Tora's Pov

Immediately after I struck the professor, my mind went blank as I felt the strange rush of power leave my body. While my consciousness was drifting in the peaceful darkness, I felt myself get sucked in an invisible vacuum and when I landed harshly on my back, I opened my eyes and found myself in a forest clearing in front of a cave.

Standing up I took in my surroundings and also took a moment to appreciate the solitude of the place around me. Bamboo shoots and other trees mingled with one another and spread out as far as the eye could see. The sunlight that filtered in gave the place an ethereal shine that would make any artist fall head over heels in an attempt to put on canvas what nature did without any difficulty.

As I was still basking in the beauty of the place I heard a shuffling sound behind me. Turning around I noticed a shadow moving in the depths of the cave before a pair of glowing white eyes with blue highlights opened up and stared directly at me. Slowly the creatures form walked out of the darkness and stepped into the light.

Standing before me was a majestic white tiger that easily towered over me and a lot of the smaller trees. Its blue stripes adorned its body giving it an other-worldly beauty that was hard to describe. With a growl emanating deep from its throat it brought its massive head down until its head was leveled with mine. The tiger's eyes were easily the size of dinner plates, and the intensity of its electric blue gaze on me rendered me both speechless and unable to move. All I could do was wait for the huge beast to complete its assessment of me before I released the breath I didn't know I had been holding. Taking a step back, the tiger laid down on its belly then spoke.

"I deem you worthy to act as my vessel child. Your fierce heart and steadfast nature align with the power that rests deep within."

"Who are you?" I found myself asking.

It was obvious this was a divine beast and from what my reeling mind could piece together I'm guessing this is my subconscious and I am an incarnate of this majestic beast.

The sunny sky suddenly darkened as a slight wind began blowing and picking up in speed out of the blues. Thunder clouds appeared over-head and lightning flashed across the skies. The hairs on the tiger seemed to rise as a blue aura created from the electricity flowing freely on its body changed and took on the shape of an even bigger tiger the size of a mountain. Looking calmly at me the tiger replied

"I am he who reigns supreme over the northern skies, the one who controls the heavenly winds, the bringer of lightning and the embodiment of divine justice. I am one of the four heavenly beasts. Divine tiger Byakko."

The sound of thunder as well as flashes of lightning had been steadily increasing with every word he spoke and by the end of his introduction, a full-on storm was raging everywhere.

"Isn't this a bit much for an introduction? We're the only ones here so I don't think all this is really necessary."

Huffing, he turned his face away in a half-smile and replied to me saying

"You're no fun at all young cub. It's been a while since I've had a chance to show off."

Turning back to me he let loose a low growl and immediately the environment went back to the way it was before the raging storm. "Well young cub, it seems you have already met one of my brothers. I can sense his power lingering around you."

Looking at him wondering what he was going on about I responded

"I don't think so. Except you're talking about Lord Miyamoto who I am very sure is in no way related to you I have not met any other one. From the look of things, it seems like I'm a dual incarnate seeing as I reconnected with you and Lord Miyamoto."

A very canine and dangerous smile appeared on his face as he said to me

"you have no idea just what you are child."

His eyes sparked with his reply before he continued

"I'm very certain young one that you have met my brother. The scent of his power is strong on you. Well, he will reveal himself in due time. He must have already sensed my power when you released it.

Now it seems you still have a long way to go in terms of gaining strength. For now, I shall grant you a part of my knowledge and power and when you are ready we shall show the world the power which we possess. Till next time child."

With that, a light began to shine from my hand and the feeling of the currents running through them came back. The light grew brighter and brighter until everything turned white and I had to shut my eyes. Upon opening them I found myself on the floor where I had passed out with the professor standing off to the side.

"Good work boy. It seems your abilities have started to manifest sooner than expected. Take a look at your arm."

Not expecting much, I looked at the infinity mark on my hand, and there just above it was the shape of a tiger head with an open maw.

"Is this something that happens often?" I inquired while still inspecting the mark.

"Not to my knowledge" The professor replied.

Tossing my daisho to me, the professor began walking out of the training hall without looking back. Knowing the lesson was over I laid on the ground for a few moments before getting up to also walk out.

Stopping in my tracks, I waited on the spot with my eyes facing forward as everything around me began to slow down. With a speed similar to what I had used in tossing the pebbles earlier, I disengaged my sword from the sheathe slicing at the projectile that had been coming my way. The only indication of my movement was the sharp whistle of my blade in the air...