Ch 21: Painting of Ruin and Broken Lines
The remaining hollow stopped, waiting to see what I would do. Then one broke and attacked, lunging from the others with more speed than his huge body should have allowed. This one had spikes lining his back and arms, with fur on his legs. I held my ground as he got close, then sliced him in half when he got within reach.
"That was easy." I thought to myself.
The other hollow were being more cautious now. I watched as they fidgeted among themselves, not sure what to do. The two Adjuchas, one that looked like a bipedal slug and the other that looked like it was a wolf, coaxed the other hollow into a frenzy and they began to howl.
I took a deep breath and held my sword at the ready. "My canvas fade to grey, Koshouku (Faded color)"
My zanpakuto extended, growing larger and thicker. It became a giant calligraphy brush. I held it at the ready as the two Adjuchas laughed.
"A brush?" one of them said, a deep guttural laugh.
A single hollow burst from the group, howling madly. I stepped to the side and brought my brush up, painting the kanji for fire on it's mask.
"Fire Seal. Kai!" I yelled, activating the attack. The mark exploded, taking the hollows face with it.
While the others were distracted, I painted the kanji for water on the ceiling and the kanji for earth on the ground.
"Earth Seal. Kai!" I activated the earth seal, sending the ground itself at the hollow in a line of spikes eliminating the last of the regular hollow.
The slug Adjuchas opened his mouth and a cero lanced out at me.
"Water Seal. Kai!" I said hurriedly. A gush of water fell from the ceiling, negating the cero.
The two Adjuchas were the only ones left. They glanced at each other, then they opened a garganta and fled. The hall was empty.
"Maria. The Nexus is safe for now. The guards are dead though. Inform the Lieutenant that we need reinforcements." I ordered.
"Understood ma'am." she paused as she relayed the orders. "He's sending 3rd seat Sasumi along with 6th seat Kenton."
"Understood." I answered.
I stood watch at the entranceway as I waited for the reinforcements. I listened to the information that was being sent out by Maria. She was doing her job perfectly. From what I heard, central had been evacuated and Captain General Yamamoto was there guarding it personally. Tobias and Captain Shino were aiding Captain Hirako at point A15. Captain Mugurame was going ballistic at point A9. And the Hollow were still coming. The 4th division was stretched thin with all the wounded.
"Maria. Tell everyone to pull towards the center of Seireitei. With how far they're extended, they're making it hard for the 4th division to keep casualties low." I ordered. Maria did as she was told.
When Sasumi and Kenton had arrived with a dozen other Shinigami, I sealed my zanpakuto and went back to the Nexus.
"Oh my god." I whispered as I saw the display.
There were over ten thousand Hollow pouring into Seireitei. Then the room began to quake!
"What's going on!?" I demanded.
"We've been hit with a cero! The shielding is still standing but the Menos are focusing their attacks here!" I was informed.
"Dammit!" I cried, trying to think of what to do.
The room shook again as I made my decision.
"Everyone! Evacuate immediately! I want all of you to aid the 4th division in bringing back the injured! The Nexus will fall! Go now!" I ordered, my voice rising to a shriek.
Everyone stared at me.
"Ma'am." Maria said.
"Go. Please. I won't stay long." I reassured her. I wasn't planning on suicide.
They all filed out slowly, casting me glances. The room was shaking and I could practically see the shielding melting away. When everyone was gone, I scanned the terminal and took in the information.
"This message is to all personnel. The Nexus has fallen. The Menos are focusing their attacks here. Possibly this was their goal. As of now, all Shinigami captains are to act as they see fit. The Nexus will have no more influence." I announced.
A cero lanced through the roof, missing me by mere feet.
"Shit!" I yelled.
I ran from the room, motioning Sasumi and Kenton to follow. Although they were seated officers, my rank was higher since I was the head of the Overseers. We made our way away from the Nexus as it was destroyed.
"Cover me." I ordered them.
I dropped to my knees and used a Kidou to link myself to Head Captain Yamamoto.
"Sir! Permission to speak!" I asked.
"Granted." he said. He sounded as calm as always. As if he wasn't in conflict.
"Sir! If I take to the top of the Repentance cell along with perhaps two or three other Overseers, I could pass information and orders for you! With your permission!" I asked.
"Granted." he said after pausing for a moment.
"Thank you sir!" I told him, breaking connection and forming another.
"What is it?" Sasumi asked me.
"Maria!" I called in her head.
"Ma'am?" she asked in confusion.
"Maria! Grab someone and make your way to the top of the repentance cell! I mean the roof! I'll meet you there!" I ordered.
"Ma'am!" she answered.
"Sasumi, Kenton, I need to act as guards for us. We are going to the top of the repentance cell." I told them.
"If you say so." Sasumi answered.
We made our way to the repentance cell, killing any Hollow that got in our way. When we got to the top, I saw that no one was there yet.
"Where are they?" I asked no one in particular.
Then a girl leapt on top of the tower. Upon seeing me, she dropped to her knees.
"Ma'am! Maria is under attack! We were outnumbered and she got their attention so I could run. She led them to D7! Ma'am you have to help her!" she said in a hurry.
I felt my heart drop. I leapt from the tower without a seconds hesitation. As I was falling, I released my zanpakuto. When I hit the ground I ran as fast as I could towards where Maria was. I had no idea how well she could fight. All I knew was that she was in danger. All of Seireitei fell away. Nothing else mattered. Then I heard her scream!
"Maria!" I yelled.
A second later I rounded a corner and saw her fighting not one but five Hollow by herself! Her left arm was hanging limp and it looked like she was crying blood.
I slashed a Hollow in half with my brush and got beside her.
"Ma'am!" she cried in relief.
To say she looked relieved was an understatement. She held a small knife in her hand, the blade pointed inward.
"What's that?" I asked her.
"My zanpakuto? This is it's shikai." she said.
"Stay back then. That small thing doesn't look too strong." I ordered, stepping in front of her.
"It isn't, but it's ability is." She said, taking a deep breath.
She broke away from me, blood flying from her arm and running down her cheeks. I saw her dodge a Hollow claw like liquid light, fluid and fast. She came up next to one of the hollows legs and stabbed it right behind the knee joint. I was amazed when the entire leg disintegrated.
"What?" I muttered in wonder.
Maria flipped from there and landed behind another Hollow, grabbing hold of the horns on it's mask and slashing at it's shoulder. The cut was shallow, yet the arm itself hung limp and dead.
I painted an Earth Kanji on the ground and left it there.
"Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bares the name of Man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heaven. Hadou 63! Souren Soukatsui(Twin Lotus Blue Flame Crash)!" I chanted, releasing the high level kido into the Earth Seal.
The Seal glowed blue for a second, then the Kido was shooting out from the ground in a line, just like the earth attack.
"Maria move!" I ordered. She Shunpoed back to me.
The blue fire engulfed the remaining Hollow and consumed them.
"Thanks ma'am." Maria told me.
"Come on. We still have stuff to do." I told her, turning back towards the tower.
We got back to it without incident and got back on the roof.
"Fan out. I want three-sixty degree visibility. Send all information directly to the Captain General." I ordered the two ladies. "As for you guys, keep us covered. Make sure that no Hollow reach any of us." I ordered Sasumi, Kenton and the rest of the Shinigami on the tower.
We went to work feeding information to Captain Yamamoto. He gave me orders to relay to the other captains. It started slowly, but the other squadrons began to work more efficiently. Simply knowing that someone knew what was going on seemed to boost morale. Tobias along with Captains Shihouin, Shino, and Kyoraku eliminated the entire force of Menos. The 11th squadron were cleaning up the northern portion of Seireitei. The 4th squadron reported that the number of injured was high, but casualties were low. More reports came in, and more orders were given. As the last of the Hollow either retreated or were killed, the sun began to rise. As the light bathed Seireitei, and the three of us who were relaying orders finally closed ourselves from outside voices, I got a good look at the damage. The control center was destroyed. Several barracks had been destroyed. One final report came in that I was to transfer to Captain General Yamamoto.
"Captain General sir! Casualty report." I announced.
"Speak." he answered in my mind.
"Over four hundred wounded. Currently fifty three fatalities. Few more are expected. The Nexus has been destroyed. The 11th squad barracks are in flames among other areas." I announced.
"Understood. Take your team and rest. The captains and Lieutenants will take care of the orders." Yamamoto ordered.
"Understood sir." I answered and released the kido.
"Ma'am?" Maria asked. Her and the others were looking worried.
I let my hair down and gave them a tired smile, "We're done. Everyone go and get some rest."
They smiled and made their way down, leaving me and Maria alone.
"Ma'am…er, Emma." Maria said quietly. "Thank you for helping me."
"Of course. Like I said; you're mine now. And I protect what I care about." I told her, walking over and hugging her.
She looked up at me with those innocent eyes. I slowly moved my lips to hers and kissed her. She returned the kiss back after a second.
"Now come on. Lets get you cleaned up." I told her.
"R-right." she said with a small smile.