Post by Gaz on Jan 1, 2024 21:06:45 GMT
Fortress Delarosa, South Eastern Trading Plaza
Fortress Delarosa was a beacon of activity in the white wastes, the city surrounding the main castle itself was decked out in a variety of colourful tapestries and the windows were filled with intricate stained-glass displays. There was no special occasion, this was just how the city had become after an old decree from the Hollow King. “This place is boring me, inject this place with some colour.” Was what he said, ever since then both Hollows and Arrancar alike made trips to the soul Society and the land of the living to get dyes and other materials. Of course, the crown made money, everyone was forced to use his or the licence matter transferal devices to get the items here, if they were from the land of the living.
Inside one of these intricately decorated white stone buildings was a Wood Workshop, one owned by an elderly looking Arrancar man. He was there alone, sat at a table and whittling some small pieces of wood into the shape of the local currency, Soul Chips. It seemed he had been doing it for quite some time as there was a rather large pile on the table beside him and a lot of whittling scrap at his feet.
After a while there was a knock at the door, three heavy thuds, two light that seemed to come lower on the door and finally a heavy thud at the top. Knowing it was the secret knock the man looked over his shoulder, the slither of white mask that remained on his face brushing against his shoulder. “Come in Marco.” His voice rasped.
The door unlocked and swung open before a pair of being entered. One was a young looking Arrancar, in human life spans he could be described to in his late teens with vibrant blonde hair and blue eyes. Behind him a new figure came in, his head stooped. “I found him Tio, the Vasto Lorde we heard of.” Young Marco announced with a hushed excitement. “Desmon.”
The powerful figure stood tall, his head almost brushing against the ceiling, his smooth mask showing no emotion. “Yes, Marco said you had a business opportunity for me? Something that would shake up Hueco Mundo?” The ancient and powerful being spoke, the mask on his face not even splitting to allow his words out. While he was humanoid his arms seemed incredibly long and flexible, but powerful like thick whips.
“Yes.” The elder replied with a soft smile. “But first, please show me your Aspect of Death… your Greed. I need to see if it works the same as Dantemus’ dog.” He added, failing to hide the spite and hatred when mentioning the Hollow King.
Desmon looked to the carved wooden chips and nodded. In a swift motion he was over to the table and pressing his hand on the pile. A sickly green glow emanated from his palm that then moved to infect the wood beneath it. In a moment it vanished, and the coins had an aura. An aura that made one want to possess the carved wooden chips, to treasure them. This was indeed very similar to how Soul Chips currently operated.
The old man smiled as Marco approached the two. “Well then. No loose ends.” He said before taking his own Zanpakuto and ramming it into the chest of the young Arrancar’s neck with a fury and precision that only a trained killer would have.
Before the Teenage Arrancar could fall to the floor the one who had been called Tio quickly snatched his Zanpakuto from its scabbard and proffered it to the Vasto Lorde. “He was a liability, and you will be hard pressed getting a Zanpakuto under the king’s current regulations.” He explained, knowing full well that this being in front of him would join the lowest class of Arrancar just accepting the Zanpakuto… but he was banking on the being’s raw urge for completion would make him snatch it away to break his mask.
Tio was right, the Vasto Lorde snatched the Zanpakuto and smashed his mask with the hilt with speed and force that caused the air to crack with a shockwave. It let out a scream of pain as a bright light enveloped the room. Desmo was changing.
Outside another Arrancar sat at a Café, on a wooden chair at a wooden table. He was drinking a cup of imported Coffee and watching the wood workshop. The white chunk of his old mask ran down the left-hand side of his face and bent as his lips turned into a smile. He looked to the roof nearby and nodded to a few more whose faces were hidden in veils. The plan to destabilise the current empire was getting started.