Listen While You Read
The Seireitei as a whole has gone through its fair share of ups and downs, from the ancient past to the modern day, these past ten days are one such low. The loss of multiple Captains, two being forced to step down and one being lost in more ways than one.
Yuichiro Shihōin, Captain Commander of the Gotei Thirteen until but a few days ago, demoted from such a prestigious position after a relatively short term in power. A lack of action and reaction was the downfall of the Shihōin Captain Commander. His cousin, Yugure Shihōin, Captain of Ninth Division also suffered the same fate, a demotion for much the same reason, negligence. The final Captain to be lost is Itaku Ohei, not out of negligence, but a much sadder fate. Having lost control to his inner Hollow, Captain Itaku became violent, lashing out and eventually succumbing to the efforts of Captain Taro of Eleventh. Now the task of leading the Gotei Thirteen falls upon the Central Forty-Six once more, in spite of what the Shinigami may prefer.
Atop the internal struggles of the Seireitei, another worrisome event is the topic of today. The reveal of a potential rival, perhaps a potential ally, the Quincy. Stood before the newly revealed Quincy Emperor, and between their own two guards stands an individual clad in black attire resembling a Shihakushou and a Haori resembling that of a Captains, but bearing none of the notable markings. Their head is mostly covered by two pieces of garment, a hood and an opaque white veil marked with a chrysanthemum. The symbol of the First Division of the Gotei Thirteen.
”A pleasure to finally meet with… What I can only assume is a representative of Shinigami leadership.”
The Quincy Emperor speaks first, with a correct assumption. A husky feminine voice slips past the veil covering her face, a cordial response.
“And it is a pleasure meeting you as well, Adonai, Quincy Emperor.”
Whilst pleasantries were not expected, the elderly soul is briefly disappointed as Adonai leaves no space for much beyond the business at hand.
”I won’t pry for details over that, it’s your business. As my Rangers said, ten days ago, we Quincy come in peace. We have lived in the human world for the last nineteen years and many of my people have carved out meaningful lives here and I wish for them to continue doing so without scrutiny. That aside, I come to you today to form a treaty of peace and non-aggression between our people. I would also like to deepen that by eventually being able to work side by side with Shinigami.”
Behind the veil, the representative is not shocked, but it is clear she is a bit puzzled. She had heard that the Quincy had been living in the human world, masquerading as regular citizens, not to hide, but just to live. How in the world did none of the Shinigami ever catch so much as a whiff of their existence? Why is it that their reveal only came from a show of power against Antonio, and this meeting? The latter mention of peace and non-aggression is comforting, but still unease hangs heavy in the air. That unease only intensifies as Adonai pulls on shadows and through shadows to reveal two body bags. Then Adonai continues, with an expression less inviting than previously.
”Ten years ago you were attacked by a group of Arrancar bearing parts of the Soul King. Upon their retreat we intercepted them in Hueco Mundo, in Las Noches specifically. I personally tended to the culling of their upper ranks, those who possessed the Blood, Heart and Eyes of the Soul King. My Quincy then decimated their strong hold along with any loyalist they may have had. Much to our surprise we ran into a couple of defectors, the body bags before you are their remains.”
Remains of fellow Souls? The representative is a veteran of politics, it has been their life for a long time, perhaps longer than the life of many of the individuals in this very room. Even still, she is shocked at such a display, for the Quincy to claim that they have dealt with defectors of the Seireitei, that is a bold move. It is her experience that keeps her from commenting until Adonai has finished speaking, perhaps there is more to this story. Afterall, the rest of his statements have proven true, it has been quite some time since any signs of the previous invaders of the Seiretei have been seen. Not to mention the disposal of Antonio which was witnessed by Shinigami.
”We interrogated them, wanting to know what they were after. Their goal was simple: take over the Soul Society. Their method of take over was anything but simple. Before you lay the Mother of Vizards, Kano and Sagishi Hashimoto, former Captain of Fifth Division. Apparently they used a civil war as cover to slip out of Soul Society? I do hope those tumultuous times are behind you. My people had to deal with something similar about twenty years ago now.”
It is fortunate that the traitors shared their names with the Quincy. The mention of Kano and Sagishi, that is what sets the representative at ease. Her tensed posture visually relaxes, shoulders slumping ever so slightly, an odd display for such a senior politician and judge. Thoughts roll through her head, some regarding a way of thanking the Quincy, others about how this could all be a ploy, uncertainty lingers in the mind of the politician, he seems truthful but one cannot be too certain. The doubtfulness of the C46 member keeps her from taking the moment of pause that Adonai provides in his hesitation. Then she is hit with the equivalent of a social bomb.
”These two wanted to take the Soul King’s power and rule with it and the Arrancar were to be tools to gather and hold his parts for them to take and assimilate for themselves later. Needless to say, that plan struck a chord with me because… The Soul King… Is… My father.”
A rollercoaster of emotions is not a suitable enough expression. She stares at the man who makes a display of his triplet of pupils in each eye. With Seimei seemingly convinced and Izanagi on the same ship, the representative is not at all on board. She sees the unique eyes of the Quincy Emperor, but does not recognise the resemblance to the Soul King’s own eyes. No one bar Adonai should be aware of this trait of his supposed father. If there was one thing that could have been said and entirely dismissed as a delusion or lie, that was it. The shift in Reiatsu did very little to sway her, afterall she is no Shinigami, nor is she familiar with the sensation of the Soul King’s reiatsu.
”I am not here to lie or jest, to deceive or scheme. I am here to be truthful and forthcoming with you about who and what we Quincy are. Above all else, I desire peace. Those who desecrated my father had to pay the price, surely you could understand this? As it stands one Arrancar still exists with the Spine, Emillia. Pink hair, sporting a half mask as a fragment, Hollow Hole in the middle of her chest. The parts I have already taken are being kept in our realm of Lichtreich, locked away. I will not allow further desecration of my father to persist. Seeing how the Three Worlds are doing just fine I am only to assume he is safe in your care and I thank you deeply for that. Now… Forgive me for talking one-sided in all this haha I’m sure you have a bunch of questions, ask away and I’ll answer anything you want.”
The seeming ramblings of a mad-man claiming to be the son of the progenitor of the three realms continue. Mentions of desecration fly over her head, but the mention of Emilia does not. One of the Arrancar who had shown up during the invasion, she is a familiar character. Then one of a fourth realm, Lichtreich. There is much to talk about, and much to think on, she brings a hand to her veil, clearing her throat with a slight cough. Then before she can even speak, she is interrupted by Izanagi.
“That was quite the revelation, I’m glad that you saw fit to share those details. It puts my mind at ease and even puts things into perspective. And thanks for ridding us both of a potential future problem. As you’ve noted, the three worlds are doing just fine which brings me to a couple of things. As the son of the Soul King, you already know why us Shinigami exist. The balance is to be maintained, so help me to understand what it is that Quincys do? As in just who and what you are? I’m genuinely curious to learn more about our neighbours. Secondly, what is this Lichtreich place like? You mentioned the three worlds but it seems your kingdom is not a part of it”.
Irritably, she allows the Captain to finish what he is saying, but she does not allow a response as she speaks straight after he is finished, a clear sense of annoyance coming from her initial few words.
“The Captain is right, quite the revelation indeed, and he poses a couple of good questions, but right now is not his time to speak, nor is it his place to speak.”
She pauses and turns her glance towards Izanagi before returning to looking towards Adonai. To argue with a mad-man is to be insane yourself, so she ‘accepts’ his claim of his heritage.
“So, son of the Soul King, Quincy Emperor Adonai. Let me start by saying that we appreciate this meeting, it is a comforting change of pace from the usual assault or counter-assaults we face. I am here as a representative as you surmised, and to negotiate for the very same things you desire, however there are things that come to mind that must be discussed. The most pressing matter is your methods of dispatching of Hollow and Arrancar alike. The Shinigami of the Soul Society work for one purpose, to maintain the balance of the three realms, that is their duty. As unfortunate as it is, the Hollow and Arrancar as part of that balance and it did not go beneath our notice that your methods work against our very efforts. I will not feign to have the knowledge of why or how, but when Antonio and his forces were erradicated by the Quincy, their souls did not return to the cycle. From my knowledge, they simply vanished. If there is to be a mutual understanding, an alliance and peace, then you and your people must abstain from killing any Hollow of any form. I understand if it happens on occasion for self-defence though.”
Her words come to a halt as she eyes over the Emperor for his reaction, seeking any dislike of this condition, or preferably an understanding. Once she is satisfied with either an answer, or a reaction, her hands motion outwards towards the two Shinigami that flank her.
“These two are part of one half of the Shinigami that are dedicated to maintaining peace within the Human World, ensuring that Hollow and Arrancar do not destabilize the balance themselves by killing off humans en masse. If the Quincy intend to continue living their lives among the human civilization, please trust that they will do their job to ensure this safety.”
Her hands drop back and her hands slip into her sleeves as they come together. Her eyes then shift over towards the two body bags and her head motions towards them.
“With all that said, along with these two and to an extent, Antonio, we appreciate your efforts even if they were not intended to assist us. However their bodies do bring another concern. I will operate under the assumption that they assaulted you first, as a show of good faith, but I cannot simply overlook the fact that these are Souls of the Seireitei. Had they been any other souls, perhaps these talks would have ended with their mention, I hope you understand that.”
It is true that the representative’s words come off as harsh, perhaps even aggressive, but if they had shown up with the bodies of Quincy, she expects the reaction of the Quincy Emperor to be much the same. In the world of negotiations, she believes it is important to ensure that she is not a push over, and limits must be established. Her words continue as she does her best to avoid the claim of Adonai’s heritage.
“We will do our best to locate Emillia, and if this alliance is to begin today, I make a simple request, if you find her first, do not take her life. I urge you to make contact with a member of my organization, the Central Forty-Six. We act as the ‘government’ of the Soul Society, the Gotei Thirteen, the Shinigami are more the militaristic side of the Soul Society. As you may know yourself, there are wild cards that sometimes cannot be trusted to convey accurate information.”
Once more a hand comes loose from her joined sleeves and shifts to point towards Izanagi, then she brings to the forefront his questions once more.
“The boy’s questions are valid, if you would answer them, we would be grateful to hear you out. Although, I have a feeling you will not part ways with the information regarding how you’ve hidden your realm for so long, nor will I press the matter. If you do have questions of your own, I, will do my best to answer them to the best of my ability.”
