Bleach Fantasy II Round 22: Yhwach vs. Promathia

Welcome back to another installment of Bleach Fantasy II where MechG & I once again collaborate on pitting the world of Bleach & the various installments of the Final Fantasy franchise. On Wednesday, FF took another victory against Bleach (FF still leads 13-8 against Bleach), but many things can happen. Like MechG said, Bleach Fantasy II posts will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. My daily schedule of Watch-list, WBCR, & Throwback posts will be the same as always (if delayed, posts will be on weekends). Without further ado, let's get started on Bleach Fantasy II Round 22 ~ Yhwach vs. Promathia. Take into account that Storyline and Powers/Abilities are the deciding factors. MechG & I will switch-off ever 3 rounds in giving the verdict. Let's jam!

Storyline (Yhwach)

Yhwach is the Father of the Quincy (also referred to as Your Majesty) and current major antagonist in Bleach's Thousand Year Blood War Arc. As a child, he could not hear, speak, or even move. Knowing this, Yhwach was fearless and never cried. Those around Yhwach treated him with reverence because upon who touched Yhwach gradually found something that they lacked beforehand. This only happened because Yhwach possessed the power to share out of his soul. Thus, anyone who came in contact with him shared a part of his soul and was able to heal their wounds (that person's own soul could have never done that). Treating him as a special being, Yhwach was always met with people and as he continuously shared out his soul unto everyone - Yhwach's own body became to function. He was able to harness his senses and as a result, he learned of the name people chanted to him - YHWACH. He realized that the very name people gave him is the name of the God that the people worshipped. As said above, he is the Quincy - the founder, creator, and King. His very blood flows unto every living Quincy. 1000 years ago, Yhwach and a man named Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto (Aka the former 1st Head Captain of the Gotei 13) met face-to-face and Yamamoto was unable to deliver the finishing blow unto Yhwach. He is the first person to bear witness to Yamamoto's Bankai - Zanka no Tachi and thus has a thorough understanding of how his Bankai works. Supposedly after the two fought, Yhwach lost his powers. Quincy Folklore suggested that "The Sealed King," after 900 years, would regain consciousness, after 90 ~ regain intellect, and after 9 ~ absorb the power of every "impure" Quincy to make their abilities his very own. As a result of what is known as Auswahlen, Ichigo & Uryu's Mothers died and lost their powers. This leaves Uryu as being the last "impure" Quincy alive. Yhwach reveals that this song (the absorption of "impure" Quincy) is known as Kaiser Gesang (Praise-Song of the Sacred Emperor in Japanese) and has another verse stating that the "Sealed King" will have the world after 9 days. During As Nodt's recovery in the hospital, Yhwach visited him and gave him power and sometime during the 17-month after Aizen's defeat, The Wandenreich conquered Hueco Mundo and currently hold Tier Harribel as hostage ~ using Hueco Mundo as another stepping stone to invading the Soul Society. It is also revealed that Yhwach intends to hire the assistance of former antagonist, Aizen Sousuke, but he turned down the offer. As of now: Ichigo Kurosaki, Kenpachi Zaraki, & Aizen Sousuke are known as the special war potentials. It is also revealed that the manifestation of Zangetsu that Ichigo saw was, in fact, Yhwach 1000 years ago. 

As two Arrancar(s) by the names Luder Friegen & Asuguiaro Ebern served under Yhwach and reported to the Wandenreich base, they were instantly killed for getting into a disagreement and for Asuguiaro failing to detain Ichigo Kurosaki. It is revealed that the Arrancars' deaths will not do any potential damage to the Wandenreich and that their deaths serve more as a stepping stone for the invasion of the Soul Society. While Ichigo is currently fighting Quilge Opie, Yhwach & the Wandenreich take this opportunity to invade the Gotei 13 and reveal a stunning ability - stealing Bankai. As Soul Society is plunged into war, it seems as if the Wandenreich have the upper hand as they stole most of the Captain's Bankai(s) and all that was missing was Captain Yamamoto's. Royd Lloyd, a former Sternritter that has the ability to mimic Yhwach in his entirety, fought and tired out Captain Yamamoto up until his death. With the Head Captain tired and drained after revealing his Bankai, the real Yhwach shows up, steals Captain Yamamoto's Bankai, and mercilessly cuts him down until he is nothing more than ash. Just as Yhwach kills Captain Yamamoto, Ichigo shows up from behind and tries to stop only ~ only for Yhwach to figure out that Ichigo used Blut Vene and stopping the fight from going any further. Aizen Sousuke, the former antagonist, was able to distort Yhwach's senses just a little after their little meeting. Yhwach & the Wandenreich soon retreat while the Gotei 13 recover from their injuries and the huge loss of the Head Captain. As Yhwach summons the Sternritter together, he reveals his successor and also given the letter "A" to be Uryu Ishida. This angers and confuses the Sternritter, but Yhwach still stands by his decision. As the Wandenreich invade the Soul Society again, Yhwach watches as his Sternritter fight the Shinigami (he witnesses both Mask De Masculine & Gremmy's loss). Yhwach managed to overcome the 0 division & now is currently the Soul King after murdering him. 

Storyline (Promathia)

Long ago, the Twilight god Promathia condemned the Zilart, the only inhabitants in the world of Vana’diel at the time, for attempting to open up the Gates of Paradise. He made sure that the race was completely eradicated by calling upon Bahamut to destroy Al’Taieu, a city the Zilart made as a gate to the gods. With Promathia supposedly eradicating the Zilart, Altana, the Dawn Goddess who represents the good counterpart of him, cried five divine tears that created the five races that would rule present-day Vana’diel (Hume, Elvaan, Tarutaru, Mithra, Galka). To ensure that none of the races open up the Gates of Paradise, Promathia created creatures called the beastmen to ensure eternal conflict with the five nations representing each race and cursed each race to have one negative trait. In order to complete his reign, Promathia sought to enact his own resurrection as the “Keeper of the Apocalypse” and his death that would cause every soul in Vana’diel to return to him.

Though the story of Promathia has been passed on by the cathedral teachings for many years since the creation of the five races, further discovery about the Twilight God’s purpose has suggested that most of the story was not completely true. For example, Promathia’s will aka “the emptiness” was a manifestation of complete death and destruction. It was also revealed that Promathia’s existence continued through the actions of Altana’s creation of the five races. Rather than weeping “divine tears,” Altana kept Promathia’s existence alive by stealing the energy of the mothercrystals and using the creation of the races as its vessels. In a sense, this undoubtedly made Promathia the father of the five races. In the Chains of Promathia expansion pack, Promathia’s resurrection and his presence were manifested when Nag’molada, the Kuluu diplomat, broke the seal on the Keeper of the Apocalypse in order to seek more information on the origins of Vana’diel and its races. Promathia absorbed Nag’molada and his knowledge after Nag’molada found out the five races were his children. From there, Promathia set out to bring forth the Apocalypse by destroying the last mothercrystal. However, Promathia’s efforts would be stopped short once Prishe, Selh’teus, the Adventurer, and a united front of the five races entered the Empyreal Paradox to battle the Twilight God. Promathia’s defenses were weakened once Prishe executed her Nullifying Dropkick ability. During the battle’s winding moments, Altana appears through a burst of light shooting upon Promathia; his existence and his rage towards the world vanquished. Though that is pretty much the normal ending, if the add-on scenarios of Abyssea were to be completed in XI, an alternate world is unlocked in which Promathia annihilated all the races of Vana’diel and evolved into the Wyrm God, Shinryu, leaving Prishe as the sole survivor of his onslaught.

Powers/Abilities (Yhwach)

Being the Creator & Leader of a group of species known as the Quincy, Yhwach's very spiritual power SURPASSES that of an Espada (as seen when Tier Harribel is held hostage as she utterly lost to him) and he is the only one able to wield Captain Yamamoto's Bankai. He is also a expert swordsman, being able to repel a Captain in combat and, as said above, is known for his soul distribution ~ having others share a part of his soul, drink his blood, and in doing so - gets stronger and lives longer. If, however, he does not do this ~ then of course he becomes weakened. Like any other Quincy, he is also able to absorb and solidify reishi just from everything in the Soul Society, use Blut Vene (a defense mechanism that repels attacks when skin is under attack), Hirenkyaku (Quincy's version of Sonido or Shunpo to move incredibly fast), has enhanced strength/durability/agility, & is a hand-to-hand combatant that was able to repel Ichigo's attacks and escape unscathed. With any Quincy, Yhwach is able to fire arrows without the use of an actual bow or weapon that was able to kill Captain Yamamoto and his very own reishi broadsword that was enough to cut Captain Yamamoto in two.

Powers/Abilities (Promathia)

Being a god, specifically being the Twilight God Promathia possesses immeasurable, omnipotent abilities. He is a giant compared to the likes of any Hume, Elvaan, Tarutary, Mithra, or Galka. Describing his powers/abilities can be difficult. I can’t describe them in detail no matter how many times I’ve seen gameplay of the boss battle. Promathia’s notable abilities come from his defense as he is able to shield himself from both physical and magic attacks. He surrounds himself with two shields: the Bastion of Twilight defends against magic attacks and the Wheel of Impregnability defends against physical attacks. Most of Promathia’s offensive powers/abilities emphasize on dispelling stat buffers and inflicting devastating ailments. His Empty of Salvation ability deals Area of Effect (AOE, affects multiple targets within a certain area) damage and can dispel at most 3 stat buffers. The ailment-related abilities are as follows: Infernal Deliverance (AOE damage) inflicts stun, Malevolent Blessing inflicts curse (makes opponents weaker than normal strength), Pestilent Penance (AOE damage) inflicts plague, Seal of Quiescence (AOE damage) inflicts mute or silence, and Winds of Oblivion (AOE damage) inflicts amnesia. In addition Promathia has a series of specified attacks called Chains in which it inflicts terror/fear on opponents, making them unable to execute attacks for an indefinite period of time. Each Chain represents the negative trait each race has from when Promathia cursed them in the process of their creation: Apathy (Hume), Arrogance (Elvaan), Cowardice (Tarutaru), Envy (Mithra), and Rage (Galka).

Verdict
And the winner is...

Omnipotence, God-like, & The Almighty are big words. Often you refer to them as beings that transcend immeasurability and insurmountability. You can argue that transcending is never-ending, that knowledge alone is an endless wasteland. However, one thing is for certain ~ they are on a whole other level in comparison to us mere mortals. Now this match-up boiled down to the full, half, and empty plate categories. I will openly admit that Promathia's plate alone, from what I've read, is full whereas Yhwach is at half. Both are immensely powerful, are considered on another level of power, and have a balance of offense and defense when in combat. However, no bias aside, I want to know more of Yhwach and since overcoming the Soul King, the central that keeps all worlds together, he is just a HUGE obstacle for the Soul Society & Hueco Mundo. Sure, people may argue that perhaps Promathia can mop the floor with Yhwach anytime and anywhere. However, I see potential in Yhwach since we have yet to see the full extent of what he can do. Even before becoming Soul King, he pretty much created selective-extinction all his fellow Quincy, was able to successfully kill Captain Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, literally plunge Soul Society into darkness, and make Hueco Mundo his bitch. Even as a child you knew he was legit and posed a huge threat. With Promathia, in the normal ending, its defenses were weakened by Prishe. Yhwach has yet to show any sign of weakness. The only one who was able to somewhat intimidate him was Aizen, but other than that, I think he's on a whole other level. Yhwach accomplished himself as a villain to be feared and murdering the Soul King is his biggest achievement. He alone now is on top of the world and watches with his many eyes. Promathia, I won't argue, Promathia is unbelievably strong and is a God, but with Yhwach, there's much more to build on his character and I can't wait to see how Ichigo will overcome him. Sorry Promathia, but Yhwach takes the win.

So who do you think won this matchup? Yhwach from Bleach or Promathia from Final Fantasy XI? Comment below and let us know. Reiterating again, Bleach Fantasy Round II posts will be on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays w/MechG & I interchanging every 3rd matchups on giving the verdict. Bleach Fantasy Round II standings (13-9):

1) Yoruichi Shihoin vs. Prishe ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
2) Uryu Ishida vs. Hope Estheim ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
3) As Nodt vs. Vincent Valentine ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
4) Kenpachi Zaraki vs. Jecht ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
5) Shunsui Kyoraku vs. Auron ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
6) Sui-Feng vs. Tifa Lockhart ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic) 
7) Mayuri Kurotsuchi vs. Barthandelus ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
8) Sajin Komamura vs. Sin ~ Bleach (Verdict by MechG)

9) Toshiro Hitsugaya vs. Kuja ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
10) Tia Harribel vs. Tidus ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
11) Bambietta Basterbine vs. Rinoa Heartilly ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
12) Riruka Dokugamine vs. Ultimecia ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
13) Baraggan Louisenbairn vs. Exdeath ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
14) Ginjo Kugo vs. Caius Ballad ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
15) Coyote Starrk vs. Cloud Strife ~ Bleach (Verdict by MechG)
16) Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck vs. Kefka Palazzo ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)
17) Shinji Hirako vs. Emperor Mateus ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
18) Orihime Inoue vs. Yuna ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by Stillmattic)
19) Kisuke Urahara vs. Seymour Guado ~ Bleach (Verdict by MechG)
20) Renji Abarai vs. Squall Leonhart ~ Bleach  (Verdict by MechG)
21) Grimmjow Jaegerjaquez vs. Sephiroth ~ Final Fantasy (Verdict by MechG)
22) Yhwach vs. Promathia ~ Bleach (Verdict by Stillmattic)

Throwback Post is posted below.