Hueco Mundo Deserts

[admins]

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Things in Hueco Mundo have been rather quiet since the end of the Unhallowed War, but this era of quiet surely must come to an end. The efforts of Fifth Division and the existence of La Soberanía have staunched the efforts of Arrancar seeking to restart the Espada. Perhaps they were too bold in their approach, proclaiming themselves to be the new God King or Queen of Hueco Mundo. It would only last a few days before these self proclaimed kings and queens were eliminated by Fifth Division or Estarossa himself. However, there is one person who has slipped through the cracks, who has gone undetected and seeks to rebuild the Espada and make them stronger than ever. This person remains hidden and out of sight and has only recently begun making moves to poke at the defenses and responses of the Gotei Thirteen. Their identity and name are unknown, however, they have a singular ally, one who does what they say without question or resistance…

”Boss, are you sure we should keep going with your plan… W-we only got a little bit of info from Karakura…”

This was the same Arrancar that appeared in Karakura Town and used his Resurrección immediately once he detected the presence of a Captain in the area. He speaks to a woman who hides herself in shadows, only the lower half of her face is visible which happens to break into a smirk.

”Of course we will keep going, the Shinigami have no clue what we are up to nor can they find us. We’ll slowly build our strength then reveal ourselves to the world and by the time we do that, we’ll have already won.”

”W-won what, Boss? You make it sound like we’re at war b-but there are no battles being fought…”

His voice was soft and raspy, the end of his sentences always dragged on as if he was leaving air for himself to continue speaking. Luckily his “Boss”, as he calls her, seems to know his speech patterns well enough to know when he is finished speaking.

”Think of it as an invisible war, a slight diversion here or there, drop a few Kumon in the World of the Living to get them stirred up and on their toes. Make their eyes focus on something else entirely.”

The male Arrancar nods his head as if he understands, he doesn’t. He isn’t the brightest being around but as long as he is given direction and a goal he will carry it out and always accomplish it without fail, a natural born puppet. The female Arrancar rises from her seat and gestures for the male to follow her. The two of them walk down a corridor until they arrive at what seems like a dead end. With a wave of her hand a door forms in the wall allowing them to cross over into this once hidden room. There is nothing impressive in this room, it is rather small with ten podiums that have a cloth covering whatever it is that is resting on each of them.

Rise of Arrancar

”It is time to enact the next stage of our plan and begin building our group of Espada.”

”But why come in here to tell me that, Boss? Wait, are you planning to…”

This smooth brained individual was able to quickly pick up on her plan, a most devious plan at that. It is at this moment that the right eye of the male begins to do something strange. The pupil splits and on that single eye now exists four pupils.

”So many gifts, what if they use them against us, Boss?”

”Heh, so long as we have the ‘Eyes’ we can control them.”

The Horrifying Truth

She leans forward just enough for a ray of light to catch her left eye, the pupil of that eye is also split. These two Arrancar are not just some run of the mill powerful Hollow, no, if the Gotei Thirteen knew what they possessed it would tremble in fear and send the full might of the Gotei to come crush them. These two possess the left and right eye of the Soul King and in this room, on these ten podiums exist a different part of the Soul King. The ambitious woman not only plans on remaking the Espada but outfitting them with a part of the Soul King to bolster their power.

”There are few Arrancar that exist who are worthy enough to not only join us but acquire one of our gifts as well, however, I have found two prospects that could be of use to our new ranks.”

”W-who are they? I’ll go fetch them at once!”

”Slow down, you’re no good at multitasking, we’ll get them one at a time starting with Kuvello.”

She walks over to a podium and pulls the cloth off of it, however what lays underneath it isn’t revealed just yet.

”Tell him of our goal, our plans, and then present him with this, it shall make a fine gift and be a nice pairing with his ability.”

What sits on that podium is something of great value- no, a value cannot be placed on it. The left arm of the Soul King rests on this table, the arm that governs Progress. The male Arrancar takes the cloth and wraps up the arm and fashions a makeshift bag out of the cloth to throw over his shoulder for easier carrying.

”Now head on out into the desert and wait for him to return from the Soul Society then carry out our little sales pitch to him.”

”Understood Boss! Right away!”

And with a flicker of his Sonido he was gone, leaving his boss alone in the room of “gifts”.

”This second war won't go the same way as the last…”

---

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[Kuvello]

-----Arriving From Rukongai-----​

---

"I wonder when he'll make his return, it's not like him to remain away so long."
Located within the remains of what would appear as a dilapidated temple, a small cluster of silhouettes would encircle a well established camp. Sitting upon a cluster of crates, a female arrancar would make herself comfortable as she folded her arms behind her head and propped herself against her makeshift throne. Letting out a carefree yawn, she'd look toward a male hollow who began to stoke the crimson flames of the campfire.

"You're not starting to actually worry for the boss are you?"

A low growl would emit from the hollow as he looked toward the female.

"He promised me a fight, and I'll be damned if the fucker dies before his debt to me is paid."
The female arrancar would erupt in a laughing cacophony, sending her off the crate and onto the sand clenching at either of her sides.

"Bahahaha! You think that coward is going to actually fight you?! Varuna, are you listening to this maniac? The only favor that Kuvello has bestowed upon you my dear friend is that you continue to live!
A cloaked silhouette would begin to speak up to break the rising tension between the two. His purple eyes illuminated by the campfire from beneath his hood. As another male arrancar nods to the question, though keeping silent as if he knows what is about to be said.
"Quiet you two! I just spoke with him earlier, he stated that the reservoir of intel was going dry, no further leads, I'm willing to bet it's only a matter of time before he gets bored and returns with news of his venture."
Rising from the crystalline sands, the female would try to catch her breath as she then shifted her attention toward the cloaked figure, her eyebrows rising to the curiosity of when said conversation took place.

"When would you have talked to Kuvy ... WAIT YOU DID IT WHILE THE REST OF US WERE RAIDING THAT SHINIGAMI CAMP IN THE MENOS FOREST WEREN'T YOU!?"

The cloaked figure would raise his hands in caution. As the others began to chuckle at the female's outburst and rally for a quarrel to take place. However, as quickly as the emotions rose an obsidian vector would be drawn across the empty space before the group, as teeth-like curtains began to expose the Garganta of which the Former Espada's silhouette now appeared within, as he softly stepped back onto the familiar sands of Hueco Mundo. His weight shifting suddenly as he re-adjusted his balance. The time spent away from home had brought about a noticeable change in the way he carried himself.

"The Negal Ruins, eh? Didn't think you guys would have come back here after all this time."

The Arrancar would begin walking up the staircase as the others began to snap to attention, all of them kneeling down, as they formed wedge-like line on either side of him as he stepped forward. The emerald green eyes of the man shifting toward all the supplies that had been collected, and then back to each of his followers.

"You all did well in preparing for our mission, in fact, I'd go as far as to say you lot came out on top as far as gathering what we planned. You each were very careful in filling me in on what progress had been made, all except one of you..."

A bead of sweat would become visible upon one of the kneeling followers, as the others remained steadfast, not even motioning to look up at whom could've been the weakest link.

"Varuna. Not once in the last ten months did you reach out to me. Pray tell, what did you learn in Katakura Town?"​

As the former espada shifted toward his kneeling follower, the crest-headed arrancar would begin to stammer as he fought to find the right words that would dissuade his master from any punishment.

"w-Well Sir, i-I Ju- It's just that we were all together for a majority of the time, and w-Well I just thought- Look nothing ever happens in the Human World anyway! Why would we need to bother investigating, and sending out patrols if we're never going to find anything any wa-!"

The arrancar's voice would rise as he bore witness to the discharge of a salmon color outlined Cero Obscuros just before it encased the hollow's head in a evaporative blast. Causing the remaining torso of the male to fall limp at Kuvello's feet.

"Let this be the lesson to those who question my motives. Take his corpse to the edge of our newly acclaimed territory, he'll serve as not only a treat for lesser hollows, but be a warning for those who happen to pass by. Now, allow me a moment to rest here. Alone."

"YES SIR"
In unison the remaining followers spoke, acknowledging their new orders, as they all flickered out of existence, the direction in which they departed masked by the sudden updraft of sand and dust from the sandstone ruins. Looking toward an all too familiar cloth embroidered with the symbol of the Fifth Division, the Arrancar would begin to make a hammock for later use. His underlings would surely be preoccupied for a while as they would perform the next set of tasks to set up their newly acclaimed base of operations.

Drawing in a breath, the scent of blood would no longer haunt his senses, as he focused his mind. The sudden discharge and formation of a Cero Obscuros would have surely gathered the attention of any hollow or otherwise within the near vicinity just by sense alone. A rather out of the ordinary display of punishment coming from the Espada. Perhaps he was still on his bloodlust high. Regardless of the reason, an unseen pulse would emit from the core of the boy's body as he performed Pesquisa (探査神経ペスキス, Pesukisu; Spanish for "Inquiry", Japanese for "Investigative Nerves"; Viz "Detection Nerves"). This sonar-like extension would allow him to react to the arrival of any foreign reiatsu that happened to pass within it's domain, allowing him to visualize his target before seeing them in person.

As the pulse continued to radiate, the images of his faithful companions would flash within his minds eye, as well as some nameless hollows who seemed stunned from discharge of reiatsu.

"Soon the dregs of Hueco Mundo will be no more..."

​

---

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[admins]

---

As the Hollows fled from the Temple they were moving right towards another Arrancar who wasn’t exuding any Reiatsu at the time. He continued to walk right towards them and staring straight ahead as if he could see through them completely. He kept moving forward and right before he and the group made physical contact he appeared behind said group and continued moving onward to Kuvello.

”No, no, no, no, no, no… Boss didn’t mention anything about minions… Why does he have minions? No, not important, I have to tell him about us first.”

This Arrancar spoke out loud as he approached Kuvello from the same hallway his minions just retreated down and somehow they didn’t see him at all. He walked without a concern at all, none for the Hollows he passed and none for Kuvello who had expelled a very menacing Reiatsu signature. It could have been from his inability to comprehend anything or maybe its because he was just that strong. He makes a casual stride until he is standing before Kuvello, slipping past his Pesquisa just like he slipped past the group of Hollows not too long ago. He arrived in time to hear him say:

"Soon the dregs of Hueco Mundo will be no more..."

Antonio Todopoderoso

”What is a dreg? Is it a new species of Hollow? Maybe I should tell my Boss… Wait, wait, wait… Ahhh, I’m not here to ask questions like that. Okay, time to focus, former Espada Kuvello Placide. My Boss has a proposition for you, she wants you to join us, secretly…”

He whispers the word “secretly” and makes it seem like he is going to continue talking only for there to be hanging awkward silence. He stares at Kuvello awaiting a response from him, hoping that he would respond with a simple “yes” but part of him feels like this Arrancar in front of him wont budge.

”My name is Antonio Todopoderoso. I was never an Espada but I am stronger than any Espada that ever lived. Boss can make you strong too if you join us. Just… haaa…”

He sighs heavily as if the mere thought of what he was going to say exhausted him.

”Just please don’t fight me. I-I’m much stronger than you…”

He has not shown a shred of his Reiatsu but it was clear that he holds some sort of ability to get this close to Kuvello, this fast without either himself or his minions noticing the strange green haired man. It is up to Kuvello to take the man for his word or to call his bluff.

---

​

 

[Kuvello]

​

---

”What is a dreg? Is it a new species of Hollow?-
The eyes of the antecedent Espada would widen as he quickly discovered that he was not alone. "Maybe I should tell my Boss…" His pupil's would shift within their sockets at such a blinding speed that it would appear for a moment that the hollow was blind as his body turned to face the intruder, who miraculously went under his precise, one could even say flawless, radar. "Wait, wait, wait… Ahhh, I’m not here to ask questions like that." He could still feel the fleeting reiatsu of his underlings as they continued to move in the direction in which he instructed them. How did he not cross paths with them? "Okay, time to focus," Moreover just who was this guy?
"former Espada Kuvello Placide. My Boss has a proposition for you, she wants you to join us, secretly…"
Secretly? How did this individual find him? There were few hollow who even knew of Kuvello's name, let alone his former ranking. Who was this guy's boss? She? Had Esmerelda made her return? Did she discover a way to cheat death just as he did? The area of his body where his Numero was imprinted began to ache, as if the chains of hell had imbedded within his flesh. Such an odd feeling, a phantom pain. Waiting for a moment, unsure of the being's motives before him, Kuvello would look the green-haired arrancar top to bottom, sizing him up, should this exchange become sour.
”My name is Antonio Todopoderoso. I was never an Espada but I am stronger than any Espada that ever lived. Boss can make you strong too if you join us. Just… haaa…”

The Espada's eyebrows raise. Whether it was in curiosity, or in disbelief one could not easily decipher, however one thing was clear, this Antonio as he introduced himself was not your average hollow, no, rather it had been many decades, perhaps even centuries since someone was able to fly under his radar and catch the Quinto Esapada off-guard as he had.
”Just please don’t fight me. I-I’m much stronger than you…”
Was it fate that caused Kuvello to revert to this ask questions first mind set? Or was it because he had unleashed all of his built up animosity out upon the weakest link of his underlings. Perhaps it was a sheathed fear, escaping even Kuvello's conscious mind, that quelled him. Something about Antonio reminded him of someone, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it at the present moment.
"Woah, lets not get too hasty. Tranquilo, lets take a moment to collect our thoughts..."
The arrancar before him seemed to possess zero reiatsu, to master such a skill was practically a must in this day and age, being as boastful hollow who released reiatsu were quickly and hunted and dealt with either by the cowards of La Soberania, or the scum of the Gotei Thirteen if they were deemed dangerous enough. Taking it upon himself, Kuvello would await for the strange hollow before him to pause in his manner of speaking, before he would interject small snippets of questions, hoping to keep the green-haired man talking and extract more and more intel from him.


"Now then. Antonio, you stated your boss had a proposition?

Who do you plead allegiance to?

What is it that she seeks from me, and most importantly how do you know of my past title?"
​

---

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[Alastair]

As Itaku flowed out the 4th Barracks to wherever it was that he had to be, Budo gazed in complete awe. Awesome. It's the only word that's appropriate, but it isn't sufficient. Budo searches for a word in any language he knows that encapsulates the thoughts piling in his head. An accumulation of dreams, gathering weight with effort and energy with success. Finally, blooming here, he feels like his chest was cracked open and his soul was being eaten by the totality of it all. Sunlight bounces around the impossible landscape and lances him with a thousand holy beams.

"Awesome..."

Budo murmurs to himself gingerly, as if to avoid snapping himself out of his fantasy. But, he is a heavy daydreamer. So much so, even the tugging of his eager soul can't release him of his exhilaration. His eyes transform into literal stars! They divide into two parts, with his pupil like a 4-pointed star facing straight up like a cross. His iris becomes the same shape, but angled diagonally to give his eyes 8 points. As his pupils contract slightly, the golden irises grow in contrast and shift to a brighter color. His heart just skipped a beat! Itaku-Senpai is such a oddity, yet fabulous nonetheless! Steady analysis of his facial features make him an open book, for as much as the tongue and cheeks can lie, the heart can't. In his case, his heart literally gives him away.

But... He has other matters to attend to. So, after drooling over Itaku for a few drown-out moments, the Shinigami retreated to his office where he'd drape himself in a large ebony cloak...

A disarray of thoughts and a present lack of resolve is without exception the worst traits and largest flaws that a tactician can possess. Internal conflict partnered with indecisiveness only breeds failure, and leaves one vulnerable to the effects of their actions thereof - flawed. To willingly present oneself into a zone of danger or initiate combat with such a mindset is something akin to premeditated failure, self sabotage. Such had been the case for this young Shinigami. Internal turmoil, desire, and will, all misconstrued by his reverence for a single particular individual - and unbeknownst to himself....his own ego. The consistency of unfortunate events which had recently plagued the boy within his own Division had led him to a state of some much needed self reflection.

During his advent towards the destination where his true resolve lied, the boy's chest could be seen expanding slightly beneath the baggage of his newly equipped cloak as he drew in a deep inhale.

After a moment or two of holding his breath, the purple headed Shinigami exhaled both his breath, and the inner discord - leaving them both behind. For they served absolutely no purpose anymore besides being the driving factor which directed him unto his desired path.

The silent doors of a Senkaimon part ways granting access for a brilliant sea of white light to flood in Budo's office unhindered, temporarily blanching all colors within, for but a brief moment. With the intense light swiftly subsiding, the anti-social Shinigami would be able to take in the full scope of the terrain in all its glory.

Slowly, his silhouette begins to fade into existence as he traverses through the parted paper doors of the Senkaimon. Entering Hueco Mundo.

A dark black sky. Endlessly spread. Hauntingly silent. Fear breeding. Life eliminating. Plagued by death and decay. Breaking the cycle of birth and death of all creations. Timeless. Everything just ceased to exist. At the centre, Budo stood staring into the once-starry sky. It was a dark, cold place. His feet almost sunk into the ground, threatening to swallow him whole.

Budo stood somewhat tall—flowing black coat cascaded against his stature. His olive skin glowed beneath the moonlight's gaze as the boy's eyes bounced off every surface trying to absorb the environment, his Reikaku (霊覚, "Spiritual Sense") surveying the area around him, further, focusing and sharpening his detection.

He had to find one of them.

​

 

[Adonai]

---

Antonio stares at Kuvello, his eyes unblinking for an unnerving amount of time. He has to take some time to process the questions being spoken to him, he has to wonder if they are worth answering. He begins to stare through Kuvello at this point or rather stare off into space as he slowly, but surely, mentally removes himself from the exchange of words. He shakes his head to bring himself back to reality and scratches his head.

”Yes, the proposition is for you to join us a-and when you join you will gain power. I… uhh.. I pledge allegiance to my boss and my boss knows a lot that's how she knows your old title…”

He removes the makeshift satchel from his back as he takes a knee on the ground. It is almost like he was refusing to blink due to how long he has kept his eyes open or rather it could be he has no need to blink.

”Cut off your arm… Uhhh… Like below the shoulder but just above this muscle...”

He points towards the bicep as he doesn’t know the name of it. After showing Kuvello where to remove his arm he unfurls the item he had been hiding in that makeshift satchel, the Left Arm of The Soul King. The arm is drastically pale, no, pale does not do it justice, the arm is white. This severed arm that is white as the sands of Hueco Mundo, that looks like it was taken from a corpse, the irony. There is no real Reiatsu signature to it, almost like trying to sense the signature of someone who is dead or dying, nothing but specks and embers of what it once was. But what could be sensed would amaze Kuvello. No Arrancar, or any Hollow for that matter, has ever sensed something like this before, whoever this arm belonged to was incredibly strong, beyond imagination. An item of this prestige is being so easily offered to the former Fifth Espada, for nothing more than his word that he will join this new faction.

”Ah, once you accept this gift, understand that you must return with me to our home a-and wait until we are strong enough to fight the Sh-Sh-Shinigami… Oh, make sure you cut off your left arm, I forgot to mention that…”

---

​

 

[Kuvello]

​

---

The being before him, this Antonio as he introduced himself, just what was he. His eyes continued to pierce into, no, perhaps even through the very core of Kuvello, without the slightest sense of waning. Perhaps it was the lack of intellect this hollow seemed to possess, but yet he so effortlessly encroached within Kuvello's usually impenetrable domain, and yet he dared to stare into the vast expanse that was Kuvello's form, without so much as an expression of a forthcoming second thought. As if he were programed to fulfill one singular command. An obedient, yet mindless extension of another's will.

”Yes, the proposition is for you to join us a-and when you join you will gain power. I… uhh.. I pledge allegiance to my boss and my boss knows a lot that's how she knows your old title…”

A shiver would slither down the Arrancar's neck as a burning sensation, a phantom pain of sorts, followed a brief moment of Déjà rêvé. A core sensation had been "ignited" within the unofficial Privaron Espada's mind as he himself once played this role as the former God Queen's Chosen. The invisible tracing of the fifth numero branding him once more, as he listened to Antonio speak and watch as the green-haired arrancar took to a kneeling stance, retrieving the cloth from his torso, as he placed the covered object upon the white crystalline sandstone before him.

”Cut off your arm… Uhhh… Like below the shoulder but just above this muscle...”
Shifting his eyes from the covered "gift" toward the kneeling Antonio, Kuvello would instinctively raise a brow toward him.

"What do you me-"

As if allowing his actions to speak the words necessary to fill in Kuvello's query, the cloth that once concealed the cylindrical encasing, now exposed the enigma that was the gift. A furled left arm that seemed to remain suspended within a viscous liquid.

”Ah, once you accept this gift, understand that you must return with me to our home a-and wait until we are strong enough to fight the Sh-Sh-Shinigami… Oh, make sure you cut off your left arm, I forgot to mention that…”

The floating appendage was white in color, almost alarmingly so, and possessed a sense of depravity, as if this "gift" was taken from a long decomposed corpse that had been preserved for millennia.

"What kind of sick joke is this, you expect me to dismember myself to show allegiance? Seems to me, like you intend for me to maim myself as to make it easier for this "boss" of yours to ascertain the remnants of my strength so that she may be installed as my Superiora.

The former Espada would clench his jaw as a deep rooted hatred began to trickle out with his reiatsu.

"Well news flash for you, Las Noches no longer exi-!"

The sound of a heartbeat would ring within Kuvello's mind. Was it an audible phenomenon, or was it something more? Whatever it was left the Arrancar stricken, as all at once, his pesquesa had sensed an anomaly and was forced back into his own being. Like that of a bow being drawn out to maximum before immediately being forcefully returned to neutrality.

The Horror Within the Jar

The reiatsu signature... if one could even describe it as such, this... Eldrich Anomaly possessed was unlike anything the Arrancar could fathom. It's very existence seemed to teeter on mythology. A deep installment of fear would wash over Kuvello as beads of sweat began to form upon his brow as he reactively took a step back.

"T-Thats not... W-what the hell is that fucking thing?"

If the boy possessed any hair on his arms and neck, they would be standing on end, as his eyes made contact with a pair of pupils that seemed to open and look directly back into his, a single eyeball had manifested upon the palm of the arm. Had it reacted toward the boy's resentment and hatred, or was it merely coincidence? Was this an illusion of sorts? Some strange trickery Antonio had managed to perform upon him?

Kuvello would reactively reach toward his left arm, an adoptive motion as he tried to gather himself. The object... No, the life form before him seemed to be calling out toward him, beckoning him yet Kuvello remained paralyzed in fear. This was not the power of a hollow, nor shinigami, nor a human, this was something that seemed to be more, and yet at the same time nothing at all. ​

---

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[Adonai]

​

---

”What kind of sick joke is this, you expect me to dismember myself to show allegiance? Seems to me, like you intend for me to maim myself as to make it easier for this "boss" of yours to ascertain the remnants of my strength so that she may be installed as my Superiora.”

Antonio was not a fan of this tone coming from Kuvello. This time his eyes were fixed upon the Arrancar, with no room to cast doubt on where he was looking. He began to make a casual motion with his right hand, slowly raising it as if there was no reason to rush. At this moment it sounded like Kuvello was building towards hostility and if he wanted to become hostile Antonio would have to show him the difference in their power.

”Well news flash for you, Las Noches no longer exi-!"

Just as quickly as Kuvello halted his sentence, so too did Antonio halt his movements. He looked down at the jar as well except he did not react the way Kuvello did. For the first time since this encounter began Antonio was the one who was mentally superior in this moment. He understood what was happening, he knew what this arm was, and he knew his boss made the correct choice.

"T-Thats not... W-what the hell is that fucking thing?"

The dark eyed Arrancar looked up at Kuvello and only said.

”A gift.”

He stood up from his kneeling position, his haunting eyes fixed on the other Arrancar who had become distraught with fear. He stood silently as the boy grabbed at his own left arm and stood paralyzed at what he was looking at. Antonio raises his hand and points at him.

The Unmaking

”The B-boss was r-right about you, Kuvello… It’s already waking up on its own so you have no choice now…”

He steps over the jar to get face to face with the boy, he was slightly taller than him, enough for him to tilt his head down slightly to look at him. He stared into Kuvello’s eyes and naturally Kuvello would do the same. Then, in an abrupt moment it would be like all sound had vanished from the room as the iris of his right eye splits into four. This eye gazes at Kuvello, it is uncanny, it is horrifying. First the arm and now this, the boy was slowly stepping into unknowable horrors, horrors that he himself can become a part of.

”Accept the gift or I will unmake you.

There was a cold conviction in his voice, this dull minded Arrancar boldly stated that he would unmake the boy before him. It was said as if he was fully aware of the meaning of his words, this was not merely someone mimicking something they heard from someone else, no this was a ghastly promise. Exactly how he would unmake Kuvello is unknown but it is up to him if he wants to find out.

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[Kuvello]

​

---

*Thump-Thump*

”A gift.”

Watching as Antonio begins to stand, the atmosphere in the surrounding area seems to become heavy, not from spiritual pressure, but rather from the situation that was beginning to unfurl before Kuvello. If the green-haired arrancar's eyes didn't pierce into his own being, than the lifting and aiming of his finger certainly would drive the nail into Kuvello's being, his very soul.

”The B-boss was r-right about you, Kuvello… It’s already waking up on its own so you have no choice now…”

As Antonio began to move, the steady beat of his heart that seemed to reverberate through the former espada's head would begin to hasten, drowning out any sound from the surrounding area. His entire being, seemed to quiver in a primal fear, a fear he could not understand, or perhaps a fear he did not wish to understand. Having now stepped over the jar, the green-haired messenger's size would now seem to loom over the boy, though their height was not that much different, to Kuvello he may as well had been staring into the eyes of a giant.

Suddenly the iris of the right eye of the... creature before him would begin to quake in it's socket before splitting into three, everything around Kuvello would become silent as his heartbeat was replaced with nothingness, soon the area he had found himself in began to move away, as if the very consciousness within Kuvello tried to escape. His motor functions no longer giving way to the commands of his brain. Only fear remained. Like a statue, Kuvello would look on in horror, his iris's shrinking as visible veins within his sclera began to etch their ways toward the center of his eyes.

”Accept the gift or I will unmake you."

The former uncertainty that Antonio's words seemed to carry before, had all but remained in his voice and tone. Judging from this fact alone, and ignoring all other horrors that had been witnessed today, one would know immediately that he was serious, though the acknowledgement of everything that had come to transpire had sent Kuvello over the edge. While he remained standing, the boy would have passed out. His chest rising and falling at an alarming speed, mimicking that of an out of shape athlete whom had been running for hours. However in this lapse of consciousness, Kuvello's eyes would remain frozen, gazing into the abyssal expanse of the three black iris' of Antonio.

Repressed Memories

Static representations of scenes would begin to flash and play before the former espada, to days of old, to the days before the Unhallowed Wars. An era formally believed to have been forgotten, or perhaps erased from his memories. Images and scenes of his life prior to removing his mask, becoming an arrancar, and swearing his allegiance to The God Queen Esmerelda. The scene unfolds, as two titan hollows clash. Both appearing to be at equal strength, one hollow is black and humanoid possessing four arms, the other is feminine possessing a domineering charm even in the midst of mortal combat.

The monochromatic distortion now fixates upon another scene where the two Vasto Lord class hollow exchange a final blow, generating a massive crater in the middle of the Hueco Mundo Desert, as the two land on the outer expanse of the rim. Clutching his black coral constructed face, the four armed hollow is dealt a serious blow as he frantically began to peel away and break away at his own face, to stave off the pain from the blow delivered by Esmerelda. Perhaps it was from a moment of hesitation, or perhaps it was the result of something more, as the hollow unleashes a bellowing cry as a mouth began to form upon the previously expressionless mask it once bore.

Waking up in the center of the crater, the boy, would find himself in the arms of the one he had come to know as Esmerelda. The God Queen, from there she would tell him of his life purpose, she would tell him of her goal, and she would bestow upon him the very name he carried through all this time. Kuvello Placidé. However, despite Esmerelda's efforts to tame the wandering black hollow, the once monstrous power she had hoped to weaponize for her own gain, as well as Las Noches, never fully became realized. Perhaps in the artificial way she went about causing the mindless vasto lord to remove it's mask and become an arrancar had caused the hollow to revert back into that of a Adjuchas, or perhaps a mental block had been imprinted upon the very soul of the monster, causing it to only exercise within the realm of that of an Adjuchas Level Hollow. Regardless of the course, the outcome was a fearful Arrancar who was afraid of his peers, afraid of the world, and most importantly afraid of his own powers.

As Kuvello clung to the memories of his origins, as well as his own persona, he'd remain clung to the proverbial hanging thread as he gazed down into the infinite expanse of oblivion within his own mental world. A manifestation of gnashing teeth would begin to manifest behind the boy, as he now saw himself crawling across an invisible plane in perpetual darkness, as he began to plea and beg for his own life, fearing to face the manifestation head on.

"N-No! I'm not like you!
Stay back! I'm sorry!
P-PLEASE JUST LET ME LIVE!"

Meanwhile on the outside of Kuvello's mental state, the boy's body would remain motionless for what seemed to be but a moment as a cascading wave of reiatsu began to flood the surrounding area, as wisps of black and pink began to spread across a large expanse of Hueco Mundo, the tendrils of reiatsu could be seen from miles, and the effects even more so, as a cascading wave of asphyxia, hunger, and bloodlust all seemed to amalgamate from a titanic display that began to emit from behind Antonio.

Over Turned

If Antonio were to shift his attention to his back toward the origin of the discharge of Kuvello's reiryoku into a domineering avatar of reiatsu, he would find that the after-image left by his Gemelos Sonído would have faded out from existence as he now held the gift in his hands, his fingers clenched into the jar, causing it to shatter in his grasp, however due to the density of his Hierro, left no physical trace of damage as the former Espada now clutched the arm in his grasp.

"Antonio Todopoderoso, I should thank you for reminding me of who I am... However, I will not allow myself to be taken so lightly, after all I am an Espada! You will take me to your Superiora."

As Kuvello finished his sentence, his reiatsu would become unstable as he then looked to the arm he held in his grasp, as if he were just waking up from a day dream, as it began to bubble up from within his gasp as the flesh began to battle out and overcome the boy, encasing him in a prison of bubbling flesh that then began to manifest as a large silver and white reiatsu hand, containing two iris' and pupils that enclosed itself around the boy's captured figure before entering into his very being displacing a tidal wave of white sand and dust from around the area where Kuvello once stood as he was knocked prone. Visions of himself upon the ground and a darkened room now filled his mind as he tried to fight off the aftermath of merging with the left arm of the Soul King.

What were these images he was seeing, it was as if he were looking out of the eyes of Antonio as well as someone else simultaneously, as he then looked up to the green-haired arrancar whom Kuvello assumed was ready to take his life for his display of arrogance and pride.

"I didn't cut off my arm... but it seems this "gift" has found itself imbedded within my very being. In exchange for disobeying your order to remove my arm, take me to your leader so that I may learn the name of whom I now offer my eternal thanks and service to."

Without a second passing, Kuvello's world would go dark again as he completely lost consciousness once more, his body left for Antonio to do as he wished, or so it would seem. ​

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[Alastair]

Within the barracks of Division 4, several unseated awaited the return of their newly appointed, yet temporary, Leader. Seeped in some of their minds were the thought of were the Grape had run off to. Despite his haughtiness, he was not one to miss seeing Itaku-san exit the Barracks. Yet the Shinigami hadn't been spotted; he wasn't dwelling in his office as per or even patrolling the Wards.

Where the boy actually was, however, was a place much left forgotten in the minds of 4th Division; Hueco Mundo. Where the Grape had gotten bored of waiting, preparing to set off.

But...

Eerie silence ensued as a large shadow comes to tower over the Shinigami. Intrigue settles in his heart at the anomaly, but it is such curiosity that keeps Budo from moving as the light that dwells within that darkness only grows brighter and brighter up until it completely explodes from the depths of its bottomless cavern, releasing the powerful Cero of a Menos Grande. Chaos ensues, as does the destruction entitled to the strength behind this stream of spiritual energy, taking everything in its path without a care as it speeds through the sands in one fell swoop.

Budo stands moments before it fires, pulling at the collar of his Shihakushō and giving the creature a rather hauntingly gentle smile.

Budo makes his move as the orb expands into a beam, shifting his position to hold up his palm to the beast as the Cero nears. Millón Escudo (ミジョン・エスクド, Mijon Esukudo; "Million Shield") a spell this Grape rarely enters battle without. Nearly always placed in the centre of his hand. The shield quickly expands as the Cero makes contact, as the single sound of an explosion decimated the entire atmosphere around them, a gust of wind would protrude from the point of impact in a relentless volley. Crimson streams of energy would explode, and coat the entire scenery with a scarlet coloured view. The entire vicinity would be subjected to this tint, as the detonation went off. Gathering all of that destructive force down to a single point before releasing it outward and away from Budo.

The final whimper of the Cero shuddered, giving way to a solitary stillness that befell the Sands.

Left in its wake was a land forever scarred, brutalized into an undoubtedly familiar existence from the countless clashes before, though one it would surely never get used to. A heavy, black shroom of smoke presided over the immediate battlefield, wishing nothing more than to suffocate those still alive and trapped within its primordial purpose; a fluid pillar of black rose to the sky in an attempt to spread its influence, dark clouds forming an overcast at the chagrin of the vibrant moon overhead.

With the attack dispersed and only smoke lingering an error had arisen that may have not been foreseen by the Menos Grande that his very own smoke would become a smokescreen for the Shinigami. With that smokescreen in place it would not be able to see the exact moment its adversary would move.

“...Bakudo #61: Rikujōkkōrrrrrō..."

A series of six golden rods of light immediately ejecting from the body of the Grape with a ray of light as its source, binding the titanic figure in place with enough force to exude a constant sensation of asphyxiation.

Ten months had swiftly come and gone in what had felt like only a brief handful of sunsets. Roughly three-hundred and four days had passed within the Soul Society. The Shinigami taking occupancy in the Seireitei, had done as they always naturally have, advanced with time. Consistently pushing beyond their restraints, and forcefully stripping away their own limitations. Strengthening their bodies, their bonds, and everything else they deemed as being "progress" in their own right. All finely forged blades, dangerously sharp to the touch, with an even sharper ambition, and drive to polish. Blades ready to be wielded and spill blood for the greater "good" and balance that Soul Society allotted for the World of the Living. However, there stood one blade in particular amongst the masses that had been something akin to a needle in a haystack. A singular blade that had been notably more refined, more polished, and significantly sharper than the vast majority. Yet, with a dulled and darker coating and exterior - an aura of disdain and contempt staining its apparent "flawless" edge. It could just as easily be overlooked at another piece of sharpened iron, average in all aspects. Yet, looks can indeed and always will be deceiving.

Budo Kudamono, one of the extremely rare and few masterful medics that resided within the Seireitei, had forged himself into a blade worthy of recognition, yet not worthy of use. Beautiful and well forged, a sight to behold, but one that had been wrapped and concealed without cause, never to be looked upon unless forcefully unveiled.

.....this Menos Grande could not, would not, spoil such a shine - the glistening blade beneath the cold exterior. It had to be eradicated before it could see more. Otherwise, Budo would be rendered simple. He must always keep those around him on their toes. Always guessing, always analysing, always actively fearing his true nature and scope of strength.

Shhink

The melodic sound of a Katana's tsuba kissing its sheath could be heard reverberating throughout the vicinity. The portrait he had painted, had finally been ready to be presented. With the sheathing of his blade, the artist had now put away his brush.

The thickened body of the Hollow, had suddenly had its weight displaced and forcefully shifted - clean cut diagonal slices revealing themselves upon the lower mid sections of the creature. The entirety of the being coming crashing down at once in something synonymous to a controlled implosion. Finely and intentional diced portions of flesh raining from above like hail, as the Hollow ceased to maintain its foundation after but a moment.

It had all happened so quickly. A fleeting moment that hugged the shadows so tightly, that it went unseen in their cover. Too quick to observe with the eyes...but not to feel on one's skin.

Step..Step...Step...

Budo's silhouette could be seen in the distance, walking away without haste, albeit with a lack of an overall presence to him. A dead man walking, with an insatiable need that could not be quenched even by the cascading turmoil and flooding despondency dragging him down. His cause for leaving only accentuated by the sudden emergence of a terrible Reiatsu signature; one of an Arrancar. Perhaps they could've met in another Universe, but alas, Budo was done. He had to leave before people got truly suspicious of his whereabouts. He continued on his path, until he hadn't - the man had simply gave way to nothing and dissipated in an array of iridescent shimmering. A Senkaimon.

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