Shadows of the Moon

Chapter 16: Decent into Hunger

The night draped the woods in a shroud of darkness as Tanjiro trudged wearily along the path toward a nearby town. Exhaustion gnawed at his bones, and hunger clawed at his stomach like a ravenous beast. Thoughts of warmth and sustenance danced in his mind, urging him to find solace in a meal that would quell the ache within.

With a weary sigh, Tanjiro glanced around the dense woods that surrounded him. The trees stood tall and imposing, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers in the moonlight. Shadows danced and flickered, casting an eerie ambiance that heightened his senses. He clutched his sword tightly, prepared to strike at any unsuspecting prey that dared to cross his path.

Silent footsteps carried him deeper into the woods, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of movement. The air was thick with anticipation, each rustle and whisper amplified in the quietude of the night. His senses honed, his mind focused solely on the task at hand—finding sustenance to nourish his weary body.

And then, he saw it—a small, delicate rabbit, its fur a mottled mixture of browns and grays. Its eyes gleamed with an innocent curiosity, unaware of the fate that awaited it. In an instant, Tanjiro adjusted himself, muscles coiled like a spring ready to be released. With a surge of speed and precision, he lunged forward, his sword slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

The rabbit's life ended swiftly, a clean blow that severed its mortal coil. Tanjiro gingerly picked up the lifeless creature, its warmth seeping into his calloused palms. His eyes traced the rabbit's delicate features, a mix of admiration and remorse intertwining within him. In another time, he might have marveled at the creature's beauty, but hunger dulled such sentiments.

Seeking respite from his fatigue, Tanjiro set about making a fire. He gathered twigs and leaves, arranging them carefully in a makeshift hearth. Sparks danced in the night as he struck flint against steel, coaxing flames to life. The crackling fire cast flickering shadows upon the forest floor, painting a mesmerizing tapestry of light and darkness.

As the fire roared, Tanjiro impaled the rabbit on a sturdy stick, skewering it over the flames. The scent of singeing fur and roasting meat wafted through the air, tantalizing his senses. But as the rabbit cooked, his hunger waned, replaced by a deep unease that settled within him.

When the meat was cooked to perfection, he stared at it for a long moment. What once seemed appetizing now appeared repulsive to his eyes. The very thought of consuming it made his stomach churn in protest. He took a tentative bite, only to spit it out in disgust. The taste was foreign and unappealing, as if his palate had been corrupted by the darkness that consumed him.

Frustration welled up inside him, a primal hunger that clawed at his insides. It was not food he craved, but something far more sinister. Blood. The hunger for it overwhelmed his senses, an insatiable thirst that threatened to consume him whole. With a heavy heart, Tanjiro extinguished the fire, abandoning his failed attempt at sustenance.

He rose to his feet, determination etched upon his weary face. Maybe, he thought, the hunger would pass once he reached a small village. Perhaps there he could find solace, a means to quell the darkness that haunted his every step.

As he continued his journey, a passerby caught his attention—a fleeting nod of acknowledgement exchanged between two weary travelers. But then, darkness descended upon Tanjiro's world. The edges of his vision blurred, his senses dulled. Next thing he knew, he was eating the traveler...