2022-08-12 00:09:32Tora'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...
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R57
Tora's PovHaving your sight taken in just an instant can be very unsettling. Especially when you are not expecting it. Everything suddenly went dark but years of training helped me reign in the sudden panic that would have overtaken me. Gradually, light began to return starting from behind me. On closer inspection, I realized that the light wasn't returning, but the darkness was being sucked into one spot in front of us. It continued to gather and swirl until it formed a hurricane about twenty feet high. The speed of the hurricane slowed down until it finally dispersed leaving a figure crouching where it previously was. Letting out a deep breath, the figure stood up and looked around. He stopped when his gaze landed on me. His eyes were pure black with no hint of color. They seemed to suck in and swallow the light around, creating a shadow effect around them. He was dressed in a pure black kimono with red trimmings at the edge of the sleeves and the bottom. One of his shoulders was
R56
Tora's PovMoving inside, I took a seat at the workstation and faced everyone. "First before we do anything, now that we've gotten acquainted with each other, it's best we know who our links are and what we can do. This way, we'll be able to pair up properly when we have to divide ourselves during missions." I said to them. "I'll go first. I'm connected to Musashi Miyamoto and the white tiger Byakko. I've always used a sword but with Musashi, my techniques improved by leaps and bounds. With Byakko, I have the authority over wind and lightning. Which I incorporate into my swordsmanship." Everyone was quiet and there was a small hint of surprise on Richard's face. Ame spoke up next. "I am connected to Susanoo, God of storms and the sea. Being linked to him gives me hydrokinesis but on a more powerful scale." She finished. Cecil spoke up next before anyone could start. "I am connected to the one named Brunhilde. A renowned Valkyrie who was the best of them all. Being with her gives me
R55
Ame's PovThe walk back to our quarters was uneventful. Richard, Ursula and Conrad were taken to the infirmary. Cecil argued against it when the medics tried to take her and insisted that she was alright. Now, the rest of us walked back as Kiri briefed Tora on the rest of the platoon's condition. "You know what you did wasn't necessary." I said to him. He paused what he was saying to Tora but didn't break his stride. "What do you mean?." He asked. "If you hadn't provoked her in the first place, this entire fight could have been avoided." I said to him. "I'm never able to understand what goes on in that head of yours." He didn't reply but he offered a smile instead. "If I didn't do that, a repeat of what happened when we first Tora could have occurred." He said to me. "Not that it's any different now, but if we had allowed this matter to drag on any longer than necessary then it could cost us our lives during our missions." I turned my gaze to Tora, he remained quiet as usual. As al
R54
Mr Green's PovMaking my way to the training ground where the members of platoon nine were, I thought back to what I had seen from the silver-haired recruit name Sekizo Tora. He was efficient and quick witted. He displayed an attitude fit for a platoon leader. "Sir.! Do you really have to go by yourself? Surely there are more important matters for you to attend to." The young secretary walking behind me asked. "It's alright Sophia. There are certain things I have to do myself." I replied. "Plus I believe there's more to that young man than meets the eye." Getting to the training room, the guards opened the door and I stepped inside. The place was a literal mess. Scorch marks decorated the ground, the land was broken in so many places. Web-like craters and other dents showing points of impact were everywhere. To one side, the ground was smoking and red-hot with lava being the cause. If I didn't watch it myself, it would have been hard to believe that a fight between platoon members t
R53
Tora's PovI raised my hands just in time to block a punch that was aimed at my abdomen. The force of the blow sent me flying deep within the gathering of trees outside of the clearing. I felt pain climbing up my spine and spreading throughout my body like wildfire. What on earth was that? When I finally came to a stop, I fell on my knee and looked ahead. It took great effort to channel and enhance my sight as my mind was reeling from the pain. Moving was hard and painful, a spot on indication that bones were broken. "SHIT!." I exclaimed. More pissed off than anything else. Concentrating, I began walking back to the clearing while tapping into my pain receptors and dialing them down to almost nothing. I had picked up this trick during one of my meditations some time ago. My armor was dented, but my headband and bracers remained intact. Healing internal injuries required precise focus, so finishing this battle quickly was the only acceptable option left for me. By the time I made it
R52
Tora's PovDealing with the wolf was easy. He was no real threat. This one was a fighter. Her body was bones for battle, and she loves the thrill of the fight. This was a warrior worthy of my respect. Watching her technique, I got a rough estimate of what her power will be. Once the outline of the female warrior appeared, I heard Byakko give an appreciative growl. "A valkyrie. No wonder she is built different. Truly a fine specimen." Byakko said. At that moment, she had just dived down with power condensed at the tip of her spear. There were two ways to respond to this. Get out of the way, or respond with something equally powerful. I choose the second option. Channeling power through my arms, legs, and sword, I prepared my attack. I gathered power in my sword until the steel was blue and it was humming with electricity. I took a stance and waited while tightening up my muscles. The spear got close enough in a matter of seconds. Enhancing my senses so as to not miss the timing, I e
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