"Well then that ends today," Aveline said, "Seito, Aki, charge!"
The Hollow, Searing Wind, moved quickly, but couldn't react to all three attacks at once. It managed to dodge Seito, but Aveline and Aki slashed the monster. Searing Wind fell back a few steps, almost crushing the communicator.
"Better then I expected for trainees. But I have some hungry friends of my own," the Hollow said.
Two more Hollows appeared, behind the rear guard.
"And here I thought this would be boring," Akane said, "Spider! Time to strike!" Akane said as she released her Zanpaktou and a pair of claws formed over her hands.
Hikari and Kimiko drew their Zanpaktous as well. "Wow, you can form your Zanpaktou already?" Kimiko asked.
"Yeah. Before the Academy I had, shall we say, an interesting life," Akane said.
The Hollows were large, but not as large as the one that Aveline, Aki, and Seito were facing.
"Luckily Minato and Itsuro have gotten Toji and Yamadiri clear," Hikari said.
"So let's go all out. Hikari, Kimiko, you two take the one on the right. I can handle the one on the left," Akane said.
"Those three have the two behind us under control, we can concentrate on this one," Seito said.
"Then let's do it," Avey said.
The three began their second attack. Aveline and Seito attacked from the front while Aki quickly struck the rear. With the Searing Wind's attention focused on Aveline and Seito, who were playing a defensive game, Aki was able to step in and slash the Hollow's rear, destroying another mask.
"Oh, now I see your plan," Searing Wind said, "Well let's see how you handle this!" Flames exploded around the Hollow, temporally blinding the three Soul Reapers. Aki dodged back on instinct, narrowly dodging a scythe-like blade. When the smoke cleared, two such blades had appeared on the Hollow's back, replacing two of the masks.
"Nice. Makes our job easier," Aveline said to rally the other two with her.
"Don't be so confident girlie," the Hollow said as it swung the blades at her. Aveline nimbly dodged the blades.
Aveline turned the dodge into an attack and hacked at the Hollow's legs. The Hollow reeled back from the assault and Seito moved in to the flank to take advantage of the opening. Searing Wind saw the attack and counter-attacked Seito. While Seito dodged the blade, he was hammered by the Hollow's fist.
"Seito!" Aveline yelled as she dashed over to him.
"Aveline! Watch out!" Aki yelled. Aki met the Hollow's blade in mid-air. He slashed his blade through the muscled appendage that the blade was attached to, cutting it through.
The Hollowed roared in pain and rage and launched a merciless assault on Aki. Aki dodged attack after attack. He didn't notice that the Hollow was pushing him against a wall.
Seito was stunned. Aveline grabbed her friend pulled him out of the way.
Aki found himself against a wall. "Now I will will end you!" Searing Wind shouted. Aki braced himself to block the Hollow's attack, but instead Aveline came in from behind and slashed the other claw from the Hollow's back.
It's attention now fixed on Aveline, it lunged at her. Aveline dodged the attack and hacked at the Hollow as it moved past her. "This isn't so bad…" she thought.
"Now I am really angry!" Searing Wind shouted. He opened his palms and the masks contained therein suddenly collapsed, revealing hundreds of tiny buds. The buds erupted from the Hollow's hands, spraying an area down with hundreds of golf ball sized pellets, each exploding on impact.
Aveline dodged the first volley, then the second, then the Hollow swatted her as she dodged the third. The Hollow reacted quickly and sprayed the area she landed in down with the pellets.
"Aveline!" Aki shouted.
Aveline had been hit by several pellets. Fortunately they went right through her before they exploded.
Kimiko charged forward keeping her sword low like Aveline had instructed. The Hollow howled and fired a burst of spikes at her. The spikes were slow and Kimiko nimbly dodged the attack. The Hollow readied to receive Kimiko's charge. It struck first, lashing out with a series of piercing spikes. Kimiko, focused on defense, evaded the attacks. The Hollow's attention focused on Kimiko, Hikari fired a burst of flames into the Hollow, burning and distracting it.
Kimiko moved in behind the distracted monster. "You'll fall by my blade!" she shouted as she slashed one of the Hollow's legs.
Weakened, the Hollow fell to the ground. Hikari was already almost on top of the monster. Together the two girls slashed at the mask.
The Hollow swung a large flail-like ball around as Akane dexterously evaded. "Is that all you can do? How pitiful," Akane taunted. As the ball barely missed her, Akane leapt on top of it and slashed it with her claws.
Akane began rushing the Hollow. With it's other arm, the Hollow slammed a fist down, hoping to crush the trainee Soul Reaper.
"Still too slow," Akane said. She began running up the arm.
The Hollow began flailing about, trying to shake off the redhead to no avail. Nearing the mask, Akane leaped at it, slashing.
She was breathing heavy. Things were getting hazy. Aveline's eyes were getting heavy. Then a voice said, "Boy, you really got hit hard there."
Aveline opened her eyes. Things seemed frozen. Even the dust kicked up by the exploding pellets didn't move. "What's going on?"
"Well from the looks of things, you and your friends are getting you asses kicked," the voice said.
Aveline looked at where the voice came from. A handsome man in a chain mail cuirass over a leather jacket, leather leggings, a fur lined green cloak, and surprisingly well groomed red hair was looking at her.
"Who are you?" Aveline asked, "Are you the spirit of my Zanpaktou?"
"Nope," the man said, "That is." He pointed at a bird that was circling overhead. "He is giving us some time to talk. Before you get yourself killed."
Aveline looked up at the bird. It was the bird from her dreams. "Well if you're not my Zanpaktou, who are you?"
"You already know who I am, but if you need a hint, I was the true master of your Zanpaktou," the man said, "Once you know the sword's name you will know mine as well."
"That's not a very good hint," Aveline said, "So what's the name of my Zanpaktou."
"Have you looked at the sword? One look and if you are who you think you are you should know it's name. If you don't, close your eyes and listen. I can hear the sword speak," the man said.
Aveline looked at the sword. The blade was finely wrought. Double edged, masterfully polished, with a slight blue hue to the sword. She thought back to her childhood. She knew this weapon. It sat above the mantle in the dining hall. It was the Sapphire Falcon, the sword wielded by the legendary knight and founder of the Ravenstein house.
"It is the Sapphire Falcon," Aveline said, "But it is different from it was in life. At least how I remember it."
"It is slightly different, but you are correct. That is how the Sapphire Falcon sees itself, an idealized version of itself. Bigger, mightier, and more powerful then it ever could be in reality. Who said humans were the only things with egos?" the man said.
"And from that clue, you must be Sigmund von Ravenstein," Aveline said.
"That I am," the man said, "But Sig will do."
"So are you here to teach me your combat style? They say you never lost a battle," Aveline asked hopefully.
"In a way I will," Sigmund said, "But I fear if I taught you how to fight it would do more harm then good."
"What do you mean?" Aveline asked.
"It is true I never lost a battle, but it is also true I never killed anyone with my sword," Sigmund said.
"Well then how could you win without killing anyone," Aveline asked.
"I never said I never killed anyone. Everyone I killed by the sword was already dead by the time I swung my weapon. My attack simply finished the deed," Sigmund said, "My weapons were my mind, my wits, and my will."
"I get it," Aveline said, "You used your mind and wits to win the battle before it started."
"Correct," Sigmund said, "But what of my will? How is that a weapon?"
Aveline thought for a moment.
"That will be one of the questions you will answer to fully master yourself…and by extension your weapon," Sigmund said, "Don't dwell on it for now. You have more pressing concerns."
"You're right. The Hollow," Aveline said.
Sigmund walked over to the frozen Hollow and studied it. "Searing Wind is a wily opponent. Strength won't overcome him. Leastwise, not your present possible strength."
"Well how will I beat him?" Aveline asked, joining Sigmund by the Hollow.
"Searing Wind's greatest strength is his cunning. He has laid a clever trap for you all. He has many false masks that he shows the world," Sigmund said.
"He pointed that out to Toji," Aveline said.
"That he did. Quite cleverly too, might I add," Sigmund said.
"What do you mean, cleverly? I f that was his trick, why did he reveal his secret to Toji?" Aveline asked.
"He showed Toji what he wanted Toji to see while keeping his real strength hidden. I did something similar at the Siege of Formagia. I had a thousand warriors with me and the castle was defended by a very well provisioned force," Sigmund said, "I had little chance of reinforcement, winter was coming, and the castle would have held for months. I besieged the castle anyway. My soldiers grew restless and demoralized and they started to fall apart and desert."
"Why did you stay and fight? Such a situation was stupid," Aveline said.
"Within a week my force was a mere two hundred men. The enemy lowered his gates and made ready to trample us. Then I laid my cards on the table, so to speak," Sigmund said, "I had prepared a second camp that my men were 'deserting' to. All eight hundred. When the enemy's soldiers came out, I led them away from the castle by acting to be a lame duck. An easy victory. When they were away from the castle, some of my men slipped inside. When the castle was taken, I called out my main host and showed my enemy my true intentions. They surrendered right there."
"A cunning plan," Aveline said.
"Thank you," Sigmund said, "They trick was to show the defenders what they wanted to see so they would ignore the larger plan. You have been deceived by Searing Wind's greater scheme."
"Howso?"
"Look at the mouth. Deep in the mouth. What do you see?" Sigmund asked.
"I see…a mask," Aveline said.
"Good," Sigmund said, "Why would he make a big show of showing you his other masks, but not this one?"
"Because that is his true mask," Aveline said.
"You got it," Sigmund said.
"So how will I attack it?" Aveline asked.
"I don't know! You're the expert swordsman," Sigmund laughed, "I could barely swing a sword to save my life. You'll think of something."
"That's not very reassuring," Aveline sighed, "One question. How come I haven't heard of you in the Soul Society?"
"Because I'm not in the Soul Society," Sigmund said.
"What? Then where are you?" Aveline asked.
"Tell you what. You win this fight and survive, I'll tell you someday," Sigmund said.
"Great," Aveline said.
"Oh, by the way. Fight well and your sword may talk to you again. You know, give you some real advice," Sigmund said with a sly smile.
"Uhh, thanks for the advice," Aveline said, looking at the sword.
"No problem. Words are cheap," Sigmund said.
Aveline stirred. She felt a calming coolness spreading across her body.
"Oh, you are awake," she heard Minako say. Aveline opened her eyes. Minako was kneeling next to her, smiling. Her hands were glowing orange and were spread over top of Aveline.
"What are you doing?" Aveline asked.
"I am absorbing the chaos and disharmony in your body," Minako answered.
"…so you're healing me?" Aveline asked for clarification.
"That too," Minako cryptically replied, "So how has Sigmund been doing? It has been a while since I have seen him."
"Wait…you knew Sigmund? How? He lived a thousand years ago!" Aveline asked in surprise.
"Just as you had dealings before you met me, so did I have dealings before I met you. And time does not matter. Time is but an illusion. A false metric to measure change, never realizing that change will happen whether it is recorded or not," Minako said.
"Well Sigmund is doing alright it seems. He said he will come again after I defeat Searing Wind," Aveline said, "Speaking of which, I know how to defeat him."
"Good," Minako said.
Aveline grabbed her sword and got up. She resolutely started walking towards Searing Wind.
Aki was nearing the end of his endurance. He hadn't been injured, but was breathing heavily.
"Hey Hollow! Did I say I was done with you?" Aveline shouted at it.
"Avey! Get out of here. It's too strong. I'll hold it off while the rest of you get away," Aki shouted.
"Can't let that happen. Because I am going to destroy this filth!" Aveline said, "You and me, Hollow. No interference, just one versus one."
"Your pride is amazing. You failed to defeat me with two allies and now you think you can defeat me alone? You are a fool," the Hollow said.
"Well if it's just pride, then you have nothing to worry about," Aveline said.
"Very well. I shall humor your ego, if for no reason then to break it!" the Hollow said as it fired a volley of pellets at Aveline.
Aveline dodged the attack, but was distracted from the Hollow's moves. It bounded around her and swung at her. Aveline recovered enough to block the worst of the blow, but a claw slashed her left arm.
Aveline came in low and thrust upwards, burying her sword in the Hollow to it's hilt. She turned it about and pulled the blade out. A black blodd-like ichor drained out. With a slash, Aveline removed a claw from it's hand.
The Hollow screamed in pain. "Enough of this!" he said. Flames erupted from it's mouth, causing the area around it to burst into flames.
Aveline scrambled up the Hollow to escape the raging inferno.
"Got you," the Hollow said as it grabbed Aveline. Holding her close to it's mouth, it smiled. "Now, shall I cook my food before I eat it?"
Something was whispering into Aveline's mind. It told her to focus spirit energy into her sword, like she did her energy blasts. She did so. Her blade began glowing and vibrating.
"Huh? What trick is this?" the Hollow asked.
Aveline moved as if on instinct. She didn't know what she was doing exactly. She knew only that she knew how to do it. It seemed as though her sword was guiding her hand. Aveline slashed at the air in front of her, sending a blue blade-like wave before her. It spun into the Hollow's mouth and head, slicing the top of the head off…and cutting the mask in two.
Aveline fell to the ground with a crash as the Hollow disintegrated.
Aki was next to her quickly. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah. I am now," Aveline said, "We won?"
"It appears so," Aki said.
Hikari had grabbed the communicator and was shouting into it.
"Anyone hurt?" Aveline asked.
"Well…besides the seniors…and you…and Seito…nope," Aki said.
"Good. I think I'm gonna take a little break now, if that's okay," Aveline said.
"Yeah. The girls and I will handle things here," Aki answered.
"Thanks," Aveline said as she passed out.
"Well done," Sigmund said.
"Minako says hello," Aveline said. They were sitting on a grassy hillside looking over a tower.
"Minako…oh. Her. Yeah. Hehe. Long story there," Sigmund said.
"Wanna tell it?" Aveline asked.
"Not at all," Sigmund said, "Some things are better left forgotten. That is one of them."
"Fair enough. You have something you need to tell me anyways," Aveline said. The tower was locked. Aveline didn't know how she knew that. She just knew she did.
"That I do," Sigmund started, "I am in Heaven. Quite the important figure there, actually. Most angels can't fathom anything besides a straight up battle, so I help them with defenses against clandestine and irregular combat tactics."
"Heaven? By why am I here instead of there?" Aveline demanded.
"Heaven is the most boring place I have ever seen," Sigmund said, "At least for people like you and me."
"What do you mean, you and me?"
"You and I thrive off challenges. Heaven is simply idle rewards. No challenges, no trials to overcome, no dangers to deal with. Had I known what I know now, I would have tried to end up elsewhere," Sigmund said.
"So how did I end up here instead?" Aveline asked.
"Like I said, I'm a fairly important person up there. So I got the boss to pull some strings," Sigmund said, "Had you sent here instead. Lucky you."
"Lucky. You call this lucky?" Aveline asked.
"Indeed I do. Here, you can still grow. Become stronger. Overcome trials and become better for it. Like Searing Wind," Sigmund said.
"I see," Aveline said. Sigmund was right, in a way. As nice as eternal relaxation sounded at first, the more she thought about it the more right Sigmund became.
"And I felt bad for you. In life you never had enough opportunity to grow. So…here you are. I'll be here for you. I'm always watching," Sigmund said, "Especially in the bath."
"Always watching…HEY!" Aveline shouted.
Sigmund laughed, "Can't have you slipping on a water puddle and hitting your head."
Aveline hit him.
She awoke in the Squad Four infirmary and sat up peacefully.
"Oh, you're awake," a small, meek looking Soul Reaper with a broom said, "Sorry to disturb you, I was just sweeping the room."
"That's alright," Aveline said.
"You've been out for three days," the Soul Reaper said, "Everyone else has already been released."
"Oh? Even the seniors?" Aveline asked.
"Yeah. They healed pretty quickly actually once we got you guys back here," the Soul Reaper said, "The others told me what you did. That was pretty impressive for a trainee."
"I guess it was," Aveline said, "May I have some tea?"
"Sure. I would imagine you're pretty thirsty being asleep for three days," the Soul Reaper said.
"Wait. May I have your name?" Aveline asked.
"Sure, it's Hanataro Yamada."
"Thank you, Hanataro," Aveline said, "My name is Aveline von Ravenstein, but please call me Avey."
"I'll be back soon with the tea."