Shadows of the Moon

Chapter 1: A Cursed Encounter

Tanjiro Kamado, the determined Demon Slayer, found himself face to face with a formidable adversary—a tall black goopy demon, emanating an aura of dark malevolence. The air crackled with tension as their gazes locked, each prepared to unleash their deadly skills upon the other.

As Tanjiro lunged forward with his sword, ready to strike the final blow, the demon's odd, gloopy form began to emit an eerie chant in a language unknown to him. The words echoed through the night, casting a chilling spell over the battleground.

Distracted by the unfamiliar incantation, Tanjiro's focus wavered for just a moment, causing his blade to miss its mark. The demon, seizing the opportunity, grinned wickedly, but before it could retaliate, Giyuu Tomioka, the stoic and skilled Water Hashira, swiftly intervened, severing the demon's head with a single swift stroke of his blade.

With the immediate threat neutralized, Giyuu turned his attention to Tanjiro, concern etched across his face. "Are you alright, Tanjiro?" he asked, his voice filled with a mixture of worry and relief.

Tanjiro took a deep breath, his chest heaving as he nodded. "Yes, I'm fine, Giyuu. Thank you for stepping in. That demon's chanting caught me off guard."

Giyuu's gaze hardened, his eyes filled with a mix of understanding and annoyance. "You fought well, Tanjiro. But remember, in the heat of battle, even the smallest distraction can have dire consequences. Stay focused, and never underestimate your opponent."

Tanjiro nodded, absorbing Giyuu's words as if they were sacred texts of wisdom. He knew he had to sharpen his concentration and train his mind to resist being swayed by the enemy's tricks.

Tanjiro and Giyuu stood amidst the aftermath, the air heavy with tension and uncertainty. Their breathing labored, they exchanged a glance. Suddenly a voice, dripping with malevolence, pierced the silence.

"Ha, you fools," the voice sneered, sending shivers down the spines of the slayers. "I have put a curse on the demon slayer with a green checkered pattern on his kimono. If-"

Before the demon could finish his vile proclamation, Giyuu, acting swiftly and decisively, brought his foot down upon the demon's head, ending its existence with a swift and final blow. The lifeless body crumbled to the ground.

With the immediate threat vanquished, Tanjiro and Giyuu shared a moment of respite. They walked in silence, their minds still reeling from the encounter. Yet, strangely enough, they didn't spare a second thought to the demon's words. Perhaps it was the adrenaline coursing through their veins or the weight of their responsibilities as Demon Slayers that compelled them to push aside the unsettling information. And headed back to the butterfly mansion.