Guilt

The Day After Captain Kaiyo's Official Death.
3:00AM

Saroki tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. That damn scene kept playing out in her mind. The smoldering corpse of Kaiyo, it felt all too surreal. It happened so fast, and without warning. Saroki couldn't do anything to prevent it, and yet she felt partially responsible for her death. Saroki closed her eyes tightly, desperate to forget about the whole event. It took another hour of restlessness before Saroki fell asleep. The tired girl could feel darkness engulf her vision, and then a odd chill; The chill grew further untill it felt as though if she was freezing over. The complete blackness remained for at least a minute before Saroki started to come to her senses.

She could feel the surface she was now laying on, it was metal, and extremely cold. She could also feel a constant gust of wind hitting her. And this feeling, this odd -- yet familiar feeling. She knew where she was. 'This feeling...Is this...My inner world?' Saroki opened her eyes slowly, her vision hazy hazy and blurred. She looked around, her damaged vision made it nearly impossible to make out her surroundings; The girl stood up, rubbing her eyes. She looked around once more, this time her vision was clear. This was indeed her inner world. She had only visited it once before, and it was only for a brief moment. Saroki standed on a large metal platform, the only stable ground in the entire world; The platform was suspended in place by four thick chains. Saroki looked up at one of the chains, but it seemed to go on forever, that the chain never ended. She looked back down at the ground, hundreds of chains lying on the platform, and even more hanging from the bottom and sides.

'Where are they...?' She wondered, where was Akumu? Normally the two of them were seen near one of the edges of the platform. Saroki's thoughts were interuppted by a sudden gust of wind, it hit Saroki hard making her stumble slightly forward. She grunted slightly from the impact, she regained her composure and looked behind her. Nothing, what the hell was going on? She then started looking around the entire stadium, trying to identify the source of the wind. And then, it hit her again. But this time, it didn't stop; Suddenly the entire area around her was blasted with a non-stop torrent of wind, nearly flipping the whole metal platform upside-down. Saroki stumbled around like a idiot and eneded up tripping on a loose chain and falling down. The dizzy shinigami got back up immediatly, losing her footing a bit. The fierce winds were swirling all around the metal platform, and it was nearly impossible to stand still in one place for more than a moment.

Saroki grimaced, glancing around her surroundings. "Where are you?! I know you're there!" Saroki yelled out into the storm. The storm started to settle to a manageable level, the large metal stadium started to lose momentum, and after a few moments it was completely still. Saroki sighed with relief, but it only gave her minor comfort. Saroki examined her surroundings once more, nothing was to be seen. "How cocky." A voice shot out, it seemed to be a man, probably in his mid 30's from the sound of it. But there was also a distortion to the voice, a unusual ringing noise eminated from the voice itself. Saroki snapped her head in the direction from where the voice was coming from, There stood a huge knight dressed in black armor. He wore a crimson cape and full head mask. A giant claymore had been driven into the ground next to the knight. Saroki examined the knights person. It was almost overlooked, but Saroki found that the Knights left hand had been handcuffed and connected to a chain...A chain that lead, no where? The chain seemed to lay behind him, but why would he be wearing something so meaningless?

Saroki had no time to ponder this to herself, the Knight took a step forward. To Saroki this was all too weird, usually she had to concentrate and try to establish a connection with her zanpakuto before she could enter her inner world, which, in itself was quite difficult. Her zanpakuto were stubborn and were not all too fond of Saroki. But this time, they dragged her into her inner world! It was clear to Saroki now, this was her zanpakuto. Although she couldn't figure out what it wanted, did it wanted to teach her a technique? Or was it for more sinister purposes? The latter didn't seem possible, there was no reason...Saroki kept up her guard anyways, she took a wide stance, a determined expression on her face. "Please, theres no need to be so cautious, after all, we are your zanpakuto." The knight said with unexpected kindness. Saroki's mind was eased a bit, but at the same time it frightened her even more. Her zanpakuto hasn't explained a thing yet, and yet asking her to calm down. Was this a trap?

Saroki stared at the knight for a moment with a troubled expression; "Why is my inner world in turmoil..?" Saroki asked her zanpakuto. The winds picked up slightly. The constant gust started to make the metal platform sway a bit. The tall knight remained motionless, seemingly unphased by his surroundings. "Because you are in turmoil. And that is why we have brought you here..." The knight said once again with the same amount of emotionless. Saroki was confused by her zanpakutos words, she was in turmoil? She pondered for a moment. She didn't want to admit it, but, did Kaiyo's death throw not only her into chaos, but also her inner world and even her zanpakuto? She supposed it could be possible, after all a zanpakuto and a shinigami have a connection on a spiritual level. Saroki-san. If you continue down this path, you will surely perish. If you wish to change your path, you must overcome us, both in mental power, and physical power." He kept the same daunting pose. Saroki was surprised, shocked even. She couldn't believe what was happening.

She understood what the knight was implying, but she didn't know if she was correct, or if she even wanted to be correct. 'Does he mean for me to...Fight him?!' Saroki knew this day would come, but not that it would be so soon. Nor so straight forward. She clenched her teeth, she didn't like where this was going. "Your guilt is what will kill you. Abandon all of your guilt and anger, Saroki..." He said out loud, using the same authoritive voice. Saroki was starting to become frantic, she didn't know what to say, her body wouldn't move either. The windstorm grew more furious, and the metal platform started to sway in the wind. "You mean for me to...Forget Kaiyo-san?....No...No....No! I won't forget her!! She frowned for a moment, then sprouted a infuriated expression, she refused to forget her, no matter what her zanpakuto said. [color=orange]"You are weak, Saroki-san. You must strengthen your resolve. With force, if necessa-""Shut up! Stop acting as though you know what i'm feeling!" Saroki's face shot out with extreme rage, she was infuriated at her zanpakuto's lack of respect for her. The windstorms intensity sky rocketed to the point where thunder bolts started firing in the sky at random.

Saroki no longer cared for the dangerous enviormental condition, this was now a personal matter. The knight standing infront of Saroki stood there for a moment, silent. He sighed under his breath, "If you can't strengthen your will by yourself, I will help you." The knight said with distain, he then proceeded to grab the handle of his claymore, and rip it out of the ground. Saroki unsheathed her zanpakuto, she widened her stance and held her zanpakuto infront of her with both hands. She didn't bother reasoning with the knight, infact she wanted to fight him after what he just said. She wanted to prove that she didn't need to forget her loved ones in order to overcome her zanpakuto. She had to. The knight shunpoed infront of Saroki, attempting to cut Saroki in two from the chest. She was amazed at just how fast this man was, she gasped in reaction to his quick movements. Saroki ducked, she avoided the sword's edge by a hair. She looked up and smirked, launching herself forwards with her sword infront of her. She thrusted her sword forward, attempting to pierce the knight; He responded by side-stepping to the left, Saroki admitted he was fast, but his movements beyond shunpo was slower than her, he seemed almost sluggish in that bulky armor; Saroki planted her right foot down on the ground. She slid her feet to the left, turning herself towards the knight once more. She bursted forward with a plethora of reiatsu. This time she slashed downwards, not aiming anywhere particulary. She put more power into this swing as it substituted the absence of her left hand.

This time the knight merely held his sword infront of him sideways, it completely obstructed Saroki's swords path, not only that, but completely blocked it. She clenched her teeth tightly. He didn't even flinch, this battle was going to be tough. Saroki pushed her sword in his with as much power as she had. Again, he didn't even flinch. The knight chuckled under his breath, then pushing Saroki's sword back, she fell back from the recoil, and as she tried to regain her stance the knight shunpoed forward and thrusted his claymore down towards Saroki's stomach. Saroki shunpoed backwards, avoiding the lethal blow. Saroki held her sword infront of her once more, breathing heavy. "Tired?" He said with a hint of amusment; Saroki could feel her heart thump intensely. She was amazed at her zanpakuto's power and speed. 'To think that I am this weak in comparrison to him...' Saroki didn't give her opponent a chance to attack, she charged towards him, she raised her sword above her head. When she was in close range she brought the sword down as hard as she could, letting out a loud roar of power. Her sword clashed with her opponents sword, sparks flew everywhere as the two blades grinded against each other. Saroki was starting to wear down her opponent, and she knew it.

This man seemed to have monsterous strength, but he burnt through it far too quickly. Saroki sliced downwards, knocking the knights claymore back slightly. She took advantage of the recoil and flash stepped behind him. She smiled with confidence, then attempted to thrust her sword into the knights heart. "It's over!" She called out; She was certain she had beaten him, there was no way he could turn around in time, or even dodge. But somehow, the attack was blocked at the last second. As the tip of Saroki's blade pierced the armor of her opponent, something stopped it. It was as if some other force had blocked the attack. The knight just stood there, giving Saroki a chance to escape. Saroki pulled her sword out of the knights armor and shunpoed as far away as she could. She stopped at the opposite end of the large metal platform. Saroki regained her composure, she was sure that she landed a sucessful hit, but why? Why couldn't she hurt him? Was there another layer of armor? No, that would be impossible, she made it past the armor...

The knight turned around and faced Saroki. Resting his sword on his shoulder. A few moments past, Saroki was dumbfounded. Her attack was flawless, and she knew it. "Good grief, it's not like you to butt into a fight.." He said with amusment, you could almost see his smirk through the thick armor. "Well, I can't have you dieing now can I?" A mysterious voice could be heard clearly, making Saroki open her eyes wide. Saroki looked around, but she couldn't see this 'second person'.

The knight returned his focus to Saroki, giving a short laugh under his breath before pointing at her. "Confusing, isn't it?...This is Kumori...And I am Kishi." Saroki shifted her gaze to Kishi, listening to his words closely. A second person? But where was he? And how did he block Saroki's attack?...She didn't get a chance to devise a strategy. Kishi flash stepped infront of Saroki, bringing his claymore down towards Saroki's skull. Saroki crouched down and held her zanpakuto above her head; Both swords clashed with intensity, but this time Kishi's power had improved, at least doubled than the last time! Saroki struggled to keep the powerful sword from breaking her own sword. She was using both hands to block while Kishi was only using one to strike, this was insanity to Saroki; It seemed as if he was toying with her, creating false openings as if to test her strength.

Saroki groaned, she was starting to lose control of this battle, Kishi's strength was amazing, it was literally pushing her to her knees. "Don't think he's your only opponent.." Kumori said with a calm, but murderous voice. Saroki rolled to the left. She could feel as a blade grazed the left side of her mid-torso, but she dodged in time and avoided a crippling blow; Saroki jumped up into the air, hoping to buy herself at least a moment. 'That's right, i'm not fighting just one enemy...I'm fighting two, and ones invisible... Saroki examined Kishi, hoping that she would find at least one clue to the mystery that was Kumori. And then it hit her. The chain she saw earlier, that must've been the key to everything. The chain must've been attached to Kumori in some way; It was hardly a concrete theory, but it was worth a shot! Saroki tilted her torso forwards, causing her to flip upside down, she then created a wall of reiatsu over her feet. Her momentum pushed her up against the wall of reiatsu, and for a moment she was suspended in the air.

Saroki pushed her feet up, launching her down towards Kishi and Kumori; But as she flew downards she could feel a agressive reiatsu approach her rapidly, the two of them were flying up towards Saroki as fast as she was flying down. Within seconds the two opposing forces clashed. Saroki saw could see it, the chain that was on Kishi's right wrist was connected to Kumori's left wrist. This gave he a perfect advantage. She could feel as Kishi and Kumori's weapons flew towards her, she knew if she was hit by both of them she would be dead; It wasn't her strong suit, but she was going to try to evade. Saroki flash stepped two feet to her left, avoiding Kumori's weapon, she then grabbed Kishi's sword, the sharp edge cutting into her palm a bit, a bead of blood dropped from her hand. She sped by the two opponents. She stopped after she was under them. She jumped back up towards them, and before they knew what hit them, she grabbed the chain that binded the two.

Saroki then created a thick wall of reiatsu above her feet, causing Kishi and Kumori to slam into each other. Saroki then pushed off from the wall of reiatsu once more. She grinned and let out a laugh of completion. "Ha! I can't believe you fell for that!!" She yelled out. Kioshi tried to yank on the chain, but it was no use. They both were going down, the momentum they were being carried at was too great. It took a few moments before the real show started, Saroki knew if she stopped too close to the ground she would cause more damage to herself than she would to her enemies, but if she didn't pull back as late as possible she took the risk of having Kishi and Kumori escape her attack. But it would be likely that her attack wouldn't completely finish them off anyways, and if she took any damage it would mean losing an advantage, and right now she needed every last bit of strength she had.

Saroki attempted to create a platform of reiatsu beneath her feet, but she broke through it each time, she continued to create wall after wall untill she mannaged to come to a complete halt; After which she threw both Kishi and Kumori down towards the ground. The result was flawless. As soon as Kishi/Kumori made contact with the platform they were engulfed in a mass spiritual bomb. Spiritual energy shot everywhere, the impact was truly magnificent. Saroki landed gracefully on the ground far away from the blast impact. From it rose Kishi and Kumori, surprisingly they were on the verge of death it seemed, Saroki didn't think they'd be so easy to break. No, that attack landed perfectly, and could've been enough to even make a vasto lorde shake in his boots. This time Kumori was actually visible to Saroki, and needless to say, he was pretty scary looking. He was completely covered from head to toe in some weird black stuff, as if he was a shadow. He also wore tore up black robes, and carried a saw-like blade.

"I think it's time to finish this up, don't you think, Kumori-san?" "Yeah yeah, whatever."

The two of them started to concentrate their reiatsu, focusing it in their bodies. Kishi's reiatsu was white colored, and extremely bright. While Kumori's reiatsu was black and extremely violent. The two of them combined their reiatsu's to create one, devestating force; Saroki figured this would be their final attack for the battle..."Hmph, okay then." Saroki said, doing the same as them. Kishi and Kumori were both seriously injured, and Saroki knew if she poured all of her energy into this one attack, she had a good chance of besting them.

Saroki raised her zanpakuto high up into the air, focusing on this one final attack. 'Damn them...I'll beat them...I will, I have to. I'll show them that I have no weakness, and that I won't be defeated in combat if I continue this way. I won't abandon my heart in order to survive...'
"My friends. My family. They are what give me strength, not you, not myself. It is they who I fight for...And it is them...WHO I DRAW MY STRENGTH FROM!!!" Her eye's shined red, as if she now intended to kill her zanpakuto. She was ready; All of her strength, all of her willpower, all of her resolve poured into her body. She charged towards Kishi/Kumori as fast as she could, letting out a ferocious roar. In return, Kishi/Kumori charged towards Saroki, offering their own warcries. Saroki raised her zanpakuto above her head and quickly slashed downwards, her blade met with two others, each of them struggled to push the other too far; The whole world was covered in violent reiatsu, making everything either too dark to see, or too bright.

Saroki groaned and squeaked, she was struggling to win. While the other two did the same. A few moments past untill suddenly both of their reiatsu's faded. Each of them stood on the opposite side of the stadium, backs facing each other. Saroki's uniform had been mostly torn to shreds, and Kishi's armor had been scorched. The fight was over, but for as who won. That was unclear. Saroki kept a serious face, she knew she was beaten, but she also knew that her oponnents were beaten aswell. She kept good grip of her zanpakuto, refusing to lose, no matter how much her body told her to give in.

"Remember our name, Saroki-san."
"Remember our name, Saroki-san."

"Our name is..."
"Our name is..."



"Akumu."
"Akumu."




Saroki waked up suddenly, her clothes utterly soaked with sweat. She felt as though all of it was just a big nightmare, but she knew it was something more. Like she had gained some sort of new power, which she obviously welcomed with open arms. But she pondered, was it worth it? If she failed the battle would she have died?...Saroki wondered whether or not if communicating with her zanpakuto would always be this hard...She looked at the full moon through her window with a emotionless expression.




"Kaiyo-chan..."

END

Shikai

Zanpakutou Name

Akumu. (悪夢のような。) (Nightmare.)

Call out phrase

Zetsubou, Akumu. (絶望、悪夢。) (Despair, Nightmare.)


Description of released form

Upon releasing to Shikai, the blade's size doubles. in width and length. The blade extends to five feet; The small spikes covering the blade before, each extend four inches. The guard disappears, leaving a rather sharp piece of metal as the handle. Although, the handle is slightly rounded off at the corners, and is covered in a black bandage. A long piece of silver cloth is tied to the end of the handle; The cloth is a estimated two feet and five inches long. On the cloth is a drawing of a cherry blossom tree that stretches over the entire cloth, including the sides and the back. To add to the numerous changes, the sword becomes double-edged; The blade is split up into two colors, length-wise. The left side is white, and the right side is black. The darker side is razor-edged, while the brighter side is slightly dull. "生け贄に捧げる。" Is engraved in both sides of the blade. The spikes on the blade are pointed inwards, making it nearly impossible for an opponent to pull the sword out, if they are penetrated by it.

Abilities


Ability 1


Tou Of Sono Shitai. (ボディーの塔。) Tower Of The Body.

Upon using this ability, a huge, massive tower would rise from the ground to the right Saroki. The tower is seemed to be made with a mxture of steel and stone; The massive tower seems to be built in a Aztec style, it depict four terrifying faces near the top of the statue, and the lower portions are scratched and gashed. The bottom is firmly supported by ten stone spikes.

The first face, which is located at the front, depicts a angered face, enraged, and probally a bit insane. The second face, located on the left, represents anguish, and sadness. It feels the sting of defeat. The third face, located at the back of the tower, depicts a sinister face, it seems to be hiding something...Perhaps a secret? Or it's just overly confident. The fourth face, located on the right of the statue, depicts a serious face, it gives off a sense of resolution and completeness, it seems to be empowered.

Above the faces, however, is a tall stone spike, it is covered in metal shields, and only the tip of the spike is actually visible.

This tower cannot be destroyed by normal means. In order to destroy it, one must first destroy it's 'Augment'...The augment, is the power the tower bestows upon Saroki. Each towers power has a weakness. If you find the weakness, you can destroy the augment. And thus, destroy the tower.

The Tower Of The Body grants Saroki a mighty armour. It doesn't show itself as any materiel, instead, it takes the form of a thick, black reiatsu. It seems to have the properties of fire, but on a much smaller scale. The armour has two weak spots that are located on Saroki's body, an enemy must find and injure both parts on Saroki's body. If they do the armor will be broken, and the tower.

A player that is either equal or below Saroki in rank will have a extremely tough time in breaking the armour with brute force. And if they are higher in rank than her, still except some heavy resistance.

These are just some minor features of her armour, the real strength of the armour is it's ability to move around Saroki's body on a dime. The spiritual barrier can appear just about anywhere on her body in the blink of an eye. The spiritual energy she uses usually manifests itself near her forehead, or eyes, a constant stream of reiatsu is fed to it, constantly making it stronger and more durable as the battle goes on.

If the armor is destroyed by brute force, it can regenerate itself by drawing spirit energy from Saroki directly.

The tower can cast out five chains, the chains can reach a total radius of thirty feet all around the tower; Each chain is weeved from Saroki's reiatsu, and is super concentrated. The chains are equiped with razor sharp blades, one on each chain.

Saroki can control where these chains go. Although, these chain can only be used when all three towers have been summoned.

(This ability stays active for 10 posts, and has a 5 post cooldown.)

If the need arises, Saroki can choose to negate the tower right after summoning it, the negation destroy's the tower but gives her an additional +10 Fighting Skill. This statistic bonus only lasts for a certain amount of time, and has a cool-down aswell; Obviously, if she sacrafices the tower for the statistic bonus, she cannot use the towers abilities untill she summons it once more.

Same rules apply as before. --> (This ability stays active for 10 posts, and has a 5 post cooldown.)

Required Word Count: 200

Application Word Count: 3496

(This ability is abit godmoddy, but for this amount of work I put in I think this deserves to be much more powerful than the average shikai.)