Life of a Demon Slayer

Chapter 3: apprentice? - part 1

‼️TRIGGER WARNING: this chapter contains depictions of gore, blood, death, PTSD, and anxiety. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED‼️

Xis head was pounding and xis ears rung painfully—a high pitched sound that ground in xis skull. Xis legs were numb—it was hard to breathe—the grass underneath xim was slick and sticky.

Someone somewhere was calling xis name.

As xis eyes refocused on the shadowed figure ahead, xe saw xis mother pinned in the grass by a dark mass of claws and teeth. The smell of iron wafted from them.

The creature continued to rip and tear as the woman's muffled screams echoed through the trees.

Mom! Mark tried to call out to her, but all that poured from xis lips was a heap crimson liquid that tore at xis throat.

Xis entire body screamed out in pain as xe tried to get up—it felt like xe could pass out any second, but still, xe had to do something.

"Please! Please—I beg you—Please!"

Xis mother's hoarse cries brought xim tears as xe realized she wasn't begging for her life, but xis.

All of a sudden, Mark was swept up from the ground and hoisted over a tall shoulder. The motion nearly caused xim to vomit.

"No! Wait! We can't leave her!" Mark cried out, spitting blood as xe begged.

Xe clawed at Shizus back, fighting against the spirits iron grip despite the pain it caused xim.

"It's too late for her now," Shizus voice pinched in his throat." We have to go."

"No! Mom! Mom please—Mom!"

Mark continued to kick and scream, trying desperately to escape with what little strength xe had left.

As the horrid creature continued its feast, Saria managed to smile through the pain.

"Live for me, Markus," she spoke through a bloodied smile," take care of xim, Hasegawa. This is my final—"

"No!"

Mark's scream caught in xis throat as xis eyes snapped open to the sight of xis bedroom ceiling.

Letting out a shaky breath, xe pushed blue hair from xis face. Xis hands were still trembling and xis throat felt as though xe'd really been screaming.

That damn dream again. . .

Mark let out a sigh and rubbed xis eyes. A dull headache throbbed behind them.

What the?

Xe was quickly distracted by the smell of bacon in the air.

Who's cook. . .

It took xim a minute to remember xis guest.

With a pained groan, xe rolled out of bed onto the floor. As xe did so, xe found that the piles of clothes that had been consuming xis floor had been cleaned.

Upon opening xis closet, Mark found that it had also been cleaned.

When did this happen? Xe wondered as xe retrieved a pair of pants and a blue hoodie.

Xe took xis spoils to the bathroom to get ready before heading downstairs.

When xe got to the bottom of the stairs xe spotted Lily standing in the kitchen with Shizu.

Lily had her multicolored hair in a messy bun and was humming over a pan that smelled of eggs, cheese, and spices. Shizu was buttering a piece of bread next to her.

As Mark walked over, Shizu looked up.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Shizu flashed his signature crooked grin.

Lily quickly looked up at Mark—a guilty expression on her face. It seemed she hadn't noticed xim at all.

"Good morning." She gestured vaguely to the pan in front of her," could you grab some plates?"

"You didn't have to cook you know," Mark said, pulling plates from the cabinet.

"I wanted to pay you back for last night," Lily grinned and poured the finished omelets onto the plates Mark handed her.

"Besides, the eggs were going bad," Shizu added, stooping down to procure a drink from the fridge.

"Fine I guess," Mark sighed as they sat down.

"Speaking of—"Shizu glanced at the clock on the oven—"you two should eat fast or you'll be late for school."

"Crap, he's right!" Lily checked her own watch.

The two of them quickly devoured their breakfast and scrambled to pull on their coats and shoes.

"Oh, Mark! One more thing!" Shizu called out as Mark reached for the door.

"What?"

Shizu leaned down to whisper in xis ear.

"Keep an eye on her today; she's a good match for you."

Mark pushed away.

"Whatever, man." Xe grumbled. Grabbing xis keys, xe pointed at Shizu," just stay here until I get back!"

"Yeah, yeah," Shizu waved xim off," you're gonna be late if you don't hurry."

"Whatever!" Mark slammed the door shut behind xim.

"What was that about?" Lily cocked her head, confused.

"Nothing. Let's go."