False Prophet

Chapter 22

This woman and her child had caused him such terrible headaches. The child was crying his head off. Perhaps he knows he will become flesh for him to consume.

"DADA!!" He doesn't even need to look back to know that Douma was being held back by Zohakuten. One step, the mother was stepping back more. Her lip was trembling, clutching onto her child who would soon die at his hands.

She dares to open her mouth and speak.

"Aniki." Oh? Does this young mother have a slayer brother? Calling for help from another family member. Another to add to his blood.

Zohakuten's presence on the battlefield is nothing compared to what comes for him.

He dodges as a slash comes from all directions before Kokushibo lands in front of the child and mother. His appearance was like a human compared to the demon he had been for the last four hundred years.

How pathetic it was that his longest-lasting Kizuki would fall for the words of the traitorous Douma.

He only needs to turn, his blood flaring at how much Kokushibo, the former samurai, looks like his blasted brother, Yoriichi. Especially with the trivial earrings he now dons.

Why is that?

Each one of his former Kizuki seems off. They all have a golden piece. Gyutaro and Daki have headbands, Akaza a beaded necklace with a spade, Kokushibo dons those cursed earrings and his neck has a tattoo of a dragon, and finally, the traitor himself crowns himself with a golden ring. Why they went with that instead of mocking him with attire with blue lilly designs? Perhaps it was in reference to something in Douma's past, his fans perhaps.

Either way, he needs to destroy the true corrupters. Douma could have been redeemed instead of simply murder for his power was great at its peak.

But now, it wasn't at its peak anymore, now was it?

All of them were acting human, perhaps starved at this point.

Weak.

Kokushibo doesn't move from his guard, watching as Muzan stills, observing the samurai and how feeble he had grown in a short amount of time.

"Pathetic you are Kokushibo. What words did Douma spout for you to fall? Where is your loyalty, your honor?" The grip of his favored demon didn't tighten, his eyes unwavering as he only focused on his opponent.

Those eyes darken to what they once were, his rank vanishing as he breathes in.

"A path to making amends."

As he lifts his blade, his tattoo glows and his blood halts as Kokushibo's sword turns red.

It can't be, slayers can only master one form of breathing. There's no way he-

Those dark eyes look into his soul.

"I am Michikatsu and I serve you no longer, Muzan Kibutsuji."

It was only then does Kokushibo dared to lung at him, leaving the child and mother alone.

"Sun Breathing: Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance!"

—
Kyojuro had to deal with the giant demon again when he heard the boom of an impact. The heat he felt was more than he could have ever produced.

—
Hakuji had finally ripped Sekido's staff from his hands and was now going to attack Zohakuten once more when the power of one strike rocked the battlefield.

—
Sanemi and Tengen duck behind trees as the force of a strike comes their way, heat like a forge blasting them.

Sanemi laughs, being the first to launch himself as they finally make it.

No fear he shows, even when he knows that it must be Muzan that was worth that level of power.

—
How kind Kokushibo-dono was to slash the wooden dragon that had him.

Douma falls, his knees weak only for a moment before he sprints to Kotoha and Inosuke. He would get them to safety, away from the battle so they could unleash all their power on Muzan. Ending him once and for all.

Funny how his claws have made a reappearance after what seems like only a few days.

"Kotoha!" Douma makes it to her side, looking her and Inosuke over, the child whimpering as the battle briefly goes deathly quiet.

—
He overdid it.

His lungs were burning and his heart was on the edge of bursting as his blood ran hotter than ever before.

Yoriichi had warned him of this. He should have stuck with his own breathing style but only Sun breathing has proven to scar Muzan.

His demonic eyes come forth, his healing ability spiking momentarily as he searches for the enemy that had alluded him.

However, he does slash off the head of Karaku before he can come for him.

—
Gyutaro and Daki finish off the strays when the Hashira arrive, making a beeline to the threat of Zohakuten who was facing Hakuji.

Drums are the echoing sound across the field as Douma helps Kotoha up when he can hear the sound of laughter from Gyokko once more.

He doesn't think, only shielding Kotoha and Inosuke from the needles that are aimed at them. Embedding deep into his back, he went numb faster than he expected.

Then he was grabbed, tendrils wrapping around his throat and wrenching him away from his family.

"DOUMA!!"

He's choking as he is brought to a familiar face. White hair was replacing the black and skin was singed was healing as he was roughly brought forward.

Crimson eyes narrowed on him before his frown became more prominent.

"How pitiful you have become. Falling head over heel for a human." Douma watches as Kotoha is saved from Gyokko from a newly arrived Tengen before Kanae and Shinobu help her up.

"Perhaps a reminder of why my blood chooses you to live will make you see reason."

Douma coughs up crimson, blood pooling down his chin in thick streams as Muzan punches through, claws piercing his heart and his poison enters his veins anew.

His crown feels tight as pain rushes through him like a flood, venom making his very soul shake.

No, he can't control it.

—
Buddha sighs, and with him, the other mentors and companions watch the battle.

"Douma...your final test is ahead of you. The final test is how will you handle your suffering."

—
Muzan finally cracks a smile, watching as the crown is pinned down so hard that blood is dripping from where the skin breaks. The blood drips down Douma's face.

Newly lengthened fangs make an appearance as a tongue race to catch the precious liquid.

Muzan pulls his hand back, letting Douma. He watches as the demon drunkenly smiles up at him.

"Muzan-sama...I'm so hungry."

It only takes one point of a claw for Douma to spot his prey.

Muzan then commands him.

"Go and feast."