The Castle [Closed Tova | M Group-R]

A serene walk was most called for after the rather emotional interaction back in the throne room. Not even half an hour ago he had begun a meeting with his newest Fracción, already rather certain of how it would go down, only to confirm his suspicions. That was to say that she was exactly like him: Devious, deceptive, manipulative, and just generally lacking the morality department. She didn’t know how to feel anything but pleasure from what she did, and knew no other way to pursue her own happiness. Tova knew this simply because he had once been the exact same as her. Without another road visible to him, he thought only trickery and deceit could save him from this cold, harsh world.

Luckily he had found his own path. He had learned empathy, and with it unlocked his latent intellect. Over the years, due to this, he had gained a deep understanding of many subjects relating to Hollows and Arrancar. He even spent ten years as a Cuarto studying Hollowification and how to reverse it. Technically, the project was ongoing but without any immediate results. He was still searching for an answer, but for now his own personal intellect would have to suffice. So he clung to it, and took comfort in knowing that he was something greater than all of the other Arrancar around him. That he had learned a way to be more, even if he was still Hollow.

Muifong Lee, the pink-haired girl only a step or two behind him as they walked through the desert contained within Las Noches, had not yet reached that point. Much like he had been as a Hollow and Gillian, she still clung to her lies. For her they were the only way to be safe, happy, and satisfied with life. Yet, at the same time, she wasn’t. Tova knew that, because she was just like him and he hadn’t been truly satisfied either. He met her lies blow for blow, and called her out on every contradiction she revealed in herself. He checkmated her in only a few sentences, forcing the Arrancar into a corner. In a fit, she threw the chair of the Tercera clear across the room. Just from the way she stood and acted, Tova could tell she expected to die. She expected him to kill her for her attitude and insubordination as many other Arrancar would have done.

But that just wasn’t going to happen. The more experienced Espada took that moment to finish her off, and instead of reacting with violence he answered her rejection with compassion. He leapt behind her and embraced her, explaining that he knew just how she felt and what she wanted to do. That he understood her fears, her pain. That he wanted to help her defeat this, like he was on the path to doing himself. Muifong broke due to this, she was beaten. She cried, and she let herself feel the emotions they both buried. This was what she wanted, to simply be wanted. To be acknowledged, and while Tova held her she had that.

Such an embrace couldn’t last forever, and after the moment had passed the three of them sat down again. However, as they began to speak again Muifong had requested the Koy Zhenhao, Tova’s current Fracción and pupil from when he had been Privaron 104, to leave the room. By Tova’s suggestion, and after a quick discussion, she abided and went to the castle. Back inside, the Cuarto learned that even seeing her with him had caused her mind to once again assault itself with arguments to reject Tova’s ways. In her resistance to it she also stabbed the wall with her Zanpakutō. A large pulse of her spiritual energy ran through it and cracked the wall. Since it was one of many the Espada was far from worried, and went on to explain that her conflict with herself was a sign that she was further down the road than even he thought.

Comforted by this they had left, now on their way to his personal castle as an Espada. Life was back in her steps, and the once solemn and serious girl once again moved with grace and energy. She was excited, and despite knowing what lay before her she was serious about taking it on. No, she already had. The battle had begun, one that may last her entire life, and she was ready for it. She saw the happiness that it brought Tova to fight against who he was and strive to be better, true happiness. The small girl no longer wanted to deny herself that, she wanted to take it, earn it, and truly be satisfied with who she was. And in this change in her Tova took pride, for he had brought it about.

Even doing all of this good, can I really say I’m happy? Tova pondered, the question more curious than serious. I’m proud of what I’m doing and the battle I’m fighting, but am I really happy? Can I be, knowing that I have not yet overcome the broken part of my soul? At my heart I still want to lie, I want to deceive. I want to see people fall victim to my superior intelligence and realize, fully, how thoroughly they were beaten. That I was simply better than they were. How can I be happy if those are still desires of mine?

It was one that he would have to wrestle with for a while. However he was not going to let it slow him down or stop him anytime soon. He had a duty. A duty to Muifong Lee, a duty to Koy Zhenhao, a duty to Adelle Flores, and even a duty to himself. He had to overcome this for all of them, for all Arrancar who wanted to as well. He wanted to become what Siyrenyuu and Riko were, free from their curse. But most of all, and most importantly, he wanted to help others do the same.

“My castle? Well, unlike the other five I had them rebuild mine in a distinctly Scandinavian style…” Tova said in response to Muifong’s questions. He had let his voice trail off, as if he continued what he was saying just by pointing at his home in the distance. It was really no surprise that she wasn’t familiar with them for she had spent most of her time on Earth, hurting people. “As for training you, of course I can. Unlike us, Koy specializes in close-combat. I can pass on what I know to you while she passes on what she knows to me. In return we can teach her the things we know, and all help each other out. That’s what Espada and their Fracción do, after all.”

Cheesy as it was, it was the truth. But what was interesting wasn’t what she said, but instead the way she said it. She spoke awkwardly, as if insecure about her words or their worth. IT was clear she didn’t have a lot of experience interacting with others on an equal field. In fact, this may very well be the first time she had truly regarded someone as equal or superior to herself. It was a strange feeling for the Cuarto, the responsibility of helping her overcome this putting a distinct weight on him. But he would help her here as well.

“You don’t need to be nervous Muifong. About me or Koy. She isn’t upset with you.” Tova said, still wearing a warm smile as he spoke. “We’re here to help each other, and maybe have an enjoyable time while we’re at it. No pressure, no deadlines. Let yourself relax. And, as difficult as I know it is, trust us.”

The request was a tall one. But even though it had been less than a hour since all of this started, he felt she could do it. She would keep pushing forward, and maybe she’d even overtake the Cuarto himself on this road?