16 The Tiger's Test

Zen's POV

We have 24 hours to find a demon to contract with before the cave forces us out. Sei said to find something cute and cuddly. I don't understand, but I am going to trust her. Both Sei and Suzaku have Saint Beasts maybe they know some sort of secret. I see several people find demons and start a test. Each demon has their own personal test to see if you are worthy to possess it.

I see a little girl the around the age of 9 years old contract with a black pony. Other people laugh at her because she is contracting with a weak-looking creature. Who knew 10 years later she would be a dominating force in China. The reason she got her partner is that she thought it was cute. But, that's a story for another time.

Zen: Let's see. Cute and cuddly, something cute and cuddly.

Finding something cute and cuddly in a demon's cave is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I see several kids select something. One kid chooses a giant dog; another a bear; the last one found a kangaroo. However, nothing is catching my eye.

Wu Chen: Hey you!

I turn around and see Wu Chen with several of his dad's guards. They all have some sort of blade or knife.

Wu Chen: You have humiliated me. Did you expect you could just walk away?

Zen: Yeah, pretty much.

Wu Chen: YOU!... Guards, handle him. I am going to find my demon partner. Oh, make sure to make him suffer.

Wu Chen leaves and the guards cock their guns and lick their blades. They smile. I smile back. They look confused. Normal people would see a gang of thugs. I see a group of walking ATM's.

Triad Member: The kid has lost. He's smiling while facing death.

Zen: I liked playing RPG when I was a kid. You know why? Because, whenever you defeat any enemy, you get his items or they drop some gold. I am pretty sure a triad member gets paid well.

Triad member: What....?

Before he could finish, I shoot him with Shiroyuki. Then, I draw Kurohime. I begin my attack. I slash one guard's artery then, I shoot another in the head. Afterward, I make a rip in space, enter, and sneak behind another to cut him down. I then make several more spaces and I shoot a bullet in them taking out the rest. I'm collecting my winnings when I hear a laugh.

???: I wanted to see how you would go up against a group and you have exceeded my expectations.

I see a cute and cuddly tiger cub. It has white and black stripes with a purple underbelly. He also has a blade on his tail and piercing blue eyes.

???: How about making a contract with me?

Zen: Who are you?

???: I am the Demon Tiger.

Zen: More like Demon Cub.

Demon Tiger: THIS IS NOT MY REAL FORM BOY! This cave limits my power turning me into this useless form.

Zen: What about all the other big demons in here?

Demon Tiger: Those punks are scrubs. They are not strong enough to have their power limited. Not everything is as it appears to be.

Zen: Now I get what Sei was trying to tell me. Yeah, I will contract with you.

Demon Tiger: Good now on to my test.

The Demon Tiger's eyes glow and we are surrounded by darkness. We end up in a forest. All the trees are dead and the moon is out. The Demon Tiger transforms. He's way bigger now and he has fangs like a saber tooth.

Demon Tiger: This is my domain. I control everything here. My test is quite simple. We are going to play a game of tag. If you can avoid me until the moon goes down, then you win and I contract with you. If you lose, I devour your soul.

Zen: My Soul?

Demon Tiger: I am not as nice as the cocky chicken, the crybaby turtle, or the stupid lizard. My test involves great risk, but also great rewards. It's up to you. What do you choose boy?

Zen: I always like a gamble. Go big or go home.

Demon Tiger: The time limit is 15 minutes. If you can avoid me for that long, I will say it is my defeat. You have a 1-minute head start. I suggest you start running.

You don't have to tell me twice. I use Dou Qui on my feet to get as much distance between us as I can. One minute has passed and the Demon Tiger begin his charge. Damn, he is fast. He has almost already caught up with me.

Demon Tiger: Better Run boy or your soul will be mine.

Zen: NOT SO FAST!

I cut a hole in space and jump in. I only get a couple more feet away.

Demon Tiger: That sword won't work boy. This is my domain and I control the rules. You will have to be better than that.

The Demon Tiger tries to bit me but I use Kurohime as a shield and Then use Shiroyuki to shoot him in the eyes. That blinds him for a second and manage to escape.

Demon Tiger: Not bad. No one has ever gotten this far. We're down to 10 minutes. How long can you rely on your petty tricks?

I hide behind a tree to catch my breath. I look at my new watch, 9 minutes left. Then, the Demon Tiger comes out of nowhere and strikes me with his claws. I deflect his claws with my sword. I take out a smoke bomb and release it to disappear again. I am running and I see a waterfall. I am cornered.

Demon Tiger: What are you going to do now boy?

Zen: This!

I jump and do a swan dive. If there were judges, they would give me a perfect 10. I manage to survive and get my head above the water. Then I swim to the opposite side.

Demon Tiger: Not bad kid; not bad. You may be worthy. But, we still have 5 minutes left. Let's see if you can keep this up.

We are down to 3 minutes and there is no sign of the Demon Tiger. Maybe I am going to make it. As soon as I say that, I see the Demon Tiger closing in.

Zen: FUCK ME! WHY DOES HE HAVE TO MAKE THIS TEST SO FUCKING HARD!

Demon Tiger: I AM COMING FOR YOU BOY.... ROAAAAAAAR!

I decide running is not going to do me any good. So, I decided to stand my ground and I release my Sei Qui. The Demon Tiger moves in close and I am dodging by hairline margins. It's way too close for comfort. He attacks again and this time, I jump over him and start to ride him like a bull.

Demon Tiger: GET OFF ME!

Zen: NO!

I am looking at my watch. 1 minute left. Hang on for just one more minute. He bucks me like a bronco. Every second feels like an hour. He finally manages to throw me off and I am slammed into a tree.

Demon Tiger: Looks like it is my win boy.

Zen: Not necessarily so. Check the sky.

Demon Tiger looks up and the moon is no longer in the sky. The 15 minutes are up. I have won. God damn, that was a pain in the ass.

Demon Tiger: Well done. May I have the name of my new master?

Zen: Zentora Shade.

Demon Tiger: I am one of the four Saint Beasts. I am the Tiger of the West. The Demon Tiger. My power is to control darkness. As my contractor, you must give me a name.

Hmm... a name. How about Tora. No, too simple. Taiga, no I don't like that one either. I know this one fits him well.

Zen: Byakko. Your name from now on will be Byakko.

Byakko: Interesting choice. I like it.

We exit Byako's domain to sign the contract. He then goes into my arm and a purple mark of the tiger appears on it. Wow, that was stressful.

Sei's POV

It has been a long time and several people have already come out even Wu Chen. He has a mark of a Gorilla on his hand. I am starting to get worried. Then my mark glows. So does my mom's and Genbu's.

Azula: That stupid house cat contracted with someone.

Ming Ming: This is a surprise.

Ming Ming is the Vermillion Bird and Shen Du is the Armored Tortoise.

Shen Du: Things won't be peaceful now that he is out into the world.

The Saint Beasts are linked to one another. So, they can feel when something happens to one of their own. I finally see Zen come out of the tunnel. He looks like crap. Wu Chen looks surprised and his eye twitches.

Sei: ZEN!... I mean Zen what took you so long?

Zen: Byakko's test was a pain in the ass.

Wu Chen: How are you alive?

Zen: Oh, that reminds me.

Zen Walks up to Wu Chen and slams his fist in his face. Wu Chen is knocked out cold. The triad guard marks begin to glow. They are prepared for a fight. I start to help. But Zen stops me.

Zen: My friends and I are happy to take you on anytime.

Zen holds out his arm and a purple tiger's mark begins to glow. THAT IS A SAINT BEAST! ZEN HAS THE FINAL SAINT BEAST!

Suzaku: The Demon Tiger. This kid gets more and more interesting. My daughter has a good eye. That kid's potential is limitless.

Genbu holds his men back and picks up his son.

Genbu: I will give you this one pass out of respect for you to be able to contract with the Demon Tiger. Don't expect it again.

Genbu turns and walks away with an unconscious Wu Chen.

Suzaku: Now that that is settled, the tournament is coming up and the two of you will spend the next five days training with me. Your other friend has already gone home knowing that Zen contracted with Demon Tiger. This is bad; really bad?

Xu Tu: Isn't the Miss a little young for your training?

Thank You. Xu Tu, a life Boat.

Suzaku: Nonsense it will be fine. Besides she will have a training partner. So, it won't be as bad as if she were alone.

The lifeboat sunk instantly. I can only sink my head in defeat.

Suzaku: Let's get some rest. We will start bright and early in the morning.

Xu Tu looks at me and Zen in pity.

Zen: Why is she looking at us like that?

Sei: I just want to say that I am sorry beforehand. I did not expect this.

Zen: Hah?

Sei: You will find out soon enough.

For the next 5 days, we go into extreme training in Ming Ming's Domain. Since Saint Beasts can manipulate time in their domain it is a lot longer than five days. I thought I was going to die multiple times. I lost count how many times I have been punched, kicked and burned. We came out of it like brand new people though. I think Zen has a chance against Torin now. We'll have to wait and find out.