Hi! I usually don't put author notes here, but when I do, it's usually for a reason—and I have one! I recently got a review from someone (who will go unnamed so that no one DMS them and starts being an ass to them) about the "canonicity" of both Dream and Technoblade. Now, while the person and I in question have talked about it in the DMS of FF, I want to address it more publicly.

Just so that you are all aware, while I am trying to keep them as canon to the characters as possible, there will be times where they will break their character, regardless of how they are portrayed within the fiction or within this fanfic.

While I have already pre-planned and drafted all the chapters on my phone and on my computer, there were times that I think they broke from their normal character, and that is because, mostly, this whole story is about redemption—which means yes, there will come a time where Dream is no longer a manipulative little shit, I know, I know, such heresy, whatever, shut up.

The fact of the matter is that this is MY story. I will NOT change ANYTHING about the characters, regardless of whether or not you think something needs to be changed, because, NEWSFLASH! I won't.

I hope that makes perfect sense to anyone and everyone involved.

Also, I no longer have access to Grammarly Premium, so some things are going to be choppier than before, but then again, they do say learning is half the battle. (It doesn't help that I am dyslexic but, oh well, it'll have to do.) So with that being said, let's get right into the meat and potatoes of this shit.

[On The Brink - Part 2]

The sound of steel clashing against steel echoed out into the long winding paths of the forest. Two figures were obscured by leaves and bushes, allowing for no one to see them fighting one another. Their movements were swift, their stances near perfect, and their skill with a blade unmatched.

One, a man who had formerly been a part of a clan known as The Demon Slayer Corp, and the other who was a part of those who they wished to hunt.

The two came head to head, their eyes glaring into one another as the man laughed. "I have to say, you're swordsmanship is quite immaculate, Technoblade! I'd have to say it deserves my utmost respect!" Sakonji stated as Technoblade smirked.

"Thanks, Old man, but—" Technoblade started, his eyes sharpening as he slid the blade of his sword down the former Water Hashira's. Then, with a sudden movement, he swung it upward, disarming the former Hashira, much to the man's shock. As the sword landed in the snow behind him, Sakonji did a double-take as Technoblade smirked. "—I believe I win," the Demon stated as Sakonji shook his head, laughing.

"I'm impressed, as I said before, your swordsmanship is beyond words, not to mention the fact that you caught onto Total Concentration Breathing instantly. It speaks volumes of your talent," Sakonji said as Technoblade smiled.

"No thanks to you. It was hard to grasp at first, but after a while of trying, it gets easier to do overtime. In fact, I think I did it once before, but I never knew what it was. I believe it was when Dream and I fought in a battle for our city after it got taken over by a corrupt governor." It was a lie, but it had to be.

Sakonji hummed, sheathing his blade. "I see, well then, colour me surprised. But now, I have a question. Tell me, were you a swordsman, or a samurai before you were turned?" Sakonji asked as Technoblade shook his head.

"Nope. I was a freedom fighter for my people, though some would call me a terrorist," Technoblade stated as Sakonji sighed.

"I see… I'm sorry to hear that," Sakonji said as Technoblade chuckled.

"No, don't say that. Seriously, don't. I get the gesture n'all, but, in the end, I became what the people told me I was. Even then, when I laid down my arms, they still came for my head. It was there where I was turned. Something to do with a ritual revolving around something my people called a "totem of undying." When you die, you get resurrected instantly as something else. I ran away from my village after that, but not before I liberated them from their evil dictator, and levelled the village to provide them with a lesson on what happens when someone corrupt becomes governor," Technoblade let out a sigh as he continued.

"Afterward, I hid in these forests with my friend for years until the Demon Slayer Corp found us. I wasn't going to kill those two, truly, I wasn't. Had it not been for the fact that one of the two had nearly cut my head off, I would've left them alone," Technoblade lied. Again, if he had told the former Water Hashira anything else other than that, the man would've been skeptical. At least this sounded more plausible compared to saying "I popped out of a portal and had been this way all my life."

Regarding the two slayers, however, that was true. He was going to leave them alone, and in fact, a part of him screamed at himself mentally for killing the two. However, what was done was done, and he knew right away what kind of path he must take after that.

The total annihilation of the Demon Slayer Corp was a must.

Child soldiers… a thing that he hated. Even when Tommy was warring with him before he had betrayed Techno, he hated the fact that a kid his age was fighting for a corrupt country, and the boy didn't even see it.

His friends played him like a fiddle, and when he was exiled, Technoblade felt awful, and so when he came to his house to seek shelter, he let him. Little had he known, that it would've been the biggest mistake of his life.

Tommy had betrayed him, and that night he was filled with a fury unlike no other. He cut down anyone he saw, including Tommy, and pushed them all to their limits, and when it was all said and done, he left La' Manburg a crater to fill his rage with.

He chastised himself, he wasn't going to linger on the past. The present was now. He needed to focus on that and to do so, he had to convince Sakonji that what he said was true.

A part of Technoblade was worried, thinking that Sakonji wouldn't have believed it, however, judging by the man's body language, he seemed to believe every word he had said. At that moment, Sakonji sighed, crossing his arms, giving Technoblade a glare underneath his mask, though it was one that was mixed with both confliction and anger.

Anger, because he became a terrorist and most likely killed innocent people.

Confliction, because he had done so in an attempt to save as many innocent people as he possibly could from tyranny.

"I… don't know what to think about that. But, it was for your survival. I feel sympathy towards you but at the same time… I don't truly know what to think about it. When I heard that Sanji died, I was filled with a wave of anger and rage unlike any other. He was one of my students. I had been training him for years, the fact that you killed him…" Sakonji left his statement open-ended as Technoblade huffed.

"I understand. I've lost people who were close to me. For the longest time, I thought one of my friends had been dead. Turned out that he wasn't, but still, he had been imprisoned. I found this out mere moments before I… turned myself into a Demon to ensure my survival," Technoblade said, sheathing his sword.

"Circumstances drive us to do things that not many of us wanted to do. For me, becoming a Demon was a mistake. However, I've benefited more from it. You say you're the former Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer corp. I want to ask, how many Demons have you killed?" Technoblade asked as Sakonji hummed.

"Easily around a thousand, some higher ranked than others. But… why?" Sakonji questioned as Technoblade sat down on a nearby stump, pressing his hands together as he laced his fingers in between one another. A sigh escaped his lips as he looked Sakonji in the eyes.

"How many of those Demons did you talk to? Any of them? Or did you simply kill them on sight?" For once, in a very long time, Sakonji had been taken aback by a simple question. Technoblade looked at him with eyes of steel, a fire burning within that was unmistakable.

A burning fury. A righteous fury. A fury that, beyond all else, spoke volumes of his character.

"I…" Sakonji paused, sighing. "I wouldn't be lying if I said that, in the beginning, I tried reasoning with some. Most attacked me instantly. Others would open up to me and beg me to put them out of their suffering. But… then there were there the stronger ones. Remorseless monsters who cared not for anyone but themselves, killing anyone to survive. After one particular fight with a Demon, I stopped caring entirely and just killed them on sight. I'm sorry if my answer displeases you in any way, Technoblade," Sakonji responded as Technoblade let out an agitated sigh.

"Hmph. Well, I can't fault you for that. In fact, the fact that you tried to reason with a lot of them is actually something I hadn't expected. I won't condemn you for it, but I won't congratulate you for it either," Technoblade stated, a vagueness in his tone as he looked down at the floor.

"When I became a Demon, I saw my friends as food, I couldn't help myself. Granted, even when I was human, I ate the meat off of people, mostly to survive. I hated every second of it, but I had to. If it meant I got to live another day out in the cold, then I would continue to do so."

It was mostly a lie. After all, being the Blood God made you do things some people would consider immoral, but that's beside the point.

"When I became a Demon, however, that need for meat doubled. Cow meat and potatoes helped me push back those urges, but even still, there were times where It kept boiling over and it only increased as time went on. Eventually, after everything I had previously mentioned happened, I found myself here with my friend, Dream."

Sakonji took a moment to take in all of what Technoblade had said. He felt a slight bit of revulsion at the fact that he had eaten human meat, even while being human, but, he couldn't judge. Survival can make a man do something that they would regret.

And that was when it hit him.

"Wait a second. Are you trying to tell me that… not all Demons wanted to become Demons?" Sakonji asked as Technoblade smirked, snapping his fingers.

"Bingo. I was hoping you'd catch on," Technoblade stated, looking up at the man as he stood up. "Most people who become Demons usually have no choice or desire other than revenge on one person or group of people who had wronged them in the past. In order for those people to seek out that revenge, they'll do anything in their power to do so, no matter what happens, even if it means turning into an inhuman abomination," Technoblade started, crossing his arms.

"However, when they reach that crossroads, they believe themselves incapable to seek out said revenge unless they become a Demon. Nine times out of ten, they sacrifice their bodies to Muzan and become his slaves, others, well, we still have regular criminals for that one reason. While I have my grievances with Muzan and boy, that list is a long one, I have far more gripes with the Demon Slayer Corps," Technoblade finished as Sakonji sighed.

"I see. So that is why you wanted to learn how to use Total Concentration Breathing. That explains a lot, actually. If I were to wager a guess, you want to take down the Demon Slayer Corps, don't you?" Sakonji asked, a sense of disappointment in his tone as Technoblade stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Yes. I do. But now, I would like to ask you a question, and please, be honest with me. Are you sick and tired of seeing your pupils die because The Demon Slayer Corps keep throwing them at Demons constantly?" Technoblade asked as Sakonji cursed under his breath.

The Former Water Hashira had always felt a pang of immense guilt whenever his pupils died. He saw all of them as his children. By that point, they had slept under the same roof as he did, and some of them even saw him as a father figure. He was sick and tired of seeing his children die at the hands of Demons like Technoblade. But unlike Technoblade, who had some semblance of humanity in him, the Demons who killed his pupils were ravenous monsters hellbent on eating humans.

"A part of me has grown old of seeing those who I care for die, yes," Sakonji said as he looked Technoblade in the eyes, his mask unmoving. "But that doesn't mean I will willingly work against them. I may have my grievances with them, but it's for a better cause. To make sure humanity does not die out because of the Demons," Sakonji's tone turned cold as Technoblade huffed.

"Does that include the current Water Hashira?" Technoblade questioned as Sakonji stiffened.

"How do you—"

"I met him, or at least I think I did. He attacked Dream, and I stepped in. He retreated, not even bothering to fight me, however, it is only a guess. Tell me, does he wear a yellow and red dotted Haori?" Technoblade questioned as Sakonji looked down towards the snow-covered ground.

"Yes…"

"Then you will get into contact with him. If you can convince him to pull out of the Corps, that will mean it will be one less human that dies during our raid. While I do not know of its coordinates, or where it is located, to say that I have some extra help would be an understatement. There are four humans that live with Dream and me, along with a few… guests. I promise you that if you get the current Water Hashira to leave the Corps, then I will promise you his safety. I'd have to assume you care for him like he is your son, do you not?" Technoblade asked as Sakonji nodded silently.

"I thought so. If you're smart, you'll get into contact with him as soon as possible. While we do not know just how long it will be till we find the Corps' hideout location, it will be found sooner rather than later," Technoblade stated as Sakonji nodded.

A sense of despair washed over Sakonji, which had been partly the reason he remained silent. He felt… hollow. He had given away a trade secret to a Demon, not only that, but the Demon had now mastered it.

Now, the Demon was most likely going to share with the rest of his allies, and use it against The Demon Slayer Corps.

He had dishonoured the pact he made with the Corps, promising to never tell a soul about anything the Corps did to outsiders, enemies, or Demons.

Yet, here he was, standing in front of a Demon who he foolishly taught Total Concentration Breathing to, the first step to making or mastering a Breathing Technique, and the very same Demon who was now giving him an ultimatum.

He knew why he did what he had done. He genuinely believed that if he taught the Demon Total Concentration Breathing, he would have joined the Corps to help defeat Muzan, not destroy the Corps.

And for that, he felt worse about his actions.

"I… I see. So you truly do intend to attack the Corps. I…" Sakonji fell to his knees. "I have… dishonoured myself. Here I thought I was doing something to help the Corps. Instead, I helped its enemy. I knew I should've fought you, a voice told me in the back of my mind to kill you… but I ended up teaching a Demon a sacred technique meant to kill Demons…" Sakonji continued as Technoblade looked down on the man.

"What are you doing?" Technoblade questioned as Sakonji drew his sword.

"I'm a fool… an old fool who thought he could do something better for himself," Sakonji snarled as he raised his blade towards himself. "Forgive me," but before he could plunge it through himself, Technoblade kicked it out of his hands, snapping the blade in half, shocking the former Water Hashira.

"Not happening, I'm not gonna let you kill yourself, let alone in any form such as that. It would be embarrassing," Technoblade spat as he picked the man up by the back of his collar. "Do you want to prevent any more innocent kids from dying?" Technoblade asked, a rage filling his voice as Sakonji looked up at him.

"You…"

"Answer. Me. Sakonji." Technoblade interrupted as the former Water Hashira nodded silently. "Good. Then if you're smart, you'll do as I told you to do. Contact the current Water Hashira and tell him to meet you here. We will talk to him about it. If he tries to run back, I'll kill him, because this is meant to be a surprise attack. Got it?" Technoblade stated as Sakonji let out a dejected sigh.

"I… I cannot promise anything. It is up to Giyuu whether or not he comes to visit me. But… I will attempt to make contact with him…" Sakonji said as Technoblade dropped the man.

"Good. Now, help me work on my Technique. It'll pass the time," Technoblade said, passing Sakonji a new blade from his inventory.

And thus, Sakonji realized that he had, indeed, sowed the seeds of death for the Demon Slayer Corps.

For all of his faults, Akaza was a Demon who only cared about one thing—Power. He believed that, without a shadow of a doubt, that all Demons should strive to become the strongest they possibly could, regardless of what was stopping them.

Being the third Upper Moon between the top six was something he was proud of, though he never once spoke a word of that pride to his master, as he would most likely attempt to put him down a notch.

However, if there was one thing that Akaza had been annoyed about, it would have to be the fact that the Lower Moons had been taken away from them by some random Demon going by the moniker of "Blood God."

He didn't care for them, per se, however, to him, he saw it as stealing from his master, and also lessening the threat that the Twelve Kizuki possessed to the Demon Slayer Corp. His master told him to watch "The Blood God" closely so that he didn't fall out of line, however, to not engage with the Demon in question. As far as Akaza was concerned, the fact that he was attempting to make his own Breathing Technique The Slayers used reeked of betrayal.

He wanted to teach the Demon a lesson, but at the same time, he wanted to stay loyal to his master, so, he made the tough decision of ignoring his base instincts and reporting back to his master.

And right now, he stood, facing his master, who glared down at him.

"So, you believe that because he is teaching himself a breathing technique that he is going to come here to kill us all, is that right?" Muzan questioned as Akaza kept his head bowed.

"Yes, my liege, I do believe that is correct. Why else would he do so? Kokushibo can be excused, as he was already a Demon Slayer before he was turned by your greatness, but a new guy who took all of the Lower Moons under his wing? To me, it sounds like he's trying to stage a cout' de taut," Akaza explained as Muzan hummed.

"I see. While I cannot deny that it sounds… arrogant for him to even think of such a thing. I suggest that we keep our eyes on him. If he shows more signs of betrayal, kill him on sight," Muzan said, his voice cold.

"Master, if I may interject my own opinion. Why not kill him now?" Akaza questioned as Muzan hardened a glare.

"Are you opposing me?" Muzan demanded as Akaza shook his head.

"No, master, I am not. I'm merely asking a question as to why we don't kill him now. I mean no disrespect by it," Akaza said as Muzan snarled.

"I see. To answer your question, Upper Moon 3, to put things into perspective, if The Blood God could outspeed me, what do you think your chances would be to fight and defeat such a Demon?" Muzan questioned, though it was more of a demand mixed with an angered snarl.

To this, Akaza gritted his teeth. Was that true? Was The Blood God truly that powerful? "I… apologize for questioning your verdict, my master. I was out of line. If you wish to punish me, I shall accept anything, even death," Akaza stated as Muzan scoffed.

"I care not for your petty speech, leave my confines before I make up my mind," Muzan growled as the Biwa demon strummed her instrument, sending Akaza away. Muzan sat in his chair, a thought bolstering his mind. If The Blood God was planning a cout' de taut against him, then he would have to strike at the source, however, Muzan knew full well that The Blood God wasn't that stupid, he could see it in the Demon's eyes.

Besides, he had more pressing matters to worry about, such as the Blue Spider Lily, and Ubuyashiki. "Nakime, call forth Upper Moon Six," Muzan demanded as the sound of a biwa echoed out into the room.

The moment the sound of the Biwa's strum ended, Wilbur appeared out of thin air, standing as if he had been leaning against a wall.

"—And then I said, GAH!" Wilbur fell flat on his ass, shaking his head, scurrying to his feet. "You know, you have the worst possible timing, right?" The Demon stated as he cracked his neck. "So, tell me, what exactly do you want from me, master, I already told you I had found a lead onto where that stupid flower you want is," Wilbur stated, turning around, facing the Demon King.

"Kneel," Muzan demanded as Wilbur stood defiantly.

"I don't kneel to anyone, I don't care who they are. You could be God himself, and I still wouldn't kneel. You seem to forget that you don't control me. I only joined you because I felt like it," Wilbur spat as Muzan glared.

"You dare—"

"—defy your master? Jesus, you're so predictable, it physically hurts!" Wilbur interrupted, shrugging his shoulders.

"Do you want to die?" Muzan threatened, causing Wilbur to smirk.

"Here's a better question? Do you?" Wilbur snapped back, however, as he blinked, a tentacle came rushing at him. Then, within a split second, Wilbur disappeared from Muzan's sight, and as soon as that happened, the Demon Lord felt a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down, seeing a heart on the end of a pointed hand. The heart exploded, and Muzan flinched, coughing up blood.

"Need I remind you, that we made a deal? If you so much as thought as to kill me, I would take one of your hearts away. You're now down one heart, do NOT make that mistake again. Just because I am only the Sixth Upper Moon, does not mean that I am stronger than you," Wilbur's voice became dark, filled with malice as he removed his hand as Muzan's wound healed over.

"You… traitorous…" Muzan struggled to speak as Wilbur appeared in front of him.

"Oh no, I'm not traitorous, I'm just someone who doesn't take anyone's shit. You might be the King of Demons, but I serve no one. Why do you think I plucked your cells out of my body on the first day of becoming a Demon, hmm?" Wilbur stated as Muzan's eyes widened.

"YOU WHAT—" the Demon King couldn't finish, as Wilbur had kicked him in the jaw, sending him flying backwards. The Demon King slammed into one of the infinity palace walls, blood dripping from his mouth as he spat, glaring at Wilbur, who began to walk closer to the Demon Lord, who had been embedded into one of the walls.

"When I realized your cells were physically weakening me so that I could not become the strongest I could possibly become, I removed them. It was painful, mind you, but I was able to. The reason why I kept my power is… well, never mind, I don't think you need to know that," Wilbur said, his tone sarcastic as Muzan attempted to get up, only to falter.

"What the hell did he do to me?" Muzan thought as he attempted it once more, only to fail. He gave up, glaring at the Sixth Upper Moon. He demanded to have answers. He was still in control, yeah, he had to be, because if he wasn't, and the others found out about this interaction….

"How did you remove my cells from your body, and keep your power?" Muzan demanded as Wilbur smirked, the look on his face border lining on manic, his eyes narrowed so much so that it felt like Wilbur was peering into Muzan's soul.

"Now why would I tell you? Just know that it can be done and that the only reason why I'm still working for you is that it is currently the most convenient for me. Now, we'll keep this under wraps, capiche?" Wilbur said, a jovial smile on his face as Muzan snapped at Wilbur's neck, only for Wilbur to disappear, his laugh echoing out into the infinite space the palace had to offer.

"Remember Muzan, I'm the only one who has an idea of where the Spider Lily is. You need me, therefore, you should think twice before fighting me, I don't think I have to tell you why it's a stupid idea trying to kill me!" Wilburs voice echoed all around The Demon Lord as Muzan growled.

"Then why are you hiding the information from me?" Muzan shouted, only for no response to be received. The Demon Lord clicked his tongue, an annoyed and pissed-off expression lacing his face as he plucked himself from the wall.

A deep paranoia sunk into Muzan. If an Upper Moon was nearly as strong as him, if not stronger, and it was because of the removal of his cells, would that mean that if the others, especially Akaza, found out about it, then they would remove them and possibly come after him?

"No, they're too loyal for that. I made a mistake in allowing Wilbur to become a Demon. And it seems now… it's a mistake I cannot fix…" Muzan said, standing tall as he glanced down at Nakime. He shook his head. Calling him back would only cause more chaos in his throne room. He needed to wait till he had all of The Upper Moons with him. Only then would he be unable to attempt to kill him, especially if Kokushibo was there.

"I need… to rest," Muzan said, sitting back down on his throne, closing his eyes as he reclined back. He had enough stress for one day, and if Wilbur stealing and destroying one of his hearts proved anything today, it was the fact that the Demons of Today were far more powerful than he was. He needed an ace up his sleeve, but right now, he needed to worry about something else…

The Blue Spider Lily.

Wilbur was right in saying he needed him, but the moment his usefulness was up, he was as good as dead.

To Be Continued