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Chapter 26

Right as he was about to answer, our demon shed its skin, emerging with a new one, even bigger and stronger than before.

"D-Did it just shed its skin?!"
Even Inosuke seemed taken aback.

"...Oh, spirits..."
I grip my sword tighter, dreading the fight that was sure to come our way.

The demon jumped down from the branch at us, and we took a step back.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"I-Inosuke..."

"Jeez... That's bulking up way too much!"

"This doesn't look so good for us!"
My palms are sweating, and the sheer aura of intimidation this demon gave off gave me goosebumps. Not even Yumie was this scary! And I wasn't even an official Demon Slayer then!
We won't have an easy fight, that's for sure...

Inosuke lowered his swords.
"It's no good. We can't win."

A sudden rush overtakes me.
"Inosuke!"
He still doesn't even move.

"We can't give up! We're supposed to hold out until Tanjiro came back! We can't die now!"
I ready my sword, pushing back my earlier anxiety.
"We can't lose!"

I must've gotten through to him, because he held his swords tightly again.
"No way are we gonna lose! I'm Inosuke Hashibira of the Demon Slayer Corps! So bring it on, you dirtbag!"

The demon suddenly struck us both, faster than I could ever imagine, and I feel my ribs crack under the pressure as Inosuke and I were thrown like we weighed nothing. We didn't have a moment to collect ourselves before we had to dodge again as the massive demon smashed through the trees.

Inosuke jumped up.
"Beast Breathing. Fang Three : Devour!"

The moment his swords struck, they broke.
They... broke...
The sudden surprise left Inosuke vulnerable as he was thrown my way, knocking us both down against a tree.

I struggle to get up, my vision foggy until the demon reached for us, grabbing us both by our throats.
"Don't come near my family! Stay away!"

I choked, the pressure unbearable as it gripped us tighter, our own weight feeling twice as heavy.
I'm gonna die! I'm gonna die and I can't even fight back. My skull is about to be crushed to dust!
I panic, tearing up.

Inosuke growled and managed to stab his swords through the demon's neck. It was useless, though...

"Don't die! Don't die until I get back!"

Big brother...
I have to hold on, I can't die until I know he's safe!

"Water... Breathing. Seventh Form: Piercing Rain Drop!"
My sword broke when it stabbed the thick throat of the beast, and my attack was rendered useless. The demon didn't even flinch, gripping us tighter, further increasing the speed at which we choked and gagged.

I start to cry.
I'm gonna die... This is it.

My entire life feels like it's flashing before my eyes.
Mom... Dad... Ame...
Master Kana...
Urokodaki...