Ireallyhate it when they run.
The owl Adjucha had flown out into the open desert, chasing after a large, slender Hollow that dove in and out of the sand like a fish. Normally she would not stray more than a mile and a half from her perch, but this Hollow's spirit energy had smelled too delicious to let it slip away. Plus, a Hollow that size would be enough to keep her sated for a long time. So here she was, at least five miles away from her beloved tree and trying to time her descent, as the other Hollow would resurface at the most random of intervals. In all honesty, it was annoying her to the point that she wanted to give up on it, but her stubborn streak overrode her annoyance and she continued her pursuit, opening her talons as she prepared to strike. She closed her eyes as soon as she saw it dive beneath the surface, taking a breath. She let her pesquisa take over as she calmly glided lower and then abruptly set herself in a dive.
Just as she leveled herself a couple meters above the ground, the Hollow burst from the sand and her eyes snapped open. It was a bit larger than she had anticipated up close, she noted, but that did not stop her from dragging her talons across its face. It thrashed wildly at the pain, its body landing on the sand with a thud. It wriggled awkwardly and screamed, doing little beyond that. For all of its girth, it was nothing but a dumb beast and the huntress decided to end its miserable existence with a slash to the throat. It was the merciful thing to do. She watched it writhe frantically and then slump into the ground, blood spilling from its lifeless corpse. The owl landed beside it, leaning down to tear a hunk of its flesh out. It tastes just as good as it smelled, she thought with a contented sigh.
"That was a very impressive technique."
After years of listening to her own voice as she patted herself on the back for her various victories, she knew for a fact that this voice did not belong to her. Her head turned a near one-hundred-eighty degrees and she was kicking herself for suddenly becoming prey instead of predator. How had she not sensed any incoming spiritual pressure? Then again, she had been reasonably distracted by her meal and this Hollow was Vasto Lorde-class.
She stared unblinkingly at the unwelcome female standing on a nearby dune, silently sizing her up. She had a decidedly more humanoid shape than most of the Hollows the owl had seen of late, a shock of blonde hair peeking out of the top of her head. The little bit of skin that could be seen was a deep tan and aqua eyes stared back at the Adjucha just as intently. The rest of her body was covered with bones that took the shape of a shark, even going up so far as to cover her mouth and encase her left arm in a large blade. The owl knew that, theoretically, she had the advantage in size, but she also knew better than to underestimate someone that had managed to sneak up on her so easily.
"And who might you be?" she finally asked after giving the Vasto Lorde another sweeping glance, her cheerful tone in complete contrast to her blank expression.
The one in question slid down the dune and took a few steps forward, causing the owl's eyes to narrow in suspicion, a reaction that was obviously noted because the blonde stopped just a little ways away from her. "My name," she began, her voice gentle, yet authoritative, "Is Tier Harribel. Do you have a name?"
"Of course I do. Doesn't everyone?" The owl scoffed and tilted her head in annoyance, sticking one foot's talons through her kill to keep it firmly pinned beneath her. "It's Katalina Tarumi."
Harribel shook her head at the Adjucha's actions. "There is no need for that. I have no interest in robbing you of what is yours." She had to bite back a sigh when the owl, Katalina, tore another chunk of the fallen Hollow's flesh off and shoved the bloody piece into her mouth. "There is also no need for you to kill in order to strengthen yourself."
Katalina looked at the blonde again, this time turning her body completely to regard her. "Clearly you have forgotten where you are living. There is a very simple law: you kill or you will be killed. It's the strong that survive," She said with a huff, again the sweet tone clashing with the acidity of her words. "A fact that you should know well, Vasto Lorde."
"I am well aware of this." Harribel continued, putting her uncovered hand on her hip. "However, I realized some time ago that it is possible to become stronger without having to kill and consume the strength of others."
"Is there a point to this conversation?" Katalina nearly sighed; she wanted to continue her meal lecture-free.
Harribel's eyebrows seemed to lower over her already serious eyes. "As I said before, it is possible to become stronger without consuming other Hollows. I also know that my own strength is not always enough, but the combined strength of a team could overpower any opponent." She explained, strongly resisting the urge to smack the flesh from the Adjucha's talons.
Katalina was deliberately maintaining eye contact with Harribel as she consumed her kill and deliberately let the blood run down her plumage, knowing full well that it was probably irritating the Vasto Lorde. That was the penalty for interrupting her dinner. "I see where this is going," she blinked her bright red eyes as she replied, "And I'm not even remotely interested." Harribel's eyebrows rose sharply in response, bringing a twittering giggle from Katalina. "Look, Vasto Lorde, it is in my very nature to be solitary and I must say I prefer it that way."
Harribel's brows slid back down over her eyes, which were narrowing in annoyance. "Katalina, I'm telling you this for your own good." She gestured beyond the dunes. "I have two other companions with me, strong female Adjuchas like yourself. Strength in numbers is key." She lowered her hand to her hip again. "After all, females are considered a target for other Hollows."
Katalina snorted. "Well, I'll just have to prove them wrong, won't I?"
Harribel frowned, not that it was visible beneath her armor, watching as the owl opened her large wings. "You do realize you've made yourself easy prey right? You may not live to regret it."
"They couldn't make me prey if they tried."
And with a beat of her wings, she was airborne, gliding off into the night. Harribel watched her go and shook her head, making her way back to her own home. Foolish child... She's opted for her own destruction…