The Bladeborn Trial II

After hours of training, and days of meditation and praying. The day finally came. The day that will either open or seal Takeshi's demon slayer fate.

"Here take this haori." Arakaki gave a blue and black haori to Takeshi, but… This is the exact same one that Satoshi was wearing. "Okay. I'm ready to go."

Takeshi said with a confident smile. "Okay, my boy stay alive, and keep

smiling." Arakaki told Takeshi and hugged him tightly.

Takeshi ran off, "Oh, yeah! Arakaki tell Satoshi I said thank you!" He shouted in the distance. "Satoshi? Thank you to Satoshi? He's not here. What is he on about?" Arakaki said to himself waving back at Takeshi, he was confused.

After a few days of travelling, Takeshi had finally arrived at the designated spot for the Bladeborn Trial. Takeshi did not know anyone so he just stood there waiting for the intermission to finish.

Suddenly a loud voice was heard. "Attention all future demon slayers!" The voice echoed across the area. "In a few moments you will enter a trial for five whole days,

You must and I say MUST kill at least three demons to pass this test. Even if you kill two, you will suffice the amount needed. The Trial will start soon.

Stay safe, survive and pass. May blessings be upon you all." The voice then came to a halt. The silence shivered down Takeshi's spine. It was loud, too loud.

"ENTER" another shouted. Everyone started to move in. "YEAH LET'S GET THIS DONE BABY!" One of the pre-demon slayers shouted. "Too confident." Takeshi muttered under his breath. However, it was loud enough for the boy to hear. "Wha'd you say?" The boy turned around to Takeshi. "Oh nothin- I meant, you're too confident." Takeshi replied, being bold and sharp. The boy let anger get the best of him and started to scream in Takeshi's face. Until one of the members of the Demon Slayers came and separated them. "Enough boy, You must get in shape, you will be killed." The member snapped the boy back into reality and pushed him inside the gate.

Maybe being bold is a way to get me killed. Takeshi thought as he

entered through the gates. The place is dark and misty. Takeshi could taste

blood and rotten corpses. That taste.. I'm going to puke. The gates

closed tightly and many people cried out wanting to leave, Some were scratching until their fingers bled. Some fainted. And some were climbing on top of each other to hop over the gate. But it was no use. Takeshi separated himself from the people. Cowards. I need to survive and help mankind!

The second day: Takeshi was just roaming around until he tasted it. The taste of demon blood. The taste came to him quick almost making him lose his focus. But Takeshi put it aside, his life was at stake. "COME OUT DEMON! I'm not afraid! Fight me, coward!" Takeshi drew his sword and went into a fighting stance. The demon could come out at any direction Now Takeshi had to keep focused.

"Erwugh, what is that noise. Such a harsh, bleeding noise I think I might go deaf. Ahh… I see… It's the voice of a mere newbie demon slayer. Hello! Who will die tonight? Let's see, nah I'm going to win." The demon came out of its hiding and faced Takeshi.

It was huge. At least 8 feet tall, with teeth like a tiger. Eyes of an

eagle. Hair pure white, long, maybe up to its shoulders. It had grey skin and torn clothes. Its claws were those of a big animal. It was sharp and pointy ready to strike its next feast. Takeshi's gaze grew narrow and his face turned sour. Luckily it wasn't one of the cultists however it did look strong. "Hmm, why are you standing there? Scared. Well, I guess I'll take the first bite." The demon lunged forward with its claws almost hitting Takeshi. Before it could strike Takeshi moved fast. "Ahahah, you're fast, like a rat. Now come here!" Takeshi jumped on his back, striking the demon's head. The demon grabbed him and flung him like a Frisbee. Takeshi flew and then hit a rock. Blood poured from his mouth as he groaned in pain. Get up, Get up! Breathe through the pain Takeshi! Breathe! Takeshi got up. His face still sour but… He couldn't taste the smell of the demon. Did it give up?

Takeshi heard a noise, he looked up. The demon was above him, on the rock. It held a boulder ready to drop it and crush Takeshi.

BANG!

The boulder fell. Hard, and it broke into many pieces. Blood was everywhere and the ground had a dent. The drop shook the ground creating an almost earthquake-like experience. The Demon jumped down, excited. Ready to eat its first meal after a long time.

"Tide Serpent Style, First Form, Mooncurrent dancer!"

Takeshi's voice came from behind. The water snake appeared again following the movement of his sword. Takeshi had seen before where to strike a demon, the head was the vulnerable part, but it had to be killed with a sword. Takeshi followed the snake and struck the demon with his sword. With full force, he cut into its head. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU BRAT! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD." The demon shouted out loudly. Takeshi didn't care and only focused on killing. Come on… almost

there! Then the demon's head fell to the floor along with its body next to

it. It started to fade away slowly. Takeshi closed his eyes and walked away.

"May peace be upon you soon."

The fourth day: At this point, Takeshi had killed another demon making it two out of three. He had one more to kill However it was surprising how many demons are in the place Takeshi is. He kept on looking and looking. If I don't get a demon killed after tomorrow I won't pass! Where are all the demons? "Looking for me?" A screeching, sharp deep voice came from behind Takeshi.

Takeshi was startled and turned fast. The demon was 10 feet tall when standing upright, but usually hunched over, making it look more like a beast than a man. His body was gaunt and wiry with elongated limbs covered in black, sinewy skin stretched tight over bone. Its mouth takes up nearly the entire head. Its eyes – pale, bone with white sockets leaking with dark fluid.

Takeshi's face turned sour as he took on a fighting stance.

"Ah, you're his student."

After hearing that Takeshi's facial expression changed, into confusion. "What are you waffling on about?" Takeshi said. "I mean, I don't know why he continues to train kids, Like, most of them just die anyway. You're Kaien Arakaki's student aren't you ?" Takeshi's heart dropped, "Y-Yes how'd you know

that?"

"Easy, he usually gives his students a haori with the colour blue or with wave patterns to indicate his style of breathing. In this case, yours is both."

Takeshi kept his cool, he asked one more question. "How do you know Mr Arakaki?" He asked his voice trembling not by fear but by curiosity and disgust.

"Ah me and Arakaki used to be pals. Back when I was a human years ago we trained together to be demon slayers. He saved me when my family was getting killed as well. However, I was being massacred by a demon and he wanted to make me human.

So he put a hand out. Either be human or never talk to me again and be a demon. So selfish. I said to become demon because it was cool but for his abandonment, I swore to never let his students live. And I will find him and kill him. Butttt, I ended up here, again because of him." The demon explained. Takeshi felt sick. "How inhumane."

"Yes, I know right?" The demon replied still waffling on about Arakaki.

"No, you are inhumane. Arakaki is the best man out there and is very kindhearted. He is not selfish. He saved me as well and I will never turn my back on him."

Takeshi shouted in anger. Focus Takeshi, Breathe don't let your

emotions get the best of you. A voice whispered into his ear.

"So emotional. You probably will be more delicious no-."

"Satoshi?"

"How do you know that kid? Did Arakaki tell you?" The demon said. Choking on laughter as he explained.

"That boy was one of my victims, he was trying to kill me but he got distracted and I ate him. Mmmm, he was probably the best one Arakaki had sent." The demon said mocking the way he ate Satoshi.

Takeshi's face dropped in horror. So then who was talking to him and training him? Takeshi looked at the beast as he still reacted the scene as if it were a play.

"How dare you. How dare you kill an innocent child? Or even children! YOU WILL PAY. I WON'T LET YOU LIVE!" Takeshi now filled with rage charged toward the demon.

"You brat! Try and you'll be next." The demon had a weapon of its own. It was a long scythe sharp and pointy scythe. They fought, the two weapons clashing against each other. Takeshi managed to cut its hand off but it regenerated quickly. "Why you fool.." With one swift move, the demon swung the scythe sending Takeshi miles away. It then ran ready to grab him. Takeshi felt and tasted the movement of the demon. Breathing through the pain he got up ready to fight again.

This time as the demon came charging like a bull, Takeshi jumped onto its arm cutting it off. The demon then grew its arm back, but not only one, but four more.

"Try six arms bastard!" The demon shouted throwing its arm at Takeshi. He dodged every. Single. One.

"I WILL NOT LET YOU WIN. FOR MANKIND YOU WILL DIE." Takeshi sliced the arms with ease.

"Tide Serpent Style, Third Form, Azure COILING FANGS." The next moment Takeshi's sword turned into a serpent, its fangs grew big, ready to stab into its opponent.

As it got closer Takeshi ran fast as he could, again, jumping on the demon's back and stabbing the sword into its neck.

"Get off me!" The Demon shrieked loudly. But Takeshi wasn't getting off. The snake sword was now eating the flesh of the demon.

"No, this can't be the end!-"

The demon's head lay on the floor withering away into dust.

"I-I'm sorry Kaien, Please forgive me."

The words were sudden and genuine. Takeshi turned around. "I don't think he would forgive someone like you." Takeshi walked over and closed his eyes. "Sleep, I hope peace does not find you." Takeshi then ran towards the gate, as he had finished what he came to do.

Panting, he stood shocked and surprised, he froze. His heart was racing, his thoughts lingering on what the demon had said 'forgive me'

Why would he say that? Takeshi thought, though he knew that monster was a murderer, why would he suddenly change his mind at the end?

Was he cursed?

Was he controlled?

Questions lingered, as he found himself running past the gate and now in the middle ofthe Area.

He slowed down now at a walking pace he looked around There was life, everyone trees animals, The life had been undisturbed, As he got to the centre he took a breath of fresh relaxing his muscles, he knew this area was safe away from all danger, away from all demons. He sat on the floor The ground was hard yet it was inviting like it wanted Takeshi to sit, he put his face in his hands wondering what would happen, has he done a job, Did he do the right thing

Did he say the right thing?

He didn't know but waited.

….

…

But that's when it happened. The animals scattered The wind had slowed down like the air itself was holding its breath, Takeshi instantly felt something. A shiver. He looked around The animals were gone, as if running away from a predator, his heart that only stopped racing had started to race again sweat started dripping from his forehead, he looked around, nothing was there. Till he turned around all the way, as he did he heard the distinct crunches of branches breaking the sound of breathing, heavy breathing came towards him, he made contact his eyes widened his mouth opened in fear in confusion.

"How…"

"What are you doing here…"