R4

Tora's POV

Jumping back my hand went to my sword as I began looking for the source of the voice. However, it hit me as a shock to realize my daisho was gone. Quickly taking a physical combat form I looked around slowly still trying to figure out where the voice came from.

"You have a white flame that burns bright in your soul boy. I like it"

At this point, my almost permanent stoic expression had obviously morphed into confusion as I looked back at the statue of the samurai warrior. To my utter surprise, the statue moved. I stood there shocked as I could not understand what was going on. Upon reaching its full height, the statue was about sixty feet if I had to guess. As it moved to take a step towards me it began to shrink till it was as big as a regular-sized man. Color began to appear on its features and suddenly it hit me like a wooden sword in the gut. This was the warrior from my dreams.

"Miyamoto Musashi"

With a calm expression, he replied with a nod. Walking towards me he stopped before me and replied.

"We meet at last incarnate. Although my reconnection took a lot longer than I expected, I am glad that it was with someone with the soul of a warrior. Looking at your world now, it seems to be filled with weaklings who want nothing but power"

I was still too stunned to speak. When I finally came to my senses I finally replied

"How ?"

"You will have to be a little more specific with your question young one" He replied.

Getting my sense back I quickly composed myself and bowed to the warrior in front of me. After having multiple dreams I ended up reading every single book I could find on Musashi. As a duelist, he had made a tremendous name for himself. A record of sixty-six consecutive wins and outstanding battle prowess. Getting my composure back had allowed me to return to my stoic expression as I raised my head, looked him in the eye, and said, "It is an honor to meet such an esteemed warrior such as yourself Miyamoto-san."

He nodded. "Our time right now is short young warrior, but we will have other opportunities to speak when the time is right. For now, return and prepare yourself for what is to come. The road ahead is perilous but we believe you can overcome it."

What is he talking about? I wondered to myself. "Who is we," I asked. He just gestured to the remaining statues seated before he also began walking back to his original place. Gradually he began turning into stone again as he grew in size and sat in place.

"We will summon you once more when the time is right. Until then grow stronger and show us the power of your will."

"Goodbye"

I suddenly blacked out and when I came to, I was back in the evaluation chambers with a few people gathered around me.

The ringing pain in my head hit me like a freight train as I tried to sit up and gather my bearings. Noticing the few people left in the hall just before the medics came I wondered why they were all quiet a staring in the same direction. Turning gradually to see what had caught their attention I noticed that they had been staring at the mirror. It still looked normal except for one very noticeable change.

It was now pitch black and the darkness within seemed alive as it continued to swirl non-stop in a manner that seemed like it was desperately trying to break free. Suddenly, a large green eye with a cat's eye pupil opened right in the middle of the mirror. The tension in the room rose to a high level as everyone was immediately on high alert and the room temperature drastically increased signally the activation of the professor's magic. After the eye danced around vigorously it finally stopped as it found what it was looking for. ME.

Before anyone could react the black mass inside the mirror shot out and wrapped itself around my left forearm and continued to swirl till it finally vanished leaving behind an infinity mark with a chain running through it. Feeling the stares around me almost made my hands close around the handle of my blades but I calmed myself down and decided not to think of anything for now since I was exhausted both physically and mentally. Before the murmurs of the students could rise to a noticeable level the professor's voice rang clear and strong in the room

"Everyone go back to your respective classes. We will continue tomorrow. Those who have been reconnected will get their new training schedules by the end of the day. Be sure to check with the clerk's office by the end of the day. Dismissed."

While the medical staff finished her check-up on me I noticed Professor Pius hadn't left the room. On being given the go-ahead to continue with my activities but to report back should I feel anything odd I thanked the young lady and stood up to catch the professor's gaze. Knowing fully what he wanted without needing to speak I followed behind him as he strode out of the hall with purposeful steps.

Walking through the halls I began to think back on the events of the day as it seemed that the future had something unpredictable in store for me. If the brief conversation with Musashi was any indication then the journey ahead was going to be a lot harder than I had originally anticipated. Not that anything had ever come easy for me before but just thinking about it got my anticipation levels to rise and the ghost of a smile appeared on my lips before I even realized it.

"It's good to see you can maintain your composure after the events of the day, but now is not the time for that. SIT. I want you to tell me what you experienced during your reconnection."

Things To Know

Daisho

A Japanese term for a matched pair of traditionally made swords worn by the samurai class in feudal Japan. A daisho set usually consists of a katana and a wakizashi