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.

so that the world beneath them was unable to bear

RUMBLE!

The ground shook.

reconsider your words. He is a seed,

facade," Her tone grew sharper. "We know 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

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

and Greminga looked

Master Deivos and Master Uma, the former was an agnostic, while the

not know what was

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

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

a compelling argument. It appealed to the

fueled the rage of Master

Too much.

the inferno exceeded

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

it in

promptly acted. Streaks of red

Yet that wasn't all.

a much higher

of the land beneath them was witnessed. Every remote beast, monster, and creature gazed towards

they witnessed was

form had taken the

an elderly woman was a blade that shined with a lustre

it could also have been an illusion that barred the

were unable to

expressions of the three Martial Masters grew severe as

Treason.

up, flicking a single finger at Master

eyes widened as an enormous wave of vacuum flew towards him, rapidly activating his Martial Heart, raising

One moment, nothing happened.

The next moment...

BOOM!!!!

a

lesser beings had unfolded before their very

been cleaved in

geophysical activity, aeons of ecological activity, aeons of

before the might of a Martial Master, it was

SPLAT

on

unable to overcome