God Yet Lives

"Oh good, just what I had planned for Christmas." Noct said, taking a bite of cake.

L"I have worse news. They're going to want you guys to experiment with breathing in the Hell Miasma. In all likelihood, Senthose probably left some at your house while you were away."

E"Why? What does it do?"

L"Well, it releases hidden powers, but it's also quite oppressive. It can cause choking sensations, fatigue, & burning sensations. We hope it's possible to get used to it."

"Ah, so nothing too serious then," Noct said, taking another bite, "I'm assuming Hell is caked with this miasma then, so it isn't just about getting used to it, but getting used to fighting in it."

Astarte glanced at Mortal with a hint of amusement dancing across her features.
"If you've ever been deep into the Menos Forest before, you have seen my home," she said, peering into the dark and keeping an eye out for any hollows bold enough to approach them all. "I find caves in quiet places, then move after a few days."

Enkidu smiled slightly and took in the concentrated miasma.

"How about I just make you come here!?" Kujaku points as the diffused energy from before is scattered into thin, narrow, and absurdly sharp beams of energy that tear through the forest bisecting numerous trees.

"My fullbring's power, diffusin' and dispersin' energy, no reishi based attack will reach me. If ya want me to see how strong ya are then bare your fangs and strike!"

---

Whenever I'm alone like this I always seems to have bad memories. I never heard of an arrancar having trouble with their release but... I've also never heard of one remembering their past lives. So which Yue is the real one? The enchained crimson beast? Or the freed white beast?

Netzach<OH! I told you I'd get him to do it! Now say it.>

*Malkuth sighs.*

Netzach<Say it!>

Malkuth<..."I'm dumb.">

*Enkidu collapses with a searing pain in his stomach & chest. He's having great difficulty breathing, spitting up some blood.*

Netzach<Yeah...that'll happen. Good news, if it works, that'll go away & you'll gain greater power. Bad news, if it fails...well, you don't want it to fail, that's the point.>

*Malkuth opens a Garganta to some place red & flame-y.*

Netzach<If you have any last-minute things to say to us, I suggest you get them off your chest.>
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L"I suppose so. But considering all of us at this table are part-Hollow, I think that is the operative concern at the moment."
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*There is no answer. Just the sound of hissing from deeper in the forest.*
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*Soi Fon climbs out of bed & starts for the door.*

Yoruichi<There's one more thing we should discuss before we go to see the Head Captain. One of the invaders, he called himself Netzach...not only did he battle me to a standstill, but...he had Shunko.>

*Soi Fon's eyes widen, then relax.*

Soi Fon<Well...that's a little insulting, but I guess it's not unreasonable that someone could stumble upon a degenerate form of-->

Yoruichi<It wasn't incomplete. In fact, it wasn't even possible. He could make it curve, or zig-zag, form into Reitsu-seeking balls...it's like he had complete control over the form & movement of it, even when it was separated from him. I don't even know what we're dealing with...I've been exposing myself to the Hell Miasma 24/7 & I still haven't noticed a change in my Shunko.>

Enkidu lifted his face to the two before they could leave and smiled broadly despite the pain that wracked his body. It was an ugly smile- his teeth were stained with blood and his chin ran with red fluid.
"You'll be seeing me again.. soon!" He forced the words out before his smile twisted and contorted into an expression of bitterness and pain.
"Real soon!" He spat before dropping his face back into the sand.

I'm hungry.
Astarte realized suddenly that she hadn't fed for nearly two days, and wanted something to eat.

"Fuckin' coward"

---

I need to find it... the strength... not just physical strength or raw power. No. I need to find the kernel of power inside me and unlock it. Yue breathed in more of the miasma.

Mortal gave Astarte a small nudge, "Hey you listening to me?"

--

"So, how drastic are these changes in power. Should I assume something along the lines of what I already have, or am I going to get a Firaga out of this?"

"Okay..."

*Slowly she moves out from behind Venezuela.*

*Aera flashsteps next to Iris and sits down.*

Aera: <I call dibs on the fatal blow on the next Soul Reaper. But nice job.>

Iris: <Haha. I'll try to remember that, thanks.>

*Iris smiles and then looks at his wound and groans in pain.*

Iris: <He really did a number on me before he went, though...>

L"I don't know what that is. Also, I'm not sure."
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*Urahara opens the cage & fans some of the miasma in Taiyo's face. Apart from smelling really bad & making her eyes water, soon she finds her Hollow Mask forming in front of her face.*
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Netzach<Cool story, bro.>

*He literally hops into the Garganta, which closes once they're both inside.*

Yue is training.

---

The brothers go deeper into the forest.

*Aera looks at his wound and frowns, ice forming on it.*

Aera: <That should slow down the bleeding for now... But we should find somebody who can fix you.>

*Aera stands up and looks around.*

Aera: <Let's go find that twit Yue. He has... connections. I really don't feel like asking enemies for help again.>

=====

*Kite is at his barracks, recovering from all of the treatments and surgery or whatever.*

Kite: <(I can't remember what happened... Did I get him?)>

*Iris goes into shock for a few seconds, ice stuck on his stomach 'n all. Then he gets up and sighs.*

Iris: <Where might he be, then?>

*Taiyo begins to back off as the mask forms. A freak out is probably not far.*

*Aera points towards the horizon and maintains that stance for a minute. Then, she sighs and brings her finger down, tearing space apart to open a Garganta.*

Aera: <Back to Hueco Mundo, I guess.>

*She uses her hands to give impulse and leap off of the building into the Garganta.*

Iris: <Alright. Right behind ya!>

*Iris goes over to get his coats that he threw off during battle, and then jumps through as well.*

*Urahara stabs her in the face. But only deep enough to break the mask apart.*

Urahara<Okay. That was informative. Also, please remove your Zanpakuto from my crotch.>

*Taiyo realizes that sometime during this exchange, she tried to stab him.*
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*Once they get deeper into the forest, several trees fall behind them, blocking their path. This part of the forest is very dark & overgrown. The dozens of giant snake skins hanging down from the trees don't help. There are also a couple of stray cats curled up in a bush in the corner.*

<You say my Cero won't hit you? Unfortunate for you, then, that the Cero is not my only attack. I'm not like that primative monkey. For starters...I'm much faster!>

*Several of the branches around the area move. Then green liquid starts dripping down from the snake skins' mouthes, burning rocks on the ground below.*

<And did I mention the deadly acid? Because that is sort of important.>

*She removes the sword and drops it.*

"Sorry!"

*Once there, Aera looks around as the Garganta closes behind them.*

Aera: <How good's your Pesquisa? He can't be far.>

Iris: <Well, I don't wanna brag, but...>

*Iris shrugs.*

Iris: <Might be better if I left it up to you.>

Kujaku simply smiles, "Yer acid is based on reishi isn't it? Then it still won't work. Whether its fire, flames, ice, water, wind, or sound, so long as ya use reishi to create it my sword samurai x can cut right through!"

Aera: <I figured. Let's see...>

*A giant ice obelisk bursts from the ground beneath them, raising them into the sky.*

Aera: <This is probably a bad way of doing it, but I've found that it works rather well. It also uses a ridiculous amount of energy, so don't let your guard down.>

*She puts her palms together and the gauntlets acquire a faint black aura. She closes her eyes and reflects bits of her own energy outwards all around from the obelisk, aiming to sense other people's spiritual energy.*