Some of you may have heard the name 'Espada' in a number of places. In Spanish, it translates to 'sword' or 'blade.' I am an Espada; we are an order of those who have mastered the use of the blade. Not just any blade, though--every blade. However, this order has been dying out very quickly. There are those who fear us and our proficiency with a blade. We have been hunted down, observed, and eliminated when our guard is down. Before we realized what was happening, it was too late -- there are very few of us left. We do not keep in contact with each other as much as we could or should. But, it's all for safety reasons. If we made contact with each other, those who are watching us would be able to hunt the rest of us down all the faster. We all know to watch our backs, but we simply cannot risk seeing each other in person or communicating directly. But... you must be wondering -- what is so special about the Espada? Why are we being hunted down? Can't just anyone be an Espada with enough training? All of your questions will be answered, and more.
First off, not just anyone can train to be an Espada. Sure, you can take the time to learn how to use each and every blade known to mankind, however, you will never truly be an Espada. You are born with the ability to come one; it's not a choice, it's a birthright. It's not genetic, and it's extremely rare and impossible to tell. Unless one hones their skills with a blade or takes a liking to blades early on, they will likely never know they had the potential to become an Espada. Back in the day, it was possible to tell shortly after birth with some tests if you were an Espada. However, these practices have since been banned and we must seek out possible recruits ourselves. We must investigate every possible lead we have that happens to find its way to our ears.
It's likely that you are now confused; the way I speak about being an Espada, is like trying to find a savant when it comes to blades. Well, yes and no. Every one of us has a natural affinity with and for blades. However, unlike your typical Butcher Pete and Slicey McDicey, we can do far more with blades than any normal person could. Our souls have an attachment to blades, and we can manifest a part of our souls to assist us in fighting with a blade. This could turn out in one of many ways.
The first thing that can occur when we manifest our souls, is the blade we use takes on a different form. By 'a different form,' I mean that it can turn into a completely different weapon. Have a godlike power and appearance, or look like some sort of animal that you can control at will, as if it were an extension of your own body. We call these Espada the 'Domador Bestia.'
The second thing that can occur, is that our blade doesn't change shape or form, but gains a form of aura around it. Auras can vary from things like electricity to the ability to create illusions. With enough work, those who are able to do this can use many auras at their will, and with even more work, can use multiple auras at once. We call these Espada the 'Cifiro.'
A third thing that can happen is that our blade doesn't change, but we do. Our bodies can change minutely, like our skin just getting extra durable, or things as massive as sprouting wings and controlling fire. We call these Espada 'El Cambiar.'
The fourth and final thing that can happen is a combination of all three. Either just two or all three. There have only been a few in existence, and those of us who have access to two or all three areas of this have been selected to be known as just 'Infinito Espada.' However, out of these few, one is selected to be known as just 'Espada.' The Espada is the head of all other Espadas. He or she is in charge of communicating with and supervising the rest, as well as looking out for the rest of the Espada.
If we need to communicate in an emergency, we can communicate by using something we call Espiritu. It's a sort of life force that all of us share -- we can sense each other, always, no matter how far away. And, likewise, we can tell if one of us has been killed or injured. That's just what one might call the 'passive' link. The 'active' part of it, is we are able to sort of use a method similar to telepathy, except our souls meet together, like apparitions. It is usually done late at night when we are sleeping or getting ready to sleep, to prevent suspicion. When we do Espiritu, our minds manifest our souls, and we can be anywhere in the blink of an eye. If one of us has started this, the rest will follow shortly, and we all go to the same place immediately to wait for the others. If our bodies are injured or otherwise disturbed in a noticeable manner during this, we are immediately thrown back into our bodies, whether we want to be or not. Our Espiritu are invisible to the naked, normal eye. No one but other Espadas can see us when we're like this. It is also a method we can use to locate potential recruits. As, like I said -- we are a dying breed. We can't just pluck people from the hospital anymore and raise them in a monastery or temple.
Contrary to what the few who know of us think, we are not immortal. Our life expectancy, assuming we don't die in combat, is certainly way above average, but we can die just like any other person; a bullet to the head, cancer, getting hit by a vehicle, you name it. But, all that aside -- we age considerably slower, and that's how they find us easier. We look twenty but are really fifty. Because of this, we have our own people working in hospitals, with the government, etc, so we can maintain a somewhat calm life without having to constantly look over our shoulder. It's been a while since the first of us have been killed. We have learned from our mistakes. We are more cautious now, usually traveling in pairs or at least living near another in case something comes up. Our kind goes back generations upon generations, so we have connections with families around the world that can help us in a pinch if needed.
I currently do not have a place of residence. I travel around the globe, accessing funds from over a hundred bank accounts across the world all under different aliases. I have many disguises and can easily evade anyone tailing me. I am able to watch over the remaining few Espadas from a safe distance, visiting them each at least a few times a year to make sure all is well. Now... one more question I'm sure you have. What could be hunting us down that either has such a grudge against us, or the power to oppose us? Truth be told, we aren't one hundred percent sure. We think that, somewhere along the line, as Espadas are born and not chosen, there came a sort of opposition bloodline. Much rarer, but much more violent and powerful. Only after we suffered our first losses did we realize we couldn't face them alone. They do have one indefinite weakness, though; their arrogance. They believe they are the superior beings and aren't overly bright. They can track us down, but they never seem to realize that we travel in couples or trios, and that is how their own downfall began. I can imagine that their numbers are running low, as ours are. It would appear as though we are at a stalemate, though there are a few fanatics left that have been trying to hunt us down. The one thing I'm thankful for, is our existence has been hidden and kept a secret from the public eye.
I cannot think of any other questions you'd have about the history of us. Just know that we are, for the most part, normal. Some are born geniuses, some are born to act. Us, though? We are born Espada.