The Oni | Kimetsu No Yaiba

Prologue

"The Oni" is what they call her. A tall form who towers over a normal man; long, rugged crimson hair that flows to her knees, and a lean body ridden with scars that tells stories. She wears a red oni mask that she never takes off, though it is not the reason why she has earned the name "The Oni". It is the way she slaughters demons as if she is one.

Witnesses recounted how she is drenched in blood after she slaughters all demons. She stands amongst piles of corpses of demons, standing high upon them under the blood-drenched moon.

She, whom no one knows her name; The Oni.

鬼

The Oni moved through the dense woods, her senses heightened and her guard up. She could feel the presence of a demon nearby, its foul stench and aura pervading the air around her. The moon was full and bright, casting eerie shadows across the forest floor as she pressed on, searching for her foe.

Suddenly, she heard rustling in the bushes ahead. The Oni crouched low, her hand instinctively reaching for her blade as she waited for the demon to reveal itself. It burst from the undergrowth with a howl, its eyes glowing with a fierce hunger as it lunged towards her.

The Oni met the demon head-on, her sword flashing in the moonlight as she parried its blows with deadly precision. They circled each other, their movements a blur as they clashed in a fierce dance of blades and claws. The demon was fast, but The Oni was faster, her training and experience giving her the edge she needed to stay one step ahead of her foe.

Despite her skill, the demon was relentless, its ferocity matched only by its hunger for flesh. It slashed and clawed at The Oni, forcing her back with each strike. She knew she had to end this quickly, before the demon overpowered her.

With a fierce cry, The Oni lunged forward, her sword singing through the air as she struck true. The demon fell back, its body rent in two and its head decapitated as The Oni stood over it, panting and covered in blood. She looked up at the moon, its light illuminating her blood-red mask.

The Oni took a deep breath, feeling the rush of adrenaline and the satisfaction of victory. She knew there would be more demons to fight, more battles to be won, but for now, she would rest. She turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving the remains of the demon behind her as a warning to others who would dare cross her path.

The Oni continued on her journey, her steps weary as she made her way back towards the house with the wisteria crest on the gate. She knew she would find shelter and rest there, as she had before, and the thought gave her some small measure of comfort.

As she approached the gate, The Oni could see the silhouette of an elderly woman standing on the porch, watching her approach. The woman's eyes were sharp, and The Oni could feel her gaze scrutinising her as she drew nearer. When she finally reached the gate, The Oni bowed respectfully, greeting the woman with a polite "good evening". The woman nodded in acknowledgment, her expression inscrutable as she stepped aside to allow The Oni entry.

Inside the house, The Oni found everything as she remembered it - the polished wooden floors, the shoji screens, and the subtle scent of incense. She made her way to the guest room, grateful for the opportunity to rest and recover from her battle.

The elderly woman appeared shortly afterward, bringing a tray of food and drink for The Oni. She set it down on the low table before The Oni, and the two of them sat in silence for a time, The Oni savouring the warmth of the tea and the simple, nourishing meal.

After a while, the woman spoke, her voice gentle but firm. "You are a skilled warrior, young one," she said. "But you carry a heavy burden, and the path you walk is not an easy one."

The Oni looked up, meeting the woman's gaze with a steady stare. "I know that," she replied. "But I have no choice. I must fight these demons, for the sake of those who cannot defend themselves."

The woman nodded, her expression softening. "I understand," she said. "But even a warrior needs rest and healing. Take the time you need here, and know that you are welcome."

The Oni bowed her head slightly as a show of gratitude. She sipped the tea once again to fill in the comfortable silence that washed over the room.