Creative Works

[DeaconPhenix]

Alright everyone, for any who are interested, this thread is where I'm going to post my whole story. I'm going to repost chapters 1 and 2 up here and I should have chapter 3 for you all by sunday at the latest. So, enjoy and feedback is much appreciated. Thanks!

[DeaconPhenix]

The Battle of 4 Dragons

 ACT 1: Fuonbunshi (Disturbing Elements)

Chapter 1:

Thirty years after Hanran, the Insurrection....

A black cloud passed over the normally clear sky of Korvalien, giving Victor a headache that brooded in his mind like a guilty conscience or a vulnerable detriment. He grimaced, his brow furrowing as he regarded the approaching storm, not enjoying the sight in the least. He wanted to pull his hood over his head like he often did when he wanted to contemplate a tough decision, but Victor did not have the time for such solitude. The members of Squad Five stood behind him with confused expressions and awaiting stares.

To Victor Valtherion, the sight of the black storm cloud had two meanings. The first was a look into the future, a dark foreboding of darker actions in a time that would soon to be present. He was sure of it; the peaceful negotiations would give way to roaring declarations, cries of battle and agony. The melodies once played by the harp and the shamisen would sound as the clashing of steel. The era of amity would be replaced by the age of war.

Victor's second feeling in viewing the cloud was a painful memory of a time that he wished he could forget. The images were burned into his head like a hurtful scar, haunting his nightmares even now, thirty years after the traumatic event. Hanran it was called, a civil war that tore Korvalien asunder. The insurrection, which had been a plotted conspiracy long before Victor had even entered the Soul Society, destroyed much of the institution and stole away the lives of some of Korvalien's most talented soul reapers. By the time the rebellion had finally been defeated, the Soul Society had lost over a third of its forces, leaving the city battered and ripe for Hollow infestations.

Victor was just a soldier of Squad Five then, a student to his zanpakuto. At the first outbreak of violence, the young man had just achieved bankai form with his zanpakuto and although excited, he had not expected to be required to use the skill in battle and was not thrilled to do so. During the war, that bankai of his had taken the lives of other shinigami, a thought that still made him shudder. After it was all over, the Soul Society had lost many of its members, but Squad Five had suffered the worst losses. Out of the nine members, two were part of the rebellion, one of them a ranked member. Victor's lieutenant was killed by conspirators early in the war and his captain lost her life to one of her squad's own.

Once the smoke cleared from the end of the war, Squad Five was left with the Fourth and Fifth Seated Members and only three soldiers. Kolan Janar, the Fourth Seat, was called to replace the fallen captain of Squad Three and Janelle Ellebrecht, the next in rank, refused the rank of captain, electing to take a role as a lieutenant. Since Victor was the only soldier that had mastered bankai, the once common member had become the Captain of Squad Five. Wearing the white robe of captaincy that was now commonplace to him, Captain Victor Valtherion was proud to say that Hanran was the last time he had used his zanpakuto to slay another shinigami.

As the storm cloud progressed closer, so did Victor's feelings of doom and he realized that this may be the day that he would have to end his streak. The thought overturned his stomach and worsened his headache and he put a hand to his temple, tracing the lines of the tribal tattoo that covered most of his body. He rubbed his tired eyes and held his head in his hand for a short time, building his resolve. Finally, he dropped the hand to his side and turned to face his loyal squad of eleven.

"I will go." he declared. Gasps resounded throughout the room and a few of the soldiers started forward.

"But Captain..." one began.

"....do not do this Captain...." another added.

"....let us please fight in your stead." a third exclaimed. Victor put his hand in the air to silence them, but his squad was not happy with his decision and he loved them all the more for it.

"I can sense a powerful reiatsu, Captain Valtherion. If a fight must occur, let us all be there to assist you." Lieutenant Ellebrecht reasoned.

Victor shook his head, the pained expression on his face an obvious denial to their requests. "You and I have built this squad on the tenets of good will and absence of bloodshed, Janelle. For thirty years we have been able to live with good fortune and salubrity. If all of this must be rent, let me be the one to do it. :et the blood be on my hands." he stated.

"But the absence of bloodshed that you speak of is the antithesis of your present actions!" Janelle expressed.

"I understand your concern and it weighs heavily upon me, but sometimes the only way to seek peace is to walk hand-in-hand with violence." Victor explained.

"There must be another way! Can't another captain fight so you can remain with us?" the lieutenant pleaded.

"This is my calling for justice, Janelle. As much as I dislike battle, I would not have another fight for me." he spoke.

"Then allow us to go and fight by your side, my Captain! You do not have to be alone." Janelle tried to reason, but her determination was faltering.

"I do not fight to die, I fight to live." the captain declared. "Trust in my discretion as your captain. This is my battle and I must resolve it now."

"He will not fight alone, so do not have cause to worry, good members of Squad Five." a voice announced. Everyone in the room turned to the door to see Captain Takedo of Squad 4 standing before them. The captain had one hand on the sheath at his side and one brushing through the long blue locks of his spiked hair. His blue eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and battle lust.

"Ryushin, do you know of these ryoka?" Victor asked, eying his fellow captain with curiosity.

"Have your abilities waned over the years, old friend?" Ryushin asked with a snicker. "I have sensed their reiatsu all morning."

Victor smiled at the remark. Yes, he was older then Ryushin by a decade, but age had nothing to do with their abilities. Even when they were in the same class way back in the Soul Academy, Takedo was much more proficient at detecting reiatsu, the individual spiritual energy of shinigami. To counter, Valtherion was superior at utilizing the spells of kido and the two had developed an early rivalry that was displayed in their duels of combat. The better at fighting? It was safe to say that they had dueled to several bloody draws.

Then, like all other facets of life, Hanran had changed that. The naive animosity felt between the two dissolved into an armistice of necessity as the soul reapers, one the Third Seat of Squad 4 and the other a soldier of Squad Five, fought side by side. Once the sangeki was over, Ryushin was forced into a similar situation as Victor and the two new captains used this commonality to build a strong and lasting friendship.

"Their reiatsu draws near." Victor stated.

"Shall we be off?" Ryushin inquired, tapping a wooden geta sandal on the floor.

"Yes, my friend, let us see Commander-General Nakashima to address our task." Victor responded.

Ryushin frowned, not caring to ask the Captain of Squad One for "permission" to execute an act he meant to perform regardless. "Very well," he replied, "but you can do the talking, Captain Valtherion. Your charisma has gotten us through trouble in the past, so it can serve our purpose this day."

Victor bowed to his squad members and they wished him godspeed. Ryushin led the way through the hallways of Squad Five's nejiro until they reached the outside. The two captains both looked into the sky, seeing that the clouds had completely blocked out the sun, as if preventing it from watching the scene that was now unfolding before all of Korvalien.

"Looks like rain." Ryushin spoke, glancing over to his companion.

"That it does, Ryushin. Let us be done with this business with all haste." Victor declared, donning the hood of the black robe he wore under his captain's regalia.

[DeaconPhenix]

Chapter 2:

They walked through the streets in silence, passing by the headquarters of Squads Three and 4. Victor found himself thinking once again of Hanran and the events afterward that had almost shattered the peace for good. A certain memory played through his mind concerning Ryushin and Victor was surprised to find that he had almost forgotten about his friend's early struggles as Captain of Squad 4.

During the insurrection, Commander-General Nakashima had come into possession of a powerful spell book that was rumored to contain a spell of resurrection. As Third Seat of Squad 4, Ryushin had maintained a secret love relationship with the squad's lieutenant, Amane Michiyo. Hanran had claimed Amane's life and the desperate Takedo revealed it all, pleading with Nakashima to allow him to use the spell to bring her back to life. Studying the spell, Nakashima revealed that the resurrection had to be completed at a sacred temple forbidden to shinigami because of the demons that surrounded it. Therefore, the Commander-General proclaimed the spell also forbidden, denying Ryushin's request. The grief-stricken Takedo would not listen to reason and Nakashima was forced to imprison his lower captain until the main regained his senses. Two weeks later, Captain Ryushin Takedo emerged, a man with a heavy heart and a duty to maintain his squad. He never spoke of the spell again.

Victor sensed the heartbreak in this memory and realized that the doushikai that he shared with his friend was responsible for it. "You are thinking of her, aren't you?" he asked.

"Amane...." Ryushin whispered, lost in his rehatched misery.

"Is that why you dislike seeing the Commander-General so much?" Valtherion asked.

"It's hard to explain." Ryushin spoke after a pause. "That whole time I hated his very existence, yet I knew that he was right, that I was just being a selfish child."

"You lost a loved one, my friend! That is a very tough pill to swallow. Do not consider yourself selfish." Victor exclaimed.

"But I was, Victor. I can see that now. I just wanted her back so badly and I did not think of the consequences of that possibility.

What if I had succeeded? What if I had brought a dead woman back to life? It's an unnatural order." Ryushin explained.

"She would have been a different person." Victor agreed.

"To experience death and live to tell about it?" Takedo questioned. "She would have been scarred and I would have hated myself for it all for all eternity."

The friends once more walked in silence, the only noise being the clopping of Takedo's geta sandals. Finally, Victor concluded, "it is better to live in the present and honor the past then live in the past and regret the future."

Ryushin sighed deeply, three decade's worth of feelings pouring out of his soul. "You are right as always, my friend. To honor the past, let us dedicate this fight if there shall be one to Amane Michiyo."

"We shall show her that her efforts to rid Korvalien of evil shall not be for naught. Justice still presides in this land." Valtherion stated.

"Well spoken." Takedo complimented as they entered the Captains' Hall, approaching the Commander-General. Nakashima was ancient even by their standards, Ryushin and Victor both well over two hundred years old. The Captain of Squad One sat at the end of the hall, his gray hair and expansive beard making him appear even more wizened then he already was. Nakashima's arms were crossed under his large captain's robe and he sat with his eyes closed. Upon hearing their approach, his deep brown orbs opened and a knowing look came over his withered face.

"Squad 4 Captain Ryushin Takedo and Squad Five Captain Victor Valtherion, I am glad that you have come to see me." Nakashima spoke in a voice that sounded like it had sung in the times when the dust first settled on the earth.

The two captains bowed low to their superior and Takedo asked, "Commander-General, I suppose you know why we have come?"

"I do, Captain Takedo, and I am not surprised that the two of you were the ones to address the issue." Nakashima responded and they took the compliment with hard smiles. The sage rose to his feet with an unmatched agility and the two lower captains fell to a knee, paying their proper respects. "Nor will I deny you this mission. In fact, I would have no one else perform it."

Ryushin and Victor thanked him in unison and Nakashima continued. "I have heard much rumor as to whom these ryoka are and what they are doing in Korvalien, but I would like to learn the truth. Once you have confronted the outsiders, they are to be restrained and brought to me immediately. If they resist or respond with aggression, you have my permission to use the full powers of your zanpakuto."

They nodded their understanding and upon dismissal, they continued back outside. The sky had darkened even more and Takedo stated, "I can feel it in my bones."

"The rain?" Victor inquired.

"The fight." Ryushin corrected. "I will not initiate it, but I fell that it will commence regardless."

"I cannot argue your instinct. Like a weight on my shoulders, I feel the tension of battle." Valtherion said. "As much as I dislike it, I shall fight wholeheartedly."

"You had better." Ryushin spoke with a grin. "I don't want to have to fight them both by myself."

"Strike true with your Toukarite and I shall as well with my Dokuja." Victor declared. Ryushin's smile widened as they felt their sword's spiritual energy react to hearing their names. Toukarite, the Clashing Reaper, and Dokuja, the Poisonous Serpent, had fought each other and had fought side by side several times and knew each other like brothers. The captains had commented on several occasions that their swords enjoyed their duels even more then they did and it was hard to refute the knowledge.

What perfected their fighting abilities over the years was the partnership that they shared together and also with their individual zanpakuto. Many shinigami had made the mistake of assuming mastery over a zanpakuto, forcing the manifestations of the blade's energy. This causes the zanpakuto's power to be jagged and uneven, lowering fighting ability. On the contrast, many weak shinigami have relied too much on their zanpakuto, allowing the blades to be the masters. The soul reaper will fight blindly and have no idea the capability of his zanpakuto. The communion that Ryushin and Victor shared with their blades had allowed them to fight in perfect balance. This was also the reason why they had destroyed the most Hollows of any other lower captain and how they were able to annihilate several of the dreaded Menos Grande. Instead of two brawlers charging into a fight, they were 4 seasoned warriors and they all knew it.

As Ryushin and Victor walked down the main street of the Soul Society, members of several squads began to gather outside of their headquarters, gossiping over the captains. They strode proudly as cheers started to erupt from the crowd. Victor even let his hood drop down, enjoying the admiration, though embarrassed to admit it. He eyed Squad Five in the midst of it all, puffing out their chests and boasting of their heroic captain. He grinned despite himself, but a clap of thunder sounded in the air, stealing away his mirth and reminding him of his task. This also had some effect on the crowd as well as they quieted and looked to the heavens, ready to run for shelter if it started to rain.

They reached the walls surrounding the Soul Society a short time later, coming upon the two giant gatekeepers standing at attention.

"Open the gates for us, Shugo and Shuggoraio." Victor spoke.

"You have business outside the city?" the larger of the two, Shugo, questioned.

"We have heard of two ryoka approaching Korvalien." Shuggoraio exclaimed.

"It is those very ryoka that we seek out." Ryushin added.

"Oh, do snare the little thieves!" the jovial giant applauded.

"We will do what we can if you but opened the gates." Victor reminded.

"Yes, of course, good Captain." Shugo stated.

"Right away!" his brother added, tripping over himself en route to the doors. The two giants tugged with all of their might and the twenty foot portals slowly creaked open towards them. Once opened, the huge men struck their barrel chests with massive meaty hands, saluting the captains as they continued their walk outside of the city. The gates slammed shut behind them with a booming echo that resembled the thud of resolve that pounded in their hearts.

After taking a moment to breathe in the fresh air of the slight wind coursing through the plain, Ryushin stated, "they are close now. Very close. And they have a hell of a lot of reiatsu coming with them

[cidthekittyisfun]

cool. ill have to read this sometime

[Wolfs_Flower_Maiden]

Looks like you've gotten them on one thread.  Still I enjoyed reading the two chapters.

[Jingai]

 There we go. Now I can read the entire story in one convient place.

You just need to finish writing it first.

You have a good start though, so keep up the good work. 

[DeaconPhenix]

Okay, the next segment is ready to go. Meet the ryoka........

Chapter 3

Aeryk loved the rain. A strong storm was able to inspire many emotions within him and everything about a downpour taught him a lesson. The rain refreshed the earth, giving life to the plants and trees of the forests and reviving the land after a drought. Like his god, the rain was also able to take away life, whether it was a flood that destroyed wildlife or a tempest that devastated villages. It was a cycle of life, a natural order, and Aeryk enjoyed order. As if in response to his thoughts, a rumble of thunder echoed throughout the sky and he glanced up, expecting the first drops to start pouring any minute. Nature could be so very powerful and he was glad that he had the chance to view it in its most spectacular forms. Whether it was an exploding volcano or lightning that struck every thirty seconds, nature had a way of humbling his warrior spirit, a trait that many could find useful.

Although glad for the storm, Aeryk Valkryon found it disturbing that this was the first rain since he had entered this land almost six months ago. He had spent most of his time in Korvalien hunting for information, but the few moments that he took to view his surroundings left him feeling him unsettled. The unchanging seasons, the itteiondo as these people called it, was rare even in the most temperate of locations and there had not been a drop of precipitation. The lack of weather should have resulted in some form of a drought, be it cracked earth or withered plants, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary, as if here did not require water to survive. No, there was nothing but sunny days and cloudless nights in Korvalien, the land of a fixed climate.

If that was the case, then why now of all times was a storm brewing the day that he prepared to enter the locked city of Korvalien? Aeryk had never even viewed the city, but the closer he came, the more the storm gathered strength, like an army preparing for one final charge to victory. It all seemed so unnatural.

Not like Aeryk himself was a shining example of normality. As much as he cherished order dominating his life, Valkryon traveled with a companion that was a complete antipathy to his morals. Shade the Reaper was an extreme anomaly, a bottled chaos, an irregularity and a tear in the fabric of life. His very existence was an incongruity, a mockery and an exception to Aeryk and his god's harmonious establishment. Shade knew all of this and was delighted by it all. Although the two were the best of friends, Aeryk didn't know a tenth of Shade's story and he found that he preferred it that way.

As far as they knew, Shade was a completely unique life-form, a species that could not completely be defined. What Aeryk knew of his friend was a disturbing tale even now, eight years after the two had met. Shade the Reaper, which wasn't even his real name, had lived a shortened life as a human an unknown amount of time ago before he was killed. Unfortunately, his battered soul was not able to rest peacefully as it became infected with a demon of shadows. This beast modeled Shade after its own form and controlled him for several years.

At some point in time, the sub-plane of existence that he inhabited was destroyed and its eradication threatened to consume him as well. Shade was somehow rescued by a woman in silver that later confessed that she was a goddess, Edaluna by name. She revealed that she knew his father and owed him an insurmountable debt. Unfortunately, he had died and Edaluna found that the only way she could honor him was to rescue Shade from the hellish darkness that he lived. The goddess was unable to grant human life to him, but she was capable of sending Shade back to earth in the form that he now resided in, one that mirrored the object of her existence, the moon.

Edaluna armored him and gave the new being a sword of her own creation to fight with and Shade began another life. His hair was forever stained black and his skin bleached white from his time in the underworld. Shade's eyes had seen only darkness for so many years and had taken on a bluish-white hue, resembling the wolves of the far north. His body, his existence on earth, waxed and waned like the moon's phases, granting him his full power during a full moon. In the time of a new moon, Shade's soul was transported back to Edaluna's plane of existence, where he spent a day gathering his strength.

Once Shade was accustomed to this phasing life, he began to fight for his goddess, all the while trying to find remnants of his past. It was eight long years until he met the twins Aeryk and Aeorekka Valkryon. It was through their mother that the three learned that they were related. Calling the real name that Shade had long ago forgotten, their mother showed that he was Aeryk and Aeorekka's half-brother, a link to the father that none of them knew. At that time, Shade's real name could have gotten him in trouble with the wrong people for his father had made many enemies, so the family kept it hidden between themselves. He continued to manifest his life with the phases of the moon as Shade the Reaper.

Aeryk tied his golden hair back as they continued their run towards the city, his similarly colored eyes scanning the horizon. "Do you think that it's safe even here, Shade?" he questioned. His counterpart rose an eyebrow to that question for a moment before asking one of his own. "Do you mean my real name?"

"You don't think that even out here, this far away from home, it would be safe to say that name?" Valkryon asked.

"We have no real idea the notoriety of our father or how expansive his travels really were." Shade answered. "I would rather not deal with an estranged reputation on top of the business that we already have in this odd land."

"Do you think that we will see battle this day?" Aeryk asked, wondering if his own suspicions would be confirmed.

"I can almost count on it. We are not going to be denied and I doubt that this aspect will be welcomed by those that reside within yonder walls." Shade answered. "I'm just glad that one of the oddities of this place has come to suit our purposes."

"The moon has been full for the past six months and you can fight with your full power." Aeryk explained. "It has been quite a sight to behold and no lesser show promised for those who may meet your sword."

Shade smiled and quickened their pace, able to keep up in his armored body as easily as Valkryon in his leather clothes. Clearing the trees, they ran into an open plain where they were able to see the gathering forces in the sky. Clouds sped across the sky in swirling whirlpools, darkening by the minute and giving the sky a strange green tint. Lightning bounced atop the clouds in rapid circuits like a general directing his troops on the battlefield and everything seemed surreal to them.

"Are the heavens doing battle with hell as we speak?" Aeryk inquired.

"What do you make of this storm?" Shade asked.

"We have seen no weather since we have been here, nor have we come across or dealt any violence. Perhaps in this strange realm, the two are linked." Aeryk reasoned.

"You may be correct." Shade responded, pointing into the distance. "Behold, two figures approach us with matched haste from the horizon."

[Wolfs_Flower_Maiden]

Ah, the inturders' point of view, and they do seem to have an interesting backstory.  

[DeaconPhenix]

yeah Shade is quite the...character. Hopefully it won't get him into too much trouble. Chapter 4 should be up by tomorrow, so thanks for the feedback and I hope it's turning out well!

[DeaconPhenix]

woohoo, I'm done with the next part. The encounter....

Chapter 4

The captains noticed the ryoka the same time that they were observed, even though several miles still separated the parties. Regardless, Ryushin kept a hand on the violet sheath of his zanpakuto and Victor ran ready to draw from his jade sheath.

"Shall we use shunpo?" Takedo asked, running gracefully on his awkwardly shaped sandals. Not an exhausted breath had passed between the two even though they had been running for over half an hour, but he wondered if now was the time to close the distance even faster.

"Not yet, Ryushin." Victor replied. "If they can engage in the Flash Step or any other hidden ability, let them be the ones to reveal it."

Ryushin shrugged and continued to sprint, unsure of why the ryoka were doing the same. Trying to beat the storm? They would have had to realize that the walled Soul Society would not be open to offering shelter, especially with the gale that was building strength continuously. Simple ignorance? He found that hard to believe, considering the overwhelming amount of reiatsu emanating from these two. Ryoka with such high spiritual pressure tended to have calculated motivation behind them and their actions were not often consistent with a selfish carelessness. No, these two had reason and purpose and it was the captain's job to find out why they were here.

After several more minutes, Victor remarked that the outsider's pace had not slowed in the least and may have even increased. "I wonder how long they have been running." he added.

"I have sensed them approaching this rapidly for quite some time now." Ryushin spoke. "Their stamina and endurance may even rival our own."

Victor bit his lower lip, not wanting to address the response for fear of its truth. The ryoka had been running straight at them for a very long time and Victor didn't think that it was because of inclement weather, although this storm was really beginning to trouble him. The rumbling of thunder had begun to sound like the beating of war drums and Valtherion was not enthused to be playing the tune. If a battle was indeed in their near future, Victor would have to face not only a pair of unknown foes, but also an equally unpredictable tempest already threatening the battlefield.

Just a few miles separated the 4 warriors and still there was no hesitation from the ryoka. They were now close enough to distinguish the features of the outsiders and Victor had a double-take when noticing the second.

"Is the one on the right an arubino?" Valtherion questioned.

"He does have the pale skin of one." Ryushin replied. "Why such a heavy set of armor?"

"The question is why his companion does not share similar gear." Victor exclaimed. "Different fighting styles perhaps?"

"In the end, armor and fighting style do not matter. Weapons and motivation don't matter either. In a battle, all that matters is the will to win!" Ryushin roared. He forgot about moderation and sped by his fellow captain, running full force at the outsiders. It took a second for Victor to re-pace his friend and he noticed that the ryoka had done the same. Ryushin used the Flash Step, blinking in and out of sight hundreds of yards ahead of his location each time. Once again, the ryoka reacted the same way and the gap closed in seconds. As Victor also activated his shunpo, he thought that Ryushin's decision was not the wisest one, but it was better to be on their guard.

The 4 blurs darted at each other with intense speed, but they suddenly stopped several yards away from each other. A silence ensued, even the thunder muting as the warriors sized each other up. The captains regarded the ryoka with stern looks, Ryushin's teeth gritted so as not to yell out at them. The questions assaulted Valtherion's mind as he stood ready to address the intruders. What were these strange fighters doing in Korvalien? What was their purpose in sprinting at the city with all haste? Why did they grimace as such with hands on sword handles and why were they so intent on fighting?

Aeryk Valkryon was thinking the same question, but understood why these white-robed figures would act hostile. He was an intruder after all, a trespasser in an odd land that these men called home. But still....

He glanced at Shade, who was more than ready to tear his sword from the band around his shoulder. An intense look covered the Reaper's face, one that matched the warrior with the blue hair. The other, the man with the hood resting on his back, had a slightly different display on his face. An approachable look? No, that was not it, But Aeryk could not bring himself to think the word "hesitant". He decided that the warrior appeared expectant, as if he could use words but was not afraid to use swords if he was forced to make the decision.

The reticence between the 4 warriors grew, manifesting itself like a creature gaining its own essence, threatening to swallow them all in a pit of chaotic saturninity. Words were formed on the tongues of all of them, but none dared to speak, as if they had suddenly found the concept of speech alien. A breeze surged through the plain like a bystander fleeing the scene of the upcoming battle, billowing the captain's robes and continuing on to pass through the ryoka, uplifting their long hair for a brief moment. It was gone then, leaving them all with the monster with no mouth that they had all created. Finally, like revealing a dark secret of a troubled mind, Victor broke the silence.

"Why have you entered this land, ryoka?" he questioned, finding that his own voice was like a piercing blade in the stillness.

Aeryk judged the question for a moment, but Shade, HA HA HA HA him, was the first to answer. "I do not know that word, but I assume that it does not mean 'friends', does it?" Shade responded harshly.

Valtherion looked to Ryushin, who did not like his tone in the least. "You are intruders to Korvalien, yosomono in a place that you are not wanted." Takedo declared in a similar timbre.

Valkryon had about enough of the foreign words that these opposers were purposefully using, but he spoke calmly. "We may not have been born of this land, but I was raised to believe that no man may lay claim to land outside of his own home."

"Yet you were approaching our city with velocity that belies amiable intentions." Victor replied with a steady voice.

"Our business can be halcyon if we choose to make it so." Aeryk stated.

"Then why do you both stand ready to strike?" Ryushin interrupted. "You use words that equivocate as you hide actions that we find impetuous."

"Our actions are nothing that require your ignorant attention." Shade shot back. There was an enraged glare between the two that Aeryk quickly calmed with honest words. "I admit that we are en route to your city. We have spent many days in the villages to the west and we have learned much."

"What are your names?" Victor asked calmly.

Hoping he was making gains with the two (or at least the tattooed one), Aeryk said, "my name is Aeryk Valkryon, disciple of Verbondai, the God of Order and Understanding. This is my brother, who goes by the name Shade."

"I am the Reaper of the Moon, warrior of Edaluna, Goddess of the Silver." Shade spoke, enunciating the words "reaper" and "warrior" specifically.

"Your foreign gods prove even more that you do not belong here. The city that you seek is where the Soul Society resides and we are of the Thirteen Court Squads that defend this land." Takedo interjected. "I am Ryushin Takedo, Captain of Squad 4**."

"I am Squad Five's leader, Captain Victor Valtherion. The only ones who enter our city that are not shinigami are prisoners of the law." Victor explained. "I suggest that you abandon your mission and leave this place."

"For all of your honorable titles, there is a thief among your people." Shade announced.

"How can you accuse one of our own as such?" Ryushin spat.

"There is an item that we seek that is in the possession of one who resides in the city." Aeryk relayed. "This item rightfully belongs to us and we are here to retrieve it."

"I would have heed the words of my friend here and turn around, outsider. Our mercy does have a limit." Ryushin declared.

"What is this item that you speak of?" Victor questioned, caught off-guard by their claimed purpose.

"Like I mentioned before, our business is none of your concern!" Shade retorted. "Now step aside and let us pass untouched."

"This is a final warning. We have been sent here on our own mission. It is to restrain and bring you both before our Commander-General for interrogation and imprisonment." Valtherion explained. "I offer you this one chance to leave this land unscathed and with no possibility of pursuit."

Aeryk sighed, seeing his chance of peace all but obliterated. "our quest is urgent and resolute. We will not be denied this stolen item."

"Then you leave us no choice."

[Wolfs_Flower_Maiden]

Congrats on the purple rankage, DeaconPhenix!

Confetti toss  * * * ** * ** *

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Looks like the filter got you once, but otherwise it was a very enjoyable chapter, and stays with anine tradition where the fighters get to glare and posture at each other for awhile before actually fighting.

I think it's going to be interesting to see what this stolen item is going to turn out to be.  I predict awesome fighting ahead.

[Jingai]

You've done a really good job with setting up the stage for the fight.

It is really an art to establish the mood just right. I'm looking forward to reading more. 

[DeaconPhenix]

lol thanks, although it looks pink. i was hoping that the build up to the fight wasn't being too drawn out and boring, but I'm glad you like it and there's definitely more to come shortly. Thanks!

[McDavey]

well, well, yes its me the resident fanfic grump lolz j/k.  anyway, I like the original story line. its a nice story so far, I want to see where this goes, I hope you do well

[DeaconPhenix]

thank you, i hope everyone has enjoyed it so far, but we've just begun! i had intended to get out chapter 5 tonight, but alas, technical difficulties have again been my undoing. soo hopefully i'll be up and running tomorrow.

[McDavey]

no need to rush, I mean you never know when writers block will hit, I have had a nasty case myself lately, life has been too stressfull for me lately, anyway it never hurts to get a few ahead, and I know only 3 people have posted, but it is kinda rare to get people posting who arent in fanfics, not saying you should do that, just giving you  a friendly heads up, so I wish you the best, and I will wait to see what develops

Message Edited by McDavey on 08-06-2008 05:21 PM

[DeaconPhenix]

well im online finally (i was afraid my router broke) and I got Chapter 5 for you all. Showdown.......enjoy!

 

ACT 2: Zenmensonshou (All-Out War)

Chapter 5:

As Victor spoke these words, he felt his body go numb, as if his veins had turned into rivers of ice and his heart a vacant shell. Those words, those damning words, were the six words of resolution, of finality, of no turning back and no crying off. It was the declaration of war, the battle of determination, what Ryushin had called the "will to win". That was all that mattered when one uttered those words and by doing so, Victor Valtherion had locked the 4 warriors in a contention of fate.

And then the rain did begin to fall as a booming thunderclap cannonaded through the sky and a bolt of lightning seared through their line of sight, both electrifying the air around them and eliciting the arrival of the storm. The rain pelted down to the ground like a stampede of spiritual hosts escaping from the heavens above. It fell in torrential sheets, reminding Aeryk of crashing waves by a shoreline. To Victor, it sounded like the screams of a thousand fallen soldiers and one was warmed and the other chilled by the rain.

For a moment, it seemed that silence would recapture the warriors, but Shade was boring with the deadlock, finding it quite enervating. "I see that you have made your decision, Captain Valtherion." he called in his gravelly voice. "I pray that your squad follows you for your fortitude and not a wheedling sense of arrogance."

Victor took the potential compliment/insult with his usual quiet stoicism before saying, "I have nothing to prove to myself nor my squad concerning fighting ability. Not that I care for your opinion, but I will leave my skill to your judgment."

"For that foolish comment, I promise you, Shade, that my blade will draw first blood!" Ryushin snapped back.

"That's the sort of arrogance that countless imbeciles before you have blindly carried with them when they have faced me, swinging unproven words like overbalanced halberds. They are all dead now." Shade spat at his opponent, staring him down from across the plain. "Your words cannot intimidate me and neither can your white robe. Your rank means nothing to me and soon, neither will you!"

"For someone who complains so much of the spoken word, you do prattle much." Victor stated. "Regardless, we 4 have been gathered here at destiny's call for a fight to the death. Further argument is futile for it is up to no man to decide the honor or grandiloquence of another's quest."

"Well spoken. You are a wise man and in another world, I could call you comrade, but you are correct. This is a battle to the death and we have crossed paths. Let the fates decree our destiny this day!" Aeryk bellowed and with that proclamation, his spiritual aura exploded around him, shining golden in the dark of the sky. The pressure of the release caused the tie in his hair to shatter, his hair billowing into the air like a break in a dam. Victor followed suit, the visual representation of his reiatsu glowing green around his body and blasting high into the sky, the hood of his robe shuddering like a tree in a tornado.

"You speak of drawing first blood, Takedo. Allow me to send forth a guarantee of my own. I will draw last blood, the only kind of blood that matters when it pools around your body!" Shade shouted.

"That's where you are mistaken, fledgling." Ryushin declared. "For when I draw first blood, it shall also be last blood!" Both warriors released their spiritual pressure and the battlefield quivered with the immense reiatsu. Takedo's energy glowed a fiery blue like the blaze in his eyes and Shade's burned a surreal black, almost as if a void had torn the fabric of space over his body. His smile spoke of death and it was directed at Captain Ryushin, whose glare promised similar results.

A whirlwind developed around the warriors, encasing them in the swell of their reiatsu. Mixed in with the rain, the spiritual pressure appeared as 4 great dragons flowing within their own created hurricane. The dragons, gold and black, blue and green, tested each other's might, swirling around each other and snapping back when coming in contact. Roars were heard from within the tempest and for miles around the plain, all were able to see the release, some offering prayers to the 4 souls about to wage Taisen, the Great Battle.

The gladiators pulled their swords and the gathered reiatsu disappeared to nothingness. They exploded into action, blades connecting ten times before there was a sound of clashing steel. Captain Victor Valtherion's jade-colored zanpakuto locked with Aeryk Valkryon's broadsword, which shone silver even in the darkened sky. Ryushin and Shade fiercely traded blows, Takedo's red and blue katana matching up evenly with the Reaper's monstrous black blade.

Victor charged forward, knocking Aeryk backwards, but the blonde-haired warrior expertly rolled to the side as Shade moved to cover him. As the captains struck forward with their zanpakuto, Shade easily deflected Valtherion's attack and Aeryk threw his blade upward, deflecting a shot from Ryushin that would have pierced his brother's skull.

Shade growled and lunged at Victor, swinging madly with his gigantic sword. Captain Valtherion stepped backward and dodged several swings, slapping aside one attack that appeared as if it would have skewered him. Victor made all of these motions with little effort, enraging Shade even further. The dance continued for several moments, but the Reaper was always one step behind the captain.

"You look like you are chopping down trees, boy." Victor criticized. "If you are going to strike me, then do it already!"

"Do not speak as if you know me, antiquated one!" Shade barked back. "I have killed more people than I know days."

Victor stabbed out, but Shade blocked forcefully, throwing the zanpakuto out wide. Valtherion quickly spun around and struck again, but Shade plunged downward, jabbing both blades into the mud. "That is nothing to be proud of, Shade. The ability to take life from another should not be an award to hang high on a mantle." Valtherion exclaimed.

"And what would you know of that?" Shade questioned bitterly. "How many have you slain in your time?" Another memory of the insurrection came into Victor's mind and it infuriated him. He defeated an attack from the Reaper and launched three chops of his own. Shade blocked two of them, but the third came free and clipped the pauldron on his left shoulder. The black shoulder pad flared an angry purple where the incision was made and Shade backed away quickly.

"This blade has unfortunately ended many lives of both good men and evil. I have killed fathers, sons, husbands, and patriarchs and there isn't a moment that my heart does not weep for those who have fallen by my hand." Victor declared, harshness evident in his tone. "That is the difference between us, Reaper. You kill for pride and I kill for necessity."

"Ah, but you are wrong, Captain Victor. You assume that pleasure is my motivation, but you do not know of my life. I had made an assumption myself and I apologize, but do not think that I kill for such a lowly purpose." Shade remarked. "I fight for my goddess, my savior Edaluna. Her way is the way of justice and my blade drink of dark soul's blood."

The two clashed again, their swords weaving high into the air and then downward, cutting a deep line in the earth. "So you fight against evil powers?" Victor questioned. "Has your goddess written me off as an unholy presence?"

"I have not spoken with her for some time, but I do not consider you evil." Shade stated.

"Then why are you here?!" Valtherion yelled.

"Because you are in my way!"

[Wolfs_Flower_Maiden]

Computer problems are the pits, so I'm glad the router is working again.

Your very descriptive in your writing, so I was able to imagine what the fight scene looked like very well.  I like the fight so far, and my favorite line was:  

"For someone who complains so much of the spoken word, you do prattle much." Victor stated.

That really does seem to fit these shonen style fights so well, as they always seem to do more talking and posturing than actually fighting. 

Depending on long your planning on your story going, you might want to pace yourself, as right now you seem to be posting new chapters at a furious pace.... 

[DeaconPhenix]

gladly I have had most of this story done (i'm about eight chapters ahead), but I have been really busy writing lately. Once 4 Dragons is finished, I have plans for a Death Note FF as well, but I won't get too far ahead of myself. Thanks for the feedback guys. I'm loving it!

Message Edited by DeaconPhenix on 08-07-2008 11:55 PM

[DeaconPhenix]

Chapter 6

The rain fell even heavier, making slic(k) the blades of Aeryk Valkryon and Ryushin Takedo. Their attacks did not ring as solid and their blocks and parries not nearly as accurate. Ryushin swung heavily, but overbalanced his attack and he began to fall forward. He quickly readjusted, compensating by pressing down on the blades. Aeryk predicted this move and dropped down to one knee and redirected the blades behind him. Ryushin was unable to change his grip and he dropped forward, somersaulting over Valkryon. His back slid along the ground, muddying his white robe, but Takedo landed and immediately shot a kick backwards, the wooden block of his sandal set to bludgeon his opponent in the forehead. Aeryk ducked down further and slid his right leg out to trip the captain. Ryushin read the movement and used his own momentum to cartwheel back over Valkryon. As soon as he planted his feet, Takedo lashed his sword out in an arcing uppercut. Aeryk fell to his hands, splitting his legs out wide, and hand stepped backwards, avoiding an attack that would have cut him from throat to groin.

The mud shifted beneath him, forcing Valkryon's body to twist and fall to the ground. Ryushin chased the opportunity, but Aeryk desperately punched out, luckily catching the attacking sword at the hilt instead of the blade. He grabbed Takedo's arm and used the resistance to jump to his feet, stepping quickly behind his opponent. Aeryk plunged his sword backwards, aiming for the shoulder blade, but Ryushin threw his own sword over his shoulder and down, blocking the attack. The blue-eyed captain then shifted his weight and turned, springing for Valkryon's exposed right side with his sword leading the way. Aeryk slashed downwards immediately, deflecting the blade the instant before it would have pierced his ribcage.

Using his superior speed, Aeryk changed the direction of his blade and curved it upward. Ryushin fell to the side, but was not quick enough and Valkryon's blade slit a bright line of red on Takedo's right cheek. Ryushin swore aloud and back flipped away from his opponent. Throwing a hand to his opened wound, he declared, "it appears that it is you that has drawn blood first, Aeryk Valkryon. I applaud your effort, but do not get over-eager for lacerations are contagious."

Takedo exploded into action, stabbing fiercely with his zanpakuto. Aeryk fought hard to block the shots, backpedaling quickly away from the enraged attacker. He bumped into Shade, who sensed him and rolled behind his brother, blocking Takedo's sword evenly. Aeryk whipped around and slashed down at Victor, slicing the bottom seam of the captain's robe.

Ryushin jumped around Shade and drilled his foot out, kicking the Reaper in the back and causing him to stumble away. The two captains used the opportunity wisely, attacking Valkryon with abandon. Aeryk fought valiantly, but by the time Shade intercepted Takedo and dre(w) him away, Valkryon had suffered a cut on his right arm and a large gash above his left eyebrow.

Facing off against Valtherion, Aeryk used the spare moment to reset his body into a more disciplined battle stance. He bent his knees low, placing his left fist out in front of his body. His right hand, carrying his broadsword, was held behind him and above his head, the blade pointed at his enemy. It appeared as if Aeryk was swaying, but he was actually setting his feet into the soft earth, ready to spring into action.

"Very interesting, Aeryk Valkryon. Your stance is a concentrated one and a true battle form, but it has one major flaw." Victor explained before bursting into motion towards Aeryk's weak side. Valkryon bent backwards and executed an amazing maneuver, spinning his body in tight circles. His sword followed him, twirling along and blocking Victor's multitude of attacks. Seeing no opening forthcoming, the captain dropped back, having to reset his own position.

"Excellent defense!" Valtherion congratulated. "It is refreshing to duel against you, Aeryk. You differentiate yourself from your brother in dedication. Where he craves its ending result, you empower the skill of the battle."

"When I teach myself a new technique, I immediately seek out any and all weaknesses and learn to counter attacks when I am exposed." Aeryk explained. " You test my defense, but I do not intend to fight on my heels!"

He quickly assumed the same position and shot forward, feinting an attack before cutting it short and swinging his sword arm out wide right. Victor easily moved his zanpakuto to block, and upon coming in contact with the broadsword, Victor thought he had successfully deflected the attack. He was then surprised to see Aeryk's sword ricochet off the impact and shoot for the captain's throat. Valtherion bent his upper body as far back as he could. The sword cleared a missed spot of stubble on his throat, missing his jugular vein by a literal hair's breadth.

Unable to cope with the fact that he missed an open shot, Aeryk could only stand shocked for a moment and Victor used that time to plow an open palm into Aeryk's chest, sending him flying back several yards. Valtherion gulped a sigh of relief deeply before saying, "I will have to learn to stop underestimating you, warrior. A double feint? I have never seen the attack performed in such an efficient manner. Have you learned this skill in a dojo?"

"It was actually a monastery, but the training ground was similar. My mother taught me the move and she said that it was among one of my father's favorites." Aeryk answered.

"Let me ask you something. Your brother fights, armoring himself with magically created plate mail, yet you wield your sword confidently with no breastplate or shield to protect you. Why is this so?" Victor questioned.

"That armor set is a gift from his goddess and Shade has made himself a better warrior because of it, but I am a kensai. Are not Ryushin and yourself the same?" Valkryon remarked, pointing out that their only bodily defenses were cloth robes.

"Where I come from, the word 'kensai' literally means 'gifted man', so in the Soul Society, the word is meaningless for every shinigami is blessed with their own individual powers." Victor explained. "What is your interpretation of the word?"

"As a kensai, my blade is an extension of my life force and I have trained endlessly to become one with my sword. Having done this, wearing armor will only slow me down and make cumbersome the fluid movements of my sword, Fenyerosseg." Aeryk declared.

" Outstanding! You would excel in the Soul Society for your ways are not very different from my own. Come, kensai, show me all that you have learned and I shall do the same!" Victor shouted before using the Flash Step to disappear from the battlefield. Aeryk followed quickly, seeing that the captain was leading him far away from the scene, so as not to tangle with the others. Their shunpo created a funnel along their path, where the rain still fell like the endless tears of the gods. When they finally stopped, the other warriors were completely out of sight. Instead, the walled city of the Soul Society was now in view, less than a mile from their location.

"That is the center of Korvalien?" Aeryk asked.

"It is the Soul Society. My squad and twelve others remain behind those walls." Victor responded.

Confused, Aeryk inquired, "why have you brought me here, Captain Valtherion?"
"For two reasons. I want you to fight me with all of your heart and I hope that seeing the destination you seek so determinedly will inspire you to battle at an all new level. In contrast, if you are defeated, I want you to see how close you came to achieving your destiny." Victor explained.

Aeryk closed his eyes, unsure of whether he should bow to the captain or spit in his face. Victor spoke of determination and failure like they were bound together like two choices. He couldn't make sense of the captain's reasoning, believing that he was being mocked. How close you came... was it possible to choose to epic? To fight with stubborn determination and still lose; was it just a mere separation in fighting ability? If Victor won, was it because Aeryk chose to epic? He didn't think that made sense, but he opened up the possibility that sheer will might not be enough in this fight. He had to have more than the determination to succeed, more than the dedication to victory. Aeryk's discipline was a dedication of mind and body, but he had to have more than that to beat Victor Valtherion. He had to be bound to victory, to make his very soul wage this war and make failure an impossible choice.

He once again opened his eyes and in them the captain saw understanding. "In coming here, I do not seek to achieve my destiny. No, Squad Five Captain, that city is my destiny!" Aeryk bellowed.

Valtherion smiled. "You are a kensai and I am a shinigami, but we are both gifted men and soul reapers. Now enough talk. Let this spiritual warfare commence."

[McDavey]

well, what a battle, you seem to have a unique take on bleach, and the fighting seems to be more based on sword play so far then just their power, so I do wonder what their powers are. I do have to say the sword play was real good, I will be waiting to see what happens with these two, as well as the otehr the left behind in future chapters.

[Wolfs_Flower_Maiden]

Looks like the f.ail/epic filter got you near the end.

Not bad, you have a graphic syle of writing and it helps create a picture in my minds.  

However, one thing I would do differently is either stay with the first names or the last names of the 4 guys.  I was getting confused by all the continious switching back and forth between the last and first names.  I suggest stay with the first names except when your using the whole name.

[DeaconPhenix]

I know, I hate that Aeryk VALKRYON is fighting Victor VALTHERION. It was soo annoying writing that because these two are actually from separate stories of fiction that I write, yet the gods of creative writing somehow locked these two together for a one-on-one battle. I will definitely work on trying to clear those two up though. I'm sorry for the confusion and I hope it turns out better. Anywho, I should have another chapter out by tomorrow, so stay tuned and enjoy!

[DeaconPhenix]

well, the new chapter is up and ready to go. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 7

Ryushin and Shade fought fiercely, clashing together repeatedly as the weather worsened around them. Neither warrior noticed the absence of their compatriots, nor did they care. Their eyes were locked on each other, Ryushin's blue eyes blazing like the center of a raging fire and Shade's snowy orbs glaring like the blinding light of a sunburst. Primal growls echoed out of the deepest recesses of their souls and their battle cries deafened even the psychotic orchestra of thunderclaps in the sky.

Sparks flew down to the ground like a tremendous meteor storm as the blades continued to smash into each other, their owners seeking weak spots in the opponents. Although Ryushin's katana was much smaller and lighter than Shade's great flamberge, it held up expertly against the larger blade, not giving an inch of an advantage to the Reaper. As the two blades locked together, Shade used his larger frame to bear down on the captain, hoping to overwhelm him, but Ryushin skillfully sliced his blade along the length of the flamberge until the points touched, where he flung Shade's sword to the side, disconnecting their lock and giving Ryushin the offensive.

Takedo struck hard with his zanpakuto and Shade threw his heavy sword up quickly, blocking the attack and locking the swords again. This time Ryushin had the momentum and he pushed ahead, digging Shade's heels into the mud. The bigger man pushed back and the drive came to a grinding halt. Sensing that Shade was off-balance, Ryushin fell back and spun, lashing out his blade at the Reaper's right arm. The zanpakuto dug into the bracer around Shade's forearm, cutting its binding at the wrist. The bracer sputtered a purple flame before it lost its shiny luster and took on a dull black hue. Realizing that the piece was destroyed, Shade shook it free of his arm, allowing the ruined bracer to fall to the muck below.

"it is going to take more than a slit in my armor to defeat me, Ryushin Takedo." Shade announced. "Come, let me see what of yours I can destroy!"

They charged each other and after three clashing strikes, their blades locked for a third time. "You cannot defeat me with size alone, you stumbling oaf!" Ryushin shouted.

"Nor can you with your unrelenting wit!" Shade growled and planted his right fist directly into Ryushin's collarbone. Ryushin's whole arm went numb, but he kicked a foot out brutally, smashing into the Reaper's sword arm and sending it high. The two reeled in anguish, but recovered immediately and attacked, using their pain as propulsion as the blades veered at each other with full force. Shade swung down with his flamberge and Ryushin attacked upward and as the swords crashed together, there was a rippling explosion that blasted the entire landscape like a pounding earthquake. The vision of both warriors went a blinding white and it was many seconds before the ground settled beneath their feet. The light was slowly eaten away by the darkened sky and when sight returned to the warriors, Ryushin and Shade were horrified to see that their blades were still anchored in a stalemate.

For the moment, the thunder above had been silenced, leaving only the sound of pattering rain and the heavy breathing of the combatants. Takedo had a coppery taste in his mouth and he realized that he had bitten his tongue in the clash. He also noticed tiny drops of red appearing at the corners of Shade's eyes, an uncommon but not phenomenal side effect of releasing so much reiatsu. They both felt a moist, tepid sensation that was not the rain and the warriors looked down to their hands, gripped onto their weapons. Crimson rivulets ran down their fists and they jumped away from each other with alarmed expressions, finding that there were deep gashes in each of their hands.

Captain Ryushin removed his white robe and threw it to the side, preferring the stain of earth then blood on his garments. He then tore off the sleeves of his black robe, revealing black scythe tattoos on his arms. He used the cloth to bandage the lacerations on his hands, noticing that Shade had similarly tied off his injuries.

The two looked at each other with a newly found respect. They both knew that even though they had battled to a draw so far, the combatants would continue until one fell to the earth, unable to raise his head from the mud ever again. Yet they were still impressed with the other's skill and persistence, sensing the commonality together.

Even though it stung him to speak, Ryushin asked, "this item that you speak of, Reaper, was it truly stolen from you?"

"It was and we have spent an extended time seeking its whereabouts. My brother and I have tracked its possession to one of your fellow soul reapers." Shade declared.

"But it is just an item. To fight so ferociously, as if the lives of thousands depended upon you, for a man made object just sounds ludicrous." Takedo stated.

"This object is immensely significant and I now know that you have no idea of what I seek. A life actually is dependent upon the restoration of this artifact." Shade explained.

"What do you mean? What is this item?" the captain questioned, not with anger, but an uninformed curiosity. The Reaper breathed deeply, debating in whether he should reveal that information, finally deciding that it cost him nothing to do so if Ryushin was oblivious to its existence.

"A tome." he responded evenly.

"A tome? A book that can save a life?" Takedo inquired.

"It was created by a great priestess and given to my stepmother years ago. It is said that this tome contains a powerful spell of resurrection." Shade spoke.

Ryushin's body turned to ice as he heard his opponent's admission of his quest. His terrified eyes stared not at Shade the Reaper, but Amane Michiyo, his love's broken form at the base of Squad 4's headquarters. He saw Commander-General Nakashima's ancient face and his unwavering look as Ryushin had pleaded with a tear-stained face and a broken heart. In that moment, Takedo felt thirty years of pain, of emptiness, of a coldness that he had felt every night since then without Amane to wrap his arms around. She was dead and after his imprisonment, it had been a long time before life had any meaning to him. Now, with a simple sentence, Shade had stolen that little bit of purpose away from him.

In that tiny fraction of time, a slight breeze could have toppled Ryushin Takedo, but as the relentless pounding of thunder returned, so did his spirit, albeit altered. Instead of a look of misery and suffering, his eyes showed that of a building rage. Replacing the open hands of agony were fists of acrimony and his despondent stance had changed to an attitude of impending turbulence and destruction.

"I must retrieve this tome." Shade stated quickly, sensing the change in his opponent.

"I cannot allow that to happen!" Ryushin snapped back and a wind picked up, whipping around his body and soaring into the sky. "I will teach you the absurdity of this mission and it shall cost you your life!"

Shade appeared disappointed, but not surprised by Takedo's sudden change in emotion and the Reaper raised his sword to continue the fight.

"My zanpakuto has a name, Shade, and I am now not surprised that fate has issued this very battle. The name of my zanpakuto is Toukarite, meaning 'clashing reaper'." Ryushin explained. With that declaration, Shade felt a pulse emanate from Ryushin's sword, an entity that he had not senses earlier. "The form you see before you is Toukarite's closed form, but now I shall reveal to you its true name and shape."

The elements further worsened, sheets of rain pelting the combatants and bolts of lightning electrifying the air around them. The air became very heavy at that moment and for the first time since the battle had begun, Shade felt vulnerable.

Captain Takedo held his zanpakuto out before him with one hand. Passing the other hand over the blade, he roared, "now harvest, Shuuketsukarite, the Bleeding Scythe!" Before Shade's eyes, the weapon transformed into a large, double-bladed scythe. The long handle was wooden and sported two large notches in the middle that served as handles. At each end of the scythe, two massive vulture-like blades extended in different directions, one an icy blue and the other a fiery red. Ryushin handled this new weapon with ease and Shade had no doubt that the captain had used this form of the zanpakuto many times.

"This is shikai, the true form of my weapon. Now face Shuuketsukarite and learn who is the stronger reaper!"

Message Edited by DeaconPhenix on 08-13-2008 01:24 AM

[DeaconPhenix]

I tried to keep to the first names as best I could without making it sound repetitive. Hopefully it turned out better for y'all. Anyways, I'm on a roll and should have another chapter up by Thursday night at the latest, so let me know how it's going and enjoy the battle!