Cries for help could be heard as the slayers finally made it to the village at the foot of the mountains. Giyu immediately cut down a demon that had noticed him.
"Tanjiro. Inosuke. Each of you take the east and west. Hyakkimaru and I will charge forward and meet you at the northern edge of the village where we enter the mountains."
Both nodded and immediately left their individual paths.
Giyu didn't turn to Hyakkimaru, who had struck down a couple while Giyu was providing instructions. He hit another demon who was a hair's breadth from a cowering elderly couple.
"Destroy all demons and keep the villagers to the south end!" Giyu shouted over his shoulder, drawing up his sword against clawed hands that nearly made its way to his face.
Hyakkimaru didn't respond back, still fighting a group of demons that had surrounded him.
Giyu cut down the demon opposite him, quickly gesturing to villagers who ran past him. "Protect them!" He shouted to a few injured soldiers who came around the nearest hut, ushering more villagers with them. One soldier sported blood dripping down his face but he nodded curtly at Giyu.
"Sir, it's as if they're being controlled by a single being." He reported. "We were forced to divide, and the rest of the group had gone ahead in the mountains. We lost communication with them a few minutes ago."
Giyu's eyes narrowed at the group of demons surrounding Hyakkimaru, noting the vicious hunger in their faces, their glowing red eyes almost ablaze with insanity, and yet their movements were not random as they had come to be familiar to the Slayers. They held back and moved as one, attacking in unison. If Hyakkimaru wasn't skilled, he would already have fallen to the demons.
They were almost like marionettes.
Even Muzan did not have that kind of power to command them at will.
Giyu moved forward, past Hyakkimaru, aware of his competency and struck down another group of demons preying on a group of villagers.
Hyakkimaru calmly moved through the demons, cutting them down as he sped past. He could sense Giyu and the others ahead and struck down the last of the demons. The dark sword hung by his side while he used his other sword. He suspected the other sword would not wish to be used just yet.
He nodded towards Giyu, who turned at his approaching steps.
"There are three powerful energies in the North Eastern area. Although this area is Muzan's and one of his moon soldiers watches over this area on his behalf, it seems there are more devolved demons we may need to get rid of before we can reach these opponents that await us."
Inosuke grunted behind his mask, already waving his two jagged swords. "What are we waiting for?"
Tanjiro took in a breath, his face contemplative. "One of the strangers' scent is similar to Mika. Permission to approach him, Giyu-san."
Giyu's expression did not reveal surprise at Tanjiro's comment, already used to the younger man's keen sense of smell. "You have my permission. Keep your distance and assess accordingly." He nodded towards the rest of the group.
"Now that the village has been re-secured, we will move with caution. Do not split up." He warned, eyeing Inosuke especially.
"Tsk. I didn't say anything." Inosuke muttered, tapping one of the swords against his foot.
"Maybe it's better to do as Inosuke wishes."
Giyu glanced at Hyakkimaru, who had spoken up. Hyakkimaru nodded towards the western side of the mountains.
"The majority seem to be in that area. I sense some of our soldiers struggling to hold them back." He nodded towards the northern side this time. "Those strangers will not stay put for long. They mean to divert us anyways."
Tanjirou raised an eyebrow and nodded thoughtfully. "He has a point, Giyu-san. We should split up before they force us to. Division on our own terms."
Before Giyu could answer, a familiar presence gracefully flew by. Dark purple butterflies covered his vision as he heard a familiar tinkling laugh.
"Ara-ara. Why are you boys taking so long? Let's go!" Shinobu called out, playfully patting Giyu on the head before running ahead with Kanao close behind.
Inosuke let out a gleeful whoop and disappeared after them.
Giyu fought his irritation and nodded towards Tanjirou. "Make your way to the familiar stranger. Hyakkimaru and I will follow suit."
Hyakkimaru nodded in silent acknowledgement, as both darted ahead. Before Tanjirou could set off as well, he could hear more approaching footsteps and detected familiar scents.
"Let me come with you, please Tanjirou." A breathless voice called out.
Tanjirou glanced behind him as he found Mika with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. Zenitsu was also bent over beside her, one hand on his knee as he wiped at his forehead.
"Tanjirou, Nezuko is safe with me! Can we come too?" He added between gasps.
Tanjirou stepped towards Mika. "Mika, you were supposed to stay behind. It's dangerous here."
Mika shook her head, still struggling to catch her breath. She finally stood up to her full height and looked stubbornly at him. "My Master is here." She revealed.
Tanjirou glanced at the mountains with worry. "I did sense a familiar scent similar to your own, Mika." He haltingly responded, unsure whether to send her back.
Zenitsu caught his breath and carefully set down the box. Nezuko popped out and offered him some water while she sat on top of the box, swinging her legs and glancing at her brother and Mika.
Mika gripped his sleeve. ""I must go to him. He's hurt. Please Tanjirou."
Tanjirou exchanged gazes with his sister, who nodded vigorously back.
"See? Even Nezuko-chan agrees. We have to help Mika meet her Master." Zenitsu cheerfully added, swinging the box back on his shoulder as Nezuko grew to her normal size to stand beside him.
Nezuko walked over to Mika and held her hands. She pointed towards the north eastern area and pointed to Mika's chest.
Tanjirou sighed. "Alright,alright. Let's go before Giyu-san has our head for delaying."
Nezuko jumped up and down, still holding Mika's hands. Zenitsu cheered with her as he put an arm around Tanjirou.
"We'll be okay. It's not like we're going to die with Giyu-san and Shinobu-san around." Zenitsu cheerfully exclaimed.
Tanjirou ruefully smiled, putting an arm around Zenitsu in return. "Just take care of Nezuko for me. Something tells me, we're going to need all the help we can get."