Rising Storm [Inv]

"Face me you damn coward! Stop hiding behind your petty shadow and fight me like a warrior on a battlefield!" There was a certain spark behind Aien's eyes that his anger and hatred intertwine. Forging the warrior that has long been asleep underneath Aien's chest as the thrill of battle courses through his veins. Pain was only a memory, yet welcomed as a friend since it was a clear sign that he's still alive even in the spirit world. Several times Aien has faced death and has risen up stronger than before. Aien learns from his mistakes, and grows both mentally and physically each passing day. Each battle is a lesson for every warrior no matter the era nor place, such is the very beauty and art of warfare.

A snake-like hollow the size of a yard stick yet thick like a log slithers out from one of the trees. Aien didn't even look as he stood up on his feet and swung his black blade upward to cleave straight through the snake's mask as the hollow deteriorated into nothingness. Another monkey hollow leaps at Aien's left flank and due to Aien being able to sense their spiritual pressure with accuracy especially when they're close. The kid literally punched the leaping hollow on the face with Aien's left hand as the mask cracked and by pinching a part of the cracked mask Aien ripped a piece off as the hollow was sent flying backwards into a tree while howling in agony. Aien looked over his shoulder with an intimidating aura around him while holding the mask fragment between his thumb and index finger. "Unless you want to die right here I suggest you run." The fragment splintered before being crushed beneath the force Aien applied to it. Of course the hollow wasn't that desperate for food since it hurried off into Hueco Mondo.

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Aien's expression became stern as he honestly has never encountered a Menos Grande let alone expect to see one coming into the Human World. Last he heard only those of an Arrancar or some special cases was needed for a Menos Grande to show up. Such as a dark ritual that Hollows perform to evolve into these monstrous creatures. For one thing Aien didn't expect the damn thing to be so tall! "Look at that nose. I feel like it's going to drop rain drops of snot on us at any second." Aien purposely mocked as he rolled his sword arm to loosen up the tension that was building up in his joints. "Dude... I did not need that image in my head..." The voice spoke while still leaving an ominous presence in the forest.

The young Shinigami just sighed before eliminating all of the doubt, all of the fear, all of the hatred, and basically all emotion from boggling in his mind. Causing his once pitch black blade coated in dark aura to shift. The aura turns white while steadily fading into gray as the center is the black line that suggests to be Aien's blade. "No matter. Whether it's a hundred or even hundreds of thousands hollows that you throw at me. I'll cut down every single one of them until I have your head." Aien spoke in a stern and controlled voice before launching himself towards the approaching horde of hollows. Cleaving through one hollow after another without a second wasted on thoughts or hesitation. There was no remorse in Aien's blade as he splits large hollows apart like they were paper. Those cat-like, jade green eyes of his were as cold yet piercing like ice.

Five, twelve, twenty, even forty hollows were eliminated in no more than ten seconds as Aien's movements were swift with deadly grace and keen accuracy. Aien wasn't thinking when one of the hollows launched that Missile technique at him and since he's seen Chirinyo used it against him before Aien already knew of it too. The Shinigami stabs one of the large hollows in the chest away from the hole, lifts the bastard up like a rag doll and placed the hollow in front of the incoming barrage of at least 30 of those damn things. Dirt was kicked up to lower visual contact. Without much pulling his sword back, Aien cleaves the hollow from the chest up to the mask before flash stepping behind the hollows responsible for the barrage. With a single swing Aien cleaves through three masks in a quick succession. By now Aien has eliminated over two hundred and is already half way from making that body count to three hundred.

Meanwhile, the Menos Grande was ripping the tear wider by the second, but it still took the huge hollow a minute before the thing managed to open the tear enough to step through. Once it had step foot on the once standing trees as they are crushed by the heavy weight. The Gillian lets out a roar to signal its presence that it is in the human world. It sensed Aien since before the tear began to form, and the Menos turned its full attention on the Shinigami who is still slaughtering the weaker hollows with nothing but his zanpakutou. The kid hasn't even used any reiryoku techniques nor release techniques aside from the occasional flash stepping. He seemed to be a tasty snack for the Menos or so it thought as it began shuffling those big feet towards Aien's direction. Thankfully the Gillian is rather slow, but a piercing screech of death filled the Shinigami's ears as the entire area was dyed in the scarlet color. The disturbed wind tugged at Aien's tattered clothing as Aien's attention broke away from the horde towards the source of the sound. That Gillian was charging up a Cero as it was aiming for Aien's direction. Even if Aien was to flash step away the Gillian could very well destroy everything in the beam's path if he doesn't redirect the Cero elsewhere. It was more of his protective instincts speaking to his mind as Aien sliced through a leaping hollow with a flick of his wrist before buckling his knees. Where Aien would leap high up in the air as the Gillian was following Aien's movements. That Cero sure was taking some time to charge up, but now that Aien is up here he might as well test just how powerful this Cero really is.

It had finally started to pouring down with the rain as the rumbling sounds of thunder echo throughout the area. Lightning flashed for only an instant, but to Aien things to have slowed down due to the fact that his mind is so focused. It is like the very sound of rain and thunder alike was muffled. Even though the sounds were clearly there, Aien hears it like they're miles away behind closed doors. The fallen Menos had began to get up from the collapse, and while several hollows began to march their way towards Aien the kid didn't even blink as he flash stepped in front of the approaching horde. In a swift and fluid motion Aien cleaves a path open to pierce through their line of defense straight towards the Gillian with little effort.

There wasn't a shred of emotion present on the kid's face as his stone cold eyes kept focus on the Menos Grande. That is until something unexpected happened that honestly Aien did not hear the voice because the focus in battle was so present in his mind. That even words did not seem to reach him, but the time record would suggest he's been in constant battle against hundreds of hollows for almost two hours now. With the adrenaline running through his veins for prolonged periods of time, it was a wonder of how a kid like him was still able to keep going. The fun fact is that despite not being able to hear Aien's keen sense both reiatsu sensing and visual Aien hasn't lost his touch. Instead he seems to be getting better in terms of skill.

There was that spiteful hollow that Aien has been seeking this entire time charging at the rising Gillian. Where the monster chomped down on the Menos that caused blood to spray everywhere. Aien stopped in his tracks by flipping his body and remain suspended in the air. Sound was gradually coming back to him now that Aien has time to calm down the adrenaline enough to listen. "...with this power! I shall evolve into something that would send Shinigamis like you running in fear! Watch as my God gives me strength by sacrificing this lamb to me!" Before Aien's eyes the hollow named Shizu began the process of evolving into a Menos Grande by consuming the wounded Gillian. Aien could've stopped it before the evolution was completed. But Aien saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity to prove that no matter what form nor how powerful this hollow becomes Aien will still come out of this battle as the victor. Also he has a really strong grudge against this corrupted priest who is actually Shizu. A priest who used his religion's benefits to his own, selfish desires. All of that donation money was just spent on liquor when it should've been an investment for something else. The list goes on and on of this man's transgressions that Aien knows all too well since he reads reports of dangerous known hollows in the Human World. Even so rising up before Aien was the newly evolved Gillian that is Shizu now. The once pearl white mask with the elongated nose shifted into that of a horned demon mask. The visor was like looking at a kabuto, but the mouth was very much a face shield lined with teeth that resembles the mouth. "Behold Shinigami! For you shall be my first victim in this form and all will see your ultimate failure!"

The Menos Grande opened its mouth wide as it loomed over Aien. Since it was trying to chomp down at Aien, normally he should be able to get out of the way. He certainly has the ability to do so. However Aien did not flee nor use that beautiful sword to finish it off. Instead Aien balled his left hand into a fist before delivering a strong punch right into the main body of Shizu. The force was enough to send shockwaves around them as the Menos was skidding backwards from the force until Shizu regains his composure at a seven meter gap. "What?! That's impossible! I shouldn't be the one whose being pushed back!" Aien lowered his hand as the rain continued to splatter on his bare chest, shoulders, and the warm black hair that sticks to his forehead. "Does it infuriate you? That something you can't comprehend happening before your eyes? Or are you going to say that this is another miracle work of your God that you supposedly follow?" These string of words were enough to send Shizu into a rage as he began to charge up a Cero in response. It was a slow charge too, and Aien can definitely tell that Shizu has never done a Cero before. However rage tends to overlook certain things such as control the flow of energy because right now Aien can sense a lot of excessive energy being wasted into charging this Cero. Probably an attempt to hurry up with the charge.

Aien raised his sword as a single bright blue orb that was as small as a dime appeared before Aien's sword. "How about this. My technique against yours. I wonder which one will come out on top." Aien spoke up as he honestly provided little energy into making the orb larger into the size of a basketball. Of course Aien waited for about a minute since that's how long it took Shizu to charge up the Cero. The entire time the Menos was howling in anger so everyone in town who was spiritual aware would be able to see a Menos standing in the distance while charging up a large cero. In midst of it depending on the distance Aien would appear to be a blue dot much like a star. When Shizu finally fired the Cero Aien would swing his sword down to send the star at the incoming beam of destruction that normally spelled death to many. The orb connects against the beam which explodes into a larger radius that blocks the path of the Cero. However what Aien honestly didn't expect was the fact that the technique pierced through the technique since that orb held more power. Meaning that the exploding orb overcomes the Cero as Shizu craned its long neck to the side just barely in time. Since the bright orb of destruction quite literally blew straight through the left side of the Menos' face. Which means that the orb continued to sail past for at least 50 meters before winking out.

THEOCELESE

The Menos seemed like it was in shock as the left side of the mask is gone. Aien's piercing jade green eyes focused unwavering at the tall hollow while gripping firmly onto his zanpakutou. "I seemed to have missed." Shizu bared his teeth while growling before shouting in agony at the Shinigami. "You call this a miss?! You damn near killed me you stupid Shinigami!" This was roughly when Aien heard a familiar voice, and actually has sensed the spiritual pressure for quite some time now. "What do you think I've been doing this entire time? Tickling you and your kin with my sword? It's not supposed to feel nice you welp unless you have kink for receiving pain. In which case I believe that labels you as a masochist." Of course Aien knew he was just purifying their Hollowfication so that they can go to their respective realms. Be it the Soul Society or even Hell itself.

Aien slightly bent his knees before launching himself at the Menos's direction, causing Shizu to stagger backwards as his face is slowly repairing itself. Still Shizu seemed to have tripped on something as it began to fall down. "Allow me to assist your downfall." Aien commented as he closed that seven meter gap with minimum effort as he cloaked his left hand with his reiatsu. Weaving it and molding it into reiryoku. Hurling a jab with all fingers pointed straight from his left hand, Aien pierces into the black mass that resembles the Menos body where Aien will then curl his fingers into the body to find a grip. Aien would begin to spin his body counter clockwise as the young Shinigami literally lifts the 6 story tall Gillian from its feet and proceeds to throw the Menos down to the ground harder than before. In addition to that, Aien charged his body with condensed physical energy so when he threw the Menos down Aien throws several punchs, elbow blows, and delivers a final kick with the wind aiding his speed with inertia seeming to follow behind each and every blow Aien launched. The kick alone should've launched the Menos 50 meters down. However thanks to Aien's quick barrage of strong blows it only increased Shizu's velocity two-fold. Meaning that once the Menos crashes into the ground it quickly forms a crater that's almost a twenty meters deep.

The strain on maintaining his shikai for hours is starting to become more taxing to maintain. Aien gauges that he only as a short limited amount of time before he has to seal his released sword. Still this was the longest Aien has released his zanpakutou before feeling the strain becoming more intense. Although that technique Aien used to counter the Cero was the main cause of the sudden increase on the tax. Aien figures its about time to completely finish this battle and draw this battlefield to a closure. Or at least that's what Aien originally thought before the night's, raining sky is lit up with a dazzling light erupting from the crater. The kid had to shield his eyes since he was so used to the dark that light such as that was blinding to him. When the light finally died down, Aien lowered his left arm to look down at the crater.

What was once a Menos Grande is now something smaller, but more powerful too from what Aien can sense. Aien's eyes were still adjusting to lack of lighting so he couldn't see in detail yet, but by keeping his spiritual awareness still up Aien felt a compressed amount of energy being launched at Aien in incredible speeds. Aien didn't expect it to be that fast and his eyes were still recovering too so he got hit by a bala that felt more like something threw a truck at him. Then another one came at Aien, and a third one comes flying at Aien's direction. Strangely while these attacks carry power in them, Aien noticed that they weren't really doing much to Aien. Once he figured this out by the second bala Aien just backhanded the third bala while suffering no damage whatsoever. "And it was this point that I need to thank Chirinyo. Oh and also give him a punch for throwing all of those javelins at me." Aien seemed to be talking to himself as his eyes can now focus with detail at what has become of Shizu.

Somehow, Shizu has evolved once again into something that Aien has only heard of. Aien knew it was a step down from being an Arrancar, but even so they're supposedly rare as standing before Aien about forty meters down is an Adjuchas. That horned devil mask is forever present as that remained unchanging. However the body itself was like that of a bulking beast with patches of stark white fur on the forearms up to the shoulders. The hands were like that of an ape yet is thick almost as if the Adjuchas had tumors on his hands. "Seems like you've evolved again Shizu. And you got your face back too." Shizu bared his teeth before he launches a duo of bala at Aien's direction. Aien simply flash stepped to avoid the bala and appears right before Shizu's presence. Where the kid would swing his beautiful sword horizontally as he was aiming to slash at the chest, but the only reason why Aien did this is to test the defense Shizu has now. Aien has never faced an Adjuchas and they're supposedly rare too. So Aien is taking advantage of this opportunity to learn about Adjuchas through first hand experience.

Just as Aien had expected, the Adjuchas raised one of his furry arms and while Aien's zanpakutou still packed a bite into the flesh. It stopped only half an inch deep this time. While this should make Aien more cautious as this Adjuchas's defense is probably equivalent if not close to Aien's own defense. He couldn't help but grin as things got interesting. This grin seemed to infuriate Shizu as he goes to throw a mighty punch at Aien's direction. The hollow instead struck the ground to stir up dust as the left arm went to grab Aien's sword hand. While strength couldn't make the kid drop the weapon due to the crushing weight, Shizu instead twisted it enough to wrench the zanpakutou out of the Shinigami's hand. Once this was done the Adjuchas ripped the zanpakutou out of his flesh while leaping back a couple meters away from Aien and throws the sword somewhere away into the forest. "Now lets see if you can keep grinning now that you've lost your sword! You're at my mercy now!" However once the dust had settled Aien remained the same as he still had that grin on his face. "And? So what if I lost my sword. If you ripped my arm off or almost severed it I would've just taken it and started beating with it. Tear off my legs and i'll pummel your mask in to my heart's content. Either way that sword was your only ticket from escaping your agony any longer. Besides this just got interesting, and i'm not planning on letting this opportunity to slip through my grasp." The kid, whose heart is now that of a warrior as the hidden fighter emerges onto his mind, takes up a particular stance that both legs are slightly bent and spread at shoulder wide. His hands appearing to be like he's holding an invisible cup while raised up. This clearly was not Shizu's intention as this priest has been trying to demoralize Aien, but it only seems to ignite that fire inside of Aien's heart even more than before. As for Aien's zanpakutou should Theo find it in the forest the sword would have revert back to its sealed state since Aien actually sealed it once the Adjuchas had began its move. In other words Aien had planned this part out to save energy for the chances of needing to exert more power from his being. Or if Aien was to find his zanpakutou Aien could use up the remaining energy then.

The thrill of battle, the anticipation of fighting against what would seem unadvisable odds, the blood being pumped into adrenaline is something that Aien has certainly missed for a long time. It has been years since Aien last embraced his warrior instincts, and ever since then Aien has punished himself for even having such power in his hands. The mere fact that Aien can go all out without any restraints on his body nor his mentality was bliss to him. However such behavior in battle can be seen as arrogance as Aien was beginning to see in himself. Aien knows he shouldn't have such a thing in his mind, and so he does the very thing to clear his mind from becoming clouded with doubt. The sense of arrogance was converted to fuel his anger that was directed at himself. Even though he seemed to have the upper hand throughout the night, Aien is still young and prone to violence.

The grin faded away as Theo appears before as the sense of static crawl over Aien's skin. The fact that Theo was willing to lend Aien his own sword was basically a reminder to Aien that he was being careless. His mind becoming troubled with the fact that he was letting his own emotions and instinct take over his body when in reality it should be his mind doing the control. Aien knows he shouldn't let his mind being discarded like that, or let arrogance get the better of him. It was the instant when Aien reminded himself that he hated arrogance and the fact that anyone with power likes to toy with weaker threats just because they can. It donned on him what the Central 46 said along with a few other Shinigami had said in the past about humans being the most prone to get ahead of themselves when they have even a small amount of power.

'Is it because that i'm human that i'm losing myself? Would it be better if I was just a Shinigami? Would it eliminate this sense of pride?' Aien thought to himself, but he reflected that even Shinigami have their sense of pride and there's also people like Kenpachi Zaraki who loves combat. Even so, Aien clearly looks like he's a bit angry, though it is also clear that he's angry at himself. Aien was trained to control his emotions, not the other way around. Shizu bared his teeth in rage as Aien reaches for the hilt of Theo's sword and the Adjuchas began to charge at the two. That is until Aien glares angrily at the hollow before releasing his reiatsu enough to weigh Shizu down to root in place. "I apologize for my mistakes. It was a mistake on even focusing on the Gillian or really even coming here at all." Aien spoke as he reflects on if he wasn't so angry at the fact that a pair of souls were devoured right in front of him and Aien couldn't lift a finger to help. Then he wouldn't be here. If Aien wasn't previously in doubt of his own power since he thought that even with the power of a Shinigami he had very little amount. Like he wasn't getting anywhere in training since no matter how harsh and complex his training was. Aien didn't feel much different and the results were always the same. At this point Aien even went as far as thinking that he's the Worst One in terms of power amongst the spiritual world. In other words, Aien is silently cursing himself for having emotions at all, because the normal procedure is to eliminate only small groups of hollows. Call for reinforcements when there's a large number being spotted and conduct soul freeze around the area. Then until reinforcements arrived Aien should've scouted the area and avoid contact to provide a report later on while also giving strategic points. Even so Aien should not have engaged since he is basically a toddler in the eyes of the average Shinigami. Yet he did nothing that he should've been doing.

Aien makes a mental reminder that he should isolate himself at some point reflecting on the things he's being taught in order to eliminate anything human from his mind. Shizu merely growls as he expulses his reiatsu as well as his attempt to break out. Unfortunately for the hollow is that Aien's reiatsu is still stronger in potency than the Adjuchas which it quickly realized. Panic can be seen behind the mask with the yellow eyes as Aien's feline shaped eyes focused on the Adjuchas. Shizu panicked as he launches a short barrage of balas at them in general. However Aien placed himself between Theo and the balas while hardening his spiritual body. Aien practically knocks the incoming bala away to the ground in a cone in front of the kid. It even got to the point where Aien catches a bala by the bare of his hands while cloaking the ball of hollow energy with Aien's reiatsu to prevent it to detonate on impact and the kid throws it right back at the Adjuchas. The bala was like Shizu punching himself on the mask as the adjuchas rears back a bit in astonishment.

Aien didn't waste any time to vanish from sight only to reappear a mere two meters away from the hollow. So when the struggling Shizu goes as an attempt to crush Aien with one of its mighty fists coming down to the ground, Aien weaves around the fist and stepped into the hollow's reach. Before the Adjuchas could react Aien ram Theo's sword from underneath the chin and pierced straight through the top of Shizu's head. Aien of course followed up by jumping up to the side while still holding firmly on to the sword. Thus is the force that makes Shizu's head quickly tilt his to the side as Aien spins his body to plant one firm foot on the top part of Shizu's back. Aien continues to pull Theocelese's sword, which has sunk down to the hilt so there's no bending on the blade, towards him. With it is the familiar sounds of bone cracking and crunching as Aien forces Shizu's head to turn 180 degrees facing towards Aien. Fairly certain that Aien just snapped the hollow's neck, even so not taking any chances Aien wrenches the sword free by slicing through the bone, flesh, and the mask. With a finishing touch since Aien sees that the hollow is not being cleansed, Aien digs his fingers from his left hand under the mask and chin. Where a quick, strong push upward Aien rips the head off with the mangled spinal cord still barely attached which Aien would quickly discard by throwing it to the side.

The large hunk of flesh collapses to the ground with Aien staggering forward for a brief moment as he recovers his footing. This would mark Aien's first time that he's faced a Gillian, and also the first time Aien has faced and killed an Adjuchas far more quickly than what Aien originally was going to do. Now that Aien has the time to examine as he uses what little cloth he is wearing right now to wipe Theo's blade off from the gore. Aien can see the obvious scratches and marks on the blade. Perhaps slight and most likely to be easily overlooked. Even so Aien can see that this weapon has quite a history to it. Of what Aien doesn't know specifically other than it's been used for battle as it should be. "I'm terribly sorry that you had to lend me your weapon Theocelese... I just..." Aien began to speak, but honestly he was at a lost for words. His thoughts were how can he explain his actions clearly? That he lost control of himself in the heat of battle? That he just might be turning psychotic?

He couldn't find the right words to say as a sigh escapes from his lips. Flipping the sword as the sword lightly slaps his forearm, Aien hands Theo back his sword with the hilt pointing at Theo. "I'm sorry..." Aien apologized once more as he was searching for his sword by sensing the spiritual pressure that he would know belongs to his inner spirit. Once Aien has found it, Aien creates a single, invisible string of reiryoku to slither out from Aien's body to snakes its way over to Aien's sword at bala speeds. The string would lace around the zanpakutou and lifts it free from a tree bark. Where the sword is seemingly flying from the forest as Aien raised his lightly burnt left hand. In basic terms the zanpakutou flies into Aien's grip which he turns the blade towards himself so that Aien can sheath it into the scabbard.

Indeed Aien's own sorrow and guilt is one he must bear. For no one brought it upon him than himself, but it reminded Aien that he still has humanity within his soul despite Aien giving into his bestial instincts during the long and tiring battle. After all on this night Aien has counted up to three hundred and forty-seven hollows with two gillians and one adjuchas for the kill count. Honestly in Aien's mind it felt like a long time had passed when in reality it's only been over two hours. His rage had been quelled and in truth Aien felt lighter after vanquishing Shizu.

It's not to say that Aien felt better after eradicating his foe, but it's a sign that Aien has become mentally prepared enough to make sure Shizu is either purified or dead even for a spiritual being. Other hollows could feast on the body for all Aien could care. If it creates more adjuchas then Aien would probably find it annoying. Especially when the Soul Society picks up on the fact that something is amiss or the fact that suddenly at least a hundred souls just entered the Rukongai in literally a two hour span. It was probably nothing to the eyes of Theocelese, but considering how much Aien keeps improving after each defeat is something that has bewildered some opponents. Of course, Aien only won so easily because he suppressed Shizu with a flex of his reiatsu and pinned the poor guy in a single point.

"My body... now where did I put that thing exactly?" Aien asked the question more to himself as the soul freeze begins to resolve itself with the hollow energy in Karakura Town now being less potent. Not much injury can be seen on Aien's body save for the fact that his left hand is lightly burnt from the Cero, and the occasional bruising on his limbs and chest. 'Are you a dog? Or are you a man?' A voice rang in Aien's mind that honestly sounded oddly familiar. It was a male voice, but it was disembodied like it echoed inside of his mind. For a moment Aien searched for the source as he felt a particular dark energy lingering in his consciousness. To Aien's surprise, he can trace the source actually coming from none other than his own inner world. That place is like a hell mixed with nightmares for every time Aien sleeps. He would be sent to the inner world only to escape through death. Some were very slow deaths and the worst part is that they felt very much real.

"Food does sound good right about now. I didn't even eat before I got started with this mayhem so I can only imagined how famished my physical body is." The kid commented when in reality it was maintaining his shikai for so long that got him hungry both in spiritual body and physical body. Because most of his spiritual energy went into keeping it active. Aien would begin to trace back his steps that honestly Aien remembers the battle. But not how he eventually got here. Still Aien does the simple route by leaping up in the air and suspend himself by stepping on the thin reiatsu that supports his weight. From there Aien retrieves his body and if Theocelese follows then Aien would ask a couple of questions regarding Theo's last statement. "If that's the case then I actually know of a decent bento store that has an awesome selection of combo food. Probably not much as a feast, but it's pretty fair for a single person in terms of food quantity and even quality. I'll admit I used to sneak out of home early before school started to grab a miso soup with barbecue chicken bento."

Oh sure, nothing wrong telling an arrancar about food, but it would interesting for other people since he seems to be talking to... well... an imaginary friend so to speak. Then again Aien is used to this by now since Misato is rarely ever in her human form since she finds the Shinigami form more efficient. Now that he thinks about it, Aien has never seen Misato in her human form and now it got him curious if she even looks different. Talking about food has made Aien's stomach growl in protest that would suggest that he needs to feed a hungry wild beast at this point. 'I ask again. Are you a dog? Or are you a man?' The voice spoke inside of Aien's head that the kid continues to brush aside. Whatever it was, Aien wouldn't doubt if it was one of his denizens from the inner world. "I mean i'm fine on whatever you choose, but with me being a minor I can't really do much sadly."

A brow raised on Aien's forehead as he is adorned in his usual black yellow-stripped jacket that has a leathery texture. It sadly does not possess a hood to shield Aien's head from the rain. But he doesn't seem to mind since he stayed warm under the two layers of jacket and a simple short sleeved shirt. Hanging around his neck is a talisman that has a leather cord. Where the talisman possess a symbol of a dragon coiling around a small ruby stone which it seems to be caught in its opened maw. Aien's warm black hair remains the same as in his spiritual form as it assumed a darker color due to the rain. Meanwhile his emerald green eyes in the shape like a cat Aien took a moment to look at Theo's "new form". To his mind Theo just assumed into a different form that doesn't have that overwhelming aura of power.

"True I suppose, though for the longest time I felt like I wasn't getting anywhere. Though that would explain why I'm getting more difficult challenges each day." Aien agreed as he was referring to him being a god compared to the ordinary folk. Quite frankly he hasn't even thought about how far he's come since Aien has been so focused on getting more power so that he won't end up a hurting slob of punching bag. Now that he thinks about it there are plenty of full fledged Shinigami who are at least 50 years older than Aien and yet he's already out on missions being personally supervised by Misato. Who happens to be the representative of the Crisis Core project, which is something that Aien hasn't really accepted yet. In addition he's unlocked only a portion of his true power through his zanpakutou, which was a feat that even unseated Shinigami find it difficult.

For a moment Aien's mind zoned out as he was thinking back on this. "Even so, I think I've done enough damage for the time being. I can only hope that this will quell the tide even for a single night." Aien followed up as he walked beside Theocelese. He understood a mere few hundreds of hollow being eliminated would be like tickling their sides in comparison of how many there really are. Even on the human world there are a lot of hollows. More than Aien likes to admit, and quite frankly a bit too lazy to bother counting how many there really are. With Aien's command for soul freeze taking over the park, the Tsubakidai Park returns to normal as they leave the area.

Aien's pace was a bit casual yet has a hint of brisk in his steps. For a moment, Aien's mind honed onto his own body. How he moves, how he breathes, the very soft footsteps that are almost too quiet to hear, the small puddles of water shimmering from many bead drops of rain falling onto the earth. Aien noticed that his breathing was a bit off because of the energy he spent, but otherwise appeared to be normal. His body was internally telling Aien that it was tired and ready for sleep. His very own feet ache for each step caused him a very annoying pain. Such is the result of participating a long battle using nothing but his fists and sword. There were no marks that can be seen on Aien's body even though there has been times when Aien purposely grabbed a hollow by the mouth to smash its mask into another. No matter if they clawed at him, threw a punch, jab, it seemed no matter what they threw at Aien they could never truly puncture his skin. The only exception was the cero that Aien blocked with his bare hand.

"Back at the square, you mentioned there was something about my eyes reminding you of your son. If I may ask, what was your son like?" Aien asked as it was a form of him trying to get to know Theocelese better. Right now Aien knows almost nothing except by name and how insanely powerful he is. Plus Aien is curious how he reminded a powerful warrior of someone at a different caliber. Besides it won't be long before they reach this bento shop since it's only about 2.4 miles away from the park. So about half an hour of walking would suffice to reach their destination, which would only be 1.6 miles away from Aien's home. So either way it is along the way for Aien to get home.