Zanpakuto Spirit Personality: A proud and regal being, Tsubame Ken-kyō could be described as a wise and impassioned spirit, always looking to improve its wielder and foster a greater bond between them. Unlike many zanpakuto, who most be utterly conquered for their wielder to gain the full extent of their abilities, Tsubame is far more kind and understanding, having allowed Kōunora her bankai by simply bowing to her will. Perhaps because of this, their relationship is one of great respect and endearment, with the captain seeing her spirit as everything that is good about her, a being without flaw. While she is in part correct, Tsubame would disagree, and views her in a light that perhaps she is blind to in her current state. He hopes that, with time, he can bring out the same light that makes him, out from where it hides in the deeper recesses of the woman's heart. Perhaps he will even succeed.
Zanpakuto Spirit &
Inner World Whilst typically a man, as depicted, Kōunora's zanpakuto spirit, at some times, appears to her as a golden and silver phoenix, its eyes red, and its form composed of many shining ribbons of light. The world around it paling in comparison to its brilliance.
Sealed StateShikai: Body sideways, her sword arm held out behind her, blade horizontal, and eyes closed, Kōunora prepares to release her shikai. As she assumes the stance, her lips move, and the blade's command is uttered,
"Focus, refract; connections reflect, through action collapse and enact. Fly forth...". As the inaudible words are spoken, a flash of gold and silver light engulfs her blade. For a moment it is blinding, but soon after the light disperses, the gold becoming trapped within the blade even as the silver surrounds her. With her blade revealed and hands adorned with silver, Kōunora's voice pierces the near silence, proclaiming the name of her blade's elegant form,
"...Tsubame Ken-kyō(燕検鏡 'Swallow's Speculum')."Abilities: Manifesting physically as a layer of silver reiryoku about her hands and in the form of an elegant silver and blue katana, the capabilities of Kōunora's shikai lie almost entirely within the brilliant silver light that surrounds her. This “silver light,” is in actuality hundreds of tiny particles of reishi that have been imparted with great quantities of the captain's unique reiryoku. This reiryoku possesses the traits of an energetic lens, allowing it to reflect, focus, refract, or scatter various energies—though the most notable of these are kinetic energy, light, and reiryoku. At rest, the silver light acts much like a harmless gas, the reiryoku passing like potential energy between particles of reishi, impossible to inhale or absorb by most passive means. In this state the light is merely aesthetic, pure potential without much purpose aside from illumination. However, when manipulated by Kōunora's will via her reiryoku covered hands or her blade, the light may take form. When influenced by the aforementioned implements, her shikai's channeled reiryoku either contracts into the reishi it inhabits, or expands outwards. While the former is the natural state of her shikai, the latter causes, as the reiryoku becomes more intertwined, to shift the light from a more gaseous etheric state to a more physical one, first becoming something akin to a mist, then an outright fluid before it reaches its final state as a solid.
While her shikai's ability to alter the state of this silver light is notable the more important of its abilities is the redistribution of the reishi which her reiryoku inhabits, as gathering such particles into closer proximity effectively increases the focus of the “lens,” making it possible to reflect foreign elements, or even its own light. As a result, Kōunora's shikai is considered not only one the seireitei's most beautiful, but also its most mysterious as the captain has yet to reveal just exactly how it functions to others, leaving them to marvel at its capacity to surprise and astonish those who witness it in use be it turned against them in training, or drawn to slay their enemies.
Note: While Kōunora may chose to proclaim Tsubame ken-kyō's entire release command, more often than not, she simply whispers “Fly forth,” which appears to serve her just as well, not that any would know it.
TechniquesHaemasu(栄えます 'Flourish'): A technique utilizing the reflective properties held within the reishi of her shikai, Haemasu alters the angle of each particle and focuses the light which surrounds her into a blinding aura of reiryoku. This aura can be further aimed to reflect and refract through other materials and off of other surfaces. Additionally, due to the light actually being composed of potent reiryoku, its light will not simply blind, but also disorient those who look upon it, becoming particularly effective if they are surrounded by it. While this technique has no true limitations in regard to its duration, it tends to only last 30 or so seconds unless Kōunora chooses otherwise. Additionally, while the disorientation caused by Haemasu can be overcome when not surrounded by the light, taking a maximum of 5 seconds for most to recover, being engulfed in the 3 meter aura of reiryoku crafted light will continue to refresh the aforementioned effect, disrupting the balance and physical equilibrium of those within it, excluding Kōunora herself.
Hishō gin uyoku(飛翔銀羽翼 'Flight of silver wings'): Gathering her shikai's light onto her blade, Kōunora initiates this technique, creating thin ribbons of silver reishi that trail behind and along her blade. These ribbons, though they appear fragile, are in fact capable of cutting just as any blade might, as their movements follow those of the captain's blade, allowing them to attack from alternate angles, while moving in similar patterns. While Kōunora cannot guide the movement of these ribbons while they remain connected to her blade, she can use skillful swordplay to attack in a variety of manners using the ribbons of reiryoku infused reishi to strike from unexpected angles. However, perhaps the more dangerous aspect of this technique, is its second stage, which is simply activated by Kōunora willing one or more of the numerous ribbons to detach from their source. Once detached, these ribbons mirror the movements of her weapon and allow Kōunora to transfer kinetic energy between the ribbons and her zanpakuto, increasing the force or speed of either essentially at will. Most deadly though is the result of a ribbon striking true, as when such occurs all of its kinetic energy is released as tiny feather shaped blades, that shear and eviscerate flesh. Last among this technique's traits is its increased ability to hold or channel kido, as Kōunora may store a kido in each
feather of each wing once they have been released. It should be noted that while she may continue to generate additional ribbons, prolonging this technique, it may only have up to 20 ribbons at any given time, whether they are detached or not. The creation of additional ribbons past this point will cause a single ribbon to automatically detach and then release its kinetic energy in a small localized shockwave.
Taremaku(垂れ幕 'Hanging screen'): Drawing a horizontal line of silver reiryoku with her right hand before parting it with fingers and thumb, thus expanding the line into a plane of translucent reiryoku, Kōunora initiates this technique. Once the aforementioned is done, Kōunora may proceed to touch the expanse of clear reiryoku with her blade, at which point the energy will respond as if it were made of fabric, though far more durable. The expanse of reiryoku is essentially a flat curtain of reflective energy, capable of weathering a fair amount of force, and simply being pushed rather than outright cut by a blade. While it possesses no single purpose, the sheet of reiryoku can be turned to both defensive and offensive purposes via skillful manipulation of her blade or her hand. This fabric-like film of reiryoku, it should be noted, is attracted to the point of Kōunora's blade, though the shinigami can alter how strong this attraction is.
Kussetsu keiro(屈折径路 'Refraction path'): One of her more powerful techniques Kussetsu keiro is a rather taxing ability, taking such a toll even on the captain that she can only use it four times and maintain it for two minutes. Upon activation, a hollow column of silver reiryoku manifests in alignment with the edge of her blade, its form positioned a foot or so in front of it. This column fades at its edges, as if it continues invisibly into the air even where it is not seen. The purpose of this column is to channel and reflect reiryoku through its hollow when it makes contact, allowing the captain to redirect more powerful techniques by moving the column's opening to face in the general direction of an attack as it approaches, or as she approaches it. Upon being captured, the reiryoku is condensed and amplified, before being released out the other end of the column, typically erupting into a massive blast.
Kyōzō - Hansei tsubame(鏡像 - 反省燕 'Mirror image – Reflection swallow'): A technique that the captain may only use once in a 12 hour period without forcing her shikai to permanently seal for a day after the cessation of the technique. Activating the technique by holding her blade vertically, in both hands, before her and proclaiming its name, the ribbons that trail behind her blade will glow a bright golden light before shattering. These shards expand and mould themselves into eight silver swallow's, with golden eyes and trails of light that follow their movements. Each Swallow contains 1/8th of her total reiryoku and has several abilities. First and foremost these silver swallows possess the reflective effects of her shikai in distilled form, allowing them to fly through or be struck by attacks without harm, reflecting or scattering them as if they were refracted light upon contact. The trails of light they leave behind can cut those who run into them, though unless layered over one another, they cannot outright dismember or decapitate. Additionally, the each bird may be expended to release a burst of reiryoku covering 18 meters. This reiryoku burns with a purifying golden light, which lasts for 8 seconds after initial formation. This golden light, via manipulations with her gauntlet or zanpakuto, can be utilized as attacks for the duration of its brief existence.
Last among the effects of this technique is those that may only manifest upon the captain's release into bankai. If utilized in bankai, this technique may only be utilized once and, unlike the shikai form which may last for 8 minutes, the bankai format can only last for 4 making it considerably less lengthy. However, the technique makes up for its lack of length with an incredible amount of power. Once activated, the golden songbird which surrounds Kōunora will expel silver reiryoku. This reiryoku is far more reflective than her shikai's silver energy. So reflective is its surface that one's visage can be seen in it as if it were a solid mirror. Following its manifestation, the energy will reflect its maker, Kōunora, thus creating three silver winged beings, made from silver energy, which mirror her appearance. These ethereal figures, for the duration of the technique, may fight at Kōunora's side and while they cannot utilize kido, they can use shunpo, are lighter and more flexible than a normal shinigami, and can utilize all of her shikai techniques. These silver effigies can however be destroyed by being torn apart or evaporated by a sufficient amount of damage.
Bankai: Prefaced by a gradual increase in her reiatsu, which flows back from her form, a silver hue present in the air as it meets its zenith, the captain will sheath her blade, body relaxing, eyes taking on a golden hue. Then, as her reiatsu peaks, her voice rings forth and so is sung the sacred word,
"Bankai." With her proclamation made, ribbons of silver light emerge from her reiatsu, even as golden light spills from her form, zanpakuto dissolving to create it. Yet, while the reiryoku obscures her like fog, her shining red and gold eyes remain visible throughout, as if no power in all the realms can stifle the light that dwells within her.
Golden light unfolding from her, the motion reminiscent of wings as feathers spread forth and the solemn call of an unknown songbird echoes through the air. Like an ocean wave, the sound of the call rushes forth, drowning the senses of all who hear it and, for a moment, suppressing their reiatsu regardless of its strength. As the song continues, the light gains definition and Kōunora strides forth now wreathed in silver and golden light, her garb altered. As before her release, the woman's eyes now glow however, now the red hue that is their typical color has receded, overtaken entirely by golden and silver hues, which dance and swirle around her pupils, undulating with a steady rhythm.
The visage of the golden bird remains, its form now surrounding her own, wings spread wide at her sides, its golden body engulfing her, its size dwarfing the captain's. The bird's tail trails out behind her for several meters, the golden ribbons that compose it drifting weightlessly in the air.
In her left hand is grasped a blade of pure light, its outline silver, and its core composed of the same golden light that surrounds her. Eight ribbons trail behind its form, and aside from the silver edges of the weapon, it is difficult to distinguish the blade from the light that surrounds it.
As her bankai's manifestation completes, Kōunora's voice—more song than simple spoken word—rings out. However, this time it is accompanied by a strange ethereal voice, which unlike the her own, sings every word.
"Tasogare ken-kyō – Hanayaka tsubame(黄昏検鏡 – 華やか燕 'Twilight Speculum – Resplendent Swallow')."Abilities: Amplifying her speed, physical strength, durability and stamina, the captain's bankai is just as impressive as it appears. With the golden reiryoku of her song bird possessing healing properties and the silver light maintaining reflective ones, the scope of Kōunora's abilities increases drastically. In particular is the purifying and restorative effects, the captain is capable of healing herself and allies, just as she might burn away the imperfections of her adversaries, only to reflect their strengths. While those few living souls who have witnessed her bankai believe her physical attributes to be outright enhanced by its release, the truth is that all of these traits are amplified not by an increase in physical stamina or strength, but by the silver light hidden throughout the songbird that wreaths her form. As with her shikai, this silver light can redirect and amplify kinetic energy however, unlike it the silver light of her bankai can also convert reiryoku into kinetic energy and vice versa. This allows Kōunora to seemingly take more damage, as the force of most attacks is diminished by this conversion and also reflected, not to mention healed by the golden light.
Another startling ability which is brought to light by her bankai is Kōunora's ability to visualize reiryoku, which in this state is amplified greatly, thus allowing her to better predict her opponents due to increased ability to ascertain their location at any given point in time. While unlike the bankai of other captains who possess techniques, Kōunora's bankai more than makes up for it in sheer power, burning away or reflecting reiryoku and reishi around her, allowing her to fly, and making her already fairly impressive skills even more difficult to handle. While Kōunora's bankai is incomplete, as her sword spirit has told her it possesses two techniques, it in no way is a thing to be underestimated or looked down upon. After all, it is a rare thing to see, and should one think it insufficient to strike them down, they are likely to soon find themselves burnt, battered, and laid low before the magnificence of this woman's power.
Techniques: Currently barred from her.
(Kizuato chikyū)
(Tsukanoma no hoshi)
.jpg)
