"Your death threats don't phase me you abomination." Arjen replied to The 11th as he flash stepped backwards to avoid the slash. "Besides, if I was really aiming for you you wouldn't have survived. Shouldn't you be attending to our guest?" A crooked smile on Arjen's face showed his insanity well.

'There's a fine line between genius and insanity. Which side am I on?'

In his side vision, he could spot use of the Sel. His smile growing wider.

Managing to dodge the arrows mattered little when the binding kido hit. Normally this would merely be an inconvience to her. Even the strongest binding spell could only hold an arrancar for a few seconds. But that was enough for the quincy. He had finished the design. "Hey what the h--" and at that moment it hit her. It was an attack, and most likely a nasty one at that. The design was activated and a pillar of light fired upwards.

When it was done, she stood there, barely alive, only able to cushion small bits of the blast. Her arm was gone, and her zanpaktou laid on the ground in pieces. "heh, looks like this is all I can do this battle" Immediately she began using sonido to make her way to the tower.

"Excuse me while I fulfill your duties." Arjen said observing the injuries the arrancar had taken. Now was his chance to finish off an otherwise useless battle. He flash stepped his way to the arrancar, trying to make her exit.

Arjen stood above her, a sinister smile on his face as he charged up one final arrow. "Die bitch", he said before firing it off at close range.

The 11th smiled behind his mask, and flash-stepped behind Arjen, and jabbed toward his rib cage, blade twisted so as to easily slip between the ribs.

The menos simply dodged it, flash stepping beyond the quincies ability to keep up.

(yea short, I know)

(I got nothing right now as a good response.)

"You're not getting away." Arjen shouted getting ready to fire off another arrow at a higher frequency. He could feel the pressure creeping up on him faster then a semi-truck. "I told you we would settle this afterwa-" He couldn't finish with before he was stabbed by The 11th's blade. His eyes widened as he looked down. "You... damn..."

The arrancar reaches the tower and places her hand on it. "What the... Huro where is the enterance?" She paused for a minute. Clearly angered, seemingly from her own thoughts. "HURO! When I get in their I'm gonna skin you alive and wear you as a hat!" She jumped back and fired her cero. It struck the tower dead on, yet not even a scratch formed. Gritting her teeth she fired bala after bala at it, screaming out "let me in!"

The 11th drew his blade out of Arjen's chest by slicing outward to the left.

He then kicked at Arjen and flash-stepped toward the fleeing arrancar.

"Hey, babe! Wait up! I thought you were into pain!"

Arjen hit the sand, a pool of blood forming in a pocket in the sand next to him before being absorbed like water leaving a red stain. As he still clung to life thoughts kept running through his mind. Though the pain from the open chest wound was excruciating keeping him from forming solid thoughts. He couldn't have wished any more for someone to save him about now.

Her tone is quiet, only loud enough for Esui and Aencieth to hear.

“Captain.” The prospect that she called her that, instead of by her name was... Bizarre, considering her house, but it did let out urgency. The scene was quite clear to them, and she pulled her sleeves back down as the kido's aura had disappeared from her arms. Arjen's condition was clear, and she knew full well what she had intended to do when such an occasion happened; she would let him die.

However, that was then, this is now. Something stopped such plans and thoughts— something dangerous. In all this time, she had considered it and likely didn't realize she had uttered “Captain” again.

“He has been blatantly attacking our crew, but how the '11th' acts... Is that mask of his tainting his actions? What do you want done?”

The 11th stopped in his tracks. The mask dissolved. The flames of Nishi went out and she returned to her katana form.

"This isn't worth it anymore. Someone else took the fight out of her. Oh well."

He made his way back toward the group flash-stepping.

As he reached the bleeding Quincy, he spit on the ground. He had accidentally licked the back of the mask, and it tasted vaguely of fine china.

"You know, you shouldn't have attacked me." he said softly, kneeling by the Quincy's face. "I don't care if the second time was an accident, you shot at me on purpose, and I could not allow a threat like that in a fight. Now you're going to have to rely on the goodwill of the group which you've alienated with threats and aggression toward them. Know that if they heal you, I won't stop them or take any action further against you, until provoked again. But if you provoke me, the next time I will finish you completely." that last whispered in the Quincy's ear.

He stood up, and grinned down at the Quincy's prone form.

Errisa slowly stood up -- still far too tired from her previous fight -- and ripped the massive kite shield out of the sand effortlessly, a stark contrast to her now dragging form.

She had made her way over to the Quincy and stared him down intently.

"Tokachi, bring him back to consciousness, but just barely."

Fuga was spent. He had poured a lot of his own energy into the sel to make that last attack strong enough and still it hadn't been enough. To bad he'd probably not get to use it again. Their query had seemingly escaped and he didn't have the energy to follow. She'd certainly report what had happened and even if she didn't know how it happened any further attackers would be more on their guard.

He know noticed that a small group had formed around something on the ground. Fuga hadn't noticed the fight above and so curious he hobbled over after retrieving his sel. He was quite shocked to see who they were all huddled around.

*Arthuros stood calmly, looking around that group and that fight, Standing completly unharmed so far, his Bankai dissolved as his sword came back into form. With soem deep breathing he looked around, speaking firmly but in a calm tone, like he didnt care who would listen or not up to that point*

It's useless... Only the second battle and most of you are near incapacitated or killing each other...

*pulling his hood back up, covering his face, he clipped the sheated sword back in his waist, as he seemed to talk to himself*

...Maybe that's the problem... i mean look around.... nobody in this place will give a shit about Shinigami Ranks, Quincy pride or even Human honor... they only want ours heads in a silver plate.. and if we kill each other in the process... well... the better... for them.

*He turned around, looking to the others near him, with a more tamed look in his face than before*

You know... for each one of us who dies here for stupid reasons, 1 million humans beings with no powers to defend themselves or the ones they love will die too... maybe honor and pride are just too much of a stupid price to pay for that...

*he turned around, walking on the direction the Arrancar had tried to run away before, going alone*

Dont worry... if you all kill each other here, i'll promise to try and protect your share of innocents too...

*he started walking away, taking the front, just heading up towards the tower ahead*

"Oh, wonderous, criticism from the man who couldn't even win his fight. By the way, you take too many pauses in your speech."

They could see bala after cero fired at the tower as she attacked it in rage. That is, untill another arrancar stepped out, seemingly from the solid walls of the tower. She quickly looked at him "Ferrous! Why can't I get back in?"
"Your zanpaktou is shattered and your arm is gone. Even if you were healed you are hardly worthy of being called an arrancar."
"You... you knew this would happen!"
"Of course, why do you think I suggested you go."

Just as she was about to attack, in an instant, a massive wound in her side formed. Blood sprayed out as she collapsed. "Atleast have the decency to accept defeat and die woman."

*right after the Gruesome scene, Arthuros, with Shunpo, appeared in mid-air a few meters away from the new arrancar that showed up. With a somewhat of a stone-cold look in his face*

So... you finished her off before me. Wish i could thank you, but right now, i would like to know your name...

The flashes of colour had finally subsided, and there was only a dull ache in his head when Aencieth finally stood. Moving toward the fallen Quincy, he spoke, "Well that was a surprise. I never expected that guy to be the high and mighty type."

He would have expanded more on that too, if it wasn't for the sudden spike in spirit energy coming from the direction the woman had run off. It felt the same as their last two opponents, "Huh, looks like we have a new Arrancar to visit." Glancing toward Tokachi he continued, "We'd better clear this Quincy thing up soon."

"Otherwise Arthuros might be in bad shape by the time we get there and despite that last speech of his, it wouldn't help us to lose him." He reached the Quincy as he finished, with a smile that might have been ironic, if it wasn't for the strange saddness in his eyes. A feeling Aencieth could have sworn was coming from Ellesayla.

She does as requested, although there are alterations. Apparently he was just crumpled up in pain; which was understandable. She remained neutral at the idea, trying to find the quest way for him to communicate while still not suffering. Snapping her fingers spirit energy surged at her palm in a fine green mist, and she unceremoniously tapped his shoulder; it spread and began numbing his pain like a sedative, although unlike a sedative his mind remained unclouded.

"Arjen, can you hear me? If so, then understand this -- I am sparing your life. Regardless of the fact that you have repeatedly tried to kill me and others, I am sparing you. It's not because you're weak and I pity you, nor because I want a moral highground to lord over you. It is because you need allies and so do we. We have every chance, at this current moment, to end you permanently," her massive shield's tip drove into the ground beside his limp body, the impact sending dust flying all around, "the same way a quincy arrow would. This is your final chance. I am not here to be your friend or your life long compatriot. We are temporarily allies, and unless both of our attitudes change, we will be enemies after this mission is finished. If this isn't acceptable for you, then I will have no problem killing you."

She lifted her shield from the ground, dispersing the shikai with a grasp of her hand -- it seemed her endurance was returning, "Understood?"

Even for the loss of feeling in his body, Arjen laid there and stared at the blood as it absorbed into the sand. He would soon find himself however, trying to stand up. As you can see, it isn't easy trying to stand with a gaping hole in your chest. He turned around to look at who had given him a temporary moments respite.

"What kind of sick joke are you pulling?" Arjen asked feeling the spot in his chest where The 11th had torn his sword through. He spit blood on the ground near his feet. "Don't tell me you're going to mock me before my death."

"If I may interject a moment," Fuga started. "I would suggest we take his cross for a little bit. If only to keep the arrows out of our backs. He can have it back if we get attacked and when he's actually well enough to fight." Even though Fuga hated leaving someone virtually weaponless he wasn't keen on having an arrow in his back either.

"That is if he agrees not to try and kill us anyway."

"You aren't taking away anything. If you're going to kill me because of that you might as well do it while I'm still standing." Arjen replied to Fuga's suggestion. He held his wrists close to his body, swearing he wouldn't let anyone near the crosses.

The man stood near the tower wall. "I am Ferrous, 7th ranked of the white order. As for her, do with her what you will. She will be dead soon enough. If you can manage to get inside perhaps you will live long enough to meet me again." As he finished he stepped into the tower wall, his body making it ripple as if he stepped through a pool of water.

The woman, barely alive, laid in the sand. her wounds quickly bleeding out.

"Arjen, this is foolish." Aencieth shook his head, "Honestly, if I was at my full strength I'd humour you and just seal those crosses of yours, but right now, I don't need or want the stress that would give me."

"Besides, you aren't exactly in a position to bargain. Be reasonable, death will serve you know purpose now---"

Aencieth quickly turned his head in direction of the Tower. The new Arrancar's presence had just vanished, and the woman's fading, fast. "It looks like we have time for this after all," he commented.

"So... if that is the 7th one... this can get seven times worst...."

*Arthuros landed on the floor near the dying arrankar, staring at her as he pulled his hood down, emotionless*

I'll wont waste your time... i promisse you a painless death if you so desires one. However, if you choose to stay alive, you still can be healed, and give us information. In exchange, there is a fair chance for you to act revenge on the ones that just turned on you and left you for dead here... It's your call... Make haste, as you dont have much more time.

"I am not mocking you, I am offering you an alternative. You've known my demeanor well enough so far, and I've done nothing but offer you chances to reform. This is, as I've said, my final one, before I kill you myself. Please make your decision fast."

Arjen closed his eyes for a moment, contemplating what he should really do. Accept help from those he hates and be in debt until he repays the favor or die in Hueco Mundo and fade in to nothingness. There wasn't too much time remaining, who knew how long the kido would last before the pain caused him to double over. There was no choice left, he had too much he wanted to do.

"Fine. I'll accept your help." Arjen said, almost feeling pain from the words themselves. "I will no longer attack any of you and I promise any friendly fire will be an accident." He crossed his arms and closed his eyes. This was no time to burn bridges.

"Heal him, Tokachi. He'll be my responsibility from this point on. Arjen, I'm placing my faith in you to understand now is not the time to put an arrow through my throat."

And at her words, she flicks her wrist leftward, and the blade peels back in an alien manner, in its wake a solid line of light. It expands, before she pauses. “Don't move.” She taps his chest once, twice, finding the right spot; the more precise the stab, the better the effect, after all— and then she slams the blade into his heart. The energy then traces along his veins, healing him from the inside out.

"Not like I can feel anything at the moment." Arjen stated before Tokachi began her work. As if nothing happened, his chest was fine if not a little sore. He still couldn't help but grit his teeth and regret the decision he made to trust them and NOT kill them. Sometimes the line between life and death can be as simple or as complicated as trusting your sworn enemy.

Now, he decided to act accordingly with the group and acted as if nothing ever happened. "What's the status on our guest?" He asked. Even if he didn't get the pleasure of killing them, he'd get the pleasure of finishing off their enemy.

"Shut up and listen, because I am only gonna say this once. The towers outer wall has flecks of lethality stones imbedded in it. Enough to make it next to impossible to detect spirit energy, but more importantly it will prevent any spirit attack from doing any damage. Truth is although it appears solid the stones are always moving. A hollow named Huro creates the illusion of a solid structure to keep enemies from knowing when and where an opening forms. Normally another hollow controls the stones to create an opening where we need one. I know of no other way to enter." She coughed, blood splattering near his feet. "Be on guard, for I am ranked ninth among us."

Very well... without an arm and your Zanpaktô, there wont be much that you can do for quite a while... as far as im concerned, you're free to come with us or to go your own way... im sure you dont expect to go alone if you're planning on "paying back" for what that..."ferrous" did to you...

*Arthuros stood up, returning towards the group, approaching Tokachi as soon as possible*

Excuse me, lady Tokachi... i understand you've been using your own energy to heal and help us since we got here, almost nonstop... But if you may, could you attend to the Arrancar's wounds? I dont ask of you to completly heal her... but enough to keep her on her feet... i lack the skill to do so.

"I won't allow it to happen." Arjen stated, facing Arthuros. "What makes you think she won't attack us again? As much as I made my promise not to attack you or the others, I can't allow that arrancar to live and I won't allow you to send her to the Soul Society."

Arjen stepped past Arthuros to look at the fallen hollow. "If you allow me to finish this one off, I can guarantee I won't even attack unless you give the order." Another insane grin on his face.

*Arthuros stood still, his back facing the Quincy's back*

I'm sorry but i can not allow you to do so... without an arm and her Sword she is harmless to all of us right now... and had just been betrayed by her own, there is no reason for her to attack us.... dont take me as Soft-hearted... i just dont like people who betray their comrades when they need most. So... im offering her a fair chance of retribution.... no more than that.

"How do you think their hierarchy works?" Arjen asked turning to face the soul reaper. "The strongest kill the weakest. What makes you think she won't grow stronger later on and betray us? Our only solution is to get rid of her while we can." He turned around to ready his bow. "You won't catch me off guard like the masked one did if you try the same thing." Arjen readied his bow and took aim.

"What is the final verdict?"

"I'd rather send a lost soul to soul society. If she is truly evil as you say, she'll go to a far worse place than obliteration, Quincy."

"As much as you soul reapers take pleasure in sending lost souls there, I take pleasure in their complete destruction. For the trouble she has caused I ask you give me this one pleasure. Then I won't act unless given the orders." Arjen stated, almost begging.

"This isn't for pleasure -- I don't do this for some self-satisfying urge. I do this because it's what I would hope happened to me, should I ever become a hollow. Few beings deserve obliteration for the sake of obliteration. Unless, of course, when you die, you'd rather cease to exist than go to Soul Society?"

The only person here capable of healing the Arrancar's wounds is Tokachi... if she feels that she can be true to her heart by healing the Arrancar, then that's how it should be... it's her call more than anybody elses......