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Cast in the Name of God; Ye Not Guilty This article, Standing Under the Gaze Of the Moon, is property of Firegod00 |
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Battleground Visions[]
Horrible, horrible screeching echoed in the night as a cicada-like Hollow burst from under a pile of heavy boulders that had been dropped on its head by the young girl standing on the air itself. It glared up at her for her sin of robbing it of its precious wings, the paper-thin tissues torn into bits by being smashed. A broken leg forced it to limp as it excavated itself, but that was already rapidly bubbling and knitting itself back together, its wings however...would not regrow, no matter how much it tried. "Unforgivable!" it howled. "Pathetic, wretched girl...I'll rip your head off for this!" the fallen soul shrieked, its voice shrill, unable to process how a mere human could have so many powers and using them in tandem. But then again, it had never met a Fullbringer before. Where did those rocks even come from... it wondered silently. The only thing it could fathom was it has something to do with that box on her hip...every time she reached into it, something happened. It boggled the Hollow's mind; weren't spiritual beings supposed to be limited to one elemental source? How did a human, one with such little overall power at that, break the rule that even Shinigami were bound to?!
The brunette high-schooler looked down at her opponent, noticing it was healing already as she reached into her box to draw a dark-blue backed Tarot card, her hands shaking as she dreaded the worst. Her power was incredibly dangerous, to the point any back-up from her friends had to be kept at a safe distance if any came at all...lest they be swept up in the tempest that was her power if things went wrong. But tonight, luck favored her. "Judgement...For your sins, Hollow, you face judgement." she declared in a tone that somehow sounded relieved and yet cold as her gold-hued eyes met the masked creature's own with a brief glimmer of pity, the card glowing brightly in her hand just before a blast of light came from on high and consumed the Hollow's body, earning shriller screams before its body was reduced to ashes, the ground miraculously untouched beneath the monster. Only the small mountain of stone remained to mark there was even a battle. Not that a normal person would ever believe such a story in the first place.
As she touched down, the cheers from her teammates from the Private Spirit Detective Agency met her ears, the group rushing into the pre-established safe zone around the battleground when they saw the beam of light. While everyone was celebrating her victory, she gently placed the four cards she had drawn this night back into the box and joined her friends in their revelry of another job well-done, another evil put to rest. It was only then as the adrenaline wore off that she realized the injuries she sustained. Such was life in this line of work as a fighter against the personified things that went bump in the night in the worst of ways. But those would be tomorrow's problem. Tonight was for sleeping off the exhaustion and worst of the pain, along with celebrating of course.
The Shadow Monarch[]
Within the deepest bowels of the Forest of Menos, an oasis can be found. In this oasis, whose waters are clear and blue, a rippling void yawned beneath its surface. She stood there unmoving, gazing hesitantly at the torrential abyss. Her thoughts whirled with indecision for several long minutes before finding the resolve to step into the abysmal depths.
In moments, her orientation was inverted before her senses adjusted to the realm she now found herself in. It was like the corridor of a Garganta, except there were fixed pathways, stone platforms that floated in orbit around a grand star of that shone with baleful violet light. A thick miasma hung like a dense cloud around it, shifting and pulsating like a heartbeat. Carefully she strode forward, stepping onto the empty sky, and with each step stone platforms formed beneath her.
She journeyed for some time, how long she did not know, time was convoluted in this space. Storm clouds filled with black lightning boomed in the sky above. The architecture of this realm bore down on her with increasing intensity, as if trying to constrict her. She released more of her reiatsu, if only to push off its influence and exert the force of her own existence. The world around her reeled back as if painfully struck, space briefly warping and then she felt the pressure dissipate.
Soon she felt the realm peel back, the darkness being pushed back by blinding light. In a flash, she found herself on solid ground once more, the light of a sun or facsimile of one shining down on her. Across the horizon, civilization reigned; the cacophony of voices, and chatter echoing in the distance. Hollows of all shapes and sizes, lived in relative peace. There were farmers, market stalls full of strange and curious knick-knacks, music, and jovial laughter in simple houses and tents.
It was modest, and surreal. Nothing like the Hueco Mundo she was so familiar with.
She waved at the passing Hollows as she made her way to her destination, who looked at her curiously, nodding respectfully and then going about their day. Coming upon a modest home, it was noticeably built of far better material. The architecture was far more advanced looking something like a royal summer home.
She had just gotten to the door when it opened and a voice called out, “Come in, come in, I’ve made tea.” Entering at the invitation, she was greeted to her interest; he sat at a table, a chair pulled out for her, as he poured tea for them both. He gestured for her to sit down smiling gently as he pressed the cup into her hands.
“So,” he began, taking a sip. “What brings a member of the illustrious Tres Pilares to my humble home?” She sighed looking exhausted, her face losing nearly all its cheer. Her eyes gazed forlornly into her cup for several moments before answering. "The peace we tried to achieve is falling apart, and we're stretched thin trying to keep everything in place. This relative stability was bought with too much sacrifice. I refuse to let those who died for it, to let those deaths be in vain. So I came to you. For help." Her eyes met his unflinchingly her resolve plain as day. She would not take no for an answer.
"You know I prefer to watch instead of fight. But if it pleases you, I'll indulge you in a curiosity of mine. Perhaps this could help in the coming battles ahead?" The Arrancar made a wide gesture with his arm, and the shadows around them stretched, extending into the air between them until it formed a circle. Static rippled across its surface before a portal opened. On the other side, a young girl could be seen battling a Hollow. She curbed her surprise rather well she thought, Shadow Monarch indeed and instead focused on the scene. Various angles were cut into the scene, almost as if watching a film. "Is this in real time?" She questioned. "Yes.... and no," he answered cryptically. "Time here is as you well know convoluted. Technically this has already happened, but in this space it for all intents and purposes is happening right now."
Her expression of disbelief was palpable. "Alright, fine its just a recording." He huffed in response, miffed that she would spoil the mystery. Still he bounced back rather quickly as he bent closer and whispered conspiratorially, "Watch what she does, and pay attention to how she does it." Nodding ever so slightly, she watched with rapt attention as the girl manipulated the cards in her hand. It wasn't the demon magic the Shinigami wielded, no, it felt too different. Like she was manipulating the very soul of the object itself. The fact that her own spiritual senses extended beyond this portal gave her pause but on to the matter at hand. Her power felt strangely familiar.
"Did you catch it?" He asked, smirking smugly. She took a moment to ponder his words, the scene fading before her as the young female human was lauded by her peers. Her power, it felt... familiar... almost like that Ichigo boy when he used that mask of his. But it was so much more... subtle. Yes, that power, it was definitely Hollow in nature.
Almost as if he could read her thoughts he continued, "I've been observing their kind for some time now. They call themselves... Fullbringers."
She recognized that name. According to Grimmjow's report on the war, there was a group of beings that aided Ichigo in the battle against the Quincy who called themselves that. Beyond that, there was little information on who or what their abilities were. Why... why was that?
He continued. "Its taken some time, as some groups are quite... how should we say, difficult to observe without interference. There are outliers like this one who are much easier to investigate."
She shifted, looking at him more closely now. So information regarding these Fullbringers was being monitored? Suppressed? Why, and what was his interest in them? He seemed to have a knack for reading her, pausing to let her thoughts run wild with each piece of information. She hated that about him. As if everything was just a game, existing to fulfill his fancy whenever it suited him.
"I mean to introduce myself to her, and perhaps bring her here if she is amenable to the idea. I wish to exchange thoughts and in the course of our conversation find an answer to the question no doubt lingering your mind." He paused dramatically, his mouth curling into an almost maniacal grin.
"Can we harness this power for ourselves?"
A Tarot for Shadows[]
Haunting Wise Raven bid his guest goodbye as he closed the dimensional curtain separating his realm from that of Hueco Mundo. After their initial conversation, things had settled down from there, their discussions revolving around support for the Hollows under the Tres Pilares who are trying to survive.
She also kept him up to date with the latest happenings regarding the remnants of the Wandenreich and what their own scouts were able to uncover. In turn he promised her that the Hollows in Atravesado that were willing to fight would aid them, and that others would be willing to aid in other ways.
Now though, it was time he make an introduction to Shiroko-chan. Gesturing idly into the air, a Garganta opened up broadcasting a visual of the woman in question, as she was just finishing school.
Shiroko slammed her notebook closed as the final bell rang for the day, relieved. She made it through another day without falling asleep at her desk. But she was desperate for sleep. But tonight was not the night for that. But she had tomorrow all to herself. That would make up for it. She could waste her morning sleeping off a week of bruising and exhaustion. Playing the part of a good student while moonlighting as a heroine against monsters from a spiritual world took its toll on the physical body and the mind. But most damningly for a teenager was the death of her social life. It was a sacrifice she was willing to make for the good of her future and the world but it wasn’t like she had to like making such a sacrifice, right? She kept her grades up, she brought home her own money...although she loathed having to lie to her parents on how it came and why she was slowly developing a thousand-yard stare.
“Hey Shiro-chan, we’re thinking of going and getting a burger, want to come with?” one of her classmates urged from two desks over. Shiro mentally recoiled, she really wanted to have fun and unwind. But there was no time for that. Not today.
“Oh, I can’t...I promised my brother I’d be home early so we could hang out a bit today before he goes to work.” Shiro lied, far too naturally as she got up and started to walk away. “Maybe next time. It’ll be my treat.” she added with an innocent smile, trying to appear as apologetic and truthful as she could as she made her way out of the classroom and through the halls. Truth was, she promised to give her brother a break. He had done her homework three nights this week on top of having his own troubles. It wasn’t fair to use him as a crutch, even if it was convenient for her both academically and socially. Her grades actually improved a bit which was actually a credit to how good her brother was at answering things how she would while still giving her a bit of a boost.
After leaving the school, Shiroko detoured down a shortcut she knew to get home faster than the normal way. It also gave her time to just catch her breath and think in peace for a little bit with far fewer people to get stopped by or crowds trying to all move as a herd.. Just a nice, quick, leisurely walk home to get her head back in order. Regardless, she still kept her senses tuned for the possibility of a Hollow attack. In broad daylight they were rare but not entirely unheard of after all.
Shutting out your friends to protect them out of misplaced compassion is rather naïve. In times like these, you really need allies.
Said a voice. It felt like a hundred fingers plucking at the strings of her soul. It was too personal, too intimate to be something like telepathy. It was like a resonant note ringing across her spiritual senses, each note imparting meaning so clear and precise that there was no space for misunderstanding, it was beyond the mere banality of spoken language.
Out from the shadows a figure stepped out. He towered over her small frame, easily seven feet in height. His shadow seemed to stretch behind him, casting darkness where there should be light. He was dressed modernly, wearing a black suit with a large overcoat draped over his shoulders. Curiously she noted that his right arm was missing. An old injury maybe?
When she gazed at his face though, all traces of this being a Shinigami evaporated, the inhuman piercing gaze of his golden eyes surrounded by pitch black sclera that glowed eerily silenced that notion. What chilled her was the bone-like remnants of some kind of mask framing his face like one of those old samurai helmets.
There was no doubt, he was a Hollow, no an Arrancar, something even more dangerous!
He smiled. Or what would pass as a smile if something monstrous were trying to imitate a human. It was just... wrong. It triggered the deepest parts of her primal instinct, an unearthly knowing that it was other, that it wasn't human. A monster mockingly playing as a human.
It spoke this time, not using whatever method it did before. The voice was surprisingly deep and baritone, yet there was still an undercurrent of inhumanity in it.
"I mean you no harm Shiroko." It started, raising its hands up in a placating manner. But it used her name, it knew her. How!? "I wish only to talk." It paused, awaiting her response and when she didn't run or attack it continued. "I am known as the Haunting Wise Raven." It said with a bow. "You may call me Raven for short. Oh, and you need not worry about any Hollow attacking for the next few days. My presence here will deter them long enough to give you a much needed break." It said knowingly.
It had definitely been watching her. If its presence hadn't sent warning bells to her consciousness, then everything she just learned certainly did.
"If you are willing, I'd like to discuss a proposition with you." It asked.
Shiro felt her whole body tense when an Arrancar, of all things, spoke her name. It promised peace? And it knew she was worn ragged from constant battles...whoever, whatever, this Raven was, it took her privacy away, that much was certain. And there was no subtlety about it. It openly wanted her to know. She was facing a god. How it did this, she didn’t need to know. If it wanted her dead, she would be. That much was painfully clear. Running would do nothing. There was nowhere she could be safe from it.
Bile rose in her throat and her body shook with anger. But not from the loss of privacy and peace of mind. She loathed Hollows and sought to exterminate as many as she could. And Arrancar were nothing but Hollows pretending to be human, pretending to be whole again. This beast masquerading as human in front of her was lying. There could be no peace. Not between herself and a Hollow.
Taking a deep breath, Shiro tried to calm herself before she acted in haste. Her cards were in her backpack, kept safe and would be close enough in any other circumstances. But she couldn’t reach them now. If the Arrancar sensed hostile intent in her actions, her life was forfeit, that much was clear. She was mortal and it...it was on the tier of a god. If it wanted her dead, there was nothing she could do to stop it. But she couldn’t trust it! She wouldn’t!
Normally, she wouldn’t try to read the heart of a being living with no heart, Hollows were pure instinct after all. But perhaps Arrancar were different, perhaps she could see what lied beyond mere words and see the truth for herself.
Her eyes met its own and instantly she regretted this. On humans and Shinigami alike, their feelings and surface thoughts were an open book allowing her to get a handle on who they were, what they were like. But this...this was different. Instead of being able to understand, her psyche was tossed into a maelstrom of souls, a clamoring whirlwind of voices singing in a choir of eternity and history. It was like a wave of static crashing down on her. Nothing came to her, no flash of understanding of what Raven intended for good or ill. Only a vast endlessness of life born from death. And it took everything she had to cut that connection before it drove her mad.
“W-what...are you?” she gasped, her voice full of dread and sweat dripping down her face from the strain of what she had just experienced. She had never seen a heart so full of madness and endlessness before. Her Reading of the Heart had never failed before, not on a single being like this. But here they were. The only proof she had Raven was honest was the fact she wasn’t reduced to a bloodstain on the ground. But for now...it was all the proof she needed. Every second it let her breath again was proof it didn't want her dead for whatever reason.
He would never admit this out loud, but he took some degree of perverse pleasure in seeing the girl before him cow under the weight of the power he had hidden. The darkest parts of his Hollow instinct relishing in the observing the proper place of prey. Yet, now was not the time to wallow in self-indulgence.
He looked upon her, truly looked at this scared young woman on the cusp of womanhood. The certainty of her knowing that she lived or died at his desire. This was... not how he wanted to this to go. While he held the superior position in this exchange from a power perspective, truthfully it was Shiroko who held the authority here. She had the information, more importantly it was her power in particular that he wanted to understand. He could forcibly coerce her, take her to Atravesado, and extract what he desired, but the very thought of that sent a near visible shudder throughout his body.
It would go against everything he prided himself on. It would be akin to admitting defeat. It was obvious that this was going to take some work, and that in his eagerness to meet her, he may have errored in some way, particular to human sensibilities. That much was apparent to him now.
He peered down at her quivering form, "What am I?" He asked rhetorically. "I am the Haunting Wise Raven, Guardian of Atravesado; a safe haven for Hollows who have risen above their baser instincts to live a modest life." Shiroko would no doubt be surprised by such a revelation. By all accounts Hollows were creatures driving by an insatiable hunger to kill and consume. The very notion of Hollows overcoming their nature and attempting to live as what? Farmers?
Impossible. Hilariously and laughably impossible. And yet... she could sense the absolute truth and certainty in his words. His piercing gaze snapped her out of a daze, and he continued.
"Not unlike the people you protect. We are similar in this regard." That she found hard to believe. There was no way they were even remotely similar. "We both safeguard the homes of those we wish to protect, and the Hollows of Atravesado desire only to live in relative peace and cooperation with other like-minded Hollows."
The Arrancar turned his gaze skyward, seemingly looking at something far off into the distance. "The fragile peace we have is being threatened, and the power I command, great and mighty as it is, may not be enough to stop the coming tide."
What? Her brain momentarily halted at the sheer ridiculousness of that admission. This Arrancar wasn't strong enough? What kind of threat would make something that she couldn't even sense the depths of feel inadequate?
"They need help, help beyond what I can provide for them. But you can."
“We are similar in this regard.”
Those words caught Shiro off guard most of all. What did a Hollow know about protecting others? What did a Hollow know about decency, kindness, love? And yet, something in her was stirred. She couldn’t deny that for a heartless being, Raven spoke with some measure of truth, emotion...as if she was talking to a human rather than a monster, two kindred souls of sorts
Hearing that Raven believed he wasn’t powerful enough to do this alone was almost comical. What could exist that stood above even him? Shiro couldn’t imagine such a thing...though on the other hand, she couldn’t imagine a being like Raven in the first place. So for there to be things greater still wasn’t out of the realm of the possible. Just beyond the realm of imagining from her perspective. It was like trying to grasp infinities beyond infinities, Alephs and Omegas and greater still classifications of infinite. At some point, it just became absurd to fathom. And just like trying to wrap her head around those, she couldn’t even start to guess what could make a being like Raven feel fear.
Regardless of how much she hated his kind, the vulnerable humanity he put on display, or rather how genuine it seemed, gave her pause. If he really wanted something from her, she was powerless to stop him from just taking her wherever he wanted. Yet, he was respecting her by coming to her and speaking to her and asking for her help. It was different from any Hollow she had ever seen before for sure. And the fact was, she wasn’t one to turn down someone in need. It just wasn’t her way. Even if it was a devil from the darkness she sought to protect the world from.
“What do you mean I can? If you’re unable to do it, what makes you think I can?! I’m just a human!” Shiro exclaimed in shock as the Raven told her she was capable of being a savior to a town of Hollows, of all things. She wasn’t a godly being or a miracle-worker...she was just a girl with the power to change things.
Raven tilted its head in confusion. "All power is not equal." The statement slammed into her with almost palpable force. Raven was dead serious. "Some abilities are more powerful than others. Just because you are weak does not mean that your ability is."
Then what made her power unique? Yes it could change things but why would something like Raven even be interested in a power like hers?
Raven had closed the distance between them standing uncomfortably close, his face mere inches away from her own. "On the contrary, it is why I am approaching you in the first place. Obviously, I would not ask you for this for free. Therefore, Shiroko-chan," he paused, almost as though for dramatic effect.
"I've come to bargain."
Shiro recoiled as Raven suddenly got right in front of her, the ancient being catching her off-guard. He had gotten so close in just an instant, leaving no chance for her to prepare and all she could do was take a step back to try and gain space. Such a human reaction, how it utterly reeked of fear. The fear of death.
“Y-you only want to bargain?” the high-schooler asked, unable to restrain a nervous laugh and trying to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. At every turn, she feared Raven and at every turn the Arrancar made her almost feel guilty for it. He was almost eerily friendly and patient with her about it too...that was something she never thought she’d think a Hollow could be: Friendly. But if they were to reach an accord, she had to trust him...and he had given her every reason to trust that he would hold his word true. As insane as it was, she had to trust a Hollow.
She dredged up her confidence and optimism that this could work out, trying to quell the multitude of swirling voices in her head telling her to run...and what? Die? But what could she demand in return for her aid? There was only one thing she wanted, one thing that would set aside her fears and let her walk this path with no regret. She gazed at Raven, full of determination. He wanted to bargain for her help? She would lay her one request on the table and base her answer on his own.
“I want your word my town will be safe. I might not be the only line of defense here, but I can’t leave them if they’re in danger.” she said, her voice firm despite how much she was freaking out internally, the effort to even pretend to be calm was monumental. But she would not show even the slightest hint of misgiving on her part, she would be resolute in her promise to help if her demand was met in kind.
"That goes without saying. I would not ask you to leave your home without a guardian to watch over it. I shall have a friend attend to the task." Raven replied. Raven was well aware of the hero complex that had embraced the young human before him. It was a noble thing, though whether it was brave or foolish was another question. Perhaps both. Raven would prefer to be brave and foolish. Hence why he came before her.
"Again, I would ask what it is you wish." It was important to Raven that Shiroko recieve compensation. Or at the very least look beyond the morrow's struggle for survival. If there is to be any firm foundation for their relationship, it must be based on a fair trade as the humans would call it.
He continued, "There must be something beyond the protection of your town that you desire. Anything that is within my power I shall grant." There was precious little he could not grant, but bargains woven with vague vernacular was ill advised. The stronger one's will, the more precious their word becomes. To do as you say is to speak in a language of pure meaning.
Raven’s oath to protect the town was a huge relief to Shiro. But what wasn’t so much a relief was when the Arrancar offered more. What did she want? It had been quite some time since she had been asked that, let alone it was ages since she asked it of herself. What did she want? Every time she thought those words, the faces of those she was sworn to protect flashed through her mind. Her parents, brother, friends...everyone. She had let her heroism blind herself to the very idea she could want things and be anything more than selfish.She felt selfish when her thoughts ever turned towards wanting anything, for daring to be human.
Even standing before a being that could likely give her any wish her heart desired, fulfill any yearnings she had in her life...she couldn’t answer. And for once, it wasn’t nerves that sealed her words, it was her doubt and own internal strife. She had willingly silenced her own wants to focus so resolutely on the only objective she felt worth her talents...not least of which was her power. Without her Fullbring, she was no hero. And without being a hero, she couldn’t save everyone. And so, she was lost when being told to name what she wanted rather than what was expected.
“I...I don’t....” she said before once more meeting the Raven’s gaze and suddenly something made sense, causing her to cut herself off. Surely a god, or at least something so close to that lofty status, could give her the one thing she couldn’t do alone. It was worth a shot...right? And Fullbring was somewhat rooted in the power of Hollows, she had learned that very quickly. She could feel it. Even her spiritual energy had a Hollow-like taint and with every one of their ilk she slayed, she could almost swear her soul consumed something of the fallen monster...maybe she was just imagining it. But what if she wasn’t? And worse, what if one day the source of her strength turned against her? And who better to aid her than perhaps one of the strongest Hollows?
“I want your help. If you know about me, you know what I can do. But I feel like there’s so much I don’t understand about it. So I want you to help me learn about what I am.” she decided. Even if it was a long shot, so long as her new benefactor at least tried she would be satisfied and hold his end of the bargain fulfilled. Most other Fullbringers were of little help, they were just as in the dark as she was. And very few beings with answers were forthcoming with them on the scant occasion she had a chance to ask in the first place. But Raven? Raven struck her as someone far too honorable to turn her down if helping her find answers was within his means. So she had to take the chance.
Raven was beyond pleased, and it showed on his face. The first expression Shiroko could so readily identify as close to human. "My lady, that is precisely what I want to find out as well." Raven shifted slightly to the side, its arm rising up in a lazy manner gesturing with its hand in the air, and giving it a sort of tap.
The veil separating the boundary between dimensions was ripped open, what she could see within was a chaotic abyssal storm of darkness and lightning, yet it was eeriely silent. "I shall give you a day to make your arrangements. I suspect that our encounters will become a regular occurance, and I do not intend to interfere in more in your life than I already am. For now I shall arrange for the protection of your home while you are with me."