Blood on the Sand

Volume 1: The Broken Crown

Chapter 2: Beneath the Sun

A gentle breeze caused the thin white silk curtains to flutter and wrap around the pillars, making them resemble tall angels. False sunlight brought a false warmth to the patients lying the beds lined against a wall of alternating turquoise and cream tiles. Arrancar nurses, clad in white uniforms with black crescents embroidered on their collars, examined the patients as they made their rounds.

Francis Casa, head of the Equipo Médico, limped his way down the rows followed by a team of Curanderos. He was a thin Arrancar of medium height. His mask fragment was a pair of round-rimmed spectacles that seemed to perch at the end of his hooked nose. His narrow face was peppered with gray stubble and his cold iron-grey eyes surveyed all in his domain. His cane was made of moon wood with a silver head made to resemble a horned lizard.

"Curador Casa," one of the nurses said and bowed. Francis only grunted in reply as he took the clipboard in the nurse's hand.

"Another one found outside," he said as he rubbed his stubbly chin. "Has he been put to bed?"

"Yes sir, and some of the other patients are starting to stir."

Francis nodded as he said, "And what about those we found inside?" Before the nurse could reply there was a loud clatter from one of the beds further on followed by the sounds of struggles. Francis sighed as he thrust the board back into the nurse's hands. "Damn it," he muttered.

He hurried his steps, his limp no longer as pronounced as it had been. He could see the two patients causing the ruckus. One was tall and lanky. His mask fragment took the form of a gaping maw with sharp fangs surrounding his Hollow hole at where his left eye should have been. The other was shorter, but more muscular with bright blue hair and his mask fragment was the jaw of a great feline at the right side of his face. One of the other patients had grabbed the tall, black-haired around the waist and was trying to hold him back.

"Please, Master Nnoitora, now's not the time to get into a fight."

"Let go of me, Tesla. I'm gonna make sure that this kitty-cat stays dead."

"BULLSHIT, NNOITORA! You couldn't kill me before, so what makes you think you can kill me now?"

"I'm the Quinto Espada, and you're only the Sexta. Last time I checked Quinto was more powerful than Sexta."

"You got lucky with your rank and you know it. The only way that you can beat your opponent is to do a sneak attack. You ain't nothing more than a sneak."

"What was that? I dare you to call me that again."

"You're a sneak."

"THAT'S IT! YOU'RE DEAD, GRIMMJOW!" Nnoitora was about to fire a cero at Grimmjow when Francis hit him over the head with his cane, making sure that the silvery horns dug into his scalp.

"There will be no fighting on my ward," Francis said. "If you want to kill each other, wait until after I discharge you."

Grimmjow and Nnoitora looked at him. Their combined three eyes narrowed.

"Who the fuck are you?" Grimmjow asked.

Francis struck Grimmjow's head with his cane. "I'm your doctor. So you better get this into your thick skull. While you're here, my word is law. This is my domain, not the Espada's, not the Usurper's. While you're here, I am God."

"Kind of full of yourself, ain't ya."

Francis struck Nnoitora on the head again, causing him to yelp. Grimmjow laughed and so received the same treatment.

"You will not interrupt me while I'm speaking to you."

"DO YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE?" Grimmjow and Nnoitora shouted.

"I don't care if you're the Queen of Silk and the Sighing Maiden and offering me the fuck of my life." He struck them both on the head with the silver head of his cane as he said, "Patients in my ward keep quiet." He made sure that each word was punctuated with a strike to the head followed by a yelp of pain.

"Ow, that hurt," Grimmjow snarled as he rubbed his head.

Francis leaned towards him and smiled. "Good. If you want to leave then you better be courteous to my other patients. If you don't…" He held up his cane, making sure that the false sunlight gleamed on each spike of the silver horned lizard. "Well, I could prolong your stay indefinitely. Do you understand?"

Grimmjow and Nnoitora glared at him, but nodded in understanding. They received two more knocks on the head.

"And don't glare at me. It's impolite."

Skullak Tuma

Most of the chairs around the marble table were empty. Skullak Tuma looked over the latest reports sent to him from the Equipo Médico. He was about six feet tall with somewhat messy brown hair. His mask fragment was half of a gladiatorial arena helmet that covered the left side of his face. A faded ornate one was branded on the right side of his neck.

"The last messages have been sent out," Hermes Correo, head of the Messenger Brigade, said. He was a slight Arrancar with lilac hair. His mask fragment resembled two wings that covered his checks and met at the bridge of his nose. His light green eyes were restless, darting to take in his surroundings.

"Perhaps it was an unwise decision to inform the Houses," Victor Cuulhourne said. He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers together. His dark gold eyes seemed distant in thought. "They'll want to name an Emperor and they'll each name whoever can deliver the most reward for them."

Skullak looked at Victor. Victor's dark purple hair was closely cropped yet stylized and his mask fragment resembled rose thorns framing his thin oval face. Unlike most of the Arrancars in Las Noches who wore uniforms of white and black, Victor wore a dark blue coat with gold vines covered in thorns embroidered on the lapels. A rose-colored ascot hung around his throat and tucked into his cream-colored shirt. He was the Arrancar equivalent of a dandy.

"It had to be done," Skullak said and stood.

"Are you going to see how our fellow Privarons are doing?"

"I'm certain that Casa will release them soon."

"I am certain that he would prefer to release the three remaining Espada first," Victor said as he examined the rose-quartz head of his golden cane. "Otherwise the others will not be able to heal properly."

"Three?"

"Did he not inform you that they found Nelliel, the former Tres Espada? She was not demoted by the Usurper and so she is still an Espada, as if it will mean anything anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"Baraggan Luisenbarn formed the rank of Espada and the Usurper utilized it for his purposes. Baraggan is dead and the Usurper is deposed. The ranks of Espada and Privaron will mean nothing unless the Houses decide to utilize them as well."

Skullak did not respond. He hated to admit it when Victor Cuulhourne was right, which was nearly always.

"How many of the Fracción remain?"

"From what I understand, of those who went to the World of the Living, Findor and Nirgge are recovering from their wounds. All of the others are dead. There is of course the majority of Szayel Aporro Granz's Fracción who we can utilize elsewhere. Nelliel's two Fracción have not left her side since she was placed under Casa's care. Finally, Tesla Lindocruz who is recovering quite quickly considering his wounds."

Skullak nodded and looked at Gantenbainne Mosqueda. He was a thin Arrancar with a thick orange afro and a thin black chin-beard. His mask fragment was a plate that resembled a pair of sunglasses with teeth and a blue star in the middle. Of the Privaron who faced the Invaders he was the only one who was not taken to Casa.

"You're quiet, Gantenbainne," Skullak said.

"I suppose I just don't have anything worth saying," Gantenbainne said. "I haven't had anything concrete to say ever since I woke and found that Soul Reaper healer hovering over me. I still don't understand it. We're their enemies. Why would they help us?"

"I don't know," Skullak said. "It could be that they were keeping to their moral code."

"I suppose. But can you see Casa healing a Soul Reaper if the roles were reversed?"

"Maybe, after he whacked them over the head a few times with that cane of his," Skullak said and smiled. Gantenbainne let out a chuckle and sighed.

"Maybe we will become obsolete," he said. "At least under Aizen we had a purpose, but now…"

"The future will always be uncertain," Skullak said. "Aizen brought us together when you think about it. And for that I'm grateful to him."

"Anyways, I'm having the Construcción remove that monstrosity that Aizen actually called a 'throne' away. The new Emperor can use whatever they like as a throne, but I can guarantee that none of them will want to sit on something that a Soul Reaper sat on. There's still too much bad blood."

Skullak nodded and shuffled the papers into a neat pile. He stood and made his way towards the tall iron doors.

"Where are you going off to?"

"I'm going to check on Casa's patients. I want to make sure that he's not hurting them too much with that cane of his."

"Uh huh, and you'll probably spend all that time with Cirucci than with the others."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'll make sure to get around to seeing the others," Skullak said and smiled as he went out of the chamber.

Nelliel Tu Odelschwank

The last thing she remembered seeing before darkness took her was Nnoitora falling. She had always pitied him ever since they first met as yearlings. She remembered that, unlike most of the Gilgas, Nnoitora looked frail despite his hierro. As a result, Nnoitora had been easy prey for his brothers and sisters as well as his own father.

Even remembering what he did to her and to Pesche and Dondochakka did not keep her from feeling any less pity for him. She supposed that her kindness towards him made him hate her all the more.

How pathetic, she thought. I should have known better. I should have just let him be his own Arrancar instead of trying to take care of him.

She moaned as she shifted in the hospital bed and truly registered that she wasn't on the sand anymore. Her eyes flickered open and she saw a tall, thin Arrancar with blonde hair sleeping in a chair next to her bed.

"Oh, good, you're awake."

Nel yawned as she sat up in bed and looked at a woman Arrancar with short white hair streaked with orange. Her mask fragment was a tiara with five crests that swept back over the top of her head before meeting at the base of her neck. She wore a white uniform with a black crescent embroidered over the right breast. Her sandy tan eyes seemed to harbor kindness in their depths and a coldness deeper still.

"Who…are you?"

"I'm Maria, second-in-command of the Equipo Médico. Curador Casa put me in charge while he updates the medical records. I'll be sure that your records are updated to include recent developments in your condition."

"My…condition?"

"We found you as a little girl and Curador Casa was upset that you didn't come to him earlier regarding the crack in your mask. He said that your two Fracción were utterly irresponsible for not taking you to see him sooner."

Nel lowered her head. She wondered if she should explain that they didn't have much of a choice. Nnoitora and Szayel Aporro had laid a trap for them and they fell into it. At the time she didn't remember being one of the Espada and Pesche and Dondochakka only did what they thought was best to keep her safe. She supposed that it didn't make any difference anymore.

"Nel was with some Soul Reapers when Nel was knocked unconscious again. Do you know what happened to them?"

"They most likely went back to where they belong, and good riddance," Maria said. "The last thing our patients need is for a bunch of black clad Soul Reapers running around with swords drawn. It would be detrimental to their recovery."

"I see," Nel said. "Still, for them not to take Nel with them…" She sighed and put a hand up to her mask fragment which resembled the upper part of a ram's skull. She felt where the crack had been and her eyes widened. She looked at Maria.

"Curador Casa repaired it," she said. "Repairing mask fragments is one of his specialties. In fact, I believe that he's the only Arrancar in Las Noches who can do it."

"So…Nel's fully healed?" Nel asked, her excitement growing. "Nel won't have to be a little kid anymore?"

"It could mean it or you might revert. Only time will tell."

"Nel understands," Nel said and looked at Pesche. "Where's Dondochakka. Normally he would be here too."

"Oh, you mean the squat guy. He went to get some food," Maria said. She looked at Pesche and shook her head. "Honestly, those two refused to leave your side. Curador Casa had to beat them away with that damn cane of his just to operate on you. They must have thought that we would harm you."

Nel sat in her bed and frowned.

Was it really that bad? Did it get to the point with them that they couldn't really trust any of our fellow Arrancar?

"It's sad," she said. "They became so protective that they lost any ability to trust our fellow Arrancar. You're not all like…like him."

"I see," Maria said and stood next to her. "I heard that something happened to the former Tres Espada, but I didn't suspect that you were her." Nel looked at her with alarm on her face and Maria smiled. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone if you don't want me too, but I don't think it will matter. The Exequias saw you and would have filed their report with Skullak."

"Skullak Tuma's still here?"

"Yes, and he's Warden of Las Noches until a new Emperor is crowned."

"Why not one of the Espada?" Nel asked.

Maria shook her head. "No, my dear, none of the remaining Espada would gain favor. The Usurper's gone and the Espada are no longer a powerful force. It was bound to happen sooner or later, but the days of the Espada having any authority are numbered."

"But…we were the strongest," Nel said.

"My dear, you obviously didn't get out of Las Noches much. If you had then you would know that power has a different meaning out there than in here. The Usurper…"

"His name's Aizen," Nel snapped. "He assembled us. He built this sky over our heads and gave us all of this."

"And he's gone," Maria said. "The Usurper kept us caged in here to where we are practically useless to the rest of the world. None of us here knows how to rule over an entire Empire, and the Empire is more than just what is beneath this dome. When the Houses come they will all say the same thing: you Espada and Privaron have no understanding of the Empire. You have no real authority over them because you never walked among them. Your names will not be enough to convince them otherwise. Power is shifting from blood to gold and steel."

Nel gaped at her and Maria calmed herself. "Forgive me, but I only say this for your own good. Do not lay claim to anything, not even to your own blade. You are to be like the rest of us: ready to serve whoever sits upon the Throne.

"Do you understand?"

"Yes," Nel said. "Nel's sword is for the Empire, not herself." Maria nodded in agreement.

"You best get some rest. I dare say that you may need it if things go ill."

That's what I'm afraid of, Nel thought.

"NEL!" The shout was loud enough to cause Pesche to fall out of his chair with a cry. Nel looked and saw Dondochakka, no longer clad in his Tiki mask and his polka-dotted yellow onesie. Instead he was clad in a crisp white uniform with three black stripes running down his jacket. His brown hair was disheveled and his broad face was flushed. "NEL! WE NEED TO GET OUTTA HERE, DON'TCHA KNOW!"

"Dondochakka, what's wrong with you?" Pesche demanded as he rubbed his lower back. "I could have broken my neck."

"Calm down, Dondochakka," Nel said. "Tell me what's wrong."

"I SAW HIM!" Dondochakka cried. "I SAW HIM! I SAW THE ONE WHO TRIED TO KILL US!"

"What?" Nel asked and leapt out of the bed. The white hospital gown she wore clung to her and she made to reach for a sword that was not there. "Which one?" she snarled.

"Nnoitora," Dondochakka said. "I saw him. Nel, Nnoitora's still alive and he's here."

Skullak Tuma

The Lord sits upon his throne

He sits in judgment of right and wrong

His scales measure our lives both short and long

He gives justice to the little children.

The Lady tends her garden fair

Her hand heals the land and ends our woes

Her song heralds an end to all foes

She gives mercy to the little children

Skullak Tuma looked at the child, a young Arrancar with long silvery hair and a mask fragment that resembled two ram horns curled over her ears. Her white uniform was embroidered with dark blue falcons, the emblem of House Falconia, wardens of the Eastern Gate. She was heading towards a small shrine with a bouquet of silvery moon roses in order to honor the Winter War's dead.

"It brings back such sweet memories," Skullak said.

"It's fitting for the children to turn to the Faith in these uncertain times. It gives them some degree of comfort," Suku Rappa, head of the Construcción said. He was a tall male Arrancar clad in a yellow uniform. The false sunlight made his blonde hair gleam. His red eyes took in the buildings around him, as though he was trying to find any damage that needed to be repaired or improvements that could be made. His mask fragment resembled two triangles, one on each cheek, which stopped on either side of his nose.

"How are the repairs coming along?"

"Fine, fine," he said. "We got the hole that the intruders made fixed and we'll begin fixing the damage done to the towers and the dome after we get done digging out Szayel Aporro's remaining fracción. Most of them have already been sent to the healers, but some already took their own lives when they found out that Szayel Aporro is dead."

"Arrancars who were created only to serve their master," Skullak said. "With Szayel Aporro's death most of them will no longer have a reason to continue."

"At least we still have a reason to continue," Suku said and clasped a hand on Skullak's shoulder. "I better get back to work before the others get too far off track. You have work you need to do. You're Warden of Las Noches now."

"Until an Emperor is appointed, but… What do you think I should do?"

"You're asking the wrong guy. I'm no politician or a lord. I merely serve Las Noches to the best of my abilities. If you want advice then I suggest that you ask that pretty lady of yours. She knows the game better than I do."

Skullak nodded as they continued their walk. "I'll see her as soon as I'm done here. I merely wanted to see it." They stopped where the bright red wall was breached and Skullak frowned. "How much damage can't be repaired?"

"Underground Corridor Twenty-Two was completely destroyed and will no longer be operational. The same holds true for Szayel Aporro Granz's palace since the underground corridors underneath it were damaged to the point that the foundation is unstable. Other than that, all of the other damage sustained in the war can be repaired."

"Thank you."

"If that is all that you need then I must return to my duties."

"Then go and do your duty to Las Noches."

Suku bowed before leaving in a burst of sonído. Skullak looked down and saw that the child had gone. He brought out the electronic tablet and scanned through the latest reports. The Exequias had the breaches in the outer wall and dome secured, but the outer corridors were still vulnerable. The tall cube-like structures that marked the barracks were long deserted. Aizen's fall caused many of the Arrancars and Hollows stationed at Las Noches to return to their homes or go rogue. But what was done could not be undone.

Well, now I got that done, time to visit the Equipo Médico, he thought.

Grimmjow Jagerjaquez

"You're dead," Nnoitora snarled.

"Funny, I don't feel dead," Grimmjow retorted. "Maybe you need to get your head examined. I think that hole in your head severely hindered your thinking capacity."

"Ooh, such big words coming from someone with the mental capacity of a kitten."

"I'M A PANTHER!" Grimmjow shouted. He leapt to his feet and curled his fingers causing his nails to grow longer.

"Ooh, what's the kitten gonna do, scratch me?"

"I'll scratch out that remaining eye of yours if you don't stop calling me 'kitten' or 'kitty' or 'pussy'."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Please, Master Nnoitora," Tesla said from his bed. "Don't cause too much trouble or else he'll come over."

"If he does then I'll take that stick of his and shove it up his ass," Nnoitora said.

"I doubt that you could," Grimmjow said. "The only reason why you got the best of me was because you attacked me out of nowhere. If it was a fair fight…" Grimmjow's grin widened and his light blue eyes flashed with blood-lust. "Well, it would have a very different outcome. I can promise you that."

Grimmjow looked away from Nnoitora and was about to return to his bed when he saw the green-haired Arrancar coming towards them. "Whoa, who's the babe?"

Nnoitora turned and stiffened. Tesla's visible eye widened in surprise. Nelliel's eyes remained focus and her grip tightened on her sword. The healers got out of her way and some quickened their pace.

"It can't be…" Nnoitora whispered. Nel stopped and looked at Nnoitora.

"I'm only going to tell you this once," she said. "If you try to ensnare me or my fracción with one of your cheap tricks then I will not hesitate to crush you. I only held back because I pitied you, but no more. I don't know how you survived that Reaper devil, but you will not survive me if you force my hand. Do you understand?"

Nnoitora glared at her, his mouth twisted in a sneer. "If you're going to kill me then kill me," he growled. "Don't waste my time with your empty threats, Nel. I know that you won't kill me."

Nel went into a burst of sonído and emerged behind Nnoitora with her arms wrapped about his neck, prepared to twist it. Tesla looked from Nnoitora to Nel, wondering what he should do. Nnoitora looked at him and grinned.

"Tesla, don't get in the way. This is between the two of us," he said. "And I know that she won't kill me. She never could kill me, but I don't have the same hesitation. So, Nel, you better kill me now, because if you don't then I will try to kill you."

Nel remained silent for a moment and then released her hold. Nnoitora looked at her, still smiling.

"You have your work cut out for you," she said. "You deceived Nel once, but Nel won't be deceived a second time. Remember that, Nnoitora."

Nel walked away, not paying much attention to Grimmjow. Grimmjow watched her walk away and his smile widened. He looked at Nnoitora and chuckled.

"Looks like I got competition," he said.

Wonderweiss Margela

"Do you remember how you got here?" Francis Casa asked.

Wonderweiss lay in one of the private wards. The room itself was pure white with no decoration. The only thing that broke the monotony was the metal door.

"No," Wonderweiss said.

"Do you know where you are?"

"Wonderweiss," he said, seeking the word he wanted to use. "Room," he finally said. From there it became easier for him. "Las Noches."

"Very good," Francis said as he made a note. "What's the last thing you remember?"

Wonderweiss closed his eyes. He searched his memories, but couldn't seem to find what he was looking for. He shook his head and then he thought he could see…

"Light," he said. "Wonderweiss…I…remember…light."

"What kind of light?" Francis asked as he jotted another note.

"Cold…so cold," he muttered. "Everything's…cold…then…light. Cold light…I'm sorry. I can't really remember."

"I see," Francis said as he stood, using his cane as support. "I'll be back later to see how you're doing."

"Thank…you."

Francis didn't say anything. He poured out a slight trace of Reiatsu and the metal door opened. He looked back at his patient and frowned.

"Are you sure that you don't remember anything else?"

Wonderweiss shook his head and said, "All dark."

"Well, if you think of anything, please write it down," he said and put a thin blue book of ten pages down and placed a pen on top. "It could be that your mind's blocking it, but the dead just don't come back on their own power."

That sent a shiver down Wonderweiss's spine, but he couldn't think why.

Skullak Tuma

White curtains provided some privacy, but there was no real privacy. Shadows danced as the curtains fluttered in the soft breeze and healers made their rounds helping the wounded. Skullak sat reading a copy of The Holy Star that his mother owned. It was interesting reading, filled with miracles and wisdom that were said to come from the holy prophets and heroes of The Faith.

Cirucci Sanderwicci slept, rolling over slightly and moaning. He closed The Holy Star and put it aside as he leaned over Cirucci. Her dark purple haired clashed with the white sheets and Skullak found her even more beautiful. He brushed her spiked hairpin-like mask fragment and smiled as she smiled in her sleep, moaning a sigh of pleasure.

"I'll be back soon," he said as he got up. He kissed her forehead before stepping out of the makeshift chamber. He sighed as he walked towards the towering white curtains and pushed them aside. The expanse of the false day-lit sands seemed like an unbreakable ocean of white with the Espada palaces and the villas of high-ranking Arrancars being like brightly-colored ships.

"What happens next?"

Skullak turned and saw the skull-headed Arrancar. The empty sockets still made him somewhat uneasy despite the years they served side-by-side in mutual trust. Rudobon Chelute was clad in a new uniform of a pure white coat with silver buttons and a black belt. His white trousers were tucked into white boots. A silver crescent moon pin, the emblem of Las Noches, shone on his left lapel.

"I suppose that the Houses will come here," Skullak said as he looked out over the sand. "They'll want to name a new Emperor as quickly as possible in order to avoid chaos. Whoever becomes Emperor will need us by their side. Arrancars are warriors and the Espada have been their commanders."

"Rather presumptuous," Rudobon said. "I heard that many outside of Las Noches feel that times have changed."

"If you're afraid that the new Emperor will do away with the Espada, then you're worrying in vain. There's tradition to think about."

"Some might not value tradition as much as others. Aizen's reign in Las Noches kept us isolated from the others. I'm afraid that it might haunt us."

"Perhaps you're right, old friend," Skullak said and smiled. "But I have faith in my fellow Arrancar."

"But do they have faith in you? The Arrancars in Las Noches may have faith in you but it may not be enough for the others. The world is more than merely Las Noches."

"I know," Skullak said and sighed. "But I didn't survive just to fall by the wayside. My father always told me that I was destined for great things when I was younger. I may not know what the future holds but I have to believe that I will help shape it."

"I see," Rudobon said and shook his head. "My future is different from yours. You may be destined to rule, but I'm destined to only serve. But I know my destiny. Your destiny may change according to how Fortuna spins. She may spin in your favor or against you, such is the way it is for those who are destined to lead."

"You don't have faith in me?"

"I trust you. But you do not have the gift of foresight."

"Our futures are not written in stone. We shape them with our hands, Rudobon. We shape our own destinies."

"What would you do if the other Houses agree that you are not to lead anymore?"

"Then I will serve whoever sits on the Throne. But there is one who I will not serve."

"He's in exile," Rudobon said. Skullak nodded, but his face remained stern.

"And he better remain in exile."

End of Chapter 2

Encyclopedia Imperium:

House Tuma: One of the youngest of the Major Houses, House Tuma did not rise to prominence until the reign of King Mordrath, sixth of his name. Before King Mordrath VI succumbed to paranoia he appointed a minor lord named Strauss Tuma to be his High Chancellor. Little is known of Strauss Tuma, but all accounts that survive to the present indicate that Strauss Tuma was the one who drove the last King of Day into madness through his whispers concerning the lords he loathed. In many regards House Tuma's rise to fame was through cunning and betrayal. When King Mordrath VI was found dead in his bath suspicion fell on Strauss Tuma and the events of the Bloody Revolution seemed to only confirm the rumors. Strauss Tuma, along with other lords from the Major Houses, decided to kill Mordrath VI's sole child, Edvar, before he could ascend the throne. Edvar's death was among the most gruesome to befall royalty as his body was drawn and quartered. Accounts say that Strauss Tuma forced Edvar's sister to consume his manhood in the presence of his severed head before slitting her throat. It is well-known that Strauss Tuma desired the crown for himself, but his children saw to it that he inherited nothing but an early tomb. Strauss Tuma would not be the last Tuma to hold a position of authority nor would he be the last to betray his lord. House Tuma was seen by many as one of the most powerful houses, even given the moniker "King Maker" when Philippe Leonisra ascended to the throne after defeating his older brother, Henri, during the Kin War. However, 450 years before the Winter War, Jango Tuma and his wife, Leda, were murdered by brigands (some suspect that Mordrath Luisenbarn led the attack at the command of the Usurper, Sousuke Aizen). Skullak Tuma, their son, was the only survivor and is the current Warden of Las Noches, but the authority they once wielded has diminished substantially.

Sigil: a golden helmed skull surrounded by silver daggers with blades facing away on a red field

Words: Strength from Honor

Alliances: House Leonisra (through marriage), House Starrk (through marriage), House Sanderwicci (through treaty), House Gilga (through marriage), House Andjo (through treaty)

Banners: None