Äs Nödt
Äs Nödt is a member of the Wandenreich's Sternritter with the letter 'F'.
Appearance
Äs Nödt wears the traditional Sternritter hooded cloak over a long, form-fitting trenchcoat. He wears long, black boots and has long, chest length black hair. The lower half of his face is covered by a black mask, which has spikes running down the front of it. His eyes are large and dark, with white pupils.
Personality
Äs Nödt is cruel and efficient, as shown when he relentlessly attacks a weakened Byakuya Kuchiki with his own Bankai. Äs believes in the idea that fear without a reason cannot be overcome. He believes that instincts cannot be escaped from.
Plot - The Thousand Year Blood War Arc
Äs Nödt is part of the invading force that attacks Seireitei. After revealing himself, he proceeds to murder many of the Shinigami from the 6th Division, before being intercepted by Renji Abarai. Renji attempts to fight him, but Äs blocks all of his efforts with Blut Vene. When Mask de Masculine attempts to ambush Renji, Byakuya Kuchiki arrives, squaring off with Äs. Byakuya dispatches Mask, before turning his attention to Äs. Äs approaches the two of them but his arm is slashed by Byakuya's Shikai, shocking him.
Äs then captures Byakuya's Bankai, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi within his medallion as Byakuya attempts to use it against him. Äs grins gleefully upon the successful stealing of the Bankai. Later, Äs strikes Byakuya with one of his thorns, causing him to wonder whether Byakuya understands what is going on or not. Äs surmises that Byakuya thinks he has been poisoned, which Äs points out to be untrue. Äs explains that Byakuya is beginning to feel fear and that one hit from his thorns causes a Shinigami to scream and die from unbearable fear. Äs comments on how well Byakuya appears to be resisting as Byakuya strikes him across the chest. Äs tells Byakuya that he has already been captured by his fear of the Quincy. As Byakuya is shocked to see an image of Rukia dead, Äs impales him through the chest.
Äs explains that fear with a reason can be controlled and that the longer you fight, the less fear you feel. This is the illusion all battle-hardened warriors fall into. Äs then tells Byakuya that he cannot escape his instincts and Byakuya attempts to attack him again. Äs jumps out of the way and activates Senbonzakura Kageyoshi, cutting down the captain. As Byakuya falls to his knees, Äs says how it isn't surprising a Shikai can't defeat a Bankai. Renji then tries to attack him, but Äs uses the Bankai against him as well. Noticing Byakuya get back up, Äs turns his attention from Renji and begins to pummel Byakuya with his Bankai, forcing him into a wall. Renji tries to stop him by activating his Bankai, only to be blind-sided by Mask de Masculine, who kicks him across the battlefield. When Mask de Masculine notes his surprises at a lieutenant being able to use Bankai, Äs tells him to return to their headquarters and reread the Daten they were given, before leaving the scene.
Later, Äs tries to ambush Shigekuni Genryuusai Yamamoto with Bazz-B and NaNaNa Najahkoop, only to be incinerated. Having survived the attack thanks to Bazz-B, Äs Nödt is later present when Yhwach reveals to the Sternritter that Uryu Ishida is to be his successor. Like his comrades, Äs is visibly shocked by the news.
When the Wandenreich invade the Soul Society for a second time, Äs notes the disappearance of the stolen Bankai, as well as the apparent defeats of Cang Du and BG9.
Powers and Abilities
Blut Vene - The standard Quincy defence. By pumping reiatsu through his veins, Äs can harden the top layer of his skin to be able to block attacks from Renji's Shikai, amongst other things.
The Fear - Äs Nödt's thorns are unique in that when they strike an opponent, that person becomes susceptible to instinctual fear. It is capable of completely debilitating a person as strong as Byakuya Kuchiki to the point where they are barely able to fight anymore.