Fourth chapter. When it becomes obvious that the American Captains are overpowered.
Chapter Four – Glimpses
Jake Johannsen
The 8th division was all over the place.
Every soul who saw Figetti up to one week prior to the incident was thoroughly interrogated. I especially hated being probed by this latino's Soulcutter. When you have the power to see through the lies, becoming Lieutenant of the Justice Division was a piece of cake.
Of course, I had nothing to hide. It would just have been nice if I hadn't had to tell about the Onion Outbreak.
Which is completely unrelated to the case at hand.
Don't even ask.
_Well, said the Captain of the 8th. Nothing seems to show that the incident was directly imputable to your Division.
Angela Schuler was a normal woman, at least when she was working. In her free time, she becomes as much as a nutjob as all the others. Thankfully, she's usually alone when in that state.
_Thank you Angie, It was kinda hard to remain cool with all these people !
_No problem, Sarah. I'll be leaving now. Just write me a report on Figetti, his powers and his usual behavior.
Schuler left her seat, and prepared to leave with her men. I finally dared to ask the difficult question.
_Captain Schuler, do you know who discovered Figetti when...it happened ?
_Of course. A member of the 2nd Division, Emily Gardner. Figetti's girlfriend. She was hurt in the event, but not affected by whatever happened.
_Thank you, Captain.
It was hard to say "Hollowification". The worst thing that could happen to a Reaper, something belonging only to the realm of nightmares, was happening. And we had to discover why as fast as possible.
_Captain Hunter, said I when the 8th had left. I'll go to the 2nd Division quarters. I know this Emily.
_Do what you want, Jakie.
Western gates of the Soul Fortress
The strange Captain of the 9th Division, Z, was looking at the legion of Hollows.
Well, was probably looking, at least, because his eyes don't show up through his mask.
_You're sure you don't want us to go with you ? Asked the guards.
_I'll be fine, thank you.
The Captain jumped down the wall, alerting all the Hollows nearby. Seemingly unconcerned by this, Z just began to walk calmly.
_Get him ! Yelled the Adjucha overseeing the gate. Immediately, all the lesser Hollows obeyed the command and charged.
Without any change in his posture, Z just said :
_Flow, Mercurial Ghost.
The Release did not make any fireworks, and the Soulcutter, still at the waist of the leather-clad Captain, remained unchanged.
The attacking Hollows did not think twice about it, and all attacked the Reaper together. Only to stumble miserably behind him, much like someone trying to walk on an imaginary step at the top of a staircase.
Z, still walking, was unaffected. In fact, he did had been struck, but his body seemed to flow, slower and slower, like water going back to its calm state after a stone fell in it.
_What the...Growled the Adjucha.
The monster decided to take the matter into his own hands, and fired a powerful Cero at the annoying Reaper.
The middle of his body was blown away by the powerful energy ray, but in the end, the result was the same. In a liquid-like motion, everything got back in place.
_How troublesome, said Z in his monotone voice. I'm just out there for a stroll. I don't mind being attacked, but maybe you would want to spare your energy.
_You're pissing me off, Reaper, you know that ?
_Yes, it's a common reaction around me.
The Adjucha attacked the Reaper again, but to no avail. Even the most powerful punishment was not affecting Z in the slightest.
_I told you, I don't mind being attacked. But I am inconvenienced by the ruckus you're making. Please stop.
_Oh yeah ? So why don't you make me stop, you Reaper freak ?
_You know, I'm not all that strong. But I still became a captain because my Release makes me in-vin-ci-ble.
_Stop joking around, nobody's invincible.
_If you say so. Prove me wrong, then.
The enraged shout of the Hollow covered the quiet, regular footsteps of the unbreakable Captain.
Jake Johannsen
The interview with Gardner had been instructive.
She told me she was just visiting Leo in his house, as she was passing by. He was perfectly fine, but a little busy with paperwork. He let her stay nonetheless.
Emily waited outside his office while he finished his work. At some point, she heard him swear. Nothing out of the ordinary though, probably just a mistake he made. Several minutes later, he came out, invited her to the theater, and they went out.
As they were walking in the streets, Leo was still perfectly okay. It was at a crossroads that he suddenly acted as if he was in pain. He fell on his knees, threw up and, you guess it, became a Hollow on the spot. It didn't took very long, maybe 20 seconds. But at the end, he was larger, less human-like, and had a mask looking like a lion. Seems like he turned into an Adjucha.
There was 5 people at these crossroads, including Emily. Leo went batshit and attacked four of them. Emily lost an arm, and the other two almost died, if it wasn't for a nearby patrol who attacked him right away. He flashstepped away and went past the walls in no time.
Well, flashstepped. Maybe I should use "sonido'ed" even if I don't know the difference. If there's one, anyway.
Fuck it. Leo was a good friend, I met him on the way from Europe to America, when the local Reaper base was turned into the gigantic Soul Fortress. He was a strong, bold, yet friendly type of person.
I swear I'll kill whoever is responsible of this.
The Field of Souls
_Stop that, he's right, you can't even scratch him.
The Adjucha stopped his assault, Z stopped walking.
_Here you are, said the electronic voice.
The Hollow that had been Leonard Figetti was sitting on a stone, looking quietly at Z.
He looked like a big feline humanoid, with a certain nobility. Most Hollows look feral, but it wasn't the case for him. A huge hole in the middle of his chest made his new nature clear.
_I figured they would send you. To you, being knee deep in Hollows doesn't mean shit.
_Actually I decided to come on my own accord. The others seem more interested in finding what happened to you. Would you mind telling me ? Of course I can't order you anymore...
_Damn right you can't. The closest of the head Reapers to be able to squeeze that info out of me is Johannsen, and even him hasn't the slightest chance.
_Pity. Talking about our Dane friend, he was quite passionate in defending your integrity as a Reaper.
_Whoop-dee-doo. He's no longer my friend. And maybe I was a good Reaper, but it's history.
_I wouldn't doubt about it. Actually, you look in pretty good shape. You must have a good standing among your new friends.
_Yeah, you could say that.
_Well, I'll be going back. I'll transmit your non-regards to your former Lieutenant.
_Good Riddance, Z. And tell him that the Onion Outbreak is already a popular story among Hollows. Isn't it guys ?
A wave of approbation rose among the swarm of monsters. Z was already walking back to the Soul Fortress.
As he was getting near, Z saw a wounded Reaper. 5th Division, according to his badge.
_Ah...Captain Z ! Thank god you're here...
The leather-clad Captain walked by, not paying any attention.
_Ca...Captain ! Pleaded the Reaper.
_You're not from my Division, and I'm not from the 2nd. Wait for them to come.
The wounded was about to insult Z, but refrained himself. Moments later, someone flashtepped between the two Reapers.
_Oh, hello David, said Z. We were talking about you.
The Captain of the 2nd Division was a handsome man with long black hair. Not a very original look, but still effective.
_You should be ashamed, Z ! In grim times like these, every Reaper should help his kind !
_Should, not must.
David Miller was furious, but he didn't have the time to argue. Delighted to have two captains in sight, a bunch of Hollows, followed by a Gillian, were charging.
_Ah, the hell with this ! Reveal yourself to hide, Nightfall's Dark Crescent !
His black rapier turned into a great, beautiful scythe. He flashtepped into the group of Hollows, and all took them down in a few strikes.
The incapped Reaper shouted.
_Captain Miller ! Cero !
The Captain of the healers looked back. The Cero was almost ready. Unusually fast. He made another flashtep to the young reaper, and struck the air with his scythe. His Soulcutter had the power to quickly create portals to the intermediate dimension between the spirit and human worlds.
By the time the Cero reached them, Miller and the 5th Division reaper were gone.
They reappeared on top of the walls.
_Thank you, captain Miller...
_No need. You will be transported to my Division now. But there's...
The long haired Reaper turned around to see the Menos Grande, but froze when he saw one of his colleagues right in front of him, facing the monstrosity.
A Reaper with a black and white long coat, and a broad-brimmed hat.
_Thanks for saving one of my boys, David. I'll take it from here.
A hundred meters from the wall, the Gillian saw this newcomer, and set its eyes on him, rather than the annoying one calmly walking at its feet.
The western-movie-styled Captain began an incantation.
_Kings of unspoken legends, tyrants of the great unknown, awaken now and look down on this world ! Scorn those who can't fathom your might with an endless yet fleeting hellish gaze ! Ninetieth Demon Art technique, Black Coffin !
The gigantic Hollow was, in a second, encased in a black rectangular box. There was a loud sound, and spikes appeared on all sides of the box. When it faded, the Menos Grande was already vanishing.
_That's Captain Maverick for you ! Said, proudly, the 5th Division member.
The said Captain smiled while adjusting his hat. A well-cut mustache decorated his forty-year-old face.
_Always a pleasure.
Then he left. Stunts like these were good for the troop's morale, as well as for his own enjoyment. Of course, the Black Coffin, a very high level spell still banished in most countries, was by far powerful enough to be lethal with an incantation bypass, but who needs walls if you can't take the time to chant the full spell ?
Still on his rock, the Hollowed Figetti smirked. You can't get more exciting opponents than the Reapers of the Soul Fortress.
Too bad they were already doomed.
