hybridsalvation:
// @spiritgates | Security Breach: Part II
The sky was practically riddled with monsters of all kinds. Many of them were Hollows, their masks easily recognized by the young Soul Reaper. Yet there were plenty of creatures that Ichigo had never seen before, likely beings from other worlds… Yet that wouldn’t stop his blades from slicing them into pieces. Right now, he was focused on clearing the swarm of winged Hollows making a descent into Cotes. His flight through the sky was like a wild melody, every stride across the air resulting in many Hollows turning to dust. Every dash left an empty gap in the enemy forces… yet it never took long for those missing numbers to be replenished.
What he needed was a more forceful solution to the endless numbers. So for starters, he finally got to a stopping point high up in the air, raising his Spiritual Pressure more to attract the masked creatures around him. They couldn’t help themselves, they craved for a bite of that near-limitless power. All the Hollows in the nearby area began to converge on his spot, swiftly approaching him– yet right before a single claw could touch him, he vanished.
His feet touched the ground with a forceful gust swirling around him, both hands now tightly gripping Zangetsu’s handles. With the swarm now tightly packed, one Getsuga should be enough… Yet before he could start the charge, a familiar voice cut through the air– a young woman calling out his name.
“– Huh? Who’s there–?!“
❛ Aries--- ! ❜ EVEN with the circumstances as they are... It felt amazing to have that familiar weight on her key ring. It felt so natural to call out a spirit’s name, even if she’s doing her best to use her magical energy sparingly. After all, she still had her limits... And who knew how long this onslaught of enemies would last.
“I’m sorry if it’s too fluffy... !” A familiar warning --- but as per usual, the distraction was perfect. Just as the sudden influx of bright pink wool bounced the two women like a trampoline, it dissipated into a gas form that did nothing but confuse their enemies left behind --- and irritate the living hell out of their throats. “Or too bou---n---cyyyyy~!!” Aries adds, barely audible over Lucy’s own screeching as they were launched halfway across the Ward. When they finally landed, she’s pretty sure they left a crater in their wake --- there was definitely plenty of smoke.
❛ No, that... That was great, really... ! ❜ The celestial mage assures, although she can’t help but rub at her lower back as she regains her bearings. What... was this feeling ? Dread wasn’t quite the right word, but... She was suddenly intensely aware of a magical, spiritual presence --- so intense that goosebumps rose on her arms quicker than she’s ever seen. ❛ What is that... ? No way --- don’t tell me that’s an enemy ! ❜
Even so, master and spirit sprinted straight for it --- because, after all, what would happen if someone less capable encountered it instead ? What if it already had someone cornered ? Mired with worry, Lucy can’t help but call out in relief the moment she sees a familiar face. ❛ Oh--- Ichigo !! ❜
His head whips around, and two things immediately occur to her --- the warning she had prepared dying before it even left her lips. One, she probably should’ve said more than just his name... And two, all that off-the-charts energy was coming directly from him. With a quick, stiff shake of the head, she decides to tuck that info away for later.
❛ It’s Lucy --- how can we help ?! ❜
