Midnight's Reign

Chapter 19

She's swift and agile as she evades his advances. She delivers monstrous blows, but he regenerates too fast. The wounds she inflicts disappear in seconds. She's been strategic in the way she attacks and retreats, leading him farther away from Kyojuro.

Akaza's intentions of reaching Kyojuro seem to be forgotten as the demon focuses all of his attention on the woman in front of him. He's smiling. He's having fun and that only angers her more. Sweat beads her forehead as she tries to keep up; she's never been pitted against a demon of this caliber. He's fast. Too fast.

She arcs her blade, tightening her grip as she targets his torso. Maybe if she cuts his main body in half, he'll regenerate a little slower. She almost succeeds, her sword only manages to pass halfway through before pain explodes into her side.

He sent a powerful punch into her side, breaking her ribs. She grits her teeth, the excruciating pain makes her eyes water. The taste of copper coats her tongue as she tastes blood. But she presses on. She continues her assaults, her sword slick with demon blood. She severs his leg, only to be rewarded with a swift punch to her gut. She severs both his arms, soon his neck, but he dodges and kicks her thigh, hard enough to fracture her femur. She cries out, almost buckling from the pain, but she still pushes on. It's not just her life on the line.

It's Kyojuro's. Tanjiro's. Inosuke's.

If she falls now, so will they.

Her jaw clenched tight, she pushes aside thoughts of her pain as she sends attack after attack, pouring her heart into each technique.

Shadow Breathing:

Third Form, Obsidian Trap.

Eighth Form, Ebony Razors.

Fourth Form, Rising Smoke Storm.

Akaza counters all of her breathing techniques with his Blood Demon Art. "I must say, I'm actually impressed that you made it this long." He says.

Her chest heaves as she struggles to breathe, her broken ribs punctured one of her lungs, slowly filling it with blood. Trickles of red escapes from her lips as she coughs up blood. She leans most of her weight on one leg, her fractured femur threatens to snap if she puts even the tiniest bit of weight on it.

Akaza looks at her with pity. "It's not too late. Become a demon and all of your pain will go away."

She stands straight, her body screaming in protest at the movement. Her fierce eyes harden.

"Never."

He frowns, disappointed with her answer. "Then I shall end your suffering." With blinding speed, he spins, kicking her square in the chest, sending her flying several feet away towards Kyojuro and Inosuke. She hits the ground hard, her head striking the earth with a sickening crack, her body tumbles like a rag doll in the dirt as she finally rolls to a stop. New pain radiates from her chest and head, white hot. Someone calls her name, but the voice is muffled. Loud ringing reverberates inside her head. She forces her eyes open and musters the energy to move. Her bones are glass and her muscles feel like they're riddled with sharp razors, but she manages to move to a kneeling position. Her palms kiss the ground as she stares at the dirt. More blood drips from her lips, splattering the ground as she watches the small crimson puddle grow in size beneath her.

"Asami, get up!" Inosuke pleads.

That's the first time she's heard him say her actual name. Funny. She lifts her head, her eyes land on Kyojuro and Inosuke. She notices Inosuke's body is shaking. Whether it was from fear or anger, she did not know. Her eyes lock with Kyojuro's, the look of fear and desperation emanating from his good eye breaks her heart. She only now notices his broken sword laying in the dirt in front of him.