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

RUMBLE!

The ground shook.

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

facade," Her tone grew sharper. "We know what we saw. Against the abyssfeeder. Against the two finalists in the first and second rounds. That was nothing short of

ability said to belong to Lord Virodhabhasa himself. Creation

"Your delusions do not comport with reality. Surely the two of you do not agree with

and Greminga looked

the former was an agnostic, while the latter

did not know what

not have created a Martial Path but..." Master Carian

it with his own Martial Art, propelling it to a higher Realm of power." Master Greminga agreed. "Furthermore, the destruction aspect of his power is undeniable. We

his eyes. "This is not the first time that a Martial Artist has had their ability to practice Martial Art crippled in a fight due to some reason or the other. Are we going to round them all up and call them all by

argument. It appealed to the sensible nature of Master Carian

only fueled the

Too much.

the inferno

had already realized that she was not going to convince

knew it

her Heart promptly acted. Streaks of red lines flowed through

Yet that wasn't all.

a much

beneath them

witnessed was

Uma's form had taken the visage

once witnessed an elderly woman was a blade that shined with a lustre that defied their

of her existence. Yet it could also have been an illusion

were unable to

grew severe as Master Uma

Treason.

up, flicking a

vacuum flew towards him, rapidly

One moment, nothing happened.

The next moment...

BOOM!!!!

lifeform within a

act that transcended lesser beings had

had been cleaved in

aeons

before the might of a Martial

SPLAT

small cut opened up on Master Deivon's finger,

been unable to overcome his