(OC x Kanae Kocho) My Precious Butterflies "Kimetsu no Yaiba"

Chapter 15 - New threat

In the remote, dark corners of Japan, a palace stood silent and imposing, veiled in shadows. Pale moonlight filtered through towering windows, casting an eerie glow over the stone floors and walls lined with ancient scrolls. Inside, an imposing demon with flowing white hair and a striking mark over his left eye stood, his gaze fixed on the man approaching. Douma, Upper Moon Two, took in the sight of his guest, dressed in red and radiating silent menace.

Douma's lips curved into a smile as he stepped forward, his eyes glinting with a mix of mockery and intrigue. "Welcome to my humble abode, Hiro-chan," he greeted smoothly, his voice a silken whisper.

Hiro stood silent, his eyes cold and unblinking as he met Douma's gaze, giving away nothing.

"Ah, always the stoic one," Douma continued with a chuckle. "Still, congratulations on your new title—Lower Moon One. Quite impressive."

"Douma..." Hiro's voice was low, edged with something unfamiliar and intense.

Douma's gaze flickered, perhaps with a hint of wariness. "I'll admit, I had my doubts when I first made you a demon. But you... you've surpassed every expectation. I hear you've been killing both Demon Slayers—and demons."

"It's not enough," Hiro replied, his tone razor-sharp. "I need more power. Power that will make me unstoppable."

In a single, fluid motion, Hiro unsheathed the massive broadsword from his back. With a swift swing, he sent a deadly arc slicing through the air. Through the window, the sword's energy cleaved a distant mountain clean in half, and a gust of wind swept through the room. Douma's face remained calm, though an unmistakable chill prickled at the back of his neck.

Hiro turned back, his gaze unwavering. "Tell me, Douma. If I kill an Upper Rank demon... do I grow stronger?"

For a fleeting moment, Douma felt an old, unwelcome sensation—a bead of cold sweat trickling down his spine. The last time he'd felt this was when he'd faced Yamato. And now, standing before him was a demon whose power could one day rival that same Slayer.

"You're welcome to try, Hiro-chan," Douma replied, voice carefully balanced between amusement and caution.

Hiro's gaze sharpened as he pointed his sword at Douma. "I'm not here to kill you. Not yet. But I know I've lost memories, and fragments keep surfacing. I remember... family. And I know you had something to do with it."

With that, Hiro turned and disappeared into the night. Only when Hiro's presence faded did Douma release a quiet sigh. He turned back to the moonlit mountains, a thoughtful glint in his eye.

"Six years. That's all it took him to rise this far. Hiro... Hiroshi... That power, that intensity—it's unnatural. It's almost as if..." His voice trailed off as realization dawned, and a dark smile twisted his face. "Yamato—the Slayer we tried so desperately to kill. Hiro and Yamato must be related. It's the only explanation. They're both beyond the laws of nature. And here I am, pulling the strings..."

Douma's grin widened as a new plan took shape in his mind. "If I can manipulate Hiro's thirst for power and lure Yamato here, I'll have them at each other's throats. What sweet irony... This is my reward for devouring their mother. With Hiro under my watchful guidance, I'll kill two birds with one stone."

He chuckled softly, his voice echoing through the empty halls, relishing the chaos to come.

As Hiro walked through the night, his mind simmered with dark thoughts. His journey was soon interrupted by the presence of several Demon Slayers—close to twenty—blocking his path.

"Hey, look, guys! It's a Lower Moon!" one of them shouted, his voice filled with excitement.

Hiro let out a slow, tired breath. These guys again... When does it stop...?