expected another Cero would probably cook it to completion. He didn't fail to notice the three human corpses near the creature nor the many more humans seemingly trapped down there and it stung to realize he was their cause of death. But he wouldn't let that affect him, at least that's what he told himself as he whispered a silent curse directed both at himself and the charred creature. ''Your ugliness wants another one eh?'' he taunted it, and even if he hadn't done so it appeared to be quite angry with him now as two of it's five faces glared at him.

Noticing an incoming attack would be imminent he couldn't help but tease it just a little more ''Why of course i'll oblige your appetite~'' and as soon as he was done with those words the high pitched buzz returned once more and the red orb of a Cero formed in front of his mouth. But Valentin had gotten a bit too cocky, while he indeed knew it was about to attack it was still faster than him. He couldn't shoot the Cero and avoid the heads using his Ulcera at the same time so a sacrifice would have to be accepted! as the heads pursued him Valentin tried to dodge to the right which exposed his left arm, unable to stop the outcome the beast indeed sank it's teeth into his flesh and with one lone swing of his sword Valentin severed both his own arm in fear of being absorbed into the creature and then attempted to sever the creature's spine.

But his gaze was still aimed at the core of the creature despite the self imposed pain, unwilling to let the creature wreck havoc again the third Cero was launched down the hole, it's target the core body and any heads near the hole. Now he really hoped the heads would have too little biomass to survive without a core but he wasn't willing to risk it. The moment he was done firing he would immediately jump back into an Ulcera just in case the head that had claimed his arm was trying to go for more, reappearing up the stairs once more to begin the regeneration of his lost limb once more. It always hurt like a bitch to be dismembered but he had made sure it was a clean cut and he was nothing if not used to pain.

-200 Cero
-75 Ulcera
-100 Organic Generation
850/2000 Reiatsu

SPOILER: Click to show

{Organic Generation}
Organic Generation, Valentin has the ability to generate various tissues from anything carrying his Reiatsu signature, not always just from his body. This makes him quite adept at creating organic structures and regenerating himself from injuries as well as that of others and can with sufficient time and Healing Expertise regenerate from the most devastating damage to a body as long as there is Reiatsu to spare. There are 3 different types or tiers if you will of this regeneration, the simplest being the regeneration of muscles, skin or anything at the surface level which would take him 1 turn of healing. The second type being the more serious injury of major muscle and even limb loss where he would be required to grow back a large part of a body from where it is missing, taking the time of 3 turns before fully functional. And lastly the third type being the most complex and important is the regeneration of things such as internal organs which could take as long as 5 turns. All of this regeneration does have a Reiatsu cost of course, the first type being 25 Reiatsu per injury, the second at 100 and the third at 200 Reiatsu. For every 250 Healing Expertise Valentin possesses he can reduce the time to heal by one turn, meaning the lower tiers if he were to become supremely proficient with the healing arts could heal near instantaneously.

Should this regeneration be used to restore any natural armour or weapon then the regenerated spot will be half as tough as it usually was for 3 posts before properly hardening. He can make use of his abilities in others by expending his own Reiatsu at double the price for any technique usable in himself though it requires that a piece of his flesh has been inserted into their body to act as a beacon for his Reiatsu to stream into them by what would look like a thread for those good at sensing energy. While his power can allow him a great deal of comfort knowing that there is no such thing as a permanently lost body part for any he would deign to call friend his abilities do have one great flaw, it's a network and Valentin is the mainframe. Any relatively recent healing from his beacons (Until combat ends or 20 minutes) he has applied to others will rapidly fall apart and unravel should he be put in a state of severe mental distress or unconsciousness, the whole system crashing with him.

[Deleted]

The silence from Luke was so tense that even just the smallest of sounds could potentially make him snap. His hand, primed and ready, remained locked around the woman’s throat and ever once lifted the pressure he applies. His eyes remained locked on her as his glare did not fail to persist. He heard the words she said. She confessed to being innocent. She said that she wasn’t the one who had killed those deserters. Luke remained quiet, unmoving, as he seemingly studied her and searched her for the truth. Even with the rumbling and chaos going on around them, Luke remained unfaltered in his position. He remained ready to end her life at any moment.

”Things are getting bad.” Windstarke said, slowly, to try and break through the frustration and confusion bubbling up inside his Master. He was right. The foundation of the structure was shaking. Whatever had been causing those roars, whatever had been causing all the chaos, was upon them. Luke could sense it. He could sense the presence of not one, but two, Hollows now near where the crowd of rescued prisoners were gathered. Luke could not deny what Windstarke had said. Things were indeed getting bad. Which was why Luke had to make a decision.

He could indulge his hatred for this Quincy and end her life now, punish her for all the suffering she’d caused him and the crippling of one of his Dolls. Or...he could go help the ungrateful crowd and risk letting this dangerous person get away. Luke felt himself frown before, suddenly, Alicia would feel his hand leave her neck as he stepped away from her. He turned his back to her and, surprisingly, began to walk away from her. "Tell me, Hero, would you do evil......to destroy the greater evil?...... Kill ....... a newly made mother....heheh.." She said, causing him to stop. Her words seemed intended to taunt him, to get under his skin, to make him act out and lash out at her. He stayed quiet as she spoke, giving her enough time to finish what she said.

”To be a hero means you end up being someone else's villain. Being good to one inevitably means you end up being evil to someone else.” Luke replied, though he didn’t sound happy talking to her. ”Killing you, regardless of what kind of mistake came out of you, means that you won’t be able to hurt anybody else. If that’s evil then so be it. I’ll gladly bear that responsibility and sin.” Luke replied as his he turned to look back at Alicia, his amber eyes burning as if they were hot coals. ”But-” he began, once again.

”They come first. Regardless of who they are. I swore to use my powers to save the weak from the monsters they couldn’t see, from people like you, regardless of what happens to me. They, no matter who they are, are my first priority. I will always put saving lives over indulging my personal evils. I’ll always put others before myself.” Luke finished, with his goal clear, before he finally turned his attention to Izanami. ”If you were with her then you’d have attacked me already. If I’m wrong then you’re a shit bodyguard. If that’s the case then feel free to attack me right now. If I’m right and you’re not with her, then watch her. Don’t let her escape. If she does anything even remotely suspicious...then don’t hesitate to take her down.” Luke ordered, glaring back at the weakened Alicia before immediately beginning to sprint back down the way he came despite the incoming crowd. He would save as many as he could.

---

The red beam that broke down through the ceiling, that had been fired by an idiot Hollow, never was able to reach its three accidental victims. The beam had broken through the roof whilest Luke and Alicia had their conversation, but Valentins attack never did kill a single person. When the beam threatened to consume those three randoms, the beam would suddenly halt as it collided with something unintended before being pulled into it what had blocked it. The outstretched hand of a shadowy entity, with a face that had no features, had risen up from the shadows in the path of the Cero. ”Nice try! Your beam tastes like shit and ain’t gonna do shit with Jäger around!” the Doll would cry out in triumph.

How he had done that was simple. Jäger had used Verbrauchen to absorb the Cero before it could deal any damage to any of the normies running around like chickens with their dicks cut off. By surrounding an attack with his reiatsu he could either turn a physical object into a Shadow Object, or absorb energy attacks to repair damage to his body. Since Valentin possessed less Reiatsu Strength than Jäger, absorbing the attack was no big deal. The light from the Cero wouldn’t have thrown Jäger’s Shadows away either, as shadows infected with his presence were immune to the light.

”Alright...big laser of doom been dealt with. Luke’s busy reconciling with his ex...now what the fuck am I going to do with all these people..” Jäger said to himself as he submerged back into the shadows, only a few minutes prior to the monstrosity that Valentin was annoying began trying to break down into the holding cells. Oh what the FUCK is that? Is that what fired the Cero??” Jäger wondered as the crowd began to panic and flee down the same corridor that Luke had gone down. ”Ugh. Fine! Whatever! Not like I wanted any of ya’lls help anyways. Leave it to Jäger to deal with the big ol’ ugly barnacle!” Jäger began to complain.

---

Approaching the crowd, Luke could see the ensuing chaos. People were stampeding over each other. The chaos caused them to turn on each other, each person only caring about their own survival. The Bount frowned, biting his lip for a moment as he ran towards them and sliding to a stop. However, what Alicia wasn’t counting on was what Luke was capable of. Raising his left hand, as if he was about to fire a beam at them, Luke allowed his reiatsu to move and flow and trigger the powers of a Bount. ”Stop! Luke shouted, his words carrying echoes of power as he activated the Bount power called Verteiten. Or, as Jäger called it, vampire date rape charisma. Regardless, as Luke exuded his power the crowd of people would come to a stop as they fell under his spell. Fuck. Luke had never done this to so many people before. It really felt as though his head was going to split open. But, calming them down was certainly more important right now. ”Calm...down..” Luke ordered, continuing to maintain control over the crowd as he attempted to work out a plan.

Luke's Remaining Reiatsu: 2950 / 4000
-150 for Class 4 Verteiten

Jager's Remaining Reiatsu: 1700 / 2250
-200 for Verbrauchen