Wrath of the Archdemon: Athena

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me"

Psalm 23:4

First Encounter, Origin of Power
It was dark. The night sky was clouded with tall, rolling thunderclouds, crackling and roaring above like an impending invasion or a foreboding prelude of a orchestra, playing doom's tune. The air is cold, electric, and wet, the imminent feeling of rainfall and lightning is almost as inevitable as the blood that will be spilled today.

The men in equally dark garments of the Stealth Force knew this, for their tight-bodily garments that covered nearly all of their bodies still felt the elements and made the slight chill go up their spines. They knew why they were here; following their Lieutenant and Captain to seek out and assess the situation, and if possible, eliminate it. The threat was vague that was given to them, but a unveiling of massive Spiritual Pressure originating that of a Hollow or a multitude of Hollows, the answer unclear still, lied in the Cracked Valley, a place where the fields of grass flowed over to tall cliffs and down into many intricate tall rockfaced, intricate canyons, most of it marred with black and gray stone of nearly unknown origin.

It was here, at the epicenter of the valley, what looked like a indentation in the eart itself from a large blast of sorts or terrible power, which caused the earth to crack and form the vulgar, twisted canyon valley they see today. And it was also at the epicenter, where the Spiritual Pressure was seen skyrocketing off the readings the 12th Division's Department of Research & Development found on their monitors.

The wind blew across the edge of the valley, a flow of dark green grass like rippling of water as the storm began to gather over the valley and canyons. What happened next, was the inevitable. Nearly 50 pairs of feet landed silently on the grassy edge of the cliff, the center of the group had the two high ranking individuals that is the superiors fo the Stealth Force's Punishment Force officers that stood with them. Captain Seu-Feng of the 2nd Division, Commander-In-Chief of the Stealth Force and her subordinate, much to her chagrin, Marechiyo Ōmaeda, Lieutenant of the 2nd Division and Head of the Patrol Corps of the Stealth Force.

The most dialouge traded among these fifty Soul Reapers, happened between these two superiors, as always.

"C-C-Captain!" The Lieutenant stated out in distress, rubbing his forearms up and down, shivering and blue-faced with fear, "this place is scary! Why are we the only ones here and why are we so far away from the Soul Society?!-"

WHAM!

A solid back handed fist indented the Lieutenant's face comically, causing him to flail his arms in alarm and muffled painful pleas and cries from the unwaranted, as far as he knew, attack.

"Stop your whining, Lieutenant! If you paid any attention during the debriefing instead of primping your pigish face and stuffing it full of junk, you would know that the origin of the Hollow Spiritual Pressure came from here. This is legendary area, the Cracked Valley, to a battle fought with a powerful force that once served the Soul King. It is said to be a large burial ground of the very species that fought and died against the Soul Reapers, as well as many Zanpakuto shards. Pay more respect here you fool, or you'll die of your ignorance!"

"S-So cruel!" the Lieutenant cried and stroked his face gingerly, aware that some bruising will diminsh the beauty of his wonderful 'beautiful' face.

Little did they know, the enemy was already aware of their presence....

"Let's move! Spread out and find the source of the Spiritual Pressure anonymoly! If you locate the enemy, don't engage and wait for the rest of us! If they attack, defend yourself!" Seu-Feng shouted out to her subordinates, all of them dispatching after a brief acknowledging nod from all of them simultaneously before using Flash Step, disappearing as silently as they came.

However, her Lieutenant on the other hand, "Y-Y-Yes, Captain!" He stuttered, afraid at what he might find and had almost no intention on fighting the enemy alone at all. With a glare directed at him from his Captain, he immediately gulped and disappeared in a Flash Step of his own, disappearing towards the large, ruined valley and canyons.

Seu-Feng took a deep breath, before exhaling, narrowing her eyes as she had felt the foreboding feeling that something of incredible power lurked within the valley. And she might not live to tell about it...

Shaking her head, she moved in a rapid Flash Step of her own, moving much swifter and farther than her subordinates, aiming to move towards the center of the valley itself. Her hair whipped around, her cloak billowed around her lithe, black garbed form, her eyes cool and narrowed, giving her from the flashing lightning and thunder the appearance of a fearless demon. To anyone else, it would look like a challenge...

But as soon as Seu-Feng dropped onto the ground, her slip-on sandals clacked noislessly against the uneven rock formation below her as she looked, in the center of the cracked earthen landscape rested a figure whose demonic visage knew no bounds. It radiated power...power she had never thought possible but of her Head Captain to possess. The power to shake herself to her core and her blood grow cold.

As soon as her men descended soundlessly, albeit her Lieutenant was whimpering and complaining so loud its a wonder he didn't die first, much to her chagrin, they all grew silent as they all felt in a joining terror of the amazing power the Hollow before them had.

"C...C...Captain?" Lieutenant Ōmaeda spoke aloud in a hoarse gasp, his face turned blue with fear and sweat came down like a rainstorm, symbolizing the downpour they have to face in a matter of minutes.

"I-Is that a Vasto Lorde? A Hollow Lord?" One of the Stealth Force officers spoke aloud in a clear show of attempting to stave the fear within his own body.

"It could be a Adhuchas, but I've never seen any with the level of Spiritual Pressure its giving off," a bald-headed Stealth Force officer responded.

"Cease the chatter!" Seu-Feng said with a strong voice, her teeth bit down on the inside of her mouth, drawing blood to keep her own cool, looking over at her men, "this is the threat, the source of the incredible Hollow Power. Prepare to engage on my command!"

"Yes, Captain!" They all said in unison, remembering their place in unison and began crouching, reaching for their individual Zanpakutos, beginning to unsheathe them with audible clicks and scrapes of metal meeting the sheathes.

"F-Fight...that thing?! We must be insane?!" Ōmaeda thought with remorse and terror, his hand instinctively reached for his own Zanpakuto, but did not dare to unsheathe it, for fear of provoking the monster.

This creature that stood before the Stealth Force was floating just a few feet off of the ground, it's legs put togather, it's arms spread out to it's sides, and it's two pronged tail slowly whirling around it. It's skin was a blackish blue shade, and it possessed numerous pieces of what appeared to be armor all around it's body. It's most notable traits however, were it's head and it's shoulders. The head itself was like a helmet of sorts, covering the top half of it. From the center of it emerged two black forward facing horns, one shorter than the other, and below them were two black holes, presumidibly where it's eyes would be. On it's shoulders were two similar shaped heads with pincher like blades on their lower facing side. They looked similar in design to the helmet itself, albeit split into two of course. Both of them had a similar black hole in their center each. It's chest also possessed two holes within it as well. One would normally expect it to be a demon, if they relied solely on their vision of course.

With a piercing echo like noise, the eye on it's right shoulder revealed itself to be yellow and hollowish in appearance. Right after that, it's left hand counter part followed, then the right eye on the chest piece, then the left eye on the chest piece. After these eyes were open and upon the large squad of Soul Reapers, the eyes on the figures head opened, and a sinister growl was emited from the creatures mouth.

The collaboration of soul reapers gasped, groaned, and yelled out from the grotesque display following by the gusting wind that came from its distinguishable Hollow-like roar, even Seu-Feng twitched and bit on her lip as her hair dangled all over behind her head and neck, fiercer than the winds of the above storm ever did, but her eyes were keen and poised to strike.

With a raise of her hand, she shouted out, "Men! Formation D, Black Wasp Strike!"

"Yes sir!" They say in unison, only Ōmaeda stayed behind as he backed up from the vicious, bloodthirsty abomination before him.

As they charged towards their target with deft speed only known to their Division and their Force, they initialized a number of Flash Steps, appearing in a V-shaped position, as they all began throwing throwing knives to and fro, but not aiming for the beast, but rather stringing up a series of nigh invisible lines, strung with specially crafted Spiritual particles. Once completed, all of the men strung their spiritual energy into the twine, causing a series of blue electric lines to go forth from the lines around the beast and electrocute it high intensity, aiming to both shock and cut into the hollow's flesh, weakening it for a killing blow.

The bald-headed Stealth Soul Reaper, drew his sword, looking onward towards the beast, saying lowly, "You're mine monster," before he Flash Stepped, appearing just past the beast as he cut along its neck and shoulderblade, his sword brimmed with the electric energy that continued to attempt to damage it as well as restrain it.

The Hollow's expression did not change as it looked to both it's left and it's right, taking note of the enemies formation. It touched one of the blue lines with it's finger, seemingly curious as to what manner of attack the Soul Reapers had used against him. It almost felt as if though he was ignoring the Soul Reaper officer that had just struck him.

A slight grin came across the creature's tooth filled mouth. Had the officer looked down, he would have noticed the Hollow's razor-sharp, two pronged tail coming straight from under him, aiming for the center of his torso...

"Shi-gurrrk!" The officer struck his Zanpakuto in between the pronged tail, but the force was so great, it shattered his sealed Zanpakuto effortlessly, like glass, before a audible ripping and squelching of his chest being impaled all the way through his chest and out of his back, nearly killing him instantly. His body spasmed, thinking how he could've not struck the beast and not notice its extra appendage, before his eyes closed and fell limp, a loud clattering of his weapon's hilt clattering on the rock ground below him, caused the other men to notice but not let up their attack, awaiting orders.

"He...he didn't even flinch?!" Ōmaeda gasped, his legs and arms shook as his eyes widened with shock and horror, "he killed an officer without looking and didn't even get phased by the attack?! What the hell is he?!"

"Bakudo #30,"

Seu-Feng had already saw that the lines didn't work long before the beast started tugging at them and killed one of her men, moving with deft speed and proficiency as she strung a inverted triangle of yellow spiritual energy, the result made a set of three yellow beaks while she strung her arm downwards towards her left ankle, in the pose customary to using the Kido,

"Shitotsu Sansen!"

With the name spoken, and the full power used behind the Kido, despite no incantation being used, the yellow lines launched the three yellow beaks, aiming to strike the Hollow beast along the waist and arms, aiming to propel it across the air towards a nearby boulder.

The creature turned it's gaze towards the trio of projectiles, the grin on his face still present. In a quick manner, he licked the blood off of his bloodied tail and began to emit a small amount of his spiritual pressure. This move caused a much more violent wind to spread out, affecting nearly everything in it's vicinity. Though it was spreading around the area, the Hollow was directing most of it towards the three energy beaks that were heading straight for him. Upon contact with the Reitsu, the Kido bolts wobbled and shook, before finally shattering and fading from view. The Hollow simply smirked.

The men around the Hollow from a good 15 meters began to cover their faces and dig their heels into the ground from another burst of Spiritual Pressure, mixed in with its own raw Spiritual Power, distorting not only the Bakudo but the special lines that were wrapped around it, snapping off with the sound of piano cords one by one before they were all laying useless on the earthen landscape.

"He...he didn't even move, and he destroyed a level 30 Bakudo?! This guy," Ōmaeda shivered, stepping back even moreso, "this guy is a monster! "

"I expected as much," Seu-Feng said with a analytically cold voice, as she moved back to grab her Zanpakuto, slowly unsheathing it as she said aloud, "this Hollow is on par by Spiritual Power alone with the Head Captain himself. I don't know if I can kill it, but I will attempt to stave off any attempts in killing the rest of my subordinates."

"But Captain-"

"Get your useless ass out of her, Lieutenant!" She barked out, spreading her legs out and poised herself to move, "do something useful with your existance and get the information back to Head Captain. Now!"

"You'll die!"

"Move dammit!" She looked over to him, her eyes wide with adrenaline filled in her body and a look of sheer lethal tenacity.

The death glare was all Ōmaeda needed as he began to turn and run, shouting back to his Captain, "I'll get help, I promise Captain!"

"I won't hold my breath," Seu-Feng muttered lowly, before she set her eyes back at the monster.

"Orders, Captain?!" One of the soul reapers near the Hollow spoke in a tense and unsure voice.

"Men, I want you to initiate Formation E, Whirlwind Strike," she raised her hand, then lowered it, shouting out, "now!"

"HOOOOHAAAAAAAA!!!" The Soul Reapers all yelled simultaneously, the war cry would ordinarily stunned even the most staunch of foes as they all used Flash Step in unison, surrounding the beast with blades drawn and their numbers surrounding it, all of them aiming to cut and slash the beast as one unit, aiming to kill it in a whirlwind of blades.

The creature tilted it's head slightly, seemingly interested in the banter occuring between the Soul Reapers. The eye on it's left shoulder began to follow the fleeing Vice Captain in an almost hungry manner. Showing annoyance at the number of Soul Reapers all converging in on his position, he gave a slight growl and then vanished from the sight of the Soul Reapers using Sonido, reappearing right behind their Captain. He then stood motionless, waiting to see her response.

After the men clashed their swords together in a rather series of awkward and missed swings, they all looked around until they saw that Seu-Feng stood still and the towering beast was directly behind her.

"So, you know something about assassination, do you beast?" Seu-Feng asked rhetorically, twirling out of her Haori, throwing it up into the air towards the monster's apparent eyes from both its helmeted face and grotesquely torso-located eyes, before Flash Stepping, appearing behind the monster and slashing at his throat with a deft-sped strike.

STICK!

Her blow had landed successfully on the creature's neck, but no blood was drawn, nor did he physically react. Instead, he gave an amused chuckle before actually speaking to the Captain. "I dare say..." it said with a deep, surprisingly sophisticated, albeit monstrous voice. "...All of this violence and chaos is a sure welcome to one who has been sealed away for nearly 3'000 years." When the words left his mouth, he reached his right hand up in a position to grab her by her head.

Its intelligent?! Seu-Feng thought with surprise as he spoke, but made sure not to lose her cool. Seeing the flex of his shoulder and the reac of his hand, allowed her to carefully time a grappel ontop of its head, swinging itself upwards with her feet pointing into the air and her hair draping downwards as she uttered lowly,

"Sting all enemies to death,"

with a subtle glow of crimson spiritual energy, her Zanpakuto transformed, forming a yellow & black vambrace along with a stinger blade pointed out from her middle finger,

"Suzumebachi!" Of course anything this powerful would've bound to gain some sort've understanding and plotting if this was a creature as powerful as her Head Captain. However, she did not expect her sword to vibrate so intensely against his skin. The Spiritual Power behind the monster was so vast, a Captain's Sealed form could not even draw blood. However...she had him still right where she wanted him.

With a directed glare, she called out to him, "Who are you, monster?! Tell me quickly before I end your existance!"

He simply looked up at her, the gaze of all five of his eyes tearing straight through hers. "I am..." The area around him then began to shake violently as the creature spoke in a terrifying voice. "...The True King of Hueco Mundo!" Then, the monster released an even bigger amount of Spiritual Pressure, enough to where it felt as if though the entire world shook by the power of his voice alone.

Seu-Feng gritted her teeth, feeling her blood freeze and the wind around her skidded her unwilling feet a good 5 meters backwards from the release of Spiritual Pressure and Power alone, making her lips and cheeks flop as if a high powered fan was placed in front of her, her hair whipped and lashed around her head erratically.

"Th-This ends...now!" With a shout whizzing away, moving towards the monster with a speed almost famous by her position as the Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force, moving low and aiming a decisive strike of her Suzumebachi just below the monster's right pectoral eye..

SNATCH!

Before she had realized it, the Hollow had caught her strike with speed that was almost equal, if not greater than her own. He then held her up to where her face was even with his. He then spoke to her again, his yellow eyes staring straight into her grey ones. "And who might you be...Captain?"

"I...I am...," Seu-Feng began saying with a definite surprise and shock as her hand was caught, its force plenty enough to keep her in its vice grip and leveled her right to where her forehead met its. However...

"Captain!!!" Ōmaeda shouted out, as he ran back towards her, his hands and arms flopped wildly as he rushed back to her, hoping to rescue her in time.

'That...big...fat...IDIOT!!!' She thought in her mind, but quickly used the diversion of her bumbling lieutenant's appearance to burst her Spiritual Power to its maximum, a large blast of red spiritual energy came from her constricted hand, wrenching it free before a silver, crackling aura surrounded her, mirroring her eyes.

"Shunko!" She moved at a hyper version of her speed now, as she commenced a twin knife handed strike to the creature's neck before bringing up a tremendously focused energized kick to its chest, creating a violent blast that shook the ground and air, sending a shockwave that sent the lieutenant backwards, crying out in alarm and indignation.

As soon as the strikes were created, she repulsed herself off the monster, and leaped a good 10 meters away, heavily breathing but still strong enough to fight, her crackling aura of Shunko's energies allowed her to move nearly three times as fast as well as discharge powerful and/or swift Hakuda strikes. The only disadvantage she has at the moment is landing a blow with her shikai, seeing as that the monster would not allow her to get that close again unless stunned or incapacitated for a mere few seconds.

The Hollow grinned and snickered at the same time as the attack from his target forced him to skid back a good 10 meters. Wiping the dust off of his now cracked chest, and regaining his pose, he turned his attention to the bumbling Vice Captain. "Interesting." He crossed his arms, blocking the eyes on his chest. "You defy her commands in order to preserve her life force." He then lowered his head while closing the eyes in his head. "I would normally scorn you for such an action, but then again, that means more flesh for me to feed on." He then opened his eyes and turned to look at the large group of Stealth Force members that were watching his confrontation with their Captain. "As for them. I grow tired of their interference."

He held out his left index finger, near it's tip a string of black lightning began to crackle around it as a dark blue sphere slowly formed near his finger with a deep, electric sound. One would recognize it as a Cero...

Seu-Feng quickly looked back with a drastic look on her face, shouting out to them, "Scatter and head to the Soul Society! Inform them of the situation at once!"

"Yes sir!" With a quick unanimous understanding, they all quickly spread out, each of them giving each other a wide berth of a good 10 meters apart as they used Flash Step making sure to space away from the direction of the Cero and heading past Seu-Feng, Ōmaeda, and the hulking monstrocity.

Ōmaeda on the otherhand, thought quickly how to save his comrades, rushing forward in a unexpectedly swift Flash Step, his own larger than average figure blurring before moving to the space in between Ultharon and the now fleeing Stealth Forces, making a handsign while shouting out, "Oh no you don't, ugly! Bakudo #21, Sekienton!" With a loud declaration and voiding of the incantation, a large burst of red tinted smoke exploded, covering a good 20 meters of space, covering all visibility within that area. Unfortunately, the smoke is as potent as fire smoke, and those who aren't good at using Kido than others tend to...,

"Kack! Hack! Man!" Ōmaeda coughed and wiped his teary eyes as he leaped into the air, getting footing on the air above while crouching, unsheathing his Zanpakuto, "I'm still not good with Kido...gotta work on that after tonight's dessert and a well earned massage..."

"Idiot! Stay out of my way!" Seu-Feng shouted as she too fled the smoke, but not before holding up a hand towards the directly where her eyes saw him just a mere few seconds ago. With his eyes now covered by her inept lieutenant's distraction, she had time to counterattack it with a bit more direct force. As a orb of yellow electricity formed in her palms, her forearms clasped together as she focused her aim onto the beast's overshadowing form, still visible through the smoke cloud, uttering lowly,

"Hado #63,  Raikōhō!" With a thunderous roar, the high powered lightning Kido burst forth and moved towards the area with a intense speed and power enough to quake the ground and shatter the earth further for a good 15 meters.

The powerful blast of lightning slammed into the cloud of red smoke where the being stood. It unleashed a massive explosion who's orange fire quickly overtook the former red shade. When the fire and smoke cleared, all that remained was a mid sized crater that was a good 10 meters wide...

...but the Hollow was no where in sight.

The lieutenant, albeit had to cover his face from the incredible force, was unable to track the movement of the beast below him as the fire blew up mere feet away from his body, sending him sprawling across the air a good few meters before he clawed back upright.

"Where did he go?" Ōmaeda asked himself in fear, holding his Zanpakuto with shaking hands as he looked left, right, up and down, even behind himself to track the area the hulking beast went.

"Dammit!" Seu-Feng growled as she saw the beast eluded the blast, probably due to the fact his outer 'shell' of skin as she now refered to it since it lacked any blood or life force leaking from it and made sure to avoid the blast. Or he truly began to tire fighting someone below his power scale and aims to finish it in a swift ambush. With a concentrated squint, she initiated the light of Shunko and was covered again in a violent, tense aura of powerful spiritual energy, anticipating a momentary strike from the beast.

"You wish to spread word to Soul Society now, eh Captain?"

Had she looked up, Seu-Feng would have noticed the creature floating in the air, it's cracked chest fully healed. "Well I'm afraid that I cannot give you the luxury of that chance just yet." He then looked towards the scattered group of Stealth Force members, gaining further and further distance from the area.

"Hmm. A simple Cero will not do for a group of that size. I looks like i'm going to have to use my Cero."

Suddenley, the two blades on the Hollow's shoulders extended to where they fully covered the creatures pectoral eyes. In between them, the same black lightning seen from earlier formed, and in between all of it was a violet sphere that grew to be the same size as his hand. He then looked down towards the two Soul Reapers. "You'll forgive me if it takes too long. I haven't used this attack in centuries."

With that, the violet sphere was then discharged towards the group of Soul Reapers, quickly catching up to them at blinding speeds.

"No way!" Ōmaeda yelled out in shock, knowing that the rate of speed the sphere traveled there was no chance for him to intercept or even attempt to stop it, watching it as it collided in the midst of the wide array of Stealth Forces in the horizon.

Seu-Feng, however, decided to use her attacker's lack of guard, propelled herself faster if even at the rate he shot the sphere, aiming a swift uppercut, infused with the power of Shunko, a loud explsoive shockwave filled the air before the sheer power she used, intending to keep attacking with a barrage of high-sped kicks and punches to overpower her enemy.

From the Hollow's mouth emerged a large wad of spit as the uppercut successfully connected with his chin. But his expression remained the same throughout her vast volley of attacks. His armor pieces cracked as his opponent's attacks continously connected with his body, but he appeared to be unfazed. With a sinister cackle, he made his next move.

SNATCH!

Using the same level of speed that he used before, the Hollow's left hand cut through her assault and successfully grabbed her neck. "You're not watching." he said as he turned her around. In the distance, they could both see the sphere that he'd previously shot connect right dead center of the group of Soul Reapers. It then followed with a massive explosion, almost 4 times as big as the Kido Spell Seu-Feng used on him earlier.

As the explosion ripped through the air and landscape, tearing up canyons and creating a large dome-shaped excess of energy, roaring and howling in the air, the screams of the men caught in the blast was maganaminously defeaned by the explosion of blue-black energy.

Seu-Feng had to cover her eyes from the flashing light, the blast would've blinded lesser Soul Reapers but her timing of closing her eyes kept her sight intact albeit a few spots sported in the corners of her eyes, her ears ringing loudly from the large shockwave created from the explosion, sending rippling winds through the air.

Ōmaeda grit his teeth as he watched the explosion and covered his eyes, partially and momentarily blind from the flash of light the Cero created. A rage boiled over his innate fear, seeing his comrades get blown away as they tried to escape. He knew if he tried to make a run for it again, he'd end up like him. Not only that, his Captain would be surely slaughtered by this monster. With a reluctant grunt, he grasped both hands on his weapon and used a unexpected Flash Step, his body moving like a blur through the air before deftly appear below the two of them.

"Smash 'em!" He shouted out, a wrecking ball of impressive size came from underneath and arced around, followed by a black chain, elongating along with the ball before the latter struck heavily into the beast's face with a mighty force behind it,

" '''Gegetsuburi!" '''

The Hollow, barely affected by the Vice Captain's attack, decided to humor him and released his grip of Seu-Feng. As he dropped her, he turned to face his new attacker. "So you prefer to fight with weapons rather than your fists do you boy?" He then held out his right hand and a strange silver dust that seemingly appeared from the air began to form into a shape within his palm. "Very well then, I will honor your challenge." Then, with a flash of light, the silver dust formed into a magnificent claymore like weapon with a black handle. He then pointed it straight at Omaeda, challenging him to fight him one on one.

"Now you will witness the glory of Soberana Absoluta firsthand!"

"Ha!" Ōmaeda laughed out confidently, before pointing to him, "you're obviously arrogant if you believe a rich, classy, stylishly good looking lieutenant like myself would actually engage in one-on-one weapon combat! Do you really think a Lieutenant could hope to harm you with just shikai?!"

As Ōmaeda kept talking his usual bravado, Seu-Feng immediately deactivated her Shunko before pointing her left two forefingers, "Bakudo # 61,  Rikujōkōrō!" As she shouted, a number of yellow rods flew outwards at amazing speed before slamming into his waist, constricting and halting his movements temporarily.

"Lieutenant!" Seu-Feng called out to him as she backpedaled a good distance, employing several Flash 'Steps' before appearing a good kilometer away, an aura of red spiritual energy gathered around as she began to ready herself for her next move.

"HAHAHA!" Ōmaeda laughed aloud, diving downwards before striking his shikai's ball deep into the ground, before a number of now visible violet chains gathered around Ultharon's brutish form tying him tightly as it stemmed from the back of his head and linked to his Zanpakuto below, "Bakudo #65, Musaba Baindo( 結ばにバインド, Lit Translation, "Knotted Binds,")! I needed to make physical contact with someone before I could use this...and its the only high level technique I've learned since the Winter War, but its by far one of the most effective binding spells!"

"BAN-KAI!" A loud shout was heard in the distance and Spiritual Power gave way to amazing spiritual pressure, weighing down and roaring in the air, as a fissure of red energy shot up into the sky, causing the storm to give way a number of lightning strikes, thunderclaps, and a sheet of rain descended down afterwards. To Ultharon's eyes, he would see a soaking wet, black clothed woman holding a large yellow hornet-like stinger in the form of a artillery weapon.

The Hollow sneered, grasping his sword while binded. "Do you really expect to contain ME of all people with such an arrogant strategy?" He then turned to where he was facing Seu-Feng. "Ah. So this is your Bankai is it Captain?" he said with a confident growl. "Very well then. I will humor you. I am going to give you ONE chance to impress me. Should you fail, I will ensure that you suffer greatly for not giving me a worthy challenge." He then looked down towards Omaeda.

"And don't get your hopes up now boy. After this, I'm going to make you wish that you could defeat me with just your Shikai alone."

Seu-Feng could hear his voice billow over the expanse despite the physics that were being defied in the mere act by his words spoken and heard so clearly over the storm and pouring rain. Seu-Feng lowered her Bankai's stinger launcher at Ultharon, orange streams of energy began to gather around the weapon, coming all around the air, Spiritrons being absorbed from both her own Spiritual Power and the air itself. As Seu-Feng kept her left eye closed, she could feel the cloth on her arms wetly clinging onto her skin and the flailing of her hair as the winds buckled, flashes of lightning lit up the dark night.

She knew for a fact that if Ōmaeda didn't move from his spot, he'd be caught in the destructive force of the blast and would surely perish, not like Ultharon would let mere Kido stop him having dismantled one by mere excess of his own Spiritual energy. But she knew, that as brave as Ōmaeda became, he would run at the sight of the weapon he's seen twice fired.

"I know this can't stop you," Seu-Feng's breath came out shakily from the cold wetness that mercilessly clung to her body, her breath came out in a wisp of mist as she opened both of her eyes, "but...if I can buy time...even find out the truth behind your strength and power...I'll give my life for that information!" With that, she fired off her stinger, a large excess of energy shot behind her before the missile weapon flew with amazing speed, aiming at the hulking beast with a devestating power and purpose.

Ōmaeda smiled, whispering to himself, "Here comes Captain Seu-Feng's Bankai. I guess I should get out of here, but," with a surprising release of his Shikai, a brief and unexplained eye contact with a wide eyed Seu-Feng and a sad smile from Ōmaeda was shared, before he said, "I don't want to die a meaningless death...so my Captain can live a meaningful one."

With that said, he Flash Stepped upwards, his body came right behind the bound monstrocity, grappling his strong arms up and around preforming a full nelson maneuver on him, "Let's both go with a bang, you ugly son of a bitch!" As the missile collided into Ultharon's cracked chest, a violent magnanomious explosion crackled instaneously in the air its form taking that of a yellow oval that expanded a great distance and consuming the air its visibility able to be seen and heard for miles around. The shockwave blew all rain off the ground after a brieft barrage of pellets striking Seu-Feng's face and the winds cascading and propelling her across the air and ground, allowing her barely to keep her footing.

However, after seeing the selfless act her eyes widened, her stomach tightened, and the cowardous man she knew gave his life to stop the monstrocity, caused her to scream out a horrified, yet angry yell, "LIEUTENANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

From the fires, the Hollow appeared to have been completley vaporized by the explosion...

...but this assurance was cut down when a sinister chuckle could be heard. A black figure then walked out of the massive pillar of fire as if the air was like the surface of the earth. His entire left arm was missing, including his shoulder piece. A large hole was in the right side of his head, his tail was shortened to where it no longer had the blade on it's end, and other various pieces of his body were damaged. One could practically see the blood dripping off of his wounds...

...but he was chuckling. Acting as if though nothing had happened. He then used his Sonido to appear right in front of Seu-Feng, coughing while he spoke. "Now then...Captain...I don't think we've been properly...introduced." Slowly but surely, his body parts began to grow back in a slow and disqusting manner.

"I...am Ultharon...the Mighty."

"Shut your face, monster!" Seu-Feng irrationally began reconstructing her stinger, yellow energy rebuilt its shape and refilled the 'launch pad' it had been attached to, her brow twitched and bore sweat as she did this, showing the stress involved in doing so, "you kill my men...you disown my Lieutenant...and you bother...making pleasantries with me...," as she rebuilt her Bankai fully, she reaimed it back at Ultharon, energy already forming at the weapon and readied to fire, "don't fuck with ME!!!!!!!!!!"

With her anger boiling and her breath let out in a wild outraged scream, a second missile was let loose, coursing with orange electric tendrils around its surface as it moved faster than the last one, homing in on its target with a vicious, bloodlust. She aimed to kill the beast, even at the cost of her own life!

With an annoyed sneer, Ultharon reformed his claymore into his right hand. It then glew into a blue light as he held it up into the air. From his bloody mouth emerged two terrifying words.

"SOVEREIGN BREAKER!"

With that, he swung the sword down, releasing a Getsuga Tenshou like rend attack out towards the missle. Once it connected, the attack sliced clean through the projectile, causing it's two remaining pieces to decipate into the same yellow energy of which they'd formed. The rend went past Seu-Feng and cut through the rock wall behind her.

"No way," Seu-Feng's eyes dialated and went wide with shock, as her Bankai's weapon was torn in two before the arc of energy flew narrowly past her before tearing into a large chunk of the intact canyon cliffs, blasting it apart and sending muddy water all over in the distance, the loud thunderous boom radiated the whole of the pouring, cascading rain that resumed to cover Seu-Feng's shaking body.

Ultharon smiled as he witnessed his opponent's fearful reaction. Slowly, the bone armor that was previously missing from his body began to regenerate, minus the hole in his head. Then, he began releasing more of his Spiritual Pressure, causing the area around him to shake once more. He then began to chuckle in a sinister manner. "Yes...now it's my turn to go on the offensive!" With that, the bone armor in his helmet regenerated and he sprouted a pair of bat-like wings, before flapping them once with enough power to send him propelling towards Seu-Feng.

"YOU'RE MINE!!!"

Dynamic entry! Bitter farewell and the battle of gods and kings
''I...I can't move...I won't be able to dodge him and there's no way I can fight with my Bankai again. What do I do? What do I do?!'' Seu-Feng thought with despair, reflecting her weakened, shaking, heavy breathing form. Her wet body and flailing  soaked hair glowed dimly as she reverted her Zanpakuto back to its Shikai form, but even still, she had barely enough strength to fight intensely as she had in the beginning.

Her eyes traced the oncoming flying object at rapid speeds perfectly, but her body could barely move a few inches per second at the rate it would take to recover the stress of using Bankai twice. She knew nothing would save her at this rate...if only...

As she closed her eyes to accept death fully, a blurred figure moved like a rocket and intercepted Ultharon a mere few meters from Seu-Feng's near limp form, striking his unaware's grotesque torso squarely with a loud excess of air pressure with the sound of a rocket going supersonic in its wake, momentarily halting rainfall once again in the immediate area.

WHAM, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Seu-Feng's eyes were shut tightly when the force and crash were heard, but she felt no pain. In fact, she didn't feel her body move. She slowly opened her eyes to register if it was her mind going or if it was an illusion. But when she opened her eyes wide, a small blush crept onto the stalwart, duty-driven Soul Reaper Captain as she saw a fleck of flailing rich dark brown hair and a intimidating lithe, muscular, dark skinned form before her, armored around her forearms and legs in a material she had not seen before, but her cat-like grin was unmistakable.

"L-Lady Yoruichi?!" Seu-Feng let out a loud and surprised gasp, as she saw her former mentor and superior stand before her.

Yoruichi smiled as she kept her modified gaunt-covered fist in the exact position it was while looking back at her former student, "Nice to see you! But I also brought some company anxious to see what the racket was going on over here!"

"Others?" Seu-Feng looked back behind herself to see who else she could've possibly brought.

Ultharon stopped middair with the blow's impact as another wad of spit came from his mouth. He was then sent back flying at faster speeds than when he was flying, slamming into another canyon behind him.

As Seu-Feng turned, she could see a young man with a feudal japanese garb around his waist and a black suit on his torso area, as well as a strange armor piece on his left shoulder. He had neck length, brown messy hair and ocean blue eyes that stared into her grey ones. He gave her a charming smile as he slung a large golden claymore like weapon over his right shoulder.

"How ya doing?" he said, maintaining his smile.

Seu-Feng's eyes dropped as she saw the man, twitching slightly, "Why are you here...Akisame?"

Yoruichi smiled before looking back at her gaunt, seeing that it was still intact despite the high powered punch she used on the bestial nightmare. Inwardly she thanked Kisuke for modifying the anti-hierro armor further, creating it to withstand more punishiment as well as allow her to retain her speed, finding it to be at least as twice effective as the time she used it against Sosuke. She narrowed her eyes back at where Ultharon flew, the canyon wall across the cracked valley was a good kilometer and a half away, allowing herself a smug smile.

"That monster of yours sure can take a punch...I was able to find you so quickly from that iconical flash your Bankai makes, Seu-Feng and from what I'm guessing," she continued speaking with narrowed eyes and a serious edge to her voice, "the Bankai only wounded him, but didn't slow him down, did it?"

Seu-Feng looked down, digging her Shikai wielding hand into the wet, yet hard ground with her eyes closed tightly, "Forgive me...Lady Yoruichi..."

"Don't sweat it!" Yoruichi said with a casual wave at her, winking back at her which caused the latter to blush hotly, "its not your fault your enemy is ungodly powerful!"

Akisame walked over to her casually, his sword still slung over his shoulder. "C'mon Sophie, you know me. I go where ever there is trouble. Especially if it involves a pretty girl such as yourself." He said with his smile still present.

"Tch!" Seu-Feng turned her head from Akisame, turning her head away, gritting her teeth and hardening her gaze, "your flattery is unwelcome...especially since both my lieutenant and all my accompanied subordinates are dead, so if you excuse me if I don't find your jocular nature forthcoming."

"Omaeda," Yoruichi turned her head back to Seu-Feng, a knowing look was on her face, but it wasn't out of sympathy but more of query, "did he die a good death, worthy of his title?"

Seu-Feng looked up at Yoruichi, seeing lightning crack and thunderclap high above, briefly illuminating her in a silver-blue light before she looked into her eyes, saying with a slow-sure voice, "He died like he never lived under my command. He died a Soul Reaper."

"Well," Yoruichi smiled grimly, before turning her head back from Seu-Feng finishing up by propping her gaunt-covered fists on her hips, "I'm sure his father will appreciate hearing that, when you give him a commendation for service and dying in the line of battle."

Seu-Feng shivered, having to deal with the slug's father, her former subordinate who she reluctantly admits had more skill and honor than his son ever did before his death, but ever since striking it rich he's been nothing but a bad influence on her lieutenant, "Please don't joke like that...Lady Yoruichi..."

Akisame let his sword come down to his side, his smile less charming but still slightly present. "They died doing what they were told. That's all that matters."

He walked closer to Seu-Feng and extended his left hand to help her up. His face was now serious as he made the motion. "Well Ms.Feng, I don't think sitting would be the best thing to do right about now." he said as he glanced over to where Ultharon was. Seu-Feng looked at the hand for a few moments before taking it, only allowing him to get her back on her feet before she released it with a shudder of uncomfort, saying gruffly, "I don't need your help, Aki-same."

Yoruichi then narrowed her eyes at the canyon wall, her keen eyesight allowing her to see in better detail than most as the smoke cloud rose and dissipated, allowing her to see where the giant bestial monstrocity laid, "Seu-Feng. If you can move, then I either suggest running to inform Head Captain at once of this threat or stay near Akisame. I don't think I can fight effectively if either of you are in danger."

"I can still fight, my lady!" Seu-Feng said in a defiant, convincing voice despite the heavy breathing she just only now halted and her slight shaking at the knuckles of her sopping wet form, the winds buckling her hair and skirt below did nothing to comfort her from the unforgiving cold storm consuming them.

Yoruichi's own scarf and hair flew like a storm-covered flag in the heart of a hurricane, as her own body was just as soaked, but her form showed nothing from the cold or wet condition of her body. She smirked, saying, "Seu-Feng, you can barely keep yourself together. Despite the training you've done since the Winter War, you're nowhere near enough the level to take on a monster like this."

"LADY YORUICHI!" Seu-Feng shouted out in earnest, her eyes widened and her face strained as she took a step forward, "I cannot allow you to fight this nightmare! I cannot allow you to suffer the same fate as my idiotic lieutenant or my men! I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO DIE!"

Yoruichi looked back at her former pupil with a sad, knowing stare. Their eyes met with a longing and bitterness they both felt as both women's hair flapped and flailed around their heads and body's from the dreadful, bitter wind from the constant pouring of rain of the heartless storm looming overhead. Yoruichi's scarf flapped equally as haphazardly, as she stood stalwart in the face of most likely her death, before she smiled softly, giving only a brief commanding look to Akisame,before looking back at Seu-Feng, "I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner, Seu-Feng. I wished we could've fought together tonight, but it is not to be. Another time perhaps...in this life or the next," she finished before she turned to face her opponent on the far side of the valley, over a kilometer away and she could see the fine details of what was awaiting her this night.

Akisame nodded in response to Yoruichi's motion as he came closer to Seu-Feng. "Sophie...not trying to sound like a wuss or anything, but if we stay and fight with her, then there's no way Soul Society will be prepared for what is surely going to come for them." he said, not daring to attempt to touch her.

Suddenley, Ultharon ascended into the sky. When he stopped, his two shoulder blades extended and they prepared what he called the Eraser Cero, the same technique that he used to destroy Seu-Fengs men. "Enough talk! I didn't spend 3'000 years sealed away in this pit just to listen to a group of cowards such as yourselves!" The violet sphere then discharged towards them, lightning radiating from it's spherical form. "Face your deaths with some form of courage!"

Akisame noted the attack and sighed. "Welp, that's my cue." he looked over at Yoruichi. "Good luck, ma'am."

He then grabbed Seu-Feng with both arms and forcibly retreated from the area.

"Hey!" Seu-Feng responded after she was visually shaken at seeing the Eraser Cero, feeling herself taken by the less exhausted Soul Reaper, finding her efforts near futile, but she attempted to change his mind as she pressed her Shikai's blade at his wet throat, forcing a black tell-tale butterfly symbol to brand itself on his neck even as he ran, "let me go, or I will kill you right here and now, Akisame!"

As the Eraser Cero moved towards them, Yoruichi moved to intercept it, Flash Stepping with incredible speed and grace through the flashing lightning, pouring rain, and buckling wind, she gathered a icnonic aura of silver energy, before it screamed out and ripped the scarf off from her neck as well as her coat, leaving only her black backless bodysuit to be encompassed by the intense energy of the Kido hybrid.

With a roar, she slammed her left fist into the ball of the erratic Cero, shouting, "SHUNKO!"

As the devestating force erupted against the Cero, the two forces collided then exploded outwards, barely redirected back upwards towards Ultharon, the two energies vast range would momentarily encompass the beast as it left a damaged gaunt's presence, and a cheshire grinning Soul Reaper's body, albeit slightly steaming as her body continued to reflect the rain that sparked and fizzed upon contact.

Akisame then comically looked down at his new tattoo. "Uh...OW! Don't blame me I'm just doing what she said!"

His face then became serious as he looked down at Seu-Feng's tired yet hateful eyes, continuing to move through the wasteland. "Do you honestly think that she would want you to stay here and get slaughtered in front of her? You don't get it do you? She wants you to live. She doesn't want you to stay here and die in vain. Kill me now, and Soul Society has no way of knowing about that monster."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Ultharon gave a wicked smile as the explosion produced reached near him. With a powerful swing of his sword, he caused the pillar of destruction to disappear, before spreading his wings and flying towards Yoruichi.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Yoruichi gave a cheshire grin of her own as she propelled herself off the air, an excess of a shimmering visage as she rapidly moved in a indiscernable rate. Her hair flapped around casting droplets as more caught onto her violet dark hair, her skin jetted moreso every time she took a 'Step', her eyes flared with killing intent and movements cast a near dizzying tango of movements and blurring dashes. All this transpired before Yourichi reappearing in front of a rapidly charging Ultharon, both of her arms cocked back as eyed her target, the cracked segment of his chest that he had yet to regenerate.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Raiōken ! Yoruichi initiated a series of high-powered punches so powerful, it sent a series of rippling shockwaves from the center of the air as she intentionally sent him high into the air, but not nearly finished with him.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;"> As he flew into the air, she propelled herself high up into the sky, where the thunderclapped and the lightning flashed even fiercer, the winds flew wildly with abandon but did nothing to deter the veteran as she appeared above the monster, a devestating forced axe kick towards his back, commiting a high-powered kick technique she perfected herself. Having as much force as the Head Captain's famed Ikotsu punch, the follow-up attack inadverdantly at the same time as a orchestra of lightning flashed around the two of them and a thunderous applause of thunderclaps echoed the concussive blast preformed by the kick. '''Rakuraiō Bunkatsu! '''

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Ultharon laughed maniacally as Yoruichi's blows connected with his form. It's as if though he enjoyed the pain. When in actuallity, he was enjoying the challenge that was being presented before him. As his armor began to chip away with every strike, he began to taunt her. "So Shihoin, you honestly think that your subordinate is goint to walk away from this place alive due to your intervention?" He sneered. "I think not!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Following the mighty kick, Ultharon was sent spiraling towards the ground. Stopping himself with his wings, he quickly used his Sonido to appear right back in front of his foe. He then quickly wrapped his tail around Yoruichi and then grabbed in a bear hug like technique. While their faces were close enough, Ultharon emited a deep and pounding roar up close in her face, his snake like tongue licking her head and his saliva spreading all over her. When it was over, he grabbed her by the head with his right hand and then flew towards the canyon wall directly below them. With a powerful snarl, the Hollow lord slammed Yoruichi into the ground at the same time of a lightning strike, causing a massive crater to form around them and a giant column of debris to fly into the air.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Yoruichi coughed out as she felt her body slam head long into the earth below, feeling her vision give birth to spots and momentary dizzyness. Small trails of blood oozed from her lips, as she smiled, before encompassing herself in Shunko with a loud scream of static noise and power, before rearing her head back...and slamming it into the beast's, emitting a large burst of energy in a effort to force the monster off. "SHUNKO!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">His head cracked slightly, Ultharon jumped back from Yoruichi before forming his sword into his hand yet again. He floated around her while she was stuck within the crater, clanging his sword against the armor on his left arm in a battle taunt. "On your feet Shinigami! It is desrespectful to lay down while fighting a king!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Yoruichi flashed a taunting smile behind her sparking aura, saying to him, "Who said I'm laying down, bastard?!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">As she would say this, she had left a afterimage of her smiling tauntingly, something she knew the prideful Hollow would concentrate on, while she Flash Stepped behind the monster in a bright halo of energy around her gaunts and boots. She landed a knife-handed strike with her armored gaunt-covered hands at the monster's neck, then aimed a energized kick towards his spine with a large amount of power behind it, before spinning around and finishing it with a concussive roundhouse kick with the last move, spinning on the sole of her boots while breathing more labored than she did earlier.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Ultharon was sent flying from the next barrage of attacks, but his insane smile remained. He positioned his feet to break his movement as he landed on the wall of a canyon. Holding out his left finger, he began to charge a dark blue Cero. He sneered as the ball of energy grew to be the same size as his large hand.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Yoruichi propelled herself through the air as water and wind flew off and around her form, her body still shimmering with the silver aura of Shunko as she moved at a rate faster than sound. As he held out the hand-sized Cero, Yoruichi moved just below of the hand, slamming a energized gaunt-covered fist into the side of the bestial's hand, aiming to knock it away while striking another fierce punch into his cracked torso, aiming to bring forth blood another shockwave was produced by the lightning-like properties.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">To finish, she flipped her lower body over her head to land a heel kick with her left boot--covered foot into the monstrocity's face, producing another energized explosion, shattering the canyon wall behind Ultharon entirely while propelling rain droplets and wind in all directions. As Yoruichi backflipped, she backpedaled from the monster, showing the fierceness in her eyes told of how resolved she was to kill the monster, whether it was possible or not.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Impossible!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Ultharon was actually taken surprise by the next assault as his Cero fired off into the distance. How could one that was so small move so quickly with such large pieces of armor on her limbs? He then fell down slightly, breaking his fall by placing his sword into the ground. He looked up with a blood thirsty glare, another massive hole in the side of his head. The rest of his body was cracked and bloody as he stood himself up. "You ignorant fool...you continue to delay the inevitable."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">With that, he began to release another wave of Spiritual Pressure as he began to emit a blue electric aura around him.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">WHOOSH!

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">He vanished using his Sonido. Unbeknowest to his opponent, he was preparing to reappear behind her, his head reared back to bite her head off...

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Yoruichi had a cool, even gaze with her opponent even as she grit her teeth in the face of such powerful Spiritual Power. As she saw him disappear she said lowly, strangely audible above the roaring wind and pouring rain,

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"You don't get it, do you?"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">As Ultharon reappeared behind Yoruichi, she made a lightning swift sidestep, thrusting a backhand maneuver with her energized gaunt-covered fist, intending on breaking his teeth and inflicting another blazing explosion of energy.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Its common strategy for Hollows to attack its enemies from behind when all else fails," she speaks knowingly, rearing her fist away from the maw and initiating a knife-hand strike with a swift succession, aiming to cause him to sputter while she spun on the ball of her right foot, her form flew around like a ballerina executing a dance step as her hair flew around in a vivid, violet arc with rain and silver energy coursing around it, her eyes glowing as she curled back her left fist before throwing another energized punch into his chest, causing one more explosion, that sputtered and flew back the wind and rain once more with intensity.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Ultharon was again sent flying back away from her, using his feet to try to stop himself. When he finally did stop, he looked back up at Yoruichi with his same demented grin. He then held up his sword and clanged it against his arm in the same battle taunt, the hole in his head slowly regenerated. "Come come now Shihoin." he said. "Surely you can do better than this?" He then held his sword to the ground, waiting for Yoruichi to make her next move. As of right now, he had been watching her movements and using predictable attacks in an attempt to lower her defense.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">No one had battled a Gran Vasto Lorde in thousands of years. He was going to show her that he was no ordinary Hollow.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Even when he was miles away from the battlefield, Akisame could feel the pounding blows that were exchanged between the two warriors that he had left behind. Even the booming thunder's noise paled in comparison to that of the noble battle taking place behind him. For every time one fighter landed a blow onto the other, he could feel himself losing his footing and his eyes flinched along with it. He could even see a blue light in the bottom right corner of his eye that signaled Ultharon's deflected Cero, as well as several white lights that symbolized Yoruichi's Shunko. For it to be so far away and yet so bright, he could only wonder how either of them were still managing to stand against each other. Guilt began to creep it's way up his spine, he had abandoned Yoruichi, a good friend of his who trusted him enough to take her exhausted apprentice away from the area, despite knowing that she would be defiant until the end...

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">But he would not fail now, not when Yoruichi entrusted him with a noble task such as this, not when the fate of Soul Society rested on their shoulders. Still carrying Soifon, Akisame could see a forest in the distance, a sign that he was close to his destination...

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Akisame," Seu-Feng said tiredly, having already held her stinger at the base of his throat to no avail, and she couldn't outright kill a man who was doing what her lady wanted him to, despite her distaste of it. The rain dripped off a stone-cold face as she looked down at her lap, fiddling her with her Shikai's stinger unintelligibly with one hand, rubbing the base of her middle finger which held the wet blade, "have you ever lost someone you loved?"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame simply smiled. Finally she was actually talking to him in a non-hostile manner. "Yeah." he said, his face now turning serious. "Yeah, I lost someone I was close to a few years back. Why do you ask?" he said in his polite tone. They were now entering the dark forrest that he'd spotted earlier.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Wouldn't you want to do more than anything but to stand and die beside them? Because right now, I'm playing out that scenario in my mind as I am leaving lady Yoruichi behind," she looked up with accusatory eyes, the rain washed over her in a sad, mock tear sight while bearing a glare that could tear him apart, "so if you're thinking that you're doing me a favor, then you're damn wrong."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">As she looked away, towards the horizon where lightning crashes and a mighty blast was heard, a distant canyon wall collapsed as they kept moving, "When we get back, I don't want you speaking to me or coming near me, unless you want me to stab you in the throat a second time. Got it?!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame kept his smile, despite her harsh words. "Well, depends on the situation. If they want me to die with them, then I'll die with them." He then looked down at Soifon with a hint of disappointment. "But if they told me that they wanted me to live longer and then give me a chance to do so, I'd be pretty damn grateful." He then looked back straight forward, his sprinting had slowed down somewhat. "Say...what if I came to Soul Society wanting another little tatoo like this one, but I want it somewhere else. Would you do it then?" he said, humor clear in his intent.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Seu-Feng heard his words, but her expression didn't change. As Akisame joked she flashed her eyes dangerously, moving her hand like a wraith, stopping within an inch of a prinprick of his marked flesh, speaking lowly with a bitter knowing tone, "In the World of the Living, there was something similar that men used to give others hundreds of years ago. They called it the black spot, and they usually inscribe it on a letter or a plain piece of parchment, signing basically a inevitable death. So, when you ask for the mark of death by Suzumebachi, you better not mean it aesthetically, you better mean it as a death wish."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame retained his joking tone, even in the face of certain death. "Really? That's nice to know. Maybe when I get back to the Human World I'll show a tattoist this mark. Maybe he can replicate it for me." he said, smiling as ever. He then began to walk in a fast pace instead of running, Soifon was heavier than he expected. "So...anything interesting happen of late? You know besides the big baddy back there of course."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">CRACK!

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">With a growl, Seu-Feng grabbed Akisame's collar and struck her forehead against his temple, using renewed strength to wrench herself freely from his grasp as she flipped herself off his arms and landed on her feet, breathing heavily in a enraged tone, "Do you think this is a joke? A game?! My Lieutenant was killed by his own stupidity and my hand! I lost twenty of my men! And now I'm going to lose both my mentor and mistress, Lady Yoruichi Shihoin! Exactly WHAT could be going RIGHT for me lately?!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame staggered back in a comical manner, rubbing his hand against his sprained area with his left hand. "...Ow...Well I asked you if anything interesting happened besides the incident with the Gran Vasto Lorde back there, but I suppose I had it coming." He then looked back up at her with a casual face, his sprain still prescent. "And actually it was fifty of your men, the old man was counting."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Will you just knock the hell of-!" She began to say, her wet dripping body tensed and her eyes changed into one of shock and bewilderment, "hold it! Old man? What are you babbling about?!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame gave a cool and collected smile as he looked back at her. "Oh yeah...I forgot to tell you." He then looked around for a bit before speaking. "Hey gramps! You can come out now!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Suddenley, a dark hunched over figure came out of the trees behind Soifon, his hands behind his back. "Captain Soifon of the 2nd division..." the being said in a british accent, revealing himself to be a hooded figure in white attire along with a black trench coat that was connected to the hood. "...To whom do we owe this pleasure of meeting?"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">''Has he been observing us...this entire time? ''

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Seu-Feng narrowed her eyes, instantly distrusting the new figure as she felt a subtle tickle up her spine that told her he bore spiritual pressure of his own. His control over keeping it low as well as keeping his presence hidden this entire time, made her wary of his actions.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Captain Seu-Feng of the Gotei 13's 2nd Division, and Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido Militia. Why have you been skulking around this whole time and why do you bear Soul Reaper powers?" She asked tersely and firmly, her keen eyes staring him down with a hawk-like glare towards the man's slightly hidden eyes.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">The hooded being gave her a respectful bow, his hands still behind his back. "My name is Charles McTavish. I am an interested party concerning the return of Ultharon the Mighty, as was prophesied nearly two thousand years after his defeat." He then held out his right hand in the direction of Akisame. "Akisame is my apprentice. You'll forgive him for his earlier antics. Sometime his optimism gets the better of him when he is near someone of interest to him."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame crossed his arms. "Forgive me. I didn't know the situation was that bad...feel free to hit me again if you wish..."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">WHAM!

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Seu-Feng instantly took the open invitation, moving with such speed Akisame's less experience allowed the Captain to throw a punch towards his chest with enough force to send him sprawling across the air, "Glad we understand each other, bastard!" Seu-Feng said poisonously, spitting a well aimed wad at his injured body before returning her cool, angered gaze to Charles.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Haven't you the slightest idea what this means to the security of the Soul Society? McTavish, I'm going to be clear that if you had any preconcieved knowledge that his could happen, you WILL be accountable for the entiriety of Ultharon's murders. My Lieutenant and, as you counted so thoroughly, fifty men! Not to mention Lady Yoruichi Shihoin whom may be dead soon enough if we don't get aid from the Gotei 13, now!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame layed in a pile of trees and branches as his face was comically dazed and woozy. "Heh...don't worry gramps...I kind of had that coming..." He then sat himself up, only to have Soifon's spit wad slam into his forehead with enough force to knock him right back down.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">The figure simply looked on as his apprentice was sent flying into a tree in a comical fashion, before turning back to Soifon. "Patience my dear Captain. Believe me, I have been preparing myself for this time period for years now." He then began to pace around Soifon in a slow manner. "If you do not follow my advice, Ultharon will leave no one to punish me for the crime that I would have been accused of."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Raising her right hand up in a perpindicular fashion, showing the weapon she garnishes as she looked at him cooly, "I'm in a frighteneingly bad mood, you decrepit fool. I don't care if you've been preparing for this monstrocity to awaken for thousands of years, cause I have a very, very strong temptation to stab this blade in a place no man wants to be penetrated!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">The man simply sighed and looked down. "I understand your temper and your drive to complete your objective, but you must understand..." With that, the figure looked up and a distant roaring noise could be heard in the distance. "...We are running out of time. Captain Feng, I implore that you come with me and Akisame. There is much information that you need to know, and there is no time to explain it here. Do not worry about Soul Society for now. Ultharon is arrogant and prideful, but he will not attack Soul Society just yet."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Akisame then Flash-Stepped next to the elder Soul Reaper, a dead serious glare in his eyes as his wet and bruised figure stood straight up. "Sophie. What you do know will affect the lives of thousands. Please..."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Don't talk to me, bastard!" Seu-Feng snarled out not bothering to make eye contact with him, as she spoke, "you're as guilty as he is. I don't want you to speak to me, let alone throw a jest at me again, do you hear me?! Never again!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">She let that settle over the dull sound of the rain and the faint soudns of thunder overhead, a crackle of lightning flashed over, showing her unforgiving look and the sound of her words penetrated deep into the air. She was through with fools.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"McTavish-san," Seu-Feng looked at him squarely in the eyes, speaking tersely, "let's get this over with. Lead the way."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">The McTavish gave a sigh of relief as he pulled out a menacing key-like sword and then turned around. Holding it in an upper right hand corner fashion, he then sliced it downward, creating a black tear in the air. "This is a more stealthy method of travel that I invented sometime ago, Ultharon will not detect it..." he then turned slightly to where his yellow eyes stared straight into her grey ones. "...Nor will the Gotei 13." With that, he walked through the tear. Akisame then gave Soifon a simple smile as he stepped out of the way of the tear and held his hand out in a manner that motioned her to go on in. "Ladies first." he said, knowing that he would probably get hit again...or worse.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Seu-Feng looked around her shoulder, a faded horizon of lights and rain darkened the land where she battled not too long ago, now her lady and mentor will fight to the last breath. With a heavy breath, she walked towards the tear, not even bothering to acknowledge Akisame, as if she pulled up a wall in her mind to ignore his existance.

<h3 style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">Climactic Conclusion! Return of the Beast

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">BOOOOOOM!

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">As Yoruichi flew from a trail of smoke in the excess of a spectacular explosion, she crashed through a spire of rock, causing her to grunt before clawing the air to slow her momentum, stopping her from slamming into anymore parts of the valley. A large gash bled above her left eye, her left arm and right leg both were bare, showing signs that her armor was destroyed by some earlier parts of her fight, the most recent one depriving her of her left arm's gaunt.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Dammit! He doesn't know when to quit!" Yoruichi swore under her breath as she wiped her lips as she heaved labored breaths in and out, showing that the intensity and prolonging of the battle has started taking a toll. Ultharon on the other hand...

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">The Hollow was walking towards her in a sinister manner, an evil hissing noise escaping his mouth as his two pronged tail drug along the ground. He had discarded his sword for the time being, and was fighting with his fists. He grinned as he kept coming closer and closer, seemingly unaffected by Yoruichi's earlier attacks.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"See this as an honor, you will be the first worthy Soul Reaper to face a Gran Vasto Lorde in over three thousand years. And if fortune smiles on me..." He then sprouted his wings and flapped towards her in rapid speeds. "...you won't be the last!!"

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">"Like Hell it will be!" Yoruichi yelled out defiantly, leaping off the air she was at like a rocket, still moving at incredible paces despite her own injuries, as she met the Gran Vasto Lorde with a roaring punch towards jaw followed by a series of kicks by her armored covered boot, series of crackles and disrupted air pockets flew the sheet of rain in chaotic directions as well as the high gales flowing abound.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">At this point in time, Ultharon was through playing around.

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">After taking a few of her blows, the Hollow managed to catch one of her strikes that went just a few inches from the left side of his head. He then wrapped his left arm around the armored one of his foe's and sneered. "My turn."

<p style="border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-style: normal;">With that, he landed a powerful blow in her gut area with his right fist, sending her flying away from him.