Gun Shenin's Seijinism; Discord is surprisingly straightforward, relatively simple.
It took all the negative emotions aimed at Gun Shenin and in return gave him strength. Whether it was anger, hatred, rage, fear, disgust and jealousy, every negative emotion turned into fuel for Gun Shenin. The stronger the emotions were the more powerful he became, his strength, speed, durability, vitality and other stats increasing exponentially with no limits.
That's why he was always smiling, talking, and annoying people. He used every possible opportunity to increase his strength by fueling his Seijinism with the negative emotions of others, including now his opponent, Huo Shuzoh. This man, from the beginning of the fight, had provided Shenin with the perfect fuel for his power, and it was no coincidence that the battle had turned into an incredibly long blood feud.
***
Huo Shuzoh came out of the greenhouse ruins, shaking broken glass from his shoulders. He looked at Gun Shenin with a hard stare.
"Tell me," said Huo Shuzoh.
Gun Shenin looked askance at the man.
"Tell you what?"
"Your Seijinism," said Huo Shuzoh.
Gun Shenin smiled.
"Oh that? I think it's not such a big problem for me to tell you."
"What do you mean, 'such a big problem for me'? Why would you tell me if you don't want to?"
Gun Shenin shrugged.
"It's not that I want to tell you. But it's hard to tell anyone who asks for it. Why would I give the name of my power to a nobody like you?"
Huo Shuzoh looked him in the eyes, and for a moment, it seemed to Gun Shenin that the man had finally managed to anger him and make him start fighting. But no, it was not the case. Huo Shuzoh frowned and gave Shenin a surprised look.
"You really said that?"
"Said what?"
Huo Shuzoh clenched his fists.
"You realize those were my exact words when you asked about my master?"
Gun Shenin smiled.
"That's right, I said it and I'm not gonna regret it." He paused and looked the man in the eye, then smiled again.
"So is that it? Are you going to repeat my words back to me?"
"I'm not saying them back to you. You called me a nobody first. I'm just returning the compliment." Shenin chuckled. "What's the fuss about, Huo Shuzoh? You're just getting mad."
At the mention of his name, Huo Shuzoh's eyes narrowed, and the flames dancing up his arms grew larger and bigger. Shenin noted this and smiled broadly. He looked at the fire with interest, considering how well it looked on the opponent's fists.
"I'm eatin' well today," said Shenin. "You're just too emotional, man. Can't stand it when people call you a nobody."
"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!"
The flames on his fists engulfed the flowers, and without hesitation, Shuzoh rushed into Shenin, who was waiting for him. Their fists collided, and Gun Shenin was sent sliding on his backside, leaving shallow grooves in the stone patio.Huo Shuzoh was already on top of him, and Gun Shenin tried to roll away, but Shuzoh's second punch caught him in the temple.
He barely got out of the way of the third blow, but the fourth sent his wrist flying, and the next one caught him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him. Huo Shuzoh caught his other arm and twisted it, driving a knee into his ribs, but Gun Shenin ducked and the flaming fist flew over his ear.
Then the Seidan around Shuzoh's hand exploded, throwing him back, and Shenin slid across the garden, finally stopping when his ribs collided with the wooden railing of an enclosure. The guests cried out in alarm as they saw him, and some of them started to move towards him or the bride.
"Out of the way!"
"Get the bride!"
"Move!"
It didn't seem to bother Huo Shuzoh in the slightest; his eyes were fixed on Gun Shenin, who somehow managed to stop himself from flying into the bride's arms. Huo Shuzoh was right there, and Shenin stood up and smiled. Huo Shuzoh's fist came down on his chest, but Shenin simply sidestepped to the side and sent the blow crashing down on the stones, which burst into flames.
The fire spread into the plantings, and some of the guests, still trying to get clear of the way, had to jump back so as not to set their skirts on fire while one unfortunate man was caught in the very edge of the flames, and another was singed by the heat of Huo Shuzoh's fist.
It didn't seem to bother Huo Shuzoh in the slightest; his eyes were fixed on Gun Shenin, who somehow managed to stop himself from flying into the bride's arms. Huo Shuzoh was right there, and Shenin stood up and smiled.
Huo Shuzoh's fist came down on his chest, but Shenin simply sidestepped to the side and sent the blow crashing down on the stones, which burst into flames. The fire spread into the plantings, and some of the guests, still trying to get clear of the way, had to jump back so as not to set their skirts on fire while one unfortunate man was caught in the very edge of the flames, and another was singed by the heat of Huo Shuzoh's fist.
It didn't seem to bother Huo Shuzoh in the slightest; his eyes were fixed on Gun Shenin, with no trace of concern whatsoever on his face. It was enough that Shenin noticed.
"Wow. You really didn't seem bothered at all, huh?"
Huo Shuzoh did not answer.
Gun Shenin scratched the back of his head.
"I think it's pretty interestin’, personally."
He gestured at the flames that were spreading on the ground, then at the ruined plantings, then at the frightened guests, then at Huo Shuzoh.
"You helped out those people before, and yet you barely seem to care anymore. Why is that?"
Huo Shuzoh clicked his tongue, not in annoyance but rather in mild surprise; it was the first time he had heard this particular speech.
"I'm not falling for that shit again."
Gun Shenin froze, his eyes widening, and he chuckled.
"Wow. You actually said something smart for once if only your dad could hear that."
It seemed that Huo Shuzoh's fiery aura around his body suddenly exploded, and he disappeared, but Shenin was unfazed.
"Oh, wow. Guess I hit a nerve."
Huo Shuzoh's fist came down on his person, but a long blue staff blocked it. Huo Shuzoh's eyes widened and Lokei's staff pressed firmly against Shuzoh's flaming fist.
"You're not the only one who can crash a party."
Huo Shuzoh looked him up and down
"Who the hell are you?"
Lokei pushed his staff away
"Someone who's fed up with you trashing everything."
Shuzoh was about to say something else, but another figure had slipped past Lokei's side and was now standing in front of Shenin, his blade out and his colorless eyes fixed on Gun Shenin's head. Sun Yunso
"Whoa,"
Gun Shenin leaned back as Sun Yunso's blade went past his hair, and he immediately jumped back. Sun landed lightly on his feet and turned the blade in his hands, looking at Shenin. Lokei spun his staff in his hands, facing Shuzoh, who in turn faced them all.
This was the first time in a while that Shenin had not been fighting just Shuzoh.
Instead, he was facing three, and a big smile appeared on his face as he cracked his neck sideways.
"Okay, now this...this is what you call a wedding. Something that goes all the ways wrong and fun at the same time."
The four men stood face to face in the midst of the ruined flower garden, no one moved or said anything for a moment. All that could be heard were the crackling flames and the frightened screams of the guests running away from the house.
Gun Shenin looked at the other three men. Lokei gave him a strange look, while Sun Yunso kept his hand on his sword. Huo Shuzoh stood there with his fists clenched, and the fire crackled and flickered around his hands. A few seconds passed, then a few more. Gun Shehin scratched the back of his neck.
"Seriously, do we have new people here, or what?"
Lokei raised an eyebrow. Gun Shenin gave a sudden grin
"I think we should introduce ourselves, don't you think?"
He pointed at himself
"My name is Gun Shenin."
He looked at Lokei
"And what about you?"
Lokei gave him a strange look then sighed
"Lokei Yoshe"
Gun Shenin nodded then his eyes fell on Yunso
"And you?"
Sun Yunso looked at him
"Sun Yunso"
Gun Shenin's eyebrows shot up in surprise
"Short and sweet. I like it."
Then there was only one left. Gun Shenin slowly turned to Huo Shuzoh. Huo Shuzoh's face immediately showed him that he did not want to introduce himself. Gun Shenin remained silent, looking at him. Lokei looked at him too, as did Sun Yunso, even Shenin.
Huo Shuzoh clicked his tongue
"Do I really have to?"
Nobody answered; they were all looking at him. Huo Shuzoh closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh
"Huo Shuzoh"
Gun Shenin smiled
"There we go."
Huo Shuzoh opened his eyes
"Happy now?"
"Very."
Gun Shenin looked at the other three men standing in front of him
"Lokei Yoshe, Sun Yunso and Huo Shuzoh. Now that we have all been introduced ... I suppose we can finally get to the fun part."
Sun Yunso tightened his grip on his sword, and Lokei lowered his staff. Huo Shuzoh's fire rose around his fists, while Gun Shenin's smile showed his excitement. Before the fight began, Sun Yunso turned his head and looked around the ruined flower garden. His eyes fell on the broken stone, the scattered flowers, the flames that still flickered in a few places. Then he looked at the bodies on the ground.
"Before we do that.."
Everyone turned to look at Sun Yunso
Sun Yunso slowly turned his head towards the house
"If I'm not mistaken, there was supposed to be a wedding here, but all I see are dead bodies, flames, and half the garden destroyed, and for some reason the princess is no longer in the flower garden, which makes me wonder where she could have gone."
His eyes narrowed
"Wait, where is the groom? Huo Zin?"
Huo Shuzoh looked at him
"You're looking at him."
Sun Yunso stopped dead, his eyes wide, and Lokei's eyes narrowed as well, turning to look at Shuzoh. Huo Shuzoh's expression darkened.
"Why are you looking at me, idiots?" He raised his arm, pointing at Gun Shehin, "It's that bastard."
Sun Yunso's eyes fell on Shehin. Lokei followed his line of sight. Gun Shenin merely stood there, silent, then pointed at himself
"Me?"
Shuzoh's expression became even darker
"Yes, you bastard."
"I thought my name was Gun Shenin." said Gun Shenin
Huo Shuzoh's eye twitched
"You were the one wearing Huo Zin's face."
Sun Yunso's expression changed slightly
"So, you're saying he's the fake groom?" asked Lokei
Huo Shuzoh nodded
"Exactly."
Gun Shenin scratched his cheek
"Fake groom sounds cool."
Nobody laughed. Gun Shenin looked around
"Man, you people have no sense of humor."
Sun Yunso stared at him
"So, where is the real Huo Zin?"
Gun Shenin's smile faltered.
"He's dead. His body was disposed of a long time ago."
Sun Yunso looked at him
"And you replaced him."
Gun Shenin shrugged
"Somethin’ like that."
Shuzoh stepped forward
"And now you know why I'm here."
Sun Yunso looked at him
"You came to expose him."
"Among other things." said Shenin, smiling
"But now that everyone knows, what are you three going to do about it?"
The four men stared each other down, the uncomfortable introductions long forgotten, and the real fight was about to begin. Gun Shehin suddenly becomes aware of something. All pairs of eyes are fixed on him, and a little smile appears on his lips.
"Hold on ... wait. Something is not right."
Sun Yunso tilted his head, Lokei raised his eyebrows and even Shuzoh looked puzzled as well.
Gun Shenin points to himself.
"Are you guys serious about this? It's three against one!"
He tapped his chest.
"Three." He pointed to himself, then to the other two. "One."
He gave them an incredulous look
"And you think it's fair?"
Gun Shenin shook his head.
"Come on, even you guys should show some mercy to little ol' me."
Lokei looked at Sun Yunso, and Sun Yunso looked at Lokei. They didn't say anything, just exchanged a look ... and nodded. Without a word, they turned to each other. Lokei raised his staff, and Sun Yunso raised his sword.
Huo Shuzoh's eyes widened
"What are you two talking about?"
Nobody answered, but they continued to fix each other with a steady gaze. Huo Shuzoh looked from one to the other.
"Are you guys really going to fight each other?"
Sun Yunso lowered his stance, as did Lokei. Gun Shenin suddenly laughed and looked at Shuzoh.
"Well, well, well." He said as he cracked his knuckles. "Looks like someone doesn't want to share."
Huo Shuzoh's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"You ..."
Gun Shenin came closer.
"I guess it's you and me again."
The flares of golden-red fire dancing along Shuzoh's fists grew larger.
"That's exactly what I wanted," said Gun Shenin, his grin widening.
"Perfect."
Meanwhile, Sun Yunso and Lokei were still facing each other. It seemed to observers that the battle had split into two.
Sun Yunso vs. Lokei Yoshe.
Huo Shuzoh vs. Gun Shenin.
And then just like that Sun Yunso and Lokei Yoshe had vanished. Huo Shuzoh's eyes widened, and Gun Shenin's smile widened even more
The battle had begun.
Meanwhile guests had been scattering everywhere where some guests were escorted off the estate while others searched for their loved ones. Yo Chomai had been busy helping the elderly guests and ones who had some trouble making it to where they were supposed to be.
"Keep moving! Don't stop here!"
He shouted as he glanced back at the burning garden where the smoke had curled up in the night air. The fires had been burning within some of the flower beds and the impact of the shooting had been enough to shake the estate.
Yo Chomai had a grim expression on his face as he took one last glance back.
"What happened? Everything was going great, the wedding was smooth, the bride and groom danced and all the families shared stories. It was all good until Huo Shuzoh showed up with the whole mess of Huo Zin not being who we thought he was! From there it all went downhill." Yo Chomai clenched his fists in anger. "How did it all go so fast?"
He turned his gaze back at the Guo family. Some of the guards made a perimeter around them as they slowly walked away from the battle zone.
Yo Chomai knew what he had to do.
"Guo family," he muttered as he raced to them.
"Guo family...If they are getting special treatment, then I want to know why."
Yo Chomai joined them as one of the guards raised his weapon at him.
"Stand down, I'm not your enemy," Yo Chomai raised both of his hands. The guard narrowed his eyes at Yo Chomai before relaxing.
"Captain Chomai," the guard said.
"Yes, it's me," Yo Chomai replied as he glanced at the Guo family. "I'm coming with you."
"Why?" The guard asked.
"Because I have a feeling that whatever happens there isn't the only problem. This wedding might not be the only target tonight."
Yo Chomai joined the others to make a perimeter around the Guo family as he said, "Let's get them to safety first."
As the Guo family walked away towards the estate's exit, Yo Chomai had a feeling that the worst was yet to come that night.
The Guo family was making their way to the main entrance of the estate with an exclusive group of guards. Yo Chomai was right behind them, his eyes were on the garden again as he watched the other side of the estate rock from another impact.
The fighting was still going on.
"Keep moving! Don't stop until we get outside the estate!" One of the guards ordered as the group of people got closer to the main entrance.
Unexpectedly, another group of people showed up from the opposite hallway.
Yo Chomai's eyes widened as he realized who they were. The Huo family and at the front, was the matriarch of the Huo family with her youngest son. They too, were guarded by an exclusive group of guards, surrounding the both of them, keeping them safe, and making sure no one got close.
Yo Chomai slowed his steps as he caught up to them.
"You're here too?" Yo Chomai asked as the matriarch gave a small nod to him.
She was still shaken from the events that had transpired, too shaken to say anything else. Her youngest son was still beside her as he too looked back at the direction of the garden. Yo Chomai understood the look in his eyes. They had witnessed the battle and they too, had to escape, not only that but they probably wanted answers too, just like everybody else. However, answers could wait for now, because for now, the most important thing was to keep everybody safe until they could get outside the estate.
Yo Chomai looked at the many guards keeping the Huo and Guo family safe as he said, "Good, keep them together."
One of the guards gave a nod to Yo Chomai's orders.
"We will escort both families out of the estate."
Yo Chomai looked back in the other direction one last time as he heard an explosion echo throughout the halls of the estate. Whatever was happening in there, Yo Chomai knew that they couldn't stop to deal with it now.
"They can't stop and deal with what happened in there while trying to protect everybody else. Let's go," Yo Chomai said as he walked beside the two families.
"Let's get everyone outside first."
The guards formed an even bigger perimeter as they walked away from the battle zone, keeping the two families safe as they slowly made their way towards the main entrance. For now, the only goal was to get everyone out and for whatever happened at the estate, they would have to leave it for the people still fighting to deal with.
The estate gates finally came into view and one by one the surviving guests hurried through them, climbing into their carriages as quickly as they could. Some still looked shaken, and others muttered amongst themselves as they tried to rationalize what had just occurred, unwilling to linger in the place where it had
The Guo family and Huo family were led away separately before their personal guards could enter the carriages with them. Yo Chomai climbed into the one with the Guo family, casting one last look at the estate as it pulled away. It was difficult to believe that this was the same wedding venue they had decorated for the grand event just a few days ago.
Yo Chomai sighed.
"Some wedding, huh?"
Guo Gahaong said nothing, his face unusually solemn. Unlike the Huo family, the Guo family did not have another home to retreat to. Their own grounds had been turned into a war zone and even if the fighting ceased, it would take some time before it would be habitable again. Guo Gahaong finally spoke.
"We'll have to find somewhere to stay."
Before anyone could say anything else, another carriage drove up beside them and the window was opened, revealing the Huo family matriarch.
"I heard your situation," said the matriarch.
Guo Gahaong turned towards her and she gave a small smile.
"Until your estate is rebuilt and everything is restored to order...you are all welcome to stay at the Huo estate."
Guo Gahaong blinked in surprise before he looked back at the matriarch.
"Are you certain?"
"Of course," she replied, her smile softening. "Tonight has already taken enough from all of us, don't you think? You should not have to worry about such things on top of what has already transpired."
Guo Gahaong gave a small bow to her.
"Thank you."
The matriarch only nodded.
"Then it's settled."
The two carriages drove alongside each other for a while before parting ways towards the road leading to the Huo Estate. Yo Chomai leaned back in his seat as the other guards followed closely behind
At least for tonight, the Guo family would be able to stay at the Huo estate and their remaining guards would accompany them. Yo Chomai himself would stay as well, though none of them knew what awaited for them when they got there.
But for now, they were safe.
....
Sun Yunso and Lokei Yoshe were a mere few feet away from one another, both having weapons ready to strike. The swordsman's and battlemaster's weapons loomed over the other.
Both men's eyes were unblinking then, they suddenly moved. Their bodies shifted in different directions at the same time. In the blink of an eye, the two men vanished.
Huo Shuzoh's eyes widened.
"What–?"
Gun Shehin turned around.
"Where did they–"
Gun Shenin's leg shot up, causing Sun Yunso's blade to clash against it. The battlemaster barely had the time to react.
"Good reflexes," said Sun Yunso.
Gun Shenin gave a smirk in return.
"Thanks."
Sun Yunso spun the flat of his blade in an attempt to knock out Gun Shenin's leg. Instead, Gun Shenin leapt back several feet, avoiding the attack completely.
"Alright now... that was clever," remarked Gun Shenin.
Suddenly, a figure appeared in Huo Shuzoh's blind spot. It was none other than Lokei himself. The battlemaster's staff was aimed right at Shuzoh's ribs.
"Tch," said Huo Shuzoh.
He raised his hand.
"Heavenly Flame Arts--Form Six: Sunflower!"
Massive balls of golden-orange fire rolled across the ground in front of Lokei, forming a flowery wall of fire in between the two battlemasters. Lokei's staff crashed against it, sending him sliding backwards. Huo Shuzoh also took a step back.
"Not bad," said Huo Shuzoh, eyeing Lokei.
"You two were working together the whole time," he said.
Lokei gave a small smile.
"Wouldn't be surprised if you knew already," he said.
Sun Yunso turned his blade towards Gun Shenin once more.
"We don't have to fight each other," he said.
Gun Shenin's smirk reappeared.
"There's your answer," he said as he turned towards Shuzoh. "Looks like we are the ones being hunted."
"I see," said Huo Shuzoh. His flames flared up. "Then stop talking and fight already."
Gun Shenin cracked his knuckles.
"Agreed."
With that, both Sun Yunso and Lokei got into their battle stances. Shuzoh and Shenin mirrored their movements. In an instant, the four warriors had vanished.
The first clash was between Lokei Yoshe and Huo Shuzoh, they came into contact with each other the very second they appeared. Lokei went for a slight thrust that targeted Shuzoh's left arm but Huo Shuzoh saw the attack and used a tiny bit of flame to blow away the attack.
Lokei rotated his staff before charging in again, Huo Shuzoh readied himself as this was a fight he could not lose, he had to win this because he had other matters ... important matters to attend to, that involving the Huo Clan head. If he wasted his time here, he won't ever get the chance to finally put down his father, the very man who made him like this in the first place.
So with that he also rushed in twisting his body and making a missile like projectile with his body and that being aimed at Lokei.
Lokei Yoshe was surprised with Huo Shuzoh's fighting tactics, he does rush in that is a fact but he also uses his Seijinism in the most dangerous way possible. He recognised that way of combat, it had to be her. Huo Shuzoh's body continued to rotate in midair. Lokei raised his staff, and the impact sent him to one knee.
He didn't stop as he twisted his body and threw his other fist at Lokei's head. Lokei leaned back, narrowly missing the attack. He immediately pushed his staff upward.
It caught Huo Shuzoh beneath the ribs, lifting him into the air. Shuzoh spun, flipped over Lokei and landed on the edge of the roof of a nearby building.
Lokei looked up, finding Shuzoh staring down at him.
"Didn't think to stay down, did you?" He asked.
"And you're starting to talk a lot." Shuzoh said bluntly.
He stomped down, planting himself on the roof. Huo Shuzoh burst forward, his arrival notifying Lokei. He looked up just in time to see Huo Shuzoh's face appear before his own. Lokei's staff came up, but Huo Shuzoh ducked under it, grabbing his wrist. Lokei twisted his body, trying to wrench his arm free. Shuzoh pulled him in, his other hand coming up to strike Lokei across the face.
Lokei stumbled back, but Huo Shuzoh wasted no time following up, knee to the gut sending him reeling. He caught Shuzoh by the collar, lifting him off the ground.
Huo Shuzoh launched him across the courtyard. Lokei flipped through the air, his staff meeting the ground. Its impact sent him sliding, using the staff as a pole to propel himself at Shuzoh.
Huo Shuzoh's eyes narrowed, as he ducked Lokei's swing of his staff. He immediately reversed the motion, the end of the pole coming up to meet Shuzoh's jaw. He caught it with his forearm.
Lokei pushed inside his defenses and drove his elbow into Shuzoh's chest. Staggering back, Huo Shuzoh nearly fell to his knees. But Lokei Yoshe spun, and his staff came up, aiming for his legs. Shuzoh jumped, and Lokei's grin widened.
"Got you!"
He kicked the staff up, sending it flying. Shuzoh looked up, finding Lokei's fist already heading for his face. It caught him, sending him flying backward, but just before he could land, a burst of flame erupted from his back. He stopped himself from hitting the ground. Lokei's eyes widened.
Huo Shuzoh slowly turned his head, a smile spreading across his face.
"You thought I needed the ground?"
Fire burst from his feet, sending him diving downward. Lokei barely caught the staff, the two meeting in a clash. They pushed against each other, neither one yielding. It wasn't until their swords and fists were locking together that they stopped.
Lokei's eyes met Shuzoh's.
"Yep, same fighting style. I knew it."
Shuzoh frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Lokei's grin was wide.
"We'll talk later."
With a sudden push, he sent Shuzoh stumbling back. After catching his staff in his free hand, he dropped into a fighting stance. The two men stood their ground, neither one willing to step back. As Lokei and Shuzoh prepared for their second confrontation, an explosion erupted somewhere behind them. Both turned around and, through the smoke, saw two figures falling from the sky amidst the broken garden.
Sun Yunso and Gun Shenin.
Sun Yunso slid on the stones, trailing his sword, sparking. Gun Shenin landed on his feet a few meters away. Neither seemed particularly interested in the ongoing battle. Gun Shenin shook the dust from his shoulder, chuckling.
"Man, this place is getting really crowded."
Sun Yunso said nothing, taking in the sight of Shuzoh and Lokei with a calculating look. Lokei shot him a sharp glance over his shoulder. Huo Shuzoh gave Sun Yunso a once-over.
"Don't tell me you're still fighting."
Gun Shenin laughed.
"Of course we are."
Sun Yunso raised his sword.
"Why would we stop?"
The four warriors stood motionless for a moment, then Gun Shenin cracked a grin.
"Actually...I think I'll borrow your opponent for a moment." He gestured at Lokei.
Lokei raised an eyebrow.
"No... way."
Gun Shenin laughed.
"Too bad."
He shot forward, Lokei barely managing to raise his staff to parry Shenin's punch. The impact sent him sliding backward, and Huo Shuzoh was already upon Shenin.
"Don't interfere."
His flaming fist came down toward Shehin's skull. Shenin ducked, and the punch went wide, hitting Sun Yunso in the gut instead. The latter's eyes narrowed as he raised his sword, cutting off Shuzoh's punch.
Huo Shuzoh stared at him.
"You're in my way."
Sun Yunso narrowed his eyes.
"So move."
Gun Shenin appeared behind him, fist cocked back.
"Don't forget about me."
Sun Yunso turned on the spot, blocking Shenin's punch with the flat of his blade.
Lokei drove forward, his staff whirling toward Shehin's temple. Gun Shenin jumped over it and landed on the weapon's end, sending Lokei reeling back.
Lokei spun, sending the staff flying up and over his shoulder. Sun Yunso barely had time to blink before Shenin appeared before him, his palms sparking.
Lokei's eyes widened.
"Get off!"
Gun Shenin grinned.
"Make me."
Lokei gave a grunt, causing Shenin to leap into the air and away from the staff. Shuzoh was there, however, his fists wreathed in golden-orange flame.
"Heavenly Flame Arts - Form Two: SunForge!"
He drove forward, colliding with Shenin. The latter crossed his arms over his chest, and the courtyard was bathed in flame as the impact sent shockwaves rippling outward. Sun Yunso and Lokei took a step back, their breaths coming in short gasps, but before they could recover, Shehin emerged from the fire.
His clothes were singed, and his grin was wider than ever.
"Now that's more like it."
Shuzoh appeared behind him.
"You're still standing?"
Gun Shenin turned.
"Unfortunately for you," He said, delivering a punch to Shuzoh's gut.
Huo Shuzoh blocked the next blow, then Yunso slid between them, his blade flashing but he parried the strike and sent a fist towards Sun Yunso's ribs, but Lokei drove in from the opposite side, his staff snaking toward Shuzoh's midsection.
Huo Shuzoh twisted out of the way, and Lokei followed up with a spinning strike that Gun Shenin dodged, then a punch from Shenin, then another from Sun Yunso. The formation was broken, the choreography forgotten. There were no more pairs, no more duels - only four warriors brawling in an increasingly chaotic dance. The garden was littered with sparks, cracks, and scorched ground.
Sun Yunso's blade cut through the flames, while Lokei sent shards of rock flying with every strike. Shuzoh's golden-orange fire consumed everything in his path, and Gun Shenin wore a constant grin, his attacks growing faster, stronger, the more furiously the others fought. The more enraged the other three became, the more powerful Shenin grew.
Huo Shuzoh's flames climbed higher, while Gun Shenin's grin stretched impossibly wide.
"Come on! All of you! Let's make this wedding memorable!"
And so the four battled, their clashes sending the garden into chaos.