Inori had never run so fast in her life, not even when she escaped from Muzan four years ago. The roof tiles cracked as she kicked them to accelerate herself. Oyakata-sama. Oyakata-sama. Oyakata-sama. Please. Somehow. Oyakata-sama. Her breaths came out in gasps as she continued to internally chant her prayer, no matter how much she knew it wouldn't come true.
Muichiro and Inori both screamed as the Ubuyashiki Estate exploded into flames, the horrible smell of burning flesh mixed with bitter wisteria contaminating the air. No. No. No.
"Oyakata-sama!"
"You motherfucking piece of shit!" Sanemi shouted as he finally reached the estate. "What the fuck did you do to Oyakata-sama?!"
"It's Muzan! Kibutsuji Muzan!" Gyomei yelled out to the incoming pillars. "This guy won't die even if you cut off his head! We have to burn him with the sun!"
Sure enough, Inori could see the very man who barged into her house four years ago, who killed her family, who made the dead restless, who became the root of all her misfortunes. He was being pinned by spikes and by Tamayo, who had her arm deep into his solar plexus. But all Inori could see was his face, his red eyes—that fucking bastard—veins popped all over her neck and temples as years of bottled-up anger finally exploded.
Star Breathing: First Constellation—
Mist Breathing: Fourth Form—
Insect Breathing: Butterfly Dance—
Serpent Breathing: First Form—
Love Breathing: Fifth Form—
Flame Breathing: Third Form—
Water Breathing: Third Form—
Wind Breathing: Seventh Form—
Hinokami Kagura: Sunflower—
Muzan grinned, and suddenly the ground below them transformed into shoji doors. The doors opened, and the attacking pillars all fell into the Infinity Castle.
"You seriously thought you could corner me?" Muzan howled, cackling. "You're all going to hell now! You pathetic demon slayers! I'm slaughtering you all tonight!"
Without any words needed, just a sharp nod from each other, Muichiro placed his palm under Inori's shoes, throwing her upwards. Inori used the boost given to her to leap toward Muzan.
Hinokami Kagura: Beneficent Radiance
Muzan hissed as his skin felt like it had been burned, though it still regenerated almost instantly. He glared at the Star Pillar who glared back. He managed to throw Inori away from him, resulting in her falling into a different area. The shoji doors above them closed as he yelled out, "The last of his successors! I'll kill you for sure! Hoshizora Inori!"
"I'll kill you first!"
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"There are a lot of demons here, huh?" Muichiro commented, casually decapitating another demon as he kept up with Gyomei.
"It looks like they were designed to have the strength of a lower moon. So, he's planning to wear us down," Gyomei said, increasing his speed. "I doubt Hoshizora managed to come close to him, so we have to hurry."
"What about Oyakata-sama?" Muichiro asked. "There's no way Oyakata-sama got discovered because of his own mistake. Did he make himself a decoy?"
"Yes. He knew his days were numbered, so he went to the stars ahead of us," Gyomei answered. "It was a magnificent final moment that left him with no regrets."
"Did Inori know?"
"She had a feeling the attack would happen in a few days, and she had a lot of preparations to be done, so Oyakata-sama told her," Gyomei answered. "I was the one who told her not to tell anyone. But Hoshizora didn't know he was planning on strapping bombs on himself."
So, that was why Inori looked so sad these past five days.
"When I was nearly killed by a demon, Oyakata-sama kept visiting and encouraging me." Angry and sad tears streamed down Muichiro's eyes as he recalled the memory of Kagaya's fatherly hands and smile. "He did the same to Inori, to all the slayers, even as he was dying. Like a father."
"Yes. I know."
"Muzan didn't just take my brother...he took our second father too." Muichiro furiously wiped his tears. "That man...that monster, Muzan! I swear I'll kill him. I'll show him hell."
"Don't worry," Gyomei reassured, veins popping all over his neck. "We all feel the same."
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
Inori didn't stop running. She sliced all the demons getting in her way, following her instincts as she ran through the Infinity Castle halls. The crows and Yushiro's eyes haven't been spread yet, so she had little choice in navigating the fortress.
It's fine. Inori continued to repeat inside her head. As Oyakata-sama had said, I have the blood of an Ubuyashiki running through my veins, no matter how watered down it is. Let go of your doubts. Let go of your insecurities. You have no time for them. Just follow your instincts.
There's no time to cry. Inori bit her lips to stop her tears from flowing out. Focus on the battle, Star Pillar, Hoshizora Inori!
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Oh? It seems like I was able to decompose your poison." Douma grinned despite how half of his face melted into nothingness. "Sorry about that, and I know you worked so hard to make it."
Crap. The poison didn't work. Shinobu gritted her teeth, watching as the demon's face slowly molded back together. What used to be a pile of melted flesh and bones now regenerated some muscles. Slowly, the flesh repaired itself and the demon was back to normal again.
"Oh man, this is so much fun!" Douma clapped his hands. "Getting attacked with poison is totally interesting! I might actually like it! Hey, do you think your next mix will work on me? Give it a shot!"
"Alright, that's fine with me." Shinobu made sure to put as much poison as possible in her blade as she swung it around. "I expected this to happen anyways, so I'm not surprised."
Shinobu tried again and again to kill Douma, yet her attempts turned out fruitless. The poison gradually began to lose its effectiveness. What used to be able to melt his skin could now only cause severe inflammation. Moreover, she was gradually getting out of breath.
Realization dawned on her a bit too late. Not good. I must've breathed in his blood demon art. This is bad. I need to attack him with as many blows as I can before I collapse. Right now, my lungs are—
"Your lungs are undergoing necrosis right now." Douma fanned himself. "After all, you took a blow from my blood demon art."
Insect Breathing: Dance of the Dragonfly: Compound Eye Hexagon
Shinobu hacked out blood as she felt a searing pain through her chest. I got hit! My lungs! She fell to her knees, blood spilling from her chest and mouth.
"You're fast. Probably the fastest pillar I've ever met. You might've won on your speed alone, but it's all useless if you can't cut my head off." Douma giggled mockingly. "Ah, but there's no way that's possible for you. After all, you're a tiny and weak girl."
Ah...why are my hands so tiny? Shinobu stared at her hands. Why didn't I grow any taller? If my body was just a little bit bigger, would I have been able to decapitate demons too? She wasn't the youngest or the only girl amongst the pillars, so why was she the weakest and the shortest? Why was she the only one who couldn't decapitate demons? Arms...legs...the taller they are, the bigger they are, the more muscle mass they have. The more muscle mass, the bigger the advantage you have in battles.
All the girls around her were stronger than her. Her sister was dainty and thin even though she was taller, but Kanae could still decapitate demons. Kanao was younger and equally as delicate-looking, but she was taller and stronger. Inori would tear her muscles if she swung her sword a little too hard, but she still managed to stall Upper Moon One until the sun rose.
Why? They were supposed to be the same, were they not? We're all girls...we're not someone born with a special constitution like Kanroji-san. We're shorter than all the boys we know. Yet why am I the only one who can't decapitate demons?
She could brag and flaunt her poisons all she wanted, but it didn't change the fact that the most effective way to kill a demon was to decapitate it. Everyone had told her that, and Shinobu herself knew that.
I'm envious of Himejima-san. Everyone is always reassured whenever he comes in to save the day. Tears started to form in her eyes. I know...the truth is I know. I know what Nee-san was trying to tell me back then. 'You'll probably lose to that demon' right? Nee-san was trying to say that but stopped.
"Pull yourself together. Don't you dare cry after being so determined to walk this path."
Shinobu widened her eyes as Kanae's figure stood before her. Ah...is this what Inori-chan meant by seeing the dead? Does this mean I'm dying? Is that why I can see and hear Nee-san?
"You're not dying yet. Stand up."
I can't. Nee-san, I can't. My left lung has been ripped to shreds and none of the poison I...we worked for affected him. I can't breathe anymore...I'm dying, Nee-san. I'm going to die soon.
"That doesn't have anything to do with this. Stand up, Insect Pillar, Kocho Shinobu."
Kanae crouched in front of her. "If you dedicated yourself to beat that demon, then beat him. If you dedicated yourself to win, then win. No matter what you have to sacrifice, win. You promised me. You promised Kanao. You promised us." Tears pooled in both of their eyes as Kanae gripped Shinobu's shoulders. "Shinobu, I know you can do it. It's painful, but you can do it. Just keep trying."
Because Kocho Shinobu was someone who had defied people's expectations. She, a weak girl who couldn't decapitate demons, had racked her brain and created poisons that could kill demons. She, arguably the weakest member of the corps, had clawed her way up the ranks until she became a pillar. She, Kocho Shinobu. Not anybody else, but her, Kocho Shinobu.
Yes, Nee-san. Shinobu forced herself to stand, ignoring Douma's remark about how amazing she was. I have to aim for his neck. I have to inject all my poison into his neck. I have to. I have to. I have to!
Insect Breathing: Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Zigzag
The sheer power she put into her legs broke the wooden bridge. Shinobu ducked under the demon's fan. Her haori got sliced in the process, much like a butterfly getting its wings ripped off. Yet, she continued to attack. Using all her strength, Shinobu thrust her sword into Douma's neck, pinning him to the ceiling.
I promised Nee-san. Shinobu gritted her teeth as she began to fall. Even if I'm weak. Even if I can't cut off the demon's neck. I will continue to fight. If we can defeat one demon, we'll save tens of people. If we defeat a lower moon, we'll save hundreds. If we defeat an upper moon, we'll save thousands. It's not a matter of whether I can or cannot do it. It's just something I have to do because I chose this path.
I'm angry. I'm furious. For the longest time, Shinobu had that fury burning inside of her, and that was the one fire that refused to quell no matter how much happiness she managed to collect. Because of demons, because of those vile creatures, my happiness shattered. My parents were killed. My sister was killed. All of my tsuguko except Kanao were killed. Those girls I took in, they would've been living happily with their families if demons didn't attack them.
Many people she cared for had lost everything to demons. Shinobu was someone who could kill them, something not many people were blessed enough to do, so how could she not be angry? How could she not give her all to eradicate them?
My fellow pillars, they suffer losses at the hands of demons too. Whether it be family or comrades or both, they have lost a lot, and they have vowed vengeance. They, who absolutely detest demons just as much, or even more than I do. They, who force themselves to get the deed done even if they can't. They, who more than anyone, will do anything to eradicate demonkind. I'm one of them too. I can't act all weak now.
Shinobu wasn't the only one who was angry. Her fellow pillars, the civilians who had lost their loved ones to demons, every single member of the Demon Slayer Corps, whether it be the slayers, the kakushi, or the swordsmiths, every single one of them was angry, and their anger had created an inferno to burn Muzan down. Even if their anger wasn't burning hot enough, then the anger of the dead sure as hell would make it hotter than the sun itself.
Shinobu didn't think she could die in peace if she didn't at least pour her gasoline of fury into that inferno.
Argh! Come the hell on. Shinobu gritted her teeth. It's driving me insane! Why isn't poison working on this bastard? This is absurd! The poison is supposed to be stronger than the one used on Upper Moon Six! Oh, come on!
Before Shinobu could fall to the ground, Douma used his blood demon art to pull her back into his embrace. He hugged her tightly, tears spilling from his eyes as he slowly began to absorb her.
"You did good! That was so admirable! I never expected a weak girl like you to go this far! You're weaker than your sister, but you've made it this far! You're still foolish enough to challenge me even though you're weak!" He praised, hugging her even tighter, so tight that Shinobu couldn't breathe. "But that foolishness is what makes humans so fleetingly amusing! I shall grant you a favor! I will eat you now! Let us live together for eternity! Do you have any last words? I'll listen to it."
Any last words? Shinobu had a whole dictionary and more filled with expletives to throw into the bastard's face. She was grinding her teeth, and her fists clenched to the point her nails drew blood. But neither her lungs nor her mouth could deliver all those words, so she summed all her emotions into one short sentence.
"Rot in hell, scumbag."
The door suddenly slammed open, revealing a frantic Kanao. Shinobu sighed in relief at the sight of her tsuguko. She's here now. It'll be fine. We'll win this. With her fingers, Shinobu gave a signal. That was the last thing she could do before Douma cracked her spine.
As her vision faded into black, Shinobu saw her life flashing before her eyes. She saw her mother—I miss you so much, Mom—hugging her and her father—thank you for teaching me something so valuable, Dad—teaching her about medicine.
She saw her sister—I've done my best. It's enough now. I'm going to see you soon, Nee-san—smiling gently at her, and the even gentler hand held hers. She saw her sisters—it's okay. You will be fine. When the sun rises, there will be no more demons—living domestically in the Butterfly Estate as if they haven't lost everything. She saw Kanao—how I wish I could've given you a normal and happy life, but I'm assured to know that you will be fine now—who could now make choices without her coin.
Then, she saw the girl who had helped her come this far. The tears and fearful face she had on their first meeting had long disappeared, replaced with a bright smile and determined eyes. The girl who had taught her about the beautiful stars and never once stopped her from continuing her suicidal wishes.
Inori-chan, thank you. Shinobu closed her eyes with a smile on her face. This is enough for me. I'll leave the rest to the others now. Let's meet again in the stars.
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"I'm surprised you have the guts to face me without the help of a pillar!" Kaigaku sneered, continuing to release attack after attack. "What makes you think you can? If you're trash, then don't be arrogant." He lifted his sword, infusing his technique with his blood demon art.
"Unlike you, I'm special!"
Zenitsu gritted his teeth as he fell, feeling himself running out of strength from Kaigaku's relentless attacks. Kaigaku, you hated me, and I knew that very well. I hated you back just as much too. Kaigaku may be his senpai, but he had always tormented Zenitsu for being a weak crybaby, so how could Zenitsu not hate him?
But you know? I really respect you. Even though they didn't get along, Zenitsu did admire his senpai. You're hardworking and have a strong drive. I was always watching you from behind. I thought that you, out of all people, could become a pillar like Gramps.
The former Thunder Pillar had given both his students a kimono with the same pattern as him as a sign of love and trust. Their mentor cherished both of them as his successors, and he believed in both of them. Even if the other slayers mocked and ridiculed Kaigaku, Zenitsu knew that their mentor, at the very least, would still believe in him.
But you always made a dissatisfied sound. But love and trust belonged in a bloodstained past they could never get back. The box of happiness in your heart was filled with holes, and your happiness kept leaking out. You have to close it properly, or you'll never be satisfied.
Zenitsu grabbed the handle of his sword. I'm sorry, Gramps. But this is where we part ways. He used the remaining of his strength to perform one final attack, kicking the wall with everything he got. Sorry, Aniki!
Thunder Breathing: Seventh Form: Flaming Thunder God
With speed faster than lightning itself, Zenitsu used the technique he created by himself to decapitate Kaigaku. He could somewhat hear the crumbling demon cursing him and his mentor, accusing him of playing favorites and only teaching Zenitsu the special techniques, and Zenitsu couldn't accept anybody badmouthing his master.
"Gramps never played favorites." Their mentor taught both his successors equally, and he loved them equally. "This is a form I created myself...I wanted...I wanted to fight alongside you with it someday."
How sorrowful for that form to be used to decapitate Kaigaku instead. Still, even if he did manage to kill Kaigaku, Zenitsu was still falling, and he didn't have any strength left to do anything but fall.
Gramps, I'm sorry...I don't have any strength left, so I guess I'm going to fall and die, and I'll meet you soon.
"Those who don't give to others will never receive anything back. Just like those who only desire will end up with nothing...because they can't create anything." Yushiro appeared out of nowhere, easily catching Zenitsu before he could fall to his death. "Dying alone sure is pathetic. Luckily, one of you has reliable allies."
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Caw! Deceased! Kocho Shinobu is dead! She died after confronting Upper Moon Two!"
Inori didn't let a single tear fall from her eyes. Shinobu-nee, at the very least, may you be reunited with Kanae-san. If it was Shinobu, then Inori knew that not even death could stop her from killing a demon. You can let go of all your anger now. You can be at peace now. I hope the stars will grant you a better life next time. Leave the rest to us.
"Caw! Agatsuma Zenitsu has defeated Upper Moon Six!" Kanamaru continued to circle above her. "Caw! Rengoku Kyojuro! Tomioka Giyu! Kamado Tanjiro! The three of them have encountered Upper Moon Three!"
Inori didn't stop running, dodging the flying walls, doors, and windows that would randomly appear around her. It'll be fine. If it's the three of them, I'm sure they can defeat Upper Moon Three. Tamayo-san can only hold on for so long. I have to hurry up and find Muzan.
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"This boy isn't weak. Don't insult him," Akaza recited what Kyojuro told him months ago, looking at the Flame Pillar in question. "I now accept that what you said was right, Kyojuro. That boy...and all of you here...none of you are weak, and I will show you my respect."
Technique Deployment: Compass Needle
"Now, come at me with all you've got."
Water Breathing: Third Form: Flowing Dance
Flame Breathing: Fifth Form: Flame Tiger
"Oh! The Water Pillar!" Akaza grinned. "It's been around fifty years since I last met one! Hey! Where's the girl from last time? I want to fight her too! Hoshipatsu Inodokon, was it?"
"What kind of name is that?" Kyojuro yelled out mid-attack, absolutely offended someone would insult her like that. "It's Hoshizora Inori!"
"Ah, is that so? I knew her name sounded too dumb to be hers." Akaza chuckled but didn't seem too bothered.
Destructive Kill: Disorder
Water Breathing: Eleventh Form: Dead Calm
"Hey, that's something I've never seen before." In a blink, Akaza appeared in front of Giyu. "None of the Water Pillars I've killed ever had that move!"
Hinokami Kagura: Raging Sun
"You're in the way, Kamado Tanjiro." Akaza appeared behind Tanjiro, his hand ready to lop the slayer's head off. But Kyojuro was quick to save him.
Flame Breathing: Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun
"But man, I was surprised, you know." Akaza licked the blood that came from his sliced arm. "Inori's just a tiny little girl, but she managed to hold off Kokushibo for so long without any help." He had heard the reports, and he remembered the adrenaline rush he had gotten. "It makes me want to kill her even more. Ah, but Muzan-sama ordered us to turn her into a demon, so it's even better."
Because as a demon, they could fight forever without any regard to time, age, and physical restrictions. "I don't normally hurt women, but I'll make an exception for her." After all, he still hasn't forgotten the unpleasant things she made him feel those months ago. "Because I really want to fight her for eternity."
Flame Breathing: First Form: Unknowing Fire
"You and I really do have different moral values!" Kyojuro glared at the demon who was holding his blade with his palm. "I won't let you insult her. Young Hoshizora is not someone who will become a demon out of her own will!"
Back then, I could only stay on the defense, because I was weak. Kyojuro poured all his emotions into his breaths. He could feel his lungs burning with all the oxygen he was taking in. Young Kamado, you said I was the winner, but you're wrong. If Young Hoshizora didn't come, I would've died. Those who win are those who survive. That's why I'll survive. This time, I'll win.
Flame Breathing: Fifth Form: Flame Tiger
"Ah, I see now." Akaza hopped back, flaunting his regenerating arm at the three slayers in front of him. "I heard about it, but I guess it's true that the mark gives you tremendous powers. I mean, don't you look gallant, Kyojuro?"
Kyojuro huffed out deep breaths. His pupil was dilated, and veins were popping all over his neck. A mark resembling that of a raging fire crawled horizontally from his left jaw toward the side of his nose, covering his blind left eye.
"Tonight is the night we will finally bring an end to demonkind!" The Flame Pillar declared. "None of us are dying until we defeat Kibutsuji Muzan! Prepare yourself, Upper Moon Three!"
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Where's Inori? Gyomei? Muichiro? Sanemi? Obanai? Mitsuri?" Kiriya asked, his hands not once stopping from painting the landscape of the Infinity Castle. "Are any of the pillars near Muzan yet?"
Kiriya, Kanata, and Kuina, the three remaining Ubuyashiki children who did not join their sisters and parents in becoming decoys, were currently hidden away. The young Ubuyashiki patriarch didn't have time to cry over his family's deaths. He needed to command the demon slayers to victory, and the same went for his sisters.
"Hoshizora-sama is close, she's most likely using her instincts to get to Muzan," Kanata answered. "However, Upper Moon Four is trying to stall her."
"At the rate they're going, Iguro-sama and Kanroji-sama will most likely bump into Upper Moon Four," Kuina said. She suddenly widened her eyes as the map changed. "Not good! None of them will reach Muzan!"
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Caw! Rengoku Kyojuro! Tomioka Giyu! Kamado Tanjiro! The three of them have defeated Upper Moon Three! They have passed out due to fatigue!" Kanamaru announced. "Tsuyuri Kanao! Hashibira Inosuke! The two of them are battling Upper Moon Two!"
"How many upper moons remain?"
"Caw! Three! Upper Moon Four! Upper Moon Two! Upper Moon One!" Kanamaru answered. "Inori! You have to focus on getting to Muzan! You are the closest!"
"Understood—" Inori yelped as the entire floor beneath her suddenly disappeared. She grabbed onto the floor in the last second but as she threw herself upwards, a wall crashed into her, causing her to fall back into the nonexistent floor.
Shit. Shit. Shit. There's no wall. No balcony. No doors. No windows. No footing. I'm falling. At this rate, I'll fall to my death. Inori spun mid-air, destroying the floor beneath her before she could crash against it. She landed with a crouch, widening her eyes at the sight before her.
"So, you have come, demon slayer."
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙
"Caw! Hoshizora Inori has encountered Upper Moon One! She's fighting Upper Moon One alone! Backup needed!" A crow cawed frantically.
"Caw! Tsuyuri Kanao! Hashibira Inosuke! Kocho Shinobu! The three of them have defeated Upper Moon Two!" Another crow cawed. "Iguro Obanai! Kanroji Mitsuri! The two of them have encountered Upper Moon Four!"
"Caw! Rengoku Kyojuro! Tomioka Giyu! Kamado Tanjiro!" A third crow came zooming past them. "The three of them are making their way towards Muzan!"
"Then, we should help Hoshizora. Where is she?" Gyomei asked. Three upper moons have fallen. We just need to kill the remaining two upper moons and Muzan.
Muichiro didn't get the chance to ask as the wall suddenly elongated at a blinding speed. The young pillar was pushed away by the wall. "Don't mind me, Himejima-san!" He shouted, grunting as the wall seemed to be pushing harder. "Please! Just keep on moving!"
Before the wall could smash him against another wall, Muichiro used all his strength to roll to the side, falling into a breakable shoji door. He sliced the door open, coming face to face with an impassive-looking demon. Though Muichiro's eyes were locked on the two kanji characters engraved in the demon's eyes.
Upper Moon One?
·̩̩̥͙＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚☆.｡.☆.｡.:*☆ ˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊·̩̩̥͙