Äs Nödt

is a Quincy and a member of the Vandenreich's Stern Ritter with the designation "F".

Appearance
Äs has long, dark hair and dark eyes with visibly light pupils. Its attire is a variation of the Stern Ritter's typical white uniform, consisting of the order's signature hooded cloak and a knee-length trench coat, as well as black boots. Äs wears a dark mask, which obscures the lower half of its face and features five spikes running down its center, and has dark fingernails.

The Thousand-Year Blood War arc
Upon receiving the orders of Yhwach, Äs and the other Stern Ritter gather at the Gate of the Sun before traveling to the Seireitei in order to participate in the conquest of Soul Society.

Once there, Äs and the other Stern Ritter create pillars of blue flames prior to engaging the Shinigami in battle. Indiscriminately massacring numerous lower-ranking Shinigami, who are unable to injure it, Äs is intercepted by Lieutenant Renji Abarai. While Äs effortlessly blocks Renji's strikes with its bare hands, they are interrupted by the arrival of another Stern Ritter and Captain Byakuya Kuchiki. When its hand is severely cut by Byakuya, Äs is berated by its ally for allowing its Blut to be broken so easily. After Äs' comrade is neutralized, Byakuya activates his Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, only for it to be stolen by Äs' medallion.

Wounding Byakuya in the ensuing battle, Äs asks if he is aware how, rather than being poisoned, he has been infected by fear. Commending the captain's resilience in not dying instantly like most, Äs explains the fear-inducing ability of its Spirit Weapon, which causes victims to doubt everything and lose control of all rational thought. After receiving a blow to the chest, an uninjured Äs declares despite Byakuya's remarkable willpower, his heart was already stricken by fear towards it. Striking the motionless captain, Äs describes how, unlike "fear that comes from reason", "true fear" is instinctive, and so cannot be escaped. Evading Byakuya's subsequent assault, Äs attacks with the stolen Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, causing Byakuya to fall amidst a torrent of blood.

As Byakuya lies heavily injured, Äs tells him it was obvious he could not win against his Bankai with only Shikai. When Renji attempts an ambush from behind, Äs negates the strike with Blut. Moving to attack as well, Byakuya, overwhelmed by the blades of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, is smashed into a wall, grievously wounding him. When an enraged Renji is stopped from releasing his Bankai, Äs chastises its ally for not waiting, for they could have stolen it as well. When its ally is surprised by this, Äs tells him he should go home and review the daten their leader had provided.

When Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto confronts Yhwach, Äs, NaNaNa Najahkoop, and Bazz-B ambush him from above. Before they can attack, Yamamoto scorches them with Ryūjin Jakka.

Sometime after the Vandenreich has retreated, Äs, having survived this attack, is present when Yhwach names Uryū Ishida as his successor. Like the other Stern Ritter, Äs expresses shock over the announcement.

Equipment
Medallion: Äs possesses a round, unnamed device which is roughly the size of a person's palm and has the Vandenreich insignia etched onto its surface. When activated, the device is capable of stealing a currently released Bankai in the immediate vicinity, as evidenced when Äs used it to take Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura Kageyoshi. The medallion's owner can use the stolen Bankai's power at will.

Powers & Abilities
Great Spiritual Power: Äs' spiritual power is on a level comparable to or greater than that of a captain-level Shinigami. This is proven when Äs swiftly defeats a renowned and powerful captain like Byakuya Kuchiki.

Reishi Absorption: As a Quincy, Äs can absorb spiritual energy from the atmosphere, combining it with its own spiritual energy to form weapons and use different techniques.


 * An advanced Quincy technique which grants one inhuman defensive and offensive capabilities by making Reishi flow into the user's blood vessels.


 * While Äs' defensive form of Blut is strong enough to negate even the attacks of Lieutenant Renji Abarai's Shikai, it is not absolute, and can be "torn" using sufficient power, as evidenced when Byakuya Kuchiki's Senbonzakura managed to cut Äs' hand.

Spirit Weapon
Reishi Thorns: Using its abilities as a Quincy, Äs can concentrate both spirit energy and particles in order to transform them into weapons. Its favored weapon manifests in the form of several luminous thorns floating in close proximity to its person, which are used to viciously impale victims and can pierce the body of a captain-class Shinigami with ease.


 * Fear Manipulation: Despite their considerable attack strength, the true power of these thorns lies not in their offensive capability, but instead in their ability to induce limitless fear in those who are struck. Just a single wound is enough to inspire a deep-seated fear towards Äs, causing victims to doubt everything, lose control of all rational thought, and see visions of their deepest fears. While this would typically result in instantaneous death due to a person's heart being unable to bear such intense shock, an individual's experience and willpower can be used to resist this fear to an extent, though Äs is confident all would succumb to it eventually.

Quotes

 * (To Byakuya Kuchiki) "Fear can be overcome through experience. Those who know battle often come to believe this. 'Fear that comes from reason' is kind. It can be conquered through force of will or through experience. It is possible to suppress such reasoned fear by severing it at its source. But true fear is without reason. It is not an emotion, but an instinct. True fear occurs without reason, without bounds. It is like a swarm of insects crawling up the body. We cannot escape from our instincts."

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