the way of the eclipse

fish

After we got over our quick initial shock, both of us sprinted to the side of the house that had just practically blown up. Thank my past self for sending a note ahead to ensure my sword was ready by the time I got here; otherwise, I would have been useless. As the dust and debris settled, I jumped down into the house while Yuzu ran off to see if she could find anyone who needed help.

The once beautiful estate was now a disheveled mess. Shards of wood and fragments of what used to be elegant furnishings littered the floor. I kept my guard up, every sense heightened. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and something else—something foul and damp.

As I moved cautiously through the wreckage, I heard some odd noises. They weren’t human sounds but more like the noise water makes when it’s disturbed, combined with a high-pitched squeaking. The sound was hurting my ears, which wasn’t surprising considering I've always had sensitive hearing. It usually didn't bother me, but today was different.

I scanned the dimly lit room, squinting to spot anything out of the ordinary. I had a knack for seeing what others couldn’t, a hidden talent I liked to think of it as. Suddenly, I turned a corner and instantly jumped back as these odd fish-like creatures with human legs rushed at me.

“What the f***?” I muttered to myself, feeling more confused than anything. Despite the shock, I quickly drew my sword, attaching the umbrella part to its back. I had a gut feeling I would need it. “Eclipse Breathing, First Form: Tears of the Sun and Moon!” I lunged forward, making a swift turn of my hand, cutting several of the creatures in half. As I fought, they started spitting spiky sticks at me. Some of them hit my skin, but I managed to dodge most of them.

Repeating the move, I dispatched the remaining creatures. “What weak pains in the ass,” I muttered as I checked the rest of the house. There was nothing more to find, so I headed into the forest to help the others.

As I exited the house, the forest loomed ahead, its dense canopy casting long shadows. The eerie sounds of night creatures mixed with the distant cries of other demon slayers battling. I could feel my heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of the forest, each step calculated and precise.