GHOST RIDER X DEMON SLAYER: Book 1: Imps and Prayers

2-3: The Spirit of Vengence

Ritsuki had found his lighter and used it on the gas lamp, illuminating the dark poultry houses once more. Turning to the archway on the other end of the small farm, he spotted a silhouette.

"You..." the boy couldn't help but scowl as he marched up.

"Oh, is that hatred I sense inside of you?" the old man dryly chuckled.

"What you did to father..." Ritsuki began, he had grown enough in height to level his eyes with the old man.

"I cured his legs," he shook his head, punctuating his words with clicks from his paper fan, "Your people did the rest."

"You-!" the boy stopped himself from punching the old man's teeth in, "What are you doing here?"

"We had a contract," he reminded, Ritsuki closed his eyes as he exhaled.

"The contract's off, you didn't fulfil your end." the boy turned to walk away.

The old man pulled out the boy's contract and opening the scroll he chuckled.

"This deal shall be stamped in red from your soul's ink," he reminded and the boy turned around, "Our contract still holds; I pulled your father out from being crippled, and everything that happened after was not part of it."

Ritsuki remained silent, biting back his emotions, he scanned for a weapon to use and found a shovel they used for the manure.

Rushing over to grab ahold of it, he took it from its nail hanger and immediately swung for the old man.

Hitting nothing but air the boy fell to the ground and grunted. As he made to push himself up, Ritsuki felt a hand rest on his upper back.

Searing to the touch, the boy tried to cry out in pain but his voice betrayed him.

"Momota Ritsuki. In time, you'll find out why I've given you this power," the old man came up behind his ear, "If it's vengeance you seek, you shall find plenty."

"But for now..." releasing the boy from his searing clutches, he disappeared into the night as soon as his hand was lifted.

"Hah...!" Ritsuki grunted on the ground, he heard Akai wailing, tugging on the straps attached to the walls of his stable.

"A-Akai, it's alright," he tried to reassure his friend, padding his back his skin felt fine despite the burning sensation.

Getting to his feet Ritsuki's breaths became wild. Still, he heard the Akai thrash about,

"Hah- I am angry too, Akai. But now we must remain calm-!" his voice hitched as he coughed out a cloud of black smoke.

"Gah-!" Ritsuki grunts as he fell to his knees.

Everything got quiet for him, and he started to feel light-headed when his tongue turned dry.

Soon, black smoke began to below from his nostrils and ears and his hair began to catch fire.

"Gaahhh! Aaaahhh-!" the boy screamed in agony to the ceiling, fire erupted from his mouth and his eyes sunk into his head, leaving them hollow.

Akai began to freak as well, finally tugging free of his strap he broke off his wooden brace and was immediately beside the wailing Ritsuki.

He continued to scream as his flesh burned away; first his head, then his body, then his arms and legs.

His clothes somehow remained, except the wooden hanya mask he dangled on his belt which seemed to fizzle away.

It was clear where the dramatic wooden depiction of the vengeful spirit had gone when the young man's screaming ceased.

Two ivory horns protruded from his forehead, and the skin on his face was flayed away to reveal his skull which basked in a gleaming fire.