The Quincy pride themselves on their power. The power to mold the worlds and make creation into their weapons, the monks of destruction who slay Hollows with ease. A power unique to those of living flesh and blood, of humans who refuse to be devoured or let the dead protect them. They are alive, who better to be the guardians of the living world than those who call it home? But rarely, Quinces are born with something else. Weaker and frail, without senses or sound, a Quincy with the power to give. The Power of Blessing.

It was common to butcher such babes before the Emperor had been recognized. At that point, he made it clear that to him, all such Quincy were more valuable than the most prestigious warriors or gifted scientists. 200 years passed before he discovered his other half, Jugram Haschwalth, and not long after did the King fall to slumber. But his decree remained true. All Quincy blessed with the power to divide their soul were to be taken to the Silbern and raised in its walls, for if Yhwach or Jugram were to ever fall… they must rise to the throne.

Three such Quincy had been found in the thousand years since Yhwach's slumber.

Michael Markwardt, born in 1287 in a village north of Bohemia. Blessed with the Giving of Form. To strengthen by giving onto others their ideal body and shape, propelling them to the zenith of physicality. Taken at 2 years.

Eshana Rao, born in 1718 in what would be known as Kolkata. Blessed with the Giving of Seals. By embedding a seal onto someone, it would gradually feed off their own Reiatsu, accumulating it and dividing it into a separate pool which would in time become its own separate existence, allowing one to greatly amplify their already existing power on their own. Taken at 8 years.

Donovan Mochizuki, given the name Adalrich Adler by his father, born in 1986 in Osaka, Japan. Blessed with the Giving of Blood. Don had the power closest to Yhwach himself, for those who partook of his sacred blood would become Quincy themselves, and could gain a Scrift from him. Taken at 12 years.

All three were found, whisked away from the human world and taken to the Walled Empire, raised behind ice and stone. Hidden from the world, taught the ways of a proper Quincy, but sequestered unlike the Grandmaster, for they were not Yhwach's other halves or successors, but simply his reserves. Should He or Jugram fall, their duty was to carry on the sacred mission of the Quincy.

Deep within the heart of the Silbern, the palace hidden in the shadows of the Soul Society, was a manufactured realm too beautiful for the wretched afterlife promised to humans. A rolling field of grass and flowers, a single tree standing atop the tallest hill, and a sun blazing high above. This idyllic place of endless spring delight and crisp breezes was the Immerblüte, the public garden requested by Adalrich Adler. The more serene or serious minded of the Stenritter might be found within its fields, finding solace in the natural sanctuary contained within the icy citadel. Being in the shadow of the Soul Society ment ample reishi for the denizens of the Silbern, but the bitter air was hard to breathe sometimes, and the cold, endless white was something few could bear to gaze at for too long.

One bush of flowers was especially unique, something which only existed within the Immerblüte itself. It was a breed of lily, with electric blue ruffled edges and white centers. Five petals in total, with five stamen resting against each petal, ending in black tops. The Sternritter Rose as it was called, although it had no relation to the thorny bush. A gloved hand took hold of the flower, just at the end of its stem. A brief flash of blue severed it, and a wave of the same light briefly passed over the lily, preserving its beauty despite being little more than dead flesh. The flower rose up within the white gloved hand through the air, to a heart shaped face of korma brown skin and dark brown hair, falling mostly over the right side of the face. A single brown orb looked down at the Sternritter Rose, running a finger across the top. He pulled it in close, taking in the scent of the flower. A gentle lavender was about the closest approximation. The gloved hand then raised towards the sky, the fetals splitting off and catching on the everpresent breeze, flowing away across the artificial fields.

"Prince Adalrich," A dry, relatively low feminine voice called out. Adalrich looked over his shoulder to the woman calling for him, a tall and well endowed young woman with springy teal hair and a uniform more akin to a modified soldat outfit. The white coat with an open chest stopped at her waist, a matching skirt ending about midthigh, and a Quincy Cross embedded into the back of her left hand. "The Seretei and us will resume our war any day now. It is unwise for you to wander unattended."

Adalrich chuckled, smiling with his eyes closed. "Maria, you need to relax. The Shinigami think us all exterminated. And I thought I ordered you to stop calling me Adalrich. Ad is fine."

Maria kept her neutral expression, giving a brief bow. "As you say, Prince Ad."

Ad turned his attention towards the rest of the field, his mind wandering as he continued to speak. "This place… it's more beautiful than the Soul Society from what I know. Such a dreary and hopeless world. How many souls enter there, expecting eternal peace only to find a repeat of their past life? It's cruel… but if his majesty can truly unite the worlds… we can give everyone the eternal life they deserve."

Maria nodded, noticing a strange wistfulness in his voice. "Does that… trouble you?"

Ad remained silent just a few seconds too long. "… sometimes I forget. Forget that the world of the living is where I'm from. That I had human friends. That the mother who held me is the reason for my mixed blood. And recently… I've even started to forget my birth name. Adalrich Adler… that's the name given to me by my father. It's not the name I used my entire life though. I'm Donovan Mochizuki. Donovan. Donny. Don. But… every now and then, for a brief moment… when I think of who I am, all that comes up is Adalrich. Maybe if the human world and the soul society become on, I can get my name back. Or maybe… it'll disappear forever."

Maria remained quiet, reaching out for him as a blade of grass was hit by a drop of dew in this cloudless room. "Sir… you need not question who you are. That is something determined by you and you alone. Your name is whatever you decide it to be. That is your right."

Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière. The EXTREMELY proud thirdborn daughter to the Vallière family. Louise had the same pride as any noblewoman, held herself with the same poise and dignity… but there was one area where she differed immeasurably.

Magical Ability.

In terms of pure theoreticals, Louise undoubtedly would reach the top of her class. Her comprehension and understanding of magic were almost pierless. However, every spell she had ever cast ended with it quite literally exploding in her face. As she was reminded of hours ago in class. The simplest of Alchemy spells, even that resulted in a burst of energy that knocked their new teacher out cold. And so she got to hear her wretched nickname once more. Louise the Zero. Couldn't cast even the simplest of spells. Of course, she would never admit to that, it would be unbecoming of her. And Louise could never give Kirche or Montmorency the satisfaction of seeing her degrade herself in such a manner! She could cast magic, she knew it! It was… just a fluke. Nothing more. A stroke of bad luck.

Louise had herself changed into nightly garments as the moons hovered into the sky, her immediate attention grabbed by the twin celestial bodies. She stared to the heavens defiantly, both her hands balled up into fists. Doing this… she felt like a little girl wishing on a star. It was embarrassing, but right now she'd accept even the most unlikely of aid.

"O Brimir, please ensure my familiar is the most spectacular creature in all the world. I cannot be outdone by Montmorency or Tabitha or least of all Kirche. The name Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière cannot, it will not be known as the name of a failure! Allow me to show them the might of a Vallière tomorrow!"

A streak of light did cross over the heavens, missing Louise's gaze. The heavens remained silent after her prayer, but she stared into them regardless. Soon enough, she decompressed and climbed into her bed, although sleep would continue to elude her for many hours. A familiar… she knew this one would be more divine and spectacular than any summoned before. She was certain of it. Perhaps a griffon? Or a dragon? Something with beautiful wings to be sure.

Hours passed in the Silbern, and Ad had woken up while many of its denizens remained asleep. His actual bedchambers were quite substantial, befitting a prince, even if third (soon to be fourth) in line for the throne of an immortal being. Ad pulled himself out the bed, dressed in nothing but a pair of boxers as he headed to his closet. Most of the outfits were the same, but a few more personalized and casual sets were present for him. A simple button up shirt, dress pants, boots and a belt meant for war were among his favorite casual things, the belt containing several Seele Schneider and a bag filled with Gintō. He tapped a small device on his wrist, causing his Leiden Hant to emerge. He changed into his clothes and looked himself in the mirror, making a finger gun motion to himself.

"Looking pretty sharp today, aren't you Adalric-"

Those words caused every muscle in his body to tense. Adalrich. Adalrich Adler. That was his name. That's what he called himself in the privacy of his own room, his own quarters. His brown eyes grew saucer-like in size, breath trembling as his heart pounded in his chest.

His thoughts… there weren't any. Just a reaction. Just instinct.

A shadow emerged before him, and he immediately threw himself in, emerging in the human world. It was the middle of day. The sun was shining bright above, birds chirping and kids his age just getting out of school. But he couldn't take it all in. He had to run. He had to. As far away from the Silbern as he could get. He searched the area desperately for any means of escape. Any way to be free of that wretched place. His gaze and senses scanned the city desperately, eventually settling on a disturbance. He used Hirenkyaku to rush over as a bolt of blue, ramming himself through the rippling green portal he felt, accidentally knocking some black haired kid with a broken laptop out the way. The portal snapped shut, and the young man was left on his rear confused. He picked himself up, holding his busted laptop in his arms.

"That was… really weird," he remarked before continuing on his way. "I guess weird things happen all the time around here. Better not to think too hard about it… I wonder what places are hiring part time."

All the Second Years started to gather round the courtyard, murmurs of the Familiar Summoning Ritual abound. Everyone wanted something fantastical like a dragon or a griffon, but many would be content with anything of value. After all, a Familiar was to be more than a symbol of status. It was a companion, tried and true. A piece of one's very existence brought to them by magic. Of course, Guiche was early on, ranting about how his familiar would be the most magnificent thing anyone had ever seen and how it would make him renowned across the world… only to end up with a mole.

A large mole that was rather snuggable, but a mole nonetheless.

Kirche had to go and summon a handsome and powerful Salamander, while Tabitha OF COURSE GOT A DRAGON! But that was to be expected.

And then… there was Louise.

Murmurs were abound as she stood in the center. Receiving all the jeers she had heard through her time here.

"Louis the Zero!"

"Hey, shouldn't we stand back?"

"She probably can't even summon a familiar, this'll be another dud."

"Maybe her familiar is just a puff of air!"

Louise kept her composure, raising her wand up and reciting her chant. "My servant that exists somewhere in the universe! My divine, beautiful, and powerful familiar! I wish and assert from the bottom of my heart, answer my guidance!"

A huge burst of dust and light followed, nothing all that surprising to anybody watching… but as the dust settled, the jeers that everyone had prepared crumbled, replaced with silence.

Azure flames crackled along the grass, forming a field of flame within the circle the class surrounded. The blue sphere of light faded to reveal the figure within, as the flaming tongues subsided to reveal his figure. His mouth parted in a gasp, hazelnut hair falling back along with his shirt split open, revealing the toned, korma skin not too dissimilar in tone to Kirche's own, albeit some shades darker. Six blue wings stretched up over his body, spreading like a hawk of light as a five pointed star hovered above his head. The wings and halo vanished, dissipating into many fireflies as the stranger collapsed to his knees, supporting himself with his hands. His hair fell back in front of his face, the crowd left absolutely stunned.

Louise was the first to snap out of her stupor. Rather than remark on his appearance or the fact he was a human, she spun around to declare her small victory. "Hah! Not what any of you expected, was it, a familiar wreathed in fire and dazzling wings! Well, you all should learn to expect nothing but the finest from Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Valliè-"

"Louise," Professor Colbert interjected. "I believe you still have to bind your familiar to you," he reminded before casting a spell on the searing blue flames that accompanied Adalrich's arrival. The flames spiraled up into the sky, leaving scorched grass before compressing into a sphere in the teacher's hand. "Hmm… these flames seem unusual."

Louise approached a dazed Adalrich, who only saw the silhouette of a young woman. His vision unfocused and mind scattered with the travel, he struggled to speak, only for his words to be unintelligible. Louis took hold of Adalrich's cheeks, a faint smattering of pink on her lips. "You better not be just some commoner summoned right off the streets with that display."

Their lips met, bringing Adalrich back to awareness. His eyes snapped open as the kiss broke, and a searing pain emerged on his hand. Adalrich lurched forward, crying out in pain as familiar runes branded themselves on his left hand. He tried to use Blut Vene to halt them, but to no avail. The runes were there, and the veins receded. Professor Colbert, still with flames in hand, put down his staff to examine the hand. "These runes are also quite unfamiliar as well…"

Even through the strain of his branding, Adalrich managed to stay conscious. His leg planted firmly in front his body, the Quincy finally rising to stand, viewable by all the class. A few murmurs amongst the students about his strange appearance.

Kirche was among the first to more vocally voice her opinion, shrugging with her hands up. "So, the Zero managed to summon a commoner. At least she lucked out on finding a cute one."

The rest of the class readily went with her mocking remark, giving more of their usual insults while Louise was left fuming. She took her confused Familiar by the wrist, dragging him along while he continued to speak in some unintelligible language. "Come on Familiar, no wasting time with them!"

Adalrich seemed to regain some awareness, looking down at the minute pinkette dragging him along. "Who… who the hell are you? What is this place? It's so… old," He questioned, although his response was a series of angry nonsense. His only retort was a confused stare with a raised eyebrow. Louise pulled her wand out and cast it on Adalrich, causing a small explosion in his face that succeeded in knocking him on his butt.

"The hell was that?! Are you trying to kill me?" Adalrich snapped.

"Don't take that tone with me familiar! You were babbling so much nonsense I was starting to worry you weren't right in the head!" She retorted.

Adalrich dust himself off, getting back to his feet and staring down at the girl. "Familiar, what're you on about? What is this place? My senses are all messed up."

Louise stood as tall and firm as she could, both hands placed on her hips. "I summoned you here to the Tristanian Academy of Magic as my Familiar. My magical servant sent to help me with all my needs in life. Now, adjust your tone and tell me your name, familiar."

Adalrich was about to tell her off… but then he processed that title. Tristanian Academy of Magic… Tristan isn't a country. The human world didn't teach magic or have buildings like this inhabited. The Reishi wasn't plentiful enough to be the Soul Society or Silbern… so… if one throws out the impossible (which isn't much from his experience), that leaves only a few answers. And the one he hoped to high heaven was the correct one was the first possibility. That he managed to escape the three worlds and enter one undiscovered. One beyond the reach of Wandenreich or Yhwach's eyes.

That he was free.

Adalrich's head hung low, hair blocking his face from view. Louise tried to peak up under, confused at this sudden shift in demeanor. A light giggle escaped from Adalrich's lips, bursting into full blown laughter as he threw his head back. His hands drifted to his open shirt, buttoning it up as he wiped some tears from his eyes.

Louise let out a mix of a sigh and grumble. "Great. Not only did I summon someone who looks like a commoner, but I summoned a madman."

Adalrich finally managed to compose himself. "My name… is Donovan Mochizuki. Yes. That's my name. Only name I've ever had," he muttered the last bit to himself, letting his joy truly sink in. Louise took advantage of his restored clarity. "Well Donovan Mochizuki, follow me. As your master, I expect you to follow every order I give to a tea, got it?"

Donovan nodded, in too high of spirits to really care. Besides, why stress over her words? He could leave whenever he so desired. No reason to fret about something so minor as an ill mannered girl like her. All Donovan wanted was to take the time to enjoy his distance from the Silbern.

As the two walked the halls of the academy, many a student whispered about Louise and her familiar, the latter with a goofy smile spread across his lips as he followed close behind, happy to see any color beyond the Silbern or his garden. A few couldn't help but make a snide remark to her, which she responded to either with silence or an aggressive, slightly restrained call to back off. Once they reached the steps, she had gotten fed up with the mystery surrounding her familiar, halting at the first step and turning to face him.

"What are you Donovan?" She demanded. "Your display when being summoned made it clear you're no commoner. You're a shapeshifter of some kind, aren't you? Just pretending to be a human?"

Donovan came out of his stupor, taking only a few seconds to think up a lie. Not that it mattered, he had finally escaped from that wretched place. He could tell them all about the Wandenreich and it wouldn't matter… but hearing himself be called a commoner gave Don a twisted little idea. So he answered with what he thought would disappoint her the most given the environment. "Oh… sorry, my mother was nothing but a maid. All the flames and feathers and nonsense just happened because I had found the nest of a rare magical beast you've probably never heard of. Called a Kirin. Obscure beast from my native homeland."

Louise deflated on hearing this. "I really did summon just a commoner," she whined. As quickly as she sank, she snapped back up, getting right into Donovan's face. "You are to tell nobody of this! Especially that cow Kirche!"

Donovan chuckled, sliding his thumbs into his pockets. "Fine by me."

It had been five years since Donovan had to take care of laundry in any form. And back then all he had to do was bring it down from the basket, then his mother would let him have extra juice for being such a good boy (until he turned ten). Suffice to say, when Louise threw her clothes at his face and ordered him to wash her clothes, he only left because the girl had stripped down right before his eyes.

So here he was, kneeling in front of a bucket of plain water, just getting the clothes wet and muttering to himself.

"You've… never washed clothes before, have you?" An unfamiliar, although pleasant voice pried. Donovan looked over his shoulder to find a shapely young maid looking down at him with a kind, although somewhat confused smile. Donovan returned her look with a sheepish chuckle and a rub to the back of his neck, while she knelt down beside him. On the side of the bucket was a small compartment, containing something she crushed and added to the water, swirling it around to make suds.

"Soapwort comes with all the washing tubs. It's useful if you can't get a bar. I'm not surprised you don't know that, we don't see many men washing clothes," She remarked.

Donovan tried to find a response, ultimately somewhat regredding the words that came out. "And I don't see many pretty girls washing clothes, so I guess we both found a little surprise out here."

A smatter of pink appeared on her cheeks as Donovan desperately searched for a change of topic. "Anyways, tell me about yourself while we're working. Are you a maid or… I'm apparently a familiar now, whatever the hell that's supposed to mean."

She perked up at being asked about herself, to Donovan's curiosity. Was it so strange to meet an unfamiliar face around here. The maid finally got the chance to introduce herself. "My name is Siesta, and yes, I work as a maid… so you must be Louise's familiar. Nobody else summoned a human after all."

Donovan nodded. "Donovan. And yep, with all the… yelling that comes with it."

Siesta couldn't help but giggle. "I've served her more than my fair share of times. I imagine being her familiar would require the patience of a saint."

A smirk formed across Donovan's lips. "Will I get a church in my honor? A holiday? If I do, I want the custom to be free beer for everyone."

As the actual washing came to an end, Donovan and Siesta both put the clothes up to dry. Siesta's curiosity had been thoroughly piqued by this strange young man, so she decided to press just a bit further. "If you don't mind, could you tell me where you come from?"

Donovan froze for just a moment. She was just a maid, and the more truth in his lie the easier it would be to tell… hopefully. "Uh… it's very far from here. The Wandenreich. You've probably never heard of it. It's east of here. Far, far, faaaar east."

Siesta only grew more curious. "Really? What's it like?"

Donovan pondered on just how to phrase such a place. "It's… cold. Ice year round. The buildings are built from grey stone, and the cities are massive towers. Spires that build upon each other. At its heart is a massive palace, larger than the greatest city west of it, where the greatest warriors and minds live, along with the Emperor himself. The people are as cold as the ice, bitter and calculating. But many still have good hearts. We just… keep to ourselves and enact justice where we see fit. There are only a handful of Knights, who have the power to battle armies single handedly. The emperor is the heart of all things, and through him the lifeblood of the empire flows. Part of me is glad Louise summoned me. In some respects, she rescued me from that place."

Siesta remained quiet through his description, enraptured with the winterscape he described. "It certainly sounds like a harsh place to call home… but is there really nothing back there for you? I couldn't imagine you had nothing there."

"... nothing and nobody."

The two exchanged a brief look before turning away in unison. Donovan coughed into his hands, starting to head off. "Well… it was nice meeting a friendly face, Siesta. I hope to meet you again. Maybe I can show you a few things I learned back home."

Siesta nodded, a bit saddened by his previous words, returning to her own maidly duties.

Within the heart of the Silbern, Yhwach rested. He gazed out his throne room with the eyes of The Almighty, watching the future and preparing for what was in store. However, the future had shifted since his last gaze. A single thread out of place, a fish jumping free from the current of time, gaining legs to stride across the land. The Quincy Emperor's brow furrowed and his lips curved into a frown. It was a small shift, but even that was unusual for his all seeing eyes. And small changes could rapidly build.

"Adalrich… where did you run off to?"

Note: I am updating the entire story. Right now they may seem to be small changes, but as you'll see, they snowball to change quite a bit.