Release (solo)

The only sounds Arawn heard was his footfalls on the floor and heartbeat in his ears. It was dark, but he ran as fast as could. It was only a matter or time before he stumbled then fell. As he got up he could hear the sounds of his pursuers shouting at each other. The small lead he had quickly vanished, they had caught up to him. It didn't help that he didn't know where he was going. Everything looked the same, and he couldn't remember anything of his trip there. His hands were sweating and each breath labored. He had only been running for a couple of seconds and was already winded. It felt like his legs would give out from beneath him any second now. If only he could rest. But the two men weren't about to allow this. They were right behind him. Getting too his feet took longer than expected as his captors came came around the corner. The only thing keeping him upright was the rush of energy coming from the zanpukto in his hand. The golden weapon hardly sparkled as it often did when he handled it. Instead of feeding it his reiryoku he was drawing on it's power to fight. Honestly he didn't expect it to work at all. Lucky for him it did. With it's help he was able to fight his captors. Now only two men stood in the way of him and freedom. Yet like adrenaline he could already feel the effects of the weapon's power start to ebb. The longer the fight went on the worst off he would be. Even now he barely had enough energy to defend himself from their joint assault. If he didn't do something soon, he'd be captured. Arawn seriously doubted he would get another chance like this again. He had to do something. I guess I have no other choice. He said to himself. His right hand twirled the blade in a series of circles in front of him. With each spin he pulled more and more energy. The two men in front of him twitched with each rotation of the golden blade. Neither of them wanted to advance in the face of the wild swinging. Still they had strength in numbers over the weakened shingami. The one in the rear took a slight step back. Finally the spinning stopped and he held the sword flat across his left wrist. "Ban.....kai!"

76 hours ago

Floating. Probably the most relaxing sensation for Arawn among the many tests he'd preformed in the last few days. This wasn't his inner world it was Seireitei. More specifically it was inside Mik's special chamber. Although the gray man hadn't come up with a name for it, Arawn now referred to it as the White room. Mik didn't like it because it was too simple. Of course not, but it was a white room, so Arawn saw little problem with the working title. Right now he made the chamber into his own personal anti-gravity chamber. As hovered in the air below him was his zanpukto. The golden blade's tip had been stabbed into the ground. Long ago Arawn had learned that the blade's power spreads as long as it remains in contact with an object. Of course in a fight it rarely touches anything for more than a second or two. It's ability was less pronounced when he wasn't controlling it's energies. It had taken nearly twenty minutes to create the area that was suspending him above the ground. While it was similar to his inner world in the fact he was floating it wasn't quite the same. He could feel some weight to his body. Just hours earlier he had tried once again to pull his zanpukto spirit forth. This attempt involved using his shikai rather than the sealed blade. No reaction in the slightest. Eventually things had evolved into the present situation. Eyes closed he drifted. Those in the control booth thought he was mediating, but in truth he was sleeping. It was a rather relaxing posture. Still despite the comfort his mind was fixated on his weapon and the inability to summon his spirit forth. The dreamless sleep only gave him time to dwell on the matter. He wasn't inside the blade, but in his own head trying to figure what he was doing wrong. Talking to the beast hadn't worked. In fact it seemed like the dragon had become less responsive to him since this all began. Which made sense. The purpose of the room was to draw the creature forth against it's will. Not exactly something that would set well with the noble creature. Arawn snorted. Noble indeed. The thing had an ego to match it's massive size. Arawn's eyes snapped open and he gazed up at the high ceiling. If he did manage to bring forth Huang Long would he even fit? The dragon always seemed so huge. Bringing the spirit might just destroy the room and bury them both. Arawn smiled and shifted his body. Slowly he spun in the air until he was staring at the ground. Focusing his energy he kicked off the air sending himself downward. Arawn's hand grasped his zanpukto. It only took a second to reverse the flow. He positioned himself vertically. For a moment he continued to hang in the air until he feet dropped. "Let's call it a day, guys." He shouted. The room wasn't even running, he could leave at any time. Still he thought it was proper for him to tell them he was done.
Arawn tucked the weapon back into his sheath at his hip. Another day wasted, he might as well get some training in before the day ended.

With sword in hand he left the wondrous chamber and proceeded to the elevator. A long ride later he emerged from the booth and made a bee line for his office. He figured to do one final check on his work before heading out. Sure enough everything was just as he had left it. Thankfully no one had entered the room and wrecked things. It had happened once by accident, then he had installed a new kind of lock on the door. His exodus from the 12 squadron barracks was completed moments later. Arawn gave a sigh as he breathed in the fresh air as the sunlight warmed his face. Rare was it for him to see daylight during his regular work schedule. He stretched his arms over his head. After the midair nap he felt some what recharged. Arawn was already on his way out of Seireiti towards Rukongai. It had been many weeks since he had visited his master. While it was true he had been very busy of late, the truth was that since his attempts to unlock Bankai he'd made fewer visits. He didn't want Master Sung from helping him. The man had already done so much for him. If he was to unlock this weapon he wanted to do it on his own. Well so to speak. He was getting help from Mik and Bryce, but essentially he was doing it himself. The red haired shinigami didn't dwell on the matter long as he continued his long trek. It was some distance til he would reach the mountain stronghold that he normally trained. He wondered if he should have sent word to Master Sung before visiting. No. Chances were the man already knew. In the past the old man seemed to know any and everything that happened to Arawn. At first he thought Yuki was spying on him or something, but despite his best efforts he never caught her snooping. His lack of detecting spiritual power aside, he could figure how she could sneak up on him inside the 12th barracks without being seen. Even Bryce's cameras came up with nothing.

So deep in thought was the Arawn that he hadn't noticed that he'd left Seireitei gate and was halfway though the first district. He moved on auto-pilot. It was a journey he had made many times before. The streets so familiar to him that he could probably navigate them blind folded. Not a wise idea, but not completely impossible. Still it did help that he was wearing his shinigami uniform. That alone made most the residents move out of his way. Everyone feared or respected shingiami enough to give them space. So the sea of people parted just enough for Arawn to advance toward his destination. Some people waved and smiled even though the man didn't respond. He didn't mean them any disrespect, but he was too rapt in thought to reply. After awhile the number of people lessened as he cleared the markets and entered the edge of the district. In the past such a trip would have already have him winded. Oddly enough he didn't even feel the slightest bit tired. It would seem all of his training had some effect. Although he wasn't rippling with muscles he was surprising fit. His stamina had increased significantly. Again he wished to thank Master Sung for his guidance. The many sessions and workout had paid off. All the more reason for his visiting the older man. For a moment he considered asking the man for advice about his zanpukto. Did the old man know anything about zanpukto? As a master of martial arts it seemed doubtful. Yet his wife seemed quite adept at swordplay, but as far as Arawn remembered she didn't seem to use a zanpukto either. Skillful swordsmanship without a special weapon. One could wonder what she could do with such a weapon. He looked a the sword on his hip. At one point Huang Long had requested to spend time with the woman. Why would he do such a thing? The obvious answer was he enjoyed the woman's company. But to what end? He rather not think about it. After all what could a sword do with a woman? Again he told himself not to think about it.