Wayfinding 8

Taiga Rowan asks, "...Do you believe in karma?"

Adrian Rowan says, ". . ."

Ren Shi asks, "In what regard?"

Taiga has the tiniest little curl of a smile to his lips as he faces down Ren Shi. His heart is undeniably right up in his throat, choking him with each frantic beat. To be before this man - he's waited for this day. When he could finally see the face of the man who cut down Neo Invidia. There's a great tension in the air, each second between Taiga's words making the silence between grow and warp into an unbearable monster.

"...That for our actions in this world, there is a response - an up commence that is destined to find us one day. Though we cannot see it, cannot know that it is there until... it's right in our faces. Good or bad. All debts are repaid.

...See, Ren Shi. --I'll speak clearly for you. To make my intentions known.

I will defeat you. Not in war. Not in battle. But the day you killed that man - he promised to return home. For my sake. ...And I know that it is karma that earned him such a death. For all that he took from you, you struck him down. And as much as it pains me to admit?

You were justified. ...Since that day, I've taken great lengths to match you on every level possible. So one day, Ren Shi, I will defeat you. And one day, I will surpass you in every facet imaginable. And that will be our karma."
(Taiga Rowan)

As the male spoke with tension and a decree, Ren folded his arms and rolled his eyes. "You won't he states bluntly then breaks an arm from the fold to wave his hand through the air."

"I'm stating to you that you won't." His eyes are a fierce gold as they glared at Taiga. His strength was on his shoulders and posture. A subtle hint of will and more forceful with his gaze.

But no true aura manifests.

"Bad karma does not apply to those that fight for the sake of the world, goodness and righteousness. It applies to those that work for evil and corruption. It's as simple as that. Sera did not fall due to Karma, Sera fell due to being overwhelmed and making mistakes on the battlefield." His features contorted.

"You'll never have vengeance for what you seek it out for, fate will not will it."
(Ren Shi)

Taiga stands before Ren Shi, one who was loved by the world. He was the blessed and righteous, gifted by divinity and grace, the very universe itself favored him. It had given him blessings untold, a sword to cut apart darkness and reveal truth, a home in which he was loved, a life that men could only dream of. In the face of all that, Taiga was an insignificant speck of a man. A dog crawling his way from the scrap heaps one claw at a time, dragging himself across twisted metal and cutting his skin with each and every inch of ground he fought for. There was a world of difference between them.

"...And that is where we stand, Ren Shi.

It was wonderful to finally meet you. I hope, in my time here, perhaps you'll one day be gracious enough to show me the move you used to kill Neo Invidia. I tried for so many years. ...I'm greatly curious as to how you got past his guard.

...But I won't bother you anymore. Apologies, for disturbing your afternoon with my ramblings." Taiga takes a step back and bows. Lowering his head in prostration before the divine blade of justice that stood before him, a sign of respect? Or some backhanded slap in the face? It's performed with such refined grace and elegance, it completely betrays what lay beneath the skin.

With that? Taiga saunters on over towards his spot against the academy wall and leans up against it. Though he'd never admit it, he walks on shaking legs.
(Taiga Rowan)

There was only one phase that crossed Ren's mind. One way to put what the heard. He sighs and shrugs as the man walked back to his previous place. "Good luck." He waves dismissively again.
(Ren Shi)