Rewriting Destiny [Demon Slayer x OC]

Ch 3 : The final Selection

[Rika's POV]

The day of the Final Selection had arrived, and my heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. Standing at the foot of Mount Fujikasane, I marveled at the sight of the wisteria trees, their purple blossoms shimmering under the sunlight. They were beautiful and haunting, casting long shadows that seemed to whisper tales of the past. The two Ubuyashiki girls, one with striking white hair and the other with flowing black locks, stood before us with an air of serene authority.

"You will enter this forest and survive for seven days," the white-haired girl said, her voice calm but firm. "The demons within are trapped by the wisteria, but they are still extremely dangerous. Be cautious and stay alive."

My eyes darted across the crowd of candidates, and my breath caught when I spotted him—Tanjiro Kamado. Seeing him here, in the flesh, was like stepping into one of my favorite anime scenes. I wanted to rush over and say something, but I knew better. I had my own trials to face and didn't want to risk appearing like an overenthusiastic fan.

As the test began, I entered the forest with the others, my mind buzzing with the thrill of being in a real-life scenario that felt straight out of an anime. The air was thick with tension, and the wisteria's scent was both enchanting and foreboding. I made sure to keep my distance from Tanjiro, aware that his exceptional sense of smell could detect me if I got too close.

The first few days were a whirlwind of action and adrenaline. Demons attacked relentlessly, and I found myself fighting with everything I had. Using the Sound Breathing techniques Tengen had drilled into me, I wielded my two long knives with a sense of purpose. Each demon I defeated was a step closer to proving myself. My body was pushed to its limits, and every cut and strike felt like a scene from an epic battle.

"First Form: Roar" i said slicing after heads of two demons

One night, I encountered a particularly menacing demon—the one that had killed Sabito. My heart ached at the thought of Sabito's tragic end, but I knew better than to interfere. I watched from a distance as Tanjiro confronted the demon with the kind of resolve that only comes from deep personal pain. It was a dramatic, heart-wrenching scene, and I felt a pang of sadness that I couldn't help more. I reminded myself that this was his story, and I had to stay true to my own path.

As the days dragged on, my endurance was tested like never before. The forest was a maze of peril, and every demon I faced brought its own set of challenges. I could feel my strength growing, but so was my exhaustion. Yet, the thought of becoming a Demon Slayer and living out this anime-inspired dream kept me going.

Finally, the seventh day arrived. Only five of us remained—Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Kanao, Genya, and myself. Inosuke was also among the survivors, though he was nowhere to be seen. The two Ubuyashiki girls greeted us back with calm, knowing smiles.

"You have survived," the black-haired girl said, her voice carrying a mix of pride and relief. "Congratulations."

They handed each of us a Kasugai crow, a messenger bird for the Demon Slayer Corps. Holding mine in my hands, I felt a wave of accomplishment and relief. It was a tangible symbol of my success, and my heart swelled with pride.

The moment was interrupted by Genya's outburst. He grabbed the white-haired girl by the hair, demanding his sword. Tanjiro stepped in, his calm demeanor cutting through the tension with a grace that was both impressive and inspiring. It was like watching a scene unfold from an anime, where a hero's compassion and courage made all the difference.

When it was time to choose our ores for the Nichirin blades, I hesitated but eventually selected a piece. I took a deep breath and approached the Ubuyashiki girls.

"Excuse me," I said, trying to mask my nervousness with a smile. "Is it possible to have two long knives instead of a katana?"

The girls exchanged a thoughtful look before nodding. "We will make the arrangements," the black-haired girl replied.

"Thank you so much!" I said, my voice brimming with gratitude.

Returning to Tengen's house, I was greeted with an outpouring of joy and excitement. Suma, Makio, and Hinatsuru rushed to me, their faces glowing with happiness.

"You did it!" Suma exclaimed, enveloping me in a tight hug.

"Congratulations, Rika!" Makio cheered, her eyes sparkling.

Hinatsuru smiled warmly. "We knew you had it in you."

Tengen approached with a proud grin, his eyes twinkling with approval. "I had no doubt you'd pass. You've trained hard, and you're my student. I knew you'd succeed."

"Thank you all so much," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. The support from my second family meant more to me than words could express.

That night, we celebrated with a feast, laughter echoing through the house. The joy of my acceptance into the Demon Slayer Corps was palpable, and I felt a deep sense of belonging. As I looked around at the faces of those who had become like family to me, I knew that this was where I was meant to be.

Lying in bed that night, I reflected on everything that had happened. Meeting Tanjiro and the others had been a dream come true, but it also solidified my resolve. I was ready to embrace the challenges ahead and make a difference. The world of Demon Slayers was real now, and my journey had only just begun.

Tomorrow was a new day, and I was eager to face whatever lay ahead.