The Maker's Test

Slow controlled footsteps echoed through the hallways of the Vizard Sanctuary. A tall robed figure was making his way to one of the largest areas in the entire building. It was the first time in fifteen years that the Vizard Maker himself had entered the sanctuary and his presence had already been noted as he entered. He could hear the scrambling of the Council to set up for his arrival. But they would quickly realize that he had come for no small social visit.

No features could be seen through the shadows of the cowl of his hood and his large flowing robe made describing his appearance difficult. But an aura of tremendous power surrounded him. On his back was an unconscious shinigami, his breathing quick and ragged. Only his breathing and small twitches even showed that the man was still alive. His power was barely there but was starting to fluctuate wildly.

As the Maker entered the large room he looked at the assembled Vizards. Very few had shown up, presumably others were outside and had not known of his arrival, but it would be better for his needs. The Vizards stared quietly at him for a minute, waiting for him to speak. A few of them also eyed the shinigami on his back with confusion and a little worry. The Vizard Maker was known for being rather eccentric as well as powerful.

He looked out at the group, the shadows masking the dark grin on his face. He had less leadership authority than the High Council, but most of the time he could get any of his wishes approved. And in this situation they wouldn't have much of a choice. "I see that you all are doing well hidden away from the rest of the world. This is of course wonderful news indeed. The barrier still holds strong and protects everyone here from the troublesome beings outside."

"However," he slowly placed the shinigami in the middle of the room and walked back to the corridor, "I am worried that you are all becoming weak in your solitude. We have no enemies that can break through here and thus we have become lazy. So I decided that maybe a training session is in order." As he spoke the shinigami started to go through spasms, chocking and groaning on the floor. "This one tried to gain power and has proven himself too weak to handle it. He was exiled for his crimes among the Shinigami and sought to become like us. His arrogance blinded him and has led him to this result. My power has been holding back his transformation, but it can no longer be stopped."

A terrible scream echoed through the room as suddenly a white mask congealed on the shinigami's face his robes shattering as his body started to transform. A series of spikes burst out of his back as two new pairs of arms burst out of his sides. Ten clawed fingers burst out of each hand swiping at the air around in a frenzy. Slowly becoming taller the mask split apart into a huge fanged mouth, its screams becoming louder by the second.

Its insanity reaching a fever pitch, the hollowfied shinigami dashed towards the Vizard Maker, intending on tearing him apart with his claws. One flash step was all it took for the Maker to suddenly appear in front of the monster, bringing his arm back, and punch the creature halfway across the room. "I need to see that you all are as strong as when I granted you your powers. Don't worry though, I made this room strong for a reason. You can go all out." As he said this he appeared back in the corridor leaning against a wall. "Reduce him to dust," he said, his words being partially muffled by the roar of the hollow that had gotten back on its feet.

(This is taking place before current arcs so it has little effect on the ongoing plot. I will be controlling the hollow. He will slowly change more and increase in power as the topic continues.)

Watching the maker enter the room Kazuki only stared with uninterested eyes. As unexpected as his arrival was Kazuki didn't have a reason to be interested. it was not till he noticed the Shinigami on his shoulder did Kazuki's attention divert from the ceiling down to the Maker. As he spoke Kazuki only watched the shinigami it was quite noticeable the transformation that was trying to break free. Not liking the situation Kazuki stepped from his highest point, and dropped down to the ground landing on his left foot. Just as the creature attack the Vizard Maker it was sent sliding backward. Kazuki would step forward rising his hand to signal the remaining Vizard's to hold still. Locking eyes with the beast Kazuki would look downward to the Maker. Locking his eyes on the darkness that covered his face. Kazuki had the most irritated stare in his eyes.


"Reduce his to dust...Not my style. I prefer to reduce him to ashs."

Drawing his blade suddenly, and increasing his spiritual pressure in floods the room would suddenly feel with rising heat, and force. Kazuki only stared at the monster before sighing. He felt sorry for him. So therefore he would end this quickly.

"Ban....Kai!"

Erupting from both Kazuki, and his blade flames would spread throughout the room in a widening circle. Most would have to retreat from the area to remain untouched while some would suffer from minor burning. having covered kazuki the flames would mask his transformation. The katana that was once in his hands not a type of boardsword-spear. The blade being jagged, and thin, tho it was also wide. At the base of the blade before it connected to the polearm a red tesseral would now flow. Kazuki hiself now wearing a white uniform. Simply reversing the colors.
once his transformation was finished, some odd seconds after calling bankai, the flames would burst outward reveal Kazuki to the creature. Hi reaitsu almost crushing the room around him as he stared into the creatures eyes. kazuki's silent fury so easily noticed through the release of his bankai.

"Raikenbou Rounin Ryuu. Now come with it........"

The monster quickly got up from being smashed against the wall as more of its body twisted and changed. It immediately went back to attempting to attack the Vizard Maker, before suddenly stopping as fire filled the room. Animal instinct warned it that the Maker was by far the most dangerous in the room, but the pure fury and heat of Kazuki's emotions put him at a higher threat level. The threatening aura was much more powerful from the High Elite rather than the calm detatched energy of the maker.

It turned towards the powerful Vizard, gnashing its jaws and roaring. It stopped for a brief moment as the Bakudo suddenly trapped it, but then easily shattered the weak kido.

"Did you honestly think Hainawa would do anything?" The Vizard maker called towards Tuwa. "You should know by now that even if you have a lot of reishi and aptitude with kido, that is still one of the weakest and unsuited for a foe like this. Don't overestimate your abilities or you will just get yourself in trouble."

As if to reinforce the man's words, the hollow suddenly pointed three of its hands at Kazuki and three at Tuwa. Charging its power quickly it fired a three large ceros at the two Vizards attempting to incinerate them.

"A creature filled with anger, and blinded fury. Your truly a lost soul. I pity you...."

Using Rankenbou Kazuki spin the polearm with almost unsurpassable skill, control, and speed. Erupting from this now spinning wheel of metal flames created a type of circle shield. Mirroring a certain Kido. As the Cero's approached they would meet the shield, and slowly get snuffed out just as fast. Kazuki having ranked the hollow power to be just a bit higher then Tuwa's. Tho it was because of it's wild nature. Stopping the spinning motion kazuki would use a very impressive flash step to appear before the creature. Raikenbou Rounin Ryuu now being used as a type of polevault. Used slo kazuki could smash both feet into the creatures face. hopefully sending it crashing backward's into the Vizard Maker. Kazuki's silent messege yelling out: "Do your own dirty work, I will not be manipulated."

...i knew that wouldn't hold long but didn't think it would break so fast like that... he though when he saw the hollow easily break free from the kido.

As the hollow charged up and shoot its Cero's Tuwa jumped forward in their direction, drawing and calling up his zampakuto, been engulfed in their energy as they hit him and then exploded. After the smoke dissipated Tuwa slowly fell, while the stone barrier around him fell apart and he came to the floor, standing some meters behind Kazuki.

"That was close, you should tame your pet better" he said pointing his quarterstaff to the Vizard Maker.

"My pet you say?" The Maker asked, a slightly irritated tone creeping into his voice. "Do you honestly think that I enjoy seeing people who were willing to become our allies transformed into creatures like this? You all went through this same gamble, don't you forget." His frustration with both members of the High Elites was increasing steadily. He wasn't sure what had slowly happened over the years of his absence but it seemed that their levels of trust with him had decreased. He would have to remind them of who he was and of the many blessing he had given them. "And also, if it was close then perhaps you are losing your edge Tuwa. This is the point of this test, if you can't defeat a single monster of this power, then you will be in great danger if the Shinigami or other enemies ever discovered the sanctuary."

As Kazuki went to kick the hollow it twisted back slightly to avoid getting knocked across the room again. While it couldn't completely avoid that attack it was only knocked back a few feet with a broken jaw. Healing almost instantly it stood up again slowly pacing back from Kazuki. Its original blind rage was starting to diminish slightly as it stared at the vizards. Deciding that another cero attack wouldn't be useful it instead charged forward its six hands with sixty sharp claws at the ready. Attacking downward with one hand, upward with the other hand, and using two others to aim at Kazuki's sides, it hoped to at least get a few deadly slashes in. Its two other hands were at the ready to block any other incoming attacks.

Vincent watched what was happening in the room, waiting for the right time to attack. Keeping his energy and breath under control as he crept closer to the action. Always keeping one eye on the man controlling the situation. This man's energy was one that Vincent could not forget. He never hated or disliked the man that gave him incredible powers. But now there's a beast that's hurting his comrades, Vincent knows he needs to take action. Then the monster charged straight for Kazuki. Jiyuu, Odin!

Cleanse, Odin! In a flash of lighting Vincent rained down upon the beast that was trying to attack Kazuki. Flashing down Vincent aimed for the monsters back, even if it missed he could still do damage to it by pushing it towards the ground and using it as a bomb.

As Tuwa, and Vincent joined together for an attack Kazuki retreated backwards [passing by Tuwa, exchanging a simple: "By me some time." before landing some odd feet away, and putting Raikenbou Rounin Ryuu in the dragonfly stance, bending his legs, and coiling the force, and power, drawing in large amounts of reaitsu which in turn casted an immense amount of pressure throughout the room. However this power was not directed at the Hollow, but at the Vizard Maker.

With a red aura surrounding his body Kazuki only once again stared into the pitch blackness that was the Maker's face. As he did so his spirirutal pressure increased once over, then twice, and then continued to double till the very room began to crumble, and break to pieces. Kazuki was pissed, and the Maker would learn that first hand.

Beneath the cloak, a bit of a grin appeared on the maker's face. He was irritated by the obvious rebellion Kazuki was staging but was amused by the power the High Elite was releasing. It was much greater than what he had expected, a piece of information he was able to take solace in. At least Kazuki had grown in power over the years, hopefully the rest would have as well.

He thought for a minute on how to respond to the obvious challenge from Kazuki. He felt like just releasing his energy as well, but against the released and masked Vizard, even his huge reishi would be dwarfed. He sighed to himself before muttering some words quietly. He was very paranoid about others seeing his zanpakuto and only released it when necessary. He finished speaking and released it within his wide cloak, the fabric cloaking the form it held. As he did so he released his reishi.

A few of the weaker vizards, already pushed down by Kazuki's spiritual pressure, completely collapsed on the ground as he released his energy. It wasn't more powerful then Kazuki's, actually a little bit weaker, but the point would be understood regardless. Even without his mask or even bankai, his power was nearly equal to that of the High Elite. His true power was unknown to all in the room, but it was understood to be massive.

The hollow roared in pain as a third combatant joined the fray. As Vincent soared down to attack its back it used two of its arms to intercept the attack. However, it had not expected the electrical force of the lightning that streaked through its body tensing up its muscles and causing it to shriek in agony. It twisted slightly to try to look at the new foe who was bearing down no him. With a stiff jerk of its body it tried to whack Vincent away with one of its stiffened arms. At the same time its eyes looked back and forth rapidly in case a new foe appeared. First the heat guy, then the stingy guy, what could be next?

Its unspoken question was answered as suddenly huge vines burst out of the ground wrapping around two of the hollow's arms holding them in place. At this moment the hollow realized it was in more trouble then it had expected. Two enemies nearby, and two gigantic energies shaking the very room. With its body still twitching slightly from the lightning attack and two of its arms bound, its priorities suddenly switched from destruction to survival. Hoping to distract or injure its opponents, it suddenly summoned energy into the ten fingers on its bound arms and its bottom two arms. With a roar it released the forty small balas all around the room. Hopefully it would at least make the enemies focus on the other people.

It then started to use its bottom two arms to try to cut through the vines and escape to a better area.

Without making a sound or even breathing to loud Kazuki had not only crossed the distance between himself, and the maker but also came with a very swift, and deadly horizontal slash/ Mainly to force the maker and himself out of the room. As to save the Vizard thatcouldn't withstand the pressure being cast by the two of them. However in the back of his mind Kazuki's mind silently cycled through information, the main thing being the sudden increase in power from the Maker. "Had he just????"

The monster tried to strike Vincent but managed to clip him in the arm. The blow forced Vincent turn rapidly into the corner to only land straight on his butt. Looking and holding his head Vincent was unaffected by the scratch on his arm, he stood up and looked at the man and then at the monster. This situation is bad...

Vincent took a deep breath and concentrated on the monster knowing that Kazuki would keep the man busy. Vincent began releasing a huge amount of energy as his hand went for his face. With the motion of his hand he pulled down his mask across his face. Lighting then started to crash down around the area each causing damage. The mask alone should be enough to stop this beast....no need for bankai....

He charged at the beast while firing lighting balas at the monster each blast dealing damage and numbing effect. Aiming was hard while he flashed towards the monster, some balas looked like they made there hit but Vincent was unsure as he closed the distance. Using the end of his right gauntlet as a sword he tried to slam into the beast like a knight using a lance.

As Kazuki charged forward, the Vizard Maker just narrowed his eyes. So he just uses a basic forward charge to attack me? Not a very smart plan in any case. As he went to use a kido to knock the High Elite away, he noticed the hollow about to release an attack. Instead of using the kido he instead barely dodged Kazuki's blow with a quick flash step and used another to make it to where several of the other vizards who were being knocked down by his spiritual pressure. As the balas came flying at them he quickly punched several of them away before they hit anybody, getting some burns on his hands for his trouble.

After doing this he brought down his spiritual pressure to a more manageable level and pulled a few of the relieved Vizards to their feet. "Sorry Kazuki, but it isn't much of a test if you try to push the examiner out of the room. If you want to fight me later, then you should choose a better time then when a hollow isn't rampaging don't you think? Though I will give you credit that your spiritual pressure has become larger then I expected."

He watched as Vincent's new attacks struck the hollow, its body continuing to spasm after each attack. Its instincts were now completely focusing on escaping. It decided to cut its losses with the vines that it was having trouble severing due to the lightning attacks and instead moved its bottom arms upwards to chop off the captured ones. It bounded backwards away from the two Vizards as its back began to morph some more, creating a monstrous spiked tail.

Testing the new appendage for a little bit an idea came to its mind. It slowly surveyed the area. He could only see the one exit where Kazuki was standing, but there were two other Vizards that were currently attacking.Then there was the really powerful man who had moved from the exit. It needed to at least get rid of one of them to even get a chance to escape. Taking two of its arms he clasped his hands together right as he fired a cero from each. Holding its hands together the spiritual pressure skyrocketed until it blasted out of his hands, reducing them to ashes and sending a humoungous wave at the one who had done the most damage to him, Vincent.

Tsc....this thing just won't go down.... Frustration started to build in the vizard, as he watched this monster become stronger. Vincent to stance as he watched the monster's eyes motion through the room and as the set on him, to what appeared to be anger towards Vincent. He smiled at the monster, "Did I piss you off?" Then it became more angered as it fired a huge cero at Vincent. He quickly charged an energy ball one that would hopefully dull the blast. Using all of his masks energy he held the blast at bay for a bit, but the blast was to strong. Vincent fell to the ground as blood ran down his arm he called out to his sword.

Bring God's Wraith, Odin!

A huge lightning bolt crashed down upon Vincent creating a blinding effect to all around. The effect of the lightning caused static to build up in the room and electricity flow around him. The static in the air became a pressure upon the room as Vincent stepped forward he held his sword in the air as he pressed forward at the beast. Like a knight fighting a dragon, these to beings crashed at each other like lightning and thunder.

As expected the maker wouldn't fight him yet. Was it cause he felt that Kazuki had become stronger over time or that he couldn't afford for him to be distracted from the hollow. Was he really that worried about them being able to defeat this thing. If that was the case Kazuki would have to prove himself, and the power of the Vizard's.

Taking a few steps forward Kazuki would used several quick Flash steps to both collect the downed Vizard's, and move toward's the exit leaving it wide open as the light filled the room, Kazuki could only smile. "So Vincent went bankai as well." With several Vizard hanging from his polearm dragged over like todays kill kazuki exited, and placed them under the care of the house doctor. Whom casted a barrier around herself, and those that couldn't take the pressure.

Entering back into the Room Kazuki would watch Vincent step forward in Bankai. Kazuki himself sighing before falling out of bankai. The pressure thoroughout the area suddenly dropping to a more tamed, and controlled state. however Kazuki would still have his shikai unleashed. Sighing before stepping beside Tuwa, and then in front of Vincent. once again taking the lead as he only watched the hollow.

The Maker watched quietly as Kazuki and Tuwas also engaged the hollow. He was curious about how long it would take for them to kill it. He doubted it would take long, if all three elites worked together, they should be able to deal with it pretty quickly. And if it did suddenly try to pull out some bizarre attack, then he would step in quickly to end the battle. And at least Kazuki was leaving him alone for a bit. He was confident in his abilities, but he didn't want to have to use his zanpakuto if he didn't need to. And he would be forced to it the Elite went at him with full power.

The hollow quickly dashed forward as Vincent charged regenerating its injured arms. A quick clash later it was knocked backwards quite a bit, still stinging from the shocks of Vincent's attacks. As it went to charge another cero, it was caught by Tuwa's kido, roaring as it attempted to shatter the seal of light around him. However, it was not nearly as weak as the previous one, and its struggles were not enough immediately. To add to its problems, the fire user also joined the other two.

It knew at this moment that it would need to use a powerful attack to get rid of the enemies in front of him. It began to charge all of its energy while simultaneously trying to break the kido around him. It would only need a small amount of time and it could pull off the attack it needed and break the power that bound him.

Sensing the disturbance in reaitsu Kazuki smashed Rounin Ryuu into the ground, and began to charge Reaitsu. The ground under the hollow beginning to rumble, and crack as heat rose from beneath.

"RAGIOS!!!!"

instantly the ground under the hollow grew hotter, while it still tried to break free kazuki would roost it before that happened. Ending this stupid test here, and now. All he needed was time.

As the hollow took its stance to what appeared to be holding for an attack. Vincent looked around at everyone in the room and then at Kazuki. He looked at Kazuki using ragios on the beast. I hope ragios kills it....but... Not taking any chances Vincent then pointed his sword at the sky.

Skies Cleansing!!!

The sky began to swirl around in a circle and huge noise roared across the sky as a huge lightning bolt shot down at the beast. With kazuki's attack and Mine this beast should kick the bucket

Tuwa just watched as the bolt came from the sky opening a hole in the ceiling and striking down the hollow from above while at same time a large amount of flames, like a geyser of fire, appeared right under the hollow causing an explosion that filled the whole room, making everything disappear inside a large amount of dust and smoke ...luckily they've removed the other vizards from here... he thought after calling his mask.

The hollow screamed in fury as it was crushed by the power of the two Vizard's attacks. It hadn't managed to complete the attack it had wanted to, and instead was on the ground with a torn and broken body. Coughing up spurts of blood it pushed itself off the ground. It was barely alive and understood that there was no way it could win. But it was going to still kill the ones that had put him in this situation. It started to convulse as its spiritual pressure quickly skyrocketed. Its body started to glow as all the energy he had charged up attempted to push its way out.

It looked at the vizards with pure malice and hatred as it went to selfdestruct. At this distance it should be able to kill a lot of them. And maybe if it was lucky it would still somehow survive. However, right as it went to release the explosion of reishi the Vizard Maker finally moved.

As the elite vizards went to attack the hollow he flashstepped forward right in front of the hollow. With a quick stab forward his fingers burst through the hollow's neck. With a quick motion he placed his hand up in front of the hollow's face.

"Hado #88, Hiryugekizokushintenraiho!" From the Maker's Hand a humongous explosion erupted outward incinerating the hollow instantly. It was completely overkill and the huge explosion shook the entire room. But the Maker was sure that he had made his point pretty well with the demonstration. A potent reminder of the level of power he could easily summon if he wished to.

He turned around and faced the High Elites. "A pretty good job altogether. I was a little worried at the beginning since you seemed to be focusing more on me for some bizarre reason rather than the monster parading through the room. But I guess I hadn't needed to after all." He turned slightly to Kazuki. And I was especially impressed by the strength of your spiritual pressure. It has grown more than I expected over the years."

So he was proud of him for getting stronger. And he went so far as to call out a near level 90 hado within the Sanctuary. Did he honestly think he would send a message to them. Kazuki didn't find it in the least bit interesting. A decent display of power but kazuki himself didn't find it worth anything but someone showing off. So he ignored it, and turned to leave the room. Rounin Ryuu having returned to it's sealed state, and as he walked wraps of spiritual energy wrapped around the exposed blade. Forming a sheath.

"Whatever. Feel free to let yourself out or mop up the ashs on the floor. I'm sure as hell not doing it."

The Vizard Maker just turned toward the retreating Kazuki. Since the High Elite seemed to be taking issue with him, he decided that it would be better to remind them all of what he had done for them.

"For such a fiery individual Kazuki, you seem to be acting rather cold to me. Trying to attack me earlier and such. I wonder what I could have done that would warrant such an attitude towards me? Could it have been because I saved your life when you were dying of your disease? Could it have been when I bestowed you current powers to you? No? Ooh, I bet it was when I gave you a place to live and a race to live with!"

He was acting like he was just talking to himself but it was obvious that he was trying to make a point. He didn't really care that it was obvious, his point would be made one way or another.

"And if it isn't that, it must be because I set up a barrier so the shinigami don't discover where you all live and try to execute you all. Or perhaps it is because I buy large amounts of food for the sanctuary and maybe you didn't like my recent selection." He suddenly clapped his hands together. "Silly me. I understand now. It is because I stepped down from leader of the race and instead set up the Elite Council that you are the head of. I guess you just really don't like having the leadership responsibility."