Demon Slayer

Chapter 3 The Final Test

(After 2 years of harsh training)

Yami opened the door to the cabin and walked outside. He wore a black samurai warrior robe with the word strength in kanji imprinted on the back of it in white, he had black pants, and had a more muscular figure, standing at 5' 8, short raven black hair. Kosuke stood multiple feet in front of Yami, he had a serious expression looking at him. Yami looked back saying "Morning sir, what do you have in store for me today?" Kosuke spoke calmly, not taking his eyes away from Yami's. "This is your final test!" "final test?" Yami questioned. "This test is simple. follow me, it's close by'' Yami followed Kosuke until they eventually made it to the black box. Kosuke stared at the box for multiple seconds before saying "see that box?" "Yeah" "break it'' Kosuke said as Yami stood behind him with a blank smile. "aw, break it, yeah, no problem...WAIT WHAAAT!!??" Yami screamed. "Break the box." Kosuke repeated blankly. "That's impossible. it's 100 ft tall!" Yami said out loud in confusion. Kosuke walked towards Yami saying "if you can't pass the test i won't allow you to take part in final selection which is 3 weeks from now and it would take the average person a week to get there from here on foot, good luck" "wait sir please, wait." Yami pleaded only for Kosuke to walk past him. Yami turned around but to his surprise Kosuke was now gone. "Damn! okay, it starts in 3 weeks, if it takes me a week to get there then if im a day over 2 weeks i won't make it, well, i should get at it then" Yami looked at the massive box and said "alright, let's go" He lifted his sword over his head as veins formed on his arms, black smoke released form the sides of his mouth as he slashed down while shouting "darkness breathing 1st form JET BLACK SLASH" a giant wave of dark energy formed on his sword as he slashed the box. Yami looked up slowly only to be left in shock, shouting "How?...HOW IS IT NOT EVEN SCRATCHED!!?" Kosuke was sitting in his cabin while Mara slept in the other room. "I'm sorry Yami, but too many young people like you die in that place so I can't have you going."

(Four days later)

Yami was on his knees looking up at the large box breathing heavily as he spoke exhausted "Still no scratch." With hopeless eyes he gripped his sword tightly raising it above his head, slamming it down on the box. Sparks flew off from the box has his sword scrapped down straight to the bottom. Yami suddenly collapsed. He looked up at the large object, slamming his fist down on the ground in frustration "Damn it! this box won't break no matter how many times i hit it," Yami was struggling to push himself up, sweat dripped from his face as he gritted his teeth. "Okay, okay, get yourself together, you can do this Yami" He forced himself back to his feet and gripped his sword once again. He took multiple breaths before lunging forward with a fierce cry. Striking the box head on.

(1 week and three days later)

Yami was lying on his back completely exhausted. his hands felt like they were on fire. With lifeless eyes he said "today...if i don't break through it today..I- i won't make it to final selection" Yami dug his sword into the ground, using it to pull himself to his feet. With all his might he stepped forward slashing once again. but nothing happened. With no energy left he fell to his knees, dropping his sword saying 'That's it...i...failed '' a feeling of Hopelessness began to sink into Yami as all He could do was cry as he put his right hand over his face in disappointment. "I'm sorry...everyone. I wasn't strong enough, i'm so sorry Mara." Suddenly Yami heard a voice "Why are you crying?" it said, in a calm and gentle tone. Yami opened his eyes and was left surprised when he found himself back in his house. He looked at his hands as he said "What's going on?" when suddenly he heard the voice again "Yami, won't you come here a moment?" "I know this voice. Its." Yami followed the voice through the house until he got to a door. He hesitated and took a deep breath before opening it. To his surprise a man was sitting on the deck looking off into the distant forest. Snow fell softly onto the ground as the sun beamed down on the area, lighting up everything. Yami took a seat next to the man and looked at the forest. Seconds went by before the man suddenly spoke "Beautiful, isn't it?" "Yeah" Yami replied. The man had long dark brown hair and was wearing a red samurai robe, the side of his face was blocked by his hair to where Yami couldn't see it. "This is my father, '' Yami thought to himself, looking at him. "Why am i here?" Yami asked. "Who knows, but while you are here wanna tell me why you were crying?" Yami looked down clenching his hands into fists as he said "I wasn't able to protect you guys and Now i'm failing to protect Mara too." Tears flowed down his face and his voice became shaky as he continued. "I'm just so sorry dad, I should've been there. Please forgive me" His tears fell from his face onto the ground when The man spoke in a saddened tone "No!, it is me who should be asking for your forgiveness." The man turned to face Yami as his hair brushed to the left, revealing his sincere brown eyes and tears that ran down his face. "Yamis mouth opened slowly in surprise as the man spoke" I wasn't able to protect your mother or your sisters. I'm so glad you're safe, but now you must protect your friend. She has no body but you now." Yami stood up. "I don't blame you dad, I never have. I promise i'll get the bastard who did this, but until then i will do everything i can to protect Mara and keep yours, moms and my sister's memories alive." Yami turned his body to face him and stuck out his right hand. The man smiled standing up. They shook hands and Yami's body slowly began to break apart into small white particles. Yami looked at himself in surprise when The man said "Yami, it was great seeing you again. And promise me you won't ever give up on your friend." Yami nodded. As his eyes filled with determination. Seconds later he woke up still laying on his back next to the box, drenched in sweat. He grabbed his sword, raising it above his face saying "alright" without warning He forced himself up from the ground. Now back on his feet he looked at the box gritting his teeth before lunging at it once again. His sword collided with the box creating a loud vibration that shot itself through both of Yami's arms. He shook his head forcing himself to ignore the pain then slashed again and again shouting after each strike. "I won't give up!" He thought as his slashes became faster and more focused when suddenly a slight crack formed on the box making Yamis eyes light up upon seeing it. He stopped striking for a moment and the crack slowly went away. "That's it!" Yami cried out. "It's not that the box is tough, it's just regenerating, that means big strikes are basically pointless...so I'll just strike faster then it can recover!!." Yami rapidly slashed the box making cracks appear throughout it.''at this rate my arms might give in before the box does." Yami thought as sweat ran down his forearms. Yami gripped his sword tighter and gave it another strike but was left shocked when his sword broke on impact. "Shit the steel couldn't take it." He thought as the cracks slowly began regenerating. "BUT I'M NOT GIVING UP!!!" He shouted with all his might as he clenched his right hand into a fist punching the box with great force. He then forced his bruised fists forward again and again as more cracks appeared. Blood squirted from his arms as his blood soaked hands thrusted forward. Yami screamed as he pulled his right hand back then shot it forward shattering the box on impact. At that moment he became overcome with a feeling of relief as he fell to his knees as tears formed in his eyes and he shouted "YES, I DID IT!!" He ran back to Kosuke's cabin. Kosuke was writing something at his desk when the door suddenly slammed open. "I DID IT, THE BOX BROKE, IT BROKE, I BROKE THE BOX SIR!!!" "YOU DID WHAAAAT!!!" Kosuke shouted in shock. He turned his head to see Yami, he looked at his arms and hands covered in blood. "Yami, you're arms" He said in a worried tone getting up. "That doesn't matter sir, I gotta go to the final selection." Suddenly Yami's vision became blurry as he stumbled forward saying "sir, i gotta go to final selection, i just–got-ta" He suddenly fell forward. Kosuke quickly caught him, quickly laying him on his back. "You're going to need to stay here for a while so I can take care of your arms, don't worry I'll make sure you get there on time. Mara can stay with me while you're gone "thanks sir" He said with a weak voice, closing his eyes.

(1 day later)

Yami woke up in his bed and had bandages wrapped around his arms. After looking at them he forced himself out of bed and opened the door. Kosuke was writing at his desk like usual. He turned but was surprised to see him. "Oh, you're awake." Kosuke said. "Yeah, I feel great." Yami replied, walking over to him. "Ok, let me see how your arms are holding up." Kosuke carefully unwrapped his arms but was left in complete and utter shock upon seeing them. They were completely healed, not even a scar was left behind. "What? His arms should've taken multiple days to heal but they look as good as new" 'Is something wrong?" Yami asked, confusedly rubbing his head. Kosuke smiled, "No, I guess not. As I said, I will keep an eye on Mara for you while you go and complete the final selection process, here's the map." Kosuke reached for the map on his desk, giving it to Yami. "Thank you sir." Yami said as he walked towards the door. "And Yami!" Kosuke said out loud, getting his attention. "Be careful" He added with a sincere voice that made Yami look at him in surprise. "Yes sir," Yami nodded. He turned around and walked out of the cabin waving as he went.

Message to readers

I will be trying to post a new chapter every Thursday but since this one was a little bit shorter I posted it today. As for the coming Thursday i may post chapter four if i can but if i don't it will be posted next Thursday.

Hope you are enjoying the story so far and thanks for reading.