THE SAME OLD STORY

The woman's demeanor contrasted their initial meeting, yet the difference was received just the same as before. His gaze scanned her body, lightly dirtied by combat no doubt, but in far better shape than the brute to her right. He gave them a steady nod and the left, not bothering to close the doors that were opened, though Ezel cared not for privacy. If anyone had the mind to speak their own, they risked offending one of the most fragile of pride's in Hueco Mundo. It was a sin not easily forgiven.

The Quincy requested his aid with a nonchalant composure, as if there was no history between them. Perhaps he would have laughed at the performance if her sight wasn't poison to his mood, though nothing would be shown from the same expressionless face as before. 

"Perhaps you realized what folly it was to follow Cero," Ezel mused rhetorically. Resting a hand on the handle of the large greatsword lifeless across the table. A hand gripped the crimson leather before whisking it away from the marble surface, a feather between his hands. "Though it might have been more foolish to waltz into the territory of a man you spent several minutes offending."

With the fierce eyes of inquisition, he muttered with a sharp tongue, "Keep still, I promise it will be swift." Perhaps the face he showed after was one of malice and dominance. Perhaps it revealed how much he wished that heavy blade to shatter her fragile frame. With the sword raised hi, propped up by a single hand, it would fall in a blur that no eyes short of a master swordsman would be able to follow. The tip whispered past the fabric across her torso, not daring to come in contact. The iron would seemingly melt through the construction across her wrists, with such precision and skill that the Quincy wouldn't even feel that it was touched. Instead, when the blade was back in vision, aimed at the floor, the cuffs would fall after a few seconds, after the human's concept of "Physics" understood that the broken cuffs defied it.

"Or maybe fortune favored you... as the others are not ones to be acknowledged for civility."

Ezelrik did not shift at her statement, although her intentions were genuine. There existed a severe disgust for the creature known as Alastar. Thoughts rung louder than her words in his head, and he almost let them slip. "Did you honestly expect any different? He made it clear what his intentions were before you followed him," it was he would have blurted out. But silence was his friend here. He would instead offer a sympathetic nod towards the woman, pleased with her resolve to dispose of such a faulty arrancar.

"Do not confuse my mercy with forgiveness. Time is your savior, Quincy. If we had met any sooner, I doubt I would have been able to contain myself from extending Cruzado just an inch further. I have just come to overlook your actions, not forgive them." Ezel clarified, though the salt in the wound still stung. Besides, the woman had not committed sin punishable by the sword, only offended the executioner with that sword. He would not give her that knowledge however, knowing full well how should would take advantage of such a rigid code of conduct.

Ezel layed his weapon back on the marble table, taking the seat next to it, several feet from his guest. She questioned something on the circles of Hell, and his response was one without conviction, "The Circles of Hell are speculation. Virgil wrote such an epic, but after my death. If they were to exist, Lust would be his punishment - followed by several hundred years in Wrath." He paused, letting a second pass before finding his words again, "But I do not believe Hell is divided into Circles. Else what would be the reason this place exists? This was not mentioned by Virgil, and the man wrote for artistic representation. A pious effort, but I fear inaccurate. When Cero ceases to exist, he would reside in the only realm that I believe to exist, one that is but an empty void heated by the hellfire and mute by the screams of millions."

Ezel was never short-winded, even when it came to speaking of such philosophical topics. He would never be afraid to admit his own ignorance of such a topic, however. Angels are rarely subject to such damnation. 

"And you have grown might confident in yourself. What reason would I have to allow you refuge? You would bring the wrath of Alastar on me, and I fear even the Godking would be upset with my actions." the blonde started. "Not that I fear the Espada, but I loathe making the effort to start unnecessary war."

"A facade of an emotion. A memory of when it was necessary and welcomed to smile." Ezelrik might have corrected if he wasn't cut short by the second Quincy. Still, the sentinel watched, eyes focused on the tube that the female downed; it was a powerful mixture no doubt, just by judging on how it was treated in the context. His visitor prepared her departure, first introducing herself as Phoebe. "I see- Then please address me as Ezelrik. I am not fond of the Spanish language, it happens to be a formality. However, farewell Phoebe, the Penitence."

The second Quincy showed no intention of leaving empty handed, and by his demands, he was out for blood. If only Ezel would believe that the man would trust his word, then he wouldn't have slowly moved towards his original spot, just to be in range of his sword if it was necessary. "You would seek the audience of the Cero Espada. If you are that inclined to find him, just look into the sky and you'll see his domain." Ezel spoke, though rather cryptically. His eyes then narrowed on the energy massing between his hands, "Assuming our meeting is adjourned, would you be so kind as to vacate my palace. I wish not for the undesired attention of my peers." 
 

“I see.” Strider turned on a heel and began to walk away. 

And then he was in front of Ezel, shoving the burning silver tube into the espada’s chest. Unlike the previous flames, these were more akin to white phosphorus; they’d burn straight through his hierro and into his soul if he didn’t find a way to cut them out. 

“Magnitude,” the real show was coming now, “Vier.” 

An explosion of kinetic force shoved the phosphorus forward and was aimed to blast Ezel through several walls and into the open air of Hueco Mundo.