[ Ryo's POV ]
The fog clung to the mountain like a wet shroud, thick and suffocating. My Nichirin blade hummed in my grip, its light blue edge catching the faint moonlight. Beside me stood Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke—beat-up but unbowed. Tanjiro's leg was still bleeding, Zenitsu was trembling like always, and Inosuke clutched a jagged rock, growling under his boar mask. Ahead, two demons stepped out of the mist, their red eyes glowing like embers.
The lean demon stepped forward, his eyes shifting like liquid in the dim light. I caught the number "Three" etched in his left eye—Lower Moon Three. His voice was smooth, dripping with mockery. "You've survived my illusions, humans. I must admit, I'm impressed." He smirked, a glint of amusement flashing in his gaze. "I am Kagami, and I've been waiting to see how long you'd last."
The big one lumbered closer, his right eye marked with "Two"—Lower Moon Two. He let out a rough laugh, like stones grinding together. "Enough games, Kagami. Let's crush them already."
Kagami's smirk widened. "Patience, Gantetsu. Let them squirm a little longer."
So, Kagami and Gantetsu. Two Lower Moons. This will be fun.
I forced a grin, gripping my sword tighter. "Nice to meet you, Kagami, Gantetsu. Too bad we'll have to cut this short."
Kagami's eyes narrowed, his smirk fading. "Bold words, boy."
Gantetsu snorted. "Keep talking. Makes smashing you more fun."
Then Inosuke piped up, jabbing a finger at the big demon. "Hey, boulder-face! What's your rank?"
Gantetsu blinked, thrown off. "Can't you see it in my eye?"
Inosuke tilted his head, boar mask askew. "I can't read."
There was a beat of silence, then Zenitsu let out a nervous laugh. "He's serious. He really can't."
Gantetsu growled, clearly annoyed. "I'm Lower Moon Two, you idiot."
Inosuke puffed out his chest. "Good! Now I know who to crush first!"
Kagami's eyes locked on me, narrowing. "You," he hissed. "You broke my illusions, ruined my clones. You're mine." He vanished into the fog, and suddenly, figures shimmered into existence—clones. Not us this time, but a mix of samurai with sharp katanas, Demon Slayers with scarred faces, even tough-looking villagers with clubs. An army of the dead.
Kagami's voice cut through the haze. "A drop of blood is all I need. I've been collecting from the strong for years." It clicked—he must've nicked us earlier, maybe in the fog's chaos or with a tiny cut I didn't feel. Sneaky bastard.
They charged. I dodged with Shadow Breathing: Second Form – Ghost Step, my body blurring through the mist. A samurai's blade grazed my arm—sharp pain, but I ignored it. I spun, First Form – Veiled Fang, and my sword sliced clean through him. He crumbled to ash.
More came, a relentless tide. I weaved through them, Third Form – Eclipse Fang slashing wide to push them back, Fifth Form – Obsidian Rain raining strikes on a cluster of clones. Each move was precise—I couldn't waste energy. The others might need me.
Kagami's voice slithered into my head again. "Look, Ryo—your family." Illusions flared: my mother's gentle face, Hina's laugh, my father's steady gaze. All bleeding, all dying. My chest burned, but I gritted my teeth. Not real. Still hurt, though. I shook it off, searching for Kagami. He was slippery, always moving, hiding behind his clones. Coward.
I caught a glimpse—one figure moved slower, less fluid. That's him. I lunged, but he shifted, and suddenly my father stood there, staring at me with those calm eyes. "Ryo," he said, voice soft. My blade froze for half a heartbeat—then I slashed. It's not him. The illusion shattered, and Kagami stumbled back, shocked.
"You didn't even flinch!" he spat, laughing. "Striking your own father without a second thought!"
Rage boiled up, hot and fierce. Cheap trick. I didn't answer—just charged. Kagami panicked, throwing every clone he had at me. A wall of blades and fists. I didn't care. I was done playing.
I breathed deep, murmuring, "Shadow Breathing: Seventh Form – Lunar Eclipse Dance." My body moved like water, smooth and unstoppable. My blade sang, cutting through necks one after another—fast, clean, perfect. The clones fell like wheat under a scythe.
Kagami's eyes widened, fear twisting his smug face. He turned to run. Too late. I was on him, my sword slicing through his neck in one buttery motion.
He was gone. Lower Moon Three, dust in the wind.
I hit the ground hard, gasping. My arms shook, my lungs burned. Lunar Eclipse Dance was a monster of a move—powerful, but it drained me dry. No time to rest, though. The others were still fighting Gantetsu. I hauled myself up, legs wobbly, and ran toward the sounds of battle.
To Be Continued…