"A demon?!" Takeshi sprang out in fear. "How has a demon entered through here!? How How How!" Takeshi 'thought'.
"Easy, I came through the gates, Of course, I can shape shift."
"Who are you, you, what are you?" This demon was no ordinary demon. It looked like a human but with demon features: demonic eyes, long claws, spiky teeth, and veiny arms where you could see its blood circulation.
"I am… a hahaha…." It started to speak again, its voice dark and deep, as if it were a horror movie. How did no security notice! This menace is something else,Takeshi thought, his heart racing faster than ever. He was now drenched in sweat. It looked like he had taken a bath in his clothes, that's how bad it was.
The wind stopped. It was scared of him as well.
The air was still, no, everything was still.
No noise. Nothing moved or spoke. It was like a time fracture but only for Takeshi
and the demon.
"I am… The creator of all demons, Akumu Nikushimi. I made the demon kingdom. And it is my duty to make more and finally kill humanity in mankind. I will destroy all you demon slayers and massacre you all. I will make sure you don't become a demon slayer."
'Well, whatever you are I will not let you live to do that." Takeshi lashed out. He screams and lunges towards Akumu. As the distance between them closes, before Takeshi could even strike Akumu swats him away like a fly. Takeshi's body rolls and hits off the ground many times leaving him with no energy. Breathe Breathe! Get up! I will die if I don't get up! This is the demon king. If I kill him then all this will be over. The words staple themselves into Takeshi's mind giving him the motivation to get up.
Takeshi slowly rises up from the ground. From a distance, he could see Satan standing there smiling.
"Black Pulse Heaven." The Satan demon king said as he raised one hand. Takeshi couldn't move, a time fracture had occurred for him too. A blood-like flame came towards Takeshi, It was faster than ever. Am I going to turn into a demon? Move Takeshi Move! His thoughts were screaming at him, but no matter how hard he tried Takeshi was stuck. The Blood flame wrapped itself around Takeshi. Tightening with each breath. Takeshi blinked and when he opened his eyes, there standing right in front of him was Akumu, with his finger out ready to turn Takeshi into a demon. Until… Takeshi managed to break free, Using his breathing he slipped out of the grasp of the blood flame. That taste was mortifying.
"That boy.. just escaped my deadliest power. All the people I've done that on submitted to me. He.- He just slipped free. What is this boy" Akumu stunned said to himself.
Takeshi ran far back but close. I cannot use second or first form styles I must use more. What were the other ones Arakaki said? AH, I remember!
Takeshi had no time to remember back, he either makes up one on the spot or follows his
guts.
"Tide Serpent Style, Fifth Form, Drowning Spiral bloom!" Takeshi shouted as he ran towards Akumu again. The water snake appeared again, this time much more bigger
and deadlier. "His taste is getting stronger!" Takeshi shouts. But as soon as he closes the distance…
"Emperor's Breath, Red shift." Akumu mutters quietly. Suddenly Takeshi's movements slowed
drastically, especially the water snake's. "No what has he done. I'm definitely not surviving this one!" Takeshi tried to continue to move. He felt his body go numb, very numb. So numb Takeshi closed his eyes Then when he opened them again he found himself on the floor. Pain ran through his body way too fast it was unnatural. One moment Akumu was far next he was right up in his business. Akumu swung his leg back then hitting Takeshi with very abnormal force. Takeshi felt every bone break. Every organ squish, and he felt his heart beat trying to hold onto Takeshi's life. He hit a wall with unimaginable force and hit his head causing it to split open. Luckily through this Takeshi used his breathing, focused it on every wound, and slowed the blood circulation. I cannot turn into a demon, I don't want to betray my own humanity. I must stay alive no matter the cost.
The words in his mind were very faint. But it still was enough for Takeshi not to give up. He looked up with his blurry vision. He noticed a silhouette, it had red eyes and was levitating over him.
"There's no point for this boy to be a demon. He would probably betray me. I should just end him once and for all." Akumu grabbed his face and crushed it into the ground.
He then got to a level and came down fast, like dropping a penny from a rooftop. The force and pain were unbearable. Takeshi could feel every bleeding organ and
vein. Not even his breathing was working anymore.
"Ahaha finally to finish this pathetic excuse of a demon slayer. The Pulse grasp."
Akumu laughs loudly, It was so sharp, it burst Takeshi's eardrums, leaving them bleeding. "Oh people please forgive my cowardice nature." Takeshi finally muttered, tears streaming down his face. The pain started. Something, or someone wrapped around his heart, squishing it slowly, making it a slow death. Takeshi couldn't scream. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't see. He was in so much pain he couldn't think.
But… the glowing light shone over the mountains. Filling up the dark world with light. The warmth hit Takeshi's skin.
Akumu panicked, he dropped everything he was doing and dashed for the gates. Takeshi felt relief in his heart, but it didn't last long before the pain of his body kicked in.
"I will kill you next time Hasegawa!" Akumu ran faster and faster before
disappearing through the gates.
I don't remember telling him my name. Takeshi thought. The
area filled with people, They all had the same reaction, shocked, puzzled, disgusted, and horrified. They all ran towards Takeshi and the Demon Slayer members grabbed Takeshi telling him to hold on. But Takeshi couldn't hold on any longer, soon his consciousness slipped from his grasp.
*
"Takeshi? Takeshi? Takeshiiiii?" An unrecognisable voice was heard from Takeshi. The sound. It was a little girl's voice. Not Aoi, or Hana. A more softer voice.
Takeshi couldn't open his eyes. His body felt stiff, but it was no longer
hurting. His insides were hurting, as if they were blown up. "Takeshi, are you going to wake up today, I brought you flowers. And the former Astral, Mr Arakaki is here as well! He's here to see you, so please wake up." The voice was pleading. Takeshi wanted to reply, telling her he was awake but he couldn't find the
strength.
The door opened, making an awful sound as it slid open. "Oh. Takeshi." The voice was recognisable. The voice sounded like a man, and he was crying. Mr. Arakaki? "Takeshi. I'm so sorry. Please wake up my boy. I'm so sorry." Arakaki held Takeshi's hand tightly. Takeshi.. squished his hand.
Arakaki jumped up, sniffling. "Takeshi?" Takeshi opened his eyes slowly, he looked at Arakaki with plain, emotionless eyes. His voice then followed. "A-Arakaki, is that you?" Takeshi asked. His voice was shaky. "Takeshi! Y-Yes son, It's me."
Arakaki sobbed as he grabbed Takeshi's face. "You-you survived? I-I'm so proud of you." Arakaki smiled, this time genuinely, he wasn't his sharp and bold self. He felt warm and kind. Takeshi smiled, his eyes now filled with love and warmth.
"TAKESHI HASEGAWA YOU ARE AWAKE!!!" The same soft voice from earlier sprang out in joy.
"Shush Mizuki, You don't want to put him into another coma." Another voice scolded the girl. It was the Astral Hana Shimizu, scolding the girl he knew the name was Mizuki.
"Welcome back Takeshi Hasegawa," Hana said kindly with warmth in her voice. It was soft light clouds. Her hair was long and black. Her eyes were a lilac pink eyes glowing with her smile. Takeshi could see, clearly. Tears streamed down his face. He was alive. He looked into both of the Astral's eyes,
"I saw him and fought with him This is why I am in this state."
"Hmm?"
"Him?"
Hana and Arakaki look at him confused. "I do wonder who got you in this state, No ordinary demon can. So who's him?" Hana and Arakaki ask.
…
…
…
Their faces dropped faster than ever.
"You fought with him?" Their hearts are now in their
stomachs.