Behind closed doors (solo)

The claws on his feet caused his footsteps echoed against the perfectly carved stone floors. Stratus hated this place. He care little for the finely crafted hallways or the huge arching ceiling. His distaste for the place rather came from the feeling he got. This place housed powerful beings. Stratus could feel the hairs on his neck standing straight up. He could feel there energy permeate the whole fortress. It was stifling. Their spiritual power was so overwhelming, and yet they were so small and human like. That's probably what annoyed him the most. They looked almost human and were many times superior. Not that he would admit aloud; but they frightened him. Small yet immensely powerful a cold chill pass through him as he looked upon the door that Moledale had entered minutes ago. They were all in there. The most fearsome beings he'd ever encountered. Silently he wished he could leave right then and there. Why had Moledale made him come? He had asked just that and the other hollow had said he felt better with an escort.
"Horse shit!" Stratus muttered, no pun intended. "I couldn't protect myself against them, how the hell would I protect him?" he snorted. He went back to pacing the floor with his arm crossed against his chest. Rei and Roun had gone missing before Moledale had made the announcement he was heading to the stronghold apparently. For some reason Stratus guessed that was no mere coincidence. The twin headed serpent probably hated this place as much as he did.

Stratus thoughts of exploring the area were quickly squashed when he noted other human looking creatures passing through the halls. All of them glared as the hollows as they made their way to the room. Moledale had told him that they were servants. Servants? So powerful and they were mere servants. Their power was nothing compared to those he had met in the dark room that day, but they still out classed him. Stratus really did hate this place. A gathering place of those much stronger than he. It was aggravating and infuriating every second he remained there. He really wished Moledale would hurry. There was a noise behind him as someone else joined him in the hallway. A hissing sound he could now identify as sonído. White clothing identified him as one of the arrancar that called this place home. A young looking man with black hair that barely reached past his ears. His uniform had long sleeves, the collar was open revealing his chest with a open hole in it. He wore gloves that matched his dark hair. On his hip hung what looked like a sword handle. Moledale had warned him to be careful in approaching anyone, but hadn’t told him what to do when someone approached him. He took an involuntary step backward.
“Hello there.” said the man. For all intents and purposes he looked human. The only clue to the contrary was the fragment of mask lining his jaw like a beard. It’s bottom edge looked like teeth. Giving the man the appearance that something was chewing on his head. “What brings you here?” The nice attitude wasn’t very comforting. Stratus could feel the both the power and the killing intent in the way the man held himself. Taking a deep breath he did everything he could to not take another step. As long as he stayed by the door this hollow won’t do anything. At least he hoped.
“I’m here as a guest.” he said slowly. “I’m part of the recon” Moledale had mentioned this before as why none touched him, perhaps it could help Stratus now.
“You’re with the reconnaissance?” The unnamed arrancar asked. Stratus hardly looked the part of someone that used stealth. The man rubbed his chin as he got closer. “You must be here to make a report, but why are you out here?” Stratus took a sharp intake of air. He had a point, but he couldn’t think of anything to say as he got closer. The man’s spiritual power was frightening he had to be releasing it on purpose. “Perhaps you have some information you can share?”
“It’s for you master’s ears only.” he said finally and the man’s face darkened slightly. Stratus wanted to kick himself for the poor choice of words.

“Master?” the arrancar hissed as his hand went to the sword as he continued his advance. Without realizing it Stratus had retreated until his back was touching the door leading to the meeting room. There was no where else for him go. The only other way out would be to run past the man. For some reason he doubted that would be possible. In one smooth motion the arrancar pulled his blade free and aimed it’s point at Stratus’ head. The hollow froze and stared at the sword’s edge. “I am my own master, it’s you that’s the dog. Isn’t that right?” the silver blade waved closer. It was a swiss degen, but such a fact was loss on Stratus as the other man’s oppressive aura paralyzed him. The point hovered a foot from his face and then came to rest against his armored chest. He wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but he watched as the edge easily dug into hard bone. “I said isn’t that right?” he said again more forcefully a the blade cut deeper. He could feel the metal touch against the flesh beneath. Slowly the sword cut into his body. He wanted to smack the hand away, but his body wouldn’t respond. Terror griped him even as the rage bubbled within.
“Ye…..yes.” he said through gritted teeth. The man smiled at him. A cruel smile that didn’t fit his face.
“Good boy.” was all he said and slowly pulled the blade back “Be sure and remember that.” There was a flare of spiritual power from behind the door and the man retreated and sheathed his sword. He gave a grin and small nod as he vanished from sight.
“I’ll remember.” Stratus muttered oblivious to the real reason the man retreated. The door behind him clicked and he moved away as the opened outward. Moledale trotted out first and looked at Stratus and then looked around the empty hallway.
“Something wrong?” he noticed that the other hollow had a glazed look in his eyes.
“Nothing.” came the response as he shook his head trying to clear it. There was the warm trickle of blood on his chest from where he had just been stabbed. To take his mind off it he looked towards the now open door. It was dark so he couldn‘t see that far into the room. But he could feel the spiritual pressures of those inside, one was moving towards them. A cloaked figure emerged from the room behind Moledale and the hollow moved to the said to let the person pass. Something was different about the spiritual power.
“Wait he feels like a shini_” Moledale’s tail whipped out and wrapped around Stratus’ mouth. The figure turned towards them. Their hood hid their face almost completely. One could barely see the bottom of their chin. The figure raised their hand and press an index finger against their lips.
“Shhhhhhhhh.”came from the figure. They then turned and walked away. Moledale removed his tail and Stratus only stared after the strange person.
“Come on boy, we got work to do.” The horse headed after the hooded figure, but then took a right turn. Work ? Stratus had no idea what was going on.