The Wishmaker

PLAYER

Shot to the heart

Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 21, 2022 4:59:08 GMT -5 esperanzzaditta likes this

YAEL SCHWARZWALD

Location:Tokyo, Japan

𝖳𝖠𝖦𝖲: Hibano Yoshinori Okamoto tensai toshiaki Rao Fugard Niji

Our stars shall guide you until the end...

The knight disengaged with the fullbringer after the clashing of their weapons. Even with enormous strength, of course, there was no way to defeat the Living Hogyoku with a mere stab in the shoulders.

Right after the clash, a wooden dog licked the metallic armour covering his whole body; scratched and grazed on the outside, it didn’t have any effect on the outer shell of course, but the mending transcended to his bruised and wounded flesh underneath, and restored his strength and endurance as well.

He didn’t have the time to thank whoever the dog’s owner was, however, as there was something currently going on inside.

He was about to lunge forth at the evil Hogyoku again when he came to a sudden halt, clutching onto his armet, as if suffering from an intense headache. The blonde quincy who seemed to have slept after his lover’s betrayal seemed to have awakened by now; and it was evident in the knight’s struggle to keep his composure, as the boy himself fought for dominance over his own body.

Meanwhile, the lunatic fullbringer didn’t waste any time; perhaps, even taking advantage of the current distraction, summoned a flurry of blades heading towards his direction. Having little time to react, the weapons passed through, hitting several parts of his limbs. Some of the blades bounced off the armour, while some pierced through.

Of course, the Hogyoku intended to kill them all off; thus, with a wave of her hands, she managed to warp reality; or at least, that was how it looked to the somewhat-confused knight, as he tried to focus on the fight.

Several spikes grew out every direction; the walls, the ceilings, and even the battered floor shifted into sharp edged stakes crushing the heroes without any way for them to escape.

A blinding light engulfed the possessed Quincy, shielding him from the lethal attacks, but even then the knight himself got caught in a few, his armour, showing off his fleshly arms by now, the frightening beast, covered in its own blood although its eyes were still cold and piercing, stranger to any hint of surrender.

With a loud, struggling roar, he writhed in pain; though in a familiar voice by now. The quincy charged forward, following the attacks of his comrades. His armet hid any tinge of emotions; and whether it was still the knight or the blonde prince now controlling over the body was still unknown to everyone.

The halberd glowed, transforming into a form of a giant lance as the knight ran towards the Hogyoku.

Whether he was successful in dealing his final blow, he’d remain standing in front of her for a few moments more; until his feet weakened, fallen on his knees. Unable to stand.

The Volpertinger vanished alongside with the lance, and the battered armour. What remained there, in front of the Hogyoku, of Valentina Tokareva, was a visage of the boy who deeply loved her with all his heart.

If the fullbringer managed to survive his assault, what’s left was to give his life in surrender. While the knight could probably wake up again, the quincy’s body was still subject to its limitations.

“I understand now. Perhaps, there was no forgiveness left for me for loving you. Indeed. I... was the chain who held you back. I’m sorry, Val...”

[565]

SPOILER: Click to show

COMBAT TRACKER
SUMMARY
+10 rei, +10 % RL Bonus from Tensai's Heroic Aura, +110% Base RL remains
Bolster from Tensai: 1,394,400+ 259,570=1,653,970 X2=3,307,940x6=19,847,640
Healed; +30 HP

GLOWING HUMAN
EDGE 2 on the Glowing Human: 10 def against all foe's attacks, you reduce total damage taken by 2, you gain +2 bonus damage and +10 accuracy with all your attacks.
-9 Resist dmg

DEFENSE
66 acc vs 105 def= missed!
101 acc vs 105 def= missed!
92 acc vs 105 def= missed!
147 acc vs 105 def= hit! Breach activates

OFFENSE
Ultimate Lance strike

At-will Action: Release|-6 rei

Bonus Action: Breach| same acc and dmg reflected back to the attacker| 10-3 rei [due to efficiency]=7rei

2 Standard Actions: At World's End: Holy Purge [Single Blade Cremation]| Reduced to 0 HP and Incapacitated
Dmg: WqTx5Xj46d12

Total Rei cost: 6+7=13 rei

ACTIVE EFFECTS
ON OPPONENT
Stagger:2/2; Override activates again -10 acc, -2 dmg tier

CLASS
STRATEGIST

OBSERVANT
Three times per battle as a Reactive At-Will Action, you may immediately learn any Non-Basic Technique or Spell (Including Racial Techs / Excluding Release Techs) used by a combatant on their turn, either ally or foe. This technique is forgotten at the end of battle; you may not learn Forbidden Techniques or Spells. Techniques and Spells learned do not take up technique slots.

PREPARED
You start with the Enhanced Blight Basic Kido Spell. Also, at the beginning of each thread, you may select up to 2 Standard Techniques or Spells that you know. You may use each of those techniques or spells one additional time during that thread.
Selecting:
Utsusemi
~~Keikatsu~~

OVERRIDE
All non-special status effects tied to your attacks will apply those status effects regardless if the attack hits or not, provided the affliction roll is successful. Also, while an opponent is afflicted with a Non-Special Status Effect caused by you, reduce their Accuracy by -10 and Damage Tier by -2; this is cumulative, applying once per unique non-special status effect (caused by you) active on that opponent.

BREAKTHROUGH
While an opponent is afflicted with a status effect that you caused, you can make them take the damage (and any effects) of all techs and/or spells that targeted you on their turn, once per thread, as a Reactive At-Will action. No roll necessary. Damage redirected to your foe is considered direct damage. You take no damage or suffer any effects. The damage and effects cannot be redirected back to you by any means.

RACIAL PERK:

Efficiency
Effect: Your Basic Techs & Spells cost -1 less Reishi | Standard Techs & Spells cost -2 less Reishi | Release, Advanced, & Forbidden Techs/Spells cost -3 less Reishi.

TRAITS

Alacrity: As a passive effect you have +10 to defense while above half max HP.

Cleverness: You have a passive +15% bonus to inflict a status effect from any source

Infuse: As a passive effect your Basic Attacks have a 40% chance to inflict the Burn status.

Resist: As a passive effect when hit with any attack, you deal direct damage back to the attacker. For Basic Attacks, you deal back direct damage equal to the lowest rolled natural dice of the attack that hit you. For Non-Basic Attacks, you deal back direct damage equal to the highest rolled natural dice of the attack that hit you

Vitriol: Each time you inflict a non-special status effect you give an additional stack to your target. Does not apply to status effect inflicted via Phantom Pain.

TECHNIQUES AND SPELLS

BAKUDŌ #44: SEKISHO
You create a fast-forming energy wall against fairly strong attacks.
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: You gain 20 Armor and are immune to status effects inflicted by attacks.
Duration: Until the 20 Armor is gone.
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

UTSUSEMI
You move at great speed to avoid an attack, leaving an afterimage which can appear to have taken damage.
Type: Defense - Hohō Art
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you avoid two non-critical attacks that would have hit you during your turn. Considered a Movement Power.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

BAKUDŌ #27: INEMURI (FORCED SLUMBER)
You quickly hold your hand in front of your enemy’s face as their pupils dilate before they fall unconscious.
Type: Utility - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action you have a 60% chance to inflict two stacks of the Blind status on your target. Upon infliction it also deals 1d8 direct damage The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

BAKUDŌ #39: ENKŌSEN (ROTATING LOCK FAN)
You generate a dull yellow energy, which takes the form of a large spinning disk of condensed Reiatsu, in front of yourself, blocking an opponent's attack.
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action you negate half the damage from two attacks that hit you during your turn (even critical hits.)
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

BAKUDŌ #8: SEKI (REPULSE)
You generate an orb of light blue energy which repels whatever strikes it.
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action you cannot be hit by any attacks that roll a natural (unmodified) 65 or lower on their accuracy. Considered a Movement Technique.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

BAKUDŌ #22: HAKUFUKU (WHITE CRAWL)
You stare down your foe. As the target sees the illusion of purple cherry blossoms falling around them, their vision begins to blur and their consciousness becomes muddled, disoriented, and confused. Shortly thereafter, the target blacks out altogether.
Type: Utility - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action you have a 80% chance to inflict the Stagger status on your target and upon infliction it deals a 3d4 worth of direct damage. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

BAKUDŌ #19: SHIBIREYUBI (NUMBING FINGER)
You place a finger in front of the victim's face, conjuring a ball of white energy that flashes momentarily before the victim's eyes, immediately incapacitating them.
Type: Utility - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action you have a 80% chance to inflict two stacks of the Stun status on your target. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

BAKUDŌ #7: KEIKATSU (OPENING REVIVAL)
With a gentle touch you mend flesh and knit bone with your own Reishi.
Type: Utility - Kido Healing Spell
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an at-will action you restore 30 HP to self or a comrade.
Special Effect: You can spend an extra 5 Reishi to grant a 40% chance to apply the special status Mend to your target. Mend increases total healing from this spell to 60 HP instead of 30. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Once per target.

ADVANCED TECHS AND SPELLS

SHADOW
The user's shadow expands and becomes a doorway between dimensions, completely masking their Reiatsu.
Type: Defense - Reactive
Action: Bonus Action
Effect: You immediately avoid all attacks and/or techniques that would have hit you this turn, except for critical hits. You may use this technique to flee the current thread.
Cost: 20 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

HADŌ #96: ITTŌ KASŌ (SINGLE BLADE CREMATION)
A forbidden spell that can only be activated by using your own body as a catalyst. You grab your foe and from the point of contact, a huge pillar of fire erupts into the shape of a katana's tip.
Type: Attack - Area (Considered a Forbidden Spell)
Activate: Two Standard Actions
Effect: Using both of your standard actions, you deal 6d12 worth of status damage to up to three foes. (Note: status damage means there is no accuracy roll for this technique, the damage is simply inflicted.) Cannot be avoided or mitigated by any means.
Cost: Reduces you to 0 HP and you are Incapacitated.
Limit: Once per battle. (Can only be used in Battles and Deadly Events)

HADŌ #54: HAIEN (ABOLISHING FLAMES)
You fire an oblong blast of purple energy from your hand which completely incinerates a target upon contact.
Type: Attack - Single
Activate: Standard Action
Effect: As a standard action, you make a single attack with 3 dmg dice that deals the Slashing major effect and has a 50% chance to inflict the special Scorched status effect. Scorched deals 1 status damage for each at-will action they use for the duration. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Special Effect: This attack cannot be Guarded against.
Duration: 3 turns
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

BAKUDŌ #61: RIKUJŌKŌRŌ (SIX-ROD LIGHT PRISON)
Pointing their index finger at the target, the user generates a spark of yellow energy, which summons six thin, wide beams of light that slam into a target's midsection and hold them in place.
Type: Utility
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you have an 60% chance to inflict the special Pinned status on your foe. While pinned, your opponent must spend both of their next standard actions to break free. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Special Effect: If used in conjunction with a previously successful Hainawa cast, the cost of this spell is reduced by half and your opponent also cannot use any bonus actions on the same turn they must break free of Rikujōkōrō. Hainawa must have been cast within 1 turn of Light Prison to count.
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

RELEASE

Release 1: Schwerter Jagen (Chasing Swords)| Dice: 3| Rei cost: 7| Limit: Once per turn
Release 2: Cursed Angel| Dice: 4| Rei cost: 8| Limit: Twice per battle
Release 3: Volpertinger| Dice: 5| Rei cost: 9| Limit: Twice per battle
BASHING: The target of this attack loses 5 Reishi and -5% of their Base Reiatsu Level on hit. The maximum Base RL loss from all sources is 50%.
BURN: 50% chance to Burn target.

ENTRAP
You spring a hidden trap to catch and weaken an unwary foe.
Type: Utility
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action, you create a dome or cage around you and a foe of choice. You may RP the dome as whatever you’d like. For the duration, the trapped foe cannot escape unless they break the dome or defeat you. No one else can enter it or affect those inside with techs/spells while it's activated. While inside the dome you will be cut off from the outside. None of your techs/spells will affect anyone outside of it, this goes for both caster and victim. The dome has 50 HP. The dome has 0 defense (auto-hit), and is unaffected by Edge of either the caster or the target. Cannot be used to interrupt or defend against attacks. The dome can be attacked directly to break it. The dome has a natural DR of -5 against all basic attacks.
Special Effect: While trapped, your foe’s Reishi is drained by -5 per turn.
Duration: 4 turns or until the dome is reduced to 0 HP.
Stage 2: Dome now has 70 HP.
Stage 3: Gain Stage 2 upgrade and only costs 15 Reishi.
Cost: 20 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

BREACH
You create a breach in space in front of you, just as an attack is about to hit. You then open a second one up behind your foe, sending their own attack back at them.
Type: Defense
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action, you redirect an attack that would have hit you, even a critical hit, and change the target to another of your choice, using the same Accuracy and Damage.
Stage 2: Can now redirect at least two attacks per turn that would have hit you.
Stage 3: Gain Stage 2 upgrade and only costs 10 Reishi.
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

FLASH FREEZE
You freeze your enemy in their tracks, making them vulnerable to attack.
Type: Utility
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action, you have a 50% chance to inflict the special Frozen status on one target. Under the effects of Frozen, on your foe’s turn, they will be unable to use any movement techniques to avoid attacks. This includes only those techniques or spells that are marked specifically as Movement Techniques.
Special Effect: For an added 10 Reishi, you can target up to 3 people, making this an area effect.
Stage 2: Percent chance increased to 60%.
Stage 3: Gain Stage 2 upgrade and only costs 10 Reishi.
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

ENHANCEMENTS:

MALICIOUS
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect your damage tier increases by +1 with Release Attack Techs.
Limit: Indefinite.
Stage 2: Damage tier increases by +2.
Stage 3: Add +10 bonus damage with all Release Attack Techs.

RESENTFUL
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect your foe takes -1 status damage each time you take damage from their attacks.
Limit: Indefinite.
Stage 2: Your foe now takes -2 status damage.
Stage 3: Now the allies of your foe also take -2 status damage each time your foe hits you.

RESTORING
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect any attack that hits you siphons -1 HP from the attacker while you are in your Released state.
Limit: Indefinite.
Stage 2: Attacks now siphon -2 HP from the attacker.
Stage 3: Siphoned HP is now distributed to allies as well.

RELEASE BUFF: FOCUS
1st Release: +5, upgrades to d11
2nd Release: +10, upgrades to d12
Final Release: +15, upgrades to d12+1

REIATSU: 257,000>>>3,302,800>>>19,816,800 ARMOR: +2
HP: 0/100 | REISHI: 128/200 | DEF: 85 [105] | DMG DIE: d10 [d12] | ACC: +50

6d12

Last Edit: Apr 21, 2022 5:05:47 GMT -5 by Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld

Player

I have nothing to say.

Rao Fugard

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 24, 2022 20:39:29 GMT -5

Both of Rao's attacks were able to connect, and he landed down with the hogyoku onto the ground. She kicked him away immediately, and he got sent flying a few meters away. When he landed, he saw the Hogyoku's cape fluttering, and multiple weapons were coming out from underneath. They flew at incredible speeds, and they were all headed towards the group. He wasn't sure about the others, but he would try to dodge. He was able to move out of the way using sonido, and was barely dodging them all, and smacked away others that he couldn't outright dodge.

While he was dodging the onslaught of weapons, he wasn't aware of the trap that Val had set up. When he landed on the ground, a spike grew from the ground, and impaled his foot. Rao grunted in pain. He lifted his foot from the spike, but some more shot up and stabbed him from behind. He coughed up some blood, and the spikes portruding from his chest wer covered in blood as well, excluding the one that was going through his hollow hole.

"Damn it, not again," Rao said, about to lose consciousness once again. With the last of his strength, he pulled himself from the spikes, but the damage he took was enough to take him out of the battle. Just as he was about to black out from the pain, he felt something biting his neck. He remembered that the snake was still on him, and when he opened his eyes, his body was healed again. The snake was no longer on his neck, and he looked back to see it slithering away to get out of the battle for now. Now that he was given another chance, he'd need to take full advantage of it.

He concentrated, and focused hellflames onto his hand. "Hellflame Dragon!" he yelled, launching another one at the Human Hogyoku. He was about to follow up by getting in close, but his body still felt weak from the previous attack. "It's up to them for now" he thought, and used his third eyes powers to manuever the dragon to give them an opening even if it doesn't land.

COMBAT TRACKER

SPOILER: Click to show

SUMMARY

Heroic Aura is got 10% more RL and +10 reishi, now at 110% rl

Piercing Blows inactive now

Rao uses Distract (gives standard to Niji)

Rao used Focus Energy

Rao used All Up To You Now (distract)

Rao used Hellflame Dragon

Defensives are down now

At-Will:
DISTRACT
You maneuver or feint, sacrificing your action to give an opening to an ally.
Type: Utility
Action: At-Will
Effect: You can give one of your standard actions to any ally but it must be used before your next turn comes around.
Cost: None.
Limit: Each team (or group of allies in an event) shares a total of 3 uses per battle. | +1 standard to Niji

Bonus Action:

FOCUS ENERGY
You infuse extra reishi into an attack, boosting its potency right before you strike.
Type: Utility
Action: Bonus Action
Effect: Increase your Accuracy with Attacks on this turn by +15. A focused attack cannot have its damage negated by Guard.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: None
Enhanced: If used with an Attack Spell, that spell now has an additional +15% chance to inflict Status Effects on the turn. If used with a Physical Attack, any additional uses on the same turn stack +1 additional bonus damage per attack on that turn. | -9 reishi

Standard Action: (All Up To You)
Given to Niji

Standard Action:
Hellflame Dragon
Rao gathers together all the energy from his Hellflames, and releases it in the shape of a dragon towards the target.
SINGLE: Standard Action. Rolls 3 damage dice against one target and has a chance to inflict a minor effect. Costs 7 Reishi.
CHARGING: Focus Energy grants this technique an additional +10 Accuracy; this does not apply multiple times from consecutive uses of Focus Energy.
BURN: 50% chance to Burn target. | -4 reishi

Acc - TPcBAUEM1d100+75

Dmg - 3d11

Status Chance (50%) - 1d100 for infuse damage

Status Chance (40%) - 1d100 for stun

ACTIVE EFFECTs

Piercing Blows

Tempered

CLASS

Fighter(Berserker)

TRAITS

TEMPERED
Prerequisite: None
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: Your 1st Release Stage is always active, meaning it is a passive activation and you bypass the minimum post prerequisite that prevents you from using it at the beginning of the thread. You are still prevented from using your 2nd or Final Releases until the minimum post count has been met.
Limit: Indefinite

INFUSE
Prerequisite: Focus Skill of 40
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect your Basic Attacks have a 40% chance to inflict the Burn status.

ASSAULT
Prerequisite: Fighting Skill of 35
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an at-will action, roll two d100s for each accuracy roll you make with any Non-Basic Attack. Use the better of the two rolls for each.
Limit: Twice per battle.

EFFICIENCY
Prerequisite: Focus Skill of 45
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: Your Basic Techs and Spells cost -1 less Reishi | Standard Techs &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; Spells cost -2 less Reishi | Release, Advanced, Forbidden Techs/Spells cost -3 less Reishi. Does not stack with the Release Enhancement Efficient. The minimum cost for any Tech or Spell (whose base cost is not already 0) is 1 Reishi

PRECISION
Prerequisite: Fighting Skill of 30
Activate: At-Will
Effect: Accuracy with all Attacks this turn is increased by +20.
Limit: Twice per battle.

Class and Race traits

INDOMITABLE
Prerequisite: Resilience Skill of 40
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: You gain +3 Damage Reduction (DR) per attack on your turn.

BLITZ
Prerequisite: Fighting Skill of 45
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an at-will action you can make two Basic Attacks during one of your Standard Actions on your turn.
Limit: Three times per battle.

TECHNIQUES

PESQUISA (INQUIRY)
You send out a radiating pulse which reacts to sources of Reiatsu within a certain proximity and helps you anticipate incoming attacks.
Type: Defense - Arrancar Ability
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action you gain +15 bonus defense for the duration.
Duration: 3 turns
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

UTSUSEMI (CICADA SHELL)
You move at great speed to avoid an attack, leaving an afterimage which can appear to have taken damage.
Type: Defense - Hohō Art
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you avoid two non-critical attacks that would have hit you during your turn. Considered a Movement Technique.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

SPEED CLONES
You create several clones of yourself at once using Shunpo. The clones absorb incoming damage while you escape.
Type: Defense - Hohō Art
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you avoid all direct damage that would have been dealt to you during your turn. Considered a Movement Technique.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

HANKI (REVERSE DEMON)
A fighting technique that cancels out an opponent's Reishi by hitting it with the same quality and quantity of oppositely spinning Reishi.
Type: Defense - Hohō Art
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action pick one foe. Each time that foe makes an attack against you, gain a +5 bonus to defense against them. Considered a Movement Technique.
Duration: Once defense bonus reaches +25 the effect lasts for 1 additional turn before fading.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

TSUKIYUBI (THRUST FINGERS)
A technique that allows the user to greatly increase the damage of normally weak attacks.
Type: Utility - Hakuda Art
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an at-will action all of your basic strikes this turn gain +20 to accuracy and upgrade their Damage Tier by +2.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

SPELLS

BAKUDŌ #14: SHIMOKU (PURPLE TREE)
Your hands are covered in purple Reishi. Your very touch desecrates with insipid poison and virulent decay.
Type: Utility - Kido Spell
Action: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action all Basic Attacks you use have a 50% chance to inflict your choice of Wound, Burn, or Poison status for the duration. You must designate which status at the beginning of combat. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Duration: 5 turns.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

RELEASE

Hellflame Dragon
Rao gathers together all the energy from his Hellflames, and releases it in the shape of a dragon towards the target.
SINGLE: Standard Action. Rolls 3 damage dice against one target and has a chance to inflict a minor effect. Costs 7 Reishi.
CHARGING: Focus Energy grants this technique an additional +10 Accuracy; this does not apply multiple times from consecutive uses of Focus Energy.
BURN: 50% chance to Burn target.

El Ojos - Active | -4 reishi

Focus Energy | -9

Hellflame Dragon | -4

Total| -17 reishi

REIATSU:728,000x2=1,456,000

HP:30/95 | REISHI:83/120 | DEF:90 | DMG DIE: d11 | ACC:+45(+50)

1d100+75·3d11·1d100·1d100

Last Edit: Apr 24, 2022 20:40:19 GMT -5 by Rao Fugard

Player

Fullbringer

I have nothing to say.

Niji

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 25, 2022 19:15:27 GMT -5 esperanzzaditta likes this

Niji slowly looked back down from the crack in the sky, maybe things could have been different, but what had happened and happened. And what hadn’t would remain a shadow. Her eyes fell once again on the hōgyoku, still under a volley of attacks from all sides, still confident. Even in that false reality, Val was still headstrong and confident; just a better person than this one. Another tear rolled down her cheek, and she placed her own small hand on the clawed hand on her shoulder. She stared at Val, ”Coctyus?” The blue claw tightened in anticipation, hefting its spear in its second set of arms.

”Share my sorrow. Bankai.”

The blue creature rippled, while it had been mitigating the worst effects of Val’s potent illusion, it was a spirit that feasted on suffering. All the pain and sorrow that the former fullbringer had tried to inflict on her was fuel for this creature, and it was ready to reach a state it never had with its late owner. Two pairs of batlike wings erupted from his back, and it took to the air with an ear-splitting wail.

She took to the sky behind it, pulling up the ground behind her, and launching the swords and spiked floor directly back at the woman. The multi-limbed creature swept down, launching rapid thrusts of spears, and with every attack that connected, a flood of foreign emotion would be passed through the stab.

Sorrow, anger, loss. Pain.

Niji had come here from across the world to stop whatever was happening, to stop the apocalypse. She expected that words would be useless against whoever it was, and in her heart, she had known who she was going to find here. There was no mercy to be shown here, no hope for redemption. The fullbringer steeled herself, gathering an enormous amount of energy into her arms; this is what her Val would have wanted. With a burst of wind behind her, she disappeared from her location and appeared in front of Val as Yael collapsed once again.

She looked her in the eyes and thrust her arm forward with incredible speed, even before it would connect, winds like a thousand blades began to rip and tear at Val, attempting to separate her into uncountable bloodless pieces.

SPOILER: Click to show

SUMMARY
Yoshi creates an opening!
Rao creates an opening!
Niji breaches:
Breach Attack 1 - 101 Accuracy - 17 damage
Breach Attack 2 - 147 Accuracy, Critical Hit, 51 damage
Niji focuses energy
Niji uses Byakurai - 170 Accuracy - 28 damage
Niji uses Byakurai - 156 Accuracy - 31 damage
Niji uses Byakurai - 112 Accuracy - 26 damage
Niji uses Release Attack 2 - 189 Accuracy, Critical Hit, 78 Damage

Niji has Doubled Edge 2 against Val in this post (4 DR)
Base Defense is 105 vs Val (85 Base + 20 Doubled Edge 2)
Niji has Edge 2 against Val in her post
Base Offense is +90 vs Val (55 Base + 15 Release + 10 Edge 2)

HP is 67 (No Change)
Armor is 15 (No Change)
Reishi is 137 (185 - 0 (B) - 10 (FE) - 13 (RA2) - 4 x 3 (Bya x3) - 6 (R3U) + 3 (TU))

At-Will:
Enhanced Focus Energy

Bonus Action:
Twisting Winds - Breach
17 damage at 101 Accuracy
51 damage at 147 critical Accuracy

Standard Action:
Sorrow's Stab - Byakurai
KpXVLtqp1d100+100
2d12+10

Yoshi’s Standard Action:
Sorrow's Stab - Byakurai
1d100+100
2d12+11

Rao’s Standard Action:
Sorrow's Stab - Byakurai
1d100+100
2d12+12

Standard Action:
Windy Vivisection - Release Attack 2
Bashing (-5 Reishi, -5% RL)
Slashing (75 for crit, +4 damage on crit)
1d100+100
4d12+18 + 4 + 15 + 9 = 78 Damage
-5% RL, -5 Reishi

ACTIVE EFFECTS
Buffs
Attack-Inflicted Status Immunity - (Until Armor Lost)
Bolster - +1,433,600 base RL
Tensai Heroic Aura - +100% base RL
Distract - 1 Turn
Distract - 1 Turn

Debuffs

USES
Ningyo Joruri - 1/1
Bakudo 44 - 1/1
Bakudo 41 - 0/2
Bakudo 7 - 1/1 Self, 0/1 Tensai, 1/1 Yoshi, 1/1 Rao, 1/1 Yael
Bakudo 12 - 0/2
Bakudo 39 - 0/2
Utsusemi - 1/1 (Move Tech)
Speed Clones -1/2 (Move Tech)

Bakudo 40 - 0/1 Self, 0/1 Tensai, 0/1 Yoshi, 0/1 Rao, 0/1 Yael
Rift Gate - 0/1
Bakudo 73 - 0/1 Utility, 0/1 Defense, 0/1 Wildcard
Raioken: 2/2

Breach - 2/2
Flash Freeze - 0/2
Illusion - 1/1

Genius - 2/3
Talented - 1/1
Assault - 2/2
Rush - 0/4
Blur 3/4

Release Attack R2: 2/2
Release Attack R3: 2/2

75/100 Invigorate Reishi Regained

CLASS - Prodigy - Titan
ADEPT
Your natural Skill cap of 50 is increased to 70 and you start with +5 to two Skills of your choice. You also gain a +35 bonus to every Initiative Roll.

GENIUS
Start with the Enhanced Basic Techniques/Spells; Focus Energy, Invigorate, Sense, and Suppression. Also, three times per battle, you can use Focus Energy or Invigorate as an At-Will action.

UNBRIDLED
The standard Reishi cap is lifted. (You may now gain an unlimited amount of Reishi.) Also, you gain +3 Reishi at the end of each turn per each foe you are fighting. (For example, in a 1v3, you would regain +9 Reishi.) Also, as a passive effect, as long as you remain at 50% HP or above, you gain the advantages of EDGE 2 against all foes, regardless of Reiatsu Levels. Alternatively, if you already have EDGE advantage (above EDGE 2) while above 50% HP, that advantage is now doubled.

OPPRESSIVE REIATSU
As a passive effect, your basic Strikes become area attacks and add the Bashing Major Effect. All other area attacks gain +10 accuracy and the Bashing Major Effect as well. Additionally, on a turn in which you use Invigorate, your Techs/Spells ignore 3 of their target’s DR; increase the amount of DR ignored by +3 per opponent in your current thread beyond the first. (3 DR ignored 1v1, 6 DR ignored 1v2, 9 DR ignored 1v3, etc)

TRAITS
Cleverness- You have a passive +15% bonus to inflict a status effect from any source.

Assault - As an at-will action, roll two d100s for each accuracy roll you make with any Non-Basic Attack. Use the better of the two rolls for each.

Rush - As an at-will action, you add Rush to one attack during your turn. Rush makes it so if the attack misses, it deals direct damage equal to half of the original damage. This does not apply any status effects from the original attack. (4/thread)

Blur - As a passive effect you can use one Movement Tech as an at-will action on your turn. (4/thread)

Tempered - Your 1st Release Stage is always active, meaning you bypass the minimum post prerequisite that prevents you from using it at the beginning of the thread. You are still prevented from using your 2nd or Final Releases until the minimum post count has been met.

Talented - As an at-will action choose one Non-Forbidden Tech or Spell you've learned. You gain an extra use of it and it doesn't count against any other kinds of usage limits imposed upon it.

TECHNIQUES
Voice of Command - NINGYŌ JŌRURI (PUPPET THEATER)
Type: Bonus Action
Action: Utility
Effect: As a bonus action you have a 60% chance to inflict the special Manipulated status on your target. The user declares a Standard or Advanced technique/spell (excluding any Forbidden or Release techs/spells) that the target knows and takes no more than a standard or bonus action to use. The target is then forced to use this technique/spell on their next turn. Cannot be used in conjunction with the standard tech Holy Slave on the same turn.
Cost: 10 Reishi.
Limit: Once per target.

Earthen Guard - BAKUDŌ #44: SEKISHO (BARRIER)
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: You gain 30 Armor and are immune to non-special status effects inflicted by attacks.
Duration: Until the 30 Armor is gone.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

Twisting Wind - BAKUDŌ #41: KYŌMON (MIRROR GATE)
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you avoid all but the highest rolled natural damage die from one non-critical attack that hit you. You deal the highest natural damage die back to the attacker as direct damage. If the attack would inflict a non-special status, you instead inflict that status back onto your opponent. No roll necessary.
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

Regrowth - BAKUDŌ #7: KEIKATSU (OPENING REVIVAL)
Type: Utility - Kido Healing Spell
Activate: At-Will
Effect: As an at-will action you restore 30 HP to self or a comrade.
Special Effect: You can spend an extra 5 Reishi to grant a 40% chance to apply the special status Mend to your target. Mend increases total healing from this spell to 60 HP instead of 30. The max chance to inflict with any effect is 95%.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Once per target.

Wind’s Blessing - BAKUDŌ #12: YŪGURE NO MANTO (DUSK CLOAK)
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: At-Will - Reactive
Effect: As an at-will action you are immune to newly applied non-special status effects and negate the damage bonus from critical hits during your turn. Does not remove status effects you have been previously afflicted with.
Cost: 5 Reishi

Wind Dance - UTSUSEMI - 1/1
Type: Defense - Hohō Art
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you avoid two non-critical attacks that would have hit you during your turn. Considered a Movement Technique.
Cost: 10 Reishi

Spiritual Intercept - SPEED CLONES - 2/2
Type: Defense - Hohō Art
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action, you avoid all direct damage that would have been dealt to you during your turn.
Cost: 5 Reishi

Firewall - BAKUDŌ #39: ENKŌSEN - 2/2
Type: Defense - Kido Spell
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a bonus action you negate half the damage from two attacks that hit you during your turn (even critical hits.)
Cost: 10 Reishi

Cleanse - BAKUDŌ #40: GOYŌGAI (FIVE SUPPORT COVER)
Type: Utility - Kido Healing Spell
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action remove all status effects (non-special.) Can be used on self or a comrade.
Cost: 5 Reishi
Limit: Once per target.

Earthwalk - RIFT GATE
Type: Defense
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: You immediately avoid all attacks and/or techniques that would have hit you this turn, except for critical hits. You may use this technique to flee the current thread.
Cost: 20 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

Earthcall - BAKUDŌ #73: TOZANSHŌ (INVERSE MOUNTAIN CRYSTAL)
Type: Defense / Utility
Activate: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: As a reactive bonus action, you either create a barrier that protects you and up to 2 allies against all non-critical attacks from your foe(s) OR as a regular bonus action you can trap your foe inside an enclosure with 10 HP. While trapped, your opponent cannot make any attacks against you but also cannot be targeted until they break free. While trapped your foe will be cut off from the outside. None of their techs/spells will affect anyone outside of it. This spell has 0 defense (auto-hit), and is unaffected by Edge of either the caster or the target.
Cost: 20 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle as a defense and once as a utility. Cannot use both on the same turn.

Kami’s Wrath - RAIŌKEN (THUNDER KING FIST)
Type: Attack - Barrage
Action: Standard
Effect: As a standard action, you make a barrage attack with 4 dmg dice that deals the Overwhelm major effect.
Special Effect: Treat this Barrage like an area attack that also deals the Spread major effect.
Cost: 25 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

Blood Offering - SOUL TRIGGER
Type: Utility (Considered a Forbidden Technique)
Action: Bonus Action - Reactive
Effect: You regain 20 Reishi at the time of use and increase your Base Reiatsu Level by 50%. Additionally, for the duration, increase your Damage Tier with all attacks by +2 and your Defense by +15. On the turn after the end of the duration, you will be temporarily Exhausted for 1 turn.
Duration: 4 turns
Cost: 10 HP
Limit: Once per battle.

RELEASE
Elemental Onslaught - AREA, SLASHING
Activate: Standard Action
Cost: 12/13/14
Effect: 3/4/5 Damage Dice, crits on 75+, +4 damage on a crit
Titan and Area Attack includes +10 accuracy, 5 reishi drain, and -5% Base RL.

Stage 1 - Locus of Nature
BREACH
Type: Defense
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action, you redirect an attack that would have hit you, even a critical hit, and change the target to another of your choice, using the same Accuracy and Damage. If your attack is redirected via Breach, you cannot use Breach to then send a Breached attack back at the caster.
Stage 2: Can now redirect at least two attacks per turn that would have hit you.
Stage 3: Gain Stage 2 upgrade and only costs 10 Reishi.
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

MALICIOUS
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect your damage tier increases by +1 with Release Attack Techs.
Stage 2: Damage tier increases by +2.
Stage 3: Add +10 bonus damage with all Release Attack Techs.

Stage 2 - Natural Disaster
FLASH FREEZE
Type: Utility
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action, you have a 60% chance to inflict the special Frozen status on one target. Under the effects of Frozen, on your foe’s turn, they will be unable to use any movement techniques to avoid attacks. This includes only those techniques or spells that are marked specifically as Movement Techniques.
Special Effect: For an added 10 Reishi, you can target up to 3 people, making this an area effect.
Stage 3: Only costs 10 Reishi.
Cost: 15 Reishi
Limit: Twice per battle.

VICIOUS
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect you gain a bonus +10 to accuracy with Release Attack Techs.
Stage 3: Accuracy bonus increases to +15.

Stage 3 - Fae Blood
ILLUSION
Type: Utility
Activate: Bonus Action
Effect: As a bonus action, you have a 60% chance to inflict the special Deceived status effect on your foe. While Deceived any at-will actions they use require a bonus action and any bonus actions they use require a standard action for the duration.
Duration: 4 turns
Cost: 10 Reishi
Limit: Once per battle.

Devastating
Activate: None (Passive)
Effect: As a passive effect your Release Attacks deal an extra +15 bonus damage when you score a critical hit.
Limit: Indefinite.

REIATSU: 354,000 (eff. Base: 3,575,200, eff. Total: 21,451,200)
HP:67(15 Armor)/75 | REISHI: 185/200| DEF:85 | DMG DIE: 1d12+4 | ACC: +70

Hibano Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld tensai toshiaki Yoshinori Okamoto Rao Fugard
1d100+100·2d12+10·1d100+100·2d12+11·1d100+100·2d12+12·1d100+100·4d12+18

Last Edit: Apr 25, 2022 19:19:53 GMT -5 by Niji

GAME MASTER

Wandenreich - Soldat

Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...

Hibano

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 26, 2022 5:09:04 GMT -5 tensai toshiaki and Muimina Hyakuji like this

(I carved my own path, you followed your wrath...)

Having managed to escape from Val’s blades and spikes first, Tensai returned back to his usual gloating. He was confident that he had outsmarted the living Hogyoku, and she still hadn’t figured out how he was redirecting her attacks to him - in the most insufferable manner possible. Perhaps mirrors are difficult to come by in Soul Society.

Val glanced down at her arms as they were pierced by the relocated spikes through their palms, with an expression that was more bored than shocked or frightened. Suddenly, with a flex of her wrists, those spikes broke apart with ease.

"And you should pull your head out your ass one day. Even Yael is less useless than you."

If Tensai was focusing on the poison he injected into Val’s body and trying to amplify it, he would suddenly notice that it has been completely eradicated. The body of a Hogyoku worked differently from your average living being, mortal or spiritual - poisons and viruses could only exist and do anything within it as long as the Hogyoku itself allowed it. It wasn’t a living entity, after all, and could completely reshape itself, even turn itself completely inhospitable, at the blink of an eye. As soon as Tensai revealed that he wasn’t playing the ball, there was no point for Val to keep the poison around in her body any longer.

Perhaps that would give him some thought.

What this detour did aid in, however, was in giving just enough time for the rest of the party to defend themselves against the incoming spikes and blades without getting attacked by Val again, and so return to the fray. Yoshi, who had to ward off a lot of attacks at once to the best of his ability, and was left wounded as a result, suddenly cast yet another restraining spell upon the Hogyoku. Reishi constructs of chains began to materialize around her, catching her attention, before suddenly descending down upon her and tangling themselves around her limbs.

"Again with this..." Val muttered under her breath, suddenly pulled to one knee by the weight of the chains and the lock. It was intended to restrain her completely, and was certainly a powerful, distracting technique - but even with all of the power behind it, it could not stop Val from moving. Certainly, however, being constantly restrained or put under illusion was getting on her nerves.

She stared directly at the Shinigami. Right before the barrage, he expressed his regret at her sorry state, allowing himself to say at least a sentence to her during this fight. Flashing a smirk, she lowered the scythe in her hand, addressing his lament now:

"Don’t fret, now. It is too late for regret."

A dragon of pure fiery destruction launched forth from the side, descending upon Val. Having almost gotten knocked out again, Rao returned to the battle with a bang. Val turned her eyes towards the incoming technique and waited. Right as it was about to slam into her, she punched it straight in the snout - the impact instantly rolled across the entire flame creature and broke it apart, before blowing the fire away with a shockwave. It still singed her hand, of course, but it left no damage upon her body itself.

Cracking a smirk, Val lowered her fist, and turned around.

"And now it’s just you, right, Niji?" The Fullbringer had summoned yet another Zanpakuto spirit, and ordered it to charge, take to the air with bat-like wings. "We’ve been tricking and fooling each other with false futures for long enough. About time we settled this in one glorious clash."

It was going to be more difficult than usual to fight back while under the restraints of Yoshi’s chains - perhaps, her opponents have long since realized by now that it was only their numbers, and the combinations of all of their techniques, that got them as far as it has. But, Val was still confident. She began spinning the scythe in her hand, whipping up the air as its enormous mass swung across and deflected the redirected swords with ease. The spikes across the ground were not as easy to dodge, but Val did not need to do so, anyway - one that forced itself out the ground suddenly amputated her left arm, but it stitched back together in the next few seconds, at the beginning of the melee.

The first of Cocytus’ thrusts was met by the blade of Val’s scythe, letting a powerful clang out. The Hogyoku parried a few more thrusts, making a step back after each one and spinning her weapon defensively to deflect opposition attacks. Eventually, though, the Zanpakuto spirit would start to get through her defenses, slashing and cutting at her sides. The damage was scathing, physically and mentally, but it did not deter her. When Cocytus finally pushed Val’s scythe to the side and thrust the spear straight into her torso, she answered with something unexpected. The matter in her chest suddenly tightened, locking the spear in place, preventing it from being pulled out - and, taking advantage of the pause in the barrage, Val suddenly slammed the butt end of her scythe’s pole at Cocytus’ face, swatting him aside.

Val then ripped the spear out her chest and tossed it straight at Niji - instead of deflecting it or getting struck, however, the Fullbringer vanished and reappeared right in front.

Time felt as if it froze for a second. Niji’s speed was blinding, but Val was no slouch, either - right as the Fullbringer’s fist thrusted forth and unleashed the first slashes of wind, dozens of arms suddenly grew out of the Hogyoku’s back. Each one launched forward, blocking the hostile winds. They’d get ripped apart with ease, sure, but like the heads of a hydra, they would always be replaced by a new arm in their place. This clash between Niji’s winds and Val’s arms continued for a few seconds.

Even with this ceaseless defense, her body was starting to get increasingly mangled by the attack. Bits and chunks of her body were getting constantly blown off, and were not being replaced fast enough. The last of her arms was suddenly amputated by the winds, and the rest of her body was thus completely defenseless - for a second, sure, but that would be more than enough for Niji to powderize her.

Val’s scythe was in the midst of falling, in between the two women, the arms that held it having just been cut up to dust. The Hogyoku suddenly launched forth and grabbed its pole by the teeth, then swung the scythe at Niji. Compared to all the concentrated destruction launched at her, this was not a very flashy act of resistance, but it was enough to suddenly make distance between the two women.

The scythe was promptly spat out, and the disarmed Val took a heavy breath. She glared at Niji, ready to retaliate, with all of her might.

As it turns out, however, Niji was not the last person left. In all the chaos and adrenaline, she had missed someone, and that someone suddenly appeared right before her eyes.

The knight, wielding a spear rather than a sword or halberd like before, launched himself at her at breakneck speed and forced the entire shaft of the weapon straight through her gut. The armor and lance both suddenly broke down and faded, revealing a weak, disheartened Yael underneath. Having apparently come to terms with Val’s descent to madness, he sacrificed the last energy he still had, to give himself up to her for one last time.

Once this final burst of energy faded, Yael collapsed to the ground. Val fell to her knees next to him, struggling to breathe.

"You... you idiot..."

Unconscious and weak, Yael would be so easy to kill off and forget right now. It’d finally let her escape all of that happiness and regret she didn’t want to feel. But now, Val couldn’t even bring herself to do it. Slowly, she stood up to her feet, all the damage Niji had inflicted upon her growing back.

"I told you, Yael, you will be the last thing I remember," she muttered - her voice still trembled somewhat, but she pushed herself forward, nonetheless. "So let me finish this, in your name."

Val’s power was still growing - and, in fact, just Yael’s act alone had suddenly given her a serious boost in strength. Walking past the Quincy’s body, she slowly advanced towards the rest of the group.

How long can this be kept up? How long can you slap and stab something that is functionally immortal? That doesn’t seem to ever tire, or waver, no matter how much she is beaten, or traumatized... that only grows stronger every minute, that seems to have no limit, while mere mortals do?

Suddenly, Val’s walk forward stopped.

"Huh?"

She stared up. A Reiatsu pressure was approaching. Something... enormous. It was surrounding the laboratory from every side, and drawing ever nearer. Flashes of light began to appear in the sky, growing brighter and brighter, before suddenly opening up.

One after another, thirteen portals lit up and opened in a ring, arcing around the expanse of the laboratory and surrounding the battlefield. Each one released a shower of light, illuminating the dim hall, and each emitted a pulse of Reiatsu much, much more powerful than any of Val’s opponents down below. For an average Fullbringer, Quincy or Shinigami, the mere feeling would feel nauseating, almost cripplingly so.

The Captains and Vice-Captains of every division of the Gotei 13 stepped out from each one of the portals, their black uniforms briefly fluttering upon their exit, before settling down. They looked down at the lone, glowing woman standing in the heart of their ring - who, shocked by the appearance, was looking from one side to another. Some, such as 6th Division Captain Tezuka Kunimitsu or 8th Division Captain Godai Kinzuru, had already drawn their weapons, and were expecting a fight. Though the others were still not yet armed, they were still on guard. After all, as rare as all of the Captains appearing in one place may be, this was an extraordinary threat to the world as well.

"I..." Val briefly muttered, still taken aback. Slowly, however, the shock ceased. "I see..." This was what she had been looking forward to this entire time, wasn't it? For years, she had sworn to make herself enemies with the Shinigami, and to ultimately destroy their ranks for standing in the way of her dreams - and now, in the grand culmination of her final battle, they all have arrived to graciously present themselves to her.

She was fired up. Her body was still yearning to fight, and her power still hasn’t ceased rising.

The Captains, however, were not amused. They arrived here with a plan, a means to finish this apocalyptic threat off with a single strike. So, right as the last of their peers stepped from their portal, the plan was suddenly activated.

The Captain-Vice Captain pairs of the Second and Fifth Divisions jointly cast a binding Kido spell, to which the Captains of the other divisions lended their power, amplifying it to a level not seen in either Earth or Soul Society for centuries. Even Val’s Hogyoku form, at least in her current power level, could not resist - suddenly, she forced out a yelp, getting her arms locked behind her back and seeing white spiritual fabric wrap around her, constricting and tightening at once. Like pins or needles, bolts of metal slammed at her from everywhich side, reinforcing the seal and locking the spiritual fabric.

"Agh... You-damn it..."

Her muffled yelps and frustration were followed by Val’s arms struggling against the spell with the best of her ability and all of the power she still held. Her rapidly growing power meant that this was only a temporary solution - eventually, she was going to break through, and when she does, they will just get back to where they started.

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind rushed past each of Val’s opponents on the ground, picking up dust and ash of the battle along the way. The gust forced itself straight at the living Hogyoku, where it revealed that another Shinigami was now standing right before her. It was Tendo, dressed in a white scientist uniform.

"You-"

Somehow, distracted by the appearance of Yael, Niji and the others, she had entirely forgotten that the harmless looking shopkeeper had vanished somewhere, and she had never caught him. Now, he was a lot more stoic, and confident.

“It’s over.”

Tendo thrusted forth his newly designed trump card, the Hogyoku Fission Device, piercing past the white wrapping fabric and into Val’s glowing skin.

For a second, nothing happened. Before unease could grow for the Captains, however, a powerful aura suddenly roared to life around Tendo and Val.

"No!"

She could instantly tell what was going on, and it terrified her. This was no mere attack, not even unlike the most powerful techniques that Niji, Yael, the Shinigami or the Arrancar had thrown against her during the fight. Her flesh and body were being pulled inside the colorful lamp, like being sucked down a drain with unbelievable force, and her mind’s grip over her body was starting to loosen. As if her arms, legs were starting to misbehave, their response time was turning... slow, as if they were turning distant, disconnected from her.

Desperately, she began to struggle, but the Kido seal afflicted upon her by the Gotei 13 held strong. For the first time since her transformation, she felt completely powerless, with no wait out, forced to stand and watch as the culmination of her life was being taken away from her before her eyes.

At least she could swing a scythe or throw an army against Yael, Niji and the others. Let them attack, and watch their hopes of destroying her flounder. But this, this was something else.

"No, wait-"

By now, however, it was too late. The white bands around her body were turning loose, as she was starting to shrink and drain, while the scream turned increasingly distorted and muffled. Eventually, with a flash of light, she disappeared to the lamp, and the aura around Tendo vanished with a snap. Dust picked up by the fission sequence settled to the floor, collecting into a handful of clouds around the Shinigami. After a second of wait, Tendo took an easier breath and lowered the gourd.

“Is it over?” Captain-Commander Katsumoto asked, laconically, as he descended down to the surface and landed next to Tendo. Looking down at the device in his hand, the shopkeeper answered:

“...seems so.”

Realizing that he and the Captains of Gotei 13 had arrived here without explaining anything to the five warriors who had been fighting Val before they came here, Tendo turned towards them.

“I apologize to all of you for having left you here to fight Valentina alone, and for everything that happened today in the first place. I tried my best to make up for my failures. With this device, Valentina has been saved, and the threat to the world at large has been averted. If it hadn’t been for all of you, though, and all of your effort, she.. might have escaped, or done irreparable damage, perhaps even finished her mission - so, I owe you thanks. Everyone does.”

The shopkeeper paused, again glancing at the lamp in his hand.

“I... hope this wasn’t too traumatizing to you.”

Meanwhile, Captain Godai Kinzuru approached the two Shinigami, Yoshi and Tensai from behind, and placed his hands on their shoulders while speaking with a big grin:

“Incredible work today, you two. A Captain - not me, of course, but as a point of measure - would have struggled with this thing, but you two managed to hold her off for so long. Spectacular.”

VALENTINA TOKAREVA

SPOILER: Click to show

DEFENSIVE PHASE
Edge IV against Rao - +20 defense, 6 DR, +6 bonus damage, +20 accuracy
Edge I against Tensai - +5 defense, 1 DR, +1 bonus damage, +5 accuracy

Strength of Heart gives 10 DR this turn! Grit gives 2 DR this turn! Enhanced Sense gives 3 DR this turn! Enhanced Guard gives 10 DR this turn!
+10 Defense from Grit and +15 Defense from Soul Trigger! +5 Defense from Enhanced Sense!

Husk, Bakudo #41 and Bakudo #39 activated!

Destruction Orchestra redirected - hits for 67 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Halved to 34 dmg by Husk! Halved to 17 dmg by Bakudo #39!
Tensai’s Byakurai - vs 115 def - hits for 13 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! 5 Resist dmg dealt! Halved to 7 dmg by Husk!
Tensai’s Tamashī Hakai Uirusu - vs 115 def - miss!
Total damage (24) reduced to 0 dmg with Damage Reduction!

No damage by Yoshi!

Destruction Orchestra redirected - hits for 67 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Halved to 34 dmg by Husk!
Total damage (34) reduced to 9 dmg with Damage Reduction!

38 status damage from Yael!

Rao’s Hellflame Dragon - vs 130 def - hits for 24 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! 11 Resist dmg dealt! Halved to 12 dmg by Husk! Afflicted with Stun - +5 HP!
Total damage (12) reduced to 0 dmg with Damage Reduction!

Area Strike redirected - miss!
Destruction Orchestra redirected - hits for 67 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Halved to 34 dmg by Husk!
Niji’s Byakurai I - vs 110 def - hits for 28 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Halved to 14 dmg by Husk! 8 Damage dealt by Resist!
Niji’s Byakurai II - vs 110 def - hits for 31 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Parried by Bakudo #41 - reduced to 11 dmg, and reflects 11 dmg to Niji! Halved to 6 dmg by Husk! 9 Damage dealt by Resist!
Niji’s Byakurai III - vs 110 def - hits for 28 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Halved to 14 dmg by Husk! 2 Damage dealt by Resist!
Niji’s Vivisection - vs 110 def - hits for 78 dmg! 1 HP siphoned with Restoring! Halved to 39 dmg by Husk! Halved to 20 dmg by Bakudo #39! 9 Damage dealt by Resist!
Total damage (88) reduced to 63 dmg by Damage Reduction!

5 HP restored by status! 8 HP healed with Purity of Soul! 9 HP restored with Restoring!

3 damage by Burn!

Total health at start of turn: 1/450

Passive: Dream Destruction - Reiatsu Level increases by +25%.

Passive: Grit - +10 Accuracy, +10 Defense, +2 DR, +2 Damage Tier

At-Will: Soul Trigger Reflexes (Enhanced Sense - You gain +5 Defense versus all attacks targeting you this turn; additionally, you gain +5 Accuracy with all attacks used this turn. Whenever you use Sense, you gain 1 DR and +1 Damage with all attacks on that turn. This increases by +1 DR and +1 Damage for every 3 turns you’ve taken in the current battle.)
Gain:
- +5 Accuracy
- +5 Defense
- +3 DR
- +3 Damage with Attacks

Bonus Action: Soul Trigger Endurance (Gamble - Husk), -10 Reishi

As a bonus action you negate half the damage taken from all attacks, even critical hits, for 5 turns.

Standard Action: Ceaseless Regeneration (Enhanced Guard - You gain 10 DR on your turn against all opponents.), -5 Reishi

Standard Action: Perfect Parry (Bakudo #41 - As a bonus action, you avoid all but the highest rolled natural damage die from one non-critical attack that hit you. You deal the highest natural damage die back to the attacker as direct damage. If the attack would inflict a non-special status, you instead inflict that status back onto your opponent. No roll necessary.), -10 Reishi

Standard Action: Perfect Guard (Bakudo #39 - As a bonus action you negate half the damage from two attacks that hit you during your turn (even critical hits.)), -10 Reishi

Standard Action: Hogyoku Fission
Deals 250 Status Damage, breaks the Willpower trait.

Valentina Tokareva is defeated.

ACTIVE EFFECTS
Living Hogyoku: This character is a living Hogyoku, a partially transformed fusion between a person and the ultimate spiritual technology, capable of granting one’s wishes and desires. This character’s Class has been replaced with the Event Boss Class “Living Hogyoku”.

Boss Battle: +2 Standard Actions.

Greatly Outnumbered Boss: All Area attacks target all opponents at once, rather than just up to 3 opponents. All Strikes are Area attacks which target all opponents. Gains access to more technique slots.

Purity of Soul: +15 HP per turn.

Bakudo #96 uses:
- Remove non-special status: 2/2
- Heal 20 HP: 1/1
- Use Reishi to reduce a crit’s damage: 0/2
- Remove special status: 2/2

Matter Soul Manipulation: HATE - As an at-will action two Basic Attacks on your turn siphon 5 Reishi from the target on hit

Bashed: -50% RL

Burned: 5/26 turns (Override for 5/20 turns)

Staggered: 4/4 turns (Override)

Crippled: 3/5 turns

Frostbitten: Until Cripple ends

Soul Trigger: 3/4 turns

Stunned: 1/1 turns

CLASS
Living Hogyoku
- Strength of Heart: You have access to all Enhanced Basic Techniques. At the start of each turn, you have Damage Reduction equal to the number of damage dice you rolled as part of attacks in the previous turn. All of your Release Attack techniques roll one more damage die than their rank allows.
- Purity of Soul: During battle, you may spend HP to gain additional uses of techniques and traits you own. The cost is 3 HP for Traits, 5 HP for Standard Techniques and 7 HP for Advanced and Forbidden Techniques. You recover 10 HP every time you are afflicted with a status effect, and passively recover 3 HP per turn (this passive recovery is increased by 3 HP for every opponent you are fighting in the battle after the first one).
You cannot use Purity of Soul to purchase additional uses of Bakudo #7 or Willpower.
Wishmaker
- Boundless Creation: If your opponent uses a Standard, Advanced or Release Technique that you have yourself, you are able to cast it on the next turn as an At-Will Action. Techniques cast this way cost Reishi and take up Technique uses the same way they do normally.
- Dream Destruction: You are not able to activate your Releases. Rather, your RL passively grows by +25% each turn, indefinitely. You have access to all of your Release Techniques and Enhancements, at Final Release level, from the start of the battle.

TRAITS

Assault: As an at-will action, roll two d100s for each accuracy roll you make with any Non-Basic Attack. Use the better of the two rolls for each.
(2/2)
Cleverness: You have a passive +15% bonus to inflict a status effect from any source.
Willpower: Allows your HP to drop past 0, into negative numbers, for one turn. You MUST heal to bring your HP back up to at least 1 HP otherwise you are automatically KO'd on your next turn.
(Broken)
Resist: As a passive effect when hit with any attack, you deal direct damage back to the attacker. For Basic Attacks, you deal back direct damage equal to the lowest rolled natural dice of the attack that hit you. For Non-Basic Attacks, you deal back direct damage equal to the highest rolled natural dice of the attack that hit you.
Grit: When you fall below 50% of your Maximum HP and remain below 50%, increase your: Accuracy by +10, Defense by +10, Damage Tier by +2, and DR by +2.

TECHNIQUES
Enhanced Basic
Strike - Upgrades to two damage dice.
Sense - Whenever you use Sense, you gain 1 DR and +1 Damage with all attacks on that turn. This increases by +1 DR and +1 Damage for every 3 turns you’ve taken in the current battle.
(2/3)
Suppression - You regain 3 Reishi at the end of your turn if you are suppressed to 50% of your Base Reiatsu Level or less. After unlocking your 2nd Release, this goes into effect so long as you remain in 1st Release or below.
Invigorate - Now whenever you use Invigorate, your allies and teammates also regain 25 Reishi.
Focus Energy - If used with an Attack Spell, that spell now has an additional +15% chance to inflict Status Effects on the turn. If used with a Physical Attack, any additional uses on the same turn stack +1 additional bonus damage per attack on that turn.
Rapid Movement - Using Rapid Movement versus a Critical Hit now prevents that attack from automatically hitting, requiring it to meet or beat your Defense value as if it were not a critical hit.
Guard - If you completely nullify the damage from an attack through Guard, you deal 2 direct damage back to your opponent(s) per attack.

Defensive
Speed Clones - As a bonus action, you avoid all direct damage that would have been dealt to you during your turn. Considered a Movement Technique. -5 Reishi
(1/2)

Utility
Reiryoku Absorption - As an at-will action, siphon 10 Reishi from any foe(s) for each time they hit you with an attack and reduce your HP.
(4/4)
Sklaverei - As a bonus action you have a 60% chance to inflict the special Enslaved status on your target. On their next turn, Enslaved foes will use up a standard action to roll an area attack that deals 3d4 direct damage to themselves and their allies. -10 Reishi
(1/1)

Advanced
Matter Soul Manipulation - As a bonus action, you choose one of the following soul manipulations. You can only use one per battle. See list in Advanced Techs section. -25 Reishi
(1/1)
High-Speed Regeneration - For the duration of this technique (3 turns), at the end of your turn, regain 10 HP and remove one non-special status effect. -15 Reishi
(1/1)

Forbidden
Soul Trigger - You regain 20 Reishi at the time of use and increase your Base Reiatsu Level by 50%. Additionally, for the duration, increase your Damage Tier with all attacks by +2 and your Defense by +15. On the turn after the end of the duration, you will be temporarily Exhausted for 1 turn. -10 HP
(1/1)

SPELLS
Enhanced Basic
Byakurai - 3 times per battle, you may use Byakurai as an At-Will Action.
(2/3)
Kare - The probability to apply any status effect increases to 65%

Defensive
Bakudo #8 - As a bonus action you cannot be hit by any attacks that roll a natural (unmodified) 65 or lower on their accuracy. Considered a Movement Technique. -5 Reishi
(1/1)
Bakudo #39 - As a bonus action you negate half the damage from two attacks that hit you during your turn (even critical hits.), -10 Reishi
(2/2)
Bakudo #41 - As a bonus action, you avoid all but the highest rolled natural damage die from one non-critical attack that hit you. You deal the highest natural damage die back to the attacker as direct damage. If the attack would inflict a non-special status, you instead inflict that status back onto your opponent. No roll necessary. -10 Reishi
(2/2)
Bakudo #44 - You gain 30 Armor and are immune to non-special status effects inflicted by attacks. -10 Reishi
(2/2)

Utility
Bakudo #7 - As an at-will action you restore 30 HP to self or a comrade. You can spend an extra 5 Reishi to grant a 40% chance to apply the special status Mend to your target. Mend increases total healing from this spell to 60 HP instead of 30. -5 Reishi
(1/1)
Bakudo #9 - As a bonus action you have a 70% chance to inflict the special Enthralled status on your target. Enthralled targets have one of their Standard Actions reduced to a Bonus Action for the duration. -5 Reishi
(2/2)

Advanced
Bakudo #61 - As a bonus action, you have a 60% chance to inflict the special Pinned status on your foe. While pinned, your opponent must spend both of their next standard actions to break free. -15 Reishi
(2/2)

Forbidden
Bakudo #96 - Sōten Kisshun is activated as a Bonus Action. You get a single at-will use of each of the 4 effects listed below. You may use multiple unique at-will effects in a given turn. Once you’ve used all 4 effects, the technique ends. See technique description for list of effects. -25 Reishi
(2/2)

RELEASE
- Dream Destruction: Releases locked, all Techniques and Enhancements accessible without Releasing.

Enhancements:
- Restoring (First Release): As a passive effect any attack that hits you siphons -2 HP from the attacker.
- Malicious (Second Release): As a passive effect your damage tier increases by +2 with Release Attack Techs and they gain +10 bonus damage.
- Vicious (Final Release): As a passive effect you gain a bonus +15 to accuracy with Release Attack Techs.

Techniques:

1st Release:
- Gamble, -0 Reishi
- Destruction Orchestra, Area/Slashing, -12 Reishi (Unlimited)
2nd Release:
- Reality Breach, Area/Spread, -13 Reishi (2/2)
3rd Release:
- Spacial Rend, Barrage/Slashing, -14 Reishi (2/2)

(The only way out of the cycle, is to strike out and pave your own way!)

As if nothing had happened, Val was standing on the floor of the laboratory, back turned and arms folded behind her back. She was dressed in the same black short dress she usually wore, with a cloak flowing from her shoulders - however, she appeared younger. Much younger. A teen rather than a young adult, with a puffier, more childish face.

No, Val did not survive the one mechanism designed to destroy her. Rather, it was her last illusion, cast upon each of the five combatants at the last moments of Valyoku’s existence. Rather than all of them seeing one Val, they’d all see their own version - although, in all five cases, she would tell them exactly the same things. For Yael, it would appear inside his passed out subconscious, like a dream.

Longingly, she watched the hole leading from the dimmed laboratory to the city above, and struck a faint frown as she watched the cracks across the sky begin to mend. Each one, no longer supported by the flow of an enormously powerful force, could no longer sustain themselves, and so rapidly shrunk. Each one would fully close with a crack and a snap, letting out a small shockwave from the energy burst before vanishing entirely. Nothing in the place where they once shone would indicate anything about their existence a moment ago, no energetic trail could be found. It was as if they never existed at all.

“I hate you, you know.”

The voice was child-like, raspier than usual, though still distinctively hers. Val turned her eyes away from the skies, back towards the surface.

“But I suppose I should hate myself, more. For this failure.”

She glared at the victors. Some frustration could be seen in her younger eyes, but she did not break down quite yet.

“What now, then?” Val continued. “Congratulations? Put your sword down and return home, content that the world has survived for another day. Billions of people will wake up tomorrow - still yearning, still doomed to become nothing but dust in the wind.”

She turned her eyes to the sky. “But we all live illusions, not unlike the ones we’ve blinded each other with today. Even people with the greatest intentions start believing their own lies. Love, justice, balance, hope... They all help to cope. They...”

Suddenly struggling with her words, Val exhaled and looked down at the ground.

“I... I don’t know how to feel. All these grand speeches don’t push me forth anymore. They feel so hollow... as much of an illusion as yours. I don’t know what will happen when this illusion ceases. I... I don’t want to die...”

She wrapped her arms around her body, cowering somewhat. Any and all confidence, frustration in her expression had faded. It had been so easy to believe you could never die, that your destiny to free the world will protect you, that a hero cannot lose, that you have been gifted with power surpassing anything else in this world... and yet, it all has been broken. All those illusions have been broken.

“I’ll... I’ll vanish, I’ll be forgotten... I wanted to break free of my prison, become someone, someone who can actually leave a mark on the world at large... Not just one of a billion, dead in a ditch, forgotten to the world, but...”

She did have to vanish, eventually.

—

A loose piece of hair, cut by Yael’s final blow, was flying through the air of the laboratory. Pieces of Val’s body, cleaved away by the defenders of reality, would get separated from her during the battle all the time, but they’d always eventually get absorbed back into her body, after turning to a Hogyoku matter ooze and slithering away to their source. Tendo’s Hogyoku Fission Device had turned this complicated for the loose hair in particular. Now, it had nowhere to return to.

And so, aimlessly, it flew through the sky, wandering with each gust of air that blew at it from each side, and faintly glowing in the cold darkness of the laboratory. However, it could not stay afloat in the air forever. And so, eventually, it started to settle towards the surface - towards the hands of Niji.

Even a ridiculously tiny piece of the improved Hogyoku that Val once was held inconceivable power, much more than the original. Having only gained this power minutes ago, Val was not yet aware of just how much power there was within her - but it was there. Once touching a person, it could fulfill a dream, desire, that they wished for, much like it was intended to. And then, it would vanish, dissipating into nothingness, having spent all of the energy pent up within.

PLAYER

12th Division - 5th Seat

I have nothing to say.

tensai toshiaki

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 26, 2022 21:42:52 GMT -5

A Requiem

While her being unperturbed by her own spikes was annoying to see. Seeing his own poison unable to do anything to Val he began to contemplate as she told him to stop being cocky.

"The poison works like my virus, latching the spiritual/physical body as well as the mind and soul and yet she managed to get rid of it somehow, but that would imply either there's no semblance of her original soul left and she just became a Hogyoku completely, or more likely she used to Hogyoku to get rid of it, is there anyway to stop her?" he pondered.

He then watch as he comrades one by one tried their best. From Yoshinori wrapping chains around her, to Val punch a dragon made of hellfire, to Niji unleashing an onslaught of attacks. Though she kept regenerating and undoing all of their efforts. And then he saw as the Quincy sacrificed himself. He went to his limp body to see that the parasite inside him was dead. He has spent so much energy already that he is unable to heal him though.

As it looked like they lost that is when he sees the Senkaimon open and the captains presence being felt through them. Realizing they might not recognize them in his form. He molts his insect appearance and goes back to his normal appearance as his Zanpakuto is sealed once more. Turning his head back to Yael he then sees his body disappear. Having no knowledge of what happened he then turns back to see the captains manage to bing Val with Kido before Tendo returns to use a device on her.

As he watched the Hogyoku was being drained from Valentina for Tendo's device, despite not having good opinions on Tendo, he got back his smug grin.

"All of our efforts were not in vain. At the end of the day it was not strength but ingenuity and resourcefulness. Your dreams...end here." Tensai said.

He then watched as it was finally over. He wondered where that Shinigami presence he felt watching them from a distance was and why haven't they interfered. Tendo said he managed to save Valentina and apologized for his actions as well as thanking them for his efforts.

"I suppose I can't hold my disgust towards you forever since you did redeem yourself by making such an interesting device to undo your mistake. After all we as scientists are prone to make mistakes just as much as regular people do. Though next time before you do something so drastic and reckless run it by someone first," Tensai said.

He then walked over next to Yoshinori to see the sky mending. Though the fact that everyone saw that worried him. As he then began scratching his head about what the aftermath for such a big revelation to the world could do.

"There's not a Kiokuchikan big enough or powerful enough to undo people seeing this. She may have not made the mark on the world she wanted, but she certainly caused some major problems for us in the future," Tensai said.

He then turns to see Godai complimenting them, him of all people.

"I appreciate the compliment Captain Godai though, Yoshinori probably needs more it then I do, as I rather seek validation from my own captain." Tensai said.

A shiver runs down his spine as he hears Val's voice as he turns to see the source of it. Only he sees Valentina as a much younger pathetic child. He pitied her as he watched her last creation crying out.

"The truth is you hated yourself, and the world that made you this way. So you wanted to get rid of it all in one big group suicide. And this big show for wanting attention ended up hurting the ones you love and that love you including one of them killing themselves for you. You are truly the most selfish person in existence," Tensai said.

He then turned around and with his back towards her he coldly turned his head to Val.

"Perhaps it'd had been better if you never were born in the first place," Tensai said.

He then walked off before stopping in front of Tsuguru Daisho and kneeling down.

"Captain Tsuguru Daisho, I 5th Tensai Toshiaki would like to report to you on what happened, upon arriving here to handle the Demon incursion and upon unlocking Bankai was able to beat them back to Hell with the assistance of Yoshinori, an Arrancar, and a Quincy. As we ventured into Tendo's lab to find what the human Hogyoku he has created as well as a Fullbringer who seemed to have sensed the anomaly and came to help us. I tried my best to minimize the collateral to the lab but there appears to be nothing left for us to salvage and confiscated," Tensai reported.

Post Count: 14

Tags: Yoshinori Okamoto , Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld , Rao Fugard , Niji , Hibano

Last Edit: Apr 26, 2022 21:43:24 GMT -5 by tensai toshiaki

PLAYER

13th Division - Vice Captain

"Enjoy yourself while you can."

Yoshinori Okamoto

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 28, 2022 1:01:49 GMT -5 tensai toshiaki likes this

It wasn't enough. Despite every measure being taken, every reservoir of power being squeezed out, every plan being exhausted, Valentina appeared relentless. While it was undeniable that she was not the pillar of unending strength that she was in the beginning of their bout, what more could be thrown at her? How many attacks would she endure before the breaking point was finally unveiled? How many more attacks could he take before his breaking point was revealed? As far as Yoshinori was concerned, his own abilities were the most volatile to him. An incomplete, unmastered Bankai paired with an extremely experimental technique meant to bolster one's Kido abilities. In terms of reliability, Yoshinori was counting his continued survival by the seconds.

Emerald eyes drifting towards the fallen Yael, Yoshinori bit his lip so hard that it drew blood. A noble sacrifice, but Valentina's power was still growing, still climbing. Clapping his hands together, Yoshinori's gaze flitted over to Valentina. Still standing atop the bloodied earthen spikes that had moments ago nearly skewered him, Yoshinori prepared his last hand.

"Hadō #90..."

Before he could even delve into the full incantation for what was to be his final stand, a tremendous wave of near suffocating Reiatsu pressure made itself present to him. It was beyond anything he had ever felt before. It didn't belong to just one presence, but several. Their combined presence seeped into Yoshinori's very bones. It felt like his wounds were on fire, and even the effort to speak was too much. A haggard breath leaving him, the young Shinigami pitched forward, losing all concentration as he fell from his elevated platform towards the floor of the lab. Only a surge of self-preservative instinct saved the silver haired man from smashing face first into the floor. Extending his hand outwards, Yoshinori slowed into a seated levitating position just before the ground. Just in time to see the source of the tremendous energy.

One by one, Senkaimon Gates opened up across the lab, each one bearing the clear white haori of a Gotei Captain. The Captains, all thirteen of them, were assembled within the World of the Living to handle this threat. It was a sight unlike any Yoshinori had ever seen. Even his usually composed, more than critical self couldn't help but express some degree of awe at the occasion.

In a matter of moments, the Captains and Vice Captains burst into action, the Second and Fifth Division leadership immediately binding Valentina with a Kido spell that was augmented by the power of all of those assembled. For Yoshinori, who prided himself in his ability to seal and restrain with the best of them, was certainly not proud enough to admit that the level of power displayed was well beyond anything that he was ever likely to accomplish in his lifetime, no matter how many centuries passed. Binding the human Hogyoku in place, the floor was left open for Tendo's reappearance. Having barely noticed the scientist's initial departure, seeing the man again brought a surge of annoyance to Yoshinori's heart. Time had not eroded Yoshinori's feelings towards the creator of the Hogyoku. Once this matter was settled, there was one other to cut to the root of.

Nevertheless, Yoshinori could do little but watch as Tendo sealed Valentina away within the Hogyoku Fission Device. A being of immense power, beyond anything Yoshinori had ever seen, was unraveling before his very eyes. Her very fabric of existence was being separated and pulled into a lamp, and all Yoshinori could do was watch. Despite his opposition towards her, despite his stance never being one of compassion and understanding, Yoshinori couldn't help but allow a low grunt to escape him at the scene. It was not nearly as satisfying as one would make it seem. A human, blinded by illusions of grandeur and a desire to serve as a messiah for her people, smacked down by the very people she had learned to direct her hatred towards.

Yoshinori didn't even want to know what Valentina's final thoughts on the matter were.

In the blink of an eye, it was over. Moments before they were preparing for one last pass against Valentina, and the next moment all was well. The crisis was averted, and the nightmare was over. Was it truly so easy? Was that the closing on a seemingly never-ending chapter?

Standing where the Hogyoku infused Valentina had stood moments before was...Valentina. A younger version, not too far off from the woman that he had encountered in Kagemino City all that time ago. As Yoshinori's eyes gazed upwards to follow where she was looking, he too bore witness to the mending of the sky. An erasure of Valentina's effect upon the dimensions. The final wrench tossed in to foil her plans.

“I hate you, you know.”

I know. Yoshinori thought to himself.

He didn't interrupt Valentina's illusionary image. Instead, he allowed her to speak to her heart's content. After all, was this not the equivalent of a dying woman's last words? Even if Valentina were not dead, in a way she was. She was never going to be the same person again, even if Tendo had discovered a way to restore her body. There was no going back from what happened to her. She might as well have been dead. Hell, maybe she actually was.

Ironically, it was a figment of Yoshinori's imagination that finally allowed the silver haired Third Seat to understand just whom he had been fighting.

“I’ll... I’ll vanish, I’ll be forgotten... I wanted to break free of my prison, become someone, someone who can actually leave a mark on the world at large... Not just one of a billion, dead in a ditch, forgotten to the world, but...”

Was that not his original dream? To become something of substance? Was that not why he left the streets of Rukongai, abandoned his love out of deep-seated guilt for a deed he didn't even fully commit to, and seek some of retribution within the Goteijūsantai? To avoid living and dying like the millions upon millions of lost Rukongai children who had come before him? Was his dream not to be free of the shackles that had long since encased his heart?

Did he not yearn for freedom? For someone to understand?

To realize that in a way, Valentina and Maria held such similarities to his own existence only serve to strike his heart harder. It was unlikely that Yoshinori could have accomplished anything to turn Valentina away from this path, given her own lover's failure to do so himself, but to the silver haired man it was infinitely worse that he never even tried to understand.

Now it was too late.

"I'm sorry." Yoshinori said softly. A weak statement, hollow even to the man who said it. But it was all he could muster. It conveyed everything that he wished he could have said, and all the things he was too weak to say. Closing his eyes, the Third Seat's illusion finally faded away. Valentina was gone.

Snapped back into reality with the clapping of a hand on Yoshinori's shoulder, the silver haired man turned to find his very own Captain, Godai Kinzuru, congratulating him and Tensai with a job well done. The praise was kind, as much of a compliment as he'd ever expect from his golden haired superior. A faint smile crossed Yoshinori's features, albeit even that was strained. There was nothing to be proud of on this day.

"A job well done...it seems." Yoshinori replied, bowing his head forward in thanks to his Captain, before turning once towards Tendo. Up until right before Valentina's illusionary visit, Yoshinori had wished nothing more than violence on Tendo. An emotion tinged yelling match to chastise the exiled Captain on the error of his ways. But now, Yoshinori saw no point in it. He was tired.

So, instead, he simply gave voice to a warning,"Sometimes, certain powers are simply not meant to exist. Not in the hands of man, and not in the hands of gods." He didn't expect Tendo to take his words to heart. Hell, he didn't expect anyone to listen to him at this venture. He just needed to get it off his chest anyway.

"I'm tired." He finally admitted outwardly, his eyes drifting towards the sky, in the very same way that Valentina had once looked to the sky.

Post Count: 14 | Hibano | Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld | tensai toshiaki | Rao Fugard | Niji

Last Edit: Apr 28, 2022 1:11:15 GMT -5 by Yoshinori Okamoto

PLAYER

Shot to the heart

Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld

The Wishmaker Posted Apr 28, 2022 17:49:13 GMT -5 tensai toshiaki likes this

Hyakuji was among the Vice Captain who went with the 13 leaders of Goteijusantai; earlier he was watching the four people fighting off the demons from afar, now, the heroes were accompanied by another, and he could guess she was the most strongest among all of them, however, he averted his gaze from her as soon as their eyes met; and he meant it to protect her from his leaders. It would be better pretending not knowing her than endanger her life come a time they probe him.

Then he turned towards the direction of Valentina Tokareva. A few months before thuis fateful day, he had an encounter with her, a battle, not only of strength but of principles and ideals. Throughout their fight, he withheld his strength to show her kindness with the hope that she’ll let go of her brutal beliefs thus ended up losing.

However, today marks her defeat; and while it might be a cause for celebration, the Vice Captain instead looked at her with pity. Perhaps, if he had defeated her back then, things would be different. Or if he had reached out to Maria sooner to search for her, it might not have been too late.

YAEL SCHWARZWALD

Location:Tokyo, Japan

𝖳𝖠𝖦𝖲: Hibano Yoshinori Okamoto tensai toshiaki Rao Fugard Niji

"...but what about tomorrow, then?" she continued. "Does this mean we... part ways? Or not?"

Her question left hanging for a moment… The Quincy, while having resolved that he was now ready to let go of the fullbringer, was still hesitating. Unable to make up his mind.

Just… thinking about setting her free was enough to cause an unrelenting thug in his heart. He just can’t.

“N-no.” His answer was brief at first. Then, he looked into straight into her eyes lovingly.

“I won’t let you go. Val, I’m going to be selfish. I want you by my side. Please, drop this idea of taking up the burden for everyone’s dreams. Let us chase ours. Forget the world, my love.”

With that, the night concluded in a passionate embrace; the lovers surrendering themselves in each other’s arms.

The next scene fast forwarded to the happy times they shared together. Things they both have wished to do together… places they ought to visit… things that could have been, if Val was not destined to destroy the world.

Until Yael woke up in Tendo’s laboratory… alone.

What if I told her that? What if… I didn’t let her go that time? All these things wouldn’t have happened. I was the reason for her madness.

Yet, mistakes cannot be undone. And whether he would be able to stop Valentina from destroying herself was left to an imaginary uncertainty– and perhaps one that can truly never be no matter which reality.

He stared at his hands. His heart was yearning for her presence, but it was no longer there… he could feel… he was responsible for her vanishing.

“Life would be hard without you.”

The quincy muttered to himself. A single tear fell from his eyes, probably containing all the unsung moments… wishes and dreams… that he wanted to fulfill with her but can no longer be… along with the regrets of not… parting ways with her, and not being able to make up as soon as he hoped. He wished to die alongside her. Yet here he was, still breathing.

With a gust of wind, something tugged at his heart, and in that moment, it felt like she never felt left his side… as if she still existed somewhere.

“I hate you, you know.”

A familiar voice called out from behind. He turned around, and saw Valentina– who was a bit younger then… yet, for some reason, it was the same cheerful and playful girl he had fallen in love with. Well, a more angelic Valentina at that…

She met his gaze at first and then shifted towards the skies, the background suddenly changing from the dark lonesome laboratory, to some towering place where the stars, for the first time, seemed reachable. Their own constellation, shining down upon them.

“But I suppose I should hate myself, more. For this failure.”

She continued. Yael, still struck at her presence, did not say anything, and allowed the fullbringer to say her piece.

“What now, then?” Val continued. “Congratulations? Put your sword down and return home, content that the world has survived for another day. Billions of people will wake up tomorrow - still yearning, still doomed to become nothing but dust in the wind.”

She turned her eyes to the sky. “But we all live illusions, not unlike the ones we’ve blinded each other with today. Even people with the greatest intentions start believing their own lies. Love, justice, balance, hope... They all help to cope. They...”

Suddenly struggling with her words, Val exhaled and looked down at the ground.

“I... I don’t know how to feel. All these grand speeches don’t push me forth anymore. They feel so hollow... as much of an illusion as yours. I don’t know what will happen when this illusion ceases. I... I don’t want to die...”

“I’ll... I’ll vanish, I’ll be forgotten... I wanted to break free of my prison, become someone, someone who can actually leave a mark on the world at large... Not just one of a billion, dead in a ditch, forgotten to the world, but...”

“ — Ssshh..” Val was silenced by Yael’s point finger, as the blonde quincy stepped forward, and wrapped his arms around her.

“You’re n-not… going to die.” His hug, tighter.

Of course, it was a statement of his own belief. However, both of them knew what was going to happen. He broke their embrace and looked at those silver irises. Those eyes which were denied of colors, basking in a monochromatic, boring and perhaps painful past.

His own ruby eyes savoured in their eye contact. Relishing the moment. Memorising every detail of her face, which he hope would not soon be forgotten.

“You’ll live here…” Yael pointed at his head… “..and here..” then to his chest.

“...forever..”

“I will remember you. Not a single moment will I miss thinking about you. I promise.”

He kissed her, perhaps, for the last time. For real, though he didn’t know it yet until slowly, her lips felt numb, as if he was just caressing the wind with his lips. When he opened his eyes however, she was still there, savouring the moment with him until she pulled away, smiling and giggling, just as how she always did back then. This time, she was becoming more transparent, however, gradually fading into nothingness…

Yael bitterly let go of her cheeks, attempting to hold her even just for a final second but couldn’t. Again, his cheeks would be filled with streams gushing out from his eyes, clutching his fist until Valentina finally disappeared for good.

“I love you…” He whispered, alongside with some other words only audible to himself.

His eyes opened in a blurry vision, blinking twice to make sense of where he was at the moment. What day was it today? How many days had passed by? Or was it months— years? It was all hazy. Every. Single. Time. He wakes up to that dream. It always felt like it was yesterday.

What is real amongst those visions? What isn’t?

The man sat up from the bed, his well-defined muscles suddenly exposed from the sheets. For a moment, he covered his face with his hands, still recalling what happened before he passed out. Yet only the memory of Valentina lingered. That was all he could remember as of the moment.

His eyes gazed through the window, overlooking a cool blue, ice-like palace. It was familiar and alien at the same time. He had seen that palace countless times now, yet, everything always seemed surreal whenever he ended up waking up from his fantasy. It was as if, it was the only reality he could live in.

After a while, he surveyed the hospital room, and took a good look at the visage of a beautiful Quincy nurse, who was currently preparing his IV. She seemed fixed at what she was doing, but the curve on her lips told him she was fully aware of his long stares, albeit not seductive but curious.

Of course, she knew exactly why. He had been here for how many times now, being the reckless man he was.

“... I wish it was just a nightmare. What happened to her. To us…” a painful chuckle escaped from his lips, “.... but it is reality, and with her gone, I realised we can never truly live in dreams and fantasies. Let alone illusions we create on our own.”

[1459]

Last Edit: Apr 28, 2022 17:53:09 GMT -5 by Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld

Player

I have nothing to say.

Rao Fugard

The Wishmaker Posted May 1, 2022 20:00:04 GMT -5 tensai toshiaki likes this

Rao's attack was able to land a solid hit on the Human Hogyoku, but she didn't have any visible marks to show for it. However, the human and the Quincy were able to pick up the slack. The fullbringer, using one of her spirits, was able to inflict serious damage onto the Hogyoku, and the Quincy got in close. Just when the spear connected, the armor he wore faded and disappeared, leaving only the weakened Quincy underneath. However, Yael used a sacrificial move, and in a burst of light, hit the Hogyoku with all he got.

The last attack showed a lot more physical damage than most of their attacks, except for some the human's attacks. Unfortunately, the Hogyoku was able to shrug off that damage. As she approached them, Rao tried standing up. It took some effort, as that last Dragon took a lot out of him. If they were going to die anyways, he was gonna go out fighting.

However, it looks like they weren't set for death today. 13 portals, each brimming with shinigami reiatsu, opened in the middle of the lab. Rao got forced down to one knee by the amount of reiatsu, and he saw why in the next moment: all of the Gotei 13 captains and some other shinigami came through each of the portals, surrounding the Hogyoku. While she was suprised by this turn of events, she then tried attacking them, only to get stopped by their kido spells. Then another shinigami appeared using shunpo, and had something in his hands that Rao couldn't see, and drained her of her powers.

The Hogyoku scream was heard, and she was finally done away with. The shinigami turned towards the group and apologized to them for leaving them alone to fight Val. Showing his device, he told them that it saved Val, thanks to their effort.

All of sudden, Val appeared before them once more. Rao tensed up, ready to fight once more. But this time, Val wasn't exuding much reiatsu, of at all. From the way she talked, Rao wasn't sure if she was addressing him specifically, or all of them. Either way, it didn't matter to him.

“I hate you, you know.”

That was nothing new, and not unwarranted, since they all were the cause of her downfall.

“But I suppose I should hate myself, more. For this failure.”

As she said that, she glared at him. It made him feel a little better, since even though he didn't have the best showing, at least it was enough to get acknowledged as part why she lost.

"What now, then? Congratulations? Put your sword down and return home, content that the world has survived for another day. Billions of people will wake up tomorrow - still yearning, still doomed to become nothing but dust in the wind."

She turned to look up. "But we all live illusions, not unlike the ones we’ve blinded each other with today. Even people with the greatest intentions start believing their own lies. Love, justice, balance, hope... They all help to cope. They..."

"I... I don’t know how to feel. All these grand speeches don’t push me forth anymore. They feel so hollow... as much of an illusion as yours. I don’t know what will happen when this illusion ceases. I... I don’t want to die..."

It was the first time that he had seen her look doutful, a far cry from her persona a few moments before.

"I’ll... I’ll vanish, I’ll be forgotten... I wanted to break free of my prison, become someone, someone who can actually leave a mark on the world at large... Not just one of a billion, dead in a ditch, forgotten to the world, but..."

Before she could finish, she vanished without a trace. Rao wondered what she would've said if she finished, but that'll never be answered. If it wasn't for her becoming a Hogyoku, then maybe he could've fought her. But now that would never happen.

He looked around at the others. The 2 shinigami were congratulated by a captain, and one of them went to kneel before another. Yael meanwhile, was on the ground, unconcious. The fullbringer was still standing at the place where she attack Val, and looked to be holding something.

Rao undid his Resureccion, too exhausted to keep it up for much longer. If any of these captains were to target him, he wouldn't be able to beat them even if he was at his current best. With his mask fragment back on his third eye and Zanpakuto back to normal, he tried laying low in hopes of not attracting their attention.

Player

Fullbringer

I have nothing to say.

Niji

The Wishmaker Posted May 1, 2022 20:10:00 GMT -5 tensai toshiaki likes this

Niji jumped back and watched in stunned silence as the forces of the Shinigami arrived to capture Val. The fullbringer was still tapped into all of her pacts, and she stood firm against the wave of reiatsu coming from the Shinigami. She breathed heavily, collecting herself as best she could as they trapped the woman. It was done, then. And then the man responsible for this whole catastrophe stepped up. Sure, Val had been the gun, but this man had pulled the trigger. Wanted to apologize for it and hoped it hadn’t been too hard on them. Was probably going to get away with a slap on the wrist. Maybe even a ‘congratulations’ from the Shinigami for stopping the apocalypse he had started.

Red crept into the edges of her vision as she began to gather her reiatsu again. This man, more than anyone here, more than anyone she had ever met, did not deserve to continue existing. She could do that, at the very least. Maybe the Shinigami would cut her down, maybe she’d be able to get away. But the monster that was responsible needed to be destroyed, even if it cost her life. Before Niji could launch herself forward to tear his heart out through his ribcage, the little sister she never had popped back into her vision. It was clear this one was an illusion, at least; but it still stopped her in her tracks.

As she listened to the woman’s last words, she felt the tears returning. This had all been so stupid; so pointless. Maybe with more time, Val had could have been swayed, if Niji had met her earlier in life, if there were minor changes for the Russian child there could have been a drastically different outcome. Tendo was a monster that had removed any good future the woman could have had, and he needed to be destroyed. Being remembered had never been Niji’s concern, she just wanted to make the world a better place; Val could have been a part of that. He wouldn't see justice today, it wasn’t the right time. Not at the cost of her own life; she could do so much more for the world if she didn’t throw away her life now. The illusion faded, and the fury faded with it; she let out a long breath, allowing her energy to return to its natural level.

The fullbringer gave a quiet gasp as a hair twisting upon the wind slipped into her clenched fist. She knew what it was the moment it touched her skin. It was just too much to think about right now, and Niji simply turned from the Shinigami and disappeared into the earth. She emerged in fiancé's backyard, barely thirty minutes after she had first left. Leon was half-yelling, half-pleading into the phone as she entered the back door; he dropped his phone as he heard it, and ran over to embrace her.

”Are you alright?”

She collapsed into his arms, and wept as he held her. Saving the world had cost her nothing, but she had paid far more than she expected. Niji wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but she knew she left a part of herself in that lab.

Hibano Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld tensai toshiaki Yoshinori Okamoto Rao Fugard

Last Edit: May 1, 2022 20:10:25 GMT -5 by Niji

GAME MASTER

Wandenreich - Soldat

Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken...

Hibano

The Wishmaker Posted May 2, 2022 12:44:59 GMT -5 tensai toshiaki likes this

Tsuguru Daisho, Captain of the 12th Division, had arrived at the scene alongside all the other Captains and Vice-Captains, but was not particularly thrilled for the battle. He was only here as a formality, and to witness whether his and Tendo’s machine will eliminate Valentina perfectly. Thankfully, it did. The mask hiding his face did not betray any emotion, but Daisho was relieved by the sight.

A member of his Division, Tensai Toshiaki, had been fighting against the transformed woman before they had arrived, and soon approached his Captain for a report. Unlocking a Bankai during the battle, the Shinigami managed to defeat a Demon incursion as well as stall Valentina for long enough to see their arrival, although he lamented that the destruction across the laboratory eliminated much of the technology they may be able to retrieve.

“Nothing is left that is in plain sight, at least. A brilliant scientist such as Sadaharu Tendo keeps a lot of their resources and information securely enough that even a Hogyoku’s rampage wouldn’t have been able to affect it,” Captain Daisho answered his seated officer as he folded his arms behind his back. Vice-Captain Hibana, standing next to him, was already scanning through the rubble with her eyes, using a sixth sense to search for any unnatural safes or storage in the laboratory grounds. “Fortunately, we have received a permit to seize everything in this laboratory for the SRDI already. Tendo has been made aware about this already as well, and has conceded that his days as a secret scientist are over. He may still be able to keep his shop, but nothing else.”

Content with the results, the Captain was already turning around, back towards the portal. Now that Tendo’s apparatus was a success, he needed to return to his laboratory, to finish the job. Before he left Hibana here to work alone, however, Daisho turned towards Tensai again and continued:

“Your competence today was exceptional. If you ever think about a promotion, I could certainly consider it.”

Vice-Captain Enki approached her Captain and Third Seat, seeing that Yoshinori was overtaken by something and was clearly shaken. Godai was blind enough to not see that he was struggling with something deep within and merely smirked at the comment of a job well done - Enki, on the other hand, stopped besides Yoshi and smiled, speaking:

“Don’t feel down, take some rest. You did all that you could, Yoshinori.” Unbeknowst to Godai, she could see the illusion that all of Val’s opponents could witness as well - and so could see what Yoshi and his friends had just experienced.

Tendo stared at Yoshi for a few seconds. He heard what the Shinigami had told him clearly, and could understand what he meant by it. The meek shop owner did not answer, merely briefly looked down at the lamp in his hand and returned back to reality. His senses picked up an odd feeling. The Hogyoku was successfully stored within the gourd, yes, and Val was nowhere to be found… and yet, it felt as if something was not yet right. As if a piece of it had slipped out, somewhere, and was letting out an extremely faint sensation that permeated across the room. Even the other Captains could not distinguish it from ordinary Reishi, but the creator of the Hogyoku could.

His eyes trailed across the battlefield before briefly settling on Niji - who suddenly vanished to the earth. That got Tendo to narrow his eyes. Briefly.

Meanwhile, Captain Tadashi Sawamura of the Third Division briefly perked up - waiting for their cue to leave, he almost went to a nap, only to be woken up by something shuffling behind him. It did not look like there was anyone there, however, so he returned back to his snooze. This allowed Rao to slip through from the battlefield undetected, and escape the gathering of the Shinigami Captains without getting beaten down, again.

SEIREITEI | SOUL SOCIETY

Eventually the Shinigami returned to their domain...

Katsumoto was in his office, standing at the large open air balcony that overlooked Seireitei. His arms were resting, clasped loosely together, behind his back. Standing next to him was Tendo. Sitting neatly folded on Katsumoto's desk was Tendo's old Shinigami uniform and 12th Division Haori. Next to it was the container which held the last of the Hogyoku energy. The shopkeeper glanced back at it before returning his gaze to the city scene before him.

"I think we shoul--"

Tendo was cut off by the sudden emergence of an immense spiritual pressure, stronger than anything he'd felt before. His eyes widened as he quickly turned to Katsumoto who seemed unaffected aside from a single bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. He was looking up into the sky above. Tendo followed his gaze.

Like a stone dropped into a pond, a ripple effect distorted the sky in a small person-sized radius. A figure emerged slowly, dropping down through the wavy distorted sky. Eventually they were fully revealed and the ripples faded from view once more. The figure floated high above the city, their Haori and Shinigami robes fluttering in the wind. The emblem for the Zero Division was embroidered on the back of the Captain's Haori.

The figure slowly turned their head to look in Katsumoto and Tendo's direction. Tendo had never seen this person before, but he put the pieces together and made an assumption about who they were. A member of the Royal Guard.

"You guys sure made a mess, didn't you?"

Tendo looked over his shoulder to see the figure standing next to Katsumoto's desk, leaning down to peer at the gourd which contained the remnants of the Hogyoku. The once-Captain couldn't follow the newcomer's spiritual energy at all. The silver haired, blind-folded man straightened up and looked at the two of them with a big grin.

"Katsumoto, it's been a long time. Last time I was down here you had less scars and both eyes. I see you're copying me with the hair too."

Katsumoto had turned to face the newcomer, his arms still clasped behind his back.

"Ujio, I see you haven't aged a day."

The newcomer's lip curled into a knowing smirk before he turned to Tendo.

"Things could have gone a lot worse. I hope you learned a valuable lesson from this, Tendo."

The shopkeeper raised a brow and wondered how this man knew all of this. As if in reply, Ujio lifted up his blindfold just enough to reveal one brilliantly shimmering eye.

"These eyes of mine see everything."

Katsumoto cleared his throat and Ujio pulled the blindfold back down.

"Right. Anyway. I'm here for that."

He gestured behind him to the gourd.

"It's too dangerous to leave here... no offense intended, Captain-Commander."

Katsumoto simply nodded. Tendo still seemed stunned silent. Ujio suddenly shifted position to float just outside the office's balcony that overlooked the city. He was holding the gourd under his arm now.

"Nice to see you again Rengoku. Tendo, stay out of trouble. If you don’t, I’ll knowwww..."

He gave a lazy wave and then, just like that... he was gone.

The unexplained phenomenon in the planet’s skies would be remembered by the inhabitants of Earth for long, but it could not stay unexplained for long - and so, the day after, the first attempts to rationalize the incident came from scientists and news agencies. Supposedly, what happened was a geomagnetic storm, much like the one that struck Earth a century and a half ago and is known as the Carrington Event. A massive ejection of mass from the Sun’s corona struck Earth’s magnetic field and created auroras that spread across the world - the cracks in the sky, according to official information, were such auroras, misinterpreted by observers due to poor visibility or simply being unfamiliar with the phenomenon.

This did not satisfy everyone, and the conclusions were heavily debated from the beginning, as they simply did not match up with the expected traits of a geomagnetic storm - there was no effect on the electric power grid, no abnormal activity from the Sun, nothing. Those who did not believe the official story turned to alternative news sources which peddled conspiracy theories about secret government super-weapons or New World Order plots. Others, seeing this as a sign from their respective deities, whether positive or negative, turned to spirituality - new religious movements began to crop up in the aftermath of the phenomenon, often speaking about how this was a warning from their gods about the state of the world. For much of the population, however, the official explanation was good enough to move on with their lives.

After all, as shocking as the cracks in the sky were, there wasn’t much they could do about them but observe, maybe get a slight headache at most. It did, however, become a topic of discussion and the most memorable event for billions.

The three divisions of the Gotei 13 tasked to observe and patrol the World of the Living were also the ones tasked with minimizing the impact of Valentina Tokareva’s crusade against reality on mortals. It was fairly obvious that the entire world could not have their memories replaced - Soul Society did not have the numbers or resources to go on a memory erasing campaign of such scale. Captain Raku Nurakawa of the Ninth Division devised a different strategy, however. They indeed could not reach every single human who has ever witnessed the reality cracks, but they did not need to. Mortals did not have a point of reference for the phenomenon, and so the average Joe who simply saw them, did not bother to delve deeper, and simply moved on was not much of a threat. The real threat were those who did not move on - TV hosts, scientists, activists who agitated for a “real” explanation and delved closer and closer to figuring something out about the spiritual world. Those were the ones who deserved to have their memories replaced by something harmless.

Behind the eyes of the public, world governments opened secret investigations into the phenomenon as well. Something about it was off, and its true nature had to be uncovered one way or another.

Below the official residence of the Prime Minister of Japan, the aged politician was introduced to a peculiar man, who, as informed by the secret service to the offiical, knew “a thing or two” about what was amiss in the skies that day. According to the service’s dossier, he was an immigrant from Southeast Asia, a former construction worker and a Buddhist priest.

“I’m here,” the Prime Minister stated once he arrived and took a seat on the other side of a table from their contact. “You can speak.”

“It is an honor to meet you, sir. There is a lot we need to talk about,” Virgil answered, with a faint smile.

Last Edit: May 2, 2022 12:53:21 GMT -5 by Hibano

Post by Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld on Apr 21, 2022 4:59:08 GMT -5

Post by Rao Fugard on Apr 24, 2022 20:39:29 GMT -5

Post by Niji on Apr 25, 2022 19:15:27 GMT -5

Post by Hibano on Apr 26, 2022 5:09:04 GMT -5

Post by tensai toshiaki on Apr 26, 2022 21:42:52 GMT -5

Post by Yoshinori Okamoto on Apr 28, 2022 1:01:49 GMT -5

Post by Viktor Yakov ad Rosenfeld on Apr 28, 2022 17:49:13 GMT -5

Post by Rao Fugard on May 1, 2022 20:00:04 GMT -5

Post by Niji on May 1, 2022 20:10:00 GMT -5

Post by Hibano on May 2, 2022 12:44:59 GMT -5