Originally Posted by
grampagen
In the wide blast zone facing out towards the sky, after the flames died down, only the hissing, red glowing tiles remained underfoot, buckling over each other, a pile of flat, burning coals, resting in a pit of sunken slag. Drawing in deep breaths from the expenditure, Ochazuke's shoulders sagged briefly as his balance shifted. Falling back into a crouched stance, balanced upon the ball of his left foot, arms raised in the habit of a traditional guard.
Though he pressed to find the differences between the Sheriff and Zaofan, as Ochazuke pressed to find the answers first hand, he'd come to face something within himself he thought he'd left behind. For beneath the lenses that had amplified his Crimson Gaze, framed by that waxed, matted yarn hanging over his upper lip, the familiar face of his martial brother stared right back at him.
He'd incinerated him without hesitation.
Only after the deed was done did the weight of it fall fully onto him, and the Crane's Wings trembled where they spread.
Six other divergences, he thought to himself as he pulled in deep, ragged breaths, Just one of many...and so...
Zurvan had made the course clear, and the Namekian, Pike, spoke through a greater threat that threatened to shatter reality. But should another Zaofan stand before him and their goal, for the sake of righting Time and finding the Doctor, would he be able to do it?
As he drew another breath, he swallowed hard. The lump in his throat would not disappear. It was only with a remembrance that it was an assassin's art he was facing, did the weight of guilt momentarily pass from him.
Your unspoken threats fell greater than that, Zao. I know that can't be all.
Through the acquired skill of Kyokushin Keihatsu, he stilled his mind for that hidden approach and reached out for the strength bequeathed through the dead arts of Wolf*, Spider and Bear*.
Muhen Seikai Keihatsu.
The fire of the Dragon left a tempered resolve to reaffirmed his sense-awareness, slowly spread there in the area around him as he searched for a tell of disturbed movement.
He knew the battle was not over yet, and it would fall to the next decisive moment.
Shoshin Hiei.
*Wolf's Prowl and Bear's Strength: Strength and Speed 3x