Chapter 257: Akaza

Akaza

Akaza stood in the vast, labyrinthine expanse of the Infinity Castle, his sharp eyes scanning the disorienting architecture. The floating platforms and ever-shifting walls seemed more chaotic than usual, as if reflecting the tension that hung heavy in the air. His fists clenched, his veins pulsing as thoughts raced through his mind.

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"Why was I summoned here?" he muttered to himself, his voice low and taut with suspicion.

There could only be one reason for such an urgent gathering. No way… did an Upper Moon get killed? The very thought made his blood boil, his jaw tightening as he imagined the disgrace. For a Lower Moon to be defeated was one thing—they were replaceable, mere fodder in the grand scheme. But for one of the Upper Moons, the elite, to fall? Unthinkable.

Akaza's gaze flicked toward the distant platform where the other Upper Moons were beginning to gather. He wasn't the first to arrive. The sickly-sweet scent of Douma's perfume wafted through the air, followed by the faint but distinct sound of his infuriatingly cheerful humming.

"Akaza-dono!" Douma greeted, a sly grin on his face. His rainbow-colored eyes gleamed with faux warmth. "What's with the sour look? Oh wait, that's just your default expression."

Akaza shot him a glare but said nothing, his focus shifting to Kokushibo, who stood silently with his usual imposing presence. The towering swordsman didn't speak, his six eyes closed as if meditating.

Soon after, the remaining Upper Moons appeared: Hantengu in his cowardly hunched posture, Sekido standing near him with his ever-present scowl, and Nakime, the keeper of the Infinity Castle, strumming her biwa. Only one member of their group was conspicuously absent.

"Where's Gyokko?" Akaza asked, his voice low but demanding.

Douma's smile widened. "Oh, haven't you heard? That's what this little meeting is about!" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that dripped with mock concern. "Gyokko won't be joining us. Ever again."

Akaza froze. His suspicion was confirmed. An Upper Moon had indeed been killed. But Gyokko? How? Who could have been strong enough to kill someone of his caliber?

Before he could voice his thoughts, a chill ran down his spine. The oppressive aura of Muzanette descended upon the castle, and all the demons instinctively lowered themselves to a kneeling position. Her presence was suffocating, an overwhelming force that demanded submission.

The platforms shifted, forming a throne of dark tendrils. There she sat, Muzanette, the Demon Queen. Her raven-black hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her crimson eyes burned with cold fury. Her beauty was mesmerizing, yet utterly terrifying, as if death itself had taken a seductive form.

"Gyokko is dead," Muzanette said, her voice as sharp as a blade. She didn't waste time with pleasantries, her piercing gaze sweeping over her subordinates like a predator surveying prey. "An Upper Moon. One of my chosen. Defeated."

The silence that followed was deafening. No one dared to speak, each demon keenly aware of how volatile Muzanette's wrath could be.

"It wasn't a Hashira who killed him," she continued, her voice laced with venom. "It was the same person who killed Rui, one of my Lower Moons. A being who should not exist—a creature who undermines my authority."

Akaza's fists clenched tighter, his knuckles whitening. The fact that Gyokko and Rui were both killed by the same person was deeply troubling. He had no fondness for Gyokko, but the idea that someone strong enough to kill him was out there left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Muzanette's gaze locked onto Douma, who met her eyes with his usual smug expression. "Douma," she said, her tone icy, "tell me. How did this happen? You pride yourself on your information network. What have you learned?"

Douma's smile faltered ever so slightly, a rare crack in his façade. "I regret to inform you, my queen, that I know very little about the one responsible. Whoever they are, they've managed to stay hidden… until now."

Muzanette's eyes narrowed, her displeasure palpable. She turned her attention to Kokushibo. "And you? Have you sensed anything?"

Kokushibo's six eyes opened simultaneously, his deep voice resonating through the chamber. "No. Whoever this individual is, they are skilled at concealing their presence. However, their strength is undeniable. For them to kill Gyokko in such a manner… they must be a formidable opponent."

Muzanette's fingers drummed against the armrest of her throne, her crimson nails glinting in the dim light. "Formidable," she repeated, the word dripping with disdain. "Gyokko's death is unacceptable. I will not tolerate weakness among my ranks. Let his demise serve as a warning to all of you." Her gaze swept over the assembled demons, lingering on Akaza.

Akaza stiffened, his pride wounded by the implication. "I am not weak," he said, his voice firm but respectful. "If this… creature dares to show themselves again, I will destroy them."

"We'll see," Muzanette replied coldly, dismissing his declaration with a wave of her hand. "For now, I have other matters to attend to."

She rose from her throne, the dark tendrils of her aura coiling around her like serpents. With a swift motion, she extended her hand toward Enmu, who had been silently observing from the shadows.

"Enmu," she said, her voice softer but no less commanding. "You are the last of the Lower Moons. I have no patience for failures, but you will serve me well and do as I told you—or you will join Gyokko in death."

Enmu stepped forward, his eyes wide with a mixture of fear and awe. "Yes, my queen," he said, bowing deeply.

Muzanette turned back to the rest of the Upper Moons. "This is your warning," she said, her voice echoing through the chamber. "Do not fail me. Find the one who killed Gyokko and Rui. Bring them to me, dead or alive. Do not disappoint me again."

With that, she vanished, her presence dissipating like smoke.

~~~

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