The Convergence on the Ocean's Edge

Vote, vote, vote, if you want me to post every day this week!

.

.

.

.

Two days had passed since Aura agreed to Esteban's unexpected proposal. The dawn of their unexpected alliance was now a memory as they found themselves on the outskirts of Tokyo, above the azure sea.

Despite their earnest efforts, they had yet to locate any Fullbringers. It was as if these bearers of a unique power had become shadows, artfully camouflaging themselves within the Human World, especially the Execution organization they were after the most. Esteban had not been surprised.

Having realized that their search might take longer than expected, Esteban had chosen a location away from the hustle and bustle of the city for their training.

This place, where the vast expanse of the sea met the sky, was an ideal haven for them to enhance their powers without causing any disturbances.

As they levitated above the sea, the salty breeze tugging at their clothes, Esteban turned to Aura, a glint of determination flashing in his eyes, "It's time we focus on amplifying our strengths, especially yours Aura...",

He stated, his tone earnest, "Ginjo Kugo and his organization aren't going to make themselves known anytime soon. But, we can make use of this time."

Aura nodded, her face in her usual detached style, "How do we start?", She asked quietly, her gaze steady on Esteban.

His lips curled into a small smile, appreciative of her straightforwardness, "For now, we'll spar first, I want to see just your current level of strength. Though, your Reiatsu is sure amazing."

"Tokinada told you that you're the host of the Chain of Fate of the Soul King...", Esteba said as if connecting that point to her immense Reiatsu and overall power.

Having spent some time together already, Esteban and Aura had shared a number of conversations that had given Esteban insight into Aura's background.

He had confirmed that her father was a Fullbringer, and her mother, an ordinary human. However, the true revelation had come in the form of Aura's connection to the Soul King.

"That's correct...", Aura replied plainly, "And it seems that every Fullbringer carries fragments of the Soul King's powers. That's why his family went after us in the first place. My father didn't know about that before either, it seems that not many Fullbringers know about that."

Esteban nodded, processing this, "The source of a Fullbringer's spiritual power comes from these fragments...", He said, "In my opinion then, without them, you would all just be ordinary humans."

"These powers usually just awaken when a Hollow attacks during birth, attracted by the tasty spiritual energy. Alternatively, being born to Fullbringer parents can also awaken these powers."

"Like you...", Esteban stated, glancing at Aura. She nodded, and silence fell between them for a moment. Esteban broke it, his tone serious,

"And you also carry one of the most valuable parts of the Soul King within you, unlike other Fullbringers. That's why I believe you could be the most powerful Fullbringer in the past, present, and future."

Aura swiveled around to face Esteban, surprise sparking in her eyes. She usually wore an air of detachment, and such high praise was a novelty for her, "Do you truly believe so?", She questioned, her voice barely above a whisper.

Esteban held her gaze, an earnest look in his eyes, "Yes, I do... And that's not all...", He said, pausing for a beat, "You've merely begun to scratch the surface of your potential. I intend to assist you in fully accessing your destined powers."

He leaned back, considering his next words, "Tokinada likely didn't share all this with you because he planned to exploit you. But as it stands now, your power matches his. I know that because I fought him. He wouldn't have stood a chance against you had you chosen to resist. His only viable strategy was manipulation, to coax you into following him voluntarily."

The ocean breeze rustled his hair as he spoke further, "To stimulate the latent power of the Soul King within you, I'll try to provide you with constant challenges using my Hollow abilities. It could may be a catalyst to awaken your abilities even further...", Esteban offered,

"And I'll also transfer some of my Reiryoku to you gradually, I don't need that much currently anyway. Over time we'll also collaborate on devising creative strategies to maximize your techniques.",

Esteban eventually steadied himself, his gaze fixating on Aura with interest as he declared their spar in session, "The battle begins now, Aura...", He announced, his voice unyielding as the wind, confident yet unforced.

His focus fell on her, a hollowness to his eyes reflecting the curious intensity within him. He sought to observe, to understand the depth of her power that still seemed untapped. He hoped to unravel the secret behind her unique Fullbring fighting style.

"And as we spar try to match my tempo. I'm trying to gauge the extent of your powers, to understand how they work. It's crucial for us to harmonize our energies.",

With that said, the dance of their unique powers began. They moved together like synchronized swimmers in a vast ocean of energy.

Their movements were marked with distinct grace and power, making them seem like two sides of the same coin, spun in the same throw, in perfect tandem.

The intense rhythm of their energy output and input, their attacks and defenses, resembled the precise mechanics of a well-oiled machine.

Esteban limited himself to utilizing only his basic Arrancar powers, deliberately refraining from incorporating any of his advanced techniques.

He harnessed his unique grey-colored Ceros, charging at Aura who deftly maneuvered to dodge the incoming onslaughts. The purpose of this spar was not to overpower one another but to unveil the secrets shrouded behind Aura's incredible power.

Their physical contest was paralleled by a verbal one. The interaction between them was not solely restricted to energy discharges and combat maneuvers. Rather, they maintained an open dialogue throughout the spar. Amid the swirl of powers and sharp movements, their voices weaved an intricate tapestry of understanding about Fullbring.

"Fullbring...", Esteban mused aloud as he launched another grey Cero towards Aura, his eyes narrowed on her agile form,

"It's a remarkable power, indeed. To manipulate the souls nestled within the matter... Even in the most ordinary of objects. Each one contains a soul, however small."

Aura responded by nimbly evading his incoming attack, "True...", She concurred, her voice never betraying a hint of strain from the ongoing spar, "And by pulling on these souls, I can alter the object's trajectory or manipulate its physical attributes."

With a flick of her wrist, she manipulated the air around her, solidifying it into a visible shield against Esteban's next attack. The demonstration brought a newfound light to her words, a living testament to her extraordinary ability.

Then, in a swift, unexpected move, she tugged at the soul of the sea beneath them. The water solidified under her command, creating a temporary platform on which she stepped effortlessly, "Water can be a stepping-stone if I will it so."

The sight was nothing short of fascinating for Esteban. He watched with rapt attention, his analytical mind spinning as he dissected each demonstration. He couldn't help but comment,

"Incredible. You can alter your physical surroundings, and manipulate them to serve you. The ground beneath your feet can augment your jumps, the air can speed up your movements."

Aura, not pausing in her continuous evasion and counters, nodded in agreement, "And the Fullbring becomes even more potent when one develops an affinity for a particular object. With a deeper bond, I could alter its form to derive unique powers. However, like we talked about before...",

She added, the words hanging in the air like a prelude to a unique melody, "Due to the unique way I was raised, I never confined myself to one object. Instead, my power... It extends beyond... Toward everything around me..."

She was not tied to any specific object; instead, her Fullbring abilities spanned across all matter. The air, liquids, bones, and even gases, everything was within her dominion.

Esteban recognized Aura's remarkable abilities and their unique origins immediately. He was struck by the enormity of her potential, comprehending the scope of her powers that were as wide and untamed as the ocean, still waiting to be fully explored and understood. He knew about her past, her isolation, and the peculiar circumstances that carved her path.

He was well aware of the fact that her father had imprisoned her within the confines of a dark room since her birth. The cause: his paranoid conviction and a distorted concept of protection.

This was all rooted in the tragedy of her mother's death at the hands of a Hollow during Aura's birth. Such extreme isolation had left Aura bereft of regular interactions and conventional experiences.

And because of this unusual upbringing, Aura hadn't formed any particular attachments or connections with any distinct objects. Instead, her grasp extended to all matter beyond her immediate vicinity.

Her control was broad, encompassing everything that surrounded her. It was as though she was intimately intertwined with the universe itself, pulling at the strings of reality to command the material world at her will.

However, Esteban was also keenly aware that Aura's impressive feats of controlling matter were not merely a result of her unique upbringing. It was her immense reservoir of spiritual power that amplified her Fullbring capabilities to such an extraordinary scale.

Without her inherent spiritual energy, she would not have been able to elevate such a seemingly ordinary power to such incredible heights. Thus, the isolation that could have been a constraint turned into an asset, nurturing her innate talent into a formidable force.

Even as they sparred, Esteban marveled at her unparalleled abilities, the intricate dance of her powers making a lasting impression on the seasoned warrior.

He watched with a mixed sense of admiration and anticipation, keen to see how far she could push her boundaries in their shared journey of discovery.

"Your abilities surpass the conventional bounds, Aura.", He confessed, an undertone of admiration resonating in his voice, he always respected other strong people, "Your abilities remind me of a Soul Reaper who's not learned their Zanpakuto's name and yet their skills in ordinary Zanjutsu, Kido, Hakuda, Hoho... All are brought to a God-tier level...", He mused.

Their spar continued a dance of discovery, powerful energy exchanges, and insightful revelations.

As they maneuvered and retaliated against each other's attacks, it was increasingly clear that Aura was an anomaly, a treasure trove of unexplored power. She had the potential to make miracles a reality, and Esteban was determined to help her realize it.

But, in the midst of their sparring, just as Aura had dodged another of Esteban's Ceros, their training abruptly halted.

An eerie silence descended upon them, broken only by the lapping of the waves beneath them. Both turned their heads, gazes focused on the distant horizon.

They felt it – a pulsating spiritual disturbance, like a ripple disturbing the still surface of a pond, emanating from the nearby ocean. It was strong, powerful enough to penetrate their focused concentration and force them to a standstill. The air crackled around them, charged with the spiritual energy of the impending arrivals. A sense of foreboding washed over them