The Crystal's Whisper and The Wind's Embrace

Chapter 75: The Edge of Death

It was no longer a battle. It was a reckoning.

The floor was painted in blood. The air, thick with the copper sting of wounds, fire, and fear. The Infinity Castle shook with every roar from Muzan—no longer composed, no longer elegant.

He was a demon in full. And he was winning.

Giyu fell. A swipe from a jagged limb tore into his ribs, sending him crashing into a pillar. Blood pooled beneath him, and still, he forced himself up—eyes blank with pain, sword in hand. "Not yet," he muttered. "I promised... I'd see this through."

Rengoku's ribs cracked, his haori scorched from deflected blows.

Mitsuri's leg buckled, but she fought on, her tears mixing with sweat. "Keep moving!" she gasped, blade spinning like a ribbon of fury. "We can't stop now!"

Obanai supported her, his own breathing unsteady. "Don't waste your energy worrying about me," he muttered, deflecting an attack headed straight for her back.

Mitsuri screamed as a barbed tendril pierced her thigh, lifting her off the ground before Obanai severed it with a desperate strike. She collapsed into his arms.

"Are you okay?!" he shouted.

"I... I can still move." Her lips quivered, even as blood streamed down her leg.

"Liar," he whispered, holding her close.

Zenitsu and Inosuke were slowing.

Zenitsu's breathing was erratic. "I—I'm too tired—I can't even scream properly anymore—!"

"JUST KEEP SWINGING, YELLOW," Inosuke roared, face bloody beneath his boar mask. "IF WE DIE, WE DIE STABBING HIM IN THE FACE!"

Tanjiro's breathing was ragged.

"I can't... see straight," he panted, knees buckling. "Nezuko... forgive me if I don't make it home."

Kanao heard him—and she wept silently. She was already blind in one eye. Her arms shook from overuse. Yet still, she stood in front of him, sword trembling but ready.

At the center of it all, Sanemi stood soaked in blood, wind swirling around him. His sword arm hung limp, and his left side was torn open—deep enough that his vision blurred from blood loss.

But he stayed upright. Because Tsukiyo was still breathing behind him. And if he fell, so would she.

Tsukiyo was already faltering. Her limbs refused to respond. Her grip on her katana was weak. She had cuts she couldn't feel anymore.

But her eyes were clear. She could see everything.

Her friends. Her comrades. Her family. Falling.

This can't be how it ends.

Her breath caught.

A tear slipped down her cheek as Mitsuri screamed again, trying to rise.

Obanai holding her hand like it was the only anchor left.

Giyu slumped to one knee.

Tanjiro crawling forward.

And Sanemi, still shielding her like a wall, no matter how broken he was.

"Sanemi," she whispered.

He turned, his eyes wild with panic when he saw the expression on her face.

"No, don't you do it."

"I have to."

"No. You don't."

She stepped toward him, unsteady, and took his hand.