The Martial Unity

Four Martial Masters stood among the heavens, deep in the sky.

The depth of the sky of Gaia was much like the world beneath it.

Nigh endless.

The depth of sky that a Martial Artist could reach was often considered a measure of their depth as a Martial Artist, in some Martial philosophies and disciplines.

The depth that the four Martial Masters had reached was greater than anything any Martial Squire or Senior could ever hope to reach.

However, that wasn't the only measure that they had taken to isolate themselves.

Beneath them was a barren mountain range inhospitable to most life.

Ordinarily, a cool wind current flowing across the continent would have graced them as it passed the entire region by.

Yet, no such thing could be felt.

Rather, the air was almost frozen.

Taut.

Ground to a halt.

Imprisoned in place.

The pressure that the four Martial Masters generated seemed to almost bend the world with the sheer force of mind.

"My fellow Masters..." Master Deivos broke the silence. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Cease your futile facade," Master Uma spoke. "Each of us knows precisely why we are here. We know what we saw."

"I find myself agreeing with the Decapitating Witch this time," Master Carian concurred, turning to Master Deivon with an inquisitive expression. "It is rather insulting that you would even try such paltry attempts at delaying the matter at hand."

"If anybody has an explanation to disclose..." Master Greminga continued. "It is you, is it not?"

"The only thing I wish to disclose is my displeasure at having my colleagues and peers meddle in my affairs," Master Deivon narrowed his eyes. "Since when did bishops interfere with the heritors of their peers?"

The three of them narrowed their eyes wordlessly.

It could not be denied. They were doubtlessly crossing a line that they would never dare to cross under any other circumstances. It was a taboo to meddle with the heritors of other Martial Masters.

"...'Since when'...you ask?" Master Uma spoke with a graver tone. "Since one of those heritors turns out to be the Antithesis himself!"

Her declaration was heavy.

Too heavy.

world beneath them was unable

RUMBLE!

The ground shook.

reconsider your words. He is a seed, not the Virodhabhasa himself. Spouting such nonsense can be constituted as

what we saw. Against the abyssfeeder. Against the two finalists in the first

arms. "Destruction of Martial Paths in one hand. A divine ability said to belong to Lord Virodhabhasa himself. Creation of Martial Paths in

Path!" Master Deivon snarled. "Your delusions do not comport with reality.

Carian and Greminga looked

were in between Master Deivos and Master Uma, the former was

not know what

have created a Martial Path

Realm of power." Master Greminga agreed. "Furthermore, the destruction aspect of his power is undeniable. We

Artist has had their ability to practice Martial Art crippled in a

was a compelling argument. It appealed to the

it only fueled the

Too much.

moment, the inferno exceeded

him. She had already realized that she was not going to convince those two that

knew it in her

acted. Streaks of red lines

Yet that wasn't all.

employed a much higher

beneath them was witnessed. Every remote beast, monster, and creature

they witnessed

had taken the visage of

was a

was the true form of her existence. Yet it could also

unable

Martial Masters grew severe

Treason.

up, flicking a single

of vacuum flew towards him, rapidly activating his Martial Heart,

One moment, nothing happened.

The next moment...

BOOM!!!!

a thousand kilometers

act that transcended lesser beings had unfolded before their very

been cleaved in

activity, aeons of ecological activity,

the might of a

SPLAT

on Master Deivon's finger,

unable to overcome his