Lower moon

When Kanae said someone was being attacked, Cade immediately looked ahead and focused his senses. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a demon with monstrous muscles and blood-red hair, towering over a struggling Demon Slayer with black hair and black eyes. The slayer was clearly on the losing side.

"I see them. I'm going ahead."

Cade vanished from in front of Kanae in a blur, dashing toward the fight. As he closed the distance, he lashed out with his sword, using Void's Whisper—his signature technique. But to his shock, the demon blocked it with his bare arm.

'Impossible,' Cade thought. 'How hard are this guy's muscles?'

Despite the surprise, Cade's movements didn't falter. He twisted his body mid-air, bringing his sword down in a diagonal arc. This time, he imbued fifty percent of his sword intent and spiritual energy into the slash.

Sensing the danger, the demon roared and activated his Blood Demon Art. A pillar of earth shot up from the ground, slamming into Cade's chest. Though it didn't deal any real damage thanks to Cade's defenses, it did disrupt his form just enough for the demon to narrowly evade the fatal blow.

Now that he had a clearer view, Cade noticed something unusual—the kanji glowing in the demon's eyes.

At that moment, Kanae caught up. Her eyes widened when she saw the demon's face.

"Lower Six," she said lightly.

She then glanced at the wounded slayer barely staying on his feet. "You're lucky we were nearby—or you'd already be dead," she added bluntly, walking over to tend to his wounds while Cade kept the demon occupied.

Cade's attacks came fast and furious, each strike strong enough to carve stone, but the demon's battle experience showed. He weaved between slashes with fluid, brutal efficiency, responding with bursts of raw force that Cade had to deflect or dodge.

Suddenly, Cade had a revelation. 'Void's Whisper… it was never meant for open combat,' he realized. "Its essence lies in silence, in shadows. An assassination technique meant to strike before the enemy even knows death is near."

The understanding flooded through him like a wave, and in that moment, he was enlightened.

Creating distance, Cade calmly sheathed his sword. He extended his spiritual energy outward, forming a dome of condensed energy around himself and the demon. The air shifted as light vanished. Darkness enveloped them cutting them off from the outside world.

The demon flinched, caught off guard by the sudden void.

Just as he opened his mouth, perhaps to question or roar, Cade moved.

His eyes remained closed, fully immersed in his intent, his breathing silent. From the right, his blade flashed—cleaving the demon's right arm in one smooth stroke. Before the pain even reached the demon's mind, Cade danced through the darkness, striking again—removing the left arm with surgical precision.

In a final, elegant spin, Cade's blade arced through the air, slicing cleanly through the demon's neck. At the last moment, he poured the remainder of his sword intent into the strike—ensuring that no regeneration would follow. The head fell to the ground.

Only then did the dome of darkness fade, revealing Cade standing tall, sword still humming faintly with lingering power, as the demon's body dissolved into ash behind him.

As the fight was going on, Kanae had finished bandaging up the Demon Slayer and sat relaxedly waiting. Although she was a bit worried, the skills Cade had shown her earlier made her believe he could handle himself. When the dome of darkness appeared, she grew even more certain and settled in to wait—and she didn't have to wait long.

The dome dispersed like a wave being pulled back into the sea. Cade emerged slowly, his sword sheathed, his cloak fluttering slightly in the breeze. The demon's headless body collapsed behind him, unmoving, its limbs already beginning to disintegrate into ash.

Kanae stood and walked toward him. "Done already?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled, rolling his shoulder. "Guess so. I've been too focused on swinging my sword, not enough on the intent behind it."

Behind them, the injured slayer stirred and managed to sit up with Kanae's help. "You saved me…" he said weakly, staring at Cade with gratitude.

"You're lucky we were nearby," Kanae replied gently. "Try not to pick fights with Lower Moons next time."

"He was only Lower Six I thought I could defeat him and become a Hashira" the slayer muttered.

Cade looked toward the woods. "I don't think he was working alone. The way he moved… it felt like he was delaying, not fighting to win."

Kanae's face turned serious. "You think he was waiting for something?"

"Or someone," Cade said.

There was a long pause as the three of them stood quietly. Then Kanae reached into her sleeve and pulled out a small charm. With a flick of her wrist, she tossed it into the air. A few seconds later, a Kasugai Crow swooped down.

"Mission complete," Kanae told it. "Lower Six eliminated. One injured slayer needs evacuation."

The crow squawked and flew off into the distance, disappearing over the trees.

"We should move," Kanae said. "If what you suspect is true, we can't stay here long."

Cade nodded and helped the injured slayer to his feet. "Let's get him to shelter, then figure out our next step."

Kanae glanced at him sideways. "Still planning to follow me around?"

Cade smirked. "At least until I get bored."

She rolled her eyes but didn't hide the faint smile that tugged at her lips. "Then try to keep up."

They disappeared onto the path, the morning sun rising higher behind them—casting long shadows of two strangers walking side by side toward the unknown.

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Author's POV: Sorry for the shorter chapter I have finals next week so I need to study