Chp2 - A Spar of Ideals (pt 2)

Both boys readied their bodies and minds as they swiftly inhaled, a large mass of air surged throughout their bodies.

The faint sound of cracking echoed through the dojo as the boys unsheathed their weapons.

First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!

Gekkou roared out as he dashed forward, putting all his strength into his legs, the bright yellow blade's edge glistening as he swung forth.

Clang!

Takeshi swiftly caught the powerful blow, as Gekkou buckled down on the attack, putting all his momentum into the swing.

Both boys' eyes were seething with determination as they kept up their clash, the large Takeshi easily pushing back Gekkou's reckless assault.

Gekkou fell on the back foot as Takeshi countered his assault, as Gekkou desperately tried to find another opportunity to attack his much more powerful opponent.

But as he tried to defend and fall back, Takeshi finally unleashed one of his own techniques.

Fifth Form: Heat Lightning!

Takeshi swung forth with a powerful single slash, the very air itself vibrating from its potency.

Gekkou's defense shattered at the ferocity of the swing, causing him to fall down and lose focus.

But as the boy, in a panic, began to try and recover—rolling away in one fluid motion—he lost sight of Takeshi.

Thud!

Takeshi rammed his sword's pommel into the small boy's head from behind before following up with an all-out attack.

Third Form: Thunder Swarm!

Takeshi, like a dancer, spun effortlessly around Gekkou as he relentlessly slashed at the boy from every angle.

Each swift movement like that of sparks flickering off the moon before quickly fading like embers.

Gekkou put up his sword in defense, trying to find an opening to desperately parry any blow as Takeshi circled around him like a hawk.

But no matter how hard he tried, there were no openings to exploit against Takeshi's unending attacks.

So Gekkou decided to go on the offensive—as he knew if he waited any longer, he would lose.

Second Form: Rice Spirit!

Gekkou let out multiple slashes around himself, trying desperately to hit the nimble Takeshi with even just one of his swings.

But that too was just a dream, as he simply sidestepped each slash before quickly parring the attack and disarming Gekkou with a swift gut punch.

The match was as dominant as it was quick—Gekkou's body was covered in minor wounds, while Takeshi was untouched.

The only reason Gekkou was still alive was the fact Takeshi inflicted the most minor and shallow cuts he could on his fellow apprentice.

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Gekkou laid on the ground, his body beaten and broken. His breathing felt as if he were about to suffocate with each convulsion.

But he didn't feel any of it—the only thing he felt was shame.

He couldn't even land a single slash. He hadn't even cut Takeshi's haori. It was utterly humiliating.

Why had Master Kurokawa even taken him in when he had Takeshi—the ever-golden prodigy?

Gekkou sat there for what felt like hours, resigning himself to the utter humiliation he had suffered.

"Get up," Takeshi said, while extending a half-hearted hand to Gekkou.

Gekkou slapped the hand away, feeling as if it were just another insult to his pride.

"How much you've grown, Takeshi," Master Kurokawa said, methodically walking over to the boys.

"Thank you, Master. I am unworthy of your praise," Takeshi replied while bowing deeply, his dark blue haori fluttering in its always-pristine condition.

"Nonsense, child. Your precision and synchronization with Thunder Breathing are second to none I've trained in all my years as a cultivator.

"I must also commend you for your use of deflection and the reversal of Gekkou's attacks. Truly, I must say the disarmament and incapacitation of Gekkou's final strike were impeccable."

"From what I have seen today, I must admit I have nothing left to teach you, Takeshi. Therefore, on my status as a cultivator, I—Shinji Kurokawa—recommend you to take the Demon Slayer Corps Final Selection," Master Kurokawa said. His voice held more emotion than either boy had ever heard from the man.

"Mas—Master… you are too generous. I am humbled in your presence," Takeshi responded gratefully, a wave of relief washing over him like the tide on a beach.

He had done it.

He would finally be able to become a Demon Slayer and kill those wretched beasts who had destroyed his family—and bring honor back to his name.

Gekkou sat up in despair, his ears buzzing from exhaustion, his face unable to hide the anger that crinkled his pale features in disgust.

"To your feet, boy," Master Kurokawa commanded bluntly.

"Yes… yes, Master," replied Gekkou hesitantly, standing with a slight sway in his step from fatigue.

"Your attacks were reckless and unbecoming of a swordsman. There was a substantial lack of control in your movement. Practice more on your decision-making and recovery. That is all I have to say on the matter. Am I understood?"

"I understand completely, Master," Gekkou responded, grinding his teeth as he tried to hide the envy that revealed his weakness for all to see.

"Gekkou, you are dismissed," the old man said with utter indifference in his voice.

With that, Gekkou hurriedly left the dojo as Takeshi and Master Kurokawa continued their discussion.

It was a beautiful day in the Aki season, with cool winds weaving between the fluttering trees that surrounded the forest.

But Gekkou couldn't think about that—the only thing he could feel in that moment was hate.

Damn it all! I looked like a weak fool in front of the Master. Why did he even take me in if I'm this utterly pathetic? Gekkou said to himself as he walked through the estate, anger edged across his face now that he was alone.

Why was I such an idiot? Why did I attack so recklessly at the beginning of the spar? Was it just my emotions taking over me?

I wonder how things would have been different if I started on the defensive instead of closing the distance and performing the First Form…

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Gekkou raged to himself in juvenile self-pity, his emotions on full display as he made his way to his quarters.

Normally, Gekkou was a master of hiding his emotions, as he had been since a young age to keep himself safe on the street.

After all, showing fear could get you killed when you lived around less-than-savory characters.

But for the past few days, he couldn't help it. Little by little, his true emotions started to show. All his envy spilled out like a crack in a pipe that had finally burst after so much time.

Maybe it was because of his inability to keep up with Takeshi—No, that couldn't have been it. He had never even been close to the boy's level.

If he was being honest, he already knew the real reason. He had only come to the conclusion recently—and it destroyed him.

He had finally admitted to himself that he would never reach the same heights as Takeshi.

Weeks passed as Gekkou continued to train, and his eleventh month under the master's guidance began.

Once again, the ever-elusive Master Kurokawa—whose first name Gekkou had only just learned—left the estate.

But for once, Takeshi was also not training during these weeks. He was preparing for the tri-annual Final Selection held on Mount Fujikasane, which would begin during the first week of the Fuyu season.

Gekkou rarely saw Takeshi during this time, as he spent most of his days deep in the woods preparing.

Gekkou didn't know exactly what he was doing, but he assumed Takeshi was performing survival exercises—hunting food, setting up camp, preparing for the harsh cold.

After all, what good was it to be able to kill a demon if you died of exposure halfway through the Selection?

But every time Gekkou did see Takeshi, it only made his hate grow deeper.

It got to the point where Gekkou couldn't even sleep anymore because of the angry.

Though, in truth, he didn't mind not sleeping—he had barely gotten any to begin with.

But as both boys continued to practice their craft, Takeshi approached Gekkou a couple day before he was set to leave for Final Selection.

It was a rather cold night, the season shifting from fall to winter. The trees had started to wither slightly from the chill.

Gekkou was sitting on the roof of the estate, looking out at the solitary forest that stretched on for miles.

"You mind if I join you?" Takeshi said from behind, his silent approach making Gekkou jump slightly.

Gekkou hesitantly looked at the boy for a moment before silently nodding.

Takeshi sat down beside him, his large frame making the tiles quake slightly as he did.

"So," Takeshi said, "I've been wondering, Gekkou… Why do you want to become a Demon Slayer?"

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"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ‭

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