30/3/2021

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Author's Notes

I look back at my old writings and sigh at how good they were.

This one is a Bleach fanfic meant to be part of audeamus which can be found in my FF.net account. It is a high-fantasy AU, so can be read as any other fiction story. It's just that most of the names follow Bleach-verse characters, towns, powers etc. The two characters I'm focusing on is my ship pair, Orihime (orange-haired human girl) and Ulquiorra (black-haired, green-eyed Arrancar).

Terms that may be unfamiliar:

-sama : respectful honorific for individuals of a higher rank than oneself.

-san : common formal honorific equivalent to Mr and Ms.

-kun : common honorific used towards a younger male, or a male friend.

-dono : honorific equivalent to "milord" or "master", although that doesn't mean the person is of noble status. It lies below -sama in level of respect.

Shinigami : literally meaning death god in Japanese. In Bleach, they are known as soul reapers, sort of like guardians of souls going through the circle of transmigration. They live in the spirit world, sort of like the afterlife.

Onmitsukidō : the stealth force of the Shinigami, they carry out top secret operations such as assassinations.

seiza : an upright kneeling position traditionally used in Japan in formal settings.

Arrancar : Spanish word meaning "to tear off". In Bleach, they are Hollows that have removed their masks and has gained Shinigami-like powers.

Hollow : race of creatures born from human souls which did not cross over after death and become corrupt spirits that prey on souls of both living and dead humans.

Hime : princess.

reiryoku : spiritual power. Used by Shinigami and other spiritual beings to provide power for their various abilities. Humans, spirits, Hollows all possess some level of reiryoku.

Disclaimer

I do not own Bleach nor any its characters. And I haven't looked through any of its materials for a long time.

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The earth trembled as horses galloped at breakneck speed towards a fortified village. Their riders were silent under the bright, peeking sun save the frenzied fluttering of their black costumes. A woman with long, dark ponytail disappeared ahead of them, and they followed duly.

Even without a flag or sigil to recognise by, men in the watchtowers scrambled in panic. Bells were tolled all around the wall. Many had retreated earlier in the day and the last few had stayed to only persuade their leaders to leave, but knew such action was most likely futile. Now, they sought only refuge and escape.

With the ominous alarm as companion, the elite hunters in black cut their way into every narrow alleyway and corridor they could find.

Candles flickered to witness their silent flight and the paper covered shoji doors trembled as they were forced open. However, rooms were found to be empty and hallways fled of any villagers. From an opened window, the wind blew a sigh of relief at the absence of bloodshed.

The hunters rushed past the village center, already with the knowledge where the villagers have headed to. Everything was still going as well as planned.

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