Blood that ran down his face from the wound on his forehead, steadily pooled at his feet. He ignored the pain in his ribs and glanced over at the other acolytes who huddled frightened in one corner of the room.

"Do not be afraid." His voice was hoarse, but it carried through to them. He moved as if to comfort them but the chains that bound his arms rattled and tightly bound him to his spot. He was relieved the others were at least bound together so they could comfort one another.

One of the acolytes peered back at him, her eyes brimming with tears and confusion. "Why have they come, master?" She asked, keeping another acolyte's head on her lap. "And where have you sent Mika and Mio? Are they safe?"

He shut his free eye with a weary sigh, the other eye already bruised and swollen shut.

It was time to correct the balance. Their power is growing weak.

"They are safe. I will get you all out of here." He murmured.

Another acolyte tried to inch as close as she could, her own chains restraining her as she tried to reach for the edge of his cloak.

"Master, you are hurt. Please heal yourself." She pleaded.

He shook his head as he tried to imbue more healing energy into another acolyte who had a serious wound on her head. A soft glow enveloped her, sealing her wound. Satisfied that she would survive the other superficial wounds, he cut off the connection with her mind. He took a sharp breath as the use of the power took a toll on his already weakened body. Ignoring the pain, he glanced at another fallen figure.

There was a banging of a weapon against the cell doors and he looked up to find one of the Gods peering down at him with disapproval. He could see the acolytes flinch but bravely remain quiet as they waited to see what this God wanted. He inwardly nodded in approval as he continued to glance up at the figure.

"Ares."

"Micah, I am disappointed in you." He clucked his tongue as he opened the cell doors and walked leisurely towards him. Ares crouched down at eye level. "How could you betray us?"

Micah managed a wry smile. "If memory serves me, you have all betrayed yourselves the moment you sought to call yourselves Gods."

Ares flushed with anger, but he leaned forward instead, close enough that the sheer power emanating from him caused his wounds to writhe in fresh pain. "We will find your pets and the weapon you sought to hide from us, even if we have to destroy every last world." He softly replied.

Micah only glanced back, never breaking eye contact as Ares stood back up and walked out of the cell.

Hyakkimaru respectfully stood before Muzan and Kaguya, his hands clasped behind him as he waited for their decision. Mika and the other Hashiras were dismissed, save for Giyu, who Hyakkimaru had requested he stay.

Giyu nodded towards Hyakkimaru as he stepped forward and addressed Muzan and Kaguya. "Hyakkimaru, although a new recruit, has shown exemplary behavior fitting of a slayer. With time, I have no doubt he will become a Hashira."

Kaguya smiled with a nod while Muzan scrutinized Hyakkimaru with an amused expression. "Loyalty, once earned, can provide you much reward." He mused.

Giyu calmly nodded, ignoring the doubled edged warning in Muzan's words. "I would stake my life on it."

Hyakkimaru bowed respectfully to Giyu. "You honor me, Giyu-san. My life, if it is of any worth, I would stake for the slayers' cause." He returned.

Muzan let out a hearty laugh while Kaguya serenely sipped at his tea.

"Well that's that. I can't possibly question such camaraderie as strong as these two." His smiled deepened as he leaned forward on the table to peer at Hyakkimaru once more.

"So, this sword belongs to you, you say." He gestured towards the object in question in the middle of the table.

Hyakkimaru gave a curt nod, watching Muzan without emotion on his face. Giyu similarly watched Muzan, a calmer expression on his face.

Muzan raised an eyebrow. "If it belongs to you, how did that Mika girl have it in her hands?" He softly asked. "Why would a girl Tanjiro and the others took in recently have something of yours? Quite a coincidence."

"She did not know the contents she kept safe for her master. But I know of her master." Hyakkimaru revealed, his voice quiet and calm as he stepped forward and indicated towards the sword, while glancing at Kaguya. "It was in safe keeping unless and until this was needed again. May I show you its power?"

Muzan's eyes blazed with an inner glow, reminding Hyakkimaru of a Cheshire cat. He nodded and an upper rank immediately appeared from the shadows, kneeling by Muzan.

Giyu made a move to protest but Kaguya raised a hand.

"Let's make this interesting." Muzan announced, glancing at Hyakkimaru while the upper rank demon stood up and faced him.

"Kokoshibo, test that sword's supposed power." Muzan ordered.