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.

edge appeared in Master Deivon's voice. "I would recommend you reconsider your words.

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

Paths in one hand. A divine ability said to belong to Lord Virodhabhasa himself.

create a Martial Path!" Master Deivon snarled. "Your delusions do not comport with reality. Surely

and Greminga looked

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

know what was the

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

power." Master Greminga agreed. "Furthermore, the destruction aspect of his power is undeniable. We witnessed the inception of the destruction. Yet he was benevolent enough

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

was a compelling argument. It appealed to the

it only fueled the rage of

Too much.

the inferno

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

it in

her Heart promptly acted. Streaks of red lines

Yet that wasn't all.

a

sight that was engraved into the soul of the land beneath them was witnessed. Every remote beast, monster, and creature gazed towards

they witnessed

form had taken the

woman was a blade that shined with a lustre

as though the blade was the true form of her existence. Yet it could also have been an illusion that

were unable to

Masters grew severe as Master Uma

Treason.

a single finger at Master

of vacuum flew towards him,

One moment, nothing happened.

The next moment...

BOOM!!!!

lifeform within a thousand

that transcended lesser beings had unfolded before

been

activity, aeons of ecological activity, aeons of human

before the might of a Martial Master, it was

SPLAT

small cut opened up on Master Deivon's finger, bleeding

had been unable to overcome his