Las Noches

[dem0nzlust]

Feeling the impact of her fist landing on the target caused the built-up energy to explode violently mainly catching the perimeter of the cero explosion, but the clone managed to get the full force of it. Ximena came skidding across the sand after putting some distance between them and the explosion force pushing her back some. A little after she had taken her next big breath she managed to fire off ten bala before she sensed a looming ominous presence behind her which she expected as a possibility the minute Grimaldi got taken out with his careless actions, but on who they would target remained a 50/50 chance. The second she caught the garganta opening up with the outreached hand her mind subconsciously concentrated the bulk of her reiryoku to her back to reinforce her hierro, and used her arms to shield her face while performing sonido to get out the devastating explosion. However, just before the cero went off Ximena made one hell mary breathing onto her coat the clone attempted to make contact with.

"Fucking hell that hurt like a bitch!"

As the cero obscura detonated Ximena came crashing from out of it skidding across the ground having taken some serious damage. After the ringing in her ears started to clear a voice that wasn't her own heard crying out in complete pain and agony cursing their Master.

"Ow ow, what the hell bitch with all due respect Master but why the fuck are you bringing me to life just to nearly kill me?!"

Standing there more pissed than ever steam and smoke rolled off her body with the majority of her coat destroyed but parts of it looked to have puffed out forming a shell around her that helped mitigate the damage she endured point blank. On the front of her coat with burns and tears appeared a face scowling being the root of all the ruckus crying out in agony with a chunk of its body destroyed. She made the wise choice to not underestimate the power of the attack doubling up on her defense as much as possible, and breathed life into her coat causing it to harden expanding around her to help absorb some of the damage. However, the one downside of this is she was stuck wearing this artificial life which had a rather obnoxious personality that irritated her as it cried out in pain. Coughing up a bit of bile smoke blew out her mouth with a raspy sounding voice from her attempting to 'eat' some of the cero explosion but only managed to cause harm to her mouth and tongue in the process.

"Can you cry a little quieter I need to focus dammit."

"Yes, Mistress bitch sorry!"

Ximena simply grunted at what it just called her but had other bigger things to focus on gripping her Zanpakuto into her left hand firmly lightly twirling the tonfa. Seeing how things seemed to ramp up she shook off the pain and then on both fists channeled her spiritual energy encasing the right fist in bala energy and the left in cero. Deciding to take up a unique stance for this situation a wicked smile came on her face now jumping lightly on her feet and assuming a more boxing posture. She still didn't know what the other clone would be up to and seeing how durable they appeared to be she prepared herself for what was to come.​

 

[Itami]

" OW OW OW! Huh?! Where the fuck am I? I remember charging up that Cero and then a flash of light and ... Did that pole using fishbait of an arrancar get me?! I'll make him pay for that! "

Grimaldi would tap the air in front of him, a tearing void ripping open to reveal the battlefield he was removed from. His instant regeneration would finish filling the last crack in his flesh as his smug face could be seen emerging from the Garganta's shadowy interior.

" B a s t a r d o "

Grimaldi sounded a touch different than the last time they heard his whimsical whimpers, The howling roar that comes from re-shakes the sands and compresses them lower. A flash of neon green light, the crack of a sonido, the wave of pressure now at the same location as the Clone who was meant for him. Grimaldi's Zanapkuto was now drawn, the whistle of chain connecting the two scythe-like weapons; The weapon consists of two curved, scythe-like blades connected by a long, flexible chain wrapped in cord, making them versatile and dynamic in combat. The larger blade has a sleek, elongated curve with a dark metallic finish, tapering to a sharp, deadly point. The handle is sturdy and simple, providing a firm grip, and it's connected to the smaller blade by the cord. The smaller blade, while less prominent, is equally sharp and curved, mirroring the design of the larger blade but with a more compact form.

The cord that connects the two blades allows for fluid movements, enabling the wielder to swing the blades with speed and precision, potentially attacking from multiple angles or manipulating the weapon in complex, unpredictable patterns. This design suggests that the weapon is not only meant for close-range combat but can also be used to control space around the wielder, keeping enemies at bay or ensnaring them in a deadly trap.


The pressure bearing down upon any nearby would be colossal, the gravity ripping the Clone Grimaldi faced off its feet plummeting towards Grimaldi's surprise attack would be met by the flicking of Grimalid's left wrist, which sent the smaller side of his Zanpakuto at the torso it seemed of Kuvello; While Grimaldi reared back with the larger side. The chain now getting tossed around in a large looping motion. Every hair on Grimalid's neck was raised, he had some payback to dish out.

Gargantua > Returning to the fight
Posting Order: Kuvello → Emillia → Ximena → Grimaldi

​

 

[Kuvello]

---

Suddenly behind the Clone who had send Grimaldi away, a shadow would appear as it was cast down, engulfing the form of the clone as Grimaldi's return was announced by his vulgar howl as the sands began to shift around them. It was clear what was at work here, the gravitational pull of Grimaldi's intoxicating reiatsu was pulling him in. Just as the effects of his Reiatsu began to envelop his being, the clone would perform a Sonido as he found himself manifesting near an area just outside the radius of the gravitational effects of Grimaldi's reiatsu, however his immense presence continued to bear down upon the Clone as he watched Grimaldi's Zanpakuto motion to return to him after the clone was able to successfully dodge the initial sickle of his attack.

"It's good to see you've returned, Grimaldi. I would've hated to see you taken out after a single Cero. Tell you what, if you assist me in taking out the other two, we can truly let ourselves loose."

The Clone's voice would call out over the events of the battlefield transpired as he spoke toward the Segunda Espada, giving him a false promise as he wondered just how capable he was of being manipulated into goading the downfall of his rivaled peers. It would take more than might to defeat Grimaldi, and what better way to tip the scale than to outsmart him?
​

---

Feeling the pressure of the Quatra Espada's spear upon his side as the grasp around her blade fell short as it shimmered away. The eyes of the clone would widen as she managed to forcefully skewer the clone, however the gaze of shock would fade as a sickening grin replaced the visage of his facade. Now she was forced into close proximity with the clone as while her strength would send him to the ground, his iron grip upon her wrist would lead into a black and salmon colored glow as he charged up a cero with his free hand, delivering it point blank into the torso of Emilia.

The motion of her twist would be halted by the clone's grip as the stab wound he succumbed would begin to close, as his body began to regenerate enough to lock the zanpakuto of the Espada within his side. Firing off the Cero Obscuras in the same moment, the dazzling specticle would silhouette the visage of Emilia from the clone's gaze as he motioned to kick her legs out from underneath her to enable him an opening to stand back up, to prepare to use his newly confiscated Zanpakuto against her.
​

---

Grasping the animated coat of the Tercera Espada, the Clone would pull her toward it's direction as he manifested from the Garganta that appeared behind her as she motioned to evade the Cero Doble's Explosion. It was clear her focus was kept on what was before her rather than her surroundings as not even her animated clothing could respond in time to his grasp.

Channeling and focusing his reiryoku into his arm and fist, the Clone would motion to perform a Palma Plancha to the back and side of Ximena, a force strong enough, even with possessing a sizeable strength in Hierro would leave her in a daze due to the concussive properties of the hand-to-hand strike, a strength she often gloated about.
​

---

Posting Order: Kuvello → Emillia → Ximena → Grimaldi​

​

 

[Elk]

Her eyes shifted over to the Cero that was charging up, every fiber of her being screaming to move, but she was unable to get away—he had her in his grip. While she was capable of withstanding a Gran Rey Cero, she wasn’t willing to exert that much energy to do so, even if it was a Cero Oscuras. As the clone moved his hand, so did her body. It was a minor adjustment, one that had his hand bursting through her. It showed little to no resistance as the clone’s hand and arm were seen bursting through her body, with the Cero emerging from the back.
Yet there was no blood on his forearm. She had never hidden the fact that her Hollow hole was in the center of her torso; in fact, she had designed her outfit to accommodate it. She had used her physical body to her advantage, relying on reaction speeds that required no thought on her part.

“You’re able to Regenerate!?! BASTARDO!!”

Her eyes looked down at her Zanpakutō, encased within his body, his skin and muscles regenerating around it and enclosing it. As the Cero was unleashed, the black and salmon light shot high into the sky. While she couldn’t outright pull her Zanpakutō free due to his skin healing around it, it gave her a golden opportunity. She still released the Cero within the clone’s body, even as she was kicked off her feet. His body was certainly durable, but was it durable enough to contain the Cero within him? That didn’t matter. His organs were not as durable as he would have liked them to be.

The Cero inside his body ravaged everything within, the pink light obliterating every organ inside the man’s body. Not even his healing factor could restore those organs. All that remained was an empty, dead husk with no functioning means of survival. Even Arrancars like themselves needed their organs to live.

On top of the organ eradication, she caused extensive damage to all the muscles in his torso, rendering them completely useless and ensuring movement was impossible. She gripped the staff portion of her Zanpakutō a little too tightly, her thoughts racing. How could he regenerate his body? From her understanding, she had given up her high-speed regeneration in favor of power and her Hierro. She would have to ask him about that particular ability of his.

Posting Order: Emillia → Ximena → Grimaldi→ Kuvello

​

 

[dem0nzlust]

Ximena had attempted to make a move but found her balance still out of sync when she stepped forward with a wobble. Shaking her head lightly she steadily shook off the daze and ringing in her ears from the strike that landed on her followed up by one big eager smile to continue. During this time she fully stumbled over the sand of Hueco Mundo when she sensed the impending return of Grimaldi with his showcase of power feeling the gravity in the area suddenly shift greatly. Making one big stump onto the ground she managed to stabilize herself feeling the potent pull drawing them in toward the center of the cause forcing her to resist with her brute strength and ramp up the fight unleashing her spiritual pressure as well.

"That damn mutt is always making things more complicated, but I love the moxy!"

Her sight remained fixated on her prey followed by a rapid series of bullet punches generating mini sonic booms from each bala she released from her left hand and a quick charged blast of cero from her right. It had been a while since she experienced a thrill like this with every fight Ximena was thrown in one fact always remained it wasn't for enjoyment but the right to survive and live. This was the ironclad rule every hollow born had etched into their very soul, survival of the fittest. Then that day when the shinigami attacked them within their home, the instinct to survive came flooding back as they suffered what she could only describe as a near-extinction event. Now she was placed in a situation where those memories flooded back, but this time it was different she was not fighting for just her survival but for once a different purpose. Although, the threat of death remained this was a fight to prove up to this point she was worthy of all the sacrifices and strife she had to endure to live. The thrill of a true challenge excited her with the continuous rise of her spiritual pressure Ximena's instincts sharpened in the heat of the situation and subconsciously her spiritual energy responded to this instinct with the next bullet punch she threw intertwining the bala energy with that of cero's creating a new technique. The bala released pulsated with azure coloration moving at the high speed of the bala, but containing the devastating explosion cero contains.

"Thank you for reminding me what it is I am fighting for Kuvello..." she muttered quietly to herself before yelling out with a big smile, "Now respectfully burn in hell you piece of shit clone!"

This time when Ximena withdrew her fist to throw a right jab she held it back in place charging up a powerful energy of her fist. Seeing how both Grimaldi and Kuvello didn't hesitate to use some of their strongest cero at their disposal it was only fair she obliged. The barrage of attacks she unleashed onto Kuvello had come to pause seeing its regenerative capabilities firsthand, she knew the only way to fully put a stop to it was to make sure nothing remained to heal. As the energy built up, they all were able to sense the amount of power Ximena continued to charge up, along with the realization that this was no ordinary cero but her Gran Ray Cero. With all of her muscles bulking up the sphere of energy encircling her fist immediately expanded to the diameter of a basketball decompressing and compressing as the space around her hand began to heavily distort warping the area around where she stood. Ximena had one plan in mind which was to nuke the entire area like an atomic bomb went off so no matter where the clone tried to hide there would be no place for it to escape from her burning all-consuming wrath.
​

---

Posting Order: Ximena → Grimaldi → Kuvello → Emillia
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---

 

[Itami]

The wild slashes and maneuvers, looping and swinging the chain part of his Zanpakuto, danced above Kuvello and Grimaldi. As Grimaldi found little success with his first close attacks, Kuvello proposed an idea.

"It's good to see you've returned, Grimaldi. I would've hated to see you taken out after a single Cero. Tell you what, if you assist me in taking out the other two, we can truly let ourselves loose."

Grimaldi would stop for a second, allowing the chains dancing above to fall around them, waist height, Grimaldi thought about snapping the chains shut around Kuvello the instant he decided to use his mouth for battle instead of his blade. However, the taste of betrayal was often sweet and sour, and Grimaldi loved all flavors of life. The chains dropped to the sands, as Grimaldi chuckeled softly.

" That's hilarious, you know I'll beat this clone, the real test isn't these weaker versions of yourself, the real test is them vs us two. Interesting, Kuvello, You are a smart Arrancar. "

As if hit with a jolt of electricity, Grimaldi would snap back into a fighting state, lifting his hands and flicking his arms in a way that sent the chain hurling back into the air. As Grimaldi would turn to face the other two female Arrancar, the gravitational pull of his reiatsu would peak. Seconds after they would seemingly destroy the clones assigned to combat with them, The effects of Grimaldi's reiatsu would dominate the battlefield, them being moderately out of range, it would feel as if their skin was being sucked off the bone. Grimaldi although having agreed to fight the other didn't exactly agree to team up with Kuvello.

This time, when Grimaldi's reiatsu howled out, the chains now back midair would loop over the unexpecting Kuvello. Grimaldi snapped his weight and the full pulling force of his rieatsu down as the chain severed the clone Kuvello's head from his torso. Lurching over Grimaldi would then he would pivot on the foot closest to Kuvello, inhaling as he does so then finally opening his mouth, a crimson and pitch black flash would distort time, and silence sound as the only disciple was the sickening warbling of Grimaldi's Gran Rey Cero Oscuras. This Cero not only obliterates its target but also tears through dimensions, creating temporary rifts in space and leaving behind a scar in reality itself. The power of this Cero is unparalleled, making it one of the most feared techniques in existence, known only to Grimaldi as the ultimate expression of his strength.

Grimaldi was the only one in Las Noches, no, all of Hueco Mundo that could use this power. Having the Soul King's Chain gave Grimaldi dominance when it came to displays of Cero. He needed not charge this attack, as it would change the landscape of Hueco Mundo forever, this singular instant flash of it was enough to crush the Kuvello clone and a good 100-foot line beyond his location.

The sands wouldn't be turned to glass, there was no heat from this attack. It was beyond normal energy, it was pure erasure. When the attack was finished, sound washed over them once more, the piles of sand rushing to fill the void Grimaldi had made, the booming clash of the heating landscape from the other's attacks, and Grimaldi's same chuckle.

" I hate smart Arrancar. "

Posting Order: Ximena → Grimaldi → Kuvello → Emillia

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[Adonai]

---

A pair of footsteps can be heard descending a flight of steps, one dainty with finesse between the steps and the other more careless and heavy. The lighter footsteps are heard ahead of the heavier ones indicating their placement on the stairs and their sense of care. Most who enter this place typically proceed with caution but these two walk with the pace of people who know what to expect up ahead. There is no need for caution when one can perceive the future and render any set up alarms or defense irrelevant. The pair of Antonio and Valiosa descend into a dark place most Arrancar and Hollow dare not tread either because of its sole inhabitant or out of ignorance of its existence, El Nido. Located under Las Noches, this place serves as the home to a particular Arrancar who is an oddity to even Valiosa.

This man had been around for quite some time, toiling away with his own projects and refused to be bound to a Soul King part for quite some time, almost as if he were uninterested in it. Maybe it was her constant, and incessant, questioning that led him to accept some part of the Soul King so that he may return to his studies in peace. This man accepted the Blood of the Soul King into his body, what he has done with it is unknown to her but he too is an Espada, although one without a number. This numberless Espada will be receiving his rank today along with news of their next step.

”Oi, C-Cazador, I know you h-heard us coming. W-why haven’t y-you-”

Antonio’s stutter removes any sort of authority to his tone and voice, knowing that Valiosa cuts him off by tapping his arm lightly. He looks at her then scoffs, going quiet and frowning at Cazador Aburrimiento. Much like Kuvello, Antonio does not trust nor like Cazador because of the lengths they had to go through to recruit him. It was annoying and time wasting, although Valiosa seemed to treat it like a game, coming back to this underbelly of Las Noches time and time again to bug someone who would rather be left alone. She approaches Cazador brazenly and peeks over his shoulder to see what he is working on.

”Pardon the intrusion and Antonio, we are here because we did not see you with the others. I wanted to deliver my marching orders to everyone personally so that I know for a fact everyone received them. I received information from our Shinigami associate, the woman calling herself the ‘Mother of Vizards’. I want my Espada to go to the Human World to scout out any last vestiges of the Soul King for us to use from humans called Fullbringers.”

She looks around and pulls up a spare stool that glides across the tiled floor on four wheels. She hops on it and spins herself in circles a few times, enjoying the juvenile activity for a few moments before returning to business.

”I don’t expect all of the Espada to go to the Human world, some may stay behind, which is fine but I do need some to depart and collect these Fullbringers for me. With that said I also need to give you your number as well. You will be the Cinco Espada, Numbers are only given out in order of those who join our fold properly. With that said, will you be joining the excursion to the Human world or will you continue to toil away in here until it is time to invade the Soul Society?"

Valiosa was asking a genuine question, there was no malice laced to it, she just wanted to know what his plan was. Meanwhile, the ever dense Antonio did not pick up on this as he balled his hands into fists, ready to strike at any answer perceived as incorrect. His left eye split into four pupils and after taking a step forward he stopped and relaxed. That one eye showed him a future where Valiosa reprimanded him by taking his arm off. With his healing factor mostly burnt out due to his battle with Estarossa he can't risk taking that sort of damage. He relaxes and remains quiet, well as quiet as he can as he breathes through his mouth.

---

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[Nobody]

Arrancar were creatures ruled by instinct, this instinct came in many forms; more often than not it adorned the form of arrogance and pride. Pride in their own respective power, strength, ability, the belief in their superiority over not only the Shinigami, but each other. This truth is put on display as those called Espada are gathered, though for what purpose eludes them, perhaps even the very soul that had called it. They gather one after the other, and no sooner had they gathered did they begin to bicker. This bickering, as expected from creatures of pride and instinct, inevitably devolved into violence.

In the midst of the chaos, the throwing of punches, the swinging of blades, the blasting of cero was a short, stubby little creature. While clearly a hollow it seemed incredibly feeble, with laughable reiatsu. When added with the fact it was cowering behind a piece of marble colored furniture the creature seemed out of place in a gathering space of the strongest Arrancar. Watching the events unfold it raised a shaking hand, pointing towards the clash of hollowborn talents. It wasn't uncommon to see such creatures out and about within Hueco Mundo. Many knew who their master was, but very very, few had actually ever seen or met him.

Though somewhat distanced from the conflict, with every attack launched the creature seemed to duck real quick as if to evade any possible stray attack.

 

[Nobody]

"My my, how barbaric."

Deep within the underbelly of Las Noches, unknown by few, unseen and untouched by eve fewer a voice came from within a room, a bright light illuminating the hall that led into it. A loud yet distant crash could be heard from inside the room, somewhat distorted, as if it weren't happening exactly inside but, rather was some form of audio being played from within.

"Oh dear, this is why I never attend such things. Tsk Tsk"

The voice lamented, disapproval clear within their voice. The space in which the room was in, was one of many in an extensive laboratory, or at the very least what seemed to be one. 'Oho, guests?' While indulging in whatever it is that had his attention at the moment, something else had momentarily pulled it away.
​

”Oi, C-Cazador, I know you h-heard us coming. W-why haven’t y-you-”​

Before the man could finish his babbling, he is stopped by one with the wisdom and foresight to see that such an approach would get them nowhere. Aside from being a man of science, Cazador also prided himself on being a gentleman, abhorring boorish and rude behavior.
​

”Pardon the intrusion and Antonio, we are here because we did not see you with the others. I wanted to deliver my marching orders to everyone personally so that I know for a fact everyone received them.-​

"Tsk! Of course you did not catch me with such uncivilized company. Reprehensible, the lot of them! Hmph!"

He retorts, huffing angrily. The fact of him throwing a small fit rather being intimidating was somewhat comical given his short stature, the woman peeking over his shoulder easily towering over him. Cazador was definitely an odd one, where other Arrancar might take offense or anger at being commanded or one speaking as if they were above them, Cazador instead only focuses on the fact she expected him to be mingling with the band of uncouth scoundrels.
​

-I received information from our Shinigami associate, the woman calling herself the ‘Mother of Vizards’. I want my Espada to go to the Human World to scout out any last vestiges of the Soul King for us to use from humans called Fullbringers.”​

Due to the very nature of his mask, it made it impossible to tell what he thought of this news. Had it intrigued him in the slightest? Or, did he find the whole matter to be pointless or of no interest to himself. Rather than saying anything he appeared to continue to be watching the Garganta Broadcast that was erected before him, witnessing the ongoings at the "meeting" through the lens of his Plumas that was currently cowering there, watching the events unfold. This also meant that, Valiosa and Antonio were also privy to what was transpiring there due to their proximity to Cazador.
​

”I don’t expect all of the Espada to go to the Human world, some may stay behind, which is fine but I do need some to depart and collect these Fullbringers for me. With that said I also need to give you your number as well. You will be the Cinco Espada, Numbers are only given out in order of those who join our fold properly.-​

"Fret not M'lady, for in the end what is in a number? A rose by any other name and such, huehue."

He assures her that he finds no insult in something as paltry as the number he is assigned. This was genuine, as he could have been labeled the very last and would remain unaffected. This was not because he felt any deep sense of loyalty towards Valiosa and so was inclined to accept whatever she said, he simply didn't care of such matters.
​

-With that said, will you be joining the excursion to the Human world or will you continue to toil away in here until it is time to invade the Soul Society?"​

After she poses the question to Cazador there is silence, and from this silence an almost palpable tension began to surface and linger in the air. This tension not born from Valiosa but rather the situation. How would he perceive the question asked of him, and how is Antonio viewing the nature and purpose of said question? Seconds tick away, passing like hours.
Clink clink Clink

Wobbling into the room, carrying a porcelain tray of three tea cups and two other little containers atop of it, was a Plumas, mirroring the one at the meeting in every way.

"Ah! It's here! Might I offer you two a spot of tea?"

The Espada motions towards his fraccion as they do their best, struggling to balance the tray as they carry it over. While a polite gesture, Valiosa is one of the few who knows the risks. The rule of thumb when dealing with this man was, it was always best to decline whatever beverage or treats he offers, regardless of how humble, polite and sincere he comes across. The answer to Valiosa's question seemingly put on hold as he in turn, offers one of his own.

 

[Kuvello]

Kuvello would motion to stand as he watched as each of his clones were dispatched. Each Espada proving their prowess in one way or another. Brute Force, Tenacity, Perseverance. The reverberations of the Segunda Espada could still be felt as the Gran Rey Cero Obscuras channeled a permanent scar into the sands of Hueco Mundo, a wound that would regrettably become forgotten with the passage of time, and movement of the limitless sands.

Stepping into a distortion that began to spread apart the fabric of reality before him, Kuvello would find himself standing just beyond the gathered Espada as they each took to the clones, harvesting what would be left of them, should they decide to partake in this offering. His emerald eyes would shift toward the hollow who miraculously survived the onslaught, choosing to show himself now that the fight was over, a mindset raised from an existence of scavenging. A trait Kuvello would share and empathize with.

"Hm? What do we have here?"

The Primera Espada's eyes would shift between each of the Espada as they began to gather around him. Kuvello's arm would extend down as he motioned to grab the stubby creature, and lift it up to be at least chest level with the Primera.

"A spy? Or a palate cleanser?"

Kuvello would chuckle before dropping the lowly creature back to the Hueco Mundo sands as he awaited for the hollow's answer. The Primera's guard never truly laxing, however he held no intent to engage unless threatened."

"Well, you all did about as well as I would have hoped. I still expect the utmost of all of you, for the sake of Lady Valiosa's Dream. At this rate, the Seireitei as a whole will buckle and bow with our power, individually. In the meantime, I believe its time we begin preparing to descend upon the Human World."