BSD
Administrator
For whom the bell tolls.
A day before…
Arashi found himself home, the events of the Rukongai still fresh in his mind. The large mass of blood. The massive Garganta. They were images that could not be quelled nor suppressed through sleep and meditation, but he persisted anyway. Having spent the majority of these past three days locked in meditation. Even exercising in self-confined solitary. Only stepping out should the matter be dire or his Captain was in need of his assistance. However, Captain Oda was kind enough to give him peace, allowing him time to reconcile and break free from his own, troubles. He simply wasn’t, himself. No longer did a smile spread across his face, and his eyes remained closed, just as they always have. Still and motionless, docile even. He spent the remainder of the day this way, and even dared not to move through the night.
Sitting in his own pool of sweat, drenched by effort and tireless exercise. Standard strength training, cardio, and finished with meditation. His light would be the only one that shined through the night, while all else was swallowed in darkness within the barracks, though no lit candles can be found within his quarters. No lamp is turned on to ignite this calming level of brightness that shines through the window. It was simply his own reiatsu, confined within the walls of his quarters. No amount not even a sliver of his spiritual pressure escaped. His body glows with a vibrant light, calm, like a soft flame where no heat can be expelled. His Zanpakuto sits in front of him, resting on the floor with a shimmer, matching the same glow that envelopes his body. Equivalent to the past two days, traps his own mind within his inner-world…
A world that is boundless. Without walls or ceilings. Without life and death. It is this endless void, this endless space where time does not exist. Where hopes and dreams can be explored. Where adventures can manifest themselves and go on for eternity. Before, his world was filled with nothing but stars, light surrounded by darkness. However, it seemed more vibrant than usual, and this vibrance held the emotions of not just one, nor two, but three individual entities. Arashi, Hoshizora, and yes, even his counterpart. The unwelcomed, but welcomed menace that plagues his mind in silence, in hiding. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme when Arashi re-enters his domain. No sign of his inner-demon to call to, but Arashi knows better than to dismiss him even with this lack of evidence. He can feel his eyes forever staring at the back of his neck, the side of his face, and even in the front from a distance. Sometimes close, sometimes far away… Always knocking at the door, beating on the walls. He searches for an opening, but even when he finds one, he continues to the next. Never in fear of losing his position, only gaining whatever advantage he could so when the day comes he can strike from every corner, from every direction. He’d leave no chances for Arashi, no choices for him to decide upon. He’d be utterly powerless… or so he hopes...
While having knowledge of his plan, Arashi did not add to his defense. He did not fortify his walls or cling to Hoshizora as he once did. Had he given up? Was he ready to accept his fate and live with the consequences that are sure to follow? Whatever choices he made, it is not something that his peers could ever hope to see nor find. Not even the likes of Captain Oda or even Lieutenant Yugure who have been touched by the same affliction as he. Once able to stand within his inner-world, he chooses to lay and float, adrift along the currents of his world. Soon, Hoshizora manifested next to him, from the head to her toes, wrapped in robes of light…
“ It's surprising, isn't it…”
” What is?”
A play of ignorance, as if he was a clueless fool. As if he couldn’t see the different colors that have manifested within his inner-world. As if he could not feel the emotions and desires of all three of them mixing together…
” Just open your eyes and look. You’ll understand what I see and what he sees…”
Hardly forced, his eyes opened little by little. At first a blur, but soon his sight adjusted. Emotions become painfully clear, visible even. Rage, lust, calmness, joy, sadness, fear, all of these emotions attempting to meld together and the only thing that impeded their path was the darkness of his world. That darkness representing his counterpart…
” What he sees huh… Why should I care what he sees?”
“ You mean, what you see… Did you ever stop to think that you are looking into a mirror?”
” Is that supposed to be a joke?”
She scoffs, irritation stretching over her face as she folds her arms firmly. She moves quickly, her position changing from his side to being above his floating form. She saw only a fool at this moment, a careless, and mindless idiot. Unable to see the meaning behind this picture. Unable to read between the lines of his own story.
” BAKA!” She exclaimed!
Quickly striking Arashi, her tiny fist collapsing into his stomach sending Arashi downward, further away from the lights and vibrant colors that painted the scenery. He continued falling, until she and what lies behind her was no longer in sight. He continued falling, until he was surrounded by complete and utter darkness. Until, his body was pierced by a single blade. His own blade and his own blood splattering into the air. His hands immediately move towards the wound, grabbing a hold of the blade with his bare hands. Though he didn’t seem startled, nor surprised. His eyes simply closed once again, he felt no pain rush through his being. However, the voice of both Hoshizora and his counterpart linger by his ears. Each of them choosing a side to speak to him. Each of their hands grasping his shoulder. One of a cold and heavy embrace and the other of warmth and light.
Their hands move, creeping over his naked chest, before finally grasping his throat. Further he is dragged into the abyss, taken to-
His eyes rush open! Before him is his room no longer engulfed by light. No longer does his blade shimmer as it once did. Arashi turns his gaze to the window, watching as the sun finally peeks over the horizon… Finally, the next day had come. Perhaps it might be his last…
As time collapses...
Hours passing by, Arashi finds himself cleaned and dressed, his Zanpakuto nestled between his Obi-sash and Hakama this time around. Exiting his barracks, he’d make sure his Lieutenant badge is secured, all the while nodding to any and all comrades that pass him by within the 5th division barracks. It wasn’t too long before his next step swiftly entered into Shunpo, and exited upon the same initial step. Hardly starling the guards before him, trained and prepared as they should be. Unable to lock eyes with the Lieutenant for his eyes now remain close, however, they examine the badge upon his arm and quickly allow him access to their grounds. They’d receive no friendly gesture, unlike the man who once bore a smile to this world or any other.
He took his time, time that would allow him to surmise his words into a formal and coherent report. Effectively preparing himself mentally. While he would minimize one issue, he still dealt with another. Exactly where was he going? With his head on a swivel, making sure he was traveling in the right direction, but eventually he would find his way successfully, after asking once for directions.
Once again, the doors to the Lieutenant hall open, touched by a single hand. He’d be a new face, his first meeting with other high-ranking officers. His eyes would travel first to the Head Lieutenant Honoka Oki, quickly reading her as exhausted and frustrated. Yasu Yugure, her behavior knowing no bounds as she leans in her chair, feet kicked up, stuffing her face with snacks… Lastly for the moment at least, another female, who’s name he did not know yet. Omoni Hageshi, a warrior, one who has seen far too many battles and has scars to show for it. A powerhouse in her own right respectfully.
From single glances he’d uncover small and feeble information before seating himself at his respective chair that holds the color of his division. He raises his arms above the table, resting his forearms upon the surface before interlocking his fingers. He awaits for the rest to arrive and once they all did, finally, the Head Lieutenant speaks…
