“A problem in the outskirts of town? Could it be a demon…?”
The young eyes of a sword-wielding girl glimmered with anticipation at the answer of her question. A young man, barely older than her, nodded politely.
“Yes, Kanae, we believe it is a demon. This will possibly be your first major mission with the new pillar against a major threat. However, we do not believe this is one of the Blood Moon demons, so you should not worry as much as you may.”
Kanae’s smile gleamed with intense gratitude for Ubuyashiki, and she nodded gracefully.
“Thank you, Master! I shall tell Sanemi Immediately..!”
Her fluttering steps passed through the daytime with ease, the sheath cast around her waist jumping up and down lightly. It was a bright day, filled with sunshine and bliss, a normal one for the pillars on what seemed like their day off for once in a thousand days. However, it would not be like that for too terribly long.
The light footsteps of three young pillars echoed throughout the dense forestry of the outskirts of the market district. Birds and insects flew about as normal, making their cheerful noise as dusk approached the horizon. Kanae Kochou, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Rengoku Kyojurou all braced the elements, and trekked onward. While Rengoku marched in front, Kanae was beside Sanemi, who was already unhappy that Kanae had accompanied them on their trip to kill the unknown demon. Though, due to their need to stay as quiet as possible, kept his lips sealed, and his fist clenched beside his sword. Rengoku seemed as cheery as ever, oblivious to the silent banter between the younger pillars behind him. But, as quickly as he was walking, he slid his leg behind him, abruptly stopping the younger ones, who snapped into position. Rengoku had noticed a young man, slumped over on a destroyed tree, covered in scratches and cuts, but not eaten, as demons normally eat their victims. Kanae’s eyes watered slightly.
“Why… Why should any man die like this? He did not deserve this….” She sobbed quietly, using her haori to mask her cries.
“Oh, will you shut the fuck up, already? We have better things to worry about than a demon’s meal!” He grabbed at the hilt of his sword, drawing in a breath.
“Quiet, now, useless conversation will get us nowhere.” Rengoku slowly moved up to the young man, who’s blood still freely poured from a gaping wound in his chest, where he had seemingly been impaled by a tree. Rengoku traced the branch with his open hand, noticing the strange structure it had, twisting in a crooked form straight into the man’s heart. Before leaving the man, Rengoku nodded in respect, closed the man’s eyes, and hushed the younger to continue on with him.
Kanae laid her hand upon Rengoku’s shoulders and whispered, “What was wrong with the body, Rengoku-san? You seemed concerned…”
“Do not worry about it, Kochou. All you must think is that the demon is nearby.” Rengoku drew his sword from it’s cover, quickly scanning the area for unusual shapes.
The shapes of the greenery slowly began to distort into strange, unworldly shapes as they trekked on, the lively sounds of the wildlife slowly seeping down to an empty silence, other than the light crunch of the twigs and leaves below the pillar’s feet. Suddenly, Rengoku grabbed his sheath and held it in front of him, right as a branch cracked against the sheath, shattering into splinters.
“Shit! Get ready, Kanae!” Sanemi shouted, launching forward. Without hesitation, Sanemi used his fourth style, whirling his sword in front of him as more branches grew to disproportionate lengths, aiming directly towards the pillars. As they reached his blade, they shattered into splinters, raining upon the other two.
“Sanemi-san, be careful! The splinters will hurt us just as much!” Kanae cried as she attempted to cover her face and hands from the storm of wood he was creating with his katana. Using her sixth form,she propelled herself into the trees to look for the demon throwing the branches at them. Looking down, she scanned the area below, noticing a peculiar, tall figure in the near distance, sitting atop an intertwining branch.
