Beautiful. There's no other word to describe it: one of the most original fics of the section, written in a style that has the epicness of the oral legends. The plot is consistent and the characters are IC, but what makes it really shine is the symbolism behind the words of the deities, connecting Aizen, Yamamoto, Ukitake and Kyoraku in a legend older than Seireitei itself. Whatever evaluation we may do of Kubo's work, he left, for the better or the worst, many holes which fanwriters can fill; and fics which manage to do so in a beautiful way are the ones I like the most.

Keep up the good work!

Wow, the story style is very interesting! The story itself is well-written and definitely original. (:

I could almost see them in my mind, and your descriptions made me feel as if I were really there. I'd draw a picture of their meeting if I could, that moment just stands out to me.

I think it ended nicely, and I wouldn't want to read any sequel, since this is already good enough. :3

Huh... Impressive. The creative use of mythology - original or historical - is always a big plus to a story, as it adds a lot of realism to a culture.

You have a gift for writing a thoughtful fic, you know.

~Sal

Well, your advertising worked XD

Interesting idea you have here. That Kyouraku and Ukitake met their zanpakuto spirits before they died. The fact that the spirits were shown as more than just zanpakuto's is very unique as well.

I connected the twins to Sougyo no Kotowari immediately, but at first I thought Etsuko was Kyouraku himself. And Noelani... (struck by idea, rereads) Kyoukasuigetsu?

OMG. I get the vision now. The dragon is Yama, the twelve swords and shields the other 12 of the Gotei 13. The three are the three traitors. The symbolic way you wrote them out is really good. (you get what I mean? _;)

This is amazing! (Wow, what a long review O_O)

I loved this, it's very unusual. I hope you come back to it later and give it a concrete ending, but it doesn't matter either way, it's fantastic as it is :)

Your descriptive language is very powerful, and it was a pleasure to read. For me, writing dialogue in such a mythological/otherworldly fashion is quite difficult, but you do so spectacularly without trying too hard to be good.

You have a very fascinating backstory for Kyoraku and Ukitake and the natures of their Zanpakto. I would be very eager to read more of this.

One small criticism is that in certain places you use the same descriptor two sentences in a row. By far nothing major that doesn't detract from the story at all, but perhaps something you should look for on edits.

Pretty good.

Lovely to see it posted. I think I already exhausted all my concrit before, so I'll just say that it is quite epic, and it actually makes a little poignant because adding back story like this would lend Bleach (or any other show, really) so much depth, that it's a shame that this will have to remain a fascinating alternative way of seeing things.

Wow! That's one heck of a legend, alright! I love your style of telling the story, right out of a book of fairy-tales. And this is an extremely nice fairy-tale.

Very well done.

Sakiku

I like this story. You have a true gift for storytelling. You took Bleach, kept it's edge, and made it into your own. This'll definitely be another stroy of yours that I'll be reading. Nicely done!

Inredibly well-written! *stands in awe*

Is there to be more? I'd love to read on... XD

This is a great start to what promises to become something epic. Keep going!

I'm touched, iviaedhros, really I am. *sheds a tear*. I loved the conversation Etsuko has with the twin serpents, so fun and so prophetic. Now if I actually saw the show, I'd probably enjoy this fic a lot more than I already do.

oh, I really like this! you must continue! asap!