Tsunami of Dead Tears: Part 2

Chapter 37

Giyuu and Muzan clashed against each other, Giyuu's sword grinding against Muzan's tentacle. They both immediately pulled back, poising for another engagement.

One of Muzan's tentacles sprung forward as Giyuu deflected it. The tentacle whipped back and forth, attempting to slash at Giyuu's face, constantly being parried back by his blade. Eventually, Muzan's tentacle pulled back, exhausted.

In both of their minds, they had already won. Giyuu believed himself to be stalling for time, his mission already over, while Muzan did not fight to win, for he did not care if he won or lost. He just did.

Taking a risk, Giyuu rushed forward, delivering a flurry of swings to Muzan's legs as his tentacles deflected each and every one of them. He then pushed at the ground with his arm, propelling his body forward. He impacted Muzan's chest with his shoulder, sending both of them falling down. As they fell, Giyuu twisted himself to face Muzan, bringing the blade to his neck.

They both grunted as their bodies met the grass. Giyuu quickly pressed his blade down on Muzan's throat, but not all the way through, indicating to the other man that he had the upper hand.

"Now you die." Giyuu growled.

Muzan grinned. "Got it the other way around, bucko."

Giyuu turned his head downwards, looking at his stomach. To his horror, he could see Muzan's tentacle, which had managed to stab it's talon end halfway up the side of his torso. Only then did he realize the ghastly pain, which suddenly spiked up his nervous system.

"A shame only one of us will die tonight." Muzan said as Giyuu sprung to his feet, clutching the wound. It was deep, and blood was steadily oozing out.

"You sure it won't be you, Muzan?" Giyuu mocked, trying to hide the terror in his expression. He was expecting to die, but that didn't make the wound any less painful.

"No." Muzan said. "I'm certain."

The demon king bolted into action. Giyuu tried to ignore the stinging pain as he brought his blade up to parry Muzan's claws, which came at him left and right. Muzan thrashed at him with a speed that he couldn't possibly keep up with.  He could feel the skin on his cheeks being ripped, his attempts at blocking the attacks becoming less and less effective. He raised his foot and kicked at Muzan's stomach, causing him to stumble back. It gave Giyuu time to breathe at least.

But even with those few seconds of safety, Giyuu's lungs couldn't relax. He constantly inhaled and exhaled, pumping sweet oxygen through his body, taking in the breaths that would probably be his last. It was almost like his body wanted to taste the last precious aspects of being alive before he would inevitably be stripped of it.

I'm going to die...  Giyuu thought.  Oh kami, I'm going to die...

Muzan swung a tentacle at Giyuu. He managed to block, but the sheer might of that strike was enough to knock him off his feet. He landed on the grass, taking in another deep, sweet-tasting breath.

But... that won't be so bad, right?  Giyuu thought.

He slowly stood back up, his knees barely lifting him upright. Warm blood was trickling down his pants, tempting his legs to give up and fall, but he wouldn't let himself.

If I'll die tonight...  Giyuu thought.  I'm gonna die with the taste of blood in my mouth.

Stubbornly, Giyuu charged at Muzan, roaring forward with his blade pointed forward at Muzan. Muzan easily evaded this attack, bringing his tentacle to Giyuu's chest and slicing it.

Giyuu fell back down on the ground, spitting grass out his mouth. The slice on his chest wasn't too deep, as his sternum took most of the pressure.